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QUESTIONABLE NEWS & VIEWS
- Dec 24 True this site and Communicator
are retired away into history, we have a Christmas gift
compliments of Dave Mullins
- Dec 24 We thought wittle Davey was
really suffering from arthritis. We judged that because we
noticed every time he drove passed, his middle finger was
pointing straight out. Yelp, must be crippling arthritis.
Then...
- Dec 24 On Dec 22nd, 11:45am, while
driving out Triplett Ridge there came Mullins who once again
flipped the bird at the Ace Cub Reporter.
- Dec 24 The challenge has been
issued and accepted
- Dec 24 Here's the Dave Mullins
inspired Christmas gift.
- Dec 24 Sometime in mid Jan 2024, we're
launching a new web platform highlighting a new iteration of
life in the slow lane, County Clay.
- Dec 24 For all the folks that have been
at ease since Nov 22nd, blame this new venture squarely on Mr
Nobody, Dave Mullins
- Dec 24 See ya in Jan.
- ...
- ...
- ...
- Nov 22 p Here comes what dingy politicos
have been waiting for since Sept 1995.
- Nov 22 p This is retirement day for the
Ace Cub Reporter AKA, the Mel Gibson Look Alike
- Nov 22 p As soon as Turkey Day is
digested, we will start closing down this site and the
COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section.
- Nov 22 p No new updates are coming.
- Nov 22 p We do have a couple
articles left before calling it quits.
- Nov 22 p Our purpose back in 1995 was to
inform you of all the crapola happening in Clayberry. It have
been a great journey.
- Nov 22 p For all those that have emailed
or otherwise told us they hate to see this rag go away, Thank
you. We will miss providing this one of a kind coverage.
- Nov 22 p From Ogden Nash: I do not like
to get the news because there has never been an era when so
many things have been going right for so many of the wrong
persons.
- Nov 21 p Shane Michael Truman, 20, of
Lizemores, see OBITUARY page
- Nov 21 a Not to forget history: Paul
Landis, an 88-year-old former Secret Service agent who
witnessed the president's death at close range, says in an
upcoming memoir that he took a bullet from the car after Mr
Kennedy was shot, and then left it on the former president's
stretcher at the hospital.....
More.
- Nov 21 a For those willing to see gore,
here's the
link to the JFK autopsy pics.
- Nov 21 a History shaping events happens
quick. Memories fade. Think how things may have been different
had the shooters missed
- Nov 21 a Just a few years ago, on a Nov
22nd, a local guy who we thought was a good thinker spoke:
Glad they killed him. He was a Catholic
- Nov 21 a Not that long ago we had a
black man as President. That election fueled racism that
continues to grow to this day. A prominent local senior once
said: Glad he's gone. He was a N!!!!!!!!!
- Nov 21 a Hatred is the sole reason for
the fix we're in today.
- Nov 21 a From Booker T Washington: I
shall never permit myself to stoop so low as to hate any man.
- Nov 20 p Richard Lewis Vaughan, see
OBITUARY page
- Nov 20 p Our plan was to get into the
dummies switching from their darn good Medicare insurance to
some for profit money grubbing private plan.
- Nov 20 p Our plan was to talk about
300,000 West Virginians in the woods trying to blast Bambi
- Nov 20 p Our plan was to write up our
final articles before retiring Wednesday
- Nov 20 p Then, the washing machine went
South. %%$$!!! thing is only three years old!
- Nov 20 p A non-working washing machine
throws a wrench in everything else.
- Nov 20 p At Tallhouse, the world stops.
When thew wifey ain't happy, nobody is happy
- Nov 20 p Maybe Tuesday will be more
productive for us.
- Nov 20 p Special note. After receiving a
few emails on that Classified page free piano, we think it was
a scam and have removed the listing. We even thought
about grabbing the deal.
- Nov 20 p Sorry clickers they got us too
- Nov 19 a There are two times a year when
people don't even notice if your business is shut down. One is
Christmas . The other is Deer Camp, Buck season. Outsider call
it Thanksgiving. Here in the Land of Little, the roads are
full with trucks pulling trailers loaded down with the
creature comforts like side by sides, propane heaters,
mobile satellite DSL receivers, and foremost of all, cases of
beer and big bottles of Crown Royal.
- Nov 19 a Not much real hunting
goes on but getting out in the woods, it's heap big fun
- Nov 19 a Today is the annual
Thanksgiving Dinner over at Clay High.
- Nov 19 a The idea was to feed those that
have little.
- Nov 19 a Now a days it's a social event
for the Blue Bloods while the poorest get "to go" meals and
disappear.
- Nov 19 a Why those smug folks are
chowing down, the number of volunteer workers have shrunk down
a bunch. So bad is the support, this may be the final free
dinner in its current configuration.
- Nov 19 a Here's some holiday magic
during this time of giving thanks or as the Indians call it,
Thanks-taking. So mad at his neighbor's dog droppings in his
yard, the irate man took the feces and smeared it on the
offending owner's door. For you holiday joy, read
more.
- Nov 19 a From the email bag:Thank you
for your service to the Clay County Community and for making
it possible for many of us to keep in touch with our home
area. Jim Wayne
- Nov 19 a From the email bag: I always
looked forward to your pictures.i wish you and your family the
best of everything.enjoy life and thank you for the beautiful
pics and updates on news.
Carol and Ernie
- Nov 16 p The biggest hunting season of
the year is Buck season which begins in three days.
- Nov 16 p Not many actually go out and
hunt but most take the week off and enjoy hunting season
from an RV, tent, lounge chair etc
- Nov 16 p As for conditions this year,
here's what the State
has to say about white oak mast.
- Nov 16 p This morning around 8:25, non
profit 101.7FM went black as the equipment was packed up and
the antenna taken down to Clay High
- Nov 16 p For those of us that
enjoyed the quirky offerings from YAP radio, it's a sad day.
An era has ended.
- Nov 15 p Tonight with a split decision,
the Clayberry School Board voted to close Lizemores and H E
White Grade schools. The lone no vote came from Susan Bodkins
after her tearful rambling oratory on how much the community
needs the school but devoid of any meaningful path on how to
save either school.
- Nov 15 p From the peanut gallery, four
spoke in favor of keeping the rural schools while one feller
asked parents to understand the true need to cut costs
as the only way to make ends meet
- Nov 15 p We will be shutting down
Clayberry and the Communicator Online newspaper just before
Thanksgiving. We have had some interest in someone else taking
the rag and running with it. NO definites yet but there may be
a chance for a new face in the keeping of Clayberry informed.
- Nov 15 p It's a lot of work and very
little $$. You interested? Maybe you too can come up
with hot coffee thrown on ya, nails in your driveway,
threatening phone calls, white powder in your mail, and once
in a while, a punch to the face. Just email us. Start your own
adventure.
- Nov 15 p Housed in the same building as
the newspaper, non profit WYAP, 101.7FM is being donated to
Clay High which already has a broadcast class for the kids.
- Nov 15 p WYAP-LP will go black sometime
Thursday as the equipment is taken down and moved to CCHS.
- Nov 15 p Once all the equipment is
handed over, a notice of donation will be signed and executed.
After 20+ years of engaging the community 24 1/2 hours a day,
8 days a week, YAP will have a much needed make over and
hopefully be back on the FM dial in short order. CCHS
Principal Allan Tanner said don't fret about varsity sports on
the air, that will remain in the offerings.
- Nov 15 p Thanks WYAP for keeping us
company for over two decades.
- Nov 15 a During the first two attempts
to close H E White Grade School, Superintendent Linkypoo
screwed up the mandatory paperwork and consequentially, after
a Court battle, Judge Charles King ordered the Pentagon to
reopen H E White.
- Nov 15 a That was 25+ years ago
- Nov 15 a Tonight the Sch Bd has
scheduled a special meeting of the group with the prime topic
being, final vote to close two elementary schools, Lizemores
and H E White
- Nov 15 a Why a special meeting? Answer:
Open Meetings Law.
- Nov 15 a The current Sch Bd and Super
are trying cross every i and dot every t to avoid a slow down
court challenge
- Nov 15 a Sunshine law requires so many
days notice of a public meeting. That length of agenda posting
increases when a holiday is in the mix.
- Nov 15 a Such was the case with
Veterans' Day observed on Friday... that added one more day to
the notice period
- Nov 15 a Now, with a
properly posted agenda, that decisive vote to close
community schools comes tonight during a special meeting. The
meeting begins at 6pm at CCHS in the bookless library room.
- Nov 15 a To get to this point, three
public hearings have been held to receive public comments
- Nov 15 a During those hearings , on the
Pentagon side, Super Dobbins went thru every reason, the need,
to close each school. At Lizemores and H E White, a small
showing of parents and supporters spoke out on the need to
keep the community schools open. They were passionate.
- Nov 15 a Unlike hearings of old (Nebo,
Brown, Ivydale) where tempers flared and fingers were pointed,
the just completed hearings went without battle or blood
stains
- Nov 15 a We didn't cover those hearings
- Nov 15 a Reason?
- Nov 15 a The reason and a problem even
parents couldn't come up with a solution, there ain't enough
students left in the system. Truth is, if there are not at
least 150 brats in the seats, there is no financial way to
make ends meet.
- Nov 15 a If parents had stopped watching
TV and playing with hand held electronics long enough to
bounce the bed and produce new kids, things would be different
today
- Nov 14 a Be sure to check out the latest
offerings over on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section.
The falling apart CAEZ operation, it is a serious cluster and
threat to our future.
- June 21 a Feeling much better after a
four day break...
- June 21 a Actually, we haven't been
completely away screwing off.
- June 21 a Check out the COMMUNICATOR
ONLINE newspaper section for a couple updates including the
full employment contract for the new School Superintendent
- June 20 a Happy 160th birthday West
Virginia. A
look back.
- June 19 p Georgia Irene (Keenan)
Ratliff, 83, of Clay, see OBITUARY page
- June 19 p Last Friday was the retirement
party for outgoing School Super, Joan Haynie
- June 19 p She will still be around this
week doing last minute chores.
- June 19 p Last week's Town Election
brought out a new complexion for the decision makers, Town
Council.
- June 19 p Every elected leader has a
strong connection to the school system.
- June 19 p Enjoy your four day weekend if
you can get it.
- June 19 p We're still playing hooky.
- June 19 a We got bored during this four
day weekend. The only thing left to do around the house was
cutting grass, pulling weeds, weed whacking and yuck stuff
- June 19 a So....
- June 19 a There was a time when our
SchoolSuperintendent refused to hand out his employment
contract to the public. In a Charleston Gazette article,
Linkypoo told em, that guy wanted a copy of my
contract.... I thought he was with the ACLU. It was eery
and skeery. That article and Linkypoo made regional media
outlets and made us look like fools once again.
- June 19 a Just a year ago, Ole What's
Face, the Super that was ousted from the island, Pretty Boy
told his staff, don't let ANYONE see my contract!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- June 19 a Now in the modern age where
public record means public record, New Super Phil Dobbin's
employment contract is posted over on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE
newspaper section.
- June 19 a In this modern age, notice,
there is no mention of providing a buy out clause for Dobbins
if he gets booted out of his job.
- June 18 a Pamela Jo Moore (Nichols), 61,
see OBITUARY page
- June 18 a We're smack dab in the middle
of a four day weekend and plan to continue to screw off
- June 18 a Happy Father's Day to all the
Dads burning hamburgers and hot dogs today. You too Amos
- June 18 a
- June 15 a Bonnie Louise Duffield, of
Duck, see OBITUARY page
- June 15 a Few pay much attention to Town
Elections like the one held this week in the Town of Clay.
Many think the Town is just an extension of County government.
Not so. Each operate separately.
- June 15 a At issue was voter approval
for Mayor, Recorder and all five Council persons. Only 25
voters cast ballots for this season.
- June 15 a Sitting
Mayor Josh Shamblin ran unopposed and get this, he managed a
win with 25 check marks
- June 15 a Long
time Recorder Cindy Mullins took a full time job as Office
Manager for the Town and did not, could not, seek
reelection. Replacing Mullins, last month, Council
announced, Melody Hubbard, would fill Mullins' seat til the
election
- June 15 a Running
unopposed, Melody garnered 24 votes Tuesday and win her seat
- June 15 Town
Council has five slots. Long time Council person Joyce
Gibson did not seek reelection nor did Jason Hubbard.
- June 15 a Here's
the vote count for Council: Barry Payton (incumbent) with
20; Megan Starcher 16; Marlene Lewis 13; Ron Starcher 13;
Renee Moore (incumbent) 13; Jeff Mullins 10; Jerry
Stover (incumbent) 7; Katelyn Hall 5; and Issac Ramsey with
a near landslide of 2 votes.
- June 15 a With
Gibson and Hubbard not running and Stover getting a
thumping, that means we have a new quorum on Town Council.
If new comers, Megan Starcher, Ron Starcher, and Marlene
Lewis in power and decide to offer a block vote, it's a new
day in the municipality
- June 15 a Keep in
mind, a Mayor has no vote except during a tie decision.
- June 15 a
Yesterday was a H of a day for edumacation in the State of
West Virginia. For the first time ever and after a State
Dept of Ed investigation, the Upshur County Board of
Education was padlocked shut by Green Shirts.
- June 15 a
The sniff of the real problems was made public on Tuesday by
Kennie Bass of WCH-TV. Here's
the link for that opening volley. So shocking was the
news article, many thought it couldn't be true.
- June 15 a That was
Tuesday evening around 6pm.
- June 15 a Many of
us listened to the State School Board public meeting via the
web. After a bunch of secret time, the State Board voted to
take immediate control of that school system and lock down
the operation. They declared a state of emergency !
- June 15 a Here's
the WCHS-TV
coverage of that tension filled meeting after the
dust settled.
- June 15 a Not over
yet.
- June 15 a With his
thingy in the wringer, State School Superintendent David
Roach threw in the towel and resigned his top dog job. MetroNews
has that follow up on the guy bailing out on short
notice.
- June 15 a Hoppy
Kercheval offers
opinion on the downfall blow out in Upshur County.
- June 15 a All of
that debacle comes from a couple counties away but is of
interest here in the Land of Little
- June 15 a Just a
few months ago the State Suits came our way for an
investigation. They found a bunch of stuff all screwed up.
With Clay in the cross hairs, we came a gnat's arss of
getting taken over.
- June 15 a We
think, it was the artful and truthful words by Sch
Super Joan Haynie that we escaped the scrutiny and take over
from the Gold Dome folks.
- June 15 a Or,
there's always aa "or"..... the old local leadership did a
better job of burying things....
- June 15 a or,
there's always another "or".... The state investigators just
didn't do such an in depth job when they were here.
- June 15 a For us,
the State provided a mandatory improvement plan. Haynie got
to work on mandates once she took the Super job in Dec 2022.
- June 15 a That
work ain't complete.
- June 15 a Come
July 1st, that falls on recently appointed Sch Super Phil
Dobbins.
- June 15 a Add to
that, the almost certain closure of at least local schools,
cutting employees.. Mr Dobbins has his hands full.
- June 15 a We're
still working on our coverage of our local School Board held
four days ago. It's a real head scratcher and one worth the
wait.
- June 14 a Birthdays are special. Many
take a little time and reflect back on their years. Others
hate the thought of being a year older. Presents are nice
additions too
- June 14 a Today Donald J Drumpf turns
77. His birthday gifts, 37 of em, came a day early.
- June 14 a OK Trump heads, are you ready
to change your thoughts on the slime ball?
- June 14 a Little too early?
- June 14 a If you're interested in
watching a potentially explosive State School Board meeting,
here's the link. Action starts at 9am sharp
- June 13 p We've got the latest County
Commission article published over on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE
newspaper section.
- June 13 p Last Nov Ole What's his name
was voted off the School System island. Right about that same
time, State Ed Suits came in and conducted a special
investigation , audit some named it. The findings brought out
a long list of mandatory changes to be implemented here in
Clayberry School Land.
- June 13 p Replacement Superintendent was
handed the responsibility to make the changes or face possible
school take over.
- June 13 p Now Upshur County is in deep
stuff after a special investigation. That investigation
appears to include the State School Superintendent
- June 13 p Here's the WCHS-TV
report with the
nuts and bolts of the major problems. We'll get a full
work posted on Wed sometime.
- June 13 p Some , maybe some in this
county, will have their shorts bunched up they read this MetroNews
article which starts: An FBI investigation found a
Bridgeport man had accepted over half a million dollars in
fraudulent COVID-19 relief funding.
- June 12 p Shirley Ann Tanner, 87
of Ivydale, see OBITUARY page
- June 12 p Our latest entry for the What
They Made article is now published. This list is for the Clay
Ambulance Service and can be found on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE
newspaper section.
- June 12 p This afternoon the CAEZ called
for an emergency Board meeting via online. According to Connie
Kinder, the agenda calls for a vote on moving full time
campers at the Dundon Campground from one spot to another.
Considering that the Campground itself is up for grabs, does
that sound like something worthy of an emergency meeting
- June 12 p Can't help but guess, the
meeting would include an agreement on lease price or at least,
let the struggling Board work out their differences in private
on the behind the scenes telephone call with the W Va Rail
authority held last week.
- June 12 p We're working on today's
County Commission meeting article. Remember when they got in a
skirmish over purchasing RT Sizemore's grocery store parking
lot? Had to happen that day... right now cut a check!
- June 12 p During today's CCC meeting, it
came out that they had already bought the holdings but no
paperwork (deed) has been signed.
- June 12 p Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm...
- June 12 p Hope to complete that CCC
article late tonight
- June 12 a County Commission convenes
their public meeting this morning at 10am sharp in the
Courthouse
- June 12 a Didn't see anything eyebrow
raising on their posted agenda but you never know.
- June 12 a Tonight the School Board gets
underway at 6pm. This
amended agenda is chocked full of personnel changes.
Bring some popcorn
- June 12 a Over the last seven years many
many voters believed everything Drumpf
spoke. Even a discussion on the pathetic leader, they
would go bonkers. Their blood pressure would sky rocket. Those
dimly lit folks had been duped.
- June 12 a With his 37 indictments now on
the books for even FOX Entertainment to report on, how many of
Drumpf's believers will come forward and admit the error of
their thinking.
- June 12 a We bet, very few will see the
light.
- June 12 a No matter how they still
think, or want to think, the corrupt Dictator has been caught
and is now looking at 50 years behind bars.
- June 10 a The sun is out and Clayberry
is lookin good this Saturday
- June 10 a What a week for the
history books.
- June 10 a Finally after years of
cheating America of an honest leader and duping a mass of
Americans, Drumpf went down the tubes Thursday night. As Jack
Smith told the world, just read the indictment. Now looking at
50 years behind bars, here
it is.
- June 10 a It's such a happy day for this
country
- June 10 a Also happy, well, maybe
happy...
- June 10 a CAEZ leadership has been a
pain you know where for seven months. The agency on its own
has set this county back for a full year with their running in
circles lack of leadership
- June 10 a We have the latest read (now
complete) over on the the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper
section. It sounds like the non profit has finally got on the
right track...
- June 10 a Don't get all excited
clickers. There could still be a problem.
- June 10 a Instead of putting their
mission statement first, CAEZ leadership could let greed step
in the way of growing this county.
- June 10 a It's happened before!
- June 10 a From Mignon McLaughlin: We're
all born brave, trusting, and greedy, and most of us remain
greedy.
- June 10 a It's our understanding, this
is a free fishing weekend statewide. Yelp, no fishing licenses
required. Get out and catch a whale!
- June 7 p Very interesting CAEZ meeting
last night. Article coming later today. Wait on it for sure.
- June 7 a From the Town of Clay: The
water will be shut off from the 911 Center down through town
on Main Street including Pisgah, Bradley Field and Hartland
areas on Wednesday 6-7-2023 beginning around 10-11 AM. Water
should be restored by 1-2 PM A BOIL WATER ORDER will
be in place for when the water service is restored for these
customers. WEDNESDAY 6-7-2023
-
- June 6 a
Margarette (Leatrice) Ann Nichols, 95 of Lizemores, see
OBITUARY PAGE
- June 6 a Margaret
Ellenore Loving, 91, of Maysel , see OBITUARY page
- June 6 a If you're
wondering what happened to the 106.7FM radio signal... they
had a full blown computer melt down last week. Efforts are
underway to get the audio out but as of this morning,
computer gremlins are having a field day. 101.7FM remains
alive but those same gremlins have stopped the online signal
for online listeners.
- June 5 p With his navel day celebration
behind him, it's time to get back to work...
- June 5 p Here comes this new month laced
with many opportunities to to keep this County in the
backwoods of life, it's time for a couple public meetings
slated for Tuesday afternoon
- June 5p Clay Town Council will hold
their June meeting at the Wawa Plant beginning at 5:30 pm.
Early voting is now in progress. That means, new faces could
be in office for the July 2023 meeting. Long time
Councilperson Joyce Gibson is not seeking another term in
office and Jason Hubbard is stepping aside as well.
- June 5 p The biggy for tomorrow will be
the CAEZ meeting at the Dundon Campground beginning at 6pm.
Not mentioning their lack of notice for their last two secret
meetings, this agenda calls for approving an agreement with
State Govt over the future of their track side campground.
- June 5 p Already the lackluster and
dimly lit CAEZ has cost this county a full year of tourism
growth.
- June 5 p We think, that tradition will
continue when they offer way less than the State Suits have
already said is needed. That is, to attract a pro
railroad ride contractor (steam, diesel, rail bus, electric
rail carts, to set up here, those out of staters need a
commitment on a ticket office, trinket shops, parking,
warehouse, maintenance space, and such. Those are just the
bare offerings to get the ball rolling.
- June 5 p Our guess, the less the CAEZ
offers, the fewer will bid on a rail ride service
- June 5 p With CAEZ's Board split, they
need to be gone from the picture. They've hurt the county
enough.
- June 5 p One of the biggest problems
with CAEZ is, they don't know what business they're in. The
majority of the new Board have been around for a very short
length of time. Can't help but feel, they haven't even read
the first page of their by laws or their public offering on the CAEZ website..
- June 5 p The social service provider is
suppose to develop and grow private business.
- June 5 p Instead, the current CAEZ
thinks they should be in business for themselves...like
poorly running a campground
- June 5 p From Lord Thomas Dewar: Minds
are like parachutes, they only function when open.
- June 2 p One year ago: Nicholas County Deputy Tom Baker was shot and
killed during a shootout in the Birch River. That shooting was
on Friday night, June 3, 2022
- June 2 p State
police trooper Sergeant Cory
Maynard died after being shot Friday afternoon in Mingo
County. Here's
some initial reporting from MetroNews
- June 2 a For those wondering, the Elk is
looking clean and green. It's perfect for your weekend
adventure here in Clayberry
- June 2 a Voting is important.
- June 2 a Early voting is now in progress
for Town of Clay leadership. Details now posted over on the
ADVISORY page
- June 2 a With Saturday voting available,
there's no excuse for staying away from the polls in Town Hall
- June 2 a During warm weather months,
County Clay turns into the Yard Sale capitol of the region.
- June 2 a Drop off your hubby to fish and
then check out the many yard sales.
- June 2 a We have our first sale notice
over on the EVENTS page
- June 2 a Have some fun this weekend.
Come visit Clayberry.
- May 31 p Here's goes with what makes us
the laughing stock of the region
- May 31 p Our most mentally hamstrung
agency, the CAEZ, held a special meeting tonight over at the
Dundon campground. One problem, ahhh one big problem.
- May 31 p They did so minus mandatory
notice AKA a meeting agenda posted on the front door of the
meeting house three business days prior the time of the
meeting.
- May 31 p Not following state code
(posted agenda) means, nothing that was decided tonight, it's
void. The meeting has to be done over with proper public
notice.
- May 31 p What did they do this day? We
don't know. The citizen run and owned agency was left out of
the loop.
- May 31 p Leslie Osborne is the Chair of
the secretive, unlawful CAEZ
- May 31 p When that meeting was over,
five of em walked over to the Campground host's camper and
told him in print, you're fired, today is your last day, and
you have five days to turn in your stuff like campground keys.
- May 31 p The date on the
termination letter was May 23rd and not tonight
- May 31 p The only names on that letter
were those attending tonight's meeting
- May 31 p A week or more ago, we heard of
a call for an emergency CAEZ meeting over at the campground.
Our guess is, Campground host Bruce Gill was the topic from
that also un-posted emergency meeting.
- May 31 p When we drove over there, no
other vehicles were in the parking lot
- May 31 p AS for any decision to give
away the campground to the W Va Rail Authority, behind the
closed doors, some consensus has been reached among the
Boardsters that have been allowed to participate in the
rash of meetings.
- May 31 p Operating against Open Meetings
Law
- May 31 p Not notifying all Boardsters of
meetings
- May 31 p Hiring a new campground host
and putting him on site before the firing of Bruce Gill
- May 31 p Outrageous votes, toss backs,
changes in leadership, and not meeting the basic demands of
their State Charter (Reps from five counties)... the downward
spiral continues and is bringing down the entire county
- May 31 p How could any outside agency
believe, trust, ANY legal document penned by the CAEZ
- May 31 p Did we mention Leslie Osborne
is the Chair of the CAEZ.
- May 31 p Our latest BLOTTER update is
now published over on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper
section. It includes a guy that thought it was OK to break
thru a front door and grab a sandwich from the fridge.
- May 31 a We've got something for ya.
First some background
- May 31 a Rural areas have almost
zero usable internet service. Zilch comes to mind.
- May 31 a In this day and age a business
can not thrive without a strong, steady DSL connection. Back
during COVID19, leadership told us, just have your kids learn
via distant learning. For Clayberry, they even spent big tax
dollars trying to set up mobile hot spots around schools. That
didn't work
- May 31 a The County Commission has
talked about growing a new DSL service for over 4 years. Suits
have come and gone bringing with em great promises that a new
service would be here soon.
- May 31 a That hasn't happened
- May 31 a The problem has always been
Frontier Tele Co management who don't give a shirt about
customers as long they pay their monthly bills. Thirty years
ago Frontier hung fiber optic cables down Main Street
and then Never hooked up one private business nor
customer. Not one! Two years ago they hung even more fiber
optic cable on tons along side roads but never hooked anyone
up.
- May 31 a Yesterday, brightly
painted CityNet trucks were in Clayberry. CityNet engineers
stopped at many homes testing how much interest there would be
for a totally different outfit coming in, hanging fiber, and
starting modern service
- May 31 a CityNet is Bridgeport West
Virginia based
- May 31 a The engineer we talked to
provided: CityNet service should be available by the end of
this year, if not that, then during the Winter; 500mbs speeds
would be the minimum download and upload use; internet service
would cost around $90 / month; and,for those that hate
everything about Frontier service, CityNet offers reasonably
priced telephone and TV
service bundled with DSL for somewhere around $125
/ month.
- May 31 a Interested? CityNet: 1 800 881
2638
- May 31 a So much for waiting another 4
years for the govt to get off their thumbs and do something
- May 30 p Ronald Paul Rhodes, 73 of
Maysel, see OBITUARY page
- May 29 a Check out What they made for
the latest entry, the Town of Clay
- May 26 early a Thomas H. Shafer (Tom),
82, see OBITUARY page
- May 25 a Today is truly a big day for
Clay County High School seniors. They've been waiting for 12,
13, 14 years to make the break from school land to that much
promised "You can be anything you want to be" years of making
tons of money.
- May 25 a The reality of those promised
pipe dreams, that reality sets in tomorrow.
- May 25 a Normally graduation ceremonies
are broadcast over the internet via a link on the Pentagon's website.
As of 10am this morning, we haven't found that direct link
this time around
- May 25 a Congratulations CCHS
Seniors.
- May 25 a The last day for teachers and
staff is one week from today. Happy Summer.
- May 25 a Why not start the warm weather
season off with a new ride. Cunningham's in Gould has a new ad
posted over on the homepage. Everything from a Mercedes to
pick em up trucks are at your ready.
- May 25 a Speaking warm weather months,
be ready. Call up Keith Wray for an A/C tune up or a new unit.
See ad at the top of this page before the temps reach 100
degrees.
- May 24 p For the latest update on ERTS
and the foot draggin by the CAEZ on the giving away of the
Dundon Campground, walk over to the ERTS State Park section.
See the black ribbon to the left.
- May 24 p Edumacation has been over in
Clayberry for many weeks. Kids know , once the tests are in,
there's not really much of a reason to even show up for
school.
- May 24 p For those still attending
classes, today is the last full day. Tomorrow is the last day
and that's a half day deal with buses pulling out at 1pm.
- May 24 p Congratulations CCHS Seniors,
the Class of 2023
- May 24 a Stephen Douglas Rhodes, see
OBITUARY page
- May 24 a Our County Commission meeting
coverage is now posted over on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE
newspaper.
- May 24 a Its been a long time since
Clayberry hosted a July 4th Festival.
- May 24 a Compliments big funding by CMI,
we've got one this year.
- May 24 a The notice is now posted over
on the EVENTS paga
- May 24 a From the email
bag: My name is Jackie Davis, and I'm a
graduate of CCS class of 2011. Of all the toxic things i
witnessed, i can say Mr.Dobbins was as genuine as it gets. O
don't believe there is an ill intent bone in that mans body. I
took it to heart when they didn't give Sir Phil Dobbins the
principal role a few months back. He might not be big in
social media, but it wouldn't be from lack of trying on his
part.
I live in Braxton county now, and my children
attend schools here, but I do frequent the clayberry sight for
the honesty & updates on these scum bags that are still
there and thriving. Out of all the bad news, there was a light
at the end of the tunnel, we just couldn't see it yet. BEST OF
LUCK to Mr.Dobbins as he leads clay county schools in the best
direction, very proud of him! Couldn't imagine a more perfect
candidate for the job. Just wanted someone to know
he's got support all over
- May 24 a The emailer is referring to our
new School Superintendent, Phil Dobbins.
- May 24 a Can't help but think about what
E R Beadle once said: Half the work that is done in this world
is to make things appear what they are not.
- May 24 a Calhoun County Schools made a
big announcement that our old Superintendent, Ole What's His
Name, was hired over there as Principal of their
Middle/High school. That announcement spoke of everyone
working together as a team and a bright future for Calhoun.
- May 23 p We've added a bunch of new
stuff over on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section.
- May 23 p Enjoy
- May 23 p Noticed DNR's Stuart Simms
driving up ERTS above Duck last week. It's our understanding
that the State now owns ERTS above Duck clear up to the Town
of Gassaway with more in process for Gassaway to Gilmer
Station.
- May 23 p There's been a hold up on
completing ERTS from Hartland to Queen Shoals. Construction
crews are now in position with work underway to get that last
section of the hiking, biking, horseback riding trail open
within the next 12 months. Already the section from Queen
Shoals to Reamer is open and in use.
- May 23 p When all done, that will be a
heck of recreation opportunity for tourists.
- May 23 a Patsy Ann Pinson, see
OBITUARY page
- May 23 a We're working on a reaaal
article about last night's Sch Bd meeting.
- May 23 a Check back later today.
- May 23 a In the mean time....
- May 23 a Up until last night we had
never heard of a Calhoun County based website, Ridge View
News.
- May 23 a Walking over there, we read an
article on our previous School Super, Ole What's his Name. Not
sure of its validity but here's
the link to that post. Based on that website, seems that
some parents are already unhappy with his selection as the
Calhoun Middle / High School Principal.
- May 23 a We emailed that Editor last
night about the part on an incident in Idaho but as of 9am
this morning,we have not received a response.
- May 23 a With only
18% of Calhoun County's kids proficient in math, with
Paxton over on the job over there, our Clayberry rankings may
go up a notch of two.
- May 22 a We published our write up on
the new Super Super, Phil Dobbins over the weekend.
- May 22 a After thinking on it, we went
back and added a bunch more to the article this morning.
- May 22 a If you're interested in the
challenges facing the new lad, be sure to re-read the school
system article
- May 22 a Just after a heated Commission
meeting a several weeks back, County Clerk Connie Workman had
had enough of the CCC BS and resigned from office. Just a
couple weeks before that, long time Asst Clerk Cathy White
bailed out after realizing, there's no hope with the present
make up of the CCC.
- May 22 a During tonight's CCC meeting
(5pm) the folks up front will vote Workman's replacement,
Sheila Stone.
- May 22 a With well over 20 years of
experience, Ms Stone knows the ropes from one end to another
and should be able to hit the ground running. But then comes
the hiring of a new office staff.
- May 22 a Also tonight (6pm) our local
Board of Ed convenes
their public meeting. With a lot going on at school
year's end, should be an interesting gathering to attend.
- May 21 p Leona Jean Blankenship
Church, 88, see OBITUARY page
- May 21 p Erma Pearl Scott, 79, see
OBITUARY page
- May 19 p Eugene Brady Brown, 76, of
Bickmore, see OBITUARY page
- May 19 p Just updated are the total
gross earnings for the Clay County PSD employees
- May 19 p Also over on the COMMUNICATOR
ONLINE newspaper section is our latest Blotter column.
- May 18 p Junior L. Shamblin, 91,
of Procious, see OBITUARY page
- May 18 p The Town of Clay Boil Water
Order for the Maysel areas, the BWO was lifted around 8am this
morning. Drink Drink Drink
- May 18 p Updated is the What They Made
article over on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section.
This addition is from the Town of Clay employee and elected
earnings.
- May 18 p Coming soon will be the
Courthouse, Ambulance Service, and Clay County PSD Clay Roane
PSD $$$ for 2022
- May 18 p Enjoy
- May 18 a Twenty some years ago the late
Fred Sampson envisioned and worked toward a thought to use the
dead Fola mine site for a dirt military landing strip, a four
lane road over to Summersville, and an industrial complex for
starters.
- May 18 a One of Mr Sampson's other
projects was to build a lake out at Wallback by using the
abandoned mine land slush fund. Before his death, Lake Sampson
was named by the Legislature, built, and was in use.
- May 18 a A couple
months back during an interview, head CMI honcho Wally
Hatfield spoke on building a major highway thru that area to
access the thousands of strip mine Fola acres.
- May 18 a Back then when Sampson
presented his lake idea to the BDA, the head of that
organization (Paige Willis) told him: Buddy if you want to
work on that pipe dream of an idea, go ahead but we aren't
going to have a thing to do with it.
- May 18 a With Sampson turned back to dust by now,
there is military style training operation (CMI) up and
running on the Fola holdings. Although not an airport there
(yet), military aircraft have been active doing "drops".
- May 18 a It all
started with a guy and an idea.
- May 18 a Today
there is plenty of empty space on Fola for something that
has taken the Appalachian Mountains by storm, ATV trails.
- May 18 a Here's a link to a
brand new place over in Eastern Kentucky that is using
gob piles and strip mine flats for such a tourism draw.
- May 18 a OK
clickers, which one of you is going to take up the banner
and get an ATV course set up right here at home?
- May 18 a Sampson
was also one of the earliest worker and funder to build a
local radio station in Clayberry as well as building river
access sites along the Elk among many other notions
- May 18 a Thank you
Fred Sampson for your good thinking so long ago.
- May 17 p Got a bunch of new stuff over
on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section
- May 17 a Patricia �Patsy� Ann
(Fitzwater) Meredith, 71, see OBITUARY page
- May 17 a Dora Elizabeth (Happeny)
Markle, see OBITUARY page
- May 17 8am Town of Clay
enacted a Boil Water Order for the Maysel, Laurel Ridge, Guy
Mullins Road due to a Main line break. Boil it first clickers
until further notice
- May 17 a Back on 5-9-2023 we posted an
article from the Pentagon on student attendance. Right after
that we questioned employee attendance.
- May 17 a Although he would never admit
it in public, past Super Linkypoo forwarded over the
questioned attendance numbers for workers. Keep in mind,
Link's ability to embellish for best affect is second to none.
- May 17 a That submitted info has been
added to the May 9th attendance article over on the
COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section.
- May 15 p We've just updated our What
they made article over on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper.
For this update, posted are the total gross earnings for those
employed by the County Clay Health Dept.
- May 15 p More comin, check back in a
couple days.
- May 15 p The entire State Police (Green
Shirts as we call em) have been in the spotlight for the last
two months over their out of control administration and
unbelievable notorious actions of the local Badges. Here's the
latest lawsuit against the Green Shirts.
- May 14 p Happy Mother's Day to Ethel
Irene and all the other Moms past or present around the world.
- May 14 p Clayberry has experienced a
bunch this past week. Like....
- May 14 p After years of dismissal
leadership bordering on unlawful acts, the new and improved
School Board announced their choice for a new Superintendent
of Schools.
- May 14 p Monday evening, with a
unanimous vote, Phil Dobbins was selected to be the next
Superintendent with a three year contract. Dobbins was at one
time the CCHS Principal, a high school advanced placement,
championship winning, teacher, and just 14 months ago, was one
of the ring leaders in the coup that ousted the then CCHS
Principal.
- May 14 p We think we saw the final straw
in getting the local Dundon Campground turned into something
that would benefit the county and our growing tourism economy.
See CAEZ meeting coverage over on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE
newspaper section.
- May 14 p At the beginning of May the
Commissioner of the W Va Rail Authority asked the CAEZ to
donate their campground to the Authority for it to be
developed and enhance the BC&G RR rail ride. That
Commissioner told em, I need your decision by May 11th.
- May 14 p After checking the CAEZ meeting
house door several times, we never saw a Board meeting agenda.
It's takes a Board meeting to vote the gifting of the
campground.
- May 14 p We think, after their lack of
decision, the tourism economy will be built around, leaving
out, the existing, struggling, campground. That's very sad.
- May 14 p Because local leadership has
been such a stick in the mud, dumb, we hope, that new
campground, ticket office, trinket store, boarding platform
will be built at Cressmont in that big hay field or down in
Dundon on the old Newt Bragg property.
- May 14 p With edumacation over for
another year (nothing left but movies and field trips), the
High School Prom was held last night. All the teeny boppers
were dressed to the nines and for some, hanging out.
- May 14 p Problem was, it rained like
crazy and ruined all those dresses, hair styles, and make up.
For those teenager parents, thousands of dollars were spent
- May 14 p Related to that Prom, rain and
campground.
- May 14 p While we have never posted one
thing on social media nor even have a social media account, we
still get stuff emailed over to us.
- May 14 p Here's a partial posting
emailed over late late Saturday night: Today was my
daughters senior prom!! We went to take pictures and it
started raining pretty bad so we went over to the lodge at
dundon to take some nice pictures. I think it�s pretty sad
when you go to one of our county attractions and get RUN
OFF!!! Not only was we run off but the idiot that stays in
the camper over there and watches the place was a
complete butt hole about it. He did not come and ask
us nicely to leave or nicely tell us that we couldn�t
be there. He was a complete smart mouth butt hole. It�s no
wonder that people don�t want to use the things in this
county because when you do you get treated like
complete S***.
- May 14 p Doesn't that make the
Campground host, Bruce Gill, sound like a real turd? Doesn't
that facebook post sound legitimate? Believable without a
second thought?
- May 14 p All of you would be wrong.
- May 14 p The reality is, the campground
is private property, that Lodge building and a couple of the
campsites were rented out full, those campground
renters had a bunch of their personal things stacked on that
Lodge porch while out riding four wheelers.
- May 14 p While Mr Gill may not be the
greatest thang since canned soup, there are two sides to every
story. The update we just provided would be the correct one.
Watch out for those social media posts! Social media is
not the place to be believed.
- May 14 p from Robert Browning: Truth
never hurts the teller.
- May 12 later p Erica Alaina Schoonover,
44, see OBITUARY page
- May 12 later p Psst Pssst.... Buffalo
Creek was stocked with around 400 pounds of trout today. They
put some nice size in there too! Now you have something to do
this weekend.
- May 12 p Eloise Jean Boggs, see OBITUARY
page
- May 12 p Ms Boggs was one of the last
ones that actually wrote out letters with good penmanship. She
was also a strong supporter of the Communicator. She will be
missed. Another Saint has gone home.
- May 12 p Sad
- May 12 a Had it not been for
emailer "LT" we would have completely forgot about doing our
annual What They Make article on local govt employee earnings.
- May 12 a We have that started over on
the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section now. First
installment: School System.
- May 10 late p Not going to believe it
but tonight the CCHS Panthers pulled off a big 5 to 1 win over
Roane County in W Va sub-sectional tournament play.
- May 10 late p Thursday evening,
6pm, over at Clay County Park, the Panthers hope to climb
another rung when they take on Braxton County.
- May 10 late p go Panthers!
- May 10 p Our last frost date is still a
few days from now but, if you look around the County, lots of
people have started their annual tradition of planting Spring
flowers a few days early
- May 10 p We've added a "Part 2" to
our coverage of the most recent CAEZ meeting over on the
COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section. This addition provides
first hand info on other stuff going on other than the
campground debacle.
- May 10 p On that subject, Commissioner
Cindy Butler of the West Virginia Rail Authority asked the
CAEZ Board (May 2nd) to let her know what their plans are for
that center of attention Dundon Campground and to do so by May
11th.
- May 10 p Reason?
- May 10 p Contractor bids for the
railroad rides have to be submitted by May 15th. Having that
Campground available for the winning contractor makes a real
difference on what they offer, bid wise.
- May 10 p Without that infrastructure
(campground lodge, campsites) available at least two of the
contractors have already said, we won't be bidding.
- May 10 p There are other options
available for the infrastructure but none as attractive and
immediately available as the Dundon Campground.
- May 10 p County Clay's future looks
pretty bleak without CAEZ coming around and gifting their
campground to the W Va Rail Authority.
- May 10 p Just for the sake of a mention,
eminent domain is always an option. Gulp!
- May 10 a Around 8am this morning the
first scanner call came. Something about someone shot on
Grassy Fork Road.
- May 10 a 10:17 or so, Blue Shirt Randy
Holcomb called in and said he could help out and to pick him
up. That made unit 1 Top Badge, Unit 4 Belt (Bailiff), unit 6
King (Bailiff) , and the Poopster.
- May 10 a By 8:30, word came, the person
was deceased
- May 10 a 9:30 from Belt, everybody
clearing the scene
- May 10 a We've got a submitted article
over on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section about great
student attendance in Clayberry.
- May 10 a That's great. They've got to be
there before learning can take place
- May 10 a It's the same thing for
teachers on duty for edumacation to happen
- May 10 a We'd like to know about teacher
attendance. That's something never mentioned. From the email
bag we hear of several
- May 10 a Last night Lewis County short
gamed the Panthers, 11 to 1.
- May 10 a The Panthers play again in
sectional tournament tonight up at Clay County Park beginning
around 6pm. With it being double elimination... it's do or die
time for the Panthers.
- May 10 a Both local radio stations will
air the contest. For those afar, listen in via the web,
tunein.com or streema.com
- May 10 a Go Panthers!
- May 9 p It didn't take the nine men and
three woman jury but a couple hours to find what most of the
world already knew, Donny J Trump is nothing but an out of
control, sexually abusive, liar. What a great
day for America.
- May 9 p If you're wondering if we will
ever get the CAEZ meeting coverage published, we have
- May 9 p well, mostly.
- May 9 p We plan to go back and add a
bunch more to the outlandish display... sometime soon
- May 9 a THELMA TALITHA (DOBBINS)
FITZGERALD, 101, of Duck, see OBITUARY page
- May 8 p County Clay has been waiting
since Nov for a new School Superintendent.
- May 8 p That vote is suppose to happen
tonight during the
Sch Bd meeting, 6pm, in the Pentagon
- May 8 p This morning's Commission
meeting was another shorty where all three of em played nice
with one another while in public. Details later
- May 8 p We finally got the article on
the latest CAEZ meeting published over on the COMMUNICATOR
ONLINE newspaper section.
- May 8 p If you're interested in the
county's future, walk over there for a good (but sad) read.
- May 8 p Where are the ten safest states
to live in? It's
not here.
- May 8 p Check back late tonight to learn
who was selected to be Superintendent
- May 7 p JESSIE LEE (HALL) MAIURI, 90,
see OBITUARY page
- May 5 p Last night the Lady Panthers
came away from Sectional action with a big, come from behind
win over Braxton
- May 5 p Tonight the Lady Panthers walk
away with not a point. The final Herbert Hoover 18, CCHS 0
- May 5 p Since it's double
elimination, Saturday morning at 10 am, the Lady Panthers will
lace em up one more time to take on Lewis County at Lewis
County
- May 5 p For those thinking about fishing
the Elk, it's pretty muddy
- May 5 p You might have better luck on
the tributaries.
- May 5 p Better make the fun Saturday.
With a 70% chance of the rain, Sunday looks like a wet one.
- May 4 p tonight's LKC placement game
scheduled for tonight has been canceled. The field at Maysel
Park is a total mud wallow.
- May 4 p Tonight's Lady Panther sectional
game over at Schoonover / Bradley Field is still on with
action beginning at 5pm.
- May 4 p 101.7FM and 106.7FM plan to air
the Lady Panther game with the pre-game program beginning
around 4:50pm
- May 4 p Go Lady Panthers
- May 3 p Even tho it's not raining
right now, Clayberry is a huge mud hole. Tonight's sectional
tournament softball game with Braxton County, it's been
rescheduled for the third time. No game tonight. Stay
home and in the dry.
- May 2 late p Earl Joseph Fasanelli, age
79, see OBITUARY page
- May 2 a With rain and cold
expected later today, tonight's Lady Panther Sectional
Tournament game has been rescheduled for Wed evening. Things
aren't looking much better on Wed. Weathercasters are calling
for more rain and a 80% chance of snow flurpies for Wednesday
- May 2 a Tonight at 6pm the CAEZ Board
meeting will be held over at the Dundon Campground. It's a
public meeting. New Chair Leslie Osborne will try to hold
together the dysfunctional agency for this gathering.
- May 2 a This will be first meeting in
over two decades that Michelle Bodkins has not been present as
the Office Manager. After getting dumped on by warring
Boardsters during the last five months, Ms Bodkins resigned
her job after the April meeting dust settled.
- May 2 a This CAEZ meeting agenda is
laced with lots of attention getting items including what ta
do with their campground at Dundon. Also at question is the
future of the organization itself.
- May 2 a Tonight's agenda includes a
presentation from Cindy
Butler who oversees the W Va Rail Authority, the folks
that actually own the old BC&G RR spur line.
- May 2 a We think Ms Butler is there to
make a last ditch effort to improve Clayberry life by prying
the CAEZ fingers off the dead remains of the Dundon
Campground.
- May 2 a CAEZ has a way of screwing up
everything they touch. Like, nay, we don't want to give up
ownership.... or naaaaay, how about we just rent you office
space here.... or something else as lame.
- May 2 a History shows us, as
organizations start to fall apart, they spend much more time
shuffling paperwork. We think there will be a bunch of that
glass is half full crapola filling the air tonight.
- May 2 a Without a director is place,
without meeting their articles of incorporation mandates,
without ANY projects in the works, and without any way to
makes ends meet ($) , there is little way out for the CAEZ
other than distribute assets and shut down. Had they
realized that back in Nov 2022, County Clay would be better
off in 2023.
- May 1 p This evening's sectional
tournament game with Braxton has been rescheduled for Tuesday
at 6pm. It's too darn wet and cold to play today.
- May 1 p Sure doesn't feel like May. Snow
flurpies are in the forecast for Tuesday evening. Right now
it's rainy and cold. Yuck comes to mind.
- May 1 p Johnny Dale Rogers killed his
Mother (Darlene Rogers), stuffed her in the trunk of a car,
drove the car up to Widen Ridge Road, set it on fire, and then
claimed he didn't know where she might be
- May 1 p Mr Rogers was suppose to be
sentenced this morning on his felony convictions. Didn't
happen. That sentencing has been rescheduled for June 5 at 10
am
- May 1 p With the beginning of a new
month, there's lots of public meetings scheduled for the next
couple weeks.
- May 1 p Tomorrow at 5:30 Clay Town
Council meets in the WaWa Plant building on Main Street, 5:30
- May 1 p Also for Tuesday is the ever
confusing Central Appalachia Empowerment Zone (CAEZ) meeting
at 6pm over at the Dundon Campground.
- May 1 p The opening volley of the 2023
Sectional Tournament action where the Lady Panthers take on
Braxton County comes tonight, 6pm. With all the rain and
freezy temps, not sure if it will happen tonight. Rules say,
if it gets canceled tonight, it has to be played Tuesday
evening.
- May 1 p Will keep you informed on that
important game.
- May 1 p Boys Sectional Tournament play
gets underway next week.
- May 1 p Last Friday's post (see below,
April 28th) zeroed in on County Commission Dave Schoolcraft.
That you feller has held the media spotlight for the last many
weeks.
- May 1 p On the 28th, we laid the monkey
on him for not including the third Commissioner, Connie
Kinder, in his plans to head to Charleston for a big time
grant funding meeting with his sidekick Joyce Johnson but alas
alack, managed to forget to give timely notice to
Commissioner Kinder.
- May 1 p That Charleston meeting was to
secure funding for completion of the nearly vacant Judicial
Annex building beside the Courthouse.
- May 1 p With great public attention on
him, that makes it harder for the Czar to work his hush hush
backroom magic.
- May 1 p What we're getting at is, we
think we're getting under Schoolcraft's skin, a burr under his
saddle
- May 1 p When elected officials get
miffed, that's when they say stuff that comes back and bites
em.
- May 1 p Often paranoia sets in when they
think everyone is ratting out the whispers. Reason goes out
the window when paranoia sets in. Our Czar appears to
have forgotten about all the cameras running in and around the
Courthouse and, even more important, everything they do, every
place they go, it's a matter of public record.
- May 1 p We think Schoolcraft is about to
that breaking point now. Good.
- May 1 p As for ethics, morals, Tommy
Jefferson: The Govt you elect is the Govt you deserve.
- May 1 p The embarrassment of that
Dynamic Duo will continue as long as we keep voting poor
candidates.
- May 1 p From Washington Irving: Great
minds have purpose,other have wishes
- April 30 p Here's a way to waste
an hour or so looking at railroad history including a
bunch from County Clay. Cool stuff!
- April 30 a From the Town of Clay
WaWa Plant: BOIL WATER ORDER Town, Pisgah, Bradley Field and
Hartland areas has been lifted 4/29/23
11 AM
- April 29 a Gary Henry �Sonny� Butcher
80, of Ivydale, see OBITUARY page
- April 28 a Cunningham Motors has some
good lookin vehicles up in Ivydale. Got any of your tax return
left? Go see Bruce for a deal and a nice ride that doesn't
have dead french fries stuffed into the cracks of the seat
- April 28 a In this county we elect three
commissioners to represent our best interests. While there are
three elected, currently we have just 2 making all the
decisions. That would be Dave Schoolcraft and Joyce Johnson.
Connie Kinder is the one left out of the huddle
- April 28 a For instance, last week that
dynamic duo planned to leave Kinder out of a Charleston
meeting where getting grants for updating the judicial annex
was to be discussed
- April 28 a Late late, just hours before
the 2 pm meeting was to commence, Schoolcraft let Kinder in on
the info
- April 28 a Unbeknownst to the duo,
Kinder already got word on the meeting.
- April 28 a When the Duo entered the
meeting room at the Capitol, there was Kinder already there
and grinning from ear to ear.
- April 28 a Here's an example of what
makes Dave Schoolcraft unfit to be the CCC Prez and just as
bad on Johnson for participating in the dirty deeds.
- April 28 a There are no winners when
such happens.
- April 28 a Sure Schoolcraft wants his
buddies to get all the contracting jobs but to stay out of
jail or at least stay out of the front pages of the Gazette,
he has to play by the rules.
- April 28 a Currently, the Dynamic Duo
are not doing that. Their vindictive ways are showing through
and it ain't pretty.
- April 28 a Joseph Joubert: Never cut
what you can untie.
- April 28 a Since the beginning of the
Communicator, we have pushed for a tourism based economy. We
knew 30 years ago what we're retelling you now: People want to
see what we've always had here in the Land of Little. That
part about us not having a single stop light, that's appealing
to many.
- April 28 a Happy damp Friday.
- April 28 a Nothing to do this weekend?
Why not come to Clayberry and do it here!
- April 28 early a Jackie L.
Parsons, 74, Wallback, see OBITUARY page
- April 28 early a How about some heavy
duty reading to start off your Friday morning
- April 28 early a We give Republicraps
under the Gold Dome H at every curve in the road. How about
one on the Legislature deeding over big portions of our State
Park system and how the local citizenry took back their local
Park / Forest.
From Mountain State Spotlight.
- April 28 early a There was a time
when the Charleston Gazette was the front leader on digging
deep and uncovering the facts. They had a strong history. That
has changed
- April 28 early a Now, online
presentations like Mountain State Spotlight are leading the
pack for down right, spot on, journalism.
- April 28 early a For those that keep
saying, we want coal to come back.. be sure to read this
truthy on what
coal mining really does for, against, the Mountain State.
- April 28 early a Ever get a whiff of
something... something that you keep thinking about?
- April 28 early a Here's yet another Spotlight
article that mentions our very own Roger Hanshaw. For us
at least, that article raises a big Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm..
- April 28 early a Later today comes the
latest installment on King Schoolcraft, Brown Nose Johnson and
leaving their fellow Commissioner (Connie Kinder) out of the
loop and in the dark.
- April 27 p David Wayne Stewart, 70
of Bickmore, see OBITUARY page
- April 27 p ADAM ANDREW SKEEN, 83,
of Procious, see OBITUARY page
- April 27 12;55p From the Town of
Clay WaWa Plant: Water will be shut off on Main Street
from the 911 Center down through Town and towards Pisgah and
Bradley Field at 3:30 to repair a broken water line. A BOIL
WATER [Order] has been issued for these areas.
4-27-23
- April 27 p Monday's Commissioner
meeting lasted just 9 minutes or so. While in session,
everybody was jovial and happy. No decenton of any kind was
heard.
- April 27 p We wondered, what changed?
What changed in the backroom?
- April 27 p Compliments our emailers....
- April 27 p Schoolcraft and his sidekick
Brown Nose Johnson had to high tail to the Big Otter Fire Dept
meeting. They had to get there to defend themselves.
- April 27 p Know what we're talking
about?
- April 27 p Here goes
- April 27 p A couple Saturdays ago, just
after the Easter Egg Hunt, one of Big Otter's fire engines
broke down and had to be towed back to their station.
- April 27 p With a nod from Ms Brown
Nose, Schoolcraft made a decision to call Abbott's Wrecker
Service (Nitro) for the job. Schoolcraft wants nothing to do
with former County Commissioner, Fran King who owns the local
service and who the county has a contract with.
- April 27 p His tiff cost Big Otter
FD a bunch since Ms King normally charges govt agency vehicles
at a discounted rate or nothing at all.
- April 27 p Because Schoolcraft has his
shorts all bunched up, he took it out on the community.
- April 27 p With the BOFD meeting to
discuss future needs for a tow truck, and with those folks all
peed off about the high cost bill, the FD planned (in our
opinion) to give Dave H for his petty, childish actions.
- April 27 p Didn't go so well for CCHS
last night as Nicholas County short gamed us,12 to 2.
- April 27p The Lady Panthers start their
post season softball action next week.
- April 27 p For those wondering,
the Elk is lookin good and emerald green, ERTS is in great
shape for hiking biking and or horseback riding and nice warm
temps today, if you plan to visit Clayberry this weekend,
might pay to rethink that. Saturday looks like the dry day for
this weekend. Enjoy some fun close to home. Rain is suppose to
be heading our way Friday and Sunday.
- April 27 p See you in County Clay,
remotely Beautiful!
- April 27 a Michael Dean Jarrett, of
Bickmore , see OBITUARY page
- April 25 p The pics and article on
yesterday's trout stocking along Buffalo Creek can be seen
over on the ERTS Park section... look to the left in the black
bar.
- April 25 p The local radio stations are
having technical problems and are unable to provide the live
sportscast for tonight's Lady Panther softball game up in
Braxton County. They hope is to have repairs made in time for
Wed's contest.
- April 25 go Lady Panthers
- April 25 a Last night our own Panthers
put the whammy on Capitol High School 18 to 7 and did so in
just 6 innings
- April 25 a Tonight the Lady Panthers
take on Braxton beginning at 5pm
- April 25 a The local nonprofit radio
stations air many of those match ups. Last week equipment
failure shut down their sportscasts. Their equipment is the
old analog stuff and not the modern digital upgrades
- April 25 a To sportscast tonight's
softball game, what they're trying to find is an old table
top, tried and true land line telephone. If you have one
of those ole timey phones, please drop it off at the station,
2278 Main Street in beautiful Two Run. Thanks
- April 25 a Yesterday's County Commission
meeting was over in just 10 minutes. While that's not a record
for the CCC, Commission Prez Dave Schoolcraft knows, he has to
keep everything under wraps to for his backdoor dealings to
continue.
