august past news

AUGUST 2004 NEWS

Aug. 31 am Last night at 11:28 came a choppy bit of scanner traffic. Something about a missing 10 year old boy... close to a church.... near Punkin Ridge.... and then somewhere in there came mention of Renee Boyd. Very quickly a Green Shirt called back and said he would public service the 911 dispatcher. Public Service means he would use his cell phone to keep our prying ears away from the conversation. Nothing more came out over the airwaves until 12:40 am when a call for "any available law enforcement" went unanswered.

Aug. 31 am There have been 1,106 coalition deaths, 975 Americans, 65 Britons, six Bulgarians, one Dane, two Dutch, one Estonian, one Hungarian, 19 Italians, one Latvian, 10 Poles, one Salvadoran, three Slovaks, 11 Spaniards, two Thai and eight Ukrainians, in the war in Iraq as of August 30, 2004 . Outside the Republicat Convention in NYC 1/2 million protesters are making their voices heard. Inside the facility, Michael Moore has received a less than warm welcome. Wonder why? Click 9/11 for details.

Aug 31 am 6 weeks ago during the Amma Left Hand Water line extension talks, it came to light, there would not be enough $ to complete the 33 mile stretch of water line. During tomorrow morning's WV Infrastructure Council meeting is this post: Projects Recommended for Revised Infrastructure Fund Binding Commitment: Clay-Roane PSD 96W-181 (Bid Overrun). Currently, the project is over a million bucks underfunded. Meeting starts at 9:30am in Charleston. The Infrastructure Council is a middle man layer of govrnment red tape that has to give the tumbs up before most all projects are allowed funding and the green light given for contruction.

Aug. 31 am We give volunteer Town Cop Buckshot Butcher bunches of grief on everything from being fat, ugly, old, bald to being away from the municipality while riding around with other agencies in the county.

Aug. 31 am But for those of us that listen to scanner traffic, most will agree, having Buckshot around has came in handy over this past 16 months or so. Last week, Butcher nailed two drunk drivers! Word has it, with little jingle in his volunteer pocket, Butcher is about to jump ship and take a paying job. Before Butcher, when Mayor "King" Arthur Jarrett assumed the cop duties, well, Jarrett was often in bed by 10pm. If Butcher bails out, the Town will be hard pressed to find a replacement.

Aug. 31 am Even with some of our most notorious citizenry behind bars (for now at least), many in the county have great concerns for their life and property. At some point, normally laid back calm citizenry may turn vigilante and boy will be in trouble then. Some say it's close to that now. Others have said in public, we should just take the rotten thugs out and shoot them! Of course that won't work and here's an example of overzealous police work with an 8 year old. Click Too Much.

Aug. 31 am So what's happening to the 7 or so involved in the ball bat fight in and around the IGA store during the first week of Aug.? Nothing as far as we can tell.

Aug. 31 am Even tho blacks aren't allowed to vote in some Florida counties, they are being courted by the big shots. Click, Need 'em now for more

Aug. 31 am Here's something cool . Our National radio observatory in Green Bank WV has a pretty nifty web site where lots of images can be downloaded. Click GBRO and then the images button on the left.

Aug. 30 am There have been 1,105 coalition deaths, 974 Americans, 65 Britons, six Bulgarians, one Dane, two Dutch, one Estonian, one Hungarian, 19 Italians, one Latvian, 10 Poles, one Salvadoran, three Slovaks, 11 Spaniards, two Thai and eight Ukrainians, in the war in Iraq as of August 28, 2004

Aug. 30 am Happy Monday morning. These last few days of the month are without public meetings. We'll try to do some puter updating and web searching while there's some down time in Clayberry.

Aug. 30 am Wouldn't you think with Richard Cummings , Tommy Young Sr and Jr. behind bars that it would be quiet on Murder Mountain. Wrong. Last night around 6:30pm shots were heard. Not the zinnnnnnnnnng of auto weapons but the sound of big bore rifles.

Aug. 30 am Before Tommy Jr. was put behind bars, several emails came in on security at Clay High. A couple of parents were concerned if the prone to violence Jr. got in the school with automatic weapon, well, Columbine might look like a picnic. There has been no public comments on security at CCHS or any of the schools in the county for that.

Aug. 30 am Send in your birthday and anniversary notices and we'll post.

Aug. 30 am If you're upset over the performance of Dubbya, so are others. Here's a post on the 1/2 protesters in NY for the Republicat Convention. Click 1000's say No

Aug. 29 pm After a night of thunder boomers and lighting, as we polish off the last Sunday in Aug., here in Clayberry, it's quiet, even on Murder Mountain.

Aug. 29 am Before getting to our weekend wrap up of action packed Clay County highlights, a little more background clickers on our still in the jail house folks.

Aug. 29 am Tommy Young Sr was jailed last week with five felony charges. Mr. Young may have strayed from the law before. Like in Ohio from 1991, Stolen Car and Tools. And from 1991, Possession of Stolen Goods. And then there was the 1990 stuff and the 1998 little incident. Don't want to leave out Richard Cummings. There was that little arson thang. and before that, the Drug Thang. And before that drug thang was another incident, Earlier Drugs.

Aug. 29 pm Intense might be the word to describe this past week In Clayberry. Here's why

Aug. 29 pm Three people lost their jobs while others were cut back at Clay Health Dept. when it was learned that the WIC Supervisor had been less than truthful. By the end of the fiscal budget, and even after making cutbacks department wide, the government agency will be in the red over $30,000. The real story is: employees out of work when the Health Director and Board at the throttle with their eyes closed.

Aug. 29 pm In school land, the new year got under way and the little curtain climbers are out of our hair for 9 months. With Westest results back months ago, the results have not been released. Seems Superintendent Link and Team Spin have yet to put the best face and the black and white. To matters worse for the 3R folks, Clay Middle School did so poorly, parents can now request the school system to pay to send the students to another school. Don't let the folks up front fool you, CMS didn't fail for something minor like poor attendance, no middle school failed for poor attendance.

Aug. 29 pm Early this past week, citizens attended the County Commission meeting and protested the crime wave in the county. Some business leaders like Bruce Cunningham went so far as to say, if the break ins continue, he will be forced to go out of business. Mostly they spoke on the need for more badges in the county. Of course, no amount of badges will make up for poor parenting. In response, Commissioners Triplett and Sams ( HAC was again gone from service while collecting his salary) set up a public meeting where the public and law enforcement can exchange ideas. See EVENTS page for details.

Aug. 29 pm It took Doc Boggs to make known problems with our paid for out of public funds Primary Health Clinic . Boggs said what many have been thinking for some time. The top secret health provider is out of control and concerns over the agency going under may be well founded. With the agency operating in the red and more administrators & doctors on the dole, Clayberry may soon be without a local health provider. Just one more example of what happens when a Board of Neglecters fail to do their jobs. We understand the Bd will meet in regular session Monday evening but don't get dressed out and head over there. Primary Health operates in secret.

Aug. 29 pm It was quieter on Murder Mountain this week. Tomy Young Sr remains in jail not able to secure a $150,000 bail. Richard Cummings was jailed after being picked up on growing pot charges. And, Tommy Young Jr. turned himself in in Braxton County for break home confinement rules and is lodged in the Salem Juvenile Home with a CASH bond set at $400,000.00. Neighbors in the area slept better this week.

Aug. 29 pm Of course, Young Sr maintains he didn't return the gun fire on the Cummings home. With boths' long history of drug involvement and arrests,... what if Tommy's words are true? That he was asleep when the shooting spree happened two weeks ago. If so, that may mean a much bigger problem with others coming into Clay County to eliminate folks that might squeal. Court hearings and time will determine the truth. We may NOT be out of the woods yet clickers.

Aug. 28 am Last night the Clay High Panthers put it all over Nicholas County. With the crowd leaving by third quarter, score 34-0

Aug. 28 am If you haven't caught one of the local radio station's outdoor music show, Summer Jam 2004, tonight is the night to do so. All WV talent and toe tapping good! Featured acts are listed over on the EVENTS page.

Aug. 28 am TV 8 has featured Clay County twice this week and neither time favorably. On the 11pm Thursday broadcast came mention of Murder Mountain and the B**** Burger story. TV-8 broke the kiddy porn charges against Chris Shawn Rush, a born and bred Clayonian. The transcripts from the broadcast are on the ADVISORY page for those that missed the coverage.

Aug. 28 am It should be quieter on Murder Mountain this weekend. Tommy Young Sr remains in jail trying to make $150,000 bond. Tommy Jr. is lodged in the Salem Youth Center. It's not likely Jr. will be getting out anytime soon. Judge Facemire set bail at $400,000.00. And that's a $400,000 CASH bond. That leaves only Richard Cummings....

