• July 31 pm  Benjamin "Benny" Stephenson, 57,  see FUNERAL page
  • July 31 pm The BOIL WATER ORDER for the Hartland area of Clay County PSD remains in affect. BE sure to boil it before using. Big time water line break last week.
  • July 31 pm Some things are hard to believe. Like Roy and Holly Cunningham celebrating 3 years of marriage. Even harder to believe (or understand) is the 24th wedding anniversary of Nada and Andy Waddell. Those women must be saints!
  • July 31 pm We're polishing off the month of July and the mid way point for summer.  Although teachers and kids alike hate to hear it, school opens in less than 30 days. With that being said, here's our look from the week just ending.
  • July 31 pm Storms rocked the county leaving many without electricity and tele. A second gully washer with 60 mile an hour winds missed us mid week.
  • July 31 pm For 2005, the last hope of baseball stardom was trounced Tuesday evening as the Clay/Gilmer Vipers went down to defeat in state tournament action. After a very successful regular session, all senior league ball team tromped the dominant team from Martinsburg. With the help of many questionable calls by the blue shirts, our Vipers lost out in a nail biter Tuesday night. District 3 field, District 3 umps, and District 3 teams in the state championship. Go figure!
  • July 31 pm Some things don't change. Locals have complained for years on water quality issues and the number of Boil Water Orders after breaks and storage tanks gone dry. During the heat of summer, much of the county was under a BWO by week's end.
  • July 31 pm Some things do change in Clayberry.  A nasty bunch of locals attended a July 13th County Commission. The rude and narrow minded 200 spoke of hate and all but threw rocks at anybody with views different from theirs. As their leader once said: You're either with us or against us.
  • July 31 pm There was a change this week. During Monday night's County Commission meeting, many spoke out in support of abiding by the law of the land and told Commish Sams, Triplett and King to do the same.  Of course we're talking about Commissioner Sams posting of a Ten Commandment display at the Courthouse.
  • July 31 pm With a heavy dose of coaching from their Virginia based law firm, Sams as the spokesman, has learned to say that there is nothing religious about the "10". Sams once said, There's no religion in em!" During the July 25th meeting, one lady asked the senior Commish: If they're not religious, why did you hang them up? He had no response for her. One guy asked Sams to cover the cost of a predicted lawsuit out of his own pocket. Sams declined as he has in the past.
  • July 31 pm With crime, drugs, the need for repairs,  more law enforcement, fewer federal dollars coming into the county, and more, there is a glimmer of hope from the 25th. Now seeing a number of people asking them to abide by the law of land, the CCC may return to reason without need of a costly court battle. Keep your fingers crossed.
  • July 31 pm Maybe more important for Clayberry than Sams' election year ploy, tomatoes and beans are in!  Even those big mortgage lifters and better boys are bright red. The meal for this week is a 2 thick slice of tomato on white bread with a gob of mayo. Fresh half runners and a tomato sandwich, it don't get any better than that!
  • July 31 pm With Sheriff Holcomb enjoying a much deserved vacation,  Thursday night green shirt and black shirt Badges dressed in camo clothing headed to the outback. By 12:03 Friday morning Cheryl Metheney was in Central Regional Jail charged with five felonies. (We'll get the poop when the Courthouse opens Monday Carol)
  • July 31 pm Sunday morning came reports of a dead cat and "found" shotgun in the yard from a Saturday night shooting incident.
  • July 31 pm Saturday morning, five young boys and girls were seen walking along Rt 4 with fishing poles in hand. They had pep in their step was they headed to the Elk River for some summer time fun. Despite it all, Clay continues on.
  • July 30 pm We're having problems posting to this site. Our local provider, Frontier, is on again and off. Sometimes even the DSL service runs about like mollasses in Jan. In the past 10 days, there have been times when checking emails was next to impossible. The poor conditions continue today.
  • July 30 pm For those that can, how about a little web surfing first
  • July 30 pm  What are you going to do this August? For the 50th time, Prez Dubbya is taking it off and heading to Texas.
  • July 30 pm  How important are books and reading? Our government is squashing another book. This book provides insight into Govt. lies leading up to W's oil war. We don't need to know about that anyway!
  • July 30 pm With one reporter in the slammer for not talking and the guy that did talk still on TV smiling broadly, we have an update on another reporter that knew about the CIA leak and Carl Rove.  This story may be the top story of 2005 and still developing.
  • July 30 pm  Town Councilman Phil Morris volunteers a bunch of his time to work on various municipal projects. Everything from fixing nasty sewers, to major repairs and upgrades. Morris' truck was broken into Wednesday night. The rear window busted and some personal tools swiped.
  • July 30 pm It's nothing new for Mr. Morris. A year back, that same truck was stolen from his driveway.
  • July 30 pm More as we get it! Get out of the house and have some fun this weekend. Not too hot and little chance for rain. Enjoy! Great day to head to the pool too!
  • July 29 pm We added a bunch of Clay/Gilmer All Star Tourney pics over on the PHOTO page.
  • July 29 pm  When the letters ACLU are mentioned in Clayberry, oh man. The frowny lines start appearing. During a recent County Commission meeting, more than one speaker called the ACLU gang worse than terrorists and the scourge of America. Those guys may be right!
  • July 29 pm Those nasty commies sued Brooke County badges after they conducted a strip search of a young lady in the middle of the police station. To take our good law enforcement officials to court over something that minor. Pitiful! No Father would be mad about that!
  • July 29 pm Here's another example of those nasty ACLUers sticking their noses where it doesn't belong. Get this, in Charleston a couple decided to wear anti Dubbya Tee Shirts to a public gathering and get this, the ACLU sued government officials and won! What a bunch of jerks. No one should be able to wear an anti W shirt in public. What a wonderful man him is!
  • July 29 pm  Here's another example of what makes the ACLU of WV so down right nasty. Over in Bridgeport WV a guy decided to put campaign signs up in his front yard. After being arrested and fined $500 for the action, those dirty pukes, the ACLU, took Bridgeport to Court.
  • July 29 pm And if this don't beat it all. One kid wanted to wear a confederate flag on his shirt to school and those pinko UCLAers ( that's what one Clay Minister called em) took that up in court. Another kid wanted to wear a tee shirt with a  Christian message to school and when the school board tossed him out of school, the ACLU took and won that case too! What a terrible thing for a non profit law firm to do. How awful!  WE DON'T NEED THE ACLU NOR CIVIL RIGHTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • July 29 pm During the July 25th County Commission meeting, locals were concerned about taxpayers footing the bill for an anticipated lawsuit being brought by those pinko, you know who's. Sams reassured all that everything would be A OK. One last note.... In that confederate tee shirt case mentioned above, the ACLU netted $1000s in legal and attorney fees.
  • July 29 am  Happy Friday morning. For those clicking in from around the world. How about considering Clay County West Virginia in your travel plans. Friday night at the Big Otter Community Center for some great live music; Saturday mornings the old Courthouse is open for tours and family tree studies; Saturday afternoon O'Brion International Dirt Track Speedway is open for excitement; and Saturday evening, Summer Jam 2005, WV musicians in a free outdoor music show. Fun Fun Fun!!
  • July 29 am Clay County PSD issued a BOIL WATER ORDER for customers in the Hartland area. The order went into affect Thursday at 1pm. Big time water line break. Boil it FIRST please
  • July 28 am OK All you right wing fundamentalists, stop reading here or you'll be eating Rolaids real quick.
  • July 29 am Five day ago the Clay County Commission held a public meeting, Monday evening. The ace cub reporter was away from his usual perch and out watching ball games in So Charleston. It's taken a few days for news from that meeting to seep out.  We've talked to a couple of folks that attended and it sounds like they had a dandy meeting
  • July 29 am Here's what we've put together. Over 20 attended the meeting and many spoke out against Commissioner Sams' religious display at the Courthouse.
  • July 29 am   One lady politely asked Commissioner Sams: If your 10 Commandments plaque isn't a religious display, what is it?  Sams squirmed but gave no answer. After being coached by his law firm, Sams has taken to calling the religious display, historical with NO religion in it.
  • July 29 am  Citizen activist Jesse Sizemore was most concerned with the cost of an anticipated lawsuit. Sizemore asked Sams if he would personally pay for court costs. Sams said others in the county would do that. When asked if he would take out a surety bond to cover any other expenses so the taxpayer wouldn't be burdened with a big time bill, Sams was mum. Sizemore mentioned the $150,000 settlement a Georgia Commission had to pay the ACLU earlier this month after agreeing to take down their religious display. Response: This ain't Georgia!
  • July 29 am About the only person in the 20+ person meeting (July 25th) to support Sams was his wifey. Wifey Sams was the person that said the Ten Commandments display was what got Jimmy elected last time.
  • July 29 am  Here's  a cutey. Mr Sizemore gave Sams a desk top size Ten Commandments to set on the desk. With the big black plastic display hung on the wall, Sams is unable to read it while attending CCC duties. Sizemore wanted to make  sure his gift, the desk top display, was visible to Commissioner Sams at all times.
  • July 29 am Maybe the most important part of the meeting came when Sizemore asked Commissioners Sams, King and Triplett to vote on keeping the illegal display at the Courthouse. The elected folks said it wasn't on the agenda and they couldn't vote.  That vote would be important.  Sams nailed up the plaque without a vote or even asking if it would be OK.
  • July 29 am  We're seeing a change in Clayberry. True 200+ people showed up in support of busting the Constitution and the recent US Supreme Court decision banning such religious displays in  county courthouses but this time around, many other people are speaking out on the worth of obeying the law of land and keeping religion in your heart instead of devaluing the important doctrine with politics.
  • July 29 am   There is talk of putting some kind of vote on next May's ballot. Something like: Do you support keeping the 10 in the Courthouse. Instead, maybe the voters should be asked: Are you willing to cough up $1000's in a court fight where the odds are against winning and handing over those hard earned bucks to ACLU attorneys at trial's end?
  • July 29 am  For a full blown court challenge, $250,000, that would work out to about $25 from each man, woman, child in the county of Clay.  Maybe an Excess Levy vote would be more in order. Commissioner Sams' oppponet in next year's Commission contest , School Superintendent Jerry Linkinooooooooger, is real good at getting Levy's to pass.  Maybe he could organize the effort for Jimmy!
  • July 28 pm  Sorry for the slow post. After eating  a can of pineapples followed by a bunch of bread and butter chips ( pickles), found out something. They don't mix well! Now fully recovered from the nasties....
  • July 28 pm  Clay County PSD issued a BOIL WATER ORDER around 1pm Thursday. Big time water line break in Hartland. Boil it before using. Better to be safe than sorry.
  • July 28 pm Got this in the email bag around noon Thursday: There is no water in Hartland Bottom due to a main water line break.  The water line break was noticed at about 11pm.  40,000+ gallons of water leaked under the road way and into yards.  Work is supposed to begin at 6 am.  No idea on how long it will remain off.
