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RALEIGH PLAYHOUSEAND THEATRE ANNOUNCESUPCOMING PERFORMANCES

LOCAL | Page 5A

GREENBRIERDRUG TASK FORCEON THE HORIZON

REGION | Page 3A

SHADY SPRINGKNOCKS OFF

OAK HILLSPORTS | Page 1B

THEREGISTER HERALDThursday, January 10, 2013 Beckley, West Virginia ◆ Single copy: 75 cents

Volume 133Number 205

BRIDGE . . . . . . . . . 8B

CALENDAR . . . . . . . 8B

CLASSIFIED. . . 9B-12B

COMICS . . . . . . . . . 7B

DEAR ABBY . . . . . . 8B

DEATHS . . . . . . . . . 6A

HISTORY. . . . . . . . . 8B

HOROSCOPES . . . . . 7B

NEWS OF RECORD 11A

OPINION . . . . . . . . . 4A

SPORTS . . . . . . 1B-6B

STATE & REGION . . 3A

STOCKS . . . . . . . . 10A

TELEVISION. . . . . . . 8B

INSIDE TODAY

Partly sunny,20% chance

of rainHigh 54. Low 42.

Details, Page 11A

WEATHER

Douglass recommends shutdown of black fly spraying By Mannix PorterfieldREGISTER-HERALD REPORTER

CHARLESTON — Swarmsof aggravating black fliesmight have free rein to terror-ize folks in a large swath ofsouthern West Virginia nextsummer, if a control programis abandoned to meet budget-ary constraints.

Before exiting his office,longtime Agriculture Com-missioner Gus Douglass pro-posed a total elimination ofthe black fly spray mission,cutting expenses in the com-

ing fiscal year by $722,756.Initially, says Mike McK-

own, director of the Depart-ment of Revenue’s Budget Of-fice, the commissioner soughtto slice the program by only$186,650, dropping it to$536,106.

That, however, failed to meetGov. Earl Ray Tomblin’smandatory 7.5 percent roll-back imposed on all state agen-cies.

Douglass then decided toscrap the black fly program al-together, while also eliminat-ing $198,000 from the $1.5 mil-

lion gypsy mothtreatment pro-gram.

His succes-sor, former Sen-

ate Finance Chairman WaltHelmick, D-Pocahontas, isn’tabout to sit still for either cut.

To his way ofthinking, bothprograms arevital and servehand-in-glovenot only witha g r i c u l t u r eneeds but withtourism and

the timber industry as well.Helmick says it would be

“extremely difficult” to aban-don the black fly program, onethat releases Bti on the New,Greenbrier and Bluestonerivers weekly from earlyspring to late summer.

The program began in the1980s with the leadership offormer House Speaker BobKiss, D-Raleigh.

“It touches so many differ-ent lives down there,” Helmicksaid Wednesday, as he pre-pared to leave his Senate of-fice and move into the agricul-ture department.

Helmick acknowledged thatthe black fly program — al-most three quarters of a mil-lion dollars — is no cheap ven-ture.

Green, Hall ready totackle tough issuesBy Mannix PorterfieldREGISTER-HERALD REPORTER

CHARLESTON — Educa-tion reforms, highway needsand other heady issues are onthe minds of the 9th District’stwo senators, but one matterbothering folksthey representis a roiling so-cietal one —prescriptiondrug abuse.

As the newLeg i s la tureopened forb u s i n e s sWednesday, ina one daymeeting to deal with procedur-al matters, only one changewas made in Senate policy.

And that one found thechamber renaming the Agri-culture Committee, now call-ing it the Committee on Agri-culture and Rural Develop-ment, effectively broadeningits scope of work.

Daniel Hall, D-Wyoming,who served two terms in theHouse of Delegates, now joinsSen. Mike Green, D-Raleigh,as the senators representingthe 9th District.

“We’ve got big plans,” Greensaid, without elaborating.

