February 2008 News

 
  • Feb 29 a  Ruby Graham Carper, 88, see OBITUARY page
  • Feb 29 a We're saving the Communicator until Monday around 4pm.
  • Feb 29 a From the email bag:  "A big HAPPY Sweet-16 BIRHTDAY to our baby girl, Becca Rogers. We Love  you VERY MUCH! Love --- Dad, Mom & Bub."
  • Feb 28 a Tonight the CCHS Panthers take on Roane in the Sectional tourney. Get out and support the home team tonight in home court action. If memory isn't acting up, in the two prior match ups, we won one and they got us the other. Should make for a good game tonight. Go Clay!!
  • Feb 29 a   101.7 FM will be sportscasting the game beginning at 7pm
  • Feb 29 a Yes we know it's quiet in Clay. The norm is, that means somebody is up to something.
  • Feb. 28 a  People think we're kidding when we say it.... Yesterday by mid morning, Go Mart's bread supply was down to a couple bags of hot dog buns. Beer supplies were  depleting fast. We know how to get thru a snow!
  • Feb 28 a More snow predicted for Thursday. Hope the bread truck runs soon
  • Feb 28 a Not sure right now if the Communicator will come out Friday or Monday. BUT... get your listings and info in via email today.
  • feb 28 a From the email bag:  A very Happy Birthday to Daniel Madison Woods Jr. Of Elk Hurst.  Luv from all his family. I won't say how old you are but your catching up with me. I would also like to wish Amanda Gail Helms of Procious A Happy Belated Birthday Love Mom And Dad
  • Feb 28 a From the email bag:  I would like to wish Justin & Crystal Vaughan a happy 2 year Anniversay. We love You! Mom, Dad & Matthew
  • Feb. 28 a A couple of notes from Wed's County Commission meeting...
  • Feb. 28 a  Earl Elliot from the Lizemores Fire Dept was there. He thanked the CCC for getting LFD set up with the 911 Dispatch service. He also said their new ambulance service had 30 calls under their belt. Everybody was all nice and playing well yesterday. As soon as the CCC realizes the Lizemores group is taking $$$ from the Clay Ambulance service (fewer runs), attitudes may change.
  • Feb. 28 a  Remember all the talk about the big wa wa leak somewhere in the Clay Roane PSD? 1000's of gallons lost each hour?
  • Feb. 28 a   Commissioners took a look at the PSD figures during the meeting and started scratching their heads. According to Triplett, and based on the figures dating back to August 07, the amount od water purchased has remained about the same. No big upheavals and no slack times. The question came up: What leak?
  • Feb. 28 a In the way of politics, we have a new 11th Senatorial District candidate. It's none other than the little bald headed guy, that ace cub reporter. With his affiliation the Mountain Party, Mr Ace Cub is guaranteed a spot on the Nov ballot.
  • Feb 28 a  During weekend wrap ups, we often list the military coaltion casualty list. That coalition of the willing is the USA and seven Brits now.  Little is mentioned about the number of civilian casualties. Here's some real sad reading.
  • Feb. 27 a Joe T. Mitchell, 74, see OBITUARY page.
  • Feb. 27 a SNowing like crazy in the county this morning at 9 am. By far the prettiest, heaviest, snow this winter. Even with state road crews scraping and salting, most back roads are snow covered. Main roads are fairing little better. With more snow predicted for tonight, this is the Appalachia grandparents talk about. Be careful out there
  • Feb. 27  7:22 am   CLAY COUNTY SCHOOLS WILL BE CLOSED TODAY
  • Feb. 27 4:45 am   Clay County Schools are on a TWO HOUR DELAY for today.
  • Feb. 27 a   We're down to our last few days on our online beggin campaign. If you've already donated to this effort to keep an online portal up and running, thanks. If not...
  • Feb. 27 a  We try to update this site daily. Keeping just the NEWS page fresh takes a bunch of time not to mention the ever growing Classifieds, Obits, and ADVISORY pages. As long as we can keep the dollars coming in, there won't be ANY of those nasty pop up ads.
  • Feb. 27 a With over 1400 clickers each weekday, how about it. Big or little support, your donation will be appreciated. Mail your support to Delta;  2278 Main Street, Clay WV 25043. Thank you in advance.
  • Feb. 27 a Hyped by the TV weathercasters, every kid in the county was all excited about a big snow and chance of a two hour delay or day off a school.
  • Feb. 27 a  Today the County Commission meets at 10 am. Good place to hang your hat for a  couple hours clickers.
  • Feb. 27 a No sectional B Ball game tonight. The game was rescheduled for Friday night at CCHS.
  • Feb. 27 a Clayberry is getting ready to celebrate it's 150th birthday on March 29th. What a time, year for a celebration.
  • Feb. 27 a From the AP:  Senator Byrd fell and was hospitalized Tuesday morning. He was kept over night. Behind the scenes demorat politicos were readying their chance as a replacement.
  • Feb. 27 a  from the NY Times:  More than a quarter of adult Americans have left the faith of their childhood to join another religion or no religion, according to a survey of religious affiliation by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life.   The report, titled “U.S. Religious Landscape Survey,” depicts a highly fluid and diverse national religious life. If shifts among Protestant denominations are included, then it appears that 44 percent of Americans have switched religious affiliations. .....  It shows, for example, that every religion is losing and gaining members, but that the Roman Catholic Church “has experienced the greatest net losses as a result of affiliation changes.” The survey also indicates that the group that had the greatest net gain was the unaffiliated. Sixteen percent of American adults say they are not part of any organized faith, which makes the unaffiliated the country’s fourth-largest “religious group.” ......  While the ranks of the unaffiliated have been growing, Protestantism has been declining, the survey found. In the 1970s, Protestants accounted for some two-thirds of the population. The Pew survey found they now make up about 50 percent. Evangelical Christians account for a slim majority of Protestants, and those who leave one evangelical denomination usually move to another, rather than to mainline churches.    Here's the link to the report.
  • Feb. 27 a  West Virginia is oddball in many ways. For instance, in this state, the vast majority of the residents live outside urban life, cities. Not so with the rest of the world. By the end of this year one half of the world's population will be living in cities for the first time in human history, the United Nations said in a new report released on Tuesday.  Here's the complete Reuters article.
  • Feb. 26 p  The big snow isn't here yet but changes are being made.
  • Feb. 26 p Tonight's Health Board meeting has been canceled.
  • Feb. 26 p Thursday's Roane Sectional Tournament has been changed to Friday night at 7pm.
  • Feb. 26 p One lady said she couldn't get our homepage weathercast to work. It's easy. Just put your mouse on the icon and click it. If you want the weathercast to fill the entire screen, right click the icon and open in a new window
  • Feb. 26 p Today Menis Ketchum strolled around the Courthouse campaigning for the WV Supreme Court. One fellow asked him: Have you taken one penny from Don Blankenship?  Ketchum's response: NO and I don't plan to.
  • Feb. 26 p How refreshing!
