Government Story Archives - Page 1184 of 1202 - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

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.

State Police Take Over Former Pill Mill, Recieve Cash Proceeds

The Williamson office building that formerly housed a pain clinic is being given to the West Virginia State Police.

U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin said Monday that the agency also will receive $340,000 in cash proceeds forfeited by one of the operators of Mountain Medical Care Clinic.

The pill mill was shut down in 2010 following a federal investigation that ended with several criminal convictions.

Clinic operator Myra Miller was sentenced in September to six months in federal prison for conspiring to misuse a physician’s U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration registration number.

Prosecutors say the 50-year-old was involved in a conspiracy to sell narcotic prescriptions to people who didn’t need them.

Sixty-six-year-old Dr. William Ryckman was convicted in 2012 for his role in the conspiracy and sentenced to six months in prison.

Chafin Withdraws Name for Mingo Judge's Seat

A former state Supreme Court candidate has withdrawn from consideration as an appointed circuit judge in Mingo County.

Tish Chafin wrote to the state Judicial Vacancy Advisory Commission on Thursday. Commission member Kent Carper tells The Charleston Gazette that Chafin sought the position out of concern that solid candidates wouldn’t apply.

Six others have applied to fill the remaining term of the circuit court seat formerly held by Michael Thornsbury. He pleaded guilty in October to a federal conspiracy charge and resigned from the bench. He was elected to an eight-year term in 2008.

The commission will recommend up to five names to Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin, who will make the appointment.

The state Supreme Court appointed a Cabell County senior status judge as a temporary replacement for Thornsbury.

W.Va. Ethics Panel Admits Open Meetings Violation

The executive director of the state Ethics Commission admits the panel violated West Virginia's open meetings law. The violations occurred Thursday when…

The executive director of the state Ethics Commission admits the panel violated West Virginia’s open meetings law.

     The violations occurred Thursday when the commission failed to send the required notice of two meetings to the Secretary of State’s Office. One was devoted entirely to open meetings laws.

     According to state code, notice of public meetings must be approved and listed online for five business days to be legal.

     The commission’s executive director, Joan Parker, told the Daily Mail the panel was in error.

     Parker said the commission would take the necessary steps to correct the mistake. The next scheduled ethics commission meeting is in February.

Section of I-77 in Mercer Co. to Close Friday for Emergency Repair

The West Virginia Division of Highways will be closing a section of Interstate 77 in Mercer County to allow for controlled blasting of a slipping hillside.

The I-77 northbound slow lane between mile post 3 and 3.5 has been closed to traffic since December 2, 2013 due to the instability of the hillside. After consulting with a contractor, the WVDOH has decided to address the issue by bringing down the hillside with explosives.

Interstate 77 from mile post 1 to mile post 9 and a section of WV 112 that runs parallel to the interstate will be closed to traffic sometime between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. on Friday, December 13, 2013.

WVDOH crews and the contractor will work to reopen the southbound lanes within 30 minutes of the blast, once debris is removed from the roadway. The northbound lanes will remain closed the remainder of the day to allow for additional work by the contractor and to allow time for debris removal. The northbound fast lane is anticipated to open by dusk. The slow lane will remain closed indefinitely to allow for additional debris removal.

Northbound traffic will be detoured onto US 52 at Exit 1, then onto US 460 East, and back on to I-77 north in Princeton at Exit 9. Flaggers will be placed at strategic intersections along US 460 in Princeton to assist in the movement of traffic. Drivers should anticipate an extra 30 to 45 minutes of travel.

Local traffic is advised to use alternative routes during the closure.

W.Va. Health Coverage Marketplace Enrollment Rises

Enrollment in West Virginia’s health insurance marketplace has jumped by more than 500 percent in the past month.

     Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield says about 1,200 West Virginians have enrolled in plans through the federal exchange as of Monday. That’s up from 198 people on Nov. 13.

     Highmark is the only private insurer participating in West Virginia’s health insurance marketplace.

     Meanwhile, about 75,000 people have enrolled in the state’s expanded Medicaid program, 12,000 more than the state projected.

     State officials, Highmark representatives and other stakeholders discussed the programs Tuesday during a meeting in Charleston.

     Highmark president Fred Earley says enrollment through the federal exchange increased after the government added enhancements to the website. But he says there are still problems.