Windy and rainy weather pulled much of West Virginia’s fall foliage off the trees, but there are still a few areas to enjoy the spectacular colors of the season.
Right now people wanting to see the last of the fall foliage will see great color on individual trees, such as oak, sumac and maples.
That is especially true in parts of southern West Virginia including Raleigh County. of course you will not see huge areas of color this late in the season.
Good views in southern West Virginia are on State Route 3 from Daniels in Raleigh County to Hinton in Summers County.
Oaks are coloring nicely in McDowell County, and any foliage that’s left should be at peak now.
If you drive through Mercer County will be able to spot some color on U.S. Route 460 from Princeton to the Virginia state line.
In the Eastern Panhandle, leaves are still hanging on, offering batches of color to be seen by anyone taking a scenic drive.
Foresters recommend a trip on the George Washington Heritage Trail through Jefferson, Berkeley and Morgan counties. Yellows and gold are the most prominent colors with splashes of reds and oranges.
Leaves in the Kanawha Valley and the western counties and our area counties are at 90 to 95% peak, so this is likely the last days to get a glimpse while continuing to rake the leaves.
The West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles announced that an important milestone has been reached in the development of an electronic system to identify uninsured motorists.
Senator John Unger was the lead sponsor for Senate Bill 394, which passed the Legislature and was approved and signed by Governor Manchin this Spring.
The DMV is putting final touches on a Request for Quote (RFQ) for potential vendors to become DMV’s partner in this endeavor.
DMV Commissioner Joe Miller says that, “With the passage of this vital legislation, DMV will now have the tools necessary to more efficiently and effectively monitor motorists who choose to drive without the required insurance.”
Senate Bill 394 will target uninsured motorists in three ways:
• Verify insurance at the time of vehicle registration and renewal
• Provide regularly scheduled verification checks with insurance companies to find motorists who drop their insurance and continue to drive
• Provide law enforcement with the means to instantly verify insurance at the time of a traffic stop or crash investigation
Unger commented, “This legislation allows DMV to replace antiquated and somewhat ineffective paper based insurance verification processes by utilizing leading edge technology in use in some other states. This could help bring West Virginia car insurance premiums down in line with the surrounding states which would result in a savings to West Virginia citizens.“
The timeframe for the completion of all three phases is 2013.
For more information on this new program, contact the DMV Insurance Section at 304.926.3802, or call the DMV Call Center toll-free at 1.800.642.9066.
Citizens may also visit the DMV website atwww.dmv.wv.gov.
Adam Neugebauer’s overtime 13-yard touchdown pass to Jon Meadows capped off a frantic finish and lifted West Virginia Wesleyan (7-2, 4-2) to a 31-24 victory against Glenville State (4-5, 3-3).
Both teams had potential game-winning field goals blocked during a wild final 1:38 of regulation.
GSC’s Eddie McKay had a 23-yard effort tipped, while Tommy Mutter blocked a 33-yard try by WVWC’s Kevin Karpiak.
The Wesleyan defense clinched their squad’s victory in overtime after Neugebauer connected with Meadows for a touchdown during the Bobcats’ possession.
GSC quarterback Gabe Profitt was sacked by Jonas Celian and was forced into three incompletions to end the game.
Profitt completed 13 of 28 passes for 236 yards for GSC.
Jordan Griffin caught six passes for 121 yards, while Joe Mesadiue rambled for 122 yards on 22 carries.
Neugebauer hit on 26 of 44 passes for 357 yards and three scores.
Jon Meadows, who established a WVWC single-season record for catches during the win, made nine catches for 139 yards.
GIRLS’ VESTS
The Children’s Place Services Company is recalling White Ruffle Outdoor Vests sold by The Children’s Place in September 2010.
Metal snaps may detach from garment causing a choking hazard.
The girls’ ruffle vests are quilted and “chalk” colored with a hood trimmed in fake fur.
The vests have a label sewn to the inside side seam of the lining with number #587754 printed on it.
Customers who purchased the recalled product online will be mailed a postage-paid envelope with instructions for returning the vest(s) for a full refund.
Consumers can also contact The Children’s Place Services Company, LLC at 877.752.2387 between 9 AM and 5 PM ET Monday through Friday or visit www.childrensplace.com.
HALLOWEEN LANTERNS
Dollar Tree Stores Inc. is recalling Pumpkin, Ghost and Skull Halloween Lanterns sold nationwide from August 2010 to October 2010.
The bulb in the battery-operated lanterns can overheat, posing fire and burn hazards.
This recall involves plastic Halloween-themed lanterns designed to resemble a pumpkin, ghost and skull.
The lanterns are about 6 1/2 inches tall and were sold in orange, white and black.
Model number 954437-13096-003-1005 is printed on the bottom of the lanterns.
Consumers should return the lanterns to the store where purchased for a full refund.
Consumers can also contact Dollar Tree Stores Inc. at 800.876.8077 between 9 AM and 5 PM ET Monday through Friday, or visit www.dollartree.com.
EASTON BICYCLES
Easton Sports is recalling Bicycles with 2010 EC90 Zero seat posts sold nationwide from April 2010 to August 2010.
The carbon top clamp of the seat post can crack, posing a fall hazard.
This recall involves bicycles with 2010 EC90 Zero seat posts.
The EC90 Zero seat posts are black with red and gray graphics. “EC90” is printed on the post.
Consumers should contact any authorized Easton Sports for a free replacement top seat clamp.
Consumers can also contact Easton Sports at 866.892.6059 between 8 AM and 5 PM CT Monday through Friday or visit www.eastonbike.com.
TREE STEPS
Primal Vantage Co. is recalling Ameristep Plastic Strap-On Tree Step sold nationwide from April 2008 to November 2009.
The plastic portion of the step can break, posing a fall hazard.
Product is a plastic tree step that attaches to a tree via a nylon strap and a large metal buckle.
It is used to climb a tree in order to hunt from an elevated position.
Model numbers 105 and 155 both have a “08”, which is stamped on the plastic portion of the step denoting the year of manufacture.
Consumers should contact Primal Vantage at 866.972.6168 between 9:30 AM and 4:30 PM ET Monday through Friday or visit www.treestandcustomerservice.com to print a return form or for further information on how to locate the date code on your tree step.
INFANT SHOES
Meijer is recalling Falls Creek infant boy shoes sold at Meijer stores nationwide from July 2010 to September 2010.
The shoelace toggles can detach, posing a choking hazard.
This recall involves Meijer Falls Creek infant boy casual shoes with bungee laces and toggles.
The brown leather shoes were sold in infant sizes 5 to 10 and have “Falls Creek” imprinted on the bottom of the shoe.
Consumers should return the product to any Meijer store for a full refund.
Consumers can also contact Meijer at 800.927.8699 between 8 AM and 5 PM ET Monday through Friday or visit www.meijer.com.
JOHN DEERE MOWERS
Deere & Company is recalling John Deere EZtrak Zero Turn Lawn Mowers with Foot Lift and Zero Turn Mowers with Premium Foot Lift Kit sold at John Deere dealers in the U.S. with the exception of California from January 2009 to September 2010.
A bolt in the right-hand steering lever can catch on the tab of the foot lift stop and lock in place, causing the steering lever to remain in the forward travel position, posing an injury hazard.
Z445 mowers with 54 inch high capacity deck and Z445 or Z465 Zero-Turn Mower with Premium Foot Lift features are being recalled.
Customers should contact a John Deere dealer to make arrangements to have the lift stop bracket removed from their machine.
Consumers can also contact Deere & Company at 800.537.8233 Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 6 PM and on Saturdays from 9 AM to 3 PM ET or visit www.johndeere.com.
GE DISHWASHERS
GE Appliances & Lighting is recalling GE Profile™ and GE Monogram® Dishwashers sold nationwide from July 2003 to December 2006.
Water condensation can drip onto the electronic control board, causing a short circuit and resulting in an overheated connector posing a fire hazard.
This recall involves the GE Profile dishwashers manufactured between July 2002 and December 2005 and GE Monogram dishwashers manufactured between January 2004 and December 2006.
Consumers should contact GE at 877.275.6840 from 8 AM to 5 PM ET Monday through Friday or visit www.geappliances.com/recall for a free in-home repair or to receive a GE rebate.
West Fork Conservation District Supervisors Meeting – 11.03.10
The West Fork Conservation District Board of Supervisors monthly meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 03, 2010 at the USDA Service Center, Mt Clare, WV.
The meeting starts at 9:00 AM.
Contact Dinah Hannah, Administrative Officer, at 304.627.2160 for further information.
The West Fork Conservation District in West Virginia is comprised of the following four (4) counties located in the northern-central portion of the state:
• Doddridge County
• Gilmer County
• Harrison County
• Lewis County
West Virginia:
West Virginia squandered a ten point lead and turned the ball over four times in a 16-13 overtime loss to Connecticut Friday night at Rentschler Field.
The Mountaineers scored ten points in the first quarter, but went scoreless until late in the third quarter. Meanwhile, Connecticut recovered from a slow start and scored 10 second half points to tie the game and send it to overtime. In the extra period Ryan Clarke fumbled inside the ten meaning Connecticut just had to kick a field goal to win. Dave Teggart did just that, converting on a 27-yarder to give the Huskies their first win ever over West Virginia.
The Mountaineers outgained the Huskies 414-278 but the turnovers equalized any progress made by the offense. Senior running back Noel Devine was only able to muster 67 yards on 16 carries. Quarterback Geno Smith lived up to Coach Bill Stewart’s promise and carried the ball 15 times for 66 yards. Heading into the game Stewart promised to run the sophomore more.
In the first quarter West Virginia (5-3,1-2) dominated, holding Connecticut (4-4,1-2) without a first down and outgained the Huskies 168-93. The Mountaineers scored on a 53 yard end around by Bradley Starks and settled for a 36 yard Tyler Bitancurt field goal after a Noel Devine touchdown run was called back because of a penalty. Connecticut’s offense came alive at the end of the second quarter, marching 63 yards on 12 plays to get on the board with a 39 yard Teggart field goal.
