Bill gives inmates early out for rehab programs
Jail inmates could get their sentences cut by up to five days under a bill passed Monday by the House of Delegates.
The bill (HB2419) would give regional jail inmates serving six months or more the opportunity to earn one day of "good time" for each educational program they complete.
Programs on domestic violence, parenting, substance abuse, life skills, anger management and other topics would count. Offenders could earn a maximum of five days for five courses.
The state Regional Jail Authority proposed the measure, and an interim legislative committee also recommended it, said House Judiciary Chairwoman Carrie Webster, D-Kanawha.
Unlike prisons, jails "aren't designed to do rehabilitation," Webster said.
The proposal would encourage offenders to seek rehabilitation, and also help some with jail overcrowding, she said.
"This is a creative way to incentivize ... completion of those programs," she said.
The bill will now go to the state Senate.
Chinese firm funds WVU research on windmills
MORGANTOWN - West Virginia University researchers want to design a new wind turbine that they say could be more efficient.
Chinese manufacturer Shenfei Group has awarded a $1.6 million contract to the College of Engineering and Mineral Resources and its partner, GT Technologies of Michigan.
Principal investigator James Smith says most turbines have a horizontal axis, with large blades that spin in a vertical plane. His design has a vertical axis, with blades that spin in a horizontal plane.
Smith says his design requires less wind power and is therefore cheaper to operate. It also adjusts more easily to shifts in wind direction.
Smith's team began its design work last summer and is now preparing to build a prototype.
Fire reported at cabin at Fort Randolph
POINT PLEASANT - Firefighters battled a blaze at a cabin at Fort Randolph at Krodel Park in Point Pleasant.
A Mason County dispatcher says no injuries were reported. The fire was reported at about 7:30 a.m. Monday.
The state fire marshal's office was called to the scene of the restored Revolutionary War fort to help investigate.
State seeks enduring family farms for award
LEWISBURG - West Virginia wants to honor an enduring family farm and is looking for farmers who have been able to maintain a rural lifestyle and their operations over many generations.
The 2009 Farming Heritage Award is offered by the State Fair of West Virginia and the West Virginia Farm Bureau.
Families can enter themselves or be nominated by friends. Entries are due by June 12, and applications are available online or by calling the State Fair or the Farm Bureau.
The winners will be treated to a luncheon at the State Fair on Aug. 20, as well as overnight accommodations, free admission, preferred parking and a sign for display. Last year's winner was A. Goff & Sons of Harrisville.
Sinking marina prompts evacuation of boats
HUNTINGTON - Several docked pleasure boats were evacuated Monday after a Huntington marina started sinking.
Bill gives inmates early out for rehab programs Jail inmates could get their sentences cut by up to five days under a bill passed Monday by the House of Delegates.
The bill (HB2419) would give regional jail inmates serving six months or more the opportunity to earn one day of "good time" for each educational program they complete.
Programs on domestic violence, parenting, substance abuse, life skills, anger management and other topics would count. Offenders could earn a maximum of five days for five courses.
The state Regional Jail Authority proposed the measure, and an interim legislative committee also recommended it, said House Judiciary Chairwoman Carrie Webster, D-Kanawha.
Unlike prisons, jails "aren't designed to do rehabilitation," Webster said.
The proposal would encourage offenders to seek rehabilitation, and also help some with jail overcrowding, she said.
"This is a creative way to incentivize ... completion of those programs," she said.
The bill will now go to the state Senate.
Chinese firm funds WVU research on windmills
MORGANTOWN - West Virginia University researchers want to design a new wind turbine that they say could be more efficient.
Chinese manufacturer Shenfei Group has awarded a $1.6 million contract to the College of Engineering and Mineral Resources and its partner, GT Technologies of Michigan.
Principal investigator James Smith says most turbines have a horizontal axis, with large blades that spin in a vertical plane. His design has a vertical axis, with blades that spin in a horizontal plane.
Smith says his design requires less wind power and is therefore cheaper to operate. It also adjusts more easily to shifts in wind direction.
