War Hero and Former Police Officer Watches Life Unravel
War Hero and Former Police Officer Watches Life Unravel Save Email Print
Posted: 10:53 PM Nov 21, 2008
 Last Updated: 10:53 PM Nov 21, 2008
 Reporter: Randy Yohe
Email Address: randy.yohe@wsaz.com
161 comments
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WORTHINGTON, Ky. (WSAZ) -- Soldiers and police officers have much more in common than uniforms and guns. They both serve their country and their communities.

But one former solider, who came back home and joined a small local police force, has watched his life unravel. Travis Utley is an American war hero who fears he's lost the respect of his community and just about everyone else.

Utley recently lost his job as a Worthington police officer after allegedly smoking marijuana -- something he said did not happen.

But Worthington Police Chief Mike Hartman said Utley's not telling the truth. He said that after about five months on the small town force -- Utley, a 25-year-old rookie -- crashed a cruiser about three weeks ago, then tested positive for marijuana and resigned.

Utley said he was clean, but the chief "had it in for him" and that he had just passed a police academy entrance drug test eight hours before the crash.

"I wanted another drug test," Utley said. "They said they would not do it. I wish I had gotten an attorney, but it would not have mattered."

But what did matter to Utley's mother -- so proud back in 2003 -- was when her Army specialist son was locally and nationally recognized as a point man in the capture of Saddam Hussein.

"I was the one who pulled Saddam out of the hole," he said. "Now I'm unemployed and don't know how I will pay the rent."

Now on disability after suffering leg injuries from a roadside bomb, Utley said he didn't smoke marijuana until he got out of the service.

"I did when I got out but not after I became a cop," he said.

Hartman refused an on-camera interview, referring us to the city attorney. He did say, however, that Utley crashed a police cruiser, tested positive for marijuana and resigned instead of being fired. He added that Utley was a troubled young man.

Remembering his celebrated past and living hand-to-mouth on $200 disability a month, the war veteran said his bleak future gives him no reason to celebrate at all.

"My name's not as good as it was; it may never be again," Utley said. "I'm going to leave this area."

Worthington city attorney Paul Craft said he would not comment further on personnel matters. He did say he has full faith in Hartman's credibility as a veteran law enforcement officer.
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Posted by: Here on May 26, 2009 at 03:42 PM
Keep ur head up Travis!
Posted by: To The City Council on Jan 2, 2009 at 03:24 AM
Get out and check what people are saying for yourself and then do something about it. These guys except for maybe one of them give Police Officers a bad name. The Chief needs to be someone who is honest, trustworthy and for goodness sakes have some morals. You all have put some hot head upon a pedestal and he thinks he can do whatever he wants. Hope you people who are standing up for the Chief don't ever make him mad at you, then it will be a different story. Trust me, I know.
Posted by: CITIZEN 3 on Jan 1, 2009 at 12:32 PM
tO Also a Worthington citizen: You are right on. The other Worthington citizen is probably the chief defending himself because he is full of BS I am a citizen of Worthington and believe me I see what is going on and it is not for the city and cracking down on anything , but the foolishness is still there . Harrassing the citizens is more like it. Hartman is too busy running his Greenup business and does not give a sh*t about Worthington just a paycheck he does not earn and sloppy trained on the job officers only has 2 officers that have been to the academy of course hartman has been to the academy years ago but you would never know it! What a mess Worthington citizen or chief or chiefs friend we have your number and can read between the lines. We the concerned citizens have been watching what is going on we are not blind or stupid. And yes you can find them wowing the women and parked somewhere wowing them and at crisps airy bar. The citizens are watching what is going on!!
Posted by: Hey Also a Worthington Citizen on Dec 31, 2008 at 06:06 PM
You are right about one thing they are not just sitting around doing nothing. You see them at Crisp, Super Quik and little bit of everywhere else socializing with the ladies.
Posted by: Also a Worthington Citizen on Dec 30, 2008 at 06:59 PM
Well Citizen 3 I hate to tell u but u are dead wrong and I do know what I am talking about. I am a citizen of Worthington and I am very proud of the police department and all they are doing. Majority of Worthington citizens are just upset that we now have a police department and not just a bunch of guys that sit around and do nothing. They are cracking down on speeding, drugs and cleanin up the city. What's wrong with that? Chief Hartman is doing something that should have been done years ago.
Posted by: CIRTIZEN 3 on Dec 30, 2008 at 09:20 AM
To Citizen: I think the chief needs to be tested for several things. Everyone that knows him will most likely agree. I think you are the chief or a bud that gets favors from him ! You deon't know what you are talking about. We citizens of Worthington are very upset with the chief and the way he runs the PD the stupid things he does.
Posted by: Ron on Dec 28, 2008 at 01:52 PM
Travis Utley needs help as do all veterans especially ones returning from the Gulf War. I have some fellow workers and friends that have returned from duty there there. I believe their is something wrong with 2 out of 3 of them and the third is not exactly right, The soldiers have witnessed the most horrible sites that a soldier could possibly experience. Most of these veterans need checked out in the VA Psyh clinics and apply for disabillity to get help "free" for something they have certainly earned. I suspect that Travis is already in the VA for some type trama. Help them, do not give themselves cause to do harm to themselves.
Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 18, 2008 at 10:55 PM
say what you feel resident
Posted by: resident on Dec 18, 2008 at 06:28 PM
Ok guys this is so stupid the comments on if your not goin to post all comments dont post at all. Trust them its foe your aown safety because there could be a lot worse things said about mr. utley .............
Posted by: resident on Dec 17, 2008 at 04:15 PM
Maybe he will be better as a cook or a server. I heard he used to work as a meat hero at The Roadhouse in the past. His wife said he was a great cook. She is a good friend of mine. Great to see he has found a job! I dont know if they drug test though.
Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 16, 2008 at 11:13 PM
Rumor is that he does have a job at some restaurant. Drug free I doubt. I hope so but i doubt it. I would be very curious to see the results of a current drug test.
Posted by: resident on Dec 16, 2008 at 04:44 PM
I totally agree that it doesnt matter if he bad tires or dropped his joint or even almost hit a dog. I am just curious if he has had any luck MOVING ON with his drug free life and got a job like the rest of us.
Posted by: To Citizen 3 on Dec 16, 2008 at 04:15 AM
You have got to be kidding me. The moral to this story is a police officer wrecked his cruiser and was drug tested and he failed. I dont care how he wrecked the cruiser maybe he had bad tires, maybe a dog ran out in front of him, maybe he dropped his joint in the floor and bent over to pick it up and ran off the road and hit the tree. The bottom line is a police officer was drug tested and had drugs in his system.
Posted by: resident on Dec 15, 2008 at 10:34 PM
I was just wondering how Travis is doing since his accident and bad fortune? Has he found a job yet? Everyone has thier own oppinions on his situation and I figured people that know him have been commenting in his defense, so how is he now? Maybe things are looking up for him.
Posted by: Citizen 3 on Dec 14, 2008 at 11:37 PM
To Citizen Idiot Dec 3 post: Don't know why the tires were mentioned !!! You are the #1 Idiot duhh it was the tires that caused the wreck when the (SIDE OF THE TIRE BLEW OUT A BIG GAPPING HOLE WAS IN DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE) I don't think it could be made any simpler for you , evidently you don't understand plain english. WHEN THE FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT IT THREW THE CAR TO THE LEFT WHICH WAS TOWARD THE RIVER AND INTO THE SMALL TREE IF HE HAD BEEN GOING FAST HE WOULD HAVE TAKEN THE SMALL TREE OUT AND HE WOULD HAVE PROBABLY FLIPPED OR WENT INTO THE RIVER OR IF YOU HAD BEEN DRIVING BY HIM IT WOULD HAVE THROWN HIM INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF YOUR CAR. NOW HE ASKED HARTMAN FOR SOME TIRES AND POINTED THIS OUT TO HIM HOW BAD THEY WERE AND HARTMAN REFUSED TO GET THEM FOR HIM , WHO IS THE BIGGEST THREAT TO THE CITY I WOULD THINK IT WOULD BE CHIEF HARTMAN IT IS HIS JOB TO BE ON TOP OF THIS TYPE THINGS AS CHIEF. ASK YOUR COUNCILMAN THAT WAS PRESENT THAT DAY EVERYONE KNOWS IT "BUT YOU STUPID."
Posted by: Worthigton resident on Dec 5, 2008 at 09:57 AM
TO WSAZ: WHY ARE YOU NOT POSTING SOME COMMENTS AND THEN YOU POST OTHERS??? HOW ABOUT POSTING ALL THE COMMENTS ,I SENT ONE LAST EVENING AND I SEE IT HAS NOT BEEN POSTED . IF YOU ARE NOT GOING TO POST ALL SHUT IT DOWN AND ERASE THE ONES ON HERE NOW.
Posted by: To Citizen on Dec 4, 2008 at 12:31 AM
Thats funny the police report says it was the tires or did you miss that. Also tests can be fixed or wrong. Why would he risk public humiliation if he was really guilty. Maybe your buddy the chief is the guilty one. He is morally deficient so I wouldn't put it past him to set him up. He shouldn't be saying Travis has problems when he is not perfect himself. I look forward to your response.
Posted by: Citizen on Dec 3, 2008 at 09:05 PM
No I am not an idiot! In this situation the question wasn't of bad tires...it was that a police officer had marijuana in his system. I don't even know why bad tires was mentioned in this story. Travis is trying to make people feel sorry for him and for what reason? Because he is a "war hero"? I know the truth of this story and the truth is the tires on this car were just fine. The wreck was his fault and when he was sent to the hospital for his drug test he failed. Bottom line! Since when is it okay for a police officer to smoke marijuana. He arrests people for that very same thing!
Posted by: To Citizen on Dec 3, 2008 at 08:46 AM
You are an idiot. Why would you say who cares if the cruiser had bad tires? No Police Officer should be sent out in a car with bad tires. What if there were no drugs involved and that cruiser hit another car because of the bad tires and killed someone would you care then? You should really think before you speak. Sounds to me that you don't value a life.
Posted by: Citizen on Dec 2, 2008 at 11:23 PM
Okay how in the world can u guys defend Travis....Who cares if the car had bad tires....who cares that he wrecked....The main issue here is that WHEN Travis wrecked his cruiser he had to take a drug test which is standard procedure. How is it the cheif's fault that marijuana was found in his system? I mean seriously...how is this anyones fault but Travis?
Posted by: To Hartman's Fans on Dec 2, 2008 at 06:59 PM
For those of you who are standing up for your chief thats great. When he screws up so bad that the city can't keep it quite then we will meet back here and discuss it. For those who know him better we will have the last LAUGH. So don't sweat it Travis you know what they say, what goes around comes around.
Posted by: Richard on Nov 30, 2008 at 07:51 AM
TO MAD...Maybe you should go to college and learn how to spell.....right is right and wrong is wrong. Pot is illegal. Cops should be and have been held to a "Higher" standard as they should be. Just not the "Higher" tha Utley chose to do.
Posted by: Micky on Nov 29, 2008 at 11:46 PM
To anonymous: The chief didn't put the tires on the car they were on the car when they got it from Bellefonte and it was still in City of Bellefonte's name when Travis wrecked the chief didn't have it changed (see report) Travis will let you. Hartman is supposed to be a working chief and does not work undercover stupid or the city had to make him quit working his business in greenup while the city was paying him to work as chief , boy are you people ignorant and getting cheated as taxpayers and BTW I also am a taxpayer in worthington and I have talked to a couple of the councilmen, I like to see my tax money working for the citizens and city not foolishness. Open your eyes. Travis is a good guy and did not deserve this sh*t he's getting from some that are worse then him and still working .
Posted by: resident on Nov 29, 2008 at 09:15 PM
If I seen him working somewere else I would be happy for him. I SEEN him working on the police force and didnt cause the trouble he has now. I had nothing to do with it. He was on the news...Why blame the residents of this community. I guess putting blame on others is making things better. I agree.... not all of my comments have been posted either. Why worry about it now? Just go find another job and maybe it will work out. Good luck Travis.
Posted by: Citizen on Nov 29, 2008 at 06:59 PM
Yes there have been 4 officers leave this year...Mr. Porter did leave for health reasons plus he has another job with EMS. Sword did go to Ashland but chose to come back to WPD and be Sgt. Mr. Fisher did quit and went to Bellefonte bc he didn't get his way, which wasn't a loss. Officer Clark also quit to go to another city to make more money. You can't blame our officers for leaving to better themselves...besides Mr. Porter these are all young individuals with many years left in their careers and if they have an opportunity to make more money they would be stupid to stay here.
Posted by: fish on Nov 29, 2008 at 12:36 PM
WSAZ, WHY AREN'T YOU POSTING OUR COMMENTS ANYMORE, YOU ALL ARE THE ONE THAT GETS MOST OF THIS STUFF GOING THAN WONT POST COMMENTS.
Posted by: PABLO on Nov 29, 2008 at 11:11 AM
WAR HERO LIFE RUIN BY CITY EMPLOYEE'S, ARE YOU HAPPY MIKE HARTMAN YOU WILL HAVE FOOD ON YOUR TABLE THIS CHRISTMAS, OF COURSE YOU CAN GET YOUR HAND IN THE LITTLE GOODIE CAN AT WORK,YOU ARE NOTHING BUT A LYING CHEATIN CROOK.
Posted by: BIGEYES on Nov 29, 2008 at 11:06 AM
wsaz, if your not going to post the comments dont put the site on here!
Posted by: FREDDIE on Nov 28, 2008 at 11:19 PM
HOW CAN HE MOVE ON WITH HIS LIFE, I AM SURE IF YOU ALL SEEN HIM WORKING SOME WHERE ELSE YOU ALL WOULD RUIN IT FOR HIM. WHY DONT MR.HARTMAN GO SOME WHERE ELSE AND QUIT CAUSING TROUBLE!!
Posted by: resident on Nov 28, 2008 at 08:32 PM
I dont see why he doesnt just move on with his life and get over it. He should learn from this guilty or not. He needs to just get a job! He better make sure he is clean because most places give drug tests! Its been over 3 weeks now, maybe he would pass one out of luck. It wouldnt hurt to try. Any job is better than no job! It will pay your rent!
Posted by: another resident on Nov 28, 2008 at 02:30 PM
EXPLAIN THAT TO US, I AM GETTING A LITTLE CONCERN NOW.
