Officially Retired

Effective at midnight December 31, 2016, I am officially retired.  

After 30 plus years working in the legal field since 1986 (and having worked at least part time continuously since I was 15 back in 1976), I will no longer be engaged in any type of employment and will be whiling my time away in my rocking chair.  I have been asked countless times in the past year as I neared retirement what I will do when I retire.  The simple answer is "not work."  My "bucket list" of leisure and recreational endeavours will keep me occupied.

As many of you know, I did not seek re-election and Joyce Morton was elected unopposed in May, 2016 as the new Family Court Judge beginning January 1,  2017.  I wish her the best and hope the job does not sour her always positive, cheerful, and friendly disposition.

I will keep this blog online, but will only update it occasionally.

Webster Boys' Basketball Ranked 10th in Power Ratings

According to the BasketballNight.com power ratings released on December 30, the Webster County Highlanders boys' basketball team is ranked 10th in Class A out of 49 teams.  Among other factors, the rankings consider a team's win-loss record and strength of schedule.

Click the link below for the power rankings for all three classes:

Power Rankings

Holiday Hoops Tournament Cancelled

The threat of snow has caused the cancellation of the Webster County Holiday Basketball Tournament for December 29 and 30 according to a news release from 102.3 radio.

Will Snow Snub Holiday Hoops?

The Webster County Holiday Tournament scheduled for Thursday and Friday this week faces a threat of significant snow, with forecasts ranging from 3 to 6 inches (or more) beginning Thursday afternoon.

The girls kick off action Thursday with games scheduled at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. at Highlander gym.  At 5:00 p.m., the Pocahontas boys play Liberty-Raleigh followed by the 7:00 p.m. nightcap with the Webster boys playing Braxton County.

On Friday, the consolation and tournament championship games will be played with the girls' consolation game at 1:00 p.m. and girls' championship game at 3:00 p.m.  The boys' consolation game with begin at 5:00 p.m. followed by the boys' championship game at 7:00 p.m.

Will Old Man Winter allow these games to proceed?  Or will the forecasters be wrong again?

WVU Football Team Arrives Safely in Florida

Thanks to United Airlines pilot and Webster County descendant Roger Hall, II, the WVU football team has arrived safely in Florida to prepare for their bowl game against the Miami Hurricanes.  The photos below show the United charter jet sitting in the pre-dawn runway at the Clarksburg, West Virginia airport, some of the team boarding the jet (photo taken from cockpit), and the buses awaiting the team in Florida.

WVU Bowl Hopes in Hands of Webster County Descendant

The fate of the WVU Mountaineer football team in its upcoming game against the Miami Hurricanes lies in the hands of a Webster County descendant.

The Mountaineers play in the Russell Athletic Bowl on December 28, 2016, to be televised on ESPN at 5:30 p.m.  Many folks pin WVU's hopes for a win on a combination of a strong defense coupled with good performances on offense by quarterback Skyler Howard and his teammates.

Head coach Dana Holgerson and defensive coach Tony Gibson have drawn up the game plan.  WVU fans are packing for the trip South to watch the game live.  The athletes have finished last minute preparations.

But none of that matters unless a Webster County descendant comes through in the clutch.

Roger Hall, II, is a descendant of lifelong resident Walter Hall of Guardian, and is the son of Roger Hall, I, who lives part time in Webster County.  Roger, II's son is currently a student at WVU.

But it all comes down to the performance of Roger Hall, II.  He is the pilot for United Airlines that will be flying the team to Florida.  Hall will pilot a special charter for the WVU team that leaves Clarksburg on December 26 at 9 a.m. and arrives in Orlando, Florida about two hours later.

If Roger, II does what he has done for the past 30 years of his flying career, WVU will be in warm, sunny Florida ready to blow out the Hurricanes.  Our word of advice for Roger, II as he prepares to fly the team to a bowl victory is this:  "Keep the shiny side up, the dirty side down, and please, stay out of the trees."

Abandoned Nuttallburg WV Coal Town Video

Nuttallburg, WV Click link for video.

Webster Beats Clay 63 - 53

A balanced scoring attack helped the Webster County Highlanders boys' basketball team beat the Clay County Panthers in Clay by a final score of 63 to 53 on Thursday evening.

