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Eleven MCHS band students named to All-District Band
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT INEZ — The Martin County High School Band earned multiple All-District Band honors with 11 students selected through competitive auditions. Those named to the All-District Band are Brady Newsome, Zach Maynard, Drake Bowen, Kyle Cornette, Caroline Russell, Aaron Horn, Morgan Allen, Justin Eller, Seven Crum, Reagan Sparks and Luke Preece. The Kentucky
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MCHCF residents wish everyone a ‘Happy New Year’
Smiles, festive hats and hopeful hearts marked the New Year at Martin County Health Care Facility. Residents paused for photos to send warm wishes to the community and welcome the year ahead with optimism, gratitude and a shared sense of joy.
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Gas pump crash triggers meth bust by Sheriff Kirk
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — What could have been a dangerous collision at an Inez gas station instead became a methamphetamine bust with Martin County Sheriff John Kirk putting four people behind bars Dec. 30 on felony drug charges. A vehicle crashed into the concrete barrier protecting the gas pumps at Horn’s BP
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New Year’s resolution for Martin County
A new year always arrives carrying two things at once: the weight of what we have endured and the quiet promise of what might still be possible. For Martin County that promise matters. We have known hardship, frustration and long stretches of waiting. Yet we enter this new year with resolve to move forward with
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Big Sandy Regional Detention Center looks to Floyd County for female officers, cites no ‘hirable’ applicants in four counties
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN PAINTSVILLE — Big Sandy Regional Detention Center will temporarily expand its search for female correctional officers to Floyd County after administrators said the jail has not received “hirable” applicants from Johnson, Lawrence, Magoffin or Martin counties. The jail authority voted 4–3 at its Dec. 18 meeting to approve emergency hiring
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Martin County Water District asks PSC to end oversight
Opponents warn system remains fragile BY LISA STAYTON MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Martin County Water District is asking the Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) to close a long-running oversight case and lift monitoring requirements imposed more than six years ago, arguing that the utility has made significant financial and operational progress under outside management. The
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Martin County Water declines rate hike despite revenue gap
BY LISA STAYTON MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — On paper, the numbers point to a sharp water rate hike. In practice, Martin County water officials say they are charting a different course. The Martin County Water District filed its 2026 Revenue Requirement Report with the Kentucky Public Service Commission on Monday. The filing shows the district
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2025: A year defined by water, weather and resolve
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — If 2025 had a shape in Martin County, it was uneven ground. The year rose with moments of promise and dropped without warning into loss and disruption, forcing people to find their footing again and again. Water told much of the story. It fell as snow and ice,
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Kirk & Crum Law Firm Player of the Week: Braxton Keathley
BY BRITTNI MCCOY MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Martin County High School’s Braxton Keathley is the Kirk & Crum Law Firm Player of the Week. Keathley battled through a rugged three-game stretch at the Bristol Christmas Tournament on the road. The junior guard poured in 93 points in three games (31.0 ppg) and added 26 rebounds.
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Martin County arrest report
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT INEZ — Martin County Sheriff John Kirk’s Office reported the following arrests: Teresa Rena Marcum, 47, of Rockcastle Creek Road, Louisa, was arrested Dec. 27 on Little Laurel Road on charges of possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia – buy/possession. Sheriff John Kirk said he was dispatched to a residence on Little
