{Beckley, West Virginia}...The Raleigh County Sheriff's Department is investigating after 23 year old Christopher Saunders Jr. of Beckley died at an area hospital Friday after being found with an arrow in his abdomen. The sheriff's office says Saunders was shot with a bow and arrow during an altercation that began late Thursday involving several people.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Texting Ban In West Virginia
{Charleston, West Virginia}...Beginning Sunday, July 1st, motorists in West Virginia will be pulled over and ticketed for texting while driving. Drivers can be cited for hands-on cell phone use. But, that violation alone cannot trigger a traffic stop until mid-2013. Violating the law is punishable by a $100 fine for a first offense. West Virginia has put up signs along highways and taken other steps to alert people to the ban.
Emergency Declaration Declared For West Virginia
{Charleston, West Virginia}...Saturday afternoon, President Barack Obama issued an emergency declaration for West Virginia after violent storms Friday night left more than 680,000 people without electricity. The declaration follows Governor Tomblin's declaration of a state of emergency. During a press conference Saturday afternoon, Tomblin said the National Guard is working hard to help clear roadways, deliver food and water and provide other help after outages affected 53 of the state's 55 counties, the worst in recent history. The severe storm that moved through the region and the power outages that resulted also caused major issues at gas stations across the state. As of 10:00 A.M. Saturday morning, power was restored at Cabell Huntington Hospital. During the outage, some of the most critical patients were transferred to other facilities in the region. Brent Marsteller, President and CEO of Cabell Huntington Hospital, says emergency power sources for critical needs were used throughout the hospital.
Woman Goes To Prison For Fraud
Twenty year old Lena Lunsford, the mother of missing 3 year old Aliayah Lunsford, has begun serving her eight month prison sentence for welfare fraud at the Federal Prison Camp at Alderson. Lunsford pleaded guilty to selling $114 worth of credit on her food-stamp card for $50 cash. Lunsford's daughter Aliayah disappeared from their Bendale home more than nine months ago.
Friday, June 29, 2012
Consol Energy Announces Layoffs
{Bickmore, West Virginia}...Pittsburgh-based Consol Energy announced Friday it is planning to idle its Fola Operations near Bickmore in Clay County on August 30th, affecting 318 workers, including surface and underground miners, and reclamation and office staff. Consol said it expects 2012 production to be reduced by 800,000 tons. So far this year, the Fola complex has produced more than 1 million tons of coal. Until the layoffs begin, underground operations will continue, but surface employees will be reassigned from mining to reclamation work. President Nicholas DeIuliis says the warm winter left the company with huge stockpiles, and they can't accept more shipments. Consol says it needs to adjust to soft markets and declining demand, and there's "significant uncertainty" about whether power companies will continue to use Central Appalachian coal at their plants.
Drowning In Kanawha County
{Mink Shoals, West Virginia}...Kanawha County Sheriff's Deputies say 36 year old Darrell Crowder of Charleston was boating on the Elk River near the Mink Shoals boat ramp, just north of Charleston around 4:30 P.M. Friday when he was looking for his sunglasses and fell into the river, apparently suffered an asthma attack and went under water. He failed to resurface after about 10 minutes. Garreth Null, who was fishing in the river with his son, immediately called 9-1-1. Emergency crews pulled Crowder from the river and performed CPR, but he did not survive.
Goodwin Files Response To Stover Appeal
{Richmond, Virginia}...U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin filed his response to Hughie Elbert Stover's appeal Thursday in the U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia. Goodwin says there's no merit to claims that Judge Irene Berger erred in refusing to throw out Stover's interview with investigators or in refusing to dismiss the charges and acquit him. Stover was convicted last fall of lying to investigators and ordering a subordinate to destroy documents following the April 2010 explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine. Stover was sentenced to three years behind bars, one of the stiffest punishments ever handed down in a mine safety case, but he has been free pending appeal. His case is tentatively scheduled for oral argument in late September.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Former Mingo County Postal Worker Pleads Guilty
{Alkol, West Virginia}...Kristen K. Maynard, 29, of Delbarton, pleaded guilty Thursday to misappropriating postal funds. Maynard admitted that over a six-month period in 2011, she took more than $25,000 in cash from the U.S. Post Office in Alkol. Maynard was an officer in charge at the Alkol Post Office at the time. Maynard admitted she took cash that the office received from the sales of stamps and postal money orders and used it to pay personal bills and gambling debts and that she manipulated the books and records in the office to cover up her thefts. Maynard faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine when sentenced October 1st.
Man Arrested Following Standoff
{Big Chimney, West Virginia}...Eric Olive was arrested and charged with domestic battery after a standoff on Coopers Creek Road near Big Chimney early Thursday morning. Deputies say Olive barricaded himself inside his home, armed with a high powered rifle, threatening to kill his wife and then himself. Deputies called in a SWAT team for assistance. Olive was forced from his home after the SWAT team fired pepper spray inside. Nicole Olive fled the home and called for help after her husband, Eric Olive, allegedly struck her.
Arrests In Triple Murder
West Virginia State Police have arrested a husband and wife in connection with a triple murder in Webster County. Police say Amanda York called 911 Wednesday afternoon and told dispatchers she had just shot and killed three people who were trying to break into her home. York told police she was home alone with a five year old child and the people had threatened them, but the five year old told police it was Amanda's husband Michael who actually shot the three people. Amanda then admitted to police that she and Michael got into a fight with the three victims earlier in the day at another house, and later, the victims showed up at the York's residence and started another altercation. One victim has been identified as 26 year old Dustin Brown of Hacker Valley. Amanda told police Michael had tried to hide one of the bodies, and then she told him to leave town and head to Kentucky. Michael was arrested several hours later on I-79 South near the Kanawha-Clay county line. Michael and Amanda York have been charged with three counts of murder, and Michael is also facing a charge of concealment of a deceased human body.
Former Businessman Pleads Guilty
{Beckley, West Virginia}...Alfred Williams, 72, former operator of Williams Mechanical, Inc. in Beckley, entered a guilty plea Thursday before U.S. District Judge Irene Berger to taking more than $400,000 in illegal kickbacks from former employees. Williams admitted that for about 10 years he routinely required at least one-third of his employees to return cash to him from their paychecks to keep their jobs with the company. He said he received $600 to $1,000 each week from the employees. At the time of the scheme, the company was performing work as a plumbing sub-contractor for multiple public works projects that had been paid for with government monies. The state Division of Labor forced Williams in 1998 to pay 13 employees more than $25,000 for failure to pay the wages to which they were entitled. He faces up to five years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine when sentenced October 25th. Williams agreed at the plea hearing to pay restitution up to $520,000.
Indictment In Milton Flea Market Shooting
{Milton, West Virginia}...Romel Green, Brett Newman and Tiffany Whittenburg have been indicted on attempted murder, first-degree robbery and conspiracy. Police say, during an attempted robbery in March, they shot Edward Perry, a vendor at the Milton Flea Market. Green, Newman and Whittenburg remain in the Western Regional Jail.
Man Indicted On Murder
{Huntington, West Virginia}...A Cabell County Grand Jury has indicted 45 year old Edward "Jesse" Dreyfuse on charges of murder, assault and burglary. Police say Dreyfuse severely beat 66 year old Otis Clay, Jr. of Huntington in April. The original charges against Dreyfuse were upgraded after Clay died several weeks after the alleged attack. Investigators say Dreyfuse used a baseball bat to beat Clay in his Washington Avenue home in Huntington, on April 9th, because of a dispute about money. Family members say Clay had several health problems.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Request To Suspend Lawyer Withdrawn
{Charleston, West Virginia}...The state Supreme Court granted a request from the state Office of Disciplinary Counsel to withdraw a petition to immediately suspend 41 year old Hiram Carson Lewis, an attorney and former congressional candidate accused of shooting 55 year old Steven Bogart in the leg on June 13th. Police charged Lewis with malicious wounding and wanton endangerment involving a firearm. Lewis, a Morgantown lawyer, ran as a Republican for U.S. Senate in 2006 and for state attorney general in 2004 and 2008. The Office of Disciplinary Counsel filed a petition June 19 th seeking the immediate suspension of Lewis' license. An August 7th hearing had been scheduled to hear arguments on the matter. Clay County Magistrate Jeffery Boggs found probable cause last week to send the case to a grand jury. The Clay County grand jury is expected to meet sometime in July. Lewis was released Tuesday from Central Regional Jail on $70,000 full-surety bond.
