Tag: St. Albans

More Cities Considering Ordinances to Limit Use of Fireworks

Municipalities in the Kanawha Valley are considering ordinances to limit the use of fireworks.

The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports that municipalities are following the lead of South Charleston, which passed an ordinance last week to limit the discharge of fireworks on certain holidays.

Hurricane Mayor Scott Edwards says the city of Hurricane is considering a similar ordinance. He says law enforcement officers would increase patrol around the holidays to enforce the potential ban. The ordinance would fine violators $100 to $500.

Nitro Mayor Dave Casebolt also says city officials are preparing an ordinance which would limit the use of fireworks on certain holidays.

Other places considering action on the issue include St. Albans, Charleston and Dunbar.

Board Grants Home Rule to 6 Municipalities

Six West Virginia municipalities have been given a larger say in how they govern.

The West Virginia Municipal Home Rule Board granted home rule status to Beckley, Grafton, Princeton, St. Albans, Moundsville and Oak Hill on Monday.

There are now 26 municipalities participating in the pilot program, which shifts power from the state to the local level.

The program began as a five-year pilot in 2007 in Bridgeport, Charleston, Huntington and Wheeling. Since then, the Legislature has expanded the program to 34 municipalities.

The West Virginia Department of Commerce says there are still openings for four municipalities with populations of less than 2,000 and four municipalities with populations of 2,000 or more.

DHHR & DEP Investigating Foam on Coal River, Lincoln Co. and St. Albans Water Intakes Closed

  The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources Bureau for Public Health, along with the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, is investigating foam observed on the surface of the Coal River. 

According to a news release from DHHR Friday evening,  intakes at both Lincoln County Public Service District and City of St. Albans water systems have been closed. 

The DHHR says foam samples have been collected by Lincoln PSD and the Department of Environmental Protection. Testing of the samples is ongoing and initial results are expected this evening.

“After the foam was identified, the Lincoln County PSD and City of St. Albans water system water intakes were closed as a precaution and they began the sampling process shortly thereafter,” Dr. Rahul Gupta, commissioner of the DHHR Bureau for Public Health and State Health Officer said in a news release.

At this time, some of the approximately 4,900 residents served by the Lincoln PSD may lose water service until the intakes are re-opened and pumping and treatment resume, according to the DHHR.  They say water tankers are on the way to the affected area to provide potable water, if necessary.

Board Denies St. Albans' Home Rule Application

St. Albans has lost its bid to join the state’s home rule program because of technical problems with its application.

The West Virginia Municipal Home Rule Board denied St. Albans’ application on Monday. Board members said the city didn’t submit paperwork in time.

St. Albans was one of 23 municipalities seeking to participate in the program. Sixteen will be chosen.

The home rule program gives municipalities a larger say in how they govern by shifting power from the state to the local level. It began as a five-year pilot in Bridgeport, Charleston, Huntington and Wheeling.

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