Tag: Government

Widening of I-64 in Huntington to be Complete By Spring

A widening of Interstate 64 in Huntington to six lanes will be completed next spring.

The $18 million project included replacing an overpass and widening about 4 miles of the in

  terstate in both directions from the 29th Street exit to the Hal Greer Boulevard exit.

Division of Highways spokeswoman Carrie Bly and district engineer Chris Collins tell The Herald-Dispatch the project is “substantially complete.” Crews still need to lay a final layer of asphalt and install guardrails.

Collins says the DOH hopes to resume work in late March or early April.

A 50 mile-per-hour speed limit will remain in effect. Collins says the highway is technically still an active work zone.

Blankenship Wants Case Moved

A former Massey Energy CEO wants his criminal case moved and Jan. 26 trial delayed one year.

U.S. District Judge Irene Berger heard requests Wednesday in Beckley in Don Blankenship’s case.

Blankenship’s attorney said he couldn’t get a fair trial in southern West Virginia because of bad publicity.

Also Wednesday, Berger heard news organizations argue against a gag order, which they want dropped or modified.

The order restricts parties or victims from discussing the case with reporters or releasing court documents.

The Associated Press, The Charleston Gazette, The Wall Street Journal, National Public Radio and Friends of West Virginia Public Broadcasting are involved.

Blankenship is charged with conspiring to violate safety and health standards at the Upper Big Branch Mine. A 2010 explosion there killed 29 men.

Vienna to Annex former Johns Manville Plant Site

Vienna officials plan to clean up a former Johns Manville plant site and redevelop it.

The Wood County Commission approved the city’s petition to annex the property this week.

Vienna Mayor Randy Rapp says the city has applied for grants totaling about $400,000 to clean up the property.

Rapp says the city plans to convert part of the property to green space for public use, including walking and biking trails. City officials hope to attract new development to the industrial section.

Charles Town to Acquire Portion of Charles Washington Estate

Charles Town plans to acquire 10 acres surrounding city founder Charles Washington’s home, Happy Retreat.

The Journal reports that City Council approved a contract this week with the Friends of Happy Retreat. Under the contract, the city will pay $350,000 for the land and the nonprofit will pay $425,000 for the house and the remaining 2.2 acres.

Friends of Happy Retreat president Walter Washington says the transaction will give the public ongoing access to the estate.

Under private ownership by a family, the estate has been open to the public only at specified times.

The deal is expected to close in June 2015. Washington says the Friends of Happy Retreat will raise its share of the cost by then.

Washington, the brother of President George Washington, built Happy Retreat in 1780.

Four Charged for Failing to Report Abuse at Center

Four people face charges stemming from an investigation of abuse allegations at a center for developmentally disabled adults and children in…

Four people face charges stemming from an investigation of abuse allegations at a center for developmentally disabled adults and children in Romney.

Hampshire County Magistrate Ron DiColia says Jennifer Flores of Romney and Augusta residents Joseph Moreland Jr., Denny Timbrook and Katrina Phillips are each charged with failure to report abuse or neglect. The charge is a misdemeanor.

DiColia said Tuesday that all three remain free on bond.

The Hampshire Review reports that West Virginia State Police arrested Flores on Friday and the others on Saturday.

The investigation began in January after upper management at the Potomac Center reported allegations of abuse to the state Department of Health and Human Resources. The DHHR removed 24 children from three houses at the center.

The center is cooperating with the investigation.

Former Salem Official Loses Bid for Reconsideration of Sentence

A former Salem official has lost a bid to serve his embezzlement sentence under house arrest.

David Wayne Mayle is serving one to 10 years in prison. His attorney, Rocco Mazzei, had filed a motion in November asking a judge to consider house arrest.

The Exponent Telegram reports that Harrison County Circuit Judge John Lewis Marks Jr. denied the motion on Monday. Marks says in his order that the sentence is appropriate.

The 33-year-old Mayle was convicted of embezzlement, falsifying accounts and conspiracy in October 2012. His sentence was put on hold pending an appeal to the West Virginia Supreme Court. The Supreme Court denied the appeal in June.

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