Past News April 2006



  • April 30 pm We're polishing of the  4th month of the year. Spring came to Clayberry. Yesterday lots of folks were getting an early start by planting frost sensitive tomatoes and flowers. Good Luck. Small boats and canoes were seen on the Elk bass fishing. Motorcycles leaned into the corners enjoying our winding roads. The Spring time tradition of yard sales got underway.
  • April 30 pm Nationally, Things are a mess..... For those interested in civil rights and privacy, Congress is working to take privacy out of the internet completely. When our buddies get into drug problems, we go to jail. Not so with rich and famous like Rush Limbaugh. With 16 billion in profits so far this year, the big oil companies so the economy is "robust".  Those of us in the real world think otherwise.
  • April 30 pm Illegal immigrants made plans to show the country how important they are to society. Employers are showing support for the low dollar labor market.
  • April 30 pm And, how do you bust up resistance to government sponsored religion? You break up organized religions and turn them into small congregation, powerless, splinter groups. Happened with the Baptists and they never saw the big picture.
  • April 30 pm We're not even thinking about Dubbya's bloody oil war.... There have been 2,609 coalition deaths, 2,396 Americans, two Australians, 104 Britons, 13 Bulgarians, three Danes, two Dutch, two Estonians, one Fijian, one Hungarian, 29 Italians, one Kazakh, one Latvian, 17 Poles, one Romanian, two Salvadoran, three Slovaks, 11 Spaniards, two Thai and 18 Ukrainians in the war in Iraq as of April 28, 2006, according to a CNN count.
  • April 30 pm Before the County Commission is a chance to improve cable TV and cable internet opportunities in the county. Instead of OKing a whimpy franchise with minimal good, they decided to take a second look. Good, they're finally thinking.
  • April 30 pm  In the land where little people think nothing good can happen, it has. A small band of volunteers known as the BC & G RR Co-Op has worked behind the scenes to build a tourist railroad line from Dundon to Taylor Station near Widen. This week, their efforts paid off. In addition to the already operating rail cars, the BC&G located and secured their first 35 ton Engine. Tiny steps finally paying off. I think I can.. I think I can....
  • April 30 pm  With the primary election just around the corner, nearly 200 residents have already voted at the Courthouse. Politicos kept working for their respective candidates. More signs went up. Politicians came to town and shook babies, kissed hands, and made promises. Saturday's rally over at the proposed Valley Dale school site netted around 20 supporters.
  • April 30 pm We scratched our heads and wondered as Iron Mike attacked another guy while under the influence of alcohol or something. Out on bond, many were thinking, maybe it isn't safe to walk down the sidewalks of Clay.
  • April 30 pm On this Sunday  .... With a few heading off to church, others reading the Sunday morning paper (or web site), others put away the thoughts of higher gas prices and headed to the garden to spend some quality time alone with the land. Even with gas $3 a gallon, troublesome criminals walking the streets, we're still quiet little Clayberry. That's a good thang.
  • April 30 am   Irene Nelson, 75, of Maysel, see OBITUARY page
  • April 30 am  For those that were planning on getting rid of a bunch of junk and didn't want to toss the stuff over the hillside, read the ADVISORY page. Bummer
  • April 30 am   Wrap Up Coming  In the mean time
  • April 30 am    "OLD" IS WHEN... Your sweetie says, "Let's go upstairs and make love," and you answer, "Pick one, I can't do both!"
  • April 30 am  "OLD" IS WHEN.... Going bra-less pulls all the wrinkles out of your face.
  • April 30 am "OLD" IS WHEN..... "Getting lucky" means you find your car in the parking lot.
  • April 30 am  "OLD" IS WHEN..... An "all-nighter" means not getting up to pee.
  • April 29 am Friday evening the latest edition of Clay County's Communicator hit the news stands. The latest installment of What They Make for the school system is included.
  • April 29 am Check our EVENTS page for lots of good things to do today. With bright sunshine expected, there's no reason to stay inside and mope around.
  • April 29 am  This afternoon we also have a political rally of sorts. That aging, sagging, retiring, School Super invited teachers and staff loyal to his County Commission bid out to the new ValleyDale School site. Out in the middle of no where, it should be interesting to see if Team Link can muster a strong showing from his voting base.
  • April 29 am Good Morning CS. Is this better?
  • April 29 am  We've got a couple nuggets of info.
  • April 29 am For those say tha Buffalo Creek and Gauley RR Co-Op is just a pipe dream, sit down. They now have their first honest to goodness locomotive. Yelp a 35 ton model too! No not some a classic steam or Shay engine, but it's a start. At the  very least, the "yard engine" could offer some bargaining or "trade" opportunities. More as we get it
  • April 29 am Michael Lanham was arrested and jailed after punching out that ace cub reporter April 6th. A few days later, he made bond and left the jailhouse.
  • April 29 am Friday afternoon, near the front of the CAEZ office, around 2:15 pm, Warrrior Mike as he calls himself was walking down Main Street carrying a couple beers and bottle of Vodka. A bearded guy told Mikey he didn't appreciate an earlier incident where Lanham threatened a fellow on ozygen.  Humping up as is his norm, Mikey  hauled off and punched the H out of a  bearded fellow. The bearded guy ended up mopping the street with Lanham's head according to eyewitnesses. At one point, with his head in an arm lock, Iron Mikey's feet were in the air as the older guy got in several punches to the top of  Lanham's head.  A lady from the Hotel came out with a can of pepper spray. Realizing the threat of an eye full of pain, Warrior Mike stopped his assault.
  • April 29 am  With police arriving within minutes, the victim decided NOT to press charges. Out on bond, Mikey was turned loose, free to go, and assault the next person. Badges were unable to find the full bottle of Vodka.
  • April 29 am In the last 5 years, the out of control Mike Lanham has been arrested 36 times including 14 incidents of battery. Still out on bond and unable to control himself, Mike Lanham remains walking Main Street Clay.
  • April 27 pm We're going into typing mode to get Friday's Communicator out on time. No updates until late Friday except...
  • April 27 pm  Just checked with Ray Knotts office about the opening of Lake Sampson. According to his office staff, the Official Dedication will be May 3rd at 1pm. The first trout will be stocked during that ceremony. Watch for all the elected and want ta bees to take credit for the new asset to the county.
  • April 27 pm This morning workers were in high gear planting a bunch of trees near the face of the dam. As of noon today, the long delayed guard rail installation remains missing. The mud hole pond as some economic leaders have called the tourist spot is full, the path around the facility is graveled, all the don't do this or that signs are in place and the road has been paved. Clayberry is ready for a nice place to enjoy. Thanks 2005 Clay County Person of the Year, Fred Sampson.
  • April 27 am  William Donsel Spencer, 77, of Wallback, see OBITUARY page
  • April 27 am Have you voted? No excuse voting now in progress at the County Clerk's office at the Courthouse. Don't wait around clickers, vote early and vote often.
  • April 27 am Who would of ever thunk it? A massage parlor in Clay?  We're getting one. Located on Main Street just across the street from the Communicator office. Don't get any ideas boys, this is a real massage parlor, therapy massages.
  • April 27 am Private business has always been the foundation of growth in this country. Besides a new parlor, the ready to open Lake Sampson at Wallback has sprouted a new business. Clayton Moore has opened a bait shop on Summers Fork where you turn up to the lake.
  • April 27 am More non government jobs created in the last week by the private sector than the CCC and CAEZ combined in the last 10 years!