Posted by: Resident on Nov 28, 2008 at 09:22 AM
This city has had 4 other Officers resign this year alone. I was told Chief Porter left for health reasons. Then we had an Officer Sword he left went to Ashland lasted their 2 days and came back and then I heard he commited perjury on the stand and had to quit. The their was a Sgt. Fisher who Quit I heard that Ex-Chief Porter payed off his contract he had with the city. then their was an officer Clark who left and went to a diffrent city. Can anyone tell me why this city has such a high turnover in officers.
Posted by: Citizen on Nov 27, 2008 at 07:45 AM
To frustrated with this city: Kinda funny if he passed a drug test 8 hours before he wrecked the cruiser that means that he took the test at approx 4 a.m. because it was around noonish when he wrecked. Where did he get that done? He took the test the day before and that night decided to party it up cause he thought he had nothing to worry about. And how stupid are you to think that cheif would put bald tires on travis car to make him wreck? Do u honestly think this is true? Poor poor Travis...everyone is just out to get the poor war hero aren't they? Travis is GUILTY bottom line! Travis is by far not innocent! About the tags on cheifs car...1st of all what is it ur business and 2nd of all have u ever thought that sometimes cops might use different vehicles with different tags on them 4 undercover jobs? Working in drugs can be very dangerous & u dont want people knowing where ur from! U obviously dont know as much as you think u do. Keep up the good work cheif! Ur #1 in my book!
Posted by: JIMMY JACK on Nov 27, 2008 at 02:03 AM
BIG DEAL IF HE GETS HIGH ARE ALL OF YOU ALL HOLY I AM SO GLAD THAT YOUR GOWNS ARE SO WHITE, DO YOU THINK WE WILL ALL MEET AT THE BIG GATE SOME DAY,ALL OF YOU ARE CROOKS,AT THAT CITY AND MR. HARTMAN WHY DO YOU ALWAYS WANT TO KEEP CAUSING TROUBLE, CANT YOU JUST ENJOY LIFE WITH OUT TRYING TO TAKE PEOPLE AROUND DOWN.
Posted by: Hank on Nov 27, 2008 at 02:01 AM
Hey, don't feel so bad, Travis. George Bush took credit for finding Saddam too and look at what a beating he's been taking.
Posted by: resident on Nov 27, 2008 at 01:47 AM
Apparently this guy has lied about alot more than this accident. If I was him, I would have been quiet about this whole ordeal. He got off lucky. But he seems to be so self centered that he thought this would help him I suppose. And I can praise Mr. Hartman if I choose. Just like you praise Travis! Im "not sorry" either!
Posted by: TO No Are You Dumb on Nov 26, 2008 at 11:44 PM
Maybe you need to read about the accuracy of drug testing and actually know the person before you start running your mouth. What about innocent until proven guilty. If he asked for another drug test then he should have been given one. Or given the chance to have one on his own instead of being threatened by the chief if he didn't resign. Maybe the chief is your friend and thats why you couldn't take my comments. Are you one of those people I was referring to? He was working when he had the drug test and was working when he had the accident. The officer working the accident says he wasn't under the influence. She has more experience than the chief and the so called Worthington drug task force. So before you call someone dumb research the facts, idiot.
Posted by: Are you dumb? on Nov 26, 2008 at 10:40 PM
To "frustrated": Are you really that dumb? It seems pretty clear that once this guy passed his drug test he immediately went and got high. Don't be so stupid.
Posted by: Use common sense on Nov 26, 2008 at 10:34 PM
It says he passed a drug test 8 hours BEFORE the accident. HELLO! That means he passed the drug test and then he went and got high. Then he got in an accident and failed the second test because he was high. This is so painfully obvious.
Posted by: Frustrated With This City on Nov 26, 2008 at 10:22 PM
I hope this one gets posted. I am sick of these people bashing Travis. Everyone is assuming he is guilty. He passed a drug test 8 hours before the accident and failed the test after the accident. Why isn't anyone questioning that. The chief had it in for Travis because he got a warrant for one of his friends. I am sick of everyone saying what a fine man the chief is. You are blind and stupid. The tires were bald on that car that is why he had an accident. Wake up people he was set up. Travis you need to hire an attorney and stick up for yourself. Hartman you need to get some self respect and resign, you stink. All you people sticking up for Hartman are probably the ones that he gets out of stuff. You scratch my back I will scratch yours. The chief drove around this town for months with his car with an Ohio License plate, but most citizens in this town would get a ticket for that. WSAZ check the Police report from the accident, get to the facts.
Posted by: lazy on Nov 26, 2008 at 09:30 PM
get off your lazy behind and get another job your lucky your not in jail, so stop feeling sorry for yourself and try to fix this and you should start by apoligizing to all of us. :(
Posted by: david on Nov 26, 2008 at 09:27 PM
i think down on everyone that takes up for him he makes people around here look really bad and were all out to get him when it was his own fault for loosing a job he should follow the law like he ibforces it to everyone else. ( not sorry )
Posted by: charlie on Nov 26, 2008 at 09:19 PM
this is so stupid everyone knows that he did what he did because he thinks above evryone
Posted by: resident on Nov 26, 2008 at 07:29 PM
we are just posting our oppinions. Just like you! That is what this comment board is for. So Why are you so angry? Freedom of speech! I guess that is why they call it the news!!! Some people never change, but some people do.....
Posted by: freddie on Nov 26, 2008 at 06:15 PM
hey resident, how much did you get payed for praising mr.hartman people know the truth about him he isn't all that honest and you all know it, yes he is a good guy but he has been known to lie, and cover up things!
Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 26, 2008 at 04:50 PM
To Micky: The reason the cruiser didn't go in the river was because he hit a tree and thats what saved him from going in. He was speeding! That is obvious! I could care less about seeing the report that the Raceland officer wrote out. Shes one of the dirties cops in the area. Shes probably the one who fueled this whole fire. And another thing....why did Travis wait so long to make this story public? This wreck happened a month ago! Did he have to wait for the weed he smoked to get out of his system in case they asked him to do a drug test again? HE IS GUILTY!!!! TRAVIS GET OUT AND GET A J-O-B! WORK LIKE THE REST OF US!
Posted by: ;Micky on Nov 26, 2008 at 11:55 AM
To All on this site that is bashing Travis . First WSAZ how about posting some other comments that you are failing to post!! Travis has his report and there was no speed involved or he would have been in the river , there was a councilman at the scene saw the tires and the hole in the side of the worn out tires that blew out causing him to wreck, he is lucky it didn't throw him and the car in the river. You people on here putting your 2 cents don't know what you are talking about, you must be hearing the BS the chief is telling to cover his rear. The car was in another cities name it is all on the report , have Travis show it to you then see what really happened . Stop putting the lies about Travis on here when you don't know anything except what you are hearing from the chief and city people that are trying to cover this up and blame Travis. As far as the test at OLBH that could have been false too. WSAZ HOW ABOUT PUTTING THE REST OF THE STORY ON AND QUIT PLAYING THE CITIES.
Posted by: resident on Nov 26, 2008 at 01:26 AM
Speeding is illegal, marijuana is illegal, regardless of what he has done for his country. We are all thankful! But he was still doing wrong. Even if he didnt smoke like he says. HE WAS SPEEDING! What if he would have hit another car? What I dont understand is why is he not in jail? I think he should stop feeling sorry for himself and find another job and be thankful himself that he still has the option to do so. Mr. Hartman seemed to have faith in him and he took advantage. Sounds to me like he got a break. I want to thank the Worthington police department for all that they do. I definately wouldnt want my kids saftey to be in the hands of someone like Mr. Utley.
Posted by: FormerChildStar on Nov 25, 2008 at 08:58 PM
one who works..., yeah. Every cops is honest and ethical. The reason they get little respect is because they aren't and they feel they are above the law. That is why the speed, lie, cheat, steal and then act like morons when they catch someone else doing the same thing.
Posted by: ENOUGH IS ENOUGH on Nov 25, 2008 at 08:25 PM
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH...BOTTOM LINE...SINCE WHEN IS SMOKING POT OKAY? ESPECIALLY WHEN HE WAS AN OFFICE OF THE LAW! TO GIVE CREDIT...I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENT! YOU OBVIOUSLY CAN SEE WHAT GOOD WORK IS BEING DONE IN WORTHINGTON TO GET THE CRIME AND DRUGS OFF THE STREET SO THAT WE HAVE A SAFER PLACE FOR US AND OUR CHILDREN TO LIVE AND NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT WHAT DRUGS ARE BEING SOLD IN OUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PARKING LOT OR AT THE STORE ACROSS THE STREET. TO HAHA: OBVIOUSLY YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT WORTHINGTON OR WHAT GOES ON IN THE CITY. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK GUYS! I HAVE A HUGE AMOUNT OF RESPECT FOR HARTMAN, WHITAKER AND CARTER AND THANK THEM FOR ALL THEY DO FOR THE RESIDENTS OF WORTHINGTON.
Posted by: PS on Nov 25, 2008 at 06:08 PM
TAMMY WHAT I MEANT WAS HE KEEPS SAYING HE WAS A HERO FOR BEING IN THE WAR. THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH WHAT HE DID SINCE HE WAS IN THE WAR ARE WE SUPPOSE TO SAY OK DO DRUGS THAT OK. THEY SHOULD STILL GO BY THE LAWS WHEN THEY COME BACK. I APPRECIATE WHAT THEY DO FOR ARE COUNTY BUT STILL FEEL THEY SHOULD GO BY THE LAWS. PPS I HAVE NO IDEAL WHAT PART OF ENGLISH YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND THE LAW IS THE LAW FOR YOU AND ME JUST LIKE IT IS FOR A COP OR SOMEONE BACK FROM THE WAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: give credit where it is due on Nov 25, 2008 at 04:32 PM
I wish that everyone would stop making it out as if this officer wrecked his cruiser due to smoking pot. No one has said that. He had the drug test due to it being the law after being in an accident. That is when the fact he had illegal drugs in his system. This bashing on the chief is wrong. I know him and he is a good man along with being a good cop. I have heard him say himself he thought Travis was going to be a good cop also.Chief had high hopes for him and was very disappointed in the results of his drug screening. Also I wish that when one officer breaks the rules it wouldn't effect the others but it does. Worthington has very good police officers looking out for us and the fact that since Hartman has became chief the drug activity has dropped greatly should say something. There is less for parents to worry about. Think we can give credit to Hartman,Carter and Swords for that accomplishment noone else in the past seemed to manage or care about?
Posted by: one who works in law enforcement on Nov 25, 2008 at 01:54 PM
Sorry, but no one in law enforcement should be given a break for ANY drug use. He had to be guilty if he quit. An officer cannot be ethical if he does drugs. They have to be honest, trustworthy and drug free. Its not right to do drugs as an officer and then arrest someone else for doing the same thing. yes, I do hold them to a higher standard...just because of their position.
Posted by: no sheep on Nov 25, 2008 at 01:49 PM
What about speeding? Cops do that illegally all the time illegally anyway. You have a different view of different illegal acts is all I'm saying. Pot is worse to you than some other traffic offenses. Fact is they can't prove he was under the influence and that caused the crash. That is the reason they tested him, but pot stays in the system over 3 weeks after smoking it. They haven't proved it caused the crash, just that he smoked it within 3 weeks according to the test. That is even questionable with the unreliability of those cheap tests.
Posted by: ha ha on Nov 25, 2008 at 11:13 AM
Some one said that since Hartman became chief, drugs in Worthington had been cut in half. Does that mean one person stopped using? After all how many people actually live there? Pass on grass.
Posted by: Tammy on Nov 25, 2008 at 10:15 AM
This is for Ps, How is a hero suppose to act? Im not holding up for what this young man did or didnt do, but me, you or anyone else has not right to tell him how he should come back and act. He went in a young man, and came back a young man, and seen, and been through more in his time served then we could ever imagine. He will make mistakes, we all make mistakes, that doesnt make him less then a hero for all he has went through for all of us and our familys. God bless you Travis and keep your chin up. God will be there and see you through this.
Posted by: Not just Utley! on Nov 25, 2008 at 08:20 AM
You need to look at the way that the officers are being placed into these jobs and catch this stuff before it is a issue."Ky resident" for your 17years of being a cop (police do not call police cops) seems like you are burned out, sorry. But this is not just Utley's problem. Small departments do not take the time to screen in coming officers and then they put them on the road before going to training. This is a problem in the tri-state area and local government needs to fix it before it is to late. WSAZ look back at officer from this department that have resigned and see if this is not a on going problem. This gives people a bad view of law enforcement. But keep hope alive tri-state because you do have great people that serve you and keep you safe. Also I want to say thanks to the officers that keep me and my family safe.
Posted by: Josh Pierson on Nov 25, 2008 at 06:37 AM
This man served our country mayber he needed to smoke some grass to relax from some of the stuff he saw over seas. unless you've been to war you don't know what those soldiers saw or went through. Legalize it in other words
Posted by: To no sheep on Nov 25, 2008 at 06:11 AM
I am not arguing the point if pot should be legal or not....It is not....he is a cop........simple.........
Posted by: PPS on Nov 25, 2008 at 01:46 AM
ps, you need to learn grammar. Act like an English major and maybe we can decipher your gibberish.
Posted by: KY resident on Nov 24, 2008 at 10:48 PM
Yeah, if u toke after work, that is ur right but if u have that authority to uphold the law then don't brake it youself. Vet or not, he was a cop. And like most of the cops in this area; corrupt. He would have busted you for anything just to meet his quota. Yet he, like so many other cops around here think they are exempt from the law. And don't tell me that I don't know all about it. I am a vet and was a cop for 17 years. But I couldn't or rather I wouldn't be a cop here because of the corruption in all aspects of law enforcement and the court system. It's too bad when anyone loeses their job but if you want to dance.......
Posted by: no sheep on Nov 24, 2008 at 10:24 PM
I agree with "ok." If we catch anyone jaywalking we should also cut off their hands like in Zimbabwe. It is illegal so they should be punished harshly. He has the key to the city so he can just kick them all out and lock the door. Without a key they can't get back in. We should not worry that marijuana was originally made illegal based on unfounded fear and the criminalization was not supported by the American Medical Association. We should not be concerned that this original law was found to be unconstitutional by the US Supreme Court some 30 years later. Also of no concern should be the largest government study ever conducted on the drug which recommended to President Nixon that it should be de-criminalized because the enforcement of the law upon the citizens of the country was disproportionate to any unproven harm the "drug" could cause. Sadly, most of US citizens are sheep and feel like "ok" who follows the gov't blindly and support cannabis being illegal bc the govt says so.
