August 2013 Past News
 

• Aug 31a Last night during the season opener, the Clay High Panthers went down in flames as the Roane County Raiders put it all over us, 28 to 13. The Raiders had us 8 to zip within seconds and never looked back.
• Aug 31 a When the radio station was in downtown Clay, they specialized in summer time activities which they called Small Town America Celebrations. It was nice to see something going on in the downtown area. Stuff like parades, contests, music shows, dances, fireworks, kids' games, were part of their fun offerings.  They  provided the tourism boost for eight years until moving to the Valley Fork School.
• Aug 31 a This is Labor day weekend.  For this county, the town of Clay, other than the Famer's Market, town will be dead today.
• Aug 31 a Happy Labor Day one and all.
• Aug. 30 The Labor Day weekend marks the end of summer. The three day weekend often turns into a four day weekend with many calling today with the sniffles of some other excuse for skipping work duties
• Aug. 30 a Tonight is the season opener for the CHS Panthers when they take on Roane County in home field action. WYAP will air the match up with TG Griffith behind the mic
• Aug. 30 a For those not so interested in sports.... Big Otter Community Center will be hosting live music tonight beginning at 7pm. Saturday night non profit 101.7 FM will have Tasha Patterson and Joe nutter on stage for their recording sessions.
• Aug. 30 a We almost went a whole week without mentioning soon to be out of office Miles Slack
• Aug. 30 a The Associated Press is reporting , our sheriff signed his plea deal and make it official during a hearing before Judge John Copenhaver on Sept 17th.
• Enjoy the weekend one and all
• Aug. 29 a Heads up fellow Watermelon lovers of the world. Foodland has a big supply of the ovals of pleasure and they are without a shadow of doubt, the absolute sweetest ones they've had all Summer. Better stock up before they're all gone.
• Aug. 29 a Football starts Friday night when the CHS Panthers take on Roane County. The local station still needs advertisers to make the entire season possible for all to hear. Email or call today.
• Aug. 29 a For those that use the Clay Library's computers and internet service, there's now another place open to the public.
• Aug. 29 a There's a couple terminals hooked up and ready for public use at the Valley Fork School on McColgin Gap. The VF site is serviced with a fiber optic connection.  See ADVISORY page for details.
• Aug. 29 a Tired of doing house work? Looking for a babysitter for those curtain climbers? See JOBS page for new listings.
• Aug. 29 a One year ago today the Great Nation of Clay was in shock. We had just lost  veteran, trusted , Green shirt Badge Marshall Bailey.
• Aug. 29 a Things slowed down. There was no laughter in the county. We clung to TV coverage for updates
• Aug. 29 a Local CHS graduate and new to the Green Shirt ranks, Eric Workman was on life support.
• Aug. 29 a With a great big bandage on his upper arm, Frank Massey received more hugs in that 24 hour period than the rest of his life combined.
• Aug. 29 a The Courthouse was quiet. The real world had made it to Clayberry. We hung our heads. The loss was great.
• Aug. 29  6:20 am  No school today for HE WHITE ELEM STUDENTS.
• Aug. 28 p It's official, the Clay Fitness Center will reopen under new management on Sept 3rd.  Membership is set at $30 per month.  Open house is scheduled for the 3rd as well from 4 to 6pm.
• Aug. 28 p   There will also be weekly passes and daily passes available for short term participants.
• Aug. 28 p  Hiram Lewis was scheduled to be on trial a couple days ago. This time around, he was before the court on intimidation charges. Trial didn't happen with more court room manuvering for a different Magistrate and Prosecutor front and center.
• Aug. 28 p  One year ago today we were going about our business as usual. That normalcy ended around 7:15 pm when Frank Massey yelled over the scanner that Bailey and Workman had been shot and himself too.
• Aug. 28 p It's been a year without Eric Workman and Marshall Bailey serving the county.
• Aug. 28 p It's been a sad year.
• Aug. 27 a The latest Apple Fest info is posted on the ADVISORY page
• Aug. 27 a  The season opener for Clay High Football is this Friday night. Non profit 101.7 FM plans to air the match ups. Volunteer sportscaster TG Griffith plans to air even the away games this year.
• Aug. 27 a To make that happen, WYAP needs on air sponsors. The cost is $50 for the season. You get your name and message mentioned four times during each game and whenever other volunteers are behind the mic. Pretty good bang for your buck!  Call em at 304 587 8353 and leave a message or email wyap@frontiernet.net.
• Aug. 27 a By the way, the station is working to improve reception on 101.7FM. If you're getting staticy audio in the Wallback area, try moving the dial closer to the 101.8 or 101.9 spot on the dial.
• Aug. 27 a Go Panthers
• Aug. 26 p Got the facts clickers
• Aug. 26 p  After talking with Elk Power  today, the power will be off Tuesday from 8 am to 4 pm in the Procious, Elkhurst areas of the county. Just those two areas.
• Aug. 26 a Everybody at Go Mart are talking about a power outage coming our way Tuesday. They seem to have all the details including off from 8 to 4pm for a high line upgrade. As of 9:30 this morning, no official word.
• Aug. 26 a  We have a war going on in Iraq where we still have thousands of military men and women. In Afghanistan, our war continues.  In both instances, especially Iraq,  America was told by Team Dubya, without a shadow of doubt, we have to go to war. They have weapons of mass destruction.  No one questioned those in charge.
