The Charleston Gazette - News

W.Va. to launch new oil, gas job training center

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Thu, 23 May 2013 08:17:52 -0400

FAIRMONT, W.Va. -- Two West Virginia colleges are teaming up to open a new training center for people who want to work in the oil and gas industry, complete with indoor and outdoor laboratories to simulate drilling operations.The Community ...

Moses grand reopening

( ) — Thu, 23 May 2013 08:20:15 -0400

Steve Moses (right) announces the grand reopening of the Moses Ford/Lincoln/BMW/Fiat dealership in St. Albans. The dealership was recently expanded and remodeled. ...

Powerboats to gather at Bluestone Lake

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Thu, 23 May 2013 08:20:43 -0400

HINTON, W.Va. -- Powerboats of all types will gather at Bluestone Lake next week for the Travis Pond Memorial Regatta.The event is being conducted by the Hampton, Va.-based Carolina Virginia Racing Association, which is part of the American Power Boating A...

State attractions to let military in for free

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Thu, 23 May 2013 08:22:16 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Several West Virginia attractions are participating in the National Endowment for the Arts initiative to offer free admission to active-duty military members and their families.The Blue Star Museums program includes more than 2,000 mus...

State students to be recognized at Writers Day

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Thu, 23 May 2013 08:23:33 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Hundreds of students will gather in Charleston for the states annual Young Writers Day.The event will be held Friday at the University of Charlestons Riggleman Hall.The students from first through 12th grades participated in a competit...

August trial for suspect in state quadruple slayings

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Thu, 23 May 2013 08:26:30 -0400

SUMMERSVILLE, W.Va. -- A man charged with killing two adults and two children in Nicholas County is scheduled to stand trial in August.James Roy Belknap is being held without bond in the Central Regional Jail on four counts of first-degree murder.The 27-ye...

State trooper charged with fraud

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Thu, 23 May 2013 09:03:13 -0400

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. -- A West Virginia State Police trooper faces charges of obtaining leave pay for military training that he didnt attend.Media outlets report that a Berkeley County Circuit Court grand jury indicted 25-year-old Johnathan Brand on Wednesda...

Weather service confirms microburst in Putnam County

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Thu, 23 May 2013 10:05:09 -0400

HURRICANE, W.Va. -- The National Weather Service says a storm that destroyed two mobile homes and injured two people in Teays Valley was a microburst. The storm hit around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday with estimated wind speeds between 70 and 80 miles per hour. ...

State declares quarantine to protect walnut trees

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:39:12 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- West Virginia has declared a quarantine to prevent thousand cankers disease from killing walnut trees in the state.The Department of Agriculture said today that the quarantine went into effect May 20.Plant Industries Division direc...

Newly discovered Pearl S. Buck novel to be published

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Thu, 23 May 2013 13:27:16 -0400

PHILADELPHIA -- A publisher is planning to release a newly discovered novel by the late Nobel Prize-winning author Pearl S. Buck later this year, describing it as a coming-of-age novel about a young man who travels the world. Buck wrote the novel, t...

Things to do Friday, May 24, 2013

( ) — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:59:33 -0400

Music NIEL CURRY AND GLENDA BRISCOE: 7 to 10 p.m. Free. Rock. Barnyard BBQ, 1101 Hospital Drive, Hurricane. Call 304-964-3322. VANDALIA JAM SESSION: 9 p.m. Free. Hosted by John Lilly and Robert Schafer. Bluegrass Kitchen, 1600 Washington...

Company to pay EPA $340K for Bluefield site cleanup

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:23:07 -0400

BLUEFIELD, W.Va. -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says Cooper Industries LLC will pay $340,000 to reimburse the agency for cleanup costs at a Superfund site in Bluefield.Cooper agreed to the payment as part of an agreement filed Thursday in U.S....

Woman hit by train in Gorge identified

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:26:10 -0400

GLEN JEAN, W.Va. -- The National Park Service has identified a homeless woman from Kentucky who was killed by a train in the New River Gorge National River.The park service said Thursday that Chandra Turner, 49, from Louisville, Ky., was walking along the ...

Vandals caused water damage to Thomas Memorial Hospital

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:27:46 -0400

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Officials for Thomas Hospitals parent company say vandals caused a water leak at the South Charleston hospital earlier this month. Thomas Health System senior vice president of business development Bob Gray says someone stole cap...

