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Kentucky lawmakers renew push to establish statewide residential utility disconnection protections
by Liam Niemeyer Kentucky Lantern February 2, 2026 Last month, on a frigid day in front of the state capitol building in Frankfort, advocates called on Democratic Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear to halt residential utility disconnections through the winter via executive order. These groups, including the environmental advocacy nonprofit Kentucky Conservation Committee and Kentuckians for
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Kentucky Senate approves bill to clarify recent teacher and student electronic communication law
by McKenna Horsley Kentucky Lantern January 27, 2026 A bill that aims to revise restrictions on how Kentucky teachers communicate electronically with their students has passed out of the state Senate. The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Lindsey Tichenor, R-Smithfield, builds on her law from last year that required public school teachers and students to electronically
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Inez considers extending Creekside Trail
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — City officials are exploring plans to extend the Inez Creekside Trail east. This project could add up to a quarter mile to the trail. Commissioner Nita Collier presented a map of the extension in a special meeting Jan. 21 at City Hall. She said the Big Sandy Area
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Regional jail authority names new leadership, reports overtime strain, stronger revenue
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN PAINTSVILLE — The Big Sandy Regional Jail Authority elected new leadership Friday, while administrators reported persistent staffing shortages, heavy overtime and one of the facility’s strongest months for housing revenue. Board member Billy Patrick of Martin County was named chairman, with fellow Martin County representative Bradford Preece selected as co-chairman.
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Proposed bill would increase KY’s minimum wage to $10 per hour
BY NADIA RAMLAGAN PUBLIC NEWS SERVICE A newly proposed bill would increase Kentucky’s minimum wage to $10 per hour, placing it above the federal baseline. The state’s hourly pay rate is among the lowest in the nation, currently matching the nationwide minimum of $7.25, which has not increased since 2009. Sen. Reggie Thomas, D-Lexington, chair
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Big Sandy Regional Detention Center looks to Floyd County for female officers, cites no ‘hirable’ applicants in four counties
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN PAINTSVILLE — Big Sandy Regional Detention Center will temporarily expand its search for female correctional officers to Floyd County after administrators said the jail has not received “hirable” applicants from Johnson, Lawrence, Magoffin or Martin counties. The jail authority voted 4–3 at its Dec. 18 meeting to approve emergency hiring
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Marquee sign stalls for City of Inez
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The City of Inez did not receive a T‑Mobile Hometown Grant to purchase a lighted marquee sign. Its application was not among the program’s most recent funding round. Interim city clerk Kayla Crum announced the outcome during the City of Inez Commission’s December meeting. “T-Mobile didn’t accept our
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EDA director outlines vision for new building and park in Inez
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Seeking to revive a stretch of downtown Inez long marked by deteriorating properties, the Martin County Economic Development Authority is considering a phased redevelopment that would pair new construction with public green space. At a Dec. 10 meeting, EDA director Carolea Mills outlined plans for a project centered
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Sheriff urges action as feral horses create danger on New Route 3
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Martin County Sheriff John Kirk urged the Fiscal Court to take action on a growing hazard along New Route 3, telling magistrates at their Nov. 20 meeting that he has been fielding calls about feral horses increasingly drawn to salted roadways. “Now that they’re starting to salt the
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Martin County Library debates loan as financial pressures mount
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Confronted with dwindling reserves, rising costs at the Collier Center and pressure to raise tenant rents, the Martin County Library Board on Monday debated seeking a $100,000 bridge loan and moving the library back to its former building. The meeting opened with an amendment to consider a Kentucky
