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STATE LOSES $2.6 MILLION OVER ALCOHOL LIMIT - The West Virginia
Legislature declined to lower West Virginia's legal blood-alcohol level to .08
as required by the feds to get road money. It will cost the state $2.6
million.
Opponents have argued that the reduced level would mean more arrests
and it could cost the state more money to put violators in jail than would be
gained through restored federal funding to highways.
LEGAL COAL HAUL ROADS BEING APPROVED -1,800 miles of roads in southern West Virginia can qualify for
heavier coal trucks. Transportation Secretary Fred VanKirk predicts that very few of the 600 bridges on those roads can be
certified for the extra weight
The issue is allowing the newly approved 126,000 pound coal trucks on designated routes.
LEGISLATORS DISPUTE STATE POLICE OFFICIAL - Legislative leaders have disputed
allegations made by a retired State Police officer who said lawmakers have failed to
adequately fund the agency. They say they have given the agency almost everything
it has requested in recent years.
Lieutenant Colonel Carl White made public statements that State Police is
undermanned and under-equipped.
Senate Finance Chairman Walt Helmick and House Finance Chairman Harold Michael
say White's statements are unfair. The State Police have recently unionized.
BOY GETS HOOKED ON CARNIVAL RIDE - A 15-year-old boy had a frightful experience at a carnival in Sophia.
The boy dangled from a carnival ride after his shirt became caught as he left the ride. When the ride started, the boy was
lifted skyward before attendants stopped the machine with the boy dangling near the top. Firefighters used a hook-and-ladder
truck to rescue him.
DUPONT CASE GOING UP THE LADDER - The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals will hear DuPont's motion
for a writ of prohibition to block a Wood County circuit court order requiring DuPont to offer and pay for C8 blood tests.
DuPont also wants the Supreme Court to overrule Circuit Judge George W. Hill's refusal to step down in the controversial
case.
NEWSMAN HAS 3RD DUI CHARGE - Popular TV news anchorman Tom McGee faces a felony
charge of fleeing police while driving drunk for the third time. The WCHS anchor was
charged with fleeing, after police saw him driving down a one-way street. The
station has suspended him.
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