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Louisa man pleads guilty in cover-up of coal mine fire
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT A Louisa man has pleaded guilty to conspiring to cover up an underground coal mine fire in Illinois and defrauding federal mine safety regulators. Timothy Brandon Parsons, 38, entered his plea Aug. 29 in federal court to conspiring to defraud the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). The charge stems from
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Public meeting on proposed plants in Mingo County set for Sept. 18
BY KYLE LOVERN MOUNTAIN CITIZEN GILBERT, W.Va. — The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection will hold an in-person public meeting Sept. 18 at the Larry Joe Harless Community Center in Gilbert on two proposed off-grid electric generating facilities in Mingo County. The meeting, scheduled from 4:30 to 8 p.m. with doors opening at 4
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County honors former code enforcement officer Paul McCoy for service
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Fiscal Court honored former code enforcement officer Paul McCoy on Thursday. Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty and magistrates presented him with a certificate of appreciation for his service to the county. Lafferty praised McCoy for his wide-ranging contributions. He noted McCoy’s efforts in code enforcement, festival support,
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Inez keeps real property tax rate flat
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Inez City Commission kept its property tax rate flat for the coming fiscal year, advanced work with FEMA and endorsed stronger federal black lung benefits during its Thursday meeting. Commissioners conducted the first reading of the property tax ordinance for fiscal year 2025-26. Unchanged from last year,
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Martin County seeks grant to renovate Collier Center: Public hearing Aug. 22
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Fiscal Court plans to apply for federal funding to renovate the Roy F. Collier Community Center and will hold a public hearing to gather input from residents before submitting the application. The hearing is on the calendar for noon Friday, Aug. 22, in the Martin
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Porch project on old courthouse paves way for ‘General Store’
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — A porch rising on the old Martin County Courthouse Annex is a step toward turning the historic space into a general store where local farmers, food producers and artisans can sell their goods, officials say. Martin County Deputy Judge/Executive Carolea Mills noted that the county is paying to
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City of Inez installs sidewalk decals
The City of Inez beautified sidewalks behind the county courthouses and in front of the Martin County Business Center with decals of traditional quilt blocks. Three local quilting groups submitted designs for the project: Pieceful Stitchers, Sew ‘n’ Sew and Heirloom Quilty Society. The city started working on the project in 2023 and completed it
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Martin County advances street-legal ATVs
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Street-legal ATVs are one vote away from becoming reality in Martin County. The Fiscal Court gave initial approval Thursday to an ordinance that would let certain all-terrain vehicles hit public roads as “street-legal special purpose vehicles (SLSPV),” provided they pass a rigorous list of safety requirements. The move
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Kermit faces state mandate without funds
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN KERMIT, W.Va. — With no funding in place to build a customer notification system, Kermit officials are facing a state mandate they say they cannot afford. Mayor Charles Sparks informed the Town Council earlier in July that the West Virginia Public Service Commission issued an order requiring all public utilities,
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Legislative Update: Session Results—Appropriations and Revenue, Part 1
BY REPRESENTATIVE BOBBY MCCOOL The Appropriations and Revenue Committee is one of the most influential committees in the legislature because it oversees how state funds are raised and spent. Every budget, tax policy, and major financial decision must pass through this committee, making it central to setting the state’s priorities and ensuring fiscal responsibility. Its
