APRIL 2003 NEWS

  • APril 30 am It's always embarrassing when some one media source picks up on a local story before us. Such was the case yesterday and news on the Clay County Bank.  Ever wonder if the Federal folks think local bank management is competent to run the long time institution? Ever get an official word that Scott Legg is the replacement for JD Morris and not just an interim puppet of Davis Trust in Elkins? Read on for sure.
  • April 30 am Yesterday afternoon, on TV 8 (Charleston), came an ever so  brief news article on the Clay County Bank. In part the transcript read like as follows:       April 29, 2003 4:55 PM   Charleston   Federal regulators have disciplined two West Virginia banks.

    •     The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation alleged that Clay County Bank was operating with a large volume of poor quality loans. The agency also alleged the Clay bank was engaging in hazardous lending and lax collection practices, and operating with inadequate internal controls.
       Last month, regulators ordered the bank to stop the practices and strengthen its management.   The bank consented to the order without admitting to the allegations.
        Bank President Scott Legg says everything has been addressed.   Legg became president in February after serving on an interim basis since April 2002, when former President J-D Morris retired. Morris later pleaded guilty to embezzling 172-thousand dollars. He made restitution and was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison.
  • April 30 am For the most recent FDIC audit on our long time strength of the county, click Still Shaky. Once there, look at line 4. Doesn't that sound like the bank is only allowing $50,000 on the Filcon screw up?
  • April 30 am As for the newest Federally mandated Cease and Desist order Click BETTER DO IT NOW!
  • April 30 am As for all the FDIC orders in MArch 2003, click BIG PICTURE
  • April 30 am As for the Tatto Vince trial now in progress over in Roane County, first some hard hitting, front page, newspaper coverage in the Roane Reporter, click INSIGHT.
  • April 30 am   Jury selection for Tatto's trial took all of yesterday. A very cleaned up, shaven and no tattoos visible to the public, 74 people were called as prospective jurors. At 2:30 in the afternoon, after much debate, only 4 jurors had been selected. Action continues today at 9 am. If all goes well, we'll have a full write up in this Friday's Communicator.
  • April 30 am Spring is baseball time in Clayberry. Last night Clay Junior Leaguers beat out Cowen in a game called due to darkness. 2 1/2 hours of action! Free too. Get out of the house and watch a game soon.
  • April 29 am Big time forest fire was responded to Monday afternoon on Delbert Davis' farm on Upper Falling Rock Road. Scanner chatter started around 3:45pm. Clay/Kanawha Foresters, Lizemores FD and the Clendenin's Rescue Team responded along with a bunch of neighbors with racks and shovels. Late evening rain helped to stop the spread. Those at the scene commented that it sure looked like another case of arson.
  • April 29 am  Have you noticed all the trucks and cars parked along the side roads? Yesterday was the first day of Spring Turkey Season . Last year over 13,000 bearded Toms were taken. Season continues thru May 24th.
  • April 29 am The opening day of county baseball was rained out last Saturday. Action started last night over at Dundon Field. Tonight at 6, the older kids in Junior LEague ball hold their first home game over at the Maysel Community Park.
  • April 29 am Is that weed whacker pooping out? Lawnmower hittin and missin?  Held over to Norman's place over on our home page, click STIHL
  • April 29 am This was posted on the WV PSC site

    • 0630-PWD-PC              CLAY-ROANE PUBLIC SERVICE DISTRICT   NEW CASE: 04/25/03     EFFECT DATE: ..     ORDER SHOULD BE ISSUED BY: .
         PETITION FOR CONSENT AND APPROVAL OF EMERGENCY TAX-EXEMPT LEASE- PURCHASE FINANCING ARRANGEMENT
  • April 29 am CLay Roane PSD needs for PSC OK before purchasing that $8500 computer software. Oppps.... They've already bought the package. How could that be?
  • April 29 am In the last edition of the Communicator came the Danny Workman story. Workman was arrested two Saturdays ago while beggin for quarters on the Rite Aid parking lot. We have an update, cute too.
  • April 29 am Workman now has a legal beagle on his side , attorney Ernest Skaggs. Mr. Skaggs filed paperwork Monday. Skaggs has asked that Magistrate Mike King be recused ( taken off the case) because King's secretary Lisa Slack is married to the arresting officer. Something Lisa hired by King making King have bias toward Deputy Slack. Pretty cool angle!
  • April 29 am And And And... Attorney Skaggs has asked for a jury trial. With that jurors on board, Danny could capture the sympathy vote and walk away clean. More details this Friday in the Communicator.
  • APril 29 am Be sure to Check out the new Don Samples listing on CLASSIFIED.
  • April 28 am With the sun shining big time and the temps warm, time to get out and enjoy the day. Here is Clayberry, it's quiet. No major public meetings and no major FUBARD to speak of. Nice change!
  • April 28 am Yesterday afternoon the 13 - 14 year old Little Leaguers put a hurtin on Gilmer County in the rain delayed Double Header. Last week the High School team made it 9 and 1. We're off and running baseball fans. The Little LEague schedule is now posted over on the ADVISORY page. Come out and enjoy.
  • April 28 am For some time now (since 1998) WV has made public via the State Police web site, a sex offenders list. That link is over on our LINK page. Last week (April 16th) the WV Supreme Court agreed to hear a case where three men have asked that their names NOT be made public. Something about, they did the time and that's behind them now....
  • April 28 am Tomorrow, the Vince Golosow trial starts up in Roane County. Golosow is accused of killing Judson Reid and dumping his body over on Pisgah Ridge last fall.
  • April 28 am  You know what time it is? It's time to brag about test scores and how wonder our school system is and how much the gazillion dollar Levy is helping. Of course, recent national reports indicate that WV's school system is ranked 41st in the nation. That's 9th from the bottom. More details as the week goes along.
  • April 27 am  Rain wiped out the baseball action yesterday. The 13 - 14 year old Little League game has been moved to today at 3 pm and moved to Gilmer County At Glenville. Worth the drive, double header!
  • April 27 am Ditto for yesterday's Super Saturday action at Dundon Field. Rain turned the place into a swamp.
  • April 27 am Sure don't want our international clickers to think the Town of Clay has settled down any in the last few days. Friday night, the 25th, young thugs got into a shouting, cussing match across from the Gino's Pizza and carried over to Maysel Manor where cops dispersed the crowd of misfits. Seems a cat fight was imminent.
  • April 27 am Today is the Minora Ramp Dinner.  Details on the EVENTS page.
  • April 27 am  New pictures added to the This & That and  Gob Pile's Garden sections on the PHOTO link, this site.
  • April 27 am  Remember Deputy Kevin Delk, the guy that left the Sheriff's Dept. and headed over to the State Police Academy to become a Green Shirt?  He washed out. Gone.  Who knows, maybe Town Chief of Police Buckshot Butcher may have a side kick before long
  • April 27 am Let's see now, last week... Here goes.
  • April 27 am  Last Thursday, the 24th, our three blind mice met in regular session. With Commissioner Bragg off fishing instead of doing his paid duty, Triplett and Sams held the fort down at the County Commission meeting: For the many that applied for the janitor opening, interviews are next Wednesday. Probably the juiciest discussion was over Clay Roane PSD and how  they are buried in financial doo doo reaaaaaaaaaal bad.  Also, with many many camps, homes, and businesses falling to the arson torch last year and with more, three this past week, already up in flames this Spring, discussion turned to the need for the County Commission to offer or at least match other reward opportunities.  Queen Shoals PSD clickers... the CCC voted to accept the resignation of your Board, Tom, Shirley, and Toon.
  • April 27 am Our Solid Waster Authority met at 6 pm last Thursday. Last meeting long time Chair Kelly Fulkerson got pretty steamed up and resigned the position. This meeting, County Commissioner Peter Triplett was voted in as Solid Waste Chair with Leawanda Whaling accepting the Vice Chair slot. Well funded? Yelp? In the last 18 months, while under the hands of Fulkerson, the Solid Waste gang went from spending every penny to their name to nest egging around $18,000.00. Additionally, the group snatched up a nice grant, funding a recycling program and a job for Lynn Sizemore Romano.
