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Flood-damaged road worries residents
‘We’re up a holler’ BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN JOB — When part of the narrow, one-lane road leading to Sarah Bowen’s home collapsed in mid-February, it left her family — and roughly 50 other residents living on the holler — teetering on the edge, both literally and figuratively. The partial collapse of the steep
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EDA acquires property for downtown revitalization in Inez
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Economic Development Authority (EDA) moved closer to owning nearly all of a stretch of dilapidated properties along Main Street in Inez. At its April 9 meeting, the EDA voted to buy one building and accept ownership of eight properties acquired by the fiscal court. The EDA
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Martin County arrest report
INEZ — Martin County Sheriff John Kirk’s Office reported the following arrests: Charles Ray Crum, 42, of Debord, was arrested Sunday on Setser Branch in Debord on a warrant. Special Deputy J.C. Kirk served the warrant. He remains in the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center under a $10,000 bond. Jackie Blackburn, 60, of Inez, was
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Trio of suspected copper thieves in jail
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — For three men in Martin County, the promise of fast cash in the form of stripped copper wire may have seemed worth the risk. What they got instead was a jail cell. Authorities say Ricky J. Sartin, 60, Charles Ray Crum, 42, and Jackie Blackburn, 60, are the
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Martin County court dockets April 7 and 8
INEZ — Judge John T. Chafin heard the following cases on the April 7 and 8 dockets in Martin District Court: Ruby Mae Chaffins (recall bench warrant) — Theft of services $1,000-$10,000: Preliminary hearing 4/22/25 at 10:30 a.m. Jason Fields (set aside failure to appear) — Rear license not illuminated; operating on suspended/revoked operator’s license:
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Martin County courthouse news: Civil suits, deeds and marriages
INEZ — Martin Circuit Clerk Denise Gauze reported two civil suits filed in her office from April 4 to April 10. Meanwhile Martin County Clerk Susie Skyles reported two deeds and one marriage recorded April 7 in her office. Civil Suits Crown Asset Management LLC vs. Jodi R. Hall. Charles Davis vs. Odella Collins et
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LIHEAP spring subsidy starts April 15
LIHEAP spring subsidy program starts April 15 and runs until May 30, the Big Sandy Area Community Action Program announced. This program is available to households with income up to and including 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, and you could qualify for an electric benefit. Previous LIHEAP assistance does not affect your eligibility. Residents
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Leadership ousted at Southern West Virginia Community & Technical College
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT LOGAN, W.Va. — The president of Southern West Virginia Community & Technical College (SWCTC) was placed on administrative leave Monday. The action followed a vote by the West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education, marking a sharp shift in leadership at the troubled institution. During an emergency virtual meeting April
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Sheriff solves copper theft case
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN BEAUTY — Copper theft that left thousands without phone and internet service during recent flash flooding led to the arrest of a Beauty man by Martin County Sheriff John Kirk. Ricky J. Sartin, 60, was arrested April 9 at his residence on Gordon Hollow Road and charged with receiving stolen
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Death threat, bomb threat lead to student’s arrest
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Police arrested a Martin County High School student last week after he allegedly threatened to kill fellow students and bomb the school, authorities said. The Martin County Sheriff’s Office responded to the school April 7 after a female student reported receiving violent threats. According to a police report,
