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Water district debt increases
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Martin County Water District customers have paid a debt service surcharge in addition to their monthly water bills since March 2018 to reduce the district’s past-due vendor debts. Nearly four years later that debt has grown from $800,000 to over $1.1 million. The Kentucky Public Service Commission initially…
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Officials discuss water
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN FRANKFORT — Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Goodman wants officials to consider regionalization of Martin County’s water system. Goodman put the idea on the radar during a quarterly meeting of a special Martin County Water District Workgroup earlier this month. The workgroup, led by Goodman, comprises representatives from…
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ARC brings state-of-the-art residential treatment center to Martin County
White Oak Hill opening early 2022 BY LISA SMITH STAYTON MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — White Oak Hill is ready to help people with their addiction recovery journey and will open its doors in early 2022 in Martin County. Addiction Recovery Center CEO/Founder Tim Robinson, a Martin County native, said his organization would open the 120-bed residential treatment…
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Addiction stole 13 years of Vanessa Keeton’s life
ARC director excited about new facility opening in Martin County BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Drug addiction stole 13 years of Vanessa Horn Keeton’s life. She hit rock bottom but found her way back through Addiction Recovery Center. Keeton, a Martin County native, now works as ARC senior director of talent and engagement…
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Water district leaks 353 million gallons
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Imagine 352.85-million gallons of water — about 114 times the capacity of the Curtis Crum Reservoir. Not raw river water but treated drinking water – leaking from the Martin County Water District distribution system. That is the amount of water the MCWD lost in the first 10 months…
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State approves Martin County Solar farm
From the War on Poverty to ‘most iconic renewable energy project in the country’ BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN FRANKFORT — State regulators Monday approved a 200-megawatt solar farm for construction in Martin County that developers say is the country’s most iconic renewable energy project. The facility will cover 2,541 acres on the reclaimed Martiki…
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Fletcher records garbage hauler ripping bags open
Fiscal Court will address issue Oct. 21 BY RACHEL DOVE CITIZEN STAFF INEZ — Garbage bags being ripped open by hauler to see what is inside has driven one customer in Martin County to the point of video recording the pickup process. He says it offers proof of what he describes as a “form of…
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STATE-BOUND! Cardinals win Region 15 to end 37-year drought
BY RONNIE HICKMAN CITIZEN SPORTS EDITOR PIKEVILLE — How sweet it is. The Cardinals are heading to the Sweet Sixteen state basketball tournament, ending a 37-year boys’ regional championship drought in Martin County. The Cardinals defeated a good Lawrence County team 65-61 to claim the 15th Region championship title Monday night at Appalachian Wireless Arena…
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The decision to be ‘victims’ or ‘victors’ rests with us
At Thursday evening’s meeting with water customers held at Sheldon Clark High School with the Martin County Concerned Citizens’ watchdog group, one theme was clear: Do we continue to play the role of victim or do we rise above this state to become victors? The decision is ours. The gauntlet was thrown down. Do we…
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Clearing up the Attorney General’s report of our water to our grand jury
There you have it! A few local leaders and former leaders are pointing to the Attorney General’s report about allegations of wrongdoing for at least the last 20 years by the Martin County Water District Board as glowing proof that nothing was wrong … no criminal charges will be filed. The first of three findings…
