September 2006 Past News
 

Sept. 30 pm Here is Clayberry the election season is upon us. Around the county, yard signs are springing up as politicians make their rounds. In a county registered four to one Demorat to Republicrat , today's annual Demo picnic marks the beginning of the run up to Nov's General election.  We have races in Congress and the WV Legislature.  The heat is on.

Sept. 30 pm There's more heat in Clayberry than just  campaign circles.

Sept. 30 pm On our home page this morning we posted a picture of a Chevy pick up parked yesterday in a handicapped zone at Go Mart. Although not stated, the pick up belongs to  Health Dept Boardster Joe Morris.

Sept. 30 pm Today at noon Morris stormed into our Main Street Clay office carrying a print out of that home page photo. Joe was mad, said he was, said so  in no uncertain terms, said he was willing to go to jail for what he was about to do.

Sept. 30 pm Morris said he has every right to park in a handicapped zone since he has one of those little blue and white windshield signs of a wheelchair.  Sure enough we looked out our front door and on the dash , along with papers and such,  was one of those signs. MOrris said he had just recently had heart surgery and a bum ankle.

Sept. 30 pm We stand corrected.

Sept. 30 pm Let's get back to the mad part. Joe Morris did not come to our office to get a mistake corrected but to fight.

Sept. 30 pm With the ace cub reporter still seated and Morris within inches and standing, Joe said he wasn't going to take it anymore, that he nor  his family were not going to take it anymore! With one hand he slapped off the glasses of the Mel Gibson look alike and drew back a clinched right fist.   After several minutes of talking with the nearly out of control guy, Morris sat down and cooled off a little. With glasses back in place and as Morris was once again firing up the rhetoric, he was told to leave. He did.

Sept. 30 pm  Not sure why the 55ish Morris didn't go ahead and smash that ace cub reporter but glad, darn glad, he didn't. Blood is so hard to clean off carpet!

Sept. 29 LATE pm  The Communicator is now available. This edition catches up on all the happenings in beautiful Clayberry.

Sept. 29 LATE pm New post Sat morning. Too pooped out now.

Sept. 28 am We're in shut down mode as we work on this week's Communicator. No new posts until we get it to bed.

Sept. 28 am To keep you busy  until Friday evening sometime...

Sept. 28 am  How many of you think you can pass a third grader's social studies test? Here's a link to an online game where you match state names to the state's map. If you're on the clock, try it. Beats the heck out of work.

Sept. 28 am Dale Cayton and wife are the window washing team in Clayberry. Do a darn good job too. Dale's mug shot  made the CRJ web site and ours yesterday.   Dale was caught cultivating pot last summer. With the conviction he has to do  a couple days at a time in the slammer and maintain a job too.

Sept. 28 am Ok clickers, how many of you haven't tried growing some pot. Raise your hands. One, ten, 50, yelp, a bunch of us. The problem with pot, when you plant it between the corn rows, the corn dies out first leaving the nice big green pot plants screaming, Here I am Randy, Come and get me! Even if you tie the plants down , they're still green and easy to spot. Most of us got away with our little experiments with pot.

Sept. 28 am Cayton got caught. Did we mention he does an excellent job as a window washer, has a family, and needs to keep working!

Sept. 27 pm Lots of folks responded to this online question:  There's one "sport" in which neither the spectators nor the participants know the score or the leader until the contest ends. What is it?

Sept. 27 pm Answer: Boxing.

Sept. 27 am After much prodding, ALL the 2006 Apple Festival pictures are on the PHOTO page, this site. For the largest image, right click and open in a new window. Feel free to download and make all the copies you desire.

Sept. 27  We have the full size pictures and others that didn't make the web site available on CD. Just stop by the office. $5 for a CD of the full size pictures. Most are around 18 inches wide or larger. aaaaa. that's the pictures not the CD!

Sept. 27 am For that proposed county wide Fall Foliage Yard Sale sale at the Courthouse Oct.  7th, we only have four people willing to commit to showing up that day and making some money. If we don't get 10 or more, ain't going to happen. Nothing fancy, bring your own table, and no table fee either. Might be your last chance to yard sale before winter sets in. Email please.

Sept. 27 am With no public meetings, it's quiet in Clayberry.

Sept. 27 am  Fifty-one years ago, Herman James, a North Carolina mountain man, was drafted by the Army. On his first day in basic  training, the Army issued him a comb.  That afternoon the Army barber sheared off all his hair. On his second day, the Army issued Herman a  toothbrush.  That afternoon the Army dentist yanked seven of  his teeth.  On the third day, the Army issued him a jock strap. The Army has been looking for Herman for 51 years.

Sept. 27 am Post as we get it. Don't forget about that last online question below. No one has emailed the correct answer so far.

Sept. 26 pm The first 50 or more pictures from the 2006 Apple Festival are now posted over on the PHOTO page of this site. Remember, if you use your right click feature and open in new window, the pics will be larger  and easier to see.

Sept. 26 pm  More coming ASAP.

Sept. 26 pm Where's the Tacos? Closer than you might think. Kevin Duffy has been working on the "recipe" for the California style treats this week. Trial sample runs of the tacos and burritos went over well. Ahhh... you might need some Rolaids close by if partaking of the hot sauce.

Sept. 26 pm When did you ask? Right now crews are painting the outside of the Two Run location. Mr. Beanpole said maybe as early as next week and certainly by mid Oct.

Septa 26 pm As for the six things you can wear on your feet, Shoes, socks, sandals, sneakers, slippers, skis, snowshoes, stockings.

Septa 26 pm How about this for an online question:  There's one "sport" in which neither the spectators nor the participants know the score or the leader until the contest ends. What is it?

Sept. 26 am  Last Thursday's the live discussion group on WYAP-LP got into depleted uranium (used in USA bomb making) and the long term health and environmental side affects. For those with DSL, here's a link to a very disturbing 7 segment documentary on our use of nuclear weapons in both Gulf wars and elsewhere.

Sept. 26 am  The answers to how you can get on base are: Batter hit by a pitch; passed ball; catcher interference; catcher drops third strike; fielder's choice; and being designated as a pinch runner

Sept. 26 am  Except for the turkey that said the ACLU would file  a suit for anything other than a hit, the punctuation question received the most correct responses. One over achiever clicker listed 43 punctuation marks, however, the swung dash (~) and the tilde (~) look an awful lot alike. Very well done clickers.

Sept. 26 am Want to make few extra bucks? Interested in a yard sale at the Courthouse?

Sept. 26 am  During the last County Commission meeting, the folks up front gave the thumbs up for a yard sale to be held in Oct. on the Courthouse Square. If 10 or more people or groups commit to setting up their junk  Oct. 7th for the 2006 Fall Foliage County Wide Yard at the  Courthouse, we'll start promoting. Email with contact info ASAP.

Sept. 26 am Who knows, you might end up with a few extra $ in your pocket! No set up fee either.

Sept. 26 am The Communicator comes out Friday. Get your classifieds, meetings notices, etc. emailed over by Wednesday evening. Thanks.

Sept. 26 am For those of us craving a taco, an update. Construction crews are painting (red, white and green no less) and plumbing the new carry out only eatery at Two Run, Taco Mel's.

Sept. 26 am One last question: Name six or more things that you can wear on your feet that begin with the letter "S." If you answer with a word that  ends in "hit", forget it, won't count.

Sept. 25 pm  Well it seems we have several clickers well versed in punctuation marks. Those standard marks include: Period, comma, colon, semicolon, dash, hyphen, apostrophe, question mark, exclamation point, quotation marks, brackets, parenthesis, braces, and ellipses

Sept. 25 pm  Something a little tougher maybe for you over achievers!