Judge To Revisit Verdict Against Nursing Home
{Charleston, West Virginia}...On Thursday, Kanawha Circuit Judge Paul Zakaib plans to revisit a $91 million jury verdict against Heartland of Charleston. Lawyers for the nursing home's parent company, Manor Care Inc., have asked Judge Zakaib to throw out the verdict, reduce the damage award or grant a new trial. The son of 87 year old Dorothy Douglas sued Manor Care and related companies after she died. Douglas had been transferred from Heartland on September 23, 2009 when she died October 11th. The son, Tom Douglas, alleged negligent treatment of his mother while she was at Heartland caused her death. The 2011 jury agreed, awarding $11.5 million meant to compensate Douglas' heirs and $80 million to punish the defendants for their conduct. Zakaib later reduced the damages by $400,000.
Alpha Layoffs And Cutbacks
Wednesday, Alpha Natural Resources closed two mines and a coal preparation plant in Logan County, cut production at a site in Fayette County and eliminated jobs at a surface mine and trucking company in Boone County. About 95 people worked at the Superior Surface Mine, Hatfield Mine and the Stirrat Preparation Plant in Logan County. Thirty people lost their jobs immediately, while 65 others were offered other jobs with Alpha. In Fayette County, eleven workers were laid off at the Republic Surface Mine. In Boone County, production cutbacks at the Black Castle Mine and Trace Transport forced 59 people out of a job, while about 12 others were transferred.
Pretrial Hearing In Sniper-Style Killings
{Charleston, West Virginia}...Retired U.S. Marshal John Perrine testified Wednesday morning that Shawn Lester admitted to being present for at least one of the three 2003 sniper-style killings in Kanawha County. Lester is accused of killing Gary Carrier, 44, Jeanie Patton, 31, and Okey Meadows, 26. His trial is set to begin July 30th. The marshal said he was investigating Lester for possible federal weapons law violations when Lester confessed to being at the Speedway in Campbells Creek when Jeanie Patton was shot and killed, but Lester denied he pulled the trigger. Perrine also testified that he informed other law enforcement agencies that Lester could be linked to all three of the murders, but an FBI agent told him "let the professionals handle it." Since Lester was never read his rights and Perrine's tip was never investigated, the judge had to throw out the evidence and Perrine can not share testimony in the trial. Darrell Spurlock testified he saw all the victims and Lester together smoking pot less than a month before the shootings. Lester's attorney, George Castelle, says several witnesses did not have their statements properly documented at the time of the initial investigation, and that could damage the defense of Lester.
Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Consol Energy
{Wheeling, West Virginia}...Sixty-two year old Charles McIntire of Shadyside, Ohio, died October 17, 2011, when a ditch-digging machine surged forward and ran over him at West Virginia's Shoemaker Mine, ripping off his leg. His family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Pennsylvania-based Consol Energy. The lawsuit says Consol and McIntire's supervisor failed to conduct a safety hazard inspection, failed to keep the machine in safe operating condition and failed to ensure it had emergency shut-off switches. The state mine safety office issued two violations related to the equipment. The complaint by McIntire's daughter was originally filed in Marshall County Circuit Court but was recently transferred to U.S. District Court in Wheeling.
MSHA Issues Citations
The U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration says federal inspectors issued 158 citations, 26 orders and three safeguards during special impact inspections conducted at nine coal mines in May. In a separate two-day inspection blitz, MSHA inspectors targeted 40 underground coal mines formerly owned by Massey Energy, where they issued 225 violations.
Hurricane City Council Member Arrested
{Hurricane, West Virginia}...Wednesday, Hurricane City Council member 31 year old Scott Cunningham was arrested and charged with soliciting a minor. Police say Cunningham participated in text message exchanges with a teenager earlier this year. In one of those exchanges, Cunningham allegedly asked the girl, 13, for a naked picture. Cunningham, who has been part of Hurricane's City Council since 2011, resigned after his arrest.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Woman Charged With Accessory To Murder
{Summersville, West Virginia}...State Police in Nicholas County have arrested 48 year old Wanda Einstein and charged her with one count of accessory after the fact of murder. Troopers say Einstein drove James Belknap from Spruce Grove Road to his home on White Buck Knob Road in Levisay even though she admitted she knew he was wanted for murder. Belknap is in jail on four counts of murder. Police say he fatally shot Steven Hendrix, his girlfriend Amber Martin, and his two children, 6 year old Dakota and 4 year old Kaylee, and then dumped their bodies on his property. State Police also arrested Mark Haynes and charged him with accessory to murder after the fact. Police say, when Belknap was arrested, he was a passenger in a pickup truck driven by Haynes. Einstein is being held on a $300,000 bond.
Army Sergeant And Associate Convicted
{Elkins, West Virginia}...Federal jurors in Elkins have convicted an Army sergeant and an associate of bribery and money laundering related to defense contracts in Kuwait. In a release issued Tuesday, the U.S. Justice Department said Sgt. 1st Class Richard Evick of Parsons and Crystal Martin of Pontiac, Michigan were found guilty of 17 charges. Prosecutors say Evick received more than $170,000 in bribes from two companies that had U.S. Department of Defense contracts in Kuwait, while Martin laundered the money through bank accounts in Kuwait and the U.S. Evick was a senior procurement officer at Camp Arifjan in Kuwait from February 2005 to December 2006. Besides the payments, Evick received airplane tickets and hotel accommodations.
Death Row Inmate's Sentence Upheld
{Richmond, Virginia}...Tuesday, a three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Virginia upheld a South Carolina death row inmate's murder conviction and sentence, rejecting claims by Chadrick Fulks that he was denied effective representation in court. Fulks also unsuccessfully challenged the prosecution's use of statements co-defendant Brandon Basham made to the Brunswick County sheriff. Fulks pleaded guilty and Basham was convicted of kidnapping and killing 44 year old Alice Donovan of South Carolina during a two-week crime spree after they escaped from a Hopkins County, Kentucky jail in 2002. Federal juries sentenced both men to death. Fulks and Basham also pleaded guilty to killing 19 year old Marshall University student Samantha Burns in West Virginia during the crime spree.
Two Admit To Transporting Illegal Aliens
{Huntington, West Virginia}...During a hearing in U. S District Court in Huntington Monday, Miguel Marquez-Jimenez, 25, and Sergio Morales-Jimenez, 20, both of Mexico, pleaded guilty to transporting 14 illegal aliens from Texas to Putnam County. Prosecutors say the ultimate destination was New Jersey. Each man faces up to five years in prison when they are sentenced in September. The men could also be deported when they are released from prison.
Two Charged With First-Degree Robbery
{Beckley, West Virginia}...Douglas Stover, 26, was arrested on Monday evening, and Angela Michelle Willis, 25, was arrested around 11:00 A.M. Tuesday after two hotels were robbed in Beckley. The Comfort Inn on Harper Park Drive was robbed on Friday night, and the Baymont Inn, also on Harper Park Drive, was robbed on Saturday night. Willis and Stover are each facing two counts of first-degree robbery.
Attorney General Sues Drug Distributors
{Charleston, West Virginia}...At a news conference Tuesday morning, West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw announced he has filed lawsuits against 14 out of state drug distributors for supplying drugs to "rogue drugstores," who in turn "prescribed them for non-legitimate medical purposes." McGraw called the distribution companies key players in "pill mill" operations. McGraw said the distributors have substantially contributed to, benefited from and gained improperly from prescription drug abuse in West Virginia, and he's now asking them to accept responsibility and pay for their illicit actions. The suit was filed in Boone County, an area McGraw described as ground zero of prescription drug abuse.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Man's Body Found In Clay County
U.S. Marshals Arrest Escapee
{Jefferson, West Virginia}...U.S. Marshals arrested 43 year old James "Skippy" Hall Jr. at a trailer on Maccorkle Avenue in Jefferson about 3:00 P.M. Monday. Hall escaped while on a work detail at the Beckley Correctional Center Friday. Hall is serving time in the center for eight counts of breaking and entering in Kanawha County and one count of daytime burglary in Calhoun County.
