September 2007 News

 
  • Sept 30 pm We're in typing mode today working to get the Communicator out the door Monday afternoon around 4pm. No weekend wrap up this week.
  • Sept 29pm FOUND:  small dog found on Elkhurst. Very cute. Call to identify and claim  587-2635
  • Sept 29 am  Might find get some real deals during the BC&G RR Co-Op Auction today over at the campground. See EVENTS page.
  • Sept 29 am  We're holding up the COmmunicator until Monday afternoon.
  • Sept 29 am  Clay County hasn't had a stoplight since the 50's when the little one in front of CCB was blasted away one evening. When construction crews began work on the Dundon Ski Slope bridge , they installed stoplights on each end of place. Those lights have turned us into criminals. When the yellow lights shows, almost everyone floors it with others "drafting" thru the red light. Late nights with no one coming, some of us go screaming thru the red light!
  • Sept 29 am Thursday night when the electric was off, the stoplights went off as well. Guess what, civility returned to Clayberry. People slowed down and let one car at a time come thru and then took their turn.
  • Sept 29 am By the way, there hasn't been a lick of work on the bridge in 6 weeks!
  • Sept 29 am  From the mail bag:  My husband, being unhappy with my mood swings, bought me a mood ring the other day so he would be able to monitor my moods.  We've discovered that when I'm in a good mood, it turns green. When I'm in a bad mood, it leaves a big f#/!;#* red mark on his forehead
  • Sept 28 am  Kenneth William Church, 50, see OBITUARY page
  • Sept. 28 am Clay Roane PSD's BOIL WATER ORDER for the Valley Fork section of the county remains in affect. Boil it first.
  • Sept 28 am Interested in fresh apples and spuds. See the CLASSIFIED page now.
  • Sept. 28 am  Wednesday was a tough day in Clay. A storm front came in around 3pm Wed with lots of rain, hail and thunder boomers everywhere. Some areas of the county (like Triplett Ridge) lost power right away.  With the rain gone or maybe just a drizzle or two left, around 8pm the electric went off in downtown Clay and Two Run. Maybe other areas too.
  • Sept. 28 am Leonard Williams is the Supervisor at Elk Power Co.  On several occasions we've given Lenurd "My Good Buddy" Williams double H, mostly related to his leadership as BDA Chair.
  • Sept. 28 am Last night the power went off at 8pm. At 8:13 Williams was seen coming into town. At 8:17 he had switched to to the Elk Power truck, had that top mounted white spotlight on and shining up at power lines as he headed out of town.  Not a bad response time, certainly better than the ambulance service on many occasions!!
  • Sept. 28 am  We're holding up The Communicator until Monday. No not storm related but rather moving related. Delta Communications is moving into new digs over at Two Run. The building once housed the U Can Restaurant and later the Gypsy Jew Shop where Tattoo Vince was often seen. Before we can move in, there's a bunch of wiring, fixing, cleaning painting, etc. to do. We're taking Friday and Saturday for a work party.
  • Sept. 28 am The day of delay will also give us more time to figure out what went on at last Monday's Big Otter Fire Dept. Board meeting. Sounds like it was a reaaaaaal firey meeting with many in attendance red faced and blood boiling. In the case of Jeff Boggs, red clear to the top of his head!
  • Sept 28 am Deadline for classifieds, meeting notices, announcements etc is Saturday at noon. Email your stuff now.
  • Sept. 28 am Did you know BOFD purchased an acre of adjoining land for $20,000. The new purchase is on t he opposite side of the building from the recently settled in court, pie shaped piece.   Many of the FD members were up in arms over the purchase.
  • Sept. 28 am Sounds like a juicy article in the making!
  • Sept. 26 am BOIL WATER ORDER
  • Sept. 26 am CLay Roane PSD issued a Boil Water ORder Tuesday night, 11pm for the Valley Fork area of their district. Water line break!  Be safe, boil it first until further notice.
  • Sept. 26 am    Ida Maysel Price, 95, of Fola, see OBITUARY page
  • Sept. 26 am From a MySpace participant... You Know If You Are From Clay County If..... You know where Widen is and you try to avoid it at all times.  You always had corn with pizza for school lunch.  You know there is a place called Boogerhole. You remember Joe Crow and are sad when his name is mentioned. You only think there is one elementary school until you get to middle school and there are so many new kids. When band camp was the only way out! Meth Labs are everywhere but still have no  McDonalds.   Everyone calls our sheriff "Poopy".   No one gets on the football field. If it wasn't for football games the field would always be untouched. When we finally got a  Park, it has no Playground!  When you know not to talk about Murder Mt.

  •     You know the population of Sattler Mountain.   You know that the only red light in the town is portable and wonder why it hasn't been thrown into the river.   You know your in Clay county when you see a line at the Go Mart waiting on the Communicator to finally hit the shelf.   When a thunderstorm warning brings people out and into town to gossip about it.  When a family members name comes across the scanner you get 20 calls at once to let you know where your kids at.   When your photo album of family members is mostly newspaper clippings of   their mug shot from CRJ.     When everyone you talk to is either on Prozac or Lexapro.
  • Sept. 25 am Ever seen apple butter making? Happening today over at the JG Bradley Campground. They're starting early too. Stop over and see how it's really done.
  • Sept. 25 am  From the email bag: HAPPY BELATED ANNIVERSARY TO MATTHEW AND ANGELA HAMRICK FOR SEPT. 22, FROM DAD MOM AND KELLY WE LOVE YOU GUYS AND WISH YOU MANY MORE
  • Sept. 25 am  Families of alcoholics, need some support? The first Al-Anon Meeting in Clay will be on September 26, 2007, 163 1/2 Main St., Clay, at 7:00 p.m.
  • Sept. 25 am  Help please, from the email bag: lost dog last seen below the old valley fork elementary school.  Shes mixed and has all four white socks, Brown ears.  Answers to sissy and if you see her PLEASE call Christina or Frank Bennett @ 304-587-2042 if no ones home please leave a message. Thanks
  • Sept. 25 am  From the email bag:   The Clay County Panthers Intermediate Football took on the Fayetteville Pirates Saturday at the Clay County High School field. The Panthers took a full victory sweep with the Flag team up first with a win of 22 to 14. The C-team took a win with the score of 44 to 22. Next the B-Team took a win of 24 to 0. Then to finish up the Panther victory of the day was the A-Team with a score of 44 to 0.  Great Job Panthers teams and coaches !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Come out and support these young athletes this Sunday at Summersville as they take on the Little Bears first game to start at 12:00.....
