Pop quiz: How often do you catch yourself saying these seven words: Should, hate, but, try, broke/poor, yes (always), never.

If you're a repeat offender, you could be blocking the flow of more positive energy into your life. The repetitive use of these words sets up unconscious blocks. Let's take a closer look.

Whether you use this word on yourself - or with others - you're immediately creating expectations.

"Shoulds" often set us up for self-sabotage - or impose guilt. "I should, he should, she should" is a dismal chorus of judgment. Here are some healthier substitutes:

n I choose to.

n My intention is.

n You may want to look at.

n Here's a suggestion.

Instead of fueling the fire for resentment to grow if expectations aren't met, think about reframing. Let people be responsible for their own actions - and don't should on them.

With the polarizing views in our country and around the world, differences are emphasized. It's a new year now, though, and you have the opportunity to turn things around - at least in your own mind.

You'd be surprised how many times this poisonous word comes up in normal conversation: "Don't you just hate this cold weather?" This statement might seem harmless, yet it literally puts a damper on things.

To hate something is one of the top pieces of language that fuels drama addiction, according to author Sarah Prout, and prompts a person to seek negative subjects to use as conversational pieces. Enter that downward spiral.

One of the biggest lessons I ever learned was to look at how damaging this word can be. I had an instructor who challenged us at the beginning of a weekend seminar to eliminate the use of this word. She listed our names on a whiteboard and put a mark beside our names every time we used the word.

I can still hear her saying, "Five bucks." Every time we used "but," we were charged five dollars. Needless to say, most of us were running up quite a tab.

So, what's the big deal? Every time you use the word, "but," in a sentence you discount everything you've said up to that point:

"I'd like to go, but ..."

"She seems nice, but ..."

"I really like his idea, but ..."

Our brains hear the "but" as a major objection, and it's as if the rest of the sentence is a lie. You don't come across as credible.

Light bulb idea: substitute the word "and." It's a neutral connector that bridges the phrases together and leaves possibilities open. It seems a little stilted at first. Trust me, though. Every time you use "and" instead of "but," you're creating new neural pathways. And you won't be shutting yourself - or others - down:

n I'd like to go, and I'll need to check on some things first.

n I really like his idea, and I'll need to see if that could work.

"Try" is the king of weasel words. When your friend says she'll try to meet you next week for lunch, how confident are you? If a co-worker says he'll try to take on that new project, how inspired do you feel?

How about those promises that the kids will try to visit more often - or the grandkids will try to clean their rooms?

Suggested substitutes:

"I'll take a look at that and let you know."

"I have another commitment and won't be able to make it this time."

"That just doesn't work for me right now - thanks, though."

As the great philosopher from Star Wars, Yoda, says: "Do or do not. There is no try."

When you continually express you don't have enough money, the likelihood is this pattern will continue. Any thought you think over and over - and attach strong emotion to - will result in a belief for you. And then it gets wired into your brain - yikes.

While it can be tricky to state a positive thought in this realm - especially if you've been in dire straits - you may want to think about abundance in other areas of your life, rather than actual money. When you're grateful for what you do have, it takes the sting out of what you don't have.

And gratitude is the fastest gateway to greater prosperity:

n "I'm open and receptive to all life offers me."

n "I'm attracting more prosperity and abundance into my life."

n "I'm worthy of more money."

n "I release all negative energy around money."

n "I am a magnet for money."

Think about prosperity and abundance in all areas of your life - with relationships, your health, etc. Not just cold hard cash.

I play a little game all the time. Whenever I find a penny on the pavement, I pick it up and state an affirmation, "I give thanks for prosperity and abundance in my life. Thank you, thank you, thank you."

This also works well when you receive a check, a great health report or good news of any kind. Plus, it's fun and playful. You begin to look for reasons to be grateful.

Are you a people pleaser? You say "yes" to every request because you don't want to rock the boat? Or risk the possibility someone won't like you?

Now's the time to step back and stake your claim for more balance in your life - without offending others:

n "My bandwidth is pretty low right now."

n "That just won't work for me."

n "Check back with me another time."

Believe it or not, these are neutral statements that won't alienate those around you. In fact, you may even find you get more respect.

Never say never. It's the fastest way to close off the valve of possibilities flowing into your life.

Of course, you need to set healthy boundaries. You just don't know what the future may hold. So, why limit yourself?

When you clean up your conversations - inside your own head and outside with others - you feel more complete and empowered.

Try it. No, scratch that. Do it.

©2017 Linda Arnold Live Life Fully, all rights reserved. Linda Arnold, M.A., M.B.A., is a syndicated columnist, author and speaker. Reader comments are welcome at linda@lindaarnold.org. For more information on her books, "Teach People How to Treat You" and "Push Your Own Buttons," go to www.lindaarnold.org or amazon.com

Charleston's Sabatino's Sandwich Kitchen opened a new location in Huntington.

The restaurant opened at 2013 Fifth Ave., where Steak Escape previously was.

"Our Steak Escape franchise agreement was set to expire," Jon Conrad, manager and co-owner of Sabatino's Sandwich Kitchen said. "With that in mind, and the fact that it is a new year, we thought it would be the opportune time to try something different."

Sabatino's Huntington location will feature a similar menu to the Charleston location, emphasizing cheesesteaks, including The Pounder - "Huntington's favorite cheesesteak, made with all freshly sliced meats and vegetables purchased from local vendors" - paninis and flavorful sides such as fresh-cut onion rings and homemade chili.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. for dine-in every day and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. for drive-thru.

A website - www.sabatinoswv.com - will be launched in the coming weeks. Sabatino's Sandwich Kitchen is also located at 26 Capitol St. in Charleston.

Uncork & Create will host two cocktail crafting courses.

The first, The Art of Crafting Winter Cocktails II, is scheduled for Jan. 21 at The Block at 1 p.m.

Tickets are $55 per person.

The second, The Art of Crafting Valentine's Cocktails, will be held Feb. 11 at Celsius on Hale Street at 1 p.m. Tickets are also $55 per person.

Guests will watch live demonstrations and taste each drink at both events.

For more information or to register, visit www.uncorkandcreate.com/index.php.

The Charleston Woman's Improvement League will host its third annual Red Evening Affair from 6 to 11 p.m. Feb. 4.