Man Sentenced To Home Confinement
{Charleston, West Virginia}...Monday, Kanawha County Circuit Court Judge Paul Zakaib sentenced George Anderson of St. Albans, a former state Child Protective Services employee, to four years home confinement on child porn charges. Anderson had pleaded guilty to four counts of having sexually explicit images of children on his computer. Prosecutors were seeking the maximum 8 years in prison for Anderson. Assistant Kanawha County prosecutor Erica Lord said Anderson admitted he was sexually aroused by the images, and he is a danger that needs to be locked up. Ronnie Sheets, Anderson's lawyer, pointed out that Anderson did not have a criminal record and he was abused as a child. Sheets also said Anderson dealt mostly with adults while working with CPS and had not held a position where he had regular contact with children for eight years.
Poca Man Charged With Child Porn
{Winfield, West Virginia}...The trial of 45 year old William Burt Shingleton, a Poca man charged with 20 counts of possessing child pornography, began Monday in Putnam County Circuit Court. Police seized a computer belonging to Shingleton in April 2010. The FBI forensic analysis lab issued a report on August 10, 2011, saying the search found numerous pictures of naked juveniles in provocative poses. Shingleton was indicted in March on 20 counts of possessing material visually portraying a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Shingleton could face up to 40 years in prison if he is found guilty.
Elkins Jury Considering Case Against Former Soldier
{Elkins, West Virginia}...A federal jury in Elkins is considering whether former Army Sgt. 1st Class Richard Allen Evick, 41, of Parsons, and his alleged associate, Crystal Yvette Martin, 48, of Pontiac, Michigan, are guilty of what federal prosecutors describe as a bribery and money-laundering scheme. The trial started June 18th in U.S. District Court in Elkins. Federal prosecutors allege Evick received more than $170,000 in bribes from two firms that had contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense in Kuwait. Martin is accused of laundering the bribe money and arranging transfers to the United States. Martin is a former Army master sergeant who operated a concession to sell clothing at American military bases in Kuwait. The indictment also alleges Evick and former majors James Momon and Christopher Murray improperly disclosed contracting information to two firms that were seeking contracts from the U.S. military. The case went to the jury on June 22nd.
Man Allegedly Reports False Claim
{London, West Virginia}...Kanawha County Sheriff's Deputies responded with medical personnel from the Kanawha County Emergency Ambulance Authority to a home in London just before 1:30 A.M. Monday morning after receiving a call from a man who said he'd overdosed on Oxycontin and was having chest pains. When EMS and deputies arrived, the caller denied having overdosed or having chest pains. Instead, he told deputies he just wanted to go to C.A.R.E.S. to eat and sleep. He also gave a false name of Bobo to authorities. Police arrested 53 year old Darrell Brown and charged him with reporting a false emergency, obstructing an officer and public intoxication.
Sunday, June 24, 2012
7-Eleven Robbed
Fatal Motorcycle Accident
{Barboursville, West Virginia}...Stephen Lee Erwin, 42, of Huntington, died after his motorcycle struck a vehicle on Route 60 and Alternate Route 10 in Barboursville just before 11:30 P.M. Friday. Erwin was the owner of S&S Cycles and Speedshop and All American Industrial Supply, both located in Barboursville.
National Group Opposes 'Stand Your Ground' Law
{Charleston, West Virginia}...The right to protect one's home with reasonable, sometimes deadly, force has been a common law since before West Virginia became a state. When legislators made that right an official law in 2008, they expanded it to permit justifiable force away from home and to protect gun owners against civil liability. Similar codes passed by at least 26 states since 2005 have become known as "stand your ground" laws. Members of the Second Chance Campaign, a national organization opposed to the laws, recently sent state legislators a letter wanting West Virginia, along with other states, to repeal the law, saying it creates racial bias and difficulties in prosecution. Christopher Brown, campaign spokesman, says the law escalates everyday conflicts into deadly confrontations and makes it difficult to prosecute when someone makes a self-defense claim. State Senate President Jeff Kessler, a Marshall County Democrat who was chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee when the law was passed, says the existing law is appropriate, and there is no plan to change or repeal it.
Miss West Virginia Pageant Set
{Morgantown, West Virginia}...Twenty-four women from across the state are preparing for the annual Miss West Virginia Pageant. Preliminary competitions begin Tuesday night at the Morgantown Event Center and run though Thursday night. The final rounds of competition and the crowning of a winner will be Friday night. The winner will work full time promoting her platform, making appearances and serving as a good will ambassador for the Children's Miracle Network. She'll also represent the state at the Miss America Pageant.
Council Discusses Bayer CropScience Explosion
{Institute, West Virginia}...The National Research Council met with residents in Institute Saturday to discuss its report following the 2008 explosion at the Bayer CropScience chemical plant in Institute that killed two workers. Bayer stopped making the chemical there in January 2011 because of corporate restructuring. In May, the National Academy of Sciences released its findings about the use and storage of Methyl Isocyanate at Bayer CropScience. Elsa Reichmanis, chair of the committee, said their study showed that Bayer did perform process safety assessments, but Bayer and the legacy companies did not perform systematic and complete inherently safer process assessments on the processes for manufacturing MIC or the carbamate pesticides at the Institute site. Local residents said they appreciated the work that went in to the report, but, believe their real concerns were not addressed. The National Academy of Sciences will send its report to the Chemical Safety Board for further review.
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Stabbing In Huntington
Beckley Correctional Center Inmate Escapes
{Beckley, West Virginia}...The West Virginia Division of Corrections says Beckley Correctional Center inmate 43 year old James Douglas Hall, who also goes by Skib and Skippy, never returned to the center Friday. Troopers say Hall was on a work detail at Heaven Landscaping when he stole a work truck and took off. Hall was serving time for eight counts of breaking and entering in Kanawha County and one count of daytime burglary in Calhoun County. Hall, who is 5’9”, weighing 155 lbs, has several tattoos, including one that says “mom” on his left hand, a barbwire wrap with a moon and clouds on his upper-left arm and a heart with a ribbon through it on his right arm. If you think you know where Hall is, call the Charleston Work Release Center at (304) 558-2763.
Plane Crash Kills Pilot
Former St. Albans Doctor Pleads Guilty
{Charleston, West Virginia}...Former St. Albans doctor William J. Casto pleaded guilty Friday before U.S. District Judge Thomas E. Johnston to federal conspiracy charges. Casto admitted that, from January 2006 through December 2009, he wrote prescriptions for 7,020 Hydrocodone pills and 3,810 Xanax pills. Prosecutors say Casto wrote many of the prescriptions to a person identified as "S.S." Casto said he had a sexual relationship with S.S. and doled out prescriptions for other people at that person's request, even though they were not his patients. Casto faces up to four years in prison and a $250,000 fine when sentenced in September.
Man Charged With Violating Probation
{Charleston, West Virginia}...Justin Hamrick, a Sissonville man who has been charged with first degree sexual assault after admitting to molesting a nine year old girl, was in court Friday for allegedly violating his probation. Prosecutors say he failed his drug tests, and they asked the judge for a larger bond to be set. Bond has now been set at $10,000 full surety. Hamrick's trial for the sexual assault has been scheduled for September.
PSC Considering Mountaineer Gas Increase
{Charleston, West Virginia}...The West Virginia Public Service Commission is considering a request for an annual increase from Mountaineer Gas that would have customers paying an additional $3.40 a month. The increase, if approved, would result in nearly $13 million dollars in additional revenue every year for the utility. A series of public hearings will be held starting this next week. The first will be held in Charleston on Monday, June 25th at 6:30 P.M. at the West Viriginia Public Service Commission office. There will also be one on July 5th in Huntington at the Pullman Plaza Hotel.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Upper Big Branch Mine Permanently Sealed
{Montcoal, West Virginia}...The Upper Big Branch Mine hasn't operated since the April 2010 explosion that killed 29 workers. Wednesday, Alpha Natural Resources put a final concrete seal in place at the mine, closing the mine for good. It sealed the mine's portals, which are large tunnels used by miners to get underground. Alpha will complete all activities at the mine within the next few weeks.
