-
City of Inez installs sidewalk decals
The City of Inez beautified sidewalks behind the county courthouses and in front of the Martin County Business Center with decals of traditional quilt blocks. Three local quilting groups submitted designs for the project: Pieceful Stitchers, Sew ‘n’ Sew and Heirloom Quilty Society. The city started working on the project in 2023 and completed it
-
Appalachian Artist Festival gallery
Artists, makers and musicians gathered Aug. 2 in Inez to share their talents. Our photo gallery captures a sampling of the day. Slide show
-
CAIP grants offer up to $5,000 for Martin County producers
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Soil Conservation District is urging local farmers to apply for cost-share grants of up to $5,000 through the County Agricultural Investment Program (CAIP), a state initiative that helps producers improve and diversify their operations. District director Vicky Evans outlined the program’s benefits Thursday as the
-
Inez pair accused of looting home
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Two people are facing burglary charges after a man caught them looting his grandparents’ house off Old Route 3 in Inez. Martin County Deputy Steven Putman arrested Inez residents Lonnie Pauley, 62, and Bertha Jude, 45, on charges of third-degree burglary and second-degree criminal mischief July 30. According
-
Barefoot Festival returns Oct. 4 with music, culture, focus on land restoration
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN LOVELY — The Barefoot Festival will return to the mountaintops of Lovely on Oct. 4, transforming a reclaimed strip mine into a stage for Appalachian music, artisan craft and community connection. Now in its second year, the free one-day festival will continue its mission of showcasing regional talent and celebrating
-
Martin County advances street-legal ATVs
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Street-legal ATVs are one vote away from becoming reality in Martin County. The Fiscal Court gave initial approval Thursday to an ordinance that would let certain all-terrain vehicles hit public roads as “street-legal special purpose vehicles (SLSPV),” provided they pass a rigorous list of safety requirements. The move
-
Tourism greenlights festival plans, logistics ahead of big weekend
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Tourism Board got an update on the Appalachian Artist Festival in a meeting last week. They also approved financials and addressed logistical concerns, including trash pickup and rental policies for upcoming events and venue rentals. With the Appalachian Artist Festival just days away from transforming
-
Back to school Aug. 6: Martin County sets the clock on 2025–26
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Backpacks at the ready: Martin County students will head back to school Aug. 6. According to the school district’s 2025–26 calendar, teachers report a day earlier for opening day Aug. 5. This follows a round of professional development July 29–31 and Aug. 4. The last day of school
-
Cox outlines Big Sandy Regional Airport’s vital role, pushes to keep facility disaster-ready
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — As Black Hawk helicopters thundered into Big Sandy Regional Airport carrying pajama-clad flood evacuees in February, Gary Wayne Cox stood ready in the dark, literally. With his home power out and disaster unfolding across eastern Kentucky, the airport manager scrambled to confirm enough fuel for a nonstop rescue
-
Trending: Kids swim for free this Saturday
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — For the third Saturday in a row, all kids 18 and under will swim for free Aug. 2 at the Martin County Pool. Deputy Judge/Executive Carolea Mills is the latest county official to receive a donation to cover the cost of admission, following the lead of Martin County