Aug. 28 am Two weeks, Richard Cummings called for help as 500 rounds rang out on Murder Mountain. Neighbor Tommy Young Sr was taken into custody. This week on Wednesday, Cummings was picked up for manufacture, delivery, and possession of pot. According to Courthouse records, 4 buckets containing pot plants was discovered 20 yards behind the house trailer. Bail was set at $10,000 surety.

Aug. 28 am Of course 20 yards behind the Cummings residence is the side yard of Tommy Young Sr. There may be a question on who owns the pot harvest land.

Aug. 28 am From the Ohio Common Pleas Court is mention of Sandra Khalaf, the girl friend of Richard Cummings and some grizzly details of court case involving defendant Andrew Boyd. Here's an excerpt: .... The girl explained that the club members? main objective is to have sex with the most women, and that in order to be admitted, she would have to sleep with its president, the defendant. For the full story , and please be aware, it is graphic, click Young Girls Wanted. By the way, during recent media coverage and during the Tattoo Vince murder trial, Sandra always identified herself as Sandra Khalaf. When you look at various county court records, she signs in as Sandra Guy.

Aug. 28 am And to get away from that subject, during Tuesday's County Commission meeting, a change was made. The Commission appoints members to the various boards around the county. Long time Boardster Earl Long was NOT re appointed to the Clay County PSD. Instead, Commissioners Sams and Bragg appointed Ted Underwood. Seems the boys up front want some change!

Aug. 28 am Last night over the scanner around 10:32 came a call for a medic at the Magistrate office. Minutes before Town Cop Buckshot Butcher called in saying he was heading over there. A few minutes later, it sounded like Butcher had sprayed himself with pepper spray. EMS responded within 4 minutes as did Green Shirt unit 675.

Aug. 27 am There have been 1,104 coalition deaths, 973 Americans, 65 Britons, six Bulgarians, one Dane, two Dutch, one Estonian, one Hungarian, 19 Italians, one Latvian, 10 Poles, one Salvadoran, three Slovaks, 11 Spaniards, two Thai and eight Ukrainians, in the war in Iraq as of August 26, 2004

Aug. 27 am It's football season!!!! Tonight Clay High plays Nicholas County in an away game. Over on the ADVISORY page is our first installment of Tollhouse Frank's , pick of the week. Enjoy

Aug. 27 am Tommy Young Jr. was picked up in Braxton County yesterday morning before 9 am. Get this.. Bond was set at $400,000.00. Seems the court system may be sick and tired of messing around with this youth. As a follow up and if you're interested in some pretty creepy updates on the involvement of Murder Mountain with Tattoo Vince and a father's speculation on what happened to 18 year old daughter, click B**** BURGER.

Aug. 27 am During Tuesday night's Clay Health Dept. meeting, Doc Boggs provided some insight on the ever so secret but tax payer paid for, Primary Health Clinic. Boggs did not mince words on the huge doctors to patient ratio, how no company could make money the way Clay Primary operates, and the prospect of the administration building new facilities at Two Run in spite of operating in the red. Others in the community have speculated ( as did Boggs) on the county's only medical facility getting so far in the red that it will be taken over. Maybe that's been the plan all along?

Aug. 27 am Shhhhhh... Don't tell anybody, but we understand Primary Health's Board of Directors meet in secret session again this coming Monday evening.

Aug. 27 am Over the last five years or so, Marina Lanham has often complained about Sheriff Deputies singling her out with emphasis on laid off Deputy Kevin Delk. Ms Lanham has commented in The Communicator on her being charged over and over for "possession of a controlled substance" when the drugs are all prescription medications and Delk knew that time after time and charge after charge. Seems Lanham may be telling the truth. Charges against Lanham were heard in Magistrate Boggs courtroom Wednesday afternoon and were dismissed again.

Aug. 27 am Wed morning Sheriff Fields was carrying around a manilla folder on Delk and said the FBI had asked him to gather up the information for their use. Delk is now working as a police officer in Richwood.

Aug. 27 am Yesterday's Charleston Gazette listed schools statewide with failing marks. Once again our National School of Excellence, Clay Middle School, was listed. Can't you just see Superintendent Link sitting there drinking his morning coffee as he read the rag. Look at this way clickers, if you have kids at CMS, tell the school system to bus them over to Geary School in Roane County or even the Christian Academy on top of Dundon hill. Click FAILURE AGAIN for details. Think the high school is doing better? Think again. Only 10th graders were tested this year.

Aug. 27 am We're getting some emails on how to get rid of Commissioner Mathew "HAC" Bragg. HAC continues to receive his pay without showing up for work at the Courthouse. One little fat guy suggested the other Commissioners declare Bragg dead and then stop paying the salary. A recent email suggested using an impeachment process which would force Bragg to hire an expensive attorney. With that approach, it may be cheaper for HAC to quit and save himself and the county some desperately needed funds.

Aug. 27 am Get out and about this weekend. lots going on . See EVENTS page for more

Aug. 26 pm Look around.. Listen.. Isn't it great. The snot nosed rug rats are gone!!!! School is open. Adults can now have a summer break and none too soon.

Aug. 26 pm This morning before 9 am Tommy Young Jr. was taken into custody by Braxton County Deputies. Around 9 am Clay County Deputies headed up there to retrieve the 17 year old. It is expected that Jr. will be charged with 5 felonies from last week's Murder Mountain shoot out which left Richard Cummings wounded and neighbors scared and locking doors.

Aug. 26 pm During the Young Jr. scanner traffic this morning, Clay County Prosecutor Daniel Grindo, a Braxton County resident, said he would handle the Court work there in Braxton County.

Aug. 26 pm Clayberry is notorious for public meetings made not so public by little or no public notice. One of our big offenders is the school system of course. When it was time for Scott Legg and Gene King to resign, it was done on a Saturday with the shabbiest of notice given.

Aug. 26pm As news was leaking out on misspending and lying by the Health Dept.'s WIC Supervisor Marlene Helvey, a hastily called Emergency meeting was called Aug. 24th to accept her resignation and lay off personnel. In this case, a meeting agenda was posted which meets Open meeting law requirements, still, there is the naggin question: did it pass the rotten fish test?

Aug. 26 pm Remember Ms Helvey? During a late winter 2004 Bd meeting, that's the lady that lashed out at Boardsters Joe Morris and Herman Rogers over the two traveling to other counties and doing some healthy fact finding on their own time. When they reported their findings, Helvey went belligerent big time over the Board challenging local practices and customs.

Aug. 26 pm Here's the skinny on the Tuesday Aug. 24th meeting.... The Clay County Health Dept. run, 6 county, WIC (women, infants, and children) program was managed by Helvey who , since Dawson was employed as Director four years ago, ran the show unfettered. Dawson told the Board that Ms Helvey mislead her and the Board about travel expenses ($9000) to country wide conferences, about the financial picture of her agency and during the hiring of two new employees. Dawson came in after a not so bloodless coup resulted in Director Nancy Faulkner being tossed from office.

Aug. 26 pm With her resignation in hand, Dawson said immediate action was needed to save the WIC program and the Health Dept's bottom line this fiscal year. How serious is this? Even after spreading the losses department wide and with all the changes made Tuesday night by the Board, the 2005 year end will be in the red over $30,000. Helvey was paid over $4000 per month for her services. Did you know the new WIC office in Greenbrier County rents at $1600 per month?

Aug. 26 pm So what did the Board do in the way of corrective action? Here we go: Jay Carper, Kelly Shepherd, and Susan Gonzalas will get pink slips Oct 1st; Amy Osborne, Lori Hypes, and Carrie Adkins will be cut back in their program areas; reduce labor in the Threat Preparedness program by 22%; give the "clinics" program to the private, away from public scrutiny, Primary Care Systems; cut labor in the pregnancy prevention and tobacco abatement program; and, reduce the WIC budget by $50,000.

Aug. 26 pm The lack of oversight by the Board and Dawson just resulted in layoffs and more. Did anyone get a reprimand? During the Tuesday meeting, the answer was No. One Boardster said they just didn't get enough data, another said 3 Boardsters were newbees, another said they just accept the numbers provided them as "acceptable" and blah blah blah.

Aug. 26 pm Here's one more example of the responsible party, a Board that meets just 4 times a year, not paying close enough attention to their most important position.

Aug. 26 pm Why we're talking about not being on the job.....

