-
Mingo County crime report
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT WILLIAMSON, W.Va. — The Mingo County Magistrate Court released these criminal cases during the week of Aug. 17. Amanda Williamson, 50, of Caney Fork Road, Kentucky, was charged with burglary. She allegedly broke into a home on Persinger Drive in the Fairview Addition area of Williamson on June 15. The owner, Truman…
-
Morrisey announces $145 million water push, Wayne County projects
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT WAYNE COUNTY, W.Va. — Gov. Patrick Morrisey has announced $145 million in additional state funding for water and wastewater infrastructure, along with several projects aimed at addressing chronic water problems in Wayne County and other parts of southern West Virginia. Morrisey announced the statewide funding Aug. 19 in Beckley, then traveled to…
-
Suspected fentanyl, meth seized at Fitch Branch home
BY ANNIE HOLLER MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Law enforcement seized suspected fentanyl and methamphetamine Friday evening while serving an out-of-state warrant at a residence in Inez. Martin County Sheriff John Kirk and Deputy J.C. Kirk went to the Fitch Branch Road home of Kenneth Allen Rose, 34, to serve a warrant from Wayne County, West…
-
KSP arrests Pikeville man after meth, fentanyl seizure
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT PIKEVILLE — Kentucky State Police arrested a Pikeville man Sunday after troopers said they found a large quantity of suspected methamphetamine, suspected fentanyl and pressed fentanyl tablets during an ongoing drug investigation. Troopers with KSP Post 9’s Street Crimes Unit were attempting to locate William Cody West, 45, of Pikeville, on Aug.…
-
Storms down trees, knock out power
Radar-indicated rotation; over 1,000 lose electricity BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — A violent round of Sunday night storms brought a tornado warning to Martin County, toppled trees across the county and knocked out electricity to more than 1,000 customers. The National Weather Service in Jackson issued the tornado warning for northeastern Martin County…
-
Child’s close call reveals old hand-dug water well on Main Street
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — A child searching for a turtle had a close call Friday when she stepped into a hole that led to an old hand-dug water well on Main Street in Inez. The child, 2-year-old Lainey Ray, was not injured, and the incident exposed a much larger opening beneath the…
-
Fletcher still sought after mistaken release from jail
Protection case surfaces Monday in neighboring county BY ANNIE HOLLER MOUNTAIN CITIZEN PAINTSVILLE — Authorities are still seeking Herbert Ray Fletcher after the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center mistakenly released him July 23. Meanwhile, a new case involving allegations of harassment and stalking has surfaced against him in neighboring Mingo County, West Virginia. Fletcher, 47,…
-
Harvest Fest to bring carnival, live music, vendors and more to Inez
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Downtown Inez will come alive Sept. 18 and 19 as the Harvest Fest marks its 30th anniversary with carnival rides, live music, contests, food, games, a parade, wrestling, bluegrass and a free concert by “The Voice” winner Jake Hoot. And the celebration will begin well before festival weekend.…
-
UMWA calls for ‘immediate’ enforcement of silica rule as black lung hits new high in Appalachia
by Caity Coyne West Virginia Watch Kentucky Lantern August 14, 2026 The United Mine Workers of America made an “urgent demand” of the federal government on Thursday for the “immediate, uncompromised” enforcement of previously approved policies and rules that would protect coal miners from incurable black lung disease. The call from the UMWA comes after…
-
Martin County court docket
INEZ — Judge John T. Chafin heard the following cases Aug. 11 in Martin District Court: Michael D. Dalton (arraignment) – Terroristic threatening, third degree; disorderly conduct, second degree: Pleaded not guilty; pretrial conference 8/25/26 at 9:30 a.m. Homer Gary Evans (arraignment) – Criminal trespassing, third degree; theft by unlawful taking or disposition all others:…
