Diana Elementary One of Twelve Distinguished Schools in West Virginia for 2012-13 School Year

The West Virginia Department of Education has named the Diana Elementary School as one of its twelve "Distinguished Schools" in the entire State of West Virginia.

To be eligible for this award, Diana must have met these criteria set forth for the award:

• Be in operation for at least three or more consecutive years;

• Participated in a Title I program for three or more consecutive years;

• Acquire full West Virginia accreditation status;

• Achieved AYP [Annual Yearly Progress] separately in reading and math for three or more consecutive years.  (K-2 Title I schools must make AYP for three or more consecutive years as determined by the West Virginia Office of Performance Audits); and

• Demonstrate 60% proficient for the all subgroup in both reading/language arts and mathematics based on 10 or more students tested (“n” count for reporting assessment data). N/A for K-2 schools.

Here are the twelve schools which received this award (school, county of school, & grade span of school):

• Collier Primary School, Brooke, K-04
• Big Otter Elementary, Clay, K-05
• White Sulphur Elementary, Greenbrier, PK-05
• South Man Elementary, Logan, K-03
• Madison Elementary, Ohio, PK-05
• North Fork  Elementary, Pendleton, K-06
• Poca  Elementary, Putnam, PK-05
• Bradley  Elementary, Raleigh, PK-05
• Cresent  Elementary, Raleigh, PK-05
• Diana  Elementary, Webster, K-08
• Neale  Elementary, Wood, K-5
• Mullens  Elementary, Wyoming, K-04

Many Diana supporters are questioning why this award was not made public prior to the recent public meeting at Diana on the now withdrawn school consolidation plan.

Highlanders Break Ravenswood Win Streak Over Webster Teams

Webster County has had bad luck playing the Ravenswood Red Devils.

In the past five years, Webster has lost playoff games in both football and basketball to Ravenswood. And when the Lady Highlanders lost to the Red Devilettes just prior to the boys' tip off Saturday evening in Ravenswood, it appeared the Red Devils' domination over Webster sports teams might continue.

Above: Senior David Muzny (#22 on right) shooting a 3 point basket.

However, seniors Hunter Given, Brett Morris, and David Muzny came out in the first quarter to combine for 19 points to let the Red Devils and their fans know the streak was about to end. The Highlanders led at the end of the first quarter 19 to 12, and continued aggressive defense helped the team increase its lead to 30 to 18 at halftime.

In the third quarter, a whole host of Highlanders helped Webster increase its lead at the end of the quarter to 46 to 29. Webster slowed the pace in the fourth quarter, finishing with a comfortable margin of victory at 57 to 43.

Head Coach Jerry Dean said after the game that "our kids came out focused and played hard." This is the first time this year the Highlanders have won games on back to back nights, and they showed no signs of being tired from their home victory over Richwood Friday evening, even though the trip to Ravenswood was more than two hours one way.

Despite having a big lead in the second half of the game, Coach Dean said he was somewhat surprised that the Ravenswood coach did not throw a press at the Highlanders. "I don't think he thought he had anyone who could handle Brett by themselves so he had to stick [with his defense without a press]." Coach Dean heaped a lot of praise on the longtime Ravenswood coach, but on Saturday evening it was Dean's game plan that worked.

Morris led Webster with 20 points, 7 rebounds, 6 blocked shots, 3 assists, and 2 steals. Given contributed 15 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal. Muzny had 5 points and 6 rebounds. Freshman Robbie Cogar had 4 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal.

Others playing for Webster on the stat sheet included: Stephen Cogar, 7 points, 3 rebounds; Logan Taylor, 4 points, 6 rebounds; Dalton Davis, 2 points, 6 rebounds, 1 blocked shot, 1 steal; Guy Cowger, 1 rebound, 1 steal, 1 assist; Lance Stout, 1 steal; Jake Thayer, 1 rebound; and Rick Holcomb, 1 blocked shot.

As a team, Webster made 22 of 48 shot attempts (45%) and 8 of 13 free throws (61%).

With the win, Webster improved to 7 wins, 1 loss on the season. They will now travel to the Braxton Armory below Sutton to face the Braxton County Eagles on Tuesday, January 15, 2013.

Brett Morris Becomes All-Time Leading Scorer for Webster as Highlanders Coast Over Richwood

Before a near capacity crowd at the Highlander's gym Friday evening, senior Brett Morris broke a 20 year record to become the all-time leading scorer for boy's basketball in the 39 year history of the school, and led his team to an easy win over the Richwood Lumberjacks 80 to 57.

