Tag: Cabell County Circuit Court

Huntington Company Challenges Sewer Rate Increase

Steel of West Virginia is challenging a sewer rate hike by the city of Huntington, saying it lacks legally required public notice.

The Huntington-based supplier of structural steel wants an injunction in Cabell County Circuit Court to block a 57 percent rate increase over two years.

It was approved 7-3 Tuesday by the City Council.

The company says it would pay more than $3 million over 10 years.

Company Vice President John O’Connor tells the Huntington Herald-Dispatch a court hearing is set for Jan. 10.

Huntington Mayor Steve Williams, who chairs the Huntington Sanitary Board, says the increase is needed to cover rising insurance and sludge removal costs.

The suit cites planned capital improvements and says the city failed to provide adequate notice under the state code for construction projects.

Man Accused of Ambulance Theft Removed From Bond Supervision

A judge has removed a man from bond supervision after he was accused of stealing an ambulance while naked in 2013.

The Herald-Dispatch reports that Cabell Circuit Judge Alfred E. Ferguson removed Raymond Lee Spurlock from bond supervision on Tuesday, but Spurlock remains on a $10,000 bond.

Spurlock was arrested in 2013 on charges including felony grand larceny and misdemeanor leaving the scene of an accident. Police say he crashed the ambulance into three vehicles after stealing it from an emergency department parking bay at St. Mary’s Medical Center.

Spurlock’s case has not been presented to a grand jury.

Spurlock’s attorney requested that Spurlock be allowed to travel out of state. Ferguson granted the motion as long as he signed a form waiving extradition.

$1 Robbery Suspect Sentenced for Armed Robbery

A West Virginia man sentenced for an armed robbery in which $1 was stolen has been ordered to spend time in a correctional center for young adults.

The Herald-Dispatch reports 21-year-old John Bruce Chafin of Huntington agreed to a Kennedy plea on a first-degree robbery charge, which allowed him to plead without admitting guilt.

Cabell Circuit Court Judge Chris Chiles sentenced Chafin to spend at least six months to two years at Anthony Center for youthful offenders after suspending his 15-year prison sentence.

Police and jail records show authorities arrested Chafin on Jan. 13 after they say he brandished a revolver at a Barboursville man, demanding the victim to empty his wallet, which contained $1. Police later confiscated the dollar bill, a jacket and a revolver as evidence.

Former West Virginia Trooper Faces Arson Trial

A former West Virginia state trooper will go on trial Feb. 2 on charges that he arranged to have his mobile home burned down.

Cabell County Circuit Judge Paul T. Ferrell set the trial date for 26-year-old Stephen Spencer Gula during a hearing Tuesday.

Gula is charged with first-degree arson and burning insured property.

The Herald-Dispatch reports the March 2013 fire in Barboursville occurred less than two weeks after Gula resigned from the State Police.

Kenneth Luke Holden II pleaded guilty earlier this year to fourth-degree arson, admitting in court that he ignited a couch inside the home.

Ex-Huntington Food Bank Head Admits Embezzlement

The former head of a Huntington-based regional food bank has pleaded guilty to embezzling from the charity.

Fifty-seven-year-old Leigh Anne Zappin of Huntington admitted to taking more than $32,000 from the former Huntington Area Food Bank in 2012.

Zappin pleaded guilty Monday in Cabell County Circuit Court to one felony embezzlement count.

Sentencing is scheduled for June 19.

Zappin resigned her position as the food bank’s executive director in September 2012.

The food bank changed its name earlier this year to Facing Hunger Foodbank. It serves the needy in 17 counties in Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia.

Cabell Judgeship Vacancy Temporarily Filled

Two senior status judges will temporarily fill a judgeship in Cabell County until the governor appoints a permanent replacement.
 
     West Virginia Supreme Court Chief Justice Robin Davis on Monday appointed James O. Holliday and John S. Hirko to temporarily replace Cabell County Circuit Court Judge David Pancake.
 
     Pancake retired last week.
 
     Holliday will preside over Pancake’s docket from Feb. 10 through Feb. 18. Hrko will then serve from Feb. 19 until Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin appoints a replacement.
 
     Davis’ order says Holliday would preside over the docket if Hirko is unavailable to serve.
 
     Cabell County Chief Circuit Judge Paul T. Farrell tells The Herald-Dispatch that he will preside over Pancake’s docket this week.
 

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