By: Andrea Lannom, CNHI News Service | Posted: Feb. 28, 2018 | Source: The Meadville Tribune
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — With the governor’s promise for a 5 percent pay raise in hand but no permanent funding fix for the state’s public health insurance program, West Virginia teachers returned to the Capitol today, chanting “we don’t trust you” outside the Senate chamber. (more…)
Posted: Feb. 2, 2018 | Source: Taylor Funeral Home
Ronda Mondell (Ellis) Smith went home to be with the Lord she loved and served on January 31. Born on May 23, 1931, the second of 13 children in the home of Lee and Nannie (Nester), Ronda was a cornerstone of her family, a beloved and trusted wife, mother, sister and aunt.
As a young girl, in addition to attending school, Ronda worked in her father’s general store in Newton. Her dad said that he greatly depended on her and it was during those years that she developed a work ethic that would come to distinguish her throughout life. After graduating from Roane County High School in 1950, Ronda attended Glenville State University and later attained her teaching certificate. Her first teaching job came at the Uler Grade School, where she taught first-through-fourth grades. During this time, Ronda began dating John (Johnny) Smith, who had returned home following service in WWII and employment in Virginia. The couple soon became engaged and were married at the Newton Baptist Church in November 1954.
John and Ronda then moved to Akron, Ohio, where Ronda worked for the Goodyear Rubber Company before giving birth to the couple’s first child, Mark. It was in Akron that John accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior and the family was soon off to Pontiac, Mich., where John attended Midwestern Baptist College. Beth, the couple’s second child, was born in Pontiac.
After graduation, the family returned to West Virginia, where John pastored Faith Baptist Church in Charleston, and Ronda stayed at home with the children. After a two-year return to Michigan, the couple moved to Canonsburg, Pa., where John pastored First Baptist Church and Ronda began teaching in the public schools as a special reading instructor. Two years later, John launched Keystone Baptist Church in Washington, Pa., and Ronda became a fifth-grade teacher at Library Christian School in Finleyville, Pa. Ronda had a true passion for teaching and helping kids learn and grow. Mark noted that throughout his life he would meet people who had been students of his mother and, to a person, they would express that she was one of their favorite teachers.
Ronda was also an exceptional pastor’s wife, demonstrating kindness, grace, compassion and godly wisdom to others throughout her life. People responded to her gentle nature and she was able to encourage and inspire many ladies and young women in their walk with Christ. Ronda was a music lover and sang in many choirs and ladies groups, as well as directing many church choirs. She always had a song in her heart and could frequently be heard singing.
Ronda was renowned as a terrific cook and she loved to prepare meals, especially during holidays, for her family. Her go-to desserts were Cherry Delight and Peanut Butter Balls and family members incessantly requested that she prepare them. Ronda and John were also dedicated gardeners and enjoyed canning, grilling and making home-made pizzas utilizing their garden bounty.
After a series of health issues for John, the couple returned to Newton in the mid-1990s to refurbish John’s childhood home. They were avid walkers and were renowned for pacing throughout Newton together, often hand in hand. They also remained active in ministry in their golden years, volunteering with the Gleaning for Christ printing ministry in Looneyville, prayerfully and financially supporting an array of missionaries worldwide, ministering to many area relatives through in-home visits, and becoming active members of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Newton. Each night before bed, John and Ronda read their Bibles together aloud and spent time in prayer.
According to Mark and Beth, Ronda was the sweetest and most adoring mother they could have ever hoped for; they lovingly referred to her as “mama.” Many would say that Ronda was the personification of the virtuous woman described in Proverbs 31 whose value is “far above rubies.” To the very end, she and John were faithful servants of the Living Christ, embodying II Timothy 4:7-8, which reads, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (KJV).
Ronda will be buried with some mementos that recall her life, including: a photo she and John; one of her Bibles; a Gospel tract (which she always carried); a tube of lipstick (because an Ellis girl is never without lipstick); and a notepad and pen to denote her orderly chronicling of information, particularly regarding John’s healthcare.
