July
2006 Past News
July 31 pm Condolences extended to
Clay Roane PSD Boardster Rose Cantrell with the passing of her Mother,
Carolene Samples
July 31 pm Allen
"Pain" Wayne Mitchell of Bomont, see OBITUARY page
July 31 pm With the new month at hand,
there's lots of meetings coming this week.
July 31 pm Clay Town Council meets
Tuesday evening, 6pm, at the water plant on Main Street. With about
8 items listed on the agenda, should be a good one to attend.
July 31 pm Central Appalachia
Empowerment Zone conducts two meetings Tuesday. First at 4pm is the economic
development committee meeting followed at 6pm by the full Board meeting.
The CAEZ holds their public meetings in their Main Street Clay digs right
beside the DHHR building.
July 31 pm Thursday afternoon the Clay
County Business Development Authority meets in the CCC room at the Courthouse.
On that agenda is election of officers. With street talk of Chair Leonard
Williams either transferring jobs or retiring, the question ia, will My
Good Buddy remain as Chair. Meeting begins at 5pm
July 31 pm Friday evening we've got
something cool in the Go Mart of Clay parking lot. The folks trying to
build a skateboard park in the county are hosting an outdoor skateboard
demo and fun time. Fun starts at 5pm with a pool party following
at 8pm. Check it out ont he EVENTS page.
July 31 pm An elderly Italian
man who lived on the outskirts of Monte Casino went to the local church
for confession. When the priest slid open the panel in the confessional,
the man said, "Father .. during World War! II, a beautiful
woman knocked on my door and asked me to hide her from the enemy.
So I hid her in my attic." The priest replied, "That was a wonderful
thing you did, my son! And you have no need to confess that."
"It's worse than that, Father. She started to repay me with sexual
favors." The priest said, "By doing that, you were both in great
danger. However, two people under those circumstances can be very
tempted to act that way. But if you are truly sorry for your actions,
you are indeed forgiven." "Thank you, Father. That's a great
load off my mind. But I do have one more question." "And what
is that?" asked the priest. "Should I tell her the war is over?"
July 30 pm Lawrence Berton
Happney, 84, of Bickmore, see OBITUARY page
July 30 pm Closer to home, this past
week was full of little thing. Nothing major , just the normal little things
that make Clayberry what it is.
July 30 pm The week opened with
a "tagging" often seen in major cities. Spray painted messages on roadways
and walls gave the impression, something was up in Clay.
July 29 pm We received a new
Pringle potato chip feel to Main Street after a 14 foot wide crane lumbered
over the pavement Wednesday.
July 30 pm Clay Roane PSD was
forbidden to drive to their Ovapa water storage tank by the property owner.
The guy said after 18 years of using the dirt way, the PSD doesn't have
a bone fide right of way.
July 30 pm The print media can be a
powerful tool for change. The last Communicator brought forth Ernie Davis
being locked away in CRJ for three months while waiting for a mental
competency exam. We thought the story would generate some interest in the
county jail stay (over $5000 so far) but as of today, Mr Davis remains
behind bars as the wheels of justice remained mired in do littleness.
July 30 pm This past week, that little
newspaper over in Clay editorialized that Lake Sampson should be renamed
for the company that refused to honor their environmental commitment to
the county of Clay year after year. With diminished reasoning the guy said
it is always better to give credit where none is deserved.
July 30 pm With many residents of the
Lake Sampson neighborhood saying they don't like having all those "foreigners"
in the community, many others started writing letters and making phone
calls admonishing the dictator like actions of the DNR. Ole Fred Sampson
doesn't care one way or the other what they call the new economic development
boost for the county. The rest of us do.
July 30 pm Get your Lake Sampson signs
up today.
July 30 pm Helicopters flew overhead
in search of fringe pot growers in the county. The high dollar operation
continued the annual August attack on the hippies of old while the meth
heads and worse went unnoticed.
July 30 pm John Romano was planted
this week. After years of working to bring grant and Federal dollar projects
into the county, Romano will be missed. For those that say nothing good
ever comes to Clay, look around. Had it not been for Mr Romano's efforts,
there would be less.
July 30 pm With steamy hot August here,
public meetings should be a plenty this week. Keep it tuned to clayberry.org
for the latest in life in the slow lane.
July 29 am I was in Wal-Mart
buying a large bag of Purina for my Labrador retriever and was in line
to check out. A woman behind me asked if I had a dog? On impulse, I told
her that no, I was starting The Purina Diet again, although I probably
shouldn't because I'd ended up in the hospital last time. But that I'd
lost 50 pounds before I awakened in an intensive care ward with tubes coming
out of most of my orifices and IV's in both arms. I told her that it was
essentially a perfect diet and that the way that it works is to load your
pants pockets with Purina nuggets and simply eat one or two every time
you feel hungry & that the food is nutritionally complete so I was
going to try it again. I have to mention here that practically everyone
in the line was by now enthralled with my story. Horrified, she asked if
I'd been poisoned. I told her no, that I'd been sitting in
the street licking my butt when a car hit me.
July 28 am When you're driving to Clay
that buzzing lumpy sound isn't something wrong with your car. Those building
the new bridge drove their behemoth crane down the center of Rt 16 leaving
a footprint all the way.
July 28 am Did you ever think a California
based taco franchise would come to Clay? They are.
July 28 am Sometime in mid August Taco
Mel's will set up shop in the former home of WYAP radio at Two Run. The
first West Virginia location will be carry out only with picnic tables
in the triangle parking lot.
July 28 am With Top Badge Holcomb away
on vacation, Badgettes on foot and in helicopter roved the hillsides
in search of pot yesterday.
July 28 am Clay County PSD added enough
debt, a $7500 bank loan, and other expense to qualify for a "quickie"
water rate increase. That first rate increase brought average monthly bills
(4500 gallons) to $52.80 and was approved June 7th. Somewhere along the
way, the PSD forgot to do some paperwork, "certificates evidencing
mailing" Without that paperwork, the rates will be rolled back. They
have 10 days to comply.
July 28 am Don't get all excited readers,
the WV PSC is ALWAYS on the side of the PSD and that rate increase will
be one of two OKed this summer.
July 28 am In other water company news....
Clay Roane PSD has been locked out of their Ovapa storage tank by the property
owner. The guy says that PSD does not have a proper right of way to the
tank. The Ovapa tank feeds water to the recently completed Amma Left Hand
water project in Roane County.
July 28 am With head scratching,
why do they need to get to the tank? The public was told, all water for
Roane County would be plumbed from the Town of Clay water plant NOT the
Procious plant operated by Clay Roane PSD.
July 28 am Clay Roane PSD has the 4th
highest water rates in the state with Clay County PSD coming in 8th in
the WV PSC rankings. See
for yourself here.
July 28 am With gasoline prices now
well over $3.00, another gas is going up. This time home heating fuel from
Valley Gas Company.
July 28 am Owner John Habjan
has requested an emergency (interim) rate increase of $3.91 per mcf.
Was $10.88 in August 2005 and now will be $15.48 per mcf. The WV
PSC has recommended the increase. Bend over clickers!
July 28 am Two good old boys
are sittin' in a bass boat suckin' down beer when all of a sudden James
says, "I think I'm going to divorce my wife - she hasn't spoken to me in
over 6 months." Earl sips his beer and calmly says, "You better
think it over - women like that are hard to find."
