March 06

 
  • March 31 am  Let's say you're going to steal something. Where do you take it? Some place away from it all, some place not known for thievery?
  • March 31 am  Do you take it to the first place Badges look?   In Clayberry, the answer is yes.
  • March 31 am Law enforcement was back up Murder Mountain way Thursday and retrieved a gob of stolen items including a big tank, tools and four, count em, four utility trailers.
  • March 31 am Must have been the wind again. Details coming as we get em
  • March 31 am  We're holding up today's Communicator so we can include the latest finds.
  • March 30 am We're going into typing mode for the next 30 hours. It's time to get the Communicator out the door. No new posts except emergency stuff.
  • March 30 am Last night Clay High got the baseball season off to a good start with a win over Valley Fayette. 10 runned em too!
  • March 30 am Use a cell phone? Be prepared to have all your voice transmissions monitored and NOT just by the government.
  • March 30 am  A lady goes to her priest one day and tells him,  "Father, I have problem.  I have two female parrots, but they only know how to say one thing." What do they say?" the priest inquired. They say, "Hi, we're hookers!  Do you want to have some fun?" "That's obscene!" the priest exclaimed; then he thought for a moment. You know," he said, "I may have a solution to your problem. I have two male talking parrots, which I have taught to pray and read the  Bible. "Bring your two parrots over to my house, and we'll put them in the cage with  Frank and Jacob.  My parrots can teach your parrots to pray and worship, and your parrots are sure to stop saying that phrase in no time." The next day, she brought her female parrots to the priest's house. As he ushered her in, she saw that his two male parrots were inside their  cage, holding rosary beads and praying.  Impressed, she walked over and  placed her parrots in with them. After a few minutes, the female parrots cried out in unison: "Hi, we're hookers! Do you want to have some fun?"  There was stunned silence. Shocked, one male parrot looked over at the other male parrot and exclaimed, "Put the beads away, Frank, our prayers have been answered!"
  • March 29 pm Law enforcement in Clayberry must be nuts. They arrest all the wrong people!
  • March 29 pm  This morning was arrainment day before Judge  Ric Facemire.  One by one, some dressed in new shirt and pants, came forth, heard the Grand Jury charge against them and said Not Guilty.
  • March 29 pm All that police work MUST have been bogus!! They're all innocent!
  • March 29 pm  Ex Senator Randy Schoonover was also in attendance. Dressed in sport coat and  blue sweat pants, no  plea was entered. Turns out Judge's Facemire and Alsop have been recused from the case. A Judge from the Northern end of the state will be called in to hear the plea and conduct the case..
  • March 29 pm Schoony was very quiet. Before court time, when people said Hello,  he said nothing, He didn't look up. John Mitchell Sr handled the initial court room work this morning.   We'll have a complete write up in this Friday's Communicator.
  • March 29 pm Here in Clayberry, it's quiet. This close to the end of the month, few have any $. We're running on empty in wait for the next round of government checks.
  • March 29 am  Robert Pringle, Jr., 65 of Ivydale, see OBITUARY page
  • March 29 am  It's time to get your meeting notices, events, classifieds, etc. emailed over for this Friday's Communicator. Deadline is Wed at noon.
  • March 29 am All our pictures from last night's Clay High Dance Team presentation are now posted over on the PHOTO page, this site. Little kids too.
  • March 29 am For those planning on visiting Clayberry, Barry and Lucinda Curry have a darn nice rental cabin available in the northern end of the county.  Here's their just completed web site. Better reserve ASAP.
  • March 28 pm Great big Birthday wishes extended to Junior Shamblin living way down in McDavid Florida. 74 years old and going strong. Salute!!!!!!!!
  • March 28 am  Bertha Runions Falls, 77, of Ivydale, see OBITUARY page
  • March 28 am  Wilma Arlene Duffield Eyermann, 87, see OBITUARY page
  • March 28 am   Last night Clay County PSD held off voting in a water rate increase. Instead they're calling the WV Public Service Commission for assistance. The planned 19A increase, as they call it, allows the PSC to come in and decide what's best for us locals. With the Town asking for  a 23% increase and the PSD barely able to make payroll, looks for this increase to be substantial. It's coming just not here yet.
  • March 28 am Last night's Commission meeting got confusing.
  • March 28 am  Kim Moore gave a lengthy presentation on how pot should be legal based on Bible scripture. Yelp, she mentioned many biblical references to herbs, God giving us herbs to use, and some bible characters using herbs and incense. Somehow she managed to equate pot being ILLEGAL to violating Sams' 10 Commandments wall display.   Confused? Us too. Maybe a night's sleep will give new perspective. More coming clickers.
  • March 28 am Sheriff Holcomb informed the CCC, his overtime budget was empty and for them to do something about it poste haste.  Commissioner Triplett reminded the Top Badge of recent raises given his staff and how those $ could have been better used. Holcomb did not reply to Triplett's remarks.
  • March 27 am Before we get this new week started, a message from our sponsors. Take a look at our home page advertisers. Lots of good deals and opportunities. From buying and selling property, to outdoor power equipment, to deals on satellite TV service. Tired of those high gas and electric bills, try Geo Thermal. Be sure to check the newest front page ad from school board candidate Beth Cercone.
  • March 27 am  Weekdays, this site has well over 1400 hits. Almost that number on the weekends. Some people know how to get their message out. Tell em where you saw their ad. Thanks. Now back to our regular programming.
  • March 27 am We have two meetings of note today.
  • March 27 am Clay County PSD is holding a special meeting today to vote in a request to raise water rates. The meeting begins at 5pm in their Main Street Clay office digs across from the Courthouse.
  • March 27 am  The County Commission also meets at 5pm today. Jerry Stover is listed to discuss historical stuff for the old Courthouse and the CCC will vote on making 911 Director Pat Beets a paid county employee. We haven't seen much mention of the "10" of late except on the blogs.
  • March 27 am In his election year bid, Commissioner Sams hung up a black plastic 10 Commandments plaque on the wall of the County Commission room. Since then both sides of the separation of church and state issue have been very vocal. Tonight Kim Moore is  on the agenda to discuss the 10. The norm is for the bible thumpers to come out in force for such public dialogue.
  • March 27 am  For your web surfing pleasure... Did you just buy an easy on gas vehicle? The govt. is way ahead of you. One state is already testing a program to tax you on miles driven instead of the normal gas tax.
  • March 27 am  Surely you don't believe em when they say your child is getting a well rounded education? Truth is, the school is spent teaching the test with all subjects taking the back seat to the two areas of contention under No Child Left Behind. Low achieving students aren't even getting that benefit!
  • March 27 am For all of the government conspiracy folks. Here's some interesting film footage from the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon. Did anybody ever see any jumbo jet wreckage there? Works best with high speed but dial up eventually takes off too.
  • March 26 pm Where is Spring was the call to arms this last 7 days. Truth is, this is Spring and the late snows, sleet, and stormy sky is part of the norm. Here's our look back.
  • March 26 pm On the national scene, Bush went out on the road and told us how peachy the war is going. He staged what was called a massive air assault. Hot one bullet was fired. 40 farmers were arrested and 15 were set free within 24 hours.
  • March 26 pm   Bush made it known, we're in Iraq for the long haul. The decision to pull out US troops will be made by some Prez after 2008. We know why Dubbya avoided asking senior White House correspondent Helen Thomas any questions for three years. This week her chance came and she made him look like the dimly lit bulb he is.
  • March 26 pm  There have been 2,528 coalition deaths, 2,321 Americans, one Australian, 103 Britons, 13 Bulgarians, three Danes, two Dutch, two Estonians, one Fijian, one Hungarian, 26 Italians, one Kazakh, one Latvian, 17 Poles, two Salvadoran, three Slovaks, 11 Spaniards, two Thai and 18 Ukrainians in the war in Iraq as of March 24, 2006, according to a CNN count.
  • March 26 pm The cost of war spirals out of control.
  • March 26 pm Locally, our own little struggles continued.
  • March 26 pm  Ever so quietly, Clay County PSD posted a special meeting agenda which included their planned vote to raise water customer rates. Even with a growing customer base, it ain't enough.
  • March 26 pm The Spring Grand Jury returned 14 true bills, indictments including a one time state senator.
  • March 26 pm Randy Schoonover continued his downward trend by getting indicted and arrested for peddling his own prescriptions over in Nicholas County. Out on $100,000 bond, the ex Senator made lead story status of regional media outlets. Out of control for some time, we quietly ask, what will he do next to embarrass those that once trusted and supported him?
  • March 26 pm On this web site, one fellow,  a one time school principal,  spoke up and said we bash Dubbya too much. This site was ruining his Clayberry memories and experience. Well.... Bush has done that for many Clayberry folks and we still support him.
  • March 26 pm  With the election right around the corner and Commissioner Sams' 10 Commandments issue resurfacing, it's interesting to note, of the 10,000 Clayonians, over 8000 claim NO religious affiliation.
