March 2010
March 30 a Retta Agnes Beckett,
81, of Ovapa, see OBITUARY page
March 30 a With the full faith and
credit of the government backing them, we expect results from Badges. From
an article in the Charleston Gazette: the percentage of major crimes --
murders, robberies, rapes -- solved has dropped from 22.9 percent in 1991
to 16 percent in 2007.
March 30 a 16%!
March 30 a We also depend on the Postal
Service. Remember when they delivered twice a day? With costs rising to
all time highs due to a silly way of funding retirees, now the USPO is
considering cutting
out one day of service and no one is complaining.
March 30 a Religious nuts in the Middle
East, we add an "ist" to them. There are a lot of ists in the world. Does
anybody else think those extreme
Christians in Michigan should be called Christianists?
March 30 a "The ink has
not yet dried on the health care reform bill, and already some deplorable
health insurance companies are trying to duck away from covering children
with pre-existing conditions," said Sen. John Rockefeller (D-WV), one of
the senate's most ardent backers of reform. "This is outrageous."
March 30 a With the month
coming to an end, there are no public meetings. Darn! Love those things.
March 30 a Don't forget the big benefit
concert over at CCHS tonight. See EVENTS page for details.
March 29 p With light rain coming
down and just a glimpse of sunshine once in a while, it's a yuck day on
Clayberry.
March 29 p All eyes are on WVU this
week as we head to the final four and a national championship. Here's an
interesting you
tube video on WVU.
March 29 p Republicrat Capito has had
a lock on the 2nd District for over a decade. Many challengers have come
and gone. This morning Virginia Graf graced the Courthouse for her first
visit to Clayberry in her journey to capture the seat. For those interested
in a change, here's her web portal.
March 28 Happy last Sunday in March.
Time is racing by. What a week!
March 28 p As revolutionary as LBJ's
Medicaid program in 65, Obama De Bama managed to insure 32 m more Americans.
Back in 65 only 10 Republicrats voted for the social program. In a few
years, watch them all beat their chests and say how hard they worked for
insurance for all.
March 28 p Also on the Federal
level, there's another indication that Mountain Top Removal is on its last
legs. Regulators now agree with tree huggers, damage caused by MTR is irreversible
and must be stopped.
March 28 p All TVs have been on WVU
and their march to a national basketball championship. So far, lookin good!
The last time we got this far along was in 1959 when Jerry West was at
WVU and we lost the final game by 1 point. Go Mountaineers!
March 28 p Most tourist stops have
a central focus, something as a the main draw. We might have it here. Judging
by the size of the potholes, we might bill ourselves as the Grand Canyon
of the East.
March 28 p Adam Nottingham remains
missing. Around the county are rumors that the police chase and actions
are being investigated by the Feds. We'll never know if those rumors are
true unless there are some kind of formal charges levied.
March 28 p Saturday morning a couple
dozen Clayonians met in the CCC room with a goal of cleaning up Buffalo
Creek and marketing it as a trout stream and a place of beauty. They have
a big task ahead. Their first effort comes in April when they clean
out trash and tires along the BC&G RR tracks. Limestone treatment comes
next if Federal $$$ become available.
March 28 p There is a bigger problem.
It's the number of sewer lines, "straight pipes" as we call em, from toilets
into the small creek. During the Saturday morning meeting came word that
there might be a way of forcing those dozen of so dwellers to install septic
systems.
March 28 p Not quite a record but clickers
to this site were many during the last seven days: Monday 2125; Tuesday
2163; Wed 2054; and Friday 1984. Thanks for stopping by and come back soon.
March 28 p We saw growth during the
last seen days. The Saturday Night Auction is adding first and Third Friday
night auctions to their schedule. Upstart Tiff's Tees on Main St is growing
into bigger digs as they move into the old insurance office across from
the Welfare building.
March 28 p The Communicator came out
Tuesday chucked full of the information found no other place. By Saturday
some subscribers emailed and asked why their source of news wasn't in their
mailboxes. We don't know. The 20 page award winning journal was mailed
as usual.
March 26 late p from the email bag:
Haily Deems has excepted the honor of being in the Governor School of Arts
or the GSA and only 15 in the whole state of WV were excepted but as parents
we would like to say congratulations to our daughter Haily job well done
Bo and Darlene Mullins
March late p We've got the 2010 CCHS
Baseball schedule on the ADVISORY page. Over on Clay High's web site,
they've still got the 2008 season posted.
March 26 a Nasty looking weather this
morning in Clayberry. Weathercasters are calling for a light dose of snow
mixed with rain and wind. Yuck
March 26 a Most of us know the importance
of an up to date, informative, attractive web portal. The CAEZ had one
which they never once updated. That's been replaced with a new one that
went on line a couple weeks back. The $5000 investment, take
a gander.
March 26 a Three years ago the BDA
invested $100s and remain web siteless unless you call this
place holder something. Slinky poo has a web portal he calls
the Clay County Commission
site. It too sucks for dead air.
March 26 a New Eco Dev Coordinator
Amanda Moore provided the CCC a progress report during Wed's Commission
meeting. That report included mention of working on a web site for her
private agency's efforts.
March 26 a Don't let this gloomy weather
hold you back from a weekend of fun activities. Tonight the Apple Festival
folks are hosting fundraiser
stuff over at the Lion's Club Casino on Main Street. Big Otter Community
Center has a live music show. A Benefit Gospel Sing at Lizemore Elem.
