CLENDENIN, W.Va. (WSAZ) – West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice was joined Wednesday by multiple local and state officials at a ribbon cutting for the new Air Raid Bike Park.
CLENDENIN, W.Va. (WSAZ) – West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice was joined Wednesday by multiple local and state officials at a ribbon cutting for the new Air Raid Bike Park.
By: Mark Burdette | Posted Oct. 29, 2018
The 2018 mid-term election is just around the corner. Early voting has already begun and Tuesday, November 6th will be here before we know it. We have pulled together the most comprehensive election guide specifically focused on the Elk River area to help you, the voter, inform and educate yourself on the issues and candidates on the ballot.
To ensure we cover everyone in our service area we will be providing resources on all candidates running for public office in Kanawha, Roane, and Clay Counties in West Virginia. If you are a public official reviewing this article and we do not have any resources or links for you or any information posted is incorrect please submit changes and/or additions via email to clendeninleader@gmail.com and we will be sure to promptly update this article.
We want to make it clear that we do not endorse any political candidate. We are grateful that we live in a country where we have the right to vote and we believe every vote counts. We will include any and all candidates running including third-party candidates.
To find out if you are registered to vote click here.
To find your polling place click here.
To view your sample ballot click here, then choose your county from the list and then select your precinct number.
To view 2018 Early Voting Locations click here. Early voting will go through Saturday, November 3rd.
For the full list of public services regarding the 2018 election in the state of West Virginia please click here to go to WV Secretary of State’s website.
Please share this resource with your friends and family and encourage everyone to get out and vote on Tuesday, November 6, 2018.
As of May 2018, West Virginia officially recognized four political parties in the Mountain State: the Democratic, Libertarian, Mountain, and Republican parties. For your convenience, we have listed the four parties below and included their website and social media links.
Please note that all red text throughout the article are hyperlinked and will take you away from The Clendenin Leader website.
Rusty Hollen (L) – Challenger
Joe Manchin (D) – Incumbent
Patrick Morrisey (R) – Challenger
(All of Kanawha, Roane, and Clay counties are in the 2nd Congressional District)
Daniel P. “Danny” Lutz Jr. (M) – Challenger
Alex. X. Mooney (R) – Incumbent
Talley Sergeant (D) – Challenger
View Senate District 8 Map HERE
Ed Gaunch (R – Kanawha, 08) – Incumbent
Richard Lindsay (D – Kanawha) – Challenger
Glenn Jeffries (D – Putnam, 08) – Incumbent
Not up for re-election in 2018 (Term ends 2020)
View Senate District 17 Map HERE
Tom Takubo (R – Kanawha, 17) – Incumbent
Terrell Ellis (D – Kanawha, 17) – Challenger
Corey Palumbo (D – Kanawha, 17) – Incumbent
Not up for re-election in 2018 (Term ends 2020)
View House District 39 Map HERE
Dana J. Ferrell (I – Kanawha, 39) – Challenger
David “Woody” Holmes (D – Kanawha, 39) – Challenger
Jesse Johnson (M – Kanawha, 39) – Challenger
Sharon Lewis Malcolm (R – Kanawha, 39) – Incumbent
View House District 40 Map HERE
Melissa Riggs Huffman (D – Kanawha, 40) – Challenger
Dean Jeffries (R – Kanawha, 40) – Incumbent
Gregory Elliott
Dan Greear
Tera Salango
Kent Carper (D) – Incumbent
Bill Huddleston (R) – Challenger
Ben Salango (D) – Incumbent
Running Unopposed
View Senate District 3 Map HERE
Mike Azinger (R – Wood, 03) – Incumbent
Jim Leach (D – Wood, 03) – Challenger
Donna J. Boley (R – Pleasants, 03) – Incumbent
Not up for re-election in 2018 (Term ends 2020)
View Senate District 4 Map HERE
Mitch Carmichael (R – Jackson, 04)
Senate President
Not up for re-election in 2018 (Term ends 2020)
Mark Drennan (R – Putnam, 04) – Incumbent
Not on the ballot. Defeated in primary by Eric J. Tarr.
