Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Settlement approved in Aracoma mine disaster


A federal judge has approved a settlement involving the widows of the 2006 Aracoma mine disaster. U.S. District Judge John Copenhaver approved the deal between Aracoma widows Delorice Bragg and Freda Hatfield and the federal government Friday.
Bragg and Hatfield filed the the lawsuit after the Jan. 2006 deaths of their husbands, Don Bragg and Elvis Hatfield. They died in a belt fire at Massey Energy’s Aracoma Coal Alma No. 1 Mine in Logan County. Bragg and Hatfield got separated from others miners on their crew because of the heavy smoke and lack of proper ventilation and didn’t make it out alive. The lawsuit, originally filed four years ago, blamed the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration for a lack of inspections at the mine and various conflicts of interest.
Under the settlement, MSHA is required to implement a new safety program at its national training center near Beckley. The program will focus on underground mine fire protection. A plaque dedication for the new program is scheduled for Oct. 27.

The settlement will also pay the widows a total of $1 million and allow them to see some transcripts of interviews conducted during the investigation

UMWA members settle long dispute with Massey-Alpha


A decade-long dispute involving a group of union coal miners in eastern Kanawha County has finally come to an end. 
A union official confirmed the United Mine Workers of America and Alpha Natural Resources have settled a dispute which dated back to 2004 when workers lost their jobs after the Cannelton Mine was sold by Horizon Natural Resources to Massey Energy.
The union successfully maintained they were all fired by Massey and refused employment at the operation under a new name because they were tied to the union. The union picketed the operation in eastern Kanawha County for years. Massey sold the mine to Alpha Natural Resources in 2011 and the dispute continued.
The National Labor Relations Board ruled in favor of the workers in 2012. The board ruled Massey must offer jobs to 85 former employees of Horizon under the terms and conditions of employment at the time Massey bought the operation. Additionally, the NLRB ruled the company must pay back wages to the employees. The back pay could have totaled millions of dollars.
Alpha and the union bargained for a settlement to the dispute. The settlement was recently finalized and workers started receiving checks this week. Terms of the agreement have not been disclosed.

It was unknown how much the settlement was worth or how many employees received a share of the funds. A number of those originally involved in the suit and the long labor dispute have since died. 

New police chief brings FBI experience, Huntington roots


Joe Ciccarelli, a retired FBI special agent who got his start with the Huntington Police Department, was tapped as the city’s next police chief Monday.
Huntington Mayor Steve Williams announced the hiring of Ciccarelli, who has served in law enforcement for 36 years.
 “Joe Ciccarelli understands our city, our opportunities and our challenges,” Williams said in a release. “He is equipped to move our police department forward immediately. His career path is familiar to me. He began his career here and advanced through the ranks to the highest levels of his given profession, all the while having an eye on coming home.”
Most of Ciccarelli’s career has involved working with the FBI, which he joined in 1984.
“I hope to translate the experience I’ve gained in various assignments throughout my career into positive results for the police department and the city,” he said. “The brave men and women of the Huntington Police Department deserve the best leadership possible and all my efforts will be directed toward seeing that they get that every day.”
The hire was applauded Monday by U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin.
“I have known and worked with Joe Ciccarelli for many years during his time as a special agent with the FBI,” Goodwin said. “He has long been a leader in the law enforcement community in southern West Virginia. Joe has a unique ability to bring agencies together in pursuit of a common goal. Mayor Williams made a great choice.”
Goodwin announced a $100,000 federal crime fighting grant for the city Monday.
Ciccarelli said he hopes to continue the momentum in the department started by former chief Skip Holbrook and chief Jim Johnson who has served while the search process has taken place.

Ciccarelli began his career with HPD in 1978.

Citations issued in deadly mining accident


The state Mine Safety Board announced Monday it was issuing citations to Patriot Coal subsidiary Brody Mining in connection with May’s fatal mining accident in Boone County.
A coal outburst in an area where miners were retreat mining at the Brody Mine claimed the lives of Eric Legg, 48, of Twilight, and Gary Hensley, 46, of Chapmanville on May 12.
Inspectors determined the mine roof was not properly supported and controlled to protect workers.
An investigation revealed that spider cracks in the mine roof were noticed the day before the accident. An assistant mine foreman told the section foreman the area shouldn’t be mined. The investigation revealed a similar outburst happened May 9 and a miner had to be dug out from the debris. He was not seriously injured

Miners talked with Hensley briefly after the outburst but he was not alive when they reached him. 