The Auction folks host their weekly offering Sat night beginning at 6pm
March 26 a And, want to help grow Clayberry.
The Buffalo Creek is loaded with logs and e coli to beat the band. A reorganized
Buffalo Creek Watershed group meets Sat morning in the CCC room at 10am.
Cleaning that stream would greatly improve changes for growing tourism
in these parts. Get off you duff and do something good for the county
March 26 a Back on the auction....
Each Saturday night Kim and Brian host a consignment auction, a place for
you to take your junk and walk away with some jingle in your pocket. Big
News!! Beginning in April they will be hosting Special Auctions, all new
stuff, the first and third Friday night of each month.
March 25 p When the Communicator started
nearly 15 years ago, the idea was to provide real news and give Clayonians
a place to voice their concerns. The Adam Nottingham debacle (read latest
Communicator for insight) has many in the county talking. Check out the
ADVISORY page to see what many in the county are thinking about these days.
March 25 a Just the facts mam.... From
the April edition of Trains magazine, this: West Virginia coal averages
12,500-13,000 BTU heat value, whereas Powder River (Wyoming) coal averages
only 8,000 BTU. But WV coal contains 1.2% to greater than 3% sulfur,
whereas Powder River coal has only 0.8% sulfur. On the spot market
as of 10/23/09, WV coal was selling for $50-$56.15 a short ton, whereas
Powder River coal was selling for $9.25 a short ton!
March 25 a Thanks MR for the reference
March 25 a Any questions other than
Big Coal in W Va is dead and has been for years.
March 25 a It's time to switch to a
sustainable economy, wonder if anybody has thought of switching to say,
tourism?
March 25 a Just between you and
me, no one is looking, tell the truth, did you have a great time during
your pot smoking years? Looks like California is going to be the first
state in the union to legalize
recreational pot use. Taxing the crap out of it makes sense too.
March 25 a As our leaders tell us things
are improving, sales of new homes in the U.S. unexpectedly fell
in February to a record low. This depression might not be over yet!
March 25 a It's about this time of
year when local and state education leaders start proclaiming great progress
in edumacating our youth. Here's the Nation's
Report Card broke down state by state and after spending billions,
it ain't pretty. Guess what we're going to talk about in the next Communicator.
March 25 a As for Adam Nottingham,
still no word.
March 25 a Local meth heads have real
bad housekeeping habits. Thinking green is not in their vocabulary. When
they get done with their production batch, they bag up the remnants and
toss the trash bags along the road. Easy to spot are the spent match books
and Heet gas line dryer bottles. The smell is real bad too.
March 25 a For those that have a habit
of cleaning up messes along their roads, those good samaritans, be real
careful. That's nasty stuff in there.
March 25 a Sometimes found in the debris
are addressed envelopes, bank deposit slips and other identifying markers.
Getting Badges to come and take a look can be next to impossible. Actually,
impossible.
March 24 late p Violet Clarice
Ryan, 86, of Ivydale, see OBITUARY page
March 24 p Jesse Norton is a
dog lover, a guy not willing to shoot a stray dog. That's not the case
for our Sheriff or Animal Control officer. Mr. Norton's complete story
is in today's Communicator
March 24 p This morning Jesse
made a presentation before the County Commission. He asked for an investigation
into how Dog Warden Walter Stutler does his job. He asked stuff like, is
the guy allowed to shoot dogs, carry a gun, does he have the training for
such actions, does he have one of those long reach poles to catch dogs,
and what is the county's policy on catching strays.
During 24 p During the discussion,
interesting details came out. Stuff like, the Sheriff told Norton to just
shoot the animal. Stuff like, when the Dog Warden came out, Walter put
two shots in the dog and called the job done.
March 24 p The stray could have been
your pet. Not no more clickers.
March 24 p In the way of answers, Commission
Prez Slinky said the county follows state code as its procedure manual.
Jesse's concern seems to already be making a change.
March 24 p According to the Slinkster,
Clayberry now has an agreement with another county where that county will
supply a tranquilizer gun and drugs when needed to safely remove a stray
from your property.
March 24 p Nice change, lets see if
we use the tranquilizer method.
March 24 a Yelp, it's back. The Communicator
hit the newsstands Tuesday afternoon featuring all the juice on the most
recent Grand Jury work, the most recent CCC meeting, and of course the
events leading in the Adam Nottingham report.
March 24 a County Commission meets
this morning at 10 am
March 22 p From the email bag:
missing in the lizemore/adonajah area: male black pug puppy.
he is 3 1/2 months old. he has a white spot on his chest. please
call 587-7023, 587-4448, or 587-4367 with any information
March 22 p We're in shut down mode
until we get the Communicator out the door Tuesday afternoon.
March 22 p We've got Delegate Dave
Walker and Dave Perry's Gold Dome updates now posted over on the ADVISORY
page.
March 22 p No update on Adam Nottingham
as of 2:45
March 21 p Our look back
on the last seven days includes
March 21 p After laying off 157 men
and after receiving a generous tax break from the County Commission, Consol
(Fola Coal) had enough $$ to purchase other holdings for $3.5 billion
March 21 p The Spring Grand Jury
met behind closed doors and provided "True Bills" on each presentation.
