Former Hurley’s employee arrested for pharmacy theft

WILLIAMSON - The case of “disappearing and reappearing” narcotics at the Hurley Drug Store in downtown Williamson has been solved, according to West Virginia State Police (WVSP) Trooper 1^st Class (TFC) Kristy L. Adkins, who serves as a Bureau of Criminal Investigation Drug Diversion Investigator with the Dunbar Detachment of the WVSP.

Mamie “Irene” Sada, 46, of Duncan Fork, was arraigned Thursday morning in Mingo County Magistrate Court on felony charges of obtaining prescription drugs by fraud. The criminal complaint states that on February 7 of this year, Sada, who was employed as a pharmacy technician at Hurley Drug for approximately 8 months, removed a bottle of 2 mg (Xanax) which is a Schedule IV narcotic, from the pharmacy counter beside of a pill counting machine.

Sada allegedly turned herself in at the Williamson Detachment of the WVSP and was transported to magistrate court where she was arraigned. Sada was remanded to the custody of the Southwestern Regional Jail at Holden on a $50,000 full-cash bond.

Sada will be back in court for her preliminary hearing within 7-10 days is she is unable to post the full-cash bond, and within a 20 day period if she does make bond.

Crackdown on boating under the influence set for this weekend on W.Va. waters

A crackdown on boating under the influence is set for this weekend in West Virginia.

It's a nationally coordinated effort called "Operation Dry Water," and the Law Enforcement Section of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources is participating.

Friday through Sunday, officers will be out in force looking for boaters whose blood alcohol content exceeds the state limit of .08.

In 2012, the division's officers investigated 25 boating accidents that included five fatalities.

Flags displayed at half-staff in Kanawha in honor of firefighter who died in line of duty

West Virginia flags are being displayed at half-staff at all state-owned facilities in Kanawha County.

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin ordered the flags lowered from dawn until dusk Friday, the day of funeral services for Malden volunteer firefighter and department chaplain John Thomas Appleton Jr. Appleton collapsed while fighting a fire in Sissonville on Monday and later died.

The 62-year-old Appleton was pastor of Kanawha Salines Presbyterian Church in Malden. His funeral is set for noon at Riverside High School.

Victim’s Name Released in Logan County Crash

LOGAN COUNTY, W.Va. -- We now know the name of a man who was killed in a car crash in Logan County.

West Virginia State Police say two cars collided on Route 44 Wednesday morning.

John Ireland, 58, of Cabin Creek, died on the scene.

No one else was hurt.

West Virginia Senators help with passage of immigration reform bill

 WASHINGTON, D.C. — A historic piece of legislation was passed by the U.S. Senate Thursday meant to address immigration in the United States.

By a bipartisan vote of 68-32, Senators passed a comprehensive bipartisan immigration bill, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act.

Both West Virginia Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin did their part to move the piece of legislation on by approving the measure.

After successfully pushing for the Senates approval on an amendment to significantly strengthen border security, Senator Manchin called the legislation a step in the right direction.

“It is encouraging, and truly, a breath of fresh air that Congress approached immigration reform in a bipartisan manner led by Senators from border states that deal with this issue every day,” Manchin said in a new release. “After careful consideration, I believe that this legislation is a step forward to finally reforming our broken immigration system and effectively securing our borders.”

The measure secures the country’s borders, creates a thirteen year legalization process that is tough and fair, guarantees American workers are hired before immigrants, and establishes a legal process that is legitimate and sustainable.

In his own statement released after the vote, Senator Rockefeller stated he was happy to see the Senate come together and pass a bipartisan piece of legislation.

“This legislation is by no means perfect, but it goes a long way toward modernizing our broken immigration system and strikes a balance between tough but fair reforms,” said Rockefeller in the news release. “I’ve long maintained that we needed to find a better way to address the 11 million illegal immigrants currently living in the United States, and I’m confident in the approach this bill takes.”