Crash Kills Beckley Man
{Pax, West Virginia}...Troopers were dispatched Wednesday evening to the Pax toll plaza on the W.Va. Turnpike after a three-vehicle crash involving two tractor trailers. Police say Michael Reeves Daugherty, 46, of Kansas had been driving south on the Turnpike when he failed to stop his tractor-trailer at the toll plaza and struck the back of a vehicle driven by Jeremy Dickens, 34, of Beckley. The crash caused Dickens' vehicle to strike the rear of another tractor-trailer stopped at one of the tollbooths. Dickens died as a result of his injuries.
Bank Robbery Sent To Grand Jury
{Kanawha City, West Virginia}...Thirty-one year old Joseph Pike Dempsey was in court Thursday for a preliminary hearing after being charged with robbing the Fifth Third Bank on MacCorkle Avenue in Kanawha City. Police say Dempsey walked into the Fifth Third Bank, ordered the tellers to the floor, grabbed a handful of money and took off. The case has been forwarded to the grand jury.
Homeless Men Charged With Bank Robbery
{Charleston, West Virginia}...Billy Gene Reed, 40, of West Virginia and Anthony Williams, 20, of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida were arrested shortly after the 8:30 A.M. Thursday on felony bank robbery charges. Police say they robbed the United Bank inside the Charleston Town Center mall. Most of the money dropped as the suspects fled the scene was picked up and turned over to police. Reed and Williams were arraigned by Magistrate Joe Shelton who set their bonds at at $50,000 each. Reed and Williams will appear in court for their preliminary hearings on June 28th. Both men have been staying at the men's shelter in Charleston.
Kanawha County Man Fatally Struck By Semi
{Institute, West Virginia}...Kanawha County Sheriff's Deputies say Charles White, Jr., 58, of Institute, was walking in front of the Go-Mart along Route 25 in Institute at 7:45 A.M. Thursday morning when he suddenly walked into the path of an oncoming semi tractor. White was pronounced dead at Thomas Memorial Hospital. Deputies say the driver of the semi had no time to stop before stricking White.
Beckley Men Arrested
{Beckley, West Virginia}...Two Beckley men were arrested Thursday morning and charged with breaking into the Huntington Museum of Art on April 4th. Remington Wright, 23, and Deon Staunton, 24, were arrested in Beckley after city police from Beckley and Huntington executed search warrants for Wright’s residence and DNA samples from both suspects. Wright also was being held on a felony probation violation from Raleigh County. He will be transported to Cabell County at a later date.
Meth Bust In Lincoln County
{Alum Creek, West Virginia}...Two men and one woman have been arrested after Police found a meth lab at a home along Terrace Lane near Alum Creek in Lincoln County, about a half mile from Midway Elementary School. James Hughes, his wife Davena, and Larry Miller are all charged with operating a clandestine lab, conspiracy and possession of meth. State Police say they found a small amount of meth and meth making materials at the residence after receiving a tip from Child Protective Services, who was checking on a child.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Rockefeller Not Giving Up On Clean Coal
U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller delivered a major policy speech on the floor of the U.S. Senate Wednesday criticizing what he called the lack of leadership in the coal industry and the industry's use of scare tactics instead of looking for solutions to coal's problems. Rockefeller then voted against a Senate resolution that would disapprove the EPA's mercury rule on coal-fired power plants. The new EPA rule is targeted at reducing emissions, particularly mercury, from coal-fired power plants nationwide. The resolution was defeated 46-53. Rockefeller voted against it and U.S. Senator Joe Manchin voted for it. Senator Rockefeller said West Virginians and West Virginia coal miners care about their own health and the health of their families, and EPA has backed up its rules on power plants emissions with numerous studies. Rockefeller called on the coal industry to begin showing some leadership and look toward the future as the natural gas industry has done. Rockefeller says he's not giving up on the future of clean coal.
Mercer County Woman Charged In Cold Case Murder
{Bluewell, West Virginia}...This week, investigators with the Moore County, North Carolina Sheriff's Department charged Melissa Rovnak, of Bluewell, in Mercer County, with first degree murder in the 2002 death of her husband, Scott Rovnak. Investigators say Melissa and her children went back to West Virginia to visit her family and returned three days later to find Scott fatally shot and slumped over his computer. Melissa insisted it happened while she was in West Virginia, but police say evidence at the scene shows it happened just prior to or at the time they left the residence going to West Virginia. Investigators traveled to West Virginia earlier this week, searched Melissa Rovnak''s home, found evidence in the case and arrested her. Extradition proceedings to take her back to North Carolina are underway.
Trial For Former Randolph County Teacher Delayed
{Elkins, West Virginia}...The trial of Autumn Faulkner, a former Randolph County teacher accused of having sex with a student, has been delayed. Faulkner, 29, of Beverly, who used to teach at Elkins Middle School, was expected to go before a jury starting Thursday, but there weren't enough qualified jurors to complete the panel. Faulkner is facing three counts each of sexual abuse by a custodian and third-degree sexual assault. She'll now go to trial in either August or September.
Logan County Woman Pleads Guilty To Arson
Kimberly Dawn Kinder, 46, of Chapmanville, in Logan County, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit arson, admitting that, around September 2009, she conspired with a "known individual" to burn the Van Duplex, a residential rental unit in Van, in Boone County, in exchange for a portion of the insurance money received. Kinder admitted that she went to the Van Duplex late on October 14, 2009, entered one of the rental units poured gasoline on a pile of clothes, set them on fire and left. The Van Volunteer Fire Department extinguished the fire, but the property sustained extensive damage. Later, Kinder's co-conspirator filed an insurance claim with Nationwide Insurance Company and received over $80,000. Kinder faces up to 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine when sentenced September 26th.
Woman Indicted On Interstate Sex Charge
{Clarksburg, West Virginia}...U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld said Wednesday that 25 year old Carissa Hads of Quincy, Massachusetts has been indicted after being charged with one count of traveling in interstate commerce to engage in illegal sexual conduct. Investigators say, in 2010, Hads pretended to be a 17 year old boy and began an online relationship with a West Virginia girl. The indictment says Hads visited the teen at least three times and had a sexual encounter with her in Lewis County in February. Investigators say her disguise included a back brace to cover her chest. Hads was arrested May 25th at the Pittsburgh International Airport. If convicted, she faces up to 30 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
St. Albans Man Arrested
{St. Albans, West Virginia}...Michael Kenney, 41, of St. Albans, was arrested Tuesday night and charged with two felony counts of possession of drugs with the intent to distribute, being a felon in possession of a firearm and driving on a revoked license. St. Albans Police Officer P.A. Bass spotted Kenney driving just before 9:00 P.M. near Claremont Avenue and Spruce Street and initiated a traffic stop because he knew Kenney did not have a valid license. Sgt. M.A. Gilbert found drugs in the car, along with a .380 caliber Hi-Point pistol hidden in the dashboard.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Fatal Crash In Sissonville
{Sissonville, West Virginia}...Kanawha County Sheriff's Deputies say 27 year old Larry Wayne Conley of Sissonville was driving fast and on the wrong side of Derricks Creek Road at 8:30 P.M. Monday night when the mini-bike he was driving slammed head-on into a pick-up truck driven by Charles F. Summers Jr., 50, also of Sissonville. Conley was killed and a passenger, Brittany Rendone, 20, was thrown from the mini-bike and seriously injured. She was taken to Charleston Area Medical Center. Deputies say it doesn't appear the pick-up driver could have avoided the accident.
Huntington Beating Case Sent To Grand Jury
{Huntington, West Virginia}...Twenty-one year old Zachary Matasich, of Proctorville, Ohio, is accused of beating 47 year old Timothy Ferguson at Ferguson’s apartment in the Prichard Building in Huntington in late May. Ferguson was found on the floor of his apartment on June 1st suffering from blunt force trauma wounds to the head. He is still in the hospital. Matasich was arrested in Knoxville several days later and returned to Huntington last week. He is charged with robbery and assault. Tuesday morning, Matasich waived his preliminary hearing in Cabell County Magistrate Court and sent the case directly to the grand jury.