  • April 27 am Of Course the Mother of all Meetings was later last Thursday when the Clay Roane PSD board came together for fun and games. We've already posted the part about being absolutely broke with over $30,000 in debt load and buying an $8,500 puter software program without doing ANY ANY ANY formal bidding!  But wait there's MORE!
  • April 27 am Remember last time around when the Clay Roane gang agreed to pay contractor Phillip Linger for his efforts after and only after other stuff got paid? Didn't happen. New Boardster Larry White Ok'd Linger's check before long overdue hospitalization premiums were paid. Chair Postelwait was steamed.
  • April 27 am Town of Clay officials made the PSD meeting and straightened Clay Roane out on the issue of the Town NOT providing water service when asked. Did we say King Arthur, Wanda Chambers, and Betty Murphy were firm?  Firm as concrete... the Town had NOT denied the PSD service and to say otherwise was a big fat fib. With the PSD already owing the Town over $4000.00 for water purchased, Town elders were firm about something else: We'll supply you water but you MUST pay the bill or the Town will shut you off!
  • April 27 am Again a call was made for a formal audit of the PSD. Again the PSD said they were too poor to pay for an audit of where all the money is going. Again, the PSD was asked: Why do you still make water when it costs $4.77 to make a 1000 gallons and you can buy it from the Town for just  $2.61. All the details in the upcoming Communicator.
  • April 27 am We'll have a new Elvis and David posting Sunday night.
  • April 25 pm  The weekend is here and there's stuff to do. One of Clayberry's best kept secrets is the Carbide Hunting and Fishing Club at the Southern end of the County near Glen and Laurel Creek near Procious.
  • April 25 pm Many remember the Carbide place as a private holding open to retirees from the Union Carbide plant in the Kanawha Valley. For many years now the Carbide camp has been open to anyone that coughs up $40 per year. Hundreds of acres, 12 acre lake, nice roomy lodge, spaces to set up campers and tents, open kitchen privileges, Bingo games every Saturday night.... not bad for just 40 bucks.
  • April 25 pm Last Friday and again yesterday, Laurel Creek was stocked with some nice size trout. We've got about 8 miles of nice secluded stream to room along. With the fish thick and sassy, it's time to wipe the dust off the pole, get some beer and go have some fun. Forget the grass cutting Saturday, make some free time.
  • April 25 pm While you're screwing off Saturday, take in the season opener for the 13 - 14 year old Little Leaguers over at the RT Sizemore Memorial Park at Maysel. Action starts at 2pm.
  • April 25 pm For up to the minute trout stockings, see our FISHING page, this site.
  • April 25 pm A week ago yesterday, Arthur Dale Morris of Bickmore stood before Magistrate Mitchell King accused of illegally taping into the Beechy Ridge Gas Co gas line. Prosecutor Daniel Grindo, representing the state in the case, alleged that Morris illegally used the heat source without an OK nor a meter to record the usage.... No $ Beechy Gas owner John Habjan. After the case was presented, a jury of his peers did some thinking for about 10 minutes before finding Dale Morris of Bickmore not guilty.
  • April 25 pm  Our panhandling, Shawnee Hills ( now Prestera),  resident Danny Workman hasn't been tossed out in the cold yet. He was seen walking the streets of Clayberry this morning. Sheriff Fields made it very clear Thursday evening, he wasn't about to allow Workman to continue his "begging for quarters" actions nor allow his potty mouth in public. Fields said Workman would be arrested and sent off to jail again if his conduct doesn't improve. Recently Workman cussed out Elk Power Manager Leonard Williams on the streets of Clay.
  • April 25 pm i know we promised an update on all the public meetings held Thursday around the county. They're coming, it's just taking a little longer than expected.
  • April 25 am Hello there Seniors. We see you sitting there on Main Street ready to eat your lunch.
  • April 25 am There was a bunch that went on during the County Commission, Solid Waste Authority and Clay Roane PSD meetings yesterday. Without a doubt, the  Clay Roane meeting gets the award for outrageous conduct and attitude
  • April 25 am As has been the case for years, Clay Roane is in bad shape. About 106% of it stems from poor management by the Board. Even with hefty rate increases over the last 20 months, debt load has increased to a critical point. Even bankruptcy protection didn't help. Are you ready clickers?
  • April 25 am  Last night knowing full well they can't pay their bills, knowing full well many bills are way past due, knowing full well employees are ready to loose hospitalization coverage (ready to lapse), the Clay Roane PSD Board voted to purchase an $8500 computer software program and do so without trying to ge the best price.   Yelp, without seeking bids, without even asking for more than one quote, and after going into secret time to decide the particulars during the last gathering, Clay Roane went into debt an additional $8500.00! Oh and here's the bestest part....
  • April 25 am When asked about not trying to get the best price before purchasing, PSD Chair Postelwait said that they didn't have to get bids according to state code!   Does this sound like history repeating itself? Doesn't this sound like the management quality of the old Ambulance Authority?  Go ahead and send in your email predictions on: When do you think Clay Roane PSD will go into receivership? When do you think they will fold?  Use address at bottom of this page?  Who gets hurt by poor management? Well.....YOU!
  • April 25 am We'll post over the next couple of days the coverage of the County Commission meeting and Solid Waste too.
  • April 25 am If you're trying to send that little brat off to summer camp, check the ADVISORY page for help.
  • April 25 am Due to the number of snow days this past winter, Clay County's Spring break was reduced to two days, yesterday and today, instead of the usual week off. Some folks can't understand why other counties ( Braxton for instance which got 20 days off for snow) in the state took longer Spring breaks after missing many more school days than us.
  • April 24 am  Word has it there is a big time huddle over at Prestera ( old SHawnee Hills) concerning Danny " Have you got a quarter" Workman. Workman sure ain't perfect, occasionally flipping the bird at folks and potty mouth here and there, BUT who hasn't done that?
  • April 24 am There is no excuse clickers!  Haul those ole tires over to the State Road garage now!  This is tire amnesty week.
  • April 24 am Suppose to be a little warmer today. Get out of the house and head over to the County Commission meeting today at 2 pm. See who gets hired and more. And all for free
  • April 24 am Come early for the best seat for the Clay Roane PSD meeting tonight at 7 in the CDC building on Main Street. As was the case 6 weeks ago, will more $ be found? With the decision made to cut overtime, how much additional overtime was heaped on expenses this time around?  Who's been out asking Elkhearst Road residents if they want water service and who asked the OIT to make the rounds and run up mileage expenses?  How come water operators have been out doing maintenance ( plant shut down) forcing overtime wages to run the plant late at night?  It should be one of those Oh Boy meetings for sure.
  • April 24 am It's been a good week for Mullins. Last week, Pam Mullins got the nod to be the new Valley Fork Principal with predictions around that CCHS teacher Michael Mullins  will be the next Ivydale Elem.
  • April 24 am  Those passing the never completed FIlcon building near Ovapa noticed a change this week. The entire end of the structure blew off. On the subject of buildings....
  • April 24 am Clay Roane PSD owns the old Newton fire house and plans to sell it for around $30,000.00.  Heck of a deal for anyone needing a huge metal building. Looks good too. There's little doubt that the building will command the asking price. The only question: How will Clay Roane PSD pee away another $30,000?
  • April 23 am  Lots of new pictures have been added over in the SPRING 2003 and the This and That sections on the PHOTO link
  • April 23 am And ramps are in the air. Appalachia's Spring tonic is up and smelling strong. Down in HE WHite Elem. school land, volunteers are working to clean and parboil the culinary delight in preparation for the County's Grand Daddy of the them all Ramp Feed, May 4. See EVENTS page for details.
  • April 23 am For those that eat ramps for a two or three days at a time, the "breakin wind" gases can be down right awful. With husband beside her and soundly asleep, the wifey got up twice in the middle of the night checking to see if the dog had crapped in the floor somewhere. The dog hadn't. That's how bad the odor can get!
  • April 23 am  We've got a County Commission meeting scheduled for Thursday at 2 pm. Plans call for Assessor Suzie Legg to ask the CCC to hire her some more help. If you're looking for a job, the CCC will be hiring a janitor tomorrow. Call up County Clerk Judy Moore NOW!