  • Feb. 26 p Wayne King appeared before the WV Supreme Court today at high noon. The Waynester was representing RB Legg in an appeal case where an eye surgeon forgot to mention to dentist Legg:  Before we can do corrective eye surgery, you should NOT wear your contact lenses for a month or so.  The total time on the Supreme Court web camera was less than 10 minutes. Those in the robes seems to pay little attention to the case.
  • Feb. 26 p Eye surgery... brain surgery may have been in order with RB
  • Feb. 26 p  County Commission meets Wed morning at 10 am. Never know what interesting discussions may come up when Kookla Fran and Olli meet
  • Feb. 24 p   Not too cold but rain, sleet, snow flurpies everywhere in the county of Clay. Winter ain't over yet!
  • Feb. 24 p  No update this time around, spent too much time at the dog track.
  • Feb. 24 p For those wondering if the Middle School kids won the Championship Saturday night, from the email bag:   The boy's middle school basketball team lost in a thrilling game last night, 29-27, to Wirt County Middle School.  With the loss, the boys finished 2nd in the CWVAC.  This team overcame alot of adversity this year and should be commended on what they accomplished!!!       Myself and the team would like to give a big thanks to all the people who came out and supported us last  night.  Thank you,  Shawn C. Krajeski Head Coach
  • Feb. 24 p  There's something screwy with the jail web site. It's not in your puter folks.
  • Feb. 24 p  How about some real Court TV this Tuesday... From the WV Supreme COurt web site: R. Brooks Legg, Jr., D.D.S. v. Richard D. Rashid, M.D. - 33521 - Plaintiff in a medical malpractice action appeals the circuit court's summary judgment order which found that the complaint was filed beyond the statute of limitations period. - Judge John Lewis Marks, Jr. sitting by temporary assignment.
  • Feb. 24 p  You can watch the proceedings on the internet. Go to their web site and click the red white and blue homepage link button on Tuesday. Real Court in real time.
  • Feb. LATE 23   NORMA JEAN BIRD EVANS, see OBITUARY page
  • Feb. 23 a Maysel Elizabeth Barnes Salisbury, 84, of Clay, see OBITUARY page
  • Feb. 23 a Jeremy Jason Cummings, 25, see OBITUARY page
  • Feb. 23 a  Evelyn Goldie Hamrick, 84, see OBITUARY page
  • Feb. 23 a From the email bag: THE MIDDLE SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM PULLED ANOTHER UPSET LAST NIGHT BEATING THE #1 SEEDED GLADE BULLDOGS 38-32 AT THE BRAXTON COUNTY ARMORY.  THE BOYS WILL BE PLAYING IN THE CWVAC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME SATURDAY NIGHT, FEBRUARY 23, 2008 AT 8:00 PM.  I WOULD LIKE TO PERSONALLY INVITE EVERYONE OUT TO SEE THE BOYS IN ACTION AGAINST THE WIRT COUNTY TIGERS.  GO MUSTANGS!!!!!!!!   SHAWN C. KRAJESKI    HEAD COACH
  • Feb. 23 a Belated birthdays  to 82 year old and still going strong, Carl Wilson Sr
  • Feb. 23 a Can't forget birthday wishes to Jean Willis
  • Feb. 23 a   From the email bag:  I would like to thank the Jack Ass that dropped a small hound puppy at my house at the forks of the road on Porters Creek in Bomont.  I saw you put it out and I followed you out of the hollow trying to get you to stop.  You were in a late 90s model, light brown blazer and I won’t put your plate number here, but I have it and I’m watching for you so we can discuss the mange that you introduced to my farm.  The dog came straight to my house and when I returned home I knew right away that it had mange.  We took the puppy to the vet and she confirmed it.  Because of you; it and my dogs got treated this past week at a pretty good expense.  I hope you read this and know exactly who you are; you just caused my family a major burden to keep the family pets healthy.  I truly hope you Have a Great Day.
  • Feb. 22 a  Maybe someone can help her out, from the email bag:I would like to know about how to find someone that lives in Clay or did live in Clay.  It is my sister whom I have never met but I know that she did reside in Clay about 4 years ago.  I am unsure of her name but I do know that her father’s name is Robert Dewayne Cutlip and that she was born in the late 70’s, early 80’s and that she is in her 20’s.  My name is Christina Devona Gail Short, I am 28, I was born in July of 79.  I have known of my sister since I was 12 years old and have tried to locate her for years.  I believe I came close a few years ago, I believe I spoke with either her mother or grandmother but was told that she did not want to speak with me.  I find it hard to believe that a person would not want to know who their family is.  Granted she may not know that her father is Robert or that she has another “family”, but I do know and I want to meet her.  She is a missing link in my life and I would love to meet her.      cshort@access.k12.wv.us
  • Feb. 22 a From the email bag:   A very Happy Birthday to Daniel Madison Woods Jr. Of Elk Hurst.  Luv from all his family. I won't say how old you are but your catching up with me. I would also like to wish Amanda Gail Helms of Procious A Happy Belated Birthday Love Mom And Dad
  • Feb. 22 a  From the email bag:    Mika & Savanna Cadle of Bomont wish to congratulate their Aunt Carrie Coleman Keen for receiving the Heart and Soul Award from Charleston Area Medical Center.  This award is a very prestigious award given to only to the hard working and dedicated medical personnel at CAMC.  Aunt Carrie will be presented with a plaque from David Ramsey, CEO of CAMC on Wednesday, February 27, 2008 with Uncle Gary Allen and Cousin Brody in attendance.  Aunt Carrie is a Registered Nurse at Charleston Area Medical Center at the General Division.  So if you see our Aunt Carrie, please congratulate her.  We love you Aunt Carrie.
  • Feb. 22  From the email bag:  Please send a birthday wish on Friday to Jamie Morris.
  • Feb. 22 a The School system can breathe some relief as of 3pm yesterday.  Before the court was the Phillip Wallace vs School Board case.  Back two years ago  a skinny little 6th grader got the stuffings knocked out of him as a school day was starting Jan 24th 2005. The big kid Justin Blankenship bolted from his BD classroom, made a beeline to the the Wallace kid who was on the Clay Middle School gym bleachers and then beat the S*** out of em before teachers pulled Blankenship off Wallace. From start to finish, total time, just 45 seconds.
  • Feb. 22 a After a day and a half of testimony, the 5 women 1 man jury debated just 33 minutes before deciding the school would not be held liable for the assault.
  • Feb. 22 a  If you like knowing what's going on in Clayberry, it's time to support this site. Can you help? Send your hard earned dollars to  2278 Main Street  Clay WV 25043. Thanks in advance
  • Feb. 21 a  The School Board trial continues this morning in Circuit Court land.
  • Feb. 21 a Free munchies anyone? See the ADVISORY page.
  • Feb. 21 a   From the email bag: The Clay County boys middle school basketball team upset the #2 seeded Spencer Yellowjackets Monday night, 43-35 at Spencer Middle School. With this win the middle school boys will be playing at the Braxton County Armory Friday night at 8:00 p.m. in the semi-finals of the CWVAC tournament.   The boy's would like to invite all friends, family, and supporters to watch them play Friday night. Thank you, Shawn C. Krajeski
  • Feb. 21 a  Clay County has two public housing projects, High Street and Anderson Heights (Maysel Manor). Both are owned by the Clay Housing Authority and Managed by Encore Manaegement.
