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Brown water, clearer picture
Sometimes the water runs brown and so do our thoughts. When faucets across Martin County turned rust-colored last summer, frustration filled kitchens and laundry rooms alike. People wanted answers, and for a long time all we had were questions, suspicion and a lingering sense that something was being hidden. What we learned this winter is…
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Martin County court docket for Jan. 29
INEZ — Judge John T. Chafin heard the following cases Jan. 29 in Martin District Court: Damian Bradley Cheek (arraignment) — Reckless driving: Six-month diversion, pay court cost of $143, show cause 7/14/26 at 10 a.m. Kendra Farley (arraignment) — Failure to wear seat belt: Allegations taken as true, $25 fine, show cause 7/14/26. Thelma…
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Feeling the winter blues? Light may be the best medicine
BY LINDSEY FEY and JOSEPH REY-BARREAU UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY As the days get shorter and the sunlight fades, many people notice a change in their energy and mood. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), often called seasonal depression or the “winter blues,” is a type of depression that typically occurs during the fall and winter months when…
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Martin County civil suits and deeds
INEZ — Martin Circuit Clerk Denise Gauze reported one civil suit filed in her office Jan. 22-29. Meanwhile, Martin County Clerk Susie Skyles reported seven deeds recorded in her office through Jan. 29. Civil Suits H & S Financial Inc. vs. Aaron Hinkle. Deeds Danny Jude and Wanda Jude to Kathy Carter. Brian Parsley to…
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Memories of winters from the past
This winter weather season has been one of the worst this region has seen in a while. But there have been much more severe winters in the past. I will get to that in a moment. But my sister Karen and I were talking about growing up and not having real snow boots like most…
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Kentucky lawmakers renew push to establish statewide residential utility disconnection protections
by Liam Niemeyer Kentucky Lantern February 2, 2026 Last month, on a frigid day in front of the state capitol building in Frankfort, advocates called on Democratic Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear to halt residential utility disconnections through the winter via executive order. These groups, including the environmental advocacy nonprofit Kentucky Conservation Committee and Kentuckians for…
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Free will-writing clinic March 9 in Inez
Area residents will have an opportunity to prepare a legal will at no cost during a Last Will & Testament Free Clinic scheduled for Monday, March 9, at the Martin County Extension Office. The clinic will run from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the extension office at 9 Holy Street in Inez, and is…
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Kentucky Senate approves bill to clarify recent teacher and student electronic communication law
by McKenna Horsley Kentucky Lantern January 27, 2026 A bill that aims to revise restrictions on how Kentucky teachers communicate electronically with their students has passed out of the state Senate. The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Lindsey Tichenor, R-Smithfield, builds on her law from last year that required public school teachers and students to electronically…
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Mingo grand jury returns 47 indictments; former teacher charged in child sex abuse case
BY ANNIE HOLLER MOUNTAIN CITIZEN WILLIAMSON, W.Va. — The Mingo County grand jury returned 47 indictments during its first session of 2026, including charges against a former Mingo Central High School teacher and coach accused of sexual contact with an underage student. The indictments span a wide range of alleged offenses, from drug trafficking and…
