Jan 2011

 
  • Jan 31 a  We've got a full week of Clayberry action this time around. Clay Town Council meets Tuesday at 5pm as does a rescheduled Library Bd . Normally on the first Tuesday of the month, the CAEZ convenes at 4 and 6pm. As of Sunday afternoon, no agenda was posted. Not sure if they're meeting.
  • Jan 31 a After a long down time, The Communicator comes out Tuesday afternoon. Guarantee you will enjoy the reading this time around.
  • Jan 31 a 2011 is starting out pretty good business wise.  Advantage Health opened last month as did a newly reconstituted Kate's Floral.
  • Jan 31 a Now we have two new realtors in the county. Meet Roberta and Greg Wagner right here.
  • Jan 31 a The BDA meets Thursday at 5:30pm in the Courthouse.
  • Jan 31 a With moderating weather expected this week, check out the CCHS Basketball schedule on the ADVISORY page for evening fun.
  • Jan 31 a Lets talk about something very serious. Are your ready? The world faces a chocolate ‘drought’ over the next few years.
  • Jan 31 a On this date in history:  1917: The German government informed the U.S. that unrestricted submarine warfare would begin on Feb. 1, 1917; Born 1919: Jackie Robinson (first African American baseball player in major leagues); Born 1921: Mario Lanza (singer & actor); Born 1921: Carol Channing (actress); Born 1923: Norman Mailer (author); Born 1929: Jean Simmons (actress); Born 1931: Ernie Banks (baseball player)

  • Jan 31 a  1936: The Green Hornet made its radio debut; 1946: Yugoslavia adopted its constitution and officially became a people's republic; Born 1947: Nolan Ryan (baseball player); 1951: The U.S. released 33 former Nazis incarcerated for war crimes, including Alfred Krupp; 1958: Explorer I, first U.S. satellite, launched;  1961: Ham, a male chimpanzee, was recovered alive in the Caribbean after being carried to a height of 155 miles in a U.S. space capsule launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida; 1967: National Traffic Safety Agency issued the first set of U.S. federal safety standards for vehicle safety
  • Jan 30 p It's really We The People making the change in Egypt. Those people are the unemployed of college age fed up with their country's leadership. In response to the movement of change, their government cut off communications, cell phones, satellite phones, and the internet. So it can't happen? It has.
  • Jan 30 p Then the government turned loose prisoners to create criminal mischief and told the police to back off.
  • Jan 30 p  Egypt receives billions from the USA in return for showing moderation to Israel. If the new Egyptian leaders are less tolerant to what we want, watch out, the entire region could topple like dominoes.
  • Jan 30 p The world is watching as true change at the hands of the people is coming again. By the way, our on constitution provides , when things get real bad, we too have the right to change the corporate empire.
  • Jan 30 p  When leadership goes bad , it's the people that suffer. Locally, the management of  Golden Heart Home Care went kaput last Spring. Employees went home without pay checks. With tax time here, those same folks are taking another hit. To get Infernal Revenue Service refunds, you got to have a W-2 form. Without those forms, the former employees will not be able to properly file a return. You got it, they're taking another hit in the wallet.
  • Jan 30 p  Leadership  and a game plan are almost none existent in the Town of Clay, that might be changing. Several new faces filed for municipal office this past week. There will be some competition during the June 2011 Town Election. Great!
  • Jan 30 p  This week the County Commission OK'd Black Shirt Miles Slack as the new Chief Deputy in the Sheriff's office. He's replacing outgoing Jim Paxton. Seems simple enough doesn't it? Not in Clayberry.
  • Jan 30 p  Paxton ain't leaving the workforce until March and he hasn't turned in his resignation from the Chief Deputy slot nor retirement papers. State Code does not allow a county to have two Chief Deputies. So... just move Paxton back to a Deputy position.. Right? Wrong! Also by code, Jim Paxton is too old serve as a Black Shirt Deputy in West Virginia.
  • Jan 30 p  Our Chief Law Enforcement Official, the Sheriff, the guy that is suppose to follow and uphold the law of the land, is miffed big time and told the Commission as much. How dare those CCC folks trying to tell him: You have to follow the law.
  • Jan 30 p Can't you just see him stomping his wittle fat feet.
  • Jan 30 p In the last seven days, the county was hit hard with a major winter blast. For most of the county, it was a time to stay home and try to make it thru another 8 inches of snow and frozen roads. Utility outages were common.
  • Jan 30 p  During that same time frame, the aging, sagging, ace cub reporter made it thru a case of stomach virus. For those that have said he's full of S###, wrong! During the five days of sitting on the throne with chunks hurling out of the both ends, he only lost 6 pounds of the stuff. Completely empty and drained, a trip to the ER and strong drugs brought improvement.
  • Jan 30 p Snow melted Saturday and Sunday as temps made it into the upper 40's. It's tough but we're making it thru the depths of winter.
  • Jan 30 p Come on Spring!!!!
  • Jan 28 late p   Bernice Alma Kozee, 87, see OBITUARY page
  • Jan 28 late  Delegate Dave Walker's latest column is now posted over on the ADVISORY page
  • Jan 28 late p  We've got two new candidates in the Town Council race. The newbees are Jerry (JP) Helms and Josh Shamblin. How about you. Cost is just $5 to run. Deadline to run is Saturday afternoon at 4pm over at Town Hall, AKA old Chevy dealership building.
  • Jan 28 late p So far there's only one candidate for Mayor.
  • Jan 28 p With the electric blinking off and on, and power outages reported throughout the county, updates as best we can and as long as we can.
  • Jan 28 p  Noon: Clayberry has an additional 5 inches of snow on the ground so far today. Main roads are slushy but passable if you use extreme caution.
  • Jan 28 p Tonight's Panther game is canceled. Saturday's wrestling tournament is still a go as of right now.
  • Jan 28 p In the real world, life goes on. Here in County Clay, we are hunkered down and limping thru the winter.
  • Jan 28 p  Last day to file for the Town of Clay election is Saturday at 4pm. Applications are available over at Town Hall, the old Chevy dealership building on Main Street.
  • Jan 28 p So far, Bev Whaling is the lone candidate for Mayor.
  • Jan 28 p Incumbent Dwana Murphy and newcomer Cynthia Duffield have filed for the Recorder slot.