Full details in Tuesday's Communicator
March 21 p Tuesday night many in the
county listened as Badges gave chase to a white van driven by Adam Nottingham.
Our top badge provided potty mouth commentary along the way. In the community
of Alta, before the vehicle even came to a complete stop, Nottingham was
out and running towards the Gauley River. He hasn't been seen since.
March 21 p By Wed's evening, locals
were expressing outrage over a high speed chase that endangered everyone
along the way and the lack of search and recover efforts.
March 21 p Wed, Thursday, Friday, Sat
and now Sunday, no one from local fire departments responded. Family and
friends manned row boats and traveled both sides of the high and fast running
river. Volunteers rafters pledged to also get on the scene.
March 21 p Sat night nearly 100 filled
Courthouse Square for a candle light prayer vigil remembering Adam Nottingham.
No not one elected official using the time for exposure but real people,
young and old, common people, the ones that really matter in Clayberry,
came out in force.
March 21 p Full details in Tuesday's
Communicator
March 21 p The weekend came as did
the sunshine. Gardens were plowed, New bulbs were planted. Kids rode on
bikes. Porches were cleaned off. The snow shovel was put away.
March 20 a Five nights ago after a
mad hat, high speed chase, Adam Nottingham ended up in the Gauley River.
To date, there has been no formal search for the guy. TV folks said the
reason was high water conditions.
March 20 a That comment came just
a day after rescue crews in the same area spent countless hours before
retrieving the body of one of their own. Adam wasn't no saint but his family
needs closure.
March 20 a Tonight, 8pm, the family
of Adam Nottingham is holding a prayer vigil in front of the Courthouse.
Bringing a candle would be nice.
March 19 a Get out of the house and
enjoy yourself this weekend. Lots of sunshine coming our way.
March 19 a Good music tonight at Big
Otter Community Center. Auction Saturday night A couple fundraisers on
Sunday.
March 19 a For those interested in
the Auction House Best burger mentioned last night. Forgot to mention their
call in number 304 587 7273
March 19 a Tuesday night was
the high speed car chase in Clay and South to Fayette County. Last night
TV 3 identified the chasee as Adam Nottingham as they interviewed the guy's
family. They questioned no search and rescue efforts in progress.
March 19 a Others are questioning
why there was a high speed chase in the first place. The first Badge in
the chase (Jack Brown) had already identified the fellow and 911 dispatch
identified the owner of the van. Those that listened in to the chase
heard the Green Shirt mobile back off from the race. Good move Bailey!
March 19 a About any vehicle even an
old Pontiac van, can keep up or out run another car. No one can outrun
a Badge radio. Seems with all of today's technology, sure seems like the
day of the dangerous cowboy chase could be eliminated. Sure would be safer.
March 18 late p Judy Ellen Dye,
50, see OBITUARY page
March 18 p The University of
Wisconsin issued a nationwide
health report including county by county findings in West Virginia.
For once Clayberry
didn't come in penultimate (thank you Fred) but we came in third from the
bottom based on social and economic issues like children in poverty and
social inequality.
March 18 p Burger today? We eat
a bunch of em in this country and county. Do you think they take
a cow, grind it up and that's hamburger? Wrong O! Instead, packers cut
up pieces from many different cows from many different locations, grind
it all together, and call that hamburger. Those pieces that are ground
up, you don't want to know which parts are in the mix.
March 18 p Hamburger meat is one of
the top
carriers of E Coli.
March 18 p Hamburger recalls
are legendary.
March 18 p How about something different.
Something more healthy.
March 18 p The Auction House Restaurant
over at Two Run begins their healthy Friday "Auction House Best" burger
tomorrow. The patty is actually a ground up roast making for
a leaner burger and much much fresher taste. $4.75 is the price for something
that tastes great and without the ecoli threat. They
deliver too!
March 18 a Last fall when it got down
to 35 degrees, we bundled up with gloves and toboggans. This morning it
was that same temperature. With Spring on our minds, we thought it's
a little chilly as we went out the door coatless.
March 18 a With the sun burning off
the frost, the whites look whiter and brighter. For all of our long distance
clickers, Springtime is a great time to come visit Clayberry. How about
this weekend.
March 18 a Tired of paying high satellite
bills for TV? Try HULU for on online boob
tube satisfaction.
March 18 a America depends on the web
for everything from news to staying in contact with friends and family
via social networking. Businesses are even more dependent on the virtual
world for everything from warehouse orders to credit card purchases and
sales. Like it or not, we're all connected via a wire.
March 18 a Last year Senator Jay penned
a bill that allows federal agents to shut down the internet at a whim ,
whenever they decide there is a "threat". Who determines a threat?
They haven't said. The bill is still pending and now level headed thinkers,
civil libertarians, are seeking changes from the Big
Brother tactics.
March 18 a Three weeks ago during the
Tommy Tommy trial in Charleston, noticed something. Almost all the "support"
personal in the wood paneled room were texting away on their handheld mobile
devices. From guards, to marshals to secretaries, when they got a second,
their heads went down and they went to communicating via their cell phones.
Out in the hallway, in the rest rooms, wherever, they were at it.
March 18 a Do you take a message while
sitting on the throne? How about at a restaurant, while eating dinner?
How about when you and the sweety are wild and passionate?
Is social media better than sex?
