Volume 169 Number 15
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Woodsfield, Ohio
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Fire at Eisenbarth Well Pad Near Hannibal
Smoke from a fire at the Eisenbarth well pad operated by Statoil near Hannibal could be seen for miles around. The fire never spread to the well itself, but it engulfed several vehicles, equipment and pumps. Several local fire departments responded to and contained the blaze. Photos Submitted
equipment [which included pumps, hoses, trucks, heavy machinery, etc.]. The fire spread actually quite quickly. It was a large fire and burned for quite awhile.” Monroe County EMA Director Phil Keevert, who responded to the fire, said his understanding was that a ruptured hydraulic line on a pump started the fire. He described the situation, “By
around 9:10 a.m., the fire had spread to other pumps on the location and was spreading rapidly over the well pad.” According to Sverdrup, employees on-site and several homes near the well pad were evacuated. Specific numbers from Keevert put the number of employees evacuated at 44, while 25 residents living within a
An employee of the Woodsfield Light Plant is pictured as he places decorations at the peak of the Monroe County Courthouse. Decorating the town is one of the several preparations being made for this weekend’s Woodsfield Bicentennial celebration. Photo by Darin Brown The celebration is sched- lage. I hope everyone plans to will be a birthday celebration uled, and local residents hope come,” said John Ogden, one that will bring plenty of joy to the Bicentennial those in attendance. to make Woodsfield's 200th of Thursday will have only birthday one to remember. Committee members. Joining From July 3rd to July 6th, the Ogden on the committee are one event, but it will be a big streets of Woodsfield will be Carol Bonsall, Lida Conn, one. The annual fireworks alive with several events Mark Gallagher, Angie Hupp, show sponsored by the designed to get people of all Carol Schumacher, Ruth Woodsfield Volunteer Fire ages to join in the celebration Workman, Shirley Brown, Department has been merged Betty Edgington, Carol Hehr, with Bicentennial celebraof the town's bicentennial. “A small committee has Matt Koogler, Lori Rossiter, tions and will take place on worked very hard to make Tim Winland and Bruce July 3 at dusk. Fireworks this as successful as the 1914 Zimmer. Together the group will be displayed at the footand 1964 birthdays of the vil- has planned what they hope ball field and park.
Friday is packed full of events with the Opening Ceremony held at the Monroe County Courthouse kicking things off at noon. The ceremony will include a flag presentation, the singing of the National Anthem, a proclamation presented by the Monroe County Commissioners, and a history of the village read by Bill Frank. Several events will take place throughout the day with the parade highlighting the day at 5 p.m. Saturday will once again have a full schedule. A 5K run and walk will be held at 9 a.m. (with registration at 7 a.m., proceeds benefiting the Monroe County Cancer Gas Cards program). Another big event will take place at the Monroe County Fairgrounds with the Archery Shooting Contest sponsored by the Monroe County 4-H Shooting Sports. The day will close out with an Illumination Ceremony at the courthouse honoring the original settlers at 9:15 p.m. Sunday will wind down the celebrations with a interdenominational church service in front of the courthouse at 10:30 a.m. and an ice cream social at noon. Other things will also be held throughout the entire weekend such as a Relic Room display at the HollisterParry Museum and vendors and crafters in downtown. For full schedule details, see the schedule of events in this week's special tab.
Darin Brown General Manager A fire at the Eisenbarth well pad on Long Ridge Rd. near Hannibal marked the second industrial accident at a well site in Monroe County in the past week. Sometime on the morning of Sat., June 28, a fire started among the equipment at the well pad. The fire quickly spread with large plumes of
black smoke filling the sky. The fire lasted for more than 24 hours and destroyed untold amounts of equipment but never caught the oil and gas well itself on fire. Bjorn Otto Sverdrup, a spokesman for well pad operator Statoil said of the incident, “What we know is Saturday morning a fire broke out in the surface
Woodsfield’s Bicentennial Celebration is Finally Here
one-mile radius of the well were evacuated as well. Local emergency responders were immediately contacted and responded to the fire. Through the efforts of local fire departments, the blaze was controlled. Despite being controlled, the fire was not concluded to be extinguished for “more than 24 hours” after it had started. An update from
Statoil posted on its website at 3 p.m. EST on June 29 stated the fire had been extinguished. Sverdrup said of the dangers of the well catching on fire during the blaze, “The fire never affected the wells. They were safe and secure.” When asked about the damage at the well site, See Eisenbarth Fire, Page 12
The Ormet Corp. facility in Hannibal is pictured in a stock photo. The site may have a future after it was recently purchased by Niagara Worldwide.
