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James Paul Meade Obituary
James Paul Meade 1965—2026 James Paul Meade, 69, of Stepptown, West Virginia, passed away Jan. 12, 2026, at his home, surrounded by his family. Born Oct. 22, 1956, in West Virginia, he was the son of the late James Paul and Dixie Caudill Meade. James was a husband, father, grandfather and coal miner. James is
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Student hospitalized after suspected contaminated vape incident at Martin County High School
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — A student at Martin County High School was hospitalized Jan. 13 after becoming ill in what police say may have been caused by inhalation of a contaminated vaping device. Martin County Schools Police Chief Chris Kidd said the student required immediate medical attention and was treated by emergency
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New Martin County Elementary School moving from plans to ground
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The new Martin County Elementary School is moving from paper to pavement. Site preparation for the project should be completed “by the end of March or first of April,” clearing the way for construction on a 148.5-acre tract adjacent to Martin County High School on Holly Bush. Schools
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Editorial: Our future should not be decided without us
In Martin County, decisions have a way of being discussed after they are made, not while they are still being shaped. That reality has bred frustration, distrust and a sense among many residents that their voices do not matter. Now, for once, the order is being reversed. In the coming weeks, Martin County residents will
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Calling all residents to help map strategic plan for Martin County; meetings begin Jan. 20
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN Martin County residents will soon be asked a simple but consequential question: what should their community become. Blueprint Kentucky and the University of Kentucky are launching a new, multi-month strategic planning process to gather local ideas and turn them into a roadmap for county decisions in the years ahead. They are
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Martin County arrest report
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT INEZ — Martin County Sheriff John Kirk’s Office reported the following arrests: Joshua Moore, 27, of Inez, was arrested Jan. 10 on Big Elk in Beauty on a warrant charging him with failure to appear. Deputy Wall served the warrant at 6:45 p.m. David Keith Scott, 40, of Inez, was arrested Jan.
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On the front lines of prevention: Local provider urges cervical cancer screening, HPV vaccination
BY ANNIE HOLLER MOUNTAIN CITIZEN An illness that often develops without symptoms remains one of the most preventable cancers facing women today — if it is caught in time. Health providers say routine Pap smears and early HPV vaccination continue to be the most powerful tools for stopping cervical cancer before it becomes life-threatening. That
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Bill would boost coroner pay
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Martin County Coroner Chris Todd and coroners across Kentucky are backing proposed legislation that would place their salaries on a scale comparable to other county constitutional offices. House Bill 138, sponsored by Rep. Deanna Frazier Gordon, would establish a new base pay structure for coroners and create four
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LIHEAP: Heating assistance runs through March 27
Households facing the loss of heat or other heating emergencies may qualify for assistance through the Crisis component of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, according to Community Action Kentucky. The program opened Jan. 6 and runs through March 27. It is designed to help households resolve urgent situations such as utility disconnection, dangerously
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Martin County court docket
INEZ — Judge Brett Butcher heard the following cases Jan. 6 in Martin District Court: Earl Issac Denver Bowen (arraignment) — 1. No/expired registration plates; 2. No/expired Kentucky registration receipt; 3. Improper display of registration plates; 4. Failure to produce an insurance card; 5. Failure of non-owner operator to maintain required insurance, first; 6. Failure










