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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…
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Fort Gay officials indicted for embezzlement
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT FORT GAY, W.Va. — Two former elected officials from Fort Gay in Wayne County have been indicted for embezzlement. Former Fort Gay Mayor Joetta R. Hatfield and former Treasurer/Recorder Sheila K. Bowen were indicted by a Wayne County grand jury for allegedly embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars in public funds, according…
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Swim for free this Friday at the Martin County Pool
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The wait is over. The Martin County Swimming Pool is back with major improvements. After eight years of sitting dry and silent, the community pool will make a grand reopening splash this Friday with free admission all day. Gates open to the public at noon and close at…
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Brown water: Judge calls on PSC to rescind order requiring outside management of Martin County Water District
County fast-tracks weed-cutting BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Martin County Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty is calling on the Kentucky Public Service Commission to rescind its order requiring outside management of the Martin County Water District. He cited operational failures that have led to widespread brown-colored water and growing public frustration. In the same meeting…
