Feb 07 Past News
 

Feb. 28 am  Clay County Commission meets this morning at 10 am followed by the noon time Munch N Lunch. The public is invited to both.

Feb. 28 am Last year Jeremy Novobilski appealed the Gerald Thompson case to the WV Supreme Court. Thompson was found guilty of a meth lab.

Feb. 28 am the appeal centered around three key areas: 1 having meth ingredients like Coleman fuel, a matches, mason jars, a camp stove and such does not automatically make a meth lab; the Judge used the bench more like a Prosecutor than a Judge; and the jury, jurors had some problems.

Feb. 28 am Yesterday the WV Supreme Robes heard the appeal and based on their comments, the appeal has some merit.

Feb. 28 am During the webcast discussions, the Attorney General staff (on the other side of the Novo appeal) said three times, agreed that the Judge  was "over the line" during the trial. Two Big robes seemed to agree.

Feb. 28 am As for getting arrested for having the ingredients for a summer time picnic, that one didn't fly too well with the Robes. Novo worked it hard but..... Thompson had confessed to making meth. Sometime soon a case will make it on appeal and change the overly broad scope of the law but, with public opinion of lock em all up.... that's down the road

Feb. 28 am  As for the winking, giggling, joke telling juror and the other one that shook hands and talked with the lead Green Shirt, not sure. There were good discussions on both sides of the bench but, that ones a real toss up.

Feb. 28 am It can take months for the WV Supreme Court to make a decision but this appeal is one to watch.

Feb. 28 am   Go Lady Panthers!!!!

Feb. 28 am  Fifty-one years ago, Herman James, a North Carolina mountain man, was drafted by the Army. On his first day in basic training, the Army issued him a comb. That afternoon the Army barber sheared off all his hair.  On his second day, the Army issued Herman a toothbrush.   That afternoon the Army dentist yanked seven of his teeth.  On the third day, the Army issued him a jock strap.    The Army has been looking for Herman for 51 years.

Feb. 28 am  We're trying to learn Chinese.... Now read these out loud to determine if our Chinese translation is improving

Feb. 28 am  That's not right                                           Sum Ting Wong

Feb. 28 am  Small Horse                                               Tai Ni Po Ni

Feb. 28 am  I think you need a face lift                          Chin Tu Fat

Feb. 28 am  This is a tow away zone                              No Pah King

Feb. 28 am Staying out of sight                                        Lei Ying Lo

Feb. 28 am Your body odor is offensive                           Yu Stin Ki Pu

Feb. 28 am Now where else can you get such great Clayberry news and humor to boot. This is the last full day of our online fund raiser. No more harping for another 12 months.  It takes $ to keep this thang going. We throw in the typos for free!  How about it?

Feb. 28 am Send your much needed bucks to Delta; PO Box 14; Procious WV 25164

Feb. 28 am Thanks once again.

Feb. 27 pm Doc Jamie Exonerated today.

Feb. 27 pm  Before lunch today Doc Jamie was slated for trial time in the case we reported last Dec involving allegations of threats with a firearm on his property near Ovapa. The case never went to trial. The  state , that's the Prosecutor, moved to dismiss the whole shabang with prejudice.

FEb 27 am  Translation: The case will never come up again. Kevin Mr Beanpole Duffy represented Jamie.

Feb. 27 pm Sunshine is everywhere today in Clayberry. Still a little chilly with winds whipping it up but blue skies and bright sun. Lovely.

Feb. 27 pm The Clay County High School Lady Panthers have had a great basketball season. Last week they won the Sectional B Ball Tourney.

Feb. 27 pm This Wednesday night they're heading to the Regional Playoffs in Nicholas County at the new Armory. Their opponet is Braxton County. Based on beating them during regular session, if the Lady Panthers put on their A game and win, we'll be in the State Tournament in Charleston!!!

Feb. 27 pm  Non profit WYAP-LP wants to broadcast the Regional contest in Summersville.  The ever so greedy Athletic Commission requires even a non profit station pay a $125.00 royalty fee. If you can help them out, call the station 587-8353 or if you see Marjorie Dale Mullins, give her your donation.

Feb. 27 pm  Everybody at the station is a volunteer and 101.7FM makes NO money off the sportscasts but the WV SSAC still wants their $.

Feb. 27 pm Thanks from WYAP

Feb. 27 pm   There are many people in the county under the influence  or recovering from drugs and alcohol. Those folks, on their own or forced into counselling by the Court system, often used the local "Drop In Center" to deal with the problem.

Feb. 27 pm  In addition  to conselling, the center provided a place for people to talk, use a conputer, take classes, watch a movie and more.

Feb. 27 pm Ever so quietly, a couple months ago, the Clay Drop In Center closed their doors and disappeared.

Feb. 27 pm Isn't it a pitty such a  needed service is not longer available locally. Now, those in need of  treatment or other service must drive to Charleston or Summersville. Pitiful.

Feb. 27 pm  A woman came home, screeching her car into the driveway, and ran into the house. She slammed the door and shouted at the top of her lungs,  "Honey, pack your bags. I won the lottery!" The husband said, "Oh my God! What should I pack, beach stuff or mountain stuff?" "Doesn't matter," she said. "Just get out."

Feb. 27 pm  Mother Superior called all the nuns together and said to them, "I must tell you all something. We have a case of gonorrhea in the convent.""Thank God," said an elderly nun at the back. "I'm so tired of chardonnay."

Feb. 27 am This is the last full day of our online fundraiser. if you like having a spot to go to each day for the latest on life in the slow lane..  Where else can you go and find so many typos and still understand what's going on?

Feb. 27 am  How about some help. Send your $ to Delta; PO Box 14; Procious, WV 25164

Feb. 27 am For those that have donated, thanks. For those that haven't quite yet made it to the mail box, thanks in advance.

Feb. 27 am   A farmer was sitting on his porch one day when a young man drives in and comes to the door. "Sir, I was driving by and noticed you had a lot of Milkweed in your pasture. Would you mind if I went out and got some milk?" "You don't get milk from milkweed," the farmer replied. "Oh yes you can, " said the young man, "I have a degree in Agriculture from Texas A&M, I know all about it."  "Well, help yourself," said the farmer. He soon saw the young man coming back to his car with two buckets full of milk. The next day the farmer was again sitting on his porch when the same young man drove up. "Sir, yesterday when I was getting milk, I noticed you had some honeysuckle in the fencerow. I wondered if you would mind if I got some honey?" "You don't get honey from honeysuckle," said the farmer. Again, the young man explained about his degree from A&M, so the farmer agreed to let him collect some honey. Soon the young man came back to his car with two buckets full of honey. The next day the same young man drove up to the farmer's house. "Sir, yesterday when I was getting the honey, I noticed you had some pussy willow down by the creek." The farmer said, "Let me get my shoes and I'll go with you....."

Feb. 26 pm  Vickie Lynn (Williams) Arnold 29, see OBITUARY page

Feb. 26 pm  Christopher Lee Rose, 19, of Duck, see OBITUARY page

Feb. 26 am With the month winding down, no public meetings until Thursday.

Feb. 26 am  Copper is home!  . Email: I sent you an e-mail in regards to a missing dog in the Wallback area. Thank you so very much for posting it on your web site. Somebody has found it and brung him back home to his family. Once again, thank you for posting his picture.   Sincerely,  Lisa Craddock

Feb. 26 am   Most of us know Steve Butler as a school bus driver, guitar picker, and a Dad. He's now trying something new.

Feb. 26 am Steve is trying his luck behind the WYAP mic this morning around 8:30 am. Tune in this  morning to hear a brand new volunteer's first time attempt.

Feb. 26 am For listeners too far away to listen on 101.7FM... go to the wyap web site, once there, click the blinking ON AIR button and turn up your speakers.

Feb. 26 am Feel like you're working harder but getting further in debt. You are and that's while corporate profits are at all time high.

Feb. 26 am For all us dirty little ole men, how about some skin from a Hooter's lady. Use your mouse to raise her shirt.

Feb. 26 am    A precious little girl walks into a pet shop and asks, in the sweetest little lisp, between two missing teeth, "Excuthe me, mithter, do you keep widdle wabbits?"   As the shopkeeper's heart melts, he gets down on his knees so that he's on her level and asks, "Do you want a widdle white wabbit, or a thoft and fuwwy bwack wabbit, or maybe one like that cute widdle bwown wabbit over there?"   She, in turn, blushes, rocks on her heels, puts her hands on her knees, leans forward and says, in a tiny quiet voice, "I don't tink my python weally gives a thit."

Feb. 25 am It was like more soldiers didn't die this week. The troop escalation was hardly mentioned.

Feb. 25 am Attention was given to Iran and back room plans to war with Iran. Government controlled media outlets spent much time telling of Iran's nuclear capabilities and reasons we should blast them to kingdom come.

Feb. 25 am Iran owns the third largest oil reserves.

Feb. 25 am The coalition of the willing got smaller with England pulling half of their troops and Denmark saying good-bye to the US made civil war in Iraq.

Feb. 25 am There have been 3,411 coalition deaths -- 3,154 Americans, two Australians, 132 Britons, 13 Bulgarians, six Danes, two Dutch, two Estonians, one Fijian, one Hungarian, 32 Italians, one Kazakh, three Latvian, 19 Poles, two Romanians, five Salvadoran, four Slovaks, 11 Spaniards, two Thai and 18 Ukrainians -- in the war in Iraq as of February 22, 2007, according to a CNN count.

Feb. 25 am  Here at home, there's a couple of notations

Feb. 25 am Tuesday morning the big red house over at Pisgah, once owned by the Gray family,  burned to the ground. There were no injuries.

Feb. 25 am  On Tuesday the WV PSC went thru their paces in the Clay Courthouse. The long ago scheduled hearing (before Habjan was put into receivership) was more of a social where locals were allowed to vent their frustrations.

Feb. 25 am The frustrations were few. The burden had already been lifted. With Mountaineer Gas already in control, Clayberry had already turned a page of history and was ready to move on.

Feb. 25 am  Thomas King has been working off his community service time at the Courthouse. Always personable and respective, it looked like King was ready for a new start in life. Looks can be deceiving

Feb. 25  am  After failing a pee test, King removed the ankle bracelet monitor and fled. For three days, King and sweety Monalisa were on the run.

Feb. 25 am Thursday night the Lady Panthers put a thumping on Roane County to take the Sectional Tourney title.

Feb. 25 am Friday night Badges got busy. DUI drivers had to be chased down. The Badges did just that.

Feb. 25 am Early morning Saturday Top Badge Holcomb and Miles Slack were at Thomas King's residence. After banging on the door, Holcomb tried to enter by breaking the front panel glass and open the inside lock. Monalisa tried to prevent that entry. With that going on. Slack entered from thru the rear door. With King ready to high tail out, Slack employed the pepper spray.

Feb. 25 am With both doors open, standing beside the cool air return, Slack didn't take into account the thermostat. Cool air entered and the forced air furnace kicked on, sending the pepper spray every which a ma place including where Slack was standing. It got him big time.

Feb. 25 am  As we listened on the scanner, we heard a call for an ambulance. Uh oh, it sounded like something had gone wrong. Reality... Monalisa was asthmatic and the ambulance was called to make sure the pepper spray did no more than restrain the lady. King and squeeze were apprehended and jailed.

Feb. 25 am Almost ready to start a new life, Thomas King is ready to go back thru the criminal justice system.    was heckled the rest of the day.

Feb. 25 am Saturday was the school EXCESS Levy vote. Around 1050 of 6500 possible voters came out and exercised the right to have a say in taxation. The School System did their job well once again. Only Brown and Ivydale precincts said No to extra taxes. The 5 year EXCESS Levy passed, 716 to 334.

Feb. 25 am This past week we saw the weather change from 0 temps to sunshine filled days in the 40s. It felt like Spring. Birds chirped.

Feb. 25 am  Saturday night the School folks chirped.

Feb. 24 am They got Tommy King this morning.

Feb. 24 am Senator Love's Legislative Update column is now on the ADVISORY page.

Feb. 24 am Final details were ironed out last night. Who's going to haul who and in what areas.   To get this EXCESS Levy to pass, school administration and Boardsters have to haul voters. That is, haul the correct voters.

Feb. 24 am  This year they have two things to contend with. First the weather is warm and dry. More voters will come out this year. And, this year we had nearly 300 hundred people vote during early voting time.

Feb. 24 am  Today's EXCESS Levy is an opportunity to have a say in taxes. It's not often they ask our opinion.

