EKB News

Property Reassessment In West Virginia

2010-02-07T21:07:00.003-05:00

WEST VIRGINIA....
As part of a three-year project to reassess property in all of West Virginia's 55 counties, State Tax Commissioner Christopher G. Morris says, this year, properties in 24 counties will be reassessed. Morris says appraisers will carry photo identification cards indicating they are contractors for the State Tax Department, and no one should ask for personal information. Some residents may receive phone calls or questionnaires concerning property sales, but again, no one should ask for personal information. The counties included are: Braxton, Cabell, Calhoun, Clay, Doddridge, Gilmer, Greenbrier, Jackson, Lewis, Mason and Monroe as well as Nicholas, Pendleton, Pleasants, Pocahontas, Putnam, Randolph, Ritchie, Roane, Tyler, Upshur, Webster, Wirt and Wood.

South Charleston And Hurricane Levies Pass

2010-02-07T21:01:00.003-05:00

WEST VIRGINIA....
Voters in South Charleston and Hurricane headed to the polls Saturday to decide whether to renew their annual levies. In South Charleston, voters overwhelmingly said yes to a tax that has been in place since 1947. 672 people voted yes and 19 voted against it. The levy makes up $1.2 million of the city's budget, paying for things like police and fire protection, library services and public works. In Hurricane, the levy passed by a narrow margin...241 voted for their city's levy while 138 voted against it, saying yes for the next five years. The levy needed at least 60% to pass, and it only got 63%.

Snow Storm Leaves Thousands Without Power

2010-02-07T20:15:00.007-05:00

WEST VIRGINIA....
As the result of a winter storm that dumped nearly 30 inches of snow in portions of West Virginia, thousands of customers are experiencing another round of power outages. The bulk of Saturday's outages are in West Virginia's higher elevations and in the Eastern Panhandle...while Appalachian Power reports about 5,000 customers are without power in West Virginia. Allegheny Power reported 37,000 customers still without power Sunday, including more than 6,000 customers in Monongalia County and another 4,000 in Marion County. At the height of the storm, Allegheny was dealing with more than 90,000 outages. The heaviest show accumulations range from over a foot in Morgantown to more than two feet in the Eastern Panhandle.

Funding Crisis Forecast In Higher Education

2010-02-07T14:54:00.003-05:00

WEST VIRGINIA...
Pressured by Governor Joe Manchin to keep tuition rates in check this year, West Virginia’s public colleges and universities are warning lawmakers that a funding crisis is near. Higher Education Policy Commission Chancellor Brian Noland told the House Finance Committee on Thursday that student-paid revenues must be revisited soon, in the absence of additional state funding. A legislative audit questions whether West Virginia has the population to justify all 11 of its four-year colleges and universities. Committee members also challenged that finding Thursday. The state budget proposed for the fiscal year that starts July 1 requests $1.88 billion from various revenues for higher education, a 6 percent drop from current-year spending. The state’s 10 community and technical colleges account for about 11 percent of the higher education budget.

Williamson Memorial Hospital Seeking Contract

2010-02-07T14:33:00.005-05:00

WEST VIRGINIA...
Susan Blackburn, president of UMWA Local 9462, which represents approximately 150 employees at the Williamson Memorial Hospital has participated in continuing negotiations to acquire a new contract with the hospital. Employees have been working under an expired contract since June 30, 2009. Blackburn says the main sticking point is health insurance costs, although there are changes that have never been seen before. Blackburn says she has no idea how close the union is to a walk-out. Employees at the hospital represented by the union are in almost all departments, with the exception of registered nurses and supervisory positions, such as dietary, housekeeping, lab and radiology techs and licensed practical nurses.

Rahall Critiicizes Obama Administration

2010-02-07T14:22:00.002-05:00

WEST VIRGINIA...
U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall (D-WV) expressed his vehement opposition to the Obama administration’s proposed cut in funding for state surface coal mining permitting programs. Rahall said the coal industry, especially in the Appalachian Region, is taxed enough at this time by strenuous permitting reviews by the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and proposals being contemplated by the Interior Department. Rahall blasted the administration’s decision to back away from that commitment. Rahall said. “I urge the House Appropriations Committee to discard this proposed decrease and, at the very least, maintain the current year funding level.”

