West Virginia State Police Issue Statement on the Passing of Trooper Eric Michael Workman
It is with deep sorrow that the West Virginia State Police reports the death of Trooper Eric Michael Workman on August 31, 2012. Trooper Workman was critically wounded on Tuesday, August 28, 2012, when he and Corporal Marshall Lee Bailey were shot during a traffic stop along WV Route 36 just off of Interstate 79, Exit 34 - Wallback/Clay, in Roane County, West Virginia. Corporal Marshall Bailey died at the scene.
Trooper Workman enlisted in the West Virginia State Police on January 10, 2011. He was assigned to the Grantsville Detachment upon graduating from the West Virginia State Police Academy and had been recently transferred to the Clay Detachment. Funeral arrangements are pending.
Trooper Workman’s family would like to inform the public that he is an organ donor. It is the family’s sincere hope that even in his death, his selfless service to others will continue by providing others an opportunity to live a fruitful life.
“Trooper Workman was an outstanding young man with a promising future. It is unfortunate his life was cut short by this senseless and cowardly act. Our prayers continue to be with his family and friends. I am overwhelmed by the support the West Virginia State Police family is receiving during this difficult time.“ - Colonel C. R. “Jay” Smithers
“I met with Trooper Workman’s family earlier this week, and I can honestly say without a doubt, West Virginia lost a very brave young man this afternoon. Joanne and I have held this family and the entire West Virginia State Police family in our prayers, and we will continue to pray for them in the days ahead. May God bless the men and women who wear the uniform and whose mission it is to protect us all.“ - Governor Earl Ray Tomblin
“Gayle and I mourn tonight with the Workman family and the entire state of West Virginia. Over the past few days our state has now lost two brave souls in the line of duty, and no words will give comfort to their families or their brothers and sisters in law enforcement. But all of us must never take for granted what law enforcement and first responders do for each and every one of us: they put themselves in the line of danger so that we may be protected. May God bless them all.”“ - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin
Two Troopers Now Dead from Shooting - Trooper Workman Has Passed
West Virginia State Police trooper Eric Workman has died.
Workman, 26, had been in Charleston Area Medical Center in a coma since Tuesday night when he was shot by Luke Baber following a traffic stop.
Workman and Corporal Marshall Bailey arrested Baber for driving erratically along I-79 near the Clay-Roane County line. Baber, while sitting in the back of the cruiser, his hands handcuffed in front of him, pulled a pistol he had hidden in his pants and shot both troopers.
Bailey died at the scene while Workman was rushed to the hospital where he was placed on life support, but his condition never improved and was ultimately taken off life support.
Baber was shot and killed by sheriff’s deputies from Clay and Roane counties as he tried to get away.
Roane County Sheriff’s Deputy John Westfall suffered several gunshot wounds in the shootout with Baber, but he was protected by a bulletproof vest. Westfall remains in Charleston Area Medical Center following surgery, but is recovering.
Additionally, a tow truck driver from Kings Wrecker Service, William Massey, was also shot by Baber. His wounds were not serious and he was treated and released from the hospital.
State Police Superintendent Col. Jay Smithers said in a statement Friday that Workman had a bright future ahead.
“Trooper Workman was an outstanding young man with a promising future. IT is unfortunate that his life was cut short by this senseless and cowardly act,” Smithers said. “Our prayers continue to be with his family and friends. I am overwhelmed by the support the West Virginia State Police family is receiving during this difficult time.”
Workman was from Ivydale in Clay County. He was a graduate of West Virginia State University where he was a standout baseball player. He was also an avid outdoorsman.
Workman joined the force just last year. He was not married.
“I met with Trooper Workman’s family earlier this week and I can honestly say without a doubt, West Virginia lost a very brave young man this afternoon,” Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin said. “Joanne and I have held this family and the entire West Virginia State Police family in our prayers and we will continue to pray for them in the days ahead. May God bless the men and women who wear the uniform and whose mission it is to protect us all.”
Family members of Workman said he is an organ donor. “It is the family’s sincere hope that even in his death, his selfless service to others will continue by providing others an opportunity to live a fruitful life,“ a statement from the Governor’s Office said.
Meanwhile, funeral preparations are being made for trooper Bailey. There will be a private visitation Saturday and a public remembrance Sunday. Representatives of police agencies from across the state and around the country are expected at the 2 p.m. service at the Charleston Civic Center. The public is also welcome.
Bailey, 42, had been with the force 17 years. He was the father of three children.
Here again is the police timeline from Tuesday night’s shootings.
—At 7:25 PM, Nicholas County authorities reported a white Silverado pick-up driving recklessly on I-79 northbound. The truck, at one point, wrecked in the median then headed south.
—At 7:36 PM, Troopers Bailey and Workman stopped Baber at the Wallback park-and-ride along I-79 at the Roane-Clay County line. Baber was searched, determined to be under the influence, arrested, handcuffed with his hands in front of him and put in the back seat of the cruiser. A tow truck was called to take the pick-up Baber had stolen earlier in the day.
—At some point, Baber pulled a Hi-Point 9mm pistol that he had hidden, apparently in his groin area. He shot both Bailey and Workman as they sat in the front seat of the cruiser. Baber got out of the handcuffs and took a trooper’s pistol.
—Tow truck driver William Massey arrived. Baber shot and wounded Massey, then took off on foot.
—8:43 PM, Deputies from Roane and Clay Counties exchanged gunfire with Baber about 200 yards from where he was initially arrested. Baber was hit multiple times and killed. Roane County Deputy John Westfall was hit several times in the hand, shoulder and stomach, but was protected by a bullet-proof vest.
—Bailey, Workman, Westfall and Massey were taken to the Charleston Area Medical Center. Bailey was dead on arrival. Workman was gravely injured and remained in a coma until his death. Westfall underwent surgery and is in stable condition. Massey was treated and released.
The last state trooper to be fatally wounded by gunfire while on the job was Larry Hacker of Harrisville in 1993. He was investigating a dispute between neighbors when he was killed.
The shootings bring to 40 the number of West Virginia State Troopers who have died in the line of duty.
Governor Earl Ray Tomblin, who visited the families of the victims in the hospital Tuesday night, ordered state flags flown at half staff and asked for the support of all West Virginians.
“We sometimes forget the kind of work our police officers do,” Tomblin said. “They are out there day and night, 24/7, protecting us, protecting our communities.”
Parkersburg: Young Girl Dies in Hot Car
The Wood County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the death of a young girl who was found in a car Thursday evening (08.30.12).
Wood County Sheriff Jeff Sandy says the girl, believed to be two or three-years-old, was found in a car in Aqua Asles Trailer Court at around 5:30 PM.
Sheriff Sandy says an investigation is underway.
He says he is not sure if the death was intentional or an accident.
He does believe she was in the car for a long period of time.
The high temperature in the Parkersburg area Thursday was 89 degrees.
GFP - 08.31.2012
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Pioneers Fall in Season Opener to Carson Newman
Glenville State dropped its season-opening contest at Carson-Newman Thursday evening.
Carson-Newman jumped out to a 49-21 lead with 9:49 to play in the third quarter before the Pioneers reeled off the next 25 points, making the score 49-46.
However, with 1:51 remaining in the game, CNC scored from six yards out, putting the game away.
Darold Hughes threw for five touchdown passes and ran one.
Little Pioneers vs. Clay C-Team and A-Team Stats - 08.26.12
C-Team stats
Gilmer vs. Clay
August 26, 2012
#21 Braden Kennedy
101 Yards Rushing, 87 Yards TouchDown Run, 12 Tackles
#9 Cole Cogar
30 Yards Passing, 4 Yards Rushing
#14 Ian Arbogast
30 Yards Receiving, 8 Tackles
#70 Eli Sealey
11 Tackles and a Fumble Recovery
#54 Jacob McCord
9 Tackles and a Fumble Recovery
#90 Jacob Beachler
4 Tackles
#57 Zach Wine
2 Tackles
Final Score: Gilmer(6) Clay (12) (4ot’s)
Brandon Kennedy Touchdown
A-Team stats
Little Pionners vs. Clay August 26, 2012
#9 Justyn Dean
1-2 passing 32 Yards, 112Yards Rushing, TOUCHDOWN (37Yards), 3 Tackles
#3 Isaac Poole
103 Yards Rushing, 34Yard TOUCHDOWN, 3 Tackles
#23 Chase Steele
40 Yards Rushing, 29 Yard TOUCHDOWN, 75 Yard KO Return for TOUCHDOWN, 4 Tackles
#10 Bradley McHenry
5 Yards Rushing, 3 Yard TOUCHDOWN, 6 Tackles (1 for Loss of 8 Yards)
#87 Kyle Arbogast
32 Yards REC. & 3 Tackles
#60 Joey Frame
7 Tackles, Fumble Recovery
#84 Tristan Peggs
5 Tackles (1 for Loss of 7 Yards)
#57 Noah Tomblin
4 Tackles
#7 Josh Gragg
3 Tackles
#36 Dakota Godfrey
2 Tackles
#70 Trenton Frame
2 Tackles
#71 Zane Cogar
1 Tackle
#64 Jonathan Harper
1 Tackle
Final score: Gilmer (39) Clay (6)
~~ Report by Leisa Dean ~~
Marshall Opens Season at #11 West Virginia – 09.01.12
The Marshall Thundering Herd will look to knock off their in-state rival when they head up I-79 to take on the 11th- ranked West Virginia Mountaineers at Milan Puskar Stadium in the 2012 edition of the Friends of Coal Bowl.
