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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 8, 2010
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Due to the number of days missed because of weather conditions
graduation dates for the schools of the Switzerland of Ohio
Local School District have been adjusted by the board of
education to the following: Beallsville High, Sunday, June 6, 2
p.m.; Monroe Central, Saturday, June 5, 7 p.m.; River High
School, Saturday, June 5, 7 p.m.; Swiss Hills Career Center
Certificate Ceremony, Thursday, June 3, 7 p.m.
All eighth grade graduations will be held on Tuesday, June 8:
Beallsville, 6 p.m.; Dear Editor,
My name is Ruby Eikleberry and I was
involved in an automobile accident at the intersection of
I was the blue car traveling north on The other insurance company is denying
liability coverage because they can’t interview the witness. I
am asking that this person or any other witness to the accident
contact the Woodsfield Police at 740-472-5771. I know a lot of people do not want to get
involved in being a witness to an accident, but many innocent
people are denied coverage because of conflicting statements of
drivers when there are no witnesses. Please call as soon as
possible. Ruby Eikleberry Woodsfield Dear Editor, This is in response to comments made by
Kathy Singleton in her letter to the editor dated April 1, 2010. I think if someone feels strongly enough to
write a letter to the editor they should get their facts
straight. The correct amount for the current
delinquency will be available after the settlement. As for the procedure for delinquent taxes,
following the second half settlement the auditor must advertise
any taxes that are a year or year and a half delinquent. If not paid after advertising the first
year, they are certified the second year to the prosecuting
attorney by the auditor. Same delinquencies are not advertised
again as prohibited by the Ohio Revised Code. Kathy needs to get her facts straight,
accusing me of no accountability in the foreclosure of
delinquent taxes. As county treasurer it is not my
responsibility to pursue the collection of delinquent taxes. We
can only assist the taxpayer by having them enter a contract to
stop foreclosure of their property by giving them a set schedule
with affordable monthly amount to pay up the delinquent tax. We
send out delinquent notices to give them a chance to pay before
being advertised. The prosecuting attorney is not only my
attorney but is attorney for all the county. He has a lot on his
plate and I am no way saying he should have time for these
foreclosures. Mr. Riethmiller has had foreclosure sales in the
past. Previous prosecutors have never aggressively sought the
collection of the delinquent taxes. A number of counties hire a
private attorney to do their collection of delinquent taxes as
their budget and financial picture enable them to do this. Dretac money is used for purposes dealing
with delinquent taxes. Raises!! What’s that? My employees did not
receive a raise in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010. The last
raise they received was in 2004. They have seen many employees
in other departments get raises each of those years. Not only
did my employees not get raises but had to take an eight hour a
week cut in wages for two months last year. I could say a lot
more about this. Please call me if you have any questions. My
phone number is 740-472-1521, or feel free to stop in my office,
I will be glad to talk with you. Judy Gramlich, Dear Editor, I have recently become aware of certain
defamatory remarks and rumors being made about me insinuating my
alleged involvement in certain illegal activities. Although I
believe such stupidity hardly justifies any type of response, I
feel compelled to protect my name. It was an absurd lie created
by a coward, but apparently got eagerly spread by a few without
checking for one key factor..the Truth! Webster defines “Slander” as: “A false and
malicious statement injurious to another’s reputation.” I’m not sure why an individual would
completely fabricate a lie then place into motion only to
inflict hurt and damage. However, I am willing to pay to try and
find out. I’m offering a reward for information leading to the
prosecution of the individual responsible for defamation of
character and slander. I am prepared to fully defend my
reputation against such attacks with legal action. I invite anyone with specific information
about the person(s) spreading slander about me to contact me. Gary Ricer
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Ohio's primary election will be held May 4 with absentee
balloting ongoing at the Monroe County Board of Elections
office, located at the Black Walnut Center, off Moore Ridge
Road, Woodsfield. The office is open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday
through Friday.