March 18 a We've been selling remanufactured
Ink In a Blink printer cartridges for about 6 months now. 'Noticed something
this week with some of the new printers on the market. Those rascal manufacturers
(HP for instance) detect that it's a remanufactured cartridge and put up
a monitor screen telling you such. The cartridges work fine and is
much much cheaper than new ones, but that little balloon screen pops up.
March 18 a The Communicator comes out
on Tuesday. Deadline for submissions is Sat at noon. Send in your submissions
ASAP.
March 17 late p Gary William
(Patric) Sines, 58, see OBITUARY page
March 17 p Top of the day to each and
every this St. Patty Day.
March 17 p First an ooops from last
night's accounting of the high speed car chase. That cruiser the guy smashed
into was not the Sheriff's less than two weeks old Chevy. Instead it was
one of the older Ford units.
March 17 p As for the bad guy, the
one that jumped in the ice cold water... he hasn't been found. Most assum
he, a Nottingham subject, died.
March 17 p In addition to a drug bust
yesterday at Clay High, the Spring Grand Jury finished its duties and returned
all true bills. The list includes;
March 17 p Rocky Keener Burglary,
malicious wounding, battery, deadly weapon
March 17 p Ethan Cody Nichols grand
larceny, conspiracy, contributing to the delinquency of a minor
March 17 p Andrew J King Burglary,
dest of property
March 17 p Bruce Belt Burglary, conspiracy
x 3 arson dest of property
March 17 p Amanda Belt same as Bruce
March 17 p Joshua Nottingham
Receiving concealing transferring contributing to the delinquency
of a minor
March 17 p Henry Stutler Sexual
Assault 1st degree
March 17 p RIchard Lee LeFever
Malicious wounding, battery, wanton endangerment, kidnaping, brandishing
March 17 p Kenneth Norton Failure to
pay child support
March 17 p Clara Jean Duttine
Burglary dest of prop
March 17 p And finally how about this
one: Melissa Postelwait Thompson Welfare Fraud
March 16 late p Ahhh another
quiet Spring night in Clayberry. TV turned off and heading to bed. Not
all tho....
March 16 late p A little after 10pm
Town Badge Jack Brown asked for assistance with a white van burning up
the roads, fleeing in the Maysel area. Brown : I got one running!
Sounded like the white van headed up Blue Knob and then over on Lick Branch
which comes down near Pierson Lumber Co. as they headed South on Rt 16
March 16 late p Reports of the guy
going 70 mph were heard. At one point the dispatcher said the fellow may
have a gun.
March 16 late p Over the scanner, "HE
AIN'T STOPPING"
March 16 late p With our Sheriff
and his three week old cruiser trying to block the guy, it didn't, he didn't,
and the new cruiser was smashed. Sheriff " STOP THAT S!! OF A B*****...
He hit my cruiser... He's a fleeing Felon now!!! Get on him Get on
Him!!
March 16 late Somewhere in the mix
a Green shirt from Fayette County laid out spike strips just North of the
Town of Gauley Bridge. Sounded like they worked.
March 16 late 10:37 p "He's
out on foot.. We'll get him!"
March 16 10:49 "He went
in the water somewhere... We've got the canine here... He's on the river
bank now searching for him."
March 16 late That 1991 white
Pontiac van is registered to an Edwards subject on Upper Sycamore Road.
March 16 11:11pm "We're still
looking for him"
March 16 11:51 p Other scanner traffic
" Gun shots fired, Little Italy,"
March 16 late p The excitement
never ends in Clayberry but the ace cub reporter needed a beauty nap and
did such
March 16 p There's a bunch of us that
check out the Jail web site on a regular
basis. Gettin the scoop so to speak. The State folks are making it tougher.
Now to see a pic, you have to be able to add!
March 16 p This site has made it four
weeks without an attack.
March 16 p Everybody that
plays on the internet wants to have anti virus, anti-malware, trogan, rootkit
detection and anti everything. Bill Gates has a new free service
, Security Essentials, that does just that and in real time. Here's a link
to the site and this one to CNet
reviews. Might be worth a try and the price is right.
MArch 16 p A couple notes. Because
it's free, Gates and his crew are able to log everything you do online.
Also, if you are running a bogus copy of Windows, you're screwed. Be warned.
March 16 a Elizabeth J. “Jeanette”
Legg, 78, of Indore, see OBITUARY page
March 15 late p There are some hot
parents in the Northern end of the county. Here's a sample email: My child
attends Big Otter School. Today he did not get off the bus until
5:10 and he normally gets off at 3:50. Word is that they did not
have a substitute to drive their bus home. One parent, who is a family
member, called the school at 10 minutes til 4:00 and the students had not
left the school yet. She was told that the kids were being taken
care of and that someone was on their way from Clay to come and pick them
up. Not only does this seem a little bit ridiculous, but the parents
were also not notified. I did not receive a call directly from the
school or from the school computer. Does this sound crazy or is it
just me?
March 15 late p Fola Coal laid
off over 150 employees last month. They said the market wasn't good. We
said they only care about the bottom line. To heck with hard working employees.
March 15 late p Things ain't too bad:
CONSOL Energy Inc. will buy the Appalachian exploration and production
arm of Virginia-based Dominion Resources Inc. for
$3.5 billion. (Right click into a new window to open)
March 15 As a matter of
fact, Consol, the parent company of Fola had their best year ever in 2009.
CONSOL’s revenue
for the fourth quarter was $1.24 billion
March 14 late p Just a couple notes
from the last seven days..
