By SEÁN O’DONOGHUE Managing Editor

HAMLIN - While counties continue to try to ascertain how they can and can’t spend the $100,000 state grant for “hero pay,”

the Lincoln County Commission took the initiative, last week, to separately award a temporary pay increase for a number of emergency person-nel. The matter was discussed at the Thursday, April 23, 2020 regular session of the Lincoln County Commission in Hamlin. The meeting was conducted on the Zoom meeting conference platform. Addressing the com-

mission was Lincoln 911 and Office of Emergency Services Director Allen Holder. The director told the commission of the var-ious hardships his staff have been going through during the current situation, adding that their workload had increased substantially. He underscored that the funding for the proposed temporary pay increase would come from his existing budget. Holder asked the commissioners to consider a $4 per hour increase, backdated to Sunday, March 15 to continue until Friday, May 15.

“Their workload has increased substantially,” said Holder. Commission President Josh Stowers noted that the funding

would come from Holder’s existing budget. As reported previously in The Lincoln Journal, the county commission did receive a $100,000 payment from the state government in recent weeks. That payment, made to every county, was described as “hero pay” by Governor Jim Justice when first announced. He further indicated that counties would have great latitude in determining how to

spend the money. However, when the payment arrived, certain con-ditions are understood to have been attached to the funding. According to Stowers, the commission has yet to tap into the fund-ing while it awaits clarification from the state. Stowers noted that the Lincoln County Commission and the West Virginia Association of Counties were continuing to have conversations with the gover-nor’s office about the $100,000 payment to each county.

The commissioners unanimously approved the $4 per hour tem-porary pay increase.

$4 per hour 2-month increase approved for 911, OES workers

Vol. 116 No. 36 “Discussed by many, Cussed by a few...Read by all” • Wednesday, May 6, 2020 •www.lincolnjournal.com$100

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Re-Elect Lincoln County Commissioner

Phoebe Harless

Pai

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•A Proven Leader •The Obvious Choice

Hindenburg disaster:

The German  zeppelin Hindenburg 

catches fire and 36 people perish.

1. What element's chemi-cal symbol are the letters “Na”? 2. Who directed the movie Apocalypse Now? 3. Who was Gordon Shumway?

Phoebe

Flimsy?or

Commission hopefuls answer Journal’s 9 key questionsBy SEÁN O’DONOGHUE Managing Editor

HAMLIN - Voters will head to the polls on June 9, 2020, with many more expected to have already voted by mail prior to election day. Whether voting in person on polling day, or during early voting, or by a requested paper ballot at home, many of Lincoln County’s voters will be tasked with choosing a county commissioner for a six-year term starting next January 1, 2021.

There are two to choose from, an incumbent and a challenger, both seeking the Democratic nomination for the fall general election. County Commissioner Phoebe Harless is seeking re-election to a second term this year. Her opponent is one and half term Mayor of Hamlin David “Flimsy” Adkins. No candidates are

running in the Republican primary, making it likely, but not certain, that the victor on June 9 will be con-firmed to a full term in the general election on November 3.

The intervention of the global pandemic was only a remote thought when Harless and Adkins filed to run for election on Monday, January 13. Three months later, schools are closed, many employees are working from home, and social distancing has become the norm. The 2020 campaign is therefore like no other. While signs have been popping up (and disappearing) throughout the county, face to face engagement has been somewhat curtailed this cycle.

Harless was elected to the com-mission in the pri-

Bobcats’ subfloor in great shape, will save gym project $18,500

By SEÁN O’DONOGHUE Managing Editor

HAMLIN - The wooden boards may have worn thin from generations of Bobcat basketballers and regular sandings. But what lies beneath looks set to save the Lincoln County Board of Education sig-nificant money in the now-underway gym upgrade at Hamlin PK-8.

The Bobcats’ facility is the second of three county middle schools to get new flooring and bleach-ers. The Guyan Valley Middle School Wildcats enjoyed their new surface and seating last winter. The Duval Yellow Jackets will have their upgrade during the summer of 2021. The bids for the Hamlin work were awarded in recent weeks. However, the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to cause a delay.

The matter was discussed at the April 21, 2020 regular session of the Lincoln County Board of Education. Superintendent of Schools Jeff Midkiff told the board that the bleachers had been removed. However, there was less than great news regarding the new units. The Michigan-based supplier has been greatly impacted by the COVID-19 situation. According to Midkiff, that means the bleachers may not be in place until October, pushing the project’s timeline somewhat uncomfortably close to winter’s basketball season.

There was much better news regarding the flooring. Midkiff told the board that when Maintenance & Facilities Director Greg Gosnay and his team started to peel back the existing floor, the subfloor beneath was in remarkably good shape. According to Midkiff, this included the oak strips and concrete filling. “Very few spots will need replaced,” he added. According to Gosnay, this should save the

school system around $18,500 on the overall cost of the project.

The April 23 meeting took place by video conference.

By SEÁN O’DONOGHUE Managing Editor

HAMLIN - Almost seven weeks since they boarded buses and got into cars to drive away from their pandemic-shuttered school, the Lincoln County High School Class of 2020 returned to the campus to collect caps, gowns, and, oddly, lion themed-stationery for their upcoming graduation. Administrators, staff, and oth-ers gathered at the Panther campus, Thursday morning, April 30, 2020 for the well-organized handing out of graduation packets.

The students had not been in the build-ing since the afternoon of Friday March 13. Since then, the COVID-19 outbreak worldwide led to the closure of schools in West Virginia for the remainder of the school year. However, the Panthers have seen an outbreak of hope in recent days, with confirmation that the tentative Friday, June 26, 2020 rescheduled graduation date now has a start time. Speaking at the April 28 school board meeting, Superintendent Jeff Midkiff told the board members that the Panthers’ ceremony would get under-way at 7:30 p.m. He added that social dis-tancing advice would be taken and followed at the

48 days later, Panthers return for caps, gowns, tassels, and lions

Beth Joyce hands over the items to senior Trinity Barker.

Dallas Plumey is pictured with senior Justin Adkins.

See LCHS Page 5b

The Bobcats’ gym floor was dumpster-bound last Friday.

See Commission Page 2a

mary and general election contests of 2014. She received 1,433 votes in the low-turnout midterm primary when she was unopposed.

Six months later, Harless romped to victory over her only challenger, independent Roger Smith. Harless received 2,541 votes compared to 1,038 for Smith. In that election, Harless’ total vote was only outpaced by Shelley Moore Capito (2,709) in her top of the ballot win over Natalie Tennant in the race for U.S. Senate.

A month after Harless’ success that spring, Adkins secured election in a five-candidate race for mayor of the county seat. He received 109 votes on a turnout of 232, defeating Kenny Lambert (71), incumbent Chris Wilkinson (25), Leah Cooper (11), and Sandra Meadows (7). Four years later, Adkins was reelected unopposed, receiving the backing of 79 voters.

The victor on the June 9 election night will move forward to the November 3 general election without Republican opposition. The only challenger in the fall contest would be a potential non-party hopeful who would have to secure a place on the ballot by petitioning for signatures, or an even more unlikely official write-in candidate.

Signatures A candidate with no party organization must file his or her certificate

of announcement, nominating certificates, and filing fee with the county clerk’s office no later than Friday, July 31, 2020. The non-party candidate must receive not less than 1% of the entire vote cast at the last preceding general election for the office being sought but never less than 25 signa-tures. In the November 2018 general election, 5,387 votes were cast. A non-party hopeful would therefore need to secure the signatures of 54 vot-ers and pay the filing fee to be placed on the November 3 ballot.

Write-in The only other avenue open to running in the general election is to be

an official write-in candidate. The write-in’s name does not get listed on the ballot, but is listed and displayed in the precinct. There is no fee to be an official write-in candidate. The deadline to file a write-in candidate’s cer-tificate of announcement for offices elected in the general election is Tuesday, September 15, 2020

The Lincoln Journal’s series of interviews with candidates for this elec-

tion cycle continues, this week, with the county commission hopefuls. Nine questions were prepared by a Lincoln Journal reporter for the two candidates. The questions were based on recent, current, and upcoming events; commission actions of the past few years; budgeting and finance; and the candidate’s aptitude for the office being sought. The questions were sent to both candidates by email, with a reminder by text message and by a private message on social media. The questions were sent at noon on Tuesday, March 31. Both candidates were invited to submit their typed answers by Sunday evening, May 3 for publication in this May 6 issue of The Lincoln Journal. Both candidates were advised that their answers would be published exactly as received, without editing or corrections. The questions and answers were as follows:

Question 1 The Lincoln County Commission’s budget for the fiscal year begin-

ning on July 1, 2019 included a $291,000 allocation for the county’s out-standing jail bill. The commission recently budgeted over twice that amount, $651,000, for the jail bill for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2020. According to statements made in circuit court in recent weeks, the outstanding jail bill is well in excess of $1 million.

•As county commissioner, do you support paying more than the cur-rent amount due for the jail bill?

•Should the state’s legislators work to remove this burden from the 55 counties and if so, how?

HARLESS: The Commission is making a good

faith effort in FY21 to stop incurring more debt to the Regional Jail Bill. The debt was caused by what many consider a perfect storm of the elimination of essentially all coal severance monies that at one time provided for over one-third of our county budget AND the onset of the opioid epidemic, of which have caused jail costs to explode.

It is imperative that the state legislature passes something to ease the burden of the jail bill for Lincoln County. Once the bonds for the construc-tion of many of the regional jails have matured, it would be prudent for the legislature to lower the daily rate burden of incarceration on the counties, as the counties shoulder not only the burden for incarcerations made by county deputies, but all law enforcement even within the city limits of a municipality.

ADKINS: Part 1: No I do not support paying more

than the current amount due for the jail bill, the state needs to help the counties out on these bills.

Part 2: Yes the state legislators need to work on a way to remove this burden from the 55 counties, they need to wipe the slate clean for the counties and start fresh. The state of WV needs to pay the bills for the state police and the county needs to pay the bills on sheriff department and municipalities. Take the money from the raised fees they started charging us at the WV DMV to offset the cost.

Question 2 On May 12, Lincoln County’s voters will be asked to renew the fire

and ambulance levies for a further five-year period. Both the levies were initially rejected by the electorate six years ago, before being put before the electorate again a few months later and approved.

•What is your message to the voters regarding the fire and ambu-lance levies?

HARLESS: It goes without saying we must vote

YES on the renewal of the Fire and EMS levies. All fire departments throughout Lincoln County are volunteer and depend heavily on this levy. Not only does this allow for life and property saving services to be readily available within the county, but it keeps homeowners’ insurance rates much lower. All of this, while NOT rais-

ing your current taxes one cent. I encourage all Lincoln Countians to VOTE YES!!

ADKINS: “VOTE YES ON THE LEVIES” These

levies are very important to Lincoln County and its communities. They keep the price of insurance rates down for each and every household. This vote is to renew the levies that are already in place, and this will NOT cost the public any additional money.

Question 3 The Lincoln County Commission engaged with outside legal coun-

sel regarding the development and enacting of a public nuisance ordi-nance in early 2017. The effort came in the wake of the Freedom Industries chemical leak that contaminated the water supply in parts of Lincoln County. The commissioners hosted a high profile public hear-ing on March 16, 2017. Despite vocal opposition, the commission adopt-ed the ordinance later the same evening on a 2-1 vote. Two years later, the ordinance was scrapped having delivered little to nothing for the county.

•What lessons were learned from that process? HARLESS: The lesson that was learned, was one I

tried to relay as the lone NO vote on this misguided ordinance. We can’t let emotion make an unfortunate situation worse. Citizens were rightly concerned after the chemical spill. There were also many citizens and business leaders that raised serious concerns regarding the ordinance itself. As a county commissioner, it is my belief that we must always listen to the voices of our constituents. This ordinance was a solution looking for a problem.

ADKINS: You are elected by the people and if the majority of the people opposed an ordinance then you need to listen to the people that put you in office. “THE MAJORITY MIGHT BE RIGHT”. They should have voted against the ordinance. If you have something to gain or lose you need to abstain from voting which I would have abstained at the time, because I was work-ing in the oil and gas field at that time. But as a retired business man, I have no ties with anything now.

Question 4 The Lincoln County Commission and the Lincoln County Sheriff

clashed repeatedly from 2017 until 2019 regarding budgetary alloca-tions for the sheriff’s office and his level of staffing. Relations appear to have improved in recent months. However, the current sheriff’s law enforcement division remains at five full-time employees including him-self.

•With the budget for 2020-2021 already formulated, what would you do as a county commissioner for re-elected Sheriff Gary Linville or newly elected Sheriff Ollie Hunting, next spring, when you meet with either man to determine the budget for 2021-2022?

•Given the relatively low level of law enforcement staffing compared to seven years ago, would you encourage the January 2021 sheriff to continue to work out on the road in uniform as one of his law enforce-ment team?

HARLESS: Local county law enforcement plays a

critical role in public safety and I support them 100%. I would approach the FY22 budget, as I have every year as your Commissioner. It is my job to look after the county finances. I would balance our revenue with the need to provide our law enforcement with the ability to execute their constitutional duties, as I execute mine…which is to manage your taxpayer dollars. I have not in the past and will not in the future micromanage any county office. With the recent decline in coal severance, all offices have suffered budgetary cuts.