- April 25 a He's doing a good job of that
right now.
- April 25 a We received an email from LT
last week asking: Where is the annual listing of what local
govt workers are paid?
- April 25 a Truth is, we forgot to do it.
##@@!!@@
- April 25 a We'll get started on the
annual earnings this week.
- April 25 a Thanks for the email.
- April 24 p Clay County Commission holds
their second meeting of the month this afternoon beginning at
5pm.
- April 24 p We've been riding Commission
Chair David Schoolcraft over his leading the charge to
purchase thousands of dollars worth of 911 radios that are not
compatible with the statewide communications system. In our
April 8th article in the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE we published a
letter from the Director of the State Emergency system which
made it clear: because of his dumb bunny waste of $$$, there
will be no more state or federal grants coming our way.
- April 24 p Why is this important? If the
wittle Dictator had complied with state guidelines, the State
would cover the cost of the radios, maintenance and upgrades.
- April 24 p As for Clayberry, we're out
- April 24 p Thank yous extended to
Commissioner Dave Schoolcraft.
- April 24 p That guy has to get his many
shortcomings back under wraps for his plan to run for
Magistrate next year to come true.
- April 24 p Right now his political stock
is in the tank
- April 24 p We published our CAEZ update
article a couple days back. Be sure to check it out. Darn good
read
- April 24 p Although no one admits to
reading this site or the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE, we're receiving
quite a bit of feedback from that near award winning article.
- April 24 p Turns out, no one really
gives a hoot about the CAEZ spinning their wheels for years
but when it comes to bringing down the entire county's future
over their ignorance, locals are peed off big time. Many are
saying, it's time for some outside agency to come in and close
em down.
- April 23 a Opal Marie Taylor, 78, of
Indore, see OBITUARY page
- April 23 a A couple things stand out
from the last seven days or so
- April 23 a In spite of locals telling
us, nothing will ever happen in Clayberry, we saw something
quite different when 100's of military personnel came to the
Fort Andrew training site for advanced training exercises. It
was easy to spot how much money changed hands in County Clay
and with a strong future on the horizon, only the lazy arss
naysayers will miss out on thickening their wallets.
- April 23 a Instead of us selling babies
or our drug addiction problems, the Charleston Gazette and MetroNews
provided front page coverage on C M I and our brighter future.
- April 23 a On the same vein, a new
food truck (Gringos) pulled into Two Run Friday and served
100's of meals, selling out in less than 3 hours. That truck
and hopefully several more will help bring the real world into
Clayberry.
- April 23 a For us to grow, we need those
food trucks, trinket shops, places to stay overnight,
and other enterprising locals building businesses.
- April 23 a For those sitting on the
sidelines with droopy lips, stay there. For everybody else,
it's time to get started.
- April 23 a It's our understanding, next
week, more trout will be stocked in Buffalo Creek but with a
twist.
- April 23 Instead of the easy to park and
get to sections of the trout stream, the new stocking will
take place between Dundon and Cressmont (maybe 8 miles or so)
and be done via the BC&G RR tracks on this remote section
of the stream.
- April 23 a Get it? The beautiful waters
of Buffalo will be stocked in places that haven't been stocked
in years. If you're willing to walk or ride a bike, you will
get into the pristine wawa few have ever seen.
- April 23 a This isn't a stocking by DNR.
Although Living Waters Retreat isn't even up for business,
Living Waters is covering the cost of the stocking. Great !!!
- April 21 a Bright sunshine and warm
temps are predicamentated for today. Wet is suppose to set in
for Saturday. Enjoy the good stuff while it's here
- April 21 a While you're on the river,
biking, turkey hunting, kayaking, etc..... you might want to
stop by the Gringos Burrito Food truck in the old Foodland
parking lot. Mexican cuisine available from 10 to 2pm
today.
- April 21 a We run out of nasty
stuff to report on County Commissioner Dave Schoolcraft.
- April 21 a Believe it or not, there has
to be at least a thread of truth in writing before we can go
off on a damning tangent
- April 21 a Yes we've heard about a Fed
investigation and Yes, we've heard mentions of questionable
funding antics but but but
- April 21 a We need some kind of
documentation. How about it readers, got anything? Email over
please
- April 21 a Public meetings are
just that. Elected officials are required to to make decisions
in public and required to hear from the taxpayer during those
public times.
- April 21 a Can't help but remember a
month or so ago when volunteer Bernie Howe asked for answers
during a Commission meeting and Commission Dictator told him
to shut up and get out (according to Mr Howe).
- April 21 a That's pee poor performance
by Schoolcraft and unacceptable any day of the week.
- April 21 a Keep the emails coming
clickers.
- April 21 a Have a good weekend one and
all
- April 20 later p Tonight the Lady
Panthers have a real tussle facing them with Gilmer County
comin to the Schoonover / Bradley softball field beginning at
5pm sharp.
- April 20 later p 101.7 and 106.7 FM will
air the contest. You can listen online at streema.com or
tunein.com
- April 20 later Go Lady Panthers
- April 20 later p Got a robo call this
morning from the Town of Clay letting us know, that shortage
of wawa due to a broken part, the problem is fixed. Still on
the table is, don't use much wawa until all the tanks get
refilled
- April 20 later p Then came a Boil
Water Order for Maysel, Dobbinspeck plus a couple other places
but that robot was talking too fast for us to understand. As
of 2:35, we've received no official notice of the Boil Water
Order from the Town via email.
- April 20 p The latest School Board
meeting coverage is now available over on the COMMUNICATOR
ONLINE newspaper section
- April 20 p Local news, it's right here
and no place else.
- April 20 p Enjoy
- April 19 late a Homer Lee Neal of
Indore, see OBITUARY page
- April 19 a Got something special this
Wed morning from 9 to noon. Over on non profit WYAP, that's
101.7 or on WTUB 106.7FM, during the Steve and Mike in the AM
show, special guests will be Allan Morris and Joe Hamrick
live. Should be a big bunch of fun and good music
- April 19 a According to Clay County
Circuit Court documents, 35-year-old Johnny Dale Rogers II of
Widen, West Virginia, has pleaded guilty to Voluntary
Manslaughter, Use or Presentment of a Firearm During the
Commission of a Felony, Destruction of Property, and 3rd
Degree Arson. To read the full work up, click
here.
- April 19 a If you think County Clay has
problems: Calhoun County Prosecutor Nigel Jeffries said
Tuesday that he�ll file a petition in circuit court by the end
of the week to begin the process of attempting to remove
Calhoun County Sheriff J. Warren Basnett from office. Here's
an interesting
read.
- April 19 a And back to Clayberry: Todd
Jeffery Ullum, 33, of Maysel, was
sentenced today to three years and one month in prison,
to be followed by three years of supervised release, for being
a felon in possession of a firearm.
- April 19 a During Tuesday night's Sch Bd
meeting, Sean Krajeski was hired as the middle school's
Athletic Director. We'll have interesting tidbits from that
meeting late tonight maybe.
- April 18 p After receiving a couple
emails and calls, we corrected, updated, our Sch Bd coverage
over on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section
- April 18 p You know, we know, how
business has been done for many decades. Someone's son,
daughter, brother, Mother, aunt, etc gets a job no matter who
is better suited for the position.
- April 18 p Whether the candidate is
qualified or not, no matter the future of education, if
the Boy's Club wants the person to have a job, they always got
it
- April 18 p With rules better followed
now adays, there's a better chance that the qualified person
will get the job.
- April 18 p But still, those old
practices are hard to pull away from.
- April 18 p If those old nasty habits are
ever to be broken, it will start tonight during the Clayberry
Sch Bd meeting.
- April 18 p From Cicero: The beginning of
all things are small
- April 18 p From James A Garfield: The
men who succeed best in public life are those who take the
risk of standing by their own convictions.
- April 18 a Noticed something we've
never seen before.
- April 18 a The entire state is under a
"red Flag" warning by the National
Weather Service. That means NO outdoor burning except
under very limited conditions. Even Gov
Big Boy has got into the act.
- April 18 a We think all that means, you
get caught burning junk, your arss is in big trouble
- April 18 a Tonight the School Board will
hold a
public meeting in the Pentagon beginning at 6pm.
- April 18 a Behind the scenes, there is a
bunch going on.
- April 18 a In a place this small where
everybody is related to somebody wanting a school system job,
that means our five member Board of Edumacation, at least one
Boardster will have to recuse them selves from a vote to hire.
Nepotism is unlawful.
- April 18 a Like last time around, the
four able to vote on an Athletic Director for Clay Middle,
they couldn't fill the position. The CMS AD slot pays around
$4k. A majority was not available
- April 18 a There's also a problem with
tossing long time employees due to budget short falls. Also,
there's a problem with retaining employees when you've lost a
quarter of your student base in less than 10 years. Ditto for
closing schools. Problem: those affected by the changes are
also voters during the next election. Pee em off, they don't
vote for ya
- April 18 a Also on tonight's agenda is
the mention of a new School Superintendent.
- April 18 a We don't think the Board will
make that decision tonight but instead, go behind closed doors
and fight out who gets the nod.
- April 18 a That part of recusing may
factor into that Superintendent decision
- April 18 a So how do they get over those
hurdles.
- April 18 a Closed door deals, alliances
have to be formed.
- April 18 a Why? Because in public the
Board wants to walk in lock step, meaning, they want all
voting members to be unanimous in support of the new CMS AD or
Superintendent
- April 18 a Example: You want Bubba to
get this job and I don't.... I will vote for your choice for
some other position but in return, you've got to support the
others' choice for Mary Boom Boom.
- April 18 a There's also a new policy on
public involvement during Sch Bd meeting. Take
a look for yourself.
- April 18 a The biggy of course is the
selection of a new Super. In that contest we think there
are a number of Boardsters in favor of hiring Phil
Dobbins as Super. There's another faction wanting to retain
the current interim Super, Joane Haynie. A deal has to be cut
for a unanimous vote in public.
- April 18 a Should make for a great
meeting tonight even if most of the action is done secretly.
Often when they return to a public session, the warring
parties are still fuming and it shows on their faces.
- April 17 later p We have our
school board, school system, wrap up over on the COMMUNICATOR
ONLINE newspaper page. Enjoy
- April 17 p Nicholas County is coming
tonight to take on the CCHS Panthers. Game begins at 6pm. Up
at Clay County Park, better bring a heavy coat, it's going to
be chilly on the hill top.
- April 17 p The local radio station will
air the match up beginning with a pregame show around 5:50pm.
Go Panthers!
- April 17 p We took up an offer to tour
the CMI training center on the 15th.
- April 17 p The place has really grown
since we were last there.
- April 17 p Our write up on CMI is now
posted over on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section.
- April 17 p From the Charleston Gazette's
Phil Kabler: The national crime rate dropped 60% from 1980 to
2020 and while the violent crime rate dropped in 39 states and
the District of Columbia from 1991 to 2020, West Virginia's
violent crime rate increased 86% during that period.... the
fourth highest rate in increase in the US.
- April 17 p From the AP: America's
employers are posting more job openings than they did before
the pandemic struck 2 1/2 years ago. the nations labor force
shrunk than before the pandemic.... reasons include:
large wave of retirements, a drop in legal immigration, and
loss of workers to COVID
- April 17 p From some other newspaper
clipping: West Virginia has the highest number of children in
the foster care system per capita of any state in the
country... On any given day more than 6000 children in the
Mountain State are living outside their home whether in foster
care or in institutions...
- April 17 a Robo calls went out this
morning around 6:30 or so from the Town of Clay.
- April 17 a Something about only having
half enough wawa as normal.
- April 17 a Their message was: conserve
wawa, don't wash your vehicles, etc for now
- April 17 a When you see all the military
buses and heavy equipment rolling thru today, don't think
we're being invaded
- April 17 a That's the first wave of
101st Airborne heading over to the CMI training center.
- April 17 a Did you take the time to put
up an American Flag in support of the new operation? You
should. For right now, it's the only growth game we've got
- April 17 a Last night's strong winds
wiped out electric service for many Mon Power customers around
Clayberry
- April 17 a Those winds are continuing
this morning.
- April 14 p Emailer D L refreshed our
memory on something worthwhile.....
- April 14 p The first big group of 101st
Airborne trainees are coming to the Clayberry CMI training
center this weekend for several days of playing solder on the
mountain top. That notice is posted over on the ADVISORY page.
- April 14 p CMI has taken a gamble on
County Clay and invested thousands upon thousands of dollars.
- April 14 p Why not make them feel
welcome.
- April 14 p How about it Clayonians, how
about erecting a USA flag in front of your residence,
business, for the next week or so.
- April 14 p From all of us at Delta
Communications, Welcome 101st Airborne.
- April 14 a Robert Gilbert Stephenson, 69
of Procious, see OBITUARY page
- April 14 a As he heads up the foothills
of Old Age Mountain, Mitch DeBoard celebrates his retirement
time today.
- April 14 a Once a year the County hosts
a junk recovery day. That special time comes tomorrow
beginning at 8am. Here's your chance Clayonians to get hauled
off all kinds of junk of all stripes. Details over on the
EVENTS page.
- April 14 a Don't tell anybody but
Buffalo Creek was stocked with some beautiful trout yesterday.
- April 12 p Dimple Leah Legg, 98 of
Harrison, see OBITUARY page
- April 12 p Another biggy Lady Panther
softball game tonight. Begins at 5pm sharp
- April 12 p Go Lady Panthers
- April 12 a It's common for kids to skip
school. Happens all the time especially in the Spring when the
rug rats want to have some warm weather fun
- April 12 a Yesterday, three brats from
Clay Middle skedaddled.
- April 12 a Also one from Clay High
headed for the highway
- April 12 a Everybody was safe and sound
and that's important
- April 12 a But...
- April 12 a The CMS ankle biters were
found up at the cemetery where many of the homeless population
hang out.
- April 12 a At least for one parent, the
real issue is, school officials waited 2 hours before
notifying parents.
- April 12 a In this age, that wait is
unacceptable.
- April 12 a There was a time, not that
long ago, when a high schooler skipped out, Badges and parents
were immediately called
- April 12 a We don't know what the policy
is now adays.
- April 12 a If that parent is correct
about the two hour wait for a call, there sure is room for
improvement
- April 11 p Barbara E Taylor of
Clay, see OBITUARY page
- April 11 p Rev. Lee Roy Anderson, 86, of
Bomont, see OBITUARY page
- April 11 p Tonight the CCHS Lady
Panthers never got out of the gate against Doddridge.
- April 11 p It was 15 to zip in just 3
innings and the game was over
- April 11 p Let's tell another story on
childish wittle boy, County Commissioner Dave Schoolcraft...
- April 11 p Saturday was the big Easter
Egg Hunt up at Clay County Park. Under beautiful skies, the
event was a blast. Smiles were seen everywhere. How could
things get any better?
- April 11 p On the way back, right in
front of the old Bullard's Exxon Station, there in the wide
spot, there was a local broken down BO fire truck hooked up to
a monster size tow truck owned and operated by Abbot's Wrecker
Service from down in Nitro.
- April 11 p Bullard's Exxon, Clay County
Park, are just a few minutes away from King's Wrecker Service
which is owned by just out of office, Fran King.
- April 11 p Over the last 20 years or so,
King's Wrecker has provided towing service for county vehicles
for free or at worst, for the price of fuel and enough to pay
the driver.
- April 11 p So why was Abbot's Wrecker
here in Clayberry?
- April 11 p Not sure how much it would
cost to run a big rig from Nitro, then tow the fire truck to
Big Otter and then make the trip back to Nitro. It would
surely be well over a $1000 to say the least. Maybe $1000's?
- April 11 p With getting his butt chewed
daily, was wittle Schoolcraft paying King back for something?
- April 11 p We called up the Mouth of the
South, Fran King, and asked: Were you called to tow the truck?
Did you have your big wrecker truck available Saturday
afternoon? Was your big truck in working order?
- April 11 p Fran replied: we use a 24
hour per day answering service and no, Schoolcraft nor anybody
else called us. Yes our big truck was available and in working
order
- April 11 p Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
- April 11 p Sure sounds like the childish
and dimly lit Commissioner Schoolcraft was once again making a
foolish decision that will cost the taxpayer $1000's of
dollars. Having seen Commissioners Schoolcraft and Johnson up
at the Park, we're guessing both of em put their heads
together and decided: We ain't calling Fran King for ANY
REASON!!!!
- April 11 p Dumb dumb dumb and getting
worse every day.
- April 11 p Is it any wonder why this
county is known as the Land of Little?
- April 11 a Gazillion dollar companies
aren't known for providing the public with info.
- April 11 a How about a change!
- April 11 a From CMI, that's the training
company set up on the old Fola Mine Site: PUBLIC
NOTICE Members of the U.S. Military will
conduct essential training in areas around Fola and Bickmore,
West Virginia, from Sunday, April 16 through Friday, April 21.
The training will consist of significant air and ground
operations. Noises associated with training will include
low-flying aircraft during pre-dawn hours. Safety precautions
are in place for participants, and considerations have been
made to minimize the impact on the community. Management and
coordination for this event are in conjunction with the
appropriate local officials.
- April 11 a How refreshing!
- April 10 p We've got the last of
our pictures from Saturday's Easter Egg Fun posted over on the
COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section.
- April 10 p Two weeks ago the County
Commission meeting was a blow out.
- April 10 p Since then we've been posting
all kinds of Dave Schoolcraft crap. We're calling that
"Radiogate".
- April 10 p We thought all that stuff
would bring out a crowd in protest during the next CCC
meeting. We're wrong
- April 10 p This morning's Commission
meeting lasted exactly seven minutes and minus ANY mention of
Radiogate.
- April 10 p The way you keep control of
the masses is to give em a govt check. Here in Clayberry where
most get assistance, their only question is, Where's my check
- April 10 p Our readers help remind us of
stuff we overlook.
- April 10 p This morning brought an email
reading in part: DAVID SCHOOLCRAFT DOUBLED THE 911 fee AND
CHARGED TO PEOPLE OF CLAY COUNTY , SO HE COULD HAVE EXTRA
MONEY TO THROW AWAY ON DUMB STUFF LIKE THOSE WORTHLESS RADIOS
. IF YOU WRITE A LETTER TO THE PHONE AND REQUEST THE FEE
BE TAKEN OFF YOUR BILL, THEY WILL TAKE IT OFF. YOU DO NOT HAVE
TO PAY THE FEE.
- April 10 p Our emailer is correct, fill
out a form in the County Clerk's office and mail it to
Frontier and Poof!, that voluntary 911 fee will be removed
from your bill.
- April 10 p Keep your emails coming folks
and thanks in advance
- April 9 p It's been two weeks since the
last Commission blow out meeting where the Dynamic Duo showed
their stripes front and center
- April 9 p During those last couple
weeks, we've given Dave Schoolcraft and Joyce Johnson H
- April 9 p This past five days, the
"Radiogate" saga broke wide up with the monkey squarely on
Schoolcraft as a guy that on his own, highhandedly managed to
spend $350,000+ for incompatible 911 radios.
- April 9 p Check out the COMMUNICATOR
ONLINE newspaper section for our updated article.
- April 9 p He's got egg all over his face
- April 9 p Tomorrow morning beginning at
10am the County Commission comes together again for another
action packed time of screwing over the county.
- April 9 p We don't think the agenda is
as packed with wish list items this time.
- April 9 p Still, you never know what
questions may emerge.
- April 9 p Might be a good meeting to
watch the cluster grow even wider.
- April 9 p We'll get to the School Board
meeting later on Monday
- April 9 p We've been receiving feed back
on Radiogate.
- April 9 p Got this one in over the
weekend: Week before
last I contacted the WV State tax dept. about the Three
Stooges in the CCC buying the old IGA parking lot and was told
that the citizens of Clay County need to file a lawsuit
against them for malfeasance and miss-use of county funds. If
malfeasance is found they can be removed from office. ....
They have used this monies inappropriately to purchase land
that was not necessary, Radios that were not state approved
and not compliant with state codes. They have over stepped
their authority as elected officials and misrepresented the
people. ....I have contacted an attorney who will take this
case and prosecute these three clowns for $5000.00 and if the
people in Clay County are willing to help with the funding I
will proceed to have the Lawsuit Filed against these three
MORONS.
- April 9 a Digging a little deeper, we
have our second installment in the "Schoolcraft Empire
Crumbles?" article posted over on the COMMUNICATOR
ONLINE newspaper section.
- April 9 a We're working on all the ankle
biter pics from yesterday's Easter Egg Hunt out Clay County
Park. Coming soon we think.
- April 8 p Check out the COMMUNICATOR
ONLINE newspaper section for the latest David Schoolcraft
transgressions.
- April 7 p Welcome to the holiday weekend
- April 7 p Tomorrow is the annual Easter
Egg Hunt beginning at 11am. Bring the kids. Sounds like the
weather is even going to cooperate. See EVENTS page for
details
- April 7 p Last night the CCHS Panthers
were victorious over Roane County. It took overtime action to
make it happen in the come from behind victory. Go Panthers
- April 7 p Just like the rolling away of
the stone, we think we have enough info on Commissioner Dave
Schoolcraft to roll away that stone and let the truth out.
- April 7 p For the last 10 days or so
we've been giving the CCC Prez double H for acting like a
Dictator ably assisted by Duo mate, Commissioner Joyce
Johnson.
- April 7 p One of his many screw
ups is his purchase of new 911 radios that don't work on the
current system
- April 7 p So dangerous is the
current radios, someone could be seriously hurt, killed, or at
the very least, emergency response can, is, being slowed.
- April 7 p With his signature alone on
each document on the statewide radio network, we think
Schoolcraft is in some deep stuff.
- April 7 p Worse yet, with state and
federal unwilling to pay for the already in misuse new
911 radios, the taxpayers are drug into his financial mess.
- April 7 p Did we mention there are
criminal penalties for misusing Federal and State 911 funds?
Yes there are! Full details sometime this
weekend.
- April 7 p You won't believe what you're
about to read.
- April 7 p For those wanting to catch
some fresh trout on Buffalo Creek, as of 4 pm today, we have
not seen any stock trucks out that way. Here's the schedule
of releases.
- April 7 p For those wanting to play on
the Elk this holiday weekend, the Elk is looking a slightly
milky green with the wawa slightly high, maybe 18 inches above
Summer pool. Sunday might be the best day for Elk River fun.
- April 7 p For those using ERTS, the
place looks great with little trash laying around.
- April 7 p Bring out your feets or bike
or horsey and have some fun in West Virginia's newest State
Park.
- April 7 p For those wanting to try out
the BC&G RR spur line, it really ain't fit, set up, for
feets, bikes, nor horsey's. Stay on the main line for now.
- April 7 p Don't forget to stop at
Nottingham Store in Duck for a big ice cream cone. Yum Yum
- April 6 p As far as we know, the Panther
baseball home game is still on with a start time of 6pm up on
the hill.
- April 6 p Ditto for the Lady Panther's
Richwood game
- April 6 p Sometime mid morning today the
power was restored to working order after last night's strong
wind storm zapped many of us.
- April 6 p We're trying to get our
CAEZ and Sch Bd stories published but manage to get side
tracked by glimpses of shirt thinking
- April 6 p Like...
- April 6 p Noticed, down in Tennessee,
those Republicrap Legislature folks are tossing from office
three Demorats
- April 6 p Does that remind you of
anything? Does us
- April 6 p We think those Tenn
Republicraps got their learnin's from our Commissioner Dave
Schoolcraft
- April 6 p Last week, our dictator,
the dimly lit King Schoolcraft, decided he didn't like what
volunteer Bernie Howe was doing for the county and tried to
vote him off the BDA island.
- April 6 p After an outcry from other
volunteers and with the spotlight directly on him, Schoolcraft
tabled his shot at removing Howe from service for "now".
- April 6 p Schoolcraft's actions
like those cut from the same cloth in Tenn, are vile and petty
and do NOTHING to improve the taxpayer's life here in
Clayberry.
- April 6 p Schoolcraft's newly purchased
911 radios, they don't work, they aren't compatible with the
current radio system, his tossing of the coon hunters from
their spot got done last year but that part about building a
new dispatch center up on the hill, that ain't happened, that
spending of $150,000 for the old RT Sizemore lot, there's NOW
no plans for benefiting Clayberry, his backroom dealings
resulting in two trusted long term employees to resign, and,
the list goes on and gone. That's a track record few would
think is admirable.
- April 6 p Now feeling better with that
off our chest, we'll get back to typing now.
- April 6 a Charles F. "Buddy"
Petry, 85 , see OBITUARY page
- April 6 a Stephen "Steve" D.
Mullins, 74, see OBITUARY page
- April 5 a Hello trouble
- April 5 a Anybody, any company, that is
considering setting up a business in Clayberry, they want to
be sure that local leadership is stable, able to think
professionally and be responsible for asset growth.
- April 5 a Stuff like when the County
Commission went nutso last Monday is a prime example of what
drives down our Future. It shows dumbarssitus
- April 5 a Last Fall when the
School Superintendent was voted off the island, that's another
example of dismal leadership and instability that lead to our
school system being ranked as the fourth worst in West
Virginia.
- April 5 a Last night's 3 hour 45 minute
CAEZ Board leadership was the final straw in securing
the Dundon Campground for tourism growth.
- April 5 a First, CAEZ boardsters got in
a peeing contest which lead to a complete overthrow of the
setting Officers.
- April 5 a Knowing full well the
importance of their property for our future, the CAEZ NEVER
even discussed the Campground and the offer by the Elk River
Foundation.
- April 5 a That was the final straw. That
Foundation now knows, you can't deal with pea size brains that
can't even vote an up or down
- April 5 a You know what that means?
Without the campground being available as an office space,
restroom site, trinket shop space, etc. for the railroad
contractor those rail ride contracts are much less valuable.
It might result in some of the bidders backing out
- April 5 a There will be rail rides
of some kind in the near future.
- April 5 a What has changed is the hub of
the tourist draw.
- April 5 a It doesn't have to be in
Dundon or near the Town of Clay.
- April 5 a If all that $$$ gets moved
from the downtown area, there would be no need for tourists to
visit the business district.
- April 5 a As of this morning, and
compliments the CAEZ, some other location WILL be used.
- April 5 a County Clay does not deserve
the once bright future.
- April 5 a We have a bunch of dumbarsses
at the helm.
- April 5 a From Malcomb Forbes: The
dumbest people are those who know it all.
- April 4 p Vincent Alan King see
OBITUARY page
- April 4 p Tonight at 6pm comes the CAEZ
Bd meeting... actually, 2 meetings.
- April 4 p It appears, the old Board
Leadership didn't get the memo about the election of new
officers in March
- April 4 p Should make for an interesting
time over at the Dundon Campground Lodge building
- April 4 p We're working on coverage from
last night's lengthy Board meeting.
- April 4 p We wanted to watch the video
from that meeting but it turns out, that video and video from
the two previous public meetings, well, they've not made
public yet.
- April 4 p We should have our
article ready some time Wed.
- April 4 a Ladies and gentlemen, not sure
if we have a new record but, last night the Sch Bd meeting was
still going strong at 9pm. Big issues brought out tensions on
more than one occasion as well as long secret times.
- April 4 a We only stayed for an hour or
so and then skedaddled.
- April 4 a Our thought was to head back
home and watch via the live stream on the school land website.
Wrong! There were so many watching, the stream buffered out
for long periods of time.
- April 4 a Our coverage will be posted
later today after we get to watch the full video
- April 4 a This morning is the
Health Dept Health Fair on Main Street. Mostly free testing is
available
- April 3 a The County Clay School Board
meets at 6pm in the basement of the Pentagon. We were hoping
that a new superintendent, or at least a permanent
Superintendent would be voted into office. Instead, the agenda
calls for discussing which person to hire. There is no mention
of an actual hire slated for tonight.
- April 3 a The last seven days have been
horrible for Clayberry.
- April 3 a Weather wise, thousands in the
area remain without power this morning: The restoration effort
is expected to be complete by Tuesday night for the most
heavily-damaged areas which include parts of Boone, Clay,
Fayette, Kanawha, Logan, Mingo, Raleigh and Roane counties. Of
the 16,400 customers currently without power, 11,800 are in
West Virginia, 4,400 are in Virginia and around 200 are in
Tennessee. Here's
the full article. from MetroNews
- April 3 a Even more horrendous came not
from Mother Nature but instead, came via the dimly lit actions
of the County Commission's dynamic duo, David Schoolcraft and
Joyce Johnson. During a one hour gathering those two managed
to set the county back decades. They just don't know how to be
inclusive leaders. Our article is over on the COMMUNICATOR
ONLINE newspaper section.
- April 3 a Hands down, the most damaging
(more than even high high winds) are the resignations of two
long time, trusted, hard working, experienced Courthouse
workers, Cathy White and County Clerk Connie Workman
- April 3 a In our opinion, both had seen
a bunch of crap and both wanted to get away from stupid crud
now taking place at the Courthouse, down a rat hole!
- April 3 a Expect an investigation in
short order
- April 3 a Also last week...
- April 3 a The CAEZ has been in a
downward spiral for months on months, years actually. Last
month during a regular Board meeting, the sitting Boardsters
voted in a new slate of officers as required by their by laws.
- April 3 a Based on two meeting agendas
posted for tomorrow night's CAEZ Board meeting, sure feels
like the battle will be raging on April 4th beginning at 6pm
over at the Dundon Campground
- April 3 a The newly elected officers
know the future for the social service provider looks dim and
in need of being shut down. The ousted Board appears to want
the CAEZ to continue on in a do nothing fashion
- April 3 a There might be a little good
news from last week....
- April 3 a Last Thursday, bidders for the
up and coming rail ride showed up in Clay for a tour of the
place. According to BDA Chair Mitch DeBoard who provided the
outsiders with a tour of the recently updated BC&G RR, the
five companies on hand were impressed with the beautiful
scenery and potential.
- April 3 a That contract should be
awarded sometime in May 2023 with the real possibility of the
rides being ready to operate by late Summer or early Fall.
- April 3 a
- March 31 p From the National
Weather Service: HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM TO 8 PM
EDT SATURDAY... Southwest winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to
60 mph expected.... Damaging winds will blow down trees and
power lines.Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will
be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.
- March 31 p Right now (4:30p) it's
raining like crazy in County Clay.
- March 30 p Our coverage of the last
County Commission meeting is now posted in its entirety over
on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section. The article puts
the monkey squarely on the Dynamic Duo, Team Schoolcraft,
Joyce Johnson and David Schoolcraft
- March 30 p Enjoy a good read
- March 30 p The CCHS Panthers put on a
heck of a game against Braxton. The final score, 15 for CCHS
and a measly 5 for Braxton. Great job Panthers!
- March 30 p With the Drumpf indictment
blazing across major news outlets, we're sitting here grinning
from ear to ear.
- March 30 p For those wanting more
answers: Has a sitting president, or former president,
ever been arrested? Has a Vice President
ever been indicted? If a former president
was convicted, would that make them ineligible to run for the
presidency or other federal offices? Those answers and a whole
bunch more can be
found right here.
- March 30 p How much cow milk does an
average American drink daily? That
answer here.
- March 30 p And finally, you might
be interested in the Team
Stormy line of merchandise.
- March 29 a Lot of people listen to the
Steve and Mike in the AM radio program on 101.7FM each Wed
morning. Didn't happen this morning.
- March 29 a Turns out Mike fell and
crunched up both his shoulders. Get well wishes to Mike Evans
and the return of the Steve and Mike show soon
- March 29 a Everybody likes to get their
name mentioned in a good light. Right?
- March 29 a Some, maybe many, in the
County think that ##@@!! Prosecutor Samples is the worst thing
on Earth
- March 29 a Well, you're all wrong. Turns
out Jim
is a star compared to this Boone County Prosecutor.
- March 29 a With the Mel Gibson Look
Alike back from the MD's office, he's back on the explosive
County Commission meeting held Monday evening
- March 29 a That damning article should
be published mid afternoon.
- March 29 a Sorry to be so slow but this
one has to have all gusto the lad can muster
- March 29 a We haven't seen the stocking
truck run this week for Buffalo Creek trout fishermen. In the
mean time sharpen your hooks.
- March 29 a We keep lookin but
nothing so far. The official DNR trout stocking schedule can
be found over on the LINK page of this site.
- March 28 a Really bad news as we
wake up this morning.
- March 28 a Pierson saw mill caught
fire around midnight and pretty much wiped out the major
employer. In addition to hiring employees for decades, the
place purchased raw logs from around the region from
independent contractors. All that is gone at least for now.
- March 28 a Owner Dave Pierson was
also the most benevolent supporter of about everything in
County Clay.
- March 28 early early a Ever watch
a festering, long standing, family feud explode? That's what
happened during last night's County Commission meeting.
- March 28 early early a We knew the
sparks were going to fly last night. When Commissioner Kinder
walked into the meeting room, her fellow Commissioners would
not even say Hello, Howdy, or Hi.
- March 28 early a The CCC agenda was
packed with every one of David Schoolcraft's wish list ready
for approval. With his side kick, brown nose
Johnson ready to provide the second vote, majority vote,
David Schoolcraft wish list in life was at the ready.
- March 28 early a Problem was, Commission
Connie Kinder expressed strong heck no sentiments on each of
the Dynamic Duo's attack on reason. In addition to voting
against each misguided push, Kinder provided the public with
all, almost all, of the backroom, back door arm twisting
shoved her way by the two other Commissioners.
- March 28 early a At one point, things
got so heated, County Clerk Connie Workman stood up, smacked
her hands together, and yelled out, THAT WILL BE ENOUGH OF
THAT!!
- March 28 early a For an hour or so, the
Duo went hard against Kinder on every issue.
- March 28 early a It was a truly a
cluster....
- March 28 early a We'll get that article
published as soon as possible but truth is, the Ace Cub
Reporter has to head to Charleston for a MD's appointment
Tuesday morning. Don't expect that juicy but very sad coverage
until late late Tuesday evening
- March 28 early a Not said during the CCC
meeting, but, when you see Commissioner Johnson, ask her, did
she call that aging reporter a little fat f***er.
- March 28 early a We're not even going to
mention that adage about calling a pot blacker than a kettle!
- March 28 early a Also from yesterday...
- March 28 early a Back on Jan 4th (see
COMMUNICATOR ONLINE) thin skinned attorney Hiram Lewis sued
both local Judges, Magistrate Boggs, several local Badges,
TV-8's Bob Aaron, this web portal and the Communicator
newspaper. He said what amounted to, they treated him so bad
by mentioning his recent arrests in newspaper accounts and
being treated poorly by the Court system
- March 28 early He name had been soiled
so bad, he might never work as a lawyer again
- March 28 early That lawsuit hearing was
held yesterday before Judge Callaghan who tossed out every
charge on every person /company and did so with prejudice.
That means Lewis can never bring up those charges again.
- March 28 early a Of course, the last
time Hiram Bucky Lewis sued us and that case was tossed out of
court, he headed over to the Federal Court system and tried
again. In that second attempt, it too was tossed out the
window.
- March 28 early a Poor Hiram Lewis
- March 28 early a Note: each time
Lewis takes the County to Court, the County has to pay a $5000
up front fee to the insurer. That's 5000 (or there abouts) tax
dollars from your wallet.
- March 28 early a Poor Hiram... I mean
Bucky Lewis
- March 27 p We've got the latest from
Slim Randles over on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section
- March 27 p Wonder who the next School
Superintendent will be?
- March 27 p Also over in the newspaper is
the latest coverage on the School Board
- March 27 p The County Commission meets
today at 3pm to vote in the new budget and again at 5pm for
their regular meeting. Both should be interesting and worth
the drive to the Courthouse
- March 25 p Alvin Holcomb, 64 of Ivydale,
see OBITUARY page
- March 25 p We've had really strong winds
all day and then even stronger beginning around 5pm. Utility
outages like Frontier, are now in progress.
- March 25 p Back during the derecho
several years ago, the wind blew trees sideways before sending
them crashing. We're seeing that now
- March 25 p The National Weather Service
wind advisory is suppose to end around 8pm tonight. That ain't
soon enough for us!
- March 25 p And yes, when the wind blows
hard enough, it does sound like a freight train minus the horn
- March 25 p Earlier this week we raised
concerns over the Commissioner Schoolcraft inspired new 911
radio system may lead to disaster since only a handful have
the new units. That means, those carrying the new units were
unable to communicate with those on the tried and true old
system
- March 25 p It happened this evening at
5:50pm
- March 25 p With emergency responders out
trying to control brush fires along with other things, over
the 911 scanner came: They can't hear us. They're on the new
radios.
- March 25 p Whether it's high winds,
gunshots fired, high wawa, or a chemical spill, all around,
100% communication coverage is very important for the safety
of first responders.
- March 25 p Instead of having a pro come
in and advise our local leadership, feels like our man
Schoolcraft has been listening to sales reps, people
trying to make a buck on us.... and at our expense
- March 25 p Back a couple weeks ago when
Top Badge Allen King was arguing with Commissioner Schoolcraft
at the Courthouse about not having new radios to use, he
wasn't b+++++ing about not having the money, he was concerned
with safety.
- March 25 p Sure wish David Schoolcraft
would listen to those front line responders.
- March 24 a It's a mushy wet Friday
morning with a chance of severe rain, thunderstorms, and wind
heading our way thru Saturday. Be careful out there clickers
- March 24 a We're laying off
Commissioners Schoolcraft and Johnson for a day or so..
- March 24 a The Clayberry Grand Jury did
their thang this week and returned the following true bills
- March 24 a Wyndum Childress, burglary
petit larceny
- March 24 a Brad Eugene Proctor possesion
with intent to deliver, prohibited person with a firearm
- March 24 a Kenneth Eltzroth grand
larceny,prohibited person with a firearm
- March 24 a Ashley Nicole Monday forgery
x 2, uttering x 2, obtaining money under false pretenses
- March 24 a Travis Wayne Pauley
burglary, petit larceny
- March 24 a Carey Stutler malicious
assault
- March 24 a William Howard Stephenson sex
abuse first degree, attempt, domestic battery
- March 24 a Ian Matthew Dobbins
destruction of property
- March 24 a Steven Dewayne Register gross
child neglect creating substantial risk x 2, driving under the
influence with a minor
- March 24 a Travis Nathaniel Beckett
wanton endangerment, use of a firearm,destruction of property
- March 24 a All the charged folks will be
in Court Tuesday March 28th before Judge Jack Alsop beginning
at 9am sharp.
- March 23 late p PATRICIA L. ROUSH,
see OBITUARY page
- March 23 late p Gov. Big Boy
has issued a State of Preparedness for all 55 counties in West
Virginia ahead of severe weather that could be packed with
heavy rainfall and high winds. Here's
the skinny.
- March 23 late p With most of us thinking
out loud, it's been a long
time coming to clean up the Green Shirt organization.
- March 23 late p We have many public
employees in County Clay which depend on the govt paid for
hospitalization policy. Here comes a 25%
rate increase. Just say, thanks to the Gov and the
Legislature.
- March 23 early a CCHS Panthers went down
in flames Wed night. Nicholas 18, Clay 0
- March 23 early a We appreciate the
input from clickers on the eyebrow raising stuff pulled off by
County Commission Prez Dave Schoolcraft
- March 23 early a There's that issue of
taking the old coon hunter's club building, right under their
nose. That's the land that the CCC agreed to purchase for the
new 911 center.
- March 23 early a We use that "CCC
agreed" very lightly. When it was on the agenda for a vote, it
was artfully worded to make it sound like, it was not a done
deal. Outgoing Fran King as well as Connie Kinder raised
that issue.
- March 23 early a We remember that vote
to purchase did not reflect a purchase price.
- March 23 early a In reality it was just
something Schoolcraft wanted on his own.
- March 23 early a And then there was the
deal cut with then School Superintendent Joe Paxton to
purchase a piece of his property out Pisgah way for a new 911
tower. Some including Commission King spoke up and questioned
whether that property had ever had a frequency study BEFORE
the purchase was consummated.
- March 23 early a All in all, taxpayers
are seeing a pattern of backroom deals, away from the public,
and to the liking of one person, David Schoolcraft.
- March 23 early a Sure can't leave out
newbee Commissioner, Joyce Johnson who is the bestest voting
buddy for Schoolcraft. It takes just 2 of the Commission to
get anything and everything passed into law. With that stinky
brown spot on Joyce's nose, Dave Schoolcraft has the votes to
do anything no matter how poor the choice or the consensus of
the taxpayer.
- March 23 early a Keep em coming folks,
sometimes we forget to remember. It's that part about being in
the foot hills of Old Age Mt kicking in
- March 23 early a So why are we chewing
on Schoolcraft's arss? Well he needs it but ...
- March 23 early a We don't elect a
dictator for making stupid dumb bunny decisions behind the
curtains. We sure don't need that wizard either.
- March 23 early a For Commissioner
Schoolcraft from Seymour Graubard: The only thing with the
democratic process is the failure to use it!
- March 23 early a more
coming ASAP
- March 22 4:30p A couple minutes
ago, over the 911 scanner, word came that Dundon only is now
under a BOIL WATER order.
- March 22 p This morning around 9:15 the
sky was clear, temp was around 50 degrees, no wind, now rain,
no ice, no snow and the power went off. No Frontier DSL
either.
- March 22 p Everything was shut down til
noon-ish.
- March 22 p We back in the saddle and are
recreating what we had typed this morning. Posting coming a
little later today.
- March 22 p Tonight's Nicholas County v
CCHS baseball game is suppose to get underway at 6pm.
- March 22 p Right now there's dribble in
the air with more predicamentated this evening.
- March 22p Unless we hear something
different, the game is on and 101.7 and 106.7 FM plans to air
the match up. You can also listen online via streema.com and
tunein.com. Walk over there and type in WYAP.
- March 22 p Go Panthers
- March 22 p Non profit YAP radio is still
lookin for sponsors. Just drop your donation thru the mail
slot at 2278 Main Street in Two Run.
- March 22 p Now back to typing....
- March 21 p We have a couple more
instances of questionable behavior by Commissioner
Schoolcraft. Those will be publishes soon. Thanks readers for
reminding us.
- March 21 p Everything went to shirt
yesterday for Gov Big Boy and his out of control W Va Green
Shirt Club. The Charleston Gazette published a pretty good
article on the whole smear yesterday.
- March 21 p That Gazette article is now
posted over on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section.
- March 21 p How many applied for the
School Superintendent's position? Answer 7
- March 21 p How many will be interviewed?
Answer: All of em.
- March 21 p Full story coming late
tonight
- March 21 p The local non profit radio
station plans to air 16 games of the 2023 CCHS baseball and
softball games, both home and away!
- March 21 p To do that, they need $$$. If
you can help keep our athletic good deeds on the air
with a donation, great. Just slide your donation thru the mail
slot at 2278 Main Street. You get your name or business name
mentioned during each sportscast
- March 21 p First game to be aired is Wed
evening.
- March 21 p Go Panthers!! Go Lady
Panthers!!
- March 21 a Bright sunshine all around
Clayberry this morning. Feels great. Sunshine has that affect
on thinking people
- March 21 a Let's spread a little of our
brand of sunshine. Here goes
- March 21 a We knew there were problems
coming when David Schoolcraft was elected to the County
Commission a couple years back. During those early years, the
only thing that kept him in check was Commissioners King
and Kinder. He still got by with crapola but the reigns were
in place for the most part.
- March 21 a That all changed Jan 1st when
newbee Joyce Johnson took her seat on the Commission as Fran
King left elected office. Johnson and Schoolcraft worked
together to get King off the island.
- March 21 a Now with two votes, a
majority in place, Commissioner Schoolcraft can have anything
he wants via the public trough. The real problem is how he's
operating.
- March 21 a With nothing more to do than
watch the flies hover, here goes with our opening volley
- March 21 a ONE
Bernie Howe is a volunteer BDA member. He also comes up with
some good ideas and works to that end. Example: a July Elk
River Clean Up program. Example: Bernie designed a much needed
economic development plan for County Clay.
- March 21 a On that development plan,
Howe used other county plans to go by. Over the last many
months , on several occasions he brought first a draft plan
followed by corrected plans for the CCC to read. Never once
did the CCC tell Bernie, we're not interested or we ain't
doing it.
- March 21 a During the last Commission
gathering, Bernie had had enough of the waiting game and
wanted an up or down consensus on his work.
- March 21 a Instead, David Schoolcraft
all but told Howe, sit down and shut up.
- March 21 a Schoolcraft added, if Howe
wants to talk, he has to get listed on the meeting agenda.
- March 21 a Volunteers are hard to find.
Getting one that actually follows thru, that's even harder to
find and keep. Schoolcraft just burnt a
bridge.
- March 21 a We hear everything on
the street but can only run with info from a public meeting.
- March 21 a TWO During
Johnson's election year run for office, Schoolcraft promised
911 Center workers, you elect Joyce to office and I will get
you a $5 per hour pay raise. We know that because Black Shirt
Randy Holcomb said as much during a public Commission meeting
last Fall. When Holcomb made the backdoor plan public,
Schoolcraft did nothing to dispute those words.
- March 21 a Schoolcraft pushed the rate
increase last Dec while King and Kinder were both in office.
Schoolcraft lost that vote.
- March 21 a He had to get it in place
before Johnson got in office Jan 1st. Why? Nepotism law
forbids Joyce Johnson to vote on anything benefiting
family members. Note: Joyce's son is JD Johnson who is the
County Dispatch Supervisor and lives with his Mother.
- March 21 a For Schoolcraft to keep his
campaign promise alive, he now needs Commissioner Kinder to
vote Aye on the motion. So far, she has shown no inclination
to be a team Schoolcraft suck
- March 21 a THREE
During a recent Business Development Authority (BDA) meeting,
Chair Mitch DeBoard made public a backdoor plan for
Schoolcraft / Johnson to use County COVID dollars to purchase
a piece of property.
- March 21 a The Dynamic Duo hatched their
plan right after hearing that the Fola training center folks
had an interest in purchasing that same property from the
owner
- March 21 a Get it? The Duo tried an end
run play, buy the land, then sell it at a higher price to the
training center.
- March 21 a When DeBoard found out and
made that scheme public, he was not a happy camper.
- March 21 a Stupid shirt , back door
stuff like that is what kills development plans in Clayberry.
- March 21 a Quietly ever so quietly, the
old Nutrition Site in Two Run is getting remodeled. That's one
of Schoolcraft's pet projects. Not sure what his plans are
but....
- March 21 a Using his back door
approach, we can't remember hearing ANY kind of bidding
process during a County Commission meeting.
- March 21 a With such a large project,
the dollar cost has to be over the written bid law in this
State. Other politicians have come with schemes to get around
the law. That's called "stringing". That approach was so
notorious a state law was enacted several years ago.That
process of piggy backing by turning in several smaller
invoices over a period of time. It's unlawful readers.
- March 21 a FOUR
Communications is of the utmost importance when dealing with
Badge work. Nothing gets a Badge hurt or worse any quicker
than not being able to call for back up
- March 21 a Schoolcraft grew a need for
new high dollar digital 911 radios. Those new radios are not
compatible with current ones in use. Those purchases have
already been put in use.
- March 21 a Big problem.
- March 21 a Black Shirts in this county
do not have those new tools.
- March 21 a County Commissioner Dave
Schoolcraft is sporting a new radio but the people in harm's
way do not have em.
- March 21 It's easy to pick up info when
arguments go on at the Courthouse. Between security cameras in
place, people walking past doors and windows, and thin walls,
whether it's yelling about radios or $5 raises, it all washes
out.
- March 21 a Keep those emails, letters,
and calls a comin'. Every tip helps to spread a little
sunshine on our notorious County Commission President.
- March 21 a Keep em coming clickers.
- March 20 p
From Leonard Cohen: From the wars against disorder, from the
sirens night and day, from the fires of the homeless, from the
ashes of the gay, Democracy is coming to the U.S.A.
- March 20 p Bob Weaver over in Calhoun
County fought with warped Badge actions for decades. His
writings on his Hurherald web site were legendary.
- March 20 p There's not a week that goes
by that we don't receive info on some kind of devious,
dastardly Badge BS.
- March 20 p Some of it we think there's
some truth in it.
- March 20 p It's coming from the silence
on the dock of the bay, from the brave, the bold, the battered
heart of Chevrolet, Democracy is coming to the U.S.A.
- March 20 p Today, first thing this
morning, before he got into the building Gov Justice fired the
Green Shirt Superintendent in the driveway.
- March 20 p After reading portions from
the Green Shirt investigation, the public is aware of secret
recording of female recruits, stealing from a local casino and
puzzling death along an interstate.
- March 20 p Gov. Jim
Justice announced that he has accepted the resignation
of State Police Superintendent Jan Cahill amid an
investigation of the agency that seems primed to continue at
multiple levels.
- March 20 p here's a little more on close
up details.
- March 20 p From the wells of
disappointment where the women kneel to pray for the grace of
God in the desert here and the desert far away,
Democracy is coming to the U.S.A.
- March 20 p Talk about a day for
change!!
- March 20 p West Virginia�s Senate
Finance chairman is asking independent investigators with U.S.
Treasury to examine the legality of transferring
millions of federal covid relief dollars first to a
fund controlled by the Governor�s Office and then toward
construction of Marshall University�s new baseball field.
- March 20 p It ain't over yet. We
know how bad West Virginia jails and prisons are.
- March 20 p Also from MetroNews: Beckley
attorney Steve New said he has affidavits from three inmates
of the Southern Regional Jail that they were bribed by members
of the DHS and DOC to give good reports on the jails
conditions.... New claimed he knows of at least three
inmates who were bribed by the Department of Homeland Security
and Division of Corrections into claiming that the conditions
of the jail were good. Highly ranked officials of those two
agencies would then offer the inmates, �favorable
treatment.�.... �Very high members of both of those
agencies were directly involved with the interviews and
bribery of the inmates,� said New. Read
all about it and the change that may be just around the
corner.
- March 20 p It's coming like the
tidal flood beneath the lunar sway, imperial, mysterious, in
amorous array, Democracy is coming to the
U.S.A.
- March 20 p If you're not familiar with
Leonard Cohan's tune, Democracy is coming to the USA, here's
something to listen to.
- March 20 p We might be seeing that long
awaited change coming to West Virginia.
- March 20 a Tonight the Sch Bd meets in
the Pentagon beginning at 6pm sharp. Their
big long agenda has a bunch more layoffs and just about
as many rehires.
- March 20 a The item that interests us
the most is number 12 which talks about review and screen
applications for the Superintendent position.
- March 20 a This year's hiring process
involves the State Education office in the form of oversight.
With only one exception, for decades, the good ole boys club
did the decision making process on their own. This
year, with three new Boardsters in place, things might change.
- March 20 a That one exception to the
hiring of a good ole boy Superintendent, as best we can
figure, was the hiring of a Warren Mullins decades ago. That
Warren Mullins is not the one that taught at Clay High. We
think the Mullins that was hired for Superintendent hailed
from a neighboring county, maybe Gilmer County
- March 20 a There are couple problems.
- March 20 a One
- March 20 a Why would any upward mobile
candidate from West Virginia be interested in this county
school system which is nearly at the bottom when it comes to
test scores. As for any out of state candidate, why come here
with West Virginia rankings at the bottom for the entire U S
of A
- March 20 a Two A few months
back current Superintendent Joan Hyanie told us, she would
like to stay in place for a year or so to help clean up the
mess left by the last Superintendent. Ahhhh, we added the "by
the last Superintendent" part.
- March 20 a Things may have changed since
we last talked to her.
- March 20 a We think Haynie got her winky
in the wringer when she announced that H E White and Lizemore
grade schools were on the fast track to being closed at the
end of this school year.
- March 20 a We think that because during
the following Sch Bd meeting, Prez Phoebe Nichols made it
clear, the Bd had NEVER voted to close Lizemore and made
changes to the meeting minutes to reflect such.
- March 20 a Ms Haynie did not dispute the
Nichols words. We think the Superintendent got her
cart before the horse.
- March 20 a That's happened at other
times. Like when Superintendent Kenneth Tanner was hired.
- March 20 a Shortly after KT was in
place, he placed Larry Gillespie's name (a former
Superintendent) on the agenda to be hired as a substitute
teacher. He did that without consulting his Board
- March 20 a The embarrassment came when
the Board rejected the hire with a 3 to 2 vote.
- March 20 a After that awkward vote, KT
told us, he didn't mean to embarrassment Gillespie and he had
learned a good lesson.
- March 20 a Might be a good public
meeting tonight.
- March 20 a Let's talk about happy places
to live. This county, country, hemispere is nowhere near the
top on that ranking. Here's the
CNN write up on great places to live.
- March 17 p Billy J Doughty,
79, of Procious, see OBITUARY page
- March 17 p Long time Black Shirt Randy
Holcomb left the county trough in Jan.
- March 17 p Comin out of retirement,
Holcomb is back
- March 17 p Beginning sometime on Monday,
Holcomb will put on a blue shirt and begin working for the
Town of Clay on a part time basis with a priority
of making the streets more conducive to walkers,
runners, and shoppers
- March 17 p With so little backup
available especially during the evening and night time
hours,we have great concerns for the Poopster.
- March 17 p We had a chance to sit down
and talk with Mayor Shamblin and plan to provide a full Town
update sometime this weekend.
- March 17 a A new COVID milestone is now
posted over on the Pandemic Update page.
- March 17 a Had some good news come this
morning just after 9am.
- March 17 a According to the Town
recording the Boil Water Order issued a few days back, it's
over.
- March 17 a Yesterday we provided an
update on the CAEZ debacle headed by one time Chair, Mickey
Boggs. We also asked for comments.
- March 17 a Our question is, was, what
will Ms Boggs do to regain control of the CAEZ? It appears,
her center of attention for the last several months is the
destruction of Office Manager Manager, Michell Bodkins.
During more than one Board meeting, Boggs zeroed in on past
financial reports from years ago trying to raise some kind of
eyebrow raiser.
- March 17 a One of our clickers may have
come up with the correct answer on Boggs' plan of attack.
- March 17 a Our clicker thinks, as pay
back to getting tossed from leadership, Boggs may contact some
kind of state regulator, investigator, auditor, to target them
on Bodkins.
- March 17 a Sounds like a plausible plan
of attack. Thanks to our clickers for your input.
- March 17 a Thank goodness the old
leadership is gone and CAEZ is on a good course for what's
best for County Clay.
- March 17 a From Mt State
Spotlight: When COVID first upended West Virginia in spring
2020, the federal government took steps to make sure people
had access to the food and health insurance they needed. In
some cases, benefits increased. In others, like Medicaid,
state officials were allowed to temporarily stop checking
eligibility requirements..... Many of those changes, however,
are now starting to switch back to the way they were. Read
More.
- March 17 a Here's
an article on Senator Capito speaking out on the need
for more bank regulations. Keep in mind, it was Capito and
Senator Manchin that voted to remove many bank regs during the
Trump saga.
- March 16 a First some background
- March 16 a CAEZ has been in a tail spin
for many months. Mickey Boggs was Prez of that agency during
the period of strife. You can get caught up on those many
problems over on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section
- March 16 a Last week during a regular
meeting of the non profit, the Board elected new officers.
When the dust settled, all four officers had been replaced.
That included Ms Boggs who remains on the Board but not a
person in charge
- March 16 a That's quite a change, a
contentious one to say the least.
- March 16 a Our thinking is, what will
she and her team do to get back into power? We have an answer
- March 16 a And now, the new stuff...
- March 16 a We just received a copied
email from the newly elected Vice Prez,Merlin Shamblin: to all CAEZ board members I spoke with Linda
Rhodes our new chair person. She informed me that she
did not do emails. therefore, as co-chairperson I felt it was
my duty to update everyone on our last meeting of March 7,
2023. It was said that the meeting we had was an illegal
meeting so I took our bylaws and went to the ethics
commission. There I met with Mr. John Rouch . He reviewed our
bylaws and asked if the agenda had been posted. I informed
them that it had been posted three times and removed three
times and was replaced by a no meeting sign even though our
meetings are on the first Tuesday of every month. I ask him
about our quorum . He also agreed that a simple majority of
members present could be as little as 2 or 3 . I ask him about
the election of officers, which is also in our bylaws, stating
the election shall be held on the March 7 meeting again. He
said it was legal so therefore the meeting according to
the ethics commission and our bylaws was a legal meeting. The
following are the new officers, Linda Rhodes, chairperson,
Merlin Shamblin, co-chair person, Ron Facemire secretary
Melvin Gumm treasurer. We will see you all at our meeting on
April 4, 2023 at 6 PM thank you, Merlin
- March 16 a How about that clickers. When
in doubt just go to the people that know the facts! What a
novel idea.