  • Jan 28 p No new faces have filed for the five openings on Clay Town Council. Incumbents Joyce Gibson, Betty Murphy, and Glada Lanham are the signed up few.
  • Jan 28 p How about you? Good money and a chance to improve the county's only town.
  • Jan 28 5am CLAY COUNTY SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED FRIDAY
  • Jan 28 1am  For those that depend on this site for their look into County Clay, very sorry for the down time. Between sitting on the throne for most of four days before making a trip to the ER during Wed's big snow blast, its been literally, a very crappy week.
  • Jan 28 1 am We're on the mend and will try to catch everything up ASAP.
  • Jan 28 1am With buses sliding in ditches under very tough conditions just to get students home on Wed. , the school system is taking no chances this morning. It's a wait and see attitude with about an inch of new snow scheduled to land around 7am, can you blame em for calling a two hour delay?
  • Jan 28 1a As of Thursday late, several in the county remained without power. Local crews and contractors worked to clean up overhead lines and broken utility poles.  Telephone and DSL service went kaput Thursday afternoon. 911 service from Nicholas County went out Thursday around 2pm.
  • Jan 28  1 a Many of us just shook our heads when Commissioner Slinky declared a county emergency due to poor weather. Looking back, trying to keep Granny of the road may have been his best decision since taking office four years ago.
  • Jan 28 1 a  Now for the Communicator. Between illness (mostly) and then the bad weather, we're going to get the rag out just as soon as we can get it printed... most likely Tuesday morning and out the door in the PM. Sorry but it's the best we can manage this time around.
  • Jan 28 1 a  Everybody likes a new car. All the bling and such. Safety features too, stuff like air bags and black boxes.
  • Jan 28 1 a Did you know that most all new cars sold in this country also have a recording box like found on airplanes. They do. Just before a wreck, did you know those little black vehicle boxes record stuff like how fast you were going, if you hit the brakes, was your radio on loud, were your setbelts hooked up, and your last woods?
  • Jan 28 1 a For us paranoid Big Brother thinking folks, you might want to read this link about Badges and insurance providers having access to your black box and not you.
  • Jan 28 1 a  Some think Fox Entertainment is a news channel. Those that have firmed up frontal lobes, keep something in mind when you hear people say the Social Security program is broke or in ANY way needs changed. It ain't true.
  • Jan 28 1 a There is no other other Fed program that is fully funded for the next 27 years and even during this depression, is not adding one penny to the national debt. NOT ONE PENNY! For those that can do more than watch FOX, here's the facts.
  • Jan 28 1 a  As you're reading that article, go back over the part about those making over $100,000 per year not paying squat. Zip. If the wealthiest wage earners had to pay the same rate as the vast majority of Americans, rates could even be reduced for all while supplying even stronger benefits.
  • Jan 28 1 am What's behind all that bunk? The idea is to put those secure trillions into the stock market and bankers' hands.
  • Jan 28 a  Some of us are pretty vocal about Frontier Tele not living up to high speed promises on their DSL service.
  • Jan 28 a Here's a CNET report from Netflix ranking the top 15 or so DSL providers. Guess where Frontier ranks?
  • Jan 26 late a   With huge snow flakes falling everywhere, Clay Schools are letting out at 11:10. The little darlings are headed your way.
  • Jan 26 late  Clayberry, we have a problem.
  • Jan 26 late a  This site will be done while the Mel Gibson look alike does some recovery time.
  • Jan 26 late a    Bye Bye for a day or so maybe.
  • Jan 26 a Clay County Schools will be dismissing at 12:00 today (3 hours early) due to weather conditions.
  • Jan 26 a Happy Birthday LORETTA STEWART  and BRANDY MCLAUGHLIN
  • Jan 26 a NOTE: The deadline for filing for municipality election is Jan 29th. That's a big difference from what was printed in that little paper over in Clay. The 29th is Saturday. As soon as we find out where to take the applications that day, will post.
  • Jan 26 a County Commission meets this morning at 10am. Public meeting and maybe worth a trip to the Courthouse. If you attend, sit far from the ace cub reporter. He's still diseased but improving.  If you didn't buy stock in toilet paper , you should have. Would be rich now!
  • Jan 26 a The Panthers lost another one last night. It's been a tough season for the Varsity team. Not so with the Lady Panthers who are ranked in the top 10 statewide.
  • Jan 26 a They play tonight over in Braxton County. A win there would go a long way in play off tournament play.
  • Jan 26 a Top 10 scams of 2010... click right here for more.
  • Jan 26 a Sick of this weather, taxes, and economic viabilty. Here's the ten best and worst places to live in the USA.
  • Jan 26 a  Need a new job. Here's the best places for employment and one of em is just next door to West Virginia.
  • Jan 25 p Slow posts due to quick runs, barfing, and such. The ace cub reporter ain't out of the flu woods yet.
  • Jan 25 p Last night the school board voted to terminate all school coach contracts. Before Tony Samples and others get too joyful, take note. When a new pay scale is implemented soon, new contracts and salaries are in order.
  • Jan 25 p Those new salaries are more balanced with the head football coach taking it on the nose with a 33% cut in pay while other head coaches in other sports increase substantially. Full details in the next Communicator.
  • Jan 25 p  Now back to the throne for another battle with the Ceramic bowl Gods.
  • Jan 24 late p   Good News, the ace cub reporter made it three hours without filling his pants. The Mel Gibson look alike is on the mend from the 48 hour flu bug. Other than a puddle after a sneeze or cough, he's good to go again!
  • Jan 24 p Thugs are about. Teresa's Place was broke into over the weekend.  An ATM machine and Lottery  slots were the target.
  • Jan 24 a Snow, ice, cold temps, short days, we think winter's bad until.. we get the dreaded flu bug.
  • Jan 24 p  The ace cub reporter is into the two step hershey thunder squirts, green barf, and every muscle aching like a toothache. On day two, the trips to the throne are now down to every 20 minutes. He's only had to change his britches once today... so far.
  • Jan 24 p We don't pay much attention to cheapy Dollar Store toilet paper until that end becomes a little sensitive.  We don't appreciate the goodness of Charmin until we've experienced the cheapy swipe of wax paper every 15 minutes for 36 hours.
  • Jan 24 p Ain't nothing like a big dose of the flu to make you appreciate the good days of winter.
  • Jan 24 p  Tuesday's Communicator is now pushed back to Thursday afternoon.
