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KYTC details road money for Martin County
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Fiscal Court heard from Kentucky Transportation Cabinet section engineer Zach Wright Thursday during a special meeting. Wright presented project recommendations for the Rural Secondary Road Program for the county to review. The total allotment for work on rural secondary roads within Martin County for fiscal
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Regional jail moves to daily inmate fee, approves new budget amid financial strain
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN PAINTSVILLE — Big Sandy Regional Detention Center will replace its flat booking fee with a daily charge starting July 1. Officials say the move will boost revenue as the jail faces a mounting budget deficit and declining inmate population. The board voted Thursday to adopt the new model along with
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Martin County hires grant administrator, transfers downtown properties
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Fiscal Court enlisted the services of Fahe, a nonprofit grant administrator, to handle Community Development Block Grant applications and other grant opportunities. The decision came during a meeting Thursday that included property transfers, leases and the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget. Under the agreement with
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Martin County Arrest Report
INEZ — Martin County Sheriff John Kirk’s Office reported the following arrests: Amanda Jude, 36, of Kermit, West Virginia, was arrested Tuesday at Pizza Stop in Inez on a fugitive from another state warrant. Deputy Steve Putman served the warrant. Tammy Johnson, 59, of Lovely, was arrested Monday on charges of alcohol intoxication in a
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Climate change intensified April flooding in Kentucky, according to scientific modeling
by Liam Niemeyer, Kentucky Lantern May 8, 2025 An increasingly warming climate intensified the deluge of rain that fell on Kentucky and other states in early April, according to a new report from a multinational academic group that studies climate change’s connections to extreme weather events. Torrential downpours inundated communities across Kentucky in early April,
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Martin County court docket
INEZ — Judge John T. Chafin heard the following cases May 19 and 20 in Martin District Court: Blaine Adkins Jr. (arraignment) — Local county ordinance: Dismissed as settled. Linda Ball (arraignment) — No/expired registration plates; no/expired Kentucky registration receipt; improper display of registration plates; improper registration plate; failure to produce insurance card; failure of
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Martin County civil suits and deeds
INEZ — Martin Circuit Clerk Denise Gauze reported six civil suits filed in her office May 16-22. Meanwhile, Martin County Clerk Susie Skyles reported eight deeds recorded in her office. Civil Suits Credit Acceptance Corporation vs. Timmothy C. Osborne. Peter Zajac vs. Mary Davis Poe et al. Community Trust Bank vs. Matthew Cooper. Portfolio Recovery
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Experts: Loss of federal mining program could harm workers, researchers
BY NADIA RAMLAGAN PUBLIC NEWS SERVICE Loss of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Mining Program will reverse decades of progress in preventing disease, injury and death among miners, experts said. Around 150 researchers are expected to be laid off next month, effectively shuttering the program. Steve Schafrik, associate professor of mine engineering
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Summer meals and EBT for children
INEZ — Free summer meals and grocery assistance are available to children through two programs fighting food insecurity while school is out. Martin County Schools Food Service will provide free meals to children ages 1 to 18 through the Sun Meals To-Go program. A separate initiative will deliver a one-time $120 EBT benefit to eligible
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Martin County Pool to reopen June 1 after eight-year closure
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Pool will reopen June 1 after an eight-year closure. Assuming a contractor discovers no underground damage this week and finishes repairs on schedule. Officials are already taking applications for lifeguard positions in anticipation of the reopening. Martin County Deputy Judge/Executive Carolea Mills said Aquatics Construction