Man charged with threatening Boone County school

(Staff reports) — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:29:45 -0400

BECKLEY, W.Va. -- A Raleigh County man was arrested Wednesday after allegedly threatening to "relive the Newtown shooting" at a Boone County High School.David Henry Linville, 26, of Shady Spring, allegedly sent a social media message to a Sherman...

Industry study: Coal exports support W.Va. jobs

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:31:27 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The National Mining Association says exports helped support nearly 24,000 coal jobs in West Virginia in 2011.Thats based on a new study the industry group commissioned. It says about 35 million of the 131 million tons produced in West ...

GW Elementary students grow what they eat

(Lydia Nuzum) — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:45:15 -0400

ELEANOR, W.Va. -- In a multi-purpose room at Putnam Countys George Washington Elementary, Olivia Faulkner, 7, gestures excitedly at a diagram of the water cycle."When water gets really hot, it evaporates," she says, her finger following an arrow ...

Kanawha County Schools: Early start date puts pressure on HVAC repairs

mackenzie.mays@wvgazette.com (Mackenzie Mays) — Thu, 23 May 2013 17:37:28 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Kelly McFarlands daughter, a fourth-grader at Point Harmony Elementary School, recently came home from school "soaking wet from sweat.""Its so bad in her classroom that my glasses fogged up. Its like an oven," McFar...

Life sentence sought for state police lot arsonist

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Wed, 22 May 2013 08:15:03 -0400

LEWISBURG, W.Va. -- Greenbrier Countys prosecutor is seeking a life sentence for a man convicted of torching several vehicles at a West Virginia State Police barracks.Prosecutor Patrick Via says in a court filing that 48-year-old David Clayton White of Mea...

Marshall tears down old dorm to create green space

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Wed, 22 May 2013 08:16:33 -0400

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. -- Marshall University has torn down an old dormitory to create green space on its campus.Demolition of Hodges Hall began Saturday and was completed Tuesday.Marshall spokesman Dave Wellman tells The Herald-Dispatch that the cost of deferr...

Ex-worker to repay money embezzled from Wayne PSD

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Wed, 22 May 2013 08:18:43 -0400

WAYNE, W.Va. -- A former employee is repaying nearly $62,000 embezzled from the Northern Wayne Public Service District.Wayne County prosecutor Tom Plymale tells WSAZ-TV that 28-year-old Tiffani Petry of Kenova agreed to repay the money if she received prob...

States local-food movement a model for Appalachia

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Wed, 22 May 2013 08:21:59 -0400

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- With eight in 10 farmers making less than $10,000 a year, West Virginia will never rival big Midwestern factory farms in producing food. But creative collaborations with food entrepreneurs are seeding a new kind of economy that fed...

WVU Tech alumni raising funds for wall

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Wed, 22 May 2013 08:23:21 -0400

MONTGOMERY, W.Va. -- An alumni group at the West Virginia University Institute of Technology is trying to raise $30,000 to build a wall at the entrance to the Montgomery campus.To raise money for the wall, the Tech Golden Bear Alumni Association is selling...

W.Va. Film Office holding production seminar

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Wed, 22 May 2013 08:25:42 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A training seminar for people wanting to become entry-level production assistants in the film industry is set for this summer in Huntington.The West Virginia Film Office will hold the seminar June 22 and 23 at Trifecta Productions in H...

South Charleston Middle dismissing early today

(Staff reports) — Wed, 22 May 2013 08:40:01 -0400

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- South Charleston Middle School will be dismissing students at 9:30 a.m. this morning because of no electricity, according to an automated message from Kanawha County Schools. ...

Ex-Raleigh hospital exec is new DHHR secretary

ericeyre@wvgazette.com (Eric Eyre) — Wed, 22 May 2013 10:07:41 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Former Raleigh County hospital executive Karen Bowling will have a full plate of assignments when she takes over as chief of West Virginias Department of Health and Human Resources in July. Bowlings appointment as DHHR secretary ...

