Main News:
January 18, 2012
Clay County Commissioner Receives Award
Clay County Commission Jerry Linkinoggor received the 2011 Rising Star award from the County Commissioners Association of West Virginia. The CCAWW is made up of all 55 counties and 169 county commissioners.
Each year the association chooses one county commissioner who has demonstrated devotion to the office of County Commissioner, who is an advocate for the ideals and goals of the County Commissioner’s Association, who exhibits strong leadership characteristics, visionary thinking, constructive communication skills and has given outstanding service to both their county and the CCAWV.
After Mr. Linkinoggor received his award, he was also elected by his peers to serve on the CCAWV Board of Directors. Jerry also serves on the Board of Directors for the West Virginia Association of Counties, representing all elected officials.
Earthquake in Braxton
Tammy Marie Rose
A 2.8 earthquake rumbled the ground at 2:39 p.m. on January 10, 2012. The epicenter of the quake was located about 10 miles southwest of Gassaway.
The earthquake occurred in the same general region as a cluster of earthquakes that took place in Braxton County in 2010. Experts believed that those quakes were associated with Marcellus shale drilling in the area.
People enjoying a home cooked meal a Granny’s kitchen in Frametown told local media that they felt the quake. Many reported feeling the shaking stronger the closer they were to Gassaway.
The National Earthquake Information Center logged the earthquake at 2.8 magnitude at 2:28:29 p.m. on Tuesday. The earthquake is currently being reviewed by a seismologist.
Back in 2010 eight small earthquakes rumbled across Braxton County between April and August. The eight earthquakes all centered around the Frametown-Gassaway area. Two more earthquakes were reported in 2010 just across the Braxton County line in Lewis and Upshur counties. Those earthquakes ranged from 2.2 to 3.4 in magnitude.
Braxton County residents including the publisher of the Braxton Citizens’ News, Ed Given, believe that the earthquakes are being caused by underground brine injections from Marcellus Shale drilling. The injection site in question is located less than 2 miles up Lower Rock Camp Hollow. The site has been used to dispose of more than 11 million gallons of brine and fracking fluids since March of 2009.
The Lower Rock Camp Hollow well has been permitted to inject up to 2,100 pounds per square inch of surface pressure, but a new agreement with the DEP has substantially reduced the volume they are now injecting. read the 1/18 free press for the entire story
Janury 4, 2012
Elk Conservation District Holds Annual Awards Banquet
The Elk Conservation District (ECD) held its annual award banquet recently to recognize farmers, supervisors, teachers and students for their outstanding achievements in the area of conservation this year. In addition to the awards, the programs high-lights are traditionally a presentation by Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) staff of the farming operation for the conservation farm winners and forestry achievement winners. West Virginia Conservation Agency (WVCA) staff also presented a program for stream recovery projects in the Elk CD area this past year.
The conservation program awards are presented in cooperation with the WVCA, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA Farm Service Agency and the Elk Conservation District. Elk CD Serves Braxton, Clay, Nicholas and Webster counties.
December 28,2011
WV School Building Authority awards Clay County Schools $59,000 for sprinkler repairs
By Tye Ward
The West Virginia School Building Authority has awarded Clay County Schools around $59,000 for sprinkler updates in Clay County schools. Lizemores Elementary will receive an updated fire suppression sprinkler system. The bulk of the money rewarded will be utilized to replace a leaky water storage tank at County High School. Water pressure in the high school is not sufficient to supply ample water to the sprinkler system in the auditorium. The storage tank was installed to provide supplemental water to the system. The tank has recently been discovered to have leaks around its center retention band, and despite repair efforts, has become ineffective as a storage receptacle.
The entire project should cost around $90,000 according to SBA project manager Ben Ashley. Clay County will provide the rest of the funds for the project. Superintendent Tanner illustrated the importance of these funds at the December 19 th School Board meeting at Big Otter Elementary, "The tank may not have gotten replaced in the near future if the SBA had not awarded us these funds". The project should be able to start in the spring according to Ashley.
