NOVEMBER 2003 NEWS

  • Nov. 29 am NOTE: If your well or cistern was flooded during the recent flooding and storms, don't take a chance. The Clay County health Dept. can check out that well to make sure it's safe for use. Give em a call Monday 587 -4269
  • Nov. 29 am The past week was a week of extremes. Last Sunday the temps were in the 70s with a blue sky. Last night we saw more snow and the mercury drop into the mid 20s. Mid week brought strong rain showers.
  • Nov. 29 am  For hunters and deer camp this year, getting that big buck was hampered by Monday rains. The stories will be many but expect the deer harvest to be much low.
  • Nov. 29 am We had extremes in the business world as we found out about the firing of Fran King our local Gassaway Bank Branch manager... apparent fallout from recent Federal scrutiny of that bank.
  • Nov. 29 am With Friday's Communicator, readers found out about the dismal educational process in WV and how ludicrous the dog  and pony shows really are.
  • Nov. 29 am More news surfaced this week on the shooting out Granny's Creek, the  cash register being stolen from the Henry Clay Hotel, money swiped from the local laundromat, and one lady nabbed a young thief red handed with two long guns swiped from her home and according to her, law enforcement showed little concern or action. Small town America isn't quite so quaint these days.
  • Nov. 29 am We did have a couple bright spots this week in Clayberry. Thanksgiving day brought families back together at least for a few hours and the time in the woods ( even without killing Bambi) is always  reinvigorating.
  • Nov. 29 am  For the most part, it was quiet in Clayberry this past week as winter took over the reigns.
  • Nov. 28 pm  Clay County PSD issued a Boil Water Order for Ivydale/Big Otter water customers. The BWO was issued before lunch today and also said "due to a main line break in the Town of Clay's system which supplies our water.
  • Nov. 28 pm Yesterday, Two Run customers, on the Town's system, experienced a loss of water pressure briefly but then normal pressure returned
  • Nov. 28 pm  Boil that water before consuming. Be safe
  • Nov. 28pm For our international clickers, the rain has returned to Clayberry. Beginning late last night and continuing thru most of the day, the ground is 100% saturated and flooding is still a real threat. Our weather report calls for snow tonight. Brrrrrrr.
  • Nov. 28 pm The Communicator made it to the news stands around 4pm today. For all the details on Fran King getting fired from the Bank of Gassaway, see our front page lead story.
  • Nov. 28  early early am. That weather alert from the National Weather Service is still in affect. after the rain and flooding today, an inch of snow is predicted. Watch out clickers this could be bad.
  • Nov. 28 early early am   Do you know how WV students compared to others in the nation? You can find out this afternoon in The Communicator. Should be on the news stands by 4pm. Pick yours up before heading home. And Yes we've got the Fran King interview. And Yes we've got the Richard Cummings shooting story. And Yes we've got the full write up Mathew "HAC" Bragg..... Hours and hours of reading pleasure for some and great butt wipe  for others! Best thing since canned soup!
  • Nov. 28 early early am   Thinking about slick roads, snow and ice? Hop's Used cars has four  4 wheel drive vehicles in stock now. Click the HOP button on the homepage to see the little beauties!
  • Nov. 27  3 pm WEATHER ALERT FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Clay County get ready for more bad weather. NWS reported a high pressure system moving thru WV, including Clay County, that can bring another 1 1/2 inches of rain and FLOODING. Weather action is predicted to hit around 4 am Friday morning and continue all day Friday. Keep an eye on those creeks and small streams. And don't be a dummy and try driving thru that high water! Stay safe , we need every clicker we can get!
  • Nov. 27 pm  Charles Kenneth Braley, 57, of Ivydale, see FUNERAL page
  • Nov. 26 LATE pm  In today's earlier post we said we were taking time off for the holiday and no new posts were planned until Friday afternoon
  • Nov. 26 LATE pm WRONG. Fran King confirmed this afternoon that she was fired from the Bank of Gassaway Nov. 21. Ms King served as Branch Manager and local loan officer for the Clay branch of the Gassaway Bank. Full details this Friday in the Communicator........ Sheriff Fields confirmed this afternoon that it was Richard Cummmings shot last Wednesday afternoon while in the pick up of Tommy Young Jr while in the Granny's Creek section of Roane County......  and Mayor Arthur Jarrett has in his possession of video tape of the two thugs that broke into the Henry Clay Hotel last week and stole the cash register and over $400 in cash!   That's all you get clickers, the rest you'll have to pay for on Friday in the Communicator.
  • Nov. 26 pm Except for the sound of high powered rifles blasting away, it's quiet in Clayberry. The Appalachian tradition of shutting down for the first week of Buck season is in full force. Based on the number of deer seen in the back of pick up trucks, the count appears to be low so far this year.
  • Nov. 26 pm  School Board member Fran King has plans to run for County Commission in 2004. The day she files her candidacy papers with the Circuit Clerk, she has to resign from the Board. Superintendent Linkinnnooooger will get to pick her replacement. The guess is, Link will decide on two time senate candidate and retired Superintendent Jim Dawson. The coffee house crew all agree on that assumption but are in disarray on other possible picks.
  • Nov. 26 pm When School Board member Gene King files for the Sheriff race in Jan 2004, he too must resign. With Scott Legg resigning from Clay County Bank President duties (last Sept.) citing the need to spend more time with his family and fishin, Legg, also a member of the school board, is  expected to make formal announcement that he too is bailing out of School Board duties.
  • Nov. 26 pm If all that speculation blossoms, Link will be hand picking 3 of the 5 slots on the Clay County School Board over the next three months.
  • Nov. 26 pm Get your classifieds and upcoming events notices in real soon. The Communicator comes out this Friday around 4pm
  • Nov. 26 pm Unless there is some kind of great breaking news, this web junky plans to take Thanksgiving day off, no posts until Friday afternoon sometime. Have a great Thanksgiving, stay home, kiss the kids and watch football.
  • Nov. 25 pm Boil your water Maysel and Varneytown.
  • Nov. 25 pm 3:50 911 Scanner traffic: Clay and Nicholas County law enforcement, Be On the Look Out (BOLO) for  1990 Chevy short bed pick up with aluminum wheels stolen from Fletcher Pontiac Nov. 23rd. The truck has a broken passenger side window. The BOLO came at 3:50 today and the Chevy was swiped the 23rd. Hmmmmmmmmmm
  • Nov. 25 pm Our weather has sure changed since this weekend when temps were in the 70s. Yesterday, first day of the season, hunters came out of the  woods early as the rain hit and temps dropped quickly. Temps were well below freezing this morning and predictions call for even chillier times tonight. Thanksgiving is just around the corner and winter is already here
  • Nov. 25 pm Clay Development Corporation (CDC) makes the news on a fairly regular basis. Whether it's court cases or wild meetings, CDC is always newsworthy.  In this Friday's Communicator we've got one more installment. This time a lady a challenging CDC's confidentiality standards and as well as padding the billing procedures.  Have  your 50 cents ready this Friday afternoon around 4pm.
  • Nov. 25 pm And Yes your internet connection has been operating much much slower over the last four days.
  • Nov. 25pm  You might not know it but this is Nov. is national eye care month. Here's a cool chart that  checks your eyesight online in the privacy of your own home. After you click the link, do not blink or take your eyes off the square blocks in the middle of the chart. Pay attention!  Click EYE CHART
  • Nov. 24 pm The Boil Water Order for Maysel and Varneytown continues. Boil It First!
  • Nov. 24 pm Other than the blasts from high powered rifles, Clayberry will be quiet this week. This the week that Appalachia stops work, shuts down the mill, and heads into the woods. This is Deer Camp Week.