Aug. 26 pm Remember a few months backs when Magistrate Boggs got in a scuffle with Tommy Young Jr. during arrest proceedings at the Courthouse? Yesterday afternoon, Tommy Young Sr was to have a preliminary hearing ( five felony charges against him) before Magistrate Boggs. With all parties there, the hearing had to be delayed over conflict of interest issues with Boggs and Young. Boggs may be a witness to the earlier encounter.

Aug. 26 pm That's not the story... No "timely" date could be set for the preliminary because Prosecutor Grindo will be away from the county today, Friday, and all of next week.

Aug. 26 am Juicy update coming by 10am. Worth the wait too!

Aug. 26 am While you're waiting, we've added SUMMER pictures over on the PHOTO page as well as new stuff on Spring and Baseball sections.

Aug. 25 am First a couple of announcements. The Boil Water Order issued August 19th by Clay Roane PSD for the Procious area was lifted Monday afternoon.

Aug. 25 am Search dogs located the missing Roy McDaniels Tuesday am. His body was taken to the State Medical Examiner in So Charleston. No foul play is expected.

Aug. 25 am School Superintendent Jerry Linkinooooooger attended yesterday afternoon's County Commission meeting to address vandalism of school property. Link told the elected two (No HAC Bragg to be seen anywhere) the school system has lost $1000s to vandals and higher insurance premiums could force cutbacks for the little snot lickers.

Aug. 25 am The discussion turned political real quick. Link brought "Linkalikes" Coach Sirk, Bruce Cunningham, Brian Holcomb, Mike Pierson, Bob Morris, Dave Pierson etc with him for back up support. Beside him sat Fran King. Other than business owner Bruce Cunningham, the rest were there as props. A few minutes into the discussion, questions turned to what the CCC was going to do about lawlessness in the county. Commissioner Sams kept his cool and agreed to talk to the proper people ( Sheriff and State Police) for the School System. Political? Sure was. Other than OKing the Sheriff's budget, the CCC has little to do with the law enforcement agency, and nothing to do with the Green Shirt operation. So why was Link there? He plans to run for Jimmy Sams Commission slot in 2006 and wants to cast aspersions on Sams leadership. Also in tow yesterday was Commission candidate Fran King. So... was Link and the Linkalikes showing public support for Ms King?

Aug. 25 am Even with the political cast, one thing did show clear. Clay County is sick and tired of street thugs. Some verbage was devoted to: How do we get rid of Prosecutor Grindo? Some in attendance asked the CCC to remove Gringo and Commissioner Bragg. Others took a more vigilante approach and thought some old fashion butt kickins would be in order for the many cranked up punks. After someone mentioned the need for Badges on duty during the late night hours, Link said he would help any way he could and mentioned using his night watchman. Of course no one asked the School Supreme what time his night watch man goes off the clock nor reference made to his students entering schools without need of a pry bar.

Aug. 25 am One short fat guy asked the CCC to declare Commissioner Mathew HAC Bragg and Prosecutor Gringo dead. According to the round one, if declared dead then their paydays could be cut off and those funds could be used on people who come to work and perform a service to the county.

Aug. 25 am Something now to draw you back to this site tonight... With little public notice, last night, the Clay Board of Health held an emergency meeting and made public a BOMBSHELL!!!!

Aug. 25 am Due to the actions of an out of control and deceitful Marlene Helvey, three employees, Jay Carper, Kelly Shepherd, and Susan Gonzalas have to be laid off Oct 1st along with cutbacks for Amy Osborne, Lori Hypes, and Carrie Adkins. What happened? Seems long time WIC Supervisor Helvey lied about travel expenses and reimbursements resulting in the budget going into the red by $1000s. More details late tonight.

Aug. 23 am We've got a fresh modem all hooked up and the Clayberry site is back up and running until the next storm. Today at 1pm, the Clay County Commission will try again to hold their regular meeting. Here's some posts from yesterday.

Aug. 23 am Yesterday before Judge Alsop, Tommy Young Sr's attorney asked for the $150,000 bond to be reduced to $50,000. Alsop said Nope. Sr's attorney Jerome Novobilski argued that his client had no part in the shooting of Richard Cummings. Alsop commented on the outstanding warrant issued for Tommy Young Jr.

Aug. 23 am Yesterday around noon thirty, the big white State Police crime scene investigation truck rolled thru downtown Clay. Around 8pm, the same truck was spotted leaving Clayberry on Rt. 4 South. No word on the missing for many days, Roy McDaniels although the K9 team was in the far end of the county last week and again yesterday. Have info? Dial 911.

Aug. 23 am While the hearing was being held and for much of the morning as well, a very tense looking Richard Cummings limped back and forth in the alley beside the Courthouse. At one point, Cummings pointed at four young girl's who were looking out the upstairs windows. Relating to the Murder Mountain war, Ovapa locals said shots were fired Sunday evening.

Aug. 23 am One other note.. as the Young Sr hearing was ending and another was beginning, Prosecutor Grindo stood and said he wasn't ready for the next hearing. Without hesitation, Alsop didn't accept that, and pressed on with the closed door case.

Aug. 23 am Only Commissioner Triplett made it for yesterday's County Commission meeting. Jimmy Sams was called away for family a medical emergency and Mathew HAC Bragg was busy lining his pockets on a paving job while continuing to draw from the public trough. The meeting has been rescheduled for today at 1pm when Sams can make the needed majority. When asked where HAC was, Clerk Judy Moore said Bragg was doing a paving job somewhere around Beckley.

Aug. 23 am While the CCC meeting wasn't held, a public hearing on implementing the Clay CountySurface Mining Master Land Use Plan proceeded. Here's the skinny: in WV , after surface mining is complete, the land has to be returned to Approximate Original Contour (AOC). If the Master Land Use Plan is approved by the CCC, landowners, Big Coal and the CCC could sit down and come up with a more advantageous way to use the land. As explained by moderator Perry Keller, Yes, it would be cheaper for the mine owners but the county may end up with economic development options.

Aug. 23 am Several in attendance spoke against such a plan. With many nodding in agreement, seems the locals have been burned one too many times by Big Coal and felt, the proposed plan would be a windfall for the coal barons and close already nearly shut doors for landowner remedies. No vote yesterday since there wasn't a quorum. The plan would only apply to new surface mine permits. So how many acres are already being mined or permitted and ready to be mined in the county of Clay? According to Mr. Keller, 4023.

Aug. 23 am 11:58pm last night: call for an ambulance for a 45 year old woman having trouble breathing near the Clay County Bank.... 12:01 last night: a second call came in for ambulance for the same woman but then located at the ambulance service office. 12:01: be advised we are treating the patient. Guess there is an advantage to having a local emergency responder.

Aug. 22 pm We're still having web update problems. We think Friday afternoon's storm zapped our DSL modem. until we can replaced it, updates will be few and far between. Sorry

Aug. 22 pm Monday morning at 10 am our County Commission meets in regular session. Want to make any bets on whether Mathew HAC Bragg will be in attendance?

Aug. 22 pm So how bad is the crime problem in Clayberry. Scheduled for Monday's CCC meeting is School Superintendent Linkinooooooooger who will speaking to the elected ones on the number of break ins of school property. Thousands of dollars worth of everything from cash and cameras have been swiped by area thugs.

Aug. 22 pm For all the parents seeking information on school opening day or even the lunch menu.. don't depend on the Clay County School web site. Some of the info is as old as last Jan. The posted menu is from last May. Next time they try and tell you "We want to keep the parents informed", tell them BS. Here's the link to the folks that are educating our future in the high tech world computing. Click WAY BEHIND to see for yourself.

Aug. 21 am We're experiencing DSL problems and web updates will be slow until this is corrected. Sorry

Aug. 21 am The Communicator made it to the news stands around 3:30 yesterday. 5 solid pages of pictures and story on the Murder Mountain mess. Get one while it's hot!

Aug. 21 am Friday afternoon around 4 a mighty storm charged thru the county causing loss of services. Just after the storm hit, the 911 called out emergency services for a possible head on accident in the Southern end of Clayberry. Our ambulance service asked 911 dispatch to get Braxton County to respond.

Aug. 20 am It's Friday morning, the best day of the week.

Aug. 20 am Interested in crime stats for Clayberry? Click MOST RECENT

Aug. 20 am Yesterday afternoon local law enforcement set up road blocks out near Murder Mountain. The badges were tight lipped and only said they were looking for a vehicle

Aug. 20 am A vehicle was stolen Wednesday night out past the Ovapa Church of God. The guess is, someone needed a quick get away.

Aug. 20 am It was a busy night for police scanner listeners. Badges chased down a white Jeep in the Bomont area of the County. It sounded like the driver got out and ran.

Aug. 20 am Around 11:50 pm last night, word came that items stolen from the most recent Middle School break in, had been recovered. Just before that notice, it sounded like Town Cop Buckshot Butcher nabbed some people at the corner of Church and School streets in downtown Clay.