This bill will require, among other things, 700 miles of fencing and an additional 20,000 border patrol agents along the Southern Border. The bill also requires all employers to use an employment verification system (or E-Verify) within 5 years to ensure undocumented workers are not hired.

On top of that, additional technology, including towers, ground sensors and drones, will be installed at the borders to ensure there is complete surveillance.

The bill next goes to the House, where its future is uncertain.

Rahall preaches patience with clean coal

WASHINGTON, D.C. – West Virginia Third District Congressman Nick Rahall says both time and money are needed to address ways to burn coal cleaner.

Rahall said what’s not needed is a plan by President Barack Obama that would “lock away the fuel that powers our nation.”

Rahall was responding to the President’s climate change speech from earlier this week that talked about bypassing Congress to reduce carbon emissions from coal-fired power plants. Obama did propose $8 billion in loans, some of which to be used, for the development of new fossil energy technologies.

Rahall said government funding and coal industry funding are needed to boost clean coal technology but it needs more time. He said right now is not the best time for the coal industry so private investments are down.

“We need to give the industry the time for new technologies to finance and to kick in that would reduce CO2 emission,” Rahall said.

The 18-term congressman also expressed concern of President Obama’s plan to further regulate without legislation from Congress.

“Legislation is the will of the American people working its will,” he said.

The President did mention the burning of natural gas in his speech. Rahall said that was good to hear but natural gas shouldn’t be placed ahead of coal.

“Yes, we need natural gas but we can’t pick one fuel over another in this scenario,” Rahall said. “We have to use all of them. We have natural gas in West Virginia so I’m not badmouthing natural gas in anyway, but we cannot choose one over the other

Guilty Plea in Charleston Bank Robbery

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A man from Kanawha County has pleaded guilty to robbing a Charleston bank.

Danny Summers, 40, of Dunbar, pleaded guilty to second-degree robbery during a hearing in Kanawha County Circuit Court on Wednesday afternoon.

Summers faces five to 18 years in prison when he is sentenced in August.

The robbery happened April 11 at Fifth Third Bank at 4515 MacCorkle Ave.

Just hours after the robbery, Charleston Police arrested Summers.

Investigators say he walked into the bank, showed his gun to the teller and demanded money. Summers allegedly then ran from the bank with the money.

Man Dies in Logan County Crash

LOGAN COUNTY, W.Va. -- A man is dead following a crash in Logan County.

West Virginia State Police say it happened about 8 a.m. Wednesday on Route 44.

Troopers say two vehicles were involved, but no other injuries were reported.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation.

Police are in the process of locating the man's family. His name will not be released until his family has been notified.

Capito doesn’t buy President’s climate change plan

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia 2nd District Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito said President Obama’s promise of $8 billion in loans to study fossil fuel development is just “a throw-in.”

Obama laid out his climate change policy in a major speech Tuesday. He talked about cutting carbon emissions from power plants and doing so through the federal EPA—not through Congress. He also promised loan money to study things like clean coal technology.

Capito said she’s not buying it.

“I don’t think any kind of so-called ‘investments’ will ever occur,” Capito said Wednesday. “I think this is more about answering his environmental lobbyists desire to move away from fossil fuel.”

Capito has called the president’s plan “job killing.”

“He is shutting our coal production down,” she said, “He’s shutting (West Virginia small businesses’) ability to compete because we use over 95 percent of our energy generation is from coal.”

Obama said he plans to use regulations and executive orders to pursue climate change, which Capito called an overreach by the executive.

“We have a system of checks and balances in the democracy and he is, I think, totally defying this,” Capito said.

 Capito encouraged her peers in Congress to take away some power of the EPA and require economic impact to be part of the formula when considering the cost of climate change.

“The House has passed many of those bills before, (but) the Senate has not been cooperative,” she said. “We’re going to continue to press the Senate to do that.”

Deadly crash in Logan County

LOGAN, W.Va. — State police are investigating a deadly traffic accident that took place Wednesday morning on Route 44 in Logan County.

