Monday, September 06, 2010

Laboring on the Recovery

Labor Day is the party holiday, celebrating a day of rest for workers, and it’s a more American holiday than May Day, which is much more international and much more radically pro-labor. This is by design.

While celebrating Labor Day in the US goes back to 1882 in New York City, it was not until 1894, in an effort to mollify an angry workers movement after the US military murdered some 13 Pullman Strike workers, that Grover Cleveland hurriedly pushed through legislation making Labor Day an official US holiday.

Interestingly, in a chickens-coming-home-to-roost back story, the military officer presiding over the murder of these striking American workers was the same Nelson Miles who took his Civil War stripes out West to lead the largest military campaigns ever against Kiowa, Apache, Lakota and others. He betrayed tribe after tribe, making promises he never intended to keep, cynically using them, stealing vast areas, and advocated long-term military occupation of their lands. He also helped seize Puerto Rico in the Spanish-American War, on the pretext of ‘liberating’ it from the Spanish, only to put it under US control rather than free it. So when he callously ordered live ammunition used on rail workers on strike, the power of the US military came back home hard.

Another interesting back story element is that the entire Pullman Strike was precipitated by the 1893 recession and the Pullman corporation’s use of it to lower wages but not lower rents in the company-owned housing. Greedy corporadoes using economic hard times to squeeze more profits—some things never change.

Labor unions at the time were racist, which is yet another back story component, since the Pullman company then used African Americans as willing strikebreakers—why should they be loyal to a movement that had locked them out just as surely as Pullman locked out Eugene Debs’s American Railway Union? Pullman porters were subsequently eventually almost 100 percent black and that labor movement, led by A. Phillip Randolph, helped build the base of what would become the post-World War II American Civil Rights movement. Racism in labor unions was structural, not merely anecdotal, and that old divide-and-conquer corporate strategy continues today, mostly with immigration issues, so our grassroots advancement has always been plagued by that sickness.

Now the party of labor—the Democrats—will be punished by labor at the next election in just two months, because the Executive and Legislative branches of government are both under their control and still can’t manage to cut the unemployment rate—indeed, it ticked up again in August, pushing toward 10%, even though the private sector added more than 50,000 jobs (one would hope so, after the many hundreds of $billions in bailouts and stimulus shoveled into their deep pockets).

What is truly astonishing is that the unemployment rate is climbing when the Ds are in control of the purse-strings and they cannot commit funds to create government jobs. Our country has enormous infrastructure needs that could be addressed by low-paid, high-benefit government workers. Public buildings need energy efficiency retrofitting. Bike paths would greatly assist our transition away from our energy wasting lifestyle, both commuting and recreational paths.

The nation could use another million proper curb cuts for wheelchairs, baby strollers, bicyclists and elderly citizens. The forests at the country, state and national levels all need workers to harvest downed wood for electric biomass power plants that could reduce our dependence on coal, nuclear, and oil. This is the tip of the labor iceberg that could provide these jobs for Americans, if only we’d stop subsidizing the greed and start attending to the need.

Happy Labor Day. Time for another uprising. Nonviolent civil society, unified across racial, ethnic, class and religious lines, has all the power if they ever choose to use it.

~~  By Tom H. Hastings ~~

Gas Deal Lands Glenville Man $22 Million

Ed Broome of Glenville, WV knows a thing or two about West Virginia’s oil and natural gas industries. After all, he’s been dealing in the fields for nearly 55 years.

So when Chesapeake Energy offered Broome $22 million for his 22,000 acres of oil and gas rights in Wetzel County, he figured it would be a good move.

“I didn’t pay anywhere near that much for it,“ the Glenville, WV resident said of the acreage, spread out on 250 separate plots from New Martinsville in the west to the borders of Marion and Monongalia counties in the east.

Though declining to say how much he paid for the land in the late-1990s, Broome said, “I hope I am making out on it.“

Oklahoma City-based Chesapeake Energy, parent company of local operator Chesapeake Appalachia, has been leasing land for Marcellus Shale natural gas development. The firm is offering payments at least as high as the $3,600 per acre granted to the Ohio County Commission for drilling at The Highlands and other areas of the county, with royalties set from 12.5% to 18.75%.

Broome, however, believed it beneficial to simply sell his land to Chesapeake for oil and gas development, noting, “It was just the right time to do it.“

Broome said Chesapeake purchased the developed land, as well as completely undeveloped property, that he owned. “Partial interest, full interest, developed, undeveloped - they bought it all.“

Broome noted that his company, Ed Broome Inc., still maintains an oil and gas business, as he still owns more property throughout the state.

When asked for a comment on the Broome land deal, Chesapeake spokeswoman Stacey Brodak provided a company statement reading, “Chesapeake Energy does not disclose the details of our negotiations with any landowners regarding the leasing of minerals or our operations.“

~~  By CASEY JUNKINS – Wheeling News-Register  ~~

Sunday, September 05, 2010

Recalls - 09.03.10

NOTEBOOK COMPUTERS
Toshiba American Information Systems Inc. is recalling Satellite T135, Satellite T135D and Satellite ProT130 Notebook Computers sold nationwide and in Canada from August 2009 to August 2010. The notebook computers can overheat at the notebook’s plug-in to the AC adapter, posing a burn hazard.
This recall involves certain Toshiba Satellite T135, Satellite T135D and Satellite Pro T130 notebook computer models. “Toshiba” is printed on the top of the notebook computer. The model name and number are printed on a label on the bottom of the notebook computers.
Consumers should immediately download the latest version of Toshiba’s BIOS computer program to their notebook computer at laptops.toshiba.com/about/consumer-notices.
This new computer program will detect whether the notebook computer is overheating, and if so, disable the notebook computer’s external power and display a message directing the consumer to contact Toshiba for a free repair.
Consumers can also contact Toshiba at 800.457.7777 anytime or visit laptops.toshiba.com/about/consumer-notices.

SWING SETS
Kompan Inc. is recalling swing sets sold nationwide from January 1998 to December 2008. The joint connection between the horizontal top beam and the vertical end bracket and support post system can crack and break, posing a fall and impact hazard.
The recalled swing sets include the “To Fro” models.
Kompan is contacting swing owners directly to advise them to stop using the swing, remove the chains connecting the seats to the top beam and advising customers that retrofit kits will be delivered with installation instructions.
Consumers can also contact Kompan representative Joedi Rice at 800.624.4869 between 9 AM and 5 PM PT Monday through Friday, visit www.kompan.com.

SLOW COOKERS
Sensio Inc. is recalling slow cookers sold exclusively at Kohl’s Department stores from July 2009 to December 2009. The slow cooker’s control panel can overheat and melt, posing a fire hazard.
This recall involves the Bella Kitchen 5-quart programmable slow cookers. Only slow cookers with model number WJ-5000DE and date codes 0907 or 0909 are included in this recall. The slow cookers are black and “Bella Kitchen” is marked on the control panel. The model number and the four-digit date code are printed on a label on the underside.
Consumers should stop contact Sensio at 888.296.9675 between 8:30 AM and 4:15 PM CT Monday through Friday or visit www.acbpromotions.com/sensiorecall for information on receiving a full refund.

LCD TVS
Sharp Electronics Corporation is recalling 32-Inch Sharp LCD-TVs sold nationwide from March 2010 to August 2010. The TV stand’s neck support can break and cause the TV to tip-over, posing a risk of injury.
This recall involves Sharp 32-inch LCD-TVs with model number LC-32SB28UT. The model number, serial number and manufacture dates of March 2010 through April 2010, are printed on a label on the back of the unit.
Consumers should immediately contact Sharp at 800.291.4289 anytime, or visit www.sharpusa.com to arrange for a free replacement stand neck support.