  • Sept. 25 am Here's something that ain't done, the Dundon bridge ski slope. Hasn't been a lick of work done in three weeks. It's as if the construction site has been abandoned.  One guy told us the completion date isn't until sometime in 2008. Here's an excerpt from one email we received: No one has worked on that bridge for weeks and all summer long many days were missed for some reason with out any explanations to the citizens of Clay. There is no reason for that contractor not to be working on that project. There is road work to do on the Dundon side and much work to do to complete the bridge.
  • Sept. 25 am Around 10:17 last night, over the scanner, came word of  a coal truck turned over and the driver needing an ambulance. The Clay Ambulance crew reported being on scene at 10:42 pm. No other details right now
  • Sept. 25 am The Clay County Schools web site did a little updating including this web post:  Clay County Middle School has been awarded a SEEDS grant from Education Alliance.  Their business mentor will be Mr. James Reed.  They would like to thank Education Alliance and Mr. James Reed for this opportunity!
  • Sept. 25 am  Mentor.....
  • Sept. 25 am Back on August 13th the guy that owns the builing The Communicator rents told us he was selling the Main Street building and we had to go. After a bunch of searching, we\re taking the old U Can Restaraunt building at Two Run. Not quite as big as our ole digs but off street parking, higher visibility, and a location in the growth side of the town, we'll be opening in the new place Oct. 15th.
  • Sept. 25 am Don't get all worried, even with all the moving mess, we'll try our best to keep up this site and the paper out the door on time or near on time.
  • Sept. 25 am There's still a few of the last edition at Go Mart. You might aughta get one.
  • Sept. 24 am  A blonde was weed-eating her yard and accidentally cut off the tail of her cat who was hiding in the grass. She rushed her cat along with the tail over to Walmart!  Why Walmart?   Walmart is the largest retailer in the world!
  • Sept. 24 am Now if that doesn't bring a grin I don't know what will.
  • Sept. 24 am Update coming later today.
  • Sept. 23 pm  This was recovery week in the county of Clay. The Big Apple ended Sunday afternoon but the work didn't. Clean up crews got busy. Clean up the litter, move the big stage, move the benches, take down the flags and banners. What about the stack of unclaimed trophies, banners, and such. By Tuesday evening, most the remnants were gone. It took the carnival folks until Wednesday evening to remove the last of the rides. The 34th Apple Festival is now history.
  • Sept. 23 pm With Fall now officially here we're thinking of that cracked window glass, that water leak, the stove pipe that looks a little rusty, and getting those last few red tomatoes before a frost bites them. Up and down the roads you see pick up trucks nearly dragging the ground with freshly cut firewood. So much to do before cold weather comes!
  • Sept. 23 pm Other than new locks at the old Telford's Chevy dealership, it's been quiet except for say the Health Dept. First came the emergency, we can't wait another day emergency meeting, followed by the we need more room for a RN encounter and the FRN office. Oddly, it was just last year when that same Health Dept told the world they had plenty of extra room. So much empty space that the Extension Office could easily fit into the building without a problem.
  • Sept. 23 pm  Building must have shrunk over the last 12 months!
  • Sept. 23 pm The pace has slowed down if you can imagine that. The coffee house crowd is back wondering: If the County Dog Warden ain't picking up strays, who is? What's happening to all those animals? Who's going to file for office in Jan?  Will more charges be filed against Jim Knotts? Will the trial be held here or elsewhere?  Will this be the winter of record snow fall and weeks of freezing temps?
  • Sept. 23 pm  Who would have thunk it? The Clay High Panthers beat the snot out of Herbert Hoover Friday night, 34 to 12. Last week we were ranked 6th  in the state.  Darn good season so far.
  • Sept. 23 am  Roger Nutter is a great big burly guy that works hard. Nutter has been the BC&G RR President since inception. It's been his baby long before the group even organized. Mr Nutter will resign from that position Oct. 6 during the BC&G RR's quaterly meeting.
  • Sept. 23 pm True there's been turmoil in the group but don't get excited. Nutter has to have leg surgery next month and will be laid up for some time. Nutter says they're looking for someone with strong organizational skills  for the Presidental position,
  • Sept. 23 pm Before you start saying the group is falling apart..... Within the next three weeks, windows and doors will be installed at the campground lodge, a front porch will be built, and the long awaited metal roof will complete the 07 construction cycle.
  • Sept. 23 pm The train is running, the campground went beyond capacity during the Apple Festival, the  Welcome Center at Two Run continues to grow and now the lodge appears to be ready for completion reaaal soon.  Not too shabby accomplishments for ugly ole Roger Nutter.
  • Sept. 23 pm  You didn't think we'd go without a Shrub slam? Ole Betrayus says we're doing very well in Iraq. So good, we should stay another $300 billion worth. In reality, there is little progress and they hate us. Here's an example. of what's so very wrong in the land of sand. Bring em home today!
  • Sept. 23 pm  There have been 4,091 coalition deaths -- 3,792 Americans, two Australians, 169 Britons, 13 Bulgarians, one Czech, seven Danes, two Dutch, two Estonians, one Fijian, one Hungarian, 33 Italians, one Kazakh, one Korean, three Latvian, 21 Poles, two Romanians, five Salvadoran, four Slovaks, 11 Spaniards, two Thai and 18 Ukrainians -- in the war in Iraq as of September 20, 2007, according to a CNN count.
  • Sept. 22 am  From the email bag:  This is coach Kearns from Clay County High School Golf. On 9-19-07 we had a match at Sandy Brae with Parkersburg Cath. and Roane County. Clay won the match and came in with a 159. This tied Clay's season best team score with an average of 39.75. The low round for the match was turned in by Jacob Hensler - 35 (Par 34) from Parkersburg Catholic. He had 1 birdie. A close 2nd was Dayton Waddell with a 36. Dayton had 2 birdies. Clay plays in the Regional Tournament on Monday 9-24-07 at Big Bend Golf Course in Tornado WV. Clay will have a good chance to get a couple of golfers in the State Tournament if they play well on Monday. Good luck Panthers.
