AUGUST 2003 News

  • Aug. 31 am The Boil Water Order for Maysel and Varneytown continues. Don't drink the wa wa without boiling it first.
  • Aug. 31 am Happy Labor Day Weekend. Usually along about now, we offer up a weekend wrap up of the previous week's highlights. Not so this week as we're taking a day off. Look for the wrap post Monday evening  before dark.
  • Aug. 31 am  here in Clayberry the rain came hard this morning. By early afternoon most of the wet stuff was gone with temps in the mid 70's, not a bad day after all.
  • Aug. 31 am In Dubya's oil war, the body count continues. For those interested in when and where all our soldiers were killed click A TOTAL LOSS
  • Aug. 31 am And the ones we don't talk about, those nasty people who sit on all our oil in Iraq. For that death toll click, THEY COUNT TOO
  • Aug. 31 am One more thang before taking our holiday off, during Thursday's Clay Roane PSD meeting, the Board decided to sell their Newton building, the old Newton Fire Dept. building, for whatever they can get out of it. When they tried to get a  $30,000 minimum bid for it during an auction, not one offer came, not a penny. For those interested in a warehouse type metal building or maybe buying the metal structure for a body shop or auto repair center, it would be perfect.
  • Aug. 30 pm Boil that water Maysel and Varneytown! The Town of Clay issued a Boil Water Order Saturday morning around 9 am. Last night some of the maysel booster station pump gaskets decided to take a hike which resulted in the lower Maysel storage tank high and dry.
  • Aug. 30 am  happy Saturday morning.
  • Aug. 30 am  Carolyn W. Smith, 76, of Maysel, see FUNERAL page
  • Aug. 30 am  Hard to believe but the underdogs, Clay High beat the pants of Nicholas county 36 to 7.   'Should have seen Austin Mitchell run like a deer! Great way to start a season!
  • Aug. 30 am  Before get to more Grindo and other justice goes astray postings, how about some stuff from Thursday night's Clay Roane PSD meeting.  Almost caught up with past due debts, the local water service provider voted to increase salaries of full time employees by 2%. That's everybody except Bobby Burdette who remains on a  probation period after getting caught away from the plant while collecting pay $.  Clay Roane is also looking to buy a new truck in the near future. Chair Postelwait is looking for best deals after Boardster Glenn Sutton told them they wouldn't need to competitively bid the purchase
  • Aug. 30 am  And one more little note from Thursday's meeting... during last week's Communicator coverage of the last PSD meeting, mention was made of Roy Ellis seeking 2 water taps. During Thursday's meeting, another 8 to 15 taps have been requested for the Blowin Hills area where locals will build their own line. Punkineers in the peanut gallery were pretty steamed up over "newbees" getting water ahead of them. the punkineer crowd has waited 20 years for water service in their area of the county, near Procious.
  • Aug. 30 am  And And And.. You know what time it is? Yelp, time to talk more trash about our newly appointed Prosecutor Daniel Grindo. Down below are the postings from his butt chewing earlier this week.  On  Thursday Grindo got it again from Judge Facemire. Putting it all together as best we could ( we weren't there Thursday): Grindo came to Court Thursday without completing pretrial "discovery" work. Facemire had earlier warned Grindo  of the foot dragging problem and on Thursday came back with something along the lines of: If you don't get this done and done post haste, you'll be paying the attorney fees for the Defendant's attorney Tom Whittier. Our sources indicate that Judge Facemire was NOT a happy camper. Needless to sayBraxton County native and resident, Mr. Grindo as he likes to be called, has had a bad week and most likely was more than happy to get out of this county for a weekend off.
  • Aug. 30 am  In a week where justice didn't work right,  remember back June 3rd when Tpr Bailey found two meth labs out Leatherwood.  Bailey arrested Allen and Lorie McClain  a day later. Those charges were dismissed by Prosecutor Grindo August 23.  No  No No Can't blame this one on Grindo. Bailey screwed up. Bailey thought the McClains and their lab was in Clay County and got the arrest warrants from this county. Truth is, the operation was around 1200 feet inside of  Nicholas County.
  • Aug. 30 am How can a green shirt be so far off? Bailey may have thought the county line was where the pavement stopped. Wrong!  the last time the road was paved by the State Road gang, they had some extra black top and paved into Nicholas County that 1200 feet or so.
  • Aug. 30 am Will Tpr. Bailey go after the two in Nicholas County Courts? Nope. No can do. With bogus Clay County search warrants and evidence found with the warrants, all that has to be tossed out and there's NO chance to reuse it in another jurisdiction.  The McClain's are absolutely free people like anyone else!
  • Aug. 29 pm The plan was to post some juicy info about a  local service provider operating in the county without a corporate charter and a little more on Grindo's latest court room problems. That'll have to wait..
  • Aug. 29 pm Look over on the home page. Do you recognize the counter top? Sure you do. That's the counter over at Go Mart at Two Run.
  • Aug. 29 pm  Notice the green bottle cap is still sealed. Now look real close inside the bottle, See what's floating on top? Yelp that's a miller bug. Inside a sealed container.  That bottle was discovered this afternoon  by employees at Go Mart before being sold.
  • Aug. 29 pm If what you can see looks bad just imagine what you can't see!
  • Aug. 29 pm Late tonight we'll post again.
  • Aug. 29 am  Leon Harold Holcomb, see FUNERAL PAGE
  • Aug. 29 am Big Hot Dog Sale for a darn good cause. See EVENTS page for details. We've also posted Jeff Davis' annual get together slated for Sept.  We posted a note two months back about Jeff and Homer Graham's oil exploration venture. When we last talked to Jeff, plans called for a big oil rig to be in place and the public was invited to watch that action as well.
  • Aug. 29 am  Queen Shoals PSD is back in the news with a Boil Water Order issued for several of the water customers there. The BWO was actually issued years ago by the state Health Dept. and was just reissued Aug. 25 2003 by JD Douglas. Back in the winter when Clay Roane PSD took over the Queen Shoals operation, Douglas rattled his saber about cleaning up the BWO mess in 45 days or else.
  • Aug. 29 am  This evening at 6 pm Clay High student and Clay FM audio technician Eric Greenleaf is hosting a live radio show where a bunch of the crappy new stuff kids call music will be aired. Ivydale's Anita Truman  will have a fling at the mic around 6:30pm. If you haven't tried listening to Clay FM, click the CLAY FM button over on the home page.
  • Aug. 29 am You know what today is in Clayberry? It's check day. Due to Monday being a holiday, all the government support checks arrive today. Town will be busting! We've got a story on that topic. Man from Texas walks into a diner, sees Jesus sitting on a stool, penniless, and buys him a cola. Later a fellow from Ohio comes in, sees the penniless Jesus sitting there and buys him lunch. Still later, a guy from WV sees him and buys Jesus a piece of pie. With all still in the diner, Jesus finishes the free meal, walk over to the guy from Texas , touches the man's shoulders, and says, " You're healed". With the guy from Ohio still there, once again  Jesus lays his hands on the gentleman and says, " You're healed". Seeing what was happening and as the Holy one approached, the guy from West Virginia jumps up and yells, " Stay away from me, I just got my disability check!!!!!!!!!!" Such is the way of much of this county
  • Aug. 29 am  Now that you've got that check cashed, how about a nice looking ride. Walk over to the HOP'S AUTO button on the home page. Reaaaaal Nice red Pontiac there with your name written all over it.
