Detroit Man Sentenced In Huntington

{Huntington, West Virginia}...Kyohn Tyson-Moore, 29, of Detroit, was sentenced Monday to 124 months in prison and 4 years of supervised release on federal charges for distribution of 28 grams or more of crack cocaine in Huntington. Tyson-Moore pleaded guilty in July, admitting that, on about 10 different occasions, he sold cocaine, crack cocaine, and Oxycodone to undercover agents working with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives at the Smokin’ Aces store in Huntington.

Cross Lanes Man Charged With Wanton Endangerment

• {Cross Lanes, West Virginia}...Kanawha County Sheriff's Deputies have charged 30 year old Joshua McClain from Cross Lanes with wanton endangerment. Deputies went to his residence at the Dalewood Mobile Home Park after receiving a call that shots had been fired there about 11:00 P.M. Saturday night. Deputies took a handgun from the home, and when they searched the area, they found nine empty shell casings near the trailer that matched the gun. McClain had a prior felony conviction in Florida which prohibits him from owning any kind of firearm.

Hearing Against Internet Loan Company Held

{Charleston, West Virginia}...Kanawha Circuit Judge Duke Bloom began hearing witnesses Monday during a bench trial of the 2008 lawsuit the West Virginia Attorney General's office filed against Internet loan company California-based CashCall. The attorney general's consumer protection division alleges the online lender charged huge interest rates to state residents and then bombarded them with harassing phone calls once they fell behind on payments. Borrowers testified that CashCall automatically withdrew amounts monthly from their bank accounts despite an insufficient balance. A lawyer for CashCall reminded several of Monday's witnesses of the terms they agreed to when they applied for their loans. The company, which became known through TV ads featuring the late former child actor Gary Coleman, works with a bank in South Dakota, and says it follows the relevant laws in that state.

Charges Dropped In Cabell County Bar Shooting

• {Huntington, West Virginia}...Kawan Wells, 23, of Huntington was arrested Sunday evening and charged with first degree murder after police say he fatally shot Dekeil Lockhart in the chest around 3:30 A.M. Sunday morning at the  Last Chance Bar and Grille on Route 60 in Huntington. Monday afternoon, Cabell County Prosecutors dropped the charges against Wells due to a lack of evidence, but he will remain jail on an outstanding warrant out of Logan County. DeAndrew Fizer III was also shot in the leg, but is recovering in a local hospital. A third victim, former Huntington Police Officer 31 year old Jammal Goodman, who resigned in May, was located at a hospital in Tennessee.

ATV Accident Kills Boone County Man

{Ashford, West Virginia}...Police say George Milam, 28, of Ashford, in Boone County, was operating a side-by-side ATV in a hollow off Emmons Road at about 7:00 P.M. Sunday when the vehicle overturned, killing him. His passenger, Travis Myers, 28, of Ashford, survived. Deputies found no evidence of alcohol or drugs, and say they have no reason to believe the wreck was anything other than an accident. The incident remains under investigation.

Lawsuit Re-Filed In Mingo County

{Williamson, West Virginia}...Earlier this year, 22 year old Calvin Jerrod Wilkerson filed a lawsuit in Mingo County Circuit Court alleging that three state troopers, along with officers from other law enforcement agencies called to oversee his forced admission to a mental hospital, repeatedly beat him with batons and kicked him when he refused to be taken to a facility. In 2009, Wilkerson's mother requested a mental hygiene warrant on her son, forcing him to seek treatment at a mental facility. Wilkerson's lawyer, E. Lavoyd Morgan Jr., re-filed the case in federal court this past week, claiming in an amended complaint that the officers violated his constitutional rights. The lawsuit alleges troopers brutally beat him before allowing police dogs to run him down and attack him. According to the lawsuit, Wilkerson began struggling with the officers after he was taken to a law office in downtown Williamson for a hearing, but, when the struggle ended, five officers led him outside, shot pepper spray in his face, and kicked and punched him while he was on the ground. The lawsuit states that the beatings continued after Wilkerson was taken to State Police detachment headquarters in Williamson.

Fatal Shooting Outside Huntington Bar

• {Huntington, West Virginia}...Police are investigating after one person was killed and another was shot outside the Last Chance Bar and Grill on Route 60 in Huntington around 3:30 A.M. Sunday morning. West Virginia State Police Senior Trooper S.N. Swobe says he heard the shots fired at the bar, which is located across the street from police headquarters and responded immediately. The injured man transported himself to Cabell Huntington Hospital after being shot in the leg. Another man was transported to St. Mary's Hospital in Huntington, where he died.

Former State Senate President Dies

{Hamlin, West Virginia}...Former State Senate President Lloyd G. Jackson, known as "Big Lloyd, of Hamlin died early Saturday morning at the age of 93. Jackson served in the 150th Infantry Division during World War II. He advanced to master sergeant while stationed in Panama. After returning from the war, he took control of his family's oil and gas drilling and production business in Lincoln County. He was elected to the state Senate in 1946 and served six terms. He served the 7th Senate District of Boone, Lincoln and Logan counties. The Lincoln County native served as State Senate President from 1969 to 1971. Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. Wednesday at Central United Methodist Church in Hamlin. Burial will follow at Lincoln Memorial Park.

Man Gets Maximum Sentence

• {Charleston, West Virginia}...Friday, Larry Hayes Jr. of Charleston was sentenced to the maximum of 40 years in prison after being found guilty in August of child abuse causing death. Hayes was babysitting his girlfriend's daughter, 18 month old Rebecca McDaniel, on September 30, 2010 when the girl suffered a severe head wound. McDaniel died a few days later. Dr. Manuel Caceres, medical director at Charleston Area Medical Center Women's and Children's Hospital, testified that McDaniel's injuries were consistent with shaken baby syndrome with impact -- meaning that Hayes probably shook the child before her head struck a hard surface, like a floor or table. But, Dr. Thomas Young, a forensic pathologist based out of Kansas, testified via video that the child's fracture, which covered over a quarter of her skull, could have been caused by an accident that she had several days before her death, when she fell from a stair in her home and hit her head on a plastic, toy four-wheeler.

Charleston Sanitary Board Awarded $2.6 Million

• {Charleston, West Virginia}...The Charleston Sanitary Board will get more than $2.6 million from New York-based O'Brien & Geer Engineers, a company hired in 1994 to design a facility to make compost out of yard waste and sewage sludge generated in the city of Charleston. A lawsuit alleged the $4.2 million facility that began operating in 1998 never worked properly. Kanawha Circuit Judge Paul Zakaib Jr. said the company failed to design and build the composting facility as it promised. The Charleston Sanitary Board filed its lawsuit in 2000, seeking $1.5 million in damages. Zakaib awarded the board $1.57 million in damages and $1.06 million in interest.

Protesters Left Without Power

{Charleston, West Virginia}...Protesters with the Occupy Wall Street movement say they defy Charleston's request to halt overnight camping at Davis Park although power was cut off to the park Friday evening. Josh Dolin, a protester from South Charleston, says it's an effort by the city to push the 30 or so protesters out of the park, where they have been assembled for more than two weeks. Charleston assistant mayor Rod Blackstone says the protesters were told their stay at the park could not be permanent and that the power would be cut off because Davis Park is not meant to be supplied with power 24 hours a day. The protesters are assembled at the site in solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street movement that started in New York City in September. Protesters across the country say they represent the "99 percent" of the American people suffering because of the economic policies of the wealthiest "1 percent."

Elkhorn Post Office Closing

• {Elkhorn, West Virginia}...The Postal Service is reviewing more than 3,600 local offices, branches and stations around the country for possible closure, including 150 in West Virginia. The Elkhorn Post Office in McDowell County is closing its doors, effective November 5th. The Postal Service announced in March the Elkhorn Post Office was one of the rural post offices being looked at for closure.