July 28 am Enjoy the weekend.
Summer Jam is a great way to cap off a great week. See EVENTS page for
details.
July 27 pm Great big Happy Birthday
wishes to County Commission President Peter Triplett who turns 410 years
old today. Someone call him up (587-2240) and give him grief.
July 27 pm Check out the home page
for a new advertiser, Tubbo's Wood Shop.
July 27 pm Nothing is ever easy in
Clayberry. Clay Roane PSD has had a water storage tank out Ovapa way for
18 years. Each day field workers have to check the water amounts. The tank
is right at 1 mile off the county road.
July 27 pm A coupls day ago the property
owner decided that the PSD does not have a legal right of way to the tank.
At one point, according to the Chief Water Operator, the owner said he
would charge them a $10 toll for each trip to the tank.
July 27 pm The workers are now
making the daily trips on foot.
July 27 am Cora Evelyn Woods,
82, see OBITUARY page
July 27 am Lonnie
Stewart, 58, see OBITUARY page
July 27 am Quiet, real quiet. Post
as soon as we have something
July 27 am You are driving in
a car at a constant speed. On your left side is a valley and on your right
side is a fire engine traveling at the same speed as you. In front of you
is a galloping pig which is the same size as your car and you cannot overtake
it. Behind you is a helicopter flying at ground level. Both the giant pig
and the helicopter are also traveling at the same speed as you. What
must you do to safely get out of this situation?
July 27 am Get off the children's merry
go round!
July 26 am Many attended John Romano's
graveside funeral service Tuesday. Numbers aren't a testament to worth
but words are. John was one of those rare government types that spoke the
truth. He will be missed.
July 26 am Commissioner Sams was absent
from duty during Monday's CCC meeting. We posted no juice from that meeting
but on second blush..
July 26 am During the early July meeting
Commission discussion turned to Prosecutor Jim Samples not providing a
state code mandated 06-07 operating budget. Yesterday Samples showed documentation
of his July 11th cover sheet and $154,026 budget. One says one thing ,
the other says another. Perfect foundation for an upcoming peeing contest
in Clayberry.
July 26 am The Lake Sampson sign uproar
continues. Some residents in the neighborhood don't want a lake in their
community at all. They say that increased traffic and "foreigners" are
already changing their rural area. When mention was made that they could
make real $ off the new facility, they replied: WE DON'T WANT IT!!
July 26 am The truth is, properly organized,
the Lake Sampson community could soon have additional stores, shops, fast
food eateries, and camp grounds generating real income for the cash strapped
area.
July 26 am Who's going to be
the first to offer overnight camping spaces for RV? Who's going to be the
first to sell trinkets? How about a summer time Lake Sampson lemonade or
shaved ice stand?
July 26 am More, later today.
July 25 am Last night's County
Commission meeting was a bust. No controversy, no fights, no finger pointing.
Hate that!
July 25 am A library is suppose to
be the center of the community. A place for learning and fun stuff. A place
for kids to hang out and more. The Clay County Library has been a dead
little place for a number of years in need of major repairs and upgrades.
July 25 am Downstairs the
place has been painted, the drains fixed, junk carted off, and the toilets
work once again. The not worked right in years frig was replaced.
For the first time in years, the Library is hosting a summer reading program.
July 25 am Upstairs crews are
putting on a fresh coat of paint. Two news puters have been put in service.
An outside window in danger of falling out has been replaced.
July 25 am Nice change and you said
nothing good ever happens in Clayberry.
July 25 am Need a place to get
rid of those snot lickers this morning? The Surf's Up summer reading program
continues this morning at 10 am.
July 25 am No word on the tagging or
what the messages mean. Mums the word in Clayberry.
July 24 pm A grandmother was
pushing her little grandchild around Wal-Mart in a buggy. Each time she
put something in the basket she would say, "And here's something for you,
Diploma." or "This will make a cute little outfit for you, Diploma." and
so on. Eventually a bewildered shopper who'd heard all this
finally asked, "Why do you keep calling your grandchild Diploma?"
The grandmother replied, "I sent my daughter to Virginia Tech and
this is what she came home with!"
July 24 am Today at 5, the Clay County
Commission meets in regular session. The agenda isn't very long and appears
without much gusto. In the county of Clay, sometimes the best meetings
have the shortest agendas.
July 24 am Read all about 7 year old
Paige Stewart on the ADVISORY page now. She done good!
July 24 am In big cities, graffiti
and "Tagging" are common practices. Thugs, gangs, mark their territory
and make threats sometimes in code. Such is not the norm in Clayberry.
July 24 am Saturday night someone or
someones, went around the county and spray painted messages here and there.
No not X loves X but something more interesting. The "Your Next Big Boy"
tag is just across the Dundon bridge and most concerning.
July 24 am The coffeehouse crowd has
the tagging as being related to Mikey Lanham getting stabbed Wednesday
night.
July 24 am Sunday afternoon a red vehicle
was spotted going around with a black spray can and covering over a name.
July 24 am Not sure what to make of
it all but certainly worth paying attention to.
July 24 am the Lake Sampson sign issue
appears to be gaining some interest. Here's an email just received: I
am absolutely appalled at the DNR actions in regard to the signage for
Lake Sampson. Of course the darn thing should be named for Fred Sampson;
he got the project started & completed. What a load of manure
that the DNR is in charge of the name and can remove signs at will.
They need to stick to managing the wildlife and let the people decide what
name to give the lake. I suggest we (Clay Countians) do 2 things:
1. Find a source for bumper
stickers and blanket the county with them--leave no vehicle unmarked!
VISIT LAKE SAMPSON or SUPPORT LAKE SAMPSON or something like that.
2. Drag all those old
campaign signs out from behind the house and paint over the VOTE (or yard
sale! as the case may be) with LAKE SAMPSON and stick it in your front
yard.
The DNR would need nerve or
a lot of guts to remove either item from my car or yard. That bunch
at French Creek has no idea who they're dealing with down here in Clay
County so let's show our support for Fred & his Lake project.
Christy Keen
Big Otter
July 24 am Wouldn't it be nice to see
locals show a little spunk and put up yard sale signs every which a ma
where giving credit where credit is due.
July 23 pm John Romano worked for the
county for years. John was the white headed guy that handled grant writing
applications for big ticket items like small cities block grants. Often
seen at various functions, John was one of the healthy guys that stayed
slim and clean in deed and thought.
July 23 pm Two Friday's ago, he fell
in the bedroom of his Charleston home. It is speculated that he hit his
head on the corner of a metal trimmed wooden bench breaking his neck. Paralyzed,
he laid on the floor all weekend. Monday morning fellow workers went to
John's home after he didn't call in or report for duty. Throughout life
John Romano made thoughtful, educated decisions. His last decision was
to not be burden on anyone and instead, go quietly into hospice care. This
good guy will be missed in Clay County West Virginia.
July 23 pm John Louis Romano, see OBITUARY
page.
July 23 pm Yesterday our 11 and 12
year old All Stars were defeated in first Round State Baseball Tournament
play. This afternoon is do or die in Elkins for Clay. Go Claaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!
