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Martin County lands historic $26M WWATERS funding
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — For years, Martin County’s water crisis was measured in indignities. Brown water in bathtubs. Buckets carried up hillsides. Faucets that could not be trusted. A community forced to document its own hardship again and again, hoping that somewhere beyond the mountains, someone in power would finally pay attention.
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Frontier Housing drops DreamBuild factory in Martin County, seeks to abandon lease
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Frontier Housing wants to abandon its lease for Martin County’s industrial building in Debord, shelving a modular housing factory that was expected to create 20 to 40 jobs, Economic Development Authority (EDA) Chairman James Ayers announced during an April 8 board meeting. The Morehead-based nonprofit leased the 55,000-square-foot
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ARO to demolish former Inez Motel, launch revitalization
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT INEZ — Appalachia Reach Out (ARO) has announced the demolition of the former Inez Motel, a long-standing downtown structure that has fallen into significant disrepair. ARO leaders say this step marks the beginning of a major community revitalization effort to improve services, expand outreach and enhance the visual landscape of the downtown
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Martin County arrest report
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT INEZ — Martin County Sheriff John Kirk’s Office reported the following arrests: Rose Ellen Johnson, 54, of Inez, was arrested April 20 in Inez on an indictment warrant charging her with three counts of burglary in the third degree, possession of burglary tools and criminal mischief, second degree. Deputy Brett Maynard served the warrant
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Inez advances Creek Walk extension, eyes bridge upgrades
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — City officials used a special meeting April 14 to outline a slate of practical and cosmetic projects. They set a timetable for the next budget, reviewed repairs to the city’s quilt-block sidewalk decals, advanced plans to extend the Creek Walk and discussed bridge washing and painting. Mayor Ed
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Martin County civil suits and deeds
INEZ — Martin Circuit Clerk Denise Gauze reported 11 civil suits filed in her office from April 10 to April 16. Meanwhile Martin County Clerk Susie Skyles reported seven deeds recorded in her office through April 16. Civil Suits One Main Financial Group LLC vv. Katlin B. Jude et al. One Main Financial Group LLC
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Martin County court dockets
INEZ — Judge John Kevin Holbrook heard cases April 16 in Martin Circuit Court, while Judge Brett Butcher heard cases April 14 in Martin District Court. Circuit Court Marsha Patrick Fletcher (change of plea) — Theft by unlawful taking or disposition all others $1,000-$10,000: Pleaded guilty, five-year sentence. Probation unsupervised for five years on the
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Accountability applies to everyone or it means nothing
Here in Martin County, people say they want accountability. Some mean it 100% while others mean it only until accountability lands on someone they know. There is tension in that. Residents want better roads, clean water, safe public spaces, honest spending and lawful decisions. They want government to work and public officials to do what
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Man arrested after dropping drugs in Martin County Government Center, police said
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — If you happened to lose a pouch of drugs inside the Martin County Government Center last week, Sheriff John Kirk had a message for you: call the sheriff’s office. He would be happy to help — and by “help,” he meant jail. The odd episode began after hours
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Traffic stop leads to suspected meth seizure in Martin County, two arrests
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN TOMAHAWK — A traffic stop Sunday night in Martin County led to the seizure of about 16 grams of suspected methamphetamine and the arrest of two Inez men—a father and son. Martin County Sheriff’s deputies stopped a white 2011 Chevrolet truck about 8 p.m. on Route 40 near the old