  • Feb. 21 a There have been many many problems associated with Encore. Last Spring the reformulated Housing Authority had a knock down drag out meeting with Encore after months of dismal performance of the private company. It was along about that time that the local housing manager was caught with sticky fingers and was fired from her position.
  • Feb. 21 a A new and improved Bousing Authority met with Encore twice last fall. It appeared to be a new beginning. After months of violating their committments, the Housing Authority voted to find a new management agency two months ago.
  • Feb. 21 a Might be a good thang too.  In Jan, the Feds took housing subsidies for 6 apartments at Maysel Manor. A month ago the garbage was not being picked up because the bill hadn't been paid. Some vendors for building products haven't been paid. Other Encore vendors have told em, pay half up front or we won't deliver.This week at least one Encore payroll check bounced. it's still bouncing for that matter.
  • Feb. 21 In the county where public housing and public housing assitance is so much needed, we're in a sad state, again.
  • Feb. 21 a  Judge to prostitute, 'So when did you realize you were raped?'  Prostitute, wiping away tears: 'When the check bounced.'
  • Feb. 20 a  Merle Gertrude Hensley, 90, see OBITUARY page
  • Feb. 20 a   Yelp, The Communicator made it out the door Monday afternoon with the prescribers getting their's  mailed Tuesday. 24 pages of everything that makes Clayberry so special.
  • Feb. 20 a Today at 9am the trial over  a Clay Middle School  kid getting his head kicked in a few years back gets underway.
  • Feb. 20 a  Check out the ADVISORY page for free munchies Thursday evening.
  • Feb. 20 a   Yesterday the CAEZ held an emergency meeting to rethink purchasing the old Valley Fork school. With a $200,000 grant in hand, the Board did an about face and OK'd the purchase of the two buildings to house a career college.  Something new came out during the meeting...
  • Feb. 20 a The School Board promised any new owner a clear title including the off site septic system. Instead of getting the owner (Wayne King) to give that small chunk of poop factory land to the school system, instead, they cut a deal with him.   The Waynester will lease the new owner the stink maker hillside for $250 per year for the first 5 years, then $300 per year for the next 5 years adding $50 more per year each five year lease thereafter.
  • Feb. 20 a The OK came after Boardsters aired this displeasure of School Board breaking it off in em.  Linda Rhodes commented that this is how the all boys network has always operated.
  • Feb. 20 a   It gets stinkier clickers... What Linda and others were talking about was an unofficial agreement made three years ago. The deal was for the County not to raise H during the sell of the Ivydale Elem to a church in exchange for GETTING, FREE, the Valley Fork School. When Ivydale Elem was sold off, the gentlemen's agreement for Valley Fork disappeared. What agreement? Not me, I don't know what you're talking about!
  • Feb. 20 a  It is a dirty deal for the county to pay $200,001.00 for a building they've already paid for once. On second thought, it's even dirtier. The School System is the one that most benefits from a local college campus. Just think how they can have their pictures taken in front of the place and crow about how helpful they were in making it all happen. Pitiful.
  • Feb. 20 a  One guy at the CAEZ meeting commented:  there's only one sure way to get rid of that style of dirty deal. He said to vote em out of office. May 13th is right around the corner clickers.
  • Feb. 20 a Getting the property is no sure thing. No one has seen any paperwork on the poop land lease from Wayne King.  The final word from the college's top Board hasn't been voted on yet. It's going to take at least another $150,000 to upgrade Valley Fork to meet college needs.
  • Feb. 20 a If  it all comes to bee, big accolades have to go to CAEZ Director Connie Lupardus for staying the course when others told her to bail out. Maybe that determination is the reason Big Lup is the 2008 Clay County Person of the Year!
  • Feb. 18 a   It a quieter day in Clay. Not because of the President's Day holiday but rather because for many, government checks ($) has already been spent. Half way thru the month and all the way thru the check. Been that way since FDR.
  • Feb. 18 a   Strong winds ripped thru the county last night. Haven't heard of any major power outages, but Frontier's DSL was certainly down since early this morning.
  • Feb. 18 a What did a tornado sound like before we had trains?
  • feb 18 a This afternoon at 5:15pm the WYAP Board of Directors will covene their monthly meeting at the station, 300 Main Street.
  • Feb. 18 a  CAEZ is holding an Emergency Meeting Tuesday at 2pm. With grant $ available for the purchase of the old Valley Fork Elem., Director Connie Lupardus has to talk her Board into changing a motion from Jan 23rd where they told her to give up the ghost on getting a college campus at the old Valley Fork school.
  • Feb. 18 a The School Board will be meeting Tuesday evening at HE White Elem beginning at 6pm. Don't bother looking for the meeting agenda on their web site. As of this morning at 10:30am, it ain't there.
  • Feb. 17 Late p  Ida M. Adkins Hughes, 96, of Clay, see OBITUARY page
  • FEb 17 Late p  From the email bag: Happy 10th Birthday to Cullen Grose! Love, Dad,Mom and Colby
  • Feb. 17 Late p  We're busy typing away on Monday's Communicator. Unless the high winds knock out the power and or DSL, Clay County's near award winning newspaper should be out around 4pm Monday. No updates until we get the thing to bed sometime early early Monday morning.
  • Feb. 17 Late p For now, the wind is hammering the county and the lights are blinking off and on. Hunker down Clay!
  • Feb. 17 :ate p  For nearly three months Clay Roane PSD has had a major water leak in their system. Commissioner Queen King said the leak amounted to about 150 gallons per minute. Clay Roane's Water Plant only makes about 75 gallons per minute.  Last time we heard, they didn't have a clue where to even look for the leak. To keep up with customer needs, Clay Roane PSD buys additional water from the Town of Clay for their Roane County customers.
  • Feb. 17 Late p   Now the Town of Clay is having problems.
  • Feb. 17 Late p  According to the Mayor, Clay's main water storage tank was down to about 7 feet of water.  For several days the Town has not been able to keep with the demand.  The Maysel tank feeds from Clay and it too is way down from the normal 20 feet of water storage. Mayor Brown thinks a leak in the Clay Roane or Clay Co PSD systems is drawing heavy on the Town's ability to keep up.  The low water reserves in the two storage tanks  has been going on for about  10 days according to Chief Water Operator Dremma Thomas.
  • Feb. 17 Late p   Brown reported a much safer 14 feet of water in the Main tanks Sunday afternoon.
  • Feb. 17 Late p  Looks like  that plan for a college campus at the old Valley FOrk ELem school may once again be on the table. Full details in Monday's Communicator
  • Feb. 16 a Deadline for Monday's Communicator is today mid afternoon. Email your info now.
  • Feb. 16 a  Been a good season, but Clay Middle Girl's B Ballers lost last night in a 2 point squeaker.
  • Feb. 16 a Over in Pocahantas County, the County Commission is working to remove the Sheriff for not following the rules. Interesting read so say the least.
  • Feb. 16 a Clayberry, we have a problem.