Sept. 25 pm   There are seven ways a baseball player can legally reach first base without getting a hit. Taking a base on balls-a walk-is one way. Name the other six.

Sept. 24 pm No big news during the last seven days, just lots of little things to remember.

Sept. 24 pm Dubbya's oil war is going great and making the world a safer place. The Pope did reaaal well this past week too.

Sept. 24 pm   There have been 2,924 coalition deaths, 2,695 Americans, two Australians, 117 Britons, 13 Bulgarians, four Danes, two Dutch, two Estonians, one Fijian, one Hungarian, 31 Italians, one Kazakh, one Latvian, 17 Poles, two Romanians, two Salvadoran, three Slovaks, 11 Spaniards, two Thai and 18 Ukrainians in the war in Iraq as of September 22, 2006, according to a CNN count.

Sept. 24 pm Down in our Southern border colony, Clendenin residents voted nearly two to one to get out of the water business and sell their aging water plant to WV Water. The sale guarantees increases in water rates but still well below Clayberry's near highest in the state. With WV Water at the helm, Queen Shoals will have a better (still cheaper) source of wa wa.

Sept. 24 pm County Commission met long enough to know there is a shortage of Republicats to work the Nov election. After the meeting Commissioner King discussed accomplishments during her first 21 months on the job. That didn't take long.

Sept. 24 pm One idea for growing strong leadership was to approach 18 year Clay High students and get them interested in appointments to committees and boards. Another idea was to develop a short and long term business plan to steer and guide the CCC. Neither idea was met with open arms.

Sept. 24 pm We discovered something better than Judge Judy this past week when Wayne King went before the WV Supreme Court . We watched via Supreme Court online TV. King held up well under tough questioning about why the attorney didn't cry fowl (ask for a new trial back in 2004) during the original State vs Tommy Young Jr trial. No decision from the big robes on the request for a new trial.

Sept. 24 pm Every few years a new suit comes to town and tells us how much better life could be. That happens right after a big budget study is completed. Last Wednesday they told us the same thang again. It's the stuff we all know. Town would be look better and be more prosperous if: we planted some trees, moved the ugly power lines, erected flower planters and park benches, built a small park, and shoot the existing politicians. Most at the meeting nodded in agreement.

Sept. 24 pm Prosperity is just around the corner, will it happen this time around? Hope so.

Sept. 24 pm With a water loss rate of over 20%, Clay County PSD got the green light Friday for their second rate increase in four months. Under WV PSC reasoning, the fourth highest rates in West Virginia is enough to cover the cost of purchasing a new truck ($28,000), going in debt with a second loan for equipment ($7500 for master meters repair/replacement), and  (a little later) they can purchase a $25,000 back hoe.

Sept. 24 pm What the heck. What's another 15% increase. Shoot, we can afford it. No sweat!

Sept. 24 pm As the week ended, Martha Keenan was back in jail. Some weeks back Martha swore out a statement against a former squeeze and that guy went to jail for several days. With his court date approaching, Martha had a change of heart (cold winter nights are coming don't you know!), and said she wasn't going to testify.

Sept. 24 pm With her criminal complaint taped, Badges had her dead to right. She was arrested for making false statements and as of late Sunday, remained behind bars.

Sept. 24 pm  With rain over much of the weekend, we stayed inside.

Sept. 24 pm And our question for the day...  There are fourteen punctuation marks in English grammar. Can you name half of them? Email responses please

Sept. 23 pm  A bicycle can't stand alone; it is two tired.  A will is a dead giveaway.  Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana. A backward poet writes inverse.   A chicken crossing the road: poultry in motion.  If you don't pay your exorcist you can get repossessed.  With her marriage she got a new name and a dress.  Show me a piano falling down a mine shaft and I'll show you A-flatminer.  When a clock is hungry it goes back four seconds.  The guy who fell onto an upholstery machine was fully recovered.

Sept. 23 am   Cecil Francis Stover, 93, of Clay, see Obituary page

Sept. 23 am Under mushy muddy wet conditions last night, the CCHS Panthers lost to Herbert Hoover 35 to 18.

Sept. 23 am Sure seems like posting notice of a yard sale should be a pretty simple thing. It is until Barbara Schamberger gets involved. Here's our story

Sept. 23 am  Early in the week a pretty standard email came thru giving notice of a 3 day yard sale at Kenny and Vivian Knotts residence at 1204 Laurel Ridge Road.  As is the norm, we posted the event. Ho Hum...

Sept. 23 am On Thursday Schamberger told us that we had to change that post because she had an injunction ordered by Judge Jack Alsop dated Sept. 21st. We posted that change on the EVENTS page mid day Friday.

Sept. 23 am  Vivian got word of the web site change, called us up all frantic and said the yard sale was her old stuff including kiddy items and there isn't any injunction of any kind, shape or form stopping the yard sale!

Sept. 23 am  So as of late late Friday, that yard sale post is back on the web site. Amazing the things a lawyer can come up with!

Sept. 22 pm For those planning to head over to Maysel for Saturday's  big yard sale, you might better reread the EVENTS page. Judge Alsop said no.

Sept. 22 am  Happy Birthday wishes Wilma "Mardell" Nevans

Sept. 22 am And big apology to RJ Coleman and his 11th birthday on the 18th of September, Emailed by his Mom and Dad.  Nancy and James Collins.

Sept. 22 am Tonight the CCHS Panthers take on Herbert Hoover in home game action. Kick off is 7:30pm. 101.7 FM will air the game with pre game at 7:20. Go Panthers!!!

Sept. 22 am In addition to the ball game tonight, you might want to take in Solomon's Secret  at the Boy Scout Camp on Dundon Hill. The outdoor drama begins at 8pm. Might want to bring a  blanket.

Sept. 22 am Other than election night and online returns, this web site experienced record traffic Wednesday Sept. 21st. 2556 hits in one 24 hour period. Thank you, thank you very much.

Sept. 22 am We're putting together the Big Apple pictures for online posting. It's slow going but they'll be up ASAP.

Sept. 22 am Many shots were taken in large format suitable for cropping for individual shots. If you'd like the uncut pictures, email us or stop by the office on Main Street for a CD of all. $5

Sept. 22 am  Are you a Frontier DSL customer? Did you notice your upload speeds last night? Although not guaranteed, nice shiny ads tout 500kbps upload speeds. Much of last night customers experienced uploads around 64  kbps.

Sept. 22 am War in Afghanistan and Iraq is a terrible quagmire wasting life and $. Now, Dubbya is talking Iran. Here's the early details.

Sept. 21 am  A couple  notes from Wednesday.

Sept. 21 am  Clayberry has discovered something better than Judge Judy. The real thing. Yesterday we posted the link to the WV Supreme Court of Appeals web cast. A bunch of us watched Wayne King ply his trade in front of the Charleston robes.  The Waynester appealed a juvenile court case for Tommy Young Jr. The case was heard in Clayberry and dealt with an incident where Jr. followed Jim Haynie home one evening, often right on the tail of his vehicle, and when Haynie stopped at the entrance of his driveway, Jr. had a pistol and told the Vice Principal he was having evil thoughts.

Sept. 21 am  King said the jury's decision was all tainted because they saw his client  come into the Clay Courthouse dressed in orange with shackles everywhere and the jury itself was made up of school personnel and a relative of the Badge involved.

Sept. 21 am Based on the questions ( "I think there is more to this story Mr. King") and reaction of the Robes up front, a thumb's up on the appeal may be tough to get.

Sept. 21 am Whatever the outcome, we have something new to waste away our time, real Court TV. We recorded the audio part of the web cast for those interested in a copy, let us know.