ADKINS: Part 1: I know the sheriff department

needs more deputies. I would try to find the department more money for the hiring of a few more deputies. This is hurting the people of Lincoln County, and we need to all work together for all of our communities with safety being an important part.

Part 2: 1st Yes with the low level of law enforce-ment I would encourage the sheriff too continue to work the roads, if Linville was sheriff, he will need to, since there are only three of them on patrol for all of Lincoln County and the other two are at the court house. Sheriff Linville was a deputy before becoming sheriff and has the experi-ence to work the roads in Lincoln County.

2nd No I would not encourage Ollie Hunting if he is the sheriff, I would not recommend him to work the roads as he has no experience in law enforcement and could get injured out there and lack of legal knowl-edge of the law. Not that he can’t because he has every right to do so. That is why I don’t participate as a law enforcement officer being the Hamlin Chief of police.

Question 5 After months and months of meetings and discussions, a major

move of courthouse offices is finally underway, with probation and other entities moving to the annex building in the former Trinity Methodist Church.

•How can the newly freed-up space be best used in the main court-house building? •Should the county’s two magistrates be given a more formal hearing room for the on-duty magistrate instead of conducting hearings at an office desk?

HARLESS: The development of the courthouse

annex has been a priority of mine since I was elected you Commissioner. Not only do we now have a secure election center, but also a new, and improved location for our Probation Division. Both were much needed. I, in collaboration with my fellow commissioners and other elected officials are currently discussing the best future utilization of the freed up space provided due to the relocation of

probation. ADKINS: Part 1: The sheriff department needs a

room for their deputies to get the accused paper work ready for arraignment at the magistrates.

Part 2: If there is still a room available we could make it a shared court room for both magistrates to use.

Question 6 In 2016, Lincoln County’s voters supported Donald J. Trump on a

four to one margin over Hillary Clinton. In 2018, Lincoln County’s vot-ers elected Carol Miller (R-WV3) to the U.S. House of Representatives.

•From your perspective as a registered Democrat, how have the poli-cies of the Republican president and the Republican minority congress-woman benefitted Lincoln County?

HARLESS: Regardless of party, we should all pray

for and wish our President and member of Congress nothing but success. If they are successful, our county, state, and country, will follow suit. Their support for increased resources to combat the opioid epidemic have been appreciated and well received.

ADKINS: Part 1: 1st I don’t see as Lincoln County

has benefitted from republican Carol Miller replaced republican Evan Jenkins no change.

2nd I don’t see that Lincoln County has benefitted from President Trump replacing President Obama no change.

Question 7 Around a decade ago, the Lincoln County Commission committed

$100,000 to the development of an athletic facility at Lincoln County High School. The Lincoln County Board of Education matched that amount. After several years, the funds were put to use. Today, the Panthers have a field, football goalposts, and a fence. However, the sur-face remains largely unused with the school board taking a very gradual approach to the further development of dressing rooms, a concession stand, bleachers, and more.

•Was the $100,000 commission money well spent? •When do you envisage the Panthers playing a home football game

on campus, if ever? HARLESS: Lincoln County High School serves as

not only a school, but a center for community activities. Sporting events bring our community together to cheer on our youth, while providing them a productive activity to learn teamwork, dedication, sacrifice, and commit-ment. As a parent of two Lincoln County Panthers I believe this was money well invested, and personally hope that we are watching football games on the new field sooner rather than later.

ADKINS: Part 1: No the $100,000.00 that the com-

mission committed to the Lincoln County Board of Education was not well spent. They should have pur-chased the Hamlin Lions Club field for the BOE to be utilized as the home field for the Panthers.

Part 2: It does not look good for now, without the money to build the necessary dressing rooms, conces-sion, bleachers and so on, but until that time the new field could be used for a practice field for football, band and soccer and the soccer games can also be played on the field now. Maybe the commission and Board of Education could work together to secure grant funding to build the needed facilities.

Question 8 The Lincoln County Commission had a budgetary carryover

amount of $492,130 when the budget was prepared in March of 2019. This year, the carryover amount is $672,983, an increase of $180,853.

The Town of Hamlin had a budgetary carryover of $114,000 when the budget was prepared in March of 2019. This year, the carryover amount is unchanged at $114,000.

•Which approach is better, increasing the carryover for contingen-cies and rainy days, or maintaining a consistent level of reserve funding?

HARLESS: Just as we all do in our homes, budget-

ing for county government changes from year to year as priorities and circumstances present themselves differ-ently every year. There is no one size fits all approach to budgeting. Being presented with projected revenues and expenditures for any given year will determine how that year is approached. The citizens of Lincoln County demand a conservative approach to their tax dollars. Having a large sum of carryover money demonstrates that approach, however allocating to needed priorities with that money is key.

ADKINS: It is good to have an increase in the car-

ryover budget if you pay your bills without cutting pay and layoffs to your employees, but if you can’t keep your employees and give them a raise with insurance, then keeping the same solid carryover each year is much bet-ter for the community and county.

Question 9 Both of you operate small businesses in the private sector. •What skills and traits do you bring, or would you bring, to the office

of Lincoln County Commissioner? •What lessons have you learned from business that help shape your

decisions and approach as an elected official? HARLESS: Being a small business owner allows

me to bring many developed skills into the public sector. However, none are probably more important than the lesson of the value of every dollar. Just as in business, every tax dollar is valuable and shouldn’t be wasted friv-olously. I have taken this approach in business and as your county commissioner and will continue to do so if re-elected.

ADKINS: Part 1: Some skills I bring are working

with property owners, the public and businesses on a daily basis. Finding and fixing the issues or problems, they may have and working together.

Part 2: Some lessons I’ve learned are you are not always right, you need to be open minded, transparent and honest. You should admit when you are wrong and do something about it. You should treat everyone the same because you are not any better than anyone else. The person at the bottom of the totem pole may move up the ladder and be your boss in some capacity someday.

Page 2a - Wednesday, May 6, 2020 - THE LINCOLN JOURNAL - WWW.LINCOLNJOURNAL.COM

CHARLESTON – Last week, 223 eighth-graders from across the state earned recognition as Knights of the Golden Horseshoe. This recognition honors students with the highest achievement in knowledge of West Virginia history and culture.

Among the 223 were four Lincoln County students, namely,

•Thadeus Perry, GVMS •Dakota Thompson, Duval PK-8 •Jenna Thompson, Duval PK-8 •Annabella Walls, Duval PK-8 Though students were unable to be

knighted in person with Governor Jim Justice and State Superintendent of Schools W. Clayton Burch because of circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic,

many counties have honored their winning students individually and through social media. The West Virginia Department of Education plans to honor these students at a later date.

“These amazing students carry on a tra-dition of excellence as Knights of the Golden Horseshoe,” said Superintendent Burch. “Though we have not yet been able

to celebrate these incredible students, I want to express how proud I am of each one of them, and I know they will serve as incredi-ble ambassadors for the Mountain State for many years to come.”

West Virginia has administered the Golden Horseshoe test each year since 1931 and is the longest running program of its kind in the United States. The top-scoring students in each county receive the presti-gious award. Each county has at least two winners. The exam tests students’ knowl-edge of West Virginia citizenship, civics and government, economics, geography, history and current events, and is considered one of the greatest honors bestowed upon students in West Virginia.

Wildcat, 3 Jackets among 223 Golden Horseshoe recipients

The Lincoln Journal sincerely thanks both candidates for their participation. We wish Flimsy and Phoebe the best of luck on June 9. This concludes our series of interviews for county races. The for-mat will again be used this coming October for what is currently set to be a two-candidate race for Lincoln County Sheriff.

From Page 1a Commission

By SEÁN O’DONOGHUE Managing Editor

HAMLIN - There were no technical issues at the second time of asking. Five days after West Virginia Department of Education technical difficulties had scuppered interviews, the Lincoln County Board of Education convened for a second time, Thursday morn-ing, April 30, 2020 to quiz four hopefuls seeking the school system’s top job.

The interviews took place at the media center at Lincoln County High School. The ses-sion was called to order at 8:50 a.m. by Board President Steve Priestley. All five board members were present in per-son, while the four intervie-wees joined by video link at the four allotted times during the day. Five days earlier, the same venue was to be used. However, network connectiv-ity issues at the WVDE in Charleston led to the resched-uling.

Prior to the first interview beginning on Thursday, board member Carol Smith suggested that outgoing Superintendent Jeff Midkiff remain present for the inter-views. He had indicated, moments earlier, that he would depart once the video system was found to be func-tioning properly. After a brief discussion, the board mem-bers and Midkiff determined that he would depart for the first interview (9 a.m., Lincoln County Assistant Superintendent Kirk King) in order to finalize the agenda for the Tuesday, May 5 ses-sion which was due to be cir-culated a short time later. Midkiff, however, returned for the second interview (10:30 a.m., Jeff Kelley, Principal, St. Albans High School). Midkiff departed shortly after noon, just prior to the third interview (12:15 p.m., Greg Webb, Director, Buildings and Grounds, Cabell County Schools). For the fourth interview (1:45 p.m., Dr. Shannon O. White, Executive Director of Exceptional Children Services, Onslow County Schools, NC), it was also just the five board members in the

room for the interview.

The four interviewees, in the order of their interviews, were:

•Kirk King, Lincoln

County Assistant Superintendent of Schools

King was appointed assis-

tant superintendent following the retirement of Bill Linville last fall. King had previously served as the director of fed-eral programs at the central office in Hamlin. Prior to that role, King was principal at West Hamlin Elementary. While administrator at the Home of the Rough Riders,

King spearheaded the efforts that led to the facility being designated a West Virginia School of Excellence in 2012.

• Jeff Kelley, Principal,

St. Albans High School Kelley has been principal

at the Home of the Red Dragons since October of 2010. Prior to that role, Kelley was assistant principal from January 2006. Before joining the Red Dragons, Kelley worked at Horace Mann Middle School in Charleston. As principal at St. Albans High, Kelley heads up a school with an enrollment in excess of 1,000 students.

•Greg Webb, Director,

Buildings and Grounds, Cabell County Schools

Webb is listed as a mem-ber of the senior leadership team in Cabell County Schools. He previously served as principal at Huntington High School until 2016. He is an almost 30-year employee of the school sys-tem, two decades of which have been in administration. Webb served as principal at Huntington High School for around a decade. He was also employed as an assistant prin-cipal, the evening school principal, principal at Enslow Middle School, and principal at Cabell Midland High School.

•Dr. Shannon O. White,

Executive Director of Exceptional Children Services, Onslow County Schools, NC

White holds a doctorate and is a National Board Certified Teacher. She is cur-rently employed as an execu-tive director in the Onslow County School District in North Carolina. The county is located on the east coast of

North Carolina and is home to U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. In terms of population, Onslow is nine times the size of Lincoln County, with 177,000 people. The school district has over 27,000 students who attend 20 elementary schools, eight middle schools, and seven high schools, as well as an early college high school, an early childhood development center, an alternative learning program, and the Eastern North Carolina Regional Skills Center.

The new chief executive

will take over from Superintendent Midkiff whose retirement takes effect after June 30, 2020. However, the identity of the new appointee is expected to be known much sooner than that as the superintendent’s remu-neration must be set by June 1. Midkiff was in the second year of a four-year contract. His first contract was for three years prior to the current contract. When he retires, he will have been the county’s top school official for five years. Midkiff’s annual salary has been $118,500 for the cur-rent contract. The board is expected to announce its deci-sion on Midkiff’s successor in the near future.

The Lincoln Journal obtained the 10 questions used during the four interviews, and has learned that all the candi-dates received the questions in advance of the Saturday, April 25 scheduled interviews that ended up being nixed. Five days later, the candidates were asked the questions, with time also allowed for additional board questions and closing remarks by the candidates.

The 10 questions, under-stood to have been drawn in part from a larger pool of

questions developed by the West Virginia School Board Association, were as follows:

1. Describe your under-

standing of the distinct roles of the superintendent and the board of education and how you would ensure that these roles would be fol-lowed for an effective board/superintendent rela-tionship?

2. Communication is

essential between board members, school personnel, students, and the community at large. How would you accomplish this?

3. Do you favor a 180

instructional day school cal-endar for students or one modified as legally permit-ted? Please explain your phi-losophy and why you feel as you do.

4. Explain your back-

ground and experience in curriculum & instruction including any experience in the school improvement process and what processes and resources would you put in place to address necessary instructional improvement of all schools, especially low performing schools? How would you monitor the instructional progress of individual schools through-out the school year?

5. As Lincoln County

Schools Superintendent, what measures would you take to address student disci-pline in general while specif-ically seeking a safe and “bully free’ environment for students and staff?

6. The Lincoln County

Board of Education has per-mitted a new superintendent to choose the one assistant superintendent. Please share with the Board how you would fill this position, including possible individu-als (if you know), as well as the duties you would place on the assistant. Presently, the current assistant is responsible for personnel along with other duties. Would you continue to uti-lize the assistant in this man-ner or possibly assume the personnel duties yourself? FYI, there is a Personnel Executive Secretary who assists in this office. However, the possibility exists that she may retire.

7. Realizing that Lincoln

County Schools has limited financial resources, and must stay within a tight budget, can you tell us how familiar you are with the WV School Aid Formula, and how you would use state funds to meet personnel and other needs and continue to remain fiscally sound?

