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Sheriff suspects foul play in Inez man’s disappearance
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Six months after Jody Pauley vanished from East Main Street, Martin County Sheriff John Kirk says he suspects foul play in the disappearance. The case has left investigators with no leads and a family desperate for answers. Pauley, 59, of Inez, was last seen March 4 near 728…
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Gates blocking access to cemeteries to come down, says Judge/Executive Lafferty
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN PILGRIM — Martin County Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty announced last week that the landowner will remove gates blocking access to family cemeteries in Pilgrim. The move restores entry for families who had been shut out for months from visiting their loved ones’ graves. The land in question is under lease to…
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‘Will you pray? Will you give?’ ARO seeks help to rebuild after couple escapes collapsing home
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — A Martin County couple who fled their collapsing home in the middle of the night are getting a second chance at stability thanks to Appalachia Reach Out. On Aug. 1, George and Ruth Patrick narrowly escaped when their house on Turkey Creek gave way, leaving them with nothing…
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Martin County arrest report
INEZ — Martin County Sheriff John Kirk’s Office reported the following arrests: Robert Whitt, 44, of Adams, was arrested Monday on Spence Branch in Martin County on charges of operating on a suspended or revoked operator’s license, resisting arrest, menacing, insufficient headlamps, no registration receipt, no registration plates, failure of owner to maintain insurance, and…
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A life of service: Endicott named Harvest Fest grand marshal
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — For nearly half a century, Rex Endicott has stood at the ready when Martin County needed him most. This Sept. 13, instead of directing traffic or answering a rescue call, he will take a different place of honor leading the 29th Annual Harvest Festival Parade as its grand…
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Former Martin County man missing in Mansfield, Ohio
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN MANSFIELD, Ohio — Former Martin County resident Christopher Williamson has been reported missing in Mansfield, Ohio. Family members say Williamson left his home for a walk at about 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, and did not return. His last confirmed sighting was that evening at 9 p.m. at the Kroger…
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Louisa man pleads guilty in cover-up of coal mine fire
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT A Louisa man has pleaded guilty to conspiring to cover up an underground coal mine fire in Illinois and defrauding federal mine safety regulators. Timothy Brandon Parsons, 38, entered his plea Aug. 29 in federal court to conspiring to defraud the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). The charge stems from…
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Martin County court dockets
INEZ — Judge John Kevin Holbrook heard the following cases Sept. 4 in Martin Circuit Court while Judge Brett Butcher heard cases Sept. 9 in Martin District Court. Circuit Court Harlan Jude (change of plea) — Bail jumping, first degree: Pleaded guilty, one year, sentencing 10/16/25 at 10 a.m., to run consecutively to Martin-25-CR-20. Harlan…
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Martin County civil suits, deeds and marriages
INEZ — Martin Circuit Clerk Denise Gauze reported three civil suits filed in her office through Sept. 4. Meanwhile, Martin County Clerk Susie Skyles reported five deeds and two marriages filed in her office through Sept. 4.’ Civil Suits Capital One NA vs. Anna M. Spence. Midland Credit Management Inc. vs. Kim Ratliff. Republic Finance…
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New jobs report shows worst August job gains since 2010
by Tim Henderson, Kentucky LanternSeptember 5, 2025 The United States added only 22,000 jobs in August, and previously reported gains in June were revised down to a loss of 13,000 jobs in a Bureau of Labor Statistics report issued Friday morning. The August jobs increase was the lowest for that month since 2010 in the…