- March 16 a Having read that email, we
think Boggs hasn't a leg to stand on and is out of office
- March 16 a Your comments please
- March 16 a During the last BDA meeting
(over in the newspaper section), Ms Rhodes made it clear on a
couple topics. She is in favor of the gifting of the
campground. She is in favor of liquidating the other CAEZ
assets. And, it's now time to dissolve the CAEZ as soon as
possible.
- March 16 a 2023 is looking better all
the time.
- March 16 a One last note. Back in Nov
the folks (Elk River Foundation) willing to take the
campground and rebuild it, they had a a grant commitment to
handle the costs with the upgrades.
- March 16 a After Team Boggs botched that
deal, those free dollars went elsewhere.
- March 16 a As far as finding
another $1m, we think that's going to be hard to find.
- March 16 a How sad.
- March 16 a There might be another issue.
That Foundation might have such a bitter taste after being
treated so poorly, they may just decide, heck with it, we
don't want it
- March 16 a Keep in mind, during the last
2 years, the Dundon Campground has earned just $88.
- March 16 a It's not like its a big money
maker!
- March 15 a We woke up to 23 degrees this
morning but the sun was already out and warming the place up.A
half inch of snow remains on the ground. Sounds like a great
time to go trout fishing
- March 15 a Our latest Blotter entry is
now posted over on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section.
We think we're current on those felony blotter entries. We're
about three weeks behind on the misdemeanor charges.
- March 15 a For those complaining about
this site being rough on politicians both local and under the
Gold Dome, too bad.
- March 15 a We agree with Will Rogers who
told us, a good politician is one that stays bought.
- March 15 a Sure can't forget Theodore
Cook: The country still has faith in the rule of the people
it's going to elect next.
- March 14 p Great BDA article now
published over on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section
- March 14 p Ever mess up and lose out on
a good deal? That story is now published over on the
COMMUNICATOR Online newspaper section
- March 14 p If you haven't looked on the
homepage, today's flushing of the waawa lines was rescheduled
until tomorrow, March 15th. Planning on doing a big load of
laundry Wed? Unless you want your whites looking tan /
brown, you might want to wait a few days.
- March 14 a Randy Wallace Thompson, 67,
of Maysel, see OBITUARY page
- March 14 a With great relief we report,
the W Va Legislature is now closed for this regular session.
- March 14 a Their Republicrap efforts
continue to damage our future. Here's a
brief write up on the damage they did and the stuff they
forgot.
- March 14 a House speaker Roger Hanshaw
used his
best spin for the best list of good done.
- March 14 a So happy they are that
they've added more untrained staff in lower level classrooms.
So happy they are,
jails are still so over crowded that the National Guard
has been called in to maintain order. Those much needed pay
raises for correctional officers, didn't happen. And on and
on.
- March 14 a We've got the latest
Magistrate Report published over on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE
newspaper section.
- March 14 a More comin'
- March 13 a If you're planning to head
North to Ivydale this week on Route 4, no you ain't. That main
artery is closed for repairs until further notice.
- March 13 a With schools shut down this
week, we have a quiet Monday morning
- March 13 a This morning the County
Commission gathers for a public meeting in the Courthouse
beginning at 10am
- March 13 a With schools closed for
Spring break, no School Board meeting tonight
- March 13 a However, the Business
Development Authority (BDA) will open up their monthly meeting
over in the old State Road garage beginning at 6:30pm
- March 13 a If you're interested in the
progress on ERTS, the BC&G RR project, and or the new
training center over on Fola, this is the meeting to attend
- March 13 a Mike Evans is a well
recognized Clayberry character. We've got his story over on
the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section.
- March 13 a The Ace Cub Reporter will be
out of commission today as he heads to Charleston for doctors
to take another look at his ticker.
- March 13 a Want to screw off today?
There's still some trout left in Buffalo Creek. Water is just
a little above Summer pool but slightly milky.
- March 11 p Sometime right after lunch
today as heard on the 911 scanner, the Town of Clay has some
kind of wawa line damage in the downtown Clay, Dundon, down to
the high school. Sounds like they were saying, Boil Water
Order.
- March 11 p Sure would be nice for the
Town to issue something in writing to the County's only
locally owned and operated newspaper... but they don't.
- March 11 p You're on your own clickers
- March 10 a Dianna Lynn Bowles, 68, see
OBITUARY page
- March 10 a Some articles generate
little interest, others capture readers attention. Still
others raise more questions than answers
- March 10 a Our coverage of the last CAEZ
meeting got people thinking
- March 10 a Here's the deal.
- March 10 a When a company, agency, govt,
is failing, you have to blame leadership
- March 10 a That's what we did during
that last CAEZ and several other meetings in the last 6
months. That leadership is Mickey Boggs.
- March 10 a We're not saying she's dumber
than a box of rocks. We're saying she chose to hitch up to the
wrong side of an issue. That issue is the giving away of their
Dundon campground.
- March 10 a For this county to benefit
from a comin' tourism boom, that campground lodge has to be
larger, more, many more, campsites are needed, cabins have to
be added, it has to be marketed regionally, and they really
need an amphitheater for weekend music shows.
- March 10 a The current financial picture
of CAEZ... they don't have the $$$ to do ANY of those much
needed upgrades. Without available funds, the campground has
to be deeded to an agency that has the $$$ available. That
agency is the Elk River Foundation based out of Clendenin.
- March 10 a Boggs decided to move away
from the future of Clayberry, to move backwoods, like a stick
in the mud. She convinced three other Board members to join
her mess. The duped fell in line and that's a shame.
- March 10 a We don't know if the
decisions made Tuesday evening (read article) will hold, but
we hope so.
- March 10 a Looks like a wet weekend
coming our way complete with a chance of snow showers.
- March 10 a Be careful out there
clickers.
- March 8 p Ladies and gentlemen, you've
waited long enough, the CAEZ meeting article awaits your
attention over on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section.
- March 8 p Enjoy.
- March 8 a With the sun popping thru and
the temp standing at 21 degrees, let's do something real mean
this morning.
- March 8 a Ever have a dream where some
big ocean liner is barreling into the bridge, the shore, or
maybe another big boat? And then and then, at the last
possible second, the ocean liner manages an about face and
saves the day?
- March 8 a That's what happened last
night during the CAEZ meeting.
- March 8 a Yelp, the Board held their
meeting while Chair Mickey Boggs was absent from duty. Also,
her "Team Disaster" was also not in attendance.
- March 8 a All the changes were made and
because she nor they were there and because none of her
buddies were there to witness the about face, Ms Boggs doesn't
even know what went down.
- March 8 a Let's keep it that way
clickers. We're holding our article for a couple hours just to
be mean to Team Mickey.
- March 8 a The outcome is wonderful but
don't tell Mickey Boggs for a little while.
- March 7 p Today at 5:30pm over at the
WaWa Plant, Clay Town Council will host their monthly public
gathering. Fairly long list on their agenda. With two
Council members and Town Recorder not seeking office again and
employees jumping off ship, might be a good meeting to attend
tonight.
- March 7 p The dysfunctional CAEZ
will not be holding their monthly public meeting this evening
- March 7 p Their agenda went up, came
down, went up, and came down again.
- March 7 p There are common signs of
agency failure. Board members quitting comes to mind
first. It's our understanding, long serving Boardster Michael
Martin has resigned.
- March 7 p Another sign of failing
leadership is firing people that disagree with leadership
- March 7 p When we mention "leadership"
we're actually saying, CAEZ Prez Mickey Boggs
- March 7 p It's our understanding,
long standing Office Manager Michelle Bodkins has been told to
turn in her keys and hit the road.
- March 7 p That only leaves Campground
Host Bruce Gill employed (contract) by the CAEZ.
- March 7 p During the last Board meeting,
Gill identified Ms Boggs as a snake in the grass. No one
disputed those words but expect to see Mr Gill tossed from his
job by the Chair in short order
- March 7 p With CAEZ folding right in
front of our eyes, there is one thing that will affect the
entire County Clay. They own and operate BC&G RR track
side campground in Dundon.
- March 7 p Minus an Office Manager
keeping ahead of the paperwork and host not keeping the place
looking good, here it is Spring time and you can understand
the problem and timing with the Campground falling apart
- March 7 p CAEZ had a chance at
giving that campground away to a group that had a million
dollars or so at the ready for upgrades and repairs. The vote
was 7 to 3 to do the giveaway.
- March 7 p One of the three voting
against the give away was Commissioner Connie Kinder. That's a
vote we've never understood. Afterwards Ms Kinder was heard
saying, she didn't like how they were talked to by the Elk
River Foundation rep, the group seeking the campground
- March 7 p At their next meeting (Dec)
Boggs orchestrated the take back. Since then, everything has
gone to H. That's bad but their dismal leadership is now
affecting our 2023 tourist season.
- March 7 p Pitiful!
- March 6 p Amber Casto Horsfall ,
see OBITUARY page
- March 6 p Pssst Pssssst... don't tell
anybody but Buffalo Creek was stocked with some nice lookin
trout today
- March 5 p Here in the Land of
Little, Clayberry had a pretty interesting last seven days
- March 5 p The Good....
- March 5 p After a 6 week search and
being left out in the cold and after an arss chewing by this
web portal, a few local blue blood property owners finally
came forward and made offers on several buildings in downtown
Clay. Of course we're talking about CMI, the folks developing
a military training center, trying to buy a place to set up a
kitchen and office space for their operation and hire locals.
- March 5 p The Bad....
- March 5 p Early last week kids from Clay
Elem came home and told parents, a school mate said he had a
gun. Whether it was idle talk or not, any such admission must
be taken seriously.
- March 5 p One day later, it turned out,
there was no gun and it was just a little person talking
- March 5 p But, the public was not
notified.... no Sarah, no school website assurances, no
nothing. How long does it take to assure parents that
everything is OK, to keep faith in the system that the brats
are safe? It's our understanding, even Boardsters were
not told of the possible threat. They also heard of the
incident via word of mouth.
- March 5 p The Ugly.
- March 5 p We've watched CAEZ unravel for
many months. You could see the one time social service
provider organization get into arguments, spin their wheels
and for the most part, get into a peeing contest.
- March 5 p 10 days ago, the CAEZ Chair
announced there would not be a March Board meeting. That March
meeting is very important because according to the by-laws,
that's the month CAEZ elects new officers. With their Chair in
the hot seat and trying hard to get the long term office
manager fired, many think, the full Board will elect a new
Chair.
- March 5 p In the middle of last week, a
band of like minded Boardsters got on the horn and decided to
go ahead with the Bd meeting and posted a meeting agenda.
- March 5 p One day later, Friday, CAEZ
Chair Mickey Boggs took down the agenda and put up a bold sign
reading, there ain't no board meeting on the 7th. Boggs signed
that notice.
- March 5 p The rift is wide open
but the plan is to still hold that meeting Tuesday evening.
- March 5 p The coup is on! It's an ugly
mess for sure
- March 5 p Some gooder news....
- March 5 p Since ERTS opened a couple
years back, class 1 electric bikes, "e-bikes" have been
allowed on the hiking biking horseback riding path. Class 1
means they can only be pedal assisted with a top speed
of 20 miles an hour.
- March 5 p This week, the Gold Dome gang
finally did something worth while down in Charleston. The
Legislature changed the rule to
allow class 2 bikes to use ERTS. Class
2 bikes can go a little faster but more importantly,
they don't have to be pedaled the entire time to keep the
motor running. For many seniors, that's a real game changer
- March 5 p That switch should allow even
more families to use ERTS.
- March 5p Great!
- March 4 a Zora �Monk� Hall, Age
89, see OBITUARY page
- March 4 a Phyllis Yvonne Morton, 86, of
Lizemores, see OBITUARY page
- March 4 a Yesterday, typed just below,
we noticed the obvious rift going on between the CAEZ Chair
and a majority of the Bd of Directors.
- March 4 a We read (and took pictures)
next week's meeting agenda on the front door of the meeting
house, the Dundon Campground.
- March 4a Today while passing by the
Campground, Uh Oh, something had changed.
- March 4 a That warring Chair lady
removed that meeting agenda notice and put up a bold sign that
told the world, the meeting has been cancelled.
- March 4 a More coming. Check back later
tonight
- March 3 p DSL is back on for a couple
minutes....
- March 3 p Big winds have knocked
Clayberry around all afternoon and continue into dusk.
- March 3 p Rain has come and gone during
this tough Friday
- March 3 p How strong the wind did you
ask? We might be in Kansas now
- March 3 p Earlier in the week we heard
the CAEZ meeting for next week had been cancelled via the
directions of CAEZ Chair Mickey Boggs.
- March 3 p But, alas alack, we noticed
their meeting agenda had been posted over on the campground
lodge door.
- March 3 p We think , behind the scenes,
something is brewing. We think members of the Board are
quietly growing a backbone and staging a power play of sorts.
- March 3 p Keep in mind, according to the
by laws, those pesky by laws again, demand that Board election
of officers have to take place in March of each year.
- March 3 p If anybody has heard more or
different, let us know ASAP
- March 3 p Here comes the wind again,
time to get back under a rock
- March 2 p BETTY CAROL (RAMSEY) HALL, see
OBITUARY page
- March 2 p Other than a limpy Mr One Eye
getting shaved down to the nubs and a few more needle holes
here and there, the Ace Cub Reports made it out of the
hospital loaded with new drugs and no new bacon, sausage,
butter, biscuit, plug offs.
- March 2 p He's Back!
- March 2 p Sectional tournament got ugly
for the CCHS Panthers last night.The score was 55 to 5 by half
time (and got worser), that's not what we're taking about
- March 2 p At least a couple of our
players got into it including dropping F bombs so everyone in
the Charleston Catholic gym heard it Then came potty
mouth from Coach Gibson. One player quit too
- March 2 p On hand was CCHS Principal
Allan Tanner who sent everybody to the locker room for a Come
to Jesus meeting. It was embarrassing for sure
- March 2 p Appalachian Spring has sprung!
- March 2 p The reporter is feeling much
better after the heart cath and expect to have his energy
restored poste haste. Should be at it again in a day or so.
- March 1 a All of a sudden it feels like
Spring has sprung. How Wonderful!
- March 1 a We have the latest Blotter
article posted over on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper
section
- March 1 a This site will be down for a
couple of days as the MD's try to remove years of bacon,
sausage, gravy, beef sticks, & ice cream from the Ace Cub
Reporter
- Feb 28 a Russell R. Burdette, Jr., 81 of
Wallback, see OBITUARY page
- Feb 28 a Tonight the CCHS Panthers head
down to Charleston Catholic for Sectional Tournament action.
Tip off is 7pm. It's a do or die situation for the Panthers.
- Feb 28 a Wed at 7pm the Lady Panthers
travel out West to Ravenswood for a Regional Tournament
contest.
- Feb 28 a For those unable to make the
basketball games in person, 101.7 and 106.7 on the FM dial
plan to sportscast the games. For wanting to listen online,
walk over to tunein.com or streema.com and then type in WYAP.
- Feb 28 a Go Panthers! Go Lady
Panthers!
- Feb 28 a For those living out
Wilson Ridge, the Clay County Commission OK'd $27K in local
funding to add on to your wawa line extension project
during last night's CCC meeting
- Feb 28 a Very interesting Sch Bd meeting
last night. With the meeting room seats full with several
standing up in the back, it was a lengthy session. As
for terminating those questionable extra duty contracts, Yelp,
the Bd voted to start out with a clean slate. The monkey was
not on the backs of the employees according to Bd Chair Phobe
Nichols, they just want to get the situation cleaned up.
Full article ASAP
- Feb 27 a Welcome to Monday in County
Clay. The sun is even trying to pop thru.
- Feb 27 a In the way of public meetings,
we've got two for today
- Feb 27 a Beginning at 5pm, the Clay
County Commission is hosting their public meeting in the
Courthouse. For those folks out on Wilson Ridge, the ones till
drinking frog pee instead of potable municipal wawa, one
agenda item is your PSD seeking additional funding for more
wawa service out your way.
- Feb 27 a At 6pm, the Clayberry
Board of Edumacation convenes at 6pm.
- Feb 27 a Even with closing two schools
off the chopping block for this Spring, speakers are already
listed on tonight's
meeting agenda.
- Feb 27 a Maybe the bigger issue is the
vote to take extra duty, double pay, contracts from many
within the school system.
- Feb 27 a Back in January we guessed
upwards of 20 staff employees would lose their full time jobs.
Additionally as for school service personnel, our guess was 5
- Feb 27 a Based on tonight's agenda, we
stand by those guesses
- Feb 27 a Cut backs are H
especially in a county where jobs are few and far between
- Feb 27 a Superintendent Haynie has
already said she doesn't want to close schools and or lay off
personnel but, they're comin. There are no other choices
- Feb 26 a Clayonians have known for a
long time, something stinks in Sch land. With new Boardsters
actually taking a look at financial records, that cloud
appears to be lifting
- Feb 26 a Our comments about those secret
extra duty contracts, it seems to have raised some ire.
- Feb 26 a From the email
bag: I
think the state should have came in a long time ago.
Talk about a bunch of crooks! From the teachers all the
way to the top. Sounds like some should be in jail for
misuse of funds�. Extra money to keep attendance, auxiliary
gym coordinator for a gym nobody uses. What a
crock! I can�t imagine what else they are hiding behind
the scenes. Math teachers probably have personal
contracts to teach fractions! I hope these new board
members keep doing what they are doing. I also think we
need to get two more in there just like them
- Feb 25 a Glada Oletha Nelson Lanham ,
see OBITUARY page
- Feb 25 a Glada was quite the character.
- Feb 25 a Years ago the Ace Cub Reporter
gave the Clay Ambulance service which she was in charge of,
real newspaper coverage. As a matter of fact, the very first
Communicator had the ambulance service troubles on the front
page as well issues with closing H E White Grade School.
- Feb 25 a After a particularly mean
spirited article, we ran into Glady as she was called. Glada
looked at the reporter and said: You will die and rot in Hell
before you ride in my ambulance
- Feb 25 a Taking her words
seriously, when the Mel Gibson Look Alike was having heart
attacks in 2008, he drove himself to CAMC
- Feb 25 a Years later, Glady would call
us up when she had a particularly great garden or quilt or
some old picture she wanted in the paper.
- Feb 25 a Ambulance problems continue
today.
- Feb 25 a Another era of Clayberry has
come to an end.
- Feb 25 a We will miss Glady Lanham.
- Feb 24 p There are several ways to get
ahead within school land. Knowing someone comes in first. Then
there's knowing something on the Pentagon. Oh, can't forget to
mention those with brown all over their nose.
- Feb 24 p It's easy to hide those extra
duty contracts (worth hundreds of thousands) when your team is
in power.
- Feb 24 p When the team leader is voted
off the island, everything, everybody else, it's all exposed.
- Feb 24 p For any member of the old Sch
Bd to even hint at the fat in budget, that was taboo. But now,
with three newbees asking questions and otherwise nosing
around, change is here
- Feb 24 p Look at item 12 on the
Feb 27th Sch Bd meeting agenda.
- Feb 24 p There are 19 positions held by
those in favored nation status. For some, their cushy extra
duty contract is doing what they are already suppose to be
doing. For some, the contract was NEVER bid out. With a hand
shake and a promise to do as the Boss demands, that's all it
took to receive $1000's in no bid dollars. "No Bid" or at
least a bunch of em, that means the Board never voted to pay
for the double pay jobs.
- Feb 24 p Without a Sch Levy to serve as
cover for the special awards, with no Super willing to keep
things secret, and with the State Suit gang looking over every
shoulder, change is here.
- Feb 24 p But, we still think there are
more of those no bid, slap on the back, good ole boy deals
that haven't been caught or at least not been voted on.
- Feb 24 p Monday night's Board meeting
should be well worth watching or in attendance.
- Feb 24 p
- Feb 24 a Last night the Panthers took it
on the nose as Herbert Hoover High School put it all over our
team. It got ugly real quick.
- Feb 24 a Tonight, in Sectional
tournament action, the Lady Panthers will travel to Charleston
Catholic High School for that match up. Action begins at 7pm
sharp.
- Feb 24 a The local radio stations plan
to broadcast the contest
- Feb 24 a Go Lady Panthers!
- Feb 24 a Yesterday we gave the local
yocal property owners H for not stepping up to the plate and
offering CMI a place to buy for a new businesses in downtown
Clay.
- Feb 24 a Based on the emails we
received, all of em agree with our Blue Blood dementia
thoughts
- Feb 24 a One guy: heck, most of
the downtown buildings with their failing roofs, lack of fire
suppression and crummy construction, they should be torn down.
- Feb 24 a One lady's email included: why
dont they buy the iga lot and build what they want/ or put it
at maysel park or buy the property from peach mullins on the
river near spread park and annex the park its a mess since it
was "improved "or buy the property in two run that was below
the parts store , it would probably need to be built up out of
the flood plain but its a good location, most of the buildings
in clay need torn down
- Feb 24 a We appreciate all emails
including the one telling us: you are destroying democracy!
- Feb 24 a Keep em coming clickers.
- Feb 24 a If you haven't look at
the Monday night Sch
Bd meeting agenda, you should. Check out item 12 for
instance.
- Feb 24 a See those terminations of extra
duty contracts, we plan on publishing an article later today.
Change is coming Clayonians
- Feb 23 a Tonight the Clay High Panthers
take on Herbert Hoover in home court action beginning around
7:30pm. Go Panther! Both local
radio stations will sportscast the fun
- Feb 23 a It was a heck of a night
Wednesday evening for the Lady Panthers as they wiped out
Poca, 58 to 36 during sectional tournament action.
- Feb 23 a The oldest of old timers will
tell ya, downtown Clay used to be packed from wall to wall
every Saturday. We had a booming business district. All the
parking spaces would be full and sidewalks would be elbow to
shoulder
- Feb 23 a In reality, back 70 years ago,
locals had no other place to shop. There was no interstate and
cars were fender flappers at best.
- Feb 23 a With better vehicles, the
interstate, wider two lane roads and credit cards, those so
called glory day of old, they're are all gone.
- Feb 23 a What remains are the Blue
bloods still retaining ownership of now vacant, falling
apart, buildings. Those owners have no real interest in
seeing this place grow. Their reasoning: if somebody new
comes in and make big bucks, the old timer owners will have
less influence, less power.
- Feb 23 a We say all that as a lean
in
- Feb 23 a CMI, the folks operating the
training centers in Fola, they want to grow downtown Clay.
They want to buy a building, put in a commercial kitchen,
restaurant, maybe a few office spaces.
- Feb 23 a For the last 6 weeks, an effort
has been made to find such a building.
- Feb 23 a Some owners don't want to sell
- Feb 23 a Other owners listened to the
CMI need and then tripled their current market value asking
price
- Feb 23 a A couple others would provide a
sale price. Two couple days later would change their mind
followed by going behind backs and asking a 30% higher sale
price to the CMI.
- Feb 23 a How stupid
- Feb 23 a To date, no building has been
found for CMI.
- Feb 23 a If they can't find a place in
downtown, you know what they're going to do.
- Feb 23 a The will start and find a
suitable building over in Nicholas County. Instead of our
peasants benefiting, Summersville folks will enjoy the
additional offering
- Feb 23 a Reality is, our Blue
bloods are the reason we have a failing economy.
- Feb 23 a This is our chance to grow and
we're about to blow it.
- Feb 23 a If that happens, we deserve it.
- Feb 23 a As Norman D Wilson said years
ago, we could F""" up an anvil.
- Feb 23 a Nothing has changed and he was
right.
- Feb 22p Gloria Jean Sears see OBITUARY
page
- Feb 22 p Tonight the CCHS Lady Panthers
enter sectional tournament action down in Poca. It's a do or
die situation. During regular session, Poca beat us but
just by a couple points. We have a chance at advancing. Go
Lady Panthers
- Feb 22 p The local non profit radio
stations 101.7 and 106.7 on the FM dial plan to air the
sportscast with TG Griffith and Coach Dave Woods behind the
mic. Action begins with a pregame show at 6:55
- Feb 22 p For those from afar listen via
the web by walking over to tunein.com or streema.com and then
typing in WYAP. Go Panthers
- Feb 22 p Yesterday a group from
Rhode Island traveled to the BC&G RR tracks to check out
first hand the new and improved spur line. Already owning and
operating four other pedal car rides around the US of A, they
plan to bid on the contract to grow something (bus, steam
engine, diesel engine, pedal car) draw late this Summer.
- Feb 22 p That write up is now published
over on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section of this
site.
- Feb 22 p
- Feb 22 a If you are wondering
what's going on on the old Fola Strip Site or wondering about
all the military trucks rumbling thru Clayberry, wonder no
more.
- Feb 22 a We interviewed the Head Honcho
of CMI which is operating the training site, on Monday. That
article is now published over on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE
newspaper section
- Feb 22 a Also over there is our
work up from the last Sch Bd meeting and insight into what's
going on behind the scenes
- Feb 22 a We've been slow getting new
stuff out for a couple of reasons.
- Feb 22 a One of course is, has been,
will happen more in the future, is Frontier DSL. Since the end
of Jan, we've had techy's to Tallhouse four separate times.
For now and since last Thursday, Frontier service has been
nearly 100% steady
- Feb 22 a Secondly, the Ace Cub Reporter
ain't been feeling well. It's been fourteen years since by
pass surgery followed by stints.
- Feb 22 a A visit to the MD, yelp, stints
only last so long and then they gum up from bacon, red meat,
ice cream, gravy, sausage.... and about everything else that
tastes good
- Feb 22 a For the aging, semi retired
lad, he heads back to the surgeon Wed March 1st
- Feb 22 a Who knows. maybe with the
pumper working better, our enthusiasm for giving local
leadership double H, it might grow.
- Feb 22 a For this rainy Wed morning,
more coming by noon or so.
- Feb 18 a Walter Alan Boggs, see OBITUARY
page
- Feb 18 a The best of Birthday wishes to
Ordinary Evelyn McGlothlin (aka
Ordinary Evelyn) turning 80 years young
- Feb 16 p Since Jan 24th, Frontier DSL
service has been off more than on. Under such conditions, it's
impossible to write up juicy article. Or worse yet, the
article is almost done and then it's lost during the upload
process.
- Feb 16 p Wed afternoon, internet came
alive again and so far, it remains on.
- Feb 16 p From the State Road Folks:
Starting Monday 2/13 that Rt 46
Ivydale Ridge mile marker 0.85 will have long delays due to
drilling rig being in the road for slip repair Traffic is urged to avoid the area.
- Feb 16 p Big CCHS ballgame tonight at
7:30
- Feb 16 p Last night, the Lady Panthers
put on their best game of the season. They beat Nicholas
County in overtime action 59 to 53.
- Feb 16 p Tuesday night, the CCHS
Panthers got pounced by South Harrison, 111 to 29.
- Feb 16 p Check out the COMMUNICATOR
ONLINE newspaper section for the outrageous CAEZ meeting last
week.
- Feb 16 p We're working to get caught up,
sorry for the delays
- Feb 16 p
- Feb 14 a Since Jan 25th, we've been
having serious Frontier DSL outages. Since that date, Frontier
has been here three times. After each tune up, everything
seems fine for about a day and then whammy!, the red lights
start blinking again
- Feb 14 a We put our fourth call in for
repairs yesterday and have a restore date for Wed before noon.
- Feb 14 a To get anything out, like this
short notice, we've reverted to a cell phone "Hotspot" which
is even slower than Frontier.
- Feb 14 a We send apologies for
Frontier's pitiful management
- Feb 11 a Agnes Fay Hanshaw Perkins, 78,
of Valley Fork, see OBITUARY page
- Feb 11 a It was Thursday afternoon, 2:50
pm. There was some wind about but no ice, rain, trees falling,
snow. Frontier DSl went off and stayed off until the next
morning, Friday.
- Feb 11 a On Friday the life line to the
world, was off more than on, blinking off right in the
middle of whatever we were trying to post.
- Feb 11 a When the local repair man
showed up Friday afternoon, he got it fixed quickly.
- Feb 11 a When we talk about the dismal
DSL service, we are talking about dismal management. Why
should they upgrade the system when everybody continues to pay
their bills on time.
- Feb 11 a Something is going on behind
the scene.
- Feb 11 a Tuesday afternoon (Feb 7)
, TV-8
provided coverage on the plans to close our most rural school,
H E White Elem. We knew that was in the works and think, the
State Sch Bd recommended (demanded) that closure.
- Feb 11 a But But But, included in that
TV article was first mention of also closing Lizemores
Elem.
- Feb 11 a That's two big Gulps!
- Feb 11 a Three of our Sch Boardsters
have close ties to Lizemore Elem, Susan Bodkins, Brooke Jones,
and Board Prez Phoebe Nichols.
- Feb 11 a Closing a school brings
out parents, grandparents, community leaders. For these two
grade schools, they are the heart of each neighborhood.
- Feb 11 a That mention of closing
Lizemore was shocking. We think it was real shocking to the
elected Boardsters affiliated to both areas.
- Feb 11 a The next Board meeting comes
this Monday, Feb 13th. The
amended meeting agenda was posted at 4pm on
Thursday Feb 9th.
- Feb 11 a The agenda reads: The
waiver request to the West Virginia Board of Education to
consider closing H E White and Lizemore for the 2023 - 2024
school year was withdrawn on Feb 9th.
- Feb 11 a Putting 2 and 3 together
and coming up with 4, we think, behind the scenes, the shell
shocked Board raised double H. We think Superintendent Haynie
got herself caught in a wringer
- Feb 11 a You can read that meeting post
a couple different ways. It could be, the waiver was yanked,
it will be resubmitted with just H E White on it, or things
are so screwy behind the scenes, it's all balled up for now.
- Feb 11 a There's something else
interesting on that Feb 13th agenda.
- Feb 11 a There is mention of using,
adhering to, the State Bd suggested (more likely a demand) on
when to hire the new School Superintendent.
- Feb 11 a Our three new Sch Boardsters
are having their metal tested right now.
- Feb 11 a Monday's 6pm Board
meeting at the Pentagon should be very interesting.
- Feb 11 a You want our opinion? Well,
anyway, we think our idea of closing
Clay Middle School is, remains, the most desirable
option for saving bucks while improving edumacation in County
Clay.
- Feb 9 late p DSL problems clickers
- Feb 9 late p Frontier DSL went South
around 2:50 this afternoon and as of 9 pm tonight, still no
link to the www.
- Feb 9 late p Frontier is suppose to be
along Friday sometime to check out their problems. Until then,
no updates to amount to anything.
- Feb 9 late p 911 scanner traffic this
evening included brush fires around the old Fola Coal site.
- Feb 8 a Two biggies in the works right
now.
- Feb 8 a The CAEZ has been a festering
ball of puss for a long time. During last night's CAEZ monthly
meeting, that ball of puss exploded. All fingers were pointing
at Chair Mickey Boggs as the problem. Everything from invasive
privacy cameras in use to faulty back door leadership came to
a head last night. Full article later today.
- Feb 8 a If you think it was children
that couldn't play well with others, wrong-o
- Feb 8 a The CAEZ is owner operator of
the Dundon Campground while is key to our economic growth in
2023
- Feb 8 a And maybe even more important,
parents are lodging a save our school campaign to keep H E
White Elem open for another year or more. During an interview
with School Superintendent Joan Haynie, she made public, it
ain't just H E White on the chopping block. Additionally, the
Sch Bd will vote on closing Lizemore Elem.
- Feb 8 a Gulp! Here's the TV-8
work up.
- Feb 8 a Clay Town Council also
held their monthly meeting yesterday
- Feb 8 a We're working on our articles
right now
- Feb 8 a Last month, during a BDA
meeting, it was announced that B J Evans and Johnny Randolph
Osborne plan to construct and open a resort / conference
center across from the Pierson Sawmill and do so this year.
With financial foundation secured, it was great news and
something this Land of Little needs
- Feb 8 a There's a problem.
- Feb 8 a That site does not have
municipal sewer service. For any business, sewer service is
critical.
- Feb 8 a Laying new lines is very costly
and takes a long time for permitting and construction.
- Feb 8 a At the very least, it's a major
road block. At the worst, the lack of sewer could force
a change of location for that Living Water Resort and
Conference Center.
- Feb 8 a Keep your fingers crossed
clickers. B J and John Osborne are going to need all the help
they can get!
- Feb 7 a Just a couple days back, the
Northern USA say record law temps. Just a week ago, Clayberry
felt below zero temps complete with ice and a dusting of the
white stuff.
- Feb 7 a Are you ready???? Yesterday we
saw people trout fishing on Buffalo Creek. Yelp the place was
stocked last Friday. Yesterday we saw our first kayak in the
back of a pick em up truck.
- Feb 7 a Spring is just around the
corner!!!!!
- Feb 7 a Fellers, Valentine's Day is one
week from today. To stay in the good, you have to get the
sweetie a nice present. With some excellent
coupons available, we recommend Harbor Freight for
that so special gift for the wifey. They've got some good
deals on welders too.
- Feb 7 a And now, for the biggy for
today....
- Feb 7 a In Nov 2022, with a 7 to 3
vote, the CAEZ Board voted to give their Dundon Campground to
the Elk River Foundation with a promise that the Foundation
would invest gazillions into the place which would add rental
cabins, more rooms and additional camping spots.
- Feb 7 a In Dec, under the misguided
leadership of Mickey Boggs and her band of thoughtless, a coup
was staged and they voted to take back their campground. That
lame decision set back this County's tourism future in the
worst possible way.
- Feb 7 a In Jan they did not hold a
monthly meeting. We did notice, away from a meeting setting,
Boggs and some of her dimly lits met at the Campground with
DNR officials. Our guess, simply a guess readers, during their
quiet time with the Charleston Suits they were told, the W Va
DNR does NOT have $$$ in their budget to offer the same
upgrades to the Campground that the Elk Foundation promised in
short order.
- Feb 7 a Tonight, 6pm, the CAEZ will meet
at the Lodge building in Dundon for a monthly meeting.
- Feb 7 a The agenda calls for some
interesting topics including employee (they only have one part
time employee, Michelle Bodkins) secret time, the validity of
that emergency meeting back in Nov where they "gifted" away
the campground, and the first mention of that DNR gathering
mentioned above.
- Feb 7 a Just like when dinosaurs were
going extinct and they tried mating with butterflies, this
meeting should be interesting.
- Feb 7 a Also this evening but earlier,
at 5:30pm, Clay Town Council will conduct their monthly public
meeting. With disgruntled employees galore and the elected
folks still in search of a certified Badge to get their speed
trap up and running, their downward spiral will continue.
- Feb 5 p New reporting can be
found on the ERTS State Park page on the left.. For naysayers:
It's comin and comin soon
- Feb 5 p The Appalachians escaped the
extreme colds experienced to our North. That 100 degrees below
zero stuff , a
new record.
- Feb 3 late p Ruth Ann Parsons, 77,
see OBITUARY page.
- Feb 3 late p Richard Allen Moore, see
OBITUARY page
- Feb 3 p At noon and with the temp
standing at 22 degrees, it feels more like early Jan in County
Clay.
- Feb 3 p Fortunately we're not getting
the snow, ice and coldest temps blanketing the North.
- Feb 3 p With Sun looking good and if you
have good Winter clothes, why not try out ERTS this weekend.
It's a great way to spend an afternoon hiking, biking,and
horseback riding.
- Feb 3 p We have an even newer Blotter
now available over on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper
section.
- Feb 3 p We really do appreciate all the
support we received during the online beggin campaign. That
really helps and makes us feel encouraged.
- Feb 3 p Thanks again.
- Feb 3 a Walter R. Hill, see OBITUARY
page
- Feb 2 late p Rebecca �Becky� Rose
Koch age 54, see OBITUARY page
- Feb 2 p County Clay has not been left
out of the nationwide druggy world. In addition to the out of
control local addicts, over on the Blotter page, we have
foreigners getting nabbed for serious felony transgressions.
- Feb 2 p Check out our latest Blotter
article over on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section
- Feb 2 p And finally, for the last time
this year, our online beggin campaign ends tonight.
- Feb 2 p If you can help keep community
journalism available to the world, now's the time for you to
help us out. It's easy to do too.
- Feb 2 p You can use the DONATE button to
the left at the bottom of the black ribbon, this homepage.
- Feb 2 p Or snail mail your hard earned
$$$ to Delta; 2278 Main Street, Clay W Va 25043
- Feb 2 p Where else would you have gotten
the Ole What's His Name Paxton getting tossed off the island?
How about the first hand reporting on the Cody Moore
conviction? Voters telling the Pentagon, Heck no, you're not
getting one more penny until you straighten up your act! And,
all the other quirks so often seen in the Land of Little.
- Feb 2 p Thank you
- Feb 1 p the #4 steam locomotive was
probably the most famous of all the rolling stock on the
BC&G RR.
- Feb 1 p We found a couple websites
providing recent info on #4.
- Feb 1 p Here's some first hand
discussion from people that actually ran the beast.
- Feb 1 p As for repairing #4 back to its
glory days, money
is the issue.
- Feb 1 5:20am All schools in Clay
County will be on a 2-hour delay on Wed. Feb. 1, 2023 due to
current weather conditions.
- Feb 1 early a Last night, the Panthers
came up just a tad short. Webster 83, Clay 48.
- Feb 1 early a As we're cleaning out some
old folders, we came across an old meeting agenda from the
often notorious, CDC. That is now posted over on the
COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section. Enjoy
- Feb 1 early That sleety rain and snow
advisory remains in force until mid day today. Be careful out
there clickers.
- Jan 31 late p Yolanda Marie
Turner, 68, see OBITUARY page
- Jan 31 p Tonight the Panthers take on
Webster County action beginning at 7:30pm Considering the ice,
snow, sleet predicted, you might want to take in the action
via 101.7 and 106.7 on the FM dial or online at tunein.com or
streema.com
- Jan 31 p After much delay we have our
complete coverage of last week's Cody Moore murder trial over
on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section. The coverage
shows what goes wrong right here in the outback. It's here
- Jan 31 p Randy Holcomb wanted to be a
Badge before he even got his first cap gun.
- Jan 31 p Now a hundred years later,
Holcomb is ready to retire and head into the history books
- Jan 31 p Today is his last day on the
job. Without a doubt, he will hate it
- Jan 31 p Although he's still fairly
healthy and capable, something else is getting him. He is
unable to draw his retirement $$$ and still serve behind a
Badge.
- Jan 31 p His era is over... Or is it.
- Jan 31 p Just like there's a shortage of
teachers and they get to come back and earn extra $$$$, we
understand efforts are being made under the Gold Dome to allow
retired Badges to continue working while drawing retirement
benefits.
- Jan 31 p We think we will see a
return of Randy Holcomb in short order.
- Jan 31 p If not in uniform, we will
surely see him run for a Magistrate slot next year.
- Jan 31 p No matter what, best of
retirement wishes to the Poopster, Randy Holcomb
- Jan 30 late p Wilma Loretta
(Falls) Hall, age 54 of Ivydale, see OBITUARY page
- Jan 30 p From TV-3: A man is
behind bars after police say he pulled out a gun and shot a
man during an argument. According to a criminal
complaint, the shooting happened just before 530 p.m. on Jan.
28, 2023, on Youngs Monument Road in the Dille community of
Clay County. Zachary Trace Garvin-Ward, 21, Birch
River was arrested and charged with murder. Read
more.
- Jan 30 a We're polishing off the first
month of the new year and the last couple days of our annual
online beggin campaign.
- Jan 30 a Having a local source for news
is important. Without a newspaper, a bunch of backroom crap
goes rampant.
- Jan 30 a The Charleston Gazette does or
at least has done a good job over the years when it comes to
someone getting shot or a Mother trying to sell her baby but,
here's an example of what they don't cover.
- Jan 30 a We have one municipality in
this county. The Town of Clay is critical when it comes to
growing tourism. It needs to operate above board and be a
stable force for growth.
- Jan 30 a Decades back the Town held an
election without telling anybody except those you want in
office. Back then, the newspaper ad informing constituents
that they could run for office, that ad didn't get published
until AFTER the election. That was horrible back then and now
- Jan 30 a All Town elected officials are
up for reelection this year, June.
- Jan 30 a The deadline for filing for
office was Saturday Jan 28th at high noon.
- Jan 30 a You guessed it, there was not
one flyer put up, not one mention during recent public
meetings, and as far as we can find, there was NO official
notice provided ANY newspaper
- Jan 30 a As best we can piece
together, Town Recorder Cindy Mullins and Councilpersons Joyce
Gibson and Jason Hubbard will not be running for office in
2023.
- Jan 30 a Incumbent Councilpersons Barry
Peyton, Renee Moore, Jerry Stover have placed their hats in
the ring. Incumbent Mayor Josh Shamblin will run unopposed
this time around.
- Jan 30 a Newcomers for office
include: Kathleen Hall, Jeff Mullins (husband of Cindy),
Marlene Lewis, Issac Ramsey (use to be an employee) and
husband/wife team Meghan and Ron Starcher are all on the
ballot.
- Jan 30 a For Town Recorder, Melody
Hubbard will be on the ballot. Melody is the wife of
outgoing Councilman, Jason Hubbard.
- Jan 30 a No notice readers. Leadership
and keeping people informed within the Town? Not so much.
- Jan 30 a Want to keep such info coming?
It costs money.
- Jan 30 a The begging campaign makes it
possible to keep this site and the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE
newspaper up and running.
- Jan 30 a True the Ace Cub Reporter is
now working half time BUT... even that 3 days a week effort,
that better than any other source.
- Jan 30 a To donate, you can use the
PayPal Donate button just to the left at the bottom of the
black ribbon or mail your support to Delta; 2278 Main Street,
Clay W Va 25043
- Jan 30 a Thanks in advance. You are
appreciated.
- Jan 26 p Brenda Rogers Kyle, 78, of
Clay, see OBITUARY page
- Jan 26 p For those interested in the
jury trial that just finished up
- Jan 26 p As best we understand, Cody
Moore: Guilty on voluntary manslaughter 3 to 15; 2- ten year
enhancements for using a gun during commission of a felony;
3-15 plus 10 extra years for each enhancement X 2
- Jan 26 p Full trial write up comin ASAP
- Jan 26 p Tonight's homecoming over at
Clay High. The Panthers take on Buffalo with tip off coming at
7:30pm Go Panthers. To listen in on the FM dial, use 101.7 or
106.7. For long distance listening, go to tunein.com and
streema.com and then type in WYAP.
- Jan 26 p Go Panthers!
- Jan 25 a A lot of people give Prosecutor
Jim Samples double H for a bunch of reasons. Some of em
deserved.
- Jan 25 a Today is day three of a murder
trial over in the Courthouse.
- Jan 25 a With every one of his eye
witnesses of the crime, on the scene, they were all stoned out
of their gourd during the shooting.
- Jan 25 a When they say, I don't
remember, they might be being honest.
- Jan 25 a Then there's the problem with
the murder weapon that didn't eject ammo correctly.
- Jan 25 a Samples has his hands full!
- Jan 25 a Day three of Cody Moore on
trial begins at 9am this morning. Sounds like the defense team
will kick into gear this morning. Should be interesting to
watch
- Jan 25 a Good soft seats too!
- Jan 24 p We have our coverage from last
night's School Board meeting published over on the
COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section. Interested in the
County Clay school doings, better read the article.
- Jan 24 p This afternoon we sat thru a
couple hours of a murder case over in Circuit Court land.
- Jan 24 p This case stems from the murder
over at Jamie Morris' residence in Maysel on Nov 4 2020. That
trial continues Wed morning at 9am sharp with Judge Jack Alsop
on the bench.
- Jan 24 p If you're going to attend and
watch, better bring your hearing aids. The PA system in the
courtroom ain't working for beans.
- Jan 24 p Had a lady call and ask about
donating to this site but thought we aught to have a PayPal
button for easier giving.
- Jan 24 p Well, we do have a PayPal
method over on the homepage at the very very bottom of that
black ribbon. The confusion is, the button only reads, DONATE.
But, it does link you directly to PayPal.
- Jan 24 p Of course the old fashion way
of dropping your donation in the mail slot at 2278 Main
Street, Two Run, that works too.
- Jan 24 p How about it clickers, like
reading what's really going on in Clayberry? There's only one
media outlet that provides that info and more. That source is
right here. It's us
- Jan 24 p If you've got the spare change
thanks. If you don't, that's OK too.
- Jan 24 a Last night's Sch Bd meeting was
a dandy in more than a couple ways.
- Jan 24 a It's now a done deal, efforts
are underway to close our most rural grade school, H E White
Elem.
- Jan 24 a Already there is at least one
parent that feels betrayed.
- Jan 24 a We're working on that article
now
- Jan 24 a Frank Bennett grew up in County
Clay, was edumacated here, and is now a regular contributor to
this online info source.
- Jan 24 a We have his latest "Chatter"
over on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section. It's a good
read.
-
- Jan 22 p good chance of snow flurpies
and rain during tomorrow's early commute. Be careful out there
clickers.
- Jan 22 p The new and improved County
Commission changed their meeting schedule around for 2023.
Still meeting on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month BUT that
fourth Monday meeting will get
underway at 5pm. Not sure which door to enter since the
Courthouse closes at 4pm. We're on our own
- Jan 22 p Also set for Monday beginning
at 6pm, the School Board gets underway in the basement of the
Pentagon. That
agenda seems pretty tame but you never know unless you
attend.
- Jan 22 p While you're just sitting
there, how about some historical reading on the County
Commission and Clayberry politics : The Clay
Commission is holding a special meeting today to consider a
lawsuit filed against them by attorney Barbara
Harmon-Schamberger, over the hiring of Daniel Grindo as the
new prosecuting attorney. Here's
the full read.
- Jan 22 a As of 8am this morning,
everything looks fine with the temp standing at 37 degrees.
- Jan 22 a But, according to the National
Weathers Service, we might be in for some icy road conditions
and a pinch or more of the white stuff.
- Jan 22 a As of right now, the NWS thinks
that rotten weather will hit a further East than Clayberry.
- Jan 22 a But, be warned. With the online
beggin campaign in progress, we don't want to lose any of ya
until you cough up some loot.
- Jan 22 a For those wanting to start off
the new year with a job, Legacy Foods is looking for some help
and you might want to consider being a Black Shirt Badge. For
those and more, check out the JOBS page.
- Jan 20 p Beulah Marie Holcomb 85
of Indore, see OBITUARY page
- Jan 20 late p Some things you got to
have in a half civil society. One of those is law enforcement
- Jan 20 late p Clayberry is down to just
the Top Badge to handle all the duties outside the Courthouse.
Considering all that could happen, one on the job ain't
enough.
- Jan 20 late p Tonight, Top Badge King
was heard on the scanner responding to an incident shortly
after 7pm. A little after 9 pm, he reported being at Central
Regional Jail with
one prisoner.
- Jan 20 late p That's something we
haven't heard much , maybe never before tonight.
- Jan 20 late p If he was alone, that can
get dangerous real quick.
- Jan 20 a Our solution to the school
system woes is closing the Middle School.
- Jan 20 a That article is posted over on
the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section.
- Jan 20 a Some are blowing off the idea.
Others are taking a deeper look and realizing, it's a good
partial fix.
- Jan 20 a Keep the comments coming
clickers.
- Jan 20 a Black Shirt Nathaniel Legg made
it just a couple days in the training academy down in
Institute. He quit.
- Jan 20 a Want to try your hand at being
a Badge?
- Jan 20 a County Commission is now taking
applications for a Deputy Sheriff. How about you?
- Jan 20 a All the info is posted
over on the JOBS page, this site. The clock is ticking.
- Jan 20 a As best we can tell, this
County has NO certified Badges on the job. Randy's retired,
Robert Belt can only do Bailiff duties, and ditto for Gary
King.
- Jan 20 a Yes Sheriff Allan King can make
arrests but he has no training, he's winging it so to speak.
- Jan 20 a We are in a pinch second to no
other.
- Jan 20 a Last night Braxton County tore
us up. Within the first few minutes, they were ahead by 26
points and they never looked back.
- Jan 20 a It's all gray this morning with
a chance of snow flurpies in the air. Winter ain't over yet
- Jan 20 a OK Here we go again.
- Jan 20 a To keep this web portal alive
and well, we need $$$
- Jan 20 a We are on day three of our
annual online beggin campaign. Getting tied up in a lawsuit,
this year, we've got to pay for an attorney from the proceeds.
The need is great.
- Jan 20 a Just mail your hard earned
donation to Delta: 2278 Main St; Clay WV 25043
- Jan 20 a Thanks in advance.
- Jan 19 p On fixing the local school
system, we've had an epiphany or maybe it was a brain
fart. Check out our article over on the
COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section. Makes sense too
- Jan 19 p Big ballgame tonight.
- Jan 19 p The Panthers are taking on
Braxton County. Tip off at 7:30pm. Go Panthers!!!
- Jan 18 p Christina LeAne Koch, 32 of
Clay, see OBITUARY page
- Jan 18 p Maybe high winds, ice, snow,
trees falling over... Nope none of those. Blame pee poor DSL
service on Frontier management
- Jan 18 p For now, we're back on line
- Jan 18 p Over the years Clayberry has
had its ups and downs
- Jan 18 p Back during the Larry Conrad
terms in office, the Sheriff's line up was up around 8 Blacks
Shirts on the job.
- Jan 18 p Today, Clayberry has zero
trained, certified Black Shirts on the job.
- Jan 18 p Last week, Nate Legg headed off
to training. A couple days later, he threw in the towel. He's
gone
- Jan 18 p For law enforcement duties,
that leaves.... ah..... no one
- Jan 18 p Ryan Thomas is certified but
he's hired over in the school system
- Jan 18 p Randy Holcomb headed off to
retirement.
- Jan 18 p No one is left on Deputy duty.
- Jan 18 p Tonight the Lady Panthers are
in away court action up in Webster County. Action begins at
7pm sharp
- Jan 18 p if you live too far away to
make the trip, listen to our athletes on 101.7 FM or 106.7 FM
of online. Just go to tunein.com or streema.com and type in
WYAP
- Jan 18 p We're in beggin campaign mode.
Can you help us out? This time around it looks like we're
going to use the donations to pay for an attorney. Thank you
Hiram Lewis
- Jan 18 p If you can help out, mail
your donation to: Delta; 2278 Main Street, Clay, W Va 25043
or slide your thunder thru the mail slot on our front
door Even during our semi retirement time, it still
takes $$$ to keep the place up and running.
- Jan 18 p Thanks in advance.
- Jan 17 p we typed up last week's Town
Council coverage but somehow, it didn't upload. Thanks for the
tip TM. Council coverage is now posted over on the
COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section.
- Jan 17 p Also over there is the latest
BLOTTER article.
- Jan 17 p Enjoy.
- Jan 17 a After a three day weekend
break, it feels kind of nice to get back in the groove
- Jan 17 a Today you might not be thinking
about starting or growing your own business in Clay. Ditto for
some family member
- Jan 17 a But, today is your chance to
get to gain some good start up info and maybe even a source
for financing that new adventure.
- Jan 17 a Check out the ADVISORY page for
details on tonight's special gathering. Looks like even the
weather will be cooperating
- Jan 17 a Local radio station stations
101.7FM and 106.7 FM will be sportscasting three CCHS
basketball games this week.
- Jan 17 a Tonight the Panthers will be
facing Calhoun County at home beginning at 7:30p
- Jan 17 a Thinking the Pentagon might
need some help rethinking how the school system operates and
provides education for the future of America...
- Jan 17 a During those three days off and
after receiving input from passerby folks from all
stripes, we've come up with a workable plan of attack.
- Jan 17 a Hope to make that public on Wed
- Jan 17 a OK America, it's that time of
year once again. It's time for our annual online beggin
campaign
- Jan 17 a Yes, for 2023, we're starting
that 2 week campaign a couple weeks early, but there's a
reason.
- Jan 17 a On Jan 5th, Clayberry's most
prestigious lawyer decided to sue us and a whole bunch of
other Clayonians. He's peed after coming up short during the
Nov General Election is our conclusion
- Jan 17 a While most of the other
defendants have taxpayer paid for lawyers, we don't. We have
to have to come up with some real $$$ to cover the cost of our
attorney and to help him /her pay off their Mercedes Benz,
Audi, BMW, Escalade ...
- Jan 17 a Instead of purchasing needed
office equipment, this year, the donations will go toward
paying costly attorney fees.
- Jan 17 a If you can help out, mail your
donation to: Delta; 2278 Main Street, Clay, W Va 25043
or slide your thunder thru the mail slot on our front
door.
- Jan 17 a Even during our semi retirement
time, it still takes $$$ to keep the place up and running.
- Jan 17 a Thanks in advance.
- Jan 15 a It's impossible to publish
every word that is said during a public meeting. We hit the
high spots as best we can but the rest slides on thru
- Jan 15 a During last week's BDA meeting,
mention was made that CMI group is already using local vendors
and plans to use more locals in the coming months.
- Jan 15 a Duane Legg owns and operates
Legacy Foods over in Indore. He was at that public meeting.
CMI head honcho Wally Hatfield told the group they had already
used Legacy Foods and planned to continue that relationship
- Jan 15 a We think those statements are
more than just bluster
- Jan 15 a Legacy is now hiring. See JOBS
page for details
- Jan 15 a You interested in making some
$$$? How about growing some kind of food operation, food
truck, lemonade stand, horse livery service, guide service,
trinket business, opening a AirBnB, bed and breakfast right
along ERTS.....
- Jan 17 a Most don't have a clue on
handling a business with a smile, how to treat visitors, how
to slush thru W Va tax forms / organization forms...
- Jan 17 a Tuesday evening there's a get
together here in Clay on how to do tourist business, how to
maintain it, and how to get start up funding.
- Jan 17 See ADVISORY page for details.
- Jan 17 a You can either get started now
or be left in the dust. It's up to you
- Jan 14 p Maybe the most important thing
Obama De Bama did while in office was make sure
hospitalization insurance coverage was available to all
Americans. We call that wildly popular program ObamaCare.
- Jan 14 p If you don't have any coverage
on the cheap, you can sign up for ObamaCare once a year. That
sign up time is now.
- Jan 14 p Tomorrow is the last sign up
time for 2023. Full details including how to call in Sunday,
that's all posted over on the ADVISORY page.
- Jan 14 p Don't miss
out!
- Jan 13 p Welcome to Friday the 13th.
- Jan 13 p With the snow sputters comin
down and temps standing at 30 degrees, we are ready for a the
three day MLK Jr holiday weekend. Based on the NWS weather
alert looks like, if the power stays on, the snow will be over
early in the morning and a nice lookin Sunday is just around
the corner
- Jan 13 p We base our writings on first
hand knowledge after seeing an event or meeting, first hand.
- Jan 13 p Such is the case with our
coverage on the most recent Business Development Authority
meeting where a much brighter future APPEARS to be heading our
way... right now for instance!
- Jan 13 p In addition to the BDA
coverage, we went back to the Sch Bd article published
yesterday and added stuff covered by the Charleston Gazette /
Mail newspaper.
- Jan 13 p Those guys, the pros, know
better how to cover a story. They point out the problems
within our local school system, they put the responsibility
where it belongs, the old school board and the guy in charge,
ole what's his name. Check out our additions over there.
- Jan 13 p We normally launch our our once
a year, online beggin campaign on Feb 1st of each year.
- Jan 13 p With Hiram Lewis , oh oh oh, we
mean Bucky Lewis, suing us and a dozen others (see
COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section) for $55 gazillion,
we're starting that beggin campaign this Monday morning.
- Jan 13 p Keep that in mind as we try to
raise some $$$ during the next 2 weeks.
- Jan 13 p From Will Rogers: The minute
you read something you can't understand, you can almost be
sure it was drawn up by a lawyer
- Jan 12 midnight p WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM FRIDAY TO 7
AM EST SATURDAY...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 4
to 6 inches with isolated higher amounts. ...From 4 AM Friday
to 7 AM EST Saturday... Travel could be very difficult. The
hazardous
conditions could impact the morning or evening commute....
ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The heaviest snowfall will occur Friday
afternoon into the overnight hours.
- Jan 12 late p Tonight the CCHS Panthers
went down to defeat from the git go. Final 47 for us and 75
for Doddridge
- Jan 12 late p we have an update on the
Widen holdings rumor, being sold
- Jan 12 late p Our latest source tells
us, all those investors were putting their funds not in a
purchase but rather, there is a merger in the works
- Jan 12 late p With a dusting of snow
comin our way, see EVENTS page for a date change of that
spaghetti dinner.
