March 2011
March 31 a Laxton, William "Willy"71,
see OBITUARY page
March 31 a This time last year
Clayberry came in very poorly on a Federal survey on health, health factors,
environmental factors, and disabilities. When the report was made public,
local leaders had to admit the pathetic state of the county. They got their
heads together and came up with a plan to address the shortcomings.
Meetings were held.
March 31 a The 2011
edition of the University of Wisconsin funded County Health Rankings are
now out. If you're thinking some miracle happened, think again. We're still
ranked 51st of the 55 counties and well below all national benchmark standards..
March 31 a 31% of our people have poor
health; we have 3 times the number of poor health days each year;
twice a many with poor mental health times; over one third of us are obese;
the teen birth rate is nearly three times higher than the national rate.
March 31 a We can't drive worth beans
either. Our motor vehicle death rate is three times higher than the
national benchmark level!
March 31 a Those with "some"
college" training is half what it aughta be.
March 31 a When you factor in
the failings of the educational system, high school graduation rate, college
training, the number of kids in poverty and single parent households, Yelp,
51st worst in t he state.
March 31 a Nearly 19% of us are unable
to reed and right.
March 31 a With the new report in hand,
leaders will without a doubt put the best spin on things. We do have clean
air and binge drinking is very low. Shame they didn't ask about the number
using meth and or stealing granny's Rx's.
March 31 a We can close our eyes and
wish along with Tinkerbell or so something... anything! The time is now.
March 30 a Wed morning and snow. sleet
, is in the forecast once again.
March 30 a Got some good news. At the
beginning of this year Advantage Home Health Care set up shop in the old
Kate's Floral building on Main Street. After a bunch of hoop jumping, they
have now cleared the last government regulation to officially begin serving
Clayberry.
March 30 a That's a few more folks
with jobs. Hip Hip Hooray!
March 30 a For all us diabetic
cripples, those strawberry milkshakes return on Friday. Connie's
reopens then at the triangle in Upper Class Two Run.
March 30 a Last week Gene King
was in court suing an insurance company over paltry pay outs after a vehicles
tail ended him while serving papers . During the trial, one of the
jurors a Brian Hodge failed to show up for duty on day two. Judges don't
like that one bit. The one handling the case issued a contempt of court
citation and a $100 fine.
March 30 a Yesterday, Mr Hodge
came before Judge Jack Alsop and can got an ear full on the virtue of showing
up for jury duty. The earful included that he could have gotten a year
in jail for evading service. After the dress down, Mr Hodge quickly left
the courtroom with his tail tucked between his legs.
March 30 a An indictment is serious
business. Jamie Rucker showed up yesterday with the giggles. Jack Alsop
is not much for giggles. Not much atall especially when the accused just
tested red hot after a pee test.
March 30 a Hard to imagine... you're
looking a prison time, know you have to go to court, and the night before,
you get stoned. Such actions are the reasons Judges' have big frown lines
on their foreheads.
March 30 a Jeff Davis made it
out of his orange suit just in time to switch to a white short and tie
to represent a client yesterday. When he entered the courtroom, most of
us turned to giggles and smiles. I think even Alsop may have smiled a bit.
March 30 a The Judge may have been
confused on which, attorney Davis or Kenneth Crites, was the accused party.
March 30 a Census figures are back
for Clayberry. Our population went down around 900 or so from the year
2000 figures.
March 30 a Candidate for office Betty
Ireland will be on 101.7 Fm tonight at 7pm
March 30 a We provide more details
from yesterday's court action and who wound up in jail later today.
March 29 late p Earl Marvin
Rogers, 88 , see OBITUARY page
March 29 p From the email bag:
Need information on the Jenkins family. Mae Jenkins was my
grandmother, and she was married to Jacob Simmons, my grandfather,
of Jack’s Bend, Clay County. They have both been deceased for several
years. I would like to trace my ancestry back as far as possible through
the Jenkins lineage. I have it back to Michael Simmons on the Simmons’
side. Thank you so much. gerald.simmons@hotmail.com
March 29 p TG Griffiin is a sportscaster
for Clay High baseball games this season on 101.7 FM. TG is in need of
a backup broadcaster for each home game. If interested, stop over at Clay
County Park around 4pm today. Ask for TG.
March 29 p This morning Henry Stutler
plead guilty to having sex with an 11 year year old. With sentencing scheduled
after evaluations, he's looking at 25 to 100 years behind bars.
March 28 late p Tuesday morning, 9
am , before Judge Alsop, all the indictees come to Court to say Not Guilty.
March 28 The Lady Panther softball
team 10 runned Calhoun in the third inning. Go Lady Panthers
March 28 Here's a pretty
cool YouTube video on a five minute taking apart of a military Jeep. Thanks
Jane
March 28 Some real good news
for us old potheads: The National Cancer Institute, one of the many federal
agencies who make up the National Institute of Health, has ruled that marijuana
does in fact have medical benefits, making it the first federal agency
to do so.
March 28 10:35pm 911: That
male subject is back on the scene on Summer's Fork Rd. They believe he
does have a gun
March 28 10:38pm What type of vehicle
is he in? The green jeep
March 28 p 10:39 911: He's
in the yard. She thought she saw a gun
March 28 10:40pm ......
..... .....
March 28 11:13 pm I'm 10-15 with one
for processing back at the office.
March 28 Some time later came
the call for the DVP number
March 28 We think Jeff Davis
is in deeper doo doo.
March 27 p No wrap up this weekend.
Just some insight.
March 27 p People like to say they
are in favor of free speech and media until it bites them in the butt.
Over the years of the Communicator newspaper and this web site, there's
been a bunch of butt biting. Mostly what happens is, we report what goes
on, is said, during a public meeting or public figure dumb bunny stuff.
Public stupid happens everywhere. The reaction from our names in the news
is what's so special in Clayberry.
March 27 p Years ago Jerry Linkinnoooooger
sat the ace cub reporter down and tried to convince the guy to support
the excess school Levy. After the session, the Mel Gibson Look Alike responded:
I will never support ANY kind of tax increase even if it feeds every monkey
in the zoo. During one public meeting, Slinky said the best thing the county
could do to improve everything would be to run AW out of the county that
night. He said that in front of 50 people.
March 27 p Since getting elected to
office Linky Poo has made it a point to never acknowledge the ace cubster
exists.
March 27 p Our wittle round Sheriff
varied from Linky's approach after he got peed at newspaper reporting
covering the misdirected Victoria Secret's monthly bill which wound up
in the reporter's mail box in Feb 2010. The Poopster as he's referred to,
chose to go into a door kicking in, screaming fit of rage followed by dumbarss
stuff like yelling at AW during a public meeting for having his shoes
touching the back of a Commission room pew. Both the pink monthly envelope
and shoe against a seat resulted in more of the county laughing at our
portly Top Badge. Now our lead Badge just stares down the reporter
whenever the two pass each other.
March 27 p Link thinks he can ignore
the news gatherer. Poopy tries staring down free speech. He thinks that
works! That's two ways our itty bitty temporary elected workers handling
accurate handling of local news.
March 27 p There are other ways of
dealing with public information. Take Jim Dawson's wife, Joan, who took
a swat at the handsome reporter during last year's Big Apple Fest. Or a
couple weeks ago when she yells out Hey Liar! Ms Dawson is
miffed at newspaper reporting during her husband's last election bid. The
truth is just that and sometimes it hurts.