8. Do you have any expe-

rience or knowledge of the unique school laws of West Virginia? Are you familiar or have prior experience with the employee grievance procedure in particular?

9. Lincoln County has

one comprehensive high school which includes a growing CTE program. How would you ensure that core academic subjects are rigor-ous in nature while working to expand desired CTE pro-grams without additional staff?

10. Finally, a multi-part

question: What are your plans for residency in Lincoln County should you be selected? What salary and number of contract years (1-4) would you be willing to accept?

THE LINCOLN JOURNAL - WWW.LINCONJOURNAL.COM - Wednesday, May 6, 2020 - Page 3a

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No hiccups as board interviews 4 for school system’s top spot

Kirk King Jeff Kelley

Greg Webb Dr. Shannon White

The five board members during last week’s interviews.

Departures from county elected office are relatively rare. When they come, they’re sometimes expected and sometimes not.

Lincoln County Assessor Guy Browning wrote to the county com-mission on April 24 about his decision to retire. We learned about his depar-ture just before press time last week. By 6:05 p.m. last Thursday evening, his retirement was on the books, accepted and recorded by the county commission in a special session.

Browning takes with him decades of the deepest experience in the asses-sor’s office. With no disrespect to any of our other county officials, we have long felt that the assessor’s role is among the most technical, a labryn-thine mix of mapping, mathematics,

and more. Browning was more than ready for the job he took on in sudden circumstances in the fall of 2015. Josh Brumfield departed for pastures new and Browning was confirmed to fill the role for one year. He was elected without any difficulty in 2016. He was set to be re-elected handily this year. Browning had no opponent in his primary election and was set to have no Republican opposition in the fall. Only an unlikely non-party hope-ful might have stopped him from four more years. Now, the county is seek-ing a new assessor.

We want to offer our thanks to Browning for his work for the county these past decades. He afforded our reporters every access requested to his office, to records, and to information

important to our readers. He answered questions when we were otherwise clueless about assessed values. appraised values, and other puzzling terms. Above all, Browning was patient and welcoming. We wish him well for his retirement.

The county commission is now tasked with appointing an assessor who will serve for a seven-month unexpired term. That process was expected to kick off in earnest tomor-row evening when the commission meets for its regular session. We urge the commissioners to follow relative-ly recent precedent here in Lincoln County:

1. Advertise the position. 2. Accept applications. 3. Set a deadline.

4. Interview the candidates open-ly. The Lincoln Journal recorded interviews of county clerk and county sheriff applicants in February of 2012.

An assessor needs to be in place by May 30.

Browning will be the Democratic “victor” on June 9, it being far too late to change printed ballots. He will then have to withdraw from the general election and be replaced by a nominee of the Lincoln County Democratic Executive Committee. We equally urge that body to proceed fairly, open-ly, and mindful that their pick will not only be put before the county elec-torate on November 3, but will, in all likelihood, be the Lincoln County assessor until December 31, 2024.

The decision to give the 10 interview questions to the four superintendent candidates in advance. As we note to the left, the interviews for the four folks seeking to be the next chief executive took place last week. We learned that the 10 questions, drafted in advance of the Saturday, April 25 session, were given in advance to the candidates. If the final six months of outgoing Superintendent Jeff

Midkiff’s tenure has taught us anything, it’s that the highest ranking exec-utive must be able to think on his feet and think swiftly. That’s surely a key component of any interview for any job. This isn’t just any job. It’s one that currently pays $118,500 a year and rightly so. We think candi-dates should and would have been able to field these questions on the spot.

The prompt rescheduling of interviews for the four candidates seeking to be the next superintendent of schools in Lincoln County. As we reported last week, techni-cal difficulties meant the Saturday, April 25 interviews were nixed. The four hope-fuls were then given new time slots for Thursday, April 30. Those four interviews went off without a hitch last week. We

commend the four interviewees for sticking to their task and being ready to go on both days. We also salute our five board members. These interview sessions required concentration, consistency, and endurance. We now await their decision and the appointment of the next school system chief executive.

Page 4a - Wednesday, May 6, 2020 - THE LINCOLN JOURNAL - WWW.LINCOLNJOURNAL.COM

THE INCOLN OURNALL OPINIONP. O. Box 308 • 328 Walnut Street Hamlin, West Virginia 25523 E-mail: lincolnjournal@zoominternet.net • www.lincolnjournal.com

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“Now we’ve got to bring our state

back to life.” Governor

Jim Justice, last week

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Phone: (304) 824-5101

CROSSWORDTheme: MOTHER'S DAYNUMBER 695

Sudoku

ACROSS 1. "Ali Baba and the Forty ____," sing. 6. Eureka! 9. Schools of thought 13. Sound of artillery 14. Car nut 15. Without illumination 16. Nosey one 17. Kind of trip? 18. Lasso loop 19. *Little Women's mom 21. *Tracee Ellis Ross on TV 23. ____ o' shanter 24. Quitter's word 25. Like a fiddle? 28. Like Charles Dickens' Tim 30. Quarantine state 35. *Egyptian goddess of fertili-ty 37. Insane, in Spain 39. Mother or daughter, in Italy 40. *Biblical Rebecca's son 41. Online reviews 43. Research facil. 44. Fisherman's decoys 46. Daytime entertainment 47. Furniture wood 48. End of the road, pl. 50. Blatant promotion 52. Swedish shag rug 53. Yours and mine 55. Little squirt 57. *Mother's mom 61. *She fought for Mother's Day, then against it 64. In advance 65. *Bambi's mom 67. Fancy tie 69. Less than fernier 70. I have 71. "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" host 72. Fairies 73. Galley equipment 74. Feed the fire

DOWN 1. Kitchen meas. 2. Stay out of its way! 3. Pelvic parts 4. Tennis great Chris ____ 5. Particular arrangement 6. Away from wind 7. *Mother's favorite gift? 8. Ancient marketplace 9. Part of a scheme 10. No neatnik 11. Sushi restaurant soup 12. One-pot meal 15. Like the States 20. *One of the Gilmore girls 22. Hill dweller 24. One-eyed giants 25. *She played Forrest Gump's mother 26. May edition, e.g. 27. *Worn atop the Queen Mother 29. Denials 31. Nike's "Just ____ ____" 32. Private 33. "Take it back!" 34. *Mother in KrakÛw 36. Lard cousin 38. October birthstone 42. Plural of sputum 45. Rundown 49. Bottom line 51. Kind of ungulate, pl. 54. Where you'll find AM 56. Living room centerpiece? 57. Gamecock's spur 58. *Greek goddess of fertility 59. Bald eagle's nest 60. *Mums' mums 61. Opposite of cheer 62. International Civil Aviation Org. 63. Puppet precursor, possibly 66. *Female gametes 68. CafÈ alternative

Last Week’s Solution

J

HAMLIN - The Lincoln County Assessor's Office has a responsibility to protect the property owners and employees of the Assessor's Office:

In an effort to protect our property owners and appraisers, we will, at this time, have no personal contact with property owners. The appraisal staff of the Lincoln Assessor's Office will continue to appraise property as set forth in WV Code. The appraisers will complete an on-site visit, but, remain in their vehicles.

If changes have been made to your property, the appraisal staff will con-tact you by phone or mail to make sure we have the correct information on your property.

Once it is deemed appropriate to return to normal practice, the appraisal staff will once again make every attempt to communicate on-site with the property owner.

Thank you for your understanding during this time. If you should have any questions or concerns, contact the Lincoln County Assessor's Office at 304-824-7878, ext. 241.

Lincoln County Assessor’s Office

A message from the Lincoln County

Assessor’s Office

If your church is closing, has a change in servic-es, or a precaution to the C o r o n a v i r u s , please let me know and I’ll advise the public. Thank you, Phyllis. Aarons Creek Comm., Ranger, Wed. 7pm Bible study; Sun. school 10:30am, 7pm. Mike Abshire Alum Creek Ch. of Christ, 2368 Childress Rd., Wed. 7pm; Sun. 10am, 6pm. C. B. Keeney, Robert Matthews Bear Branch Ch. of Christ, S p u r l o c k v i l l e , Closed until fur-ther notice due to COVID-19 - Brian Barrett Beech Grove Bapt., Yawkey, Wed. 7pm; Sun. 10, 11am, 6pm. Johnny Helvey Berry’s Br. Ch. of Alkol, Bulger Rd., No services at this time. Wayne Thompson Bethel Bapt., Upper Mud Rv., Wed. 7pm; Sun. 10am, 6pm. Bethlehem UB, Sun. 10am, 7pm; Tue. 7pm. Big Laurel UM, Upper Mud Rv., (homecoming 3rd Sat. Sept.) Thur., 6pm; Sun. 10am, 6pm. B l o o m i n g d a l e Bapt., 5241 WV 10, Salt Rock, Services tem-porarily stream-lined only, no in-house - Wed. 7pm Master Clubs; Sun. school 9:45, 10:45am, 6pm. Chris Fulks Branchland UB, Wed. 7pm Prayer/Kids learn-ing; Sun. school 10am, 6, 7pm Kids Learning. Earl Ramey Buffalo Interden., Big Buffalo Rd., off Lower Mud, Wed. 7pm; Sun. 10, 11am. Joe Bias Bulger Comm., Dog Bone Rd., Alkol, Wed. 6pm Bible Study; Sun. 10am, 6pm. Camp Br. UB, WV 10 S., Branchland, Wed. 7pm business meeting/Youth/Prayer; Sun. school 10, 11:10am, 6pm. Bob Burns Carroll Mem., 7301 Lynn Ave., Sat. 7pm. Bob Watts Center Point UB, WV 3, W. Hamlin, Wed. 7pm youth/prayer/Bible study; Sun. school 10am, 6pm. Local pick-up Sun. & Mon. only, call by 5pm (824-5248) leave message. Lenny Romans, Jonah Adkins Central Big Ck. Bapt., off WV 34 N.,

Hamlin, Wed. 7pm; Sun. 10am, 7pm. Chapman Mem. FWB, 21 E. Frk. Rd., Harts, Wed. 7pm, Prayer/youth; Sun. 10am. Joe Triplett Charity, 4 Mile Rd., Branchland, Wed. 6pm; Sun. 10, 11am, 6pm. O. F. Adkins Christ Chapel, 4 Mile Rd., Branchland, Sun. 10am, 6pm. Terry Clay Cobbs Ck. Miss. Bapt., 1446 Midway Rd., Sod, Wed. 7pm p r a y e r / B i b l e study/Youth/Teens; Sun. 10, 11am, 6pm. Clyde Gwin Cole Br. Ch. of Jesus Christ, Harts, Wed. 7pm Bible study/youth; Sat. 7pm; Sun. school 10:30am. Jimmy Carter Cove Gap UB, Wed. 7pm; Sun. school 10, 11:30am. Mark Hatfield.

Crawley Ck. FWB, C h a p m a n v i l l e , Wed. 7pm; Sun. 10:30, 7pm. Jim Dalton Crooked Ck. Ch. of God, Alum Creek, Wed. 7pm; Sun. 10, 11am, 6pm. Mark Thaxton Culloden UB, WV 34, Charlies Ck., Wed. 7, 7:30pm children; Sun. 10am, 6pm. Doorway of Hope, O u t r e a c h Ministeries, 8036 Lynn Ave., Hamlin, Sun. 10am; Mon. 7pm. Jack Cummings East Frk. FWB, Ranger, Wed. 7pm; Sun. 10:30am, 1pm. Ernest Vance Eden Bapt., WV 3, Griffithsville, Wed. 7pm, youth; Sun. 10am, 6pm. Rick Cooper Elizabeth Bapt., 1532 Garretts Bend Rd., Sod, Wed. 7pm prayer/youth; Sun. 9:45, 11am, 6pm. Homer Hensley Enon Miss. Bapt., Tyler Ck., Salt Rock, Wed. 7pm; Sun. 10, 11am, 6pm. Chris Griffith Ethel UB, Scary Ck. Rd., Sweetland, Thur. 7pm; Sun. school 10, 11am, 6pm. Steve Eplin Faith Bapt., Bulger Rd., Spurlockville, Wed. 7pm Bible study; Sun. 10, 11am, 6pm. Ferrellsburg Bapt. Comm., WV 10, Comm. Bldg., Sun. 10, 11am. Kevin Mullins Ferrellsburg Ch. of God, WV 10 S, Wed. 7pm; Sun. 10am, 6pm. Clifford Ellis 1st Bapt. of Hamlin, State St.,

Services stream-lined for now - Wed. 7pm; Sun. 10, 11am, 7pm. Jim Lutz 1st Bapt., Woodville, WV 3, Wed. 7pm youth; Sun. 10, 11am. Forks of Coal Miss. Bapt., WV 214, Coal Rv. Rd., Alum Creek, Wed. 6:30pm, youth 7pm, Bible study/choir practice 8pm; Sun. 10, 11am, 6pm. Keith A. George 4 Mile Ch. of Christ, Branchland, Wed. 7pm; Sun. 10:30am, 6pm Jimmy Carter preaching. Jason McComas 4 Mile UB, Harless Frk., Wed. 7pm; Sun. 10am. Fisher Vance 14 Mile Ch. of Christ, Wed. 6pm Bible Study; Sun. 10:45am, 6pm. Ron Nelson Frances Ck. FWB, Little Harts, Tue. 7pm Bible study; Sun. 10:30am, 7pm. Steve Slate Freedom FWB, 5 miles w. of SR 10 on WV 37, Kiahsville, Wed. 7pm Bible study; Sun. 10am, 6pm. Danny Roberts Friendly, Smith Ck., Salt Rock, Wed. 7pm svc./chil-dren; Sun. 10am, 7pm. Weston Cremeans Garrett Chapel, Harts, Wed. 7pm; Sun. 10am, 6pm. John Workman Glory-Way Bapt., Roach Rd., Salt Rock, Wed. 7pm; Sun. 10am, 6pm. Good Hope FWB, New Hamlin, Wed. 7pm; Sun. 10am. Donald Lovejoy Grace Bapt., WV 10, Midkiff, Wed. 7pm Bible study; Sun. 9, 10, 11am, 6pm. Joey Ferguson Green Valley Bapt., Madison Ck. Rd., Branchland, Wed. 7pm; Sun. 10am, 7pm. Herman Maynard Greenshoal FWB, Harts, Wed. 7pm; Sun. 10:30am, 6pm. Jerry Bryant Griffithsville Ch. of Christ, WV 3, Wed. 7pm; Sun. 10am, 6:30pm. Guyan FWB, Little Harts, Wed. 7pm Bible study/youth; Sun. school 10, 11am. Eric Rakes Hamilton Creek, Ranger, Larry Sperry Hamlin Bapt., 8138 Sycamore Ave., Services canceled until fur-ther notice. James Caldwell Hamlin Ch. of Christ, 8041 Vine Ave., Sun. 10 Bible study, 10:45am svc.

