By: Anna Taylor | Posted: Feb. 2, 2018 | Source: WVAH
SPENCER, W.Va. (WCHS/WVAH) — A man in Roane County is facing multiple charges after court documents say he tried to disarm a West Virginia state trooper Friday during a welfare check on the side of the road in Spencer.
William Roy Hall is charged with obstructing, attempting to flee in a vehicle, attempting to flee on foot, attempting to disarm a police officer, three counts of possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana less than 15 grams, operating a vehicle under a controlled substance and battery of a police officer. (more…)
By: Andrea Lannom, CNHI News Service | Posted: Feb. 28, 2018 | Source: The Meadville Tribune
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — With the governor’s promise for a 5 percent pay raise in hand but no permanent funding fix for the state’s public health insurance program, West Virginia teachers returned to the Capitol today, chanting “we don’t trust you” outside the Senate chamber. (more…)
In his State of the State address, Gov. Jim Justice hailed the “miracle” unfolding in the Mountain State. We’re now on sound fiscal footing, so we can invest more in things like education and infrastructure.
There are numerous reasons for this turnaround, but perhaps none more consequential than the legal reform laws passed during the past few years.
To say that West Virginia’s legal system had a poor reputation around the country is an understatement. The Mountain State has been ranked as the worst or next-to-worst lawsuit climate for the last 15 years.
It’s been the subject of abuse not only by plaintiffs’ lawyers, but also by our government officials who once handed out contract after contract to contingency fee lawyers, who made lots of money off the state by suing employers — some of whom responded by leaving the state.
That’s why we had to make legal reform a top priority on the road to economic reform, and I believe our efforts are starting to pay dividends.
The U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform’s (ILR) 2017 Lawsuit Climate Survey showed West Virginia in 45th place — a five-slot improvement. That might not look like much, but it’s a significant achievement after years at the bottom. To get there, we had to tackle some major issues.
We made our damages system more reasonable and fair, and we reversed decisions that were out of step with state courts around the country.
We’ve adopted medical criteria developed by the American Medical Association so those who are truly harmed aren’t blocked from court because of a logjam of meritless claims.
We’ve also worked to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent on litigation only in an efficient, transparent manner, and not only on lawyers who contribute to political campaigns.
The impact our reforms had on the state is documented in ILR’s newly released paper, “West Virginia’s Climb: Lawsuit Climate Progress in the Mountain State and the Path Ahead.”
We’ve indeed begun our journey toward a more normal lawsuit environment, but we cannot be satisfied with where we are. It’s now up to us to continue our work to truly harness the power of West Virginia’s economy, and there’s still plenty to do.
We can start by creating an intermediate appellate court. West Virginia is one of only nine states without an intermediate court to hear appeals from trial courts. This forces our single, five-member Supreme Court to look over thousands of cases that deserve closer scrutiny.
We must also regulate the misleading lawyer advertising that has created medical hysteria across the country. These “medical alerts” are no more than advertisements for trial lawyers, though they have the appearance of coming directly from doctors.
Our class action system is also in dire need of changes, as it is plagued by countless meritless lawsuits that drag on and extract settlements from businesses. We can also put an end to the litigation tourism that permits lawsuits that have little to do with West Virginia to clog our courts.
“Medical monitoring” suits also invite the opportunity for plaintiffs’ lawyer abuse. These suits allow cash awards without requiring evidence that anyone was actually injured. Look no further than a 2011 settlement that gave out 4,000 such payments, only to find that just half of plaintiffs actually went through the monitoring.
Gov. Justice was right to say “we’re moving like you can’t imagine.” We’ve made great strides toward stabilizing West Virginia’s finances and creating an environment where businesses once again feel welcome in the state.
But we must continue to reform West Virginia’s outdated and costly litigation system. Not doing so risks sliding back down the mountain of progress.
Sen. Mitch Carmichael, R-Jackson, represents the Fourth Senatorial District, which includes Jackson and Mason counties and parts of Putnam and Roane counties. He is the president of the West Virginia Senate.
CLENDENIN – The Mingo Central Lady Miners placed four players in double figures as the defeated Herbert Hoover 55-50 Monday night in a Cardinal Conference road game.
Maliyah Martin scored 16 points and led Mingo Central in the road win.
Cassidy Cline chipped in 15 points, Ziah Rhodes and Katie Ball both scored 10 points for the Miners (8-8).
Cline fired in five 3-pointers for the Lady Miners. Scarlett Thomason, who has been out with an illness, chipped in five points for Coach Brandon Ball’s squad. The 6’1″ Ball also had 12 rebounds and eight assists in the win. For Herbert Hoover (4-12), Allison Dunbar led the way with 17 points, followed by 12 points from Abi Melton.
