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Mingo County arrest report week of Oct. 19
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT WILLIAMSON, W.Va. — Several arrests were made by law enforcement agencies this past week in Mingo County. Chris Bumgarner, 39, of Chapmanville, was charged with breaking and entering. He was arrested by the West Virginia State Police (WVSP). Jonathan Kyle Walker, 30, of Justice, was charged with assault while committing a felony,
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Sentencing delayed for former prison officer amid sealed court filings
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN DEBORD — Nine months after admitting he helped lead a violent conspiracy inside one of the nation’s most notorious federal prisons, a former prison lieutenant faces a second delay in his sentencing date. Federal judges have kept key court filings in his civil rights case under seal, signaling possible new
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Mingo man charged after threatening deputy with a knife
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT WILLIAMSON, W.Va. — A Mingo County man is behind bars after threatening a deputy and neighbors with a knife. Denver Ray Hatfield Jr., 54, of Matewan, was taken into custody after a 911 caller said a man at Mitchell Branch was threatening neighbors with a knife Oct. 17. Mingo County Sheriff’s Department
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Sheriff warns residents of insurance scam
Individual reportedly visits homes, asks for policy details before leaving. CITIZEN STAFF REPORT INEZ — Martin County Sheriff John Kirk issued a public warning Friday about an insurance scam in the county. According to the sheriff, a man has been visiting homes under false pretenses and attempting to obtain personal information related to life insurance
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Florida company will buy Addiction Recovery Care, continue ‘core mission,’ says founder
by Deborah Yetter, Kentucky Lantern October 22, 2025 Addiction Recovery Care, or ARC, Kentucky’s largest provider of treatment and recovery services, has announced its pending sale to Ethema Health Corp., a Palm Beach, Florida-based behavioral health company. ARC reported the potential sale in a news release Wednesday, saying the two companies have “entered into a
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Copper theft leaves lasting damage and ‘no options available’ on Wolf Creek
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN LOVELY — Another attempted copper theft on North Wolf Road has left residents without working telephone service and deepened what they describe as a permanent loss of infrastructure in their rural area. Around 8 a.m. Saturday, a caller traveling on State Route 1714/North Wolf Creek Road between Buck Branch and
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Martin County arrest report
INEZ — Martin County Sheriff John Kirk’s Office reported the following arrests: Dena R. Booth, 66, of Tomahawk, was arrested Monday on West Main Street in Inez on a charge of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol/substances. Sheriff Kirk reported that he witnessed a vehicle driving erratically and made a traffic stop.
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Warfield sets property tax rates
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT WARFIELD — The City of Warfield set its real estate and personal tangible property tax rates at 11.2 cents per $100 of assessed value. That is an increase in real estate from last year’s rate of 10.1 and in personal tangible from last year’s rate of 9.55. According to City Clerk Rhonda
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Inez reduces speed limit on Whickerfield Road
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Inez City Commissioners approved several measures this month, including reducing the speed limit to 5 mph on Whickerfield Road, funding for holiday decorations and a permit application for bridge cleaning. Commissioners authorized the purchase of five new 5 mph speed limit signs and two “Children at Play” signs
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Two men face drug-related charges
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin Circuit Court issued formal drug-related charges Oct. 16 against two individuals under Kentucky’s Rocket Docket program. Robert R. Whitt, 45, of Adams, faces three charges: operating on a suspended or revoked operator’s license (Class B misdemeanor), possession of a controlled substance in the first degree (Class
