The Charleston Gazette - Business

Rockefeller says FAA bill huge win for state

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 08:40:41 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller says an aviation funding bill that has received final congressional approval will preserve jobs across the state.The West Virginia Democrat said Monday the bill includes continued federal support of small ...

T-shirt maker struggles to fight WVU on trademarks

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:17:17 -0500

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- The owner of a T-shirt company sued by West Virginia University says he cant afford a lawyer, so hes trying to raise $10,000 selling shirts online to hire one.WVU sued Miva-Man, operating as Fastees, in U.S. District Court last...

Halftime in America ad creates political debate

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:52:44 -0500

DETROIT -- People rarely pick a fight with Dirty Harry. But Chryslers "Halftime in America ad featuring quintessential tough guy Clint Eastwood has generated fierce debate about whether it accurately portrays the countrys most economically distres...

United Way accepting Letters of Intent for 2012-2013 funding cycle

(Staff reports) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:04:58 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- United Way of the River Cities will accept Letters of Intent for its upcoming 2012-2013 funding cycle. Letters of Intent are due Feb. 17. Letter of Intent applicants that meet the required criteria will be invited to su...

Bluefield group rallies to save Kroger store

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:06:36 -0500

BLUEFIELD, W.Va. -- A local group is trying to persuade Kroger to keep a store in Bluefield open. The South Bluefield Neighborhood Association has launched a petition drive asking Kroger to not close the Cumberland Road store. Media outlets re...

Health panel recommends generalized restaurant scores

lori.kersey@wvgazette.com (Lori Kersey) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:04:05 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The Kanawha-Charleston Health Department should change the way it notifies the public about restaurant inspections, a department subcommittee recommended Tuesday afternoon. The subcommittee will recommend changing from the depar...

Task force pushes CO detector requirement; House bill introduced

lori.kersey@wvgazette.com (Lori Kersey) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:39:15 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A bill introduced in the West Virginia House of Delegates would require carbon monoxide detectors in certain public facilities, and a task force wants to make sure that hotels are included in that list. As its currently written,...

Mineral trust boosted budget, ex-Wyoming governor says

kward@wvgazette.com (Ken Ward Jr.) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:45:31 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A long-term trust fund fueled by mineral taxes like that proposed for West Virginia has allowed Wyoming to weather the boom-bust cycle of extractive industries, a former Wyoming governor said Tuesday. "It has provided a...

Dow approaches 13000, and maybe a record to come

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:55:50 -0500

NEW YORK -- It was just last summer that the Dow Jones industrial average shed 2000 points in three terrifying weeks. Investors had a host of things to worry about, including the posssibility of another recession. Now, the Dow is within reach of the r...

Chairman, 3 others out in Yahoo board shake-up

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:56:59 -0500

SAN FRANCISCO -- Yahoo Chairman Roy Bostock and three longtime board members are stepping down, submitting to the demands of many frustrated shareholders who blame them for not fixing the problems dragging down the Internet companys revenue and stock p...

Bill enlists scrap dealers to help curb copper theft

ericeyre@wvgazette.com (Eric Eyre) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:57:40 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- State Sen. Herb Snyder hauled a hefty piece of 1,800-strand copper wire phone cable with him to the Senate chamber on Tuesday. Snyder, D-Jefferson, called copper theft an "epidemic" that must be stopped. "This is...

Frontier Airlines wants to look more like low-cost rivals

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:58:15 -0500

NEW YORK -- The chief executive at Republic Airways Holdings Inc. says hes trying to make the airlines money-losing Frontier Airlines unit more like lower-cost rivals Spirit Airlines and Allegiant Travel Co. But hes not going all the way. Chairman and ...

AEP chief: Coals elimination just not going to happen

(Megan Workman) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:37:57 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Although the amount of energy produced by coal will decrease in the nation -- from 45 percent today to 39 percent by 2020 -- a top electric utility company CEO said there is definitely a future for coal. "Coal is naturally g...

Nitro mulls ideas for using grant funds near bridge

(Aran Jenkins) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:42:19 -0500

NITRO, W.Va. -- Nitro City Council members announced at Tuesday nights meeting that efforts are ongoing in deciding how they will spend a $20,000 grant from the West Virginia Department of Highways for historic preservation around the site of the Nitro...