  • Feb. 16 a Something is draining the main wa wa storage tank in the Town of Clay. According to Mayor Brown, the main unit has about 7 feet of water in it instead of the normal 25 feet.  Treatment and pumps have been doing double duty and nothing seems to help.
  • Feb. 16 a Even after several days of extra pump time and no improvement in the water level, there a leak somewhere in somebody's system. Although Clay Roane PSD vowed to stop buying wa wa from the Town back in Jan 08, they still are  and fingers are pointing at the PSD  for the extra consumption.
  • Feb. 16 a  For Town finances, selling extra water is a good thang. That's until the overworked Town pumps blow out while trying to keep up with the leak.
  • Feb. 15 p   Here's a little more on election year politics...
  • Feb. 15 p   Last night we received word that Elizabeth Sampson pulled out her bid for the 11th Senatorial seat. We posted the shocker at midnight last night. Based on the coffee house crowd, no one knew of the resignation until it made this web site late last night.
  • Feb. 15 p Elizabeth Sampson pulled out of the race Feb. 12th and did so in person at the Sec of State's office. Feb. 12th was the last day to bail out and have your name removed from the ballots. According to the SOS office, because there are other Demorats from other counties running, our local Demorat Committee can NOT appoint a replacement for Ms Sampson on the ballot.  With Sampson out of the run, Clay County has no chance of a sitting Senator.
  • Feb. 15 p Dr Carlotta Evans was also running from the 11th Senatorial seat left vacant by retiring from office, Shirley Love. Evans made the decision on Monday Feb. 11th.
  • Feb. 15 p Thinking the local Republicrat party might appoint someone to the ballot. Wrong O. Because a Repub signed up from some other county in the district, we can't even have one of those nasty Repub's from this county
  • Feb. 15 p So who's left in the race? On the Demorat ticket:  Sue Blake Andersen from Nicholas County;  Jerry Cook  and  William R. Laird IV from Fayette County and  a Repub from Upshur County,  Aubry A. Wilson
  • Feb. 15 p It's been a tough week for those that enjoy a good election season.
  • Feb. 15 a We're holding up The Communicator until mid day Monday. Deadline for submissions is Saturday at 5pm.
  • Feb. 15 a For all of us election cycle nuts, today is starting out bad, real bad.
  • Feb. 15 a From our only 11th Senatorial District candidate Elizabeth Sampson:   Due to unforeseen health problems, Elizabeth has withdrawn from the 11th District Senate Race.  She believes, under the circumstances, that she would be unable to “give her all” and therefore, it would not be fair to her many supporters to continue her candidacy.     Elizabeth expresses her thanks to all who have given her support and encouragement.
  • Feb. 15 a With Elizabeth Sampson out of the race, Clay County's best shot at having a Senator of our own, is over.   The only shot is for a Republican or Mountain party candidate ( ballot access) to be placed on the ballot by the Party's executive committee. Even if that long shot came to be, there can be no Demorat on the ballot May 13th.
  • Feb. 15 a Repub's and Mountain committees have until Feb. 27th to make the decision.
  • Feb. 15 a Best of get well wishes to Ms Sampson but wow what a problem for Clay County having strong representation in the WV Senate. Right now, Clayberry is without a candidate
  • Feb. 15 a Earlier this week, Sam Morris dropped out of the Clay County Sheriff's race. With his administrative and law enforcement background, Morris was considered by many as the strongest challenge for incumbent Top Badge Randy Holcomb.
  • Feb. 15 a  Last night during the Clay Roane PSD meeting, the news,  they still have a monster water leak and don't have a clue where to look to cure the problem.
  • Feb. 15 a Have you heard there's a gun on the Soviet space craft hooked to the space station?
  • Feb. 15 a Did you hear about House Republicrats walking out yesterday?  For those few minutes, Congress looked and smelled better! Someone should have locked the door.
  • Feb. 14 p Happy National Chocolate Day.
  • Feb. 14 p 101.7 FM planned a Valentine's party at the radio station tonight. Not going to happen. Instead, they're planning two hours of rubbin and huggin tunes. 8 to 10pm.
  • Feb. 14 p Fellows, don't come home this evening without some kind of token for the wifey. If you, you're going to be out in the cold.... literally.
  • Feb. 14 p This evening at 7pm Clay Roane PSD meets in the CCC room at the Courthouse. During the last two PSD meetings, mention was made that they had a monster water leak, like 150 gallons per minute or better, and they didn't know whereto look to find the problem.
  • Feb. 14 p That water leak problem came up during Wed's Commission meeting. There the CCC voted to provide   $10,000 to the PSD for cables to hook up a recently donated power generator at the Procious Water Plant. The vote was not unanimous. Commissioner Queen King voted no to the giveaway funds noting, the PSD would have a lot more money to buy their own equipment if would get out and find that massive water leak.
  • Feb. 14 p One other CCC related note. Last month the Commission voted against funding any part of the proposed purchase of the old Valley Fork school by the CAEZ. The old school was to house a college campus where WV Technical College classes would be held in our county of little. During that vote to provide $25,000 for the purchase and upgrade of the Valley Fork school, Queen King and Slinky both voted NO. Only Peter Triplett voted in favor of the project.
  • Feb. 14p One last note on the College Campus thang. During last week's BDA meeting, that group voted in favor of providing $10,000 to the project. Once again, Queen King, also the BDA Chair, voted No. The motion passed.
  • Feb. 14 p Doesn't that sound good?  Local govt support for a good idea? It does but then the CAEZ itself voted to bail out of the buying process. Very sad day for Clayberry.
  • Feb. 13 p  We have an update on that Deputy Sheriff serving as a school bus driver last Friday. According to Sheriff Randy Holcomb, Deputies have every right under state code to carry their weapon and be in uniform while serving as a part time substitute bus driver. He added, however, they don't do it.
  • Feb. 13 p Top Badge Holcomb said other than just once or twice during emergency situations , his Deputies and himself, always take off their guns,  and  lock them away BEFORE driving school buses.
  • Feb. 13 p And those that wonder about the double dipping end of the argument, not so, says Mr. Holcomb. His Deputies clock off the Sheriff's tab before driving buses and then clock back in after the run.
  • Feb. 13 a  Allan Kent Taylor, 52, see OBITUARY page
  • Feb. 13 a  Like a dose of Clayberry each day? It's time to help keep this web portal up and running. Donations are needed. How about you? Kindly send your donation to 2278 Main Street, Clay WV 25043.
  • Feb. 13 a Before you ask, Yes we're a for profit company it's just there ain't no profits to be had in the county of little.  Thanks JK and HM for  your support.
  • Feb. 13 a   First what's going on  today:     CCC meeting at 10am followed by the Housing authority meeting at 1pm both in the CCC room at the Courthouse. There's a 5pm Special School Board meeting today in the Standard Bryant Annex building on Gump Street. There the Bd will vote on a big time loan for improvements at the just opened Valley Dale Elem School at Big Otter.