• Aug. 26 a  The perpetual state of war was predicted years ago. Back in the 50's we had a President warn of the military complex taking over the country. Few were listening.
• Aug. 26 a TV talking heads are marching in lock step as they call for American intervention in Syria. It's not IF,  when is the battle cry.
• Aug. 26 a  We were lied to 12 years ago and the same thing might be happening again. Raise your hand if you believe what our Govt is telling us. Let me count... Is your hand up?
• Aug. 26 a  The time for questions is now
• Aug. 25 p It's getting that time of year. The time when we have to start wearing socks and underwear again. When we have to dig for a jacket during the early morning hours.
• Aug. 25 p When our food supply changes from fresh tomatoes and lettuce to store bought GMO laden cardboard tasting stuff.
• Aug. 25 p  Shadows are drawing longer. The bright sun isn't quite as hot as even four weeks ago. Daylight is about gone by 8:45 each night
• Aug. 25 p Around the house the pace is speeding up. That spot in the roof has to patched. If the garage is going to get painted this year, it has to be in the next few weeks. Those big mud holes in the driveway, it's either fill them now or be prepared for tank trap size ice pits in Nov
• Aug. 25 p A bunch of Clayions are heading to warmer areas . The snow birds may try and stay for the Big Apple next month but most skid addle about this time of year
• Aug. 25 p With a few more wrinkles and gray hair plus another couple pounds around the waist, Clayberry is preparing for winter.
• Aug. 25 p Labor Day weekend will make it official. It's coming real soon.
• Aug. 24 p  Ora Nottingham Duffield, 90, known to everyone as “Grandma” of Duck, see OBITUARY page
• Aug. 23 a Drizzle and gray skies blanket the county this morning. Last night a brief but strong rain blast  covered the region. Flood Watch remains in affect
• Aug. 23 a The opening day of school Thursday came and went without major incident with just the usual stuff like  kids getting on the wrong buses and buses behind or ahead of schedule a few minutes.
• Aug. 23 a The 614 Support Group for the local Library met last night. Their goal is to raise enough $$$ to keep the place open next year. It's going take at leat $40,000 to keep current service levels.
• Aug.  23 a The volunteers came up with a couple pretty cool fundraisers.
• Aug. 23 a They're going to host a charter bus trip to Amish country in either Ohio or Pennsylvania in Oct. IF the seats fill up. that should net around $1000.    They also plan to sell tickets to win a locally produced park bench
• Aug. 23 a The biggy is the raffling off a brand new Honda ATV. Their plan is to sell just 500 tickets at $30 each  (I think). That makes for some pretty good odds. Beats the heck out of scratch off  lottery games!
• Aug. 22 a It truly is a beautiful day for parents, guardians, grand parents, and other care givers. Today, schools open for a new year. The little darlins (how's that BD) are gone
• Aug. 22 a Even last night's big storm didn't stop the big Yellers from picking up the little snots out from under our feet.
• Aug. 22 a For those wondering, all the Communicators were on the racks yesterday by  1 pm. A little late but darn well worth the wait
• Aug. 22 a  The lead story covers the CCC meeting where they announced Reva Schoonover will serve as a temporary Sheriff (for 30 days) as soon as Sheriff Miles Slack steps down.
• Aug. 22 a That 30 days gives Larry Darryl and Darryl time to appoint someone to fill the slot until an election process provides a longer term replacement
• Aug. 22 a Several people have expressed an interest in the longer term position
• Aug. 22 a We got a new candidate yesterday.
• Aug. 22 a Lisa Rhodes works over at Go Mart. Been there for years. A trusted employee and rightly so.
• Aug. 22 a Lisa Rhodes can do anything from keeping a cash drawer straight to changing a motor or chasing down a person that runs off without paying for their gas.
• Aug. 22 a Lisa said Wednesday morning, if they ask, she would serve as Sheriff.
• Aug. 22 a  Ok clickers, it's time to make your thoughts known. When you see one of the Commissioners, tell em, you know a darn good person for the Top Badge spot and her name is Lisa Rhodes.
• Aug. 22 a  Bradley Manning should receive some kind of peace prize for his efforts. Instead, he's going to be behind bars a few decades convicted under the 1917 Espionage Act law.
• Aug. 22 a Back in 1917 as it is today, the law is very controversial. Did you know you can be locked away for 20 years  for telling kids not to sign up for military service? Did you know that the Post Office has the authority to toss aside any mail suspected of talking bad about the govt.? Very scary stuff.
• Aug. 22 a Stopping freedom of speech is nothing new. Thousands have been jailed since coming into law in 1918.