Ronda was preceded in death by her parents and husband John (February 2013). Siblings forgoing her in death were brothers Delano, Roy Lee, Kent and Danny, as well as sister Virginia Katherine, who died in infancy. Ronda is survived by her children Mark (Lynchburg, Va.) and Beth (Boulder, Colo.), brothers Lane (Evelyn) and Frank (Anna), sisters Joyce Fanaza, Jean (Paul) Brannon, Martha (David) Cox, Judy (the late Harold) DePue, and Sheila (Joey) Minardi, sister in law Joann Atkinson, and numerous nieces and nephews who revered their Aunt Ronda. A memorial service will be held at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Newton on Saturday at 11:00 a.m followed by burial in the Smith Cemetery, Uler. The visitation will be held at the church on Friday evening from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.taylorfuneralhomeinc.com
Posted: Feb. 2, 2018 | Source: Taylor Funeral Home
Delbert Gene Good, 76, of Gandeeville, died January 29, 2018 at the Jackson General Hospital, Ripley.
He was born July 13, 1941 in Kanawha County, a son of the late Millard Leon and Hazel June Coleman Good. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Janet in 1998; a daughter, Gloria Moore in 2017.
Mr. Good was a former employee of the West Virginia DNR and the Andrews Flooring, Charleston.
Survivors include a daughter, Kimberly Payne of Walton; sons, Dale Good and Joey Good both of Gandeeville; five grandchildren, Rebecca, Ansel, Lucas, Megan and Madison; seven great grandchildren; brother, Jim Good of Walton.
A funeral service will be conducted at noon Saturday, February 3 at the Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, Walton, with Jake Hersman and Jonathan Harper officiating. Burial will be in the Mt. Moriah Cemetery, Walton.
The visitation will be one hour before the funeral service at the church.
John H. Taylor Funeral Home, Spencer, is in charge of arrangements.
Condolences may be expressed at www.taylorfuneralhomeinc.com
By: Senate President Mitch Carmichael, R-Jackson | Posted: Feb. 1, 2018 | Source: WV Gazette-Mail
In his State of the State address, Gov. Jim Justice hailed the “miracle” unfolding in the Mountain State. We’re now on sound fiscal footing, so we can invest more in things like education and infrastructure.
There are numerous reasons for this turnaround, but perhaps none more consequential than the legal reform laws passed during the past few years.
To say that West Virginia’s legal system had a poor reputation around the country is an understatement. The Mountain State has been ranked as the worst or next-to-worst lawsuit climate for the last 15 years.
It’s been the subject of abuse not only by plaintiffs’ lawyers, but also by our government officials who once handed out contract after contract to contingency fee lawyers, who made lots of money off the state by suing employers — some of whom responded by leaving the state.
That’s why we had to make legal reform a top priority on the road to economic reform, and I believe our efforts are starting to pay dividends.
The U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform’s (ILR) 2017 Lawsuit Climate Survey showed West Virginia in 45th place — a five-slot improvement. That might not look like much, but it’s a significant achievement after years at the bottom. To get there, we had to tackle some major issues.
We made our damages system more reasonable and fair, and we reversed decisions that were out of step with state courts around the country.
We’ve adopted medical criteria developed by the American Medical Association so those who are truly harmed aren’t blocked from court because of a logjam of meritless claims.
We’ve also worked to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent on litigation only in an efficient, transparent manner, and not only on lawyers who contribute to political campaigns.
The impact our reforms had on the state is documented in ILR’s newly released paper, “West Virginia’s Climb: Lawsuit Climate Progress in the Mountain State and the Path Ahead.”
We’ve indeed begun our journey toward a more normal lawsuit environment, but we cannot be satisfied with where we are. It’s now up to us to continue our work to truly harness the power of West Virginia’s economy, and there’s still plenty to do.
We can start by creating an intermediate appellate court. West Virginia is one of only nine states without an intermediate court to hear appeals from trial courts. This forces our single, five-member Supreme Court to look over thousands of cases that deserve closer scrutiny.
We must also regulate the misleading lawyer advertising that has created medical hysteria across the country. These “medical alerts” are no more than advertisements for trial lawyers, though they have the appearance of coming directly from doctors.
Our class action system is also in dire need of changes, as it is plagued by countless meritless lawsuits that drag on and extract settlements from businesses. We can also put an end to the litigation tourism that permits lawsuits that have little to do with West Virginia to clog our courts.
“Medical monitoring” suits also invite the opportunity for plaintiffs’ lawyer abuse. These suits allow cash awards without requiring evidence that anyone was actually injured. Look no further than a 2011 settlement that gave out 4,000 such payments, only to find that just half of plaintiffs actually went through the monitoring.
Gov. Justice was right to say “we’re moving like you can’t imagine.” We’ve made great strides toward stabilizing West Virginia’s finances and creating an environment where businesses once again feel welcome in the state.
But we must continue to reform West Virginia’s outdated and costly litigation system. Not doing so risks sliding back down the mountain of progress.