  • Feb. 13 a  Last home game of the season for Clay Middle School tonight at 7pm
  • Feb. 13 a With years of experience in law enforcement and administration, the most viable candidate to do battle with our incumbent Top Badge Randy Holcomb is just retired and moved back to Clayberry, Sam Morris in Big Otter.   Due to family health troubles, last night Sam Morris announced he was withdrawing from the campaign.
  • Feb. 13 a First some background. The Town of Clay received a funding package for a new water plant over ten years ago. With inflation figured in, the $2.5 m in grant and loan has been dwindling in value. According to the rules of engagement, before the plant can go to bid, the WV PSC has to make sure there's enough $ to pay back the $1m loan. Translation: a wa wa rate increase. Nothing can happen until the PSC goes thru the process of the rate increase.
  • Feb. 13 a Also, nothing can happen until a CPA goes over the books and provides the needed  info to the PSC.
  • Feb. 13 a   Back last year Council approved a request for the WV PSC to break it off in us (again) and apply for the rate increase. Three months ago they again OK'd the increase process during a public meeting.
  • Feb. 13 a During the Feb. Town Council meeting discussion centered on the Town's CPA lady NOT doing the needed paperwork in a timely manner. They discussed a number of phone calls back and forth will NO results. In  a nutshell, the consensus, find some other CPA to do the book cooking and get the water plant process started albeit ten years late.
  • Feb. 13 a  Yesterday Clay Co PSD met. There, money bags middle man, Terry Martin commented that he had talked to the CPA lady last week and got a different story. According to the Martin fellow, the CPA told him, she was waiting on the TOWN to submit information.
  • Feb. 13 a Instead of  the CPA screwing up and holding the process up for seven months, the TOWN is the problem .... once again.
  • Feb. 13 a  One other note on the water plant and spending Fed money, according to Mayor Brown, if the project is not substantially under way by Jan 2009, the Feds will pull the dollars.
  • Feb. 13 a Now many in the county know what a screwed up white elephant it is to build the costly plant but isn't it sad, another many months have come and gone with the hold up being lack of communication.
  • Feb. 13 a Got to love this place or it would drive you crazy!
  • Feb. 12 p   Tonight's CMS B Ball game has been rescheduled to Wednesday night. Wirt County didn't have school today.
  • Feb. 12 p Feb. is the only month you have a chance for the CCC to look at your property taxes if you're seeking a reduction. Better call County Clerk Connie Workman this afternoon for  a Wed Feb. 13th appointment.
  • Fen 12 p Back in Nov. a Grand Jury indicted Tommy Young Jr.and others on a couple felonies related to stealing a bulldozer, dump truck and trailer. Clay County's independent news leader, The Communicator, and that whimpy little paper over in Clay both carried news of the charges and indictment. Oh that Murder Mountain crowd are soooooooooo bad was the jest.
  • Feb. 12 p Mr Young was to go to trial this morning at 9am. Didn't happen. Instead, one charge was dismissed and a second was dismissed as a faulty indictment. That translates: someone goofed up.
  • Feb. 12 p Prosecutor Jim Samples is without an opponent this election cycle.
  • Feb. 12 p  Yesterday was Mineral's Day before the Commission. Companies and individuals alike came to have the CCC take a second look at ever increasing tax tickets. About 6 cases were heard before noon Tuesday. Decisions will be made public Friday.
  • Feb. 12 p At the end of the CCC meeting, Dave "Stump" Morton addressed the Commission. With quick words and arm gestures, our guess, the guy was peed big time. His sentences were broken and hard to get an arm around. BUT, it sounded like: Last Friday, near Granny's Creek, on the Ovapa Cut Off (where the truck wrecked), a Deputy Sheriff, in uniform with a gun in the holster, did or said something to scare the bejeebees out of the small fry rider on a Clay County School Bus.
  • Feb. 12 p In Clayberry several of our Badges including the Top Badge serve as substitute school bus drivers. Most of us have seen them behind the wheel in complete uniform including their service revolver.
  • Feb. 12 p What ever happened, Stump was livid. Commissioner Slinkinooooger, once a school superintendent himself, told Stump to take the tale to the Board of Education, Senior Commissioner Triplett thought Deputys were not allowed to carry a gun on a school bus.
  • Feb. 12 p   Stump seemed mad about county employees, already on salary, double dipping a second county job. Most irate Clayonians vent and then do little else. Mr Morton said he planned to take this up with the Board of Ed.
  • Feb. 12 p A bus is school property. School property is suppose to be free of weapons. Sounds like a  big Hmmmmmmmmmmmm....
  • Feb. 12 a There's a new documentary coming out in May on Widen. You can take a peak at footage on You Tube. Featured in the glimpse is Jim Dawson and family, The Stovers and the Selich family. Click Widen
  • Feb. 12 a Tonight at 7 pm is the last home basketball game of the season at Clay Middle.
  • Feb. 12 a Better post coming later today
  • Feb. 11 4am  Clay County Schools will be on a 2 hour delay today.  It's 12 degrees and time to go back to bed.
  • Feb. 11 a   Where do you get those snow advisories, 2 hour delay updates. How about when Randy was shooting his own Tahoe, where did you get the news while in progress? Obits? A dumb politician updates?
  • Feb. 11 a For many it's this web site. We need a hand keeping this monster afloat. Donations accepted during our February online crybaby campaign. Send your hard earned cash to Delta;  2278 Main street, Clay WV 25043. Thanks in advance and Yes, we're going to continue hounding you until the end of the month.
  • Feb. 11 a  Tired of high property taxes? Feb. is the month to raise H with the County Commission. Call the County Clerk's office to make an appointment. 587-4259.
  • Feb. 11 a Over the past five years the United States has seen a ferocious increase in prescription drug abuse. According to the 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 49.8 million Americans over the age of 12 have reported non-medical use of illicit drugs in their lifetime, 20.3 per cent of the population. Among teenagers aged 12-17, prescription drugs are second only to marijuana in popularity, and in the past 15 years there has been a 140 per cent increase in painkiller abuse. It is the fastest-growing type of drug abuse in the US. Even more worryingly, prescription drugs have made it on to the party scene as a legal, seemingly safe, way to recreate an illicit high. See link for full story.
  • Feb. 11 a  Republicrats often complain about Demorat pork barrel spending. Seems ole Dubbya is doing the same thing. Included in his new budget:  $800,000 for the Neosho National Fish Hatchery in Missouri, $1.5 million for a waterway named in honor of former Senator J. Bennett Johnston, $894,000 for an air traffic control tower in Kalamazoo, Mich.; $12 million for a parachute repair shop at the American air base in Aviano, Italy; $6.5 million for research in Wyoming on the “fundamental properties of asphalt", $3 million for a forest conservation project in Minnesota, $2.1 million for a neutrino detector at the South Pole and $28 million for General Electric and Siemens to do research on hydrogen-fuel turbines. And that's just the tip of the iceberg.
