Charleston Gazette

Kanawha County: ; School Board Restricts Transfers; Students Can Move Once Between 8th and 9th Grades

New high school students who move out of their attendance area are still allowed a one-time transfer in Kanawha County before their ninth-grade year, school board members decided as they revised a county transfer policy Thursday. Students already are allowed to make such a move, but a slim majority of board members shot down an even more draconian policy, as Capital High Principal Clinton Giles called it, earlier in the evening.

The Gazette Watchdog: ; Treasurer Paid Now-Convicted Computer Whiz for Unusable Work

At about the same time Cross Lanes computer wizard Martin Bowling was stealing credit card names and numbers, he worked as a contractor with the West Virginia Treasurer's office. Bowling, former chief technical officer with Comar Inc., received $4,980 to develop a software program that the Treasurer's office was unable to use.

How Do You Blow Up a Building?: ; Very Carefully and with 216 Charges

When a lucky raffle winner pushes the button Saturday morning from the Los Agaves parking lot, the blast that will bring Union Carbide's old Building 82 to the ground will last no more than a dozen seconds. Preparations for this day began months ago, however, when workers from O'Rourke Wrecking Co. began the pre-demolition phase of the project, company spokesman Jeff Sizemore said.

It's Going to Be a Blast: ; at 8:56 A.M. Saturday, Building 82 Will Be Blown to Pieces

If you plan to watch the implosion of Union Carbide's old Building 82 on Saturday morning, you might take the advice of demolition contractor Jeff Sizemore: Stay at home, watch it on TV and avoid the dust and the crowds. "That's always my recommendation," said Sizemore, a spokesman for O'Rourke Wrecking Co. of Cincinnati. "If you watch it on TV, they'll play it over and over again. In person, you just see it one time."

Correction

Lottery: ; Lotteries

Thursday, March 26, 2009 West Virginia:

Letter Calls for Defeat of State Drug-Testing Bill

A letter circulating among West Virginia lawmakers signed by representatives of church, labor and health groups is calling for the defeat of a bill aimed at mandating drug tests for recipients of public assistance. The letter is signed by representatives of groups ranging from the state AFL-CIO to the West Virginia Catholic Conference and the Mental Health Consumers Association. They say the bill unfairly singles out people receiving government aid.

States Consider Drug Tests for Welfare Recipients

Want government assistance? Just say no to drugs. Lawmakers in at least eight states want recipients of food stamps, unemployment benefits or welfare to submit to random drug testing.

Kanawha Valley Emergency Guidelines Get Update

Guidelines for emergency responders in Kanawha and Putnam counties have been updated. The Kanawha-Putnam Emergency Planning Committee unanimously approved the new guidelines Wednesday.

School Numbers: Superintendents

Here is a list of assistant superintendents to contact when you have a problem or question concerning your school. Contact the assistant superintendent assigned to the school. * All high schools: Mark Milam, 304-347-7483 or 304-347-7484.

Doh Chief Backs Revamped Dui Hearings

West Virginia's motor vehicles chief says he believes allegations of abusive practices by his agency in drunken driving administrative cases. Evidence suggests Division of Motor Vehicles lawyers have violated the rights of those accused of DUI while seeking to revoke or suspend their licenses.

W.Va. House Republicans Decry Stalled Bills

Republicans in the House of Delegates are frustrated at what they say is a lack of attention to their agenda and are slamming Democrats for dragging their feet on key bills. Republicans at the Capitol on Thursday said a number of their bills, from tax cuts to nonpartisan judicial elections, have languished in committees while bills that would increase government spending are moving ahead.

Cafeteria in Capitol Needs New Operator

Guest Services, the Virginia company that has operated the state Capitol food court since it opened in January 2008, soon won't be running it, Department of Administration officials said Thursday. Administration spokeswoman Diane Holley confirmed Thursday that the state has agreed to allow Guest Services to terminate its contract, which would have extended through December 2010 with options to renew, as soon as a contract can be awarded to a new operator.

Resolution Honors Reporter Tom Searls

In Session

79th Legislature Day 45 Promise scholarship faces limits under bill

Obituaries: ; Obit

Obituaries Today Alberty, Clay R. Badgett, Ruby J. Brean, Dollie A. Brown, Donald L. Browning, Helen M. Clendenen, Nancy J. Cobb, Marlene L. Cook, Rev. Virgil C. Cooper, Richard A. Copley, Allie Dalrymple, Alma M. Dickens, Willis D. Sr. Dozier, Bertha A. Fleshman, Tilitha V. Foster, Shady M. Grose, Evelyn R. Keaton, Laura L. Legg, Ada E. Lipford, Rose M. Litton, Charles K. Manley, Earl G. McNurlen, Barbara E. Meadows, Ruby Means, Charles C. Milton, Freddie J. Mimms-Harris, Judy D. Mullins, Ja...

Fargo Flood Estimate Higher Than Sandbags

FARGO, N.D. - Bad news turned dire Thursday for residents scrambling in subfreezing temperatures to pile sandbags along the Red River: After they spent the day preparing for a record crest of 41 feet, forecasters added up to 2 feet to their estimate. The first estimate sparked urgency among thousands of volunteers in Fargo, but the second sparked doubts about whether a 43-foot- high wall of water could be stopped. Across the river in Moorhead, Minn., City Manager Michael Redlinger said portio...

Around the World

Amsterdam 48 39 Rain Athens 62 48 Rain

Todays Forecast Around the Country and Thursdays Temperatures to 8 P.M.

Anchorage 43 23 PCldy Atlanta 67 55 Rain

Civil War Weekend in Putnam County: ; Confederate Sub Makes Local Port Call; Css Hunley Replica On Display in Hurricane

HURRICANE - Visitors to the Putnam County Civil War Weekend can get a glimpse of one of the nation's oldest naval mysteries starting today. The H.L. Hunley Mobile Exhibit, starring a 5,000-pound Civil War submarine replica, will be on display at Valley Park in Hurricane today through Sunday.