The Putnam Standard

March 9, 2012

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Grand Jury hands down indictments

Work on two lane section of U.S. 35 to start March 13

By Jack Bailey jackbailey@theputnamstandard.com

WINFIELD -- Putnam County Prosecuting Attorney Mark A. Sorsaia reported Wednesday that 36 indictments were returned on March 6 by the March 2012 Term Putnam County Grand Jury alleging 44 persons committed 125 felonies and 24 misdemeanors. The following is the date of birth, last known address, and offenses for which they were indicted.

• Carl E. Baker, 01/24/70, 454 Woods Drive, St. Albans, WV – manufacturing a controlled substance and possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.

• Mary L. Barnette, 01/26/50, 6 Windsong Acres, Winfield, WV – welfare fraud.

• Matthew S. Bowen, 03/22/79, 205 Jamestown Road, Nitro, WV – daytime burglary and grand larceny.

• Jonathan R. Brewer, 07/25/85, Rt 1, Box 1003, Poca, WV – uttering a forged writing (3).

• Summer L. Burford, 06/20/77, 3245 Winfield Road, #223, Winfield, WV – sexual assault, third degree (6) and sexual abuse, third degree (6).

• Charles A. Burns, 01/26/68, 240 Offut Drive, Lot 3, Charleston, WV – breaking and entering an automobile, grand larceny, destruction of property, SEE INDICTMENTS ON PAGE 3

HOW TO REACH US PHONE: (304) 743-6731 FAX: (304) 562-6214

PLINY – Construction crews are set to begin working on a $10.8 million project to upgrade the two-lane section of U.S. 35 on Tuesday, March 13, between Plantation Road in Putnam County and Beach Hill in Mason County.

Signs announcing the road work have already gone up along the bustling U.S. 35, warning drivers to slow down and to be prepared for delays.

Work on the two-lane section of the road will involve widening the shoulders of the road to have four-foot shoulders, and work on shoring up some of the culverts along that section of the road, according to Carrie Bly a communications specialist with the West Virginia Department of Transportation.

The work will begin Tuesday, March 13, at 6 p.m. Work along

Signs along the two-lane Section of U.S. 35 have already gone up warning motorists to slow down and be prepared for delays. Work to upgrade the two-lane portion of U.S. 35 from Plantation Road in Putnam County to Beach Hill in Mason County is set to begin Tuesday, March 13, at 6 p.m. Photo by Jack Bailey the 11-mile stretch of road will take place mostly overnight beginning at 6 p.m. nightly and

continuing until 6 a.m. to keep traffic disruption to a minimum, Bly said.

While traffic slow downs and SEE US 35 ON PAGE 3

Board of Education sets school calendar for 2012-2013

By David Payne Sr. davidpayne@theputnamstandard.com

WINFIELD -- The Putnam County Board of Education has set the calendar for the 20122013 school year and approved more than $4 million in schoolconstruction bids at the March 5 meeting.

This fall, students will start school Aug. 23 and the tentative last day of school is scheduled for June 3, 2013.

Superintendent Harold “Chuck” Hatfield said the approved calendar was the most

popular among employees, to whom the calendar options was put to a vote.

“There wasn't a whole lot of difference between the calendars, because state regulations don't allow for a lot of flexibility, but this one did receive the highest vote,” Hatfield said.

During the next school year, students will be off for the following holidays: • Labor Day, Sept. 3.

• Oct. 12, Columbus Day. • Thanksgiving, Nov. 19 – 23.

• Christmas, Dec. 21 – Jan. 2.

(Dec. 21 is an instructional sup-

port and enhancement day).

• Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 21.

• Spring Break, April 1 – April 8 (April 8 is an ISE day).

• Memorial Day, May 27.

The board approved nearly $3.4 million in lowest bids to several companies for the construction projects at Buffalo High School, Confidence Elementary School, Poca Middle School, Poca Elementary School and Winfield Middle School.

A breakdown of the bids to provide infrastructure at all five

schools combined follows: • Metal lockers, Republic Storage, $234,000.

• Gym equipment, RM Huffman, $158,000.

• Stage equipment (Buffalo High School only), Pittsburgh Stage, $165,341.

• Appliances, Contemporary Galleries, $38,475.

• Scoreboard (Poca schools only), Charon Sports, $9,995.

• Plastic laminate casework, RM Huffman, $636,000.

• Wood lab casework, RM SEE BOARD ON PAGE 3

The Putnam Standard E-MAIL YOUR COMMUNITY NEWS TO US AT JACKBAILEY@THEPUTNAMSTANDARD.COM

Page 2 – March 5-9, 2012 Rummage Sale at St. Paul's United Methodist Church When: Saturday - March 17th Time: 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Where: 20th St, Nitro The youth will be selling hotdogs.

St. Francis School Open Enrollment St. Francis School, 525 Holley Street, St. Albans is accepting registrations for the 2012-2013 school year for grades preschool through fifth. St. Francis offers a high-quality academic program in a safe, Christian environment.

Three-year old and four-year old preschool programs are licensed

by DHHR and focus on socialization, language development, and fine and gross motor skills. Students in grades K-5 receive instruction in the core subjects as well as computer, music, art, physical education, Spanish, and character education. Extra curriculum programs include basketball, theater arts, choir, chess and 4th and 5th grade band. St. Francis offers before and after school care programs for children in all grades. Registration forms may be obtained on the school website www.sfswv.com, or by calling the school office at (304) 727-5690.

Kindergarten and Preschool Roundup will be held on Tuesday, March 13 from 11:30am – 2:30pm.

4th Annual Putnam County Rotary hosting Annual Charity Raffle Putnam Rotary is offering tickets for its annual charity raffle.

"We're not selling tickets," said Chet Marshall. "We're offering an opportunity to get something in return while supporting college scholarships and local community improvement projects."

The club this year awarded two scholarships for Putnam high school students, an increase made possible by funding through the annual raffle.

All income from ticket sales goes to charitable projects. The club will pay the cost of prizes.