Rakeem Cato became the first true freshman to start at quarterback for Marshall since Chad Pennington when he began last season’s Friends of Coal Bowl under center for the Thundering Herd. Cato completed 15-of-21 passes for 115 yards in his debut, but the Mountaineers ran out to a 34-13 lead before inclement weather sent the teams to the locker room. Player fatigue and more predicted storms factored into both schools’ decision to end the game.
The shortened victory gave the Mountaineers an 11-0 all-time record against Marshall. Although WVU has yet to lose to its in-state rival, the Thundering Herd have held halftime leads in three of the six bouts since the series was restored in 2006.
Cato will look to end his school’s losing streak to WVU and snap its 10-game losing streak versus ranked opponents. The sophomore quarterback experienced a roller coaster ride of a season as a rookie, but the experience has molded him into a stronger player.
“One big thing Cato has done is he’s matured and he puts things behind him and goes onto the next play,“ Thundering Herd Coach Doc Holliday said. “He’s becoming the player we thought he’d be. He wants to be a leader and I told him he doesn’t have to be a senior to do that.“
Aaron Dobson is a gamebreaking wideout with enough ability to give Marshall a fighting chance. The talented wide receiver put himself on the radar of NFL scouts with spectacular highlight reel catches week after week. He earned an All-C-USA honorable mention after leading the team in yards (668), catches (49), and touchdown receptions (12). Antavious Wilson, Andre Booker, and Penn State transfer Devon Smith provide alternative targets for Cato in the aerial attack.
Offensive coordinator Bill Legg has both of his top rushers Tron Martinez and Travon Van back, but his inexperienced offensive line is suspect coming into the season.
Defensively, the Thundering Herd lost some key players, but they are deeper overall. The defensive line led by Jeremiah Taylor will have its hands full.
Marshall’s linebacking unit features a converted defensive back in Devin Arrington along with T.J. Ross and Jermaine Holmes. The linebacker trio can cover more ground than most starting units due to their speed and quickness.
The Thundering Herd’s secondary added a few helpful pieces in A.J. Leggett, Dominick LeGrande, and Okechukwu Okoroha. Leggett is one of the most highly anticipated recruits in the program’s history and is expected to see time at cornerback as a true freshman. LeGrande and Okoroha brought experience and leadership from Chestnut Hill after the safeties transferred from Boston College to Marshall in the spring.
Marshall’s new look secondary will not have to wait very long to be tested as they go up against one of the top quarterbacks in the nation on opening day. Geno Smith played in each game versus Marshall since becoming a Mountaineer and engineered two second-half comebacks before last year’s comfortable victory. He finished his remarkable junior campaign off with six TD passes in a 70-33 victory over Clemson in the Orange Bowl. Smith completed 65.8 percent of his passes last year, logging 4,385 yards, 31 TDs and only 7 INTs.
“I don’t want to put too much pressure on him, he puts enough pressure on himself, but he has improved everything,“ said head coach Dana Holgorsen. “His footwork is better, his arm strength is better, his quickness is better, his release is better, his accuracy is better, he’s really improved his game and it shows out there. He’s much more comfortable obviously in the second year of the offense. He is more comfortable from a mental standpoint. From a physical standpoint, he has improved himself.“
Holgorsen’s offense was never stagnant in 2011. WVU scored 21 points or more in each game and averaged 37.6 ppg. A glaring reason for the overwhelming offensive production was the unstoppable wide receiver duo of Stedman Bailey and Tavon Austin. As Smith excelled, Bailey (1,279) and Austin (1,189) set new program records for receiving yards in a single season.
WVU’s rushing attack does not have a Steve Slaton or Noel Devine to shred opposing defenses this season. Shawne Alston will see the bulk of the carries and will likely have some holes to dash through as opponents scheme to stop Smith and company from airing it out.
The Mountaineers will need to improve on the defensive side of the ball in their inaugural season in the Big 12, but they have a decent amount of experience and return six starters. Senior Terrance Garvin and junior Doug Rigg are both expected to assume more vital roles at linebacker.
Cornerback Pat Miller (5-11, 191) is an excellent coverage back in the WVU secondary, but he will be challenged by the bigger and stronger Dobson. Safety Darwin Cook brings aggression to the table, but the defensive line is filled with question marks at this point.
Holliday will be personally invested in this one more than most considering he played at WVU and spent over 20 years as an assistant at his alma mater before headed to Huntington to take over at Marshall. Current players on WVU’s roster are there because Holliday recruited them.
Gilmer County Economic Development Association Receives Grant To Promote Physical Activity
Seven organizations, including the Gilmer County Economic Development Association (GCEDA), have been awarded up to $5,000 to increase physical activity opportunities in West Virginia communities through the Communities on the Move! (COM) Grant Program from West Virginia on the Move (WVOM).
The GCEDA project is titled Gilmer County on the Move.
The project will increase physical activity levels of county residents through a community-based walking group program engaging multiple networks and partners.
The grant leader, Jeff Campbell, can be reached at ”jcampbell08@frontier.com”.
Funding was also awarded to Braxton County Health Department, Main Street United Methodist Church in Ronceverte, Mineral County Family Resource Network, Ohio County Family Resource Network, Robert C. Byrd Clinic in Lewisburg, and Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital in Lewis County. Grant activities will range from walking and exercise programs and will target various populations from the local to the county level.
“These grants are meant to help local organizations use established networks and connections to increase physical activity within communities,” says Ron Eck, PE, PhD, Professor Emeritus, Civil and Environmental Engineering, West Virginia University and Communities Chair, WVOM. “We are excited to support these organizations in helping West Virginians experience the many health benefits of being more physically active.”
The COM grant opportunity was first announced during the Healthy Counties Conference, sponsored by the West Virginia Association of Counties in collaboration with the WV Municipal League, WVU Extension Service, and The Charleston Gazette on July 24, 2012. The program is based on WVOM’s Schools on the Move (SOM) grant program that has awarded physical activity grants to 52 WV schools in over 26 counties, since 2005.
WVOM is a nonprofit organization that promotes a physically active lifestyle for all West Virginians by providing leadership, technical expertise, and collaboration in order to reduce the prevalence of chronic disease.
Funding for this program was provided by The Benedum Foundation. For additional information or to sign up for a newsletter go to www.wvonthemove.net or contact Shannon Holland at 304.345.1235.
WV Schools Urged to Focus on Hygiene When Flu Hits
As summer fades and the seasonal flu season begins, West Virginia Superintendent of Schools of Jorea Marple is urging schools to focus on good hand hygiene, covering coughs and sneezes while encouraging annual flu vaccinations for students, families and staff.
This year, the flu season includes not only the usual influenza with the H1N1 virus, commonly called swine flu, but a variant H3N2 virus.
Marple’s guidance is based on recommendations issued by The Centers for Disease Control when it comes to addressing concerns about H3N2. The H3N2 flu is usually not spread from human to human but only from swine to human. Only three cases of H3N2 have been reported in West Virginia this year.
“Concern about swine flu is understandable,” Marple said. “Parents and educators alike are worried about the effect of the seasonal flu and H3N2 flu on our families and our communities. Our concern is that we keep our children and families safe while disrupting their educations as little as possible.”
• Many of the recommendations for preventing the spread of H3N2 are similar to preventing the spread of seasonal flu. Precautionary steps include:
• Asking students with flu-like symptoms whether they have recently touched or been near a pig, or had close contact with a sick person who has been near pigs.
• Notifying the local health department of any student with flu-like illness and who reports that they have recently been near pigs or had close contact with a person who has been near pigs.
• Early treatment of at-risk students and staff.
• Staying home when sick and remaining there until 24 hours after any fever is gone.
• Separating ill students and staff.
• Washing hands and observing appropriate cough/sneeze etiquette.
• Routine cleaning.
Closing schools because of flu is seldom necessary.
CDC guidelines leave such decisions up to local communities, but urge communities to weigh the very real harm of school closings against the potential harms of increased flu spread.
In West Virginia, schools and communities are encouraged to work closely with their local health officer and health departments when making decisions related to public health.
Things to consider include excessive absenteeism among students or staff, if a large number of kids are visiting the school health office or being sent home during the day with flu-like symptoms, or for other reasons that affect the school’s ability to function.
U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin: More Workers Stealing From Employers
U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin says his office has seen more employee fraud and theft cases in the last year than he can remember in the past 10 years.
Goodwin says he doesn’t exactly know what’s causing the increase. He says it may be the economy or technology but one thing is for sure—-he says those once trusted employees will be prosecuted.
“We’re going to push this and get justice because we can’t stand for this,“ Goodwin said. “It could be the difference between being in business or not.“
The latest case to wrap-up came this week when former American Electric Power worker Deborah Farmer was sentenced to three years in federal prison for being the ringleader of a power surge scheme.
Farmer, age 47, was an AEP property damage claims adjuster. She led a scheme where more than 30 people filed false property surge claims. She made sure they were paid for those false claims.
“In this case they went to the well a total of 57 times,“ Goodwin said. “There were 57 fraudulent claims filed resulting for a loss (for AEP) of almost 600-thousand dollars.“
A federal judge sentenced co-defendant Julia Washington, age 45, of Charleston, to two years in prison and Freda Bradshaw, age 47, of Pliny, to one year in prison. Four other co-defendants were previously convicted and sentenced.