Aug. 20 am Sort of under reported but... even the school bus garage was targeted with a break in. Lots of high dollar stuff was swiped including hand held radios. Each one of those would be worth around $500. Cunningham Motors in Ivydale has been broke into repeatedly this year. Each time, smokes worth $1000s have been swiped

Aug. 20 am It was quieter on Murder Mountain last night. Not one call for police. Maybe the locals were just tired and needed the night off from war games.

Aug. 20 am In today's Communicator is a big 5 page article on Murder Mountain including the Renee Boyd interview. Some good juicy stuff too. The rag should be on news stands by 4pm if all goes well. No new postings until we get it out and about!

Aug. 19 pm Oppppppps... We thought we had it right but we goofed!!!! Roy McDaniels, the senior citizen that has been missing for more than a week was NOT found Tuesday evening. According to the State Police, his vehicle was found, there was no evidence of foul play, and search dogs have been called in. Apologies to the family of Mr. McDaniels. a screw up is a screw up.

Aug. 19 pm Jesse Cox down Smith Bottom way is having a Birthday today. The 90 something Cox is often seen at Little League and Junior League ball games around the county.

Aug. 19 am Boil Water Order issued for the Procious area of the Clay Roane PSD service area. A big long crack blew out of the 6 inch main line early Wednesday morning. At 6pm the repair crew was still waiting on a piece of replacement plastic pipe.

Aug. 19 am There is a bunch more on the Murder Mountain shooting spree. Monday night (or actually around 2am Tuesday) Richard Cummings was shot three times in the crotch & upper thigh and once in the arm. The bleeding profusely Cummings and his three daughters came off Murder Mountain and knocked on three doors before Richard White allowed the girls inside and called for medical help. Cummings brought with him an AK-47 assault rifle with a 30 round banana clip. Tommy Young Sr remains locked up on two felony charges, wanton endangerment and malicious wounding. Bail has been set for $150,000.00

Aug. 19 am Neighbors close to the Ovapa blast site said that Monday evening automatic weapons were heard blasting more than 500 rounds. Cummings told badges in the police report that bullets were spraying all over his trailer with trigger men named: Tommy Young Sr, Tommy Young Jr., and Jacob Young.

Aug. 19 am Tuesday morning. police swabbed Jr's face for gun powder residue that would link him to the shooting spree. Jr's Mother Rene said (Wednesday evening) that both Tommys were peacefully asleep when the lead starting flying and neither fired back at Cummings.

Aug. 19 am Tuesday evening wasn't much quieter. 911 reported shots fired late night on past Murder Mountain near the Ovapa Church of God. The guess is, Tommy Young Jr. was at it that second evening and spent the night in the old Ron Starcher house while on the run from the badges. Wednesday morning Jr. was seen hitchhiking out of Ovapa.

Aug. 19 am Around 3:30pm Wed Young Jr. came tearing off Murder Mountain in a red S-10 pick up when he spotted Deputies in a black Dodge Ram Charger coming down the road. Jr. spun into the Dawson driveway as the cops kept going out Ovapa Road. As soon as the cops were down the road a bit, Jr. headed out of the driveway in the other direction. He had evaded the law once again.

Aug. 19 am Late Wednesday afternoon, Richard Cummings got out of the hospital and it didn't take long for the fireworks to begin again. By 5:15pm Cummings, still dressed in a hospital gown, Sandra Kalif and a second male reported to authorities, Young Jr. had fired many many shots at them as they topped the hill on Murder Mountain. At 5:25 Young Jr. drove past in a red S-10 and spun his way up Murder Mountain followed closely by a shirtless male on a Harley. Cummings yelled out that Jr. had automatic weapons in the truck before Cummings and crew headed off to Twistabout for their auto weapons. At 6:15pm two green shirts responded and headed up the Mountain.

Aug. 19 am Around 7pm Wednesday night, over the scanner, came a report of Tommy Jr. firing at Cummings once again. At 8:03, green shirts had one in custody followed by scanner traffic at 8:57 of one male heading to Central Regional Jail. Not sure if this posting is related to Murder Mountain. At 10:04pm last night, came an emergency call for a male on Reed Fork overdosed and not breathing. Reed Fork is on the back side of Murder Mountain. Again, not sure if this is related to the shooting spree. We understand that a pick up warrant has been issued for Tommy Jr. and as of 10pm Wed., Jr. remains at large. Jr. is a juvenile until Nov. 2004.

Aug. 19 am After three nights of gun fire, locals along Ovapa Cut Off Road remain locked behind closed doors and the normally sleepy community remains on edge. So what's the big picture. It could be WV is in the middle of a drug war turf battle. In various newspapers around the state are reports of drug busts in Ritchie, Roane, and Wirt counties. In one of the clippings came the name, Russell Davis. Remember that name? Davis was involved in the State vs Tatto Vince murder trial as were Richard Cummings, Sandra Kalih ( Richard's significant other), and Roy Brown. Look for a meth lab tosoon come into public attention and related to the Chad Salisbury murder out Widen way two years ago next month.

Aug. 19 am So what's going on out Ovapa way and Mountain Mountain? It appears that behind the scenes, a drug related dispute heated up with one guy threatening to testify against Tommy Young Sr related to the shooting death four years ago of a Huffman subject from Clendenin. Tommy Young Sr was found not guilty of murder in that case.

Aug. 19 am For those seeking other news on Clayberry, you'll just have to wait until Friday in The Communicator. This Murder Mountain stuff is swamping us. Sorry.

Aug. 18 am We have a few more details from Monday's shooting spree on Murder Mountain. Richard Cummings was the recipient of the bullets. Remember that name? Cummings was the guy that narrowly missed death when a Kotch subject blasted the front windshield out of Mr. Young's pick up a few months back. Cummings was also a star witness during the Tattoo Vince Golosaw murder trial over in Roane County 18 months back.

Aug. 18 am Tommy Young Sr is no stranger to the court system. Four years back Young was found not guilty of murder in the shooting death of a Huffman man from Clendenin. During that court room appearance, witnesses testified that the Huffman death, "was just a drug deal gone bad".

Aug. 18 am As for Monday evening late late, Cummings made it Richard White's house seeking help with at least one gunshot wound in the leg. Some are saying he was shot twice. No word yet on a reason for the shooting or who pulled the trigger. Remember juvenile stuff is below the public's eye

Aug. 18 am Tuesday, mid morning, around 10:20, Tommy Edward Young Sr was seen in the back seat of a green shirt cruiser heading into Clay lead by a county deputy SUV. Central Regional Jail lists incarceration time for Young at just after noon Tuesday.

Aug. 18 am Have you had items stolen? Around 10:35 Tuesday morning, Town Cop Buckshot Butcher was on the scanner reading off a list of items to see if they were listed as stolen. The list included: Dayton oil fired heater, Honda pressure washer, Sears Craftsman 3.3 chain saw, 12 volt electric winch. Another officer, sounded like TFC Bailey, "all items have a good possibility of being stolen." Something came across about a purple car and other vehicles. Sorry, wasn't paying close enough attention. None of the items we heard came back as stolen.

Aug. 18 am We understand other children from the Young home were removed by CPS workers yesterday.

Aug. 18 am With Young in bankruptcy (asset's $47,625; liability 132,265) and with $75,000 in bond security tied up from a last incident with Tommy Young Jr. and the court system, it may be tough to come up with more bond $.

Aug. 18 am We'll have more on the shooting this Friday in Clayberry's only source for independent news and views, The Communicator.

Aug. 18 am We'll get some postings from Monday night's Special Clay Roane PSD meeting ASAP.

Aug. 18 am We've been giving Commissioner Mathew HAC Bragg double H for taking from the public and not showing up for work. Maybe HAC needs the money. We understand he is being sued for $150 in towing bills.

Aug. 17 am Last night shots rang out on Murder Mountain. With few law enforcement to respond, a command center of sorts was set up at the home of Richard White's house. locals says they heard shots being fired from Murder Mountain much of Monday evening. Our sources say: a bloody, bullet riddled Cummings subject came off the Mountain and asked for help at the White home after others in the community refused to come their doors; all fingers are pointing at a young juvenile as the trigger man; the out numbered badges smartly decided not to go up the twisty mountain side road; and a larger contingent of badges will be called in today to make the assault out Ovapa way. Turn your scanners on for some reaaal action!

Aug. 17 am During the May Primary Election, Demorats overwhelmingly voted to make Randy Holcomb their choice. Holcomb, or Poopy as many call him has the reputation of being overzealous and maybe even trigger happy. With a shooting last night over at Ovapa, the Middle School broke into again, vandals continuing to invade the private lives of our sleepy little community, and a general feeling of lawlessness in the county, there may be good reason for such a vote.

