WV Governor Proposes $500 Christmas Bonus For State Workers and School Teachers

State workers could receive a belated Christmas present come the first of the year. Governor Joe Manchin announced an initiative Friday to keep a promise he made last year.

“I am anxious to recommend to the legislature that come January, during the regular session, the first piece of legislation we pass is a bonus for every state employee that has made West Virginia as efficient as it has and as it is and give them back some of the money they’ve been able to save the good people,” Manchin said.

Full-time state workers would receive a one-time $500 bonus. The state currently employs 51,000 people.

The money is coming from $8 million in excess general revenue and $57 million in excess lottery funds from the 2008-2009-budget year. Manchin plans to use half that money for the bonus, the other half to help balance the budgets in 2011 and 2012. “We’ve lived within our budget. We have not appropriated money that we couldn’t. We’ve held back. We’ve paid our bills. We’re continuing to do so,” the governor said Friday.

Along with the bonus comes the news there will not be pay raises in 2011 and 2012. Manchin says up until a month before the start of the current fiscal year, he still planned on backing a three percent pay raise for state workers, but with the struggling economy, he had to change those plans.

Manchin points out that West Virginia is one of just seven states that is in the black, not raising taxes, hasn’t had to furlough workers and isn’t asking the federal government for money. When fellow governors ask him how he’s managed to do it…“I just tell them that we’ve been blessed,” he said. But it’s been hard work too. It didn’t come by chance. It came by hard work and planning. And I am still convinced we can plan ourselves through this, that we can navigate these troubled waters and come out of it much stronger than ever before.“
~~ WVMN ~~

Health Note: Breastfeeding Could Save Child Lives

Teaching new mothers how to breastfeed could save 1.3 million children’s lives every year, but many women get no help and give up trying, the World Health Organization said on Friday.

Less than 40% of mothers worldwide breastfeed their infants exclusively in the first six months, as recommended by the WHO. Many abandon it because they don’t know how to get their baby to latch on properly or suffer pain and discomfort.

Pregnant women should also be made aware of the risks they face from both seasonal flu and the new H1N1 pandemic, the WHO said, calling as well for more attention to influenza symptoms in the vulnerable group.

Expectant mothers should get top priority for antiviral drugs like Tamiflu, ideally administered within 48 hours of the onset of illness.

Pregnant women, when they get flu, are at risk and they should see a doctor. It adds to the risk and it is really essential for pregnant women to seek medication.

U.S. health experts have said that pregnant women should also be first to get vaccines against the H1N1 virus, known as swine flu, with caregivers for infants second.

The WHO recommends that babies start breastfeeding within one hour of their birth, and ingest only breast milk for the first six months, avoiding water and other drinks and foods.This can give children vital nutrients and strengthen their immune system to fight diseases like diarrhea and pneumonia. Formula milk does not provide the same immunity and local water can be contaminated or unsafe in many parts of the world.

Raising to 90% the global breastfeeding rate for infants to six months would save an estimated 13% of the 10 million under-age-5 deaths a year.

In a statement released to mark World Breastfeeding Week, August 1-7, 2009 WHO Director-General said it was also important that mothers in disaster zones be given the support they need to continue or restart breastfeeding.

“During emergencies, unsolicited or uncontrolled donations of breast milk substitutes may undermine breastfeeding and should be avoided,“ Director-General said, arguing abandoning breastfeeding could put vulnerable child lives at extra risk. “The focus should be on active protection and support of breastfeeding.“

U.S.: Employment Cost Index News

Total compensation costs for civilian workers increased 0.4%, seasonally adjusted, from March to June 2009.

For the year ended June 2009, compensation costs rose 1.8% with both components of compensation—wages
and salaries and benefits—each rising 1.8%.

GCHS Cheerleading Meeting and Try-Outs

All girls in grades 9-12 who are interested in cheerleading are invited to a meeting along with your parents.

The meeting will consist of discussing rules and requirements for the cheerleading season and try-outs.

Feel free to contact Ashley Moss, the new Varsity Cheerleading coach for Gilmer County High School at 304.462.8024 or 304.266.5692.

NWS: Flash Flood Watch

Issued by The National Weather Service
Charleston, WV
4:21 AM EDT, Friday, July 31, 2009

... FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM EDT THIS AFTERNOON…

THE FLASH FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES FOR:
* PORTIONS OF NORTHEAST KENTUCKY… SOUTHEAST OHIO… SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA AND WEST VIRGINIA… INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING AREAS… IN WEST VIRGINIA… BARBOUR… BOONE… BRAXTON... CABELL… CALHOUN... CLAY… DODDRIDGE... FAYETTE… GILMER... HARRISON… JACKSON WV… KANAWHA… LEWIS... LINCOLN… LOGAN… MASON… MCDOWELL… MINGO… NICHOLAS… PLEASANTS… POCAHONTAS… PUTNAM… RALEIGH… RANDOLPH… RITCHIE... ROANE… TAYLOR… TYLER… UPSHUR… WAYNE… WEBSTER… WIRT… WOOD AND WYOMING.

* UNTIL 4 PM EDT THIS AFTERNOON

* A STRONG UPPER LEVEL DISTURBANCE WILL MOVE NORTHEAST ACROSS THE REGION TODAY. THE COMBINATION OF THIS FEATURE AND ABUNDANT MOISTURE IS EXPECTED TO RESULT IN WIDESPREAD SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS. LOCALIZED RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF UP TO 3 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE ACROSS THE WATCH AREA. HEAVIEST RAINS WILL END ACROSS SOUTHEAST OHIO AND NORTHEAST KENTUCKY LATER THIS MORNING… AND OVER THE MOUNTAINS BY LATER THIS AFTERNOON.