CONSOL Energy Fola Operations Coat Drive Benefits Children in Four States
CONSOL Energy Fola Operations employees in Bickmore, WV, recently completed their annual coats for kids project, providing coats for children in need in 13 counties in four states.
Employees organize the project annually and this year contributed $8,410 which was supplemented with a contribution of $5,000 from CONSOL Energy. A total of 730 coats were purchased for children in need at 49 schools and Head Start programs in the Fola operations area and beyond.
With assistance from the Kessler Cross Lane Ruritan Club, the coats purchased were matched with the children’s names and coat sizes and the schools and organizations where they were being delivered for distribution to the children.
Elementary schools in West Virginia served were as follows: Braxton County: Burnsville, Davis, Flatwoods, Frametown, Little Birch and Sutton; Clay County: Clay, HE White, Big Otter and Lizemores; Fayette County: Ansted, Divide, Gatewood, Gauley Bridge, Meadow Bridge, Mt.Hope and Rosedale; Jackson County: Henry J. Kaiser; Kanawha County: Belle,Bridge, Cedar Grove, Clendenin, Elk and Shoals; Nicholas County: Beaver, Birch River, Cherry River, Craigsville, Dixie, Glade Creek, Mt. Lookout, Mt. Nebo, Panther Creek, Summersville, and Zela; Pocahontas County: Hillsboro and Marlinton; Roane County: Reedy and Spencer; Upshur County: French Creek, Upshur County Head Start; Webster County: Hackey Valley and Webster Springs.
Also benefitting from the coat drive were Head Start programs in Fayette and Upshur counties; Capital Resources in Fayette County; and WVBTT in Clay County.
In Kentucky, East End Public School in Middlesboro, Ky., was served; in Virginia, Longs Fork Elementary in Clintwood, Va., was served; and in Tennessee, Ellen Myers Primary in Harrogate, Tenn., was served.
Local Artist brings imagination and color to her family’s Christmas.
Lorna Frye has spent the past month working on a very special project in her down time. She has created a small family of colorful animals with her children for the holiday season. Lorna and her 6 children used their imaginations to create some friends that aren’t exactly at home in realty. An elephant, a micah, and two giraffes named Lulu and Bobo, surround her family’s Christmas tree. The seated elephant is the smallest at around 3 feet tall. The micah’s 4 foot wingspan is daunting, positioned soaring over the tree. The mother giraffe Lulu spans her tongue to the top of the tree, as if she is reaching for a treat. The colorful skin is covered with detailed designs and phrases of the season like family, faith, imagine and life.
The sculptures are made from a paper mache base over a wire frame. Acrylic paints were used to create the eclectic designs. It took the family about 15 hours over the course of a month to finish these pieces. Lorna loves to take time to create art, and involves her children whenever she can.
Lorna always considers selling her work, but is not actively pursuing the work full time. She can be reached at Lorna@fryeworld.com. She is working on a webpage for her artwork.
VFW recognizes local High School and Middle School students
VFW Post 4419 recognized CCHS and CMS students who wrote essays as a part of the Voice of Democracy program. Students wrote about what the military meant to them and explained their views.
Andrea Litton received first place in the high school contest and received a $150 prize. Cliff Heidelbreet placed second and received $100. Ashley Auxier received $75 for third place.
In the middle school contest Morgan Bragg placed first and received $100. Kyle Salisbury won the $75 2 nd placing. Makayla clinched the $50 third place prize.
 
High School winners will be placed in the national contest and could win a $30,000 scholarship if they win.
December 7, 2011
Big Otter Fire Department Opens Public Computer Center and announces Open House
Big Otter Fire Department celebrates a new computer center that will be open to the public to access broadband internet and learn new computer skills. Join us for a grand opening on December 12 at 5:00 pm at the Big Otter VFD, 5462 Big Otter Highway.