  • July 28 pm Here in Clayberry, we're breathing a little easier. Temps have gone down 15 degrees and that big storm predicted to hit yesterday, never showed. It did hit just South of us. Down in Elkview, at that used car auction house, one of the dealers was back at his lot loading another batch for transport when lightening struck. The direct hit killed him on the spot.
  • July 28 pm We heard something different yesterday at 2pm. When the 911 scanner lady was giving details on the super duper storm heading our way, she warned all to go inside. If that ain't scary, don't know what is!
  • July 28 pm Raise your hand if you're all for Carl Rove heading to jail for his part in exposing a CIA undercover agent.  Lets see now... there's 3   7    now 10. OK   How about if Prez Dubbya contributed to the treasonous act?  Oh Boy!!!   A bunch of hands in the air. While main stream media is hush hush, the internet is ablaze. Here's the latest new twist.
  • July 28 pm Most of us don't pay much attention to our civil rights being cut out from under us. We just say, so, I don't have anything to hide!!!  Well neither does the Pentagon now. How about a story on a 37 year old fellow who was able to hack into the most secure military computers not from his high tech computer lab but from his little lab top puter while in bed. Security? Secrecy?
  • July 28 pm So how easy is it to build a bomb like the ones used in London two weeks ago. According to ABC News, the ingredients are all available at your local hardware store. Here's the details from ABC. Think peroxide.
  • July 28 pm  As a follow up to our Wednesday post and the Umps at the FInal Four State Championship game, seems others found problems. From our email bag:   The same thing happened to the 9-10 all-stars at Elkins in the District championship game.  We played at Elkins against Elkins and it was the worst officiated baseball game I have ever seen.  I have always told my kids that a umpire will never beat you in a baseball game but I have just about changed my mind about that.  I think if you are in a championship game it should be on neutral field with neutral umpires.
  • July 27 LATE pm  How many times do you hear the national weather service telling you to head indoors due to a storm. That just happened at 2pm today. Big time hail and 60 mile an hour winds heading our way. Batten down the hatches clickers!  We'll report ASAP.
  • July 27 pm It's getting tougher to maintain law and order in Clayberry.
  • July 27 pm Starting pay for black shirt badges is not much more than minimum wage. At one time, the Courthouse janitor salary was almost double that of a starting deputy. We understand black shirt Chad Sizemore is heading to greener pastures at the Charleston Police Dept. He heads down there Aug. 1.
  • July 27 pm We haven't seen anything official but Asst. Prosecutor TJ Drake has also bailed out. Drake was hired as a part timer right after Prosecutor Samples took office in Jan 2005. With Green Shirts and Black shirts rounding up druggies and thugs nearly every day, and Drake out of there, Prosecutor Samples has more than his hands full. Did you know the Prosecutor's spot is considered a part time position? It is.
  • July 27 pm Just a guess: Look for Carson Bryant to be the next Asst. Prosecutor. If the newbee doesn't receive more than the $25,000 per year, look for more resignations. For that matter, If Samples can't keep a good Asst. around, wonder if he'll stay the full four years?
  • July 27 pm And now for the bad news. the Clay/Gilmer All Star Senior League team , the Vipers, went down to defeat last night. Here's the skinny...
  • July 27 pm  Hot temps, dry weather. Game started late, well after 9pm.  We scored first but Mountain State came back strong. Adding run after run. With our momentum building, the bottom of the 4th, 10 to 7, their favor
  • July 27 pm  With the Ump calling dirt balls, strikes, a big shot by Mason Hamrick got us moving again. After some errors on our part, they came right back raising the score to 12 to 9.
  • July 27 pm With the crowd muttering "the ump has two strike zones, theirs and ours" and the players even realizing the uneven playing field, we came to the 7th inning with our game face on. A triple by JD Johnson who later scored got us to  within 2. With two outs,  a caught high fly ball ended our chances of advancing to tonight's Championship game.
  • July 27 pm Yes it's sour grapes but, the tournament was held in District 3 land, the umps were from District 3, and the two remaining teams were from District 3..... Huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu ump.
  • July 26 pm  Tina Lynn Hill, 36, of Widen WV, see FUNERAL page
  • July 26 pm Storms tore through the county last night leaving many without electric service. Around 6:15 the wind howled and the rain, thunder and lighting came to Clayberry and surrounding counties. Some power was restored around 9pm.  At midnight : thirty, one utility worker reported outages in Widen, Harrison, Dille, Triplett Ridge, Lizemores and Procious.
  • July 26 pm The local biscuitry was packed with powerless people this morning. Those folks reported power company officials telling them, no juice until late this evening. As of noon today, many trees remain strewn about the roadways with downed lines in the Southern end of the county and Fola Road plus Triplett Ridge.
  • July 26 pm  For those without power, it's time to pig out on ice cream and frozen foods before they go bad.
  • July 26 pm With the heat index predicted to hit 105 degrees today, it's a great day to head to the Clay pool.
  • July 26 pm Lets talk All Star State Tournament baseball. We have some good news and some bad. First the bad.
  • July 26 pm Last night the Clay/Gilmer All Star team, The Vipers, took on Taylor County at Little Creek Park in So Charleston. The Taylor team took an early lead. During the second inning a humongo big arss storm hit and delayed the game for 30 minutes. With a wet field slowing things down, Taylor ran the score to 6 to 2 after batting in the 7th.
  • July 26 pm It's our turn.... Gary Jenkins tripled. The rally was on!!!!!!!!!!!!! Jarrod Klemans doubled and brought home a run. We worked it hard. You could feel the comeback spirit. Tim White's line drive allowed Klemans to make it home. JD Johnson made it to first. the score was 6 to 5 in favor of Talor County.
  • July 26 pm With 2 outs, the bottom of the 7th and Johnson on first, Jesse Darby was swinging, No luck,  JD saw an opportunity to steal second and get into position to score if  Darby got a hit. He ran hard. He slid.
  • July 26pm Out at second. The Clay/GIlmer All Stars came up short. We lost 6 to 5.
  • July 26 pm That's the bad news. Here's the good news. The way the tournament was set up, double elimination during pool play. THE VIPERS as well as Grafton, Mt State, and Kanawha Central HAVE MADE IT TO THE FINAL FOUR! Last night's loss didn't hurt us one bit!
  • July 26 pm Tonight at 8pm, the four teams will play single elimination ball. If you lose, you're out and head home. The two winners tonight will go on to the State Championship game whic
  • July 22 pm  It's always nice to kind words. Just got this in the mail bag:   I would like to thank the friendly people of Clay especially Trina Drake and Brandi Shafer who were so helpful.  By posting to your website I have been able to track down a good friend that I haven't spoken to in almost 7 years.  The Marine Corps gives those of us that serve together a bond that is almost like our family away from home.  You as a community helped me reunite with my brother. Thank you again to my new friends in Clay,   GySgt Michael D. Taber United States Marine Corps
  • July 22 pm   the Communicator made it to the news stands this afternoon around 2:30pm. 20 pages of solid Clayberry news and views plus a whole lot more. With all the good church folks working to boycott the newspaper ( they prefer National Inquirer stories), no need to rush out unless you want the latest info on our 342 square miles we call home.
  • July 22 pm  With lots of sunshine in the forecast for the weekend, there's no reason to stay home
  • July 22 pm With all the other Clay teams out of action, the Clay/Gilmer All Star Senior League team takes the field Saturday afternoon at 2:30pm Come out and support the team during the state tournament action at Little Creek Park in So Charleston.  Easy to find too.  The ball field is near the State Police Headquarters, 725 Jefferson Rd on Old Kanawha Turnpike Road.  Go Claaaaaaaaaaay!
  • July 22 pm We're going to need all the support we can get as we take on the Eastern panhandle team (District 6) known for hard hitting and big time wins.   For the Clay side of the Clay/Gilmer All Star team, this makes five years in the row in state tournament action. Already a high water mark for Clay County sports.
  • July 22 pm  Check the EVENTS page for all kinds of good stuff to do including the Clay Ag Fair now in progress at the newly reworked Maysel Park.
  • July 22 pm  Just got this in the email bag:  Have you ever locked the keys in the car?  If you lock  your keys  in the car and the spare keys are home, call someone who is at  home on your cell phone.  Hold your cell phone about a foot from your car door and have the other person at your home press the unlock button, holding it  near the phone on their end. Your car will unlock. Saves someone from having to drive your keys to you.  Distance is no object. You could be hundreds of miles away, and if you can reach someone who has the other "remote" for your car, you can  unlock the doors (or the trunk!)
  • July 21 pm We're in the typing mode preparing the near award winning Communicator for Friday's publish date. Until we get it out the door, no new posts.
  • July 21 pm  There's lots going on this weekend in Clay. If you haven't made travel plans, consider Clay County's Appalachian Mountains. No stoplights and no traffic jams. Sounds nice already doesn't it?
  • July 21 pm This  morning we posted news on a Barrow County Georgia 10 Commandments case where the county ended up paying $150,000 to the ACLU in legal expenses. That's $150,000 and the case never got to trial. the religious display came down Wednesday.
  • July 21 pm We have an update.
  • July 21 pm In Georgia, like here, the taxpayer was told, the court challenge wouldn't cost you a thing. A non profit group will defend the Commissioner's illegal actions at no charge to the government. That didn't happen clickers. Sorry we don't have the direct link, but the news story is now on the ADVISORY page.
  • July 21 am  Virginia Williams, 71, of Fola, WV, Robert D. Faulkner, 63, of Bomont, John C. Legg, Jr., 75, Georgie Marie Foreman, 85, of Lizemores , see FUNERAL page
  • July 21 am  Happy belated 57th Birthday Bob Killingsworth  from Holly
  • July 21 am from the email bag:  Please say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my son, Glen, in Perry, Ohio, from his Mom.     His birthday is Friday, July 22.
  • July 21 am How about an insanity test. be sure to have your speakers turned on.
  • July 21 am Since inception, Carl Wilson Funeral Home has had  a section for comments. Several people left posts commenting on quality service and a friendly staff during times of need. A few days back that site added  WE SUPPORT THE TEN COMMANDMENTS banner on several of their pages. After doing so and mention of such on this site, several people used the funeral home site to comment both for and against the  CCC's decision to  over ride the Supreme Court decision banning County Courthouse displays of the 10 Commandments.
  • July 21 am Sometime yesterday afternoon, all posts were removed from that site.
  • July 21 am  The National Guard unit had a tough time getting their construction equipment down Maysel Park hill yesterday afternoon. They got the equipment out of there but only after a bunch of negotiating and renegotiating the can of worms one lane goat path.  More of the same is expected today as the soldiers head back to Buckhannon.
  • July 21 am Although not very pretty, Commissioner Peter Triplett is a pretty good thinker and even better computer guru. During two public meetings, Triplett has said he read parts of the June 27th Supreme Court decision which bans County Courthouses from displaying Ten Commandment plaques. He said the high court's decision applies to Ky but not Clayberry. Apparently, it applies in Georgia too.
  • July 21 am Down in Barrow County Georgia, Commissioners think differently. Just minutes before their Ten Commandments case was to go to Court, the elected body bailed out. They said in light of the June 27th Supreme Court decision and the cost of fighting the battle in court, they would take the display down.