  • Jan 24 p You might have noticed during the  weekend update very little happening in the Nation of Clay. That usually means something is about to happen.
  • Jan 23 p Vinca P. Jones, 85, of Charleston, formerly of Clay, see OBITUARY page
  • Jan 23 p We've been hunkered down this past week. Not even meeting coverage to report.
  • Jan 23 p School out, early out and delays along with nasty slick rod conditions was the talk of the town. After many winters without much snow, the last two have certainly made up for the light ones.
  • Jan 23 p The worst part is, we're only half way thru winter. %%$$!!!!
  • Jan 23 p Stolen trucks were recovered in the last few days. One of em was found up on Murder Mountain and not somewhere out in the woods. Nope, parked under a car port with the keys on the coffee table. A second was recovered on Summer Fork.
  • Jan 23 p We thought with Tommy and Tommy behind bars, things would be more peaceful. Wrong.
  • Jan 23 p  Maybe the good news from the last seven days was another big win by the Lady Panthers yesterday over ranked Tolsia
  • Jan 23 p We limped along this week just thankful to have any DSL service. During this web update, upload speed was a snail's pace, 56 kbps.
  • Jan 23 p As we look ahead...
  • Jan 23 p Monday evening the Lady Panthers will be back in home court action with a make up game against South Harrison.
  • Jan 23 p Also Monday evening is a school board meeting at Clay Elem beginning at 6pm. If you dig around long enough, you can find their agenda online.
  • Jan 23 p Tuesday and Thursday nights the CCHS boys play at home
  • Jan 23 p Wed morning County Commission convenes another gathering of the faithful where they bid good bye to retiring Black Shirt Jim Paxton and move Miles Slack into the non civil service slot of Chief Deputy. Only non civil service employees can run for office.
  • Jan 23 p Instead of complaining, Town residents have a chance to make a difference this upcoming week. It's the final week to sign up for municipal office. Mayor, Recorder, and all Council seats are up for grabs during the June 2011 election. BUT! You got to sign up this week to have a run at improving the county's only incorporated town.
  • Jan 23 p When elected four years ago, Mayor Jack Brown promised to serve just one term. That means a new Mayor will be selected by town's 380 voters. Due to age and wear and tear, other vacancies are a sure thing as well. Who knows, we may seat a whole new leadership this year.
  • Jan 23 p How about you? Why not give it a try.
  • Jan 23 p Why don't cannibals eat Pentecostals?
  • Jan 23 p Answer: they keep throwing up their hands.
  • Jan 22 a Saw 5 degrees last night on the thermometer. Brrr..
  • Jan 22 a NOTE: Our webcam is once again in operation.
  • Jan 22 a With bright sunshine and blue skies, get out of the house today and head over to Clay High for the Lady Panther's basketball games. JV begins at 2pm.
  • Jan 22 a With a wining season, it's time to get out and support the home team.
  • Jan 22 a The Saturday night auction is cleaning out months of items setting over in the corners. Fun starts at 6pm in the old State Road garage at Two Run.
  • Jan 22 a Just over the line in Roane County , the Newton Community Center is hosting Bingo.
  • Jan 22 a  Enjoy the day!
  • Jan 22 a Communicator comes out Tuesday. Deadline for submissions is Monday mid day. Put your thoughts in writing and email over. Clay County's only locally owned and operated newspaper is, The Communicator.
  • Jan 21 p  Clay Roane PSD's Boil Water Order issued yesterday has been lifted. Drink Drink Drink
  • Jan 21 a Tonight's Clay Panther basketball match up with Roane County has been canceled.
  • Jan 21 a  Clayberry received a couple inches of snow in most places last night. Today by 10 am, bright sunshine and blue sky filled the county. It's winter and beautiful in the Appalachian Mountains.
  • Jan 21 5:24 am  Clay County Schools CLOSED TODAY
  • Jan 21 We didn't get all the expected snow overnight but boy oh boy, the roads are slick as wet owl snot. Be real careful out there !
  • Jan 20 9:51 pm Clay County Schools are on a two hour delay Friday morning.
  • Jan 20 late p BOIL WATER ORDER from Clay Roane PSD issued today for Camp Creek Bridge at top of Camp Creek Hill. DO NOT DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST.  Bring all water to a boil, let it boil for one minute, and let it cool before using, or use bottled water.  Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, bathing, and food preparation until further notice.  Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.
  • Jan 20 late p Check the JOBS page for new listings.
  • Jan 20 late p  How about some late night reading....
  • Jan 20 late p Military suicide rates have doubled at Ft Hood.
  • Jan 20 late p  The number of people who bought previously owned homes last year fell to the lowest level in 13 years, and economists say it will be years before the housing market fully recovers.
  • Jan 20 late p And finally, There has been no major shift in US public opinion about the role of guns in America after the shooting of a US member of congress in Arizona.
  • Jan 20 p Clayonians young and old alike are glued to the windows in search of those first snow flakes and a call from Sarah the school messenger with news for Friday morning.
  • Jan 20 p Regional media outlets now have the write up on Clay County' Brent Boggs getting arrested Wed for trying to hire someone to murder his partner. Boggs ain't the first Clayonian to hire an undercover Badge for the wrong reasons, he's just the most recent.
  • Jan 20 p The case has already been waved over to Circuit Court.
  • Jan 20 p In County Clay there's always more to the story than outsiders pick up. Like, one time school teacher , 56 year old Boggs took Wayne King to the West Virginia Judicial Review Board for unethical lawyering practices a few years back. It wound up in the WV Suprene Court and was web cast for the world to watch. Had something to do with the Waynester not releasing $$$$ in his trust as ordered by a Court.
  • Jan 20 p The Review Board took King's law license for several months, ordered retraining, and made him practice under a senior attorney.
  • Jan 20 p Here's the clincher. Wayne King is now representing Brent Boggs in this felony case.
  • Jan 20 p One other note from the day the Big Robes heard the case. So many people in Clayberry were watching the webcast and sucking up band width, the Frontier DSL system collapsed.
  • Jan 20 early a If you didn't attend last night's Lady Panther B Ball game, you missed one heck of a contest. There was never a time either team was ahead by more than seven points. Coming down to the wire, Sissonville could have taken the win any number of times... but couldn't.
  • Jan 20 early a With a six point margin the Lady Panthers have another win under their belts.