Goodwin says there are other cases pending of where once trusted employees have stolen from large businesses like banks and smaller businesses. He says each will be prosecuted in the coming months.
“We have easily had a half dozen cases in the past year and it’s especially hard on small businesses,“ Goodwin said. “Sometimes it’s the difference between profitability and not or the difference in staying in business or not.“
2012: WVIAC Week 1 Volleyball Notes
Wheeling Jesuit, which has won the last three regular-season championships and the last four WVIAC Volleyball Tournaments, is picked to win the 2012 league title as voted on by the conference coaches.
The Cardinals, which checked in at No. 25 in the AVCA Preseason Poll, registered 224 total points on 13 first-place nods and one second-place ballot. Alderson-Broaddus was selected second with 192 total points.
The Battlers registered second-place tallies on eight ballots. Seton Hill rounded out the top three after earning 178 points. The Griffins were chosen second on four ballots and third on four more.
Shepherd is fourth in the poll after totaling 172 points. The Rams picked up one first-place vote and two third-place nods. West Virginia Wesleyan held down the fifth position with 163 points.
The Bobcats had two third-place and three fourth-place votes.
Fairmont State earned 154 points, edging Charleston which tallied 153. The Falcons, selected sixth, garnered two third-place votes.
The Golden Eagles were predicted to finish second on two ballots and third on another.
West Virginia State was chosen eighth in the poll, just two points ahead of Pitt-Johnstown. The Yellow Jackets were picked in the top five by four coaches while the Lady Cats were in the top five on two ballots.
Concord rounds out the top 10 after earning 88 total points. Davis & Elkins was predicted to finish 11th in the poll after picking up 76 points. The Hilltoppers of West Liberty were right behind them with 74 points.
Ohio Valley garnered 49 points while Glenville State had 38. Bluefield State completed the preseason poll with 15 total points.
Four-time defending WVIAC Tournament Champion Wheeling Jesuit boasts another strong team heading into the 2012 campaign. Jenna Pew and Allissa Ware each earned All-America accolades. Pew led the league in hitting percentage while Ware was third.
Ware was also second in the WVIAC in kills and Pew eighth. Pew also blocked 1.13 attempts per set. The pair looks to lead the Cardinals to the NCAA Tournament’s Elite Eight once again.
2011 WVIAC Tournament runner-up Alderson-Broaddus has another squad that will challenge for the WVIAC Championship. The Battlers return Jillian Brown, who led the conference in aces a season ago. Ashley MacDonald will also play a huge role in A-B’s success. She posted a teambest 2.26 kills per set in 2011.
Seton Hill’s standouts include Christina Donahoe and Corrine Gahagen. Donahoe was solid in 2011 along the back line and at the net. She posted 125 digs and 28 blocks. Gahagen registered a team-best 2.67 kills per set to go along with 30 aces and 135 total blocks. She was third in the WVIAC in blocks per set (1.02).
Shepherd returns a tremendous pair in Meg Kenny and Melani Lewis. Kenney slammed home 2.46 kills per set in 2011 while chipping in 79 total blocks. Her .308 attack percentage was fifth in the league. Lewis was great at the net, tallying 97 total blocks in addition to 1.92 kills a set.
WV Wesleyan’s team boasts standouts Renata Comparini and Casey Pattyn. Comparini was fourth in the WVIAC with 4.65 digs per set. Pattyn dished out 1,018 assists on the season. Her 9.25 assists per set were second in the league.
Fairmont State’s squad has no seniors on the roster. The Falcons return an abundance of playmakers. Bri Swann led the WVIAC with 3.95 kills a set last year. Amber Wilson’s .287 attack percentagewas ninth best in the league while Leslie Giordon had a solid all-around campaign.
Charleston features a pair that will help guide the Golden Eagles. Ashley Douglas was fourth in the WVIAC with .37 aces per set last year. Defensively, she posted 3.94 digs per set. Brenna Youlton’s role will increase this year. She posted 1.78 kills per set and registered 84 total blocks in 2011.
WV State returns its top two hitters in Alyssa Graboski and first-team all-conference selection Cameron Lewis. Graboski hammered home 2.99 kills per set and averaged .88 blocks per game. Lewis totaled 2.83 kills per set and had 74 total blocks on the year.
Pitt-Johnstown sports many players with an abundance of experience on the squad. Leading the way is Nikki Oakes and Tayler Vebares. Oakes led the Lady Cats with 418 assists and 44 aces in 2011. Vebares hammered home 1.74 kills per set. She was also strong defensively, registering 53 total blocks.
Concord’s standouts include Sarah Jones and Amanda Walker. Jones posted a team-best 244 kills on the season and was third on the squad with 18 aces. She also posted a team-best 119 total blocks on the year. Walker led the squad with 203 digs on the year.
Davis & Elkins has Meaghan Emery and Heather Zapf in the mix this season. Emery tallied 488 digs on the year to go along with 28 aces. Zapf led the squad with 2.63 kills per set. She also gave opponents fits at the net, totaling 50 blocks.
West Liberty features Anne Edwards and Rachel Zeigler. Edwards was 10th in the WVIAC with a .280 attack percentage a season ago. She also contributed .66 blocks per set. Zeigler, who earned all-freshman team honors in 2010, notched 1.71 kills per set last year.
Ohio Valley returns a pair that could help the squad make the WVIAC Tournament. Taylor Buchtmann was spectacular defensively, registering 4.40 digs per set (458 on the season). Jessica Simpson should continue to build off her solid play from a season ago. In 2011 she had 308 assists, 22 aces and 52 blocks.
Glenville State does not have a senior on the squad and boasts sophomore Heather Stout. In 2011, Stout garnered 1.49 kills per set, had 16 aces and 57 blocks. In addition to Stout’s play, transfer Natalie Baumgartner will have a big role in the team’s success.
Bluefield State returns Courtney Bowlus. She played in 63 sets a season ago and garnered a lot of experience in 2011. Bowlus was solid on the defensive end, posting 1.27 digs per set for the Lady Blues.
GSC Women’s Cross Country Team Picked 12th in 2012 WVIAC Preseason Poll
The Seton Hill women’s cross country team has been selected to win the 2012 WVIAC Championship, as voted on by the league’s coaches.
The Griffins captured the 2011 title with 55 points at the conference meet. SHU received nine first-place votes en route to 165 total points in the preseason rankings. Wheeling Jesuit picked up four first-place nods and garnered 158 total points for second in the poll.
West Virginia Wesleyan has been selected third with 137 points. The Bobcats racked up one second-place vote and 10 third-place nods. Concord was a solid fourth with 126 points. The Mountain Lions were third on one ballot and fourth on nine others.
Alderson-Broaddus and Charleston tied for fifth as each received 103 points. The Battlers picked up five fourth-place votes while the Golden Eagles had a second-place and a fourth-place tally.
West Liberty racked up 100 points for seventh place. The Hilltoppers received two fourth-place nods. Fairmont State was eighth with 71 points while Davis & Elkins was ninth with 66 points.
Ohio Valley and Pitt-Johnstown tied for 10th after receiving 51 points in the poll. Glenville State (36 points) and Bluefield State (16 points) rounded out the field.
Seton Hill returns four of its top five runners and five out of the top seven this season. Jeannie Bujdos was the 2011 WVIAC Freshman of the Year. Mary Janak and Leah Scott each earned all-conference honors a year ago. With the talent returning from an experienced squad, the Griffins are looking to win another WVIAC Championship.
Wheeling Jesuit has Megan Truelove and Jennifer McFarland on its team. Truelove is a three-time all-WVIAC performer while McFarland is a two-time all-league honoree. The duo will push the rest of the squad for a league title after finishing just three points shy of a championship in 2011.
West Virginia Wesleyan will rely on sophomore Erica Walker to push the squad. Walker registered an eight-place finish at the WVIAC Championship in 2011. The team has a significant amount of returners that competed well at the league meet. The Bobcats will look to challenge for a WVIAC Title.
Concord returns a couple of tremendous runners. Chelsea Callaway has been in the top 10 of the WVIAC Championships the last three seasons, finishing ninth a year ago. Rachel Williams was 13th last season at the conference meet. Both will help the Mountain Lions push for a top-three finish.
Alderson-Broaddus boasts senior Aly Carpenter, who had a solid 2011 WVIAC Championship. Carpenter, along with rookie Jenny Brewer, will help the Battlers vie for a spot among the top few schools in the league.
Charleston returns Debbie Amos and Jenna Matso. Amos will vie for a WVIAC Championship as she finished third at the league meet in 2011. Matso will also look to earn all-WVIAC accolades for the Golden Eagles.
West Liberty returns an abundance of talent. Leading the way for the Hilltoppers is senior Sherry Borsos and sophomore Chelsea East. The duo finished 24th (East) and 25th (Borsos), respectively, at the conference meet a season ago.
Fairmont State’s Laura Horning will help pace the Falcons this season. A senior, Horning registered a 34th-place finish at the conference meet in 2011. She and the rest of the squad will vie for a spot in the upper half of the league standings.
Davis & Elkins has sophomores Ellen Cantaral and Sydney Mucha. Cantaral narrowly missed earning all-WVIAC honors after taking 21st at the league meet. Mucha was not far behind, finishing 30th. The pair will help push the rest of the squad.
Ohio Valley boasts India Bryant and Tara Carlsen on its 2012 squad. As a sophomore, Bryant earned all-WVIAC honors by finishing 19th at the league meet. Carlsen had a solid conference championship as a freshman.