Three drawings for prizes were made. The first drawing for $500

Community Calendar was held on February 14th.

The second drawing will be held on March 13 and a final drawing will be made on April 10 for a grand prize of $1,000.

All drawings will be at noon at the First State Bank Community Room. Holders of the winning tickets do not need to be present to win.

Easter Eggs The women of St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Nitro are making candy Easter eggs in the following flavors: peanut butter, cherry nut; maple nut, coconut and butter cream. All eggs are half-pound and cost $4.00 each.

To place an order please call 304 755-3561. Orders must be placed

by March 21st.

ASEP Coaching Classes to be held in March ASEP coaching class will be held March 11-13 at South Charleston High School for those interested in coaching a secondary school sport. Register at www.wvssac.org.

Town of Buffalo to host “All Horse Parade” The Town of Buffalo will be celebrating its 175th Anniversary this April 2012.

There will be an “ALL HORSE PARADE” on Saturday April 14, 1 PM. Starting at Buffalo High School, traveling north on Rt. 62 to 18 Mile Creek Road, then back through Town again, returning to the school. We are looking for participates of equine in any form – riding, buggy/carriages driving, leading – ponies, horses, mules.

There is a bank account set up for donations of anyone who would like to support this event.

Please contact Bill 304-2680269 for more information or the Town of Buffalo 304-937-2041

Network Of Women (NOW) Monthly Meeting Date: March 15, 2012 Time: 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM at the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce Office.

About NOW: This committee is led by women in business in the community. Programs are de-

Winfield, West Virginia, USPS 451-160 The Putnam Standard (ISSN, 451160) is published weekly at P.O. Box 179, Winfield, WV 25213. Yearly subscription rates: In-County $22.00; In-State $38.00; Out-of-State $48.00. Bill Unger, Publisher. Periodical Postage paid at Main Post Office, Winfield, WV, and additional mailing offices under the act of March 3, 1979. Postmaster: Send Address changes to the Putnam Standard, P.O. Box 179, Winfield, WV 25213. We reserve the right to accept or reject and to edit all news and advertising copy.

signed to support women in the business community. Typical programs conducted throughout the year are a blood drive, the “Uniquely Me” Program, “Ladies Night Out” and “In the Know”.

The group also participates in “Bell Ringing” for the Salvation Army and collected non-perishable food items throughout the year and distributed to the local food pantry to give back to the community.

NOW is open to all women working for and with Putnam County Chamber member businesses interested in expanding their professional, personal and social relationships with other women.

Passport Day in the USA – March 10, 2012 Event: Passport Day in the USA 2012 Date: Saturday, March 10, 2012 Time: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Where: South Charleston Public Library, 312 4th, South Charleston, WV, 25303 (304-7446561).

Order Your Easter Eggs NOW The United Methodist Women of Forrest Burdette United Methodist Women are taking orders for ½ pound Easter Eggs, available in vanilla, coconut, cherry nut, maple nut and the most favorite of all, peanut butter. Each egg is hand decorated.

Cost $3.50.

The eggs will be available for pick on Saturday, March 31st, 2012, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Forrest Burdette United Methodist Church, 2848 Putnam Avenue in Hurricane. Also, on that day, books, crafts, baked goodies and hot dogs will be on sale for the Spring Festival.

To place an order, call Jan, 304562-2053 or email your order to jrowsey593@aol.com with the subject Eggs!

Historic Preservation development grants Available Applications are being accepted through March 31, 2012, for historic preservation development grants through the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) of the West Virginia Division of Culture and History.

Approximately $500,000 will be available for grant awards, contingent upon appropriation of funds from the West Virginia Legislature or the United States Congress.

Eligible projects include the restoration, rehabilitation or archaeological development of historic sites listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Properties owned by church organizations or used exclusively for religious purposes are not eligible for funding.

Privately owned properties are eligible only in instances where there is evidence of public sup-

port or public benefit. In addition, governmental properties that are not accessible to the public are not eligible.

For more information about the historic preservation development grants or a complete program description, including funding priorities and selection criteria, visit the Division’s website at www.wvculture.org/shpo/forms. html, or contact Pamela Brooks, grants coordinator for the SHPO, at (304) 558-0240, ext. 720.

For more information about the Division’s programs, events and sites, visit www.wvculture.org. The Division of Culture and History is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

St. Francis Bingo St. Francis Church at 525 Holley Street, St. Albans holds Bingo every Monday evening beginning with Early Birds at 5pm. Concessions are available. Please call (304) 727-3033 for more information.

Election Workers Needed If you are registered to vote in Putnam County and would like to work as an election worker in the May 8, 2012, primary election, please contact the office of the Putnam County Clerk at 304586-0202, by March 30. Workers will be placed on a first come basis. Both evening and day training sessions will be available.

Home repair program in need of Applications for Summer Workcamps Applications are currently being accepted from Putnam County homeowners who live within a 30-minute drive of Winfield High School for the Reach Workcamp program. From July 15-28 volunteers from the Christian-centered organization will be in Putnam County performing basic home repairs that homeowners are unable to perform for themselves. There is no cost to the homeowner.

Types of work that Reach Workcamp volunteers perform includes constructing ramps, roof work, painting work (both interior and exterior) and drywall work. HVAC work is not available through the program.

Applications for the program are available at Eleanor Town Hall and Winfield City Hall. Application deadline is early April.

If you have questions, or for more information, call Mike May at (304) 741-8022.

Cabin Fever!

‘Boys Day In’ will be held March 10, 2012 at The Commons of Putnam County Valley Park (formerly the Museum In The Community) from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Ages 1 to 12 will enjoy hands-

The Putnam Standard on activities, games and more!

The event is free of charge and refreshments will be served.

For more information call Karen Haynes at 757-7584 or Putnam County Parks & Recreation 562-0518 ext 10.

2nd Annual Taste of Putnam Putnam County Kiwanis invite you to come out on Sunday, May 20th at Valley Wave Pool for a funfilled family oriented event!

Enjoy Picnic in the Park featuring the unique culinary offerings of Putnam County.

