Charleston Gazette

Coming Medicare Pay Cut Pushes Doctors to Protest

WASHINGTON - Steven Polansky, who has been an obstetrician and gynecologist in Sacramento, Calif., since 1977, said he couldn't afford a 10.6 percent pay cut from Congress. At 62, he said, he's working 60 stressful hours a week, making a little more than $200,000 a year. He remembers when he used to make a lot of money on surgery, but he figures he gets only $900 from Medicare for a hysterectomy these days.

Mccain, Obama Jab Over Tax Policy

TAX PLAN SMACKDOWN Read the candidates tax plans: www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/0B8E4DB8-5B0C-459F-97EA- D7B542A78235.htm www.barackobama.com/issues/economy/#tax-relief WASHINGTON - Sen. John McCain tried Monday to relaunch his campaign with a pledge to use broad-based tax cuts to revive the ailing economy - and a string of barbs contrasting his views with Sen. Barack Obama's.

Dealing Themselves In: ; Classes Train Dealers for Table Games

Staff writer James McWhorter came all the way from Wellston, Ohio, to learn how to be a poker dealer for Tri-State Racetrack & Gaming Center.

Pharma Ads Top $16m in 6 Months: ; Physicians Got Nearly 15,000 Gifts, Payments

Staff writer Prescription drug manufacturers spent more than $16 million on direct-to-consumer advertising in West Virginia from July through December 2007, a report released Monday by the state Pharmaceutical Cost Management Council shows. State officials believe that number may be too low.

Despite Clark's Violent History: ; System Failed to Keep Suspect Off the Streets

Staff writers A Charleston man accused of killing the mother of his 2-year-old son was charged at least 17 times in four years for often violent offenses tied to domestic battery, drugs, wanton endangerment, burglary and weapons.

In Sports L Bicycling Through France

Correction

Water Advisories

West Virginia American Water has extended a boil water advisory for customers living in the Tornado and Upper Falls areas of Kanawha County, including Greenview Road. Customers in those areas should boil their water for at least one full minute prior to use until further notice.

The Read: ; Cities, Haulers Fighting Back Against Curbside Poachers

SAN FRANCISCO - Every Wednesday night, Bruce Johnson dutifully puts his garbage and recycling on the curb for pickup, and every week he fumes as small trucks idle in front of his home and strangers dig through his bins stealing trash they aim to turn into treasure. Glass breaks, paper flies - the loot's gone hours before the waste company even arrives.

Fresh Crews, Cool Weather Aid Calif. Fire Battle

LOS ANGELES - Fresh firefighting crews were brought in Monday to help battle the huge wildfire charging through the coastal mountains of Santa Barbara County, one of more than 300 active blazes across California. Some evacuees started returning home to the area 100 miles northwest of Los Angeles.

City Stocks Up On Road Salt, Trash Bags

Staff writer In the first meeting of the city's new fiscal year, City Council members stocked up on supplies for the coming year.

$18 Million Higher Education Grant Awarded

Staff writer The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission will get an $18 million federal grant to help low-income kids attend college. The grant will go into effect this fall.

State Briefs

W.Va. seeks to expand GED participation MOUNDSVILLE - West Virginia is taking steps to boost the education of the roughly 25 percent of its adult population without a high school diploma.

Kanawha Board Names New Gw Principal

Staff Writer Melissa Ruddle earned the top spot at George Washington High School less than one month after former principal Nancy Alexander stepped down because her husband accepted a new job in Philadelphia.

St. Albans Fills Council Vacancy in 5-4 Vote

A new councilman was sworn in at the St. Albans City Council meeting Monday night. John Boles took the seat vacated by Danny Haught, who resigned because his job responsibilities made it difficult for him to attend meetings and represent his constituency.

Dunbar Adopts Plan to Monitor Stormwater

Dunbar adopted a new plan Monday night to monitor and test stormwater pollutants to comply with a federal government mandate. The council also delayed action on a resident's request to purchase a piece of abandoned city property.

40-Something Swimmer Shows 'What We Can Do'

CHICAGO - Dara Torres jokes that she had trouble reading the scoreboard after winning the first of two events at the Olympic swimming trials. Her eyes just might be the only part of her body showing some age.

Readers' Voice

* If the governor of Alaska, the senators of Alaska and the people of Alaska are for drilling in ANWR then they should have that choice. After all, it is their state. * I would like to know why the sheriff's office or the State Police won't do anything about the speeding coal trucks on Cabin Creek. There is going to be a bad accident and it is going to wipe families out.

Track Owner Plans Md. Land Purchase

CHESTER - The owner of West Virginia's Charles Town Races and Slots has secured an 18-month option to purchase 36 acres in Cecil County, Md., which may soon be authorized for slot machines. In November, Maryland will hold a statewide referendum to decide on 15,000 slot machines for certain areas, including Cecil County,

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