Connecticut opened the second half the way they ended the first, forcing a West Virginia punt, which was followed by a 14 play drive that ended with a Jordan Todman 24 yard touchdown run. That tied the ballgame 10-10 with 6:17 to play in the 3rd quarter.
Bitancurt gave West Virginia a lead again with his longest field goal of the season, a 42-yard field goal with 1:46 to go in the third quarter. Teggart hit another field goal early in the fourth quarter and neither team could score even though both had chances at the end of the game.
In the overtime period West Virginia got the ball first and moved the ball down inside the ten yard line where Clarke fumbled. After a few Todman runs Teggart kicked his third field goal of the game for the win.
Todman rushed for 113 yards on 33 carries wile Frazer did just enough for the Huskies, completing 18-of-29 passes for 166 yards.
Marshall:
An interception on a two point conversion returned all the way and a last minute scoring drive propelled The Herd to its second victory of the season. Marshall downed UTEP 12-16 at Joan C. Edwards Stadium.
“We really needed that win. The players needed it, the fans needed it, everybody in the Marshall program needed,” said Doc Holliday.
If you missed the first 50 minutes of the game, you didn’t miss much. Marshall took the first possession of the game and drove 69 yards in eight plays to jump out to a 7-0 lead. Brian Anderson it Aaron Dobson on a four yard touchdown pass. That would be the last time either team found the endzone until 5:25 left in the fourth quarter.
UTEP knocked through a pair of field goals in the first half to pull to 7-6. That score would stand until the Miners put together an eight play 65 yard scoring drive. Even though UTEP took a 12-6 lead with the touchdown, the two-point conversion attempt would spark a Marshall comeback. Marshall’s Donald Brown stepped in front of Trevor Vittatoe’s pass and returned it the length of the field for two points for Marshall, pulling The Herd to with a field goal and getting the ball back on the kickoff.
Marshall’s drive started on its own 44 yard line. True Freshman Tron Martinez was the workhorse down the stretch, carrying the ball eight times on the final drive. Marshall pushed the ball inside the five yard line, all the way down to the UTEP two, but couldn’t punch it in. Head Coach Doc Holliday opted for the safe play, going for the field goal and the tie. Tyler Warner easily made the chip shot field goal, but on the attempt, UTEP was flagged for roughing the kicker, giving The Herd the ball back with fresh set of downs on the one yard line.
Martinez punched it in on the next play giving Marshall the game winning score.
UTEP moved the ball to the Marshall 42 and on fourth down Vittatoe’s pass was knocked away by Donald Brown sealing the Herd’s second win of the season.
True Freshman Tron Martinez had a career night, carrying the ball 24 for 116 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Brian Anderson was the second leading rusher for the Herd on the night with 43 yards on five carries. Anderson also was 13 of 26 passing for 138 yards and a touchdown.
Aaron Dobson caught four passes for 60 yards and a score and Lee Smith made four catches.
Marshall improves to 2-6 and will be on the road next week at UAB.
The 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic is gone but far from forgotten.
Researchers say close to 60% of Americans are likely immune because they were exposed to the virus or vaccines against it.
But experts recommend the seasonal flu vaccine for everyone older than six months.
The director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Dr. Anthony Fauci, says 2009 H1N1 protection is built into this year’s seasonal flu vaccine:
“Vaccinations are available right now, so we encourage people even now to go and get vaccinated when it becomes available in your community.’’
Dr. Fauci doubts the 2009 H1N1 strain would change enough to re-emerge as a pandemic virus.
NATIONAL and Local FEEDER & STOCKER CATTLE SUMMARY - WEEK ENDING 10.29.10
RECEIPTS: Auctions Direct Video/Internet Total
This Week 312,000 40,100 13,400 365,500
Last Week 296,200 42,700 1,300 340,200
Last Year 320,400 26,800 4,200 351,400
Compared to last week, feeder calves and yearlings sold firm to 3.00 higher.
Some heavy calves (weighing over 600 lbs) bound for independent Northern feedlots sold as much as 5.00 higher with minimal discounts for being unweaned as long as they were top quality and had at least one round of vaccinations.
Stocker calves (mostly weighing from 400-550 lbs) were 2.00-5.00 higher this week in active trading with some areas near the Southern Plains wheat pasture region quoting lightweight calves sharply higher.
The Oklahoma National Stockyards trended these types 5.00-10.00 higher with spots as much as 14.00 higher than last week, following widespread rains that fell last Friday and have quickly sparked wheat country with a bright green horizon.
It seems that wheat pasture grazers in the south and farmer feeders in the north all picked up their phones at the same time to call their order buyers.
Most grain farmers in the major cattle production areas of the Western Corn Belt have hosed-off their combines and parked them until next year.
Monday’s USDA crop progress report estimated that 83% of this year’s corn crop is already in the bin, compared to just 20% last year at the same time.
Cattle feeders have mostly shrugged-off fears of higher feedcosts and want to get possession of some new feedlot replacements while numbers are running and while the weather is still mild.
Parts of the Dakotas received measurable snowfall this week and much of the central portion of the United States saw their first hard freeze, but forecasts are calling for conditions to stay relatively fall-like for the next couple weeks.
Cattle at every stage of development generally perform better in cool conditions, but cold and wet is a different story and caretakers would like to get new purchases on the straight and narrow before winter truly arrives.
Surging grain and feedstuff prices have pushed expected commercial cost-of-gains to near 1.00/lb, but many cattle growers feel they have the recipe for cheaper gains and think they can’t go wrong with a feeder cattle investment when fat cattle are bringing 100.00.
Direct fed cattle prices retreated 1.00-2.00 this week, but still maintained the century level on light movement with most feedlots refusing the lower bids.
Five Area negotiated cash sales totaled only 88,700 head through Friday afternoon, compared to 210,200 head last week.
Over 10,000 head of feeder cattle sold Tuesday at the livestock auction in Philip, South Dakota.
Over 1900 head of these cattle were 500-600 lb top quality steers which averaged 126.94, another 575 head of these 5 weights were flagged as fancy and averaged 132.81.
Northern Plains buyers are unusually aggressive on lighter-weights this fall, with additional demand coming from Canadian interests looking to take calves north of the border.
This week’s reported auction volume included 32% over 600 lbs and 42% heifers.
Auction Receipts: 312,000 Last Week: 296,200 Last Year: 320,400
Buckhannon Stockyards, Buckhannon, WV
Weighted Average Report for Wednesday October 27, 2010
Cattle Receipts: 138
Slaughter cows made up 50% of the offering, slaughter bulls 3%,
replacement cows 8%, other cows 5%, and feeders 34%.
The feeder supply included 32% steers, 39% heifers, and 29% bulls.
Near 16% of the run weighed over 600 lbs.
Feeder Steers Medium and Large 1
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
3 205-230 217 102.50-105.00 103.38
1 260-260 260 100.00 100.00
1 355-355 355 97.50 97.50
2 405-430 418 102.50-105.00 103.79
2 475-495 485 104.00-113.00 108.59
1 540-540 540 101.00 101.00
1 560-560 560 80.00 80.00 RWF
1 710-710 710 75.00 75.00 Exotic
Feeder Heifers Medium and Large 1
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
1 355-355 355 70.00 70.00 Exotic
2 415-430 423 79.00-89.00 84.09
2 430-430 430 76.00 76.00 Exotic
1 455-455 455 66.00 66.00 RWF
1 505-505 505 76.00 76.00 Exotic
6 580-590 584 91.00-94.00 91.67
2 570-580 575 77.00-80.00 78.49 Exotic
Feeder Bulls Medium and Large 1
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
2 305-320 313 85.00-97.50 91.40
1 485-485 485 70.00 70.00 Exotic
1 540-540 540 81.00 81.00 RWF
2 570-570 570 86.00 86.00 Exotic
1 710-710 710 79.00 79.00
2 810-830 820 65.00-71.00 67.96
1 870-870 870 59.00 59.00 RWF
1 1200-1200 1200 61.50 61.50 RWF
Bred Cows Medium and Large 1 - 2 Young
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
5 930-1060 1004 400.00-570.00 495.86 Per Head 4-6 Months Bred
Medium and Large 1 - 2 Middle Aged
2 1125-1140 1133 630.00 630.00 Per Head 4-6 Months Bred
2 1210-1235 1223 700.00 700.00 Per Head 4-6 Months Bred
Slaughter Cows Breaker 70-80% Lean
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
6 1470-1720 1571 52.25-54.25 53.56
Boner 80-85% Lean
31 905-1380 1194 43.00-52.50 48.14
1 1350-1350 1350 54.75 54.75 High Dressing
4 1055-1235 1181 42.00-44.00 42.62 Low Dressing
10 1405-1930 1537 46.50-51.75 48.94
1 2040-2040 2040 51.50 51.50
Lean 85-90% Lean
2 1305-1305 1305 37.75-39.00 38.38
1 995-995 995 36.00 36.00 Low Dressing
cow calf pairs Medium and Large 1 - 2
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
2 1160-1175 1168 675.00-760.00 717.77 Per Head
3 1210-1310 1273 600.00-925.00 774.96 Per Head
Slaughter Bulls Yield Grade 1-2
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
4 1095-1295 1195 55.00-59.00 56.91
1 2045-2045 2045 62.00 62.00 High Dressing
Bulls By the Head # Head 1
800-1000 lbs 625.00
Weston Livestock, Weston, WV
Weighted Average Report for Saturday October 23, 2010
Cattle Receipts: 554
Slaughter cows made up 10% of the offering, slaughter bulls 4%,
replacement cows 3%, other cows 1%, and feeders 81%.
The feeder supply included 39% steers, 43% heifers, and 18% bulls.
Near 14% of the run weighed over 600 lbs.