  • Last night the CCHS Panther football team put it all over the Herbert Hoover Huskies 34 to 12.
  • Sept. 22 am Not so long ago there were plans for the Extension Agent office to be moved to the Health Dept. building. At the time and the time after, there was plenty of room for new occupants.
  • Sept. 22 am  Last Friday, Sept. 14th, the Director wanted the Family Resource Network (FRN) office to move out. Claimed they needed more space for a nurse.
  • Sept. 22 am Commissioner Slinky to the rescue and within minutes, plans were changed and FRN's Lynn Sizemore  gets to stay.
  • Sept. 22 am  Two weeks ago Health Director Linda Klotzbah demanded an Emergency meeting for Jay Carper issues that just couldn't wait. Our guess is the Director wanted Carper to give up his Director of Nursing title so another could assume those duties. Just a guess clickers.
  • Sept. 22 am  8 days ago, came a need to toss one agency to expand the nursing staff office space.
  • Sept. 22 am Hmmmm Seems is up at the Health Dept.
  • Sept. 22 am   From the email bag:  WHY DON'T WOMEN BLINK DURING SEX? ANSWER: they don't have enough time.
  • Sept. 22 am  WHY DOES IT TAKE 1 MILLION SPERM TO FERTILIZE ONE EGG?  Answer: they don't stop to ask directions
  • Sept. 22 am    WHY WERE MEN GIVEN LARGER BRAINS THAN DOGS? Answer: so they won't hump women's legs at cocktails parties.
  • Sept. 21 am   Shirley Ann Wolcheck, 62, of Procious, see OBITUARY page
  • Sept. 21 am  Georgia Lee Holcomb, 93, of Indore, see OBITUARY page
  • Sept. 21 am  Happy TGIF. Seven days ago today, the Apple Festival was in progress. Today promises to be much quieter. Last week many were way to busy to take in the outdoor drama, Solomon's Secret up on Triplett Ridge. Repeat performances are now in progress this weekend. Check out EVENTS page for details.
  • Sept. 21 am Tonight the CCHS Panthers take on the Herbet Hoover Huskies over at Schoonover/Bradley Field. Kick off is 7:30pm For those unable to support the team in person, you can listen in on 101.7FM and on the WYAP webcast.  Joe Jelich and Linda McKinney provide the play by play and color.
  • Sept. 21 am  Last night the Farm Bureau invited the world to their regular monthly meeting. Our of the norm, they provided BBQ'd chicken and pork plus Prosecutor Jim Samples speaking on landowner rights. The food was good.
  • Sept. 21 am Well, Samples did well too.... didn't even drip any sauce on his jacket.
  • Sept. 21 am Lots of people were in attendance.  Not sure what brought out so many. Maybe a combination of food and good info.
  • Sept. 21 am  The Town of Clay is neglotiating with new TV Cable provider, PC One. One of the complaints of the cable industry is the number of absolutely boring, awlful, throw away channels included in each package. That may changing.  A new lawsuit was filed yesterday which if won, would allow subscribers to pick and choose what they want to pay for.
  • Sept. 21 am Here on the homefront, we've been setting up a little newer puter for web updates. I think we're about ready to start using the this century  puter.
  • Sept. 21 am How many of you wear bifocals? Maybe have a hard time with those pesky little icons on the desktop?  Found something last night.  To make those tiny items much bigger: Go to Start, Control panel, and then to the Display button. Once you get to the Display button, find the Settings tab near the top and click it. When that window drops , at the bottom is button labeled Advanced, click it.
  • Sept. 21 am  Right in the middle of that page is DPI settings. Click the arrow to the side and highlight  the large setting. OK everything and give it a whirl. Much much easier reading for us oldsters!
  • Sept. 20 am Belated from email bag:  Please wish my 12 year old a happy birthday today the 18th of Sept.   His name is RJ Coleman from his Mom and Dad  Nancy and James Collins
  • Sept. 20 am  From the email bag: Found—Black short hair female dog.  It came to our house about a week ago.  Very friendly—obviously someone’s pet.  Please call 304-587-2354
  • Sept. 20 am Happy Birthday Helen Morris!
  • Sept. 20 am  From the email bag:   The Clay County Panthers Intermediate Football Teams went to Cowen to face the Raiders on Saturday September 15, 2007. The temperature took a fall but the Panthers were on fire. The Panthers Flag team tied with a score of 26 to 26. The Panthers C-team took a win with a score of 36 to 8. The Panthers B-team won with a score of 32 to 16. And the Panthers A-team too a win as well with a score of 20 to 0. Great job to all the teams and coaches.

  •          Come out a support these teams this Saturday as they take on the Fayetteville Pirates at home on the Clay County High School field. Flag game is scheduled to start at 11:00am C-team 12:00 B-team 2:00pm A-team 4:00pm......
  • Sept. 20 am FYI  the ace cub reporter has been trying to set up a little newer puter the last two nights. Something from this century instead of the last. With his short memory and lack of organizational skills, some of the needed passwords etc well .. are little slow coming.
  • Sept. 20 am Translation: limited web updates for a day or so.
  • Sept. 20 am  From the email bag:    Haven't seen any coverage on your site for the Varsity Football.  They have been all over the news and in the Charleston Gazette since Friday night.  The Panthers (tied for 11th place last week) beat the Sissonville Indians (#3) by 1 point last Friday night (22 to 21).  Highlights of the Game were shown on Channel 13 and Channel 11 (Jared Kleman 80+ running yards touchdown & Allen Tanner's 40 yd catch for a touchdown).  Also, Jared Kleman was named as 1 of 3 AP state players of the week.   Two key players had to leave the game due to injuries (Luke Smith was taken by ambulance because he was knocked unconscious and Allen Tanner dislocated his elbow and his parents left with him to go to the hospital).
  • Sept. 20 am By the way, you can hear Panther action with Joe Jelich and Linda McKenny Friday night on 101.7FM or around the globe on the web. See wyap web site for details
  • Sept. 20 am For those seeking some big juicy story, ain't here! Since the  Big Apple, it's been very quiet.