Pitt-Johnstown’s experienced squad is led by Christy Monnie and Sasha Peterman. The sophomores each performed well at the 2011 conference meet. The pair will help a young squad vie for a spot in the upper half of the league.
Glenville State has Nicole Himes and Danielle Perkins on its 2012 roster. Both are seniors that will lead the upperclassmen-heavy Pioneers this season. With its depth and experience, GSC will look to improve upon its 2011 results.
Bluefield State’s Patricia Galligher leads the way for the team. Galligher is a junior on the young squad. She, along with the rest of the Lady Blues, will be looking to improve from last year’s finish at the 2011 conference meet.
| Place |
Team (first-place votes) |
Total Points |
| 1 |
Seton Hill (9) |
165 |
| 2 |
Wheeling Jesuit (4) |
158 |
| 3 |
West Virginia Wesleyan |
137 |
| 4 |
Concord |
126 |
| 5t. |
Alderson-Broaddus |
103 |
| 5t. |
Charleston |
103 |
| 7 |
West Liberty |
100 |
| 8 |
Fairmont State |
71 |
| 9 |
Davis & Elkins |
66 |
| 10t. |
Ohio Valley |
51 |
| 10t. |
Pitt-Johnstown |
51 |
| 12 |
Glenville State |
36 |
| 13 |
Bluefield State |
16 |
West Virginia Fire Commission Rethinking Fire Code Changes
After much consideration the state Fire Commission has decided not make major changes to the state Fire Code as originally planned.
“They thought that at this time it’s probably better to go ahead and pull the rule and rework it possibly and prepare it maybe a little better than originally conceived to reintroduce it at a later date,“ said State Fire Marshal Sterling Lewis.
The proposal that would have required professional and volunteer fire companies in West Virginia to abide by an entire set of national safety and training rules was met with stiff opposition at a public hearing held last Friday.
Fire departments were concerned about the costs that would be incurred all at once if the changes were enforced at one time.
Approximately 90 changes would have been made to the Fire Code at a estimated cost of well into the hundreds of thousands of dollars for each department per year. A cost that would put most departments out of business.
Lewis said the cost figures that are floating around are not completely accurate and the exact cost to each department has not been figured out yet.
But for the time being fire departments will not have to worry about any changes because the commission is going to rethink the whole proposal.
Lewis said there is not a time line set on when exactly the commission will come out with a new proposal. He said at this time, there is no big rush to change the rules.
The role of the state Fire Commission is to keep firefighters in West Virginia safe and Lewis said that was why the commission wanted to make the code changes in the first place.
“I know that the commission probably got an unfair judgment on why and what they did,“ said Lewis. “But no, it wasn’t just stuff to put on these folks out there to make it harder on them, that’s not the intent or the purpose of the commission.“
Lewis said all the commission wants to do is keep West Virginia’s firefighters safe while on duty.
Dusk Camp Road: YARD SALE - 08.31.12 and 09.01.12
YARD SALE at 166 Dusk Camp Road Friday, August 31, 2012 and Saturday September 01, 2012 from 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM each day.
Hunting and fishing gear, lots of hand tools, concrete tools, Craftsman radial arm saw, twin bed and bedding, primitive items, clothing, home school curriculum and more.
Sand Fork Community Yard Sales – 08.31.12 – 09.03.12
The town of Sand Fork will be hosting its first annual Community Yard Sale.
It will be held Friday, August 31, 2012 ~ Monday, September 03, 2012.
(not all locations will participate all four days!)
We hope you will give this small community a chance to make something great happen.
Dine at Jackson’s Mill Jubilee – 08.31.12 to 09.02.12
Mount Vernon Dining Hall Public Buffets: Home-style, family dinner - Meals include tea, water, and all the fixin’s.
Admission is $12:00 for adults and $7:00 for youth ages 4 to 12. Children 3 and under eat for free. Tickets are available for purchase on the porch of the Dining Hall.
Menu:
Friday, August 31, 2012: 4:30 – 6 PM
Featured entree: Pork Tenderloin
Saturday, September 01, 2012: 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM
Featured entree: Roast Beef
Saturday, September 01, 2012: 4:00 – 6:30 PM
Featured entree: Fried Chicken
Sunday, September 02, 2012: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Featured entree: Baked Steak
Historic Farmstead and General Store Hours:
Friday, August 31, 2012: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday, September 01, 2012: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sunday, September 02, 2012: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
For more information on craters, concessions and attractions, contact the Lewis County Convention & Visitors Bureau at 304.269.7328 or 800.296.7329
Huge Porch Sale: Rain or Shine - Friday – Monday, August 31, 2012 September 01, 02, and 03, 2012
Huge Porch Sale: Rain or Shine
Friday – Monday, August 31, 2012 September 01, 02, and 03, 2012
WV Highway 5 East - Stouts Mill
At Bobbi Templeton’s
9:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Lots of DVD’s, PlayStation 3 games, Wii games,
Fenton, Blenko glass, new quilting frame still in box,
Older quilt frame, material, bedding, desk, Queen sized bedframe,
crockpots, small sized commercial refrigerator, lots of collectibles.
Sand Fork Fireworks - Friday, 08.31.12
There will be a fireworks display this Friday, August 31, 2012 behind the Sand Fork Elementary School.
Porky’s Party Palace is planning to bring their inflatables for an evening of fun.
(The jumphouses will be free of charge to the public as the Town of Sand Fork paid for them for this event.)
The Gilmer County Volunteer Fire Department will also be giving out popcorn and cotton candy.
SAND FORK AB WOMEN YARD SALE - 08.31.12 and 09.01.12
Sand Fork Ab Women Yard Sale at 1101 Sand Fork Road (David and Beverly Pritt residence) on Friday August 31, 2012 and Saturday September 01, 2012 from 9:00 AM -6:00 PM.
Lots of items including glassware, collectibles, books, flower arrangements, cookware, clothing and much more.
Sutton Lake: Gospel Sing Set for September 02, 2012
The Third Annual Labor Day Gospel Sing will be held at the Gerald R. Freeman Campground at Sutton Lake on Sunday, September 02, 2012 beginning at 1:00 PM.
Featured groups include the Randy White Quartet, the Gloryland Believers, the Shelton Family and the Wayne Family.
Sophia Addison Marsh
Sophia Addison Marsh is the name chosen for a daughter born to Brittany Metz and Michael Marsh of Weston, WV.
The little girl was born on August 13, 2012 at the Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital of Weston and is the couple’s first child.
She weighed 5-pounds, 15 1/2-ounces.
Maternal grandparents are Eric and Nancy of Weston.
Paternal grandparent is Lisa Kelley of Weston.
Autumn Star Newhouse
Sharon Lydia Newhouse of Ireland, WV announces the birth of her daughter, Autumn Star Newhouse.
The little girl was born August 14, 2012 at the Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital of Weston.
She weighed 8-pounds, 11-ounces and has one sibling, Summer Rain Newhouse.
Harper Danlea Adams
Daniel and Erin Adams of Cox’s Mills, WV announce the birth of their daughter, Harper Danlea Adams.
The little girl was born on August 17, 2012 at the Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital of Weston.
She weighed 6-pounds, 13-ounces and is the couple’s first child.
The mother is the former Erin Boner and is a pharmacy tech at the Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital.
The father is a service supervisor at Key Energy Services.
Maternal grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Michael Boner of Jane Lew, WV.
Paternal grandparents are Kevin Adams of Troy, WV; Lisa and Jim Touvell of Ohio; Carlous and Hope Bailey of Burnt House, WV.
G-Comm™: The Republican “Small Government” Fraud
One of the most widely-advertised but falsest claims in American politics is that the modern Republican Party stands for “small government.”
In the distant past, leading Republicans were indeed sharp critics of statism. And even today a few marginal party activists, like U.S. Representative Ron Paul, have championed limited government — even libertarian — policies. But this is not at all the norm for the contemporary GOP.
The F-22 Raptor. $150 million per aircraft,
$66 billion for the program,
never flown in combat,
and subject to technical problems so serious the fleet
was temporarily grounded twice!
Supported by small-government Republicans!
For example, the Republican Party has stood up with remarkable consistency for the post-9/11 U.S. government policies of widespread surveillance, indefinite detention without trial, torture, and extraordinary rendition. It has also supported government subsidies for religious institutions, government restrictions on immigration and free passage across international boundaries, government denial of collective bargaining rights for public sector workers, government attacks on public use of public space (for example, the violent police assaults on the Occupy movement), and government interference with women’s right to abortion and doctors’ right to perform it.
And this barely scratches the surface of the Republican Party’s “big government” policies. The GOP has rallied fervently around government interference with the right of same-sex couples to marry, government provision of extraordinarily lengthy imprisonment for drug possession (for example, in the “war on drugs”) and numerous other nonviolent offenses, government interference with voting rights (for example, “voter suppression” laws), and government restrictions on freedom of information. Where, one wonders, is the Republican outrage at the U.S. government’s crackdown on people like Bradley Manning who expose government misconduct, or on whistle-blowing operations like WikiLeaks and its leading light, Julian Assange?
If the Republican Party were a zealous defender of civil liberties, as it claims to be, it would laud civil liberties organizations. But, in fact, the GOP has kept its distance from them. During the 1988 presidential campaign, George H. W. Bush, the Republican presidential candidate, publicly and repeatedly ridiculed his Democratic opponent as a “card-carrying member of the ACLU.”