  • April 22 pm The Town of Clay did NOT NOT NOT notify us last Friday am about the Maysel water system pump blowing up, the upper Maysel tank going dry and the issuance of a BOIL WATER ORDER for water system customers. So while you've been drinking it, you shouldn't be. The BOIL WATER ORDER is in place!
  • April 22 pm We've got an update on panhandler Danny Workman who was arrested 10 days ago for doing what comes naturally for Danny, " Have you got a quarter?"  See last Friday's Communicator for details.  As for Danny getting arrested again for begging, Danny, "I know better now.."  Workman said he showed his Supervisor Chris Looney the recent newspaper coverage and the attached photo. According to Danny, Chris was none too happy, "She got mad".  Danny still feels that Prestera, the old Shawnee Hills treatment center, has plans to toss him out.
  • April 22 pm Big apologies to those that usually buy the Communicator at J & S Grocery at the mouth of Fola Road. Our fault. We forgot to drop off their papers Friday. They're there now and ready for purchase.
  • April 22 pm  During recent Clay Roane PSD meetings, mention was made that the Town of Clay would not sell them any additional water for resale. Not the case claimed town clerk Dwana Murphy today. as a matter of fact, Town reps will attend this Thursday evening's Clay Roane PSD meeting and tell the PSD just that. Should be fun clickers.  We'll provide full meeting agenda detail in the 23rd am post.
  • April 22 am If you up on the hill behind Foodland you can see the nearly done CellOne tower. Even the red light blinks. After months and months of stalling, the tower and service for the county is almost ready to turn on. Soon even Clayberry will have service like the rest of the world has had for 10 years.
  • April 22 am  And a great big internet hello to web site clickers in Phoenix (Angel), your sister in Tampa, brother in Las Vegas, and sure can't forget about San Diego too.
  • April 22 am  Duck WV resident Keith Duffield won an all expense paid trip to Las Vegas.
  • April 22 am  We posted yesterday about this being tire amnesty week in the county. The rules say you can bring up to 50 car and light duty truck tires ( none of the great big stuff please) in tot he office for disposal.  No excuse now clickers, take em over to Clark Samples and make your neighbor and road look ten times better.
  • April 22 am Remember about three weeks ago when Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks spoke out against Dubya's war? Fans burned their CDs, radio stations stopped playing their music and such?  Check out her apology over on the bottom of our ADVISORY page.
  • April 22 am Interested in buddying up to the new Dept. of Environmental Protection Big Cheese, Stephanie Timmermeyer? See the EVENTS page for next week's gathering.
  • April 21 am Greetings early morning news hounds. This looks to be a quiet little week in the heart of the Appalachian mountains. But whatever the case, we'll try to keep you posted
  • April 21 am This is the week to clean up that winter load of old tires. This is tire amnesty week at the State Road. Bring em over to the garage  at Two Run for proper disposal instead of throwing them over the hillside.
  • April 21 am Need a couple of guitars? Check CLASSIFIED page
  • April 21 am  Guess what state has lost the most businesses in the nation? Yelp, it's us at the top of polls again. Between 2000 and 2001 WV lost 637 establishments. Over 1/2 of WV businesses have less than 4 employees and it's those businesses that pooped out the most.
  • April 21 am Raise your hand the last time a county or state official came around and asked," How you doing? Is there something we can do to help?"  Let me count the hands...  that's a.... over there?... nope not there.  Not one hand went up. It's a lot easier to keep current employers than to find new ones.
  • April 20 am Bernice Bea Burkhamer, see FUNERAL page
  • April 20 am  A very Happy Easter to you and yours. Whether local or around the world, you are appreciated.   Now here's a way to get in good if you're planning on buying one of those nice big riding lawn mowers, outboard motor, ATV or the like. Take the Mrs. over to Town and Country Diner on Main Street for a sit down complete with linens. No dishes to wash and while she's happy, mention the need for the big purchase. Good Luck
  • April 20 am Our local elected School Board doesn't often play by the rules.  This week, they met on a Tuesday night away from the public. There they selected Ivydale Principal Michelle Paxton to be the next Vocational School Director. Also came the announcement that Pam Mullins will be the next Principal at Valley Fork Elem replacing Mike Schoonover after their choice boy ( Roger Miller) bailed out on them.   Now for the next round of changes. Who will replace Ms Paxton at Ivydale?
  • April 20 am Something else we never got around to from earlier this week .... Barbara Schamberger got her first day in court with her lawsuit against the County Commission and Prosecutor Daniel Grindo. Schamb's main contention was Open Meeting Law violations during the selection process of Grindo. In her complaint she came up with about a gazillion other issues to tie them in knotts.
  • April 20 am During the Wed April 16 hearing, Special Judge Ronald Wilson threw out a bunch of the charges including the one mentioning Judge Jack Alsop was a part of the back door dealing and the one that would have barred Grindo from practicing while the case was in court. Wilson left the main charge of Sunshine Law violations and another,  discrimination. The CCC  is not out the woods yet!
  • April 20 am Now we're not attorney's BUT the judge kept saying "as a matter of law" instead of "findings of fact". Not sure what the difference is ( if any) but the parties have around 25 days to send in more paperwork before a full blown hearing can happen.
  • April 20 am Wonder what the Ashland Fed Correctional Center Easter Celebration looks like? Wonder if they all get out on the golf course and look for brightly colored Easter eggs. Can't you see JD out there with a pretty bonnet on?
  • April 19 am We've made it the weekend clickers.
  • April 19 am Tattoo Vince Golosow, the alleged shooter of Judd Reid, got his first day in court Thursday April 17. His full blown trial begins April 29 in Roane County.
  • April 19 am The dirt hauling and compacting continues across from Foodland where the new Ginos is to be built later this year. We've got word that negotiations are under way to house a Pizza Hut in the old Gino's spot at Two Run. Last time Ginos had any local competition, they started offering home delivery service. Maybe a Pizza Hut will again force the service.
  • April 19 am  Something interesting to note over at the defunct Filcon site near Ovapa. Earlier this week a portion of the big pile of dirt was removed from the site. About four weeks ago, locals mentioned that someone with a back hoe and dump truck was removing gravel. The site is marked off with yellow "DO NOT ENTER" tape and is under lock down while the court battle over property rights continues.
  • April 19 am This week's front page Communicator article lays out the Elvis Dawson Dave Starcher feud and shooting. Be sure to pick one up soon. Last edition sold out real quick at Go Mart Two Run. Behind the scenes, the Starcher side has asked for and received a domestic violence petition on Elvis Dawson preventing him from seeing his kids and having guns around.
  • April 19 am After a month of killing in Iraq and after spending billions to rid the world of weapons of mass destruction, IE: killer gas, not one speck of evidence has been found there. Maybe after spending an equal number of billions to rebuild the country, Dubbya will restore Saddamn to power. Remember if the glove don't fit, you must acquit!
  • April 19 am So how does the world find out about Clayberry? Well certainly over 2400 of you read the Communicator and another 20,000 check this site each month. There is a much bigger portal for info, the hurherald.com site run by Bob and Diane Weaver. You might want to check out their perspective on Clayberry's crime wave currently in progress. Click HELLO TROUBLE
  • April 18 pm TGIF and the best part!!!!!!!!! The Communicator will be on the news stands around 4:30 today. Wonder why Danny Workman got put in the can while the mongrels that kicked Crow continue to walk the street? Good juicy details in this paper
  • April 18 pm  The arson bug is back. Wed evening two camps along Elkhearst road near Procious burned.  The Green Shirts are investigating according to Charleston papers.
  • LATE April 17 pm  This one can't wait. Tuesday April 16 at 4:15pm a black truck pulls up in the Rite aid parking lot and young adult jumps out and clobbers James McCune Jr. with tire iron. Blood running. McCune wrestles away the tire iron and puts the whammy to the first man. Gashes, lumps and more. The guy in the black truck speeds off as the ambulance is flagged down by Rite Aid customer Lisa Slack. After the first guy speeds away, after ambulance treatment is refused by McCune, just coming on duty ( 4pm) Deputy Miles Slack arrives on scene.
  • LATE April 17 pm Is it the water? It is the preservatives in the food? This was broad day light.... the quiet streets of Clayberry, tire irons a flying! More as we get it. in Friday's Communicator!
