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Martin County wrestlers capture Adidas national titles
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INDEPENDENCE, Missouri — Two Martin County fifth-graders brought home national championships over the weekend, turning in dominant performances at Adidas Nationals in Independence, Missouri. Nolan Muncy won first place in the 135-pound division, and Colten Anderson captured first in the 100-pound division. With their victories, both wrestlers earned Adidas All-American…
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Inez woman indicted in storage unit burglary
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — A Martin County grand jury Thursday indicted an Inez woman for allegedly breaking into storage units and stealing property. Rose Johnson, 54, stands accused of three counts of third-degree burglary, one count of possession of burglary tools and one count of second-degree criminal mischief. The indictment alleges Johnson…
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Kirk & Crum Law Firm Player of the Week: Bailee Hall
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN NAUGATUCK, W.Va. — Tug Valley’s Bailee Hall is the Kirk & Crum Law Firm Player of the Week. Hall opened the 2026 softball season with the kind of week few players can match, dominating in the circle and delivering at the plate. She helped power the Lady Panthers to a…
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Water chairman questions vacant AWR manager post
District pays Alliance $181,550 monthly BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The search for a district water manager remains stalled nearly four months after the position became vacant, prompting Martin County Water District (MCWD) board members March 24 to question why the utility continues paying for the role through its $181,575-a-month management contract with…
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Lafferty presses senate, governor for $26M WWATERS funds
Judge/executive invokes coal legacy BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Martin County Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty used a special Fiscal Court meeting March 26 to publicly urge the Kentucky Senate and Gov. Andy Beshear to approve $25.8 million in WWATERS funding for local water and sewer projects, arguing the county has earned basic infrastructure after…
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Flood buyouts in Martin County could begin in 60 to 90 days
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Martin County’s USDA Emergency Watershed Protection flood buyouts could begin closing within 60 to 90 days, according to county officials. The Martin County Fiscal Court advanced the second reading of a $6.68 million budget amendment March 26 in a special meeting. Of that amount, roughly $6.3 million is…
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Countywide strategic plan moves from input to action
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Martin County residents will have three more chances this spring to help shape a countywide strategic plan. Led by the University of Kentucky and Blueprint Kentucky, the effort that began is shifting from public input to action steps and final recommendations. Organizers will hold the remaining public sessions…
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Martin County accepts sheriff’s annual fee settlement
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Martin County Fiscal Court accepted Sheriff John Kirk’s 2025 excess fees settlement during a special meeting March 26. The annual report showed the sheriff’s office ended the year with $53.23 in excess fees, no unpaid obligations and no outstanding debts. The settlement shows the office’s fee account received…
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Martin County Fiscal Court handles bids, board appointments, business in special session
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Martin County Fiscal Court approved board appointments, awarded mowing contracts and advanced several other business items during a special meeting March 26. Magistrates approved Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty’s reappointment of John Hensley and Colby Kirk to the Martin County Utility Board. The court also approved Karen Thoma to fill…
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Warfield backs caboose project tied to Himlerville legacy
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN WARFIELD — The Warfield City Council approved an interlocal agreement Monday allowing Martin County Fiscal Court to install signage at the city’s caboose. The project is part of the county’s “Himler Heritage Caboose” initiative, a small step in preserving the legacy of Martin Himler and the immigrant coal town he…