Above: Senior Brett Morris about to slam dunk the ball during the fourth
quarter of the Highlanders' rout of the Richwood Lumberjacks.

Morris, who finished the game with 33 points leading all scorers, made the first two points of the game. With those first two points, Morris brought his career scoring total to 1,225 points, breaking the record of 1,223 points previously set by T.J. Martin 20 years ago. With his game total, he now has 1,256 career points.

For a near capacity crowd, it was strangely quiet for the most part because the Highlanders took the crowd out of the game by running up a 20 to 5 first quarter lead. At halftime, Morris had 20 points and Webster maintained a comfortable 40 to 15 lead. Richwood inched closer in the third quarter, but trailed by 20 points at 54 to 34 and both benches saw a lot of action in the fourth quarter as Webster coasted to the 80 to 57 win.

In the fourth quarter, it appeared that head coach Jerry Dean put Morris back into the game despite the big lead as sort of a reward for his record breaking performance. Morris collected on the reward when teammates Stephen Cogar and Hunter Given led a fast break with one thought in mind: a slam dunk by a trailing Morris. Cogar passed to an open Given who tossed the ball high near the rim and Morris obliged by slamming the ball through the iron with both hands to the great delight of the crowd.

For the third game in a row, junior Dalton Davis turned in another strong performance. Davis finished with 11 points, 10 rebounds, and 1 assist. In addition to his 33 points, Morris tallied 7 rebounds, 5 blocked shots, 3 steals, and 2 assists. Senior Hunter Given contributed 9 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals, rounding out Webster's tall threesome.

Others seeing action for the Highlanders on the stat sheet included: Robbie Cogar, 5 points, 2 rebounds; Lance Stout, 5 points, 1 steal, 1 blocked shot; Tyler Anderson, 5 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist; David Muzny, 5 points, 1 rebound; Logan Taylor, 4 points, 5 rebounds; Stephen Cogar, 3 points, 2 steals, 1 rebound; Guy Cowger, 1 steal; and Rick Holcomb, 2 rebounds.

As a team, Webster made 48% of their shot attempts. At the foul line, Webster made only 11 of 26 free throws (42%).

With the win, Webster improved to 6 wins, 1 loss on the season. They now travel to Ravenswood to take on the Red Devils on Saturday, January 12, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. Ravenswood sports a 2 win, 6 loss record. At 5:45 p.m. before the boys' game, the Lady Highlanders will take on the Lady Red Devils of Ravenswood.

On Tuesday, January 15, 2013, the Highlander boys' team travels to the Braxton Armory  below Sutton to take on the Braxton County Eagles with the same start times.

The junior varsity squad coached by Eddie Mazzella also had an easy time with the Richwood JV's, defeating them 67 to 30.

Jail Bill Continues to Drain County Coffers

For the second month in a row, the West Virginia Regional Jail Authority has billed Webster County in excess of $50,000.00 for housing Webster inmates.

For December, 2012, the county owes $57,828.00, representing 1,185 inmate days at $48.80 per day. Of the month's total, $45,335.20 (or 78%) was for inmates charged with felonies and $12,492.80 (or 22%) was for inmates charged or convicted of misdemeanors.

If news of the December jail bill was not bad enough, the total jail bill for the first half of the current fiscal year (from July 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012) is even more shocking. For this six month period, the County has paid or owes (including December) a total of $371,239.00. If the second half of the fiscal year, which ends June 30, 2013, has a similar amount, the County will have run up a jail bill for the year of over $742,000.00, which would set an all-time jail bill record. Considering that the County's total budget for the past fiscal year was $3.3 million, the projected current fiscal year's bill of $742,000.00 would amount to 22.5% of the total budget.

Below is a list of the inmates and the days they spent in the Regional Jail for December.