Feb. 24 am Get out and Vote TODAY. Be sure to ask a neighbor if they need a ride.

Feb. 24 am  Late this evening we'll post the results. Most likely around 10pm.

Feb. 24 am  It's not too late!!!! Email over your predictions NOW. Will the EXCESS Levy pass or fail? How many total voters? And what's the margin of victory or defeat. We'll post the results before dark.

Feb. 24 am For all the folks that took the time to send in donations, thanks. You folks  still  have to suffer thru a couple more days of  begging.

Feb. 24 am  Of course we put a slant on each post. Quit whining or set up your own site. Of course we're  not fair OR balanced. This is Clayberry. For  125 years the other side had no way, no vehicle , to express their views. 12 years ago The Communicator came along and changed that. Without the funds to grow into a weekly newspaper, we set up this site as a way to provide up to the second news on the Great Nation of Clay. Quit your whining. For those that want to know Auntie Katherine had an ice cream social, there's still that little paper over in Clay.

Feb. 24 am We need help keeping this web site alive and growing. Each Feb. we go online and beg. It's a shameless plea. If you can forward a few bucks, please do.  Send your hard earned bucks to Delta; PO Box 14, Procious WV 25043

Feb. 24 am Thanks in advance and we'll stop begging in a couple more days.

Feb. 24 am  A mother took her five-year-old son with her to the bank on a busy  lunchtime.  They got behind a very fat woman wearing a business suit complete  with pager.  As they waited patiently, the little boy  said loudly, "Gee, she's fat!"  The mother bent down and whispered in the little boys ear to be  quiet.   A couple of minutes passed by and the little boy spread his hands as  far as they would go and announced; "I'll bet her butt is this wide!"   The fat woman turns around and glares at the little boy.  The mother  gave him a good telling off, and told him to be quiet.  After a brief lull, the large woman reached the front of the line. Just then her pager begin to emit a beep, beep, beep.   The little boy yells out, "Run for your life, she's backing up

Feb. 24 am  Each Friday night after work, Bubba would fire up his outdoor grill  and cook a venison steak. But, all of Bubba's neighbors were Catholic ... And since it was Lent, they were forbidden from eating meat on  Friday. The delicious aroma from the grilled venison steaks was  causing such a problem for the Catholic faithful that they finally  talked to their priest. The Priest came to visit Bubba, and suggested he become a Catholic.  After several classes and much study, Bubba attended Mass...and as the  priest sprinkled Holy Water over him, he said, "You were born a  Baptist,and raised a Baptist, but now you are a Catholic."  Bubba's neighbors were greatly relieved, until Friday night arrived,  and the wonderful aroma of grilled venison again filled the  neighborhood. The priest was called immediately by the neighbors and  as he rushed into Bubba's yard, clutching a rosary prepared to scold  him, he stopped and watched in amazement. There stood Bubba, clutching a small bottle of holy water he carefully  sprinkled over the grilling meat and chanted: "you wuz born a deer,  you wuz raised a deer, but now you'se a catfish"

Feb. 23 am Interested in a saw mill job? See the JOBS page ASAP.

Feb. 23 am This morning at 10 am  the CAEZ is hosting a Workforce Forum. Public invited. Free too!

Feb. 23 am  Tonight at 7pm, up North, the Big Otter Community Center music show will feature Larry Dent & the Possum Holler Boys and Big Otter Bluegrass.     Tonight at 7pm, 101.7 FM will air a live show featuring Prophet's Thumb.      Over at the Senior Center at Two Run, Paul Gross is organizing a jam session.

Feb. 23 am Big Shot Gun Shoot in the morning at the JG Bradley Campground at 10 am.

Feb. 23 am Most important, Saturday is the EXCESS Levy election.    A lot of people are still thinking about which way to vote in Saturday's School EXCESS Levy election. The school system's high paid thinkers have worked out very clever ways to put the best face, the best spin, on a pretty sad situation.

Feb. 23 am They're much like other fast talking salesmen who twist and massage answers to make something look better than it is.    Of course anything worth much, doesn't require a hard sale.    Our local school system passes awards to mask problems. If five indicators are bad and one other is average or OK, it's time to hand out an award.

Feb. 23 am The whole purpose of public education is to make a marketable product, students ready for the world. CCHS graduates have to compete in the job maket with others from around the nation.  For Clay County in general and West Virginia as a whole, it ain't working.

Feb. 23 am WV's Higher Education Policy Commission (HEPC) web site is  a good place to find out how our public school system is actually doing. In a nutshell, after the 4th grade.... it's bad. After that fourth year, education, results, achievement, sink. Sink off the charts when compared to other nations.

Feb. 23 am    For instance, only 16 of 100 West Virginia 9th graders EVER earn a college degree.

Feb. 23 am  From the HEPC information base dated Summer 2006: Compared with leading states, a very small percentage of 8th graders in West Virginia take algebra.

Feb. 23 am  West Virginia 8th graders perform very poorly on national assessments in math and reading. They also perform very poorly on national assessments in science and writing.

Feb. 23 am  A very small proportion of high school students enroll in upperlevel math courses. West Virginia is the only state to decline on this measure over the past 12 years.

Feb. 23 am  Very small proportions of 11th and 12th graders take and score well on Advanced Placement tests and college entrance exams.

Feb. 23 am  Ninth graders are not very likely to enroll in college within four years, primarily because proportionately few 9th graders graduate

from high school in four years, and relatively few graduates go directly on to college after high school

Feb. 23 am  The percentage of working-age adults enrolled part-time in college-level education or training is very low. Over the past decade, the state has experienced one of the largest declines in the nation on this measure.

Feb. 23 am  Compared with other states, a small percentage of students enrolled in four-year institutions earn a bachelor’s degree within six years

Feb. 23 am   West Virginia performs poorly on international comparisons of enrolled students who complete certificates and degrees, trailing the Slovak Republic and Spain, among other nations.

Feb. 23 am With all the hype set aside, the HEPC is saying, the current eduational system in West Virginia ain't working. With most counties including Clay whining that an EXCESS Levy will keep everything good, it's not true.

Feb. 23 am Not counting the EXCESS Levy, in Clay County over 70% of all tax dollars collected go toward educcation. Ditto for all the state tax dollars collected.

Feb. 23 am The Shrub told us five weeks ago, spend more money and everything will get better in Iraq. He's full of it.Just as Congress needs to get the message to W , maybe Saturday's vote will send a message to our local leaders.

Feb. 23 am After 10 years with the Clay County School EXCESS Levy,  it ain't working.   Don't forget to vote Saturday and don't forget to call a neighbor to carpool to the polls.

Feb. 22 am Tonight at 7pm the CCHS Lady Panthers will be in Sectional Tournament play in home court action. Come out and support our athletes.

Feb. 22 am This time last week it was near zero. This morning the birds are chirping.

Feb. 22 am  290 is the final count for early voting at the Courthouse. Unlike election day Jan five years ago when we had 6 inches of snow and ice, the weather for Saturday's election is suppose to be warm. Last time there were only about 1000 votes cast. The was no early voting allowed five years ago. With 290 already in the blue box, speculation is we could have many ballots cast this time around.

Feb. 22 am Lets get our online guestimate going. Email your guess: 1  How many votes will be cast;  2 Will the EXCESS Levy pass or fail; 3 By how many votes.

Feb. 22 am We'll release the results Saturday before the polls close.

Feb. 22 am School system employees will be hauling voters Saturday during the EXCESS Levy. Many are vocal this time around about Not supporting the extra taxation. If those folks would just haul a couple neighbors to the polls Saturday.... what a difference that could make!

Feb. 22 am   Monday evening the School Board met in regular session. They released the successful bidders for teaching spots at the new Valley Dale Elem school. There was no mention of a librarian, no music teacher, and no PE teacher at the new facility.

Feb. 22 am This is the season for hyping all the good accomplished with the EXCESS Levy.

Feb. 22 am The brand new Kids Count report shows a different picture.

Feb. 22 am After ten years with the EXCESS Levy, we're at the top of charts in areas like teen birth rates.

Feb. 22 am You sure won't get the EXCESS Levy Supporters to talk about Clay High drop out rates, juvenile delinquency rates, infant mortality rates and more. You can see for yourself by clicking here.  Once on that page slide down to Clay and check out the areas in red.

Feb. 21 pm Last week  Herbert Dodd Fitzawater died at his Ivydale residence. Rumors say he suffocated due to a gas leak. He may have suffocated but according to Sheriff Holcomb, the home did NOT have gas service hooked up. The heating source (and most likely the cause of death) was two kerosene heaters.

Feb. 21 pm From the Shrub, the new escalation is doing very well. From the Associated Press: he military now says the helicopter that went down north of Baghdad today was in fact shot down.  Officials had said earlier Wednesday that the helicopter made a "hard landing" when it went down. A military spokesman says the Black Hawk helicopter was brought down by small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades....

Feb. 21 pm The coalition of the willing shrunk yesterday with England pulling out. Today Denmark bailed out.  Condy Rice maintains, everything is peaches and cream.

Feb. 21 pm  The school system has done about all the arm twisting they can do before the EXCESS Election Saturday. Right at 300 took advantage of the early voting process.

Feb. 21 pm One of their reasons for keeping the Levy another 5 years is to keep the activity buses running. Of course we had activity buses long before the Levy was even thought of. With mass support for the football program, the buses will be here long after the Levy goes by the way side.

Feb. 21 pm  They  also bring up textbooks being paid for by Levy funds. Textbooks were free long before the Levy was passed in 97. With 80% of our kids on free lunch, textbooks will also be free long after the Levy fails.

Feb. 21 pm Yesterday people were standing around talking about the Levy pros and cons. One guy hit the nail on its head with: When they first floated the Levy, they said, we just need to pay off an old debt. That debt has been gone for seven years.

Feb. 21 pm Another person was fired up over another broken promise. Her biggest gripe was a promise to show the voter where every penny was spent. To date, there has been no accounting for the $1m in EXCESS funds collected.

Feb. 21 pm    For those that don't understand the EXCESS LEvy process..... Out front they say what is going to be paid for by the Levy if passed. Those items are pulled from the regular budget. The freed up $ in the regular budget can then be spent for all kinds of whodoo.

Feb. 21 pm Including the last Superintendent's salary increases?

Feb. 21 pm Including extra school service personnel?  No not teachers, school service personnel.

Feb. 21 am Today is the last day to early vote the School EXCESS Levy. Don't take a chance on bad weather or illness preventing you from coming out Saturday. Only takes a few minutes in the County Clerk's office. Over 200 have already exercised their duty and voted. VOTE TODAY!!!

Feb. 21 am  Yesterday more records were removed from the Valley Beechy and Wagner Gas Company office.

Feb. 21 am  The WV PSC held a formal hearing on the Habjan mess in the County Commission room yesterday. Around 30 locals were in attendance with the various suits up front. Everybody that wanted to speak could.... and did.

Feb. 21 am For the suits it was pretty much rehashing the same topics brought up last week during the emergency receivership hearing in Charleston. For locals, it was a chance to get stuff off their chests. The Queen of Gas went thru the specifics of our two weeks of H. Others chimed in on personal experiences.

Feb. 21 am   One lady made em squirm. She reminded the suits that they gave Habjan  a big time rate increase last Spring and did so without any reason, " Someone did NOT do their job!!!"  She was speaking the truth, Habjan got his increase without  turning in the mandatory paperwork. That would have been the paperwork that proved he needed a rate increase.  Our gas rates were doubled on his word only!

Feb. 21 am In an attempt to redeem themselves, their response was something like: well....uhhhhhh. well.... we got the info from other sources, the suppliers.

Feb. 21 am BS! They may have received some info from Habjan's gas suppliers but not from Habjan. Without Habjan's info, the PSC has no idea how much gas was lost in distribution and allowed Habjan to say, well... we couldn't have holes in our pipes, we only have an 8% line loss rate.

Feb. 21 am Without the local info, the PSC had no idea how much or where all the gas went or was wasted.

Feb. 21 am  Yesterday's hearing was scheduled a month ago and long before he was tossed out of operation by the Clay Circuit Court . The hearing went thru the motions but meant little if anything.

Feb. 21 am Talk about gonads!!!