Hamlin UM, Lynn Ave., Wed. 10:15am, 7pm; Sun. school 10, 11am, 6pm. Bob Fulton Harts Bapt., WV 10, Sun. 10, 11am. Donald Manns Harvey’s Ck. UB, WV 34 N, Hamlin, Wed. 7pm Bible Study; Sun. 10, 11am. Hebron Miss. Bapt., Tom’s Ck. Rd., Barboursville, Wed. youth 6:30pm, 7pm; Sun. school 10, 11am, 6pm. James Jobe High Adventure, Harts, Sun. 10am, 7pm. Bill Mitchell Hoover Ch. of Jesus Christ, Big Harts, Thur. 7pm Bible study; Sun. school 10:30am, 12:15. Stirlin Robinson Hopewell Bapt., Brounland Rd., Alum Creek, Sun. school 10, 11am, 7pm. Dwight McClure House of Prayer Full Gospel, 6644 Sheridan St., W. Hamlin, Thur. 6pm; Sun. school 10, 11am, 6pm; Mon. 6pm Bible Study. Tom & Marci Stowers Independent Miss. Bapt., Alum Creek, Wed. 7pm; Sun. 10, 11am, 6pm. Daniel Dent Joe’s Creek Indep. Miss. Bapt., Tango Rd., Wed. 7pm Bible study; Sun. 10, 11am, 7pm. Kitchen Comm., WV 10 between Harts and C h a p m a n v i l l e , Wed. 7pm; Sun. school 10:30am, 2:30pm. Gary P. Browning Left Fk. Bapt., Bulger Rd., Alkol, Wed. 7pm youth/Bible study; Sun. 10:30am, 6pm. Roger Reed Liberty UB, 4 Mile Rd., Branchland, Wed. 7pm; Sun. 10am, 7pm; Mon. 7pm youth. Larry Perry, Jamie Clay Lincoln Bapt., WV 10 N, Pl. View, Wed. 6:30 Youth Ministry, 7pm; Sun. 10, 11am, 6pm. Travis Edwards Lincoln Ch. of God, WV 10 N, W. Hamlin, Wed. 7pm, children; Thur. 6:30pm Recovery Group; Sun. 10, 11am, 7pm. Lonnie Wilson Little Harts FWB, WV 10 S, Atenville, Wed. 7pm; Sun. 10:30am, 6pm. Moses Vance Lory Bapt., Corr. G, Julian, Wed. 7pm; Sun. 10, 11am, 7pm/Jr. svc. Garry Bowman Madison Ck. Bapt., Wed. 7pm; Sun. 10, 11am, 6pm, Robert Hatfield preaching.

Maple Hill Bapt., Morrisvale, Sun. 10, 11am svc. 7pm. McClarity Bapt., 4 Mile Rd., Branchland, Wed. 7pm Bible study; Sun. school 10, 11am, 7pm. Eddie Chapman McCorkle FWB, 175 McCorkle Rd., off Corr. G, Sod, Wed. 7pm Bible Study; Sun. 9:45, 11am svc./children, 6pm. Isaiah Hatfield Merritts Ck. Bapt., Griffithsville, Tue. 7pm; Sat. 6:30pm; Sun. 10am. Elmer Stowers Merritts Ck. Ch. of Christ, 5229 WV 10 N, Salt Rock, Wed. 7pm Bible class; Sun. 10am Bible study, 6pm. Middle Ck. UB, WV 3 E, Sun. 10am, 6pm; Wed. 7pm. Rodney Linville Middle Fk. Bapt., WV 3 E, Sweetland, Wed. 7pm; Sun. 10am, 7pm. Jerry Duncan Midkiff Meth., Sun. school 10, 11am. Paul Stevens Mildred UB, 2 Mile Rd., Branchland, Wed. 7pm; Sun. 10am, 6pm. Greg Dial Milton Ch. of Christ, 1702 2nd St., Wed. 6pm Bible study; Sun. 9:45 Bible study, 10:30am, 6pm. Bud Lucas Montana FWB, WV 37, 2 miles off WV 10 S, Ranger, Thur. 7pm; Sun. 10:30am, 6pm. Tom Frye Morning Star Comm., Closed temporarily due to CORONAVIRUS - Intersec. Upper Mud, Lower Big Ck., Hamlin. Eugene & Brenda Byrd Morrisvale Miss. Bapt., off WV 3 E, Wed. 7pm Bible study; Sun. 10, 11am, 7pm. Mt. Calvary FWB, WV 10 S., Dry Br., Sun. 10:30am, 7pm; Tue. 7pm. Charles Rakes Mt. Calvary Non-Denom., Guyan Rv. Rd., Salt Rock, Sun. 10, 11am 1st evening visitation. Ronnie Eplin Mt. Era, Buck Fk., Harts, all 6pm services: Tue. youth, Wed.; Fri. Men’s Fellowship; Sat.; Sun. 10:30am. Norman Adams Mt. Moriah UB, WV 10 S, Fall Ck. Rd., Branchland, Sun school 10am, 6pm. Steve Johnson Mt. Zion FWB, 6 Mile Rd., Branchland, Sat. 7pm; Sun. 10am; Tue. 7pm. Michael Abshire Mullins Christian, 79 Riverbend Rd., Ranger, Mon. &

Thur. 10am, 3pm; Fri. 10am & 1pm. Bro. Mullins Myra UM, Upper Mud Rv. Rd., Sun. 10. New Bethel Bapt., Upper Mud Rv. Rd., Spurlockville, Tues. 7pm; Sun. 10am, 6pm. Jeff Black New Covenant Bapt. Rt. 214, Alum Creek, Wed. 7pm svc./youth; Sun. sch. 10, svc./youth 11am, 6pm. Jackie Miller New Covenant Fellowship, Sun. school 10am, noon. Elmer Mullins Open Door Bible, 6711 WV 34 N., Hamlin, Wed. svc./ youth 7pm; Sun. 10, 11am, 6pm. Robert McCallister Our Redeemer Evang. Luth., 3047 Washington Blvd., Huntington, Divine svc. Sun. school 9:45, adult Bible class 11:15am. George Fyler III Palermo UM, Upper Mud Rv. Rd., Wed. 6pm; Sun. 10, 11am. Peaceful Valley FWB, Coon Ck., Hamlin, Wed. 7pm; Sun. school 10am, 6pm. Mark Terry Peaceful Valley, Long Br. Rd., off WV 10 N., W. Hamlin, Wed. 7pm; Sun. school 10:30am, 6pm. Michael P. Vance Pine Gr. Bapt., Corr. G Exit, Wed. 6:30pm svc./youth; Sun. 10, 11am, 6pm. Aaron Graley Pine Gr. Meth., 9 Mile Rd., Midkiff, Thur. 7pm; Sun. school 10am, 7pm. Paul Stevens Pineview FWB, Big Ugly, Sun. 10:30am, 6pm. Ernest Neace Piney Comm., W. Fork, Harts, Sun. 10:30am, 6pm. Kenny Kirk Pl. Hill Bapt., 2.5 miles down Lower Mud, Hamlin, Wed. 7pm service/youth; Sun. 10am, 6pm. Ron Brewer

Pl. View UB, WV 10 S, Wed. 7pm Bible Study; Sun. 10, 11am, 6pm. Bobby Lawson Portersville Miss. Bapt., 12 miles down Lower Mud, Hamlin, Wed. 7pm svc./Bible study; Sun. 10am, 6pm. Harry Moore Praise Assembly of God, 2281 Childress Rd., Alum Creek, Wed. 7pm svc./youth; Thur. 10am; Sun. 10, 11am, 6pm/chil-dren; Tue. 10am free clothing, 7pm Bible Study. Dan & Rose McCormick Sr. Praise & Worship Ctr. Ch. of God, 445 Cherry St., Hamlin, AA Mon. & Fri. 6pm; Sat. 7pm; Sun. school 10, 11am, 5:30, 6pm; Tues. Ladies 1pm & 6pm in basement. Michael France Ranger Ch. of Christ, Wed. 6pm Bible study; Sun. 10:30am, 6pm. Ranger Full Gospel, (WV 10)2626 McClellan Hwy., Ranger, Tues. 7pm; Fri. 7pm Recovery Support Group; Sun. 10:30am, 7pm. Clifford Vance Ranger UB, WV 10 S, Wed. 7pm Youth, all ages; Sun. 10am, 6pm. Darnell Cyfers Red Tool House, off Bear Fk. Rd., Fri. & Sun. 6pm. Jerry Runion R e d e e m e r Lutheran, #1 Deerwalk Ln., Charleston, off 119 on Paula Rd., Sun. school 9:30, 11:45am. Frank Ruffato. Rock South. Bapt., beside Salt Rock 7-11, Sun. 10am. Dustin Clark Rose of Sharon, 463 Walnut St., St. Albans, Wed. 7pm; Sun. 11, 11:45 Sun. school. David Bragg Sacred Heart Co-Cath., Charleston, Mass: Sun. 8, 10am, noon, 5pm - Morn. Mass: Mon.-Sat. 8am, Vigil

5:30pm; Tues.-Fri. noon. Very Rev. Donald X. Higgs Salem UB, Bowen Ck. Rd., Branchland, Wed. 7pm; Sun. school 10am, 6pm. Jody Thompson Salt Rock Comm., WV 10, Wed. 7pm Bible study; Sun. school 9:30, 10:30am, 6pm. Jason Salmons Sand Fk. Miss. Bapt., Sugartree, Griffithsville, Wed. 6:30pm; Sun. 10am, 6pm. Terry Sponaugle Sheltering FWB, 10 Mile, Midkiff, Thur. 7pm; Sun. 10:30am, 6pm. Sumerco Ch. of God, WV 214 S, Wed. 7pm; Sun. 10am, 6pm. Richard McCallister Summit Comm., Laurel Fk. Rd. off WV 214 S, Sumerco, Wed. 7pm; Sun. 10, 11am, 6pm. Kevin Workman Sybene Bapt., Sybene, OH, Sun. 11am, 6pm; Mon., Tue., Wed. 7pm Sycamore Gr. Miss. Bapt., WV 3 E, Alkol, Wed. 7pm; Sun. 10, 6pm. Jody Pauley Sycamore Indep. Miss. Bapt., 5839 Sycamore Rd., Hurricane, Wed. 7pm; Sun. school 10, 11am, 7pm. David Vickers Tom’s Ck., off WV 214 S, Wed, 6pm Bible Study; Sun. 10, 11am. Kenneth Blankenship Tornado Apost. Ch., Lincoln/ Kan. Co. line, Tues. & Thur. 7:30pm; Sun. 10am, 6pm. Wilson Hudson Trace Fk. Miss. Bapt., WV 34 N, Hamlin, Sun. 10am. Trinity Christian, 1128 Kan. Forest Dr., S. Charleston, Sun. 10:30am, 6:30pm. Terry Walker Union Bapt., James Rv. Twpk., Milton, Sun., 10, 11am. Brent Beckett

Upper Smith Ck. Bapt., 1.3 miles off WV 10 N, Salt Rock, Wed. 7pm; Sun. school 10, 11am, 6pm. Ron Donohoe Upper 10 Mile Bapt., #7 10 Mile Rd., Ranger, Wed. 7pm; Sun. 10am, 6pm. Timothy Davis Valley of Dec., Tyler Ck., Salt Rock, Wed. 7pm; Sun. 10, 11am, 5pm VYF, 6pm. Kevin Shull Valley View FWB, Va. Ave., Hurricane, Wed. 7pm; Sun. school 10am, 7pm. Vision of Harvest Bapt., Cobbs Ck., off WV 214 S, Wed. 7pm; Sun. school 10, 11am, 7pm. Billy Silva Welcome Home Bapt., 1 Mile Rd., W. Hamlin, Tues. Youth 7pm; Wed. 7pm; Sun. 10am, 6pm. Jimmy Adams Weltha Nelson FWB, Sand Ck., Ranger, Wed. & Sat. 7pm; Sun. school 11am. Michael Vance W. Hamlin Ch. of Christ, 6866 SR 3, Wed. 6pm sing.; Sun. 11am. Cecil Mullins W. Hamlin UM, Wed. 7pm Bible study; Sun. 10, 11am, 7pm. Thomas Jeffrey Whitten FWB, Left Fk., Alkol, Sun. 2pm. E. J. Dolen Woodville Comm. Gospel Ch. of Jesus, WV 3 E., Wed. & Sat. 7pm; Sun. 6pm. Larry Sperry Workman Fk. UB, West Fk., Little Harts, Thur. 6pm; Sun. school 10:30, 11:45am. Millard Hensley Yawkey Meth., WV 3, Wed. 7pm Bible Study; Sun. school 10, 11am. Eddie Johnson Yawkey Miss. Bapt., Wed. 7pm; Sun. school 10, 11am, 6pm. Darrell Searls

THE LINCOLN JOURNAL - WWW.LINCONJOURNAL.COM - Wednesday, May 6, 2020 - Page 5a

Lincoln Area Churches • Please call Phyllis at 304-824-5101 for any changes.