Of course, the biggest arena of U.S. government action is the military. Here is where 57 percent of U.S. tax dollars currently go, thereby creating the largest national military machine in world history.
A Republican Party that wanted to limit government would be eager to cut funding for this bloated giant. But the reality is that the modern GOP has consistently supported a vast U.S. military buildup.
Today, its presidential candidate, Mitt Romney, assails his Democratic competitor for military weakness and champions a $2 trillion increase in U.S. military spending over the next decade.
Moreover, the Republican Party is an avid proponent of the most violent, abusive, and intrusive kind of government action — war. In recent decades, as U.S. military intervention or outright war raged in Nicaragua, El Salvador, Grenada, Panama, Kuwait, the Balkans, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, and other nations, the GOP was a leading source of flag-waving jingoism, as it is today in the U.S. government’s confrontation with Iran. This is not a prescription for creating limited government. As the journalist Randolph Bourne remarked in the midst of U.S. government mobilization for World War I: “War is the health of the State.”
Yes, admittedly, there is plenty of GOP support for small government when it comes to cutting taxes on the wealthy, limiting regulation of big business, gutting environmental regulations, weakening legal protections for workers and racial minorities, and slashing government funding for public education, public health, and social welfare services. But there is a common denominator to this kind of small government action. It is all designed to serve the interests of the wealthy and powerful at the expense of everyone else. Thus, the Republican Party opposes government alleviation of hunger through the distribution of food stamps, but supports government subsidies to corporations.
Just take a look at the platform that will emerge from the GOP national convention. There will be plenty of rhetoric about freedom and limited government. But the party’s actual policies will reflect a very different agenda.
For those people who can see beyond the deluge of slick campaign advertisements, it should be clear enough that the Republican Party’s claim to support “small government” is a fraud. That claim is only an attractive mask, designed to disguise a party of privilege.
~~ Lawrence S. Wittner - Professor of history emeritus at SUNY/Albany ~~
G-Comm™: Hoppy’s Commentary - Police Make Sacrifices for Us
It’s easy to take the work of law enforcement officers for granted.
For most of us, encounters with the police are rare and inconsequential—a traffic violation or some minor offense.
Since the vast majority of us don’t start any trouble, we often don’t stop to think that each day law enforcement officers put their lives on the line to protect us.
Last night, we got a grim reminder in West Virginia of just how dangerous that job can be. One state trooper was shot and killed and another critically injured—both from the Clay County detachment—when they stopped a motorist who was driving erratically along I-79.
According to state police Sgt. Mike Baylous, “Sometime during the traffic stop the suspect obtained a weapon and opened fire.”
A manhunt followed. Deputies from Clay and Roane counties tracked down the suspect and exchanged gunfire. The gunman was killed and a Roane County deputy was injured, though not seriously. A bullet-proof vest may have saved his life.
One trooper dead, one trooper seriously injured and one deputy wounded.
Governor Earl Ray Tomblin said that he and his wife, Joanne, “hold them and their families in our prayers, and ask all West Virginians to join us.”
It’s not clear what led to the shooting, but the tragedy is an awful reminder that every time a police officer puts on his or her uniform and steps into the line of duty, they are at risk.
One hundred and seventy-three law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty in this country last year. In West Virginia earlier this year, Monongalia County Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Todd May was killed when a drunk driver trying to evade the police crashed into his cruiser on I-79 north of Morgantown.
As Governor Tomblin said late last night, “The tragedy reminds us of the sacrifices that our law enforcement officers make every day to keep us safe.”
The police often have a thankless job; they deal with everybody from the most dangerous in our communities to drunks involved in domestic disputes to the average person who is just irritated at being pulled over by the police.
But it’s only because they do their jobs as best they can that the rest of us can go about our lives with a reasonable expectation of safety and security.
Last night’s violence is a personal tragedy for the victims’ families, a loss for law enforcement agencies through the state, and an affront to law abiding West Virginians.
Fishing Report – 08.30.12
BEECH FORK
The reservoir level is at summer pool. Anglers should call the Beech Fork Corps of Engineers office at 304.525.4831 for more information. Bass fishing may be slowing now with hot day time temperatures. Try fishing early in the morning or near dusk to beat the heat, channel catfish will be actively feeding during this time as well. Hybrid striped bass and white bass can be caught using white lures.
BLUESTONE
Fishing on the lake is good. Largemouth and smallmouth bass are being caught at dawn and dusk and during the night using surface lures, and soft plastics. Stripers and hybrids have been seen schooling and chasing shad around the pit area. Try shad like lures and surface lures to garner strikes when they appear at the surface. Catfish anglers are finding success by fishing during the evenings and night using cut bait and prepared dip baits. For more information call Corps of Engineers at 304.466.0156.
BURNSVILLE
The lake is at summer pool. Lots of bass are being caught in and around cover. Bluegill and crappie are also being caught on live bait in any type of cover. Reports of musky being caught while trolling in the lake. A few trout still remain in the tailwaters. For more information call Corps of Engineers at 304.853.2398.
EAST LYNN
The reservoir level is at summer pool. For more information call the Corps of Engineers recorded message at 304.849.9861. Bass will be holding near logs, stumps and fish attracting brush piles. Musky will be found near bush piles and fallen trees. Channel catfish and flatheads will be good throughout the day. Try crappie fishing around standing timber or trees that have fallen into the water. A few walleye have been caught in the lake and tailwater.
R.D. BAILEY
Fishing on the lake is good. Spotted bass can be found along drop-offs and points extending into the lake at this time of the year. Good baits are plastic jigs, live shad, or crayfish. Hybrid striped bass are also available for anglers at R.D. Bailey right now. Best baits are lures such as rattletraps, spoons, or white/chartreuse jigs. Anglers may also want to try chicken livers for this hard fighting fish. For more information call the Corps of Engineers recorded message at 304.664.9587.
STEPHENS LAKE
Stephens is very clear. To improve the odds of catching fish, use light line, cast far, and reduce noise, fish quietly and carefully. As mentioned previously, anglers fishing at dawn, dusk and into the night are finding greater success due to limited boat traffic and cooler conditions. These anglers are using mostly surface lures like jitterbugs, buzz baits and prop baits for success. Bass are also being caught using wacky rigged worms in various colors at various depths. Catfish have been recently caught using chicken livers, worms and prepared dip baits.
STONECOAL LAKE
The lake is at summer pool. Fishing is good. Bass are being caught in and around cover. Bluegill and crappie are also hitting live bait and jigs around beaver huts and fish attractors. Try trolling a shallow running plug or jig. A few perch have been caught in the upper end on minnows.
STONEWALL JACKSON
The lake is five feet below summer pool and clear. Fishing is good. Bass are being caught in and around cover. Bluegill and crappie are also hitting live bait. Reports of large musky being caught while trolling the past few weeks. Channel catfish have also been caught. A few trout still remain in the tailwaters. Before heading to the lake please call Corps of Engineers at 304.269.7463.
SUMMERSVILLE
The lake is at summer pool. Bass are being caught in about 10 to 15 feet of water. It is a great time of year for walleye. Try rocky points, drop offs and at the mouth of small tributaries entering the lake. If you are looking for a back country fishing experience, hike down in the Gauley River gorge and enjoy some fantastic fishing. For more information call Corps of Engineers at 304.872.3412.
SUTTON
The lake is at summer pool and clear. Fishing is good. Bass have moved deeper because of warm water temperatures. Most are being caught in and around cover. Bluegill and crappie are also hitting live bait. The tailwaters are low and clear. A few trout still remain in the tailwaters. Before heading to the lake please call Corps of Engineers at 304.765.2705.
TYGART LAKE
The lake is three feet below summer pool level. Water temperature is 81 degrees at the surface, 80 degrees at 10 feet, 79 degrees at 25 feet, 76 degrees at 50 feet, 75 degrees at 75 feet and 74 degrees at 100 feet. Higher discharges last week flushed out cooler deep water. Fish for walleye in 40 to 60 feet of water during the day. They move into shallow water at night to feed. White bass schools can be seen breaking water throughout the lake. Cast crank baits, plastic grubs, or spoons to the schools as they surface and move around. Bass tournament success continues to be good.
There are lots of walleye and trout in the tailwater. An extra stocking of large brood trout occurred two weeks ago. Walleye fishing is best during higher flows 1,500 to 5,000 cubic feet per second.and trout fishing is best at low flows less than 1,000 cubic feet per second). Walleye can be caught using 1/8 to 1/4.ounce jigs with 3.inch plastic grubs. Chartreuse is a good color. Call the Corps of Engineers telephone hotline at 304.265.5953 for daily lake and tailwater conditions.
NORTHERN WEST VIRGINIA
OHIO RIVER (New Cumberland, Pike Island and Hannibal pools and tailwaters)
Bass fishing success have been good throughout the river. There are lots of hybrid striped bass, sauger, walleye and white bass in the tailwaters and the river is in great fishing condition. Walleye and sauger will start feeding about an hour before sunset and then throughout the night. Jigs with minnows are particularly good baits but 3.inch plastic grubs and deep running crank baits are also productive. Hybrid striped bass will also move in and out of the tailwaters and can be caught using large crank baits, casting spoons or cut bait.