- Jan 12 p There's a whole lot of talk
that the old JG Bradley Widen property has been sold
- Jan 12 p One emailer thought that
gazillionaire Jeff Bezos had made the purchase
- Jan 12 p At 11am this morning, County
Clerk Connie Workman said she had heard rumors that the vast
holdings had been sold BUT as of then, no deeds had come thru
her office
- Jan 12 p We've got another story
- Jan 12 p One feller told us, just
recently there was a big fancy luncheon held out on that
property where a bunch of Chinese food was carted in from
Summersville and the attendees were all Chinese investors
- Jan 12 p There. Now you've heard as much
as we've heard.
- Jan 12 p If you know something solid,
let us know. Thanks
- Jan 11 late late p Now posted over on
the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section is the complete
State Bd of Ed approved report of findings on our struggling
local school system.
- Jan 11 late late p What alerted em to
come up here? It was because of a specific request by the
State Superintendent of Schools. Translation, our guess,
someone or someones snitched on us.
- Jan 11 late late late p From the Town
Clay Municipal Water: The water will be going off at 2 pm.
This will affect The Town of Clay from Clay Psd down. That
includes Pisgah, Bradley Field and Hartland areas also. A
Boil Water [Order] will be added to these areas as of 2 PM
today 1-11-2023
- Jan 11 p This morning's State Bd of Ed
meeting was eye opening. Clayberry content made up 41 minutes
of that meeting.
- Jan 11 p In a nutshell, the
investigative report included much much finger pointing on the
off the island Superintendent Ole What's His name.
Additionally as we listened in, several major problems were
identified including very little education being done in this
county, mentions of "commingling of funds", burying expenses
under guise, drops in college going rate from CCHS, pee poor
test results, and more
- Jan 11 p For all the parents, guardians,
taxpayers, that have thought for years that our Superintendent
was less than doing a proper job, State leadership just agreed
with you.
- Jan 11 p Here's a quote: Clay has been
good...Something has changed.
- Jan 11 p And, they have been paying the
electric bill with Levy funds and now that's gone.
- Jan 11 p It was a blow out meeting for
sure.
- Jan 11 p We'll have our full write up
published later today but for now
- Jan 10 p We've been typing our wittle
fingers away.
- Jan 10 p So far we have our coverage
from yesterday's Town Council, Bd of Health, and County
Commission meeting. Some pretty good reading for sure.
- Jan 10 p Comin' up next, after a break
please, is the big big news of new investment in Clayberry in
the form of a bigger military training center (Fola property)
and a new resort center to be built across from the Pierson
Sawmill operation.
- Jan 10 p Tomorrow, in Charleston, the
State Board of Education will decide the fate of our local
school system.
- Jan 10 p Here's
the agenda for the Wed morning agenda. When you get
there look at item 7 and then B sub-heading.
- Jan 10 p For those wanting to watch the
State
Bd of Ed meeting, click here .
- Jan 10 p We have some guesses on what
the State folks will mandate.
- Jan 10 p Our guesses include:
- Jan 10 p Since this was not an emergency
vote during the meeting, H E White will not be forced to close
- Jan 10 p With ole what's his name
Paxton losing two Levy votes and then getting tossed from the
island, something will have to be mentioned about him
- Jan 10 p With dismal and dropping test
scores at like, Clay Middle, Clay Elem, and Lizemores,
something will be required of the administrators. No
not off with their heads but maybe additional training will be
required
- Jan 10 p And our final guess and guess
only: with declining enrollment big time, something will
be recommended (mandated) to reduce professional and service
personnel numbers.
- Jan 10 p Know how good we are at
guessing who will win an election? We're even worse at making
school predictions. So be warned!
- Jan 10 a Carl Andrew Taylor of
Bickmore, see OBITUARY page
- Jan 10 a Derek Lee Smith, 28, of
Ivydale, see OBITUARY page
- Jan 10 a How about a $30 million dollar
investment coming to Clay... How about across the board pay
raises for the Health Dept.... How about a new resort and
conference center coming to Clay.... all that and more from
yesterday's many public meetings.
- Jan 10 a We're working on those stories
and more, no bunk!
- Jan 10 10am There's been a spat of
Boil Water Orders over the last week or so.
- Jan 10 10 am Via a telephone call from
the Town of Clay WaWa Plant, all the BWO's have been lifted.
- Jan 9 11:35 pm Clay
Municipal Water: BOIL WATER ADVISORY for All of The
Town of Clay, Pisgah, Bradley Field and Hartland areas.
1-9-2023
- Jan 9 p Back in Dec 2022, Bernie
Howe compiled an economic growth plan of attack for County
Clay. We posted that draft plan back on Dec 12th.
- Jan 9 p We have since received the final
plan and have it posted on that Dec 12th article over on the
COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section.
- Jan 9 p Truth is, every county in the
state has to have a plan and then follow it.
- Jan 9 p Howe's plan is a good one but
one that will soon be covered with puter dust never to to read
by our elected leadership
- Jan 9 p One bright light came out of the
morning's Commission meeting.
- Jan 9 p Sounds like, feels like, smells
like, the 20+ years in the making Nebo wawa line extension
project is now fully funded and ready for the bidding process.
- Jan 9 p While you're there drinking frog
pee, keep your chin up, potable wawa is coming.... finally.
- Jan 7 Teresa Wallace Kerns, 65, see
OBITUARY page
- Jan 7 late p Not sure what he's got but
the Ace Cub Reporter has been down for the last 2 days with
something nasty.
- Jan 7 late p Due to the yuck sensation,
a brief update....
- Jan 7 late p The new and improved County
Commission meets Monday morning at 10am
- Jan 7 late p Clay Bd of Health gathers
Monday at 4pm where they are discussing, voting, to provide
across the board pay raises for all employees and much more.
- Jan 7 late p Town Council meets at 5:30
with a noteworthy agenda item, "Town Patrol"
- Jan 7 late a With just a couple more
days until the State Board of Education makes their
announcement on what changes they will require our
local Sch Bd make, the Jan 9th Clayberry Board of Ed meeting
might be interesting to watch. beginning at 6pm
- Jan 7 late p There's suppose to be
a biggy announcement made during the 6:30 Business Development
Authority (BDA) Monday
evening. Street word has it that a big gob of $$$ is coming
our way to build a hotel, single family housing, a new road
and more out on the FOLA Mine site property
- Jan 7 late p Now you can't make all the
public meetings of course but why not start 2023 off by
attending a public meeting. When taxpayers show up, it skeers
elected leaders big time.
- Jan 7 late p See you there if the Ace
Cub Reporter can make it off the toilet!
- Jan 6 a Tonight the Lady Panthers take
on Braxton County over at CCHS beginning at 7pm sharp.
- Jan 6 a 101.7 and 106.7 on the FM dial
will carry the game. For those afar, you can listen online by
walking over to streema.com or tunein.com and typing in WYAP
- Jan 6 a Go Lady Panthers
- Jan 6 a Two years ago today we were
glued to the boob tube as we saw the White House and nation
get destroyed like never before. Thinking Americans
understood, this is the end of a free nation
- Jan 6 a With many of those dimly lit
supporters of the coup are still in office, we can't let our
guard down
- Jan 6 a We like it when emails come our
way. The juicier ones are sometimes published on this site
- Jan 6 a Got one yesterday, anonymous of
course, and it's typical of the love fest for this site and
the Communicator. Anonymous but the email handle was Linda
Dunlap.
- Jan 6 a Here 's that email minus in
spelling / grammar changes or paraphrasing on our part:
I would like to comment on the message or the ignorance
of someone that writes in your paper aw is the initials I don't
know the man but he does sure show how ignorant he can be you
would think that he would be concerned for the people of Clay
County I was born and raised in Clay County and I have yet to
know anybody that is as ignorant in their words as he is there
is some people that I think still has respect for the people of
Clay County I don't think he's one of them he throws his words
around as if he's childish and tries to hurt people yes you have
a new County Commissioner and the president why don't you give
them a chance because I've known them and you won't find a more
honest person in your county commissioner I do believe that Clay
County elected the new county commissioner whether aw voted for
her or not it doesn't really matter but she won and I think Clay
County is the one that put her there so where do you have the
right to say the things that you have said against her or the
president do you really know them if you knew them you would
have more pleasant words to say just thought I'd give a voice
whether it's printed or not I got it off my chest have a blessed
day
- Jan 6 a Sounds like another happy reader
to us. As a matter of fact, bet Linda's reading this update
right now. Howdy Linda.
- Jan 6 a Maybe Linda is correct, we need
to say nice things about our elected leadership.
- Jan 6 a Let's see now... well...... OK,
we got it. Both Joyce and David dress nicely, don't stink, and
appear to brush their teeth often.
- Jan 6 a As for leadership skills, we
haven't seen ANY from Dave during his two years on the
Commission. Now he's in charge. As for newbee Joyce and with
one meeting under her belt, she has already shown her tendency
to be a follower instead of a leader.
- Jan 6 a Always pleasing to have our many
supporters let us know what they're thinking. Keep those
emails comin clickers and remember to be generous during
the upcoming online beggin campaign.
- Jan 5 p We've been watching the
Republicrap circus in DC for the last three days.
- Jan 5 p As of 8pm tonight, the people in
charge of our future in the House of Reps have been unable to
come up with a suitable person to be Speaker of the
House.
- Jan 5 p They haven't called to ask us
yet but we have the one and only perfect candidate to be
Speaker of the House. He's a Republicrap too!
- Jan 5 p The guy we're thinking about is
a doctor, rocket scientist, scholar, distinguished attorney, a
foster parent, and a guy that never tells a lie
- Jan 5 p Our choice for Speaker of the US
House of Representatives, is none other than George Santos.
- Jan 5 p Two years ago Friday, it was the
scariest time for this nation. We nearly lost the Democracy.
Considering the attempt to kill the Nation's VP, Washington DC
looked no different than many other third world countries
where govts are toppled one after another.
- Jan 5 p Many of those elected officials
that told us, gosh Jan 6th was just a bunch of picnickers
enjoying themselves. Nothing too it
- Jan 5 p We don't know anybody that
thinks Drumpf will be found guilty and tossed in the slammer,
but we still have hope it will happen and hope the dimly lit
sheep see the light... someday
- Jan 5 p Remember Hiram C Lewis IV? He's
the guy that last ran for office here in Clayberry. He sought
the Circuit Clerk's job last Nov. He tried for that slot under
an assumed name, Bucky.
- Jan 5 p He lost by a wide margin. As a
matter of fact, Lewis has lost every election try he entered.
- Jan 5 p Ole Bucky just filed a
lawsuit against a bunch of Clayonians.
- Jan 5 p Seems thin skinned Bucky wants
to line his pockets at the tax payers expense.
- Jan 5 p We have the full 27 page
paperwork over on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section.
- Jan 5p In addition to suing both our
Judges, one Magistrate, a Top Badge, two Black Shirts, he
coming after the County' only locally owned and operated
newspaper. Yelp that's us!
- Jan 5 p In this current Court challenge,
Bucky Thin Skin doesn't like it when his past arrests are made
public.
- Jan 5 p Can't help but think about
Robert Half's words: The search for some one else to
blame is always successful.
- Jan 5 p And Thomas Fuller comes to mind
with: Every ass loves to hear himself bray.
- Jan 4 p Charles Wesley Pauley ,
see OBITUARY page
- Jan 4 p Just posted over on the
COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section is our coverage of
reorganizing the County Commission from two days ago. It's
good reading and an indication of the struggles facing
Clayonians during 2023
- Jan 4 p When organizations,
agencies, businesses start falling apart, you can tell it.
- Jan 4 p They get into fights. Start
firing people. And, blaming all the woes on somebody else.
Leadership changes come often too
- Jan 4 p The Central Appalachia
Employment Zone (CAEZ) was suppose to hold their monthly
gathering on Tuesday at 6pm. Didn't happen. That quasi govt.
agency is one of those agencies in turmoil.
- Jan 4 p Office Manager Michelle Bodkins
emailed around 8:49 to let us know that the 6pm meeting had
been cancelled due to Boardsters being sick. Assurances were
given that the rescheduled meeting notice will be given
- Jan 4 p We noticed on that CAEZ
agenda, an item to decide the "validity" of calling an
emergency meeting.
- Jan 4 p Two things on that just
mentioned agenda item. CAEZ held an emergency meeting right
after their regular monthly meeting in November. During that
meeting the Elk River Foundation rep provided, there is a
grant available to upgrade the whole Dundon Campground if If
IF CAEZ acted real real soon. Deal was, if the Foundation got
the gazillion dollar grant, the CAEZ would give the place to
the Foundation. If the grant flunked out, CAEZ would keep the
place
- Jan 4 p With a 7 to 3 vote, CAEZ made
the deal to "gift" the cash strapped campground to the
Foundation
- Jan 4 p That second thing on holding an
emergency meeting comes from State Code 6-9a-2-(2): Emergency
meeting means any meeting called by the governing
body for the purpose of addressing an unexpected event which
requires immediate attention....
- Jan 4 p We think the possibility of
getting over $1M in free money if you hurry, Yelp, that's
sounds like a good reason for the emergency meeting.
- Jan 4 p In Dec CAEZ Chair Mickey Boggs
tossed out that vote to gift the Campground.
- Jan 4 p She said only the Chair has the
right to call such a meeting. We think that ain't true. We
think if a majority of the Board, a majority of a quorum,
votes to call an emergency meeting, they can.
- Jan 4 p Ms Boggs was at that Nov CAEZ
meeting but chose not to serve as Chair. She instead handed
the duties over to Vice Chair Michael Martin. Boggs had done
likewise, to hand off Chair duties, for many months prior the
Nov meeting
- Jan 4 p We think an acting Chair can do
the same chores as a Chair when that Chair is not on the job.
Also, since Boggs was present during that "gifting" meeting
and said nothing about it being illegal, we think that puts
the seven Yes votes on solid footing.
- Jan 4 p Sounds like the rescheduled Dec
CAEZ meeting might be worth attending
- Jan 2 late p We have a winner County
Commission article now published over on the
COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section. Well worth the walk
over there!
- Jan 2 p Today is the final day of the
annual Christmas shut down period. Downtown Clay looks dead as
a door nail. Tomorrow life resumes in Clayberry
- Jan 2 p Tuesday morning at 10am the new
County Commission convenes to decide a new Prez and set up
meeting dates and times. Newbee Joyce Johnson takes her perch
as well
- Jan 2 p The most senior Commissioner is
Connie Kinder. It will be interesting to see if the most
experienced elected official becomes the CCC Prez
- Jan 2 p Clay Town Council is suppose to
meet the first Tuesday of each month. But, as of 10am this
morning, and required by State law, no meeting agenda was
posted on the "meeting house door" as the Ethic Commission
demands
- Jan 2 p The biggy tomorrow is the CAEZ
meeting to be held at 6pm at the Dundon Campground
- Jan 2 p We noticed the agenda for that
meeting has some interesting topics
- Jan 2 p At the top of the agenda, second
thing out of the chute is a vote on personnel
- Jan 2 p Based on the sparks that flew
during their December meeting, our guess is, the personnel
vote will include the firing of long time manager, Michell
Bodkins. Another likely firing could be the campground
maintenance man Bruce Gill.
- Jan 2 p What the dimly lit CAEZ majority
doesn't realize is, Michelle is the only person that knows
anything about the "books", who gets paid, what gets paid and
what Govt reports are do and when. Our guess, if Michelle gets
tossed from the shrinking island, CAEZ will be dead in the
water within 60 days and the place padlocked shut.
- Jan 2 p Also based on recent meetings...
we think Bruce Gill is on the Ms Boggs shirt list, chopping
block. There's a problem with that firing (if it
happens), finding a responsible maintenance man, that's next
to impossible to find. We're not saying the Gill is perfect
but, the campground has looked good during his three years
there.
- Jan 2 p Just before Christmas time, CAEZ
Chair Mickey Boggs met with Charleston Govt leaders over at
the campground or at least, that's what all our callers told
us. As for the rest of the Board knowing what's going or even
been told what went on, we think they don't
- Jan 2 p The Tuesday night CAEZ agenda
includes the topic: Bradley Campground and Lodge (DNR/ERTF)
- Jan 2 p We hope during the off the
record meeting DNR, Boggs was told, amounted to: Mickey got
your shirt together and gift the campground to the Elk Trails
Foundation.
- Jan 2 p We are big on the Foundation
getting the campground because the DNR (and every other govt
agency) will take years to grow it. During that Dec CAEZ
meeting, Foundation rep Ken Tawney presented the CAEZ with
their plans to double the size of the lodge building, add
campsites and cabins, and more, totaling nearly $800,000.
Assurances were given, the Foundation, grant funds would be
available for the much needed upgrades and real soon.
- Jan 2 p Even with that info, the CAEZ
tossed the proposal and would not let the elected Board of
Directors to even have a say in the scuttling of our future.
See write up over on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper
section.
- Jan 2 p It's a new year and just maybe,
Tuesday night's CAEZ meeting will be a new start for the
struggling Clayberry tourism based economy. Keep your fingers
crossed
- Jan 2 p One thing you might want to
remember...
- Jan 2 p The people of the CAEZ service
area are ALL general members of the CAEZ Board. The people
actually own everything that happens within the agency.
Residents have a say at the table.
- Jan 2 p With that in mind, why not
attend the Jan 3rd CAEZ meeting. Might be a good one.
- Dec 31 late p What a rotten way to
finish an otherwise fine year
- Dec 31 late p From
TV-11: West Virginia State Police are
investigating the death of two men that plunged into the Elk
River Friday evening near the border of Clay and Braxton
counties following a confrontation with law
enforcement. "It's a shame it
happened like this," West Virginia State Police First Sergeant
S.D. Schoolcraft said. The bodies of Derek
Lee Smith, 29 and Darrius James Nottingham Jr., 61, both of
Duck, West Virginia were recovered by dive teams Saturday,
according to a news release from West Virginia State
Police. The news release said a trooper
observed the two men walking along Route 4 Friday afternoon
and believed an active warrant existed for one of the
men. State police confirmed Smith had an active
arrest warrant and put him in handcuffs. While attempting to
place Smith into the police vehicle, troopers said Smith fled
on foot and jumped from the Villanova Ridge Road Bridge into
the river below. The arresting officer
reported following Smith into the river, but rescue attempts
were unsuccessful. Nottingham reportedly went into the water
to find Smith and disappeared from
sight. Emergency crews reported
searching the water for about three hours Friday evening
before making plans for recovery efforts beginning Saturday
morning. "We were able to get the Sutton
Project at Sutton Lake to drop water levels a little bit for
us, and that's helped us be down about a foot and a half from
where we were last night," Braxton County Director of
Emergency Services John Hoffman said.
West Virginia State Police reported receiving assistance on
scene Saturday by Clay County Ambulance Service and fire crews
from Clay, Frametown, Glasgow, Gassaway, Servia and
Summersville."Probably one thing people need to take away from
this is that even when the air temperature is warm and the
water temperature is still really cold like this, their body
and muscles will lock up real quick and they will go down,"
Hoffman said.
- Dec 31 late p Here's
the full read.
- Dec 31 late p Here's the TV-3
coverage.
- Dec 31 late p From TV-13: WVSP says Cpl.
F.L. Raynor saw two men � Derek Lee Smith, 29, and Darrius
James Nottingham Jr., 61, both of Duck, West Virginia �
walking near a bridge on State Route 4. Cpl.
Raynor believed Smith had an active arrest warrant.
Authorities say Cpl. Raynor stopped the two men and confirmed
Smith did have an active warrant. Here's their
full read.
- Dec 31 late p With the clock ticking
down and under the worst of endings... Happy 2023 to All!!
- Dec 31 The Elk River is just part
of living in Clayberry. We don't think about the stream until
something bad happens.
- Dec 31 a From TV-8 last
night: Two
people are missing after plunging in the Elk River Friday
afternoon along the border of Braxton and Clay counties.
A person jumped off the Villanova Ridge
Road Bridge in Duck about 4 p.m., John Hoffman, emergency
services director for Braxton County, said. A second person
jumped in to rescue the first and both individuals are now
missing. Hoffman said after hours of searching,
emergency crews stopped rescue efforts and a recovery
operation is set to begin Saturday morning.
- Dec 31 a From TV-3 Crews have been working Friday evening to
recover two people missing in the Elk River in the Duck area,
according to John Hoffman with Braxton County Emergency
Services. Nearly 75
first responders from several departments, including dive
teams, have been on the scene, which is near the Clay/Braxton
County line. They have been searching since around 4
p.m. �911 dispatch got a report of an individual who
went off the bridge here into the river,� Hoffman said. �By
the time some of our emergency response units got here we
found out another would-be possible rescuer had entered the
water a little bit further downstream trying to grab that
person. Those two people are currently missing.� Hoffman
explained that the two people did not go in the river at the
same time, and the second person was a would-be rescuer.
The search, which started as a rescue mission, was suspended
due to darkness. There is no word about the
circumstances leading up to the two people ending up in the
river. There�s also no information about their
identities. Crews are set to start there search
again early Saturday morning.
- Dec 31 a This morning just after 8am,
over the 911 scanner, fire departments from all over the
region showed up to help with the recovery effort
- Dec 31 a If you're from County Clay, you
know, instantly, rumors roared thru the county. Rumors are
just that.
- Dec 31 a The new year comes tonight.
2022 was one heck of a year for news in Clayberry. We're
working on a whole bunch of stuff including our annual Year in
Review article.
- Dec 31 a Last call for Person of the
Year honors. Email over your recommendation right away. And,
No, Dave Mullins and Ole what's his name Paxton are not in the
running.
- Dec 30 a Sharon Ann Rogers, 74, of
Clay, see OBITUARY page
- Dec 30 a With kids off from school, this
week between Christmas and New Year's Day, it's pretty much a
dead time. One week ago today the temp dropped to around 1
degree and colder that night. Today it feels like Spring with
the temp already around 50 degrees!
- Dec 30 a Today, for the most part the
Courthouse is locked down. The exception is the Court system
which will work until noon this Friday.
- Dec 30 a Monday is also a holiday for
Courthouse workers
- Dec 30 a Having clean drinking wawa is
very important. We often give the Clay WaWa plant double H
when they neglect the important step of alerting the public
when a Boil Water Order is issued... when there's going to be
a wawa outage... stuff like that
- Dec 30 a It wasn't that long ago when
the Town had a WaWa operator on the job and everything got
dangerous instantly.
- Dec 30 a The guy was a nice enough
feller and knew everything about operating a plant
- Dec 30 a But, it got so bad with rotten
wet stuff, State Health Regulators attended a Town Council
meeting where they explained he almost killed a bunch of
customers.
- Dec 30 a The Regulator spoke on how pee
poor operations up North DID kill and make ill a bunch of
customers.
- Dec 30 a We received a copy of the Boil
Water Order ( from the Dec 25th problem) from Chief Operator
Drema Thomas. That email came late last night.
- Dec 30 a She included a note explaining
that she had emailed the important report but something
happened and the email bounced back.
- Dec 30 a We will take her at her
word.
- Dec 30 a Yes we're still working on the
last CCC meeting coverage
- Dec 30 a We're also working on a lengthy
article on the July 1953 Widen Murder Trial.
- Dec 30 a Because of the volumes of
official court documents available to the public, it's taking
longer than anticipated.
- Dec 30 a Who knows, the controversial
trail may wind up like the Matwan Massacre... Blair Mountain,
Honey in the Rock... stage plays and movies. It is our history
- Dec 30 a As we go around talking to
people about the killing of Charles Frame near Dille in May
'53, in every conversation, 100% of the time, the person says,
Oh don't talk about that, let it lay.... there's too many hard
feelings... some of those participants, witnesses, family
members etc., they are still living
- Dec 30 a Clickers, we're presenting
history, trial accounts of history and that's something worth
remembering.
- Dec 30 a As Robert A Henlen wrote: A
generation which ignores history has no past and no future.
- Dec 30 a Did you know....
- Dec 30 a In 1950 County Clay's
population stood at 14,961. That's more than twice what we
have today
- Dec 30 a In 1950 we had 7228 registered
voters of which 3767 were males
- Dec 27 p Commissioner Fran King Chaired
her last County Commission meeting this morning. Her last day
on the job is Saturday, Dec 31st
- Dec 27 p She didn't leave quietly
- Dec 27 p She managed to blow the lid off
three very special topics.
- Dec 27 p We're working on the article
now. It's something special to say the least
- Dec 27 p Sometime Wed we'll have that
blast off
- Dec 27 p There's a need for first hand
down home news. The stuff you've received from the County's
only locally owned and operated newspaper, The
Communicator
- Dec 27 p With the Mel Gibson Look Alike
now in semi retirement, if you've got any interest in
community journalism, boy do we have a deal for you.
- Dec 27 p Interested? Email us today.
- Dec 27 a For nearly 28 years we fought
the battle of keeping Clayonians informed
- Dec 27 a Now in our semi retirement
years, we continue the battle albeit on a less strenuous
way
- Dec 27 a Over Christmas break, something
happened to the wawa supply provided by the Town of Clay
- Dec 27 a We received no notice of the
problem.
- Dec 27 a Then we started getting emails
on a Boil Water Order issued three days ago by our readers.
Still no official notice from the Town of Clay.
- Dec 27 a This site nor the COMMUNICATOR
ONLINE, neither received ANY info on the potentially dangerous
situation.
- Dec 27 a That lack of notice issue was
promised by Mayor Josh Shamblin several years ago. At times we
received BWO and upcoming wawa outage notice. Not this time or
several others in the last many months.
- Dec 27 a The unhealthy problems
continues as we close out 2022.
- Dec 27 a One email and upwards of 1000's
of people know what's going on. Simple thing to do.
- Dec 27 a Sad. Very sad.
- Dec 26 after freezing cold but
nice Christmas break, County Clay opens for business Tuesday
morning when the County Commission begins their meeting at
10am sharp. One of the agenda items is to fire Communications
Director Becky Pritt.
- Dec 26 late p Should make for good last
meeting for Commissioner Fran King .
- Dec 25 a The Town of Clay is having
water booster plant problems. Those in the Maysel, Laurel
Ridge, Upper Two Run areas, you can expect water loss today.
Yikes!!
- Dec 25 a With Sun out in full force,
we're experiencing a balmy 16 degrees at meal time
- Dec 25 a On this date in history....
- Dec 25 a:
in A.D. 336, the first
known commemoration of Christmas on Dec. 25 took place
in Rome.
In 1818, �Silent Night
(Stille Nacht)� was publicly performed for the first
time during the Christmas Midnight Mass at the Church of
St. Nikolaus in Oberndorf, Austria.
- Dec 23 a We're suppose to be on
holiday break but
- Dec 23 a Emergency Warming Center will
open Friday the 23rd, 2022 to those in need of temporary
refuge from the frigid cold temperature. The Warming Center
will be located at Fairview Baptist Temple 2294 Main St, Clay,
WV 25043, the center will provide a safe, warm, and supportive
environment to those during inclement weather. The hours of
operation will be the duration of 12:00 (noon) to 9:00
(PM). All are welcome in the center and will be provided
with basic necessities such as blankets and hygiene supplies
(while available). We urge anyone needing assistance
during these difficult times to come to the Emergency Warming
Center and take advantage of the services, but if you are
having an emergency call 911. All rules and regulations
of the facility will be observed.
- Dec 23 a Ridge tops saw 3 degrees this
morning. Valley bottoms came in around 10 degrees. At 9:30 am,
ridge tops are down to 1 degree
- Dec 23 a The National Weather Service
has issued every kind of advisory that's available. With wind
gusts up around 40 mph, in a nut shell, stay home today and
tomorrow
- Dec 23 a With just a scant dusting of
snow, we have a white Christmas in 2022. This is also the
first Christmas without a major threat of COVID.
- Dec 23 a Tonight's basketball game has
been cancelled.
- Dec 23 a Believe it or not, the power
and DSl remains on and working
- Dec 23 a For those interested in that
900 page final Jan 6th Committee report, here
it is in its entirety.
- Dec 23 a That's good reading especially
for the many Trump humpers in the audience
- Dec 22 p Carlyon Marie McGraw, 75,
of Clay, see OBITUARY page
- Dec 22 p The skeeryest words ever heard
came across the 911 scanner today.
- Dec 22 p Shortly after 3pm
today, over the scanner, some administrator told: Schools out
and see everyone next year.
- Dec 22 p Just the thought of being
responsible for their rug rats, feeding the yard apes, etc.,
parents and guardians were seen openly weeping
- Dec 22 p We may be in for some tough
tough weather over the next 48 hours. Temps around zero, a few
inches of rain and snow, and then high winds. This should be a
very challenging time for those without the where with all to
stay warm.
- Dec 22 p From all of us in
Clayberry, the very best of holiday wishes to one and all
- Dec 22p We too are taking a
holiday beak thru Monday evening sometime.
- Dec 22 p Merry Christmas!
- Dec 21 p While you've heard talk that
Pretty Boy Paxton hid his contract and forbid everyone from
seeing it, the truth is, what a W Va Sch Superintendent earns,
that has always been a matter of public record.
- Dec 21 p Don't you remember back when
Linky Poo was the Super and the Charleston Gazette and the WVU
Sch of Law teamed up? What they did was send reporters to
every County in the State where they walked into each Board
office and demanded to see the Super's employment contract.
Those reporters refused to show any ID or even give a name.
The law says that's all legal.
- Dec 21 p Our Clayberry Superintendent
Linky Poo made regional news outlets when he said that
reporter was eery and skerry. Linky told in a follow up
article, he thought that the guy might have been one of those
Commy ACLU members. Back then Linky called Badges and
had the guy's license plate number tracked.
- Dec 21 p All that's very true.
- Dec 21 p As the season of hope and love
gets underway, we have an answer for you over on the
COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section where Pretty Boy's 2
page contract is published in its entirety. Good reading to
all
- Dec 20 p If you've any interest in the
future of Clayberry, you need to walk over to our school
system coverage on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section
- Dec 20 p Tonight the Lady Panthers take
on Nicholas County over in Summersville. Start time is 7pm
sharp.
- Dec 20 p Go Lady Panthers!
- Dec 20 p Both 101.7 FM and 106.7FM will
air the evenly matched contest
- Dec 20 p To listen online, go to
tunein.com or streema.com then type in WYAP
- Dec 20 p Go Lady Panthers.
- Dec 20 p For all intents and purpose,
County Clay has shut down for the Christmas break.
- Dec 20 p There is a 30% chance of some
snow on the 24th. Great!!!
- Dec 20 a Christina Lea (Coulter)
Belt, 42, of Clay , see OBITUARY page
- Dec 19 p Are you a SPUG? Want to
be a SPUG? SPUG stands for the Society for the Prevention of
Unnecessary Giving. Here's the
full story of SPUGitus.
- Dec 19 a Dara Renee Stephenson, 45, see
OBITUARY page
- Dec 19 a Around noon today, the newly
elected officials will be sworn into office in the upstairs
Courtroom.
- Dec 19 a In a rescheduled date, tonight
the Sch
Bd will convene at 6pm in the Pentagon. That will be
their last meeting for 2022. And what year it's been!
- Dec 19 a We're collecting names and
deeds for the coming year's Person of the Year award. Email
over your input right away. We're looking for a winner
that has made a difference in County Clay in 2022.
- Dec 19 a We're down for the count
clickers. Men, remember shopping at Go Mart on Christmas Eve,
that will get you nowhere with your sweetie.
- Dec 18 a Published over on the
COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section are the images from last
night's Christmas Festival in and around the Courthouse. It
was a huge success with kids running around everywhere.
- Dec 18 a Volunteer efforts, that's what
makes Clayberry so special.
- Dec 18 a For those wanting to keep
pictures, on your PC, just right click and hit "save". Boom,
you've got em and no charge.
- Dec 17 a Today is a big day in small
town America. This afternoon beginning at 5pm, it's the annual
Christmas Festivities culminating with the Light parade
beginning at 8pm sharp.
- Dec 17 a Details over on the EVENTS
page.
- Dec 17 a According to preliminary
data, the WVDNR reports that hunters harvested 49,662 bucks
during the state�s two week buck firearms season, from Nov. 21
to Dec 4. During last year�s buck firearms season, hunters
harvested 42,143 bucks. Here's the
full scoop.
- Dec 17 a Short on cash. Having a
hard time paying even the utility bills?
- Dec 17 a As of November, 63% of
Americans were living paycheck to paycheck, according to a
monthly LendingClub report � up from 60% the
previous month and near the 64% historic high hit in
March..... Even high-income earners are under pressure,
LendingClub found. Of those earning more than six figures, 47%
reported living paycheck to paycheck, a jump from the previous
month�s 43%. Tis the season to
read the details.
- Dec 17 a County Clay has a
population of 7,892.
- Dec 14 late p Most of the reason
for our failing edumacation system in Clayberry is one,
leadership / administration, and two, pee poor
un-certified, teaching out of skill set, teachers.
- Dec 14 later p There is an exception to
that. Over at Clay High, Phil Dobbins knows how to get the
attention of the ankle biters and get em fired up
- Dec 14 later p Today the West Virginia
"We the People" Championship was held down at the Federal
Building in Charleston. Lawyers, judges and other pros did the
questions and judged the responses. There were 6 areas of
concentration. The team with the most wins in each category,
they were awarded the state championship.
- Dec 14 later p Today and for the 9th
time in a row, CCHS's Phil Dobbins "We The People" class took
top honors wining in each category. That's makes em State
Champs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Dec 14 late p If that ain't a happy
face, what is?
- Dec 14 later p It takes $$$ to make
those trips. For this year and without much support from the
old administration, Dobbins used his faculty senate money to
cover the transportation costs to and from Charleston
- Dec 14 later p National competition
comes next. That too will take some real $$$.
- Dec 14 later p Want to support something
that really counts, something really educational? Get a hold
of Dobbins and see what it's going to take to get our students
to DC.
- Dec 14 later p In other great news, the
Lady Panthers and the CCHS Panthers both won their games last
night. For the hard fought win over Braxton County by the
Panthers, there were giant smiles from wall to wall.
-
- Dec 14 p So what kind of deal did the
School Board make to get rid of the old School Superintendent?
How much severance pay did he get? Did he get to keep his
hospitalization coverage? How about his life insurance?
- Dec 14 p Approved by the Board a couple
nights ago, the full termination agreement is now published
over on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section.
- Dec 14 p While we polish off his
time in this school system. Keep something in mind.
- Dec 14 p Money talks and money covers
things up or at least keeps em away from the public
- Dec 14 p During the last couple of
years, Pretty Boy had millions of extra COVID dollars to play
with.
- Dec 14 p From an old English
proverb: A smooth sea never made a skilled mariner.
- Dec 13 p Stephen Paul Stalnaker,
70, of Clay, see OBITUARY page
- Dec 11 p Melissa Sanders, Donald
Sanders, Paul Sanders, see OBITUARY page
- Dec 11 p County Commission convenes
Monday morning at 10am in the Courthouse
- Dec 11 p The Clayberry Board of
Edumacation gets underway tomorrow night at 6pm sharp.
- Dec 11 p That last meeting, there's
something different.
- Dec 11 p For the first time in four
meetings, there is no mention of a secret time to discuss ole
what's his name getting booted off the island on Nov 2nd.
- Dec 11 p Maybe it's finally behind em.
Good!
- Dec 10 a From the time he was in high
school, Randy Holcomb, Poopy Holcomb to most, wanted to be a
Badge. He got his wish including being Top Badge for two
terms.
- Dec 10 a We have given the lad H more
than once over the years. Can't help but remember the scanner
traffic, "He's got my Tahoo" and the time when he was whizzing
along side the road just when a bank robber came roaring by.
- Dec 10 a The Poopster told us, he
plans to bow out of Badge work at the end of this year.
- Dec 10 a While we gave him H, few
complained about his go get em work ethic
- Dec 10 a During the last CAEZ meeting
the Chair of the group turned down the future of this county.
See our coverage over on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper
section
- Dec 10 a Even after that harmful
decision we deep down felt the CAEZ Board would correct their
error and give their Dundon Campground to another agency that
could grow it for the benefit of Clayberry
- Dec 10 a Forget that hope
- Dec 10 a Yesterday we received an email
from Elk River Trail Foundation Chair Ken Tawney which read in
part: Elk River Trail
Foundation is no longer interested in acquiring the J.G.
Bradley Lodge & Campground property and is withdrawing its
prior approval to accept the gift as voted on at your November
board meeting. The Foundation is encouraging the
DNR to accept ownership and hopefully do something to develop
the property in the years to come. If CAEZ's internal
issues are resolved and it later appears to the CAEZ board
that the best interests of the community would be served
by gifting the property to the Foundation, our Executive
Committee will reconsider whether to accept the gift
under the circumstances existing at that time.
- Dec 10 a Very sad
- Dec 10 a After that fateful meeting we
emailed Mr Tawney and suggested that since we're so mired in
the mud of 19th century, for his group to instead grow tourism
in Braxton County by developing the Gassaway train depot into
a cultural center or take those dollars and do likewise with
the old Ryobi Theater in Clendenin. In a nutshell, spend the
grant funds where they will be appreciated.
- Dec 10 a From ABC News, on this date: In 1817, Mississippi was
admitted as the 20th state of the Union.
- Dec 10 a In 1964, Martin Luther
King Jr. received his Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo,
saying he accepted it �with an abiding faith in
America and an audacious faith in the future of
mankind.�
-
Dec 10 a In 1967, singer Otis
Redding, 26, and six others were killed
when their plane crashed into Wisconsin�s
Lake Monona; trumpeter Ben Cauley, a
member of the group the Bar-Kays, was the
only survivor.
- Dec 8 p Just got word from a reader over
our coverage on the last CAEZ meeting where they shut done
already voted on plans to gift their campground to another non
profit that could actually do something with the much needed
place. We put the monkey squarely on Chair Mickey Boggs and
her band of misfits.
- Dec 8 p Our reader said to think about
it differently. That guy provided: True Boggs was in charge
and provided poor leadership but but, her Board never
challenged her. Blame the County's loss on the entire Board
with their duct taped shut mouths.
- Dec 8 p We stand corrected and thanks
for the call
- Dec 8 p Whenever anything stupid happens
in Clayberry we can't help but think about the now deceased
Norman D Wilson who offered, don't expect anything good to
come our way. That, local leadership could screw up an anvil
with a rubber hammer.
- Dec 8 p In that same vein....
- Dec 8 p 20 years ago or more, Senator
Shirley Love came to County Clay with a plan and the money to
build a high dollar Juvenile Detention Center here. That would
have been a bunch of decent jobs for locals and something that
would be around for decades. Love said, It's yours for the
taking
- Dec 8 p Back then a public hearing was
held in the upstairs Courtroom which filled quickly, wall to
wall. Instead of showing strong support for project, that
group expressed concerns about having all those youthful
offenders in our Lilly white, crime free community.
- Dec 8 p When the dust settled, the juvy
center was built elsewhere. Elsewhere where locals knew the
value of state investment.
- Dec 8 p Our dimly lit leadership
continues today with no end in sight.
- Dec 8 a The very latest good stuff is
over on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section of this
website. Stuff like Bill Bennett, Lizemores Elem perfect
attendance and Slim Randles on a deviated rectum
- Dec 8 a We got a call over all latest
installment on our floundering school system
- Dec 8 a We suggested that it's time for
the State Suits to take over the whole operation and get
things straightened up
- Dec 8 a the caller offered: Hold your
horses buckaroo. In Jan the citizens tossed out the Levy. In
May that same group tossed out a quorum of the Sch Bd. On Nov
2nd, the Board tossed out the troublesome and potty mouth
laden Superintendent only to be followed by defeating the
Excess Levy a second time in the same year. The problems are
already solved and we don't want those busy bodies from
Charleston messing with our fresh start.
- Dec 8 a We appreciate each email,
letter, call etc.
- Dec 8 a The local non profit radio
station is still looking for sponsors to keep the Clay High
basketball season on the air. If you can help keep our student
athletes on the air, just slide your donation thru the mail
slot on their front door, 2278 Main Street in beautiful Two
Run.
- Dec 8 a Next on air ball game comes
tomorrow night.
- Dec 8 Go Panthers. Go Lady Panthers.
- Dec 7 p Many in this County feel
that tourism will not grow our economy. The thoughts of
hundreds of visitors spending money here, that's hogwash
to those folks.
- Dec 7 p For those naysayers, you just
got your wish.
- Dec 7 p If you're able to read and
think, walk over to the CAEZ article on the COMMUNICATOR
ONLINE newspaper section for the details of our tourism
future stopping dead in its tracks
- Dec 7 p That investigation into the
Clayberry school system has been ongoing for about a
week
- Dec 7 p That should be enough time to
uncover the many irregularities during the last Administration
and Board.
- Dec 7 p Our guess is, the investigators
will conduct an exit interview very very soon and then issue a
formal report within a couple days.
- Dec 7 p What happens then? That's
anybody's guess But. If the taking over of Logan County
schools (in October 2022) is an example of how things work,
the State School Board will vote on taking over the County in
short order.
- Dec 7 p
The next meeting of the W Va Board of Edumacation will
be held Dec 14th.
- Dec 7 p Keep in mind, the State Suits do
not want to take over any school system. It has been done of
course but ONLY to those in outrageous disorder and conduct.
- Dec 7 p We think Clayberry Schools
should qualify but time will tell.
- Dec 6 p Miriam Ruth (Eck) Hopkins, 64,
of Clay , see OBITUARY page
- Dec 6 p Charles �Chuck� Drake, 69 of
Grannie�s Creek , see OBITUARY page
- Dec 6 later a We updated our morning
post at 9:30. Reread please
- Dec 6 a Town Council meets today
beginning at 5:30 in the Wawa Plant on Main Street.
- Dec 6 a CAEZ holds their monthly meeting
today beginning at 6pm over at the Dundon Campground.
- Dec 6 a That CAEZ meeting agenda is two
pages long.
- Dec 6 a Let's talk about the special
investigation into the Clayberry School System
- Dec 6 a On Oct 27th, the State Board of
Ed approved the take over of Logan schools based on 46 nasties
found during a similar investigation down there by the Office
of Support and accountability.
- Dec 6 a That office is the same office
that's investigating Clayberry Schools. The State takeover
came one day after the
investigative report was made public.
- Dec 6 a 46 instances of nasty were found
by the investigators. To us, a bunch of those findings sound
quite similar to the rumors we are hearing up here. Here's a
couple of the Logan County problems.
- Dec 6 a Allegations of intimidation of
school system administrators, educators and staff by
executive-level staff resulting in a toxic work environment
and low morale...... Improper use of county funds for county
board member travel, special events and in the acquisition of
the services of a vendor; Overuse of executive sessions
at county board meetings in violation of the Open Governmental
Proceedings Act and leading to poor public
transparency; Misuse of federal program funds to
support activities, programs and vendors outside of the scope
allowed by law....
- Dec 6 a For those interested in the
future and past school system decisions, you need to
read the entire Logan County Report.
- Dec 6 a Our eyebrows went up over the
power given to the state takeover of Logan County Schools.
Those eye poppers included: the State Board declare the office
of the county superintendent of Logan County Schools to be
vacant at the end of the business day 4pm. on October 27,
2022, and that any existing contracts be voided, if
necessary..... State Board declare the positions of personnel
who serve at the will and pleasure of county superintendent to
include the assistant superintendent of Logan County Schools
to be vacant at the end of the day on October 27, 2022, at 4pm
and that any existing contracts be voided, if necessary....
the State Board delegate to the State Superintendent or
his/her designee the authority to conduct hearings on
personnel matters, the referral of investigations to other
agencies as necessary, amendment of the Comprehensive
Education Facilities Plan (CEFP), school closure or
consolidation matters and subsequently to render the resulting
decisions
- Dec 6 a The voters of County Clay knew
it was time to ditch the old local Sch Bd. Voters installed a
new majority in May 2022.
- Dec 6 a Other than the 40 or 50 that
showed up in support of keeping Superintendent Joe Paxton Nov
2nd, the rest of the county appears to be supportive of the
termination.
- Dec 6 a Read the
full report and then see if you think there are a lot
of Hummmms
- Dec 6 a After a couple quick reads, one
more highlight from the Logan report
- Dec 6 a The State cancelled employment
contracts. That is of interest because here in the Land of
Little, our new Sch Bd has met several times in Nov, in secret
time, to work out the details of terminating Paxton's
contract.
- Dec 6 a When the State took over Logan
County, Poof!!! in one quick swoop, that contract was tossed
immediately.
- Dec 5 a Barbara Sue Simmons Bowden, 73,
see OBITUARY page
- Dec 5 a we have revised our Grand Jury
article on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper as well as the
latest COVID Pandemic update just to your left on this screen
- Dec 5 a Clayberry has bright sunshine,
no wind, no rain, just a beautiful day coming our way
- Dec 5 a Shortly after 10 this morning,
Frontier DSL went Kapuut. Nothing. Out of the clear blue sky,
DSL is all gone.
- Dec 4 a New stuff over on the
COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section.
- Dec 4 a New stuff over on the COVD
Pandemic page
- Dec 4 a How about the latest on the
BC&G RR part of the ERTS State Park. Just click the ERTS
button over on your left in that black ribbon. Good reading
for sure!
- Dec 3 a Patricia Louise Hickman,
90, see OBITUARY page
- Dec 3 a It didn't go so well for the
Lady Panthers last night. Webster County did us in by over 20
points.
- Dec 2 p It tough to keep your thoughts
working when the power blinks off and on over and over
- Dec 2 p then came the Frontier DSL going
red a like amount of times
- Dec 2 p What were' getting at is, the
Superintendent Haynie interview is now available over on the
COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section. It's a good one
and worth the walk over there.
- Dec 2 p Tonight's Lady Panther
basketball game tips off at 7pm sharp tonight.
- Dec 2 p 101.7 and 106.7 FM will air the
home game against Webster if the power and internet stays
available.
- Dec 2 p Go Lady Panthers!
- Dec 2 p FYI those two not for profit
radio stations are still in need of sponsors to get the whole
season on the air. Just slide your donation through the
mail slot on the front door of the station, 2278 Main Street
and we'll get your name and mentions on the air.
- Dec 2 p Go lady Panthers!!!!!!!!
- Dec 1 p Mrs. Okal Dale Dorsey, age
94, of Maysel, see OBITUARY page
- Dec 1 a Welcome to the first day of the
last month in 2022. Time has flown by
- Dec 1 a For the local non profit radio
stations, Clay High Basketball gets back on the air Friday
night. 101.7FM and 106.7FM plans to sportscast 16 of the games
during the regular season.
- Dec 1 a To that end, they need some
sponsors to make it happen. The requested donation is $50 for
the entire on air schedule. How about you? Can you help em
out?
- Dec 1 a It's easy to do too. Just drop
your check thru the mail slot at the YAP radio station, 2278
Main Street in beautiful Two Run.
- Dec 1 a Go Panthers Go Lady Panthers
- Dec 1 a This morning we interviewed
School Super Joan Haynie. She answered every question and
better yet provided her ideas on improving the system. And,
Yelp, she gave the details on the investigation now in
progress.
- Dec 1 a We recorded that interview to
give you exact quotes minus our guesses, innuendos, etc..
- Dec 1 a It will take us a while to
go thru the quotes and get em in black and white.
- Dec 1 a Stand by, it's a good one.
- Dec 1 a How about an accurate head count
of students in the Clayberry school system: Clay Elem 314
brats; Lizemore Elem 105; H E White Elem 71; Big Otter Elem
196; Clay Middle 413; and Clay High 533. Total rug rats: 1632
- Dec 1 a With the loss of students in the
system. It's true, heads will roll this Spring.
- Dec 1 a Gulp!
- Nov 30 p Run over
to the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section for the latest
from school system land.
- Nov 30 a The Pentagon knew yesterday
- Nov 30 a Teachers
and service personnel were told yesterday afternoon
- Nov 30 a We will
have the full story later today but for now, the folks from
under the Gold Dome have arrived and have begun their
investigation of the Clayberry School System failings.
- Nov 30 a Gulp!
- Nov 29 a We're still trying to
figure what went on during secret time (sch Bd) last night
- Nov 29 a That update coming later
today... maybe
- Nov 29 a Sit down clickers.
- Nov 29 a Mountaineer Gas originally requested a nearly
$10.00 increase per Mcf used for residential customers which
would raise the average customer�s bill to nearly $200.000 a
month, a 38% increase. Instead, the PSC approved a 15%
increase. The average customer�s bill will now be about
$166.00 a month, about $22 more a month compared to last
winter�s rates.
- Nov 29 a Here's what Mountaineer Gas
(serves many counties including Clayberry) got yesterday from
the W Va PSC.
- Nov 29 a Get out the Crisco.
- Nov 29 a On this date in history:
In 1864, a Colorado
militia killed at least 150 peaceful Cheyenne Indians in
the Sand Creek Massacre. In 1929, Navy
Lt. Cmdr. Richard E. Byrd, pilot Bernt Balchen, radio
operator Harold June and photographer Ashley McKinney
made the first airplane flight over the South
Pole In 1961, Enos the chimp was
launched from Cape Canaveral aboard the Mercury-Atlas 5
spacecraft, which orbited earth twice before returning.
More
from ABC News .
- Nov 28 p Cloudy as can be with a drizzle
here and there..... We've got the write up on the last two
County Commission meetings published over on the COMMUNICATOR
ONLINE newspaper section of this site.
- Nov 28 p Tonight at 6pm the County Clay
Bd of Edumacation meets in regular session at the Pentagon
beginning at 6pm sharp. This will be their third attempt at
working the deal to get Joe Paxton off the island. Might be a
good one to attend! The Devil is always in the details.
- ov 28 a With one more week left of deer
rifle hunting season left in West Virginia, early numbers from
the state Division of Natural Resources show that between
250,000-300,000 hunters hit Mountain State woods during the
first week. The reported numbers are considered just a bit
below average with several factors attributing to the
post-pandemic recovery. Read all about week
one of Deer Camp.
- Nov 28 a While we didn't see any
long lines or big crowds of shoppers last Friday, this Cyber
Monday is suppose to attract a large crowd of online buying.
Here's 155
super duper online deals.
- Nov 27 p Steve Franklin McLaughlin, 70,
of Ivydale , see OBITUARY page
- Nov 27 p That taking four days in a row
off... felt pretty good for the first couple days then after
the bird was gobbled up, got kind of boring.
- Nov 27 p So boring, our plan was to
start posting this afternoon. That was about the same time the
power went haywire and big chunk of the county was in the
dark. Afterwards, when the juice was restored, there went
Frontier internet then on then back off again.
- Nov 27 p That's what we get for trying
to start one day early!
- Nov 23 later p Other than howitzers
going off in the distance, it's quiet in County Clay. No
school buses rumbling around, the Courthouse is closed up
tight for four days. In the way of a bustling Christmas
shopping period, not so much here in the home front.
- Nov 23 later p We're taking the rest of
the week off, sort of a mini vacation
- Nov 23 later p While there's many very
poor in Clayberry, we think nearly all are having some kind of
nice dinner planned for tomorrow. That's not the case in
Ukraine where rockets
are raining down.
- Nov 23 later p There might be a bright
spot over there. Many talking heads are predicting, this is the
final showdown for Russia's Putin. That's great
but he sure has been costly to those in Ukraine.
- Nov 23 later p The very best holiday
wishes to you and yours.
- Nov 23 later p On that time off
part, from Earl Wilson: Vacation is what you take when you can
no longer take what you've been taking
- Nov 23 p Mary Jane (Neal) Truman,
59, of Indore, see OBITUARY page
- Nov 22 p Walter �Dot� Hall, 90, of
Bomont, see OBITUARY page
- Nov 22 p We've got a new Blotter column
posted over on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section.
- Nov 22 p This morning we asked readers
for what they think is really going on behind the scenes at
the Pentagon. Maybe because many are out hunting, shopping,
cooking stuff, but the truth is, we've only got a few comments
on the Joe Paxton subject.
- Nov 22 p Here's a few of the most
readable, feasible comments. Remember this list is all about
guesses and as far as we can tell, nobody knows anything for
sure
- Nov 22 p There is a mole planted
inside the Sch Bd and that's the hold up on beating the dead
horse, Paxton
- Nov 22 p Another guess: Paxton
wants more $$ because it costs a bunch to pay for and
drive a Mercedes over to Oak Hill.
- Nov 22 p Pretty Boy has done some
kind of "special" deed for a Boardster and now he's holding
that over a head
- Nov 22 p How about this guess: Joe
Paxton is just like the Grinch , it's the season for taking
- Nov 22 p Other guesses were
unprintable
- Nov 22 p We did get a couple off
topic questions including: Why didn't the Board have a high
dollar Suit guiding them thru the Nov 2nd termination
decision?
- Nov 22 p And, Who's paying for Joe's
attorney?
- Nov 22 p Finally, from one lady, I bet
behind the scenes, pressure is being applied to the new
Boardsters as they wade thru this mess.
- Nov 22 p That's it for today's input
session. Thanks one and all
- Nov 22 a Clear your mind, get your
coffee cup, here comes an exercise in what might be a great
big Hmmmmm...
- Nov 22 a We're suppose to be doing the
meeting write ups from last week but it was either a brain
fart or some other earthly event that got us thinking.
- Nov 22 a On Nov 2nd, after a 2
hour secret time, School Superintendent Joe Paxton's contract
was terminated and he walked out the door a guy without a job.
- Nov 22 a The Board was very careful in
how they summarized the purpose of the meeting and the agenda.
- Nov 22 a When we worded it as Paxton got
terminated, Pretty Boy's attorney emailed a nasty gram making
sure we and our readers knew, the mutual agreed upon agreement
(contract) was terminated.
- Nov 22 a We don't see much of any
difference in his contract being terminated and he left the
island minus a job and our wording, he was terminated and he
was booted off the island.
- Nov 22 a To be for sure or at least we
think for sure, Paxton's attorney was there for two purposes.
One, that he got a good severance package and Two, no one ever
uttered the words, Paxton got fired.
- Nov 22 a During the Nov 15th meeting,
that meeting
agenda was changed just before the start time. We never
noticed the change until last night while we were doing some
background research.
- Nov 22 a The original agenda was posted
around 9am on the 15th and read: Actions to clarify certain
terms of the Board's action on Nov 2nd by which the mutually
agreed upon termination of Joe Paxton's Superintendent
contract
- Nov 22 a Shortly after 4pm on the 15th
the action item on the agenda was changed to read: Action to
clarify certain terms of the Bd's action on Nov 2nd by which
it accepted the resignation of Mr Joe Paxton.
- Nov 22 a See the difference?
- Nov 22 a Up until right now, the words
"resignation" has never been mentioned. We think it was
important to that lawyer anyway, never to cast any shade on
her client.
- Nov 22 a Normally it takes a couple days
for secret time items to slip out. Someone always blows
the wraps on whatever they don't want made public.
- Nov 22 a That's not the case with the
booting of Joe Paxton. In the way of emails, phone calls,
notes slipped under the front door.. nothing has came our way.
Keep that in mind
- Nov 22 a And now for the latest. Walk
back over to the Pentagon's website and check out the agenda
for their next meeting, Nov 28th. Look at action item
11: ... to clarify Mr Paxton's mutually agreed upon
termination agreement.
- Nov 22 a Then item 12 : Action to
clarify certain terms of the Board's action on Nov 2nd by
which it accepted the mutually agreed upon termination of Joe
Paxton's Superintendent contract.
- Nov 22 a So what's going on over
at the Pentagon, behind those closed doors? Secret talks for
hours on at least two occasions and still something
ain't sitting well.
- Nov 22 a Is there a Boardster clogging
up the works?
- Nov 22 a Is Paxton, after the fact,
trying to get an even better severance package?
- Nov 22 a What is that severance package?
Is there a severance package? Did he get paid thru June 30th?
Maybe just a 90 day get out of it quick card?
- Nov 22 a Since the Nov 2nd vote,
Mercedes Paxton is no longer an employee or at least not
working for the Clayberry school system. As a non working
employee, what power does he still wield to negotiate a new
termination agreement?
- Nov 22 a It sure feels like someone is
bending over backwards to cut the guy a better deal.
- Nov 22 a Was the wording on the Nov 2nd
meeting agenda not evasive enough to make things look better
than reality?
- Nov 22 a Very little time was given by
the old Board to that widow who wanted her husband's leave
funds.
- Nov 22 a If you have some ideas on
what's going on, please email us.