Ormet Corp. Facility Sold to Niagara Worldwide for $25.25 Million
After a private auction was held on Fri., June 27, the Ormet Corp. facility and assets in Hannibal have been purchased by Niagara Worldwide LLC. The company, which is based in Niagara, Wisconsin, placed the winning bid of $25.25 million. Those seeking answers for the facility’s future will still find mixed messages as they have in the months since the facility idled. Niagara Worldwide’s vision stated on their website is to “redeploy, liquidate or scrap However, idle assets.” Niagara Worldwide LLC President Eric Spirtas is optimistic about the possibilities at the site. “This is somewhere where you have a sophisticated workforce.
That’s a good thing. You have an area where the shale development is the most incredible boom in the country,” Spirtas said. According to Spirtas, his company will be reaching out to find out what kind of support is available to them. “We’re a conduit. We’re a facilitator. We are not an immediate answer, but we are the beginning,” explained Spirtas. While he is optimistic, Spirtas also recognizes the challenges ahead. He said, “There is so much clean-up See Ormet, Page 11
Page 12, Monroe County Beacon, Woodsfield, Ohio
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Eisenbarth Fire
Sverdrup simply said the well was secure and that the company hadn't assessed the material damage as of yet. “Our focus now is on the safety of the personnel and responders. We also have a priority to minimize the environmental footprint of the incident and to support the affected families and community.” Although they could not be verified, reports were being made of fish kills in Possum Creek near the well site. Sverdrup said, in response to those reports, that Statoil is “taking those
reports very seriously and are in the process of doing comprehensive environmental testing.” He also said they are working with environmental agencies to respond appropriately and contain the situation. Responding to the fire were fire departments from Sardis, Clarington, Woodsfield, Lewisville, Martinsville, New Powhatan Moundsville, Point and Paden City; EMS units from Clarington and Woodsfield; the Belmont County Tanker Task Force; the Monroe County Sheriff's
From Page 1
Pictured (above and left) is the aftermath of the fire at the Eisenbarth well pad. No exact figures were available, but lots of equipment and machinery was lost in the blaze. Office; the Monroe County Engineer's Office; Ohio Department of Transportation; Ohio State Highway Patrol; Monroe and Belmont Emergency Management agencies; state of Ohio EMA; Belmont County Salvation Army and Wild Well Services out of Houston, TX. Statoil, who had donated to and showed support for the Clarington VFD previously, stated its appreciation for the work done by local responders to keep the fire under control.
Ohio River Scenic ByWay Interpretive Kiosk Unveiled
Jack Haessly, (left) president of the Frontier Local Economic Development Association stands alongside Wayne National Forest, Athens District Ranger Gala Goldsmith, (right) as Photo Submitted they admire the new kiosk at the Frontier Boat Launch.
The Wayne National Forest held a public ceremony on June 13, to unveil a new Ohio River Scenic Byway (ORSB) Interpretive Kiosk at the Frontier Boat Launch site north of Marietta in Washington County. The kiosk will serve as an informational and educational station for byway travelers and as a marketing tool for the community to attract and inform visitors of the area’s diverse recreation and tourism opportunities. The kiosk is an 8’ tall x 20’ long double-sided panel and includes images and other content that will help tell the story of the rich and unique cultural and river history, as well as highlight the significance of the Ohio River Scenic Byway and its impact on the community. Funding for the kiosk came from a 2009 Federal Highway Administration Grant, with additional financial support coming from the Wayne National Forest and the Ohio River Trails, Inc. The Wayne National Forest also collaborated with federal, state, and local partners to develop the kiosks. They included representatives from Ohio River Trails, Inc., Federal Highway Administration, Ohio Department of Transportation, Marietta Washington County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, Campus Martius and Ohio River Museums, Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge, U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers, Frontier Local Economic Development Association and the Wayne and Hoosier National Forests. The ORSB is a 943-mile route that travels across the southern boundaries of Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. The Ohio section of the byway is approximately 452 miles long and spans across 14 counties and the entire length of the Ohio River in southern and eastern Ohio. For more information, visit our website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/way ne . Follow the Wayne National Forest on Twitter: @waynenationalfs . The U.S. Forest Service is an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a mission of sustaining the health, diversity and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The Forest Service’s Eastern Region includes twenty states in the Midwest and East, stretching from Maine, to Maryland, to Missouri, to Minnesota. There are 17 national forests and one national tallgrass prairie in the Eastern Region. For more information, visit www.fs.usda.gov/R9. The U.S. Forest Service manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world. Public lands the Forest Service manages contribute
more than $13 billion to the economy each year through visitor spending alone. Those same lands provide 20 percent of the nation’s clean water supply, a value estimated at $7.2 billion per year. The agency has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 80 percent of the 850 million forested acres within the U.S., of which 100 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live. For more information, visit www.fs.usda.gov/.
