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STIFFER REGULATIONS ON TIMBERING? - The WV Department of
Environmental Protection is asking Gov. Bob Wise to order stiffer regulation
of West Virginia's timber industry to reduce logging's part in flooding.
The request was made after results of a detailed study of floods in July
2001 and May 2002 that caused millions of dollars in damage in southern
West Virginia.
West Virginia law does not impose mandatory pollution reduction steps by
timber operators, but the forestry division oversees a set of voluntary best
management practices, with little enforcement.
MORE GUARDS CALLED - More West Virginia National Guardsmen are being
called up in support of Operation Noble Eagle.
The 1863rd transportation company of Oak Hill is expected to be shipped
out soon. The date hasn't been released.
National Guard spokesman Major Ron Garton says it's more than 50, but
less than 100. The guard members, primarily truck drivers and transporters,
will provide security.
STOLE $302,000 WELFARE MONEY - A former state employee has been
charged with stealing more than $302,000 in welfare money from the
Department of Health and Human Services.
Leona M. West of Parkersburg worked for a Department of Health and
Human Resources division that provides services and programs such as
food stamps and Medicaid assistance.
West is accused of tapping into records on welfare recipients listed in a
state computer database to obtain the money.
Benefit checks were mailed to her home and post office boxes opened in
her name, depositing them into six bank accounts.
WORKER'S COMP PROBLEMS HAVE A HISTORY - The deficit is now $2.5
billion, and the fund is destined to be broke by next year if not fixed.
Former Gov. Arch Moore gave West Virginia corporations a 30 percent
reduction in premiums they paid into the Workers' Compensation Fund a
few years ago.
Republican Gov. Cecil Underwood then granted an 8 percent reduction.
With hundreds of examples of over leniency, "Workers Compensation has
evolved into a working-class welfare system," says former division director
John Kozak, including double-dipping with multiple claims.
Exorbitant medical and rehabilitation charges jumped 39 percent in the
past two years.
Premiums could increase up to 23 percent, possibly paid for by workers and
their employers. One bill would have workers pay $300 more each year out
of their checks, no matter their income, but that proposal seems to have
been dropped.
Coal companies are responsible for a huge chunk of the Workers' Comp
problems. Some coal companies used contractors to elude their fair share.
Most of these contractors went broke, leaving the state holding the bag for
hundreds of millions of dollars in unpaid premiums, claims and interest.
The Comp head under Gov. Underwood excused somewhere between $300
and $400 million owed by coal operations. Underwood and some of his
officials were formerly employed by some of the companies. The state was
able to recoup some money, but much was forgiven, and settlements
represented pennies on the dollar.
WESTON MAN KILLS CHILDREN AND SELF - A late-night domestic dispute
turned deadly this week near Weston.
Gayle Sams shot and killed three of his four children before traveling about
one mile and burning down the family's nearly completed $300,000 home
beside Stonecoal Lake. He later shot himself to death, according to
authorities.
His wife Libby, and their 14-year-old daughter escaped.
The victims were the Sams' 17-year-old son and two daughters, both age 4.
The Sams were adopting one of the girls, according to Lewis County Sheriff
Robert Rinehart.
The slayings were reportedly the result of Sams "being distraught over an
impending divorce."
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