AEP leader speaks tonight at UC

(Staff reports) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 18:02:14 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The president and CEO of American Electric Power will speak at the University of Charleston Tuesday night in the first installment of a lecture series on the energy business. Nick Akins will speak at 6:30 p.m. in Geary Auditorium in Ri...

Blair Mountain protectors have no standing, coal group argues

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 18:07:37 -0500

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- Groups trying to protect Logan Countys Blair Mountain from mining have no legal standing to sue because they dont own any of the property involved in the long-running dispute, the West Virginia Coal Association argues in a new co...

Qdoba to open in SC on Friday

(Staff reports) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 18:22:16 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Qdoba Mexican Grill will open its Corridor G location Friday, the restaurant announced Monday. The eatery will be located at 98 RHL Boulevard in the Dudley Farms Plaza in South Charleston. On Friday, the first 100 customers in the rest...

Veterinarian is leader of his pack

lynch@wvgazette.com (Bill Lynch) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 23:45:00 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- You can tell a lot about pet owners from how they keep their home, by the amount of cat hair on the furniture or by the telltale smell of animal "accidents" that linger long after theyve been blotted, scrubb...

Fact Check: Obama, GOP spin recent energy stats

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:02:00 -0500

WASHINGTON -- You wouldnt know it from the Republicans, but these are boom times for American energy. And you wouldnt know it from President Obama, but he has very little to do with that.From the presidential campaign trail to Congress, Republicans have be...

Corporate profits are not what they seem

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:03:57 -0500

NEW YORK -- Is the great profit engine of corporate America running out of steam.While other parts of the economy struggled the past two years, large companies managed to rack up higher profits quarter after quarter. Now reality is catching up with big bus...

Verizon to set up streaming service with Redbox

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:07:23 -0500

NEW YORK -- Phone company Verizon Communications Inc. will challenge Netflix and start a video streaming service this year with Redbox and its DVD rental kiosks. Verizon and Coinstar Inc., Redboxs parent company, said Monday that the service will be nation...

Broadband oversight proposed

ericeyre@wvgazette.com (Eric Eyre) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 23:45:00 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The state Public Service Commission already has a say in what West Virginians pay for water, sewer and electric service. Could high-speed Internet join the list. State legislators have introduced a bill (SB491) that would allo...

From relief to despair: Varying views of jobs data

rsteelhammer@wvgazette.com (Rick Steelhammer) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 15:02:23 -0500

WASHINGTON — Month by month, the U.S. job market is regaining its health. So many jobs are being added that the unemployment rate has dropped for five straight months. At 8.3 perce...

Bigger U.S. role against companies cyberthreats.

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 15:03:04 -0500

WASHINGTON - A developing Senate plan that would bolster the governments ability to regulate the computer security of companies that run critical industries is drawing strong opposition from businesses that say it goes too far...

GOP lawmakers seek vote on Pa. drilling bill

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 15:03:37 -0500

HARRISBURG, Pa. - A final framework is at hand on sweeping legislation to impose an impact fee and update safety regulations on Pennsylvanias booming natural gas industry, top Republican state lawmakers say.

The companies were recognized at the recent West Virginia Mining Symposium in Charleston.

WV Prime hopes to cultivate innovation

lori.kersey@wvgazette.com (Lori Kersey) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 23:45:00 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A new program at West Virginia University is pairing entrepreneurs with the business leaders who have the know-how to make their projects work. James Smith, a professor in WVUs mechanical and aerospace engineering department,...

George Hohmann: DMV says hassle is for a good cause

business@dailymail.com (George Hohmann) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 23:45:00 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- State Division of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Joe Miller and his employees are catching a lot of grief over the identification now required to renew your West Virginia drivers license or get a new one. Miller has repeatedly emph...

Guests say hotel knew of problem

(Travis Crum) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 16:53:04 -0500

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Staff members at the Holiday Inn Express in South Charleston were aware of a problem with their swimming pool 10 days before an apparent carbon monoxide leak from the pools heater killed one and injured several others Tue...