Six Arrested in Krebs Hill Drug Bust Volume 169 Number 17
Six arrests were made near Clarington on Krebs Hill Rd. in Switzerland Township on Friday, July 11 after an ongoing investigation by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department. Arrested on several charges were Robert T. Hollus, Lorenzo Thomas, Dale Baughman III, Darnell Martin, Joshua Bailey and Dimitrie Thomas. Out of the six, only Baughman is a Monroe County resident, while the others are from the Detroit, Michigan area. The six are alleged to have been trafficking several varieties of drugs, including heroin. According to Monroe County Sheriff Charles Black Jr., his department made multiple purchases at the location on Krebs Hill Rd. before receiving a warrant and entering the residence on Friday. Due to undisclosed circumstances that called for caution, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department sought the help of the Washington
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County Sheriff’s Department. Washington County Sheriff Larry Minks provided armored personnel carriers for the operation, and the initial breach was made by the Washington County Tactical Entry Team who were equipped with ballistic rifle vests. Upon entry, the suspects were apprehended with no incident or injuries. A search of the property was conducted turning up several illegal drugs including heroin. Sheriff Black said the arrests may not be an isolated case. “The Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating the possibility that this group is connected to a larger network called the Detroit Connection,” said Sheriff Black. The Detroit Connection is a drug network that is based in Detroit and is connected to locations in Ohio, West Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky. According to media outlets in the Huntington, WV area, the group is known for its vio-
Woodsfield, Ohio
Thursday, July 17, 2014
lence and has been suspected in several murders in West Virginia. Likely charges for each man include: Robert T. Hollus, Drug Possession (F-4), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia Drug (Misdemeanor-1), Trafficking (F-4), Complicity (F-4); Lorenzo Thomas, Drug Possession (F-4), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (MLorenzo Thomas Dale Baughman III Robert T. Hollus 1); Dale Baughman III, Drug Possession (F-4), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M1), Complicity (F-4), Permitting Drug Abuse (F5); Darnell Martin, three counts Drug Possession (F4), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M-1), three counts Drug Trafficking (F4), Falsification (F-5); Joshua Bailey, Complicity (F-4), Drug Possession (F4), Drug Paraphernalia (MDimitrie Thomas Darnell Martin Joshua Bailey 1); Dimitrie Thomas, Drug (Misdemeanor-1), Drug For information on trial for their alleged crimes, Possession (F-4), Possession Trafficking (F-4), whether or not any of those see future editions of “Your of Drug Paraphernalia Complicity (F-4). arrested will be brought to Right to Know.”
Statoil Claims Conditions Moving Back to Normal Near Burnt Well Pad, Investigation Continues According to a press release from well pad operator Statoil, the conditions are moving back to normal in the area surrounding the Eisenbarth well pad which was the scene of a massive fire on June 28. While the well itself never fire, massive caught amounts of black smoke rolled from the flames which engulfed several pumps, trucks and other items used in drilling. During the fire, residents within a mile radius were evacuated, and a fish kill was reported in Opossum The Eisenbarth well pad fire is pictured as it burned on June 28. Operator Statoil claims Creek after the blaze was Photo Submitted extinguished. the conditions in the area are “moving back to normal.”
Since the incident, Statoil has been responsible for implementing “extensive and comprehensive” air and water testing. The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. EPA, and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) have all been involved with investigating the environmental impact of the blaze. According to the release from Statoil, water sampling has been discontinued in the Ohio River after water quality was shown to be normal. Other water sampling continues in streams near the well pad. Air sampling has
shown “no hazards to health” but will continue to take place as cleanup continues. The company said that full results of streambed soil sediment samplings “will be shared later.” Statoil emergency response coordinator Nick Benson, who also is serving as Statoil’s lead for the unified command organization, said, “The results indicate that conditions are moving back to normal. Statoil takes its environmental obligations very seriously, and we will continue to work with our partners in the unified See Fire Aftermath, Page 7
~ Westwood Place Celebrates With Ribbon Cutting ~ Westwood Place (previously Westwood Landing) celebrated its grand re-opening, its new name and its refreshed commitment to enriching the lives of the residents that it serves with a ribbon cutting ceremony on July 12. Over 126 attended the ceremony, and Mike Cox, President of Woodsfield Village Council read a proclamation. Pictured, from left, are: Angie Weddle, Wellness Director; Marty Clark, Enlivant Regional Director of Operations; Violet Marley, Concierge; Stacey Scott, Life Enrichment Coordinator; Jacqueline Price, Community Relations Director; Monroe County Commissioner John Pyles with grandson Cash; Mike Cox, Woodsfield Village Council President; Helen Carpenter, Monroe County Chamber of Commerce President; Betty Dunn, resident; and Fran Hall, resident. Photo by Debbie Chambers Westwood Place is an Enlivant community.
