Local News

Applications Now Being Accepted for KCS Virtual Online Middle School Pilot Program

By: Briana Warner, Communications Director | Posted: April 16, 2018 | Source: KCBOE

Press Release

For Immediate Release

Charleston, W.Va. – Kanawha County Schools announced today that they’re accepting applications for their new virtual online school pilot program for middle school students, which will begin this Fall. The pilot program will allow 30 Kanawha County 6-8 graders to participate in a full-time or part-time virtual school program. This program is free to students who are currently being homeschooled and public school students in Kanawha County. Applications are available at the Kanawha County Schools board office or on the KCS website.

“Our high school pilot project has been going very well and we are pleased to be able to offer the program to middle school students,” said Kanawha County Schools Executive Director of Virtual School, Valery Harper. “The virtual online school option meets the needs of so many students and provides another tool to give our students a world class education, no matter their situation.”

The Kanawha County Schools virtual program, and other virtual programs across the state, are possible after state lawmakers passed Senate Bill 630 – the Accessibility and Equity in Public Education Enhancement Act – during the 2017 regular legislative session. The bill allows for the creation of virtual programs by county boards.

The Kanawha County Schools Virtual School Policy is available on the KCS website through this link.

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You can reach Briana Warner at bwarner@mail.kana.k12.wv.us or (304) 348-6675 x117.

April 18, 2018 in Education News, Local News, NEWS, Students

WVWC students receive NASA awards

Submitted photo West Virginia Wesleyan College’s Department of Physics and Engineering has been successful at the recent West Virginia Space Grant Consortium, a program sponsored by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Shown here are Department Chair Dr. Albert Popson, John Harvey, Angela Meyer, Connor Farrell, Dr. Tracey DeLaney and Ethan Randolph. Not pictured is Paige Stinson.

Posted: April 17, 2018 | Source: The InterMountain

BUCKHANNON — West Virginia Wesleyan College’s Department of Physics and Engineering was successful at the April meeting of the West Virginia Space Grant Consortium, a program sponsored by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. (more…)

April 17, 2018 in Academic Achievements, Education News, Educators, Local News, Students

Clay County Landmarks Commission and Historical Society holds first 2018 meeting

Posted: April 17, 2018 | Source: Clay County Free Press

The first 2018 meeting of the Clay County Landmarks Commission and Historical Society was held April 4, 2018 in the Clay County Library.  Present were Quincy Potasnik, Sandra Claybrook, Jeanine Samples, Jim Miller, Marlene Potasnik, Eloise Boggs and Danny Dawson.

In the absence of President Jerry Stover, Eloise Chaired the meeting, following an agenda prepared by President Stover.

The minutes of our last meeting in November, 2017, were approved as printed in the local newspapers. Sandra gave the treasurer’s report.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

  1. Borrowing from the Roane County Historical Society, it was suggested that we print our membership list annually and that our application form be expanded to contain more information, e. g. information on family names being researched by each applicant. Roane County’s application form will be reviewed, and revisions of our application form will be discussed at our next meeting.
  2. Sandra is preparing a contact list of members or organizations for the benefit of members or others seeking information about the Landmarks Commission and Historical Society. Our website is http://www.claywvhistoricsociety.org/ – not as erroneously printed in the Spring issue of “Now & Then.” (It is historic, not historical.)
  3. Some of our members have visited other historical societies in the area, namely, Calhoun County, Braxton County and the Elk Communities of Kanawha County museum at Elkview. Sandra gave a brief report with a list of contact persons for each organization.  The Braxton County Historical Society closed and gave their material to the Gassaway Public Library. A DAR member is present most days to assist with genealogical research, but interested persons should call first at 304-765-7478. Braxton County’s Historical Newsletters have been copied to discs.  A discussion followed as to the need and possibility of our Historical Society using this method for storing and preserving our many family histories and other records.  Danny and Quincy and other members will continue consideration of this option..
  4. A guestbook is now in use at our offices in the courthouse.
  5. The old courthouse volunteers will prepare a list of Clay County High School yearbooks in our collection. We are still collecting, if anyone has a yearbook to contribute.
  6. Hiram Lewsi has told us of a cemetery in the Elkhurst area with a few graves but only one marker, that of a T. Shamblin (1845-1924), a Civil War veteran. This will be on next month’s agenda.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

  1. Cemeteries: anyone wanting information on obituaries should contact Karen at 304-587-2600.
  2. Building report: a motion was made, seconded and passed to approve the purchase of a new printer for the Historical Society office.
  3. Newsletter: Eloise reported that the Spring issue of “Now & Then” has been mailed to the printer.

