Charleston Gazette

Higher Penalties Sought for Worst Duis

philk@wvgazette.com A workgroup studying state drunken-driving laws is looking at tougher penalties for drivers with high blood alcohol levels, but shorter jail terms and license revocations for other first-time offenders, group members told a legislative interim committee Monday.

What the Heck Happened to Fall?: ; October Records Fall As Temps Rise Into the 90s

90-plus days in 2007 Aug. 21 Sept. 10 June 10 July 6 Oct. 5 May 2 Source: National Weather Service

School Board Considers Book Ban: ; Nitro High Pulled 'Prince of; Tides,' Other Conroy Work

davinwhite@wvgazette.com Kanawha school board members Bill Raglin and Pete Thaw argued Monday against teaching two Pat Conroy books at Nitro High School. The books were suspended after some parents complained, prompting a student protest Friday and heated debate on both sides.

Jail Report Energizes Churches: ; Local-Sentencing Backers: With $5m, State Could Avoid Building Prison

philk@wvgazette.com Investing an additional $5 million a year in community corrections programs could allow West Virginia to avoid having to build a new 1,200-bed prison, which could cost as much as $200 million, Dennis Sparks, director of the West Virginia Council of Churches, said Monday.

W.Va. Gas Prices Fall 9 Cents From Last Month

West Virginians are paying 9 cents less for a gallon of gasoline, on average, than they were in September, according to AAA's latest numbers. The auto club says its survey shows the current statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is about $2.81, compared to $2.90 last month.

Anti-Hate Event Set for City Park

Charleston's annual Stop the Hate - Start the Healing observance will take place Thursday in Davis Park starting at 5:30 p.m. The hourlong celebration will include music by the Mountain Stage Band and VooDoo Katz. The event is sponsored by the West Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy with support from the city of Charleston.

Local Teamsters Chief Shepherded Ups Deal

pjnyden@wvgazette.com UPS Freight workers in Indianapolis voted 107-1 on Sunday to ratify their first contract with the Teamsters union after more than 50 years of organizing efforts.

Psc Sets Power-Line Public Hearings

kward@wvgazette.com The state Public Service Commission has scheduled four public comment hearings on the West Virginia portion of a 240-mile power line proposed to run from Pennsylvania across north-central West Virginia and into northern Virginia.

Dog Track to Hold Job Fair

Tri-State Racetrack & Gaming Center is hosting a job fair from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Charleston Civic Center. The career fair is being held in conjunction with a fair hosted by Charleston Newspapers.

Edwards Shrugs Off Clinton's Lead

CORYDON, Iowa - Democrat John Edwards tried to make light of Hillary Rodham Clinton's big lead in national polls Monday, saying that four years ago it looked as if Howard Dean might run away with the nomination. Edwards, campaigning in the state that will hold leadoff caucuses in January, said his organization is much stronger than at this point in 2004 when he eventually won a surprise second-place finish.

Capehart Sworn in As President of West Liberty State College

WEST LIBERTY - Former gubernatorial candidate Rob Capehart has started his tenure as West Liberty State College's 33rd president. Capehart said his administration will focus on building a strong faculty, providing students with "real life" experiences and producing graduates who possess critical thinking skills.

Readers' Voice

* I can't believe that the powers that be in Charleston have decided that people can't smoke at Yeager Airport, especially in the bar and places that are designated for smokers. They can put up exhaust fans. Do smokers not have any representation anywhere? * Please explain to me why a Christian should not attend NASCAR events. How is NASCAR any different than any other sporting event? Maybe you should get your own house in order and stop judging others.

Bulletin Board

Aep to Pay $4.6 Billion for Pollution: ; Power Producer Must Reduce Emissions, Pay Costs to Repair Damage

Acid damage Such landmarks as the Statue of Liberty and the Adirondacks mountain range in upstate New York have been irreparably damaged by acid rain, environmentalists say. WASHINGTON - One of the nation's largest power generators has agreed to end a years-long federal lawsuit by paying $4.6 billion to reduce pollution that has eaten away at Northeast mountain ranges and national landmarks, The Associated Press has learned.

National Briefs

Deer kills Georgia man, keeper of exotic animals BALL GROUND, Ga. - A man who kept exotic animals on his property was killed when a red deer gored him several times in the upper body with its antlers, authorities said.

Obituaries: ; Obit

Kennith Rexal Adkins Kennith Rexal Adkins, 42, of Alkol died Oct. 8, 2007. Service will be 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11, at Koontz Funeral Home, Hamlin. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday. Burial will be in Adkins Cemetery, Alkol.

Man Charged with Sexual Abuse

A St. Albans man was charged Monday with three counts of sexual abuse in the third-degree for allegedly having sexual relations with a 14-year-old girl. Allen Lee Thompson, 47, was being held in the South Central Regional Jail late Monday, also charged with a single count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, said Trooper L.W. Price with the West Virginia State Police's South Charleston detachment.

Wvu Law, Business Schools Honored

So West Virginia University can party, but students surveyed say the school also offers a solid business and legal education. WVU's law and business schools were named to the Princeton Review's list of top colleges.

Water Advisory Lifted

On Strike: ; Nurses Bring Complaints to Capitol

ericeyre@wvgazette.com Amid the rattle of cowbells and chants of "We are... union," more than 70 striking nurses from hospitals in Beckley and Summers County took to the state Capitol steps in Charleston on Monday and demanded better working conditions.