• Aug. 22 a  During the Red Scare (1919-20) A. Mitchell Palmer, the attorney general and his special assistant, John Edgar Hoover, used the Espionage Act and the Sedition Act to launch a campaign against radicals and left-wing organizations. Under these two laws and during the first couple years,  1500 people were arrested for disloyalty. (see bottom of page)
• AUg 22 a  Espionage Act went further. It deemed a criminal anyone who, "when the United States is at war, shall willfully make or convey false reports or false statements with intent to interfere with the operation or success of the military or naval forces of the United States or to promote the success of its enemies and whoever when the United States is at war, shall willfully cause or attempt to cause insubordination, disloyalty, mutiny, or refusal of duty, in the military or naval forces of the United States, or shall willfully obstruct the recruiting or enlistment service of the United States, to the injury of the service or of the United States." The act said such individuals would "be punished by a fine of not more than $10,000 or imprisonment for not more than twenty years or both." The act also declared that any mailing that violated the above provision of the act was illegal, and it also banned any mailings advocating or urging Treason, insurrection, or forcible resistance to any law of the United States. Finally, the act declared it unlawful for any person in time of war to publish any information that the president, in his judgment, declared to be "of such character that it is or might be useful to the enemy."   Freedom of Speech? Not in this country.
• Aug. 22 a
• Aug. 21 a The Communicator made it to the post office for mailing yesterday but not so the actual distribution of the 24 pages of information
• Aug. 21 a All area retailers will have the latest edition before noon today. Sorry for the delay.
• Aug. 19 p  This morning Judge Alsop heard matters relating to the long time running civil suit over the new water plant. Just before lunch came the latest day in court for the family of Adam Nottingham whoare suing the Town of Clay and others for their part in  ahigh speed chase of Mr Nottingham from March two years ago.
• Aug. 19 p Those stories and a bunch more in Tuesday's Communicator
• Aug. 19 p No updates until we get that rascal to bed.
• Aug. 18 late p For those wondering.. we checked the Charleston Federal building court calendar. as of today and thru the first week of Sept., there are no scheduled court appearances for Sheriff Miles Slack.
• Aug. 18 late p For those wondering if we're getting the Poopster back to replace Miles, the Calhoun County Commission agenda notes a vote to retain the round one thru Sept 12th.
• Aug. 18 late p Oh it was sad to watch. Pitiful actually.
• Aug. 18 late p For the ace cub reporter, it was a weekend of slinking in the corner chair barely able to move. Instead of buzzing around the Ponderosa handling honey do stuff, he was quiet and without energy. Living a life with an addiction is tough. When the crutch is pulled out from under him, life falls apart.
• Aug. 18 late p But then,  his dealer came thru with a fix.
• Aug. 18 late p Just like on TV, the phone rang after dark and a drop off place was set up down in Procious
• Aug. 18 late p With two huge slices already under his belt and most likely a loose as a goose Monday coming his way.  Special thanks to Jeanie Davis who picked up a nice juicy watermelon on her way back from vacation for the Mel Gibson twin..
• Aug. 18 late p Life can return to normal for now
• Aug. 18 late p Here's a guy that says living on grains, mushrooms, and coca leaves is the reason he's lived 123 years.
• Aug. 18 late p For those in the coal mining business and still think coal jobs are coming back, take a gander at what's  happening in Europe.
• Aug. 18 late p A lot of people think Fox Entertainment, the Republicrat TV corporation, provides news. They don't . Lets clear up some Foxisims.
• Aug. 18 late p  Members of Congress will have to buy hospital insurance (Affordable Care Act) just like everybody else. True
• Aug. 18 late p Why do we need new voter registration ID laws on the books? Because so many of those groups actually come out and vote. When they vote, they vote Demoratic. Republicrats don't like that!
• Aug. 18 late p  On new abortion restrictions: each year 25,000 American woman become pregnant thru rape or incest.
• Aug. 18 late p For the school system, it first day back to work is Monday morning.
• Aug. 18 p With rain coming down and no humidity, we're looking for socks. That's a first in about 3 months.
• Aug. 18 p  For Marjorie Dale Mullins, this is the first fall she's not busy getting ready to teach those pesky little brats. Happy Birthday to Dale Mullins now dressed in PJs and barefoot.
• Aug. 18 p For school employees, this is their last laid back day. Employees report for duty Monday. Kids show up on the 22nd. Fall is here
• Aug. 18 p Was just watching the boob tube where the Feds are finally admitting their mistake and looking at reducing jail time for druggies and non violent offenders. Instead of jail time for druggies, drug treatment programs and rehab appear to be coming. Thank goodness for that change of pace
• Aug. 18 p But, as many states have already done, Eric Holder needs to take one more step and legalize pot and then tax the crap out of it just like the much more wicked drug of choice, alcohol
• Aug. 18 p around the county, a petition is being circulated to keep Sheriff Miles Slack. Maybe the Federal Judge will consider those names before sentencing. Maybe by the time he's sentenced, Feds will look at this case and decide costly to the taxpayer prison time is not in order.
• Aug. 18 p  For those looking for deals, here's a couple web sites. Govt Liquidation sells everything from military trucks to pop machines, pretzel makers, and sleeping bags right down to socks in bulk quantities.
• Aug. 18 p Uncle Sam's Retail offers like items but in small quantity.
• Aug. 18 p Can't help but think about the County loss with the passing of Kathy Fortner.
• Aug. 18 p While working at the post office in Clay, she was without fail the one that smiled and said Hello no matter what she felt like. Around town, she was the one that stopped and took the time to listen to ya, to ask how you're doing and then actually listen for the response.
• Aug. 18 p  One time a WV Library big shot came to a local Library Board meeting. During his remarks, he told the volunteer board, other than it looks good on your obituary, you get no benefit from your labors here.