Eric J. Tarr (R – Putnam, 04) – Challenger
Brian Prim (D – Mason, 04) – Challenger
Amy Nichole Grady (I – Mason, 04) – Challenger
View House District 11 Map HERE
Martin Atkinson III (R – Roane, 11) – Incumbent
Sarah Duncan (D – Roane, 11) – Challenger
Andrew Corkrean (R)
David McCutcheon (D)
L. Todd Cole (D) – Incumbent
View Senate District 12 Map HERE
Douglas E. Facemire (D – Braxton, 12) – Incumbent
Not up for re-election in 2018 (Term ends 2020)
Mike Romano (D – Harrison, 12) – Incumbent
Waymond Cork II (R – Harrison, 12) – Challenger
View House District 32 Map HERE
Tom Fast (R – Fayette, 32) – Incumbent
Kayla Kessinger (R – Fayette, 32) – Incumbent
Shirley Love (D – Fayette, 32) – Incumbent
Assistant Minority Whip
Austin Haynes (R – Fayette, 32) – Challenger
Margaret Anne Staggers (D – Fayette, 32) – Challenger
Melvin “Mel” Kessler (D – Fayette, 32) – Challenger
Luke Lively (D – Fayette, 32) – Challenger
David “Elliott” Pritt (M – Fayette, 32) – Challenger
View House District Map 33 HERE
Roger Hanshaw (R – Clay, 33) – Incumbent
Speaker of the House
David Walker (D – Clay, 33) – Challenger
Connie Kinder (D)
Billy R. Truman (I)
The Clendenin Library has been open for four months in its new/temporary location after a two year absence due to the 2016 flood in Clendenin. Located in the old Middle School building on Koontz Avenue, the library offers nearly all of the services that were available at the former library. The hours are: Tuesday and Thursday 10-8, Wednesday 12-6, Saturday 10-3.
Although the space is smaller, there are plenty of books, audiobooks, DVDs and music CDs. Other services the library offers includes public computers, Wi-Fi, and copy machine. The Clendenin Library is excited to be back in the community to provide these services.
Programs for all ages are also being offered as in the past. Monthly events are as follows:
Many other programs and special events are held throughout the year and a calendar of these events is available at the library or on their website kanawhalibrary.org.
Make it a part of your routine to visit the library!
Tammy Parker, Branch Manager
Clendenin Branch Library
304-548-6370
Kanawhalibrary.org
By: Stacy Nelson | Posted Oct. 13, 2018
Elk River Boxing Club is located at 5522 Elk River Road, in Elkview, West Virginia. They currently offer kickboxing, karate and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu MMA classes for all ages and skill levels; however, according to Coach Rob Fletcher, they are in need of donated weight equipment. They are starting construction on a new weight room in order to expand on the services they are offering which also provides a positive outlet for youth in the community.
According to Fletcher, they currently have 10-15 school age members, many of which ride the bus to the gym after school each day. “A majority of the kids we work with are on our scholarship program. They usually arrive around 4:30 PM and the parents pick them up between 6:00 PM and 6:30 PM. We start each day with warm-up exercises and fitness training, then depending on which day it is, we have class in either boxing, Kick Boxing or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.” Fletcher wants to provide a safe, positive, drug-free environment for more kids, who may not be interested in combat sports. Fletcher continued, “I started working with the kids from the Elk River area in 2012 that would come to my gym in Charleston. Some I would pick up and take home and some caught the KRT to there. I could see a lot of these kids were in a place in their lives where they could choose two paths. My main objective has been to help the area kids, and if we can change a path some of these kids are on before it’s too late, then everything we do here is worth it.”
If anyone is interested in helping Elk River Boxing Club with their mission or has weight equipment they would like to donate, contact Rob Fletcher at (681) 313-6001. Check them out on Facebook.
Posted: Oct. 13, 2018 | Source: Hafer Funeral Home
Wallace Franklin (Jack) Suttle, loving husband, caring father and grandfather, respected businessman and a minister of the gospel went home to be with the Lord on October 11, 2018, at CAMC Memorial Division after losing his battle against pancreatic cancer. Jack was born October 22, 1943, in Rupert, WV. He was preceded in death by his parents Paris Franklin and Eugenia Alice Suttle and sister Barbara Ely.