Emergency dispatchers said the wreck occurred on Horsepen Mountain at around 7:30 a.m.

Troopers did not immediately release the name of the victim.

U.S. Senator Manchin to propose new student loan legislation

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Joe Manchin along with four other Senators will be introducing new bipartisan legislation Thursday on Capitol Hill dealing with student loan interest rates.

The senators will be presenting a bipartisan compromise, the “Bipartisan Student Loan Certainty Act.

The legislation is meant to prevent student loan rates from doubling on July 1st and provide a permanent solution that would lower and fix interest rates for 100 percent of newly issued student-loans.

“This is a long-term fix that will lower rates for all students and will save students $30 billion over the next three years, making sure anyone who wants an education, can afford one,” said Manchin in a released statement.

The legislation would require, for each academic year, all newly-issued student loans be set to the U.S. Treasury 10-year borrowing rate.

Depending on the type of loan, that rate could change. For subsidized and unsubsidized undergraduate Stafford loans add 1.85 percent; for graduate Stafford loans add 3.4 percent; and add 4.4 percent for PLUS loans.

The interest rate would be fixed over the life of the loan and the cap on interest rates for consolidated loans would remain at 8.25 percent.

“This deal shows the American people that bipartisanship and common sense are alive in Washington,” said Manchin in his release. “We can find common ground to help our students and ensure the next generations of Americans have the same wonderful educational opportunities that we have always had.”

The other U.S. Senators presenting the legislation are Richard Burr (R-NC), Tom Coburn (R-OK), Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Angus King (I-ME).

The Congressional Budget Office has determined this legislation would reduce the deficit by $1 billion over ten years.

Appalachian Power planning power grid upgrades in West Virginia

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Appalachian Power has announced plans to spend more than $337 million in upgrades in West Virginia, with most of the work set to be done in the Kanawha Valley.

The upgrades will include rebuilding approximately 52 miles of existing transmission lines and making upgrades to substations.

The upgrades are meant to accommodate the retirement of three power plants in the Kanawha and Ohio valleys as early as 2015. Those closures are expected to change the way electric power flows on the electric transmission grid.

The improvements will also address additional issues identified by an independent regional transmission operator.

Although it’s a statewide project, most of the work will be done in the Kanawha Valley.

The majority of the Kanawha Valley work will take place between the company’s John Amos Plant and its Turner and Cabin Creek substations, with a key loop in the Cross Lanes area and another in the Kanawha City area.

Additional work will be done to facilities that feed off the backbone transmission line that runs from Poca to Cabin Creek.

The plan is to remove the current transmission facilities and replace them with similar but sturdier facilities of the same voltage.

Exact routing and construction details will be determined at a later date once additional field work has been done.

Appalachian Power plans to hold two informational meetings within the construction area. The first will be at Poca High School in Poca on July 8 and the second will be held at the Kanawha City Elementary in Kanawha City on July 9. Both workshops workshops will be from 5-8 p.m.

Appalachian Power has set up a website where customers can learn more about the project at www.AppalachianPower.com/KanawhaValley.

Once the workshops are completed and the additional field work has been done, the Appalachian Power affiliate, AEP West Virginia Transmission Company, Inc., will file requests with the state Public Service Commission seeking approval to perform the work.

Construction is expected to begin this fall and the work is expected to be completed in 2017.

$40,000 Worth of Heroin Seized; Man Wanted

KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. -- A man is wanted after deputies recently seized more than $40,000 worth of heroin near an apartment in Cross Lanes, according to information from the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department.

Deputies found marijuana and $3,321 worth of cash inside the apartment, which is located along Becca Drive near Dalewood Drive.

Reports of a domestic disturbance brought deputies to the apartment on Friday, June 21. They said they saw a man running from the scene, and a woman at the apartment said he had been involved in a disturbance. It is believed the man left in a vehicle.