  • March 26 pm  Our homes are little, on average over 35 years old, and substandard.
  • March 26 pm  After years of excess school levies and being told we have a great school system, the stats don't show that.
  • March 26 pm From the HurHerald web site:  There are 3,143 Counties in the USA......Calhoun and McDowell, Webster, Summers, Mingo and Clay are in the 100 poorest counties in the USA..... The State of West Virginia is ranked 49th in the USA with a per capita income of $16,477 .... An independent study released by the National Center for Policy Analysis says "West Virginia has the lowest per capita income in the US and the worst economic record through the 1990's ... economic freedom is nowhere to be seen. The taxation system is so bad it can't even give Canada a run for its money." Granted, a lot of federal money gets sprinkled on WV, but there is little change in the dynamics of work, taxation and the economy.... Here's the link to our depressing stats.
  • March 26 pm Go back to bed, this is too depressing! See you Monday.
  • March 25 pm  Vernile Truman, 84, of Maysel, see OBITUARY page
  • March 25 am Ex Senator Randy Schoonover made bond ($100,000) yesterday around noon. Conditions of bond always include no drinking, drugs, running around naked, and doing stupid stuff. Wonder how long Randy will make it on bond?
  • March 25 am Five days into Spring and the snow lingers on. This is a good weekend to wrap up in a blanket and read a good book. If that doesn't suit your fancy, check out the EVENTS page for some fun volleyball action.
  • March 25 am When that Jerry Edens emailed us with his comments, a can of worms was opened up. He said he was never visiting this site again. Good morning Mr Edens how's your morning going?
  • March 25 am We've received several more emails. Here's one pretty good one:  Tell these people that have nothing good to say about our "WONDERFUL" News Paper "THE COMMUNICATOR" if they don't like the truth just quit reading the paper!!!!!! Sandra C
  • March 25 am And: Whatever problems Clay County may have, I love reading your website and hearing about what’s going on and what’s happening to all the old familiar faces.  Keep up the great work.     Mike Ontko
  • March 25 am Not sure about the great work part but our intention today as it was over 10 years ago, improve our home county by keeping the public informed. We're still trying. Thanks for both sides of the coin.
  • March 25 am When you see Bill Dunn, tell him Happy Birthday.
  • March 25 am  Back to that Clay County PSD water rate thang. Yelp The Board is voting to raise rates Monday during a Special meeting at the PSD office at 5pm. Already some of the highest rates in the state, it's getting worse. According to the office manager and Bill Dunn, the PSD is hard time making payroll, high gasoline rates haven't helped any, there are no tools to do repairs, and no $ to buy any repair parts.
  • March 25 am  Keep in mind, Clay County PSD wants a rate increase to meet existing debts and expenses. When the Town of Clay gets their 23% increase, those that buy from the town, like the PSDs, will need more $
  • March 25 am Get a rate increase and few more customers aren't able to pay their bills and disconnect. With fewer customers, another rate increase is needed. When the next rate increase arrives other customers have to disconnect. It's called the domino affect and it's here in Clayberry.
  • March 25 am
  • March 24 pm  Charles Henry Everett Triplett, 76, of Indore, see OBITUARY page
  • March 24 pm  From the Braxton newspaper:   On January 12, 2006, Benny F. Murphy was convicted of the felony offense of conspiracy at the conclusion of a jury trial. The jury found the defendant not guilty of operating a meth lab. Murphy appeared before Judge Facemire and requested the Court place him on probation or home confinement. During the proceedings the State of West Virginia strenuously opposed the motion. Judge Facemire noted that the defendant continued to deny that he was a part of the conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine and he further denied that he had any knowledge concerning the drug laboratory. Murphy told the Court that he allowed Alva Brady to use his garage to work on a vehicle in return for Brady doing work on the building including installing an exhaust fan. The defendant advised the Court that he allowed Brady to enter the building so that he could work on his vehicle and then the defendant left and went to downtown Gassaway. Murphy stated that he had no knowledge that the defendant was going to operate a meth lab and when the defendant returned from Gassaway he noticed the fire.

    •     The Judge stated that the defendant and Alva Brady were at the garage in the late evening hours of the 27th day of January, 2005, and the early morning hours of January 28. Judge Facemire added that it was hard for the Court to believe that Alva Brady was repairing an automobile at 1:00 or 2:00 o’clock A.M., in the morning. The Court noted that it was difficult for it to believe the defendant’s version that he had no knowledge of the operation of this clandestine drug laboratory. Further, the Court noted that the defendant had acknowledged, in the recent past, he began using methamphetamine again. The Judge also noted, as a result of the operation of illegal operation, Alva Brady was killed and property damage occurred that also created a hazardous environmental situation.
         Judge Facemire denied the defendant’s request for probation and ordered Murphy sentenced to the State Penitentiary for a period of not less than one nor more than five years. Murphy requested thirty days to get his affairs in order before reporting to the Penitentiary. Prosecuting Attorney it did not oppose the defendant having some time prior to having to go to the Penitentiary. Judge Facemire gave the Murphy twelve days to get his affairs in order. The defendant will report to the Central Regional Jail on April 3, to begin serving his sentence.
  • March 24 am  We'll have a full update later today...
  • March 24 am There's  an agenda posted on the front door of Clay County PSD. They're holding  s Special Meeting on the 27th. To be voted on is a  is a is  hate to type it...... a new rate increase. Yelp!  Get the Crisco water customers you're going to need it.
  • March 24 am  Earlier this week we posted an email from an upset clicker, a Mr. Edens, vowing to never visit this this site again. We have a new post from the email bag:  Mr Eden must be a pretty smart man. Your site is representative of why many of us that grew up in Clay County never returned to live. The utter ignorance of life there and the ramblings of your site are more than some of us want to bear. It is as if Clay County is a "Third World County" with a huge wall around it allowing no common sense to get in.  It is no wonder that members of local governmental offices and committees are often not the best qualified personnel for the jobs.   Who wants the garbage handed out by your ramblings often written at maybe a 5th grade level.   If I didn't know Clay County first hand and I read your ramblings on your site I would never go there.   I read your ramblings less for information than for the reminder of why I chose not to return there after many years of serving my country. The same ignorance, if not more,  is still there that was there in the 50s when I graduated from CCHS. Enough rambling.     Don Fitzwater
  • March 24 am Actually we refer to it as the Great Nation of Clay.
  • March 24 am Honestly we go the meetings and report what we see and hear there, How many times have you heard one thing and your neighbor heard something completely different? It happens and can happen to us. But, for the most part, local leaders get mad at us not for inaccuracies but because the info "got out".
  • March 23 pm Great big Happy Birthday wishes to 84 year old William Eagle. Mr Eagle still going strong at 84 years young. Salute!
  • March 23 pm Under absolutely blue skies and sunshine galore, here's our noon time update on the Randy.
  • March 23 pm Magistrate Jeff Boggs did a tele video conference just before noon today. Bond was set at $100,000. As of 11:44 am this morning, Schoony remained lodged in Central Regional Jail. According to Magistrate Boggs, ex Senator Randy Schoonover was charged with delivery of a schedule 2 narcotic.controlled substance.
  • March 23 am There's little doubt who the "John Doe" indictment is now. Tuesday the Clay County Spring Grand Jury indicted 14 including one John Doe. With a felony charge lodged against ex Senator Randy Schoonover and housed in Central Regional Jail, there is little doubt.
  • March 23 am Schoony served in the House of Delegates followed by the WV Senate until he resigned days before pleading guilty to sticky fingeritus of $2700 in an influence peddling scheme gone bad. After serving 18 months behind bars in the Ashland Correctional Center, Randy came home in disgrace. A little over  a year ago, a nasty ATV accident nearly killed him and did cost him his left arm.
  • March 23 am  In small town America rumors run wild. Here in Clayberry, many of the rumors have had him selling Rx pain killers. The guess is, Badges caught him in the act in Nicholas County. We'll know for sure next Wed when those indicted stand before the Judge and say guilty or not guilty.   With one felony already under his belt, our man Randy is in deep doo doo.
  • March 23 am  Whether it was streaking naked across a bridge, sounding dumber than a box of rocks on a TV sound bite, doing something stupid on a 4 wheeler and darn near killing himself or getting caught selling drugs.....
  • March 23 am Earnie Sirk said it best. Sirk supported Schoony and often said, "He's a dumbarss but he's our dumbarss."  Clayberry's wayward Senator will make the regional news cycle once again and give us another black eye.
  • March 23 am  Most will never know the guy or his ability to remember a face, name, and something about them. They won't know his gift for remembering numbers. During one succesful election bid, Schoony sat over at Go Mart in Clay and by memory remembered how many votes he received in each precinct in each district. He remembered the figures from the election cycle four years earlier. In his head he could compare the results and talk about it all at the same time. He had a gift. Those days are all gone now.
  • March 23 am  More coming, check back.