• Aug. 18 p  Kathy was a hard working Clay Library Board member and one that came up with sensible approaches to the many issues facing the operation. Her lightheartedness often broke the strain during long dry meetings with long winded and brain dead members.
• Aug. 18 p Doctors told her last year she only had a month or so to live. She stopped taking treatments knowing there was nothing that could be done for the ravages of cancer. She lasted much longer tha anyone predicted. When it comes to a person of the month, year, decade, it should be Kathy Fortner.
• Aug. 18 p  H of a nice person comes to mind when her name is mentioned.  She's already missed.
• Aug. 18 p   Communicator comes out Tuesday. In the new edition we'll continue with our coverage of Sheriff Slack going down the tubes. Oh... Didn't get the last edition? Better get one today.
• Aug. 18 p Do you have an opinion on our Sheriff's criminal charges? In favor of jail time? Against jail time? Want to see him hung?  Email now. You have to include your real name for verification.
• Aug. 18 p   Deadline for email submissions is Monday at 5pm.
• Aug. 17 late p  Kathryn R. Meyer-Fortner, see OBITUARY page
• Aug. 17 p  While the ace cub reporter still had his head under the pillows fearing an alien invasion was coming or it was a flashback from his  LSD days, this email came thru the pipe: Tonight was the last night of Vacation Bible School at Trinity Missionary Baptist Church.  We ended it with putting up sky lantern's in the sky to let our light shine.  You wasn't having watermelon withdraws. And yes they had a fire inside of them that made them glow.  It was indeed a beautiful sight!!
• Aug. 17 p  Well, he knew that all along..... just seeing if anyone  reads this sight..... Ahhh, it wasn't scary a bit
• Aug. 17 p  Speaking of viewership, last Monday, when the Feds released the news on Sheriff Slack getting in the grease, this website had 30,000 hits in one 24 hour period. Thanks
• Aug. 16 late p Not sure if its watermelon withdrawal or what , but, the ace cub reporter saw something Friday evening
• Aug. 16 late p Shortly after 9pm, looking westward and well above the tree line, several, maybe 20, glowing orangey red lights traveled right to left as they crossed the sky.
• Aug. 16 late p In a straight line and well spaced apart, they made no noise. No roar, no motor, no nothing.
• Aug. 16 late p Sort of looked like the fire glow of a hot air balloon but at that time of night?
• Aug. 16 late p Being the big tough guy that the Mel Gibson look alike is, he went inside and closed the doors.
• Aug. 16 late p One other note. Mel uses Exede Satellite internet service at his humble abode high atop the hill at Maysel. After running indoors, I mean walking indoors,  satellite download speeds dropped a bunch, then back up, then down some more.
• Aug. 16 a  This is the last Friday off for the little snot lickers in Clayberry. By this time next week, they'll be back in school. Mom's are counting down the days.
• Aug. 16 a The School Board has their Monday night meeting agenda posted in a timely manner on their web portal. Not a big agenda and no mention of financial woes nor dismal test results.
• Aug. 16 a Back in June, Spencer was flooded. Many homes were destroyed. There's a reason we don't trust elected officials, there's a reason we don't think FEMA does much of anything for the taxpayer. Here's a glaring example of why we dislike government promises.
• Aug. 16 a There's a petition circulating around the county to keep Miles Slack in office. Most everyone agrees he's a nice guy. Everybody also agrees, if the chief law enforcement officer can't operate above board, he's got to go.
• Aug. 16 a Regional news crews have left the Nation of Clay.
• Aug. 16 a   They're now concentrating on notorious Mingo County where a Circuit Court Judge and County Commissioner were indicted yesterday. Here's the official write up from the Federal Prosecutor's office on this outrageous abuse by elected officials.
• Aug. 16 a With Clay High football starting in two weeks, schools opening in 6 days, and humidity all gone, sure feels like Fall. Now's a nice time to visit the Nation of Clay.
• Aug. 15 p  Ernest Randolph Burroughs Sr. 92, of Clay, see OBITUARY page
• Aug. 15 a Seems other counties are having trouble keeping elected officials out of the slammer. Here's the latest from Mingo County where a County Commissioner there got arrested this morning. Once again, the Feds doing their job.
• Aug. 15 a Here's the TV 3 coverage from Wed morning's Commission meeting
• Aug. 15 a By the way, as of yesterday, there were 13 people in contention for the Sheriff's job when he resigns from office. How about you? Why not?
• Aug. 15 a What's it cost to raise a kid to their 18th birthday? Answer: $241,080.
• Aug. 15 a All the big browsers, email providers, and other web providers, all of em,  have in big bold print WE RESPECT YOUR PRIVACY.
• Aug. 15 a Gmail users have no “reasonable expectation” that their emails are confidential, Google has said in a court filing.
• Aug. 15 a Tragedy struck Clayberry yesterday. It was reaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaal sad
• Aug. 15 a Men and women alike openly wept as they left the local Foodland store in Two Run empty handed Ohhhh Alas Alak, it was sad.
• Aug. 15 a It was  like taking the bottle from an alcoholic, stealing a first born, seeing a loved one pass on
• Aug. 15 a The traegdy was.... Foodland is out of watermelons. Even the the great big cardboard box that normally contains the summertime rounds of pleasure, it too was gone.
