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Santa rides shotgun in Sheriff Kirk’s patrol car
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — If you are traveling through Martin County this season, you might spot Sheriff John Kirk and Santa making their rounds. With flashing lights and bags of candy and toys, they are turning roadside stops into moments of Christmas cheer—and proving that even a “citation” can be a gift…
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Man fatally shot after entering Carter County residence
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT GRAYSON — A man was fatally shot Dec. 18 after entering a residence in Carter County, state police said. Authorities responded to a 9:04 p.m. emergency call reporting a shooting on Damron Mayo Road in Grayson. Upon arrival, officers from the Kentucky State Police and Grayson City Police Department found a man…
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From mine to mushrooms: Agroforestry seeding hope, opportunity in Lovely
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN LOVELY — At a reclaimed mine site on North Wolf Creek Road, a new chapter in Appalachian opportunity is sprouting. With support from a USDA RBDG-funded series of free workshops, residents eager to launch or grow their ventures are learning hands-on techniques in agroforestry. The yearlong program began Friday with…
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Inez beats ARPA deadline to obligate funds
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Following the swearing-in Thursday of Inez Commissioners Jennifer Wells, Nita Collier, Roy Penix and Phyllis Conrad by Martin County/Judge Executive Lon Lafferty, the City of Inez took steps to ensure its share of federal relief money does not slip away. Mayor Ed Daniels announced that the city’s remaining…
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Six county health departments gather to build partnerships
ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Public health teams from six counties came together Friday for the first-ever Big Sandy Public Health Regional Christmas event. Staff from Floyd, Johnson, Lawrence, Magoffin, Martin and Pike counties participated in a day of team-building activities, games, a Christmas breakfast and a movie to build connections and strengthen partnerships.…
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Report details struggles of independent abortion clinics nationwide after Roe
BY KELCIE MOSELEY-MORRIS KENTUCKY LANTERN LaDonna Prince’s new reproductive care clinic in Illinois was supposed to be open more than a year ago. Prince and her staff were prepared for Indiana to ban abortion, and started trying to move operations to Danville, Illinois, in 2023. It’s about 90 minutes across the border from her old…
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Inez man’s interference ends in jail cell
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT INEZ — A man’s Tuesday took a hard left into a jail cell Tuesday in Inez when he tried to stop law enforcement from interviewing an alleged domestic violence victim. Chief Deputy Chris Kidd, accompanied by Martin County Sheriff John Kirk, rolled up on a welfare check just past noon on Route…
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Martin County Arrest Report
INEZ — Martin County Sheriff John Kirk’s Office reported the following arrests: Allen Arterrius, 35, of Debord, was arrested Friday on a fugitive from another state warrant. Chief Deputy Chris Kidd served the warrant at the United States Penitentiary Big Sandy in Debord. Brian Dale Lowe, 554, of Pilgrim, was arrested Thursday in Pilgrim for…
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Martin County court docket for Dec. 10
INEZ — Judge Brett Butcher heard the following cases Dec. 10 in Martin District Court: Shonda Crum (arraignment) — Possession of a controlled substance, first degree, first offense (methamphetamine); possession of marijuana; possession of controlled substance, third degree-drug unspecified; drug paraphernalia-buy/possess: Preliminary hearing 12/17/24 at 9 a.m. Joe Allen Evans (arraignment) — Assault, second degree-domestic…