The meeting adjourned.

NEXT MEETING: Wednesday, May  2, 2018, 1:00 PM, Clay County Library.

April 17, 2018 in Local News, NEWS

Corp of Engineers Releasing Water From Sutton Dam

At approximately 7:30 p.m. this evening Mayor Shana Clendenin posted on the Town of Clendenin’s Facebook Page that the Corp of Engineers will be releasing water from Sutton Dam this evening. Below is the actual advisory post to followers of the Town of Clendenin on Facebook.

The Clendenin Leader immediately reached out to confirm and get additional information. According to Mayor Clendenin, she had just received word from Kanawha County Emergency Management that the Corp of Engineers were in fact going to release water from Sutton Dam.

Earlier today Governor Jim Justice declared a State of Emergency for 10 West Virginia counties due to the heavy rainfall that has already caused significant flooding in the North Central part of West Virginia.

As of 8:16 p.m. the Elk River is out of its banks but has not reached flood stage or Rt. 119 according to Mayor Shana Clendenin’s personal Facebook post at 8:31 p.m. She also indicated that Thorofare Road is very close but has not flooded as of 8:22 p.m. The gauges will continuously be monitored and hopeful that no major flooding will occur.

As of 8:34 p.m. the Elk River at Queen Shoals is at 15.16 ft. Forecasted to crest at 17.1 ft at 2:00 a.m. Flood Stage is 19 ft. It is expected to drop before flood stage.

As of 9:19 p.m. still no high water on Rt. 119 from Clendenin to I-79. Thorofare Road is still passable.

As of 10:19 p.m. the latest gauge reading was 9:00 p.m. at Queen Shoals 14.64 ft. Still well below flood stage.

Remember…Turn around, don’t drown!

No other additional details are available at this time. Stay tuned to The Clendenin Leader as this story continues to develop on what potential impact, if any, may cause the Elk River Valley area.

April 16, 2018 in Local News, Weather

Kanawha Valley prep softball leaders, April 16

By: Ryan Pritt | Posted: April 16, 2018 | Source: WV Gazette-Mail

TEAM RECORDS

Team W L Pct.
 Herbert Hoover 16 0 1.000
 Hurricane 12 0 1.000
 Nitro 14 3 .824
 George Washington 10 3 .769
 Poca 12 5 .706
 St. Albans 11 6 .647
 Buffalo 12 7 .632
 Cross Lanes Christian 12 8 .600
 Riverside 8 6 .571
 Winfield 8 10 .444
 Sissonville 6 12 .333
 South Charleston 3 10 .231
 Capital 4 15 .211
 Charleston Catholic 1 10 .091

BATTING AVERAGE

(Minimum 2 plate appearances per team game)