Neighbors approached deputies with two plastic baggies that contained about 101 grams of heroin. Deputies believed the baggies had been dropped between two mobile homes near the apartment building. Children were playing close to where the heroin was found.

The man who ran away is identified as Ayric Mack Thomas, 23, of Detroit, Mich. A warrant was obtained for his arrest on a charge of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.

Deputies say Thomas is 6 feet, 1 inch tall and weighs about 160 pounds. Anyone with information about where he could be is asked to call the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department at (304) 357-0169 or leave an online tip at www.kanawhasheriff.us.

Road rules changing July 1

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Put down that cell phone and buckle up. West Virginia is just days away from the implementation of new laws legislators believe will make the roads safer.

Beginning July 1, motorists can no long use a hand-held cell phone in a vehicle. Bob Beach, the State Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Committee chairman, said this law has been in the works for years.

“Anytime you can take away a distraction in the car, it is definitely going to reduce injuries and it’s going to reduce the amount of traffic accidents that occur on our roadways,” said the Monongalia County lawmaker.

The legislature banned texting while driving in 2012. Now talking on a cell phone will be a primary offense with a $100 fine for a first offense, $200 for a second offense and $300-plus for subsequent offenses.

“You risk the chance of having points added to your driver’s license, as much as three points for that third offense,” explained Beach. “It can add up pretty quickly and can impact your insurance rates. So I’m sure the insurance companies are watching this very closely.”

Beach said on the positive side, there are a lot of devices out there these days that you can hook up in your vehicle to talk hands-free.

“Folks are trying to adapt already and that’s really good to see, ” said Beach.

Starting July 9, wearing a seat belt becomes a primary offense, as well. For years, it has been a secondary offense, meaning motorists could only be fined if they were pulled over for another traffic violation. But with the Senate pushing hard for the change, the bill made it through both chambers of the state Legislature.

Beach admitted it will not be the most popular law on the books because some people resent government telling them what they can and can’t do in their vehicle.

“If you’re on the highway by yourself, that’s another situation. But you’re sharing the highway with other folks,” Beach said. “You have to be mindful and respectful of their situation as well.”

UMWA members and retirees making case on Capitol Hill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Meetings are scheduled to continue Wednesday on Capitol Hill between members and retirees of the United Mine Workers Union and House and Senate members. The union is pushing for the passage of the Coalfield Accountability and Retired Employees Act.

“The CARE Act will help keep the promise made to our nation’s coal miners by the federal government nearly 70 years ago, and supported by both Democrats and Republicans ever since,” UMWA President Cecil Roberts said in a prepared release. “This is not about party, this is about ideology, this is not even about coal. This is about doing what’s right and following through on commitments made to hard-working Americans by their government.”

Boone County resident Shirley Inman is one of those lobbying Congress this week.

“I’m a cancer survivor. I have three stints. I’m needing a knee surgery soon and possibly shoulder surgery soon. So yes, I will be affected.”

Inman worked for more than 18 years at a surface mine. She says she and other union retirees know how important the benefits are.

“From my job alone I could name off five or six people that have cancer,” the Madison resident said. “We’re going to be in a terrible mess here if we don’t get these bills passed.”

The union members are scheduled to meet with members of the state’s congressional delegation Wednesday.

Man accused in Mingo County sheriff death indicted on illegal firearms charges

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Delbarton man accused of first-degree murder in the April shooting death of Mingo County Sheriff Eugene Crum also has been indicted on illegal firearms charges.

According to a release from U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin’s office, a federal grand jury indicted Tennis Maynard, 37, with possession of a firearm by an individual who had been committed to a mental institution and making a false statement in acquisition of a firearm.

The 10-count indictment alleges Maynard made a false statement on a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Form on five separate occasions.

The indictment also alleges that Maynard possessed a firearm on five separate occasions, the release stated. At all those occasions, he had previously been committed to a mental institution.

Maynard faces up to 75 years in prison if convicted on the gun charges.

He pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder, attempted murder and felony fleeing a police officer during his May 16  arraignment. An Oct. 21 trial date was set for his murder trial.

