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Two arrested on criminal abuse, manslaughter charges in child death
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN Two Martin County residents are in jail facing felony charges in connection with the death of an 11-year-old boy Aug. 13, 2025, in Beauty. Patrick Speer, 34, of Warfield, and Christina Chapman, 40, of Beauty, were arrested following their indictment by a Martin County grand jury Feb. 5. Their charges
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Tennessee man to pay nearly $10K for hunting violations in Martin County
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — A Tennessee man will pay nearly $10,000 in fines, court costs and restitution after pleading guilty Feb. 2 in Martin Circuit Court to five hunting-related offenses in Martin County last fall. Court records show Tanner Smelcer, 24, of Beas Lane Hollow Road in Sevierville, Tennessee, pleaded guilty to
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Protective order lifted for Wayne water supply after mineral oil release
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN WAYNE, W.Va. — Town officials lifted the protective order on Wayne’s drinking water supply Friday following three weeks of disruption tied to a mineral oil release at an Appalachian Power facility. Wayne Mayor Danny Grace officially ended the order at approximately 2:30 p.m. Feb. 7, according to the West Virginia
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Eden Elementary wins District Governor’s Cup title
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Eden Elementary School claimed the championship in the 2026 District 116 Governor’s Cup Academic Competition that wrapped up Sunday at Inez Elementary School. Eden finished first in the final standings with 52.5 points. Porter Elementary earned second place with 32 points. Inez Elementary followed with 18.5 points, while
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School board recognizes Eden teams for achievements
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Board of Education’s spotlight was on Eden Elementary’s Junior Future Problem Solving team and Sixth Grade Academic team for recent achievements. Superintendent Larry James praised the students and their coaches Monday before the BOE meeting at the district’s central office. Eden’s Junior FPS team placed
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School board honors FRYSC coordinators during Appreciation Month
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — February is Family Resource and Youth Services Centers (FRYSC) Appreciation Month, honoring the work of coordinators who help remove non-academic barriers to student success. FRYSC programs support students and families through services such as basic needs assistance, community referrals, family engagement programs and resources that help children stay
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Martin County grand jury returns indictments
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — A Martin County grand jury returned several indictments Feb. 5, including felony charges involving child abuse, property damage and bail jumping. Kevin Michael Litton, 27, of Tomahawk, stands accused of first-degree criminal abuse involving a victim under 12 years of age. The indictment alleges that on April 19,
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Two indicted in death of 11-year-old boy in Martin County
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Two Martin County residents are facing felony charges in connection with the death of an 11-year-old boy Aug. 13, 2025. A Martin County grand jury indicted Patrick Speer, 34, of Warfield, and Christina Chapman, 40, of Beauty, charging each with first-degree criminal abuse involving a victim under 12
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Martin County Judge/Executive presses state officials on $40 million water bid
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN FRANKFORT — Martin County Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty and other local officials met Tuesday in Frankfort with state leaders to discuss the county’s grant applications for nearly $40 million from the Kentucky Water and Wastewater Assistance for Troubled or Economically Restrained Systems (WWATERS) program. The General Assembly created the program in
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Inez considers extending Creekside Trail
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — City officials are exploring plans to extend the Inez Creekside Trail east. This project could add up to a quarter mile to the trail. Commissioner Nita Collier presented a map of the extension in a special meeting Jan. 21 at City Hall. She said the Big Sandy Area
