Newly released details from a forensic audit of Martinsville’s finances shed light on spending practices under former City Manager Aretha Ferrell-Benavides, including $100,000 transfer from the city’s Economic Development Authority’s budget to the city manager’s salary budget. Multiple city officials tell 10 News this was used for Ferrell-Benavides’ salary increase and travel expenses.

Martinsville City Council on Tuesday voted to release a long-awaited forensic audit examining the city’s finances during the tenure of former City Manager Aretha Ferrell-Benavides.

Tensions escalated in Martinsville’s city government as Mayor L.C. Jones seeks an emergency protective order against City Councilman Aaron Rawls, following a confrontation at last week’s city council meeting.

Police had to intervene between a Martinsville city councilman Julian Mei and Mayor L.C. Jones Thursday night as tensions erupted during a heated debate over releasing findings from an investigation into the former city manager Aretha Ferrell-Benavides.

The fallout from the firing of Martinsville City Manager Aretha Ferrell Benevides continues to deepen, as City Council members clash over whether to release investigation documents to the public.

Less than a week after firing the controversial former City Manager Aretha Ferrell-Benavides, the Martinsville City Council voted 3-2 in favor of naming Chief of Police Robert Fincher as Interim City Manager.

MARTINSVILLE, Va. - Julian Mei, a Martinsville realtor, is enthusiastically promoting Martinsville and Henry County. It's working, but his effort could be even more successful, he says, with help from people like Virginia Sen. Mark Warner. Warner held a meeting Tuesday morning in Martinsville with Martinsville and Henry County business leaders. "I think there's still questions about this, but I'm interested in taking advantage of this in communities that need that extra help," Warner said. Warner said he'd like to make entrepreneurship easier in places like Martinsville and Henry County.