Charleston Gazette

Peia Enlists Video Game to Fight Obesity

philk@wvgazette.com A video game craze could help overweight children and teens around the state get in shape, the Public Employees Insurance Agency's wellness director believes.

Damages Cap Challenged: ; Limit On Trauma Cases Unconstitutional, Charleston Lawyers Say

johnheys@wvgazette.com Two Charleston lawyers have asked a Kanawha County judge to rule the state's new $500,000 cap on malpractice damages in trauma cases unconstitutional.

Iraqi Elections Still On, Bush Insists

WASHINGTON - President Bush rejected calls Thursday for a delay in next month's Iraqi elections, insisting that the vote was too important to put off even though violence and chaos still grip much of the country. "It's time for the Iraqi citizens to go to the polls," Bush said.

Whittaker Arrest Ordered: ; Powerball Winner Violated Bail Terms, Prosecutor Says

tobycoleman@wvgazette.com Police began looking to arrest Powerball multimillionaire Jack Whittaker on Thursday because he allegedly violated a condition of his bail agreement in an 11-month-old drunken-driving case in Kanawha County.

Inside

Wild cards This year, consumers are expected to spend 11.5 percent of their holiday budgets on gift cards, according to an NRF survey. That comes out to $80.45 for the average consumer. The average person buying gift cards will spend $108.28 on about three cards.

Inside

Libido pill A hormone patch that works to restore a woman's sex drive should not be approved until more studies are completed to determine the drug's risks, federal health advisers say.

Coming

Inside

Gay minister under fire The United Methodist Church defrocks a lesbian minister who lives with her partner for violating the church's ban on actively gay clergy. A 13-member jury made up of Methodist clergy convicts the Rev. Irene Elizabeth Stroud on the second day of her trial.

Inside

UC coach exits The University of Charleston announces that head football coach Mike Springston has been released from his coaching responsibilities.

City, County Form Committee to Study Proposed Housing Authorities Merger

daveg@wvgazette.com Charleston and Kanawha County authorities announced Thursday they will each name three representatives to an exploratory committee to study merging two housing authorities.

Fda Delays Libido Drug Approval

WASHINGTON - A hormone patch that works to restore a woman's sex drive should not win government approval until more studies are completed to determine the drug's risks, federal health advisers recommended Thursday. Several members of the Food and Drug Administration's advisory committee said they were not satisfied with the number of women studied so far, the length of the studies and the modest benefits of the drug.

Church Defrocks Lesbian Minister: ; Methodist Jury Finds Woman Guilty of Violationg Church Law by Having Gay Lover

PUGHTOWN, Pa. - The United Methodist Church defrocked a lesbian minister who lives with her partner Thursday for violating the denomination's ban on actively gay clergy - the first such decision by the church in 17 years. A 13-member jury made up of Methodist clergy convicted the Rev. Irene Elizabeth Stroud on the second day of her church trial. Methodist law bars "self-avowed, practicing homosexuals" from ministry. Nine votes were necessary for a conviction and the jury voted 12-1 to find St...

Mining Fills Continue, Despite Judge's Order

kward@wvgazette.com The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is allowing coal operators to begin new valley fills under a streamlined permit process, despite a federal court order that blocked such fills.

Legion to Mark Pearl Harbor Day

To mark National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, John Brawley Post No. 20 of the American Legion will hold a formal ceremony at noon Tuesday at the Lee Street Triangle. Seven Pearl Harbor survivors will represent the approximately 45 Pearl Harbor survivors remaining in West Virginia.

Mom Denied a New Trial in Poisonings

The state Supreme Court on Thursday rebuffed the latest bid for a new trial by a Greenbrier County woman imprisoned for life in the death of her 3-year-old daughter and the attempted poisoning of her infant son. The 4-1 ruling concluded that the new evidence cited by Marybeth Davis echoes what she presented in her defense during her 1997 trial.

In Perspective

Families to Get Money From Regency Park

The owner of a Huntington assisted-living home will pay about $16,000 to 11 families who overpaid for the home's services, the state attorney general's office announced Thursday. Maryland-based Regency Park will make the payments to fulfill promises to residents that if they died it would refund advance payments for unused services, according to assistant Attorney General Rob Bastress.

S.C. Residents Blame Sewer Work for Damage

For the Gazette Homeowners along Ivywood Lane confronted South Charleston City Council Thursday night and blamed a recent project by the city's sanitary board for damaging their property.

Byrd Wants Facts From Msha: ; Feds Plan to Privatize National Mine Safety Library in Beckley

kward@wvgazette.com Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., wants more information about the Labor Department's proposal to privatize the national mine safety library in Beckley.

Things to Do Today

CHRISTMAS AT OLD MAIN: The annual Christmas at Old Main will be held at 7 p.m. in the Old Main Building auditorium, Old Main Drive, Summersville. Featured will be Tim Harris and Lauren, Path of Light Ministries, Dance Troupe directed by Paige Haney and a special visit from Santa Claus. "Christmas At Old Main" is a gift to the community from the Nicholas Old Main Foundation. Admission is free and refreshments will be served. KANAWHA VALLEY COMMUNITY BAND: South Charleston Convention and Visito...