Teen Charged With Drug Possession

• {Huntington, West Virginia}...Thursday morning, Cabell County Deputies charged 18 year old Cane Cook of Huntington with possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and obstructing an officer after deputies say he was caught trying to bring drugs through security at the Cabell County Courthouse. Deputies say Cook tried to take off after four bindles of cocaine and five bindles of heroin, which appeared to be packaged for sale, were found in his possession. Cook originally gave officers a different name and told them he was a juvenile.

Housing Development Fund Cooperating In Federal Investigation

{Charleston, West Virginia}...The state Housing Development Fund is cooperating in a federal investigation involving Charleston real estate developer Doug E. Pauley, who owns more than 40 apartment complexes across West Virginia. The U.S. attorney's office in Charleston has a sealed search warrant for Pauley's Encore Management offices, where federal agents have been filling trucks with boxes of documents several days this week. Pauley's companies have received millions of dollars through the Housing Development Fund and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's rural rental housing program. He's a former development director at the Housing Development Fund, which assists low-income housing projects. Pauley has built tax-credit-financed apartment complexes in Charleston, Parkersburg, Lewisburg, Huntington, Beckley, Clarksburg and Weston.

Federal Inmates Ready For Early Release

{Wheeling, West Virginia}...Nearly 100 federal inmates serving time for crack cocaine offenses in West Virginia's Northern District will be released from prison Tuesday under revised sentencing guidelines. U.S. Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld says that among other things, the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010 reduces the disparity between penalties for crack cocaine and powder cocaine offenses. The inmates include 52 in the area around Morgantown, Fairmont and Clarksburg; 24 in the Wheeling area; 10 in Elkins and 6 in Martinsburg. The offenders will remain under court-ordered supervision. Ihlenfeld says an estimated 12,000 offenders nationwide will be released early, either next week or in the future depending on the length of their original sentences. In 2007, the U.S. Sentencing Commission modified its guidelines and a large number of inmates were released.

FBI Relocate Search For Aliayah Lunsford

• {Vadis, West Virginia}...After searching for missing 3 year old Aliayah Lunsford in Lewis County, the FBI has moved its mobile command center from the Weston area to a remote part of Vadis in Gilmer County, nearly ten miles north of Glenville. Federal investigators say "valuable information" received from public tips prompted the move. Lunsford disappeared from her home in the Lewis County community of Bendale on September 24th. The girl’s mother, Lena Lunsford, was arrested earlier this month on a federal fraud charge.

Silver Haired Legislature Wraps Up Session

{Charleston, West Virginia}...Members of the Silver Haired Legislature wrapped up its 30th year at the state capitol Thursday afternoon. The meetings began Wednesday with discussions on several topics including Marcellus shale drilling. The group says it recognizes the importance of the development of the Marcellus shale in West Virginia but they also want to make sure it's done responsibly. The Silver Haired Legislature heard from experts on the various topics before adopting a number of position papers. Other issues included improvement of educational qualifications for magistrate judges, the use of cell phones while driving, tax credits for individuals and businesses who hire veterans and financial elder abuse. The group heard Thursday from Governor-elect Earl Ray Tomblin.

North Carolina Fugitive Arrested In Fayette County

• {Minden, West Virginia}...Fayette County Sheriff's Deputies arrested Joseph Anthony Bishop Jr., 22, of Hudson, North Carolina Wednesday after deputies patrolling in Oak Hill spotted an unattended vehicle with a North Carolina license plate. While checking the plate, deputies learned the vehicle was reported stolen out of Wilkes County, North Carolina on October 15th. Further investigation led to locating Bishop at a Minnis Road residence in Minden. After a brief struggle, Bishop was taken into custody. Bishop was charged as a fugitive from justice and for obstructing an officer. He is being held in Southern Regional Jail awaiting an extradition hearing to North Carolina. Deputies said Bishop claims affiliation with the Folk Nation Gangster Disciples from North Carolina.

Fayette County Deputies Arrest Tennessee Fugitive

• {Hico, West Virginia}...At about 1:00 P.M. Wednesday, Fayette County Emergency 911 dispatchers notified police that a man wanted for alleged child abduction of a 4 year old boy in Tennessee was spotted at Babcock State Park. Deputies spotted a minivan, driven by 52 year old Keith Gordan Jett of Knoxville, Tennessee, and stopped him at the Exxon gas station in Hico. Jett was arrested without incident and charged for being a fugitive from justice. The boy was found unharmed inside the minivan. Jett is being held in the Southern Regional Jail, awaiting extradition to Tennessee.

Huntington Gas Station Robbed At Gunpoint

• {Huntington, West Virginia}...Huntington Police say two men walked into the BP gas station on Bridge St. just before 9:30 P.M. Wednesday night, showed a female cashier a gun and demanded all the money. The cashier says the two men took the money from both registers then left. The K-9 unit was called in to track the suspects but the search was unsuccessful.

Deputies Arrest Three In Cross Lanes

• {Cross Lanes, West Virginia}...Kanawha County Sheriff's Deputies responded to a call about a domestic disturbance at Drexel Place Apartments in Cross Lanes at around 11:45 P.M. Wednesday night. Deputies obtained a search warrant, but the occupants allegedly refused to open the door. Deputies broke out the front apartment window to gain entrance, and, once inside, they found about 2 pounds of marijuana and a significant amount of money. Devon Gilliam, 34, of Columbus, Ohio, was arrested and charged with possession with the intent to deliver marijuana. Gilliam's sister, Nashima Gilliam, 32, of Cross Lanes, and Larry Briscoe, 32, of Charleston, were each charged with obstructing an officer. Police say the suspects tried to flush the marijuana down a kitchen sink disposal.

St. Albans Man Charged With Burglary

• {St. Albans, West Virginia}...Timothy Hudson, 47, of St. Albans was charged Wednesday with daytime burglary. Police say Hudson admitted that, while doing handyman work, he entered two St. Albans homes, knowing the owners were gone, and stole several types of jewelry and silver. Several items were recovered at local pawn shops.

MSHA Cites West Virginia Mines

• {Charleston, West Virginia}...The U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration said Wednesday that federal inspectors issued 320 citations and orders during September's special impact inspections at 18 coal mines across the U.S. The coal mines received 292 citations and 28 orders. Eleven West Virginia mines received citations and orders, five owned by Alpha Natural Resources, which received 106 citations. Other citations include mines operated by Aracoma Coal Company Inc., Marfork Coal Company, Independence Coal Company Inc., Rhino Eastern LLC, Newton Energy Inc., Argus Energy WV LLC and Rio Group, Inc. The No. 8 Mine, in Mingo County, owned by James River Coal Company and operated by Rockhouse Creek Development, LLC, received 10 citations and 6 orders. Other West Virginia mines that received citations/orders include mines in McDowell and Wyoming Counties.

Bresch To Become Mylan Inc. CEO

• {Morgantown, West Virginia}...Wednesday, Mylan Inc. announced that Heather Bresch, the daughter of Senator Joe Manchin and currently the company’s president, will succeed Robert Coury as CEO, effective January 1st. Coury, who has served as Mylan CEO for the past decade, will become executive chairman of the board. Current COO Rajiv Malik will take Bresch’s place as president. The announcement came as the company reported a positive third quarter, in which profits rose to $156.7 million, 36 cents per share, up from $108.4 million, or 33 cents, year over year.