March 27 p We've got a new miffed person.
Dustin Fitzwater serves on the Solid Waste Authority. Dustin made the news
in the last Communicator after inviting DNR officials to a meeting to discuss
enacting a Litter Control program which could result in everyone in the
county coughing up more $$$ to the national garbage company, Waste Management.
March 27 p He also made the last edition
after School Boardster Beth Cercone caught him in a back sliding moment
during discussions on the new school calendar and bus safety during
the coming Big Apple Fest..
March 27 p The paper came out on Tuesday.
On Wed over at the Courthouse, Dustin employed the "he ain't there" approach
as the ac cub reporter traversed the Courthouse.
March 27 p Still there's a fourth approach
to the news.
March 27 p We posted on this web site
the findings of the Spring Grand Jury. An indictment does not mean someone
is guilty but it sure indicates there are enough "Hmmmmms" to take
a case thru Circuit Court land. A felony indictment is a very serious issue.
So is the possibility of years in prison.
March 27 p The family of one of those
indictees is really upset over the posting...
March 27 p One of the emails that came
included: I would appreciate it if you would take the post off
your website. This is something that the whole clay county and whoever
else looks at the website does not need to know....
March 27 p Another excerpt:
why in the crap would u put stuff on the computer about him....Its no ones
business...Its not true about him... AND I WOULD LIKE FOR U TO TAKE IT
OFF!!!!! THANKS FOR HURTIN HIS FAMILY FOR PUTTIN THAT ON THE COMPUTER!!!!
...
March 27 p How about those clickers?
March 27 p Indictments are of course
public record. To leave out one person's name would be worse than not publishing
all of em. The reason for punlic info like grand jury findings,
criminal complaints, Magistrate Reports, Police Blotter etc remains the
same. A well informed public makes much better choices as they drive the
roads, walk down the street, and or otherwise deal with the community of
Clay.
March 27 p Linky, the Poopster, and
Ms Dawson have of course already lost the battle. Let's see if Dustin follows
that same path
March 27 p In the meantime, freedom
of the press continues and we'll keep on practicing exactly what the Constitution
gives us (and you) every right to do. Thanks for your support to
that end.
March 25 p In the latest Communicator
we have a Randy Jones listed under the worthless check section of Magistrate
report.
March 25 p We got a call from a Randy
L Jones from Agonijah who says that ain't him.
March 25 p For those that watch our
web cam, the bird keeps coming back with nest building on its mind. We
are unable to adjust the lens until nesting is over for 2011.
March 25 p School Boardster Gene
King got tail ended two years ago while driving the Bailiff mobile
in Ivydale. Suing the guy, O Gene went to trial this week for two days.
The jury provided an award of around $38,000 for damages.
March 25 p Snow is in the forecast.
$$##@@!!
March 25 a Around 10:03 this morning
a fire call went out for a crackling and popping garage fire out Wallback
way. By 10:09 a responder was on scene and two trucks were in route.
March 25 a Not too shabby for volunteers
all.
March 25 a During last night's CCHS
baseball game, snow flakes were in the air. Ditto for Peach Orchard Rd.
March 25 a This morning ice.
March 25 a Tonight music at Big Otter
and basket bingo in town. See EVENTS page for details.
March 25 a Lets do a little better
job on the Class of 2011, Spring Grand Jury winners
March 25 a From last Spring Jamie Morris,
Kenneth Crites, John Amos Morris, and newly added Candance Truman Crites,
a whole, series of felony charges related to the production of meth including:
Attempting to operate a clandestine drug lab, conspiracy to do such, possession
of Iodine a precursor
March 25 a Joshua Tanner Burglary x
2 and grand larceny
March 25 a Jamie Rucker welfare
fraud and conspiracy
March 25 a John Moore welfare fraud
and conspiracy
March 25 a Wilma Hall welfare
fraud x 2
March 25 a Michael Childers sexual
assault 1st degree x 4 sexual assault 2nd degree x 4
March 25 a Michael Lanham burglary
assault and battery
March 25 a Charolette Hanshaw entering
without breaking, dest of prop, arson 2nd degree
March 25 a Harry Larch battery, attempting
to escape custody of a badge
March 25 a Brian Pritt B/E x 12
dest of prop x 12 grand larceny
March 25 a Jeffery Morris and Tammy
Morris manufacturing a schedule 1 controlled substance conspiracy.
March 24 a Nell Jean Belt Boggs
Smith, see OBITUARY page
March 24 a Need a full time job with
benefits? See the JOBS page now.
March 24 a Around 6pm Wed night a Spring
storm ripped thru the county bringing high winds, heavy rain, and then
a healthy dose of hail. In the Wallback and Independence Mountain areas
the ground was white with the pellets of frozen wa wa . Electric service
was off in parts of the county. Other sections saw lights blinking
off and on and then off..... off....... and then turning from brown
back to normal on.
March 24 a The Storm Gods side stepped
the heart of the county leaving it unscathed. No ice what so ever in downtown
Clay. The local radio station made it back on the air early this morning.
March 24 a Suppose to be a CCHS baseball
game this afternoon at 5pm over at Clay County Park. Not sure if the weather
will cooperate with that outdoor match up.
March 24 a Split votes are uncommon
at County Commission meetings. Although the law says all decisions will
be made during public meetings, often, our elected folks get their heads
together away from the public and hammer out the issues in private.
March 24 a Yesterday during a decision
to cut all overtime at the cash starved Clay Ambulance Service, the decision
was 2 to 1 and that was after some heavy explaining by the Linkster.
March 24 a With Linky saying he wanted
to hold off on making the cuts, Commissioner Pierson was adamant, lets
make the cut now. After some explaining to newbee Commissioner Arlene Tucker,
she went along with the Commission Prez and voted down the cut back in
overtime.
March 24 a The Buffalo Creek Watershed
group is working to restore aquatic life to the tributary of the Elk which
runs past the JG Bradley Campground. Several hundred pounds of trout
will be stocked there by April 9th The group now
has a web site including a calendar of activities.
March 24 a Between Buffalo Creek and
Laurel filled with trout along with Lake Sampson, dirt track racing, a
campground, music shows, and a Saturday night auction house, Clayberry
is starting to look like a better place for tourism in 2011.
March 24 a Ka Ching may be in the future.
March 23 a County Commission meets
this morning at 10 am.
March 23 a The Spring Grand Jury met
yesterday behind closed doors. Will get the results and post later today.
March 23 a The local non profit radio
station plans to air most all of the CCHS home softball and baseball on
101.7 FM . First boys game is this afternoon against Nicholas County.
They need to raise some $$$ to make those match ups possible on air. $50
gets your company name and particulars mentioned four times during each
contest. If you can help give em a call at 304 587-8353 and leave
a message or email at wyap@frontiernet.net. Go Panthers and Lady PAnthers
March 23 a Full schedules are posted
over on the ADVISORY page
MArch 22 late p Yes sir rebob, the
Communicator is now on news stands across the region and heading to you
via the US Post Office. 20 dynamite pages of news and info brought to you
by Clay County's only locally owned and operated newspaper. Included are
the full details from t he sentencing of Tommy Tommy, the Courthouse budget
cut woes, and latest from the School Board meeting Monday night.
