THIS JUST IN: Wayne County

Dec. 1
Christina Ball v. Taeger B. Osburn
PA-Wesley Harrison White; J-Darrell Pratt
* Ball alleges that in January 2008, Osburn cut down 24 to 27 trees on her property. She claims the trees were primarily oak and maple ranging from six inches trunk diameter to 24 inches and were thus valuable. Ball has been forced to plant new trees on her property to prevent erosion in the areas where the trees were removed. She is seeking a permanent injunction against Osburn that would keep him off Ball's property. She also seeks compensatory and punitive damages.
Case number: 08-C-313

Dec. 8
James Crabtree, as the personal representative of the estate of Patricia Crabtree v. James Ashley Mills, Christ Temple Church Inc. and Washington Baptist Church
PA-John A. Proctor J-Darrell Pratt
* Crabtree is suing Mills and the two churches after his mother, Patricia, was killed in a motor vehicle accident in September 2007. The suit claims Crabtree was exiting the parking lot at Washington Baptist on Spring Valley Drive when she was struck by Mills. According to the suit, the parking lot area of the church was in violation of the applicable standard of care and was dangerous. Washington Baptist is owned and operated by Christ Temple Church. Crabtree is seeking compensatory and punitive damages.
Case number: 08-C-320

Dec. 12
West Virginia Department of Transportation, Division of Highways v. M. Ted Wallace, and the Sheriff of Wayne County
PA-Eric B. Hudnall; J-Darrell Pratt
*The state DOT has decided that a portion of Dickson Dam Road is needed for the state road system. The agency offered Wallace, the owner of the piece of property, compensation of $24,000 for non-controlled access right of way. Wallace has refused because he doesn't find the amount to be fair market value, according to the suit. The DOT is asking the court to condemn and appropriate for public use the rights of way and easements for the property.
Case number: 08-C-324

Dec. 15
Marilyn A. Carte v. The Rose Tree Boutique, Inc.
PA-R. Matthew Vital; J-Darrell Pratt
* Carte was shopping at The Rose Tree Boutique in February 2007 when she allegedly tripped and fell over a dress that was hung on a rack. According to Carte, part of the dress was touching the floor and extended out into the aisle, causing her foot to be entangled. She claims it was the duty of the dress store to warn customer of the dresses inside. Carte seeks compensatory damages.
Case number: 08-C-326

Dec. 18
Earl Whited v. Glen Curnutte, Ray Mills and James P. Martin
PA-Scott D. Maddox; J-Darrell Pratt
* Whited is an elder and trustee at the Lavalette Church of Christ. In June 2007, Curnutte, Mills and Martin left the church and removed all money from the church's bank account. According to the suit, Whited and others continued to worship at the church until they were informed by the defendants that if they returned to worship, they'd be viewed as trespassers. Whited is suing for the right to use the church building to conduct their worship service.
Case number: 08-C-331

Jan. 5
Teresa Maynard v. Wayne County Publications Inc. and Tom George
PA-Timothy Rosinsky; J-Darrell Pratt
* Maynard was hired as the office manager of the Wayne County News in July 2008. She claims George, the paper's owner and publisher, subsequently made unwanted sexual advances toward her not long after she was hired. After she turned George down, she claims she then was subject to hostile treatment and was eventually fired in October. Maynard is seeking lost wages and damages for emotional suffering, embarrassment and humiliation.
Case number: 09-C-001