Wood County Chooses New Superintendent

2010-02-07T14:11:00.003-05:00

WEST VIRGINIA...
Wood County Schools Superintendent Bill Niday announced he was retiring in June. The board unanimously chose James Patrick Law for the job. Law, superintendent at Pocahontas County Schools, will begin his tenure in July. His resume is impressive. and he has local ties. Law was a member of Parkersburg South High School's second graduating class in 1969, a graduate of Glenville State College and earned a doctorate in education administration at West Virginia University. He spent 30 years in Kanawha County, the state's largest school system, as a teacher and an administrator and spent the last six years as superintendent in Pocahontas.

Snow In State

2010-02-07T13:56:00.004-05:00

WEST VIRGINIA...
They're digging out in many parts of West Virginia after a winter storm that left behind a couple of feet of snow in some areas. West Virginia Emergency Services Director Jimmy Gianato says the Northern Panhandle and the Eastern Panhandle took the brunt of it. More than 30 inches of snow was reported unofficially in parts of Jefferson County, 30 inches in Pocahontas County, 18 inches in Monongalia County, between nine and 15 in Greenbrier County, eight inches in Raleigh County and upwards of a foot in Brooke County and other parts of the Northern Panhandle.
The American Red Cross has already set up emergency shelters and is working with the Salvation Army. When the power goes out in some areas, other utilities, including water, are knocked off as well.

Former Police Officer Indicted On Drug Charges

2010-02-07T11:39:00.003-05:00

KENTUCKY...
A former paramedic and law enforcement officer was indicted on 10 felony and 12 misdemeanor forgery counts for faking signatures to obtain large amounts of narcotics.
A grand jury returned the counts against 39-year-old Roy J. Howard, a former Kentucky State Trooper and an officer with the Glasgow Police Department. He was working as a paramedic when he was arrested. The indictment states that, between 2008 and 2009, Howard allegedly forged signatures of doctors at T.J. Samson Community Hospital and employees of the Barren-Metcalfe Emergency Medical Services to obtain large quantities of prescription narcotics, specifically morphine, illegally at the hospital.

Secret Video May Lead To Charges

2010-02-07T11:28:00.004-05:00

KENTUCKY....
The Kentucky Medical Association says it does not approve secret videotaping of legislators and may take further action following a taping in the office of state Senator Robin Webb. Ashland dermatologist Jack Ditty plans to challenge Webb in the regular election this year, after losing to her the last time out. The last campaign turned nasty and negative. Ditty and Dr. Henry Goodman, an Ashland physician who represents the Kentucky Medical Association, recently met with Webb in her state capitol office to discuss medical issues involving Bill No. 75. Goodman admits, while there, he used a camera to videotape the discussion, but he says it wasn't political. Ditty denies he was behind the taping and says he had no idea it was being done. However, outraged state Democratic leaders are calling it "politics at its dirtiest."

Snow Light In Eastern Kentucky

2010-02-07T11:26:00.005-05:00

KENTUCKY...
For much of the eastern half of the nation it was another snowy start to the weekend. The snowfall in Pikeville barely covered grass, and didn't seem to slow down traffic. It melted in the already-wet streets and roadways and was not much of an issue for drivers. A few more inches accumulated north of the state, and residents in Virginia and the nation's capital saw the greatest accumulation. Washington saw nearly three feet of the white stuff that created difficult traveling conditions...the worst in the Capital's history. Pikeville was spared... for at least one weekend.

Paddling In School

2010-02-07T08:42:00.005-05:00

KENTUCKY...
What do you think about paddling as a punishment for schoolchildren? Lincoln County Schools, a district about two hours away from Louisville, still uses paddling as a means to punish students who misbehave. Before a principal can paddle a student, parents must sign off on the measure, two witnesses must be present during the paddling, and a student is usually only paddled once during their tenure at a school. Those with the Kentucky Center for School Safety say the number of corporal punishment cases in the state are down. Lincoln County is not the only district practicing paddling. Lincoln County school leaders say they haven't received any complaints, and until they do, their policy stands. Mississippi has the highest number of corporal punishment cases.

Perry County Employees Get Raises

2010-02-07T07:31:00.004-05:00

KENTUCKY...
The Perry County Fiscal Court approved a 5 percent pay raise for county employees during its recent regular meeting. Perry County Judge Executive Denny Ray Noble noted that the state recommended a 1.5 percent pay increase, but, on a motion made by Magistrate Earl Brashear, the court considered a higher wage increase instead. “I want to make a motion that we give everybody 5 percent,” said Brashear. Brashear’s motion was seconded by Magistrate Bubby Combs, and it was a motion that Noble agreed with. The court voted to unanimously approve the increase.