Posted by: ps on Nov 24, 2008 at 08:40 PM
ok if he was doing drugs of any kind he should lose his job. get real a policeman and smoking marijuana boy that a real example for kids. i have a kid at worthington school and i wouldn't want some one like this a round. but if he would have came back from the war and acted like a real war hero should have that would have been different. also i have know Mike Hartman for 20 years he has alway been a fair cop and helped to take drug dealer off the streets. grow up and act like a war hero and you will be treated like one.
Posted by: ok on Nov 24, 2008 at 08:32 PM
Sounds to me he has been honored for serving his country. He was given a key to the city and they declared a day for him. Now just because he served his country does that make him exempt from the laws. I mean smoking pot is one thing but for a policeman to do it is another. Get you a job at the post office or something and then you can do what you want. But how can you arrest people for doing the same thing you do.....This has nothing to do with serving his country....it is a law. If it is illegal than it is illegal....
Posted by: Resident on Nov 24, 2008 at 07:59 PM
I want to know why WSAZ only posts some of the comments...This is ridiculous! I have written 3 comments and out of those 3 only 1 has been posted! Why have I waisted my time writting comments when they aren't even being posted? This really makes me angry! Why give us the option to express our opinions if they aren't going to be shown? I could understand if they were full of curse words or something like that but mine were not! What is the problem?
Posted by: reader on Nov 24, 2008 at 07:22 PM
Why does the same person keep commenting on Mrs. Utley? The story was about this War Heroe that obviously has some people that care about what happens to him. Whoever you are needs to get out on the streets where it sounds like you came from. Good luck to Travis and I hope this person is not a friend of yours or it sounds like you have more problems than just this one.
Posted by: Buddy Landell on Nov 24, 2008 at 07:15 PM
False positives happen often in drug tests for various reasons such as cross contaminants, hormonal reasons, etc. It takes something like this to make people realize that perhaps testing teachers in school without suspicion of wrongdoing might just not be the best idea. The tests are unreliable and the costs would outweigh any gains.
Posted by: mrs.utley want to be on Nov 24, 2008 at 06:18 PM
WHAT IS YOUR REAL NAME BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT WITH TRAVIS UTLEY, HE WALKED OFF AND LEFT YOU REMEMBER! YOU DONT NEED TO BE MAKING COMMENTS ABOUT HIM,HE WILL WORK THIS OUT HIS SELF!
Posted by: Jason on Nov 24, 2008 at 05:01 PM
Richard, please tell us what other choices you have made in your life. I want to strive to be as good a person as you. I know I may fall short, but I will attempt to do so with all my willpower.
Posted by: Mrs. Travis Utley on Nov 24, 2008 at 04:58 PM
Travis was given the key to the city of Ashland when we came up for Christmas the year he came home from Iraq. They also have a day named after him. December 26th is Travis Utley Day. I think he should be honored for serving our country. I know what Post Tramatic Stress Disorder is. I definately know that Travis is dealing with alot of things he cannot forget while being overseas. I just wish he would get some help through the VA. They offered it to him,and all he has to do is take it. I have no reason to lie about who I am. Or to "fake comments" to fuel a fire that you people are trying to start. If Travis is innocent, then I hope things work out for him. He is a hero just like all of the men and women who are and have fought for our freedom. I just know that some of the things he was saying is not true. That is a fact! It has nothing to do with LOVE!Or getting him back for leaving. Moving again and starting over sounds like a good idea. Its up to him and his actions to make it work.
Posted by: Help A Hero! on Nov 24, 2008 at 02:51 PM
Hey is there any lawyers reading this? Help this kid he is innocent.
Posted by: Inerested reader on Nov 24, 2008 at 01:42 PM
The leg injury from a roadside bomb---was that in Iraq or the Korean War or some other place. Could you be more specific on this? Did you have to have surgery? I hope you are able to get around ok. It is so hard to believe if this happened that you are receiving such a small amount on your disability. That is not right at all. Maybe you should have someone look into this for you so you can receive a fair amount. That $200.00 sounds more like something you would get for a foot problem or something similar. Good luck!!!!
Posted by: Ronnie Jayles on Nov 24, 2008 at 12:34 PM
You would think Utley's daughter would know how to spell her own last name. She sounds like a bitter older woman. How old can she be to post here since he is only 25. I don't think she's real. Maybe a fake. I don't see a young kid sounding so bitter about not having a message posted. Probably her mom acting a fool.
Posted by: Amy on Nov 24, 2008 at 12:22 PM
It was just pot, and don't start about how it's a "gateway" drug because that's bull. Go to another city and apply for a job, or go to school and get your life back.
Posted by: MAD on Nov 24, 2008 at 11:51 AM
Oh plaezzzzzzz RICHARD get a life..oh I'm sorry go to class... You are a loser. This man went to war so you can go to your class. And I don't believe you did't smoke pot. you are in college and probably drink and party just as bad. See he has night mares about being shot your night mares are tests you need to take. Unless you can understand (POST TRAMAIC STRESS DISORDER)_ KEEP YOUR COMMENTS TO YOURSELF.. TAKE A PSYC CLASS MAYBE IT WILL HELP YOU WITH YOUR DEMONS.
Posted by: Police Officer on Nov 24, 2008 at 11:23 AM
To Randy Yohe: People are on here saying it wasn't the tires, then you should read the police report. Raceland PD worked the accident. Also notice whose name the car is in due to Worthington's failure to transfer the vehicle.
Posted by: FIRE-BALL on Nov 24, 2008 at 10:40 AM
YOU CANT BE UTLEYS DAUGHTER,UTLEYS IS ONLY 25, AND YOU DIDNT SPELL HIS LAST NAME RIGHT,YOU MIGHT BE HIS EX TYING TO ADD MORE FUEL TO THE FIRE BECAUSE HE LEFT YOU, BECAUSE HE DIDNT LOVE YOU ANYMORE NOT BECAUSE OF A HABIT, GET OVER IT AND GO ON WITH YOUR LIFE!!!
Posted by: Debbie on Nov 24, 2008 at 09:27 AM
Can't he use the GI bill and go back to school? This does not have to be the end for him, there are other things he can do and make a living at. Here's hoping he'll snap out of it and move on with his life, there are certainly worse things a person can do than smoke pot.
Posted by: Sally on Nov 24, 2008 at 08:54 AM
Is it the same person posting over and over again? They sure can not spell.
Posted by: knows him personally on Nov 24, 2008 at 05:46 AM
yes he fought for his country,and i am sure he has alot of bad memories he has to deal with.who doesnt have problems.The person who is calling herself mrs.utly,IS MRS UTLY!! and does not deserve the name calling after what she has been through.If travis is brave enough to get on television for the world to see and hear what he did,then he should expect for the people that REALLY know him to comment.He must have forgotten that greenup county is THE most gossip,backstabbing county on the map!If he expects people that know him and people that he has done wrong to feel sorry for him,I doubt it.pot is NOT legal,so is he supposed to be treated any differently because he was a police officer?Travis needs to think about everything he has done good or bad and just move on like everyone else has to.I know that I would not want someone to be allowed to arrest someone for drugs or anything else while they have there own at home.How is that fair?Mr.Hartman is only doing his job.Atleast someone is.
Posted by: Ohio Tom on Nov 24, 2008 at 02:39 AM
We smoked a ton of pot over in 'Nam. They had the best. I don't think the Iraqi deserts would be the prime location for growing. He should write a book about pulling Saddam out of his rat hole and leave this area. Move to Ohio and you can smoke and grow small amounts with no criminal worries.
Posted by: Utely's daugther on Nov 24, 2008 at 01:04 AM
i would appreciate it if my comment would be posted i have tried to post 2 now and still yet have not had mine put on here. Its not fare that everyone else can say what they want but when i try to tell the truth its not posted. thanks
Posted by: Dianna on Nov 24, 2008 at 12:37 AM
You can have a social life as long as that involves doing LEGAL things. This man crashed a cruiser while on illegal drugs; the one who was supposed to enforce the law drove under the influence of illegal substances and got caught. End of story.
Posted by: FREDDIE on Nov 23, 2008 at 09:42 PM
PEOPLE, POT WILL NOT MAKE YOU WREAK A CAR, ITS NOT LIKE DRINKING, OR DOING PILLS NOW MR, HARTMAN WHAT DO YOU HAVE AGAINST THIS MAN, JEALOUS,OR WHAT, WHY DONT YOU TELL US THE TRUTH,SOMETHING JUST DONT ADD UP, WHAT IS IT MR.HARTMAN? WE WANT TO KNOW!!
Posted by: FREDDIE on Nov 23, 2008 at 09:24 PM
just because you have a job doesnt mean you cant have a social life , if you want to smoke pot after work or kick back that should be your own personal bussiness,every one does things that other people does not aprove of but people this is none of our bussiness what people do,i have enough worries besides mengle in other peoples afairs.we live in a very judging, jealous, world, people always out trying to ruin someones life, you people just make me sick!!and mr.hartman you wont get to many brownie points over this one,you are nothing but a trouble maker!
Posted by: p on Nov 23, 2008 at 08:28 PM
To Richard - You are correct. This man was not FORCED to sign up to serve his country...he cowardlessly volunteered to risk his life to protect me and YOU. If he is quilty, which I'm still not sure he is, his reputation should not be tarnished forever because of one mistake or slip in judgement. I would like to see what can me drawn out of your "college" closet. I think it's great that you chose to go to college instead of the service and it's great that you choose not to smoke pot, but because of your selfless act of choosing to go to college, I'm sure your educated mind has been spared the horror that our soldiers are forced to witness on a daily basis in order to allow today's youth the privilege to attend any college they wish. My only point was that because of the sacrifice these soldiers make, I think we owe them, at the very least, the benefit of the doubt. And if he is guilty, then don't give him another police position, but at least give him some understanding.
Posted by: reader 3 on Nov 23, 2008 at 04:06 PM
Randy Yohe needs to check the chief out!!!! Travis is innocent. did you guys see the tires on his cruiser?? Yohe do some more checking and with a councilman that was there.
Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 23, 2008 at 03:41 PM
ok so this guy was a cop, wrecked the cruiser, failed a drug test, and ADMITS to smoking pot after the military...Ok i have all repsect for vets and honor them...but do you want a cop who cant drive and smokes pot? Something doesnt sound right here and i believe that he isnt telling the truth to keep himself from "looking bad" you dont just "fail" drug tests if there isnt anything in your system...Yeah he may have problems and if he does he doesnt need to be a cop! I feel sorry for him tho for being overseas and it does mess w/ your mind but if that's the case your not in the right mind to be in law enoforcement if you can't make the rights decisions for yourself! Get him help and if he needs employment the military does pay for you to go to college... or work at mcdonalds buddy...He just wants attention..
Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 23, 2008 at 03:24 PM
This guy should not be hired back as a police officer. If he is, he will be responsible for arresting people who smoke small amounts of marijuana. Police officers should be exemplary in their personal behavior because there is a level of trust that is bestowed upon them by their very occupation. I would have a problem if I were arrested for smoking marijuana by a policeman who was also guilty of the same. Could we really trust that this guy will uphold the laws against marijuana? It doesn't matter what we personally believe about legalization of marijuana; fact is, right now, smoking marijuana is against the law. He should not be given a pass just because he is a veteran. I am shocked at the number of people who are defending this man. The law is the law, equally applicable to all.
Posted by: Daughter of a Vet on Nov 23, 2008 at 02:14 PM
Hey Travis, just as the Marines say man, "Semper Fidelis" always faithful, remember what you were taught and move on.It guides Marines to remain faithful to the mission at hand, to each other, to the Corps and to country, no matter what. Your a Great Hero in my book and you can do way better than a small police force in a..4 horse town (as scott put it). No matter where you go,what you do, I & my family will always be proud of you and do THANK YOU very much for defending our freedom and rights as Americans. Go explore your options and make something better happen for yourself and don't waste time dwelling on what others say or think,its not worth it. Welcome home hero and Thank You again.
Posted by: Nathan on Nov 23, 2008 at 01:34 PM
Dont worry Travis the truth will come out sooner or later. Everyone knows the Chief did you wrong. I have to watch my backside also. Good Luck man
Posted by: Micky on Nov 23, 2008 at 10:56 AM
TO poster calling herself Mrs. Utly: Why don't you just kick Travis in the teeth while he's down and out, is this your get even chance?? There is two sides to every story sounds like you inflated your side NOW are you perfect?? You said he left you for his habits , what habits?? Maybe he left you for other reasons,I bet he could tell some on you while he was in Iraq, tell about it Mrs. Utly. what a Bit*h.
Posted by: Richard on Nov 23, 2008 at 10:27 AM
I do appreciate what Mr. Utley has done serving his country. BUT you guys make it sound like he was FORCED to sign up, FORCED to go to Iraq....Either way it does not make smoking marijuana OK.....I CHOSE to go to college instead of Millitary...I CHOOSE not to smoke marijuana... you should have done the same.
Posted by: concerned on Nov 23, 2008 at 06:11 AM
thank you for your service to our country!!!people who condemn you for your paltry disability check need to look at all the rif raf getting welfare checks.they, not all contribute nothing to their fellow man a lot of times from the womb to the tomb!if this young man did smoke pot if,if,if.he deserves another chance.
Posted by: Isaac on Nov 23, 2008 at 05:09 AM
You do not crash a car from the effects of pot , maybe being destracted while in the actual act of smoking but not from any effects. This dude is trying to undue some bad choices and it doesn't work that way ! He was smoking and what is most disturbing is the fact he would lie about it !