Sen. Mitch Carmichael, R-Jackson, represents the Fourth Senatorial District, which includes Jackson and Mason counties and parts of Putnam and Roane counties. He is the president of the West Virginia Senate.
By: Kyle Lovern | Posted: Feb. 1, 2018 | Source: Williamson Daily News
CLENDENIN – The Mingo Central Lady Miners placed four players in double figures as the defeated Herbert Hoover 55-50 Monday night in a Cardinal Conference road game.
Maliyah Martin scored 16 points and led Mingo Central in the road win.
Cassidy Cline chipped in 15 points, Ziah Rhodes and Katie Ball both scored 10 points for the Miners (8-8).
Cline fired in five 3-pointers for the Lady Miners. Scarlett Thomason, who has been out with an illness, chipped in five points for Coach Brandon Ball’s squad. The 6’1″ Ball also had 12 rebounds and eight assists in the win. For Herbert Hoover (4-12), Allison Dunbar led the way with 17 points, followed by 12 points from Abi Melton.
The Lady Miners were scheduled to play Mount View at home on Wednesday.
By: Kelsey Hoak | Posted: Jan. 31, 2018 at 7:49 p.m. | Source: WSAZ
CLAY COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) — A tractor-trailer is a total loss after catching fire in Clay County Wednesday afternoon.
Clay Volunteer Firefighters say it happened about 2:30 p.m. along Marne Ridge.
Firefighters had to call Clendenin VFD and Lizemore Fire for backup.
There’s no word on what started the fire.
No one was injured.
By: Mark Curtis | Posted: Jan. 29, 2018 at 5:55 p.m. EST | Source: WOWKTV view video here
ST. ALBANS, WV – A Kanawha County pastor and prominent musician calls it a career Sunday.
Reverend Paul Romine was in the pulpit at First Presbyterian Church of Saint Albans for the past 15 years. “Pastor Paul” was also a member of the popular Appalachian music group, “The Presby Pickers” who played at Sunday’s service. Reverand Romine is also well known for helping lead the Presbyterian churches recovery and rebuilding efforts after the June 2016 floods.
“I think the fact that we hosted work-camp groups that did flood recovery work in Clendenin, has made such a difference in our community. And we’ve made those folks welcome and I think we grew in the process…. “But I’m very sorry to leave these people. It’s just been wonderful over the years. A great congregation,” Rev. Romine said.
“Paster Paul” and his wife Julie will be moving to Kansas to be closer to children and grandchildren.
The congregation gave him a brand new guitar as a farewell present and to keep him involved in music.
Posted: Jan. 30, 2018 | Source: Hafer Funeral Home
Carl Wayne Stricklen, 74, of Elkview, was called home to be with the Lord Monday, January 29, 2018, surrounded by family at home after a long illness.
He was born January 19, 1944, to the late Ulysses Carl and Freda Wines Stricklen. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brother Bobby Paul Stricklen, and sister Lois Jean Watts. (more…)
By: Jessie Shafer | Posted: Jan. 30, 2018 at 10:52 a.m. EST | Source: WBOY
SPENCER, W.Va. (WOWK) – A Roane County man is facing several felony charges following a lengthy investigation into disturbing child sexual abuse claims.
Deputies said Keith Allen Tanner, 35, of Spencer, admitted to sending lewd photos of himself to a 12-year-old girl.
Tanner was taken into custody on Saturday, January 27.
Deputies added that Tanner claimed to be the assistant Girl Scout troop leader in Spencer, West Virginia.
While being questioned about the allegations, deputies said Tanner admitted to having physical contact with the same child during a Girl Scout meeting in November of 2017.
Tanner is charged with child erotica, distributing or displaying obscene matter to a minor, and sexual abuse by a parent or guardian.
Authorities said Tanner has had access to a number of children and there may be other victims in the case that have not yet come forward.
Tanner is being held at Central Regional Jail.
If you have any information in the case, you’re asked to contact deputies with the Roane County Sheriff’s Department.
Our sister, 13 News, has reached out to the Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council for comment. So far, we have not heard back.
Stay with us for updates on this developing story.
Posted: Jan. 30, 2018 | Source: HerdZone
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – The Eighth Annual Elkview Middle School Archery Tournament will be held this Friday and Saturday at the Chris Cline Indoor Athletic Complex, Marshall Athletics announced Tuesday.
The competition will feature 65 teams consisting of nearly 1,400 archers from all over the state at the elementary, middle school and high school levels. (more…)
