Man in Car Crash Saturday Afternoon on Route 10

A man has been taken to the hospital after a car crash in Logan Saturday afternoon. 

It happened around 3:00 Saturday afternoon on Route 10 in Logan.

The Logan Fire Department say the driver of the car is a man in his early 30s. They say he possibly suffered a seizure which caused him to step on the gas. He suffered a few cuts as well as a leg injury. 

Asbestos Discovered at Freedom Industries

The DEP has confirmed that asbestos was discovered at Freedom Industries during the tank removal process. 

DEP Spokesperson, Kelley Gillemwater, says, "we required an asbestos inspection before tank demo and some asbestos was found. Asbestos abatement by the contractor begins Monday."

The tanks at the site of the January 9th chemical spill were scheduled to be torn down starting Monday. Gillemwater says the asbestos discovery will push that starting date back. 

It's not known just how long the asbestos removal will take or what it will cost. 

$3.3 Million In Outside Cash Pours Into Rahall-Jenkins Race

Four months from Election Day, outside liberal and conservative groups have already spent about $3.3 million in ads blasting U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall and his Republican opponent Evan Jenkins. 

The conservative Americans for Prosperity and American Energy Alliance have shoveled about $2 million combined into ads. Rahall's critics think the 19-term Democrat is beatable because of President Barack Obama's unpopularity in West Virginia.

Democrats are defending Rahall's seat through the House Majority PAC, which has spent $1.1 million on ads against Jenkins. The state senator changed from Democrat to Republican to face Rahall.

Conservative groups are trying to tie Rahall to Obama, particularly on plans to limit carbon emissions from coal-fired power plants. Rahall opposes the plan, which many West Virginians believe would devastate the state's signature coal industry.

Ads defending Rahall have focused on Jenkins' support from millionaire conservative donors Charles and David Koch, and have emphasized the brothers' business ties to Freedom Industries, the site of the January 2014 chemical spill.

The most recent polling gives Rahall a slight edge, but shows the race closer than Rahall's past contests for re-election. 

Two people killed in Logan County head-on crash

Two McDowell County residents were killed in a head-on collision Friday morning on state Route 10 in Logan County. 

Logan County sheriff’s deputies said a driver crossed the center line at about 7:43 in 3 Mile Curve in McConnell and slammed into an oncoming utility truck. The driver and passenger in the passenger vehicle were killed. The truck driver suffered minor injuries.

Sheriff’s deputies said eyewitnesses indicated the driver appeared to be unfamiliar with the highway.

Deputies said both victims were from Welch. 

Williamson winning the health battle

It’s been four years since some health officials in Williamson decided it was time to take drastic measures to help get the community in shape and eating better. Thursday, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation handed town leaders a check for $25,000, a prize for creating a program that’s having an impact not just on those around the county and across the country.

Dr. Dino Beckett, the medical director of the Williamson Health and Wellness Center was on hand in Aspen, CO for the Ideas Festival to accept the RWJF Culture of Health prize. Two-hundred and fifty cities and towns applied, Williamson and five other communities were chosen.

Dr. Beckett said it all started in 2010 with a farmers market to provide fresh produce to residents, many of whom didn’t have close access to a grocery store. From there, Beckett explained, they decided to give people a place to grow their own food.

“We’ve conveniently got community gardens that are located across from housing developments. They can rent those plots. Right now, we have a waiting list,” according to Beckett.

The community gardens were so successful, those growing the produce had a chance to eat and share.

“They can take that produce and enjoy it themselves or they can share it with neighbors or they can become entrepreneurs and sell it at our farmers market,” stressed Beckett.

Other programs include monthly 5k races and a wellness walk. Thirty-five businesses have teams that are participating. The goal is to “walk” to Marin City, CA. The members of the health center there were inspired by the folks in Williamson. They became sister cities and now people in Marin are “walking” to Williamson.

Joe Marx with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation said it was progressive programs like that that helped Williamson earn the Culture of Health prize.

“It’s how they’re creatively using the resources they have, working in partnership with others and say ‘How do we really transform the health of the people of Williamson?’”