Posted by: Resident on Nov 23, 2008 at 04:56 AM
First of all, the entire story is not being told. When he wrecked it wasn't bc of bad tires, it was bc he was going 2 fast with slick roads & was not in route to a call! The speed limit on that road is only 25. Look at the car.. there is no way he was going the speed limit! Travis was obviously guilty or he would not have resigned. That admitted his guilt. I dont understand why every1 is defending him, yeah he served in Iraq, so have thousands of other people! What he did was wrong! I know Hartman personally & you couldn't ask for a better guy! He does everything to help out the guys on the force! Since Hartman took over the crime and drugs in this city has been cut in half! I am sick of people in this town trying to bash the police dept.! LEAVE THEM ALONE & LET THEM DO THIER JOB so u & ur family can have a safer place to live! Travis, ur the 1 who screwed up, quit trying to make every1 feel sorry 4 u & get another job, McDonalds, WalMart etc is hiring or r u 2 over qualified to do that
Posted by: p on Nov 23, 2008 at 01:35 AM
As a nurse, I'm certainly not making excuses for drug use, especially from one in a position to uphold the law. I feel that Americans don't realize how our USA screws our Vets. They deserve our utmost respect AND understanding when they return home from duty. Their lives are forever changed with images we could never, nor would we ever want, to envision. I hope he's innocent and I hope he'll take whatever means necessary to prove it and clear his name. If he's guilty, I hope everyone will understand how this could happen. Who knows what memories he has to play over and over again in his mind every day. As for the police chief and the commentor who posts that she was his "wife"..completely tactless. Vets should'nt be above the law, but there's a certain amount of understanding and delicacy that should've been used with this incident. I don't feel he is above the law, but a poor decision doesn't change the fact that he risked his life for each of us. Guilty or not, he's still HERO!
Posted by: Jess on Nov 23, 2008 at 12:41 AM
If pot is all hes doing we should be thankful. i have a friend who is on full disability and the VA docs have her on so many pain meds its scarey they want her to take 4 Tylenol 4's a day on top of 6 vicoden zanex and countless other meds i cant recall. And the sad thing is a few joints a day could replace all those and prolly be more effective for her pain and stress and she wouldn't be putting her health at risk.
Posted by: Thankful on Nov 22, 2008 at 11:12 PM
Travis Utley you are my Hero! Thank you for your service to our Country! Thank you for my Freedom! Thank you for catching Saddam Hussein! Words can't express how Thankful I am to you and all of the men and women who are serving or who have served in our fight to end terror! Hugs & Kisses. May God Bless You and help you through this ordeal!
Posted by: annoymous on Nov 22, 2008 at 10:45 PM
The WAR HERO Mr.TRAVIS UTLEY deserves better treatment! People of this town must have lot of Repect for Mr.Utley deep down! What this man did,pulling Hussein out of the hole,is something that CAUGHT THE EAR & EYE OF EVERY AMERICAN! REMEMBER THAT DAY! Where is the Mayors VOICE IN THIS! The CITY ATTORNEY FEE is PAID with CITY MONEY! This could have been handled BETTER,even if he was LET GO! The towns PEOPLE should SPEAK UP FOR TRAVIS UTLEY! So he can get the HELP HE DESERVES! Wonder what DIRT can be told on others that has never being caught,or been caught and they were LUCKY enough to cover their AS$*$! Think about it! Didn't we hear stories like the pot smoking being told on OTHERS in WASHINGTON! If you REMEMBER that MOMENT that DAY,wasn't it said they didn't know what to EXPECT going down in that hole after HUSSEIN! Can you put yourself in this FORMER SOIDIERS MIND AT THE MOMENT GOING DOWN IN THAT HOLE! He can tell his side of the story and how he feels on NEWS STATIONS ACROSS AMERICA!
Posted by: theresaway on Nov 22, 2008 at 09:45 PM
I agree with kane.there should be a book deal if he really was one of those guys. i just want to say that a few bad choices don't make any person who they are...it's what they learn from those mistakes that does! So you didn't really want to be a cop anyway did you? Or i suspect you would have made better choices.
Posted by: Why? on Nov 22, 2008 at 09:27 PM
Why is this even on the news? Don't get me wrong because I support our troops, but alot of this story does not make sense and it is like trying to make a bad guy look good.
Posted by: Tim on Nov 22, 2008 at 09:18 PM
So let me understand this , he was 'fit' enough to become a police officer, mentally and physically , but now , he is on ' disability ' for leg injuries suffered prior. Boy, the world is just full of coinsidences , what are the odds .
Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 22, 2008 at 09:09 PM
This really cooks my bird, seriously. It's always those who have done so much good that go down for such meaningless things.. here in Huntington, out of town drug dealers run the streets with almost no consequence at all and this guys life is being ruined over something so trivial, something he says hes not even guilty of. Keep your head up, soldier. We both know you have overcome bigger things.
Posted by: To FREDDIE on Nov 22, 2008 at 09:08 PM
How on earth does this compare to Dr. Vanderen? He was caught with Felony amounts of drugs, this guy is accussed of failing a drug test??? The good Dr. Vanderen should be locked up like anyone else in his situation. And it stopped being personal and private for the Dr. when he decided to get all drugged up and drive !
Posted by: To Truth on Nov 22, 2008 at 09:07 PM
The situation sucks yes. Obviously he is good enough shape to complete the academy or they wouldn't have hired him. Military veterans can get a disability check from the military. Not the state disability claim that you must be thinking. If you'd been there than you woulda known that too. Thanks for your service Utley.
Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 22, 2008 at 08:54 PM
When I got out of the service. I went to college on Federal grants, some student loans, and the GI BIll. The grants and loans paid for the school/books and the GI Bill was income to live on. Didn't have to work but I did anyway and made it through college in alright shape and always had my rent money. Ofcourse I have some loans to pay back now which is the downside. But it sounds like this guy is looking for options. Hope he reads this and consider going the same route. There is much more to life than a small town Kentucky police department. The true measure of a persons character I think is how they will respond to situations like this. Things that make you hit rock bottom and you feel like your world has unravelled. All you can do is shake it off, ask god or who ever you talk to for guidance, and be thankful for friends and family that are gonna believe in you no matter what. The heck with what every one else thinks. I hope this guy gets through the problems in his life!
Posted by: Same Shoe on Nov 22, 2008 at 08:48 PM
Dont worry Travis, you know and your family knows, dont worry, I am in the same shoes you are in man, and people always want to judge you and say you are guilty before you are proven guilty, this area is a bunch of grap, I respect you for what you have done for our Country, and am proud to call you a true life hero, dont worry about what the little "Po Dunk Town" of Worthington has to say, it dont matter, wish I had a way to contact you and we could talk person to person, but dont worry you life will turn around and you will be better off away from this place.
Posted by: Kane on Nov 22, 2008 at 08:38 PM
Someone should be paying this guy for his story in Iraq. If he's the one that pulled Sadaam Insane from the hole he was hiding in. Give the guy a break, marijuana isn't nearly as bad as legalized alcohol.
Posted by: just-me on Nov 22, 2008 at 08:21 PM
wsaz, dont post a site if your not going to put comments on it!!
Posted by: Truth on Nov 22, 2008 at 08:14 PM
This guy's situation sucks, but, disability? If you're in bad enough shape to collect disability how would you expect to make it through the police academy? I've been there and you run a LOT!!! Not to mention a whole lot of other very strenuous physical activities.
Posted by: Dianna on Nov 22, 2008 at 07:35 PM
Marijuana is against the law, regardless. He can still get a lawyer if he really believes he is innocent.
Posted by: bill clinton on Nov 22, 2008 at 07:30 PM
he didnt inhale, and neither did i. wink wink nod nod
Posted by: Heather on Nov 22, 2008 at 07:23 PM
How was he disabled from serving, yet got a job as a policeman AFTER he was discharged? Sorry, but I don't feel sorry. Until marijuana is legal, you cannot smoke when you are a policeman. I think even if there were a drug bust, or anytime you come into contact with marijuana as a policeman for that matter, you should file a report and submit a drug test. Better you just admit something like that and they send you home and letting it get out of your system.
Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 22, 2008 at 06:38 PM
come on hes not the only person doing drugs..... maybe go check the rest of the flatwoods and greenup county police and other officals..... so give him a break
Posted by: Google Search on Nov 22, 2008 at 06:37 PM
Checkout blackfivemedia.net Blackfive Media | Someone You Should Know | Support the Troops | Contact | RSS | Photos | Mobile | YouTube Channel | Home « Firefighters and Soldiers - Redux | Main | The V22 Opsrey- A Plane Or A Boondoggle » Samir - Someone You Should Know Posted By Blackfive Did you ever wonder who that guy was holding Saddam on the ground? Well, KSDK TV (NBC) in St. Louis, Missouri, found him. His name is Samir and he was a translator for the Army during the quest to capture Saddam. EXCLUSIVE: Local Man Tells Of Helping Capture Saddam By Deanne Lane (KSDK) -- It's a world famous photograph, showing a man wearing military camouflage holding Saddam Hussein down on the ground. What few people knew, until now, that man lives in the St. Louis area. "I just told myself it can't be, no way," says 34 year old Samir. He's asked us not to use his last name, or identify exactly where he lives. Samir worked with the military as an interpreter.
Posted by: JL on Nov 22, 2008 at 06:31 PM
Dear Reader: What you dont understand is that when a Vet is injured he or she may require long term care. This young man is entitled to his money, no thanks to your shallow heart felt welcome home Im sure!!! Why dont you go serve!!!!
Posted by: ashland, ky on Nov 22, 2008 at 06:24 PM
There is two sides of every story. But the chief said he was a trouble young man. It is the chief's role as a supervisor to guide this young man in the right direction. Too me the chief should be part. blame for not taking action.
Posted by: sharon on Nov 22, 2008 at 06:16 PM
ike some of them are saying. move out of there start over (i know you probably have family, the only reason you went back there) but this whole tri-state area is a deadend. you have a lot on your young mind, school might be an option, talk to a veteran rep at the ashland job service, he can tell you options you don't know are out there. please don't let this minor setback get you down. i'm a vet and i appreciate the job you did. Please go on with your search don't let anything or anybody stand in your way, but you'll have to leave this deadend area to achieve anything. bless you
Posted by: FREDDIE on Nov 22, 2008 at 05:50 PM
THIS MAN DID NO WRONG, IT IS NOT PROVEN THAT HE SMOKED POT ON THE JOB SO THEIR FOR ITS HIS PRIVATE AND PERSONAL BUSINESS JUST LIKE dr.vanderen.you people need to get a life,mr.hickman your a trouble maker!!
Posted by: FREDDIE on Nov 22, 2008 at 05:44 PM
WSAZ, WHERE ARE THE COMMENTS?
Posted by: Police wife on Nov 22, 2008 at 05:39 PM
My husband also worked for a small local police force and was fired after wrecking a cruiser. The wreck wasn't his fault but the chief had it in for him as well and fired him outright and accused him of things he would never do. Abuse of power in small forces is rampant. Once the chief gets it in for you for any reason its over. Best of luck finding valuable police work in this area.
Posted by: Mr_Logic on Nov 22, 2008 at 05:36 PM
Why can't he just go out and get addicted to alcohol legally? Alcohol produces violent behavior, and after all, isn't that what we want from our police force? Who wants a peace-loving compassionate caring hippie for a cop? - Just look up police brutality on YouTube and see what examples have been set. It's the New World Order people...uh, I mean "sheeple."
Posted by: Joseph on Nov 22, 2008 at 04:56 PM
I do not care what they said he did. Has anyone heard about forgiving someone and helping him get back on his feet. I do not think too much about someone who does not show mercy. I have to remind everyone that you will reap what you sow. God's word has always been true and it always will be. I hope that Worthington city officials read this and reconsider what they have done. They should take him back and give him another chance. He deserves it.
Posted by: JAMIE on Nov 22, 2008 at 04:49 PM
LEGALIZE IT PEOPLE,IT IS THE LEAST HARMFUL SO-CALLED"DRUG" OUT THERE.TECHNICALLY IT IS NOT REALLY A DRUG.LIKE IT OR NOT "GOD" MADE IT.LOOK WHAT ALCOHOL,PRESCRIPTION PILLS,METH,CRACK COCAINE DOES,AND IT IS "MAN-MADE".WHICH WOULD YOU TRUST. MARIJUANA IS A HERB.SO WHY ARE ALL HERBS NOT ILLEGAL?
Posted by: concerned on Nov 22, 2008 at 04:41 PM
when you get hurt in combat you draw disability the rest of your life for that injury from the service.you still can work.
Posted by: Reader 2 on Nov 22, 2008 at 04:25 PM
To Randy Yohe : Hey Randy keep up the good work your on the right track just keep digging and you find open up a barrel of worms including the Chief.
Posted by: tim on Nov 22, 2008 at 03:51 PM
such hypocrites, those wanting to crucify this young hero, probably voted for the new president, who admitted to using cocaine.
Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 22, 2008 at 03:46 PM
I can't believe how many of you are condoning his behavior and automatically believing Utley just because he is a veteran. Why should he be treated any differently than another officer who has wrecked a cruiser and then tested positive for marijuana. I don't believe many of you would be defending him if he were a black man or hispanic. Marijuana is a harmless drug, but we must insist that smoking this drug is not a criminal offense. But, you cannot condone his smoking marijuana just because he is a veteran. There are many, many others who receive punishment for this very minor offense. There are many others who face drug tests at their employment and are fired when they fail the drug test. The same rules should apply to all. I happen to think Mr. Utley's story seems a little fishy.
Posted by: Keep Your Head High on Nov 22, 2008 at 03:16 PM
I just want to say that our country owes more to the Veteran's than what we are giving them. They need support and respect! I feel sorry for Travis, my nephew was really messed up when he came back from serving in Iraq. The average Joe Citizen has NO idea what they people are going through over there. Please know that you and your family are in my prayers.
Posted by: Proud Wife of a Vet!! on Nov 22, 2008 at 03:16 PM
To reader Nov 22, 2008 at 07:58 AM..My husband is a 28 yr old disabled vet but still works...the VA rates your disablitiy different...my husbands was given 30% and still works...just bescause you get disability doesn't always means you can not work..But THANK YOU Travis for your service!!
Posted by: operation iraqi freedom on Nov 22, 2008 at 02:10 PM
i agree with vet 636,after being gone a year are longer and coming back you dont feel the same it takes a while to adjust.I am an iraqi veteran myself and i know the feeling I lost everything and had nothing when i came home and i still pay for it in the way of my children.But i bounced back and you will to brother.We have all made mistakes no person should be judged by one but society will always try and do that but dont let it get you down just move on you will find something better
Posted by: tought luck on Nov 22, 2008 at 02:07 PM
tought luck, stop smoking pot and grow up. i'm tired of people always crying foul when they get caught doing something stupid. admit your mistake and move on.
Posted by: Truth on Nov 22, 2008 at 01:35 PM
First, Thank you for your service. If you need work, check out Greenup County Emergency Medical Service. Your character and morals have nothing to do with providing health care to the taxpayers. But even if it did no one here cares. You would be considered a saint here.