  • Nov. 24 pm It appears that the Clay County Bank is living up to its promises in the FDIC Cease and Desist Order from last Spring. Last week foreclosure proceedings were announced on one time Prosecutor Wayne King ( also a candidate for Prosecutor last Dec). The bank will be selling  a big chuck of King land Dec 12th at 9 am in front of the Courthouse. The holdings appear to be land around the Filcon Inc. Industrial site near Ovapa.
  • Nov. 24 pm Town of Clay residents complain about high sewer bills almost daily. Down in Charleston, the Sanitary Bd announced at least a 50% increase in monthly sewer bills. Currently in the big city, minimum bill for sewage: $7.05 for the first 2000 gallons and $3.86 for each additional 1000 gallons of poo. With the planned increase, rates in Charleston will have doubled since 2000.
  • Nov. 24 pm Now here's one to think about clickers. Clay Roane PSD took over operation of Queen Shoals PSD back in Feb 2003. With the additional customers, Clay Roane Board members were allowed an increase in pay according to WV Public Service Commission regulations. The PSD pays each boardster $75 per meeting and an additional $100 for each Special Meeting attended.  That's ten months of higher pay and at least two meetings per month.
  • Nov. 24 pm Clay Roane found out in April 2003 that they could not operate Queen Shoals but continue even today to oversee QSPSD. Early last month, Chair Melissa Postelwait confirmed,  Feb's operation agreement was "Null and Void". Here's the clinker.... Since there is no agreement, shouldn't the Boardsters have to give back the extra pay?
  • Nov. 23 pm Before our wrap up of this week's Clayberry happenings'. A Boil Water Order was issued yesterday for the Maysel  Varneytown service areas. Boil it first!
  • Nov. 23 pm We've received bunches of email entries in the name of nickname for Commissioner Mathew Bragg. The new handle comes in response to Bragg missing a bunch of County Commission meetings. We'd like to thank everyone for taking the time to respond. Top entries included: Mathew "Houdini" Bragg ( now you see him now you don't; Mathew "Santa Claus" Bragg ( only comes once a year); Mathew "Hanging Chad" Bragg (your vote didn't county); Mathew "Jessie James" Bragg; Mathew "Willie Maker" Bragg; Mathew "Payday" Bragg; Mathew "MIA" Bragg; and Mathew "Don't Step Over the Line" Bragg.
  • Nov. 23 pm And the winner is: Mathew "He Ain't Comin" Bragg. After we thought about it for a while, about every time someone asked "Where's Bragg?", Commissioner Sams and Triplett's response, " He ain't comin?" Look for Mathew's new handle, HAC, to be in the next Communicator.
  • Nov. 23 pm and now for the week that was....
  • Nov. 23 pm Word spread on one time CAEZ rep Johnny Morris getting busted with OVER 4 pounds of pot.
  • Nov. 23 pm on Monday during a Special Commission meeting, Commissioner Bragg ( Yes he finally made a meeting) threatened to sue and own Delta Communications if "They step over the line". Although he didn't say what line he was talking about, the guess is, Bragg was peed at the Name the Nickname Contest.
  • Nov. 23 pm Here in Clay County WV, Wed's rain left us with  very dangerous road conditions  making driving all but impossible and left damage still being cleaned up. The damage was not limited to low areas of the county but included mountain side roadway damage up on McColgin Gap. With the schools officially left open many students were unable to attend classes. Yesterday, Clay County along with many neighboring counties were designated emergency disaster areas.
  • Nov. 23 pm Just about as quick as the rain came and left, temps rose with Friday thru Sunday temps in the 70s.
  • Nov. 23 pm Few details have been made public of another shooting out Murder Mountain way near Granny's Creek.
  • Nov. 23 pm Thursday evening our Solid Waste authority didn't have enough Board members out for a quarrel,, I mean a quorum. Absent from duty, Sally Legg, Harald Fields and HAC.
  • Nov. 23 pm And now, Clay County is preparing for the biggest holiday of the year. Deer Camp! Forget about cleaning up the flood mess it's time to load of the four wheelers, get some beer and ammo, and get out in the woods to kill Bambi. Through out Clayberry friday and Saturday, trucks were seen loaded to the brim with the gear as they headed to the nearest Wall Mart for last minute condiments. For the next 14 days, Clay County shuts down. no businesses can be conducted since all the workers have headed for the hills in search of the illusive white tail deer.
  • Nov. 23 pm And with Michael Jackson charged with some serious felony charges on sexual child abuse, we started making nasty Jackson jokes like: Q: Have you heard about Michael Jackson's New Book?   A: It's called, "The In's and Out's of Child Rearing
  • Nov. 23 pm Our new week holds promise of interesting postings on the Henry Clay Hotel getting its cash register stolen; the local laundromat
  • Nov. 22 pm The Town of Clay issued a Boil Water Order for Maysel and Varneytown service areas at 11:45am today. One of the pumps stopped working. Boil all water before consuming!! Maysel and Varneytown, tell your neighbor.
  • Nov. 22 pm Now for some fun...  Q: Why was Michael Jackson spotted at K-Mart? A: He heard boys' pants were half-off !!;  Q: Who does Michael Jackson consider a Perfect "10"?   A: Two 5 year olds;    Q: How does Michael Jackson pick  his nose?  A: From a catalogue;   When Michael Jackson first became a father, he asked his wife's doctor how soon after the birth could he have sex. The doctor told him he should wait until the kid is at least  12 or 13 years old.

    • Nov. 22 pm  And.....  `What's the worst stain to try to remove from a little boy's underpants? Michael Jackson's makeup;   `Why's Michael cutting down on public appearances?  He wants to spend more time with the kids.
  •  Nov. 22 pm Our weekend wrap up and new nickname for Commissioner Bragg coming Sunday mid day.
  • Nov. 22 am  So what were you doing when you heard the news 40 years ago today. In school? Working? In the service? For many of us baby boomers, it was school when the news came of President Kennedy's assassination. The country went quiet, then to tears. Doesn't feel like 40 years.
  • Nov. 22 am How many sex offenders live in Clay County West Virginia? 20 and there not all men either. See for yourself on the WV State Police web site. The link will take you to the sex offender page where you can look at offenders in any WV county. Click CAUGHT to know.
  • Nov. 22 am If you in or around Clayberry this weekend, here's a couple cool things for fun.  World renown potter Keith Lahti is hosting an open house, see EVENTS page this site. On Sunday, over at Clay High, there's  an absolutely FREE Thanksgiving Dinner and Gospel Sing. Free food at noon, with the tunes beginning at 1pm. Did we mention FREE?
  • Nov. 22 am On Gene King, according to Sheriff Fields, King came thru surgery nicely and 24 hours later was able to move about without pain. GO Gene!!
  • Nov. 22 am Earlier in the week we provided the WV Public Service Commission paperwork from Elk Power Co seeking a rate change. Since it's pretty rare for a utility provider to seek anything less than an increase, that's what we posted here. Right after the posting, Elk Power Rep Leonard Williams told us, "it's not a rate increase" and something about "pass thru costs". Of course our response was "if the bill goes up, it's a rate increase!
  • Nov. 22 am Since then the WV PSC has provided us with more paperwork. No doubt now, it's rate increase coming soon to your mail box in Jan!  See ADVISORY page for the latest documentation.
  • Nov. 22 am And once again we print and this time with the encouragement of the WV PSC, if you want to protest the rate increase, send your formal complaint to: WV PSC, att: Big Cheese Sandra Squire; 201 Brooks Street, Charleston WV 25301. Complaints have to be in by Dec 5, 2003.
  • Nov. 21 pm The Clay County Health Dept is offering FREE water sampling for all flood contaminated wells. Dial  587 4269. Better safe than sorry folks. Test them now!
