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Martin County advances street-legal ATVs
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Street-legal ATVs are one vote away from becoming reality in Martin County. The Fiscal Court gave initial approval Thursday to an ordinance that would let certain all-terrain vehicles hit public roads as “street-legal special purpose vehicles (SLSPV),” provided they pass a rigorous list of safety requirements. The move…
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Tourism greenlights festival plans, logistics ahead of big weekend
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Tourism Board got an update on the Appalachian Artist Festival in a meeting last week. They also approved financials and addressed logistical concerns, including trash pickup and rental policies for upcoming events and venue rentals. With the Appalachian Artist Festival just days away from transforming…
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Back to school Aug. 6: Martin County sets the clock on 2025–26
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Backpacks at the ready: Martin County students will head back to school Aug. 6. According to the school district’s 2025–26 calendar, teachers report a day earlier for opening day Aug. 5. This follows a round of professional development July 29–31 and Aug. 4. The last day of school…
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Lovely man jailed for assault involving pregnant woman
BY ANNIE HOLLER MOUNTAIN CITIZEN LOVELY — A man remains in jail after authorities say he assaulted two women, one of whom was pregnant, during a domestic incident Monday in Lovely. Martin County Chief Deputy Sheriff Chris Kidd arrested Kendrick Sartin, 18, of Lovely, for fourth-degree assault (domestic violence) causing minor injury, after responding to…
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Cox outlines Big Sandy Regional Airport’s vital role, pushes to keep facility disaster-ready
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — As Black Hawk helicopters thundered into Big Sandy Regional Airport carrying pajama-clad flood evacuees in February, Gary Wayne Cox stood ready in the dark, literally. With his home power out and disaster unfolding across eastern Kentucky, the airport manager scrambled to confirm enough fuel for a nonstop rescue…
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Trending: Kids swim for free this Saturday
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — For the third Saturday in a row, all kids 18 and under will swim for free Aug. 2 at the Martin County Pool. Deputy Judge/Executive Carolea Mills is the latest county official to receive a donation to cover the cost of admission, following the lead of Martin County…
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Kermit faces state mandate without funds
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN KERMIT, W.Va. — With no funding in place to build a customer notification system, Kermit officials are facing a state mandate they say they cannot afford. Mayor Charles Sparks informed the Town Council earlier in July that the West Virginia Public Service Commission issued an order requiring all public utilities,…
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Martin County arrest report
INEZ — Martin County Sheriff John Kirk’s Office reported the following arrests: Kendrick Sartin, 18, of Lovely, was arrested Monday on KY-292 in Lovely on a charge of fourth-degree assault (domestic violence), minor injury. Chief Deputy Chris Kidd responded to a residence on Route 292 around 2:45 p.m. after a 911 caller reported that Sartin had…
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Martin County court docket
INEZ — Judge Brett Butcher heard the following cases July 22 in Martin District Court: Turner Reed Adkins (arraignment) — Speeding 26 mph over/greater: Amended to defective equipment, six-month diversion with court cost, show cause 1/20/25 at 10 a.m. Dena Rha Booth (arraignment) — Operating motor vehicle under the influence of controlled substance, first: Pleaded…
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Martin County civil suits
INEZ — Martin Circuit Clerk Denise Gauze reported nine civil suits filed in her office July 18-24: Lakeview Loan Servicing LLC vs. Zachary Callaham. Lendmark Financial Services/Paintsville vs. Steve Casdorph. Ryan Kelly Sites vs. Jamie Lynn C. St. Clair. Credit Acceptance Corporation vs. Nellie L. Messer. Credit Acceptance Corporation vs. Jacob Bailey. Midland Credit Management…