Former UBB Chief Of Security Convicted

{Beckley, West Virginia}...After two days of testimony and six hours of deliberations, a jury in Beckley convicted 60 year old Hughie Elbert Stover, former Chief of Security at the Upper Big Branch Mine, Wednesday of impeding the investigation into the April 5, 2010 explosion at the mine that killed 29 miners and injured two others. Stover, who was accused of lying to investigators and ordering a subordinate to destroy thousands of security related documents following the explosion, testified that he did not know he was committing a crime when he ordered documents be thrown out. Assistant U.S. Attorney Blaire Malkin said the evidence clearly showed Stover falsely told investigators that his guards did not announce the arrival of government inspectors at the mine. U.S. District Judge Irene C. Berger scheduled sentencing for Stover for February 29th. Stover was the first person criminally prosecuted in the worst U.S. coal mining disaster in decades. Prosecutors painted Stover as an obstructionist, but defense attorneys claimed he was a scapegoat.

Shooting Involves State Division Of Forestry Worker

{Charleston, West Virginia}...Gary Goff, 38, of South Charleston was arraigned Wednesday afternoon on charges of wanton endangerment and fleeing the scene of an accident. Kanawha County Sheriff's Deputies say, early Wednesday morning, a state Division of Forestry worker was notified of a fire in the Possum Hollow area of Putnam County. The worker, who was not officially on duty, took his friends and a state truck to the scene where people were partying in the woods around a bonfire. The worker got into an argument with party goers who allegedly tried to leave the scene, but the worker blocked their van. The suspects backed their van into the worker's truck and fled the scene down Route 35 toward Charleston, with the Division of Forestry worker in pursuit. The suspects stopped along Strawberry Road, where one shot was fired into the air before their van continued on. Goff was identified as the man who fired the shot into the air. St. Albans Police and sheriff's deputies caught up with the van along Fairview Road. Goff and his passenger, Tonya Devitt of Charleston, jumped out and fled into the woods. About 1:30 P.M. Wednesday afternoon, Goff turned himself in.

Six Arrested For Copper Theft

• {West Virginia}...Tuesday, West Virginia State Police troopers from Logan, Gilbert and Parkersburg arrested six people, charging each with five separate charges related to copper theft. Walter Wolford Jr., 25, Ladonna Brumfield, 37, Felisha Wolford, 23, Joshua Walls, 27 and Sheridan Bartram, 26, were all arrested Tuesday morning in the Davin area of Logan County. Jody Bartram, 30, was arrested in Parkersburg.

Troopers are still looking for Cecil Bartram, 29, and James Lester, 36. An investigation into Frontier Communications copper theft and resale resulted in the arrests. Each individual was charged with 14 counts of grand larceny, 14 counts of transferring and receiving stolen property, 14 counts of destruction of property, 14 counts of destruction of public utility property and 14 counts of conspiracy.

UMWA Says Massey Criminally Responsible For Explosion

• {West Virginia }...During a press conference in downtown Charleston Tuesday, United Mine Workers of America officials released its findings in the April 2010 Upper Big Branch mine disaster that killed 29 miners and injured two others. Officials said Massey Energy Co. executives ignored safety violations, intimidated workers and failed to adhere to federal regulations to the extent that they should be held criminally responsible. The report corroborates many of the findings made by Davit McAteer, an independent investigator who was appointed by then-Governor Joe Manchin to look into the explosion. The UMWA concluded that a spark was caused by the longwall shearer striking rock, and a buildup of methane in the area caused an initial explosion.  The blast was exacerbated due to a massive buildup of coal dust, water sprayers that did not work and a "horrendous" ventilation system. UMWA President Cecil Roberts said all those problems were the result of Massey's insistence on production over safety. Roberts said, Massey's CEO Don Blankenship, was aware of safety issues in the mine. According to the report, Blankenship and other top-level management asked for updates on the mine's production as frequently as once per hour.  Roberts said Blankenship was so involved with the mine that it's nearly impossible that he had no knowledge of the severe safety violations.

Report On Fayette County Mine Death Released

{West Virginia}...According to a report released by MSHA Tuesday, Keith Qualls was killed when he lost his brakes on a steep haul road leaving Republic Energy's Elk Run Coal Company operation near Mahan in Fayette County on December 4, 2010. Qualls, who was driving for Medford Trucking, was loaded and following other trucks out of the mine site when he noticed his trailer brakes were not functioning properly. Investigators say he passed the truck ahead of him on the narrow haul road and attempted to run his truck into an axle berm, which is designed to stop runaway trucks, but the truck failed to center on the berm and flipped over on its side, pinning Qualls under the cab. Fellow drivers and EMS worked to free Qualls, but he was dead before they could get the truck off him. MSHA found there were mismatched brake chambers on the drive axle of the truck, the brakes on the truck were not properly maintained, unsafe conditions were overlooked in a pre-shift inspection and the victim was not wearing a seat belt.

FBI Raid Charleston Property Development Company

{West Virginia}...FBI agents have raided Encore Management Company, Inc. on Quarrier Street in Charleston. FBI agents have been taking U-Haul trucks full of evidence out of the business, but agents won't say what they're looking for because it is an on-going investigation. Officials with the U.S. Attorney's office in Charleston say there is a sealed search warrant issued for the property, but they cannot comment until all of the evidence has been taken out. Records show Encore is owned by Douglas E. Pauley, who is also involved in five other real estate development organizations in West Virginia.

Parole Denied For Convicted Murderer

{West Virginia}...In August 1989, Putnam County Sheriff's Deputy John Janey was killed in the line of duty. During a hearing Tuesday at Huttonsville Correctional Center, Robert Gray, who was convicted of murdering Janey, was denied parole. Gray was convicted of the murder and sentenced to life with mercy, so every three years he goes before the parole board, and the Janey family petitions to have his parole denied, while Gray's family argues he's done his time.

Former Massey Security Chief Testifies

{West Virginia}...During the trial of  Hughie Stover Tuesday, the prosecution rested its case and the defense started to presenting its witnesses, beginning with Stover himself. Stover testified that what transpired was a mistake on his part and he didn't intend to do anything wrong, but the cleaning out old records was just routine. Federal prosecutors say Stover disregarded company orders not to destroy the documents.
Defense attorneys argue the charges were the government's rush to justice.

Manchin To Co-Sponsor Rebuild America Jobs Act

• {West Virginia}...Monday, Senator Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., announced his intentions to co-sponsor the Rebuild America Jobs Act and invest $60 billion in infrastructure improvements. Manchin is touring West Virginia this week before the Senate reconvenes in late October. The bill is expected to be introduced October 31st. Manchin is joining several other Senate Democrats to sponsor new legislation after one piece of President Barack Obama’s $447 billion American Jobs Act failed the Senate on October 20th. The Rebuild America Jobs Act would:

* Make a $50 billion investment in roads, railways and airports across the country.

* Create a $10 billion national infrastructure bank in order to leverage private and public capital and to invest in a broad range of infrastructure projects without earmarks or traditional political influence.

* Gain funding through a 0.7 percent surtax on adjusted gross income of more than $1 million for both single filers and married couples filing jointly. Manchin is also open to other funding suggestions.

Boone County Man Sentenced For Child Pornography

• {West Virginia}...Derek Holley, 31, of Julian, of Boone County, was sentenced Monday to 24 months in prison to be followed by 10 years of supervised release after admitting to investigators that he possessed images on three computer hard drives at his home on November 20, 2008, and he knew the images were child pornography.

Former Charleston Woman Pleads Guilty

• {West Virginia}...Verda Peters, 33, of Laredo, Texas and formerly of Charleston, pleaded guilty Monday in federal court to providing a false statement to the Social Security Administration, admitting she received Children’s Insurance Benefits in May 2008 on behalf of a minor child who had been removed from her home. From 2008 to 2010, Peters received $17,492 in government benefits she was not entitled to receive. Peters faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine when sentenced January 30, 2012. She agreed to pay full restitution.