-
-
- Nov 22 a Joyce Ann Drake 71, of Grannies
Creeks, change in service date, see OBITUARY page
- Nov 20 a Todd Craig Woods, 55 of
Bickmore, see OBITUARY page
- Nov 20 a Notice how quiet it is in
Clayberry? We're getting ready for the second biggest holiday
of the year, Deer Camp
- Nov 20 a No most of us don't actually
hunt but still, this week around T Day, the hills come alive
with the sound of canons blasting at anything that moves.
Instead of a week long stay in a tent or camper or hunting
shack, we eat at Tudor's and then drive around in the woods
with the heater on.
- Nov 20 a Every once in a while, a
skeered buck stumbles out on the dirt roads and that's
when the blasts commence.
- Nov 20 a We added a bunch of stuff over
on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section including an
article on a disgruntled Hiram Lewis who lost during the
recent General Election.
- Nov 20 a Oh by the way, we're going to
be doing some goofing off this week as well.
- Nov 20 a Pray for Bambi
- Nov 18 a How about some dismal
information on our home state... West Virginia�s areas
for improvement include health (ranked 51st), education
(ranked 49th), living conditions (ranked 48th) and business
environment (ranked 47th). The entire read is over on
the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section.
- Nov 18 a On the other hand, there are
groups hyping up the other side of the coin. Here's a more
upbeat, artfully worded look
at West Virginia.
- Nov 18 a We are seeing efforts to
improve Buffalo Creek. That article, you guessed it, over on
the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE
- Nov 18 a One of these years, there's
really going to be a Winter complete with heavy snows. Are you
ready? It might happened this Winter.
- Nov 18 a You still have to have a warm
place to hang out. Check out Total Comfor for a a rehab of
your heating season
- Nov 18 a And about that break down prone
vehicle you've got... Cunningham Motors has a bunch of sturdy
four wheel drives to get you over those coming snow piles.
- Nov 17 a After the power outage
Wed morning, we started having issues with the main PC.
- Nov 17 a It might take a while to get
everything working again.
- Nov 17 a Sorry but even battery backups
and surge protectors can't handle everything
- Nov 16 p Carrol Jane Hamrick
Hoefer, age 75, see OBITUARY page.
- Nov 15 p Sheila Parkins, 63, see
OBITUARY page
- Nov 15 a While we're working up the
coverage from yesterday's County Commission and Business
Development Authority meetings....
- Nov 15 a Here's a great way to waste
many minutes. Not so long ago, just down river from our
Southern border colony, Clendenin, the Elk Refinery pumped out
millions of gallons of petroleum products for decades. Here's a cool
site that provides that history.
- Nov 15a And if that doesn't suit your
fancy, here's another
way to waste your work day. This one has a bunch of
railroad pictures and a video or two including a little
on the old BC&G railroad in Clayberry.
- Nov 15 a Hiram Lewis has run for many
public offices in his life time. To date, including last
week's stab at becoming the Clayberry Circuit Clerk, he has
had no victories.
- Nov 15 a We received a nasty gram from
Lewis over our coverage of last week's election cycle. His
shorts must be bunched up.
- Nov 15 a We're working on a response to
his sore loser syndrome words and hope to have it public
sometime today. That's if rain and ice doesn't shut down
Frontier DSL service.
- Nov 15 a On this day in history from ABC
TV.....
- Nov 15 a
Nov 5 a in 1777, the
Second Continental Congress approved the Articles of
Confederation.
In 1806, explorer
Zebulon Pike sighted the mountaintop now known as Pikes
Peak in present-day Colorado.
In 1937, at the U.S.
Capitol, members of the House and Senate met in
air-conditioned chambers for the first time.
In 1942, the naval
Battle of Guadalcanal ended during World War II with a
decisive U.S. victory over Japanese forces.
In 2003, two Black Hawk
helicopters collided and crashed in Iraq; 17 U.S. troops
were killed.
In 2019, Roger Stone, a
longtime friend and ally of President Donald
Trump, was convicted of all seven counts in a
federal indictment accusing him of lying to Congress,
tampering with a witness and obstructing the House
investigation of whether Trump coordinated with Russia
during the 2016 campaign. (As Stone was about to begin
serving a 40-month prison sentence, Trump commuted the
sentence.)
Ten years ago: The
Justice Department announced that BP had agreed to plead
guilty to a raft of charges in the 2010 Gulf of Mexico
oil spill and pay a record $4.5 billion, including
nearly $1.3 billion in criminal fines. Four veterans
were killed and 13 people injured when a freight train
slammed into a parade float carrying wounded warriors
and their spouses at a rail crossing in Midland, Texas.
- Nov 15 a And
birthdays today include: Singer Petula Clark is 90. Actor Sam
Waterston is 82
- Nov 14 a There has been in a miracle in
Clayberry.
- Nov 14 a Ran into School
Superintendent Joan Haynie this morning. Our question was, how
come the Sch Bd meeting is set for Tuesday night instead of
the normal, 2nd and 4th Monday of each month?
- Nov 14 a In response, Ms Haynie told us,
she goofed up with the posting of the agenda. That, since
their was a holiday last Friday, to be legal, the meeting
agenda needed to be made public one day earlier as required by
Open Meeting Law.
- Nov 14 a Haynie, " I didn't want to
start off with an illegal meeting."
- Nov 14 a How about
that? Someone in office that tells the truth, someone in
charge that knows the law and honors it.
- Nov 14 a Very
refreshing to say the least.
- Nov 13 a Louanna Marie Osborne
Morris, 103 , see OBITUARY page
- Nov 13 a Last Thursday Fall Grand Jury
results were made public. We started that coverage but never
got around to providing the details.
- Nov 13 a Let's get er done this time.
Here's the list of classmates for the Fall 2022 Grand Jury
Inductees.
- Johnny Dale Rogers II murder, use of a
firearm during commission of a felony, destruction property,
arson 3rd degree
- Henry E Stutler Jr malicious assault,
burglary
- Jerry Harlow burglary, grand larceny,
destruction of property, prohibited person with a firearm
- Jeffrey Hotchkiss fleeing with reckless
indifference for the safety of others, fleecing from a Badge,
no insurance
- Adam Deere prohibited person in
possession of a firearm
- Tracy Johnson entering without
breaking, petit larceny, conspiracy x 2
- Austin Johnson entering without
breaking, petit larceny, conspiracy x 2
- Nov 13 a With a light dusting of snow on
the ground this morning, we've had a great week in this Nation
of Many.
- Nov 13 a That "red wave" where
Republicraps were suppose to win every office? Didn't happen.
Instead, when most of the dust had settled, we saw just the
opposite. We saw the fall of Donny J. Of all the
candidates Drumpf endorsed, backed, campaigned for, just
63 Drumpf humpers made it into office.
- Nov 13 a But there was something bigger,
much bigger happen.
- Nov 13 a For 50 years, the Republicrap
party hung their hat on getting abortions made illegal. Every
election cycle that was the big push
- Nov 13 a This Summer, June 30th,
Drumpf's Supreme Court did that, they made the federal
auspices for a woman's right to chose, they made that illegal.
- Nov 13 a The pitiful Repubs thought they
had the lock on every upcoming elections. They were wrong.
- Nov 13 a Instead, that taking away
personal rights, that went sour and real quick. Choice became
a battle cry across America. Every Repub had a big red X on
their back.
- Nov 13 a With Demo's in control of the
Senate, White House and maybe soon, the House, there's a real
likelihood, a woman's body and what she does with it, that
right will be restored in every state.
- Nov 13 a Here in W Va where it takes us
a little longer to understand the real world, we're still
electing Trumpsters. But there was some good news.
- Nov 13 a Our in office Repubs engineered
four changes to our Constitution. Major changes. All were shot
down in overwhelming numbers. It was a victory for West
Virginia and massive slap in the face to the Repubs.
- Nov 13 a That's proof, someday soon, our
voters will completely return to their senses and walk away
from the dimly lits that proclaim massive voter fraud and Jan
6th was just a picnic in DC
- Nov 13 a Most importantly, we're hoping
Drumpf's demise will reduce the likelihood of a USA civil war
- Nov 13 a Switching gears...
- Nov 13 a Before the election, our Sch
Bdsters, voted Superintendent Paxton off the island. It's our
understanding that he has already been employed by the Fayette
County School system.
- Nov 13 a There was controversy after
that unanimous vote.
- Nov 13 a We published in the
COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section: ... It was Pierson that
made the motion to terminate Paxton's contract according to
the terms of the written agreement...... So was he
fired? He's gone. Was he allowed to resign? He's gone.
He and his contract were terminated by the elected Board, all
of em. It's our understanding, following standard risk
management policies, he had until midnight, that evening, to
remove his stuff from his Pentagon office and be gone.
- Nov 13 a A day or two later, Paxton's
attorney demanded us to make a retraction. According to that
lady Suit: .... The Board did not terminate Mr. Paxton.
Rather, Mr. Paxton and the Board mutually agreed to terminate
the Superintendent Contract.
- Nov 13 a We found great confusion with
the attorney's words and demand.
- Nov 13 a Seems like others have seen the
confusion
- Nov 13 a The next Sch Board meeting will
be held
TUESDAY Nov 15th at the Pentagon.
- Nov 13 a One of their many items to vote
on includes these exact words: Action to clarify certain
terms of the Board's actions on November 2nd by which it
accepted the mutually accepted upon termination of Mr Joe
Paxton's Superintendent contract .
- Nov 13 a Sounds interesting . Might be
another good meeting to attend clickers.
- Nov 12 p It happened at 9:14 tonight.
- Nov 12 p All the major media outlets
announced, Demo's kept control of the U S Senate
- Nov 12 p That red wave so many were
talking about, it never happened
- Nov 12 p Many of those die hard Drumpf
humpers, a bunch of em have finally saw the light.
- Nov 12 p That "light" is, Drumpf has to
go. He's bad for the party and the nation.
- Nov 12 p Oh by the way, there's a real
chance that the House of Representatives will also be retained
by Demo's
- Nov 12 p Not so much here in the
Mountain State where we, our voters and political leaders, oh,
we're behind the rest of the nation by several years.
- Nov 12 p As for that expected
civil war... with so many Drumpfsters finally seeing the
light, we think the war may be averted. It's finally time to
put the rabble back in dark closets.
- Nov 11 p From the National Weather
Service: Rain from remnants of Nicole for much of this
evening/tomorrow. Bands of rain showers,
associated with remnants of Nicole, will spread northwest
across the region through tonight. Meanwhile, a cold front
arrives from the west to the Middle Ohio Valley this evening.
The interaction of these two systems could produce 1 to 3
inches of rainfall across the region through Saturday morning.
Much colder air invades the region for the weekend. As another
weak disturbance crosses Saturday into Sunday, the influence
of colder air may allow for light accumulating snow showers to
prosper along the higher terrain. High pressure then arrives
for the new work week.
- Nov 10 late p The stars did not align
for the CCHS Panthers this evening.
- Nov 10 late p The weather held up and
huge crowds came out to support both teams. Heck, Herbert
Hoover High School had a blue light and fire truck parade
coming into County Clay
- Nov 10 late p But, that final sore was
63 for them and 26 for the Panthers
- Nov 10 late p The season is over for the
home team.
- Nov 10 late p For those wondering what
will bring, the National Weather Service has a new
Winter forecast page for predicamentations. Check all what's
expected this Winter.
- Nov 10 late p Tomorrow is a holiday for
many. Tomorrow is Veteran's Day
- Nov 10 late p Thank you Veterans
one and all.
- Nov 9 p A day after Pretty Boy
Paxton left the island and after our first hand coverage of
the Wed night special meeting of the Sch Bd we received
the following email from Paxton's attorney: It has come to my
attention that the Clay Communicator Online published the
following statement on or about November 2, 2022: With a
unanimous vote of his Board, Superintendent Joe Paxton was
terminated under the conditions of a handwritten
agreement. A mighty Oak has fallen. This
statement is inaccurate. The Board did not terminate
Mr. Paxton. Rather, Mr. Paxton and the Board
mutually agreed to terminate the Superintendent
Contract. Mr. Paxton and the Board�s mutual
agreement to terminate the contract was addressed during
the Board meeting last night. As such and on
behalf of Mr. Paxton, I demand a retraction and of this
misstatement immediately.
- Nov 9 p Not sure what kind of retraction
would be needed so, we asked the attorney, what should a
retraction include.
- Nov 9 p She replied: The retraction should clearly reflect the
record that the BoE and Mr. Paxton mutually agreed to
terminate the Superintendent Contract effective midnight
Nov. 2, 2022 with no further commentary.
- Nov 9 p
Heck that's no problem, we agree with the retraction.
- Nov 9 p On
Nov 2th, the local Sch Bd voted unanimously to terminate his
contract and relieve him of his Superintendent position
- Nov 9 p No
problem with that retraction since we don't see anything to
retract. In a nutshell, Paxton walked into the meeting with
a $106,000.00 annual 2021, job with 7 months left on his
contract. He left the meeting minus that job and had until
midnight to clear out his stuff.
- Nov 9 p In
our article we actually quoted the exact wording from the
motion to terminate
- Nov 9 p
Seems pretty cut and dry to us.
- Nov 9 p
There, hope that clears everything up that the attorney
wanted.
- Nov 9 a We've got a change for Friday's
football playoff game. With the heavy rains predicamentated
for that day, the Playoff game will be played Thursday
evening at 7:30pm, at Schoonover Bradley Field. Go Panthers.
- Nov 8 late p Every district in
County Clay voted down the School's Excess Levy except for
two, Dull's Creek and Bomont. Final score with the Levy
contest: 972 for the Levy; 1165 Against the thang.
- Nov 8 late p That 193 vote margin..
that's the biggest gap in 2 decades.
- Nov 8 late p As for those four
Republicrap inspired amendments to the W Va Constitution, all
went down in big flames.
- Nov 8 late p Here's the Sec of State's official
election results
- Nov 8 late p Full election wrap up
sometime on Wed
- Nov 8 p Talked with County Clerk Connie
Workman this morning
- Nov 8 p She reports all polling places
opened and there were enough workers for this year.
- Nov 8 p That's a good thing
- Nov 8 p For those heading over to the
Courthouse to watch ballot counting, probably won't be any
precincts go thru the machine until around 8pm.
- Nov 8 early a Linda Sue Williams,
see OBITUARY page
- Nov 8 early a For County Clerks across
the State, this is the longest day of the year. It's Election
Day.
- Nov 8 early a There's all kinds of
issues that could and have popped up in years past. No heat at
polling places, power goes off in others. Workers get sick and
on and on
- Nov 8 early a This year, there's a
different threat. Due to the dimly lit Trump humping rabble,
this could be the first day of a new civil war. We're keeping
our fingers crossed that simple minded Americans don't show
their arss.
- Nov 7 p Ladies and Gentlemen, over 44
million Americans have early voted. That's a new record for
the US of A
- Nov 7 p For those that haven't voted,
tomorrow is General Election day. Don't be a dumbarss and
think your vote doesn't count. It does.
- Nov 7 p Over on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE
newspaper section, we have our insights as best we can come up
with.
- Nov 7 p With the head of the snake fully
severed, our pick includes full throated support for the
Excess Levy. With the snake gone and new Boardsters in charge,
it can truly be a new start for County Clay schools plus a
fresh beginning for the Pentagon.
- Nov 7 p Don't worry, if the newbees
screw up, we'll be right there to give em double H.
- Nov 7 p Guess how much $$ has been saved
up by the Ambulance Fund?
- Nov 7 p Their savings account shows
$193,297.00. And, that doesn't
include another $150,000 in their CD
- Nov 7 p That sounds pretty respectable
until you realize, they are now spending more money than they
are making each month.
- Nov 7 p Over in the E-911 account, are
you sitting down. Those birds have $1,043,871.99 in
their account.
- Nov 7 p We keep talking about the
CCC sitting on tons of COVID dollars
- Nov 7 p That exact number at the ready
is $1,287,927.02
- Nov 7 p When the
new Commissioner is seated Jan 1st, don't let ANYBODY tell
ya, they don't have the loot to do whatever they want!
- Nov 7 a This is the only day of the year
when workers, students, everyone, gets up early.
- Nov7 a It's also the day you can't
decide which clock is set correct
- Nov 7 a Welcome new School
Superintendent Joan Haynie on the job.
- Nov 7 a New stuff over on the
COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper page
- Nov 6 a The Panthers were victorious
Friday night over Braxton County. It was a nice way to polish
off a season. Decisions on where and when the playoffs will be
held should come out late tonight. Because CCHS is ranked 8th
and Herbert Hoover is 9th, they will be our challenger. Just a
guess right now tho.
- Nov 6 a We've had more action at the
Pentagon
- Nov 6 a Just before noon on Friday, the
Sch Bd called a properly posted emergency meeting for that
evening at 6pm. The only thing on the agenda was naming an
interim Superintendent to replace Joe Paxton who left the
island two nights prior.
- Nov 6 a The Bd spent nearly all their
time behind closed doors making their discussions.
- Nov 6 a Note: 40 minutes into the secret
time, this reporter had to leave to do another engagement
- Nov 6 a It's our understanding the
interim Super is Joan Haynie who will serve in that capacity
thru June 30th 2023.
- Nov 6 a Haynie was the right choice. She
has the first hand experience and knowledge.
- Nov 6 a That puts the monkey on her back
to make the tough tough decisions coming in Jan and Feb
- Nov 6 a With the student population way
down, substantial cuts will have to be made. With or without
an Excess Levy Election success, heads will roll.
- Nov 6 a Speaking of that Excess Levy
vote, with Paxton off the island and the new Board proving
they know the new directions needed, how about a hand.
- Nov 6 a How about rethinking your Levy
vote. We have!
- Nov 6 a Several weeks ago, Jerrod
Fitzwater asked the Ace Cub Reporter, what will it take for
you to support the Levy? Our reply was quick. Cut off the head
of the snake. If you do that, we will support the wallet
buster full throated.
- Nov 6 a Why? Truth is, it's a new day in
Clay. It's a chance to show your support for those making
tough decisions. It's a vote for a change of direction
- Nov 6 a How about it clickers? Between
now and Tuesday, do some rethinking
- Nov 4 late a Tonight's game kicks off at
7pm up in Braxton County
- Nov 4 late a Don't forget, early voting
ends Saturday Nov 5th at 5pm sharp. Do your American duty,
exercise your right to vote.
- Nov 4 late a Pretty Boy's attorney
emailed this morning with this: Mr. Waddell, I am counsel
for Joe Paxton. It has come to my attention that the
Clay Communicator Online published the following statement
on or about November 2, 2022: With a unanimous vote of his
Board, Superintendent Joe Paxton was terminated under the
conditions of a handwritten agreement. A mighty Oak has
fallen. This statement is inaccurate. The
Board did not terminate Mr. Paxton. Rather, Mr. Paxton
and the Board mutually agreed to terminate the
Superintendent Contract. Mr. Paxton and the
Board�s mutual agreement to terminate the contract was
addressed during the Board meeting last night.
As such and on behalf of Mr. Paxton, I demand a retraction
and of this misstatement immediately.
- Nov 4 late a Nov 4 late a We're getting
some feedback on Joe Paxton's departure. Our readers are
saying, he was not terminated under the terms of his agreement
but instead, just resigned or quit.
Nov 4 late a Well, when your contract is terminated, you walk
out to no job, and there was that part about telling the Ace
Cub Reporter, F*** You, that doesn't sound like he left the
meeting happy.
Nov 4 late a You can say he resigned, fired, just as this
reporter can say he looks like Mel Gibson. As Cheryl White
said Wed evening, it's all perception
- Nov 4 late a We went back and played our
recording of Dave Pierson's motion. Exactly: It is with a
heavy heart I make a motion that we accept the mutual terms
of the termination of his contract.
- Nov 4 late a Retraction? Pierson's exact
motion is what the elected Board provided the public.
- Nov 4 late a He's gone and this
Clayberry is ready to start anew. Good
- Nov 4 a Got a big CCHS football game
tonight up in Braxton County.
- Nov 4 a The local non profit radio
stations will be sportscasting this last CCHS Panther game of
the regular season.
- Nov 4 a Go Panthers!
- Nov 4 a We've updated our coverage of
Wed night's blow out Sch Bd meeting where Joe Paxton received
his walking papers. Now the article includes some pics of the
new electric school bus that keeps breaking down
- Nov 4 a Thursday morning's Charleston
Gazette has an article on Joe Paxton. Here's
that link.
- Nov 4 a TV-13
provided a blip and video on County Clay.
- Nov 4 a Let's talk politics for second
- Nov 4 a The last one and this Excess
Levy election, we've been asking voters to mark NO on the
ballot.
- Nov 4 a We had lots of reason for not
supporting the wallet grab. Those are over on our Election
article on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section
- Nov 4 a One of the big ones was: A vote
for the Levy is a vote for keeping the same pee poor
leadership at the Pentagon. The same head honcho that allowed
test scores to drop to nearly the bottom in West Virginia
during his term of leadership.
- Nov 4 a With Pretty Boy Paxton given his
walking papers Wed evening, conditions have changed.
- Nov 4 a Voters threw out the old
Board during the May Primary election. That was a great start.
Fresh thinkers were put on the Sch Bd.
- Nov 4 a Two days ago, they cut off the
head of the snake. A new Superintendent will soon be on the
job.
- Nov 4 a It's time to give that new
person and the new Board a real chance at a fresh start.
- Nov 4 a We know many have already voted
but for the rest of us, how about reconsidering that Excess
Levy choice
- Nov 4 a FYI You can early vote at the
Courthouse til 4pm today and tomorrow, Saturday til 5pm.
- Nov 4 a Do something important, Go Vote!
- Nov 2 late p Donald Wayne Summers,
73, of Wallback, see OBITUARY page
- Nov 2 late p Gilbert Dalton �Gil�
Schoonover Jr., see OBITUARY page
- Nov 2 late p After a two hour secret
time and with a unanimous vote of the School Board,
Superintendent Joe Paxton was terminated from his top job
under the terms of a handwritten agreement not yet made
public.
- Nov 2 late p We asked a couple old
timers if an immediate termination has ever happened in the
past. Their answer was no.
- Nov 2 late p After the meeting as his
supporters were hand shaking with Paxton, the Ace Cub Reporter
told Paxton, See you Joe. His response was F*** You
- Nov 2 late p We'll have the full write
up available sometime on Thursday.
- Nov 2 late p An era has ended. We have a
fresh start.
- Nov 2 late p Joan Haynie is the interim
Superintendent as far as we know
- Nov 2 p We've had but just a handful of
participants in our Waterloo poll as of noon.
- Nov 2 p A couple said, there will
not be a secret time before the vote to expel Joe Paxton.
Others felt the secret time would last one hour.
- Nov 2 p All said Paxton would lawyer up
- Nov 2 p As for a unanimous vote...not so
much. Most felt Bodkins would be voting against sending Paxton
to a time out room. All felt Pierson would work some kind of
deal ahead of time and then vote to remove Paxton with
Nichols, Nutter, and Jones.
- Nov 2p As for selecting an interim
Superintendent, 3 votes for Burnette but more votes for Phil
Dobbins (one time CCHS principal).
- Nov 2 p Last night's CAEZ meeting (s)
was a barn burner. It adjourned after 8pm.
- Nov 2 p When the dust settled, the CAEZ
voted to give away their campground operation to the Elk River
Foundation. Full write up over on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE
newspaper section.
- Nov 2 p For those peed that their
daughter's pregnant and Little Debbie Cupcakes don't taste as
good, this vote makes a big difference.
- Nov 2 p That Foundation has a proven
track record of getting stuff done.
- Nov 2 p We think, with those foreigners
in charge, Clayberry's future looks a lot brighter.
- Nov 2 a One of the biggest country music
singers in the 50's and 60's was Stonewall Jackson. His
birthdate is Nov 6th.
- Nov 2 a His biggest song was one called
Waterloo. That tune tells of three famous people who, because
of their actions, "met their Waterloo" � Adam (who ate the
"apple"), Napoleon (at the namesake battle), and Tom Dooley
(who was hanged for murder).
- Nov 2 a Considering what might happen
tonight during the Sch Bd meeting, what a great time to
conduct a Waterloo public opinion poll. Email over your
answers to the following questions.
- Nov 2 a Will Superintendent
Joe Paxton have an attorney at his side tonight?
- Nov 2 a Although a secret time is NOT
required by law (the agenda makes this a contractual
decision), how long will they go secret?
- Nov 2 a Who will be appointed as the
interim Superintendent?
- Nov 2 a We think the three new
Boardsters (a majority) will vote in favor of tossing Paxton
off the island. So, that leaves Sue Bodkins and Dave Pierson.
- Nov 2 a Will those two vote with the
majority?
- Nov2 a Email over your answers ASAP.
- Nov 1 late p We're in the middle of
historical times in Clayberry.
- Nov 1 late p there is a real chance that
School Superintendent Paxton will be booted off the island
during Wed's special Sch Bd meeting
- Nov 1 late p But wait there's more!!
- Nov 1 late p To grow tourism in County
Clay, there needs to be a place for many people to stay over
night.
- Nov 1 late p Right now the only
campground in this County is owned by the CAEZ and can hold
very few
- Nov 1 late in a 7 to 4 decision,
tonight, the Central Appalachia Empowerment Zone Board voted
to give the campground to the Clendenin based Elk River Trail
Foundation. They called it "gifting".
- Nov a late p Foundation Prez Ken Tawney
said they intend to apply for one of our Delegate's grants and
double the size of the existing lodge and ditto for the number
of camping spots.
- Nov 1 late p Note. When announced seven
weeks ago, there was $250M to be handed out.
- Nov 1 late p According to the info
presented during the CAEZ meeting, there's only $150m left to
be awarded.
- Nov 1 late p Full details when we do the
write up sometime soon.
- Nov 1 late p Wonder how Superintendent
Paxton is sleeping tonight?
- Nov 1 late p For that matter, wonder how
all his underlings are reacting to our speculation?
- Nov 1 p If you haven't read the early
early early a post, none of the this new stuff will make any
sense.
- Nov 1 p Now, get your cup of coffee
- Nov 1 p We are not privy to the reason,
reasons, for a quorum of the School Board considering the removal
of Joe Paxton as School Superintendent.
- Nov 1 p But, there are some things that
have been brewing since July 1st, the first day on the job of
the three new Boardsters.
- Nov 1 p Wait a second on that topic
- Nov 1 p Since last Spring, we're certain
that the Sec of State's office has been investigating Joe
Paxton for election intimidation. We know that because one of
their investigators interviewed the Ace Cub Reporter. We
also know an investigator talked with two other Clayonians. We
also believe that investigation is NOT over.
- Nov 1 p So, there could be something in
the works on that front.
- Nov 1 p Now to something that might be a
another foundation for the removal of Mercedes Paxton
- Nov 1 p After the new Boardsters got
seated in July, they have been asking questions and making
demands for information and more detailed financial data.
- Nov 1 p We think think think that the
ever elusive Superintendent has been less than forthcoming
with those documents.
- Nov 1 p It's now been four months since
those requests started coming in
- Nov 1 p Knowing the Superintendent and
seen him in action, we actually think that Paxton has refused
to provide that info to the Board
- Nov 1 p Each superintendent is hired by
the Sch Bd. That Superintendent makes one hire, his Asst
Superintendent, only.
- Nov 1 p True Paxton has a contract that
doesn't expire until July 1st 2023, but, the Super is an "at
will" employee of the Board. By a simple vote, they
can tell him to pack his bags after a 30 days notice period,
and, under some conditions, be forced to pay him for 90 days
in severance pay
- Nov 1 p That's one scenario. There is
another possibility
- Nov 1 p If Paxton has refused their
demands for info, that' insubordination.
- Nov 1 p If that works out to be the main
reason for termination, they do not have to pay him that
severance pay.... or at least we think that's how it works
- Nov 1 p A couple months back we talked
with one Boardster about Pretty Boy's pay and contract.
- Nov 1 p That Boardster told us, they had
asked for his performance evaluation and contract but, so far,
back then anyway, they had been denied seeing the public
record document. That conversation took place after a Board
meeting.
- Nov 1 p During a meeting, we saw
something different after a secret time.
- Nov 1 p We saw Paxton come back into the
meeting room looking pale. It was like he had seen a ghost or
something that put a load of worry on him. For the rest of
that meeting Joe Paxton made no comments. We think Paxton had
got his arss chewed out by the newbees.
- Nov 1 p We don't have a clue how Wed's
meeting will go nor if they vote to give him his walking
papers
- Nov 1 p We do know, the vote will be
interesting to watch.
- Nov 1 p We have a new Board in place.
Since coming to power, the three newbees have been walking in
lock step. Voting likewise as well.
- Nov 1 p That leaves Boardsters Dave
Pierson and Susan Bodkins out of the loop.
- Nov 1 p For this vote, will Pierson and
Bodkins come into the fold and make the decision unanimous?
- Nov 1 p If they remain out in the field
and unable to get ANY of their pet projects (people hired for
instance) passed.
- Nov 1 p If gets lonely out their on a
limb
- Nov 1 p From Coleman Cox: Keeping your
clothes well pressed will keep you from looking hard pressed.
- Nov 1 p Oh by the way, is anybody
interested in purchasing a shiny black Mercedes? There might
be one or two available real soon.
- Nov 1 early early early a It is a
rarity when this site asks it's clickers, readers, to do
something. Oh we try to get you to cough up $$$ to support the
local radio station or an activity but nothing like our
request this morning.
- Nov 1 early early a We are asking you to
NOT go vote today or Wed. Please wait til Thursday. Here's
why.
- Nov 1 early early early a
Yesterday at 3:50pm the agenda for Wed's Special Sch Be
meeting was changed. Instead of a special meeting to show off
a new electric school bus, this was added,"discussion and
possible action regarding the Superintendent's contract and
possibly abbreviating his term in office."
- Nov 1 a Gulp!
- Nov 1 a If the Board decides to send
Pretty Boy Paxton packing, it would be a whole new day and
well worth reconsidering your support of the Sch Excess Levy.
- Nov 1 a With a new quorum on the Sch Bd
and if the head of snake is being given his walking papers,
that would be a brand new start for edumacation in County
Clay. That new start deserves your support IF it happens Wed
night.
- Nov 1 a We've got a lot more info to
publish later today.
- Nov 1 a For now, it looks like Paxton may
be given his 30 day notice Wed night!
- Nov 1 a Yep Te De Do Dah, Yippity Day.
My Oh My what a wonderful Day....
- Oct 31 p For those interested in the
future of Clayberry and those interested in our opinion on the
Nov 8th General Election, we have our latest thoughts posted
over on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section
- Oct 31 p Non thinking Americans or
at least those duped by FOX Entertainment don't realize, this
country is actually doing very well including what they pay
for a new house or even gas prices.
- Oct 31 p What that biased news source is
NOT saying, we are in the middle of the largest European was
since WWII.
- Oct 31 p As for gas prices, remember
something, Corporate heads want Democrats out of office. It's
easier to line their pockets when Republicraps are in office.
- Oct 31 p Check out
this link on rising gas prices.
- Oct 31 p Keep something in mind. 30% of
our refined gas is sold overseas.
- Oct 31 p That started in 2015. Before
then, the export of fuel abroad, it was unlawful
- Oct 31 p If that 30% was kept in
America, there would be no shortage of go juice and no ability
to inflate prices.
- Oct 30 p Johnny V. Carr, 87,
see OBITUARY page
- Oct 27 later p Charles Morris of
Clay, see OBITUARY page
- Oct 27 later p William Benjamin
Adkins, 52, of Lizemores, see OBITUARY page
- Oct 27 late p So Harrison was on the
scoreboard within 14 seconds of the kick off tonight. They
never looked back
- Oct 27 late p No it wasn't the CMS
Mustangs having a bad night. Truth is, that So Harrison team
performed more like a pro team complete with trick plays.Their
dynamo, a Hatfield lad, expect to see his name for years to
come.
- Oct 17 late The final score, South
Harrison 42, Clay Middle School with 6
- Oct 17 late p For those wondering...
Early voting at the Courthouse begins each day at 8am sharp.
During the week days, voting shuts off at 4pm.
- Oct 17 late p this coming Saturday and
the following Saturday voting is between 9 and 5pm. Yelp,
that's right, the Courthouse will be on Saturdays for early
voting
- Oct 17 late p Wed was the first day for
early voting. Over 70 Clayonians came in and marked their
ballots. Not a record but a darn good first day showing.
- Oct 17 late p Why take a chance on
sickness or rotten weather? Vote early.
- Oct 27 late p Phil Bingle, 83, of
Ivydale, see OBITUARY page
- Oct 27 p We have our first entry in our
running General Election article over on the COMMUNICATOR
ONLINE newspaper section. This entry comes from out of office
School Boardster Cheryl White who is supporting the passage of
the Excess Levy for the school system.
- Oct 27 p Also over there is our latest
Blotter article. Seems like every neighborhood in County Clay
has a hand full of druggies at work stealing. This
Blotter centers around B J Cruickshanks who has been a menace
for a long time as well a John S Lowe plus, just for a hoot, a
case of getting stabbed by the girl friend for a wondering
eye.
- Oct 27 p Over on the General Election
Update page, we've got our take on the very competitive Senate
race in the 8th District, that's us this time around.
- Oct 27 a This is day two of early voting
in W Va. Across the nation millions have already exercised
their right to vote and cast ballots. Millions. There are
decisions to be made and you can have a say in it. Today's the
day. How about you?
- Oct 27 a The Clay Middle School football
program has been top notch for years. They've earned
championship accolades one after another.
- Oct 27 a Finishing their regular season,
the Mustangs are going into the Central West Virginia Athletic
Conference Championship game against So Harrison tonight,
6:30, up at Flatwoods in Braxton County.
- Oct 27 a So Harrison is a powerhouse
team that has been wiping out their opponents left and right.
They have been putting 40 and 50 points on the scoreboard each
game. When we played em early in the season the Mustangs
managed to keep up till half time. The 4th quarter went South
for us real quick.
- Oct 27 a It's going to be a tough
match up. Go Mustangs!
- Oct 27 a 101.7FM and 106.7FM plan to air
the game beginning with a pregame show (T G Griffith) around
6:25pm.
- Oct 27 a Go Mustangs!!
- Oct 27 a Want to know what really goes
on in Clayberry? The backdoor scoop?
- Oct 27 a Check out our County Commission
meeting coverage over on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper
section now.
- Oct 27 a Joyce Johnson is running for
County Commission this cycle. With no opponent to challenge
her, she will take her perch on the CCC Jan 1st. Teamed up
with her new best buddy, David Schoolcraft, they will have the
majority vote on anything they want to do.
- Oct 27 a Commissioner Connie Kinder will
be left out in the cold on every issue except when it comes to
911 service and 911 dispatch services.
- Oct 27 a What are we talking about? Read
our County Commission coverage!
- Oct 26 p Larry Mullins, 50,
of Maysel , see OBITUARY page
- Oct 26 p William Benjamin Adkins,
52, of Lizemore, see OBITUARY page
- Oct 25 a After weeks of campaign ads at
every whip stitch, it's finally here
- Oct 25 a Early voting starts tomorrow
morning at the Courthouse.
- Oct 25 a You have a chance to have
a say in local and national directions
- Oct 25 a If all goes well, we'll provide
a daily teaser followed by a complete write up over on the
COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section under the title,
Election 2022
- Oct 25 a Speaking of the newspaper, new
stuff includes the latest marriages and Slim Randles on sounds
after dark. Good reading.
- Oct 25 a We're working on an article on
a dandy County Commission meeting held yesterday.
- Oct 25 a That coverage includes
unfulfilled campaign promises by Commissioner Dave Schoolcraft
- Oct 25 a For those interested in the
backroom stuff, the stuff that makes Clayberry so notorious,
juicy!
- Oct 23 p County Commission holds their
public meeting Monday morning beginning at 10am sharp.
- Oct 23 p For their fifth and final dog
and pony show in the lead up to their Excess Levy vote.
Monday evening the Sch
Bd will hold a meeting over at Clay Middle beginning at
6pm in hopes of garnering a few more votes in support of
excess spending with few results to show for the $$$
- Oct 23 p It's also a time for each
school's improvement council to make their wants known.
- Oct 23 p During the last batch of
requests, not one was for educational materials.
- Oct 23 p We'll see if that trend
continues Monday evening.
- Oct 22 p Charla R. Jones, 57, see
OBITUARY page
- Oct 21 p County Clay has two Magistrates
on the job.
- Oct 21 p Magistrate Boggs told us he
planned to retire from his office at the end of this term of
service.
- Oct 21 p This morning, Magistrate Rider
told us, Yelp, he's laying down the gavel and going turkey
hunting for his remaining days. Between the ambulance service,
Black Shirt time and for 8 years on the bench, his 40+ years,
that's enough
- Oct 21 p That means the citizens of
Clayberry have to break in a two new people's court judges.
- Oct 21 p Should make for a great contest
in 2024.
- Oct 21 p We've got a screw up in our
coverage of the Kenneth Michael Klitzroth caper over on the
COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section. We printed that the guy
did NOT steal the goods out of the Ford (including a pistol)
- Oct 21 o Our sources, all second hand of
course, were wrrr... wrrr ooooo... wrong
- Oct 21 p Eltzroth had swiped those items
including credit cards but did not use em
- Oct 21 p We stand corrected.
- Oct 21 p Enjoy your weekend. It's
suppose to be beautiful and warm!
- Oct 21 p Come visit Clayberry. There's
no place like it, remotely beautiful!
- Oct 21 a 27 degrees outside. Hope
your heater is working good. If Not? Give Total Comfort HVAC a
call right now. See info above.
- Oct 21 a Tonight's Clay High football
game has been cancelled due to the flu bug attacking the
visiting team. Will not be made up. It will not be labeled
cancelled or a forfeiture . In the record books tonight's game
will be called a No Contest game
- Oct 21 a Got some great news from last
night's Middle School game against Ravenswood. The Mustangs
tromped them 42 to 6.
- Oct 21 a That sets us up for the CWVAC
Championship game next Thursday.
- Oct 21 a The match up will be against So
Harrison and played at Summersville.
- Oct 21 a Not sure of the start time yet
but we think, guess, 6:30pm
- Oct 21 a So Harrison is a very tough
team. The Mustangs will have their hands full!
- Oct 21 Go Mustangs!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Oct 21 a For leaf peppers, now is the
time to come and see our Fall colors. We are looking good
right now.
- Oct 21 a Check out the EVENTS page for
details on the Haunted House fun going on in Two Run, the old
Foodland Store.
- Oct 20 p Timothy Edward Sears, 67, of
Dog Run, see OBITUARY page
- Oct 20 p Happy 60th birthday Buzzy
McGlothlin
- Oct 20 p With early voting getting under
way next Wed, we plan to start election year coverage.
- Oct 20 p In prep...
- Oct 20 p We noticed, three weeks ago,
our District 8 State Senator Richard Lindsay made a run thru
the county and put up Vote
for Lindsay signs. Here's some
background info on Lindsay including legislation he's
sponsored in the past.
- Oct 20 p His Republicrap challenger Mark
A Hunt put up his placards just yesterday.
- Oct 20 p We think Hunt can't decide what
he is. Back 6 years ago, he ran as a
Democrat while seeking a perch in a Congressional race.
- Oct 20 p Both are attorneys and have
home bases in Charleston and after redistricting, this will be
their first efforts to garner some of our 5000+ voters for a
State Senate seat.
- Oct 20 p Ever wonder what a Democrat
really is? Here's their party
platform. If you're asking, that platform sounds pretty
interesting.
- Oct 20 p Since Drumpf's time in office,
the Republicraps haven't had a platform. That makes things
much easier for those folks. Their platform from before their Orange
Haired guy and future felon included reducing social
security benefits / healthcare and getting rid of Obama's very
popular Affordable Care Act.
- Oct 19 p That new Blotter article is now
posted over on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section.
- Oct 19 p Yesterday was the last day to
register to vote in County Clay.
- Oct 19 p According to County Clerk
Connie Workman, there were a few new sign ups but couple that
with deaths and those that moved out of the County, nothing
much changed. Total registered voters stands at 5,102 as of
last Friday with 15 more pending
- Oct 19 p As for any changes in polling
places, if your polling place has changed, you will receive a
note in the mail.
- Oct 19 p One problem, maybe the only
problem, is out at Norman Johnson's garage (near Country Short
Stop) where low gas pressure (needed for heat) may force a
move to a warmer structure.
- Oct 19 a Yesterday at high noon,
over in Fayetteville, white fluffy snow came down. A Bunch of
it too
- Oct 19 a This morning, here in
Clayberry, 9am, the slight drizzle had specks of snow mixed in
- Oct 19 a We've got the latest marriages
and other property transfers posted over on the COMUNICATOR
ONLINE newspaper section.
- Oct 19 a Slim Randles has his latest
column over there as well.
- Oct 19 a For the most part, the same
criminal acts happen over and over. Kicking dogs, kicking the
wife, getting caught doing drugs, and on and on
- Oct 19 a Coming later this morning we
have a new felony to make public. It's one we have never had
before in our decades of reporting.
- Oct 19 a Check back around 11 for that
dandy article
- Oct 19 a And, Yes, we're getting the
most recent Sch Bd meeting published sometime today too.
- Oct 19 a What do bulletproof vests, fire
escapes, windshield wipers and laser printers have in common
- Oct 19 a Answer: All were
invented by women.
- Oct 18 a Denise Thomas, see OBITUARY
page
- Oct 18 a With Russia, China, and North
Korea with their hands on the nuclear button, the game of
nuclear chicken is here. Unfortunately, we have no say in that
future of the world. We do have a say in our leadership...
voting
- Oct 18 a Today is the last day to
register to vote. Not voting is silence. Silence is death and
shows a lack of responsibility.
- Oct 18 a Head over to the Courthouse
today and get registered to vote.
- Oct 18 a Early voting begins next
Wednesday, Oct 26th
- Oct 18 a There are big decisions to be
made by the voter
- Oct 18 a In addition to the regular
election of leaders, on the ballot is a decision to give up
additional dollars and give it to the local school system. The
question is, do you feel confident that the Pentagon is
handling your money wisely. For instance, what percentage of
Excess Levy dollars are divided between classroom instruction
and athletics?
- Oct 18 a You have a say in those big
decisions... well, ... unless someone pushes that big red
nuclear button.
- Oct 18 a A look back
- Oct 18 a On this date in history....
- Oct 18 a On Oct. 18, 1867, the United
States took formal possession of Alaska from Russia.
- Oct 18 a In 1648, Boston
shoemakers were authorized to form a guild to protect their
interests; it�s the first American labor organization on
record.
- Oct 18 a In 1892, the first
long-distance telephone line between New York and Chicago was
officially opened (it could only handle one call at a time).
- Oct 18 a In 1898, the American flag was
raised in Puerto Rico shortly before Spain formally
relinquished control of the island to the U-S.
- Oct 17 late p Donald Ralph Holcomb, 72
of Bickmore , see OBITUARY page
- Oct 17 p With the tooth pain all gone
and the arthritis in check.... Posted over on the COMMUNICATOR
ONLINE newspaper section, we have
- Oct 17 p The latest Magistrate report
- Oct 17 p The most recent Town Council
scribbles
- Oct 17 p Coverage from the CAEZ meeting
including our thoughts on giving their campground to a more
enthusiastic group
- Oct 17 p And, last Monday's Sch Bd
meeting held down at H E White Elem
- Oct 17 p Get your cup of coffee, sit
down, and enjoy some questionable reading
- Oct 17 p Time for a nap and then off to
tonight's Sch Bd meeting at Clay High beginning at 6pm
- Oct 17 p And with the smell of a banana
nut bread baking in the oven, home for a late evening diabetic
treat
- Oct 17 late a How many of ya yell out,
turn up that TV volume. Or, while on the phone, talk louder I
can't hear you
- Oct 17 late a Hearing aids cost about a
gazillion times more than they should. It's big business.
- Oct 17 late a Beginning today, there's
no requirement to see a doctor or audiologist. Just head into
WalMart and pick up your hearing aids over the county for
around $200. Here's
the full report. Thank you Congressional Demo's for
making the change.
- Oct 17 a Eva M Griffith Mullins, see
OBITUARY page
- Oct 17 a We have updated Avis Hill
Rose's obituary
- Oct 17 a There's a special meeting of
the Clayberry Sch Bd tonight beginning at 6pm over at Clay
County High School. Their big push is to encourage voters to
come out and support an Excess Levy on Nov 8th.
- Oct 17 a the way it used to be....
- Oct 17 a The plan had always been to
sneak in a Levy vote in the coldest part of Winter and do so
without publicity. Do it when fewer people could get out
especially when it was snowy. That worked time after time with
a low voter turnout and having only school personnel out on
the slick roads.
- Oct 17 a Then, now a days and after the
Gold Dome crew mandated that such excess levies must be
conducted during the November General Election cycle, it's
tougher on the Pentagon. The other big change included: they
can only try the vote during the Nov election(every other
year). No more, ramming it down our throats every 90 days till
it passes.
- Oct 17 a FY:I Tomorrow is the last day
to register to vote. How about you? Get yourself registered at
the County Clerk's office today.
- Oct 17 a Early voting begins next Wed
Oct 26th. Make your voices heard, get out and vote.
- Oct 16 p Aubree Lynn Harmon , see
OBITUARY page
- Oct 16 a For the Ace Cub Reporter, going
to a Dentist is worse than having a garden hose up his butt.
Having a tooth extracted, that's even worser.
- Oct 16 a The problem is not the
extraction but rather, the stuff they use to put you under.
Makes him sick as a dog for a day and one half. Then add on
the Oxy they provide to kill the pain. Instead of killing pain
all that does is make him barf for 36 hours.
- Oct 16 a Now Sunday morning, the effects
have worn off for the most part.
- Oct 16 a The Panthers pulled off a great
win Friday night when they beat Lincoln County 24 to 14. It
was a great contest. Go Panthers. That's makes for seven wins
this season.
- Oct 16 a For those wondering, Fall
Colors are almost at peak for 2022. Come for a drive thru for
great beauty from wall to wall
- Oct 16 a College is free (no loans
needed anyway) at most of the Ivy League colleges around the
nation. No kidding, check
it out.
- Oct 16 a Our word for the day:
oggannition which mean snarling growling.
- Oct 16 a We will be back on the job
Monday full of oggannition.
- Oct 16 a Stop back then for some
interesting articles and update.
- Oct 12 a We've got four names, some new,
some returning, to add to the Blotter segment over on the
COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section.
- Oct 12 a Better enjoy today, we've got
drizzlery showers coming to County Clay for the next couple
days beginning around 5 pm today.
- Oct 11 p Chilton E. Holcomb
�PeeWee� of Lizemores, see OBITUARY page
- Oct 11 p Russell
Deems, 62 of Ivydale, see OBITUARY page
- Oct 11 a Maybe related to
the early early a post, just received a great email.
- Oct 11 a Here it is in its entirety:
Dear Editor, I am a formerly from Clay COUNTY,
WV, And a proud West Virginian. I fined your
comments about the school system and it�s leaders
disparagingly unkind. When I found your web sight I was
excited, but soon became disappointed.
It is people like you that perpetuate a negative opinion
of our state and it residents. You use terrible English.
Are you uneducated? Why not use this web sight to shine a
light on all the positive thing happening in the lives of the
people in the county. Clay county WV has produce a great
number of person that have gone on to make there mark in the
field of medicine, engineering,law, journalism and all the
sciences etc,. Why not have a column highlighting all
the wonderful people Clay county schools have produced since
it inception over a hundred years ago. You might be
surprised!! Janice Young Frame
- Oct 11 a And here's our response:
Glad you've been reading for years. I do hope to
see things improve in the Land of Little but after nearly 30
years of keeping the taxpayer out of the dark, I see little
progress. Come back home and help make the change.
Thanks for your email but take off the rose colored glasses
for a brighter future. AW ps: as for
edumacation and using proper English, spelling is website not
web sight aw
- Oct 11 a If Ms Frame is unhappy now wait
til she reads the upcoming article on the Pentagon!
- Oct 11 early early a In two
weeks, early voting begins. At this time, just before an
election, those trying to get something they want, they
sure don't need any controversy
- Oct 11 early early a For
Pretty Boy Paxton and the We Want a Levy Pentagon Team, it
happened last night during a Sch Bd meeting
- Oct 11 early early a A group of
parents, maybe three groups, went into secret time to complain
about a long time bus driver making dictator like decisions on
Big Yeller. No not a uniform policy adhered to by all but
instead, one driver with supreme demands. Stuff like, students
cannot look out windows nor wear hoodies on these cold
mornings while on the metal box called a bus
- Oct 11 early early a We were not
there during secret time but if past practices are adhered to,
the Pentagon would have took a firm stand and say, the bus
driver is in the right no matter how far fetched it got.
- Oct 11 early early a The hour long
secret time most certainly would leave all claimants with a
sour taste in their collective mouths. That bitter pill turns
out to be future votes against taking more out of their
wallets, aka, voting to support any kind of excess Levy.
- Oct 11 early early a Before you say
we're taking sides, Of course we are!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Oct 11 early early a The dimly lit
Pentagon could have gone a long way for their side and the
passing of an Excess Levy by saying soothing stuff like, Gee
folks, you might have a point and Yes Sir, we will look into
this. Just give us until after the election to make a decision
- Oct 11 early early a Those peed off
parents can be added to the list of parents from over at Clay
High that want something done about locker room fights and
little fast thinking responses. Those volleyball parents hear
the renewed interest in school safety during Levy talks but
know something just the opposite happened just seven days ago.
- Oct 11 early early a We'll have a full
write up on the Oct 10th School Board meeting as soon as we
can.
- Oct 10 p With Halloween coming up,
which candies are preferred? How about what candies are
preferred from the East and West? Answers.
- Oct 10 p And from the other end.
- Oct 10 p A new study provides insight on
how much good comes from that annual ramming the garden hose
up your hind end. Does it improve survival rates? Reduce
severity? The answers
may surprise you.
- Oct 10 p The latest Blotter article is
on Jerri Lynn Harlow
- Oct 10 p Back in June we reported that
Randy Ramsey was one heck of a great yard worker.
- Oct 10 p That's true. What we didn't
know was his after hours pedophile activities on a 9 year old.
- Oct 10 p We're working on that Blotter
article now.
- Oct 10 p Word for the day: vaticinate.
Definition: to predict events. The Pentagon is huddled in
their vaticanation mode.
- Oct 10 a Today's Columbus Day Holiday
wont' stop the County Clay Sch Bd from holding their public
meeting down at H E White beginning at 6:30pm. For an away
meeting, it's a pretty
long agenda in addition to a pep talk on supporting the
Excess Levy Vote on Nov 8th
- Oct 10 a With the Courthouse closed, the
County Commission meeting was changed until tomorrow at 10am.
- Oct 10 a About that Christopher Columbus
feller. His real name may have been Christopher Calon, a Jew.
- Oct 10 a And all those crew members may
have been Jews escaping the Spanish Inquisition.
- Oct 10 a The purpose of the trip was to
find a new home land.
- Oct 10 a In real life ole Chris missed
this country and landed a little further South.
- Oct 10 a So, we have a national holiday
to celebrate the first American Jewish hero
- Oct 10 a For those interested, here's a
CNN
write up followed by the
Times of Israel.
- Oct 8 a Ines Eomgine Rogers, 84 of
Wallback, see OBITUARY page
- Oct 8 a It was a great night for the
Clay High Panthers. Their opponent Nitro went down to defeat
34 to 20. The next game, Oct 14th is at home. Come out and
support the home team.
- Oct 8 a Go Panthers!
- Oct 7 p We updated this morning's post
'cause, we had the wrong time for the next Sch Bd meeting.
Please reread.
- Oct 7 p For leaf peepers, the first of
the Fall colors are starting to show. We think the peak Fall
colors will happen around the 18th.
- Oct 7 p But.... this weekend is still a
great time to come visit County Clay, Remotely Beautiful.
- Oct 7 a We call the high schools down in
the Kanawha Valley, the big schools. They're in a league all
alone.
- Oct 7 a Tonight our Clay High Panthers
are traveling to Nitro, one of those big schools, for football
action
- Oct 7 a Don't know if it'll be a
good game or a blow out but it gets underway at 7pm.
- Oct 7 a Non profits 106.7FM and
101.7 FM plan to air the match up with a pregame offering
around 6:55pm
- Oct 7 a For those far away that want to
listen: A, just walk over to that black ribbon on the top left
and click YAP Radio, then click listen; B, go to streema.com
or tunein.com and type in WYAP
- Oct 7 a Go Panthers
- Oct 7 a About that altercation in the
CCHS girls' locker room on Monday...
- Oct 7 a We've been thinking
- Oct 7 a Bad things happening in locker
rooms, we've had those over the years. After that happens, the
Pentagon tells us, we have a new policy, and/or we have a plan
to never allow that to happen again.
- Oct 7 a While the AD told us they are
investigating, there is one sure fire way to make change
- Oct 7 a With this infraction so close to
election day and with the Pentagon reaaaaally wanting that
Excess Levy to pass, that sure fire way for change, that's for
parents to show up at Monday night's School Board meeting and
start wagging fingers at the elected folks. We have a new
quorum in place on the Board and that might make a difference.
- Oct 7 a It's the parents that cart those
athletes around the state and it's the parents that have to
deal with a head bashed against a locker or a rumble in
the floor. Truth is, parents are responsible for those snot
lickers.
- Oct 7 a If parents, guardians, grand
parents, which ever, showed up Monday night and said stuff
like: You straighten this out or I'll take my little darling
off the team, change would come instantly.
- Oct 7 a While setting on the throne this
morning, it came to mind, what about all those new and
improved security cameras all over CCHS, inside and out. While
there's no audio, the images would surely put the monkey on
the offenders once and for all.
- Oct 7 a Monday's School Board meeting
will be held at H E White Elem, 6:30pm. Hope to see a bunch of
parents down there for the action.
- Oct 7 a Remember, just show up and tell
em you want to speak. You do NOT have to get on the agenda
ahead of time for them to listen to ya. It is called a
public meeting for that reason.
-
- Oct 6 later p Over the last three
decades or so, The Communicator, later this website and now
The Communicator Online newspaper section, well, it hasn't
been too smooth when it comes to dealing with the Pentagon.
- Oct 6 later On very few instances, those
on the hill do NOT acknowledge we even exist. That pitiful
attitude has been harmful for them for sure.
- Oct 6 later p Thinking back....
- Oct 6 later p One time CHS AD Ron
Sirk came to the office raising H over something we had
printed
- Oct 6 later p Ditto for Jim Haynie
- Oct 6 later p So bitter is the
de-elected Dave Mullins, heck, he is really peed off.
- Oct 6 later p So riled was then CCHS
Principal Kenneth Tanner (we call him KT) he came to the Ace
Cub Reporter's house late one evening to contest our
reporting.
- Oct 6 later p To this day, most past and
present Superintendents refuse to say even Howdy
- Oct 6 later p We find their attitudes a
badge of honor for us. We must be , have been, hitting
pay dirt.
- Oct 6 later p Yesterday we made
reference to an incidence that happened in the CCHS locker
room on Monday relating to the girl's volleyball team.
- Oct 6 p We really don't know much about
the alleged altercation and the adults telling the munchkins,
keep your traps shut. Don't tell anyone!
- Oct 6 p After hearing those charges a
couple times from different sources, we thought there was
something to it and worth making public notice.
- Oct 6 later p And then and then, someone
comes along and spoils it all for us
- Oct 6 later p Before noon today, Clay
High Athletic Director Phil Dobbins called about our reporting
- Oct 6 later p From the Dobbins lad: we
take such accusations serious.... we are investigating
now... this will not be swept under the rug... if evidence
warrants a reaction, rest assured, this matter will be taken
care of
- Oct 6 later p Well Shirt! An
administrator not sweeping embarrassments under the rug? That
spoils it for all of us, instead of adding on a bunch of new
suppositions, we have an official statement
- Oct 6 later p Keep the emails coming in
but for now, ##@@!!!** it.
- Oct 6 p Instead of doing important stuff
like the write up from the latest Town Council meeting....
- Oct 6 p How about 20 minutes of screw
off time
- Oct 6p Here's a you tube
video from 2002 featuring Andy Griffith and his
thoughts on his ever enduring Andy Taylor portrayal from over
50 years ago.
- Oct 6 p Well worth the walk and your
boss will never know
- Oct 6 p And some words of wisdom: Never
squat down while wearing spurs
- Oct 6 p The word for the day is jiffle.
Definition: to fidget or shuffle about.
- Oct 6p In a sentence: The school system
jiffles around at the thought of keeping an Excess Levy
- Oct 6 a Locker rooms have long been
places of "that shouldn't have happened"
- Oct 6 a Couple that with the code,
what happens in the locker room stays in the locker
room...