Supreme Court will sign all future decisions



The state Supreme Court said Monday it’s no longer going to issue unsigned opinions, a practice that increased beginning in the 1970s.
Justices issued an opinion Monday in a Mercer County murder case and in doing so included information about why from now on they will issue signed opinions on call cases.
Under new rules approved in the last few years, the high court issues both memorandum decisions and signed opinions. The memorandum decisions are usually short and to the point and tell why the justices have or haven’t decided to take up a case. They are unsigned. Every appeal receives a ruling and that process will continue.
In the past, the court has used a method called per curiam decisions, or unsigned opinions, on certain cases, especially opinions based on information that’s already in state law. Chief Justice Robin Davis said Monday unsigned opinions are no longer necessary and whether they are issuing opinions based on existing state law or making a new point of law the opinions will be signed.
Chief Justice Davis said unsigned opinions have been a “misused practice.”
In a separate issue, Tuesday will mark a big day at the Supreme Court. Arguments are scheduled in a case filed by the Kanawha County Republican executive committee and the West Virginia GOP over an open ballot spot in the November general election.
The Republicans claim the state Election Commission erred by allowing Del. Suzette Raines to withdraw her name from the ballot while at the same time saying her reasons weren’t good enough to replace her.
Arguments begin at 10 a.m.


Fire Truck Accident


A wooden bridge collapsed early Monday morning as firefighters were driving a fire truck over it, sending the truck into a creek.

It happened about 3 a.m. on Pigeon Roost near Warfield.

Warfield Volunteer Fire Department Lt. Alex Alley was driving the truck.
Firefighter Rhonda Estepp was in the passenger seat.

The truck fell about 25 feet.

The two firefighters in the cab were taken to Three Rivers Hospital in Louisa. Estepp suffered sprains in her neck, back, and arm. Alley had a concussion.


The Warfield Fire Department says they'll be able to call out the Kermit, W.Va. or Inez fire departments for help, if necessary, until they can get that truck replaced. 

Monday, September 29, 2014

Alpha idles 2 mines, puts on hold plans for 8 others



Alpha Natural Resources made employment announcements Friday concerning more than a dozen of its mining operations in southern West Virginia. Alpha said it plans to idle two surface mines immediately, extending layoff notices for another two months at eight other operations and keeping one mine open.
Alpha issued Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notifications on July 31 for the 11 operations and layoffs were planned for Oct. 1 unless market conditions changed. WARN requires employers to provide notice 60 days in advance of covered plant closings and covered mass layoffs.
Alpha said Friday Independence Coal’s Twilight (Progress) surface mine in Boone County and Pioneer Fuels’ Ewing Fork No. 1 (Pax) surface mine in Kanawha and Raleigh counties are being idled immediately, eliminating 193 mining jobs.
The mines produced more than 1.4 million tons of steam and metallurgical coal in the first half of this year.
The company pushed back the WARN notices at its Highland Mining’s Superior, Reylas, Freeze Fork and Trace Fork surface mines in Logan County and the North surface mine in Mingo and Logan counties.  Also, WARN extension notices were given to Black Castle Mining’s surface mine in Boone County, Republic Energy’s Republic and Workman Creek surface mines in Raleigh County. The new WARN notices are set for Nov. 26. Hundreds of layoffs could come in early December at those operations.
Alpha also said its Alex Energy’s Edwight mine in Raleigh County will continue to operate as usual. The WARN notice was not extended.

The company is also making changes at its Raleigh County-based Marfork Coal Company. It’s eliminating 68 positions throughout the company including the idling of the Marsh Fork mine.

Wayne County Drug Arrests


The Wayne County Sheriff's Drug Enforcement Unit arrested five people following an undercover drug investigation.

Rebecca Skeens, 29, of Wayne was charged with three counts of delivery of a controlled substance and conspiracy. Timothy Wiley, 49, of Wayne was charged with delivery of a controlled substance. Dwayne Adams, 54, of Wayne was charged with two counts of delivery of a controlled substance and conspiracy. Michael S. Skeens, 29, of Wayne was charged with aiding and abetting the delivery of a controlled substance and conspiracy. Eddie D. Adams, 29, of Wayne was charged with deliver of a controlled substance, aiding and abetting and conspiracy.

Members of the unit said Eddie Adams was already in jail on an unrelated parole violation.

The Wayne County Sheriff's Drug Enforcement Unit said the arrests were part of several drug investigations that have taken place in the East Lynn area. Over the past few weeks, the unit arrested 14 people on similar drug charges.

All suspects were taken to the Western Regional Jail.


Former Judge’s Pension in Question



A former West Virginia judge's public pension is being called into question following his corruption conviction.

The West Virginia Consolidated Public Retirement Board on Thursday asked a circuit judge to determine that ex-Mingo Judge Michael Thornsbury is ineligible to receive his pension due to his felony conviction.

According to reports,  the petition seeks to end retirement benefits for Thornsbury and any marital benefits received from his ex-wife Drema Thornsbury.

The petition asks the Kanawha County Circuit Court to find that Thornsbury "rendered less than honorable service" under state code.