Dr. Beckett said their are other programs in place like community health workers serving as liaisons between doctors and patients to empower residents to live healthier lifestyles. They also have a diabetes program to teach people how to plan and fix meals that are tasty and healthy and they’ve been monitoring hemoglobin A1C levels, an indicator of diabetes.

As for that $25,000 prize, Dr. Beckett said it will be put to good use.

“We’ll decide how to best spend those dollars to sustain programs we’ve already got in existence and start new programs that help with outreach to our community,” Beckett said.

Tomblin makes personnel changes

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin announced several changes in the state Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety Thursday.

The governor said interim director of Juvenile Services Stephanie Bond is now the permanent director, Deputy MAPS Secretary Rick Staton will head up the Division of Justice and Community Services while state Corrections Commissioner Jim Rubenstein will become deputy secretary.

“Today, I am extremely pleased to name these three dedicated and experienced individuals to leadership positions at DMAPS,” Tomblin said in a news release. “As we increase our justice reinvestment efforts and begin a comprehensive review of our juvenile system, I have the utmost confidence that this leadership team will continue to devote themselves to these initiatives, while maintaining public safety and ensuring the security of our communities.”

The changes take effect July 1. 

Speeding Blitz Underway on Route 35

"Obey the sign or pay the fine."

It's a simple slogan that can save you from paying a traffic ticket if you take heed.

The Mason County Sheriff’s Department is cracking down on Route 35, which is getting an increasingly notorious reputation for speeders and bad wrecks.

Deputies say Route 35 is one of the most dangerous highways in the state.

They’re hoping to counter by launching a speeding blitz.

Chief Deputy Downing says during the blitz, officers will intensify enforcement of posted speed limits along the roadway, and anyone caught speeding will be ticketed.

According to the sheriff’s department, in the past year there've been more than 60 crashes along Route 35, and nearly every one was because of speeding.

$30,000 in Christmas Lights Stolen from State Park

West Virginia State Police are still looking for the people responsible for stealing a large amount of Christmas decorations from Chief Logan State Park.

More than $30,000 worth of lights were taken from the park’s storage shed.

Workers at the park noticed the items were missing earlier this week.

The theft is prompting concerns that the annual Christmas display won’t happen this year.

Father Accused of Leaving Child in Car While Shopping

A father is facing criminal charges after State Police say he left his 4-month-old daughter in the car while he shopped at a pharmacy in Kanawha County.

Joshua Hancock, 29, of Kanawha County, was arrested Wednesday outside the Rite Aid in Quincy.

West Virginia State Police say when officers arrived Hanock told them it was too big of a hassle for him to get his child out of the car. He locked the car and took the key fob off so the car couldn't be unlocked.

Troopers say Hancock left the car running for 20 minutes with his daughter inside while he shopped inside the pharmacy. When police got on scene they called a wrecker service to help get the child out.

Troopers say Hancock told them he would rather wait until his insurance company could send someone because it would be cheaper, but police still called a wrecker service that was just across the river and could get there quickly.

Hancock was charged with child neglect.

Troopers say the child could have been hurt or in danger.

Police noticed Child Protective Services.

Alpha closing mine near Haysi, 121 workers cut

121 people will be out of a job after Alpha Natural Resources closes one of its mines.

Alpha says the Cherokee Mine near Haysi, Virginia is at the end of its life. 66 miners will be officially laid off in 60 days.  

55 others will continue to work, removing equipment and infrastructure and buttoning up the mine, which should take until September.  

The mine opened in 1997 and became part of Dickenson-Russell Coal Company and Alpha in 2002.  

The company says the mine closure is a result of continued adverse market conditions and the high cost of running the mine.

Impact study ordered for expressway route in Va.

Federal highway officials have told Virginia to conduct a detailed environmental study of a planned segment of the Coalfields Expressway because the route has changed.
  
The route of a 26-mile segment from Pound to the highway's intersection with the U.S. Highway 460 connector in Buchanan County was realigned to take advantage of a public-private partnership with coal companies. The coal companies plan to convert previously mined areas into roadbed.
  
According to reports, the Federal Highways Administration has directed the Virginia Department of Transportation to conduct a detailed environmental impact statement for the new route. The federal agency says the route wasn't fully evaluated in the project's original environmental impact statement.
  