Jack’s entrepreneurial spirit began at the age of 10 as a paper carrier in Rainelle, WV and had the rights to carry every route in town by the time he was 14. After graduation from Rainelle High School, he moved to Charleston School of Commerce to study accounting and later graduated from Morris Harvey College (University of Charleston) with an accounting degree. He then founded Suttle & Stalnaker, PLLC with his business partner, David Stalnaker and served many years as the managing partner of the firm. During his 40-year accounting career, he was a visionary and focused on improving his profession. He was a past President of the West Virginia Society of CPAs and a former board member of the West Virginia Healthcare Financial Management Association.
After heart conditions forced his early retirement from the firm in 2004, he volunteered as the accounting teacher at Elk Valley Christian School and became the school’s principal from 2013-2018. He dearly loved his students and cared for them as his own children.
Jack lived to serve Christ and others. In 1970, he began singing with the Servants Quartet and in 1977 he began singing with his family, the Suttles, and did so until 2005. He was passionate about sharing God’s love through song and became an ordained minister in 1978 and began holding evangelistic meetings throughout the eastern United States and various missionary trips to India. Jack also served Christ as a Deacon, School Board Member and Sunday School Teacher at his home church, Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy Jo Suttle; his brother, Bill (Delane); two children: Lynette Lucas (Tony) and Wallace F. (Wally) Suttle, II (Spring) and four grandchildren: Zachary Lucas (Kayla), Parker Lucas (Kaley), Wallace F. (Trey) Suttle and Meredith Suttle. He is also survived by two great-granddaughters and another to be born soon.
The family would like to thank his great medical team at CAMC and Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. They would especially like to thank his cardiologist, Dr. Stanton for keeping him “ticking” all of these years and his oncology team Dr. Sissoko, Dr. Elmore, Dr. Weiss, Dr. Shah and the nurses on the MICU floor (Robin, Kenny and Justin) for their tremendous care.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to Elk Valley Christian School for construction of awnings over the steps of the Jack Suttle Elementary Building.
Jack was a giver his whole life, and his final act of gratitude came when he donated his body to the West Virginia University School of Medicine to assist doctors in finding a cure for pancreatic cancer. Cancer stripped him of his goal to donate his organs, but he felt he could have a greater impact on the world if he gave his whole body.
2 Timothy 4:7-8, 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 . . .
A visitation will be held on Monday, October 15, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, Elkview, WV. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, October 16 at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, at 7 p.m., with Rev. Lee Swor and Rev. Regan Jett officiating.
Online condolences may be sent to www.haferfuneralhome.net.
Arrangements are in the care of Hafer Funeral Home, 50 North Pinch Road, Elkview.
To send flowers to the family of Wallace Franklin “Jack” Suttle, please visit Hafer’s Heartfelt Sympathies Store.
Charleston, W.Va. – Secretary of State Mac Warner is issuing a statewide reminder that the last day to register to vote in order to participate in the November 6th General Election is fast approaching. October 16th is the last day for an eligible citizen to register to vote.
Online registrations must be received by 5:00 p.m. October 16th. Voter registrations sent in by mail must be postmarked by 5:00 p.m. on the 16th.
To register to vote online or to update your current voter registration, go to www.GoVoteWV.com.
Secretary Warner encourages citizens with questions to contact their county clerk or to call the WV Secretary of State Elections Division at (304) 558-6000. A listing of all county clerks can be found at https://sos.wv.gov/elections/Pages/CountyClerkDirectory.aspx.
Posted: October 12, 2018 | Source: Adams Mason Funeral Home
Lester E. Sears, 90, passed away October 5, 2018. He lived in the Akron area since 1952, and was a native of Clay County, West Virginia, son of the late Lanta W. and Joda B. Sears.
He served his country in the U.S. Army as a truck driver after WWII. He graduated from Fairmont State College in Fairmont, West Virginia, and was a member of Adoniram Masonic Lodge. Les retired from the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company with 35 years service and was later employed part time at various companies.
