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Martin County Court Docket
District Court INEZ — Judge John T. Chafin heard the following cases July 3 in Martin District Court: Shelby Marie Baker (arraignment) — Operating on suspended/revoked operator’s license; drug paraphernalia-buy/possession: Pleaded not guilty, pretrial 8/15/23 at 9 a.m. Jonathan Luther Ball (arraignment) — Rear license not illuminated; operating on suspended/revoked operator’s license: Failure to appear.…
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Martin County Arrest Report
INEZ — Martin County Sheriff John Kirk’s Office reported the following arrests: Selwyn Glenn Brewer, 55, of Beauty, was arrested Monday for driving on a DUI-suspended license, possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), drug paraphernalia buy/possession, and resisting arrest. Sheriff Kirk reported Brewer had a small plastic bag in his right shorts pocket that contained…
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Strangulation, assault, theft, drugs highlight Martin County grand jury indictments
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Strangulation, assault, theft and drug offenses highlight the numerous indictments handed down July 6 by a Martin County grand jury. Robert Williamson, 64, of Tomahawk, was indicted for second-degree strangulation and fourth-degree assault (minor injury). The indictment alleges that on two separate occasions — April 7, 2023 and Aug.…
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Former Eastern Kentucky correctional supervisor indicted for covering up assault of restrained inmate
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT LEXINGTON — A former sergeant at the Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex in West Liberty was indicted by a federal jury in Lexington for three counts of obstruction based on his alleged efforts to cover up the assault of a restrained inmate by multiple officers he supervised. The Justice Department announced the indictment…
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Former Kentucky correctional officers plead guilty to assault of restrained inmate and cover-up
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT WEST LIBERTY — Two former Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex officers have pleaded guilty in a case involving the assault of a restrained inmate. The plea entered on record involves charges of deprivation of civil rights and obstruction of justice. Court documents reveal that on July 24, 2018, Randall T. Dennis, 28, brutally…
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Martin County creating vibrant art scene in downtown Inez
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — County officials have embarked on an ambitious project to breathe new life into the area surrounding the old abandoned jail and adjacent Historic Martin County Courthouse. The previously neglected location will be transformed into a vibrant art scene and tourist attraction. Volunteers from Appalachia Reach Out were seen…
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Collier envisions improvements for Inez
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — As a newly appointed City Commissioner for Inez, Nita Collier is eager to foster improvements in her beloved city. Collier, a retired school teacher and current chairman of the Martin County Tourism Commission, was officially appointed June 20, replacing former Commissioner Terry Fraley, who resigned the previous month.…
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Martin County Arrest Report
INEZ — Martin County Sheriff John Kirk’s Office reported the following arrests: Joey Taylor, 43, of Crum, West Virginia, was arrested Sunday at Zip Zone in Lovely for operating on a suspended or revoked operator’s license, operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, and first-degree fleeing or evading police (motor vehicle). Deputy J.C.…
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Martin County Public Library to launch outreach services
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN Martin County — The Martin County Public Library is expanding its outreach services with a mobile library initiative. The program is set to launch this month at Dempsey Housing, providing free books for children to promote literacy and access to library resources. “We’ve done a substantial job of bringing the…