Earlier this year, a federal judge sentenced Thornsbury to four years and two months in prison after he pleaded guilty to depriving a man of his right to choose an attorney. 

Mercer ATV wreck claims life



A woman was killed in an ATV accident Friday night in Mercer County.
Sheriff’s deputies said the operator lost control of the machine on Windmill Gap Road near McComas. The ATV and the victim plunged over a 140-foot embankment.

The woman’s name was not immediately released. The accident happened at just before 8 p.m.

SBA to consider new funding cycle


When the state School Building Authority meets Monday, they’ll consider an old way of doing things. When the authority first starting handing out millions of dollars in funding for new school construction and renovation more than two decades ago, counties would come to the SBA at the end of the year. The funding cycle was eventually changed to April.
New SBA Executive Director Dr. David Sneed said he will propose switching things back to the way it used to be.
“In April, we wouldn’t fund projects this year as we normally would. We would wait until December,” explained the executive director.
There’s a good reason for that according to Sneed. It comes down to money.
“It has been determined that it’s actually cheaper, our bids are lower, if we bid projects before June the first,” he said.

That has to do with the construction season and the cost of materials and manpower. Currently there’s more than $2 billion in school construction needs across the state. During this year’s funding cycle, the SBA had $43 million to hand out. That went to seven counties. It’s proof, according to Sneed, that every dollar counts.

Friday, September 26, 2014

McDowell man arrested for allegedly impersonating fire investigator



A McDowell County man told people he was an investigator with the state Fire Marshal’s Office and now he’s charged with impersonating a law enforcement officer.
Genuine investigators with the Fire Marshal’s Office arrested Jerry Moorehead, II, of Anawalt Wednesday. They said he presented himself online and in person as an investigator.
Moorehead, 34, was arraigned in McDowell County Magistrate Court and released on $500 personal recognizance bond.

Investigators said they found out about Moorehead during their ongoing probes focused on fires in McDowell County.

Man charged with murder in Mineral County



A Mineral County man is in custody after a Wednesday night shooting death.

Mineral County 911 received a call from a man identified as Michael Wayne Myers at 10:30 p.m. Myers, 57, told the dispatcher he had just shot a woman and killed her. Mineral County sheriff’s deputies went to Myers’ home just off state Route 46 and found the victim. They arrested Myers and charged him with murder.

Deputies have not released the woman’s name. Myers is being held without bail in the Potomac Highlands Regional Jail.

Man uses baseball bat to beat back intruder


A Kanawha County man fought off an intruder Thursday morning according to county sheriff’s deputies.
A man tried to enter a house on Avesta Drive near St. Albans at about 1 a.m. The door of the bedroom opens to the outside.
The resident picked up a baseball bat hit the intruder who turned and ran from the house. Neither the man nor his wife was injured.
Police are looking for a 5-9 white man with short blonde hair. He’s believed to be about 30-years-old.  


Gov. Tomblin helps open new Allied Oil and Gas Services facility in Bridgeport



The continued growth of the oil and gas industry in North Central West Virginia was evident again with the opening of a new facility for Allied Oil and Gas Services.

When the company, which provides cementing and acidizing services to oil and gas companies, opened its first West Virginia operation located in Clarksburg during 2010, the facility employed 10 people, none from the local area. The new Bridgeport location will house 70 local employees along with eight pumps, three maintenance bays, and an on-site lab.

Its proximity to recent shale developments and necessary amenities drove the expansion.

“I need a workforce,” said David McLaurin, Allied’s CEO. “I need a a place that actually can [provide a workforce] and West Virginia, specifically the Clarksburg-Bridgeport area has a good workforce.”

On Thursday, McLaurin joined Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin, state and local politicians, employees of Allied and representatives from oil and gas companies that contract Allied for a ribbon cutting ceremony to open the facility.

“Anytime we can see an employer come in and expand businesses, that’s good for West Virginia,” Tomblin said.

North Central West Virginia, Harrison County in particular, has started to see economic development increase with the rise of the oil and gas industry. The new Allied facility is an example of resources begin utilized by the industry when they otherwise would not have been.”

“We’re standing on a piece of land that had absolutely no use just a few months ago,” Mike Romano, Harrison County Commissioner said. “They’ve turned it into a productive piece of land that’s going to have over 150 jobs here within the next 12 months.”

Plans to expand the facility are already in the works. McLaurin said they have the fortunate problem of already outgrowing what they have currently compared to the demand for service.

“The facility here’s got a lot of growth potential still,” he said. “Every time we add a piece of equipment, I need to hire anywhere from five to 10 more people. So a lot of the expansion is just bringing in the equipment.”

McLaurin said the company hauls out 40 truckloads of material each week, with demand increasing.