Feeder Steers Medium and Large 1
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
3 235-240 237 115.00-125.00 118.71
3 260-290 273 117.50-132.50 124.73
1 365-365 365 110.00 110.00
11 412-433 418 108.00-114.00 109.70
15 480-495 485 115.50-118.00 117.15
3 478-478 478 90.00 90.00 RWF
1 485-485 485 90.00 90.00 Exotic
1 500-500 500 110.00 110.00 BLK/BWF
1 505-505 505 108.00 108.00 Exotic
22 557-570 558 109.50-112.50 111.95
2 590-590 590 96.00 96.00 RWF
2 568-568 568 105.50 105.50 Exotic
13 633-642 641 94.00-97.00 96.54
1 645-645 645 94.00 94.00 RWF
1 710-710 710 95.00 95.00
1 780-780 780 90.00 90.00 Yearlings
1 920-920 920 83.00 83.00 Yearlings
1 955-955 955 83.00 83.00 Yearlings
2 1025-1040 1033 64.00-86.00 74.92 Yearlings
1 1050-1050 1050 87.00 87.00 Yearlings
2 1110-1135 1123 66.00-68.00 67.01 Yearlings
1 2855-2855 2855 125.00 125.00
2 1365-1580 1473 78.00-83.00 80.68 Yearlings
Medium and Large 2
4 336-336 336 107.00 107.00
9 418-418 418 117.00 117.00
8 473-473 473 115.00 115.00
1 535-535 535 104.00 104.00
Feeder Heifers Medium and Large 1
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
2 225-235 230 103.00-107.00 104.96
3 255-290 273 100.00-110.00 106.89
1 330-330 330 106.00 106.00
8 420-434 431 90.00-96.00 94.54
3 413-413 413 87.50 87.50 Exotic
20 490-498 494 97.00-97.25 97.13
4 450-478 471 80.00-89.00 86.85 Exotic
7 540-540 540 89.00 89.00
1 525-525 525 85.00 85.00 RWF
1 520-520 520 92.00 92.00 Exotic
11 558-563 560 94.50-95.00 94.77
2 565-595 580 91.00 91.00 RWF
3 557-557 557 85.00 85.00 Exotic
3 620-638 632 93.00 93.00
2 628-628 628 89.00 89.00 Exotic
Medium and Large 2
8 339-339 339 106.00 106.00
1 355-355 355 94.00 94.00 RWF
1 355-355 355 95.00 95.00 Exotic
23 412-412 412 92.00 92.00
11 483-483 483 95.00 95.00
1 490-490 490 85.00 85.00 Exotic
6 565-565 565 93.00 93.00
1 580-580 580 80.00 80.00 RWF
Feeder Bulls Medium and Large 1
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
2 363-363 363 90.00 90.00
8 418-419 419 100.00-110.50 105.24
1 400-400 400 90.00 90.00 RWF
2 420-420 420 102.00 102.00 Exotic
1 475-475 475 113.00 113.00
3 525-540 535 101.50-107.00 103.30
2 520-525 523 90.00-95.00 92.49 RWF
1 520-520 520 96.00 96.00 Exotic
5 560-560 560 102.00 102.00
1 590-590 590 90.00 90.00 Exotic
4 628-628 628 94.00 94.00
4 679-679 679 93.00 93.00 Exotic
Medium and Large 2
5 340-340 340 110.00 110.00
4 410-410 410 113.00 113.00
2 403-403 403 104.00 104.00 Exotic
3 513-513 513 100.00 100.00
4 551-551 551 102.00 102.00
1 625-625 625 85.00 85.00
Bred Cows Medium and Large 1 - 2 Young
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
1 965-965 965 450.00 450.00 Per Head 1-3 Months Bred
1 1365-1365 1365 710.00 710.00 Per Head 4-6 Months Bred
Medium and Large 1 - 2 Middle Aged
1 1045-1045 1045 400.00 400.00 Per Head 1-3 Months Bred
2 1040-1180 1110 550.00-625.00 585.14 Per Head 4-6 Months Bred
3 1200-1275 1235 700.00-810.00 770.04 Per Head 4-6 Months Bred
1 980-980 980 735.00 735.00 Per Head 7-9 Months Bred
1 1430-1430 1430 735.00 735.00 Per Head 7-9 Months Bred
Medium and Large 1 - 2 Aged
1 1120-1120 1120 525.00 525.00 Per Head 1-3 Months Bred
Slaughter Cows Breaker 70-80% Lean
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
3 1415-1690 1563 49.00-52.50 50.48
1 1610-1610 1610 59.50 59.50 High Dressing
Boner 80-85% Lean
17 1005-1390 1200 44.00-52.50 47.68
3 1250-1395 1338 53.00-55.00 54.13 High Dressing
3 1085-1200 1128 42.50-44.00 43.16 Low Dressing
5 1410-1730 1529 52.75-64.00 56.61 High Dressing
Lean 85-90% Lean
5 965-1155 1072 37.50-42.00 40.13
Heiferettes
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
3 810-855 830 69.00-75.00 72.28
2 950-950 950 66.00-68.00 67.00
Slaughter Bulls Yield Grade 1-2
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
1 980-980 980 57.00 57.00 High Dressing
1 1405-1405 1405 53.50 53.50
1 1285-1285 1285 50.25 50.25 Low Dressing
4 1710-2205 1894 59.00-59.75 59.50
8 1620-2160 1859 60.25-67.25 62.34 High Dressing
Slaughter hogs
Barrows & Gilts,U.S. 1-3, #head 6
200-350 lbs 60.00-67.50
Slaughter and Feeder Lambs
Slaughters Choice & Prime # head 22
100-125 lbs 128.00-138.00
Feeders # head 8
75-90 lbs 139.00-145.00
Ewe Receipts
Slaughter Ewes # head 3
Fleshy 35.00
Jackson County Regional Livestock Market, Ripley, WV
Weighted Average Report for Saturday October 23, 2010
Cattle Receipts: 325
Slaughter cows made up 14% of the offering, slaughter bulls 3%,
replacement cows 8%, and feeders 74%.
The feeder supply included 23% steers, 48% heifers, and 29% bulls.
Near 13% of the run weighed over 600 lbs.
Feeder Steers Medium and Large 1
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
3 260-292 281 119.00-122.00 121.08
18 355-392 380 107.00-126.50 119.73
9 410-440 427 117.00-124.00 120.38
3 496-496 496 104.00 104.00
1 515-515 515 114.00 114.00
4 550-551 551 110.00 110.00
3 635-645 642 84.00-95.00 87.63
2 690-695 693 74.00-92.00 82.97
1 930-930 930 79.00 79.00
Medium and Large 2
1 305-305 305 115.00 115.00
2 350-350 350 118.00 118.00
2 407-407 407 109.00 109.00
2 545-545 545 84.00 84.00
4 575-575 575 80.00 80.00
Feeder Heifers Medium and Large 1
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
5 250-280 268 97.50-105.00 102.20
2 335-335 335 102.00 102.00
3 350-397 381 96.00 96.00
17 403-445 417 91.00-100.50 97.42
34 455-495 480 90.00-100.00 95.35
12 500-545 525 91.00-97.00 92.74
12 550-590 563 83.00-96.00 91.99
6 620-640 627 84.00-90.00 87.34
5 655-695 672 83.00-86.00 84.56
1 715-715 715 84.00 84.00
1 845-845 845 75.00 75.00
1 860-860 860 65.00 65.00
Medium and Large 2
4 265-280 276 100.00-102.00 101.52
2 320-320 320 85.00-90.00 87.50
3 360-395 375 88.00-94.00 91.09
5 405-430 415 81.00-86.00 83.04
1 525-525 525 78.00 78.00
1 605-605 605 80.00 80.00
1 650-650 650 80.00 80.00
Feeder Bulls Medium and Large 1
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
1 290-290 290 110.00 110.00
6 311-347 323 115.00-123.00 117.86
5 375-385 383 109.00-118.00 116.24
4 416-425 418 110.00-118.00 115.97
14 452-485 470 102.00-117.00 111.67
9 515-527 524 100.00-105.00 103.66
6 558-585 569 85.00-105.00 100.56
3 625-640 630 75.00-84.00 80.95
1 710-710 710 85.00 85.00
1 810-810 810 76.00 76.00
2 955-980 968 67.00-75.00 71.05
1 1045-1045 1045 66.00 66.00
1 1125-1125 1125 69.00 69.00
1 1200-1200 1200 61.00 61.00
Medium and Large 2
2 342-342 342 111.00 111.00
10 385-395 390 109.00 109.00
1 455-455 455 92.00 92.00
3 575-585 578 72.00-75.00 73.99
Bred Cows Medium and Large 1 - 2 Young
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
1 870-870 870 560.00 560.00 Per Head 1-3 Months Bred
1 965-965 965 675.00 675.00 Per Head 1-3 Months Bred
1 885-885 885 685.00 685.00 Per Head 4-6 Months Bred
3 905-1170 997 675.00-775.00 729.26 Per Head 4-6 Months Bred
Medium and Large 1 - 2 Middle Aged
1 1375-1375 1375 650.00 650.00 Per Head 1-3 Months Bred
4 1020-1145 1084 625.00-800.00 672.72 Per Head 4-6 Months Bred
7 1205-1380 1311 550.00-675.00 628.22 Per Head 4-6 Months Bred
1 905-905 905 700.00 700.00 Per Head 7-9 Months Bred
1 1315-1315 1315 560.00 560.00 Per Head 7-9 Months Bred
Medium and Large 1 - 2 Aged
1 810-810 810 300.00 300.00 Per Head 1-3 Months Bred
1 1275-1275 1275 540.00 540.00 Per Head 1-3 Months Bred
3 905-1160 1032 360.00-555.00 488.00 Per Head 4-6 Months Bred
1 1210-1210 1210 550.00 550.00 Per Head 4-6 Months Bred
Slaughter Cows Breaker 70-80% Lean
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
7 1095-1360 1221 48.50-57.25 51.75 High Dressing
1 1480-1480 1480 48.50 48.50 High Dressing
Boner 80-85% Lean
3 790-890 843 45.00-47.50 46.72
2 805-860 833 37.00 37.00 Low Dressing
19 905-1395 1083 43.50-48.00 46.11
7 925-1335 1127 48.50-52.00 49.43 High Dressing
5 955-1080 1001 34.50-44.50 40.48 Low Dressing
1 1400-1400 1400 47.50 47.50
Lean 85-90% Lean
1 765-765 765 27.00 27.00 Low Dressing
Slaughter Bulls Yield Grade 1-2
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
2 1375-1490 1433 61.00-63.00 62.04
5 1605-1940 1759 61.50-63.50 62.28
1 1925-1925 1925 65.00 65.00 High Dressing
3 1605-2140 1827 56.50-59.00 57.63 Low Dressing
Cow Calf Pairs
Head
3 575.00-950.00
Heiferettes
Head
8 56.00-70.00
Baby Calves
Head
8 50.00-135.00
Fat Cattle
Head
10 82.00-100.00
Kabul—Khamad Jan, age 22, remembers that, as a youngster, he was a good student who enjoyed studying. “Now, I can’t seem to think,” he said sadly, looking at the ground. There was a long pause. “War does this to your mind.”