  • March 22 pm With the work of the grand jury complete, here's the list of those indicted: Carolyn Gould; Lloyd Gould, Cheryl Metheney; Clifton Woods, Jason Triplett, Faith Triplett, Jimmy Cummings, Nathan Stephenson, Isiah Stephenson, Laura Flores, Lorzena Carte, Thomas Holcomb, and a John Doe.
  • March 22 pm John Doe? Yelp. According to Prosecutor Samples, that one indictment is sealed. Our sources say Judge Facemire told all that the indictment was to remain a John Doe; a Capias has been ordered, a special Nicholas County Prosecutor was called in to do the presentation, and mums the word for now.
  • March 22 pm More as we get it.
  • March 22 am  Opal Minnie Brown Edwards, 85, of Fola, see OBITUARY page
  • March 22 am County Commission meets this morning at 9am for budget work.
  • March 22 am  We're still waiting on the Grand Jury results as are a bunch of the criminals in the county. Around 2pm yesterday, Circuit Clerk Mike Asbury said the jurors were still working and had several more presentations to hear. At 4:30 one of the office workers said she thought the Grand Jury was done but the results weren't out yet. Sometime this afternoon we'll post the results.
  • March 22 am How many of you got your spuds in the ground on St Patrick's Day? Did you put your beets in the ground in nice rows last Saturday?   Snow and ice blanketed the county of Clay last night.  About as much winter as we've had all season. This is Spring time?
  • March 22 am  We had a web clicker email us and say he could no longer bare to look at this site. Too much Dubbya bashing for his taste. Said he would never come back. Well he did and re emailed. From Mr Jerry Edens: As I expected, you misinterpreted my email.  It's not that I am a right wing conservative, as I stated that I am not in favor of the war and etc,. but that you are sickly obsessed with it and have ruined... your press.  A little of it's OK but not as much as you give.  I HAD TO SEE THE SITE ONE MORE TIME BEFORE I DELETED IT FROM MY FAVORITES.  If I want to see Bushed get kicked I go to the professionals, CNN, When I wanted to relax I went to Clayberry the place I grew up.......JERRY S. EDENS
  • March 22 am I think he's hooked clickers. Good morning Mr Edens, We see you!
  • March 22 am  Also from the email bag and from a Mr Simmons:  I am amazed at the people who still think Bush walks on water.  He will go down as the worst president we have had in all of American History.  The highest deficit, an oil war that was suppose to be about terrorism, taxation for the wealthiest one percent of the people in America and a country more divided than it has ever has been.  Bush reminds me of the story about the "Pied Piper of Hamelin" in that he is leading blind people to the destruction of the United States.  There is no telling about intelligence, or I should say, the lack thereof.
  • March 22 am As we mentioned, or according to Mr Edens, misrepresented yesterday, there's room for everybody here in Clayberry. I still see you Mr Edens.
  • March 22 am  We had a real interesting County Commission meeting Tuesday. Looks like some coal mitigation funds may come to the county. First some background
  • March 22 am When coal companies wipe out creeks and streams they have to pay a $ penalty for the county's loss. That payout is called a mitigation fee. The going rate is $200,000 per flowing acre of wa wa.Coal mitigation funds paid for the new Lake Sampson out Wallback way.
  • March 22 am During Tuesday's CCC meeting Fran King spoke on such $ coming to Clay from Consol Mining. The company plans to open a mine near Duck and stretching over into Braxton County. Up front they will mess up 4 flowing acres according to Commissioner King and eventually disturb 14 or more acres. Those dollars can be used to correct creek, river, watershed issues in Clayberry.  Engineers met with King and others Monday to discuss what to do with the bucks.
  • March 22 am One idea is to install an incenerator style poop factory in Widen so all the logs don't go directly into the creek, into Buffalo creek and the Elk River. Wouldn't that be nice, go wading in Buffalo Creek and not see toilet paper and not so little brown logs floating past. Six years ago one Clay County Health Dept report noted raw sewage flowing down the streets of Widen.
  • March 22 am Now now now Mr Edens, you shouldn't be reading this site. You know how it affects your blood pressure.
  • March 21 am Saturday was the Widen clean up day. One look at the pictures on the PHOTO page will show a big success. The big green dumpster remains  there for another three weeks. With it being emptied each Wednesday, keep filling it up and up!
  • March 21 am  How about some lunch? Just got this in the email bag:  The High School Dance Team Moms will be selling pepperoni rolls for $1 March 20th - 24th in an effort to get the team to National Finals.  If you would like to order for lunch, please call Christie Cliver at 587-7867, don't forget to tell us your lunch time, we will not be late!!
  • March 21 am Some days we just get yelled at a little. Here's one from Sunday:  Over the past few years I have read your Clay WV  blog very faithfully.  I have withheld my opinion of your obsession with Bush as a small price to pay for news of my home town.  I don't approve of the situation that we are in with Iraq: however, I feel that you are in need of a serious session with a psychologist or even worse.  I feel not anger with you but compassion.  Either you have lost a son or daughter in the war  or are a sister or husband to Jane Fonda.  I cannot ever read my favorite news place again because of your sickness.....After you are able to release some anger I will not be able to view my site......Jerry S. Edens
  • March 21 am  Not that our skin is thin but it helps to get a nice email: The first thing I do everyday when I get home is go to the website.  I love it!!  But of course I'm slightly prejudiced toward Clay County.  I grew up in Detroit MI, and eagerly looked forward to summers at my grandparents home in Bentree.  My mother grew up on Blue Knob and graduated from Clay Co. High in 1928.  Cookie Johnston and David Pierson are my first cousins.  The High School Girls basketball coach is also my cousin. GO CLAY!!!   Sadly (?) I've never been able to live there as I dreamed as a child due to the age old story  NO WORK.  But I am looking forward to spending my retirement there.  Please let everybody know that even though there is a lot going on there  (Drugs, Politics and general Thievery)  Clay is the Best Place in America.   Keep up the great work and Thanks for doing what you do.  Vicki Lane (Vicki in Nashville)
  • March 21 am There's plenty room for Jerry and Vicki in Clayberry. For the Jerry's of the world don't go to this liberal store web site. It will only make you mad. Or this Dick Cheney quail hunting game.
  • March 21 am There's a for profit site with tons of pics from the state basketball tournaments.
  • March 21 am Today the County Commission meets at 1pm.
  • March 21 am  We hardly even talk about forest fires. And boy we've had em for the last three weeks. Nothing big, just little out of control stuff scorching a few acres through out the county. Be careful out there.
  • March 21 am       While walking through the Northern California woods a man came up to another man hugging a tree with his ear firmly against the tree.   Seeing this he inquired, "Just out of curiosity, what the heck are you doing?   "I'm listening to the music of the tree," the other man replied.  "You gotta be kiddin' me."  "No, would you like to give it a try?"   Understandably curious, the man says, "Well, OK..."   So he wrapped his arms around the tree and pressed his ear up against  it.

    •        With this the other guy slapped a pair of handcuffs on him, took his wallet, jewelry, car keys, and then stripped him naked and left.  Two hours later another nature lover strolled by, saw this guy handcuffed to the tree stark naked, and asked, "What the hell happened to you?"   He told the guy the whole story about how he got there.  When he finished telling his story, the other guy shook his head in sympathy, walked around behind him, kissed him behind the ear and said,  "This just isn't gonna be your day..."
  • March 20 pm Law and order takes time to work. We get impatient with waiting. Sometimes we say badges aren't doing anything or Judges waste time. High jail bills add to the waiting misery.
  • March 20 pm Most of us know Frankie "Augie" Phillips. He has spent much of life behind bars. Drugs have been his downfall. He just got it again.
  • March 20 pm Out on parole, Phillips tested positive for drugs last week and week before. Two days ago, Augie was busted for selling cocaine and pot. Phillips was seen dressed in orange and in leg irons this morning at the Courthouse. With his chance for a new life all gone, it's back to the big house for Mr Phillips.
  • March 20 pm Tuesday is Spring Grand Jury time for Clayberry. Prosecutor Jim Samples said today there would not be a big long list of presentations for the Grand Jury this time around. Our guess is 5 or so.
  • March 20 pm A Couple months back we overheard Samples talking about a big, major, one of note, presentation coming before the Jurors. We tried to get Samples to spill his guts on the matter but it didn't work. Anybody got any guesses? Email them over.
  • March 20 am Happy Monday morning. Have you checked the weather yet. Although we keep insisting it's Spring time, snow and sleet is in the forecast for tonight.
