West Virginia Gov. declares state of emergency following flooding

Posted: Feb. 17, 2018 at 12:15 a.m. | Source: WSAZ

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) — Heavy rain, flooding and more rain expected this weekend has prompted West Virginia Governor Jim Justice to declare a state of emergency.

According to a news release sent out shortly after midnight Saturday:

“West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice declared a State of Emergency early Saturday for all 55 counties, after heavy rain triggered flooding in multiple locations and was expected to continue throughout the weekend.

The State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is now on enhanced watch status and will continue to monitor the situation. The EOC will be fully activated if necessary. The West Virginia National Guard has also been notified and put on stand-by for potential mobilization to assist local and county emergency agencies.”

Stay with WSAZ all weekend for the latest on your forecast.

Shady Invitational set for this weekend

By: Gary Fauber, Sports Editor | Posted: Feb. 16, 2018 | Source: Beckley Register-Herald

It’s mid-February in southern West Virginia. That can only mean one thing.

It’s archery season.

Elementary, middle and high schools all over the state have adopted archery programs through the Archery in the Schools program. Some of them will be in Raleigh County today and Saturday. (more…)

Hundreds of teachers brave rain to rally in the Capitol again

By: Jake Jarvis, Staff Writer | Posted: Feb. 16, 2018 | Source: WV News

The Clendenin Leader 2018 WV Legislative SessionCHARLESTON — Braving long lines in the pouring rain, hundreds of teachers once again left their classrooms Friday to fill the halls of the state Capitol.

Teachers from at least seven counties came to Charleston to demand lawmakers give them a bigger pay raise, protect their seniority rights and fix public employees’ health insurance. (more…)

FEMA, DEP, EPA, HUD In Attendance At Third Clendenin Planning Commission Meeting

Photo Courtesy: Stacy Nelson | The Clendenin Leader

By: Mark Burdette | Posted: Feb. 16, 2018

CLENDENIN, WEST VIRGINIA (The Clendenin Leader) – The Clendenin Planning Commission held their third meeting on Thursday, February 15, 2018, at 6:30 PM at the Recreation Building located beside Town Hall, in Clendenin, West Virginia. The meeting was facilitated by Jesse Richardson from WVU Law along with James Young (FEMA), Philip Maramba (FEMA), Julie Alston (WV HUD), Lorna Rosenberg (EPA), and Dr. Terry Polen (WV DEP) were in attendance.

After the minutes from the January 23, 2018 Planning Commission meeting were approved, Lorna Rosenberg, sustainable advisor from EPA, joined via phone conference from Philadelphia to discuss sustainable community programs that focus on local food, health, broadband, and Main Street. She discussed a focused approach to target sustainable actions to help Clendenin move forward to become more health resilient and to improve the economic resiliency. She went on to discuss that because Clendenin is a community that was affected by the flood, there will be an opportunity to focus and target a discussion and action plan around initiatives that have been created to improve the community. EPA and FEMA will facilitate a two-day workshop sometime in April or May, which will include experts from various agencies, to address specific topics and flood resiliency. Prior to this meeting, an action plan will need to be created, which should include targeted action items, along with funding information.

Mayor Shana Clendenin indicated that housing is still an issue in town and throughout the surrounding area. The mayor also added that the Kanawha County Long Term Recovery Committee and WV VOAD have done an exceptional job in residential recovery but there are still needs that need to be met. The Town of Clendenin is still struggling with business recruitment and business retention. Infrastructure is still a concern, especially wastewater treatment. According to Mayor Clendenin tourism is her primary focus right now centered around Elk River and Rails to Trails. The Town of Clendenin just applied for a TAP grant through WV Dept. of Highways for a complete streetscape of Main Street to beautify the area. Announcement of whether Clendenin will receive grant will be sometime in the fall later this year.

Kevin Clendenin, President of the Clendenin Planning Commission and Fire Chief for the Clendenin Volunteer Fire Dept., echoed many of the infrastructure challenges that the Town of Clendenin faces. Clendenin said, “We need businesses with stable jobs and need to broaden our footprint with utilities. Historically, utilities were run along the river and weren’t developed towards the interstate or residential areas like Reamer, who doesn’t have fire hydrants or city water. Less than a mile from where you’re sitting there are people drawing well water still today. We need to identify grants that can help develop our utilities.”

According to Mayor Clendenin upgrades to sewer, water and all drains in town are very much needed. The last project done on drains was the late 1990s. Dr. Terry Polen with WV DEP suggested putting a plan and process together to apply for a grant with the WV Water Development Authority could be an option to improve infrastructure needs in the town. James Young with FEMA said a mitigation grant can provide monies to upgrade infrastructure for stormwater, however, not much can be done at this point for much-needed maintenance on existing issues due to missing deadlines.

Listen to the full audio of the Clendenin Planning Commission meeting above to hear more about what is being done to revitalize the Town of Clendenin.

’Jackets top Clay for 5th in LKC

Posted: Feb. 16, 2018 | Source: The Marietta Times

WILLIAMSTOWN — Eli Inman had 17 points, 10 rebounds and four assists to help lead Williamstown past Clay County, 58-46, and grab fifth place in the LKC.