  • Feb. 10 p Gary D. Nicholson, 23, of Newton, see OBITUARY page
  • Feb. 10 p  Mildred N. Thomas, 92, of Ivydale, see OBITUARY page
  • FEb 10 p  Arthur Day Brady, 96 of Clay, see OBITUARY page
  • Feb. 10 p  Macie Katherine West, see OBITUARY page
  • Feb. 10 p  On the national level it was decided with certainty that John McLame will be the Republicrat nomination for Prez. Mutt Romney decided to quit wasting his money and "suspended" his campaign saying by doing so, the USA would avoid another terror attack. Even with more primaries under our belts, there is no clear winner between Obama De Bama and Hitlery Clinton. The delegate race got even closer with an 8 point margin between the two. Passion is running deep in Clayberry. Those loyal to either are adamant with strong conviction.  After taking a deep breath and a step back, just remember, all three tell fibs and are after nothing more than our electoral college nod. The voter really doesn't matter.
  • Feb. 10 p On the national level the topic is money. There has been no mention of the oil war. Our men and women are still dying in an absolutely worthless war and there's no mention.  There have been 4,259 coalition deaths -- 3,953 Americans, two Australians, 174 Britons, 13 Bulgarians, one Czech, seven Danes, two Dutch, two Estonians, one Fijian, one Hungarian, 33 Italians, one Kazakh, one Korean, three Latvian, 22 Poles, three Romanians, five Salvadoran, four Slovaks, 11 Spaniards, two Thai and 18 Ukrainians -- in the war in Iraq as of February 8, 2008, according to a CNN count.
  • Feb. 10 p Last Tuesday , 1100 Republicrats met and decided their candidate for Prez. They managed to pick the only candidate  without ANY chance of winning, Huckabee.
  • Feb. 10 p  Now finishing the the second week of the 90 day electioneering season, local politicians and politics are showing little in the way of  performance. Opportunities to be seen (ball games, bingo games, Big Otter Community Center and more) are neglected.
  • Feb. 10 p  We found out mid week that the CAEZ Board of Directors told their Director, bail out on the purchase of the old Valley Fork School for a college campus. Still grumpy at paying a fair price for prime real estate, the Board is peeing away our future.
  • Feb. 10 p Town Council held another monthly meeting where the dimly lit spent most of the time feathering their own petty nests while overlooking the big picture. The biggy is locking the town (county) into a $1m loan to build a local water plant which is needed for Roane County residents.
  • Feb. 10 p  Thursday evening the BDA met.  As for an annual business plan, building, starting, a world wide web footprint (Web site), and growing local businesses, they did nothing. They did hear Doc Jamie say, he would be interested in building  a small (30 by 50) building for Golden Heart In Home Care IF IF IF the BDa was willing to give him the ENTIRE Filcon Industrial Site near Ovapa. The BDA did not make a decision on the give away matter with other options being developed before the March meeting.
  • Feb. 10 p Midweek, Badges came to Clay High in search of drugs. They checked high and low. Two athletes were busted. Others were told to snitch to on their friends. A big long list was provided law  enforcement. They came back on Friday for more drug investigations. Knowing the lifelong black mark created during the rite of passage years, many parents wised up and said no to pee testing their kids. Student rights are not checked at the schoolhouse door.
  • Feb. 10 p In a way, the traffic Halliburton truck wreck mid day Friday may have been the highlight of the week.  Of course we're not talking about the loss of life or the severe injuries to the driver. We're talking about the fast, organized, effective response by our paid and volunteer emergency service teams. Based on scanner traffic, it sounded as though all agencies responded quickly and did their jobs without error. The helicopter transport for the one fellow was done within an hour of the wreck.
  • Feb. 10 p Senator Randy White released  the list of Budget Digest grantees this year. That list is now on the ADVISORY page.
  • Feb. 10 p  It looks like West Virginia is going to have a Mountain party candidate for President.
  • Feb. 10 p  Back to that business on the CAEZ backing out of purchasing the old school for a college campus, from the email bag:         The posting about the BDA, CCC, and all the other letters reminded me of how I felt when I returned to Clay County after having been gone for forty-five years or more.  When I lived here we had elected county officials; sheriff, county clerk, county assessor, circuit clerk, prosecuting attorney and a justice of the peace.  In Clay we had grocery stores, ten-cent store, department stores where one could buy their clothes, a jewelry store, and a movie theatre. also a hotel.  We also had grocery stores in the outlying areas of the county. I believe we were rather proud of our county.  Now we have all these "ABC's".  The federal money has been pouring in for what?  Who actually benefits from all this money except for the ones who are running the "ABC's."  If the purchase of the property for the Technical College is not finalized it will be forever a shame on all responsible.    Posted by Maureen Hardman
  • Feb. 10 p  Arthur is 90 years old. He's played golf every day since his retirement 25 years ago.   One day he arrives home looking downcast. "That's it," he tells his wife. "I'm giving up golf. My eyesight has gotten so bad that once I've hit the ball I couldn't see where it went."  His wife sympathizes and makes him a cup of tea. As they sit down she says, "Why don't you take my brother with you and give it one more try."
  •    "That's no good" sighs Arthur, "your brother's a hundred and three. He can't help." "He may be a hundred and three", says the wife, "but his eyesight is perfect." So the next day Arthur heads off to the golf course with his brother-in-law. He tees up, takes an almighty swing and squints down the fairway.   He turns to the brother-in-law. "Did you see the ball?"  "Of course I did!" replied the brother-in-law. "I have perfect eyesight". "Where did it go?" says Arthur.   "I don't remember."
  • Feb. 8 p  There was a nasty truck wreck Friday morning around 11 am resulting in death to one of the workers in the Halliburton nitrogen truck. The heavy vehicle wrecked near the Ovapa Cut Off Turn near the old Filcon Industrial site.HealthNet flew out the other fellow.
  • Feb. 8 p Yesterday afternoon we posted the Town of Clay peeing contest. Now a second screw up and this one with the CAEZ
  • Feb. 8 p Back in Dec the School Board auctioned off the old Valley Fork school. . Due to some backdoor maneuvering by County Commissioner Slinky (working once again for the school gang buddies), the CAEZ was forced to pay the full asking price, $200,000 plus one dollar for the two buildings and almost 3 acres of dirt all close to I-79. CAEZ wanted the place for a thrifty $80,000 or less. The instructions to their bidder, Director Lupardus, was to start low, around $30,000.00. Before the auction, a property appraisal revealed the actual value of the place to be higher than the asking price.
  • Feb. 8 p An as economic development agent for the county, the CAEZ has a real interest in the old buildings. WV Technical College has agreed to set up college classes at the site. Additionally, the CAEZ is working to have a daycare and commercial kitchen there for home baked foodstuffs that area crafters could sell at the marketplace.
  • Feb. 8 p In the deal, the school system was mandated to provide a clean deed for the place complete with the land that houses the old septic system. To date, they haven't done that. Maybe backroom dealings are keeping them from their efforts to provide the deed.
  • Feb. 8 p  During a specially called CAEZ Bd of Directors meeting (Jan 23rd), the group told Big Lup to send the School Board a letter. The correspondence would inform the Pentagon on the hill, CAEZ was bailing out of the purchase.
  • Feb. 8 p Many guess there are stepped on toes at the CAEZ, There certainly was an effort back in Jan to make sure the economic development committee was not on record as supporting ANY recommendation or $200,000 sale price.
