Local News

Candidates commit to coal caucus

By SEÁN O'DONOGHUE

Managing Editor

WASHINGTON - The recent launch of the Congressional Coal Caucus has drawn various responses from congressional candidates throughout West Virginia.

Congressman Nick Joe Rahall (D-WV3) recalled that he had been involved in establishing a similar entity when he was first elected to Congress. And one Lincoln County candidate, with U.S. Capitol aspirations, has given a commitment to join the new group should he be elected in November.

A bipartisan group of congressmen and women launched the caucus earlier this month. Among the six initial members of the caucus was Rep. Shelley…

State bar offers $1,000 for ‘Righting a Wrong’ video

CHARLESTON - The West Virginia State Bar and the West Virginia Department of Education have partnered to offer West Virginia students the chance to win as much as $1,000 for creating a three minute video on “Righting a Wrong” to be placed on YouTube. The second place finisher wins $500, while third place receives $250.

The contest, which is open to West Virginia public school students in grades 9 through 12, gives participants the chance to create a video about a wrong that they would right, an injustice they would correct, or something that they would remedy within the judicial system. The creator of the winning…

Lincoln residents among unemployment fraudsters

By SEÁN O'DONOGHUE

Managing Editor

HAMLIN - A number of Lincoln County residents are among those involved in $90,000 worth of fraudulently obtained unemployment benefits. The funds were recovered during the fourth quarter of 2009.

The Unemployment Compensation Division of WorkForce West Virginia announced recently that the division detected fraud in claims filed by 139 individuals. Warrants were issued for fraud in almost half of the state's counties, including Lincoln, Cabell, Boone, Kanawha, Putnam, Logan and Wayne.

In all cases where fraud is detected, the claimants are penalized. Penalties include a 52-week…

Unanimous support from Lincoln's delegates for 180-day bill 

By SEÁN O'DONOGHUE

Managing Editor

CHARLESTON - All seven of Lincoln County's delegates in the West Virginia House of Delegates supported legislation last week, requiring county boards of education to adopt contingency plans designed to guarantee 180 separate days of instruction for students. The bill, HR 4040, cleared both the house and the senate last week and need only be signed by Governor Joe Manchin to become law.

Delegates Kevin Craig (D), Carol Miller (R) and Jim Morgan (D) of the 15th District, and Delegates Greg Butcher (D), Jeff Eldridge (D), Ralph Rodighiero (D) and Josh Stowers (D) of the 19th District…