Friday, September 03, 2010

WV Energy Star Tax Holiday Begins Its Final Run

West Virginia’s Energy Star sales tax holiday is beginning its final run.

Beginning past Wednesday, consumers who buy energy-saving home appliances and building materials won’t have to pay the state’s 6% sales tax.

The tax break applies to all noncommercial purchases of Energy Star products worth up to $5,000.

The tax holiday continues through November 30, 2010.

This is the final year for the program, which began in 2008.

The program is funded with money from the settlement of a lawsuit filed by Attorney General Darrell McGraw’s office against two credit card companies.

McGraw says he’s happy that the settlement is providing tax relief and helping to conserve energy.

Braxton County: WV Studying Link between Quakes and Disposal Wells

Eight small earthquakes in central West Virginia since April have Chesapeake Energy and the WV Department of Environmental Protection discussing the possibility of seismic monitoring near a disposal well for gas-drilling fluids.

Oklahoma-based Chesapeake has injected more than 10.6 million gallons of brine and hydraulic fracturing fluid into the well since March 2009.

The underground injection site in the Frametown area has been a permitted disposal well since 2008.

Some geologists suspect high pressure and wastewater have lubricated old fault lines, allowing them to slip and trigger small earthquakes.

Chesapeake isn’t so sure, but it has agreed to reduce the volume of fluid it’s injecting.

The compliance manager for the DEP said no link has been proven, and no seismic events have been reported at 70 similar disposal wells around West Virginia. Still, he said, the state will investigate.

“We’re looking at the mechanics of the well, the geology of the area and the events that have been happening in the area, to see, from a scientific level, if what’s taking place could cause earthquakes,“ he said.

Since April 04, 2010 Braxton County has been shaken by eight small earthquakes registering between 2.2 and 3.4 on the Richter scale. No major damage was reported.

Drilling companies are producing wastewater as they rush to tap the Marcellus shale field, a rich natural gas reserve that underlies Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and New York.

The gas is locked in tightly compacted rock a mile underground, and freeing it requires unconventional horizontal drilling technologies and vast amounts of water.

The DEP says many companies are recycling much of their water, but some is also pumped back into storage wells.

A Marshall University geologist said it’s “quite possible” the quakes are linked to the high-pressure injection of those fluids.

Geologists have known of a possible link between fluid injection and small quakes for a half-century, he said, and the potential impact on fault lines under Braxton County should be explored further.

Chesapeake spokeswoman said “natural seismicity has long been observed in this part of Appalachia,“ and seismic activity often occurs in clusters.

But the director of the Virginia Tech Seismic Observatory, said earthquakes are fairly rare in the center of West Virginia.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the strongest earthquake in West Virginia was in November 1969, when a magnitude 4.3 quake struck Mercer County.

The Braxton County quakes “could happen naturally, but probably not so many, so close together,“ he said. “... Something’s going on there, and I have a strong suspicion that it’s something associated with drilling.“

The director of the West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey agreed that when earthquakes are clustered, “it’s time to pay attention.“

A study released in March cited underground injection at a Chesapeake disposal well in Texas as a plausible cause for a series of small earthquakes near Grand Prairie and Irving.

The first quakes occurred in October 2008, and 11 more that were too small to be felt occurred over the next several months, according to the study by the University of Texas and Southern Methodist University.

The quakes occurred about a third of a mile from a disposal well, and the study said none has been reported since the well shut down last fall.

Wednesday, September 01, 2010

Daily G-Eye : 09.01.10

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Recalls - 08.27.10

MAGNETIC BOARDS
Lakeshore Learning Materials is recalling magnetic maze boards sold nationwide from January 2009 to May 2010. The magnetic maze board’s plastic wand can separate and expose a magnet that can be a choking hazard. Also, if a child has more than one of these toys and the magnets detach and are swallowed, the magnets can attract each other and cause intestinal perforations or blockages.
This recall involves wooden magnetic maze boards. The wooden boards have a clear plastic sheet that covers small wooden or plastic pieces located inside a maze.. The top of the board reads: “Who’s Hiding in the Garden?,” “Who’s Hiding in the Ocean?,” “Magnetic Counting Maze,” “Magnetic Alphabet Board” or “My Community Magnetic Board.”
Consumers should contact Lakeshore at 800.428.4414 between 8 AM and 5 PM PT Monday through Friday, or visit www.lakeshorelearning.com to receive a free replacement product.

TV WALL MOUNTS
Milestone AV Technologies LLC is recalling flat screen television wall mounts sold nationwide from June 2009 to July 2010. The elbow joint components on the wall mount’s arm do not fit together properly, causing the attached television to tilt and possibly fall when the television is adjusted. This could pose an injury hazard.
This recall involves the Sanus Vision Mount model LF228-B1 wall mounts and Simplicity model SLF2. The wall mounts were sold for flat screen televisions. The model numbers can be found on the UL sticker on the wall plate.
Consumers should contact Milestone at 877.894.6280 between 8 AM and 9 PM CT Monday through Friday and between 10:30 AM and 7 PM CT Saturday through Sunday or visit www.milestone.com/recall for a free replacement wall mount arm.

GAS SMOKERS
Char-Broil LLC is recalling Char-Broil vertical gas smokers sold nationwide from March 2008 to June 2010. When the temperature setting is in “low,“ the smoker’s hose/valve/regulator (HVR) assembly does not allow sufficient gas to flow, causing the flame to extinguish. Gas continues to flow and build up inside the smoker. If the smoker is reignited the build-up of propane gas can cause an explosion that bursts the smoker’s door open, posing an injury hazard.
This recall involves the Char-Broil vertical gas smokers with model number 07701413. The model number is printed on a metal tag located on the right rear leg of the smoker. The smoker measures 21.5” x 19.5” x 45.5” and weighs 75 pounds. A “G” inside a triangle is printed on the regulator.
Consumers should contact Char-Broil at 866.671.7988 between 8 AM and 6 PM ET Monday through Friday, or visit www.charbroil.comfor a free replacement hose/valve/regulator assembly and installation instructions.

BOTTLE WARMERS
Williams-Sonoma Inc. is recalling Beaba Express Steam Bottle Warmers sold at Williams-Sonoma stores nationwide from June 2010 to July 2010. The bottle warmers can overheat liquids and baby food, posing a burn hazard.
This recall involves the Beaba Express Steam Bottle Warmer which uses steam to heat baby bottles or baby food. The bottle warmer is green with an orange temperature dial. “Beaba” is printed on the base and model number 9602 is printed on the underside of the warmer.
Consumers should call Williams-Sonoma at 877.548.0850 between 4 AM and 9 PM PT seven days a week or visit www.williams-sonoma.com for instructions on how to return the product for a full refund.

BABY HAMMOCKS
MamaLittleHelper is recalling Infant and Toddler Hammocks sold from May 2008 to February 2010. The side-to-side shifting or tilting of the hammock can cause the infant to roll and become entrapped or wedged against the hammock’s fabric and/or mattress pad, resulting in a suffocation hazard.
This recall includes MamaLittleHelper Hammocks with model numbers 1010, 1020 and BL222. They have a steel frame and a fabric hammock with a mattress which are connected by a large spring, safety rope and a metal hanger. Model BL222 has a computerized rocker device. “MamaLittleHelper” is printed on a label sewn onto the hammock models 1010 and 1020. Model BL222 does not have a label.
Parents and caregivers should contact MamaLittleHelper at 866.612.9986 between 1 PM and 5 PM CT Monday through Friday or visit www.mamalittlehelper.com/recall.htm to receive a free repair kit for hammock models 1010 and 1020. Consumers who own model BL222 should return the hammock to Mama’s Little Helper in exchange for a new hammock.