ALL area restaurants and Chefs are encouraged to participate. No other event offers this type of exposure, marketing or branding opportunity to reach new customers.

To sign up or for more information contact Michael Henshall at michael.henshall@suddenlink.net or 304-993-7650.

Tickets on sale for St. Jude Dream Home The chance to win a dream home while supporting a good cause is on hand again as tickets for the St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway are now on sale.

Tickets for the giveaway have been available since Friday, Feb. 24, at Peoples Federal Credit Union branches, Burdette Camping Center, participating Good Neighbor Pharmacy locations, ProBuild, by visiting www.dreamhome.org. or by calling 1-800-592-1582. Tickets cost $100 each.

The St. Jude Dream Home house is located in the Cobblestone Subdivision in Scott Depot, WV and is valued at approximately $460,000. The house features four bedrooms, four baths, a large upstairs bonus room, finished basement with two bedrooms and more.

Additional prizes include shopping sprees and gift cards, a four-day Bahamas cruise and a two night hotel stay at the Mardi Gras Casino and Resort.

PCTC Career Day Putnam Career & Technical Center is sponsoring a Career Day for high school students, adult students and community members on Thursday, March 29th, at the PCTC in Eleanor.

Area employers, labor unions and post-secondary school representatives will be in attendance to discuss career opportunities with all participants.

All community members who are seeking employment and/or post-secondary training are encouraged to attend. Times will be 8:50 until 11:00 a.m. and 12:30 to 2:00 p.m.

It is suggested that participants dress appropriately and bring resumes with them for potential employers.

There are no fees for this service which is a School-to-Work activity.

Community News

The Putnam Standard INDICTMENTS FROM PAGE 1 fraudulent use of an unauthorized access device (2).

• Eric S. Call, 09/07/84, 444B Route 1, Milton, WV – driving on a revoked license-DUI related third offense.

• Jennifer L. Casto, 08/04/87, 1514 US Route 35 N, Pliny, WV – possession of substances to be used as precursors to manufacture methamphetamine and conspiracy to operate a clandestine drug laboratory.

• Jessica M. Casto, 08/04/87, 505 Maury Lane, Apt. F, Hurricane, WV – possession of substances to be used as precursors to manufacture methamphetamine and conspiracy to operate a clandestine drug laboratory.

• Robert T. Cunningham, 12/27/90, 1 Miller Drive, Culloden WV – burglary and petit larceny.

• Tammy L. Eades, 11/22/71, 902 Amity Drive, Charleston, WV – grand larceny.

• Brandon R. Grishaber, 01/23/88, 31 Bayliss Drive, Sod, WV – burglary, conspiracy to commit burglary and grand larceny.

• Heather J. Gritt, 11/15/82, 12 School Lane, Apt. B6, Red House, WV – possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance.

• Mark S. Henley, 03/25/71, 2531 Hayslette Avenue, Hurricane, WV – burglary, grand lar-

ceny (2), forgery (3), uttering a forged writing (3), obtaining property by the fraudulent use of a credit card (3) and person prohibited from possessing a firearm.

• Ricky Isaac, III, 11/26/79, 1497 US Route 35 N, Fraziers Bottom, WV – possession of substances to be used as precursors to manufacture methamphetamine and conspiracy to operate a clandestine drug laboratory.

• Cole M. Johnson, 08/19/91, 71 Stoneridge Drive, Hurricane, WV – grand larceny.

• Michael J. Kelley, 06/02/66, 4860 Washington St. W., Cross Lanes, WV – computer fraud.

• Terra E. Lanham, 02/18/84, 901 Cross Roads Village, Nitro, WV – driving on a revoked license – DUI related, second offense and littering.

• Michelle B. Legrand (a/k/a Candace Gibson) 01/23/83, 1602 Charleston Avenue, Huntington, WV - forgery of a public record (4) and obstructing an officer.

• Ashley C. Lucas, 03/21/83, 10690 Bedford Chapel Road, Milton, WV – forgery (9) and uttering a forged writing (9).

• Leanna K. Luikart, 02/24/67, 201 Tims Street, Buffalo, WV – welfare fraud.

• Carolyn S. Lykins, 01/28/61, 602 Riverben Way, Grayson, KY – obtaining money by false pretense, attempt to obtain money by false pretense and fraudulent scheme.

US 35 FROM PAGE 1

BOARD FROM PAGE 1

stops are possible, Bly said that they don’t anticipate having to close the lanes of the road at this time. Drivers will be required to slow down while in a work zone.

The work will take place in phases with phase one involving the culverts and widening the shoulders of the road. Phase one is expected to take two months.

Phase two will involve stabilization work, including the installation of new piling along certain sections of the road, fill work in order to widen the road, and finally paving of the new surface.

Phase two is expected to be complete by Nov. 1.

Once this project is complete, work will shift to upgrading the two-lane portion of U.S. 35 from Plantation Road to the Buffalo Bridge. Work on that two-mile section of road is likely to take place next year, Bly said.

Huffman, $559,300.

• Auditorium seating (Buffalo High only), Maffei Strayer, $66,450.

• Music Furnishings, Tom Sexton Associates, $116,352.

• Library casework and furnishings, RM Huffman, $201,500.

• Telescoping bleachers, $197,900.

• Classroom furnishings, JH

March 5-9, 2012 – Page 3

• Bart L. Martin, 04/13/68, 12 School Lane, Apt. B6, Red House, WV – possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance.

• Raymond E. Martin, Jr, 12/17/61, 1514 US Route 35 N, Pliny, WV – possession of substances to be used as precursors to manufacture methamphetamine and conspiracy to operate a clandestine drug laboratory.

• Jerry L. Meadows, 09/18/45, 100 Colony Way, Nitro, WV – sexual abuse by a parent, guardian, custodian or other person in a position of trust and sexual abuse in the first degree.

• Michael S. Mortazavi, 06/04/82, 105 9th Avenue, Buffalo, WV – breaking and entering (2), grand larceny (2), fraudulent use of an access device (7) and forgery (2).