The game was tight for the first three quarters. Clay led 16 to 13 at the end of the first quarter and by 27 to 26 at halftime. Webster lead 43 to 42 at the end of three quarters and then outscored Clay 20 to 11 in the fourth quarter to pull out the win.

Webster had four players in double figures, led by Dalton Gray's 13 points. Dorian Groggs and Hayden Williams each had 12 points, and Bradin Miller chipped in 10 points. Rounding out the scoring for the Highlanders were Tyler Gray and Chase Rose with 6 points each, followed by Mathias Palmer and Cole McCourt with 2 points each.

With the win, Webster improves to 3 wins, 1 loss on the season. They travel next Tuesday evening to play the Midland Trail Patriots.

Typical Government Waste

In another fine example of wasteful taxpayer dollar spending, outgoing West Virginia Governor Earl Tomblin announced today the award of a Small Cities Block Grant of $1.5 million to the town of Clay for construction of 4.5 miles of new water line to serve only 54 households.

The grant is for $1.5 million but the total project cost is $2.3 million, which translates into over $42,592.00 per household to be served by the project.

If our local political leaders can get their act together, perhaps Bergoo could get $42,592.00 per household for the installation of a community septic system.  This would alleviate the ongoing dumping of untreated, raw sewage into the Elk River by the households along Leatherwood Creek in Bergoo.  

Treating raw waste dumping into the Elk River, which is the water supply for folks in Webster Springs, seems to be more of a pressing issue than 54 households getting public water.

Gang of Turkeys, Excited Gobblers on December 14, 2016

Highlanders Jack Richwood 77-65

Opening tipoff between Webster and Richwood.

The Webster County Highlanders boys' basketball team beat back a fourth quarter rally by the visiting  Richwood Lumberjacks Monday evening by a final score of 77 to 65 at Upperglade.

Webster took its first lead at 10 to 9 late in the first quarter and never surrendered the lead after that. The Highlanders led 33 to 25 at halftime and rolled to a 16 point lead at 61 to 45 with 6:28 remaining in the game.  This seemingly insurmountable lead was due in large part to 5 points scored by crowd favorite senior Michael Malcomb, who also added a block and a steal during this stretch of the game. The 16 point lead was also aided by senior Hayden Williams' two 3 point bombs in the third quarter.

Timeout during fourth quarter action against Richwood.

Richwood did not go away quietly, however, as they mounted a furious rally to pull within 6 points with about 2:30 remaining in the game. Sophomore Dorian Groggs, who led all players in scoring with 24 points, then sealed the win for the Highlanders with six made free throws in a row.

With the win, the Highlanders improve to 2 wins, 1 loss on the season.  They next play at Clay County this Thursday evening.

For the first time this year, senior Dalton Gray, one of Webster's leading scorers from last season, played for the Highlanders.  While he scored 17 points, his shooting percentage was less than normal as he shook off what appeared to be the lingering effects of a high ankle injury sustained earlier this year in practice.

Individual scoring for Webster: Malcolm 5; Williams 19; Groggs 24; Dalton Gray 17; Tyler Gray 4; Mathias Palmer 4; Cole McCourt 4.

Highlanders Race Past Greyhounds

Highlanders getting ready for second half action against Valley-Fayette.

The Webster County Highlanders' boys basketball team notched their first win of the season over the visiting Valley-Fayette Greyhounds by a score of 69 to 58 Thursday evening.

This game for the Highlanders was certainly a Dr. Jekyl-Mr. Hyde performance as Webster raced out to an impressive 47 to 33 halftime lead.  The second half, however, was a slow stalemate as the Highlanders managed only 22 points and Valley tallied 25.  

Webster improved to one win, one loss on the season and they next play at home on Monday against rival Richwood.

The scoring for Webster appeared to be balanced.  In this writer's opinion, Mathias Palmer stood out in scoring, defense, and overall presence under the hoops.  Somewhat of a surprise off the bench in limited action was the strong play of Michael Malcomb, who had at least three perfect assists, strong defense, and a few points.  In addition, Hayden Williams, Bradin Miller, and Dorian Groggs led the fast paced first half attack.  For the second game in a row, the Highlanders were without the play of senior Dalton Gray, who is recovering from an ankle sprain.

Parents of the Year Award Nominees

The list of folks contending for "Parents of the Year Award" continues to grow in West Virginia.