Feb. 21 am John Habjan Sr showed for yesterday's PSC hearing. Once again he took the stand and explained his side of the story. Once again he smeared his diatribe on thick. Habjan said he personally read each and every Wagner gas meter in Dec. He added that he knew of NO NONE ZERO faulty gas meters. Oh Brother!   At one point while he was on the stand , he explained why he filed for bankruptcy protection, "I was looking for protection".  Some guy in the peanut gallery mumbled loud enough to be heard, "he had better get some too!" Giggles were heard.

Feb. 21 am The full write up on the last two weeks of H is in the current Communicator. Get one while you can.

Feb. 21 am Some good information came from Tuesday's hearing.  An engineer said that the local office help would remain on the job in Clay in the interim; customers could still pay their bills locally on Main Street; Mountaineer Gas Company reads meters every other month; and, if you have a leak, problem, outage etc., use the new  number 1-800-834-2070.

Feb. 21 am If there is an emergency, dial that same number and then press 1.

Feb. 21 am Later yesterday, Judge Facemire had a teleconference with Mountaineer Gas officials.

Feb. 21 am Sheriff Holcomb served papers on Habjan Sr which bars him from entering the Main street office and orders him not to mess with the distribution system.

Feb. 21 am One other note from Monday when they were hauling out the most of the paperwork from the Wagner office. One of the vehicles parked out front was a state vehicle with blue lights.  Makes for one big Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm...

Feb. 21 am   My wife and I were sitting at a table at my high school reunion, and I kept staring at a drunken lady swigging her drink as she sat alone at a nearby table.  My wife asks, "Do you know her?"  Yes," I sighed, "She's my old girlfriend. I understand she took to drinking right after we split up those many years ago, and I hear she hasn't been sober since."    "My God!" says my wife, "Who would think a person could go on celebrating that long?"

Feb. 19 pm   Delphia Marie O'Dell age 92 of Ovapa, see OBITUARY page

Feb. 19 pm Have you voted yet? Early voting for the School EXCESS Levy continues Tuesday and Wednesday. Don't take a chance on snow and ice Feb. 24th. Make your voice heard, Vote early and often.

Feb. 19 pm The Communicator made it out the door today around 3 pm. 24 pages of solid news and views on and about the County of Clay. 70 cents and worth every penny!

Feb. 19 pm  Yesterday morning under the direction of Judge Ric Facemire, Sheriff Holcomb removed all business records from the Wagner, Beechy, and Valley Gas Company office on Main Street. A new padlock was also installed on the door. The boxes were carted off for safe keeping.

Feb. 19 pm  Sheriff Holcomb said he had been in contact with John Habjan Sr earlier in the day; Habjan was coming to town later Monday, and once in town, Mr. Habjan would be served with court documents.

Feb. 19 pm   Last Thursday evening the guys car was seen parked outside the Main Street office. His office light was burning late into the night. Wonder what he was up to?

Feb. 19 pm  Scheduled for Tuesday morning is the PSC Hearing in the County Commission Room. True Habjan is  out of the picture but there may  be some questions to be answered. See EVENTS page

Feb. 19 pm Mountaineer Gas Company trucks were seen running all over Clayberry today. Fran King said they were on the job Sunday as well.

Feb. 18 pm With about 4 inches of new snow on the ground since Saturday afternoon, it's beautiful in Clayberry today.  With Monday a holiday, this is an extended weekend for many.  No school for the rug rats Monday. Govt. offices will be shut down as well.

Feb. 18 pm We're working on tomorrow's Communicator, no weekend wrap up this time around.

Feb. 18 pm Each weekday, nearly  1500 of you stop by this site for a look at Clayberry. Our bumps and blemishes are front and center but so are the good things. It's life in small town America. Some don't believe a word on this site. Others continue to just shake their heads and know the reason why we are what we are, most often in last place.

Feb. 18 pm Each Feb. we ask our clickers for financial help during our online fundraiser. We're in that mode right night. How about it, even as volunteers, it takes money to keep this thang up and running. We can't continue without your support.

Feb. 18 pm Send your $ to Delta; PO Box 14; Procious WV 25164

Feb. 18 pm New posts as soon as we get the Communicator out the door Monday afternoon around 4pm

Feb. 18 pm  Bubba liked to frequent the old swimming hole but was never able to attract the girls. He decided to ask his friend Billy for advice.  "It's those big baggy swimming trunks that make you look like an old fool. They're years outta style. Your best bet is to grab yourself a pair of Speedos-about two sizes too little and drop a fist-sized  tater down inside them.  I'm telling ya man...ya'll have all the babes you  want!"   The following weekend, Bubba hits the swimming hole with his spanking new tight Speedos, and his fist-sized potato. Everybody at the swimming hole was disgusted as he walked by, covering their faces,turning way, laughing, looking sick!   Bubba went back to his buddy  Billy  and asked him, "What's wrong now?"     "Lard-Almighty!" said Billy, "the tater goes in the front!"

Feb. 18 am Today's Skate Park Committee meeting has been canceled. Rescheduled for Tuesday at 6pm. See you then... if it ain't snowing like crazy!!

Feb. 18 am State Senator Shirley Love's Legislative Update column is now posted over on the ADVISORY page. Mentioned is new Delegate Margaret Stagges sponsorship of a new law to ban ATVs from ALL paved roads and adding a helmet law for ATV  use even on private land.

Feb. 17 4:45 pm  Talk about eating your own words......

Feb. 17 4:45 pm This afternoon the US Bankruptcy Court released Valley Gas Co from those proceedings.

Feb. 17 4:45 pm As per Judge Ric Facemire's Friday order, Mountaineer Gas Co took immediate control, operation,and management of Valley, Beechy, and Wagner customers.

Feb. 17 4:45 pm   It's OFFICIAL,  Habjan is out of here!

Feb. 17 4:45 pm  For those needing emergency repairs and to report an outage, dial  1-800-834-2070

Feb. 17 4:45 pm    Also of note, tonight's Lady Panther/Winfield  B Ball game begins at 7pm. Home court action second to none. Come out and support the home team.

Feb. 17 pm  Without a doubt the most important game of the season for the Lady Panthers comes tonight over at CCHS. Top ranked Winfield comes to town.  Get and support the Lady Panthers tonight. Action starts around 7:30

Feb. 17 pm For those wanting to help out on building a skate park for the county, see EVENTS page now

Feb. 17 pm   The last two days have been action packed. First in Charleston for a PSC hearing followed by yesterday's Circuit Court receivership proceedings. Sometimes it takes  a little while for stuff to sink in....

Feb. 17 pm After a night's sleep, the consensus, Habjan 1, Clayberry 0

Feb. 17 pm $1000's were spent in an attempt to get safe dependable gas service for this county. The reality is, with Habjan in Bankruptcy protection, he retains complete control of Valley Beechy and Wagner Gas Companies. Such proceedings could last for years.

Feb. 17 pm  Dependable gas service is dead in the water. We just got screwed again.

Feb. 17 pm For those that say Habjan didn't do so well with his oral testimony Thursday, he has sure made up for that now. John Habjan is slick and no one can dispute that.

Feb. 16 5pm   This morning we provided three installments from the Habjan Court proceedings. We sat through the whole thang and thought we heard what we heard. Commissioner Fran King called a few minutes ago and said we were all wrong. According to Fran,  Mountaineer Gas would not take control of ANY of the Habjan empire until Bankruptcy protections/proceedings are completed.

Feb. 16 5pm After hearing that, we called up Circuit Clerk Mike Asbury who he felt Franny was correct.

Feb. 16 5pm  We have changed our morning posts to reflect what went on. Please check the noon time postings for corrections

Feb. 16 5pm  My  appointment for the ear doctor is scheduled for next week.

Feb. 16  5pm    Don't need ears this post. From the WV Supreme Court web site, attorney at law Wayne King has had his law license suspended for 2 months. Before he get them reinstated, he  has to go thru ethics training, then work under a supervising attorney for 12 months and pay the client back.

Feb. 16 am We have a bunch of posting to do. Go get your coffee cup and refresh your browser often.

Feb. 16 10:52 am  Judge Ric Facemire ordered Beechy and Wagner Gas into receivership this morning. Mountaineer Gas will assume operations of those two utilities immediately.

Feb. 16 10:52 am   John Habjan and Valley Gas filed for bankruptcy protection this morning at 8:40am. Doing so in Federal Court prevents the Circuit Court from touching it. It is protected.

Feb. 16 10:52am  Check back in 10 minutes

Feb. 16 11:15am Yesterday the WV Public Service Commission was in emergency session to decide the fate of Valley Beechy and Wagner Gas Co's.  The hearing room at the PSC building was packed. The hearing lasted 5 hours.  Testimony was received from every Tom Dick and Harry. In each and every case, all said the only way to correct Clayberry's gas problems was to put the operation of John Habjan's companies into more competent hands. Interesting details emerged from the hearing.

Feb. 16 11:15am They showed canceled checks for purchases that appeared to be non utility related spending.

Feb. 16 11:15 am They showed evidence that while independent suppliers of gas to Habjan went unpaid ($300,000 owed to Mountaineer) the supply companies OWNED by Habjan were paid in full and in advance.

Feb. 16 11:15 am  The evidence was damning and lead listeners to believe there may be elements of frauds and money laundering.

Feb. 16 11:15 am After sitting through 3 hours of evidence (without even a lunch break) it was Mr. Habjan's turn to state his side of the long standing gas shortage battle. He did excellent. His answers were complete, reasonable, and thoughtful. His main thrust: It ain't my problem. Mountaineer and Chesapeake Gas Companies, partial suppliers of the three local utilities, refuse to provide enough gas pressure to his local compressors.  Habjan's memory was impeccable. He was cool, calm, reasoned well, and was slick to say the least. The answers sounded good.

Feb. 16 11:15am  For an outsider, his testimony would have been accepted.

Feb. 16 11:15 am  For the WV PSC  and Clay County customers who have dealt with Habjan for 25 years, we knew, it was all BS.

Feb. 16 11:15 am Yesterday afternoon at 3pm, the WV PSC Commissioners ordered staff attorney to prepare the filing to put all three Habjan companies into receivership.

Feb. 16 11:15am More coming. Give me 15 minutes

Feb. 16 11:45am  One other note from yesterday. During the hearing, a home on the back street of Clay had to be evacuated after filling with gas fumes. The big big leak in front of the Senior Center at Two Run ruptured again. PSC attorney Terry Owens made the Commission aware of those two dangerous occurrences and that temps were slated to be around 8 degrees this morning. That was the icing on the cake from yesterday.

Feb. 16  11:45 am  A receivership hearing was called for this morning before Judge Facemire in Clay County. High dollar suits from all over were in attendance. That is accept for John Habjan and his attorney, a Mr. Keener. Stacks of papers were setting about. TV news crews were present. Many sat in the peanut gallery.

Feb. 16 11:45 am A few minutes after 9am, all the attorneys and the court reporter headed back to the Judge's chamber. There was a problem, a glitch.  Rumors spread that John Habjan filed for Bankruptcy protection this morning just before the hearing start time.

Feb. 16 11:45 am Just before 10 am with all parties and the Judge back in the Courtroom, the rumor was made public but with a twist. Habjan filed for Bankruptcy protection for just one of the companies, Valley Gas Co. Valley is the utility right in the middle of the county and supplies gas to Beechy and Wagner.

Feb. 16 11:45 am According to the court talk, Mountaineer Gas was ready to assume operation and management of all three companies. All three.   With Habjan under bankruptcy protection and untouchable by the CIrcuit Court this morning, Mountaineer had little interest in handling just two of the problem utilities.

Feb. 16 11:45 am  After a conference call with Habjan's attorney, actually two attorneys, and after assurances that Habjan wouldn't interfere with Mountaineer operating Wagner and Beechy, Mountaineer would not budge. They didn't want just two utilities.

Feb. 16 11;45 am  More coming at  noon:15

Feb. 16 Noon:15  All parties ,with the exception of Habjan, are in agreement and on record, Habjan has done a shoddy job of operating Valley Wagner and Beechy Gas Companies. This morning Judge Facemire reiterated the dangerous conditions Habjan has heaped on our citizenry.

Feb. 16 Noon:15  Attorney's from the PSC will ask Bankruptcy Judge Pierson to allow Valley Gas to be put under receivership as well. If that happens. Valley will automatically be placed under the management of Mountaineer Gas along with Beechy and Wagner.

Feb. 16 Noon:15  Just as Habjan was slick yesterday before the WV PSC, he was today. By protecting the center of his empire, Valley Gas, he can continue making $.

