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Local man jailed for allegedly stealing ex’s car from hospital after she gave birth
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN A Martin County man remained jailed Tuesday after police say he stole his ex-girlfriend’s vehicle while she was in the hospital recovering from the birth of their child. The Pikeville Police Department responded to Pikeville Medical Center Saturday where the woman was staying. She told police that her ex-boyfriend, Christopher
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Candidates line up for Martin County races ahead of Friday deadline
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — With the filing clock ticking toward a 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9 deadline, the 2026 May Primary ballot in Martin County is beginning to take shape as candidates line up to seek county and city offices. As of Tuesday, the following candidates had filed for races. The list
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Martin County wrestles to the wire, finishes runner-up at Hatfield-McCoy 32
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN PIKEVILLE — For two days at Appalachian Wireless Arena, the margins were razor-thin and the pace relentless. It was the kind of tournament where a single scramble can tilt an entire team race. Martin County High School lived in that tension at the Hatfield-McCoy 32. The Cardinals stalked the lead
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Martin County Wrestling takes crown at Agie Skeens Memorial Tournament
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN GRUNDY, Va. — By the time the final mats cleared Saturday, it was unmistakable: something historic had happened. The Martin County Cardinals had climbed to the top at the 2026 Agie Skeens Memorial Tournament in Grundy, Virginia. Martin County claimed the team championship for the first time, doing it with
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Martin County Youth Wrestling claims third at Hatfield-McCoy
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN PIKEVILLE — Martin County Youth Wrestling continued its tradition of strong showings on the regional stage, closing out 2025 with a strong performance at the Hatfield-McCoy Youth Wrestling Tournament. The team finished third overall and produced multiple champions, podium finishes and special awards Dec. 28 at Appalachian Wireless Arena in
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Martin County takes second at Bobby Bates Youth Classic
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN WISE, Va. — Martin County Middle School wrestling delivered a strong team performance at the Bobby Bates Youth Classic. The team finished second overall, narrowly falling to Warhawk Wrestling 217-214, while producing multiple champions and podium finishes across every class. The event took place Dec. 21 at the University of Virginia`s College at Wise David
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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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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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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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Who is running in Martin County: Early filings set stage for 2026 local elections
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Candidate filing opened Nov. 5 for local offices that will appear on the 2026 ballot, with early filings showing a mix of crowded contests and largely uncontested races across Martin County. As of Monday, 26 candidates had registered to run for county and city offices. Sheriff The most