He is survived by one aunt; one uncle; and many friends. Friends may call 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM Tuesday October 16, 2018 at the Adams Mason Funeral Home (791 East Market Street), where funeral services will immediately follow at 1:00 PM. Rev. Larry Knight will officiate. Interment Greenlawn Memorial Park. Arrangements entrusted to Adams Mason Funeral Home (330) 535-9186
By: Stacy Nelson | Posted: Oct. 9, 2018
After eight short months The Clendenin Leader has become a trusted source for reliable information and uplifting stories concerning the Elk River community. We would like to thank you for welcoming us into your lives and allowing us to share the progress and resiliency of our community.
We have been making upgrades to our platform in order to accommodate the influx of traffic that we have been experiencing. It humbles us to see that our Facebook posts alone have reached over 36,500 people with more than 14,000 likes, comments and shares from just the past 28 days. Several of our original content articles on the website have been viewed by 1,500 to 3,000+ people each, and the geographical statistics show us that The Clendenin Leader’s reach is heavily focused on the Elk River and surrounding communities, as well as those with connections to the area, but currently live elsewhere.
Up until now, we have not aggressively pursued advertising opportunities, choosing to focus on creating a platform to serve the community over ad sales. To those who chose to advertise with us from the beginning, before we even had statistics, we thank you for believing in us and our vision. We welcome businesses, organizations, associations, politicians, crafters, musicians, churches, schools and others to advertise with The Clendenin Leader. We have display advertising rates starting as low as $100 a month and we have the ability to customize a program that works for you, including email, social media, print, and more. You can view our online media kit at http://clicky.me/media-kit and contact us by one of the methods below to discuss advertising opportunities. We look forward to working with you.
Web Form: HERE
Email: clendeninleader@gmail.com
Susan Jack: (304) 741-0161
Mark Burdette: (304) 747-8711
Stacy Nelson: (681) 533-6246
By: Mark Burdette | Posted: Sept. 19, 2018
Recently, The Clendenin Leader sat down with Briana Warner, Communications Director of Kanawha County Schools and Brette Fraley, Executive Director of Kanawha County Schools Pupil Transportation to address the bus driver shortage at the Elkview School Bus Terminal in Elkview, West Virginia.
Below is the full interview where you can learn more about this issue that has been in the news and the topic of online conversation.
We also touched on the change in start time that many parents on Elk River have been vocal about, especially as the weather begins to turn cooler and winter will be upon us.
You can help with the bus driver shortage by encouraging those that need a job to apply at the Kanawha County Schools website. Click on Employment at the top of the page to begin the application process.
We will continue to follow this story so be sure to stay connected to The Clendenin Leader and get engaged and let us know what you think about this these important issues related to our children and schools.
By: Stacy Nelson | Posted: Sept. 10, 2018
On October 13-14th, 2018, Clendenin Homecoming Festival Teen Queen-Lauren Gorman will be competing in the Miss West Virginia Teen USA competition held at the Creative Arts Center Lyell B Clay Theatre at West Virginia University. Lauren has placed in the Top 5 for the last two years at this pageant and was third runner-up last year. According to pageant director, Heather Rouch, “This year Lauren is in a great position to take the crown. If she does, she would then go on to represent at the Miss Teen USA pageant.”
Lauren is a scholar athlete and currently attends Roane County High School where she is a senior. She is actively involved in Varsity Volleyball and will also be leaving next week to prepare for New York Fashion Week where she is modeling for several designers.
Rouch indicated that sponsors are required for the competition. The Clendenin Homecoming Festival will be paying for her entry fee to compete; however, Lauren will need to prepare for competition and will need a wardrobe as well as beauty expenses. According to Rouch, sponsors will be listed in the official program, on the Miss Teen WV USA website as Lauren’s sponsor, and will be promoted on Gorman’s social media for the entire term of her reign. In addition, Gorman will be available for appearance opportunities.
Rouch stated, “Lauren is one of the most unique and amazing young women I’ve ever encountered. I could not think of a better person to represent our state at the Miss Teen USA pageant. She has been a wonderful representative for Clendenin and we are all so proud of her and can’t wait to see what she accomplishes in the future.”
If you are interested in helping to sponsor Clendenin Homecoming Festival Teen Queen, Lauren Gorman, to compete in the Miss West Virginia Teen USA Pageant, contact Heather Roush at hroush.director@gmail.com.