  • April 27 am A week from today is the grand opening of Lake Sampson at Wallback. Don't let anybody tell you any different. One guy and one guy alone held the government and coal company feet  to the fire and secured the 14 acre tourist attraction for the county. That guy is Fred Sampson of Ivydale!
  • April 27 am Entered our on line election poll? Time is now. On Line Poll closes at 6pm today. Here's the questions: who do you think will win the County Commission, County Clerk, and School Board races.  Use our deltacorporation@hotmail.com address and mark in the subject box, POLL. Single shots OK. Results in Friday's Communicator
  • April 27 am Meet Mike Callaghan today at the Lion's Club from 4 to 6pm. Free munchies too
  • April 27 am Tonight's WYAP live discussion group includes, Congressional candidate Mike Callaghan and 11th Senatorial district candidate, Greg Tucker. Tune in to 101.7FM or listen online. Use the YAP Radio button on our home page. Once you get over there, click the blinking "ON AIR" button and turn up your speakers.
  • April 26 pm We've received several responses on our online poll and some questions.
  • April 26 pm Here's the poll again. Email:  who you think will win the County Commission, County Clerk, and School Board races.  Use our deltacorporation@hotmail.com address and mark in the subject box, POLL.
  • April 26 pm No you don't have to list three candidates for school board. If you want to single shot a name, fine.   If we see the same person (TD for instance) emailing multiple times, we'll count just the first one. And,  if you're voting for one person you don't have to call the opponent a dub bunny name.
  • April 26 pm Keep em comin', we'll post in Friday's Communicator.
  • April 26 am Free munchies during the just listed Meet the Candidate forum. See EVENTS page for Thursday fun
  • April 26 am Nothing Clayberry loves more than a newbee coming to town and then skidaddling out the back door. That's what locals in the Southern end of the County have been saying about the Town's first ever municipal judge, Henry Bear.
  • April 26 am Man oh man, the rumors are flying with the guy leaving under the cover of darkness.
  • April 26 am We emailed Mr Bear Monday to find out about the rumor. We got this back Tuesday evening: We had to reopen our house back up in Maine as our daughter will be taking it over while she attends the University of Maine... and pay bills, etc... Stop listening to rumors when you can go to the source.  I am in the process of returning to the "County" as we speak. See you in a few.   Hank
  • April 26 am Rats, there goes a perfectly good and juicy rumor!!!!!!!!
  • April 26 am How about a quickie clickers.  Friday's edition of the Communicator will be the last one before the May 9th election. Email over: who you think will win the County Commission, County Clerk, and School Board races.  Use our deltacorporation@hotmail.com address and mark in the subject box, POLL.
  • April 26 am Go ahead and email right now. We'll post the results in Friday's paper.
  • April 25 pm Monday evening the County Commission met in regular session. Gleaned from that gathering: we have a new Asst. Prosecutor, Clint Bischoff from Nicholas County ($33,000 per year); the BDA was match funded $34,000 by the CCC  to continue their eco/dev activities; there are a total of 11 ballots for the May 9th election; and , the Ivydale school building sold to Lighthouse Baptist Church will be used as a  polling place. Forget about separation of church and state in Clayberry. Just after the sell, locals were told the Lighthouse group would NOT be holding church services there until a  new school was built and in use at Big Otter. With church services held there weekly and the church group deciding who gets to use the taxpayer paid for facility evenings and weekends, that original no church service statement can be called an outright lie.
  • April 25 pm  Also, retired teacher Jerry Stover has worked with the Historical Society since inception. The State Road is replacing the old concrete archway bridge on Church Street with a filled area and box culvert. Stover is working  to somehow dress up that ugly site into something a little more pleasing to the eye from Main Street. Due to the number of historical structures in the area, Stover  is involved. Sounded like, they are trying to get some kind of textured, natural, old looking facade added to the open end of the new bridge to make it less objectionable.
  • April 25 pm This morning Ex Senator Randy Schoonover was arraigned in Circuit Court land. With a Special Judge and Prosecutor on hand, Schoony said not guilty. His trial will begin August 28th with John Mitchell Sr handling the defense work.
  • April 25 pm  With election day just around the corner, something is in the air and it ain't just ramps.
  • April 25 pm Our retiring School Super started his campaign for County Commissioner 18 months ago. With quiet determination and finesse he went to work laying out his strategy and gathering his school land forces. In that little paper over in Clay, he added religious messages to his weekly column, he developed and distributed a campaign cookbook with well known endorsements on each page; and signs went up. With 350 in his employee coupled with wives, aunts, uncles, kids, etc., Linky poo has to be considered a strong contender with nearly 1000 votes on his side.
  • April 25 pm Or is he?
  • April 25 pm There is an under current in Clay. It's the one we all know, the one not spoken out loud. People are talking about his campaigning during school activities;  they're talking about his aloofness at dinners and Meet the Candidate forums; and, his years of arm twisting, massaging of the numbers to look good.   Web blogs are little more than cheap shot anonymous ranting. But, those blog comments are certainly a way of looking at the change in the wind.
  • April 25 pm  Just months ago, the Linkster was considered a shoe in for County Commission. Now, if he takes the spot held by Jimmy Sams, it would have to be considered an upset victory. Election night should be interesting.
  • April 25 pm  The Communicator comes out this Friday. Deadline for meeting notices, events, classifieds, etc. is Thursday morning at 9am.
  • April 25 am We're all talking about gas prices at $3 per gallon and higher. Of course, we're still buying. Here's a map link showing current gas prices throughout the US. You can enlarge it to show area detail.
  • April 25 am Ramps are often called nature's Spring tonic. As one of the first greens to emerge after a long winter, eating ramps was used as way to clean out the system.
  • April 25 am Being quite found of the stinky treat, that round web writer gobbled up two huge plate loads of ramps Sunday during the Big Otter Ramp Feed. It didn't take long for the ramps to start working.
  • April 25 am Now five pounds lighter and still sitting on the throne, a full update coming later today.
  • April 24 pm  A photographer for CNN was assigned to cover southern California's wildfires last year.  He wanted pictures of the heroic work the firefighters were doing as they battled the blazes. When the photographer arrived on the scene, he realized that the smoke was so thick it would seriously impede, or even make impossible, his getting good photographs from the ground level.  He requested permission from his boss to rent a plane and take photos from the air. His request was approved and he used his cell phone to call the local  county airport to charter a flight.  He was told a single engine plane would be waiting for him at the airport.

  •   Arriving at the airfield, he spotted a plane warming up outside a hanger. He jumped in with his bag, slammed the door shut, and shouted, "Let's go!" The pilot taxied out, swung the plane into the wind and roared down the runway.  Once in the air, the   photographer requested the pilot to, "Fly over the valley and make two or three low passes so I can take some pictures of the fires on the hillsides."    "Why?" asked the pilot. "Because I'm a photographer for CNN," he responded. "And, I need to get some close-up shots."   The pilot was strangely silent for a moment, finally he stammered, "So, you're telling me you're not the flight instructor?"
  • April 24 am 9 days of torture and anguish, those curtain climbers are back in school. Spring break is over.
  • April 24 am Come out enjoy a CCHS baseball game this evening beginning at 4:30, Maysel Community Park. The Panthers play Braxton.
  • April 24 am With  Rove demoted to other duties and Dubbya's poll numbers in the gutter, it's time to rescue our Prez with a new five point plan.
  • April 24 am  The number of soldiers who took their own lives while serving in     Iraq and     Afghanistan rose in 2005 over the previous year, as the U.S. Army experienced its highest suicide rate since 1999, officials said on Friday.
  • April 24 am  We've seen it happen over and over again. Our government re invents itself every five years. With each change comes promises of newer and better programs.
