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State announces $20,000 for Martin County heritage exhibits
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN Martin County Fiscal Court will receive $20,000 in state grant funding to create interpretive exhibits on President Lyndon B. Johnson’s historic “War on Poverty” visit to Inez in 1964, the Kentucky Heritage Council (KHC) announced Friday. The KHC said the second and final round of America250KY Sub-Grant Awards will provide…
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Mingo County arrest report
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT WILLIAMSON, W.Va. — Three Kentucky women face computer fraud and conspiracy charges following an alleged theft case that began in Pike County and ended in Mingo County. Sherry Adams, of Phelps, was arrested Feb. 11 by Mingo County Sheriff’s Lt. R.G. Messer. Criminal complaints filed by the Mingo County Sheriff’s Department state…
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Kermit water tank replacement funded in $9.5 million AMLER grant announcement
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced $9.5 million Friday in Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) grant funding for five water and sewer infrastructure projects in Mingo and McDowell counties, including $1.26 million to replace the Town of Kermit’s failing water storage tank. Kermit’s 110,000-gallon tank developed multiple perforations and was flagged…
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Sheriff’s Office seizes over 86 grams of suspected meth in traffic stop
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN TOMAHAWK — Martin County Sheriff John Kirk and deputies seized more than 86 grams of suspected methamphetamine during a traffic stop Thursday night on Milo Road in Tomahawk. Authorities arrested Brandi Moore, 35, and Larry Joe Horn Jr., 58, both of Inez, following a consent search that also turned up…
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Coronado to idle seven mines, lay off about 530 workers in April
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN LORADO, W.Va. — Coronado Global Resources/Greenbrier Minerals LLC will idle seven southern West Virginia mining operations and terminate about 530 employees this spring, according to a federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act notice issued Friday. The company expects the layoffs to begin April 14, 2026, or within the 14-day…
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Patriot Ambulance pulls out of Mingo County without warning, leaving rural EMS coverage in question
BY ANNIE HOLLER MOUNTAIN CITIZEN BELO, W.Va. — On a stretch of U.S. 119 near Belo, a building that once promised help now sits empty. Feb. 6, without warning, Ohio-based Patriot Ambulance Service pulled its trucks and equipment from its station along Route 65, ending its operations in Mingo County, West Virginia. County officials said…
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Two arrested on criminal abuse, manslaughter charges in child death
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN Two Martin County residents are in jail facing felony charges in connection with the death of an 11-year-old boy Aug. 13, 2025, in Beauty. Patrick Speer, 34, of Warfield, and Christina Chapman, 40, of Beauty, were arrested following their indictment by a Martin County grand jury Feb. 5. Their charges…
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Tennessee man to pay nearly $10K for hunting violations in Martin County
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — A Tennessee man will pay nearly $10,000 in fines, court costs and restitution after pleading guilty Feb. 2 in Martin Circuit Court to five hunting-related offenses in Martin County last fall. Court records show Tanner Smelcer, 24, of Beas Lane Hollow Road in Sevierville, Tennessee, pleaded guilty to…
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Tomahawk icon James E. Webb passes away at 81
BY PHILL BARNETT MOUNTAIN CITIZEN TOMAHAWK — Traditional music enthusiast, master luthier and retired educator James E. Webb passed away Feb. 5, after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease. His passing marks a profound loss for the local music community and serves as a bittersweet reminder of the quiet but extraordinary impact he has had…
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Martin County arrest report
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT INEZ — Martin County Sheriff John Kirk’s Office reported the following arrests: Law enforcement arrested Joseph K. Scott, 47, of Hardy, Feb. 9 on KY-40 in Warfield on two warrants charging him with failure to appear for traffic and misdemeanor charges. Deputy Jameson Wall served the warrants at 11:49 p.m. Officers took…
