Charleston Gazette

Sago Mine Cited for Faulty Breathing Devices

kward@wvgazette.com Eight months after 11 miners suffocated following a methane explosion at the Sago Mine, International Coal Group sent at least six miners underground with broken emergency breathing devices, a state inspector has alleged.

Doctor Facing 110 Lawsuits has Hearing in Putnam Today

110 lawsuits has hearing in Putnam today cshumaker@wvgazette.com

Around the World

$100 Billion for Iraq in Works: ; Democrats Expected to Ask Questions but Back Most Requests

WASHINGTON - The Bush administration is working out its largest- ever appeal for more Iraq war funds - a record $100 billion, at least, and that figure reflects cuts from wish lists originally circulating around the Pentagon. The measure will give Democrats, who take control of Congress next year, an early chance to try changing the conduct of the war. But they are limited and do not want to be cast as unsympathetic to U.S. troops.

Small Herd of Elk Spotted in Logan: ; Dnr Biologist 'Suspicious' About Arrival

johnmccoy@wvgazette.com There's no question that at least one small herd of elk has taken up residence in the rugged hills of Boone and Logan counties. What puzzles wildlife officials is where the critters came from, and how they got there in the first place.

Saturday

Metro 911 System Unveils Upgrades

daveg@wvgazette.com Metro 911 today will unveil some new tools that will give emergency decision makers better information during a disaster.

Charges Against Clendenin Mayor Dismissed

aclevenger@wvgazette.com A Kanawha County magistrate dismissed the obstruction charges against Clendenin Mayor Bob Ore on Wednesday.

Mich. Man Nation's 3rd Hand Transplant Recipient

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - A Michigan man who lost his right hand in a work-related accident more than 30 years ago became the third successful hand transplant recipient in the United States, doctors said Thursday. David F. Savage was doing well the day after the surgery at Jewish Hospital in Louisville.

Web Site Targets 'Rats,' Agents: ; Authorities Worry Some May Be in Physical Danger

WASHINGTON - Police and prosecutors are worried that a Web site claiming to identify more than 4,000 informants and undercover agents will cripple investigations and hang targets on witnesses. The Web site, WhosaRat.com, first caught the attention of authorities after a Massachusetts man put it online and named a few dozen people as turncoats in 2004. Since then, it has grown into a clearinghouse for mug shots, court papers and rumors.

Fbi Agrees to Join Probe in Death of Poisoned Ex-Spy

LONDON - The FBI is joining the British probe into the poisoning death of a Kremlin critic, the agency announced Thursday as investigators found traces of radiation at a dozen sites in Britain and a former Russian prime minister reported symptoms consistent with poisoning. British authorities requested the involvement of the FBI, agency spokesman Richard Kolko said. FBI experts in weapons of mass destruction will assist with some of the scientific analysis, he said.

U.S. Military Deaths in Iraq Reach 2,885

As of Thursday, at least 2,885 members of the U.S. military have died since the beginning of the Iraq war in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count. The figure includes seven military civilians. At least 2,314 died as a result of hostile action, according to the military's numbers. The AP count is four more than the Defense Department's tally, last updated Thursday at 10 a.m.

Maliki's Snub Shows Rising Shiite-Sunni Tensions: ; Analysis

CAIRO, Egypt - Iraq's Shiite leader was firm, his aides say - he would not talk to President Bush with Jordan's Sunni king listening. That startling show of mistrust in a neighbor led to a cancellation of a meeting between the three leaders Wednesday night and sent a cold shiver across the Middle East on Thursday, raising fears of a regionwide Sunni-Shiite split that the United States might be powerless to control and Iran could benefit from.

Police Mark Meth Day with Arrests

daveg@wvgazette.com Three Kanawha County residents were arrested on Thursday as part of a special police detail to mark National Methamphetamine Awareness Day.

Drug, Gun Charges Lead Federal Indictments

tomsearls@wvgazette.com A federal grand jury indicted a Michigan man Wednesday on crack cocaine charges, while a Dunbar man was accused of having a gun after previously being convicted of a felony.

Kanawha to Cut Employee Levels

aclevenger@wvgazette.com Kanawha County commissioners voted Thursday to cut the number of county employees by two percent a year for the next five years.

Murder Trial in Fayetteville Resumes Today

FAYETTEVILLE - A defendant and a defense lawyer were too ill Thursday to continue the trial of a man accused of having his wife killed 20 years ago. Fayette County Circuit Judge John Hatcher said the trial will resume at 8:30 a.m. today.

Mcdowell Gets Interim Schools Chief

WELCH - A longtime McDowell County Schools employee has been named interim superintendent there. West Virginia School Superintendent Steve Paine announced Jeff Nash's appointment Thursday morning.

Huntington to Look at Mu Recommendations

Amallory@wvgazette.com HUNTINGTON - City officials soon will form a committee to look at implementing recommendations from a Marshall University study on how to improve city operations.

Obituaries: ; Obit

Beverly Jane Black Beverly Jane Pendleton Black, 52, of Pratt left us to be with our Lord on Nov. 30, 2006, after a long and courageous battle.