He and his family fled their village when Taliban forces began to attack the area. Bamiyan Province is home to a great number of Hazara families, and Khamad Jan’s is one of them. Traditionally, other Afghan ethnic groups have discriminated against Hazaras, regarding them as descendants of Mongolian tribes and therefore inferior.
During the Taliban attacks, Khamad Jan’s father was captured and killed. As the eldest, Khamad Jan bore responsibility to help provide for his mother, two brothers and two sisters. But he struggled with debilitating depression, so much so that villagers, anxious to help, talked of exorcism. One day, he said he felt ready to give up on life. Fortunately, community members and his friends in a local youth group, the “Afghan Youth Peace Volunteers,” have helped him come to terms with the pain he feels, assuring him that he can find a meaningful future.
Khamad Jan’s village is a particularly hard place in which to build houses, roads or farms. He and his family own a small plot of land which produces potatoes and wheat. The family works hard, but they only grow enough to feed themselves for seven months of the year. For a few months of every year, they must depend heavily on bread and potatoes, a carbo-diet which leads to malnutrition. Like other women in the village, Khamad Jan’s mother and sisters are chronically anemic, suffering from headaches and leg cramps.
Assisted by an interest-free loan from a private corporation called Zenda, Khamad Jan has taken the risk of starting a small business producing potato crisps.
Afghan potatoes are delicious, and Khamad Jan hopes that the quality of his crops will give him a slight competitive edge, but a popular brand from the farmer-subsidizing U.S. is flooding the market.
Previously, he had run a small potato crisp production operation in the Bamiyan bazaar, and even added sale of cookies and cakes, but the costs of rent, oil and fuel were prohibitive, and he couldn’t make a profit.
The Zenda Corporation, at the urging of youth group coordinator Hakim, offered him a larger loan, but Khamad Jan felt intimidated by the financial risk of accepting it. To help him shoulder the fear of taking this loan, Hakim, a member of the Zenda group, converted the arrangement into a shareholder status.
Khamad Jan ran the business without a salary, and Zenda, as a shareholder, pumped in investment. Now, after two years, Khamad Jan has felt secure and confident enough to accept a direct loan from Zenda.
We met him at a site in a new settlement, on the outskirts of Bamiyan city, where he coordinates construction of a small facility to house the potato chip production line. Earlier, we had visited a shed that he rents to store his main pieces of equipment, a potato slicer and a bag sealer. When the new factory is completed, he’ll move the equipment in and start production.
Maybe, just maybe, the family can break out of poverty. Khamad Jan says that they’ve needed help to do this, but he specifies that they need the help to reach them directly rather than through organizations that use resources for their own benefit. Earlier, his sisters were more assertive, telling us that much of the “help” they hear about on the radio goes to people who are corrupt and don’t share it.
Khamad Jan’s sisters and mother say that government officials aren’t involved in their lives; in fact they never see or hear of any governance action beyond their own village council.
But they face severe problems which they wish the government could help them solve. For instance, electricity is available only two hours per day. The roads are almost impassable, and it’s difficult for the children to obtain an education.
In her 40 years of life, Khamad Jan’s mother has experienced 30 years of war.
She remembers that when she was 10, fleeing the Soviet invasion, her whole village had to trek into the mountains through snow. “Some were on donkeys,” she recalled, “and some were carried on the backs of others.” Families on the run couldn’t adequately assist all of their loved ones. Many people weakened in the journey, especially the very young and very old, and this led to calamitous falls from the mountain which she and her neighbors could only watch.
She fears yet another attack.
Neither she nor her daughters had ever heard of the 9/11 attack in the U.S. Nor were they aware that the U.S. had invaded their country in October of 2001.
“We are illiterate women,” said one of her daughters, “but we want a chance to find good, dignified work so that we can take care of their families.”
Above all, they want to live without the constant fear of war.
“The world says they are helping us,” said a neighbor of Khamad Jan’s, while we were visiting his mother and sisters. “How? By dropping bombs?”
“War destroys people,” Khamad Jan concluded, after giving us a tour of the developing potato crisp production factory. Again, he stared at the ground as he thought about what he would say. “It destroys our livelihood. It damages our minds.”
“All the players in this war have their own purposes for being here,” he added, after a long pause. “There is absolutely no benefit to the people here from the wars that are being fought.”
Hakim’s hand was on Khamad Jan’s shoulder as he translated this for us. Finally, Khamad Jan raised his eyes. We thanked him for speaking to us about his thoughts. And then he went back to work.
Aries (Mar 21-Apr 19) - Information pertaining to work can be gathered on the 31st and 1st by attending a seminar or research you do over the Internet. This knowledge will make a difference to your future and your income. You may have trouble expressing your feelings on the 2nd and 3rd when dealing with a colleague. Holding back your thoughts will not lead to a resolution but a diplomatic honest talk will. Emphasis will be on partnerships both business and personal on the 4th 5th and 6th. Don’t be afraid to put a little pressure on someone if you want to see things happen. Accomplishment.
Taurus (Apr 20-May 20) - Have a little fun on the 31st and 1st. Socializing with peers and colleagues will help ease any stress that may be caused by rivalry. It’s important to be a part of whatever is going on in order to be well informed and prepared for what’s to come. Put whoever tries to bully you in his or her place on the 2nd and 3rd. You have to protect your assets as well as your reputation. Surpass any obstacle by working hard and outmaneuvering. You can clear up any unfinished business on the 4th 5th and 6th by scheduling your time properly and keeping everyone contributing well informed. A partnership is likely to undergo changes that will offer you greater opportunities.
Gemini (May 21-Jun 20) - Ease stress on the 31st and 1st by making alterations to both your home your relationships and your well being. Socialize in a relaxed atmosphere that is conducive to resolving pending problems. Get serious on the 2nd and 3rd about self-improvement as well as how you can act responsibly helping those in need. It’s what you do that will impress others as well as assist you in drumming up additional business and personal connections. Put a little pressure on someone you love on the 4th 5th and 6th and you will get amazing results that will enable you to enhance your relationship and take it to higher levels. Favors will be granted but don’t take advantage of what’s being offered.
Cancer (Jun 21-Jul 22) - Get into a romantic mood on the 31st and 1st. Do something that will boost your ego and make you feel good about whom you are and what you have to offer. Socializing will lead to all sorts of interesting opportunities. Don’t let someone stand in your way on the 2nd and 3rd. It’s up to you to call the shots and to set standards that you feel are to your liking and not what someone else wants. Networking mingling and getting out to events conducive to both personal and professional interacting with should be on your agenda on the 4th 5th and 6th. Taking care of your personal needs, shopping or doing some soul-searching will ensure that you are in tip-top shape.
Leo (Jul 23-Aug 22) - Don’t let past problems resurface on the 31st and 1st. If you left something undone do whatever you can to finalize unfinished business. Double trouble at home can be expected if you haven’t been honest about your financial situation. Come forward with any solution you feel will help you clear up pending problems on the 2nd and 3rd. It will be up to you to do whatever dirty work is required to put the past behind you. Personal alterations can be expected on the 4th 5th and 6th. Be prepared to jump through hoops if that what it takes to get things running smoothly. Express yourself with unfiltered truth having all the facts and figures at your fingertips for reverence.
Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 22) - Don’t let nervousness spoil your plans on the 31st and 1st. Calm down and present what you have to offer with confidence. It doesn’t matter how many people like what you are doing it only matters that the right person does. Past obligations can be expected to resurface on the 2nd and 3rd. Old debts must be taken care of before you can move forward. Do your best to settle any unfinished business. A change to your financial and personal status is apparent on the 4th 5th and 6th. Learn from experience and you will realize where to put your money. You don’t need to pay someone to do a job you can do. Resourcefulness is the key to getting ahead.
Libra (Sep 23-Oct 22) - What you do for others on the 31st and 1st will count. Pull people from your past that you know can contribute into your circle of do-gooders. If you are the glue you will control the outcome of any event you organize. Take whatever cause you are helping seriously and you will succeed. Confusion due to mixed feelings can be expected on the 2nd and 3rd. Reassess on what’s happened in the past before jumping to conclusions. A precise and accurate account will be the only road that leads to resolution. Travel and socializing should be your target on the 4th 5th and 6th. Make your arrangements and stick to your plans and everything else will fall into place.
Scorpio (Oct 23-Nov 21) - Check out what everyone else is up to on the 31st and 1st before you make any plans that may not coincide. You want to be available to get involved in whatever events promise to bring you the best new connections. Don’t get upset if someone stands up to you or criticizes what you are doing on the 2nd and 3rd. Learn from what’s being dished out and you will be better prepared to handle any opposition you face in the future. Love and romance should be your focus on the 4th 5th and 6th. Plan to do something that you find both mentally and physically stimulating. Traveling to an exotic destination will inspire you to make a lifestyle change.
