Massey issues report on corporate responsibility

Coal mine operator Massey Energy has put out its first social responsibility report.

The 32-page document details Massey's financial and employee support for a variety of programs, including donations for education and volunteer fire departments and help re-establishing the American chestnut in Appalachia.

Chief executive Don Blankenship says the report is aimed at helping the public understand Massey's positive contributions and to provide recognition for the company's nearly 6,000 employees.

Richmond, Virginia-based Massey is the nation's fourth-largest coal producer by revenue and has mines in West Virginia, Kentucky and Virginia.

State workers to rally Saturday for better pay

State government workers in West Virginia will rally Saturday at the Capitol to seek changes in their working conditions.

President Bruce Dotson of UE Local 170 of the West Virginia Public Workers Union said workers are proposing a "living wage" provision and cost-of-living adjustments to include retirees.

The highway worker contends pay for West Virginia state employees lags behind their counterparts in other states.

State hospital and social workers plan to stress what they say is low pay, understaffing and worker and patient safety. Dotson said worker morale is "extremely low.''

The rally will begin at 9 a.m. on the south steps of the Capitol.

Gypsy moths devour 81,000 acres of forest in state

Gypsy moths haven't lost their taste for West Virginia hardwoods as the insects devoured 81,000 acres of forest this year.

The state Department of Agriculture says the damage represents a 4 percent increase from last year.

West Virginia isn't alone in reporting increases in gypsy moth damage. Virginia officials say the moths defoliated more than 112,000 acres in that state.

State Agriculture Commissioner Gus Douglass said the moths attacked trees in the Eastern Panhandle and in counties that border Virginia.

The heaviest damage was in Greenbrier and Monroe counties, where roughly 85 square miles of forest were defoliated.

Residents are encouraged to sign up for next year's aerial spraying program to help slow the insects' spread.

Four state counties meet 180-day school mandate

Coal mine operator Massey Energy has put out its first social responsibility report.

The 32-page document details Massey's financial and employee support for a variety of programs, including donations for education and volunteer fire departments and help re-establishing the American chestnut in Appalachia.

Chief executive Don Blankenship says the report is aimed at helping the public understand Massey's positive contributions and to provide recognition for the company's nearly 6,000 employees.

Richmond, Virginia-based Massey is the nation's fourth-largest coal producer by revenue and has mines in West Virginia, Kentucky and Virginia.

State workers to rally Saturday for better pay

State government workers in West Virginia will rally Saturday at the Capitol to seek changes in their working conditions.

President Bruce Dotson of UE Local 170 of the West Virginia Public Workers Union said workers are proposing a "living wage" provision and cost-of-living adjustments to include retirees.

The highway worker contends pay for West Virginia state employees lags behind their counterparts in other states.

State hospital and social workers plan to stress what they say is low pay, understaffing and worker and patient safety. Dotson said worker morale is "extremely low.''

The rally will begin at 9 a.m. on the south steps of the Capitol.

Gypsy moths devour 81,000 acres of forest in state

Gypsy moths haven't lost their taste for West Virginia hardwoods as the insects devoured 81,000 acres of forest this year.

The state Department of Agriculture says the damage represents a 4 percent increase from last year.

West Virginia isn't alone in reporting increases in gypsy moth damage. Virginia officials say the moths defoliated more than 112,000 acres in that state.

State Agriculture Commissioner Gus Douglass said the moths attacked trees in the Eastern Panhandle and in counties that border Virginia.

The heaviest damage was in Greenbrier and Monroe counties, where roughly 85 square miles of forest were defoliated.

Residents are encouraged to sign up for next year's aerial spraying program to help slow the insects' spread.

Four state counties meet 180-day school mandate

Only four of West Virginia's 55 county school systems met the state-required 180 days of instructional time during the 2007-08 school year.

Greenbrier County Superintendent John Curry said a typical winter makes it impossible to meet the requirement. He said when there's 8 inches of snow, he has no choice but to cancel classes.

Greenbrier County had 171 instructional days last year. That tied with Nicholas, Pocahontas and Doddridge counties as the state's lowest.

The state average was 176.3 instructional days.

Only Boone, Kanawha, Lincoln and Putnam counties met the requirement.

State law prohibits schools from starting before Aug. 26 and ending after June 8.

Habitat challenges Berkeley water fee

MARTINSBURG - Habitat for Humanity says it shouldn't have to pay a water connection fee because it's not a developer.

Habitat of Humanity of the Eastern Panhandle Inc. is challenging a $3,120 fee levied by the Berkeley County Public Service Water District for a home it built in Martinsburg.

The nonprofit group filed a complaint with the state Public Service Commission in February.

Director Allen R. Means testified at a PSC hearing on Tuesday that his group doesn't meet the definition of a developer.

Water district Director Paul S. Fisher said state rules allow an exemption only for the "customer of record.''

PSC Administrative Law Judge Keith A. George gave attorneys 30 days to submit briefs before he rules.

State rises to 24th in highway performance

CLARKSBURG - An annual report shows that West Virginia's state-funded highways have improved, but still have some key problems.

The state is ranked 24th in overall performance and cost-effectiveness in the latest Reason Foundation report, which looked at 12 categories for 2006. That's two places up from the last report.

Division of Highways spokeswoman Karen Zamow credited the improved ranking to the state's focus on maintaining and improving roads

West Virginia's individual rankings range from first place in the low amount of money disbursed per mile, which totals less than $33,000, to last place for the amount of rural primary roads with narrow lanes, which is 41 percent.

North Dakota was ranked No. 1 overall in the report and New Jersey came in last.