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Martin County Schools post gains on state assessments
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Martin County Schools posted steady academic gains on the 2025 Kentucky Summative Assessment. Every school in the district either maintained or improved its performance rating under the state’s accountability system. The Kentucky Summative Assessment, administered annually to students in grades 3–8, 10 and 11, measures achievement in reading,…
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Mountain Citizen wins Tom and Pat Gish Award for courage, integrity and tenacity
BY AL CROSS A scrappy little newspaper that has fought for more than 30 years for clean water and open government in its Appalachian county is the winner of the 2025 Tom and Pat Gish Award for courage, integrity and tenacity in rural journalism. The Mountain Citizen is a weekly paper serving the 11,000 people…
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EDA response raises new questions about asbestos in 78-year-old building
BY LISA STAYTON MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Economic Development Authority’s response to an open records request raises new questions about whether adequate asbestos testing was performed before demolition of a structure in downtown Inez. The building at 21 East Main Street was built in 1947, an era when asbestos-containing materials were heavily…
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Martin County man goes to jail for false reports to 911, father also charged
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — A Martin County man went to jail after he called 911 repeatedly making false reports for the purpose of luring law enforcement to his home to harass them, police said. Moments after his arrest, police took his father into custody for interfering with government operations. Deputy Billy Wells…
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Martin County arrest report
INEZ — Martin County Sheriff John Kirk’s Office reported the following arrests: Cassandra Martin, 27, of Lexington, was arrested Tuesday at White Oak Hill of Addiction Recovery Care in Inez for contempt of court. Sheriff Kirk states in his report that Martin was court-ordered to rehab at White Oak Hill, but left the facility. Stephen…
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Police searching for suspects after shooting
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT DINGESS, W.Va. — Police are searching for two suspects after a shooting in the Dingess area of Mingo County on Nov. 17 left one person injured but expected to recover. According to the West Virginia State Police Williamson Detachment, the victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries in the incident. Troopers are requesting the public’s…
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Martin County court docket
INEZ — Judge Brett Butcher heard the following cases Nov. 10 in Martin District Court: Zachary Delong (motion to set aside failure to appear) — Operating vehicle with expired operator’s license; no/expired registration plates; no/expired Kentucky registration receipt; improper registration plate; failure of owner to maintain required insurance/security, first: Pleaded not guilty, pretrial conference 2/3/26…
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Martin County civil suits and marriages
INEZ — Martin Circuit Clerk Denise Gauze reported nine civil suits filed in her office from Nov. 7 to Nov. 13. Meanwhile, Martin County Clerk Susie Skyles reported one marriage recorded in her office from Nov. 7 to Nov. 12: Civil Suits Franklin Stacy vs. Bryttani Osborne. Lendmark Financial Services/Paintsville vs. Teira Hickman. Mariner Finance…
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Mingo County man dies in motorcycle accident
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT LENORE, W.Va. — A young Mingo County man is dead following a motorcycle crash Nov. 12 near Lenore, law enforcement said. Jacob Ray, 23, of Taylorville, died in the crash. According to Mingo County Sheriff’s Department (MCSD) Chief Field Deputy Allen Mounts, the crash occurred around 3:30 p.m. on State Route 65…
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Local man served as pallbearer at JFK funeral
BY KYLE LOVERN MOUNTAIN CITIZEN John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States, was assassinated while riding in a presidential motorcade through Dealey Plaza in Dallas, Texas, on Nov. 22, 1963. A Pike County, Kentucky, native, the late Larry Bruce Smith, served as one of the pallbearers at the president’s funeral procession. He…