  • Sept. 19 am  In the latest edition of the Communicator comes coverage of Clay COunty's Harry Tanner being convicted and sentenced to 30 years in the stabbing death of a good Samaritan down in Florida. You need to get a copy of that edition for the next installment to make sense.
  • Sept. 19 am Monday evening  Tressy Moore, Harry Tanner's running partner, was convicted and sentenced to 20 years for each county in that same grizzly attack.
  • Sept. 19 am The Ocala Star Banner report is now posted on the ADVISORY page.
  • Sept. 18 pm When you see Lindy Myers today, tell her Happy Birthday
  • Sept. 18 am  Otis Camden Mollohan, 84, of Nebo, see OBITUARY page
  • Sept. 18 am  The Communicator made it to the news stands Monday afternoon before 5pm. Get your copy today. 28 pages of news and views on the county of Clay. Our above the fold article covers former Senator Randy Schoonover's day in Court where he plead guilty to selling 12 Oxy's to an informant for $100. Instead of jail time, Schoony will spend the first year of his sentence in home confinement followed by parole.
  • Sept. 18 am Boy that'll be tough... sitting at home watching TV and talking on the phone. Talk about hard time!
  • Sept. 18 am  Over the course of a year, lots of folks email questions, comments and such. Back and forth we text type.   It was nice to put a face on many of the emailers during the Apple Festival. Thanks for your support of this site.
  • Sept. 18 am It's been a long 36 hours of typing and putting the paper to bed. Better update coming later today after some rest.
  • Sept. 18 am How many clickers turned on their heaters and furnaces last night in Clayberry, no frost yet but darn cold these last couple nights.
  • Sept. 16 am   Wilbur D. “Wib” Samples, 95, of Bomont, see OBITUARY page
  • Sept. 16 am From Dan Sizemore, and the winners are: Golden Delicious Dash 5K run / walk      Sunday morning found several runners and walkers braving the 40 degree weather to tackle the WV renowned 5k course.  Winding its way through the old coal town of Dondon, over the old B&O railroad trestle, and through the main street of Clay, the route has become a favorite of 4 time winner Larry Taylor.  Larry ran the course in a time of 18:53, his time is usually faster for a 5k but this years course was a little longer, about 3.4 miles. The first female finisher was Cathy Hill, Cathy finished the race at 26:44, and she was also the oldest runner at the age of 51. The youngest runner this year was Jesse Legg of Fayetteville, Jesse finished the race with a time of 32.22, and Jesse donated his prize money back to the festival so we could use the money to advertise the race next year, Thanks Jesse!!  His age is 10. Several people traveled from afar off to run.  Sean Bosley came from Annapolis, Md. To run in his second race.  Renee Whittenberger came from Akron, Ohio to visit family and enjoy the festival, and decided her morning run would be the Golden Delicious Dash.  Several local people ran and walked and enjoyed the fellowship shared by all.  Our many thanks to this years sponsors who make this event and all events at the festival possible.   Clay Primary Care, Systems    Pierson Lumber Company   Sizemore Farms

  • Go-mart   Pepsi Cola of Flatwoods   Corey Brothers Produce .
  • Sept. 16 am The Communicator comes out Monday afternoon. Deadline for news, views, events, chatters, etc. is this afternoon at 6pm. Email your stuff.   We plan to have several pages of Big Apple pics in this edition. Our above the fold story covers Randy Schoonover pleading guilty to selling oxy pills to an undercover informant.   Other than more Apple pictures, no new posts until we get the paper out. Time to type type type.
  • Sept. 16 am   This was our first year to host a photo gallery during the Apple Festival. Thanks everybody that stopped by to view hundreds of photos. If you're interested in buying a CD with all the photos, cost is $6 per CD. Mail your $ to PO Box 14, Procious WV 25164.  All of the parade images are large format as are most of the outdoor shots. Large format is suitable for cropping and enlarging. Indoor and night time pictures are smaller, around 5 by 7 images.
  • Sept. 16 am  Get out and enjoy the last day of the 34th edition of the Clay County Golden Delicious Festival.

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  • Sept. 15 Late pm  Othel Virginia Morris, 83, of Bickmore, see OBITUARY page

  • Sept. 15 Late pm   William Gary Clifton, 55, of Clay, see OBITUARY page
  • Sept. 15 am   Rosalie Ramsey, 56, of Bickmore, see OBITUARY page
  • Sept. 15 am A light rain blanketed Clay Friday afternoon during the Big Apple. Still... many came out with raincoats and umbrellas. The shows went on. By 5pm  the rain was gone and crowd came back for the second half of the day.
  • Sept. 15 am  Today is the biggy day at the Apple Festival. Come early and stay late. Good music, fun games, big parade, fireworks and much more.
  • Sept. 15 am  Don't forget about the shuttle bus service from CCHS to downtown and back every 15 minutes or so.
  • Sept. 15 am  This is a pretty cool clock loaded with interesting stats. Check it out.
  • Sept. 15 am  Delta Communications, that's us, will be hosting a photo gallery today in our Main Street Clay office. We've have  a bunch of Apple Festival pics available via CD and an assortment of photos from the last couple years. Stop in and take a gander. Free air conditioning too.
  • Sept. 14 am  Happy 23rd Birthday wishes to Amber Childers
  • Sept. 14 am Prosecutor Jim Samples needs some help. No not a new brain... check out the ADVISORY page now.
  • Sept. 14 am  The 34th Big Apple got underway with a big crowd for the Karaoke Competition. Rebecca Jarvis took top honors in the teen category with Joy Layne winning the Grand Championship. Courthouse Square was packed. Maybe the biggest crowd ever for an opening night. People danced. Kids played. People smiled and cheered.
  • Sept. 14 am Each year the Applettes work year around to put on the county's biggest party. Each year they add and take away some events. Last night's Karaoke night was a keeper for sure.
