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School speech therapist arrested for public intoxication
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — A Martin County school speech therapist was arrested Thursday afternoon at Eden Elementary after officers said she appeared to be under the influence while supervising students. Martin County Schools Police Chief Chris Kidd and Officer Nathan Todd arrested Leigh Ann Marquez, 44, of Paintsville, around 3 p.m. on
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Six indicted in Martin County
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — A Martin County grand jury indicted six people Thursday on charges that include drug trafficking, assault, wanton endangerment and driving under the influence. Hailee J. Joseph, 31, of Paintsville, is facing charges of possession of a controlled substance in the first degree (methamphetamine) and use/possession of drug paraphernalia.
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Regional jail near financial collapse, will ask counties to pay higher inmate housing rate
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN PAINTSVILLE — The Big Sandy Regional Detention Center is teetering on the edge of financial collapse. In what officials describe as a last-ditch effort to keep the facility operating, the regional jail board is preparing to ask its four member counties—Johnson, Martin, Magoffin and Lawrence—to approve an increase in the
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Christmas in the Mountains to transform Inez Dec. 7-13
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The City of Inez will again become the ultimate holiday attraction as it hosts Christmas in the Mountains the week of Dec. 7–13. Organizers are busy transforming the town with thousands of twinkling lights and impressive displays. Christmas in the Mountains organizer Linda Lou Webb revealed several attractions
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Martin County wins $7 million to buy out flood-prone homes
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Martin County is moving forward with an ambitious plan to buy out dozens of flood-prone homes, drawing on nearly $7 million in aid to help residents relocate from areas repeatedly hit by floods. Deputy Judge/Executive Carolea Mills announced that the county has received approval for a $5.7 million
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Martin County keeps property tax rate steady
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Property owners will see no change in their county property tax rates for the coming year. The Martin County Fiscal Court voted unanimously to keep the real property tax rate unchanged at 12.1 cents per $100 of assessed value for the upcoming year. According to the Department for
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Voter alert: Clerk outlines key election deadlines, issues warning
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — With the 2026 Primary Election schedule beginning Nov. 5, Martin County Clerk Susie Skyles outlined key dates and requirements for voters and candidates. She also cautioned that some local voters may appear on Pike and Lawrence counties’ voter rolls due to issues with Kentucky’s regional driver licensing system.
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Trick-or-treat on Main Street
INEZ — Rain and cooler temperatures did not stop trick-or-treat on Main Street in Inez. Dozens of little ghosts, princesses and superheroes came out for candy and fun Thursday night. See more photos in this week’s print edition of the Mountain Citizen.
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Warfield plans jolly ‘Visit With Santa’
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN WARFIELD — Santa Claus is making an early stop in Warfield this year, and he’s bringing Mrs. Claus, Christmas carolers and lots of holiday cheer. The City of Warfield’s annual “Visit With Santa” will sparkle with a few exciting changes: a new date, new location, and a new partnership between
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Queen Thelma rules Halloween party
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT INEZ — Residents and staff at Martin County Health Care Facility celebrated Halloween with a pizza party and costume contest, filling the halls with laughter, music and festive spirit. Everyone joined in the fun, from Queen Thelma Moore in her queen outfit to staff looking like masked superheroes.