  • April 24 am Five years ago the latest creation, Youth Advantage Program, was promoted as the greatest thang since canned soup. They said Clayberry youth would benefit greatly and our needs would not get short changed. The suits in their BMWs said our kids would receive much needed, on the job training and be paid while learning. They said the year round opportunity would be far superior to the program before and before that and before that... the summer youth program.
  • April 24 am As with most government backed newbees, the first year or so wasn't too bad. Many kids actually found work opportunities and made some much needed $. That was four years ago. During the last two years, funds were moved and changed resulting in fewer kids and fewer $ earned by our CCHS students and recently out of school folks. Last summer, kids could only work 120 hours at minimum wage. Today there are only a handful of students working in the county.
  • April 24 am Friday it was announced the contract for the Youth Advantage Program thru HRDF would NOT be renewed. June 30th would be the last day for employees and kids alike.
  • April 24 am Already cut back from four employees here in the county to one, the kids and the county are in a fix.  With the old contract expiring in early Summer, wonder how many kids will have work this year?
  • April 23 am  The case against the CIA Intelligence Officer, Mary McCarthy, fired for her alleged role in leaking information about secret prisons to the Washington Post's Dana Priest smells a little fishy. From the inside, read more.
  • April 23 am  The latest USA Today/Gallup poll, conducted April 7-9, 2006. It shows that 57% of Americans think the United States will not win in Iraq, including 21% who think the U.S. can win but will not.
  • April 23 am   As of April 22, 2006, at least 223 members of the U.S. military have died in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Uzbekistan as a result of the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan in late 2001, according to the Defense Department.  Of those, the military reports 140 were killed by hostile action.
  • April 23 am  There have been 2,591 coalition deaths, 2,382 Americans, two Australians, 104 Britons, 13 Bulgarians, three Danes, two Dutch, two Estonians, one Fijian, one Hungarian, 26 Italians, one Kazakh, one Latvian, 17 Poles, two Salvadoran, three Slovaks, 11 Spaniards, two Thai and 18 Ukrainians in the war in Iraq as of April 22, 2006, according to a CNN count.
  • April 23 am  What's the difference between the Vietnam War and the Iraq War? A. George W. Bush had a plan to get out of the Vietnam War.
  • April 23 am It was quiet in Clayberry over the last 7 days. Kids and teachers had the week off. Others took time off to spend time with the little brats. Meeting wise other than the thorny school board meeting, nothing to report of note.
  • April 23 am People complained as they filled up their gas tanks. $3 a gallon and we haven't changed abit. Maybe $4 will be the breaking point for motorists. One Republicat over at Go Mart, the $3 was starting to upset him.
  • April 23 am  Mass emails often call for boycotting gas purchases for a day. None of those boycott's have been successful. Now they have a new approach.
  • April 23 am The new angle calls for boycotting all Exxon/Mobil gas stations. Buy your gas somewhere else. A few days of that and the big boys might just change their pricing.
  • April 22pm  Elk Power will be changing out some lines Sunday morning between 6:30 and 9:30am. No electramicity during that period for downtown, Bradley Field, Two Run, Maysel.
  • April 22 am Rain! for weeks all the little kids have been practicing after school and weekends. This morning at 9 am is Super Saturday. Opening day for the baseball season. No word on whether the rain will cancel the events scheduled over at Dundon ball field. Suppose to start at 9am.
  • April 22 am Our man Nick Joe is in deep doodoo. With our gas prices at $3 for regular grade, other places have no gas.
  • April 22 am Chuck and Martha Keenan have been at it for years. One gets mad at the other and then all H breaks loose. with restraining orders on both sides, yesterday Chuck showed up with a big black eye and identified Martha as the slugger.
  • April 22 am If it ain't one, it's the other. Love!
  • April 21 pm Just got this in the email bag this morning. Sorry for the late notice but that's better than none:  Individuals from at least 9 Clay County churches have joined together to prepare the drama of "The Life of Christ".  This 2 hour drama portrays much of the life of Christ from Birth through Resurrection, with a cast of nearly 100 members. This play is usually performed at Clay County High School each year, but this year the school auditorium was not available; therefore, the play is being held at The House of Prayer. The House of Prayer is positioned 2 miles from Route 36 on Hansford Fork Road in Maysel, WV. From I-79 turn Right onto Route 36, Hansford Fork Road is approximately 4-5 miles on your left. The House of Prayer has ample seating capacity,  and is air conditioned for your  comfort.  With performances at 7:00 p.m. Friday, April 21st, Saturday, April 22nd, and  Sunday, April 23rd, we hope there is a time you can attend.
  • April 21 pm Ever hear of Marcia Flannery? She's singing tonight at 7pm on WYAP-LP, 101.7FM. There's room for for two or three inside the station and another handful on the front porch. Come out and enjoy a great WV artist.
  • April 21 pmLots of good stuff going on this weekend. Car Washes, Yard Sales, VFW BBQ dinner Saturday plus ham, ramps and chili dinners for Sunday! Check our EVENTS page for fun stuff and good eats.
  • April 21 pm More coming ASAP.
  • April 20 am You know Clay County PSD is putting in for a water rate increase.  They usually end each month near $0 or worse. Over on the Classified page is a post to hire a new employee. More expense on the way.
  • April 20 am  Many if not all of our government backed committees are in need of training. This Saturday the CAEZ is hosting Board training at the Lion's Club Casino on Main Street. Cost: $0. If you know someone on a committee, suggest they attend the day long training session. To register, call Michelle 304 587-2034
  • April 20 am Tonight School Board candidate Rick Tanner and Commission candidate Melissa Postelwait will participate in WYAP's live on air Meet the Candidate discussion group beginning at 7pm. Listen on 101.7FM or anywhere via the net. The link to YAP is on our home page.
  • April 19 am Belated Birthday Wishes to Harold Allen. Doesn't look a day over 70!
  • April 19 am Primary Health workers were finally paid on Monday, two days late and after long  dollar-less, Easter holiday weekend.
  • April 19 am With Justin Young succumbing to a gunshot wound to the side of his head, we don't have an update on his brother found unconscious after huffing gasoline.
  • April 19 am  Often we say those thugs get arrested and never get any time out of their crime. Others say the bad guys (and girls) make it back to Clay before the Badges do.
  • April 19 am Truth is, justice prevails it just takes a little time. Yesterday was one of those days.
  • April 19 am Tuesday before Judge Jack Alsop, Richard Bryant was sentenced to 1 to 3 for not registering as a sex offender; Richard Burnside got 1 to 3  in the pen; Robert Weese received  a 1 to 3 year sentence; and church house robber Ashley Graham was sentenced to up to 3 years in pen  but will spend her incarceration days at Anthony Correctional Center for Young Offenders. During her sentencing, church goers that had suffered from her and Chad Muck's exploits, spoke out. Needless to say, they didn't appreciate the disrespect shown by the out of control thugs.
  • April 19 am  Rocky Legg has been behind bars for months waiting for something to happen during a Grand Jury. Didn't happen. Charged with being a pot head, he quietly spent his time behind bars waiting indictment. With credit given for time incarcerated, Mr Legg will be a free man once paperwork is signed.
  • April 19 am For some time bus driver Glenwood Nichols has been working to change the way bus drivers are called out on special duty runs. He's being doing that by talking to small groups of drivers, in parking lots, side rooms, and away from the driver's  union meetings. Nichols does not belong to that group.
  • April 19 am   Last night during the School Board meeting, Nichols and buddies were ready to ask for the policy change. Instead of bringing the matter to the attention of the Board in public, Nichols asked for secret time and got it.