Man Killed By Train

• {West Virginia}...Kanawha County Deputies say the believe John Matthew Haynes, 25, of St. Albans was sitting on the tracks near  MacCorkle Ave. in St. Albans huffing the fumes from several butane lighters when he was fatally struck by a train around 8:00 P.M. Saturday night. The conductor says, although he laid down on the train's whistle, the victim never moved, but there was no way to stop the train, and it struck the man as he sat on the cross-ties against the rail. Kanawha County Deputy Lt. Sean Crosier says investigators found several open disposable lighters nearby, and deputies believe that caused some sort of altered state of consciousness and he either just didn't hear the train whistle or he just ignored it.

Logan County Mine Fatality Report

{West Virginia}...The Mine Safety and Health Administration released a report Monday on the May 14th fatality at Guyan Mine in Logan County that killed 37 year old Richard Young. Young, a mechanic with 14 years of mining experience, was removing the fuel tank and counter weight from an end loader when the bolts were removed without installing proper blocking to be sure the counter weight was secure. MSHA officials say two mechanics were preparing the machine to remove the fuel tank, which they suspected contained contaminants. One mechanic was working in the engine radiator compartment area. Young was underneath the machine removing the bolts, and when he began removing the 15th bolt, the 11,685 lb. counter weight fell, crushing him. The mine was given a noncontributory violation for not maintaining a copy of Young’s task training records. Guyan Mine’s parent company is Patriot Coal Company.

Trial Underway For Former UBB Security Chief

{West Virginia}...Trial began Monday in Beckley for Hughie Elbert Stover, former security chief at Massey Energy's Upper Big Branch mine. Stover is accused of ordering the destruction of thousands of pages of security documents at the mine, lying to investigators and telling guards to call out on the radio when inspectors entered the mine. Prosecutors say long after the UBB explosion, Stover ordered all documents, except ones dealing with property or equipment transfers be destroyed in the dumpster next to his office. The documents in question were found by the federal officials in the dumpster before they were destroyed. Stover's attorneys told the jury Stover didn't give the security guard any specific direction on getting rid of the documents, but he just pointed out not to destroy any documents that dealt with property or equipment transfers at the mine.

Former UBB Security Chief To Appear In Court

• {West Virginia}...Hughie Elbert Stover, 59, of Clear Fork, a former security chief at the Upper Big Branch mine in Raleigh County will go on trial Monday in federal court in Beckley on charges he lied to federal agents during their investigation into the April 5, 2010 explosion at the mine that killed 29 miners. Stover was not an employee at the time of the explosion. However, during the federal probe, Stover was questioned by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other federal agencies.  During those interviews, Stover allegedly made a number of false claims about security practices at UBB.

Former Ripley Police Officer Sentenced

• {West Virginia}...Former Ripley Police Officer Denver "Buddy" Thomas was sentenced Friday to a year in jail, but a judge suspended that and ordered him to serve 30 days in jail on the weekends, pay a $500 fine, serve 100 hours of community service and be on probation for a year. Thomas pleaded guilty to contributing to the delinquency of a minor, admitting he provided alcohol to a 16-year-old girl while he was a Ripley police officer.

WV Wild Turkey Season Begins

{West Virginia}...The fall wild turkey season began in 33 selected West Virginia counties Saturday. Fourteen traditional fall hunting counties will be open for a four-week season, seven counties will have a two-week season and 12 counties will have a one-week season. Only one turkey may be taken during the fall hunting season with either bow or gun. It is illegal to use electronic calls or to hunt with bait.

Public Employees Insurance Agency Sued

{West Virginia}...County school boards are warning that West Virginia's plan for tackling retiree health costs threatens to derail the state's education system. All but six of West Virginia's 55 county boards have asked the Supreme Court to declare that the plan violates the state constitution's mandate for a thorough and efficient system of free schools. The boards have sued the Public Employees Insurance Agency over monthly billings for the future health-care coverage of their teachers and other employees, for when they retire. Howard Seufer, a lawyer for the boards, told the justices that these monthly charges will total $200 million this budget year. Amounts left unpaid become debts of the school systems.

Clay County Woman Missing

{West Virginia}...Junie Neal, the mother of 21 year old Junie Ann Adkins, has filed a missing person report with the Clay County Sheriffs' Department and the West Virginia State Police after her daughter was last seen late last week at her Indore trailer with her boyfriend. According to him, Adkins stayed behind while he went to an appointment. When he returned, her things were there, but she was gone. Neal says she realizes it wouldn't be the first time a young person left home without calling, but she doesn't think her daughter would have done that. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Clay County Sheriffs' Department at 304-587-4260 or the Clay County State Police Detachment at 304-587-2201.

Georgia Man Sentenced For Interstate Drug Operation

{ West Virginia}...Forty-five year old John Gregory Alvarez of Rossville, Georgia was sentenced in federal court in Atlanta Friday on federal narcotics and money laundering charges. Alvarez got 21 years, 10 months in prison, to be followed by six years of supervised release after pleading guilty August 5th. Investigators say Alvarez was the leader of a 13-member ring which got Oxycodone from doctors in Florida and then distributed them in Georgia, Tennessee, West Virginia and Kentucky.

Nitro Boat Ramp Officially Named Robert C. Byrd Boat Launch

{West Virginia}...During a ribbon cutting dedication Saturday, Nitro Mayor Rusty Casto was joined my other city officials in announcing the Nitro Boat Ramp is now officially the Robert C. Byrd Boat launch. The boat ramp has been renovated and updated. The city is planning a number of events to be hosted at the new boat launch, including a bass fishing tournament which will start next May.

West Virginia Gangs Classified Nonviolent

{West Virginia }...According to a new report, West Virginia has fewer than 1,000 gang members and none are classified as violent. The FBI issued a report Friday saying the counties in West Virginia with the most gang activity are Fayette, Harrison, Kanawha, Logan, Marion, McDowell, Mercer and Putnam. West Virginia's gangs are The Black Guerrilla Family, The Junk Yard Dogs, Latin Kings, Pagans Motorcycle Club and Warlocks Motorcycle Club. The biennial report tracks the estimated 1.4 million members that make up more than 33,000 gangs in the United States.

Man Attempting To Prove His Innocence

{West Virginia}...On February 12, 2002, Joseph Buffey pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault and one count of first-degree robbery, admitting he raped an 83 year old woman in her Clarksburg home the year before and to breaking into a Salvation Army. The judge sentenced Buffey to 40 years in prison for the robbery and 15-35 years for each rape charge and spent about an hour making sure Buffey understood the ramifications of the plea and and explained the trial could postponed until the results of a DNA test came back. Buffey, who has spent nearly a decade in prison for the rape, did not see the results of the DNA test until two years later. In 2003, Buffey filed a petition for post-conviction relief that compelled investigators to pull the State Police lab results of the blood test that Buffey had before his trial. The results indicated Buffey's DNA possibly could be excluded from the DNA found at the scene of the rape. Experts later concluded the results were simply inconclusive. Buffey appealed his conviction to the West Virginia Supreme Court, but his appeal was denied. In 2004, state lawmakers passed a bill that allows convicted prisoners to order post-conviction DNA tests that would prove a claim of actual innocence. Innocence Project attorneys probably will file another appeal based on the new test results.

Apartment Owner And Others Arrested

{West Virginia}...Donna Ward, 45, owner of 1103 Crossroads Village Apartments in Nitro was arrested Thursday and  charged with possession with the intent to distribute Oxycontin after police investigated a tip that prescription pills were being sold out of the apartment. In the same apartment, police arrested Shante Monique Yowpp, Vincent O. Hudson, Jasmine S. Bostic and Demarco E. Smith, all from Detroit, and charged each with possession with the intent to distribute Oxycontin. Ward told police she had allowed them to live in her apartment to distribute the pills.

