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740-472-0734 ■ P.O. Box 70, Woodsfield, OH 43793 ■ monroecountybeacon@sbcglobal.net
Below are links to portions of this week's news articles. For the full story, pick up a paper at your local newsstand or send $2 ($2.50 if the issue is over 3 months old) with date of paper requested, your name and address to P.O. Box 70, Woodsfield, OH 43793 and we will send you a paper.
April 22, 2010
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Ohio Valley Community Credit Union celebrated Earth Day and
Arbor Day recently by purchasing trees from Monroe Soil and
Water. The trees were given to account holders who switched to
e-statements. Trees were also donated to
Get a Tree When You
Ohio Valley Community Credit Union celebrated “Going Green” with
a promotion. Members were asked to switch from paper statements
to e-statements and when they did, they received a free tree.
The trees were purchased from the Monroe Soil and Water
Conservation District, where employees worked with OVCCU to
package each tree individually so that members could pick the
tree of their choice.
OVCCU purchased additional trees to donate to various businesses
as a way of supporting the environment and “Going Green.”
“We did not inherit this world from our parents,” said Greg
Harper, OVCCU CEO. “We are borrowing it from our grandchildren.
It’s a small way we can give back to our borrowed environment
and make it a cleaner, better place to live and work.”
“Getting your statement electronically rather than by paper
provides many advantages to both the credit union and the
members,” said Robyn McGuire, OVCCU Human Resources and
Marketing Manager. “Some of the advantages are: safety - no
paper statements with account information in the mail to get
lost or stolen; e-statements are received faster and safer than
through the mail; saves time and reduces paper clutter; reduces
the amount of private information in your mailbox that is
susceptible to mischief; saves trees and ultimately saving our
environment; statements are archived and easily accessed; saves
on postage; and they are convenient, fast and secure.”
In honor of earth and arbor day, recipients of the donated trees
were: Barnesville Hos-pital, Woodsfield’s Airport Road Walking
Trail, Woods-field Kiwanis, MACO Work-shop,
Our
Readers Write
We would like to thank the Kiwanis Club and the
We, as residents, enjoy the trees on a daily basis; however, it
is extremely important, if we want our town and county to grow
and prosper, that newcomers entering Woodsfield see attractive
streets and well maintained homes and yards. The trees certainly
help to project this image.
Ruth and Jay Heslep
Dear Editor,
In a day and time when People magazine’s front cover is a young
teenage girl who hung herself after being bullied with
obscenities and physical violence at school, I’d like to share a
few altruistic experiences I witnessed firsthand at Beallsville
Elementary. I work with an adorably intelligent five year old
boy that also happens to be diagnosed with autism. He is in the
process of transitioning into kindergarten and we attend Mrs.
Marcum’s kindergarten class at Beallsville one day a week.
The first event happened his first day of school in gym class.
This was the first time he had been in a gym and he was
unfamiliar with the game they were playing. With autism, it is
very difficult to grasp concepts when there are no written or
verbal directives. He was looking quite mystified and I was
about to intervene when a little boy from the other kindergarten
class by the name of Branson grabbed his hand. Branson said,
“Hang on to me, I’ll keep you safe.” They ran back and forth
several times together and he was elated being a part of the
game. One little girl was about to throw the ball at him and
Branson shouted, “No, don’t. He doesn’t know how to play yet.
Get me instead.” The little girl immediately turned and headed a
different direction. I don’t think I’ve ever observed such a
remarkably intuitive and noble random act of kindness. Branson
not only noticed another’s plight and was willing to assist; he
took it a step further and was willing to sacrifice being “out”
(apparently a very big deal in gym class). What a kind and
loving heart this little good Samaritan had toward a stranger.
The second incident happened during the school talent show. The
audience and the participants were from grades K-12. One girl
got up to sing a solo and from the look on the girls’ face, she
was obviously distressed. First there were a couple of voices
joined in, then more voices, and suddenly the entire audience
K-12 was standing, swaying, and singing to the song with the
performer. When the song ended, the audience thunderously
clapped for her. She was given the award of “Best Audience
Participation.” What could have been a potentially embarrassing
and awkward memory in this young girl’s life instead became a
moment of intense camaraderie, bonding, and friendship with the
entire school. Kudos to the students at Beallsville who by their
empathy and kindness, “lifted the girl up on angels’ wings” to a
performance she will never forget.