Sept. 21 am  Yesterday afternoon around 20 gathered at the Courthouse to hear and make plans for a better looking downtown Clay. Suggestions included: improved sidewalks, park benches, move the utility lines off Main Street, defined cross walks, shooting all the elected leaders, a small park across from the Courthouse, river access beside the Fas Chek store, planters, nicer trash cans and such.

Sept. 21 am By year's end a master plan will be delivered to Town Council and grants will be applied for.

Sept. 21 am Those same ideas have been presented at least twice before. Maybe the third time will be the charm.

Sept. 21 am Note: Mayor Jarrett said he hired Paris Workman as Chief of Police for the four days of the Apple Festival only.

Sept. 21 am For those didn't get a chance to see Solomon's Secret, our outdoor drama last weekend, they're doing encore performances this Friday and Saturday nights beginning at 8pm.

Sept. 21 am The votes are in down at Clendenin. The question before the voter: Do you want to keep your local water plant or go in with WV Water Co. Answer by a 2 to 1 margin, toss the old plant and face higher water rates BUT have safe dependable wa wa.

Sept. 21 am  From Canadian TV:  "Yep, that's right - I miss Bill Clinton! He was the closest thing we ever got to having a black man as President. Number 1 - He played the sax. Number 2 - He smoked weed. Number 3 - He had his way with ugly white women.   Even now? Look at him... his wife works, and he don't!

Sept. 20 am Last week we reported that a young Young was involved in a brawl the day the Apple Festival opened. A couple eyewitnesses provided us the info as did one Badge.

Sept. 20 am During the Apple Festival that ace cub reporter was walking thru the Fas Chek parking lot. Over near the building a tall young guy yelled out, "I ain't no Young!! You better get it right!!!" Being the big strong guy that he is, the Mel Gibson look alike high tailed it on his way. That's the background

Sept. 20 am Last night we had a chance to talk to Tommy Young Sr and Renee Boyd. They said that it wasn't their son that did the head banging last week. They said it was a cousin of Renee's, John Boyd. Renee explained that the guy stays with them but wasn't their son. We stand corrected.

Sept. 20 am Sr and Renee go before the WV Supreme Court this morning at 10 am. They are appealing a Circuit Court decision that resulted in Tommy Jr. spending time in the slammer. From the Supreme Court web site docket: State of W. Va. v. Tommy Y., Jr. - 33055 - Petitioner, T. Y., Jr., an infant, appeals from his convictions for the offense of assault on a school employee and brandishing. Petitioner seeks a reversal of his convictions, a new trial, and a release on bond pending the new trial.

Sept. 20 am  Here's the petition and brief link on the case filed Dec 21st 2005 by Wayne King.

Sept. 20 am Here's the cool part.  Supreme Court hearings are streamed over the internet, both audio and video. If you want to listen, click  this link . When that site comes up click the red  Wedcast clip art. You can see and hear everything going on from your own puter.

Sept. 19 pm Local businesses often complain about low sales volumes and few customers. Those are the same businesses that have the wrong sign posted out front, haven't changed their window decorations in years, and park their own vehicles in front of the business preventing customers easy access. Town itself is in need of improved sidewalks, better street lighting, better signs, park benches, street side flower and tree plantings, and signs to name a few.

Sept. 19 pm There's always the naysayers. For instance, there are a few people that think building Lake Sampson was bad, that such development just encourages "foreigners" here. There are the sticks in the mud that think the Apple Festival does little good, that it doesn't grow the economy. Others say they don't want anything to change and even the excursion RR is a bad idea.

Sept. 19 pm For those dumbarsses, step aside.

Sept. 19 pm  Most in the county know that our future is in tourism and maybe as a bedroom community for the Kanawha Valley. To do that, we need to do some some sprucing up.  Downtown Clay is a prime example of a place in need of a face lift.

Sept. 19 pm For three years the behind the scenes group, TIC, Town Improvement Council, has requested Main Street businesses to add park benches, flowers, and flags. All the thinking business owners know the importance of such and have done so at their own expense. TIC has also been instrumental in growing a 4th of July Celebration in town.

Sept. 19 pm Wednesday afternoon at the Courthouse is a meeting to get started. Beginning at 3pm, public opinion will be taken on what needs to be done to give the county's only municipality a fresh look, something attractive to new customers and tourists. Business leaders are encouraged to attend.

Sept. 19 pm Building a dam and flooding the whole place is not on the table.

Sept. 19 pm Details on that important meeting are posted on our EVENTS page.

Sept. 19 pm  For instance, months ago, Town Council went on record as being in support of turning the empty lot beside the Clay PSD office into a green space complete with trees, tables, benches, and gazebo.

Sept. 19 Late am County Commission meets today at 1pm. On the agenda is the appointment of election officials for the November general.

Sept. 19 Late am   Between the Big Apple and getting The Communicator out the door yesterday, it's been a busy time. Here's a little better update.

Sept. 19 Late am  There have been times when vandalism overshadows the good of the Apple Festival. Didn't happen that way this year. Other than a couple fights and few drunks needing attention, the Big Apple went smooth.

Sept. 19 Late am  With the Apple Festival requiring liability insurance for the first time, there were fewer booths this year. Gone were many of the little crafters trying to sell their candles, quilts, and home made goods. Ditto for many of the church groups.

Sept. 19 Late am The crowds were also down a little. Many are saying that the Apple has outgrown the downtown area. When asked if moving the annual affair to Clay County Park would work, the straw poll revealed, 100%, NO, as the response. Other counties, Nicholas and Braxton for instance, successfully moved their annual events to park settings without attendance loss.

Sept. 19 Late am A couple things added this year went very well. With over 100 in attendance and clubs from as far away as Pittsburgh, the new boxing tournament has to be listed in the success column. Adding a nearby campground and rail ride went well too.. Moving the car show to the High School did nothing but allow it to grow to over 100 vehicles.

Sept. 19 Late am Money brings out the crowds too. Such was the case with the apple cooking contests. $500 winner of the apple pie baking contest was Alex Dwier. Last year's grand prize chili Queen Ronda Dennis won this year's apple cake baking contest.

Sept. 19 Late am  Tons of people tried to win the $2500 first place prize in the Chili Cook Off. Ronda Dennis took the top $ in the People's Choice division with the big bucks ($2500) going to Kimberly Mallory

Sept. 19 Late am Yesterday Judge Jack Alsop was on the bench sentencing our thugery. Seems the Judge has heard the cries for lock their butts up! He took no sob stories of I have learned my lesson. Each time they tried that line, or give me home confinement or probation, didn't work. Because of the way he moves from left or right away from the microphone, it's hard to hear everything. But here's what we gathered.

Sept. 19 Late am  Jesse Dwier received 5 years behind bars for violating probation terms

Sept. 19 Late am Nathan Stephenson was to be sentenced but it appeared he adulterated the pee test. Alsop didn't like that one bit. Nice looking well dressed Nathan has to re pee weekly and the big eyeball is on him

Sept. 19 LAte am Isiah Stephenson plead guilty to meth conspiracy and operation. After pleas that he was away from that stuff and he's a nice man man now... Alsop put him in Anthony Correctional Center for Youthful offenders, 6 mths to 2 years.

Sept. 19 Late am With the State recommending probation each time, Clifton Woods headed off to the can with the same sentence.

Sept. 19 Late am A little bit older James Cummings headed to the big house with two 1 to 5 year sentences. Seems the Judge had had enough of his criminal career.

Sept. 19 Late am Drugs Drugs and more Drug sentencing.