The computer center is equipped with ten computers connected to broadband internet. The Big Otter Fire Department has selected Joyce Johnson and Melissa Justice to be the local computer mentors. Computer mentors will offer training and support. Other training programs will include: Career Readiness, E-Commerce, Disaster Resilience, Health, and Online Mapping. for more read the Dec 7th edition of the Clay COunty Free Press
School Board recognizes 2011 CWVAC football champion Clay Middle School Mustangs.
By Tye Ward
I n their meeting Monday, the Clay County School Board recognized the 2011 CWVAC football champion Clay Middle School Mustangs. The Mustangs beat Braxton County in the finals to become the champions this year. Their season ended 7-1 including the title game. 6 representatives came to the meeting and were presented with ample congratulations and hats for all. Championships are no new thing to Clay Middle School. 7 out of the programs 13 years have ended in title seasons. This season also marked Coach Steve Ware’s 100th win as head coach of the mustangs.
Alaskan Internship Inspires Clay County Native
College junior Hillary Harold spent more than two weeks this past July as part of a scientific expedition in Alaska studying the effects of climate change on plant life. She is a Natural Resource Management major from Widen (Clay County), West Virginia. Her Alaskan experience has reaffirmed her interest in environmental science and set her on a path that will include graduate school.
Harold was part of a team which included three undergraduate students and two graduate students who were selected to help the National Science Foundation (NSF) with research on how climate changes over the past thirty years have impacted vegetation. Dr. Milan Vavrek, GSC professor of Natural Resource Management and Department Chair, accompanied Harold on the expedition as for more read the Dec 7th edition of the Clay COunty Free Press
November 16, 2011
Clay County School Board Discusses cell phone usage
By Tye Ward
In Monday night’s meeting the Clay County School Board made the public aware of their intent to update the county’s cell phone policy. The current policy has no provisions for the protection of students against cyber bullying or to protect them from public defamation. Superintendent Kenneth Tanner said they have drafted a policy and it is posted on the Board of Education’s website, http://www.edline.net/pages/claycountyschools. To see the policy, find the Board of Education link and find the Policy tab. The public is encouraged to review the policy and giver their input. The policy will be voted on at the next board meeting to be held on the 21st of November.
Clay County High School Honors Veterans
By Erica Kearns
Clay County High School held its annual Veteran’s Day program on Tuesday, November 8th to honor the service of our veterans. The ceremony was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and a wonderful rendition of the National Anthem by the CCHS Band and mixed chorus. The band and mixed chorus performed many patriotic songs throughout the program. Certificates were given to members of our Armed Forces in honor of their service to our Country. VFW Post 4419 and the Ladies Auxiliary were in attendance as well as the Patriot Guard. Buddy Palla, of the Patriot Guard gave a very emotional speech commemorating the courageous acts of soldiers, many of which gave their lives to ensure our freedom. Clay High was very honored to pay tribute to the men and women who served in the Armed Forces of the United States of America.
Attention: Yard Sale!!
Thursday November 3rd and
Friday November 4th
Cinderblock garage 2 houses above the Catholic Church at Maysel.
From 9:00 am til ???
11/2/11
Trick or Treat in Halloween Alley
Trick-or-Treat was a great success on Saturday night throughout the county. Children up to the age of twelve participated in the annual door to door search for treats galore. Center Street in Two Run, also known as Halloween Alley, came to life with ghosts, goblins, mystical creatures and children’s characters. Residents in Two Run estimated approximately 500 kids visited their door steps for treats. The night was filled with excite ment and went off without any major accidents.
Clay County Commission votes to bring 911 dispatch office back to Clay County
When a clay county resident calls 911, they reach a dispatcher. At the moment that dispatcher is located in Nicholas County. It is the intent of the Clay County Commission to bring those dispatchers back inside Clay County borders. With this vote the Commission can start the process of planning the organization of this new office. This is no simple process. Dispatchers must be hired and trained, a 911 board must be assembled, and a location and equipment must be purchased.
Carla Hennessy, Director of Emergency Services in Nicholas County, attended the meeting to help quell any thoughts of dispute between the two county organizations. Director Hennessy made it clear that, at no time was Clay County intentionally given lesser service. She also pointed out her personal feelings of encouragement for Clay County in its efforts to bring the 911 dispatch center back to Clay. She hopes to be able to assist Clay County EMS in training and any advice she can give.