  • April 19 am  Here's the problem. You can't do that! Sunshine Laws do not allow such secrecy.  Following the law didn't seem to matter to much to Prez RB or the Linkster. Heck, if they don't even post a meeting agenda ahead of time, who cares about some other part of the law. Aaaa..... Dave Mullins does. Mullins spent several years as the Union stewardess,, I mean Union steward. Mullins worked years to strengthen rules governing the operation and treatment of the drivers.
  • April 19 am Mullins brought the illegal secret meeting thang to the Board's attention post haste.  At one point, the fired up Mullins called Nichols a "scab".  During the secret time, Dave was excluded.
  • April 19 am A rule here. A rule there, what's a little rule breaking matter in this country?
  • April 18 am Just got this in last night: This is a little late notice but we just decided to have a yard sale on White Road at Wallback tomorrow 4/18/06.  We will have lots of boys clothing age 2-7 along with toys.  Some household items and hunting items will also be in the sale.  We hope to have the Sale all day long until around 5-6 tomorrow evening. If you could post this I would really appreciate it.
  • April 18 am It's been a while so here goes... Email you classifieds, events, and meeting notices well ahead of the event date. We leave classifieds on for 30 days unless you notify us before then.
  • April 18 am Don't forget, tonight is the School Board meeting.
  • April 17 pm Normally School Board meetings are held Monday nights. Not so this week. The Clay County Board of Education meeting will be held Tuesday April 18, 2006. Agenda items include: Approve the transfer of Kenneth Tanner from Administrative Assistant to Assistant  Superintendent of Schools (Larry Gillespie's former job); Approve the transfer of Shirley Reedy from Classroom Aide to Personal Care Aide at CCHS;   Approve the employment of Gina Thomas as Math Teacher at CMS;    Approve the transfer of Robin Litton from Transportation/Title I Secretary to Special Education Secretary at the Board Office;     Approve the employment of Grithel Holcomb as Extended Year Preschool Teacher at Clay Elementary School;      Approve the transfer of Frank Kleman from Assistant Football Coach to Head Football Coach at CCHS; Approve the out of state/overnight trip for Joyce Legg and two students to the National FBLA Leadership Conference in Nashville,  Tenn;  Approve the purchase of 3.4 additional acres at the new Big Otter Elementary School site;  Accept the resignation of Melody Reed as Track Coach at CCHS, effective immediately.
  • April 17 pm For those wondering about the future of Clay Primary Health, the past is often a good indicator. Although the county's only medical provider insists on being unaccountable to the public, not everything is secret. As an IRS non profit, they are required to make some financials public. For the last year available, the agency grossed $2,291,000+ including $692,000 in government grants. They also finished the year over $299,000.00 in the red. Those tell tale IRS mandated financials are available online from Guide Star. You have to become a member but is free. Here's the link to the Guide Star site. Take a look at the last several years. If you look long enough, you're notice a second non profit out of that same PO Box 147, Clay WV. That second group is Primary Care/Home Health. No financials are available for that group.
  • April 17 Sure seems like when you don't pay your employees on time and show a pattern of budgetary indebtedness, you aught not be expanding with new buildings and a pharmacy building next door.
  • April 17 am  From the email bag:  Hello to Justin & Crystal Vaughan in Hawaii.   We Love You Dad, Mom, & Matthew
  • April 17 am Did you have a nice Easter? Lots of little kids in new Sunday clothes... big easter baskets... all the family over and a great big ham? Not everyone did.
  • April 17 am Raise your hands clickers, how many of you live paycheck to paycheck? How many have written a check the night before payday knowing the check was coming and you could cover it by noon?
  • April 17 am Friday was payday for Clay Primary Health employees. They're still waiting. The checks were never handed out. One of our majot county employeers sent their employees home for Easter holiday weekend without the $ they had earned.
  • April 17 am  Primary Health is a non profit organization funded by taxpayer dollars. Their mortgage is even paid by Budget Digest dollars. But yet, they refuse to allow the public attend Board meetings. For that matter, they don't allow their Board of Directors to know much. They've even got an internal law that forbids employees from talking to Board members about important issues.
  • April 17 am Often secret back room dealings leads to distrust. Such is the case with Clay Primary Health where they often finish the budget year in the red. We're not sure the reason for not paying employees. But, if it is lack of bucks, there is a problem.
  • April 17 am  Across from the Two Run location they purchased two homes. Last year they added on to their Two Run location with a modular. Now they plan to buy Arthur Jarrett's garage building and turn it into a pharmacy.
  • April 17 am  Whatever the reason for not paying, the county's health care provider insured a miserable holiday weekend for what's left of their dedicated staff.
  • April 17 am The Legislature is working on a series of 23 stand alone clinics to provide medical facilities for rural WV counties. That legislation can come none too soon for Clay County.
  • April 17 am No word on the 18 year old Justin Young shot in the head over on Boyd Mountain Friday. Also no new word on the relative of Young  found near unconscious Saturday evening. Word on the street has it the youngster had been huffing gasoline. At the price of gas, meth might be cheaper.
  • April 17 am  Lots of new pictures have ben added over on our PHOTO page including pre election shots, late winter items, and even some later Christmas images.
  • April 16 am  Hazel Mae Gray, 68, of Wallback, see OBITUARIES
  • April 16 am  The plan was to take today off with no web postings. That changed when we got this dirty rotten story sure to spoil any Holiday
  • April 16 am  Chuck Drake is a long timer over at Frontier Phone Company. Friday, around noon, service went down in the Lizemores area. Drake hauled over there a trailer mounted generator to power the phone "slick", those road side boxes , where all the switches are located.
  • April 16 am With the generator hooked up and 160 people back in phone service, Drake took off on another detail.
  • April 16 am Around 1:15 Friday, the alarm sounded that the power was back off at the switch box in Lizemores.
  • April 16 am  He expected to see the generator out of fuel or something. When he returned, guess what. some dirty rotten puke stole the generator! Gone and tele service was down again.
  • April 16 am Talk about a chicken shirt stealing!!!!!!!!!!!!! Without phone service many seniors in the area go without contact with family. In case of emergencies, you see the problem.
  • April 16 am  On this day of miracles, little is changing in Clayberry and ain't that a shame.
  • April 16 am If someone sees that generator, call the Badges and then shoot the %%!!## that stole it!
  • April 16 am No wrap up this week.
  • April 15 pm The Communicator is now on the news stands. We have a new distributor over at Birch River. For those clickers out Dille, Widen, Harrision and beyond, head over the Sunoco station at Birch River for a heavy duty dose of life in Clayberry.
  • April 15 pm How often do you read about Murder Mountain? Often is the right answer.
  • April 15 pm Yesterday afternoon 18 year old Justin Young ended up with a bullet hole in the head. By 3:45 Friday about every Badge in the county was in the Ovapa section of the county. Over the scanner came word that the injury was self inflicted. Sheriff Holcomb commented this morning that the gunshot was "suspicious".
  • April 15 pm The HealthNet chopper flew Young to CAMC shortly after 4pm Friday. 11 o'clock TV news said the  18 year old was alive and on life support. No other word as of 1pm today.
  • April 15 pm Calling the place Murder Mountain is prejudicial to say the least. Yesterday, over the scanner, law enforcement referred to the mountain top as Boyd Mountain.  It is believed that Justin Young lives near Cleveland OH and frequents Clay on a weekly basis.
  • April 15 pm With the paper out and a holiday weekend, we're going to take some time off from the web update business. Might just eat a belly full of ramps and nap.