MONONGAHELA RIVER
Bass tournament success has been good the past month for largemouth bass around weed beds. Fishing is also good in the Morgantown tailwater for sauger, walleye and white bass. Sauger and walleye start biting about dusk for about an hour. The shoreline from the Morgantown lock to the mouth of Deckers Creek is always a good place to fish from the shore. Smallmouth bass are also abundant in this area. This is also a good time for catfish throughout the pools in 15 to 20 feet of water.
CHEAT LAKE
The shoreline across from the Sunset Beach cove to the I.68 bridge is a good area to catch large sunfish. Channel catfish are doing well and 2 to 3.pounders are abundant throughout the lake but the best area for catfish is upstream of Mt. Chateau. Nightcrawlers on a number 6 hook with a ½ to 1-ounce egg sinker will catch catfish. Bass tournaments continue to be successful. Fish for walleye after dark along the shoreline when fish move into shallow water to feed.
EASTERN PANHANDLE
South Branch and Cacapon Rivers
Flows in streams and rivers throughout the eastern panhandle are near normal flow for this time of year; however, localized thunderstorms have caused some streams in the Eastern Panhandle to rise and become turbid. Water temperatures are in the mid 70’s and anglers on the South Branch continue to be successful catching smallmouth bass. Try using slow moving plastics in deep pools and topwater lures in shallow areas and just off the shore. Many smallmouth bass in the South Branch have been tagged as part of a fish movement and fish health study. If you catch a tagged fish, please clip off the tag and return it to DNR for a reward. Recent biological surveys also indicate excellent channel catfish populations throughout the South Branch.
A fishing guide is available for the Eastern panhandle which includes a stream map and can be obtained free of charge from any of our district offices.
Shenandoah River
Flows in the Shenandoah River are slightly above normal flow and in great fishing condition. Try fishing for smallmouth bass with crankbaits and topwaters near the head of pools around large rocks or other structure. The WVDNR in cooperation with Jefferson County Parks and Recreation have extended the boat ramp at the Moulton Park public access and it is now usable.
North Branch River
Flows in the North Branch is near 150 cfs and projected to remain at the current level for several more days. An artificial varied flow event is scheduled for Sunday, September 2nd through Monday, September 3rd. These high flows will make wade fishing unsafe in the North Branch.
Small Impoundments
Small impoundments are in great fishing condition. Recent biological surveys have indicated excellent largemouth bass population. Most small impoundments are stratified which means low oxygen levels will occur in deep water so fish shallow. A new impoundment has been created at the Edwards Run Wildlife Management Area in Hampshire County and has been stocked with sunfish, smallmouth bass and channel catfish.
Jennings Randolph Lake
Jennings Randolph Lake is currently 23 feet below conservation pool and continuing to drop. The WV ramp is now closed for the season but the MD boat ramp will remain open. Anglers are still reporting good catches of smallmouth bass on crankbaits and topwaters. Jennings Randolph Lake has a dedicated phone line for up-to-date recreational information 304.355.2890.
Mt. Storm Lake
Anglers at Mt. Storm Lake should target striped bass, black bass and walleye. Fish can be caught throughout the lake but many anglers do well fishing with chicken livers near the discharges. Biological surveys have indicated excellent bass and walleye populations.
CENTRAL WEST VIRGINIA
Water levels are normal and clear. If you are looking for a place to go, please check the fishing regulations and the WVDNR website for a list of public access sites or call your local WVDNR district office for some advice and a place to fish. Summer is a great time of year to introduce a young person to fishing. Take a kid fishing this weekend; go see what you have been missing. Trout still remain in local rivers and streams.
SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA
The New and Greenbrier rivers are providing excellent fishing opportunities for smallmouth bass. Flows are low and clear, allowing for wade fishing in the New and Greenbrier rivers. Smallmouth anglers are finding success using a variety of baits and lures. Many anglers are fishing into the night to beat the heat and are reporting success after dark using surface lures like jitterbugs, skitter pops and large vibrating spinnerbaits. Mornings and fishing late into the evening are two other times anglers have been doing well on the New and Greenbrier for smallmouth and rock bass. The blue damsel hatch is a major hatch to target for smallmouth in the New. Try flies that imitate damsels or loud surface lures work also, due to smallmouth feeding heavily on the surface during these major hatches. Carp or ‘the WV bonefish’ are also very prevalent in the New and Greenbrier rivers, and are easily spotted under low flow conditions. With a little stealth one can easily approach these fish to within easy casting distance. For a real challenge try sight casting to large carp in the shallows using small nymphs and odd flies. Despite an unfitting bad reputation with some, carp will provide an unforgettable angling experience on light tackle, give it a try. A recent angler reported catching and releasing a 17 lb. carp on his fly rod in the New River near Hinton. District Four small impoundments offer good bass, catfish and bluegill opportunities, give them a try as well. District Four streams are running low and clear presently. A few reports of anglers catching brown trout during higher flows after rainstorms; otherwise, angling right now in small streams for smallmouth and trout will remain difficult due to the high temps and low flows. Focus on fishing early and late to fool late summer stream fish.
SOUTHWESTERN WEST VIRGINIA
Lower Ohio and Kanawha Rivers
Tailwater fishing should be excellent. Jigs with minnows could provide some excellent catches of sauger, white bass, hybrid striped bass and freshwater drum. If artificial baits are your preference white and chartreuse are good colors to try. Blue, flathead and channel catfish activity is picking up.
Guyandotte, Coal, Poca, Elk, and Mud Rivers
Flows are low but local conditions will vary with the current spotty but strong storms we have having.
Small Impoundments
Bluegill and bass will be feeding and can be caught with nightcrawlers or artificial baits. Fishing for channel catfish in the evening should be excellent.
WEST-CENTRAL WEST VIRGINIA
Late summer is an excellent time to fish Ohio River tailwaters. Anglers fishing below the Belleville dam are catching white bass, hybrid striped bass, and a few other species. Lead headed jigs with twister tails white or chartreuses), which are fished along the bottom, are the lure of choice. Recently, heavy metal lures have also been successful. Best spots to fish these areas include eddies and back-current sections, and anywhere that river flows are unusual. Schools of hybrid striped bass will periodically move up to the surface to ambush prey, so keep a look out for this activity. When this activity is seen, agitator bobbers fished with rubber minnow imitations or fresh bait fished with surf casting equipment, generally provides the best result. Fishing along the Willow Island tailwaters is restricted due to hydro-power development. Anglers now have access only to a point approximately 150 yards below the dam, and flows have changed significantly.
Elsewhere on the Ohio River, fishing for catfish has been good. Channel catfish anglers should use nightcrawlers, chicken liver, or prepared catfish type baits. Live fish should be used for flatheads. Good fishing sites for catfish include deep areas along islands and tributary mouths.
Fishing has been good for largemouth bass in area lakes. Spinner baits, rubber worms, crank baits, and surface lures are producing bass in areas of good cover. Good choices for area lakes include Mountwood in Wood County, Conaway Run in Tyler, Charles Fork in Roane, North Bend in Ritchie County, and Elk Fork, Woodrum, and O’Brien in Jackson County. These lakes can also supply good bluegill fishing. For sunfish use trout magnets or spinners, small jigs, or small worms.
Local musky streams should be fishable this weekend. This time of year musky anglers use large crank baits or jurk baits and best spots are usually around fallen trees or riffle areas.
Stream Conditions
| NORTHERN |
Levels |
Conditions |
| Ohio River (Wheeling) |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Fish Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Fishing Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Big Sandy (Preston) |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Monongahela River |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Wheeling Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Buffalo Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Blackwater River |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| |
| EASTERN PANHANDLE |
Levels |
Conditions |
| S. Branch (Potomac) |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| S. Branch (Smoke Hole) |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Shenandoah River |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Patterson Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| N. Fork S. Branch |
Low |
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| Cacapon River |
|
|
High |
|
Milky |
|
| Back Creek |
|
|
High |
|
Milky |
|
| Opequon Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Lost River |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| |
| CENTRAL |
Levels |
Conditions |
| Elk (Sutton) |
Low |
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| Little Kanawha |
Low |
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| Elk (Clay) |
Low |
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| West Fork River |
Low |
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| Gauley River |
Low |
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| Cranberry River |
Low |
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| Cherry River |
Low |
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| Cherry River (N. Fork) |
Low |
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| Cherry River (S. Fork) |
Low |
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| Williams River |
Low |
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| Knapps River |
Low |
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| Greenbrier (E&W Forks) |
Low |
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| Little River |
Low |
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| Shavers Fork |
Low |
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| Buckhannon River |
Low |
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| Holly River |
Low |
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| Elk River (Webster) |
Low |
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| Elk River (Back Fork) |
Low |
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| |
| SOUTHERN |
Levels |
Conditions |
| New River (Hinton) |
Low |
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| Greenbrier (Hinton) |
Low |
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| Greenbrier (Ronceverte) |
Low |
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| Anthony Creek |
Low |
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| Big Creek |
Low |
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| Meadow River |
Low |
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| Turkey Creek |
Low |
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| Potts Creek |
Low |
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| Second Creek |
Low |
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| Pinnacle Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Horse Creek Lake |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Big Huff Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Indian Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Glade Creek (New River) |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Marsh Fork |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| New River (Gauley) |
Low |
|
|
Clear |
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| Glade Creek (Man) |
Low |
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|
Clear |
|
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| Camp Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
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| East River |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Fork Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
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| Dry Fork Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
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| Berwind Lake |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| |
| WESTERN & SOUTHWESTERN |
Levels |
Conditions |
| Little Kanawha River |
Low |
|
|
Clear |
|
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| Ohio River |
Low |
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|
Clear |
|
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| Hughes River |
Low |
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|
Clear |
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Bon Appétit: Zucchini “Crab” Cakes
Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups grated zucchini
1 egg, beaten
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 cup bread crumbs
1/4 cup minced onion
1 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning TM
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup vegetable oil for frying
Directions:
In a large bowl, combine zucchini, egg, and butter or margarine.