  • Aug. 29 am As a follow up on our Prosecutor and getting his butt chewed Tuesday, we're just getting word it happened again yesterday as his performance came into question before Judge Facemire. Will someone please buy Prosecutor Grindo a pair of suspenders. There's not enough hiney left to hold up his trousers!
  • Aug. 29 am  You might want to check back this afternoon when we post info: Clay Roane PSd giving out pay raises to the full time employees, Corporate Charter revocation of three local service providers in the county , and a case of a good drug bust turning sour real quick. Now if that doesn't get you back over here, nothing will .
  • Aug. 28 am  After a hot humid day like yesterday, the home page inset photo almost looks good. Picture emailed over by Mike the Bear Tracker
  • Aug. 28 am Today at 6, the Clay County Solid Waste Authority meets in their penthouse suit overlooking downtown Clay on Main Street. At 7 pm Clay Roane PSD gathers in the CDC building on main Street . Come and out and have some fun
  • Aug. 28 am Queen Shoals PSD is operated by Clay Roane PSD, has been for about 6 months or so. The WV Health Dept. ( JD Douglas) called another Boil Water Order for customers of Queen Shoals two days ago. The BWO applies to those with low water pressure. If in doubt boil water. Better safe than sorry!
  • Aug. 28 am Last week we posted info on the 25,000 pounds of food coming to Aid for Families in Need from the Feed the Children agency. We got an update yesterday, make that 35,000 pounds of non perishables for distributing around the state.
  • Aug. 28 am Last week we posted that Clay Development Corp was to meet. They didn't. CDC Chair gary Whaling informed us yesterday, the CDC Board of Directors will only be meeting quarterly unless a special meeting is called which hasn't happened ( that we know of anyway).
  • Aug. 28 am  Oh and something to stir you up.... Many of our local government bodies regularly open their show with  prayer.  Such actions are of course without a doubt illegal according to our constitution. Something along the lines of:  Let's not let the government tell us when, where,  and who to pray for, to,  and about.
  • Aug. 28 am Of course with Judge Moore and his "10"down in 'Bama  in the news  at least one other government agency has ben told to stop violating the separation clause. Click KEEP POLITICS OUT OF RELIGION
  • Aug. 28 am Judge Facemire all but told our Prosecutor Tuesday to get his act together and quit costing the county $1000s. The issue centered around Prosecutor Grindo not being prepared for trials and hearings. Judge Facemire was referring to three attempts to hold court , that's circuit court, and all the paperwork would not be in order. For those interested in the performance of Grindo over in Magistrate Court, there too our appointed Prosecutor has been less than stellar in crossings the t's and dotting the i's.
  • Aug.  28 am And yes there's more coming on law enforcement, cases being dismissed, and charges filed in t he wrong county in Clayberry. We've just got to go check out the record first. Check back this evening late or in the morning.
  • Aug. 27 am Clayberry had a visitor from New Jersey yesterday. Doug Landman bicycled thru the county on his way to California.  After telling some interesting stories of life on the road, off he peddled South on Rt. 4 heading to Charleston then on to Berea Ky. You can keep track off his travels on his web site and online daily diary. Click GOIN ACROSS.
  • Aug. 27 am  .... GRINDO: What we're talking about is the butt chewin given our newly appointed Prosecutor by Judge Richard Facemire. No No no not cussing or even finger pointing by the Judge but rather one of those rake it over the coals until the thing falls off type of dressing down. See yesterday's posting below for details.
  • Aug. 27 am While Facemire was going over the performance of Grindo, the smartly dressed attorney stood quietly. Never once a voice of disagreement. Grindo knew he had been caught costing the county $1000's for his dismal performance. Since Mr. Grindo was facing the Judge with his back side to the  peanut gallery, we could only see his ears and his ears weren't turning blue!  Must have experience getting yelled at by others.
  • Aug. 27 am Daniel Grindo has been the subject of much speculation since his appointment by Commissioners' Sams and Butcher last Dec. No No, he has all his teeth, dresses nicely and maintains a pedigreed look but, he got off to a bad start. Maybe just maybe what got him started off on the wrong foot in Clayberry was his very first day in office when he asked people to call him Mr. Grindo. Around here, first names do just fine.
  • Aug. 27 am Over the last 8 months, media coverage of his court room work has been less than upbeat. One of his first cases was lost even after having several witnesses testify a defendant drove a 4 WHD truck over the victim. In another, a welfare fraud case, our Prosecutor never produced a witness that could verify a live in arrangement that violated welfare rules. It's been a rocky road for the quiet guy, the new guy on the block! Mr Grindo is now broke in....
  • Aug. 27 am  Remember Eric Pierson? The guy who got caught jury tampering during the Peggy DeBoard welfare fraud case last Spring? Judge Facemire allowed a plea in the case. Intimidation/harrasment and obstructing an officer charges were dismissed while  the contempt of court charge stuck. For that one offense, Pierson will be on 18 months probation, pay court costs plus a $50 fine, do 60 hours of community service, and was sentenced to 10 days in the can. Facemire reduced the 10 days down to 1.
  • Aug. 27 am It's been a banner week in Clayberry and it's only Wed. Stay tuned clickers.
  • Aug. 26 pm Did your Mother ever give you one of those butt chewin's where she never said a dirty word and never got out the paddle  but when she was done you knew you were the slimiest thang to walk the face of the earth? Happened this morning to Prosecutor Grindo. No not  his Mother but Judge Richard Facemire!
  • Aug. 26 pm Scheduled this  morning were four court cases. Didn't happen. Grindo forgot to do his job. Facemire let it be known he wasn't happy and this was costly, that he had been here three times to get trials under way and each time nothing happened due to Grindo not being on the job and on his toes.  Facemire said each such day cost the county $3000.00.
  • Aug. 26 pm As for justice..... Two cases have already been tossed because Grindo forgot to call in the witnesses, another is ready to be tossed this Thursday, and a fourth has been rescheduled. TRANSLATION: Another 3000 in taxpayer dollars gone with nothing to show for it.
  • Aug. 26 pm We'll provide a fuller account in the am posts
  • Aug. 26 pm During yesterday's County Commission meeting, Commissioner Matthew Bragg made no mention that he no longer worked as a Summersville Police Officer. A call to the PD today revealed that he had quit last week and headed over to Gassaway for employment. Four times in the last three years, County Commission meetings have been re arraigned to meet Bragg's changing work schedule. the last time, in June, Bragg assured the public and his fellow Commissioners: IF you move the meetings to the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month, all will be good. With his new job the question comes: Will meetings be changed again?
  • Aug. 26 am  First the home page pics. That top photo shows a visitor ( all meetings open to the public) gandering on the top pew during the County Commission meeting yesterday. Middle picture shows Commissioner Bragg readjusting a hanging beside Commission Sams' 10 Commandment display at the Courthouse; and the bottom pic of the day is the red Chevy auctioned off by the Commission yesterday for $950.00.
  • Aug. 26 am  Remember Eric Pierson? Pierson was the juror during the Peggy DeBoard welfare fraud trial that got the case  thrown out of court by calling up Ms DeBoard during jury deliberations. Pierson and three other cases will go to trial this morning beginning around 9. Judge Facemire will be handling the gavel duties.