  • April 15 pm ENjoy your Easter Day. See you Monday.
  • April 14 am  Welcome to Good Friday in the county of Clay. With the schools closed for Spring break and government offices locked up tight, we're all but shut down. About all you can hear is the raising of gas prices.
  • April 14 am We're putting the finishing touches on today's Communicator. No new posts until we get it out the door.
  • April 14 am Tonight at 6:30, the Coal Mountain Coon hunters will be doing  a live show, albeit inside, at the radio station.
  • April 14 am Check our EVENTS page for stuff to do this weekend.
  • April 14 am Ex Senator Randy Schoonover was suppose to have been arraigned Thursday. Didn't happen. The judge called in with the flu.
  • April 14 am Wednesday the 911 Advisory committee listened to alarming pandemic predictions which may hit this country some day soon. In response, an email sent over a cutey and bet we wouldn't post it.
  • April 14 am From the email bag: I read your communicator today, you told about gloom and doom bird flu, They have had bird flu in Wv. for years When I drive through the state of Wv. I see a lot of Bird Blv, Bird roads. Bird buildings. All of this Bird pork comes our taxes, our of the big white house. When the Bird droppings start I bet a lot of people of Wv will be getting sick. I bet you don't put this in your paper.
  • April 13 am Today is the last day of school for Clay County curtain climbers. Spring break is here!
  • April 13 am  This morning at 10 am a Judge from the WV Public Service Commission will be at the Courthouse to hear the Town of Clay water rate increase case. This evening at 7pm Clay Roane PSD will meet in the Commission room. Both meetings should be interesting.
  • April 13 am Tonight at 7pm on 101.7FM, Senator White will be interviewed during a live discussion group moderated by Fred Sampson. Candidate Greg Tucker is planned for next Thursday evening.  All candidates have been invited. If they ain't talkin now, how will they be if elected?
  • April 13 am  Yesterday, Delegate Dave Perry attended the CCC meeting and delivered the official paperwork for the 2005 Budget Digest grants. The Sheriff's Dept, Lizemores FD, and WYAP benefited from this round of help.
  • April 13 am Yesterday at noon, lots of politicos attended the Meet the Candidate lunch featuring Greg Tucker. Tucker is running for Sen Randy White's 11th Senatorial seat. It was very obvious, locals are pushing hard for Tucker.
  • April 13 am Then we had a scary meeting.
  • April 13 am  Last night the 911 Advisory Board met at the Courthouse. Yes they did the usual we need this or that thang but..... discussion turned to "when" not "if" the bird flu pandemic hits this country. Official guesstimates call for 40% of the population to be stricken and 1/2 of those to die. What happens when half the bank workers, garbage truck drivers, water plant operators, police, hospital workers can't show up for work. Then follow that up with those that aren't stricken, staying home to care for those ill.
  • April 13 am In a nutshell, doom and gloom. Reference was given to the 1918 flu which killed 40 million people and this pandemic being worse!  One guy said he just planned to take a deep breath and be done with it!.
  • April 13 am Concensus from the 911 Advisory Board: Time to make plans ASAP.
  • April 13 am A buddy of Iron Mike as he likes to call himself, Michael Lanham, came in and made bond Wednesday before lunch.
  • April 13 am  We keep hearing about internet TV. Yesterday ABC did something about it. Free Desperate Houswives and more.
  • April 12 am County Commission meets at 10 am this morning. Last week Senator Love and David Perry said they would be in attendance.
  • April 12 am Both the Town of Clay and the Clay PSD Boil Water Orders were lifted Tuesday afternoon around 2pm. Drink Drink Drink.      The Communicator comes out Friday. Get your notices, events, classifieds in ASAP. Deadline is Thursday morning early.
  • April 12 am Today at noon, meet 11th District Senate candidate Greg Tucker over at the CDC building on Main Street. Spaghetti dinner is also available
  • April 12 am Last night the Clay Co PSD voted to go after a water rate increase.
  • April 12 am All new furniture comes today for the Magistrates, Asst Magistrates, and Magistrate Clerk offices. All mahogany desks, chairs, tables, and file cabinets.
  • April 12 am Here's a cutey. Last Thursday, Michael Lanham was all peed at Communicator coverage of his recent arrest. So mad, he punched and kicked that ace cub reporter on Main Street. Already under five bonds for other charges, Lanham was in Magistrate Court Tuesday for a bond revocations hearing. Since 2000, Lanham has had 40 charges against him including 14 for battery.
  •  April 12 am  After the dust settled yesterday, Lanham will be out of the can after posting a $5000 cash bond and a $6000 property bond. One  fellow in attendance said he could arrange bond sometime today.
  • April 12 am  As the hearing ended, Lanham commented how bad it was that such a thing could happen. Go figure! Details in Friday's paper.
  • April 11 pm Early this morning all telephone service in and out of the county went dead. Usually that means the lone line into the county from Nicholas County was severed. With the line down, Clayberry was also without internet service.
  • April 11 pm At 10 am this morning our humble little county was reconnected with the world. We're back.
  • April 11 pm The Boil Water Order for all of Clay County PSD, Maysel, and Two Run continues. Boil it first.
  • April 11 pm Our Southern border Clendenin made local TV coverage last night. In recent weeks lay offs were made followed by the Chief of Police resigning for personal reasons. Last night the contentious issue was whether to let the voters decide on selling the municipal water plant to WV American Water in Charleston.
  • April 11 am Don't forget to check out our home page advertisers. Like, is it time for some new outdoor power tools? Try Mr. Johnson out Harrison way. How about it world wide clickers, ready to come back to Clayberry? We've got two realty teams ready to serve you.  Sick of reruns on the boob tube? Check out Kat Communications for a DISH TV deal
  • April 11 am Today at 5pm Clay County PSD meets in regular session. On the Agenda is "water rate increase". Don't bring any guns. The meeting will be held in the PSD office across from the Courthouse on Main Street.
  • April 11 am Wednesday morning at 10 am, the Clay County Commission meets in regular session.
  • April 11 am Last night 35 folks from the Big Otter area attended the Big Otter Fire Dept. meeting. It was a stormy meeting to say the least. At issue is a strip of land about 30' wide on the Northern end of the FD building. One side says Woodrow Boggs never intended to donate that 30 feet even though the deed says just that. Bd Chair George Jones asked that original owner his intentions, and Yelp, Woody Boggs intended to give the FD exactly the 150' which includes the in dispute, 30 feet.
  • April 11 am With passions running high, Chair Jones unloaded the first clinker. He had gone to an attorney and had a legal opinion on the matter. Oh man!!! Nothing we hate more than to get an attorney involved!!
  • April 11 am According to state code, a non profit organization can NOT give away any holdings to a private individual who could make  a profit on it. A non profit could give to another profit but not to an individual. Jones told the assembled, if the Board intentionally does something they know is illegal, they could be held personally liable.  Translation: If the Board votes to give the land away, the Board could be taken to court.  Then the second clinker....
  • April 11 am  Chair Jones told those in attendance, the entire group could not vote on the matter. According to the By Laws, only the Board can vote.  Oh Boy!! Jones won no popularity contests last night. The crowd became more vocal.   Then the third lunker in the punch bowel.
  • April 11 am  Aging Woody Boggs gave his remaining land holdings, including the property around the firehouse, to Jeff Boggs, that's Magistrate Jeff Boggs. Jeff Boggs is pushing hard to get that disputed 30' of valuable road frontage added to his holdings. During an earlier meeting , Jeff Boggs threatened to take the BOFD to Court to get the property.