  • Nov. 21 pm A few days ago 1984 CCHS graduate Joe Ard asked for emails from long lost class mates. Just got this Hi, this is Anthony Ard, yes, Joe's brother. Just wanted to say hi to everyone in Clay County I used to know. My e-mail is fightingfarmer1989@yahoo.com. Please post it so people can contact me if they wish.   Cut and paste the address please
  • Nov. 21 pm  ALL POINTS BULLETIN over on the CLASSIFIEDS page
  • Nov. 21 pm Over on the ADVISORY page we've posted an interesting email dealing with the actual cost of prescription drugs. Is it legitimant? Haven't a clue clickers.
  • Nov. 21 pm Call Clay Middle School NOW if you want some of the best tasting dinner rolls for your Thanksgiving meal. See EVENT page for details.
  • Nov. 21 pm  Last night our Clay County Solid Waste Authority tried to hold a meeting. Didn't happen. Peter Triplett and Leawanda Whaling showed up but fellow Boardsters Harald Fields, Sally Legg, and Mathew " Ain't Got a Nickname Yet" Bragg were no shows. The Solid Waste Authority received another $15000 for the county. Without a quorum, no decisions could be made on spending $15,000 or anything else for that matter.
  • Nov. 21 pm We've got another cute nickname for Commissioner Bragg. Commissioner Mathew "Santa Claus" Bragg (he only comes once a year). Keep em coming clickers, contest ends today.
  • Nov. 21 pm If the weather holds, the non profit Community Radio station at Two Run will be holding a car wash this Saturday. Get the mud washed off that wreck before winter and help a good group of kids get the FM station up and running
  • Nov. 21 pm It sure doesn't feel like winter is here based on today's temps BUT, it's coming and coming soon. Valley Fork's largest used car lot has a couple of 4 wheel drives you might want to look at. Click the HOPS home page button for a peek.

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  • Nov. 20 pm  The BOIL WATER ORDER for Ivydale/Big Otter and Hartland/Bickmore was lifted  this morning by the Clay County PSD.
  • Nov. 20 pm What a difference a day makes. Yesterday saw flood waters creeping out of every crevice in the county and running down nearly every road in Clayberry. The Elk River crested nearly 3 feet above flood stage in the Queen Shoals end of the county around midnight last night. Today, blue skies and warm temps. A time to clean up the mess
  • Nov. 20 pm Last night we posted a couple lines on yesterday's shooting out past Murder Mountain in Granny's creek. Since then we've received a couple emails saying we got it all wrong. Verca Vice they report. We pulled yesterday's post and plan to get back to the Sheriff this afternoon for details.
  • Nov. 20 pm Today at noon our County Commission held a Special meeting at the Courthouse. Mathew " No Nickname Yet" Bragg asked for the meeting to change next week's regular Commission meeting. Bragg had a conflict with first day of hunting fun and County Commission commitments. The next regular meeting of the CCC will be Dec 1 at 10 am. Commission President Jimmy Sams said he and 911 Director Dave King would be out surveying flood damage to see if the county could qualify for Federal Emergency relief. Sams asked for help in identifying those that had structural damage to property. Did you? Call County Clerk Judy Moore NOW!
  • Nov. 20 pm But then there was some reaaaaaaaaaaaaaal action. Bragg, dressed in his Braxton County Town Cop uniform and sporting a 9mm on his hip, threatened  to sue the folks that own the County's Independent Newspaper, The Communicator, if they "Step over the line"! Now he didn't say what he meant by "stepping over the line' but the guess is, he's ticked over the online Give Bragg a Nickname contest now in progress. Bragg said he wasn't mad at that ace cub reporter in attendance and "I care for this county". Of course arguing with a guy with a badge and carrying a gun might not be too wise. Commissioner Bragg is a candidate in next year's Sheriff race. The people that own this web site, Delta Communications, also own and operate The Communicator.
  • Nov. 20 pm We've received many, many entries in the Name the Nickname contest but now we'd like to add one ourselves, Mathew "Don't Step Over the Line" Bragg. We're trying to come up with the best nickname for  an elected leader that misses about as many meetings as he attends. Get your emails in clickers. Deadline is this Friday evening. Use the link below please.
  • Nov. 19 PM  Ida Katherin Holcomb, 103, of Maysel, see FUNERAL page
  • Nov. 19 PM  On Thursday, the County Commission meets in Special session beginning at noon; Thursday at 6pm the Solid Waste Authority meets in their office suite above the old King's Jewelry Store; and at 7pm the Farm Bureau meets in the Clay Lion's Club Casino Hall on Main Street. Take your pick, all should be good. Also at 7 Clay Middle School will host their ban concert in the gym.
  • Nov. 19 7:30PM   We're not out of the woods yet, streams and the Elk are still rising.  Rain fall today at Procious ( so far) nearly 4 inches. This morning HE WHite Elem. closed around 9 am was flood waters lapped over the easement culverts. This afternoon, power went off at Ivydale Elem. and is expected to remain off until late Thursday. Scanner traffic indicated that fast flowing creek wa wa took out a pole. as for the power outage at Ivydale, over the scanner, Fran King was heard " I'll be in the dark with my life jacket on!"
  • Nov. 19 PM  This morning a Coulter family called for help with water coming in their home. Over the scanner came back, "They need to clean the junk out behind the house and call their landlord."
  • Nov. 19 PM Around 5pm today it was reported that Rt. 36 is once again passable.
  • Nov. 19 PM The School bus drivers earned their keep today! Some in the community are questioning the wisdom of our School System for sending kids out in the bad weather knowing the weather report in hand. Others are even madder over the School system  NOT calling a two hour delay this morning. Surrounding counties closed school last night and/or early this morning.
  • Nov. 19 PM  On a lighter note, our online "Name the Commissioner" contest continues. We're coming up with a nickname for Mathew Bragg who often is a no show at Commission meetings. We received a few more emails today including: Mathew "Low and Behold" Bragg; Mathew "Can't be there" Bragg; Mathew "Missing in Action" Bragg; Mathew "Wherefore Art Thou" Bragg; and Mathew "Hanging Chad" Bragg ( Your vote didn't count). Keep em coming, use the email link below, contest ends this Friday.
  • Nov. 19 Late am  report  Rain Rain Rain, by 2 am around 1 1/2 inches had fallen. By 7 am, upwards of 2 1/2 inches on the ground and creeks way up. Bus drivers alert the school system rising creeks and roads covered with water. No word on Clay Schools being closed.
  • Nov. 19 Late am Neighboring county schools, Putnam and Roane schools shut down. 7:10 over the scanner "There's a lot of water running on the roads!!"..... 7:21 over the scanner "get a hold of DOH, Mt Home Rd in danger of washing away.."    More Kanawha County schools closed.   Bus driver's alert our School System leadership  repeatedly
  • Nov. 19 Late am With many buses turned around due to high water, with  creeks coming out of their banks, and with students still waiting beside rain swollen creeks, 7:35am from Mobile 1 "You all stay close" Translation: School leadership has decided, bring the kids in, feed them breakfast, and then send them back on dangerous roads back home
  • Nov. 19 Late am  7:37am One lane closed down between Clay and Two Run; 7:37am "Water rising rapidly"; 7:37am "You can't get past Falling Rock Church, I'm turning around"; 7:43am "Road almost impassable in front of old Clay Camper Camper building"; 7:47"Ovapa Rd has water completely over it"
  • Nov. 19 Late am and still school's NOT called off
  • Nov. 19 Late am  Ambulance driver Mollohan "slight injury" to the head, another driver needed.
  • Nov. 19 am  The Boil Water Order for Ivydale, Big Otter, Hartland and Bickmore continues. Boil it before consuming please
  • Nov. 19 am  There have been 491 confirmed coalition deaths, 420 Americans, 53 British, 17 Italians and one Polish, in the war as of November 17, 2003. (from CNN). That's 491 too many!