  • March 20 am Tonight the School Board meets at Clay Middle School. Excerpts from the agenda include: Approve contract with Carolyn Rogers as Contract Bus Driver job Route # 15C, successful bid with agreed upon tiebreaker;  Approve the employment to a Director of Special Education (Jennifer Sirk's former job);  Approve the employment of Michael Butcher as Bus Driver for Bus #53 - O'Brien/Ivydale/Clay (Dan Sizemore's former job);  Approve the commitment for the placement of wiring and foundation for lights and poles to be donated for the Maysel Park;   Accept the bid of RenoSys Corporation as successful low bidder for the installation of the PVC pool liner for the Clay Pool (low bidder of $50,094.30);   Approve the proposal presented by Andy Haynes, Haynes Computer Service to place equipment on school buildings;   Approve Pre-K plan for Clay County Schools for the 2006-2007 school year;  Approve out of state/overnight trip for the Clay County High School VICA State Competition to Martinsburg March 30 - April 1, 2006;   Approve the placement of personnel (Professional, Service Personnel, Bus Drivers, and Secretaries) on the Preferred Recall List for the 2006 - 2007 school year.
  • March 20 am Don't look for the agenda on the door of the building or made public as required by law, Link doesn't do that. No need to make the public aware of a public meeting.
  • March 20 am The Boardster that makes the agenda available to the public is Beth Cercone. Thank you
  • March 20 am  Check back often clickers, never know what may happen in Clayberry.
  • March 19 am We're now three years into Dubbya's oil war. It started with lies and without world support and continues today. No end is in sight. While in control of 1/3 of the world's oil supplies, gasoline prices went up last week. Just the way corporate America likes it.
  • March 19 am This is the first war with our government controlling what mainstream media tells us. We remember Sadamn's statue being toppled. Talking heads told us the happy Iraq folks did it. Lie. This would be a short war. Lie. Mission Accomplished. Lie.
  • March 19 am From the get go, government incompetence has been the main stay. With world media sheepishly growing some backbone (and lame duck W's polls in the gutter) yesterday's world wide protests of the war were mentioned briefly. That's a start.
  • March 19 am  American reporters skirt calling the quagmire a civil war. Not so for the American backed, installed and toppled  Premier Allawi, "It is unfortunate that we are in civil war. We are losing each day as an average 50 to 60 people throughout the country, if not more. If this is not civil war, then God knows what civil war is," he told BBC television on Sunday. "Iraq is in the middle of a crisis. Maybe we have not reached the point of no return yet. But we are moving toward this point. We are in a terrible civil conflict now."  Here's the full report.
  • March 19 am We don't care about the rights of those folks wearing towels on their heads. As a matter of fact, we barely raise an eyebrow when told our government can now monitor our telephone calls. We say, "So what, I have nothing to hide." Our own government is also entering American homes and businesses without a search warrant, conducting searches and never telling the property owner. With our basic Constitutional protections busted and main stream media not allowed or doing their job, how different are we from the country we are occupying.
  • March 19 am  There have been 2,519 coalition deaths, 2,314 Americans, one Australian, 103 Britons, 13 Bulgarians, two Danes, two Dutch, two Estonians, one Hungarian, 26 Italians, one Kazakh, one Latvian, 17 Poles, two Salvadoran, three Slovaks, 11 Spaniards, two Thai and 18 Ukrainians in the war in Iraq as of March 17, 2006, according to a CNN count.
  • March 19 am We were promised a quick and decisive war where those being occupied would love us. Incompetent leadership lied to us then and continues today.
  • March 19 am  From Dubbya to Clayberry...
  • March 19 am  Locally we saw a couple glimmers of hope in the last seven days. We saw a new beginning at Clay County PSD when new leadership held a public meeting and did the public's business in public. In response, water customers came, asked questions, got answers and left feeling good. How refreshing!
  • March 19 am Thursday night, a fund raiser/meet the candidates forum was held at the Courthouse. Around 50 or so showed up for free food. When asked to speak, those seeking office did but said nothing. Whoever is elected to office this May, it will be business as usual, dismal.
  • March 19 am Widen is the community time forgot. The tiny town is a place without pride, without a future, and nothing is left of its once proud past. After 50 years of neglect, the place is trashed out. Yesterday we saw a glimmer of hope.
  • March 19 am  Yesterday the combined efforts of several government groups went to work cleaning the place up. Six huge dump trucks of junk were hauled out of Widen. With the County Commission, BDA, CAEZ, Solid Waste Authority and the BC&G RR Co-Op working together, Saturday's Clean Up was  a success. Heck, even Leonard "My Good Buddy" Williams was out there putting in a full day of lugging, tugging, shoving, lifting and grunting!  With 6 truck loads removed, there's easily another 100 truck loads waiting proper disposal. BUT.. it's a start.
  • March 19 am The near award winning Communicator made it to the news stands Friday afternoon. 44 year old cancer survivor Kevin Braley is a bent over, skinny man with little hope of a long life. A thug stole his life sustaining meds. The article is one of the saddest commentaries on life in Clayberry we've ever written.  Already we are getting reports Braley has never been an angel.
  • March 19 am In response, so what!!!!!!!!! Stealing meds from even a Hitler, Stalin, Sadamn or anybody so sick is about as low as you can go.
  • March 18 Over on the PHOTO page we've added the CCHS boys basketball pictures
  • March 18 Also added are the scenes from Saturday's Widen Clean Up Day.
  • March 18  We have the new WV Jail Authority link over on the LINK page this site.
  • March 17 late pm  Hollis Ray Osborne, 64, of Maysel, see OBITUARY page
  • March 17 pm   Herman Sylvester Davis, 84, of Procious, see OBITUARY page
  • March 17 pm Hello Vicki in Nashville. Thanks for the kind words
  • March 17 pm The Communicator made it to the news stands around 5pm today. 20 solid pages of news and views including maybe the saddest story we've ever published on thugery  as our lead story.
  • March 17 pm  There's a junk clean up going on Saturday in Widen. See EVENTS page for details.
  • March 17 pm  11:40 over the scanner, man shot in the mouth on Reed Fork.
  • March 17 pm Health Net called in to transport. 12:15 "HealthNet is in the air".
  • March 17 pm over scanner: HealthNet had to abort, no others copters to send.
  • March 17 pm  Clay Ambulance headed to CAMC
  • March 17 pm On a lighter note.....
  • March 17 pm   My wife left me...and I don't understand.  After the last child was born, she told me we had to cut back on expenses - I had to give up drinking beer. I was not a big drinker, maybe a 12-pack on weekends. Anyway, I gave it up, but I noticed the other day when she came home from grocery shopping, the receipt included $45 for makeup. I said, "Wait a minute.   I've given up beer and you haven't given up anything!"  She said, "I buy that makeup for you, so I can look pretty for you."   I told her, "Heck, that's what the beer was for!"
  • March 17 pm Pooped out. More later.
  • March 17 am   I know you're not going to believe it but....
  • March 17 am Unless something bad happens, The Communicator will be on the news stands around 5pm today, on time!!! Our lead story centers around the thievery of pain killing narcotics stolen from cancer victim Kevin Braley who lives in the Northern end of the county. Mr. Braley if fighting a throat cancer battle. Dirty rotten pukes stole his meds.  A nasty story on the new Clayberry. Pitiful!
  • March 17 am While we button it up, no posts except these couple notes.
  • March 17 am Senator Randy White's latest offering is now over on the ADVISORY page
  • March 17 am For those interested in growing the BC&G RR, Earnest Workman has a nice article on the ADVISORY page as well.
  • March 17 am  Now something to hold you over...
  • March 17 am     An honest man was being tailgated by a stressed out woman on a busy boulevard. Suddenly, the light turned yellow, just in front of him. He did the right thing, stopping at the crosswalk, even though he could have beaten the red light by accelerating through the intersection.

    •     The tailgating woman hit the roof--and the horn--screaming in frustration as she missed her chance to get through the intersection. As she was still in mid-rant, she heard a tap on her window and looked up into the face of a very serious police officer. The officer ordered her to exit her car with her hands up. He took her to the police station where she was searched, fingerprinted, photographed and placed in a holding cell.
         After a couple of hours, a policeman approached the cell and opened the door. She was escorted back to the booking
    desk where the arresting officer was waiting with her personal effects. He said, "I'm very sorry for this mistake. You see, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn, flipping off the guy in front of you, and cussing a blue streak at him. I noticed the 'Choose Life' license plate holder, the 'What Would Jesus Do' bumper sticker, the 'Follow Me to Sunday School' bumper sticker, and the chrome-plated Christian fish emblem on the trunk. Naturally, I assumed you had stolen the car."
  • March 17 am  I am a victim of the latest scam which is happening in shopping mall parking lots. Two good looking young women come up  to your car as you are parking, one starts wiping your windshield with a  rag and the other comes to your window and bends over so far her breasts  just about fall out of her blouse.  While you're distracted, the other one lets herself into the backseat.

    • Then both start begging you for a ride home. Be very wary, because as soon as you start driving, one of them will take off her shirt and rub her breasts on you while the other climbs over the seat and unzips your pants and distracts you . This is when they steal your wallet.
         I was robbed last Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.  I couldn't find them on Saturday.
  • March 15 10:30  The basketball season is over for Clay High. The final score, Weir 88, Clay Panthers, 36. We came We played We tried. Five guys over 6' tall were just too much.
  • March 15 10:30  Time for baseball season in the County of Clay.