W.Va. DHHR to begin accepting school clothing vouchers July 1

West Virginia residents can begin applying for school clothing vouchers for eligible children on July 1.

The Department of Health and Human Resources say the vouchers can be used toward the purchase of school clothing. Families who sew clothing for their children can use the vouchers to buy piece goods.

Each eligible child will receive a $200 voucher.

Children in foster care will automatically receive the vouchers, along with children in families who currently receive cash assistance from WV WORKS.

Other families could be eligible if they meet income guidelines.

July 31 is the deadline to submit applications. Families must use the vouchers at participating stores by Oct. 31.

Two Arrested in Police Chase; Trooper’s Cruiser Hit

LINCOLN COUNTY, W.Va. -- Two people were arrested Monday night after a police chase that led to a West Virginia State Police cruiser being hit, troopers say.

They say the driver was speeding on W.Va. 10. When troopers tried to pull the car over, the driver took off -- hitting a cruiser in the process.

The trooper wasn't hurt.

The driver eventually crashed through a fence before trying to escape on foot.

Names of those involved have not been released.

Lincoln County Officials Push for More Cell Phone Service

LINCOLN COUNTY, W.Va. -- Lincoln County commissioners say they're pushing to expand cell phone service within the county.

Commissioner K.K. Matthews says they're in talks with several service providers about installing towers.

Matthews says a petition of 6,000 customer signatures has been gathered and will be presented to service providers.

Health Department Lays Off Entire Staff

PUTNAM COUNTY, W.Va. -- The Putnam Board of Health approved a proposal to cut the entire staff at the Putnam County Health Department.

The board agreed on the decision unanimously at an emergency meeting Monday afternoon, which was a continuation of a meeting Friday.

If the proposal is approved by the state's Division of Personnel, 12 full-time employees will lose their jobs.

If the state approves the proposal, the board will be contracting the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department to provide services in Putnam County, and some of the employees cut may get their jobs back through the new setup.

The board says hopefully they'll be able fix their debt problems within the next two years and return to how they used to operate.

After six months, they'll decide if they want to continue contracting through the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department or try something else.

The board says despite all the changes, people in Putnam County will not see any change in the services the health department provides.

Firefighter Dies Fighting A Fire

SISSONVILLE, W.Va. -- A fierce and unforgiving fire robbed one family of a home and one firefighter of his life Monday afternoon.

Officials say John Appleton, 62, of Malden, suffered cardiac arrest while fighting a fire that destroyed a home along Happy Hollow Road.

He was rushed to the hospital but did not survive.

Appleton served as chaplain for the Malden Fire Department was also a pastor for Kanawha Salines Presbyterian Church.

The loss has first responders and community remembers reeling from shock and grief.

Officials say it's not clear right now what caused the fire. No one was inside the home when it started.

Lena Lunsford released from custody

WHEELING, W.Va. — A federal magistrate judge released Lena Lunsford Monday until a final hearing can be held on allegations that she violated her probation.

The Lewis County woman, the mother of missing Aliayah Lunsford, was arrested last week after allegedly violating her supervised release by not paying restitution and spending time with a convicted felon.

Lunsford was convicted on food stamp fraud charges in the months after her daughter’s disappearance in Sept. 2011. No one has been charged in connection with the disappearance. Aliayah Lunsford was three-years-old at the time.

Federal Magistrate Judge James Seibert found Lena Lunsford was not a danger to herself or others and released her until a final hearing can be held on the allegations. Lunsford could be sent back to prison if it’s found she violated her probation.

Lunsford previously served eight months in federal prison.

Accused Drunk Driver Slams into Police Cruiser after Running a Red Light

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. -- A man is now facing his second DUI offense after he rammed his van into a police car.

Officers with the Huntington Police Department say Derrick Turley ran a red light and slammed into the police car at the intersection of 5th Avenue and 20th street.

Both cars were extremely damaged.