Player, school AB H Avg.
 Caiti Mathes, Hurr. 28 17 .607
 Kalissa Lacy, GW 31 18 .581
 Kirsten Belcher, Hoover 38 22 .579
 Lydia Sweat, Nitro 45 25 .556
 Jayme Bailey, Hurr. 24 13 .542
 Rebekah Woody, Hoover 50 26 .520
 Kiersten Landers, Hurr. 35 18 .514
 Jenna Thomas, Siss. 55 28 .509
 Hannah McDermitt, Riv. 41 20 .488
 Kiersten Witters, CLC 39 19 .487
 Emma Groe, GW 35 17 .486
 Hannah Pullen, Riv. 39 17 .483
 Madison Ramirez, Riv. 42 20 .476
 Grace Smith, GW 40 19 .475
 Cortney Fizer, Hoover 36 17 .472
 Gracie Donato, Riv. 36 17 .472
 Kinsey Hudson, SA 53 25 .472
 Taylor McCray, Hurr. 30 14 .467
 Lindsey Phares, Hurr. 28 13 .464
 Bella Savilla, Nitro 50 23 .460
 Jess Canterbury, Hoover 37 17 .459
 Charity Stepp, CLC 46 21 .457
 Katlyn Rasnake, Buffalo 55 25 .455
 Sara Stepp, CLC 56 25 .446
 Sydney Houck, Winfield 54 24 .444
 Megan Seafler, Hoover 52 23 .442
 Hailey Harr, Nitro 43 19 .442
 Lauren Pauley, Riv. 52 23 .442
 Jillian Holley, SA 46 20 .435
 Jasmine Symns, Riv. 42 18 .429
 Elyssa Medley, Winfield 42 18 .429
 Haley Stepp, CLC 33 14 .424
 Kelsie Lanham, Riv. 33 14 .424
 Delani Buckner, Hoover 38 16 .421
 Brianna McCown, GW 36 15 .417
 Morgan Jennings, Siss. 48 20 .417
 Lindsey Russell, Buffalo 53 22 .415
 Presley McGee, Hoover 41 17 .415
 Kenzie Hale, Winfield 56 23 .411
 Aly Soblit, Siss. 49 20 .408
 Gracie Payne, SA 47 19 .404
 Fran George, Catholic 20 8 .400
 Lauren Price, GW 35 14 .400
 Harlie Vannatter, Hurr. 25 10 .400
 Jaylyn Beane, Siss. 40 16 .400
 Taylor Bonnett, Poca 46 18 .391
 Emily Taylor, Siss. 49 19 .388
 Taylor Long, Siss. 52 20 .385
 Mercedes Bush, Poca 50 19 .380
 Zoey Dunlap, Hurr. 29 11 .379
 Brooke Persinger, Buffalo 45 17 .378
 Mallori Chapman, Hoover 43 16 .372
 Tori Green, Hurr. 27 10 .370
 Grace McCallister, CLC 38 14 .368
 K.K. Short, Winfield 57 21 .368
 Morgan Larch, SC 30 11 .367
 Grace Denison, Winfield 52 19 .365
 Olivia Corbett, Catholic 22 8 .364
 Molly Collins, Poca 58 21 .362
 Kayla Letart, SA 50 18 .360
 Rachel Walton, SC 25 9 .360
 Karlie Hill, Poca 51 18 .353
 Anna Falbo, SC 34 12 .352
 Katy Darnell, GW 37 13 .351

HOME RUNS

8: Thomas, Sissonville

6: Mathes, Hurricane

4: Pullen, Riverside; Ramirez, Riverside; Payne, SA

3: Donato, Riverside; Soblit, Sissonville; Medley, Winfield; Hale, Winfield

2: C. Stepp, CLC; Groe, GW; Smith, GW; Belcher, Hoover; Fizer, Hoover; Woody, Hoover; McGee, Hoover; Bailey, Hurricane; Tori Gibeaut, Poca; Holley, SA; Houck, Winfield

RBI

31: Mathes, Hurricane; Sweat, Nitro

29: Belcher, Hoover

25: C. Stepp, CLC; Payne, SA; Thomas, Sissonville

22: Holley, SA

20: H. Stepp, CLC; Savilla, Nitro

18: Fizer, Hoover; Woody, Hoover; Groe, GW; Pullen, Riverside

17: Elizabeth Witzke, CLC; Witters, CLC; Hale, Winfield

16: McCown, GW; Ramirez, Riverside

15: Russell, Buffalo; Smith, GW; McCray, Hurricane; Donato, Riverside; Honesty Bragg, Sissonville

Triples

4: H. Stepp, CLC

3: C. Stepp, CLC

2: Fizer, Hoover; Chapman, Hoover; Pauley, Riverside; McDermitt, Riverside; Kennedy Buckley, Riverside; Medley, Winfield

Doubles

9: Sweat, Nitro

8: S. Stepp, CLC; Medley, Winfield; Houck, Winfield

7: Chapman, Hoover; Savilla, Nitro; Bonnett, Poca; Hudson, SA; Hale, Winfield

6: McCray, Hurricane; Vannatter, Hurricane; Collins, Poca; Donato, Riverside

5: Fizer, Hoover; Groe, GW; Belcher, Hoover; Woody, Hoover; Bailey, Hurricane; Walton, SC; Taylor, Sissonville; Short, Winfield

Stolen bases

28: Kerigan Moore, Nitro

23: Morgan Burdette, Nitro

20: Rasnake, Buffalo

14: Landers, Hurricane

13: Symns, Riverside

12: Gibeaut, Poca

10: Bush, Poca

8: S. Stepp, CLC; C. Stepp, CLC; Bailey, Hurricane

7: Witters, CLC; Seafler, Hoover; Jennings, Sissonville

6: Canterbury, Hoover; Soblit, Sissonville

5: Woody, Hoover; Phares, Hurricane; Pauley, Riverside; Haley Carroll, Riverside; Short, Winfield