CHURCH LISTINGS

Back in TimeBy Phyllis Stowers, Lifestyles Editor 1974: The May 8th edition of The Lincoln Journal reported:

Primary election balloting next Tuesday; School Board picks 14-member advisory committee; Ferrellsburg, like Atenville, has sanitation problems now; Reward of $2,000 for vote fraud; Region III receives $40,000 grant for home training; Housewife can earn degree from WVU; Duval speech and debate team wins 21 trophies; State Highway Department awards 8.8 million in road & bridge repairs; Trend toward illit-eracy increasing in the Nation; West Virginia's Dr. Mahlon Loomis tackled energy problem over 100 years ago.

IN THE SERVICE: USN Commissaryman 1st Class Paul E. Henson is crew mem-

ber of newly commissioned USS Capodanno in Mayport, Florida; US Army Spec. 4 Jam Pauley, Ft. Detrick, Frederick, Maryland, Duval High School graduate.

OBITUARIES PUBLISHED: Elmer Raymond Stewart, 75, Hamlin; Lou Ester

McCallister, 69, Griffithsville; James Howard Elkins, 76, Spurlockville; Darrell J. Plumley, 72, Carthage, Illinois.

NEW ARRIVALS: at McClellan Clinic, West Hamlin, WV: Lilah Lynn Taylor;

Lisa Ann Browning; Loretta Lee Adkins; Darsell Christopher Baker; Christopher Brian Hager; Robert Eugene Lambert; Joey Delane Linville; April Dawn Saunders; Jimmie Lee Adkins; Hope Lynn McClure; Harrison Joel Terry.

STATE POLICE REPORTS / COURTHOUSE RECORDS: Six arrests; Eight

accidents reported. / Four marriage license applications; Two marriage license issued; 10 real estate transfers.

Page 6a - Wednesday, May 6, 2020 - THE LINCOLN JOURNAL - WWW.LINCOLNJOURNAL.COM

OBITUARIES & MEMORIES

SHIRLEY “Ma Maw” DALE REED ROBERTS, 91, of Hamlin, WV, passed away into her eternal rest on

Tuesday, April 28, 2020, sur-rounded by her loved ones. She was born on November 1, 1928 in Morrisvale, WV, a daughter of the late Dudley Reed & the late Florence Peyton Burns; the grand-daughter of the late Oneada Peyton, who raised her from infancy. She was also preceded in death by: the love of her life, husband of 54 years, Charles A. Chuck Roberts; and all of her siblings, Harold, Charles, Clifford, Chester, Curtis Burns, and Peggy Wildman.

She was a member of the Middle Creek United Baptist

Church. She was a homemaker until her children were grown. She worked at the Morris Memorial Nursing Home and the Dee Mure Bra Factory until its closing.

She is survived by: her son, Walter Dale Roberts of Dallas, TX; daughter, Tina (Melvin) Black of Hamlin, WV; grand-children, John Charles Roberts of Albuquerque, NM, Jonathan Dale Tackett of Hamlin, WV, Pamela (Shane) Ollerman of Granbury, TX, Tammy (Kevin) Wells of Valrico, FL; and her bonus grandchildren, Hope and Josh Duncan; four great grandchildren, Charlotte, Nola and Owen Roberts, and Zoie Wells; sister-in-law, Shirley Ruth Roberts; several nieces and nephews.

A special thanks to those who helped care for Mom, Dr. Robert Walker, Sherry Flynn, Hope Duncan and Hospice of Huntington.

There was a graveside service 11am, Saturday, May 2, 2020, in Whites Cemetery near Hamlin, with Rev. Jerry Duncan and Rev. Robert Fulton officiating. T h e pallbearers were Joshua Duncan, Danny, Newton, Paul Graham, Shug Roberts and Doug Adkins.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your church or to C.A.R.E.S Lincoln Co BOE Weekend Backpack Program, 10 Marland Ave. Hamlin, WV 25523 (to feed needy chil-dren).

A memorial service will be held at a later date when friends and family can gather and celebrate Shirley’s life, she deserves that.  Handley Funeral Home, Hamlin, WV, is in charge of arrangements.

JAMES "Jim" EDWARD STOWERS, of Hamlin WV, born November 11, 1955, went to his Heavenly resting place on Sunday, April 26, 2020, at the age of 64 years, five months and 15 days. He was the son of the late Raymond Edward Stowers and Geneva Harless Stowers; and was also preceded in death by: one brother, Timothy Mark Stowers; one sister, Patty Jo Smith; and one great grandson, Dillon Markus Horn.

He is a Veteran of the Army and National Guard.

He is survived by: his loving wife, Brenda Kay Stowers; two brothers, Adrian (Jackie) and Luke (Terra); three sisters, Kathy (Andy) Clum, Susie Stowers and Nancy White; one son, Jason Stowers; two daugh-ters, Diana (Ralph) Browning and Tammy (Terry) Browning; five grandchildren, Bobby Horn (Kayla), Tiffany (Robbie) Slate, Emalee Plumley, Candy Browning and Casey Browning; and three great grandchildren, Alex Slate, Mylah Horn and Cameron Slate. He is loved and will be missed greatly.

There was a private family graveside service at Stowers Cemetery, Sweetland, WV with Rev. Tom Stowers officiating; interment immediately fol-lowed. Koontz Funeral Home, Hamlin, WV handled arrange-ments.

ROBERT LEE “Bob” SWANN, of Hamlin, WV; born June 17, 1941 entered into his eternal rest Wednesday, April 29, 2020, at the age of 78 years, 10 months and 12 days. He was the son of the late Orphir "Mopey" and Audrey Swann of West Hamlin; and also preceded by: one brother, Don Swann.

Bob served in the US Army from 1966 -1968 and was a Sgt. E5 in Vietnam from 1967-68. He was an employee of ACF in Huntington, WV and a retired School Bus Driver for Lincoln County Board of Education. Bob was a member of Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church where he was the choir leader for many years.

Bob is survived by his wife of 28 years, Linda Swann; one daugh-ter, Tammy (Chris) Bragg of West Hamlin; one brother, Larry Swann of California; and one sister, Patricia Swann of Florida; one step-daughter, Anita (Billy) Edmonds of Hamlin; six grandchil-dren, Tori (Chris) Cremeans, Aaron Bragg, Tate Bragg, Lakin Donahue, Lindsay (Patrick) Lovejoy and Megan Edmonds; seven great grandchildren; many other loved ones who called him popaw.

There will be a private family

graveside service with Pastor Bill Spears officiating.

Interment will follow at Fairview Memory Gardens, Hamlin, WV, with Koontz Funeral Home, Hamlin, WV, is handling arrangements.

TIMMY LEE BECKETT, 56, Culloden, WV, died Sat., Apr. 25, 2020, at home; born Sept. 19, 1963, son of late Burrell & Naomi Garrett Beckett; widower of Shelba Kay Beckett.

Service was private; burial in Wallace-Mathes Cem., Huntington. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wallace Funeral Home, Milton, WV towards expenses.

PHILLIP WAYNE BURTON, 75, Culloden, WV, died Fri., Apr. 24, 2020.

Private service & burial in Culloden Cem.

A celebration will be held at later date. Chapman Funeral Home, Hurricane serviced the fam-ily.

FRANK CHAPMAN (Pastor), 68, Alum Creek, WV, died Sat., May 2, 2020, in CAMC, Gen. Div. Hosp., WV, after a short illness.

Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek, WV assisted the family.

JAMES HAROLD DOM-MERT, 70, Branchland, WV, died Thurs., Apr. 30, 2020, in St. Mary's Med. Ctr., Huntington. Husband of Joyce. USAF veteran retiree.

There were no services at tims time. Chapmans Mortuary, Huntington, WV handled arrange-ments.

Lincoln County Court records

LAND TRANSFERS, etc.: Deed between Norman & Sherri Brumfield and Adam & Kera Browning, Carroll Dist., $1,000., as of 3-4-20. 5.84 & .20 deeds between Jackie D. Berry and Glenn J. & Donna Gail Blankenship, Duval Dist., Tracts B & C, $50,000., as of 3-4-20. Deed between Lincoln

Memorial Park Co. and Robert Bird, as of 3-4-20. Deed between Reica Elaine Mullins & Larry Wade Scaggs, Harts Dist., as of 3-5-20. 10 ac. deed between Sandra & Bernard Gregory Miller and Christopher Ray Miller, Washington Dist., as of 3-6-20. 47.2, .235 & 3/4 ac. deed between David Webb and David Matthew Jeffrey, Laurel Hill Dist. $185,000. as of 3-6-20.

Deed between Brian Lambert & Renea Craddock and Glenna Thacker, Harts Dist., as of 3-6-20. Deed between Glenna Thacker & Renea Craddock and Brian Lambert, Harts Dist., as of 3-6-20. Fee deed between G. Russell Rollyson Jr. & Allie Dotson and Garnet Gas Corporation, Sheridan Dist., Cert. #224953, 1/4 of 1/9 of 1/2 of lots 31 thru

34, as of 3-6-20. 53.12 & 33.93 ac. deeds between Clayton Billups and Steven Clayton Billups, Jefferson Dist., as of 3-9-20. 2.07 ac. deed between Ronnie R. Thompson and Eddie J. & Pamela K. Dunlap, $100., Duval Dist., as of 3-9-20. Deed between Nancy Simmons Carpenter and Cline Watts, Washington

Dist., as of 3-9-20. Deed between City National Bank currently serving trustee The Vernon McCoy, as of 3-9-20. 4.266 ac. deed between Billy & Beverly Jenkins and Daniel S. & Charlotte Leanne Price, Jefferson Dist., as of 3-10-20. 56 ac. deed between Freda Gale McClure and Kevin & Lisa Workman, Duval Dist., as of 3-10-20.

Magistrate records MISDEMEANOR CASES:

20-M22M260 David Anderson has been charged with Additional powers (Regulatory Violations) -VEHICLE (ATV) ON WMA offense as of 3-28-2020. 20-M22M261 Paul Saddler has been charged with Operation without cert. inspection or fail-ure to produce certificate; penalty for misdemeanor offense asof 2-23-2020.

MARRIAGES

LAND TRANSFERS

FELONIES MISDEMEANORS

CIVIL SUITSBANKRUPTCIES

PERMITS

MARRIAGES

BANKRUPTCIES FELONIES

PERMITS

BIRTHS

LINCOLN COUNTY COURTHOUSE RECORDS

Locally Owned and Operated Since 1974

St. Rt. 152-N, Wayne, WV • 304-272-5804Monuments

Ferguson

Peanut butter is one of the staples that is usually on every cook’s shelf in the pantry. With peanut butter, one can make a quick dessert, a delicious soup, or the beloved peanut butter cookies. 

After weeks of cold weather and the so-called “comfort foods”, it is time to make up a tasty treat that everyone will enjoy. If someone in the family- or friend- is allergic to peanuts, just ignore this column and move on to something else.  Strange, but it seems, years ago, no one was allergic to peanuts, wonder why it is that now some are so allergic that even to be around any peanut product is almost a death threat.

  PEANUT BUTTER

CELERY SOUP 1 c. sliced celery 1 med. onion, chopped 2 T. butter 4-1/2 c. milk 4 chicken bouillon cubes

1/8 t. pepper 1/2 c. creamy peanut butter Toasted croutons In top part of double boiler,

over direct heat, cook celery and onion in butter for three minutes, stirring all the while.  Put over boiling water and add 4-1/4 cups milk.  Heat to scalding, add bouillon cubes and pepper.  Cover, cook 15 minutes. 

Beat remaining 1/4 cup milk with peanut butter, until well blended.  Add to soup mixture, stir to blend.  Serve piping hot with croutons.  Makes 6 serv-ings.

