Tag: Closure

Large West Virginia Coal Mine with 400 Workers Closing

A West Virginia coal mine that employs about 400 workers is closing after a deal to sell it fell through.

Gov. Jim Justice issued a statement saying the closing of the Pinnacle Mine in Wyoming County will displace a lot of miners. He says he is hopeful the mine “has not seen its last days.”

WVVA reports workers at the mine, which is owned by Mission Coal, said this week negotiations to sell the mine fell through. The mine is largest employer in Wyoming County after the school system. Workers were moving equipment out of the mine this week, a sure sign of its imminent closure.

Justice also mentioned the recent closing of ABB control systems in Greenbrier County, which employs about 150 workers.

Justice said in the Friday release that “it’s not a good day.”

After 46 Years, Bluegrass Mountaineer Opry House to Close

The Mountaineer Opry House in Milton is set to close its doors permanently next month.

The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports the new owner, medical provider Valley Health, will then take over the property. Eighty-three-year-old Larry Stephens has managed the bluegrass hotspot since 1991. He says the Opry House has to be off the property by June 19.

Stephens says the closing of the local landmark isn’t surprising considering it’s been on sale for several years. He says crowds have dwindled and there’s been pushback on even modest ticket prices. Stephens and his wife, Mary, will put on a few more shows before closing, including a free one this Saturday sponsored by the new owner.

West Virginia Business College to Remain Open During Appeal

West Virginia Business College will remain open as a judge’s last-minute reprieve has allowed it while the school appeals state officials’ order to close.

The Intelligencer reports the West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education ordered the college to close by June 30 after the school lost its accreditation. Ohio County Circuit Judge David Sims granted a stay of the order after attorney Ron Kasserman filed documents arguing that the U.S. Department of Education no longer recognizes the college’s accrediting agency, the Accrediting Council on Independent Colleges and Schools.

U.S. education department spokesman Al Betancourt says the college can continue participating in federal financial aid programs.

Three former students have sued the college, contending that the degrees awarded last month are worthless because of the lack of accreditation.

West Virginia State Police Closing 3 Detachments at Year End

West Virginia State Police detachments in three locations are closing at the end of the year. The agency said Tuesday Grantsville, Elizabeth and Hundred will close.

The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports the Grantsville detachment in Calhoun County will be covered by the Clay and Glenville detachments. The Elizabeth detachment in Wirt County will be covered by the Parkersburg detachment. The Hundred detachment in Wetzel County will be covered by the Paden City detachment.

Superintendent Col. Jay Smithers said it’s not economically feasible to keep a detachment in each community. But he said the state police will continue providing professional law enforcement.

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin last week ordered state agencies to cut spending by 2 percent in order to save $59.8 million and help make up for the general revenue fund falling behind by $87 million as of July.

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