Inez, Ky – The Martin County Fiscal Court has announced a community groundbreaking to celebrate major improvements at the Inez Wastewater Treatment Plant. The county recently received six hundred eighty-five thousand dollars through the Kentucky Cleaner Water Program, allowing long-needed upgrades to the wastewater system to move forward. Judge Executive Lon Lafferty says the project will protect public health, support future growth and help revitalize the community, calling it an important step toward a stronger, healthier Martin County. All residents are invited to the groundbreaking Thursday, December 11, at 1 p.m. at the entrance to the wastewater treatment plant.

 

Warfield, Ky – A Martin County deputy says he was patrolling the Warfield–Lovely area when he spotted Brett Waller walking along Riverfront Road, knowing he was wanted on an outstanding warrant. When the deputy approached, Waller allegedly said he wasn’t going to jail and ran, ending up in the Tug River and prompting multiple agencies to respond. Firefighters went into the frigid water and pulled him to safety, and Patriot Ambulance took him to ARH Paul B. Hall in Paintsville for evaluation. After being medically cleared, Waller was taken into custody and is now back in jail to answer the new charges.

 

Ashland, Ky – A Pike County man has been sentenced to 17 and a half years in federal prison after pleading guilty to producing child pornography. Prosecutors say 54‑year‑old Lonnie James Maynard of Raccoon admitted directing a boy to send him a nude video through Snapchat. Sentencing guidelines in the case called for between 168 and 210 months, and the judge imposed a maximum 210‑month term, followed by 10 years of supervised release.   There is no parole in the federal system, but Maynard can earn limited credit for good behavior that could slightly reduce his time behind bars.

 

Belfry, Ky – A Freeburn man is dead after a pickup truck hit him while he was riding his bicycle in Pike County. Officials with the Pike County Coroner’s Office say 40-year-old Eric Bentley was riding south on U.S. 119 around 6:30 a.m. Wednesday when the truck hit him about a half mile from Belfry Middle School, heading toward Williamson, West Virginia. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the pickup was not hurt. The crash remains under investigation.