  • Aug. 26 am And today is the day those little pains in the you know where have to go back to Elem. school. It feels better all ready!
  • Aug. 26 am Now for the juice. Much media attention has been paid to Alabama Judge Moore's 10 Commandment display. We've got our own illegal display posted by Commissioner Sams during his last successful election bid. That pic on the home page shows Commissioner Bragg trying to straighten up a historical frame (as Sams called it) beside the 10. Unlike Judge Moore who says the "10" are 100% religious, Sams commented there wasn't anything religious about the 10 Commandments.
  • Aug. 26 am Posted below are Bragg's comments about Prosecutor Grindo fibbing to the CCC during hiring back in Dec 2002. Based on what Commissioners have commented during recent meetings, Prosecutor Daniel Grindo has a long road to hoe. word is spreading that Grindo got his butt chewed last week over performance issues like subpoenaing witnesses.
  • Aug. 26 am also during yesterday's CCC meeting, Queen Shoals resident Frank Kish asked the boys up front to refund money he coughed up to change all the addresses mandated by new 911 addressing. Kish asked the CCC to establish a fund so all poor Clayonians can get address changes on driver's licenses and vehicle registration. Bragg and Triplett said they would think about it for a while.
  • Aug. 26 am In the last edition of the Communicator, we didn't have space for the school board notes for Aug. That coverage is now posted over on the ADVISORY page.
  • Aug. 26 am  And what were you doing last night at 8:30?  Town water maintenance man Terry Traub was out working at the Maysel pump house.
  • Aug. 25 pm talk about a dandy County Commission meeting!!!!!!!!! First the bad then the cool part
  • Aug. 25 pm   Commissioner Bragg forgot about the meeting and was waaaaaaaaaaay late. With just Peter Triplett on site and with Commissioner Sams laid up after knee surgery, with no Bragg, no quarrel .... we mean no quorum Several things were covered during the regular meeting but as the meeting ended, and after talking with Prosecutor Daniel Grindo on his request for an Asst. Prosecutor, Bragg, .....I am not really interested in helping that boy [Grindo]...... He lied to us like a dog....... Sounds like a pure lie .."
  • Aug. 25 pm  Bragg was expressing his view on Grindo NOT following through on promises made to the County Commission during the hiring process back in Dec 2002. Be sure to check back Tuesday for more details on this, Frank Kish's request to have the CCC cover the cost for residents who have to change their drivers' licenses, vehicle titles, and such due to 911 address changes finally coming to Clayberry, and the auction of a nice looking 1991 Chevy truck today by the CCC.
  • Aug. 25 pm  One other teaser,....  Clayberry received a $7500 grant for the Prosecutor to hire someone to handle domestic assault issues against women. If Grindo doesn't get into gear by Aug. 30 2003, those bucks will have to returned to the Feds!
  • Aug. 25 am  Sorry for the late update, Frontiernet our local provider was down for much of last night.
  • Aug. 25 am This is it. For teachers, it's the last day before those nasty little snots show up for school. For kids, they're down to the wire as well. Summer is over.
  • Aug. 25 am Today in Clayberry, County Commission meets at 10 am followed by a 11:30am auction.
  • Aug. 25 am They're auctioning off not a bad looking 1991 4WHD pick up.
  • Aug. 25 am Prosecutor Grindo is marked as an agenda item during the CCC gathering. Should be fun. Come out and enjoy the morning.
  • Aug. 24 am  That's Clay Roane PSD maintenance man Dale Deems on the home page. and now for the weekly wipe. This was the week to loose summer. With teachers already back to work, we know summer is gone. The change is in the air.
  • Aug. 24 am Over  the last few days, there's been a change in the future for water service for the majority of Clayonians. Clay Roane PSD says they're ready to send the Amma Left Hand project to bid as does Clay County PSD and their Lizemores, Tucker's Bottom water line extension. The Town of Clay voted to change their part of the triangle and instead of build a new water plant, their spend $1m to improve existing water lines and increase storage capacity. Sometime in the 4 months, watch for the Town to apply for $ to build a scaled down plant to serve the county's needs.
  • Aug. 24 am  Aid for Families in Need Director Kate Whiteker handed out 25000 pounds of food to needy families
  • Aug. 24 am In an attempt to cut expenses, CAEZ voted during a special meeting to increase salary expenses by adding a new employee and reduce the full time Director to part time status
  • Aug. 24 am Long time CCHS teacher Bruce Cunningham was named Clay County Teacher of the Year  while one time Superintendent Jim Dawson was given the "Friend of Education" award replacing JD Morris. Ahhhh .... JD wasn't around this year to shake hands.
  • Aug. 23 am  The Communicator made it to the news stands Friday afternoon around 4pm. Lots of info on the Town of Clay accepting $1 million in grant aid for water line upgrades and the latest on the Return of Buckshot Butcher to the Top Cop spot. Get em while they're hot
  • That's the guy Charleston police officers are wanting to question about the drug war killings two weeks ago
  • Aug. 23 am Lots going on today in and around Clayberry. Check out the EVENTS page for details on the Clay FM fund raiser  and more
  • Aug. 23 am  Get well wishes to Frank Murphy.
  • Aug. 23 am For our international clickers, yesterday around noon, heavy rain and thunder rattled windows all over Clay. Heavy heavy down pours drenched everything.
  • Aug. 23 am With teachers already back to work and kids dreading  the return to school, fall is coming quickly. Garden tools are quickly giving way to splitting wood, filling in pot holes, covering pools and other activities readying for winter. Sad.
  • Aug. 22 am The Boil Water Order for Maysel water customers in the Town of Clay service area, has been lifted. It's safe to drink wa wa again.. or so they say
  • Aug. 22 am Those home page inset pictures are from Tuesday's 25000 pounds of food give a way distributed by Aid for Families in Need with food courtesy  of the international Feed The Children fund. Full details in today's Communicator
  • Aug. 22 am So who's the teacher of the year? None other than Bruce Cunningham.   And who was picked to replace JD Morris  for the Friend of Education award? Jim Dawson got the nod. Last year's recipient, JD,  wasn't there yesterday to shake hands with the new winner.
  • Aug. 22 am Over 200 parents attended last night's Clay Middle School Open House
  • Aug. 22 am We spoke with Sheriff Fields Thursday to get the latest rumor update on bodies floating in the Elk... There ain't any but for the complete story, you know where to look, the paper comes out about 2pm today
  • Aug. 22 am You  might want to listen in this morning to the live broadcast over on Clay FM . Local musician Adam Burdette will be  handling the mic with tunes airing from Burdette's new CD.  To listen, click the CLAY FM button over on the home page.
  • Aug. 22 am CAEZ Director Jerry Sizemore is now part time Director Sizemore thanks to actions taken yesterday during a special Board meeting. Full details today and you know where. Cost is just 50 cents and worth every penny!
  • Aug. 21 pm Don't forget this afternoon's 1 pm Special CAEZ Board meeting. Something may be up clickers
  • Aug. 21 pm Tonight , 5 to 6:30pm , Clay Middle School is holding an Open House for all new students, parents and those interested in what's going on  in the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade world
  • Aug. 21 am  Delmer Ray Shamblin, Sr., 64, see FUNERAL page
  • Aug. 21 am A great big first day back to the teachers and service personnel. With teachers back on the job, soon, not soon enough for some of us, the snot lickers will be back in class and out of our hair!