• Stephanie N. Mullins, 10/27/88, 145 Sable Point Drive, Hurricane, WV; 7 Culloden Manor, Culloden, WV – nighttime burglary, daytime burglary and petit larceny.

• David M. Myers, 12/20/91, 245 Irene Circle, Hurricane, WV – receiving stolen property.

• Mark E. Pierce, 07/05/70, 3 Barn Drive, Culloden, WV – grand larceny and person prohibited from possessing a firearm.

• Lesa A. Ramey, 5/08/72, 1135 Florida Street, Milton, WV – conspiracy to possess substances to

be used as precursors to manufacture methamphetamine and attempt to manufacture a controlled substance.

• Stephen C. Reed, 11/02/82, 21 Bette Lane, Hurricane, WV – burglary, possession of a stolen vehicle, domestic assault, brandishing and driving on a revoked license.

• Brandon J. Riffee, 04/19/85, 6578 McLane Pike, Red House, WV – driving on a revoked license – DUI related, third offense (4).

• Joshua T. Rose, 06/09/89, 259 Joyce Road, Scott Depot, WV – robbery in the first degree (2) and conspiracy to commit robbery in the first degree (2).

• Melissa J. Salmons, 11/20/73, 1135 Florida Street, Milton, WV – conspiracy to possess substances to be used as precursors to manufacture methamphetamine and attempt to manufacture a controlled substance.

• Christie L. Sanders, 10/17/86, 8180 Park Avenue, Hamlin, WV – grand larceny and destruction of property.

• William B. Shingleton, 12/06/67, PO Box 56, Poca, WV – possessing material visually portraying a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct (20).

• Michael J. Smith, 09/09/82, 824 Florida Street, Milton, WV – conspiracy to possess substances to be used a precursors to manufacture methamphetamine and attempt to manufac-

ture a controlled substance.

• Mark D. Snowden, 09/07/53, Route 3, Box 239, Hurricane, WV – failure to provide notice of registration changes.

• Gary W. Taylor, 08/24/62, Route 1, Box 93-1, Red House, WV – malicious assault (2), domestic battery (2) and child abuse resulting in injury.

• Susanne H. Thomas, 02/26/61, 3305 Clymers Creek, Hurricane, WV – driving under the combined influence of alcohol and any controlled substance causing death and driving under the influence of controlled substances causing bodily injury (2).

• Jessica M. Walker, 03/02/92, 31 Bayliss Drive, Sod, WV – burglary, conspiracy to commit burglary and grand larceny.

• Robin M. Ward, 10/27/79, 396 Kanawha Street, St. Albans, WV – forgery and uttering a forged writing.

• John A. Watts, 10/03/78, 700 Bellefonte Road, Ashland, KY – embezzlement.

• Melissa M. Weiford, 0910/68, 4 Rustic Highlands, Hurricane, WV – fraudulent scheme (4).

Pursuant to Rule 3.6(b)(6) of the West Virginia Rules of Professional Conduct governing attorneys, the fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime, is merely an accusation, and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Pence, $316,000.

• Metal case goods and seating, Tom Sexton Associates, $474,242.

• Steel shelving, Contemporary Galleries, $44,843.

• Mobile folding tables, Tom Sexton Associates, $90,292.

• Misc. furnishings, Contemporary Galleries, $86,312.

The board also approved a $641,000 bid from Hayslett Construction Company for widening West Virginia 62 to create a

turning lane for the new Buffalo High School.

Hatfield said this was part of an agreement with the state in which the school system would provide engineering work for the project, but would be reim-

bursed for it later.

The board entered a 23minute executive session to discuss personnel matters.

The next school board meeting is slated for 7 p.m. March 19 at the central office in Winfield.

Send us your community news.

Send via e-mail to jackbailey@theputnamstandard.com

Page 4 – March 5-9, 2012

Community News

The Putnam Standard

Putnam couple sues Select Energy for fraudulent conduct

By Kyla Asbury www.wvrecord.com

WINFIELD -- A couple is suing Select Energy Services for failing to pay for damages done to their vehicle when a drilling apparatus fell from a service truck and struck their vehicle.

On July 24, 2011, Christopher Slemp was on Highway 68 near Morgantown when the defendant negligently failed to secure a drilling apparatus to one of its service trucks, which allowed it to fall into the highway and

come into contact with Slemp's 2011 Toyota Rav 4, according to a complaint filed Feb. 3 in Putnam Circuit Court.

Slemp claims as a result of the defendant's negligence, his brand new vehicle sustained damages in excess of $1,600 and he was subjected to significant aggravation, annoyance and inconvenience relating to credit card expenses for repairs and the interruption of his longplanned fishing vacation with his son.

Sometime in October 2011,

the defendant contacted Slemp and entered into a settlement contract with him to pay the sum of $1,638.28 to settle his claims conditioned upon the execution of a release and delivery of some tax information, according to the suit.

Slemp claims the defendant wrongfully represented that things such as aggravation, annoyance and inconvenience and credit card fees were not recoverable.

On Oct. 17, 2011, Slemp signed and returned to the de-

fendant a released prepared and presented by the defendant and requested that a check be sent as soon as possible so that they could avoid future credit card charges, according to the suit.

Slemp claims despite his repeated requests, the defendant has intentionally, negligently, fraudulently and in violation of its duty of good faith and fair dealing breached the settlement contract by failing and refusing to satisfy its obligations and send him the money.

As a result of the defendant's

deliberate, intentional, fraudulent, negligent and bad faith conduct, Slemp has suffered credit card charges in excess of $500; aggravation; annoyance and inconvenience; and legal fees, according to the suit.

Slemp and his wife, Samantha Slemp, are seeking compensatory and punitive damages. They are being represented by Harvey D. Peyton.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge James Holliday.