When completed, the expressway will run from Buchanan County to Raleigh County in West Virginia.

45 of 55 W.Va. counties see jobless rate increase

Unemployment rates rose in 45 of West Virginia's 55 counties in May.

WorkForce West Virginia says the jobless rate in Pocahontas County rose to 12.3 percent, the highest in the state.

Monongalia County has the state's lowest unemployment rate at 4.2 percent, followed by Pendelton at 4.5 percent and Taylor at 4.7 percent.

Other counties with double-digit unemployment were Mingo (12), Wetzel (11.5), Webster (10.7), Marion (10.3) and Logan (10).

The state's seasonally adjusted jobless rate in May increased three-tenths of a percentage point to 6.3 percent.

Supreme Court limits cellphone searches after arrests

A unanimous Supreme Court says police may not generally search the cellphones of people they arrest without first getting search warrants.

The justices say cellphones are powerful devices unlike anything else police may find on someone they arrest.

Chief Justice John Roberts says that because the phones contain so much information, police must get a warrant before looking through them.

Thieves Break into Tolsia High School

School's out for summer, but deputies say the idle time only makes school a more attractive target for thieves.

The Wayne County Sheriff’s Department is sharing surveillance video, hoping someone recognizes suspects who broke into Tolsia High School in the early morning hours of June 14.

Deputies say they broke in through a rear window and stole thousands of dollars worth of tools and school property.

Deputies say a teacher or student who was participating in an ROTC drill that morning arrived while the burglary was taking place, scaring the suspects off before they could take all the stuff they'd intended to steal.

If you have any information, you're asked to the Wayne County Sheriff's Department at 304-272-6333.

75 Workers Laid Off from Patriot Coal Mines in Boone County, W.Va.

Nearly 75 workers have been laid off from two Patrot Coal mining complexes in Boone County, the company announced Wednesday.

Patriot issued a 60-day WARN notice April 23 and, at the time, said at least 50 people would lose their jobs at the Wells complex in Wharton and the Corridor G complex near Danville.

A company spokesperson confirmed Wednesday that 60 workers have been laid off at Wells and another 15 workers at Corridor G.

Patriot president and CEO Ben Hatfield said in April that both the metallurgical and thermal coal markets continued to be challenging.

W.Va. Gov. Tomblin’s Brother Sentenced to Home Confinement

The brother of West Virginia's governor has been sentenced to eight months home confinement and three years probation after pleading guilty to a federal drug charge.

Carl Tomblin, 50, of Chapmanville, pleaded guilty in March to distribution of oxymorphone.

He was sentenced Wednesday afternoon in U.S. District Court in Charleston.

Tomblin sold oxymorphone to a confidential police informant on five separate occasions in December 2013 and January 2014. Tomblin also admitted that he purchased and distributed oxymorphone for approximately eight months prior to January 2014.

He faced up to 20 years in prison.

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin issued the following statement after the sentencing:

"This has been a difficult time for me and my family. We accept the court’s decision and will support my brother as he gets the help he needs to recover from his addiction. I know the impact drugs can have on our communities and families. I appreciate your continued thoughts and prayers."

When Carl Tomblin was charged in February, the governor said his brother was dealing with drug addiction and needed help, but must be held accountable for his actions.

Wayne County Schools Welcome New Board Members

Wayne County Schools officially welcomed its new school board members on Wednesday night.

The new members are Lois Little, Johnita Jackson, and Trey Morrone.

The new board members spent the last two days going through orientation in Morgantown before the swearing-in ceremony.

The new board members say they're looking forward to finding the district's next superintendent and finalizing construction plans.

The new school board will narrow down the superintendent candidates for the county, in hopes of finding a permanent replacement this summer.

450 mining jobs at center of possible Wyoming County layoff

Cliffs Natural Resources has issued a notice of preliminary plans to idle the Pinnacle Mine in Wyoming County at the end of August impacting 450 miners.

Wyoming County Commissioner Silas Mullins says he received a call from a Cliffs official Wednesday morning letting him know of the plans.

“The coal market is down and the steel market is down,” Mullins said.

