2006:The Year in Review
Part I, January-June
by Valerie J. Carpenter
Staff Writer
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January
12 miners are killed, and one was left in a coma on January 2 after an explosion at the I.C.G. Sago Run Mine in Upsher County.
Jim Cole of Rock Creek was one of many Boone County soldiers sent on their second and third deployments to Iraq.
It was announced that Boone County Seniors would get to try the new electronic voting machines being demonstrated at Senior Centers around the county.
12 white crosses are posted on the lawn of the Boone County court house to commemorate the miners lost in the Sago tragedy.
The United Way of Boone County wraps up their annual fund drive.
Jordan Pettry, an eighth grader from Sherman Jr. High School wins the county-wide spelling bee with the word "panache".
A couple of days of spring-like weather bring children out to the county's parks and playgrounds.
Danville Big Lots closes after nearly 20 years of business.
Funding is secured for the new Hatfield-McCoy Trailhead Center, to be located just off of Corridor G. The center is being labeled "the Tamarack of the Hatfield-McCoy Trails system".
Natural gas distributers call public meetings in response to the public outcry against the 26% increase in gas rates.
Don I. Bragg, 33, and Ellery ‘‘Elvis’’ Hatfield, 47, were killed when a conveyor belt caught fire at the Alma No. 1 mine in Melville, Logan County.
The Boone County Grand Jury indicts 23 individuals on various charges.
Dr. Ron Stollings of Madison files to run for state senate.
23 men and women are arrested, with charges relating to prescription drug diversion (using a prescription drug in a way other than its intended purpose). The round-up was conducted by the West Virginia State Police with the help of the Rt. 119 Drug Task Force, the Boone County Sheriff's Department and the Madison Municipal Police.
Senator Robert C. Byrd calls for aggressive solutions to mine safety issues in the wake of 14 coal mining deaths in less than a month.
Boone County's first highway fatality is Rickie Allan Gilman, 27, of Lenore, Mingo County. Police believe that Gilman may have fallen asleep at the wheel, causing him to collide with another vehicle.
Senate Bill 247, is passed unanimously by the house and senate on January 23, as step in the direction of reforming safety procedures in West
Virginia mines.
Boone County Schools begins running commercials on WSAZ television to recruit new teachers to combat a future teacher shortage. The commercials cost $3,000 and continue to run until June 2006.
February
The following individuals filed to run for public office: U.S. Senate, Billy Hendricks Jr.; W.Va. Senate, 7th District Dr. Ron Stollings and Larry Lyon; House of Delegates, District 18: Larry W. Barker and Gary A. Dolin (R-Danville); County Commission, Mickey Brown and Lee Smell; Board of Education, Mark E. Sumpter, Dist. 3, Joe S. Tagliente Jr., Dist. 1, Mary Carden, Dist. 3, Barry Brown, Dist. 2, Danny L. Cantley, Dist. 1, Greg Hensley, Dist. 1, Letha Dent, Dist. 2; Democrat Executive Committee, Larry Barker, Dist. 3, Herman G. Roe, Dist. 2, Teddy Bowles, Dist. 1, Sue Ann Zickefoose, Dist. 3, Susie Baisden, Dist. 2, Jim Gore, Dist. 2, Brenda Sue Akers-Ball, Dist. 2, Vicky Lynn Chafin, Dist. 3, Mickey Hottle, Dist. 1, Sharon Lea Griffith, Dist. 1, Sherry Williams, Dist. 1, Emory Browning, Dist. 3, George H. Milam, Sr., Dist. 1, Pamela A. White, Dist. 2, Ronnie Jarrell, Dist. 1, David Green, Dist. 2, Harry R. White, Dist. 1, Jimmy Dale Cook, Dist. 2; Republican Executive Committee: Donna Lou Gosney, Dist. 3, Larry B. Lyon, Jr., Dist. 3, Gary A. Dolin, Dist. 3, Edgar Bowdish, Dist. 1, Kathryn F. Sigmon, Dist. 3, Teresa Justice, Dist. 3; Senatorial Executive Committee, Clarence "Sam" Hall and Sandy Barker; Congressional Executive Committee, Wilbur E. Hunter (D-Jeffrey).
On February 1, two men are killed in two seperate mining accidents in Boone County mines. Edmund Vance, 46, of Bim was killed in a rib fall at the Long Branch Energy No. 18 mine near Wharton. Paul K. Moss, 58, from Kanawha County was operating a bulldozer at the Black Castle Surface Mine, located at Robinson Creek, when the dozer struck an active gas line causing an explosion.
Madison City Council launches plans for events celebrating the town's centennial year, to be held in June, during the March .
Demetria Tomblin, 32, of Clothier is killed in a single vehicle accident on Feb. 13, near Greenview. Black ice was suspected to be the culprit in the accident. The victim's husband, Tommy Tomblin, is flown to CAMC by Health Net.
Snow hit the area during the weekend of Feb. 10-12, the first significant snowfall of 2006.