July 23 pm The last 7 days have been
interesting. From discovering the remains of a ten foot tall duck down
under to hearing the WV DNR tell us they are the designated Sign Czars
in the county, here's our wrap up
July 23 pm While W says global
warming is a liberal myth, last week makes you wonder. Sticky hot
humid describes the week. So hot, you had to close your eyes just to walk
down the street.
July 23 pm With rockets fired
at Japan from N Korea and missiles exploding left and right in and from
Israel, Syria, and Lebanon, and our little oil war in Iraq intensifying,
People are starting to think we are already in WW III. Religious leaders
are all excited, overjoyed, the end is near!
July 23 pm Over in Iraq the PM quietly
told our government this week, ahhhhh, maybe we need to rethink this game
plan.
July 23 pm There have been 2,782
coalition deaths, 2,556 Americans, two Australians, 114 Britons, 13 Bulgarians,
three Danes, two Dutch, two Estonians, one Fijian, one Hungarian, 31 Italians,
one Kazakh, one Latvian, 17 Poles, two Romanians, two Salvadoran, three
Slovaks, 11 Spaniards, two Thai and 18 Ukrainians in the war in Iraq as
of July 20, 2006, according to a CNN count.
July 23 pm Where did we come up with
War? War stands for We Are Right.
July 23 pm Talking heads on TV say
high or even higher gas prices are good for the economy. $5 per gallon
would be wonderful. The higher the price the better off the common citizen
really is. They might be right, with $3 per gallon the norm, consumption
remains the same.
July 23 pm Here in Clayberry, red tomatoes
are in. The ones that are red clear to the center. The ones you cut about
an inch thick and meal out of!
July 23 pm Mid week, Clay County PSD
told the world, they can increase operating costs without telling anyone.
So intent on getting their next water rate increase, the Board said
increases like employee raises are top secret. Sadly, all three board members
agreed. There was happiness in the meeting hall on Main Street. Behind
the scenes the WV PSC tells the underlings, to get a good rate increase,
add more debt. CLay County PSD did just that with the purchase of a brand
new truck.
July 23 pm Secrecy has always been
an operations mainstay. Whenever you want to do something controversial,
go behind close doors, make it a secret. CDC and Primary Health make such
the norm. Should do qite nicely for Clay PSD.
July 23 pm Wednesday night Clayberry's
little warrior , Michael Lanham was gutted at a bar in Big Otter. the out
of control Lanham was taken to a hospital with his guts hanging out. No
one has been charged with the crime nor have any awards been handed out.
July 23 pm On Thursday DNR officials
at French Creek told the county that they are in charge of signs and markers
in the county. Any mention of Lake Sampson will be considered a threat
to the security and integrity of the county and will be dealt with swiftly
and without prior notification. Any and all mention of Lake Sampson yard
sales, Lake Sampson road side lemonade stand signs, or even a pesky Lake
Sampson curve, caution, turn, stop or yield signs will receive the full
wrath of the Big Cheese in French Creek.
July 23 pm At least we have tomatoes,
beans, and potatoes to eat.
July 22 pm Mary Lou Devlin,
74, of Ivydale, see OBITUARY page
July 22 am From the email bag:
Good Well Wishes extended to Lindy Myers, Hope that you feel better
soon!!! Love Tony , Connie Myers and Family from Butler,Pennsylvania
July 22 am Rain is generally associated
with a yucky day. On the plus side,, after days of scorching heat, we have
cooler temperatures.
July 22am The Communicator made it
out the door yesterday around 3pm. 20 pages of solid hard hitting news
and views on and about our humble little 342 square miles called home.
July 22 am The BC & G RR Co-op
is hosting a music show fundraiser today. WYAP holds their Summer Jam variety
show tonight at 6pm. Check out the activity page for details including
the now in progress Ag Fair at Clay County Park.
July 22 am DNR's Lew Smith at French
Creek provided the latest on their Govt Czar action of removing Lake Sampson
signs near Wallback. Front page coverage on the agency squelching freedom
of speech in Clayberry.
July 22 am Update on little Mikey Lanham
getting stabbed, still no arrests.
July 20 pm Jerry Lou Butcher,
58, of Dille, see OBITUARY page
July 20 pm William Ferrel White,
53, of Dille, see OBITUARY page
July 20 pm We're in typing mode
now putting together the next edition of The Communicator. No new updates
unless something big happens.
July 20 pm Normally when someone gets
hurt, people respond with, How bad is it or Hate to hear that.
July 20 pm Last night Iron Mikey Lanham
was stabbed and whisked away to a hospital. The ambulance responded to
the call at a bar near the Big Otter Exit of I 79.
July 20 pm When news spread of the
stabbing, the most common response was, Is he dead?
July 20 pm Lanham is the guy that punched
that ace cub reporter (April 6th) and a couple weeks later, threw to the
ground, Marian Asbury. Asbury stays in his Main Street apartment afraid
to come out.
July 20 pm We'll have a more complete
run down in our Police Blotter Friday.
July 19 LATE pm Clay Roane PSD
is still under a BOIL WATER ORDER. Boil it first clickers!
July 19 LATE PM Little bit short
notice but... those wanting meeting notices, events, classifieds in this
Friday's Communicator, deadline is Thursday high noon. Email them over
now
July 19 LATE pm This evening
Clay County PSD met in regular session. During that gathering, after a
secret time, employees were given pay raises. Don't ask how much, PSD Chair
Greg Fitzwater says that the group's policy manual says they don't have
to tell.
July 19 LATE pm They also approved
the purchase of a new service truck.
July 19 LATE pm Several folks
showed up seeking water service. Earl Elliot made public what the county
has been whispering for years. The haves keep receiving while the have
nots keeping getting shorted. Elliot asked the Board about water lines
installed short distances up Grassy Creek where a Dentist lives and Pack
Hollow where a Banker lives. He wanted to know why the new lines go those
addresses and no further.
July 19 LATE pm First came the
canned answers on budget short falls and economy to scale blah blah blah
followed by "That was all done before we got here."
July 19 LATE pm Of course we know how
such stuff happens, it's Clayberry. When Govt. agencies operate away from
the public's eye, such crap happens.
July 19 LATE pm During the most recent
County Commission meeting, one guy raised concerns over Primary Care's
operation at Two Run. Primary is the only public health clinic in downtown
Clay. Primary receives public funds but operates in absolute secrecy
with the public banned from even attending Board meetings.
July 19 LATE pm One good indication
of a troubled organization is changes in personnel. In the last month,
according to our count, three employees have quit (including long timers)
and another was fired. Sounds like just the tip of iceberg to us.
July 19 LATE pm Full details
in Friday's Communicator. And we ain't even mentioning expired CPR cards
nor out of date drugs in the frig. Nope.
July 19 LATE pm Cost? Just 70 cents.
July 19 am Churches and other
non profits have taken a stepped up role in the political process since
the compassionate conservatives stepped into power. Those preachers
telling the pew sitters how or who to vote for... Ahhhhh, they can't do
that. Here's the
info on the IRS enforcement division.
July 19 am Are we already in
WW III? We have have more war
ships in route to Lebanon NOW.
July 19 am Our man Dubbya really
knows how to handle a foreign Chancellor. Check
out the brush off.
July 18 LATE pm Clay Roane PSD
issued a BOIL WATER ORDER today at noon TODAY for the Wallback, Newton,
all of Left hand, and Amma areas due to a main line water break.