Cliffs’ operation near Pineville produces metallurgical coal, used to make steel. It issued the required 60-day WARN notice Wednesday.

Cliffs spokesman Ryan Thorn said the decision is being driven by market conditions but the company is hopeful things will change.

“If something happens in the next 60 days we won’t have to take this action,” Thorn said.
Commissioner Mullins said mine is the largest in Wyoming County and the biggest severance tax producer.

“We’re going to lose a great deal of money from that,” the commissioner said. “Right now we are in an analytical mode to see what kind of impact there’s going to be on the county.”

He said if the layoffs go through it will probably hurt young miners the most.

“They buy a new car, buy a new house, a trailer, SUV or whatever, and as long as they were working everything’s fine. Now with these job losses it’s just going to have a trickle down effect,” Mullins said.

In a prepared statement from Cliffs, the company said it hopes the layoffs don’t happen but if they do the hope is they will only be temporary.


“Cliffs considers the Pinnacle Mine a world-class operation with a strong and productive workforce of mining professionals,” the statement said. “We understand the potential impact this could have on employees and will work with them during this uncertain time. Cliffs’ commitment to the health and safety of our employees and the environment remains top priority. We will continue to work on planned safety program and on-going environmental measures.”

Child custody dispute results in death

A child custody dispute ended in death late Monday night in Logan County.

Troopers with the West Virginia State Police identified the victim as Matthew Dillon, 30, of Belfry, Ky. They said he was in a fight with Rex Hale at Hale’s house on Cassick Street in Logan at just before midnight Monday.

Hale was taken to a hospital for treatment. No charges have been filed. 

Freedom suit could prove costly for Yeager Airport

The inclusion of Yeager Airport as a defendant is the federal class action lawsuit in connection with this year’s chemical spill and water emergency could prove costly for the state’s busiest airport.

The lawsuit now alleges Yeager didn’t do a good job monitoring its runway extension project that began above the Freedom site in Charleston in 2004 and runoff from the site contributed to deterioration of Freedom’s chemical tanks that eventually lead to the Jan. 9 incident.

Dozens of cases have been filed and now combined in federal court against Freedom Industries after the leak of the chemical crude MCHM into the Elk River just above West Virginia American Water Company’s Kanawha Valley Plant. The spill created a water emergency in parts of nine West Virginia counties impacting 300,000 residents. The plaintiffs have named Freedom, the water company and now Yeager Airport and its contractor.

The state Division of Forestry did deal with logging companies removing trees as part of the runway project over concern about runoff. The class action suit alleges Yeager did a pre-blast study and knew Freedom’s tanks could be impacted by the project.

Yeager Airport Manager Rick Atkinson released a statement Tuesday saying Freedom Industries never once filed a complaint with Yeager about the runway extension project happening above it. He also says Yeager’s work was approved by the state DEP and a DEP official overseeing the Freedom site saw no issues coming from Yeager.

Two more guilty pleas entered in Bridgeport “pill mill” case

The number of guilty pleas in the case of a Bridgeport pain clinic continues to rise.

Shane Brantley of Sutton pleaded guilty Monday to conspiracy to use another person’s DEA registration number, while Andrea Nicole Shepard of Fairmont pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting use of a phone to distribute buprenorphine, a schedule III controlled substance commonly used to treat chronic pain.

Both pleas were entered at the U.S. District Court in Clarksburg.

Brantley and Shepard are among six people charged in the case, three other defendants previously pleaded guilty.

The doctor at the center of the case, Dr. Edita Milan, has a court date scheduled for trial later this year on charges of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.

Escaped fugitive from FCI Morgantown arrested in Mexico

A fugitive wanted by the U.S. Marshals after escaping from the Bureau of Prisons facility in Morgantown in 2013 has been returned to the United States.

Mexican authorities arrested Eugene Cobbs, 43, without incident Monday.

After Cobbs escaped from FCI Morgantown April 10, 2013, authorities say he caught a bus to Philadelphia. In September 2013, U.S. Marshals discovered Cobbs had crossed the border into Mexico.

Cobbs used false names and lived in multiple locations to remain elusive. Upon his arrest, he initially provided a fictitious name, but was later positively identified and deported by Mexican authorities.