- Oct 6 a We have seen what happens when
those bad things happen and gets out to the parents.
- Oct 6 a We're just now hearing about a
Monday incident in the girls' locker room at CHS
- Oct 6 a We appreciate the tips
already received but need more. Email em over ASAP
- Oct 6 a This could grow but maybe not in
a good way
- Oct 6 a We had a chance to talk with
Magistrate Jeff Boggs last weekend
- Oct 6 a While talking about the
differences between snow tires and summer tires, Jeff told us,
he's retiring from the bench
- Oct 6 a He says he will not seek
reelection and instead retire at the end of his current term
- Oct 6 a Such jobs are sought after
- Oct 6 a And, once elected unless they so
something off the wall and it becomes public, once in office,
they usually stay in power until they retire.
- Oct 6 a Alright office seekers, it's
time to start lining up.
- Oct 6 a There are a few of us left that
don't want the Feds tracking us and or monitoring what we do.
- Oct 6 a To that end and as far as we
thought we knew, to keep the Govt at bay, the only way is to
leave the cell phone at home or take the battery out or remove
the simms card.
- Oct 6 a Turns out most of those
procedures might not work
- Oct 6 a As a matter of record, Google
has just been fined $85 million for trampling on your privacy
rights. Here's
write up.
- Oct 5 a Got some great news from last
night's Town Council meeting
- Oct 5 a According to Mayor Shamblin,
they are having a hard time finding a certified Badge willing
to work for the Town.
- Oct 5 a Great!!
- Oct 5 a It's hard to think of anything
else that could further downgrade the small place. Ticket
writing to finance the whole Town, that has killed many other
places.
- Oct 5 a Instead, they are
considering a night watchman style person.
- Oct 5 a That's how O Gene King got his
job decades ago. Having a set of eyes on the place could make
a big difference
- Oct 5 a Elk Power, Black Diamond Power,
purchases electric from Appalachian Power, AEP.
- Oct 5 a Anytime AEP gets a rate
increase, local power goes up too
- Oct 5 a West Virginia�s Public Service
Commission heard a full day of back-and-forth over whether two
power companies need and can justify a $297
million annual rate adjustment request. The
companies, Appalachian Power and Wheeling Power, say they have
been running behind by millions of dollars on recouping costs
while also facing the likelihood of significant additional
expenses.
- Oct 5 a No other business on Earth is
guaranteed by the W Va Public Service Commission to make a
profit.
- Oct 5 a While we're talking about
getting it broke off in us, Mountaineer Gas Company was
approved for huge increases two months ago. For homeowners,
that amounts to a 25% addition. For businesses, the rate goes
up four fold.
- Oct 5 a So out of sight is that cost,
the PSC ordered Mountaineer to make things a little easier on
us, something more than Crisco.
- Oct 5 a Natural gas utilities have
submitted plans
to the state Public Service Commission to lessen the
sticker shock that will likely be caused by winter heating
bills because it�s costing the companies more to purchase gas.
- Oct 5 a Keep something in mind. They are
purchasing the fuel supplier from themselves!
- Oct 5 a Read that link. Get it? The rate
goes up but they don't drop the bomb shell on us til next
Spring.
- Oct 5 p Got ta love em.
- Oct 4 p Doyle Dye Tawney, 93, see
OBITUARY page
- Oct 4 p Mr Tawney was right there during
the organization of CAEZ back in July 1995. He was one of the
founding members and will be sorely missed
- Oct 4 p Forget to mention in the morning
post, CAEZ will hold their monthly meeting at the Dundon
Campground beginning at 6pm. Sorry for the tardiness.
- Oct 4 a Sylvia Daniels Parsons , 93 see
OBITUARY page
- Oct 4 a Jerry Lee Pete Burdette, see
OBITUARY page
- Oct 4 a The Town of Clay has gone thru
many leadership changes over the decades. For a number of
years, the word leadership might be too strong a word for what
went on. For instance, not so long ago, Town Council would
meet, talk about doing something important and Poof, the
meeting was over and nothing was done. That happened over and
over. Progress was none existent.
- Oct 4 a The latest reincarnation of
Council meets this evening at 5:30 in the WaWa Plant, AKA Town
Hall.
- Oct 4 a While it's true we haven't
attended all Council meetings this year, we've been there
enough to make comments.
- Oct 4 a For the last three years, the
elected body has been Hell bent on having a Badge and a
Municipal Court. That decision came over the objections and
reasoning within this community.
- Oct 4 a Small town governing has a
habit of going off the rails. Instances of such include,
Gauley Bridge, Summersville and Clendenin.
- Oct 4 a Tickets are suppose to remind
offenders to change their ways. Tickets are not suppose to
finance a Town as was the case in those three just mentioned
other towns.
- Oct 4 a Hauling in the dough appears to
be the root. Like, sewer rates just went up 30%.
- Oct 4 a Just when it appears tourism may
actually take hold and grow the place, Council and the Mayor
may instead run off those fresh new dollars.
- Oct 4 a Might be a good meeting to
attend.
- Oct 4 a We're working on an after the
event article on the 2022 Big Apple Fest.
- Oct 4 a With the world getting their
info from online sources, can't help but notice, The Apple
Fest schedule
of events has not been updated since 2021. That makes
things pretty confusing for the world.
- Oct 4 a In just a couple weeks, early
voting begins for the Nov General Election. On the ballot this
time around are four changes to the West Virginia
Constitution.
- Oct 4 a Getting the most attention is
the change from the local Courthouse receiving property tax
dollars to sending every dime to the Gold Dome in Charleston
- Oct 4 a The amendment is a Republicrap
attempt to give big business a big tax break while dangling a
carrot in front of us local yocals.
- Oct 4 a Of all that has been written
about the amendments, here's the
best article we've found so far.
- Oct 4 a And finally for this morning,
West Virginia has come in at the top, tip top, of a national
poll. West Virginia yet again has the
highest rates of obesity in America.. With local school
systems feeding the yard apes 10 months out of the year and
three meals a day, another failure for the edumacation
system in the State.
- Oct 3 p Addie Ramona Samples, see
OBITUARY page
- Oct 1 p On this first day of the month,
it's been a wet one. Not big down pours but rather a drizzle
everywhere you look. It's yucky in Clayberry today
- Oct 1 p There's a new deal on paying
traffic tickets and other infractions via a credit card,
online. Check out the ADVISORY page
- Oct 1 p To see all the folks in the CRJ
slammer, walk over to the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper
section.
- Sept 30 a Looks like we're in for a wet
cold weekend. The Elk looks good right now
- Sept 30 a Check out the COMMUNICATOR
ONLINE newspaper section for the Walker Brothers Veterans
Bridge announcement.
- Sept 30 a Want to support CCHS
athletics? Maybe win $1000 in the process? See the ADVISORY
page before it's too late.
- Sept 30 a Bill Bennett has his new
culture war column over on the newspaper section. It's worth
the walk over there.
- Sept 30 early a Welcome to the last day
of the month and a day where long pants are in order. Thank
goodness weed whacking days are almost over.
- Sept 30 early a Have you checked out
your furnace? Total Comfort Heating and Cooling can get that
thang ready for a long Winter's use.
- Sept 30 early a Our coverage from
the dog and pony we want more money show AKA a School
Board meeting is now posted over on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE
newspaper section. It's a good read
- Sept 30 early a The High School
football team gets tonight off. It's a chance to heal up the
scraps and bruises.
- Sept 30 early a Thursday night's Clay
Middle School football game was a nail biter. In overtime
action the Mustangs beat Braxton County 28 to 22. Great job
Mustangs
- Sept 29 a Avis Hill Rose 83, see
OBITUARY page
- Sept 29 a Reports are coming in that
several Courthouse electronic devices including battery back
up systems are in need of replacement from the power line
blowing out two Monday's ago.
- Sept 28 later p We've been giving
Commissioner Schoolcraft double H for his decision to run the
Courthouse on a generator instead of having a temporary
overhead power line installed
- Sept 28 late p We got that info during
Monday's County Commission and from Elk Power Rep Rodney
Nutter Monday evening.
- Sept 28 later p This afternoon we
received a conference telephone call with Dave on one side and
Fran King on the other . Each could hear the other.
- Sept 28 later p In a nutshell, both
Commissioners are now saying, the entire Commission agreed to
NOT hook up the temporary power service BEFORE Schoolcraft
told Elk Power NOT to hook up a temporary service.
- Sept 28 later p That's quite different
from what was said during that Monday meeting on Monday three
days ago.
- Sept 28 later p Today when clarified,
Fran, with Dave agreeing, said, Schoolcraft had called the
other two Commissioners BEFORE telling Elk Power to not hook
up the temporary service
- Sept 28 later That's odd.
- Sept 28 later p During Monday's meeting,
when Fran was providing the answers to the entire world, she
did not mention anything about prior consensus or that
Schoolcraft had called either of the other Commissioners.
- Sept 28 later She did lay the blame of
the high dollar diesel fuel bill squarely on Schoolcraft
- Sept 28 later p Even worser,
Commissioner David Schoolcraft was participating in that
public meeting via a tele hook up. Never once did he dispute
what Fran was saying to the public
- Sept 28 late p During today's conference
call, it came to light that back when the decision was made,
two Mondays ago around noon, Rodney Nutter with the power
company told em, the replacement parts would be in in just a
couple or three days.
- Sept 28 later p Now 9 days later
and with a huge fuel bill from running the Courthouse via a
generator at taxpayer's expense, this has become a cluster....
- Sept 28 later p We stand
corrected............. sort of
- Sept 28 p Deborah Shaffer Brown,
see OBITUARY page
- Sept 28 p There's a new Magistrate
Report over on the newspaper section.
- Sept 28 p While gleaning thru this
website we discovered yet another screw up.
- Sept 28 p Back in early Sept we
published pictures from the Town of Clay public meeting. We
meant to go back the next day and do the write up. We didn't
- Sept 28 p Now available is that write up
for the Sept 6th Council meeting
- Sept 28 p To see what's really going on
in the County's only municipality, be sure to read that
article over on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section
- Sept 28 p The more we think about that
screw up by David Schoolcraft, the madder we get.
- Sept 28 p For this to make sense, go
down below and read the Sept 26th and 27th post.
- Sept 28 p Read it? We're still
waiting....... Now? OK
- Sept 28 p Our newbee County Commissioner
David Schoolcraft just cost the county $1000's.....
$3000 now and still counting!
- Sept 28 p It was Schoolcraft alone
that told Elk Power that the Courthouse did NOT want any
temporary fix for the lack of electricity at the Courthouse.
- Sept 28 p Schoolcraft did NOT ask any of
his fellow Commissioners for advice. He made that costly
decision all on his own.
- Sept 28 p Since coming to office in Jan
2022, we're seeing a trend with Schoolcraft. Whether its
making pay raise / change of leadership promises if elected to
911 crews or the current delimna, Schoolcraft should NOT be a
one man show. As a matter of fact, law forbids any one
Commissioner being in charge.
- Sept 28 p Also during the recent CCC
meeting, Schoolcraft was away from duty and at a 911
conference. He is not 911 related nor hired to run that
agency. Right now after getting Becky Pritt to resign, the 911
Director is JD Johnson.
- Sept 28 p JD did not attend that
conference. David and Stacy King were there and on the
County's purse for all expenses. Considering the girth of
Schoolcraft, that meal ticket alone will be costly to the
taxpayers
- Sept 28 p FYI: With JD a county
leadership employee and considering his Mother, Joyce Johnson,
coming in as a County Commissioner Jan 1st, we see a real
conflict of interest problem between the two. It is the CCC
that pays JD's salary, provides raises, etc., we think there's
a problem brewing.
- Sept 28 p Back to Schoolcraft...
- Sept 28 p Schoolcraft is most likely
upset over this coverage.
- Sept 28 p He should not be upset with
the absolute truth made public. He should be embarrassed at
the least and amend his ways.
- Sept 28 p When you see David
Schoolcraft, do the American things and tell him to grow up.
- Sept 28 p Sa'di said it best: Sticks and
stones are only thrown at fruit bearing trees.
- Sept 27 p There's a bunch of new
Magistrate Court Dockets now posted over on the COMMUNICATOR
ONLINE newspaper section
- Sept 27 p Also over there is an update
on ERTS and the recent marathon and half marathon contest held
on Sept 18th. Included in that update is a nice chart on what
parts of the trail is completed and distances along the way.
- Sept 27 p For the naysayers proclaiming
tourism won't bring in new $$$ for the county, please read
that article.
- Sept 27 a Take a second read (Sept 26 p)
concerning the Courthouse running on a generator.
- Sept 27 a After that posting we had a
chance to talk with the head honcho of Elk Power (AKA Elk
Power Co) which serves up the juice for the Courthouse
- Sept 27 a After speaking with Rodney
Nutter on the subject, things are worse
- Sept 27 a Turns out Nutter offered
County Commissioner David Schoolcraft two options to restore
power while replacement parts are being shipped
- Sept 27 a Nutter said David turned down
both offers, hands down, flat out, no way Jose! David's lone
decision is the reason we're going in the hole on diesel fuel
to keep that generator running for now, over a week.
- Sept 27 a Why? Don't think it was the
cost of hooking up a temporary power supply. Nutter told us,
there was no additional charge for that temporary overhead
line.
- Sept 27 a From Robert Hensley: Never
underestimate the power of human stupidity
- Sept 26 late p Chloe Faith Harmon, see
OBITUARY page
- Sept 26 p On this feels like Fall
Monday....
- Sept 26 p We found another old look
back. This time from Feb 2019 when Clayberry's leadership
headed off to prison. See the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper
page for more.
- Sept 26 p Last Monday, around
noon, the underground electric line from the pole to the
Courthouse blew up with a bang. Since then, no juice has been
supplied to the Courthouse
- Sept 26 p According to Commissioner Fran
King, the center of the county has been running on a diesel
powered generator since last Monday. So far, after a $1100+
fill up, King thinks the cost will be close to $3000 in fuel
bills
- Sept 26 p When asked during this
morning's CCC meeting, turns out, the local power company
offered to set up a temporary pole and overhead line to keep
the juice flowing.
- Sept 26 p Again, from the Franster,
Commissioner Dave Schoolcraft decided on his own, heck no to
the temporary fix.
- Sept 26 p That single decision is
turning out to be a costly one.
- Sept 26 p Today's Word for the Day:
aboulia. Meaning: loss of will or volition as in mental
illness
- Sept 26 p Example of use: Commissioner
David Schoolcraft must have aboulia.
-
- Sept 25 p Monday morning the County
Commission convenes at 10am in the Courthouse.
- Sept 25 p Gosh, maybe two years ago, the
Heath Dept was funded to build a public soccer field.
- Sept 25 p Since then we think the great
idea has been hamstrung with the local Parks and Rec committee
saying no to building the place out at Clay County Park
- Sept 25 p Tomorrow morning's CCC agenda
calls for placing the Health Dept Director on the Parks and
Rec Committee
- Sept 25 p Might make for a juicy public
meeting.
- Sept 25 p Monday evening the Sch Bd gang
will hold their public meeting at Big Otter Elem in an attempt
to draw in parents. The start time is slated for 6:30pm. The meeting
agenda calls for a pep talk to encourage taxpayers to
open their wallets wider and support the failing Pentagon
leadership.
- Sept 25 p While we're not
completely caught up after our vacation, we have been doing
some updating
- Sept 25 p Over on the COMMUNICATOR
ONLINE newspaper section we have the newest marriages and
property transfers; Mag Rider's Docket for Oct 18th, the
return of Bill Bennett's column; a wayback machine peak from
2005; a tourism nudge for County Clay, and of course Slim
Randles.
- Sept 25 p More is on the way.
- Sept 24 p Kathy D. Williams,
67, see OBITUARY page
- Sept 23 a Tonight the CCHS Panthers are
in away field action. Note Note Note, the game begins
are at 7pm sharp
- Sept 23 a Locally you can listen to the
match up on 101.7 and 106.7 on the FM dial
- Sept 23 a To listen online walk over to
tunein.com or streema.com and then type in WYAP. And finally,
easiest of all if you're on a PC, to the left, in that black
ribbon, just click YAP RADIO
- Sept 23 a Go Panthers!!
- Sept 23 a After putting away suitcases,
washing clothes, a couple naps and cleaning out a bunch of
tardy emails, we found a big boo boo
- Sept 23 a A decade or more ago Clay
County's Bill Bennett provided articles for the Communicator.
Mr Bennett is about as far right as we are to the left.
- Sept 23 a After a long hiatus, Bill
emailed over an article (two months ago) and says he plans to
return to a regular column on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE
newspaper section
- Sept 23 a After much delay on our part,
Mr Bennett's first installment is now published over on that
newspaper page.
- Sept 23 a Welcome back Bill.
- Sept 21 p After two weeks of seeing the
real world and bringing back some cool ideas that could help
County Clay, he's back. Got in around 3pm.
- Sept 12 p After unpacking and
flipping on the tried and true home PC, it was time to put the
typing digits to work.
- Sept 12 p No DSL
- Sept 12 p An hour or so later, now it's
time to tear up the internet
- Sept 12 p Wrong. Frontier went off again
- Sept 12 p Several minutes later, hot
diggity dog!!
- Sept 12 p %$$@@!! Wrong For much of the
late afternoon, those little red lights on the modem came and
went
- Sept 12 p Now late in the wee wee hours,
things got stable enough to read 180+ emails.
- Sept 12 p And boy oh boy, a bunch of
quiet stuff has been going on.
- Sept 12 p But, then, the aging bald
headed reporter, him got too seepy to do anything
- Sept 12 p We'll try to get things caught
up as soon as possible
- Sept 12 p
- Sept 17 p While vacationing, updates
have been few and far between due to a couple things
- Sept 17 p One, it's suppose to be a
vacation for us
- Sept 17 p Two, using this 19th century
lap top at snail speed , that sucks for dead air.
- Sept 17 p Another factor is coming into
play. Once we get on on the train, internet is hard to
find at best and fleeting for the most part.
- Sept 17 p We return to active duty
sometime Wed evening.
- Sept 17 p We also have that big
retirement announcement coming then.
- Sept 16 p George Allen
Rose,75, see OBITUARY page
- Sept 16 p Lindsay Nichole Martin,
46, of Clay, see OBITUARY page
- Sept 16 a Back when Bill Dunn was in
charge of the Big Apple Festival, the annual event grew to be
huge
- Sept 16 a That happened due to good
organization, a backbone of strong volunteers and a heap big
bunch of marketing
- Sept 16 a In fact, the Apple Fest
outgrew it's venue on Main Street. At its peak, vendors lined
both sides of Main St well past the Clay County Bank and
up river to the Health Dept building.
- Sept 16 a Growth is good. Too much gets
dangerous. That's what happened to the Apple.
- Sept 16 a Now after nearly 50 years
of Sept fun, vendors are fewer and just maybe, traffic,
like fire trucks, school buses, and ambulances can pass thru
the congested area.
- Sept 16 a Tonight, the main event is the
well known band, Shenandoah which should pack in the crowd
like never before.
- Sept 16 a Additionally, it's homecoming
time during tonight's CCHS football game and it's CCHS alumni
reunion time. Lots of the old timers will come back for the
affair.
- Sept 16 a That's really too much
happening in one weekend in small town America.
- Sept 16 a True this county needs to grow
the outside $$$ coming into the county but maybe it should be
better stretched out over two or three months.
- Sept 16 a While The Communicator is shut
down for vacation, we are unable to retrieve emails nor answer
phone calls. Sorry but what a nice break in Colorado, our
first since May 2018.
- Sept 16 a Have fun at the Big Apple
Fest.
- Sept 16 a If you can take some nice
pictures, especially of the little ones, email em over and we
will post the images as soon as we get back to County Clay.
- Sept 13 a While vacationing in Colorado,
last night the Mel Gibson Look Alike tuned into the Sch Bd
meeting via the web. Some may call it a Shirt Show. Here's why
- Sept 13 a The meeting was held at Clay
Elem where the Local School Improvement Council (LSIC)
presented their most pressing needs list. At the top of that
list, none other than, we need more playground equipment
- Sept 13 a Now that's the school that
fell 100 points during this year's standardized testing. That
means they went from almost bearable to dismal. FYI:
there was no mention of the pee poor test scores during this
meeting. Mums the word.
- Sept 13 a In the whole wide world, the
most important things they need.... playground equipment
- Sept 13 a The meeting was held at Clay
Elem in an attempt to get a bunch of parents there and hear
the big push to pass another Excess Levy. Superintendent
Paxton made the ask.
- Sept 13 a His ask included telling
attendees, this ain't an Excess Levy decision.
- Sept 13 a This time around, the Pentagon
is trying a heart string pulling change. This time
around, priority one is school safety followed by building
maintenance.
- Sept 13 a It's a nice shift of gears but
remember, they just put $9m in upgrades at Clay High including
lots of nice big shiny windows.
- Sept 13 a Nope, not bullet proof just
big easy to breach windows galore
- Sept 13 a This vacation crew made their
travels via Amtrak. Good food, good service, no groping for
security and pretty much running on time. We highly recommend
a train over air travel any day of the week.
- Sept 13 a That was until this morning
when talking heads on TV told us, expect a union strike
beginning Friday which will eliminate many train routes for a
while
- Sept 13 a Might be a longer vacation
than planned
- Sept 13 a After taking thousands and
thousands of pictures over the last 27 years, The Communicator
will be absent from duty this year.
- Sept 13 a Few posts if any, while
vacationing.
- Sept 10 p This is day four of life
without Clayberry, The Ace Cub Reporter has made it to Grand
Junction Colorado where the skies are blue, it's 89 degrees
and minus any humidity
- Sept 10 p We can tell ya something about
riding Amtrak.
- Sept 10 p The food is great and
timely with the on board service professional top notch all
the way
- Sept 10 p There is a real problem with
Amtrak. The rails are in poor, dangerously poor
condition which results in severe listing left to right and
loud metal clashes under the cars.
- Sept 10 p If our man in DC wants to
spend some real money and for something with lasting impact,
it's time to spend a trillion dollars or more on the
rails of America
- Sept 10 p For those trying to alert us
via email, something is wrong with both hotmail accounts
- Sept 10 p Something about verifying each
account via the office tele number
- Sept 10 p Well H!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, we ain't
near the office
- Sept 8 p Tuesday afternoon we noticed
some real changes in the Town of Clay
- Sept 8 p Amy Legg has been employed by
the Town for around ten years.
- Sept 8 p Not now. Turns out they let her
go
- Sept 8p Her clerk position has not
been filled yet but Veronica Holcomb was hired as a 90 day
probation employee
- Sept 8 p Issac Ramsey from the Log
Factory has turned in his 30 day notice. When his final couple
weeks have been completed, the Town will have NO certified log
factory operators
- Sept 8 p The Town did hire Meisha
Schoonover and Tyler Traub as sanitation dept workers.
- Sept 8 p Sarah Neal was hired as a part
time employee.
- Sept 8 p Carli Caldwell remains the
Operations Manager
- Sept 8 p WaWa operator Drema Thomas just
received a 50 cent per hour increase.
- Sept 8 p That just mentioned Carli
advanced $1 per hour getting her up to $13.00 / hour.
- Sept 8 p While we're vacationing, don't
expect too much in the way of juicy updates.
- Sept 7 p Mr Ace Cub Reporter considers a
vacation as an afternoon on ERTS or a night of camping. He
hasn't taken a real vacation since May 2018
- Sept 7 p By late afternoon today, he
will be on a big chrome Amtrak heading to Grand Junction
Colorado for 14 days of near time off.
- Sept 7 p Near time off means , with the
help of technology, he plans to still do a few updates now and
then. He will still receive email notices, tidbits, and such
via the claycommunicator@hotmail.com and
jamesawaddell@hotmail.com accounts. If you have a tip, send em
over please.
- Sept 7 p Ditto for keeping the 101.7FM
and 106.7FM radio stations up and running... once again,
that's if DSL , an old laptop, and his eyesight keep working.
Doc Holiday will take over the Friday night football duties at
the station.
- Sept 7 p During his time off, he
will be finalizing plans to head into retirement later this
year. With arthritis slowing hand use, stopped up ears,
diminished mental capacity, and a desire to screw off more,
clayberry.org as you know it, it's about to change.
- Sept 7 p A note to politicians, now's
your chance to do all that rotten backdoor stuff while no one
is looking.
- Sept 7 p For our long time clickers, you
might remember, back in 2018, the Mel Gibson Look Alike had
the opportunity to smoke his first legal pot since 1979, back
in his psychedelic days.
- Sept 7 p His goal is to stay stoned
while in Colorado.
- Sept 7 p Here's to all the old pot heads
in County Clay.
- Sept 7 p For your goofing off pleasure,
here's a
very cute video on life in County Clay back in the early
to middle 20th Century.
- Sept 7 p FYI FYI Need a job? See JOBS
page today
- Sept 6 p Rain continuing thru this
afternoon. The Elk River is up and running strong but the
Weather Service does not have a Flood Watch in place as of 2pm
today
- Sept 6 p Justice takes its good ole time
but it usually works. It's that turtle vs the rabbit thang.
- Sept 6 p A New Mexico judge on Tuesday
removed January 6 rioter and Cowboys for Trump founder Couy
Griffin from his elected position as a county commissioner for
his role in the US Capitol attack. The ruling was
the result of a lawsuit seeking Griffin's removal, which
alleged that he violated a clause in 14th Amendment of the
Constitution by participating in an "insurrection" against the
US government. He had been convicted of trespassing earlier
this year.
- Sept 6 p Here's the
link to the CNN article dated today.
- Sept 6 late a County employees come and
go. For County Clay, you got to know some background before
you too can scratch your head
- Sept 6 late a Becky Pritt is the 911
Director. Her assistant is JD Johnson.
- Sept 6 late a JD is the son of incoming
Commissioner, Joyce Johnson.
- Sept 6 late Joyce Johnson and
Commissioner Dave Schoolcraft are the best of buds with Dave
campaigning for Johnson during her bid to replace Fran King.
- Sept 6 late A One of Johnson's campaign
decrees was, when I'm elected I will raise your wages $5 per
hour. Johnson will take her seat on the CCC Jan 1st.
- Sept 6 late a Behind the scene, away
from the public's prying eyes, the plan has been to get rid of
911 Dispatch Director Becky Pritt and get JD into the
Director's slot.
- Sept 6 late a The Ambulance Service
Director is Aaron Williams.
- Sept 6 late a Mr Williams works full
time in another county and is our part time Ambulance
Director
- Sept 6 late 1 There's some of the
background. Got it?
- Sept 6 late a Last week,
Becky Pritt took all her things out of her office, scratched
her name off the door and skeddaddled. She's gone.
- Sept 6 late a With JD Johnson the heir
apparent, looks like Commissioner Schoolcraft is already
working his magic.
- Sept 6 late Hope you've been reading our
hype and emailer hype on the alleged mess our Ambulance
Service is in.
- Sept 6 late a It's our
understanding, a Green Shirt from out of County , came to the
Courthouse and started an investigation on the shenanigans now
going on within the ambulance service.
- Sept 6 late It's amazing how much
influence the public can have on local Government.
- Sept 6 late a Keep the emails, calls,
and notes coming clickers.
- Sept 6 late a We think change may
be comin
- Sept 6 late a We're less so sure about
what will happen to the CCHS and Clay middle students dressing
up as cats, dogs, dinosaurs, bunnies, etc. Actually not just
dressing up but acting out the four legged animals like,
walkin' on all fours and eating like one.
- Sept 6 late a We're getting some info on
those weird happenings at the two schoosl but nothing of much
substance.
- Sept 6 late a Know something? Spill your
guts now
-
- Sept 6 a There are a couple public
meetings this evening
- Sept 6 a Beginning at 5:30pm, Clay Town
Council will hold their monthly meeting at the WaWa Plant AKA:
Town Hall.
- Sept 6 a Of if you need a bite to eat,
Central Appalachia Empowerment Zone (CAEZ) is hosting their
annual general membership meeting over at the Dundon
Campground. Everybody that lives in County Clay are considered
general members and are invited for the sit down meal
- Sept 6 a The 5pm meal is free. After the
dinner, the public meeting kicks off at 6pm ish.
- Sept 6 a More comin ASAP check back
later
- Sept 5 p Baby Boy Trenton Wilder
Blanton, see OBITUARY page
- Sept 5 p Referring to our Clay Ambulance
and 911 Center shenanigans...
- Sept 5 p Here's an interesting email:
I�m regards to your post about the Ambulance station. They are
a joke, their trucks are nasty inside and out. They are all
the time smoking in them. They came and got my mom a few times
and the tall EMT named X, he is rude and he is even rude
to his partner. I watched them put my mom in the truck and it
smelt like straight cigarettes. My mom has asthma so she can
not stand the smell. They need to get more employees that are
nice to the patients. He was even flirting with the female
partner he was with I did not get her name but it said X on
the hoodie she had on they were flirting so bad they could not
do their job. I called the station to complain and nothing was
done about it nothing is ever done their in regards to
disciplinary action. I believe they fire the wrong employees.
Investigation needs done at clay ambulance.
- Sept 5 p Yelp, we're still deleting
names
- Sept 5 p And here's another emailer's
thoughts: About time people come out and start talking about
the Clay Ambulance Station. That place is nasty filthy I
walked in one time and garbage was piled up saw roaches on the
wall crackheads sitting out front on their bench. It�s a
public place they need to keep it clean and keep the
crackheads off the benches. I saw a few employees cleaning the
trucks before but that�s it. You can follow them down the road
and cigarette smoke coming out the window and cigarette butts.
That should not be allowed vape or smoking in trucks some
patients can not stand vape smell just like cigarette smoke
smell. Do better. They can wear whatever that needs to stop
they should have proper uniforms it�s ridiculous the way they
dress. Maybe people needs to call the Better business bureau
and see what can be done. I�ve saw the ambulance parked at the
clay 911 building multiple times it must be that guy who is
messing with that female down there. The directors need to be
stricter come on it�s a business
- Sept 11 p Emailing is appreciated. But,
the people in charge of the Clay Ambulance service is the Clay
County Commission which meets in public the second and fourth
Monday of each month beginning at 10am sharp.
- Sept 11 p Sure sound like there are real
problems but let's see if anyone has enough backbone to
show up in person and gets change started.
- Sept 5 a On this soggy wet Labor Day
holiday....
- Sept 5 a The National Weather Service
has placed almost every county in West Virginia under a flood
watch through Monday evening. The watch covers all but those
counties in the Greenbrier Valley. According to
meteorologists, �flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall
continues to be possible.�
- Sept 5 a In addition to flooding creeks,
there's something else to be aware of
- Sept 5 a COVID is rampant in Clayberry.
Our school system is covered with cases and many teachers are
out sick.
- Sept 4 p Well. The morning post seems to
have created some interest.
- Sept 4 p By mid afternoon, we got this
reply: I would like to set the record straight regarding your
new artical about my place of work you can feel free to
contact me regarding your source of information in your last
post. The direct transposition of that email is written
characteristic of a recently terminated employee for neclagace
to which I was a direct witness of.
- Sept 4 p Sounds like the emailer has
some valid thoughts
- Sept 4 p Then later in the afternoon
came this update on our morning post. This emailer we know and
consider the words to be 100% on the money. Here it is: just
some more fodder, i see ambulance drivers all the time driving
and smoking in the ambulance. that is a huge fire hazard with
oxygen on the trucks. i believe that is a huge NO NO!
- Sept 4 p 28 years ago, The
Communicator's first edition included an interview article
from R T Sizemore on the Clayberry Ambulance service and it's
many troublesome worries.
- Sept 4 p Things got so bad, a number of
years ago, the County Commission disbanded the governing
agency, the Clay Ambulance Authority, and took the reigns and
management back.
- Sept 4 p Over the years, things have
improved somewhat but from the outside in, there appears to be
issues still haunting the much needed service.
- Sept 4 p Remembering that the Clay
County Commission runs, operates, and manages the County's
Ambulance Service, from Tacitus: Reason and judgement are the
qualities of a true leader.
- Sept 4 a Happy Labor Day holiday to all.
As for outdoor picnics and activities, not so much. The
weathercasters called for just a 20% chance of the wet
stuff... ahhhh. it's been raining off and on all day. Yuck
- Sept 4 a Friday night the Panthers put
on a heck of a performance as they wiped out Philip Barbour 36
to 30. For a first home games of the season, it was great!
- Sept 4 a Back when FDR was implementing
all the New Deal social programs there were thousands who
protested in riot form. They knew, once handouts start, the
Nation would turn into a welfare state. Now 80 some years
later, that descetion, there's something right.
- Sept 4 a True during the recession,
there was a real need for help. Also, true, everybody has
their hands out for free handouts at every turn
- Sept 4 a That might be about to change.
- Sept 4 a There�s a sleeper case on
the Supreme Court�s docket that could blow a gaping hole in
the social safety net and give states leeway to neglect or end
care for tens of millions of the most vulnerable Americans.
.... This case could leave all of those who depend on
federally funded, state-administered programs � think SNAP
(formerly known as food stamps) or WIC, which helps low-income
pregnant women and mothers with young children buy food �
without any recourse.
- Sept 4 a That case includes Medicaid
which millions depend on. Here's
the run down.
- Sept 4 a A month ago we heard rumors
that there were big problems at the 911 dispatch center and
ambulance service. Something about two females battling over a
hangy down as we call it. The domestic spilled over in a
public way over at Walgreens in Clay.
- Sept 4 a The County Commission doesn't
want any of this out in public but it happened anyway.
- Sept 4 a We understand one govt worker
has already been fired.
- Sept 4 a We think there is something to
the rumors
- Sept 4 a Here's a couple excerpts from
one of the emails we received: .... The drivers there are not
appreciated that�s as clear as can be. What they do not
realize is that without drivers how would the patient get to
the hospital and who would be extra hands on a patient just to
make a few. The Clay Ambulance Station is roach infested and
just plain right out disgusting. Not a single person cleans
the station or the trucks. Workers smoke and vape in the
trucks and in the station and that should not be allowed. Some
patients could be allergic to it and with the smell being in
the truck or even if we have a walk in patient they can smell
it in the station. .... I think Clay County
Ambulance Service should be investigated. If they do not like
you then they will fire you with out warning or any write ups.
They take the words of other employees and believe them and
not even let you justify your side of the story. Do better
Clay County Ambulance Service. ....
- Sept 4 a We left out the names of those
involved but from the outside looking in, we think something
is amiss.
- Sept 4 a From another email, this one
naming an EMT, here's a couple other excerpts: He is very rude
and unprofessional. He is supposed to be at work but he keeps
going down to the Clay Communications (Clay 911) building and
talking and flirting with my girlfriend. He will take an
ambulance down there and park and talk to her and take her
stuff and be late for calls because he�s to busy down there
talking and being sexual. ...... I also caught him
and a darker shorter haired lady kissing in the ambulance. She
also had a Clay EMS shirt on. .... Bottom line
Clay Ambulance should be investigated.
- Sept 4 a If there is any truth to that
little Peyton Place, employee performance would be less than
stellar when crapola is plainly visible.
- Sept 4 a It's really nothing new. Years
ago Lizemore Ambulance crews were disciplined after getting
caught hauling around hunting dogs in an ambulance. Dog prints
on the sheets was a sure giveaway back then
- Sept 4 a We starting another eye
brow raising rumor
- Sept 4 a Kids are kids but, the story on
the street has it that students at Clay High and Clay Middle
are coming to school dressed up as animals, cats, dogs,
dinosaur, bunny and such
- Sept 4 a No not just in costume but
acting out the animal sounds, the animal's walk and more.
- Sept 4 a One cat was disciplined after
hissing and scratching another student
- Sept 4 a The only thing missing is a
litter box over in the corner of each classroom.
- Sept 4 a Happy Labor Day weekend one and
all.
- Sept 1 a Last night it wasn't rainy or
damp in any way. But, it felt very chilly. A jacket was in
order
- Sept 1 a Sept and Fall, it's that
time of the year in the Appalachian Mountains of County Clay.
- Sept 1 a Last week we mentioned a
new govt program that reduces the cost of DSL for the poor.
Today there's national coverage of the Affordable Connectivity
Program. Check
it out.
- Sept 1 a Strange things happen to
Russians when they speak out. The chairman of Russian oil and gas giant
Lukoil has died after falling out of the window of a hospital
in Moscow. Hmmmmm.
- Sept 1 a Americans just laugh off
tracking and surveillance of their everyday life. Many don't
give a hoot about the Gov watching their every move. Often
they say, I don't care. I ain't doing nothing wrong.
- Sept 1 a How sad and what a loss of
Freedom
- Sept 1 a Local law enforcement agencies from suburban
Southern California to rural North Carolina have been using an
obscure cellphone tracking tool, at times without search
warrants, that gives them the power to follow people�s
movements months back in time. Big Brother is watching.
- Sept 1 a Turn
off that cellphone!
- Sept 1 a Things ain't all happy under
the Gold Dome. Seems like, with Republicraps 100% in charge of
both houses, there would be little turmoil.
- Sept 1 a There's a new surge to change
House and Senate leadership so more blue collar busting laws
can be implemented. Here's the MetroNews
write up.
- Sept 1 a And Yes, Roger Hanshaw is in
the cross hairs too.
- Sept 1 a We're trying to add the 2022
Big Apple Fest schedule over on our EVENTS page but without
luck
- Sept 1 a As of last night, the official
Big
Apple's website has the 2021 calendar of events. Sorry
clickers you're on your own this year.
- Aug 31 late p Waunita Faye Adkins, 87,
see OBITUARY page
- Aug 31 late p Eunice G. Smith, 65
, see OBITUARY page
- Aug 31 late p While planning to make
another pilgrimage to Colorado, noticed this: A majority of
people say they smoke marijuana more than cigarettes, based on
data from a new Gallup poll. Sixteen percent of
Americans say they currently smoke marijuana with 48% of
respondents sharing that they have tried it at some point in
their life � the highest rate ever recorded by Gallup. Last
year, 12% of respondents said they used marijuana. For the
full scoop on gonja
galore.
- Aug 31 late p We're still thinking about
that grant for astro turf and the new humongo building coming
to Schoonover Bradley Field.
- Aug 31 late p While Clayberry is
thinking of stuff not really needed, just four counties away:
Harrison County commissioners will open bids for a proposed
youth farming education facility Wednesday. Here's the low
down from MetroNews.
- Aug 31 p Posted over on the COMMUNICATOR
ONLINE newspaper section is our coverage from last night's
Special School Board meeting. The centerpiece of the gathering
was growing a colossal new building and a bridge to nowhere.
- Aug 31 p Are we making this stuff up
during the run up to an Excess Levy vote?
- Aug 31 p Nope. Not hardly as the Duke
would have said.
- Aug 31 p After you get this digested,
we'll have more comin your way.
- Aug 31 a On this last day of August and
last true day of the Summer season....
- Aug 31 a That Boil Water Order heading
up thru Ivydale, it was lifted this morning at 9:30am
- Aug 31 a Can you pass a pee test?
- Aug 31 a The Town of Clay has two job
openings just for you if you can pass the whiz requirement
- Aug 31 a The Sanitation job is full time
while the Clerk opening is part time.
- Aug 31 a We're working on our coverage
of last night's special Sch Bd meeting
- Aug 31 a Should be published by noon
today.
- Aug 31 a Govt work at its best!.
- Aug 30 p Think you're on Magistrate
Boggs' docket for tomorrow?
- Aug 30 p There are some change. See the
COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section now.
- Aug 29 p Brodis �Bob� See Brown,
see OBITUARY page
- Aug 29 p Jeffery David Nestor, 59, see
OBITUARY page
- Aug 29 p It's tough finding and
keeping qualified personnel for the local school system
- Aug 29 p Over the last many years, new
warm bodies are hired the night before the first day of the
school year. At other times teachers are still being hired
after schools open
- Aug 29 p For this year, now a couple
weeks into the new year, a special meeting of the Sch Bd
has been called to handle a bunch of new hirings and changes.
- Aug 29 p That special meeting is slated
for Tuesday evening, Aug 30th, 6pm, in the Pentagon.
- Aug 29 p But we think there's more to
it. That
agenda includes mention of a W Va Economic
Enhancement Grant. Bet that is the legal speak for what was
covered during a previous meeting.
- Aug 29 p During the last Bd meeting,
Delegate Roger Hanshaw provided: There is a new source of free
funding; $$$$ are limited; apply right away; this $250 M may
never again be available; think big, go for big projects;
and, very little match money is needed.
- Aug 29 p With failing test scores out
the whazooo and conditions so bad , there was an insurrection
earlier this year at CCHS, the first thing out of the
Superintendent's mouth was: could we use the free $$$ for CCHS
astro turf and playgrounds????
- Aug 29 p For a fresh try at an Excess
Levy, the powers that be, have included school safety as one
of the items a new Levy would cover. That's a nice idea and
better for marketing. Who could possibly vote against a big
wallet grabber if the purpose is to make your little darlin
safer? Right?
- Aug 29 p Seems to us, that new pot
of free $$$ could be better used for bullet proof glass,
increased door enhancements, auto locks, improved night
lighting and more.
- Aug 29 p Remember, this new honey pot
has to be applied for now. The application can't wait until
after the Nov election.
- Aug 29 p That Levy vote comes in Nov.,
long after those funds will be all gone.
- Aug 29 p Roger Hanshaw was firm, this
was his legislative bill, his "baby", and he wants a big chunk
of the loot to come to his district
- Aug 29 p With that in mind, couldn't the
free money cover everything, most everything, that an Excess
Levy would provided.
- Aug 29 p Astro Turf?
- Aug 29 p Here's some good readin' Weapon
Detectors.
- Aug 29 p What gave Super Paxton the
notion of school safety to help pass an Excess Levy?
- Aug 29 p It's nothing new. Just check
out Roane
County.
- Aug 29 a 2012, 10 years ago was about
the worst Summer ever.
- Aug 29 a On June 29th, a Derecho
windstorm with 70 mph winds took out most all utilities in
County Clay.
- Aug 29 a Back then, most of us had never
heard of something called a "derecho."
- Aug 29 a For two weeks+, Clayonians
existed while three digit temps stayed in the area and
minus our basic need for electric. Back then, most in
Clayberry were without backup generators.
- Aug 29 a There was no communication with
the rest of the world. Nothing!
- Aug 29 a The destruction tore up
most local neighborhoods. Emergency shelters were set
up. Non profits went to work to help with basic needs.
- Aug 29 a Weeks later, a month
later actually, most of us had power, tele and DSL restored.
- Aug 29 a It was tough. Most of us said,
how could it get any worse
- Aug 29 a It did
- Aug 29 a Ten years ago yesterday, State
Policemen Eric Workman and Marshall Bailey were gunned
done at Wallback by a drug crazed, drunk man during a
routine traffic stop.
- Aug 29 a We did a lot more than mourn
the loss, Clayonians openly cried. There was no laughter, no
jokes told, our thoughts were turned inward.
- Aug 29 a Eric was a well respected local
man while Marshall's years on the scene in this county,
endured him to even those he had arrested. Timeline.
- Aug 29 a Both in their prime with bright
futures, both are long remembered in the best of terms.
- Aug 29 a We still mourn.
- Aug 28 p What's the problem with
starting back for another school year? From MetroNews:
Van Elementary School in Boone County closed on Friday due a
COVID-19 outbreak. Matt Riggs Boone
County Schools Superintendent Matt Riggs told MetroNews seven
staff members and 17 students tested positive for the virus on
Thursday. �There were safety concerns with the
number of staffing vacancies and positions without
substitutes, which ties into the teacher shortage, but after
assessing the situation and looking at the whole picture, it
made sense to dismiss the students early,� Riggs said.
- Aug 28 a When hostas start blooming, you
know
- Aug 28 a While week whacking and the
apple / pear juices start splattering on your face, you know
- Aug 28 a When the weeds take over your
garden, you know
- Aug 28 a And, when kids go back to
school, you know, Fall is here
- Aug 28 a The first Sycamore, Elm, and
Ash leaves are just starting to fall. Nothing pretty with
those varieties but it's started over again.
- Aug 28 a Did you take the time this June
July and August to get in the wawa, go fishing, take that
drive to some scenic place? How about something as simple as,
taking an afternoon off just for the heck of it?
- Aug 28 a We're not promised another
Summer. Make what's left of these warm weather weeks count.
- Aug 28 a We heard the first on the
911 dispatcher rumors this week. Something about domestic
issues among a couple workers, a verbal fight over at
Walgreens, unlawful tape recording inside the 911 center, and
a domestic with Badges called to duty.
- Aug 28 a And most recently, the latest
talk, a dispatcher has been fired.
- Aug 28 a So serious is the issue, Clay
County Commission held a five hour secret time with their
legal rep Jim Samples on hand for advice. Asst 911 Director JD
Johnson sat in on part of the secret time too.
- Aug 28 a Why not 911 Director Becky
Pritt? She's out with COVID
- Aug 28 a Keep the tips coming clickers.
We think there's going to be a significant change at the 911
Center in short order. Just a guess right now.
- Aug 28 a Short staffed as it is, when
someone resigns, gets sick or gets fired, that means lots more
overtime the remaining dispatcher. At overtime rates, that's
very costly for County Clay.
- Aug 28 a How crappy and slow is your
internet service. Maybe worser yet, how expensive is the pee
poor DSL?
- Aug 28 a Part of Biden's recovery plan
calls for the poorest of the poor (200% of the Federal poverty
level) to get DSL service at a greatly reduced rate.
Interested, here' the just made public link to the affordable
connectivity program.
- Aug 27 a We're not sure what was the
longest high school football game...
- Aug 27 a Friday night lights burned well
into Saturday morning before Rodrigo Carreon kicked a 19-yard
field goal to give Jacksonville an 84-81 win over Nacogdoches
in a high school football game that lasted 12 overtime
periods. The game possibly set a
national record. The National High School Record Book
lists two games that lasted nine overtimes. The first was a
1977 game in Detroit with Southeastern defeating Northeastern,
42-36. That game lasted 3 hours and 43 minutes. The record was
tied in 2006 in Washington when Bothell defeated Pasco, 43-40.
- Aug 27 a We're a bit more certain
on the longest high school winning streak..
- Aug 27 a When De La Salle (Concord,
Calif.) surpassed Hudson (Mich.) with its 73rd consecutive win
in 1997, the Spartans were still a long way from actually
holding the national
record for longest unbeaten streak.
While the National Federation of High Schools record book
recognized Hudson as the record holder for consecutive wins,
two schools actually held longer unbeaten streaks than the
Michigan school. Sims (Union County, S.C.) set a 96-game
unbeaten streak between 1945 and 1954 while Bedford County
Training School (Shelbyville, Tenn.) went 82 games without a
loss between 1943 and 1950. One reason the streaks
held by Sims and Bedford County Training School are not
included in the national record book is they occurred at
all-black schools during the segregated South.
- Aug 27 a Last night's varsity game
against Midland Trail may not be the longest game in history,
but it sure felt like it
- Aug 27 a Kick off came promptly at
7:30. The clock ran out at 11:45pm
- Aug 27 a Just as the third quarter was
getting underway, a monster bolt of lightening zoomed
across up above and officials did the mandatory thang, delay
action for 30 minutes.
- Aug 27 a Then came another streak
followed by yet even more . That meant more 30 minute delays.
- Aug 27 a When it was all said and done,
the weather delays lasted one hour and 20 minutes.
- Aug 27 a When it was finally over,
Panthers with 44 and Midland Trail, 22.
- Aug 27 a Ladies and gentlemen, we have
our first win of the year.
- Aug 26 a Hot Diggity Dog. It's looks
like another beautiful weekend is coming our way.
- Aug 26 a That should bode well for
tonight's season opener for the Clay Panthers when they take
on Midland Trail over in Anstead. Kick off is slated for 7:30
sharp.
- Aug 26 a For those unable to make the
trip, you can listen several ways. Try 101.7 or 106.7 on the
FM dial. On the web, walk over to tunein.com or streema.com
and then type in WYAP. Maybe the easiest online connection is,
click the "YAP" button over on the left in that black ribbon.
- Aug 26 a To get the entire season
on the radio, WYAP still needs a bunch of sponsors. How about
you. Anything will help. Just drop your hard earned bucks,
check, nickel collection, in the mail slot at 2278 Main Street
in Two Run, right beside Fairview Church.
- Aug 26 a And Yes, award winning T G
Griffith will be behind the mic for another season!
- Aug 26 a Go Panthers
- Aug 26 a We attended last night's
County Commission get together. The entire meeting lasted
three minutes. The only decision was, no decisions were made
during their five hour long secret time which began five days
ago.
- Aug 26 a Some know, important stuff is
covered before and after public meetings.
- Aug 26 a After that CCC meeting was
adjourned, we stayed another 10 minutes just to annoy the
elected folks. We finally got bored and left. All three
Commissioners were still there and in the wait to talk
freely... after the Mel Gibson Look Like left the room
- Aug 25 p Meeting change
- Aug 25 p Just happened to stop for a
second look at the Town Council agenda for tonight
- Aug 25 p That meeting agenda, in hand
written scratchings, has been moved til Friday at 5:30
- Aug 25 p Also, instead of two super
important items demanding a special meeting, now there's only
one item
- Aug 25 a Welcome to Thursday in
Clayberry
- Aug 25 a There are two public meetings
tonight. Both sound important
- Aug 25 a Town Council meets at 5:30 at
the WaWa Plant followed by County Commission in the Courthouse
beginning at 6:30pm
- Aug 25 a Back 20 years ago, a local
group put their heads together and after three tries, the FCC
granted a low power FM radio station license to Clay County
Communications, AKA WYAP.
- Aug 25 a Ten years ago the FCC opened
another license window and two more groups, ICAN and Clay
County Services, received broadcast licenses, WTUB 106.7
and WULL 104.3. Since then, the ICAN group folded and that
station went black.
- Aug 25 a WYAP provides the programming
for the two remaining non profit stations
- Aug 25 a For those that don't
understand, both low power stations are a real asset for
County Clay especially with tourism taking a strong foothold.
- Aug 25 a WYAP is in trouble. They need
donations to stay on the air.
- Aug 25 a Clay High football kicks off
tomorrow night in away game excitement. WYAP, YAP radio plans
to air every game.
- Aug 25 a If you can help with a
donation, you get your name mentioned or whatever you'd like
in the way of a message
- Aug 25 a Drop off your support check
thru the mail slot at 2278 Main Street, that's the
Communicator office or use their paypal button on wyap.com
- Aug 25 a FYI, the WTUB, 106.7FM signal
reaches down to Twistabout Road while WYAP, 101.7FM handles
the mid section of Clayberry, around the Town of Clay
- Aug 25 a We know money is always in
short supply but keeping the few remaining assets alive,
that's important
- Aug 25 a Enjoy the sunshine today
- Aug 24 p If you haven't read our
coverage from the last County Commission meeting, please do..
we're still waiting. Go ahead walk over there and read it
- Aug 24 p We reported that we left the
meeting before the secret time was over. We waited over and
hour and a half but they were still locked away from the
prying public
- Aug 24 p We got curious, how long was
the group in secret time
- Aug 24 p For an answer , today we asked
folks in the County Clerk's office
- Aug 24 p Turns out they never did get
done. Instead the CCC continued their secret meeting around
3:30pm with no decisions made
- Aug 24 p That makes about 5 hours
meeting with the Asst 911 Director and Prosecutor Jim Samples
- Aug 24 p Clickers, ever have an inkling
something is up? No real proof but just feel, something ain't
right?
- Aug 24 p After watching domestic action
over at WalGreens, checking around the street talk.... how
about a guess
- Aug 24 p We think there is some serious
who do within the Clay 911 Center , maybe involving a
domestic, maybe circling around unlawfully taped conversations
that got out to the public...
- Aug 24 p How bad is it! The Clay County
Commission is holding a special meeting at the Courthouse
beginning at 6:30pm, Thursday evening
- Aug 24 p No there's no agenda posted but
remember, this is a continued meeting. No agenda is required
- Aug 24 p Here's your turn clickers. If
you know something, spill your guts via an email. Thanks in
advance
- Aug 24 p As Rachel Madow would say,
stick a pin in it. something is up
Aug 24 a We didn't hear any major screw
ups from yesterday's first day back to school.
- Aug 24 a Weathercasters are
predicamentating, nice sunshine for the rest of the week. For
those thinking of sneaking out from work and getting on the
river, forget it. The Elk is running high and mud red.
- Aug 24 a During the run up to the last
Excess Levy attempt, the Pentagon put out a bunch of bogus,
arm twisting promises. One of those was: it you don't vote for
the Levy, we will start starving your children!!!!!!!!!!!!! No
free food!!!!!!!!!!
- Aug 24 a Of course that was pure BS on
their part. Reality is, if properly administrated, the school
system food service actually makes money for the Pentagon
- Aug 24 a With another stab at securing a
Levy in Nov., there have been promises of, we will do better
and even tell the truth once in a while
- Aug 24 a We noticed something new on the
Clayberry Schools website. Check
out this link where we are finally told, school
food is free for every yard ape no matter what.
- Aug 23 a OK Moms, it's time to get out
of bed. Get the sleep out of your eyes.You have to get those
brats off to the first day of school. Your wishes have
come true.
- Aug 23 a The wittle snot lickers will be
out of your hair for another year of edumacation.
- Aug 23 a Today is the first day of the
new school year.
- Aug 23 a Listening to the 911 scanner,
sounds like the buses are running about on time and haven't
left any munchkins standing out in the cold.
- Aug 23 a With schools open and
after weeks of practice, the Clay High football season gets
under way this Friday evening when the Panthers take on
Midland Trail High School. The contest is an away game
- Aug 23 a For the local radio station,
101.7FM, it's time to start begging for football season
sponsors. Without those donations, sportscasting may come to a
screeching halt.
- Aug 23 a Think about it. On those cold
Friday nights, with TG Griffith behind the mic, you know you
can keep up on all the CCHS Panther action without freezing
your fanny to those aluminum bleachers.
- Aug 23 a To make the entire season
possible the non profit station needs 10 sponsors at $50 each.
How about you?
- Aug 23 a Just slide your hard
earned bucks thru the mail slot, or use pay pal over on the
wyap.com website, or mail your donation to WYAP, 2278 Main
Street, Clay W Va 25043
- Aug 23 a Thanks in advance and Go
Panthers.
- Aug 22 p Bronce Morgan Belt Jr,
60, better known as Jr, see OBITUARY page
- Aug 22 a They're hustling in high gear
getting ready for the return of students bright and early
Tuesday morning.
- Aug 22 a Tonight the Sch Bd meets
beginning at 6pm in the Pentagon. Might be a good meeting
- Aug 22 a Trickery. Most know the Ace Cub
Reporter is gullible. They also know he has fallen for many
outlandish pranks, rumors, emails.....
- Aug 22 a He got this email (and another
briefly write up) last Friday: The FBI Has locked down
the Clay County Courthouse. Put a fence around the building
and seized multi boxes of records for criminal charges against
the county commission and prosecutor and the sheriff and
superintendent of school . Today, investigators from the West
Virginia State Auditor�s Public Integrity and Fraud Unit,
along with the West Virginia State Police and the
F.B.I.conducted a search of the Clay county courthouse for the
The county of Clay West Virginia . Recently disclosed reports
say . By order of the F.B.I. and state officials they will
begin the process of Investigating Election Fraud and the
finances for the county and investigating for any potential
misconduct by former and current officials.
- Aug 22 a Of course that's BS.
- Aug 22 a Someone, someones have too much
time on their hands!
- Aug 21 a There were nearly 900 new
COVID cases reported on Friday. Keep in mind, the figures are
grossly under estimated due to home testing. See the PANDEMIC
page (left side in black ribbon) for more.
- Aug 21 a This weekend was it for the
yard apes. It's the last weekend before school starts on
Tuesday. Parents are breathing a sigh of relief as the school
houses reopen for another year. Those mornings of long sleep
ins, it's over for another year.
- Aug 21 a Get this, the Pentagon
website has some current updates available including
back to school topics. That's a first for the highly paid pros
up on the hill.
- Aug 21 a Our Friday post was pretty
damning for school leadership and performance. Be sure to read
that hype just below.
- Aug 21 a In response, we got a guy
telling us how to fix things.
- Aug 21 a The guy says, we never had
those problems when Dave Mullins was at the helm. The
solution, bring Mullins back as a paid consultant! Baaa Haaaa
- Aug 21 a The School Board convenes in
regular session Monday at 6pm, August 22nd. Their
agenda is pretty full. Take a gander, near the bottom,
in the discussion area.