  • Jan 20 early Big time Winter Weather Advisory in affect for this afternoon into Friday. Up to 6 inches of snow is heading our way.  Be careful out there clickers it could get bad real quick.
  • Jan 20 early a Clay Roane PSD meets tonight down at the Procious Wa Wa Plant. 6pm Public meeting, you're invited.
  • Jan 20 early a Jerry Hubbard, it's time to call Frontier and get your money back!
  • Jan 20 early a  While the political show goes on in Washington.....
  • Jan 20 early a  Jay, "Insurance companies have seen their profits soar by more than 400 percent since 2001.... "
  • Jan 20 early a  In 2000, average annual premiums for single people were $2,471, a number that rose to $4,242 by 2006 — a 72 percent increase. The amounts for family coverage rose over the same period from $6,438 to $11,480 — a 78 percent increase.
  • Jan 20 early a  So what are they doing with all those extra dollars? In their pockets is the correct answer.
  • Jan 20 early a Today in history:   Born 1896: George Burns (comedian & actor); Born 1926: Patricia Neal (actress); Born 1930: Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin (astronaut); Died 1965: Alan Freed (disc jockey);   1986: Martin Luther King Jr. Day was celebrated as a federal holiday for the first time; Died 1993: Audrey Hepburn (actress); 1995: National Hockey League season began after 103-day lockout.
  • Jan 19 p Note: Tonight's CCHS Lady Panther B Ball game starts at 7:30pm. Our morning post was wrong. Come out and support the home team !
  • Jan 19 p In the morning post we ranted about Frontier Telephone's dismal DSL service. We're not the only one blasting the regional provider for keeping us in the 18th century. Over on the Hurherald site is a proper outrage by COmmissioner Bob Weaver.
  • Jan 19 p This morning, 9 am once again there were no available paramedics available to Clay Ambulance Service when a shortness of breath call came in. In a desperate attempt to attend to life, a Kanawha County unit raced back up I-79 to assist. Delay in service once again. Around 9:30 am a second call  came from Laxton Hollow where another serious plea for help was heard. This time around the far away and responding out of their service area, Lizemores unit, came to the citizen's need.
  • Jan 19 p  Fact is, Clay Ambulance service has been in need of new management for years. Maybe a costly lawsuit will be what it takes to get the County Commission to react.
  • Jan 19 p Green Shirts retrieved another stolen utility truck this morning. This time a red Ford was found along the road on Summer's Fork.
  • Jan 19 p  Still looking for a third swiped truck. Seen one? Call the Green Shirts.
  • Jan 19 a Clayberry is tethered to the world via the internet.  Whether it's ordering parts or supplies, checking availability, doing research, or using credit card swipe machines, high speed  internet is mandatory.
  • Jan 19 a Every business in the county that depends on Frontier DSL service have been all but shut down since before Christmas when the service slowed down, broke down. The problem is Frontier at above 100% capacity and shutting down from overloaded conditions. Making tons of money without upgrading equipment is a great corporate model.
  • Jan 19 a Last week the local guys thought the problem was fixed with the replacement of two "switches" in the Bluefield main box. The replacement of two of the switches and rerouting some customers off that connection point helped a little for a short period of time.
  • Jan 19 a  Last night at 10 pm the DSL download speed was 39 and upload time was around 8 kbps. That's slower, much slower, than dial up and that's when it was working at all!
  • Jan 19 a Instead of lackluster politicians without a game plan killing thee county, it's Frontier Telecommunications.
  • Jan 19 a Speaking of lackluster politicians, we can do something about that. The filing window for Town Council, Town Recorder and Mayor is now open. About the only requirement to run for municipal office is to be 18 years of age and breathing. You do not have to be a registered voter or a member of any political party.
  • Jan 19 a You can make a difference. How about it. Lets find three or four individuals willing to serve and then get em elected. By the way, those are paid positions. Darn good pay too for the amount of time spent on the job.
  • Jan 19 a Tiff's T Shirt Store on Main Street is struggling to keep the doors open. She has a deep winter deep discount sale now in progress.
  • Jan 19 a Patch 21 day care opened for business Monday. Housed in the newly remodeled Valley Fork Elem school building, the opening month special is free day care thru the end of this month. Take those little curtain climbers over there and get em out of your hair. For more information, 304 587-1191
  • Jan 19 a 1000's of soldiers have been killed in the senseless war in the Middle East. Did you know, 134 female soldiers (245,000 served or serving) have been killed in the line of duty.
  • Jan 19 a Yesterday we mentioned the stolen utility company truck recovered on Murder Mountain. When Tommy Sr and Jr were in business up there, stolen items were often recovered from the same ridge top farm but scattered about in the woods, many side roads, and on other people's property.
  • Jan 19 a Yesterday's stolen truck was retrieved from under their carport!.
  • Jan 18 a  This morning around 10 am a stolen "company" truck was found in Clayberry. Guess where? You got it, on Murder Mountain.  Discovered stolen yesterday by the Green Shirts in Sutton, the Chevy model truck was hauled away by King Wrecker this morning.
  • Jan 18 a  Keep in mind, Tommy Sr and Jr remain behind bars awaiting their sentence.
  • Jan 18 a It must be the water up there!
  • Jan 18 a   Interesting note. There was a time when much of the Court time was taken by adult offenders. That's all changed in the last few years. In 2010 there were 115 juvenille cases handled in Circuit Court. That's up from 80 in 2009 and up from the year prior as well.
  • Jan 18 a There's now more juvy cases than adult ones.
  • Jan 17 p  Local DSL provider Frontier crapped out again. For the last couple days, almost none existent for many parts of Clayberry including use for this web site.. Sorry for the slow updates and Yes, if you call their billing office they will credit your account for the system outages.
  • Jan 17 p Panthers play Tuesday and Friday nights. Lady Panthers play a make up game Wed evening beginning at 5:45pm and again Saturday night at the usual 7:30 start time.
  • Jan 17 p   For those interested in the Vietnam Memorial, the listing of names and state lists, this is a very informative web portal.
  • Jan 17 p We've got the latest Delegates Dave Walker and Dave Perry updates over on the ADVISORY page.
  • Jan 17 p Missing pet notice over on the CLASSIFIED page.
  • Jan 17 p Last week's Clay Roane PSD meeting was rescheduled to this Thursday evening at the Procious Wa Wa Plant, 7pm. Public meeting.
