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Bridge without guardrails draws renewed safety concerns after motorcycle crash
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN BEAUTY — A motorcycle crash Thursday at the Buck Creek bridge on Kentucky Route 40 has renewed calls for safety improvements at what Martin County Sheriff John Kirk describes as one of the county‘s most dangerous stretches of roadway. The crash occurred while Kirk was investigating an unrelated motorcycle accident…
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Lovely woman charged after reported armed confrontation
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN PILGRIM — A reported armed confrontation inside a Little Rockcastle Road home ended with misdemeanor charges Sunday after Kentucky State Police said they were unable to locate the handgun or baseball bat allegedly used in the dispute. Terri L. Sammons, 44, of Lovely, was arrested June 28 and charged with…
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Jake Hoot to headline Harvest Fest
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — After months of speculation, the Martin County Harvest Festival has named Jake Hoot, a winner of NBC’s “The Voice,” as the headliner for its 30th annual event. Hoot, who won Season 17 of “The Voice” in 2019 and “The Voice” All-Star Showdown earlier this year, will perform at…
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Weekslong water line flushing underway in Martin County
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Water District is flushing water lines as part of a systemwide maintenance program that will continue over the next several weeks. Flushing started Monday in the Inez, Old Middlefork Road and Old Route 3 areas. Colby May, regional operations manager for Alliance Water Resources, the…
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Martin County adopts budget, awards asphalt contract
Magistrates also approve salaries, Extension District budget, board appointments BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Martin County Fiscal Court awarded its annual asphalt contract to a local company, adopted a $19.8 million budget for the coming fiscal year and approved the county’s employee salary schedule during a special meeting June 25. Magistrates awarded the…
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Five arrested after police find suspected drugs hidden in vehicle door frames
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT BELFRY — Five people went to jail in Pike County after Kentucky State Police detectives found nearly 2-1/2 pounds of suspected methamphetamine and 2-1/2 ounces of suspected fentanyl hidden inside a vehicle’s door frames. Officers with KSP Post 9 conducted a traffic stop June 25 in Belfry on two vehicles believed to…
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Martin County court dockets
INEZ — Judge John Kevin Holbrook heard tcases June 22 in Martin Circuit Court while Judge Brett Butcher heard cases June 23 in Martin District Court. Circuit Court Patrick Speer (motion hour-consolidated) — Criminal abuse, first degree, child 12 or under; manslaughter, second degree: Set for 8/7/26. Christina Chapman (suppression hearing–all pending motions, motion to…
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Martin County civil suits, deeds and marriages
INEZ — Martin Circuit Clerk Denise Gauze reported 14 civil suits filed in her office through June 25. Meanwhile, Martin County Clerk Susie Skyles reported seven deeds and two marriages recorded in her office through June 24. Civil suits Midland Credit Management Inc. vs. Misty Dillon. Cash Express vs. Calvin Fletcher. Cash Express vs. Donna…
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Martin County woman sentenced to five years in drug case
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN LOUISA — A Martin County woman was sentenced to five years in prison June 25 in Lawrence Circuit Court in a drug case that began with a 2025 traffic stop. Sherry Horn, 48, of Lovely, was indicted in July 2025 following a Kentucky State Police investigation stemming from an April…
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Three women charged with drug trafficking in infant death investigation
BY LAUREL SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN DELBARTON, W.Va. — Three women face drug trafficking and conspiracy charges after investigators executing a search warrant in connection with the death of a 4-month-old infant allegedly uncovered evidence of drug distribution inside a Matewan residence. Tonya Hayton, 50, of Williamson; Blanche Elizabeth Dotson, 35, of Belfry, Kentucky; and Regina…