Stir in seasoned crumbs, minced onion, and seasoning.
Mix well.
Shape mixture into patties.
Dredge in flour.
In a medium skillet, heat oil over medium high heat until hot.
Fry patties in oil until golden brown on both sides.
Flashback: What Happened on August 31, ....
• 1886 An earthquake centered in Charleston, SC, was felt in West Virginia.
• 1956 The Pendleton County Board of Education closed the school at Dahmer, Pendleton County, due to a lack of students. It had been opened in 1922.
• 1965 WSLP - AM radio went on the air, the first radio station in Keyser, Mineral County.
• 1992 Kanawha County Circuit Judge Andrew MacQueen ordered the stoppage of construction of the new Weston State Hospital at Weston, Lewis County. A court- appointed monitor had recommended the hospital be closed in 1996, in favor of mental-health centers in various communities. The state, which would have lost $7.5 million if the new hospital was not built, appealed the ruling to the State Supreme Court.
• 1992 Federal authorities charged John Richard Durbin and and wife Lucy Durbin, the daughter of former Governor Arch Moore, with selling cocaine.
Ask the Doctor: Treating Fibroid Problems
DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My menstrual periods last two weeks, sometimes longer.
I bleed so much that I am anemic and have to take iron pills.
My doctor suggests I have my uterus removed because fibroids are causing this.
I’m not eager for surgery.
I am only 35, and my husband and I would like more children.
What are other ways for treating fibroids? - S.M.
ANSWER: The uterus’s wall is muscle.
Fibroids are noncancerous growths of the uterine muscle that project into the uterine cavity.
They can be silent, producing no symptoms.
Or they can cause lengthy periods with excessive bleeding, pelvic pain and troubles with adjacent organs like the bladder (due to pressing on those structures), and they might interfere with fertility.
How best to treat fibroids depends on their size, their number, the woman’s age and the woman’s desire to have more children.
It’s a joint decision made by the woman and her doctor.
Myomectomy is a procedure in which only the fibroid is removed.
The uterus remains intact.
Often, this is done with the assistance of a scope.
In some places, robotic-assisted laparoscopic techniques are employed.
Uterine artery embolization entails filling the artery that provides the fibroid’s blood supply with small particles that stop the flow of blood in that artery.
The fibroid shrivels and is sloughed off.
Ablative procedures, in which the uterine lining and fibroid are removed in a number of ways, are techniques that preserve the uterus.
Heat, freezing, electric current and microwaves are some of the methods used.
A new approach is called magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound, which targets the fibroid with sound waves.
It’s not available in all localities.
I hope this provides you with some ideas you can discuss with your doctor to see which applies best to your wishes.
Daily G-Eye™: 08.31.12
Submit photos for this daily feature. You may select to have your name listed as well.
Send your photo(s) to “tellus@gilmerfreepress.net”
Stargazing - 08.31.12
Mars and Saturn team up low in the western sky in early evening, with Mars to the left and Saturn to the right.
Saturn’s largest moon, Titan, is visible through strong binoculars or a telescope, and looks like a tiny star quite close to the planet.
Dune Worlds
The planet Mars and Saturn’s moon Titan are the two most Earth-like worlds in the solar system. Each has an atmosphere, a surface that’s been carved by flowing liquids, and many other similarities to our home world.
One of those similarities is sand dunes.
The dunes on Mars are a good bit like those on Earth. They form as wind erodes rocks at the planet’s surface, breaking off tiny grains of material.
Sometimes, some of the sand in the dunes is swept up by planet-wide dust storms that are stirred by winds that can be as strong as a hurricane here on Earth. As the storms end, though, the sand settles back to the surface — some of it back atop the Martian dunes.
The dunes on Titan form in a different way. Titan’s surface is much colder than either Earth or Mars, and its atmosphere is denser. Clouds of methane and ethane float through the sky, raining droplets of hydrocarbons onto the surface. Some of these droplets can link together to form solid grains — the “sand” in Titan’s dunes.
Under Titan’s weaker gravity, the dunes can grow to enormous proportions — a mile wide, hundreds of miles long, and as tall as a 30-story building. In all, the dunes cover an area larger than the United States.
Mars and Saturn team up low in the western sky in early evening, with Mars to the left and Saturn to the right. Titan is visible through strong binoculars or a small telescope, and looks like a tiny star quite close to its parent world.
G-MM™: Meditation Moment - 08.31.12
The bridegroom is here! Go out to meet him.
The French mystic Simone Weil assures us that ‘waiting patiently in expectation is the foundation of the spiritual life’.
There is a similar message for us in today’s gospel reading.
Young or old, it is important for us as Christians to be like the five wise bridesmaids who stay awake and are ready to welcome the bridegroom whenever he arrives.
If we bring to bear in all the circumstances of our daily lives the focused vigilance these young women display, we will recognize the presence of the Lord who comes to us even amid the myriad distractions which assail us in today’s world.
Let us take to heart the advice of the wise man: ‘Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life’ (Proverbs 4:23).
1 Corinthians 1:17–25. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord—Ps 32(33):1–2, 4–5, 10–11. Matthew 25:1–13.
Mildred Gail Yoak
Mildred Gail Yoak
Age 86, of Millstone, WV, died August 28, 2012, at Minnie Hamilton Hospital in Grantsville, WV, after a brief illness.
She was born July 16, 1926 at Island Run, Roane County, the daughter of the late Mollie Brannon Parsons and Beverly Bays.
Mildred was employed by B. F. Goodrich, formerly Rubber Fabricators, in Grantsville, WV, and retired in July, 1988.
She was a member of Island Run Baptist Church and attended Mt. Zion Methodist Church for more than 50 years.
Throughout her lifetime, Mildred was a loving and wonderful mother and grandmother. She was an excellent cook, always preparing her family their favorite foods, especially creamed tomatoes and biscuits and graham cracker pies. She enjoyed playing cards, but was particularly fond of playing Yahtzee.
Mildred is survived by two children and their spouses, a daughter, Linda (David) Lancaster of Summersville, WV and a son, Alan (Paula) Yoak of Vienna, WV. She is also survived by four grandchildren: David (Sarah) Lancaster of Annamoriah, WV, Chad Lancaster of Williamstown, WV, Shannon (Tim) Evans of Smyrna, TN, and Todd (Jen) Yoak of Richmond, VA. Also surviving are three great-grandchildren: Brooke Lancaster and Sydney and Wesley Evans; two brothers, John Parsons of Clover, WV and Nelson Parsons of Lavernia, Texas; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Vere Yoak, second husband, Harold Bowen, an infant son, Steven, her sister, Elsie Rhodes, step father, Gomer Parsons, step brother, Garland Parsons, and a special aunt, Louie Miller, who raised her.
Stump Funeral Home, Arnoldsburg, will handle the arrangements with Rev. David Weaver officiating the service.
The funeral service will be at 1:00 PM on Saturday, September 01, 2012 with viewing and visitation two hours prior to the service.
Burial will be at Albert’s Chapel Methodist Church in Sandridge, WV
Freda M. Burkhammer
Freda M. Burkhammer
Age 89, of Jane Lew, WV, Westfield Community, departed this life on August 27, 2012 at United Hospital Center, Bridgeport, WV, following a brief illness.
She was born on October 12, 1922 in Gilmer County, WV, a daughter of the late Orval Furby and Calista Ball Furby.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Manuel E. Burkhammer; one daughter, Thelma June Daniel; one son, Roy Lee Burkhammer; three brothers; and four sisters.
She is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Beverly Jo and Martin “Bob” Hoover, Sr. of Westfield Community; nine grandchildren; and one step-geanddaughter.
Freda retired from West Virginia Glass Specialty, where she worked as a glass decorator, and later served as a Senior Home Companion.
She faithfully attended the Message of Light Tabernacle for 35 years.
Friends called from 4:00 to 8:00 PM Thursday, August 30, 2012 at Boyle Funeral Home, 322 Main Avenue, Weston, WV.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Friday, August 31, 2012 at the Boyle Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Russell Furr officiating.
Interment will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery, Goosepen Road.
Patricia Linn Toncray
Patricia Linn Toncray
Age 56, of Parkersburg, WV passed away August 29, 2012, at Camden Clark Medical Center, St. Joseph’s Campus.
She was born March 15, 1956 at Grantsville, WV, a daughter of the late Lina Kersey Blosser.
She is survived by two sons Richard and Robert Toncray; three daughters Carla Wells, Crystal Buskirk, and Vera Boyles; two brothers; 15 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Preceding her in death in addition to her mother is her step father Okey H. Blosser.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Monday at Kimes Funeral Home, 521 Fifth Street, Parkersburg, with Pastor Randy Cox officiating.
The family will receive friends from 6:30 until 8:00 PM Sunday at the funeral home.
Rev. James J. Murphy
Rev. James J. Murphy
A memorial Mass for long-time Weston pastor Rev. James J. Murphy was Wednesday, August 29, at 6:00 PM at St. Patrick Church.