Sept. 19 Late am Dexter Pritt plead guilty for hydro's and delivering. On one charge he got 1 to 15 years. On another 1 to 3 followed by a third sentence carrying a 1 to 5 year sentence. all of that comes AFTER he completes incarceration for federal convictions. Dexter Pritt will be away for a long time.

Sept. 19 Late am Judge Jack Alsop doesn't like those that flunk drug tests for sure. He really doesn't appreciate those convicted of child neglect resulting in injuries. Even with them saying everything was a big mistake and the neglect was not willful, Alsop sent Mathew Butcher to the pen  with a 1 to 3 year sentence.

Sept. 19 Late am It was a no nonsense day in Court land.

Sept. 19 Late am  While we demand strong sentencing as a way to deal with the meth epidemic, we also demand justice. Mentally challenged Earnie Davis was jailed after alledgedly beating up his brother March 27th. He remains lodged in Central Regional Jail without a hearing or trial date. Not sure what the penalty is for two brothers fighting, but he's been in the can for 6 months ($48.50 per day) convicted of nothing and unable to make a $50 bond.

Sept. 19 am  Lloyd R. (Johnny) Drake, 82, of Ivydale , see Obituary page

Sept. 19 am   Sheila June (Thompson) Pierce, 51, see Obituary page

Sept. 19 am The Communicator made it to the news stands Monday afternoon. 24 pages including several Apple Festival pic pages, and the day in Court for Donnie Welch. Lead story is the Dewey Owsley arrest and confession of the killing of Thelma Thomas Dec 26th.

Sept. 19 am Full update coming later today.

Sept. 18 am Said we weren't going to post until the paper gets out but...

Sept. 18 am Happy Birthday wishes to Lindy Myers in Glen West Virginia.

Sept. 18 am Tonight at 6pm the School Board meets. Here's a partial agenda: Accept the resignation/retirement of Michael Micklow as 5th grade teacher at Ivydale Elementary School, effective October 2, 2006;  Approve the sale of school bus #28, #37, and #18 Public Auction on Friday, September 29, 2006 at 9:00 at the Bus Garage;    Approve the transfer of Brandy McKinney from Preschool Handicapped teacher at Clay Elementary School to Preschool teacher at Clay Elementary School (Megan Paxton's former job);    Approve out of county transfer students.

Discussions:    a.  Bob Morris - FFA National Convention    b.  Driver Education Car   c.  Roof for Valley Fork Elementary   d.  County Park Funding   e.  Personnel Item

Sept. 18 am The interesting one may be the resignation of Micklow who turned in his resignation well  after school started and without giving any notice. Sort of was messing with them!

Sept. 18 am  The 33rd Annual Apple Festival is all done execpt for the smashed horse poop on Main Street. Including the excursion train rides, new campground for visitors, new lake, and Pantehr Den Boxing Match at CMS, without a doubt, another success.

Sept. 18 am The new 2006- 2007 tourism maps came out Friday. Get yours at the Communicator office on Main Street.

Sept. 18 am  For those that say there is no justice, this morning over in Circuit Court, sentencing this morning beginning around 10 am.

Sept. 18 am We're in typing mode until we get The Communicator out the door sometime Monday afternoon. No posts until then.

Sept. 17 am Today is the fourth and final day of the 33rd annual Apple Festival.  This afternoon is the Big Apple Gospel Sing and Chili Cook Off.

Sept. 17 am In Clayberry, the first reds and yellows are showing on leaves. Mornings bring out the jackets and sweat shirts. Bare chested boys and scantily clad teeny bopper girls are still trying to attract one and another. Last night those young sun tanned bodies were covered with chill bumps!

Sept. 17 am from the last seven days..

Sept. 17 am It's hard to remember a day, an hour, when TV hasn't reported another rocket, shell, bomb, or  IEP going off and killing. Day after day, month after month, and now years after years, the war dead makes little impact on the public. It's like, well, we elected a dimly lit guy to office hell bent on corporate taking of the world, what did you think would happen??????

Sept. 17 am   There have been 2,909 coalition deaths, 2,680 Americans, two Australians, 117 Britons, 13 Bulgarians, four Danes, two Dutch, two Estonians, one Fijian, one Hungarian, 31 Italians, one Kazakh, one Latvian, 17 Poles, two Romanians, two Salvadoran, three Slovaks, 11 Spaniards, two Thai and 18 Ukrainians in the war in Iraq as of September 15, 2006, according to a CNN count.

Sept. 17 am Scanner listeners heard the call of "canines" coming to the county Tuesday morning. Tuesday afternoon when the  Green Shirt Crime Scene cargo box truck stopped at Go MArt in route out Widen way, things started churning.  Wednesday morning the Coffee House crowd had a body found in the reclaimed gob pile. With two women missing for some time, the Belt and Starcher names surfaced. When Sheriff Holcomb reported "No Comment" rumors went into overdrive

Sept. 17 am Widenettes reported Green Shirts borrowing a pick and shovel, a small hole dug, too small for a body, and piece of plastic (tarp maybe) recovered.

Sept. 17 am Inch by inch the BC&G RR Co-Op got closer to their goal of operating an excursion rail line to Clay. On Tuesday Smokin Joe Manchin handed out $200,000 to the group. With a $2 m asking price for the 14 mile route, they now have some $ to leverage other grant dollars. As a for profit organization and most grant dollars going to non profits, there may be a glitch or two to overcome.

Sept. 17 am Mid week, Bill Montezuma came to town. Remember Montezuma? He's the guy we called a BMW wearing a suit.

Sept. 17 am  When the original Youth Advantage Program (YAP) was coming to Town 6 years ago, Bill was the front man that told us of a new day, a new beginning, and great things to come to us in the land of little. After leaving the oversight Human Resource Development Fund a couple years ago, Bill headed to the Ross Group. After a three month court battle/delay, the Ross Group with Bill and local Coordinator Patrick Black (Clay and Roane County) came to town last week and began work opening up the new program in the CAEZ office on Main Street.

Sept. 17 am In the beginning, YAP had the $ to put many CCHS students on job sites for long enough stays to actually learn business skills. During the last two years under the old HRDF stewardship, federal bucks went away and kids received little, very little, in the way of actual on the job skill training.

Sept. 17 am  New management and a newer beginning but no increase in $ for the kids. By the way, Bill told us this week, that wasn't even his BMW.

Sept. 17 am After months of behind the scenes work by a handful of people, the annual Apple Festival opened up. Four days of music, fun, smiles, and good food. With liability insurance coverage changes this year, many of the local crafters stayed away. The result was  fewer booths but no change in the smiles of attendees.   With weather cooperating, those that did set up booths, made $. One attendee was overheard.. Where did all those people and the money come from? No one had an answer. Some things just happen!

Sept. 17 am  Friday night, the CCHS Panthers took a thumpin' from the Sissonville Indians.

Sept. 17 am Finally, without any public notice or public meeting discussion, Paris Workman went to work as Town Badge in Clay. Clad in a new white shirt and gold chest plate, a trained experienced officer went to work on Friday. Who would have ever thunk it in Clay?

Sept. 16 am Dressed in a spiffy new uniform and shiny badge, the Town of Clay has a new Badge.  His name is Paris Workman.

Sept. 16 am Nope no talk of hiring a Badge during the last Town Council meeting !

Sept. 16 am Workman is the guy Sheriff Holcomb recommended to Council more than a year ago when demands were being made on the elected body.

Sept. 16 am We've waited a year for the big day. It's here.

Sept. 16 am Although four days total, the biggy day for the Apple Festival crowd and fun is today. Town will be packed wall to wall.

Sept. 16 am if you like good music, parades, and fireworks and seeing old friends, today is the day.

Sept. 16 am The BC&G RR is doing rides too. All aboard!