  • Jan 17 p  The Charleston Gazette is reporting: The West Virginia Board of Medicine has fined Doc Jamie $10,000 for reportedly engaging in wrongful billing practices that resulted in Mountain State Blue Cross Blue Shield overpaying him more than $182,000. Last week, Sharooz Saheb Jamie entered a consent order agreeing to the fine. The board also suspended his license for one year, but agreed to hold off on imposing the suspension if Jamie completes a continuing medical education course on billing and coding within a year and pays the fine within 60 days.
  • Jan 17 p Ooch!
  • Jan 16 p From the last seven days....
  • Jan 16 p Our local and state leaders stay think they can sway the world and keep mountain top removal mining. As Robert C felt a year ago, those days are gone.  Last week the EPA firmed up that believe when they revoked the latest MTR permit.
  • Jan 16 p A year ago Haiti rocked from a major earthquake which took 100s of 1000s of lives. Politicians promised billions. Haiti still waits for that assistance. We are a lesser nation for failing to help the neediest.
  • Jan 16 p 50 years ago JFK was sworn into office. We watched and listened on black and white TV's. Three bullets ended those promises of a new day in America.
  • Jan 16 p Seven days ago a nut case killed and maimed in Tucson. Politicians immediately took to the airwaves and touted the need for gun control legislative action. Talking heads filled the boob tube with the need to tighten gun control law.
  • Jan 16 p Fortunately Big Brother has not fully taken away the thought process. Polls this week reveal that America thinks no additional law is needed. Truth is, if any change is needed, it would be proper funding of mental health programs around the country.
  • Jan 16 p Speaking of Big Brother, without fanfare, quietly, Congress prepared to extend the Patriot Act.
  • Jan 16 p Can't help but remember when Shelly Moore Capito first walked in the Apple parade in Clay. She smiled and waved as a big bellied, gray headed, man walked nearby with a fully visible pistol at the ready.  Some of us asked her if she thought we were that bad a folks that she needed a gun toting escort.
  • Jan 16 p That was then but now we know the correct answer.
  • Jan 16 p Many other leaders have come to Clay. Jay came to a Library function a few years back, He got out of the Cadillac without any escort and made his presentation
  • Jan 16 p. Ditto for Robert C Byrd on Courthouse Square when he brought that big $12m display check for water project funding. Nick Joe Rahall was here one year ago to discuss the always contentious  mountain top removal mess.
  • Jan 16 p  more local.. The School Board met last Monday where they discussed a long festering behind the scenes issue of unequal Coach's paychecks. The Head football Coach is paid three times what head Basketball coaches. The extra duty contracts are further out of skew for Asst coaches.  Clay County pays higher wages than surrounding counties including the much larger Kanawha.
  • Jan 16 p With many coaches in attendance, all were hesitant to mumble a word for fear of peeing off the establishment. Concerns were voiced that the Football Coach or asst. coaches with more than one sport could easily be making more  $$ than the Superintendent.
  • Jan 16 p Not voted on yet changes will reduce the Head's salary and level the playing field. Keep in mind, the taxpayer covers the salaries and not funds from the booster club.
  • Jan 16 p County Commission met on Wed. It was the first regular meeting of the three since Arlene Tucker took her seat at the bench. While on the campaign trail she promised two wham bam ideas to improve Clayberry. She said, if elected, she would hit the deck running.
  • Jan 16 p No mention of those two ideas Wed morning. We're still waiting.
  • Jan 16 p Black Shirt Deputy Jim Paxton retired from duty Friday. Level headed Badges are hard to find. Paxton will be missed.
  • Jan 16 p  For most of us, the last seven days was a time for staying alive. Snow came again. a bunch of it laced with rain and ice and froze over roads. School stayed close most of the week in Clayberry. Kids loved it. Parents wept.
  • Jan 16 p Abe Lincoln was the tallest President. Who was the second tallest? Who was the shortest at 5'4" tall?
  • Jan 16 p  Interested in the medical history of our Presidents?
  • Jan 14 p  Blue sky today and a healthy dose of sunshine to boot.
  • Jan 14 p Today at 2:25 Black Shirt Jim Paxton said his final sign off to 911 dispatch.  After decades behind a Badge, he's retiring. Even tempered and long on getting out of control, he will be missed.
  • Jan 14 p   Get out of that house. Tonight over at Clay High is a make up Panther B Ball game. Wirt's coming to town. JV at 5:45 followed by Varsity around 7:30
  • Support the home team tonight.
  • Jan 13   7:30pm  Clay County Schools will be closed Friday kids!!! Get out and play in the snow!!!
  • Jan 13 latep That makes an early out Tuesday followed by Wed Thursday and now Friday!
  • Jan 13 late p
  • Jan 13 p  There will be NO bingo tonight, January 13, 2011 at the Big Otter Volunteer Fire Department due to weather conditions. We willl resume bingo in two weeks. Thanks for your continued support!
  • Jan 13 p  LOST   about 4 miles on UPPPER SYCAMORE ROAD, LOST PET, HE is a Black Lab with brown leather  collar on , answers to the name of (CISCO), very beloved pet, he has been missing around 3 days, if you have seen a stray black lab PLEASE CALL 304-587-2930, or 304-587-2049
  • Jan 13 a Power remains on. About all activities have been canceled. We're too lazy to go out and play in the snow.
  • Jan 13 a Mind numbing TV shows, day after day, our brains have turned to mush. Life indoors changes the gray cell matter. We start thinking about weird things...
  • Jan 13 a Home come  no one is willing to use the last few sheets of toilet paper and then throw the core away.
  • Jan 13 a Why do those ##!!$$ Lady Bugs keep landing on ya knowing full well you're going to smash em?
  • Jan 13 a  Tires wait until ice cold weather to start losing air.
  • Jan 13 a  Who steals just one glove and hides it.
  • Jan 13 a  And then there's that FAS desease. Most of us get it in the winter time we just didn't know the name til now. F.A.S. That's the frozen arss syndrome which strikes nightly in winter.
  • Jan 13 a   Middle of the night, you wake up freezing to death, feel around, and you realize, the spouse has all the covers. Not just on her side of the bed but wrapped tightly under her. The only thing on your side of the bed is one thin sheet.
  • Jan 13 a  Attempts to tug and pull do nothing. The quilts are firmly entangled under and around the spouse.
