Charleston Gazette

Stimulus Money Bypassing Bridges Most in Need of Repairs

The AP researched each bridge using the latest inspection data available from the Transportation Department. This analysis found that: * Many states did not make bridge work a priority in stimulus spending. More than half plan work on fewer than two dozen bridges and 18 states plan fewer than 10 projects. * In 24 states, at least half of the bridges being worked on with stimulus money were not deficient. * In 15 states, at least two-thirds of the bridges receiving stimulus money are not defic...

The 'Beer Summit': ; 'Obama Hopes Cold Ones Cool Down Race Debate

WASHINGTON - With mugs of beer and calming words, President Obama and the professor and policeman engulfed in a national uproar over race pledged Thursday to move on and try to pull the country with them. There was no acrimony - nor apology - from any of the three: black Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr., white Cambridge, Mass., police Sgt. James Crowley, who had arrested him for disorderly conduct, and Obama, who declared on national TV that the police had "acted stupidly." Neither Gat...

The Economy: ; More Tents Pitched at in-State Campsites; Officials Believe Recession has Changed Travel

More people are pitching tents at state campgrounds this year, and a state official said the increase is probably because of the economic downturn. "[It's] the dreaded 'staycation' word," said Clisby Jennelle, business manager for West Virginia State Parks.

Business: ; Deadline Looms for Greenbrier Marketing; Resort Could Owe $7.5 Million for Break-Up Fee

The Greenbrier resort's new owner has until midnight today to reach a marketing deal with Marriott International, or he'll have to pay the hotel chain a $7.5 million break-up fee. Justice said this week that both sides are optimistic about finalizing a deal.

In Focus L Long Distance

House Passes Food-Safety Bill

WASHINGTON - The House passed a far-reaching food-safety bill Thursday in the wake of the recent outbreak of salmonella in peanuts that killed at least nine people. The legislation would require more government inspections and oversight of food manufacturers and give the Food and Drug Administration new authority to order recalls. It also would require the FDA to develop a system for better tracing food-borne illnesses, and the government could impose new penalties on those who violate the la...

Readers' Voice

* I live in Ripley and I get The Charleston Gazette and on the obituaries I would like to see them put the name of the town these people live in. I know people from Charleston and I would like to see the name of the town the people live in. * I see where Bennigan's closed again. No wonder because the service was bad and the menu was awful. If they open back up, they definitely need a change of menu.

Correction

Lottery: ; Lotteries

Thursday, July 30, 2009 West Virginia:

'Rent' Is an Energetic Night Out: ; Review

Beginning at 8 p.m. tonight at the Civic Center Little Theater, the Charleston Light Opera Guild presents the five-time Tony Award- winning rock musical "Rent" - a story of life, hardship, friendship and love of all kinds. The story follows a group of down-and-out artistic types living in New York City during the AIDS epidemic. You see their lives over a year as they deal with the unfortunately still relevant social issues of discrimination, homosexuality, multiculturalism, poverty and health...

Scientists to Sniff Outer-Space Undies

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Astronaut Koichi Wakata is returning to Earth with underwear he kept on for a solid month during his space station stay, and scientists will check them out. They're experimental high-tech undies, designed in Japan to be odor free.

Victim-Assistance Training Nears Conclusion

After a week of training and education, the 49 members of the first class at West Virginia's State Victim Assistance Academy are poised to take their newfound wisdom back to their own communities. One goal of the program is to bring consistency and continuity to the services provided to crime victims across the state, said Larry Nelson, project coordinator for the academy.

Man Claims Rodent Was in Soda Can

ORMOND BEACH, Fla. - The FDA is testing a Diet Pepsi can that a Florida man claims had a dead rodent inside. Fred Denegri of Ormond Beach took a few sips from the can on July 23, only later to discover what was inside. Pepsi officials said Wednesday they traced the can back to the manufacturing plant in Orlando and didn't find anything wrong with the company's quality controls and soda sampling. Spokesman Jeff Dahncke said it's unlikely that something like this could happen during production.

State Briefs

Lawmaker readies protest of Turnpike toll hikes A West Virginia legislator is sticking with his pledge to picket the West Virginia Turnpike when its tolls increase this weekend.

Too Much Coal Being Mined, Consol Ceo Says

The chief executive of mine operator Consol Energy said Thursday that rival producers are contributing to a glut of coal on the market by building stockpiles despite dropping demand for electricity. Power plants have enough coal on hand to operate for about 45 days, up from about 25 days a year ago, but some have up to 80 days worth of supply, Brett Harvey said during a conference call to discuss second-quarter earnings with securities analysts.

Hurricane Couples Sue Over Alleged Tainted Gas

WINFIELD - Two Hurricane couples have sued a local gas station owner for allegedly selling diluted gas. Bruce and Pam Myatt, and David and Kim Maxson filed a complaint against Achraf Assi, the owner of a Texaco gas station in Hurricane, in June in Putnam County Magistrate Court for allegedly selling gas tainted with water.

Obituaries: ; Obit

Obituaries Today Bays, Ruth A. Bennett, Mary A. Boytek, Jennie C. Elliott, Rena H. Fruit, Joseph M. Fullen, E. C. Gray, Mark A. Hammack, Emma R. Hicks, Joseph W. Irving, Willard Kniceley, Warren C. Lawson, Garnette M. Lester, Harold E. Lewis, Oliver Martin, Branty H. Nichols, Carl E. Rice, George Jr. Stricklen, Sandra N. Tallman, Kenneth Vealey, Janice L. Weaver, Mildred F. Ruth Ann Bays

Pratt Utilities May Be Left to Fate

Kanawha County officials appear to be through bailing out Pratt's failing water and sewer systems. On Wednesday, members of the Kanawha County Regional Development Authority voted not to loan Pratt officials $100,000 to start making repairs to the ailing sewer system. In February, county officials offered the bailout to help fix problems with the sewers that were allowing raw sewage to escape into the environment.

House Democrats Push Ahead with Compromise Health Bill

WASHINGTON - House Democrats pushed ahead with a compromise health overhaul Thursday over liberals' complaints, intent on achieving tangible - if modest - success on President Obama's top domestic priority ahead of a monthlong summer recess. "We've got to pass the bill. Not only do we have to, but we're going to," said Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, the last of three House committees to act on the sweeping legislation.

Missing Man Found in Creek

Emergency searchers on Thursday morning found a Paint Creek man who had been missing since overnight. Clell David McCarty, 56, was last seen walking in the woods Wednesday. Deputies were called in Wednesday night after McCarty didn't return home after going out to walk, according to the Kanawha County Sheriff's Department.