The event includes a buffet dinner from 6 to 7:30 p.m., a cash bar, a disc jockey and a silent auction. Attire is cocktail/evening wear. Tickets are a $40 donation.

The event will be held at the Beni Kedem temple, at 100 Quarrier St., in Charleston.

For more information, call 304-553-1528.

For the first time, Charleston Restaurant Week is selling gift certificates. The $30 gift certificates are good for a meal from Jan. 23-28 at any participating restaurant.

For more information or to purchase a gift certificate, visit cwvrestaurantweek.com.

When John Porter and Marcus Parrish were married last Saturday at an informal ceremony at Camp Virgil Tate, it was more than just a wedding.

It was a going-away party, too.

"We decided, with the big move across the country, if it was going to happen, we wanted to make it easy for all our friends to be there," Porter said. "We wanted to make it easy since we're packing up and moving just a week later."

Porter, the popular Garden Guru columnist for the Sunday Gazette-Mail, has, for the last eight years, served as the West Virginia University Extension Service agent for agriculture and natural resources in Kanawha County.

He has taken a new job with a dual assignment in Omaha, Nebraska. He'll work as an extension agent there as well as developing a new two-year degree program in urban agriculture for the Nebraska College for Technical Agriculture.

The Wayne County native leaves the state where he grew up and established his career with mixed feelings.

"I've lived here all my life and love the state and love my friends and all the people here," he said. "But, you know, I found a great opportunity I couldn't say no to that will help me further my career. I felt sort of like I had reached the top of where I could go here."

He said he will not miss West Virginia's increasingly conservative politics.

"I'm also sort of happy to be leaving a lot of the political climate here," Porter said. "I know a lot of young people aren't really liking the sort of the things the Legislature has been trying to push through the last few years on their social agenda. And I think those are some of the things that are making young people leave the state, just as much as the economy."

While same-sex marriage is now possible in the state, marrying and living as a same-sex couple "is still a struggle here," he added.

"We still have a lot of people that, either for political or religiously conservative reasons, are actively seeking to deny couples their rights to marry or even openly harassing people or just trying to de-legitimize these things," Porter said.

"It happens to all of us," Porter went on, speaking a day before his wedding ceremony. "I have it in my own family. At our wedding, I really won't have any family in attendance. It'll all be just friends because of the way people look at same-sex marriage."

He said he felt the political and social climate in the area to which he and Parrish, a Jackson County native, are moving will be more welcoming.

"Even though Nebraska is a red state, the state government has not been focused on social issues like some other states, like West Virginia, has been. The Omaha area that we'll be moving to is very open and progressive," Porter said.

He will, though, have a learning curve, getting to know the soils and growing climate of Nebraska.

"It's one zone colder, so I'll have to learn what will - and will not - survive out there, and maybe try to push my luck a little bit and see what I can sort of sneak in under the radar," he said.

Donning his Garden Guru hat one last time, Porter noted West Virginia's soil usually tends to be acidic because of coal, while the soil in Nebraska is considered basic, or more alkaline.

"The old term would be it's sweeter soil, not an acidic soil," he said.

Translated into practical terms, that means some things easily grown in West Virginia will not be as easy to grow in Nebraska's sweeter soil.

"So, it's harder to grow things like blueberries and rhododendrons," he said. "It'll definitely be an adjustment."

He'll be teaching Nebraskans about a lot of other things to grow and raise, however, as part of his job's focus on urban agriculture.

He will be conducting programs and classes to teach and help Omaha develop more urban agriculture, from gardens and chickens and honeybees to urban farms and home gardens.

As for the state where he was born, he said he hopes to return someday to it's blueberry-friendly hills.

"Hating to leave," he said. "But hoping to be back one day when the time is right."

Reach Douglas Imbrogno at

douglas@wvgazettemail.com

304-348-3017 or follow

@douglaseye on Twitter.

"More Than Words," a new authors' presentation series is debuting 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Books & Brews, 2759 Main St., Hurricane.

To kick off the series, West Virginia's Poet Laureate, Marc Harshman, will present "Auld Lange Syne," a reading and presentation of poems to honor the previous year and to celebrate the new. A new author will be presented the second Tuesday of every month.

New writers, authors, musicians, presenters, lecturers and raconteurs will delight the audience and invite questions on their creative process.

Books & Brews, owned by Pat and Claire Pelley, offers coffees, teas, wine and beers, along with appetizers, flatbreads and pizzas.

For more information, visit them on Face Book: www.facebook.com/Books-and-Brews-1640191112893072/about/.

Moderators Mary Imo Stike and Cat Pleska created the series to expand to focus on literary, musical and creative individuals with their works of passion and power halfway between Charleston and Huntington.

Stike is a poet who recently earned her master's from West Virginia Wesleyan's Master of Fine Arts Creative Writing program and is working on a chapbook of her poems.

Pleska, a native of Hurricane, has a master's from Goucher College in Baltimore in Creative Nonfiction. Her memoir, "Riding on Comets" was published by West Virginia University Press in 2015.

Monongalia Arts Center is collaborating with the Hope and Liberation Coalition and West Virginia University's School Of Medicine for a special Benedum Gallery Exhibition.

The exhibit, "Not On Our Watch," which opens Friday, is an examination of the role health care workers serve in the identification, healing and prevention of human trafficking.

As health care workers attend to survivors and those still caught in the web of what is known as modern-day slavery, they are confronted with the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual trauma resulting from human trafficking. In addition, this exhibit illustrates the vast scope and multi-layered system of human trafficking.

The Hope and Liberation Coalition, based in Columbus, Ohio, promotes the awareness and prevention of human trafficking via the arts. Family friendly artwork and creative events allow the HLC to engage the public in community discussion, along with youth and adult outreach programs for individuals and organizations from urban, suburban and rural settings.

A public panel discussion will take place at noon Friday in WVU's Health Sciences Center Room 1905, and at 6 p.m. Friday the MAC will host a public opening reception and invites all students, faculty and community members.

The exhibition will remain available to the public in MAC's downstairs Benedum Gallery until Feb. 1. MAC is located at 107 High St., Morgantown. Inquiries should be directed to info@monartscenter.com or call 304-292-3325.