  • Jan 13 a  Efforts and experiments with starting out the night with all the covers on your side of the bed or even a second quilt.. for naught. There is no cure for FAS and we can expect FAS to continue for another two months.
  • Jan 12 6pm With 6 inchs of fresh snow on the ground and more coming, Clay County Schools will be closed Thursday.
  • Jan 12 6p Roads are snow and slush covered. Stay home if you can.
  • Jan 12 6p   Just got this email:  After one whole month sitting at my window looking at the snow i've begun to wonder who or wha is controlling the weather; so, I went to net to ask my good friend what is going on?  On one web site it states that the Arch in St. Louis  can actually controll the weather and can be turned on or off depending on traffc.  If so, there could be other like constructions all over the world.  This weather covers all the United States - all except Florida.  So maybe the central controllers are located in Florida.  Seems suspicious to me    There is lots moreinfo  on web.  I'm trying to hold on for another month if the power doesn't go off. Have a nice day.
  • Jan 12 6p  Sounds like a classic case of cabin fever.
  • Jan 12 a Clay County Commission meets this morning at 9:45 for a public hearing followed at 10 for the regular meeting.
  • Jan 12 a Snow's coming down in Clayberry. All but two school systems in the state have closed down for today. Accumulation now is about 3 inches with big white flakes floating down
  • Jan 12 a  Not sure about tonight's Lady Panther B Ball game. Will post if  the schedule changes.
  • Jan 12 a We've got a 20 pager Communicator out and about this week. Jerry Stover is named the 2011 Clay County Person of the Year for decades of service to the county.
  • Jan 12 a  This time last year kids were returning to school after a big long Christmas break. 14 days off school due to the big snow blast that wiped out utilities for weeks.
  • Jan 12 a With today's closing, that makes 6 days out of class so far.
  • Jan 12  5:35 am Clay County Schools are closed today.
  • Jan 12  5:35 am Thank you Sarah
  • Jan 11 late late p CLAY COUNTY SCHOOLS ARE ON A TWO HOUR DELAY WED MORNING.
  • Jan 11 late p  Trekking thru the snow, ice and slush, The Communicator made it out to news stands late today. This edition looks back at the new decade plus provides the first insight into pay policy discrepancies among CCHS and CMS coaches, Asst coaches and trainers.
  • Jan 11 late p  As long as the power and DSl is on, we'll provide updates as they come. Check back often.
  • Jan 11 p Clay Schools let out early today. Moms come get your brats!
  • Jan 11 p Tonight's Lady Panther B Ball games has been rescheduled to the 19th.
  • Jan 10 early early am, We're still waiting on Sarah too. As of midnight:01, no word.
  • Jan 10 a School Bd meets tonight at 6pm. If you're wondering if the coaches are going to show up to debate salaries... or if irate parents are on the agenda.... it ain't posted over on their web site. Nothing!
  • Jan 10 a Nothing Kenneth Nothing!
  • Jan 10 a The Board of Health is also meeting tonight at 6pm.
  • Jan 9 p The first full week of the new year brought out much of the same and a little more.
  • Jan 9 p Sometime we forget: Nearly 5,500 American troops were wounded in action in 2010— more than double the total of 2,415 in 2009, and almost six times the number wounded in 2008.
  • Jan 9 p  More than 430 American service members died from hostile action in Afghanistan last year through Dec. 21
  • Jan 9 p  More soldiers in Afghanistan in 2010 were wounded by explosive devices (at least 3,615, compared to 828 troops reported to suffer gunshot wounds). But the higher fatality rates from gunshot wounds (12.9 percent versus 7.3 percent for wounds caused by bombs) made rifles and machine guns the most statistically deadly weapons.
  • Jan 9 p A bunch of us fought the addition of flouride to the local crinking wa wa supply. Inspite of our best efforts, water operators turned into medical personnel and added the cancer causing chemical waste product. This just in from the AP:  In a remarkable turnabout, federal health officials say many Americans are now getting too much fluoride because of its presence not just in drinking water but in toothpaste, mouthwash and other products, and it's causing splotches on children's teeth and perhaps more serious problems.....  The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced plans Friday to lower the recommended level of fluoride in drinking water for the first time in nearly 50 years, based on a fresh review of the science.
  • Jan 9 p "Perhaps more serious problems" is the interesting line clickers.
  • Jan 9 p During Tuesday's CAEZ meeting, word came that there is no new word on getting the BC&G campground closer to reality. Other than mention that a sewer permit had been applied for, nothin'.
  • Jan 9 p The CAEZ found out what it's like to be a rental owner. Over at the community college, gutters fell off, fascia board was found out to be rotten and water pipes froze up.
  • Jan 9 p With their wa wa plant tied up in litigation, all parties appeared before Judge Ric Facemire as they prepare for a full blown day in Court on the 27th. Other than more court documents to be turned in and submitting to mitigation before the 27th, nothing too news worthy to report.
  • Jan 9 p  Want a job with good pay? The Town is ready to hire a new water operator.
  • Jan 9 p Advantage Home Health Agency wants a handicap only parking sign in front of their Main St storefront. Town Council said No.
  • Jan 9 p In an attempt to cut back on spending, Council agreed to start using signed requisition forms before any purchase. Business owners, if it ain't signed, it might not get paid. Be warned.
  • Jan 9 p Last week Eric Langford went before Judge Facemire for sentencing. Supporters stood and told the court of the lad's worth and how his medical problems since birth attributed to his long run in the court system. Sounding convincing himself, Eric said he had seen the light. With words like "Your hiding behind your medical issues ...  The Court has bent over backwards ... You didn't learn while on probation",  Ric Facemire wasn't buying it. Something about a bar room brawl and sucker hitting the victim big time causing serious damage. Langford will receive a 60 day evaluation before the actual sentencing.
  • Jan 9 p  Black Shirt Belt caught 10 CCHS students out back of the school during the B ball game. Calling them trespassers, Badges found pot and a seashell bowl in pockets. Parents, it's time to tell the future of America, leave your pot at home or in locked vehicles.
  • Jan 9 p  Friday night the Clay High Panthers pulled off the upset victory of a life time when they held off Sissonville in an action packed match up. For those players (and coaches), it was the win of the year. Go Panthers!
  • Jan 9 p Mid day Saturday visibility went down to zero when an arctic snow blast covered the county and made driving, walking, living, very tough. Cold too!!