“There’s a loton the hori-zon.”

Green saidhe sees thecontroversialeducation au-dit as a majorissue loomingin this session.

“And obvi-ously, we’re go-

ing to look at prison over-crowding, because we’ve gotthe regional jail in Beckley,” hesaid.

“There are a lot of things onthe forefront that are going tobe pertinent to the 9th senato-rial district.”

By Sarah PlummerREGISTER-HERALD REPORTER

Raleigh County SchoolsSpecial Education Depart-ment is receiving national at-tention for its work providingnew teachers with resourcesand mentorship.

Special Education ProgramsDirector Cindy Cor-ley-Hicks explainedthat recruiting andretaining special ed-ucation teachers is aproblem nationwidebecause of the chal-lenging aspects of the job, in-cluding feelings of isolation,legal liability and copiousamounts of paperwork.

In an effort to remedy thisconstant turnover, RaleighCounty has partnered withthe Department of Educationand the federally funded Na-

tional Center to Inform Policyand Practice in Special Educa-tion Professional Develop-ment (NCIPP) to develop theNew Teacher Induction andSupport Project.

The goals of this project areto improve the quality of in-struction and teacher satis-faction in the Special Educa-

tion Department.The department hasheld monthly devel-opmental sessions toaddress teacher con-cerns like behaviormanagement tech-

niques, participated in stateprovided webinars, paired 10of the school’s new teacherswith mentors, and developeda Raleigh County Schools’Mentor and New TeacherHandbooks.

Attention to special edgets national recognition

United Way meets goal, prepares for 2013

RICK BARBERO/THE REGISTER-HERALD

Richard Jarrell, 2012-13 campaign chair for the United Way of Southern West Virginia, from left,and Margaret O’Neal, executive director United Way, receive a check for $10,000 from RodneyLeRose II, owner of Crossroads Chevrolet, LeeAnn Myles, customer service manager at CrossroadsChevrolet, and Rodney LeRose during a presentation at the Raleigh County Public Library Wednesday.The donation put the United Way over its $500,000 goal. See additional photo on Page 11A.

By Wendy HoldrenREGISTER-HERALD REPORTER

The United Way of South-ern West Virginia has of-ficially reached its

$500,000 fundraising goal, andFrank Wood, publisher of Beck-ley Newspapers and The Regis-ter-Herald, has been named the2013-2014 campaign chairman.

“Today is truly a historic dayfor United Way of SouthernWest Virginia,” said RichardJarrell, 2012-2013 campaignchair.

After working for monthswith multiple partners andagencies on numerous events,the United Way reached its“BHAG.”

“BHAG stands for big, hairy,audacious goal,” Jarrell ex-plained. “We increased givingin the community by $60,000.”

The 2011-2012 goal was setfor $440,000 and Jarrell saidthat goal was met and exceededin record time, so he wanted toraise the bar for his fundraisingyear.

“Some said it couldn’t bedone in this economy, that it

was too big, but it’s not aboutthe goal, it’s about the need.”

Jarrell thanked MargaretO’Neal, executive director, forher unbelievable leadership.

“We worked, danced, swunggolf clubs, and even wreckedmotorcycles in the armory,”Jarrell laughed.

“We have get to’s and wehave got to’s. This has been aget to for me. I love this com-munity and it’s made me who Iam.”

He and O’Neal became a bitteary-eyed as they reflectedover the past year’s work.

“Richard has kept me focusedand working. He always keptus confident,” O’Neal said.

His faith held strongthroughout the year, andCrossroads Chevrolet was thecontributor that put the UnitedWay over the top for its$500,000 goal.

Rodney LeRose II, owner ofCrossroads Chevrolet, present-ed the United Way with a$10,000 check Wednesday atthe Raleigh County Public Li-brary.

LeRose said he was happy to

be able to donate to such agreat organization.