  • Aug. 21 am First day back is always pep talks and other words of encouragement from  Administration. Last year, Superintendent Linkinoooooger came up with a special award to honor his good buddy. The Friend of Education Award was created and given first to JD Morris. Remember JD? That was Aug. 2002 and even as JD Morris was giving his first day words for strength, the Feds had already cornered him and his confession of stealing from locals and the Clay County Bank was already secretly documented. My how a few months can change things in Clayberry.
  • Aug. 21 am Last night around midnight Town Chief of Police, Buckshot Butcher was heard responding to a disturbance on the scanner airwaves.  In the last edition, the Communicator reported that  Mr Butcher was "let go" from his volunteer Top Cop spot by Mayor Arthur Jarrett. There are still a few copies of that last edition around the county. Better get one before they're gone. You'll need the background info before the new edition and the "Return of the Buckshot"  hits the stands this Friday afternoon.
  • Aug. 20 am  The Boil Water Order for Maysel continues today. Boil it before it goes in your mouth!
  • Aug. 20 am  We just got an email from Erma Cottrell ( use to live at Ivydale) with a birthday wish for John and Mike Cottrell
  • Aug. 20 am CAEZ is holding a Special Board meeting Thursday Aug. 21, 1pm. Something is up. At last Board meeting came big concerns over Director Sizemore working on a  part time basis and adding a $25,000 a year side kick Connie Leperdus.  The special meeting will deal with personnel matters. Might be a keeper readers.
  • Aug. 20 am Now this going to take some time to digest but, yesterday Clay Town Council held a public meeting followed by a Special Council meeting. During the hearing Ms Negley encouraged the leaders to get off their duffs and make a decision on the money setting in limbo for 8 years and unused since the collapse of the regional water plant project. Engineer Hildruth advised the anointed ones of a new plan to use $1million to rebuild water lines near the Maysel booster station, add a 50,000 gallon storage tank, valves, fire hydrants and such.
  • Aug. 20 am After hearing plan, Council voted to proceed with the new deal
  • Aug. 20 am  Heard all this before? Sound familiar? It ain't. Get this, all the Federal bucks are in the form of a grant!  GRANT!  That's right, freebee! No pay back!    $1M!
  • Aug. 20 am  Unless some real bodies show up in the Elk, the FREE DEAL will be the lead story this Friday in the Communicator.
  • Aug. 20 am Listen in to Clay FM's web broadcast Wed morning beginning around 9:15 or so. On air personalities Eric Greenleaf and Anita Truman will host the 1/2 hour show featuring local news, event updates, and more.
  • Aug. 19 am   All Town of Clay water customers in the Maysel area BOIL YOUR WATER. BOIL WATER ORDER ISSUED Aug. 18 at 2:30pm
  • Aug. 19 am  Notice the new gas pumps at Go Mart Two Run? Yesterday, the gas for regular drip was $1.53 until noon. By afternoon the price jumped to $1.69!
  • Aug. 19 am This afternoon at 3:30 is a very important hearing at Town Hall. The issue open for public comment is the behind the scenes change made to divert Fed $ to water line  and storage tank improvements instead of building a new water plant in Clay. Now's the time to get some answers on: How will this affect the many water line extension projects through out the county; what upgrades will the existing 60 year old plant receive; why change the scope of the project now; and, how much will the improvements cost the customer. Don't miss this one clickers!
  • Aug. 18 pm BOIL WATER ORDER BOIL WATER ORDER issued for Maysel area today at 2:30pm. The Town of Clay supplies wa wa to this area of the county. 'Main line blew out in front of Maysel Manor. The upper Maysel tank was just half full at 3pm.
  • Aug. 18 pm   If Clay Roane PSD buys water from the Town of Clay Tuesday, they too will have to issue a BWO.
  • Aug. 18 am Last weekend we noticed some **$# over achiever getting an early start hauling firewood for this winter. Hate to admit it but summer is all but gone.
  • Aug. 18 am Not Bad Gifts, button over on the home page, has an interesting little item, a fart machine. Worth a look.
  • Aug. 18 am This week there are plenty of public meetings to enjoy like tonight, our school board gang meets at 6 pm. Also, Tuesday is that little known, and even less talked about,  Town hall hearing at 3:30. About four weeks ago engineer Jim Hildruth let the cat out of the bag when he said that the Town was working on a "change of scope". It appears the town is wanting the Fed's to allow them to spend $ on something other than a water plant.
  • Aug. 18 am Wednesday should be a Clay Development Corp meeting on Main Street at 1pm. Back in June the group was to hold a general member meeting where the by laws were to be changed to formally allow the public to attend monthly board meetings. Since last winter CDC Chair Gary Whaling has "informally" allowed the public to be present
  • Aug. 17 am   Last week opened with the failure of Clay Roane PSD to sale their white elephant, the old Newton Fire Dept. building. Just two days after newspaper coverage of Buckshot Butcher being asked to resign from the Clay Chief of Police position and just 2 days after Mayor Jarrett announced that the next cop hired would be certified and trained, Buckshot was seen back on the job with blue lights flashing.
  • Aug. 17 am   Last Monday, our County Commission met at their new time, the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month at 10 am. The meeting times were changed to accommodate Commissioner Bragg's work schedule in Nicholas County where he works as a ticket writer.  One  problem, Bragg was a no show.
  • Aug. 17 am After getting the stuffing's stomped out him by Green Shirts in April 1999, Salisbury Road resident Bob Thorne agreed to an out of court settlement just days before the scheduled Aug. 19 Court date. Thorne asked for $5 million for damages.
  • Aug. 17 am Last Thursday evening, Clay Roane PSD Chair Mellisa Postelwait announced they had garnered enough signed agreements to proceed with ' Bidding" the long overdue Amma Left Hand water line extension project which is suppose to serve 60 families in Clayberry and over 240 in Roane County
  • Aug. 17 am County Commissioner Jimmy Sams stepped in a hole while feeding his dogs and tore the crap out of his knee which demanded immediate surgery.
  • Aug. 17 am  On Friday, the river search for a floater was canceled. According to Sheriff Fields, all the efforts of emergency service crews may have been for naught. It now seems the floating body thing was the product of over imaginative kids in Clay
  • Aug. 17 am  Friday evening, and emergency meeting of the Clay Democrat Committee was held to elect a replacement for republican Garrett Samples who resigned in Dec 2002. No decision made and no replacement found.
  • Aug. 16 am Great Big Greetings to the Class of 83 in town for their reunion over at CCHS.
  • Aug. 16 am As for all the search parties and the rumor of a body floating down the Elk ...... We talked to Sheriff Harald Fields Friday afternoon. Acording to Sherif Fields, a bunch of boys were behind Foodland and reported seeing something floating in the river last week. By Monday, four days ago, a boy at Hartland contended he hooked a body while fishing but the corpse got loose.  Search parties were called to action. Even Clendenin Fire Dept worked the river damaging their boat in the process. Fields confirmed the use of helicopters. The boys later told authorities , high water washed body bags into the river from a Braxton County Funeral Home.
  • Aug. 16 am No body or bodies have been found and according to the Sheriff, the whole thing was just the imagination of the boys. No body, no body bags, nothing washing from a funeral home in Braxton,  and no missing persons in Clay or Braxton Counties. Fields said he was glad this was just a hoax and it's something they have to deal with regularly.