Clay County Case Goes To Grand Jury
{Clay, West Virginia}...During a preliminary hearing Tuesday, Clay County Magistrate Jeff Boggs found probable cause to send the case against former West Virginia Attorney General and U.S. Senate candidate Hiram Lewis to the grand jury. Lewis, a West Virginia lawyer, has been charged with malicious wounding and wanton endangerment after he allegedly shot Stephen Bogart in the leg last week at his home on Elk River Road near Procious. Lewis maintains the shooting was in self-defense. Boggs reduced Lewis' bail to $70,000. The grand jury is expected to meet in Clay County in July. The state Supreme Court on Tuesday announced an August 7th hearing for Lewis in a case brought by the Office of Disciplinary Counsel.
Nitro Couple Pleads Guilty To AEP Scam
{Charleston, West Virginia}...Forty-two year-old Mark Ingram and 32 year old Crystal Ingram of Nitro pleaded guilty Monday to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. Prosecutors say they participated in a scheme with former AEP property damage claims adjuster Deborah Farmer to defraud American Electric Power out of nearly $600,000 by submitting false power surge damage claims. The Ingrams admitted they were paid four checks for a total of $53,000. Farmer pleaded guilty in April, admitting she arranged for the Ingrams and others to submit the claims, ranging from $4,000 to $19,000. The Ingrams each face 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine when sentenced September 18th.
Man Allegedly Ran Funeral Home Without License
{Elkview, West Virginia}...Rick Myers, 58, of Elkview, appeared before a Kanawha County magistrate Tuesday after being accused of operating his funeral home, Myers and Son, in Elkview without a license on three occasions in 2010. Delays in the handling of a Kanawha County woman's funeral landed Myers in hot water with the state Board of Funeral Service Examiners. The woman died over the Thanksgiving 2010 holiday, but her body was not picked up from the morgue at Charleston Area Medical Center Hospital until after her family held her memorial service. Her body was not cremated until about a week after the service. Myers says it was difficult to find a doctor to sign the woman's death certificate because of the holiday. If convicted of the misdemeanor offense, Myers faces a maximum fine of $10,000.
Lincoln County Woman Indicted
Monday, June 18, 2012
Attempted Bank Robbery In Lincoln County
{Harts, West Virginia}...Police have arrested 45 year old Keith Clark and charged him with attempted armed robbery and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Police say Clark tried to rob the Logan Bank and Trust in Harts, in Lincoln County, right before it opened Monday morning. Troopers say they found a duffel bag that Clark had thrown over a bridge with a mask, gun, and camouflage jacket inside.
Drive-By Shooting
{Charleston, West Virginia}...Police responded to the intersection of Grant and Vine Streets on Charleston's West Side around 2:40 P.M. Monday to investigate a drive-by shooting after gunfire hit a home on Vine Street. Police arrived at the scene and found at least seven shell casings in the street.
Alpha Making Safety Changes
U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin, the U.S. Attorney for West Virginia's Southern District says, based on what he has seen, officials with Alpha Natural Resources are making safety changes for the better at former Massey Energy coal mines. As part of an agreement reached with the U.S. Attorney's Office in December 2011, Alpha is required to make and report safety changes at the sites the company bought from Massey. Six months later, Alpha officials report accidents are down by almost a third, and injuries have dropped 25 percent. Goodwin says Alpha has done remedial safety maintenance at all of its former Massey mines and has added maintenance and safety personnel at former Massey operations as well. The company has also bought meters to monitor dangerous conditions at all of its mines and has established a mine safety and health research foundation.
Dunbar Man Sentenced
{Charleston, West Virginia}...Arron Dewayne Walker, 28, of Dunbar, was arrested last October for robbing 76 year old James Walker of South Charleston. Monday, Arron Walker was sentenced. Arron was convicted of first-degree robbery, which carries a mandatory one to 15 year indeterminate sentence. Arron has spent 242 days in jail, which will be counted as part of his total time served. A parole board will determine how much time Arron continues to serve after he has served a year. Police say he tied James Walker to a chair and robbed him at knifepoint, taking several items, including a wallet containing credit cards and $300 cash, about $5,000 worth of jewelry and prescription Valium pills. Arron and James are not biologically related, but they do know one another.
Monsanto Class-Action Lawsuit
{Winfield, West Virginia}...Monday morning, a fairness hearing began at the Putnam County Circuit Court in the huge class-action Monsanto dioxin lawsuit first filed in 2004, alleging the company unsafely burned dioxin wastes at its Nitro plant. A settlement came on the verge of an expected six month trial in which Nitro residents sought medical monitoring for dioxin related illnesses and a cleanup of what they argue is a contaminated community. In a tentative settlement, Monsanto agreed on February 24th to pay up to $93 million to class-members in the lawsuit. The company agreed to a 30 year medical monitoring program with a primary fund of $21 million for testing, and up to $63 million in additional funding, if necessary. It also agreed to spend $9 million cleaning 4,500 homes. Residents can file individual lawsuits against the company if medical testing shows they developed medical illnesses as a result of the dioxin exposure. The Monsanto plant has been operating in Nitro for over 50 years. The plant's production of the defoliant Agent Orange resulted in the creation of dioxin as a toxic chemical byproduct. Some came forward asking Putnam County Circuit Judge Derek Swope to turn down the deal.
Tomblin, Manchin and Rahall Won't Attend National Convention
{Charleston, West Virginia}...West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin says he won't attend the Democratic National Convention. Under party rules, Tomblin is an automatic super-delegate, but spokesman Chris Stadelman said Monday Governor Tomblin has serious problems with President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney. Senator Joe Manchin and Representative Nick Rahall also plan to skip the Convention set for September 3-6 in Charlotte, North Carolina. In recent weeks, the West Virginia Republican Party has blasted Manchin and Tomblin, who have refused to say whether they would vote for Obama. Rahall has said he would support Obama's reelection.
Sunday, June 17, 2012
PSC Sets Hearings For Appalachian Power
{Charleston, West Virginia}...The West Virginia Public Service Commission has set hearings for Monday and Tuesday at 9:30 A.M. at the PSC offices in Charleston to hear from Appalachian Power Company officials as to what the utility is paying for coal to produce electricity. Each year, the company can ask to be reimbursed for the cost of purchasing coal, but Appalachian Power did not seek an increase in rates when it made this year's fuel case filing in March. That's because the company is preparing another case where it will ask the PSC to allow it to sell bonds to help it pay off an estimated $300 million coal cost debt that's been building for the past few years. The state legislature passed a bill in March to give the utility the option. Appalachian Power said at the time that, without a way to spread the debt costs out over several years, rates would have increased by as much 40 percent, possibly more. To pay back the bonds, the company plans to use money from regular rates.
Man Leads Kenova Police On Chase
Tanker Truck Flips...Spills Diesel Fuel
A tanker truck flipped about 10:15 P.M. Friday night on U.S. 119 in Boone County, spilling nearly one thousand gallons of off road diesel fuel near the Coal River along Route 119 just a couple miles from the Kanawha County line. EPA officials have taken samples and say the fuel was contained to the river bank. The truck was coming from Belle, West Virginia and headed to a mine in Logan County. Crews spent most of the day Saturday cleaning up the spill.
Mildred Mitchell-Bateman Male Patient Dies
{Huntington, West Virginia}...The Department of Health and Human Resources says a 24 year old male patient died after being found unresponsive in his room at Mildred Mitchell-Bateman Hospital in Huntington early Saturday morning. Efforts to resuscitate him failed. DHHR spokesman John Law says the man had been a patient at the hospital for at least three years. The man's body has been sent to the state medical examiner's office. Law says there are no indications of suicide or foul play in connection with the patient's death.
Bluefield State College's Provost Denies Allegations
{Bluefield, West Virginia}...Bluefield State College's Provost Lewis Jones says a no-confidence vote by faculty is based on false claims. The Faculty Senate voted 32-18 on April 16th on the no-confidence measure. A letter accompanying the vote said Jones threatened to fire faculty without cause, promoted academic policies that directly flouted rules by interim president Tom Blevins and unlawfully upended the school's core academic structure. Provost Jones says the allegations aren't true and he's challenged faculty members to specify instances of coercion. Jones says he doesn't apologize for upholding high standards, and he won't compromise academic integrity and effective teaching for political expediency or personal popularity. Interim college president Tom Blevins has the power to act on the vote, including reprimanding or firing Jones, but he has not commented on the vote. Faculty members say Blevins was politically handcuffed from acting on the vote because both he and Jones were vying for the permanent university president spot, and any action could be perceived as politically motivated.