July 18 LATE pm Don't drink
the wa wa until you boil it first. Safety first clickers!
July 18 LATE pm Jeff Davis
reported low low water pressure at his Wallback abode most all of last
night. Another saw the major leak near the big oil tank storage area
along the main road.
July 18 LATE pm Last night around midnight
we posted the home page picture of Jamie Morris from the Central Regional
Jail web site. Morris was sentenced in Circuit Court and was given 20 days
jail time plus other penalties.
July 18 LATE pm When we saw that picture
last night, the first thought was, rats, he failed a drug test and got
caught after doing so well for months.
July 18 LATE pm That part
about failing a pee test was incorrect. He did not fail the
test but according to his Dad, Jamie plead guilty to misdemeanor charges
to get the mess over with. 20 days and Jamie Morris will
be out and ready to start afresh again.
July 18 LATE pm We stand corrected.
July 18 pm Flora June Stover
see OBITUARY page
July 18 pm Clay County
PSD meets Wednesday afternoon at 5pm. With one rate increase already on
the books this year and a second coming ASAP, agenda items include purchase
of a new truck and employee pay raises. To justify a rate increase,
add more expenses.... same all same all just another day in Clay.
July 18 pm A man is waiting for
his wife to give birth. When the doctor comes out, he informs the man that
his son was born without a torso, arms or legs. His son is just a head!
But the man loves his son and raises him as well as he can, with love and
compassion. After 21 years, the son is now old enough
for his first drink. Dad takes him to the local bar and tells his son that
he is proud of him and orders up the biggest, strongest drink for him.
With all the bar patrons looking on curiously and the bartender shaking
his head in disbelief, the boy takes his first sip of alcohol.
Swoooop! A torso pops out! The bar is dead
silent; then bursts into a whoop of joy. The father, shocked, begs his
son to drink again. The patrons chant, "Take another drink"!
Swoooop! Two arms pops out! The bar goes wild.
The father begs his son to drink again while the patrons all chant, "Take
another drink"! By now the boy is getting tipsy and with
his new hands he reaches down, grabs his drink and guzzles the last of
it.
Swoooop! Two legs pop out. The bar is in chaos. The father falls to his
knees and tearfully thanks God. The boy stands up on his new legs
and stumbles to the left.... then to the right.... right through the front
door, into the street where a truck runs over him and kills him instantly.
The bar falls silent. The father moans in grief.
The Moral of the story? "He should have quit while he was a
head!"
July 18 pm Last night during a 45 minute
Clay School Board meeting, just retired from office Jerry Linkinoooooger
was selected to be the oversight guy, the Clerk of the Works, for the soon
to be constructed Valley Dale Elem School.
July 18 pm In the entire world, a guy
with 30 years in the classroom and administration was selected as the best
qualified in construction and building trades.
July 18 pm One fellow told us that
the WV SBA told him the job was a full time position requiring the Linkster
to be on site anytime construction was in progress. It is our understanding
that Link will be expected to be there a couple hours per day. At a $100
per day, that's pretty good money for the aging retired Superintendent
of Schools. One fellow told us that the WV SBA told him the job was
a full time position requiring the Linkster to be on site anytime construction
was in progress.
July 18 pm Mr. Link maintains
his campaign web site. From that site comes his platform statement: If
elected, I will be Clay County's first "FULL TIME" county commissioner.
I am retiring from my current job in June. Being a county commissioner
will be my only job... Here's
the Link's link.
July 18 pm Lets see now, it'll take
well over a year to build the new school and Link takes office Jan 1 2006..
The fears of many appear to be coming true even before Link takes office.
Instead of a full time Commissioner, Link's allegiance to the his favorite
nest continues with the county taxpayer coming in second once again.
July 17 LATE am Happy Birthday wishes
to Denise Duffield
July 17 LATE am So what the heck
will Linkinoooooger, Clerk of the Works, do for the school system? Do you
have to have a Clerk for a school construction project? Answers: Not much,
very little, and No.
July 17 LATE am Buried deep in
the WV Dept. of Education web site come a couple excerpts.
July 17 LATE am 400.30
The
educational agency shall be required to employ a clerk-of-the-works to
monitor all construction projects in excess of $100,000 unless waived by
the SBA. Candidates for professional services or clerks-of-the-works shall
be submitted for SBA review and evaluation prior to final selection by
the educational agency. (Appendix J - Attachment 7) A clerk-of-the-works
employed by the county through contracted services shall minimally be paid
an amount equal to the basic hourly prevailing wage rate of a Journeyman
Carpenter as determined by the West Virginia Department of Labor for the
project location
July 17 LATE am SBA 113 - Construction
Observation Report -This report is to be completed weekly by the clerk-of-the-works
or the county administrator responsible for the SBA building program. It
is designed to report the progress of construction and to report to the
county board of education highlights or concerns regarding the construction's
progress. These reports are to be attached to the project's daily logs
for the corresponding week and be made available to the SBA's project representative
during site visits. (Appendix J- Attachment 10)
July 17 am Tonight the School
Board meets at 6pm in the Standard Bryant Annex on Gump Street. Excerpts
from the meeting agenda include: Approve the employment of Sarah Bragg
as Multiple Categorical Resource Teacher at CCHS, successful bid (Justin
Holcomb's former job). Approve the employment of Anthony Boggs as
Resource Teacher at Lizemore Elementary and H.E. White Elementary, successful
bid (new position). Approve the employment of Jerry Linkinoggor
for Clerk of the Works for the Big Otter Elementary School. Approve
the employment of an Assistant Volleyball Coach at CCHS (job posted through
Friday, July 14, 2006). Approve the purchase of uniforms
for the bus drivers at $150.00 each for the 2006 - 2007 school year.
Approve U.S. Food Services as the primary provider for the Food Service
Program for the 2006 - 2007 school year. Approve the
removal Jonathan Frame as a substitute bus driver (voluntary removal).
Discussions: RESA III (School) Representative;
Date to have ground breaking ceremony of the Big Otter Elementary School;
County Parent Involvement Policy; Beechy Bus Contract.
July 17 am Imagine that, just retired
$78,000 a year Linkinooooooger now back in the saddle with another cushy
20 month job. Gee, in the whole wide world, the Linkster was the most qualified
to sit in an air conditioned car 20 minutes per day and watch construction
work at Valley Dale Elem.
July 17 am It's not often that
anybody
agrees with Newt. Does anybody else think we are already
in WW III? Email your thoughts. If you'd like them in Friday's Communicator,
include a name and contact number for verification.
July 17 am Got another question, no
not why sandwich bags are made out of thicker plastic than garbage bags,
something important... Why is it America walks hand in hand into battle
with Israel? Can someone explain that? Use small words please and write
slow, we're slow readers.
July 17 am We'll post as the
news comes in. Check back often.
July 16 am We've had a very interesting
last seven days in Clayberry. Here's our recap
July 16 am Downtown Clay is without
beautiful architecture. Not fancy buildings and lots of ugly power poles
and utility lines running left and right everywhere. Outside developers
regularly come in and study us to death. With each report, they tell us,
plant flowers, establish a municipal park, trees, remove the utility lines,
decorate, decorate decorate....
July 16 am Last Spring several local
businesses received the message and decorated the outside of their establishments.