March 22 p If your kid is in Clay county
schools and uses a cell phone, you may be real interested in what the Pentagon
is doing with the cell phone use policy.
March 22 late p A big long 2 page agenda
awaiting all those that attend Wed morning's County Commission meeting
at the Courthouse.
March 22 p In response to us posting
that Rt 4 was going to be closed and turned into a place to go fishing
in all the potholes, this email came our way: We have them
here in Ohio so big they have their own ZIP code.
March 22 p Sweaters and snow shovels
are finally being put away in Clay.
March 22 p The Frontier guy is asking
customers to email him with stats on time, date, download speeds. His email
address is drhook@frontiernet.net We posted that a couple days
ago.
March 22 p One lady emailed asking
how to do a speed test. Darn good question.
March 22 p Just go to the Frontier
page and click on the
speed test page button.
March 22 p
March 21 p With deep deep water filled
pot holes every five feet, the joke around the county is they're going
to close Rt 4 and hold a fishing derby on it.
March 21 p We're in typing mode to
get the Communicator out the door Tuesday mid day. No updates until we
get this puppy to bed. You're on your own for now. Good luck.
March 21 a The School Board meets the
first and third Monday of each month. Don't bother checking out their web
site for a look at tonight's meeting agenda. It ain't there. Nor is the
monthly lunch menu nor sports' schedules. As a matter of fact, the baseball
schedule on their web site is for the 2008 season. So much for spending
millions on technology and getting results.
March 21 a County Commission meets
Wed morning.
March 21 a Here's something important.
One of the Frontier DSl guys needs some help with getting our snail connection
speed improved. The guys says the big shots don't, won't believe we have
a problem.
March 21 a If you're suffering like
the rest of us, email the date, time of day, and up and down DSL speeds
to him at DrHook@citlink.net
March 21 a For the first time ever,
non profit 101.7 FM plans to sportscast CCHS baseball and softball games
this season. Volunteers TG Griffith and Josh Shamblin plan to cover the
boys games with Glen Boatright and Phil Dobbins handling the play by play
and commentary for the Lady Panthers.
March 21 a To do so, they need some
on air sponsors. For the $50 fee you or your company get your name and
message mentioned four times during each of the 20 games plus whenever
anybody is at the station during regular broadcasts.
March 21 a If you think about it it's
a pretty good deal. $50 for over 2 months of advertising. If you're interested,
leave a message on their answering machine at 304 587 8353 or email wyap@frontiernet.net
March 21 a Go Panthers and Lady Panthers.
March 20 p Miguel “Mike”
Casarez, 20, of Lizemores, WV, see OBITUARY page
March 20 p Not really a wrap up this
week, just some observations
March 20 p County Commissioners are
responsible for the county's finances. That $1+m budget requires constant
monitoring and vigilance.
March 20 p For the last couple years
the CCC hasn't been doing its job. An example is the Clay Ambulance Service.
After several years of careful management, the much needed agency had over
$200,000 in the bank and savings CD. During the last two years, all the
money earned and the $200,000 in savings was wasted leaving the service
deep in the red. Every time they came to the Commissioner with some hair
brained reason for over purchasing unneeded equipment and supplies, without
looking at the books, the OK was given.
March 20 p Before they ever knew there
was a financial crisis it was banging on the CCC's doors. That's what we
do in Clayberry. Instead of a business plan and long range strategy, all
we can muster is reacting to the next crisis.
March 20 p Last week, Courthouse elected
were told, things are tough and cutbacks are coming. That's after bailing
out the Ambulance Service to the tune of $50,000 to pay bills / payroll
and even more paying down old bank debt.
March 20 p During last Wed evening's
ambulance service employee meeting, they were told, things have to change
and suggested budget cuts would not be enough. IE: Layoffs and cutbacks
in service are coming.
March 20 p While this site and Communicator
have harped about the dismal management of the Ambulance Service for a
number of years, with all on their financial knees, the County COmmission
appears poised to open their eyes and make changes overlooked for the past
24 months.
March 20 p Almost as bad, the Business
Development Authority is getting sued again. The Kanawha County based Court
case highlights what happens when county leaders don't adhere or even try
to follow the law of the land.
March 20 p Again this site and Communicator
have brought to light the repeated violations of Open meeting law only
to be laughed off as BS. It isn't and this time around in Judge Charlie
King's courtroom, it may be costly to us, the people that foot the foot
the bill, the taxpayer
March 20 p Over the last 10 days we
have been conducting our annual online beggin drive to keep this site up
and running for another 12 months. Many have snail mailed over their hard
earned cash. We want to thank you for your support. If we get enough $$$
in, we mayeven take some spelling and typing lessons. We try hard to keep
you informed as best citizen journalists can muster. Your support gives
us the strength to continue on.
March 20 p For this time around, last
time you'll see it. for the stragglers, our mailing address is: Delta;
2278 Main St; CLay WV 25043
March 19 a Happy Birthday Travis Morris!
March 19 a We've changed around our
LINKS page to include all the new Welcome to Clay web sites put together
by the BDA's Tourism Committee. Another of the new web portals came on
line last night. Clay Today is
a distribution site where travelers can see all the warm weather offerings
available in 2011. If you have a site related to tourism, email this site
for possible inclusion on Clay Today.
March 19 a None of the new sites are
fancy but at least they are up to date, quick loading, and easy to navigate.
As always, form follows function.
March 19 a To the folks in Elyria OH;
Hurricane, Pinch, & Chloe WV; Ft Myers & Apache Junction FL; Boulder
CO; Rowlett & San Antonio TX; and Pasadena MD, thanks for your support
of this site.
March 19 a If you're interested in
world wide nuclear accidents including several in Japan, just
click here.
March 19 a Here's
another site with more emphasis on USA nuclear accidents.
March 19 a Put your thinking caps on.
Ever hear of the Fermi nuclear plant near Detroit which melted down in
1966? Don't feel alone. The Feds invoked a news black out on the disaster
and forbid any media coverage of the accident for 10 years. A sister
plant continues to operate for now.
March 19 a For all us ole perverts,
, .xxx web
sites are coming our way.
March 18 p You can hear about anything
over a 911 scanner. Like this morning at 10am when the call went out for
Badge support "for a possible hanging" on Dixie Highway.
March 18 p In the way of a follow
up to the Mike Boggs lawsuit against the Business Development Authority,
County Commission, and Economic Dev Committee, here's some much stronger
follow up info from the West
Virginia Record.
March 18 p Where do you get your first
hand info on Clayberry? Right here of course. Like to keep it coming for
another year?
March 18 p It's time to support clayberry.org
by sending a donation to Delta; 2278 Main St. Clay WV 25043. Thanks for
all those who have already mailed in their support. One more day of the
online campaign and then we'll shut up for another 12 months.
March 18 early a edition Lots of fun
things to do this weekend. Check it out over on the ADVISORY page.
March 18 a Two weeks ago, the
Consignment
Auction House went online with a small web portal. Last week,
Big
Otter Community Center and
Clay
Historical Group (Old Courthouse) did likewise. This week the JG
Bradley Campground launched their world marketing place. Next week
the Clay Today portal opens for business and will serve as a disribution
site for all the good that goes on in the county.
March 18 a The BDA is funding those
sites as well as a push to promote several existing tourism draws in the
county during the 2011 season. Speaking of the BDA....