The Lady Miners were scheduled to play Mount View at home on Wednesday.
By: Mark Curtis | Posted: Jan. 29, 2018 at 5:55 p.m. EST | Source: WOWKTV view video here
ST. ALBANS, WV – A Kanawha County pastor and prominent musician calls it a career Sunday.
Reverend Paul Romine was in the pulpit at First Presbyterian Church of Saint Albans for the past 15 years. “Pastor Paul” was also a member of the popular Appalachian music group, “The Presby Pickers” who played at Sunday’s service. Reverand Romine is also well known for helping lead the Presbyterian churches recovery and rebuilding efforts after the June 2016 floods.
“I think the fact that we hosted work-camp groups that did flood recovery work in Clendenin, has made such a difference in our community. And we’ve made those folks welcome and I think we grew in the process…. “But I’m very sorry to leave these people. It’s just been wonderful over the years. A great congregation,” Rev. Romine said.
“Paster Paul” and his wife Julie will be moving to Kansas to be closer to children and grandchildren.
The congregation gave him a brand new guitar as a farewell present and to keep him involved in music.
By: Jessie Shafer | Posted: Jan. 30, 2018 at 10:52 a.m. EST | Source: WBOY
SPENCER, W.Va. (WOWK) – A Roane County man is facing several felony charges following a lengthy investigation into disturbing child sexual abuse claims.
Deputies said Keith Allen Tanner, 35, of Spencer, admitted to sending lewd photos of himself to a 12-year-old girl.
Tanner was taken into custody on Saturday, January 27.
Deputies added that Tanner claimed to be the assistant Girl Scout troop leader in Spencer, West Virginia.
While being questioned about the allegations, deputies said Tanner admitted to having physical contact with the same child during a Girl Scout meeting in November of 2017.
Tanner is charged with child erotica, distributing or displaying obscene matter to a minor, and sexual abuse by a parent or guardian.
Authorities said Tanner has had access to a number of children and there may be other victims in the case that have not yet come forward.
Tanner is being held at Central Regional Jail.
If you have any information in the case, you’re asked to contact deputies with the Roane County Sheriff’s Department.
Our sister, 13 News, has reached out to the Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council for comment. So far, we have not heard back.
Stay with us for updates on this developing story.
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – The Eighth Annual Elkview Middle School Archery Tournament will be held this Friday and Saturday at the Chris Cline Indoor Athletic Complex, Marshall Athletics announced Tuesday.
The competition will feature 65 teams consisting of nearly 1,400 archers from all over the state at the elementary, middle school and high school levels. (more…)
While at Herbert Hoover High School, athletically Hunter White was a member of the Huskies basketball, baseball, and golf teams. Academically he was a member of the “We the People” debate team that made it to the second round of a state-wide high school competition in 2014, and the Math Field Day Team. He was also a member of the National Honor Society, was Salutatorian of the Herbert Hoover Class of 2014, and was awarded the President Award which goes to the top graduating male in each class.
Hunter chose West Virginia University to continue his education, and in 2016, the first year he was eligible, he was selected an Eberly Scholar. This is considered the most prestigious scholarship awarded at Eberly College, WVU’s largest college. Only twenty students per year are selected for this scholarship.
Hunter with his parents, both 1981 Herbert Hoover Graduates, Rhonda and J.E. White of Clendenin
A Senior now at WVU, Hunter is majoring in Biology and will graduate with highest honors (summa cum laude), receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree, with Honors, in May of 2018. He was recently named a 2017 Mr. Mountaineer Finalist, one of only five selected. He has already been accepted to medical school and will begin in the Fall of 2018. He is the son of J.E. and Rhonda White of Clendenin.
Susan Jack with The Clendenin Leader, sat down with Hunter and had a casual conversation with him while he was home on Christmas Break. He shared with us a little about his time at WVU, his activities, accomplishments, and his plans for the future. Click the play button below to listen. (more…)
On Tuesday, January 23, 2018 at 6:30 PM, the Clendenin Planning Commission held their second meeting at the Recreation Building located beside Town Hall. Representatives from WVU Law facilitated the nearly two hour public meeting, which according to head facilitator, Jesse Richardson, was “the most active community [he has] worked in so far.” That being said, it was echoed throughout the meeting that more people needed to be involved and attend the public meetings.
The bulk of the meeting included a comprehensive SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis and review of Clendenin’s assets and challenges. You can view all of the public documents, including the SWOT analysis, that were distributed at this meeting on the Planning Commission page of our website HERE. The SWOT analysis can be viewed HERE.
