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Fort Gay officials indicted for embezzlement
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT FORT GAY, W.Va. — Two former elected officials from Fort Gay in Wayne County have been indicted for embezzlement. Former Fort Gay Mayor Joetta R. Hatfield and former Treasurer/Recorder Sheila K. Bowen were indicted by a Wayne County grand jury for allegedly embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars in public funds, according
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Martin County court docket
INEZ — Judge Kevin Holbrook heard the following cases July 17 in Martin Circuit Court: Joe Allen Evans (bond forfeiture hearing-motion to revoke bond) — Assault, second degree-domestic violence; persistent felony offender, first degree: Set for evidentiary hearing 8/7/25 at 10:59 a.m. James Hackney (change of plea) — Complicity burglary, second degree: Amended to burglary
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Martin County civil suits, deeds and marriages
INEZ — Martin Circuit Clerk Denise Gauze reported 12 civil suits filed in her office from July 11 to July 17. Meanwhile, Martin County Clerk Susie Skyles reported seven deeds and one marriage recorded in her office from July 10 to July 17. Civil Suits Republic Finance LLC vs. Judy Jude. DNF Associates LLC vs.
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Six indicted in Martin County
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — A Martin County grand jury handed down indictments Thursday against six individuals in cases ranging from fentanyl trafficking to promoting prison contraband. John Pack, 39, of Kermit, West Virginia, is facing multiple drug trafficking charges, including importing fentanyl/carfentanil, trafficking in the first degree (fentanyl), trafficking in a controlled
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Martin County Water District sues Big Sandy ADD for $1M+ over failed water project
BY LISA STAYTON MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Water District (MCWD) filed a lawsuit Thursday against the Big Sandy Area Development District (BSADD). The water district is seeking more than $1 million in damages over what it describes as years of mismanagement on a long-delayed infrastructure project. The complaint, filed in Martin Circuit
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No phone zone: School board adopts policy prohibiting cellphones during instructional time
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Sweeping new state laws are changing the way students and teachers in Martin County communicate, use their phones, and engage with technology in the classroom. Senate Bill 181 and House Bill 208 — which target cellphone use and electronic communications in schools — took center stage Monday during
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Knife-wielding Lovely man threatens to kill parents, fights deputies in violent standoff
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN LOVELY — A Martin County man went to jail Sunday night after allegedly threatening to kill his parents and launching into a violent, knife-wielding standoff with law enforcement. Deputies responded to a residence on Little Peter Cave Road in Lovely just before 8:30 p.m. At the scene, officers found Christopher
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Free swim day for youth this Saturday at Martin County Pool
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT INEZ — Youth in Martin County can enjoy a free swim day at the county pool this Saturday thanks to a generous donation from an Inez business. Ashwin Patel, manager of America’s Quick Mart, presented County Clerk Susie Skyles with a check made payable to the county Monday. The check will cover admission for
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Martin County Arrest Report
INEZ — Martin County Sheriff John Kirk’s Office reported the following arrests: Ryan Sites, 46, of Tomahawk, was arrested Monday on Main Street in Inez on a warrant charging him with intimidating a participant in a legal process and violation of a Kentucky EPO/DVO. Chief Deputy Chris Kidd served the warrant after Sites turned himself
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Main Street crash sends one to hospital
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — A two-vehicle collision Monday in front of the Martin County Government Center sent one person to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. According to Chief Deputy Chris Kidd of the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, the crash occurred when Jonathan Sherman, driving an S-10 pickup, attempted a right-hand turn from
