Charleston Daily Mail

There's Another Jones Boy in Town, Mayor, Wife Welcome Second Child, Named for Loved Ones

A new mayoral term has brought a new baby boy for Charleston Mayor Danny Jones. Andrew Laurance Jones was born at Women's and Children's Hospital at 1:30 p.m. Thursday. The baby weighed in at 7 pounds, 9 ounces and was 20 1/2 inches in length.

Longtime Mailman Makes Final Rounds, 41-Year Postal Worker Gets Rousing Farewell On Last Day Before He Retires

When Richard "The Mailman" McElhaney walked into the Kanawha County Judicial Annex for the last time, he had no idea the reaction he was going to receive. From his first step inside Thursday morning, he was greeted with smiles and encouraging sentiments from every last employee.

Principals Say Drug Dogs Needed, Some Administrators Agree with Board Members

Drug dogs have already been through St. Albans High School twice this year. They have searched Riverside at least twice.

Retirees' Pensions Won't Be Posted, State Auditor's Office Does Not Have Access to Necessary Information

Despite the recent trend of posting government employees' salaries online, officials say they have no intentions to do the same for retirees who rely on state resources for benefits. "There have been no plans discussed by the Consolidated Public Retirement Board on posting retiree payments online," said Diane Holley, spokeswoman for the Department of Administration, which oversees the retirement board.

Morris Day to Headline Regatta Opening Night

Morris Day and the Time, famous for 80s hits such as "Jungle Love," will headline opening night at the Charleston Regatta this year, the Regatta commission announced today. The group recently made a high profile appearance at The Grammys, performing their signature hit and then collaborating with current R&B sensation Rihanna on her hit "Umbrella."

Chelsea Celebrates Birthday at Bridge Road Bistro

Chelsea Clinton ate at a local restaurant on her 28th birthday, the restaurant's general manager said. The daughter of former President Bill Clinton and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton dined on vegetarian fare Wednesday at Charleston's Bridge Road Bistro during a campaign swing through the area.

Man Admits to Giving Dogs Razor Blades

A Charleston man accused of baiting his neighbor's four dogs to swallow razor blades pleaded guilty to felony animal cruelty. John F. Hively faces one to three years in prison. Kanawha County Circuit Court Judge Duke Bloom scheduled sentencing for April 3.

Sponsor Hopes to Get Herd Car Onto Track

With its engine's roar resonating off the state Capitol, Gov. Joe Manchin unveiled the No. 75 Marshall University stock car Thursday, the latest school to lend its name to marketing efforts in NASCAR. "Is it my turn now?" Manchin said after Brett Rowe, who will drive the Dodge Charger for Herd Racing LLC, exited the cockpit.

China Says It Can Control Weather for Olympics

BEIJING - As they prepare to host the Olympics - an event whose very purpose is to push the limits of human beings - the Chinese are trying to do what man never has: Control the weather. With five months to go before the Summer Games come to Beijing, Chinese scientists say they are confident they can keep rain away from the opening ceremony, or summon a storm on cue to clear the city's choking pollution.

Baby Girl Abandoned in N.Y. Taxi

NEW YORK - As a baby girl nicknamed "Lourdes" clung tightly to a nurse, officials at a Queens hospital and police pleaded for relatives to reclaim the child, who was abandoned in the back seat of a livery cab. A male in his 20s hailed Klever Sailenmar's Tel-A-Cab livery cab in Queens Thursday morning, police said, entered the cab with the baby and instructed the 45-year old Ecuadoran driver to take them to Manhattan. Twenty blocks into the journey, Sailenmar was told to pull over so the passe...

Millions of Ford Recalls Still Unfixed,: ; Faulty Wiring System Could Cause Engine Fire

WASHINGTON - The government warned owners of about 4.6 million recalled Ford vehicles to bring their cars and trucks immediately to dealerships to disconnect cruise control switch systems that have been linked to engine fires. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued the consumer advisory to owners of certain unrepaired Ford, Lincoln and Mercury sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, vans and passenger cars who have not yet responded to past recalls.

Weather, Almanac

Almanac Yesterday's high 32

Weather,: ; Temps

Hi Lo Otlk Akron 29 22 Snow

Weather,: ; Temps

Hi Lo Otlk Anchorage 20 12 PCldy

Nation & World

Prince Harry to leave war zone LONDON - Britain's Ministry of Defense says Prince Harry is being withdrawn from Afghanistan.

Byrd Set to Get Physical Therapy

Sen. Robert Byrd will go through physical therapy after suffering a fall at his home, his spokesman said. "Follow-up x-rays have indicated that Senator Byrd suffered no broken bones," said Jesse Jacobs, a spokesman for the 90-year-old senator.

Police and Courts

Woman accused of trying to hit officer A Dunbar woman was arrested for allegedly trying to hit a police officer in the head

Microsoft Marks Down the Price of Some Versions of Vista

SEATTLE - Microsoft Corp. will cut the price of some versions of Windows Vista, the software maker said. Thursday's move came a day after court filings revealed internal dissent over which Windows XP computers would be considered capable of running the new operating system - and a feeling on at least one executive's part that the company had "botched" the marketing of computers as "Vista Capable."

Business Briefs

Review eyes economy, teacher shortages Highlights of the 2008 West Virginia Economic Outlook, a close look at gross domestic product data for West Virginia's metropolitan statistical areas, and perspectives on teacher shortages are featured in the current issue of the West Virginia Business & Economic Review.

Artists to Raise Funds for Woman with Muscular Disorder

Emily Gunter-Haynes suffers from myasthenia gravis, which causes muscle weakness and fatigue. Muscles that control eye and eyelid movement, facial expression, chewing, talking and swallowing are especially susceptible. She also suffers from seizures that are like those that people with epilepsy have, except her disorder is not related to epilepsy.