Vying for the gubernatorial seat are Democratic incumbent
Governor Ted Strickland with Yvette McGee Brown running for
Lieutenant Governor. Republicans challenging the seats are John
Kasich for Governor and Mary Taylor for Lieutenant Governor. In
opposition for the Attorney General seat are Democrat Richard
Cordray and Republican Mike DeWine.
For Auditor of State: Democrat David Pepper and Republicans Seth
A. Morgan and David A. Yost. For Secretary of State: Democrat
Maryellen O'Shaughnessy and Republicans Jon Husted and Sandra
O'Brien. For Treasurer of State: Democrat Kevin L. Boyce and
Republican Josh Mandel. For United States Senator: Democrats
Jennifer Brunner and Lee Fisher; Republican Rob Portman;
For Representative to Congress (6th District): Democrats Jim
Renner and Charlie Wilson; Republicans Donald Allen, Bill
Johnson and Richard D. Stobbs;
For Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, full term commencing
1/1/11: Democrat Eric Brown; Republican Maureen O'Connor. For
Justice of the Supreme Court, full term commencing 1/1/11:
Democrat Mary Jane Trapp and Republican Judith Ann Lanzinger.
For Justice of the Supreme Court, full term commencing 1/2/11:
Republican Paul E. Pfeifer with no Democratic opposition. For
Judge of Court of Appeals (7th District), full term commencing
2/9/11: Democrat Gene Donofrio with no Republican opposition.
For Member of State Central Committee, Man (20th District):
Democrats Darrell Lear, William E. Moore and Anthony Vernell;
Republicans Pete Couladis, Patrick Hennessey and Bruce E.
Kelbaugh. For Member of State Central Committee, Woman (20th
District): Democrats Susan Mitchell, Jacqueline J. Rothschuh and
Judy Wray; Republicans Marilyn K. Ashcraft and Rebecca J. Khune.
For State Representative (93rd District): Democrats Frank D.
Fleischer and Linda Secrest; Republican: Andy Thompson. For the
Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, full term commencing 1/1/11:
no declaration of candidacy filed for either party.
For
Two state issues are on the ballot. Issue 1: Proposed
constitutional amendment to extend the Ohio Third Frontier
Program by authorizing the issuance of additional general
obligation bonds to promote economic growth. Issue 2: Proposed
constitutional amendment to change the location of the
Hands have been busy as the
by Martha Ackerman
Have you always wanted to have a garden, but didn't have the
space or the right soil mix to be successful? Have you ever
wanted to grow your own fresh vegetables? Has plowing up a plot
kept you from having a garden?
These are a few questions asked by organizers of
It was an idea that took root months ago when Nan McBurney spoke
at a Woodsfield Garden Club meeting, noted co-chair Sarah Kraft.
Also co-chairing the project is Barb Carslund, with McBurney as
treasurer.
According to Kraft, Monroe County's community garden is
patterned after St. Clairsville's 40-plot garden. It's a city
project there with St. Clairsville providing the funds to Master
Gardeners, who oversee the community garden project.
The wood for the raised beds was delivered to Swiss Hills March
31. Students in the Construction Trades I class with their
instructor Bob Dougherty are building the beds which will be
laid out in the near future.
Packets containing applications, liability release forms, garden
rules and information regarding the date, time and place for the
first meeting can be picked up 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Monroe
County OSU Extension Office, located in the courthouse. There is
a small fee associated with reserving the raised beds.
The project is proceeding, in part, through a $250 donation by
the Farm Bureau and a $500 donation from Safe Auto and $250 from
Rolling Hills Ruritan. Mark Gallagher and Steve Riley of the
Monroe County Park District put in the water hydrant, which will
be used to water the beds. Green Valley Co-op donated the
hydrant and the weed killer.
If you're interested in getting your hands a little dirty,
feeling the satisfaction and delight one feels as each seed pops
through the ground or those vegetable plants set buds, stop in
at the extension office and pick up a packet. Remember there are
a limited number of raised beds available.
If you don't have a sense of humor, you probably don't have any
sense at all.
Money will buy a fine dog, but only kindness will make him wag
his tail.