Coal Truck Driver Arrested

{West Virginia}...Joseph D. Webb was arrested after the coal truck he was driving crashed head-on into another coal truck Thursday on Cabin Creek Road. Webb was treated for minor injuries at Charleston Area Medical Center. Webb wrote in a statement that he had taken one 30 mg Roxycotin tablet and two Suboxone tablets before operating the truck.

Police Conduct Drug Bust In Huntington

{West Virginia}...Walter V. Respress, 41, of Cleveland, Ohio, Danielle L. Maynard, 25, of Proctorville, Ohio, Carolyn D. Calhoun-Thompkins, 39, of Roseville, Michigan, and Charles M. Leverett, 29, of Warren, Michigan, are all facing felony drug possession charges. Demetrius D. Garrett, 24, of Detroit, Michigan, was charged with felony burglary, felon with a fire arm and fugitive from justice. Garrett was convicted in 2006 for delivery of a dangerous drug in Michigan. All five were lodged in the Western Regional Jail. Bond for each was set at $100,000.

Wayne County Jury Convicts Man Of Sexual Abuse

{West Virginia}...Warner Lee Hall Jr. faces a minimum of 34 years and a maximum of more than 500 years in prison after a Wayne County jury convicted him Friday on 23 counts of sexual abuse by a parent, guardian or custodian and 11 counts of use of obscene material in an attempt to seduce a minor. It only took only 30 minutes for jurors to reach a verdict. Prosecutors say, between August 2008 and April 2010, Hall sexually abused a 13 year old female in the Westmoreland area. Hall will be sentenced on November 21st.

Police Investigating Suspicious Fire In Sissonville

{West Virginia}...Police are investigating a suspicious fire which occurred around 5:30 A.M. Thursday morning along Hughart Drive in Sissonville, just down the road from where investigators were digging in April for evidence in connection to the 2003 sniper murders. The trailer is owned by Sandra Shaffer, the woman who owns several pieces of property where the digging took place. Shaffer says her tenant, Elizabeth Sloan, lived in the trailer that burned to the ground, but the state fire marshal is still investigating and says no body was found at the scene. Sissonville Fire Chief Thomas Johnson says no one has been able to locate Sloan.

St. Albans Man Pleads Guilty To Kidnapping Conspiracy

{West Virginia}...Deshawne Taylor, 20, of St. Albans, one of the two men accused in the April 2010 murder of Greg Poole, pleaded guilty Thursday to conspiracy to kidnap Poole.  Poole was found dead about a mile from his home in North Charleston. Taylor was sentenced to one to five years for the conspiracy charge. Kanawha County Assistant Prosecutor Erica Lord says the state planned to use Taylor as a witness in the trial of Garland Murray, the second man accused of Poole’s murder.

One Charge Against Stover Dropped

{West Virginia}...Thursday, federal prosecutors announced they are dropping a charge against Hughie Elbert Stover. The dismissal notice of the count alleging Stover misled investigators during the second interview comes just four days before Stover goes on trial in Beckley. Stover had been accused of lying to investigators during two separate interviews following the April 2010 Upper Big Branch Mine disaster. Stover also allegedly ordered a subordinate to destroy thousands of security-related mine documents.

United Mine Workers To Release UBB Report

{West Virginia}...United Mine Workers safety experts plan to hold a press conference Tuesday in Charleston to publicly release the report on the April 2010 explosion that killed 29 miners at Massey Energy's Upper Big Branch Mine in Raleigh County. Prior to the report's public release, the union will hold a private briefing with families of the miners who died. UMW President Cecil Roberts says the surviving miners, their families and most of all, the families of the victims deserve to know the entire truth about what happened to their loved ones and their co-workers.

MSHA Holds Public Hearing

{West Virginia}...Thursday, the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration held a public hearing in Charleston on the proposed Proximity Rule which requires new equipment on continuous miners that would shut off the machine if anyone got within three feet of the continuous miner while it was in operation. Chris Hamilton, the vice president of the West Virginia Coal Association, testified the association has been part of a pilot project since 2008. A few mines in West Virginia already have the systems on their continuous miners. They're being tested to see if they really work and can save lives. Hamilton says MSHA needs to coordinate its work and rule development with the state of West Virginia to avoid the issues that were experienced with underground safety shelters where the state had different criteria and safety standards. After the Sago disaster in 2006, West Virginia led the way in mine safety legislation which called for stiffer standards in some cases than the federal mandates. Hamilton says that shouldn't happen again. MSHA would like to see the proximity detection systems in place in all mines within 18 months after the rule is approved. Brian Thompson with Joy Global, a mining equipment company out of Pennsylvania, says they're ready to start manufacturing the detection systems starting the first of next month, but he  estimates it would take about 50 months to get the detector systems in place in all mines across the U.S. The public comment period runs through November 14th.

Lawmakers Want Change For Social Security

{West Virginia}...Nearly 444,000 West Virginians will see larger Social Security checks beginning in January after the federal Social Security Administration on Wednesday announced it would increase monthly payments to its 55 million beneficiaries by 3.6 percent. The government had not given a cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, since 2009. About 230,000 retired workers in West Virginia receive Social Security, and another 77,000 children, spouses, widows and widowers get checks. Senator Joe Manchin and Representatives Nick Rahall and David McKinley say they want the government to come up with a new formula to determine the payments Social Security beneficiaries receive.

Section Of King Coal Highway Opens

{West Virginia}...A 12-mile section of the King Coal Highway has opened in Mingo County. King Coal Highway Authority Executive Director Mike Mitchem says two lanes of the four-lane highway are open from the top of Horespen Mountain to Mary Taylor Mountain near Red Jacket, and Alpha Natural Resources is grading the other two lanes from Horsepen to Delbarton. Mitchem says Alpha's work on the 12-mile section will save the state nearly $300 million. He says Consol Energy is awaiting permits to begin work on another 5-mile section from Delbarton to Belo. When completed, the highway will run 90 miles from Williamson to Bluefield and be part of the I-73/74 corridor.

Mercer County Couple Arrested

• {West Virginia}...Mercer County Deputies arrested LeeAnn O'Quinn and her husband, John O'Quinn, after the couple was caught burglarizing a home on Red Oak Ridge Road in Bluewell  around 1:00 P.M. Wednesday. Investigators say LeeAnn O'Quinn was stealing cigarettes when the homeowner caught her and held her at gunpoint while he called police. Deputies say she took the gun away and tried to make a run for it. She and her husband, who was waiting outside in a truck, were both arrested on the scene. LeeAnn O'Quinn is charged with daytime burglary, assault during the commission of a felony and petit larceny for allegedly stealing the shot gun. John O'Quinn was charged with conspiracy to commit burglary. Police say they also discovered a fugitive warrant in Tazewell County for John O'Quinn.

Investigation Of Nitro City Police Funds Completed

• {West Virginia}...City Treasurer John Young's staff in Nitro have completed an investigation into what happened to $58,000 in police funds that were unaccounted for in a recent state audit. City Attorney Richie Robb says he needs to look over the numbers and possibly supply the report to the Nitro City council before moving forward in the case. City leaders have said faulty computer equipment may be to blame in the deletion of the records.  Mayor Rusty Casto previously stated the money came from a special revenue fund that was not used for any criminal investigations. Robb says there's no doubt some purchases should be accounted for.

Dunbar Man Indicted On Firearm Charges

• {West Virginia}...A federal grand jury has indicted 38 year old Lamont Van Harris of Dunbar on firearm charges after he was arrested last month in a separate incident in which police say he shot Travis Bush, also of Dunbar, multiple times with a 9mm handgun. According to a federal criminal complaint, Van Harris was convicted three times on drug charges since 1993, and had been on parole at the time of last month's shooting. The federal drug convictions prohibit him from owning a gun. Harris faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted on the new charges.