• Aug. 15 a We understand , a petittion is now being circulated to remove manager / owner Ryan Clifton from that position on  L.O.P. charges.  ( loss of pleasure).
• Aug. 15 a Clayberry weeps .
• Aug. 14 p This morning during the County Commission meeting. Commissioner Pierson made it official. He said the CCC had decided on a temp pick to replace Sheriff Slack when a Fed Judge finds him guilty of felony wiretapping charges.
• Aug. 14 p The winner is office deputy Reva Schoonover.
• Aug. 14 p Here's the deal. Reva will take the position the minute a Fed Judge accepts Slack's guilty plea. She will serve for 30 days while the CCC  selects a long term replacement. The long term replacement will serve until the end of 2014.
• Aug. 14 p  Pierson said they have several people interested in the spot.
• Aug. 14 p The local Demorat Committee provided two names, Fran King and Peter Triplett to be considered for the Top Badge position. This morning Demorat Chair Glen Sutton added a third name, Jim Paxton, to the mix.
• Aug. 14 p You interested?  It's time to make your desire known. Get ahold of Commissioner Mike Pierson to be added to the pot.
• Aug. 14 p While the cameras were on. Mike Pierson said they had "decided" on Ms Schoonover as the temp replacement for Slack.
• Aug. 14 p All decisions of the County Commission must be made during a public meeting
• Aug. 14 p After the TV cameras were turned off and near the end of the meeting, Pierson was asked when the decision was made.
• Aug. 14 p Knowing he was in the grease, Pierson retracted the decision part and said they had just been talking.
• Aug. 14 p Sunshine Law and Ethic Commission opinions galore make it clear, no two County Commissioners can talk about a topic that they may in the future have to vote away from a public meeting. Everything has to be done in public.
• Aug. 14 p Caught again.
• TV-8 and 3 will have 6pm coverage of the morning fun fest
• Aug. 13 late p   Daisy “Faye” Ferrell, 63, of Lizemores, see OBITUARY page
• Aug. 13 late p  County Commission meets Wed morning at 10 am. Might be a good public meeting to  attend since it's the first gathering of the group since the Sheriff signed an information brief on  a felony charge.
• Aug. 13 late p  The first thing on the agenda is Glen Sutton to discuss the Commission's policy on filling elected positions when one falls from grace.
• Aug. 13 late p If you've read the latest Communicator, you know that Larry Darryl and Darryl snubbed the Demorat Committee Chair by not asking him for a nomination for the slot if, when, Sheriff Slack is forced from office.
• Aug. 13 late p Bet there will be TV news crews on hand in the morning too. That always makes things more interesting.
• Aug. 13 late p Have questions? Wed morning at 10am, at the Courthouse, is the place to be.
• Aug. 13 p Back in May the ace cub reporter asked Jim Paxton if he was going to be the next Sheriff. Paxton replied that someone had already asked him about that opportunity.
• Aug. 13 p In the latest edition of The Communicator, we reported that Mr Paxton had turned down an offer to replace the soon to be out (we think) of office, Sheriff Miles Slack.
• Aug. 13 p A couple nights ago Jim Paxton phoned to say: Hold up a minute; he had always been a public servant; would serve again if asked; he's not campaigning for an appointment; he ain't no politician; and, Nope, no one in authority has asked him if he's interested in replacing Slack.
• Aug. 13 p  Follow the money....
• Aug. 13 p Local government (CCC and BDA) and quasi government agencies like the CAEZ have always supported the Apple Festival. There's good reason to do so.
• Aug. 13 p  Many local church groups and other non profits raise enough $$$ during the Big Apple to operate for the next 12 months. If not enough to operate on, the fresh money provides a cushion, a base. The fresh dollars make a difference in Clayberry.
• Aug. 13 p "Fresh" because the money coming in, or at least most of it, is from new pockets. The pockets are those of out of county folks coming for a visit or coming back home for a visit.
• Aug. 13 p Lord knows there's not enough money here. Fresh $$$ is our future.
• Aug. 13 p Last night the BDA voted to yank a $2000 commitment to the Apple Fest. Another $1000 for the Apple Car Show was also halted.
• Aug. 13 p The BDA groupsters are not a bunch of poop butts. Truth is, the BDA was defunded by the County Commission to the tune of $30,000 beginning July 1st of this year. The defunding is a little complicated.
• Aug. 13 p Our local BDA is eligible to receive over $30,000 each year from state funds if and only if the money can be matched by local $$$. In years past, Larry Darryl and Darryl provided that match either in dollars or goods and services like office space, utility bills, insurance payments, etc
• Aug. 13 p For the 2013-2014 year, the CCC said no to the match funds. Without the match, the BDA could not apply for the state grant, LED funds.
• Aug. 13 p With the CAEZ also in poor financial posture and unable to help the Apple gang, finances are going to be real tight for the upcoming grand daddy of em all, the Clay County Golden Delicious Festival, AKA the Apple Festival
• Aug. 13 p Speaking of the CAEZ, their Board met last week for a public meeting. During that gathering, the most recent audit report was made public.