Feb. 16 Noon:15 Some wise person said, follow the money.  In this case, Habjan was making his money by being on both sides of the table. He distributed the gas to customers and ALSO sold the gas, his gas, to his utility companies. Keep in mind, the selling of the "source" gas is not regulated by the PSC. One other note, while Mountaineer Gas and others are owed huge amounts of $, Habjan's own companies, San Dee for instance, was paid in full and in advance.

Feb. 16 Noon:15  There may be a bunch more we don't know about the Habjan Empire. Just in the last few weeks came word of another shell game. In addition to selling his own gas to local customers thru San Dee and Saglio suppliers, a new name came up. And Yelp, that new company is owned by , you guessed it, Mr Habjan.

Feb. 16 Noon:15 But now, the noose is tightening. By filing for Bankruptcy protection, Habjan has to show all his cards. He has to produce records on all his holdings. Up until now, he hasn't done that and the PSC said as much yesterday.

Feb. 16 Noon:15 More at Noon:30

Feb. 16 Noon:35   That's going to do it for the updates for now.  Down the road Judge Facemire will decide who finally ends up with all three companies. In the mean time, Habjan cannot come in and remove assets or in some other way hamper the operations.

Feb. 16 Noon:35   We're holding up the Communicator until Monday so we can add all the new developments.

Feb. 16 Noon:35 Deadline for ads, classifieds, meeting notices etc. will be Saturday at noon. Email in ASAP.

Feb. 16 Noon:35 And finally, we are in the middle of our online fundraiser. Before this web site, there was NO source for important information like what you've read this morning. If you like having an up to the minute source for such, send your bucks today. Delta; PO Box 14; Procious Wv 25164.     Thanks in advance and this sure is fun too!

Feb. 15 10:30pm   It's official 2 Hour Delay for Friday Feb. 16th

Feb. 15 10:16pm Somber Super Gillespie on the scanner said the temps would be around 5 degrees Friday morning, chance of snow, maybe problems with gas, and 27 other schools already called for 2 hour delay Friday. Look for official word in a  few minutes.

Feb. 15 pm  After 25 years of mismanagement and little system maintenance, the Public Service Commission  ordered Wagner, Valley, and Beechy Gas companies to be placed before  the Clay County Circuit Court for receivership proceedings.

Feb. 15 pm  Now don't get too excited. the PSC has ordered such before.

Feb. 15 pm Full details late tonight. For now, John Habjan is receivership bound!

Feb. 15 am Clay County Schools are operating on a two hour delay today.   Thinking back, there hasn't been a full day of school since Feb. 1st. Note: We hear em on the scanner too but do NOT post school delays, early outs, or closures until it's official. Thanks for everyone emailing.

Feb. 15 am This morning at 9:30 the WV PSC  is conducting a public hearing to decide if John Haban's gas companies should be placed into receivership and taken over by a more professional outfit. Since other hearings will also be conducted next week, not sure if there will be any kind of answer or inclination provided today. If we can make it to Charleston, will post an update this afternoon. We asked Commissioner King if she thought Habjan would just give up and walk away from his mess. She said she thought he would fight this.

Feb. 15 am Maybe it was just wishful thinking on our part clickers. Sorry.

Feb. 15 am  Tonight at 7:30, the CCHS Panthers take on Parkersburg Catholic in home court action.

Feb. 15 am  Gas Outage Update: Yesterday there was a major line  break on the back street of Clay near Clay Middle School. It was classified as a  Grade 3A gas leak. For the record:  A grade 1 leak means that a gas line has been completely severed. Grade 2 means that the line is leaking, but not enough to cut off service downstream of the leak. A grade 3 leak is a slow trickle and may be the result of corrosion in the case of steel pipe, or a bad fuse. Grade leak does not indicate the danger level. A grade 2 leak on a 8 inch line can be much more dangerous than a grade 1 leak on a 1 inch line.

Feb. 15 am  Whatever the grade, gas service was shut down while repairs were made.    How are we doing on gas pressure? Sunday afternoon there was less than a pound of pressure in the gas line at Two Run. Wednesday afternoon there was 13 pounds coming into Clay at Two Run and 12 pounds heading to Ivydale.

Feb. 15 am According to the Queen of Gas, Fran King, only about 30 families remained without gas service by Wednesday afternoon. That was made public about the same time gas service went off at the Courthouse and in businesses in downtown Clay.

Feb. 15 am  Yesterday the County Commission was scheduled to vote on  a second reading of a new much tougher Flood Plain Ordinance. They didn't. Instead they decided to hold at least one evening session where locals can ask questions and find out about the new law.

Feb. 15 am With almost all of our flat land in flood prone areas including 1/2 of the town of Clay, many are calling the ordinance the first step in  zoning restrictions for the county.

Feb. 15 am  Discussion on the ordinance lasted a long time, maybe an hour. The Charleston suit, Robert Perry, provided additional info in the form of hand outs. Many questions were asked but few answers were provided. Questions were asked and answered. Unfortunately the answers given by the suit had little to do with the questions. Never once did he say Yes or No to anything, more of double speak, side step.

Feb. 15 am Even simple questions like: Is there any Federal mandate requiring this new ordinance went without  a yes or no answer.

Feb. 15 am  Something came out of yesterday's meeting. Each Commissioner said they had received many phone calls. That new guy up front commented that he didn't even have answers. Many questions came from the Commissioners themselves.

Feb. 15 am During the discussions, Perry, Pat Beets and Commissioner What's his name said media coverage was grossly exaggerated.  Since there is only one web site and newspaper that provides news in this county, they must have been talking about us. Gosh, we thought adding jail time for non compliance of the ordinance as major! Guess we were wrong.

Feb. 15 am Lets do a correction right now. In the last edition of the paper we commented that every upgrade of any value would require paying a $25 fee. We were wrong. Yesterday it came out, even if you build a wooden one hole outhouse, you have to cough up the $. And, the bucks don't add up to just $25. In addition to the $25, if you are in a flood plain, there are more fees for hiring a surveyor, and additional $s based on cost of the structure. Sorry we were grossly understating in the last paper.

Feb. 15 am  Also, if you built something in a flood plain since 1975, under the new law, when passed, you may have to alter the structure to meet the new tougher building code zoning. No they didn't say just that, but they did say: someone has to assume the liability for all those structures and it wasn't going to be the government!.

Feb. 15 am After some thinking, it sounded like: if you built something without a permit under the old "softer" law, when you come back to build an addition, you will have to comply with the tougher restrictions on the new addition and the old structure as well..

Feb. 15 am We're trying to come up with something positive to say, something that would show benefit for the citizenry if/when the ordinance passes. All that comes to mind is the little ghost town of Reedy after the Feds came in and bought up everything that's in the flood plain.

Feb. 15 am No date set for the March public hearings. Note: It was refreshing to see the CCC stop and take a second look before doing something dumb.

Feb. 15 am A new teacher was trying to make use of her psychology courses. She started her class by saying, "Everyone who thinks they're stupid, stand up!"   After a few seconds, Little Davie stood up. The teacher said, "Do you think you're stupid, Little Davie?"  "No, ma'am, but I hate to see you standing there all by yourself!"

Feb. 14  8:45 pm  Two Hour Delay Thursday Feb. 15th

Feb. 14  pm  More bad news clickers. During this morning's Commission meeting, it was announced that another gas leak has been found. THis time the leak is on Back Street West of Walter Schoonover's home. Officials phoned the Courthouse and said they have to turn off the gas service to fix the leak. Within minutes of the telephone call, the Courthouse temperatures started going down.

Feb. 14 pm If schools had been open today, they would be closed now.

Feb. 14 pm Reports are coming in of very slick side road conditions throughout the county.

Feb. 14 pm Clay Town Council has a way of doing business. Last week their monthly meeting was canceled due to the cold weather. The 6pm meeting was rescheduled for yesterday. The agenda for that meeting was not put up three days in advance as required by Sunshine Laws.

Feb. 14 pm Instead, the agenda was posted sometime Tuesday. Handwritten at the top was a new EARLIER start time.

Feb. 14 pm Often Council holds such backroom meetings. When they wanted their rate increase last year, the entire Council met with the CPA and attorney to get their heads together, away from the public's eye. Just last month they opened and closed filing windows for office without letting the public know there was an election coming in June. Not so long ago, they held an election without notifying the public until AFTER election day.

Feb. 14pm Tonight's Lady Panther vs Charleston Catholic B Ball game has been canceled.

Feb. 14 pm Feb. is the time we asked clickers to donate to this site. We donate the time it takes to update the info and such but need help with the expenses and growth. How about you? Can you cough up a few dollars? Aren't having just the Obituaries available worth something to you?

Feb. 14 pm Send your $ to DELTA; PO Box 14; Procious WV 25164

Feb. 14 7:25 am With some students and teachers already at school.... CLAY COUNTY SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED FOR WEDNESDAY Feb. 14th.

Feb. 14 6:30 am CLAY COUNTY SCHOOLS ARE ON A TWO HOUR DELAY

Feb. 14 am  Notification was  made around 6:25 this morning. By then, many students were already standing beside the road. By then many parents were already leaving for work or had left for work.

Feb. 14 am Child safety is always number one but  Kanawha County schools called a delay at 5:21am while Nicholas and Fayette Counties schools called a delay at 5:06am. Betcha their will be more peed off parents with this late in the bus run delay.

Feb. 14 am Go back to bed, it's snowing and sleeting!

Feb. 14 am  Happy Valentine's Day to all.

Feb. 14 am Early voting in progress at the Courthouse. Don't let snow, sleet, rain, sickness, or flat tire stop you from exercising your Constitutional right to vote for or against the EXCESS Levy Feb. 24th. Vote any weekday until 4pm at the Courthouse. Last time less than 1000 voted.

Feb1 4 am Over 200 job listings and info on the Job Fair scheduled for next week are posted on the JOBS page button to the left.

Feb. 14 am This morning at 10am the County Commission meets in regular session. Although there's many items on the agenda, the one affecting the entire county is the Flood Plain Ordinance vote. Calling it one thing and results another is common in government.  When govt. tells you what when and where you can do something on your own property, it's zoning plain and simple.

Feb. 14 am  There is no hurry to pass this new law other than , do it quick before the county catches on.

Feb. 14 am Last night gas service remained off in more than 60 homes in the Sycamore area of the county.

Feb. 14 am A main line gas leak was discovered at the Senior Center at Two Run three days ago. The place has since been shut down. Local crews worked well into last night trying to patch the onion sack line. When they fixed one leak, another popped up followed by another and then a fourth.

Feb. 14 am With so much product loss, there is not way the companies could be making money.

Feb. 1 4 am  Did you go over and  look at the WV PSC web site documents? You should. Very interesting stuff. Looks like Wagner Beechy and Valley Gas Co owner John Habjan operates those utilities not to make money but rather as an outlet for his middle man companies. Those middle man companies are not regulated by the PSC.

Feb. 14 am With more of that uncovered during this most recent investigation, it looks like Habjan's goose is cooked.

Feb. 14 am I know, we've thought that before but this time, it might just happen. He may just say heck with it and give up.

Feb. 14 am   1. While sitting at your desk, lift your right foot off the floor and make clockwise circles with it.   2. Now, while doing this, draw the number "6" in the air with your right hand..    Your foot will change direction!!!

     And there is nothing you can do about it.

Feb. 14 am  A woman called a local hospital . .  "Hello. Could you connect me to the person who gives information about patients.  I'd like to find out if a patient is getting better, doing  as expected, or getting worse."   The voice on the other end said, "What is the patient's name and room number?"   "Sarah Finkel, room 302."  "I'll connect you with the nursing station . . . "   "3-A Nursing Station.  How can I help You?"  "I'd like to know the condition of Sarah Finkel in room 302." "Just a moment.  Let me look at her records.  Mrs. Finkel is doing very well. In fact, she's had two full meals, her blood pressure is fine, she is to be taken off the heart monitor in a couple of hours  and, if she continues this improvement, Dr. Cohen is going to send her  home Tuesday at noon."  The woman said, "What a relief! Oh, that's fantastic . . . that's  wonderful news!"  The nurse said, "From your enthusiasm, I take it you are a close family member or a very close friend!"  "Neither! I AM Sarah Finkel in 302! Nobody here tells me S***!!

Feb. 13 pm The star of the day goes to the school system which called a two hour delay for schools this morning.

Feb. 13 pm Many back roads were nothing less than sheets of ice.