  • Feb. 8 p With the appraisal in hand, we know the place is worth more than the $200,000.00.  We know Clay County is in need of close to home college classes. And, we know how back room deals come and go most often screwing the residents of Clay out of important stuff. If it doesn't suit the blue bloods, then the people of Clay do without.
  • Feb. 8 p Here's the peeing contest clickers. The college has every intention of setting up a remote classroom site this year. They already have other places to go. Places like the Flatwoods Mall and a second in Putnam County. With the CAEZ upset with their Director paying $200,000 for something worthwhile and backing out of the deal, the School System most likely working their own deal to feather their own nest, and the College folks ready to  move on with their plans to establish a satellite college campus somewhere, bend over, get the Crisco, Clay County and our future is about to get screwed again.
  • Feb. 8 p Clay County West Virginia is still waiting for even one full time, with benefits, private sector job from the millions spent. Not one job!   Thank you Central Appalachia Empowerment Zone for 12 years of service.
  • Feb. 7 p Lets talk about a wasteful peeing contest in Clay
  • Feb. 7 p Town Council met Tuesday evening. The troublesome, time consuming, feathering their nest antics continued. For instance, Council person Llyn Drake continued  efforts to feather her own nest with a costly municipal court and her as the $500 per month plus expenses, Municipal Judge. Town Recorder Dwana Murphy (also a water operator) continued her plan to keep receiving costly overtime wages instead of hiring a new wa wa operator reducing operating costs. With the help of Betty Murphy, Dwana was able to rally troops and get the go ahead to hire a  full time office worker AND a part time operator. Under her plan, her overtime wages from water operation duties should continue with the added expense of an unnecessary daytime clerk.
  • Feb. 7 p All of that is costly but it gets worse. The Town is ready to bid out a new water plant. They have $2.5m available in grants and loans for the new facility. Cost estimates for the bigger wa wa  plant were at $3m five years ago. Of that $2.5 m available, $1m comes from loan dollars. That's one million we have to pay back, we the customers.
  • Feb. 7 p With rising prices, either more loan dollars will be needed to cover added expense.     The current Town water plant is paid for and operates smoothly.
  • Feb. 7 p    Instead of a profit maker for the town, the new plant has all the markings of a place quite similar to the 10 year old sewer plant which has never operated in the black. After 10 years of loan payments, only $7000 has been paid on the principal. Each month, the Town has to loan water money to the sewer operations just to keep the doors open and logs flowing.
  • Feb. 7 p With all the peeing contests, who gets the most and who gets left out in the cold, the big issue, a new water plant, that can't be paid for, is hardly mentioned.
  • Feb. 7p One other note, the existing, paid for, municipal water plant meets ALL of the town's needs. The debt laden new plant is being built NOT for Town customers nor county customers, but for the many customers in Roane County serviced by the Clay Roane PSD.
  • Feb. 7 p Once again, town and county dollars spent so foreign counties can benefit.
  • Feb. 7 p  New part time wa wa operator, new office clerk, big time payments for the new plant, that all translate to a huge rate increase.
  • Feb. 7 p Check back later for another peeing contest which could cost us a college foot print in the county.
  • Feb. 6 p  Bessie Allen Runnion Parsons, 101, see OBITUARY page
  • Feb. 6 p It rained cast and dogs last night in Clay. This afternoon the sun came out and once again Clayberry is looking good.
  • Feb. 6 p From the email bag:   Clay Middle School Wrestling is the CWVAC championships the first time in Middle School history.  Thanks to the wonderful job done by Coach Jeff Hamrick with the help of Asst Coach Stewart.  Harley Hamrick and Tyler Stewart also won individual championships for the weight division.  Wirt County placed second, other counties were Braxton, Calhoun, Nicholas, and Spencer.  Most of our Middle School team is now looking forward to States which is held in the beginning of March.  Last year at States Harley Hamrick placed 1st in his age and weight division and we hope that this year we may bring home more champions.

  •     The Clay County Jr Wrestling league will be sponsoring the Danny Suite Memorial Tournament on Sunday, February 24th at the Clay County High School.  Please come out and support our little guys and gals.
  • Feb. 6 p  CHHS held their winter homecoming last Friday night. One of the freshman attendants was big time pregnant. CHHS Principal Phil Dobbins has been getting a bunch of grief for allowing the student voted upon princess to participate in the festivities and crowning.
  • Feb. 6 p Heck  getting prego early has been a long standing tradition at the school.  As a matter of fact, it doesn't take much of an investigation to uncover folks now in prominent positions guilty of the self inflicted wound  long before marriage. For those narrow minded individuals giving the grief, there's a US Supreme Court decision that says if the kids ( or teachers) are voting on such matters, you can't stop one from winning.
  • Feb. 6 p  Before you decide we need to change Justices, maybe handing out condoms and birth control pills at the high school, middle and for that matter, at the elementaries, would be a better approach.
  • Feb. 6 p Back in Dec the school system auctioned off the old Valley Fork Elem school for $200,001.00. The new owner, CAEZ,  plans to turn the building into a place to house technical college classes. One of the stipulations for accepting the place is a clear deed for the whole place including the septic system leach bed. The auction was in early Dec and to date, the school system hasn't presented that clear deed for the CAEZ to accept.
  • Dec 6 p At issue is a small chunk of Wayne King holdings where the leach bed is located. As of last week, the Waynster nor the School Gang have recorded that little sliver of land for recording at the Courthouse.
  • Dec 6 p During last night's CAEZ Eco/Dev Committee meeting, t he group went secret to discuss the "problem".  During an earlier meeting of the group, concerns were raised over the deed, purchase price, and amount of work needed to get it ready for occupancy.
  • DEc 6 p Our guess is, the secret time was to work out the kinks. Like....
  • Dec 6 p What the heck is up with the deed. Where are they going to get the $$ to actually purchase the place...
  • Dec 6 p And then there's the lease with the college. We already know the college wants new HVAC and floor covering. Both costly.
  • Dec 6 p Although not mentioned during the public part of the meeting, word on the street has it that the college wants to lease the place for $7 per square foot and for utilities to be included.  Based on the size of the building and little insulation, CAEZ would probably go in the red each month at the $7 per foot rate.
  • Dec 6 p On the other hand, if the school system doesn't get its act together, there's not going to be a building to lease to begin with!
  • Feb. 6   7:30 am  Lizemore Elem School is closed today. No electric.
  • Feb. 5 a  It was such a nice story. The Henry Clay Hotel going out with a bang by hosting a Super Bowl party complete with free food. Lots of folks showed up for the last night Henry Clay fun.
  • Feb. 5 a There's always an arsshole in the crowd.
  • Feb. 5 a  Around 11pm 30 year old Lorenza Carte stole King Arthur Jarrett's '84 Bronco and high tailed it North. At the Big Otter Exxon, he filled up with gas and skid addled without paying. He did the fill up and run bit at least one other time before getting caught  in Grafton for weaving across the center line.