  • April 16 pm Just a little post and link that is very interesting for those watching for updates on local murders and missing persons. In the Braxton County newspaper, there  is  short article on Feds and Deputies arresting Ovapa area resident William Billy Hayes. According to the article , Hayes squealed and provided some valuable information on the death of two women, one from Roane and one from Clay County. Clay County? Who are they talking about. Can anybody help us out? To view the Braxton Citizen's News story click ARREST COMING and read the left side, near the bottom article.
  • April 16 pm We're in "typing mode" for Friday's Communicator. Don't expect more postings until sometime Friday evening. Thanks for your patience.
  • April 16 pm Before we get to the David Starcher shooting, something to pee you off reaaal bad. When panhandler Danny Workman was arrested last Saturday, he had $20.50 in his wallet. When he left the Flatwoods jail Sunday, he left with just 50 cents. According to Jail procedure, if the inmate has 20 bucks on him, the jail takes it as a processing fee. For many people, 20 bucks ain't much. For folks in the shape Danny is in, $20 is a bunch! Go eat a Rolaid and come back clickers, we have hot news!
  • April 16 pm 8pm   Just got word, around 7:45 pm Elvis Dawson shot David Starcher in the shoulder.  Dawson and Starcher live along the main road near Big Otter. Many people notice Elvis' home as the one with all the "anti" Mary Starcher plyboard signs out front. We're trying to piece together the early details, here's the way it sounds right now.....
  • April 16 pm  David Starcher bolts over Elvis' fence with a knife shouting " I'm going to kill you!!" Elvis goes in his house, comes out with a gun, maybe a shotgun, and pulls the trigger. BLAM! Starcher is hit in the shoulder.
  • April 16 pm  Starcher makes it back home, maybe a football field or so away, and comes back with his gun. Somewhere near Elvis' home, the bleeding Starcher gets his weapon wrestled away from him by several folks including Bobby Woods.
  • April 16 pm   Here's the keeper clickers, word has it that attorney Barbara Schamberger's name is on a "hit" list.  Hit list. Someone hired to shoot her! Schamb has represented Elvis in the previous court proceedings.
  • April 16 pm If memory serves us right, David Starcher has a brandishing a deadly weapon conviction under his belt while reckless endangerment charges are currently pending in the Court system for Elvis Dawson.
  • April 16 pm The plan was to post this evening on the Schamberger vs the County Commission hearing and the plan to bring in a Pizza Hut  business at Two Run. Too bad, that'll have to wait until we get the shooting incident squared away. Check back Thursday afternoon for more.
  • April 16 am We're half way thru the month of April. Did you get your tax returns in by midnight last night? No? You're in deep stuff clickers! Dubbya wants that loot. Liberty Tax Service down in Clendenin  might be your only hope now.
  • April 16 am Today at 1 pm Clay Development Corp (CDC) meets on the ground floor of their Main Street digs in Clay. Those meetings are once again open to the public
  • April 16 am At 2pm today one time Asst. Prosecuting Attorney Barbara Schamberger will have the Courts attention as she presents an opening volley against our County Commission and Prosecutor Daniel Grindo. Schamb alleges that the CCC was way out of line when they appointed Grindo to office instead of holding an election after Prosecutor Davis resigned Nov. 25, 2002. Should be an interesting affair. With temps heading into the 80's, head over to the CDC meeting and the Schamb hearing, both held in air conditioned comfort.
  • April 16 am  During the last two Clay Roane PSD meetings, water user Tracy Metheny spoke out on his high water bill. Metheny said he wasn't about to pay $80.00 for one months' water service when in fact he had been charged for air running thru his line. After being told his bill would be reduced just $11, Metheny said he would pull the water meter and start using his old well.  Since then, Metheny went to the plant to show office personnel his canceled ( paid for) checks which indicated his faithful payment for services over the years only to be told to leave.  Have we mentioned Metheny ( and Mother) are real peed.
  • April 16 am It's ever so >

    • Transfer interrupted!

    Jerry Linkinnooooger to maneuver behind the scenes, make the deals away from the public, and then have them  look good in front of the public.  A few days back Link hired Roger Miller from the Roane County Board office to be Principal of Valley Fork Elem. The Board backed his decision. After all the maneuvering, Miller has bailed out and Link is without a Valley Fork Principal again.
  • April 16 am In this Friday's Communicator we'll have employee salaries from the Clay County Health Dept. and Clay County PSD.
  • April 16 am  Back five years ago our County Commission hired (from a $100,000 grant from CAEZ) McKenzie Engineering to do 911 mapping and addressing for the county. With cash in hand, McKenzie was to have the contract completed in a  few months. Now years later, the county is still waiting.
  • April 16 am Gov. Wise is now reporting a $15 million state wide deal where the every county will get 911 mapping and addressing. Wonder what will happen to the money this county paid up front for the service? Wonder if McKenzie will be contracted by the state to do  the same work again?
  • April 15 am  Ann Walls  see FUNERAL page
  • April 15 am  Walk over to the PHOTO page and click Make It Shine to see young and old working hard and having some fun too, last Saturday. A whole bunch more pictures have been added to the Spring 2003 page as well.
  • April 15 am Have your heard, " They're growing like weeds!" While it's true our pimple faced teenagers are growing in many ways, for one at least, the brain hasn't kept up with his body.
  • April 15 am Yesterday, at Clay Middle School, 4th block, a perfectly normal looking and up to now, perfectly normal thinking student decided to stick a steel music stand into a 220 volt wall socket! No he's not dead or even hurt for that matter. A humongo Booooom was heard and the music stand was blackened big time. The question  remains, "WHAT WAS HE THINKING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
  • April 14 pm  With the red bud trees in full pink/lavender bloom, the Spring season is lovely in Clayberry. We can set on our porches and take it all in. Not so for Danny Workman
  • April 14 pm Danny is the slightly slumped over Prestera (old Shawnee Hills) client oft seen around Rite Aid and the streets of Clay panhandling for change. The non violent Workman starts off with, " Can I have a quarter for a pop?" Although a pest, harmless.
  • April 14 pm The 52 year old Danny was arrested Saturday by Deputy Slack and taken off to Flatwoods according to Workman. He told us, Shawnee Hills would not go his bail. When asked, Danny said, as a result of the jail time, he had learned not to beg for $. There has been another change for Danny. Maybe due to his diminished capacities, Danny has had a set back from the incarceration. He is shaken, beside himself, he now stares off into the distance in the middle of a conversation, in a different world. While telling his story, it looked as if tears were close.
  • April 14 pm While it's true that Mr. Workman cannot be allowed to be a pest on our streets, there has to be a better way to handle the situation.
  • April 14 pm  This is Earth Week. See EVENTS page for Clayberry plans.
  • April 14 am  Greetings early morning clickers. It's quite now in sleepy Clayberry. There is a little bit of action planned for this week...
  • April 14 am  Barbara Schamberger has her first day in court this coming Wed at 2pm.  Schamb has taken the County Commission to Court over the way they appointed new Prosecutor Grindo after Prosecutor Davis resigned. Schamb alleges that state code mandates the calling of an election to fill the vacancy, Should be fun. Stop in Wed for the view.
  • April 13 am Arizona, you think you've got it nice? How about you Naples, Ft Myers and beyond?  Here in the county, the county that has been left behind by the rest of the world, it lovely. Sun so bright it makes you squint with skies so blue it hurts. This is our day of rest, you know, the day we clean the yard, weed whack, pick up the last of the firewood and coal lumps, stake the rose bushes, and start cussing the deer for eating the yo>

    • Transfer interrupted!

    is none the less a gorgeous day with predictions of equally nice weather for the next few days. Spring is here.
  • April 13 am And now for the week that was......
  • April 13 am Both Clay County and Clay Roane PSDs met this week. The Clay County gathering lasted 9 minutes while Clay Roane's went over 3 hours. The contrast is not over the length of the meeting but the meetings themselves. Clay County PSD Chair Keith (Mr. Happy) King keeps the public at arms length, the public should not know anything about decisions until AFTER being made. No mention was made of the $70,000.00 new office building nor the formal complaint made against the building by the County Commission. No mention was made of the behind the scenes plan for Clay PSD to build their own water plant. Secrecy has always been  the doom that kills government. Secrecy is Mr. King's buzz word, has been and always will be.