Can you believe Americans use enough toilet paper each year to
reach to the sun and back? Funny the useless information you can
pick up here and there. How many people have asked you how much
toilet paper is used in
The only thing I worry about is there is a good supply when I go
to the men’s room. We never worried when I was a kid how long
the Sears & Roebuck would reach, we had a Montgomery Ward in
reserve. This worked until they got to putting so many slick
pages in their catalogs, even sale catalogs worked.
On the other hand, who would have the time to figure out how
much toilet paper we use, or maybe dumb enough to write about
it? Then again, I think I saw a blurb on TV if you had a
question and wanted an answer you could text a number and get
the answer. Only 99 cents, I think. I’m sure glad I didn’t
have a cell phone when I was in high school.
Isn’t it kind of strange how things happen or work? For
example, when we have a few warm days and it’s the time of
year when folks are traveling more, the price of gasoline goes
up. On the other hand, when cold weather rolls in the gas that
operates your furnace keeping you warm costs more and more, even
after your gas company had told you that you could get your gas
cheaper if you buy from another gas company. Did someone say
between a rock and a hard place?
Well, the high school basketball season is over except maybe an
All-Star game or two. Generally speaking the boys tournament
this year was one of the better ones. I had hoped to watch the
Shadyside team play. Then I wondered. The team that stopped the
Shadyside trip to
Before I forget it, you just can’t win. Thursday it was cool
and rainy with the wind blowing to make not the most pleasant
weather. It had almost stopped by the time the final game was
over. On the way back to our motel we ordered a 14 inch pizza
and were ready to pig out and watch TV.
I woke up around 5 a.m. and peeked out the window. There it was.
Our car was covered with snow. I didn’t say anything and went
back to bed. When we got ready and headed for the “Schott”
we found the streets slushy and ice in many places. I will say
this; soon after we arrived they started spreading salt with a
bunch of different spreaders.
By the time normal folks started arriving, the ice was melted on
all the walks set around the building. I understand folks around
here were not so lucky and didn’t get any snow. Ha.
I enjoy basketball but I also enjoy watching people. Believe me,
you can observe all kinds at the state tournament. I saw a
couple of boys, I think, dressed in a Spider Man’s outfit from
head to toe. That would be a fun outfit to wear while watching
the game.
Girls in the cold rainy weather wearing short, shorts and no
jackets. I sat in the car with the heater blowing. We had white
outs, both sides, green outs, and probably out, outs.
The most unusual thing I observed in one cheering section was
Jesus, that’s right, Jesus. Someone, I’m not sure if a boy
or girl, had a wig and beard and was wearing a robe. Every once
in a while he would spread his arms wide. The rather unusual
thing was the cheering section of students chanted, “We got
Jesus, We got Jesus,”
several times. They only chanted this once so maybe someone
stopped them. Jesus, however, kept putting his arms out wide
several times.
Now I’m not sure if Jesus helped them or not but they won
their first game. He must of traded places with you know who
during the second game or they got clobbered about right.
A green out happened the first game on Friday when the Green
Wave played the Green Bears, Newark Catholic and Ottawa Hills.
The Green Wave rolled over the Green Bears by 12 points.
I learned before the game that some long time friends were
really involved with Newark Catholic. Two sons and grandsons on
the team. This caused me to want them to win. They were rated
number one in the state. After I watched the blow-out game I
wondered what would happen in the final game.
Before the championship game I met my friends who were in our
area and we had a good visit, only short. As happens Newark
Catholic lost by seven, but it was not lack of effort. They
played good basketball but lost. I know just how they felt as I
went through the same thing a couple of years with the Golden
Hawks.
The team played good basketball; however, this was not the only
thing that really impressed me. I thought their student cheering
section was one of the best, well behaved group and the team did
something that made me proud of them.
When the National Anthem was played all of the players and
cheerleaders held their hand over their heart. I couldn’t tell
for sure but I think the
I can’t help it; I think this is one of the problems today. We
have little respect for a lot of things. We tend to forget the
Armed Forces that are paying with their lives so we can enjoy
things such as the boys’ state tournament. I was really proud
of these young folks.