  PEANUT BUTTER PIE 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese,

room temperature 1/2 c. smooth peanut butter 1 t. vanilla 1 c. whipping cream; or 1

cup cool whip, thawed 1/2 c. sugar 1 t. salted peanuts 1 Keebler chocolate crumb

crust

Combine cream cheese and sugar.  Beat until light and smooth, with electric mixer.  Add peanut butter and vanilla. 

In separate bowl, whip cream until soft peaks form.  Fold into peanut butter mixture. Spoon into crust. Chill at least four hours. 

Top with more whipped cream, or cool whip.  Drizzle with chocolate syrup and sprin-kle salted peanuts over pie. This pie is very rich, so will easily serve 8.

  ANOTHER PEANUT

BUTTER PIE    This recipe is from the old

Quarrier Street Diner in Charleston, I believe, at the time it was operated by Young Brothers, who also had a small restaurant in St. Albans.

2 c. milk 1/3 c. sugar 1/4 t. salt 3 T. flour 1/2 c. smooth peanut butter 6 T. light corn syrup 2 egg yolks, beaten slightly 1 T. butter

1 t. vanilla 1 baked pie shell Scald one cup milk over

boiling water. Combine second cup of milk with salt, flour, sugar, peanut butter and syrup. Stir mixture into scalded milk and cook slowly until thickened. Cover and cook over boiling water for five minutes. 

Add a bit of hot mixture to egg yolks, blend; add to the cooked mixture. Cook, covered for one minute, stir in butter and vanilla.  Cool to luke warm and pour into pie shell. 

Cool completely and top with whipped cream or Cool Whip. Or, meringue can be made with the two egg whites, beat, adding two Tbls. sugar gradually.  Beat until no grains of sugar can be felt when a bit is rubbed between thumb and fin-ger. Pile meringue on top of pie and brown in a 400˚ oven two or three minutes.  Cool com-pletely before serving.

  PEANUT BUTTER POUND

CAKE 1 c. butter, softened 1 c. creamy peanut butter

3 c. sugar 5 eggs 2 t. vanilla 3 c. cake flour 1/2 t. each baking powder

& salt 1 c. milk Lightly grease and flour a

10-in. tube cake pan, set aside. With electric mixer, in a

large bowl, cream together butter and peanut butter.  Add sugar and beat until light in color. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addi-tion, add vanilla. 

In a smaller bowl, sift together flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to the butter mixture, alternating the flour mixture with the milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Pour batter into prepared cake pan. 

Place in a COLD oven, set oven temperature at 325˚.  Bake until tester insert-ed in cake center comes out clean, about one hr. and 35 minutes.  When done, remove from oven and cool in pan on rack for 30 minutes. Carefully remove from pan and cool

completely before icing.   Chocolate icing for cake 12 ozs. premium, semi-

sweet chocolate chips 3/4 c. heavy whipping

cream Place chocolate chips in a

small bowl. Heat the cream ina heavy bottomed saucepan,over low heat, until boiling;immediately pour over choco-late chips, stir until smooth.Cool for two or three min-utes. 

Brush any loose crumbsfrom cake. Place cake on rack,place rack onto clean bakingsheet to catch any drips. Pouricing over cake, allowing it todrizzle over entire cake tocover.  Move cake to anotherclean baking sheet. 

Scrape  drips from firstbaking sheet, re-heat and pourover cake to completelycover.  Cake will serve 16,refrigerate any left-overs.

Note: for easy removalfrom pan, line bottom of panwith circle of waxed paperthat has also been greased andfloured.

Recipes from the Past*Below are recipes from Trudy Robinson’s

cooking columns published in the Valley Press during the 1980s.

Various ways to use peanut butter

BARBARA JEAN ADKINS, of West Hamlin, WV, passed away Wednesday, April 29, 2020, at home, at the age of 55 years, five months and six days. She was the daughter of the late Anna Belle and Robert Randolph; and was also preceded in death by: her infant daughter, Anna Marie Tester; one sister, Louise Lightner; and one brother, Danny Randolph.

Barbara loved to fish and hike through the woods with her hus-band. She loved to tell jokes and her laughter will be missed by every-one who knew her. Barbara was a great cook, her potato salad was the hit of every family gathering.

She is survived by: her husband of 31 years, Gary Adkins; one sis-ter, Kathleen Cash; three daughters, Barbara Sue Tester, Carla McComas and April Adkins; one son-in-law, Robby McComas, whom she considered to be like her own son; her four grandchildren, who she loved and spoiled endlessly, Aidan McComas, Kendall McComas, Isabella Berry and Nora Snodgrass; numerous sisters and brothers-in-law; nieces and nephews, who will all miss her greatly. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends and all who knew her.

A Memorial Service will be held at a later date. Koontz Funeral Home, Hamlin, WV is handling arrangements.

By SEÁN O’DONOGHUE Managing Editor

HAMLIN - Warm tributes were paid in recent days to the late Tyler Woolwine who passed away over the weekend. Woolwine was a social studies teacher at Duval PK-8. Woolwine is understood to have died suddenly.

In addition to his teaching duties at the Home of the Yellow Jackets, Woolwine was the successful coach of the Duval PK-8 soccer team. The Jackets comfortably won the Lincoln County Soccer Championship this past fall, wrapping up the title with a month to spare. Woolwine and his charges secured the plaque in a dominating 6-1 win over the Hamlin Bobcats at Lady Panthers Field in Hamlin on Wednesday, September 25, 2019. Woolwine also served as a Veteran's Leadership Team sponsor, Golden Horseshoe coach, and Quiz Bowl coach.

In statements on county school social media pages, messages of sympathy and support were conveyed. “The Lincoln County Schools Community is deeply saddened by the news of one of our own,

Tyler Woolwine, teacher at Duval PK-8, passing away this weekend. Our crisis response team is ready if anyone needs immediate assistance through TEAMS or Zoom. Please message us with the preferred way to contact you and a team member will get back with you. We are diligently commu-nicating with each other to open a crisis line for support and additional information will be forthcom-ing. Our thoughts and prayers are with Tyler’s family and friends, the staff and students at Duval PK-8, and all the students that he has left an impact on over the years,” read a message on Lincoln County Schools Student, Family, & Community Support Page.

The Lincoln County Board of Education was expected to observe a moment of silence at the Tuesday evening, May 5, session.

By RYAN PRICHARD Sports Writer

HAMLIN - Lincoln County's Mikayla Toppins has turned her attention from the tennis court to adjusting to life after high school since the COVID-19 pandemic has closed the book on spring sports in West Virginia. Toppins, a senior dual-sport student athlete, is now ready to begin the next chapter without a chance to make a few more lasting memories on the court.

"We have all worked really hard during the off-season and the beginning of the spring season prac-tices to get ready," Toppins said during a recent interview. "With everything that happened and schools being closed, we have nothing to show for it for our spring sports."

Toppins would have played three consecutive years on the Panthers tennis team, but managed to get in four seasons on the successful girls soccer team. Toppins has her final soccer season to reflect on, but was really looking forward to tennis.

Toppins is an exceptional student as well as an athlete at LCHS. Carrying over a 4.0 grade point average, Toppins was a member of the Young Republicans where she served as president, National Honor Society, Spanish Honorary, Skills USA, HSTA, Upward Bound and a member of the highly successful LCHS Robotics team. Toppins' plans after graduation are to attend Marshall University and major in Biology with a focus on Pre-Med and minor in Chemistry. Toppins has accepted the fact that spring sports and everything else that goes along with being a high school senior has been derailed, but is ready for the next step.

"I hate it for all the seniors. This was not the end-ing any of us wanted."

“Covers Lincoln County Sports Like The Dew...”Wednesday, May 6, 2020 WWW.LINCOLNJOURNAL.COM

If you would like to advertise on this page call 304-824-5101.

BUSINESS BUILDER BULLETIN BOARDBUSINESS BUILDER BULLETIN BOARD

2051 Winfield Road • Winfield, WV 25213Phone: 304-755-5238

Cell: 304-549-5466 304-344-DOORDOOR

TNT Garage Doors, INC. SALES, SERVICE AND INSTALLATION

MIKE THOMAS, OWNER

Divorce Social Security Claims

Work Injuries Auto Accidents

Real Estate

The law office of Jerry D. Alford

(304) 756-2100

Septic Systems Installed & Septic Tanks Pumped

TR DAVIS, INC.TR DAVIS, INC.Tim Davis, President

30 years of experience Phone: 304.778.2337

3580 McClellan Hwy., Branchland, WV 25506 #WV 09959

304-824-7879 kristitully@thelincolnagency.com

www.thelincolnagency.com

Kristi J. Tully, Agent

6748 Straight Fork Hamlin, WV 25523

Home, Auto, Cycle, ATV, Business Insurance

FREE QUOTES - GREAT RATES - GREAT MARKET FOR

SMALL BUSINESSOWNERS AS WELL AS LARGER OWNERS - SPECIALITY MARKET COVERAGES

Agent for 12 highly-reliable companies, give us a try and let us save you money on: Side-By-Sides, cars, trucks(local), mobile homes, doublewides, motorcycles, commercial life, health.

Donna Stevens, Owner/Agent RR 2, Box 704 • 5300 McComas Road• Salt Rock, WV 25559

304-736-0120 / 304-736-9300 • donnastevensins@yahoo.com

Stevens Insurance Agency Honest, Friendly Service

CANDIDATES GUIDEThe following candidates would appreciate

your support on June 9, 2020.

U.S. House of Representatives - Dist. 3 Paul E. Davis (D) - Huntington Governor Brooke Lunsford (R) - Salt Rock Michael “Mike” Folk (R) - Martinsburg Commissioner of Agriculture WM J.R. Keplinger (D) - Moorefield West Virginia House of Delegates - Dist. 16 Daniel Linville (R) - Milton John Mandt, Jr. (R) - Huntington Sean Hornbuckle (D) - Huntington West Virginia House of Delegates - Dist. 22 Joe Jeffries (R) - Culloden Zack Maynard (R) - Harts Lincoln County Commissioner Phoebe Harless (D) - Griffithsville David “Flimsy” Adkins (D) - Hamlin Lincoln County Sheriff Gary “Butch” Linville (R) - Yawkey Ollie Duane Hunting (D) - Hamlin Lincoln County Assessor Guy Browning (D) - Hamlin Lincoln County Magistrate - 2 Divisions Kim Clayton - Hamlin - Division 1 Jamie Linville - Alkol - Division 1 Sophia Tully - Hamlin - Division 2 Lincoln County Board of Education-2 Seats Larry Wilkerson - Griffithsville - District 1 Dana Snyder - Garretts Bend - District 1 Carol Smith - Branchland - District 2

Listings ($175) are paid for by the candidates or their agents

and run until the June 3 Issue. Not all offices are listed.

Call to be added to this list 304-824-5101

Saluting the SeniorsPart 7 of a multi-week series recognizing our spring senior athletes in this pandemic-nixed season

Lincoln County's Toppins ready for life without tennis this year

WWaarrmm ttrriibbuutteess ppaaiidd ttoo ppooppuullaarr tteeaacchheerr,, ccooaacchh

The late Tyler Woolwine, pictured with his Yellow Jackets on September 25, 2019 after they clinched the Lincoln County Soccer Championship.

u-e.

Page 2b - Wednesday, May 6, 2020 - THE LINCOLN JOURNAL - WWW.LINCOLNJOURNAL.COM

YLincoln CountyCelebrating the best for their creativity,

imagination, and style

Lydia McGrady - 2nd Grade

Hamlin PK-8

1st Place • Grades 1-2

Rylinn Vickers • 2nd Grade West Hamlin Elementary 2nd Place • Grades 1-2

Colt Combs• 1st Grade Harts PK-8 3rd Place • Grades 1-2

Kyler Blair • 3rd Grade Harts PK-8 1st Place • Grades 3-4

James Justice • 3rd Grade Midway Elementary Joint 2nd Place • Grades 3-4

Raygan Nelson• 4th Grade Hamlin PK-8 Joint 2nd Place • Grades 3-4

Abigail Pauley • 6th Grade Hamlin PK-8 1st Place • Grades 5-6

The Morpher

Georgia Dalton • 6th Grade

Harts PK-8 2nd Place • Grades 5-6

“To discover the mode of life or of art whereby my James Joyce

THE LINCOLN JOURNAL - WWW.LINCOLNJOURNAL.COM - Wednesday, May 6, 2020 – Page 3b

Young Writers 8 Schools 100s of entries 13 winners

Emma McClung • 5th Grade

Midway Elementary

3rd Place • Grades 5-6

spirit could express itself in unfettered freedom.” A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man

Annabella Walls • 8th Grade Duval PK-8 1st Place • Grades 7-8

Kelcie Elkins • 8th Grade Guyan Valley Middle School 2nd Place • Grades 7-8

Ryleigh Shull• 8th Grade

Hamlin PK-8

3rd Place • Grades 7-8Takenya Adkins • 11th Grade Lincoln County High School 1st Place • Grades 9-12

James I can hear his breathing from where I sit. It's heavy, wheezy, and laborious. I ignored it for some time. I have to keep cool, that's how people do it. Most don't run around, jumping straight into things. That's when things go bad and work against you. As I wait for Thomas, his thoughts come to me in layers, each one entertaining. First, he pleas to me, but I don't listen. He becomes angry, and I only laugh. Then he falls into a weaker, isolated state, yet it only amuses me more.