Putnam Circuit Court case number: 12-C-28

Putnam County breakfast, lunch menus for March PUTNAM COUNTY SCHOOLS – CHILD NUTRITION BREAKFAST/LUNCH MENU Monday, March 12: Egg & Cheese Biscuit LUNCH: Sloppy Joe on a Bun, Baked Beans, Cole Slaw, Baby Carrots w/dip, Fresh Grapes, Choc Chip Cookies, Milk Tuesday, March 13: Oatmeal, Cinnamon Toast LUNCH: Chicken & Noodles, Steamed Broccoli, Slice Peaches, Fresh Melon Cup, Wheat Roll/Milk Wednesday, March 14: Scrambled Eggs, Sausage/Toast LUNCH: Steak & Cheese Sub, Corn on the Cob, Fresh Apple

Wedges, Sherbet Cup, Oatmeal Muffin Square/Milk Thursday, March 15: Whole Wheat Cinnamon Puff LUNCH: Chili/Chips/Cheese, Baked Potato, Caesar Salad, Applesauce/Milk Friday, March 16: Breakfast Bites LUNCH: Breaded Fish Sticks, Baked Sweet Potato, Green Beans, Sliced Pears, Wheat Breadstick/Milk Monday, March 19: Yogurt & Granola LUNCH: Beef-a-Roni, Caesar Salad, Fresh Melon Cup, Wheat Roll/Milk

Tuesday, March 20: Potato Rounds/Toast LUNCH: Chicken & Cheese Quesadilla, Lettuce/Tomato, Mandarin Oranges, Spanish rice/Refried Beans/ Milk Wednesday, March 21: Waffle Sticks LUNCH: Salisbury steak w/Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Honey Carrot Coins, Kiwi Slices/Fruit Cocktail, Wheat Breadstick/Milk Thursday, March 22: Egg & Cheese Burrito LUNCH: Turkey & Cheese on a Bun, Romaine Lettuce/Tomato, Quick Baked Potato, Strawberries & Bananas, Royal Brownie/Milk

Friday, March 23: Sausage Biscuit LUNCH: Pizza, Spinach Salad, Pineapple Tidbits, Sugar Cookie/Milk Monday, March 26: Breakfast Pizza LUNCH: Hamburger on a Bun, R o m a i n e Lettuce/Tomato/Cheese, Sliced Peaches, Baked Beans, Carrot Cake/Milk Tuesday, March 27: Bagel w/Cream Cheese LUNCH: Chicken Teriyaki Nuggets, Macaroni & Cheese, Steamed Kale, Fresh Strawberries, Cornbread Muffin/Milk Wednesday, March 28: Scram-

bled Eggs, Canadian Bacon/Toast LUNCH: Beef & Cheese Burrito, Lettuce/Tomato, Corn, Fresh Chips & Grapes, Tortilla Salsa/Milk Thursday, March 29: Banana Muffin/Yogurt LUNCH: Lasagna, Caesar Salad, Fresh Orange Wedges, Sliced Pears, Wheat Roll/Milk Friday, March 30: French Toast Sticks LUNCH: Ham & Cheese on a Bun, Potato Wedges, Carrots & Celery w/Dip, Warm sliced Apples/Milk MENU ITEMS ARE ALWAYS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY.

‘Healthy Senior’ event set for March 14 HUNTINGTON - Cabell Huntington Hospital’s Senior Services Department will host a free Healthy Senior Wednesday that focuses on nutrition and eating a healthy diet March 14 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Huntington

Mall Food Court.

In recognition of National Nutrition Month, free cooking demonstrations and healthy food samples will be provided along with nutrition advice from Cabell Huntington Hospital dieticians.

LOCAL DIRECTORY Main Office • 2761 Main Street, Hurricane 304-562-9931 • 304-562-2642 (fax)

Main Office Loan Center Office 2761 Main Street • Hurricane, WV 25526 2761 Main Street, Hurricane 304-562-5055 • 304-562-9109 (fax)

Interstate Office 300 Hurricane Rd. • Hurricane, WV 25526 304-562-9005 • 304-562-7092 (fax) Valley Office 3058 Mount Vernon Rd. • Scott Depot, WV 25560 www.putcobk.com 304-757-2477 • 304-757-2503 (fax)

304-562-9931 304-562-2642 (fax)

Health professionals from the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program at Cabell Huntington Hospital, Marshall University Chertow Diabetes Center and the Senior Services Department at Cabell Huntington Hospital will provide screenings for blood pressure, blood glucose and body mass index.

Cabell Huntington Hospital Healthy Senior Wednesdays are health-related events that bring the hospital’s specialists to the Huntington Mall to provide screenings and information.

For more information please call 304-526-2695.

The Putnam Standard

Community News

March 5-9, 2012 – Page 5

Strong schools come from the community, official says TEAYS VALLEY -- Dr. Cindy L. Daniel, curriculum chief for Putnam County Schools, reviewed the elements of educational excellence for the Putnam County Rotary Club on Tuesday.

"It takes a village," she said, citing a familiar African proverb.

"It takes a community working together to have the leading school programs in the state."

Daniel noted the strong partnerships in Putnam among the of Commerce, Chamber churches and civic groups.

There is a countywide parent advisory council, working with improvement councils in each school. There are strong and active PTOs and booster clubs.

There are partnerships with higher education, she said, recognizing representatives of Marshall University and WVU in the audience.

The court system supports the schools, she added. Parents of truant children are quickly called to account, and the prosecutor's office works with school principals, counselors and teachers to encourage good attendance.

And the results are demon-

Dr. Cindy L. Daniel speaks to the Putnam Rotary Club on Tuesday. strated in standardized test results. Consistently at the top among West Virginia school dis-

tricts, Putnam ranks first overall, and first in every subgroup tested. This included students

with disabilities, and low socioeconomic students, groups which typically earn lower scores.

At every grade level tested -grades 3 through 11 -- Putnam students scored from eight to 17 percentage points higher than state averages.

In mathematics, Putnam students scored nearly 60 percent; the state average was a fraction over 43 percent. In reading, Putnam averaged 61 percent against the state's 48 percent. The scores in science were 54 to the state's 40 percent, and in social studies the county average of 49 compared to a state score of 37 percent.