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Cincinnati Bengals Player Ordered To Pay Millions
Former West Virginia University football player Adam "Pacman" Jones has been ordered to pay $11 million in damages after two people were injured in a shooting outside a Las Vegas strip club in 2007. The club manager Tommy Urbanski and a former bouncer Aaron Cudworth were both injured. Urbanski is paralyzed from the waist down. A Nevada civil jury has found Jones responsible for the shooting although he did not fire the trigger. It's believed Jones ordered the shootings. Jones has played five years in the NFL and earlier this year signed another one-year contract with the Cincinnati Bengals for $950,000.
Police Investigating Charleston Shooting
{Charleston, West Virginia}...Police say 41 year old Joyce Good of South Charleston was shot in the arm in the parking lot of the 7-Eleven on Bigley Avenue around 4:00 A.M. Saturday morning. Forty-five year old Larry Boner of St. Albans, the alleged shooter, was found dead in an alley behind the 7-Eleven from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Charleston police say Good had filed a domestic violence petition against Boner on June 8th, but it had not yet been served because he had been admitted to Mildred Mitchell-Bateman Hospital. Criminal Investigation Division Sgt. Bobby Eggleton says Boner was told to stay away from Good when he was released from Bateman. According to Good, Boner showed up at her house sometime during the evening and forced her to take a ride with him, and they were going to Elkview when she convinced Boner to stop the car at the West Side 7-Eleven, where she went inside and told the clerk to call 911. When Good exited the store, Boner fired three shots at her, hitting her once in the arm. Good is in good condition at CAMC General.
Body Found In Boone County
{Ramage, West Virginia}...Boone County Deputies are investigating after the body of 39 year old Randy Lee Boyd Jr. was found in a creek near Six Mile Road near Ramage Friday evening. Boyd was last seen alive on Six Mile Road on June 13th, riding an ATV. The vehicle was found in the water with him.
Missing Putnam County Man Found
{Hurricane, West Virginia}...Putnam County Sheriff's Deputies say 21 year old Jason Rice returned to his home early Saturday afternoon after being missing for a week. Deputies say Rice had last been seen about 10:30 P.M. on Saturday, June 9th, walking along Trace Creek Road near Hurricane.
Beckley Man Sentenced
{Beckley, West Virginia}...Forty-six year old John R. Garris of Beckley has been sentenced to one year and three months in federal prison for fraudulently obtaining more than $90,000 from First Citizens Bank. Garris pleaded guilty in February to bank fraud. U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin says Garris took the money through a loan scheme between January 2007 and February 2011, while he worked as a financial services manager at the bank's branch in Lewisburg, and Garris used the names of bank customers to create fictitious loans. He also used customers' existing loans to obtain advances.
Legal Aid Secures Funding
{Logan, West Virginia}...Legal Aid of West Virginia's Logan and Mingo County offices will stay open for at least the next three years. Attorney General Darrell McGraw announced this week that his office has secured $1 million in funding for the program. The officer recently suffered several layoffs because of budget cuts. The Logan-based Legal Aid office has been helping low-income West Virginias find legal help for 30 years.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Shooting In Clay County
World Elder Abuse Day
{Charleston, West Virginia}...Friday is World Elder Abuse Day, and an elder abuse awareness event will be held at the state Capitol in Charleston. Deb Weinstein, the Director of the Charleston YWCA, says it's a silent crime, and last year the Adult Protective Services in Kanawha County alone received 1,800 calls about abuse and exploitation of seniors. Weinstein says senior citizens can find themselves being physically, emotionally and financially abused with no where to turn. The goal of World Elder Abuse Day is to bring the crime to light and put a stop to the perpetrators. Weinstein says there are 8 townhouses on the East End where women who have suffered elder abuse can live out their lives in safety.
Murder-For-Hire Case Sent To Grand Jury
{Winfield, West Virginia}...Gigi Lynn Hinchcliffe, 43, of Culloden, appeared for a preliminary hearing Thursday in Winfield after being charged with attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder in a murder-for-hire scheme to kill her former boss. Investigators say Hinchcliffe was upset with Stephen Bias who allegedly owed her $700. They say Hinchcliffe asked a man to kill Bias or give her a name of someone who would. Hinchcliffe allegedly provided maps and photographs of the place in Teays Valley where Bias worked. Putnam County sheriff's deputies say the man told them about the plan, and investigators began to monitor the situation before arresting Hinchcliffe. A Putnam County magistrate has forwarded the charges to a grand jury for consideration.
Man Sentenced For Interstate Arson
Men Found In Stolen Mortuary Van
{St. Albans, West Virginia}...Michael Parsons, 22, of Cross Lanes, and John Shaver, 27, of Nitro, are facing charges after deputies say they were found passed out in a stolen van at the 7-Eleven on West Main Street in St. Albans about 2:00 A.M. Thursday morning. The van was registered to Tri-State Mortuary of Poca. Neither man had been authorized to operate or be in possession of the van. Both men were charged with joyriding. Parsons was additionally charged with operating a vehicle while revoked for DUI. Shaver was charged with obstructing an officer.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Oak Hill Police Officer Shot
{Oak Hill, West Virginia}...An Oak Hill police officer in Fayette County was shot early Wednesday morning. Thirty-two year old Sergeant J.L. Kirk had responded to a report of an alarm sounding at the Maple Court Apartments near the top of Whipple Hill around 1:00 A.M. when he noticed a man walking down the road toward Whipple. Kirk drove his marked police cruiser toward the man. He got out of his cruiser, and the man turned around and shot Kirk in the lower abdomen, the bullet being stopped by Kirk's bullet proof vest. The man fled when Sergeant Kirk returned fire. Kirk, a 12-year veteran of the Oak Hill Police Department, was taken to Plateau Medical Center in Oak Hill. He was examined and released, and joined other officers in trying to find the shooter.
Elderly Man Fatally Struck By Vehicle
{Poca, West Virginia}...Putnam County Deputies say 80 year old Gordon Worth was hit and killed by a car on Heizer Creek Road near Poca as he stood in the road talking to the driver of a car just before 10:00 P.M. Tuesday night. A car coming in the opposite direction hit Worth. No charges are expected to be filed.
Man Enters Kennedy Plea
{Huntington, West Virginia}...Kawan Taylor entered a Kennedy plea to first-degree robbery in Cabell County Court Wednesday morning and was sentenced to 15 years in prison, making him eligible for parole after five years. A murder charge was dropped after prosecutors say Daryl Grandberry was killed in March 2010 when he fell from a rooftop in Huntington while trying to get away from Taylor. Taylor agreed to enter a Kennedy plea, which means he admits there is enough evidence to lead to a conviction, but he still asserts his innocence.
Man Indicted For Producing Child Pornography
{Charleston, West Virginia}...A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging 79 year old Jack E. Gravenmier of Charleston with two counts of producing home videos of sexually explicit conduct involving three minors. Gravenmier is also being charged for having hundreds of images and videos of child pornography on his personal computer. If found guilty, he faces up to seventy years in prison, a $750,000 fine and lifetime supervised release.
DHHR Investigation Underway
{Huntington, West Virginia}...The Department of Health and Human Resources is investigating to figure out who is at fault after officials at the Mildred Mitchell-Bateman Hospital discovered some patients had been discharged to Pathway, a facility in Hamilin that was not licensed. The facility is actually a boarding house that transitions alcoholics and drug addicts back into society. Hospital workers came to pick up the patients Monday, but they weren't there. Pathway's operator Rick Clay, said they took off several hours before. All were located and returned to Mildred Mitchell-Bateman. Hospital admissions director Melinda Smith says another department in the hospital had formed a partnership with Pathway recently and believed it was licensed by the state.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Lester Sentencing Delayed
{Charleston, West Virginia}...A sentencing hearing for Shawn Lester, the accused Kanawha Valley sniper, was delayed Tuesday after he pleaded guilty to federal gun charges. The judge was concerned that additional evidence prosecutors would present in the federal case would taint the jury pool for the sniper trial set for July 30th. Lester is charged in connection with the 2003 murders of Gary Carrier, Jr. Jeanie Patton and Okey Meadows Jr. He will be sentenced on the federal gun charges on September 13th.