Felonies:

Joretta Faye Adkins, 31

Tony Darrell Adkins, 7

Lester Taylor Barnhouse, 25

Okey Eugene Brooks, 31

Katrina Mae Brown, 31

Joe Edward Butcher, 31

Kenneth Lawrence Butcher, 27

Stephanie Dale Butcher, 31

Donald Eugene Chaffin, 31

Daniel Morgan Cobb, 31

Blake Marshall Collins, 20

Dorinda Kay Barnhouse Cool, 31

Willis Arden Currence, 31

Brier Jon Cutlip, 31

Jeremy Allen Dempsey, 4

Matthew Burton Friend, 31

James Fredrick Given, 31

Brian Eugene Hall, 31

Kimberly Sue Hinkle, 31

Connie Jeanette Hosey, 31

William Christopher Jordan, 31

Mark Wayne Linkous, 31

Brett Alan Lowery, 6

Roderick Allen Lusk, 31

Kenneth Ray Mathes, 3

Cole Shannon McCourt, 31

Keith Odell McCourt, 31

Shane Edger McCourt, 31

Tracy Lynn McCourt, 31

Robert Daniel Pennell, 31

Mary Jane Rose, 31

Ronald James Ward, 31

Amanda Maureen York, 31
Michael Steve York, 31

Misdemeanors:

Bradley Keith Barbe, 31
Robert Lee Chapman, 24
Ellisha Dawn Hammons, 1
Tashina Renee Hypes Hammons, 1
Travis Mack Hammons, 1
Mary Ann Garvin Hamrick, 10
Arey Lewis Harman, 31
James Granbil Hines, 1
Judith Ann Adkins Hitt, 1
Vanessa Louise Johns Meadows, 31
Daniel Leroy Lomelino, 4
Landyn Lane Lynch, 31
Timothy Ray Malcomb, 31
Carlton Ray Mazzella, 1
Beverly Loraine Taylor, 31
Melissa Sue Tolliver, 1
Ronnie Joe Watson, 25

Intoxicated Juror Twice Put in Jail

Above: Central Regional Jail photo and booking information for Paul D. Bean.

A Webster County juror for the September, 2012 term of Court (which runs from September, 2012 to early January, 2012) has been found in contempt of court and sent to jail for the second time this term.

Paul David Bean, age 43, was first sentenced to the Central Regional Jail in September, 2012, after he appeared for jury duty and was found to be under the influence of alcohol. Circuit Judge Jack Alsop found Bean in contempt and sentenced him to 24 hours in jail.

On January 8, 2013, Bean again appeared in Court for jury duty. A jury trial was scheduled in a criminal case. Bean was again found to be under the influence of alcohol. This time, Judge Alsop sentenced him to five days in jail. The jury trial was continued to another date for reasons other than Bean's condition.

THIS JUST IN: County Commission Selects Deputy County Clerk Eva Green to Replace Retiring County Clerk



Eva Green will serve as the new County Clerk.

At an emergency meeting today, the Webster County Commission voted unanimously to appoint Eva Green to the position of County Clerk to replace retiring Clerk Terry Payne.

Commissioners Jerry Hamrick and Dan Dotson were present in person at the meeting and Commission President Chuck Armentrout participated by telephone. The Commission was aware that both Green and Nancy Mathews, a Deputy Assessor with the County, were interested in being appointed to the Commission.

During the meeting, Commissioners first accepted the resignation of Payne and then moved on to consider her replacement. Green was present at the meeting; Mathews did not attend.

Commissioner Armentrout spoke highly of Green's experience as a Deputy County Clerk. "She has served the County well and she has a lot of experience with the financial dealings of the County as well as experience in election matters, and the overall operation of the office of the County Clerk," Armentrout said. Without any further debate, Green was appointed unanimously.

Green has served as a Deputy County Clerk for just shy of 18 years. Green will begin on February 4, 2013 and will serve until the next general election in 2014.



BREAKING NEWS: County Clerk Terry Payne to Retire; Commission Meets Today to Select Replacement

Long time Webster County Clerk Terry Payne confirmed today that she is retiring from office effective February 4, 2013.

County Clerk Terry Payne

Payne has served as the County Clerk for almost 22 years. She was first appointed to the office when former Clerk Nancy Gillespie retired, and Payne has been elected ever since, most recently in 2010.

The County Commission meets in an emergency session today, January 10, 2013, at 4:30 p.m. to discuss and select Payne's successor. Whoever is selected to replace Payne will serve according to law until the next general election, which would be 2014. As Payne's current term would not expire until 2016, anyone who replaces Payne would serve until 2014 and then be faced with an election for the remaining two years of the term until 2016.

Payne said after working for such a long time, and being eligible for retirement from the State, it was just time to retire. "I have thoroughly enjoyed working for the public," Payne said.

Stayed tuned to the Commentator for further updates as to the Commission's actions on the replacement.