March 18 a Thursday evening
the Business Development Authority convened a special meeting to discuss
a new lawsuit brought by one time Boardster Mike Boggs. The Kanawha
County suit charges the BDA, County Commission and Economic Development
Committee with all kinds of misdeeds and operating an economic development
agency unlawfully.
March 18 a A similar suit was
brought to Clay Circuit Court last summer by Boggs. In that civil proceeding,
a local Judge decided the case needed to get into Kanawha County where
all state funded related issues are heard.
March 18 a Last night BDA members seemed
pretty peed at being drug thru the court system again.
March 18 a Truth is, that's what happens
when you knowingly operate outside the law of the land.
March 18 a Public meeting notice
and public record storage and viewability stand out as glaring examples
of short comings.
March 18 a On this day in history:
Born 1858: Rudolf Diesel (inventor); 1865: Congress of the Confederate
States of America adjourned for the last time; 1891: Telephone communication
established between London and the Continent; 1922: Mahatma
Gandhi sentenced to six years in jail after his first civil disobedience
campaign against British rule in India; Born 1927: George Plimpton
(author); 1931: First electric razor marketed; Born 1932: John Updike (author);
Born 1938: Charley Pride (singer); Born 1941: Wilson Pickett (singer; and,
Died 2010: Fess Parker (actor).
March 17 p Our County Commissioners
spent much of Wed publicly telling office holders at the Courthouse, their
new year budgets will have to be cut back or at least, go another year
without spending increases.
March 17 p Wed evening the trio headed
over to the Clay Ambulance Service where assembled employees were told
to expect cut off of all overtime wages and reductions in staff. The CCC's
goal is to remove $50,000 in handouts to the agency in the coming year.
That's $50,000 on top of $60,000 for a new ambulance.
March 17 a The Clay Ambulance Service
is operated by the County Commission who is in charge of administrating
the much needed agency.
March 17 p Last night one worker offered
an instant $30,000 savings by reducing 12 hour shifts to 10 hours during
the week and removal of the "second" crew on weekends.
March 17 p The govt service has been
in and out of financial woes since inception. 10 years ago an outside agency
studied the service and came up with a long list of changes to keep the
thang afloat. Stuff like float an excess Levy and stop using the very expensive,
overtime laden, 24 hour shift system of scheduling. None of those
recommendations were followed.
March 17 p After that report, the Commission
took over the operation from a volunteer Authority. During that time period,
past due debts were paid, strict management guidance was provided by the
CCC, and on many occasions, refused to allow purchases of un needed supplies.
Two years ago, Clay Ambulance was in the black with over $200,000 in savings.
March 17 p For the last couple years,
the County Commission has provided little in the way of oversight. A few
months ago, with checks bouncing, the elected folks opened their eyes and
realized, the agency was flat broke, actually in the red. Now forced to
pay attention and do their job, the CCC has funneled nearly $40,000 just
to meet payroll.
March 17 p That's what happens when
our elected leaders come in once a week, smile, hold a public meeting,
collect their pay check and leave. Instead of having a thought thru plan
in place last night, the CCC sat their like bumps ona pickle seeking
ideas to cut costs. It's a little late for that.
March 17 p The reason for the county
budget crisis ($132,000 fewer tax $$$ coming next year) is a reduction
in Big Coal assessments. During Tax Board of Review times, the CCC and
the local Assessor always tell the assembled: Mineral assessments are done
by the State Tax Dept and we have no control over that.
March 17 p Of course that isn't true.
Five years ago, the Clay County Commission refused a $12m reduction in
Coal assessments recommended by the state folks. After negotiating with
the coal company, that reduction was cut in half.
March 17 p One of the tricks Big Coal
does is to move their rolling stock out of the county so as not to be taxed
in a county where questions are raised. This year Big Coal saw a $20m reduction
in Clay County holdings.
March 17 p And then there's the troubling
part about having to follow the state's recommendation. Truth is, the state
code says just the opposite. Paraphrasing the legal language, it says:
if the locals don't like the state's findings, do your own study and approve
it. See for yourself. Here's
the state code and a passed
Senate Bill 401 bill from last year.
March 17 p If the County Commission
really wanted fair taxation, they would ban together with other coal producing
counties, do their own assessments and then properly fund Big Coal. Don't
hold your breath.
March 17 p Sorry for the heavy reading
but when you're putting the monkey on ding dongs, it has to be backed up
by black and white.
March 17 p Now winding down our annual
online beggin campaign, first, thanks all those that have contributed to
the cause. For all the other clickers, think about it. What would it be
like without a daily dose of life in Clayberry?
March 17 p Send your support check
to Delta, 2278 Main St, Clay WV 25043
March 17 p Thanks in advance
March 17 a Happy Green Beer Day
March 17 a A little silver-haired lady
calls her neighbor and says, "Please come over here and help me. I have
a killer jigsaw puzzle, and I can't figure out how to get started." Her
neighbor asks, "What is it supposed to be when it's finished?"
The little silver-haired lady says, "According to the picture on the box,
it's a rooster." Her neighbor decides to go over and help with the
puzzle. She lets him in and shows him where she has the puzzle spread all
over the table. He studies the pieces for a moment, then looks at the box,
then turns to her and says, "First of all, no matter what we do, we're
not going to be able to assemble these pieces into anything resembling
a rooster." He takes her hand and says, "Secondly, I want you to relax.
Let's have a nice cup of tea, and then," he said with a deep sigh.....
"Let's put all the Corn Flakes back in the box."
March 17 a Proper update coming ...
In the mean time, the hurherald
web site from over in Calhoun County has some additional coverage of
Clayberry being ranked near the tip top in teen pregnancies.
March 17 a For those goofing off at
work, here's Brooks
Stover's BC&G RR web site. Don't go there unless you want to spend
an hour or more looking at history.
March 16 p This morning the County
Commission held a meeting with each of the elected office holders. Turns
out tax collections in the county will be down $132,000 come the new year
which begins July 1st. Tax collections are based on the assessed value
on each parcel of property.
March 16 p from that little known about
meeting: there will be no pay raises this year and each department needs
to reflect a 9.7% budget cut. Instead of increasing budgeted amounts, the
County Commission will make up shortfalls as the need arises.
March 16 p Elected officials didn't
seem to happy with the cutbacks or at least budget neutral talks. Normally
reserved Circuit Clerk Mike Asbury was very firm with his demand: If there
are going to be budget cuts, I want another meeting with the CCC.
March 16p Prosecutor Jim Samples was
just as resounding with his need for additional $$$ to keep up with
increases in needed materials like subscriptions to comic books... I mean
law journals, and the newest most up to date online case studies.
March 16 p Slinky poo told each , the
final decision on how much each department will have in the new fiscal
year will be made by late this afternoon.
March 16 p We understand
the CCC will meet with the Clay Ambulance Service this afternoon at 4:30
to lower the axe on them. Our guess: All overtime hours will be stopped.
March 16 p Did your taxes go
down? Didn't think so.
March 16 p Class III coal taxes did
to the tune of $40,000,000 in tax appraisals down to $20,000,000. That
reduction resulted in the $132,000 tax base loss.
March 16 p Isn't that interesting considering,
not one coal company came during Board of Review time last month to ask
for the cut back.
MArch 16 a Something's going on clickers.
This morning at 8:30am, the Frontier DSL service was working near promised
speeds. Pretty scary!