10/26/11
Golden Delicious Golf Tournament a Huge Success
The first annual Golden Delicious Golf Tournament was held on Friday Sept. 16th at Sandy Brae golf course and was a huge success. We had 30 golfers participate and were equally fortunate enough to have twenty three generous sponsors, who assisted with the cost of prizes and gift certificates awarded to participants.
Many people may wonder why we began this tournament. The primary reason is Clay County has no golf course or even practice facilities for our high school golf team or anyone who enjoys the game. This tournament is the beginning of a fund raising effort to generate funding these much needed facilities.
This year’s tournament had 2 winners. Lenny Morris of Clay was our low gross and Virgil Coulter of Morgantown was the low net winner.
Public Announcement
Important Information About Your Drinking Water
Public Notice 36, Monitoring Requirement, Minor Violation. There is nothing you need to do at this time. Samples for chlorine were taken but were not submitted on the monthly reports for November and December 2010. For questions you may contact our office at: Clay Municipal Water Works, PO Box 55, Clay WV 25043.
10/19/11 County Commission votes to accept bids on a new HVAC system for the courthouse
The County Commission voted on Wednesday to accept bids on a new HVAC system for the county courthouse. This new system is funded by an efficiency grant the county received this year. The Courthouse has already had new lighting installed throughout. This has already cut energy use substantially. They will receive bids on Nov 9th.
Clay County Commission Acquires Project Lifesaver
The Clay County Commission has been awarded equipment and training to bring Project Lifesaver into Clay County. The equipment and training is valued at over $10,000.
Project Lifesaver is a program that assists families and caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s, Down Syndrome, Traumatic Brain Injuries and other cognitive disabilities. Before Project Lifesaver, the only option available to locate these individuals was to conduct an extensive, costly, and potential lengthy search that often involved hundreds of personnel from local law enforcement agencies, fire departments and rescue squads. These searches could take up to several days or even weeks.
Universal Free Nutrition Program, feeding the future of Clay County youth
The first day of school can always be a bit depressing for kids as they leave their summer vacation behind them to pursue their education. On the first day of school this year students all across Clay County they were greeted with a welcome change to their daily routine. Every school in the county will be serving a free breakfast to students. This is a part of Clay County’s new Universal Free nutrition program.
It is a well-known fact that West Virginia has an obesity problem within its population. This issue does not ignore the youth of the state. In fact, children are the starting point of this dangerous societal pattern. When you compare this epidemic with the states percentage of low-income families, it is not hard to see how desperate the situation has become. Clay County has taken its place in this issue and it has not been a shining example. 70% of students in Clay County receive free or reduced lunches and 45% are directly certified by the state to receive free lunches. This is a large percentage and puts Clay County on a critical level.
9-14-11
GOLDEN DELICIOUS APPLE FESTIVAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:
http://www.claygoldendeliciousfestival.com
Clay County Historical Photo Expo
The Clay County Landmarks Commission and Historical Society would like to thank Terri Allen and the Clay County Golden Delicious Festival Committee for allowing us to have this event for the people of Clay County.
We need your help for this activity to be successful and everyone is welcome. The last time we had a photo expo in Clay County was in 1990, and the photographers came from the State Cultural Center and brought their equipment and spent the day copying all the pictures that people brought into them. The only draw back was that these images are saved but housed in Charleston and that is where one would have to go to get a copy. Technology now allows us to do this photo expo and all the images that are taken and saved this time will be on file in the old Clay County Courthouse for future use by Clay County families.
We are asking you to bring in any pictures of Clay County families and other pictures such as: family reunions, family group pictures, pictures of farms, houses, bridges, your favorite place in the county, scenery pictures, pictures of creeks, pictures of Elk River, people boating, fishing, swimming, the town of Clay, the community of Ivydale, or other communities, one room school house's, or schools that have been torn down, people plowing with horses, timbering pictures, railroad pictures, people working in their fields or gardens, coal mining pictures, pictures of Widen, Swandale, Avoca, Crestmont Dairy, Dundon, pictures of floods, and pictures you might think would be of interest to future generations. If something would happen that might cause your family to lose their family pictures, if you have brought them into us to be scanned, then your images would be on file and available to you.
