Charleston Daily Mail

Sheriff, State Police Working Together

Both agencies report efforts to decrease response time, get closest officer to scene first The Kanawha County Sheriff's department and the West Virginia State Police say they're experiencing a new spirit of cooperation, where road patrol officers from both agencies work together to decrease response time and make certain the closest officer to a call gets there first.

State Betting On Better Earnings Rate

Bond sale assumes higher investment return The plan to sell $5.5 billion in bonds to cover West Virginia's unfunded pension liabilities is based on the premise that the state will earn a 7.5 percent return on the proceeds over the long term.

Daylight-Saving Time May Be Extended

House approves bill that would add two months to season WASHINGTON - When people go through the ritual of moving their clocks forward each spring ushering in daylight-saving time, they're also saving energy - the equivalent of thousands of barrels of oil, in fact.

Cell Phone Fee Could Become Highest in U.S.

Legislation now on Manchin's desk would cost users $3 per month West Virginia would have the highest wireless 911 service fee in the nation under a measure awaiting action by Gov. Joe Manchin.

Three Women Found Dead in Their Closets

PORT ARTHUR, Texas - Three elderly women were found dead in their closets this week in this southeast Texas town, authorities said. Two of the women were found Thursday in the same neighborhood. Police said they believe both were victims of foul play, but that it did not appear that the women had been shot or stabbed.

Man Convicted for Giving Son Beer, Letting Him Drive

AIKEN, S.C. - A man was convicted of manslaughter for giving beer to his 15-year-old son and letting him drive a truck that then crashed, killing the boy and his two brothers. Attorneys said Michael Batchelor, 37, will probably spend more than 30 years in prison for the 2002 wreck.

Study Says W.Va. Will Rank Last in Population Growth

The population of West Virginia is expected to grow more slowly than any other state in the nation between 1995 and 2025, according to a study released by the U.S. Census Bureau. West Virginia's population is predicted to increase by just 17,000 people between 1995 and 2025, from 1.828 million to 1.845 million.

Manchin Undecided On Judicial Raise Bill

Governor says he is waiting to see if bill compromises proposal to solve pension problems Pointing to a possible special legislative session in the fall, Gov. Joe Manchin said he wants pay raises for public employees, including judges, to be "consistent." "I have no clue," he said, about whether he would sign the separate judicial pay raise bill lawmakers recently approved.

Mine Shaft Explosion in Turkey Kills 17 Miners

ANKARA, Turkey - A gas explosion ripped through a coal mine in western Turkey, killing at least 17 miners who were trapped in a collapsed shaft, officials said. Rescue workers managed to enter the mine, about 20 miles from the town of Gediz in western Kutahya province, and retrieve the bodies, Cemil Akcapinar, an aide to the mayor of Gediz, told The Associated Press by telephone Thursday.

Senate to Take Its Own Tack On House Energy Bill

Bill embraces Bush's priorities, but is under fire from environmentalists WASHINGTON - For the fifth time in four years the House has approved a far-reaching energy bill. Unresolved is whether the Senate will be able to put together legislation that both chambers can embrace.

Woman Robs Stylist,: ; Pays for Haircut Elsewhere, Police Say

RICHLAND, Wash. - A woman apparently dissatisfied with a haircut robbed a hair salon, shot at her stylist's car, then used part of the money to pay for a trim at another shop, police said. Julie A. Anderson, 48, was booked for investigation of first- degree robbery and second-degree malicious mischief.

Jury to Decide Soldier's Fate

Panel to decide if man convicted of killing two officers should get the death penalty FORT BRAGG, N.C. - The same jury that took a mere 21/2 hours to convict a soldier of premeditated murder for killing two comrades in a grenade and rifle attack in Kuwait will reconvene Monday to decide whether he should be sent to death row.

Car Bomb Blast at Iraqi Mosque Kills 8

Group calling itself Islamic Army says it shot down helicopter that was carrying 11 people BAGHDAD, Iraq - A car bomb exploded today at a Shiite mosque in the capital, killing eight people and wounding 20, police said. A militant group claimed responsibility for shooting down a Russian- made helicopter carrying 11 civilians, including six Americans.

Weather, Almanac

Almanac Yesterday's high 74

Weather, Tonight

Tonight Showers with

Weather in the East

Akron 46 44 Snow Atlanta 77 60 PCldy

Weather Around the U.S.

Anchorage 45 39 Rain Baltimore 65 49 Rain

Nation & World

Spain trying men for alleged roles in attacks MADRID, Spain - Twenty-four Muslim men went on trial today as suspected members of an al-Qaida cell accused of using Spain as a staging ground to plot the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

Board Oks School Bus Driver Uniforms

Kanawha policy drew debate while cell phone issue passed easily Kanawha County school bus drivers will be easily recognized next year when they are required to wear uniforms.

S.C. Raising B&O Tax to Highest Level Allowed

City also doubles municipal garbage collection fee South Charleston is raising its business and occupation tax. Council approved the raise to help fund its new $16.4 million budget.