Pitching wins

14-3: Savilla, Nitro

9-0: Buckner, Hoover; Vannatter, Hurricane

9-2: Bonnett, Poca

9-5: Hudson, SA

8-4: Russell, Buffalo

7-0: McGee, Hoover

6-2: C. Stepp, CLC; McCown, GW

5-2: Pauley, Riverside

5-5: Witzke, CLC

4-1: Smith, GW

4-3: Maggie Bird, Buffalo

ERA

0.30: Buckner, Hoover

0.33: Vannatter, Hurricane

1.33: McCown, GW

1.69: Bonnett, Poca

1.73: McGee, Hoover

1.99: Savilla, Nitro

3.13: Hudson, SA

3.56: Pauley, Riverside

3.66: Collins, Poca

3.84: Smith, GW

4.02: C. Stepp, CLC

4.45: Aly Grover, SC

4.94: Medley, Winfield

4.99: Faith Gaylor, Winfield

Strikeouts

118: Savilla, Nitro

104: Hudson, SA

99: Bonnett, Poca

98: Buckner, Hoover

78: Witzke, CLC

75: Russell, Buffalo

74: Vannatter, Hurricane

62: McCown, GW

61: Corbett, Catholic

55: McGee, Hoover

40: Bird, Buffalo

36: Gaylor, Winfield

32: Alexis Bailey, Sissonville

31: Pauley, Riverside

Note: Statistics not provided for Capital

Reach Ryan Pritt at 304-348-7948, ryan.pritt@wvgazettemail.com or follow him @RPritt on Twitter

April 16, 2018 in Herbert Hoover High School Athletics, Local News, NEWS, Sports News

Kanawha County Schools Launches Crime Tip Line

Charleston, W.Va. – Kanawha County Schools has launched a tip line for students and parents to utilize if they want to report possible criminal activity. Previously, this information was coming in to the system through multiple channels and this tip line form provides one place for all tips to go, while also allowing for the person reporting to remain anonymous.

The tip line form is available here. The submission goes directly to the KCS Safety & Security Office.

The tip line form is available:

  • Through a note pinned to the top of the KCS Facebook page
  • On the KCS website through the Community tab
  • Directly, by clicking here

“The security of our students has never been more important and this tip line is a centralized way to receive tips from our school community,” said Executive Director of Security, Keith Vititoe. “This should not replace calling 911 in the case of an emergency, but provides a way for parents and students to share information for appropriate administrators to look into. We thank our entire KCS community for supporting the safety of our students and staff.”

Briana Warner, Communications Director for Kanawha County Schools can be reached at bwarner@mail.kana.k12.wv.us or 304-348-6675 x117.

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April 16, 2018 in Education News, Educators, Local News, NEWS, Students

Marshall basketball legend Hal Greer dies at 81

In this Feb. 10, 2012, file photo, former Marshall basketball and NBA star Hal Greer receives a standing ovation during the Veterans Memorial Field House Finale in Huntington. Greer, a Hall of Fame guard and the Philadelphia 76ers’ career leading scorer, died Saturday at 81 following a brief illness. Mark Webb, Herald-Dispatch via AP

By: Rick McCann, The Herald Dispatch | Posted: April 16, 2018 | Source: WV Gazette-Mail

HUNTINGTON — Huntington native Hal Greer, a Marshall Thundering Herd basketball legend, NBA champion and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame member, died Saturday in Arizona after a brief illness. He was 81.

Greer was residing in Scottsdale, Arizona, with his wife, Mayme. The couple’s three children are daughters Kelly and Sherry and a son, Hal Jr.

“For many of us, Hal Greer was a hero who helped us dream that we could conquer the world,” said Huntington Mayor Steve Williams, a city native and former Marshall football player. “He proved that a person of exceptional skill, a strong work ethic, and unbridled determination could set standards that the world would seek to emulate. It’s a sad day for all Huntingtonians.”

Harold Everett Greer was born June 26, 1936, and grew up on Doulton Avenue just off the former 16th Street that was renamed Hal Greer Boulevard in 1978.