  • Aug. 16 am If it ain't raining, the  non profit radio gang will be hosting a junk and hot dog sale today at the Two Run station accross from Go Mart. Stop in and support. All proceeds go to a keg party... just kidding, they're trying to buy a high dollar FM transmitter for the 101.7 frequency.
  • Aug. 15 am  Yesterday's birthday boy Commissioner Jimmy Sams didn't have such a nice day. Wed evening Sams slipped and fell while break dancing... while feeding his dogs and tore the crap out of his knee. How bad? He's having emergency surgery on knee. All screwed up. Best get well wishes to Commissioner Sams
  • Aug. 15 am There's an emergency Democrat Executive Committee meeting tonight , at the Courthouse, at 6:30pm  Agenda calls for the filling of the Garrett Samples vacancy. Emergency meeting?  Garrett left the county back around Christmas and rules call for committee members to be residents of the county and district they serve. Samples ( Father in Law to Jimmy Sams) was a registered Republican for years and once ran for County Assessor under the Republican banner
  • Aug. 15 am Over on the home page , the top inset is Clay Roane PSD Boardster Dave Saulsgiver and lower, Janey Keylon, AKA: The Wire Hired Lady. Both pictures taken last night at the Clay Roane PSD meeting
  • Aug. 15 am Remember back in June when Clay Roane said they were out of debt? They're not. Last night they had money enough to pay $11,000 of $24,000 owed creditors. Four weeks ago they also announced they had enough signatures for the Amm Left Hand water line extension project to go to bid. hasn't happened yet. Seems there are still more details to clear.
  • Aug. 15 am Clay Roane held an auction last Saturday to get rid of their white elephant, the old Newton Fire Dept. building. No  bid was heard on the well publicized event. Last night the Board decided to try again and this time without the $30,000 minimum bid.
  • Aug. 15 am WV Water Co gave a pitch four weeks ago to provide water service to our county. So far, our County Commission has chosen not to follow up on the idea. WV Water has put in for  16.4% rate increase request. If approved, 4500 gallons of treated drinking water would cost: $42.17. Doesn't that sound high?
  • Aug. 15 am Here in Clayberry that locally supplied water from Clay Roane and Clay County PSD's would run $50.00. A public hearing will be held on the increase Sept 8 in Charleston.
  • Aug. 15 am Check the ADVISORY page for details on Federal Government bidding opportunities.
  • Aug. 15 am Clayberry has rumors all over the place of a body floating down Elk River. The story goes: On Monday a small boy at Hartland saw the white tee shirt clad man with cowboy boots floating in the muddy wa wa. Monday evening at 5pm, rescue trucks were spotted near the Camp Creek bridge. Rumors have continued with some saying State police choppers were combing the river Tuesday and Wed. Other speculators speak of a drug deal gone bad and the man on the short end of the stick ending up in the Elk.
  • Aug. 15 am Other than actually seeing the rescue crews at the bridge Monday evening, no clue as to a floater, if there is a floater or if the small boy was just trying to get attention. We'll do some checking today and report back
  • Aug. 15 am  Yesterday afternoon Donna Carte was arrested and charged with wanton endangerment with a firearm. She did not make the $30,000 property bail. She's charged with firing a pistol four times apparently at Kiota Williams and Lori Hamrick who were riding in an S-10 pick up  from the Dille area of the county. Deputy Miles Slack provided the badge services while Magistrate King held the gavel.
  • Aug. 14 am   Patrick H. Stover, see FUNERAL page
  • Aug. 14 am  Happy Naval Day ( the day he got his naval) to County Commissioner Jimmy Sams. Doesn't look a day over 70 !
  • Aug. 14 am This evening at 7, Clay Roane PSD meets in regular session at the CDC center on main Street.
  • Aug. 14 am  BIG news this week. no  no no, not more crap on Grindo..... During Tuesday's Clay County PSD meeting, Office Manager Cindy Schoolcraft announced that they had more than enough names to go ahead with bidding the long stalled Lizemore Tucker's Bottom water line extension project. Schoolcraft said she had already contacted engineer Greg Belcher for directions on the next step. Maybe all the efforts of the  Lizemores "We Want Water" group are finally paying off .
  • Aug. 14 am  Kate Whittaker heads up a non profit group called Aid for Families  in Need and has announced her agency will receive a tractor trailer load of free food next Tuesday at 10am. That's 25000 pounds of hand outs! Whittaker's agency  serves 6 counties directly. The Feed the Children organization is supplying the non perishable goods. Distributors for Clay County's portion  are: We Care; My Brother's Keeper, Christian Service Center; Queen Shoals FG Church; and the schools.
  • Aug. 14 am  And stuff to think about: The average mouth produces a quart of saliva every day; Donkeys kill more people annually than plane crashes; Venus is th e only planet that rotates clockwise; the average life span of a major league baseball is 7 pitches; and Michael Jordan makes more money from Nike annually than all of the Nike factory workers in Malaysia combined.
  • Aug. 14 am  Sometimes change comes quietly. Little notice has been given a public hearing set for Aug. 19, 3:30pm at Town Hall. The hearing is to discuss a change in how the Town of Clay will use the millions of dollars ear marked for a new water plant. The new deal calls for $ to be spent on water lines and tank upgrades instead of a plant. Make a note on your calendar, this one is important. Watch for more back room changes to come soon.
  • Aug. 13 am  Plenty of corn now and the mild peppers are coming on strong
  • Aug. 13 am Back last Dec., our County Commissioners, Sheriff Fields, Prosecutor Jeff Davis and Commissioner Elect Peter Triplett interviewed candidates for the Prosecutor opening.  Based on conversations after the interviews, candidate and now Prosecutor Daniel Grindo told the group four things: He would run for that office in 2004; He would move to Clay if he got the position; he would not have a private practice ESPECIALLY in the Courthouse; and. he would not need an Asst. Prosecutor.
  • Aug. 13 am Assuming we've got that right.... Now 8 months into office, Mr. Grindo  hasn't moved to Clayberry; He has a law office in Braxton County; and has asked for help in the form of an Asst. Prosecutor.  As for running for the office in 2004 .... Well, during Gassaway Days, a few weeks back,  Daniel Grindo participated in their parade with a great big sign on the side of his vehicle. No it didn't say running for office but it might as well have said that.
  • Aug. 13 am One of the other candidates for the opening, Dan Dotson was asked if he would move to Clay if selected for the post. He said he wouldn't.
  • Aug. 13 am How about a Bob Thorne update. Thorne settled his police brutality civil case against Green Shirt Troopers' Ronald Arthur, Marshall Bailey, Russell Crane and Christopher Wiles earlier this week. No one knows the amount of settlement yet ( he wanted $5,000,000.00) but the guess is, Thorne's allegations of getting stomped in the head thirty times by an officer's boot heel  must have had some foundation. Remember the April 3 1999 incident? Acting on a tip of  an observation from a Civil Air Patrol fly over, Tpr Bailey organized the late night drug bust for meth amphetamine along aided by 7 other officers. Thorne was arrested after a gun battle and according to the hard of hearing Thorne, during our interview with him, got beat all to H.