THIS HEAVY RAINFALL… COUPLED WITH VERY WET GROUND FROM SIGNIFICANT RAIN THAT FELL DURING THE PAST FEW DAYS… MAY RESULT IN FLASH FLOODING.

Top 10 Consumer Complaints

Following are the top complaint categories that most frequently appeared before the consumer agencies:

1. Auto: Misrepresentations in advertising or sales of new and used cars, lemons, faulty repairs, leasing and towing disputes

2.Home Improvement/Construction: Shoddy work, failure to start or complete the job

3.Credit/Debt Collection: Billing and fee disputes, mortgage fraud, credit repair, debt settlement, predatory lending, illegal or abusive collection tactics

4.Utilities: Service problems, billing disputes with phone, cable, satellite, Internet, electric and gas services

5.Retail Sales: False advertising, defective merchandise, problems with rebates, coupons, gift cards and gift certificates, nondelivery

6.Services: Misrepresentations, shoddy work, failure to have required licenses, failure to perform

7.Household Goods: Major appliances and furniture, problems with non-delivery, misrepresentations, faulty repairs

8.Landlord/Tenant: Unhealthy or unsafe conditions, failure to make repairs or provide promised amenities, deposit and rent disputes, illegal eviction tactics

9.Internet Sales: Misrepresentations, non-delivery in online purchases; (tied with) Home solicitations: Misrepresentations, nondelivery in door-to-door, telemarketing and mail solicitations, do-not-call violations

10.Health Products and Services: misleading claims, failure to deliver
~~ Consumer Complaint Survey Report ~~

PACF: Community Foundation to Offer Grant Webinar

The Parkersburg Area Community Foundation (PACF) and the Regional Affiliate Foundations of Doddridge, Ritchie, Jackson and Mason Counties as well as the Little Kanawha Area (Wirt/Calhoun) will host a free webinar to potential grant applicants.

The webinar is slated for 9 AM Wednesday, August 5, 2009 and will help potential applicants to better understand the grant application process. During the webinar, participants will listen to a presentation by foundation staff on the telephone, while also viewing presentation information on their computer.

Individuals can participate in the webinar from any location at which they have a computer with Internet access and a telephone. To register for the webinar, e-mail the foundation at “info@pacfwv.com”. Once registered, participants will be provided with instructions on how to log-in for the webinar. During the webinar, the foundation will review its grant guidelines as well as provide tips on preparing a grant application. The webinar should last approximately one hour.

The foundation is currently accepting applications for grants for the fall cycle of its Community Action Grant Program. Applications must be postmarked by September 1, 2009. Grant funds are available in the fall cycle from the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation, Doddridge County Community Foundation, Ritchie County Community Foundation, Jackson County Community Foundation and the Mason County Community Foundation. The Little Kanawha Area Community Foundations will not be considering applications this cycle, but applicants from Wirt and Calhoun Counties are can apply for funding from the PACF.

Organizations apply to the PACF and/or any of the affiliate foundations on the same application form. Guidelines and application forms are available on the foundation’s Web site at www.pacfwv.com or by contacting the Foundation at 304.428.4438 or toll free at 866.428.4438.

Glenville: Gilmer County Senior Center ‘Under the Sea’ Dinner

The Gilmer County Senior Center will host the ‘Under the Sea’ dinner tonight.

Doors open at 5:30 PM and dinner will be served at 6:00 PM.

The Buffett menu will include:
Fish
Shrimp
Clams
Corn-on-the-Cob
Cole Slaw
Onion Rings
Hushpuppies
Desserts

There will be a 50/50 drawing, games, and door prizes.

For details or tickets, call 304.462.5761.

G-OB™: WVDOT: More Highway Engineers Needed

It’s been just a couple of months since the state Department of Transportation started offering more money to people filling entry level civil highway engineer positions.

At this point, DOT Spokesperson Brent Walker tells MetroNews 23 of the 51 open positions have been filled.  “We are still short but we are actively recruiting,“ Walker says.

Last year, higher entry level salaries for those engineers were approved along with adjustments to salaries for some existing engineers after the Federal Highway Administration expressed concerns about how federal road dollars could be put to effective use with so many vacant positions.

The increases, that reportedly help close the gap between wages through the Transportation Department and those in the private sector, took effect in May of this year.

Walker says they are taking a number of steps to fill the remaining 28 entry level civil engineering positions.

“We are continuing to make targeted recruitment visits to West Virginia University, West Virginia University Institute of Technology, Bluefield State University, Fairmont State University as well as utilize the Division of Personnel’s normal process.“

Those engineers are going to work in any number of ways in any number of departments including those for bridges, construction and maintenance.

Walker says there are a lot of benefits that come with getting those kinds of engineers in the door early.

“It allows them to get used to the process and we think that with the benefits that we provide, that it allows them to learn how the system works and then, perhaps, we can hold them for a career.“
~~ WVMN ~~

WVDNR news: Natural Resources Commission Quarterly Meeting

The next quarterly meeting of the Natural Resources Commission will be held Sunday, August 9, 2009 at 1:00 PM at the new Division of Natural Resources headquarters at 324 4th Avenue, South Charleston.
The public is invited to attend and to comment.
Agenda items include:
—- Approval of the 2010-2011 hunting and trapping regulations
—- Approval of the 2010 fishing regulations

WV OKs Delayed End to Public Retiree Subsidies

West Virginia will stop subsidizing the health coverage of its retirees starting with public employees hired after June 2010, a move meant to avoid a projected multibillion-dollar funding shortfall but also one met by calls for a lawsuit from workers’ unions.

Thursday’s vote by the finance board of the Public Employees Insurance Agency pushes back from January 1 the planned halt to subsidies that it initially approved last month.