“Hal was a fantastic ambassador for Marshall and a great basketball player,” Marshall men’s basketball head coach Dan D’Antoni said. “He will forever be remembered by Herd fans and will be enshrined forever with the boulevard that is named after him.”

Greer was a basketball star at the old Douglass High School and caught the eye of Marshall College head coach Cam Henderson, who recruited him for the Thundering Herd. In 1955, playing for head coach Jule Rivlin, Greer became the first African-American scholarship athlete at Marshall and at a traditionally white college in West Virginia.

He was one of Marshall’s all-time greats (1955-58) with career totals of 1,377 points, 765 rebounds and 54.5 percent shooting. He was part of the 1956 Mid-American Conference championship team that was Marshall’s first NCAA tournament participant. He was an All-Mid-American Conference performer in 1957 and 1958 whose No. 16 jersey was retired by Marshall.

“Hal was a great player and a great person,” said former teammate Sonny Allen. “He got better each year. His sophomore year Jack Freeman would have been a a starter, but Jack broke his wrist. Hal got in there and never got out. He was a forward, then he played guard. As a junior he played the pivot. His senior year he moved back to guard.

“He also played [Marshall] baseball. He was a first baseman.”

Allen, a retired coach living in Reno, Nevada, who led Old Dominion University to the 1975 NCAA Division II national championship, said his last contact with Greer was at a “Farewell to Veterans Memorial Field House” event in 2012.

The event was attended by nearly 100 former Herd players and coaches before the building on Fifth Avenue at 26th Street was torn down to make way for Marshall’s soccer complex.

“He kept to himself,” Allen said. “A lot of former players and teammates reached out to him.”

Allen’s memories of playing with Greer produced only two racial incidents.

One of them was in Charleston before a game against Morris Harvey College. The Marshall team went into a downtown Charleston restaurant and after about five minutes Rivlin said it was time to leave. Rivlin said the restaurant refused to serve the Herd because Greer was black.

Another time the Herd was in Johnson City, Tennessee, to play and there were two hotels in town.

“One normal hotel and one fleabag hotel,” Allen said. “We stayed at the fleabag and didn’t know why. We found out one hotel was for white people and one was for black people.”

Otherwise, Allen said he never felt any problems with other players, the students or the fans.

Greer was a 1985 inductee of the Marshall Athletic Hall of Fame.

The Philadelphia 76ers honored Greer during their Monday night playoff game against the Miami Heat. The tribute included players wearing black patches with Greer’s No. 15 on their jerseys.

Greer was drafted in 1958 by the Syracuse Nationals, who became the Philadelphia 76ers in 1963, and played all 15 of his NBA seasons with the franchise. He is the 76ers all-time leader in points (21,586), games played (1,122) and field goals (8,504). His career averages were 19.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists.

The 6-foot-2, 175-pound guard was an important cog on Philadelphia’s 1966-67 team led by center Wilt Chamberlain that won the NBA championship. Greer averaged 22.1 points that season.

Greer had such a good jump shot that he became known for shooting jumpers on free throw attempts.

He was a 10-time all-star and was named in 1996 as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.

The team retired his jersey No. 15 in 1976 and his death came 14 months after the 76ers unveiled a statue in his honor at their Camden, New Jersey, practice facility.

“In addition to his historic contributions on the court, Greer will forever be remembered as a true gentleman who used the tremendous platform of basketball to uplift and inspire others,” the 76ers said in a statement.

Greer was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1982.

Reporter Taylor Stuck contributed to this report.

April 16, 2018 in Local News, NEWS, Sports News

One hospitalized, three wanted in hit-and-run in Calhoun County

By: Michael Lemley | Posted: April 15, 2018 | Source: WV News

GRANTSVILLE — One person was injured in a hit-and-run incident in Calhoun County early Sunday morning, according to West Virginia State Police.

The incident happened around 5:30 a.m. near the Calhoun/Clay county line.

Police said three men were in a dark red vehicle, either a Chevrolet or a GMC, and struck a pedestrian.

Troopers said the incident was captured on a neighbor’s security camera.

The three men got out of the car and checked on the pedestrian, but quickly returned to the vehicle and drove off, according to troopers.

The three then drove toward Clay County. Troopers said the three men stopped at a convenience store in Clay County and were seen on security footage.

State Police are investigating the incident and are still searching for the suspects.

The victim’s name and condition have not been released.

April 15, 2018 in Crime, Local News, NEWS