Nothing fancy, just flowers, flags, and park benches. A couple months back
, Town Council voted in a resolution of support for a municipal "green
space" beside the Clay PSD building in the just designated historic district
of town. The Town and some businesses organized and purchased $900 worth
of American flags for summer holiday display.
July 16 am The poop butt business
owners said, thugs will just break the flower pots and destroy the park
benches.... You're wasting time and money to try and make the Town feel
more inviting.
July 16 am Look at Main Street now.
There are several American flags and park benches around. Flowers are adding
colors to the mundane architecture. It's normal to see the benches in use.
Even during the hot sticky months of Summer, downtown Clay has a friendlier
feel about it.
July 16 am Those same poop butts said
Fola Coal would never be forced to build Lake Sampson. The same folks said
the BC&G RR would never take off. The same folks that laughed at the
idea of a public camp ground at Dundon. The poop butts are still wondering
why their business is down.
July 16 am Storms rocked the county
last week. Electric and Telephone service was interrupted over and over.
The Flash Flood Watch and high waters left little damage or injury. Good!
July 16 am After a long period of little
vandalism, thugery returned to Clay last week. Sweets from the Clay Swimming
pool were stolen. By breaking in a window, drugs were stolen from Dr Jamie's
office. Why a family slept Wednesday night, their bright red Honda 4 wheeler
was swiped from the very nearby carport after the chain was cut. It was
as if somebody turned loose all the bad Bird's from nest.
July 16 am How many times have you
heard a PSD say, your water meter (tap) has to be set on the property line?
They say it's the law. Last week contractors set three taps for past Clay
PSD Chair Keith King. Those taps are very very near his home and his rental
properties and far from the main line extension. Sure looks like one more
example of special treatment for the few and select.
July 16 am When they try to explain
his property line doesn't reach over to the main line extension, remind
them even he doesn't own that property, how did Keith Mr. Happy King give
the OK to dump fill dirt on that disputed area?
July 16 am Clay Roane PSD met
this past week and gave the thumb up to 8% pay raises for all employees.
The vote came after the Board said they're in good financial posture and
after ( last meeting), they do not need a rate increase.
July 16 am County Commission meet mid
week. There discussion turned to the hot button animal cruelty issues in
the county. The CCC pretty much said they don't have the money to establish
a 24 hour per day animal shelter. Sheriff Holcomb told the assembled, in
the Glen area case, the lady would ever treat the animals better or face
criminal charges and soon.
July 16 am Although written in agenda
code, many Courthouse employees received pay raises.
July 16 am And the dirty trick
of the week award goes to the WV Dept. of Natural Resources. Seven
days ago County Commission paid for, "Lake Sampson" signs, were erected
on Rt. 36 near the I-79 Wallback Exit. Nice lookin, professionally produced,
blue and white signs directed new to the county visitors to our newest
tourism attraction. By mid week, all the signs were taken down. Not by
late at night, local thugs but by taxpayer paid for DNR staff.
July 16 am I don't know what
you're talking about was the first reaction to calls made to DNR big Cheeses
in the French Creek HDQs. After calls to the Governor's office were made,
a call came to the CCC saying the DNR had the signs and the CCC could have
them back.
July 16 am Of course free speech is
the issue! Without checking with anyone, DNR removed the private signs
from property not under their control. DNR has taken it on itself to decide
what can be said and not said on property they have no control of. Maybe
the next thing the DNR will remove will be all the little metal church
signs on the same poles! Maybe if your church name doesn't pass DNR muster,
yelp, toss the sign from public view without asking anyone!
July 16 am At first blush, it looks
like the DNR is against any mention of the name coined for the one person
responsible for securing the facility for the county. At first blush it
appears they think the name will just go away by removing the signs. Little
do they know the name Lake Sampson is here to say.
July 16 am One big ugly frowney face
to the WV Dept. of Natural Resources for tampering with free speech rights
and stealing private property.
July 15 am Hopefully the storms that
have rocked the county for the last three days have passed on. All
kinds of good stuff going on in Clayberry today. Be sure to check out the
EVENTS page.
July 15 am Tonight, if the weather
cooperates, Summer Jam 2006, Clay County's outdoor music show will begin
at 6pm. Bring a lawn chair over to the Fas Chek of Clay parking lot and
enjoy great West Virginia musicians. Free too.
July 15 am The Clay County Commission
paid for and erected Lake Sampson signs near the Wallback exit of I-79.
Nice looking blue and white metal signs, professionally done. That
was last weekend. Don't look for them now!
July 15 am Sometime earlier this week,
without telling anyone including the people that paid for them, Dept of
Natural Resources reps removed the signs. Not sure the reason but we have
a guess.
July 15 am More as we get it but in
the mean time, something smells rotten!
July 14 pm C. Evans Sizemore,
89, see OBITUARY page
July 14 pm Clay County's 2006 Person
of the Year Don Jarvis was just bestowed the Governor's Lifetime Achievement
Award for Outstanding Community Service as a Volunteer. Couldn't have happened
to a more deserving Clayonain.
July 14 pm Yuck is the name of the
weather this Friday. Sticky, hot, humid, so thick, the rain is more like
a thick fog and everywhere. Air Conditioned buildings are the
place to hang out today.
July 14 pm Yesterday trees tore down
electric and telephone lines interrupting service.
July 14 pm Mid morning today
a rock slide near the Procious Post Office wiped out the utility lines
and blocked Rt 4.
july 14 pm Men are like .....Mascara
They usually run at the first sign of emotion.
July 14 pm Men are like .......Lava
Lamps ... Fun to look at, but not very bright.
July 14 pm Men are like Parking
Spots ....... All the good ones are taken, the rest are handicapped
July 14 pm Men are like ........Government
Bonds .... They take soooooooo long to mature.
July 14 pm Men are like . Snowstorms
. You never know when they're coming, how many inches you'll get or how
long it will last
July 14 am We had this nice big long
juicy post ready for the world last night and then the power went out again.
Lost everything.
July 14 am Here's a shorter version.
July 14 am Storms brought down trees
yesterday in Clayberry. Along with the trees, came the power lines. Much
of downtown Clay went black Wednesday morning around 11:20am. With the
electric off, many folks turned the down time into vacation time.
Residents of the Procious area have been without electric since Wednesday
night.
July 14 am While the Procious Water
Plant has power, not so their storage tank booster station pumps. Chief
Operator Jennifer Traub feared water outages by 10 am this morning unless
electric service is restored real soon.
July 14 am During last night's Clay
Roane PSD meeting, announcement came on the long awaited Punkin Ridge water
extension project being fully funded and ready for construction bids to
be let.
July 14 am Boardsters also voted
in an 8% pay raise for all employees.
July 14 am Retired School Superintendent
Jerry Linkinoooooooooooooooger has been out of office 14 days. What time
is it" It's time for a sweetheart deal!
July 14 am Look for the Board to hire
the Linkster back as the "Clerk of the Works" at the IvyDale school site.
$50,000 + per year should be the starting point for the pat on the back
position.
July 14 am After campaigning
as a full time County Commissioner if elected and promising to write grants
totaling millions, add on the Clerk position, the Linkster is going to
be a busy busy boy. Just a guess but deosn't it make sense?
July 14 am Just when vandalism slows
down in Clayberry and you think it safe, WRONG.