The Art Store, 233 Hale St., recently opened a new exhibit titled "Kaizen," which will be on view through Feb. 5.

The exhibition features paintings, prints, photographs, sculptures and mixed-media works by gallery artists. A collection of fine crafts from North America will also be featured in the gallery.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and anytime by appointment. For further information call 304-345-1038 or visit the Kaizen exhibition online at www.theartstorewv.com.

The Scottish author and theologian Ian MacLaren wrote, "Be kind. For everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle."

What that battle is, though, can be hidden, especially if it's an addiction. Recurring stories about the damage to communities caused by prescription pain pills and heroin can be sobering, but the damage itself isn't entirely unexpected.

People have known addiction is bad for decades, but they can forget what addiction looks like.

Police mugshots sometimes show pictures of wild-eyed and disheveled men and women, people who look to be in the middle of a crisis, street people strung out on drugs they used in alleys or abandoned buildings. But an addict can be anybody, even the girl next door.

Nina Zakas is that girl - or she used to be.

Growing up in Rand, the sandy-haired and petite 28-year-old was a cheerleader.

"I cheered in elementary and middle school," she said. "In high school, I was more interested in art and theater."

She laughed. "I thought I was going to be an actress."

That never really panned out. A lot of things didn't pan out.

"I was addicted to heroin," she said, plainly. "I was an IV user. I shot up for eight years."

Nina was cautious about assigning blame. Many 12-step programs, like the one she participates in, insist on participants taking responsibility for past actions. She seemed to believe a propensity toward addiction was part of who she is, but acknowledged her addiction had a starting point.

"I had cancer," she said.

At 15, Nina noticed an odd lump in her breast, but she didn't think a lot about it at the time.

"I just thought it was one of those things that you get that just sort of come and go," she said.

The lump didn't, and when she saw her doctor several weeks later for her annual physical, she mentioned it.

Tests were done, but Nina said the doctor didn't follow up. Nobody said anything about the lump until almost two years later when a doctor told her she had breast cancer.

In the late spring and summer between her junior and senior year at Riverside High School, Nina underwent surgery to remove the cancer, followed by radiation therapy.

The doctor who sat on the test results, Nina said, lost his job, but the treatment was successful.

"I've been cancer-free for 10 years," she said. "I didn't even lose my hair or nothing."

But there was pain. Her new doctor prescribed OxyContin, an opiate, which Nina began to abuse over time.

"It became an excuse to use," she said. "I went through this thing [cancer], so I deserved to do this."

Her teenage OxyContin use was just occasional, and Nina felt like she was in control. Besides, in high school, the drug of choice among her peers was alcohol.

"I drank at parties and stuff," she said.

Shortly after graduation Nina's opioid use quickly increased. Finally, she switched to heroin.

"It was just cheaper," she said.

Addiction to something like heroin, she said, is hard to describe to someone who is not addicted to heroin.

"I guess you think of it as like being addicted to cigarettes - only 10 times worse," she said.

Nina checked herself into her first rehab clinic when she was 21 and tried to quit several times through her 20s, sometimes managing to stay clean for several months.

"But sooner or later I'd go right back to it," she said.

The amount of heroin only grew.

Nina pointedly said she was not a casual or light drug user. She wasn't flirting with drug use.

"I was the girl who'd nod off after shooting up in her mother's bathroom," she said. "Those people you keep hearing about on television who they find passed out in parking lots? That was me."

She overdosed several times.

One of the worst was after she and a friend drove a drug dealer home from West Virginia to Detroit.

"We figured if we helped him out, we'd get some free stuff," Nina said.

They did, and she overdosed.

"Nobody even knew I was in Detroit," she said.

Over the last six years, Nina said she found herself in one bad situation or rough place after another.

"I was involved in a lot of things I'm not proud of," she said.

Nina stole from her family to supply her habit.

"My mother finally cut me off," she said.

They still don't talk.

She took drugs from her boyfriend, who she said dealt drugs but wasn't an addict.

"At least, he wasn't a heroin addict," Nina said. "He had his own trouble with alcohol."

Despite being involved in criminal activity and associating with criminals, Nina said she was never arrested, though the threat of going to jail for anything weighed heavily on her. Just the anxiety of being on the road, driving anywhere, she said, was almost more than she could bear.

She was almost always carrying something that would get her arrested.

"I was terrified and paranoid," she said. "That was my worst fear - getting caught and being 'dope sick' in jail. I heard that was the worst, that they did nothing for you in prison."

She feared being vulnerable and detoxing from heroin without help.

While using, Nina maintained the semblance of a normal life. She held jobs and went to school, but then, almost a year ago, Nina said she'd finally had enough.

"I wasn't homeless or in trouble," she said. "I was just bankrupt inside. I was empty. There wasn't another use left in me. I just could not do it anymore."

So, nine months ago, Nina checked herself into Highland Hospital's detox program. Shortly thereafter, she began going to meetings through the 12 Step Fellowship, an addiction recovery organization.

"I go to meetings every day," she said.

Some meetings are in Charleston. Others are around the county, but Nina said she doesn't miss.

"Each meeting is different," she said. "Some of them are open meetings; you can bring your family. People bring their kids. Others are just for addicts."

Some meetings Nina has been to are attended by a handful, but many are becoming crowded.

"It's not unusual for there to be 70 people at this one meeting I go to," she said. "I don't think people understand how big of a problem drug addiction is here. It's huge."

The meetings are only part of the process of staying sober.

"I had to give up the life I was living," she said.

That included giving up on her boyfriend, whom she said she'd been with for six years. She lost a lot of friends, too.

Nina laughed bitterly. "It's true what they say, you find out who your real friends are."

As a recovering addict, Nina said she hasn't replaced her addiction with something else. She doesn't drink, for example.

"I don't party anymore," she said, with regret. "I don't even smoke."

Nina's life is quieter and tamer now. A night out is to maybe see a movie, but she's not alone. She's made friends and is dating.

"My boyfriend now is in recovery, too," she said.

She has a good job, works with people she likes, who seem to accept her, though she doesn't know how much they know about her past.

"I think most people know what I'm about. They know I'm going to meetings," Nina said. "I'm open about it."

She's hopeful for the future and would like to continue her education someday.

"Maybe I could become a dental hygienist," she said. "That sounds pretty good to me."

