Author: Associated Press

Greyhound Owners, Racers Want to Keep Sport Alive

Owners and breeders of greyhounds want to keep dog racing alive in West Virginia.

They appealed to legislators to that end Monday in Charleston, hoping to counter a state-funded study that concluded the sport is in sharp decline, according to media reports. The study concluded greyhound racing survives in West Virginia because purse funds are heavily subsidized from casino profits.

Steve Sarras is a Wheeling greyhound kennel owner and president of the state Kennel Owners Association. He said the sport employs many. He urged them not to turn their backs on the industry.

Adam Steinberg of Spectrum Gaming Group updated a legislative study released in January. It showed that attendance and wagering on greyhound racing at the state’s two racetrack casinos has plummeted over the past two decades.

Marshall Selects Next President, Continues with Hiring Process

Marshall University’s Board of Governors has selected the university’s next president.

The board approved the new president after meeting in executive session Monday. Three finalists visited the Huntington campus last week.

Marshall Board of Governors Chairman Michael G. Sellards said the name won’t be revealed till the candidate is approved and officially hired. 

“Of course it has to be approved by the higher education policy commission,” Sellards said. “We will notify the successful candidate and then there are contractual issues that have to be discussed. One those issues are settled and the HEPC issue is resolved we would have a full public announcement and introduce the candidate to the public.”

 The candidates were Mississippi State University provost and executive vice president Jerome Gilbert; Oregon Institute of Technology President Christopher Maples; and University of Southern Mississippi marine science professor Denis Wiesenburg.

Gary White has served as Marshall’s interim president since last December following the death of President Stephen Kopp. The board hopes to announce the name within the next week.

6-Figure Fundraising Hauls for West Virginia's 3 Congressman

West Virginia's three Republican congressmen each brought in six-figure fundraising hauls last quarter.In campaign finance reports, Congressman Evan…

West Virginia’s three Republican congressmen each brought in six-figure fundraising hauls last quarter.

In campaign finance reports, Congressman Evan Jenkins raised $175,500 from July through September, the most out of West Virginia’s delegation. The 3rd Congressional District representative ended with $404,900 in his campaign account, and has no challenger for 2016 yet.

Congressman David McKinley raised $152,400 and had about $610,800 in campaign cash on hand. Democrat Mike Manypenny, who is running against McKinley in the 1st District, has not filed campaign finance reports yet.

In the 2nd Congressional District, Alex Mooney raised $116,900 and had $257,400 left in his account. His GOP primary challenger, Ken Reed, raised $225 and had about $1,400 left.

In 2014, Reed put $525,000 of his own money into an unsuccessful 2nd District bid.

Audit: College Bought Condoms, Sex Enhancers with State Cash

An audit says Shepherd University employees used state money to buy sexual enhancers and other items that could have been deemed “extravagant,” ”unallowable” or for “personal use.”

The Legislative Post Audit Division released the report to a legislative panel Sunday.

The audit shows a $57 receipt for condoms, K-Y Jelly, and Vital Erotic Shots. The purchase, titled “RA Program,” was approved in 2012.

Another employee paid $1,151 to rent a car for a month and a half while state cars were available.

Employees bought $1,272 worth of clothes for university police that weren’t part of the uniform.

Another employee spent more than $1,000 on personal meals that weren’t flagged as unallowable.

About 19 percent of the $323,000 in purchasing card transactions reviewed in the audit had missing or no documentation.

Legends Help Break Ground on New Golf Course

Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Lee Trevino helped break ground on a mountaintop golf course near The Greenbrier resort in West…

Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Lee Trevino helped break ground on a mountaintop golf course near The Greenbrier resort in West Virginia.

With shovels in hand, the golfing greats who are collaborating on the design of the 18-hole course joined Greenbrier owner Jim Justice at a ceremony Friday in White Sulphur Springs.

The 8,042-yard course will overlook Oakhurst Links, which was built in 1884 and is the first organized golf club in America. The new development also is expected to include ski slopes and housing.

The resort hosts the PGA Tour’s Greenbrier Classic on the Old White TPC course. Trevino is the Greenbrier’s golf pro emeritus.

Justice is running for West Virginia governor as a Democrat. The primary election is next May.

Cuts in Store for West Virginia Employee Insurance Program

The head of the West Virginai state employee and retiree insurance program says big cuts in benefits are coming.

Ted Cheatham of the Public Employees Insurance Agency told the organization’s finance board Thursday that the cuts are necessary because no additional state funding is expected, and the program’s reserve fund is already spent down to the minimum balance.

The Charleston Gazette reports that the board adopted a plan that would cut benefits by nearly $83 million for active employees and about $41 million for retirees, primarily through sharply higher deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums.

The plan for 2016-2017 also would increase premiums by 8 percent for retirees and 3 percent for non-state public workers.

Exit mobile version