July 14 am Earlier this week, Dr Jammie's
office was broke into and drugs were stolen. Wednesday night around 2:30am,
while the family was inside sleeping, thugs swiped a red Honda ATV on Guy
Mullins Road. And yes, the four wheeler was chained to the car port post!
July 13 am Look around your yard..
behind the shed.... out back.. see a bunch of old tires?
July 13 am Today thru Saturday
you have chance to legally get rid of those old tires. Take them over to
the State Road gravel yard at Maysel.
July 13 am If you some laying
along the road on the way, wouldn't hurt a thing to pick them up and haul
them to Maysel as well!
July 13 am 16 inch or smaller tires;
must be off the rim; and, you can bring up to 10 tires!
July 13 am In May 06, 100,000 tires
were taken to collection centers and recycled in West Virginia.
July 13 am Clay Roane PSD meets tonight
at 7pm in the CCC room at the Courthouse.
July 13 am Sadly we report, Clay All
Stars 11-12 year olds lost to Braxton 10-0, Clay is out of the tournament.
July 13 am Elected and appointed
leaders are suppose to be in office for the good of the people. They're
suppose to make sure residents are treated fair and equal.
July 13 am Most of all, those in office
are held to a higher standard. Inside deals are taboo. Personal projects
at government expense for their own advantage are a real no no.
July 13 am Developing.. check back
later today.
July 12 pm From the email bag:
I want to wish Ryan Sizemore a Happy 1st Birthday
July 12 pm From the email bag:
the Clay All Stars 11-12 year olds beat Webster Springs last night
in Flatwoods, 24-0. They play Braxton County tonight at Holly Gray
Park.
July 12 pm This is a message for power
lady Julie from Willy. Willy is ready with more hugs
July 12 pm This morning's hour long
Commission meeting offered insight into county government
July 12 pm First the dog problem is
here to stay. According to the folks up front, there isn't enough money
to finance a 24 hour/day county animal shelter. As for the lady down in
Glen with goats and sheep living in her house, the Sheriff and a Veterinarian
have already been there. According to the Top Badge, the lady was told
she had to improve the situation or face criminal charges real soon.
July 12 pm Who do you call if there
is a dog, cat, farm animal issue? Call the County Clerk's office first
(587-4259) and if that doesn't work, call the Sheriff (587-4260). We thought
the Clay Human Association was going to do a presentation this morning
during the gathering. They didn't
July 12 pm Property tax tickets
will be mailed out on time (July 14th) this year but not without many overtime
hours spent correcting many problems. New tax department mandated computer
software still ain't working right. Also, the original data from the WV
Tax Dept was incorrect. Put it all together and the CCC has to pay some
overtime wages ($1000 or so) to cover the extra expense.
July 12 pm Last night thugs
broke thru a window into Doctor Jammie's office in search of drugs.
July 12 am Glen Reed Ellison
77, see OBITUARY page
July 12 am Muggy, hot, humid. Summer
time is here
July 12 am Lake Sampson near Wallback
is becoming increasingly popular. Every day more vehicles head up Summers
Fork for a day at the pond. Not just becasue it's pretty and a great place
to walk, but for fishing.
July 12 am Keep in mind, the place
just opened May 3rd. How can there be fish in there? Since the first
500 pounds of trout were stocked May 3rd, ther have been more stockings:
10,000 hybrid minnows, 10,000 small catfish, lots of Bluegills, 5000 bass
fingerlings, another truck load of Bluegill (June 12th), several nice big
Bluegills June 15th, and around June 30th, 300 14 to 20 inch long Channel
Catfish were added.
July 12 am With fishing good now, come
next summer, it should be great!
July 12 am The Clay County Human
Assoc has been under scrutiny the last three weeks after an incidence of
the group picking up a Jack Russell Terrier, neutering it and sending out
of state from adoption. A group of animal lovers plan to attend this morning's
County Commission meeting which begins at 10 am. Might be a good one. No
matter what, the place is air conditioned and it doesn't cost a thang to
sit and watch the action.
July 12 am If there's anything
juicy, we'll post an update mid afternoon.
July 12 am What time is it kids???
It's time to bash Bush!!!!!!!! Last week the US Supreme Court said Dubbya's
prisoner detainment program was illegal. Lots of us have been saying that
for years. Now that W
has heard it from the nine robes, he wants Congress to allow the practice
to continue. How sad!
July 12 am What do you say when
you're administration produced the fourth worst deficit in history? If
you're Dubbya, you
say it's good news!
July 12 am World crude
oil prices rose above 74 dollars Tuesday amid concerns over Iran.
July 12 am Ad finally for this morning,
have you seen all those studs thru the tongue? How about those stretch
out ear lobes similar to some African tribesmen wear? It's all the rage
clickers. One
school district has banned all of it.
July 11 pm The Communicator made it
out the door Monday afternoon around 4pm. The hardest hitting news source
second to none in the county of Clay.
July 11 pm Happy Birthday wishes to
Dave Derby.
July 11 pm Get well wishes extended
to John Romano.
July 11 pm Down in the Bomont/Glen
section of the county , a family tried to move a house trailer down
the crooked narrow blacktop. In the middle of a particularly narrow turn,
they got stuck. With traffic backing up the minutes turned into hours and
then into days.
July 11 pm Unable to get the trailer
moved, it sat in the middle of the road for three days. Locals got madder
and
madder as emergency service vehicles had to a longer way around.
July 11 pm Unable to move it, the guys
started ripping and jerking it apart in an attempt to free up the roadway
Monday mid day. Now with the road open again, sheet metal and junk is scattered
both sides of the road.
July 11 pm Only in Clayberry.
July 11 pm Normally Clay County PSD
meets the second Tuesday of the month at 5pm, today. Not so for the next
two months. Mark your calendar for July 19th as the date of the next Clay
PSD meeting.
July 11 pm Wednesday morning at 10
am, County Commission meets in regular session. Also in the morning, the
WV Infrastructure Council meets to consider funding water and sewer
projects. On the agenda is Clay Roane PSD for $ and acknowledgment of an
application from Queen Shoals PSD.
July 9 late pm Maybe it was the bright
sunshine or the long nap or a bad case of TB ( tired butt)... just couldn't
get around to a weekend wrap up for the last seven days.
July 9 late pm The Communicator
publication was delayed until Monday. We're now into typing mode for the
next 12 hours. We're working on a pretty juicy update on the court
land findings related to last August's bomb blasts intended for Sheriff
Holcomb. Why Holcomb? In the Court transcripts, Mr. Murphy said he was
peed big time at Holcomb's efforts of busting meth lab production in Clayberry.
Also is documentation of Murphy and friends being a top meth lab "cooker"
in the county with a "good" recipe.
July 9 late pm Last week a top executive
from the new cable TV provider met with Town Council reps. The meeting
was very positive with assurances that things would get better and customers
would be happy. We received a call from one lady last Friday who said she
waited nearly 25 minutes on hold after her cable had been off all day.
Rapid has a long way to go!
July 9 late pm We 've got
a full week of public meeting coverage coming. For instance, Wednesday's
County Commission meeting has a two page agenda to contend with.
July 8 am Belated, from the email
bag: I would like to say: Happy 30th Birthday to my wonderful and
loving husband, Harley Davis!!!! I love you! Always & forever,
Your wife, Christal
July 8 am Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
July 8 am The Communicator was
delayed Friday so we could dig up a good juicy story from down at the Federal
Courthouse in Charleston. 10 days ago Sam Murphy was indicted on trying
to blow up Sheriff Randy Holcomb last August. Charleston papers rehashed
the old info for the coverage.