"Are you ready, James?" Thomas calls. "You know it," I stand and head in his direction. Now his pleas are louder and messier. He should know by now, even bringing me to the edge of mad-ness won't work. No matter how much he cries or fights. I'll just keep him running from the many mon-sters I send his way. These nightmares will chase him unless commanded otherwise. I'll occasionally give him a break. Right now, the monsters pursuing him dissolve and break away. He takes refuge in a house he pictures as his safety. I help him paint his surroundings. He's in his house, it's old and rundown. Everything is covered by a thick layer of dust. Through the windows, beams of blue light fight through the dirt and grime. "Why are you doing this?" he asks. "Why does anyone do the things they do? There is a variety of reasons for a lot of the things we

humans do. So, how do we decide which reason is more important? What gives our actions meaning? How should we decide what's best to compare the weight of our decisions and their importance? Whether it's for personal gain or for the wealth of oth-ers?" I respond.

"You..are not...human," he snarls. I hesitate. "Your assertion baffles me, but then everything

you say is rather...odd. And you are an oddity. To say I'm not human, is to say you aren't human," I laugh. "W-what?" he stutters. "You see, James, I am James. I am you, then you

are me, James. I am but a small piece of you, and you are but a small piece of me. There was one other, but I don't think we need to worry about him," I add. "Here's your folder," Thomas picks up the folder from the table.

I smile and take it. "What do you mean?" James yells. I sigh, "James, you and I, we are one and the

same; we are just different fragments of a human being's consciousness. You make up your part, I make up mine. Again, since the Third is no longer active, I pick up the slack."

"How could you be like me?" James enquires. "It is simple. Well, then again, it isn't. Think of it like this. James is the body we inhabit. We are the bat-teries powering the body, the life force or spiritual being. We entered this body as one, but James began to encounter major internal conflict after a simple head injury. The result was us. His spiritual mind split into three. Then, as I've stated before, the Third has fallen. Survival of the fittest as they say," I explain. His anger swells.

"Fine, I'll play along," he spits, "You keep men-tioning this Third. Who are they? What's the differ-ence among us?"

Thomas and I walk through the door leading to the

roof top. I take a deep breath in, and smile. "Like you and me, his name was James. You are the side of morality and balance, what makes him a likable man. The Third was a guardian of sorts. He was the strength and rationale James needed. He pro-tected you," I say.

"Protect me?" he looks up, "From what?" "Me," I respond. I hear him sharply inhale. "Don't be surprised. I'm the side of desire, instinct,

and deception. After the Third became weak, I simply laid dormant until the time was right," I add. "What?" James is now surrounded by darkness. I step up to the ledge, hold up the folder, and

pulled out a lighter. "What's in the folder?" he asks. "Everything. Personal documents. Ones that

would really hurt to lose. All original copies and the only copies that exist," I answer. He snaps, "Don't do it!" "Don't do what? I'm only helping James make the

best decisions," I say. "No, you're destroying me!" James shouts. "Well, if I'm destroying him, why aren't you doing

anything to stop it?" I laugh. He goes silent. "I'll tell you why. You are weak and I'm in con-

trol," I say. He walks over to a window and looks into his hol-

low eyes and pale reflection. I close him off, the only trace of him that I sense is his breathing. It gradually goes from slow and shaky to rapid and heavy. I light my lighter before I hear a scream. It's fol-lowed by the sound of shattering glass and a sharp pain in my head. It makes me pull back and collapse. I hear Thomas shout and a set of crunching steps race in our direction. Everything falls dark as I fight the pain in my head.

"What did you do?" I shout. He's hiding, and he's watching. "I've had enough!" he shouts. I can sense his light getting stronger. He's found it? "You've found it," I laugh as I can feel myself growing weaker.

We are powered by symbols, and each symbol is simply an object from a memory. Once these are bro-ken, we are vulnerable. After breaking the hourglass and dimming the lamp, I took control and cautiously hid the mirror. How did he find it? "What's your plan now!?" I laugh. "All actions have consequences," he says. "Are you going to sic the nightmares on me?" I

taunt, "You're no better than I am, James!" "No. I have another idea in mind. You lived the past few years in the spot light, living off it," James finally appears, "What happens if that light burns out?"

He disappears, and the cold that surrounds me grows into metal walls. The ground I stand on turns to a stone. Above me is a single light, glowing dimly and out of reach. I drop to the floor. "James! Don't think you can contain me!" I shout. "Goodnight, James," his voice echoes. The light above me slowly intensifies. "James!" I shout.

The light burst, and everything goes dark. A deaf-ening silence accompanies the cold and the growing emptiness.

_____________________ LEGAL ADVERTISEMENT

IN THE FAMILY COURT OF LINCOLN COUNTY,

WEST VIRGINIA

Civil Action No. 20-FIG-10

Ginger Vance, Petitioner,

and

Kyla M.S. Vance, Respondent.

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

THE OBJECT OF THIS

SUIT IS TO OBTAIN A GUARDIANSHIP.

THIS IS A PUBLICA-TION BY CLASS II LEGAL ADVERTISEMENT.

To the Above-Named Respondent:

It appearing by affidavit filed in this action that Kyla M.S. Vance is a non-resident of the State of West Virginia or has an unknown address. It is hereby ordered that Kyla M.S. Vance serve upon Ginger Vance, c/o Circuit Clerk's Office, whose address is P.O. Box 338, Hamlin, WV 25523, an Answer, including any relat-ed counterclaim or defense you may have to the Petition For Guardianship filed in this action on or before May 21st, 2020 @ 1pm. If you fail to Answer the Petition for Guardianship, a judgment may be taken against you for the relief demanded in the Petition.

A copy of said Petition can be obtained from the undersigned Clerk's Office.

Entered by the Clerk of

said Court 4/20/20.

Charles BrumfieldClerk of the Court 2/5-7-2020

_____________________ LEGAL ADVERTISEMENT

PUBLIC NOTICE

CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN FOR PETROLEUM

IMPACTED SITE PUBLIC NOTICE NO.:

DATE OF PUBLICATION:

May 6, 2020 NEWSPAPER:

The Lincoln Journal, Inc.

In response to a release of petroleum products from regulated tanks, the property owner/operator under the direction of the Tanks Corrective Action Unit of the Department of Environmental Protection developed a draft corrective action plan (CAP) for the following site:

Little General Facility #4075

403 Midway Road Alum Creek, WV 25003

WV ID# 2202783 / - Leak ID# 18-020

The CAP briefly

describes the extent of the release and details the pro-posed cleanup methods at the site. Copies of the CAP are available for public review at the following location:

WVDEP Office of

Environmental Enforcement Tanks Corrective Action Unit 601 - 57th Street, Charleston, WV 25304 Phone: (304) 926-0470 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Interested parties may

submit written comments dur-ing the 45-day period begin-ning May 6, 2020, through June 20, 2020.

Correspondence should

include the name, address and telephone number of the writer. It also should include the leak ID number and a con-cise statement regarding the CAP. Comments and/or ques-tions should be directed to Tanks Corrective Action Unit at the above-referenced address.

______________________ LEGAL ADVERTISEMENT

WEST VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Division of Highways NOTICE TO

CONTRACTORS Bids will be received

electronically by the West Virginia Department of Transportation, Division of Highways through the Bid Express Bidding Service (www.bidx.com) and by sealed proposals (only when prequal-

ification is waived) being received at its office in Building 5, Room 843, 1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East, Charleston, West Virginia until June 23, 2020 at 10:00 AM (Eastern Standard Time). The bids will be downloaded and/or opened and read publically thereafter for the constructions of the fol-lowing project(s): Call. 014 Contract 2020000015 State ProjectR082-REM/GR-21 00 Federal Project Description GUARDRAIL D2 2021 REM Guardrail Begin: Various End: Various COUNTY: BOONE, CABELL, LINCOLN, OTHER

Proposals will be received from prequalified and West Virginia licensed con-tractors only except that on Federal-Aid Projects a con-tractors' license is not required at time of bid, but will be required before work can begin. Registration is required with the Department of Administration, Division of Purchasing, in accordance with Chapter 5A, Article 3, Section 12 of the West Virginia Code. All contractors submit-ting bids on project(s) must include one of the following forms properly executed with each proposal: Proposal Guaranty Bond, Cashier's Check, or Certified Check for $500.00 or 5% of the total bid, whichever is greater.

*These are projects on

which any contractor with a Category "W" Prequalification Rating may be eligible to bid.

The West Virginia

Department of Transportation, Division of Highways reserves the right to defer, delay or postpone the date for receiv-ing and publicly opening pro-

posals for any project desig-nated in this advertisement, without the necessity of renewing such advertisement. All bidders holding valid bid-ding proposals will be notified of such deferment, delay or postponement and the date that proposals will be received and publicly opened.

The West Virginia Department of Transportation,

Division of Highways hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively ensure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, minority business enterprises will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be dis-criminated against on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex or national origin in con-

sideration for an award. WEST VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Division of Highways Ryland W. Musick, P.E., Ph.D. Deputy State Highway Engineer - Planning and Programming 2/5-14-2020

Page 4b - Wednesday, May 6, 2020 - THE LINCOLN JOURNAL - The Lincoln News Sentinel - WWW.LINCOLNJOURNAL.COM - WWW.LINCOLNNEWSSENTINEL.COM

Legal Advertisements

Appalachian Power plans to maintain a portion of its power line rights of way in West Virginia through aerial application of registered herbicides. Weather permitting, the program will begin on or about June 1, 2020.Questions about the program or information about sensitive areas near the power lines listed below, such as springs, wells, streams, lakes, ponds, orchards, crop areas, gardens, pastures, meadows, year-round dwellings, public recreation areas, and Christmas tree farms, may be directed to the company by calling toll-free 1-800-642-3622.Right-of-way maintenance agreements between the company and landowners are available to those preferring to accept responsibility for clearing the right of way crossing their property in lieu of aerial herbicide applications. Such agreements provide for compensation equivalent to the cost of aerial herbicide maintenance, provided the work meets the company’s speci昀cations.Landowners desiring to enter into right-of-way maintenance agreements with Appalachian Power should call the toll-free number above, or contact the nearest of昀ce as listed below. Maps showing the location of rights of way to be maintained in their areas also are available for inspection at these of昀ces.Herbicides to be used have been extensively tested and are registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the West Virginia Department of Agriculture. They are glyphosate, imazapyr, metsulfuron methyl, fosamine, triclopyr, aminocyclopyrachlor and aminopyralid. All applications are performed by certi昀ed applicators.Rights of way involved in the program are:

Complaints about possible damage resulting from herbicides may be made by contacting the company at theabove toll-free number or the local of昀ce listed below. Complaints may also be directed to the Department of Agriculture,Pesticide Regulatory Programs Unit, which may be contacted in Charleston at 304-558-2209.

Charleston District - ForestryP.O. Box 1986 Charleston, WV 25327

LINCOLN COUNTYCulloden-Wyoming 765 kV – A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Culloden Station along James River Turnpike near Culloden and running south, passing the midpoints of Grif昀thsville, Yawkey, Woodville, Turtle Creek and Jeffrey and ending at a point along Mountain Laurel Drive near Hewitt.Darrah-Sheridan 69 kV – A transmission line on wood poles beginning at the Darrah Station near Nickel Plate Road in Huntington and running east-southeast, crossing the midpoints of Salt Rock and West Hamlin and ending at the Sheridan Station along McClellan Highway near Branchland.Midkiff-West Huntington 138 kV – A transmission line on wood poles and steel structures beginning at the West Hunting-ton Station on Jackson Avenue in Huntington and running south, passing the midpoints of Shoals, Lavalette and Crockett and ending at the Midkiff Station on Ten Mile Creek Road near Branchland.

NOTICE TO CUSTOMERS

In Home Caregivers NeededAll Areas of Lincoln County

• FREE TRAINING • FLEXIBLE HOURS • PAID MILEAGE • ABOVE AVERAGE WAGES

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL:

Lincoln County Opportunity Co., Inc.

304-824-3448 360 Main Street

Hamlin, West Virginia 25523

LINCOLN COUNTY OPPORTUNITY COMPANY, INC. IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMPANY AND OPERATES ON A NONDISCRIMINATORY BASIS WITH REGARD TO RACE, COLOR, SEX, CREED, OR DISABILITY.

“Your one stop shop for senior needs”

Friends Helping Family

William Carpenter Executive Director

ROUTE DRIVER NEEDED

Part-time, could lead into full-time. Must be healthy, mechan-ically inclined, valid driver’s license, non-smoker. Phone or text 304-521-3231 or e-mail: publisher@zoominternet.net.

