■ WEATHER PAGE 3 ■ OBITUARIES Page 4 ■ OPINION Page 6 ■ SPORTS Page 8 ■ IN TOUCH Page 12 ■ CLASSIFIEDS Page 14 $1.00 The WEDNESDAY ■ OCTOBER 12, 2016 CLINTWOOD, VA. VOL. 34, NO. 41 USPS 684-350 Boards exploring options for old school buildings BY RODERICK MULLINS restructuring was done in conjunction The deeds to the other vacated school tive Lance Deboard was at the meeting to ★ STAFF WRITER with a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers properties were turned over to the county discuss the Ridgeview/Ervinton mitiga- project aimed at removing some schools earlier this year. It is up to the board of tion plan. CLINTWOOD — The three boards from flood prone areas. Ridgeview high supervisors to decide the buildings’ fates. Deboard said that while “mitigation that partnered in the Ridgeview schools and middle schools opened in fall 2015. The three boards met last week to dis- should have been done three years ago,” project decided last week to gauge inter- Closed were Haysi and Clintwood high cuss in particular the status of Ervinton the county must present a new written est in commercial development of some schools and Longs Fork Middle School. High School. proposal, which then must be reviewed vacated school properties in the county. Ervinton high and Clinchco elementary The initial plan was for the school to and approved by the Corps. The board of supervisors, school board schools had previously been closed. be demolished by Alpha Natural The three boards entered closed ses- and industrial development authority met The county was required by its con- Resources during coal mining operations sion following Deboard’s presentation. jointly Oct. 5 to discuss the status of the tract with the Corps for the flood-proofing at the site. But Alpha’s bankruptcy After returning to open session, the buildings closed during a school division project to have Clinchco and Ervinton changed that plan, and an alternate plan school board voted to explore hiring restructuring project, which decreased the schools demolished, as well as some must be developed. number of schools from seven to five. The buildings at Haysi. Army Corps of Engineers representa- SEE BUILDINGS, PAGE 5 Historical society, town make pitch for old school facilities BY RODERICK MULLINS ★ STAFF WRITER CLINTWOOD — The former high school here has been vacant for more than a year and a half, and the Dickenson County Historical Society and town of Clintwood are hoping to take over different parts of the school property before the facilities fall into disrepair. Historical society member Susan Mullins and Clintwood Mayor Donald Baker stepped separately to the podium during public expression at the Sept. 27 board of supervisors meeting. The board listened to Mullins’ and Baker’s comments, but took no action that night on their requests. However, the board of supervisors met jointly with the school board and industrial development authority last week to discuss the future of the vacated buildings. (See story on this page.) HISTORICAL SOCIETY Mullins discussed the old Dickenson County Memorial & Industrial High School, a nearly century-old Members of Ms. Traci Ramey’s sixth grade building that stands beside the main Clintwood High building and is most often referred to by locals as “the class at Ridgeview Middle School stand in annex,” as well as the state of Haysi and Clintwood high front of a piece of equipment demonstrated buildings and Longs Fork Middle School. The schools, at Thursday’s 2016 Energy Expo at the along with Ervinton high, were closed as part of a school division restructuring plan. The deeds to those properties school. were turned over to the county in late March. Mullins said a group of historical society members recently toured the buildings in search of salvageable Energy Expo items of local historical significance. The tour revealed buildings that are already deteriorating, she said. At Haysi high, for example, ceiling tiles have fallen in the library and office, and there has been water leakage in focuses on some parts of the building. At Clintwood high and Longs Fork middle schools, the group was required to wear masks due to the stench of commodes that were used during public auctions of sur- production, plus items, after water service was turned off at the school. Clintwood high had noticeable cracks in the walls. safety, more Mullins said at Longs Fork Middle School, the group found many items left unsold from the auction, as well as BY JEN DAVIS Department of Mines, some boxes that contained student records. Mullins ★ STAFF WRITER Minerals and Energy added later that the group moved on quickly after finding helped organize and spon- the boxes without disturbing their contents. ROSE RIDGE — sor the expo. The historical society’s main concern is the DMHS building, however. Mullins asked that the county consid- Ridgeview Middle School Representatives from er giving it to the society, which has outgrown its current sixth graders