• Aug. 13 p During the complete audit, the first one in years for CAEZ, property and equipment values owned by the group were reduced from $2,927,077 to a corrected amount of $1,143,841. That reduction was a result of the CAEZ selling of holdings years ago but not removing a like amount from their books.
• Aug. 13 p  If that's not bad enough, the volunteer Board also heard: it's time to write off all those old loans that have no chance of being repaid (beating a dead horse);  it's time the Board is provided accurate monthly statements in plain english;  the Board has a duty to step up to the plate and monitor what's going on; and, "during our search for unrecorded liabilities, we determined that several invoices relating to goods received or services performed prior to the year end date were NOT recorded as payable in the proper period."
• Aug. 13 p Before you start thinking someone's hand is in the cookie jar, there ain't.
• Aug. 13 p What's happening at the CAEZ (and certainly the School System too) is this. Monthly financial statements are so convoluted, no one can read and understand the financial picture.   It's not uncommon to hear Boardsters in many groups comment, this is as clear as mud!
• Aug. 13 p  Sometimes shell game tricks are hard to uncover.
• Aug. 13 p Darn good audit work by Gray Griffith and Mays.
• Aug. 12 late p   Thomas Carr, 85, of Ivydale,  see OBITUARY page
• Aug. 12 late p There's a 70% chance of a hlf inch of rain tonight. Live near a creek? Better keep an eye open clickers. More rain expected for Tuesday too.
• Aug. 12 late p  There are more than 219,000 Federal prisoners. Those prisons are about 40% above capacity. The Federal prison population has grown 800% since 1980. Change is coming.
• Aug. 12 p   Hilda Arlene Vineyard, 92, of Maysel,see OBITUARY page
• Aug. 12 a  Something new for the Clay County Business Development Authority. Tonight the group meets at 6pm in their digs over at the old State Road garage at Two Run. Inmates from Mt Olive have been renovating the place this Summer. Not done yet but new dry wall is in place as well as new electric service, A/C, windows, and cleaned out restrooms. A grant covered most of the expense for the project.
• Aug. 12 a The most active BDA committee is the Tourism Committee. Those folks gather at 4pm for a brain storming session at the same place
• Aug. 12 a Clay High's Football schedule as well as the latest Big Apple update are posted on the ADVISORY page. Fall is just around the corner.
• Aug. 12 a Thinking of Miles Slack, in 1902 Mark Twain said: You aught not do anything wrong when someone is looking
• Aug. 12 a A little more upbeat, someone else said, the harder you fall, the higher you bounce.
• Aug. 12 a That might be the case for our Sheriff. Hope so anyway.
• Aug. 11 a It's been a tough week in Clayberry. The Feds made it official Monday afternoon when they made public, Sheriff Miles Slack signed a felony information brief. That amounts to confessing to a serious crime . He got caught , knew it, and opted for a plea deal.
• Aug. 11 a The fellow we elected just a few months ago, the guy trusted by the entire Nation of Clay, he's leaving office and the county in a lurch.    Full details in the latest Communicator. Better hurry, they're going fast.
• Aug. 11 a No longer hushed talk.... the question is, with disbelief set aside, who will the County Commission appoint to replace Miles?
• Aug. 11 a Our guess: Garrett Samples Jr or Reva Schoonover. The long shot dark horse, Larry Gillespie.
• Aug. 11 a A truck driven by Issac Murphy and carrying 10 other teens  and young adults crashed earlier this week leaving one dead and others serious injured.
• Aug. 11 a  Hate to loose anybody like that but a pretty little girl with a bright future, makes it doubly tough.
• Aug. 11 a Either thru the family or a friend of the family or a next door neighbor, everyone in the county has a connection to those kids.
• Aug. 11 a Heavy rain has left the Elk River muddy enough to plow and running hard.
• Aug. 11 a About the only thing on the plus side this week, tomato sandwiches. With girth enough to completely cover a slice of bread and about an inch think lathered in mustard with sweet pickles, makes getting thru the humidity of Aug. possible
• Aug. 11 a  For those of us that go ape crazy over watermelons, better enjoy them now. In a  couple more weeks, watermelon season will be over for another year using less toilet paper will be the norm again
• Aug. 11 a All the little suntanned monsters are readying for school as  Moms drag them to the stores for back to school clothes.
• Aug. 11 a  Yesterday, 70 civilians were killed in Iraq as hostilities continue to rise. The country we decided to emancipate, is falling apart. Thank you Bush the First and Dubbya.
• Aug. 11 a  Now back to the watermelon....
• Aug. 9 a We neglected to get this announcement on the EVENTS page.
• Aug 9 a  School Supply Giveaway TODAY 9 to 2pm Lickfork Baptist Church, Bickmore, Everyone Welcome
• Aug 9 a NOTE: Interested in playing on the High School golf team? Contact Doug RIGHT NOW, before 3pm anyway. 304 651-6069

• Aug 8 a It's not a happy Thursday in the Nation of Clay
• Aug. 8 a Our Sheriff is going down the tubes and then yesterday a truck load of kids wrecked in Wallback resulting in one death and injuries, some serious , for the others.
• Aug. 8 a Condolences extended to the family of Ms Conley. The county mourns.
• Aug. 8 a Happy healthy teens and young adults started out at Go Mart for an evening of fun and ended up in tragedy. It's sad day in the land of little
• Aug. 8 a The latest Communicator includes the update on the new dirt track coming to the Glen area of the county plus Monday night's School Board meeting.