March 14 Without jobs, without security
of keeping jobs, with foreclosures are record highs, most of us know, the
depression ain't anyway close to being over. Many of us armchair economists
feel this is just the calm before the second storm. Now, the big boys are
starting to voice
similar concerns.
March 14 During World War II, federal
revenues roughly tripled as a share of the gross domestic product (GDP)
and the number of people paying income taxes expanded tenfold, from 3%
of the population in 1939 to 30% by 1943. In 1940, a family of four needed
close to $80,000 of income in today's dollars before it paid any federal
income taxes at all. By the war's end, it saw its effective tax rate rise
from 1.5% to 15.1%. (Today such a family only pays a federal income tax
rate of about 6%.) But taxes weren't the only way the war was paid for.
Spending on nondefense programs was cut almost in half, from 8.1% of GDP
in 1940 to 4.4% in 1945. More
interesting reading on war spending and how Dubbya sunk the nation.
March 14 Exxon made roughly $30 billion
off the last OPEC price spike. That's enough to buy quite few politicians.
Naturally, though they will never say it, big oil companies are OPEC's
biggest fans. Gas prices keep going
up and up.
March 14 Here's the
gas price finder for your use
March 14 From Monday's CAEZ meeting.
Boardster Red Derring asked: Are you all in financial problems? Response
from Office Manager, Yes.
March 14 Monday night, after a foot
chase and search, found him in a culvert, Jacob Young was picked up and
lodged in jail. Might sound better to have all three Young's off the street
but larceny continued in Clayberry with Badges investigating all corners
of all humble community.
March 14 County Commission met last
Wed morning with the peanut gallery packed. The Ambulance Director reported
runs being down in Feb making slim financials even slimmer. The committee
of three that did the Economic Development Coordinator hiring now has a
new name, Clay Economic Collation which plans to continue meeting and directing
the new Coordinator's daily tasks. Interesting, the decision making group
and funded entirely by tax dollars, has never posted an agenda.
March 14 Reps from Big Otter Fire Dept
told the CCC that things were now quiet in BOFD land. That's a good thing
it sounded. They said volunteers are returning to the much needed emergency
service provider which a month ago was ready to be closed down or at least
, face a serious review by the State Fire Marshall's office.
March 14 For those seeking work, during
the CAEZ and again during the CCC meeting, 2 new daycare jobs are coming
our way with funding from Capitol Resource Agency. Interested? Contact
CAEZ
March 14 Clay Solid Waste Authority
met last Wed where they announced plans to hold a Spring Metal and Junk
Clean Up day sometime in Late April or early May.
March 14 The biggy for last week came
Saturday when the true kindness and generosity of Clay shown during a fundraiser
for a lady afflicted with cancer. Organized by volunteers and held at CCHS,
a volleyball tournament, beauty pageant, spaghetti dinner, silent auction,
raffle and stage show netted over $3100.
March 14 With snow behind us, yards
were raked, trash was picked up, kids got on their bikes, tons of salt
was washed off vehicles, kids put on short pants, and the wild onions around
the yard grew taller. Still no Spring Easter flowers yet, but they're just
around the corner.
March 14 And something else was growing.
Known as potholes, the tank traps are everywhere. For those with dentures,
better apply an extra coat of adhesive. For motorcyclists, watch out,
they will swallow up your two wheels.
March 14 The School Board meets at
Clay Middle School Monday night at 6pm. The online
agenda is available for public review.
March 13 a Basket Bingo at HE White
this afternoon and auction tonight at Two Run.
March 13 a Email notice: 2-Blue will
perform at the "Bucks for Becky" fundraiser Saturday March 13th at 7:00
concert. Also performing will be "The Krave" with band members Josh
Lively, Glen Boatwright and Beth Morris along with Abigail Moore, Brooklyn
Gould and Becky's kids. Donations at the door will go to the "Bucks
for Becky" Fundraiser. Spaghetti dinner for just $5.00
from 5-7 p.m. All at Clay County High School Earlier in the day will
be a volleyball tournament, silent auctions, St Patty's day pageant and
concessions featuring homemade BBQ's and more. Becky Sizemore Hancock is
a young wife and mother with 3 children who has cancer. Come out and have
a good time with us for a good cause.
March 13 a We agree. Get out of the
house and enjoy the day.
March 13 a Flouride in the water
has been controversial since inception decades ago. With some calling it
a carcinigon and all knowing it's a chemical production waste product,
now there's concern where the stuff is coming from. China
for instance.
March 12 a Welcome to Friday in beautiful
Clay County West Virginia
March 12 a There's everything from
Art & Dave to V Ball Tournaments, Bingo and Auctions happening this
weekend starting tonight. Check out the EVENTS page for details
March 12 a This just in from
the DEP: Application has been marked technically complete.
West Virginia Department of Environmental
Protection This mailing is to advise the public that the application
has been marked technically complete for Renewal of an Article 3/4 permit
S201398 for FOLA COAL COMPANY LLC, PO BOX 180 WV STATE RT 16, BICKMORE,
WV 25019. This application is for renewal of existing Article 3 Permit
S201398 to Surface,
Auger and Highwall mine coal in
the Clarion, 5-Block, Stockton, Coalburg and
Winfrede seams of coal. The permit
is located in Clay and Nicholas County, Longitude 81° 3´ 20.0000"
Latitude 38° 20´ 31.0000" (Coordinates from USGS Topographic
Map).