  • March 15 9:44pm End of first half  of State Tournament B Ball action... not looking too good for our Panthers. Score: Weir 49, Clay 20.  First half, they did anything they wanted. We're outgunned!
  • March 15 9:30  Five minutes to go in first half, Weir 40 Clay 11. Subs in for Weir and the crowd thinning out.
  • March 15 pm Hit the refresh button at the top to keep up clickers
  • March 15 9:20  End of first quarter, Weir 34, Clay 9. They've got five on the court over 6 foot tall including one 6'7" guy.
  • March 15  9:13pm State Tournament, middle of first quarter: Weir ahead 23 to 7, Weir.  Our Meadows already has two fouls.
  • March 15 pm Don't forget you can listen to tonight's Panther State Tourney game online. The link is posted below. Just click it and turn up your speakers. Real time stats are also available on that tourney site. Action starts at 9pm
  • March 15 pm We'll update at the end of each quarter. Hit the refresh button at the top of your browser to keep current.
  • March 15 pm  As we get ready for tonight's CCHS Boys Basketball action, here's something to keep you busy.
  • March 15 pm  Just posted the Lady Panther pics over on the PHOTO page, this site.
  • March 15 pm  Needs some help clickers, if you're going to tonight's game and get some good pictures, please email over. Will give credit and post on site and the  Communicator if used. Thanks
  • March 15 pm  Ronald Gene O'Brien, 54, of Clay, see OBITURAY page
  • MArch 15 pm  Edward Alton White, 76, see OBITUARY page
  • March 15 am  Today's the day for the CCHS Panthers to show their stuff. Game time is 9pm in the Charleston Civic Center. We're taking on the number team Weir. For those living too far away to take in the game, you can listen online. Click the link and then on the left side of that page you'll see the listen button.
  • March 15 am Go Claaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!
  • March 15 am  If someone would email over some pics from the game we'll get em on the web and in Friday's Communicator.
  • March 15 am  For a newspaperman, nothing is worse than a well run meeting. Last night's Clay County PSD meeting was just that. They discussed issues. It didn't look like they had before meeting huddles. People in the peanut gallery were allowed to ask questions. The public received answers. It was awful I tell ya! Awful
  • March 15 am From that meeting..... the Tuckers Bottom/Lizemore water line extension project is progressing but way slow and behind schedule. Today the Southern end of the project, down Lizemores way, is to begin.
  • MArch 15 am During the meeting, one of the fund managers, Terry Martin said that additional legal, acquisition, rights of way, and courtroom fees may force a change in the project budget. We understand a long standing water tank land dispute has been settled to the tune of $15,000 in favor of Sheriff Holcomb.
  • March 15 am Many customers in the Little Italy section of the system still go without water after 11pm nightly. The no or low water pressure has been an issue for over a decade. Project Engineer Greg Belcher from Chapman Technical said that when a new 6 inch line is completed, the low or no water pressure problem "should" be a thing of the past.
  • March 15 am Should was the key word. If that doesn't fix the problem , then $70,000 will be needed to run a new connection from the Ivydale storage tank.
  • March 15 am Ellie Davis had a rough time keeping water service while Keith King was in charge of the PSD. During one meeting, Ms Davis left in the meeting in tears after a chewing by Mr Happy.
  • March 15 am  In front of the new Board, last night Ms Davis said for many years her water bills were out of sight. At one point while living alone, she was charged for 17000 gallons of wa wa in one month. Often a week's pay was spent just to keep the water service turned on. Late fees were added to the outrageous bills. Davis asked the PSD to look at the four years of overcharges and asked for an adjustment. The Board said they would check with the WV Public Service Commission and give her an answer. Davis left the meeting with a smile.
  • March 15 am In the last edition of the Communicator we printed Elk Power's (Musser Companies) request for a higher rate increase. Since that printing, the Musser group told the PSC they were withdrawing the request. Full details in Friday's paper.
  • March 14 am This afternoon at 5 Clay County PSD meets. Newbee Alex Fitzwater will take his appointed position on the Board. Come out and enjoy a public meeting
  • March 14 am  At 5:20 yesterday the call came over the scanner: 2 men, with guns, fighting... beating up a third guy... telephone line cut.... Unit 444 Suart Simms was first on the scene, "I'm on top of it.."
  • March 14 am  With 444 saying he could use some help, Unit 3 Slack and Green Shirt 637 Wickline step on it. Top Cop Holcomb finishing up a tractor trailer wreck duty below the Camp Creek bridge high tails it to White Road in Wallback.
  • March 14 am  Over the scanner another call, this time a man and woman across the road from one another, the guy with his shirt ripped off.  By 5:46pm Monday all the badges are there and Unit 1 says everything is 10-4.
  • March 14 am Nothing bad happened but that's how fast anything could have happened here in the outback.
  • March 14 am  Last night, 7pm, down in our Southern border colony, Clendenin Town Council tried to hold a meeting. Didn't happen. No quorum. Council has been at odds with Mayor Ore since his election to office in June of 2005. Maybe the absentees had good reason for being away. Maybe they're just continuing their peeing contest.
  • March 14 am  Down there, costly court action is the mode of operation. Last year Council sued the Mayor followed. Another suit was brought against the Council. Shortly thereafter, the Mayor sued Council. Before Ore took office, 18 lawsuits were brought against the Town with allegations of Police and Judge corruption. It is our understanding, the Town's insurance provider canceled liability coverage effective April 1 2006. Without insurance, the town is in a pickle. Wouldn't it be a shame if town employees had to be laid off due to Town Council not dealing with the liability insurance crisis.
  • March 14 am Here in Clayberry, some things are finally taking shape. After a 10 year delay, the Amma/Left Hand water project is complete. The Tuckers Bottom/Lizemores water line extension is behind  schedule but progressing. Crews are suppose to be on the job this month to replace the old Dundon bridge. The Town's water system and plant upgrade is inching along toward Maysel.
  • March 14 am Non government projects include a new concrete plant in t he Northern end of the county. The JG Bradley Campground is ready for 37,000 yards of fill to bring the land up to track elevation.
  • March 14 am All of a sudden, Clayberry looks prosperous and moving forward.
  • March 14 am  Here's a link to many of West Virginia's known speed traps. Thanks HS
  • March 14 am   While we're on cars, here's a link to what kind of cars and how much they are costing taxpayers. Yelp, the list on
  •  our  DC politicians.
  • March 14 am Bill worked in a pickle factory. He had been employed there for a number of years when he came home one day to confess to his wife that he had a terrible compulsion. He had an urge to stick his penis into the pickle slicer.  His wife suggested that he should see a sex therapist to talk about it, but Bill said he would be too embarrassed. He vowed to overcome the compulsion on his own. One day a few weeks later, Bill came home and his wife could see at once that something was seriously wrong. "What's wrong, Bill?" she asked. "Do you remember that I told you how I had this tremendous urge to put my penis into the pickle slicer?" "Oh, Bill, you didn't!" she exclaimed. "Yes, I did." he replied. "My God, Bill, what happened?" "I got fired." "No, Bill. I mean, what happened with the pickle slicer?" "Oh...she got fired too."
  • March 13 pm  From the email bag: I would like to send a Big Birthday wish to my Dad David Whaling.  I  currently live in Texas, I'm on the site everyday trying to keep up with what's going on in Clay.  Anyway his Birthday is today.  Just wanted to say Happy Birthday, we love you and miss you so much, Melinda, Ted, and Madison.
  • March 11 pm At noon we have sunshine from wall to wall. One guy was seen with a lawnmower this morning. Yellow Daffodils are blooming. In addition to Jerry Fields. others are in short pants. Spring time is here
  • March 11 pm Tuesday at 5pm, Clay County PSD meets at 5pm in their Main Street Clay digs across from the Courthouse. Come out and attend a public meeting.
  • March 11 pm The biggy this week is Wednesday evening when the Clay Panthers try for their first win in the State B Ball Tournament. Going to be a tough one!
  • March 11 pm Check back often, we'll try to keep you informed on life in Clayberry. And to the guy with the lawn mower, put it away!! You make the rest of us look bad.
  • March 13 am  Brayton G. Young, 79, see OBITUARY page
  • March 12 am We had a big week. Here's our wrap up from the last seven days.
  • March 12 am  With Dubbya's job approval rating the lowest in history, Rummy made another $5m.  Our top dog leader plans to begin a series of speeches next week again explaining the administration's strategy for winning the war in Iraq. South Dakato decided that only religious virgins should be eligible for abortions. We've got 793 billionaires around the world. Remember when we kept talking up Deibold voting machines being rigged, Maryland just agreed and banned them.
  • March 12 am And sadly: There have been 2,512 coalition deaths, 2,307 Americans, one Australian, 103 Britons, 13 Bulgarians, two Danes, two Dutch, two Estonians, one Hungarian, 26 Italians, one Kazakh, one Latvian, 17 Poles, two Salvadoran, three Slovaks, 11 Spaniards, two Thai and 18 Ukrainians in the war in Iraq as of March 11, 2006, according to a CNN count.
