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Magistrates want asphalt
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Martin County leaders advanced efforts to enhance roads and outdoor recreation during Thursday’s Fiscal Court meeting. Magistrates unanimously voted to spend federal funds for additional asphalt to use across the county. They also approved an agreement with First Frontier Appalachian Trails (FFAT) whereby the county will use its…
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Sheriff Kirk honors fallen officers
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Photos of law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in 2024 adorn a wall inside Martin County Sheriff John Kirk’s office. Sheriff Kirk began the memorial gallery about five years ago. Throughout each year, as he receives notifications of fallen officers, he places their photos on the…
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Feud over alleged stolen pills turns physical
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN WARFIELD — Groundhog Hollow in Warfield was the scene of a family feud turned physical Friday—and it all allegedly started over “stolen” medication. Elwood Robertson, 44, landed in jail after an altercation that Martin County Sheriff John Kirk says escalated into violence. Robertson now faces charges of public intoxication of…
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Martin County honors Moore by renaming bridge
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Fiscal Court voted Thursday to rename the bridge at Mullett Branch in honor of Denny Ray Moore, a longtime resident and former road foreman. The bridge off Coldwater Road will now bear the name “Denny Ray Moore Bridge.” Moore served as the county’s road foreman…
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Martin County rallies in storms: Heroes emerge
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — As severe winter weather gripped Martin County in recent weeks, local officials, departments, and volunteers mobilized to ensure that residents were safe and that vital services continued to function. Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty praised the effort Thursday at the conclusion of the Martin County Fiscal Court meeting. The judge…
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Martin County Solar flips the switch on 111-megawatt plant
Electricity-generating plant begins operations on former coal mine site BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN PILGRIM — On a plot of land once home to Kentucky coal’s gritty past in Pilgrim, Martin County Solar Project (MCSP) has officially flipped the switch on a 111-megawatt electricity-generating plant. Owner Savion LLC announced Tuesday that the solar plant on…
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Martin County Water District announces meter replacement project
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Water District (MCWD) has announced a $2 million water meter replacement project set to begin Jan. 27. According to a customer alert issued Monday, the initiative is funded through a grant allocated by the Kentucky General Assembly. MCWD expects the project to take approximately four…
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Martin County Youth Wrestling dominates Hatfield McCoy
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN PIKEVILLE — The Martin County Youth Cardinals dominated the Hatfield McCoy Youth Tournament on Dec. 29 at the Appalachian Wireless Arena in Pikeville, capturing first place among more than 60 teams. Leading the charge, Nolan Muncy (10U heavyweight) won his weight class and earned the prestigious Most Outstanding Wrestler honor.…
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Winter storm slams Martin County
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN MARTIN COUNTY — Winter Storm Blair unleashed heavy snow and ice across the region Sunday and Monday, bringing travel to a standstill and leaving thousands without power. By Sunday afternoon, roads had become impassable, prompting Martin County Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty to declare a state of emergency and limit county road…
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Board shows mercy to disabled veteran after imposing onerous civil fine
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Solid Waste Board extended grace to Larry Oaks, a disabled U.S. Armed Forces veteran, after levying $9,300 in fines against him at a rate of $100 per day since September. The board agreed in a December meeting to “freeze” further fines while Oaks wraps up…