Charleston Daily Mail

Capito Battles Lawyer Over Newspaper Ads

Some Mike Callaghan supporters have taken it upon themselves independently to lobby against the re-election of Republican Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito. One Pendleton County lawyer even bought a $185 ad in the weekly Pendleton Times newspaper urging residents to "Vote No!" on Capito, who faces Democratic challenger Callaghan for her 2nd District seat.

Old Will Complicates Eminent Domain Acquisition of Land by Military

RAVENSWOOD - A will more than 70 years old could cloud the acquisition of a 350-acre tract of land in Jackson County that officials hope to use to build a military readiness and training facility. County officials expect to invoke eminent domain to acquire the land for $1.25 million to construct a facility that would consolidate U.S. Army Reserve centers in Huntington and Ripley, and the National Guard Armory in Spencer.

Release of Aracoma Report Blasted.: ; Sprouse, Blankenship Complain Administration Is Playing Politics

Moving up the public release of the government's report on the fatal Aracoma mine accident to less than a week before Election Day is a flagrant political ploy, Senate Minority Leader Vic Sprouse, R- Kanawha, said today. The Office of Miners' Health and Safety disclosed Tuesday that it plans to release the report Thursday.

'I'm Not Quitting'

A proposal by state officials to hike cigarette taxes to as much as $1 per pack has some smokers looking for creative alternatives. Sonny Crowder of Walton, a state worker taking a smoke break Tuesday at the Capitol, said he will start bumming more cigarettes off his friends.

Plan Doubles Senior Income Tax Credit

Senior agencies in the state are lauding a new plan that would cut the taxes seniors have to pay, but they're warning that misinformation could result in people shelling out more money than they should. "People are calling it an increase in the homestead exemption, and that's not technically what it is," said Ginger Thompson McDaniel, associate director of the West Virginia chapter of the American Association of Retired Persons. "It's probably one of the more important parts of the tax reform...

Retired Judge to Fill in for Spaulding During Recovery

A retired judge has been selected to fill in while Putnam Circuit Judge O.C. Spaulding recovers from recent heart bypass surgery. Judge James O. Holliday will be filling in for Spaulding, who is expected to be off for about six weeks following surgery, according to court staff.

Development Company Suing Nitro

The city of Nitro is being sued over payments to the developer of Nitro Marketplace shopping center. In a lawsuit filed Oct. 19 in Kanawha Circuit Court, THF Nitro Development LLC, the legal successor of the company that developed the almost 200-acre site in the 1990s, alleges that the city has failed to make payments required in the development agreement.

Victim of Mining Accident Identified As Oceana Man

MORGANTOWN - The United Mine Workers say West Virginia's latest coal mining victim is one of its own. Bret Gibson, 31, of Oceana died Monday at Bluestone Coal's Double Bonus No. 65 Mine in southern West Virginia, the 43rd coal miner killed nationwide on the job so far this year, UMW President Cecil Roberts said Tuesday. Gibson was a member of Local 6196.

Putnam Canine Unit Reviewed After Audit Forces Back Pay

The Putnam County Commission will review the cost-effectiveness of the county's canine law enforcement unit after it was forced to pay officers more than $28,000 in back pay and benefits for caring for police dogs during off-duty hours. "I would like an accounting of what four canines cost the county and how much that limits the officers," Commission President Jim Caruthers said late Tuesday.

At Least 10 Shot During Street Party

SAN FRANCISCO - Gunfire broke out between two groups at a massive Halloween street party in the city's Castro district, wounding at least 10 people, including innocent bystanders, police said today. The shooting began around 10:40 p.m. Tuesday as authorities were dispersing thousands of revelers under a curfew aimed at controlling the traditionally raucous party.

White House Official Says Kerry Should Apologize

WASHINGTON - The White House pressed Sen. John Kerry today to apologize for a comment Republicans say was disrespectful of U.S. fighting forces in Iraq, saying he "put gasoline on the fire" of an already sizzling midterm election campaign. "Sen. Kerry may have botched the line, but what he said was insulting to the troops, and what he ought to say is, 'Look, I botched the line, but I'm sorry for giving offense,'" press secretary Tony Snow said on CBS's "The Early Show."

George Washington University, Student Settle Mental Health Suit

WASHINGTON - A former student who was barred from the campus of George Washington University and threatened with expulsion after checking into a hospital with depression has settled a lawsuit with the college, both sides announced. The school told Jordan Nott his 2004 hospitalization violated the school's code of conduct because it demonstrated dangerous behavior. He said he hadn't tried to kill himself before the hospitalization, but had been thinking about it because of the suicide of anoth...

Badgering Blogger Brought Down

* Va. senator's staffers wrestle heckler to ground after pointed questioning RICHMOND, Va. - A campaign appearance by Sen. George Allen turned physical when a liberal blogger was wrestled to the ground after heckling the senator about his divorce and court records.

Fifth Firefighter Dies From Wildfire

* Man arrested as suspect in June arson fires also a person of interest in last week's blaze BEAUMONT, Calif. - A man who is being described as a person of interest in last week's deadly wildfire was arrested in connection with two arson wildfires this summer - just hours before a fifth firefighter who battled the latest blaze succumbed to his injuries.

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Tonight Periods of showers. Low around 39.

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Hi Lo Otlk Akron 45 27 PCldy

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Hi Lo Otlk Anchorage 27 15 Clr

Nation &World

N.Y. eyes listing calories on some restaurant menus

Free Hunter Education Class Offered in Cross Lanes School

A hunters' education class will be at Andrew Jackson Middle School in Cross Lanes next week. The classes, held Nov. 6, 8 and 9, are from 6 to 9:30 p.m. All ages are welcome.

Worker Pleads Guilty: ; in Oxycontin Theft

A Charleston pharmacy worker faces up to four years in prison and a $250,000 fine after pleading guilty in federal court to stealing hundreds of painkillers with the intent to sell them. Helen C. Boswell, 37, admitted she stole three 100-pill bottles of the powerful painkiller oxycodone, including the brand name drug OxyContin, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of West Virginia on Tuesday.