Thursday, November 20, 2014
The
Volume 145 Issue 46 50 Cents
Putnam Standard Sheriff modifies Facebook policy
By Amanda Smythers amanda@theputnamstandard.com
Sophomore Hayden Erwin (10) and junior Ty Smith (5) tackle a Doddridge running back at the line of scrimmage. Buffalo won 20-0 and advances to play Tug Valley at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Buffalo advances with shutout
By Michael Circle
michael@theputnamstandard.com
WEST UNION – Plenty of things have to change for a team to go from an 0-10 season to the second round of the playoffs. But Buffalo High School’s defense certainly tops the list of Bison improvements in 2014. A year ago, Buffalo gave up 49 points a game. On Friday night, the defense shut out No. 7 Doddridge County and got a pair of touchdown runs from senior Jordan Tucker in a 20-0 upset
victory. The Bison (9-2) play No. 2 Tug Valley at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Mingo Central High School in the second round of the Class A playoffs. After the victory, Buffalo Coach Mike Sawyer praised his young – and improving – defense. “Defense has been getting better the second half of the season every week,” Sawyer said. “We’re young, so they have to get better against older kids. We worked on things this week and they just flew. The defense just
played lights out.” That defense Sawyer was so excited about held the Bulldogs to 169 total yards of offense in the shutout. Leading the way was junior Jacob Hanshaw, who recorded a game-high nine tackles and three assists against Doddridge (8-3). Sophomore Dylan Lucas also reached out for five tackles and six assists, combining with others to record 72 total tackles for the night. “It was great getting the shutSee Buffalo, Page 19
The Putnam County Sheriff’s Department is modifying its Facebook policy after a domestic violence victim refused to call for help. Sheriff Steve DeWeese said the victim, who has children in Putnam County Schools, did not call 911 for fear that the abuser’s photo would be posted on the site, causing her children to get made fun of at school. “She had been abused for several days and did not want to call us thinking that a picture would be posted,” DeWeese said. “If we continued to do it we might eventually have a victim that might get murdered because she was too
afraid to call.” DeWeese said the sheriff ’s department takes domestic crimes very seriously and urged anyone experiencing abuse to call 911. He said his office is prepared for domestic violence victims with an onsite victim advocate as well as a specially trained officer for domestic situations. “I work through a collaborative effort with other agencies to just try and better enforce and investigate domestic violence like crimes,” said Cpl. Tony Craigo, who works under a Violence Against Women Act grant. The grant creates STOP teams around the country who work together with law enforcement, community and system based See Facebook, Page 5
Showdown in Charleston By Michael Circle michael@theputnamstandard.com
Reliving the glory days of high school football was all but impossible in years past but for Putnam County high school alums, the opportunity is right on their doorstep. Working through the details months in advance, Buffalo, Hurricane, Poca and Winfield alumni will be battling it out on the gridiron in full-contact football starting at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23 at Laidley Field in Charleston.
“It will be a lot of fun,” said 2005 Buffalo alum Joey Tolley. “We have a lot of guys looking forward to this. It’s something everybody wants to do. Some guys on the team are wanting to know how many games we have. We’re only playing one but it’ll be fun.” The Winfield Generals will be taking on the Hurricane Redskins at 3 p.m followed at 7 p.m. by the Buffalo Bison and the Poca Dots. Alumni Football USA orgaSee Alumni, Page 4
Helmick joins George Washington for first harvest By Amanda Smythers amanda@theputnamstandard.com
George Washington Elementary School was able to show off its high tunnel when West Virginia Department of Agriculture Commissioner Walt Helmick joined students for the first harvest of their farm-to-school movement. With the help of their Americorp volunteer and Chuck Talbott from the WVU Putnam County Extension office, elementary school classes took turns in the high tunnel harvesting from the 14 prepared plant beds.
When Helmick arrived, a class of fifth-graders was waiting excitedly to meet him, explaining to him how they planted the plants, weeded the garden and harvested the vegetables. Principal Mary Myers said the students were personally involved from the start, as they even were able to choose the plants in their bed. “We find out what’s available first and I put that out to all the teachers,” she said. “They talk about it. Usually the fifth grade goes for leafy things and the little ones are better with radishes and carrots and things like that. This
is our third year, so we know who does best with what.” Once the plants are chosen, Myers told Helmick that the teachers integrate the different subjects so that the children use a variety of academic skills while planting in the high tunnel. “They make a grid on paper of all the plants they’re going to use,” See High Tunnel, Page 19 Abby Darnley and Kaylee Bowling weed the fifth grade plant bed in George Washington Elementary’s high tunnel.
INSIDE THIS EDITION: n
New Hurricane businesses, pg 2
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High school athletes sign, pg 6-7