Hupp/Beck Energy Appeal Hearings Set The merit hearing for Et. Al. versus Beck Energy Monroe County appeal num- Corp. and XTO Energy Inc. ber 13 Mo 2 Clyde A. Hupp will be held on July 23 at 11:15 a.m. in the Court of Appeals of Ohio, Seventh Appellate District at 131 West Federal St., Youngstown, OH.
Held the same day in the same location at 11:45 a.m. will be merit hearings for appeal numbers 12 Mo 6, 13 Mo 3 and 13 Mo 11 Clyde A. Hupp Et. Al versus Beck Energy Corp.
Sign Donated to Legion
Randall L. Gallagher Memorials Inc. recently donated a granite sign to mark the location of the new home of American Legion Post #87 in Woodsfield. Randy Gallagher said of why his business decided to donate to the legion, “I’m a veteran, and I felt like this was a worthwhile project for the new building.” Gallagher was made aware of the need when someone from the legion called him for pricing. Knowing that the post does not have a lot of funds at its disposal, he told them he would install a sign for free. Pictured behind the granite sign are, from left, : Clem Kress, trustee of American Legion Post 87; Randy Gallagher and Justin Gallagher of Randall Gallagher Memorials. Randall L. Gallagher Memorials, Inc. is located at 131 S. Main St. in Woodsfield. Photo by Darin Brown
River’s Gabby Goudy Recipient of $1,000 OHSAA Scholarship
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Monroe County Beacon, Woodsfield, Ohio, Page 7
Gabby Goudy Gabby Goudy, a 2014 graduate of River High School, was recently named the recipient of a $1,000 Ohio Representative Jack Cera is pictured as he reads to kids at the Monroe County scholarship from the Ohio District Library during the Save Our Sight program. Photo by Darin Brown
High School Athletic Association (OHSAA). Goudy participated in three sports during her senior year (including softball, basketball and cross country) and was an Honors Graduate. The OHSAA handed out a total of $55,000 in college scholarships to 49 recent high school student-athlete graduates following selections made recently by each of the OHSAA’s six District Athletic Boards. Goudy was one of only six scholarship recipients in the East District. “In addition to being excellent students, these 49 young people are leaders in
their schools and in their communities,” said OHSAA Commissioner Dr. Dan Ross. “They truly represent what it means to be a student-athlete. Their families and schools are to be commended for helping them achieve so much already, but their futures are even brighter as they now move on to college. We are very proud of them.” Gabby is the daughter of Garren and Hollee Goudy of Powhatan Point. She plans attending Bethany on Colleg, majoring in Biology and playing on the women’s softball team.
Kane Wells did the health report and Alyssa Steed did the safety report. On July 31, club pictures will be taken. Members must wear their 4H shirts to the meeting. went Demonstrations well. Everyone who was scheduled did a great job and some members volunteered to do their demon-
strations. Demonstrations will continue at the next meeting. Snacks were provided by advisor, Kim Nalley. The next Busy Bee meeting will be held on July 17, at 6:00 p.m. at the Beallsville Park. Snacks will be provided by Hannah Phillips and drinks by Wyatt Goodrich.
Area Kids Enjoy Reading Program Busy Bees 4-H Club News By Hannah Phillips at M.C. District Library Club Reporter The Monroe County District Library hosted several excited children on July 7 as the Save Our Sight program came to Woodsfield. Ohio Representative Jack Cera and Ashley Karlen, a for U.S. caseworker Representative Bill Johnson, took the time out of their busy days to read to the more than 30 children and 20 parents attending. Rep. Jack Cera read “Arthur's Eyes” to the children. He said he used to read the story, which is about a young boy's struggle to
adjust to the appearance of his glasses, to his own daughter. Karlen read “The Pirate of Kindergarten” to the children. The Save Our Sight program is partially funded through $1 donations at your local Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Also funding the program are the Ohio Department of Health, and the Bureau of Child and Family Health Services. It is a joint venture between the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery in Dayton and Prevent Blindness Ohio.