The latest two nominees includes a couple from Boone County who allegedly smoked marijuana and took muscle relaxers before going to bed and while they were sleeping their three year old child was found at 3:00 a.m. wandering the streets clothed only in a diaper in the 30 degree weather.

When police located this couple, they allegedly found the house full of cockroaches and knats over spoiled rotten food in the kitchen, and the house was in generally filthy condition.

Reports say this is the second time in the past few weeks that the child was found unaccompanied outside the house. 

The child (who was treated at the hospital and was found to be suffering from a lung infection and severe ear infection), and another child in the house, are now in Child Protective Services' custody.

Both parents are in jail.

Rocky Start for Highlander Boys Basketball

Information received from our anonymous tipster Richard Rose is that the Webster County Highlander boys' basketball team lost its first game of the season to host Doddridge County by a score of 66 to 37.  The Highlanders have their home opener and next game scheduled for this Thursday against Valley-Fayette.

The girls team opened their season on a similar sour note at Calhoun County, losing 47 to 25.  The girls play Wednesday evening at Gilmer County before returning for their home opener on Friday against Roane County.

Class A All-State Football Team Announced

The West Virginia Sports Writers Association released its Class A all-state football team yesterday and while no Highlander player made the first or second teams, three players were given special or honorable mention.

Luke Hardway received special honorable mention and Chase Rose and Jay Stiltner received honorable mention.  The Highlanders finished their season with 6 wins, 4 losses and missed out on the playoffs when they lost their regular season finale 8 to 7 against Clay County.

The full Class A teams can be found at this link: Class A all-state teams

Glenville State College on the Budget Chopping Block

Countless Webster County residents have attended and are presently attending Glenville State College. The College has in the past few years made significant expenditures in upgrades at its campus, particularly with the new multi-use WACO center.

That, however, is not stopping a group of West Virginia state Republican legislators from suggesting that both Glenville and Bluefield Colleges be closed as part of cost cutting measures to balance the state's budget. According to a Cardinal Institute report, the two colleges each serve fewer than 2,000 students but combine to cost state taxpayers $11.8 million annually. The report ranks Glenville and Bluefield as the two least efficient colleges in West Virginia.

Cardinal's report, entitled "Wild and Wasteful West Virginia: Exposing Waste, Fraud and Abuse of Your State Tax Dollars," states:  Today, thanks to virtual education options, there is little justification for throwing good money after bad in an attempt to keep failing colleges afloat. If West Virginia is wise enough to combine, privatize or shutter a few of its least successful schools, students at those institutions would be able to transfer to another state university, if they so choose. If moving or commuting is prohibitive, the impacted students could continue their studies online using the robust virtual opportunities offered by many of the state’s top schools.

With no end in sight to West Virginia's ongoing budget deficits, any cost cutting measures are fair game.

The full Cardinal report can be downloaded at this link: Waste Report

Morris Nets 25 Points to Lead Glenville in Win

Some things never seem to change.

And so it was today, December 3, 2016, at the WACO Center in Glenville as former Webster County basketball standout Brett Morris led his Pioneers to an 82 to 74 win over the Cavaliers of the University of Virginia at Wise.

In his typical manner, Brett, now a senior at Glenville, drained a game high 25 points and added 10 rebounds for his fourth "double-double" of the season.  With the win, Glenville improved to 2 wins, 3 losses on the season.

The video shows Brett tipping in a shot with about a minute remaining in the game to give the Pioneers a 77 to 72 lead.  He immediately followed that up with a monster block on the other end.

Flyer That Got Judge-Elect Callaghan in Trouble

This is the front side of the flyer that resulted in Judge-Elect Steve Callaghan facing a one year suspension.

Although the West Virginia Judicial Hearing Board recommended that Judge-Elect Steve Callaghan be suspended for one year, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals today ordered that he can take office on January 1, 2017 pending a full hearing before the Court on January 10, 2017.  At that time, the Court will decide if Callaghan should be suspended.

It should be noted that the WV State Bar disciplinary counsel had agreed not to file any charges against Callaghan because he made radio ads apologizing for the flyer.  Disciplinary counsel did tell Callaghan that if anyone else complained, they would have to then determine if charges were appropriate.  Judge Gary Johnson's brother, a lawyer in Charleston, filed the complaint which was eventually heard by the Judicial Hearing Board.