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Water bill battle: Kermit Council resolves dispute after resident’s arrest and jail time
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN KERMIT, W.Va. — With a misdemeanor case still pending, the Kermit Council agreed to resolve the issue of an alleged broken lock and damaged water meter that led to the arrest of a resident. Officials gave Etta Kiser until March 21 to pay $175 for the damaged meter and labor…
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Martin County woman faces drug charges
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin Circuit Court formally charged a Debord woman with drug-related crimes. Barbara J. Gordon, 44, faces charges of first-degree possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana. According to the information filed March 10, the Commonwealth Attorney for the 24th Circuit accuses Gordon of having methamphetamine…
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Navigating disaster assistance: How to appeal FEMA decisions
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN In the aftermath of disasters, survivors seeking assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) may find that their initial decision is not what they expected. But a denial or lower-than-expected award is not necessarily the final word. Individuals affected by disasters have the right to appeal any decision or…
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Flood leaves Martin County’s water and sewer systems in ruins; repairs to cost millions
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN MARTIN COUNTY — The February flood that swept through Martin County, swelling Tug Fork River, left the county’s water and sewer infrastructure heavily damaged. Officials expect repair costs to approach $3 million. Floodwaters inundated the sewer treatment plant in Warfield as well as lift stations, grinder pumps and other critical…
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Sheriff’s Office cracks down on copper theft
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — After the recent arrests of five suspected copper thieves, the Martin County Sheriff’s Office has a clear message for anyone considering stealing AT&T phone lines: “You will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Chief Deputy Sheriff Chris Kidd said. “It is a felony.” Cable theft…
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Man found unresponsive in car outside senior center faces drug charges
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — A man faces charges after police found him unresponsive in a car outside the Martin County Senior Citizens Center with a substantial quantity of drugs in the car. Chief Deputy Sheriff Chris Kidd of the Martin County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call shortly before noon Thursday. The…
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Man arrested for rape after 12-year-old girl’s miscarriage
Juvenile’s mother faces charges BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN TOMAHAWK — A 35-year-old man from Tomahawk was arrested Monday on charges of first-degree rape following his 12-year-old “girlfriend’s” miscarriage, authorities said. His arrest came just a day after the girl’s mother was taken into custody on a charge of first-degree unlawful transaction with a minor-sex…
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Local man charged with child sexual abuse
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN LOUISA — A Lovely man was arrested Thursday on charges of sexual abuse for allegedly subjecting a 16-year-old child to sexual contact without her consent. Louisa Police executed a warrant on 49-year-old Floyd Maynard at the Budget Inn in Louisa in the middle of the day. The warrant obtained by…
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Flood debris dumpsters cost county $20K so far
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The cost of clearing flood debris dominated discussion at a Martin County Fiscal Court special meeting Feb. 26. Magistrates approved payments totaling nearly $20,000 for roll-off dumpsters used in flood cleanup efforts in Lovely. The invoices submitted by Howell’s Recycling & Sanitation of Debord covered services Feb. 18,…