Justene Sitterson
Justene Sitterson graduated May 10, 2014 from Florida Gulf Coast University, where she majored in Mathematics and received her bachelor degree in Arts and Science. She is now working at Mercedes Benz in West Palm Beach, Florida where she lives. She is the daughter of Christine Sitterson and Shadi Ayesh both of West Palm Beach, and the granddaughter of Frances Martha Ross of Clarington.
Sitterson Graduates From Florida Gulf Coast
Fire Aftermath
command to ensure the environmental implications from this incident are effectively addressed.” Over the past week, the incident response has focused on ensuring the safety of personnel, and stabilizing the well pad site to allow for investigations and inspections. Benson said the next step in the process is to begin debris removal from the site. In regards to the fish kill in Opossum Creek, it was stated in Statoil’s press release, “Biologists involved in the incident response report that numbers of live fish continue to be observed in the creek within days after the incident and they report that there have been no sightings of affected wildlife.” Benson also stated that the removal of dead fish and aquatic life from Opossum Creek is complete. While Statoil has been implementing the required testing and claims the situa-
Frrom Page 1 tion is mostly resolved, the investigation from government agencies continues. Mark Bruce, Public Information Officer with ODNR, stated, “The Ohio Department of Natural Resources along with the Ohio EPA and U.S. EPA, continue to investigate the incident at the Statoil well pad in Monroe County. Cleanup and remediation efforts are continuing at the site and in the nearby stream. A final determination regarding the fish kill has not been made.” The Ohio EPA did not wish to comment, and the U.S. EPA could not be reached for comment. For more information on the incident response, please visit www.ohioincidentresponse.com. Statoil says any resident or landowner near the impacted well pad site may request water testing. To register for water testing, contact 1-866-8939512.
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Also part of the program in Woodsfield were hands-on opportunities. Children were able to participate in the Wise About Eyes exhibit which teaches eye health and safety through several items that can be picked up and explored. Each child in attendance was also given a bag with educational material about taking care of their eyes. To learn more about the program, visit: www.saveoursight.ohio.gov or www.wiseabouteyes.org.
At the Beallsville Park on July 1, at 6:00 p.m., the Beallsville Busy Bees held a meeting. Roll call was taken by advisor, Amy Louden. Charlie Wells and Zoey Randall led the pledges, and Club President, Courtney Vance led the meeting. Amy went over the treasury report and judging dates.
Visit the Beacon online at: www.mcbeacon.com
Forty-Eight Years of Skyvue History Come to an End as Old School Demolished Volume 169 Number 19
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Woodsfield, Ohio
Thursday, July 31, 2014
In attendance for the occasion were Congressman of the Eighteenth District Wayne L. Hays and Attorney Robert Manchester who sat on the Ohio Board of Education at the time. Skyvue High School continued on in the building for 28 years. Highlights from those years included exceptional basketball and baseball teams. The athletic accomplishments of the school culminated in a 1984-85 state runner-up finish in boys basketball and a 1985 state championship in baseball. In 1994, as consolidation was enacted across the Switzerland of Ohio Local School District (SOLSD), Skyvue's days as a high school ended. At the end of the 1992/93 school year, Bethel Elementary closed. Then, at the end of the 1993/94 school year, Lewisville and Graysville elementaries closed. Those three schools combined to
The old Skyvue Elementary (formerly Skyvue High School) is being demolished this week. Pictured are employees from Raze International, Inc. of Shadyside as they work on tearing down the building. The demolition of the building means the end of a 48 year era in the Skyvue community. Photo by Darin Brown the applause and yells of for its younger, sleeker ing. The previous Skyvue Darin Brown High School (a building sports fans, and the dis- counterpart. General Manager Skyvue began its life as a destined to outlive its sucFor 48 years, the brick course of public meetings. school building on For 48 years, it was the heart high school on January 3, cessor) had been located in Hartshorn Ridge named of a rural community other- 1966 when the school was Stafford, and the student Skyvue served the surround- wise tied together only by part of the Monroe Local population had outgrown its ing community, educating long, curvy roads. That 48 School District. On that tight confines. An article from the its youth. For 48 years, its years of existence came to date, students came back to halls reverberated with the an end this week as the old school from Christmas January 6, 1966 edition of laughter of school children, Skyvue school made way break to a brand new build- the Monroe County Beacon
described the new school: “The school is identified by Mosaic murals placed in the entrance. The murals, in black and gold, have the school's name and a golden hawk, the school's insignia. The school has fifteen classrooms designed to provide the best possible educational facilities to the student body, also, a new home economics department plus two business education rooms. A large shop area is provided for vocational agriculture and Industrial Arts...The new cafeteria serves approximately 250 students and is adjoined by a combination study hall-library and cafeteria kitchen. Other featured rooms and facilities are: a clinic, teachers lounges, a concession area, public address system, automatic timer system, a 60 foot stage for auditorium purposes... The gym features a full size basketball court with glass bankboards.” A dedication and open house for the school was set for Sunday, April 17, 1966.