Aug. 17 am Based on budget cuts and the prevalence of the drug trade in the county, who ever gets elected, Republicat Dave Mullins, write in candidate Jim Paxton or the Poopster, there may be little that can be done.

Aug. 17 am Get well wishes extended to Clay Middle School Vice Principal Joe Paxton who fell and broke his back.

Aug. 17 am In the Town of Clay vs Tammy Duffield sticky finger case, during her Monday hearing, little was done according to attorney Jerome Novobilski.

Aug. 17 am Recuperating from illness attorney Kevin Duffy was seen back at work yesterday a little thinner and paler but none the less, back to work.

Aug. 17 am It's not just the drugs and thugs that make Clayberry a wild place. Yesterday just after lunch Norman Wilson turned at Spread Park up a hollow and saw something new. At 80 something years old, Wilson has seen most everything.

Aug. 17 am Sprawled out on a tree branch, just above his windshield lay a five foot long bobcat chomping on a freshly killed fawn. Just to the side of the lunch munching bobcat was a medium size bear waiting on the table scraps. The home page has a shot of the fawn guts which feel on the windshield of his red pick up.

Aug. 17 am Here's our first posts from yesterday's County Commission meeting. We use to call the CCC, "The Three Blind Mice". Can't do that. Commissioner Bragg remains ont he public payroll and absent from duty. About two months back the CCC voted to allow local fire departments to charge for calls made. Yesterday the elected ones retracted that motion after reps from all three fire departments asked to be removed from the provisions of the allowance. Seems locals are in an uproar and have been unwilling to call the volunteer responders for fear of a big bill for services rendered.

Aug. 16 pm oppppppppppppppppps Goof Up clickers. That Clay Roane PSD meeting is tonight at the Procious Water Plant. Head over for the 7 pm meeting for some of Clayberry's best fun, public meetings.

Aug. 16 am Good morning web site clickers from around the world. Here in Clayberry, our gardens are getting all weedy, there's a sweet smell of honeysuckle in the air, and parents are wishing the snot lickers were back in school.

Aug. 16 am Of course, no one knows when school opens. Several emailers have complained that they want to make last minute doctor appointments or family vacation plans and don't know when school reopens.

Aug. 16 am In addition to this morning's County Commission meeting at 10 am and the school board slated for tonight at 7pm, Clay Roane PSD is holding a Special Meeting this evening at 7 at the CDC building on Main Street. During their regular meeting, no decision was made on hiring an additional employee to do water tap installations. During that last Clay Roane PSD meeting, employees spoke out on the rehiring of Dale Deems. They were against such a hire.

Aug. 16 am Watch for another part time hire and maybe some discussion or decisions on the Amma/ Left Hand project budget busters. That project need another $1.4 million in funding. During the last meeting, engineer Hildruth questions the Board on whether they wanted to continue with the 33 mile water line. Back then they voted 4 to 1 to proceed. Watch for that decision to be revisited. More debt, higher water bills?

Aug. 16 am For our international clickers, you might have noticed we spend a lot of web space talking about water or no water service here in the outback. There's a reason. The Feds gave us $9 million 6 years ago for new water lines in and around the county. To date, none of it has been spent and some of it has been recalled because we've been dragging our feets. Yes feets! All of them. Less than 20% of our residents have municipal water service commonly called "city" water

Aug. 16 am How about some John Kerry bashin!!!!!!! Here goes and thanks GP. One sunny day in 2005, an old man approached the White House from across Pennsylvania Avenue, where he'd been sitting on a park bench. He spoke to the Marine standing guard and said, "I would like to go in and meet with President Kerry." The Marine replied, "Sir, Mr. Kerry is not President and doesn't reside here." The old man said, "Okay," and walked away. The following day, the same man approached the White House and said to the same Marine, "I would like to go in and meet with President Kerry." The Marine again told the man, "Sir, as I said yesterday, Mr. Kerry is not President and doesn't reside here." The man thanked him and again walked away.

The third day, the same man approached the White House and spoke to the very same Marine, saying "I would like to go in and meet with president Kerry." The Marine, understandably agitated at this point, looked at the man and said, "Sir, this is the third day in a row you have been here asking to speak to Mr. Kerry. I've told you already that Mr. Kerry is not the President and doesn't reside here. Don't you understand?"
The old man answered, "Oh, I understand. I just love hearing it." The Marine snapped to attention, saluted, and said, "See you tomorrow."

Aug. 15 am Leo Gerald Gray, 87, of Wallback, see FUNERAL page

Aug. 15 am There have been 1,062 coalition deaths, 937 Americans, 64 Britons, six Bulgarians, one Dane, one Dutch, one Estonian, one Hungarian, 19 Italians, one Latvian, seven Poles, one Salvadoran, three Slovaks, 11 Spaniards, two Thai and seven Ukrainians, in the war in Iraq as of August 14, 2004

Aug. 15 am This was an interesting week clickers. Nothing major just the usual life in small town America. Stuff like....

Aug. 15 am Law enforcement was alerted to a missing 76 year old, Roy McDaniels. Last seen in a white GMC SUV with damaged front fenders.

Aug. 15 am The Communicator came out Monday with a front page article on $$$ lost due to the posting of the Ten Commandments in the County Commission room four years ago. Phone lines were abuzz with some irate over the actions of our elected ones and by others just as irate (the Bible thumpers) once again ready to tear down the US Constitution no matter what the consequences.

Aug. 15 am Sort of related to that story where Deputies lost storage space in the new Courthouse .... Last Saturday, 8 days ago, Deputy Slack built a tall partition with a locking door in the Deputy's room at the old Courthouse. The result was, Deputies could use the area behind the new wall with green shirts and municipal cops left out of the restricted area. That was last Saturday. Seems the good Sheriff didn't appreciate the barrier and immediately forced the removal post haste!

Aug. 15 am Emails came on this week from parents peed at the Clay County School System's web site. Mom's had gone to the site seeking info on the first day back to school and bus schedules. Check for yourself, click STALE to see May lunch schedules and older items too.

Aug. 15 am This week the County Commission convenes Monday at 10 am. Later Monday, at 6pm, our School Board goes to work on Gump Street at the Board office. Tuesday the delayed Clay County PSD meets at 10 am.

Aug. 14 am Madeline Duffield, 85, of Clay. see FUNERAL Page

Aug. 13 am 76 year old Roy J McDaniel from Indore, WV has been missing for four days. The balding handicapped man was last seen driving a 1992 white GMC Jimmy with damage to the front fenders. The handicap plate is 293-73. If anyone has seen Mr. McDaniel please call 911

Aug. 14 am Feels like Fall clickers around the world. Lows in the 50s. No Humidity

Aug. 14 am And our crime wave continues. Yesterday morning around 5:30am vandals wiped out the grass front door and upper window of the Napa Auto Parts Store on Main Street. No arrests made so far.

Aug. 14 am Top 10 catastrophic events for insured property losses, according to Insurance Services Office Inc. of Jersey City, N.J. The company defines a catastrophe as a single incident or series of related incidents -- man-made or natural -- that cause insured property losses totaling at least $25 million and affect a significant number of policyholders and insurers. Catastrophes with equivalent amounts of damage are listed with the same rank.

The following numbers are inflation adjusted to 2002 dollars.
1. Terrorist attack (New York, Virginia, Pennsylvania), September 2001 -- $20.7 billion.
2. Hurricane Andrew, August 1992 -- $19.9 billion.
3. Northridge, Calif., earthquake, January 1994 -- $15.2 billion.
4. Hurricane Hugo, September 1989 -- $6.1 billion.
5. Hurricane Georges, September 1998 -- $3.3 billion.
6. Midwest, South tornadoes, May 2003 -- $3.1 billion.
7. Tropical Storm Allison, July 2001 -- $2.5 billion.
8. Hurricane Opal, October 1995 -- $2.5 billion.
9. Midwest, South tornadoes, April 2001 -- $2.2 billion.
10. Northeast winter storm, March 1993 -- $2.2 billion.

Aug. 14 am On the 10th, scanner listners heard bits and pieces of a code black with Wilson Funeral Home called to retrieve. Here's the obit for James King

Aug. 13 am Lloyd H. Bledsoe, 80, see FUNERAL page

Aug. 13 am It's Friday the 13th. Watch Out!

