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A4 coalvalleynews.com Coal Valley News Madison, West Virginia WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, 2013 $1.00 UBB miners honored on third anniversary of disaster Fred Pace respects to those lost in their [email protected] own way. “Friday morning we laid WHITESVILLE – Friday wreaths near the miner’s monu- marked the third anniversary of ment on the UBB Memorial the Upper Big Branch mine ex- Plaza in Whitesville,” Instead of plosion that claimed the lives of a public ceremony to mark the 29 coal miners. third anniversary of the disas- A wreath was placed at the ter, we encouraged the public to UBB Miners Monument to com- visit the memorial on their own memorate the men who were time Friday, to remember the taken from their friends and men lost and reflect on that day’s families in a terrible explosion events in their own way,” accord- on that day three years ago, April ing to a prepared statement from 5, 2010. the Upper Big Branch Mining The memorial is located Memorial Group, Inc. at 38223 Coal River Road in There was no formal place- Whitesville. ment ceremony planned. This is one of the beautiful wreaths Organizers said that instead “Our thoughts and prayers are placed at the memorial. It signifies of a large ceremony this year with the families of the men lost photo courtesy of the Governor’s office the changing of seasons to spring the memorial group encouraged at the Upper Big Branch Coal Gov. Tomblin honors the 29 miners who lost their lives three years ago and the renewal of life. This wreath citizens to visit the memorial on Friday at the Upper Big Branch Mine by placing a photo and black ribbon was compliments of Vealey Furni- their own time to reflect and pay See MINERS | A8 at the West Virginia Miner Statue. New mural at coal museum… Man killed in Spars Creek house fire Fred Pace [email protected] SPARS CREEK ROAD – A 68-year-old man was killed in a house fire Monday night, April 1, 2013. Jerry Dunlap died after being trapped inside his burn- ing home, according to Boone County emergency offi- cials. Neighbors actually saw the fire first and attempted to rescue Dunlap from the burning mobile home, but said the flames were too intense. The fire was reported about 6 p.m., Monday, along Spars Creek Road, which is on Route 17 — just outside of Madison in Boone County. Dunlap’s daughter has been notified according to au- thorities at the scene. No one else was hurt. The man’s dog was able to escape the fire which is under investiga- tion. The cause of the fire has not been determined. The state fire marshal is back on the scene Tuesday, April 2, 2013, trying to determine what started the fire. Firefighters from Madison, Danville and Spruce River assisted with the blaze. photo by larry V. lodato, secretary-treasurer of the Bituminous coal heritage Foundation The Bituminous Coal Heritage Foundation has commissioned Tim Cole of Sylvester to paint a 24-foot mural at the Coal Heritage Museum on Main Street in Madison. The mural depicts the old Red Parrot Coal tipple, community church, mine facings and other features at the old coal mine and coal camp at Prenter. Tim Cole is an equipment operator at Progress Coal at Whitesville. Senator calls for broad approach to mine safety The body of Shain Gandee was found in a truck in Kanawha County today after he reportedly went off-roading with a fam- Seeks input ily member. Two other bodies were also located. for safety legislation at ‘BUCKWILD’ reality roundtable discussion in star found dead Southern WV Fred Pace [email protected] From Staff Reports At first, some people were wondering if reports that the star of MTV’s controversial reality show “BUCKWILD” At a roundtable conver- was found dead in a car in West Virginia is some type of sation he convened today April Fools Day’s prank, but the story turned out to be very at Concord University on true. mine safety, Senator Jay The body of Shain Gandee was found in a truck in Rockefeller called for a Kanawha County today after he reportedly went off-roading comprehensive approach with a family member. Two other bodies were also located. to making mines safer – Authorities issued a missing persons report for Gandee, one that includes stron- 21, and his uncle, David Gandee, 48, earlier Monday, April ger laws, safety training U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) 1, 2013. and the development of The duo was last season at a Sissonville bar early Sunday, new safety technologies. dents show – that major who loved