Last year in the American College Testing program (not taken by all students), Putnam composite scores ranked above the national average -- 21.7 to 21.1 nationwide. The ACT composite for West Virginia was 20.6.

Special student support programs include an alternative education program during the day for children at-risk. A "credit recovery" program enables students to makeup low grades and failed classes by remediating areas of special difficulty.

Student focus groups work on dropout prevention. "We know why students drop out of school," Daniel admitted, "but student involvement in the problem adds another dimension."

The district will soon offer health clinics in selected schools, available to children and parents.

At the completion of $120 million in new construction, the temporary classrooms in county schools will be history. During years of rapid enrollment growth, the number of portable classrooms at one point had reached eighty-six. Much of the change followed public support of a $56 million bond, $45 million from the West Virginia School Building Authority, and a commitment of local dollars for improvements and upgrades.

By next fall, all schools will have wireless internet connections with increased bandwidth.

A BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) pilot project is planned for the new Buffalo High School.

A state grant of $300,000 will boost a "new tech" projectbased curriculum at Buffalo.

Putnam woman sues Mountain State University over accreditation

By Kyla Asbury www.wvrecord.com

WINFIELD -- A woman is suing Mountain State University after she claims the university failed to inform her about losing its full accreditation status.

In 2008, Amy C. Pack was solicited by the defendant for the purpose of persuading her to enroll, pay for and participate in its LPN-BSN program, according to a complaint filed Feb. 22 in Putnam Circuit Court.

Pack claims when the defendant was notified that it was losing its full accreditation status, it failed to inform her that the LPN-BSN program did not

have full accreditation status.

The defendant failed to inform Pack of the contents or affect of both the July 2008 and July 2010 visits and letters by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission,and encouraged her to continue paying for and participating in the program, according to the suit.

Pack claims the defendant

also failed to inform her of the pending investigation by the West Virginia Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses in a timely manner.

The defendant breached its contract with Pack and its actions were deceptive, according to the suit.

Pack is seeking compensatory and punitive damages with pre- and post-judgment inter-

est. She is being represented by Thomas H. Peyton.

The case has been assigned

to Circuit Judge Phillip Stowers.

Putnam Circuit Court case number: 12-C-52

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– seeks an experienced manager to lead our four-room surgical suite, PACU, and outpatient surgical services. All aspects of preoperative nursing to include general surgery, OB/Gyn, and orthopedics. This individual will perform all managerial functions for the department and has overall responsibility for coordination of the OR and PACU. BSN required, MSN preferred.

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Page 6 – March 5-9, 2012

Community News

The Putnam Standard

Small business workshops set for March 29 in Winfield SUBMITTED ARTICLE WINFIELD — Two small business workshops are scheduled for Thursday, March 29, in Winfield.

The workshops “Business Fundamentals” and “Sustainable Growth” are part of the West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WVSBDC) new training and business coaching program Three Step Jump Start to help small business owners receive the right information at the right time.

Three Step Jump Start helps entrepreneurs and small business owners in West Virginia ac-

celerate their potential success by learning the structure and services provided by WVSBDC. This first step is accomplished by viewing a video located on the agency’s web site, www.wvsbdc.org.

Entrepreneurs and business owners can then attend one of two workshops held each month.

One workshop is designed specifically for start-ups and new businesses and the other for existing and mature businesses.

The workshops are: • 9 a.m. to noon: “Business Fundamentals” is designed specifically for people who are

thinking of starting a business, or have had a business for one year or less. The workshop provides essential information on what an entrepreneur needs to know to start a business successfully.

There is a $35 per person fee per workshop.

• 1 to 4 p.m.: “Sustainable Growth” is designed for existing and mature businesses in operation for a year or more. The workshop provides essential information for what a business owner needs to know to build, expand or refresh a business.

There is a $35 per person fee per workshop.

Both workshops will be held in the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce, 5664 State Route 34, Winfield.

To register, call Dreama Wolfingbarger at (304) 957-2083 or email dreama.l.wolfingbarger@wv.gov. Registration is required at least two days in advance.

Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance.

After completing a workshop, interested entrepreneurs or business owners may schedule an appointment with WVSBDC for

one-on-one coaching sessions.

The WVSBDC coaches provide assistance with business plan development, financial statement preparation, cash flow analysis and other services.

The WVSBDC is part of the West Virginia Development Office and creates economic impact through offering entrepreneurs and small businesses cost-effective business coaching and technical assistance.

The West Virginia SBDC is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

IRS warns of tax scam targeting senior citizens SUBMITTED ARTICLE WASHINGTON – The Internal Revenue Service has warned senior citizens and other taxpayers to beware of an emerging scheme tempting them to file tax returns claiming fraudulent refunds.

The scheme carries a common theme of promising refunds to people who have little or no income and normally don’t have a tax filing requirement.

Under the scheme, promoters claim they can obtain for their victims, often senior citizens, a tax refund or nonexistent stimulus payment based on the American Opportunity Tax

Credit, even if the victim was not enrolled in or paying for college.

In recent weeks, the IRS has identified and stopped an upsurge of these bogus refund claims coming in from across the United States.

The IRS is actively investigating the sources of the scheme, and its promoters may be subject to criminal prosecution.

“This is a disgraceful effort by scam artists to take advantage of people by giving them false hopes of a nonexistent refund,” said IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman. “We want to warn innocent taxpayers about this new scheme before more peo-

ple get trapped.”

Typically, con artists falsely claim that refunds are available even if the victim went to school decades ago.

In many cases, scammers are targeting seniors, people with very low incomes and members of church congregations with bogus promises of free money.

The IRS has also seen a variation of this scheme that incorrectly claims the college credit is available to compensate people for paying taxes on groceries.

The IRS has already detected and stopped thousands of these fraudulent claims.

Nevertheless, the scheme can still be quite costly for victims.

Promoters may charge exorbitant upfront fees to file these claims and are often long gone when victims discover they’ve been scammed.

The IRS is reminding people

to be careful because all taxpayers, including those who use paid tax preparers, are legally responsible for the accuracy of their returns, and must repay any refunds received in error.