  • July 21 am In that Georgia settlement, the taxpayer will cough up  $150,000 to cover legal expenses for the anonymous plaintiff. Here in Clayberry, Commissioner Sams has made no mention of paying legal fees out of his own pocket.
  • July 21 am As has been the case for 30 years, Courthouse workers are free to display their religious ornaments in their own private work spaces or any other non public part of the building. Making lots of sense!   Barrow County Commissioner Doug Garrison commented, " It's better to have the 10 Commandments in your heart than on the walls.."
  • July 21 am Now where have we heard that before?
  • July 20 am The deadline for this Friday's Communicator is Thursday at 9 am. get your chatters, community notices, classifieds, and event listing emailed over  ASAP.  Even with Preachers saying boycott those nasty people, this Friday's offering is sure to be informative.
  • July 20 am   It's mid week with little public meeting updates.
  • July 20 am  Our well paid School System administrators make a living massaging stats to make rosy a picture of failing test scores and worse. When things are really bad, they hand out awards for their short comings.
  • July 20 am During last Wednesday's CCC meeting, Asst. School Czar Kenneth Tanner mentioned something reaaal interesting during his speech to remove Constitutional protections from America. According to Tanner, SAT scores having been going down hill for the last 24 years.
  • July 20 am Although the county's brain drain and lack of parenting are the reasons for low test scores, Tanner had other crowd pleasing  answers. Oh it's those nasty liberals... it's those nasty ACLUers who only allow personal religious freedoms and personal religious studies in the schools; and, here's a real crowd pleaser, when this country stopped forcing kids to pray to the God of another's  choice, tests scores went sour.
  • July 20 am   More posts have been added over on the Wilson Funeral home site. Some real interesting stuff. Had the crowd at last Wednesday's CCC meeting been that civil and thinking, we would be having discussions instead of having preachers and politicians spreading hatred and calls for civil disobedience from the pulpit over the last few days.
  • July 20 am  SIGNS YOU HAVE GROWN UP :  Your houseplants are alive, and you can't smoke any of them.    You keep more food than beer in the fridge.    6:00 AM is when you get up, not when you go to bed.   You hear your favorite song on an elevator.  You watch the Weather Channel.    Your friends marry and divorce instead of hook up and break up.    You go from 130 days of vacation time to 14.    Jeans and a sweater no longer qualify as "dressed up."    You're the one calling the police because those%&@# kids next door won't turn down the stereo.    Older relatives feel comfortable telling sex jokes around you.   You don't know what time Taco Bell closes anymore    Your car insurance goes down and your payments go up.    You feed your dog Science Diet instead of McDonald's leftovers.   Sleeping on the couch makes your back hurt.   Dinner and a movie is the whole date instead of the beginning of  one.    Eating a basket of chicken wings at 3 AM would severely upset rather than settle your stomach.  A $4.00 bottle of wine is no longer "pretty good stuff."
  • July 20 am  We got a cute email following the first  "10" postings. In part it read: PLEASE EXTEND AN INVITATION TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, INCLUDING THE OFFENDED AND OPPRESSED JEWS, CATHOLICS, HINDI, TALIBAN, AND AGNOSTICS TO AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY SHOW OF AMERICAN MILITARY EFFORT BY THE WV NATIONAL GUARD AT THE MAYSEL PARK.       CAT POWER IS THE LAW OF THE LAND, AND DIESEL FUEL IS HOLYWATER.     DOZER FREAKS, PAN FANS, AND GRADER GROUPIES ALIKE WILL BE IMPRESSED BY THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN ACHIEVED.
  • July 20 am  The 119th National Guard unit from Buckhannon will begin pulling out Thursday. Now's a good time to go say Thanks.
  • July 19 PM  So how can anyone say there should be just one faith for the country? How can anyone say one's belief in God should be grounds for fewer Constitutional liberties? How can a group of 200 calling themselves good , loving, Christians be so filled with hate? How can any American tell another American, to get out,  there's no place for you in Clayberry?
  • July 19 pm the answer is simple. Right wing fundamentalists. This site has even referred to them as the Christian Taliban. Harsh you say? Not really.  The same people ready to throw rocks at the minority last Wednesday during the CCC meeting, were the same people there one year earlier at the Crime in Clayberry meeting. At that 2004 meeting, they suggested killing those suspected of criminal behavior.
  • July 19 pm Remember that meeting? Last July over a hundred Clayonians attended and told law enforcement to straighten out the crime problem in Clay or they would get their own rope and start lynching people!  Last year and this year, many of the same loving Christian fundamentalists voiced their plans to do away with a nation of laws and take matters in their hands. It was worrisome last year and last Wednesday.
  • July 19 pm   Wonder if you remember something else that came up?  A different twist? During that last July "Crime" meeting, several in the crowd demanded Commissioner Sams remove his 10 display! Magistrate Boggs  was one of the chief critics of Sams religious display. His reason? According to then Sheriff Fields, the Family Law Court was withholding rent $ for the use of the CCC room for court.
  • July 19 pm Sams refused to remove the display back then  and boldly stated his reason for denying the county rental income and for keeping the plastic plaque at the COurthouse. Sams roared out: If they don't get religion at home, they'll get it at the Courthouse! Today, 12 months later, Sams says this display has nothing to do with religion. What changed?
  • July 19 pm Here's the coffee house crowds' guess: The Virginia based law firm hired to defend the CCC in the anticipated law suit has been coaching Mr. Sams. The defense plan includes: call them secular, never refer to them as religious, say they are basis for our laws, and stuff like that
  • July 19 pm Now back to the Christian Taliban. have you ever lived with a partner? No No No , Not gay stuff.... Maybe before getting hitched, did you ever shack up for a weekend, month, year, years? WV and 6 other states make such co habitation ILLEGAL!.
  • July 19 pm Those nasty ACLU pinko commies are at it again. Get this. The ACLU are defending people's right to live with whomever they want!  What a bunch of devils they are! Read more on the ACLU's stand on keeping individual rights, individual. "Lewd and lascivious" cohabitation.
  • July 19 am Get your cup of coffee clickers, this'll take a while.
  • July 19 am First , Commissioner Sams' Ten Commandments plaque was  removed from the Courthouse wall Friday before lunch. No not by US Marshall's or Jimmy Sams,  but by Jesse Sizemore. Here's what we've put together. Mid morning, last Friday, Jesse went thru the County Clerk's hallway into the County Commission room and removed the illegal religious display. Note: the main glass doors into the CCC room are locked unless a meeting is scheduled.
  • July 19 am A short while later, the loss was noticed. Since the main door remained locked, they knew the 10 were hidden somewhere in Sams Courthouse Sanctuary, the black plastic display was found and rehung on the wall. Later, Jesse Sizemore admitted to the hide and seek.
  • July 19 am  Based on street talk, the owner of the 10 (Sams) was peed big time and may be considering court action against Sizemore. One big frowny face for Jesse Sizemore.
  • July 19 am  Since when does a  quiet, little,  brick faced, funeral home get center attention? When they enter into a constitutional battle over the Ten Commandments!
  • July 19 am For several days, the Carl Wilson Funeral Home web site went without Obituary posts. Even their archived obits were missing. We mentioned the occurrence and added that on several of their web portal pages a new line had been added: We support the Ten Commandments.  Seems like a simple enough statement on our part, just mention of the change and : Since we draw our funeral listings from that same site, until they get the glitch worked out, no more listings for the world to see.
  • July 19 am Simple enough? WRONG! One of our emailers got his shorts all bunched up and wrote: Where did you come up with this info and why would that stop you from posting there obits? Are you saying that they don't have a right to believe in the ten commandments or even state that they do? It is not stated on every page and it's only on the page where they introduce themselves. They do not say that they support the ten commandments being displayed in the court house. Some of your statements are worse then some of the one's made at the recent meeting.
  • July 19 am Later Monday, the Obits were restored for the public's viewing and some of the We Support lines were deleted. Story over? Nope. Under their comments section was this posting:  07/17/2005 12:43 PM Ya know, I had really hoped that some of the more educated in Clay would realize that The Supreme Court decision over the 10 Commandments is not against the 10 Commandments. It makes me wonder if you are the kind of establishment that would even have services of the non offensive sort for us who are terrifically offended by Christian Fundamentalists. What they are doing in Clay is a disgrace to the bible. What you've done to your page is so professional, NONE of my family will be using your services ever again. Posted by: Clay County Citizen
  • July 19 am That post was replied to with this one: Dear Clay County Citizen, I am concerned to find out that you and your family will not be using are services, I hope that you will reconsider your decision, and allow us the honor to serve your family in your time of need. We try to serve each of our families the way that we ourselves would expect to be treated. We would in no way ever discriminate against someone, or what they believe!!!! We live in a great country, that allows us the freedom of choice, to each their own. Just because we all do not believe and support the same things does not make either of us right or wrong it just makes us all different! I am sorry that this has upset you, but it is just what we choose to believe, and I hope that this will not keep you and your family from allowing us to serve you! Posted by: B.J. Smith
  • July 19 am  Pretty nice come back from BJ,  especially the mention of freedom of choice, and individual freedom of religion and not being discriminatory in their place of business. While BJ may be truthful with his words and the funeral home's policy, he wasn't at last Wednesday's gathering where the opposite views rang loud and clear. Where good right wing Preachers whipped the crowd into a frenzy to overthrow the foundation of this country, the US Constitution.
  • July 19 am  Is the funeral home story over. WRONG Again!
  • July 19 am  The most recent post on the Wilson Funeral Home site came from the guy that told the crowd last Wednesday, there should only be one "true" faith in this country and other beliefs should have fewer Constitutional protections. His reference point was Jews and Buddhists. His comments on the funeral home site were brief but as expected: BJ and Ron, Continue to do what you think is best. Others support you. Posted by: Jacob Nichols
  • July 19 am  Since the media coverage has died down a little and there's been some time to digest what happened 6 days back, there is a scary reality.
  • July 19 am   Many in Clayberry, the majority it appears, believe  that this is not a county for all to walk, work, live, and believe, equally. The majority feels that Clayberry is no place for people with different religions or no religion. The majority feel their fundamentalist views should ride roughshod over all others. That same dimly lit mentality held blacks as sub standard, that same mentality kept women from owning property and voting, and that's the  same mentality that rode around with chickens**** white hoods.
  • July 19 am Normally we  try to come up with some cute remark or quirky joke to lighten the situation. Not so this morning. Losing a country over an election year tactic, is nothing to laugh about. Thank you Jimmy Sams for disgracing our future.
  • July 19 am  If the Constitution doesn't work for all Americans, it can work for none.
  • July 18 pm  Ora E. Rogers Strickland, 99, of Clay, see FUNERAL page.
  • July 18 pm  You might want to check our FUNERALS page for several other postings. We retrieve our notices from the Carl Wilson Funeral home web site which ws just updated this morning.   Thanks Ron.