Drug Take Back Day set for Saturday



It’s time to toss those pills. Saturday, Sept. 27, will mark the ninth Drug Take Back Day across the country.
“Literally tons of prescriptions drugs that are no longer needed or wanted have been brought back by West Virginians,” according to U.S. Attorney for the Southern District Booth Goodwin.
In fact, this past spring the federal Drug Enforcement Agency, state and local police collected more than three tons of pills in one day here in the Mountain State. Most of those are coming out of medicine cabinets where they’ve been long forgotten by their owners. However, because prescription pills are a gateway drug, they don’t go unnoticed by family and friends with substance abuse problems or thieves looking for a quick high.
“We’ve seen an overwhelming response from West Virginians because they recognize how big an issue this is. They recognize that this is truly and epidemic here in West Virginia. It’s a part they can play in solving that very critical problem,” Goodwin said.
Getting rid of those dangerous drugs is as easy as logging on to DEA.gov and typing in your zip code to find a drop off site. There are 130 in West Virginia alone. All that’s left to do is to drive up and drop them off.
Goodwin firmly believes the decrease in prescription drug overdoes and deaths is due to the Take Back program. However, he said it’s created a vacuum.
“Because we’ve seen a reduction in pills on the street, we’ve also seen an alarming increase in heroin.”

Heroin is a cheaper high but it’s also not a drug most people choose for the first time they get high, unlike prescription pills. Goodwin said his office along with law enforcement are taking the challenges with the victories as they come.

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Police: Kid had gun on Kanawha County school bus


A Kanawha County elementary school student had a gun at school Wednesday.
Midland Trail Elementary Principal Davis Grant told parents in an automated phone message the gun was unloaded and inoperable.
A school bus driver saw the gun while taking kids home from school and police were contacted. The bus was held up for about 40 minutes.
Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Cpl. Brian Humphreys released more information Wednesday night. He said it was a single-shot .45 pistol that was unloaded. A first grade student carried the gun to school.
No threats were made to other students, and no confrontation or intimidation has been uncovered as a result of the investigation.  The first grade student was sent home with his parents or guardians,” Cpl. Humphreys’ statement said.

The School Resource Officer is investigating how the student got the gun and if there was any criminal negligence. The facts of the case will be turned over to the Kanawha County Prosecutor’s Office for consideration. 

Body found near Elk River in Charleston


Charleston police investigators said late Wednesday night they did not expect foul play in connection with the discovery of a man’s body near the Elk River.

The victim, believed to be in his 30s, was found at just before 10 p.m. near the old railroad trestle bridge close to the city’s maintenance garage in the Pennsylvania Ave. area.

Police said it’s possible the man could have fallen down the steep embankment. The death was reported by some homeless individuals who frequent the area.


Arrest made in Charleston bank robbery


Charleston police arrested a woman Wednesday night in connection with a bank robbery earlier in the day in Kanawha City.

Police told MetroNews they believe the woman drove the getaway car for the man who robbed the Fifth-Third Bank at about 2 p.m.

Officers took the woman into custody in the Wheeler Ridge subdivision in Hurricane at around 7 p.m. She had been house sitting for her sister at a residence on Linden Lane. Police were still looking for the man involved in the robbery late Wednesday night.


Police towed a blue Altima believed to be the getaway car away from the Hurricane area residence. The woman is in the South Central Regional Jail and will be arraigned Thursday morning. 

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Convenience store robbed in Logan County


Police in Logan County are looking for the man who robbed a convenience store near the community of Man Tuesday morning.

Sheriff’s deputies said the man had a gun when he entered the Speedway store at Huff Creek at around 3 a.m. He had his back turned to the counter until a clerk came out from a back room.

The suspect wore a hooded sweatshirt and had his face covered. He got away with some cash.


The Logan County Sheriff’s Department can be contacted at 304-792-8590.

