BECKLEY, W.Va. — When coalfield leaders met with tax officials in Charleston recently, they walked out of the meeting knowing more financial headaches are imminent. The coalfields, already struggling with declining population because of mine layoffs or shutdowns, recently learned coal companies’ personal property taxes on idled mining equipment and[Read More…]
Month: November 2015
Mingo County math teachers fearful of cuts
GILBERT, W.Va. — The Mingo County Board of Education met at Gilbert Middle School on Tuesday for their regular meeting but for teachers and even students, there was a certain topic they were ready to discuss. Rumors and decisions have been flying in Mingo County for over a month about the[Read More…]
The Associated Press shares 10 things to know Monday, Nov. 23
Dorothy Abernathy, regional media director of The Associated Press, shares 10 things you need to know Monday, Nov. 23, 2015. Look for full stories on these late-breaking news items and much more in West Virginia newspapers: 1. BELGIUM POLICE ARREST 16, PARIS FUGITIVE STILL AT LARGE Meanwhile, David Cameron, who[Read More…]
Point Pleasant mayor, wife recovering after wreck
GALLIPOLIS FERRY, W.Va. — The Mayor of Point Pleasant and his wife are recovering after being involved in a motor vehicle accident on W.Va. 2 on Tuesday evening. According to the Mason County Sheriff’s Department, a 2014 Toyota Camry driven by Shirley Billings of Point Pleasant was headed south on[Read More…]
WV tax reform proposal to include cuts for seniors
BECKLEY, W.Va. — State Republicans plan to cut the income tax on seniors’ Social Security benefits, but don’t yet know what that means for an ailing state budget. House Majority Whip John O’Neal, R-Raleigh, announced the proposal to a group of AARP members gathered at Tamarack on Wednesday. “It’s about[Read More…]
Fairmont teacher tries yoga ball chairs to focus kids
FAIRMONT, W.Va. — Chelsie Allen’s sixth-grade English classroom has no desks, but that’s not a problem. When you walk into Allen’s classroom at East Fairmont Middle School, the first thing you may notice are the green, circular-seat chairs lining the tables. These are yoga ball chairs, which were purchased through donations[Read More…]
WV officials discussing home rule for counties
PARKERSBURG, W.Va. — While Wood County commissioners may agree Home Rule for counties would offer them more revenue options, they are concerned about the perimeters of such legislation. Home rule is a program that gives local governments autonomy from the state government, allowing them to enact policies specific to their[Read More…]
Tomblin says Syrian refugee petition misleading
MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — An online petition seeking to bar Syrian refugees from West Virgnia is gaining a lot of support throughout the state. According to the Governor’s Office, it also is full of mistruths. The Change.org petition, spearheaded by Delegate Joshua Nelson, R-Boone, asks West Virginia residents to “show (their)[Read More…]
Brooke County GOP delegate to run for WV Senate
WHEELING, W.Va. — West Virginia Delegate Ryan Weld, R-Brooke, announced Thursday he is running for the state Senate seat representing much of the Northern Panhandle. Weld hopes to unseat incumbent Sen. Jack Yost, a Democrat who also resides in Brooke County. Noting he and his wife, Alex, live in Wellsburg,[Read More…]
Fight to block unrealistic EPA rules continues
An editorial from The Herald-Dispatch HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — It may end up being a largely symbolic vote, but this week the U.S. Senate voiced the same concerns about new energy rules that industry leaders and officials in our region have been stressing for several years. The Clean Power Plan, as proposed[Read More…]