Sept. 15 am  Yesterday's heavy duty rain stopped just in time for the opening of the Big Apple. Last night electric service went out for much of Maysel and Wallback with interrupted service in the Two Run area. Service was restored in the Maysel area around 1 am this morning.

Sept. 15 am  It looks like there are fewer booths this year in town for the big event. On the plus side, many are food booths, good food booths certain to block many an artery! Yum Yum.

Sept. 15 am For those wanting a sit down meal... The Kitchen is open late and will be open Sunday as well. They also offer outside tables  beside their building for smokers and hackers..

Sept. 15 am The CCHS Panthers host their first home game of the season taking on Sissonville. Kick off is 7:30pm with 101.7 FM doing the play by play with Linda McKinney. Those around the world can listen in on the web. Just click the "ON AIR" button over on wyap.com

Sept. 15 am  Tommy Young Jr. got back into town just a couple weeks ago. Yesterday he was in Magistrate Court turning himself in charged with choking and beating his kid brother. With bond made, his Court date is down the road.

Sept. 13 am Around 3 yesterday that little brother came into town and saw somebody that needed an adjustment. According to eyewitnesses, the young Young was hanging out a car window cussing big time before jumping out of the vehicle and knocking the H out of a another kid.

Sept. 13 am The frecas was broke up real quick by Apple Staff and a DNR Badge. According to young Young, the the guy he went after had smacked the crap out him one day prior. Taking his cap off, Young had a pretty big gash on his head.

Sept. 13 am With the Festival in town and parking at a premium, most Govt offices are shut down or at least doing little.

Sept. 13 am  The Communicator will hit the news stands Monday afternoon with all the Apple pics included.

Sept. 14  Late pm  The search was on for the Golden Apple this morning. The first clue, something about the grass being greener and birds and butterflies was enough for Lisa Slack to get into the search.

Sept. 14 Late pm By mid morning and after nearly tearing the Farm Store apart, the Apple was found buried in a big bucket of grass seed.

Sept. late pm Dan Sizemore said the most current and accurate schedule of events is on their web site. The link is on our LINK page.

Sept. 14 pm  CHANGE CHANGE  CHANGE   Tonight's Clay Roane PSD meeting will be held at the Procious Water Plant according to Commissioner Peter Triplett.

Sept. 14 pm If commerce is the name of the game, we got it in downtown Clay. The big Apple is ready to open and people are lined up left and right for the fun. Food booths have been open all day. Myers carnival rides open at 6pm in the Fas Chek parking lot and beside Rit Aid.

Sept. 14 pm  Queen Coronations, great music and Karaoke and even Don Jarvis is going to clean up to receive recognition.

Sept. 14 pm Come out and enjoy the Apple Festival!

Sept. 14 am Great big Birthday wishes to Lynn O'Dell who turns 60 today.

Sept. 14 am Tonight at 7pm the Clay Roane PSD meets in the Commission room in the Courthouse. With Rose Cantrell resigned, that leaves four Boardsters to run the water provider. Months ago Cantrell said she would never vote for a rate increase. Not listed on tonight's agenda but keep the jar of Crisco handy anyway.

Sept. 14 am  For 11 months a handful of volunteers have worked behind the scenes to put on the 33rd Annual Apple Festival. Today the whole shebang begins at 6pm. Come early and expect long walks from distant parking spots.

Sept. 14 am Without a doubt, the biggest draw in the county. By this time Thursday night expect to hear, it's time to move the Big Apple to Clay County Park.

Sept. 14 pm  Coronations and great music mark tonight's festivities. Listen to 101.7FM for apple updates. Something new tonight is the Skate Park Auction in the Lion's Club Casino on Main Street. Lots of great stuff to win.

Sept. 14 pm Deadline for the next edition of The Communicator is Thursday mid day. Email your notices, events, classifieds etc. now.

Sept. 14 pm We're holding up production of the newspaper until Monday so we can have a few pages of Apple pics included this time around. Deadline is still Thursday mid day.

Sept. 13 pm  Billy Hall, 72, of Lizemores, see Obituary page

Sept. 13 pm  David Franklin Legg, 70, of Duck, see Obituary page

Sept. 13 pm  Avis Houghton, 92, of Strange Creek, see Obituary page

Sept. 13 pm  Rain drenched the county today as Apple Volunteers went to work setting up for the big four day event. Much of Main Street looked like one of those ant farms with little workers running every which a way.

Sept. 13 pm This morning's Commission meeting included discussion on yesterday's $200,000 grant to the BC & G RR.

Sept. 13 pm According to Commissioner Fran King, the certificate , not a check, was made out to the County Commission. From that discussion: the money came from the Dept. of Transportation; it has to be matched with $40,000 from other sources; ARC funds are for non profits; and, the BC&G RR is a for profit organization.

Sept. 13 pm  From the peanut gallery came examples of earlier grant $ to for profit companies (Filcon for instance). There seemed to be something not said during those discussions. COuldn't quite put our finger on it clickers, but something

Sept. 13 pm Sheriff Holcomb was asked about the Crime Scene Trucks out Widen yesterday. Mums the word and no comment came from ole tubby belly.

Sept. 13 pm Monday evening scanner listeners heard the traffic of canines coming into the county on Tuesday. And, on Tuesday, the big white State Police Crime Scene truck was escorted out Widen. Don't know what's up or what was up.... sorry.

Sept. 13 pm  The annual Clay FD ox roast dinner is off for this year but the great food ain't. According to Fran King the great sandwiches will be available in the old hardware building beside the Courthouse.

Sept. 13 am County Commission meets this morning at 10 am.

Sept. 13 am  We don't have an update on the body found out Widen way. Other than the scanner traffic and seeing the big white cargo truck in the Go Mart parking lot, nothing new to report.

Sept. 13 am We do have 200,000 other updates

Sept. 13 am Yesterday Smokin Joe Manchin handed out $200,000 to the BC&G RR Co-Op. All hush hush except the entire county knew about it ahead of time.  Shhhh don't anybody tell those Charleston folks!

Sept. 13 am The money is to be used for purchasing the 14 mile section of track. True not the $2 m needed but it's a start.

Sept. 13 am Many of the Federal Grant programs require a 10% match from local sources. Let's see now, Yelp, that's 10%!

Sept. 13 am  Golf Course Sign:    1. BACK STRAIGHT, KNEES BENT, FEET SHOULDER WIDTH APART. 2. FORM A LOOSE  GRIP. 3. KEEP YOUR HEAD DOWN. 4. AVOID A QUICK BACK SWING. 5. STAY OUT  OF THE WATER. 6. TRY NOT TO HIT ANYONE. 7. IF YOU ARE TAKING TOO LONG,  PLEASE LET OTHERS GO AHEAD OF YOU. 8. DON'T STAND DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF  OTHERS. 9. QUIET PLEASE . . . WHILE OTHERS ARE PREPARING TO GO. 10.  DON'T TAKE EXTRA STROKES. WELL DONE - NOW FLUSH THE URINAL, GO OUTSIDE,  AND TEE OFF —

Sept. 12 pm Sometime mid morning came a tip that a body was found out Widen way. Over the scanner came word that the Crime Scene Investigation truck was coming from the Amma direction to Widen.

Sept. 12 pm About every badge in the county spent much of the day in the most rural section of Clayberry, Widen. In addition to Belt missing for two years, sure can't forget about Tatto Vince's girlfriend, a Starcher girl, who has been missing even longer.

Sept. 12 pm  Speculation is running wild on who was found. At the top of the ABSOLUTE guess pile is the name Jennifer Sears Belt.