  • July 18 am  A great big 28th Happy Birthday wish to Denise Duffield
  • July 18 am Over the last couple years, Carl Wilson Funeral Home has maintained a web site for online clickers to see everything from company services to obituaries to an archive of those that have passed. Since late last week, the site has been devoid of current obits and the archives. Replacing the information, on most of the pages is We Support The Ten Commandments.
  • July 18 am  Since we draw our funeral listings from that same site, until they get the glitch worked out, no more listings for the world to see. Sorry.
  • July 18 am The School Board meets the first and third Monday of the month at 6pm except when holidays pop up. Although they refuse to follow Open Meetings Laws and post the Agenda in advance, Boardster Beth Cercone does on her web site. From Ms Cercone's site, some of the stuff to be worked on July 18th: Approve Agenda  Approve the employment of Dustin Fitzwater as School Bus Driver for Bus #41, Falling Rock/Bomont/Camp Creek; Approve the employment of Delno Coen as summer painter; Approve the employment of Dave Mullins as Substitute Bus Driver;  Accept the bid of Wilma Jean Ramsey for Contract  Run 12C, at the rate of $1,588.00 for 175 days;  Approve the transfer of Pam Douglas from 200 day custodian to 240 day custodian at CCHS;  Accept the resignation of Lisa Dolan as Technology Education Teacher at CMS. Accept the resignation of Freda Stricker as Contract Bus Driver for the Run #7C;  Approve the transfer of Ashley Mullins (11) from CCHS to Capital High School, Kanawha County. If you'd like to bookmark it, here's Ms Cercone's site.
  • July 18 am  Many of our citizenry have a less than hospitable mentality. Here's one such from the email bag: You all speak of the TEN on the CCC. If you do not believe in them do not obey them. Your kids do not have to mind, steal, kill, and the Devil will love you for your stand. When US was a dream the Ten Com. was the first on the list of how laws was made. In God we Trust. Was the saying. People like you need a new hobby. Go mess something else up. It s people like you that have messed up This Counrty. My GOD help the Pres. Bush and others like him.
  • July 18 am I think someone pooped in his oatmeal!
  • July 18 am  Calhoun County's Hur Herald picked up on the 10 story as has the Associated Press and the Charleston Daily Mail (see ADVISORY page, this site). On Saturday, the Clay County Commission earned a frowny face for their efforts last week.
  • July 18 am  For those following the downfall of Carl Rove, here's the Matt Cooper's Grand Jury testimony.
  • July 18 am   With Judy Miller behind bars for not reporting a story, who is this Special Prosecutor Fitzgerald? Newsweek shed some insight in their July 25th edition.
  • July 18 am Little down on your luck? not enough jingle to make ends meet? Write a book. The author of the latest Harry Potter book just earned $36 m in 24 hours.
  • July 17 pm  Roll out those lazy crazy days of summer.... Those lyrics rang true this past week in Clayberry. Here's our mid summer, end of the week wrap up.
  • July 17 pm  the humidity dripped off anyone working out of doors this week. When it wasn't raining, the sun heated the county to sweltering levels. Air conditioners did overtime duty. For adults and kids alike, the Clay Pool and the Elk River offered the only places to cool down.
  • July 17 pm Our 9 -10 year olds continued All Star Tournament action dropping one Saturday night. They needed just one more win to go to the States. They have that chance This Sunday afternoon in Elkins. Go Clay!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • July 17 pm  The front page story from this past week was Wednesday's County Commission meeting. With so many in attendance, the meeting had to be moved to the CCHS auditorium. The spark plug for the masses was not the dismal performance of government leaders, nor missed calls by our ambulance service, or even no new jobs in the county for 10 years. Instead, passions run high in support of Commissioner Sams election year tactic of erecting a 10 Commandment plaque in the CCC room at the Courthouse.
  • July 17 pm On the 13th, Preacher after preacher followed by law persons galore proclaimed the need to wear religion on their sleeves. They spoke on doing away with the Constitution. One guy said that this should be a nation of just brand of religion and said people that disagreed with his personal choice in faith should have fewer rights and protections as American citizens. Sadly we report, those words brought thunderous outbursts of applause and "Praise the Lords" everywhere. Ditto during any mention of those pesky law suit prone ACLUers who were labeled the devil reincarnated.
  • July 17 pm One dimly lit fellow referred to the ACLU as that nasty UCLA bunch. That level of competence filled the lion's den.
  • July 17 pm At the fore front of the issue was Jesse Sizemore who asked the County Commission to remove the illegal display before getting sued by the ACLU. Sizemore wasn't able to get any complete sentences out as the good Christians heckled and yelled out. Sizemore said the US Constitution and the recent Supreme Court decision HAD to be upheld for this country of many to survive. The masses didn't like the sound and all but booed Jesse of the stage.
  • July 17 pm A new face emerged in the controversy. A 30 something, trim, bespeckled, John Brown stood and said: As a non Christian, I am offended by the 10Commandment display in the Courthouse. Oh man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the crowd went wild. Had there been rocks around, Brown would have been pummeled in short order by the good Christians. When Brown tried to explain his words, he couldn't. When a teen girl tried to speak, she too was all but tossed from the stage. Mob rule was the order of the day.
  • July 17 pm Commissioner Sams seemed to glow with all the attention being afforded him. He smiled broadly as he introduced each pro 10 speaker. Near the end of the meeting, Commissioners Triplett and Fran King walked in lock step in favor of keeping the religious display at the Courthouse.
  • July 17 pm That ugly meeting didn't go without notice. Regional TV crews filmed the affair. The AP picked up the story and distributed it broadly. One call has come in that the New York Times is interested in national coverage.
  • July 17 pm Clayberry has a habit of garnering "black eye" news coverage. We're in the middle of another one of those stories and the lawsuit has yet to be filed. It's going to get messy!
  • July 17 pm  Thursday night, without Boardster Melissa Postelwait in attendance, Clay Roane PSD held their monthly business meeting devoid of shouting, cussing, and fights. The cash strapped water provider remains months and months behind in bill paying. After years of administrative mismanagement, even the 24% rate increase may not be enough to salvage the operation.
  • July 17 pm At week's end, the better side of Clay surfaced again. The 119th National Guard unit continued working to improve the fields at Maysel Park and Mark Thompson & Damon Grose held another Obrion Speedway race bringing in tourists and tourist $.
  • July 17 pm Despite everything else, the sun came out Sunday, churches were allowed to operate without government intervention, kids played, and Sunday dinners were had.    Life goes on.
  • July 16 am  This is big day for our 9 and 10 year old All Stars. After stomping Elkins (short gaming them 10 Zip), Clay needs one more win to take the District 8 Championship. Action begins at 2pm in Elkins. With a win today, we're off to the State Tournament in Martinsburg. Goooo Clay!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • July 16 am Elkins is one of those well financed teams Clay loves to beat. With lots of players to chose from, the Elkins Club is always tough to handle. Of course with 2 double plays, Christopher Cole on the mound and a flurry of hits, Elkins tumbled to the rag tag Clay All Stars.
  • July 16 am  Rag Tag ?  Oh yell, they made fun of us too. The Elkinites openly wondered if Clay parents could find enough gas stations that accept food stamps to make the trip to Martinsburg.
  • July 16 am the Clay/Gilmer Senior League All Stars won their District 8 Tournament last week and are heading to the States next week in Charleston. Go  Clayyyyy!
  • July 16 am  Welcome to Clayberry Greg and Roberta Wagoneer.
  • July 16 am The National Guard unit working at Maysel Park has extended an invitation to the county of Clay to come up and see their handiwork. Dirt being moved left and right!
  • July 16 am Remember the pot garden found last Sunday by Team Holcomb? They got a confession by mid week. Another pot garden was discovered by week's end. If Holcomb keeps this up, he's going to kill our non taxable income around here. Between that and food stamps, there's not much else.
  • July 16 am   A couple drove down a country road for several miles, not saying a word.  An earlier discussion had led to an argument and neither of them wanted to concede their position. As they passed a barnyard of mules, goats, and pigs, the husband asked sarcastically, "Relatives of yours?"  "Yep," the wife replied, "in-laws."
  • July 16 am  A man and his wife were having an argument about who should brew the coffee each morning. The wife said, "You should do it, because you get up first, and then we don't have to wait as long to get our coffee." The husband said, " You are in charge of cooking around here and you should do it, because that is your job, and I can just wait for my coffee."   Wife replies, "No, you should do it, and besides, it is in the Bible that the man should do the coffee." Husband replies, "I can't believe that, show me." So she fetched the Bible, and opened the New Testament and! showed him at the top of several pages, that it indeed says.........."HEBREWS"
  • July 16 am  While attending a Marriage Seminar dealing with communication, Tom and his wife Grace listened to the instructor, "It is essential that husbands and wives know each other's likes and dislikes."  He addressed the man, "Can you name your wife's favorite flower?" Tom leaned over, touched his wife's arm gently and  whispered, "It's Pillsbury, isn't it?
  • July 15 pm Don't be draggin around doin nothing this weekend, come to Clay County. Lots to do and lots of fun. Saturday morning, the old Courthouse will be open for tours. Dirt track racing at Obrion International Dirt Track roars to life around noon and Summer Jam at  WYAP come to life at 6pm. Bring a lawn chair and hear Jamie Oats and Back Fork Bluegrass in the outdoor setting . Bring a fishin pole and  catch a big one in the mighty Elk River. Clay County West Virginia is open for fun and adventure!
  • July 15 pm We're one day early but Happy Birthday wishes to Earnest Duffield of Widen
  • July 15 pm  Last night's Clay Roane PSD meeting was humdrum. Without Boardster Melissa Postelwait there to stir things up, it was quiet and business like. Postelwait will stand trial for smacking Boardster Susan Beard later this month. In early August the Circuit Court will hear a case brought by the County Commission seeking her removal from office.
  • July 15 pm  Clay Roane's water line extension project is nearly the half way mark. One small section in Clay County is already in the dirt and ready to go into service. But...... don't get excited yet. The water won't be turned on for some time with oversight people saying no to the early turn on idea.
  • July 15 pm Last Friday the WV Public Service Commission held a hearing in Clay for public comment on  Clay Roane's 24% rate increase request. Not one person showed up to protest the increase. Isn't that typical for Clayberry? No
  • July 15 pm Turns out the PSD forgot to give the public official notice in the newspapers. According to comments made during last night's PSD meeting, if anyone sends a letter requesting a chance to protest the rate increase, another hearing will be held.  Now's your chance clickers, if you think fiscal mismanagement, not knowing where $50,000 went, and out of control spending should be rewarded with a rate increase, here's your chance to be heard.
  • July 15 pm Now a note from the Wednesday morning County Commission Camp Meeting. When Library Board member Jacob Nichols proclaimed this should be a land of just one faith and when he stated that no religious belief other than his own should be supported by the government, the crowd went wild with supportive applause and loud Amens.
  • July 15 pm With that being said and being the majority's opinion, all you Methodists, Presbyterians, Catholics, Jews, and soft shell, Missionary, American, & Southern Baptists, line up! It's time to tattoo each and every one of you so you can be identified as people with fewer Constitutional rights. No date has been set for the "marking" session, but we'll find out the date and post ASAP.