Fate of Prosecutor Plants now in hands of 3-judge panel



It’s now up to a three-judge panel to decide if Kanawha County Prosecutor Mark Plants should be removed from office. Testimony wrapped up at the Kanawha County Courthouse early Tuesday afternoon.
The Kanawha County Commission wants to see Plants gone. Its attorney called about a dozen witnesses over a day and a half. Its last witness was Lew Brewer, an expert on legal ethics and former executive director of the state Ethics Commission. He testified that Plants violated several rules of conduct including: conflict of interest, interfering in attorney-client privilege, denigrating a public official and interfering with the administration of justice.
Brewer said no matter what the outcome of the hearing, Plants’ name and reputation have been tainted and his office will continue to have problems handling domestic-related cases that are now being handled by a special prosecutor.
“This conflict will continue. Right now, it’s indefinite but even after he is tried, because he hasn’t been tried on those charges, it will continue. It will be a lingering, continuing conflict once those charges have been resolved,” Brewer testified.
Plants is charged with a pair of misdemeanors. He allegedly committed domestic battery when he disciplined his son with a belt that left a bruise and he allegedly violated a domestic protection order his ex-wife had obtained.
Brewer said those who are prosecuted by Plants’ office could say they didn’t get a fair trial and victims might claim his office didn’t do enough to go after their attackers.
Brewer stressed that after Plants was charged with domestic battery against his son, he should have realized how serious the situation was and stayed out of further trouble instead of violating a protective order.
“Even in a set of public officials, the prosecuting attorney is one of those who is held to the highest of standards,” testified Brewer.
He went on to say that when Plants and his office attacked Special Prosecutor Don Morris for how much he was being paid to handle the domestic cases Plants was disqualified from, it was yet another violation and a very bad decision.
“You just have to sit there and suck it up. That’s basically the rule. Yes, it may be cost somebody money. It may be costing his budget. It may be costing the county budget. But it is necessitated to comply with the law,” according to Brewer.
Special Prosecutor Morris is being paid $200-an-hour. Brewer was paid $250-an-hour by the county commission for his testimony in the case.
Plants’ attorney Jim Cagle went after Brewer during cross-examination saying Brewers conclusions were unsubstantiated because the legal expert relied on transcripts from hearings and yet no verdict has been handed down. At times, the questioning got contentious.
“Remember, remember what we’re….,”Cagle said.
Brewer cut in, “I’m still reviewing my response to your earlier question.”
Cagle fired back, “Mr. Brewer, let me speak. It’s my turn.”
After a short lunch recess, the county rested its case. Cagle called Plants new wife, Sarah Plants, to the witness stand. However, the questioning didn’t last long. The three-judge panel ruled her testimony was hearsay and she quickly stepped down. Cagle then rested his case.

The judges requested both sides submit findings of fact and conclusions of law to the panel by Oct. 3. They will consider all the evidence and, at a later time, rule on whether Plants should be in or out permanently as prosecutor.  No word on how long that will take. The panel’s recommendation will be forwarded to the state Supreme Court for final approval. 

Closed POD focus of capitol complex drill


Workers at the state capitol complex tackled the ‘what if?’ Tuesday when a live exercise featuring Anthrax exposure took place.

Dozens of volunteers from all three branches of state government took part in the campus’ Closed Point of Dispensing (Closed POD) project.

“This is a way to make sure that the folks who work on this campus and their immediate households are protected,” state Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety spokesman Larry Messina said. “Another major goal is continuity of government in the time of emergency.”

The scenario included some workers being exposed to Anthrax while others were not. The Closed POD protected those who were not by dispensing medicine to them.

“If there were an Anthrax exposure here on campus we would put the Closed POD into effect. There are folks around campus who have already been trained in how the Closed POD would work, just as we prepare for things like fires and we have fire drills,” Messina said.

The exercise ran three different times during a three-hour period.

Messina said state government has learned of no specific threat to the capitol complex but it’s wise to be prepared.


“It may be that this never occurs but we know that in some things that we have endured emergency planning is very important when it comes to protecting public health and the government continues to operate,” he said.  

Just Google it; search engine spokesman talks tourism in West Virginia


The official spokesperson for Google told a crowd of West Virginia tourism experts Tuesday the state may have a niche for those who
want to get off the grid.

Google’s Daniel Sieberg was the keynote speaker during the final day of the Governor’s Tourism Conference in Charleston. He said everyone is so connected these days there’s a movement to at least spend some time unconnected and that’s where West Virginia and its tourism attractions could benefit.
“You know what? I just need to put my devices away for a bit and actually go whitewater rafting or go hiking and not worry about not checking my email for a few hours for the world is going to carry on without me,” Sieberg said.
He grew up in Canada but has lived in New York City for several years with his wife and children. He said “getting away” is also something he’s dealing with.
“It’s increasingly something a lot of us feel. It’s tugging at our psyche. It kind of goes against human nature to be out of the environment that you want to be in all the time,” he said.
But Sieberg said there must be a balance. He said those in the tourism business must do their best to take advantage of those who live each day connected through their smart phones and tablets.
“We need to figure out, who are our customers? What are we trying to say to them?’ And then understanding a little about those people,” Sieberg said. “Are they coming to us, the tourism state, because they want to disconnect? Or are they coming to because of convenience and they want to be connected?”

Those attending the tourism conference also heard from other experts Tuesday.  

Conceal carry permit fraud results in federal prison time for Fayette woman



A former worker at the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department was sentenced Tuesday to spend one year and one day in federal prison for stealing $40,000 in cash from the funds paid for conceal carry permits.
U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin said Cheryl Gray, 44, of Hilltop, was in charge of collecting the application fees for the permits from the sheriff. During a six-month period she stole the money and created incomplete lists of applicants that she submitted to the State Police.

Gray pleaded guilty to mail fraud back in June.