One day, she could be mother, too.

Nina said she felt like she dodged a bullet by not having children young. Nothing about that would have ended well.

"But I think that could be a someday kind of thing, too," she said.

Nina hoped to mend some of her lost relationships over time - with her mother, certainly, but not everyone.

Some of her family have their own struggles, and while she loves them, she also said she can't be around them because she must stay focused on her sobriety.

Nina wanted to share her story with other addicts, people who haven't hit bottom yet, but are maybe thinking about getting clean.

There are a lot of services for people who want to try.

"I'm here to tell you, you can do it," she said. "If I can convince one other person like me to quit, it's all worth it."

Reach Bill Lynch at

lynch@wvgazettemail.com,

304-348-5195 or follow

@LostHwys on Twitter.

Follow Bill's One Month at a Time progress on his blog at

blogs.wvgazettemail.com/onemonth/.

Conservation

Dane Franz has been hired as grant administrator for the Coal River Group, a nonprofit that works to develop tourism and recreation on the Great Coal River while preserving its history. Franz will help the organization implement a new septic tank repair and replacement program, along with river education and restoration efforts.

Health care

Jason Landers has been named president of West Virginia Family Health, succeeding Fred Earley. Landers has previously served as executive director of the Medicaid managed care organization, which serves more than 65,000 members in all 55 counties, and director of strategic provider initiatives for Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia.

Law

Jackson Kelly has elected M. Shane Harvey to its executive committee and elevated attorneys Elizabeth Amandus, Laurie Miller and Danielle Waltz to the position of member. All are based in the firm's Charleston office. Harvey is the leader of the firm's environmental practice and coal industry groups. Amandus concentrates her practice on commercial and administrative litigation. Miller is a member of the health care and finance practice group. Waltz's legal experience includes litigating commercial banking cases and multi-party construction matters.

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Michael Cary of Cary Law Office has been honored by the National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys as a recipient of the Top 10 Attorneys Under 40 Award. Cary founded Cary Law Office in 2013 and serves on the board of directors for the Charleston Civic Center and West Virginia University's Visiting Committee for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Marriages:

The following people filed for marriage licenses in Kanawha County between Dec. 29 and Jan. 5:

Anthony Chase Tavarez, 28, and Jordan Nicole Caldwell, 25, both of Elkview.

William Robert Milbee III, 45, and Carrie Renee Taylor, 33, both of Charleston.

Douglas Paul Fisher, 50, and Johnna Lynn Lathey, 53, both of Sissonville.

Russell Scott Kennedy, 45, and Lorie Renea Johnson, 43, both of St. Albans.

Michael Thomas McKinney, 53, of Charleston and Christine Underwood King, 49, of Wakefield, Maine.

Danny Douglas Carpenter, 70, and Sandra Lea Jenkins, 54, both of Charleston.

Kenneth Eugene Pennington II, 59, of St. Albans and Tracy Renee Pennington, 50, of Nitro.

Dewey Shannon Dorsey Jr., 45, and Brittani Michelle Faber, 29, both of Charleston.

Russell David Jessee, 52, and Cinnamon Mitchem, 47, both of Charleston.

Fahd Mousa, 31, and Motia Alhafez, 19, both of Charleston.

Richard Scott Starcher, 43, of Walton and Nicole Elizabeth Cottrell, 37, of Clendenin.

Tyler William Lemaster, 21, of St. Albans and Aliyah Marie Turley, 21, of Poca.

Kelly Brian O'Connor, 33, and Krista Danielle McLaughlin, 33, both of St. Albans.

Kristopher Matthew Huff, 30, and Beth Ann Haynes, 27, both of Cross Lanes.

Paul Raymond Rose, 47, and Melissa Sue Czeck, 49, both of Charleston.

David Ray Wells, 42, of Dunbar and April Sue Parrish, 42, of Poca.

Eric Vaughan Jarrett, 34, of Charleston and Amber Nicole Smith, 24, of Poca.

Codey Augusta Shaffer, 27, and Heather Marie Carte, 31, both of Clendenin.

Michael Anthony Richardson, 58, and Tamela Lynn Gibson, 55, both of Tornado.

Darrell Keith Pickens Jr., 41, and Jirawan Srisawat, 48, both of Charleston.

Divorces:

The following people filed for divorce in Kanawha County between Dec. 29 and Jan. 5:

Susan Nicole Wilkins from Douglas Scott Wilkins

Joseph Allen Groscup from Heather Dawn Groscup

Caitlyn Faith Runion from Justin Shane Runion

Raymond F. Susani from Valerie V. Susani

Alisha Ann Bailey from Zachary Alex Bailey

April Dawn Coldwell from Douglas Jeffrey Coldwell

Bonnie Sue Pearson from Henry Pearson

Ida Maritiza Williams from Walter Ray Williams

Rick Alan Duiguid from Dana Leann Duiguid

Danielle Shawnta Oglesby from Brain Dangelo Terry

Kimberly S. Alsip from Jeremy S. Alsip

Amanda Marie Walker from Peter Michael Elliott

Rae L. Whitlow from Craig S. Whitlow

Tiffany Lynn Hedrick from Gary Wayne Hedrick Jr.

Michael Ryan Gabriel from Christina E. Gabriel

Myckaile L. Smith from Larry R. Smith II

Diantha Lea Ray from Brian Anthony Ray

Property Transfers

The following property transfers of $75,000 or more were recorded in Kanawha County between Dec. 29 and Jan. 5:

A&M Properties LLC and Montani Properties LLC to Quoc Ngoc Hoang and Loc Tan Ho. Lot, Charleston, $185,000.

Sarah G. Morgan and Laura M. Ewalt to James C. Hill and Jack Turner. Lot, Charleston, $183,000.

Paul G. Vanmeter II to Amanda Miller. Lots, Jefferson District, $100,000.

Elizabeth R. Severson to Sherry L. Cole. Lots, Union District, $430,000.

Susan Elisabeth Verhaalen to Thomas N. Whittier and Christine M. Hedges. Condominium, Charleston, $152,500.

Charles David Thomas, Polly Anne Thomas Stevens and Jane Ellen Thomas to Olivia J. Hughes. Lots, Cabin Creek District, $80,000.