But the board agreed to delay a final decision until after a series of six public hearings held around the state, which wrapped up earlier this month. Those fielded comments overwhelmingly against the plan, largely from employee groups who warn that ending subsidies will only worsen efforts to recruit and keep quality teachers, troopers and other workers.

Leaders of these groups echoed their concerns at Thursday’s meeting.

Nearby: Roane County Man Blames Used Car Dealer for Man’s Death

A Roane County man says a Spencer used car dealer sold another man a defective pick-up, resulting in his death.

Roy Wayne Roberts, administrator of the estate of Kenneth Lee Roberts, filed a lawsuit June 4, 2009 in Wayne Circuit Court against David L. Carter, doing business as Freedom Used Cars.

According to the complaint, Kenneth bought a used 1994 Toyota pick-up from Freedom on June 15, 2007.

The plaintiff says that Freedom previously had sold the truck to another person a month before and that person returned the truck because it had a performance defect.

The defendants failed to properly inspect the truck before selling it to Kenneth, the complaint says.

Two days after buying the truck, Kenneth was driving it on WV 52 near Fort Gay in Wayne County.

The back passenger side wheel fell off the truck and caused the truck to veer off the roadway and flip multiple times, the complaint says. Kenneth was ejected from the truck and died.

The plaintiff seeks compensatory and punitive damages on grounds of breach of express and implied warranties and wilful, wanton and reckless conduct.

Tony L. O’Dell is representing the plaintiff. The case is before Wayne Circuit Judge Darrell Pratt.

Wayne Circuit Court case number: 09-C-106

Chicken Taco

Ingredients:
1 avocado
1 tbsp lime juice
1/2 tsp salt
Pepper to taste
2 tbsp cooking oil
2 tbsp yellow diced onion
1/2 tsp chili powder
1 small jalapeno pepper
3 medium tomatoes, diced
1 cup leftover chicken
1 cup shredded red cabbage
4- to 6-inch corn tortillas

Direction:
Mash avocado and add salt and pepper.
Set aside.
Add oil to skillet.
Over medium heat, cook onion until translucent.
Add chili powder, chipotle pepper and tomatoes.
Cook 5 minutes.
Stir in chicken and cook until chicken is heated through.
Assemble tortillas with a scoop of chicken mix, avocado, cabbage and a sprinkle of lime juice.
You can also add cheese if you like but it’s not necessary.

Cheerleader Sues School, Coach After Illicit Facebook Log-in

A high school cheerleader claims a coach forced her to give up her Facebook account login information, only to see her account’s contents shared widely with school officials, resulting in extensive disciplinary action, reports Ars Technica—and she’s now suing everyone involved.

The lawsuit alleges the cheerleading coach, who is also a teacher at the school, demanded that members of her squad hand over their Facebook login information.

According to the suit, the teacher used this information to access the plaintiff’s account, which included a heated discussion of some of the cheerleading squad’s internal politics.

That information then was shared widely among school administrators, which resulted in the student receiving various sanctions.

The suit alleges that the school’s administration and staff violated the plaintiff’s Constitutional rights to privacy, free speech, and association, and subjected her to cruel and unusual punishment…

Lily Grace Day

Joshua and Jamie Day of Bridgeport announce the birth of their first child, a daughter, born at 9:46 PM on June 8, 2009, at United Hospital Center in Clarksburg.
She was named Lily Grace and weighed 9 pounds 8 ounces and was 22 inches long.
The mother is the former Jamie Jones of Alum Bridge.
She is an endodontist in private practice in Bridgeport.
The father is employed by Azimuth, Inc. in Fairmont as an electrical engineer.
Maternal grandparents are Carlton and Barbara Jones of Alum Bridge.
Paternal grandparents are Joe and Joy Day of Winfield.
Maternal great-grandmother is Mary Knight of Weston.

Concetta M. “Connie” Boggs

Concetta M. “Connie” Boggs
Age 77, of Cedarville, departed this life the morning of July 25, 2009 at SunBridge Care and Rehab Glenville, following a short illness.

Born December 8, 1931 in Cleveland, OH, she was the daughter of the late John and Gemma D’Inceceio Colino.

Mrs. Boggs was a homemaker and Catholic by faith.

On May 5, 1956, Connie was united in marriage to Herbert S. Boggs, who preceded her in death on December 3, 1988.

Surviving are two daughters: Georgeann Miller and husband, Steve, of Cleveland, OH and Jennifer Boggs of Cleveland, OH, two grandsons: Nathan and Nicholas MIller; and one granddaughter: Delaney Rose Noll.

Connie was preceded in death by one son: Michael Scott Boggs on July 26, 1993. She was the last of her immediate family, being preceded by several brothers and sisters.

Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, August 1, 2009 at the Ellyson Mortuary Inc. Glenville with Pastor Bryan Groves officiating.

Burial will follow in the Cedarville Cemetery.

Friends may call from 6-8 PM Friday at the mortuary.

Ellyson Mortuary Inc. is assiting the family of Concetta “Connie” Boggs with arrangements.

07.3.109

Today: 07.31.yyyy

Today is Friday, July 31, the 212th day of 2009. There are 153 days left in the year.

Thought for Today: “The secret of managing is to keep the guys who hate you away from the guys who are undecided.“—Casey Stengel, American baseball manager (born this date in 1890 or 1891, died 1975).

Today’s Highlight in History:
On July 31, 1777, the Marquis de Lafayette, a 19-year-old French nobleman, was made a major-general in the American Continental Army.

In 1556, St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus—the Jesuit order of Catholic priests and brothers—died in Rome.

In 1875, the 17th president of the United States, Andrew Johnson, died in Carter County, Tenn., at age 66.