WV History May 3rd thru May 9th

May 3 On May 3, 1960, the Diamond Department Store in Charleston opened its dining facil-ities to African Americans. May 4 On May 4, 1953, a 12-day strike at Perfection Garment Company plants in Martinsburg and Ranson, ended. May 5 On May 5, 1899, the West Virginia Industrial Home for Girls at Salem opened. May 6 On May 6, 1968, 25 coal miners at Hominy Falls in Nicholas County were trapped in a Gauley Coal and Coke Company Mine. May 7 On May 7, 1887, the West Virginia legisla-

ture passed an act appropriating funds for the construction of Spencer State Hospital. May 8 On May 8, 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a congressional resolution designating the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day. May 9 Early on the morning of May 9, 1913, mil-itary authorities raided the offices of The Socialist and Labor Star, a socialist news-paper in Huntington. e-WV: The West Virginia Encyclopedia is a project of the West Virginia Humanities Council. For more information, contact the West Virginia Humanities Council, 1310 Kanawha Blvd. E., Charleston, WV 25301; (304) 346-8500; or visit e-WV at www.wvencyclopedia.org.

______________________ LEGAL ADVERTISEMENT

Notice of Administration to Creditors,

Distributees & Legatees

Notice is hereby given that the following estate(s) have been opened for probate in the Lincoln County Clerk's Office at PO Box 497, Hamlin, WV 25523-0497. Any person seeking to impeach or establish a will must make a complaint in accordance with the provisions of West Virginia Code 41-5-11 through 13. Any inter-ested person objecting to the qualifications of the personal repre-sentative or the venue or jurisdiction of the court shall file written notice of an objection with the County Commission through the Lincoln County Clerk's Office at the address listed above within 60 days after the date of the first publication or within 30 days of the service of the notice, whichever is later. If an objection is not filed timely, the objection is forever barred. Any person interested in filing claims against an estate must file them in accordance with West Virginia Code 44-2 or 44-3A.

Settlement of the estate(s) of the following named dece-

dent(s) will proceed without reference to a fiduciary commissioner unless within 60 days from the first publication of this notice a ref-erence is requested by a party of interest or an unpaid creditor files a claim and good cause is shown to support reference to a fiduciary commissioner.

First Publication Date: Wednesday, May 6, 2020 Claim Deadline: Sunday, July 5, 2020. 2/5-14-20

ESTATE OF: NEDRA KAY DINGESS 64 ELLIS FARM ROAD BRANCHLAND, WV 25506-1801 ADMINISTRATOR: GREGORY D. LAMBERT 99 ELLIS FARM ROAD BRANCHLAND, WV 25506-1801

ESTATE OF: MYRON MCCOY 4576 MCCLELLAN HWY. BRANCHLAND, WV 25506 EXECUTOR: MYLYNH MCCOY 1448 YOUNG ST. #103 HONOLULU, HI 96814 ATTORNEY: STEVEN T. COOK W/COOK LAW OFFICES PLLC PO BOX 549 BARBOURSVILLE, WV 25504

WWW.LINCOLNNEWSSENTINEL.COM - WWW.LINCOLNJOURNAL.COM - The Lincoln News Sentinel - THE LINCOLN JOURNAL - Wednesday, May 6, 2020 - Page 5b

HAMLIN AREA RENTALS - houses & apartments. Kitchen furnished. NO PETS! Call: 304-824-3808 or 304-824-3875. TFN (102)

FOR RENT: HAM-LIN RT. 3 - Across from 7-11 - Very large nice 2 bed-room townhouse d u p l e x ; w a s h e r / d r y e r , kitchen furnished;

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2002 DODGE RAM VAN with new tool bins. Runs well. Needs tie rod frame welded, new tires on chrome wheels, V-8 engine, $1,800.00 Good work van. Will trade for guns or ATV of equal value. Phone 304-521-3231. TR (208) ____________ UTILITY WORK VAN - 2003 Dodge Ram 150 -5.1 8 cyl. engine - with brand new $1,200 Leggett-Pratt tool bins and storage racks. Great work vehicle, well main-tained, almost new 8 ply commercial tires. $1750.00 or best reasonable offer!!! Phone 304-521-3231. TR

SEREN STITCHES 304-824-7849 - Quilts, longarm bindings and alter-ations. TFN (210) ____________ PLASTIC PAL-LETS for sale. 48 x 48 - SPECIAL on plastic $3.00. Call: 304-824-5101. TR (210)

SOCIAL SECURI-TY DISABILITY. We offer aggressive representation. No fee unless you win. Attorney Jerry Alford, 304-756-2100. TFN (700)

P R E G N A N T ? NEED HELP? HAVE QUES-TIONS? Call for help and questions answered. Hope Pregnancy Care Center, 8036 Lynn Avenue, Hamlin, WV 25523. 304- 824-HOPE. 304- 824-4673. TFN (900)

THE TOTAL MARKET COVERAGEINCOLNL OURNALJ =

CLASSIFIEDSTO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD

CALL 304-824-5101 Advertisers should read the ad the FIRST DAY IT APPEARS AND REPORT ERRORS in time for the next insertion.

The Lincoln Journal is responsible for ONLY THE FIRST incorrect insertion.

ALL CLASSIFIED ADS MUST BE PREPAID. PAYMENT

CAN BE MADE BY CASH, CHECK, MONEYORDER,

OR CREDIT CARD.

We Accept

Place Your TMC Classified Ad Here!

16 words or less for 2 Weeks only $9.50! With a combined circulation of over 17,000 each week, a TMC

Classified is an effective, inexpensive way to reach all of Lincoln County! NOW your classified ad appears on the World Wide Web

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2 Easy Ways to Place Your CLASSIFIED AD!1. By Phone:

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Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Classified Deadline: Journal/Sentinel — Friday @ 4:30 p.m.

Times — Friday @ 4:30 p.m.

IndexRentals For Sale Wanted Help Wanted Pets Child Care/Adoption Business Services Lost & Found Auction Notice Reward Yard Sale Personals

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West Virginia Statewide Classified NetworkFeatured in WVPA Newspapers Across West Virginia

Place YOUR statewide ad today any of three easy ways:

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2016 CLAYTON HOMES TRAILER FOR SALE FROM

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Southern West Virginia Health System in Man, WV

time, and that the school system would be in contact with the Lincoln County Health Department about the ceremony.

At the school last Thursday morning, dozens of staff lined the main roadway from the main entrance on Route 3 to the western (vocational) end of the facility. There, tables and boxes were laden with packets, boxes, and more, all ready for students and their families to collect ahead of the June 26 event. Prior to the pan-demic, the Panthers had been scheduled to graduate just over two weeks from now, on Friday May 22. Instead, they’ll have to wait just five weeks longer to receive their diplomas and be on their way.

There was an unexpected sur-prise for the Panthers as they drove away from the school or opened their boxes at home. While the announcement stationery was appropriately emblazoned with pawprints, it also included an image of a lion instead of a Panther. By early afternoon, the high school had notified students of the error and reassured them that the supplier would be reprint-ing the announcements.

At the other end of the campus, Thursday morning, the five school board members were interviewing four candidates who are seeking to succeed Midkiff. Come gradua-tion day on June 26, Midkiff will be the final lap with just five days left in his career as an educator and administrator. By July 1, a new superintendent will be in place, getting ready to welcome back 3,400 students to school on Wednesday, August 19, including the 15th graduating class of high school seniors, the LCHS Class of 2021.

48 days later, Panthers return for caps, gowns, tassels, and lionsFrom Page 1a LCHS

Staff turn out in force to salute departing Class of 2020

Photos courtesy of Sue Burton

Page 6b - Wednesday, May 6, 2020 - THE LINCOLN JOURNAL - WWW.LINCOLNJOURNAL.COM

THREE GREAT WAYS TO STAY CONNECTED TO YOUR

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERIn Person • Over the Phone • By Virtual Appointment

With the implementation of social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, information and processes are changing very quickly. In

response, we are evolving the way we deliver patient care to provide safe & e昀ective access for you to stay connected to your health care provider.

With the introduction of Phone and Virtual appointments as an option to receive health care services, you may be wondering how that works

and if one is a good 昀t for your needs. Know that we are here for you, to answer your questions and continue helping you live your healthiest life

during these challenging times.

If you have questions about Telehealth, call us, Monday – Friday from 8am to 4:30pm at 304-824-5806 ext. 1302.

Lincoln Primary Care Center • 7400 Lynn Ave., Hamlin, WV 25523 • 304-824-5806Guyan Valley • 5322 McClellan Ave., Branchland, WV 25506 • 304-824-5707

swvhs.org

Lincoln Journal All County Basketball Selections 2020

Chosen in consultation with county middle school coaching staff

MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER: Becca Pennington, Guyan Valley COACH OF THE YEAR: Bill McCloud, Guyan Valley FIRST TEAM (listed in alphabetical order) Josie Bird, Hamlin Daizi Farley, Harts Shannon Peligrinni, Duval Becca Pennington, Guyan Valley Allison Ramey, Guyan Valley SECOND TEAM Alyssa Adkins, Hamlin Haley Fleming, Harts Anneliese McCloud, Guyan Valley Hayden Moore, Guyan Valley Kyleigh Peters, Duval HONORABLE MENTION Peyton Adkins, Duval; Aayla Browning, Harts; Olivia Dalton, Harts; Jodi Porter, Guyan Valley; Chevelle Salmons, Hamlin; Ryleigh Shull, Hamlin. MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER: Zion Blevins, Guyan Valley COACH OF THE YEAR: Chip Ellis, Guyan Valley FIRST TEAM (listed in alphabetical order) Austin Adkins, Harts Cameron Blevins, Guyan Valley Zion Blevins, Guyan Valley Conner Richards, Hamlin Aydin Shaffer, Duval SECOND TEAM Austin Adkins, Duval Riley Clay, Hamlin Jamie Hatfield, Guyan Valley Andrew Hensley, Harts Will Shepard, Guyan Valley HONORABLE MENTION Benji Adkins, Harts; Trenton Adkins, Harts; Walker Adkins, Guyan Valley; Drew Banks, Duval; Austin Dunlap, Duval; Trevor Lambert Harts; Brad McKee, Hamlin; Brady Napier, Hamlin; Logan Sponaugle, Hamlin; Dakota Wood, Duval.

G I

R L S

BOYSZion Blevins

Becca Pennington

HAPPY 80TH

BIRTHDAY

PHYLLIS STOWERS

From everyone here, at The Lincoln Journal, we want to send you the very best of birthday wishes, and many more to come.

Happy Birthday, Phyllis!

Second COVID-19 case confirmed in Lincoln

By SEÁN O'DONOGHUE Managing Editor

HAMLIN – At 8:30 a.m., April 30, 2020, the Lincoln County Health Department received notice of its second con-firmed case of COVID-19. "The patient and their known con-tacts have been identified and are cooperating with the Health Department’s orders. All parties have agreed to isolate them-selves which will greatly reduce the risk to public health in Lincoln County. We ask that the public respect the privacy of the family during their recovery," Health Department Administrator Sam Suiter told The Lincoln Journal, shortly after 10:30 a.m.

The case follows the first detected instance several weeks ago in Lincoln County. That patient has since fully recovered according to the department.

Lincoln County Commission President Josh Stowers said, "Our prayers are with the affected individual and their family as they go through this difficult time.” Stowers added, "We ask that the community continue to follow guidance from the health department and the CDC as we continue to combat this virus.”

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) reported that as of 10:00 a.m., on April 30, 2020, there had been 44,541 laboratory results received for COVID-19, with 1,118 positive, 43,423 negative and 41 deaths.

DHHR has confirmed the death of an 89-year old man from Jackson County. "Our heart goes out to this West Virginian and his family,” said Bill J. Crouch, DHHR Cabinet Secretary.

These are considered official numbers reported to the state. They will, in turn, be reported to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). "Delays may be experienced with the reporting of cases and deaths from the local health department to the state health department," the DHHR said in its daily news release.

Commission accepts Browning’s retirement, appoints Dobbs as temporary signatoryBy SEÁN O'DONOGHUE Managing Editor

HAMLIN – The Lincoln County Commission, meeting again by video con-ference due to the COVID-19 pandemic, accepted the retirement letter of Lincoln County Assessor Guy Browning, Thursday evening, April 30, 2020. Two commissioners took part in the brief meet-ing at 6 p.m., namely, President Josh Stowers and Commissioner Phoebe Harless.

Stowers explained that the commis-sion was further required to appoint a tem-porary signatory for documents until such time as the commissioners deter-mine who will fill the unexpired term to the end of the year. The two com-missioners approved Chief Assessor’s Deputy Connie Dobbs to be the sig-natory.

The commissioners are required to fill the vacancy in the assessor’s posi-tion by May 30, 30 days after the resignation became effective. During his brief remarks, Stowers mentioned “applications” as being part of the process. He further indicated that the commission would take up the matter at the May

7 regular session. Back in 2012, when a flurry of resignations led to the commis-sion having to swiftly fill vacancies in the office of sheriff, county clerk, and county commissioner, the commission advertised, received applications, and interviewed candidates. For sheriff, two sets of inter-views were needed. There were six candi-dates interviewed on February 17, 2012. When the first appointee declined the role, seven further interviews followed, with David Vickers being picked for the role. Also on February 17, the commissioners interviewed seven candidates for county

clerk and appointed Myrl Gue to the role. Once the commission appoints an assessor, the appointee is expected to

serve until the end of December. In the meantime, Browning will remain on the June 9 primary ballots which had already been printed. As he will emerge unopposed from that election as the party’s nominee, Browning will then be expected to withdraw from the general election contest. That will allow the Lincoln County Democratic Executive Committee to replace him on the November 3 general election ballot.

Former Assessor Guy Browning

Interim signatory Connie Dobbs