The Yellowjackets, who finished the regular season 17-5 and await their postseason matchup, also got 12 points and seven boards from Cullen Cutright as well as 10 markers and seven caroms from Baylor Haught. Xavier Caruthers had an 11-point effort for the ‘Jackets, who also received eight points from Trent Lynch.

Clay County (12-8) was led in scoring by Thomas Haverty (14) and Isaac Workman (13).

Calhoun County 67, St. Marys 63

ST. MARYS — Ben Frederick double-doubled and visiting Calhoun County shot 50 percent from the field Thursday night as the visiting Red Devils knocked off St. Marys, 67-63, to capture 11th place in the Little Kanawha Conference.

St. Marys, which dropped to 7-11 and got a game-high 21 points from Evan Lamp, held a 23-17 lead after the opening quarter.

Frederick finished with 16 points and 10 boards while Red Devil teammates Adam Parsons (15), Trevor Carder (13) and Soney Wilson (13) also provided plenty of scoring punch. Parsons added five assists and John Whipkey chipped in eight markers.

Richard Dornon double-doubled with 13 points and 10 rebounds for the Blue Devils, who also got 10 points and a game-high six assists from William Steele. SMHS also had a combined 17 points from Peyton Auxier and Cameron Miller.

Calhoun County (5-15) returns to action with a road tilt Tuesday versus Harman.

Wood County Christian 68, Calvary Baptist 56

SUMMERSVILLE — Wood County Christian was sizzling from the floor Thursday in a West Virginia Christian Athletic Tournament game.

The Wildcats (10-14) knocked off Calvary Baptist (21-5) 68-56 to advance to the semifinals at 6 p.m. today against Cross Lanes Christian.

Wood County Christian made 23 of 38 (61 percent) shot attempts. Luke Spencer led the way with a 17-point, 10-rebound double-double. Trey Davis added 14 points, Garrett Napier netted 12 and Sam Cremeans and Ethan Thibault chipped in 10 apiece.

Isaac Massie led all scorers with 21 points for Calvary Baptist. Robert Clutter added nine.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Valley (Wetzel) 45, St. Marys 44

PINE GROVE — A tough season for St. Marys didn’t get any better here Thursday as Mary Taylor’s potential game-winning basket went off the iron as host Valley (Wetzel) survived the Blue Devils, 45-44, on senior night.

Sophie Palmer finished her final regular season game with 23 points to lead all scorers for the hosts. Caitlyn Underwood chipped in 11 markers for Valley (12-9), which squandered a 30-16 halftime advantage.

SMHS, which will carry an 8-14 record into a 3:30 p.m. Saturday home sectional game versus Paden City, battled back to take a 44-42 lead late. After the Blue Devils missed two foul shots, Valley made one and the visitors had the ball. However, a SMHS turnover then proved costly and Valley made two more freebies and then held on at the end.

Addie Furr (16) and Ciara Bennett (11) led the Blue Devils, who went 20 of 40 from the charity stripe, in scoring. Kylie Wright grabbed 10 boards and had three assists in the setback.

Victory Christian Academy 36, Wood County Christian 22

SUMMERSVILLE — In the opening round of the WVCAT here Thursday, Wood County Christian couldn’t recover from a 15-4 deficit after the first quarter as the Wildcats were saddled with a 36-22 defeat at the hands of Victory Christian Academy.

WCC, which dropped to 6-13 and plays at 9 a.m. today versus Greater Beckley Christian, received eight points from Hannah Headley and four markers apiece from Ellie Powell and Sidney Strause.

VCA (9-7) was led in point-production by Abby Gregory with 10 and Emily Markham with nine.

Caldwell 66, Paden City 22

CALDWELL — Cayton Secrest was three steals shy of a triple-double Thursday, registering 20 points, 11 rebounds and seven swipes in Caldwell’s 66-22 victory over visiting Paden City.

The Redskins also got a 14-point, 11-board double-double from Julia Griffith, 12 points and four assists from Cloe Siddle and 10 points from Lexie Weisend.

Paden City got 13 of its points from Hannah Loy.

Updated: National Weather Service issues flood warning for Kanawha, Roane and Clay Counties

UPDATED: Feb. 16, 2018 at 3:41 p.m.

The National Weather Service has extended the FLOOD WARNING for Kanawha, Roane and Clay Counties until 7:00 p.m. Stay tuned for more updates if and when they become available.

Originally Posted: Feb. 16, 2018 at 10:12 a.m.

The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for Kanawha, Roane and Clay Counties until 4:00 p.m. Heavy rains are possible today. We will continue to bring you more information throughout the day.

Obituary-Marilou Legg

Posted: Feb. 16, 2018 | Source: Greene-Robertson Funeral Home

Marilou LeggMarilou Legg, 54, of Wallback, went home to be with her Heavenly Father on Monday, February 12, 2018, due to apparent cardiac arrest at her residence.

She was born July 29, 1963, in Charleston, to Mary Moss and the late William Clyde Moss. (more…)

Obituary-Alfa G. Jones

Posted: Feb. 16, 2018 | Source: Hafer Funeral Home

Alfa G. Jones, 84, of Aarons Fork, a very devoted wife, grandmother and great- grandmother, passed away Wednesday, February 14, 2018, at CAMC General Hospital.

She was a very devoted Christian and was a 64-year member of Leatherwood Primitive Advent Christian Church, where she was also a served as Sunday School teacher for many years. (more…)