Feb. 13 pm The PSC web site added the Consumer Advocates presentation to the list of documents. One interesting note is a couple new companies owned by Habjan in PA which act as middle man mark up points. No! not the ones we knew about, Saglio and San Dee but new ways to bilk $.   For those having trouble finding the Habjan documents on the WV PSC web site, just email us and we'll forward the info.

Feb. 13 am  Rosalie Martha Stockwell, 93, of Nebo, see OBITUARY page

Feb. 13 am  We're posting this a bit early. With the rain already falling and ice coming right behind, losing electricity and DSL is a real possibility.

Feb. 13 am Don't depend on this site for emergency updates and school closing info, If the power goes out or DSL goes down, you'll be out of luck clickers. We do what we can but .....

Feb. 13 am Last night the Lady Panthers put it all over Webster 99 to 21

Feb. 13 am Last week Fran King called the WV PSC demanding a public receivership hearing for Habjan gas companies. She wanted it held Saturday, She was told to hold her horses. Over the weekend, things got worse, more people went without gas service.

Feb. 13 am Maybe it was more people calling and raising H or Senator Jay and Byrd's office getting involved BUT  presto chango, Monday afternoon, the WV PSC set an emergency receivership hearing for Thursday morning.  Attempts were made to hold the hearing at the Clay Courthouse. Didn't work. The emergency hearing will be held at the WV PSC building at 201 Brooks Street at the corner of Quarrier Street in downtown Charleston. Start time is set for 9:30 am.

Feb. 13 am  Don't think for a minute that things are going to improve overnight. The PSC is a slow poke bunch when they do anything at all and by state code, they are there to support the companies NOT the people.

Feb. 13 am   Monday  and into Monday night much of the county was without gas service. Over the scanner, at 9:45pm, OES guy Pat Beets was heard saying that service lines in the Southern end of the county were froze shut. Attempts to restore service continued late into the night.

Feb. 13 am Elderly residents were worried about making it thru the night.

Feb. 13 am The emergency shelter at the Health Dept was readied once again for ANYBODY cold. Those needing transportation should call 911. Transportation will be found. Don't be a dumb butt and freeze. Head to the shelter. Bev King makes a mean bologna sandwich too.

Feb. 13 am Yesterday morning main line gas pressure near Go Mart was at 1 pound. The line running up to Ivydale showed no gas pressure. Sunday afternoon gas pressures were lower than during the really cold period last week. The school system knew about the low pressure conditions Sunday evening.

Feb. 13 am As soon as the school furnaces kicked on Monday morning, many in each community lost service. Downtown businesses were without heat as was the new Courthouse.   By 8:30 Monday morning with schools other than CCHS, freezing, buses were turned around and kids were sent home.

Feb. 13 am Parents went ballistic. They knew a two hour delay at the least should have been called. It wasn't.  What's the fall out from such actions other than pneumonia and high doctor bills? Based on blog posts, parents are heading for early voting at the Courthouse and casting a no vote for the School Excess Levy. Everything is politics in Clayberry!

Feb. 13 am By 10:40 Monday night, the rain was turning to slush.  Coupled with no gas and low gas, if the power goes off, Clayberry residents will be in for some real trouble.

Feb. 13 am  Tuesday afternoon Clay Town Council is suppose to meet. Their meetings are normally at 6pm. No agenda is posted.

Feb. 13 am  Clay Co PSD meets Tuesday normally at 5pm.  Last time we checked the start time of the meeting wasn't posted.

Feb. 13 am  This is day two of our online web fund raiser. If you like having timely info on Clayberry. How about some support. The three owners of Delta Communications, operators of this site, work as volunteers. Volunteers. Other than a small Christmas bonus, they took NO pay. None

Feb. 13 am If you can help out, please mail your donation to Delta; PO Box 14; Procious WV 25164

Feb. 12 pm  Tonight's Lady Panther B Ball game is still on. Action begins around 7:30pm. Come out and support the girls or listen on 101.7 FM.

Feb. 12 pm Last week, CAEZ canceled their Board meeting due to lack of heat. That meeting will not be rescheduled. Next meeting of the group is set for March 6th.

Feb. 12 pm  There is suppose to a CAEZ election just before Wednesday's CCC meeting at the Courthouse. Ain't going to happen. CAEZ by laws require the election to be held in the census tract that needs representation.

Feb. 12 9 am  From the school web site:  Clay County Schools are closing early due to low gas pressure.  Buses will depart from CCHS and CCMS at 9:00 a.m.

Feb. 12 9 am Here they come parents.

Feb. 12 am  Donald Bennett Schartiger, 78, of Clay, see OBITUARY page

Feb. 12 am  It's not us. The CRJ page of the jail web site is down. It's them not our link on this site.

Feb. 12 am Each Feb. we go online and ask for $ to keep this web journal up and running. We're starting that shameless plea right now. Around 1400 people a weekday and close to 1000 on Saturday and Sundays take a gander. If each one of you gave just a few bucks, we could add some long wanted features. How about it?  Send you're $$$ to Delta; PO Box 14; Procious WV 25164.

Feb. 12 am   We're going to keep harping for about 10 days.

Feb. 12 am  Tonight at 7:30pm is the Lady Panther vs Webster. Home game fun.

Feb. 12 am The Panthers play Tuesday night in home court action when they take on Braxton. If all goes well, both games will be broadcast on 101.7 Fm and heard around the world on the web. Go Clay!!

Feb. 12 am Normally on Monday's we provide the heads up on various meetings around the county. It's a little spotty right now.

Feb. 12 am  Town Council canceled last week and rescheduled for this week. But we didn't see the revised agenda on their front door this weekend.

Feb. 12 am We did see the Clay Co PSD Agenda but the time of Tuesday's meeting was not provided. Agenda's are suppose to provide the date, place,  time,  and purpose

Feb. 12 am  The biggys this week will be on the  WV Supreme Court webcasts.  On Tuesday morning Tom Auxier will be arguing his appeal before the big robes. Walk over here and then click brief to see what they're talking about.

Feb. 12 am Mark your calendars for the Gerald Thompson appeal to the Supreme Court Feb. 27th.   Jerome Novobilski is handling the case. Novo will bring before the Court some very serious issues raised during the Circuit Court case where Thompson was found guilty of meth stuff. He's  number two on the docket that day. Be sure to read the brief.

Feb. 12 am The day of the webcast, go to the WV Supreme Court web page and click the red WEBCAST button.

Feb. 12 am  Stop! Hold your horses. That button only appears on the day of the court. No need to go there now.

Feb. 12 am Wednesday morning at 10 am is the CCC meeting where they're planning on voting in the county's first ever enforceable zoning law labeled, Flood Plain Ordinance.

Feb. 12 am And now an apology, We said in the weekend wrap up, the WV PSC folks do little during the week and even less or nothing on the weekend. We have to eat that weekend part. This weekend at least one of the PSCers were here checking the gas situation. We stand corrected.

Feb. 12 am Normally on weekends, Ivydale Elem/Church thermostats are set at 60. Trying to stretch gas pressure a little further, thermo's were lowered to 50 on Sunday. In addition to many leaks, main line gas pressure was seen at just 9 pounds Sunday in Ivydale and 7 pounds near Two Run.

Feb. 12 am  With the gas off much of the weekend and main line gas pressure lower last night than last week, we could be in reaaaaaal trouble. This could be a tougher week than last. Here's why.

Feb. 12 am  Check the forecast. Looks like the temps may be  a little warmer but snow and ice accumulations may be here as early as Tuesday. Ice often brings down power lines. Last week a bunch of people went out and purchased little space heaters to keep from freezin to death. If the gas stays off and then electric out, this could be bad in the worse sense of the word.

Feb. 12 am Some Ivydalers saw the missing Link late last week. Slinky was spotted driving thru the hamlet on his way to his other full time job at Valley Dale Elem. Those that saw the vehicle zoom thru town never saw him even slow down not to mention, stop and  ask how things were going.

Feb. 12 am One cold Wagner customer had a great suggestion Sunday. This lady said, all the customers without gas service should get on a PA bound bus and spend time at one of Habjan's motels. Surely he'd let everyone stay for free!.

Feb. 12 am When that Feb. 20th PSC hearing rolls around, there may be a lynch mob mentality at the Courthouse.

Feb. 12 am  Remember the game plan. Document each outage. To do so, call 911. Tell em who what when and where. No need to cuss em. Ain't there fault!

Feb. 12 am  A hillbilly man and his new bride were on their honeymoon. The husband jumps into bed to wait for his wife to get herself ready. The wife comes out of the bathroom in a sexy negligee and says "Honey, I gotta ask you sumthin'. Be gentle with me 'cause I'm a virgin."   The man grabs his clothes and rushes out of the house yelling at the top of his lungs. He heads straight to his fathers house.   When he gets there, his father says, "Son, what in tarnation're you doin' here, dang it? You're supposed ta be on your honeymoon with your new gal!"    The son says, "Pa, she told me a big secret of hers. She's a virgin, durn it!"  " You did the right thing by leaving. If she ain't good enough for her own family, she sure as H ain't good enough for ours!"

Feb. 11 pm  Looking for a job? See our new JOBS page. Look at the bottom too.

Feb. 11 pm  Here's our look back for the last seven days.

Feb. 11 pm  Remember when the Shrub told us Sadamn was behind the 9/11 attack? How about when he said  Iraq had weapons of mass destruction? To reinforce both lies, he sent Colin Powell to the UN where the once trusted leader gave exact details. We went to war in Iraq fighting people that had NOTHING to do with 9/11 nor did they have WMD. With their country in civil war and government not even functioning in Baghdad, it's time to do the same thing in Iran. Bush hates that place too!

Feb. 11 pm With 83% of America now against the bogus war and W's approval rating somewhere lower than the Devil's,,, how can he set the stage to drag us into Iran???????????

Feb. 11 pm Answer:  Just do it and don't give ANY details.

Feb. 11 pm America told Washington in Nov., stop the war and get out. Congress ain't listening. Republicans are putting a new spin on Congressional negotiations. Finally, it looks like the spineless Demorats are ready for a vote albeit non binding.

Feb. 11 pm  There have been 3,372 coalition deaths -- 3,117 Americans, two Australians, 132 Britons, 13 Bulgarians, six Danes, two Dutch, two Estonians, one Fijian, one Hungarian, 32 Italians, one Kazakh, three Latvian, 18 Poles, two Romanians, five Salvadoran, four Slovaks, 11 Spaniards, two Thai and 18 Ukrainians -- in the war in Iraq as of February 9, 2007, according to a CNN count.

Feb. 11 pm Early voting for the Excess School Levy is in progress. Don't take a chance on snow, ice, and cold weather preventing you from voting Feb. 24th. Locally..... GET OUT AND VOTE NOW in the County Clerk's office.

Feb. 11 pm Outside the sky is gray. There is a look that something is changing. Something is about to happen.

Feb. 11 pm During last Monday's School Board meeting, someone started started talking about recently developed plans to cover Bradley Field with astro turf. Somber Super Gillespie acknowledged the "discussions". Boardster Dave Pierson caught the angle real quick, people will put astro turf and the Excess Levy together in a heart beat. Pierson explained they were just "exploring" the concept and there are locals/businesses willing to help out with the cost of a new high dollar rug. Fortunately, Boardster Cercone brought up questions on high cost of maintenance and replacement costs down the road.

Feb. 11pm   No one mentioned during the  public meeting  the problematic stats on astro turf injuries. They sure didn't mention any relationship with Excess Levy dollars and the new turf

Feb. 11 pm  Closer to home, the talk was gas outages. Hundreds of Beechy Valley and Wagner customers  work up to freezing homes not once but each and every morning this week. With temps near zero each morning, schools shut down two days and called  two hour delays the other three days.  Emergency Services went to work. An emergency shelter was set up at the Health Dept. People were told to call 911 if they got in a pinch.

Feb. 11 pm We found out, this county is dependent on others for about everything. The thermostat replaced firewood cutting and wood stoves years ago for most. Now fat and out of shape, we could do nothing but sit and shiver.

Feb. 11 pm By the end of the week customers were without answers and mad. We called the Courthouse, we called that new 24 hour gas hotline, we called the County Commissioners. In response, after calling the Gov's office and the WV PSC over and over, King got mad too. Friday afternoon she called the WV PSC & Gov's office. This time she said the county was calling a state of emergency and we DEMAND an emergency WV PSC Saturday to put Wagner, Valley and Beechy Gas Companies into receivership.

Feb. 11 pm Understanding whiny Fran was about to put egg all over their faces, the big boys from Charley town called back and said,  wait wait wait, if you don't make us look bad in the newspapers, we'll make you some promises...