A new state historical marker for the Boone County Courthouse is approved by the West Virginia Division of Culture History, and will be erected on the front lawn sometime during the summer.
A two-vehicle accident on Rt. 3 sends two to CAMC by Health Net.
During a County Commission meeting on Feb. 21, Eric Christopher Eversole, 21, of Van and Cody Allen Douglas, 19, of Brown's Branch are sworn in as Deputies for the Boone County Sheriff's Department.
Two Morrisvale homes are destroyed by fire on Feb. 16. The fire originated in the home of Paul and Anna Elkins then spread to the home of Jason Bragg, next door. The location of the fire was at the intersection of Dotson’s Fork and Cameo Road.
Vernon's Auto Repair across from the Boone County Courthouse is struck by fire on the evening of Feb. 26. The cause is determined to be electrical.
Madison Medical Group announces plans to move to Heilig-Meyers building on Main Street. The move is projected for Summer 2006.
Charles Lambert, 42, of Madison is arrested on Feb. 26 for kidnapping in Logan. Additional charges include brandishing, violating a domestic violence petition, domestic assault and stalking.
Clarence Micheal Albright, 21, of Robinson was arrested Saturday, Feb. 18, on four charges each of first degree sexual abuse and first degree sexual assault. The alleged victims are two females under age 11.
Joe Tagliente Sr. is awarded with his UMWA pins on Feb. 25 at Meadowbrook Home. Tagliente is a 72 year member of the union.
March
To celebrate its 100-year birthday, the city of Madison will host events throughout the month of June, to be capped off by a birthday party for the city on June 30. The celebration will also include a street fair and a homecoming dance.
A monument bearing the names of 17 Boone County coal miners that have been killed in mining accidents is set up on Sunday, Jan. 5 in front of the Coal Heritage Museum on Main Street Madison.
A five-member team from Rotary District 9790 based in Australia will be the guests of Rotary clubs throughout District 7550 during their two-week stay in West Virginia. Through their host clubs, they will experience this area's way of life, observe their own vocations as practiced abroad, develop personal and professional relationships, and exchange ideas.
Two more die on Boone roadways: Virgil Sharp, 27, of Madison is killed when another driver crossed the median and struck his vehicle on March 7 and 48-year-old Micheal Hall of Charleston is killed on March 8 when his truck overturned while driving on Rt. 3 near Whitesville. It was believed that Hall may have had a heart attack, which caused the accident.
The Boone County Community Foundation announces its new campaign to raise funds for the County's senior programs.
Delegate Larry Barker is pleased with the progress of the second legislative session of his term.
According to officials, water service to Lick Creek Road and the Hill Road, Betsey Lane areas are in various stages of construction.
On Monday, March 27, the State and County Boards of Education present Voices from the Field: A forum for West Virginia Educators. The workshops serves to find out what teachers think about the 21st Century Learning concept and how to make it better.
MU President Stephen Kopp is the special guest and speaker at the Friends of Marshall spaghetti dinner to raise funds for student scholarships. The event took place in the Scott High cafeteria on March 26.
The Boone County Board of Education launches on March 29 a survey among parents and school employees to see if school times for primary and secondary students should be switched. Deadline for the survey is April 12.
The Boone County Sheriff's Department get Gabby, a Labrador trained to sniff out any kind of drug, on March 3. Gabby was purchased with moneys from asset forfeitures of drug dealers arrested by the department. Deputy J.L. Barker will work with the dog and keep him at his residence.
April
The Madison City Council announces their plans to move from their current location on the second floor of the Madison Civic Center to the abandoned fire station next door. The main reason, according to Recorder William Rowley, is to make the meeting room accessible to the handicapped.
Sparks fly during the April 6 meeting of the Boone County Commission when a management team from West Virginia American Water is confronted by the commission regarding contractors, questions of fairness and bringing the most water to the people of Boone County for the least amount of money.
Jackie Toler, 50, of Wyoming County was killed on April 7 while running a continuous miner conveyor belt at Mystic LLC's Candice No. 2 mine near Wharton.
During the week of April 3 through April 7, students at Ramage Elementary collected $6,800 to benefit Pennies for Patients, a program which raises money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
On Monday, April 10, Secretary of State Betty Ireland visits Scott High School with a staff member to demonstrate and let the seniors try out the new electronic voting machines.
A civilian and a West Virginia State Trooper are involved in a two-vehicle accident in the intersection adjacent to the Boone County Bank on April 13. Neither was injured in the crash.
The Boone County Sheriff's Department discovered explosive-making materials while making a drug arrest at an Ottawa home on April 13 and during the early morning of April 14. Jake Henry III, 41, and Daniel Lee Ulbrich, 27 were arrested in the incident.
The state mining agency that regulates mine safety in WV releases reports regarding the two fatal accidents in Boone County mines.
Boone County Board of Education member and candidate for re-election Barry Brown is cleared of DUI charges stemming from an arrest on Nov. 4, 2005. A W.Va. State Trooper arrested Brown after witnessing him driving erratically, crossing the dirt medium of I-64 and damaging the state vehicle he was driving.