BABY HAMMOCK STANDS
MamaLittleHelper LLC is recalling Infant and Toddler Hammock Metal Stands sold from December 2009 to February 2010. The C-shaped metal stand can break where the curved arm attaches to the leg of the metal frame, posing a fall hazard to an infant in the hammock.
The baby hammock hangs from the recalled metal C-shaped stand which is about five feet tall and is silver-colored. The metal C-shaped stands were sent to the six consumers with hammock model numbers 1010 and 1020 instead of the original metal frame advertised with the hammock.
Parents and caregivers should contact MamaLittleHelper at 866.612.9986 between 1 PM and 5 PM CT Monday through Friday or visit www.mamalittlehelper.com to receive a free metal hammock stand in exchange for the recalled C-shaped metal stand.

Saturday, August 28, 2010

WV PEIA Releases Preliminary Findings of Audit

Preliminary results of a Public Employees Insurance Agency audit shows about 9,800 people were improperly claimed as dependents of workers covered under the agency’s plan.

The PEIA conducted the audit to determine whether workers’ dependents are eligible for coverage.

Employees had to prove their dependents are who they say they are.

But many weren’t.

PEIA chief financial officer says about 6,506 people improperly received PEIA health coverage and 3,258 were improperly on life insurance plans.

PEIA says ineligible dependents uncovered by the audit will have their coverage terminated.

Employees who reported ineligible dependents won’t be penalized.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Watch Your Eggs - Recalls Boosting Demand for WV Eggs

Potential salmonella contamination prompted the recall of eggs which was first announced earlier this month.

Initially, West Virginia officials had said they did not believe any of the problem eggs had found their way into the Mountain State.

But on that is not the case.

People are urged to check their eggs against the list of those that had been recalled as a precaution.

Most of the potentially contaminated eggs in West Virginia are with the Hillandale brand.

Officials say fully cooking all eggs is very important.

If the eggs are not fully cooked, one could get severe intestinal problems, especially older folks.

You can see the full list of the eggs being recalled by going to www.eggsafetycenter.org.

On the bright side, the number of eggs and the farms producing them in West Virginia are expected to increase due to the national salmonella scare.

Both consumers and stores might turn to locally produced eggs after two Iowa farms recalled more than a half-billion eggs being linked to as many as 1,300 cases of salmonella poisoning.

West Virginia has 200 licensed egg producers who can’t keep up with the demand since the scare began.

There are people who are looking for a way to augment their income, so we’ll probably see an increase in egg production.

Locally, consumers have been looking for eggs produced locally. Some indicated they are afraid of buying eggs produced by out of state companies.

Local producers should see a good demand for their eggs at local farmers’ market.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

AAA: WV Gasoline Prices Drop More Than 3 Cents per Gallon

The cost for a gallon of self-serve, regular unleaded gasoline in West Virginia dropped 3.5 cents this week. The current average price at the pump is $2.663.

According to AAA’s Fuel Gauge, oil prices struggled Monday, August 23, 2010 after briefly rising above $74 per barrel on the NYMEX, and then settling to $73.10, sustaining a loss of 72 cents.

As oil prices continue to search for direction, they remain tethered to the equities markets. Stocks began the day with a rally similar to crude oil, only to fluctuate over the course of the afternoon in response to poor economic news.

As concerns about the strength of the economic recovery linger, prices have remained steady in the $70 and $80 per barrel range.

Earlier this month crude prices hit their peak to date on August 04, 2010, reaching $82.97 per barrel, but weak demand, very high crude inventory levels, and general consumer uneasiness have proven to be too great an impediment to sustaining that level.

The good news for consumers is an extremely stable and relatively modest price at the pump.

The national average for a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline is $2.702, down four cents from a week ago.

This week’s average prices: West Virginia Average =  $2.663
Average price during the week of August 17, 2010 =  $2.698
Average price during the week of August 25 2009 =  $2.621

Glenville =  $2.859
Grantsville =  $2.799
Gassaway =  $2.759
Pennsboro =  $2.679
Weston =  $2.699
West Union =  $2.699

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

1863 Law: Special Election Halt WV Liquor Sales

It could be a long, dry weekend in West Virginia, thanks to an 1863 law that prohibits retailers from selling liquor on Election Day.

Saturday’s special primary to fill the seat of the late U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd means establishments can sell beer and wine, but not booze.

Retail liquor sales are already illegal on Sunday.

The restriction on election days, which does not apply to bars and restaurants, dates to West Virginia’s first days of statehood.

The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States says West Virginia is one of five states that still prohibit liquor sales on election days.

Kentucky and South Carolina prohibit sales in restaurants and bars as well as retail establishments.

Alaska and Massachusetts also have statewide bans on retail establishments, but local governments have the power to grant exemptions.

Last year, Indiana struck down its ban on Election Day sales, and Idaho did so in 2008.

“These blue laws just don’t make sense in this economy,“ opponents say.

West Virginia’s law has been revised five times, most recently in 1937, but the ban remains in place.

Lawmakers considered lifting it last year, but the bill died in the Senate after an amendment was added to allow Sunday liquor sales.

The West Virginia Retailers Association (WVRA)can’t estimate how much business its members will lose this summer weekend, but it says they will feel it.

The law has less impact during the fall general elections, WVRA said, because Tuesdays are lighter sales days than Saturdays.

WVRA also notes the loss of sales means fewer tax dollars for state government.

“Maybe this will be an added incentive for the state of West Virginia to review their antiquated liquor statutes regarding the sale of spirits,“ WVRA said. “It is time to look at this.“

Equitable Gas: Rate Increase

Customers of Equitable Gas in central and north central West Virginia are going to pay more to heat their homes this winter.

The West Virginia Public Service Commission announced Tuesday that it’s reached a settlement agreement with the company on a base rate case.

Equitable will be allowed to increase its base rate by 10.7%, meaning the average customer will pay about $14 more a month.

It’s the company’s first base rate increase since 1989.

The settlement says the company cannot file for another increase until January, 2012.

Equitable has filed for a decrease in its purchase gas rate. So it’s possible a customer’s bill will be a little less than the expected $14 increase.

The company has 12,500 customers in Braxton, Clay, Doddridge, Gilmer, Harrison, Lewis, Marion, Marshall, Monongalia, Ritchie, Taylor, Tyler, Upshur and Wetzel counties.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Gilmer County Board of Education: Employment and Postings - 08.23.10

Resignations:

•  Mary Hall, Varsity Cheerleading Coach – GCHS
Pending employment of a replacement

Employment:

•  Deborah Shiflet, Itinerant Special Education/Classroom/Transportation Aide

•  Suzan Sanderspree, Cross Country Coach, GCHS

Postings:

•  Part Time Reading/Mathematics Intervention Tutor,  GES 2010-11

•  Part Time Reading/Mathematics Intervention Tutor,  NES 2010-11

•  Part Time Reading/Mathematics Intervention Tutor,  SFES 2010-11

•  Part Time Reading/Mathematics Intervention Tutor,  TES 2010-11

•  Itinerant Special Education / Classroom / Transportation Aide

•  Varsity Cheerleading Coach – GCHS

Consent Agenda Approvals :

•  Maternity Leave – Vada Woodford, August 23, 2010 – November 01, 2010

•  Leave – Rebecca Sprouse, September 27, 2010- October 01, 2010 – (3NC+2 Unpaid)

•  Leave – Lu Ann Jones Cunningham, September 27, 2010 – October 01, 2010 – (5 Unpaid)

•  Half Day Attendance – Keith Stewart, GCHS

Monday, August 23, 2010

POPLAR FOREST Arts and Crafts Store to Reopen in Sutton!

Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, the well-liked POPLAR FOREST Arts and Craft Store will reopen on Saturday September 18th at its new location at 200 2nd Street in Sutton, West Virginia.

The former store, which operated successfully for years in the Outlet Mall in Flatwoods, WV, exclusively featured high quality art by juried West Virginians who were members of the Central Appalachian Arts and Crafts Co-Operative (CAACC, Inc).

The new store will serve all Appalachian artists, crafters, and recognized regional book authors.  On Saturday the 18th of September 2010, from 10 AM to 5 PM, former Poplar Forest members, professional artists, crafters, etc. who’ve been juried or who’ve exhibited in bonafide galleries, shows, etc. are invited to bring works to be juried on the spot by the CAACC board and, if accepted, placed in the beautiful new space. Prior to, and on the day of opening, volunteers are requested to assist in all aspects of remodeling the store, including design, minor construction, painting, cleaning, and the handling of art pieces.

Friends of Poplar Forest are also cordially invited to attend and to sample local cuisine at the store and at area restaurants throughout the day and evening.  Free new National Geographic travel and history books valued at $25 will be given away with other prizes.

Initial membership for CAACC will be $36 per year, prorated at $3 per month based on a calendar year starting January 01. The cooperative will also have a three-tier apprenticeship program ranging from apprentice to master to cultivate emerging artists and to recognize accomplished artists.

Naturally, featured artists will have openings throughout the year at Poplar Forest.

Classes in arts, crafts and creative writing will also be conducted by the Cooperative in Sutton and other venues.

The commissions charged by the Poplar Forest store to accepted artists and crafters will be a modest 30%—which will be used to keep the store open year-round, except in the heart of winter.  Through savings and generous re-start grants, Poplar Forest already has enough funds to sustain itself for all of 2010-11.

Starting immediately members and supporters will have the opportunity to volunteer time at the store in lieu of membership fees and/or class fees, and (if approved by the Board) to sell their work at zero commission on the days that they work.

Poplar Forest is committed to inclusive and supportive promotion of the arts and artists and welcomes inquiries about memberships, apprenticeships, classes, commissions, and volunteerism.

The reopening of Poplar Forest coincides perfectly with the Sutton Community Development Corporation’s (SCDC) initiative to capitalize on existing tourism to promote arts, cuisine, recreation, and historic preservation.

For more information about this release contact:  Bob Henry Baber at 304.904.2440 or 304.462.4125 or “bob.baber@glenville.edu”;  for everything else, contact: Tamara Cicogna at 304.765.3655 or 304.750.2086 or “tamara@townsquaremarket.com”  and/or Gene Breza at 304.462.5586 or “nivran@rtol.net”

WV’s Online Tool Helps Monitor Stream Levels

For the past two years, high salinity in the state’s streams during the dry late summer season has raised concerns over natural gas industry water withdrawals that reduce flows even further.

As this summer’s dry season kicks in, residents have a tool: the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection’s Water Withdrawal Guidance Tool.

“The DEP secretary has made it very plain that we are not tolerant of streams being dried up,“ said Mike Stratton, Water Use Section manager at DEP.

It was about mid-August these past two years when the level of dissolved solids salts, mainly shot up in parts of the Monongahela River drainage.

In 2008, late summer low stream flows combined with incompletely treated natural gas well brine to cause problems for industrial and drinking water uses on the Monongahela River in Pennsylvania.

Then, in late summer 2009, salty mine drainage in Dunkard Creek, a major Monongahela River tributary at the West Virginia-Pennsylvania border, resulted in the death of all of the fish and mussels on more than 30 miles of the creek.

But over this same two years, withdrawals from surface waters by natural gas companies drilling in the Marcellus Shale have increased.

A single Marcellus “frack” job to crack the shale and release trapped hydrocarbons uses millions of gallons of water, sometimes pumped and hauled from streams.

The Marcellus water-use issue has come up in a decade during which the state is getting clear about how much water there is and how to protect water quantity and regulate uses.

It started with the Water Resources Protection Act of 2004 and, with the broader Water Resources Protection and Management Act of 2008, will result in a water resources management plan in 2013.

Midway through this planning process, Stratton said, WVDEP developed the Water Withdrawal Guidance Tool to advise operators in the natural gas industry when it is safe to withdraw and from where.

Stratton said the guidance tool is the first place to go not only for gas well operators but also for residents concerned about withdrawals.

Users get withdrawal recommendations by clicking in the watershed of interest on an online map of the state.

The map is divided into about 30 regions, each of which delivers recommendations based on readings from a U.S. Geological Survey stream gauge.

Recommendations for withdrawals from any stream in the Northern Panhandle and northern Wetzel County, for instance, are derived from the flow measured at a gauge in Wheeling Creek.

When the flow is over about 150 cubic feet per second, the tool recommends withdrawals anywhere. With flows between 38 and 150 cfs, withdrawals are recommended only from Wheeling Creek, Fish Creek, Grave Creek and the Ohio River which, because of its size, supports withdrawals at any time.

Flows below 38 cfs result in a recommendation of no withdrawals anywhere but the Ohio River. Recommendations are updated frequently and can reflect rapid changes.

Flow at the Wheeling Creek gauge dropped from about 60 cfs to about 40 on Friday, August 06, 2010 all measurements that allow withdrawals from the region’s major streams.

But it dropped below 38 cfs on Saturday morning no more withdrawals.

And with hot, dry weather, flow measured only in the 20s midday on Sunday and just 17 cfs by Monday afternoon.

For a resident who witnesses a withdrawal that the guidance tool advises against, Stratton suggests documenting the facts: the company, the location, the specifics of the activity observed and the date and time. Time-stamped photographs, he said, are especially helpful.

Jody Jones, WVDEP associate counsel representing the Office of Oil and Gas, said inspectors aim to respond to complaints within 24 hours.

Complaints have infrequently turned up operators who are withdrawing against the advice of the guidance tool, he said, and operators so far have cooperated with inspector requests that they move to larger streams.

State law has not yet gotten to the point of establishing penalties for over-withdrawing a stream, but Jones said those who choose to ignore the guidance tool’s recommendations may be pursued based on statutes regulating oil and gas activity and water quality.

DEP made the guidance tool available in January in combination with a natural gas well permit addendum that requires operators to specify expected water volumes and sources.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Recalls: 08.20.10

DOUBLE STROLLERS
Lan Enterprises is recalling Zooper Tango Double Strollers sold nationwide from January 2007 to August 2008. The stroller’s frame latch above the front wheels can fail when the stroller hits an object, causing the stroller to unexpectedly collapse. This can result in minor scrapes, cuts and bruises.
This recall involves 2007 and 2008 Zooper Tango double strollers with a model number of SL808B and SL808F. The model numbers were printed on the original packaging. The strollers have production dates ranging from January 1, 2007, through April 30, 2008. The production dates are printed on the warning labels attached to the seats. The word “Zooper” is printed on the stroller canopies and grab bars.
Consumers should contact Zooper USA at 888.966.7379 between 9 AM and 5 PM PT Monday through Friday or visit www.zooper.com to receive a free repair kit.

OUTDOOR FOLDING CHAIRS
White Tiger Traders Co. Ltd. is recalling Outdoor Folding Chairs sold nationwide from February 2009 to December 2009. The wooden frame of the chairs can break, posing a fall hazard.
This recall includes wooden folding chairs. The chairs were sold individually and as part of a three-piece set that included one table and two chairs. “HD Outdoor” is printed on the chair’s packaging.
Consumers should return the chairs to the store where purchased for a full refund.
Consumers can also contact Kroger at 800.632.6900 between 8 AM and 9 PM ET or visit www.kroger.com.