Sentencing Delayed For Former UBB Superintendent
{Beckley, West Virginia}...U.S. District Judge Irene Berger has granted a request by the prosecution to delay the sentencing of former Upper Big Branch Mine superintendent Gary May. Judge Irene Berger had scheduled May's sentencing for August in Beckley, but U.S. Attorney Steven Ruby asked for a delay because May is cooperating with an ongoing investigation, and investigators need more time to develop that cooperation. May will be sentenced October 4th.
Boone County Residents Reach Tentative Deal
{Madison, West Virginia}...More than 350 Boone County residents have reached a tentative deal with Alpha Natural Resources to resolve their lawsuit alleging coal-slurry pollution contaminated their drinking water in the Prenter and Seth areas. Lawyers for Alpha and the residents reached the settlement just an hour before jury selection was to begin Tuesday morning in Madison. Opening arguments were scheduled to start next week, and Boone Circuit Judge William Thompson had ordered the lawyers to conduct another mediation session over the weekend.
Charleston Man Arraigned
{Charleston, West Virginia}...Joseph Pike Dempsey, 31, of Charleston, was arraigned Tuesday morning after being arrested Tuesday on one count of first degree robbery in connection to the June 7th armed robbery of the Fifth Third Bank in Kanawha City. Dempsey appeared before Kanawha County Magistrate Julie Yeager who set his bond at $150,000 cash. Dempsey was already in the South Central Regional Jail for multiple unrelated charges stemming from an altercation in South Charleston Friday night, the day after the bank robbery.
Shell Casings To Be Used In Murder Case
{Charleston, West Virginia}...The State Supreme Court ruled Tuesday afternoon that prosecutors can use shell casings in the murder case against David Kinney. Kinney is accused of fatally shooting Jeremy Parsons on July 4, 2010. Police say Parsons was driving down Virginia Street when Kinney shot into his car.The casings had been thrown out as evidence by Kanawha County Circuit Judge Carrie Webster. Prosecutors originally thought the shell casings collected at the scene were lost during testing, but they were later found at the State Police Crime Lab labeled under the victim's name rather than Kinney's.
Former Trade Association Executive Sentenced
{Charleston, West Virginia}...Jonathan S. Deutsch, 58, of Charleston, has been sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty in May to making a false statement to a financial institution. Deutsch worked as the executive secretary for the Constructors' Labor Council of West Virginia and the administrator of its related trust fund, the West Virginia Heavy and Highway Construction Industry Fund, from 1995 through 2007. In September 2004, Deutsch obtained a $120,000 line of credit from SunTrust Bank, secured by the highway construction industry fund assets. He admitted he did not receive board member approval and failed to disclose to the bank that he lacked proper authority. Beginning in mid-2007, Deutsch created a series of backdated false meeting minutes and presented them to board members to sign in an effort to conceal the line of credit. SunTrust was forced to write off the loan as a loss because of the false statement.
Monday, June 11, 2012
Kanawha County Man Gets Life In Prison
{Charleston, West Virginia}...Fifty-one year old Kenneth Carter was sentenced Monday to life in prison after being convicted of fatally beating his roommate Ron Forton and hurting Bradley Dunlap, who were beaten with a baseball bat last July in an apartment on Beuhring Avenue in Charleston because he believed one of the victims was fooling around with his wife. Before Kanawha County Circuit Judge Jim Stucky handed down his sentence, Carter and his attorney attempted to have his May conviction overturned, claiming Carter didn't get a fair trial. One reason was because not all the DNA swabs taken from the murder weapon, which had Carter's DNA on it, were tested by police. Carter told Judge Stucky, if the handle had someone else's DNA on it, that would prove he didn't commit the crime. Carter's attorney also argued the prosecution relied too heavily on a jailhouse snitch and that several of the jurors had served together on a previous trial involving another man who was sentenced to life in prison. Judge Stucky quickly dismissed the motions, saying the court is going to deny the motion for a new trial and also deny the motion for a judgment of acquittal, and Kenneth Eugene Clark will be committed to the custody of the West Virginia Department of Corrections for the rest of his natural life. Stucky also sentenced Carter to a term of 2 to10 years for malicious wounding. That will be served concurrently.
Delay Sought For Former UBB Superintendent
{Beckley,West Virginia}...Federal prosecutors want a 60 day delay in the sentencing of Gary May, the former superintendent of the Upper Big Branch Mine. U.S. District Judge Irene Berger had scheduled May's sentencing for August 9th in Beckley, but Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Ruby wants to postpone it, saying May is cooperating in an ongoing criminal investigation of the April 2010 explosion that killed 29 coal miners, and investigators need more time to fully develop that cooperation. Ruby says May doesn't object to the delay. May pleaded guilty earlier this year to conspiracy to defraud the federal government. Several investigations concluded workers routinely alerted miners underground when inspectors were onsite, allowing time to conceal hazards. During May's plea hearing, he suggested that Mine Safety and Health Administration inspectors participated in the mine's early warning system.
Appalachian Power Official Killed In Accident
Plea Deal In Huntington Murder Case
Convicted Man Seeks New Trial
{Charleston, West Virginia}...Garland Murray, 29, of St. Albans, who was convicted in May of killing Gregory Poole, 31, a North Charleston drug dealer, and trying to kidnap his wife, Ebony Poole, has asked for a new trial. Jurors recommended mercy for Murray, meaning he would be eligible for parole after 15 years. Murray did not testify at his trial but filed a last-minute alibi with the court stating he was in Jefferson strip clubs at the time of the crime. Murray believes errors committed during his trial resulted in an unfair trial. His attorneys, Tom Price and Tim Carrico, made the motion to Kanawha Circuit Judge Charles King, who says he will consider the request. If the request is denied, Assistant Prosecutor Rob Schulenberg says he will ask for an arraignment on a recidivist charge. The state can file those charges against criminals who commit repeated felonies and ask a judge to enhance the sentence.
Former Lincoln County Officials' Sentencing Rescheduled
{Charleston, West Virginia}...U.S. District Judge Thomas Johnson has rescheduled the sentencings of former Lincoln County Sheriff Jerry Bowman and former county clerk Donald Whitten for August 29th in Charleston. They originally were to be sentenced on Wednesday, but federal prosecutors want more time to fully develop the defendants' cooperation in a vote fraud investigation in the state's 2010 primary election. In March, Bowman pleaded guilty to conspiring to stuff the primary election ballot box while running for circuit clerk, and Whitten pleaded guilty to lying to an investigator for Secretary of State Natalie Tennant by telling them he had provided absentee ballots to Bowman. Lincoln County resident James Matheny has been convicted of threatening election fraud investigators.
Woman Remains Jailed After Posing As Boy
{Charleston, West Virginia}...A Massachusetts woman will remain jailed without bail on a federal charge alleging she posed as a 17 year old boy named Puryear Wilson during a relationship over the Internet with a 15 year old West Virginia girl. Friday's detention order from U.S. Magistrate Judge John Kaull says 24 year old Carissa Hads is considered a flight risk and a danger to the community. Prosecutors say Hads sexually abused the girl in December 2011 at a Pennsylvania motel and in February at the teen's Lewis County residence. State Police say Hads' disguise included a back brace to hide her chest.
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Hatfield And McCoy Annual Celebration
{Matewan, West Virginia}...An annual celebration took place this weekend in Mingo County as the Hatfield and McCoy families met for the thirteenth time in Matewan to challenge each other in good fun and celebrate their heritage. Mayor Sheila Kessler, a Hatfield descendant, said the History Channel's recent spotlight on the feud revived national attention and made this year special. Those with proven bloodlines fought in a tug-of-war match on the Tug River. The Hatfields competed on the West Virginia side of the water, and the McCoys stayed on the Kentucky side. The McCoys snagged a victory.
Jury Selection Set In Coal Slurry Lawsuit
{Madison, West Virginia}...Jury selection is scheduled to begin in Madison Tuesday after about 350 residents of Seth and Prenter, in Boone County, filed a lawsuit against Massey Energy and its subsidiary Rawl Sales & Processing Co., claiming mining activities, including the underground injection of coal slurry, are to blame for discolored, foul-smelling well water and health problems. Boone Circuit Judge William Thompson is presiding over the trial, which will focus on personal injury and property damage claims of 14 individuals whose cases are representative of the rest of the community. The trial will also decide if all residents who sued are entitled to future medical monitoring costs to ensure early detection of any diseases linked to drinking water contaminated by the mining operations.