Some of the strengths that had been previously identified included the Clendenin Health Center, which has seen up to 100 people in a day, according to Councilman David Knight, and brings people from out of town to the area; the proximity of Clendenin to Charleston; strong emergency services; the town being level, which makes it possible to potentially develop the town into a golf cart community; and the bus service.
Several weaknesses that were previously identified were reported by commission members and the public as being addressed, some of which included the following:
Lack of a local library: According to Planning Commission Member and 25045 A New Clendenin Director, Kay Summers, the local library will be opening in the basement of the Clendenin Health Center (former Clendenin Middle School). As the result of a grant, repairs to the lower floor will begin soon.
Lack of appealing “downtown”: Town council applied for a grant, which, if granted, will include a complete remodel of both sides of Main Street, including sidewalks, planters, and lighting, according to Mayor Shana Clendenin.
Lack of local news: Councilman and Planning Commission Member, David Knight reported that Elk River Living, a monthly color magazine, would be launching April 1. In addition, Mark Burdette from The Clendenin Leader announced that an online news publication would be launching within a week to provide Clendenin and the Elk River Valley communities with local news and resources.
The public attendees and commission members worked together to identify other issues that could be classified as weaknesses, including the lack of recycling, lack of venues to draw people in from outside of the area, lack of daycare, and erosion.
Some of the opportunities that were discussed included completing The Roxy, which could host local theatre, movies, talent shows, entertainment, meetings, etc. Planning Commission member, Susan Jack, explained how the old Elk Refinery, located in Falling Rock, could be utilized for haunted tours, movie sets, trail heads, or other activities that could attract tourists to the area. Mayor Clendenin explained how abandoned railroads throughout the area could be converted, as part of the national Rails-to-Trails Conservancy program, which would be a tourist attraction and provide activities for local residents as well.
The threats assessment created the most energized and heated discussions of the evening. Longtime business owners Jim Smith and son George Smith, were in attendance and addressed questions pertaining to the re-opening of Smith’s Foodfair, which had been the largest grocery store in Clendenin for decades. Smith’s Foodfair was destroyed during the 2016 Flood and has not reopened. According to the Smith’s, they would employ approximately 50 people and “it would take a couple million dollars to re-open the grocery store.” George Smith firmly stated, “If you move the schools ten miles down the road, there goes the population, and we can’t justify re-opening the store. We will re-open that store if we can save the schools!”
The location of the new Clendenin Elementary and Herbert Hoover High School was a hot topic of conversation. Councilman David Knight compared the current school location issue to Richwood’s, explaining that because Herbert Hoover was outside of the Clendenin municipality that it would be difficult for Hoover to be re-located in the same proximity of Hoover’s original location.” What Richwood has over us, they’re a municipality and their schools were in their municipality”. Planning Commission member, Susan Jack, questioned the accuracy of that statement, and to date, The Clendenin Leader has not been able to find any information to corroborate Knight’s statement. Mayor Shana Clendenin requested that all conversations pertaining to the schools locations be tabled until the Kanawha County Board of Education meeting on Wednesday, February 7, 2018 at 6:30PM at the Clendenin Volunteer Fire Department. This is a public meeting and all citizens in Clendenin and surrounding communities were encouraged to attend this very important meeting. The location of the new schools has not yet been determined and public input is critical to the decision making process. You can listen to excerpts from the meeting that pertain to the schools below.
The meeting concluded with a review and open discussion of Clendenin’s assets and challenges. Some of the assets discussed included The Roxy, Clendenin Heath Center, emergency services, ministerial association, scenery, historic homes, restaurants, the river, kayaking and fishing opportunities, the potential of Rails-to-Trails development, and the Morris Creek property. Clendenin’s challenges included the location of local schools, poor signage, as well as vacant and dilapidated buildings, which the public was asked to help identify. The public was also encouraged to help identify key stakeholders who could provide valuable insight about specific needs within the community.
In addition, numerous attendees voiced their concerns about a sudden increase in property taxes. Landlord, J.D. Gandee, indicated he had rental property that was flooded and property taxes were now 300% higher than the previous assessment. Mayor Clendenin encouraged those affected to contact the Kanawha County Assessor’s Office and offered to reach out to the Assessor to determine the “cause and effect” and report on it at the next Town Council meeting.
The next Planning Commission meeting was scheduled for Thursday, February 15, 2018 at 6:30 PM at the Clendenin Recreation Building. This is a public meeting and everyone is encouraged to attend and participate.