Once back in the states, U.S. Marshals arrested Cobbs at Los Angeles International Airport upon his arrival Monday. He is currently being held without bond awaiting his interstate extradition back to West Virginia.

Cobbs was convicted in 2010 for conspiracy to distribute cocaine and piloting an aircraft without a license. He was piloting the plane in 2004 when he crashed near the Wheeling-Ohio County Airport and immediately fled the scene. Authorities investigating the crash discovered 525 pounds of cocaine worth approximately $24 million. This was the largest amount of narcotics ever located in West Virginia at the time.

Cobbs allegedly did not act alone in his escape. Jamie Angel Clayton, 39, was indicted for aiding the escape, was arrested in May 2013 in New York and remains on bond while the criminal case is pending.

Fayette woman pleads guilty to mail fraud

A former secretary for the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department pleaded guilty Tuesday to mail fraud charges.

U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin said Cheryl Gray of Hilltop pocketed the cash that was coming in to the department for gun permits. He said Gray created a false receipts book. Her fraud cost the sheriff’s department and State Police about $40,000.

Gray faces up to 20 years in prison at her Sept. 23 sentencing.

State Board of Education names temporary State Superintendent

The West Virginia Board of Education has named a new superintendent of schools, but again, not a permanent one.

With Dr. James Phares’ planned retirement coming June 30, the board voted Tuesday to employ Deputy Superintendent Charles Heinlein as State Superintendent beginning July 1, until the search process is completed and a permanent State Superintendent is hired.

The reason for giving the official title to Heinlein is because, under current state law, it is illegal for the state to not have a superintendent or have an interim superintendent.

Heinlein will be the second superintendent to serve on a temporary basis. In 2012, after the firing of Jorea Marple, the board searched for a temporary replacement and reached out to Phares, then-current Superintendent of Randolph County Schools to fill the void while a national search was conducted. Phares began serving in the position on January 2, 2013.

The national search is still ongoing but progress has been made.

Ray and Associates, Inc–the search brought in to assist—said it engaged with 248 individuals regarding the position.

From that pool, some 64 candidates spanning 43 states submitted applications.

Tuesday, the board engaged in interviews with three state superintendent candidates. No decisions were made at the close of the session today. However, according to a press release, when a decision is made, the board will share the information with the public.

East Bank man arrested after allegedly pulling out a sword during a dispute

The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department has arrested a man who allegedly pulled a sword on his ex-wife during a domestic dispute.

On Tuesday 4:50 p.m., Metro 911 received a call reporting a disturbance on Gladys Avenue in East Bank. The caller said Dennie Lester, 59 of East Bank got into a verbal argument with his ex-wife, who is also his current girlfriend.

During the dispute, Lester allegedly retrieved a sword and threatened to kill his girlfriend, then himself.

After chasing her around the lawn he got into a pickup truck, rammed his girlfriend’s car, then fled the area. While trying to leave he struck another car in a head-on collision in a construction zone on Route 61, then backed up and tried to flee again but his vehicle got stuck on an embankment nearby. He was briefly held at the scene by other motorists until he got away and ran again.

Authorities caught up with him as he was crawling on his hands and knees onto railroad tracks. The sword was located in his pickup truck after Deputies arrived.

Lester is currently under arrest and being evaluated at an area hospital.

His charges will be announced. 

Teen killed in ATV accident

A Logan County teenager was killed over the weekend in an ATV accident. It happened Sunday night near Omar.

Tyler Frye, 14, had just completed 8th grade at Logan Middle School where he played on the basketball team.

Frye’s father is a trooper with the West Virginia State Police.

Collins Funeral Home in Switzer is handling the funeral arrangements.

Williamson police investigating “homicide”

Police in Williamson are investigating the death of a man found near the flood wall Sunday morning.

A passerby discovered George Scott Poole, 30, lying near the walkway below the flood wall next to Court Street.

Investigators aren’t sure of the cause of death. Right now they’re treating it as a homicide.

Bank robber used bicycle to get away

Police in Bluefield are looking for a bank robber who used a bicycle for a getaway Monday morning.