The public was invited to attend the Memorial Mass.
Father Murphy, who served at St .Patrick Church from 1988 to 2002, passed away in Ireland, WV his retirement home, on July 24, 2012.
While in Weston, Father Murphy was popular in the community and a member of Deerfield Country Club where he was an avid golfer.
During his tenure at St. Pat’s, Father Murphy, the parish celebrated its sesquicentennial and saw huge growth in the student population at St. Patrick School of which he was a great supporter.
Father Murphy was born July 07, 1929, and was a native of Clonmel, Ireland.
He was ordained a priest April 18, 1954, in Kiltegan, Ireland, by Bishop Heffernan for the St. Patrick Society in Ireland. He completed his preparatory studies at St. Joseph C.B.S. in Dublin and attended St. Patrick College in Kiltegan, Ireland, where he focused on philosophical and theological studies.
Father Murphy came to the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston February 11, 1966, and was incardinated April 28, 1969, by Bishop Joseph H. Hodges at the St. Patrick Society in Ireland. He served as dean of the Weston Deanery and as pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Weston, St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Weirton, St. Peter Parish in Welch and St. Michael Parish in Vienna.
He also served as temporary administrator of St. Boniface Parish in Camden. He was also an English instructor at St. Benedict’s Preparatory School in Newark, NJ, and served as a pastor in the Diocese of Calabar, Nigeria, for 11 years. Father Murphy retired from active ministry in 2002.
The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at Our Lady of Consolation Church, Donnycarney, Dublin 9, Ireland on July 26, 2012.
Edward D. “Button” McMillan
Edward D. “Button” McMillan
Age 80, passed away on August 28, 2012.
He was born April 22, 1932 on Big Flint, WV a son of the late Clyde S. and Lura McIntyre McMillan.
Edward served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict with the 1092nd Engineers. He worked at Ohio Brass for close to 30 years. He was an avid turkey and deer hunter and Euchre player. His entire family brought him a great deal of happiness.
He is survived by children, Edward, John (Becky) and Kitty, several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, sister, Eldora Evans, many nieces, nephews, cousins, his loving companion, Nett and caregiver, Sabrina.
Funeral services will be held in the Spurgeon Funeral Home 212 Front St. West Union on Friday August 31, 2012 at 2:00 PM.
Interment will follow in the Chestnut Grove Cemetery, Big Flint with full military graveside rites accorded by the combined Doddridge County Veterans organizations.
The family will receive friends in the funeral home chapel on Friday one hour prior to his service.
The family received friends on Thursday, August 30, 2012 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM in Cox Funeral Home, 1376 High St., Wadsworth, OH.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Hospice of your choice.
Spurgeon Funeral Home is privileged to serve the McMillan family.
Steve Levente Beres
Steve Levente Beres
The Lord has taken our dad at age 86 to join his flock in Heaven. Steve Levente Beres passed away, Tuesday, August 21, 2012 in Thomas Memorial Hospital, South Charleston, West Virginia after a long illness.
Steve was born on September 18, 1926 in Hubbard, Ohio a son of Stephen Beres and Jolan Wadasi. The family moved from Hubbard, Ohio to Passaic, New Jersey later on. Steve was a Navy Veteran of WWII and a truck driver for over 32 years having worked for the U.S. Rubber Factory in Passaic, New Jersey. He was an active member of the American Legion in Garfield, New Jersey and also a member of the Hungarian Reform Church of Passaic, New Jersey.
Steve and his family moved from New Jersey to Heaters, WV on December 17, 1991. He was a member of the American Legion, Post 33 of Sutton, West Virginia.
He was preceded in death by his mother; father; and wife of 52 years, Doris Patricia Beres; his brother, Albert J. Beres and a sister, Jolan Kurucz. Surviving Steve are his daughter, Michele Loyd; son, Steven and wife Crystal of Normantown, WV; granddaughter, Melissa Parker and husband Richard of New Hampshire; grandson, Robert Blokland of Weston, WV and granddaughter, Janine Yarrish, Clifton, New Jersey. Also surviving are two great-granddaughters; Justine Anita Crement and Karen Mattson of New Hampshire. Three nieces, two nephews, two great-nieces, three great-nephews all of New Jersey also survive him.
American Legion Post 33 officiated a military graveside service at Little Kanawha Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Heaters, WV with Pastor Allan Copenhaver officiating at 3:00 PM on Sunday, August 26, 2012.
There was no visitation.
Stockert-Sizemore Funeral Home, Flatwoods, WV is in charge of arrangements.
08.31.12
History on August 31, yyyy
Today is Friday, Aug. 31, the 244th day of 2012. There are 122 days left in the year.
Thought for Today:
“Every man in the world is better than someone else and not as good someone else.“ - William Saroyan, American author (1908-1981).
Today’s Highlight in History:
On Aug. 31, A.D. 12, Caligula, who was Roman Emperor from A.D. 37 to A.D. 41, was born.
On this date:
In 1886, an earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 7.3 devastated Charleston, S.C., killing at least 60 people, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
In 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed an act prohibiting the export of U.S. arms to belligerents.
In 1941, the radio program “The Great Gildersleeve,“ a spinoff from “Fibber McGee and Molly” starring Harold Peary, debuted on NBC.
In 1954, Hurricane Carol hit the northeastern Atlantic states; Connecticut, Rhode Island and part of Massachusetts bore the brunt of the storm, which resulted in nearly 70 deaths.
In 1962, the Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago became independent of British colonial rule.
In 1972, at the Munich Summer Olympics, American swimmer Mark Spitz won his fourth and fifth gold medals, in the 100-meter butterfly and 800-meter freestyle relay; Soviet gymnast Olga Korbut won gold medals in floor exercise and the balance beam.
In 1980, Poland’s Solidarity labor movement was born with an agreement signed in Gdansk (guh-DANSK’) that ended a 17-day-old strike.
In 1986, 82 people were killed when an Aeromexico jetliner and a small private plane collided over Cerritos, Calif. The Soviet passenger ship Admiral Nakhimov collided with a merchant vessel in the Black Sea, causing both to sink; up to 448 people reportedly died.
In 1987, the Michael Jackson album “Bad” was released by Epic Records.
In 1991, Uzbekistan (ooz-bek-ih-STAHN’) and Kyrgyzstan (keer-gih-STAHN’) declared their independence, raising to ten the number of republics seeking to secede from the Soviet Union.
In 1992, white separatist Randy Weaver surrendered to authorities in Naples, Idaho, ending an 11-day siege by federal agents that had claimed the lives of Weaver’s wife, son and a deputy U.S. marshal.
In 1997, Prince Charles brought Princess Diana home for the last time, escorting the body of his former wife to a Britain that was shocked, grief-stricken and angered by her death in a Paris traffic accident hours earlier.
Ten years ago:
Vibraphone virtuoso Lionel Hampton died in New York City at age 94.
The Los Angeles Sparks beat the New York Liberty 69-66 to defend their WNBA championship.
Five years ago:
President George W. Bush met privately at the Pentagon with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who conveyed their concern about a growing strain on troops and their families from long and repeated combat tours in Iraq.
President Bush announced a set of modest proposals to deal with an alarming rise in mortgage defaults.
Mike Nifong, the disgraced former district attorney of Durham County, NC, was sentenced to a day in jail after being held in criminal contempt of court for lying to a judge when pursuing rape charges against three falsely accused Duke University lacrosse players.
One year ago:
The Wartime Contracting Commission issued a report saying the U.S. had lost billions of dollars to waste and fraud in Iraq and Afghanistan and stood to repeat that in future wars without big changes in how the government awarded and managed contracts for battlefield support and reconstruction projects.
Betty Skelton Erde, 85, an aviation and auto racing pioneer once called the fastest woman on Earth, died in The Villages, Florida.
Today’s Birthdays:
Japanese monster movie actor Katsumi Tezuka is 100
Baseball Hall-of-Famer Frank Robinson is 77
Actor Warren Berlinger is 75
Rock musician Jerry Allison (Buddy Holly and the Crickets) is 73
Actor Jack Thompson is 72
Violinist Itzhak Perlman is 67
Singer Van Morrison is 67
Rock musician Rudolf Schenker (The Scorpions) is 64
Actor Richard Gere is 63
Olympic gold medal track and field athlete Edwin Moses is 57
Rock singer Glenn Tilbrook (Squeeze) is 55
Rock musician Gina Schock (The Go-Go’s) is 55.
Singer Tony DeFranco (The DeFranco Family) is 53
Rhythm-and-blues musician Larry Waddell (Mint Condition) is 49
Actor Jaime P. Gomez is 47
Baseball pitcher Hideo Nomo is 44
Rock musician Jeff Russo (Tonic) is 43
Singer-composer Deborah Gibson is 42
Rock musician Greg Richling (Wallflowers) is 42
Actor Zack Ward is 42
Golfer Padraig Harrington is 41
Actor Chris Tucker is 40
Actress Sara Ramirez is 37
Rhythm-and-blues singer Tamara (Trina & Tamara) is 35
WV Lottery - 08.30.12
2-6-6
1-3-0-7
02-08-09-18-23-24
Copyright MMVIII-MMXIII The Gilmer Free Press. All Rights Reserved
Congratulations to Hunter Ashley for getting a 2nd place in the Discus throw. He may be a Freshman, but he can definately out throw a lot of sophmores, Juniors and seniors. Way to go Hunter. Practice always pays off. Proud of you.