Posted by: Reader on Nov 22, 2008 at 01:16 PM
Thank you for your service to our country. The Worthington Police force is a joke, don't let that get you down. You are too qualified for that job. Good luck with your future.
Posted by: cityworker#2 on Nov 22, 2008 at 12:56 PM
travis is a good person,mr. hartman is just picking on him ,mr. hartman is not happy unless he has control over u, travis is not a lier,and as long as he didnt smoke weed in police car thats his business! r u that holy mr.hartman?
Posted by: Mrs. Travis Utley on Nov 22, 2008 at 12:16 PM
We lived in Tennessee when he got out of the army. It wasnt any different there as far as his problems. This is not about people not liking him. Its about what he does and will not taking responsability for his actions. I went through alot to be with him and he is not telling the truth about some of these issues. People can think what they want. I lived with him and walked beside of him. Through it all! He definately needs help. Maybe some day he will get it. He was my hero and he left me for his habits. But who is to judge him. Right? He knows the law. He was the law!
Posted by: Jay on Nov 22, 2008 at 11:37 AM
In Ohio he would have gotten a $100 civil citation like jaywalking. Marijuana in small amounts isn't a criminal offense in Ohio.
Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 22, 2008 at 10:59 AM
Reader, just because he is still able to work doesn't mean he is not living with the side affects every day. Able to work or not our country is responsible for compensating these young men for the injuries they incurred for our country. Plus if you read the article his disability is $200/month which isn't enough for anything.
Posted by: bonn on Nov 22, 2008 at 10:57 AM
Thank you for your service. Sometimes when you are a hero and then have to live an ordinary life, it feels like "crashing to earth". We will always be proud of you. Try to move on. Be a hero in other ways. You did it once, you can again.You are made of the stuff we all should be made of. Stay off drugs-they are never the answer. I can't begin to imagine what our war heroes go through, but sometimes talking helps. Find a good ear- a minister or counselor. And even with a disability you can become a hero in other ways. Good luck and God bless. Don't let this take you down- you are a winner!! Continue to set an example for other young men- just doing that, you become a hero once again! We so need young people like you.
Posted by: Randy on Nov 22, 2008 at 10:39 AM
I grew up in Raceland and if Worthington Police Chief Mike Hartman wouldn't allow one on his men another test then his not much of a leader. When Worthington city attorney Paul Craft says he will not comment further on personnel matters, just who is it personal for; Police Chief Mike Hartman maybe. Troubled or not he should have had the test redone just to be sure. Travis keep your head up and God bless you for your service to this great country. This former Marine is proud of you.
Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 22, 2008 at 10:27 AM
Mr. Utley, I'm with you. i'm a proud veteran. Stay strong until I get the chance to meet you. Thanks for finding Saddam. Take care, Scott
Posted by: FED on Nov 22, 2008 at 10:02 AM
You need to submit your application for employment with the VA. You have veterans preference and need to apply. You are a hero and will be treated as such.
Posted by: concerned on Nov 22, 2008 at 09:53 AM
Yes it is possible to get a compensation check and be employed. That is not illegal at all. In fact, Travis, you need to probably file for an increase. You are a hero and a great American. You could also return to school and get paid for it. Hold your head high and don't let anyone tell you that you are not worth anything because you are. You contribute greatly to our freedom and I thank you.
Posted by: Larry on Nov 22, 2008 at 09:28 AM
I would get a test from my hair. If it passed I would sue, sue, sue....I believe he is probably guilty. He was in Iraq and it would be understandable to want an "escape." Go to the Huntington VA, get some help and apply for a Federal Job. With his disabled veteran status he should be able to land a job with the government. Probably alot better pay than a worthington cop.....
Posted by: wvmom on Nov 22, 2008 at 09:27 AM
My heart goes out to this young man. I thank you for your service to our country. I hope that you find peace in your life.
Posted by: The Truth on Nov 22, 2008 at 09:25 AM
First of all thank you for your sevice. May God Bless you for that. Second of all he quit because of a positive drug screen. He admits to smoking marijuana after the service. As far as a second drug screen, they sell them at rite aid. This is not rocket science people. Regardless of his past, we do not need police officers who smoke marijuana! Bottom line! Howver, the Chief could have chosen his words a little better.
Posted by: Richard on Nov 22, 2008 at 09:06 AM
I have known mike hartman most of my adult life.he has always shown me to be an honst and fair man.upon being introduced to the young man utly by mike he had nothing but high remarks for the young man.pot aint bad.but Mr. Hartman is in a position to protect and serve.he has to do what the law says.and the kid did resign!so why blame Mike who after all has dedicated his life to the police profesion.so take in too account his years as a police officer to get him where he is at.God Bless
Posted by: mad on Nov 22, 2008 at 09:04 AM
To reader, Did you now read the article? He was trying to live on 200.00 a month. Who has ever heard of drawing a mere 200.00 a month on disability and being able to eat, pay rent etc. Wake up reader. Thank you for your support for the unnecessary war. Who wouldn't need to smoke pot, after serving in that war.
Posted by: Charlie on Nov 22, 2008 at 08:58 AM
The rest of the country is proud of you! The city attorney should have been the only one to speak to the press.
Posted by: scott on Nov 22, 2008 at 08:53 AM
I want to thank Mr. Utley for serving our country, me being a vet.understands what that means, but being a cop, and showing pos. on a drug test? I dont want someone like that looking out for the safty of my kids in this "one horse town". Chief Hartman has my upmost respect for his decision.He cares for this city and has enuff to do besides being worried that 1 of the cops in town is smoking weed, and not doing his job. Hartman put his trust in the officer, and the officer abused it. Its time for Utley to be a man, get another job, weather it be on a garbage truck, or working at mcdonalds, there are jobs out there, diability or not, you can find 1. Thumbs up to Chief Hartman for keeping our police force honest and clean. P.S. We have 4 horses in this town....not 1.
Posted by: Another War vet/Cop on Nov 22, 2008 at 08:12 AM
Hey man dont sweat it... go somewhere bigger and just be honost. Chances are your military service will surpass a minor misdemeanor. Keep your head up brother!
Posted by: reader on Nov 22, 2008 at 07:58 AM
A 25 yr old on disability? and still works? what is wrong with this picture? now I am all for supporting our vets, but how are you disabled and yet still work? and if ALL he done was POT, call yourselves LUCKY. THANK YOU TRAVIS FOR SERVING YOUR COUNTRY AND KEEPING US SAFE. THANK YOU TOO ALL VETS.
Posted by: Ronnie on Nov 22, 2008 at 07:55 AM
Welcome home brother. Thanks for your service to our country. I wish you luck. The best thing you can do is get away from these one horse towns and find a life.
Posted by: Dime on Nov 22, 2008 at 07:11 AM
Thank you for your services and good luck. I hope you get your job back or find another police job
Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 22, 2008 at 07:08 AM
travis just remember you are still a hero some times people dont like your looks and will say bad things about you just because they dont like you wv and ky are bad for people to talk bad about you if they dont like you .if your not one of them no matter how hard you try you wont never fit in i think you should get out of that town dont let the bad apples take you down i ust wish people would stop and think before they tell that lie on a person what kind of problems it is going to cause them but i have seen it to come back and bite them in the behind so when you walk travis walk tall with head high i dont know you but i'm proude of you may god bless you always
Posted by: VET636 on Nov 22, 2008 at 01:52 AM
To many of us come home different people than we left. The statement by the chief "Utely is a troubled young man" is irresponsible of this man to say. Don't judge a man unless you've walked a mile in his shoes. I doubt this chief is man enough to step foot outside of Worthington much less walk the streets of Iraq. We get sent to a hostile area to fight for freedom and we come home and people don't treat us the same. This veteran should get more respect than he is by the city of Worthington but they are just trying to cover the cost of a cruiser. They don't care about this young man's reputation. There is a cost to each one of us who have been to war that those who haven't will not understand. God bless Mr. Utley!
Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 22, 2008 at 12:50 AM
Hello, anybody home? This is a man that pulled Saddam Hussein out of hiding, even if he was smoking Herb and I doubt he was, hey at least he wasn't drinking alcohol. Alcohol causes way more problems with driving than a little Mary Jane. Travis Utley is and always will be a war hero in my book. I want to meet you Mr. Utley and thank you for your service to OUR beautiful AMERICA.
Posted by: CH on Nov 22, 2008 at 12:40 AM
If this young man wanted another drug test the police chief should have agreed but at a cost to Mr. Utley, especially if the chief had no doubts as to the veracity of the first drug test. No one is exempt from mistakes and I still believe this young man is a hero. Best of luck to you.
Posted by: p on Nov 22, 2008 at 12:28 AM
This is a really sad story. I sincerely hope this man is innocent and his name can be cleared. I would like to suggest to him that he get an attorney and find a lab that can perform a hair sample test that reveals whether or not a person has smoked marijuana within the past 3-6 months. I would love to see his name cleared. Even if it is proven that he did smoke it, we all need to remember the saying, "let ye without sin cast the first stone." Regardless of the circumstances, we have all made poor choices in our lifetime. Many people are just lucky enough to not get caught. I hope he pursues this to clear his name.
Posted by: Get out now on Nov 21, 2008 at 11:59 PM
God bless you young man! Leaving that area would be the best thing that you will ever do, believe me, I did and I've never regretted it for 1 minute. Got get yourself and education and move on. If you stay, they will drag you down!
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The Yell: Comments for the Week of 6/28
  • Posted By: news bias: i saw video of people protesting coal.I DIDNT SEE people protesting being taxed into poverty,THE TEA PARTY.this is why more and more people are realizing the left wing so called news are being found out about their socialist agenda.where would t.v.stations get their power from ,if not coal.they can talk the talk,but can they walk the walk.all talk,no substance.liberal thru and thru...
  • Posted By: nurse: cps says young kids can't use a weed eater or so i hear. so then why can these same kids put on football pads during the summer and have the coaches w/ parents approval run til they puke or get sick from heat exhaustion. and yes if your kid wants to play football then you do have to allow your kid to go through all that or they wont get to play. so why cant the same child weedeat.
  • Posted By: buck: why is it w/ summer sports it seems the parents make it all about them instead of the kids. am i wrong or do alot of these parents seem to want to relive life again through the kids. or even worse make a claim to being so good at whatever the sport the parent did that they push the kid all because of what they did 'or never did'. These parents also seem to be the really high ego type person. funny thing is if the parent was so good then why arent they pro or at least a great college player. what i have noticed is the the kids w/ the parent who did play college or was on the verge of being pro does not press the issue. they allow the kids to play ball. just my opinion
  • Posted By: Kerry: I would just like to give the city of Huntington a great big THANK-YOU!!! for the wonderful fireworks show. Despite the slight drizzle we had a great evening out. Also had an amazing dinner at "5 guys". Thank you!!!!
  • Posted By: ProudAmerica: On this holiday, I want to send out thanks to all the soldiers, veterans and their families. Without your service, this holiday would not be possible. Please know that you are very much appreciated.
  • Posted By: Anonymous: My comment is about the WV Unemployment office. The people who work there must be the most incompetent baffoons imaginable because it seems that they can never get anything right. It is bad enough that you have to wait in line for hours with all the other people who were unfortunate enough to lose their jobs due to the bad economy but when you finally get to see someone, they always manage to completely mess things up. As if to add insult to injury, they also seem to take great pleasure in denying someone because of their mistake which forces you to appeal their "decision" and go through it all over again. These people are far worse than your typical state employee, they are morons.
  • Posted By: Eve: Has anyone had people soliciting at their homes for "Cabell County schools"? Had a female come to the house this morning (on the July 4 holiday) from "University of Georgia" on behalf of Cabell County to talk to local parents. She had no list of student names and made the assumption that we had kids by the toys/bikes in our yard. She had a notebook with "local parents" names that she had talked with, but I didn't recognize any of the names. She asked about the neighborhood and if any other kids lived there. I didn't disclose any info except that lots of kids live in the area. Didn't let her in the house. Just suspicious because of the holiday and local home robberies. Called Huntington Police to inform them. Wanted to post to get more info out to other families. Have a safe holiday and if anyone else has similar info, please call the Huntington Police Dept. @ 696-4470.
  • Posted By: : To By?? Sounds to me like your doing some bashing too. Let's keep our feelings about each other to ourselves.
  • Posted By: : Seems to me the more than one person has too much time on their hands. I don't understand why people get on here and bash each other's comments. Why don't you all get jobs. WOW, don't think I will return to this section of the webpage anymore.
  • Posted By: Big Earl: Hello working people of WV this is Big Earl and people there is nothing wrong with eating good wholesome foods like bacon sausage eggs lard flour and the like all these PETA types are ganging up on our good food like you cant go to a baseball game now and get a hotdog without a PETA nut bothering you boo hooing about the poor little pig that turned out as a hotdog. Now my favorite restaurant in the world Kentucky Fired Chicken has thrown in twith these nuts and is grilling chicken now. Chicken was never meant to be grilled only fried regular or extra crispy. So people I say get busy we have work to do they is two states in front of us we in WV have to reclaim our top spot as best fed in the whole country go down to the foodland or kroger and get a cube of regular mountain dew a sack of Lays chips and some good ball park big red smokeys with a big bowl of chili and have a grill out tomorrow to celebrate the fourth of July in style and may I say God bless the USA and coal miners too.
  • Posted By: food for thought: Yes I am a Christian. I do need to understand the book of Revelation more and the end time prophecy. Like most I have the concept of it. Just to make it short, government dependence(happening more than ever) and is almost being forced for the citizens of this country to rely on. Cap and trade?(sign of the mark of the beast?)I don't know. I am ready. You that believe in science is fine, I do too. I do not go as far as to believe every report they give out. I pose this question. if you are so worried about global warming that means you don't like heat or burning:correct? Hmmm, think on this of what in Revelation I do understand. The lake of fire is where the worm dieth not and the fire is never quenched. Eternity is forever, on this Earth we are just passing through.
  • Posted By: to why: no ,hetrosexuals wont go to hell any slower than gays.adultry fornication,stealing lying murder etc,are all sins.every one sins,it just that you cant say you want to be a christian,and keep on with bad habits or not want to change and expect god to say thats all right.life is a struggle for all of us.we are expected to repent and try our hardest to do whats right.god respects that.you are not in any more danger than any other sinner.i know that homosexuality is a sin but so is adultry.would we tell an adulter that its all right to keep on hurting their marriage and spouse and thats alright,no.i would rather live beside an honest caring,productive gay person than a dishonest evil selfish nosy buissybody any day.we are only responsible for our own sins and actions.you sound stressed,lighten up.but homosexuality is a sin,like adultry and fornication,nobody gets a free pass.