July 8 am During the July 1 detention
hearing some very juicy stuff came out. Our trip to the big town will be
the front page lead story in Monday's edition.
Here's a teaser......
July 8 am The pipe bombs were housed
in an old wooden ammo box covered with tin. The box was rigged with a refrigerator
light switch. Instead of light coming on when opened, the KaBooom
came on.
July 8 am Did you know that telephone
calls at Central Regional Jail are taped? They are. During the US vs Murphy
hearing two weeks ago, portions of the tapes were made public. Audio from
the tapes show Sam Murphy a very upset man. In addition to ready
to kick his buddies butts for supposedly snitching, Mr. Murphy is very
upset with a messenger.
July 8 am Here's another teaser...
July 8 am Yelp, one of the Murphy tapes
aired was directed at that Mel Gibson look alike!
July 8 am Here's a sample: Yeah
[when] I get out of that f***** trouble, I'm gonna whoop f****** Waddell's
a**. Whoop him right down there in front of the f***** Courthouse. Bust
his nose all over his face...
July 8 am Geez..... Sort of sounds
like my late Mother!
July 8 am The rest of the coverage
will cost you 70 cents in the only source for news and views on ever so
friendly, beautiful, Clay County West Virginia.
July 8 am There is a small band of
folks organizing to build a humongo skate park at Clay County Park at Maysel,
a place for skate boarders and inline skaters. Their next meeting will
be held at the Park, Sunday afternoon beginning at 1pm. More volunteers
are needed. How about you?
July 8 am Non Profit WYAP radio
came back on air last night around 11pm. They are now broadcasting from
their new digs on the Fas Chek parking lot in downtown Clay. Stop by tonight
for a look around and hear Summer Jam beginning at 6pm. If you want to
listen in via the web, go to wyap.com, once there, click the ON AIR button.
July 7 am Happy end of the week even
it was a short one.
July 7 am For all our hackers
and coughers , something new. The Kitchen ( home of real potatoes and ugly
biscuits) on Main Street has opened an open air space beside their building.
Not exactly a Paris street side cafe but a nice start. Shady much of the
day too.
July 7 am The Communicator will NOT
NOT NOT come out today. We're working on a very juicy tip. Even at
70 cents, well worth the wait.
July 7 am We've mentioned Go
Devils a couple times. Now we have reports of another Clayberry creature
known as a Gipe Dog? Ever heard of them? No we're not making this up. Magistrate
Mike King related the info as panther cat like animal known by many old
timers in the county.
July 7 am Community radio WYAP
thought they would be moving their broadcast gear into their new trailer
Thursday evening. Didn't happen. It will happen Friday evening sometime.
Translation: The station will be off the air for a few hours tonight.
July 7 am May Day May Day
The radio station is in need of a small TV to hook up to their karaoke
machine. The TV must have those three small connectors on it, red, white,
yellow. A 19 inch model would be great. Can you spare one? Let them borrow
it? If so stop by the new station on the Fas Chek parking lot Friday. Someone
will be there most of the day.
July 7 am Lots going on this weekend
including a mobile rabies vaccination program. Check out the EVENTS page
for more.
July 7 am "24 hours in a day, 24 beers
in a case. Coincidence? I think not." ~ Stephen Wright
July 7 am A herd of buffalo
can only move as fast as the slowest buffalo. And when the herd is hunted,
it is the slowest and weakest ones at the back that are killed first This
natural selection is good for the herd as a whole, because the general
speed
and health of the whole group keeps improving by the regular killing of
the weakest members. In much the same way, the human brain can only operate
as fast as the slowest brain cells. Excessive intake of alcohol, as we
know, kills brain cells. But naturally, it attacks the slowest and weakest
brain cells first. In this way, regular consumption of beer eliminates
the weaker brain cells, making the brain a faster and more efficient machine.
That's why you always feel smarter after a few beers."
Cliff Claven
July 6 pm Clayberry may be in the spotlight
on a national basis before long. Today at 2pm film crews are coming to
town to document life in rural Appalachia. Who going to represent the town?
Who could best exemplify the community of Clay? Who could put our best
foot forward?
July 6 pm Answer, none other than Mayor
King Arthur Jarrett!.
July 6 pm Jarrett said he was
going to put on a clean shirt and not use potty mouth during the filming
which will begin in the historic Henry Clay Hotel. He said wanted to include
Otto Brown's Barber Shop too.
July 6 pm Later this afternoon
non profit WYAP will go off the air for several hours as they move the
broadcast equipment into their new digs on the Fas Chek parking lot. Look
for the station to be down 6 hours minimum.
July 6pm Right now volunteers
are building the new Summer Jam stage and wiring the place for the
broadcast booth.
July 6 pm Wednesday afternoon reps
from Town Council met with new cable TV provider, Rapid Communications
of Colorado, and began negotiating a new enhanced 10 year agreement.
Council wants basic cable shows to reflect the desires of the community,
high speed internet service available via the cable, several local access
television station slots, hiring local repair people, and demanded assurances
for a more dependability and reliability.
July 6 pm Before any deal is cut, public
input will be sought and included in the franchise agreement.
July 6 am Today at 4 pm and at 6pm
the CAEZ meets in their Main Street Clay office
July 6 am Didn't notice the meeting
agenda but the BDA is suppose to meet the first Thursday of each month
in the CCC rom at 5pm
July 6 am Update coming later this
morning including the film crew coming today to film a documentary on Small
Town America. Guess who the star is going to be?
July 5 am The summer break is over.
As the campers and boaters came rolling back from Summersville beach last
night another big time storm came rumbling thru Clayberry. Trees came down
and car wrecks filled the scanner airwaves. By 11pm, the tator wagons
were all quiet.
July 5 am Clay Town Council convenes
today at 4pm at the water plant on Main Street. Before that meeting, a
rep from the new municipal cable TV provider (Rapid) will be in town negotiating
what the town wants in their franchise agreement. If you have some
channel or service you want added, better call the Mayor before 3pm.
July 5 am Clay Business Development
Authority meets Thursday, 5pm in the Courthouse.
July 5 am The Communicator comes out
this Friday. Deadline for events, classifieds, notices etc. is Wednesday
night late. Get em in now clickers.
July 5 am We haven't mentioned our
home page advertisers in a while..... Need a new outdoor power tool? See
Norman Johnson out Harrision way today. Back giving you fits? Yelp got
a massage place on the homepage. Ready to toss the big city life? See Dave
Derby or Jeannie Davis for all your housing needs.
July 5 am Look up at the top of this
page for deal on a new hair do.
July 5 am And if you're sick of crappy
TV picture quality, John Osborne can fix you right up with Dish or satellite
fed high speed internet.
July 5 am Support the advertisers that
help make this web site possible.
July 5 am Monday night's storm fried
this web junky's puter and modem. After scarfing parts and borrowing from
others, we're back in business. Thanks for patience clickers.
July 4th pm Happy 4th of July to each
and every clicker. Last night Clayberry had one monstrous storm sending
lighting and thunder rolling across the mountains. So powerful was the
40 minute storm, the charges made hair stand up on your arm!