ELECTRICAL WIRE
Cerro Wire Inc. is recalling THHN Electrical Wire sold from December 2009 to April 2010. While the actual electrical wire has “14-gauge” printed on it, the packaging incorrectly labels the electrical wire as 12 gauge. If used as a 12 gauge wire, it can overload, posing a fire hazard.
This recall involves THNN electrical wire labeled on its packaging as 12 gauge solid white 100’ UPC 48243982721 and 12 gauge stranded red 50’ UPC 48243229215. The actual wire has “THHN Cerro Wire 14 gauge” printed on it. The UPC number and 12-gauge is found on the plastic wrap and on a label at the bottom of the reel.
Consumers should contact Cerro Wire at 866.572.3776x269 between 7 AM and 5 PM ET Monday through Friday or visit www.cerrowire.com for instructions on returning the product for a refund.

SLEDGE HAMMERS
White Cap Construction Supply Inc. is recalling Brigade Hickory Handle Sledge Hammers sold nationwide from April 2009 to May 2010. The head of the sledge hammer can loosen and detach, posing a risk of impact injury.
This recall involves Brigade sledge hammers with a hickory wood handle. There are 11 models included in this recall, ranging in size from 2 to 20 lbs. A green and white label with the word “Brigade” and the model name is affixed to the head of the sledge hammer, and “Genuine Hickory” is printed on the handle.
Consumers should return the product to White Cap Construction Supply for a full refund or exchange.
Consumers can also contact White Cap Construction Supply at 877.281.4831 between 9 AM and 5 PM PT Monday through Friday or visit www.whitecap.com.

LEVERAGE GYMS
Powertec is recalling Leverage Gyms sold nationwide and in Canada from October 2009 to February 2010. Detachment of the exercise workbench from the gym system causes instability, posing a risk of injury.
This recall involves the Workbench Leverage Gym, 2010 version, which has a lock and load removable bench section opening up the lever area for power exercises such as squats, shrugs and rows. The Powertec logo with the Workbench series name is printed on the removable bench. The models affected by this recall are WB-LS10 and WB-LS10-B.
Customers should contact Powertec at 877.525.5710 between 7:30 AM and 3:30 PM PT Monday through Friday or visit www.powertecfitness.com to receive a free repair kit or to schedule a free repair with an authorized dealer.

myADPAD: Acution & Classifieds - For You, By You

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Don’t Miss The Gilmer County Farmers’ Market - Today in Glenville

‘The Market’ vendors will sell homemade breads, crafts, jams, fruits and vegetables at the Farmers’Market in Glenville from 9:00 AM until 1:30 PM every Saturday.

Friday, August 20, 2010

Two Insurance Companies to Give Refunds to WV Customers

About 500 West Virginia customers of two insurance companies will receive refunds following an audit of the firms’ loss ratio experiences.

Insurance Commissioner Jane Cline said Thursday that John Alden Insurance Company will refund a total $69,689.

Time Insurance Company will refund a total $145,450.

Cline says the first refund checks are expected to be mailed around Sept. 1.

In West Virginia, insurers can file for state approval of individual sickness and accident products on a guaranteed loss ratio basis. An independent audit is required following the end of a loss ratio experience period.

Refunds are required if the audit indicates that the actual loss ratio is less than the insurer anticipated.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

WV Exports on Track, According to Report

The state Department of Commerce says West Virginia’s exports are up 39.5% in the first six months of the year compared to the same period in 2009.

The state exported $3 billion worth of goods through the end of June.

If that trend continues, exports could break the $5.6 billion record set in 2008.

Commerce Secretary Kelley goes says the improvement is partially due to a rebound in the global automotive industry.

Exports of plastic and polymers jumped 70.3% to $473.7 million.

Automotive component exports increased 63.7% to $90.2 million.

Coal exports rose by 28.3% to $1.3 billion.

AAA: WV Gasoline Prices Drop More Than 6 Cents

This week it is a 6.1 cent savings for West Virginia motorists when they pull up to the pump for a gallon of self-serve, regular unleaded gasoline.

The current price is $2.698 a gallon.

According to AAA’s Fuel Gauge, crude prices showed little movement Monday, Aug. 16 on the NYMEX, dropping 19 cents after opening at $75.39.

After averaging over $81 per barrel a week ago, oil futures slid all the way to $75 at the close last Friday, its lowest point in the last month.

Crude’s plummet is directly attributable to less than favorable economic news from the US and abroad, which prompted a steep drop in the stock market.

As has been the case for most of this year, oil prices have had a strong correlation with the equities market.

The potential remains for a disruption in Gulf refining operations as a tropical depression is reported in the Gulf of Mexico.

So far the system, which has a 60% chance of becoming a tropical cyclone over the next 48 hours, has had no impact on Gulf oil operations.

So far, the 2010 Atlantic hurricane season has been relatively mild with the formation of only three named storms (Alex, Bonnie and Colin).

One factor that could help insulate price exposure from a weather incident is the steady, high levels of crude inventory.

Pending any drastic or immediate shift in crude supplies, this will likely continue to temper any large price increases in the near future.

The national average retail price for a gallon of gasoline has not strayed outside the range of $2.70-$2.78 since mid-June, 62 straight days. Today’s national retail price for a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline was $2.742.

This week’s average prices: West Virginia Average =  $2.698

Glenville =  $2.859
Grantsville =  $2.799
Gassaway =  $2.799
Pennsboro =  $2.689
Weston =  $2.759
West Union =  $2.699

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Gilmer County Board of Education: Employment and Postings - 08.16.10

Resignations:

•  Amy Riddle, Cross Country Coach, Track and Field Coach, Varsity Girls Basketball coach – GCHS
Due to employment in Ritchie County

Employment:

•  Samantha Dent, Elementary Teacher, Troy Elementary
Pending resignation approval in a timely manner from Braxton County

•  Travis Fisher, General Science / Math Teacher – GCHS
Pending resignation approval in a timely manner from Wirt County

•  NO CANDIDATE, Spanish Teacher -  GCHS

•  Suzie Kirkpatrick, Athletic Trainer, GCHS

•  Andrea Edwards-Russell, Substitute Professional for 2010-11

•  Pamela Allen, Substitute Service Personnel for 2010-11
For ALL schools

•  Amie Carder, Substitute Service Personnel for 2010-11
For ALL schools

•  Alisha Arbogast, Substitute Service Personnel for 2010-11
For ALL schools

Postings:

•  Itinerant Special Education / Classroom / Transportation Aide

•  Cross Country Coach, GCHS

•  Spanish Teacher, GCHS

Monday, August 16, 2010

Announcement from the Journal‏

The Gilmer County Journal has sold out in most retail stores county-wide.

For those of you who are still looking for a copy of this past week’s issue, Mountaineer Mart, between Foodland and Rich’s, still has several copies.

In addition Hardman’s, Towne Bookstore and Western Auto still have a few.

Thank you for your readership.

I apologize for the inconvenience.

Thank you!

Lisa Belknap
“The Gilmer County Journal”

Inexperienced Companies Chase U.S. School Funds

With the Obama administration pouring billions into its nationwide campaign to overhaul failing schools, dozens of companies with little or no experience are portraying themselves as school-turnaround experts as they compete for the money.

A husband-and-wife team that has specialized in teaching communication skills but never led a single school overhaul is seeking contracts in Ohio and Virginia.

A corporation that has run into trouble with parents or the authorities in several states in its charter school management business has now opened a school-turnaround subsidiary.

Other companies seeking federal money include offshoots of textbook conglomerates and classroom technology vendors.