  • Posted By: Patty: Good points, Htiek, but the status quo with coal mining, which is a dirty business, no matter how it is marketed, i.e., "clean coal" (coal is dirty, period), will remain till the resources are depleted, the land and environment of the coal fields are destroyed, which is pretty much the case at present.
  • Posted By: bonn: One more thing and I really will stop. Why does the weather cycle? I do not know everything-no one does. But everything has its purpose. Sometimes, more cold is called for. If we don't have hard winters snakes and mosquitoes thrive, for one. Mosquitoes are a large part of fish diet. And snakes keep rodents in check. But too much cold hurts other things that call for warmer temps. Quail is one thing that comes to mind that suffer in the frigid temps. We just don't understand all of the workings of these things. But it is all to keep a balance-many times in things we ourselves have killed off, such as bear and wolves. Even if we don't like some species, they all serve a purpose and nature helps keep that balance. Our world really was wonderfully made. With all the changes in temperature, we still have seasons. You can know it will be cold in winter and hot in summer. The excesses serve a purpose we sometimes can not see. Strive to learn of all of her wonders, not follow blindly.
  • Posted By: bonn: I would like to apologize if I have been short and critical. I really am sorry. It is no excuse, but I have a very sick child who may be dying and I get so upset at the state of our world. I do have to quit reading these comments. But I hope I have caused a few people at least to think with their own common sense instead of blindly following whatever. Some theories may be correct. But many ARE for monetary purposes. We each were given a mind to think with. Question everything before taking it as it appears. And be sure and thank a veteran for the freedom we celebrate this weekend. Too many have died to protect it to just give it up willingly. And whether or not you are religious, lets try to love one another. Love can fix so many things! Try to keep our world clean, But that doesn't have to bankrupt us. We can all do our part in whatever ways we can. The old saying "Give a hoot, don't pollute" should not have gone out of style. And use your wikipedia to read "Ice Age" to see cycling.
  • Posted By: Follow up on cap and rape: CNSNews.com) – The 1,400-page cap-and-trade legislation pushed through by House Democrats contains a new federal policy that residential, commercial, and government buildings be retrofitted to increase energy efficiency, leaving it up to the states to figure out exactly how to do that. This means that homeowners, for example, could be required to retrofit their homes to meet federal “green” guidelines in order to sell their homes, if the cap-and-trade bill becomes law. The bill, which now goes to the Senate, directs the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop and implement a national policy for residential and commercial buildings. The purpose of such a strategy – known as the Retrofit for Energy and Environmental Performance (REEP) – would be to “facilitate” the retrofitting of existing buildings nationwide.In other words all your appliances-heating-stove -fridge-windows-would have to meet green standards before we sell SOCAILISM HAS ARRIVED YESWEDID
  • Posted By: ANOTHER YES WE CAN: First you paid to insure your car. Soon you may have to add health insurance premiums to that stack of monthly bills as well. In a revamped health care system envisioned by senators, people would be required to carry health insurance just like motorists must get auto coverage now. The government would provide subsidies for the poor and many middle-class families, but those who still refuse to sign up would face fines of more than $1,000. The details were unveiled Thursday in a health care overhaul bill supported by key Senate Democrats looking to fulfill President Barack Obama's top domestic priority.SOCAILISM IS HERE The Congressional Budget Office estimated the fines would raise around $36 billion over 10 years. Senate aides said the penalties would be modeled on the approach taken by Massachusetts, which now imposes a fine of about $1,000 a year on individuals who refuse to get coverage. Under the federal legislation, families would pay higher penalties than individuals
  • Posted By: bonn: Good grief! The brain washing has gone so far it will never get better. Some of this way of thinking makes me physically ill in my stomach. All of one mind! Mindless devotion to whatever is contrary to common sense and whatever theory is being passed around. Most families have both parents working, some two jobs, just to make it now. Soon you won't even be able to work enough to carry your family, the government and the ones who won't work. Then you will be disposable and they will start killing you off because you can't give them enough money. But you will blindly keep following. It is easy to see how Hitler took control and how it is being set up for the antichrist to take control. I quit. I will never read another comment. And Kris, did that nut not know the sky has always appeared blue? Hahaha Goodbye. I know you will reply, but I won't be reading it. Never again. Either you believe God or the scientists. I choose God. And freedom!
  • Posted By: cap and trade: world net daily has an informative article on home ownership and all buildings in u.s.it is about total government control of everyone.you will have to answer to the gov.or else.
  • Posted By: Jane Doe: To Pearl: Thanks for the comment. I try to be an adult and make the usual comments and complaints, But how would you feel if every time you wrote something, Someone would respond back with their own opinions and say that you are wrong! Just the other day I wrote how my child was injured at Camden Park! Of course RoaneCo. had to write something and attack me about my decision to get angry about the situation. Yes, I agree that I should just turn the other cheek but I was raised to stand up for myself!! Why I'm a target I'll never know but I think that I have a right just like everyone else on here and to say my opinion on things whether people agree or not.
  • Posted By: Why?: EVERYONE SINS! Why is being gay the worst sin that sends you "straight" to HELL? Heterosexuals can do all the "sining" they want and still go to heaven but LGBT can't.
  • Posted By: Justme: Coal mining has been around for years and years. I'm sick of all these nuts that are griping about mining. You nuts are always griping. Maybe you need to get a life. If your so against it.. Then turn your lights out. And stop using the power. Move on, and stop taking jobs away from our miner's.
  • Posted By: Htiek: What always amazes me about people in WV is their slavish devotion to coal mining even though it is killing the planet, costs more jobs than it creates, poisons the water, destroys the mountains, scars the land, kills the snail darter, and other horrible things. Things are all so backwards in this country why dont we switch over to something that lasts and is free like the sun and wind? Even if the president said that stuff and I doubt he did and even if he did you are misquoting him or taking him out of context he is right if there is one sure way to get people to stop turning their air conditioners down to 76 it is to raise the price, just like gasoline. People we can learn to ride bikes and walk again, just like they did in the old days, that will help give us exercise and decrease the obesity rate in WV. Food is another area, the slop that people eat like MacDonalds, trans fats, regular soft drinks, anybody with half a brain knows the intelligent thing to do is tax regular soda pop.
  • Posted By: Gandalf: A tea party? Oh my! I must relay this information to my friend Alice and the Mad Hatter. Door Mouse and Rabbit too. They will be thrilled! Oh my bad, must have picked out the wrong book today. Ta Ta!
  • Posted By: Pearl: Roane Co why dont you and Jane pursue your romance elsewhere the yell is for complaints.
  • Posted By: Kris: Just throwing this out there. I'm sitting on my couch wearing sweat pants and short sleeve shirt. I'm thinking about shuting my windows and turning on my heat. Shouldn't I be turning on the air conditioner instead? It's the 2nd of July. Not saying it's global warming but it doesn't seem right. Haven't heard of any heat warning anywhere is the US so far this summer. Great for us but doesn't feel right.
  • Posted By: Kris: Hi Bonn, it is true that these cycles do occur over time. Scientists have taken core samples from the earth and the ice to show these cycles. However, none of the samples show such a dramatic change in such a short period of time. I am a smoker and I will admit that my second hand smoke can and probably will effect the lungs of a non-smoker. The tons of carbon monoxide and other pollutants that we release into our atmosphere HAS TO have an effect on our atmosphere. True story: there was a scientist that day after day after day couldn't figure out why the sky was so blue and clear. Then it struck him, there hadn't been ANY planes in the air for three days. That was 911. What you put out, is what you get back. If you put love out, you will get love back. If you put out negativity, you will get negativity back. For every action, there is a reaction whether it's good or bad. It's in our hands to do our best not to cause an adverse impact to our planet. Peace to ALL!
  • Posted By: Big Earl: Hello again good working coal mining people of WV this is the coal miners friend Big Earl with news of yet another hippie plot to stick there big noses further into our business now some of these people in Congress has throwed in with the tree huggers they are trying to make it so you cannot sell your house without some nut from the hippie EPA coming in and inspecting it to make sure you are green enough to suit there tastes. This so called cap and trade bill that these busy body do gooders are pushing on us will destroy our jobs and run up the electric bills so that everybody will have to live like the Waltons with 27 people under one roof just to keep warm. Now the average hippie longhair don’t care noway because they would have us all living in mud huts riding mules wearing sandals and weaving baskets to load down with califlowers and arougalas tofu and alfalfa to take up on some worthless mountaintop as an offering to there windmill god instead of having nice homes, cars, a job and cool air in the summer and heat in the winter ALL THANKS TO THE COAL MINER. Anything to bother people attracts these hippies like flies to a cowpie.
  • Posted By: to hteik: hteik has 2 comment .the global warming one was hillarous.it was june 30.he must not have gotten the same public education i did,he was taught that we had satellites in colonial time.but then again he think algoe is really smart,he doesnt know al didn,t really invent the innernet.i think fox news and conservative talk radio would do him a world of good,he,d be shocked at what he doesn,t know.
  • Posted By: Amy: Hey Keith, I must have missed that interview because I was busy clinging to my guns and religion. No, really, I did see it. It's kind of strange how people become so shocked when this stuff is introduced in the House of Reps. Obama outlined every plan he intended to get pushed through and a lot of people just didn't listen. Next time I hope people vote for the best candidate not the best slogan. Yes we can....bankrupt the nation!
  • Posted By: Patriot1: Tea Party: There will be a tea party in Grayson, Ky on July 4th. It will be held at the City Park from 4:00-6:30PM
  • Posted By: Dave: The seat belt law is no law. Its nothing but a deliberate attempt to extort money off the American people,use communist law and control the populace. THE PEOPLE HAVE NEVER VOTED ON IT, BUT THEY ARE TRYING TO GET YOU BELIEVE THAT IT WILL SAVE LIVES. TELL THEM TO GIVE YOU THE FIGURES ON ACCIDENTAL OPERATIONS.And if that doesn't satisfy you then why are we allowing our young brave soldiers to be killed,and for whom? WHY AREN'T THESE NEWSPAPERS BRINGING THIS INFORMATION TO THE PEOPLE? Because the nations 96% are owned and controled by the WEALTHIEST.
  • Posted By: bonn: I was trying to make a point. Perhaps not in the best way. I get so discouraged seeing what is happening around us. One group of scientists call for us to spread soot on all the snow up north to absorb heat to counter the coming ice age. Another (more popular) group calls for painting our roofs white to reflect the heat that is melting our ice caps. Which group is right? Neither. Our earth is doing exactly as it has been doing all along. Cycling naturally. Did it plan it all on its own? Hardly. But no one wants to hear that. It reminds me of "chicken little" yelling "the sky is falling". Only this is not so funny-this is control. And what is even sadder is-people seem to WANT to be controlled. This earth will continue as always until one preplanned day it all comes to a screeching halt. Then a new earth will be created. I will not be caught off guard. I read The Book. I know where I will be. Do you? And do you really enjoy giving those schemers your money that much? I hope one day...
  • Posted By: Keith: A few questions for the Yell audience: Does anyone remember when Obama gave that interview in SanFran Cisco and said that he would not prevent the construction of a coal fired plant, but his policies would bankrupt anybody that tried to build one? That policy was cap and trade. I heard O say that energy prices, under his administration, would "necessairly skyrocket." Is this the hope and change you guys voted for? How will you afford your electric and gas service under this man who cares so much for the poor? Obama said once that he was not bothered that the price of gas had risen so high, just that it happened so fast. How does everyone feel about the gas price? Obama raked John Pablo McCain over the coals for suggesting health care benefits be taxed as income, now he is going to do the same thing to pay for "free" care to illegal aliens, deadbeats, etc...but union workers will be exempt from this tax. How does that make you feel if you work for a living and are not in a union? H&C
  • Posted By: Amy: Hteik, "all is well" because people like us! Give me a break. If all were well, we would not have the largest unemployment rate in 26 years. The stimulus package would prevent it from going above 8%, remember? How is Iran not our business but Honduras is? The people of Honduras have a Constitution very similar to ours and we should support the people not an extremist who is trying to take over their country. The 22nd Amendment does a great service for our nation. IF it would be reversed that would be O.K too. At the rate Obama is going W. could beat him in 2012. At least I would sleep better at night.
  • Posted By: Just Me: Wow Jane Doe, give it a rest. I really don't think God would be please with this going on and on and on...healthy banter is fine, but this is not healthy banter. Christians absolutely can and do get angry, it's what they do with that anger that counts. It doesn't matter where, when, or even IF you go to church...what matters is that you have accepted Christ into your heart and asked for forgiveness of your sins. God didn't save us to judge others, he saved us to lead others to him. I've said many times...what if the person you just yelled at, told off, or whatever showed up at your church on Sunday? Would you be proud of your behavior?
  • Posted By: Sophie: Roane County is a beautiful place. The country roads snake along past fields, farms and old homes we wish could talk. Looneyville is indeed named after the Looney family, so is Gandeeville. My father was from Roane Co. & graduated from Walton High School in the 40's. He told me tales of his school days, friends, boyish pranks, old cars and the fun they had at the 4-H camp. Spencer was a big place to them. Roane Co. gave us many war veterans and kept distant family & friends together with the annual "Roane County Reunion". I don't even know if they still have it, but we used to go. I remember seeing Sen. Robert Byrd play his fiddle there. The Black Walnut Festival in October(?) is a good time to visit Spencer. They usually have a parade, arts & crafts and a museum. You can enjoy a slice of Americana, along with a slice of homemade pie.
  • Posted By: Craveontruth: The great Dale Carnegie once said "You never win an argument".Most of you know he wrote" How to Win Friends and Influence People'.Some of you should put this on your Christmas List.I think I will dust it off and revisit this old classic.
  • Posted By: cap and trade: welcome to ''before tax and tax'bill going thru the powers that be.look at your electric bills this monthe there is an enviornmental tax at 2.2cents for every kilowatt you use.can we even imagine what our electric bill will be,not to mention every thing we consume,food water ,every necessity that cant be done without.we in easternky have good reps.in washington,every one in surrounding states should put your so called reps a lot of pressure to defeat this tax and tax bill that is being pushed by a few people to make them richer and control every aspects of productive peoples lives.look at your gasbill also,you will see only a very small portion for gas but the rest in fees and taxes.look at your phone bill you will see a 100percent markup in taxes and fees.its time to put pressure on politicans to protect the citizens and not the lobiest.