Mrs. Marcum is by far one of the best teachers I’ve ever
encountered. She weaves kindness, manner, charity, and
compassion seamlessly with the curriculum throughout the day,
not just with words, but by her own gentleness and kindness of
spirit. Before we arrived in her class, Mrs. Marcum had given
thought to the perfect place to sit, the perfect locker
arrangement, had his name already placed on the cubby, the
locker, and the job board. Alongside everyone else’s Easter
rabbit; there was a rabbit with goodies with his name printed on
it. Every minuscule detail was meticulous thought out prior to
his arrival for his benefit and smooth transition. It is easy to
see why every student in that classroom feels “special” and
“loved.”
The children in the classroom are all kind and helpful, but one
little girl, Alissa Bowers, is extraordinarily special. She has
had such a positive impact on his life and played a very
important role in the success that he has achieved thus far just
by being herself. She is the most bubbly, helpful, kind, and
enthusiastic little girl I’ve ever encountered. When they
attended preschool together, she taught him the art of “putting
yourself out there” and just having fun. Her exuberance for life
had an enormous impact during a critical learning period in his
life. Alissa’s zest for life and the friendship she provides has
been an invaluable teaching tool. She served flawlessly as his
“peer mentor” without the training.
I have worked in some capacity within the Switzerland of Ohio
Schools since 1976, and I’ve witnessed more “random acts of
kindness” at Beallsville schools in a few weeks than I’ve seen
in those past 34 years. Kindness does matter. In a time that it
is “oh so rare” to hear about kindness, empathy, compassion, and
charity, Beallsville students and staff “have it going on.” They
exhibit that “humanity” is alive and well and abounds within the
walls of their school.
Rhonda Koslik
Dear Editor,
Judy, I do have my facts straight and any information I report
is public information and, by law, must be given when requested
by any office in the courthouse. Here is our current delinquency
amount from past years to first half of 2010, $619,394.01.
Yes, Judy, I feel strongly about this problem. I am still
unclear on what exactly the DreTac money is being spent on. Judy
stated, “DreTac money is used for purpose dealing with
delinquent taxes.” How much DreTac money is in your budget and
where is the money going if not towards the prosecution of the
guilty?
Judy also stated “a tax payer enters a contract to stop
foreclosure by giving them a set schedule with affordable
monthly payments.” I would like to know how many delinquent
taxpayers are on this program and how many times have they
broken their contracts plus how do you specifically handle these
broken contracts?
Yes Judy, you are accountable along with Mr. Riethmiller.
Generally a treasurer’s duties are as follows: To serve as local
tax collector, a county’s investment officer and administrator
over delinquent tax collection programs. A treasurer’s job
responsibilities can be found in the Ohio Revised Code.
Paying property taxes is the law just like purchasing auto
insurance, wearing seat belts, no drinking and driving,
following speed limits, just to mention a few. If an individual
is caught breaking these laws they are fined, possibly jailed or
worse. Someone explain to me how an individual who refuses to
pay their property tax can go unpunished. It’s the law! Most
individuals pay taxes because it is the law, they love their
county and realize the county would be in jeopardy. Eight
percent of property tax goes into the General Fund which pays
county salaries, utility bills, insurances and running
courthouse offices. Remember 80 percent of $619,394.01 would go
to our schools. Our commissioners, Mr. Pyles, Mr. Price and Mr.
Davis are in charge of the General Fund. Why are these men not
demanding that the treasurer and prosecuting attorney perform
their duties? If our prosecuting attorney won’t do his job then
do not pay him. His yearly salary is $92,565 plus benefits.
Judy also stated “he has a lot on his plate.” That’s ridiculous.
Mr. Riethmiller has an assistant prosecuting attorney who’s
salary is $28,000 yearly and still taxes are not being
collected. I don’t feel we are getting our money’s worth from
this office. I still believe pay your taxes or sell your
property even if force is required. Everyone knows when taxes
are due. There is little room for any excuse. Mr. Riethmiller
and Mrs. Gramlich will not be receiving my vote, if they run, in
the next election. Our commissioners need to perform their
duties of office more seriously or find another job.