A penchant for pellets

rsteelhammer@wvgazette.com (Rick Steelhammer) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 16:56:47 -0500

INSTITUTE, W.Va. -- A program taking shape through a collaboration between Bridgemont Community and Technical College, West Virginia State University and the Capitol Conservation District will demonstrate how long-stem grasses grown on marginal far...

Jobs report lifts Dow to highest mark since 08

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:01:09 -0500

NEW YORK -- A drop in the unemployment rate to its lowest in three years propelled the Dow Jones industrial average Friday to its highest close since before the 2008 financial crisis. The Nasdaq composite index hit an 11-yea...

Unemployment rate hinges on more than job gains

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:04:39 -0500

WASHINGTON -- For most people, the 8.3 percent unemployment rate is the most visible sign of the economys health. The rates every movement is closely watched, especially in an election year.

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Coal conference ends with attacks on Obama

kward@wvgazette.com (Ken Ward Jr.) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:15:21 -0500

Doggone good food (photos)

kennykemp@wvgazette.com (Kenny Kemp) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:33:30 -0500

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Cracker tax break could cost locality $300 million

kward@wvgazette.com (Ken Ward Jr.) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:07:50 -0500

Read the report CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A tax break that Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin rushed through the Legislature to try to lure a natural gas "cracker" plant to West Vir...

Alpha, Patriot announce coal production cuts

kward@wvgazette.com (Ken Ward Jr.) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:31:11 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Alpha Natural Resources announced late Friday that it plans to idle several Appalachian coal mines and reduce work schedules at others, citing reduced coal demand as more electricity utilities move toward using natural gas. The ...

OPEB liability bill still on Legislature fast track

philk@wvgazette.com (Phil Kabler) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:32:02 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Legislation to pay down a $5 billion unfunded liability for cost of future retiree health-care benefits for state and public school employees could be headed to Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin for his signature by Thursday. In an afternoon ...

Firefighter wage dispute freezes Charleston budget

Zachary.Taylor@wvgazette.com (Zac Taylor) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:33:39 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Charleston officials say they cannot move ahead with their next budget until a dispute involving a new firefighter wage formula -- one that eliminates an old policy that has forced the city to unnecessarily pay more than $4.5 milli...

Hiring surges in January; jobless rate is 8.3%

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:36:28 -0500

WASHINGTON -- In a long-awaited surge of hiring, companies added 243,000 jobs in January -- across the economy, up and down the pay scale and far more than just about anyone expected. Unemployment slid to 8.3 percent, the lowest in three years. The jo...

Richwood mayor arrested

(Travis Crum) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:48:30 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A Nicholas County mayor was arrested Wednesday after the West Virginia Ethics Commission alleged that he took money from a city account. Richwood Mayor John D. McClung, 65, was charged with fraudulent schemes and obtaining money b...

AFL-CIO urges members, friends to join Working America

pjnyden@wvgazette.com (Paul J. Nyden) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:39:15 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- At their annual legislative conference on Thursday morning, West Virginia AFL-CIO leaders asked union members to urge their friends to join "Working America," an AFL-CIO affiliate with offices in Charleston. Teresa Ball,...

PSC modifies water company jobs ruling

lori.kersey@wvgazette.com (Lori Kersey) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:42:35 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- West Virginia American Water should explain any future staffing reductions below 288 employees, the state Public Service Commission ruled Thursday. The PSC also ordered that the water company should ensure that future staffin...

Tomblin rejects funding development plan with severance-tax hike

kward@wvgazette.com (Ken Ward Jr.) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:53:48 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin said Thursday he would not take up a proposal to increase West Virginias coal and natural gas severance taxes to pump money into a trust that would fund long-term economic development, education and infrastruc...

States future is bright, leaders say

(Megan Workman) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:57:05 -0500

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Speakers at the South Charleston Chamber of Commerces 20th annual "Groundhog Breakfast" on Thursday expressed the same outlook for the city and states economic forecast -- bright. Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin reminded more...

Crewmen were ready for carbon monoxide -- on job site, not at hotel

rustymarks@wvgazette.com (Rusty Marks) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:57:25 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- An official from a Rhode Island-based construction company said his crew received new carbon monoxide detectors before they came to West Virginia. The men thought they would need the detectors for their work undergrou...