  • March 12 am  Tuesday this webisite and Delta Communications finished up their annual online fund drive to keep this thing alive. Many from across the nation as well as locals donated generously to the project. Still ...... not quite enough to meet our $1000 goal, thanks to everyone who did contribute. For those procrastinating pikers, our address is: DELTA,  PO Box 14, Procious, WV 25164
  • March 12 am Tuesday night's CAEZ meeting was packed! Lots of locals showed up to hear the latest on the hoped for, BC&G excursion train and a presentation to grow a WV Music Hall of Fame.
  • March 12 am RR wise, we heard the name for the new Dundon campground, JG Bradley Campground. The next step comes in April when tons and tons of dirt is hauled in to bring the elevation up to track height.
  • March 12 am  Michael Lipton told the CAEZ Board of plans underway to build a West Virginia Music Hall of Fame somewhere close by. He asked locals to submit historical recordings to the non profit.
  • March 12 am Our Regional Champs, the Lady Panthers didn't do so well in the State Tourney Wednesday morning. Thursday evening the Panthers took their Regional Championship and are headed to the States this coming week.
  • March 12 am  With the election less than 60 days away, campaign signs began to spring up. People are watching which sign is planted where and whose sign is planted close to the other. In the Commission race, the coffee house crowd is closely watching to see if the school house crowd hangs tight with  their leader.
  • March 12 am Sheriff Holcomb took to the air Friday to spot stolen goods no where else but Murder Mountain. This time a nearly new Bobcat track loader and trailer were retrieved. See ADVISORY page for details.
  • March 12 am Seems as soon the Badges stamp out one problem, another crops up. Saturday afternoon around 5:15 Badges were seen scampering all over the hillside behind Ginos of Clay in search of s suspect clad in gray sweat shirt and jeans. Around 11:35pm Saturday night, Badges had one in custody.
  • March 12 am   What Do Fish Say When They Hit a Concrete Wall? Dam!
  • March 12 am  What Do Eskimos Get From Sitting On The Ice too Long?   Polaroid's
  • March 12 am   Why Do Gorillas Have Big Nostrils?    Because They Have Big Fingers
  • March 12 am  How Are a Texas Tornado And a Tennessee Divorce The Same?   Somebody's Gonna Lose A Trailer
  • March 11 pm Last night's wind may have blown in more than most would think..... Top Badge Holcomb has used many different forms of transportation to get close to the underworld. Today he can add using a helicopter to that list.
  • March 11 pm Badges were at work on the ground and in the air Friday in search of more stolen goods on Oil Field Road in Ovapa, AKA: Murder Mountain.
  • March 11 pm Neighbors in the area reported hearing helicopters circling the Murder Mountain area before lunch.
  • March 11 pm  By Noon the call went out for a rollback wrecker to remove a nice looking track loader in oprating condition.
  • March 11 pm  Based on initial reports , the equipment is thought to have been stolen in Ohio.
  • March 11 pm About the same time Black Shirt Jim Paxton's truck was heading up the hill, a white Dodge pick up with tinted windows  was seen coming down the hill. The p/u was pulling an empty heavy equipment trailer out Ovapa Road.
  • March 11 pm By 1:30pm Friday, the scanner went to "scramble".
  • March 11  Around 2pm, Badge Paxton reported a trailer without serial numbers and "I'm going to have it towed"
  • March 11 pm At 2:10 Sheriff Holcomb confirmed the retreived trailer was also stolen from the same company the Bobcat was swiped from.
  • March 11 pm Seems the wind must have been reaaaaaaaaaal strong out Ovapa way.
  • March 10pm  Condolences extended to Senator Shirley Love & family and get well quick wishes to Benjamin Love seriously injured in a car wreck Thursday afternoon.
  • March 10 pm  Cora Bragg Mullins, 99, of Clay, see OBITUARY page
  • March 10 pm   Patrick Harold Adkins, 66, of Clay, see OBITUARY page
  • March 10 pm  Emma Evelyn Gould, 62, of Bickmore, see OBITUARY page
  • March 10 pm Reports of a "Bobcat" sighting were confirmed by Badges this afternoon. A nearly near Bobcat track loader and heavy equipment trailer was recovered from Murder Mountain at noon today.
  • March 10 pm Details and pictures (as of 2:15) are now posted on the ADVISORY page.
  • March 10 pm  More as we get it.
  • March 9 am  In passing, this post went on at 2:25. Timely, accurate reporting, that's the reason people donated during our online fund drive. Did you?
  • March 9 pm LATE LATE LATE  Clay County Panthers beat Oak Hill, 62-44. We're heading to the State B Ball Tournament in Charleston next week.
  • March 9 Late pm   Clay County is under a severe wind advisory. With gusts expected to reach 50 miles per hour tonight, we can expect to lose power and tele. Will give a better update in the morning.
  • March 9 Late pm 60 to 44 and we looked good the entire game!!
  • March 9 Late pm  HELP: We need some good pictures from the game for this web site. If you have a good action shot or group photo, email over.  Include your name and we'll give credit. Thanks! Use this link: deltacorporation@hotmail.com
  • March 9 pm Look out your window. See a bunch of junk laying around the yard? Don't toss it over a hillside!! Relief is in sight.
  • March 9 pm Last night the Clay County Solid Waste Authority met and came up with a game plan to dispose of, legally dispose of , all that old crap and a bunch more. Dumpster are going to be placed around the county in May. The green boxes will remain in place for four weeks. We'll post the official locations when firmed up. But it looks like the boxes will be located at the Lizemore FD, Big Otter FD and somewhere in downtown Clay.  March 18th is the clean up day for Widen. Widen info over on the EVENTS  page
  • March 9 pm  They've got a new deal for Metal Recycling Days held each June. This year, the thang will be called SPRING BUCK SEASON. Each washer, freezer, refrigerators, stove, and hot water tank, you drag in, you'll get a $1, a buck. Clay County's Spring Buck Season will be June 15, 16, and 17th. They even take old tires, cars, and about anything made out of metal. Mark those dates on your calendar and don't throw that junk over the hillside!!
  • March 9 pm Four weeks ago The Communicator printed  a story on Magistrate Jeff Boggs remarks to a basketball ref during a Lady Panther game. With Boggs' remarks and Sheriff Holcomb unwilling to remove Boggs as requested by the Ref, we were skeered, the school or the team may have gotten sanctioned. Wednesday afternoon CCHS Principal Phil Dobbins said he had received no notification of anything on the incident. Thank goodness for that!
  • March 9 am First, from the email bag: I am searching and have been searching for our female tri color rabbit beagle. We would of had her five years in April. I have posted her picture on usfreeads.com and Monkyads.com. Reward for her return is 200.00. I would be willing to pay what the person that bought her paid for her that did not know she was stolen. 577-6175
  • March 9 am Some stats from Wednesday's Lady Panther State Tourney game... Ritchie County converted 25 of 37 foul shots while the Lady Panthers made 1 of 5.
  • March 9 am Tonight the CCHS boys b ball team takes on Oak Hill. Tip off 7:30pm over at the Summersville Readiness Center in Nicholas County. 101.7 FM will be simulcasting the game. You can listen in on the web too.  Go Clay Panthers!!
  • March 9 am  Also tonight at 7pm , the Clay Roane PSD meets in regular session in the County Commission room at the Courthouse. If you're not heading to the ballgame, take in a public meeting.
  • March 9 am OK, now some catching up. CAEZ met Tuesday evening. Lots of people showed up including Joe Nutter's band and Marcia Flanery. Why a band at a CAEZ meeting? We'll tell ya
  • March 9 am Charleston based Michael Lipton from the WV Music Hall of Fame came and made a presentation to the grass roots organization. Lipton and Asst. Becky Bolte operate the non profit dedicated to preserving our musical heritage. There plans call for first establishing a mobile exhibit followed by permanent building, educational center, and music hall. They haven't found the right location yet but wouldn't Clayberry make a dandy spot. Maybe even the old Courthouse?
  • March 9 am  They are collecting old time audio files and memorabilia. Got something of interest? Here's their web site. Contact info is located on that site.
  • March 9 am  The name for the new campground at Dundon:  JG Badley Campground.
  • March 9 am From the CAEZ meeting, some notes: all the rock that has to be moved during the new Dundon bridge project will be moved over to the campground; dirt work should start by mid April; After that's  all leveled up, they plan on building wood cabins and spaces for RV; word came Tuesday evening of an amphitheater being planned there as well.
  • March 9 am Wednesday morning's County Commission meeting didn't happen. The elected folks went to the ball game instead.
  • March 9 am Around 1:45, the meeting was convened and little happened. Very little happened.