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Testimony begins in Kanawha County prosecutor’s removal hearing


A three-judge panel began hearing Monday whether Kanawha County Prosecutor Mark Plants should be removed from office. Plants sat in the Charleston courtroom staring down at the table, barely looking up during the first three hours of testimony.

It was back in March that Plants was charged for domestic battery for allegedly striking his 11-year-old son with a belt multiple times, leaving a bruise. A few weeks later he allegedly violated a domestic protection order to stay away from his two sons and his ex-wife Allison Plants. In April, Plants was forced to recuse himself and his office from hearing domestic related cases. 

As a result, a special prosecutor was brought in to handle those cases.

Last month, the Kanawha County Commission called on Plants to step down. That’s when the three-judge panel was appointed by the state Supreme Court. County attorney Melissa Foster-Bird told the judges during her opening statement Monday morning that Plants has violated the oath he took when he became prosecutor.

“We believe we will show clearly and convincingly that Mr. Plants has committed misconduct and malfeasance and also negligence in the duties as prosecutor,” said Foster-Bird.
Part of that misconduct, according to Foster-Bird, is the prosecutor trying to change his son’s testimony.

“Mr. Plants has spoken with his children, has tried to get his children to change their testimony, has tried to influence, intimidate and harass his children into changing their stories so that those domestic violence charges would be dropped,” Foster-Bird told the court.

Plants’ attorney Jim Cagle told the judges during his opening statement that the county’s case would not hold up in court.

“We will contest the admissibility of virtually all the evidence that has been submitted in the pre-trial of this matter,” said Cagle

The first witness to take the stand was West Virginia State Police Sgt. Matthew Adams, a member of the Crimes Against Children Task Force and the lead investigator into the domestic abuse case against Plants.

“Initially, Mr. Plants stated that he struck his son twice. I confronted him with how many time the victim said he was struck. Mr. Plants changed it to three or four times and then at the end of the statement Mr. Plants said the beating occurred for no more than 20 seconds,” according to Adams.

Adams interviewed all the main players in the case including Plants’ current wife Sarah Plants in March. He recorded their conversation which was on the record. What Adams didn’t know was Mrs. Plants was recording the conversation as well, without Adams’ knowledge and left the audio recording after the interview was complete. That six minutes of audio was played in court.
Sarah Plants asked Adams, “Do you think that (Mark) intentionally curved the belt to intentionally bruise him?”

Adams replied, “No, I don’t think he intentionally did it.”

However, in court Adams testified it wasn’t how Plants hit his son but rather the intensity.

Also testifying for the county was Charleston City Police Sgt. Anthony Colagrasso. He responded to a verbal altercation between Plants and his ex-wife at John Adams Middle School earlier this summer. By the time he arrived, Mrs. Plants was back in her vehicle and Mr. Plants was talking with another city officer. That’s when Colagrasso said Plants made a highly unusual statement.

“Did he tell you he was the prosecutor and that we wanted her arrested?” Questioned attorney Foster-Bird.

“He told me he was the prosecutor and that I was within my legal right to arrest her and he wanted her to be arrested,” testified Colagrasso. “I informed Mr. Plants that during my time on the police department and during my training I had never been advised that we were authorized or allowed to arrest a petitioner of a domestic violence petition.”

The list of other witnesses set to take the stand include Plant’s wife Sarah, Kanawha County commissioners and the special prosecutor assigned to handle Plant’s cases, Don Morris.


One dead after Marion County ambulance wreck


One person being transported in a Marion County ambulance was pronounced dead Monday afternoon after that ambulance was involved in a traffic accident along U.S. Route 250 near Barrackville.

Authorities said the emergency vehicle was heading toward Fairmont at about 1:15 p.m. when a Jeep in front of it attempted to turn onto Barrackville Road. The two vehicles collided sending the ambulance through a guardrail. It landed on its top near a culvert.

Marion County 911 said the person being transported in the ambulance did not survive the accident. Four people on the rescue squad were injured. In a statement released by the Marion County Rescue Squad officials said four members of the squad were injured, two were taken to Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown and the other two to Fairmont Regional Medical Center.

Marion County sheriff’s deputies and State Police are investigating the deadly crash.

CDC confirms cases of Enterovirus EV-D68 in West Virginia



West Virginia has joined the list of more than 20 states where the Enterovirus EV-D68 has been reported.
On Monday, the Centers for Disease Control confirmed four cases of the virus that causes respiratory illnesses in the Mountain State.
In all, the virus, which was first identified in 1962 but is rarely reported, has sickened more than 160 people nationwide since the middle of August.
According to officials with the state Department of Health and Human Resources, 32 total samples from Calhoun, Greenbrier, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, Mercer, Raleigh, Wirt and Wood counties were sent to the CDC for testing.
Out of those specimens, the CDC said there were four confirmed cases of EV-D68–all found in children–from Wood, Wirt and Greenbrier counties.
State health officials said mild symptoms of EV-D68 could include fever, runny nose, sneezing, cough and body aches.  Those with asthma may have trouble breathing.
They advise frequent hand washing to prevent the virus, covering coughs and sneezes and getting a flu shot this year.