them and are “There is no silver March 31, 2013, where they said they planned to go four- His remarks come just be- reforms are needed to mourning. Five too many.” bullet. There never is. wheeling. The family searched for the men Sunday before fore the three-year anni- protect West Virginia’s Acknowledging that But what we need is an calling 911. versary of the Upper Big coal miners. In the com- legislation is just one open, honest look at what Family members say 27-year-old Robert Myers, who Branch disaster and amid ing weeks, I’ll reintroduce component of stronger works. We know stron- worked at a Subway restaurant in Sissonville, was the third a wave of mining deaths my mine safety bill – with mine safety, Rockefeller ger laws can make mines person found dead in Sissonville. in West Virginia this year. input from stakeholders brought together a round- safer, we know effective A spokesperson for MTV said in a statement, “We are “Frankly, we don’t need like those gathered today table panel that included safety training saves shocked and saddened by the terrible news about Shain any more wakeup calls. – and aggressively work representatives of the lives, and we know how Gandee, and those involved in this tragic incident. We are Our eyes should be wide for its passage. United Mine Workers of important it is to have waiting for more information but at this time, our main con- open to the safety risks “We are just a few America, the coal indus- the best technologies cern is for the Gandee family and their friends. Our thoughts our coal miners face ev- months into the year, and try, government regula- with our miners under- and prayers are with them. Shain had a magnetic personality, ery day,” Rockefeller said. seven coal miners have tors, the private sector, ground,” Rockefeller said. with a passion for life that touched everyone he met and we “We shouldn’t minimize died on the job – includ- higher education, and an “Making our mines safer will miss him dearly.” the progress that’s been ing five in West Virginia Upper Big Branch family will take all of us working Shain Gandee was one of the most popular cast members made, but the fact re- in separate incidents. Five member to discuss every together – and that’s what on “Buckwild,” earning the nickname “Gandee Candy” for mains – and recent inci- coal miners with families facet of this issue. today represents.” See BUCKWILD | A8 A2 A2 ★ WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, 2013 COAL VALLEY NEWS Courthouse MCC holds press conference for slain sheriff Rachel Baldwin Remarks were made by identified by MCSD Sgt. Staff Writer commissioners that Rock- Joe Smith as a compact .40 el’s skills and knowledge caliber Glock handgun. WILLIAMSON — “Min- would provide the proper Commissioner Dave Bais- go County weeps for the direction for the officers den spoke with the Daily loss of our beloved sheriff, and lead them down the News and said he had been Eugene Crum,” said Coun- right path during this dif- blessed to have the sheriff ty Commission President ficult time. as a friend since the 1970’s, John Mark Hubbard, dur- WVSP Captain Dave and stated that this is one ing a press conference held Nelson addressed those in of the hardest things he has on the courthouse steps at attendance and stated that ever had to deal with. 6 p.m. on Wednesday. the alleged shooter, Tennis “I never dreamed that “To say that today’s Maynard, of Ragland, was anything like this would events are dark and surreal located by a sheriff’s deputy ever happen in this county,” doesn’t begin to illustrate a short time after the inci- said Baisden. “We need to the tragedy that is the loss dents occurred and when rally around Rosie (Eugene’s of Sheriff Crum.” approached, drew his gun wife) and the kids and help Walter Eugene Crum, 59, served as the sheriff of Min- and was subsequently shot them through this any way go County for only three by the officer. we can. I ask that everyone months and two days. Hub- Maynard was transport- please pray for God to give bard stated that serving in ed to the Logan Regional them comfort in this time of that capacity had been a Medical Center and was despair.” lifelong dream fulfilled for then flown to Cabell Hun- A candlelight vigil for him. tington Hospital where he the slain sheriff will be Rachel Baldwin | Coal Valley News is listed in serious condi- held Thursday evening at “Our sheriff has literally Members of the Mingo County Sheriff’s Department, Williamson City Police, the Mingo County given his life for public ser- tion.