Charleston Daily Mail

S.C. Reports $610,141 Operating Loss

The city of South Charleston spent $610,141 more than it took in last year and, at that pace - if nothing changed - could fall into red ink in less than three years. The city has been known for a robust financial condition that has allowed it to provide services such as twice-a-week garbage pickup. While other towns have struggled, South Charleston maintained an industrial base and a retail center to boost its budget.

Distribution of Federal Security Grants at Issue

The state has given out more than $5.8 million in federal homeland security grants it had been holding on to for more than a year, and Kanawha County got the largest amount of money by far - almost $600,0000 - to help fight terrorism and prepare for other disasters. But some cities and counties that also have been vying for a share of the money for more than two years are unhappy with the way funds were finally divided.

Hoover Student Dies in Crash

A Herbert Hoover High School junior died late Thursday while driving to his Elkview home from a part-time job at Crossing Mall. Family members discovered the crash site at 12:20 a.m. today after they became concerned when he didn't return home from work at Kmart, police said.

Town Sticks with Rural Tradition

ARNOLDSBURG - The sweet scent of thick molasses drifts through the fall air in this Calhoun County town. Residents are preparing the rural delicacy as part of the 39th annual West Virginia Molasses Festival, which began Tuesday and continues through Saturday.

Ethics Issue at Heart of Effort to Topple Mollohan

MORGANTOWN - Nine college-age guys stood silently Thursday morning across the street from the office of Rep. Alan Mollohan, D- W.Va., holding signs that read "Be My Cellmate" and "Man of Steal." They were trying to bring attention to allegations that the Democratic incumbent used his congressional power to get rich and reward friends. But few people were listening. "We just want some answers," says Tommy Phillips, 25, who helped organize the flaccid protest.

Study Finds Tall Women More Likely to Have Twins

A Long Island, N.Y., researcher specializing in multiple births has concluded that taller women are more likely to have twins. The cause may be insulin-like growth factor, a protein released by the liver. Taller women have more of this growth factor.

Kanawha Deputy Faces Dui Charge After Crash

POCA - A Kanawha County deputy faces drunken driving charges after he crashed his car into a neighbor's house. Deputy Chadwick Jones, 34, has been placed on paid administrative leave pending completion of an internal investigation, Kanawha County Sheriff Mike Rutherford said.

Teens Indicted in Slaying in Downtown Parking Garage

A Kanawha County grand jury has indicted three juveniles for the murder of a South Charleston man in a downtown parking garage last summer. William James Bumpus, 16, of Charleston, Ronald D. Hambleton, 15, of Charleston, and Daniel W. Botkin, 16, of St. Albans, were indicted Thursday for murder and attempted first-degree robbery.

Wastewater Partnership in Works, County May Work with Water Company to Improve Service

West Virginia American Water Co. wants to get in the wastewater business with the Kanawha County Commission, company officials say. The commission agreed unanimously Thursday to seek a partnership with the company to fund wastewater facilities across the county.

Warrantless Domestic Wiretap Bill Ok'd by House

WASHINGTON - The House voted to rewrite the nation's domestic wiretap laws, giving President Bush new power to monitor the e-mail and phone records of U.S. citizens during terrorism investigations without having to obtain court approval. But lawmakers were unlikely to deliver final legislation to the White House before leaving this weekend for the election campaign, a setback for the administration, which has made national security a pillar of its strategy to maintain Republican control of Co...

Union, Volkswagen Agree to Increase Work Week Without Raising Wages

HANOVER, Germany - Representatives from Volkswagen AG and Germany's biggest industrial union said today they had agreed to increase working hours at plants in western Germany by more than four hours a week to 33 hours without any increase in pay. The agreement between VW and the IG Metall union fell short of the 35-hour week sought by the carmaker as part of efforts to drastically cut production costs for its vehicles such as its flagship Golf, which are selling strongly but bringing in littl...

2 Priests Accused of Stealing Millions

DELRAY BEACH, Fla. - Two Roman Catholic priests stole millions in offerings and gifts made to their parish over several years, authorities said. Monsignor John Skehan, who was pastor at St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church for four decades, was arrested Wednesday night. Prosecutors say he and the Rev. Francis Guinan stole a total of $8.6 million from the church, using the money to buy property, vacations and other assets, investigators said.

Weather, Almanac

Almanac Yesterday's high 63

Weather,: ; Forecasts

Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 43.

National Weather,: ; Temps

Hi Lo Otlk Akron 58 40 Rain

Weather,: ; Temps

Hi Lo Otlk Anchorage 47 34 Clr

Nation & World

Brother-in-law of new Saddam judge killed BAGHDAD, Iraq - The brother-in-law of the new judge presiding over Saddam Hussein's genocide trial was killed and his nephew was wounded in a shooting today in Baghdad, police said.

Survival of Texas Toddler Called a Miracle, Boy Missing for Three Days Was Found a Mile From His Home

ALVARADO, Texas - For three days, 21/2-year-old Kevin Brown's chubby bare feet took him through acres of rugged pastures of grass taller than his head and around ponds where bobcats and coyotes roam. He probably slept and hid under thick bushes in some woods, frightened from a thunderstorm and the noise of rescue helicopters and searchers on foot, horseback and all-terrain vehicles.

Suspect in Fla. Deputy Slaying Killed

LAKELAND, Fla. - A man suspected of fatally shooting a Polk County sheriff's deputy was killed today, officials said. SWAT team members shot the man numerous times after finding him in thick brush, just 100 yards away from where Deputy Vernon Matthew Williams was killed in a burst of gunfire a day earlier, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said.

Denny's Discriminated Against Workers, Suit Says

BALTIMORE - The federal government sued Denny's restaurants, alleging that a manager who had a leg amputated was wrongly fired because her superiors believed she posed a safety risk. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed the class- action lawsuit Thursday accusing Denny's of discriminating against Paula Hart and other unnamed employees.