Former bank officer in Harrison County sentenced to time in federal prison



A former bank executive in Harrison County convicted of fraud has been sentenced to time in federal prison.
John Aman, 60, of Clarksburg will spend 21 months in FCI Morgantown, followed by 5 years of supervised release.
U.S. Senior District Judge Frederick P. Stamp Jr. also ordered Aman to pay restitution totaling $132,355.30, along with forfeiture and the special assessment fee which comes with felonies.
The sentence comes after Aman, a former vice president at Huntington National Bank and West Union Bank, pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud out of an 11 count indictment which charged him with obtaining loans by abusing the power of attorney designated to him by an elderly in-law.
The original indictment charged him with acquiring nearly $500,000, using the relative’s stock as collateral. When the loans to Freedom Bank were not paid back on time, the stocks were sold.
During the sentencing on Monday, Aman apologized to his family in attendance as well as the banks and the court, saying he was deeply sorry for his actions.
The defense argued he should not have to serve time in prison, stating the sentencing guidelines exaggerated the crime and he and his family had gone through years of civil litigation for the same incident.
Judge Stamp disagreed, claiming no time in prison would sent a “very inappropriate message” based on the severity of the crime.
Aman is currently the general manager of the Central West Virginia Transit Authority. The defense, government and CENTRA have all stated his crimes did not involve his work with the bus service. The CENTRA board stood behind Aman during his legal proceedings, even giving him a raise at one point.

Aman was given the chance to self-report to prison by noon on October 22.

Drug Bust in Mingo County


Two men were arrested after a traffic stop led to a heroin bust in Mingo County. That may sound routine, but investigators said one of the men tried to hide it all in his underwear.

Mingo County Sheriff James Smith said Franklin Derrick Maynard, 25, of Chapmanville, and Jason Hatfield, 42, of Hardy, Kentucky, were caught Friday bringing heroin to the Williamson area.

Investigators said Maynard even sewed a pocket in his underwear to hide it all.

The sheriff said he isn't surprised these two men took extra effort in hiding heroin on their way to Mingo County.

Deputies said Maynard sewed an extra pocket to hide 16 packets of heroin, all worth $100 a piece.

In all, the sheriff said the drugs are worth about $1,600.

Monday, September 22, 2014

Wayne County Drug Bust



Four men from Wayne County have been arrested on various drug charges following an undercover investigation by the Wayne County Sheriff’s Drug Enforcement Unit.

The U.S. Marshal CUFFED Fugitive Task Force and Wayne Police assisted in making the arrests.

40 year old Rufus Swimm, 40 year old Paul Sexton both of East Lynn, 41 year old James Perry of Wayne and 22 year old Jeffrey Parker of Lavalette were arrested.

All four are lodged in the Western Regional Jail.


Truancy in W.Va. Schools




State figures show that nearly a third of West Virginia’s public school students were truant during the 2013-2014 academic year.

According to Department of Education data, 58 percent of McDowell County’s students were marked as truant, the highest rate in the state.

Jefferson county had the lowest rat, 7 percent.

The statewide rate was about 31 percent.

Students are marked as truant if they miss at least five days of class without an excuse.


Friday, September 19, 2014

Boone Teacher Jailed on Pot Charges



A Boone County teacher faces charges of cultivating four marijuana plants at her home.
State police, acting on a tip, discovered the marijuana growing at the home of Mary Messer, 47, in Madison.
In the investigation Messer’s 17-year-old son told police he routinely smoked the pot.

Messer, a special education teacher at Scott High School, was jailed on a charge of child neglect creating risk of injury, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and conspiracy to commit a felony.

Wal-Mart to hire 60,000 temporary workers for the holidays



Wal-Mart Stores Inc. says it plans to hire 60,000 temporary holiday workers for the crucial holiday season, an increase of 10 percent from last year.

The world's largest retailer also says current workers who want more hours during the holidays will get priority for them.


The news follows similar announcements from UPS, FedEx and Kohl's, which are also making more temporary hires this year.

Police called to high school in Logan, WV



Students in Logan County, West Virginia were scheduled to get out early Thursday. But when the bell rang to dismiss classes some students refused to leave.
Police officers were called to the school.
Students were protesting the fact that their traditional homecoming celebrations are being moved to a different time, outside of the regular school day.
A group of kids went into the student center where teachers were meeting for training and held signs asking school leaders to reconsider.
Logan County's Superintendent of Schools issued a statement saying the county must comply with the state's policy about having 180 days of instruction.

A spokesperson for the West Virginia Department of Education said they are talking with Logan County leaders about this specific decision to better understand the details. 

