Government Story Archives - Page 1177 of 1196 - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

W.Va. Board Cites Progress on Education Priorities

West Virginia education officials they’ve made progress on the governor’s education priorities but more needs to be done.

The priorities outlined by Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin in February include professional development for teachers and integrating technology into everyday lessons for students to enhance college readiness.

     The Charleston Gazette reports that the state Board of Education outlined progress on these priorities in a status report drafted during a special meeting on Wednesday. The full report has not yet been approved.

     State Schools Superintendent Jim Phares says the board’s work on preparing students for a career after high school is the biggest accomplishment so far.

     He says overhauling professional development for teachers needs the most work.

How Much Did W.Va. Spend on Its 150th Birthday?

The West Virginia Sesquicentennial Commission spent $138,285 for a four-day celebration of the state’s 150th anniversary at the Capitol.

The Charleston Daily Mail reports that the largest expense was a 3-D movie that was projected onto the Capitol facade. The state paid $50,000 of the movie’s $175,000 cost. The remainder was paid with private donations.

Other expenses included $21,400 for souvenirs and $21,000 for musical entertainment.

The celebration in June also included nightly fireworks, a parade and a car show.

The commission also provided $233,000 in grants to other celebrations across the state.

Attorney General, Kanawha Co. Clerk Ask Judge to Dismiss W.Va. Gay Marriage Lawsuit

State and local officials are seeking the dismissal of a lawsuit challenging West Virginia’s ban on gay marriage.

The Charleston Gazette reports that the West Virginia Attorney General’s Office and Kanawha County Clerk Vera McCormick asked a federal judge this week to dismiss the case.

     New York-based gay rights group Lambda Legal filed the federal lawsuit in October on behalf of three same-sex couples and the child of one couple. The lawsuit contends West Virginia’s Defense of Marriage Act unfairly discriminates against same-sex couples and their children.

     A motion filed by assistant attorney general Julie Ann Warren contends that the plaintiffs have no legal basis to challenge the law.

     A separate motion filed by McCormick’s attorney says the matter should be handled by the state’s legislative process.

Panel Recommends Replacements for Two W.Va. Judges

An advisory panel is recommending two Mingo County public defenders as potential candidates to replace former Circuit Court Judge Michael Thornsbury.

The Judicial Vacancy Advisory Commission submitted the names of Teresa McCune and Jonathan Jewel to Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin on Tuesday.

     The commission also recommended Deloris Nibert to replace former Putnam County Family Court Judge William Watkins. Nibert was the only applicant for the position.

     Thornsbury pleaded guilty in October to a federal conspiracy charge and resigned from the bench.

     Watkins resigned in November. The state Supreme Court had suspended him in March until the end of his term in 2016. He was accused of delaying rulings, screaming and cursing at litigants, and failing to enter domestic violence orders into the state’s tracking system.

Charleston's Big Question: Gun Laws or Home Rule?

A gun rights group has gone to court in an attempt to stop enforcement of Charleston’s gun ordinances.

The West Virginia Citizens Defense League asked Kanawha Circuit Court on Tuesday to issue an injunction against the ordinances.

The group says Charleston isn’t complying with a new state law that removed the authority to regulate guns from cities participating in West Virginia’s home rule program.

     Charleston officials haven’t decided whether to opt out of the program or modify the city’s gun ordinances.

     The ordinances limit handgun purchases and prohibit handguns and other deadly weapons on public property.

     City Attorney Paul Ellis says the city will review the complaint and respond in court.

National Park Service Determines Ajax Spring Unsafe for Consumption, Closes Area

The National Park Service will be closing the Ajax Spring located off of Fayette Station Road after recent mandatory testing indicated the water does not meet the minimum requirements for drinking water. Despite the fact that the spring is posted as a non-potable water source, there are concerns that residents in the local community use the spring water for household use.

“Because we are aware the public uses the spring we were required to test it during a recent mandatory audit. When the test results were reviewed by the National Park Service Public Health Inspector, he recommended closing the spring” said Superintendent Trish Kicklighter.

The lab results showed high levels of arsenic and mercury and the presence of coliform bacteria. Turbidity is also a major issue of concern. The water turbidity and presence of coliform indicate surface water is leaking through rock fissures and cracks contaminating the spring.

The water source for the Ajax Spring comes from drainage out of the old Ajax mine. The concrete structure and pipe to access the spring existed prior to the park’s establishment. After this site became a part of the New River Gorge National River in 1988, park staff maintained access to the spring for the local community.

“We know local residents use the spring to supply their households with drinking water; however, with the recent test results we cannot in good conscience keep the spring operational”, said Superintendent Kicklighter.

A Fayette County sanitarian stated that the water system does not meet the minimum standards of the WV 64 CSR 3, Public Water Systems.