No one ever says “It’s only a game”
when their team is winning.
Church services are also held after Easter.
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Alleged
Plan Unfolds in Courthouse Testimony
by Taylor Abbott
Charles Leroy Russell,
Prosecuting Attorney Lynn Riethmiller called upon Monroe County
Deputy Tracy Truax to testify before the court. In his
testimony, Truax said that Russell was in possession of
dangerous ordnance.
“We recovered four different types of chemicals that can be used
in the manufacture of explosive devices when mixed,” said Truax.
According to Truax, the chemicals are legal to possess but can
be mixed to create an explosive compound.
Riethmiller asked Truax to specify the types of items recovered
from Russell’s property.
“After a search of the home, we found four cast iron hand
grenades, 90 blasting caps, milling equipment, drill press,
metal lathe, a .22 caliber Ruger handgun and two homemade
suppressors with one attached to the weapon. Russell had the
machinery in his home to manufacture the suppressors. Metal
shavings were found around the machinery,” said Truax.
Mark Morrison, public defender for Russell, requested the name
of the confidential informant. After disclosing the man’s
identity, Truax testified that the informant had been facing
previous charges of underage consumption and was being
cooperative with authorities.
According to Truax, “The informant was at Russell’s home. He
said that they had smoked marijuana together and had an interest
in knives. It was there Russell told him that he had enough
explosives and knowledge to blow up the courthouse. The
informant also reported that Russell had been studying the
structure of the courthouse.”
“Were any of the chemicals recovered from Mr. Russell’s home
mixed together in any way?” asked Morrison.
Truax answered, “There were no chemicals found mixed together.
The chemicals were stored in separate containers in Russell’s
home. We also recovered two books. One was entitled The
Anarchist Cookbook. The other book detailed pyrotechnics.”
In regard to the hand grenades found in the home, Morrison asked
if they could be detonated using the blasting caps found.
“We found the grenades to be empty but found them threaded and
sealed with a pipe plug. A blasting cap could be used to
detonate the device but I am no expert on explosives,” said
Truax.
“Who identified these chemicals and explosive devices?” asked
Morrison.
Truax responded, “We have an explosives expert that works for
the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. He was present during the
search of the home and identified the chemicals and explosive
devices found in the home. He was also able to identify the
homemade suppressors found. Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol,
Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, along with the FBI, assisted
the Sheriff’s Office on March 24 after the second search warrant
was issued.”
According to Truax, the chemicals found in Russell’s home were
taken by AT officials to a remote area along State Route 800 and
destroyed.
Judge Peters heard testimony and ruled that there was probable
cause. He bound Russell over to the Grand Jury and recessed.
Russell would not comment when asked if he was planning to bomb
the Monroe County Courthouse.
Prior to Russell’s latest arrest, he pleaded guilty to a
fifth-degree felony count of possession of dangerous ordnance in
2003. Records from the Monroe County Clerk of Courts office show
that he spent 32 days in jail because of the felony. Following
his release, Russell was placed on probation for three years and
ordered to undergo an immediate mental evaluation.
Russell currently faces four counts of possession of dangerous
ordnance and five counts of illegal manufacture or process of
explosives in
Russell's bond was set at $300,000 and is currently being held
at the Noble County Jail.
NEIL F. GRAHAM
He was a construction worker and a member of the Ohio Operating
Engineers Local #18,
Surviving are his wife, Mary Lee Williamson Graham, whom he
married Nov. 7, 1981; a sister, Mildred Piatt of Woodsfield; two
brothers, Billy (Shirley) Graham of Chardon, Ronnie (Janet)
Graham of Graysville; and a brother-in-law, Don Davis of
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two
brothers, Stuart Graham and Harry Graham; and a sister, Betty
Davis.
Friends were received April 1 at Watters Funeral Home,
Woodsfield, where funeral services were held April 2, with
Minister Scott Chambers and Rev. Richard Wilson officiating.
Burial followed in
Masonic services were held April 1 at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Woodsfield Christian
Church,
Online condolences may be expressed at
www.wattersfuneralhome.com.
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