Goldie M. Lovejoy to Leandra J. Grady. Lot, St. Albans, $80,000.

Melissa F. Hager to Jason S. Wallace. Lot, Union District, $163,934.

Ngabich Thi Huynh and Duc Phan to William Landon Pile IV. Lot, Spring Hill District, $78,000.

James Eugene Thompson to Twyla D. Westfall. Parcel, Cabin Creek District, $82,000.

Raymond Guerrant Dodson, Mary Helsley Dodson Knight, Elmer Denison Dodson and Nelle Ingles Dodson Howard to April H. and John Andrew Cavender. Lots, Charleston, $170,000.

Mandi Kay Carter to Timothy M. and Anne W. Miller. Lots, Charleston, $390,000.

L&G Anderson LLC to Pierre and Susan Saad. Lot, Dunbar, $750,000.

Kanawha Capital Company Inc. to Nicholas Bonnett. Parcel, South Charleston District, $139,900.

Thomas Walter and Kara N. Moore to Holly M. Smith, Lot, Loudon District, $153,500.

Gregory S. Foster and Bridget P. Ball to Michael T. Hardt. Townhouse, Loudon District, $270,000.

Barry W. Kemerer and Nancy Earlene Kemerer to Charles M. and Shearell V. Harper. Lot, Union District, $245,000.

Thomas and Kimberly Ryan to Michael Jason Rhodes. Parcels, Loudon District, $275,000.

Teresa Figueroa to Kristi Ann Fields. Parcel, Nitro, 78,000.

Douglas W. Edens to Jordan Edens. Lot, Elk District, $117,250.

Samuel J. Helmick to Brent K. and Tanya M. Kesner. Parcel, Charleston, $200,000.

Nancy Slack and Edgar E. Bibb III to Laura M. Slack. Lot, Charleston, $142,000.

Robbie A. and Victoria L. Tate to Krysta R. and Mitchell W. Monk. Lots, Elk District, $160,000.

Mary Ann Galik to Kimble Investment Group LLC. Lot, Charleston, $110,000.

John C. and Kathleen Wiesendanger to Patrick and Shelly J. McCutcheon. Lot, Charleston, $260,000.

Travis Allen Moore, Franklin Scott Moore and Linda L. Moore to Nanette M. Sloan. Lot, Malden, $127,000.

Bankruptcies

The bankruptcies listed below are limited to those filed by residents or companies in the Gazette-Mail's circulation area. Chapter 7 designates the liquidation of non-exempt property; Chapter 11 calls for business reorganization; Chapter 13 establishes a schedule of payments to creditors. The following bankruptcies were filed between Dec. 29 and Jan. 6:

Betty Jean Moore, Elkview, Chapter 7. Assets: $16,801, Liabilities: $52,868.

Evelyn Jean Wright, Summersville, Chapter 7. Assets: $312,654, Liabilities: $127,748.

Anna Elizabeth Jones, Charleston, Chapter 7. Assets: $44,969, Liabilities: $53,619.

Arnold Eugene and Nancy Judith Anderson, Handley, Chapter 7. Assets: $49,080, Liabilities: $51,369.

Martha Sue Dew, Racine, Chapter 7. Assets: $47,592, Liabilities: $36,028.

William Michael and Jeanne Louise Overton, Cabin Creek, Chapter 7. Assets: $43,885, Liabilities: $107,462.

Barbara Jean and Samuel Roland Savilla, Charleston, Chapter 7. Assets: $73,040, Liabilities: $65,550.

Denver Woodrow Smith, South Charleston, Chapter 7. Assets: $158,449, Liabilities: $203,489.

David Scott and Sherry Renee Dent, Charleston, Chapter 7. Assets: $16,164, Liabilities: $32,183.

Brent Allen Lucabaugh, Hillsboro, Chapter 7. Assets: $40,774, Liabilities: $69,238.

Matthew Carter, Logan, Chapter 7. Assets: $85,420, Liabilities: $378,570.

Basil Ray and Shinta Gunawan Wolfe, Charleston, Chapter 7. Assets: $24,631, Liabilities: $99,324.

Ernest Jackson Bonya Gayl Woodrum, Nitro, Chapter 7. Assets: $108,315, Liabilities: $145,124.

Evelyn Gail Jewell, Herndon, Chapter 7. Assets: $75,178, Liabilities: $148,342.

Kelly Suzette Green, Daniels, Chapter 7. Assets: $9,410, Liabilities: $72,384.

Carlos Junior and Ona Imogene Bonds, Hinton, Chapter 7. Assets: $34,202, Liabilities: $35,757.

Mary Jane Alexander, Beckley, Chapter 7. Assets: $66,440, Liabilities: $63,979.

Jeremy Craig and Amanda Ellen Clark, Alkol, Chapter 13. Assets: $80,591, Liabilities: $107,843.

Phillip Odell Lucas, West Hamlin, Chapter 13. Assets: $207,889, Liabilities: $224,094.

Gloria Kay Pegram, Beckley, Chapter 13. Assets: Unknown, Liabilities: Unknown.

A thoughtful quiet settles over this week's offerings.

Harvard University political theorist Danielle Allen writes of the ancient Roman Cicero, and his book, "On Duties." She calls it "a performance of calm amid chaos, of commitment to virtue and self-mastery amid bloodthirsty violence."

She found new meaning in the old book in today's political setting, although Cicero's time, including the assassination of Julius Caesar, was much more tumultuous than what Americans face today.

West Virginia Public Broadcasting CEO Scott Finn also writes about quiet, about hiking in the New River Gorge with his autistic son. In the winter stillness, Finn rediscovered some strengths of the region that are easy to overlook. He cautions West Virginians not to give in to noisy, damaging self-talk.

Perspective contributors are concerned with economic development, better health and sufficient retirement savings. They are all different subjects, near and far.

Yet they share elements in this season of fresh starts and setting goals - a search for a stoic equilibrium, the discipline to do what is right, perhaps to sacrifice for the future.

Mr. John "Jack" Paul Bannister, 81, of 65 Poppy Lane, Lambsburg, Va., passed away November 9, 2016, at the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home. He was born March 10, 1935, in Litwar, W.Va., to the late Alex and Dorothy Bannister.