Many of the new companies seem unprepared for the challenge of making over a public school, yet neither the federal government nor many state governments are organized to offer effective oversight, said Jack Jennings, president of the Center on Education Policy, a nonprofit group in Washington.

“Many of these companies clearly just smell the money,” Mr. Jennings said.

Rudy Crew, a former New York City schools chancellor who has formed his own consulting company, said he was astonished to see so many untested groups peddling strategies to improve schools.

“This is like the aftermath of the Civil War, with all the carpetbaggers and charlatans,” Dr. Crew said.

The Obama administration has sharply increased federal financing for school turnarounds, to $3.5 billion this year, about 28 times as much as in 2007. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan is pushing to overhaul 5,000 of the nation’s 100,000 public schools in the next few years.

New York is to receive more than $300 million, and New Jersey about $67 million. Expenditures on each failing school are capped at $6 million over three years.

Under federal rules, school districts can hire companies or nonprofits to help, and experts said a significant percentage, perhaps a majority, were likely to hire at least one outside contractor. Sandra Abrevaya, a spokeswoman for the Department of Education, said the department did not yet know exactly how many districts would do so.

“The department is in daily contact with states and districts to provide technical assistance so they can make smart decisions and select high-quality partners,” Ms. Abrevaya said.

Overhauling schools is challenging work, and experts say few efforts succeed. Breaking the cycle of failure in a school that has become a drop-out factory requires an “extreme reset,” said Tim Cawley, a managing director at the Academy for Urban School Leadership, a nonprofit group leading several turnaround efforts in Chicago. Usually that means installing a new principal and a newly committed teaching staff, invigorating the school’s culture with high expectations and a no-nonsense discipline, adopting a rigorous curriculum, and carrying out regular testing to determine what has been learned and what needs to be retaught, Mr. Cawley said.

In contrast, many new groups seeking contracts are hoping merely to bring in a new curriculum or retrain some teachers, he said, adding, “We call that turnaround lite.”

Bob and Megan Tschannen-Moran run one of the new groups. Their company, LifeTrek Inc., based in their home in Virginia, markets life and career coaching sessions to companies, churches and schools.

Ms. Tschannen-Moran is an education professor at the College of William & Mary, but the couple has never led a school overhaul, Mr. Tschannen-Moran said — although LifeTrek has been hired by a few school districts for strategic planning.

The couple recently founded a Center for Evocative Coaching, and this spring, Ohio put the center on a list of approved school turnaround specialists. In July, the couple changed the name of the center’s Web site to schooltransformation.com. The center can help schools by “facilitating new conversations through story listening, expressing empathy, appreciative inquiry and design thinking,” its Web site says. Much of the training can be done via conference call, Mr. Tschannen-Moran said.

Mr. Duncan helped set off the stampede in a June 2009 speech, saying that only a handful of groups, nationwide, had any experience in school overhauls.

“We need everyone who cares about public education,” he said, “to get into the business of turning around our lowest-performing schools. That includes states, districts, nonprofits, for-profits, universities, unions and charter organizations.”

One company that said it had answered Mr. Duncan’s call was Mosaica Education, which operates charter schools in several states and overseas. Five of its 10 charter schools in Ohio are in academic emergency, and the company has become embroiled in disputes over its management of charters elsewhere. Its chief executive, Michael J. Connelly, said Mosaica had built a solid record of raising achievement.

In March, the company hired John Q. Porter, a former schools superintendent in Oklahoma City, to lead a new subsidiary, Mosaica Turnaround Partners. Mr. Porter said he attended a vendor fair at Ohio State University in June that had been organized to introduce dozens of new companies and nonprofits to districts preparing school turnarounds.

“It was like a cattle call,” Mr. Porter said. “No, actually it was more like speed dating.”

Pearson, the giant British publisher, also had representatives at the fair. With 36,000 employees worldwide, Pearson is known in education for textbook brands like Scott Foresman and Prentice Hall.

Last year, it formed the K-12 Solutions Group, and it is seeking school-turnaround contracts in at least eight states. Scott Drossos, the group’s president, said that in recent years Pearson had bought smaller companies that built Pearson’s capacity to train teachers and could draw on its testing, technology and other products to carry out a coherent school-improvement effort.

In interviews last year, Mr. Duncan said he wanted high-quality, nonprofit charter school management groups, like the KIPP network, which operates 99 schools nationwide, to join the school overhaul work.

But Justin Cohen, a turnaround strategist at MassInsight, a Massachusetts nonprofit organization, said that most successful nonprofit charter operators preferred starting new schools to overhauling failing ones, and that few had accepted Mr. Duncan’s invitation.

“The vast majority of people getting into the field are not ready to do the work,” Mr. Cohen said.

Recognizing the risks facing school districts that sign contracts with untested groups, the American Enterprise Institute, a nonprofit conservative policy group, issued a report last month urging that districts require performance guarantees, under which contractors failing to meet achievement targets would forfeit payments.

Dr. Crew’s new company, Global Partnership Schools, which he formed with Manny Rivera, a former Rochester schools superintendent, has signed a contract with the Pueblo, Colo., district that is backed by a performance guarantee. It stipulates that the partnership will be paid its full fee only if it significantly raises student achievement, Dr. Rivera said. The partnership has also been awarded contracts with districts in Baltimore and Bridgeport, Conn., he said.

Dr. Rivera represented Global Partnership at the June 30 vendor fair in Ohio, tending a booth along with 50 other groups.

“It was just like you were selling pencils,” he said. “A lot of these companies don’t have a clue about how to change schools.”

~~  By SAM DILLON   -  NYT   ~~

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Recalls - 08.13.10

BABY MONITORS
Circus World Displays Limited is recalling Levana Wireless Video Baby Monitors sold nationwide from February 2010 to May 2010. Wiring in the baby monitor camera can overheat and emit smoke, posing a burn hazard.
This recall involves Levana wireless baby monitors with model number LV-TW300. The receiver front is white and green with six round buttons and the printed word “Levana”. It is 7 inches tall and includes a stand/base. The camera is all white, about 5 inches tall and is attached to a 3 1/2 inch long white base.
Consumers should return the baby monitor directly to CWD for a refund or replacement with a different model.
Consumers can contact Circus World Displays at 866.946.7828 between 8 AM and 5 PM ET Monday through Friday or visit www.mylevana.com.

TOY RATTLES
P. Graham Dunn is recalling Wooden Toy Rattles sold nationwide from June 2010 to July 2010. The wooden dowels can be installed at an angle, allowing the metal rattle inside to become exposed. This poses a serious choking hazard.

This recall involves a wooden toy rattle with light brown stain, eight wooden dowels and a gold-colored metal rattle inside. The toy rattle is circular in shape, measuring 2 3/4 inches by 2 inches.

Consumers should contact P. Graham Dunn at 800.828.5260 between 8 AM and 5 PM Monday through Friday or visit www.pgrahamdunn.com to receive a full refund.

DEHUMIDIFIERS
LG Electronics Tianjin Appliance Co is recalling Goldstar and Comfort-Aire dehumidifiers sold nationwide from January 2007 to June 2008. The power connector for the dehumidifier’s compressor can short circuit, posing fire and burn hazards.
This recall involves 30-pint portable dehumidifiers sold under the brand names like “Goldstar” or “Comfort-Aire” which is printed on the front. The model and serial numbers are printed on the interior of the dehumidifiers and can be viewed after the water bucket is removed.
Consumers should contact LG at 877.220.0479 between 8 AM and 7 PM CT Monday through Friday and between 8 AM and 2 PM CT on Saturday or visit www.30pintdehumidifierrecall.com to determine if it is included in the recall and return it to an authorized LG service center for a free repair.

