Sep 6, 2014 7 min read

A look at some of the headlines gracing the pages of the Observer-Reporter and Waynesburg Republican this week in Greene County history:

Dunkard Creek fish kill probed

Pennsylvania and West Virginia natural resource agencies have been sampling water from Dunkard Creek to determine what might have caused a large fish kill in the stream first reported last week.

The kill is being investigated by several agencies butso far none has been able to identify the cause, said Carl Richardson, spokesman for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.

“We’re still trying to figure out just how large it is, the extent of the kill,” Richardson said. The kill affected not only fish but other aquatic life such as mussels, he said.

The agencies also are attempting to determine the length of the stream that may have been affected, Richardson said.

West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection began taking water samples when the kill was first reported Sept. 1, said Kathy Cosco, West Virginia DEP spokesman.

The department is just starting to analyze data and hopes to know more next week, she said. It’s possible, however, the source may never be determined.

“It’s like trying to solve a puzzle by putting together all the pieces,” she said.

Cosco described the kill as large, citing reports that between 80 and 100 dead fish have been found along the stream from about Pentress, W.Va. downstream.

The agencies have contacted coal mines and other industries, including natural gas drillers, in the watershed to determine if they have been doing anything differently in regard to their discharges, she said. “We haven’t cleared anybody yet,” Cosco said.

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Women’s shelter in ‘OK shape’

Washington Women’s Shelter Inc. is holding its own in spite of the state’s failure to pass a budget.

Unlike its neighboring shelter in Fayette County that had to lay off staff and operate on a shoestring budget, Washington Women’s Shelter Inc., which serves both Washington and Greene counties, is still in “OK shape,” according to Executive Director Michelle Robinson-Ritter.

Greene County Women’s Center at 43 N. Morgan St., Waynesburg, a a satellite office of Washington Women’s Shelter, has been in operation since 1993, and is considered a drop-in center because there is no shelter in Greene County.

“No appointments are necessary,” said Linda Moon , who has been director of the Greene County Women’s Center the last 11 years.

Robinson-Ritter said the agency is hoping the budget passes soon before that “OK” status changes.

“We will be seeking a line of credit if (this impasse) goes much further. Our standing in the community has been a good one. We have had clean audits and we are solvent,” she said. “We have so many other sources of funding than just the state. That is why whe have been able to continue to operate.”

Robinson-Ritter said the magic date when things begin to unravel, when the agency may have to take out a line of credit, is sometime in November.

“Hopefully a roof doesn’t go or something like that. We aren’t buying anything right now. It is status quo,” she said.

County asks for clarification on coal company sale

Greene County has asked the state Department of Revenue to issue an opinion on whether properties involved in the recent sale of RAG American Coal Co. should be subject to the state’s realty transfer tax.

RAG was sold last month to a private equity consortium consisting of First Reserve Corp., The Blackstone Group and American Metals & Coal International.

The consortium formed Foundation Coal Corp. to serve as the new parent company.

County Commissioner Pam Snyder said the commissioners sent a letter to the department Wednesday seeking the opinion after being asked about the tax and the company’s sale by local officials and residents.

“We’re just asking for clarification on whether or not Foundation Coal Co. is subject to the tax,” Snyder said.

“We appreciate the coal company’s existence and the good paying jobs it provides but we also have a responsibility to the citizens of Greene County,” she said.

The 2-percent real estate transfer tax is paid on the transfer of ownership of properties and is based on the value of the assets involved in the title transfer.

One percent of the tax goes to the state, while the remaining 1 percent is divided evenly between the municipalities and school districts. The county also receives a much smaller fee for recording the transfer.

Foundation Coal has two mines in Greene County, Emerald Mine in Waynesburg and Cumberland Mine in Kirby.

The fair market value of the company’s properties in Greene County exceeds $57 million, according to the county. If applicable, the 2 percent realty transfer tax would generate $1,140,000. Of that, the state would receive $570,000 and local municipalities and school districts $570,000. A fee of about $27,100 also would be paid to the county.

Foundation Coal spokesman Mike Rounds on Wednesday reiterated the company’s earlier statement in which it maintained the tax does not apply to the sale. The transaction, he said, was a “stock sale and not an asset sale” that would involve the transfer of real property interests and titles.

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Marker to honor Civil War soldier

An historical marker installed by the state Historical and Museum Commission will be unveiled Saturday to recognize Jesse Taylor, the first Greene County man to die in the Civil War, as well as the town named after him.

The ceremony will begin at 11:30 a.m. at Jollytown United Methodist Church. The marker has been erected near Old Taylor Cemetery and the site of the old Hero post office, which has long since been demolished.

It includes pictures of the Taylor family patriarch, John Sr.; a woman family members believe to be his wife, Mary; their grandson, Jesse, and the old post office. The Hero post office, which opened in 1899 and closed 18 years later, was named after the Civil War hero, Jesse Taylor.

Seven years ago, the grave of the first Greene County man to die in the Civil War was forgotten in a Gilmore Township pasture. Cattle trampled over Pvt. Jesse Taylor’s tombstone, along with those belonging to the 40 other Taylors buried at the family cemetery.

Since then, indirect descendants of the long-ago soldier fixed up the small graveyard near Jollytown and erected a stone monument in honor of another Taylor who served in another early American war – John Taylor Sr. who fought on both sides of the Revolutionary War.

College wins approval to create more parking

WAYNESBURG – Waynesburg College was granted conditional use permits by the Waynesburg Zoning Hearing Board to create more student parking facilities on Franklin Street.

An additional 34 off-street spaces will be provided by doubling the size of one lot below Martin Hall and creating another lot nearby.

Bill Ross, head of the college maintenance department, said eight or nine spaces will be gained by expanding the size of the so-called “upper lot” from 34 by 75 feet to 60 by 140 feet. The lot is lighted from Martin Hall, a student dorm overlooking Franklin Street.

The other lot, designated as the “lower lot” and located farther east on Franklin Street, will add another 26 spaces. Lighting will be provided for the lot.

Temporary guards at crossings

Waynesburg Borough Council agreed to provide crossing guards on a temporary basis until something can be resolved between their body and the Central Greene School Board.

Council’s actions came after four persons representing various areas of the borough, approached council as to what immediate action was to be taken concerning what was termed “a potentially dangerous situation.”

Harland Headlee of 164 South Richhill Street, said he felt it was the duty of public officials to provide safety. He cited a problem in which his wife had difficulty crossing kindergarten children at the intersection of High and West streets.

Councilman William Toule stated council was adhering to the Borough Code. He noted it was council’s feelings that if guards are provided, the school district should share the costs.

Headlee replied, “While we’re waiting, we may have a child killed.”