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Martin County to purchase dilapidated downtown properties
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Fiscal Court is purchasing seven downtown properties in Inez for $550,000. Magistrates approved the expenditure of the county’s American Rescue Plan Act allocation in a special meeting Friday. Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty stated the goal was to revitalize the county. “Many buildings in our cities are dilapidated—have fallen on…
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Martin County Water has not secured project permits; Warfield braces amid concerns
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN WARFIELD — Tensions surfaced in Warfield as the city prepares for significant water infrastructure construction along Collins Creek Road, slated to start June 10. The Martin County Water District (MCWD), responsible for the project, has not yet secured the necessary permits required by the City of Warfield, sparking concerns among…
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Martin County High School hires new principal
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Martin County High School announced Friday that Dr. Michelle Harless has been hired as the new principal. Harless fills a vacancy left by the untimely death of principal Brian Charles in November 2023. A 23-year veteran educator, Harless shared her excitement in a social media post, saying, “I…
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BOE approves budget
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Board of Education approved the 2024-2025 tentative budget and heard an update from finance officer Earnest Hale in a special meeting May 28. “Good news,” Hale announced. “We had an increase in SEEK [Support Education Excellence in Kentucky] funding due to the fact that [the…
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Collier Center rolls out new chiller ahead of summer heat
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Public Library/Collier Center is experiencing a significant drop in temperature following the installation of a new air-conditioning system last week, library officials announced. During a special board meeting May 29, member Barry Webb provided an update from a representative of Elliott Contracting, the Pikeville-based company…
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Martin County Arrest Report
INEZ — Martin County Sheriff John Kirk’s Office reported the following arrests: Lillie Spelts, 24, of Warfield, was arrested Tuesday on Collins Creek Road, Warfield, for endangering the welfare of a minor. Chief Deputy Chris Kidd was called to Spelts’ home for a DSS assist. He described the home as “an extremely dirty environment.” Floors…
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Martin County Sanitation board navigates financial and infrastructural challenges
BY PHILL BARNETT MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Sanitation District (MCSD) board discussed finances and infrastructure in a special session Thursday after canceling the regularly scheduled monthly meeting May 28. Alliance Water Resources personnel were on hand and provided their monthly financial and operational reports. One highlight was a graph that showed a…
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Martin County Water meets new managers, announces traffic delays
BY PHILL BARNETT MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Water board met newly appointed managers and reviewed ongoing projects in a special session Thursday, announcing traffic delays for Collins Creek Road starting June 10. Alliance regional manager Erica Bogenpohl provided monthly reports and introduced two newly appointed managers who will be stationed in Martin…
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Martin County seeks grant for regional sewer treatment plant
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Fiscal Court in a special session Friday authorized Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty to execute application documents for Government Resources Accelerating Needed Transformation grants. This funding will support the expansion of the Honey Branch Wastewater Treatment Plant’s capacity from 1 million gallons per day to 2 million…
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Martin County court docket for May 28
INEZ — Judge Brett Butcher heard the following cases May 28 in Martin District Court: Fred Thomas Daniels Jr. (arraignment) — 1. No/expired registration plates; 2. No/expired Kentucky registration receipt; 3. Failure of non-owner operator to maintain required insurance, first: Dismissed, proof shown. Kriste Dixon (arraignment) — Criminal littering: Pleaded not guilty, pretrial conference 6/11/24…