Downtown Pikeville Demolition Underway

2010-02-07T05:15:00.005-05:00

KENTUCKY...
If you've seen unusually large pieces of equipment in the center of Pikeville, there's a good reason. The landscape in downtown Pikeville is changing. As the demolition of an entire block of Pikeville buildings progresses, the clearing of the site of the new Judicial Center is beginning to alter what was once a bustling, thriving section of the City. The demolition crews are currently dismantling the former City Bus Station and the Pinson Hotel. Activity will continue on the demolition until the entire block, bordered by Pike Street and Divison Street...and Second and Main Street, is leveled. With this activity, another section of retail goods and services disappears from Pikeville.

Martin County Deputies Busy

2010-02-07T05:03:00.005-05:00

KENTUCKY...
Five persons were recently arrested by officers of the Martin County Sheriff’s Department on various charges. Chief Deputy Bryan Tipton made the arrests of four men and one woman, executing bench warrants in three cases and arresting two others on various charges. Melissa L. Jude, 33, of Tomahawk, Ky., was taken into custody. Tipton’s report said Jude was waiting for family court when Sheriff Garmon Preece saw her and a male subject who appeared to be under the influence. The woman failed a field sobriety test and was then observed by the officer trying to eat something. Tipton reported she had three oval blue pills in her mouth, had apparently already eaten one, and had two and a half other pills in a plastic wrapper from a pack of cigarettes. Tipton also charged Kenney L. Crum, 33, of Tomahawk, with public intoxication from a controlled substance. Tipton executed a bench warrant on Shurlin B. McCoy, 36, of Lovely, Ky., in connection with a charge of assault, fourth degree (domestic violence) with minor injury resulting. Jerry T. Spence, 32, of Tomahawk, Ky., was served three bench warrants by Tipton., The officer also served two bench warrants on Martin R. Cline, 20, of Lovely, Ky.

State Ethics To Investigate Rummage

2010-02-06T12:58:00.003-05:00

KENTUCKY....
The wrangling and drama of the Lawson/Nighbert trial, that ended last week seems to have a life of its own. The state's chief witness, Jim Rummage now has a set of problems he has to face.
Rummage has been relieved of criminal charges by Prosecuting Attorney Ken Taylor, however, Rummage now faces a state ethics investigation after testifying in U.S. District Court in Lexington that, during 2006 and 2007, he followed instructions of then-Transportation Secretary Bill Nighbert and took confidential bid estimates to road contractor Leonard Lawson and was paid $20,000 cash in bribes. If found guilty, he could face civil penalties ranging from a public reprimand to a $5,000 fine per ethics violation.

Common Core State Standards

2010-02-06T05:29:00.003-05:00

KENTUCKY...
The Kentucky Board of Education, the Council on Postsecondary Education and the Education Professional Standards Board will hold a joint meeting Wednesday to formally adopt a resolution implementing the Common Core State Standards in English/language arts and mathematics. With this action, Kentucky will be the first state to adopt the academic standards. Higher, clearer and more in-depth academic standards are required by Senate Bill 1, passed by the 2009 Kentucky General Assembly. The meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. ET at the Kentucky Community and Technical College Central Office at 300 North Main Street in Versailles.

Ohio Fugitive Arrested

2010-02-06T03:09:00.004-05:00

KENTUCKY...
A fugutive from Ohio was taken into custody in Wheelwright. David Irvine, originally of Ohio but living most recently in the Wheelwright area, was arrested at the Wheelwright Cardinal Mart gas station after police learned of the outstanding warrants against him in Ohio. Officers with the Floyd County Sheriff’s Department said the initial thing that led to the arrest was noticing Irvine’s vehicle had out-of-date registration plates. According to police, Irvine had been in Floyd County for approximately a year before his arrest this week.

Accident Kills Teen

2010-02-06T01:42:00.003-05:00

KENTUCKY....
Nineteen year old Brittany Harman of Catlettsburg, Kentucky was killed Friday afternoon when her car collided with a northbound coal truck on U.S. 23 about two miles north of the Lawrence County line. Police say Harman's vehicle apparently pulled in front of a loaded coal truck driven by 52 year old Ronnie Click of Johnson County. The Big Sandy Volunteer Fire Department and the England Hill Volunteer Fire Department assisted at the scene of the accident.