This event will be held Friday, September 16, 2011, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. inside the Clay Lions Club Community Center. One window will feature a museum style display from Clay County history and photos will be showcased inside ( if everything works out.). There will be someone at the door to welcome you. Plan to share your stories and memories! Photo scanners and recording areas will be ready to document historical moments being shared by our guests. One section will be set aside for people to view short historical films done by different Clay County citizens.
We will scan your photograph and give it directly back to you. Please be prepared to tell us about the photograph. We are really anticipating a great day with warm loving Clay County people.
The Clay County Historical Society would like to announce that our new edition of Clay County Cemeteries will be on sell during this event on Friday, September 16, 2011 and on Saturday (if all things' work out) we will be located in front of the new Clay County Courthouse. This volume will feature 225 more cemeteries and grave sites not before published. The price will be $45.00 and if you would like to order one it can be ordered through the Clay County Historical Society. Would you please add $5.00 to the above price for mailing. It has taken the past two years and four months to do this research. We want to thank all of those people in Clay County who helped us locate, identify and even provide transportation to these cemeteries. Due to this committees hard work, the resting places of many of our Ancestors have been located.
9-7-11
Robert Morris, agricultural science teacher at Clay County High School among finalists for Teacher of the Year
The 2012 West Virginia Teacher of the Year will be announced during a special ceremony on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2011, at Embassy Suites in Charleston at approximately 8 p.m. All county teachers of the year will be recognized during the ceremony scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. with a reception. The West Virginia Teacher of the Year will represent the state at the national level.
Clay FRN Donates Books to Headstart and Preschool
The Clay County Family Resource Network (FRN) donated books to every Headstart and Preschool student. The books will be given to each of the students to take home and share with parents and other family members. Parents can read to students and help encourage them to learn the alphabet and rec ognize words. The very first teachers each child has in their lives are their parents.
The Clay County Family Resource Network (CCFRN) is a group of volunteers working together to preserve the life and future of families. The Family Resource Networks were established as a project of the Governor’s Cabinet on Children and Families.
The CCFRN works to improve the life of Clay County’s children and families by identifying the needs of county residents and coordinating needed resources. Local businesses, service providers, agencies, non- profit organizations and private citizens work together through the CCFRN to develop and expand services and to educate and link county residents to these services.
8-29-11
Clay County High School Teen Entrepreneurs Attend Entrepreneurship Summit
Teenagers from across the state sharpened their entrepreneurship, leadership and volunteer skills at West Virginia’s annual Teen Entrepreneurship Summit at YMCA Camp Horseshoe June 12-18. REAL’s ( Real Entrepreneurship through Action Learning) marketplace simulation, leadership development, market research, influencing public policy and field trip to thriving businesses highlighted the weeklong session.
"These teenagers are some of our brightest," said Emerson White of Dominion Resources. White serves as chairman of the Entrepreneurship Committee. "These young people are our future. Our goal is to help each one unlock their potential to be leaders who understand and support our nation’s entrepreneurial spirit." White continued.
The Summit is a partnership effort of the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce, Ohio-West Virginia YMCA, Appalachian Regional Commission, WV Department of Education, local schools, Kingsford Charcoal, and Old Dominion Resources. Business, industry, local Chambers of Commerce, civic groups and others sponsor students to the Summit.
"My students are forever changed. This has been an amazing transformation for them. All students should come to this summit. They learn so much, build confidence and go home ready to be better leaders in the school and in their community" shared Connie Scarbrough, instructor and FFA sponsor at Lincoln County High School.
Information is available by calling YMCA Camp Horseshoe at 304-478-2481 or www.hi-y.org/chprograms.html.