- Aug 21 a One topic is Superintendent
goals. With our school system failing miserably, that
might be a juicy part to sit in on.... if they don't go secret
that is.
- Aug19 a Often we get complaints on our
coverage of School Superintendent Joe "Pretty Boy" Paxton and
the last Sch Bd Prez, Dave Mullins. People think during their
administrations, things can't be as bad as we proclaim.
Paxton has been in charge for around 5 years. Mullins was in
charge of the Board for probably 12 years.
- Aug 19 a That's long enough (on both
parts) to see a trend. With Mullins gone from office, the $20+
million dollar circus is squarely on Pretty Boy's back.
- Aug 19 a Our reporting centerpiece has
always been, crappy standardized test scores in this county,
the only county we care about. Nationwide, West Virginia is
always near the bottom of the heap. At one point, years ago,
maybe 20 years ago, after the test scores were made public,
the then Board Prez, JD Morris said during a public meeting,
"Thank God for Mississippi." which came in dead last, just
below us.
- Aug 19 a The whole point of having a
school system is to prepare the yard apes for a working
future. We know, others know, our entire system has been a
failure.
- Aug 19 a Getting those annual test
scores has been hard to do at times. Test are taken near the
end of each school year. Those results are often held for
months. Leadership tries to hold off the results until people
get involved in other things and no longer care about the
findings.
- Aug 19 Now with internet sites providing
test results, it is harder to keep things secret. One of the
respected sites is "school digger". Just use your search
engine and type in school digger w va and start your own
Sherlock Holmes investigation. It's pretty straight forward.
- Aug 19 a Oh by the way, our School Super
has not in any way talked about our dismal 2022 results.
Not a peep.
- Aug 19 a Just like in the "1984" book
where they call govt information, "the Ministry of
Information", we don't believe much of any spin from Paxton ,
but it's a start for our own look see.
- Aug 19 a It is with profound
disappointment we provide this update based on our findings
from school digger....
- Aug 19 a The Clayberry school
system is now in the 51st place of our 55 counties. Only
Lincoln, Webster, Summers, and McDowell counties rank poorer.
- Aug 19 a While we haven't gone thru all
the stats but one stands out like a sore thumb, Clay Elem.
- Aug 19 a At one point, Clay Elem was
considered the premier school, a national school of
excellence.
- Aug 19 a Now, Clay Elem fell 100 places
since the last results were made public That makes Clay
Elem near the bottom in the entire state. 100 slots
lower in the rankings!
- Aug 19 a That long time school principal
is none other than the Superintendent's wife, Mrs Pretty Boy
Paxton.
- Aug 19 a Leadership, double whammy
leadership, is what's killing our system
- Aug 19 a And now, our School Super is
wanting voters to accept mass failure and vote in an Excess
Levy. He is asking taxpayers to subsidize failure with our
wallets.
- Aug 19 a As we dig into the school
digger findings, we will publish a full article.. sometime
next week but it's comin'
- Aug 19 a Again, cutting off the head of
a snake is the best way to get rid of the snake.
- Aug 17 p On this lovely Hump Day
Wednesday where the sun is out and blue skies above, you won't
believe it but that wittle fat reporter has actually been
doing some work.
- Aug 17 p We have yet another Magistrate
Report published over on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper
section
- Aug 17 p We're still not up to date but
we're getting closer
- Aug 17 p IF you've read the article from
the last Town Council meeting, you know, there's a new pot of
money ($250M) ready to be handed out. According to the author
of the $$$, it's a much easier process to nab and without many
strings attached.
- Aug 17 p That author, Roger Hanshaw,
encouraged all to quickly respond, to get the application in.
He said that the money will go quick and it's first come first
served.
- Aug 17 p We're going to make a big guess
clickers.
- Aug 17 p Our guess, NO requests will be
made from Clayberry.
- Aug 17 p For once, we hope we're wrong.
- Aug 17 p Just think about it, money to
do a complete revamping of Main Street sidewalks, signs and
lighting, money to turn the old Courthouse into a
Welcome Center, money to build an amphitheater for outdoor
shows, buy steam engines for ERTS, buy the Dundon Campground
and do something with it, put in 5 actual river access points
on the Elk, actually put in that splash park / community park
beside the Pisgah bridge, build the long proposed campgrounds
along ERTS, and on and on
- Aug 17 p All it takes is a person or
group to get started, to apply for the easy money.
- Aug 17 p Again, our guess, all will sit
on their thumbs
- Aug 17 a Lucy Cruickshank has been
a fixture at the Courthouse for decades. We remember her as
the secretary in the Prosecutor's office back when Jeff Davis
was in charge
- Aug 17 a Most recently, Lucy served as
County Probation Officer.
- Aug 17 a All of a sudden and out of the
blue, she retired a couple weeks ago.
- Aug 17 a Just before Lucy's departure,
Asst Probation Officer, Cathy Butcher, bailed out.
- Aug 17 a That leaves County Clay
without such services.
- Aug 17 a Interested in a job?
- Aug 17 a Our Circuit Judges appoint both
positions. Circuit Clerk Mike Asbury has the contact info
- Aug 17 a Over on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE
newspaper section is the latest Blotter entries. Lots of
interesting misdeeds reported over there.
- Aug 17 a With the Blotter now current,
that leaves the Magistrate Reports to be updated.
- Aug 17 a That should come sometime right
after lunch.
- Aug 17 a Cunningham Motors has a nice
lookin Ram pick up in their latest ad sheet. Click the button
on our home page or take a drive up to Ivydale.
- Aug 17 a How's that air conditioning
holding up? There's still plenty of Summer left. Total Comfort
HVAC can get everything running cooooooooooool once again. See
Ad at the top of this page.
- Aug 14 a We've added some new articles
over on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section. That
includes the last Town Council meeting where sewer rates were
increased and finalized. That's a 30% increase for those that
don't know
- Aug 14 a There's a new pot of
$250,000,000 grants from under the Gold Dome in Charleston. We
found out about it during that Council meeting. Be sure to
read that article.
- Aug 14 a We send out our condolences to
all those Trumpers who just went thru one of the worst weeks
for the dimly lits. Very sorry to hear about your orange
haired man getting ready for some real jail time.
- Aug 14 a Baaa Haaaaaa!!!
- Aug 13 p Demorats in DC have finally got
their act together and pulled off a major victory for Team
Biden. After scouring the web for one complete page of info on
the new legislation, we found
a good one over on CNN.
- Aug 13 p The biggest grand slam came
Friday evening when the FBI raid was made public. For those
wanting read the entire search warrant and property list, this
one is just for you.
- Aug 13 p Drumpf has had his shorts
bunched up for years. For the once horrible leader of the free
world, he's mired in lawsuits and potentially, criminal
penalties. We think he will look good dressed in an orange
jumpsuit. Heck, those outfits will match the color of his
hair!. Here's the
run down on all the allegations on Donny J Drumpf,
undoubtedly, the least desirable Prez in American history.
- Aug 13 p Soon we might be able to add,
Donny J the traitor.
- Aug 13 p Ahhh Heck, let's go ahead and
call him that !!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Aug 13 a With schools close to
restarting, we've updated our Covid page. The link is to the
left in the black ribbon.
- Aug 13 a Clay kids go thru
standardized testing each Spring. During the last five years,
it has been like pulling teeth to see those results. Some
years, in some counties, it has taken court time to release
them to the public.
- Aug 13 a For 2022, the release of local
scores, it's long overdue again.
- Aug 13 a On the State level, that's
putting the best foot forward of course, some of those numbers
have been made available. Here's the place to
take a look.
- Aug 13 a There are some schools
and districts in West Virginia where performance happens. When
you average those normal performers in with the low ballers,
it provides a more acceptable looking look-see.
- Aug 13 a That's what the state suits
have made public.
- Aug 13 a Even with that massage, in no
category have even 50% of the test takers been
acceptable, at grade level.
- Aug 13 a Head over to that above link
and look for yourself.
- Aug 13 a While over there, slide clear
down to the bottom of the page. On that graph, the proficiency
is broken down by grade level and subject matter.
- Aug 13 a Even in that break down, in no
class, in no subject, do even HALF the student make grade
level on a statewide basis.
- Aug 13 a When enough stink is
raised, the Clayberry numbers will be made public.
- Aug 13 a In the mean time, our guess, it
won't be pretty.
- Aug 12 a The river ain't lookin good yet
but the weather is suppose to be gorgeous for the next three
days. Come out and enjoy County Clay, Remotely Beautiful!
- Aug 12 a Trump.
- Aug 12 a Who?
- Aug 12 a You know, that idiot Prez.
- Aug 12 a Oh, You mean the guy that stole
all the nuclear secrets?
- Aug 12 a Yelp
- Aug 12 a Well, I'm trying to block him
from memory
- Aug 10 p The last School Board meeting
coverage is now posted over on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE
newspaper section.
- Aug 10 p With the new quorum in place
and a real chance to see something good happen, you might
notice a little more upbeat coverage from us.
- Aug 10 p There's just one more piece of
the puzzle that needs to fall in place before we will see big
improvements.
- Aug 10 p FYI: Clay County PSD is
still losing over 50,000 gallons of wawa each day.
- Aug 10 p If you see something wet, give
em a call. Your rates depend on them finding the problem leak.
- Aug 10 a Weathercasters are telling us
and several other mid state counties, beginning this
afternoon, heavy rain may blanket our already saturated Land
of Little.
- Aug 10 a Translation: Flood Watch is in
effect this afternoon thru late tonight.
- Aug 10 a We've got three interesting
(two very sad) articles coming sometime today... or as long as
the DSL remains usable. Check back later
- Aug 10 a How about a steam locomotive
running on the old BC&G RR tracks.... According to the
Gospel of Mitch, that's in the works.
- Aug 9 p Dorcas Katherine (Kathy)
Sears of Nebo, see OBITUARY page
- Aug 9 p Yes, Town log factory rates were
voted on unanimously by Council members. Open your wallets 30%
wider in just a few days.
- Aug 9 p Full details on the Town Council
screwing Clayonians plus last night's Sch Bd meeting sometime
on Wed
- Aug 9 early a Birthday wishes to the one
and only wifey, Nada
- Aug 9 early a Today at 5:30, Clay Town
Council will hold their public meeting where they plan to
raise sewer rates 30%. 30% is a big bunch of increase.
- Aug 9 early a Whether a home pooper or
business pooper, here's your chance to tell the elected folks,
quit messing with us and No to higher log rates
- Aug 9 early a Unless you show up and
lodge a complaint, we can expect even more businesses to leave
the municipality as well as renters galore.
- Aug 9 early a Fewer customers means
rates will have to go up again. You can count on it for sure.
- Aug 9 early a Town Council meetings are
held in the WaWa Plant on Main Street.
- Aug 9 early a While you're there you
might want to comment on Town leadership planning to set up a
money fleecing municipal court and police department.
- Aug 9 early a We'll have the write up
from last night's Sch Bd published late Tuesday evening
- Aug 9 early a Yelp, you guessed it, the
Sch Bd voted unanimously to try and float another school
Excess Levy in November. Before you get all torqued up, read
the article.
- Aug 9 early a You can go ahead and get
your shorts all bunched up over the County Commission voting
to cut down those majestic evergreens in front of the
Courthouse.
- Aug 9 early a VFW member Joe Lanham has
been fighting for 15 years to have the trees removed. Now keep
in mind, the VFW doesn't have nearly enough $$$ to build a
proposed war memorial between those trees but wants them gone
anyway
- Aug 9 early a Instead of calling
that location a war memorial, maybe it should be called a tree
memorial. Sounds pretty good.
- Aug 8 p Here's
the link to this evenings Sch Bd meeting. Notice, the
Levy vote is still on the table.
- Aug 8 p Also tonight, 6:30pm is the Clay Business Development
Authority meeting held in the old State Road garage.
- Aug 8 p We've got a couple new tidbits
over on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section.
- Aug 7 a Weathercasters are still calling
for flash flooding but here in the outback, we see nothing but
bright blue skies and sunshine galore. The Elk still looks
like a mud hole, so, get on ERTS and have some fun
- Aug 7 a We've got a couple biggy
meetings on Monday
- Aug 7 a County Commission meets in the
morning at 10am.
- Aug 7 a During their last meeting,
Commission Prez Fran King told the world, we're just going to
get prices on cutting down those two majestic spruces in
front of the old Courthouse. That was bullshirt
- Aug 7 a On Monday's agenda is a vote to
accept tree cutting bids and then a vote to cut em down.
- Aug 7 a In the real world, cutting down
stuff, that ain't no biggy
- Aug 7 a It's different here in
Clayberry. Those 70 foot tall trees are the last mature trees
left standing on Main Street. Also, keep in mind, while the
world is trying to make things green, our leadership is
working to cut the green away. So much for a shady spot in
front of the Courthouse
- Aug 7 a If you're interested in saving
something nice, attend and speak out during tomorrow's public
commission meeting.
- Aug 7 a Tomorrow night is the School
Board meeting in the Pentagon. The agenda calls for another
Excess Levy vote.
- Aug 7 a We'll give an update on that
meeting this evening.
- Aug 5 p Flash Flood Watch is in effect
thru Sunday evening
- Aug 5 p Power has been going and on all
afternoon.
- Aug 5 p One minute the sun is out
bright. The next, a humongous downpour hits again
- Aug 5 p Frogs are choking!
- Aug 5 p the Elk looks like a fast moving
mud puddle
- Aug 5 p Careful out there clickers
- Aug 5 p For those wanting to enjoy the
Elk River this weekend, forget it
- Aug 5 p Before losing power again, we
are noticing more locals are wearing masks when out and about.
Smart thinking on their part.
- Aug 4 later later p FLOOD WATCH
REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING... Flash flooding
caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible....
Through Sunday evening. The greatest risk period for
flooding will be Saturday and Sunday afternoon and evening.
Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks,
streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Creeks
and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may occur in
poor drainage and urban areas.
- Aug 4 later later p Is your air
conditioning working? Are those tires bald? How about those
big rust holes? It's time for a nice ride. Cunningham's new ad
lists some mice lookin vehicles with ice cold air
conditioning. Checkout his ad with the homepage link.
- Aug 4 later p How many registered
Demorats are there in Clayberry?
- Aug 4 later p How many of those
nasty Republicraps are there?
- Aug 4 later p Here's the complete
run down on all
registered voters in every West Virginia county as of
today.
- Aug 4 later p Our COVID page has been
updated. It ain't gone clickers!
- Aug 4 later p 1:18 pm, today, over the
scanner: If you wear a white shirt on Thursday, you suck a bag
of dicks. Yelp that's what we heard and Yelp, that's
real good FCC etiquette.
- Aug 4 p It was quite an afternoon for
911 scanner listeners yesterday.
- Aug 4 p There was that part about a big
oil/gas service truck blocking the road near Hartland.
- Aug 4 p Then came the part about a
school bus driver forgetting to pick up his summer time
students. Oh Boy!
- Aug 4 p Then a little after 6pm, the
first calls came in about a subject on ERTS somewhere around
Duck. Dispatch did not know whether the person was North or
South of Duck. During one of the traffic exchanges, word came
the guy was none other ERTS Superintendent Heath Cliver.
- Aug 4 p Fire Department crews, Badges,
all went to work in search of Heath.
- Aug 4 p Us on the listening side stayed
close to our radios.
- Aug 4 p Cliver was found around 6:35pm.
- Aug 4 As best we can figure, instead of
quitting work at the normal 4:30pm time, he was out cutting
weeds on a tractor and just kept working past closing time.
- Aug 4 p That one turned out A OK
- Aug 4 p Nice to know some State
employees are willing to work past closing time.
- Aug 4 p As the fire responders were
heading back to the Big Otter Fire Station, another call came
in on a four wheeler on fire beside the old Ivydale bridge on
the Route 4 side of the Elk River.
- Aug 4 p Then a little after 8pm,
as we were settling down for an evening of watching TV
commercials, this one sounded weird.
- Aug 4 p It was something about a person
laying in the middle of the road and non responsive. That
stuff was happening near the top of Widen hill on the main two
lane road.
- Aug 4 p Yes we're still working on the
Sch Bd story but in the meantime...
- Aug 4 p We appreciate all the callers
that try to keep us up to date. If you have a tip, comment,
criticism, just email it over, claycommunicator@hotmail.com
- Aug 4 p You are appreciated
- Aug 4 p Are you driving less this
Summer? So is the rest of the nation. The four-week average of US gasoline
consumption -- the best gauge for the country�s demand -- is
now more than 1 million barrels a day below pre-Covid seasonal
norms, according to Energy Information Administration data.
Here's
the full read.
- Aug 4 p Finally before our afternoon nap
time, the Republicraps in Charleston are wanting four
Constitutional amendments to the law of West Virginia. The
artfully worded changes can do nothing less than break it off
in us a little more. Here's
the full wordage.
- Aug 4 p Back on Tuesday, Sam's Club was
selling regular gas for just $3.99 per gallon. In Clayberry
it's still around $4.55 per gallon. Ouch!
- Aug 3 p Welcome to the third day in a
row of warm, dry weather. It's a nice change from the monsoons
during the past two weeks
- Aug 3 p Over on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE
newspaper section we have our coverage from the most recent
Town Council meeting. It's a pretty damning read and for those
interested in the future of this place that we call home, it's
a good read.
- Aug 3 p Now we're into covering the last
School Board meeting. Expect that near jewel to be ready for
public edification sometime tomorrow
- Aug 3 p In the way of a hype or
tease....
- Aug 3 p Right after that last board
meeting, Superintendent Mercedes Paxton took off for a long
vacation. As far as we know, he ain't been back since that
last meeting.
- Aug 3 p One thing we do know for sure,
Paxton does not accept phone calls from the school system
while on vacation. It's been that way for years.
- Aug 3 p Get it? While away from duty, he
has no idea what's going on here.... or what went on last
week.
- Aug 3 p We bet he still reads this
portal of information while gone from duty
- Aug 3 p Hello Pretty Boy, hope your
vacation is going well.
- Aug 3 p While we're working on that
board article....
- Aug 3 p During that last meeting, there
was a secret time. It lasted for over a half an hour.
- Aug 3 p That would have been the first
chance for the new quorum to ask sensitive items like, Joe,
are you really under a criminal investigation for election
antics crapola?
- Aug 3 p There's another nagging thang.
One of their last acts of the old Board, they OK'd the
Superintendent's annual evaluation. We know they gave the lad
glowing accolades because they told us that much back when
they were in public session.
- Aug 3 p The question is, have the new
boardsters seen that written document? We think not.
- Aug 3 p We also think the old guard has
been hesitant to bring that out so the newbies will be
apprised, on the same page.
- Aug 3 p Next Monday, after Paxton gets
back with a fresh new tan, there will be a vote to put an
Excess Levy Election on the November ballot.
- Aug 3 p The last attempt at fleecing
went down in flames. We think that's a reflection of taxpayer
distrust and loath. Those same taxpayers, voters, tossed out
the old Sch Bd quorum.
- Aug 3 p That's a good start of course
but, if the Super is actually the subject of a criminal
investigation, who the H would vote for an Excess Levy while
he's still in place.
- Aug 3 p By the way, excess translates to
"too much".
- Aug 3 p After polling the coffee house
crowd, consensus: as long as Paxton is at the helm, Clayonians
will NEVER approve additional taxes.
- Aug 3 p FYI: we're just now getting new
word on that supposed investigation.
- Aug 3 p It's our understanding another
investigator, lawyer, person, spoke with Pretty Boy
Paxton on Thursday July 21st. If that rumor is
solid, the investigation may be moving along but in a quiet
fashion.
- Aug 3 p Finally for this beautiful
afternoon.... Joe Paxton is an at will employee. He can be
removed from office by a simple majority vote of the Sch
Bd. Rules say, if he's told to pack his crap, he
has to be paid a severance pay of three months.
- Aug 3 p And to keep you up to
date. At 2:32 today Black Shirt 4 tried radioing the Board
office. He got no response. We think, while the
top dog is laying in the sunshine, the Pentagon is playing
hooky.
- Aug 3 p Norman Ramsey responded to the
Black Shirt call. It was something about a big truck blocking
the road in the Hartland area and the affect of getting kids
home via the buses.
- Aug 3 p Once again, Howdy Orville!
-
- Aug 2 p Town Council meetings are
scheduled to be held on the first Tuesday of each month
beginning at 5:30pm in the WAWA Plant. Their August meeting
was properly noticed and the agenda was posted last week.
Sometime yesterday the agenda was yanked.
- Aug 2 p Last month , the meeting was
held two weeks late on July 19th
- Aug 2 p Tonight's meeting has also been
delayed.
- Aug 2 p The meeting has been
rescheduled for Aug 9th when a public hearing will be held
beforehand followed by the second and final vote to raise
sewer rates (log rates) by at least 30%.
- Aug 2 p Those public hearings are
provided to give customers and business owners an opportunity
to complain or speak out in support of the elected folks
drilling you without Crisco.
- Aug 1 late p Roy Ernest Parsons, 80, see OBITUARY page
- Aug 1 p Our coverage of the Robert
Murphy pedophile trial is now posted over on the COMMUNICATOR
ONLINE newspaper section
- Aug 1 p We're making progress clickers!
- Aug 1 a It feels like, hope, all the
power outages and loss of DSL, the worst of it may be over for
a few days. With that hope in place, we're back trying
to update two weeks worth of Clayberry crapola.
- Aug 1 a So far we have last week's
arraignment day published over on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE
newspaper section. We're working now to publish coverage from
the most recent Town Council and Sch Bd meetings plus Bob
Murphy's day in court. Check back around noon or so.
- July 30 p With Frontier returning DSL
service mid morning and staying on for three solid hours....
- July 30 p The Town of Clay has a notice
on our homepage asking wawa customers to look around and
report any pipe leaks, seems like the problem is with Clay
County PSD
- July 30 p For several weeks now, Clay
County PSD has been losing right at 50,000 gallons of the wet
stuff daily, every day. Their head maintenance guy says they
have looked high and low without luck finding their broken
pipe, split pipe, broken connection, broken valve, busted
tank... or whatever it is
- July 30 p The PSD called in outside help
on the State level last week to no avail.
- July 30 p 50,000 gallons is a day is
bunch to lose.
- July 30 p So, keep you eyes and
ears open.
- July 30 p We have updated the EVENTS,
ADVISORY, and CLASSIFIED pages since regain use of the web
- July 29 a For nearly three decades we
have fought thru the various shortcomings in the Land of
Little. This week has been especially challenging.
- July 29 a For us to update this site and
the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section, we have to have
internet and electric, both at the same time. Ditto for
keeping WYAP-LP on the air.
- July 29 a Both have been in short supply
for the last 7 days.
- July 29 a Just as we have some smart
butt article typed up and ready to hit the send button, one or
both of the utilities go South. When that happens, everyday
this week for instance, it's time to start over.
- July 29 a When that happens, it takes
away our thunder
- July 29 a And, once again, this morning,
it's raining cats and dogs. The hope is that we can get this
humble nibble on the web before the lights go out again
- July 29 a Just so you know, the Elk is
raging and the color of mud.
- July 29 a The Flash Flood watch
continues today.
- July 28 p Donald Denzil Dawson, 81 of
Clay, see OBITUARY page
- July 27 p Sometimes it's Frontier. Other
times it's waiting on the fine details. Still other times, it
no electric or the computer blows up
- July 27 p This time around, it's
overload The Ace Cub Reporter is in over his head.
- July 27 p Our plan yesterday was to
provide a juicy article covering Monday's outstanding Sch Bd
meeting. Don't get too excited, Joe Paxton remains in office
- July 27 p That plan went South when we
remembered there was a pedophile trial over at the Courthouse
which began Tuesday morning, went all day, and then finished
up deliberations on Wed. We sat thru most of that public court
time
- July 27 p What we're getting at is,
we're trying but staying backed up is now waaaaaaaaay backed
up
- July 27 p More urgent is the upcoming
Flood Watch from the National Weather Service: FLOOD WATCH
REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING... ...Flash
flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be
possible. ...Through Friday morning.... Excessive
runoff may result in flooding of rivers,
creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone
locations. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and
urban areas. Low-water crossings may be flooded. Storm
drains and ditches may become clogged with debris....
Several rounds of showers and thunderstorms will affect
the area through Thursday night. Rainfall amounts of 3
to 5 inches are expected by weeks end, with localized
higher amounts possible.
- July 27 p We've had drizzly rain all day
today and the sky remains dark gray and laden with more of the
wet stuff.
- July 26 q With a strong chance of
rain today, the scheduled pool party has been changed to
August 2nd. See EVENTS page for details
- July 25 a Here's something for all us
diabetic cripples that wonder why the same insulin that has
been on the market for decades , why is it so very
expensive? From MBC News: The high cost can be
attributed in part to �evergreening,� a process in which drug
companies make incremental improvements to their products that
can extend the life of their patents, said Dr. Kevin Riggs, a
physician at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink
School of Medicine. He co-wrote a study published in the New
England Journal of Medicine in 2015 that described the
century-long history of the drug. Extending patents can
discourage generic drugs from being developed, Riggs said,
allowing drug makers with exclusive rights to their insulin to
charge whatever the market will bear. And as supply chains
have become more complicated over the years, costs
have ballooned.
- July 24 a County Commission meets Monday
morning beginning at 10 am. AS for what's going on, we're out
of the loop after missing the last public meeting. As a note,
it is a big long agenda
- July 24 a And then..... Monday night ,
6pm, the newly formed Clayberry Board of Edumacation meets at
6pm in the Pentagon. This will be meeting number 2 for the
three newbies at the helm
- July 24 a There are some things they
haven't done yet. Like, they haven't convened a secret time.
- July 24 a That secret time is not
mentioned on the meeting agenda.
- July 24 a The new folks have to
get up to speed on stuff we've been hyping since March. We're
talking about a criminal complaint investigation against Sch
Super Joe Pretty Boy Paxton. We're basing our allegations
solely on a written correspondence from the investigator
concerning election fraud engineering, arm twisting etc.
- July 24 a That topic has NOT come up
during a public meeting and maybe, as bad as we hate to say
it, is best suited for a closed door discussion
- July 24 a Then there's the planned
vote to try and force down our throats, another attempt at
passing a School Excess Levy Election in Nov '22.
- July 24 a That too will most likely be
discussed during quiet time.... if they have one.
- July 24 a Back on Pretty Boy....
- July 24 a Long before election fraud was
an issue, Paxton and his old Board had some real troubles. The
High School mutiny comes to mind as a for instance. That Board
is gone.
- July 24 a Joe Paxton remains and to
many, with all the remaining problems in school land, passing
an excess levy might be impossible with Paxton at the helm.
- July 24 a Mr Paxton's employment
contract does not expire until June 2023
- July 23 a Psst.. Pssssssst... we've got
a guy that's getting another year older today
- July 23 a The best of birthday wishes to
730 year old Kelly Fulkerson
- July 23 a Free food giveaway comin'.
- July 23 a Details now posted over on the
ADVISORY page
- July 23 a Residents in the Nebo end of
County Clay have been waiting decades for potable wawa.
- July 23 a Earlier this week the
Appalachian Regional Commission provided the northern end of
the county with $2.91 million to extend wawa service thru
Nebo, Walker Road, and add additional capacity for fire
suppression for Big Odor Elem.
- July 23 a That capacity will
really help out a new luxury campground on Walker Nebo Road.
- July 23 a You can tell it's an election
year. The dollars are flowing!
- July 23 a Note, those new funds are NOT
enough to complete the extension line. Those funds should come
a little closer to the Nov election.
- July 23 a Weather wise, if the
predicimentations hold true, it's going to be hot hot hot
today and for the weekend. With the side tributaries lookin
good and the Elk River only slightly high and slightly milky,
it's a great time to come visit County Clay this weekend.
- July 23 a
- July 21 a FYI: The federal government
hauled in a record $3,835,390,000,000 in total taxes in the
first nine months of fiscal 2022 (October through June), according
to the Monthly Treasury Statement. That was up $502,438,730,000�or 15.07
percent�from the then-record $3,332,951,270,000 (in constant
June 2022 dollars) that the federal government collected in
taxes in the first nine months of fiscal 2021.
- July 21 a And then on the other side and
also from the CNN Financial site: At the same time that it was collecting this
record $3,835,390,000,000 in total taxes, the federal
government spent $4,350,457,000,000. Thus, the federal
government ran a deficit of $515,067,000,000 in the first nine
months of the fiscal year.
- July 21 a For Green Shirts to
operate in poor ways, the media has to be kept in the dark.
- July 21 a Every once in a while, Green
Shirts get caught or at least make front page attention in
unflattering ways
- July 21 a Last night we posted the
latest via a facebook video.
- July 21 a It's been less than 20 hours
since we posted that video. See yesterday's posting just below
- July 21 a The calls are already coming
in . So far basically, from the taxpayers: If you know you're
being recorded, how could someone be that stupid?
- July 21 a We think it's
different. We think, when Badge agencies get
totally out of control, they think they can get away with
anything and everything.
- July 21 a The only real question is, how
much will the victims collect from the lawsuit.
- July 21 a The other question is, what
does the future look like for the caught Badge?
- July 21 a Email over your guesses today.
Thanks
- July 20 p It's amazing what you can find
on youtube.com Type in about anything and stuff pops up..
- July 20 p We happened to enter the
search words: W Va State Police
- July 20 p We came across a recent video
where Green Shirt Ric Wiseman is the star. According to what
we see in the video, what starts off as professional conduct,
that sounds like it turned to crap real quick.
- July 20 p True or false, we don't know,
but take a gander for yourself. Here's the You
Tube link.
- July 20 p One thing is for sure, there
is a West Virginia lawyer named John H Bryan
located in the Lewisburg area that practices civil rights
law.
- July 20 p How about a nice lookin
Ford Explorer with three rows of leather seating?
Nice! Check out Cunningham Motor's latest ad. Just
click the link on the homepage
- July 20 p The first mention of the 2022
Big Apple Fest can be found over on the ADVISORY page.
- July 20 p Things are changing all
around. From MetroNews: Entering the State Fair of West
Virginia will look somewhat different this year. Kelly Collins
State Fair CEO Kelly Collins told MetroNews they plan to set
up metal detectors at the front entrance in Fairlea when the
event returns Aug. 11-20. Here's
the full read.
- July 20 p While we're talking guns...
From the W
Va Record: A circuit court judge allegedly brandished a
handgun during a hearing earlier this year, leaving it pointed
at an attorney from Texas during the proceedings. Real
interesting info clickers.
- July 20 a There's a thang called
"economies of scale". The idea is, products can be sold
cheaper when there's a bunch of people buying. WalMart
practices that and the keystone theory on pricing.
- July 20 a The opposite applies too. When
few customers open their wallets, the price has to go up.
Which leads us to the Town of Clay where there are few
residents and even less free money.
- July 20 a Last night, Council voted
unanimously to approve the first reading for a 30% Log Factory
rate increase.During the public part of the meeting, we heard
no mention of ANY other option. Their first impulse is to
break it off in us without Crisco.
- July 20 a Since the Great Wash Out in
2016, the number of sewer customers has gone down. Fewer
customers means, the remaining customers handle the burden of
paying for a log factory that was built twice to big 25 years
ago.
- July 20 a During the pandemic the bail
out from Clayberry continued.
- July 20 a Towns can collect fees and in
return, they are suppose to offer location advantages, good
reasons for being in Town. When you think about, what are the
advantages to being located in the municipal boundaries?
- July 20 a When the rate increase takes
affect later this year, that makes it tougher on the few
struggling businesses that remain. Translation, prices
have to go up.
- July 20 a We've been in a decline for
decades. This log rate increase can do nothing less than speed
up the death of our only town in in the County
- July 20 a For those that are thinking
that don't affect me
- July 20 a Wrong O
- July 20 a With gas prices being what
they are, any additional driving cuts deeper in your pocket
book
- July 20 a There will be a chance
for the public to speak their minds before the second and
final vote to break it off in us. That comes in August.
- July 20 a We're working on the article
on last night's Town Council meeting. But, we're so mad, it's
hard to get something reduced to print. We're working on it
but it's going to take some time
- July 20 a How mad are we?
- July 20 a We're going to go eat
worms... big fat juicy ones... long thin skinny ones ... We're
going to go eat worms.
- July 18 p Mary Lou (Hanshaw)
Summers, 79, of Wallback, see OBITUARY page
- July 18 p Late Notice: Over on the
EVENTS page comes notice of a Health Fair Tuesday morning at
the Health Dept. See EVENTS page for the details
- July 18 p Let's see now... Clay Town
Council convenes Tuesday at 5:30 sharp. They plan to vote in
higher sanitation rates unless people show up and raise H
- July 18 p Also in the morning beginning
around 9am, it's arraignment day for the freshly indicted
folks from the Summer Grand Jury.
- July 18 p With good weather
predicamentated, come out and participate in what's going on
in Clayberry, the Land of Little
- July 15 p Joyce Lynn Doss of
Ovapa, see OBITUARY page
- July 15 p Many Americans are so glued to
their cellphones they can no longer carry on a conversation
without lookin down at their electronic devices. Everything
comes to a halt when that $$##!! thing rings, beeps. And that
includes driving a vehicle.
- July 15 p They type stuff there and on
social media that will haunt them forever.
- July 15 p Do you think deleting a pic,
message, text, do you think that means anything, does it
actually disappear?
- July 15 p The correct answer is no.
Take a read while you have that pain in your neck.
- July 14 a Some things should be treated
with respect, almost sacred
- July 14 a One of those is Smokey the
Bear. That image and voice, they are to be trusted. Every kid
on Earth knows, knew, the Smokey the Bear Song, every word.
That's iconic!
- July 14 a And then, on TV, in recent
days, on a repeating commercial, Smokey's voice turned into a
female audio
- July 14 a Isn't there ANYTHING sacred?
- July 14 a We have the newest Magistrate
Report and Slim Randle's commentary on ghosts published over
on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section.
- July 14 a A female Smokey?????????????
- July 13 p Findings from the Summer
Grand Jury include
- July 13 p Timothy Michael Drake
possession x 2 , prohibited person in possession of a firearm
- July 13 p Robert Lee Deal Jr
burglary, petit larceny, destruction of property
- July 13 p Christopher David Pritt
prohibited person in possession of a firearm, possession with
intent to deliver, fleeing on foot
- July 13 p Jeremiah Donavan Neff
possession of a minor in sexually explicit images
- July 13 p Kevin Wayne Tanner breaking
and entering, grand larceny, conspiracy x 2
- July 13 p Tabitha Ashley Tanner
breaking and entering, grand larceny, conspiracy x 2
- July 13 p William Patrick Lane
failure to appear
- July 13 p James Preston McCune threats
of terrorist acts x 2
- July 13 p As for any presentations made
by the Prosecutor and not accepted, we know there were some.
- July 13 p We're also pretty sure that
the Feds told Prosecutor Samples, they would handle a couple
of cases themselves..... or at least that's what we understand
- July 13 p There is disappointment with
this list. But don't give up hope, there are other options for
indictments.
- July 13 p Next Tuesday, the 19th, all
the accused will show up before Judge Jack Alsop and plead,
not me buddy, I didn't do it
- Jul 13
- July 13 early a Ruth Ann Hamrick, 76, of
Ivydale, see OBITUARY page
- July 13 early a The Katie Payne success
story is posted over on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper
section.
- July 13 early a The link to all of our
ERTS articles is over on the left in that black ribbon.
- July 13 early a We added a new
article yesterday. Take a looks see
- July 13 early a Just after posting Ms
Payne's article, we received this email from Keyota Jarvis:
Congratulations to this young lady. She joins Don as one of
their graduates. He would love to congratulate her
himself if he was up to pare and as active as he used to
be. He is coming home from the hospital today.
Sometimes he is a little foggy but other times is pretty
sharp. Best regards to
Katie. Keyota
Jarvis
- July 13 early a From John F
Kennedy: When we got into office, the thing that
surprised me most is that things were as bad as we had been
saying they were.
- July 12 late p As of 2pm today, the
Summer Grand Jury was still meeting behind closed doors.
- July 12 late p We think there will be 14
inductees into the Summer arraignment process.
- July 12 late p Sometime after lunch
tomorrow, the complete list should be typed up and available
to the taxpayer. If that happens we plan to publish those
names before dark Wed
- July 12 late A confession is in order.
Monday morning the County Commission met in regular session.
The Ace Cub Reporter was absent from duty.
- July 12 late p Truth is, he was sitting
on his thumbs over at Tallhouse. He completely forgot.
- July 12 late p That comes with old age
we are told
- July 12 late p Sorry
- July 12 late p We did pick up an agenda
from that meeting earlier today
- July 12 late p Item 12 was OK'd to get
prices on cutting down the beautiful Spruce trees in front of
the old Courthouse.
- July 12 late p That battle to save the
trees has been on the table for many years. Some dimly lit
folks think its just fine to remove the only standing trees on
Main Street. While the rest of the nation is working to return
green spaces, here in the Land of Little, our leaders are
intent on taking the green away.
- July 12 late p Those are the same
trees that stood tall during the 80 mph winds of the derecho
- July 12 late p They're the same ones
that made it thru the Great Wash out 6 years ago.
- July 12 late p They may not make it thru
the dimly lit political process.
- July 12 late p Most comment, well heck,
they're going to fall down anyway, why not take em out today
- July 12 late p Others proclaim, they're
dangerous and need to be removed.
- July 12 late p It might be time to talk
to our elected officials and tell em to spend more time fixing
the crappy stuff if they want to spend Federal dollars. Stuff
like the crumbling steps going up to the old Courthouse and
the stumble prone (lawsuit prone) Courthouse Square come to
mind first.
- July 12 late p Feels like a big storm
coming our way as of 4pm today.
- July 12 late p Let's amend something.
- July 12 late p We'll provide that Grand
Jury list IF Frontier DSL holds together.
- July 12 p Despite failing so many
Clayberry students, some manage to get ahead and succeed
- July 12 p One of those is CCHS grad
Katie Payne who just graduated from the U S Naval Academy. See
COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section for the article and pics
- July 12 p Congrats Ms Payne!
- July 11 a Grand Juries operate behind
closed doors. You never know who, how many, and the
indictments until the secret panel releases the "true bills".
- July 11 a For the most part, Prosecutor
Jim Samples handles all the paperwork.
- July 11 a Summer Grand Jury convenes
tomorrow morning.
- July 11 a The norm is for around dozen
bad guys and girls to get nabbed each session of the jury
- July 11 a It takes a while for the
findings to be typed up and made public.
- July 11 a Most likely, we will publish
the names and bad deeds sometime Wed mid day.
- July 11 a Over on the COMMUNICATOR
ONLINE newspaper section you can catch up on the latest felony
charges just starting in the Court system.
- July 11 a Over on the Hurherald is a dandy
list of wise cracks worth reading.
- July 11 a from Mark Twain: Patriotism is
supporting your country all the time and your government when
it deserves it.
- July 8 p Norma Lee Friend, 90, see
OBITUARY page
- July 8 p For those lookin for water
sports this weekend, it ain't a good fit.
- July 8 p The emerald green Elk is
running high and is mud brown. Ditto for the tributaries.
- July 8 p The greatest hunting season of
all is coming in just a couple weeks, August 1st this time
around.
- July 8 p For 2022, the great striped
horn snipe season opens soon and well worth getting in the
woods.
- July 8 p You can spot the male by
his call which sounds like: I'm horny... I'm hornnnnny
- July 8 p Anyone that bags one, please
send over a picture. They are tricky wittle rascals and very
rare.
- July 8 p From George Bernard Shaw:
Liberty means responsibility. That's why most men dread it.
- July 7 p We've got Magistrate Rider's
newest court docket over on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper
section
- July 7p from Adlai Stephenson: All of
the ills of democracy can be cured by more democracy
- July 7 p from Plato: Those who are too
smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by
those who are dumber
- July 7 p Clay Middle's TSA team scored
big during the National Competition in Dallas Texas last week.
- July 7 p CMS Winners include: 1st Place
- STEM Animation - Ariel Dobbins and Juliann Gallaher;
3rd Place - Construction Challenge -
Jaxon Brown, Summer Corwell, Ilyauna Evans, Katie Price
and Cadence Williams;
6th Place - Career Prep - Jaxon
Brown;
7th Place - Challenging Tech
Issues - Ilyauna Evans and Ariel Dobbins
;
and, 8th Place - Children's
Stories - Ariel Dobbins
- July 6 p Flash Flood watch is in place
with more rain comin our way tonight
- July 6 p Last night's Sch Bd meeting was
a good one. It was the opening volley for the newly comprised
five member Board.
- July 6 p Our coverage is now published
over on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section. Enjoy the
change!
- July 5 late p Last night fireworks were
heard all around County Clerk. Lots of color and bright lights
filled the sky. Nice!
- July 5 late p During tonight's Sch Bd
meeting, there were no loud KaBluueys but excitement did
happen
- July 5 late In what felt like a
planned ahead of time move, the three new Boardsters stuck
together and selected Phoebe Nichols as the new Board Chair
out pacing long time member, Dave Pierson
- July 5 late p We hope to have the
full write up available by noon tomorrow.
- July 5 late p The revolution has begun.
Nice!
- July 5 p After receiving tips on a
blockbuster story, we thought we had something juicy
- July 5 p The rumors purported,
Magistrate Jeff Boggs had received a DUI ticket last week.
- July 5 p With nothing on the public
terminal, we asked
- July 5 p From Boggs himself, this
morning, Nope! Ain't true
- July 5 p So much for a killer article
- July 5 a We made it thru the holiday
weekend. Even the weather cooperated for picnics and family
gatherings
- July 5 a That means, the weeds have
taken over gardens. What started out beautiful in May, it's
over for 2022.
- July 5 a It's the beginning of a new day
for the Clayberry school system. Tonight at 6pm, a new quorum
of the Board takes their positions at the front table and
begin their efforts to improve the Pentagon and edumacation
for the rug rats.
- July 5 a Most of us are hoping for some
kind of monstrous change.
- July 5 a Don't get all bent out of shape
for a whirlwind agenda tonight
- July 5 a The newbies just completed
their mandatory training as required by state law. At those
learning sessions, the Boardsters were told, you ain't in
charge, you can't do much, and follow the lead of the County
Superintendent.
- July 5 a It will take em a while to
realize, they are in charge. That, elected officials have the
upper hand over employees and Suits in Charleston
- July 5 a So, give em a few meetings to
get their feet wet
- July 5 a Tonight's biggy is selection of
Sch Bd leadership.
- July 5 a Because he's the longest
serving official, Dave Pierson is the likely candidate to be
Board Prez.
- July 5 a Here's that
meeting agenda which includes mention of a thorny
subject, an excess levy in the discussion topics.
- July 5 a Might be a good gathering to
attend.
- July 5 a Bring your own popcorn.
- July 1 a Wouldn't it be nice if we
didn't have to pay property taxes?
- July 1 a That's the ploy the
Republicraps are floating and up for voter approval this
coming November.
- July 1 a The change to our Constitution
and more in our County Commission meeting coverage over on the
COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section.
- July 1 a Here we are at the ready for
Independence Day weekend holiday.
- July 1 a All the celebrations ring a
little more hollow this time around.
- July 1 a That independent part is
actually for those with hangy downs. One week ago, American
females lost their right to control their body. Soon, others
will lose their right to what goes on in a bedroom.
- July 1 a Happy Fourth of July one and
all.
- June 30 on this last day of the month,
be sure to check out our coverage from the last Sch Bd
meeting. It's a dandy.
- June 30 a We wish to thank Dave Mullins
for providing years of noteworthy words and deeds. And boy
does he know how to end his career as an elected official in
Clayberry.
- June 29 p Ten years ago today,
around noon, it was a fine Summer day. People scurried about
their business. That was until mid afternoon when all H broke
lose. The storm only lasted about 20 minutes. That 20 minutes
or so put us all in a disaster zone.
- June 29 p For the Mel Gibson Look Alike,
that afternoon , he was out in the garage tinkering with an
old vehicle. First was the wind, then came the heavy rain. A
couple minutes into it, the 60 mph wind hit. That wind drove
the rain sideways.
- June 29 p The bald headed guy didn't
think much of it until the first tree cracked and fell near
by. Then came a second and third pine tree down. Power went
out. All others utilities went to H in short order.
- June 29 p For most of us this was the
first learning of the word, "derecho"
- June 29 p Most in Clayberry remained
without utilities for 14 days and more
- June 29 p Temps stayed up above 100
degrees during the entire time. On several days, the mercury
rose well above 100 degrees.
- June 29 p Roads were closed. Stores were
closed. County Clay was stranded out on its own. We were not
connected to the rest of the nation.
- June 29 p Emergency shelters were
set up at Big Otter Elem. Volunteers fed us, cooled us
down, and gave everyone a place to sleep. The community banded
together and helped one another.
- June 29 p Those that could make it out
of their hollers, headed to big box stores for generators,
bottled wawa, food, and repair items.
- June 29 p For the majority, there was no
way out. Every road was blocked with mud slides, trees down,
power lines sparking and more.
- June 29 p Word came, expect no power for
at least a week.
- June 29 p Then came the worst of it
- June 29 p With many pitching in and
giving out free life saving supplies, the greedy turds
slithered out of their holes.
- June 29 p Instead of taking what they
needed and leaving some for others, carpet baggers took loads
of supplies up the road a mile or so and then starting selling
the free items.
- June 29 p As soon as the Feds showed up,
those same scums lined up for free services whether they were
touched by the derecho or not.
- June 29 p There is a place in hell for
those rotten turds.
- June 29 p Most of us made it thru the
disaster. Others said, heck with it. They loaded up what was
left of their holdings and headed out to better locations.
They did not return
- June 29 p For those that weren't around
10 years ago, here's a complete National Weather Service run
down on
that time in history.
- June 29 p Almost as soon as the wind was
over, county leadership started holding meetings. All around
the tables said, we are going to organize and plan so this
never happens again. When another emergency occurs, we will be
prepared.
- June 29 p Now ten years later, we are no
better prepared today than we were June 29th, 2012.
- June 29 p As a matter of fact, we've
peed away a bunch of Fed dollars. Millions to rebuild CCHS
which is located in a flood zone. Over a million to rebuild
the CCHS football field which was NOT touch by high wawa....
for instance.
- June 29 p Found a new YouTube video on
the BC&G RR . Pretty
good watching too.
- June 29 p While you're sitting there
goofing off, here is a YouTube mention of the work that
has been done on Buffalo Creek.
- June 28 a On this lovely Tuesday
morning, we have revised last night's post.. trying to add a
little more intensity and corrected dates. Enjoy!
- June 27 late p County Clay has a
new muzzle loading champ. Check him out over on the
COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section
- June 27 late p Tonight was the final
public meeting for Sch Boardsters Dave Mullins, Morgy Triplett
and Cheryl White. As the meeting was ending Ms White took a
couple minutes to explain her many shortcomings and offer the
newbies words of hope. Her emphasis was for the just elected
Boardsters to do good for the kids and the county
- June 27 late p Board Chair Dave
Mullins also provided an end of an era speech. During his term
in office, Mullins was there during the Great Wash Out of
2016, a pandemic, a change to virtual learning, a time when
Feds came in after hearing of a man coming into Clay Elem to
take kids back to Mexico, and even a derecho.
- June 27 late p Instead of telling about
what it took to get everyone thru those tough tough times, he
spent his full breath giving the "media" double H for
publishing what has been going on for years, 27+ years.
- June 27 p Since there's only one locally
owned and operated newspaper and only one reporter that
regularly attends Sch Bd meetings, Dave Mullins was pointing
his nasty finger squarely at the Ace Cub Reporter.
- June 27 late p We knew we were really
getting to Chair Mullins during these last 6 months but gosh,
we never guessed his final words, his career ending spiel,
would be 99% about that dastardly wittle round scribe, the Mel
Gibson Look Like. Instead of some up beat do good speech about
a rosy future, he took the time to once again reveal what
keeps the Chair in the grease.
- June 27 late p While we appreciate the
attention, what's been wrong with Dave and remains wrong, Dave
doesn't understand, most of the phone calls, tips, notes under
the door, emails, etc., those came from his paid employees
that really know what's going on and want improvements. Things
got so bad this year, our guess, it was those 300 or so
employees that voted against the Board Chair and tossed him
out of office.
- June 17 late It's going to take some
time to capture the essence of his diatribe and put it in
print . Look for that article sometime Tuesday evening or Wed
morning.
- June 27 late p And just for Dave
Mullins, from Nicholas Lang: Ignorance is a voluntary
misfortune
- June 27 p This morning the Commission
auctioned off that cargo trailer. Close to 20 were in
attendance for the sale. The rascal went for $3500. Not a bad
price
- June 27 p Check out the EVENTS page for
some fun time activities comin our way in July.
- June 27 p Tonight we say goodbye to Sch
Bd Chair Dave Mullins. He has had a long run but voters felt
overwhelmingly, it's time to leave the govt trough .
- June 27 p It's not just us that are peed
off over loss of power etc.
- June 27 p Here's one of the emails
received this morning: I am a resident in the Procious
area of Clay County. I am emailing in hopes to draw attention
to a problem that seems to have arose in the latest power
outage. We have been told as customers
of Black Diamond Power Co that it was AEP lines and so not for
the Clay office to repair. A call was put into AEP and
we were informed if we pay Black Diamond then it�s theirs to
repair. I have spent $100+ in the past two weeks to run my
generator to keep from losing food. I am fortunate enough to
be able to do so even with $4.95 being charged at the pump.
Others are not so fortunate. I am also not plagued with poor
health. I�m a frustrated person with lots of
time to make phone calls.
- June 27 a Power outages struck Clayberry
Sunday afternoon
- June 27 a Heavy rains last night, all
night and continuing this morning as of 8:30am
- June 27 a We think most of us have our
juice restored now
- June 27 a County Commission meets this
morning beginning at 10am
- June 27 a Following that public meeting,
the CCC is hosting an auction of Courthouse goods
- June 27 a Tonight at 6 pm, the Board of
Edumacation convenes in public session, the last meeting for
the outgoing de-elected Boardsters. Their
agenda includes a bunch of transfers and new
hires.
- June 25 a Here's our weather
outlook
- June 25 The Elk is looking good as is,
Lake Sampson and ERTS.
- June 25 a Clayberry is the place to be
for hiking, biking, horseback riding, swimming, wading,
fishing, and loafing. Hope to see ya here this weekend.
- June 24 p Monday June 27th will be the
last public meeting for the three outgoing School Boardsters,
Dave Mullins, Morgy Triplett, and Cheryl White.
- June 24 p Knowing how management does
thangs at the Pentagon, we were sure, they would pull some
last second, binding, decision making before leaving office.
You know, make everything look wonderful as a gesture of
kindness.
- June 24 p Like two weeks ago, during the
last public meeting of the Board, mention was made that the
Board would bring up the Superintendent's annual employee
evaluation during the upcoming meeting at the Pentagon.
- June 24 p Shezaaam! There it comes
clickers.
- June 24 p Well, we may have been wro....
wrooooo, wrong. Or, at least something happened behind the
scenes.
- June 24 p Here's the online
agenda link for that June 27th meeting where there's no
mention of the Mercedes Paxton's evaluation. Keep in mind,
often, more often than not, last second agenda changes at the
drop of a hat.
- June 24 p Have a good weekend one and
all.
- June 24 p For the bald headed lad, no
not Dave Mullins, the Ace Cub Reporter will be busy helping do
the laundry.
- June 24 a Margaret �Granny� Helen
Blanton, 89, see OBITUARY page
- June 24 a After fighting thru
another week, we're back
- June 24 a For this weekend, the Elk is
starting to look good again
- June 24 a Much is taken for
granted
- June 24 a Take clothes dryers for
instance. We take those rascals for granted until they crap
out.
- June 24 a Within a day or two, the
household goes to pot with with wet clothes laying about and
then turning musty. All that stuff around the dryer, it ends
up in the kitchen making that space useless.
- June 24 a Then there's the removal of
that old beast out of the utility room and all the stuff that
has accumulated on the top and sides of ole dependable
- June 24 a To say a few bucks, then comes
the look for a good used dryer. That doesn't work cause we use
the rascals until something breaks. We check the Trader's
Guide and yard sale notices.
- June 24 a Finally, now three days into
the break down and the house is a total wreck, it's time to
bite the bullet and purchase a new unit. But, which one to
cough off the $$$ on
- June 24 a There's all kinds of brand
names but did you know, there's really only three or so
manufacturer of the behemoths.
- June 24 a Take Maytag, maybe the most
trusted name on washer and dryers. Did you know it's just a
marketing name? Whirlpool bought that name years ago and it's
Whirlpool that makes the things for the last many decades.
- June 24 a Here's a complete
list of who makes what and what ta look for.
- June 24 a Then there's the reliability
issue. Here's some pretty
good reading on that topic.
- June 24 a Now you know what's been
happening in the Mel Gibson Look Alike kingdom this past week.
- June 24 a That $700+, to get the
housebold back in order, that $700, that's cheap
- June 22 early a Here's what we've been
thinking about while the Frontier gremlins have been at work
on the world wide web
- June 22 early a For three months now
we've been floating the story that Superintendent Joe Paxton
has been in the cross hairs of state investigators over his
handling of the Jan 29th School Excess Levy Election along
with allegations of poll worker intimidation. For that matter,
we've raised concerns over his wifey's handling of her thang
in the land of Clay Elem
- June 22 early a You like most people are
thinking, sometimes out loud, they ain't going to get him and
they have already moved on to other matters. Pretty Boy Paxton
is in the clear and good to go
- June 22 early a Keep in mind, lawyers
take their good time preparing cases.
- June 22 early a We keep checking at the
Circuit Clerk's office in search of any kind of paperwork.
- June 22 early a As of yesterday
afternoon, there ain't none there
- June 22 early a But but but, keep
something in mind.... school system employees are actually
state workers not county employees. With that in mind, the
issue comes, any legal action that might happen, wouldn't that
be handled down in Charleston where all state cases are dealt
with?
- June 22 early a Always striving for high
ideal and work, translation: we ain't attorneys, anything that
comes along, we might be the last people to hear about it here
in Clayberry.
- June 22 early a Even with gasoline
hovering at $5 / gallon, as soon as we hear of anything
shaking lose, we will make the trip to the Kanawha County
Courthouse post haste.
- June 22 early a By the way, here
in Clayberry, the Summer Grand Jury convenes on July 12th.
- June 21 p It's a miracle!! A miracle we
tell ya!
- June 21 p A miracle has displayed itself
to County Clay
- June 21 p Sometime today, Frontier DSL
Gods decided they had cost this place enough and decided to
return the snail speed DSL to this humble little Land of
Little.
- June 21 p It's back. We're back
- June 21 p From the Town of Clay, 1pm:
Boil Water Order has been issued for all of the Maysel area
customers, a line break is being repaired today
6-21-2022.
- June 21 p Boil it first clickers.
- June 21 p And for those not so bright,
after boiling it, let it cool before drinking!
- June 20 p Caleb Andrew Duffield,
28, of Clay, see OBITUARY page
- June 20 p Saturday no Frontier DSL
- June 20 p Sunday, no $$## Frontier DSL
- June 20 p Monday, no $$#@#@!@$%^%
Frontier DSL
- June 20 p We're doing this update via a
cell phone hotspot
- June 20 p Using that service, we're
still checking our emails but just once a day until Frontier
management gets their act together.
- June 20 p Sorry clickers
- June 20 p The Elk River has always been
a gold mine is it were developed.
- June 20 p Down on Coal River where a
group organized and grew their slow poke, flat wawa, for their
annual float trip, they brought in
over 2000 boaters.
- June 20 p As for organizers, leaders,
not so much in these parts.
- June 19 a Now 11am Sunday morning,
Frontier DSL went off Friday afternoon and we and bunch others
in County Clay haven't seen it since
- June 19 a Such outages cost millions to
businesses. Banks, gas station hardware stores, most every
business uses an ATM machine for customer convenience. Those
card readers depend on a strong internet service for
transactions.
- June 19 a For the most part, the vast
majority really, Clayberry has been off the grid for seven
days.
- June 19 a For this site to get anything
posted, we have to hook up to a cell phone with what's called
"a hotspot". That limits us a bunch since a hotspot eats up
data and that stream is not covered on any service provider
plan.
- June 19 a We will post when we hear of
some noteworthy dumb bunny outrage here on the home front.
Everything else, it will have to wait.
- June 19 a On that note...
- June 19 a When you notice employees
bailing out, you know something is a rye at the company. Since
the beginning of time, some jobs, like govt workers and
utility positions, those are considered very secure and sought
after.