  • Jan 9 p  With snow laying everywhere, Sunday afternoon , the sun came out and made the place beautiful once again.
  • Jan 9 p  Most of us limped along without DSL service since Christmas. Last week, the service was so  bad, for all intent and purpose, it was none existant breaking down every 10 minutes or so. The problem? Frontier Tele Co oversold their infrastructure and is trying operate our life line to the world well above capacity.
  • Jan 9 p For businesses that depend on the internet for everything from part checks, to OKing credit card purchases to  producing audio for the local radio station, they were out of business for most of a week, It's no wonder we struggle!
  • Jan 9 p  Communicator comes out Tuesday and will include the Person of the Year. We're in typing mode until then.
  • Jan 9 p  Sitting on your duff and wishing for something in 2011. The list of  Spring and Summer college classes is now over on  the homepage. Just click the Community College button.
  • Jan 9 a  Donald Lee Robinson, 61, of Clay,  see OBITUARY page
  • Jan 8 a How much new snow did we get overnight? This morning at 9:30am State Road crews went back to just working  Rt 4, 36, and 16.
  • Jan 8 a Last night the Clay High Panthers pulled out one heck of a win over Sissonville. There was never a time that either team was more than 7 points ahead. Half time had Sissonville ahead by 6. Down to the final seconds, it could have gone either way. Final score 61 to 59. Big big win! Go Panthers
  • Jan 8 a It appears the Frontier crews made some DSL changes last night as anticipated. It appears the absolute shutdown issue every 10 minutes is better. Unfortunately as of 9 am this morning, speeds have been cut back to a snail's pace or worse. Speed tests reveal little more than dial up connection speeds. At 9:30am  800 kbps to Bluefield and to Chicago just 900kbps. For $50 a month, makes you cry!
  • Jan 8 a Sat has been canceled. Stay home.
  • Jan 7 p Many Frontier customers in the county are experiencing dropped internet connections. The cut off from the world began a day or so before Christmas  and has gotten worse this week. Not just the usual once in a while but every few minutes where there's no service for several more  minutes. At other times there is no service for longer periods of times,
  • Jan 7 p Calls to 1 800 239-4430  let us know 2 things. One,  Frontier support staff will not acknowledge there is a system wide problem and 2. If enough repair orders are called in, they might actually look into the problem. Make your call now and tell em you're not getting your money's worth and want it fixed.
  • Jan 7 p Speaking of money, some have called the office and told us, when calling Frontier, ask for a refund or credit for weeks of lost service. One lady said they agreed to give her a $50 credit on her next bill.
  • Jan 7 p A knowledgeable local Frontier employee told us the problem is at a Bluefield connection point where capacity is at 100% or more. Tonight  around midnight, the company plans to move some of the existing customers to another switch and relieve some of the congestion. Additionally,  a couple of the "switches" will be changed out to see if that helps.
  • Jan 7 p About an inch of the white stuff fell overnight. Scanner traffic indicated super duper slick bridge conditions during morning commute.
  • Jn 7 p Snow flurries continue to fall this afternoon. Be careful out there heading to tonight's B Ball game at CCHS, 7:30pm
  • Jan 7 p The Town of Clay Water Plant building contractor is suing project engineer Jim Hildruth. With a temporary restraining order already in place, yesterday afternoon both sides were before Judge Ric Facemire.
  • Jan 7 p  Sounds like both sides have to submit additional paperwork and agree to a mediator for possible settlement before a Jan 27th full blown Court date. In the mean time, and for four months, there has been non progress in building the new $5+ wa wa plant.
  • Jan 7 p Last night the Business Development Authority was unable to muster enough for a quarrel, quorum. Instead of official business, they chit chatted for 45 minutes.
  • Jan 7 p One of the discussion items came from Jesse Sizemore who suggested the BDA look into acquiring the Elk River island near the Dundon bridge. Sizemore thought the county should have control of the mass and use it as a place for stops, overnight stays and a toilet when the Elk River Water Trail is up and drawing tourists to the area.  The idea was met with resistance and giggles.
  • Jan 7 p more coming as the DSL connection allows...
  • Jan 7 a Slow posts due to much down time compliments the local DSL provider, Frontier. About as soon as you're ready to upload a new post, Poof! No internet. Slow posts until they get the system back up and limping along.
  • Jan 7 a Ditto for the community radio station which uses Frontier to get their audio from the station to the Tower site. This has been the case for the entire week, 101.7 FM has been all but Kaput. Sorry
  • Jan 7 a Just hate it when we've got to make a correction. It's time now...
  • Jan 7 a Earlier this week we posted the number of teen pregnancy's in Clayberry. That 52 number now on Welfare at an early age should have been  134   12 to 17 year old mothers getting an early start on a lifetime at the govt trough.
  • Jan 7 a The 52 number is the  rate based on accounting methods.
  • Jan 7 a Here's the web link showing how we rank with other West Virginia counties. Warning: It's not pretty.
  • Jan 7 a more coming as DSL allows
  • Jan 7 4:30 am Schools are on a two hour delay this morning. Sleep in.
  • Jan 5 p  Just released DHHR statistics reveal there are 52 Clay School system females pregnant and now receiving taxpayer funded benefits. That figure doesn't include those yet to enter the system and those on private pay.
  • Jan 5 p The gravy train starts early in Clayberry.
  • Jan 4 All of us receive tons of junk email introducing us to what someone else thinks is hilarious or at least worth passing along. Many of those email link offer much more than a giggle. It looked like an innocent e-mail Christmas card from the White House.   But the holiday greeting that surfaced just before Christmas was a ruse by cybercriminals to steal documents and other data from law enforcement, military and government workers — particularly those involved in computer crime investigations.
  • Jan 4 a  Those nasty ACLU folks are at it again. This time around Penn Badges have agreed to stop ticketing people for using potty mouth. How dare those ACLU thugs!
  • Jan 4 a There was a time when the "F" word was the top of the line bad word to use. Then came the "n" word.
  • Jan 4 a So politically incorrect, nigger, has all but been eliminated in proper circles. Other than Robert C Byrd, no one on Main Street has used the word and escaped the wrath of media. There has been an exception and that comes when blacks use the word on another person of color.
  • Jan 4 a   A federal jury will be asked to decide whether it is acceptable for an African American person, but not a white person, to use the "n" word in a workplace.