The suspect, dressed in all black including a mask, gloves and hoodie, pedaled up to the First Community Bank’s drive-thru at about 10 a.m., produced a gun and demanded money. The teller complied and the robber pedaled from the scene.

Bluefield police are asking anyone who saw the bicyclist around Federal Street and Bluefield Ave. to contact them with any information.

Air bag recall spreads to more automakers

A recall of defective air bags is spreading to more manufacturers.

BMW, Chrysler, Ford, Honda, Mazda, Nissan and Toyota will all recall cars at the U.S. government's request because their air bag inflators could rupture. If that happens, the air bags might not work properly in a crash, and shards from the ruptured system could fly out and cause injury.

In each case, the air bags are made by Japanese supplier Takata.

The government opened an investigation this month after getting six reports of air bags rupturing. It estimates 1.1 million vehicles in the U.S. could be affected.

The recalls are limited to states and territories that have hot, humid weather for long periods of time. The government says data suggests vehicles in those areas are most at risk.

Average Worker Wage in W.Va. in 2013 Increases to $40,000

A new study by WorkForce West Virginia shows the average annual wage for West Virginia workers rose more than $475 in 2013.

According to the study, workers in West Virginia earned an average of $40,199 in 2013.

The average annual wage in the state rose by $478, an increase of 1.2 percent from 2012.

Average annual employment decreased to 703,717 from 710,734, a loss of 7,017, or just slightly less than 1.0 percent.

Boone County continued to report the highest average annual wage at $50,670, followed by Marshall $50,352, Mingo $47,600, McDowell $46,256, Wyoming $45,160, Putnam $45,049, Pleasants $44,347, Lewis $44,225, Monongalia $44,010, and Harrison $43,036.

Counties with an annual average wage below $30,000 included Wetzel $29,934, Hampshire $29,574, Hardy $29,487, Summers $28,696, Pocahontas $28,199, Tucker $26,516, and Wirt $25,899. 

New board tries to correct Nicholas trash problems

The new-look Nicholas County Solid Waste Authority will meet Tuesday less than week after the state Solid Waste Management Board seized control of the authority and the Nicholas County Landfill.

State SWMB Executive Director Mark Holstine will chair the meeting. He said on Monday the authority now includes several new members appointed after four former members of the authority quit when the state found the solid waste situation “seriously impaired” and decided to intervene.

Holstine’s staff began operating the Nicholas County Landfill last week. He said the ultimate goal is to return it to local control.

“There has been some information sent out by people that we’re looking to take it over and run it forever, that’s not true,” Holstine said on Talkline. “Our only goal is to see that it’s an efficient and effective operation.”

The solid waste authority’s problems have been many according to Holstine including attempts by the former board to create additional board members and transferring total control to the executive director. He said eventually the staff was “totally resistant” to make any changes to improve the collection program or other operations.

Holstine said Tuesday’s meeting with a new-look board should point things in the right direction.

“Hopefully over the course of the next couple three weeks we get things running smoothly at least from a business standpoint and move forward,” he said.

The decision to seize control of the Nicholas County Solid Waste Authority was the first time in the 38-year history of the state Solid Waste Management Board to make such a move.

Mountain State casinos still in the race

The West Virginia Lottery Commission voted Monday to relicense all five casinos doing business in the Mountain State despite declining revenues due mainly to increased out-of-state competition.

The commission heard reports from its independent auditor on the condition of the casinos in Charles Town, Chester, Wheeling, Nitro and at the Greenbrier Resort. Lottery Director John Musgrave said even though revenues have declined the parent companies of the operations are in good standing.

“Each of the facilities has had reduced revenue over the past year from competition from other states and more than likely will have further decline,” he said.

The latest Lottery financial numbers show Racetrack Video Lottery revenue is down nearly $60 million this fiscal year while revenues from table games have dipped nearly $20 million.

Musgrave said the lottery commission still believes the casinos have what it takes to hold their own.

Musgrave said he also expects all five license holders to re-up for the next year. State law requires Mountaineer, Wheeling, Charles Town and Mardi Gras to pay a $2.5 million annual licensing fee. The Greenbrier Resort’s fee is $500,000.