In 1919, Germany’s Weimar Constitution was adopted by the republic’s National Assembly.

In 1945, Pierre Laval, premier of the pro-Nazi Vichy government, surrendered to U.S. authorities in Austria; he was turned over to France, which later tried and executed him.

In 1948, President Harry S. Truman helped dedicate New York International Airport (later John F. Kennedy International Airport) at Idlewild Field.

In 1964, the American space probe Ranger 7 reached the moon, transmitting pictures back to Earth before crashing onto the lunar surface.

In 1969, the American space probe Mariner 6 flew by Mars, sending back images of the Red Planet.

In 1972, Democratic vice-presidential candidate Thomas Eagleton withdrew from the ticket with George McGovern following disclosures Eagleton had once undergone psychiatric treatment.

In 1989, a pro-Iranian group in Lebanon released a grisly videotape showing the body of American hostage William R. Higgins, a Marine lieutenant-colonel, dangling from a rope.

In 1991, President George H.W. Bush and Soviet President Mikhail S. Gorbachev signed the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty in Moscow.

Ten years ago: Chicago authorities said as many as 46 more residents had died as a result of a relentless heat wave that enveloped much of the nation and produced the hottest July on record in New York City.

Five years ago: The Vatican issued a document denouncing feminism for trying to blur differences between men and women and threatening the institution of families based on a mother and a father. Actress Virginia Grey died in Woodland Hills, Calif., at age 87.

One year ago: Three teenagers in Wisconsin were shot to death when a gunman opened fire on a group of young people who’d gathered to go swimming in the Menominee River. (The gunman, Scott J. Johnson, was later sentenced to life in prison without parole.) Scientists reported the Phoenix spacecraft had confirmed the presence of frozen water in Martian soil.

Today’s Birthdays:
Actor Don Murray is 80
Jazz composer-musician Kenny Burrell is 78
Actor Geoffrey Lewis is 74
Actress France Nguyen is 70
Actress Susan Flannery is 66
Singer Lobo is 66
Actress Geraldine Chaplin is 65
Former movie studio executive Sherry Lansing is 65
Singer Gary Lewis is 64
Rock singer Bob Welch is 63
Tennis player Evonne Goolagong Cawley is 58
Actor Barry Van Dyke is 58
The mayor of Fresno, Calif., actor Alan Autry, is 57
Actor James Read is 56
Actor Michael Biehn is 53
Masssachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick is 53
Rock singer-musician Daniel Ash (Love and Rockets) is 52
Entrepreneur Mark Cuban is 51
Rock musician Bill Berry is 51
Actor Wesley Snipes is 47
Country singer Chad Brock is 46
Musician Fatboy Slim is 46
Rock musician Jim Corr is 45
Author J.K. Rowling is 44
Actor Dean Cain is 43
Actor Ben Chaplin is 40
Actor Loren Dean is 40
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Gus Frerotte is 38
Former NFL player Jonathan Ogden is 35
Actress Annie Parisse is 34
Football player Marty Booker is 33
Actor Robert Telfer is 32
Actor-producer-writer B.J. Novak is 30
Actor Eric Lively is 28
Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware is 27
Country singer Blaire Stroud (3 of Hearts) is 26
Singer Shannon Curfman is 24

NWS: Flash Flood Watch

Update: 9:40 PM EDT, Thursday, July 30, 2009
Flash Flooding: from 12 AM EDT, Friday, July 31, 2009 until 4 PM EDT, Friday, July 31, 2009

Issued by The National Weather Service
Charleston, WV
2:45 PM EDT, Thursday, July 30, 2009

... FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT EDT TONIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON…

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN CHARLESTON HAS ISSUED A * FLASH FLOOD WATCH FOR PORTIONS OF NORTHEAST KENTUCKY… SOUTHEAST OHIO… SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA AND WEST VIRGINIA… INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING AREAS… IN WEST VIRGINIA… BARBOUR… BOONE… BRAXTON... CABELL… CALHOUN... CLAY… FAYETTE… GILMER... KANAWHA… LEWIS... LINCOLN… LOGAN… MCDOWELL… MINGO… NICHOLAS… POCAHONTAS… PUTNAM… RALEIGH… RANDOLPH… ROANE… UPSHUR… WAYNE… WEBSTER AND WYOMING.

* FROM MIDNIGHT EDT TONIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON

* A STRONG UPPER LEVEL DISTURBANCE WILL MOVE NORTHEAST ACROSS THE REGION TONIGHT AND FRIDAY. THE COMBINATION OF THIS FEATURE AND ABUNDANT MOISTURE IS EXPECTED TO RESULT IN WIDESPREAD SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS. LOCALIZED RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF UP TO 3 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE ACROSS THE WATCH AREA.

THIS HEAVY RAINFALL… COUPLED WITH VERY WET GROUND FROM SIGNIFICANT RAIN THAT FELL DURING THE PAST FEW DAYS… WILL LIKELY RESULT IN FLASH FLOODING.

THE HEAVIEST RAIN IS EXPECTED TO MOVE INTO PORTIONS OF NORTHEAST KENTUCKY AND THE TRI-STATE REGION AFTER MIDNIGHT. THE HEAVIEST RAIN WILL THEN MOVE NORTHEAST ACROSS MUCH OF WEST VIRGINIA THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING.

THE RAIN SHOULD BEGIN TO TAPER OFF ACROSS NORTHEAST KENTUCKY BY LATE FRIDAY MORNING AND THEN ACROSS THE REMAINDER OF THE WATCH AREA FRIDAY AFTERNOON.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS MAY DEVELOP THAT LEAD TO FLASH FLOODING. FLASH FLOODING IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

Improvement Fund for Downtown Glenville

U.S. Representative Alan B. Mollohan, D-WV appropriated $400,000 in 2010 budget in form of grant for improvements in downtown Glenville.

