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Burn ban in effect in Martin County
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT INEZ — Martin County is officially under a burn ban. Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty signed the executive order Monday citing the surge in forest fires statewide, a looming dry stretch, and growing concerns over public safety. “These conditions also add a heightened risk to our firefighters and threaten the natural resources of Martin…
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Indictments in Martin County: Drug trafficking, assault and fleeing the law lead charges
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — In a busy day for the criminal court system, a Martin County grand jury rolled out a fresh batch of indictments Thursday while the Circuit Court followed suit with several criminal informations—charges that skip the grand jury and come straight from the prosecutor. Thirteen people now face an…
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Local coal miner killed in Friday night accident
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT LOGAN, W.Va. — A Pike County coal miner died Friday evening while working at a mine in Logan County, West Virginia, Gov. Jim Justice announced. Gary Chapman, 33, of South Williamson, Kentucky, died from injuries sustained at the Mountaineer II Mine near Sharples, according to the governor’s statement. “When we lose a…
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Two Inez locals nabbed for stolen goods
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Two Inez locals, Jeffery Pinson, 31, and Ray Collins, 48, found themselves in police custody Thursday evening on Mac Pinson Drive for allegedly receiving stolen goods valued between $500 and $1,000. According to Chief Deputy Chris Kidd of the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, authorities were alerted to a…
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Warfield greenlights medical cannabis
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN WARFIELD — The Warfield City Commission has signaled its intent to allow medical cannabis operations within city limits, moving forward with the first reading of a new ordinance Thursday. The ordinance cites the benefits to residents as a key reason for permitting licensed medical cannabis cultivators, dispensaries, processors, producers and…
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Big Sandy Detention Center reviews finances and inmate work detail allotments
Jail has employment positions open BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN PAINTSVILLE — The Big Sandy Regional Detention Center board discussed financial challenges and other business in a special meeting Thursday. The board moved into an executive session to discuss “litigation and personnel” without taking any action. Administrator Byron E. Hansford reported that the facility’s average…
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Martin County seeks $28 million to rescue troubled water and sewer systems
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Martin County is hoping to secure crucial funding for its ailing water and sewer systems through the Kentucky Water and Wastewater Assistance for Troubled or Economically Restrained Systems program. This initiative, introduced during the 2024 General Assembly, allocates $150 million to support economically challenged water and wastewater systems…
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Community unites to preserve historic 1821 church in Inez, eyes future heritage center
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Creative community members are rallying to save the Rockcastle United Baptist Church, established in 1821 and a primary founding church of the Old Zion Association, from the relentless march of time. There are early discussions to transform the historic building into a Martin County Heritage Center, a move…
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729 more tires recovered from Tug River
BY KYLE LOVERN MOUNTAIN CITIZEN BORDERLAND, W.Va. — The tire cleanup for the Tug River continued Aug. 28 at Borderland, just north of Williamson. What workers thought would be a light day wading the river turned into a major waste tire cleanup just below the Borderland access site. The official number was 729 old tires…
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Salyersville man convicted on federal drug charges
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT PIKEVILLE — A federal jury in Pikeville convicted a Salyersville man Aug. 28 of possessing with intent to distribute significant quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl following a two-day trial. Daniel Jackson, 57, was found guilty after evidence presented at trial revealed that on Feb. 7 law enforcement officers conducted a traffic stop…
Category: News