March 12 a Here's the checklist
of progress and the
map, all available via the web.
March 12 a Being the pharnoids that
we are, those grocery store shopping cards are worrisome. We've always
thought, that's Feds watching your every bite. Some say I have nothing
to hide.
March 12 a Here's one more step where
Big
Brother is that much closer to mandatory use of ID cards.
March 12 a 2120 people viewed this
site Tuesday. Thanks and come back often.
March 11 p Clay Roane PSD meets tonight
(7pm) at the Procious Water plant. World is invited
March 11 p Gasoline costs 70 cents
more per gallon today than one year ago. And, we're still buying the stuff
March 11 p BOLO: Lost Wed night, black
and tan Shepherd collie mix female from the Maysel area. Need help locating
please, she was just spayed and we don't want the stitches breaking. See
her? Dial Linda 304 382-1434 THanks
March 10 late p What do you call
a Pope dressed in nun's clothing. Answer: Transsister
March 10 late p A couple years back
the local Health board voted to enact a smoking ban in every business
in Clay. They said they were doing it for our own good and to prevent second
hand smoke from attacking us.
March 10 late p Locals went ballistic
but it didn't matter, the Board did it anyway. Fortunately, our elected
Town leaders enacted their own ordinance which allows each municipal business
to decide if the place will allow smoking.
March 10 late p Back then we raised
two issues. One was can appointed folks make a law and Two, if they can
do that, then what's next, no ice cream for fat people? People thought
we were just kidding around
March 10 late p We weren't kidding.
A proposed law
would eliminate the use of salt in ANY restaurant in New York state.
MArch 9 p the Communicator and 20 pages
of informative reading made it to the news stands this afternoon. With
five solid pages on the Tommy Tommy trial plus the latest on the late Monday
night pick up of Jacob Young, sure to make for some great reading.
March 9 p Last week Joe Morris testified
against Sr. The same day his car wash blew up. Last week Dana Holcomb testified
against Sr. Afterwards, at least one of his customers cars parked at his
business were vandalized. Pay back?
March 9 p Sunday night Jacob Young
was picked up. Coincidental? Maybe but more likely just an indication that
there are a lot more thugs in Clayberry ready to take advantage of your
endeavors.. Recently several other vehicles have been swiped and or damaged.
March 9 p County Commission meets Wed
morning at 10am Interesting of note, the agenda calls for the hiring of
Amanda Moore as the new Eco Dev person but calls the position a part time
temporary position. Hmmmmmmmmmm..
March 8 late p in the Tommy Tommy trial,
guilty guilty guilty and six times more.
MArch 8 p As of 2:24pm, no verdict
yet in the Tommy Tommy trial in Charleston.
March 8 a Kenneth Edward Roop,
63 , see OBITUARY page
March 8 a Around 9 am this morning
the jury began deliberations during the Tommy Tommy trial in Federal Court.
We'll provide the verdict when available and a complete write up in Tuesday'
Communicator.
March 8 a CAEZ meets twice this afternoon.
4pm is the Eco Development Committee meeting followed by the full Board
at 6pm. Public meeting and always interesting to watch.
March 7 a With all the cell cams
capturing world events, it's important that our government get a a
handle on the "spin" more quickly.
March 7 a About the only thing left
is for airport security to say turn around and spread em. Those pesky ACLU
people as well as many religious groups are
against such.
March 7 a Town Council held their monthly
meeting Tuesday evening where the first word came public on a log factory
backup that flooded nearby neighbor John Osborne's basement. In addition
to town labor to clean up the mess, cost in materials, around $1200.
March 7 a Thursday evening during the
BDA meeting, Amanda Moore was announced as the new Director of Economic
Development for the county. She starts tomorrow. Funds for the position
come from the BDA and County Commission along with moral support from the
CAEZ. When asked what each group wanted Ms Moore to get started on,
according Mike Boggs, NONE had laid out ANY plan of attack.
March 7 a The hiring process took over
18 months.
March 7 a Joe Morris' car wash at Bickmore
blew up most likely because of a natural leak.
March 7 a Thursday night, the red,
home meals, Jeep from the Clay County Senior Center at Two Run was stolen.
Some are saying they saw the vehicle tooling around the streets of Clay
that night. It was recovered the next day in Pisgah.
March 7 a After years of finger pointing,
Tommy Young Sr and Jr went on trial for federal crimes of stealing, reselling,
and conspiracy. Sr took the stand himself and said no way, he wasn't apart
of the thievery and didn't know the people that did such deeds.
March 7 a After four days of testimony,
few admitted to actually seeing the dynamic duo at work. As a matter
of fact, those that ended up with stolen goods admitted they were glad
they hadn't been indicted for stealing! Other than already convicted criminals
testifying to protect their own butts, nobody admitted to knowing much.
March 7 a That's other than those that
got stuff swiped.
March 7 a Big long trial write up and
hopefully a conclusion, in Tuesday's Communicator.
March 7 a Bright sunshine filled the
weekend sky. We washed tons of salt off vehicles, restocked firewood supplies,
and drove around with windows rolled down. Most of the snow pack disappeared.
Even tho temps saturday never got above 40 degrees, we were in t shirts
and sneakers. Old timers call this time of year, pneumonia weather.