  • Posted By: justanotherfly: sounds like jane doe is looking for an easy way out ie a lawsuit
  • Posted By: to bonn: i couldn,t have said it better myself.some things have to be explained like you are talking to a 5year old.but like some 5year olds that are stubborn and spoiled rotten they dont listen.wait till the cost of every thing sky rockets and they will be the first to rant and rave that nobody told them.
  • Posted By: Jane Doe: To my biggest fan, RoaneCo: Ummm! It's sounds to me like you have a lot of anger. You have to pick on everyone's comments! I think I speak for everyone when I say (Get a Job)!! Cause you obviously have none! You have all this free time on your hands! Why don't you spend this free time helping others instead of puttin them down! You know..WSAZ has job postings...Maybe you could find one on there!!!!I'm not a negative person. Maybe I'm just like everyone else that has a job and three kids and a lot of things to do! I get stressed out, I know that goes way over your head,You don't get stressed. But because you go to church doesn't mean you can't get angry about stuff!!LOL My father-in-law is a Deacon at my church and even he has a temper!! Look out craveontruth! Looks like RoaneCo. has found someone else to pick on!Good Luck!! Have a perfect day ( I know you will)!!
  • Posted By: RoaneCo.: Yes Craveontruth, there is a place named Looneyville.(no Jane Doe that isn't where I live) It is on Rt.36, nothing there but the Looneyville Post Office, and I am not joking. There is also a Lefthand Post Office on Rt.36, always wondered why there wasn't a Righthand also. Our County seat is located in Spencer, (middle of nowhere) which for years was only known for its State Mental Institution. (no Jane Doe this isn't my Alma mater) It was closed years ago and now a Wal-Mart is on that location. I guess the only other thing to speak of would be the Black Walnut Festival which is held in Spencer every October.
  • Posted By: bonn, the simpleton: Don't we have a smart earth? She formed herself from a dust cloud, they say and planted herself just the right distance from the sun to support the life she would create. She also filled her insides with molten heat to maintain the right temps and if that builds too much she decides to blow some out holes (volcanoes) to keep from exploding. She makes her own rain, knowing whether she needs a gentle soaking rain for her plants, or a gully washer to cleanse the filth. It pours down the mountains, into the rivers and out into the ocean which she just happened to fill with salt (her natural sanitizer). And she knows if she doesn't have ice she will over heat, but too much and she will freeze, killing her life she so carefully made. So she melts some, then as it heats up, she freezes more. All just coincidental happenings? She is brilliant! But not so smart as the humans who are making a fortune controlling the other dumb humans by convincing them THEY are causing her to do these things!!!
  • Posted By: passing by the yell: I met someone from Looneyville once. It's named that after a person's last name from what I was told.
  • Posted By: Hteik: Well it is nice to see that the war in Iraq is ending under President Obama. Who would have thought, it seems the world is backwards right now, huh? Obama gets elected, the world understands our good will, and all is well. Just like history, Republicans start wars, Democrats finish them. Hate to say we told you so but we told you so, I just get fuzzy inside thinking about all the people that love us now that hated us because of that old Bush. Another thing too, leave this Iran thing alone, that is none of our business. I dont recall anybody from Iran coming over here to help us in 1776 so why should we stick our nose in their business? When you get a strong leader like in Honduras, a good strong leader with a military background, everybody goes nuts because the guy takes things over well I support him and Obama. In fact, some people are so needed we better start now to get rid of the 22nd Amendment, it was only put in by jealous radical extremist crazy Republicans to hurt FDR.
  • Posted By: Craveontruth: I don't think I have ever been to Roan County.Nothing against the good people of that neck of the woods.I did enjoy looking it up on wikipedia.Is there really a Looneyville there? If there is then I must visit!Who's with me?
  • Posted By: food for thought: 2-10 years for almost killing a child? Where are our priorities? I know they are nestled in the mountains or wait lying deep in the ocean waiting for anoother person to adopt them and claim rights to the next whale that is proclaimed Shammu or Willy. Get real people lets protest these laws that allow some cook to wanna kill his child and only have to pay his debt of 2 - 10 years. Oh and Kris your right our God won't kill a 1 yr old or a 100 yr old just do to it. He would do it for his glory and maybe take them from being around a half heartened sadistic person that would do this to a child. Oh i love the lights and the A/C and my car, but most of all I love my GOD "Jehovah God" whom i think first and foremost for all I have, then i thank a coal miner and an AEP worker and a so on and so on.
  • Posted By: Kimberly: Raising the WV Toll price? I see a lot of arguments coming from this. Where is all of this money going to? Mansion might be a good governer, but when it comes to things like this, it needs fixed. WV roads are awful and I know after all of these years, surely the toll money has added up to more than enough to fix these roads!!! What an awful awful idea!!
  • Posted By: RoaneCo.: Bonn, people like you are the very reason I have stated that I respect ones right of freedom of religion. Although I have different views, I have no issues with anyone going to church and trying to live according to their interpretation of the bible. I think that is wonderful. I also thank you Bonn for being open minded and seeing the point I was trying make. And for Anonymous on Jul 1, 2009 at 03:11 PM, no Craveontruth and I are not the same person. We do agree on some issues, and disagree on others. And when we do disagree (speaking for myself of course) we do it without anger. Also, for Bob... sorry, it isn't working. I have a two year old that comes up with better jabs than you. But I respect your right to try.
  • Posted By: Sophie: Just a few comments on current Yells: Big Earl - I just can't read you anymore because it's the same things over & over. Yeah, we're with you - there are a bunch on weed-o's coming around these days trying to shut us down for the sake of some owl...We get it. We all hate it. Roane Co/Jane -It appears Roane has been very hurt in their lifetime by family conflict involving belief. Many people get hurt because of superstition & misinterpretation and overzealousness. It has been this way since time began. I hope Roane can someday get past the hurt & retoric to work out his/her own salvation. Simple belief in Jesus Christ is where it starts, the rest as I put it, is just "gravy". Jane: I'm sorry your child was hurt. This indeed must be reported. I got hurt @ CP one time too on "The Whip". It beat me so hard against the side I had a major bruise on my hip. I strained my arms trying to keep from slamming into the side. A fun thing was not so fun. No rides for me, anymore. Not there.
  • Posted By: : I think RoaneCo. and Craveontruth is the exact same person? Who's with me?
  • Posted By: Big Earl: Hello good people of WV this is Big Earl and I for one am sick and tired of all these out of state know it all nosey people bothering us if it is not these smelly hippies trying to run our jobs off or rename the WVU mascot now they are calling the good citizens of WV fat. Well people I am here to tell you that this bunch at the so called CSPI and no you hippies I don’t mean the TV show calling us fat should look in the mirror they look like something off night of the living dead pasty faced scarecrows and beanpoles and what is so great about that. WV has some of the best staple foods anywhere in the world I have eaten paotatoes beans meat flour and corn meal all my life cooked in lard and I am not one bit worse off for it and can mine coal with anybody. People all the good foods we eat are natural growed in the garden or on the farm so it should even make a tofu eating hippie type happy. I am more bothered that two states beat us out in the race for the top so I tip my hat to the people of the great states of Alabama home of the best country music band ever and Mississippi but people of WV get busy we have to reclaim our title to best fed in the USA I recommend the Kentucky Fried Chicken with gravy and biscuits as a good place to start our comeback.
  • Posted By: RoaneCo.: Actually Jane Doe, growing up I did attend church and read the bible. Being subjected to religion for many years I would not consider myself "confused" or uneducated. If one looks at organized religion with an open mind it isn't hard to see who is confused. For example, you have one bible yet there are numerous religious groups ( methodists, baptists etc...) that believe their interpretation is the only correct interpretation. This is understandable because the bible itself is very contradictive. In my opinion the the bible and organized religion is nothing more than a tool created to control the masses. Yet this tool has pitted man against man, brother against brother, state against state and country against country, not to mention the wars, death and destruction it has caused. I have witnessed in my lifetime many family fueds, broken marriages and busted churches at the hands of organized religion. I have heard the words of hate spoken by christians. I am not confused.
  • Posted By: To Fat Earl: You're losing! Ha,Ha!
  • Posted By: Kris: God does not control the weather!If so then he would be responsible for killing hundreds of innocent people every year in America alone! If that's your God, you can have it! My GOD is loving and compassionate. He would never take the life of a one year old nor a hundred year old just because he felt like creating a tornado that day or a hurricane the next. Get a brain and use it simpletons!
  • Posted By: bonn: To Jane Doe: I am afraid RoaneCo's common sense is more attractive than your comments. Read your last post at 8:58 and see if it shows the Light you are suppose to give. We are suppose to control our anger. Yes, we are forgiven, but it is not a license to keep repeating our faults. It is mercy so we can improve. Viciousness does not become a child of God. RoaneCo., may God forgive us for driving you and others away from Him with our failure to shine the Light of Love. And Jane Doe, I am the one you called ignorant just because I was showing compassion (another expectation of a Christian). It is scary about your child. But that person was not attacking your child, nor joking about it, only disapproving of your outburst. Not very attractive in anyone, especially one called to set an example for others to follow. If you must get angry, use it to accomplish something good. Christians are hated enough WITHOUT cause. Love is the answer.
  • Posted By: Bob: I think we might need to contact someone in state govt.about inspecting our amusement parks to many in the public simply dont care if kids get hurt this could have been something really really bad but I guess there is always a few who would crack jokes at anything even a child getting injured.
  • Posted By: cap and trade bill: you wont hear on liberal obama mania news reports whats in the cap and tax bill.only conservate talk radio and conservative news are telling the contents of this country destroying bill.liberal dont want you to be informed,it would be to dangerous for their so called news networks.did you know that,as i somewhat understand it,that every house in the country will have to be at gov.standards before it can be sold,they will be allowed to change therules in mid stream if they want.even if you dont like conservative news,remember only a well informed person can try to stop tyranny.look for facts,have you heard 1 liberal news tell you whats in this bill thats detrimental to this country and freedom.i challenge wsaz to look up whats in this bill and report accuratly whats in it.i dont think thats going to happen.
  • Posted By: food for thought: AMEN Bonn I could never have said it any better, being a Boone county coal miner and all. We do no get a very well reputation anyway.
  • Posted By: Craveontruth: RoaneCo.can hurt but often the truth does hurt.I support RoaneCo.To Jane Doe,I believe RoaneCo.does know quite a bit about Christianity and is not confused at all.
  • Posted By: Jane Doe: Thank you everyone for your support!!You know RoaneCo. Nobody is perfect, That goes for Christians too! Are we allowed to get mad??Yes! But are we forgiven everyday? Yes!Obviously you don't know much about Christianity! That's why you critize so much!!You're confused!! We are not perfect! I guess you are!!
  • Posted By: VOTE NO ON CAP AND TRADE: I know its a repost but i think its Worthy 'Liberty Or Tyranny?' House Passes Cap-And-Trade Republicans Warn Bill Gives Federal Government 'Virtual Control' Over 'Every Aspect Of The Lives Of The American People. Thank the Dumbocratic controled house as it will raise the average consumers power bill $175.00 This on top of the energy companies already asking for an inctrase will put such a burden on the American people that only the wealthy will survive.Please write or call our Senators they are the only life line we have left and ask them to VOTE NO on cap and trade. Republicans were overwhelmingly against the measure, arguing it would destroy jobs in the midst of a recession while burdening consumers with a new tax in the form of higher energy costs.And there was plenty to work on in a House-passed measure that pointed toward higher electricity bills for the middle class.Budget Office and the other from the Environmental Protection Agency — that suggested average increases would be $175.00 a year.
  • Posted By: cap and trade survey: against cap and tax,85percent.people who work and are productive.15percent for cap and tax,,,people who work for government or live off the fat of the land and dont mind other people being taxed into poverty....
  • Posted By: : If new drivers would slow down and actually pay attention to what they are doing, then maybe WV would'nt have these new laws for teenage drivers. Personally myself I believe that all states should have this law. It would make the roads a little safer to drive on.
  • Posted By: bonn: About global warming- our temperature is (and always has been) constantly changing. GOD controls it. Anyone who thinks we can are puffing themselves up bigger than we are.Are we suppose to believe we are responsible for the Ice Age thawing that is suppose to have happened way back when as well? How did that happen? Certainly not carbon emissions. Use some common sense and realize people are using this to line their pockets and gain support for their pet projects. I know- you don't want to hear this, but it is not realistic. Don't let America be controlled with this, PLEASE!! Let us remain free!
  • Posted By: Bob: Dont worry Jane Doe I have notice RoaneCOs posts are generally always on the rude side I am sorry to hear about your daughter.
  • Posted By: Just wondering: the 3 people that was killed on alt rt 10. 2 being st. joe's students. Did they ever release the cause of the accident?
  • Posted By: RoaneCo.: I do care about the safety of our children Anonymous on Jun 30, 2009 at 09:01 AM, no matter where they are or what they are doing. Our children are our future. What I don't care for is someone like Jane Doe on here week after week preaching her little sermons all the while calling people ignorant and showing her hostility toward others. It has always amazed me how most christians will belittle someone else but the minute you catch them being unchristian like they always come up with the old "we christians ain't perfect". Well I know they are not, but by golly they are the first to judge everyone else. These hyporcitical self proclaimed christians are one of the reasons I turned away from organized religion years ago. I just don't agree with these people shoving religion on everyone else. I respect Jane Does right to religion and I would even fight for her to keep that right, but she, like so many others need to keep their religion in their church and their home.
  • Posted By: Big Earl: Well hello again good working coal mining families in WV this is Big Earl and I for one am very disappointed that this cap and trade bill got passed into law the other day no thanks to our good representatives from WV. People all I can say is get a woodpile and a bunch of cow chips because your electric is going to get real expensive real quick. These hippies has run up to Washington DC and boo hooed to them tree huggers and longhairs in the EPA until they got even worse done to our jobs but then again what do you expect from a bunch that has a leaf from a dope plant on there sign like the EPA does if you don’t believe me look on this very website I seen a picture of it. Birds of a feather flock together that’s why the good working people were kept out and not allowed to talk at that hearing and the hippies let in. People these hippies has slandered our great state and coal miners first they bring in professor moonbeam from NASA to insult us then he tucks his tail and runs back to NASA and wont debate Mr. DB then they attack our state university mascot the WV mountaineer. Well people I Big Earl have a solution to this lets call WV the “Ivory Soap State,” make our mascot a bathtub that’s a sure fire way to get rid of these smelly hippies and longhairs and keep them out forever.