Darin Brown General Manager The 11th annual Beallsville Remembers All Who Gave poker run was held on Fri., July 25 and Sat., July 26. A total of 229 riders participated to raise around $5,900 for local veterans during the event. “It works every year just because of the community. The community just gives and gives,” said event committee member Rick Albus. Albus said he had been on a recent trip across the country to California and back. He said he learned that “there's no place in this country like this community and its people.” Albus is joined by Steve Seebach, Rob Adams, Deb Wayne and Nicole Kinney on a committee that organizes the event each year. Also playing a major role is the Beallsville American
recognized those who have passed while serving our country, the event was also about having fun while rais-
ing money for the veterans still with us. In that regard, the event was a success. Poker run committee mem-
ber Deb Wayne said of the event, “It was a grand success. Everyone had a good time and rode safe.”
Darin Brown General Manager The fire that took place on June 28 at the Eisenbarth well pad near Hannibal has gotten the attention of local, state and even national agencies. As the events of that day are sorted out, those agencies are looking for a way to learn from what took place. A meeting was held at the Clarington Fire Hall on Wed., July 23 between Statoil personnel, local volunteer fire responders, local government officials, State Representative Jack Cera, the Ohio Fire Marshall's office, the Ohio Emergency Management Agency (OEMA), the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), and the
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) to discuss the events of the fire and what could be done better if such an event takes place again. A general conversation was held about the initial events of the fire. Clarington VFD was the first on the scene with New Martinsville Fire Department and Woodsfield VFD responding shortly thereafter. Firemen initially started to extinguish the fire, but the situation soon deterred them from fighting the flames. Clarington VFD Fire Chief James Hunt painted a picture of the fire. He said, after initially responding, “The little explosions were getting big-
ger. They were starting to rock your feet a little bit.” Other firefighters who responded described a plume of black smoke extending 800 to 1,000 feet in the sky. After the site was deemed safe, firemen were again able to work on extinguishing the fire. In the end, it took several hours to extinguish the blaze. Those who were on site noticed several issues that can be ironed out to aid first responders if similar incidents take place in the future.
Beallsville Group Raises $5,900 For Veterans Legion Post 768 and the ladies’ auxiliary. The two day event included a square dance, a motorcycle ride, an auction, a turkey dinner and the presentation of colors by an honor guard. Throughout the weekend, 133 full-size American flags, loaned to the group by Liberty Thunder, were displayed in front of the legion post to remember the 133 Monroe County soldiers who have been killed in action since WWI. Setting up a special tribute was Legion Post 768 Commander Chuck Davis, who placed 11 of those flags around the tank that sits in front of the legion hall. Davis said of the flags “These are for the boys who were killed in Vietnam.” Davis also referenced the fact that Beallsville suffered more Vietnam War soldier
See Skyvue, Page 7
The Beallsville Remembers All Who Gave poker run was held on July 25 and 26. More than 200 riders participated in the event, and a total of $5,900 was raised. Pictured setting up the American flags memorial in front of the Beallsville American Legion Post 768 are, from left, Rick Albus and Deb Wayne. Photo by Darin Brown casualties per capita than any other village, town or city in the United States. While the event somberly
State, Local Officials Meet With Firefighters to Discuss Eisenbarth Well Pad Fire Events
Several local and state officials convened to discuss the aftermath of the Eisenbarth well pad fire that took place near Hannibal on June 28. Pictured leading the discussion are, from left: Scott King, Ohio EMA liaison; Larry Flowers, State Fire Marshall; Dave Ivan, Director of Belmont County EMA; Phil Keevert, Director of Monroe County EMA; and Robin Groves, Monroe County Health Department Emergency Coordinator. Photo by Darin Brown
See Fire Meeting, Page 6
EPA Report on Eisenbarth Well Pad Fire Released
Page 6, Monroe County Beacon, Woodsfield, Ohio
Released last week was the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) report on the results of the accidental Eisenbarth well pad fire. The report reveals that several chemicals leaked into local streams during the fire and that a total of at least 14,500 aquatic animals were killed as a result. At the time of the fire, over 16 different chemicals were staged on the well pad. Those materials listed in the report were: diesel fuel, hydraulic oil, motor oil, hydorcholoric acid, cesium-137 sources, hydrotreated light petroleum distillates, terpenes, terpenoids, isoproponal, ethylene glycol, paraffinic solvents, sodium persulfate, tributyl tetradecyl phosphonium chloride and “proprietary components.” Also stated in the report was, “As a result of fire-fighting efforts and flow back from the well head, significant quantities of water and unknown quantities of products on the well pad left the site and entered an unnamed tributary of Opossum Creek that ultimately discharges to the Ohio
