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From city lights to hometown nights: Annalyse & Ryan bring it home to Inez
BY LISA STAYTON MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — When singer-songwriter Annalyse McCoy steps onto the Appalachian Artist Festival stage Aug. 2 it will mark her first performance in her hometown since she left Kentucky nearly two decades ago. For Annalyse, it is a homecoming, a celebration of community and a tribute to the culture that helped
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Residents at risk of water rate increase in Martin County
Stalled project drains $700K BY LISA STAYTON MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — A stalled infrastructure project has drained $700,000 from the Martin County Water District, leaving residents at risk of a water rate increase, officials said in a May 6 special meeting. Nearly four years after announcing upgrades to the raw water intake and treatment plant,
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Fear lingers in the shadows of overflowing water tank
Inez resident says a rusted hilltop storage tank could trigger another disaster like the mudslide that destroyed his parents’ home. BY LISA STAYTON MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — On top of the hill above Okey Mills Jr.’s home on Turkey Creek Mountain, a rusted steel water tank leaks and overflows, sending water down the slope to
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‘Rebuilding Joy’ brings toys and gifts to youngest flood survivors
BY LISA STAYTON MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Following the devastating flood that swelled the Tug Fork River to a crest of 51.22 feet Feb. 17 in Kermit (its highest level since the record 54.5 feet on April 6, 1977), relief efforts in Martin County were swift. As the muddy water receded, individuals and organizations stepped
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Martin County ‘cheated’ out of water and wastewater funding
BY LISA STAYTON MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — When House Joint Resolution 30 came up for a vote in the state Legislature on Feb. 27, Representative Bobby McCool voted “no,” citing the bill’s failure to allocate funding to Martin County despite its long-standing water and wastewater issues. McCool congratulated the water and wastewater recipients listed in
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Magistrates mock, ridicule mandatory settlement
BY LISA STAYTON MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — In what might be a history-making first for Martin County, the Fiscal Court did something unexpected in a Feb. 26 special meeting: it turned down state-mandated excess fees from the Martin County Sheriff’s Office. Kentucky law requires Sheriff John Kirk to submit a “budget, quarterly report and annual
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State halts funding to three county boards for violating ‘transparency’ laws
BY LISA STAYTON MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — State officials suspended public funding for three Martin County agencies for violating a state law meant to ensure financial transparency. Funding will be withheld from the Martin County Tourism Commission, Martin County Housing Authority, and Big Sandy Regional Airport Authority due to their failure to submit required financial
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‘This is not allowed’: Grieving dog owner’s plea goes unanswered
BY LISA STAYTON MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — A plea born of loss and frustration went unanswered Thursday in the Martin County Fiscal Court meeting. Beauty resident Cathy Fitzpatrick Sparks, standing before the county government, grieved for beloved dog Henry. Two days earlier, Henry was killed in a violent attack by a pit bull that wandered
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State approves second solar project in Martin County; only 47 locals hired for first project
BY LISA STAYTON MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Kentucky State Board on Electric Generation and Transmission Siting has approved a second solar plant in Martin County, giving developer Savion LLC the go-ahead despite scrutiny over the company’s local hiring record. The board’s Nov. 27 decision allows for the construction of the Lynn Bark Energy Center,
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Popular Inez eatery ‘temporarily closing’
BY LISA STAYTON MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Masterpiece Kitchen & Café announced Saturday it would be “temporarily closing for a few months” starting Dec. 20 as it undergoes revitalization. The popular eatery shared the news with customers on social media. “During this time, we will be reworking our menu and adjusting our hours to line