  • Aug. 13 am We almost forgot one cutey from the bust. After doing their arrest, the Green Shirts ran off and left the evidence setting on the front  porch. A day later they came back for the goods only to find Thorne's dog had eaten the evidence! According to the deposition taken from Mr. Thorne he was not drinking nor had used pot or meth amphetamines the night of the bust. Drug bust? The powder turned out to be baking soda!
  • Aug. 13 am Now it gets a little shaky here clickers, but as we remember... Our Prosecutor chose NOT to take a case of "Wanton Endangerment with a firearm" to Grand Jury but Tpr Bailey did and got the indictment against Bob Thorne. Later  ( real fuzzy here readers) Circuit Court found him not guilty. Something along the lines of:  It's the middle of the night, unknowns break down your front door all the time yelling and screaming... Who in their right mind wouldn't open up on the thugs with a hand gun?
  • Aug. 13 am  We've got more we need to post clickers, like the pictures of the pulverized Thorne so come back later. Also when you return, we'll post info on the $25,000 of free food coming next Tuesday! And And maybe even a tidbit of CDC Board member Jimmy Duffield resigning from office.. something about distribution of a  Frig and stove  with Duffield coming up on the short end of the stick!
  • Aug. 13 am Oh Yell.... we'll get to yesterday's Clay County PSD meeting where all appears to be a green light for the Lizemores, Tucker's Bottom water line extension project.
  • Aug. 12 am  Go get a cup of coffee, this post is going to take a few minutes. And Yes the Tomatoes are finally turning red. In addition to the mortgage lifter on the home page, those are freshly dug red pontiacs and kennebacs just out of the dirt. If your interested in fresh tators, see classified now, only about 10 bushels to sell.
  • Aug. 12 am About 2 years ago The Communicator provided first hand details of a drug bust up Ivydale way. Back then a crew of in county and out of  county State Police clad in military drag gave double H to hard of hearing and asleep Bob Thorne. During the drug bust Thorne got the crap beat out of him. Broken jaw, broken this and broken that as the hauled his broken butt off to the can.  Family members complained that the Green Shirts denied the 70 something year old medical treatment.  As an explanation for  the broken Thorne, word came that he had just "tripped"  over a wheelbarrow.
  • Aug. 12 am And the undercover cops were so proud of their find in the kitchen. Many bags of white powdery stuff. The only problem was.... the bags contained corn starch not drugs.   Later this week was  scheduled the trial. It's been canceled and an out of court settlement has been reached. Not sure how much Thorne will garner from the green shirt misdeeds but we'll make some phone calls and post
  • Aug. 12 am Yesterday our County Commission met at their new date and time of day. This was the third change of meeting times to accommodate Commissioner Matthew Bragg's Nicholas County work schedule since Bragg was elected to office. Here's the kicker, no Bragg!   Yelp, Bragg was absent from duty.
  • Aug. 12 am Pretty tame CCC meeting was had with the VFW getting the nod on a $1500 grant from the Commission to cover the cost of new siding for the lodge hall at Schoonover/Bradley Football  Field. More details on Prosecutor Grindo not showing up for yesterday's meeting nor him providing a request for a 5% pay increase for his staff.
  • Aug. 12 am Yesterday morning we posted notice of the return of Town Chief of Police Buckshot Butcher after getting the boot from his volunteer position three weeks ago. During yesterday's CCC meeting, retired Sheriff Clarence Douglas commented that State Code allows for a Mayor to hire a Chief of Police and the Chief to be untrained. Douglas mentioned  the real problem with using untrained, unlicensed, uncertified officers... the big problem: LIABILITY to the Town if something goes wrong, a misplaced bullet for instance. More details coming
  • Aug. 12 am Interested in a nice Chevy or a 4WHD SUV?  Over on the home page, HOP's Auto has some new listings and now........... PICTURES!!!!!  If you want details, just email Paul Hopkins with the link on that page.
  • Aug. 11 am Greetings early morning clickers from around the world. You've almost made it parents. those nasty little kids are almost ready to head off to school land and out of your hair. hang on just  a little bit longer
  • Aug. 11 am That front  page picture was taken by Valley Fork's  Mike " Bear track" Gemind on July 24th along Leatherwood Creek.
  • Aug. 11 am Yesterday evening over the scanner came a call of a male laying on the sidewalk in downtown Clay. Around 5:05 came a response from Unit 10. Unit 10 was Town Chief of Police Buckshot Butcher. Butcher was given his walkin papers three weeks ago by Mayor Arthur Jarrett.
  • Aug. 11 am When we interviewed Jarrett, he said the next cop hired would be a fully trained state certified officer of the law.
  • Aug. 11 am We noticed Butcher with the blue lights on heading over to Clay. back on the job???
  • Aug. 11 am  This week Clay County PSD meets in the morning at 10 am in their new Main Street Clay building. Later this week, Thursday at 7pm, Clay Roane PSD meets in the CDC building across from the Courthouse
  • Aug. 11 am Our County Humane Society was organized back during winter. Armed with a few bucks from County Commission and after hosting several fund raisers, they got underway caring for the animals around the county.
  • Aug. 11 am last week over in Magistrate Court, Mary May Walls White was suppose to appear on charges of neglect and abuse after allegedly harboring 32 dogs and 11 cats all locked in a small outbuilding. She didn't show. The defendant's attorney has now asked for a jury trial slated for Sept 3 , 9 am before Magistrate Boggs. It's not the first time for Mary, back in '91 she was caught for similar actions. Our Humane Society has incurred great expense trying to healthy up the found animals.
  • Aug. 11 am Those in the know commented that Ms White now has 5 cats, 11 rabbits and 16 dogs in and around her home AGAIN!
  • Aug. 10 am  Anna Mae Triplett Loving, see FUNERAL page
  • Aug. 10 am  Before the weekend wrap up.  Yesterday, Clay Roane PSD tried to sell off their under (never) used metal building over in Roane County. It didn't sell!  Even with advertising and such, not one real bidder although one guy offered $10, 000.00.
  • Aug. 10 am If you're looking for something to do this afternoon, head over to CCHS for a spaghetti dinner and support the CCHS Dance Team. Gospel music too!
  • Aug. 10 am And know for the week that was....
  • Aug. 10 am Last week started out with strong winds, and lots of hail Monday night. Power was off for parts of the county . Without electric, freezers got gamey real quick
  • Aug. 10 am After years of dog and pony shows where our School system boasted of outstanding performance, and the School Excess Levy was making a real difference for the kids and staff,  it came to light that three ( at first 5) of our schools were listed on the WV Board of Education web site as FAILURES. That's Clay High, Clay Middle, and Valley Fork Elem. Keep in mind how often we're reminded that Clay High and Clay Middle are, were, National Schools of Excellence. Even more closely held, on our SAT 9 scores, after working 7 solid months of teaching the test so our administrators would look good to the world, Clay County came in 48th among the 55 WV counties.
  • Aug. 10 am In Clayberry, the first of the fresh corn came in and tomatoes started to turn ripe red. Tuesday, things livened up at the Town Council meeting where it became public that the Johnny Woooofter log factory had been operated without a certified operator while Chief Operator Larry Chafin vacationed. Tuesday evening during the CAEZ board meeting, the long standing rift exposed itself again as Director Sizemore's annual budget was presented which included him becoming a part time Director and the addition of  new Eco/Dev Tourism Director. Tuesday evening, Procious Water Plant operator Bobby Burdette returned to work after a three day suspension for sneaking away for several hours while the plant was in operation.
