Barker proud to call Tug Valley home Sports, Page 5A DAILY NEWS “I N THE HEART OF THE TRILLION DOLLAR COALFIELDS ” WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 2010 VOLUME 98, NUMBER 137 PRINTED WITH RECYCLED NEWSPRINT WilliamsonDailyNews.com NEWSSTAND PRICE IS 50 CENTS Concerns expressed over school access road By CHARLOTTE SANDERS SENIOR WRITER Concerns among the public still exist in connection with the new Mingo Central High School, particularly about an access road and the travel time involved to reach the new educational complex. Construction of buildings is 41 percent complete, according to Charleston Architect Tim Shriver, and July 12, 2011 is the target date for completion. Doug Ward, assistant principal of Williamson High and Middle Schools, took advantage of an employee and citi - zen input period during the June 1 meeting of the Mingo County Board of Education to air his thoughts. "I have concerns at the lack of a pupils' access road to and from the new high school, for without funding the access road is two years away from completion," Ward SUBMITTED PHOTOS told the board. "The Buffalo connector is not, and will not, The JOBS Project held several workshops and featured live musical acts for Energy Independence Day. Williamson Mayor Darrin be a reality in the near future." McCormick was on hand to discuss how energy efficiency can help the city. He asked about the possibility of a reciprocity agree - ment between the school boards of Mingo County and of Pike County, Ky., so that Williamson area (and other) stu - dents might attend the state-of-art Belfry High School Energy Independence Day a success located in Pike County just 1 1/2 miles south of Williamson. SPECIAL TO THE DAILY NEWS local artists are invited to con - (Reciprocity would provide a mutual exchange between tribute their work in com - the school systems of Mingo and Pike Counties with cor - The annual Energy memoration of coal heritage. responding advantages or privileges granted by each Independence Day celebra - Another display, The county.) tion was held this weekend Energy Independent House, "The School Board needs to look at this matter before it at the Williamson campus of showcased solar energy pan - is forced to look at it," Ward stated. "When you lose the Southern West Virginia els on the rooftop. These school children to another area, you lose money," he said. Community and Technical panels actually make home Ward stated that people generally are not opposed to the College. electric meters spin back - consolidation of Williamson, Burch and Matewan High The event featured live wards to save residents Schools into the Mingo Central High School, but the real - music, a cookout, informa - money each month. ity of sending their children on a 25-mile bus trip to and tive workshops and informa - The Mingo Career & from the school is a major concern. tion about renewable energy Technical Center brought an "Picking up students in Williamson would be as early as as well as ways to build alternative fuel demonstra - 6:15 a.m., while it is only a three-minute drive to Belfry greener communities. tion vehicle. Nick Branham, High School," Ward noted. The JOBS project also a student who helped to build The educator stated several times that "I feel passionate used the event to commemo - it, offered rides in the cherry about this matter and respectfully urge the School Board to rate the sacrifices West McCormick, discussed his band playing old-time music, red electric car to participants look into matters before compelled to look at them, "which Virginia and Kentucky coal vision for saving the city while kids spent time paint - at the event. will create a possible legal stalemate for both sides." communities have made to money through efficiency ing pictures at the art station. The workshops about ener - I Turn to ROAD/6A provide our nation's energy, and solar investments on The event also served as a gy saving techniques, solar, and look toward the future public buildings. Guest pre - call to local artists. One dis - and wood-fired power will through presentations from senters from Oregon shared play table entitled lead into upcoming trainings students and experts in how building a wind farm “Appalachian Memories” this fall. The next events renewable energy. benefited their county. showcased photography of hosted by the JOBS Project This event brought togeth - Each turbine brings local memorable places by Wilma will be solar trainings to Mother charged er local officials and resi - landowners between $2000 Lee Steele, an art teacher at coincide with the installation dents from throughout and $4,000 each year, and Gilbert High School. of solar panels in downtown in babies’ death southern West Virginia and the wind farm has raised the Canary cages, mining hats, Williamson. Electricians, Kentucky to discuss how county tax income by 10 per - and antique