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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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Volunteers needed to review foster care cases
Residents have a chance to make a direct difference in the lives of abused and neglected children as Kentucky recruits volunteers for its Citizen Foster Care Review Board. The recruitment effort comes during National Child Abuse Prevention Month, observed each April to raise awareness about abuse and neglect and to highlight the role communities play
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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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Marcum, Jewell selected for 2026 Rogers Scholars
Martin County’s Brayden Marcum and Elaina Jewell are among 100 students from 45 Kentucky counties selected for the 2026 Rogers Scholars program. The two rising high school juniors will join students from across Southern and Eastern Kentucky in the summer leadership program, which focuses on entrepreneurship, leadership development and career exploration. Other students selected from
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Morehead State announces scholarship for nontraditional biology majors
The Morehead State University Foundation has created the Surmont Family Biology Scholarship, a new fund to help MSU students pursuing a degree in biology. This endowment was made possible through a generous gift from Joe and Sherry Surmont (Class of 2015, 2018). The couple founded the scholarship to honor Joe’s parents, Al (Class of 1980, 1990) and Helen Surmont, for
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Diabetes Connection 2026 to focus on benefits of physical activity
BY LAKEAN MEADE The Martin County Health Department, in partnership with Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH) and Aetna Better Health of Kentucky, will host Diabetes Connection 2026 on April 30 at 10 a.m. at the Martin County Health Department located at 136 Rockcastle Road in Inez. This free educational session will focus on the benefits of
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SOAR to host April 28 hiring event with WECTEC, Westinghouse affiliate
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR) and the Eastern Kentucky Talent Network will host a regional hiring event April 28 connecting Eastern Kentucky workers with skilled trades, manufacturing and energy-sector opportunities, including positions with WECTEC Staffing Services, a Westinghouse affiliate. The event is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 28,
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Mullins visits college
Posted by Brittni McCoy Martin County High School football player Kendal Mullins had his first college visit Saturday at West Virginia State. He attended a junior day at a spring game. (Courtesy photo)
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Braxton Keathley earns MaxPreps All-American honorable mention
BY BRITTNI MCCOY MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Braxton Keathley continues to add to a historic high school career, earning All-American honorable mention honors from MaxPreps. Only 30 players across the country made the cut for the highly touted list. The Martin County High School junior guard has established himself as one of the nation’s most