Hurricane Woman Convicted Of Murder

• {West Virginia}...A Putnam County jury has convicted Tracy Wright of Hurricane of murder and child neglect resulting in death in connection with her 3 year old daughter's death. Wright's daughter Ashley, who had cystic fibrosis, died last December. Prosecutors say Wright did not take the young girl to doctor's appointments or give her prescribed medicines. The judge granted Wright mercy, making her eligible for parole in 15 years.

Kanawha County Deputies Conduct Domestic Violence Sweep

{West Virginia}...Kanawha County Sheriff's Deputies arrested 13 people Wednesday in a six-hour domestic violence sweep. The sweep was in conjunction with the ninth annual Family Violence Apprehension Detail, a nationwide effort involving more than 1,800 law enforcement officers to round up suspects with outstanding family violence-related arrest warrants.   

Massey Security Director Trial To Begin

{West Virginia}...Under a ruling from U.S. District Judge Irene C. Berger, prosecutors will be allowed to tell jurors about the Upper Big Branch mine disaster during the trial of Hughie Elbert Stover, a Massey Energy security director charged with lying to investigators and trying to destroy evidence in the disaster probe. Jurors also will be able to hear about statements Stover made to federal and state mine safety officials and to federal law enforcement agents. Stover faces three felony charges that allege he tried to divert government agents investigating whether Massey officials tried to warn mining operations in advance of impending federal inspections. Jury selection is scheduled for Friday, with trial set to begin on Monday in federal court in Beckley.

Marshall County Miner Killed

{West Virginia}...The U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration has confirmed that 62 year old Charles McIntire was killed Monday night at CONSOL Energy's Shoemaker Mine in Marshall County. Company spokeswoman Lynn Seay says McIntire was approaching his 10th anniversary as a Consol employee when a track-haulage problem killed him. A preliminary report from MSHA says McIntire was reconnecting his loading machine, which was being used as a trench digger, to a power supply cable called a trolley wire. McIntire exited his machine to complete the hook up, and it appeared the machine struck him when it re-energized. Shoemaker Mine won a safety award in 2010. The death is the 6th coal-mining fatality in West Virginia, and the 15th nationwide in 2011.

Trial Set For California Man

• {West Virginia}...Harry Marshall Rae, 63, of Angels Camp, California, is scheduled to go on trial December 19th after pleading not guilty Tuesday during his arraignment in federal Magistrate Court in Charleston. Rae was arrested in September after federal investigators say he attempted to extort then Acting Governor Earl Ray Tomblin out of $50,000 by threatening to release a video showing inhumane acts against greyhounds at an Oklahoma kennel. Rae allegedly said the video could damage Tomblin's campaign, because Tomblin's brother and mother are greyhound breeders. Police say Rae alleged he made contact with the campaign of Tomblin's opponent, Republican businessman Bill Maloney, but Maloney's campaign denied any knowledge of him. Federal Magistrate Judge Mary Stanley set a new bond for Rae at $10,000 and ordered him to stay with his sister in California until his trial date.

Nitro Man Sentenced To State Hospital

• {West Virginia}...Joel Marshall Turley, 57, of Nitro, appeared in Kanawha Circuit Court Monday after being charged with firing a rifle into his neighbor's house. Judge Charles King accepted the findings of physicians at Sharpe Hospital in Weston who say Turley is not competent to stand trial and not likely to regain competency in the near future. Assistant Prosecutor Maryclaire Akers told Judge King that Turley told those who were evaluating him that he thought his neighbors, Anthony Harrah and his family, were spirits of idolatry, lust, fornication and murder and were practicing witchcraft. Akers said Turley had visional hallucinations and thought he had radar that picked up their unholy conversations. King sentenced him to 50 years in the state hospital until further order of the court.

Marriott Coming To Charleston

{West Virginia}...Charleston Hotel Venture, Dickinson Properties and Southern Land Company are planning to build a 5-story, 110-room, Marriott Courtyard Hotel along Kanawha Boulevard near I-64 where the old Elk River Holiday Inn once sat. The Holiday Inn was torn down years ago and since then the lot has been vacant. The hotel is expected to cost $14 million and create 25 jobs when its completed in mid-2014. There are also plans to develop the lot behind the hotel, on the Virginia Street side, into possibly an office building or a restaurant.

Judge Recuses Himself From Fraud Case

{West Virginia}...Kanawha County Assistant Prosecutor Maryclaire Akers says Gary Wayne Mullins, 49, of Charleston has a history of scamming elderly residents. Mullins was in court Monday to be arraigned after his arrest in April, but Judge Charles King, who had been assigned Mullins' case, recused himself, saying he is acquainted with one of the victims, George Jacobs, and his son, Pat, a local attorney. The arraignment has been postponed. 

Work Release Center Escapee Sentenced

{West Virginia}...David Knight, who walked away from the Huntington Work Release Center in June, was sentenced Tuesday to five years in prison. Knight was serving time at the facility for grand larceny, burglary and other charges from Kanawha County when he escaped.

Body Found In Charleston

{West Virginia}...Charleston Police are investigating after the body of 44 year old  James Vance of Charleston was found dead along railroad tracks near the intersection of Morris Street and Piedmont Road at about 1:00 P.M. Monday on Charleston’s East End. Police believe Vance died from a drug overdose.

Man Arrested In Go-Mart Robbery

{West Virginia}...Charleston police have  arrested Matthew Greene, 23, of Charleston and charged him with second degree robbery in connection with an armed robbery which occurred at the Go-Mart convenience store on MacCorkle Ave. about 12:45 A.M. Monday. Police are still looking for Sarah Baldwin, 20, of Charleston and Angelica Cervenak, 19, of Nitro. Baldwin and Cervenak also face second-degree robbery charges.

Cabin Creek Man Faces Sexual Abuse Charge

{West Virginia}...Monday, Kanawha Circuit Judge Charles E. King set  bond at $25,000 cash for 22 year old Edward Cox of Dry Branch Road in Cabin Creek, who was indicted last month on counts of sexual assault, incest and sexual abuse after prosecutors say he rubbed his genitals on two girls, who are each under 12 years old. Kanawha County assistant prosecutor Maryclaire Akers says Cox was never arrested or charged with the sexual assaults, which allegedly happened last June. Police investigated the incident and Cox later admitted to the crime.

Mother Of Missing Child Accused Of Selling Stamps

{West Virginia}...A criminal complaint filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Clarksburg says Lena Lunsford, the mother of 3 year old Aliayah Lunsford, who has been missing since September 24^th,  transferred a Supplemental Nutrition Assistant Program card and personal identification number to someone else in exchange for $50 cash. The complaint says the other person, who wasn't named, intended to use the EBT card to buy $114.82 in food.

Year Round School Considered

{West Virginia}...The West Virginia Department of Education has formed an internal committee to study whether year-round school would work. Betty Jordan, executive assistant to the state superintendent, said the group is reviewing literature and research to determine what concerns would be raised if this schedule were implemented. Jordan says they believe a balanced calendar more accurately reflects the work and the direction in that we take our existing 180 days and we create a calendar that really does balance the amount of instructional time and then time when students are in breaks so that it's more evenly distributed throughout the year. Jordan says, with the current calendar, students are out of school about eight to 10 weeks in the summer. That creates a learning slide where they forget some of what they learned during the previous school year.

Trial Begins For Putnam County Woman

{West Virginia}...The trial of Tracy Wright, 28 of Hurricane, a Putnam County woman accused in connection with the death of her 3-year-old daughter Ashley began Monday morning. Wright is charged with murder of a child by parent and child neglect causing death after police say her daughter, who had cystic fibrosis, died because Wright did not take her to doctor's appointments or give her prescribed medicines. David Moye, Wright’s attorney, says the state is actually responsible where the state had been supervising and was in control for over 13 months through child protective services. Prosecutors put four witnesses on the stand Monday afternoon. A spokesperson says they may finish presenting their case Tuesday.