- June 19 a Walk over to the Sch Bd
meeting coverage on our COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section
where we provide some insight (and liberties) on what's
happening in the 342 square miles we call home.
- June 19 a For those wondering, the Elk
and tributaries remain above Summer pool but not too much.
It's also milky instead of the normal emerald green.
- June 19 a Our suggestion, instead of the
wet stuff, head to ERTS and enjoy hiking, biking, horseback
riding. The number of ATV users, they're at an all time high
right now.
- June 19 a Happy Father's Day to all. You
too Amos Waddell Sr.
- June 19 a
- June 18 a Donald Eugene Ramsey, 79 of
Bickmore, see OBITUARY page
- June 17 p It's so much nicer when
Frontier DSL stays on
- June 17 p Posted over on the
COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section is our accounting of
this week's Sch Bd meeting.
- June 17 p Just as we got this post
online, there came a big thunder boomer bang.
- June 17 p Hold your breath clickers, we
may be down again!
- June 17 late a Finally, we have our
article on this week's County Commission meeting. It's a juicy
one and well worth the walk over to the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE
newspaper section.
- June 17 late a For those wanting to come
visit County Clay, the weather looks like it will be
cooperating this weekend
- June 17 late a For all Veterans, check
out the EVENTS page for a Pizza Party tomorrow in Maysel.
- July 17 early a The big utility
contractor trucks have left the county as far as we can tell
- July 17 early Frontier DSL came back on
last night and has been solid since then.
- June 17 early a We're back in business
and plan to spend the morning updating this source of
Clayberry news and views
- June 17 early a Heck even WYAP stayed on
the air all night. Hooray!
- June 17 early a Look at in your
driveway. See that ratty lookin ride? Rust, Dents, bald tires?
- June 17 early a Cunningham Motors has
some sharp lookin vehicles at the ready. Click their
link on the homepage for a dressed up Silverado, bright red
- June 17 early a How many of ya are
in need of some repair work, Grass cutting, weed whacking,
building a shed, putting that gutter back up...
- June 17 early a Over on the CLASSIFIED
page we have listings for a couple young men that, get this!,
show up on time, work at reasonable rates, and know what
they're doing.
- June 17 early a Talk with Randy and / or
James to get your place ready for Summer
- June 17 early We have Magistrate Rider
and Boggs Dockets posted over on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE
newspaper page as well as cute stuff from Slim Randles
- More comin
- June 16 a You're tied of it and so are
we
- June 16 a Truth is, Frontier DSL is
about the game in Clayberry and it's up time rate sucks for
dead air
- June 16 a Yesterday Frontier came and
went. Last night it went South and stay off most of the night
- June 16 a Every time we're ready to
upload... worser yet, have way thru an upload, there's another
break in the stream
- June 16 a We've tried uploading the
County Commission and Sch Bd meetings three times so far but
without luck. We're trying but trying to run any
service via Frontier, it's next to impossible
- June 16 a FYI, when Frontier goes down,
it affects WYAP FM radio. For the last 3 + days, 101.7FM has
been off more than on.
- June 16 a Real sorry clickers but we're
trying
- June 15 a Monday night's storm wiped out
Clayberry. Power lines, DSL, tele, lines along with monster
trees across roadways, this County shut down
- June 15 a More
than 30,000 West Virginians still did
not have power Tuesday evening following storms from
the previous night.
- June 15 a For the Ace Cub Reporter
without A/C and power for 24 hours, that almost killed him
- June 15 a Not being able to post, that
was even worser.
- June 15 a Instead of croaking in his own
sweat, he and the wifey headed off to their camper where Mon
Power managed to keep the juice flowing
- June 15 a Now that everything is mostly
back to normal minus the A/C (a tree limb rammed thru that
outside box) we've got some catching up to do
- June 15 a We' starting those tasks right
now
- June 15 a Want to ditch those rug rats
for four nights?
- June 15 a Clayberry's 4H camp begins
next week. Full details are now posted over on the ADVISORY
page. Hurry and get em signed up!
- June 15 a For all us old farts, from
MetroNews: West Virginia retirees are urging state lawmakers
to consider a one-time
supplement to provide financial relief for the state�s
older population.
- June 12 p Clay County Commission (CCC)
will hold their public meeting Monday morning beginning at
10am sharp. Big long agenda should offer some juicy eyebrow
raising items.
- June 12 p Our Sch Bd meets tomorrow
evening at 6pm. This will be the next to last gathering of the
faithful, tried and true, going out of office, Boardsters.
- June 12 p Let's go back to the CCC for a
second.
- June 12 p We attended the last CCC but
never got around to publishing the not so exciting article.
- June 12 p One of the items that spelled
doom and gloom for passing the 911 Excess Levy on May 10th was
the purchase of a high dollar , all fancied up, new Ford SUV
for use by Courthouse sucks, I mean, staffers that have no use
for such a costly ride.
- June 12 p Most of us thought to our
self, $$##!!! it, they are going to be out joy riding around
the state while we can't afford to pay the jail bill!
- June 12 p During that last CCC meeting,
outgoing Commissioner Fran King asked about keeping a mileage
logbook in the Ford and keep track of who's joy riding in it.
- June 12 p There was no real decision on
who gets to use it nor any decision on the log book.
- June 12 p If you see the shiny ride out
and about in Clayberry, take a picture of it and email it over
to us as well as the date and time.
- June 12 p Away from the public, there
has already been controversy over who gets to use the new
vehicle.
- June 12 p Right after it arrived,
the Black Shirts needed to take a huge guy to jail. Truth is,
the lad was so big, he wouldn't fit in the backseat of a
normal cruiser!
- June 12 p When the request to use the
Ford was made, Commissioner Schoolcraft answered with.. No.
- June 12 p If you can make the CCC
meeting in the morning, you aught ta!
- June 12 p We do have pretty good
coverage from last week's Town Council meeting posted over on
the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section.
- June 11 p Fishing is free this
weekend. Free for anyone with no license needed period
- June 11 p For Dads, Moms, neighbors,
etc., it's a great time to enjoy fun along the water for the
wittle rug rats
- June 11 p True the Elk is running red
and way above Summer pool BUT the tributaries have already
cleared up and offer real opportunities for the entire family.
- June 11 p Enjoy beautiful County Clay
this weekend!
- June 10 p Many Clayonians were duped by
the Drumpf guy. He was good at it of course but for the
many still supportive of his dangerous crapola, can't help but
think, it's time to barf up that pitcher of Kool Aid you
drank..
- June 10 p There are some speeches that
have stood the test of time. During last night's first public
hearing on Drumpf working to overthrow the nation on Jan 6th,
Liz Cheney tossed out a major league home run. From Liz
Cheney: "Tonight, I say this to our Republican colleagues who
are defending the indefensible: there will come a day when
Donald Trump is gone, but your dishonor will remain."
- June 10 p County Clay has educated
folks, pillars of the community so to speak, that can't see
the truth and how in jeapordy our Nation was (still is) from
the Jan 6th coup attempt.
- June 10 p Those so called thinkers lost
much of their credibility by clinging to weak minded
mis-truths brought to them by that last Prez.
- June 10 p It's time for em to admit the
obvious and move on with life.
- June 10 p How about today?
- June 10 a We have updated our coverage
on the killing of the Nicholas County Deputy. You can find the
coverage over on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section.
- June 10 a Also in the newspaper is our
coverage of three new folks charged with felonies.
- June 10 a If you can get the
afternoon off, you should. Looks like Saturday will be a wet
one for Clayonians
- June 10 a Yes we're holding back on our
next episode of Miracle on Gump Street.
- June 10 a We'll get it into print
sometime this weekend.
- June 8 later a We've posted several of
the news articles and several pictures on the loss of Nicholas
County Officer Tom Baker over on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE
newspaper section.
- June 8 later a Condolences extended to
the Baker family and friends
- June 8 a We've updated the COMMUNICATOR
ONLINE newspaper section with new court dockets for
Magistrates Boggs and Rider
- June 8 a With gas prices rising almost
every day. With gas already at $5 a gallon in the Kanawha
Valley and coming our way post haste, you might need a gas
sipper vehicle.
- June 8 a Cunningham Motors has
several of those easy on the wallet vehicles in stock. Check
out their ad on the home page.
- June 7 late p Isaac Frank Murphy, 27, of
Clay, see OBITUARY page
- June 7 p Yesterday afternoon was
sun filled, no wind, no ice, no snow but yet, Frontier DSL
went kapuut for no good reason and did not return for 24
hours. Oh, there is one reason. Frontier management has not ,
will not, engineer any redundancy into their system
- June 7 If you are thinking, i might just
try starting a business in County Clay.
- June 7 p If your business or idea
requires ANY internet service (or speed), Forget it. It's a
lost cause!
- June 7 p We're back for now and am
starting to get back on track.
- June 7 p We've made a change over on the
homepage. Over on the left, in that black band where the page
links are located, notice, we've moved the ERTS page link
there for easier finding and use.
- June 7 p We've added an update to
all the ERTS stories found there
- June 7 p Someone sent us a link to guy
who has put together a map and details on ERTS. Here's
that link.
- June 7 p We have an anniversary
clickers. From the HurHerald, A former Clay County economic
development official who made national headlines after making
a racist comments about former first lady Michelle Obama was
sentenced to federal prison on an embezzlement case. The Clay
Communicator and the Hur Herald first published the story, the
Herald getting a record number of visitors, 500,000.
Pamela Taylor was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Irene
Berger Thursday to 10 months in federal prison. She also must
pay a $10,000 fine. Here's the
full read.
- June 7 p The CAEZ was suppose to hold
their monthly Board meeting last night over at the Dundon
Campground. With some of their Boardsters using ZOOM to
attend and with Frontier out of service, that meeting had to
be cancelled. We think that gathering will be rescheduled for
next Wed, June 15th
- June 7 p Tonight at 5:30 Clay Town
Council convenes their in person meeting at Town Hall, AKA the
WAWA plant on Main Street.
- June 7 p We've got a very interesting
update on the dealings of the Pentagon.
- June 7 p If all goes well (for us
anyway), that juicy nugget should be published Wed afternoon
sometime.
- June 7 p Gas prices went to $5 per
gallon along Elk River Road at Elkview today.
- June 7 p From CNN: Oil prices have
roared back to about where they were in the early days of the
Ukraine war, and there's no prospect of significant relief for
drivers and businesses any time soon. The price of Brent
crude, the global benchmark, shot up past $124 a barrel
earlier this week � its highest level since early March �
after the European Union announced it would slash 90% of its
Russian oil imports by the end of this year. Here's their
full story.
- June 7 p If you believe that crap, go
ahead. Truth is, the high prices are nothing less corporate
greed.
- June 5 p Way back in 1951. something
special happened. Today Jan Derby is celebrating her birthday.
Congrats Jan
- June 5 p For way over 2 decades, Terry
Kerns held the Communicator together with patience,
determination, and other strong efforts. Now retired and
living in Georgia, the best of birthday wishes Terry
- June 5 p And for the Ace Cub Reporter,
this day is also special. 69 years ago he earned his belly
button.
- June 4 a 911 scanner listeners heard
Black Shirt Randy Holcomb go tearing out Widen Ridge to aid
Nicholas County Badges in the Birch River area.
- June 4 a This morning: A suspect who
survived a deadly shooting with Nicholas County deputies has
been identified and taken into custody. Brent Tyler Kelly, 28,
was booked into the Central Regional Jail in Flatwoods early
Saturday morning. Kelly is charged with first degree
murder. The shooting happened Friday night in the
Birch River area. Two Nicholas County deputies were shot while
trying to execute a warrant. One deputy died. The second
deputy was shot in the leg...
- June 4 a Here's the full MetroNews
write up.
- June 4 a Dangerous work and low wages.
Who would want such a position
- June 4 a It's our understanding County
Clay's Nicholas Legg was hired last Tuesday to be a Clayberry
Black Shirt.
- June 4 a Weather-wise, everything looks
good for ERTS, the Elk River, Buffalo Creek, Lake Sampson.
Come see what makes Clayberry so special.
- June 3 a OK thinkers of the world,
we have yet another mind game on our quickly becoming out of
control, Pentagon
- June 3 a Yesterday's update introduced
the revenge tactics now in process where , out of the blue,
one week ago today, Superintendent Paxton told school
principals, you have to tell teachers, they are out the door.
- June 3 a If you haven't been to
Clayberry.org in a couple days, slide on down to yesterday's
postings before reading this update on school financials
- June 3 a Here goes
- June 3 a We think something big is wrong
and that's the reason for the last day of school, teacher
firings, in a hurried fashion.
- June 3 a The Pentagon is a cash cow
loaded with COVID dollars. That freebee money can be used for
about anything. So far, the outlays have been without much if
any oversight by the Feds.
- June 3 a So distorted are the hand outs,
the Gov. decreed, COVID millions could be used to pave roads
so ambulances and fire trucks would have less bumpy access!
- June 3 a The way it looks: Joe Paxton
felt that the Excess Levy would pass (back on Jan 29th) and
maybe , just maybe, he went ahead and spent some of those $$$
with the expectation of, he could quietly replenish those
funds when the new Levy dollars arrive.
- June 3 a And then, when the Levy failed
miserably, things got tight real quick.
- June 3 a Pretty Boy Paxton can only
operate with his Board fully in lock step mode and without any
controversy in the air. In any other scenario, the shell game
falls apart and becomes public.
- June 3 a This year, the full year,
controversy has been abundant. That bunches up that lad's
shorts. So bunched up, we have seen Paxton come back from
secret times or when the public showed up for Board meetings,
Paxton was red faced up to his ears.
- June 3 a When he says stuff like, things
will be tight after Levy $$$ go away on July 1st, there might
be more stuff we don't know about. Actually, Paxton was
telling worthy causes, nope, there ain't no money for your
field trip. That was back when Levy funds were still flowing
and 100% available thru June 31st.
- June 3 a Here's added wood for the
fire
- June 3 a This week Charleston auditors
(the Suits as we call em) showed up at the Pentagon for a look
see.
- June 3 a When done there, they headed
over to Clay High and Clay Elem to check those books.
- June 3 a If they went to the other
county schools, we haven't got word of that.
- June 3 a If you get enough skilled
people looking at the paperwork, red flags can pop up
- June 3 a Although they are dealing with
millions of tax dollars, it's really just like the rest of us.
- June 3 a When the check book runs low,
you have to be more careful.
- June 3 a They have many zeroes in their
account and we have just a few but , with scant funds, you
have to be more careful or else, checks start to bounce.
- June 3 a There was a time not so long
ago when finances were so poor, bad checks were passed. So
bad, the local bank held some checks until State funds
were released into the coffers to cover the bogus paper
- June 3 a If Mercedes Paxton wasn't so
arrogant and nonchalant, we could offer some compassion.
- June 3 a Between some of the worst
test scores in the State, telling the public they can
not get a question answered during a public meeting,
threatening parents with taking away free meals and books,
trying to get rid of contract bus drivers for the most rural
areas of the county, saying heck no to widow benefits, laying
off teachers, and so forth, it's hard to have compassion for
that smartly dressed lad and the current administration.
- June 3 a Come on July 1st. The fresh
faces can't get here soon enough.
- June 3 a From George A Butterick: Only
one thing is worse than a devil and that is an educated devil.
- June 3 a We've got a beautiful weekend
coming our way. True we had a huge rain last night, the Elk,
Buffalo, and Lake Sampson are calling your name. ERTS looks
like a bed of ferns all along the way and is laced with
Mountain Laurel in bloom.
- June 3 a Don't forget Mel's Clay Yak
livery for some other Summer time pleasures on the Elk
- June 3 a Don't forget to have a bite to
eat in downtown Clay and for that matter, Nottingham Store up
at Duck has some great vittles and ice cream products.
- June 3 a Have a great weekend right here
in County Clay.
- June 3 a Enjoy
- June 2 a By the way, the Elk is lookin
great and ready for your Summer time adventure here in
Clayberry
- June 2 a We're also seeing several in
search of trout on Buffalo Creek.
- June 2 a Both are at Summer pool or
close to it
- June 2 a Before getting locked up over
the holiday weekend, we did some deep thinking and have come
up with the following
- June 2 a To keep the masses in lock
step, revenge has to be applied in the school system. Beat em
back before they get too independent! While we think the
horse is already out of the barn (defeat of the school levy
and tossing three Boardsters out the door May 10th for
instance) the Pentagon is once again applying pressure to the
underlings.
- June 2 a Remember, it was just a month
ago that Superintendent Joe Paxton tried to get rid of all the
contract bus drivers. The only thing that saved those jobs was
public outrage and some fibbing on the part of the top boss.
Something along the lines of: Ah Gee folks, I didn't know that
state funds covered 95% of the contract bus driver costs and
has been doing that for years and years!
- June 2 a Still peed off a bunch, last
week Pretty Boy Paxton put the word out, it's time to toss
teachers from their jobs.
- June 2 a Upwards of five instructors
were told last Friday, we're eliminating your jobs. Down at H
E White Elem, yelp get rid of em by consolidating two
classrooms into one.
- June 2 a Why those two schools instead
of Clay Elem where enrollment is way down?
- June 2 a We went back and looked at the
Jan 29th Excess Levy numbers for the service area of Big Otter
Elem. We have an answer for those parents trying to figure out
that cutback.
- June 2 a Turns out in Precinct 24a and
Precinct 25a , Nebo, Ivydale, both shot down the Levy with
huge No votes.
- June 2 a For the Lizemore voters, they
said heck no to the Levy but as of right now, we've heard no
cutbacks comin to that school.
- June 2 a Big Otter is the county's
newest most high tech school and has shown almost decent test
scores. Parents know, cutting teachers has never improved test
scores nor student performance.
- June 2 a In the lead up to the Excess
Levy vote, Pretty Boy (some prefer to call him Mercedes
Paxton) the fibs were printed in flyers about cutbacks
including no free meals, no text books, and no
contract drivers. Most knew , those items are paid out of
State/Fed coffers. None the less, the Pentagon made the
threats: If you don't vote the way we want you to vote, we
will mess over the students and take jobs. That's called voter
intimidation.
- June 2 a Lets go back to those
standardized test scores. Have you heard a word this Spring on
those scores? We haven't heard a peep on the scores at the
school board meetings we've attended
- June 2 a Last year, in one county over,
it almost went to court to get those scores released to the
public.
- June 2 a Put your thinking hat on
clickers...
- June 2 a Three years back, there was
some kind of law implemented, that said: parents can not be
forced to send their students to a lessor (crappier) school.
We think Clay Elem is the lessor school and we also think,
that's where kids from the Northern end of the county will be
sent this comin' year.
- June 2 a If someone out there remembers
better than us, please email with the name on the law or maybe
it was a Calhoun County court case that challenged the law.
Please let us know ASAP
- June 2 a Here's the biggy
- June 2 a The Pentagon received millions
in COVID dollars. We think, most of those funds are still in
school accounts and unspent.
- June 2 a May is real late in the school
year and even worser, to wait that long to tell employees that
they are out of a job. Wrap that notion around the fact that
the Pentagon knew in Jan, the Levy was gone, shot down in
flames
- June 2 a Putting 6 and 2 together and
coming up 7, we think we've got a new angle
- June 2 a Finances, the shell game,
and keeping things under wraps, that comes on Friday.
- June 1 p Fannie Virginia (Samples)
Dobbins "Jo" of Procious, see OBITUARY page
June 1 p Ronald (Bub) Paul Rhodes II, age 48, of Bomont, see
OBITUARY page
June 1 p Michael Hanley Hunt, age 64, see OBITUARY page
- June 1 p If you're wondering what
happened to the wittle tubby guy. He's been doing some
learning
- June 1 p Like.... When a guy tells ya
his dog is very protective, that means, he will bite ya if you
get too close. The Ace Cub Reporter didn't know that
translation until last weekend's Memorial Day picnic.
- June 1 p Like... Sharp cheddar cheese
will vapor lock anyone up in short order
- June 1 p Couple that with a big, fresh
bag of un-shelled peanuts and trouble is on the horizon.
- June 1 p For about 24 hours it was like
trying to pass a brick of razor blades.
- June 1 p Even for an old guy, this
learning process has been painful from the tip of his fingers
right down to the bottom outlet.
- June 1 p The lad has a new determination
to stay off the hard stuff, cheddar cheese and peanuts. Darn
near killed him too!
- June 1 p We're now good to go just as
the new month opens up.
- June 1 p Updates comin' sooner that they
have been.
- May 28 p Just when we thought all the
school system crap had been covered, we were wr... wrooo...
wroong.
- May 28 p As a teaser.. We will
start the next round of Pentagon crapola sometime Tuesday.
- May 28 p We're calling it, the Revenge
of the Nerds.
- May 27 a We had one whale of downpour
last night. Electric was knocked out in several areas of
Clayberry
- May 27 a This is the first day of the
rest of their lives. Last night was graduation for the Class
of 2022. This is the first call that spent more time at home
than in the classroom.
- May 27 a Soon they will realize, all the
stories of you can be whatever you want and the sky's the
limit, for most graduates, that's BS
- May 27 a We woke up to drizzle this
morning. By 9am, the sun came out. Great.
- May 27 a We're taking three days off
unless something dumb happens.
- May 27 a The best
of Memorial Day wishes to each and every.
- May 25 a With the opening of Summer,
Memorial Day weekend just around the corner, it's never too
early to start screwing off. We plan to do just that later
today by biking on ERTS
- May 25 a The Elk River is green and
nearly clear but a foot or so above Summer levels.
- May 25 a Tributaries are even better.
Buffalo Creek still has some trout left for your fishing
pleasure
- May 25 a Clay Yak Rentals opens
for business this weekend. Their corporate headquarter
building is located right on the banks of the Elk and
under the Hartland bridge.
- May 25 a We can't get their website to
come up but Team Mel and Clay Yaks have a place on facebook as
far as we know. You might be able to book em from there.
- May 25 a Between Lake Sampson, the
Elk, Buffalo Creek, and ERTS, there's plenty to do in remotely
beautiful County Clay this Memorial Day holiday.
- May 25 a Hope to see ya here.
- May 24 late p Walter D. Nichols,
63, see OBITUARY page
- May 24 p Ladies and gentlemen, we know
you've been waiting all day to find out about the Miracle on
Gump Street.
- May 24 p It's now available over on the
COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section
- May 23 p It's not often that this world
experiences a miracle.
- May 23 p It's been a long time since we
have had such an occurrence.
- May 23 p We have one now.
- May 23 p It happened today during the
two Sch Bd meetings.
- May 23 p We're calling it "The Miracle
on Gump Street".
- May 23 p We will have the write up
completed by mid day Tuesday
- May 23 p And Yes, Superintendent Pretty
Boy Paxton is front and center once again
- May 23 early a Clayberry
Commission meets this morning beginning at 10am. This will be
the first public meeting since Commission Prez Fran King got
trounced during the Primary Election two weeks ago.
- May 23 early Tonight the School Board
convenes at 6pm sharp in the Pentagon. For this group, a
quorum of the Bd was tossed out by voters and replaced with
newbees. Those newcomers take office on July 1st. For the
ousted, it's lame duck time and a last chance for Prez Dave
Mullins to hand out retribution to those that voted against
him
- May 23 early a
Their agenda might be interesting from the peanut
gallery
- May 22 p When a criminal gets caught
after breaking into someone's house while wearing stolen items
including the victim's shoes, seems like he would say, well,
you caught me.
- May 22 p Black Shirt Randy Holcomb
provided the write up which is published in its entirety over
on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section
- May 22 p Also over there are the
criminal dockets for Magistrate Jeff Boggs and Magistrate
Rider
- May 19 a We should be talking about
beautiful Spring flowers, graduation coming for CHS seniors,
fishing on Buffalo Creek and other things nice things in
Clayberry
- May 19 a We can't.
- May 19 a Instead we have to drill down
on stupid, revenge tactics away from the public's prying eye
- May 19 a With a new quorum, an untrusted
quorum, coming July 1st in School Board land, before that
happens, all those back room promises and pay backs must
be taken care of.
- May 19 a State Code demands that for any
elected body to discuss and or vote on ANY item, it must take
place during a public meeting. To be a public meeting, the
agenda must be posted three days in advance.
- May 19 a That applies to even those
"Special" meetings.
- May 19 a Yesterday the County Board of
Education held a special meeting without public notice. They
had to keep stuff secret as they get their heads together.
Special means, the meeting can be held for something so
serious, important, it can't wait until the next regular
meeting.
- May 19 a The next regular meeting of the
Board is slated for Monday May 23rd. That's just three
days from the special meeting date!
- May 19 a That part about three days
notice including the system website, Clayberry wrote the book
on that demand. Back when Larry Gillespie was Superintendent,
things were so underhanded and deceitful, the W Va Ethics
Commission issued their opinion which says in part, if
your have a website, the agenda must be posted three days in
advance on that site
- May 19 a You can
check for yourself, there is no mention of a special
meeting on the school system website as of 9am this morning
- May 19 a Since Joe Paxton
recommends everything to be placed on an agenda and with Dave
Mullins approving such, both men are accountable for the
shortcomings.
- May 19 a With incumbent Dave Mullins
coming in near last (5th out of 7), it's time for him to seek
revenge on all the folks that did him in.
- May 19 a It's time for Dave's revenge
- May 19 a Set for Monday night's regular
meeting is a vote to sever contract bus drivers from their
jobs.
- May 19 a One of the many reasons Mullins
lost his perch was the controversy over denying a bus driver's
widow unused benefits of her late husband. We're talking about
Carolyn Rogers effort to retrieve those unused sick leave
benefits a couple months back.
- May 19 a Dave's idea was for the
outgoing Board to get their heads together before the public
can have a say in the matter (without discussion) on the 23rd,
ram things thru with a quick vote
- May 1r a Some how, some way, two of the
new Boardsters got wind of the special meeting, and showed up
on the 18th.
- May 19 a It's our understanding, when
the newbees appeared, Dave Mullins spoke out: Who the Hell
invited them??
- May 19 a It's important that Dave apply
paybacks before his time in office expires on the last day of
June
- May 19 a He's working to that end now
- May 19 a Taxpayers should expect to see
more of this crapola before July 1st.
- May 19 a We expect to see real shifts in
Pentagon staffing before that date. With Joe Paxton in legal
limbo and with Asst Superintendent Joan Haynie promising to
retire this year, this could be a new ballgame and all done
before a new quorum comes on the Board
- May 19 a During yesterday's
special meeting, during discussion to eliminate contract
drivers and as best we can cipher, newbee Boardster Phoebe
Nichols spoke out with: I would not be in favor of that.
- May 19 a That's exactly what team
Mullins / Paxton do not want to happen during a regular
meeting, a time when those drivers would be on hand, a time
when thinking people realize, we have plenty of narrow dirt
roads where full size buses can NOT pass thru.
- May 19 a Clickers, we have to get
thru the next few weeks before the new day can begin.
- May 19 a Hope we can make it without too
much damage.
- May 19 a Come on July 1st.
- May 19 a More comin soon.
- May 17 a We took off a few days to
recover from life in the slow lane of Clayberry.
- May 17 a Sometimes stepping back and
taking a second look brings together a new thought.
- May 17 a Now with a full head of steam,
that's what happened after screwing off for three days. Here
goes.
- May 17 a We've been putting the monkey
squarely on the back of School Superintendent Joe
Paxton. We're fairly certain Mr Pretty Boy is the target
of a criminal investigation for poll worker and employee
intimidation during the lead up to the Jan 29th School Excess
Levy election.
- May 17 a Last week we posted a typed
letter that was slid thru our mail slot with a focus on Joe's
wife, Clay Elem Principal Michelle Paxton. That letter put the
spotlight on her part of threatening wayward school employees
who vote, voted, the wrong way, against the Levy
- May 17 a After that three day brain
clearing period, here's something new.
- May 17 a If Mr Pretty Boy is in hot
wawa, why wouldn't Mrs Pretty Boy be in the same grease?
- May 17 a After checking around and
doing some soul searching, we think Mrs Pretty Boy also
received a letter targeting her in a separate criminal
investigation.
- May 17 a Criminal investigations do NOT
lead to a Court case or settlement 100% of the time. Here's
where we should say, nobody is guilty of squat until a Judge
slams the gavel down.
- May 17 a It also takes time for
investigators and slow poke attorneys to get all their
paperwork in order.
- May 17 a Then there's the issue of
finding a Special Prosecutor to handle the load. Why? Our
local Prosecutor, Jim Samples, has a wifey that works in the
School System which probably creates a conflict of interest.
- May 17 a Don't get too excited if we
don't hear anything until mid Summer, say July something or
other
- May 17 a Here's the problem for Joe and
maybe now, Michelle Paxton
- May 17 a IF IF IF he, she, get into real
trouble, that would put in doubt their teaching credentials.
No credentials, they can't keep their job (s)
- May 17 a When we were thinking it was
just Joe in the dutch, we figured, his wifey could carry the
financial load, Mercedes payments for instance, until Joe
found a new line of work
- May 17 a Last year Joe's wages amounted
to $106,000 plus additional perks like travel and mileage
- May 17 a Last year Michell Paxton took
home $79,858.34 plus perks and benefits.
- May 17 a Any way you look at it, that's
pretty good money. Put em both together and that's a darn good
family income.
- May 17 a If charges are filed and he's
forced to take a non paid hike, they could still make it on
Michelle's salary
- May 17 a Those yanked credentials might
also apply to the Mrs.
- May 17 a If that would happen, clickers,
we don't care how much they have in savings, it wouldn't last
too long
- May 17 a We have a question clickers.
- May 17 a He, she, both, would have to
lawyer up. Maybe, they would have to have seperate lawyers.
Our question is: who pays the cost of lawyers, the taxpayers
or out of their own pocket? If you have an answer, please
email us
- May 17 a Joe ain't no dummy. With
the chance he could lose his credentials and job, maybe some
kind of deal is in order.
- May 17 a To keep their savings and some
income, a deal could be something along the lines of: OK
lawyers, I won't waste the Court's time. Instead, I will walk
away if you leave the wifey alone.
- May 17 a In that scenario, Pretty Boy
Paxton could keep his credentials and move on to some other
county or maybe move up to W Va Board of Education duties.
- May 17 a All of this commentary would be
just BS if those intimidated, threatened employees (that
got their arms twisted) fib to investigators or otherwise,
keep their mouths shut. Keeping their pie hole shut is equal
to fibbing in our opinion
- May 17 a That's our morning blast after
a three day hiatus.
- May 17 a Keep the calls coming folks!
You are appreciated.
- May 16 p Ernie Pat Dawson, 70, of Clay,
see OBITUARY page
- May 16 p Tony Wayne Gill, 39, of Duck,
WV, see OBITUARY page
- May 15 a Irene Leota Adams, 92, of
Ivydale
- May 14 a On this gorgeous Saturday
morning..
- May 14 a Over in Richwood, the
grandfather of em all, Ramp Feed, is being held. See EVENTS
page for details
- May 14 a Also on that page is notice of
the upcoming Rabies vaccinations. And Yes, they would probably
treat our politicians there as well.
- May 14 a We just published our coverage
of the most recent School Board meeting over ont he
COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section.
- May 14 a We no longer call a kid ODing
at a school as an overdose. Instead, it goes down on the log
book as having a seizure.
- May 14 a Yesterday, over at the High
School, a student OD'd ...Oh I mean had a seizure. We think it
was a vaping incident but laced with a strong drug.
- May 14 a The Principal was off on
medical leave
- May 14 a The Vo Ag Vice Principal was in
Pittsburgh watching a ball game
- May 14 a With no luck contacting a
parent or guardian, the other CHS vice principal had to ride
down to the hospital to be with the kid.
- May 14 a That means there was no
administrator on hand to handle the normal CHS routine
- May 14 a Instead, Asst Superintendent
Joan Haynie was brought down to keep control of the zoo
- May 14 a That's how bad things are at
our Clay High School of Excellence.
- May 14 a That new School Board quorum is
needed now more than ever.
- May 12 p How many of you are having
trouble getting someone to cut grass, weed whack, de-limb a
tree, or other basic maintenance around the house?
- May 12 p Turns out there's a new handy
man service called Clay Farm and Residential Services. They
also haul gravel.
- May 12 p For the lazy Ace Cub Reporter
that didn't want to brush cut the back yard, the new company
showed up on time and did a good job. Their tele number
is 304 553- 8045. Ask for Caleb.
- May 12 p There's some pretty interesting
reading from the last County Commission meeting posted over on
the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section.
- May 12 a Slightly tardy but Birthday
wishes to the Poopster himself, Randy Holcomb
- May 12 a On this lovely Thursday
morning, we've added three more to the latest BLOTTER column.
Good reading for sure
- May 12 a It takes a while for the
depth of an election to sink in.
- May 12 a Like....
- May 12 a In January, the citizens said
heck no to Joe Paxton during the Levy vote.
- May 12 a Back in February the teachers
at Clay High held a no confidence vote on Principal Crystal
Gibson and Vo Ag Director Bob Morris. Those efforts resulted
in the female being removed from her job.
- May 12 a During the May Election, voters
of Clayberry held a no confidence vote on Superintendent Joe
Paxton by voting in a new slate of Boardsters.
- May 12 a It's going to be interesting to
watch if the newbee quorum will take action when they take
their seats July 1st.
- May 12 a Let's speculate that Paxton
gets in the grease in a more public way. Who would be his
replacement? Joan Haynie is the most senior administrator.
Email over your guess.
- May 12 a There was a time when the Blue
Bloods of Clayberry had a big say in who gets elected. There
were family names that carried a lot of weight. Based on the
election results, those days of power brokering, they're gone.
Good!
- May 12 a We've got the election run down
posted over on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section.
- May 11 p Baseball season is over for the
Clay High Panthers. Tonight Braxton County done us in big
time, 12 to 2. They are ready to put away the equipment for
another year.
- May 11 p For all the old farts in the
County, we have a question.
- May 11 p Has there ever been
another time when voters tossed out of office three Sch
Boardsters during one election?
- May 11 p We can remember when
Superintendent Linkypoo twisted enough arms to get the first
School Excess Levy passed on a second try and then lost two of
his Board members. One was Charlie Osborne and the other may
have been Paul Allen.
- May 11 p For the old timers, does anyone
remember three getting axed by the voters?
- May 11 p Back three months ago and ever
so quietly, Boardster Dave Mullins wanted the County to give
Clay County Park to the school system. He was also demanding
everything be settled before the May 10th election.
- May 11 p Can anyone think of a reason
for that backroom discussion and why have it all settled
before the Election?
- May 11 p And finally, with three
Boardsters getting tossed aside, what last second changes are
they planning? Who do they want moved to a safer job?
- May 11 p Email your thoughts please
- May 11 p Nice weather is predicamentated
for Thursday. Why not take the afternoon off and go enjoy ERTS
or the Elk or trout fishing on Buffalo Creek. Whatever, get
outdoors and enjoy this Spring weather!
- May 10 late p A few years ago when
Middle Eastern Countries started tossing out leadership, media
outlets called it the Arab Spring. Ladies and
Gentlemen, we have an Appalachian Spring in the mountains of
County Clay.
- May 10 late p For County Commission,
Joyce Johnson toppled incumbent Fran King, 644 to 408. With no
Repub challenger in Nov, Johnson will take office Jan 1 2023
- May 10 late p With Mike Asbury not
running for Circuit Clerk again, three challengers were on the
ballot. Results: Clarissa Hanshaw 432, Jason Hubbard with 322,
and comin in dead last and as the person with the most signs
along the roads, Dwana Murphy 313. That race is not over. In
the Nov General Election, there is a Republicrap challenger on
the ballot
- May 10 late p And the big topple come in
Sch Bd land where Superintendent Joe Paxton lost his much
wanted Excess Levy in Jan. Now, in May, he lost all three
incumbent Boardsters.
- May 10 late p Sch Bd vote count: Phoebe
Nichols 1036; Lo Nutter with 892, Brooke Jones 739, Carrie
Haynes Dunmire 503, Dave Mullins 409, Cheryl White 381, and
Morgan Triplett with 343.
- May 10 late p The break down is, each of
our three districts will have one new Boardster,
Phoebe Nichols from A; Lo Nutter from B district, and finally
Brooke Jones representing C district.
- May 10 late p The new Boardsters will
take training in June and then take their new perch July 1st.
- May 10 late p That's a new quorum for
Joe Paxton and the Pentagon to deal with and a new complexion,
direction, for the school system.
- May 10 late p It's interesting to watch
how winners and losers handle themselves on election night
- May 10 late p Dave Mullins bailed out
early, He didn't wait around for the obvious defeat and hand
shaking of the winners.
- May 10 late p That's not the case for
Morgy Triplett who hung around til the end and wished the
winners the best of wishes and success.
- May 10 late p For the last many election
cycles, School Superintendents would show up election night
and shake hands and offer good wishes to the winners.
- May 10 late p That wasn't the case for
Joe Paxton who was a no show tonight.
- May 10 late p Sitting Boardster David
Pierson was on hand for the gala and provided glad tidings to
his newly elected board members. That professionalism is the
reason Dave Pierson keeps getting elected. He has a brain.
- May 10 late p As for the Emergency
Service Excess Levy: 911 for the wallet fleecing
and 756 against the take. In this state, a regular
excess levy must win by 60.01% + to take affect. That didn't
happen this time around. The Levy failed to make that
threshold for the second time in less than 2 years.
- May 10 late p It didn't take long for
the emails to start coming in.
- May 10 late p From the email bag and
just minutes after the results were all in: Andi, May you
sleep well tonight since you slandered my brother Dave Mullins
until he lost the election. Your turn will come and you will
be judged one day on your actions. What goes around comes
around. Where is your respect? You have communicated in
your paper just who and what you are. You certainly
don�t have the good people in Clay County in mind as you print
such slander in your paper. People like you are what
causes America to be in the shape that it is now. I feel for
you.
Sandy Mullins Barillaro
- May 10 late p There's only one piece
left to fall in place and then the Appalachian Spring will be
complete. That might (should) be coming by late June.
- May 10 late p It has been a good year
for the citizenry of Clayberry. We don't have much say with
national politics but here on the home front, each vote still
counts. Sometime tomorrow we'll post the entire voting results
- May 10 late p In the news business,
scandals, outrage, dumb bunnyitus, 2022 couldn't get any
better. With the Mel Gibson Look Alike turning 69 in just a
couple weeks and after the best five months of exciting news,
there's no better time to creep into retirement and start
writing that long stalled book on Clayberry.
- May 10 Remember our note on how
people handle elections....
- May 10 late p Less than five minutes
after winning her contest with a big margin, Joyce Johnson
handled her victory in a very poor non thinking way.
- May 10 late On her way out the door, the
Ace Cub Reporter saw the ever smiling Joyce and offered,
"Congratulations Joyce". In response, from Joyce, "thru no
help from you!!!"
- May 10 late p So unlearned was Joyce,
she took one step out the doorway and then ducked back in and
included, I'll show you!!!
- May 10 late p Such stuff makes it
tougher for the lad to retire away.The leadership challenges
remain for easy pickins.
- May 10 late p Time for bed now. And Yes,
Sandy, the Ace Cub Reporter will sleep just fine tonight.
- May 10 a Jimmy Wilbert Salisbury, 79 of
Clay, see OBITUARY page
- May 10 a This is election day, the day
all the campaigners have been waiting for.
- May 10 a For those still beating around
the bush, polls close at 7:30 pm sharp. Don't wait any longer.
It's time to go vote
- May 10 a According to County Clerk
Connie Workman: all polls opened on time; enough poll workers
are at each precinct to make everything happen; and, a rep
from the Sec of State's office will be on hand this evening
during the ballot count.
- May 10 a From William Bennett Munro:
People vote their resentment, not their appreciation. The
average man does not vote for anything, but against something.
- May 10 a From George Jean Nathan: Bad
officials are elected by good citizens who do not vote.
- May 9 late late p READ READ READ
On the official polling place locations, there has been a
change.
- May 9 late late p Walnut Grove
Fellowship Hall will NOT be a polling place. That location has
been moved to Norman Johnson's Country Short Stop building.
- May 9 late late p Reason? Not enough
poll workers!
- May 9 late late p It's our understanding
the same almost had to happen with Ivydale where a shortage of
poll workers was narrowly averted today.
- May 9 late late p There can be a bunch
of reasons for lack of poll workers: not getting paid enough
comes to mind first but so can illness, the aging out of long
time dedicated poll workers and of course... maybe poll
workers don't like being intimidated like in the last School
Excess Levy Election last Jan 29th
- May 9 p Tonight the Clay High
Panthers put on their best performance of the 2022 baseball
season. True we lost in over time 6 to 5, it was one heck of a
showing!!
- May 9 p For this sectional season, the
Panthers play again Wed evening.
- May 9 p Go Panthers!
- May 9 p 721 Clayonians voted during the
early voting period.
- May 9 p For an off year election, that's
a new record for this county
- May 9 p For those voting on the 10th,
the polling place list is posted over on the ADVISORY page of
the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section
- May 9 p Down in Bomont Glen, the County
Clerk was unable to find a new polling place for those voters.
- May 9 p But, assurances have been given,
the H E White Elem voting room does NOT have cameras.
- May 9 p Privacy is important for voters.
We think viewing the voters via school security camera
footage and poll worker intimidation is the reason our
Superintendent (Pretty Boy Paxton) is under investigation.
- May 9 p If Paxton did such, we hope they
throw the book at him and his confidants.
- May 9 a Welcome to the Eve of Change. In
just over 36 hours the Primary Election will be on the record
books. The mud slinging is just about over and signs of Spring
will be taken down.
- May 9 a We've tried our best to provide
every angle and every thought behind who should get elected
this time around.
- May 9 a Today the County Commission
meets at 10am in the Courthouse
- May 9 a This evening the School Board
convenes at 6pm in the Pentagon. Their
agenda is laced full of sports changes.
- May 9 a Also for 6pm the Clay High
Panthers take the field for some great baseball action. We're
heading to Roane County for the match up.
- May 9 a 101.7FM will air the game. You
can listen online by heading over to tunein.com and typing in
WYAP.
- May 9 a Go Panthers!
- May 9 a The sun is out but at 45
degrees, boy it's chilly willy.
- May 9 a Last night at 10:30pm, a huge
flash of white and a couple boom booms struck and the electric
went off in the Maysel area.
- May 9 a This morning , now 7:30am, the
power remains off
- May 9 a No more postings till the juice
is restored.
- May 7 a Heavy rain continues today and
into the night.
- May 7 a Think back on your teenage
years. For the teeny boppers at Clay High, the Prom is the
highlight of your senior year. It's the comin out party
for seniors.
- May 7 a The Clay High Prom will be held
this evening.Even in the rain, kids will look their best but
still be goofy. Parents will hold their breath until the car
pulls back into the home front.
- May 7 a Weather casters told us
yesterday morning, there would be heavy, slow moving, storms
moving thru Clayberry Friday and into Saturday. They also
issued a Flash Flood Watch. By noon, the Pentagon just had to
look out their windows to see the creeks rising.
- May 7 a Instead of calling off school a
couple hours early, they sat on their thumbs preoccupied
with their own weekend plans.
- May 7 a With that pathetic decision,
they put students in danger and left bus drivers to fend for
themselves with the challenges of negotiating flood closed
roads and getting the rug rats home.
- May 7 a Another fine example of ho hum
leadership in need of an arss kicking and regime change.
- May 6 p From the National Weather
Service: FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH SATURDAY
MORNING.....Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall
continues to be
possible. ...Through Saturday morning....Excessive
runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and
other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Creeks and
streams may rise out of their banks. Thunderstorms with
very heavy rain continued to move northeast across the
region. One to two inches of rain has already
fallen and an additional one to two inches is possible.
Thunderstorms will be capable of producing heavier
amounts.
- May 6 p For those afar, creeks are
running high and muddy as is the Elk River. Be careful out
there clickers. Same rain is suppose to continue into
Saturday.
- May 6 p Around 1pm today we noticed
Green Shirt mobiles, maybe 5 of em, were parked in front of
Sizemore Greenhouse. We don't think they were there to
purchase pansies.
- May 6 a It might be good for flowers and
spuds but it's rained all night and feels like the wet stuff
will be with us for the next two days.
- May 6 a If this keeps up, there will not
be a CHS baseball game tonight.
- May 6 a Clayberry is a soggy mess
- May 6 a WIC is one of the few
Govt programs that benefit working class West
Virginians. The monthly pay outs have just been increased
$2,313. Here's the
jest of it.
- May 5 p Ronnie Edward Holcomb, 73, of
Ivydale, see OBITUARY page
- May 5 p Posted over on the
ADVISORY page you will find a complete list of polling
places for the May 10th Primary Election
- May 5 p Early voting continues today til
4pm at the Courthouse in the County Clerk's office
- May 5p Wonder how many have early voted?
- May 5 p Back when Drumpf pulled the wool
over so many eyes, during that early voting cycle, a little of
600 Clayonians participated. That was probably a record year
for early voting
- May 5 p As of before lunch today, there
have been 538 early voters. Thank goodness so many
voters know how important marking ballots is so very
important.
- May 5 p Interested in knowing how many
non profit organizations there are in West Virginia, we've got
a link to everyone
right here.
- May 5 p While we were nosing around the
web, we noticed something on the Big Otter Fire Department
which had its non profit license yanked way back in 2017. Here's
that link.
- May 5 p It took until Feb 2022
for Big Otter FD to get back that non profit status.
- May 5 p While you are on that last link,
there is reference to total gross earnings and assets. Sure
they all want a new Excess Levy but they seem to be doing
quite well without more $$$ out of our pockets.
- May 5 p Many non profit groups set up
two agencies, one for operation and the other for fund raising
and asset holdings.
- May 5 p We only see one
such group for Clay Fire Dept. If we've found the right
place, they ain't doing as well as Big Otter FD.
- May 5 p If anybody can email over the
official name of Lizemore Fire Dept, we will look them up in
short order. Thanks in advance.
- May 4 late p The CHS Lady Panthers
finished off a perfect season last night. After getting
defeated in the double elimination Sub Sectionals, their
season is over. Their record stands at 0 and 19
- May 4 late p Better luck next year Lady
Panthers
- May 3 later p We provided some up to
date election info over on this afternoon's article on
COMMUNICATOR ONLINE
- May 3 later p We're receiving emails
with voters cornfused about the Sch Bd race.
- May 3 later p You can vote for three
candidates in that contest. The candidates can reside in
either of the 3 district
- May 3 later p But But But, Rules say,
you can NOT have more than 2 elected Boardsters in a district.
- May 3 later p With four candidates in A
district, some people are talking about single shoting the one
of their choice.
- May 3 p Over on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE
newspapers section are sample ballots for the Primary Election
and our insight on what the candidates are lookin forward to.
- May 3 p Early voting continues today.
The shut down at 4pm sharp.
- May 3 p The CHS Lady Panthers haven't
won a game this season. Tonight is their last chance to mark a
W in the double header action.
- May 3 p 101.7FM will air the second game
sportscast live as well as on tunein.com. Just type in WYAP.
We think that second game should get underway around 7:30pm
- May 3 p Go Lady Panthers.
- May 2 p Internet gremlins went after
this web site sometime between last night and 9 this morning.
- May 2 p We think all the pages have been
restored and are working again, our info is once again visible
to the public
- May 2 p If you see something goofed up
as of 1pm today, please let us know.
- May 2 p Since the contest is double
elimination, Lady Panthers in are in Sub Sectional softball
action tonight at 6pm and Tuesday afternoon.
- May 2 p You can hear the softball fun on
101.7FM or via the web. Walk over to tunein.com and then type
in WYAP
- May 2 Go Lady Panthers!!
- May 2 p A couple weeks back we posted
that Clay Little League did not provide notice to us of their
opening day festivities.
- May 2 p This weekend while cleaning out
old emails, we found that email where they provided notice
- May 2 p One big Oops as we apologize for
OUR screw up.
- May 2 p Over on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE
newspaper section , we have combined all our stuff on Joe
Paxton being the target of an investigation on it's own page.
We think it will be easier to keep things straight.
- April 30 p Danny �Danny� Warren Foster
(Smokie or Dan-O), 55, of Ivydale,
- April 30 p We've added the latest Felony
charges over on the COMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper section.
- April 30 p It's some real sad reading
and indicates the future for County Clay.
- April 30 p How about some happy news.
- April 30 p Many in Clayberry know Dave
Derby as the feller that taught school for decades as well as
being a principal at H E White Elem. You often hear him doing
his Time Tunnel radio program on 101.7FM on Sunday afternoons.
- April 30 p We also know him as the owner
of the big white house on the corner of Carr and Main Street.
Each Summer, that's the place that is planted with a gazillion
flowers and shrubs.
- April 30 p Last week, Mr Derby was
awarded the 2022 Master Gardener Award for Clay and Braxton
County.
- April 30 p Congrats Dave!!
- April 29 p The best of birthday wishes
to America's number one pothead and world famous artist, Willie
Nelson who turns 89 today.
- April 29 a The stars aligned last night
for the Clay High Panthers. By the second inning, we were
ahead of Webster by 10 runs. CHS short games Webster 15 to 4.
It was a great win for the always improving Panthers
- April 29 a Suppose to be a game Saturday
at noon out at Clay County Park. The Panthers will be taking
on Lewis County IF the weather holds.
- April 29 a Check out the EVENTS page.
There's a Ramp Feed coming to Clayberry!!!
- April 29 By Thursday afternoon, over 160
voters had marked their ballots during early voting at the
Courthouse. How about you? Why not exercise your right to
vote? The Courthouse will be open Saturday til 5pm. And note,
there ain't no security cameras in that polling booth!
- April 29 a Saw some good campaigning
yesterday.
- April 29 a Outside the Courthouse,
Commission candidates Fran King (incumbent) and challenger
Joyce Johnson were manning the sidewalks and waving as people
passed by. Darn smart move on both parts.
- April 29 a We're going to reload
this weekend and start over on Joe Paxton Monday.
- April 29 a Catch your breath clickers,
it's almost time to start round two.
- April 29 a Although there is a chance of
the wet stuff tomorrow, how about an outdoor update.
- April 29 a The Elk is running 2 feet
above Summer pool and slightly milky. ERTS is looking good
from Pisgah North to Duck.
- April 29 a Speaking of Duck, if you
haven't tried out Nottingham Store's pizza and fresh sandwich
menu, you should.
- April 29 a There's several more miles of
ERTS above Duck heading into Braxton County. One hiker told us
this week, the barriers restricting access are gone. That
section is wide open and lookin good.
- April 29 a Enjoy your weekend clickers.
- April 28 a With hurricane force
winds whipping about and cold enough for long underway, last
night the Clay High Panthers came out on top over Lincoln
County, 6 to 1
- April 28 a The Panthers return to Clay
County Park and sports arena tonight, 6pm , when Webster comes
to play. For those unable to attend in person, listen online
at tunein.com and on 101.7FM
- April 28 a Clayberry certainly has its
share of homeless young people.
- April 28 a Yesterday just before 4pm, we
heard something on the 911 scanner
- April 28 a There was something about gun
shots , maybe a male getting shot, behind Subway in Two Run.
- April 28 a Anybody got any idea of what
happened, email us
- April 28 a I know you will hate it but
we're laying off Joe Paxton this morning.
- April 28 a Everybody deserves a break
once in a while.
- April 28 a Get out and vote!!!
- April 27 p While you are goofing off at
work this beautiful afternoon, check out
the baby eagle web cam. Gone is the fuzzy stuff as the
new birds turn into teens.
- April 27 p Hannah Jane Bird (n�e
Barker), 77, of Lizemores, see OBITUARY page
- April 27 p This afternoon at 6pm , the
Clay High boys baseball team will take the field at Clay
County Park. Come out and support the home team. Go Panthers
- April 27 p 101.7FM will air the match up
beginning around 5:50. For distance listeners use the web and
walk over to tunein.com and then type in WYAP
- April 27 p Go Panthers!!
- April 27 p Today is the first day of
early voting in West Virginia. When all said and done, we
guess, upwards of 35% of the county will take advantage of
this opportunity.
- April 27 p If you want to get to know
the candidates for office, walk over to the Candidate
Announcement page on the COMMUNICATOR ONLINE newspaper
section.
- April 27 p Thinking candidates know to
take advantage of every chance to get your message out to the
public. Those candidates that ain't talking to you now, they
ain't going to do any better if elected for office.
- April 27 p We've spent a bunch of
digital space this week on our School Super Joe Paxton.
- April 27 p What we know for sure is,
something happened during the Jan 29th Excess Levy Election
and Paxton has received notice, he's under investigation.
- April 27 p Court stuff talks time to
accomplish. We think State Election Law Code requires a total
of 90 days to complete this criminal investigation. That would
mean we should know something by mid Summer for sure.
- April 27 p Think for a minute.... Each
day your mail comes in and stop to see what's there.
- April 27 p There's the Frontier bill,
power bill, Dish and on and on. Then , at the bottom of
the stack, there's a certified envelope from State Govt
- April 27 p Inside comes notice that you
are the target of an investigation
- April 27 p Think how shocking that would
be. That's what Joe Paxton is living thru right now. The
seriousness of the allegations would shake anybody.
- April 27 p Dave Mullins is Sch Bd
Pres. that is up for reelection this time around. As Pres.
that makes him in charge, the responsible party and
accountable to the taxpayer.
- April 27 p Bet his shorts are all
bunched up as well.
- April 26 a On this rainy, cold, dark
Tuesday...
- April 26 a Early voting gets underway
tomorrow morning and runs for over a week as we lead up to the
May 10th Primary Election.
- April 26 a Early voting takes place in
the County Clerk's office at the Courthouse where there are NO
security cameras checking your vote.
- April 26 a The Clerk's office is open
til 4pm weekdays and 9 to 5 on Saturday
- April 26 a Why take a chance on getting
sick or worse and not getting to mark your ballot on May 10th.
- April 26 a Vote early and vote often.
- April 26 a Monitoring security cameras
at polling places, IE: in Clayberry Schools, was the basis for
complaints after the Jan 29th School Excess Levy. Those
cameras are the same reason why polling places were taken from
area schools for the May 10th election
- April 26 a In addition to voting for
County leadership, on the ballot is an up or down vote on
taking more out of your wallet for the Fire Dept / Ambulance
Service Excess Levy. It's the same Levy they tried in Nov two
years ago and the same Levy that was shot down back then.
- April 26 a Many are supportive of
volunteer fire depts but are strongly against giving more
dollars to the fully paid for by County govt, ambulance
service. Unfortunately, a yes vote for the fire departments
mean the ambulance folks get more too.
- April 26 a That's the same Ambulance
Service that has well over $300,000 in checking and savings.
- April 26 a And and and, those are
the same groups that received 10 MILLION dollars from COVID 19
funds in Feb. The $10M
will be divided up among govt run ambulance services plus
a like amount going to each volunteer fire dept in the poorest
counties in West Virginia.
- April 26 a The "poorest" counties
includes Clayberry.
- April 26 a With Fed hand outs coming
left and right, here in the Land of Little, they still want
more.
- April 26 a Check our Sunday post just
below. Got it?
- April 26 a We asked for clickers to help
us out with more info.
- April 26 a Instead of getting eye
witness help, we're receiving more questions than anything
else.
- April 26 a Like, here's a comment and
question that came our way Monday afternoon: They ain't going
to do anything to Joe Paxton. Even if they catch him doing
something unlawful, he will remain at that pile of S### called
the School Board.
- April 26 a Well, let's refresh your
memory. We had a Sch Bd President that went on to the State
School Board of Education. That guy, J D Morris, wound
up in an Ashland Federal Prison after getting caught caught
with sticky fingers.
- April 26 a Morris went from being at the
top of the heap, the most powerful man in the county to jail
after the Big Suits stepped in and began their investigation.
- April 26 a Now back to what we think is
a local investigation into Sch Superintendent Joe Paxton.
- April 26 a If they find him guilty of
voter intimidation, there are serious criminal penalties
including jail time.
- April 26 a We walked over to the W
Va State Code and did some reading.
- April 26 a From 3-9-15: ...shall be
guilty of corrupt practices, and, upon conviction, shall be
fined not less than $1,000 nor more than $20,000 or be
imprisoned in jail not more than one year, or both
- April 26 a Here's another passage:
�3-9-10. Disorder at polls; prevention; failure to assist in
preventing disorder; penalties. Any person
who shall, by force, menace, fraud or intimidation, prevent or
attempt to prevent any officer whose duty it is by law to
assist in holding an election, or in counting the votes cast
thereat, and certifying and returning the result thereof, from
discharging his duties according to law; or who shall, by
violence, threatening gestures, speeches, force, menace or
intimidation, prevent or attempt to prevent an election being
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