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Dempsey lease, water upgrades, board appointments top Martin County agenda
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Fiscal Court moved through a wide-ranging agenda at its April 17 special meeting. Magistrates approved a lease transfer for Dempsey Housing, a resolution joining a regional push for emergency radio upgrades, the appointment of water and library board members and a $1.24 million budget amendment
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Inez advances Creek Walk extension, eyes bridge upgrades
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — City officials used a special meeting April 14 to outline a slate of practical and cosmetic projects. They set a timetable for the next budget, reviewed repairs to the city’s quilt-block sidewalk decals, advanced plans to extend the Creek Walk and discussed bridge washing and painting. Mayor Ed
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Kermit water project advances in federal funding process
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN KERMIT, W.Va. — The Kermit Town Council learned Monday that the town is one step closer to securing $2.9 million for water and sewer improvements after its funding request advanced in Congresswoman Carol Miller’s Community Project Funding process. The project is one of 20 requests selected to move forward from
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Water chairman questions vacant AWR manager post
District pays Alliance $181,550 monthly BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The search for a district water manager remains stalled nearly four months after the position became vacant, prompting Martin County Water District (MCWD) board members March 24 to question why the utility continues paying for the role through its $181,575-a-month management contract with
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Martin County approves birth control plan for feral horses
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — After years of crashes, injuries and warnings about horses on roads, the Martin County Fiscal Court has approved a birth control plan for the county’s feral horse population. The Fiscal Court, in a March 26 special meeting, authorized Kentucky Humane Society Equine C.A.R.E. to begin using a fertility-control
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Lafferty presses senate, governor for $26M WWATERS funds
Judge/executive invokes coal legacy BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Martin County Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty used a special Fiscal Court meeting March 26 to publicly urge the Kentucky Senate and Gov. Andy Beshear to approve $25.8 million in WWATERS funding for local water and sewer projects, arguing the county has earned basic infrastructure after
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Flood buyouts in Martin County could begin in 60 to 90 days
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Martin County’s USDA Emergency Watershed Protection flood buyouts could begin closing within 60 to 90 days, according to county officials. The Martin County Fiscal Court advanced the second reading of a $6.68 million budget amendment March 26 in a special meeting. Of that amount, roughly $6.3 million is
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Martin County accepts sheriff’s annual fee settlement
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Martin County Fiscal Court accepted Sheriff John Kirk’s 2025 excess fees settlement during a special meeting March 26. The annual report showed the sheriff’s office ended the year with $53.23 in excess fees, no unpaid obligations and no outstanding debts. The settlement shows the office’s fee account received
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Martin County Fiscal Court handles bids, board appointments, business in special session
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Martin County Fiscal Court approved board appointments, awarded mowing contracts and advanced several other business items during a special meeting March 26. Magistrates approved Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty’s reappointment of John Hensley and Colby Kirk to the Martin County Utility Board. The court also approved Karen Thoma to fill
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KY chief justice warns drug, mental health courts would be wiped out by budget proposals
by Sarah Ladd Kentucky Lantern March 26, 2026 FRANKFORT — Kentucky judges and advocates issued a warning Thursday that, without more funding in the judicial branch budget, the state’s specialty courts could be closed. Kentucky’s Administrative Office of the Courts said the General Assembly’s two-year budget, as it now stands, would underfund court system operations
