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Martin County grand jury indicts suspects linked to Buck Branch burglary and guitar theft; four others
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — A Martin County grand jury issued indictments Thursday against seven individuals, including three suspects linked to a recent burglary and theft of two valuable guitars from a residence in Lovely. Garland Mills, 50, of Pilgrim, stands accused of burglary in the second degree/complicity and criminal mischief in the…
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Mother arrested after toddler found wandering on busy highway
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ, Ky. — A woman from Inez is facing charges after her toddler was found wandering alone on a highway, according to Martin County Sheriff John Kirk. The incident occurred when the 2-year-old escaped from home and was seen running along Route 40 near its intersection with Route 645 on…
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24th Judicial District celebrates drug court graduates
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The 24th Judicial District Specialty Court congratulated and gifted eight drug court graduates May 28 in the courtroom in Inez. Judges, specialty court staff, family, friends and supporters were on hand for what Judge John T. Chafin says is his “most favorite” part of the job. “This distinguished…
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Martin County to purchase dilapidated downtown properties
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Fiscal Court is purchasing seven downtown properties in Inez for $550,000. Magistrates approved the expenditure of the county’s American Rescue Plan Act allocation in a special meeting Friday. Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty stated the goal was to revitalize the county. “Many buildings in our cities are dilapidated—have fallen on…
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Martin County Water has not secured project permits; Warfield braces amid concerns
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN WARFIELD — Tensions surfaced in Warfield as the city prepares for significant water infrastructure construction along Collins Creek Road, slated to start June 10. The Martin County Water District (MCWD), responsible for the project, has not yet secured the necessary permits required by the City of Warfield, sparking concerns among…
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Martin County High School hires new principal
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Martin County High School announced Friday that Dr. Michelle Harless has been hired as the new principal. Harless fills a vacancy left by the untimely death of principal Brian Charles in November 2023. A 23-year veteran educator, Harless shared her excitement in a social media post, saying, “I…
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BOE approves budget
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Board of Education approved the 2024-2025 tentative budget and heard an update from finance officer Earnest Hale in a special meeting May 28. “Good news,” Hale announced. “We had an increase in SEEK [Support Education Excellence in Kentucky] funding due to the fact that [the…
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Collier Center rolls out new chiller ahead of summer heat
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Public Library/Collier Center is experiencing a significant drop in temperature following the installation of a new air-conditioning system last week, library officials announced. During a special board meeting May 29, member Barry Webb provided an update from a representative of Elliott Contracting, the Pikeville-based company…
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Martin County seeks grant for regional sewer treatment plant
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Fiscal Court in a special session Friday authorized Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty to execute application documents for Government Resources Accelerating Needed Transformation grants. This funding will support the expansion of the Honey Branch Wastewater Treatment Plant’s capacity from 1 million gallons per day to 2 million…
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Sewer line repaired after polluting creek in Inez
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Alliance Water Resources was prompted to expedite the repair of a sewer line after raw sewage was found leaking into Rockcastle Creek in the Beatrice Loop area on Old Route 3. The leakage was initially discovered by the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, drawing attention to potential negligence at…
Tag: Roger Smith