• Aug. 8 a There, Superintendent Tanner gave a brief rundown on the latest WestTest scores. While they were happy things didn't slide South score wise, it's a pitiful day when you're happy to have half the students (or more in many grade levels) unable to perform on grade level
• Aug. 8 a This is the volunteers trying to save the Clay County Library gather at 6pm to continue their efforts. The meeting will be held in the Library conference room downstairs
• Aug. 8 a Birthday wishes to the CHS Warden, Nada Waddell and Carl Mark Neal of Indore.
• Aug. 7 Here's the TV-13 coverage of the early morning car wreck on Rt 36 where nearly a dozen teens were riding in the back of a pick up truck with it crashed. One dead as of 6:30 am and yes it was a Clay High student
• Aug. 7 a Bobby Dale Mullins, 52, of Lizemores, see OBITUARY page
• Aug. 7 a Communicator made it to news stands around the region Tuesday afternoon. DArn good one this time around with not one, not two, but count em! three articles on our elected Sheriff going down the tubes. Truly a sad situation
• Aug. 5p  It's official. Sheriff Miles Slack is now charged with felony wiretapping of his ex wife's govt office.
• Aug. 5 p Slack also signed an "information" brief with the Federal Court system which usually indicates he is cooperating with the Feds and has or soon will plead guilty.
• Aug. 5 p Press Release: U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin today charged Clay County Sheriff Miles J. Slack with illegal wiretapping, a federal felony. In a criminal case filed this afternoon, Goodwin charged Sheriff Slack with surreptitiously installing a keystroke logger on a computer belonging to the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia.
• Aug. 5 p He's looking at 5 years for one count.
• Aug. 5 p Violating the faith of the county and all those that support his position, all together now, DUMBARSS!!!
• Aug. 5 p Full details in Clay County's only locally owned and operated newspaper, The Communicator
• Aug. 5 p Happy Birthday Crystal Samples.
• Aug. 5 a Cool and dry this morning. Sadly, it feels like Fall
• Aug. 5 a For those interested in where the School System salaries go, here's a great link that provides a complete breakdown of who gets what and from where.
• Aug. 5 a Here's the agenda link for tonight's Board meeting which includes first public mention of administration cut backs, a secretary getting "bumped", a janitor loosing a month's salary, a continuing lawsuit, and elimination of bus routes. If there is ANY discussion tonight, should make for an interesting public meeting.
• Aug. 5 a Communicator comes out Tuesday afternoon. Last call for emailed chatters, event notices and such. Deadline for email submission is today at 5pm.
• Aug. 4 late p  The Communicator office over in upper class Two Run uses Frontier DSL. For us, a fast, always ready for use internet service is a must have. For the last many months, the DSL service at the office has been slow as molasses at best and at times, none existent.
• Aug. 4 late p Hoping for something better, we canceled Frontier's DSL and switched to Exede Satellite service. The price is abut the same as DSL but so far, speed is about five times faster and other than during a storm, it works fine.
• Aug. 4 late p With that change of service provider, we're changing our old Frontier email address to an independent provider, hotmail
• Aug. 4 late p Our new email address is claycommunicator@hotmail.com
• Aug. 4 late p not that anybody reads this site but, please change your address books to reflect the change. Never know when you may want to email us and complain.
• Aug. 4 late p  Thanks.
• Aug. 4 late p Last week the big news came when TV 13 broke a story that our Sheriff being investigated. Couple that with all the local rumors running wild, pretty darn interesting for little ole Clayberry.
• Aug. late 4 p Unlike reporters from afar, we get caught up in the mix because we have a personal interest in the county, it's future and certainly in our elected leadership
• Aug. 4 late p  After stepping back and taking a second breath, what the TV station reported was actually: Miles Slack ain't charged with nothing. He's still the Top Badge and in charge of that department and law enforcement in the Nation of Clay
• Aug. 4 late p  Everything is speculation til some Court says otherwise.
• Aug. 4 late p If reporting the street rumors led you to believe otherwise, sorry.
• Aug.  4 late p Something very important is going on within the school system. With kids due back behind their desks in just a couple weeks,  retirement slots to fill, findings ways to cut  a deficit that seems to be growing daily, moving existing employees around to do double duty, and more this is an important time for administrators.
• Aug. 4 late p The School Board meets Monday night at 6pm at the Pentagon
• Aug. 4 late p Schedule change: Monday night's Business Development Authority meeting has been rescheduled to Aug. 12 at 6pm.
• Aug. 4 p  Philip Morton, 64, of Lizemores,  see OBITUARY page

Aug. 3 a There are tons of yards sales around the county today and some tomorrow. Check out the

    EVENTS page for locations and details.
    Aug 3 Head over to Newton tonight for BINGO.
    Aug. 3 a The save the library group, the 614 Support Group, is trying to raise enough $$$ to keep
    the place up and running. Their yard sale continues this morning. Yesterday they raised over $700
    selling hot dogs and saler stuff. Darn good start for a worthy endeavor.
    Aug. 3 a Continuing with Sheriff Miles Slack....