  • April 13 am   After years of shuffling the paperwork away from the public, Clay Roane PSD's finances are so dismal, they no longer can be concealed. Much of Clay Roane's most recent meeting dealt with a debt load increasing by 25% in just one month. Increasing? We're not sure if it's increasing or the existing debts have just been made public. In any case, years of poor management and secrecy are now driving the local water service provider into receivership less than 28 months after getting out of bankruptcy proceedings. It appears that  our local leadership at both PSDs is less than than adequate.
  • April 13 am Over in School Board land, the background maneuvering continues as Super Linkinnnoooogger  seeks to place those loyal to his leadership into the newly opened job slots. While Link works behind the scenes to accomplish such, the kids were once again subjected to the rigors of SAT 9 testing. With the first 7 months of the school spent on teaching the SAT 9 instead of general education and with the SAT 9 finished, the school year is now over. It's time for field trips & movies for the students and photo opportunities & handshakes for Principals and Administrators as the distorted results come back showing how wonderfully prepared our youth of tomorrow are prepared. What could make it worse? Well ...  if the public ever finds out we pay the kids $ for good test results.
  • April 13 am And this week brought to an end, Joey Crow Smith sitting on the stone wall in front of the old Courthouse. After being kicked and beaten last weekend, Crow was taken to Braxton Hospital where he died a week ago this evening around 8pm. As for the thugs at least partly responsible for his demise, they continue to walk the streets of Clay unchecked. It is our understanding, no autopsy was performed by the State Medical Examiner. On the upside, locals have given generously to Crow's burial fund insuring  something more than a pauper's funeral.
  • April 13 am  This week General Ambulance Service was told to take a hike, their services are not  needed in the county. This week closed on  an upbeat note. Yesterday, bunches of high school  students along with caring volunteers met at Dundon Ball field and worked their buns off cleaning, painting,  sprucing, and removing tons of debris left along the roads by thoughtless Clayonians. The kids worked hard and were rewarded with pop, pizza, and $. The volunteers got to the see first hand, we do have a few kids ready and willing to work for a better Clay County. The work of the adults and kids is appreciated by many.
  • April 13 am As a final post for the weekend wrap, we've completed yet another week of Dubbya's sanitized war coverage on TV. While we pay to see blood and guts in John Wayne movie classics and Saving Private Ryan, our media moguls under the strong fisted guidance of Washington, continue to tell a pretty picture of success and happiness for Iraq devoid of any visuals on the carnage. America is happy to see the picture of one perky 19 year old blonde and even more happy to NOT know about the fate of 100s of others. Today, we love Dubbya.
  • April 12 am Here is Clayberry, the sky is overcast with drizzle all around. Great for the new cabbage and onions but not so pretty  looks wise.
  • April 12 am Today is graveside service for Joey Crow Smith. We received this last night: In memory of J. Smith     Consciously Speaking

    •     Where are we at?  Where has our decency gone?
    A man has been murdered and we sit back and yawn...?
        They say he was worthless, a drunken old fool;  I say
    dyin like that sounds unusually cruel.
        They say he was beaten; stomped, kicked and knocked
    down.  "Surely that wouldn't do it!" Police dismiss
    with a frown.
       I'm not so sure we've done what we could, seeking
    justice only for those deemed good.
       He once was a child, born like any other, just like
    you and I, he had a father and mother.
      Where he went wrong, that I don't know, but anyone
    deserves better than being killed blow by blow.
       Take out your Bible and read up on sin, I think you'll
    find murder listed in the top ten!
                                     Crystal Coulter  04/11/03
  • April 12 am  And there is an update on Crow.... A week ago we reported the news of his death. At the time we reported he fell down, busted his head, and died later. By last Tuesday we confirmed the kicking and beating incident at the hands of youth and one adult. On Thursday after talking to law enforcement and others, we reported again in attempt to soothe concerns that law enforcement was doing little.
  • April 12 am This post ain't so soothing clickers.   Unofficially but we think very accurate, as of Friday afternoon, NO AUTOPSY WAS PERFORMED ON CROW SMITH.  Yes we know that is contrary to earlier reports. NO AUTOPSY! A full blown autopsy cuts and guts including removing the skull cap. That hasn't been done. For those concerned over thugs going without arrest for their deeds, not having an autopsy report could certainly aid them.
  • April 12 am Had Crow not been the homeless hapless alcoholic that he was, had the dead person been a suit wearing leader of the community or some nice little ole lady, many feel, law enforcement would have been all over the case.
  • April 11 pm Greetings world to a damp shadowy Friday where low temps make locals look to the sky and ask," Wonder if we'll get one more snow this year?"
  • April 11 pm We've got a bunch goin' on Saturday over at the Dundon ball field. Beginning around 10 am, adults and kids alike will be giving the Little League ball field a new look. New paint, cleaning and a general spruce up. Free food at lunch time plus politicians. Well don't let that last note spoil your desire for free food. Just tell them you're a Republican and the elected folks will leave you alone. NOTE: They gave us a leaflet on all the happenings but somehow we managed to misplace it. Come out Saturday for some fun and much needed Spring clean up
  • April 11 pm Notes from Thursday's County Commission meeting: For those of you concerned about the high pressure 30 inch gas pipeline coming thru the Southern end of the county, never fear. Bob Orndorff from Dominion Gas said they would take care of every problem landowners may have AND just because the 1200 pound per square inch line is within feet of your house or kid's school, no problem!  General Ambulance Service wants to come in and operate an ambulance service for this county. County Commission told them to take a hike. 12 year veteran custodian Ann Osborne is resigning. Sounds like with all the CWEP workers removed from the Courthouse, Osborne sees the future workload unmanageable and is bailing out while the bailing is good. Get your application in now, pay is $5.15 per hour
  • April 11 pm  Last night's Clay Roane PSD meeting went over 3 hours. Clickers it looks bad! Finances have hit rock bottom. Defined debt load for the PSD is now $46,782.92.  Last month we thought they were in deep doo doo with a debt load of just $33,000.00. In that $46,0000+ : past due taxes and penalties of over $10,000.00; past due balances from  from every Tom Dick and Harry  including the folks that sell them chemicals to treat water ($1419.00), another supplier (Hughes) $1277.,  way past due hospitalization coverage $6000.00, and and and and ...    Remember last time when the PSD said they had insurance coverage as soon as they pay the premium? According to the Financial sheet, that $771.00 payment was due yesterday and had not been paid.
  • April 11 pm The contractor that does Clay Roane PSD's emergency repairs, Philip Linger? The guy that came out in cold temps to keep the water flowing? The guy that spends hours and hours trying to find the cut off valves, diggin' here and yonder in search of lines and the system in general? The guy that has a written contract stating that he would be paid the day after the first PSD meeting of the month? Mr. Linger was NOT paid his $3474.00 . Linger is real peeeed!
  • April 11 pm Ditto for the Clay County Bank loan from Feb. and March; the power bills that keep the whole system operating and even the payment to USDA ($3348.00) is due and there's no $.
  • April 11 pm So... is Clay Roane PSD in worse condition now than two years ago or do we just know more about their finances? Whatever the case, thru pee poor management practices and out of control spending and hiring, watch for a fourth rate increase to come very quickly and in the dark of the night.
  • April 11 pm  Hello Queen Shoals PSD. Remember when Clay Roane PSD took your system over and said they could make bunches of money when your local Board couldn't?  Clay Roane now wants rid of your system. By the way, for the latest from the WV Public Service Commission on your rate increase, click NEW RATES
  • April 11 am Mabel Triplett  see FUNERAL page
  • April 11 am We've got a bunch of news from Thursday public meeting action but .....  the Clay Roane PSD meeting didn't end until after 10pm. With sleepy eyes big time, the posting will have to wait until later today.
  • April 11 am We do want to take the time to post some info on the death of Joey Crow Smith. We had a chance to talk to Clay Chief of Police Buckshot Butcher and others about the kicking and beating of the 38 year old. Many in the community feel that nothing will be done about the death. Butcher said he has spent 30 hours on the case, taken statements, and Thursday morning, Officer Butcher turned in his report to Prosecutor Daniel Grindo for action.
