Kanawha County | featured news

By Lacie Pierson

A Rhode Island-based bank is suing Gov. Jim Justice and two of his companies, claiming the governor and his companies owe them $4.2 million on a loan used to purchase a helicopter.
Citizens Asset Finance Inc. filed the lawsuit in the Southern District of New York in U.S. District Court on Sept. 18, claiming Justice's companies have continued to use the helicopter despite not having made a payment on the loan since April 7.

By Eric Eyre

A congressional committee investigating West Virginia's opioid epidemic has directed prescription drug distributor Miami-Luken to turn over documents amid allegations that the firm shipped massive amounts of powerful painkillers to the state's southern counties and failed to report "suspicious" orders from local pharmacies.
On Monday, the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce requested Miami-Luken provide copies of personnel records related the Ohio company's former top executive, who was stripped of duties to flag suspect pain-pill orders.

By Ken Ward Jr.

When Rodney Osborne was crushed to death in a Boone County coal mine in June, a key piece of safety equipment meant to prevent such fatalities had been turned off, according to a state investigative report made public on Monday.
Osborne, 32, of Artie, died after he was pinned between the coal-cutting head of a continuous mining machine and the mine wall on June 13 at Rockwell Mining LLC's Gateway Eagle Mine. Rockwell Mining is controlled by Blackhawk Mining, and the Gateway Eagle Mine is near Wharton, according to federal records.

By Carlee Lammers

Tuesday's Gazette-Mail and Kanawha County Majorette and Band Festival might be one of the last chances to soak in the last bit of summer weather.
The festival, now in its 71st year, will take place at 6:30 p.m. at University of Charleston Stadium at Laidley Field.
By festival kickoff temperatures will be in the low 80s - a "more comfortable temperature" than the day's forecast high of 89 degrees, according to Maura Casey, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Charleston.

By Staff reports

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg made a surprise visit to Charleston's Bluegrass Kitchen Sunday morning as a part of his tour of America.
Pictures and video of the social media billionaire walking into the restaurant were posted Sunday afternoon and the visit was confirmed by Bluegrass owner Keeley Steele.

By By Adam Entous
The Washington Post

Nine days after Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg dismissed as "crazy" the idea that fake news on his company's social network played a key role in the U.S. election, President Barack Obama pulled the youthful tech billionaire aside and delivered what he hoped would be a wake-up call.

By Staff reports

State delegate Tony Lewis, R-Preston, died of cancer Sunday afternoon, according to a news release from Speaker Tim Armstead.
Lewis, 59, died around 4 p.m. after a battle with lymphoma, the release says.
Lewis was elected last fall. Prior to becoming a lawmaker, Lewis served for 26 years in the West Virginia National Guard, including during tours of duty in Operation Desert Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom, according to the release.

Staff reportThe West Virginia Parole Board on Monday will consider whether a Hurricane man will be released from prison for the second time since he was convicted of sexually assaulting his 5-year-old daughter more than 20 years ago.
The parole hearing for Joseph Lavigne Jr. will take place at the Huttonsville Correctional Center, where Lavigne has been incarcerated since 1996, except a year-and-a-half period between 2011 and 2012, when Putnam County Circuit Judge O.C. Spaulding ruled he could be released from prison pending a new trial.

By Carlee Lammers

WINFIELD - A longtime West Virginia state trooper is now the chief of the Winfield Police Department.
Eddie Starcher, who worked for the State Police for 25 years, started as the chief in Winfield last week.
Starcher retired as captain of the State Police Turnpike detachment just days before starting in Winfield.
He also has worked at detachments across the state - including Martinsburg, Spencer and Point Pleasant.

By Carlee Lammers

Capital High School will reopen Monday, following the Kanawha County school system's attempt to lower levels of mold at the school.
Officials said the air sample results from Friday will allow for the school to reopen - with the exception of a handful of rooms.
The school's auditorium, library, LGI and two classrooms will remain closed until final tests come in, according to an email from county schools spokeswoman Briana Warner.