  • April 11 am   With lots of finger pointing and calls for the outsider Chair to resign, the 1 1/2 hour long meeting ended with grumbles and groans.
  • April 10 Late PM  Boil Water Order issued for all Clay County PSD water customers. The BWO was actually issued Sunday we just neglected to retrieve messages on the answering machine. Our bad. Sorry. BOIL WATER ORDER for all of Clay County PSD
  • April 10 pm   Goldie E. Hamrick of Clay,  see OBITUARY page.
  • April 10 pm It looks like the leak in front of the town water plant has been fixed. Many in the Two Run service area went without wa wa Sunday afternoon with intermittent service followed by white foamy water afterwards. The Boil Water Order for Two Run and Maysel remains in place. Boil it first!
  • April 10 am   Word came around 6 am, Clay County Schools will be closed today. Snow couldn't do it, sleet couldn't do it, cold cold temps couldn't do it, but water did.
  • April 10 am Yesterday afternoon the Town of Clay issued a Boil Water Order for Maysel Two Run. Crews spent much of Sunday digging up a water line in front of the water plant in downtown Clay. With the entire county feeding off the town's water plant and the Ivydale storage tank about ready to go dry, school was called off.
  • APril 10 am Kids and teachers cried. They so wanted to go to school on another sunshine filled 70 degree Spring day.
  • April 10 am Don't look for the school closing info on the Clay school system web site or the state education official web site. Ain't there as of 6:37 am this morning.
  • April 10 am With the water off since yesterday afternoon and buses on the road long before 6 am, many are scratching their heads, why wait until 6 to call off school.
  • April 10 am For those wanting anything more than massaged bragging, forget the school web site. Try clicking on any school page to see ANY info, even its location. Nothing.
  • April 10 am  Lots of pictures from Saturday's Health Fair are now uploaded over on the PHOTO page. If you like pics of little, wet, touchy, feely, curtain climbers, they're there
  • April 9 pm Town of Clay, Two Run, and Maysel went under a Boil Water Order as of 4:45 Sunday afternoon. Be Safe, Boil It First!
  • April 9 pm  Here's our look back over the last seven days.
  • April 9 pm The norm is to start out giving Dubbya double H in our wrap up. With  64% now voicing disapproval of his performance and almost that number calling for the immediate pull out of Iraq, we'll just note:  There have been 2,553 coalition deaths, 2,346 Americans, one Australian, 103 Britons, 13 Bulgarians, three Danes, two Dutch, two Estonians, one Fijian, one Hungarian, 26 Italians, one Kazakh, one Latvian, 17 Poles, two Salvadoran, three Slovaks, 11 Spaniards, two Thai and 18 Ukrainians in the war in Iraq as of April 7, 2006, according to a CNN count.
  • April 9 pm How much worse can it get?
  • April 9 pm As last week opened up, the firing of the Clay High Track Coach became public. Lots of folks attended the Monday Board meeting including several supportive of keeping the program just not the Coach. Those same sentiments were expressed by the entire Board. Seems with Springtime juices flowing, the zest for Springtime desires unzipped the passions of youth while the Coach was off picking up pizzas. Incidents under the stewardship of male coaches have not resulted in such harsh penalty. Of course, in Clayberry, those with  hangy downs are always given special treatment.
  • April 9 pm  With May 9th just around the corner, politicians and political hopefuls spent time in our county for photo ops and fund raiser activities. It became apparent real quick that Clayberry blue bloods are supporting 11th Senatorial candidate Greg Tucker over incumbent Randy White. Seems the blue bloods are not supportive of the guy that  thinks new laws should be based on the principals of the Constitution.
  • April 9 pm Clay Town Council voted a historic decision Tuesday evening. With Jerry Stover absent, there were three votes for and one abstaining (Betty Murphy) to organize a Municipal Court and hire Henry Bear as the town's first Judge. To abstain is the same thing as a Yes vote and the record will reflect that. Unanimous!
  • April 9 pm  Our senior Council person Murphy asked questions about where the money would come from for the Judge and additional salaries for a Municipal Clerk and Prosecutor. Her concerns brought little response. Most alarming was the hiring process itself. There was no mention of a background check, credit check, criminal record check.. no nothing on our newbee Judge. Either during before or after the morning, can't remember which, sorry,  Mayor Jarrett said he had known Bear for a long time.
  • April 9 pm   Judge Bear is a Native American, served in the Coast Guard, earned a law degree in Canada, and has operated a fishing operation in Maine most recently. Bear and wife Violet ( a CCHS graduate from the ealry 70s) are caring for a relative in the Bomont area and have taken up residence there.
  • April 9 pm Remember when Manfred Kuentzler of Filcon fame came to Town? Kuentzler was nicely dressed, well spoken, and came across as a great guy. Not wanting to cast any aspirtion on Hank Bear, but it just seems like, standard fair would have been to do at least a fingerprint check before the hire.
  • April 9 pm Iron Mike went to work on the face of that Mel Gibson look alike Thursday afternoon. Four punches to the face put the Ouch on the rotund one as Michael Lanham was arrested and carted off to jail. Lanham was out walking the streets of Clay while on five bonds before this incident. Seems Mikey didn't like The Communicator reporting on his last arrest in the FasCheck parking lot.
  • April 9 pm Thursday evening the Business Development Authority behaved well and did something they haven't done in years. Fran King assigned several members of the economic development group tasks. Yelp, instead of just the inner circle club working behind the scenes, now, a bunch of em have stuff to do. After years of just sitting meeting after meeting, it may be a new day in Clay.  Senator White showed up and told em: If you organize and work together, you can accomplish a lot for the county.
  • April 9 pm Bunches of kids showed up for Saturday morning's Kids Fair at the Courthouse. Face painting, gift give aways, shooting hoops, and finger printing kept the kids occupied in spite of the cold rain.
  • April 9 pm Sunday afternoon lawn mowers and weed whackers were heard around the county. Little flowers popped up. Fruit trees showed their first blossoms. Although chilly, short pants and tee shirts were seen. The first smell of ramps was in the air. Old timers were out looking for molly moochers.
  • April 9 pm Spring in Clayberry! Gotta love it!
  • April 8 late pm  Too darn sleepy to do the weekend wrap up. Will post around noon Sunday. In the mean time
  • April 8 pm   How many perverts does it take to put in a light bulb?   Just one, but it takes the entire emergency room to get it out!
  • April 8 pm  What is every Amish woman's private fantasy?   Two Mennonite.
  • April 8 pm  How do you make 5 pounds of fat look good?   Put a nipple on it.
  • April 8 pm   Define Transvestite: A guy who likes to eat, drink and be Mary!
  • April 7 pm The weather report folks have been predicting rain and gloom all day. We've had plenty of sunshine and blue skies instead. Reaal nice! Spring time is a great time to visit the county of Clay. How about you?
  • April 7 pm Did anybody know about a Special Clay County Bd of Health meeting last night? Not us either. Doc Boggs made mention of the meeting today. He said RN/Sanitarian Jay Carper was selected to become a Clinical Nurse Director. According to Medical Director Boggs, RN Sandra Graham will now oversee the Womens, Infants, and Children's (WIC) program.
  • April 7 pm Thursday evening the Business Development Authority met in regular session. Here's a couple of notes from that gathering
  • April 7 pm Senator Randy White attended last night's meeting and provided words of encouragement to our lead economic development group. White said nothing happens overnight, the only way to grow the county of Clay is with teamwork, partnering with other agencies, and for the BDA to use the Legislative Delegation to their advantage. White compared Clay to his rural home of Webster County with  both having major obstacles to overcome.   White made good sense and it felt like his words were taken to heart. Of course, time will tell.