Fire Meeting
Leading a discussion about those issues was Scott King, Director of OEMA. Several local firefighters told King that they were most concerned about the absence of the MSDS Sheets, a list that must be kept by drill pad operators citing the harmful chemicals present at the site. Statoil officials said the MSDS Sheet was posted in an office trailer that was too close to the fire to enter. State officials confirmed that statement. OEMA officials asked if the MSDS Sheet can be housed somewhere more accessible. A Belmont County official in attendance said he had visited a well pad site in Belmont County, and they had the MSDS Sheet posted in the guard post at the entrance of the well pad as well as in other locations at the site. It was recommended that MSDS Sheet posting requirements be changed to avoid such as situation as in the Eisenbarth fire. Another complaint issued by Monroe County EMA Director Phil Keevert was that the location of the fire was not initially clear. He said he was told in the initial call he received that the fire
River.” Water samples of the runoff found TPH, 2-butanone, acetone, benzene, tehylbenzene, xylenes, toluene, bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, phenanthrene, pyrene, phenol and clorides in the water. On June 29, the day after the fire, a fish kill was discovered by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife in Opossum Creek and its unnamed tributary. Initial estimates from ODNR had the fish kill at around 70,000, a number that was frequently reported through various local media outlets. In the days following June 30, a collection was made of the aquatic life that had been found dead in the creeks. By the end of the collection, 11,116 dead fish of 20 different species were found as well as 3,519 crustaceans, seven frogs and 20 salamanders. The collection of the dead wildlife ended on July 5. The EPA report also lists the efforts made by well pad operator Statoil to prevent runoff and mitigate the environmental impact. Efforts
began on June 28, the day of the fire, to contain and recover spilled materials. Statoil began the construction of a containment berm, which was 80% complete by June 30. The berm was completed by July 2, but the report stated “it could not be keyed into native soils and could allow migration beneath.” It was also stated in the report that plans are being developed to assess the drinking water wells near the well pad. Statoil was reported to have sampled wells within 5,000 feet of the well head prior to commencing operations, therefore a baseline will be available for testing. The totality of results of the accidental fire are yet to be seen. A promising sign is that air and water samples went back to normal quickly after the fire. Air samples were clear by the end of the day on June 29, and water samples from Opossum Creek were normal by July 5 with the observation of minnows, small mouth bass, mayflies, algae and snails returning to the creek. From Page 1
was at a well pad on Long Ridge Rd. However, Keevert said there are two well pads on that road and his response was delayed when he had to call and clarify. It was noted by ODNR officials that companies must input the longitude and latitude of their well pad during the permitting process. It was also mentioned that the operator is required to register an address for the pad through the county. It was not clarified whether or not the Eisbenbarth pad has a registered address. Also an issue during the fire was the evacuation process. The conversation revealed that it was unclear who started the evacuation of the homes within a mile radius of the fire. Woodsfield VFD Fire Chief Mike Young stated his department initiated the evacuation. Someone was posted at the road's entrance to take names of those leaving. However, a state official advised that person to leave. At that point, Keevert said there was “no accountability” and no way to determine if residents within the evacuation zone had left. The limitations of local
fire departments in handling such a large blaze was also discussed. It was revealed during the conversation that the only responding fire department with hazmat support was the New Martinsville Fire Department. A general sentiment communicated by firefighters was that the fire and unusual dangers the involved were beyond the capabilities of their equipment and training. Even state officials said the fire was beyond their experience. Robert Worstall, Deputy Chief of ODNR said, “I've been in the business for 35 years and have never seen anything like this. I hope not to see it again.” Despite some of the discussion of what can be done better in the future, Monroe County EMA Director Keevert said of the meeting, “It wasn't about finger pointing or blame. It was about fixing the shortfalls and gaps in response.” Statoil officials recognized the local first responders for their efforts. One official added, “We have some lessons we learned of how we're going to train our incident responders.”