spent last energy, gas and oil, mined office, located on the hill above Clintwood High School Thursday learning about land reclamation, and and Ralph Cummins Stadium. the coal and natural gas mine safety organizations The historical society has been lobbying for the industries in our region talked to students about DMHS building to be preserved because of its historic and how they produce how the agency protects significance as a monument to the 16 Dickenson County energy. workers and the environ- men who died in World War I. The 2016 Energy Expo, ment at coal and gas sites, Mullins said the society is still receiving calls from the fifth one held in the according to a DMME people who want the DMHS building preserved. The county, took place from 9 press release. building is structurally sound, Mullins said, but Mullins a.m.-3 p.m. at the school. Prior to the Energy reminded the board that “the longer the building sets, the About 200 sixth Expo, students learned further it falls into to disrepair.” graders visited various sta- about renewable energy PHOTOS BY JEN DAVIS tions manned by industry and energy efficiency. TOWN OF CLINTWOOD representatives. Students The event brings sub- Mayor Baker addressed the board about Ralph were schooled about how jects students learn in text- Cummins Stadium, the field house, baseball and softball Buddy Bugley with drones are used in coal books to life, and many fields and tennis courts adjacent to Clintwood High the Virginia mining engineering, students learn best when School. Several town council members were also at the learned about electrical they have hands-on oppor- meeting to show support for the town’s plan to take over Department of those facilities for upkeep. Mines, Minerals safety, saw a natural gas tunities. drill at work, watched a Two of the more popu- Baker said the town has provided upkeep for the fields since the school closed. It also held activities at Ralph and Energy teach- mine rescue competition lar stations at the event SUBSCRIBER INFORMATION HERE SUBSCRIBER INFORMATION es students about Cummins Stadium as part of its annual July 4 celebration. and more. Baker said he would like to see the facilities being electrical safety. The Virginia SEE ENERGY, PAGE 5 used, instead of just sitting there. Ervinton school to celebrate Project Fit launch Next Tuesday, Ervinton demonstrations by students on children and to empower them to release. Elementary School will celebrate the new equipment. take personal responsibility of Ervinton Elementary students the launch of a program aimed at According to a press release, their health with enthusiasm, the have been taught how to use the helping children become more the Wellmont Foundation provid- release states. PFA also provides equipment and how the activity active and healthier. ed state-of-the-art fitness equip- support to the schools for two benefits their bodies, said physi- Wellmont Foundation part- ment specifically designed to years along with on-site training cal education teacher BJ nered with Project Fit America to address the deficit areas where with each physical education Souleyrette. provide new indoor and outdoor children fail fitness tests; indoor teacher. The PFA curriculum, includ- fitness equipment to the school. fitness equipment; equipment “Ervinton Elementary stu- ing indoor and outdoor activity, Foundation officials will join installation; and a dynamic cur- dents, staff, parents, and commu- addresses fitness areas such as Dickenson County school riculum with games, activities nity members are pleased to upper body strength, coordina- administrators, teachers and stu- and challenges. The program work with the Wellmont tion, flexibility and more. dents to celebrate the program’s also teaches character develop- Foundation in providing quality Souleyrette noted the initiative launch on Oct. 18 at 12:30 p.m. ment, sportsmanship, team- opportunities for our children to goes beyond traditional fitness at the school. work and leadership skills. be active, healthy, and fit,” and is also is helping students The celebration will include a The academic emphasis is to Ervinton Elementary principal build social skills, character and ribbon cutting and exercise create “physically educated” Brian Baker is quoted in the leadership skills. PAGE 2 ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016 ■ THE DICKENSON STAR Arrington helped establish Haysi community SUBMITTED BY EDITH FAYE REDDEN ★ DICKENSON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY PRESIDENT It is the mission of Dickenson County Historical Society to preserve the history of our county. That history involves the stories of the lives of the many families who are proud to call Dickenson County home. Katy Jo Powers is one of the many people over the past year to help us in that endeavor. Katy Jo Powers, the daughter of William H. and Alta Fuller Arrington, is a retired teacher who lives in Haysi. She taught at Haysi High School for 35 years.