Horse Group Allegedly Supports Senate Candidates

2010-02-06T01:40:00.004-05:00

KENTUCKY....
According to a report filed with the Internal Revenue Service Friday, the Kentucky horse-industry group, Keep Our Jobs in Kentucky Inc., spent nearly $850,000 last year to help two Democrats in their state Senate bids. The report says $266,460 was spent in a race won by Democrat Robin Webb last August and $482,044 in a losing effort on behalf of Democrat Jodie Haydon in December, while about $93,000 more was spent on administrative costs. Keep Our Jobs in Kentucky is a political-action committee created under Chapter 527 of the IRS code, and although banned from urging voters to support or oppose a candidate, it can run ads supporting a candidate, while stopping short of an explicit request for a vote. More than half of the $845,000 raised by the group came from horse tracks, with Churchill Downs, Keeneland, Ellis Park, Turfway Park and The Red Mile each contributing $75,000 and Kentucky Downs giving $65,000. Most of the rest of the money came from breeders, racing stables and others involved in horseracing.

Tobacco Dealer Seeks Affidavits

2010-02-06T01:38:00.002-05:00

KENTUCKY....
Online cigarette dealer Chavez Inc., a Louisville-based tobacco dealer, is seeking to have a federal judge unseal affidavits backing at least 20 search warrants executed on the company's Louisville, Stockton, California and Denver, Colorado offices and on multiple banks where the business had accounts. On December 8th, federal investigators with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and U.S. Postal Service inspectors seized $4 million in tobacco products, along with the company's computers, business records, cars and bank accounts. They say Chavez Inc. sold contraband cigarettes outside the state of Kentucky online and through a toll-free number while avoiding paying local, state and federal taxes. A lawyer representing the dealer says the company sold less than 10,000 cigarettes per shipment, meaning a Kentucky tax stamp wasn't required.

Vote Fraud Trial Continues

2010-02-06T01:36:00.001-05:00

KENTUCKY....
Testimony is set to continue next week in Frankfort in the vote-fraud trial of eight Clay County residents accused of scheming to buy votes. Former Manchester assistant police chief Todd Roberts testified Friday that another city police officer, Mike Bishop, told him Representative Tim Couch of Leslie County supplied $40,000 to buy votes in the 2002 primary and said he was also told Couch gave vote-buyers money in 2004. Last year, Couch said he didn't ask anyone to buy votes for him in 2002 and had no knowledge of it happening.

Manchin Declares Emergency

2010-02-06T01:35:00.001-05:00

WEST VIRGINIA....
As a major winter snow storm rolled through West Virginia Friday, Gov. Joe Manchin declared a state of emergency and activated West Virginia's Emergency Operation Center. The Eastern Panhandle was expected to be the hardest hit area, with up to 30 inches of wet, heavy snow expected in some areas by Saturday night. The Northern Panhandle was expected to see up to 16 inches, and up to a foot was expected in southeastern West Virginia.About 300 members of the Air National Guard and Army National Guard were deployed Thursday night to deal with emergency situations and were standing by with towing vehicles along the main roads, including the West Virginia Turnpike.

Snow Prompts Power Outages

2010-02-06T01:32:00.002-05:00

WEST VIRGINIA....
Appalachian Power says about 2,900 homes and businesses were without service Friday night. The National Weather Service warned widespread power outages were likely in the company's service area of southwestern Virginia and southern West Virginia with wind gusts of up to 65 mph expected. Company spokesman Phil Moye says crews were on standby to go wherever outages occured.

Mingo County Clinic Owner Charged

2010-02-06T01:30:00.003-05:00

WEST VIRGINIA....
The owner of a Mingo County medical clinic near Kermit, West Virginia is facing federal charges involving the illegal sale of prescription drugs. A federal information filed Friday in U.S. District Court charges 30 year old Cameron J. Justice, the owner of Justice Medical Complex, with conspiring to misuse a physicians' registration number and aiding and abetting health care fraud. Investigators say Justice and an employee claimed doctors had examined dozens of patients when it was really nurse practitioners who used the physician's name while providing the services. During the four-year scheme (2005-2009) they used the physician's Medicare provider number to bill for services he didn't personally provide and to issue prescriptions to acquire controlled substances. Justice is accused of billing Medicare for nearly $300,000. If convicted, Justice faces 14 years in federal prison and a half-million dollar fine.
Dr. Augusto T. Abad of Charleston is facing similar charges, while Dr. John Theodore Tiano is scheduled for sentencing on March 18th after pleading guilty to charges.