He is preceded in death by the love of his life, his wife, Mary Lou Hatfield Bannister; his two daughters, Susan Bannister Ramsey and Nancy Jean Bannister; brother, Harry Bannister; and his sister, Patty Angle.

He is survived by son and daughter-in-law, Paul and Maida Bannister of Leon, W.Va.; son and daughter-in-law, Terry and Elizabeth "Liz" Bannister of Hanover, W.Va.; son and significant other, Thomas Bannister and Tootsie of Lambsburg, Va.; and son-in-law, Steve Ramsey of Winston-Salem, N.C. He is also survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Margaret and Gaylord Short of Beckley, W.Va.; and brother and sister-in-law, Bobby and Earlene Bannister of Barboursville, W.Va.

Jack was a graduate of Baileysville High School, where he was an avid athlete, playing both basketball and football. He then attended Concord College for one year and went on to server four years in the Air Force. He was a trucker by trade. He spent numerous hours and traveled thousands of miles cross country throughout his life. Later in life, he enjoyed watching and cheering for his West Virginia University's Mountaineers.

He was called "Papaw" by nine grandchildren, Dr. Audra Bannister Pritt and husband, Justin, of Milton, W.Va., Joshua Bannister and wife, Sarah, of Charleston, S.C., Danielle Crouse Farmer and husband, Travis, of Lambsburg, Va., Stephen "Fred" Ramsey and wife, Amanda, of Wahiawa, Hawaii, Jessica Bannister Joyce of Mount Airy, N.C., Luke Bannister of Daniels, W.Va., Andrew Ramsey and wife, Ashleigh, of Lewisville, N.C., Emily Bannister of Daniels, W.Va., and Jennifer Bannister of Mount Airy, N.C. He is also survived by four great-grandchildren, Landon Paul Pritt, Layla Isabelle Pritt, Stephen Alexander Ramsey, and Brady Malachi Farmer.

A celebration of Jack's life will be held 1 p.m., Saturday, January 14, in Hanover, West Virginia at the Hanover Missionary Baptist Church. Friends may visit with the family from noon to 1 p.m. The Reverend Jackie Lester will officiate. Entombment will follow at the Davis Family Cemetery, also in Hanover, West Virginia.

The family would like to thank the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home for their great care and compassion during Jack's final days of life. They would also like to thank Travis Farmer for being his primary caregiver in his final weeks and days of life.

Dorothy Sue Ashmore, 90, completed her earthly journey, January 4, 2017, at her sister's home, in Greenville, S.C.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Otis L. Ashmore of Dunedin, Fla. and Fannie M. Ashmore of Greenville, S.C. She is survived by her brother, Robert L. Ashmore (Joan) of Charleston; and sister, Tamara "Tam" Watkins of Greenville, S.C. Also surviving are nephew, Robert Ashmore, Jr.; niece, Brenda Fisher (Dennis); great-nephews, Derek Fisher and Taylor Fisher; and a great-great-niece and nephew, all of Charleston.

Dorothy was born March 22, 1926, in Charleston and attended Kanawha County schools graduating from Stonewall Jackson High School in 1944. She graduated from Furman University in Greenville, S.C. in 1949. After completing necessary courses at Morris Harvey College (Charleston University), she got her teachers certificate and began a career of teaching elementary education at Pierpont Elementary (Dunbar, W.Va.), Taft Elementary (Charleston, W.Va.) and Frame Elementary (Frame, W.Va.).

After retiring, Dorothy realized her love of traveling, visiting London, Europe, Russia and China. She also visited most of the 50 states. She was a member of D.A.R., WVEA, NEA, and Delta Kappa Gamma sorority. She also served many years as a volunteer worker at Charleston Women and Childrens Hospital.

A graveside service will held 11 a.m., Monday, January 9, 2017, in West Springs Baptist Church Cemetery.

A memorial service is planned for the near future in Charleston, W.Va.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association, www.diabetes.org.

The Mackey Mortuary.

Online guest registry available at www.mackeymortuary.com.

Judith Diane Welch Arters, 68, of Saint Albans, passed away Thursday, January 5, 2017.

She was born and raised in Alexandria, Va. and graduated from Wakefield High School and George Mason University.

She was a lover of technology, literature and family.

She is survived by her husband of 32 years, Emlyn David Arters, III; siblings, Nancy Harner, (Bill), Robert Welch, (Sue); daughter, Cynthia Singer; grandchildren, Akaya Robey, Ezekiel and Zion Joy Singer; and great-granddaughter, Ariah Sky Robey.

A tribute to her life and memorial service will be held privately with immediate family. You may express online condolences at www.cookefuneralhome.com.

Pansy Ellen Adkins, 98, of West Hamlin, passed away January 6, 2017. Funeral service will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, January 10, at Koontz Funeral Home, Hamlin. Visiting hours will be 6 to 8 p.m., Monday, January 9, at the funeral home.

Errett, Lester Jr. — 2 p.m., Crow

Green, Ida (McCourt) — 1 p.m., Dodd & Reed Funeral Home, Webster Springs.

Ilar, Ruth — 2 p.m., Good Shepherd South Baptist Church, Scott Depot.

Javins, Berman "Eugene" — 3 p.m., Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, Julian.

SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. (AP) - A traveling exhibit on the career of the late U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd will head to six sites in the coming months.

The exhibit shares Byrd's story as the longest-serving senator, his early life and entrance into politics and rise to leadership positions.

The exhibit was created to honor the 100th anniversary of Byrd's birth in 2017.

Later this month the exhibit will head to Wheeling Jesuit University and Pierpont Community and Technical College in Fairmont. It also is scheduled to open later this year at the Randolph County Community Arts Center in Elkins, the First National Bank of Williamson, Marshall University's John Deaver Drinko Library in Huntington, and the United Hospital Center in Bridgeport.

PRINCETON, W.Va. -- State troopers in Princeton shot and killed a man they say threatened officers and himself with a knife Saturday night.

The incident started around 9 p.m. Saturday, when troopers with the Princeton detachment of the West Virginia State Police responded to the area of Twelve Mile Road because of reports of a domestic dispute where shots had been fired, according to a release from State Police.

The suspect, Daniel Scott Giberson, 25, of Bluefield, initially fled the scene but returned around 10:30 p.m., according to police. Troopers tried to stop Giberson's vehicle but he fled and a chase ensued, police say.

