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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
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Martin County Fiscal Court adopts $11.3M budget
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Fiscal Court adopted an $11.3 million budget for the 2026 fiscal year during a June 18 special meeting. “It’s essentially the same budget that we had last year,” Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty said. “We wanted to be able to provide raises for our folks, but, unfortunately,
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Martin County discusses flood damage, pushes for federal assistance
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Fiscal Court discussed significant damage to roads and bridges from April storms and flash floods during an April 17 meeting. Magistrates pointed to dozens of problem sites and the urgent need for repairs, outside contractors and federal disaster assistance. District 1 Magistrate Cody Slone said
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Federal assistance available to individuals in 10 counties
President Trump signs Expedited Major Disaster Declaration BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — In the aftermath of flooding in Martin County, residents confront the devastation caused by relentless storms that swept through the Tug Valley beginning Feb. 15 as local officials assess the destruction and coordinate relief efforts. They received good news Monday when
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Martin County honors Moore by renaming bridge
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Fiscal Court voted Thursday to rename the bridge at Mullett Branch in honor of Denny Ray Moore, a longtime resident and former road foreman. The bridge off Coldwater Road will now bear the name “Denny Ray Moore Bridge.” Moore served as the county’s road foreman
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Martin County rallies in storms: Heroes emerge
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — As severe winter weather gripped Martin County in recent weeks, local officials, departments, and volunteers mobilized to ensure that residents were safe and that vital services continued to function. Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty praised the effort Thursday at the conclusion of the Martin County Fiscal Court meeting. The judge
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Martin County declares emergency, closes roads
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Martin County Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty declared a state of emergency on Sunday afternoon closing all county roads to non-emergency traffic as Winter Storm Blair brings heavy snow and ice to the region. “I’m ordering all county roads closed except to emergency traffic,” Judge Lafferty announced at 4 p.m.
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Burn ban lifted
INEZ — Martin County Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty has lifted a burn ban initially imposed on Sept. 9 following substantial rainfall and cooler temperatures. “Residents must still adhere to state regulations restricting open burning during fire hazard season,” Lafferty said Thursday in an executive order. The fall fire hazard season runs from Oct. 1 to Dec.
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Martin County gets new deputy judge
Mills sworn in as deputy judge BY RACHEL DOVE MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Martin County is getting a new deputy judge/executive. Local businesswoman and community leader Carolea Mills was sworn in Monday by Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty. Mills will serve in the dual role of deputy judge and economic development director. “Carolea will be a great