Sale of Fairmont General Hostpital approved in U.S. Bankruptcy Court

The sale of Fairmont General hospital for $15 million to Alecto Healthcare Services was approved Monday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court or the Northern District.

The scheduled hearing was to officially award the sale to Alecto since no other legitimate contenders submitted bids and resolve the nine objections against the sale

Last week, U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld filed one such objection on behalf of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Wheeling.

The filing stated the sale would violate federal law by preventing full repayment of money owed on Medicare contracts. Instead, the sale proposes to set limits of up to $1.5 million for repayment on three contracts.

The transfer of a Medicare provider agreement is strictly regulated, according to the filing.

This objections was overruled and the other eight were resolved before 4 p.m., when the sale was approved.

The actions on the sale, which will be closed on in the coming months, allows Alecto to take over Fairmont General, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last September.

Woman Killed in ATV Crash in Mingo County

A woman died in an ATV accident in Gilbert, West Virginia State Police say.

Troopers said the woman was a passenger on the ATV. The man who was driving it continues to recover. He was taken to the hospital.

The accident happened when the ATV and an SUV collided.

Troopers continue to investigate the accident.

Ethics complaint filed against delegate

An official with the West Virginia Republican Party has filed an ethics complaint against a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates.

The complaint claims Del. Jeff Eldridge used his legislative mailing privileges to protect his seat. State GOP consultant Rob Cornelius said Eldridge sent this year’s legislative updates only to Hurricane residents. That part of Putnam County makes up 25 percent of the 22nd District that Eldridge represents.

Eldridge did poorly in Putnam County in the 2012 election.

Eldridge has said he’s lived in the other counties in his district and residents know him. He said he’s gotten positive feedback about his letters to Putnam County residents.

Del. Eldridge is running for reelection this fall.

8 arrested at coal company headquarters in Va.

Eight people protesting mountaintop removal coal mining were arrested outside Alpha Natural Resources headquarters in Bristol, Virginia.

Mountain Justice, an environmental organization, says the activists also were protesting the opening of new mines on Coal River Mountain in southern West Virginia.

Police say one of the protesters tied himself to a flagpole and flew a banner saying "Save Coal River Mountain." Demonstrators also chained the building's doors on the outside Friday morning.

Media outlets report that charges against the protesters include trespassing, obstructing free passage, disorderly conduct and violation of fire codes. A Monday court date was set.

Alpha spokesman Steve Hawkins says the activists are members of a West Virginia-based group that's protesting a broader issue that does not relate to the local community.

Former Judge Appeals Prison Sentence

A former Mingo County judge who pleaded guilty to a corruption charge is appealing his 50-month prison sentence.

Michael Thornsbury's attorney has filed a notice of appeal with the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia.

Thornsbury pleaded guilty to conspiring to deprive campaign sign maker George White of his constitutional rights.

Prosecutors said Thornsbury participated in a scheme to protect the late Sheriff Eugene Crum from accusations that the sheriff bought prescription painkillers from White.

U.S. District Judge Thomas Johnston earlier this month agreed with prosecutors who argued that Thornsbury deserved more prison time than the 30 to 37 months suggested by federal sentencing guidelines.

New W.Va. law could let some criminals buy guns

A new law that makes it easier for West Virginians to buy a handgun also makes it easier for some people who have recently committed a crime to buy a gun.

The law allows anyone who obtains a new concealed weapons permit to buy a gun without undergoing a federal background check. A check is required to get the permit, so supporters of the change say a second check is redundant.

But permits are good for five years, so anyone later convicted of a crime that should bar a gun purchase can still buy one by showing the permit to the dealer.

The permit is supposed to be revoked if someone becomes ineligible to buy a gun, but there's no effective mechanism for enforcement.

W.Va. authorities to participate in weekend initiative targeting drunken boaters

West Virginia authorities are planning a weekend crackdown on drunken boating later this month.

It's part of a national effort known as Operation Dry Water. West Virginia Division of Natural Resources officers will be out in force on state waters June 27-29 looking for boaters whose blood alcohol content exceeds the state limit of .08.

The division says in a news release that the goal is not just to arrest impaired boaters, but to also promote awareness about the dangers of alcohol and drug use on the water.

