A judge has ordered that Martinsville Mayor L.C. Jones be reinstated to the city council.

A show-cause notice issued Wednesday morning has led to the temporary suspension of Martinsville Mayor L.C. Jones from the City Council, marking the latest step in an ongoing effort to remove him from office.

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.

A group of Martinsville residents have initiated a recall effort against Mayor L.C. Jones, citing concerns over transparency in the investigation of former City Manager Aretha Ferrell-Benavides.