| "That yellow streak down my back didn't have time to activate," said Andy Waddell, editor of Clay County's "Communicator." Waddell was struck three or four times in the face and kicked twice by a well-known Clay resident who has a lengthy drug history.
Michael Lanham, 32, who likes to be called "Iron Mike," said he attacked Waddell for reporting he smoked marijuana in his newspaper, that it had ruined his reputation and now everybody thinks he is a pot smoker.
Andy Waddell (L) Michael Lanham (R)
Waddell, who calls himself "the Mel Gibson look-a-like" suffered a swollen lip and some bruises.
Lanham is well-known to the Clay judicial system, having been arrested at least 35 times since 2000, mostly related to "a serious drug problem," including fourteen times for battery.
Waddell said he was strollin' down Clay's main street, going to the post office, when "Iron Mike" approached him, striking him before he was aware of his presence.
Waddell said he remembered two elderly gentlemen leaning against a parking meter, watching the incident, with one saying "I'll put my money on Mikey."
"They were actually betting who was getting the licking," Waddell said.
Waddell had written: "A month or so back we reported on a FasCheck parking lot fight involving Michael and his brother. Starting inside the store and then spilling outdoors, we watched from the parking lot."
"With two officers there, one of the Lanhams had his shirt ripped off and the other was up against a car. We printed the two young men were fighting over who took too many tokes off a joint. Inside the store, employees said they were fighting over who had drugs and who didn't."
Police response was quick and Lanham was hauled off to Central Regional, after which he posted bond and returned to the streets of Clay.
Waddell was no worse for wear, enjoying the Upper West Fork Ramp Dinner last Saturday.
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