| By Bob Weaver
The Little Kanawha Bus Company is moving to become a regional transit authority, according to manager, Darlene Harris.
Harris said the change will offer new opportunities for the rural bus company, including the ability to provide better service.
The transit authority will likely go into operation in mid-2008.
The Calhoun Commission has appointed Rick Sampson, Mike Ritchie and Diane Ludwig to be members of the transit authority.
The bus company currently operates in Calhoun, Roane and Jackson County, delivering low-cost transportation.
Floyd Hodge, Sr., president of Community Resources, Inc. advised the Calhoun Commission that a decision to allow the bus company to break from CRI was approved at a September meeting.
Commissioner Kevin Helmick is on the CRI Board. Helmick said CRI is currently working toward hiring a new director, after the former head left the agency following a scathing audit by the State of West Virginia.
The audit, partially published in the Herald, had a lengthy list of items alleging financial mismanagement.
Helmick indicated at a recent county commission meeting the regional CRI is reportedly a half-million dollars in debt, with the board in a position of "giving credit back" to local communities allegedly related to misspent funds, including $170,000 to the LK bus operation. | 