Kathy Singleton
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Members of the Monroe County Chamber of Commerce welcomed Matt
Longwell, owner of the Red Head Quickstop, LLC to the business
community recently. An open house was held marking the grand
opening of the Red Head. Shown, from left, behind the counter,
business owner Matt Longwell and Red Head manager Judy Piatt;
representing the Chamber: Lance LaFollette, Don Longwell, Dick
Sulsberger, Helen Carpenter, Team Monroe’s Tom Scott, Sam Moore
and Don Thompson.
Members of the Monroe County Chamber of Commerce welcomed Red
Head Quick Stop, LLC to the business community recently.
Owner Matt Longwell hosted an open house April 9 to acquaint
everyone with the new Red Head Quick Stop.
The Red Head has been in operation for many years, but was
closed until Longwell purchased the business several months ago
from Phillip and Becky Sims.
“Our goal is to provide a clean, bright, friendly place to
purchase your automotive and personal needs,” said Longwell. “We
have a friendly staff with Judy Piatt as the manager. Other
staff members include Lynda Coble, Vickie Pittman, Dave Gibson
and Rusty Davis.”
Red Head Quick Stop offers gasoline, on road diesel and off road
diesel at competitive prices. No fees are charged to use credit
or debit cards. The business also carries snacks, chips, ice
cream, tobacco products, Stokers tobacco and snuff, along with
many automotive products, candy and an assortment of soft
drinks.
When fishing is the destination, Red Head has bait available.
You can also pick up a cooler and ice for those fishing trips.
DVD rental is also located within the business.
DiCarlo’s pizza is available, made to order. A full line of
alcoholic beverages are in stock and the Ohio Lottery is up and
running.
Need an early morning or whenever pick-me-up? Red Head customers
can find cappuccino, hot chocolate and 8 O’Clock coffee at the
Red Head. With the warm days, or anytime for that matter, Slush
Puppies are available in blue raspberry, cherry, crush orange
cream and strawberry cream. Yum!
Longwell and the Red Head staff invites everyone to stop by or
call for your next pizza order, 740-472-9007.
Russell Pleads Not Guilty
Charles Leroy Russell appeared before Judge Julie Selmon for his
arraignment on Apr. 14. Russell was charged with 47 counts to
which he pled “not guilty.”
Russell was indicted on Apr. 13. He is facing four separate
charges, third and fifth degree felonies.
- First charge: 35 counts of unlawful possession of a dangerous
ordnance. Fifth degree felony.
For each of the fifth degree felonies, Russell faces a potential
6-12 months in jail and $2500 fine for each count. The third
degree felonies carry with them a potential 1-5 years in prison
and a $10,000 fine for each count.
Russell’s attorney, Mark Morrison, filed a motion on Apr. 13
requesting that Russell be present at all legal proceedings and
be permitted to wear “street clothes.” Riethmiller and Sheriff
Chuck Black conferred with each other briefly after which
Riethmiller had no objection to the motion. How-ever, Russell
will remain shackled during court proceedings. Selmon refused
to make a ruling on the motion until a later date.
Riethmiller requested that bond be set at $350,000. Morrison
asked that the bond be lowered saying, “My client has appeared
at previous proceedings and is not a flight risk.”
Riethmiller argued that, “Due to the number of charges, prior
felony convictions, the multitude of violations, as well as the
threat to the courthouse, the state requests bond be set at
$350,000.”
Selmon set bond at the state’s request reminding Russell that if
he should post bail, he is not allowed to consume alcohol,
possess firearms or leave the state among other stipulations.
A jury trial is tentatively scheduled for mid-June. Russell
continues to be held at the Noble County Jail.
Do you realize in about 40 years from now, we’ll have thousands
of old ladies running around with tatoos?
Be careful reading the fine print. There’s no way you’re going
to like it.
I guess maybe the snow we’ve had this winter has done some good.
I just finished mowing our lawn for the third time. My neighbors
get out and mow their lawns, then I have to mow ours. Oh well,
I’d rather mow grass than shovel snow.
I’ll bet a nickel you didn’t know this; chicken is the only
thing we can eat before it is born or after it is dead.
Well, now that March Madness has passed I guess we can start
complaining about the weather. Too hot, too cold, too dry,
humidity too high and a dozen other things. It’s funny how we
get a few days of good weather and then complain when we have a
cold snap during the time of year it’s a tink early to have many
warm days.
