Judge tosses sex abuse case against priest By DAVID HEDGES Publisher - Criminal charges lodged against a priest accused of sexually abusing a young boy nearly 20 years ago have been dismissed after the judge found problems with the evidence. In January a Roane grand jury indicted Robert Poandl, 68, of Cincinnati on charges of 1st degree sexual assault, 1st degree sexual abuse and sexual abuse by a custodian. The charges allege Poandl molested a 10-year-old boy from Cincinnati who traveled with him to Spencer in August 1991, when he was filling in for the priest at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church. The alleged victim did not tell anyone about the incident until . . . [Click for Full story] INSIDE NEWS STORIES Bloggers sought for new Web site Spencer Newspapers is in the process of revising its Web site and is looking for persons interested in contributing a blog or online column. The blog or column should be . . . [ Full story ] Improved test scores welcome County school officials said improved standardized test scores offer hope for the future. “We’re out of last place now,” Superintendent Steve Goffreda told Roane Board of Education members at their . . . [ Full story ] Guilty plea entered from fentanyl death A week after a Spencer woman was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the death of a friend who smoked a fentanyl pain patch, a Spencer man has entered a plea . . . [ Full story ] [media file] WHS grads gathering at Camp Sheppard Precious memories, how they linger. That could be the theme for this weekend’s Walton High School All-Class Reunion. About 400 former WHS students have pre-registered for the event, with more . . . [ Full story ] TV host stresses importance of fitness A television host who understands the importance of exercise was in Roane County this week to promote physical fitness. Mark Fenton, a public health planning and transportation consultant from the . . . [ Full story ]

Prayer Post A praying mantis makes an appearance on a fencepost outside a Walton home. Photo by Travis Greathouse Vote on the Issues! Should Black Walnut Festival pageant officials reinstate the Junior Miss Roane County competition? Click here and add your vote to our On-Line Poll SPORTS PAGE Youthful Lady Raiders set to start new season She may not be a science teacher, but Phyllis Nutter knows what it takes to have a successful team. "Good chemistry; that’s what builds your team," Nutter, head Roane County . . . [ Full story ] Local Obituaries Published Sept. 2, 2010 Virginia Claypool Virginia Noland Wilson Claypool, 78, of Sugar Grove, Ill., died Friday, Aug. 27, 2010 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease and while under the care of Tower . . . [ Full story ] News Archive Sports Archive Local Obituaries Archive

Digging In Josh Hodgson assists with construction of a new sidewalk on Williams Drive. Photo by Mark Higgs

“It was just a case of drinking and riding fast,” Roane Sheriff’s Deputy Bo Williams, heading the investigation into the accident, said.

The accident occurred around midnight Thursday, Williams said, on I-79 near the 32-mile marker between Wallback and Amma.

A group from Braxton County rode motorcycles to the Quaker Steak and Lube restaurant on Corridor G south of Charleston Thursday night for the restaurant’s weekly “Bike Night” event.

On the ride home, one of them died after his motorcycle struck a guardrail along the northbound lane.

“I’m not a doctor, but you could tell (his death) was instant,” according to Williams.

David Joseph Hart, 27, of Sutton was driving a 2001 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy, Williams said.

Williams said there were originally five motorcycle riders in the group, and three left the scene.

When Williams, Deputy Mike King and Trooper P.S. Fisher of the State Police detachment in Spencer arrived, Williams said five witnesses, including three men and two women, were waiting. Some of those had been riding in a pickup truck.

All of them reported seeing only sparks before the motorcycle hit the guardrail.

According to Williams, none of those present said they attempted anything to help the victim.

“They didn’t do CPR or check his pulse,” he said. “They just stood around freaking out.”

During the investigation, Williams said officers found parts on the road to a bike other than the one Hart was riding.

Williams said the parts came from a Honda CBR600.

The next day, the owner of that motorcycle contacted police to give a statement.

Williams said Cody Hoover, 20, also of Sutton, said the bikers were returning home after the night out at the restaurant.

Hoover, who according to Williams admitted to drinking about six beers over a two-hour period, said they were going 80-90 mph as he was trying to pass Hart. His motorcycle bumped Hart’s, sending it into a skid.

Williams said the motorcycle laid down, skidding about 800 feet before hitting the guardrail, and then another 100 feet following the collision.

He said Hart was wearing a helmet that came off during the accident.

Pending a review of the evidence by the Roane prosecuting attorney’s office, Williams said charges are pending against Hoover and others who could be facing charges including leaving the scene of an accident.

Services for Hart were Monday in Gassaway.