  • Nov. 19 am Clay County Commission is holding a Special meeting this Thursday at high noon. We don't have the details yet.
  • Nov. 19 am  And the real news..... Remember Johnny Morris? Served on the CAEZ Board of Directors a few months back? His house burned down twice? Yell you do, short, white headed with a full beard, and usually seen hanging around attorney Wayne King's office.
  • Nov. 19 am Law enforcement arrested Johnny Morris last Wednesday, Nov. 12th along the WV turnpike. Morris was hauling 4 pounds of pot in the back of his new, dark colored, Chevy Tahoe. No, not 4 joints, not 4 little baggies, but 4 POUNDS of weed. Drug dogs and all were included in the police efforts.
  • Nov. 19 am  Wayne King posted bail for Mr Morris.
  • Nov. 19 am  Last year there were a rash of arson cases identified in the county. Yesterday in Judge Alsop's Courtroom, Joseph Underwood was found guilty of 4th  degree arson.
  • Nov. 19 am  We goofed last Saturday. That final  score in the Clay High vs the Red Rider game was 17 to 7 not 24 to 7.
  • Nov. 19 am  In our online contest to nickname Commissioner Bragg, 3 more tags have been submitted, Mathew 'Jessie James' Bragg; Mathew 'Black Bart' Bragg, and Mathew 'Billy the Kid' Bragg, all in obvious reference to taking money without earning it. Keep em coming clickers, we'll post Commissioner Bragg's new nickname this Friday. Rember, we're looking for something original!
  • Nov. 19 am We've been posting news of the Elk Power Co. request to the WV Public Service Commission for a rate change. That full request is posted over on the ADVISORY page this site. Elk Power's Leonard Williams told us Tuesday that the request was NOT for a rate increase but rather, the request was for a change in costs associated with operating the local electric provider, the cost of fuel was mentioned. He mentioned that last year, rates went down. He  also made mention of our call to arms to send in complaints to the WV PSC over the action.
  • Nov. 19 am Of course our response was, If the monthly bill goes up, then it's a rate increase!  And finally, Williams reminded that ace cub reporter that his lip wasn't snarled up this time nor was he walking fast while in search of that rotund reporter. We'll stand by our words, Elk Power  electric bills will increase Jan  1 2004.  Wednesday evening will post on this site the latest from the WV PSC asking anyone concerned to send in their complaint by Dec 5th.
  • Nov. 18 am There's a Boil Water Order in place for  Big Otter/Ivydale areas PLUS Hartland/Bickmore. According to the water providers, Clay County PSD, main lines were damaged ( or wiped out) by last Wed's storm. The Big Otter line has been repaired but water tests have not come back yet while the leak near Hartland hasn't even been found yet!. Boil that water before consuming and wait 'till it cools before using it to brush your teeth. Need more info, dial 304 587 7579.
  • Nov. 18 am We've got an online contest going on, Nick name Commissioner Matthew Bragg. We're tagging him for often missing Commission meetings. Come up with a good one and email to link at bottom of this page. And, all you potty mouthers out there sending in tags with bad words, well some are good, but they're unusable for our purposes. Try again.
  • Nov. 18 am Here in Clayberry some elected and appointed officials reply, " If you don't like it, sue me!!" Well, the truth is, the taxpayer has to pay for each lawsuit. It's as if, once elected/appointed to a post, the H with the public's input.
  • Nov. 18 am According to the Charleston Gazette article on the Kanawha County Smoking Ban lawsuit, attorney bills have already added up to $9000.00. At the center of the suit: Can a local Health Dept. ban smoking in public and can they issue penalties for such transgressions.  Over a year ago when Clay  Health Dept. pushed for a similar ban on smoking (couldn't even stand on the sidewalk and light a torch), Prosecutor Jeff  Davis  voiced the same exact issues now in the Kanawha County Court system. Since those stormy meetings, our local Health Dept. backed off on implementing the ban.
  • Nov. 18 am We'll leave the WV PSC paperwork on Elk Power Company's request for a rate increase on the ADVISORY page for a few more days. Unless you send in a complaint letter, the increase will sail right through. It's always worth a fight clickers.
  • Nov. 18 am  For the most part, our elected leaders (and Business Development Authority) forget: It's easier to support and keep an existing business than to bring in a new venture. See the EVENTS page for Keith Lahti's pottery Open house. A regionally renown business we don't even think about.
  • Nov. 18 am And for all the diabetics out there. Stock up on insulin, Clay Middle School is offering those great big dinner rolls and cinnamon rolls for sale next week. See EVENT page this site and get your order in NOW.
  • Nov. 17 am  Does anybody remember Joe Ard? CCHS Class of 1984? Just got an email from him. From Joe: I just wanted to say thank you for the great site. I discovered it today and have enjoyed the stories and the pictures.  I left Clay County almost twenty years ago and it has been almost twelve years since my last visit. It's been very good for me to catch up a little bit on what's going on back home.

    •   Please feel free to post my e-mail address if you do that sort of thing. I'd like to hear from some of the people that I haven't seen in years
  • Nov. 17 am Joe's email address is joeard@automax.com  You'll have to copy and paste to use but give him a Howdy from Clayberry
  • Nov. 17 am Tonight our School Board meets minus Gene King who is laid up in the hospital. One of the few meetings Gene has ever missed. There will be the usual well orchestrated stuff , but there is always a chance for something out of the ordinary like concerns for safe drinking water in area schools. Meeting starts at 6pm sharp.
  • Nov. 17 am And now .... How does that coffee taste? Oatmeal going down smooth and easy? Go get a Rolaid, your power rates are changing and we don't think they're going down. Elk Power asked for rate change on Friday Nov. 14, 2003. The request is now posted on the ADVISORY page, this site. Want to fight it? You sure can. Send in your letter of protest to WV Public Service Commission; att. Sandra "Big Cheese" Squire; 201 Brooks Street; Charleston WV 25301. We're paying them anyway, might as well make them work for their keep.
  • Nov. 17 am All schools are back open after last Wednesday's  storm shut down Ivydale Elem. and put the rest of the county on a  2 hour delay. If the brats try and tell you they were fed pine cones and dirt, don't believe em. Today is beef stew and cornbread day. Yum Yum
  • Nov. 17 am Try to keep your powder dry this week. More rain and thunder storms predicted. With the ground already saturated, keep an eye on the creeks and small streams.
  • Nov. 16 am Last week was marked with destruction as Mother Nature gave us a bashing Wednesday afternoon and evening. 3 inches of rain clobbered parts of the county leaving many without power and others with no way in or out of the hollows and valleys.  Creeks overflowed, roads were cut away, and the Northern end of the county was severed off as Route 4 was closed when 1/3 of the main artery was washed into the Elk River. Water and gas service lines went with the roadway. Ivydale Elem. was closed for 2 days. WYAP radio was wiped out for two days when rain drenched the computer operated, community supported station at Two Run.
  • Nov. 16 am Despite rumors of her demise, Sally Legg got back to work after surgery. All the little blue headed ladies can once have their rinse.
  • Nov. 16 am  Not so lucky for School Board member and Court Bailiff, O Gene King. King was hauled off again Saturday Nov. 15th in an ambulance in severe agony. O Gene is slated for surgery. Over the years, Gene has made for very entertaining reading in the Communicator with his wording and adventures like, " We don't go by square feet, we go by the size of the building!" Best wishes extended... we need more Gene.
  • Nov. 16 am With Gene on the fritz, his fellow school board member Fran King running for County Commission and leaving the Board, and now in retirement Scott Legg in doubt, the coffee cup gang are already talking about next year's election process and wondering if Superintendent Linkinnnooooggger can keep his tight knit club of "yes" people.