The officer and a passenger were taken to the hospital.

Both have been released and are expected to be ok.

Turley has been charged with a 2nd offense DUI and driving on a suspended license.

Community Upset Over Increase in ATV Traffic

LINCOLN COUNTY, W.Va. -- Plans to open up a Lincoln County road to ATV traffic has neighbors speaking out about safety concerns.

The county commission voted 2-1 last meeting to allow off-road vehicles on McCorkle Road from Route 119 to Little Johns Way.

It's all part of a plan to bring in more traffic for the new Ivy Branch Trail, an expansion of the Hatfield-McCoy trail system.

County Commissioner K.K. Matthews said there are other ways to access the trail system than using McCorkle Road, and he's planning to propose alternative routes.

Matthews was the only commissioner to vote against the measure.

Man shot and killed by sheriff’s deputy

BECKLEY, W.Va. — A man was shot and killed in Raleigh County Friday morning after allegedly shooting at a sheriff’s deputy.

The Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department said home confinement officers were making a routine check on Charles Warren Wickline in Jonben when he pulled a gun on them and took off on an ATV. 

Sheriff’s deputies arrived on the scene and they found Wickline hiding behind a tree. They report trying to get him to surrender but he fired one shot at them. A deputy returned fire and Wickline was killed.

The sheriff’s department release said a deputy and a Wickline family member attempted CPR.

Wickline was on home confinement as a condition of his bond in a child neglect resulting in death case. He was charged after backing over a 13-month-old child with a vehicle last July.

Counties show unemployment improvement

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — There are fewer West Virginia counties with double-digit unemployment.

WorkForce West Virginia reported Friday only two counties, Pocahontas and Webster, currently have jobless rates at more than 10 percent.

Three counties, Pendleton, Jefferson and Monongalia, are below four percent.

The state’s unemployment rate for May dropped by four tenths of a percent to 6.2 percent, which is the lowest jobless rate in the state since 2008.

Men die in separate drownings

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – No foul play is suspected in separate drownings Friday in Logan and Monongalia counties.

State police in Logan said the body of Richard Lee White, 66, of Logan, was found floating in the Guyandotte River about 8 p.m. Friday. He had been reported missing by family members earlier in the day.

That followed the drowning of a 20-year-old man in Cheat Lake on Friday afternoon.

State police said Martin Hansen, of Korekort, Denmark, was swimming with friends when he went under twice and didn’t come back up. The group was swimming about a half-mile north of the parking area off Morgan’s Run Road.

It took Morgantown Underwater Search and Rescue crews more than an hour to find Hansen, who was not immediately pronounced dead. Rescuers attempted CPR as there was a slim chance Hansen could be revived given the cold water temperatures.

Police said it does not appear alcohol or drugs played a factor in the incident, which was still under investigation Saturday.

Deadly weekend in West Virginia

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Police in three West Virginia counties are investigating separate accidents that claimed the lives of four people Saturday.

Two of the victims were part of a Saturday morning crash in Ritchie County. Police report Cheryl Horner of Pennsboro and a young girl were traveling west on U.S. Route 50 at around 7:40 when Horner’s vehicle was struck by a water tanker truck coming off Simington Drive near Ellenboro.

Both Horner and the girl were killed. The Ritchie County Sheriff’s Department is investigating.

Authorities in Fayette County say a wreck on U.S. Route 19 Saturday afternoon claimed a life. The wreck was in Glen Jean near Mount Hope. Reports indicate two people were thrown from a vehicle and one of them was pronounced dead at the scene.

A Raleigh County man died Saturday afternoon in a motorcycle accident in Beckley. The sheriff’s department reports Jerry Pack, 26, of Ghent, crashed the bike at the intersection of Fernandez Drive and Ragland Road at around 1:30 p.m. They say speed was a factor and he was not wearing a helmet.

Kentucky Bank Robbery Suspect Arrested in West Virginia

LOUISA, Ky. -- Kentucky State Police say the man who robbed a Louisa, Ky. bank last week has been arrested in Charleston W.Va.