  • Aug. 10 am On the 7th, CAEZ tried to get back some of their $ as they auctioned off equipment once owned by the now defunct Filcon Inc. Less than $2500 was raised on the outstanding $130,000 owed by Filcon's Manfred Kuentzer. Thursday evening our BDA met in regular session where little new was brought to the table. As for the BDA vs Clay County Bank lawsuit over who actually owns the Filcon building and land out Ovapa way, watch for a new court date around Sept. 23rd.
  • Aug. 10 am   Friday the County's independent news and views paper hit the streets around 3pm. 16 pages of news found no where else.
  • Aug. 10am  Yesterday, one more wrinkle in the troubled Clay Roane PSD history when no one bought the mucho big Newton Fire House Building. Several years ago, away from the public's eye, the PSD paid $30,000 for a building they had no use for and no need. During several WV PSC hearings, the boys from Charleston commented that there was no record of the purchase and no permission ever given for th epurchase. Saturday's auction was designed to raise $30,000.00 and get rid of the white elephant. No bidders, no sell!
  • Aug. 8pm The Communicator made it out the door around 1 pm today. Get one while they're hot
  • Aug. 8pm Great big Birthday wishes to Nada Waddell and Paul Myers, both turning 60 years old today
  • Aug. 8 am  By the way, that's Debbie Woods fishing along Buffalo. The pic was emailed over to us.  do you have one you'd like the world to see? Email using the link at the bottom of this page.
  • Aug. 8 am We had ups and down during public meeting time yesterday.
  • Aug. 8 am  We received word yesterday morning that the County Commission was bringing  a new idea to the Lizemores based "WE WANT WATER" group. Didn't happen!  As a matter of fact, Commissioner Sams all but said, WV Water nor Gauley Bridge PSD could provide water to the Lizemore area of Clay.  Lizemores water line extension has been delayed for years due to not enought people willing to sign up for the service. Without seven more sign ups, the project is dead Full details today in the Communicator
  • Aug. 8 am During the Clay Business Development Authority meeting, a presentation was made on using tourism as an economic development tool for growth in  these parts. Something about drawing tourists into the area and fleecing them as they fish, boat, hike, and or bicycle around. Sounds like a new discovery clickers!  And once again full details you know where, later today.
  • Aug. 8 am Tired of those teenagers hanging around and in your hair?  Get rid of them between 7 and 10 pm Saturday night! Drop them off, it's FREE, at the Teen Activity Night over at the Lion's Club Smoke and Choke Casino Hall on Main Street.
  • Aug. 7 pm   A sticky humid wet day with rain a pouring.  Nasty now in Clayberry.
  • Aug. 7 pm  Just getting wind of a public meeting tonight at 6 over at Lizemore Methodist Church. The "We Want Water" group is hosting the forum and word has it the County Commission will float a  new idea for long stalled water service. It was just 2 weeks ago that WV Water Co said they would be interested in providing service to the county and it was just two nights ago that Red Derring from Gauley Bridge PSD commented that his agency would be interested in providing water to the thirsties in the Southern end of Clay.
  • Aug. 7 pm Just a historical note clickers,   Ten years ago Derring and company offered to provide water service to Clay only to be told to go home and take his water service with him! Back then Derring himself collected over 500 names of residents who wanted water service.
  • Aug. 7 am  Today's the day when Central Appalachia Empowerment Zone tries to bury  a problem. Today at 11 am over at the Newton Fire Dept. building, they plan to auction off about $12 worth of run down, out dated, rusting, filter making equipment they helped to bring into the county 3 years ago.  Although the equipment may get hauled off today, many will long remember the boondoggle.
  • Aug. 7 am  That home page inset photo, those are fall flowers FALL FLOWERS
  • Aug. 7 am Keep those pictures coming in clickers. We've got another long distance picture of Elkhearst Road lawyer and military man Hiriam Lewis. This time we get to see the interior air conditioned digs over in the sand. click A/C IS NICE for another look.
  • Aug. 7 am Later today at 5 at the Courthouse, the Clay Business Development Authority convenes.  During Tuesday's CAEZ meeting, mention was made of a plan to develop river tourism in Clayberry. Watch for the report to come up during the BDA meeting this afternoon. Tourism... develop what we already have, give locals a chance to grab out of town tourist loot,  let local business benefit from extra sales each and every summer month. Finally a nice idea.
  • Aug. 7 am  Darlene Morris has a hair care business in the basement of the IGA store on Main Street. last Monday Darlene was robbed. Broad daylight, noon timish. The thugs got almost $2000! Broad daylight and here in little ole Clayberry.  We'll post details in Friday's Communicator.
  • Aug. 7 am And finally for our morning post. According to our calculations, Procious Water Plant operator Bobby Burdette should have been back on the job after his three day, 5 hour, suspension.
  • August 6 am Hello soggy clickers of  Clayberry and beyond. If you check the weather report over on the home page, rain and thunder boomers for the next 5 days. Sounds wonderful. Monday night's massive storm left many without power in the Southern end of the county thru Tuesday afternoon. Yesterday the roadways were littered with the debris from the heavy downpours and strong strong winds
  • Aug. 6 am Remember Hiriam Lewis? Lewis has run for political office around the state and has a weekend place over on Elkhearst Road. Back in Dec 2002, Mr. Lewis turned in a resume to replace Jeff Davis for the Prosecutor's vacancy. That's Hiriam stationed in Iraq on our home page. For a larger view of military life in the land of sand, click, WHO SAYS LAWYERS DON'T SWEAT?
  • Aug. 6 am   Over the last couple of days we've been posting some stuff from the WV Bd of Education web site concerning Clay County schools and No Child Left Behind.  We got a call from Joe Paxton Tuesday who gave us an update. According to Paxton, after  seeing HE White and Ivydale Elem schools posted on the "failure" list, tele calls were made to Charleston. According to Mr. P,  the state fellows made miscalculations and HE White and Ivydale are now OFF the list of  failing schools. As late as Sunday evening, the State's web site reflected 5 of our 7 schools on the failure list.
  • Aug. 6 am  Paxton was Principal at HE White and is now Vice Principal at Clay Middle.
  • Aug. 6 am We gathered some pretty interesting stuff during yesterday's public meetings. Like ....
  • Aug. 6 am Clay Roane PSD water operator just got  is thangy in the wringer over leaving the water plant running without an operator. In years past, Clay County often got in trouble over similar situations. During yesterday's TOwn Council meeting, it came to light, the Town operated it's sewer plant without a licensed sewer plant operator. That too is a  real no no. It wasn't so long ago that the Town faced strong fines for such dealings and for dumping raw poo poo into the Elk. Full details this Friday in the Communicator
  • Aug. 6 am Here's a cutey. During yesterday's CAEZ meeting, a report was made public that dealt with tourism, Clay County and the Elk River. According to the John Lewis Jr. study, Clay County could benefit from increased tourism with a float trip business on the Elk but lack of boat ramps, bathrooms at the ramps, lack of parking and motels are the chief roadblocks.  OK everybody, one great big Duhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
  • Aug. 6 am How many times over the last 10 years have locals voiced  during public meetings saying just that? Remember back over 6 years ago, when the original Clay Business Development Authority said just that and then thru a change in Board make up decided NOT to work on boat ramps? Full details this Friday
  • Aug. 6 am Chilton Nichols donated a new living room suit to the Clay Ambulance Service.