Lee Ann Myles, customerservice manager for CrossroadsChevrolet, said she wants tohelp the community and looksforward to working with theUnited Way in the future.

Wood said he is looking for-ward to the challenge of becom-ing the United Way campaignchair and he expects thefundraising goal will be quitesubstantial.

“This is an aggressive organi-zation in collecting money, butalso an aggressive organizationin helping the community,”Wood said.

As the small ceremony cameto a close, Jarrell took off his“Live United” rubber braceletand gave it to Wood. Jarrellsaid he wore the bracelet fromthe time he set his fundraisinggoal and did not take it off untilthat goal was met.

The United Way of SouthernWest Virginia serves 32 non-profit organizations in the re-gion.

— E-mail: wholdren@register-herald.com

Green Hall

On Page 2A■ House Speaker Thompson

says they are ready to work■ Senate President Kessler

vows ‘the best is yet to come’

2013Legislature

On Page 12A■ New Marsh Fork

school building earns high marks

■ RALEIGH COUNTY SCHOOLS

See ATTENTION, 11A

See ISSUES, 11A

Wood named 2013-2014 fundraising campaign chairman

See BLACK FLY, 11A

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RAVENS BEAT 49ersIN SUPER BOWL

SPORTS | Page 1B

U.S. MILITARYEXPANDS DRUG WAR

IN LATIN AMERICAWORLD | Page 5B

THIS RECORD-BREAKING TATER

IS NOT A TOTLOCAL | Page 3A

THEREGISTER HERALDMonday, February 4, 2013 Beckley, West Virginia ◆ Single copy: 75 cents

Volume 133Number 230

BRIDGE . . . . . . . . 10A

CALENDAR . . . . . . . 6A

CLASSIFIED. . . 8B-12B

COMICS . . . . . . . . . 7B

DEAR ABBY . . . . . 10A

DEATHS . . . . . . . . . 6A

HISTORY . . . . . . . 10A

HOROSCOPES . . . . . 7B

MINI PAGE. . . . . . . 6B

NEWS OF RECORD 11A

OPINION . . . . . . . . . 4A

SPORTS . . . . . . 1B-4B

STATE & REGION . . 3A

TELEVISION . . . . . 10A

INSIDE TODAY

Mostly cloudy

High 35. Low 28.Details, Page 11A

WEATHER

Local leadersweigh in onallowing gaysin Boy ScoutsBy C.V. MooreREGISTER-HERALD REPORTER

FAYETTEVILLE — After a recent an-nouncement that the Boy Scouts of America(BSA) is considering doing away with a mem-bership restriction based on sexual orienta-tion, scouting groups near the new permanenthome of the National Scout Jamboree arepreparing for discussions about the issue.

Rather than dictating anyspecific policy, the national or-ganization may turn over de-cision-making power on thematter to local “chartered or-ganizations” that supporttroops with meeting spacesand other resources. These in-clude churches, civic groups,and educational organiza-tions.

The idea is that locals are best positioned to“accept membership and select leaders consis-tent with each organization’s mission, princi-ples, or religious beliefs,” said a statement fromBSA Director of Public Relations Deron Smith.

When the scouts posted last Monday’s officialstatement on the matter on Facebook, the postgenerated over 14,000 comments and over3,100 “likes.”

The Boy Scouts of America has faced publicscrutiny for its exclusive membership practices,given that the group is supported in variousways with taxpayer dollars.

On Page 11A■ BSA’s official

statement on this issue

■ Obama says scouts shouldallow gays as members

By Mannix PorterfieldREGISTER-HERALD REPORTER

CHARLESTON — New Agricul-ture Commissioner Walt Helmickbegan poring over his budget Fri-day, looking for ways to restore allor part of the funding of a black flyspray program in southern WestVirginia and still meet a mandatory7.5 percent rollback in spending bystate agencies.

Before leaving office, former Com-missioner Gus Douglass elected toabandon the $722,756 account thatfinances the spraying of Bti alongthe New, Greenbrier and Bluestonerivers from early spring to late sum-mer.