Aug. 13 am There have been 1,058 coalition deaths, 933 Americans, 64 Britons, six Bulgarians, one Dane, one Dutch, one Estonian, one Hungarian, 19 Italians, one Latvian, seven Poles, one Salvadoran, three Slovaks, 11 Spaniards, two Thai and seven Ukrainians, in the war in Iraq as of August 12, 2004

Aug. 13 am 76 year old Roy J McDaniel from Indore, WV has been missing for three days. The balding handicapped man was last seen driving a 1992 white GMC Jimmy with damage to the front fenders. The handicap plate is 293-73. If anyone has seen Mr. McDaniel please call 911

Aug. 13 am Last week we posted info on the Central Appalachian Empowerment Zone (CAEZ) going out of business by the end of the year. Seems the posting raised the ire of some.

Aug. 13 am 10 years ago when formed by the Feds, special annual pots of money were set aside for use in enterprise zones and empowerment communities around the country. CAEZ is an enterprise community. Those funding pots stopped this year as the Clinton administration initiative comes to an end. With $ being the heart of the CAEZ and the $ and special set asides all gone, well, many feel CAEZ is gone. Others feel CAEZ never got started. After millions spent, Clay County is still waiting for the first non government job to be created. Many consider the great grassroots effort a flop.

Aug. 13 am Last year an independent study was completed on our CAEZ which included passages like: None of the CAEZ benchmarks aimed to increase community-based partnerships or to extend the strategic planning process or increase citizen participation.... No benchmark attempted to improve social relations and interactions between residents within a county or even across county lines .... CAEZ has not achieved its water and sewer infrastructure objectives either ...... county commissioners attended inconsistently .....fewer and fewer citizens participated in elections ...... The CAEZ Board of Directors did not communicate clearly or consistently to the general public .....Clay County?s commissioner rarely if ever participated formally ....

Aug. 13 am Sure we've taken passages from the report out of context, but you can read the entire thing for yourself. Click Dr Steve Aigner for a bigger look.

Aug. 13 am In an attempt to salvage something and continue on, the Feds have allowed all the old enterprise and empowerment zones to become part of an umbrella association called Champion Communities. Our own CAEZ has proudly boosted such designation for months. Of course the Feds don't reflect that on their web site. Click NOT IN CLAY COUNTY.

Aug. 13 am Last week the Bush Babies put out an all points bulletin that the sky was falling again. With so many fabricated alerts, it's kind of like the sky is falling story. For details on last week's hoax alert click OLD STUFF AGAIN

Aug. 13 am And don't sit at home this weekend. All kinds of stuff to do like go racing at O'Brien Oval Speedway. Gates open at 10 am. See EVENTS page for more.

Aug. 12 am There's a big Hot Dog, Garage Sale, etc. fundraiser planned for this coming Saturday at the VFW Hall by the Ladies Auxiliary. A couple weeks back, the the lady's emailed the notice to this site and The Communicator. We of course posted the item but with a twist. Go take a look over on the EVENTS page, we'll wait........ Back? OK

Aug. 12 am The VFW Hall is a long thin always in need of repair barn red structure located just past the school bus garage on land donated by coal baron JG Bradley. The ball field was known as Bradley Field until the School System tried to suck up to WV Senator Randy Schoonover 15 years ago. While Schoony was in office and providing preferential Budget Digest $ to the school system, the named was changed to Schoonover/Bradley Field. At ball games the announcer would say " Welcome to Schoonover/Bradley Field as the Panthers take on the....". Back then there was the little newspaper over in Clay and those folks printed the new title in their publication.

Aug. 12 am Locals went wild. With Bradley long gone and changing the name of his donation to something political, well, it didn't set well with some locals. They became vocal. As is the case with most times residents speak out in Appalachia, the School System plowed on applying as much suction as they could to the sitting Senator who had bestowed on them all kinds of pork from the state coffers.

Aug. 12 am Of course, Schoony got caught with sticky fingers and went to jail in disgrace. With their money man out of office and egg on the faces of School Administrators, the name of the field ever so quickly and quietly went back to just Bradley Field.

Aug. 12 am Being the web site and paper of record in the county, we continue to call the place, Schoonover/Bradley Field. Sort of keeping the issue alive for old time sake.

Aug. 12 am That's the history, now for now...

Aug. 12 am When the VFW Ladies Auxiliary noticed we posted the name "Schoony/Bradley Field" on this site, they printed up their little flyers for the Hot Dog Sale likewise and thumb tacked the notices around the county. It didn't take long for that name change to rekindle hard feelings and let the ladies know about it.

Aug. 12 am Now the ladies are peed at us. They think they've been duped by this site, they got sucked into something... Well they did of course but.... When you had over to the Hot Dog Sale this Saturday, or stop by the Courthouse today, be sure to tell them, the school system really did screw up and really did change the name to Schoonover/Bradley Field some years back. Thanks !

Aug. 11 am Around the County... Monday evening David Linkinooger went zoomin over to the trailer park at Maysel only to total his green pick up on the way back at Blue Knob; Later Monday night a tractor trailer log truck went over the hill on I 79 near Big Otter; A storm hit the Elkhurst Rd section knocking down several trees; Last night a structure burned to the ground just past the Glen Post Office near Bethel Church.

Aug. 11 am Last night around 15 people showed up for the new Firewood Co Op meeting. the plan is to use $250,000 to set up a new business cutting and selling scrap wood to rich Northern city dwellers. Already the CAEZ has secured $75,000 of the needed money.

Aug. 11 am CAEZ Director Jerry Sizemore has single handily spear headed the idea. During last night's Co Op meeting, citizen activist Fred Sampson asked the Director to produce facts and figures on whether the plan is viable or just a pipe dream.

Aug. 11 am One thing that services in the latest edition of The Communicator: There have been no Sheriff Deputies on duty since July 1st.

Aug. 11 am If you're interested in driving a stock car during the grand opening of O'Brien Oval speedway this Saturday afternoon, call Mark Thompson at 304 364-5209. Pits open at 10 am.

Aug. 11 am Santa Claus has the right idea ....visit people only once a year. ~Victor Borge

Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint. ~Mark Twain
What would men be without women? Scarce, sir .... mighty scarce. ~Mark Twain
My wife is a sex object. Every time I ask for sex, she objects. ~Les Dawson
I never hated a man enough to give his diamonds back. ~Zsa Zsa Gabor

Aug. 10 am Flisty Williams, Madeline Cottrell, see FUNERAL page

Aug. 10 am The latest edition of the Communicator made it to the news stands Monday afternoon. Front page above the fold story aught to pee off about five quarters of the county.

Aug. 10 am There have been 1,054 coalition deaths, 932 Americans, 63 Britons, six Bulgarians, one Dane, one Dutch, one Estonian, one Hungarian, 19 Italians, one Latvian, seven Poles, one Salvadoran, three Slovaks, 11 Spaniards, two Thai and seven Ukrainians, in the war in Iraq as of August 9, 2004

Aug. 10 am Our wave of destruction continued last weekend as thugs broke into Clay Middle School

Aug. 10 am So. Are you feeling poor? Need a little extra money? Tonight at 7 is the first meeting of the Clay County Wood Co Op. Meeting will be held at Courthouse. See EVENTS page for more.

Aug. 10 am As of the 8th, 137,878 have veiwed this site this year. Thanks and tell a friend.

Aug. 10 am You think we have problems with a Prosecutor, click DRUNK.

Aug. 10 am For word processing, many use Word, or WordPerfect, or Works. Here's a free word processing program you can download which works good. Click ABI now

Aug. 9 am The County Commission meeting set this morning has been delayed a week. Commissioner Triplett is up in Morgantown partying... we mean training and since Mathew "HAC" Bragg can't be trusted to attend a meeting, the thang will be delayed a week.

Aug. 9 am Aren't you curious why The Communicator didn't come out last Friday? How did you make thru the weekend without something to wipe with?

Aug. 9 am We held up publication so we could include a juicy front page item on Commissioner Sams and his Ten Commandment plaque in the Courthouse and how that breach of the separation of church and state clause of the US Constitution has already cost the county $1000s.

Aug. 9 am Now if that doesn't get every little blue headed right wind conservative in a tizzy, I don't know what will! Unless lighting strikes us dead, The Communicator should make it to the news stands by 3 pm today. 50 cents and worth every penny Johnny Woooofter!

Aug. 9 am No Clay County PSD this Tuesday. It too has been rescheduled for later in the month.

Aug. 9 am All the Principals head back for training today and for the next four days. With flowers getting leggy and the temps dropping, fall is right around the corner clickers.

Aug. 9 am Our CIA boys are getting tougher and tougher . Now a gag rule has been put in place, Click Scheuer Told to Shut Up.

Aug. 9 am And you think we've got problems finding quality elected officials in Clayberry? Check out what's happening out West. Click In Jail 19 time and Running for Office.

