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Man allegedly threatened to shoot firefighters in Williamson
BY KYLE LOVERN MOUNTAIN CITIZEN WILLIAMSON, W.Va. — A potentially volatile situation was avoided at the Williamson Fire Department (WFD) when an man allegedly threatened to shoot personnel at the emergency services building and then turn the gun on himself. Israel Nicholas Varney, 33, of Williamson, was charged with terroristic threatening, being a prohibited person…
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Farm funds available; meeting July 20 in Inez
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT INEZ — Applications are available for Martin County farmers seeking cost-share assistance through the 2026 County Agricultural Investment Program. An information session is set for 5 p.m. Monday, July 20, at the Martin County Cooperative Extension Office. The application period opened July 14 and will continue through Aug. 11. Farmers may pick…
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Johnson County grand jury indicts nine
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN PAINTSVILLE — The Johnson County grand jury returned 11 indictments against nine people July 17. Charges ranged from burglary and witness tampering to bail jumping and assault on police officers. Brittany Elaine Ramey, 41, of Paintsville, was indicted on a charge of third-degree burglary-complicity. The grand jury alleges that May…
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ARC settles federal civil claims, reaches deal in tax-credit dispute
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN ASHLAND — Addiction Recovery Care announced Thursday that it had settled U.S. Department of Justice civil claims involving historical Medicaid billing practices and agreed to a proposed $3.94 million judgment in a separate dispute over Employee Retention Credit proceeds. The company did not disclose how much it agreed to pay…
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Grand jury indicts six in theft, drug and fraud cases
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — A Martin County grand jury indicted six people July 16 in cases involving alleged stolen merchandise, methamphetamine trafficking, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon and fabricated UTV theft. Ruby M. Chaffins, 51, of Inez, was indicted on charges of complicity to receiving stolen property valued at…
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EXCLUSIVE: Teen, mother recount 17-hour coal mine entrapment
Harless tells how she crawled to freedom and led rescuers to diabetic stepfather BY ANNIE HOLLER MOUNTAIN CITIZEN LOVELY — A 14-year-old girl crawled through an opening “no larger than a rabbit hole” Sunday evening and led rescuers to the passage they widened to save her diabetic stepfather from an abandoned coal mine. Ada Harless…
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Martin County arrest report
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT INEZ — Martin County Sheriff John Kirk’s office reported the following arrests: Robert Brayden Moore, 18, of Debord, was arrested July 12 on Turkey Creek in Inez on a charge of second-degree assault. Deputy David Adams responded to assist Martin County Sheriff John Kirk with a fight in progress. A neighbor had…
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Teen charged after Inez stabbing
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — By the time deputies reached Turkey Creek Road, the fight was over, one man was on his way to the hospital and an 18-year-old had blood on his clothes. Robert Brayden Moore of Debord was arrested July 12 in Inez and charged with second-degree assault after witnesses said…
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Martin County court docket
INEZ — Judge Brett Butcher heard the following cases July 7 in Martin District Court: Peyton Steven Riley Casdorph (arraignment) — Failure of non-owner operator to maintain required insurance, first, amended to failure to produce insurance card: Pleaded guilty, $50 fine and court cost. Show cause 1/19/27 at 9:30 a.m. Dwayne Collins (review) — Fugitive,…
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Martin County civil suits, deeds and marriages
INEZ — Martin Circuit Clerk Denise Gauze reported the following eight civil suits filed in her office through July 10. Meanwhile, Martin County Clerk Susie Skyles reported 16 deeds and seven marriages filed in her office through July 9. Civil suits Midland Credit Management Inc. vs. Tommy Taylor. Midland Credit Management Inc. Vs. Earnest P.…
