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Martin County High School celebrates Class of 2025
INEZ — Martin County High School celebrated the graduation of 132 seniors in the Class of 2025 during commencement exercises Friday, May 23, at Cardinal Stadium. Valedictorian Laura Hale and co-salutatorians Chloe Alley and Aiden Fields addressed their classmates and guests before diplomas were awarded. The Class of 2025 embraced the motto: “Be a pineapple.
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KYTC details road money for Martin County
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Fiscal Court heard from Kentucky Transportation Cabinet section engineer Zach Wright Thursday during a special meeting. Wright presented project recommendations for the Rural Secondary Road Program for the county to review. The total allotment for work on rural secondary roads within Martin County for fiscal
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Regional jail moves to daily inmate fee, approves new budget amid financial strain
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN PAINTSVILLE — Big Sandy Regional Detention Center will replace its flat booking fee with a daily charge starting July 1. Officials say the move will boost revenue as the jail faces a mounting budget deficit and declining inmate population. The board voted Thursday to adopt the new model along with
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Martin County hires grant administrator, transfers downtown properties
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Fiscal Court enlisted the services of Fahe, a nonprofit grant administrator, to handle Community Development Block Grant applications and other grant opportunities. The decision came during a meeting Thursday that included property transfers, leases and the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget. Under the agreement with
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JAG national champs share story at Kiwanis luncheon
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Kiwanis Club members welcomed hometown heroes Thursday. Martin County High School’s national champion JAG Knowledge Bowl team was the special guest, sharing their stories and joy from their title run at the JAG National Career Development Conference in Indianapolis. JAG specialist Lance Tackett and team members Russell Maynard,
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Martin County Pool to reopen June 1 after eight-year closure
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Pool will reopen June 1 after an eight-year closure. Assuming a contractor discovers no underground damage this week and finishes repairs on schedule. Officials are already taking applications for lifeguard positions in anticipation of the reopening. Martin County Deputy Judge/Executive Carolea Mills said Aquatics Construction
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Oliver Anthony packs Inez
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Town swelled with music and meaning Saturday as “Rich Men North of Richmond” singer Oliver Anthony brought a free day of music to Inez. Crowds packed downtown to hang out while artists Wesley Saylor, Dylan Barber, Randon Neeley, Cody McCoy, Jayce Turley, Emmy Davis, Zack Runyon and Little
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Mural to rise in Inez: Turning water crisis into cultural call to action
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The side of a building in downtown Inez will bloom with color and meaning during this year’s Appalachian Artist Festival. A mural—the city’s first—will elevate clean water from a public utility issue to a moral and cultural imperative. The image is striking: A woman draped in flowing white
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Police recover stolen Jeep on Wolf Creek
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN LOVELY — A report of a wrecked Jeep led Martin County law enforcement straight to a stolen vehicle Monday. The man behind the wheel, David Joshua Brown, 39, of Lovely, now faces a list of charges. Police arrested Brown on North Wolf Creek Road, where a Jeep had rolled off
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Martin County FCCLA shows off award-winning projects
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Students from the Martin County chapter of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) captivated Kiwanis Club members with demonstrations of their award-winning projects. FCCLA adviser Connie Harless introduced a group of six students during the Kiwanis luncheon Thursday at Giovanni’s in Inez. “I just want to