To get the facts on tax benefits related to education, go to the Tax Benefits for Education Information Center on IRS.gov.

To avoid becoming ensnared in this scheme, the IRS says taxpayers should beware of any of the following: • Fictitious claims for refunds or rebates based on false statements of entitlement to tax credits.

• Unfamiliar for-profit tax services selling refund and credit schemes to the membership of local churches.

• Internet solicitations that direct individuals to toll-free numbers and then solicit social security numbers.

• Homemade flyers and

brochures implying credits or refunds are available without proof of eligibility.

• Offers of free money with no documentation required.

• Promises of refunds for “Low Income – No Documents Tax Returns.”

• Claims for the expired Economic Recovery Credit Program or for economic stimulus payments.

• Unsolicited offers to prepare a return and split the refund.

• Unfamiliar return preparation firms soliciting business from cities outside of the normal business or commuting area.

This refund scheme features many of the warning signs IRS cautions taxpayers to watch for when choosing a tax preparer.

For advice on choosing a competent tax professional, see Tips for Choosing a Tax Return Preparer on IRS.gov.

The Putnam Standard

Outdoor News

March 5-9, 2012 – Page 7

Lack of habitat diversity hurts State's Wildlife

David Payne Sr.

By David Payne Sr. davidpayne@theputnamstandard.com

There was a time when most of our state's forests lay in muddy ruins with vast swathes of forest laid waste by timber or coal interests to fuel the progress of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Runoff from the deforested hillsides filled the streams with silt.

We've done a great deal since then to improve the quality of nature in our state, but in the process, maybe we've conserved a bit too much.

Trees are free to grow like never before and acre upon acre of clear-cut

forest is a thing of the past. Old farms that haven't been worked in decades are grown over with forest.

That's caused theWestVirginia Division of Natural Resources to rethink its deer management plan to fit the habitat of today.

There is little diversity and that is hurting our state's wildlife. One of the first things you learn as you earn the Forestry merit badge in Boy Scouts is the importance of forest succession.

It's a cycle that has gone on since the beginning of time. It starts with a devastating event, such as a fire, that lays waste to the area.

At first grasses grow and over time opportunistic plants that spread seeds over a wide area (such as raspberries carried by birds) take hold.

Over the next few years, shrubs lead to brush and then faster-growing trees start to dominate.

Eventually, fast-growing trees take over, which are eventually replaced by the larger trees you'll find in a mature forest.

It might seem obvious that by leaving forests alone, the natural order of things will be restored, but that's what we've been doing.

What we have now is a state covered by primarily oak and hickory

forests in a relatively mature stage of succession. Look at the woods almost anywhere in this state and you'll see trees roughly the same type, age and size wherever you go.

That is definitely not the natural order of things.

Recent living memory can recall the days when much of the state was devoted to family farming, which carved fields from the forests. Surrounding those fields was scrub growth and with the forests themselves provided a wonderful diverse habitat for wildlife. As people moved from those farms after World War II, those fields grew over with brush, which provided decades of great habitat for our wildlife. But those brushy areas are now relatively mature forests. Another thing you learn in the Forestry merit badge is that basically the more mature a forest is, the less wildlife it can support.

That habitat we had following World War II was probably closer to ideal than anything we've had since the turn-of-the-century devastation.

I suppose the ideal habitat would be the type we had before settlers built the first homes here in the late 18th and early 19th Centuries.

I was reading GeorgeWashington's

diary from his 1770 trip through the area recently for a story in this week's edition. Washington spends a great deal of time describing the land and what it was like. He makes not only massive trees, but a wide diversity of trees and habitats. He described the Kanawha Valley around the Putnam/Mason County line as having lakes and wetlands in the valley itself, with oak and hickory trees a little higher up. On the ridges, were pines.

There were also open areas, especially in the river bottoms, where the bison lived.

Washington's 1770 snapshot of our state's habitat represents the ideal of varied habitats allowing for ecological diversity. It's the variable habitat that God designed our animals to live in. I think most environmentalists would say that the way to restore the ancient habitat would be to simply leave the forests alone. The problem is, we've removed most of the management tools God used when humans weren't in charge here.

One important missing tool is the American Chestnut. It used to be the most important source of food for many animals. Thanks to a disease accidentally introduced from China, those chestnut trees are all but gone.

The American Chestnut Foundation is working tirelessly to create blightresistant American Chestnut, but unfortunately, we won't see any forests of them in our lifetimes.

More importantly, we've all but taken forest fire out of the equation.

There's an old Indian saying that in the old days a squirrel could travel from the Atlantic to the Mississippi River without touching the ground just by going from tree to tree. Well, where a squirrel can go, so can a forest fire. A couple of centuries ago, a fire could burn millions of acres of mature forest, making room for new plants to grow and allowing the succession process to begin anew. Obviously, we couldn't let that happen now.

Some clear-cutting here and there would certainly change things for wildlife, but timber companies are using mostly diameter cuts (where all trees over a certain diameter are cut and others left alone). I don't see us returning to a high-land-use agrarian society anytime soon.

I suppose all we can do is manage our own little plots of earth as best we can.

Contact David Payne Sr. at davidpayne@theputnamstandard.com

DNR Officials propose bold Deer Season Changes

By David Payne Sr. davidpayne@theputnamstandard.com

In hunting seasons past, shooting two deer in one day could get you a ticket and an appearance in magistrate court, but this year, West Virginia wildlife officials may be asking hunters to do just that.

The two-deer-daily limit is one of several major regulations in Division of Natural Resources proposals geared to encourage hunters to harvest more female deer in an effort to curtail growth of the state's deer herd.

Among the proposed changes would be to require hunters (both gun and archery) in counties with high deer populations to kill an antlerless deer before they are allowed to kill a second buck and allow hunters to take up to two deer per day, as long as one of the deer is antlerless. Since a single buck can impregnate numerous does, biologists use the harvest of female deer to control population size.