Robbery At Logan Walmart
Boy Scouts Purchase Property In Fayette County
{Beckley, West Virginia}...Boy Scouts of America subsidiary Arrow West Virginia Inc. has purchase hundreds of acres of land in Fayette County, including the 259-acre Whittaker property, which was owned by the former wife of record Powerball winner Jack Whittaker and adjacent lots totaling 526 acres. The Boy Scouts says it intends to use the land for additional parking near The Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve, which will host the 2013 Boy Scout National Jamboree. The 10 day summer event is expected to draw some 50,000 scouts and another 200,000 tourists.
ABCA Focuses On Underage Drinking
{Charleston, West Virginia}...More than 40 Alcohol Beverage Control Administration officers from around the country were in Charleston Friday for the National Liquor Law Enforcement Academy. Gary Robinson, spokesman for the West Virginia ABCA, said law enforcement officers can monitor Facebook party invitations and watch YouTube videos of parties to spot offenders. In March, West Virginia University students were the subjects of a viral documentary during St. Patrick's Day celebrations. The video depicted students drinking heavily, setting fires and committing other illegal behavior. School officials, police and ABCA officers watched the video and issued citations to some of the students who drank underage. Robinson said ABCA officers were shown a similar video shot at an unnamed college before and after a football game, and you would have thought you were in a war zone, with cars being overturned and set on fire and students rioting. Robinson said about 1,700 college students die every year from misuse of alcohol, and there are about 70,000 sexual assaults in the country and an even higher number of unreported cases.
Judge Dismisses Parts Of Federal Lawsuit
{Charleston, West Virginia}...Late last week, U.S. District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin dismissed parts of a federal lawsuit filed by Patricia Harrison, the mother of Brian Good. In 2009, several officers followed Good in a chase that ended near Pinch, with several police cruisers hemming in Good's vehicle. As Good continued to try to drive away, three officers, including Charleston Police Officer Jerry Jones, fired their weapons, and Good and Jones were killed. The lawsuit alleged that the city's training practices and the officers' negligent actions caused Good's death. Harrison originally filed the lawsuit in Kanawha Circuit Court, where it was dismissed, but her lawyers sought to move the case to federal court on claims that Good's constitutional rights were violated. Judge Goodwin also found that the officers involved, including Officer Christopher Burford, who allegedly fired the shot that killed Jones, were not liable for constitutional violations and that they carried qualified immunity from those violations because they were acting under the law when Good and Jones were killed. In March, Goodwin dismissed a lawsuit against the city filed on behalf of Jones' widow, Samantha.
Saturday, June 9, 2012
MSHA Awards Mine Safety Grant
{Washington, D.C.}...Friday, the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration awarded the West Virginia Mine Safety Office a grant totaling more than a half million dollars to support health and safety training courses and programs designed to reduce mining accidents, injuries, and illnesses. The $563,256 grant was announced one day after U.S. Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin sat down with the families of the victims of the Upper Big Branch Mine disaster at the U.S. Capitol. Despite a Democratic-backed bill called the 2010 Robert Byrd Mine Safety Protection Act, House Republicans have so far refused to take up the legislation. Senator Joe Manchin says West Virginia has worked hard to make mine safety a priority. Some UBB family members say they understand it takes time to pass important legislation like the Byrd Mine Safety Protection Act, but it's dangerous to wait too long. West Virginia passed the 2006 MINER Act within a few days of the Sago and Aracoma disasters. Congress followed suit within the year, but the federal government has not been as responsive after the UBB explosion.
Accident Kills Marion County Delegate
{Saint Albans, West Virginia}...Marion County Democratic Party Delegate 64 year old Don "Butch" Furbee of Fairmont, was killed around 1:43 A.M. Saturday morning after his Honda Pilot left MacCorkle Avenue and hit the side of Faith Missionary Baptist Church just outside of Saint Albans. Kanawha County Sheriff Department Lt. B.C. Robbins says Furbee's car was heading westbound when it left the road and crossed both lanes of traffic before hitting the church. State Democratic Party Chair Larry Puccio says Furbee left a party reception at Mardi Gras Casino by bus shortly before midnight. He was dropped off at the Charleston Marriott. No one knows where he went from there or why he was in Saint Albans.
Charleston Murder Trial Set
{Charleston, West Virginia}...Thirty-six year old Donald Raines appeared in Judge Tod Kaufman's courtroom for a pre-trial motion hearing Friday after being accused of killing Jerry Baldwin. Charleston Police say Raines fatally shot Baldwin after an argument over a girlfriend last November. Raines claims the shooting was done in self-defense. A grand jury indicted Raines on a manslaughter charge in January. He was scheduled to go to trial this coming Wednesday, but his defense attorney made a number of motions the court believed couldn't be satisfied by then. His trial is scheduled for September 12th.
Fatal Accident In Putnam County
{Red House, West Virginia}...An accident in Putnam County around 3:00 A.M. Friday morning killed 28 year old Chad Herdman of Eleanor. Putnam County Deputies say Herdman was exceeding the speed limit when he lost control of his vehicle on Route 62 near Red House. The vehicle flipped over the guardrail and landed on the railroad tracks, while ejecting Herdman and throwing him more than 70 feet.
Huntington Man Stabbed
{Huntington, West Virginia}...Huntington Police arrested 48 year old Victoria Jones and charged her with malicious wounding after she allegedly stabbed her husband, 49 year old Lloyd Jones, in the lower torso during an argument around 3:00 A.M. Saturday morning. Lloyd Jones was rushed to St. Mary's Hospital where he underwent surgery.
Plane Makes Emergency Landing
{Charleston, West Virginia}...Officials at Yeager Airport in Charleston say, just before 12:30 P.M. Saturday, a pilot had to make an emergency landing. When the pilot realized his wheels would not drop, he radioed air traffic control and managed to land the small, twin-engine plane safely on its belly. Work crews had to close the runway for about an hour, delaying some flights, while they removed the plane.
Friday, June 8, 2012
UBB Families Push For Mine Safety Protection
{Washington,D.C.}...Relatives of three miners killed at Massey Energy's Upper Big Branch in April 2010 reminded lawmakers in Washington,D.C. Thursday that it's been more than two years and two months since 29 miners were killed in the explosion and that now is the time for action on the 2010 Robert Byrd Mine Safety Protection Act. They realize Congress is unlikely to approve the legislation this year. The National Mining Association opposes the legislation, and House Republicans have so far declined to take up similar legislation.
Reward Offered In Charleston Man's Death
{Charleston, West Virginia}...Prima Marketing, the parent company of 7-11 Stores in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Kentucky and Ohio, is offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the death of Charleston 7-11 District Manager Robert Snow. Snow was reported missing last month and his body was found in the Elk River three days later. Charleston Police have been working since then to determine what happened to him. The company will be posting information about the reward, which includes Snow's pictures, at its stores in the Charleston area and at other locations.
CAMC Nearing Goal For Cancer Center
{Charleston, West Virginia}...The Charleston Area Medical Center Foundation is getting close to reaching its goal for a new cancer center. A group called the "Power of Many" met around the center Wednesday morning to celebrate and plan for a final push for funds. Foundation officials say it's just $4 million short of its $15 million goal, and they hope to have the rest raised by this fall.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Capitol City Biker Bash
{Charleston, West Virginia}...The Capitol City Biker Bash began Thursday at Haddad Riverfront Park in Charleston and will run through Saturday. All kinds of motorcycles will be on hand for the city's first all-bike rally. Organizer Larry Hayes, a Yamaha owner, said he and his fiancee, Vicki Shafer, a Harley owner, have become motorcycle rally enthusiasts and have noted that many of them aren't limited to one brand. This weekend's rally will raise money for a local charity, the River City Therapeutic and Recreation Center, which assists disabled children and wounded soldiers. Hayes said planning for the rally began about eight months ago and he credited the Charleston Convention & Visitors Bureau for helping. Saturday morning, there will be a bike show from 10:00 A.M. to noon, followed by a series of "bike games," in which participants will demonstrate maneuverability skills. Friday, motorcycles will be displayed during Live on the Levee at Haddad Riverfront Park and again on Saturday until closing ceremonies at 6:00 P.M.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)