CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A study by the National Center for State Courts says that West Virginia can reduce its number of magistrates by sharing magistrates across county lines and using video-conferencing when possible. The study was based on workload instead of population in each county, and also on the types[Read More…]
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The Associated Press shares 10 things to know Wednesday, Jan. 14
Dorothy Abernathy, The Associated Press bureau chief for West Virginia and Virginia, shares the 10 things you need to know Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015. Look for full stories on these late-breaking news items, upcoming events and stories in West Virginia newspapers.1. WHO IS CLAIMING RESPONSIBILITY FOR PARIS ATTACKYemen’s top al-Qaida[Read More…]
Unfunded WV municipal pensions near $1 billion
Quality of WV water discussed, regulations questioned CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Unfunded municipal pension liabilities are near $1 billion and West Virginia cities are struggling because of the debt, according to Blair Taylor, executive director of the West Virginia Municipal Pensions Oversight Board. Taylor was one of more than a dozen leaders who spoke Monday[Read More…]
West Virginia Budget: More cuts, rainy day funds
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia Revenue Secretary Bob Kiss said the state budget that begins July 1 is projected to have a $195 million gap. Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin plans to close the gap with targeted reductions and a withdrawal from the state’s Rainy Day Funds, he said.Kiss was one of more[Read More…]
Fayette County school closed, students displaced
OAK HILL, W.Va. — Concerned parents, teachers and community members who gathered Monday night in Oak Hill declared Fayette County a “system-wide facility failure” as news spread that the main Collins Middle School structure has closed for safety reasons. School officials said the main structure, which held seventh- and eight-graders,[Read More…]
Bullying report shouldn’t be shelved
An editorial from The Register-Herald BECKLEY, W.Va. — A year-long study of bullying incidents in state schools that was presented Sunday to the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Education found, not surprisingly in our view, that problems are most prevalent in middle school. According to the report, 47 percent of all[Read More…]
W.Va. governor to target cuts, tap Rainy Day Fund
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin’s 2016 budget will use targeted cuts and money from West Virginia’s Rainy Day Fund to fill a projected $195 million gap in revenue, a top state finance official said Monday. Cabinet Secretary Bob Kiss of the West Virginia Department of Revenue spoke Monday[Read More…]
Wheeling, Charleston mayors push for local control
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Even as West Virginia’s Municipal Home Rule Pilot Program expands from four cities to 20, Wheeling Mayor Andy McKenzie and Charleston Mayor Danny Jones want state lawmakers to continue handing more control over to local governments. “Local government is the best government because they’re a part of[Read More…]
Governor’s State of the State speech will set tone
An editorial from The Intelligencer/Wheeling News-Register WHEELING, W.Va. — West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin’s State of the State address to the Legislature, coming up this week, may be the most interesting and important of his tenure. Much has changed since the governor delivered the 2014 edition of his annual[Read More…]
Monongalia recycling bins, revenue losses pile up
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Monday morning, Jan. 12, came early for the Monongalia County Solid Waste Authority (SWA). “We were out at 5:30 this morning,” said Donnie DeBerry, who coordinates recycling services for the organization. That was so the SWA could tackle those overflowing recycle bins across the city. The recyclables[Read More…]