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Man arrested after dropping drugs in Martin County Government Center, police said
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — If you happened to lose a pouch of drugs inside the Martin County Government Center last week, Sheriff John Kirk had a message for you: call the sheriff’s office. He would be happy to help — and by “help,” he meant jail. The odd episode began after hours…
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SOAR to host April 28 hiring event with WECTEC, Westinghouse affiliate
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR) and the Eastern Kentucky Talent Network will host a regional hiring event April 28 connecting Eastern Kentucky workers with skilled trades, manufacturing and energy-sector opportunities, including positions with WECTEC Staffing Services, a Westinghouse affiliate. The event is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 28,…
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Mingo County arrests, criminal complaints and bookings
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT WILLIAMSON, W.Va. — The Mingo County Magistrate Court Clerk’s office released criminal complaints and arrests by various law enforcement agencies this past week, while jail records showed additional recent bookings. Amanda Lynn Williamson, 46, was booked April 18 in Mingo County on charges of trespassing-1, breaking and entering and obstructing an officer.…
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Lawrence County grand jury indicts 14
BY ANNIE HOLLER MOUNTAIN CITIZEN LOUISA — Fourteen people were indicted April 9 by the Lawrence County grand jury on charges that include major drug trafficking, assault, burglary, theft and incest. Jimmy Castle, 48, of Paintsville, was indicted on one count of second-degree assault. The charge stems from an alleged incident May 2, 2025. According…
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PSC was right to say not yet
The Kentucky Public Service Commission made the right call. On April 8, the PSC denied the Martin County Water District’s request to end state monitoring and close the long-running case that has tracked this county’s water system through years of failure, crisis and costly repair. That decision may frustrate local officials but it is the…
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PSC opens enforcement case over Martin County Water District unapproved truck lease
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN FRANKFORT — The Kentucky Public Service Commission has opened a formal investigation into the Martin County Water District, five current or former commissioners and an Alliance Water Resources manager over allegations the utility entered into a truck lease without first obtaining state approval required by law. In a March 31…
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PSC rejects Martin County Water District request to end monitoring
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Kentucky Public Service Commission has denied the Martin County Water District’s request to end state monitoring and close the long-running oversight case, ruling that the district has not yet shown it can operate without continued scrutiny or without the support of its outside management company, Alliance Water…
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Legislation heads to governor with nearly $26 million for Martin County water, sewer projects
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN FRANKFORT — Legislation that would release $25.8 million for eight Martin County water and sewer projects cleared the Kentucky General Assembly on Tuesday, moving to Gov. Andy Beshear. The measure, House Joint Resolution 81, would release $52,502,260 statewide in previously appropriated funding through Kentucky’s Water and Wastewater Assistance for Troubled…
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Martin County arrest report
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT INEZ — Martin County Sheriff John Kirk’s Office reported the following arrests: Gary Lee Gamble Sr., 65, was arrested April 12 on Route 40 in Tomahawk on charges of first-degree and first- offense trafficking in controlled substance (methamphetamine), first-degree and second offense possession of controlled substance (methamphetamine) and first-degree and first offense…
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Kentucky Power targets Martin County in reliability upgrades
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT Kentucky Power says Martin County is among the eastern Kentucky areas receiving targeted reliability upgrades as the utility focuses on circuits with the highest outage history and the greatest potential impact for customers. The company said crews across its eastern Kentucky service territory are carrying out vegetation management, equipment upgrades and new…