Aug. 8 pm Happy Birthday wishes to Nada Waddell. 70 years old and STILL able to go shopping every day !

Aug. 8 pm Tomorrow's Clay County Commission meeting has been rescheduled for NEXT week. Commissioner Triplett will be away for more training and since HAC is often away from duty, Sams and Triplett feared no quorum would be available.

Aug. 8 pm Some weeks are quiet. Some weeks are chucked full of political mess and dismal performances. Some times we're covered with criminal activities.... This week's wrap up covers all the bases. Here's the week that was that or at least what we noticed in the Great Nation of Clay.

Aug. 8 pm Commissioner Mathew Bragg was given the nickname "HAC" ( He Ain't Comin') ten months ago. The nickname HAC came to be because: He misses so many meetings and while at meetings showed little interest in what was going on. Often "HAC" appeared to be in another world as he waited for the meeting to end and his exit time. This past week, around the county, from the masses, the consensus: With 4 months left in his County Commission term, he would attend less than 3 more meetings TOTAL!

Aug. 8 pm We had more crime in Clayberry this past week. Last weekend thugs tried to steal another vehicle from the local Chevy dealer but were unsuccessful, the vehicle was in for repairs and the trany was shot. On Wed., in broad daylight, on Main Street, a van was stolen while the driver was in the Christian Service Center. On Thursday, a fight broke out at the IGA. Co Owner Danny Sizemore tossed the battlers out where the bedlam continued on Main Street. Locals became vocal, they want law enforcement in the county to stop such stuff !!!!!!!!! Friday night, thugs nearly destroyed the interior of the Fitness Center at Schoonover/Bradley Field.

Aug. 8 pm In the way of Government news: The DEP told Town Council to straightened up the Sewer plant or face more fines! Already the Town has been fined $9000 this year for dumping raw poo poo in the Elk River. Tuesday evening the very testy CAEZ Chair, Michael Martin, lashed back at comments made by Fred Sampson as he remarked on how CAEZ rarely includes the public in the grass roots organization.

Aug. 8 pm Thursday evening, after saying they didn't have any money and needed a rate increase, the Clay Roane PSD voted to increase wages for one worker and a part time worker was hired as a full time employee with benefits. As for the Amma Left Hand Water Extension Project, trouble! With projects bids $1.8 million more than funds in place, another $1 million + in loans will have to be added to the debt load. And the keeper from that meeting: NO RATE INCREASE WILL BE NEEDED.

Aug. 8 pm Around the county Mom's began back to school shopping. Little kids were seen with new sneakers and jeans. The temps dropped way down and it felt like an early fall.

Aug. 8 And finally: Maude and Claude, both 91, lived in a retirement community. They met

in the social center and discovered over time that they enjoyed each other's company. After several weeks of meeting for coffee, Claude asked Maude out for dinner and, much to his delight, she accepted. They had a lovely evening. They dined at the most romantic restaurant in town. And despite his age, Claude was still a charmer. Afterward, Claude asked Maude to join him at his place for an after-dinner drink. Things continued along a natural course and age being no inhibitor, Maude soon joined Claude for a most enjoyable roll in the hay. As they were basking in the glow of the magic moments they'd shared, each was lost for a time in their own thoughts. Claude was thinking: "If I'd known she was a virgin, I'd have been more gentle." Maude was thinking: "If I'd known he could still do it, I'd have taken off my pantyhose."

ug. 6 late pm This morning those surfing over to this site found a big mess and no news or anything else. Last night about midnight as the site was being updated, the web caster turned to yell out, "Turn that **!! TV down!" While yelling at the teenage son, his elbow banged into the ENTER key and well.... one new lesson. Elbows and keyboards don't go well together.

Aug. 6 late pm There have been 1,049 coalition deaths, 926 Americans, 62 Britons, six Bulgarians, one Dane, one Dutch, one Estonian, one Hungarian, 19 Italians, one Latvian, seven Poles, one Salvadoran, three Slovaks, 11 Spaniards, two Thai and seven Ukrainians, in the war in Iraq as of August 6, 2004

Aug. 6 late pm From yesterday, just after lunch, it was ball bats and blood on the streets of Clayberry. Bubba and Brother Blankenship along with Earl Walls, and Dennis Kotch got into a freakous that wound up inside the IGA store on Main Street. With no badges to be found, Danny Sizemore pulled the fighters apart and sent them out the front door. That didn't it! Out on the street, a crowd gathered to watch the ball bats and fight grow. CAll for law enforcement were slowed waaaaaaaaaaaaaay down because one, there are few cops in the county and two, a long string of cars were stopped to watch the fight in progress.

Aug. 6 late pm As of 4pm today, Magistrate Boggs said no arrest warrants had come thru his office. Magistrate King was away today.

Aug. 6 late pm Wednesday, a lady parked her van in front of the Christian Service Center only to find it missing a few minutes later. Gone Gone Gone

Aug. 6 late pm Last night, Clay Roane PSD held a three hour meeting. During that meeting much talk came on tight budget issues and a call for a rate increase by the Office Manager. Just after that, Crystal McKinney (Office Manager) was given a pay increase (to $8.50 per hour) and Thomas Coon was hired full time. The systems water tanks have not been cleaned out in years. Two months ago, the Board voted to spend $3800 and hire divers to go into the tanks and suck the sludge away. Hasn't happened. The Roane County Commission agreed to cough up nearly $1000 for the maintenance while Clay County Commission voted nay on the issue.

Aug. 6 late pm For those wanting water service in the near future from Clay Roane PSD, don't hold your breath. Last night it became official, to complete the Amma/Left Hand water extension project, an additional $1.8 million is needed. According to PSD engineer Jim Hildruth, $1 million must be in the form of a loan. The Board voted to continue with the long stalled water project even if it involves more debt load. A portion of the project will be rebid quickly

Aug. 6 late pm. Questions came on higher water bills, if an additional $1 million is added to the project, how much of a rate increase will be needed? Cut this one out and put it on the frig clickers: All those around the table and Hildurth felt that NO RATE INCREASE would be needed. NONE!

Aug. 6 late pm If you're one of the complainers to the WV PSC on crappy water from Queen Shoals PSD click Still Doing Time for the latest.

Aug. 6 late pm Clay Roane PSD last night said that water service rates would NOT go up. What they didn't say was getting water service would. From the WV PSC web site, click TAP FEES TO RAISE for the latest.

Aug. 6 late pme Lots going on this weekend. Check the EVENTS page NOW. Don't miss out!

Aug. 5 pm Clay Business Development Authority meets tonight at 5 at the Courthouse followed by the Clay Roane PSD at 7 just across the street in the CDC building.

Aug. 5 pm It took two agendas to get it right for Clay Roane. Yesterday the first agenda was posted which included an action item for a rate increase. 46 minutes later a second and current ( we think) agenda was posted which deleted that item. DOn't know what happened but thank goodness for that!

Aug. 5 pm Of the two meetings, it looks like the PSD meeting might be the keeper.

Aug. 5 pm CAEZ met Tuesday evening. Chair Michael Martin was reaaaaaaaal "testy" during comments made by citizen activist Fred Sampson. Sampson made reference to the many failures of CAEZ and public apathy toward the grass roots organization over the last 9 1/2 years. Sampson asked that the public be accommodated during next months annual dinner/meeting in Clay. Martin came back strong with stuff along the lines: Why do I feel those remarks are directed at me??????????

Aug. 5 pm The norm for an annual meeting is eat, hold a brief meeting, and then listen to some key note speaker. During Tuesday's CAEZ meeting, questions came on who the key note speaker would be this year. Director Sizemore was less than forthcoming and no name was advanced as the designated speaker although the decision was already made by Director Sizemore.

Aug. 5 pm CAEZ by laws require an annual meeting where the public can make comments and make demands of the organization which will go out of business by year's end with federally designated fundings already gone gone gone. The Board has said little of its demise and even less on plans to change the name and purpose! So much for the grand experiment of having common citizens having a say in growing the community!

Aug. 5 pm Here's a cutey... Thugs tried stealing a 91 Chevy last weekend from Telford's Car lot. They got in jimmied the ignition and readied to drive off. Didn't work, the car was in for transmission repairs and wouldn't move an inch!

Aug. 5 pm Get your last minute event and classified listings in for Friday's Communicator. Deadline is today at 4pm

Aug. 5 pm A little boy was sitting on the curb with a gallon of turpentine and shaking it up and watching all the bubbles. A Priest came along and asked the little boy what he had. The little boy replied, "This is the most powerful liquid in the world, it's called turpentine." The Priest said, "No, the most powerful liquid in the world is Holy Water. If you take some of this Holy Water and rub it on a pregnant women's belly, she'll pass a healthy baby." The little boy replied, "You take some of this here turpentine and rub it on a cat's butt and he'll pass a Harley Davidson!