March 16 a For all those that have
contributed to our online begging campaign to keep this site up and running
for another 12 months, thanks. Bare with us folks for another four days
and then it's over for another year.
March 16 a West Virginians are
paying an average of 7.1 cents more per gallon at the pump this week than
they did last week. According to AAA's Fuel Gauge, the price of self-serve
regular unleaded gasoline in the state now averages $3.62 per gallon. The
national average price is $3.55.
March 16 a If we could get those prices
up to around $6 or more per gallon, it would force this nation to make
the needed change.
March 16 a Trying to come up with enough
$$$ to pay your taxes? You're going to love this next post.
March 16 a Between 1998 to 2005,
the GAO found that about 72 percent of large foreign controlled companies
and 55 percent of large U.S. controlled companies reported zero tax liability
for at least one year. About 57 percent of foreign controlled large companies
and 42 percent of U.S. large companies paid no taxes in two or more years,
and a third of the foreign companies and one quarter of their U.S. counterparts
paid no taxes for at least four of those years. Just 45 percent of large
U.S. companies and 28 percent of foreign companies reported a tax liability
for each of the eight years. The report defined large companies as those
with at least $250 million in assets, or at least $50 million in receipts
March 16 a When GAO factored
smaller companies into the mix, it found a higher overall proportion who
didn't pay taxes. Throughout the eight years the study examined, the overall
percentage of non-tax-paying foreign and U.S. controlled companies never
fell beneath 60 percent annually. Read
all about it here.
March 16 a We'll be back this
afternoon with some interesting Courthouse news. Check back around 4pm.
March 15 late p Oh it's a sad day for
Tiffany Farmer. On the big 50, it's all down hill for sure. Birthday condolences
to Tif
March 15 p Notice there are no Rolaids?
What happened to the little round pills of relief? Glad you asked.
March 15 p US manufactured Rolaid tablets
were recalled in January 2010, by Johnson and Johnson. Other regularly
used over-the-counter drugs are affected, also. Some recalls are mandatory,
some are voluntary and others are only alerts. The culprit is the contamination
of a chemical from the pallets that somehow got into these drugs.
I know this is a bit late at the gate, but not many people are aware of
this regularly used over-the-counter medication, even the people working
in drugs stores, or companies selling the product. Today an internet company
in Canada was willing to sell me the bottled Rolaids. So this post is a
good reminder. "It is only Rolaids", some of you say. Well,
a trace amount of a chemical (2,4,6-tribromoanisole) that shouldn't be
there was found. Health Canada says it probably came from the palets that
was used to transport them. Personally that does not make sense to me.
How can a chemical from the wood leach into a plastic bottle?
March 15 p Today is the first day on
the Black Shirt payroll for one time Town badge, Chris Davis.
March 15 p Last week the clay Auction
House and Big Otter Community Center went online with their own web sites.
This week it's the Clay Historical
Society. Lots of good background info!
March 15 a The Ides of March
are with us.
March 15 a Japan has more than
50 nuclear power plants and had planned to build two dozen more by 2030.
Why did the country move that direction after W.W.II? Here's the answer
from an expert.
March 15 a Cooperate news outlets are
happy to get away from the union busting civil unrest in this country and
afar. Here's the update on We
the People in Libya.
March 15 a Months ago The Communicator
provided a front page report on Clayberry being at the top of the national
list in teen pregnancies. The county in general said no way, they're making
all that stuff up again.
March 15 a TV-3
news provided a very short clip on the unwed mother, teen problem and
all of a sudden, the folks at the Pentagon are in agreement. School Superintendent
Kenneth Tanner told WSAZ: "When you talk with high school students in large
groups, we found that can be problematic; especially when you're dealing
with a sensitive subject such as teen pregnancy,”
March 15 a More mish mash while the
county knows the girl's are entering the next generation of getting govt
assistance. The free ride continues in the Nation of Clay. It's all about
low expectations and even worse future in the county.
March 15 a The Ides of March
has long been considered an ill-fated day. Julius Caesar was assassinated
on March 15, 44 B.C. Historians note that it is likely that a soothsayer
named Spurinna had warned Caesar that danger would occur by the ides of
March. William Shakespeare included the phrase "Beware the ides of March"
in his play Julius Caesar.
MArch 15 a How do you measure clouds?
Glad you asked: Ceilometer A cloud yardstick. A ceilometer
measures the height of clouds.
March 14 p Jerry A. Nelson, see OBITUARY
page
March 14 p Buffalo Creek Watershed
group meets Tuesday evening as usual but in the CAEZ office.
Please note the location change
March 14 p Many of us are waiting
on the Infernal Revenue Service for income tax returns. Here's the online
source for the information.
March 14 p Some web sites are
pretty cheap to have. Not so with this one. This year we have to add web
space, are in need of a large back up external hard drive, replace batteries
and memory card in the camera. How about fighting virus attacks. Add in
running to meeting after meeting, keeping a DSL line and tele service
paid, office space, and maintenance.
March 14 p Like to read about the Nation
of Clay? Once a year we go online on beg for bucks. We're doing that
now. Any amount will help. How about you?
March 14 p Send your hard earned dollars
to Delta; 2278 Main St; Clay WV ; 25043
March 14 a Happy 10th Birthday Jennifer
Taylor
March 14 a The BDA's Tourism Committee
has been trying to get in touch with someone up at the O'brion dirt track.
So far without luck. If you have a contact number or working email address
for one of the owners, please have them email this site for forwarding.
Thanks
March 14 a In the U.S., the nationwide
average for the price of gas was $3.53 per gallon on Thursday, according
to AAA. The price has risen for 16 consecutive days, jumping 34 cents.
But that's still less than half the $9.28 per gallon paid in Oslo.
Most Europeans, including the British, the Irish, the Germans, the Italians
and the French, pay somewhere between $7.50 and $8 per gallon
March 14 a Here's
the skinny.
March 14 a Keep one thing in mind while
you're paying high prices. There is no, zero, none, zilch shortage of gasoline.
The price is up because of Corporate greed!
March 14 a For this Monday morning,
very quiet in Clayberry.
March 13 p So what the heck is a meltdown.
Here's a pretty
good source including references to other major disasters and how they
came to be.
March 13 a No wrap-up this time around
just the news
March 13 a It took em four tries but
Friday afternoon Tommy Young Sr and Jr stood before the Fed Judge and received
their sentences. First came Tommy Jr
March 13 a Jr's statement before sentencing
took less than 10 seconds and included: I made mistakes ... I'm trying
to get better .... I am trying to start over. That was
about it before Judge Johnston gave him 58 months behind bars to include
drug treatment classes. Amazing enough, for his part of the decade of stealing,
Jr will have to pay back $11,000 in restitution. The Robe offered that
the youth could change his ways and if not, "the system will continue to
incarcerate you."
March 13 a As Jr was being escorted
out, he looked at family members and gave a hand sign for I Love You.
March 13 a With scraggy hair and looking
unkept, Sr was next to come shackled into the cherry paneled courtroom.
Judge Johnston was not so kind with words for the Daddy of the crime network,
Tommy Young Sr. Words like: Your thefts are a way of life, long term....
You are a danger to the community .... you have many priors ... Before
has just been a slap on the wrist ... I am going to protect the public
from you... I won't be surprised if your not in crime after you get out....