For Sale by Owner
Thursday, July 31, 2014
~ New Mural Marks Entrance of Veterans Services Office ~ Recently donated to the Monroe County Veterans Services office was a vinyl graphics mural installed at no cost by Cully's Custom Graphix and Devil Dog Tattoos of Eastern Ave., Woodsfield. The mural depicts emblems from all U.S. military branches as well as the POW/MIA emblem. Gary Lake, Director of the Veterans Services office contacted the business' owner David McMillan about creating something to mark the entrance into his office. After McMillan and Lake discussed all that was desired for the mural, McMillan revealed that he would do it at no cost. McMillan, who is a veteran of the United States Marines, said, “As a veteran, it's my pleasure to do this for this office. It's something I wanted to do, and as a business owner, I had the leeway to do it.” Lake expressed his gratitude on behalf of his office. The Monroe county Veterans Services office is located in the Monroe County Senior Citizens Center located on Home Ave., Woodsfield. Lake (left) and McMillan (right) are pictured in front of the new mural. Photo by Darin Brown
Monroe County Veterans Services Information by Gary Lake, Veterans Service Officer This month’s article is designed to inform our county veterans and community of potential benefits for service during the Vietnam War, Gulf War, and those exposed to radiation while on active duty. This year we have been able to assist numerous veterans apply for benefits. It concerns me that so many veterans are not aware or receiving benefits that they are entitled. It is important that each veteran evaluate their own physical condition and seek assistance from our office and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to determine if they have any entitlements. Veterans The Administration is concerned that many Vietnam veterans may regard certain diseases associated with aging, such as prostate cancer or mellitus type II diabetes, as just another illness rather than as the results of their military service in Southeast Asia. The VA wants these Vietnam veterans to know that they may be eligible for compensation and healthcare for certain diseases associated with Agent Orange, the defoliant sprayed to unmask enemy hiding places in the jungles throughout Vietnam.
As of today, only a small percentage of the 2.6 million men and women who served in Vietnam may be aware of medical conditions they may have due to Agent Orange exposure. VA presumes that all military personnel who served in Vietnam were exposed to Agent Orange and federal law presumes that certain illnesses are a result of that exposure. This so-called “presumptive policy” simplifies the process of receiving compensation for these diseases since VA forgoes the normal requirements of proving that an illness began or was worsened during military service. Department of The Veterans Affairs, effective July 9, 2002, has added Diabetes Mellitus Type II as a presumptive condition for in-country Vietnam veterans who served during the period of January 9, 1962, through May 7, 1975, and who have “adult onset diabetes mellitus”. In addition Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) was added to the list of presumptive conditions as of January 23, 2003. As of November 1, 2010 the following three conditions have been added to the list: B cell (hairy cell)
leukemia, Parkinson Disease, and Ischemic Heart Disease. These veterans are now eligible for serviceconnected disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) based on their presumed exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides. Based on clinical research, the following fifteen diseases are on VA’s Agent Orange list of presumptive disabilities: chloracne or other acneform disease similar to chloracne, Hodgkin’s disease, multiple myeloma, nonHodgkin’s lymphoma, porphyria cutanea tarda, respiratory cancers (lung, bronchus, larynx and trachea), soft-tissue sarcoma (other than osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, Kaposi’s sarcoma or mesothelioma), acute and subacute peripheral neuropathy, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus (Type II diabetes) and chronic Lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), B cell (such as hairy cell leukemia, Parkinson Disease, and Ischemic Heart Disease. In addition, monetary benefits, health care and vocational rehabilitation services are provided to Vietnam veterans’ offspring See Veterans, Page 14
Victorian Rose Bed & Breakfast
August 11-15 at 7:30PM with Morris Hafley SR 556 ¥ Beallsville, OH
108 North Street, Woodsfield, OH 1 Block from Courthouse
Turn Key Business • Mostly Furnished 6 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths
Kitchen includes All Appliances - Large and Small
Also includes “ R o s e C o t t a g e ”
A charming efficiency, all contents included
Everything you need to move in and take over a thriving business. Large parking area behind B&B • Zoned Commercial The Victorian Rose B&B will continue to provide quality service to it’s guests until the property is sold.
Shown by Appointment Only MUST SEE TO APPRECIATE Phone: 7 40- 472 -58 07
$389,900
Topics for Each Night are as follows:
Monday 8/11 - Examples of Encouragement Tuesday 8/12 - The Fork in the Road Wednesday 8/13 - Lessons from Daniel 3 Thursday 8/14 - The Way of the Transgressor is Hard Friday 8/15 - Where WeÕll Never Say Goodbye
DIRECTIONS: From SR 7 in Clarington, OH - Take SR 556 toward Beallsville. Travel about 9 miles and the building will sit on the right side of the road. From SR 145 in Beallsville, OH - Travel through town and continue straight at the four way. SR 145 turns into SR 556 at the Convenient. Travel for about 4.5 miles on SR 556 and the building will be on the left side of the road.
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