  • Jan 4 a We'll provide an update on last night's CAEZ and Town Council meetings this afternoon. Don't get all excited clickers, nothing earth shaking , just some interesting stuff.
  • Jan 3 late p  Johnny J. Bailey, 51, of Strange Creek, see OBITUARY page
  • Jan 3 late p First some background. During the Dec Health Bd meeting, Boardster Wallace Brown and others questioned the worth of a Medical Director that doesn't show up for Bd meetings. They were referring to Leela Patel, MD. Their rhetoric increased to the point of sounding like: Someone get her to a meeting and we're going to have a talk with the Doctor!
  • Jan 3 late p Doc Patel was at the Monday morning emergency meeting of the Health Bd.
  • Jan 3 late p  Keep in mind, Patel is a small woman and not one for loud speech. With strong eye contact and choice words, she is a direct talker.
  • Jan 3 late p Back to the meeting... the first to talk was Doc Patel. Looking at each Boardster around the large conference table: I am here to serve... I don't get 100% of the input from this group (Bd and employees maybe) ...  Do what's best for this clinic .....Think what's best for community .... Keep an open mind as professionals ..... I am NOT involved in day to day personnel issues....
  • Jan 3 late p And then:  Personnel issues shouldn't come up to this level.
  • Jan 3 late p She nailed them and they knew it. With quiet language she was telling the Board the whole Clay County Health Dept was in need of professional management. That's something the whole world has known for years and after years of administration change after change.
  • Jan 3 late p The combative mood around the table changed after Patel orated. It was refreshing.
  • Jan 3 p  Larry Gayle Nichols, 65, of Lizemores, see OBITUARY page
  • Jan 3 p NOTE: The Clay Town Council meeting agenda has been changed to reflect a 5pm start time on Tuesday.
  • Jan 3 p  During the Dec special meeting of the Board of Health, Director Linda Kotzbach vowed to resign  by the end of Jan. Turns out she resigned last week and wasn't at this morning's emergency meeting of the Board. With no one at the helm, the Board went behind closed doors to decide on a replacement.
  • Jan 3 p  Actually two! Dawn Fitzwater and Nancy Cottrell are the new Co-Directors of the Clay County Health Dept. They walked in as receptionists and clerks and left as Directors. America, got to love it!!
  • Jan 3 p  2011 is starting out with another loss.
  • Jan 3 p This morning Capitol Resource Agency on Main Street closed their doors laying off two full time employees.  By afternoon all the CRA furnishings were gone and a sign was on the window.
  • Jan 3 p County Commissioner Mike Pierson serves on the five county CRA Board of Directors. During this morning's CCC meeting, Pierson said he hadn't heard anything official about closing the Clay office of the social service provider but did know the agency was in bad financial shape.
  • Jan 3 p Last month CRA organized the Christmas Giveaways for the kids. Last summer they provided utility assistance for the needy. They regularly do commodity food hand outs.
  • Jan 3 p In the second poorest county in the second poorest state in the nation, we just lost another service provider.
  • Jan 3 a Hazel Marie Bird Taylor, 90, of Lizemores, see OBITUARY page
  • Jan 3 a Hello to Evelyne McLaughlin and Prince Charming out in Sacramento.
  • Jan 3 a From the email bag: I read the posting about the gas tanks been taken from Procious and Bomont Churches. There was also a gas tank taken from Little Laurel Church on Hansfork about 6 weeks ago. This week they came back and took the cooper lines. Shame on these people. We may not know who they are but one thing for sure God does.
  • Jan 3 a With parents ready to pull their hair out, those little snot lickers are out of here/. School is in session once again
  • Jan 3 a  We've got a full week ahead of us clickers. The emergency Health Bd meeting and organizational CCC meetings this morning.
  • Jan 3 a   On Tuesday comes the CAEZ meetings and Town Council meeting
  • Jan 3 a Thursday at 5:30 is the monthly meeting of the Business Development Authority, the BDA in the Commission room. Commissioner Arlene Tucker will replace Mike Boggs on that Board.
  • Jan 3 a The Lady Panthers play Tuesday and Thursday nights with the Panthers on home Court Friday night. Even if you don't care for B Ball, the band is worth a trip to CCHS.
  • Jan 3 a In addition to Fran King out of office and Arlene Tucker in, there are a couple other changes. Black Shirt Jeff Rider has been on evening shift for as long as anyone can remember. He and Miles Slack begin day shift duties this week. Dan Dotson begins his tenure as Asst Prosecutor replacing resigned Clint Bischoff. Dotson is not new to the job having served  in Clay a few years back in that same capacity.
  • Jan 3 a Taking up the evening Black Shirt duties are Robert Belt and recently returned to local employment, Chris Legg.
  • Jan 3 a Delegate Dave Walker has his Update column over on our ADVISORY page.
  • Jan 2 a Welcome to the new year.
  • Jan 2 a Can anybody think of any good that came in 2010? Can anybody think of any accomplishments in the last 12 months? How about some bright spot, something to build a future on?
  • Jan 2 a That mystery man picture was printed in the Charleston Gazette in the mid 70's.  We had many correct email guesses. The pic was that of the one and only Herb Hash.
  • Jan 2 a One feller told us that Mr Hash wore the same dirty hat for decades and was proud of it.
  • Jan 2 a Another commented on the number of tobacco tins piled up behind the guy's humble home. 'said there were truck loads of the Prince Albert tins.
  • Jan 2 a Arlene Tucker takes her place on County Commission in the morning during their annual organizational meeting. There they will set up dates for future meetings and decide who will be Commission Prez
  • Jan 2 a During her campaign Tucker said she had two dynamite ideas to jump start the county into prosperity. There's a bunch of us that can't wait to hear the next New Deal.
  • Jan 2 a During a special meeting of the Health Bd a couple weeks back, Director Linda Klotzbach announced her resignation from service.  During the stormy meeting, other employees announced, if Linda is forced out, others in the Dept will also bail out.
  • Jan 2 a Clay's Health Board will be convening an Emergency Meeting of the group at 9am. The agenda does not state the nature of the emergency or the nature of the meeting as required by law.
  • Jan 2 a Might be a good morning for entertainment in County Clay.. Free too!
  • Jan 2 a Last we noted the swiping of a church propane tank
  • Jan 2 a Another emailer told us of a second tank was stolen. That one from Faith Baptist in Bomont.

  • Jan 2 a Happy New Year and someday we will be better off.