March 13 a When given the chance to
speak, Sr only thanked the Court for allowing him to attend his long time
companion's funeral, Renee Boyd. That was it.
March 13 a With Sr drumming his fingers
on the glass top table, Judge Johnston ordered 132 months behind bars plus
$175,000 in restitution for the head honcho of Murder Mountain.
March 13 a By 2:50pm, the years
of well organized stealing and thieving (and killing ) were over.
Locked up for a long time in a PA prison to be close to relatives.
March 13 a As Sr was leaving
the room, he never looked at family members. Sort of hunched down a little,
he baby stepped it away from the world for a long time.
March 13 a Full story in the next Communicator
March 13 a Like knowing exactly what
happened down in the Federal Building without paying the gas and
parking bill? Getting all the details in Clay County' only locally owned
and operated newspaper?
March 13 a It's time to support this
humble wittle web portal to the world. Any and all donations are appreciated.
Send your Check or Money order to Delta; 2278 Main Street; Clay WV 25043
March 13 a Thanks in advance and here's
to another year of near awarding wining citizen journalism.
March 12 p Flora Holcomb, 90,
of Lizemores, see OBITUARY page
March 12 p Melody Diane Moore
Adkins, 47, of Procious, see OBITUARY page
March 11 p Even on cold weekends there's
stuff going on in Clayberry. Tonight Big Otter Community Center is offering
up a live band, concessions, and a place to dance your night away. Saturday
evening is the consignment auction at Two Run. Feeling poor? load up your
junk and take it over for sale.
March 11 p How about some afternoon
reading....
March 11 p If you're seeing your
electric bill taking more out of your budget and falling farther and further
behind, you
are not alone.
March 11 p Hawaii had the highest well-being
among states in 2010 with a Well-Being Index score of 71.0. Wyoming, North
Dakota, and Alaska are also among the 10 states with the highest overall
wellbeing scores. West
Virginia had the lowest wellbeing with a score of 61.7.
March 11 p Just
400 Americans -- 400 -- have more wealth than half of all Americans
combined
March 11 p What's happening in Wisconsin
is a direct
attack on America's middle class. With union's busted we can expect
an even more alarming growth in the extreme wealthiest corporatists and
the very poorest. Welcome to 1984.
March 11 p We're in day four
of our annual online drive to keep this web site alive and informing. Our
goal is to be an instant portal for what's going on in Clayberry as we
call it. The unvarnished truth of the parasites known as politicians is
what we focus on. between 1600 and 2200 people a week day walk over here
for a peek. Even even half of the clickers sent over a dollar we
would be in good shape for another 12 months.
March 11 p Can you lend a hand? If
so, send your check to Delta; 2278 Main St; Clay WV 25043. Thanks
March 11 early a Thanks for all
the email suggestions on getting the bird's nest out of the web cam.
March 11 a Today is the day Tommy /
Tommy are to be sentenced in Federal Court. Hearing begins at 1:30pm. If
you're going, no cell phones nor pocket knives allowed inside.... nor popcorn.
March 11 a Email in your predictions
before 1pm today.
March 11 a Here's our guess. 20 years
for Sr and 10 years for Jr.
March 11 a Tip: For burning CD's or
DVD's, there's a free software available that does it all, doesn't cost
a penny, and best yet, it's very easy to use. Here's the download page
for BurnAware.
March 11 a Tip 2 If you're
fed up with Internet Explorer and Firefox doesn't turn your crank. here's
another browser that might be more to your liking. SeaMonkey.
March 10 p Calvin “Bob”
“Shotgun” Thorne, 82, of Ivydale, see OBITUARY page
March 10 p We're having a little
trouble with our web cam and a contrary bird that has decided to make the
cam into a nest. Been pulling the sticks out but that blasted bird
won't quit.
March 10 p Change of schedule,
Gubernatorial candidate Arne Moltis will be interviewed at 101.7FM Friday
night at 6pm instead of tonight.
March 10 p Drizzle continues as does
a flash flood warning for the county. Be careful
March 10 a Susie Jane Brown. 69, of
Bickmore, see OBITUARY page
March 10 a First hand info that
affects everybody, that's what this web site is all about. Well, that's
in addition to giving dumb bunny politicos double H every time they do
something outrageous!
March 10 a To keep it comin, we need
help. We're in our online beggin drive mode. Send your bucks to Delta;
2278 Main St; Clay WV 25043. Thank you.
March 10 a Clayberry is under a flood
watch followed by a chance of an inch or more of the white stuff. This
ain't no way to start Spring.
March 10 a Tonight Clay Roane PSD meets
at the Procious Water Plant beginning at 6pm. Their Agenda is posted over
on the ADVISORY page.
March 10 a The Clay Ambulance Service
has been a financial mess for decades. During the years of the Ambulance
Authority, things were so bad, without a public vote, the group secured
$160,000 in bank loans just to make day to day payroll.
March 10 a During yesterday's Commission
meeting, it came out, the elected folks have provided $38,000 in loans
to the Ambulance Service and will have to cough up more just to make payroll
this month.
March 10 a Look for serious cut backs
to be announced during the next CCC meeting. Once again, it's the employees
that will take it on the chin for pee poor management and oversight by
the Clay County Commission.
March 10 a With one breath the Commission
told the world that cut backs are coming, they will have $132,000 less
to work with during the next budget year, and and and then
hired a 6th Black Shirt Deputy for the Sheriff. Chris Davis is the new
hire.
March 10 a It's been a law for years
that all households in the county have paid, Waste Management, garbage
service receipts. If you generate a bag of garbage a week and dispose of
it in agreement with your neighbor, Yelp , by law, you have to pay the
full bill yourself.
March 10 a If your spouse carries the
throw outs to the office dumpster, Nope, that won't work either.
March 10 a Last night the Solid Waste
Authority member Dustin Fitzwater invited DNR officials to their meeting
and listened to a stepped up enforcement plan practiced in other West Virginia
counties.
March 10 a True we need the county
to look better and get rid of a bunch of road side litter... but laws have
to be reasonable. The one about everybody in the county with Waste Management
service no matter what, well, it ain't reasonable. Only one company benefits
from the scheme!
March 10 a Instead of Garbage Badges
coming onto your property and a stepped up snitch line, it might be time
to approach members of the Solid Waste Authority and tell em to just start
2011 by cleaning up the obvious eye sores.
MArch 10 a Contributing to the literacy
of Clayberry, the latest, hotest Communicator is now on news stands in
five counties and being delivered to your door by Federal officials.
March 9 late p Fabion Brown lost
his female beagle last weekend in the upper end of Adonajar, near the church.
Does have a collar. Be on the look out everyone. Dial Fabion at 304 587-9927
March 9 p Thursday evening at 6pm the
Clay Roane PSD Board meets down at the Procious Water Plant.
March 9 p America's population
center is edging away from the Midwest, pulled by Hispanic growth in the
Southwest, according to census figures. The historic shift is changing
the nation's politics and even the traditional notion of the country's
heartland — long the symbol of mainstream American beliefs and culture.
March 9 p The West is now home to the
four fastest-growing states — Nevada, Arizona, Utah and Idaho — and has
surpassed the Midwest in population, according to 2010 figures. California
and Texas added to the southwestern population tilt, making up more than
one-fourth of the nation's total gains since 2000. The last time the U.S.
center fell outside the Midwest was 1850, in the eastern territory now
known as West Virginia. Its later move to the Midwest bolstered the region
as the nation's cultural heartland in the 20th century, central to U.S.
farming and Rust Belt manufacturing sites.