Sagittarius (Nov 22-Dec 21) - Don’t count on anything or anyone on the 31st and 1st until the deal is signed sealed and delivered. Travel and dealing with authority figures can lead to conflicts. Abide by all rules and regulations as well as going one step further and offering any service you can that will benefit a worthwhile cause. You may feel frustrated on the 2nd and 3rd with someone you take care of or work with but don’t let your anger get the better of you. Keep things simple but don’t allow anyone to push you around. Put time and effort into fixing up your place on the 4th 5th and 6th and your hard work will pay off bringing favorable changes to your personal relationships and your surroundings.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 19) - Put a little thought and imagination into moneymaking deals on the 31st and 1st and you will make progress. An innovative idea can be turned into a service that turns out to be in high demand. Don’t let someone’s negativity drag you down on the 2nd and 3rd. You need to follow through with your plans and refuse to be daunted by criticism. Take part in events or spend time with people who build you up, not knock you down. Talk about your future plans with someone you are in a personal or professional partnership with on the 4th 5th and 6th and you will find a way to take the talents and skills you share and come up with a profitable endeavor you can both enjoy.
Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 18) - A pushy individual will upset your emotional well being on the 31st and 1st if you don’t stand up for your beliefs. You don’t have to live by the same rules as someone totally different from you so don’t cave under pressure. Focus on making money or securing your future prospects on the 2nd and 3rd. Talk to someone with experience or that you trust with regard to money and legal matters and you will get the information you require to start a lucrative small business. Don’t share your personal secrets with others on the 4th 5th and 6th. Rumors will spread quickly and your reputation may be at risk. Less can be more if it makes you appear more mysterious. Play it safe
Pisces (Feb 19-Mar 20) - Pull out all the stops and let your true feelings be known on the 31st and 1st. Knowing what you want is half the battle especially when it comes to partnerships and financial matters. Set your goals and your standards and stick to them. A contract or commitment can be made on the 2nd and 3rd that will secure your personal position. Love is on the rise and talking about your plans will play a strategic role in getting exactly what you want. Ask and you will receive. You can make changes on the 4th 5th and 6th that will lead to advancement. Good fortune is within reach all you have to do is make the necessary moves. Don’t stop now when you are so close to victory.
Ingredients:
1 1/2 lb extra-lean ground beef
1 can 14-oz diced tomatoes with zesty jalapenos
1 can 11-oz corn with peppers, drained
1 package 16-oz prepared polenta
1 onion, chopped
3 tbsp tomato paste
1 can 2-oz sliced black olives, drained
2 tbsp chili powder
1 cup shredded reduced-fat pepper Jack or sharp Cheddar cheese
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
In a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, cook the beef and onion for 5 minutes, or until browned, busting up the meat with a spoon.
Add the tomatoes (with juice), tomato paste, corn, olives, and chili powder.
Simmer for 5 minutes, then scrape into a 2 1/2-quart baking dish.
Cut the polenta lengthwise into quarters, then slice across the quarters into wedges 1/4” thick.
Scatter over the meat and top with the cheese.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and everything’s bubbling.
TRUTH OR TRADITION? – THE CHURCH - HER IMPORTANCE #94
THE CHURCH - HER IMPORTANCE
The Church – Much Misunderstood.
Through the years of religious tradition and division, the word “church” has taken on various meanings. It means one thing to some folks, and something entirely different to others. Just what is The Church?
The Saved.
Is the Church really essential? Can one be saved without it? “And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” (Acts 2:47) . The Church is not a club to be joined. The Lord Himself adds the saved to the Church. Do we have a choice when we are saved? Can we be saved and not be a part of the Church? Are the terms “The Church” and “The Saved” not synonymous?
The Body. “And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all. (Eph. 1:22-23) . Is the Church not the Body of Christ? Is He not the Head of the Body? Of how many bodies is He the Head? Can we be under the headship of Christ and not be a part of His Body, the Church?
Eternal Purpose. “To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be made known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Eph. 3:10-11) . Was the Church an afterthought in God’s plan, set up temporarily because Christ was unable to establish His Kingdom when He was on earth? Was it not in God’s eternal purpose to make His wisdom known to the world by the Church? Was the Church not in His plan from the very beginning?
Plan “A”.
Peter says that we are redeemed “with the precious blood of Christ…Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world…” (1 Pet. 1:20-21) . Was the Church not purchased with the blood of Christ (Acts 20:28) , and was that not in God’s plan before the creation? Would Jesus shed His precious blood for something that wasn’t essential? The Church is Plan “A”. There is no Plan “B”.
Her Unity.
Is one church just as good as another? May we worship acceptably in the church of our choice? How many churches are there? Jesus promised to build “my church” (Matt. 16:18). The Lord adds the saved to “the church” (Acts 2:47) . Jesus Christ is head over all things to “the church” (Eph. 1:22) . The Church is “his body” (Eph 1:23) . In every case, we are talking about ONE. After praying for His apostles, Jesus continues: Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us…” (John 17:20-21) .
Her Restoration.
Why can’t we go back through all the years of tradition and division, and restore the one Church of the New Testament, and take The Bible as our only rule of faith and practice? If we do what they did then, can we not be what they were…..just New Testament Christians? There were no denominations then, just the one New Testament Church that Jesus shed His blood to purchase.
Steer Creek Church of Christ, 3466 Rosedale Road, Stumptown WV 25267
Minister: Gene H Miller, 3281 Rosedale Road, Shock WV 26638-8410.
Phone: 304.462.0384 E-Mail: “ghmiller@rtol.net” Web Site: steercreekchurchofchrist.org
Dorothy K. Smith Johnson
Age 88, a resident of Nella’s Nursing Home in Elkins, died October 25, 2010.
She was born March 09, 1922, at Tampa, Florida, a daughter of the late James Boyd Coberly and Emma Ruth Carson Coberly.
She is survived by special caring friends, Rodney and Diane Myers of Jane Lew.
She was preceded in death by one sister, Iona Goff, one brother, Earl Willard Coberly, and husbands, Floyd Vernon Harris, Oris Smith and Charles Johnson.
Mrs. Johnson was a member of the Salem Church of Christ and was a Christian by faith in Jesus Christ. She also loved the Holy Bible and was very knowledgeable in quoting it and loved her Christian music and life to the fullest.
Friends were received at the Morris Funeral Home in Jane Lew Saturday, October 30, 2010, from 10-11 AM, at which time a funeral service began with Albert Farley officiating. Burial followed in the Rock Grove Cemetery.
Morris Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements for Dorothy K. Smith Johnson.
William Howard Dean
Age 93, of Burnsville, WV went home to be with the Lord and his beloved wife, Mamie, on Friday, October 29, 2010 at United Hospital Center in Clarksburg after a long illness.
He was born on February 03, 1917 on Bragg Run near Copen a son of the late John L. and Truda Keller Dean.
Howard was a proud Veteran of the US Army serving in WWII.
He was a retired carpenter and builder in the Burnsville area.
He loved to farm and did so until recently.
He was a member of the Right Hand Fork United Methodist Church near Copen, WV.
He is preceded in death by his father, mother, 4 brothers and 1 sister. Howard is survived by his children, Shirley (Larry) Kitzmiller, Sarah (Melvin) Wine, Peggy (Ronald) Dodrill, William Howard Jr. (Cherrie) Dean, Pamela (John David) Bush and Kimberly (Doug) Smailes.
Also surviving are brothers and sisters, Mable Tenny of Adrian, WV, Mae McQuain of Elkins, Mary Tetinik of Brownsville, PA, Samuel (Dick) Dean of Ft. Myers, FL, Rosalie Steele of Sutton, WV.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM Tuesday, November 2, 2010 at the Right Hand Fork United Methodist Church near Copen, WV, with Rev. Doug Smailes and John Bush officiating.
Burial will follow in the Right Hand Fork Cemetery.
Friends may call from 6-8:00 PM Monday evening at Stockert-Sizemore Funeral Home, Flatwoods, WV.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Christ Family Life Center of Braxton County, 188 Main Street, Sutton, WV. 26601.
Stockert-Sizemore Funeral Home, Flatwoods, WV is serving the Dean family.
Today is Sunday, Oct. 31, the 304th day of 2010. There are 61 days left in the year. This is Halloween.
Thought for Today: “I would venture to guess that Anon, who wrote so many poems without signing them, was often a woman.“ — Virginia Woolf, English author and critic (1882-1941).
Today’s Highlight in History:
On Oct. 31, 1517, Martin Luther posted the 95 Theses on the door of the Wittenberg Palace church, marking the start of the Protestant Reformation in Germany.
On this date:
In 1860, Juliette Gordon Low, founder of the Girl Scouts of the USA, was born in Savannah, Ga.
In 1864, Nevada became the 36th state.
In 1926, magician Harry Houdini died in Detroit of gangrene and peritonitis resulting from a ruptured appendix.
In 1941, the Navy destroyer USS Reuben James was torpedoed by a German U-boat off Iceland with the loss of some 100 lives, even though the United States had not yet entered World War II.
In 1967, Nguyen Van Thieu (nwen van too) took the oath of office as the first president of South Vietnam’s second republic.
In 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson ordered a halt to all U.S. bombing of North Vietnam, saying he hoped for fruitful peace negotiations.
In 1984, Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two Sikh (seek) security guards.
In 1994, a Chicago-bound American Eagle ATR-72 crashed in northern Indiana, killing all 68 people aboard.
In 1996, a Brazilian Fokker-100 jetliner crashed in Sao Paulo, killing all 96 people on board and three on the ground.
In 1999, EgyptAir Flight 990, bound from New York to Cairo, crashed off the Massachusetts coast, killing all 217 people aboard.
Ten years ago:
• A Los Angeles-bound Singapore Airlines jumbo jet sped down the wrong runway in Taipei, Taiwan, slamming into construction equipment and bursting into flames, killing 83 people.