  • April 11 am As for Crow gettin' planted without an autopsy?  Not so! According to Butcher an autopsy was done on Joey Smith. One other note from Butcher, Prosecutor Grindo has told him to keep his trap shut. With little else coming from Butcher.......
  • April 11 am So we went around the corner for other sources albeit no as reliable.
  • April 11 am It is our understanding that the medical examiner's report will NOT show a bunch of kick and beating marks.. that in fact, when the results are formalized,  it is believed the cause of death will be the drunken fall last Saturday night, well after the thugs beat the crap out of Crow.
  • April 11 am For you international clickers that haven't made it Clayberry ... That's Joey Crow Smith  pictures on our home page. Picture courtesy hurherald.com. Thanks Bob Weaver
  • April 11 am Just waking up?  Tummy feeling a little empty? Like waffles? Big blueberry waffles oozing with butter and syrup?  Got just the place clickers. Head over to Town and Country Diner on Main Street. As good as Mom's but without all the lectures to get your hair cut, sit up straight, don't talk with your mouth full, don't pick you nose at the table.....
  • April 10 am  Remember Bob Ore? The Republican that ran against Commissioner Sams last time around? Came within 300 votes of beating Sams? He moved down to Clendenin a month back and is now running for Mayor down there.
  • April 10 am Yesterday morning those seeking commodities, some on crutches , some hobbled with age, were lined up down the sidewalk and into the street waiting for the handouts from the Multi Cap office on Main Street
  • April 10 am At 2 pm today we have got a pretty full agenda for the County Commission agenda. If you're one of the people against the high pressure 30 inch gas line coming thru the county, Bob Orndorff from Dominion Gas Co speaks at 2:10. If you're interested in the Commission giving away another $30,000.00 to the CAEZ for lame economic development, that happens at 2:30. How about ambulance service?  As they say on TV. "It's in there!"  2:45, General ambulance makes a return visit to the CCC meeting.  Don't miss it, sure to be fun.
  • April 10 am This evening at 7 in the senior center on Main Street, Clay Roane PSD meets in regular session. The last several meetings have lasted hours and hours. This meeting's agenda appearing to be much shorter but who knows ... With calls for a rate increase, with no budget completed, with yet another water leak, no money, etc., anything could happen.
  • April 10 am New Town Cop Buckshot Butcher made his first DUI arrest. The lady blew 2.3 on the scale!
  • April 10 am And for all the friendly clickers that know deep in their hearts, the ACLU is dirty rotten communist orgainzation that kills babies and wants to overthrow this country, see ADVISORY page for the latest press release
  • April 9 LATE pm  Sadly we report the passing of Mabel Triplett this morning at home. After serving years and years on this earth and after raising children that have all gone on to be good quality, model citizens, it just couldn't have been done any better. Funeral arrangements as they become available.
  • April 9 pm  We've added some new pictures over on the "This and That" section of the PHOTO page.    Check the ADVISORY page for lost dogs, new post. We got a deal on nice sounding home, see CLASSIFIED page
  • April 9 pm After  months of teaching the test and teaching kids how to guess better on tests, this is the Mother of All Tests, the SAT 9. Students in the county began yesterday and for some , will finish up today, for others, the SAT 9 concludes Thursday.  Ever hear of a pep rally for a test? You have now, our High School held just that Monday.
  • April 9 pm Of course school ends tomorrow. Did you know that? True True True.
  • April 9 pm Instead of a quality  liberal arts education, one that would benefit the future of America, our kids, Clayberry schools as well as most other WV schools, have spent the year covering material relating to the SAT 9. Forget stuff that kids could use later on in life. With the testing nearly finished, the rest of the year can be spent on field trips, movies, parties, days off for good attendance and the like. All we have to do now is wait for the SAT 9 results. Nothing makes the School Board gang happier than to get the test results, manipulate the findings into something that makes them look good, and then passing out the sugar coated remarks in press releases and PTO settings.
  • April 9 pm This year, over $13 million will be spent on the school system, not for  education but rather preparing for the SAT 9 so Clay County looks good on paper and looks good in comparison to other poorly functioning counties in the second worst performing state in the union.
  • April 9 pm Clay County Commission and Clay Roane PSd meet on Thursday. We'll post late this evening on those meetings.
  • April 9 Helen Louise Beasley, see FUNERAL page
  • April 9  We've learned a little more on the Sunday evening death of  38 year old Joey Crow Smith.  Now it's nothing official but after talking to  a couple folks, here's what we think happened.
  • April 9 Sometime last week, Crow got out of jail. Friday April 4 in late afternoon, he was seen heading toward Pisgah with a 24 pack of Dr Pepper. At 6:10, in the Rite Aid parking, a group of 5 thugs including at least one adult, kicked and beat the stuffing's out of the local alcoholic. A lady from Rite Aid came out, yelled at our local hoodlums, who ran off.
  • April 9  Sometime after the beating, Crow made it to the stone uprights in front of the old Courthouse. From behind, a male Cashed in on the opportunity to sneak up on Crow and a number 10 shoe clobbered the hapless just below the collar line sending Crow tumbling into the street.
  • April 9  On Saturday the 5th, Crow, once again or maybe still drinking, fell down the steps of the shack he lived in hurting his head still further. After law enforcement decided NOT to arrest him, an ambulance took him to Braxton Hospital.
  • April 9 On Sunday, with  blood leaking on the brain  and much blackness around the eye sockets, Joey "Crow" Smith died around 8 pm. Now, the very people that walked around him, would not even acknowledge his existence nor give him a bowl of soup, feel much better,  feel like good upstanding citizens by handing out 5 dollars toward the cost of his casket.
  • April 8 pm  The Clay Roane PSD Boil Water Order for Newton, Ovapa, Wallback areas has been lifted effective 10 am this morning.
  • April 8 pm   Through out the county word is spreading that Crow Smith  didn't die from falling out his Pisgah home window. Several have said that local thugs beat the begeebees out of him earlier Saturday evening. We're tracking down the sources. As of 1 pm Tuesday, nothing can be confirmed other than Joey Crow Smith is dead.
  • April 8 pm Clay County PSD Chair Keith King knows how to hold a meeting. THis morning's gathering lasted a total of 9 minutes. Some commented that this may be a record for Clayberry. Not so, when Jeff Krauklis was running the old Ambulance Authority, a 7 minute public meeting was held.
  • April 8 pm  As for the meeting itself, King said he had not even talked to engineer GReg Belcher about the $20,000.00 feasibility study for their own water plant.
  • April 8 am Greetings all. Have you got your fence up around your gardens? You better! Cabbage, broccoli and other young plants make for yummy munches for deer.
  • April 8 am Today Clay County PSD meets in regular session at 10 am in the basement office complex of the old Courthouse.
  • April 8 am Not Bad Gifts is offering 20% discounts to military personnel.  They've added nice looking gold nugget watches and reduced the price on frosted vases. Click the button on our home page to view.
  • April 8 am Superintendent Link wants School Board meetings to be short and sweet with discussions done away from the public.  When parents show up, there is always the chance something could go against game plans. You can tell when things aren't going according to the plan, our Super starts twisting  his ball point pen end for end as his crossed leg bats in the breeze up and down. Such was the case last night as several parents came to voice concerns over school bus driver Gary Tanner.
  • April 8 am  The complaints came in over harsh dictator style punishments for minor infractions. Discrimination and preferential treatment issues were cited.  In the hot seat Tanner fussed with paperwork. The meeting lasted an hour and one half.
  • April 8 am We've got a new Principal at Valley Fork Elem. Name: Roger Miller. With many scratching their heads, Miller is leaving a Board office job in Roane County to take the Principal post. As for a new Vocational Director announcement.. didn't happen. It appears that Super Link hasn't quite got all the little cards lined up and get his pick in that high paying slot. Whether Michelle Paxton gets the nod or someone from outside the county, we'll have to wait two more weeks. Brian Collins is heading over to Clay High as LD teacher over the objections of Boardster Gene " We don't have to go by the policies" King who wanted Caroline Taylor to have the position. Full details in the next Communicator.