  • July 15 pm One more note from that Wednesday gathering.... while bad mouthing Jesse Sizemore for his stand on supporting the Constitution and the removal of the 10, the good Rev Jimmy Duffield showed his religious ethics by gossiping that Sizemore fathered an out of wedlock "bastard" who is now 10 years old.
  • July 15 pm We have an update from Mr Sizemore. According to Sizemore: He remembers 1994 very well and remembers he went the entire 12 months without sexual intercourse.  Don't know which is worse, the likes of Jimmy Duffield or 12 months without ANY action.
  • July 15 pm Finally for this Friday afternoon, some humor:  A Cajun man wants a job, but the  foreman won't hire him until he passes a little math test. "Here's your first question, the  foreman said. "Without using  numbers, represent the number 9."    "Without numbers?" the Cajun says, "Dat  is easy." and proceeds to draw three trees.   "What's this?" the boss asks.   "Ave you got no brain? Tree and tree  and tree make nine," says the Cajun. "Fair enough," says the boss "Here's  your second question. Use the same rules, but this time the number is  99." The Cajun stares into space for awhile,  then picks up the picture that he has just drawn and makes a smudge on each  tree. "Ere you go." The boss scratches his head and says,  "How on earth do you get that to represent 99?"  "Each of da trees is dirty now. So,  it's dirty tree, and dirty tree, and dirty tree. Dat is 99." The boss is  getting worried that he's going to actually have to hire this Cajun, so he  says, "all right, last question. Same rules again, but represent the number 100."                                                                                                                                                                         The Cajun stares into space some more,  then he picks up the picture again and makes a little mark at the base of  each tree and says, "Ere you go. One hundred."   The boss looks at the attempt. "You  must be nuts if you think that represents a hundred!"   The Cajun leans forward and points to  the marks at the base of each   tree and says, "A little dog came along and  crap by each tree. So now you got dirty tree and a turd, dirty tree and a  turd, and dirty tree and a turd, which makes one hundred.....So, when I start?!"
  • July 14 pm It doesn't take long for the news of yesterday's County Commission Camp Meeting to spread. The Associated Press has picked up the story. The AP distributes news items throughout the world. The version printed in today's Charleston Daily Mail is over on the ADVISORY page.
  • July 14 pm And boy Oh boy , are we getting the emails!  from the around the country former Clayonian clickers are shaking their heads in dismay. Here's a sample: Hello,  I am very concerned with how the CCC  meeting went yesterday. I would like to find out how to get in touch  with John Brown and the others that were being bashed by the so called Christians  of Clay. I believe that true christians don't conduct themselves in this  manner. Christians are supposed to be loving and caring people. This country was founded on freedom of religion, not on just one that the people of Clay pick. Jacob Nichols, CCC, Sheriff Holcomb, and the other 185 or so should not be able to pick a religion for all of us. And should not be above the law!  If I break a law I will go to jail, if they break a law they will go to well  you know what I mean. I think something needs to be done, but we can't do it by ourselves. We need to do it together.
  • July 14 pm  Here's another sampling:  I would like to again thank you for your coverage of Clay County. More than ever, your voice is needed!!!!   I am actually a little sad that I'm not there to witness the human spectacle over the 10 Commandments issue.  Please let Jesse Sizemore know that he does have some supporters from Clay County.  This one just chose to leave the country instead.  The world over, there is no place like Clay County West Virginia!!!!!
  • July 14 pm One other person suggested that the local churches set up a fund to pay for the upcoming lawsuit. With Jimmy Sams not willing to cover any costs out of his own pocket, that might be a good idea. The County's insurance policy doe not cover such lawsuits.  OK right wing church cells, it's time to step out and put your money where your mouth is! Open them wallets!
  • July 14 pm  In the morning post came comments from Wednesday's Commission meeting where comments came in support of public schools' teaching religion during class time. Since this morning's post, we've received comments that we need to clarify our observations. Here goes
  • July 14 pm  Although those at the meeting spoke in unison on there being only one true religion, the question remains ...  with 58 churches in the county of Clay and all proclaiming to be the one true voice in the wilderness, which religion. Are we talking sprinklers or dippers? Is it once in grace always in grace or something else? And sure can't forget since there will be just one religion for our citizens to adhere too, what happens if that classroom teacher turns out to be Jewish, or Muslim or Wiccan or none of the above?
  • July 14 pm Good to hear from the emailers and keep them coming.
  • July 14 am Just got this in the email bag:  Congratulations to Alexia Scottlin Tanner.  Alexia competed in the Rainbow Pageant held on July 10, 2005.  Alexia was chosen Supreme Queen in her age division (0-2 years).  She was also chosen as Queen in the Sunday Best competition, 2nd Runner-up in Outfit of Choice, Best Smile, Most Beautiful and Miss Photogenic.  Alexia is the 8 month old daughter of Crystal (Killiongsworth) Tanner of Ivydale.  She is the granddaughter of Dawn Marks of Akron, OH, Ronnie and Sandy Holcomb and Bob Killingsworth of Ivydale. She is the great-granddaugter of Mancel and Ella Faye Martin of Ivydale.
  • July 14 am  Clayberry made the news again. Yesterday, various TV stations picked up on the CCC meeting where passions ran high and the elected folks walked in lock step to violate law of the land AKA US Supreme Court decision banning Ten Commandment displays in county courthouses. Last night the Associated Press picked up the story as well.
  • July 14 am  Although just 187 signed in, there was well over 200 in the peanut gallery.
  • July 14 am  Without a doubt, the most troubling part of the meeting came from an appointed leader in the community, Jacob Nichols. During the TV coverage (5:30, 6:pm and 11pm ), Mr Nichols said all religions but his own, are inferior and should not be permitted in this nation of many.
  • July 14 am Other Nichols' comments included: Jews, Buddhists and ALL other faiths should NOT have full protection under the Constitution. During those comments, the crowd of right wingers gave thunderous applause and ovations of approval. Up front the smug smiles came.  Commissioner Sams provided Nichols with a warm approving hand shake.
  • July 14 am Those two comments, with the approval of most in the room, are the reason the Supreme Court decision must be upheld in the Great Nation of Clay.
  • July 14 am The masses spoke up on wanting the school system to provide proper religious training for students. The rounds of Amen came again and again.  Since we've had school service personnel and teachers alike removed from their job for inappropriate sexual advances and worse, guess that's what the Christian Taliban wants for  the county.
  • July 14 am If there was ever a guy with gonads of stone, it was John Brown. After being shouted down during his 3 minute presentation to the CCC, Brown came back with:  As a non Christian, the Ten Commandments offend me. Oh Man!!!  The crowd went wild. In other parts of the world where rocks are plentiful, Brown would have been stoned to death on the spot. The thin, bespeckled, 30 something  Brown stood his ground. He said that he didn't want to be preached to each time he goes to the Courthouse to do business.
  • July 14 am On a sad note, a young 15ish looking girl, Luana Sizemore, went up front to show support for her Father, Jesse Sizemore. Before she could get her opinion out (she supports posting the 10), the hot headed, mealy mouthed crowd yelled out and belittled her every other word. It was nasty and a horrible introduction to democracy for young Miss Sizemore.
  • July 14 am While the good Christians worked hard to bad mouth the worth of the Constitution and any group or persons willing to support it, the Rev Jim Duffield showed his Christian training by bad mouthing with gossip tales the personal life of Jesse Sizemore. That's the Christian spirit that made this country what it is today!
  • July 14 am Commissioners Sams, Triplett, and King spoke and said they supported keeping the  Ten Commandments on the Courthouse wall.    In the land where dollars are in short supply and many agencies go without proper staffing levels, training and equipment, it's time for another costly lawsuit.
  • July 13 pm  Be sure to watch 6pm and 11pm TV coverage this evening. The boys from Charleston spent the entire morning filming Clayberry action during the CCC meeting.
  • July 13 pm This morning's County Commission meeting was intense, full of passion. So large was the crowd that the meeting was moved to to Clay High's mini Auditorium to accommodate the peanut gallery. On the agenda was Jesse Sizemore who asked the elected body to remove a big black plastic Ten Commandment display erected by Commissioner Sams during his last bid for office. Oh Boyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy! any mention of such brings out the masses in short order. It did that again this morning.
  • July 13 pm Preacher after preacher followed by veterans and lay people left and right spoke on the evils of the ACLU and how they wanted government, especially schools, the teach religion on a daily basis. With the exception of a hand full, 99% of the crowd spoke in favor of defying the recent Supreme Court decision banning religious displays in county courthouses.
  • July 13 pm The good Christians called anyone supportive of the Supreme Court , terrorists and heathens. As Jesse Sizemore tried to explain his position, hecklers broke into his 5 minutes of allowed time. The Right Wingers seemed pleased to only see one version, their version, of the thorny issue.
  • July 13 pm In addition to the TV crews, Sheriff Holcomb was present. During one heated exchange , it looked like Holcomb was ready to tell the CCC to shut the meeting down, that things were getting to intense.  As he walked to the front of the Mini Auditorium, he move his hand across his throat as if to cut if off. That didn't happen. Instead, our Chief Law Enforcement Officer told his adoring fans that he did not support man's law that there was another law that took precedence. It's always interesting to hear Badge Holcomb say he has little intention of adhering to the oath of office.
  • July 13 pm. Holcomb said he had other commitments and left the assembly. It was as if he was saying, Have  at it boys, they're all yours!
  • July 13 pm  We'll post much more during the Thursday morning post. Here's a teaser to get you to come back.
  • July 13 pm   During Praises, and Amen's, one appointed county leader of our community said that Jews, Buddhists and other religions should have reduced rights in this country. That, the Constitution should NOT apply equally to anybody other than Christians.
  • July 13 pm Pitiful ! and long live the Constitution.
  • July 13 pm And something to lighten the mood.... A cardiologist died and was given an elaborate funeral. A huge heart covered in flowers stood behind the casket during the service. Following the eulogy, the heart opened, and the casket rolled inside. The heart then closed, sealing the doctor in the beautiful heart forever. At that point, one of the mourners burst into laughter. When all eyes stared at him, he said, "I'm sorry, I was thinking of my own funeral . . . I'm a gynecologist."
  • July 13 am  Today the Clay County Commission meets at 10 am.  There's a big long agenda to go over but since the Supreme Court decision barring Ten Commandment displays in County Courthouses a couple weeks ago, there's only a couple questions.  When will the county get sued by the ACLU and, how many people will show this morning to show support for busting the US Constitution. What's your guess? Show up this morning and find out for yourself
  • July 13 am  Yesterday, Judge Ric Facemire spent the entire day on the bench sorting thru a  mess of old and new cases.
  • July 13 am From last week's Grand Jury.. not a guilty one to be found. Those that showed up Tuesday,  plead not guilty.   Later in the day after the juvenile stuff, James T Cottrell plead to 3 felonies down from the 7 charges. Cottrell was the Ivydale meth dealer caught selling to undercover badges last fall. He'll be sentenced Sept 6 in the am.
