-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
Auditor reports stable finances for City of Inez
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Auditor Jim Bryant reported the City of Inez remains in solid financial condition following his review of the 2024 and 2025 financial statements. However, he noted a couple of transfer and accounting items that the city needs to correct. Bryant said in a Nov. 13 meeting that the…
-
EDA response raises new questions about asbestos in 78-year-old building
BY LISA STAYTON MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Economic Development Authority’s response to an open records request raises new questions about whether adequate asbestos testing was performed before demolition of a structure in downtown Inez. The building at 21 East Main Street was built in 1947, an era when asbestos-containing materials were heavily…
-
Kermit swears in Kominar
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN KERMIT, W.Va. — Kermit Mayor Charles Sparks swore in Steve Kominar as councilman Monday to finish the term of Councilman Hawkey Preece, who passed away in late August. “Taking this seat to replace Hawkey, I can’t do,” Kominar said. “Hawkey was not only my brother-in-law but my brother in Christ,…
-
Martin County receives grant for heritage tourism projects
BY ANNIE HOLLER MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Fiscal Court has received a $20,000 grant to support two heritage tourism projects that celebrate the county’s unique place in American history while investing in its future. The funds will back “A President’s Visit” and the “Himler Heritage Caboose Exhibit,” both designed to preserve and…