  • March 9 am The Center for Disease Control has issued a warning about a new virulent strain of Sexually Transmitted Disease.  The disease is contracted through dangerous and high-risk behavior.  The disease is called Gonorrhea Lectim and pronounced "gonna re-elect him." Many victims contracted it in 2004, after having been screwed for the past four years..      Cognitive characteristics of individuals infected include: anti-social personality disorders, delusions of grandeur with messianic overtones, extreme cognitive dissonance, inability to incorporate new information, pronounced xenophobia and paranoia, inability to accept responsibility for own actions, cowardice masked by misplaced bravado, uncontrolled facial smirking, ignorance of geography and history, tendencies towards evangelical theocracy, categorical all-or-nothing behavior.

    •     Naturalists and epidemiologists are amazed at how this destructive disease originated only a few years ago from a bush found in Texas.
  • March 8 pm Well.... it didn't go so good for the Lady Panthers this morning. Final score 56 to 64 and we had the 56.
  • March 8 pm  With turnover after turnover in the first quarter, seemed like we just weren't in the game from the get go.
  • March 8 pm Ritchie County moved on to the second round of State Tournament B Ball action and the Lady Panthers come home. For this year the season and post season is over. We're the Regional Champs and that's pretty good.
  • March 8 pm  Thursday night the  Panthers head into the Regional Game over at the Summersville Readiness Center in Nicholas County.
  • March 8 pm Lots of pics coming. Check back later today.
  • March 8 am  Updates coming on Tuesday night's CAEZ meeting later today but now the important stuff.
  • March 8 am The County of Clay has shut down. No not inept mismanagement. It's State Basketball Tourney time and the Lady Panthers play today.   For those too far away to get to the game or working, you can listen to the Lady Panthers vs Ritchie County State Tournament game on the internet. Game starts at 9:30 am at the Civic Center.
  • March 8 am Before clicking this link to listen to the game on metro sports, make sure your puter speakers are turned up. Once you get to the link, mouse over to the left and click either broad band or dial up. Both sound about the same but the dial up connection will cut out less. It will take several seconds to connect. Don't get your shorts all bunched up, just wait a bit.  Here's the link to Metro Sports.
  • March 8 am The Lady Panthers went to Charleston Tuesday evening and bunch of CCHS students are taking the day off and heading to the Civic Center in Charleston.   Tell the boss to go away, close the door and unplug the phone and listen to the game. For the Lady Panthers, this game is do or die. Go Claaaaaaaaaaaay!
  • March 8 am WYAP will be sportscasting and webcasting Thursday night's Regional game when the Panthers take on Oak Hill.
  • March 8 am No Clay County Commission meeting this morning. They're all going to the B Ball game. The Commission meeting will be held sometime Wednesday afternoon maybe 1 or 2pm. Call the Clerk's office for sure.
  • March 7 pm  Let's go back to that WV Music Hall of Fame thang from the morning post. Michael Lipton is the guy trying to get the operation up and running. Remember Mr Lipton? He's one of the founders of  Graffiti magazine. Lipton is coming to tonight's CAEZ meeting and floating his plans to the board. One more tourism opportunity coming our way. If you're a musician or in support of promoting such a venture, attend tonight's 6pm Central Appalachia Empowerment Zone meeting.   Here's the link to the Hall of Fame the web site.
  • March 7 am  Ronald Lee Sigman, 72, of Ivydale, see OBITUARY page
  • March 7 am The latest edition of Clay County's independent newspaper, The Communicator, made it to the news stands Monday evening around 5pm. 24 pages of news and views found no other place and just 50 cents cheap too. Coverage includes: Basketball Tournament Update; Truman Auxier Court case; Magistrate Report, recent Community meetings; the last BDA meeting, Elk Power being denied an additional rate increase; Sheriff Holcomb still seeking illegal Christmas bonuses for Badges,  a reader's comments on that nasty ace cub reporters unethical, immoral, down right rotten rages on public officials; and a whole bunch more
  • March 7 am For those interested in life in Clayberry today we've got a couple important meetings. Clay Town Council meets at the water plant on Main Street beginning at 6pm. With a water system upgrade in progress, and many folks contesting their plans to raise water rates, the meeting should be worth the time to watch.
  • March 7 am  Central  Appalachia Empowerment Zone ( CAEZ) will hold an economic development committee meeting at 4pm followed by a Board meeting at 6pm. Both gatherings will be held in their Main Street Clay digs beside the Welfare office.
  • March 7 am During the Board meeting a fellow will make a presentation on building a WV music preservation center, auditorium, Hall of Fame. Wouldn't it be nice if that complex came to Clayberry? Whether you're a musician or interested in growing the future of Clay, tonight's CAEZ meeting is the place to come.
  • March 7  am  Caught up in drunk driving charge? Here's an angle to beat the breathalyzer results used in other states. Might want to cut it out and keep for future reference.
  • March 7 am  The Republican-led Congress and President Bush are facing growing anger on college campuses as students and their parents prepare to pay higher borrowing costs because of new changes to federal student loan programs.
  • March 7 am Speaking of Dubbya. The word Impeachment is being mentioned more often. Here's a word from the very conservative, Wall Street Journal.
  • March 7 am Remember the Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris? The darling of the Republican party who helped throw the election in 2000 for Bush? She's in deep doo doo now.
  • March 7 am This is the last day of our online drive to raise $ for this web site. Several clickers have already sent in funds to keep this animal alive and growing. Thanks to those folks. For the rest of you slackers, no more harping for another 12 months, but, if you can, your support is needed. Mail contributions to DELTA; PO Box 14; Procious, WV 25164.
  • March 6 am   It's 5:30 am and the snow is coming down. Ridge tops have a coating of slushing icy stuff under the new white topping. Be reaaaaaaaal careful out there today.
  • March 6 am Until we get the Communicator out the door around 4pm today, no posts other than emergency stuff.
  • March 5 am  Here's a recap from the last seven days...
  • March 5 am With Dubbya's poll numbers at an all time low, VP Dick the butt of many jokes, and Iraq in a civil war, it gets worse..... There have been 2,504 coalition deaths, 2,299 Americans, one Australian, 103 Britons, 13 Bulgarians, two Danes, two Dutch, two Estonians, one Hungarian, 26 Italians, one Kazakh, one Latvian, 17 Poles, two Salvadoran, three Slovaks, 11 Spaniards, two Thai and 18 Ukrainians in the war in Iraq as of March 3, 2006, according to a CNN count.
  • March 5 am Early in the week the CCC said no to illegal bonuses for the Sheriff's Department. Does anyone know an Alex Fitzwater? That's the name Commissioner Fran King attached to the new Clay County PSD Board appointment. Why not just use the name we know? No answers.
  • March 5 am Even with a quick response by  fire crews, a late night Wednesday fire on Main street leveled a wooden home.
  • March 5 am The color of Spring is back. Campaign signs started going up. One Commission candidate and one County Clerk candidate used  the high school during basketball games as campaign central. Whether that tactic works or back fires remains to be seen.
  • March 5 am The CCHS Panthers won the Sectional title against Roane County Wednesday evening. The Lady Panthers won the Regional title and advanced to the State Tourney. In small town America, this is big stuff! Go Claaaaaaaaay!
  • March 5 am  Looking back... One year ago, all H broke lose during a BDA meeting. 12 months ago Chair Leonard "My Good Buddy" Williams said that ace cub reporter had cost the county big time! Williams said that guy had single handily sent one potential pipe making tenant for the Filcon site a packing. It was during the meeting a super secret back room executive committee was set up to operate away from the public's prying eyes.
  • March 5 am During Thursday night's Business Development Authority we noticed a couple things. One was the droopy lipped Fran King who barely mumbled loud enough to be heard. Her one idea to support and grow existing local business received a cool response. Later in that meeting, Connie Lupardus from the CAEZ disputed rumors and stood her ground on the forward direction of building a campground at Dundon and growing a tourism railroad for the county. Noticing a twitch from BDA Chair Leonard "I'm so Happy" Williams......
  • March 5 am Here's what usually happens when a female stands up and refuses to take any crap from those with hangy downs. First they stomp their feet, then comes a back room huddle, a change of policy at the next meeting, and then they step up doing dumb stuff. Just an observation clickers and prediction.
  • March 5 am As for that history thang.... Also from Thursday night's meeting, the BDA OK'd a $6000 "forgivable" loan to a local company. As they were about ready to vote in public on the money deal, one boardster said, maybe we should tell the rest of them. Seems the secret group angle is alive and well.
  • March 5 am Saturday night scanner listeners heard first hand the need for improved ambulance service in the county.
  • March 5 am  With one Kanawha County ambulance already in route to assist a Clay crew, NO other local or nearby providers were available. When a paramedic was needed, none were available. With our ambulance service with plenty of money in the bank and plenty of trucks setting in the parking lot, no emergency responders (paramedics) to be had! Since the demise of the old public meeting setting of the ambulance Authority and the use of cell phones to keep scanner listeners in the dark, few operation details surface until a crisis bites us you know where.
