Charleston Gazette

Boulevard Might Close for Summer Recreation

mandyrorrer@wvgazette.com Charleston residents might get to skate, walk and bike on Kanawha Boulevard on weekend afternoons this summer.

Sheriffs to Help Check for Gas Price Conspiracy

balow@wvgazette.com Motorists who are convinced that gasoline dealers are conspiring to raise gas prices have some new allies: Sheriffs from about half of the state's counties have agreed to help Attorney General Darrell McGraw track prices across the state.

Medicare Could Go Broke by 2019, Trustees Report

WASHINGTON - Medicare will have to begin dipping into its reserves this year and, without changes, will go broke by 2019 - seven years earlier than expected - because of rising health-care costs, trustees warned Tuesday. The deteriorating financial picture for the program, which will start a new seniors drug benefit in 2006, provided fuel for an already-hot political debate in which both parties are courting graying Baby Boomers in this year's elections for control of the White House and Cong...

9/11 Panel: Talking Failed: ; Lacking 'Actionable' Intelligence to Strike Al-Qaida, Clinton, Bush Administrations Relied On Diplomacy

Killing bin Laden might not have stopped attacks, officials tell Sept. 11 commission WASHINGTON - Clinton and Bush administration officials engaged in lengthy, ultimately fruitless diplomatic efforts instead of military action to try to get Osama bin Laden before the Sept. 11 attacks, a federal panel said Tuesday. Top Bush officials countered that the terror attacks would have occurred even if the United States had killed the al-Qaida leader.

Inside

Rail security The Bush administration has neglected to protect railroads and mass-transit systems from a terrorist attack like the one that killed nearly 200 people in Madrid, senators said Tuesday.

11 Iraqi Police, Recruits Die in Attacks

Detainees released At Abu Ghraib prison on the outskirts of Baghdad, the U.S. military released 272 detainees who had been picked up in security sweeps. Two days earlier, 168 prisoners were released, said Lt. Col. Craig Essick of the 16th Military Police Brigade out of Fort Bragg, N.C. He estimated there were 5,500 to 6,000 security detainees at the prison and the average prisoner spends three to six months in jail. A military panel meets daily to review cases. BAGHDAD, Iraq - Gunmen opened f...

Parkersburg-Based 1092nd: ; Guard Unit Coming Home

Members of the West Virginia Army National Guard's 1092nd Engineer Company will soon make their return from the Middle East, guard officials said Tuesday. They have been stationed there for nearly a year.

A Look at Military Deaths in Iraq

As of Monday, 578 U.S. service members have died since the beginning of military operations in Iraq a year ago, according to the Department of Defense. Of those, 390 died as a result of hostile action and 188 died of non-hostile causes, the department said. The British military has reported 58 deaths; Italy, 17; Spain, eight; Bulgaria, five; Ukraine, three; Thailand, two; Denmark, Estonia and Poland have reported one each.

Israel Threatens to Kill the Entire Hamas Leadership: ; Hard-Liner Chosen As New Hamas Leader

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - Israel threatened to kill the entire leadership of the Islamic militant group Hamas after assassinating its founder and hinted Tuesday that Yasser Arafat could wind up on the hit list in the future. The accelerated strikes at Hamas are part of an attempt to score a decisive victory ahead of an Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. Israel does not want to be seen as being driven out of the strip by militants, who already are claiming victory.

Budget Spends Future Lotto Funds

philk@wvgazette.com In approving the 2004-05 budget Sunday, legislators are gambling that state video lottery will continue its hot hand through the end of June.

Remembering Judge Haden

Senators Want More Protection for Rail, Mass-Transit Systems

WASHINGTON - The Bush administration has neglected to protect railroads and mass transit systems from a terrorist attack like the one that killed nearly 200 people in Madrid, senators said Tuesday. Though the entire U.S. rail system can't be protected from terrorism, the government can start by securing the Amtrak tunnels under the U.S. Supreme Court and New York's Penn Station because of their vulnerability to a catastrophic attack, Sen. Joseph Biden told the Senate Commerce Committee.

No Child Changes Affect Only Pocahontas

Pocahontas County is the only West Virginia county that will be affected by revisions to the federal No Child Left Behind Act giving rural teachers three more years to show they are "highly qualified" in the subjects they teach. By 2006, states must require that all teachers are "highly qualified," meaning they possess a bachelor's degree in each subject they teach, have full state certification and prove knowledge of the subject.

Shepherd Students Want Clothes, Books From Closed Halls

SHEPHERDSTOWN - Shepherd College students who lived in two residence halls closed last week after asbestos was discovered want to know when they can reclaim their possessions. Most Shepherd students returned to their normal schedules Monday after their spring break, but the 254 students who roomed in Shaw and Thacher halls were locked out and forced to return their keys.

Pittsburgh Mother Charged with Illegal Gun Possession: ; 10-Year-Old Son Suspect in W.Va. Man's Shooting

PITTSBURGH - The mother of a 10-year-old boy who police say fatally shot a postal worker in an apparent accident nine months ago has been charged with illegally possessing a handgun. Latoya Burnette, 30, of Pittsburgh wasn't allowed to own the gun because she is a convicted felon, U.S. District Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan said Tuesday.

Prevnar Vaccine in Short Supply, Officials Say

Health officials are recommending that West Virginia children suspend the use of the third and fourth doses of the vaccine Prevnar because of a shortage of the drug. However, children with increased risk of severe disease, such as sickle cell anemia or immune system disorders, should continue to receive the full regimen of four doses.

Obituaries: ; Obit; Express Condolences Online at Wvgazette.Com

Eva Wiblin Barker Eva Wiblin Barker, 91, of Charleston, died at home March 22, 2004.

Putnam County Refuse Request for Low-Income Housing: ; Leaders Say Poor Management to Blame

cbroadwater@wvgazette.com WINFIELD - Putnam County commissioners say they don't want another set of mismanaged apartments in the county.

Woman Who Shunned Exercise, Milk Dies at 110

SEQUIM, Wash. - Eva Fridell, who became reportedly the oldest person in Washington state while shunning exercise and milk in favor of sweets, Irish coffee and an occasional beer, died Saturday. She was 110. Fridell died Saturday afternoon at home in this Olympic Peninsula town, relatives said. She would have turned 111 on May 28.

Npr Pulls the Plug On Host Bob Edwards at 'Morning Edition'

NEW YORK - National Public Radio has bounced Bob Edwards, host of "Morning Edition" since its inception in 1979, out of his job. The radio network announced Tuesday that Edwards, 56, will become senior correspondent of NPR News, with his reports being heard on various broadcasts, at the end of April.