  • July 13 am We have a trial date for charged with the murder of Nancy Nelson, Larry Thomas. Mark your calendar for Sept 7th at 9 am.
  • July 13 am Yesterday we posted word of a pre trial hearing in the CCC  vs Melissa Postelwait case scheduled for Tuesday. Didn't happen. Circuit Clerk Asbury said it had been changed. Whatever happened to Ms Postelwait anyway? Not a peep from her in weeks.
  • July 13 am  Over on our ADVISORY page is the agenda for Thursday night's Clay Roane PSD meeting.
  • July 12 am  Cecil A. Brown, 86, of Indore, see FUNERAL page
  • July 12 am  Betty and Frank Murphy have been vacationing for about two weeks. They're in the great Northwest somewhere in Alaska. Last time they vacationed poor Frank darn near starved to death. Betty only fed him peanut butter crackers. Frank, if you're reading this, come on back home before you dry up into little or nothing
  • July 12 am Beginning at 9 am this morning the accused will hear Bailiff Gene king call out their names and go before the Judge. After hearing the charges, they either say guilty or not and await their day in court. Those seeking bond will pee test and then go their way.
  • July 12 am  This morning at 10 Clay County PSD  meets in their Main Street Clay building across from the Courthouse.
  • July 12 am   Remember Melissa Postelwait of Clay Roane PSD fame? She has a "status conference" set for this morning at 10:30 am. There's actually two Court cases on Ms Postelwait.  One: the County Commission is still trying to get her removed from office, she's still on the Board.  Two: there is that little incident where she smacked the snot out of fellow Board member, Susan Beard. Postelwait is demanding a jury trial on that charge over in Magistrate Court.
  • July 12 am Are you reading this at the office? Courthouse?  Here's a recent survey indicating how much time is peed away daily on the net.
  • july 12 am   While you're there whizzing away your time, someone asked for that atomic clock link again, here it is.
  • July 12 am the attorney that's doing all the lawsuits down in our Southern border colony, Clendenin, has an interesting letter over on the ADVISORy page. Check out what justice is like just 20 miles down the road.
  • July 11 pm  Big naval day wishes extended to Dave Derby. Happy 57th Birthday
  • July 11 pm Asst Prosecutor TJ Drake has done pretty well in court since coming on board a few months ago. There have been times when some defense attorneys try to turn the proceedings into a more carnival like atmosphere. Drake has managed to keep his cool and represent the state in a  professional manner. With just one Asst. and one Prosecutor to serve the entire county, Drake's part time work is important to the citizen's of Clayberry.
  • July 11 pm With law enforcement working double duty to try and keep a handle on the growing number of meth labs and thugs in general, having skilled people on the job is important.
  • July 11 pm According to our sources, Asst Prosecutor TJ Drake has resigned from duty and will be out of here by month's end. He will be missed.
  • July 11 am For us scanner listeners, Badges were at it all weekend long doing something. We just didn't know what. Now we do!    Yesterday Sheriff and crew were busy digging up a bunch of pot plants. If you head over to the Courthouse today, the plants are back in the Sheriff's office. Stop over and get a whiff today.
  • July 11 am  About like a dog marking his territory............ Whenever Sheriff Holcomb is done diggin', he leaves a bunch of his business cards laying about the site. Just to let them know he was there and not some competing pot head.
  • July 11 am They're a brand new family in Clayberry. Just bought a plot of dirt in Laxton Hollow coming down Maysel hill. There's an old trailer there. The new couple came into town this weekend to begin work on their new digs to find a meth lab set up. Saturday evening badges were there collecting evidence before clean up crews disposed of the crap.
  • July 11 am Our 13 - 14 year old All Stars  beat Braxton Sunday evening in overtime action.
  • July 11 am Coming this week.... For those indicted last week, report to the Courthouse Tuesday morning please;  Clay County PSD, now $2.4 million richer, holds their monthly meeting Tuesday morning at 10 am; and, Clay Roane PSD meets Thursday evening at 7pm. With a 24+% rate increase now on the books, they should be happier too.
  • July 11 am Wednesday morning the Clay County Commission meets in their sanctuary. With the recent Supreme Court decision and their unwillingness to take down the Sams' display, this might be the keeper meeting of the week.
  • July 11 am  Over in Pakistan, they treat promiscuous women a little differently.
  • July 11 am Back in May, we ran that big rattler picture on our home page. For just one day mind you!. After a landslide of email requests, we ran it a second time in June. During that second airing, this site hit an all time record for hits, well over 2000 in one 24 hour period.
  • July 11 am Some rumors have legs all their own. With the Associated Press picking up on the bogus picture, the world has now heard of Clay WV. Here's the Yahoo link seen by millions.
  • July 11 am  Come back often.
  • July 10 pm  Mary M. Nottingham Withrow, 83, of Indore, see FUNERAL page
  • July 10 pm  Evelyn Carol Backus, 68, of Valley Fork, see FUNERAL page
  • July 10 pm  Mildred Irene Sizemore, 92, of Lizemores, see FUNERAL page
  • July 10 pm  CONGRATULATIONS TO ALEXIA SCOTTLIN TANNER, 8-MONTH OLD DAUGHTER OF JOSHUA AND CRYSTAL TANNER OF IVYDALE.  ALEXIA WAS CHOSEN AS THE 1ST RUNNER-UP IN THE FIRST EVER FIRECRACKER PAGEANT HELD JULY 9 AT CALHOUN MIDDLE HIGH SCHOOL.
  • July 10 pm This evening at 6pm our 13-14 year old All Stars take on Braxton in District 8 action. The games are held in Glenville in Glimer County. Go Clayyyy!
  • July 10 pm  From the last seven days we offer this wrap up....
  • July 10 pm Dubbya continued his rhetoric on how we're winning a war which has no end in sight. With our losses almost 2000, from CNN:  There have been 1,938 coalition troop deaths, 1,750 Americans, 90 Britons, 13 Bulgarians, one Dane, two Dutch, two Estonians, one Hungarian, 25 Italians, one Kazakh, one Latvian, 17 Poles, one Salvadoran, three Slovaks, 11 Spaniards, two Thai and 18 Ukrainians in the war in Iraq as of July 8, 2005.
  • July 10 pm Can you keep a secret in the USA anymore? Not according to the US Supreme Court which allowed one reporter Judith Miller, to be sent to jail. With the thought police marching in lock step, keep one thing in mind. Miller never wrote or spoke one word of what she knew. Not one word! We now know the White House leak which made public a CIA informant's name was none other than the puppeteer with his hand up Dubbya's butt, Carl Rove.
  • July 10pm    Our 23 CCHS and CMS kids returned from the National Technology Student Association in Chicago in the wee hours of last Sunday morning. They brought home 14 top ten finishes including one Middle Schooler with 2 4th place finishes. Not bad for a national event with over 4000 participants. $1000 were spent to compete but unlike other tax dollars, these kids brought home the bacon.
  • July 10 pm Clay County PSD Chair Keith King makes it a point to tell the public nothing. Not so long ago and while under Mr. Happy's watch, even the PSD's attorney was fired for talking to the public. For those wanting water service in the  Lizemore/Tucker's Bottom areas, we received some good news. The WV Infrastructure Council allotted another $2.4 million for your water line extension project. The total for the main line only extension is  $5.8 million. Unless the PSD drags its feet, the new dollars should be enough to start and complete the much needed project.
  • July 10 pm  Our BDA met this week and voted in a quicker way to way to award local tax dollars which eliminates the need to get formal bids. Instead they will secure simpler quotes. During the discussions Thursday July 7th, some in the peanut gallery cautioned the BDA over contracting with state and federal dollars without a prevailing wage clause. Up front, Chair Leonerd Williams disputed the need for BDA oversight and said all those details would be up to the contractor and the BDA wasn't going to meddle with the contractor. Mention came of other economic groups and the liability problems in those cases...  that even when bid , we mean quoted out, the BDA retains responsibility for spending tax dollars.  ZZzzzppppp!  Went right over their heads.
  • July 10 pm   In home town America, our Senior League All Star kids took the District 8 Championship and are headed for the State Tournament in Charleston later this month. Our younger teams continue their quests for District 8 gold. Go Clayyyyy!
  • July 10 pm The Army invaded Clay two days ago. With big equipment they plan to redo the mud laden field around the Knotts building at Maysel Park.
  • July 9 pm  In the last edition of the Communicator we goofed and listed Darlene Morris as someone indicted during the summer Grand Jury deliberations. With that opppps in hand and the right name Darlene Mullins properly identified, we received an email from one of the many Darlene Mullins' in the world. That email Mullins didn't like being mentioned either! Now she's upset. Did we mentioned Darlene Morris was reaaaaal peed too? She is!
  • July 9 pm Which ever this Darlene Mullins is, we don't know.  Tuesday is the day all the indicted show up with a plea. Might have a better idea who each is after seeing them during their court appearance.
  • July 9 pm Got one other thing, we provided coverage from Tuesday's CAEZ meeting. As they said during the meeting, the news wasn't good. That posting needs a clarification. The Co-Op needs a few acres in Swandale to accommodate deboarding the train, concessions, and a place for campers to pitch their tent. When we posted that the property owner near there wasn't willing to lease any land to the Co-Op, it sounded like the rail road right of way deal had fallen through. WRONG  WRONG WRONG.  What they're looking for is another 20 acres of so close by the right of way in the Swandale area.
  • July 9 pm  With all that said and resaid, enjoy your weekend, kiss the dog, and walk the wife.
  • July 9 am Last night the Clay/Gilmer Senior League Baseball team beat Summersville 12 to 3 securing the District 8 Championship. We're heading to the State Tournament July 23rd in Charleston
  • July 9 am Our undefeated 9-10 year All Stars need one more win to be the Southern Division Champs. Action continues today at Craigsville beginning at 2:30pm They'll play the Northern Champs in Elkins for the District 8 Championship
  • July 9 am  With one loss in District 8 play, it's do or die time for our 11 -12 year old All Stars. Action continues today
  • July 9 am Two games today for our 13 - 14 years at Gilmer. Game times at 1 and again at 6pm
  • July 9 am Hold your hats right-wingers. A high Court just ruled the government can not provide financial support for the Boy Scouts based on the seperation of church and state clause of the Constitution. Read more here. That's $6 to $8 million not being spent on a private non profit group. Another win for the ACLU
  • July 9 sm After a good long night's rest we'll provide a full posting on Saturday. Maybe with some sleep, the typing will come a little easier......
  • July 8 pm  The Communicator made it to the news stands this afternoon around 3pm. All the latest news on the Ten Commandment  battle in the Great Nation of Clay and a whole bunch more.
  • July 8 pm We already see one big mistake in the Grand Jury indictments. We copied down the list and the charges Thrusday afternoon right after the body finished dileberations. With the computers goofed up in the Circuit Clerk's office, we hand wrote the list and made a mistake. We wrote down a Darlene Morris as being indicted. We goofed. the name should have been Darlene Mullins.