• A charter plane in Angola crashed into a remote jungle, killing all 48 aboard.
• American astronaut Bill Shepherd and two Russian cosmonauts rocketed into orbit aboard a Soyuz rocket on a quest to become the first residents of the international space station.
• Death claimed Oscar-winning screenwriter Ring Lardner Jr. at age 85 and former Housing Secretary Samuel R. Pierce Jr. at age 78.
Five years ago:
• President George W. Bush nominated Judge Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court. Civil rights icon Rosa Parks was honored during a memorial service in Washington, D.C.
• The U.N. Security Council demanded Syria’s full cooperation with a U.N. investigation into the assassination of Lebanon’s former prime minister, Rafik Hariri (rah-FEEK’ hah-REER’-ee); Syria angrily rejected the resolution.
One year ago:
• A convicted rapist was arrested in Cleveland after police found six decomposing bodies at his home. (Authorities turned up the bodies of 11 women at the home of Anthony Sowell, who faces trial for aggravated murder, kidnapping and other charges.)
• The New York Yankees won Game 3 of the World Series, defeating the Philadelphia Phillies 8-5 to give New York a 2-1 Series lead.
Today’s Birthdays:
Former Cambodian King Norodom Sihanouk is 88
Actress Lee Grant is 83
Movie critic Andrew Sarris is 82
Former astronaut Michael Collins is 80
Former CBS anchorman Dan Rather is 79
Folk singer Tom Paxton is 73
Actor Ron Rifkin is 71
Actress Sally Kirkland is 69
Actor David Ogden Stiers is 68
Actor Stephen Rea is 64
Olympic gold medal distance runner Frank Shorter is 63
Actress Deidre Hall is 62
Talk show host Jane Pauley is 60
Actor Brian Stokes Mitchell is 53
Movie director Peter Jackson is 49
Rock musician Larry Mullen is 49
Actor Dermot Mulroney is 47
Rock musician Mikkey Dee (Motorhead) is 47
Rock singer-musician Johnny Marr is 47
Actor Rob Schneider is 46
Country singer Darryl Worley is 46
Actor-comedian Mike O’Malley is 45
Rap musician Adrock is 44
Songwriter Adam Schlesinger is 43
Rap performer Vanilla Ice (aka Rob Van Winkle) is 42
Rock singer Linn Berggren (Ace of Base) is 40
Reality TV host Troy Hartman is 39
Gospel singer Smokie Norful is 37
Actress Piper Perabo (PEER’-uh-boh) is 34
Actor Brian Hallisay is 32
Actor Eddie Kaye Thomas is 30
Rock musician Frank Iero (My Chemical Romance) is 29
Actor Scott Clifton is 26
G-InMyOpinion™: Early Voting Law Violation by Gilmer County Clerk?!
Someone at the Gilmer County Court House should read the early voting law.
It states that early voting is to take place in a ROOM, not a hallway.
It also states that no person can be within 5 feet of a voter.
The County Clerk should either move the voting booths as required by law or
move her employee who is a candidate for office.
Just to be fair, maybe the other candidate for office should be given a chance to have conversations
with voters before they cast their ballots.
A Concerned Gilmer County Voter
GFP Note: This is one of several concerns (17) received by The Gilmer Free Press. The concerns have been both by the early voters as well as those happened to be in the courthouse.
House Majority Leader Applauds Grant to Extend Public Water to Rosedale Residents
House Majority Leader Brent Boggs joined representatives from the Sugar Creek Public Service District, the Braxton County Commission, and the Region VII Planning and Development Council on Tuesday for a Small Cities Block Grant presentation with First Lady Gayle Manchin.
$1,350,000 in funding was awarded to the Braxton County Commission to extend public water to Rosedale residents.
This grant was part of more than $17.7 million in Small Cities Block Grant dollars approved by the Governor for 31 infrastructure projects around the state.
(L to R)
Shane Whitehair, Region VII Planning and Development
Rosemary Wagner, Region VII Planning and Development
Wayne Hypes, Dunn Engineers
J.R. Spencer, Sugar Creek Public Service District
Brent Boggs, House of Delegates Majority Leader
First Lady Gayle C. Manchin
Michael Chapman, Braxton County Commission
Donnie Tenney, Chairman, Region VII Planning and Development
Mike Roberts, Sugar Creek Public Service District
Michael Moore, Sugar Creek Public Service District
The Braxton County delegate praised the additional $1.3 million in funding for the Wilsie-Rosedale waterline extension project, which will help extend service to 50 new households.
The residents currently haul in water from outside the area or utilize wells and cisterns, some of which contain mineral and biological contaminates. “Access to clean drinking water is vital for rural West Virginia residents,” Boggs said. “Funding for critical infrastructure projects, such as the Wilsie-Rosedale waterline extension project, will assist our communities as they work to meet the basic needs of county residents and help plan and prepare for future growth and development.”
Delegate Boggs commended Senators Joe Minard and Doug Facemire, Delegate David Walker, the Wilsie-Rosedale Waterline Association, the Sugar Creek Public Service Commission, the Braxton County Commission and Region VII Planning and Development Council for their collective efforts toward the completion of this project.
When completed, the Wilsie-Rosedale waterline extension project will serve a total of approximately 175 customers.
How Many Nuclear Weapons Does the U.S. Government Need?
A good case can be made that the U.S. government, the first to develop nuclear weapons, would be much better off today without them. They fail to deter war (which has raged on ceaselessly among nuclear and non-nuclear nations since World War II), they are enormously costly, and—thanks to the nuclear arms race that followed the U.S. nuclear weapons breakthrough of 1945—Americans, for the first time in their history, face the prospect of total annihilation. In addition, the U.S. government has vast superiority over all other countries when it comes to conventional war.
Yes, the nuclear hawks admit, but nuclear weapons deter a nuclear attack on the United States by other nations. But do they? And, even if they do provide a deterrent to a nuclear attack, how many are needed for this purpose?
Recent action by British officials casts new light on this issue. Based on a Strategic Defense and Security Review, Britain’s new Conservative-headed government decided this October to cut its stockpile of nuclear warheads by 25%, reducing it from 225 to 180.
Can 180 nuclear warheads create enough mass destruction and chaos to deter a nuclear aggressor? A 2002 study estimated that, if 300 of the weapons in the Russian nuclear arsenal struck targets in U.S. cities, 90 million Americans would die within the first half hour. Also, in the ensuing months, the vast majority of survivors would die of disease, exposure, and starvation. The same consequences would follow if there were a comparable U.S. nuclear attack on Russia. With this example in mind, we can estimate that Britain’s use of 180 nuclear weapons against country X would almost immediately kill 54 million people and leave the remainder of the Xites (if there were any) dying slowly or, perhaps, wishing they were dead.
Most other nuclear powers also seem to have recognized that even a small nuclear arsenal is enough to create hell on earth for the population of any nation foolish enough to engage in a nuclear war. Thus, for example, specialists estimate that France has 300 nuclear warheads, China 240, Israel 80, Pakistan 70 to 90, India 60 to 80, and North Korea fewer than 10.
Despite the limited number of nuclear weapons possessed by most nuclear powers, two nations have much larger nuclear arsenals—indeed, possess roughly 95% of the world’s nuclear warheads. They are the United States (with 9,600 nuclear warheads) and Russia (with 12,000). Even assuming the logic of nuclear deterrence, do they really need arsenals of this magnitude? With its 9,600 nuclear warheads, for example, the U.S. government could instantly massacre 2.88 billion people and leave most of the rest slowly dying in a nuclear wasteland. Isn’t this a bit ... excessive?
Not surprisingly, then, as even U.S. military planners agree, there’s a good deal of room for dramatic cutbacks in the U.S. nuclear arsenal. Earlier this year, Colonel B. Chance Saltzman, chief of the U.S. Air Force’s Strategic Plans and Policy Division, argued that “the United States could address military utility concerns with only 311 nuclear weapons in its nuclear force structure while maintaining a stable deterrence.“
In fact, the 2010 New START Treaty signed by the United States and Russia does provide for a reduction of some 30 percent in deployed strategic warheads on the part of these two dominant nuclear powers. But strategic warheads constitute only a minority of their nuclear arsenals. Furthermore, it is far from clear that the treaty will garner the necessary two-thirds vote for ratification by the U.S. Senate. At this point, at least, most Republican senators seem more interested in maintaining large numbers of U.S. nuclear missiles pointing at Russia than in reducing the number of Russian nuclear missiles pointing at the United States. Also, of course, they tend to automatically oppose measures promoted by the Obama administration.
Nor has the president entirely lived up to his rhetoric about creating a nuclear weapons-free world. Perhaps as an incentive to Republican senators to ratify the New START Treaty, the administration has announced plans to spend $180 billion to upgrade the U.S. nuclear weapons complex in the next two decades.
Overall, then, it appears that the U.S. government’s desire for nuclear weapons far outruns its need for them—even by the logic of nuclear deterrence.
~~ By Lawrence S. Wittner - Professor of History emeritus at the State University of New York/Albany ~~
The West Virginia Department of Agriculture has announced two new records set in 2010 for largest fruits and vegetables grown in the state.
Howard Hager and Ann Buffington of Peytona grew a 41-inch cucumber, Glen Knox of Wheeling produced a 3.65-pound tomato, and Connie and Terry Dillon of Arnett grew a sweet potato that weighed in at 10.98 pounds – all setting new standards in those categories.
“These items prove we have some top-notch gardeners in the Mountain State,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass. “Although the produce season is mostly over, I encourage everyone to get out next year and see if they can top our existing records. Working in the garden is good for your health, and eating what you grow in the garden is even better.”
WVDA has kept records of the largest fruits and vegetables since 1996.
“This program is a lot of fun for the participants, and the public gets excited when they see some of the gigantic produce grown every summer,” said Commissioner Douglass. “We’ve all seen how popular the giant pumpkin contest is at the West Virginia Pumpkin Festival. I’m sure this will also be interesting to farmers and non-farmers alike.”