  • Posted By: ME: We christians are most always judged by our actions and that is to be expected since we are not perfect in any way. We all make mistakes every day,we get angry,we say things we shouldn't and act out our frustrations sometimes to those closest to us and our friends. We try to do better and ask forgiveness when we do stumble from our christian path. Actions speak louder than words at times, good or bad. Yes we adults act like children at times and children try to act like adults all too soon. We never know who we are influenceing with our actions and words so we need to always try to act,say and do what is right. As long as we are on this earth we will stumble but we should strive to be the best we can be and treat people with love and respect no matter how we are treated. I have turned the cheek many times and been slapped alot and will keep on doing it as long as I breath. My time will come soon enough to be judged as to the way I have lived and treated people.
  • Posted By: Jane Doe: I love people on the Yell!!! They give me a chance to laugh everyday. Thanks guys!!
  • Posted By: just looking: UMMMM do you people think that christians are perfect??? Do you think we dont get angry?? Only one person is perfect and that is Jesus Christ...And if a christian says they are perfect, then they arnt a very good christian. We all have faults. Alot of you people cant wait to get up and look at the faults of others and criticize what they believe in....
  • Posted By: Patriot1: Tea Party. There will be a "Tea Party" July 4th from 4:00-6:30 PM at the City Park in Grayson,Ky
  • Posted By: Donna: Please! enough of Michael Jackson. He died, now he will appear before God and face his punishment for his sins against children. He was a morally bankrupt person who the media has presented as an icon. It's no wonder children are so messed up today,too much TV and not enough parenting. You too, are responsible for making him appear as a person to be looked up to. He and others in entertainment and sports are not what the children need, they need moral examples to look up to, please stop the glorification of immoral and indecent individuals.
  • Posted By: food for thought: To those of you telling me to watch out for Fox news, please go back and read carefully what I said about the media and the government. I thank each of you for your information. I am not out to attack anyone whether acclaimed or the average joe. I just know what I have read from reports and from different sites. This information is what our scientists, meteorologists and so forth use in reference to report the records of weather and temperatures. Again thank each of you, and at last Fox news was the channel the fine people at our local (American made) dealership had channeled on the tube, personally I just watch WSAZ, at the local level.
  • Posted By: : Roane Co., why are you not concerned about the safety of small children at amusement parks?
  • Posted By: Htiek: Right on Kris you tell em about Fox News. Everyone that watches knows that the dependable networks are ABF, Anyone But Fox. I am just like everyone else in the know, they lie all the time but please dont press me to cite anything specific as I am having coffee right now. I am new to your side, so pardon me if I get something confused. Those photographs of the ice caps are proof positive as far as I am concerned, these flat earth types that dont believe global warming should compare them to the satellite picutres from the colonial period and over the years since for comparison purposes. I once heard the hottest year on record was in the 1930s but what does that prove. And before one of you know it alls talks about Al Gore riding everywhere in a private plane and having such a huge house and running a company that profits from selling carbon credits, some people in life earn their special privileges simply by showing up and enlightening the rest of us, so there.
  • Posted By: polar ice caps: the weather is always changing.sometime it freezes sometimes it melts,thats gods doings,not mans.wasnt it the great mind of ted danson many years ago that explaind that in 15 or 20 years that the oceans were going to raise so many feet that it would destroy and overflo inward to apolipicate level.i guess the people that live on these coast lines dont know they are under water.we americans are so silly.let me explain what a great creator said,it rains but the oceans are never full.ice melts but the oceans never overflo.i think i,ll believe him instead of a.gore or ted danzen.p.b.s last week on a travel show,,i think,,,,the guide said the glacier there had been melting 150years.that was certainly before the industrial revolution.as for fox,world net daily,newsmax,etc.the liberal press has lost it monolopy on liberal so called news.
  • Posted By: RoaneCo.: After you finish showing your true colors, go back and read my post again Jane Doe. Better yet let me cut and paste it for you. "I do hope your little girl is ok. I have children of my own, I know how precious they are." And just for the record, I would never "make fun" of a child, but don't think for one second that I won't point out an adult being hypocritical. Are you not the same Jane Doe that three weeks ago was preaching about God, then in the same breath calling someone "IGNORANT"? So let me say it one more time, I hope your little girl is ok. As for you, thank you for proving once again how kind, loving, patient and understanding some of you fine christians can be.
  • Posted By: Kris: This respectfully goes out to "food for thought" for what they said about fox news and global warming.FOX has great movies and tv shows but their view when it comes to the "news" is so far on the "right" way of thinking that it totally obscures reality in their opions of the subject at hand. They'll twist their views to make sure that it is opposite of "liberals" or people on the "left" and how they feel about the subject.Asf or global warming, we have actual time lapsed pictures of the polar caps melting at an alarming rate. You can actually see it happening. If things are cooling down, then why are the polar caps and icebergs melting at an alarming rate? The evidence is right in front of our faces. I sure do hope you're right because if I am, our planet is doomed. Sincerely, Kris
  • Posted By: Jethro: WHATS WRONG WITH YOU ALL UPDATE THE YELL!!!!!!!!!!WAKE UP!!!!!!
  • Posted By: Keith: Never thought I'd sit around and miss Bush...well the wrecking ball has appointed a racist to the supreme court, one that is inept and incompetent too. Did you notice her latest ruling was overturned today? The economy is not getting better, those of you out of work have my sympathy because this clown is not doing anything to make it better. He never held a real job, never ran a business, just a rabble rouser and agitator. How do you feel about cap and trade energy tax? All over a phony problem that doesnt even exist; WV will wither away to nothing but hey we can all get jobs in the windmill factory, cant we? How do you feel about having your health benefits taxed to pay for Obamacare? How's the hope and change working out for everyone? What do you think card check is going to do the economy? Check out an article about Obama the African Colonialist on the American Thinker Website, dated June 25th. It explains him to a "T." Obama is a wrecking ball, and he's gonna roll over everyone.
  • Posted By: Big Earl: Well hello again good working coal miners of WV this is Big Earl and people I have come to the conclusion that we need some friends in Washington DC that has got some clout. Some people up there has got big names but nobody apparently listens to, that is if they show up at all in court to help you out, those who are sick are excepted. Then there are some people in Charleston who should be in Washington who shall remain unnamed because nobody in Gov. Joes office asked me to say that. But remember who had that bunch from FEMA down here handing out checks before two weeks after the flood water hit and figure out who has clout. You people that went up for the hearing last week should be thanked but the good people never got to say a word but these hippies did, they are apparently now running around the creek with microscopes looking for fish that cant be seen with the eye, something called a microbe, now they are blaming the coal miner for killing off this worthless animal and I sincerely hope Captain D or old Long John will never put some slop like that on my plate when I want good seafood. If you dont see it it cant be of no good use anyway, sort of like a certain US senator with a big rich name who was nowhere to be seen last week.
  • Posted By: Jane Doe: To RoaneCo. How dare you critize my comment. This isn't just some fun arguement!! My child is hurt! Do you think that's funny? Do me a favor, Next time I write about my kids, Don't comment! I hope you don't have any kids because you don't see the harm and worry in my comment, You just want to fight and make fun of someone!! This is really serious!! I don't see the humor!!!
  • Posted By: Big Earl: Did any of you people see those PETA nuts on the TV 3 news last night boo hooing about having to tie there dogs up hello again working people of WV this is Big Earl and I don’t know about you but I always thought it was rude and inconsiderate and just being a bad neighbor to let your dogs run wild all over the neighborhood digging up peoples backyards rooting around in garbage cans and doing there business all over the place. Have any of you people in Huntington ever lost a chicken to a wild dog. Even these back to nature types and hippies up here in Boone County tie up there dog to guard there dope patches but they don’t have no sense anyway if they aint going to Washington DC to try and rook us out of our jobs by carrying signs and yelling about some invisible fish that is no good to anybody they are screaming about the coal miner killing polar bears and other animals that don’t even live here. Apparently this bunch had the bright idea to go down to the park on Sunday down in Huntington when people was out with there families trying to walk around and enjoy things and they chained themselves to trees with real dog chains trying to get people to sign a protest petition to of all people a mayor named Wolf now I don’t know about you but that mayor better forget the beware of dog sign he needs to put a beware of the PETA nut sign up in that park.
  • Posted By: The Seeker: @food for thought: It is indeed important to check facts, and it heartens me to see that you're of the type that actively seeks them (even thought I fall on the side of the debate that believes in climate change, as it has solid science behind it). However, I caution you on taking anything from FOX news at face value. This is an organization that in 2000 won a case in Florida appeals court in which the court ruled that FOX has no obligation to tell the truth to it's viewers, and can misinform the public under the first amendment. This is also an organization that has been proven to have an agenda, and frames every bit of it's coverage to favor one political party over the other. My advice is to seek out less obviously biased news sources, especially in cases such as global warming, which is an issue that transcends political parties and affects every being on the planet.
  • Posted By: Hugh: Hey WVa. Checkin out the YELL. Kind of quiet today. Enjoyed my visit there. Met John Henry at the Big Ben Tunnel,saw the big bridge. Stood at Hawk's Nest and viewed the scenery. If I wasn't so old and crippled, I'd bungee jump from the New River Gorge Bridge. Have folks who live in the Talcott area and some around Hinton. Well won't take much of your time today. Just wanted to check in.
  • Posted By: what is foor for thought?: foor?? for thought, you do know Bush made those he commissioned to study it alter their reports when he found out it supported global warming, don't you? Anyone who just sees pictures of the ice caps 30 years ago and now would have to be mentally handicapped not to know there's global warming, the only thing that's possible to debate is the cause of it. Wonder why Fox didn't mention the Bush fiasco? Well I don't really wonder.
  • Posted By: more p.c at wsaz: gays in usa sounds like it was written by a gay person,so it was printed.it was,nt written by a gay person.it was a second thought,after i commented on other sins,such as adultry,but plainly written by a heterosexual person.it was not printed because im straight and not gay.so goes our country and freedom.
  • Posted By: Lou Ann: Ive had a similar bad experience at camden park several years ago. Havent went back since. The pricing is just another deterrent to doing business locally. I love this area but am very discouraged by the lack of pride in our appearance in several of our towns, the prices of doing business, the attitude towards the customer , the lack of merchandise. I could go on. We definately are not tourist friendly in the great ohio valley area.
  • Posted By: foor for thought: Looks like my comment on June 24th may be right. I have done some reading about this Global warming fad the government is putting on. I was sitting in a local car dealership and FOX news was reporting on the government sitting or "burying" studies by two of the highest ranking EPA officials contradicting this myth. Some of the comments from their studies proves the Global temperature if anything has decreased. Although, you should be skeptical about anything the media reports especially when it involves the government these are facts that have been recorded over time. I ask how come when these bozos as Dr. Hansen whom is from NASA(which has done innumerable amounts of damage to our air with their testing) never mention facts as these when trying to prove things they are claiming is a fact. People we in America have became lazy in seeking the truth, I am not disputing anything these scientists and the government tells us, but as we learned in elementary school check facts of both sides.
  • Posted By: gays in u.s.a.: another reflection on gays.if you think god doesn,t care about you because you,re gay ,he must love you more than you can comprehend,if not you could have been born ina muslim country.islam has no homosexuals ,they are not rehabilitate,just beheaded.as a loving and compassionate god says"GO AND SIN NO MORE".that doesnt mean just you it means all of us.yes god allows you to choose,he must really care.
  • Posted By: City of Milton: I'm glad that the City of Milton has so much money to spend and that they spend it wisely. Every time I drive through town on a nice day it never fails that someone is washing their personal vehicle at the VFD. Good to see that they budget personal car washes into the city budget. I think I'll stop in there today and see if I can wash my car as well...should be a nice day!
  • Posted By: Valorie: About four weeks ago, I sent a letter to Camden Park with a friendly suggestion to open the park to the casual visitor again. As of today, I still haven't had a response from them. There used to be a small fee for admission to anyone who just wanted to visit. Once inside the park, a visitor could buy a corn dog or pay to play a few games or ride a few rides. Now people have to pay a full admission price for all day rides, even when they don't plan to stay all day. A lot of people are grandparents who just want to watch their grandchildren ride for an hour or two. Some are young parents with small children who tire easily. As empty nesters, my husband and I would like to drop by to get a bite to eat, play some games or just walk around. Everyone I have spoken to said they would visit Camden Park a whole lot more if they didn't have to pay the full admission price. I challenge everyone to contact Camden Park and ask them to give the people a choice!
  • Posted By: to gay question: god is not a cruel and unfair god.we all have our faults.is homosuxality a bigger sin than adultry,pornography,lying,stealing, and the list goes on.the clue to these behaviors is wanting to make our lives better.we cant blame anyone but ourselves for what we do.if anyone doesnt change its what they want to do.but as long as it doesnt affect me thats between you and god.but it is wrong,just as cheating on your spouse is sin.would we tell the adulterer that its not sin and not to try being a better person,i think not.celibacy would be better than the same old behavior.these have been struggle since creation.
  • Posted By: RoaneCo.: Losing your religion Jane Doe? What happened to "turn the other cheek"? I do hope your little girl is ok. I have children of my own, I know how precious they are. But next time you read of someone else being "furious" or commenting on their personal issues, maybe you should keep your bible quotes to yourself.
  • Posted By: Jane Doe: I recently went with my church and my family to Camden Park this past weekend. Me and my 6 year old daughter rode the Spider, We thought it was going to be lots of fun, we were wrong! It was a nightmare! It went on for 10 minutes and was going way too fast! My daughter was terrified and was screaming! I was furious when the man that helped us off asked if she was okay and I said what do you think and he laughed!! I have rode this ride for many years and loved it, But this time I could tell it was different! But then it gets worse, A friend of mine that stayed at the park longer than us informed me that after we left, The spider closed down and said they had crossed wires and the ride was malfunctioning!!! My daughter can't hardly walk today and has a four inch bruise down her back! I'm taking her to the doctor in the morning. If there is something seriously wrong, I will be speaking to the owner and this situation will be takin care of!!!!!
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