BLACKBERRY BATTERIES
Asurion is recalling Counterfeit BlackBerry®-branded cell phone batteries in refurbished devices distributed nationwide from March 2004 to October 2009. The counterfeit batteries can overheat, posing burn and fire hazards.
This recall involves only BlackBerry®-branded batteries provided with refurbished Blackberry®-branded devices. The refurbished devices were sent to consumers by Asurion through a handset protection program.
Consumers who received refurbished BlackBerry devices through Asurion prior to November 01, 2009 should contact Asurion at 866.384.9175 between 8 AM and 7 PM CT Monday through Friday, or visit www.001batex.com for a replacement product.

BOILER SURVEY KIT
Bosch Thermotechnology is recalling service kit for gas-fired boiler distributed nationwide from February 2010 to May 2010. The use of a silver-colored gas pipe adapter included in the service kit can lead to gas leakage, posing a fire or explosion hazard.
The recalled product is a service kit that was distributed for free to some contractors and distributors that contained a silver-colored adapter. The kit, which has the number 8718600187 on the side of the box, was used as part of a program to evaluate the effects of heating water quality on components of Buderus gas-fired condensing gas boilers with model numbers GB142/24, GB142/30, GB142/45, and GB142/60. The model number is located on a label on the bottom left side of the boiler.
Consumers with boilers listed above that were serviced after February 01, 2010, should immediately contact the service provider to determine if the kit was installed in their boilers.
Consumers can also contact Bosch Thermotechnology at 800.283.3787 between 9 AM and 5 PM ET Monday through Friday or visit www.buderus.net.

Protection of Consumers from Harmful and Deceptive Business Practices

In his continued effort to protect consumers from harmful and deceptive business practices, Senator Jay Rockefeller, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, recently sent a letter to Nathaniel Lipman, President of Affinion Group, Inc. asking for more information about Affinion’s use of a “live check” marketing scam, which sends consumers a check for $8 or $10, and then when they cash the check, the consumers are enrolled in a costly “membership” program without their full knowledge.

In his letter, Rockefeller states, “it appears Affinion is more aggressively using ‘live checks’ to enroll consumers in membership programs…this troubles me because consumer advocates, courts, and state and federal authorities have repeatedly described it as misleading, deceptive, and unfair.”  The process of using ‘live checks’ is akin to Affinion’s use of aggressive online sales tactics to enroll consumers in services without their consent—an issue that was the subject of a year-long Commerce Committee investigation.

“Now that Affinion has been forced to end one deceptive enterprise, it appears they’ve resorted to another by resurrecting their old ‘live checks’ marketing tricks,” Rockefeller said.  “I intend to continue examining sales tactics that allow companies to charge consumers for products without their express informed consent. It is not right, it is not ethical, and it is not the way business should be done in America.”

How the “live check” enrollment process works:

•  Affinion partners with companies that have already developed a financial relationship with consumers and mails “live checks” to those companies’ customers.
•  The check’s envelope or packaging is branded with the logo of the company familiar to a consumer—let’s call him John Doe—and prominently alerts Mr. Doe to a “CHECK ENCLOSED.”
•  The “live check” contained within the mailer is typically for a small amount, between $8 and $10, and is payable at JP Morgan Chase Bank.
 
•  If Mr. Doe cashes or deposits the check, the company that has a prior financial relationship with him will transfer his billing information to Affinion.
 
•  Affinion then “enrolls” Mr. Doe in one of its membership programs and begins charging a monthly, recurring fee to his credit card or debit card.

Rockefeller has requested more information about Affinion’s use of this practice, as well as the role JP Morgan plays in the “live check” enrollment process.  Jamie Dimon, CEO and chairman of JPMorgan Chase & Co., was also copied on Rockefeller’s letter.

Key Background Information:
In 2009, the Senate Commerce Committee launched an investigation into three companies—Affinion, Vertue, and Webloyalty—that used aggressive online sales tactics to enroll consumers in services without their consent.

The committee’s investigation found that these companies bilked millions of Americans out of more than one billion dollars by partnering with hundreds of legitimate websites that were willing to share their customers’ billing information, including credit and debit card numbers, for financial gain.

Following this landmark investigation, Rockefeller introduced legislation, the Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act (S. 3386), to put an end to these deceptive online sales tactics.  The bill was passed out of the Commerce Committee on June 9th, 2010, and is currently pending Senate action.

The Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act will protect consumers, and save money. According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the bill will save Americans hundreds of millions of dollars by stopping deceptive online sales practices.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

AAA : Two Cent Gasoline Price Increase for WV

WV motorists will pay two cents more this week for a gallon of self-serve, regular unleaded gasoline at the pump.

The current price is $2.759 a gallon.
According to AAA’s Fuel Gauge, last week, oil broke through what has been an extremely elusive barrier, closing at $80.77 on the NYMEX on Friday, August 06, 2010. On Monday, August 0, 20109 crude prices maintained the $80 mark, going as high as $81.76 before closing at $81.48, an increase of 78-cents.

Crude prices have not been this high since this past May and it is far from certain if this price level can be maintained. Recent economic news released on Friday continues to contribute to a feeling of unease in the strength of the US economic recovery and reinforce the school of thought that the recovery is shallow and the immediate economic forecast is less than robust.

The US Department of Labor reported last week that the economy suffered a net loss of 130,000 jobs in July with the unemployment rate continuing to hover at just under 10%. Another troubling sign is the loss of 5,600 jobs for temporary employees for July. Temporary jobs are viewed as a potential indicator of future hiring by businesses who generally fill these positions ahead of expanding their permanent staff.

Economic conditions are not the only factor to watch for price impacts. Last week, the National Weather Service reiterated its forecast that the likelihood exists for an above normal Atlantic storm season. The atmospheric and oceanic conditions in the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea are viewed as conducive to hurricane formation. This most recent update from the National Weather Service is consistent with their previous forecast in May of an 85% chance of an active storm season. This situation is one that bears watching as we enter the peak hurricane months between now and October.

The national average price for a gallon of self-serve regular unleaded gasoline is $2.781 up 5.5 cents from last week and 13.6 cents higher than a year ago.

This week’s W V Average   =  $2.759
Average price during the week of August 03, 2010 =  $2.739
Average price during the week of August 11, 2009 =  $2.677

Glenville =  $2.859
Grantsville =  $2.859
Gassaway =  $2.799
Pennsboro =  $2.729
Weston =  $2.839
West Union =  $2.859

Future of WV’s Unemployment Fund Not Good

According to WorkForce West Virginia, the WV’s unemployment compensation fund will be empty by February, 2011.

Currently, there’s $106 million dollars in the unemployment fund.  However, if the number of unemployed workers in West Virginia doesn’t drop between now and the end of the year, the amount in the fund will be down to $8 million by January 01, 2011 and in the red sometime in February.

West Virginia’s current unemployment rate is at more than 8%.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Gilmer County Board of Education: Employment and Postings - 08.09.10

Resignations:
•  Rebecca Groves - Athletic Trainer
•  Leslie LeBlanc - Spanish Trainer

Employment:
Approved SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS

Approved SUBSTITUTE SECRETARY
•  Deanna Beron
•  Patty Knicely
•  Dendra Miller
•  Charlene Montgomery

Approved SUBSTITUTE COOK
•  Audrey Duelley
•  Marlene Minney
•  Charlene Montgomery
•  Barbara Runyon
•  Debbie Tirburzi

Approved SUBSTITUTE CUSTODIAN
•  Barbara Runyon
•  Tonia Talbert
•  Troy Cottrell

Approved SUBSTITUTE BUS OPERATOR
•  James Hacker
•  Sherman McCullough
•  Christopher Lacy
•  Todd Stewart
•  Tricia Brown

Approved SUBSTITUTE AIDES
•  Sandra Harding
•  Charlene Montgomery
•  Diane Montgomery
•  Cora Persinger
•  Tonia Talbert
•  Shawna Maxwell

Postings:
•  General Science / Math Teacher, GILMER COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
•  Elementary Teacher, TROY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
•  Spanish Teacher, GILMER COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
•  Athletic Trainer, GILMER COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Workers’ Compensation Rates in WV Are to Drop

Workers’ compensation costs for many employers in West Virginia will drop later this year.