Aug. 4 pm Whether the mandatory $25 fee imposed on the county, or the notorious Ambulance Authority and reign of confusion and deceit, or now the Nov. Ballot vote for an emergency service levy, our ambulance service has for years been the root of controversy.

Aug. 4 pm From last night, over the scanner, around 7:33pm, no ambulances were available as a two car wreck near Nancy's diner took place. 911 dispatched one Roane County ambulance for three injured. 8:05pm from the scene, " What other ambulances are on the way?" 911: None; from the scene, "We still have a patient here, he said Kanawha County was called." 8:08pm 911: We have Kanawha [ambulance] going to another incident in Clay.

Aug. 4 pm A ,minute or so later, Clay Unit 17 was reported in route from Montgomery General. A paramedic came back with a cancellation order for Unit 17.

Aug. 4 pm Here's the way it looks clickers. We have three ambulance trucks in the county with one ailing and out of service. There were three injured during last night's wreck and the Roane County unit picked up one person & headed to CAMC, a relative took another to the hospital and the third was a refusal of service. In any event, things got hairy and real quick once again

Aug. 4 pm Since the Town of Clay's new sewer plant went into service in 1998, there have ben problems. Town leaders routinely say, they didn't get what was promised, that, it was to be a state of the art, one person operation that would last for years and years.

Aug. 4 pm Yesterday at 4pm, a rep from the DEP informed Council they had been fined $9000.00 for dumping raw poo poo into the river. He said the Town was cited four other times too. He wasn't playing around and went into great detail on what SHALL be done and done NOW to correct the deficiencies. The plan calls for going around the municipality and unhooking down spouts and additional surcharges for offenders.

Aug. 4pm Was this news to Town Council? Nope. The day the Log Factory opened, the first operator warned Council of the serious (and now costly) issue of rain water flooding out the poop into the river and the number of businesses dumping grease into the sewers. Full details Friday in the Communicator.

Aug. 4 pm Notes on last night's CAEZ meeting later today. Good one too!

Aug. 4 pm We've been getting more complaints on our spelling, diction, and poor grammar. In the way of an excuse, just take a look at our English language: The bandage was wound around the wound. The farm was used to produce produce. The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse. We must polish the Polish furniture. He could lead if he would get the lead out. The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.

Aug. 3 am Get out of the heat. Attend a public meeting. Today at 4 Clay Town Council meets followed by the CAEZ gathering at 6pm.

Aug. 3 am For a reporter, no place could be more fertile. This Thursday evening is the Clay Roane PSD meeting. We know that the long stalled (since 1996) Amma Left Hand water line project is in trouble. Coming in $1.8 million over budget, one of two things can be done. One, cut back on the customers served or raise rates. The guess is: Many Roanians will attend the meeting and voice their concerns: We've been promised water for years and now you're considering cutting back on those served in Roane County?????????? NO WAY!!!

Already on Thursday's PSD Agenda has an item to raise rates for general operations! Remember back three months ago when the state slapped a lien on the PSD for not paying nearly $4000 in past due employee taxes from 2001? During this Thursday's meeting, look for discussion centering around: Who's going to pay the old debt, the current Clay Roane PSD or the Board members from back then and out of their own pockets? Bet old Boardsters Lefty Summers and Garrett Samples won't like that a bit if they have to pay up!

Aug. 3 am In mid March, one time Clay Development Corp (CDC) President Earnie "Wide Glide" Sirk filed a suit against the social service provide. Since then little has happened. According Sirk, the Sheriff's office has all but refused to serve the court papers on CDC Director Betty Stalnaker and the CDC crew. Wide Glide reported (yesterday) that Deputy Slack made one attempt at walking across the street from the Courthouse to the CDC office to serve the documents and that was that! Sirk has since paid a process server to handle the quick duty after Slack told Wide Glide: You got the money, you do it!

Aug. 3 am It is our understanding, last Monday during the super secret Clay Primary HEalth Board of Neglecters meeting, their attorney made it very clear: Keep these meetings secret or else!. Wonder why secret is so important?

Aug. 2 am The beginning of each month is always a big time for public meetings. This evening the School Board meets at 6 at the Bd office on Gump Street. Clay Town Council meets at 4 on Tuesday.

Aug. 2 am Also on Tuesday, CAEZ's Eco/Dev committee meets at 4 with the full Board convening at 6pm, both in their Town of Clay digs on Main Street. Come Thursday, the BDA meets at 5 at the Courthouse under the direction of Leonard Williams.

Aug. 2 am Last week we started a campaign to draw attention to one of the few historic structures in the county, the Elkhurst Swinging bridge. The request was made to call Charleston and say: WE WANT SOME MONEY TO RESTORE THE SWINGING BRIDGE! Got a few minutes? Lets start their Monday off right. Dial 1-888-438-2731. Don't ask for Thelma!

Aug. 2 am One of the most secretive organizations in the county is the only public medical provider, Clay Primary Health. The group holds all of it's Board meetings behind closed doors. IF you think a agency built and funded by taxpayers should be held in public, why not call Bd Chair Max Moore 587-7482. The Rural Assistance Center web site says who should sit on a Board. They suggest that the make up should be representative of the community. Joyce Gibson is listed as the Board's Vice Chair and representing the Town of Clay as its Mayor. Of course that's two years out of date!

Aug. 2 am Operating in the red is nothing new for Primary Health. How they spend money is alarming. More Doctors, plans to expand, more top management. and so far this fiscal year, they've spent: Over $16,000 on interest expense at the Big Otter Clinic; over $26,000 on interest at the Clay Clinic; and $134,730.00 in contracted services. In 2003 Clay Primary lost $7,764 in investments down from a $23,259 loss in 2002.

Aug. 2 am Of their $3 million in revenue so far this year, $451,000.00+ came from Federal grants and $127,000 from state grants.

Aug. 1 pm It's one of those lazy hazy hot Summer afternoons perfect for sitting on the porch, sipping a cool drink and doing little. Here's some thoughts from the week that was, the last week of July 20004...

Aug. 1 pm the complete list of Clay County businesses that failed to pay Worker's Comp payments was printed in Charleston papers this past week. Those owners face loss of their business license and include: Alternative TW Co; Larry's Tree Service; Nationwide Insurance Agency; Ramsey's Excavating; Rogers' Cable; Schamberger Legal Services; T and T Trucking; and, Tayma Trucking.

Aug. 1 pm Our 13-14 year old Clay All Stars were shut out during the State Baseball Championship in Chapmanville. After completing a 24-0 perfect season, the tide turned. On the plus side, the folks that went on to win the State Tournament, Fairmont, were only to beat us by 4 runs! Not bad for any team or any season.

Aug. 1 pm Last week Norman Wilson stepped up to the plate and made demands of our County Commission. Wilson demanded that the elected two provide clean working rest rooms at Spread Park instead of renting a stinky nasty porta potty. At the end of his speech, Wilson made it very clear, he thought Commissioners Sams and Triplett had done little as leaders of the county and would work to replace them during the election cycle. Even worse than a porta potty, Commissioner Mathew "HAC" Bragg continued to accept his taxpayer paid for salary and neglect the duties of office.

Aug. 1 pm By mid week, Clay County Prosecutor Dan Grindo had it all over him as he blew the opening statement in the State vs Tonya Salisbury murder trial. Legal eagle defense attorney John Mitchell Sr immediately trounced on the opportunity and Salisbury was off the hook on the felony charges. True, she accepted a plea deal on a misdemeanor charge, the system had failed two ways. First, for the rest of her life, Tonya Salisbury will be the talk of the county. Second, with 18 months of experience under his belt, it appears Prosecutor Grindo has a lot to learn at the expense of the taxpayer. Grindo leaves his appointed office, Dec 31 2004 if not sooner. Grindo shows up for work and looks bad, Bragg doesn't even show up!

Aug. 1 pm We made TV 3 news Friday when Joe Legg got lost in the Dundon area. Cops, rescue workers, and helicopters hovered overhead as the remote wilderness was searched. Legg appeared the next day with a look of amazement on his face, What was all the fuss? He had gone camping and nothing more!

Aug. 1 pm As the week ended, what makes Clay County so special, surfaced again. Lots of $ were raised for Allen Ramsey during a Benefit Sing held yesterday ay Maysel Park. Ramsey was injured big time in a motorcycle collision and locals came out to hear great music and made donations to cover Allen's medical bills.