“We're not saying the deer population is about to collapse,” said Paul Johansen, DNR game management chief. “We are saying that the high percentage of our state won't support as many deer as it would when

The West Virginia DNR is proposing changes to deer season regulations to encourage hunters to harvest more does. Photo by Mark Shock and made courtesy of West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. conditions were more suitable. We are going to adjust some of our management objectives to bring our goals more in line with carrying capacity.

“We've retooled our operational deer plan and come up with some new concepts that have some innovative twists to it that we think hunters will find attractive,” Johansen said. “When we updated it, we looked at a lot of additional data sets we hadn't traditionally used, including forestry inventory information.”

West Virginia, state officials say,

just won't support as many deer as it once could. The issue is simple, too much mature forest and not enough habitat diversity, Johansen said.

“West Virginia is much more heavily forested than it used to be, compared with 40 or 50 years ago, when we had more small scattered farms across the landscape. Fields designed for cattle or used for other agriculture has changed and many of those fields through forest succession have evolved into heavilyforested stands. Generally speaking, if an area is extremely heavily forested, it is less suitable for deer,”

he said.

A perfect deer habitat would have about 30 or 40 percent of open areas among forested conditions, Johansen said.

Ironically, one of the major reasons for the habitat decline is a lack of clear-cutting by timber companies. After several years of growth, clear-cut areas make excellent deer habitat. A lack of those types of areas scattered among older-growth forest give animals fewer options to find food, Johansen said.

“If hard masts (tree nuts) aren’t available, deer will find an alternative source of food. If conditions are not favorable, deer will switch to grazing,” he said.

That habitat change can be clearly seen in old photographs, according to Jeff McCrady, DNR wildlife biologist.

“We had a lot of great habitat from back before World War II when people were farming,” he said. “If you look at photographs from the 1930s and 1940s, you won't see a lot of forest in the background – usually you'll see pasture. After World War II, people left the farms for industrial jobs and didn't have to eke out a living on these hilly farms, so the farms grew back into brush and woods.

When those farms were in that real brushy stage, it was ideal for deer, grouse, etc. to live.

“If you want lots of deer, you do a little clear-cutting, not that it will benefit right away, but an eight-ornine-year-old clear-cut is ideal. The habitat situation isn't something the DNR can control, the land the DNR owns is miniscule compared to private and we can't control what happens on private land,” McCrady said.

Johansen said that having more deer than habitat can comfortably support leads to smaller deer.

“If you look at the data we've collected, the size of our deer aren't as large as they were in the 1960s and early 1970s. They just don't have the nutrition to reach their full potential,” he said.

The proposed changes will be up for public comment during the DNR sectional meetings this month throughout the state, including one at 6 p.m. March 12 at the West Virginia Pumpkin Park office building in Milton.

The final proposals will be voted on by the DNR commissioners in late April.

Contact David Payne Sr. at davidpayne@theputnamstandard.com.

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Community News

Page 9 – March 5-9, 2012

The Putnam Standard

Two Putnam teachers earn awards for excellence

By Jack Bailey jackbailey@theputnamstandard.com

CHARLESTON – Two Putnam County elementary school teachers have been recognized

by Arch Coal for their dedication to the teaching profession and their innovations in the classroom.

Scott Teays Elementary School kindergarten teacher Debra Sowards and Scott Teays Elementary School fifth grade teacher Linda Berg were among 12 teachers who were honored

by Arch Coal last Monday at a ceremony in Charleston.

For the past 25 years Arch Coal has been honoring outstanding state teachers with their annual teacher achievement awards.

“As a former teacher I understand the challenges you face everyday,” West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin told the teachers during the award’s ceremony.

Sowards has been a teacher for 29 years and says that she has always enjoyed the profession.

“I was fortunate to have compassionate teachers that encour-

DEBRA SOWARDS

LINDA BERG

aged me to dream big and follow my heart. I wanted to be that same kind of teacher,” Sowards said. “I love teaching and the opportunity to mold and shape children into productive citizens and start them on their pathway to success.”

Sowards earned a bachelor’s degree at West Virginia State University and a master’s degree at Marshall University.

For the past eight years, she has taught in Putnam County’s Transitional Kindergarten Program, and she tutors children after school in all areas of academics.

“I make their learning experience fun and exciting in my classroom through many handson activities, from dressing up as a famous president to engaging in technology using the Smartboard – equipping them with skills and fundamentals that will last a lifetime,” Sowards said.

“Every student is unique and poses a challenge, which is intriguing and rewarding to a teacher,” she added. “From the little girl who has been neglected and abused to the autistic boy that is in a world of his own, I endeavor to connect with each one of my students through genuine

love and concern.”

Berg, who has been a teacher for 17 years, expressed similar concern for her students.

“Daily I enter class knowing I’m only a step in front of the next generation, so I motivate students to learn, change and grow,” Berg said. “In my inclusions classrooms, problembased units require critical thinking, and group projects heighten participation. I maintain a creative, comfortable environment that entices and challenges. In doing so, I differentiate projects and assessments to maximize learning. Experiencing success, confidence and responsibility as lifelong learners motivates both them and me.”

Berg earned an associate degree at Illinois Central College, East Peoria; a bachelor’s degree at Illinois State University, Normal; and a master’s degree +45 hours at West Virginia University.

She has achieved National Board Certification and mentors others in the process.

Berg traveled to Japan on a Fulbright scholarship and has

been nominated for the Cyrus R. Vance Award.

She assists new and tenured teachers and also offers training in language arts in her county and through the Central W.Va. National Writing Project, on which Berg has served as continuity coordinator and executive committee member.

In addition to the individual recognition, Sowards and Berg each received a $3,500 cash prize, a trophy and a classroom plaque. The West Virginia Foundation for the Improvement of Education, a foundation of WVEA, also made a $1,000 award to each recipient’s school. teacher recognition The awards are underwritten by the Arch Coal Foundation and supported in program-promotion by the West Virginia Department of Education, the WVEA and the West Virginia Library Commission.

Nominations are made by the public, and selection is made by a blue-ribbon panel of the teachers’ peers – previous recipients of the award.