Entries for next year are open to any fruit or vegetable grown in West Virginia during 2011. Entrants should send photos of their prize plants and documentation to verify their sizes and/or weights to WVDA, Marketing and Development Division, 1900 Kanawha Blvd. East, Charleston, WV 25305, or e-mail them to “ctolley@ag.state.wv.us”.
Public hearings have been scheduled on a proposal to designate the Elk River as a water trail.
Members of the Braxton County Convention & Visitors Bureau have gotten preliminary approval from the state Department of Transportation to designate the river as a trail.
Representatives from Braxton, Clay and Kanawha counties set up the Elk River Water Trail Group to improve accessibility and conditions on the Elk River from the Sutton Dam to Charleston.
A series of public hearings have been set up to hear public comments on stretches of the proposed trail that run through the three counties.
Kanawha County’s hearing will be at 7:00 PM on Monday, November 08, 2010 at the Elk River Community Center in Elkview.
Clay County’s hearing will be at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, November 09, 2010 at the Clay County Courthouse.
In Braxton County’s hearing will be at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, November 10, 2010 at the Braxton County Convention & Visitors Bureau at the Flatwoods Outlet Mall.
If you get the flu, try to keep it to yourself. That’s easier said than done, of course. But there are ways to keep other people from picking up the infection.
At the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Joe Bresee advises avoiding situations in which you can spread the germs, by coughing or sneezing, or just leaving virus on something you touched:
“First, if you’re sick, stay home from work or school to avoid being around as many people as possible. Second, we recommend that you cover your mouth to avoid spreading the germs.’’
You don’t need high tech to do that, of course. Dr. Bresee notes that a tissue can do the job of containing the coughs, sneezes and infectious germs.
However, the best defense is not to get sick. So the CDC recommends a new yearly vaccination to reduce your risk of getting the flu.
Don’t Miss The Gilmer County Farmers’ Market - Today in Glenville
‘The Market’ vendors will sell homemade breads, crafts, jams, fruits and vegetables at the Farmers’Market in Glenville from 9:00 AM until 1:30 PM every Saturday.
TechNews: Supercomputer in China Super Fast: U.S. Computers Feel Inadequate
The Earth Simulator supercomputer was the fastest computer in the world in 2002.
It is a slowpoke compared with the Tianhe-1A. (Chiaki Tsukumo/AP) They own all sorts of credit lines with the world. They make our light bulbs. Both the Republicans and the Democrats are pretty sure they’ll take us over by 2030.
And now, China may have the world’s fastest supercomputer.
On Thursday, China unveiled the Tianhe-1A, out-powering the previous supercomputer record holder, the Cray XT5 Jaguar, by computing at a rate 43% higher.
The computer is “another sign of the country’s growing technological prowess that is likely to set off alarms about U.S. competitiveness and national security,“ Don Clark at the Wall Street Journal writes.
Here’s what Mashable has to say about it:
Tianhe-1A was designed by the National University of Defense Technology (NUDT) in China, and it is already fully operational. To achieve the new performance record, Tianhe-1A uses 7,168 Nvidia Tesla M2050 GPUs and 14,336 Intel Xeon CPUs. It cost $88 million; its 103 cabinets weigh 155 tons, and the entire system consumes 4.04 megawatts of electricity.
To put that in Luddite speak: The computer is fast. Really, really fast.
A petaflop is the measure of one thousand trillion operations per second or (ops). Most consumer computers are lucky to get a few billion operations per second.
In computing, speed is of the utmost importance. Most supercomputers are used for the toughest scientific problems, such as simulating drug products and designing weapons.
The computer, though constructed in China, still uses materials sourced from Intel and Nvidia, two California-based companies. One major shift in the computer’s construction is its use of Nvidia chips—the graphic chips are more commonly found in video games instead of computers.
Although some see the release of the computer as an affront to the U.S. lead in computing, others see it as a “wake-up call,“ as Jack Dongarra, a supercomputer expert told the Wall Street Journal, similar to when Japan released the Earth Simulator supercomputer in 2002. It took the U.S. two years to regain the crown.
Plus, there could be more surprises in store. The Top 500 list of supercomputers around the world has yet to be announced. A computer faster than the Tianhe could be unveiled before the list is released in two weeks.
Ingredients:
1 1/2 lb boneless, skinless chicken tenders
4 cups broccoli florets
1 can 10-oz fat-free chicken gravy
1 can 9-oz Cheddar cheese dip
3 strips turkey bacon
3 tbsp flour
1/8 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1/2 cup chopped onions
Directions:
Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat for 5 minutes, or until crisp.
Remove to a plate.
In a bowl, toss the chicken with the flour, salt, and pepper.
Increase the heat under the skillet to medium-high.
Cook the chicken (in batches if necessary), stirring a few times, for 3 to 5 minutes, or until just browned all over.
Remove to a plate.
Reduce the heat to medium and add the broccoli and onions to the pan.
Cover and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the broccoli is bright green.
Dump in the gravy and cheese dip, scraping the pan bottom.
Reduce the heat to medium-low and stir in the chicken and any juices from the plate.
Cook for 2 minutes.
Chop the bacon and scatter over the top.
Crews working to run utility lines under WV Highway 33
~~ By Gary Collins ~~
Submit photos for this daily feature. You may select to have your name listed as well.
Send your photo(s) to “tellus@gilmerfreepress.net”
Jesus seems to be giving advice to these lawyers and Pharisees on how to get to the top by pretending to be humble.
Can we imagine these people, greedy for honour, falling over one another to get to the lowest seat?
Actually, it seems that Jesus is poking fun at them, but they are so busy self-righteously looking down their noses at others that they do not notice it.
Lord Jesus, how often do I catch myself doing things in order to be noticed or thanked.
Help me to know what true humility is.
Give me humility of heart that frees me from the desire to be admired and regarded highly.
Teach me the humility that lets me be myself, loved by you, so that all I do is done not for myself but for you.
Philippians 1:18-26. My soul is thirsting for the living God—Ps 42(43):2-3, 5. Luke 14:1, 7-11.
Today is Saturday, Oct. 30, the 303rd day of 2010. There are 62 days left in the year.
Thought for Today: “When love is not madness, it is not love.“ - Pedro Calderon de la Barca, Spanish dramatist (1600-1681).
Today’s Highlight in History:
On Oct. 30, 1938, the radio play “The War of the Worlds,“ starring Orson Welles, aired on CBS. (The live drama, which employed fake breaking news reports, panicked some listeners who thought the portrayal of a Martian invasion was real.)
On this date:
In 1735, the second president of the United States, John Adams, was born in Braintree, Mass.
In 1885, poet Ezra Pound was born in Hailey, Idaho.
In 1893, the U.S. Senate gave final congressional approval to repealing the Sherman Silver Purchase Act of 1890.
In 1944, the Martha Graham ballet “Appalachian Spring,“ with music by Aaron Copland, premiered at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., with Graham in a leading role.
In 1945, the U.S. government announced the end of shoe rationing, effective at midnight.
In 1961, the Soviet Union tested a hydrogen bomb, the “Tsar Bomba,“ with a force estimated at about 50 megatons. The Soviet Party Congress unanimously approved a resolution ordering the removal of Josef Stalin’s body from Lenin’s tomb.
In 1974, Muhammad Ali knocked out George Foreman in the eighth round of a 15-round bout in Kinshasa, Zaire (zah-EER’), known as the “Rumble in the Jungle” to regain his world heavyweight title.
In 1979, President Jimmy Carter announced his choice of federal appeals judge Shirley Hufstedler to head the newly created Department of Education.
In 1984, police in Poland found the body of kidnapped pro-Solidarity priest Father Jerzy Popieluszko (YEHR’-zee pah-pee-WOOSH’-goh), whose death was blamed on security officers.
In 1985, schoolteacher-astronaut Christa McAuliffe witnessed the launch of the space shuttle Challenger, the same craft that carried her and six other crew members to their deaths in Jan. 1986.
Ten years ago:
• Comedian, television host, author and composer Steve Allen died in Encino, Calif. at age 78.
Five years ago:
• The body of Rosa Parks arrived at the U.S. Capitol, where the civil rights pioneer became the first woman to lie in honor in the Rotunda; President George W. Bush and congressional leaders paused to lay wreaths by her casket.
• Baseball Hall of Fame catcher and manager Al Lopez died in Tampa, Fla. at age 97.
One year ago:
• A Coast Guard C-130 plane and a Marine Cobra helicopter collided off the Southern California coast, killing seven Coast Guard members and two Marines.
• Michelle Triola Marvin, who’d fought a landmark “palimony” case in the 1970s against former lover Lee Marvin, died in Malibu, Calif. at age 76.
Today’s Birthdays:
Actor Dick Gautier is 73
Movie director Claude Lelouch is 73
Rock singer Grace Slick is 71
Songwriter Eddie Holland is 71
Actor Ed Lauter is 70
Rhythm-and-blues singer Otis Williams (The Temptations) is 69
Actor Henry Winkler is 65
Rock musician Chris Slade (Asia) is 64
Country/rock musician Timothy B. Schmit (The Eagles) is 63
Actor Leon Rippy is 61
Actor Harry Hamlin is 59
Actor Charles Martin Smith is 57
Country singer T. Graham Brown is 56
Actor Kevin Pollak is 53
Actor Michael Beach is 47
Rock singer-musician Gavin Rossdale (Bush) is 43
Actor Jack Plotnick is 42
Comedian Ben Bailey is 40
Actress Nia Long is 40
Country singer Kassidy Osborn (SHeDAISY) (sh-DAY’-zee) is 34
Actor Gael Garcia Bernal is 32
Actor Matthew Morrison is 32
Actor Shaun Sipos (SEE’-pohs) is 29
Actor Tequan Richmond (“Everybody Hates Chris”) is 18
OddlyEnough: WV State School Superintendent Says It’s Time!!!