If approved, the grant will be administered by the Family Resource Network.

The money would be used for streetscape and facade improvements, new lamp posts, plantings, property acquisition, planning and design, and construction.

Mollohan said, “This is a wonderful project that I am pleased to support.“

“Too many of our communities in West Virginia and across the country for that matter have seen their downtowns deteriorate as businesses and residents move out and economic activity declines. It’s impressive how the entire community of Glenville is determined to reverse that pattern. They are taking maximum advantage of this grant money by including a broad cross section in the planning process,“ Mollohan said.

Mollohan said. Most of the opposition to the bill was along party lines. Mollohan and Nick Rahall, D-WV, voted in favor and Shelley Capito, R-WV, voted against it.

Burnsville: Little Kanawha Independent Church Homecoming

Place: Little Kanawha Independent Church

Where: WV Highway 5 - Burnsville

When: Sunday, August 9, 2009
Sunday School at 10:00 AM
Dinner at Noon at Fellowship Hall beside Burnsville School
Back to Church after Lunch

Program: Singing and Preaching

Special Singers: Brighterside Quartet

Pastor: Ronzel Roberts

Everyone Welcome.

~~ By Pauline Ratliff ~~

Area Fishing Report - 07.29.09

BURNSVILLE LAKE
The lake is at summer pool and milky. For bass try shallow water and structure. Crappie have moved up to structure and are hitting minnows and jigs. Trout were stocked in the tailwaters on May 26 (218 pounds). For more information call Corps of Engineers at 304.853.2398.

STONECOAL LAKE
The Lake is approximately two feet below summer pool and clear. A few trout have been caught this past week on powerbait. Bass and panfish are also being caught in and around structure. Crappie have moved up and are being caught on minnows and jigs.

STONEWALL JACKSON LAKE
The lake is approximately two feet below summer pool and milky. For bass try shallow water and around structure. Crappie have moved up to structure and are hitting minnows. Trout were stocked in the tailwaters on May 26. Before heading to the lake please contact Corps of Engineers at 304.269.7463.

SUTTON LAKE
The Lake is at summer pool and clear. Bass have moved out to about 10 feet of water and fishing is good. Crappie are on structure and hitting jigs and minnows. Trout were stocked in the tailwaters on May 26 (1,100 pounds). Before heading to the lake please call Corps of Engineers at 304.765.2705.

Summer is an excellent time to fish for catfish in area lakes and streams. The high water we now have, plus the possibility for more makes fishing for catfish the best bet for this weekend. Chicken liver, night crawlers, and prepared catfish baits work best for channel catfish. Live or freshly dead fish, in the larger sizes, work best for flathead, or as they are locally known – mud cats. Fishing at night is generally better than fishing in the day for catfish. Deep holes in rivers and streams are hot-spots, but remember most deep spots in lakes this time of year will have little or no oxygen, so shallow areas are more productive in lakes.

High water has slowed things down along Ohio River Tail-waters.  Lead headed jigs with twister tails (white or chartreuse), that are tipped with minnows are the lure of choice. Best spots to fish tailwaters during high flows include eddies and back-current sections, and anywhere that river flows are unusual. Schools of hybrid striped bass will periodically move up to the surface to ambush prey, so keep a look out for this activity. When this activity is seen, agitator bobbers fished with rubber minnow imitations or fresh bait fished with surf casting equipment, generally provide the best result Fresh bait (small skipjack) can be caught from these areas using “Sabiki” rigs.

Fishing has been good for largemouth bass in area lakes.  Spinner baits, rubber worms, crankbaits, and surface lures are producing bass in areas of good cover. Good choices for area lakes include Mountwood in Wood County, Conaway Run in Tyler, Charles Fork in Roane, North Bend Lake in Ritchie County, and Elk Fork, Woodrum and O’Brien lakes in Jackson County. Best fishing times will be early in the morning and during the evening hours. These lakes can also supply good bluegill fishing. For these sunfish use trout magnets or spinners, small jigs, or small worms.

Local musky streams are not expected to be fishable this weekend.

H1N1: Swine Flu and Start of School

The start of the new school year is less than a month away. And now is the time for parents to start thinking about the H1N1 virus according to WV Health Department.

U.S. health officials are closely watching the southern hemisphere where flu season is in full swing.

The World Health Organization is working with the United States to come up with a vaccine for the Swine Flu before the season gets underway in late October, early November.

Health officials say if widespread inoculations are needed, children will be near the top of the list of those who first receive a vaccine. School-aged children are one of those age groups that are disproportionately affected by this virus.

Officials think parents should be concerned. But they should be optimistic because we feel like the vaccine and the development should be a good one to protect these children.

In the meantime, they suggest teaching or reminding your children of the basics before they return to the classroom, things like washing their hands frequently, covering their mouths when the cough or sneeze and not sharing food or drinks with others. The more this disease can be prevented, the more likely the schools will remain open and that children aren’t sick. And the more likely the parents can continue with their daily activities of life including work.

H1N1 (Swine) Flu Lab Confirmed Cases Identified in WV - 07.29.09

County                         Resident   Non-Resident   Total

Hatfield & McCoys Trail Gilbert West Virginia

Day-Use Area Lakes Recreation Fees Waived

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will waive all day-use fees at more than 2,400 Corps-operated recreation sites nationwide between Saturday, August 1 and Sunday, August 9, 2009.

The waiver applies to day-use fees collected at boat launches and swimming beach facilities.

Fees for camping and related services, picnic shelter reservations or special events will not be waived.