March 9p Thank you JB and OB for support
of this web site.
March 9 early a Announcing to
the world, the Communicator made it out the door Tuesday afternoon. Juicy
juicy details on all the stinky stuff (and some good too) that goes on
in and around County Clay and all yours for just 70 cents cheap.
March 9 a Don't forget, the Communicator
is endorsed by Commissioner Slinky for it's value and entertainment!
March 9 a Our above the fold story
gives depth in the Prosecutor's saga of not seizing property after
a drug bust and the financial needs to comply with a court order. Two mentions
in the Police Blotter are Brennin Bird and Billy Belknap.
March 9 a We're now in full swing of
the 2011 online beggin campaign. While some sites barely update once a
week, we try our best to keep you informed with daily updates. If you like
knowing what's going on back home, we need your support to keep this animal
alive.
March 9 a Send your hard earned dollars
to Delta; 2278 Main St; Clay WV 25043
March 9 a Thanks in advance
March 9 a County Commission meets nearly
all day long today. The final public hearing in t he grant application
process this morning at 9:30 followed by a full meeting at 10. After lunch
the elected folks will auction off junk building materials at the Courthouse.
Anyone can bid. Might be fun too.
March 9 a Tonight the local radio station
is interviewing one of the 15 Governor candidates. Discussion begins at
6pm/ Tune to 101.7 FM to find out more.
March 9 a Hey, want ta show you
something. The BDA's Tourism Committee is working with existing tourism
draws to grow them a little this year. One of the first steps was for those
in need to have a web site.
March 9 a The Consignment
Auction House is now on line as is Big
Otter Community Center in the North. More sites and help is on the
way.
March 9 a Not going to believe this
clickers, but ,snow is in the forecast for Thursady night and Friday.
March 7 p Delegates' Dave Walker and
Dave Perry Legislative updates are now available over on the ADVISORY page
March 7 a We're in shutdown mode
until we get the Communicator out the door sometime Tuesday afternoon.
You're on your own clickers for now.
March 7 a Happy Carma Holcomb
March 7 a Happy Birthday to Danny Grose
Sr
March 7 a It's that time of year again
clickers. It's time for the annual beggin campaign to keep this web site
alive and well. Enjoy knowing what's going on in and around Clayberry?
Like seeing the great pictures? It's time to support the only source for
news and views in the county of little.
March 7 a Mail your support check to
Delta: 2278 Main Street; Clay WV 25043
March 7 a We've got a big day in the
way of public meetings. CAEZ will be holding their rescheduled meetings
at 4 and 6pm this afternoon.
March 7 a The Health Dept convenes
at 6pm where they will accept the resignation of one of their co directors
among other things.
March 7 a Can't forget the School Board
meeting up at the Pentagon. Big long list of action items on the agenda
including first mention of re-electing the School Excess Levy in a few
months.
March 7 a Public meetings, a place
for you to see what the government is doing to and for ya.
March 6 late p Frontier Tele services
much of Clayberry. Their internet speed test is often 30% higher than independent
testing sites. At 8:30 tonight the Frontier rated speed
test was a skant 200 down and even worse, 77 up. We were planning a
bunch of new postings tonight but it just isn't possible right now. Pictures?
Forget it!
March 6 p Hattie Elizabeth Lanham Smith,
88, of Ovapa, see OBITUARY page
March 6 p As we look at the new world
order coming in the Middle East, it ain't nothing new. Back in 1848 there
was an even bigger change that started in Rome and spread over all of Europe.
Royal heads rolled as parliamentary style govt. came to the World.
March 6 p Just as Wikileak information
fueled the current uprisings, it is truly the people that make the sacrifice
and reap the benefits. Such may be the case in this country as union members
realize, their wages make up the dwindling American middle class.
March 6 p In Clayberry, we have
a couple nuggets from the last seven days.
March 6 p Normally we don't hear much
from the Prosecutor's office. That changed this past week when he had to
ask the Commission for $$$ to cover a Court ordered towing bill be paid.
That was a first for the county but the biggy was when a Feb 22nd letter
became public.
March 6 p The Prosecutor's letter instructed
all local law enforcement agencies to never again use ANY towing company.
Of course everybody in the county knows that Jim Samples has no control
over what the Green Shirts, Brown Shirts, or Blue Shirts do.
March 6 p Bet all his lawyer buddies
gave him bunches of grief.
March 6 p That letter stands for now.
With towing a drunk's vehicle out the door, the "haves" will receive preferential
treatment with calls being made to family members to retrieve the car while
poor people or out of town folks will see their property destroyed by vandals
along the roadsides.
March 6 p During the Tuesday
Town Council meeting, discussion turned to Town Badge Chris Davis leaving
the force and heading over to the Sheriff's office for work. With all knowing
full well the guy was leaving, the center of attention was : why no resignation
notice and when or if Davis would pay back "a buy out" from his previous
employer. Without much follow up effort in the past, bet the Town comes
up short.
March 6 p After an excellent season,
the CCHS Lady Panther Basketball team went down to defeat in Regional Tournament
play.
March 6 p Thursday night's Business
Development Authority meeting brought some results. True we're gullible
but it sure sounded like the group was finally getting off their butts
and doing stuff.
March 6 p Stuff like funding tourism
web sites, supporting a quilt trail intitive, working with a lawyer to
get Filcon Indutrial site ownership free and clear once and for all; and,
funding a long delayed 20 year county wide management study.
March 6 p The Spring like
conditions changed Sunday morning when snow once again blanketed the county.
Temps never got above 34 degrees. State Road crews switched from tar and
chipping potholes back to salt shakers and treating the roads.
March 6 p
March 6 a Look out your window.
At 7:30 this morning it was snowing big time. ^^%%#!!!! that white stuff
March 4 a Not quite short pants weather
but when you think just two weeks ago we had snow and slush... darn nice.
March 4 a Wash that car, clean up that
yard, put away the snow shovel and then have some fun.
March 4 a Live music continues tonight
at Big Otter Community Center, Consignment auction Saturday at 6, Bingo
over at the Newton Community Center, and for politicos, Betty Ireland comes
to town Saturday evening. Gospel Sing Sunday afternoon. Good stuff to do
second to none!
March 4 a How about some edumacation?
The Community College over at Wallback is hosting an Open House Saturday
where you can find out more about a better future.
March 4 a See EVENTS and ADVISORY pages
for details.
March 4 a For those that didn't check
the site out yesterday, the Tommy Tommy sentencing has been rescheduled
till next Friday.
March 3 p State Road crews having
ben patching tank traps coming into downtown Clay for the last couple weeks,
About as soon as the gravel black sludge mixture is shoveled down, Poof,
it's gone within a couple days.
March 3 p This time around a different
gravel and more layers of tar appears to be the right recipe. Hope
so anyway. This buying additional Poligrip is getting expensive.
March 3 p Got a little more info from
yesterday's drug bust. Turns out the Badges were heading there to serve
outstanding warrants from Nicholas County Something about the lads
and ladies buying sudafed in the neighboring county.
