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Tourism targets April 1 opening for wedding venue
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Tourism Commission is pressing forward with efforts to open a wedding venue in the Historic Martin County Courthouse—an initiative that could bring revenue to pay their own bills. At a meeting Jan. 27, Commission Chair Nita Collier announced that the newly installed heating and cooling…
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A chase, a brick wall, a trip to jail
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN WARFIELD — A routine morning in Warfield took a chaotic turn Tuesday when a Lovely man, known for his habit of running from law enforcement, was arrested after a bizarre incident at the Dempsey Apartment Complex. Martin County Sheriff John Kirk found Joseph Christopher Jude, 43, passed out in a…
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JAG KY expands to adults aged 18-24: New program launches in E. Kentucky
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Marcie Hanson has dedicated 30 years to Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) in Martin County. As the Kiwanis Club guest speaker Thursday, she introduced a new JAG KY program to help young adults ages 18 to 24. The Kiwanis Club meeting took place at Giovanni’s in Inez. “Our…
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Woman arrested for electricity theft
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN LOVELY — A woman was arrested Thursday after authorities say she illegally reconnected her home to the power grid. Mary Ayers, 46, of Lovely, was on Bluejay Lane on charges of theft of services and resisting arrest, Martin County Sheriff John Kirk said. According to the sheriff, Ayers had illegally…
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Couple arrested after child shows ‘signs of torture’
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN PIKE COUNTY — A Pike County couple is behind bars on charges of first-degree criminal child abuse, kidnapping with serious physical injury, and first-degree assault. Their arrest follows an investigation that uncovered severe abuse, including evidence described by authorities as “signs of torture.” Police arrested Raccoon resident Mary Hall, 42,…
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Inside the brutality of USP Big Sandy: Former prison lieutenant’s plea reveals culture of abuse
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN DEBORD — In a case that exposes the violent underbelly of the federal prison in Martin County, a former lieutenant at the United States Penitentiary Big Sandy has pleaded guilty to conspiring to violate inmates’ civil rights. The plea reveals chilling details of systemic abuse and a shadow policy targeting…
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Martin County School Board establishes police force
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County School District is establishing its own district-based police force that will employ school resource officers. The BOE voted unanimously for the measure during a Jan. 9 meeting. Superintendent Larry James announced during the meeting that a certified police officer had expressed interest in joining the…
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Student injured in bathroom assault
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — A student at Martin County High School was hospitalized Monday after being assaulted in a school bathroom, his father said. The student, who suffered a concussion and facial injuries, was treated and released later that day. He is pursuing criminal charges against the alleged attacker. The incident occurred…
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Kermit in line for $5K from Lipitor settlement
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN KERMIT, W.Va. — The Town of Kermit will be receiving $5,000 as part of an antitrust lawsuit filed by West Virginia against two pharmaceutical companies. Mayor Charles Sparks announced the news at a Jan. 13 council meeting. The mayor detailed the backstory: a $17 million settlement stemming from claims that Pfizer…
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Plea deal reduces severity of charges in child sexual abuse case
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — A 75-year-old Ohio man convicted of sexually abusing children was sentenced Thursday in Martin Circuit Court to three concurrent five-year prison terms, a result of a plea deal that reduced the severity of some charges. John D. Perry from Eastlake, Ohio, was sentenced for crimes that he admitted…
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