  • Aug. 6 am Don't forget, Thursday at 11am is the big auction to sell off the CAEZ owned Filcon Manufacturing Equipment over at the Newton Fire House. CAEZ made it very clear they wanted rid of this equipment no matter what and wanted to walk away from the stigma attached. ... Not the first time CAEZ wanted rid of a memory, can anybody say Harpeth Industries?
  • Aug. 6 am Also mark your calendars for Saturday and the sale of the Newton building owned by Clay Roane PSD. Nice big metal building  with huge garage doors and office space. This is the building Clay Roane purchased about 7 years ago, there's no record or mention of ever buying the thing( according to the WV PSC), and the PSD never used the facility except to store a weed eater! Should go for around $34,000.00
  • Aug. 5 am  Today at 4 Town Council meets while CAEZ does their monthly thing at 4 and again at 6pm.
  • Aug. 5 am  And boy did the storm hit last night. For our international clickers: 7:55pm - Nice blue skies and fluffy white clouds; 8:15pm - Hail and lots of it, followed by wind and high winds, on Rt. 4 driving was impossible for about 10 minutes, even the ducks had umbrellas!; 8:20pm  TV 13 gave the warning of sever thunder storms.. Well Duhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
  • Aug. 5 am TV 13 has us listed as the only county in the state to experience the thunder head. By 10:30, the moon was back out and only a few thunder boomers remained. Over the scanner came little chatter although one house sustained roof damage
  • Aug. 5 am Cindy Curry has a book out, Boogerhole, Mysteries, Ghost Tales, and Strange Occurrences. For full details click BOOGERHOLE
  • Aug. 5 am  Our School Board didn't meet last night as scheduled.
  • Aug. 5 am  Something was missing this year. The custom is fro the School Team to provide that little paper over in Clay with a big front page story listing glowing remarks of test performance. Didn't happen this year. Over on the state Bd of Education web site came this on outstanding performance click GREATperformance. In another place came word of GOOD performance. Of course that is the varnished official word doubling massaged to reduce County embarrassment.
  • Aug. 5 am Of course here in Clayberry, the question remains, why no glowing reports of performance. The state folks keep saying out of one side of their mouth, education is great in Clayberry while from the other side, 5 of our 7 schools are listed as failures in the No Kid Left Behind program.  Statewide 326 schools (out of 728 ) are listed as failures.  We'll keep digging clickers.
  • Aug. 5 am And,  the money just keeps rolling in.  Now another $160,000.00 comes. Click TAKE IT ALL
  • August 4 am Bessie Canfield, see FUNERAL page
  • Aug. 4 am  For those anglers in the crowd, that's Nathaniel with the big catch last weekend and Corey with the timber rattler. Keep the photos coming clickers. We have a special interest in capturing our Clayberry seniors. Get your digital camera and snap granny today. We'll post for the world to see.
  • August 4 am  Big time get well wishes to Frank Murphy. Seems Frank's got one crosswise and could use some condolences. Get well soon
  • August 4 am  Never really got around to a weekend wrap up this time around, but briefly, last week, the last week of the month, was quiet until Friday night. Last week Clayonians were eating fried green tomatoes because the darn things won't turn red this year. And for our regular feature of "As My Tomato Grows". Click STILL GREEN for the latest.
  • August 4 am As noted below, one time Chief Water Operator Bobby Burdette got caught sneaking away from work early early saturday morning. Sneaking off while the Procious Water Plant was still running and supposedly making your drinking water! Burdette was given a three day suspension without pay plus since has to make up the five hours he charged the PSD and didn't work. One more and he's out the door according to PSD Boardsters who attended the emergency meeting held Saturday Aug. 2 at the plant
  • August 4 am  The beginning of each month is always a busy time for those attending public meetings.  This week, we've got  bunch. Tonight is the school board meeting followed by Town Council on Tuesday at 4pm along with CAEZ at 4 and again at 6pm.
  • August 4 am every once in a while we give the link over to the WV Green Shirt web site and sex offenders page. Clayberry has 17 registered offenders listed.  To take a peek, click CAUGHT AND REGISTERED. Once there type in Clay in the county window.
  • August 4 am You might notice that Hop's Used Cars is now advertising over on the home page. soon will be posted pictures of the inventory. You might want to check out todays value now posted
  • August 4 am Don't stay home, get out and watch  our elected folk apply their trade. Fun Fun Fun and free too.
  • Aug. 3 am  We're not ready for the weekend update yet, we've got some action
  • Aug. 3 am  How important do you think it is to have a water operator on duty when your drinking water is being treated? How important is it to actually be on the job when you're getting paid to be on the job?
  • August 3 am Here's what happened Saturday early early morning at the Procious Water Plant. Sometime around 3 am water operator Bobby Burdette was on duty and left the plant, left the plant while the plant was making, treating,  water.
  • Aug. 3 am Someone phoned Clay Roane PSD ( they own the Procious plant) Chair Melissa Postelwait and told her Burdette was gone and the plant was running. Postelwait high tailed it over to the plant and  low and  behold... no Bobby B.
  • Aug. 3 am   By 7 am  the doo was hitting the fan as fellow Boardster Gary Whaling assembled at the plant to greet the returning from a night of sleep Burdette. Burdette said he had taken breakfast break and then went to check on the tanks, taking a grand total of 1 1/2 hours. Since Postelwait had been waiting with Chief Operator Jennifer Traub for over three hours.... Burdette was called red handed!
  • Aug. 3 am   At 2pm Saturday, an emergency meeting of the Clay Roane was assembled and this time, all 5 Boardsters showed up. During secret time, Chief Operator Jennifer Traub went in first followed by Burdette. After secret time , Burdette was given three days off without pay plus time off for the five bogus hours he charged while playing hooky.  This is Burdette's second written reprimand. This one cites lying to a Boardster and breaking the rules too. One more and he out's the door.
  • Aug. 3 am  State rules for the treating of water are pretty black and white.. if the plant is treating water, the operator MUST be present!
  • August 2 pm  Hey, we took some time away from Clayberry today and plan to post Sunday with the updates. Sorry to be slow but the time off was nice.
  • August 2 pm Just getting word about Procious Water Plant operator Bobby Burdette getting some time off without pay. Will check it out.
  • August 2 pm Nice home page inset has just been added.
  • There will be an emergency special meeting of the Clay/Roane PSD. Meeting will be held at the Procious Water Plant at 2:00 PM.(Word had it, that the water operator left the water plant running unattended last night
  • Betty Jane Morris, 58, see FUNERAL page
  • August 1 am Over on the home page is an insert of the emerald green Elk River from yesterday as well as some road signs from Dave and Jeannie. If you have a nice clean clear photo of or from Clayberry people places, of things, email it over. We'll post as room allows and give credit
  • August 1 am We've had some requests for a web link to all the newspapers in WV. The following link is for all the little papers around the state that belong to the WV Press Association. Click NEWSPAPER. Best we can find right now clickers.
  • August 1 am  So what we do when there is little news to post? Find something cool on the web. Like...
  • August 1 am  Ever wonder what you phone number spells out?  Here's a web site that  figures out all the different combinations for ny tele number Click DUMB STUFF

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