  • Feb. 5 a Instead of a nice relaxed first day off the job, the Jarrett's spent the day retrieving their vehicle.    Nice final chapter in the Henry Clay story
  • Feb. 5 a Tuesday evening at 6pm Clay Town Council meets in regular session. With over a dozen things on the agenda, it looks like the waring sides have put everything on the table. Public meeting and sure to be fun. Bring a whole bag of popcorn. This one is going to take a while!
  • Feb. 5 a One the table is one Council person wanting a town paid for cell phone
  • Feb. 5 a One Council person still wants to be a $500 per month Municipal Judge
  • Feb. 5 a And on and on they go.
  • Feb. 5 a From the email bag:   Thanks for doing a write up on the henry clay, some people I am sure are glad to see it close, as for this one i am not, as for my 6 years I have lived here permently it has been a great place to eat, meet friends, and just enjoy other peoples company, and to bonnie and arthur I wish them all the best and I hope they know how much that there regulars will miss, that morning coffee, afternoon lunches, spegetti included and the evening talks, thanks again for coming by night and for a good write up.    jane woods
  • Feb. 5 a    An attorney arrived home late, after a very tough day trying to get a stay  of execution for a client who was due to be hanged for murder at midnight.  His last minute plea for clemency to the governor had failed and he was  feeling worn out and depressed. As soon as he walked through the door at home, his wife started on him  about, 'What time of night to be getting home is this? Where have you  been?' 'Dinner is cold and I'm not reheating it' and on and on and on. Too shattered to play his usual role in this familiar ritual, he went and  poured himself a shot of whiskey and headed off for a long hot soak in the  bathtub, pursued by the predictable sarcastic remarks as he dragged  himself up the stairs. While he was in the bath, the phone rang. The wife answered and was told  that her husband's client, James Wright, had been granted a stay of  execution after all. Wright would not be hanged tonight. Finally realizing what a terrible day he must have had, she decided to go  upstairs and give him the good news. As she opened the bathroom door, she  was greeted by the sight of her husband, bent over naked, drying his legs  and feet. 'They're not hanging Wright tonight,' she said.            To which he whirled around and screamed, 'FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, WOMAN,  DON'T YOU EVER STOP?'
  • Feb. 4 a from the email bag and in reference to Lizemore Ambulances not being dispatched by the county 911 center:  Just saw your post about the ambulance call to Dixie.   They are SSOOOOOOOOOOO lucky it wasn't my child choking.  Since it's election time the names of the good officials who have decided to boycott LFD should be posted in the paper  and on the World Wide Web so that the good citizens of Clay County don't vote them back in to continue to jeopardize the lives of anyone else.    By the way,  I've been reading about the BDA, CCC and all the other letters for almost 3 years now.  I'm confused about what Exactly they have done to improve life in Clay County?                Vicki Lane
  • Feb. 4 a   Tonight the school Board at the Standard Bryant Annex building. 6 o'clock start time with the swearing in of Jim Dawson to replace resigned Dave Pierson. Lots of retirement resignations. Here's the agenda link.
  • Feb. 4 a Tuesday the CAEZ will hold two meetings, one at 4pm and the full Board at 6pm
  • Feb. 4 a Also on Tuesday is the Clay Town Council meeting. With over a dozen items to tackle, this meeting may be the keeper of the week.
  • Feb. 4 a BDA meets on Thursday.
  • Feb. 4 a We'll keep you posted as best we can.
  • Feb. 4 a  Feb. is the month we start begging for $ to keep this web site alive. True we have some advertisers but costs are going up. How about you? $5, $50, $100?   Anything will help. Send your donation to 2278 Clay WV 25043. Thanks in advance. And Yes we're going to pester you for the next 30 days.
  • Feb. 4 a just a few years ago the Health Dept forced a county wide ban on smoking in a business establishment. During a public hearing, some one shouted out: The next thing they'll do is tall fat people they can't have ice cream. Down in Mississippi, the Legislature is making law that forbids diners to sell food to fat people.
  • Feb. 4 a  Over in Virginia a Abercrombie & Fitch store manager was arrested for displaying a company  poster with a little butt showing above the pants line.
  • Feb. 4 a   What Lies At The Bottom Of The Ocean And Twitches?   A Nervous Wreck.
  • Feb. 4 a  Why Do Gorillas Have Big Nostrils?    Because They Have Big Fingers .
  • Feb. 4 a  WARNING: The consumption of alcohol is the leading cause of  inexplicable rug burns on the forehead, knees and lower back.
  • Feb. 4 a WARNING: The crumsumpten of alcohol may Mack you tink you kan tpye reel gode
  • Feb. 3 a  No wrap up this time around folks. Here's what we've been up to these last three days.
  • Feb. 3 a Procrastinating to the last minute, instead of typing up the Communicator Thursday night, we spent the evening writing a grant for the radio station.
  • Feb. 3 a Where Saturday and Sunday went, I don't know. Now Sunday evening, we have the near award winning paper all put together and ready for printing Monday morning and distribution Monday afternoon.
  • Feb. 3 a This is the last day of operation for the Historic Henry Clay Hotel in downtown Clay.
  • Feb. 3 a Regulars filled the place ready for football action. Bonnie and King Arthur put together the traditional free munchies for the Super bowl fun.
  • Feb. 3 a Even with free food and cold beer flowing and the jukebox playing, it was a sad time as many in the crowd told stories from years back. Francis Sizemore brought in old pictures. Arthur showed the basement section where an ancient coal fired boiler sat ice cold and long out of use. Cameras flashed taking last images of the 100 year old building
  • Feb. 3 a Pictures and wall hangings came off the wall  leaving  behind the stained imprint.
  • Feb. 3 a With the beer cooler nearly empty, the napkin holders empty, and most of the ash trays off the faded table tops,  it is a sad day for downtown Clayberry.
  • Feb. 3 a The landmark operation is gone and another chapter in our history is closed. Last person out of Clay, turn off the light.
  • Feb. 2 p  Billy Joe Tud Stewart, 61, of Clay, see OBITUARY page
  • Feb. 2 p The Henry Clay Hotel on Main Street has been in business since 1909. It's a place to go for cold beer, best spaghetti in the state, shoot billiards, watch TV,  and relax. Where else can you go and use a sit down pay phone? Nowhere else in the county for sure.
  • Feb. 2 p Tommorrow is the last day for the Henry Clay. Owner Arthur Jarrett sold the building and everything in it. Tommorrow's Super Bowl party is the final  day of operation. Catch a bit of history Sunday afternoon. Sad day for Clayberry. Not one place for a cold beer in the entire town.
  • Feb. 2 p  The Kitchen Restaraunt was broke into this past week. Thugs entered the building by pushing thru a window air conditioner. Oddly enough, about the only thing they took was a bunch of hot dog and hamburger buns plus sliced cheese. More in the next edition of the Communicator, Monday.
  • Feb. 2 a   We're waaaaaaaaaay behind in our posting. Hope to get a proper post later today.
  • Feb. 2 a Communicator is NOT coming out until Monday. Deadline for submissions is this afternoon, 3pm.
  • Feb. 2 a We're working on the changing of a historic landmark. Life will never be the same again. Check back later today and info on a new batch of burglaries. Just call em the Bun Bandits