  • Sept. 14 am This morning a new addition is the Literary Arts show over at the Clay County Public Library. Fun starts at 9am with book signings and great music. Literary stuff? Arts? Music? New carpet, new paint, new A/C, that's the library. What a great idea and great addition to the 34th Annual Apple
  • Sept. 14 am  Something else else new, community radio station 101.7 FM is hosting the Best of Appalachia  show  this afternoon beginning at 5:30pm Featured: 10 year old Levi Ferrebee, Tif Farmer and from Leon West Virginia, Stephanie Moore.
  • Sept. 14 am A full day of fun fun fun. It's not too late clickers, come out and see what makes Clay County so special
  • Sept. 14 am So much for the good stuff.....
  • Sept. 14 am  For those with disabilities an elevator is a must. Yesterday the elevator at Maysel Manor was shut down after failing an inspection. No word on when it will be back in service. Some wonder if the management company, Encore, if know they have an elevator at the public housing units???
  • Sept. 14 am Jim Knotts was to have his hearing before Magistrate Boggs Tuesday at 3:45pm. Knots was charged with 48 counts of sexual assault two weeks ago. The hearing didn't happen. Instead a request was made to the WV Prosecutor's Institute for a a Special Prosecutor to handle the case. Here's the skinny
  • Sept. 14 am Jim Knotts remains on the Clay County Business Development Authority, an arm of the County Commission. Legal counsel for the CCC and the BDA is Prosecutor Jim Samples.  See the conflict of interest? As long as Knotts stays on the BDA, our Prosecutor can't handle the case. Sure hope some gringo from Braxton doesn't get it!
  • Sept. 13 am Tonight Prez Shrub will be on the boob tube telling us how well his oil war is going and for us to stay the course. For those can't stomach such crap....
  • Sept. 13 am Tonight Clay Roane PSD will meet at the Procious Water plant beginning at 7pm. See ADVISORY page for agenda.
  • Sept. 13 am Without a doubt, the Apple Festival is the biggest financial draw for the entire year. It's also a bunch of fun! The 34th Annual Golden Delicious Festival opens today at 6pm. Check our home page BIG APPLE button for schedules, changes to schedules, and more. We plan to add Apple pics to the home page daily.
  • Sept. 13 am For those attending the Big Apple, even with flaggers at the Dundon Ski slope construction site, traffic is going to be a nightmare. The best chance of getting into and out of town is to come use Elkhurst or Blue Knob roads and then park at the old Telford's car lot. On Saturday shuttle buses will be running from CCHS to downtown. With all that's going on, that's you best shot of getting into town.
  • Sept. 13 am If all goes well, we plan to have a photo gallery open Saturday at our 103 Main Street Clay office. Stop in for  air conditioning and chance to see tons of pics from the last 12 months.
  • Sept. 13  Yesterday the Clay County Commission (CCC) met.  From that public gathering, a couple notes....
  • Sept. 13 am  Residents South of the HArtland bridge have long felt like red headed step children, often left out of the loop and last to receive basic services. One of those needs is functioning emergency radio service for fire and ambulance communications. Many parts of that end of the county have "dead zones" where 911 radios don't work. Promises have been made to make improvements.
  • Sept. 13 am Yesterday Lizemores Fire Dept head honcho Earl Elliot asked for help again. That's his third request this year, this summer. He wants a new radio "repeater" and tower purchased and oput into service. From the meeting: Yes it's needed, Yes it would help, a base radio was promised them 18 months ago with no results; and, be patient it all takes time.
  • Sept. 13 am For months Connie Lupardus from the CAEZ has been floating an idea to keep the old Dundon bridge and incorporate it into the walking trail around town. Some government agency has to assume ownership within the next few weeks or wrecking crews will go to work.  Lupardus has fears that the contractor will take out only the entrance wings and leave the main river span of the structure hanging in mid air.
  • Sept. 13 am  Yesterday the CCC shot the ownership idea down with Kookla Fran and Ollie all saying No. The folks up front felt that the entire bridge would be removed from the location and that would better for the county.
  • Sept. 13 am With the CCC out of the picture that leaves just the Town of Clay to look to for ownership. During the last Council meeting, it appeared that those folks were hesitant to accept the responsibility.
  • Sept. 13 am True there are big time Concerns with owning a bridge but:    If the main span is left hanging there, what an ugly blemish for tourism in the county; if it's torn down, what a dangerous condition that creates for bikers, hikers, and walkers getting using the new sidewalkless bridge; and, when gone, another opportunity all gone.
  • Sept. 13 am Wouldn't it be nice to see and hear the BC&G RR once again running the tracks, people walking a 2 miles trail around town, a couple river access points in town for kayakers; a mini park across from the Courthouse; and,  money laden out of town travelers make use of the in town facilities. That old bridge could be a big part of our future in the tourist trade and prosperity.
  • Sept. 13 am Opportunities are few and far between in Clayberry. We may be making history once again.  Sometimes history is not kind to our county.
  • Sept. 13 am Wal Mart is getting into the wine business. They've picked out some names for their poor folks line of spirits:  Chateau Traileur Parc; White Trashfindel, Big Red Gulp, World Championship Riesling, NASCARbernet,. Chef Boyardeaux, Peanut Noir, I Can't Believe it's not Vinegar, Grape Expectations, Nasti Spumante
  • Sept. 13 am  Cool temps and dry conditions are predicted during the Apple Festival. For those afar, it's a great time to come visit a great little celebration and see what makes Clay County West Virginia so special.
  • Sept. 12 am County Commission meets today at 10 am. It's our understanding that both Earl Elliot from Lizemores Fire Dept and 911 Director Pat Beets will be in attendance. Might be a good chance for some daytime fireworks.
  • Sept. 12 am  Clay Roane PSD will hold their monthly meeting Thursday evening at the Procious Water Plant. The complete agenda is over on the ADVISORY page.
  • Sept. 12 am  After yesterday's rain, it's feeling more like Fall. No humidity and cooler temps.  Dry weather is predicted for the four day Apple Festival. Received an email from Entertainment head honcho Terri Lively which read: Clay Elementary School Choir will perform on Friday a.m. at 0900 hours including the National Anthem.  Clay Middle School Choir will perform at the end of the previously mentioned performance. Live Spoon Playing Performance at the Literary Arts Show!!!!!!!