  • July 8 pm Jennifer Nicole Sears Belt has been missing since Feb 8 2005. Saturday morning a search party will search the Widen area. Volunteers are asked to show up at Widen Baptist Church at 10am.
  • July 8 pm More coming ASAP.
  • July 7 am   Greetings there web clickers. We're going into typing mode  to get Friday's Communicator out on time. No new posts until the task is completed.
  • July  7 am  The summer term Grand Jury didn't finish up Wednesday. They're back at it this morning. The true bills will be published in The Communicator
  • July 7 am  This afternoon at 5 is the BDA meeting at the Courthouse.
  • July 7 am   An elderly man in Florida had owned a large farm for several years.  He had a large pond in the back, fixed up nice with picnic tables, horseshoe courts, and some apple and peach trees. The pond was properly shaped and fixed up for swimming when it was built.    One evening the old farmer decided to go down to the pond, as he hadn't been there for a while, and look it over. He grabbed a five-gallon bucket to bring back some fruit. As he neared the pond, he heard voices shouting and laughing with glee.    As he came closer, he saw it was a bunch of young women skinny-dipping in his pond. He made the women aware of his presence, and they all went to the deep end.    One of the women shouted to him, "We're not coming out until you leave!"  The old man frowned. "I didn't come down here to watch you ladies swim naked or make you get out of the pond."  Holding the bucket up he said, "I'm here to feed the alligator."
  • July 6 LATE pm   the Communicator comes out this Friday, Get your freebee classifieds, community notices, and such in asap. Deadline is Thursday morning.
  • July 6 LATE pm   Ed Hall over at BnA Produce on Main Street has fresh fruits and veges in stock. BnA also accepts vouchers. Tomatoes solid red to the center. Yum yum!!!
  • July 6 pm  Retta Kathryn (George) McCain, 78, see FUNERAL page
  • July 6pm  Waldo C. Boggs, 77, see FUNERAL page
  • July 6 pm  Today is Grand Jury time in Clayberry. Around the courthouse, Badges and Prosecutors scurry to present their best case to the citizen panel.  Around the county, those charged with crimes await their fate.
  • July 6 pm If you're wondering why there hasn't been much court room coverage from that last Grand Jury session.... there hasn't been much! Many of the cases have been plead under the guidance of Prosecutor Samples.
  • July 6 pm A couple things of note.
  • July 6 pm Just go this in the email bag:  Just wanted to let you know that the Clay 11 and 12 year old all star baseball team isnt the only team from Clay thats playing.  The 9 and 10 year old team is undefeated after four games.  They have two games to go.  They should go undefeated throughout the whole tournament,  and then its to Holly Gray for the next level of tournament play.       Thanks Eric and Go Clayyyyyyyyyyyyy!
  • July 6 pm Thursday evening the Business Development Authority meets at 5pm. With several agenda items noted on the recently posted agenda, it might be a good meeting. The BDA will vote to pay BDA member Dave Pierson up to $5000 for excavation work at the Filcon Inc. site. Also from the agenda is formal acceptance of Pierson resigning from the board. Meeting begins at 5 pm sharp.
  • July 6 pm Friday morning is a public hearing on Clay Roane PSD's humongo rate increase. This is the public's chance to speak out on pee poor PSD performance, mismanagement, and overall dismal efforts. If you plan to say something like: The rates are too high and the people can't afford it... Forget it! The WV Public Service Commission is only interested in keeping the Clay Roane PSD in the black. See ADVISORY page for more.
  • July 6 pm Last night, Clay Town Council couldn't muster a quorum and no meeting was held.
  • July 6 pm For those interested in getting the excursion rail road up and running, there's been another set back. During last night's CAEZ meeting, Director Sizemore said Widen Property (managed by Mat Coronet), the company that owns nearly all the land along the railroad right of way, is unwilling to lease ANY land to the BC & G RR co-op. The land is needed  to accommodate tourists and campers on the far end of the line. Without the land, there's a big problem.
  • July 6 pm Co-Op Chair Roger Nutter took the news in stride and said they weren't ready to give up. Director Sizemore mentioned another property owner in the area and contacts are now underway for use of that land. Keep your fingers crossed clickers, this is going to be a tough battle.
  • July 6 pm   Remember our mention of a new tourist attraction in the far end of Clay County?  A Mud Bog? As update... Bob's World Mud Bog opened last Saturday with 150+ people in attendance. With two mud pits running, all classes of vehicles were run including 2 nitrous oxide rail buggies running lickity split!  Interested?  For more, dial Laura at 304 655-7385.
  • July 6 pm Ever seen mud bog racing action. Here's the dirtiest, mud wise anyway, web site with some pics.
  • July 6 pm With Obrion Motor Speedway and Bob's Mud Bog along with Music Shows each weekend and the old Courthouse open for tours, tourism $ are finally a part of the Clayberry economy. Just wait until the BC& G gets up and running. Sometime soon we may see  a need for the old Filcon site as more than a worm farm.
  • July 5 am  There's a bunch going on today!
  • July 5 am Clay Town Council meets at the water plant beginning at 4pm
  • July 5 am  Central Appalachia Empowerment Zone will hold two meetings today. The Economic Development Committee meets at 4pm followed by the full Board at 6pm. Both gatherings are held in their Main Street Clay digs beside the DHHR building. During last month's meeting, Director Sizemore said he would make a big announcement during the  6pm meeting
  • July 6 am The School Board meets at 6 pm in the Standard Bryant Annex building on Gump Street. The resignations continue with new call ups to be announced tonight.
  • July 6 am Lots more going on this week , like, the Business Development Authority ( BDA) meeting Thursday at 5pm in the Courthouse sanctuary ( County Commission room).
  • July 5 am     Speaking of school stuff.... Our Technology Student Assoc. ( TSA) made it back from Chicago Saturday. With over 4200 kids from 30 states at the week long fun session, the 9 High schoolers brought home 9 top ten finishes while the 14 from Clay Middle garnered 3 top ten finishes including one brat who netted two top 10 finishes. 11 other WV schools attended the annual event. For Clay County, the School board financed the trip.
  • July 5 am We've got baseball All Star Tournaments going on. Our 11 - 22 year olds won Sunday against Gilmer but got stomped 7-2 against Braxton. They're not out of it yet and play again tonight. Go Clay!!!!!!!!!
  • July 5 am Uh Oh, ... Almost forgot one. This Thursday the CAEZ will host a Heritage Group meeting begining at 9 am. They want citizen input before deciding a 12 month plan of attack for Clayberry. Free food too! See EVENTS page for details.
  • July 5 am  How many are asking your neighbor or that geek kid next door for help with your puter?  Just got this in: COMPUTER TROUBLESHOOTING AND REPAIR SERVICES:  Do you need your old computer running like a brand new one or your new  computer setup or programs installed on it?  I have over 6 years of  experience and I am  A+ certified and I also have a certification in  computer troubleshooting and repair I can work and fix any brand of computer  guaranteed I also offer low cost parts and I do not charge my customers outrageous prices like other computer techs. I also do custom websites for your business or organization and offer great cheap web hosting at

    • Http://www.leet-one.com so Give me a call today at 587-4975 for your free  quote today also ask for references if needed.
  • July 5 am  OK All you coughers and hackers, just got this in the email bag: WANTED: MARLBORO MILES (NEW FIVE MILES) If you don't SAVE yours could you send them mine way..Because I'm saving them...I need extra ones..Send 2 me at: Tara Grose    P.O. Box 178   Indore, WV 25111.or call...(304)-587-2892
  • July 5 am  A very successful lawyer parked his brand new Lexus in front of the office, ready to show it off to his colleagues. As he got out, a truck came along too close to the curb and completely tore off the driver's door.

    •     Fortunately, a cop in a police car was close enough to see the accident and pulled up behind the Lexus, his lights flashing. But, before the cop had a chance to ask any questions, the lawyer started screaming hysterically about how his Lexus, which he had just picked up the day before, was now completely ruined and would never be the same, no matter how the body shop tried to make it new again.
        After the lawyer finally wound down from his rant, the cop shook his head in disgust and disbelief.   "I can't believe how materialistic you lawyers are," he said. "You are so focused on your possessions that you neglect the most important things in life."
        "How can you say such a thing?" asked the lawyer.  The cop replied, "Don't you even realize that your left arm is missing? It got ripped off when the truck hit you!!!"
        "OH, MY GOD!" screamed the lawyer.  "MY ROLEX!"
  • July 3 pm After a long afternoon nap and with batteries fully recharged, here goes with a weekend wrap up from a news worthy, first week in July 2005.
  • July 3 pm  During the last Clay County PSD meeting, Chair Keith King was asked about the long stalled Lizemore/Tucker's Bottom water line extension project. He refused to say anything. On Friday the WV Infrastructure Council (the people with the $) voted binding commitments on several state projects including one named: 96W-160, Clay County PSD. That sounds like a good thing if it doesn't mean fewer homes served.
  • July 3 pm This past week was an indication of the future of Clayberry. After a US Supreme Court decision mandated separation of church and state, our County Commissioners met twice including once with regional TV news crews on hand. The guy that put up the plastic 10 in the Courthouse, Commissioner Sams, said he wasn't about to take down the religious display. In Oct. 2004 when the wall hangin last made regional attention  (the ACLU promised a lawsuit via a letter), Commissioner Triplett told the world, he would remove the display if the Supreme Court said they were illegal. During this past week, Commish Prez Triplett said the high court decision did not apply to the great nation of Clay. Our third Commissioner, Fran King went noodle back and said she had not made  a decision on the matter. Sheriff Holcomb entered the fray and said he wouldn't honor ANY Court order and would refuse ANY orders to remove Sams' illegal display.
  • July 3 pm Here's the reason why one religion cannot be supported over another in America. His name is Jacob Nichols. Jacob is a nice looking young man, educated, and would have to be considered the above average joe in Claybery. We don't want to pick on Jacob but during the Thursday meeting of the CCC, after roaring up front to caress the plastic display and after proclaiming Christinaity is the only true religion, he was asked: If Commissioner Sams professed a religion other than Christianity, would you be supportive of putting up a Muslim or Jewish, or Buddhist symbol of that religion? With Passion:, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.
  • July 3 pm  During that 45 minutes of free discussion Thursday, words came on the USA being a Christian nation and the Constitution was based on Christianity. Nichols was also asked: Where in the Constitution is Christianity mentioned? When no answer came, he was asked: where is Jesus mentioned in the Constitution? Again no response. Finally, since the Constitution does reference God and a higher Being, the last question: which God were they referring to, only yours? His answer was YES. According to Nichols and Sams, no other religion (or lack of religion) has any place in the Clay County Courthouse!  Commissioner Sams and young Mr Nichols obviously feel they have a lock on religious expression in this 342 square miles. Only their beliefs should be supported by the government.
  • July 3 pm The Supreme Court has once again decided with wisdom, that County Courthouses across the nation must remain free of religious bias. Thinking Americans know the Christian Taliban must be held at bay so ALL people can use the public facility without ridicule and exclusion. That no one religion is the only religion for our 10,000 taxpayers.
