BY GLENN GANNAWAYNEWS EDITOR

The search continued Wednesday morningfor the ex-husband of the murdered JaninaGina Lorraine Jefferson, a single mother, artistand public servant who was remembered as “ajoy to be around.”

As of press time Wednesday, the WiseCounty Sheriff’s Office, Big Stone Gap andA p p a l a c h i apolice, VirginiaState Police andU.S. MarshalsService wereworking thecase, SheriffRonnie Oakessaid.

The sheriff’soffice describesthe ex-husband,Eric MonroeJones, as “a per-son of interest”who is wantedfor questioningin the Jeffersonhomicide. Jonesis also wantedon a felony pro-bation violationstemming from an original charge of attempt-ed murder for hire.

Jones, 46, is considered armed and danger-ous, the sheriff’s office said, warning people tonot approach or try to apprehend him. Anyonewith information on Jones’ whereabouts isencouraged to call 911 or the Wise County

BY GLENN GANNAWAYNEWS EDITOR

Big Stone Gap police are seekingthe whereabouts of a suspect in astabbing incident.

Sgt. W.A. Hollinger said TroyDaniel Caudill, 55, of 915 Wood Ave.Apt. 3, is believed to be in LeeCounty after a Sunday night stabbingincident at a Frog Level trailer park.Caudill allegedly stabbed anacquaintance who lives in the trailerpark.

Donald Luke Church, 68, 902Butterfly Lane, told police thatCaudill entered his trailer Sundayand stabbed him in the chest beforeleaving on foot.

Big Stone police are seekingCaudill on a warrant for aggravatedmalicious wounding. Hollinger saidmore charges could be forthcoming.

Church was hospitalized and was in stable condition as of Tuesday after-noon, Hollinger said.

Anyone with information about Caudill’s location should contactHollinger at 276/523-0117.

● OBITUARIES Page 4 ● OPINION Page 5 ● SPORTS Page 6 ● ON THE TRAIL Page 8 ● POST SCRIPTS Page 8 ● CLASSIFIEDS Page 9

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On The Trail

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Thursday, December 1, 2016

VOLUME 126, NUMBER 48 10 PAGES USPS 4395401 $1.00 Big Stone Gap, Virginia

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Appalachia Lions: 75 years of community serviceBY GLENN GANNAWAY

NEWS EDITOR

Lions Club International hasdefined the true meaning of citi-zenship through 99 years of serv-ice to its communities, and theAppalachia Lions have been mak-ing outsized contributions to thateffort for 75 of those years.

A small group of businessmenorganized the Appalachia Lionson Nov. 27, 1941 — just 10 daysbefore the bombing of PearlHarbor pulled the nation intoWorld War II. The club is stillgoing strong — exceptionally so,given the downturn in participa-tion that has cut the ranks of manyvolunteer organizations — andcelebrates its first 75 years with adinner at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10in the gym of the former highschool building.

“Our motto is ‘we serve,’ and I

think all of us in that club havethat drive to help those less fortu-nate, to give back to our commu-nity,” said Roger Ramey, whoserves on the anniversary commit-tee with Susie Richardson,Susanna “Susie” Light, CindyThomas, Lucy Taylor and Helen“Susie” Fillmore. Ramey is also apast district governor for theLions of Virginia and has been thechair of several committees dur-ing his 35-year membership.

The Appalachia Lions’ goodworks are many. The club just didmore than 1,200 eye screenings atAppalachia Elementary and ScottCounty schools. The club alsohelps support the annual Remote

Area Medical event as well ashosting a cookout for visitingLions on the Saturday evening ofRAM weekend.

The Lions also support theAppalachia Kids’ Fishing Derbyand the community picnic annual-ly. The club makes numerousdonations to youth activities suchas the Appalachia Little Leagueand participates in the Christmasin July for foster children, and ithas supported the MissAppalachia Pageant. The Lionsand the Big Stone Gap club selladvertisements for the footballprogram. The club has also givenfinancial support to MountainEmpire Older Citizens’ meals andchildren’s programs.

Appalachia Lions Club is amember of District 24-F, whichtakes in southwestern Virginia.The district has helped support theHillsville residential training cen-

ter for special-needs adults mone-tarily as well as spiritually: clubmembers journey to Hillsville tosing carols each Christmas.

The club, as Ramey summed itup, does “pretty much anything ifthere’s a need.” Including, ofcourse, buying eyeglasses for chil-dren and adults who qualify anddoing referrals for hearing aids.Ramey himself suffers fromMiniere’s, a disease affecting theinner ear, and has only about 40percent hearing in his left ear. “Ican really relate to doing hearingscreenings for these kids, howimportant it is to (detect) hearingloss early . . . How important it isfor education and socialization,”he said.

Because Medicaid won’t coveradult hearing or vision exams,Ramey said, the club decided sev-

This smile’s for Who

No one could manage a ‘Grinchy frown’ when Dr. Tonya Johnson, left,and Katherine Bolling took part in Saturday’s Whoville costume contestat Miner’s Park. Looking on are the Grinch himself, played by TravisBarker, and Mayor Augustus Maywho, played by Town Manager (andJohnson’s husband) Stephen Lawson. See Page 2 for more photos.

The Wise County Sheriff’s Response Team, supported by other law enforcement agencies, issuedsearch warrants at an Italy Bottom home Monday as the manhunt for Eric Monroe Jones, a personof interesting in the slaying of Janina Jefferson, intensified.

Troy Daniel Caudill iswanted in connection to aSunday stabbing incident.

Gap man sought instabbing incident

See LIONS, Page 3

PHOTO BY GLENN GANNAWAY

Club's beginnings:See Page 4.

PHOTO BY GLENN GANNAWAY

Jefferson murder spurs search for ex-husband

Eric Monroe Jones

See MURDER, Page 3