Bankruptcy court ruling a victory for all journalists, attorney says

By: Chris Dickerson | Posted: Mar. 27, 2018 at 1:17 p.m. | Source: West Virginia Record

CHARLESTON – A federal judge has ruled that a civil judgment against a Clay County man who attacked a television reporter is not a dischargeable debt in bankruptcy court.

Chief Judge Frank W. Volk entered the order March 26 in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of West Virginia granting veteran WCHS-TV reporter Bob Aaron’s motion for summary judgment against Howard Lilly.

In March 2016, a Clay County jury awarded Bob Aaron $11,000 in damages for a 2014 attack while he was out on assignment.

Lilly pleaded no contest in 2015 to a felony charge of destruction of property. In exchange, prosecutors agreed to drop felony robbery and grand larceny charges.

On July 7, 2014, Aaron received a tip on a potential story regarding neglected mules and horses near a home on Bomon Road and went to report on the story. While filming, Lilly allegedly took Aaron’s camera tripod and attacked the television reporter with it. Aaron was injured and the lens of his camera was smashed.

Lilly shouted at Aaron to stop filming and to “head down the road,” according to the suit, however, when Aaron informed him that he was on a public road and would leave once he was finished with the video, Lilly attacked him.

As part of the plea agreement in the criminal case against Lilly, he agreed to pay $2,800 to WCHS-TV for damage to the camera and more than $2,000 in medical expenses for Aaron.

After the civil trial, Lilly filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on Dec. 20, 2016. Travis Griffith, Aaron’s attorney, says that was an attempt to avoid paying the judgment.

Soon thereafter, Griffith moved for summary judgment on the issue that Lilly “had acted with the prerequisite intent and maliciousness … to preclude the debt from being dischargeable in bankruptcy court.”

Griffith, who operates the Griffith Law Center in Charleston, said he considers this victory one not just for Aaron but for all media representatives working to inform the public.

“We, as a people, need to ensure the abilities of a free and impartial press to perform their duties to inform,” Griffith said. “This includes the right of a reporter to stand on a public roadway and inform the public on what he or she perceives.

“Walter Cronkite is noted as saying that ‘freedom of the press is not just important for democracy, it is democracy.’ Those who have taken it upon themselves to inform the rest of us should be able to do so without threat of attack from those who would choose to silence them.”

U.S. Bankruptcy Court case number 2:16-bk-20692

Obituary-Jack Dale Bowen

Posted: Mar. 27, 2018 | Source: Trinity Memorial Services

Jack Dale Bowen, of Elkview, passed away at his daughter’s side in Bristol, Tenn., March 25, 2018, after a long illness.

A private memorial is being planned to fulfill his wish of his ashes being taken to Key Biscayne, where he last vacationed with his daughter and best friend.

The family is raising money to have his last wish fulfilled. www.gofundme.com/medical-expenses-for-jack-bowen.

Trinity Memorial Services, Kingsport, Tenn., is in charge of his arrangements.

Obituary-Von Richard Bird

Posted: Mar. 25, 2018 | Source: Matics Funeral Home

Von Richard Bird, 85, of Elkview, passed away March 22, 2018, at his residence of Heart Failure.

He was born December 13, 1932, at Walton, WV, to the late Harry and Grace Shafer Bird.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Burdette Bird; other survivors are his children, Richard E. Bird of Summersville and Donna Sue Bird of Walton; grandchildren, Katresa (John) Jacobs of Walton and Trevor (Sheena) Jordan of Summersville; great – grandchildren, Shalin Jacobs and Blaine Jacobs of Walton, and Jessalyn and Kynlee Jordan of Summersville.

There will be no public viewing or service.

In lieu of flowers, please contribute to your favorite charity.

Burial will be at A. J. Samples Cemetery at Procious, Clay Co., WV.

Matics Funeral Home in Clendenin, WV, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at maticsfuneralhome.com.

Ravenswood’s Isaiah Morgan named LKC Player of Year


Photo by Jay W. Bennett Ravenswood High School senior Isaiah Morgan, pictured here at the Class A state tournament earlier this month, was honored by league coaches as the Little Kanawha Conference’s Player of the Year.

By: Jay W. Bennett, Sports Writer | Posted: Mar. 25, 2018 | Source: The Parkersburg News and Sentinel

PARKERSBURG — Only one player on this year’s all-Little Kanawha Conference boys basketball squad is a three-time first-teamer — Ravenswood’s Isaiah Morgan. (more…)

Obituary-Marsha Lou Stricker

Posted: Mar. 25, 2018 | Source: Matics Funeral Home

Marsha Lou Stricker of Elkview passed away March 25, 2018 after a long illness.

She was the daughter of the late Randall L. Woods. She was also preceded in death by her son, Neil E. Stricker; brother, Marty E. Woods.

Marsha is survived by: mother, Hettie Woods Craft; husband Rick E. Stricker; sons, Jason L. (Sandi) Sticker and Stewart A. (Hillary) Stricker; brother, Randy Woods; stepdaughter, Erica Hart; and 10 of her beloved grandchildren.

She would also like to thank her caregiver, Jane Ray for her years of friendship, services and being a member of the family.

Visitation will be from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Friday March 30, 2018 at Matics Funeral Home.

Funeral service will be 11:00 AM Saturday March 31, 2018 at Matics Funeral Home with Pastor Bob Fields officiating.

Burial will be in Rhodes Family Cemetery Clendenin, WV.

Online condolences may be expressed at maticsfuneralhome.com.

Charleston chef finds freedom to move at new Noah’s Restaurant & Lounge

Chef Noah Miller prepares main courses, including pan-roaster halibut, seared sea scallops, eggplant-wrapped swordfish and beef fillet, at Noah’s Restaurant & Lounge in downtown Charleston for its soft opening Tuesday. Craig Hudson, Gazette-Mail photos

By: Maria Young, Features Editor | Posted: Mar. 24, 2018 | Source: WV Gazette-Mail (Full Article and Photo Gallery)

Watching Chef Noah Miller whip up a meal for a restaurant full of hungry patrons is like watching a ballet — or maybe a hip-hop performance — that’s been carefully choreographed around searing flames, glistening knives and lots of breakable glass.

(more…)