Tractor-trailer operators to participate in annual W.Va. championship in Charleston

Professional tractor-trailer operators from West Virginia will participate in a competition in Charleston.

The West Virginia Trucking Association's annual Truck Driving Championship is set for 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturday at the Charleston Civic Center.

The association says the competition is designed to promote safety. Each driver has a chance to demonstrate his or her driving skill and knowledge through written and field tests.

Drivers will be competing for a chance to go to a national truck driving contest in Pittsburgh in August.

Governor: New members of Ethics Commission will be appointed by deadline

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Governor Earl Ray Tomblin is working on a deadline. By law, he has just more than a week to appoint the nine people who will make up the newly restructured state Ethics Commission.

“By July 1, those nine new members of the new Ethics Commission will be appointed,” Tomblin said.

In March, the Legislature approved the changes to the Commission’s structure and reduced the number of members. Currently, ten of 12 available seats on the Ethics Commission are filled.

As for the potential new commissioners, “I think there will probably be a mixture of both. Some of the members are recent appointments that I’ve made and they’ve only been there a few months,” Tomblin said.

“I’m looking at those people, all of the people who have sent inquiries that would like to serve and we’ll be able to make those selections within the next week or so.”

Earlier this month, Rebecca Stepto was named interim executive director of the Ethics Commission following the June 5 firing of Joan Parker, the former executive director. Parker took over that role in February of last year and was dismissed with a 5-4 vote. The reasons for her firing have not been made public.

The Ethics Commission was created in 1989 as an independent, bipartisan board to administer the Ethics Act. The mission is to educate public officials covered by the Act, provide information to the public, interpret and apply the provisions in the Act and enforce its requirements through the investigation and complaint process.

Struck trooper may have been unconscious for short time

The West Virginia State Police is looking statewide for the driver who struck a trooper on the West Virginia Turnpike early Thursday morning.    

State Police spokesman Lt. Michael Baylous said Trooper First Class D.R. White noticed some debris in the northbound lanes a few miles north of Princeton at 5:12 a.m. He put his cruiser’s emergency lights on, got out and went into I-77 to remove it. On his way back to the cruiser the passenger’s side mirror of a car struck him and knocked him to the ground. The driver didn’t stop.

Lt. Baylous said Trooper White may have lost consciousness. He had to crawl back to his cruiser and call for help. He was taken to an area hospital and later released.

State law requires motorists to slow down and get over when they see police cruiser emergency lights.

State Police are checking security video of the Turnpike to see if they can find the driver. Baylous said it would be best for that person to call the State Police.

A scaled-back birthday: WV celebrates 151

Friday marks a milestone for the state of West Virginia, 151 years of statehood.

This year’s celebration is much smaller than what the state put on during last year’s sesquicentennial. That big birthday lasted four days and was filled with statehood events including three nights of fireworks, a free symphony concert, a parade and dozens of other events.

Caryn Gresham, with the Division of Culture and History, said 2014 will be a more intimate affair, a little less pomp and circumstance and more focused on smaller events.

“Here at the Culture Center we are offering a lot of different free programs that we feel will appeal to children and adults,” explained Gresham.

The fun gets underway Friday morning. You can tour the museum, browse the gift shop or take a look at the history related displays scattered around the building. At 11 a.m. Billy Joe Payton, a West Virginia native and author, will talk about his book ‘Historic Charleston.’ Then at noon, there’s a sweet treat for everyone. First Lady Joanne Tomblin will be on hand to cut a giant birthday cake and sing happy birthday to West Virginia.

“We will have our West Virginia state symbols here so people can take pictures with them. We’ll have a giant birthday card for people to sign. The state archives will be open so people can do a little genealogy or historic research,” according to Gresham.

Activities will also be taking place at the state’s first capital in Wheeling. Reenactors will be on hand and the two capitals will share an event.

“WV Independence Hall along with the Culture Center will be showing the Emmy nominated documentary “The Road to Statehood,” that was produced by West Virginia Public Broadcasting.”

A highlight of last year’s celebration is making a return. The 3-D movie, “West Virginia 150″ that was projected onto the facade of the state capitol, will be shown in the museum.

The Culture Center will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.