Feb. 11 pm Quietly, behind the scenes, white utility trucks went to work. The crews from Chesapeake Gas Co went about blowing out the lines, making permanent repairs, and responding to overtime calls. The guess is, when the Habjan receivership hearing is held Feb. 20th, Chesapeake will be on the receiving end of the court order. Keep in mind, the PSC doesn't move fast. Look for the formal Chesapeake take over no sooner than next Summer. But, look for Chesapeake to be doing all the repair work from now on.

Feb. 11 pm Saturday morning, more people complained of new gas pressure.

Feb. 11 pm  Our ex Senator Randy Schoonover was seen driving around town. Not sure how he manages to do it, but he's out and about once again.

Feb. 11 pm During the mid week Health Dept meeting, much time was spent discussing the need to hire an "Emergency Threat Preparedness Coordinator." Director Linda Klotzbach said Jay Carper was overworked and didn't have the time to do the job. She made it sound like Carper was the person responsible for the program. She pushed hard for the Board to let her hire a new RN to fill that position.

Feb. 11 pm   Only problem is,  Jay Carper isn't the Threat Preparedness Coordinator, it's Linda Klotzabach!

Feb. 11 pm Ten days ago,  the Business Development Authority held a civil meeting where they made plans to move ahead with a building at the Filcon site. Chair Williams said, sure we're going to screw up but we have to keep trying. One guy over in the corner started whistling. Other than him, it looked the group was with Williams' effort to do something for the county. Heck, even The Communicator made complimentary comments in the latest edition.

Feb. 11pm Three days ago, Leonard Williams turned in his resignation as chairman of the group. Time will tell, but this could really put the whammy on the new effort.

Feb. 11 pm You know what time it is? Yelp, beginning Monday, it's time for our annual Keep Us OnLine Web Fundraiser. Until then, you can breath easy.

Feb. 10 Late pm Leonard Williams has resigned as Chairman of the Clay County Business Development Authority

Feb. 10 late pm  Update coming in the morning.

Feb. 10 am  Amy Marie Beasley, 24, of Clay, see OBITUARY page

Feb. 10 am  Here's the plan clickers. If your gas goes off, call 911 and report the outage.  The idea is to formally document the numerous low gas and no gas pressure conditions in Clayberry. Maybe with written documentation, the next 25 years won't be as bad as the last 25 years.

Feb. 10 am Not sure if the 911 folks know about it, but that calling 911 idea came Fran King.

Feb. 10 am  Check today's Charleston newspaper for the interview with Franny.

Feb. 10 am      A married couple went to the hospital to have their baby delivered.  Upon their arrival, the doctor said that the hospital was testing an amazing new high-tech machine that would transfer a portion of the mother's labor pain to the baby's father. He asked if they were willing to try it out. Both said they were very much in favor of it. The doctor set the pain transfer to 10 percent for starters, explaining that even 10 percent was probably more pain than the father had ever  experienced before. But as the labor progressed, the husband felt fine and asked the doctor to go ahead and kick it up a notch. The doctor then adjusted the machine to 20 percent pain transfer. The husband was still feeling fine. The doctor then checked the husband's blood pressure and was amazed at how well he was doing.  At this point they decided to try for 50 percent. The husband continued to feel quite well. Since the pain transfer was obviously helping the wife considerably, the husband encouraged the doctor to transfer ALL the pain to him. The wife delivered a healthy baby with virtually no pain, and the husband had experienced none. She and her husband were ecstatic.

      When they got home they found the UPS man dead on the porch.

Feb. 9 pm For those heading to Big Otter Community Center tonight for the music show, don't. The center is out of gas. No gas, no heat, no music tonight.

Feb. 9 pm Fran King was madder than a wet hen this morning. After a week of people suffering thru the cold weather without gas service, Franny called up the WV Public Service Commission and demanded an emergency PSC Hearing tomorrow! She told the big cheeses: this is an emergency situation, there is no reason to wait on a  receivership hearing, and people are suffering while John Habjan headed back to PA this morning. No answer on her demand but the Charleston Daily Mail is suppose to be coming up for a story this afternoon. Bet King gives it to them with both barrels.

Feb. 9 pm Have you ever heard of any PSC worker doing anything on a weekend? Well, for that matter, have you ever heard of em doing much during the week?

Feb. 9 pm Maybe what teed her off the most was a response she received this morning from the Governor's office. Those folks pretty much said, sit back, there's nothing you can do, and the PSC has a hearing scheduled next week, so, what's the hurry.

Feb. 9 pm Others in the community are saying, there ain't nothing anybody can do, its been this way for decades.

Feb. 9 pm On a happier note, OES guy Pat Beets said a "real" repair crew was working in the county today. He said they had discovered a bunch of crud in the main line heading to Ivydale.

Feb. 9 pm One last afternoon note... That new Commissioner, the one that promised to be a full time Commissioner.... haven't seen much of him during this emergency situation. Uhhhhhhhhhh, other than a Board of Review meeting, not been seen period.

Feb. 8 10:14pm  Somber Super Gillespie  on the scanner, said, with no assurances of better gas service and single digits tonight, it was time to call a two hour delay for Friday Feb. 9th.

Feb. 9 am That makes a full week of delays or no school. True we had some ice and a little snow but gas service has been the big issue.

Feb. 9 am Yesterday some rooms at Clay Elem were 32 degrees or less. It's tough teaching when you're not in your own room or the kids are in coats and gloves. Even worse are the little munchkins that show up without a jacket. In most cases, coats have been given the needy but dead beat parents, maybe still sleeping it off when the bus comes past, aren't up and getting coats, gloves, caps, etc. on em. And we are talking 3 and 4 year olds waiting beside the roads.

Feb. 9 am The gas outages are county wide. Over at the High School, gas service was non existent Thursday.   The gas leak at Ivydale Post Office forced an evacuation. The leak was inside the building but the bigger problem came when they couldn't get the gas to shut off. The Habjan rep was at the scene for about, Ohhhhhh, 10 minutes at the most.

Feb. 9 am Commissioner Fran  King made the 6 o'clock news Thursday. During the interview, King put the monkey on the WV PSC for those guys not doing squat during this emergency . For that matter, not doing anything other than holding worthless hearings over the last 20 years of performance by Wager Beechy and Valley Gas companies.

Feb. 9 am  Truth is Clayberry survives down to about 15 degrees and then it all goes to pot in a hurry. With numerous holes and poorly done patches on gas lines all over the county, turning up the gas pressure doesn't help. It just  goes out the holes quicker. Kind of like trying to blow up an onion sack, can't be done.

Feb. 9 am And then there's our dumb bunny residents. One lady, a Mother of two yard apes, said she couldn't bring herself to sleeping in a shelter. The Mom was without gas service and was trying to live at home with one small electric heater. When the emergency shelter was set up at the Health Dept. Monday night, only two people stopped by. Not even the Town drunks spent the night there.

Feb. 9 am For those with more sense, if you're in trouble, call 911. Those cots and warm accommodations are still available if you need em.

Feb. 9 am Senator Shirley Love's Legislative Update column is now posted over on  the ADVISORY page.

Feb. 8 pm   Varis Lee Canfield, Sr., 81, of Ivydale, see OBITUARY page

Feb. 8 pm Over on the School web site is mention of Lizemores Elem school dismissing at 1pm today due to a gas outage.

Feb. 8 pm  This morning the Ivydale Post Office was evacuated due to a major gas leak.

Feb. 8 pm Cold as can be this afternoon but bright blue skies and  sunshine make winter so much nicer!

Feb. 8 pm  A cowboy is driving down a back road in Texas.........sign in front of a  restaurant reads: Happy Hour Special...:Lobster Tail and Beer   ..."Lord almighty" he says to himself, "mah three favorite things!!"

Feb. 8 pm   A police officer pulls over a speeding car. The officer says, " I  clocked you at 80 miles per hour, sir." The driver says, "Gee, officer I had it on cruise control at 60, perhaps your radar gun needs calibrating."  Not looking up from her knitting, the wife says: "Now don't be silly dear, you know that this car doesn't have cruise control." As the officer writes out the ticket, the driver looks over at his wife and growls, "Can't you please keep your mouth shut for once?" The wife smiles demurely and says, "You should be thankful your radar detector went off when it did." As the officer makes out the second ticket for the illegal radar detector unit, the man glowers at his wife and says through clenched teeth, "D**** it, woman, can't you keep your mouth shut?" The officer frowns and says, "And I notice that you're not wearing your seat belt, sir. That's an automatic $75 fine." The driver says, "Yeah, well, you see officer, I had it on, but took it off when you pulled me over so that I could get my license out of my back pocket.    The wife says, "Now, dear, you know very well that you didn't have your seat belt on. You never wear your seat belt when you're driving."   And as the police officer is writing out the third ticket the driver turns to his wife and barks, "WHY DON'T YOU PLEASE SHUT UP??"

       The officer looks over at the woman and asks, "Does your husband always talk to you this way, Ma'am?"     "Only when he's been drinking."

Feb. 8 am As of around 8pm last night, Clay County Schools will be operating on a  two hour delay Thursday Feb. 8

Feb. 8 am   Frances F. “Aunt Meme” Bishop, 86, of Bomont, see OBITUARY page

Feb. 8 am Although we update this site at least once a day. As a note: Although we just luv to give Kenneth Tanner double H & rightly so too), do not depend on this site for school notices. Tuesday, this site went down for about 7 hours. You couldn't see it and we couldn't update. Instead of depending on us volunteers and rag tag methods, try the Clay School Site.

Feb. 8 am Tonight the Clay Co Board of Health will hold their meeting in the conference room in the Main Street Clay building. That starts at 6pm

Feb. 8 am Also tonight, the Clay Roane PSD will hold their monthly meeting in the Commission room at the Courthouse, 7pm. That meeting agenda is posted on the ADVISORY page.

Feb. 8 am Both are public meetings and often worth the effort to attend

Feb. 8 am Just mention Oil Field Road, AKA Murder Mountain and ears perk up. Ditto for the name Young.

Feb. 8 am Last year Tommy Sr and Rene Boyd filed a lawsuit against Green Shirts, Black Shirts and the CCC citing that during a shooting spree, Badges refused to come up their mountain and stop the violence. Not sure the progress in Court but during one hearing, their attorney thought is would be ready for trial sometime late this year.

Feb. 8 am Last night 911 calls went out for an ambulance for Oil Field Road. Anytime we hear Oil Field Road we think the worst. Call it conditioning if you will

Feb. 8 am  Around 7:58 pm another bit of scanner traffic was heard questioning why the ambulance was parked at the bottom of the hill. The driver told dispatch that it was standard procedure to wait until Badges arrive first.

Feb. 8 am 11 minutes later a Green Shirt announced his arrival on scene. Shortly thereafter, the ambulance was on scene, "Show medic arriving on scene with officers.."

Feb. 8 am Around 8:51pm the Ambulance driver said they were heading to Braxton .......something.

Feb. 8 am Couldn't hear the last word from our vantage point. Minutes later we talked with another scanner junky who said the traffic was, heading to the Braxton Coroner.

Feb. 8 am  Will try to find out more today. In the mean time a big Hmmmmmmm

Feb. 8 am Badges didn't hang around long, and then they too were out of there.

Feb. 8 am  Hey something from Monday's School Board meeting...

Feb. 8 am A question was raised from the peanut gallery made public plans to astro turf the CCHS football field. Super Gillespie acknowledged they were talking, planning, "exploring" the possibility of installing a $280,000 rug on the field.  That $280,000 is the turf and does not include site preparation.  He said that a NFL grant might cover many of the costs. Kenneth Tanner added that donations and funds from multiple sources might be found to cover the full cost..

Feb. 8 am After discussion of the costly upkeep, Gillespie added,  "It's a lot of money...but a real asset.." Boardster Dave Pierson continued with: this came up just last week, Fola Co may handle the cost of gravel, and Pierson Lumber may donate equipment time.

Feb. 8 am There was no mention of Levy Funds being used to cover of the CCHS astro turf.

Feb. 8 am Look out your window. Snow, Ice. Cold temps. Don't take a chance on missing the Feb. 24th School EXCESS Levy. Early voting is now in progress in the County Clerk's office. Vote early, vote often.

Feb. 8 am  Did you know, in West Virginia, of each 100   9th graders, only 16 make it through college. Just part of our proven record of success.