  • Sept. 12 am  9/11 memorials and remmembrances were all over TV yesterday. Gen Betrayus was still talking. Couldn't help but think about the 3800 since the attack that have fallen and the cost of the oil war to this country. Thursday evening the Shurb is suppose to say he's bringing home a few soldiers next year.
  • Sept. 12 am  All this might sit better if we were fighting a war against the countries that attached us.
  • Sept. 11 am What do you remember from your childhood? FDR speeches on the radio? Kennedy's funeral? Shuttles' blowing apart? Sept. 11th? Where were you? What were you doing around 8:40 am.   Today's the day we remember and wear those American flags. if not now, when?
  • Sept. 11 am From the email bag: Congratulations to Josh Lively who was the low medalist for Clay County's recent golf match with Ritchie, Gilmer, and Roane at Roane County. Josh shot a 38 to lead all golfers. Clay played a great round but finished 3rd with a total of 170 strokes. Ritchie finished 1st with 161, Gilmer 2nd with 163 and Roane 4th with 192. Great job Clay.       Coach Kearns
  • Sept. 11am  Over on the homepage , on the right is a new Big Apple button for quick reference to the county's four day party.
  • Sept. 11 am  Around town we're cleaning up, washing windows, painting, power washing brick, replacing burned out bulbs, scrubbing sidewalks and more. It's Apple Festival time in the Appalachian mountains of Clay West Virginia. And Yes there's going to be reaaal traffic problems with the Dundon bridge one lane section.  The only question is: Which county official peed off the bridge people so bad, they haven't worked in two weeks?
  • Sept. 11 am Last night the Clay County Health Board convened an emergency meeting. Who called the meeting? No ones knows. There was no mention of a quorum of the Board asking for the meeting.
  • Sept. 11 am Director Klotzbach said some personnel "issues" had to be addressed right now! Right Now!!!  Center of attention was RN/Sanitarian Jay Carper.    Mr. Carper thought the Board had to operate in secret. The state code on that topic is over on the ADVISORY page. Wrong Jay, Oh so wrong.
  • Sept. 11 am With thick oak doors, trucks roaring passed, and the sound of rain coming thru the building's roof, it was hard to hear what they were talking about. From street talk it sounded like the Director and Carper were at it over his two titles, Director of Nursing and County Sanitarian.
  • Sept. 11 am 60 minutes of the 70 minute meeting was held behind closed doors. Afterwards, the Chair said all the issues had been worked out and no greivance had been filed with the Civil Service folks..
  • Sept. 11 am  Boardster Herman Rogers said he resigned from appointed office but it had nothing to do with the emergency meeting or this matter.
  • Sept. 10 pm  Samuel Townsend, 77, of Procious,  see OBITUARY page
  • Sept. 10 am No it wasn't vacation time for us. We've been working on the 2007 Tourism map due out during the Big Apple. Sorry no weekend wrap up this time around.
  • Sept. 10 am   Great big Happy Birthday wishes to Bill Fisher from Johnnie, Kristie & boys
  • Sept. 10 am  From the email bag:  HAPPY 21st BIRTHDAY WISHES TO TAMMY FERREBEE, WE LOVE YOU, FROM: MOM, DAD, ISAAC, ERICA, TIMMY AND JENETTA
  • Sept. 10 am  Belated, from the email bag: Happy 29th Birthday wishes for Chris and Christina on September 9
  • Sept. 10 am   Been quiet around the county of Clay. It's as if something is silently boiling and ready to explode.
  • Sept. 10 am  Just a couple reminders: when a government agency calls an Emergency meeting of the Board, an agenda MUST be  posted outside the meeting house. To call an Emergency meeting, there must be qualified reasons for the gathering as to why the  situation can't wait until the public can be given more notice.
  • Sept. 8 am  Walter “Bob” Pierson Jr., 70, see OBITUARY page
  • Sept. 8 am  Roy Lee Ellis, 72, see OBITUARY page
  • Sept. 8 am Inquiring minds want ta know... Yelp Jim Knotts attended Thursday's BDA meeting. True, innocent until proven guilty, but....
  • Sept. 8 am 14 months ago Clay County's Harry Tanner stabbed a good samaritan to death. He plead guilty to the felony and was sentenced to 30 years behind bars. The full write up from the Ocala Star Banner web site is over on the ADIVOSRY page.  His alleged accomplice, Tressy Beth Moore, 29, also of Clay, has yet to stand trial or plea.
  • Sept 8 am  We have a beautiful weekend ahead of us. Check out the EVENTS page for great yard sale opportunities. Don't forget the Karoke contest at CCHS today beginning at noon. Air conditioned comfort and soft seats too.
  • Sept. 7 am  Town Council person Llyn Drake was fuming last night during the rescheduled Town Council meeting. Here's the skinny...
  • Sept. 7 am Drake wants to be the Municipal Judge. Two years ago the Town hired Henry Bear (from Canada) as Municipal Judge. Drake wanted the post back then. Since getting elected to Council in June, she has been hard at work laying plans to set up a costly Municipal Court in Clay. At each meeting she made it clear, she wants the money, I mean the Judgeship.
  • Sept.  7am  In August she presented proposed ordinances to implement the Court. Her goal was to quickly get the law on the books and her in the robe. How quick? Under the Llyn plan, Council would have approved the ordinance last night, sent her to Judge school in Nov and then started issuing tickets. Upon  taking the bench $500/mth, she would give up her Council seat ($100/month).
  • Sept. 7 am  The vote on the ordinance wasn't even on the agenda last night. Each time she brought up the ordinance, Mayor Brown said they would talk about it later. She demanded to know who knocked the legs out from under her plan. No answers came. Mayor Brown had his hands full!
  • Sept. 7 am  It was obvious to everyone except Ms Drake, there was resistance to her Court and Judge notion.
  • Sept. 7 am Each time she demanded an explanation, her face got redder and redder. At one point, just before a secret time, Councilman Jerry Stover told everybody to put their cards on the table. Mayor Brown did just that.
  • Sept. 7 am He said he was in favor of a Court just not her high dollar affair. He said that he felt the Court, new police officer, supplies and related expenses might cost the Town as much as $5000 per month.
  • Sept. 7 am With the rug pulled out from under her, Llyn Drake looked like she was going to explode. May have too! Secret time was called to discuss personal items and the public left the meeting room.
