Reigning Royalty
The Marlinton Middle School gym was filled with excitement Saturday night as the winners of the Little Miss, Miss Teen and Miss Pocahontas Pageant were announced. In the Little Miss category, winners were: Little Miss Pocahontas and Little Miss Photogenic, Macaden Taylor, left; first runner-up, Tessa Kiner; second runner-up, Andrea Payton; third runner-up, Julianna Agee; and Little Miss Personality, Natalie Agee. In the Miss Teen category, winners were: Miss Teen Pocahontas and Miss Teen Spirit, Kristen Beverage, center; first runner-up, Brittany Hannah; second runner-up, Tresten Taylor; and Miss Teen Photogenic, Kayla Lester. In the Miss category, winners were: Miss Pocahontas and Miss Photogenic, Vanessa Malcomb, right; first runner-up, Kristen Pollard; and second runner-up and Miss Congeniality, Jenna Biller. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Miller
BOE wins Alderman lawsuit
A circuit judge has ruled in favor of the Pocahontas County Board of Education in a lawsuit filed by a former teacher who was fired for insubordination.
Norman Alderman, a former English teacher at Pocahontas County High School and county technological coordinator, was fired in April, 2006, when, instead of defending his position at a transfer hearing, he verbally attacked Superintendent Dr. J. Patrick Law and Treasurer Alice Irvine.
Alderman said his speech was protected by the First Amendment, that his speech was protected since the comments were made during a quasi-judicial proceeding and that he was protected because he was a “whistleblower” because he had alleged that state grant money allocated for golf equipment had been used for the golf team to travel to the state tournament in Wheeling.
Three more arrested for drug peddling
Law enforcement officers arrested three more people Friday night, confiscating more prescription medication.
According to magistrate court records, Thomas Robinson, 50, of Marlinton, was in jail in lieu of $110,000 bond, charged with four counts of delivery of a schedule I and schedule II controlled substance and delivery of a schedule IV controlled substance. Robinson’s bond was later reduced to $50,000 cash or surety, and he was released.
Little Levels Heritage Festival, a stitch in time
In a county full of culture and history, the Little Levels Heritage Fair focuses on celebrating the past and bringing Pocahontas County’s history to life.
With the theme of “Stitching Our Lives Together,” the fair offered music, good eats, crafts and a parade.
Saturday, a plethora of food vendors enticed the crowd with culinary classics such as hot dogs and hamburgers, as well as unique snacks like the Spanish Club’s walking tacos and the 4-H club’s chocolate covered frozen bananas and deep fried Oreos.
Marlinton council nixes southern water extension, hikes sewer rates
In a move sure to disappoint some residents from Beard Heights to Cooktown, the Marlinton Town Council voted unanimously Wednesday evening not to go ahead with the southern phase of the water extension project.
The northern phase extended town water to the Brush Country area and was completed in May. Project planners estimated 160-180 customers were necessary for that phase to pay for itself, but, as of June 24, only 45 customers had hooked up.
Commissioners discuss county planning ideas in public meeting
If customers are supposed to get what they pay for, perhaps county commission president Martin Saffer will want a refund on his payment to rural planner Meghan Dorsett.
Saffer and county commissioner David Fleming wanted Dorsett to reinforce their idea that the county needs to hire a coordinator.
Not so much, Dorsett said. Or at least, not so fast.
PMH board puts administrator contract renewal on hold, seeks legal advice
After a lengthy executive session last Tuesday night, Pocahontas Memorial Hospital board members did not renew the hospital administrator’s contract, but instead called a special session to be held this week.
Board member Cathy Mosesso said the board would seek “legal advice” before taking the vote. Mosesso said later the contract would be available to the public.
Commission meets for clean-up session
County commissioners tied up loose ends for the fiscal year with budget transfers and bill paying, but also got a look at their engineer’s plan for the final phase of clean-up at East Fork Industrial Park.
Several decades of sludge from its days as Howes Leather Company is now entombed at one end of the property and is ready for a final cover.
Magistrate Court - July 2, 2009
Allegheny Echoes kicks off week of music workshops
Students and teachers gathered Monday evening for a combined jam session at Allegheny Echoes music workshop. Renowned local musician Homer Hunter, guitarist with Hot Mater Gravy (in the orange shirt), led the session. G. Hamill photos
Can Appalachian culture survive, as the mountains themselves are destroyed by dynamite and giant mining machines?
Will people remember bluegrass and old-time music in 200 years? Will they be able to hear a group play it?
The people of Allegheny Echoes hope the answers are yes. The non-profit’s purpose is to keep Appalachian music, art and culture alive.