Bulletin board: May 23, 2013

( ) — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:38:39 -0400

Dine to Donate Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club will participate in a Dine to Donate event on Memorial Day, Monday, at Quaker Steak & Lube, 2931 Mountaineer Blvd. A portion of the proceeds that day will benefit the Salvation Army B...

Gas law issue wont go to states high court yet

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Wed, 22 May 2013 17:27:45 -0400

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. -- A federal judge has changed her mind about having the West Virginia Supreme Court answer a question on gas drilling laws that could have statewide economic implications. Last month, U.S. District Judge Irene Keeley said the justi...

Plants, prunes and leaves (photo)

( ) — Wed, 22 May 2013 17:35:31 -0400

State Department of Transportation employee Susan Lockard-Hammond prunes a newly planted rose in the West Virginia-shaped planter by the Greenbrier Street exit of Interstate 64/ 77. The DOT has taken over responsibility for the flowerbed from the General S...

Putnam health board withdraws funding request

(Kate White) — Wed, 22 May 2013 17:51:17 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The Putnam County Board of Health has withdrawn its application for emergency funding from the state, a board member and county commissioner said Wednesday. The state asked the Putnam County Health Department to submit more informati...

Elkins man to be honored during Vandalia

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Wed, 22 May 2013 18:07:33 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Elkins folklorist Gerald Milnes will be honored during the 37th Annual Vandalia Gathering at the Capitol Complex in Charleston. The Division of Culture and History says Milnes will be given the Vandalia Award during a ceremony set fo...

Tomblin offers help to Oklahoma tornado recovery

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Wed, 22 May 2013 18:08:58 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin is offering West Virginias emergency response resources to Oklahoma officials following this weeks deadly tornado. Tomblin said Wednesday he spoke with Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin, telling her that West Virgini...

Nicholas County firefighter, son face arson charges

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Wed, 22 May 2013 18:19:53 -0400

MOUNT LOOKOUT, W.Va. -- A volunteer firefighter and his son face charges of setting a string of fires in Nicholas County. Media outlets report that West Virginia State Police arrested Charles Fillmore Barnett and his son, Charles Lindell Barnett, on Tuesd...

State average gas prices up 5 cents in past week

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Wed, 22 May 2013 18:21:30 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- West Virginia gasoline prices are up about 5 cents over the past week heading into the Memorial Day holiday weekend. AAA East Central says the average price for a gallon of regular gas is $3.66 in the state. Prices range from ...

Judge steps out of degree lawsuit

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Wed, 22 May 2013 18:22:35 -0400

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- U.S. District Judge Irene Keeley has disqualified herself from hearing a lawsuit filed over a 6-year-old degree scandal at West Virginia University, citing a federal statute that requires judges to step aside if their impartiality coul...

CAMC borrows $20 million for future uses

lori.kersey@wvgazette.com (Lori Kersey) — Wed, 22 May 2013 18:31:34 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Charleston Area Medical Center officials say theyre borrowing $20 million for future projects to take advantage of especially low interest rates. "Interest rates are at an all-time historically low," said Dave Ramsey, the h...

Hitchhikers dad stands by son in NJ killing

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Wed, 22 May 2013 18:45:08 -0400

NEWARK, N.J. — He was a gregarious, spontaneous child, his father said, a handful at times who loved music and playing the guitar.

As an adult he became famous as Kai, the hatchet-wielding hitchhiker...

Charleston tourism efforts intensify

rustymarks@wvgazette.com (Rusty Marks) — Wed, 22 May 2013 19:03:22 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Members of the Charleston Convention & Visitors Bureau hope an aggressive new marketing campaign will help lure visitors to West Virginias capital city. At the bureaus annual organizational meeting on Wednesday, members were told...

Launching Live on the Levee

(Staff reports) — Wed, 22 May 2013 20:28:01 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- This years free Live on the Levee concert series commences Friday with two of Charlestons most muscular and rhythmic musical collaboratives taking the stage at Haddad Riverfront Park. Opening act

Running for the wall (featured photo)

( ) — Wed, 22 May 2013 21:02:48 -0400

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Musicians fear for future of Vandalia

(David Gutman) — Wed, 22 May 2013 23:45:00 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- West Virginias 150th birthday, a time to celebrate the states culture and history, is having the unintended consequence of disrupting a longstanding celebration of the states culture and history. The Vandalia Gathering, an...