slideshow

POINT PLEASANT — This year’s Point Pleasant Sternwheel Regatta kicks off next Thursday, June 27 with an opening night featuring one of Nashville’s rising stars.

Chris Janson, who has a current hit on the country charts with “Better I Don’t” will take the Riverfront Park stage at 8:30 p.m. Janson’s opening act is popular entertainer Chase Likens who starts his show at 7 p.m. on the Riverfront Park stage. The concerts are free.

Janson is with Bigger Picture Group label along with label mates Zac Brown and Craig Campbell. He has toured with the likes of Lynyrd Skynrd, Hank Williams, Jr., Sugarland, Jamey Johnson, James Otto, and Shooter Jennings.

Janson came to Nashville at 18 and pleaded with the doorman at the legendary Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge for the chance to sing one song with the house band. Not long after he’d finished “Folsom Prison Blues” the bar’s owners offered him a job.

His audience quickly began to include celebrities. Director Jonathan Demme saw Janson and offered him a small part in the Neil Young concert film Heart of Gold. Young, Rob Reiner, members of Guns N’ Roses and many others came by to watch him perform.

Said to be impressive on stage, Janson is also said to bring an array of strengths into the spotlight. He is known as an accomplished singer/songwriter, a dynamic multi-instrumentalist, a compelling vocalist, and an unforgettable entertainer, according to his fans. The music, while drawing on a range of influences, is nonetheless solid country and unmistakably Chris Janson, according to his management. He is currently known as one of Music City’s most promising and exciting young talents.

Rick Modesitt, president of RMA Presents, who has booked talent for the Regatta for many years added: “The Regatta Committee has been dedicated in trying to find fresh, hot rising talent every year, which not only is on the radio, but puts on a great show. This year appears to be another one of those years where they will bring top notch talent to the festival. We are proud to work with the festival. They do such a great job for the community. We hope that the community and surrounding areas come out and support the 2013 festival and enjoy the free music.”

The regatta’s schedule is as follows: Thursday, June 27, 6 p.m., Queen/Teen Pageant at the State Theater; cornhole tournament at Tu-Endie-Wei State Park, time undetermined; 7 p.m., Chase Likens at Riverfront Park stage; 8:30 p.m., Chris Janson at Riverfront Park stage.

Friday, June 28, 5 p.m., pet contest at Tu-Endie-Wei State Park; 6 p.m., pageants at State Theater; 6 p.m., Pretty Baby Contest, Tu-Endie-Wei State Park; 7 p.m., opening act for Devonshires (60’s and 70’s tribute band) who take the stage at 8:30 p.m., Riverfront Park stage.

Saturday, June 29, 8 a.m., Pleasant Valley Hospital 5K Run, start at Point Pleasant River Museum on Main Street; 11 a.m., Regatta Parade with lineup on Main Street outside of the Mason County Board of Education office; car show on Main Street at Lowe Hotel immediately after parade; noon, Kid’s Day events start at Tu-Endie-Wei State Park; 2 p.m., Line Throw outside Point Pleasant River Museum on Main Street; 7 p.m., Sarah Davidson, Riverfront Park stage; 8:30 p.m., Charlie Worsham, Riverfront Park stage; 10 p.m., fireworks at Tu-Endie-Wei State Park; Rockin’ Reggie performs after the fireworks at Tu-Endie-Wei State Park.

Admission is free as are all musical performances at the Regatta.

POINT PLEASANT — Security at the Mason County Courthouse is still being discussed and as noted months ago when new measures were put into effect, this will be an ongoing process.

After yesterday’s regular meeting of the Mason County Commission concluded, County Clerk Diana Cromley reported while attending a meeting of the West Virginia Association of Counties, those present sat in on a presentation by Capitol Police about security at government buildings. Part of the presentation was watching a film on how to react in crisis situations. Commissioner Miles Epling suggested having a screening of the film with local office holders.

Cromley said one of the big concerns she has is about some of the offices at the courthouse having no exits and what sort of contingency plan could be put in place should an emergency occur and employees be unable to exit until it was safe. Commission President Rick Handley agreed more of a plan needed to be in place. The courthouse already has tightened security by eliminating multiple entrances and exits, into and out of, the courthouse - the public an only enter and exit through the first floor, Main Street door. All those who enter are subject to walking through a metal detector.

This security detail is not cheap, it’s estimated it costs the county around $35,000 a year to operate just one security checkpoint. Security detail for the courthouse is overseen by the Office of Home Confinement which is an arm of the sheriff’s department. Again, this discussion on security was informal and after the meeting adjourned. No action was taken.

In other commission news, during the meeting:

Commissioners were presented with a letter from the City of Point Pleasant asking if the county could contribute any funds to its current, federally mandated flood wall maintenance project.

Handley announced Miss Battle Days Lauren Roush, will be representing Mason County in the state parade celebrating West Virginia’s 150th birthday.

Cromley presented the commission with a free banner produced by the WV Association of Counties as well as the sesquicentennial group celebrating the state’s birthday. All 55 counties received one of the commemorative banners.

Cromley also spoke about a book detailing West Virginia’s 55 courthouses. The book, called “Living Monuments: The Courthouse” was recently published and supported by the WV Association of Counties. Three pages are dedicated to the Mason County Courthouse. The book has a launch planned for Saturday at Taylor Books in Charleston and Cromley said one of the books was purchased for use in her office and can be used to compliment records dealing with genealogy. For information on purchasing the books, email wvaco@wvaco.org or call 304-346-0591.

County Administrator John Gerlach spoke about visiting the 4-H camp in Southside earlier in the day and complimented the leaders, volunteers and youth who are part of not only the camp, but the 4-H program. Handley also noted prior to last week’s impending storm, he was made aware the 4-H camp and its staff already have a safety plan in place for emergency weather events.

Attending this week’s meeting were Commissioners Handley, Epling and Tracy Doolittle, as well as, Cromley and Gerlach.