Troopers say James Stepp, 33, of Louisa, robbed the Inez Deposit Bank.

The robbery happened last Friday about 3 p.m. The bank is located in the 200 block of East Main Street.

No details of the arrest have been released at this time.

They say Stepp entered the bank and demanded cash from a teller. After getting an undisclosed amount of money, he took off through a back door, running down Lock Avenue towards Madison Street.

Troopers say that Stepp did not show a weapon during the robbery.

Charleston Police arrested Stepp Thursday. He is being charged with 2nd degree robbery.

Logan County Man Charged in Kentucky Bank Robbery

FLATWOODS, Ky. -- A Logan County man who is being charged in connection with a bank robbery in Flatwoods, Ky. could be returned to Greenup County, Ky. as early as next week.

The PNC Bank branch in the 2200 block of Argillite Road was held up just before 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Flatwoods Police Chief Kraig Hankins says that the suspect, Billy Joe Fox, 21, of Man, and a possible accomplice were picked up in Logan County, W.Va. early Wednesday morning.

Fox is being held in the Southwestern Regional Jail on a fugitive from justice warrant. Hankins says Fox is being charged with robbery.

Chief Hankins says the investigation into a possible accomplice is on-going.

Details on the robbery itself are not being released at this time as the investigation is ongoing.

Man Arrested After Assaulting Trooper and Escaping Custoday

RIPLEY, W.Va. -- A manhunt is over after a man attacked a West Virginia State Trooper and escaped custody.

Troopers say the man was being processed at the state police detachment in Ripley late Thursday afternoon.

He is accused of punching a state trooper in the face and escaping from the detachment.

A helicopter and police from several different agencies were brought in to search for the man.

Troopers say they were able to catch up with the man near the Ripley exit of I-77.

He was taken into custody and will be arraigned sometime Thursday night or Friday morning.

His name has not been released.

The state trooper was taken to the hospital with injuries to his face.

Alpha opens mine safety academy

JULIAN, W.Va. – Employees of the state’s largest coal company will soon know how it feels to be trapped underground. Alpha Natural Resources dedicated its new Running Right Leadership Academy in Boone County Thursday.

The $23 million state-of-the-art facility was one of the stipulations in a federal court settlement over the Upper Big Branch Mine Disaster when Alpha purchased UBB owner Massey Energy.

“It’s a 96-thousand square foot (mine lab) and it mimics an underground coal mine,” said Alpha Natural Resources Director of Learning and Development Cheryl Stapleton. “It has the actual equipment you would see underground.”

The entire academy is 136-thousand square feet.

The facility enables instructors to create controlled conditions identical to an underground mine fire or an underground flood. Miners who train will be able to experience those conditions and learn how to deal with unpredictable obstacles in a real life scenario.

“God forbid they would ever have to face that in a real environment,” Stapleton said. “But we don’t want it to be the first time they’ve felt that heat or had to deal with those conditions.”

Initially all of Alpha’s workforce will be trained in the simulated facility. Eventually Alpha plans to make the operation available to everybody in the coal industry for safety training underground.

Twenty-nine coal miners were killed in the Upper Big Branch mine explosion in Raleigh County in April 2010. As part of a December 2011 non-prosecution agreement with the federal government, Alpha, which purchased Massey, was required to make payments and safety investments totaling $209 million.

West Virginia Day goes out with a bang

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia Day at the State Capitol was capped off with a bang Thursday night.

A large crowd stood in amazement along Kanawha Boulevard and around the state capitol building as the sky above was lit up.  

“It was almost twenty minutes long and there wasn’t a lull or any kind of pause period with it,” said Katie Thompson from Wayne. “I’m blown away by it. It was great.”

Thompson said it was the best fireworks she had seen in her entire life.

It all started at 10 with the premier showing of the new movie “150 in 3-D” projected directly onto the state capitol building. Immediately following the movie, the sky began to change colors.