March 7 a Finally from the last seven
days, we concluded our online fundraiser. Many donated generously to keep
this web effort alive. Thanks each and every. Already we've invested in
a new flatbed scanner with better image capturing abilities as well as
a new keyboard and mouse.
March 7 a You are appreciated.
March 6 a Suppose to be beautiful this
weekend. Wash the car. Clean up the yard. Play with the kids. It feels
like winter is behind us. Do something !!
March 6 We've spent much of the week
coming going or sitting during the Tommy Young Sr and Jr trials. Thursday
afternoon it looked like the whole process would be tossed. Didn't happen.
Friday evening all the testimony was in as were the closing remarks. The
jury will begin their process Monday morning at 9am.
March 6 a All the juicy details
will be in Tuesday's Communicator and most likely, the verdict as well.
March 6 a During Friday's testimony,
the Feds had a nice lookin young man dressed in nice shirt and tie. The
guy admitted to hundreds of crimes and professed a working relationship
with our Murder Mountain gang, Tommy Sr and Jr. He spoke in a matter of
fact sort of way, as if his crime efforts were a legal enterprise.
March 6 a His field of expertise? He
was a "cloner". His employers would need a title for a certain make or
model of vehicle and his job would be to find such a vehicle, often a clunker,
purchase it and the legal title, then furnish the title and vehicle ID
plates to the underworld for attachment to a stolen ride.
March 6 a He said he had done such
work hundreds of time.
March 6 a Tommy Young Sr also took
the hot seat. Sr denied knowing any and all the bad guys, repeatedly said
he couldn't remember various dates and activities. and fired back questions
to the Prosecutor instead of answering. He had her miffed to say the least.
Fun to watch but not sure if the approach will work to his advantage.
March 6 a Around 6:30pm, with the jury
looking pooped out, the decision was made to take the weekend off and begin
deliberation Monday morning at 9am.
March 6 a You never know what a jury
will do but a comment on those 4 men and 8 women. They paid attention
and looked like they had their wits about em. Quite a change from others!
March 4 p During the Thursday evening
Business Development Authority meeting, Amanda Moore was announced as the
new Economic Development Director for the county. With a $30,000 salary,
she begins work Monday March 8th. Her temporary place of work will
be upstairs in the Courthouse in the WVU Extension Service office.
March 4 p Thursday morning the car
wash at Bickmore blew up. With the WV PSC and Fire Marshall investigating,
the coffeehouse crowd thinks: a natural gas line leak caused the explosion.
March 4 p TV-3 announced: A person
was flown to the hospital after an explosion at a car wash in Clay County.
The explosion happened around 9:15 a.m. Thursday at the car wash along
Route 16 in Bickmore. A woman who witnessed the explosion described it
as a flash fire that put itself out. She also tells WSAZ.com Montana Legg
was washing the back of his pick-up truck when the explosion happened.
We're told Legg was hit by debris. Legg's grandfather lives across the
street so he came and got him and took him to his house and called 911.
When emergency crews got on scene Legg was taken to the high school's football
field and flown to a local hospital. Legg was dazed, but we're told he
was walking around. The owner of the car wash tells WSAZ.com someone broke
into his coin machine late Wednesday night. Witnesses say Legg had
to go to the grocery store across the street to get quarters before he
started washing his truck. The State Fire Marshal is on the scene trying
to figure out what caused the fire. However, the owner says they haven't
ruled out a natural gas leak. No one else was hurt. Two walls of the car
wash have collapsed.
March 4 Courtroom etiquette calls for
those housed in the slammer to be in civilian clothes during a trial
and for that matter, even coming and going the courtroom, jurors are not
suppose to see the orange jump suits and shackles. Any transgression is
a real no no.
March 4 p Charged with conspiracy
and hauling stolen goods to and from many states, the Tommy Tommy trial
continued Thursday in Charleston. For the most part the Feds kept stacking
up the facts and double checking any and all possibilities of a slip up.
March 4 p In response, the defense
team did their best disputing each and everything established by the Govt.
Agents.
March 4 p Can the government track
your every move via your cell phone? The answer is Yes.
March 4 p During afternoon testimony
an AT&T rep went over page after page of tele records with the movement,
time of day, and location of each phone call as far back as 2004. How interesting
was it? Even a security guard was heard snoring over in the corner.
March 4 p Around 3pm came the Uh oh.
When of the Fed's star witnesses, a guy already housed in the slammer let
slip, that he, another witness, and Tommy Young Jr all rode the same van
to the Courthouse and are housed in the same jail. There was instant silence
and then the sound of the entire courthouse gasping for air. All the parties
went up front for a quickie huddle that wasn't so quick.
March 4 p With the jury out of earshot,
defense attorney Jane Moran said such words were equivalent to marching
the accused thru the courtroom in shackles and dressed in orange.
March 4 p The trial continues
Friday but me thinks there is a big big problem.
March 4 a The Saturday League's
A Team Tournament was scheduled for last weekend but snow wiped it out.
That rescheduled tournament begins this afternoon at 5:30 continues on
Friday at 5pm and then finishes up Saturday beginning at 1pm. All the fun
takes place at Clay Middle School.
March 3 late p Business Development
Authority (BDA) meets Thursday, 5pm, over at the Auction House restaurant
at Two Run. They're getting a meal and a tour of the place. The Saturday
night consignment auction and now weekday diner is the BDA's only success
story after being in the business of growing zero jobs for over 14 years.
