Charleston Gazette

Sago Hearings Begin Today: ; Chairman Pledges Families of Victims Will Have Their Say

35-year-old report shows MSHA seal guidelines too weak for Sago blast, 6A kward@wvgazette.com

Social Security, Medicare Take Hit: ; Both Trust Funds May Be Depleted by Year 2040

WASHINGTON - The trustees for the government's two biggest benefit programs said Monday that the trust fund for Social Security will be depleted in 2040, a year earlier than expected, while Medicare will exhaust its trust fund just 12 years from now. The annual report showed deterioration in the financial condition of both programs although the problems in Medicare were depicted as far more serious because of the skyrocketing costs for health care.

Injunction Will Keep Teacher Plans Separate

aclevenger@wvgazette.com A Kanawha Circuit Judge put a temporary stop Monday to the state's plan to merge the two teachers' retirement plans into one fund.

Send-a-Child-to-Camp Fund: ; Arts Camp Fosters Kids' Creative Spirit

flipside@wvgazette.com Jordan Holmes can't wait to return to the Charleston Stage Company Summer Arts Camp in July. The 10-year-old has attended the camp for the past two years, and his participation in it helped launch an acting career that already includes more than half a dozen shows with Children's Theater of Charleston and the Kanawha Players.

Five Survive Being Thrown From Truck: ; Veteran Officer Calls Survival 'Miracle'

tomsearls@wvgazette.com Investigators believe a blown rear tire may have caused a Ford Ranger pickup to crash Monday morning on Interstate 64 in Charleston, spilling people across the highway but causing no deaths.

W.Va. Immigrant Workers Skip Boycott

Nationwide boycott, 1A morris@wvgazette.com

News Briefs

Iraqi Shiites rally for increased protection BAGHDAD, Iraq - About 200 Shiites, many of them women in full- length black overgarments, rallied Monday outside the Green Zone to demand that U.S. and Iraqi forces do more to stop attacks on Iraqis.

Callaghan Claims to Hold Edge Over Opponents

Facts about Mike Callaghan, Democratic candidate for Congress, 2nd District: Age: 43

Msha Seal Rules Too Weak for Sago

Questions persist as Sago hearing looms, 1A kward@wvgazette.com

Police Briefs

Princeton man dies in Monday collision PRINCETON - A Mercer County man died Monday following a crash on Princeton's Main Street.

Murder Defendant's Alibi Verifiable, Lawyer Says

susanwilliams@wvgazette.com FAYETTEVILLE - A man accused of killing his wife 20 years ago was at home with his son and mother watching television, his lawyer told a judge Monday.

Pediatrician Accused of Sex Misconduct Sues

WELCH - A pediatrician whose medical license was restricted because of sexual misconduct allegations is suing to regain his privileges to practice at Welch Community Hospital. Dr. Rahmet Muzaffer filed a lawsuit recently in Kanawha County Circuit Court against hospital officials and John Bianconi, acting commissioner for the West Virginia Bureau for Behavioral Health and Health Facilities.

Ex-Alabama Governor's Trial Begins

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The political corruption trial of former Gov. Don Siegelman opened Monday with prosecutors saying he schemed with his chief of staff to get bribes for state help, including an influential board seat for then-HealthSouth CEO Richard Scrushy. Siegelman's defense said the federal case was built on the lies of unbelievable witnesses who have pleaded guilty in the inquiry and are hoping for lenient sentences. Scrushy's attorneys told jurors that he served on the state Certificat...

Defense Witness Refuses to Testify in Murder Trial

A defense witness in a murder trial refused to testify in Kanawha Circuit Court on Monday, causing the defense to release him from his subpoena. Andre Williamson, 18, had been scheduled to testify in the trial of Quentin Jamal Smith. Smith, 23, is accused of shooting 61-year- old cab driver Loyd Lanham in the back of the head while riding in the back of Lanham's taxi in 2003.

Mccabe Defends 911-Fee Vote

philk@wvgazette.com During a candidate debate Monday, Sen. Brooks McCabe, D-Kanawha, defended his 2005 vote for a bill that doubled 911 cell phone fees, saying he felt compelled to vote for the measure after successfully amending it to lessen its impact on Kanawha County.

St. Albans to Take Up Budget for Utility Commission May 15

St. Albans Mayor Greg Jones hopes to bring the city's Municipal Utility Commission's budget out of limbo and into effect when City Council convenes again May 15. He scheduled a working session before the meeting at 6 p.m. to discuss the issue prior to the meeting.

Aclu Fights Ky. Funeral Protest Law

FRANKFORT, Ky. - Portions of a new Kentucky law intended to prevent protesters from disrupting funerals for soldiers killed in Iraq are unconstitutional, the American Civil Liberties Union said in a federal lawsuit filed Monday. The ACLU argues that sections of the law go too far in limiting freedom of speech and expression.

Correction

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