Sept. 12 am  Clay County Commission meets Wednesday morning at 10 am. Air conditioned comfort, padded seats, and Clayberry electorates. What could be more fun!

Sept. 12 am For those planning to attend the 33rd Annual Apple Festival, you don't have to rent a room in Summersville or Charleston. The JG Bradley Campground is open for business. Although not completed, trailer, RV, and tent camping is available. It's $8 per night with all proceeds benefiting the BC&G excursion train ride. Call Roger Nutter at 304 587-6055 for reservations. Keep in mind, for now, it's primitive camping. Translation: only four electric hook ups and no wa wa.

Sept. 12 am Shhhhhhh...... it's all secret for now but according to the coffee house crowd, the BC&G group is about to receive a big chunk of change today. Who? How much?

Sept. 12 am With all so tight lipped, the loot must be coming from Charleston. Watch for smoking Joe do a big photo op today and make the official announcement.

Sept. 12 am In the northern end of the county at Booger Hole Curry's Cabin is a nice place to spend some time. Take a look.

Sept. 12 am  The community radio station is looking for about 50 cinder blocks to better firm up the foundation of their almost new (1986 model) office trailer in downtown Clay. Can anybody donate? 587-8353 or just drop them off. Thank you

Sept. 12 am For all those that applied for the janitor opening at the Clay Library, check the ADVISORY page now.

Sept. 11 am Five years ago this morning, the world stopped. Here in Clayberry, the 10 am County Commission was short. Updates from the two TVs in the building. Conversations began with, did you know....

Sept. 11 am Over at the Henry Clay Hotel's TV, people spoke in hushed tones. The county went quiet for many hours.

Sept. 11 am With the President hiding, we waited for some kind of assurances. We're still waiting.

Sept. 11 am The Apple Festival kicks off Thursday. If you're planning on doing business in downtown Clay, better get it done by Wednesday. The place will be a mad house after that!

Sept. 11 am  Barbara Walters of Television's 20/20 did a story on gender roles in Kabul, Afghanistan, several years before the Afghan conflict. She noted that women customarily walked 5 paces behind their husbands. She recently returned to Kabul and observed that women still walk behind their husbands. From Ms. Walter's vantage point, despite the overthrow of the oppressive Taliban regime, the women now seem to walk even further back behind their husbands and are happy to maintain the old custom. Ms. Walters approached one of the Afghan women and asked, "Why do you now seem happy with the old custom that you once tried so desperately to change?" The woman looked Ms. Walters straight in the eyes, and without hesitation said, "Land Mines."    MORAL OF THE STORY: BEHIND EVERY MAN IS A SMART WOMAN.

Sept. 11 am Meeting updates coming.

Sept. 10 pm Happy Birthday Bill Fisher and many more!

Sept. 10 pm Here's our wrap up from the last seven days. Apple trees have been losing leaves for a couple weeks. Now the first red is showing on maples. Ripe tomatoes are slower coming. Other than clean up, gardening is over for 2006. Drunk from apple juice, yellow jackets are at war with anybody that comes close. Instead of taking an hour to cut grass, the tough fall growth now bogs down attempts to manage. Far ends of yards are going without manicure.

Sept. 10 pm Dubbya finally admitted the government's practice of taking war prisoners to friendly countries where torture was allowed. Main stream media continued to report the civil war in Iraq as "near civil war". Calls came for the resignation of Rummy.

Sept. 10 pm  Although Iraq had nothing to do with Sept. 11th, Sec of Rice still carried the banner of lies and deceit.

Sept. 10 pm  The guy that did orchestrate 9/11 remains in operation without a lead for over two years.

Sept. 10 pm  Finally Senator Rockefeller opened his eyes.  He said the world would be better off today if the United States had never invaded Iraq — even if it means Saddam Hussein would still be running Iraq.

Sept. 10 pm And lastly on the national front, Rummy told his top military aides, you will be fired if you insist on making post war plans!

Sept. 10 pm A band of volunteers set out to build a an excursion railroad in the county of CLay. The porch sitters said, it would never happen. We've all that stuff before. True there's not a railroad yet, but step by step the BC&G RR Co-Op is making progress. This week, on Tuesday, they opened the JG Bradley Campground at Dundon. The Campground is another first for the county. Now with a revenue source,  construction of a year around Welcome Center complete with dining area, is now under way. And they said it couldn't be done!

Sept. 10 pm Well into the school year, the system is still without enough teachers. The wanted to be started in July  Valley Dale Elem school site remains idle. Promises came this week that the new school would be open on time next August.

Sept. 10 pm On the DEP web site came notice of a penalty and settlement with Joe Morris which read in part: The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection and Joseph Morris   have proposed a settlement of an Administrative Consent Order which resolves violations of the WV Water Pollution Control Act.  In accordance with the proposed consent order, Joseph Morris has agreed to pay administrative penalties and to comply with the Act.  Final settlement is subject to  comments  received during the 30 day comment period ending Oct. 13, 2006.  Further  information about this Administrative Consent Order is available by  contacting  the Chief Inspector, WVDEP/Environmental Enforcement, 601 57th Street SE,  Charleston, WV 25304, (304) 926-0470.

Sept. 10 pm   This week Dewey Owsley was arrested for the murder of Thelma Thomas. Ms Thomas died Dec 26th 2005. Owsley was her boyfriend. Charleston newspapers reported Owsley confessing to the grizzly crime.

Sept. 10 pm  Thursday evening our BDA met in regular session at the Courthouse. Chair Williams became upset that this web site posted their conspicuous absence from the BC&G Festivities. He also was irked that the non profit WYAP-LP  wrote and asked the economic development group asked for grant writing assistance. He said it was time for all to play well together.

Sept. 10 pm County Commissioner Fran King was absent from the  BDA meeting. Based on her facial expressions and comments during earlier BDA meetings, look for  Commissioner King to resign if she hasn't already done so.

Sept. 10 pm The first signs of the 33rd annual Apple Festival were seen last week. Street crews painted yellow curb markings and weed whacked  scrub growth.. Arching over Main Street, two big Welcome to the Apple Festival banners went up. A few area businesses decorated windows for the big event.

Sept. 10 pm Our under organized Demorat party met Friday evening and selected Sylvia Gill as the 2006 Deomocrat of the Year.

Sept. 10 pm With warm temps and a clear Elk River, people fished late into the night. Front porches were full with ladies peeling apples and finishing off canning duties. When temps lowered to 50 mid week, stoves were lit and the smell of hardwoods filled Clayberry.

Sept. 9 pm Maybe not a new scam but certainly a renewed effort..

Sept. 9 pm County residents are receiving call after call from (727) 683-1183. The folks on the other end offer everything from plane tickets to Myrtle Beach vacations. What they really want is your bank account number and name.

Sept. 9 pm  A quick google search reveals many complaints from the company which operates under several names.

Sept. 9 pm Beware clickers.

Sept. 9 pm Last night a hand full of Demorats elected Sylvia Gill as the 2006 Democrat of the Year.

Sept. 9 pm   Charleston newspapers are reporting the confession of murder by Dewey Owsley while on a lie detector.

Sept. 9 Over the road truck driver Owsley was arrested Tuesday and charged with the murder of Thelma Thomas Dec 26 2005.

Sept. 8 pm Clayberry has some quirks. For instance...

Sept. 8 pm  Between downtown  Clay and the High School going South, Badges are saying with tickets, the speed limit is just 40 mph. On that same stretch of two lane, but going in t he other direction, the roadway is clearly marked 55 mph.

Sept. 8 pm Coming into town from Two Run, the posted limit is 55 mph. That same section of road but going the opposite direction, 40 is the speed limit.