  • Nov. 16 am Yesterday it didn't go so well for the Clay High Panther football team as they took it on the chin  during first round AA play off  action.  They clobbered us 24 to 7.
  • Nov. 15 pm  For all of our clicker buddies that can't take part in the Wier Red Riders vs Clay High Panther AA Play Offs, check back often this afternoon as we update this site to keep you informed. As a note: to make sure you have the latest posting, hit your refresh button every 15 minutes.
  • Nov. 15 pm Well.... it's all over for Clay this year. Wier Red Riders controlled the third and fourth quarters and took the victory. Clay had a great season, made it to the playoffs,  and didn't look a bit shabby. Way to go Clay County High Panthers
  • Nov. 15 pm  3:40     4th quarter, 6:33 left, Eric Shumate goes in for Wier. score 17 to 7, them. The Red Riders front line averages 60 pounds heavier than us! Clay has yet to score in the 2nd half . Clay gets the ball, Wier picks it off.
  • Nov. 15 pm 3:21  Less than 2 minutes left in the third quarter, score remains 10 to 7, them. Clay remains alive and in scoring position but as the 3rd quarter comes to an end, it ain't happened yet
  • Nov. 15 pm 3:03 With well over 200 Clayonians in attendance, 3rd quarter opens with colling temps and greying skies. With 9:20 left in the 1/4, Wier's halfback Eric Turner takes it in, score 10 - 7, they're ahead again.
  • Nov. 15 pm 2:29pm  End of the first half, ... 20 seconds left, Clay pass from 42 to 6 yard line.  Next play, JOSH NUTTER CARRIES THE BALL IN, TOUCH DOWN CLAY COUNTY! !!!!!!!!!!! As the half end Clay 7, Red Riders 3. Our pint size team is working hard and doing reaaaaaaal good
  • Nov. 15 pm 2:05pm 8 minutes left in the half, field goal by Wier Red Riders put them on the board first. 3 to zip Wier. Wier's front line looks more like an NFL line!
  • Nov. 15 pm 1:56pm End of the first quarter, no score. Clay had the ball in the final seconds when Wier grabbed a fumble. Wier had the ball as the quarter ended. Josh Nutter and Workman playing hard!
  • Nov. 15 pm 1:45pm Clay accepts kick off, drive unsuccesful, punt to Red Riders. One play later, fumble and Clay recovers. No luck, Wier gets the ball, passing running... at the 1 Clay's Josh Nutter recovers a fumble in th end zone. Clay has the ball.
  • Nov. 15 pm At 1:25pm field conditions at Jim Carey Stadium is in good shape, temps in the low 40s with wind gusts up to 10 mph. Coach Sirk thanked the Summersville radio station for the coverage, according to Sirk,"We have just one little newspaper and it's hard to get the word out!" Clay has on the field a squad of 27. Action is to begin at 1:30. Check back in 15 minutes clickers for an update
  • Nov. 14 pm The Communicator made it to the news stands around 4 pm today. Front page story is the FDIC mandated changes for the Bank of Gassaway. Pick one up today
  • Nov. 14 pm For our Queen Shoals clickers, we have some news. Three weeks ago, the County Commission appointed you  a new water board, a new Queen Shoals PSD Board. Jimmy Kearns has now been sworn in and is looking for two more to fill the slots on the three member governing body. Is safe clean drinking water important? Can you help? You get paid!  Contact the County Clerk's office post haste.
  • Nov. 14 pm The big event this weekend is football playoff action Saturday at Weirton. Go Clayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!
  • Nov. 14 am Not sure what happened last night, but we were unable to update the site. Sorry
  • Nov. 14 am Ivydale Elem. remains closed today.
  • Nov. 14 am Clay Roane PSD announced last night that there are no problems as a result of Thursday's big storm. The tanks never went dry and no Boil water orders. Their power was off for part of Thursday but the storage tanks are filling back up now
  • Nov. 14 am  According to our weather measurer Frank Kish, Bomont area  had 3.2 inches of rain during that little drizzle Wednesday
  • Nov. 14 am We'll have some dandy pictures of the damage and repair crews

    • working to restore water and gas service to Ivydale. If you're waiting on wa wa,
    better go buy some baby wipes and deodorant. It's going to be a while.
  • Nov. 14 am If you're planning on going North on Rt. 4, you can't. Road is closed due to a big big slip. Traffic is being diverted to Mt Home Road.... it should be called Mt Home Goat path. You're best bet if you got to go to Ivydale and beyond, use the Dundon bridge and go out the ridge or use the Interstate to Big Otter and come back South.
  • Nov. 14 am If all goes well, TheCommunicator should be on the stands by around 4:30pm today.
  • Nov. 13 am Storms swept thru Clayberry last night knocking out power for many in the county. With high winds and heavy duty winds , Clay Schools were put on a 2 hour delay around 9:15pm last night. Ivydale Elem. is closed for today.
  • Nov. 13 am Last night a chuck of Rt. 4 just south of Ivydale was reclaimed by Elk River taking with it gas lines and main water service lines. Over the scanner last night came word that repairs on the services "may take some time".
  • Nov. 13 am This morning many bus routes have been shorten due to water covering the roads. Finally, our local school system got their web site updated. You might want to bookmark the news source for future reference. Click Clay Schools
  • Nov. 13 am Tonight at 7pm Clay Roane PSD holds their monthly meeting at the CDC office on Main Street.
  • Nov. 13 am  We've got an online game going, what to nickname Commissioner Mathew Bragg for missing so many meetings. Keep the responses coming. One fellow emailed back, we should refer to Bragg as Mathew "Ain't got time for that" Bragg. Very cute. Keep em coming clickers.
  • Nov. 13 am Temps are predicted to drop with a chance of rain turning to snow late tonight. Be careful clickers, winter is here.
  • Nov. 12 5:24pm Over the scanner, Teaberry Hollow flooding
  • Nov. 12 5:25pm  Over the scanner    Can't get the wrecker truck to Eric Burdette's with tow truck
  • Nov. 12 5:26pm Over the scanner    from Randy Holcomb, The Creek's are really booomin
  • Nov. 12 5:42pm Rescue #??42 in route
  • Nov. 12 5:46pm Elkherst Rd is flooded, Dusty: Man it's in bad shape!, can we get some signs here???
  • Nov. 12 5:54pm Need an ambulance ( Albert Shamblin) fell and broke leg
  • Nov. 12 5:55pm Amb Unit 18 in route.
  • Nov. 12 5:56pm back to 911 base from unit 18, the roads are covered with water in places.
  • Nov. 12 pm  Get the picture? Clay County is covered from stem to stern, lots of rain, roads covered with water, creeks almost to flood stage. Emergency service got into gear real quick. For most of the evening, the 911 scanner was hoping.
  • Nov. 12  NOON Clay County Schools shut down. High water reported. Ditto for Kanawha County kids. Mudslides in the Sissonville area.
  • Nov. 12 Noon  Bus driver Randy Holcomb was heard calling for another bus.
  • Nov. 12 Noon For those driving in Clayberry, don't drive thru that high water. You may be the subject of the next incredible home video show.
  • Nov. 12 Noon Weather casters are calling for storms this evening and more wa wa for Thursday. Stay home if you can, be careful if you have to travel
  • Nov. 12 pm And now the nasty of winter. The rain, the mud, no color on the trees, every morning looking to see if it has started to snow. It may be called Fall, but this is winter. Since about the only jobs in this county are government jobs, yesterday, Clay was all but shut down. With schools and government buildings closed for the holiday, people stayed home, no celebrations, even Town and Country Diner was closed.