lamps were in the contractors, home and busi - renewable energy can bring cent, or $20,000 per turbine. exhibit entitled “Miner ness owners from surround - had kid die in ’01 jobs and economic opportu - The cookout started at Tributes.” This exhibit is ing areas are welcome to noon, when attendees were expected to grow over the attend. If you’d like to By JULIA ROBERTS GOAD nity to this area. STAFF WRITER The keynote speaker, entertained by Hard Luck course of the year in prepara - learn more, go to www.jobs- Williamson Mayor Darrin Child, a three piece family tion for next year’s event and project.org/you-are-invited/ . A woman who was arrested this week in connection with the death of her infant daughter lost another child in infancy. Samantha Evans, 28, was arrested and charged with child neglect causing death. Her 16 month old daughter was found lifeless in a bathtub with severe burns on her legs resulting from scalding water. The coroner has yet to release the findings of an autopsy. Evans admitted to officers she had taken at least five Xanax tablets. Her blood was sent to a lab for analysis. There was also a 27-month-old boy in the home; Child Protective Services Evans removed him. Evans had another child, a son, that died in 2001 at the age of five weeks in Columbus, Ohio. The cause of that child’s death is unknown. The Daily News' inquiries to officials in Franklin County, Ohio were unanswered at press time. The Daily News will release more details as they become available. THANK Barry Dotson of Chattaroy, WV WEATHER View the YOU … for subscribing to the Daily News Tonight: Scattered thunderstorms in the evening, with mostly cloudy skies INSIDE overnight. A few storms may be severe. Low 64F. Winds W at 5 to 10 online mph. Chance of rain 60%. Classifieds . 11 Entertainment . 7 Comics . 10 Obituaries . 6 Tomorrow: Partly cloudy. Highs in the Editorial . 4 Sports . 5 low 90s and lows in the mid 60s. www.williamsondailynews.com 2A I WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 2010 WILLIAMSON DAILY NEWS Annual meeting of W.Va. Federation of Democrat Women a success SUBMITTED PHOTO Brandon Franlin, left, and Courtney Daniels are the new additions to the Larry Joe Harless Community Center's staff. Harless Community Center its expands recreation staff SPECIAL TO THE DAILY NEWS GILBERT — The Larry Joe Harless Community Center welcomes two new employees in their Recreation Department. Courtney Daniels is the newest member of the lifeguard team. SUBMITTED PHOTO The West Virginia Federation of Democrat Women had their annual Third District meeting on May 15, 2010 at the River’s Edge Courtney Daniels has experience as a lifeguard. She Restaurant. Susan Hubbard, Third District West Director and Doris Morefield, Third District East Director led the meeting. Local has worked at other pools for two years. Courtney is President Helen Childers participated, and along with the Mingo County ladies decorated and contributed with door prizes. attending Southern Community College and majoring in Belinda Biafore,West Virginia Federation President also attended. Williamson Mayor Darrin McCormick helped welcome everyone Dental Hygiene. She hopes to complete her studies in the and asked for unity among the democrat party. Also attending was speaker Judge Tom McHugh, Latisha Chafin, Freddie next 5 years. “I decided to work at LJHCC and experi - Newsome, Frances Crawford, Anna Mae Wellman, and Derek and Sara Scarbro. Congressman Nick Rahall, Senator Truman Chafin, ence an indoor pool setting and have loved working here.” and Gov. Joe Manchin had planned to attend but was in special session. Everyone enjoyed a wonderful luncheon and fellowship. She said. Brandon Franklin will be providing exercise instruction in the Fitness Center at LJHCC. Brandon is completing his Personal Trainers Certification in May and hopes that Pikeville College Dance Program to offer six weeks of summer classes he can use his knowledge to help members reach their fit - ness/health goals. Brandon is a competitive bodybuilder. SPECIAL TO THE DAILY NEWS He has competed in both State, National and World cham - sity in September.” Fancy pionship meets and has placed first in each competition. Dance and Hoop Dance will be He also works for Trinity Healthcare Nursing Home in PIKEVILLE, Ky. — The offered for males and females Henlawson. Pikeville College Dance who may participate in Jingle “I am currently searching for clients to consult in build - Program will offer six weeks Dress, Northern Shawl or ing their way to a better physical you,” says Brandon. of summer classes beginning Buckskin-style dance. “My aim as a Certified Personal Trainer is to create sum - June 21. Classes include cre - Costs for the classes are: mer camps for kids and adults of all ages in Fundamentals ative movement, ballet, pointe $40 for half-hour creative of Weight Training, Nutrition and more.