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What if every young person in Appalachia knew they mattered?
You Matter Appalachia invests in youth, community pride, future close to home BY DOROTHY DILLON What would Appalachia look like if every young person growing up here knew they mattered? What if they understood that their voice has value, their ideas are needed, and the place they call home is worthy of their investment? What…
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MCCC lands $800K federal grant to expand suicide prevention work
Zero Suicide initiative to serve Martin, seven other counties BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN Mountain Comprehensive Care Center has received an $800,000 federal grant to expand its suicide prevention work in Martin County and seven other Eastern Kentucky counties. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration awarded the funding through its Implementing Zero Suicide…
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SOAR’s Social Enterprise Accelerator helps entrepreneurs turn community needs into businesses
Coaching, mentorship, connections CITIZEN STAFF REPORT INEZ — Eastern Kentuckians with ideas for businesses that could solve problems in their communities have access to free coaching, mentorship and support through Shaping Our Appalachian Region’s Social Enterprise Accelerator. Danna Barnett, director of Entrepreneurship with SOAR, and Zach Adams, with SOAR’s Social Enterprise Accelerator Program, spoke to…
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Russell Mollett Obituary
Russell Mollett 1936—2026 Russell Mollett, 89, of Inez, passed away Aug. 8, 2026, at the Jordan Center in Louisa. Born Aug. 17, 1936, in Martin County, he was the son of the late Nimrod and Cora Lee (Cassidy) Mollett. Russell was of the Christian faith. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death…
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Frankfort failed Inez
The Rockcastle Creek Pedway Project did not die because the City of Inez neglected it. It did not fail because local officials refused to invest in it, would not obtain the property or abandoned the required paperwork. The State of Kentucky failed this project. For nearly two decades, the proposed pedestrian bridge and walkway has…
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Airport man: Gary Wayne Cox
BY JOE COLLIER Twenty-six years ago, my good friend Gary Wayne Cox was considering a career change. He told me he had received an offer to manage the Big Sandy Regional Airport. Having no interest in flying, I had never taken a close look at the place. When I finally did, it looked more like…
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Jonathan David Harrison Begley Obituary
Jonathan David Harrison Begley 1980—2026 Jonathan David Harrison Begley, age 46, of Inez, passed away July 25, 2026, at Highlands ARH in Prestonsburg. Born July 18, 1980, in Louisa, he was the son of the late Barbara (Mills) Barker. In addition to his mother, Jonathan is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Harrison and…
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Mitchell Meddings Obituary
Mitchell Meddings 1951—2026 Mitchell Meddings, 75, of Inez, died July 27, 2026, at home. He was born Feb. 3, 1951. Mitchell worked as a coal truck driver until his retirement. Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. July 29, 2026, at the Meddings Family Cemetery in Mill Creek, West Virginia.
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George Fletcher Obituary
George Fletcher 1954—2026 George Fletcher, 72, of Inez, passed away July 20, 2026, in Ashland. Born in 1954 in Martin County, he was the son of the late Richard and Polly Nelson Fletcher. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brothers, Forrest and Sheldon Fletcher; sisters, Janie Fletcher, Nancy Alice…
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Free Diabetes Connection program July 30 focuses on sleep health
BY DOROTHY DILLON The Martin County Health Department invites the community to attend its next Diabetes Connection program on Thursday, July 30, at 10 a.m. This month’s program will focus on the importance of healthy sleep routines and the risks associated with sleep apnea. The program is completely free, and you do not have to…