  • Sept. 7 am. The Apple Festival also came up last night. The Mayor hired Paris Workman for Badge duties during the Big Apple. Volunteer Badges will be helping with traffic control around the Dundon Bridge Ski slope during the Apple. Thank goodness for that!
  • Sept. 7 am  Connie Lupardus from the CAEZ addressed Council last night. Lupardus wants the Town to take possession of the old Dundon bridge. Lupardus wants the iron structure used as a tourist draw as part of a hiking trail complete with a small park on the Dundon side of the Elk River.
  • Sept. 7 am Recorder Dwana Murphy told Council, the addition of the bridge would not raise  insurance rates.
  • Sept. 7 am No decision made Thursday evening . Mayor Brown said Council would make a speedy decision on the ownership issue.
  • Sept. 7 am  Can't you see it clickers?  A two mile walking trail that includes the bridge, a small park, benches here and there, a place to put in canoes and small boats between the FasChek store and the Courthouse, and a green space across from the Courthouse complete with trees, grass, benches and gazebo.
  • Sept. 7 am Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaa  Much to nice for us!
  • Sept. 7 am  We're ready for a weekend folks. Check out the EVENTS page for stuff to do. Tonight the Panthers take on Ritchie County in home feild action. Listen to the game on 101.7 FM.
  • Sept. 7 am Sunday is the big 100 Anniversary celebration at Maysel Baptist Church.
  • Sept. 7 am Enjoy and check back often.
  • Sept. 6 pm  Clay County Business Development Authority meets this afternoon at 5pm in the County Commission room. With agenda posted , the question is: Who will attend tonight's BDA meeting?
  • Sept. 6 pm Clay Town Council rescheduled their monthly meeting for 6pm this evening. Council meets at the water plant on Main Street.
  • Sept. 6 pm  In Summer 05 former Senator Randy Schoonover sold drugs to an undercover informant.  A Grand Jury charged him with felony delivery of a controlled subject.
  • Sept. 6 pm This morning around 11 am Randy Schoonover plead guilty to the felony charge and received his sentence. With 15 years of prison time staring him in the face  Judge Thomas Cadle sentenced Schoony to one year of home confinement and the balance of the time on parole plus pay a little in Court costs.
  • Sept. 6 pm During the hearing Schoony said he sold 12 Oxy's for $100.
  • Sept. 6 pm Did we say 15 years????
  • Sept. 6 pmHome confinement. Boy that's going to be tough to handle.
  • Sept. 6 pm  It's 1 in the morning. Too seepy. Update coming later today
  • Sept. 6 pm  When you see Fred Sampson today, wish him a Happy 77th Birthday, one day early.
  • Sept. 5 am A man feared his wife was not hearing as well as she used to, and he thought she might need a hearing aid. Not quite sure how to approach her, he called the family doctor to discuss the problem.   The doctor told him there is a simple, informal test the husband could perform to give the doctor a better idea about her hearing loss. "Here's what you do," said the doctor. "Stand about 40 feet away from her and in a normal conversational speaking tone see if she hea rs you. If not, go to 30 feet, then 20 feet, and so on until you get a response."  That evening, the wife is in the kitchen cooking dinner, and he was in the den. He says to himself, "I'm about 40 feet away. Let's see what happens."  In a normal tone he asks, "Honey, what's for dinner?" No response. So the husband moves closer to the kitchen, about 30 feet from his wife, and repeats, "Honey, what's for dinner?" Still no response.  Next he moves into the di ning room where he is about 20 feet from his wife and asks, "Honey, What's for dinner?" Again, no response. So, he walks up to the kitchen door, about 10 feet away. "Honey, what's for dinner?" Again, there is no response.  So he walks right up behind her. "Honey, what's for dinner?"    "Earl, for the 5th time, CHICKEN!"
  • Sept. 5 am  And one more:     Sister Mary Katherine entered the Monastery of Silence. The Priest said, "Sister, this is a silent monastery. You are welcome here as long as you like, but you may not speak until directed to do so. "

  •         Sister Mary Katherine lived in the monastery for 5 years before the Priest said to her, "Sister Mary Katherine, you have been here for 5 years. You can speak two words." Sister Mary Katherine said, "Hard bed." "I'm sorry to hear that," the Priest said, "We will get you a better bed."
           After another 5 years, Sister Mary Katherine was called by the Priest..."You may say another two words, Sister Mary Katherine." "Cold food," said Sister Mary Katherine, and the Priest assured her that the food would be better in the future.         On her 15th anniversary at the monastery, the Priest again called Sister Mary Katherine into his office. "You may say two words today." "I quit," said Sister Mary Katherine. "It's probably best," said the Priest, "You've done nothing but B**** since you got here."
  • Sept. 4 am MAY DAY MAY DAY   Made a mistake yesterday. Town Council will NOT be meeting Tuesday as is the normal. Turns out they want to partake of the  free vittles at the CAEZ annual meeting at Fairview Baptist Church. No Council meeting tonight. Their meeting has been rescheduled for this Thursday evening. My mistake.
  • Sept. 4 am From the email bag:  The CCHS golf team recently traveled to Cherry Hill Golf Club in Richwood to take on the Lumberjacks. Clay prevailed with the help of low medalist Josh Lively who turned in a 38. Congratulations Clay!       Coach Kearns
  • Sept. 4 am  Even with lots of yellow brochures around the county, lots of folks are wondering about the Big Apple Festival next week. Wonder no more. They've got a web site complete with the entire schedule. Just click the link and have every question answered!   When you're over there, take a look at the prize money. Not too shabby for little ole Clay!
  • Sept. 4 am  From last night's School Board meeting... just a few parents showed up to ask about the recently distributed I Hate School  book handed out to second graders. No yelling screaming from either side. The Somber Super said no more of those books will be distributed.
  • Sept. 4 am  As with many funerals, it was a cloudy, rainy day. The deceased was a little old lady who had devoted  her entire married life to nagging at her poor husband. When the graveside service had no more than terminated, there was a tremendous burst of  thunder accompanied by a distant lightning bolt and more rumbling thunder.  The little old man looked at the pastor and calmly said,  "Well, she's there."