  • April 7 pm Remember that $6000 forgivable (give away) loan to move power lines and help with building a concrete plant in the Northern end of the county? With the plant officially "on hold", the loan was taken back.
  • April 7 pm  BDA boardster Fran King went to work last night assigning projects to many of the board members. Everything from improving the BDA web site to completing work to turn the county into a certified business community. Kind said additional tasks would be assigned in the future.
  • April 7 pm Michael Lanham has been in the Communicator time and time again. Mostly petty stuff but a bunch of em.  Seems the Lanham lad is a pretty nice guy until he gets under the influence.
  • April 7 pm Most recently, Michael and his brother were arrested in the FasCheck parking lot while fighting over drugs.
  • April 7 pm When we heard that scanner traffic in late winter, we went over and watched one with his shirt ripped off and two Badges making the arrest. Either on the scanner or while listening in the parking lot, we heard they were fighting over one of them that had  taken to many hits on a joint. Seems Michael has a good rememory
  • April 7 pm Thursday afternoon before 4pm, Michael spotted that ace cub reporter walking down the sidewalk and laid in with four pretty good punches to the face. He said he didn't want people thinking he smoked pot.  Fortunately for that little fat guy, Badges responded poste haste and Lanham was arrested before he damaged anything important. Except for a bum lip, jaw, and crunched glasses, the Mel Gibson look alike looks little different.
  • April 7 pm Already out on five bonds, Lanham spent the night in the can and was arraigned around noon. Sheriff Holcomb said he was working to have the bonds rescinded after the Thursday incident. As of 2pm Friday, Lanham was still listed as being a resident at Central Regional Jail.
  • April 7 pm That ace cub reporter commented this morning, he use to hate getting those late night nasty telephone calls and nastygrams via emails. After thought, he said those may not be so bad after all!
  • April 7 pm While we're talking thugery....
  • April 7 pm Jonathan Sizemore is another Clayonian that regularly makes the news cycle mostly in the Magistrate Report. Yesterday the young Sizemore had his day in court before a jury. His peers found him not guilty of pointing a rifle at Starlett Miller last year.
  • April 7 pm His next trip to Court will be over allegations that he swiped $$ from Go Mart by diverting the worker's attention before running off with around $100. Always innocent until proven otherwise clickers.
  • April 6 am  Happy 25th Birthday Wishes to Randi Jo Neal.
  • April 6 am May Day May Day.. we've got a young lady searching for her lost dog.  From her email: Yorkshire terrier last seen between Foodland and Ginos. His name is Trevor. Please call me at 587-1168
  • April 6 am Jonathan Sizemore has been in and out of the Magistrate Report many times. This morning at 9, Sizemore goes to trial on  charges he pointed a gun at a Miller subject.    Today at 5pm the Clay County Business Development Authority meets in regular session in the County Commission room. Both should be interesting to watch.
  • April 6 am At 6pm tonight the Clay Middle School Band is holding their Spring Concert with awards following.  They're debuting a world premeire of a new tune New River Overture. Room for many in the CMS gym!
  • April 6 am Tonight at 7pm  WYAP-LP, 101.7 FM will hold their first live discussion group with candidates for public office. Tonight Shawn Krajeski and Margaret Staggers will do the question and answer thang. The link to WYAP is on our home page. For those wanting to watch, there's a  live cam button over there. You can also listen by going  to that site and clicking the "ON AIR" button.
  • April 6 am With the election year here, those in office like to show they've been working for the electorate. Photo op's are the rule of thumb.  Yesterday we posted the cancellation of a photo session slated for Wednesday morning. Well something happened. A photo op!
  • April 6 am Tuesday night was the fund raiser for Delegate Dave Perry who's running for re election. Senator Love was there as was Greg Tucker who's running to oust Senator Randy White, our other rep in the WV Senate. Lots of fun and good food was had by all in attendance.
  • April 6 am  As the get together was finishing up Senator Shirley Love with Delegate Perry at his side told that ace cub reporter, the Wednesday photo op was being rescheduled for the following Wednesday. We posted that on the web.
  • April 6 am Behind the scenes, all the County Clerk employees were busy gathering and cooking for the Wednesday banquet. Late night Tuesday,after all the food chores were done, they heard the event was off.  All that work for nothing.   Ahhhh, they weren't too happy.
  • April 6 am Wednesday morning Delegate John Pino and Senator White showed up to present Budget Digest grants.  Delegate Pino said he planned that days event way back in March and didn't know a thing about Senator Love's comments about the Wednesday event being rescheduled.
  • April 6 am  Putting 2 and 6 together and coming up with 9, it sure  sounds like a communications rift among our Legislative delegation.  By the way, White and Pino brought $20,000 to the Commission and a $6500 Lead Economic Assistance grant.
  • April 6 am Election year, always interesting to watch.
  • April 5 am  Get well wishes extended to Cary Smith
  • April 5 am Yesterday we posted about a big photo op at the Courthouse this morning at 10 am. That's been rescheduled for next week. The change notice came last night during Delegate Dave Perry's Fundraiser held at the Lion's Club building. Bet there will be some peed off Courthouse employees who spent a bunch of time and  $ preparing today's now postponed luncheon.
  • April 5 am Ditto for the people that were invited.
  • April 5 am Near the end of last Summer, Sheriff Holcomb and Commissioner Fran King demanded Clay Town Council to hire a police department and set up a municipal court. As most would do, Council and Mayor King Arthur thumbed their noses at the threat of the trump card, a lawsuit.
  • April 5 am At their own speed, last night Council set up a Municipal Court and hired a Judge. Over the objections of long time member Betty Murphy, Council hired Henry Hank Bear to take charge of setting up the Court and be the first ever Municipal Judge.
  • April 5 am Bear is a Native American from Maine with ties to Clayberry through his wife Violet, Vicky. Remember Vicky Dodson?  Her Mom is Bonnie Dodson from down Bomont way. Hank as some call him is an attorney, lobster boat owner in Maine and has spent time in Alaska and Canada.
  • April 5 am They mentioned having a Judge may reduce some of the late evening thugery and raise revenue for the town. Sounds more like a need for additional police work instead of judgemanship. Mayor Jarrett , also the only law enforcement officer, said he intended to continue serving as the volunteer Badge for now. He said there was no $ to hire anybody.
  • April 5 am That raising revenue can be troubling. Summersville and Clendenin are well known speed traps. Many think fines are suppose to make you change  your ways not raise funds for government.
  • April 5 am Asst Prosecutor Carson Bryan quit his post last Friday.
  • April 5 am  Newbee Green Shirt Wickline is out of here. The only question is: was he fired of quit?
  • April 5 am Going back to Monday night's School Board meeting and the firing of the track coach, it may be a case of the goose and gander here. It's not like incidents haven't happened with male coaches.  The difference being, the male coaches didn't get fired or in the grease.
  • April 4 pm Sunshine galore! Happy Tuesday
  • April 4 pm This afternoon at 4, the CAEZ economic development committee meets at the CAEZ office on Main Street. At 6pm the full Board does their thang there as well.
  • April 4 pm Clay Town Council meets this evening at 6pm.   Agenda items include meeting with their attorney in secret plus  "water violations" and municipal court. That last one may  be a big Hmmmmmmmmmm.
  • April 4pm Also at 6pm tonight , in the Lion's Club Casino on Main Street, Delegate Dave Perry will be holding a fundraiser. The event is sponsored by Clinton Nichols, Cindy Willis, Jim Dawson and Senator Shirley Love.