  • Nov. 12 pm On the minds of many in the county: Getting ready for deer camp is top priority! Find the right spot, set out the salt blocks, make sure the ammo is bought, oil up and sight in the rifle, does the camo still fit, is the 4 wheeler gassed and tires pumped up..... Nov. 24th, the first day of gun season is right around the corner.
  • Nov. 12 pm In the way of news, very little. Today is commodity day at our social service provider, Multi Cap. Folks will stand out in the rain waiting for their allotment of food stuffs. Thursday evening is the next public meeting, Clay Roane PSD at 7pm.
  • Nov. 12 pm Get your listing emailed in for Classifieds coming out this Friday in the Communicator.   Yesterday we had 56 first time ever visitors to this site. Welcome aboard and come back often
  • Nov. 12 pm We forgot to mention, Commissioner Mathew Bragg was once again absent from duty during Monday's  County Commission meeting. Over the last 18 months, meeting times and dates have been changed to suit Mr. Bragg's ever changing schedule. Even with those changes, Bragg misses about every other meeting.
  • Nov. 12 pm When then Commissioner Tim Butcher strayed from duty for weeks at a time, we renamed him Tim "No Show" Butcher. It's time for a nick name for Bragg. Send in your suggestions please. Use the email link below please. Make it a good one and something easy for us to spell too.
  • Nov. 12 pm
  • Nov. 11 am With schools, government, banks closed, for the most part, Clay County West Virginia is quiet. It's a time for remembering. While  we remember, the 170,000 Americans serving in Afghanistan and Iraq follow orders and remain in harm's way. Bring em home George, one more loss is one more too many.
  • Nov. 11 am To see the youthful faces of the 452 confirmed deaths in the Iraq war click MUCH TOO YOUNG
  • Nov. 11 am  Get well wishes extended to O Gene King. King was hoisted into an ambulance last Friday in real pain, unable to walk, and carted down to CAMC. So ornery is Gene, they couldn't keep him. Honk your horn when you drive by Helen's house Tuesday, let Gene know we're thinking about him
  • Nov. 11 am Back 9 years ago, Clay County was told that a new government program, the Central Appalachia Empowerment Zone (CAEZ) would be different. It would be a grass roots organization run by the people with strong commitment to local input. The by laws stated that local reps, elected by the people in each census tract would serve on the CAEZ Board of Directors. That's elected by the people not appointed by big government.
  • Nov. 11 am Yesterday, during the County Commission meeting, President Jimmy Sams motioned to appoint a person to the Board. That's Jimmy and seconded by Commissioner Triplett, motion passed.
  • Nov. 11 am  A great big hello to our service men in Japan who partake of this site. Thanks and keep the emails coming.
  • Nov. 11 am And boy did we miss a big one. Over the last 24 months we've been giving front page coverage to the Clay County Bank. The bank has been under orders to make changes or else.  Charleston papers reported the Bank of Gassaway is now under similar orders.  About the only thing different, their bank president ain't heading to jail and there's no implication of sticky fingers.
  • Nov. 11 am For the Bank of Gassaway, changes include: if the bank officers can't be trained, get rid of them; the Board has to take a stronger hand in operation management; outside oversight; change loan policies; stronger internal controls; and smack the hands of those that have had loans written off.. no more loans!
  • Nov. 11 am  The Bank of Gassaway has a branch in Clay County with total assets of $159.5 million as of June 30 2003.  We'll have a full write up this Friday in the Communicator for sure.
  • Nov. 10 pm   Great big Happy Birthday wishes to the Marine Corp formed this date in 1776, all 172,000 of you!!!!!!!!!!
  • Nov. 10 pm Planning  to attend Clay High's football playoff action... might have just gotten easier for you. Just received the following email from Britini R:       I am a student writing this for Mr. Klemen. He would appreciate if you would post this on your website The elimination dinner is being delayed. Here is what he would like on there:

    •                                                Elimination Dinner Delayed
        The football team has made it into the playoffs and we are playing weir high. Because of the distance that Clay Co. will have to travel, the coaches decided we need to play on saturday to give our fans a chance to come see us play.
          The Dinner will be postponed until the 29th of November at 6:00pm. I'm sorry for the inconvenience, but I hope you will understand the need for this change and that you continue to support Clay Co. athletics.  Thank You,  Frank Klemen
  • Nov. 10 am  Richard M. Samples, 79, of Clay, see FUNERAL page
  • Nov. 10 am Good morning world wide clickers, welcome to Clayberry updates.
  • Nov. 10 am From last week, we forgot to mention newly appointed to the Business Development Authority, David Pierson. BDA Chair Paige Willis asked that Dave and Leonard Williams be appointed. CCC did that plus put back on the board, Clark Samples.  Only Williams showed during last Thursday's meeting.
  • Nov. 10 am Of course, Pierson is already an elected School board member. Over in Fayette County three School boardsters got themselves in deep stuff two years ago for being on the Board and sitting  on other appointed committees. Here in Clayberry, wonder who knew what as they were appointing David Pierson to the BDA?
  • Nov. 10 am This morning our County Commission meets in regular session beginning at 10. At issue from the last few weeks: The need for a emergency service levy; appointing members to the BDA; high dollar 911 addressing; keeping Matthew Bragg awake during meetings.... You never know what to expect during the gathering. Stop in for some fun.
  • Nov. 10 am  Non profit Aid for Families in Need received thousands of pounds of food to hand out to the needy a month or so ago. Here's an email excerpt we received from Director kate Whitteker:   Aid For Families In Need has had 85,000 pounds of soft drinks donated by Cott Beverage through Feed the Children!  We have two tractor trailers coming this weekend!   We have also had a tractor trailer of powdered milk donated--delivery date not known yet.  We have also had another truck donated to us by an anonymous donor through Feed the Children.  This food- about 45,000 pounds will feed an awful lot of hungry people!  One big atta boy to AFN.
  • Nov. 10 am  6 months ago, President Dubbya declared the war over. Last week we were once again dropping 500 pound bombs in Iraq. See Reuters  for details
  • Nov. 10 am The body bag counts continues. As we approach Veteran's Day, our losses are near 400.
  • Nov. 9 am Before our weekend wrap up, the results of our online survey. Will JD Morris get our of the slammer early?  Survey Says!!!!!!!!!   With some terse statements attached to a few of the responses, the vast majority of you said YES! Expect JD home for Christmas.  A couple of clickers said to expect him home by Turkey day.  Sentenced to 18 months Morris should stay behind bars until March 2004 and then spend 6 months in a halfway house before starting his 5 year probation period. One respondent said no way, that the Feds are not lenient and the full period of incarceration will stand.
  • Nov. 9 am As for the week that was...
  • Nov. 9 am  We started it off beautifully warm and sunny. By midnight that changed to absolute cold nasty rain followed by cold cold temps last night. Winter is fast approaching the Appalachian Mountains of Clayberry.
  • Nov. 9 am This was an exciting week in the Great Nation of Clay. We got a new Clayberry Bank President, the third in less than 2 months. The new man, an outsider, is Thomas Hansberry.
  • Nov. 9 am By Monday mid day, Tonya Salisbury, indicted for 2nd degree murder was behind bars after failing a pee test for about the umpteenth time. Related to that case, Dan Dotson was OKed by the Court to try the Salisbury case as a private prosecutor. The family of the deceased, Chad Salisbury has paid Dotson $10,000.00 for his efforts to convict Tonya. Private Prosecutor? Not unheard of but very rare
  • Nov. 9 am The conviction of Thomas King Jr. has been tossed and a new trial has been ordered by Circuit Court. King was found guilty of riding an ATV on a paved road without a driver's license.
  • Nov. 9 am Monday evening the newly formed Queen Shoals PSD turned out to be not so formed. During their first public meeting, Bob Caldwell bailed with fellow appointee Jimmy Kearns sounding to be right behind him. Both raised big big concerns over who will run the water service provider and finances.