  • March 5 am On one of the web blogs, someone asked about the pictures used on this site. We take about 95% of all the in county pictures used on this site. Most of the funny stuff photos we steal from other sites or take from emails sent to us. When we post items from public meetings, we were there to hear em first hand.
  • March 5 am  Many clickers have responded to the call to raise $1000 to keep this site up, running, and expanding. From within the county to Maryland and beyond, the support has come. Thanks for those that support this web offering.
  • March 5 am  We're down to three days in our online fund drive and about half way to our goal. Can you help?  Send your check, pennies, food stamps, to: DELTA: PO Box 14; Procious WV 25164.
  • March 3 pm 2:36pm AMBER ALERT  for a 3 year old female "Mullins" child; Ft Gay in Wayne County Sheriff;  issued around 2:30pm today. Brown hair, brown eyes, abducted by a parent. Possibly in a 1998 GMC Jimmy
  • March 3 pm We're holding the Communicator up until Monday. Look for Clay County's source for news and views around 4pm Monday afternoon.
  • March 3 pm For a bunch of  high schoolers, this has been an outstanding year. The Panther B Ballers won the Sectional Game while the Lady Panthers took the  Regional tittle from Oak Hill and advanced to the State Tournament. With their first winning season since 1998, the change for the Panthers is remarkable.  Last night's win over Oak Hill by the Lady Panthers was a rematch from 2005 where Oak Hill was victorious. Nice to see the table change.
  • March 3 pm Senator Shirley Love's Legislative Update report and Senator White's column are posted over on the ADVISORY page.
  • March 3 pm Suppose you know/see someone having a heart attack and you start CPR. A few minutes later a Badge pulls you away and says no to your good Samaritan act. Ever hear of such a thing?  It may have happened right here in good ole West Virginia. Welch's Chief of Police yanked the guy away from the victim and said the male having the heart attack was gay and had HIV.  When an ambulance crew arrived later, the Badge tried to stop them from saving the life.  Needless to say, the guy died. Tests reveal no HIV.
  • March 3 pm Get this.... those nasty commy ACLU folks are suing the Town of Welch for the actions of the Badge. Those dirty rotten ACLUers just don't know when to quit causing trouble. The ACLU Press Release is also posted over on the ADVISORY page.
  • March 3 pm No fireworks during last night's Business Development Authority meeting just a some little tiffs. Like...
  • March 3 pm Normally County Commissioner and BDA member Fran King is vocal outspoken, and often, leading the discussion. Not so last night. During the meeting, King was very quiet. She spoke in hushed tones. She offered little one way or the other.
  • March 3 pm The BDA is back in the loan business. Last night the appointed folks OK'd a $6000 loan to Tim Belt. The $ are to be used to move some power poles on Clinic Road in the Northern end of the county. Loan may not be the right word since the loan is "forgivable"... he doesn't have to pay it back. There's also no collateral. Mr Belt will sign a promissory note only. Listening to the discussions from the peanut gallery, there was little doubt, the deal was consumated long before the meeting started.
  • March 3 pm CAEZ's Connie Lupardus was in attendance. Remember Lurpardus? She's the rascal the BDA didn't want on the BDA. Last night Lupardus mentioned she had heard a rumor that BDA Chair Williams was passing around dealing with the development of the BC&G RR Co-Op campground now under construction at Dundon. According to Ms L., the rumor has it that the Co-Op has no right to build a camp ground, that the 30 year lease on  the property doesn't allow for it.  Leonard "My Good Buddy" Williams said he got the information from the property manager last week and even had a meeting with last week.
  • March 3 pm Armed with the written executed lease signed by the owners, Lupardus disputed the rumor and said work and completion of the campground was going to happen. Williams didn't back down from his story but neither did Lupardus. No , no yelling or screaming, but it was good to see Ms L stand her ground and not put up with ill informed rumor mongering.
  • March 3 pm When it was mentioned that additional grant $ could come into the county if the BDA would spend some time growing tourism, no interest was shown. One Boardster said their plan all along had been to grow an industrial park and build a building. Others nodded in agreement. Despite the CAEZ offer to help the BDA go after the Tourism $, our BDA remains committed to growing smoke stacks. Fran King thought dollars should be used to grow existing businesses. That went over like a frog in a punch bowl.
  • March 3 pm And finally from last night night's BDA meeting, look for the economic development group to be sued. Talk of the suit became public last night. It stems from the fellow getting injured last Fall as the old FIlcon building near Ovapa was being torn down. The BDA felt their legal paperwork was in order and insurance should cover any legal expense. Time will tell.
  • March 3 am The Lady Panthers are the Regional B Ball Champs and heading to the State Tournament!!!!!!!!!!!!!. Final: 66 Clay, Oak Hill 46.  Darn good hopster action with the Lady Panthers dominating from the get go. Go Claaaaaaay!
  • March 3 am Complete update by noon today.
  • March 3 am How  important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated  instead of just murdered?
  • March 3 am  What  disease did cured ham actually have?
  • March 3 am  How  come we choose from just two people for President and fifty for Miss  America?
  • March 3 am Why  is "bra" singular and "panties" plural?
  • March 3 am Do  the Alphabet song and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star have the same  tune?
  • March 3 am   Why  did you just try singing the two songs  above?
  • March 2 pm  Tonight's 6:30 Apple Festival (Golden Delicious Fest) meeting has been rescheduled for March 16th.
  • March 2 am  Last night, 11:20, report of a fully engulfed structure fire beside the FasCheck on Main Street. Within 6 minutes, a fire crew was out of bed, dressed, and on scene.
  • March 2 am Last night the gym at Clay High was packed. It didn't look too good in the early goins but come third quarter and some big time scoring by Jeff Krauklis, the Clay County Panthers won the Sectional Championship against Roane County, 67 to 57. We're off to the Regionals next week.
  • March 2 am  Tonight, already in the Regional Championship, the Lady Panthers play Oak Hill. The game will be played over on Rt. 19 in the Summersville Readiness Center, the new armory. Action begins at 7:30pm. We're one win away from heading to the State Tournament in Charleston. WYAP will be broadcasting the game. Play by play with Linda McKinney and Dale Mullins.
  • March 2 am  Go Claaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!
  • March 2 am  Tonight at 5pm, the Clay County Business Development Authority meets at the Courthouse. Public meeting and bring your own popcorn.
  • March 2 am  Hello MB, sorry I screwed up your puter.
  • March 2 am  Can we indict Dick "I only had one beer, really!" Cheney yet? Fingers are now pointing at the VP as the head honcho leak in CIA operative, Valerie Plame-Wilson
  • March 2 am   Some think that the government listening into your personal phone calls is no big thing. But what if that conversation is privileged between you and your attorney?
  • March 1 pm True the Panthers beat the Roane County Raiders twice during the 05-06 regular season but....
  • March 1 pm Last year Roane County beat Clay twice during regular season and then we stomped them during Sectional Tournament action. Tonight's sectional game begins at 7pm. Come out and support the Panthers! WYAP will be broadcasting play by play with Brian King and Shawn Parsons.
  • March 1 pm  During Sheriff Holcomb's first 9 months in office, drug busts came almost daily. The druggies are now in the court system. This morning a tall strong looking Johnny Neff plead guilty from a case stemming from a meth lab campout in Hartland in June 2005. Originally charged with four crimes including two felonies, Neff, plead guilty to a misdemeanor offense. Judge Jack Alsop sentenced the tattooed 30 something year old Neff to the max of 6 months. Dressed in an orange jumpsuit with CRJ emblazoned on the back, the 6 months will be tacked on to Neff's prison time for his conviction of DUI Third offense.
  • March 1 pm Clay County's Business Development Authority meets Thursday afternoon at 5pm in the CCC room of the Courthouse. The agenda was posted today around 11am.
  • March 1 pm For over 10 years Fred Sampson badgered Fola Coal into building a new 14 acre lake near Wallback. The $ and lake were mandated by law under Strip Mine Regulations. Lake Sampson was completed last summer but has remained locked behind gates. Before it cane be opened to the public, guard rails have to be built across the dam. For many, it feels like the government is dragging its feet on the guard rails.
  • March 1 pm  how about some action. How about words of encouragement to ge the lake open. Call Dept of Natural Resources Director Frank Jezioro at 304  558-2771. Tell him it's time to get the guard rails in and the lake open!
  • March 1 pm This is the 7th day of our on line Fundraiser. So far several clickers have mailed in a donation to keep this site up and running. How about you. If you enjoy a daily dose of life in Clayberry, we need a donation ASAP. Send your check to Delta; PO Box 14 , Procious WV 25164.
  • March 1pm Although Dave Mullins says he's fine with the government listening in to phone calls, some of us know the importance of the US Constitution and Americans feeling secure in their homes and having privacy.
  • March 1 pm Senator Bird is working on improving the UnPatriot Act right now.
  • March 1 pm  the Simpson TV show.... Can you name all five main figures from that show.  Only one in four Americans can name more than one of the five freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment. How sad.

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