  • April 7 pm Joey "Crow" Smith was often considered a stinky eye sore for the county as the 38 year old alcoholic staggered the streets and haunts. Last May as regional papers blanketed the county detailing Filcon and JD Morris, Crow made the front page of the Charleston Gazette.
  • April 7 pm Saturday evening Crow fell somewhere out Pisgah way and was rushed to the hospital. Sunday evening, April 6, around 8 pm, Joey Smith died. Burial funds are now being donated at Town and Country Diner on Main Street.
  • April 7 pm Today was motion day for Circuit Court. Motion day is the time the courts and lawyers get their game plans together on upcoming trials, what will be said and not said during trails. Sort of laying the ground rules of battle. One of the more interesting trials coming is Kathy  Taylor vs Wilson Funeral Home. Kathy is owner of Kate's Floral and the case stems from when she was delivering flowers to the funeral home. On a wet spot, instead of busting her hind end, she says she busted her knees. At the time she also operated a 2 story bed and breakfast on Main Street.
  • April 7 pm With attorney's going at it pretty strong, over 20 rules for the conflict were established this morning, and after saying they doubted if an out o court settlement could be reached, trial is set for April 29, 9 am.
  • April 7 pm EMergency responders over in Nicholas County are after 911 Director Dave King's hiney. Responders are asking the Nichols County Commission to remove King from appointed office. See ADVISORY page, this site for the latest news release on the issue.
  • April 7 pm Did you know Clay County has a mountain bike club. Yelp. Organized by CCMS Band teacher Doug Wayne. The teams did well last weekend in the Mountwood Race series. See Hurhearld web site for pictures and write up of the efforts. Click MUDTRASHERS
  • April 7 am Good morning. Take a second look at your clock, you may be more behind than you thought.
  • April 7 am Do you know Danny? The guy on the streets of Clay always asking for a quarter? Danny was seen yesterday afternoon in Rite Aid with a campaign badge on his shirt reading: Jeff Boggs for Sheriff 2004.
  • April 7 am  Lots going on this week around the county. Today is motion day over in Circuit Court. Action is free and starts at 9 am.
  • April 7 am This past weekend, the TSA kids from Clay High and Clay Middle opened up a can of whoop butt  in  state competition at Cedar Lakes. Clay walked away with bunches of 1st place awards. Looks like 40 students from CCHS and CMS will be heading to National competition in Florida this June. Cost? Unreal! Greyhound bus charges will $1000's. Watch for the plea to come during tonight's School Board meeting beginning at 6 pm for county funds.
  • April 7 am Let's see now, CCHS Principal CIndy Willis took a  big time Board office job, CMS VP Phil Dobbins took Cindy's place at CHS, Joe Paxton  from HE White took Dobbins slot at CMS, and Bunny Taylor took Paxton's old Principal job at HE White.
  • April 7 am With Valley Fork Principal Mike Schoonover retiring and Clay High Vocational Principal Connie Schoonover retiring as well, there's two slots for our elected Board to wrestle with behind the scenes. Although Joe Paxton just moved to the Middle School, will he get the nod to move over to the much higher dollar Vocational opening???  Tonight we'll know and post.  Let's make an out of the blue prediction, where is that drum roll????  Ivydale Elem Principal Michelle Paxton will get the wink to take over one of the vacancies.. Since the Paxton's live just a few feet from Valley Fork Elem,  Michelle to Valley Fork.
  • April 7 am Lets talk about something that really pees Clayonians off. Back 9 years ago, the Clay Sewer Plant was funded and construction began. Engineer Greg Belcher told Council, for rates to stay low, they had to add a bunch of new customers in the Maysel area. Of course that didn't happen and almost immediately, sewer rates when thru the roof. With way less than 400 customers today, and the sewer plant account barely staying in the black, watch for another economically crippling rate increase to come soon. Keep that in mind, here's the second part....
  • April 7 am Clay Roane PSD wants to build a water line extension project in the Amma/Left Hand area. That project, the funding, the ability to pay back the zillions in loans, and the ability to keep water customer bills low enough to afford, is once again based on a large number of new customers. During recent Clay Roane PSD meetings, it became public that several of those potential new customers no longer want to hook up to water and want their money back. Those customers have been told, No. To bail out now may jeopardize the entire project. They have been told, after construction begins, you can have $ back.  TRANSLATION:  After  construction begins, when it's too late for funders to take a second look, to turn back, those wanting refunds, will have their $ returned.
  • April 7 am Let's see now.... You need 300 new customers to pay off the Amma loans and only 250 decide to become new customers. Does anybody else see a problem?   Doesn't this spell a Big Arss Rate Increase making Clayberry water as high as WV Water in Charleston?
  • April 6 am  Before the weekend wrap up, see all the dirt being hauled in across from Foodland?  That's the location for the new Gino' coming later this year.
  • April 6 am And now for the weekend wrap up....
  • April 6 am Most of us were glued to the continuing TV coverage of Dubya's WW III. A happy point was the return of Wirt County native PFC Lynch. The down side, the 79 dead American soldiers with more coming. Many of us arm chair generals think the messy stuff is just beginning. News coverage is game like in nature and sanitized. For the flip side, from main stream government approved coverage, you might be interested in some independent coverage like UNTOLD  from the  COMMON DREAM web site. Book mark the second one for future reference.
  • April 6 am Here in Clayberry, the week began with snow followed by short sleeve temps by mid week. Flowers bloomed and ramps grew and grew.
  • April 6 am Early in the week that was, Clay Roane PSD had another blow out water leak forcing a Boil Water Order which is still in place for Newton and Wallback service areas.
  • April 6 am Tuesday's Town Council Meeting brought news of a need for a sewer rate increase if a new DEP suggested maintenance and operation program is implemented for the Log Factory ( sewer plant). Gene King suggested that perspective sewer system customers in the Maysel area would be happy to pay $100 per month for the service. Also on Tuesday, CAEZ voted to spend $10,000.00 on a feasibility study for an ATV trail thru strip mines in this county and on into Nicholas County.
  • April 6 am Wednesday's sunshine brought with it a new Town Chief of Police, Buckshot Butcher. Dressed in new blues, Buckshot has been on the job every night since.
  • April 6 am Yellow ribbons as well as American Flags went up around town and county. Thursday morning, pimply faced high school  and middle school kids headed off to state TSA competition at Cedar Lakes.
  • April 6 am Little public mention has made on the streets of a Thursday night shooting following a squabble at Two Run.
  • April 6 am Yesterday was a day to get the garden planted with onions, cabbage, lettuce, to throw in the last of the red pontiacs pntiacs and the ever present, cutting the **%%#!  grass. With recent "government" checks cashed, locals paid up their tabs at area grocery stores and gas stations and started new ones.
  • April 6 am  Behind the scenes, the school system gang is doing the behind the scenes arm twisting to get the right people into the new job vacancies within the old guard.
  • April 6 am Crusty ole Norman Wilson, recovering from surgery, was seen out and about this week.    Another cycle, winter, appears to be finally complete.
  • April 5 am Word is just hitting the street that there may have been a shooting Thursday night. Something about the freakus starting in the Ginos parking lot and ending up with a girl shot near  a car wash. We'll try to get an update later today.
  • April 5 am  After watching some very filtered TV news coverage of the Dubbya war, some in the county are realizing some contradictory "slants" from the Pentagon. For those wanting a different perspective on the war, click FILTERED
  • April 5 am  And some thoughts to ponder:   If you must choose between two evils, pick the one you've never tried before......  It is easier to get forgiveness than permission......    A conscience is what hurts when all your other parts feel so good ....   There is always one more imbecile than you counted on ..... Once over the hill, you pick up speed ... I love cooking with wine. Sometimes I even put it in the food.
  • April 5 am And finally, a cute little So Carolina story:   In a trial, in a small SC town, a prosecuting attorney called his first witness to the stand.   She was sworn in, asked if she would tell the truth, the whole truth  and nothing but the truth, on the Bible, so help her God. The witness  was a proper well-dressed elderly lady, the grandmother type,  well-spoken and poised.