  • Nov. 9 am Prosecutor Grindo's  Grand Jury efforts Tuesday netted just three true bills, Samantha Naylor, Denzil Pritt and Johnny Neff.
  • Nov. 9 am Tuesday Town Council met and discussed the formal complaint against them issued by Clay County PSD. At issue is a big time past due water bill owed by Clay County PSD and the continued ill feelings both sides.
  • Nov. 9 am. Judge Jack Alsop got the court's winter term all organized and ready to press on during Thursday's calling of the criminal docket.
  • Nov. 7 am Creeks are up and the Elk River looks like wall to wall mud. But, finally the rain has stopped ( we think) for a few cold days. We've made it thru another work week!
  • Nov. 7 am Baptist preacher Francis Bellamy wrote our Pledge of Allegiance in the 1892. His simple version went like this: I pledge allegiance to my flag and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Our Federal government officially adopted  that pledge in 1942. It wasn't until the Red Scare (1954) that our leaders chose to mess with a good thing and add "under God" in an attempt to distinguish God fearing Americans from  godless communists.
  • Nov. 7 am  Yes we're checking the Wilson Funeral home folks but there aren't any obits this week!
  • Nov. 7 am Need commodities? See EVENTS page for the next handout.
  • Nov. 7 am Several months back we mentioned in the Communicator, Jeff Davis was on the verge of being the next Jed Clampett. Our ex Prosecutor and out of towner Homer Graham along with several investors put together funds to drill an oil well in Davis' front yard.  He's still on the verge.
  • Nov. 7 am  Davis said yesterday that the hold up has been getting proper insurance for the rig to set up shop.
  • Nov. 7 am Yesterday in Circuit Court land was the calling of the criminal docket. No big earth shakers  during the proceedings but a couple interesting notes. You know you're in the grease when court papers demand your presence in court. For about a dozen such individuals who didn't show up, it just got worse.  Bench warrants issued for the absent ones.
  • Nov. 7 am Posturing before upcoming court dates consumed much of yesterday's time. Here's a cute one. Attorney Kevin Duffy worked it hard for his client Elvis Dawson. Duffy got Prosecutor Grindo to agree to no introduction of seized items (guns bullets, knives etc.) and no introduction of written statements from Dawson taken by arresting officers. Sure going to make it tough on Grindo during the trial.
  • Nov. 7 am We'll spell out all the new court dates in the next edition of the Communicator. Looks like  a very full term of court this time around.
  • Nov. 7 am Interested in setting up your own web site? Click FREE HOSTING for listings of about 500 free providers.
  • Nov. 6 am  And the rain has set in. Sure helpful to those putting down forest fires but for the rest of us...yuck
  • Nov. 6 am Let's do some tidying up. Greg Gency is out as Clay County Bank President but is now back as Senior VP. Sometimes we get all excited with story lines and screw up spelling, grammar and more. With that in mind, that's Tonya Salisbury now in the slammer for failing her pee test Monday. The  positive test for pot broke the rules of her probation. Salisbury ( thanks LS for the spelling check) is charged with 2 nd degree murder of her husband Chad.
  • Nov. 6 am  Tuesday the Grand Jury was done by noon. Prosecutor Grindo got three true bill presentations. Those in the  grease are: Samantha Naylor (forgery $517.36 payroll check); Johnny Neff (DUIA 3rd); and, Dencil Pritt ( B&E, Legg's Welding, Laurel Fk Baptist, and 2 counts petty larceny at a Vance home).
  • Nov. 6 am Today over in the Court room is the calling of the criminal docket and anything else that pops up. It's the anything else that is often interesting. This afternoon at 5 is the monthly meeting of the Business Development Authority in the County Commission room.
  • Nov. 6 am And of course when a local bank in rural Appalachia changes Presidents three times in less than 8 weeks, there are always concerns and talk on the street. This most recent change of administration at the Clayberry Bank is different. The new guy is an outsider. With an outsider handling the community bank affairs, what makes it any different from one of the big banks in the Kanawha Valley where total strangers handle your fate.
  • Nov. 6 am Many are wondering why Town Cop Buckshot Butcher hasn't been heard on the radio. Mayor King Arthur said during Tuesday's Council meeting, Buckshot is on the job but without a vehicle. The Bronco is busted, the old cruiser is just that, and the third vehicle ( donated from Gauley River PD) doesn't have a radio in it yet. Buckshot has been using his Mother's van to nap local yocals.
  • Nov. 6 am Our online survey continues with our most recent response saying JD Morris would NOT get out of the slammer early and certainly not by Christmas. We got one response Tuesday from a guy that said he knew that Morris would be home for Thanksgiving.
  • Nov. 6 am Not too late to get your two cents worth in the hat. Mail your responses to the email link below. The question: When do you think JD will get out of jail? Get your answers in soon. We'll post the results (minus your names of course) this Friday night.
  • Nov. 5 am  We're going to go slow this morning, catching up some other news just getting around.
  • Nov. 5 am We forgot to mention something important from Monday evenings Queen Shoals PSD meeting. According to Boardster Jimmy Kearns, Queen Shoals PSD has the highest water rates in the entire state.
  • Nov. 5 am  Yesterday afternoon Clay Town Council met. There it was announced that Clay County PSD filed a formal complaint against the Town over a past due wholesale water bill to the Town from the PSD. And a famous quote from Town Field man Terry Traub," We aren't going to get any cooperation from Clay County PSD."  Sort of a tit for tat... Clay County PSD big new office trailer on property which is blocking the Town's right of way alley. The alley also has a major water line under it. The Town decided to force the PSD to get off the alley!
  • Nov. 5 am During the meeting, discussion  was held on the water line improvements in the Two Run Maysel area. Engineer Jim Hildruth mentioned "Rule 42". That term is the PSC code word for rate increase. According to Betty Murphy, there won't be a rate increase!
  • Nov. 5 am We sat in on a civil case hearing Monday where Clay County PSD is being sued by an Asbury woman. Back in 2000, Clay County PSD office manager Lisa Lane was driving the service truck and broad sided the Asbury vehicle as it was coming out on Rt 4 near Clay Primary Health Center. The case stems from that accident.
  • Nov. 5 am Results from Tuesday's Grand Jury will be posted later today. Should be a very small number of true bills.
  • Nov. 5 am IF you didn't read all of yesterday's posts, better do so now
  • Nov. 4 LATE pm   We're busier than  one armed paper hangers today!!!!!!!!!
  • Nov. 4 LATE pm Yesterday during the BDA vs Clay County Bank court case, interim Bank President Greg Gency sat quietly, calm,  reserved... Today we find out, he's been replaced! New interim Clay County Bank President is Thomas Hansberry. Bank Presidents are dropping like flies in Clayberry!
  • Nov. 4 LATE pm  In Sept, on a Tuesday, Bank President Scott Legg took an early out after being on the job  a little over a year.  Big questions hit the street on why such a young man (54) would turn in his resignation in mid week. Legg said he just wanted some time off.   Greg Gency took the helm that day as interim President and that lasted 6 weeks before being replaced.
  • Nov. 4 LATE pm  All along the Fed regulators have demanded ( in writing) better trained, better educated, more experienced be in charge and  according to the most recent cease and desist order, if current administrators can't be made suitable, the have to be fired! A year ago further Fed demands brought on board outside leadership for the bank from Davis Trust of Elkins, a holding company.
  • Nov. 4 LATE pm Now more than ever clickers, send in those emails, When do you think JD Morris will be released from prison. Use email link below.
  • Nov. 4 LATE pm And And And ......