After more than 30 years working in West Virginia’s school system, state Superintendent Steve Paine is retiring.
He made the announcement Friday morning.
Paine started his career as a history teacher in 1978. He went on to serve as Mingo County’s Superintendent before going to work at the state Department of Education in 2003. He was chosen as the state’s 25th Superintendent of Schools in 2005.
Since becoming state Superintendent, Paine has been active on the national education scene. He is currently President of the Council of Chief State School Officers.
Paine’s last day on the job will be January 03, 2010.
State Department of Education Communications Director Liza Cordeiro says finding a replacement for Paine will be a top priority.
“Our Board of Education will be meeting to decide what their next steps are going to be, whether they’re going to do the search themselves, whether they’re going to hire a company, if it’s going to be a statewide search or a national search.“
Cordeiro stresses the Board will be looking for someone who will continue on with Paine’s mission to improve the West Virginia School system through 21st Century Learning.
“The person that our Board of Education will chose will be a person that will take our state and our educational system into the next steps, the next steps of making sure that every student is college or career ready.“
As for Paine’s future, Cordeiro says he is weighing his options but wants to continue to contribute to education.
Audits, reports, meetings, waivers, programs, and LOTS of money.
This is the ingredient list for the failed West Virginia Department of Failed Education.
Thank you for the professional way you informed your town council of your actions.
Always nice to learn of a ‘resignation’ or a cop-out on the internet.
By don't let the GC door hit you in the bass on 05.21.2013
Common Core rather promotes a socialist, communist program. Check the names who claim authorship. Texas dropped Common Core all ready, went on to C-Scope and now are dropping that as well.
This is a great example of two broken and failed systems working in unison.
~Seventy pages of ‘regulation’ from our failed educational system.
~Over a year before a ‘charged’ person gets their day in court.
Anonymous
You say that my Internal Evidence is “one of the lamest pieces of sophistry I have ever seen.“ One of the oldest ploys in debate is ridicule. When you cannot deal with the argument, make light of it.
You agree that blood is the evidence, and scientific knowledge is the proof, but you do not say how you get that scientific knowledge. Is it not through testing the blood itself? And we are in agreement as to the white granular substance, the proof is in the lab test.
That’s the point I was making with regard to the inspiration of The Bible. The Bible is evidence. Examining the scriptures is the proof…..if you want to draw a distinction betweeen the two. In my dictionary, proof is listed as a synonym for evidence, and evidence is listed as a synonym for proof.
You say that men have been testing The Bible through higher criticism for a century and a half, and it does not pass the tests. You fail to mention just who these higher critics are, their background and belief, and what tests The Bible has failed. It’s easy to make charges. Can you back them up with proof?
Do we not accept the testimony of eye-witnesses in a court of law, unless there is reason to believe they are not trustworthy? Should we not accept the testimony of these holy men of God who claimed they were speaking the word of God, unless we have reason to believe they were not being truthful? If you do not accept their testimony, then it is up to you to prove they were lying. What ever happened to “innocent until proven guilty”?
If you will take the time to honestly search the scriptures, you will be impressed with their Unity and Harmony, their Beauty and Influence, the Fulfillment of Prophecy, and the Scientific Foreknowledge, all of which we will examine in future articles.
What normally happens when organizations fail is a leadership change. One is needed now for Gilmer County, particularly for the high school. There is no evidence that citizens are getting value for their money over there with the disregardful performance scores our students are getting. Then too for the past few years there has been perpetual chaos with all types of problems, but nothing has been done by Ron Blankenship to effectively deal with issues. We have heard allegations about wild parties involving faculty and students, chronic down time with computer systems, low faculty and staff morale caused by fear, bullying, sex between faculty and students, grade changing and other forms of preferential treatment of students from rich and powerful families, wasteful spending, failure to solve the rash of bomb threats, and much more. Blankenship was the wrong person for the job because of his ties to the Butchers who helped achieve the State’s take over of our schools, getting him installed, and keeping him in the County. He needs to be replaced. While at it, why can’t another job be found for the principal so we can get a better one to lead with getting the new Common Core Standards started? Mr. Charles Heinlein, Dr. Phares, and Dr. Linger do you hear us or is it true that none of you care?
Many will concur with “I Agree”. Was it Einstein who gave us his definition of insanity? ‘Repeating the same thing over and over and expecting different results.‘
That was long before we had a Dee-Cee Department of Education.
He would likely apply his definition now to the American education system pretty much in the same fashion.
We have had that Department of Education how long now? and they still can’t get it right?
Lee,Cindy,Gary and Family so sorry to hear of Ray’s passing…as time goes by I hope you find comfort and healing your hearts all need,Bless each of you…
Brad, Kristie,Olivia
Mark & Makahla
Hundreds of thousands if not millions of dollars spent on boards and task forces, studies and reports (not to mention a Governor’s Audit). Given massive and repeated failure the money would have been better spent on text books and Teachers.
Consolidation was NOT the answer. It’s been going on longer than most can remember with no real savings or educational improvement to show for it.
A moratorium on any consequences related to new and unproven programs is the right thing to do. It’s not as though there’s a history of getting much right when it comes to education.
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.
West Virginia “is a full-fledged participant in the Common Core Standards program” according to >WVDOE Watcher<.
West Virginia is also a nearly, full-fledged failure incomparison to most other states. We have the reports that prove it too.
This is so simple. Even the writers of articles are blind or don’t wish to see it.
The State Board of Ed…..IF…...they were doing their job, the Governor would NOT need to be writing executive orders.
Clean out the BOE and employ people who have the knowledge to do the job.
We have how many years now of political appointees that are incompetent, poor or no result in progress?
There is no “one size fits all” educational model that will ever work because all people are unique individuals who learn a variety of ways. For the US to be a leader in education, the students need to be motivated to learn - not pigeon holed into groups and treated like a herd of cattle!
Ideas like Common Core have been percolating in the country for many years. It wasn’t until 2009 when the National Governors Association’s Center on Best Practices and the Council of Chief State School Officers convinced their members to support an initiative to develop what they deemed to be voluntary, state-led standards, that it took root. The idea, however, that Common Core bubbled up from the states has shifted. A nonprofit group called “Achieve, Inc.“ stocked with federal standards advocates who’ve been around since many years, has been pointed to as designing the materials and the program’s progress has been spurred on by funding from, among others, the Gates Foundation and the U.S. Department of Education. For an undertaking that claims to be state-generated and largely free of federal involvement Common Core twisted, becoming a foot in the door for federal Race to the Top dollars.
Here is the header of a neat little report by the WV BOE you might want to google. The Machiavellian quote is so true. As long as this State BOE retains control and keeps remodeling more of the same we will see the same results. When will the Legislature do the research necessary to make something new happen? Global 21, 21st Century, Next Gen, Common Core,at least eight years documented as more of the same.
A Chronicle of West Virginia’s Global21 Initiative
(2004-2011)
“Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results.” Machiavelli
The boil advisory was lifted on Friday. Today, Sunday in Stouts Mills Area the water is brown and muddy! Is it safe to drink it? Should the advisory have been lifted so soon?
The writer’s “Internal Evidence” is one of the lamest pieces of sophistry I have ever seen.
To us the bible as proof of its own inspiration is, in logic, a classic example of circular reasoning. It is like saying “I’m right because I say I am”.
The writer confuses evidence with proof.
In the case of the blood, the blood is only the evidence; it is the scientific knowledge of blood that is the proof. The white granular substance is only the evidence; the lab test is the proof.
With regard to the bible, we have been testing the “thing itself’ through higher criticism for a century and a half and the “thing itself” does not pass the tests.
WV is a full-fledged participant in the new national Common Core Standards program. The confusion is caused by the State’s reference to the Next Generation program that is actually the Common Core Standards program for K-12 English learning arts and math. One advantage of joining the national program is that there will be on-line testing to determine how individual schools, and county school systems in WV compare with education outcomes, and the State’s overall performance can be compared to other states. The objective for Common Core is to strive to establish the USA as a world leader in education, something we lag badly with now.
Your government ‘sells’ this sort of stuff to make you feel good, when in actuality, its just more invasion into your life, causes bigger government, and in the end you have less input and they have more control?
I can just picture pans of them in the showcase at the local grocery store.
Not sure the effect it would have on this community. Doubt the store would have to reorder often.
It is the job of the Principal to make sure the drinking fountains are covered, water to the sinks turned off while providing hand-sanitizer and drinking water plus make sure any water used for meals or dishes has been boiled. Did they do it? Last time someone was too busy looking down their nose with a do what I want attitude. Last time they had no water at all.
Can we be certain that the children at Sand Fork are NOT drinking and washing their hands in the bad water?
By the way—-
What is the status/outcome of Superintendent Blankenship standing in defiance of the Health Department Order to close the Sand Fork School in April when there was not water, and the unsanitary conditions that resulted?
Has there been any testing of students and staff to determine if any hepatitis or other disease issues have resulted in the defiance of Health Department Order?
Next Generation CSO Crosswalk to 21st Century CSOs.
You can find this link on the WVDE web site.
“The Crosswalks Documents were created by the work groups in English Language Arts and Mathematics who studied the Common Core State Standards and then placed these standards into the West Virginia Framework for Next Generation Standards.“
WV does not plan to comply with Common Core.That was revealed from RESA at the last Gilmer County BOE meeting. They will institute Next Generation standards. RESA now has their own consortium. We are aware WV has joined multiple consortia that were funded by federal grant monies.
When all is said and done, the WV BOE must be the ones held accountable for passing or failing to meet national standards. Right now deferral from meeting NCLB requirements another year is pending. Nothing shows it will ever happen.
Does any of this improve the educational future of WV children? Westest results in Gilmer County declined during the past two years ofintervention.
You can spend a lifetime following the political money trail,never be bored and often upset.That can only be changed at the ballot box. One of the most fundamentally important questions on the table right now should be, are the children getting true value for tax dollars spent on education today?
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.