Feb. 8 am   The new Supermarket near our house has an automatic water mister to keep the produce fresh. Just before it goes on, you hear the sound of distant thunder and the smell of fresh rain.  When you approach the milk cases, you hear cows mooing and witness the scent of fresh hay.   When you approach the egg case, you hear hens cluck and cackle and the air is filled with the pleasing aroma of bacon and eggs frying.  The veggie department features the smell of fresh buttered corn.  I don't buy toilet paper there any more.

Feb. 6 7:55pm  Clay County Schools are on 2 hour delay Thursday.

Feb. 6 7:55pm Update coming

Feb. 6 pm Parents were real upset Monday morning when 3 and 4 year old students stood beside the road waiting for school buses with the temps around 4.

Feb. 6 pm Now with two snow days under our belts, parents are saying, Get those little **!!! kids out of here. They're going to school Thursday if I have to take them on a mule!!!!!

Feb. 6 pm If anyone has an extra mule, please email me ASAP.

Feb. 6 am  Clay Schools are closed  Wednesday. Those little snot lickers are getting to be a pain you know where

Feb. 6 am  Lloyd Charles Holcomb, 75, of Maysel , see OBITUARY page

Feb. 6 am For once the weather predictors were right on the mark yesterday. Around 3:45 Tuesday the snow started falling. Much of the county received 5 inches of fresh snow.

Feb. 6 am Reports of more gas outages keep coming in. By noon yesterday, the emergency shelter at the Health Dept. had a couple folks being housed. TV-3 had Wager Gas Co customers on their 6 pm newscast.

Feb. 6 am Outages have been pretty much all over the county, from Ivydale to Fola Rd. Downtown Clay experienced low gas pressure Tuesday. had school been in session, downtown would most likely been out as well.

Feb. 6 am So how goofed up is the service lines in the Habjan network? Do you know what white plastic drain line is?

Feb. 6 am That's the thin stuff used for small culverts or to drain a field. It's also the stuff that cracks, snaps, and crushes easily in cold weather.

Feb. 6 am If you look behind the Health Dept. building, that's the stuff the gas company used as a main line in downtown Clay. When the snow isn't on, in one place, it is even exposed to the elements. One tree limb falling and all of downtown would be gasless.

Feb. 6 am  As for the that PSC mandated 24 hour emergency number being answered, two more people have said, they called the number and got no answer.

Feb. 6 am  If you need shelter, don't let some silly pride stand in the way. Go to the emergency shelter at the Health Dept. building. If you can't get there, call 911 for transportation assistance.

feb 6 am 232 new job listings are now posted over on the JOBS page.

Feb. 6 am  I wondered why the baseball was getting bigger. Then it hit  me

Feb. 6 am  Police were called to a daycare where a  three-year-old was resisting a  rest.

Feb. 6 am Did you hear  about the guy whose whole left side was cut off?   He's all right  now.

feb 6 am  Thieves who steal corn from a garden could  be charged with stalking

Feb. 6 am The guy who  fell onto an upholstery machine was fully recovered

Feb. 6 am  Bakers  trade bread recipes on a knead to know basis

FEb 6 am Acupuncture: a jab well done

Feb. 5 9:40   CLAY COUNTY SCHOOLS WILL BE CLOSED WEDNESDAY

Feb. 5 9:40   Snow out the WaZooooooooooooooo

Feb. 5 PM  It wasn't us this time. Our site was down this morning due to a server problem over in Kentucky

Feb. 5 pm Noon Updates.....

Feb. 5 pm 911 dispatchers are announcing the set up of emergency shelters at the Health Dept. building on Main Street due to gas outages.

Feb. 5 pm If you're cold, don't be a doodoo, head over to the ambulance entrance of the building and seek shelter

Feb. 5 pm If you need other emergency services call the OEM office 587-4539

Feb. 5 pm  Tonight's CAEZ meeting has been canceled

Feb. 5 pm Tonight's Clay Town Council meeting has been canceled.

Feb. 5 pm Tonight's CCHS B Ball games, boys and girls, has been canceled

Feb. 5 pm Ever hear of a computer too cold to work? WYAP-LP is off the air, too cold for the computer to work.

Feb. 5 pm  The PSC ordered Habjan to man a 24 hour a day tele number to report problems. That number is 587-2662. This morning one lady called that number and was told: You got the wrong number. When the problem was relayed to Commission Prez Triplett, and he tried that number,  no one answered.. No answer. period!

Feb. 5 pm  Yesterday schools operated on a 2 hour delay. Early temps Monday were around 5 degrees. Many kids didn't get the 2 hour delay message and stood beside the road waiting on a bus only to have to walk back home in the cold. Finding out about the 2 hour delay, the kids went back out to roadside and waited some more. Many of the buses never moved yesterday while others didn't go up the holler to pick the snot lickers up. Once again the kids waited int he cold only to turn and go back home.

Feb. 5 pm Don't blame the bus drivers, the side roads were slicky Monday morning.

Feb. 5 pm Two people sheltered at the Health Dept building Monday night. If you're cold, don't try to be a hero, seek shelter. Warm, dry, clean bathrooms. Don't be a doodoo!!

Feb. 5 pm TV - 3 is coming to Clay this afternoon for live coverage.

Feb. 5 pm  Last during the School Board meeting, Super Gillispie said he received calls from a few upset women.

Feb. 5 pm That may have been an understatement if the truth was known.

Feb. 5 11:45 pm   CLAY COUNTY SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED TUESDAY Feb. 6 2007

Feb. 5 11:45 pm  It's 5 degrees in Clayberry, Too Damn Cold!!

Feb. 5 10:20 pm  If you are a Wagner, Beechy, or Valley Gas Co customer, the telephone number to call for repairs is 587-2662. The WV PSC ordered Habjan to provide a 24 hour a day number to customers.

Feb. 5 10:20pm  If you are without gas service and need assistance, dial 911

Feb. 5 10:20pm  As for that emergency shelter post earlier this evening, Commission Prez Triplett says a Red Cross trailer stocked with cots and blankets is now parked in the county just in case people have to come to a shelter to stay warm. He was not sure where the shelter would be set up.

Feb. 5 10:20 pm scanner listeners are hearing local officials out in the county responding to the needs of those without gas service.

Feb. 5 10:20 pm Instead of depending on a few people, wouldn't this be a grand time for area churches to do something more than to preach to the choir.

Feb.  5 10:20pm Before sunset, we saw a beagle carrying jumper cables trying to jump start a rabbit.

Feb. 5 pm School's are on a  two hour delay Tuesday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Feb. 5 pm  Mary E. "Betty" Bullard 77,  see OBITUARY page

Feb. 5 pm During tonight's school board meeting, word came of an emergency shelter being set up at the Senior Center at Two Run

Feb. 5 pm According to Commissioner Slinky during the Board meeting, with many folks without gas service, if you need a warm place to sleep tonight, dial 911.

Feb. 5 pm   This site noted the school system did not update their web site with the 2 hour delay notice. Kenneth Tanner, their web guru explained, his home internet service was down Sunday evening including an attempt to update at 4 am this morning. He uses a high speed satellite service at home.

Feb. 5 pm  The Communicator made it out the door this afternoon. The 24 pages is chocked full of everything you didn't need to know about beautiful Clayberry. 70 cents and worth every penny.

Feb. 4 9:45 pm Clay County Schools will be operating on a two hour delay Monday Feb. 5th.

Feb. 5 2:20am  For parents that use the clay county school system web site for delay and cancellation announcements....

Feb. 5 2:20am  There is still no notice of today's 2 hour delay on the school web site.

Feb. 5 2:20am  For those that go to the state ed web site for such notices, ain't there either.

Feb. 5 4:28 am  It is snowing like crazy out there!!!!! Be careful

Feb. 4 pm  A  man appeared before St. Peter at the Pearly Gates. "Have you ever done anything of particular merit?" St. Peter asked. "Well, I can think of one thing," the man offered. "Once, on a trip to the Black Hills out in South Dakota , I came upon a gang of bikers, who were threatening a young woman. I directed them to leave her alone, but they wouldn't listen. So, I approached the largest and most heavily tattooed biker and smacked him in his face, kicked his bike over, ripped out his nose ring, and threw it on  the ground.   I yelled, "Now, back off .... Or I'll kick the sh** out of all of you." St. Peter was impressed, "When did this happen?"   "Just a couple minutes ago."

Feb. 4 am Seems the more you look, the worse things look.

Feb. 4 am W looked us square in the eye and said he was ordering 21,500 new soldiers for his mindless oil war. We found out this past week, he was fibbing. The actual number is near 50,000 new soldiers putting their lives on the line. To finance the civil war, cut backs have to be made and guess where he's starting? Medicaid and Medicare!  To continue his civil war in Iraq, he needs 250 billion more. The total amount needed for Afghanistan and Iraq over the next 20 months is 1/4 trillion dollars.

Feb. 4 am Bumper sticker: 1/20/09: End of an Error

Feb. 4 am Bumper sticker: That's OK, I Wasn't Using My Civil Liberties Anyway

Feb. 4 am Bumper sticker:  Let's Fix Democracy in This Country First

Feb. 4 am  And to think this county supported him during two elections.

Feb. 4 am Other than poor George, we all agree that global warming is a real threat to the world as we know it. A report came out this week documenting the man made problem. George hasn't read it he says.

Feb. 4 am Not willing to admit to much of anything, at least his swagger and smirk are gone.

Feb. 4 am  Speaking of war, 135 more were killed yesterday. When the TV cameras are on, Congress looks like they're growing a backbone. looks can be deceiving.      How bad is it? This past week the DOD changed the way they calculate injuries leaving out 1000's. All of a sudden, there have been 12,000 fewer maimed, mutilated soldiers.

Feb. 4 am    There have been 3,343 coalition deaths -- 3,090 Americans, two Australians, 130 Britons, 13 Bulgarians, six Danes, two Dutch, two Estonians, one Fijian, one Hungarian, 32 Italians, one Kazakh, three Latvian, 18 Poles, two Romanians, five Salvadoran, four Slovaks, 11 Spaniards, two Thai and 18 Ukrainians -- in the war in Iraq as of February 2, 2007, according to a CNN count.

Feb. 4 am  Closer to home....

Feb. 4 am  Closer to home, our CCC decided our county needed to be the test for a first of its kind FLOOD PLAIN ORDINANCE. No other county in the state has voted in such costly sweeping changes with such broad enforcement powers. With one vote under their belt, the final, second reading, comes Feb. 14th. So swift came the need for this invasion, there won't even be a public hearing before implementation.

Feb. 4 am  School Board forces continue their stealthy approach to winning another Excess Levy on Feb. 24th. Arm twisting is the method. If the Levy doesn't pass, we'll close your school down. If the Excess Levy doesn't pass, your kids will all be ugly and fat!  Excess, that has a ring to it.

Feb. 4 am There is a little bitty newspaper over in Clay. You know the one, been there 120 years and hasn't had any news in 127 of those years. This week that little rag came out and on the front page was public notice that people could file for Town Council, Recorder, and Mayor slots. The deadline for filing was last Saturday. The paper came out this Wed. How convenient. Remember when the Town held an election and notice was provided in that paper a week after election day.

Feb. 4 am  We saw on the CRJ web site Wed, Randy Schoonover was back in jail. After completing his mental competency evaluation, and before his hearing, Schoony will remain in lock down.

Feb. 4 am State Senator Randy White managed to make Charleston Gazette news again. This time he was issued a citation for leaving the scene of an accident. Immediately many jumped on the band wagon and said, off with his head. The next day he explained, he was parking his truck and clipped the car ahead of his. Since it was late, he planned on telling his neighbor the next morning. Somebody on the street saw the Whitemobile and called the law.

Feb. 4 am Thursday evening the BDA held their meeting. They announced they had hired an attorney. What they didn't say was most important. What they didn't say was there is a property ownership dispute over at the Filcon site. Yelp, after years of spending over there, they don't own a couple chunks of land  they're ready to fence in.

Feb. 4 am There was a change tho. In years past, the BDA would hunker down and start yelling at the messenger. True they didn't make their goof public, Thursday evening the Chair said mistakes would happen, they always do,  and the best thing they could do was press on and do the best they could.

Feb. 4 am Most of us not on the BDA know the limited accomplishments of the group. During this last meeting, it was announced, the BDA better get something started or risk losing their $34,000 allotment from Charleston.   Only one guy challenged the not doing squat part of the speech. The rest of em said, lets get going. Nice change.