I watched countless basketball games on TV and boys’ tournament
during March Madness. In fact, it took several nights before I
quit seeing little basketballs bouncing around in my sleep.
It was really enjoyable to read about Derek Hannahs’ success on
the basketball floor. We all remember his dad Mitch and the
Skyvue team that did so well. This is the kind of news I enjoy
reading. Then again I expect having a seven footer on your high
school team does help. The refs in
I also hope you have read the two letters from Tim Price that
have been printed in the Beacon. I know its been 65 years but
his letter brought back a lot of memories. I spent the last six
months of my service time in
I have said before my time in the service spent in
Shucks, I just looked through the Unclaimed Funds Accounts and I
did not see my name listed. I guess you can’t get money from
home without asking for it.
Is it ever hot, up to 80 all ready. It’s only 2 p.m. Someone
told me it was going to be hot and dry this year. Maybe we won’t
need to mow our lawn as often. They say we’re in for a
thunderstorm.
I think Smart Balance is the name of the fat free milk I
mentioned last week. The one that tells us all the bad fat in
milk. I guess they can charge more for fat free milk than just
plain old skim milk.
I just checked Unclaimed Funds for
As I mentioned recently I have a page in Facebook. I did it just
for the heck of it and it is kind of interesting, even if I
don’t know anything about it. For example, some how or another I
have a Golden Retriever. There is kind of a problem; however. I
don’t have any dog food to feed it. As I read some of the
messages on my page is what we old timers call gossip. For
example, “Eating Hershey candy bars causes your feet to get
smaller”. I don’t believe that. I really don’t try to hunt some
of the things they say are on Facebook.
You know, this time of year there just does not seem much to
write about. Even with all the junk going on in the world you
seem to waste your time writing about it. So I thought maybe I’d
end this blurb with a story off the internet. You can get some
good things there, if you try.
It seems a couple heard a knock at their door at 3 a.m. on a
rainy night. The man answered the door and found a drunk
standing there who said, “I need a push.”
No way am I going to give you a push on a rainy night at 3 a.m.,
closed the door and went back to bed.
When his wife learned what happened she said, “God loves a
drunk; you need to give him a push.” After bickering back and
forth his wife said, “Remember when we were stuck and that good
man gave us a push?”
Well, the husband climbed out of bed again, opened the door and
yelled, “Do you still need a push?”
“Yes,” was the answer. “Well, where are you?” The answer was,
“I’m sitting here in your swing.”
I’ve reached the age where the happy hour is a nap.
Yes, you’re still welcome at church.
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GLENDA "FAY" McELFRESH HENDERSHOT
She graduated from
Surviving, in addition to her mother, are her loving husband of
51 years, John J. Hendershot; three daughters, Teresa K. (Roger)
Stark of Marietta, Karen L. (Larry) Irwinsky of Oklahoma City,
Okla., Marcia C. Beamer of Amelia; a sister, Lorna M. Ward of
In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by an
infant brother, Herman Allen McElfresh; and a son-in-law, Randy
Beamer.
Friends were received April 1 at Leavitt Funeral Home, Belpre
and one hour prior to services at Belpre Church of Christ on
April 2, with Ron Laughery officiating.
Online condolences may be expressed at
www.LeavittFuneralHome.com
BERT R. SHREVES, JR.
For seven months of his life he took part in a test study for
lung cancer to help future patients. He was a member of the
Surviving are his wife of 52 years, Shirley Wagner Shreves of
Fly; two daughters, Debbie (Frank) Curtiss of Hannibal, Candy
(Stacey) Fisher of St. Marys, W.Va.; a son, Curtis Shreves of
Fly; seven grandchildren, Jessica, Stacey, Joshua, Jamie, Brian,
Julie and Jackie; eight great-grandchildren, Brett, Hunter,
Andrew, Parker, Jeffery, Gunner, Lynn and Blake; two brothers,
Norman Shreves of Chester, Va., Laymon Shreves of Hopewell, Va.;
a half-sister, Loretta Gibson of Parkersburg, W.Va.; and several
nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three
brothers, Ralph, Bob, Jim; and a sister, Violia.
Friends were received April 18 at Grisell Funeral Home,
Sympathy expressions to grisellfuneralhomes.com |
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