Bill seeks fairer treatment for black lung victims


Sens. Jay Rockefeller and Bob Casey are unveiling legislation aimed at ensuring fairer treatment for coal miners with black lung disease as they pursue benefits claims.

The bill by the two coal-state senators Thursday comes after an investigation examined how doctors and lawyers, working at the behest of the coal industry, helped defeat the benefits claims of sick miners. The investigation was done by the Center for Public Integrity and ABC News.

Among other things, the bill requires parties in a case to disclose all medical evidence, and strengthens criminal penalties for making false statements in the claims process.

Black lung is an irreversible and potentially deadly disease caused by exposure to coal dust, where the dust particles accumulate in the lungs.


Thursday, September 18, 2014

Man charged with theft of fuel from mine site



A Kanawha County man is behind bars facing an array of charges after he allegedly stole fuel from a Boone County mine site and led State Police on a pursuit into Kanawha County.
Cecil Dean, 47, was arrested after the pursuit which ended on the shooting range at Kanawha State Forest Tuesday evening. Troopers were alerted by management at the Black Castle Mine at Andrew, West Virginia about the theft.
“Suspect was involved in stealing off road diesel fuel at the mine and when confronted by Trooper Eric McClung he fled the mining property,” said Corporal Kevin Harper of the Madison Detachment of the West Virginia State Police. “He had three large approximately 150 gallon tanks in the back of his pickup truck and they were all full of off-road diesel fuel.”
Harper said mine management and security personnel had been looking into the disappearance of the fuel already.
“Retired Captain George Spangler was involved in the investigation and was aware the subject was on scene,” said Harper. “I think he actually videotaped the subject stealing the fuel and notified the Madison detachment.”

Dean is facing charges of grand larceny and felony fleeing.  He also faces a range of charges which stem from the pursuit. Troopers said the chase stretched from Boone County on routes 3 and 94 and then into Kanawha State Forest where he hit a dead end and gave up without incident.

DEP was hoping for more time to respond to Clean Power Rule



The state Department of Environmental Protection was hoping the federal EPA would extend the comment period on the new Clean Power Rule by 90 days instead of the 45-day extension the agency announced.
“While we at DEP appreciate the EPA’s decision to extend the deadline by 45 days, we would prefer a longer extension in order for state regulators and other stakeholders to have ample time to prepare thorough and meaningful responses on a very complicated issue,” DEP Chief Communications Officer Kelley Gillenwater said.
The new deadline is Dec. 1.
Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin said back in June when EPA administrator Gina McCarthy announced the proposed rules to cut carbon emissions from existing coal-fired power plants that not a single plant in West Virginia would be in compliance.
DEP Secretary Randy Huffman said at the time the state would be seeking flexibility with the EPA. He said the only coal-fired plant close to the emission levels is the Longview plant near Morgantown. He said unfortunately the technology is currently not in place to reduce the carbon footprint of the other plants if they still want to use coal.

A top EPA official failed to specify Tuesday about the reasons for extending the public comment period to Dec. 1. 

With Supreme Court’s backing, Tomblin swiftly appoints new Mingo judge


The state Supreme Court, stopping an attempted end-around by Mingo County ballot commissioners, ruled that a family court judge vacancy should be filled by Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin and not a November election.
Justices ruled against the Mingo ballot commissioners Wednesday, saying state code is clear on the governor’s power to fill the seat.
Tomblin named Sabrina Deskins to the post within an hour after the Supreme Court ruling.
The court ruled the Mingo County ballot group had no authority to declare an open seat for the judge’s post. After ballot commissioners decided last month there would be an election for the opening, the Mingo County Democratic executive committee chose Duke Jewell for the ballot. Secretary of State Natalie Tennant challenged the decision and filed action with the Supreme Court.
The vacancy was created earlier this year when the governor appointed former Family Court judge Miki Thompson to be the new Mingo County circuit judge.

“Judge Thompson has a strong track record of working for West Virginia families and continues to serve the people and families of Mingo County in her role as circuit judge,” Tomblin said in a news release. “Sabrina’s legal and professional background in the family court system will help her to serve the people of Mingo County well in her new role as family court judge.”

Homecoming Festivities Changed in Logan County



Shortly, the streets in Logan, West Virginia, will be overrun with floats.

For 50 years, the city's homecoming parade has packed in people from all over the area.

In years past, students had a half day. This year, Logan County Schools have decided to hold their activities after school.

Last year, the weather cancelled classes for 21 days.

With the new state law requiring 180 days of education, every day counts.

Here is the schedule for homecoming parades:

Man High School will hold their homecoming parade at 5 p.m. Sept. 25.

Logan High School will hold their homecoming parade at 6 p.m. Oct. 2.


Chapmanville High School will hold their homecoming parade at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 10.