Area lakes where day-use recreation fees are being waived include Burnsville Lake, Stonewall Jackson Lake, and Sutton Lake.

To find the nearest Corps of Engineers recreation site, please visit www.CorpsLakes.us.

Fatteh

Ingredients:
1 can chickpeas
8 oz. natural yoghurt
1 lemon, juiced
3 tablespoons tahini
1 large clove garlic, crushed
1 round of pita bread
2 oz. pine nuts, dry toasted in a frying pan
½ teaspoon salt
Chopped fresh parsley, to garnish
Sumac or cayenne pepper, to garnish
Olive oil, to garnish

Direction:
Drain chickpeas and rinse well.
Place in a pan with cold water then bring to the boil.
Add a little salt then boil for approximately 7 minutes or until chickpeas are tender.
Reserve some of the cooking liquid.
Heat a frying pan and (without oil) toast pita bread until browned, dry and crispy.
Break into shards.
In a bowl, whisk yoghurt, tahini, garlic, ½ teaspoon salt and lemon juice until combined.
It should have the consistency of runny paint.
Add chickpea cooking water if it needs to be thinned.
Place pita shards in a serving dish.
Cover with warm chickpeas.
Pour over yoghurt sauce then decorate with drizzled olive oil, pine nuts, parsley and sumac/cayenne.

WV Establishes Health Hotline for Emergencies

West Virginia has established a health hot line to provide answers to the public if there is a disease outbreak or other widespread health incident.

Elizabeth Scharman with the West Virginia Poison Center says the toll-free number will only be activated when deemed necessary. It will be provided to the public through media outlets.

Scharman also is chairwoman of the Kanawha-Putnam Emergency Planning Committee. She told the committee that a drill held Tuesday morning to test the system was successful.

Scharman says she believes the hot line will minimize the number of calls to pharmacies, 911 centers and hospitals.

Funds for Ritchie County Library

The Ritchie County Public Library may receive funds through budget insertions by U.S. Representative Alan B. Mollohan, D-WV.

The library will receive a $200,000 grant for the renovation of its new building, said Mollohan, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee. The grant was inserted into the Fiscal 2010 Transportation-Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act that was passed 256-168 in the House and now goes to the Senate, he said.

“A public library is so important to the life of a community,“ Mollohan said. “Whether you’re a student researching a school project, a parent who needs a stack of picture books for your toddler, a senior working on a genealogy project, or just somebody looking for a good read, the public library is the place to go.“

Tanner: Yard Sale - Flea Market Fundraiser

     

There will be a sale at the old Tanner School in Gilmer County on Friday, July 31, 2009 and Saturday, August 1, 2009.
Anyone wishing to set up tables for the 2 days is welcome.
Cost is $10 for the 2 days per space.
Proceeds will benefit the Tanner Community building.
For more info call Kim 304.462.4321 or Rose 304.462.8874.

PATH: NOTICE OF STATUS HEARING

PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
OF WEST VIRGINIA
CHARLESTON

CASE NO. 09-0770-E-CN

PATH WEST VIRGINIA TRANSMISSION COMPANY, LLC;
PATH ALLEGHENY TRANSMISSION COMPANY, LLC;
PATH-WV LAND ACQUISITION COMPANY; AND
PATH-ALLEGHENY LAND ACQUISITION COMPANY
Joint application for Certificate of Convenience and Necessity for the construction and operation of the West Virginia segments of a 765kV electric transmission line and related facilities in Putnam, Kanawha, Roane, Calhoun, Braxton, Lewis, Upshur, Barbour, Tucker, Preston, Grant, Hardy, Hampshire, and Jefferson Counties, including modifications to the Amos Substation in Putnam County and a new substation in Hardy County, and for related relief.

NOTICE OF STATUS HEARING

On May 15, 2009, the PATH West Virginia Transmission Company, LLC, PATH Allegheny Transmission Company, LLC, the PATH-WV Land Acquisition Company, and the PATH-Allegheny Land Acquisition Company (all four, collectively, “Applicants”) filed a joint application for certificates of public convenience and necessity and for related relief (“Joint Application”). The Joint Application stated that the PATH Project is approximately 225 miles of 765 kV electric transmission line and related facilities in Putnam, Kanawha, Roane, Calhoun, Braxton, Lewis, Upshur, Barbour, Tucker, Preston, Grant, Hardy, Hampshire, and Jefferson Counties. The Applicants also seek (i) a certificate of public convenience and necessity pursuant to W.Va. Code §24-2-1 la to jointly construct, own, operate, and maintain the new Welton Spring Substation, as another part of the PATH Project in West Virginia to be constructed two miles north of Old Fields in Hardy County, and (ii) a certificate pursuant to W.Va. Code §24-2-11, to construct, own, operate, and maintain certain modifications to the Amos Substation owned by Appalachian Power Company and Ohio Power Company.

By Order entered by the Public Service Commission of West Virginia on July 17, 2009, the Commission set a hearing to discuss the status of this case. The hearing will begin at 9:30 a.m., on Monday, August 10, 2009, in the Culture Center State Theater, Plaza Level of the Culture Center, State Capitol Complex, 1900 Kanawha Blvd E, Charleston, West Virginia. The hearing is open to the public. However, the August 10, 2009, hearing is only for the purpose of discussing the procedural status of the case with the parties. The Commission will not take public comment during this status hearing. Later hearings will be held in several of the counties where the project is proposed to be located for the purpose of taking public comment. Also, an evidentiary hearing will be scheduled for later this year. All future hearings will be noticed by publication.

