Charleston Gazette

Food Service Enters New Waters with Seafood Division

Many state chefs were left high and dry in November when Poseidon Seafood went belly up, leaving them without a source for quality, fresh fish. Wendling's Food Service on Monday launched PierFresh Premium Seafood, a new division of fresh fish and seafood products delivered through Baltimore-area suppliers Congressional Seafood and Baltimore Crab Co.

Largest Portion Would Go to Education Projects

West Virginia could get a $1.4 billion slice of the federal stimulus legislation now under debate before Congress, if the latest proposal reaches President Barack Obama. A group that tracks federal funding for states provided the estimate, drawn from the House version of the $825 billion stimulus package.

Economic Q&A: ; What Jobs Would the Stimulus Create?

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama says his $825 billion stimulus package will create or save 3 million to 4 million jobs. But what kind of jobs would they be? If it works as planned, the stimulus proposal would create thousands of construction jobs building and repairing roads, bridges and other infrastructure. But it also aims to boost employment in the manufacturing, information technology and energy sectors, among others.

In Local L Changing Landscape

In Sports L Ben & Co.

West Virginia Culture: ; the Wild & Wonderful Whites; Jesco 'the Dancing Outlaw' White Set to Star in New Documentary

Filmmaker Storm Taylor doesn't expect everyone to be glad that somebody else is doing a documentary about Jesco White and his family. The star of "The Dancing Outlaw" has an international cult following, both for his mountain dancing and for his often bizarre antics. Taylor says he's heard many times, "You're going to make West Virginia look bad."

The Read: ; Big-Name Businesses Announce Tens of Thousands of Layoffs

WASHINGTON - The recession is killing jobs at an alarming pace, with tens of thousands of new layoffs announced Monday by some of the biggest names in American business - Pfizer, Caterpillar and Home Depot. More pink slips, pay freezes and other hits are expected to slam workers in the months ahead as companies desperately look for ways to survive.

Sexual Misconduct by Ex-Youth Pastor Cited in Testimony

A former youth pastor at Chesapeake Apostolic Church lured a 16- year-old student into an empty house he was renovating and rubbed himself against her, the alleged victim testified in Kanawha Circuit Court Monday. The alleged victim, now 19, said Timothy Charles Edmonds, 37, told her not to tell anyone about the encounters or he might not be able to preach anymore.

Childhood Programs Cast As Economic Development

Early-childhood programs such as readily available day care and in-home help for parents shouldn't be seen merely as social initiatives but also as tools for economic growth, a new report argues. In the report released Monday, nonprofit think tank Imagine West Virginia advocates two new policies in those terms, although it leaves some key elements, such as costs, to be determined later.

Manchin has Until Friday to Fill Open Wvu Board Seat

Gov. Joe Manchin must decide by Friday who will replace Morgantown real-estate developer Parry Petroplus on the West Virginia University Board of Governors. Matt Turner, press secretary for Manchin, said the governor is weighing his options.

Mother Sues School Board Over Sex Case: ; Computer Technician at Capital High Had Relationship with Female Student, 15

The mother of a 15-year-old student who involved in a sexual relationship with a former Capital High School computer technician has filed a sexual-harassment lawsuit against the Kanawha County school board. In a suit filed Friday in Kanawha Circuit Court, the girl's mother, identified only by the initials "K.R.," alleges that the school board failed to protect her daughter from the sexual advances of Casey Casto, who worked as a computer technician and teacher's aide.

People: ; Changing the Landscape; Wvu Grad Takes Over Plant Nursery Group

Beth Loflin has been growing plants, and her resume, for years, leading to a new job as director of the West Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association. The organization has been growing as well. "I love plants, and the members of this group love plants," said Loflin, 47. "I find that plant people are, by nature, easy to work with and interested in the well-being of our communities."

Rohm & Haas Sues Dow Over Buyout Backout

NEW YORK - Dow Chemical said it will not close on its $15.4 billion buyout of Rohm & Haas Co. by this week's deadline, an announcement Monday that was followed almost immediately by a lawsuit from the specialty chemicals maker. The news sent shares of Rohm & Haas Co. tumbling 13.2 percent, or $8.72, to end at $57.10. Shares of Dow Chemical Co. fell 7.6 percent, or $1.09, to $13.24.

Teen Pleads Not Guilty to Impersonating Police

CHICAGO - A 14-year-old aspiring police officer who allegedly donned a uniform and managed to go on a real traffic patrol pleaded not guilty on Monday to impersonating an officer. The muscular teen, standing about 5-foot-3, appeared glum in juvenile court. Judge Andrew Berman ordered that the boy remain in custody for at least several more weeks because he could pose a danger to himself.

Police Briefs

Dropped mail leads police to robbery arrest HUNTINGTON - It wasn't hard for police to find a man accused of holding up a Huntington hot dog shop. He left his mail at the scene.

State Briefs

Winter storm warning issued for W.Va. counties A double whammy of snow and ice is heading for West Virginia.

Two More Sago Lawsuits Settled, Records Show

Families of two more workers who died in the Sago Mine disaster have settled lawsuits with International Coal Group, court records show. Lawyers for the estates of Fred Ware and Marty Bennett reached the settlements with ICG subsidiary Wolf Run Mining, according to documents filed in Kanawha Circuit Court.

Obituaries: ; Obit

Obituaries Today Ardell, Elizabeth Arthur, Harold R. Belcher, Paul G. Boggess, John E. Boley, Irvin D. Booth, Mary F. Bowman, Merlie A. Bragg, Wilmer Browning, Michael L. Coughlin, Masil G. Fisher, Isabell H. Florence, B. W. Gillespie, Jerusha J. Hubbard, Margaret J. Hughes, Garland E. Hughey, Lora J. Keeling, Kevin A. Jr. Kieth, Kathryn H. Leslie, Gladys L. Matherly, Anna M. Moore, Denver Parsons-Hendricks, Leslie B. Pochard, Donna J. Sloan, James E. Smith, Bryce C. Smith, Cecile L. Smith, M...

One Person Killed in Jackson Wreck

RIPLEY - One person was killed and several injured Monday evening in a wreck in Jackson County. The wreck happened about 6 p.m. on Elk Fork Road, said a Jackson County sheriff's dispatcher.

Blagojevich Proclaims His Innocence On Tv Talk Shows

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Gov. Rod Blagojevich's impeachment trial opened on Monday with a vacant chair reserved for the governor, who boycotted the proceedings and instead spent the day on the TV talk- show circuit in New York, complaining he is being railroaded. "The fix is in," Blagojevich declared on ABC's "Good Morning America."