Giberson then crashed his car into a tree stump on Maple Acres Road, police say. Police say when they approached the vehicle, Giberson was holding a knife to his throat. After the man refused to drop the knife, police sprayed him with pepper spray, which did not have an effect, police say. After the man got out of the car, he told officers to shoot him and "then made a decision to wield the knife toward the officers," police say.

Troopers shot Giberson, who died as a result, police say.

After the incident, police learned that Giberson was wanted out of South Carolina for aggravated assault and had been labeled as a violent offender.

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (AP) - Employees in the Harrison County School District are choosing to be lifelong learners through continuing education, remaining up-to-date on the newest information, technology and instructional strategies.

All teachers in the county enroll in additional degree programs or take college courses to renew their teaching or professional certificates, according to Donna Hage, assistant superintendent of personnel.

"Our teachers dedicate hundreds of hours in the evenings, summer months and during breaks in the calendar in order to better their knowledge base," she said.

Hage said all 968 professional and 523 service employees are required to annually complete 18 hours of continuing education per school year to fulfill their contracts. These hours are offered during their work days, which are built into the calendar and required by state policy.

Since the passing of Senate Bill 359, effective July 1, 2014, Hage said pre-K and kindergarten aides have to complete three semesters of courses - taking a year and a half to complete. This is to fulfill a requirement for early childhood classroom assistant teachers, she said.

Being a part of the courses for early childhood, she was able to provide excess support and information needed to help meet the different needs of the children in Harrison County, according to Kristina Riffle, an early childhood classroom assistant teacher at Johnson.

"I took the courses after school; after having a regular day, we would do it on our own time," she said. "We worked on projects, classroom examples and developmentally appropriate practices like language and literacy."

Riffle said continuing education provides opportunities in the classroom to help students the best that they can.

Service personnel are the aides taking additional training hours to become autism mentors, Hage said.

"This is an area of increasing need in schools in Harrison County, particularly in the past five to 10 years," she said. "So many of our employees are dedicating time to expand their knowledge and understanding in order to serve our students' needs."

While the West Virginia Department of Education does offer tuition reimbursement, it is offered on a first-come, first-serve basis, Hage said. The Harrison County School System offers tuition reimbursement if the state department has exhausted its funds.

"This reimbursement from the county is offered to those who are seeking degrees in areas identified by our board of education as shortage or critical need and by local initiatives and goals," she said. "These have been areas like Title I reading, special education, science and math."

All professional and service employees can be considered for pay raises for hours completed for college credit, she said.

Tiffany Hoskins, a sign language interpreter for the county, said she will participate in continued hours of training Jan. 3 in order to maintain her skills in visual phonics.

"It helps the students in the county that are deaf, but can visually see the sound," she said. "As a school employee in Harrison County, we have to maintain 18 hours each year, and this will be a six-hour training for us."

With four sign language interpreters and two teachers in the county, Hoskins said it is important to keep up with their skills.

"If you don't use it, you lose it. We want to be able to help students from the elementary to high school level," she said. "There are new things that come out every year and when they do the continued education classes, we are able to keep up with the new findings in technology and information so we can help to benefit the children of the county. That's what is important."

The number of teachers who decide to stop at a bachelor's degree is shrinking each year, Hage said.

"Teaching is such an honorable profession for so many reasons, this being one of them with the constant sacrifice of time and personal expense to continually challenge and better their knowledge base," Hage said. "It's such a commitment."

Hage said the employees of Harrison County are at a great advantage to have a superintendent and board that encourages and supports continuing their education.

"I believe that our employees have a sincere love of learning and desire to do the best they can, in whatever capacity, to be prepared to meet the ever-changing needs of students and continuing education is one very beneficial way to do that," she said.

"One of the greatest impacts of those employees who continue their education is that they share their knowledge with colleagues,"

CEREDO, W.Va. (AP) - Authorities say one person has died in a house fire in Ceredo.

Media outlets report the fire destroyed the home Saturday night. Firefighters found the body of a 68-year-old inside.

The victim's identity wasn't immediately released.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the state fire marshal's office.

Two days after Christmas, Gov.-elect Jim Justice announced he was appointing businessman Woody Thrasher as Secretary of Commerce. Thrasher is president of the Thrasher Group, the largest engineering firm in West Virginia.

In a press release, Justice noted Thrasher is also managing partner of the White Oaks business park near Bridgeport, which the release said has brought more than 2,000 jobs to north-central West Virginia. The release noted Thrasher has served as president of the West Virginia American Council of Engineering Cos. and as president of the West Virginia Society of Professional Engineers. He is currently chairman of the West Virginia University Alumni Association.

Two weeks before Justice's announcement, federal authorities finalized a deal in which another Thrasher company, High Tech Corridor Development LLC, agreed to pay a $150,000 fine for alleged violations of the federal Clean Water Act. The fine related to what federal inspectors concluded was unpermitted construction work for an extension of the White Oaks business park.

The consent agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was signed by Thrasher and was proposed by the EPA in early October. EPA regional administrator Shawn Garvin finalized it Dec. 12, following a public comment period on the agreement.

Last week, Thrasher said in an email message a permit related to the project was still being reviewed by the state Department of Environmental Protection, and it would therefore be "inappropriate to provide any comments at this time."

Thrasher did say in the email, "it is our position that DEP has not acted in a responsible manner on this issue." He did not elaborate.

The EPA consent agreement concerned a Clean Water Act Section 404 "dredge and fill" permit for construction of what Thrasher's company was calling Phase II of the White Oaks Business Park Development, just off Interstate 79 near Bridgeport. The project involved construction of five noncontiguous development site pads covering about 30 acres. It also included an access road.

Thrasher's firm needed the Clean Water Act permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers because the construction would permanently impact nearly 2,600 linear feet of streams and about two-tenths of an acre of wetlands, according to a public notice issued by the Corps.

Corps officials from the agency's Pittsburgh District approved the Thrasher permit in February 2016. On March 23, Corps officials who happened to be driving by, noticed most of the work for the project was already done, according to records and information provided by an EPA spokesman.

The spokesman said, "The site was pretty much built - the road was complete and connected to the entire development to another main road. The building pads were built, but had no buildings or parking lots on them."