  • Nov. 4 LATE pm  This morning, 10:45am, Judge Jack Alsop ordered Tanya Salsbury to jail after violating her home confinement conditions. She tested positive for pot use. Although skilled and well paid, there wasn't one thing her portly  attorney John R Mitchell Sr could do about it ! Ms Salsbury is charged with 2nd degree murder in the shooting death of her husband, Chad.
  • Nov. 4 LATE as they say on TV, But Wait There's More!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • Nov. 4 LATE pm We have a new Prosecuting Attorney.   Sort of anyway... This morning, Judge Alsop Oked the hiring of Dan Dotson to Prosecute in the 2nd degree murder case. The parents of the deceased Chad Salsbury are paying Dotson $10,000.00 to handle the duties!  Also in this morning's hearing Big Mitchell all but said he thought evidence in the case had been with held. He mentioned something about ballastic tests on the victim.
  • Nov. 4 LATE pm  For all those hearing about a missing Ramsey boy in the Ivydale area. He ain't missing. He's just out on the land running here and there. He ain't lost just wild!
  • Nov. 4 pm  Last night the School Board voted in a new Code of Conduct student policy. Superintendent Linkinooooooger said the students will be "requested" to sign it.
  • Nov. 4 pm Yesterday in Judge Facemire's courtroom more details on the upcoming Business Development Authority vs Clay County Bank battle were heard during the pretrial negotiations. BDA attorney Schamberger worked it hard to get info on the juicy stuff (JD Morris and Wayne King) included in the upcoming trial. For the most part, that ain't going to happen. Instead, the testimony will center on how the H could the Bank have agreed to a first mortgage on the $250,000 loan  to now defunct Filcon Inc.  At issue is who will regain ownership of the taxpayer paid for chunk of land near Ovapa.
  • Nov. 4 pm  The BDA contends they should get the land back from the Bank's grip since their agreement with Filcon was: No liens would be placed on the land without BDA OK.  Bank folks, Kevin Duffy attorney, contend they weren't apart of any agreement with the BDA and didn't know anything about any such agreement.  Of course..... had the Bank done a proper title search prior to doling out the loot, the search should have revealed such covenants on the land. Judge Facemire mentioned that attorney Wayne King was involved with all parties on all sides of the case, BDA, the Clayberry Bank, and Filcon.
  • Nov. 4 pm Sure to be a good one for December Communicator readers
  • Nov. 4 am Today is Grand Jury over in Circuit Court. We'll post the indictments here as  soon as we get them. Probably be Wednesday morning sometime.
  • Nov. 4 am Today Town Council Meets at 4 and CAEZ at 4 and again at 6 pm. Take your pick, either could be a keeper.
  • Nov. 4 am  JD Morris is suppose to be behind bars for 12 months, or until the end of Feb. 2004 or early March 2004 for his regular release date. Then to a halfway house.
  • Nov. 4 am    Our Survey question: Predict when Jimmy Morris will get out of the slammer. Thanksgiving? Will he be home for Christmas? When.  Send your emails to the link at the bottom of this page.
  • Nov. 4 am  A BUNCH of Stuff went on yesterday in Clayberry. We'll post the goodies sometime later today.
  • Nov. 4 am For starters... Remember the Thomas Franklin King Jr.? The guy that was found guilty of riding a 4 wheeler on a paved road without a license?  Back three weeks ago, a jury found him guilty.  A Landmark case we called it. Yesterday Judge Facemire heard the appeal  and TOSSED the case out!! Sent it back to Magistrate Court for retrial. Facemire had  some real problems with the findings, like, You can't use an Attorney General's opinion and the state never proved the driving without a license charge was done in Clay County. The Judge said an Attorney General's opinion is no any different than any body else's' opinion.
  • Nov. 4 am Also, the Judge made it clear, it is NOT NOT NOT against the law to ride a 4 wheeler on a paved road even without a License plate... an inspection sticker.... or without insurance! But here's the kicker. Facemire gave his opinion on riding an ATV without a license. Facemire feels, you MUST have a license to operate an ATV in WV. He based that on an ATV being like any other self propelled motor vehicle and all motor vehicles require a license to use on the roads.
  • Nov. 4 am Of course begging to differ with the  Judge.... License? all motor vehicles? what about farm tractors. No license, no sticker, no insurance required and certainly off road vehicles and certainly motorized.
  • Nov. 4 am We'll get to the Clay County Bank Court action from yesterday later  today as well as the lawsuit against the Clay County PSD, and the Big time Queen Shoals PSD meeting from last night where new Boardster Bob Caldwell bailed out.
  • Nov. 4 am One other note before quitting. We had a guy call Monday saying that he tried to open a checking account at the Clay County Bank and was denied. He said the bank required a credit check  and that based on his credit history, the Clay County Bank refused to open him a CHECKING account. Yes we asked him two or three times. They ran a credit check before opening a simple checking account.
  • Nov. 3 am It's tough to make wise cracks on local idiots when Americans are dropping like flies in Iraq. 18 taken just this past weekend. We've lost more since Dubbya said the main fighting was over than during actual combat. For three pages of details, from Reuters, click HIGH COST
  • Nov. 3 am  We do have a big week ahead of us in Court land. Grand Jury coming, Calling of the criminal docket, and something is going on with the BDA vs Clay County Bank case today at 1:30pm. Not sure what, maybe just one more huddle. We understand Prosecutor Grindo is bringing 10 findings before the grand Jury this time around. We'll post the Indictments as soon as we get them
  • Nov. 3 am Tonight the newly formed Queen Shoals PSD meets for the first time at 6 pm in the CDC office space on Main street. Sure to be a great one as the newbees spread their wings. Also this evening is School Board's regular meeting.
  • Nov. 3 am Tuesday brings together the Clay Town Council and the CAEZ at 6 pm.
  • Nov. 3 am Big indoor yard sale today, see EVENTS page this site.
  • Nov. 3 am And we sure can't forget to mention Clay Middle School taking the CWVAC Championship Saturday when they defeated Braxton. Way ta go CMS
  • Nov. 3 am  If you'd like your event posted on this site, just email the info to the link at the bottom of this page. Upwards of 500 people a day take a walk over here to nose around.
  • Nov. 2 am Nov.? Where does the time go
  • Nov. 2 am  Yesterday, 2:10, over the scanner, Be on the lookout for a Donald Walls in a mid 90 blue green Jimmy.... In an altercation, Walls shot at a property owner.
  • Nov. 2 am And now for one very interesting week that was. County Commission got the juices flowing last Monday when they appointed  Leonard Williams and David Pierson along with reappointed Clark Samples to the Business Development Authority. Earlier BDA Chair Paige Willis challenged Samples reappointment to the BDA. Of course behind the scenes people wonder what the new members will mean  when the vote comes on the Ovapa Industrial site heading to Court this Monday. Also, the CCC set up a new Queen Shoals PSD Board headed by Jimmy Kearns.
  • Nov. 2 am Danny Workman got out of jail and headed back to Prestera where he often goes without supervision, guidance, and training.
  • Nov. 2 am Halloween came and went without much teenage incident. The little kids had a grand time with warm dry temps aiding them in their quest for a full bag of candy.
  • Nov. 2 am Bob Wise came to town Friday to tap dance and hand out accolades as the statewide dog and pony show bedazzled the unsuspecting. Mid day Friday Schamberger vs County Commission came to court. For the most part, star witness for Schamb , Matthew Bragg, had nothing to say. It was as if some told him, keep your mouth shut if you want a chance at being the next Sheriff.
  • Nov. 2 am Friday night Clay High Panthers put it all over Webster assuring a play off berth.
  • Nov. 2 am As the week ended, and with the new Communicator on the newsstands, warm dry temps came in with the month of Nov. We even saw one D*** over achiever cutting his grass! Pitiful!