Boone County Clerk Gary Williams and Deputy Clerk Larry Barker say that, despite some programming concerns, electronic voting is on track for the April 19 primary election.
The search for a stolen SUV from Mingo County results in a police chase in Boone on the night of April 24 and a late-night manhunt.
Boone residents feel the effects of a 40 cent raise in gas prices from March to April. Some blame it on the conflict in the Middle East.
Boone County Commission staff releases a budget for the 2006-2007 fiscal year. The budget is used for many different services such as parks, law enforcement, fire protection and ambulance.
During a Board of Education meeting, Archie Hubbard, Director of the Boone County Ambulance Authority proposes a new radio project which will connect the County School Board's office with each school and with emergency services such as police and fire departments.
Scott High Senior Caitlin Hays of Madison is awarded a full scholarship to several Ivy League Universities including Columbia, Harvard, and Dartmouth.
May
The Boone County Grand Jury convenes for their April session, indicting 63 individuals on a variety of charges including operating a clandestine drug lab, and multiple sexual assault charges.
The subject of a manhunt involving a stolen Tahoe evades capture by local police.
Thursday May 4, a monument is placed on the lawn of Scott High School to commemorate all Scott students and staff of past and present who lost their lives in combat. Junior Donovan Pearson is the driving force in the creation of the monument which features the name of his friend Brian Scott Ulbrich, who died in June of 2005 while in Iraq.
The primary election was held on Tuesday, May 6 with a lower-than-expected turnout.
Dr. Ron Stollings wins the Democratic nomination and will run against fellow Boone Countian Larry Lyon in the November election.
The highly debated Board of Education race put out long-time member Barry Brown and brought in new members Joe Tagliente and Mark Sumpter. Initial numbers had newcomer Greg Hensley right behind Tagliente, but a recount put Cantley ahead of Hensley by a narrow margin.
Senator Robert C. Byrd won the Democratic nomination against Billy Hendricks Jr. of Whitesville. Morgantown businessman John Raese beat a slate of GOP senatorial hopefuls for the Rupublican nomination.
Nick Joe Rahall II won the Democratic nomination, receiving 2,723 votes from the people of Boone County. Cabell County Sheriff, Kim Wolf will be his opponent in November.
Speed was believed a factor in an accident causing the death of two and injury of 10O individuals. The accident occurred on W.Va. Rt. 3, near the Boone County Career and Technical Center. According to Sheriff Rodney Miller, deputies believe a silver Hyundai driven by Michael D. Hall, 19, of Madison was travelling east when he inexplicably crossed the center line and struck a late model Chrysler PT Cruiser driven by David Owens, Sr., of Hamlin.
After a survey of parents and staff, the Board of Education decides to keep start times as they are, based on survey opinions.
Madison City maintenance workers rush to get pool ready for swimming season and City's 100th birthday party.
Roy Kimble, 54, was in the yard of 64-year-old David Burgess when Burgess pulled a gun and shot Kimble in the head during an argument on May 9.
Nearly one hundred mine employees were out of a job when the Camp Creek No. 1 ceased operation.
Joey Douglas Anderson, 21, of Jeffrey is killed on May 19 while attempting to steal electric copper cables from charged American Electric Power transmission lines.
The Boone County Parks and Recreation opened their facilities on Saturday, May 27 for Memorial Day Weekend, just in time for record-high temperatures.
On Tuesday, May 30th, Sharon Kay Green, 59, of Bim, died of injuries she sustained in an accident with 22-year-old John C. Hall of Seth. The accident was thought to be alcohol related, according to police.
June
The Madison Centennial Celebration opening ceremony, held Friday June 2 at the Civic Center, kicked off a month of activities to celebrate the 100th year of Boone County’s seat.
Despite the best efforts of rescue workers, a house fire caused the death of David Lewis, 57, of Uneeda.
Circuit Clerk Sue Ann Zickefoose is named new chair of the Boone County Executive Committee after Gary Williams' surprising resignation.
Barbara Deal, a Title I teacher at Sherman Elementary, is named Boone County Teacher of the Year on June 6.
13th annual W.Va. Coal Festival kicks off on June 22 with a memorial at the court house to honor those who lost their lives in coal mining accidents earlier in the year. Ashley Mooney, 19, of Ashford is crowned the first Miss W.Va. Coal Festival on June 17.
Former Racine VFD Treasurer charged with embezzlement in Nov. 2005 is sentenced to 60 months probation and is required to pay full restitution to the Department.
MSHA filed an injunction against Aracoma Coal Company for failing to turn over to accident investigators “documents and other evidence” pertinent to the conveyor belt fire. The suit was filed in the U.S. District Court in Charleston.
Boone County's oldest retired African-American coal miner, James Garland Mullins of Madison, is selected to be Grand Marshal in Coal Festival Parade.
Despite the heroic actions of a group of police officers, Lillie Mae Mitchell, 68, of Madison lost her life in a house fire on June 21.
Between two and three thousand union members, community members and local officials converged on June 22 at the Wharton ball park for a UMWA rally.
