Tag: The Charleston Gazette

Officials Want Mining Health Effects to Be Closely Studied

Federal officials plan to recommend the National Academy of Sciences review a series of studies that have found residents living near mountaintop removal mining operations face increased risks of serious illnesses and premature death.

The Charleston Gazette reports that Office of Surface Mining Director Joseph Pizarchik said on Friday that his agency would ask the academy to help West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection officials examine the studies.

Former West Virginia University researcher Michael Hendryx and other scientists have published more than two dozen peer-reviewed journal articles in recent years that say residents living near mountaintop removal mines face a greater risk of cancer, birth defects and premature death.

Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Randy Huffman says the reports needed a closer examination by health experts and strip-mine regulators.

Some Jumpers Say They'll Skip Bridge Day Because of Scans

Some BASE jumpers plan to skip West Virginia’s Bridge Day festival next year because of a new security requirement.

The jumpers will have to undergo fingerprint scans, along with rappellers and vendors.

Alan Lewis of Tennessee is organizing a visit by jumpers to the Perrine Bridge in Twin Falls, Idaho, instead of Bridge Day. He told The Charleston Gazette that law enforcement in Twin Falls is more welcoming to BASE jumpers.

BASE stands for building, antenna, span and Earth, the fixed objects from which jumpers leap with parachutes. Bridge Day is the only time that BASE jumping is allowed from the New River Gorge Bridge.

Bridge Day Commission chair Sharon Cruikshank has said the scans are less intrusive than background checks, and the fingerprints won’t be saved.

Three Senior Deputies Leaving W.Va. Attorney General's Office

The West Virginia Attorney General’s Office has lost three top staff members to the Legislature.

The Charleston Gazette reports that senior deputy attorney general Marty Wright has accepted a job as the House Judiciary Committee’s head lawyer.

Senior deputy attorney general Richie Heath is now chief counsel to incoming Senate President Bill Cole.

Senior deputy attorney general Tracy Webb has accepted a job as head lawyer of the House Government Organization Committee.

The positions came open after Republicans won control of the Legislature for the first time in more than eight decades.

W.Va. Authority Approves Rate Increases for Five Hospitals

Five hospitals have received state approval to raise their rates.

The rate increases approved by the West Virginia Health Care Authority apply to nongovernmental patients paying with private insurance or out-out-pocket.

The Charleston Gazette reports that Logan Regional Medical Center’s average rate will increase from $21,512 to $22,587.

Williamson Memorial Hospital’s average rate will rise from $11,759 to $12,229.

The average rate at Greenbrier Valley Medical Center will increase from $13,486 to $14,320.

United Hospital Center received permission to increase its average rate from $21,133 to $21,916.

Raleigh General Hospital’s average rate will increase from $23,333 to $24,476.

Bridge Day Adds Fingerprint Requirement for Participants

Rappellers, BASE jumpers and vendors participating in future Bridge Day events will have to undergo fingerprint scans.

Bridge Day Commission chair Sharon Cruikshank tells The Charleston Gazette that the scans are less intrusive than routine background checks.

Fingerprints will be checked against a terrorism watch list. They won’t be saved.

So far, reaction to the decision has been mixed.

Cruikshank says rappellers and vendors don’t have any issues. But some in the BASE jumping community aren’t happy.

BASE jumpers from around the world flock to the New River Gorge Bridge on the third Saturday of every October for Bridge Day. BASE stands for building, antenna, span and Earth, the fixed objects from which jumpers leap.

Bridge Day organizers began requiring background checks after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

W.Va. Scenic Railroad Transfer Expected to Go Smoothly

Officials say the transfer of operations for Pocahontas County’s historic Cass Scenic Railroad to the State Rail Authority is expected to go seamlessly.

The West Virginia’s Division of Natural Resources announced in October that it would transfer responsibility for Cass’ rail operations to the authority, which is the central state agency for railroad matters. The transfer is set to go into effect Jan. 1.

The Charleston Gazette reports that the Cass Scenic Railroad has had operating losses of about $1.5 million a year.

Visitors will see no changes in rail excursions next year but fares will likely increase moderately. Adult fares ranged from $19 to $33 in 2014.

The Division of Natural Resources will continue to operate Cass Scenic Railroad State Park. The park has 100,000 annual visitors.

Exit mobile version