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7-27-10

School Board Rejects Gillespie
Not Business As Usual

The Clay County Board of Education put the breaks on the new Clay County Schools Superintendent Kenneth Tanners effort to hire former Superintendent Larry Gillespie back as a substitute teacher. Tanner said he was surprised when three members of the board refused to second a motion to hire Gillespie by Beth Cercone, who also was unaware that three of the members would vote no. Dr. R. B. Legg eventually seconded the motion to no avail. ***Read the rest of the story in this weeks edition of the Free Press***

OES Director Beets at Center of Controversey
Sheriff Certified to Program Radios

Clay County Sheriff Randy Holcomb has been locked out of his radio towers and denied access to his communication system that on Sunday afternoon left the Clay County Sheriff's Department without the ability to relay messages. ***Read the rest of the story in this weeks edition of the Free Press***

Lizemore Ambulance Service Closes Up Shop, No More 911

The Lizemore Ambulance Service has closed their doors and it appears it will stay that way. The Clay County Commission is going to ask for an investigation by the Clay County Prosecuting Attorney to see if any criminal activities have taken place and already an investigation is being under taken by March Tucker of the State. ***Read the rest of this story in this weeks edition of the Free Press***

Courthouse Report
Week Ending July 23, 2010

CIRCUIT COURT

Judge Facemire

7/22/10

Juvenile cases

Judge Alsop

7/19/10

10 juvenile

1 adoption

State vs.:

08F-13 David Ramsey-status 10/18

08F-12 Nathan Habjan-home confinement

09F-13 Karen Tanner-hearing 9/20

10MAP-2 Brad Proctor-to pay court costs & restitution

7/20/10

01F-2 Christopher Hayes-status conference 8/16

06F-21 Gary Rollins-sentenced 1-15 years State Penitentiary $15,000 fine

10F-7 Henry Stutler-trial rescheduled to 10/19

Sentencing set for 9/20/10:

09F-23 David Hanshaw

10F-2 Ethan Cody Nichols

10F-22 Joshua Nottingham

10F-4 Bruce Belt

7/21/10

10F-18 Brandy Barker-pretrial 10/1, jury trial set for 10/26

7/22/10

1 juvenile

10F-21 Erik Lankford-pretrial 10/1, jury trial set for 10/28

***Read the rest of the Courthouse Report in this weeks edition of the Free Press***

Clay County Inmate Update

By Christy Keen

BEHIND BARS

Joshua Thacker (29) is being held at Central Regional Jail on $1,500 bond; he has arrested 7/21 and charged with obstructing an officer.

Hit & Run

Jonathan Sizemore (32) of Clay was arrested after an incident on Lick Branch Rd. According to the criminal complaint filed by Deputy Slack, Sizemore rammed his car (a Pontiac) into a Chevy Tracker driven by Jerry Pierson; striking the Tracker four times while shouting out the window to Pierson that he “would shoot him”. Sizemore was charged with assault, reckless driving and hit & run vehicle damage; he has been released on $7, 500 bond.

Pizza with a Punch

Jerri Harlow (22) has been released on $2,500 bond after she allegedly punched Sophie Samples while in the Gino’s drive through lane. Deputy Slack noted in the criminal complaint that Samples’ “nose was red and a red spot” on her left shoulder. A witness to the altercation confirmed to Deputy Slack that Harlow opened her vehicle door and “did strike Sophie in the face with her fist”.

7-26-2010 ***BOIL WATER ADVISORY***

Queen Shoals Public Service District
July 24, 2010 Time: 9:00 AM

A Boil Water Advisory has been placed on the entire Queen Shoals water system because of a break in a main line.

The entire system needs to boil their water before using (PWSID #3300807).

For further information, contact the Queen Shoals PSD during regular business hours at 304-548-4401.

7-21-10

Sheriff Holcomb Absent--Still Under Fire for Radios, Guns & Inventory
By: Christy Keen
Sheriff Holcomb was absent from the Commission meeting that had several items directly or indirectly pertinent to the Sheriff's Department.
Opening the meeting was a letter of complaint concerning the Sheriff's Office. The person making the complaint did not attend and the contents of the letter were not made public. ***Read the rest of this story in this weeks edition of the Free Press***

Gov. Manchin's Appoints Carte Goodwin to Byrd's Senate Seat

Carte Goodwin U.S. Senator
****Read Gov. Manchin's comments in this weeks edition of the Free Press***

We Do Not Forget

The Widen Days Committee placed a wreath at the Widen Memorial the week of Memorial Day.

Katrina Adkins Named 2010 Clay County Agriculture Youth Fair Queen

Miss Carly Triplett and Miss Katrina Adkins the 2010 Clay County Agriculture Youth Fair Queen.
Competition was held Friday, Jyly 16th for the 18th Annual Agriculture Youth Fair Queen. There were two contestants, both members of the local FFA chapter lead by Bob Morris. This year's contestants were Katrina Adkins and Carly Triplett. According to the judges, it was a tough decision because both young ladies presented themselves very well, had good essays, delivered their speeches well and are equally involved in school and community activities. But there can only be one and Miss Katrinia Adkins was given the honor. Katrina will be officially crowned on Friday, July 23rd during the Agriculture Youth Fair Opening Ceremonies. ***Read the rest of this story in this weeks edition of the Free Press***

CLAY COUNTY COURTHOUSE REPORT
Week Ending July 16, 2010

CIRCUIT COURT

Judge Alsop

7/13/10

09C-42 James Morris vs. WV Insurance-pretrial 1/17/11, jury trial 2/9/11

09P-18 Fugate vs. Workman-dismissed

10C-8 GMAC vs. Billy Ward-default judgment ordered to be entered

10C-20 Gould Electric vs. Gould Electric-dismissed

10P-6 State vs. Brad Haines-dismissed

10P-8 Morton vs. Morton-hearing 8/16

7/14/10

5 Juvenile matters

7/15/10

1 Juvenile matter

01-F-2 Christopher Hayes-hearing set 7/20

09F-23 David Hanshaw-plea set 7/20

10F-2 Ethan Cody Nichols-plea set 7/20

10F-3 Andrew King-case pending

10F-4 Bruce Belt-jury set for 7/21

10F-6 Joshua Nottingham-plea set 7/20

10F-7 Henry Stutler-jury set for 7/21
***Read the rest of the Courthouse Report in this weeks edition of the Free Press***

Clay County Commission Highlights

By Christy Keen

On The Hot Seat

Sheriff Holcomb Absent-Still Under Fire For Radios, Guns & Inventory

Radio Wars

Sheriff Holcomb was absent from the Commission meeting that had several items directly or indirectly pertinent to the Sheriff’s Department.

Opening the meeting was a letter of complaint concerning the Sheriff’s Office. The person making the complaint did not attend and the contents of the letter were not made public.

President Linkinoggor spoke with the Prosecutor and will advise the complainant if they feel it is a civil matter to contact an attorney and if a Criminal matter to call the WV State Police.

OES Director Pat Beets then brought his account of the Sheriff putting grant money in jeopardy by contacting Military Affairs and making false accusations against Beets.

The trouble seemed to stem from a new “interoperable” radio given to Holcomb by Beets to test. The radio is part of a new digital radio system that will replace the old analog system and can be used as part of a statewide system for emergency responders.

Once the Sheriff installed the radio he requested programming codes from Beets. Beets declined to provide them and Holcomb contacted Lt. McCabe to report Beets wasn’t distributing the radios properly. ***Read the rest of this story and more County Commission Highlights in this weeks edition of the Free Press***