Sept. 8 pm  How can that be? Can such be legal?  Not sure about the second question but the first part....

Sept. 8 pm  Down river from Town and heading to CCHS, the contractors took down the 55 mph sign during paving and never reinstalled it. For months the 55 notice could be seen laying in the ditch.

Sept. 8 pm  As for coming into town from Two Run, those signs were rearranged late one night. After loud public outcry of FOUL, Council had the original signs put back to their original places. All except one which was badly bent. You can ask Gene King about that midnight sign changing deal.

Sept. 8 pm You can feel it in the air. The Apple Festival is just around the corner. In town the big across the street banners are going up. Around the county, groups are preparing their parade floats and food booths. If you haven't made plans for Sept. 14th thru the 17th, include Clayberry and the Clay County Golden Delicious Festival! Always family fun too

Sept. 8 pm  With the new JG Bradley  Campground at Dundon open for business, you have a place close to the action to stay. RV's, pull behinds, and tents welcome. Dial 304 587-6055 for reservations. Call now, the place will fill up quick!

Sept. 8 am    Jennie Morris Drake, 86, of Ivydale,  see Obituary page

Sept. 8 am Tonight the Clay HS Panthers take on Ritchie County (away game). With a record of 1 and 1, GO PANTHERS!!!!!

Sept. 8 am First home game is next week.

Sept. 8 am Who was the first one to build a fire in their stove? We noticed Bill Triplett had one burning Thursday morning. Fall is here.

Sept. 8 am Thelma Thomas lived in a trailer at Sizemore's Trailer Park, Maysel, beside the old Clay Camper Company. Often her kids could be seen playing in the yard. Big rig truck driver and boyfriend Dewey Owsley was often there. He was there during Christmas last year.

Sept. 8 am On Dec 26 2005 Thelma Thomas died.  Unofficial reports from back then suggested drugs and alcohol involved. Those near the scene reported Ms. Thomas' head was blue in color indicative of lack of oxygen AKA strangulation. Owsley was at the trailer that day and was passed out when Thelma's body  was found. He was questioned and turned loose.

Sept. 8 am  According to her Mother, an April 2006  autopsy report  indicated the death was not accidental and  by strangulation.

Sept. 8 am  Dewey Owsley was arrested and charged with the crime on Tuesday Sept. 6th. He remains lodged in the Central Regional Jail.

Sept. 8 am Last night the Clay County Business Development Authority (BDA) met at the Courthouse.

Sept. 8 am   How much money do you think the BDA has spent moving dirt around and leveling the old Filcon site near Ovapa? Answer: Right close to $60,000.    That's not the first time for the dirt rearranging. When  Manferd Kuentsler was given the property, grant $ were used to move dirt back then.

Sept. 8 am During last night's gathering the group voted to spend another $4500 to hyrdospray the 8 acres or so with grass seed

Sept. 8pm That ace cub reporter probably won't receive a Christmas card this year from the BDA Chair.  Leonard  Williams was upset with his little buddy last night. 'said he didn't appreciated the remarks made on this web page on Sept. 6th.

Sept. 8 am  Now he didn't read which remarks he was talking about but the guess is he was talking about the BDA being a no show during the big groundbreaking ceremony held during the annual CAEZ meeting Tuesday. He didn't dispute the web posting, he just didn't appreciate it.

Sept. 8 am  Another Christmas and no Christmas card from Leonard. Oh it's going to be so lonely this holiday season!

Sept. 7 am Happy 76th Birthday to Fred Sampson

Sept. 7 am Update coming ASAP

Sept. 6 LATE pm  Mary Elizabeth McLaughlin Metz, 51, of Glen, see Obituary page

Sept. 6 pm CAEZ annual dinner/meetings are for the most part hohum events. The norm is to hear how great the year was speeches followed by rubber chicken. The last few years were a little better food wise. Last year they made guests sit thru speeches before eating. One big raspberry for last year!

Sept. 6 pm Last night's dinner at the JG BRadley Campground was different.  There was even a traffic jam at Dundon! Even after a day of rain, the outdoor setting was filled with music and handshakes. The place was packed. Instead of hearing normal stories of glorious accomplishments, attendees could see the results of hard work. Clay County's first public campground was accomplished in no small with the support of the CAEZ. The ground breaking ceremony was to celebrate construction of a large Welcome Center at the campground, along the BC&G RR tracks.

Sept. 6 pm  Last night Congresswoman Capito was in attendance as well as Senator White, contender Pete Sigler, and Delegate John Pino who barely squeaked thru (5 votes) in the May Primary election. In the land of little, any accomplishment is noteworthy. An in operation campground, the first ever public facility in the county, was a big accomplishment.

Sept. 6 pm The BC&G RR Co-Op folks were dressed in their black Ts and ball caps. Their 14 months of work on the campground and days of organizing  last night's outdoor exstravaganza, was well received by the 100+ in attendance. Last night TV film crews did their thang and were here to cover something better than dodo's selling babies or elected/appointed officials heading to prison. How nice!

Sept. 6 pm A campground, a place close to the center of the county where out of town travelers and returning Clayonians can base a weekend or week vacation. What's the big deal?   It's called economic development. Those out of towners spend money. That's new money in the county. On average, an out of town tourist coughs up $80 per day. For Clayberry,  a dozen or so tourists spending $70, $80  a day or more can make a big difference to our local economy.

Sept. 6 pm Just wait until the excursion railcar draws an additional 50 or so people each day and more during weekend rides.

Sept. 6 pm Conspicuously absent from last night's open to the public doings....  our designated economic development group, the Business Development Authority.  As the event was ending and near dark, Jerry Nelson from the BDA did make an appearance.

Sept. 6 pm After 11 years in operation, as for the usual bragging during the CAEZ dinner, Clay County still waits the first non government full time job created by the grass roots group.

Sept. 5 am Over the weekend pickup trucks were seen hauling firewood. Gardens were being cut down. Our Summer is gone.

Sept. 5 am New pictures have been added over on the PHOTO page. Look in the May 06 This and That section. NOTE: By right clicking and then Open in New Window, you get a full screen for the images.

Sept. 5 am  We've got three biggy meetings tonight.

Sept. 5 am According to Mayor Jarret, Clay Town Council will convene it's monthly meeting at 4pm at the Water Plant instead of the normal 6pm. With Chief Water Operator Bobby West leaving, they've got some hiring to do.

Sept. 5 am  Also tonight, the annual CAEZ Dinner will kick off at 6pm at the JG Bradley Campground out Dundon way. Complete with free food and live music compliments of Variety Pack,  sure to be a wing ding. It's also the ground breaking ceremony for the campground. Plans call for a Welcome Center and rental cabins in the near future.

Sept. 5 am When the Buffalo Creek and Gauley RR Co-Op said they planned to have the campground open this year, many laughed and took their words as idle nothing. Step aside boys, they've already proven their stock

Sept. 5 am  Tonight at 6pm the School Board meets. A change at the helm has made little difference in the Board obeying WV Open Meeting Law. instead of posting their agenda several days in advance, as of Monday afternoon at 4pm, Nope, not posted!

Sept.  5 am Often such misdeeds mean before-hand meetings are in order. Wonder if that is the case this time? With EPA problems at the new school site and serious differences in what the engineer says and the reality of the elevation of the Valley Dale Elem. school, they sure don't want any of that out in public.