Matthew Osteen from Harpers Ferry said it was a great way to cap off West Virginia Day.

“It was a beautiful show, absolutely amazing,” he said. “The finale with Country Roads just absolutely…I was stunned.”

Osteen said it was proud moment for West Virginians.

“The spirit here was amazing while watching the fireworks, I mean, I really think West Virginia came together for it,” he said.

Almost 20 minutes later it was all done and the crowd erupted into applause. A tug boat heading down the river even showed its appreciation by blowing its horn.

And so ended West Virginia Day, but not the celebration as activities will continue through Saturday in Charleston.

Tennant seals office in time

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia Secretary of State Natalie Tennant wants the person in the Secretary of State’s office in 2063 to know what things were like in 2013. Tennant and her staff sealed a time capsule on West Virginia Day Thursday at the state capitol.

Tennant said she wished someone would have done the same in 1963.

“That’s exactly how and why we wanted to do this,” she said. “We yearn for what might have been there.”

Items put in the suitcase-like container were election books, brochures on how the office operates, photographs of office staffers and their duties.

“We have a state flag, some pens and pencils and a program of the 150th celebration,” Tennant said.

Tennant was joined at the ceremony by former Secretary of State Hike Heiskell and Gayle Manchin, wife of U.S. Senator and former secretary of state Joe Manchin.

West Logan Residents Pleading for Slower Driving after Accidents

WEST LOGAN, W.Va. -- Neighbors in the West Logan section of Logan County are asking for help to get drivers to slow down after a series of accidents.

People there say their small community has been the scene of several serious accidents, most frequently on First and Second avenues.

Residents say they’d like the speed limits to be better enforced possibly through the use of increased police presence in those areas.

Police Respond to Threats Over Student’s Arrest

LOGAN, W.Va.– Two months after arresting a middle school student, police in Logan are receiving threats over something they say isn't even part of the case.

Back in April, an employee at Logan Middle School called Logan Police about a disturbance in the cafeteria.

Two months later, police are getting about 100 calls a day about that same case.

“Our phone calls are unreal,” Logan Police Chief E.K. Harper said.

The story hit news stands across the country, stating eighth-grader Jared Marcum was arrested for wearing an NRA T-shirt to school. Police say that's not true.

Harper says he and a couple of his officers were called to the school because of what happened after Marcum was asked by a school official to change his shirt. He says the problem had to do with Marcum’s reaction to the situation.

“We're unable to tell our whole side of it because laws in West Virginia prevent you from telling the details of a juvenile,” Harper said.

Marcum has previously said he did nothing wrong.

He's charged with obstructing an officer -- who has now become the target of countless threats and complaints.

“The boy was not arrested for wearing that NRA shirt. The shirt had nothing to do with his arrest," Harper said.

Harper says it is frustrating that he can't give more details about the arrest.

He also says he wants to make it clear that he and his department support the NRA, and that it is their job to protect rights, not violate them.

DOH says shale gas traffic is damaging roads

Among all the celebrations commemorating the state’s 150th birthday… the legislature is holding interim committee meetings in Wheeling this week. The Division of Highways will give a presentation today concerning the affect increased shale gas traffic is having on the state’s roads.

“The damage that is being caused by the heavy trucks in the area is something that needs addressed,” says Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Bob Beach.

Beach says the fracking industry is moving extremely fast in the region and it will become increasingly difficult to keep up with road repairs and improvements if nothing is done.

“Right now the DOH does work with these companies to do a survey in advance concerning the condition of the highways,” explains Beach.

The DOH and the gas companies then come up with a plan on how to maintain the roads as the fracking process moves along. Beach says it just seems like everything is being overwhelmed in regards to the infrastructure that is available and the quality of the roads in some areas.

“I’m sure the legislature and the committee on transportation will step up and address it in the future,” promises Beach.

Beach says the DOH will answer questions and make recommendations to the committee. The meeting is set for this afternoon at 3:00.