8-23-11
Earthquake Felt in West Virginia and throughout Virginia
By: Melissa Browning
At around 2:00 pm on Tuesday, August 23rd, residents here in Clay and surrounding areas felt the ground shake. According to the National Weather Service a 5.9 earthquake was felt throughout the state. The epicenter was located 34 miles northwest of Richmond, VA or 87 miles southwest of DC.
Residents here felt their houses shake for a few seconds, reporting from the following areas; Procious, Hartland and Blue Knob. It was also reported that the Kanawha County Courthouse and other buildings on Virginia Street were evacuated, as was the state capitol. There were no reports of any injuries or any major structure damage at this time.
As with any earthquake, there may be aftershocks. Stay tuned to your local news for further updates.
6-29-11
Meth lab operation revealed in Clay; arrests made
By: Erica Childers
On June 7, 2011 Trooper Green was on a routine patrol on Crestmont Road in Clay, WV when he observed a tan Chevy pickup truck with what appeared to be a fraudulent motor vehicle inspection sticker. The office turned on the vehicle at which time he observed the truck cross the center line multiple times at which time he initiated a traffic stop. Upon approaching the vehicle Trooper Green spoke to the driver, Paul Truman, who advised that he had been hauling junk to Birch River. Mr. Truman was asked for his vehicle information and when he reached to retrieve it, the officer observed what appeared to be the ends of a pair of nun chucks sticking out from underneath a ball cap. The officer asked the driver to step out of the vehicle, which he did. Trooper Deskins arrived to assist Trooper Green. Trooper Green inquired as to who the nun chucks belonged to and Mr. Truman advised that they belonged to him and his son. The officer secured the nun chucks and patted down the driver and the passenger of the vehicle, Stephen Hosey, then began a search for more concealed weapons. Cpl Deskins found a black leather handbag of the vehicle where Mr. Hosey had been sitting. The bag was opened and contained what appeared to be items that are used to manufacture Methamphetamine such as clear tubing, coffee filters, a large book of matches, two mason jars with an unknown liquid, a set of digital scales, small metal cans which contained an unknown reddish/black crystal substance, lithium batteries and two marijuana bowls. Trooper Deskins also found Mr. Hosey’s personal car keys and cigarettes in the same bag. Stephen Hosey advised that he and the driver had found the bag lying on a couch located on the side of the road way just before the officer had made the traffic stop. Paul Truman was arrested and charged with conspiracy to operate a clandestine lab and carrying a deadly weapon. Stephen Hosey was arrested and charged with attempting to operate a clandestine lab and possession of methamphetamine. Hosey’s bond for these charges was set at $100,000.00. ***Read the rest of the story in this weeks edition of the Free Press***
News from the Clay County Commission
By: Melissa Browning
Clay County Commission President Jerry Linkinogger called the June 22nd meeting to order and promptly got down to business. The commission had a full agenda with several items up for discussion. The following items were discussed and voted on:
Regular items on the agenda that were voted on and approved were:
1-- Previous meeting minutes.
2-- Erroneous assessments, refunds of erroneous assessments and real estate divisions as presented by the Assessor.
3-- Bills and purchase orders as presented.
4-- Budget revisions as presented. The following Wills and Estates were voted on and approved:
1-- Confirmed probating the Last Will and Testament of Alma Mullins and the appointment of David Mullins and Darrell Lee Mullins, Co-Executors.
2-- The Waiver of Final Settlement for the estate of Freda W. Mullins.
3-- The commission also moved to continue the estate hearing for George Simpson Brown, deceased from June 22, 2011 to July 13, 2011 at 1:00 pm. ***Read more Clay County Commission news in this weeks edition of the Free Press***
CORE Dedication at Braxton Memorial Hospital
On Tuesday, June 7, 2011 the LPN class from New River Community and Technical College, Clay County Cohort, along with their instructor Sherry Garavaglia held the first ever CORE Dedication at Braxton Memorial Hospital, and would like to see it become an annual event. The dedication was held in remembrance of donor families and to celebrate the second chance at life given to many through the gen
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