Riverfront villagers led lawmak-ers decades ago to approve a controlprogram, complaining that swarmsof gnats make life miserable duringthe warm months.

Buddy Davidson, communications

director for the agency, said the newcommissioner wants to return someof the funding “because he under-stands the importance of that pro-gram to the people of that area.”

“I don’t know exactly how muchthat will be at this point,” he said.

“His budget proposal will be for-malized and out there before toolong. I can’t speculate beyond that.There will be something in there.Obviously, it’s going to be enough todo something.”

Douglass at first tried to paredown the black fly spray account by$186,650 but that didn’t satisfy thespending cut that Gov. Earl RayTomblin imposed last year on allstate agencies. So, the former com-missioner then decided to drop theprogram altogether.

“That is an important program,”Davidson said.

“We do have insect experts onstaff that work on that program. It’s

huge for the tourism industry downthere.”

The program hasn’t been withoutits detractors. At the outset, an en-vironmental group, Save OurMountains, challenged it unsuccess-fully in court on grounds it woulddisrupt the natural food chain ofaquatic life. Later, the group, alongwith some longtime residents ofHinton, maintained that the fishpopulation in the New River had di-minished substantially after yearsof Bti treatments.

Davidson said he saw firsthandthe complaints tourists and resi-dents alike voice about the gnats.

“One day I was down there to domy story on the program and thegnats just kept getting me,” he said.

“I was right below the (Bluestone)dam and it was horrible. They eatyou alive.”

— E-mail: mannix@register-herald.com

New Ag commissioner says he’ll restorefunding for black fly spraying program

See SCOUTS, 11A

City website maybe refocused; WiFihotspots possibleBy Wendy HoldrenREGISTER-HERALD REPORTER

Beckley’s information technology directorsays that the city’s website may be refocusedin the future and WiFi may be a possibility forpopular city areas.

Bill Kelly was asked by Councilman TomSopher at last week’s meeting how search en-gine results for “Beckley, WV” can be changedto reflect more entertainment events versuscity organizations. He also asked if gettingWiFi would be a possibility for the camp-ground at New River Park.

“As with many things, (search engine opti-mization) is not as simple as we had hoped,”Kelly said. “What people find in search engineresults depends mainly on what they’re look-ing for.”

Kelly said he hopes to have a meeting soonwith the city’s recreation department to findout what they would like to be promoted.

“Right now the City of Beckley website ismore of a government-focused website. Thequestion is, should it be more of a tourism-fo-cused website?”

Kelly hopes to answer that question in thenear future during meetings with city offi-cials. He said the IT Department can then fo-cus the website however is needed.

As for WiFi at the campground, Kelly saidhis department has actually been looking ateven broader access.

See WEBSITE, 11A

JEFF STOVER/THE REGISTER-HERALD

Little remains of the Gospel Truth Lighthouse Church, across from Lester Square in Sophia, Sunday afternoon. Aspace heater is suspected in the blaze, but will be investigated by the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

Fire destroys Sophia churchSeven fire departments and more

than 45 firefighters responded to astructure fire in Sophia at Gospel TruthLighthouse Church at approximately12:30 a.m. Sunday.

Sophia City Fire Chief Jeff Pittmansaid when his crew arrived, within 10minutes — after making their wayacross slick, snow-covered roads — firewas already coming through thechurch’s roof. The structure was fullyengulfed.

They suspect a space heater was thecause of the fire.

Crews from Sophia City, Sophia Area,Coal City, Mabscott, Lester, Trap Hilland Beaver fire departments workeduntil nearly 4 a.m. fighting the flames.

Pittman said there were no injuries,but the building was a total loss.

— Wendy Holdren

PHOTO COURTESY DEREK KINCAID/LESTER VFD

More than 45 firefighters from seven departments battled the blaze.