On March 25, the Corps issued a cease and desist order to High Tech Corridor Development, saying the agency "had recently become aware that the work had been completed," but was not in compliance with the permit.

"The Corps of Engineers prefers to avoid legal action, and wishes to resolve this mater informally with you," wrote Karen A. Kochenbach, section chief of the Corps' regulatory branch in Pittsburgh.

Federal officials determined the work had actually been performed in July 2015, which was more than six months before the Corps approved the necessary permit, according to the EPA consent agreement. The consent agreement said, in agreement to paying the fine, High Tech Corridor Development "neither admits nor denies the specific factual allegations contained in this consent agreement."

The Corps suspended the project's permit, but later reinstated it after the consent agreement was reached with the EPA, according to the EPA.

DEP officials had also initially denied the project a state authorization after the issue with the Corps permit surfaced, but in late December the DEP issued an after-the-fact certification for the project.

On its website, the Thrasher Group says, "In today's ever-changing regulatory landscape, compliance with federal and state environmental laws is critical to the success of projects."

The website says, while "compliance can often be seen as at odds with the project vision and financial constraints," Thrasher can serve as "technical and regulatory advocate to overcome obstacles and guide our clients through complicated policies to achieve their goals."

"Our trained staff combines the knowledge and understanding of the complexities of federal and state regulations with positive agency relationships for permit approvals and clearances required for project completion," the Thrasher Group website says.

A spokesman for Justice's transition team did not respond to a request for comment for this story.

Justice, a billionaire who operates coal mines among other businesses, has had his own problems with the EPA, including a late-September agreement for his companies to pay a $900,000 fine and spend more than $5 million on pollution control measures to resolve more than 23,000 permit violations between 2009 and 2014 in West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky and Alabama.

Prior to that deal, Justice and his companies also entered into a deal in December 2015 with the EPA to pay $220,000 in fines to resolve allegations similar to the Clean Water Act Section 404 violations involved in the Thrasher consent agreement. That deal involved allegations that Justice's companies had illegally built 20 dams on a Monroe County hunting and fishing preserve without first obtaining the required Clean Water Act permits.

Reach Ken Ward Jr. at

kward@wvgazettemail.com,

304-348-1702 or follow

@kenwardjr on Twitter.

A homeless man hacked another homeless man with a machete, stomped on his head and threw him into the Kanawha River early Sunday morning, police say.

The slaying took place outside a tent on the riverbank behind the Lowe's Home Improvement Store in Kanawha City, according to police.

Brian Thompson, 23, of Charleston, is charged with attempted murder and malicious wounding in the death of Brandon Robinson, 19. Robinson is believed to be dead, but police have not located his body.

"Assuming the victim is dead, once we find his body, which we hope to find in the very near future, charges will be upgraded," said Lt. Steve Cooper, chief of detectives for the Charleston Police Department.

Divers from the police department were searching for the body Sunday. An official on scene said around 3 p.m. that the search had been called off for the time being but would start again Wednesday, when temperatures are expected to be warmer.

"The weather is not on our side as far as finding the body in a body of water for numerous reasons," Cooper told reporters during a press conference at the Charleston Police Department. "We're still searching but inclement weather and the temperature of the water are a factor."

Cooper said the men were acquaintances who were both generally homeless. The altercation and attack happened in the area of a tent where Thompson was staying, Cooper said.

Cooper said the altercation was over a female.

"During the altercation the victim was hacked repeatedly with a machete," Cooper said. "His head was stomped on and [he] appeared to be deceased based on witness information. We also believe that the suspect dragged the victim to a local dock and threw his body in the river."

On Sunday afternoon Thompson was in South Central Regional Jail awaiting arraignment.

The slaying was Charleston's first of 2017, Cooper said.

"It's always unfortunate when we have a homicide investigation," Cooper said. "Fortunately, the suspect is in custody. At this time last year, we had four or five homicides in a matter of a week or ten days. So this is hopefully the last of any homicide investigations or violent crime investigations that we have for a while."

Reach Lori Kersey at lori.kersey@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-1240 or follow @LoriKerseyWV on Twitter.

More than 100 wedding vendors came together Sunday for the Charleston Wedding Expo's largest and highest attended event of its 13 years. The annual event is held at the Charleston Civic Center.

Anna Campbell, director of marketing for the Civic Center, said this year's event had its largest attendance ever. While the Civic Center didn't count ticket sales during the event, she said more than 1,000 people attended the event.

She said the event is always successful because it allows brides to visit dozens of vendors within the event's four-hour timespan.

"We have the wow factor with these vendors," Campbell said. "They're beautiful exhibits, and not many of them are alike."

As the wedding industry evolves, the vendors do the same. While there were many traditional vendors at the events, unexpected businesses offered their services to brides, including spas performing laser hair removal, plastic surgeons, musicians performing throughout the center and boudoir photographers.

Benjamin Mason, a co-founder of Filmanatix, a video production company based in South Charleston, said brides might not necessarily want to go a traditional route for their weddings. Mason said what makes his company unique is that it views each project it does as a film rather than short videos.

"We're very different in the way we approach certain things, so with weddings, we try to give a cinematic feel. People aren't really used to that," Mason said. "It has a modern feel."

He said weddings are one way to tell people's stories.

"Our specialty is making stories for people and bringing the emotion into it," Mason said.

Teri Blevins, the owner of Lil' Bit of Heaven Cupcakes in St. Albans, said she couldn't have imagined the amount of success it had at the expo. Blevins said the shop set up 700 cupcakes in its booth. As soon as the expo began, a long line formed, and within an hour the booth was empty.

Blevins said the shop does almost 50 weddings each year. She said many brides opt for cupcakes instead of cakes as a way to make their weddings unique. She said cupcakes are also an alternative to wedding cakes because they don't have to be sliced and are convenient for guests to pick up.

"I think that one of the best things about what's going on today in the wedding industry is that there is no cardboard cutout for what a bride is expected to be," Blevins said. "I think one of the greatest things that's happening right now is not only society, but women in general, are feeling more confident and comfortable in expressing their individuality."

Reach Ali Schmitz at

ali.schmitz@wvgazettemail.com,

304-348-4843 or follow

@SchmitzMedia on Twitter.