    •       The prosecuting attorney approached the woman and asked, "Mrs. Jones, do you know me?" She responded, "Why, yes I do know you, Mr. Williams.  I've known you since you were a young boy and frankly, you've been a big disappointment to me. You lie, cheat on your wife, manipulate people and  talk badly about them behind their backs. You think you're a rising big  shot when you haven't the sense to realize you never will amount to  anything more than a two-bit paper pushing shyster. Yes, I know you  quite well."
        The lawyer was stunned and slowly backed away, fearing the looks on the judge's and jurors' faces, not to mention the court reporter who  documented every word.    Not knowing what else to do, he pointed across the room and asked, "Mrs.  Jones, do you know the defense attorney?" She again replied, "Why, yes,
     I do. I've known Mr. Bradley since he was a youngster, too. He's lazy,  bigoted, has a bad drinking problem. The man can't build or keep a  normal relationship with anyone and his law practice is one of the worst  in the entire state. Not to mention he cheated on his wife with  three different women. Yes, I know him."
          The defense attorney almost fainted and was seen slipping downward in  his chair, looking at the floor. Laughter mixed with gasps thundered throughout the court room and the  audience was on the verge of chaos.  At this point, the judge brought the courtroom to silence, called  both counselors to the bench, and in a very quiet voice said, "If either  of you crooked bas^#@** ask her if she knows me, you'll be jailed for  contempt!"
  • April 4 pm The Communicator made it to the  news stands around 4 pm. Get one while they're hot!
  • April 4pm Enjoy the weekend, have some fun, kiss the dog, rub the wife's belly.
  • April 4 am Boil Water order continues for Wallback and Newton areas of the Clay Roane PSD service area.
  • April 4 am Folks driving thru the Town of Clay yesterday may have noticed earth moving efforts at the site of the old Clay County PSD building. Some before the June 13th fire, old timers new the brick building as the Lorentz bldg.
  • April 4 am With Sam and Jimmy doing the sidewalk supervision, a back hoe went after it late into the afternoon. PSD Chair Keith King's plan is to install the already ordered $60,000.00 double wide trailer on the site. Sounds simple and straight forward enough? Not in Clayberry.
  • April 4 am Our County Commissioners have filed a formal complaint against the King plan. With so many " free" opportunities available, County Commission appears to be questioning such a costly purchase.
  • April 4 am Oh .... Did we mention as of 3pm yesterday the PSD did not have their building permit required by municipal law?
  • April 4 am During last week's Clay Roane PSD meeting, word seeped out that unless a big time past due AEP electric bill was paid this week, the water service providers power would be disconnected.
  • April 4 am Lots of good stuff will be on the news stands later today when the Communicator hits the street. For those following the DeBoard trial and now mistrial, 3 solid pages of court room coverage. How about those interested in the 27 indictment and arraignments? It's in there as they say on TV. Oh sure can't forget about Rose Cantrell's follow up article on coaching. Niceeeeeeeeeeee.
  • April 4 am WV's finest today on Clay FM programming including Dwight Diller. Diller encouraged and orgainized  Pocahantas County Middle School students to follow their traditional music roots. The rest is history as they say.
  • Don't forget , this Saturday is the big yard sale at HE White Elem school.
  • April 3 pm   Clay Roane PSD issued a BOIL WATER ORDER at 8 am this morning for Wallback and Newton. There was a big time water leak near the Wallback Post Office yesterday. DO NOT DRINK THE WATER BEFORE BOILING IT FIRST Clay Roane PSD water customers.
  • April 3 am  Back two months ago Mayor King Arthur Jarrett laid off our Town Cop, Tommy Myers. Four days later, Jarrett had three large hand carved wooden owls stolen from his Two Run homestead.
  • April 3 am  The owls have come home
  • April 3 am Somehow, thru channels, the owls have been found and returned. Seems the birds were sold to another and then found out to be stolen.
  • April 3 am So how is it that there was no mention of Mayor Jarrett hiring a new Chief of Police during Tuesday's Town Council meeting? According to Jarrett, " It's none of their D**** business!"  According to state code, the Chief of Police position is the only slot the Mayor can hire without a Council OK. We hope to have picture of our Chief, Buckshot Butcher in this Friday's Communicator.
  • April 3 am Today at 5 the Clay County Business Development Authority meet at the Courthouse. There has been no mention for many weeks of the proposal to buy the Kenton Meadows property at Big Otter for an Industrial Park.
  • April 3 am CAEZ is designated as our Lead Economic Development Agency. CAEZ receives $30,000 per year for their work. During a recent CAEZ meeting, it was noted that $22,000.00 of the 30,000 was spent on Administration.
  • April 3 am  Ever hear soul music played bluegrass style? You will today over on Clay FM. They've also got some new sounds from Pocahantas County native Dwight Diller.
  • April 2 LATE pm   Clay Roane PSD sprung a new water leak . This time the outage is near the Wallback Post Office. Chief Operator Bobby Burdette is on the job along with a host of others. According to the PSD Office staff, the leak is causing some low water pressure conditions within the system.
  • April 2  Clayberry can be a strange little place at times. Take for instance yesterday evening, the Town Council meeting. Not one word was mentioned about needing a cop, hiring a cop, advertising for a cop.. nothin'
  • April 2 LATE pm Today Mayor Jarrett confirmed that David "Buckshot" Butcher was on the job, is the new Chief of Police, and would be working during undisclosed hours. Around 3:30pm today Mr. Butcher was seen sporting his new police trousers, badge, belt and gun.
  • April 2 LATE pm   Mayor Jarrett said he was giving the Chief the one bullet he would be needing.
  • April 2 pm Just two days ago we had freezing temps and snow galore. Today is blue skies, sun everywhere, and 70 degrees.  We've added a bunch of new pictures from last Sunday's snowfall on the SPRING 2003 PHOTO section.
  • April 2 pm Last night Central Appalachia Empowerment Zone (CAEZ) voted to hire a coordinator to begin a $10,000.00 feasibility study on building an ATV course thru miles of Clayberry back country.  FInally, the appointed ones are looking at tourism for the future of the region.
  • April 2 pm  Our county's telephone lines were afire last night as word spread that Wirt County's PFC Jessica Lynch had been found & rescued, alive and mostly well. Full details from the Hurhearld click GOOD JOB
  • April 2 am  Wasn't April Fools Day fun. Well ....  fun for some
  • April 2 am Yesterday evening, Clay Town Council met in regular session. Council is about to enter into a new program (soon to be mandated by the DEP) for the operation of the Johnny Woooofter Log Factory, that's the sewer plant. As explained to the group by Chief Sewer Operator Larry Chafin, some things need to happen. Stuff like grease traps for businesses, too much rain water from down spouts going into the sewer system, and the need for either more customers or are you ready??  Higher sewage rates. Dive Dive Dive!!! Alert!!!
  • April 2 am Does any of this sound familiar. It should. As the new sewer plant was opening five years ago, these very items were brought to the Council by both the operator and Chapman Technical's Greg Belcher. Back then, Chief Operator Bonita what's her name, we forgot, said so much grease was the lines, the darn place was clogging up. Greg Belcher's original plan called for sewer line extensions to be added to the Maysel area creating more payers. Something about the plant needing all the poo it could get for it to operate properly. Last night the same issues surfaced again.
  • April 2 am Back five years ago, Bonita's grease thangy and Belcher's comment were hotly contested by Council. Back then as word spread that Mayselites would be soon be added to the  very expensive sewer customer base, a bunch of the Mayseltons showed up for a Council meeting and protested any extensions.  Back then, only Maysel restaurant operator Nancy Nelson supported the sewer line extension.  At one point in the meeting yesterday, Gene King loudly boasted that many in the Maysel area would gladly pay $100 per month for sewer service.
  • April 2 am  Our only municipality in the County, Clay, has yellow ribbons ties to about everything not nailed down.
  • April 2 am   Famous quote from Jay Leno "Iraq began destroying those missiles they don't have over the weekend.   See,  President Bush may be the smartest military  president in history. First,  he  gets Iraq to destroy all of their own weapons. Then, he declares war."
  • April 1 am Today at 4 pm Clay Town Council opens their once a month public meeting. If you're keeping track of the turmoil our Southern border colony Clendenin is in, maybe Clay ain't in such bad shape. Other than an 18 month period of poor management by that Mayor, ole what's her name..... the town has been in a positive cash flow posture.

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