July 4th pm So powerful the **!! storm,
it put the whammy to my computer! It's zapped! Until repaired or
replacement is made, there will be limited late night updates on this site.
July 4th pm Here's a couple notes for
this day of picnics and family get togethers.
July 4th pm Happy Birthday wishes
to 8 year old today Karley Duffield
July 4th pm The Clay County Junior
League (13-14 yr old) Baseball Team will now move up to compete in the
State Baseball Tournament finals. On July 3rd, Clay County took 2nd place
in the District 8 play-off games in Summersville, WV. Go Clay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 4th pm Not to be outdone,
the little guys, 10 and 11 year olds, put a thumping on Elkins and Braxton
during their District 8 Tourney action. On Sunday. pitcher Ethan Smith
fanned em left and right for 6 innings allowing just 2 runs on errors.
The District Championship is July 5th at 6pm at Melvin Heckel Field in
Elkins. Go Clayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!
July 4th pm Two weeks ago we mentioned
a scary animal known as a "Go Devil" in existence for many years
in and around Cove Hollow out Pisgah way. Some thought we made up
those stories. We posted a story from scared camper lady that heard the
Go Devil's scream. In the Communicator a reader provided one account from
his childhood.
July 4th pm Others reported hearing
the animal or hearing the thud as the bigger than a panther thang
romped passed during the dark of the night. We now have a first hand
sighting!
July 4th Pat Underwood is a well respected
veteran teacher in the school system. During the Ivydale Runion last weekend,
Ms Underwood provided this story....
July 4th pm Back when she was
a kid growing up in Cove Hollow, she and her sisters slept in the same
bedroom. With the dogs barking, late one summer night, she was still awake
and heard something clawing up the outside porch bannister and onto the
roof. Seconds later she heard it enter thru an open attic window.
July 4th pm With her sisters sleeping
soundly, the thud of his/its feet was heard on the upstairs floor boards.
After crossing above she heard it coming down the steps. There was
no door to her bedroom just a drape across the opening....
July 4th pm With no electric
in the house or lights of any kind on, she sat up in bed. There, peering
thru the bedroom opening drape, two big yellow eyes looked straight
at her. Underwood said the animal was about 2 foot tall based on what she
saw. As quick as it came, it left.
July 4th pm I asked her if she peed
the bed that night and she said no!
July 4th pm The next morning she told
her Dad what she saw and heard. Her Father confirmed he too heard the foot
steps. He referred to the animal as a "Spirit" and not a Go Devil. Ms Underwood
said her early childhood bedroom had been used for the wake of her
deceased brother and often her parents referred to sightings as "sprits"
moving about.
July 4th pm You have a first
hand Go Devil story? Email yours and we'll get in this Friday's Communicator!
July 3 am The holiday break continues
for most of us today. Yes the town is open for business, just the rest
of us are taking a four day weekend.
July 3 am Dog Missing Alert from
the Human Assoc. email bag: Description: Rat Terrier, White
with Brown spots, approximately 3 months old, not neutered, looks similar
to a Jack Russell but is not one. They are absolutely heartbroken and it
anyone has picked it up or has any information, they ask that you call
them at 286-2261 or Call us at 286-4222 or 286-5219 or 286-5905, or 651-2496.
They may also email us at cchumaneassoc@yahoo.com No questions asked.
Just hoping for the safe return. Please help us find their little
lost puppy.
July 3 am All the pics from Saturday's
Small Town America Independence Celebration are now posted on our PHOTO
page.
July 3 am So who organized the celebration?
The TIC (Town Improvement Council) group made up of Terry Traub, Dwana
Murphy, the Mel Gibson Look Alike, and lots of helpers like Drema Thomas,
Phil Morris, and Connie Sizemore.
July 3 am Nothing big mind you, just
something to do to over the long weekend. And, it went very well. Over
a dozen folks set up booths and earned some extra $ while cleaning out
their basements and attics. Two other groups set up food booths and earn
$ for non profit agencies. People found shady spots and exchanged stories.
Little kids got their feet wet in the Courthouse fountain. It was
a time to sit back and enjoy small town America at its best. WYAP community
radio held their season opener Summer Jam where West Virginia musicians
were given center stage for two hours of live on air foot taping audio
excellence.
July 3 am The Independence Celebration
Pageant results are: Miss Sparkler: Tailynn Varney is the 4 year
old daughter of Tammy & Billy Varney of Bomont. Mr.
Sparkler: Michael Wayne Taylor is the 3 year old son of Josh and
Misty Taylor of Bickmore, Miss Sizzler: Brianna Brown is the
7 year old daughter of Raymond and Debra Brown of Bickmore,
Miss Independence: Tiffany Lynn Truman is the 15 year old daughter
of Paul and Brenda Truman of Maysel. A special THANK YOU to
our Mistress of Ceremonies, Ms. Chastity Perdue.
July 3 am Elsewhere in the county,
family reunions were everywhere. Up in Ivydale, the Town reunion was held
at Ivydale Elem. Sunday afternoon the Ivydale group continued their trip
down memory lane with pictures of old, munchies, and tales from years gone
by.
July 3 am Enjoy your time off, dog
days are just around the corner!
July 2 pm Roy Davis, 89, of Maysel
see OBITUARY page
July 1 am Welcome to the summer's four
day weekend. Time for picnics, reunions, and laid back hot weather fun.
Much like the time around Christmas, the next four days will be vacation
for many including this web site. We plan to add pictures from today's
Independence Celebration but little else.
July 1 am One year ago this week, citizens
attended a County Commission meeting and demanded Commissioner Sams take
down his 10 Commandments display. He didn't. Here's an update from the
similar Constitutional battle in Barrow
County Georgia. There the ACLU won the lawsuit and $150,000 to boot.
July 1 am The U.S. Army will
investigate charges that five American soldiers were involved in the killings
of four Iraqi relatives, including a woman who had been raped, military
officials said Friday. It's
the sixth current inquiry into the alleged slayings of Iraqi civilians
by American troops.
July 1 am War is never pretty
and this one is going South real quick.
July 1 am Yesterday we had a
link to web blog which mentioned animal cruelty allegations in the
Bomont area of Clayberry. After the posting, Top Badge Holcomb commented
that he and a Vet had already been to that location and ordered the place
cleaned up or face charges. Good!
July 1 am Yesterday during a
10 am meeting held at the CAEZ office, information was provided on
a recent Broad band Assessment Survey conducted by local tele companies.
From that report some unofficial findings from the 100 plus respondents:
60% of Clayberry has computer (s) in their homes; the majority still use
dial up connections; the most frequent use of the internet is for news
and education; the majority of responders were females and said the
web provided closer contact with family and friends, allowed better work
related access, and allowed them wiser purchasing knowledge; 13 of
the group listen to music on the web with 9 listening daily; over 25%
do banking or bill paying online; listed as barriers to using the internet
more... slow computers and no local calling area ISP tele access
numbers.
July 1 am 25% said they would be willing
to pay up to $20 more a month for quicker broad band access.
July 1 am As an update on our local
wireless internet provider, HCS..... One customer said she was able to
access the web this entire week without issue. WYAP radio plans to use
the wireless network beginning next week, to send their web cast around
the world via the net. With 100% performance demand, speed and stability
will be put to the test in short order.