PATH WEST VIRGINIA TRANSMISSION COMPANY, LLC
PATH ALLEGHENY TRANSMISSION COMPANY, LLC
PATH-WV LAND ACQUISITION COMPANY
PATH-ALLEGHENY LAND ACQUISITION COMPANY

Gassaway: Basket and Knife Bingo

The Hillbilly Stompers Clogging Team will have a Longaberger Basket & Case Knife Bingo on Friday, July 31, 2009 at the Gassaway Community Building in Gassaway, WV.
Doors open at 5:00 PM with Bingo starting at 6:00 PM.
Early Bird tickets are available for purchase.
Other drawings and concessions will be available.
For more information call 304.364.5576.

Roy Donald “Don” Singleton

Roy Donald “Don” Singleton
Age 74, of Burnsville, WV departed this life on Friday, July 24, 2009 at United Hospital Center in Clarksburg after a short illness.
He was born on October 5, 1934 on Rt. Hand Fork in Braxton County, a son of the late Linn and Mary Shaver Singleton.
Don was a retired Utility Contractor Supervisor formerly employed by Penn Line, Coffer Construction and T.A. Chapman Inc. for 31 years. He was an active member of the Braxton County Democratic Executive Committee and a member of the Little Kanawha Parkway Authority. Don was a member of the Stouts Chapel United Methodist Church in Burnsville.
He is preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Anna M. Singleton and brother, Glenn G. Singleton.
Don is survived by his wife of 53 years, Mildred Carson Singleton; they were married on May 19, 1956; two daughters, Roberta Ann Butler and her husband Bernard of Burnsville and Royce Jo Steele and her husband Jeff of Slidling Run; seven grandchildren, Heather Nicole Singleton of Burnsville, Tabitha Brooke Rice and her husband Gary of Morgantown, Derrick Kit Butler of Ft. Bragg, NC, Shayne Morgan Butler, Kaylee and Hope Butler of Burnsville, Gregory Tyler Steele and Lucas Matthew Steele of Slidling Run; and three great-grandchildren, Devon and Jakob Butler of Morgantown and Kobe Mikeal and Savana Lee Singleton of Burnsville.
Funeral services were held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday July 29, 2009 at Stockert-Gibson-Sizemore Funeral Home in Flatwoods, WV with Rev. Ronzal Roberts and Rev. Jim Burrough officiating. Burial was at Pleasant Hill Cemetery on Beech Fork Road near Arnette, WV. Friends called from 2-4 PM and 6-9 PM on Tuesday at the funeral home.

AshLynn Lanah Blake

AshLynn Lanah Blake was the name chosen for the second child born to Kelly Lewis and Thomas Blake of French Creek.
The little girl was born June 30, 2009, at Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital of Weston.
She weighed 8 pounds 6.5 ounces.
Her mother is a stay at home mom.
Her father is employed by Union Drilling, Inc. maternal grandmother is Wanda Lewis of Weston.
Paternal grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Blake of Weston.

Lukas Riley Moodispaw

Drew and Katie Moodispaw, along with their mommy and daddy, are proud to announce the birth of their brother, Lukas Riley Moodispaw.
Luke was born June 29, 2009, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Buckhannon.
He weighed 9 pounds 3 ounces and was 22 inches long.
Drew, Katie and Luke are the children of Renee and Dusty Moodispaw of Weston.
They are the grandchildren of Dr. William and Kathleen Moodispaw of Weston and Vickie Williams and Rodney Sill of Cowen.

Caleb Thomas Jordan

Caleb Thomas Jordan was the name chosen for the second child born to James Thomas Jordan and Beth Ann Simms of Ireland.
The little boy was born May 28, 2009, at Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital of Weston.
He weighed 5 pounds 5 ounces. He has one brother, Adam Wayne Jordan. His mother is a manager at the Flatwoods McDonalds.
His father is employed at the Flatwoods McDonalds.
Maternal grandparents are Bonnie and Thomas Sims II of Weston.
Paternal grandparnets are Wayne and Darlene Jordan of Ireland.

07.30.09

Today: 07.30.yyyy

Today is Thursday, July 30, the 211th day of 2009. There are 154 days left in the year.

Thought for Today: “In politics people give you what they think you deserve and deny you what they think you want.“ — Cyril Northcote Parkinson, British historian and author (born this date in 1909, died 1993).

Today’s Highlight in History:
On July 30, 1945, during World War II, the battle cruiser USS Indianapolis, which had just delivered components for the atomic bomb that would be dropped on Hiroshima, was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine; only 316 out of some 1,200 men survived the sinking and shark-infested waters.

In 1619, the first representative assembly in America convened in Jamestown in the Virginia Colony.

In 1729, Baltimore, Md., was founded.

In 1792, the French national anthem “La Marseillaise,“ by Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle, was first sung in Paris by troops arriving from Marseille.

In 1864, during the Civil War, Union forces tried to take Petersburg, Va., by exploding a gunpowder-filled mine under Confederate defense lines; the attack failed.

In 1908, the first round-the-world automobile race, which had begun in New York in February, ended in Paris with the drivers of the American car, a Thomas Flyer, declared the winners over teams from Germany and Italy.

In 1918, poet Joyce Kilmer, a sergeant in the 165th U.S. Infantry Regiment, was killed during the Second Battle of the Marne in World War I. (Kilmer is perhaps best remembered for his poem “Trees.“)

In 1932, the Summer Olympic Games opened in Los Angeles.

In 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a bill creating a women’s auxiliary agency in the Navy known as “Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service” — WAVES for short.

In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law the Medicare bill, which went into effect the following year.

In 1975, former Teamsters union president Jimmy Hoffa disappeared in suburban Detroit; although presumed dead, his remains have never been found.

