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Delbarton man charged with malicious wounding in Mingo County shooting
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT DELBARTON, W.Va. — A 68-year-old Delbarton man faces felony charges following a shooting Sunday, Feb. 15, in Mingo County. According to the West Virginia State Police Williamson detachment, a trooper responded to Logan Regional Medical Center after receiving a report of a man being treated for a gunshot wound. Investigators allege that
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Six indicted by Lawrence County grand jury on theft, drug, assault charges
BY ANNIE HOLLER MOUNTAIN CITIZEN LOUISA — The Lawrence County grand jury returned six indictments during its February session, charging defendants in cases that range from the alleged theft of nearly $27,000 in fiber-optic cable to drug trafficking, assault on law enforcement officers and fleeing police. Carl Butcher, 55, of Louisa, stands indicted on charges
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Mingo County PSD falters after Lenore water main rupture
BY ANNIE HOLLER MOUNTAIN CITIZEN LENORE, W.Va. — Flooding, a ruptured water main and limited treatment capacity combined to disrupt water service across much of Mingo County this week, placing most customers under a boil water advisory and forcing emergency rerouting efforts to maintain supply. The trouble began around midnight Feb. 20 when rapidly rising
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Patriot EMS announces station closures and workforce reduction
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT Patriot Emergency Medical Services announced that it will consolidate operations, close multiple stations and reduce its workforce by approximately 50%, citing what the company described as mounting financial pressures tied to inadequate reimbursement rates and delayed insurance payments. The announcement comes amid growing concern across the region about ambulance availability, including in
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Ambulance coverage at risk in Martin County as Patriot EMS faces layoffs, closures
BY ANNIE HOLLER MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — For Martin County residents, calling 911 has long come with a basic expectation: an ambulance crew will arrive in time to make a difference. Now, amid layoffs, missed payroll and station closures at the region’s largest private provider, county officials are preparing for a possibility that once felt
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Mingo County officials react to Patriot EMS abrupt exit
BY ANNIE HOLLER MOUNTAIN CITIZEN BELO, W.Va. — Patriot EMS abruptly ended operations in Mingo County, removing its trucks and equipment without notice Feb. 6 and leaving county officials searching for answers in one of Appalachia’s most remote regions. When the Ohio-based Patriot EMS abandoned its station along Route 65 in Belo, county officials said
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Martin County arrest report
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT INEZ — Martin County Sheriff John Kirk’s Office reported the following arrests: David Scott Copley, 24, of Kenova, West Virginia, was arrested Feb. 16 at Dempsey Housing in Warfield on a charge of assault, fourth degree (domestic violence), minor injury. Deputy Trenton Yaunk said deputies were patrolling at Dempsey when they heard
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ABC proceeds to support police coverage in City of Inez
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The City of Inez will use Alcohol Beverage Control proceeds to fund part-time deputy patrols under an agreement with the Martin County Sheriff’s Office. Mayor Ed Daniels announced during a City Commission meeting that Sheriff John Kirk will provide a deputy for 8 to 10 hours per week
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Martin County EDA seeks grant to empower ‘tourism industry’
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Economic Development Authority (EDA) approved a grant application that could provide micro-grants and training to local entrepreneurs. EDA Director Carolea Mills presented the proposal during a Feb. 11 meeting. Mills asked the board to authorize her to apply to the Appalachian Kentucky Civic Experiment Grant
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Spring wildfire hazard season begins
Kentucky’s Spring Wildfire Hazard Season took effect Feb. 15 and runs through April 30, restricting outdoor burning during daylight hours. During this period, burning is prohibited between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. in or within 150 feet of any woodland or brushland. The Kentucky Division of Forestry responds to more than 1,000 wildfires each year