Smith's team began its design work last summer and is now preparing to build a prototype.
Fire reported at cabin at Fort Randolph
POINT PLEASANT - Firefighters battled a blaze at a cabin at Fort Randolph at Krodel Park in Point Pleasant.
A Mason County dispatcher says no injuries were reported. The fire was reported at about 7:30 a.m. Monday.
The state fire marshal's office was called to the scene of the restored Revolutionary War fort to help investigate.
State seeks enduring family farms for award
LEWISBURG - West Virginia wants to honor an enduring family farm and is looking for farmers who have been able to maintain a rural lifestyle and their operations over many generations.
The 2009 Farming Heritage Award is offered by the State Fair of West Virginia and the West Virginia Farm Bureau.
Families can enter themselves or be nominated by friends. Entries are due by June 12, and applications are available online or by calling the State Fair or the Farm Bureau.
The winners will be treated to a luncheon at the State Fair on Aug. 20, as well as overnight accommodations, free admission, preferred parking and a sign for display. Last year's winner was A. Goff & Sons of Harrisville.
Sinking marina prompts evacuation of boats
HUNTINGTON - Several docked pleasure boats were evacuated Monday after a Huntington marina started sinking.
Huntington Fire Chief Greg Fuller said a barge containing the Showboat Marina began taking on water Monday morning. Fuller says the barge's west end appears to have reached the bottom of the Ohio River, which is about 10 feet to 12 feet deep at the site.
No injuries were reported.
Fuller says about 20 pleasure boats, including several houseboats, are attached to a floating dock connected to the barge. Owner Kelly Lee said about 10 people were on the barge and the docked boats at the time.
The cause of the sinking hasn't been determined.
National Guard plans sales to help military
Military members in West Virginia will soon get help with their grocery bills.
The West Virginia National Guard plans to sell discounted groceries to current and retired military members from any branch of service, along with their families.
Adjutant General Allen Tackett said the commissary sales will help military members during difficult economic times.
Commissary sales are scheduled around the state beginning in March. Products will cost up to 30 percent less than commercial prices. Each sale will include meat and produce, household cleaning and personal care items, canned goods, pet food and other items.
Sales will be held in Charleston in March, Summersville in June, Fairmont in August, and Eleanor in November.
W.Va. Republican Party creates intern program
The West Virginia Republican Party has created an intern program for young GOP members.
The Cecil H. Underwood Intern Program is named in honor of the former governor, who died in November at 86.
Interns will work with the party every summer.
Underwood's daughter, Cecilia Baker, said Monday that the intern program will help develop and encourage young Republicans' participation in the process.
State Republican Chairman Dr. Doug McKinney said Underwood had a special connection with young people. McKinney said the intern program is a way for Underwood's legacy to live on in the party.
Overcrowded mental hospitals to gain beds
After years of persistent overcrowding at the state's two acute-care psychiatric hospitals, state officials plan to add 70 beds for patients by the end of 2010.
Behavioral health commissioner John Bianconi told lawmakers Monday that 20 beds will be added to Mildred Mitchell-Bateman Hospital in Huntington this summer, with 50 to follow at William R. Sharpe Hospital in Weston in 2010.
The beds at Sharpe are specifically intended for patients committed for psychiatric care as part of the criminal justice process - so-called "forensic" patients whose growing numbers largely contribute to the crowded hospital conditions.
The two hospitals have 240 beds between them, and regularly have too many patients to accommodate.
Boil water in effect for 16,300 in Parkersburg
PARKERSBURG - More than 16,000 customers of the Parkersburg Utility Board are being advised to boil their water after a main line ruptured.
The board says the 16-inch line ruptured Monday morning. More than 1 million gallons of water were lost because of the rupture.
Repairs are expected to be completed in 24 to 36 hours.
The boil-water advisory is in effect until further notice for all 16,300 customers of the water system. Customers are advised to boil their water for at least one minute before use for drinking, food preparation, brushing teeth, bathing and washing clothes or dishes.
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