WV Mine Officials Order Emergency Inspections

• {West Virginia}...West Virginia mines are required to contain rescue shelters that could help miners survive the toxic environment inside a mine after an underground explosion. Friday, West Virginia Miners Health, Safety and Training officials ordered emergency inspections of up to 500 rescue shelters in the state's underground coal mines. The order requires inspections by shelter manufacturers of all inflatable, tent design mine rescue chambers by October 31st. The order also requires mine operators to replace all brass valves and fittings associated with the units' compressed-oxygen cylinders within the next two years.

Kanawha County Deputy Battling Colon Cancer

• {West Virginia}...In June, Kanawha County Sheriff's Department Cpl. 45 year old Greg Eplin was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer, but he is responding to treatment and is back on the job. Eplin went to the University of Texas' M.D. Anderson Cancer Treatment Center, nationally known for its expertise in cancer treatment. There, doctors recommended an aggressive barrage of chemotherapy. The Kanawha County Deputy Sheriff's Association stepped in to raise money to help pay Eplin's travel expenses and medical bills, and, through donations and fundraisers, deputies raised about $60,000. So far, Eplin has gone through eight sessions of chemotherapy, each lasting three days. Chief Deputy Johnny Rutherford currently has him going through a three-year backlog of evidence files. Eplin  is also working on a policy manual for deputies working at the Courthouse annex. For the past few years, Eplin served as court bailiff for Circuit Judge Charlie King, and before that worked for former Circuit Judge Irene Berger.

Fatal ATV Accident In Lincoln County

{West Virginia}...Tommy Lovejoy, 33, was killed in an ATV accident near Straight Fork and Gue Hollow in the West Hamlin area of Lincoln County around midnight Saturday. Troopers say it appears Lovejoy was thrown from the ATV after running off the right side of the roadway and hitting a guardrail.

Man Hospitalized After Jumping From Bridge

{West Virginia}...Twenty-seven year old Christopher Ryan Brewer from Pensacola, Florida, is listed in stable condition at Charleston Area Medical Center. National Park Service officials say Brewer sustained spinal cord, pelvic and lung injuries after his parachute either did not open or did not fully open when he jumped from the  New River Gorge Bridge Saturday. Brewer was taking part in Bridge Day festivities held in Fayette County.

Former Dunbar Mayor Refusing To Pay Fine

{West Virginia}...Former Dunbar Mayor Roger Wolfe is refusing to pay a state ethics fine because he contends the commission's decision was unethical when officials ordered Wolfe to pay the city back more than $5,700 in unauthorized reimbursements for meals, mileage and telephone expenses. Wolfe was also told to reimburse the commission almost $5,700 in legal expenses. The commission also levied a $15,000 punitive fine. Ethics Commission Director Theresa Kirk said ethics officials could go to Kanawha Circuit Court to try to force Wolfe to pay. The West Virginia Supreme Court ordered Wolfe removed from office in 2008 for violating state law and Dunbar's city charter.

Maloney Advocating Mine Safety

{West Virginia}...Morgantown businessman Bill Maloney, second-place finisher in the October 4th race for governor announced plans Friday for a statewide speaking tour advocating mine safety through the Mine Rescue Drilling Fund. Maloney made the announcement on the one-year anniversary of the rescue of the 33 Chilean miners. Maloney played a role in their rescue with drilling equipment. Maloney expects the Mine Rescue Drilling Fund to raise the necessary capital to provide more efficient means to reach trapped miners.  Maloney plans to visit numerous mine-related locations over the next several months to spread the word about being prepared. The Mine Rescue Drilling Fund was established last January and is a not-for-profit foundation.

Delagate Hopes For Special Legislative Session

{West Virginia}...Delagate Tim Manchin, D-Marion, co-chair of the legislative committee working on new regulations for Marcellus shale natural gas drilling says there's a chance there could be a special legislative session to consider the bill in December. Manchin and other members of the committee worked on the bill for several hours this week at the state capitol. The panel passed amendments dealing with things like raising the permit fee for drilling and the distance Marcellus wells have to be away from houses. Manchin says there's more work to do but if broad-based agreement can be reached within the next month, there may be a special session the following month. All of the upfront work being done by the legislative panel is hoped to make it an easier process to get the bill through the House and Senate, but Manchin says a lot of that is up to the oil and gas industry. The committee plans to meet again on October 22nd.

FBI Continues Investigation Of Missing Toddler

• {West Virginia}...The FBI held a press conference Friday regarding the disappearance of 3 year old Aliayah Lunsford, a Lewis County toddler reported missing by her mother, Lena Lunsford, on the morning of September 24th.  FBI Special Agent Jeff Killeen said the FBI is narrowing its focus of the investigation and has a specific timeline of events. Killeen said they are combing through a lot of photographic and video surveillance evidence and are using digital enhancement techniques and have captured a lot of video from homes and businesses in south Weston. Killeen says more than one person could been involved in Aliayah's disappearance. Killeen says investigators are still working under the assumption that Aliayah's disappearance is still considered to be either a kidnapping, concealment or homicide. Investigators are considering it a possibility that both federal and state crimes have been committed. When asked if investigators believe Aliayah is still alive, FBI Special Agent Jeff Killeen said, "there is limited hope that she is still alive." Investigators encourage anyone that has any photos or surveillance video of the area that could be useful to contact the West Virginia State Police at 304-269-0500.

Accident Kills Randolph County Man

• {West Virginia}...Randolph County Sheriff's Deputies say Harry Jacob, 85, of Dry Fork, was traveling westbound on Route 33 near Harmon Thursday when he drove left of center and struck a rock embankment. The vehicle landed on the passenger side. Jacob was declared dead at the scene. Randolph County Sheriff's Deputies believe medical issues may have contributed to the accident.

Logan County Man Arrested

• {West Virginia}...West Virginia State Police from Hamlin and Logan arrested 71 year old Luther Manns in Harts Thursday night on charges of being a felon possessing a firearm, possessing drugs with intent to deliver, possession of stolen property, conspiracy to deliver and providing false information to State Police. State Police say, when they searched his property, they found a stolen firearm and nearly $9,000 in prescription drugs.

Contract Worker Electrocuted

• {West Virginia}...Tony Swiger, 48, from Sissonville, a contract worker for Suddenlink Communications, was  fatally electrocuted just before 12:30 P.M. Friday while working in the 1700 block of Mile Fork Road near Big Chimney in Kanawha County. Swiger was working in a bucket on a utility truck when he touched a live wire. He was employed by Vision Telecommunications, which had been contracted to do work for Suddenlink.

Man Shot In Face

• {West Virginia}...Police say Kelly Sutton, who is from London in Kanawha County, was was taken to the hospital in stable condition after being shot in the face during a robbery attempt while at the 7-Eleven on Washington Street West on Charleston's West Side around 2:00 A.M. Friday morning. Sutton told Charleston police he went to the convenience store to buy beer, but he went around the side of the building with a man who tried to rob him.

Groups Challenge Logan County Mine Permit

{West Virginia}...The West Virginia Highlands Conservancy, the Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition and the Sierra Club filed a lawsuit Thursday in U.S. District Court in Huntington challenging a permit issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the proposed Highland Reylas mountaintop removal mine in Logan County. The groups claim the corps failed to consider scientific studies that say mountaintop removal mines pose health threats to residents. Highland Reylas is owned by Highland Mining Company, a subsidiary of Alpha Natural Resources.