March 3 p Once on site (1411 Blue Knob
Road) , they spotted meth making ingredients in a burn pit and smelled
the ammonia stench from a meth lab inside a trailer, Green Shirt
DeMaske kicked in the door and captured a couple of the folks including
Billy Belnap..
March 3 Several others warrants remain
to be executed. You been buying Sudafed over in Nicholas County? Go ahead
and turn yourself in, saves time and money.
March 3 p The county is still reeling
about Prosecutor Jim Samples letter telling all Badges to no longer use
a wrecker company to tow vehicles after an arrest is made. We've got a
copy of that letter and will post on t he home page late tonight.
March 3 p Tommy Tommy update. Instead
of being sentenced in the morning, the new date is Friday March 11th
beginning at 1:30pm before Federal Judge Johnston. Mark your calendars.
March 3 a Yesterday afternoon
the Town called to announce the Maysel community Boil Water Order has been
lifted. We were sitting on our thumbs and forgot. Maysel water ready to
use again.
March 3 a This evening at 5:30
the Business Development Authority meets at the Courthouse. Always a good
thing to come out and watch government in action... or inaction
March 3 a Republicrats are pressing
for sharp cut backs in pogroms that benefit the poorest of Americans.
Reuters is reporting: Duplicating, overlapping and fragmented
government agencies are wasting tens of billions of federal dollars every
year, according to a GAO study released on Tuesday. In its first annual
report to Congress, which was mandated by legislative action last year,
the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office found 34 areas in which
agencies, offices or initiatives have similar, overlapping or fragmented
objectives serving the same population. Another 47 areas were identified
as opportunities to reduce operating costs or boost revenue collection
via agency or Congressional action. For example, billions in "improper
federal payments" are laid out every year, while addressing the gap between
taxes owed and paid could potentially bring billions more into federal
coffers, according to the report. Collectively, the savings and revenues
"could result in tens of billions of dollars in annual savings," the report
said..
March 3 a Frogs crooking , that's
a strong sign that Spring is here. Here's some loud
peepers issuing their calls from over on a hillside at Maysel. Sort
of remind us of politicians showing off when they haven't done a thing
yet.
March 3 a We held off publishing
the Communicator until Tuesday so as to include the sentencing of Tommy
and Tommy Young set for Friday morning. A check this morning of the Federal
court calendar reveals, it's off again. Not sure what's going on there.
Note: That link works best when you right click and open in a new window.
March 3 a Speaking of Feds, those guys
and Green Shirts put their heads together Wed afternoon out Blue Knob way.
Arrests were made including Billy Belnap who was hog tied on each end.
March 3 a Back when Billy was a kid
in the local Boy Scout troop, you knew would wind up in the court system.
Pretty sad for sure. Drugs appears to be the reason for the arrest.
March 3 a The season is over for the
Lady Panthers who lost their regional tournament game last night down in
Chapmmanville. Darn good season for the CCHS Lady Panthers.
March 3 a I asked God for
a bike, but I know God doesn't work that way. So I stole a bike and asked
for forgiveness.
March 2 a From the email bag:
The Lady Panthers will play their regional basketball game tonight at Scott
High School in Madison. They will play Scott at 7:00 p.m. with the
winner advancing to the WV State Tournament in Charleston next week
March 2 a Hospitality is making
your guests feel like they're at home, even if you wish they were
March 2 a I used to be indecisive.
Now I'm not sure
March 1 After the last winter,
doesn't March sound good!
March 1 a The regular meeting
of the Central Appalachia Empowerment Zone has been rescheduled to March
7, 4 and 6pm. They even have their web
site calendar up to date to let the public know what's going on.
March 1 a Town Council meets tonight
at 5pm in the old Chevy dealership building on Main Street.
March 1 a If you haven't played
around with the advertiser buttons on our homepage, it's time. Online,
on time, and right here. Thanks each and very advertiser including newbee
Wally Rollins down at Rollins Outdoor Power Equipment at Falling Rock.
March 1 a Boy have we got a story.
Go get your coffee cup.....
March 1 a Last week Judge Alsop gave
the Prosecutor's office 5 days to come up with $7640 to pay a storage fee
owed to King's Wrecker Service. After getting arrested last June for being
in possession of drugs and drug making stuff, King's towed and has been
holding Jamie Morris' truck and trailer since. With no indictment on the
books, the Judge ordered the vehicles returned to the owner. To do that,
the storage bill has to be paid. Since our elected guy didn't file seizure
proceedings to cover the cost, the taxpayer has to go the bill.
March 1 a One problem, the Prosecutor
doesn't have that kind of $$$ available.
March 1 a Monday afternoon during an
emergency meeting of the County Commission, Jim Samples and Asst.
Dan Dotson asked the CCC for the extra loot. After questioning and responses,
it didn't sound like the Commission is, was, willing to get the Prosecutor's
butt out of the buzz saw.
March 1 a The question kept coming
up, if the Court demands your office to pay something, why should the County
Commission come to your aid? With their heads down much of the time. at
best, Samples and Dotson were sheepish with response.
March 1 a Turns out, before the Monday
meeting, Dotson had worked a deal with the Judge and the owner of the wrecker
service. The deal: Fran King agreed to hold off the paying of the debt
until Nov of this year. Although not spoken during the public session,
sounds like the debt has spurred the Prosecutor into speeding up the indictment
process.
March 1 a Problems solved. Nope, not
on a couple of fronts.
March 1 a First, just because your
get a judgment, that doesn't mean you will ever get your money.
March 1 a Second, an Oh Boy minute.....
March 1 a During the discussions, King
let out that the Prosecutor had fired out a letter to the Town, Sheriff,
and Green Shirts informing them to never tow a vehicle without his prior
OK. Never Never Never!
March 1 Think about that clickers.
First off, the Prosecutor has no control over the Town or the Green Shirts
but importantly, how down right, newspaper worthy, are the implications.
March 1 a Like, Badge arrests a drunk
driver and the vehicle is not towed and held. Who's responsible if someone
steals the car?
March 1 Like, Four drunks in a vehicle
and the driver gets arrested, who in their right mind doesn't think one
of the other drunks won't take the ride on down the road.
March 1 Like, A driver doesn't have
a license, insurance, tags, and gets a ticket. Since we're not taken to
jail for such an offense, as soon as the Badge leaves the scene, the unlawful
driver heads down the road and hits another vehicle. Who's responsible?
March 1 a Like, A drunk driver
gets thrown out of his car and winds up under the overturned ride. Sure
can't call a tow truck to right the vehicle!
March 1 a Suppose during any of those
for instances or a million others, the Prosecutor is out fishing somewhere
and can't be reached?
March 1 a Getting the picture?
Liability sure comes into play. If the County Commission doesn't like the
idea of paying a $7640 storage bill, wait till they get socked with a gazillion
dollar lawsuit.
March 1 a Sure sounds like the Prosecutor's
letter is an instance of shooting his mouth off during a minute
of rage after a court case didn't go his way.
March 1 a We're trying to get a copy
of that letter Fran King mentioned. Check back tomorrow.
March 1 a Guess what the front page
of the Communicator will deal with! It's Oh Boy time in the most fertile
place for a newspaper, Clayberry.
March 1 a We've got our online
support campaign coming up this month. Where else can you get the real
scoop on what's going on in Clayberry? No place but clayberry.org. Please
keep that in mind when we start our begging campaign next week. Thanks
in advance.