  • July 3 pm  Around the county, the Christian Taliban erected more little white plastic I SUPPORT THE TEN COMMANDMENT signs in front yards and in car windows. More people are attending CCC meetings. This time around, people on both sides of the debate are speaking up. BUT..... as they did when Sams' first erected his display, the name calling, nails in parking lots, shot out windows and other good Christian behaviors are about to start again.
  • July 3 pm The recently baptized (and now ready to run for public office) School Superintendent Jerry Lininoooger made the regional papers this week as he once again denied information to the public. The Linkster denied a regional reporter information on his salary and contract. Just a few years back when asked for that same information, Link called in  the Badges to do a  background check on the reporter and later explained to the Charleston Gazette, that the request was so errry,  so scary, and, he thought the guy was one of those nasty ACLU pinko communists!  This time around, our good man Link, said the person just wasn't nice enough to him to get the information. Of course here in Clayberry, we know what not being nice enough to Link can do for your future.
  • July 3 pm And finally for the week that was....... With our lead economic development group, the Business Development Authority, still stuck in the swamp of doing nothing with the old Filcon building and securing ZERO new jobs for the county, our future grew.
  • July 3 pm In the Northern end of the county, on the far end of Clinic Road in Big Otter, a new company opened a Mud Bog race course. In the last 18 months, a new 1/8 mile dirt track opened, a band of volunteers secured promises of a 14 mile long excursion train route in the county, and a second race track, a mud bog, opened. They did it on their own!
  • July 3 pm Tourism 101: Over the holiday weekend, a small band of volunteers hosted an Independence Day celebration designed to give locals a chance to make some green backs. A town wide yard sale was held in addition to a parade, music shows, free swimming at the pool, and more. Did the Celebration bring any new bucks into the county of none? Here's our answer:  One lady reported earning $100 at her yard sale and another, said she netted nearly 80 bucks.
  • July 3 pm  And here's the keeper:  As a result of Saturday's increased business plus yard sale proceeds, one local business owner said she garnered $370. She added, before those new funds, she didn't have enough money to pay her rent for this month.
  • July 3pm We got a big week ahead full of many public meetings. We're taking the 4th off for more nap time. No new posts unless there is an emergency or something stupid happens in the Great Nation of Clay.
  • July 2 am   Denvial S. "Denver" Sizemore, 63, of Glen , see FUNERAL page
  • July 2 am  Enjoy Clay County's Street Fair in downtown Clay TODAY. Lots to do and see.
  • July 2 am  What a year it's been for growing tourism. Just got this in the email bag: THERE IS GOING TO BE A MUGBOG AT BIG OTTER JULY 2 REGISTRATION STARTING AT 10 AM .. RACES START AT NOON. CALL 655-7385 ASK FOR BOBBY OR LAURA.
  • July 2 am We talked to the organizers of the bogg races who said the location is over the top of the hill on Clinic Road. She said they plan to make the 100 foot and 150 foot mud trenches a regular event. With mud boggs, dirt track races, the mighty Elk, an excursion railroad, and a public camping area with full service hook ups ( Cold Springs Camps Ground at Bomont), it's never been a better time to visit Clayberry.
  • July 2 am  A few minutes before the church services started, the townspeople were sitting in their pews and talking. Suddenly, Satan appeared at the front of the church. Everyone started screaming and running for the front entrance, trampling each other in a hysterical effort to get away from evil incarnate.  Soon, everyone had exited the church... except for one elderly gentleman who sat calmly in his pew without moving, seeming oblivious to the fact that God's ultimate enemy was in his presence.

    •   So Satan walked up to the old man and said, "Don't you know who I am?" The man replied, "Yep, sure do." "Aren't you afraid of me?" Satan asked. "Nope, sure ain't." said the man.  "Don't you realize I can kill you with a word?" asked Satan. "Don't doubt it for a minute," returned the old man, in an even tone.  "Did you know that I could cause you profound, horrifying, physical AGONY for all eternity?" persisted Satan. "Yep", was the calm reply.  "And you're still not afraid?" asked Satan.  "Nope."  More than a little perturbed, Satan asked, "Well, why aren't you afraid of me?"
        The man calmly replied, "Been married to your sister for over 48 years."
  • July 1 pm First the important stuff. During yesterday's County Commission meeting, the issue of renting a private company office space in the taxpayer paid for Health Dept. building was decided. Sams, King and Triplett voted NO to getting into the rental business. They did allow the Family Resource Network, which is funded by the Health Dept., to have space in the Main Street building.
  • July 1 pm The agency NOT allowed space is the Human Resource Development Foundation  from Morgantown, which operates the Youth Advantage Program in several WV counties including Clay.  You may know the name as Workforce WV which is the sign above the door. Because of all the layers of bureaucracy, it's gets confusing.... who does what, who gets paid from where, etc. To make it more confusing, every five years or so, the government re-invents itself and comes up with a new name and all new hype. You might remember our youth program contracted to a children's home group, or run by JTPA. Before all that, it was called the Governor's Summer Youth Program. For our purposes today, we'll call this whole mess, HRDF.
  • July 1 pm  During the discussions, reps from HRDF including head cheese Bill Montezuma, spoke on major budget cuts in Federal funding ( thank you W)  and how the rent charged HRDF (by Peachie Jarrett) had to be reduced.  Interesting enough, there is no mention of budget cuts, budget woes, or imminent demise of any kind in the group's web posted meeting minutes. As a matter of fact, the minutes present a glowing picture of growth with new money coming in. See for yourself . Look at the last two Youth Advantage Program minutes from April and Jan. During the April Board meeting, revenues increased over $600,000.
  • July 1 pm We did glean one thing from the minutes. One brief note makes it clear, the entire Youth Advantage Program being a dismal failure as far as getting our youth and young adults into positions where they could make some money.  From the April minutes: Bill Monterosso ( we call him Bill Montezuma) monitored HRDF's commitment to work 225 in-school youth and 95 out of school youth. In actuality, they are working with 114 in-school and 25 out of school youth. The committee is concerned with the quality of the program. the Council will meet on May 19th and decide if they will recommend that the RFP be released from his contract.  Hmmmm... Not sure what an RFP is but it sure sounds like someone got fired. Maybe Saunders Cleague.
  • July 1 pm A couple things are for certain. One, the same bureaucrats keep showing up year after year with a new and better deal and year after year, our youth get the short end of the stick. Maybe ( for once) Dubbya was right in his budget cutbacks. Uhhhh, just typing that last sentence makes me have to go wash my fingers.
  • July 1 pm One other note on renting property in the Health Dept. building. Turns out the CCC  DIDN'T knew about all the companies using the facility. During the discussions, Health Dept. Director Linda Klotzbach had to provide some info. Stuff like the private, for profit company, Beltone Hearing Aids uses the facility once a month and pays reduced rates for the room used. Other government and quasi government agencies are also given preferential treatment. Here's the dilemma, liability. If one of the renters screws up and some one gets hurt or dead. The county would most likely get into a lawsuit.
  • July 1 pm  OK, so much for that for now. Now for more from our dimly lit elected folks. The big issue was the Ten Commandment display and the recent Supreme Court decision mandating such displays be removed from County Courthouses. Commissioner Sams said he wasn't about to remove them even if a Judge ordered him to do so. Commission Prez Triplett said Monday's High Court decision didn't apply to Clayberry. Newbee Commissioner Fran King .. blah blah  blah... I'm not with them [Triplett and Sams] ... blah blah  blah, I haven't decided yet.
  • July 1 pm Back on Oct. 14, 2004, the CCC received a letter from the ACLU of WV advising them to take down the 10 or face a lawsuit. Back then,  when lots of people came to argue the issue, Triplett had a different tune. From the Oct. 25th County Commission meeting, these passages. Paige Willis, "The posting of the Ten Commandments in a Courthouse is before the US Supreme Court. Mr. President [Peter Triplett]. if the US Supreme Court rules that it is illegal, do you intend to take those Ten Commandments down? Peter, " Yes sir. If they rule it is, Yes."
  • July 1 pm A little later from that same meeting someone asked, "If the Supreme Court rules they're illegal?" Peter, " I am for taking them down."
  • July 1 pm  Back to yesterday's meeting, ... then there was Sheriff Holcomb who vowed to disobey ANY court order forcing the removal of Sams' Dollar Store display. Here's  a cutey. While making the promise to promote one religion over another at the Courthouse, Holcomb said, " I'll be Damned if i'm taking them down!!!" Hmmmmm..
  • July 1 pm After the meeting, Sheriff Holcomb suggested making the entire County Commission room a private office and sealed off the area from public scrutiny. He suggested that all CCC meetings be held upstairs in the Circuit Court room where the 10 aren't hanging. Sams seemed to like that idea and said he would have to ask Triplett and King. Note: Religious displays on desks or private work areas pass the separation of church and state muster. If the County Commission room was labeled a private office, they would have something! Of Course, the taxpayer would lose another public meeting room.
  • July 1 pm Maybe the most rational in the crowd was Jesse Sizemore who called on the CCC to quietly remove the plastic display from view. To stop the threat of a lawsuit by quieting removing the illegal display after hours when the media wasn't around. His words fell on deaf ears. Made too much sense!
  • July 1 pm   Unless there is some kind of emergency, we're going to take a little holiday break. Don't miss out on all the Clayberry fun July 2nd.  Bring all your junk and set up a yard sale on the sidewalks of downtown Clay during the Independence Celebration Street Fair.
  • July 1 pm But wait there's more!  Out of Swandale is the big BC&G Railroad auction beginning at noon. If you ask them real nice you might even get a train ride.
  • July 1 am Too pooped out for a full post clickers but something  to get you thinking. The topic is the  newest Supreme Court decision, Commissioner Jimmy Sams' Ten Commandment display at the Courthouse, and yesterday's County Commission meeting. Here we go..
  • July 1 am   After a long discussion, Commissioner Sams told the public that even if he was ordered to take the display down, he wouldn't do it.  That's nothing new.
  • July 1 am After three days of studying the high court's decision, Commission Prez Triplett told those assembled, the US Supreme Court decision does not apply to the Great Nation of Clay.
  • July 1am   Commissioner Fran King chickened out and side stepped the whole issue saying she's not made up her mind as to whether to follow a Supreme Court decision.
  • July 1 am   And then there was Sheriff Holcomb.  The top badge was asked: If a Court (Judge) gave you an order requiring you to remove Sams' display, would you? Holcomb: Nope. I didn't have to! The follow up question was: What other laws are you not willing to uphold as a constitutional officer.
  • July 1 am  Last summer the CCC held a "Crime in Clayberry" meeting at CCHS. During that meeting, while on stage, Commissioner Sams told the group: If they don't get religion at home, they'll get it at the Courthouse!  During yesterday's CCC meeting, Sams told that ace cub reporter, he never said it.  Will someone else please jog Jimmy's memory.

    • July 1 am   A complete post coming later this morning  including Magistrate Boggs' head turning red as a beet while yelling Thursday after lunch. More juice coming, stop back by around lunch time