Cliffs To Resume Mine Operations In Wyoming County

{West Virginia}...Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. says that regulatory agencies have allowed longwall operations to resume at its Pinnacle Mine in Wyoming County at the beginning of October. Cleveland-based Cliffs suspended the longwall operations after elevated carbon monoxide levels were detected at the mine on May 19th. The mine produces about 1 million tons of metallurgical coal for steelmakers annually.

Woman Accused Of Embezzling From Credit Union

{West Virginia}...Police say Heather Laake of Winifrede was working at the South Charleston Employees Federal Credit Union between May 3rd and August 26th when she wrote checks, totaling more than $100,000, from two  people's accounts to her boyfriend Dewayne Spaulding and Vernon Estep. Investigators say Laake changed the address of where the account statements would be sent so the victims wouldn't be aware of the missing money. Laake is charged with embezzlement.

State Executive Coordinator Charged With Aggravated DUI

{West Virginia}Police arrested Donna Maria Lipscomb, the executive coordinator of the state Department of Administration. Thursday morning and charged her with driving under the influence of alcohol. Officers approached Lipscomb after stopping her vehicle along Interstate 77, and they say  they could smell a strong odor of alcohol coming from her breath. Officers say Lipscomb told them she had consumed alcohol prior to being stopped. Lipscomb failed three field sobriety tests and a preliminary breath test. She was taken to the Charleston Police station, where she was given secondary chemical tests. Police say she registered a blood-alcohol content of .174, more than twice the legal limit in West Virginia. Lipscomb was charged with aggravated DUI.

Valley High Football Players Have Viral Meningitis

{West Virginia}...Authorities at Valley High School in Smithers told parents at the Fayette County school Thursday evening that two football players at the school have viral meningitis. The two students who have meningitis have been taken out of classes, as well as several other football players. The school has approximately 150 students. Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. It is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection.

Huntington Little Caesars Robbed At Gunpoint

{West Virginia}...Police are investigating after an employee of Little Caesars on First Street in Huntington was held at gun point Thursday morning. Detectives said they are looking for a white man, between six feet and six feet, two inches tall. He was wearing a gray sweatshirt and jeans, has a slight beard and appeared to be in his late 30s. The suspect was wearing a ball cap and sunglasses. The suspect stole an undisclosed about of money. No injuries were reported.

Murder Charges Dropped Against St. Albans Man

• {West Virginia}...Kanawha County Prosecutor Mark Plants held a news conference Wednesday to announce 41 year old Charlie Booker of St. Albans has been exonerated on two counts of first-degree murder in the August 6th  deaths of 31 year old Joseph Miller and 31 year old Billy Dodd. Plants says  three men, including Miller and Dodd, confronted Booker about someone speeding through the neighborhood earlier in the evening, and things got out of control. Plants said the evidence in the case showed Booker acted in self-defense. He says the assailants approached Booker. One had a hammer. One had an ASP. One had a pocket knife, but was pretending it was a gun. After being struck in the head with the metal rod, Booker pulled out a firearm and began shooting to protect himself and his wife and stepson who were nearby. Booker was arrested shortly after the shootings and remained behind bars for nearly a month before he posted $100,000 bond last month and was placed on home confinement.

Man Fatally Struck By Train

• {West Virginia}...Jefferson County Sheriff's Deputy Robert Sell says the death of 51 year old John Kinner of Shenandoah Junction along train tracks Wednesday morning was an accident. Kinner reportedly walked the tracks to the Duffields Station every morning to catch a train to Maryland for work. Deputy Sell says, normally, train traffic is westbound so it would be coming toward him, butm in this case, the four engines were actually traveling eastbound, coming up behind him, when the CSX train engines hit him at about 6:00 A.M. Deputy Sell says the train operators tried to warn Kinner by blowing the whistles and having the lights illuminated, but Kinner never looked around.

Man Faces Federal Charges For Hurricane Bank Robbery

• {West Virginia}...The FBI says Charles Asher, 51, of Nashville, Tennessee, is facing federal charges in the October 3rd robbery of the Hurricane, West Virginia branch of the BB&T Bank. Authorities say Asher entered the bank just after 3:00 P.M., showed a firearm and left with cash. He was found minutes later hiding near the restroom building at a rest area along Interstate 64 in Putnam County. Asher is being kept at the Western Regional Jail on state charges from the same robbery. He is expected to be taken into federal custody and make an initial appearance before a United States Magistrate judge in Huntington. If convicted, Asher faces up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.

Huntington District Court Judge Sentences Two

• {West Virginia}...Anthony Caudill, 21, of Huntington, was sentenced Tuesday during a hearing in U.S. District Court in Huntington to 37 months in prison for distribution of heroin. Prosecutors say Caudill admitted that on November 9, 2010, he sold 27.9 grams of heroin to an undercover law enforcement officer at the Smokin’ Aces store in Huntington. Drew Paugh, 27, of Lesage was sentenced to 57 months in prison after pleading guilty in June to illegal possession of a firearm by a drug addict and distribution of Oxycodone. Paugh admitted to participating in 20 more drug sales at the Smokin' Aces store between May and September of 2010.

Lawmakers Hear Details Of "Caylee's Law"

{West Virginia}...State lawmakers heard details Tuesday on draft legislation of a bill dubbed "Caylee's Law" in honor of Caylee Anthony who was found dead in December 2008. The legislation would require custodians of children aged 11 and younger to report missing children within 12 hours of a disappearance. Children between 12 and 17 years old must be reported missing within 24 hours. Tuesday, the Select Committee on Children, Juveniles and Other Issues discussed the legislation during monthly interim committee meetings at the state Capitol. If custodians fail to report a child older than 11 missing, the guardian could face up to one year in prison and a fine up to $500. For children 11 and younger, custodians must report the child missing within 12 hours or be fined up to $3,000 and face up to three years behind bars. Failure to report a missing child who suffers from health or mental problems that increase the risk of substantial injury within 24 hours could result in a $3,000 fine and up to five years in prison. The draft legislation calls for up to 13 years behind bars for custodians who do not report a missing child because they are involved in some kind of criminal activity. The law defines a custodian as the person who is in charge of childcare at the time of the disappearance. That could include grandparents, friends, babysitters or neighbors.

Indictment In Alleged Tomblin Extortion

{West Virginia}...Harry Marshall Rae of Hernando, Florida was indicted Wednesday after allegedly sending an email to the office of Earl Ray Tomblin threatening him with videos, which relate to the greyhound racing business, in an attempt to extort money from Tomblin before last week’s special election for governor. Rae allegedly threatened to release videos related to greyhound breeding to media outlets, ESPN, and Bill Maloney, Tomblin’s opponent in the October 4th special election for governor. Rae was arrested September 29th in California.

Daniels Accident Kills One...Injures Two

• {West Virginia}...James Edward Lucas Jr., 48, of Daniels, has been charged with a felony charge of DUI causing death, DUI causing aggravated injury and aggravated DUI. Raleigh County Deputies say Lucas was heading north on U.S. 19 in Daniels at about 8:15 P.M. Monday when his pickup truck apparently crossed the center line and slammed head-on into a vehicle driven by 47 year old Carole Lynn Warren. The truck then spun around and hit a vehicle driven by 33 year old Joshua Bailey. Warren was killed in the collision, while Bailey was taken to Raleigh General Hospital, and Lucas was taken to Beckley Appalachian Regional Hospital.

Man Attempts To Rob Gas Station

• {West Virginia}...West Virginia State Police say 25 year old Gregory Warren of Ashland, Kentucky walked into the Rich Oil gas station on Waverly Road near Huntington about 1:00 P.M. Tuesday afternoon, pulled a knife, went behind the counter and demanded cash. But, an employee he didn't originally see interrupted the robbery and he fled with no money. Warren was found at Virginia Point in Kenova where he was arrested and charged with armed robbery.