    Aug. 3 a Yesterday Commissioner Mike Pierson said he had talked to Miles. According to Pierson,
    Miles said he doesn't know anything! He added that TV 8 had called for an interview and he told
    them the same thing, he doesn't know anything solid
    Aug. 3 a  Aug. 3 a TV-13 broke the news of an investigation into Slack's eavesdropping.
    Aug. 3 a We've added to the mix all the rumors of a Federal investigation, felony or felonies, and
    such
    Aug. 3 a As far as we know, as of this morning at 9am, there are no indictments or charges against
    the guy.
    Aug. 3 a We can certainly document a change in Sheriff Slack. Back during the Hiram Lewis trial,
    he was beside himself. He stayed over in the courtroom corner and looked at the window. Before
    and since then, the normally smiling and talky Sheriff has been hard to find and much more
    reserved.
    Aug. 3 a Something is heavy on his mind.
    Aug. 3 a While we wait for something to develop or be made public, interested in a good job? Say,
    the Sheriff's job? Get your name in the hat by calling one of the Commissioners and let them know
    you're interested. Heck, $55,000 a year plus a percentage of the annual property tax sale, darn good
    money for Clayberry
 

    Aug. 2 a edition   Lots of yard sales... kids are readying for school, tonight's there's good music at
    Big Otter Community Center.. Blah  Blah Blah...
    Aug. 2 a To make sense of this post, drop down just below and red the early morning notes.
    Aug. 2 a Done? Good. This will make more sense now
    Aug. 2 a  TV 13 broke the news last night that our Sheriff is in deep stuff.
    Aug. 2 a It's worse than that. Slack won last year's election hands down. The nearest vote getter was
    nearly 1000 votes behind. After 8 years of out of control behavior by the last guy, Miles Slack was
    elected Top Badge. The county was tired of the outlandish antics from the last guy and elected
    civility, a guy that could think under pressure, a nice guy.
    Aug. 2 a Miles took office Jan 1 and made changes immediately. He smiled, he shook hands, he
    made us all feel things in the Great Nation of Clay would improve.
    Aug. 2 a Under Federal scrutiny, Miles Slack is now looking at jail time.
    Aug. 2 a We've been following the U S Court proceedings down in Charleston waiting on an
    indictment. As of 8:30 this morning, we can find no indictments against the guy. There are some
    possibilities: the indictment is  sealed, the indictment hasn't been otherwise made public, or Sheriff
    Slack has already admitted guilt in what's called an "information".
    Aug. 2 a Remember an "information?" That's what JD Morris signed a few years back before
    heading to his cubicle in Ashland Kentucky
    Aug. 2 a DUMBARSS comes to mind. We put our faith in Slack at the ballot box. We thought we
    had a keeper this time. someone that would be in office for 8 years and do a good job.
    Aug. 2 a Instead, the just elected Sheriff pulled a bonehead trick on in a got office and got caught.
    That's the same office that has video cameras running all the time and is monitored by the West
    Virginia Supreme Court
    Aug. 2 a Everybody, all together now, DUMBARSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Aug. 2 a IF IF, actually, when Miles Slack steps down, the County Commission is required to
    appoint a new Sheriff until the 2014 election cycle picks a new guy. Behind the scenes for the 8
    weeks, Larry Darkly and Darkly have been trying to find the right team player to fill those shoes.
    Those on the short list have included: Jeff Lane, Jeff Rider, Jim Paxton, Reeve Schooner, and Larry
    Glimpse. Yes that last one has been asked too.
    Aug. 2 a Others have submitted their names for consideration.
    Aug. 2 a all discussions have been done in secret. The CCC is known for such behavior.
    aug 2 a Most likely the decision has already been made on the repalcement
    Aug. 2 a  As of Thursday afternoon, Slack was still on the job.
    Aug. 2 a Once again, all together now DUMBARSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

    Aug. 2 early a  TV 13 provided the following info during their Aug. 1st 11pm newscast: Sheriff
    Miles Slack took office in January. After receiving numerous calls about allegations against the
    Sheriff... sources close to the investigation itself confirmed the rumors that have been swirling
    around the town for weeks.. Sources close to the investigation said Sheriff Slack used a
    keylogger... A keylogger tracks every move that is made on a computer.... Sources confirmed that
    the device was plugged into a government computer for reasons pertaining to the Sheriff's personal
    life.
    Aug. 2 early a Here's the link to TV-13's report.
    Aug. 2 early a That opens the door clickers. The worst kept secret in the Great Nation of Clay is
    now open to the public
    Aug. 2 early  There's now a name and face put to all the talk arounds we've been posting since
    Spring time.
    Aug. 2 early a  Here's what we think is happening. Back in January, within days of taking the high
    Sheriff position, Miles Slack bugged his now ex wife's office in Magistrate Court. The eaves
    dropping device was detected in short order.
    Aug. 2 early a The Feds came in and did the investigation
    Aug. 2 early a Each illegal conversation, piece of info, constitutes a felony. During the 10 day
    period, that amounts to a bunch of felony charges
    Aug. 2 early a In a nutshell the guy Clayberry put their trust in (almost unanimously) during the
    election is in deep stuff, could be facing jail time if convicted, and for that matter, once indicted,
    will be out of office.
    Aug. 2 early a more coming by 9am