  • Sept. 3 am Happy Labor Day to all that get the day off from work duties. Despite the holiday, the School Board is holding their meeting at the Standard Bryant Annex on Gump Street.
  • Sept. 3 am   Town Council meets this Tuesday. Most likely they will decide the fate of the idea to establish a costly Municipal Court that will pay for itself with stepped up parking  and traffic ticket enforcement. Oh Brother!
  • Sept. 3 am Free food at Tuesday Annual Dinner of the CAEZ. See EVENTS page for details.
  • Sept. 3 am  Marriage is a three-ring circus:  Engagement ring, wedding ring, and suffering
  • Sept. 3 am  There are two times when a man doesn't understand a woman:   Before marriage and after marriage.
  • Sept. 3 am  John was on his deathbed and gasped pitifully.  "Give me one last request, dear," he said.  "Of course, John," his wife said softly.  "Six months after I die," he said, "I want you to marry Bob." "But I thought you hated Bob," she said.  With his last breath John said, "I do!"
  • Sept. 2 am Before the weekend wrap up, some in the county still think putting fluoride in the water supply is the right thing to do. Here's some web info on what's  wrong with water operators dispensing drugs into your water.
  • Sept. 2 am Wrapping up another week, month, and summer time...
  • Sept. 2 am We can breath a little easier this weekend. Rove is officially gone from the White House as is Gonezales.  On the down side, Congress returned to Washington.
  • Sept. 2 am  A Marine Sgt. ordering the killing of 24 civilians... a notorious prison of torture and not one person held accountable. When history books are written what will be left out? Was that us?
  • Sept. 2 am  There have been 4,035 coalition deaths -- 3,737 Americans, two Australians, 168 Britons, 13 Bulgarians, one Czech, seven Danes, two Dutch, two Estonians, one Fijian, one Hungarian, 33 Italians, one Kazakh, one Korean, three Latvian, 21 Poles, two Romanians, five Salvadoran, four Slovaks, 11 Spaniards, two Thai and 18 Ukrainians -- in the war in Iraq as of August 31, 2007, according to a CNN count.
  • Sept. 2 am Here at home summer ended and schools reopened. There was the smell of new wax... rules were written on white boards ..kids carried new backpacks with new three ring binders and unsharpened pencils ....the biggest challenge for the brats was figuring out combination locks on lockers .... High Schoolers worked to walk with their britches down below the crack of their butt.
  • Sept. 2 am For the administration, sewers didn't work right sending smelly juices flowing into the playgrounds, text books didn't arrive on time, and parents raised their voices over longer bus rides to the new Valley Dale Elem. Of course when you build $8 million non community schools, that's what you get, longer bus rides. Where were those irate parents during the public hearings for the new school?
  • Sept. 2 am Green vines lost their leaves revealing the last bright red juicy tomatoes. Corn got leathery as the greenery turned brown. Front porch flower pots were switched from Petunias to yellow and burnt orange Mums. Trucks were seen carrying loads of firewood. Schoonover Bradley Field was filled to the brim Friday night as the Panthers put it all over those nasty Braxton Eagles.
  • Sept. 2 am  The week opened with the arrest of Business Development Authority member and businessman Jim Knotts Monday evening. He stands charged with 48 felonies of  sexual abuse of a 10 year old girl more than 16 years ago. As word spread of the allegations, other stories came ... more charges from other victims may soon be filed.
  • Sept. 2 am Mid week, shiney new freebee books were handed out to all 2nd graders. The book I Hate School told the story of a little girl with a vivid imagination on what school would be like on the first day. The message was clear, after attending school, the little girl liked school and her imagination was just that, just scary thoughts.  The book's  message went right over the heads of many and a ban the books campaign got underway.
  • Sept. 2 am  It might be a good idea to add a book bonfire to the Apple Festival events. Maybe a Saturday night bonfire would be perfect to show our dimly lit mindset to the world. Let's see know, first we'll burn the I Hate School book and then those pesky, fibbing science books and then the......
  • Sept. 2 am Now Labor Day weekend. The traditional end of Summer. Humidity is gone. Three days of time off before the Big Apple  and Fall gets underway.
  • Sept. 2 am The upcoming week is full of public meetings. Those meetings including Monday night's 6pm School Board meeting may be a good chance to take control of what is rightfully ours, the government.
  • Sept. 1 am  Chessie A. Woods, 84, of Dille, see OBITUARY page
  • Sept. 1 am  Vinita S. McClain Johnson Ball, 65, see OBITUARY page
  • Sept. 1 am The Communicator made it to the stands Friday afternoon. If you want to know about Clay County West Virginia, you need to read the county's only source for reaaal news and views.
  • Sept. 1 am This morning at 10 the BC&G RR Co-Op will be drawing for the winner of their truck and quilt raffle. Fun takes place at their Welcome Center at Two Run.
  • Sept. 1 am Last night the Clay County HS Panthers put it all over Braxton during the second home game of the season. Go Clay!
  • Sept. 1 am Yard Sales everywhere today.  Need a place to set up? Try the radio station in downtown Clay. Ronda is going to be selling cakes and others goodies like some kind of Oreo cookies dipped in chocolate and on a stick like a sucker. Yum yum
  • Sept. 1 am With new government checks in hand, what's the locals buying? Food? Gas? Rx? Nope, scratch off lottery tickets!
  • Sept. 1 am  It was mealtime during a flight on Hooters Airline. "Would you like dinner?" the flight attendant asked John,  seated in front. "What are my choices?" John asked.    "Yes or no,"   she replied"

  • Sept. 1 am A college teacher  reminds her  class of tomorrow's final exam. "Now class, I won't  tolerate any  excuses for you not being here tomorrow. I might  consider a nuclear   attack or a serious personal injury, illness,  or a death in your   immediate family, but that's it, no other  excuses whatsoever!"  A smart-arss guy in the back of the room raised his  hand and asked,   "What would you say if tomorrow I said I was  suffering from   complete and utter sexual exhaustion?" The  entire class is reduced to laughter and snickering.  When silence is  restored, the teacher smiles knowingly at the  student, shakes her  head and sweetly says, "Well, I guess you'd   have to write the  exam with your other hand."