Sept. 5 am Fortunately Boardster Beth Cercone provides an agenda on her web site. From Ms Cercone, a partial: Accept the resignation of Megan Paxton as Pre-School teacher at Clay Elementary School, effective September 12, 2006;    Approve the employment of a Multi-categorical Resource Teacher at Clay Middle School (Lynn Brogan's former job);    Approve the employment of a Multi-categorical Resource Teacher at CCHS (Mike Kearns' former job);    Approve the overnight trip for CCHS FFA students to Morgantown on September 27 - 29, 2006;   Approve the employment of Evelyn McLaughlin as substitute teacher for the 2006 - 2007 school year;    Approve the voluntary removal of Amy Duffield's name from the substitute teacher list, effective immediately.   Discussions:   WVSBA Presidents Retreat '06 Registration;  WVSBA Fall Conference - September 22, 23, 2006;    Discovery Health License Award;  Discuss one-hour early departure on September 22, November 17, January 19, March 23, and May 18;   Job postings;   Student transfers;  Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Rose to appear before the board

Sept. 5 am  We know that Mike Lanham remains on bond for arrests back in April. Terms of bond include to stay away from beer gardens.

Sept. 5 am  Last night, 10:26pm, over the scanner, Badges responded to a disturbance at a Big Otter bar.  After a few minutes,traffics came  that Mikey was being taken home by the Green Shirts from the beer garden.

Sept. 5 am Sure sounds like a big Hmmmmmmmmm...

Sept. 3 LATE pm  We're taking an end of the summer break this holiday weekend.

Sept. 3 late pm  We've got the Apple Festival schedule over on the ADVISORY page

Sept. 3 late pm  From the email bag: I am looking for johnboy to call me about the clothing and toys you came to my house and bought soundtracks and books but i lost your number so please call me and you can come up and pick up this stuff thank you and god bless anita

Sept. 3 Late pm  No posts until on Tuesday morning.

Sept. 3 LATE pm Well,... unless we think of something .

Sept. 2 am  New Words: 1. BLAMESTORMING: Sitting around in a group, discussing why a dead line was missed or a project failed, and who was responsible.      2.SEAGULL MANAGER: A manager who flies in, makes a lot of noise, craps on everything, and then leaves.    3.ASSMOSIS:The process by which some people seem to absorb success and advancement by kissing up to the boss rather than working hard.    4. SALMON DAY: The experience of spending an entire day swimming upstream, only to get screwed and die in the end.    5. CUBE FARM: An office filled with cubicles

Sept. 2 am    6. PRAIRIE DOGGING: When someone yells, or drops something loudly in a cube farm, and people's heads pop up over the walls to see what's going on.   7. MOUSE POTATO: The on-line, wired generation's answer to the couch potato.    8. SITCOM: Single Income, Two Children, Oppressive Mortgage. What Yuppies turn into when they have children and one of them stops working to stay home with the kids. 9.STRESS PUPPY: A person who seems to thrive on being stressed out and whiny.    10. SWIPEOUT: An ATM or credit card that has been rendered useless because the magnetic strip is worn away from extensive use.

Sept. 2 am  11. XEROX SUBSIDY: Euphemism for swiping free photocopies from one's workplace.    12. IRRITAINMENT: Entertainment and media spectacles that are annoying, but you find yourself unable to stop watching them. Michael Jackson's trial and The Bachelor finale are prime examples.   13. PERCUSSIVE MAINTENANCE : The fine art of whacking the crap out of an electronic device to get it to work again.   14. ADMINISPHERE: The rarefied organizational layers beginning just above the rank and file. Decisions that fall from the adminisphere are often profoundly inappropriate or irrelevant to the problems they were designed to solve.   15. 404: Someone who's clueless. From the World Wide Web error message, "404 Not Found," meaning that the requested document could not be located.

Sept. 2 am   16. GENERICA: Features of the American landscape which are exactly the same no matter where one is, e.g., food joints, strip malls, and subdivisions.   17. OHNOSECOND: That minuscule fraction of time in which you realize that you've just made a BIG mistake.

(Like after hitting "send" on an email to the wrong people by mistake.)   18.WOOFS: Well-Off Older Folks.    19. CROP DUSTING: Surreptitiously passing gas while passing through a cube farm.

Sept. 1 pm  Happy new month to each and every. The Communicator won't be out until later today. In the mean time  here's a couple posts to keep you up to date.

Sept. 1 pm This morning, 11 am,  Donnie Welch represented by John Mitchell Sr, was in court for a bond revocation hearing. Magistrate Mary Stanley heard the arguments in the Robert C Byrd Courthouse in Charleston.

Sept. 1 pm Because of the seriousness of the 11 counts, Welch's history and addiction to drugs, the Feds asked for him to be kept behind bars. For their side, ATF agent Sager provided background info including Donnie's tactic of hiding out when the heats on. Much of Sager's testimony was a repeat of earlier disclosures from the Samuel Murphy investigation including damning audio from a taped jail house telephone conversation between Donnie, Sam Murphy, and others.

Sept. 1 pm For Mr. Welch, the portly Mitchell, got riled up. He questioned the common mode of operation, to throw every charge possible on a defendant in hopes something will stick. He also questioned the testimony provided the Feds during jail house confessions by  Samuel Murphy. So fired up was Mitchell, Judge Stanley cautioned his use of personal comments to Sager.

Sept. 1 pm It didn't go well for Donnie Welch on two fronts. First the Judge said there was a real flight risk, the nature of the charges were very very serious, and so forth. Welch will remain behind bars for now.  To make matters worse, a 12th charge was added this morning. When Donnie Welch was being arrested mid week, he fibbed about his identity to Badges and Bingo! That allegation was good enough for yet another "sticky" tactic charge in Federal Court land.

Sept. 1 pm One more note from this morning.

Sept. 1 pm  Before the hearing  got underway, a fellow said that Donnie's brother Travis was all fired up over postings on this site.  He said Travis was ready to sue that ace cub reporter. We're not sure why but after rereading the Aug. 29th quotes, we have a guess.

Sept. 1 pm  On the day Donnie was arrested here in Clay, one of his brothers, Travis Welch, was also arrested. Travis was charged with obstructing an officer when he told Badges, Donnie Welch wasn't Donnie Welch but a third brother.

Sept. 1 pm During our online coverage of those events we posted  some background info and comments.  Those comments were: Aug. 29 pm  Since 11 years of age, Donnie Welch and for that matter Travis have had problems. While in Boy Scout Troop 123, fights, and outlandish behavior were common. During one weekend camping trip, they changed liked Dr Jeckel in a matter of minutes. The guess is, drugs had a part in that problematic weekend over 10 years ago. Hindsight is 100%     AND     Aug. 29 pm  Back then parents griped that "those kind" of boys should not be a part of Scouting, that they didn't want their little cherubs around the  Donnies and Travis' of the world. Back then our response to those outcries was: Scouting's values and traditions are exactly what those boys need.   Guess it just didn't take.

Sept. 1 pm Sometimes words don't follow the exact train of thought intended. The above reference to Travis and others in Scouting  and how trouble and problems followed them around is dead on the money. Every step of the way there were fights and arguments among themselves and others. There was at times a complete disregard for Scout leader instructions and guidance. That's all very true.

Sept. 1 pm When we said the part about "our guess being drugs were involved", we could have, should have, ds, all kids, were responsible for their own personnal needs whether it was aspirin or high test prescription meds. In reference to Travis, on several occasions he told leadership that he had lost his meds, misplaced his meds, forgot his meds etc.  During those times, things went sour and complaints followed.

Sept. 1 pm  Never has a word been written that couldn't be taken two or more ways. Such is the case with our original post. More concise definitions of "guessing about drugs" was in order on the 29th.  Those quicky entries can lead to diferent interpretations. We standed edited and corrected.

Sept. 1 pm And Travis... it you're going to sue us, how about finding a less costly attorney. We don't want to have to pay for a  new Mercedes for Big Mitch!