Ten years ago: Republicans pushed their $792 billion tax cut through the Senate. Linda Tripp, whose secretly recorded phone conversations with Monica Lewinsky led to the impeachment of President Bill Clinton, was charged in Maryland with illegal wiretapping. (Prosecutors later dropped the charges.) The leaders of some 40 nations gathered in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, pledging to push economic and democratic reforms for the war-ravaged Balkans.

Five years ago: Leaders of the September 11th commission urged senators to embrace their proposals for massive changes to the nation’s intelligence structure. Mike Tyson was knocked out in the fourth round of a fight in Louisville, Ky., by British heavyweight Danny Williams.

One year ago: President George W. Bush quietly signed a housing bill he’d once threatened to veto; it was intended to rescue some cash-strapped homeowners in fear of foreclosure. Amid corruption allegations and his own plummeting popularity, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announced he would resign. Ex-Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic was extradited to The Hague to face genocide charges after nearly 13 years on the run. Republican Party stalwart and one-time U.S. ambassador to Britain Anne Armstrong died in Houston at age 80.

Today’s Birthdays:
Actor Richard Johnson is 82
Actor Edd “Kookie” Byrnes is 76
Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig is 75
Blues musician Buddy Guy is 73
Movie director Peter Bogdanovich is 70
Feminist activist Eleanor Smeal is 70
Former U.S. Rep. Patricia Schroeder, D-Colo., is 69
Singer Paul Anka is 68
Jazz musician David Sanborn is 64
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is 62
Actor William Atherton is 62
Actor Jean Reno is 61
Blues singer-musician Otis Taylor is 61
Actor Frank Stallone is 59
Actor Ken Olin is 55
Actress Delta Burke is 53
Singer-songwriter Kate Bush is 51
Country singer Neal McCoy is 51
Actor Richard Burgi is 51
Movie director Richard Linklater is 49
Actor Laurence Fishburne is 48
Actress Lisa Kudrow is 46
Bluegrass musician Danny Roberts (The Grascals) is 46
Country musician Dwayne O’Brien is 45
Actress Vivica A. Fox is 45
Actor Terry Crews (“Everybody Hates Chris”) is 41
Actor Simon Baker is 40
Former NFL player Robert Porcher is 40
Movie director Christopher Nolan is 39
Actor Tom Green is 38
Rock musician Brad Hargreaves (Third Eye Blind) is 38
Actress Christine Taylor is 38
Actor-comedian Dean Edwards is 36
Actress Hilary Swank is 35
Beach volleyball player Misty May-Treanor is 32
Actress Jaime Pressly is 32
Alt-country singer-musician Seth Avett is 29
Actress Yvonne Strahovski (TV: “Chuck”) is 27

Pearl Irene Linger

Pearl Irene Linger
Age 92, of Orlando, died Monday, July 27, 2009, at Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital, Weston, following an extended illness.
She was born August 12, 1916, in Braxton County, a daughter of the late George Mealey and Luary Ware Mealey.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ledford Oscar Linger on May 15, 1958; one brother, Alfred Alonzo Mealey; four sisters, Clara Wilson, Amy Ware, Jenny Kersey and Minnie Vankirk; half-sister, Edna Riffle; and half-brother, Ralph Mealey.
She is survived by one daughter, Shirley Mae Heater and husband Joseph Michael of Orlando; two grandchildren, Doy James Short II and wife Alycia of Vandalia, and Beverly June Beall and husband Charles Douglas of Salem; three great-grandchildren; and three step-great-grandchildren.
Pearl was a member of the Vandalia United Methodist Church.
She was a loving mother, homemaker and caregiver.
She enjoyed raising a garden and flowers.
Friends may call from 12 to 1 PM Thursday, July 30, at Boyle Funeral Home, 322 Main Avenue, Weston. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM Thursday, July 30, 2009 at the Boyle Funeral Home chapel with Pastor Robert Mitchell officiating. Interment will follow in Vandalia Cemetery.

AAA: WV Gasoline Prices Jump Nearly Eight Cents

West Virginia motorists will be paying more at the pump this week. The average price for a gallon of regular, unleaded gasoline rose by 7.6 cents per gallon to $2.556.

According to the AAA Fuel Gauge, oil prices continued to hover around $68 this week, closing at $68.35 on the New York Mercantile Exchange yesterday.

Retail gasoline prices have followed the movements of oil prices for much of the summer and will likely continue to do so in the short term. As a result prices are not likely to move significantly in either direction for the remainder of the summer, barring unforeseen events. Today, the national average retail price for a gallon of self serve regular is $2.505.

This week’s average prices: West Virginia Average =  $2.556
Average price during the week of July 21, 2009 =  $2.480
Average price during the week of July 29, 2008 =  $3.885

OddlyEnough: FDA Investigating Mylan - A Promotion For Heather Bresch !

Generic pharmaceutical drug developer Mylan in Morgantown and the Food and Drug Administration are disagreeing on the outcome of the FDA’s investigation into quality control issues at Mylan’s plant.

Mylan says the FDA has backed up the company’s position that employees at the Morgantown plant did not ignore quality control procedures while the FDA says it has not concluded its investigation.

Now Governor Joe Manchin’s daughter is now the President of Mylan Incorporated.

Mylan announced the promotion of Heather Bresch, who had served as Chief Operating Officer up to now, on Wednesday.  In all, she’s worked for Mylan for 17 years.
Bresch was at the center of the scandal at West Virginia University that ultimately led to the resignation of former WVU President Mike Garrison.  An independent panel determined that, under Garrison’s watch, Bresch was awarded an eMBA she DID NOT EARN.

A press release from Mylan says the following: “Bresch has performed with distinction and, as a chief integration officer, was instrumental in overseeing Mylan’s transformation into one of the world’s largest and most efficient generics and specialty pharmaceutical companies.“