March 3 late p Day two of the
Tommy Tommy trial is in the history books. From those proceedings, a couple
notes.
March 3 late p Witness after witness
went to the hot seat and made their statements. Some were owners of the
stolen goods while others were locals like neighbors ( Gary O Brion), buyers
(Stump Morton), and Badges (Sheriff and Paxton).
March 3 late p With the events well
over a couple years old, memories were vague at best for many.
March 3 late p With each witness sequestered
so as not to hear what was said before em, Black shirt Jim Paxton came
after the Sheriff and his story jelled well.
March 3 late p The Feds used cell phone
records as evidence on Wed.
March 3 late p One of those stolen
"bobcats" was equipped with global posting, GPS. About as soon as it turned
up missing from the fenced in OH work yard, it was located in Maysel West
Virginia.
March 3 late p So how do they get the
equipment started, on a trailer, and out of sight so quick? According to
the testimony Wed., Sr had a key for each piece!
March 3 late p With no paper trail
on either Tommy and no one actually seeing the dynamic duo steal anything,
things were looking good for the Youngs. And then And then....
March 3 late p A fellow dressed in
jail orange was brought into the courtroom. Operating under a plea agreement
(he could be facing life behind bars for his transgressions), the fellow
spilled his guts. He said he worked for Tommy Sr, often drove trucks pulling
stolen equipment, often helped locate equipment, was paid $500 per caper,
stored the hot stuff on his brother's farm in Jackson County, and identified
others in the Tommy team as a Mexican and a great big red headed guy in
his early 20s.
March 3 late p With the clock
slightly passed 5pm, Sr's defense man was cross examining the guy
in orange and giving him double H all along the way. The idea is to make
sure the jury thinks the guy is willing to say anything to save his own
skin. Not sure if that's really true but defense attorney Mat Victor is
making mince meat of the lad.
March 3 late p Trial continues Thursday
morning, 6th floor, Byrd Fed Bldg in Charleston. No admission charge either.
Look for the proceedings to continue Friday too.
March 2 late p We've got a big oooooooooops.
Turns out even tho the Lady Panthers lost in Sectional Tournament action,
they will play at least one game in regional contests. They take on Tolsia
Thursday night during Region IV action.
March 2 late p Darn. Broke a month
long record of not making any mistakes! The month of March anyway.
March 2 late p After a lengthy
jury selection, the Tommy Young Sr and Jr thievery trial got underway.
'got to watch some real interesting maneuvering in the Federal Courtroom.
March 21 late p Dana Holcomb
testified that he had purchased four pieces of equipment from Sr.
Some kind of little backhoe thang was picked up along side a road and had
the key in it. No it wasn't on Tommy's land and No Tommy didn't hand him
the key. Three trailers were later bought and one of them didn't last an
hour before Deputy Paxton seized it. Did Dana see Sr drop off the trailer?
Answer, Nope.
March 21 late At one point, the defense
attorney fellow asked Holcomb: Are you glad you weren't arrested for trafficking
in stolen goods? Holcomb: Yes
March 2 late p As a guy that purchased
the backhoe from Holcomb, Joe Morris was also on the stand.
March 2 late p In that testimony and
others brought forth today, NONE had a written bill of sale and all had
paid cash. The defense folks brought to light that Clayberry likes to buy,
sale, barter and do so on a cash basis without ANY paper trail.
March 2 late p Lets see now, that little
backhoe cost $35,000, was almost new when stolen, Holcomb bought
it for $4500 and then resold it to Joe Morris for around $9000. Should
any eyebrows have gone up?
March 2 late p As for Tommy Jr.,, no
one has identified him as being more than a tagalong .
March 2 late p Here's a cute
one. The 6th floor courtroom has a bunch of flat screen monitors on each
table. The Prosecutor asked each witness to identify Sr. Each time he was
behind the monitor, sometimes with his head turned sideways making the
task to ID difficult. Cute!
March 2 late p Trial continues
all this week. Other witnesses include our Sheriff and Black Shirt Paxton.
Should make for a great lead story in the next Communicator!
March 2 a Hello Bob Taylor over at
Bentree. Glad to have you tuned in!
March 2 a The Lady Panthers lost
to Sissonville Monday evening ending the season in Sectional Tournament
play
March 2 a Clay Town Council and the
Clay Library Board meet tonight at 6pm. That's a new start time for Council.
March 2 a With their Director and staff
at the Mardi Gras, the CAEZ meeting has been postponed until next week.
March 2 a During Monday night's
School Board meeting, one of the proposed school schedules for next year
includes class time, year around. There are four proposed schedules to
chose from. Each includes a full week off for buck season. Some things
take priority!
March 2 a The Tommy Sr and Jr
. thievery trial begins Tuesday morning with a motion hearing at 8:30am
and trial to follow (maybe) at 9am. Judge Johnston will hear the proceedings
in Federal Court, Charleston.
March 2 a This is it, the last day
of the begging for dollars online fundraiser. Thanks each and every for
your support of this web channel. If you can help with keeping this effort
afloat: Delta, 2278 Main St Clay WV 25043
March 2 a Those comments are appreciated.
Well, except for the person that said a hog had more brains in the A***
than those in the ace cub reporter's head. Shame Shame Shame on you