  • April 4 pm In the morning at 10 am, several from our Legislative delegation will convene at the Courthouse for pictures and handing out Budget Digest grants from last year's cycle.
  • April 4 pm  Lets talk about a dirty trick clickers. Our sheltered workshop  makes wooden items for sale. Proceeds from the sells goes toward the workshop operation and paying disabled workers a small pitance.. With the election close, the workers have been cutting out wooden stakes used to erect campaign signs in yards.
  • April 4 pm Last night some low down !!*** turd stole several dozen of the finished product from a side storage area.
  • April 4 pm What a dirty trick. There's special place in Hell for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • April 4 pm There were a gob of folks in attendance during last night's School Board meeting. Last weekend  the state TSA Conference was held at Cedar Lakes, 8 high schoolers and 12 middle school kids did well enough in competition to advance to the National Conference held in June in Dallas. There were a total of 10 high schools participating on the state level. Lots of students dressed in TSA blazer were in attendance last night
  • April 4 pm The juicy part of the School Board meeting came during a last minute discussion item. According to parents, the Clay High Track Coach was fired last week after "indecent" incidents during a recent track activity. Moms and athletes spoke out in favor of finding another Coach ASAP and keeping the program alive at CCHS.
  • April 4 pm  The Board immediately raced into secret time but not before Boardster Gene King get his two cents worth made known. King wanted the world to know he supported keeping the program but was terribly against what the Coach allowed to happen. Board Chair RB Legg wanted Gene to shut up real quick. He didn't. They finally got behind closed doors with CCHS  Principal Phil Dobbins.
  • April 4 pm After secret time RB said they had just found out about the problem, would find a temp Coach, and bid the job for a permanent replacement.
  • April 4 pm  From day one we tell kids to sit down and shut up for the most part. Last night one High School senior stood and spoke like a man. He said he'd been in the track program for a long time and he wanted to continue this, his senior year. He said the Board would be hypocritical with anything less. You could see the hackles stand up when he used the hypocritical word.
  • April 4 pm  How refreshing! A young man standing, talking, making sense and nailing the Board. America may have a future after all.
  • April 3 pm  The Communicator made it to the news stands around 6pm today. 20 pages and worth every penny!
  • April 3 am With the new month here, there's lots of public meetings going on.
  • April 3 am Tonight the School Board meets. Agenda items include: Approve contract with Carolyn Rogers as Contract Bus Driver for Route #15C, successful bid with agreed upon tiebreaker; Approve budget for the Clay County Extension Office - 4H; Approve the transfer of Steve Stanley from Math Teacher to Guidance Counselor at Clay Middle School; Approve the employment of Garrett Samples as substitute teacher;  Approve the employment of teachers for Summer School at Clay Middle School;  Approve the employment of Camp Mustang Director, teachers, parent coordinator, student counselors, and secretary;  Approve the overnight trip for H.E. White Elementary 5th Grade Class to "Travel WV," - May 19, 2006;   Conduct a hearing to determine the status of a student at Clay Middle School;   Conduct a hearing to determine the status of a student at Clay County High  School. Discussions: Carey Sadowski with Education Alliance to present grant awards;    Warren Mullins and TSA Students to appear before the Board with competition results
  • April 3 am  The first Tuesday of the month brings together Clay Town Council followed by the CAEZ at 6pm. Also Tuesday night at 6, Delegate Dave Perry is holding a photo op over at the Lion's Club Casino on Main Street
  • April 3 am Our Business Development Authority meets on Thursday. Don't say there's nothing to do in Clayberry.
  • April 3 am This is also Health Fair week over at the NH Dyer building on Main Street. See EVENTS page for more info.
  • April 3 am Clay County's sheltered workshop is selling wooden stacks for campaign signs. See ADVISORY page for details and contact info.
  • April 3 am If all goes well, The Communicator will be on the news stands around 5pm.
  • April 3 am Let us know if you hear something of interest.
  • April 2 am  Interested in boxing? Tonight over at the Fitness Center, the Panther's Den Boxing Club opens up. See ADVISORY page for details
  • April 2 am Get well wishes extended to Bill Dunn.
  • April 2 am Spring finally came to our county in the last 7 days. With Spring came problems. Here's our week in review.
  • April 2 am Clay PSD announced they planned to raise interest rates. In addition to the 23% additional needed to deal with increased wholesale rates from the Town of Clay, the PSD can't make ends meet. Office Manager Bev Duffield said they're having trouble making payroll. When Sam Taylor left the PSD, he took with him all his personal tools used at the PSD. The PSD doesn't even own a wrench!
  • April 2 am Judge Facemire heard all from all those indicted by the Grand Jury. Yelp everyone of em said not guilty. Indicted Ex Senator Randy Schoonover also showed up. His plea will come later in front of a Special Judge and with a different Prosecutor.
  • April 2 am  Remember the BDA backed concrete plant that was suppose to go on Clinic Road in t he far end of the county. It's off.
  • April 2 am Badges headed back to Murder Mountain Thursday and hauled out a bunch more stolen goods including trailers and tools. Neighbors say, there's a bunch more up there hid under limbs ands branches. It seems about as fast as law enforcement discovers and removes 10 items, more is swiped and pulled to the Ovapa Outback
  • April 2 am The Town of Clay's water system upgrade continued this past week. All the work so far is to provide additional wa wa to residents across the line in Roane County. Elk Power began setting new utility poles away from the construction site of the new Dundon bridge.
  • April 2 am  Friday afternoon a pit bull nearly made mince meat out of Lizemores Elem School children. Fortunately, and according to one parent, no serious injuries.
  • April 2 am We saw a new face in Clayberry this week. Englishman Lee Chapman walked the streets of Clay meeting and greeting. Chapman is a world traveler with a background in engineering. He's considering a business adventure in this county in the near future.
  • April 2 am With warm dry weather Saturday, out came the motorcycles. Saturday afternoon emergency services went to work  attending to victims of two motorcycle vs vehicles wrecks. One was sent to the hospital via HealthNet. Messy
  • April 2 am  8 high school and 12 middle school TSA students did well enough in state competition held at Cedar Lakes to qualify for a try at national competition in Dallas TX.
  • April 2 am With the election just 4 weeks away,  politicians are in high gear. Signs are going up everywhere. They're out shaking babies and kissing hands. Behind the scenes, the politicos remember elections past are working the deals. Support for one in exchange for another's choice. America at it's finest.
  • April 1 am We'd like to start today with some April Fools Day story of a politician growing a brain or something. Not so this year.
  • April 1 am Here's a night mare for any parent.
  • April 1 am On about the first nice warm day of Spring, Friday afternoon,  Mary Kincaid's school bus loaded up and headed out from Lizemores Elem. As soon as that first bus pulls away the kids get to play, school's done for the day.
  • April 1 am With kids all about, a pit bull dog made it's way down the hillside and into onto the school grounds. Before teachers could get the students back into the building, three had been bitten. The parent we talked to said the bites were not real serious but bites just the same.
  • April 1 am  With law enforcement running hard, blue lights and all, school officials were seen with brooms and about anything they could find.
  • April 1 am To get kids home, they stayed inside the building until the bus had it's door open and under watchful eyes, no further incidents reported.   One parent went out looking for the dog and found it tied up not far from the school.
  • April 1 am Scanner listeners heard calls for Badges and then the animal control officer.  No further details for now. Just thinking about what could have happened brings those cold chills.
  • April 1 am Already this year, one child is going thru rabies shots after being bit by a racoon.

  • April 1 am  We held up the Communicator Friday. It will come out sometime Monday afternoon late. Full details coming.