WV Insurance Commissioner’s office recently approved new loss cost rates that are an average 2.9% lower than the existing rates.

The new rates go into effect November 01, 2010.

Loss cost rates are a key factor used to determine workers’ compensation insurance premiums.

The new rates apply to 408 of the 587 job classifications in West Virginia. Rates for 151 other classifications will increase, while rates for the remaining 28 classifications will be unchanged.

The new rates are expected to save employers a total of about $12 million.

Sunday, August 08, 2010

Recalls - 08.06.10

OFF-ROAD MOTORCYCLES
Kawasaki Motors Corp. U.S.A. is recalling Kawasaki 2010 KLX110 Off-Road Motorcycles sold nationwide from August 2009 to February 2010. A faulty housing for the ignition switch can allow water to enter and activate the electric starter unintentionally. This poses a serious hazard of injury or death.
This recall involves Kawasaki 2010 model year KLX110CAF and KLX110DAF off-road motorcycles. They were sold in green and have Kawasaki written on the sides of the fuel tank.
Consumers should contact a local Kawasaki Motorcycle dealer to schedule an appointment for a free repair.
Consumers can also contact Kawasaki at 866.802.9381 between 8:30 AM and 5 PM PT Monday through Friday, or visit www.kawasaki.com.

VANITY BENCHES
LaMont Limited is recalling Belle Vanity Benches sold exclusively at Tuesday Morning stores nationwide from May 2010 to June 2010. Legs on the Belle vanity bench can detach at the weld and allow the bench to collapse, posing a fall hazard.
This recall involves Belle vanity benches with a scroll design and padded seat. The wrought iron vanity bench is about 21 3/4 inches from floor to top of rail. The padded seat has an 18 3/4 inch wide off-white damask cover.
Consumers should return the product to any Tuesday Morning store for a refund.
Consumers can also contact Tuesday Morning at 800.457.0099 or LaMont at 800.553.5261 between 8 AM and 4:30 PM CT Monday through Friday, or visit www.shop.tuesdaymorning.com or www.lamontlimited.com.

FISHER-PRICE CAMPSITE TOYS
Fisher-Price is recalling Little People Play ‘n Go Campsite™ sold nationwide and in Canada from October 2009 to August 2010. The plastic Sonya Lee figure in the play set can break at the waist, exposing small parts that pose a choking hazard.
The seven-piece plastic play set includes Sonya Lee, a tent and other accessories. Product number R6935 is printed on the toy’s packaging. The name Sonya Lee is printed on the underside of the figure. Only Sonya Lee figures that bend at the waist, have a green sweater and purple camera around the neck are included in this recall.
Consumers should contact Fisher-Price at 800.432.5437 anytime or visit www.service.mattel.com to arrange for the figure’s return in exchange for a free replacement figure.

LIGHTED UMBRELLAS
Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. is recalling Solar Lighted Cantilever Umbrellas sold exclusively by Bed Bath & Beyond from February 2010 to June 2010. A plastic connector which attaches to the arm of the umbrella can break, causing the umbrella to collapse. This poses a risk of injury.
The recalled product is a 13-foot Solar Lighted Cantilever Umbrella. The UPC numbers are 444444550439 (tan) and 444444583963 (chocolate) and can be found on the product packaging. The model numbers are 8070C-S and 8070C-L and can be found on the assembly and operating instruction that were enclosed with the product packaging.
Consumers should return product to any Bed Bath & Beyond location for a full refund.
Consumers can also contact Bed Bath & Beyond at 800.462.3966, 24 hours a day, seven days a week or visit www.bedbathandbeyond.com.

MADELINE BUNK BEDS
Pottery Barn Kids is recalling Madeline Bunk Beds sold by Pottery Barn Kids from July 2009 to March 2010. The end structure of the bunk bed can pose an entrapment hazard to young children. Children can get their necks caught in the opening between the post and the decorative molding.
This recall involves Madeline bunk beds. The bed is white and is made of wood and medium-density fiberboard. It has guardrails on either side of the top bunk and a ladder that attaches to the side of the beds.
Consumers should immediately contact Pottery Barn Kids at 888.779.8692 between 7 AM and midnight PT seven days a week or visit www.potterybarnkids.com to schedule installation of a free repair kit.

CIRCUIT BREAKERS
Miami Breaker Inc. is recalling counterfeit “Square D” circuit breakers sold nationwide from March 2005 to July 2006. The recalled circuit breakers labeled “Square D” or “SQD” have been determined to be counterfeit by Square D and can fail to trip when they are overloaded, posing a fire hazard.
The counterfeit circuit breakers are marked as Square D in the QO series. The models are QO115, QO120 , QO130 , QO215, QO220 , QO230, QO240, QO250 and QO260.
Consumers should contact Miami Breaker at 800.941.1112 between 9 AM to 5 PM ET Monday through Friday to determine if their circuit breaker is counterfeit and if necessary, arrange a free inspection and replacement.

Saturday, August 07, 2010

Shentel Experiencing Problem with Phone Service in WV

Currently Shentel is experiencing phone outage in WV.

The outage started Saturday evening.

The problem is with outgoing calls.

Following is the response from Shentel to a customer inquiry:

“Thank you for contacting Shentel Technical support. We are experiencing an outage in West Virginia which we are aware of and working to fix.

Regards,
Shentel Tech Support”

Don’t Miss The Gilmer County Farmers’ Market - Today

‘The Market’ vendors will sell homemade breads, crafts, jams, fruits and vegetables at the Farmers’Market in Glenville from 9:00 AM until 1:30 PM every Saturday.

Thursday, August 05, 2010

Gilmer County Board of Education: Employment and Postings - 08.04.10

Employment:

•  Jacqueline Caudill - Family and Consumer Science Teacher – GCHS

•  Cheryl Strother – Library Media Center Specialist – GCHS

•  Kyre-Anna Minney - Elementary Teacher – Sand Fork Elementary School

•  None Hired - Auxiliary Coach, Varsity Football – GCHS

•  Ed “Arch” Moore Jr. - Auxiliary Coach, Mini Titan Football – GCHS

•  Mickey Metz - Auxiliary Coach, Girl’s Volleyball – GCHS

•  Willard Wright - Biology Teacher - GCHS

Wednesday, August 04, 2010

Shentel Completes $148M Jet Broadband Deal

Shenandoah Telecommunications said it has completed its acquisition of Jet Broadband’s cable operations for $148 million.

The deal, which was announced in April was financed with a $248 million credit facility from a series of banks—CoBank, ACB was co-lead arranger, bookrunner and administrative agent; BB&T was co-lead arranger and syndication agent; Wells Fargo was co-lead arranger and documentation agent; and as many as 15 other banks participated.
Shentel said that it will spend up to $33 million over the next 24 months to upgrade Jet Broadband’s entire network to offer additional video options, HDTV, digital video recorder service, greater Internet speeds and voice services.

Jet Broadband passes about 115,000 homes and has about 66,000 revenue generating units (a combination of video, voice and data customers) in southern Virginia and southern West Virginia.