Feb. 4 am Most of us complain about our taxes. Feb. is the only month to ask the CCC to reduce taxes. So far not one person has done so.

Feb. 4 am Last year the Clay County Library received a new coat of paint, saw windows replaced, got new carpeting, and foundation repairs were made. Who would have ever thought it. The Library is now wireless! Bring in your lap top and surf all you want from the comfort of a soft chair. They also have a new web site. the link is over on the LINK page of this site.

Feb. 4 am  The serious issues facing local residential gas supplied popped up again last week when Clay Middle School had to be closed due to a main gas line leak. With the leak repaired, inspectors from the WV PSC said hold it, there's a gazillion more around here! Our response, Duuuuhhh! we've been telling you that for 20 years.

Feb. 4 am   Three sisters, ages 92, 94 and 96, live in a house together. One night the 96-year-old draws a bath. She puts her foot in and pauses. She yells to the other sisters, "Was I getting in or out of the bath?"  The 94-year-old yells back, "I don't know. I'll come up and see." She starts up the stairs and pauses "Was I going up the stairs or down?"  The 92-year-old is sitting at the kitchen table having tea listening to her sisters. She shakes her head and says, "I sure hope I never get that forgetful, knock on wood." She then yells, "I'll come up and help both of you as soon as I see who's at the door."

Feb. 4 am   Three retirees, each with a hearing loss, were playing golf one fine March day. One remarked to the other, "Windy, isn't it?" "No," the second man replied, "it's Thursday." And the third man chimed in, "So am I. Let's have a beer."

Feb. 4 am The upcoming week will be a busy one. School Board meets Monday at 6pm. Town Council meets Tuesday as does CAEZ. Thursday evening Clay Roane PSD will meet at the Courthouse.

Feb. 4 am  No new posts until the next edition of The Communicator hits the streets Monday afternoon around 4pm.

Feb. 4 am Agenda items for the School Board meeting can be viewed on the school web site. Lots of resignations.

Feb. 3 am Hungry?  Today is the big HE White Elem Chili Cook Off down in Bomont. See EVENTS page for details

Feb. 3 am  Got some news for Wagner Beechy and Valley Gas Co customers. The WV Public Service Commission has scheduled a hearing for those that have complained.

Feb. 3 am Set for 10am, Feb. 20th at the Courthouse:  06-1577-G-GI (Wagner Gas Company, Beechy Gas Company and Valley Gas Company);   06-1940-G-C  (Hobert L. and Luigina Harold v. Wagner Gas Company);   06-1944-G-C (Glennis Drake v. Wagner Gas Company);     06-1972-G-C  (James and Edith Ryan v. Wagner Gas Company);  06-1976-G-C (Robert L. and Margie Taylor, Gary and Joyce Butcher, Wendell and Phyllis Anderson, Josephine Tanner v. Wagner Gas Company);  07-0096-G-C (Lesha J. Butcher v. Wagner Gas Company)

Feb. 3 am The hearings are open to the public but unless you're a formal complainer, you can't speak.

Feb. 3 am Here's the link. Once you get there, click Feb.

Feb. 2 pm Robert F. "Bob" Downey, 79, see OBITUARY page

Feb. 2 pm  Charles David Neal, 53, of Indore, see OBITUARY page

Feb. 2 pm The snow is coming down in Clayberry. Rain is in the forecast for this afternoon as well as super cold temps this weekend. Watch out if you're out there on the roads

Feb. 2 pm First a correction. That big gas leak yesterday was in front of the Clay Middle School property. Gas Company owner John Habjan was the responsible party according to Commissioner Fran King. We stand corrected.

Feb. 2 pm By late afternoon yesterday the leak was fixed, that leak was fixed. When we got there the Top Badge was there with his vehicle lights flashing. Others on site were carrying fire extinguishers. Seems, the big leak was fixed but all kinds of little leaks were detected, leaks all over the place on the back street CLay neighborhood. Big concern was over one little spark turning the place into wood splinters and brick chips.

Feb. 2 pm WV PSC reps were on hand yesterday too. When that guy was alarmed over the additional leaks, locals laughed. Locals also mentioned: the leaks have been present for years, the PSC had been alerted of the problem for years, and the owner of the gas company has done little to nothing to correct the dangerous situations.

Feb. 2 pm Retired school teacher David Derby knows first hand about gas leaks. Behind his downtown Clay home, the gas leak is so bad, it can be seen bubbling up out of the ground near his workshop. Derby told us a couple weeks ago, Habjan was told about the problem and to date, the bubbles are still bubbling. One match and KaBOOOOOOOOOM!

Feb. 2 pm So what is the PSC doing about the long standing problem. Maybe nothing.

Feb. 2pm We posted on this site last week a letter from the PSC to Congresswoman Capito that said the PSC planned to take Wagner , Beechy, and Valley Gas Co's to court and put them into receivership. Yesterday, Fran King said she had been on the horn with the WVPSC and that letter, subject came in during the conversation. According to Ms King, the PSC would not acknowledge that letter and furthermore, had never heard of such a letter being written.

Feb. 2pm  We downloaded the letter from the PSC web site and plan to print it in the next Communicator.

Feb. 2 pm Clay County's Business Development Authority, BDA, has been in existence for around 12 years. During that time they have accomplished little.  We know it and now others are telling them as much.

Feb. 2 pm   Three years ago they were designated as our lead economic development group. With that designation comes $34,000 annually from the Charleston folks plus another  $34000 from local coffers.  Last night the BDA met at the Courthouse. A couple things of note from that gathering.

Feb. 2 pm   With Chair Williams nodding in agreement, BDA Boardster Fran King told the 14 in attendance, unless the BDA gets off its duff, the funders in Charleston will stop the annual funding. She referenced promises the group made over the last three years of building something at the old FIlcon site near Ovapa. With a frown she added that the group hadn't added one not one new job to the county.

Feb. 2 pm One member disputed the statements. He didn't get far, the truth is the truth, and other than shoving the same dirt around a few times, the lead economic development group ain't been developing much.

Feb. 2 pm Normally when someone bad mouths the board, they get all huffy, get into a shouting match, go into secret time or better yet, invite the mouthy one , out back for a good attitude adjustment time. Didn't happen last night. Instead, they accepted the truth and laid plans to try to do  something, anything!

Feb. 2 pm They didn't mention the local business's name but said they have a potential tenant for the Industrial Site if they could get a 30 by 40 building erected. The building would be constructed to meet the needs of the counseling service with three patient rooms, waiting rooms, and office space. The agenda did not reference any vote to build the concrete slab metal building but a consensus was given for the Chair to advertise for a turn key quotes.

Feb. 2 pm How refreshing, first they find a tenant, comes up with a plan to accommodate the prospect, and then get started. Nice change!

Feb. 2 pm Here's what you've been waiting for clickers, the bad stuff...

Feb. 2 pm The years of back door maneuvering and back door decisions may have an affect on the new improved operation methods.

Feb. 2 pm Last night, the BDA made public they hired a local attorney to handle some "legal" issues. Other than that little mention, only further addition was made public. Under questioning by the newbee member Jesse Sizemore, we know the legal issue is NOT the missing corner markers at the industrial site.

Feb. 2 pm Puttin two and six together, here's what we're guessing. Just a guess clickers....

Feb. 2 pm We think there are ownership problems at the old FIlcon site. We think there is at least one section of the holdings is not clearly deeded to the BDA. Back when the BDA was in court over the land, testimony was given that on the day the property was transferred to the BDA from Wayne King's family and Marim Sizemore, it actually traded hands three times that one afternoon.

Feb. 2 pm Somewhere in the testimony  was reference to JD Morris ending up with a strip of land going up the hill behind the Filcon site. Also mentioned was Wayne's wife as an " intermediate" that day of transfer.

Feb. 2 pm With the BDA still having a tendency not to reveal  important items, we think, just a guess, there may be serious legal issues further slowing down development. This latest title search, Hello Jerome, cost the BDA over $300.

Feb. 2 pm Govt. secrecy is always bad and often comes back to bite em. Might do it again for the BDA.

Feb. 2 pm  Something good from the meeting. The BDA received a grant to train high schoolers  in how to run boards, PSDs, and committees. The $ also cover doing a community project this summer. According to Fran King, she has received a great response from the high school applicants who came up with many great community project ideas including: better signage around the county, decorate with flags and flowers, a new reading program at the library, and improving the look of Widen for their Mid July Widen Days celebration.

Feb. 2 pm There is even talk of expanding the program if additional  kids and good projects are submitted.

Feb. 2 pm If you're between 14 and 21 year of age and want to make some $ while learning to operate a government agency, call Fran King NOW, TODAY. Don't get left out!

Feb. 2 pm We're holding up the Communicator until Monday afternoon. No big juicy story coming, just suffering from TB, tired butt.

Feb. 2 pm  A man had 50 yard line tickets for the Super Bowl. As he sits down, a man comes down and asks if anyone is sitting in the seat next  to him. "No," he says, "the seat is empty." "This is incredible," said the man. "Who in their right mind would have a seat like this for the Super Bowl, ... the biggest sporting event in the world, ... and not use it?" He says, "Well, actually, the seat belongs to me. I was supposed to come with my wife, but she passed away. This is the first Super Bowl we haven't been to together since we got married in 1967." "Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. That's terrible. But couldn't you find someone else -- a friend or relative, or even a neighbor to take the seat?"  The man shakes his head. Nope, they're all at the funeral."

Feb. 1 LATE pm New work listings are now listed on the JOBS link to the left. Just click

Feb. 1 pm We're holding off production of Friday's Communicator until Monday afternoon. No big story in the works just a bunch of little crap that's taking a bunch of time to gather. It'll be worth the wait and 70 cents.

Feb. 1 pm Let's do some catching up..

Feb. 1 pm Thank you AHR.

Feb. 1 pm This afternoon at 5pm the Business Development Authority will convene their monthly meeting in the CCC room of the Courthouse. Public meeting, the world's invited, bring your own popcorn please.

Feb. 1 pm   Don't blame Habjan for Clay Middle School being closed today. The school had a gas leak.

Feb. 1 pm Tonight the Lady Panthers will be in home court action taking on Gilmer County. 101.7 FM will air the game.

Feb. 1 pm  The lead up to the 2007 School Excess Levy vote Feb. 24th has been pretty quiet. Tonight the Administration will have a fire side chat at HE White Elem parents in hopes of shuring up a few more votes. Their plan is to promise a  small classroom addition for the preschool program and nothing but a bright future for those that support the excessive vote. They'll also threaten to close the rural school if the Levy fails.

Feb. 1 pm The part about closing the school worked during the last Levy. Voters in the HE White community took it hook line and sinker and overwhelming supported the Levy during the last vote.

Feb. 1 pm And then there's Senator Randy White. In Tuesday's Charleston papers, White was reported to have left the scene of an accident where he smashed into a parked vehicle with his white pick em truck. That article from the membership restricted Gazette article is over on the ADVISORY page.

Feb. 1 pm After a smear campaign just before the Nov. election, bitter politicos in this county started the spin cycle once again.

Feb. 1 pm We emailed White and asked; What the S*** is going on?

Feb. 1 pm Senator White's response to the published article are: "On Tuesday, I was parallel parking my car at the apartment,  I cut the wheel too soon and my rear bumper hooked the car.  I pulled out and then parked across the street at the first available space.  The early hour it was and being my neighbors car, I decided not to knock on the doors of the 20 or so apartments, with the intention of getting with the guy in the morning to explain to him and turn into my insurance."

Feb. 1 pm We appreciate an elected official who responds to the electorate. Thanks Mr White.

Feb. 1 am  Happy first day of the new month. Some Clay County kids are going to be reaaaaaaaaaaaaal upset.

Feb. 1 am  Clay Middle School is CLOSED for today. According to the scanner last night, there are heating problems at that school.

Feb. 1 am All other schools in the county remain open today.

Feb. 1 am Get well wishes extended to Mr Edmond Eagle. Get well. We want to see you out dancing next summer

Feb. 1 am   Doctor Bloomfield, who was known for his extraordinary treatment of arthritis, had a waiting room full of people. A little old lady, almost bent over in half, shuffled in slowly, leaning on her cane. When her turn came, she went into the doctor's office and, amazingly, emerged within 5 minutes walking completely erect with her head held high. A woman in the waiting room, who had seen all this, rushed up to the little old lady and said,  "It's a miracle! You walked in nearly bent in half and now you're walking upright! What did the doctor do that?" "He gave me a longer cane."