Charleston Daily Mail

Several Factors Fueling Drop in Gas Prices

Gas prices could plummet by as much as 50 cents a gallon by spring as motorists worried about a possible recession cut back on driving and cause inventories of crude oil to rise, national experts are saying. "It would be great if it would go down and stay down," said David Sword, 60, who was filling his BMW tank at Go-Mart on Thursday afternoon.

Business Franchise Tax Faces Scrutiny,: ; Kanawha Lawmaker Calls On House to End Tariff by This Summer

Despite many lawmakers throwing support toward a Senate bill calling for the gradual reduction of the business franchise tax, House Republicans led by Minority Leader Tim Armstead want the tax killed this summer. Armstead, R-Kanawha, urged fellow House members Thursday to support legislation that abolishes - on July 1 - the business franchise tax, considered by businesses as the most unfair state- level tax imposed on companies.

Married Couples to Get $1,200,: ; Congress Approves Rebate Checks and Sends Measure to President

WASHINGTON - In rare bipartisan compromise, Congress approved a two-year, $168 billion economic stimulus package that will send rebate checks to millions of low- and middle-income Americans, including senior citizens and disabled veterans. The measure - which came after a concession by Senate Democrats who had demanded substantially more aid - will become law as soon as next week.

Drug Logs Lead to Meth Lab Busts,: ; Comparison of Purchase Records Shows Customers with Many Buys

In just the past month, Kanawha County deputies have uncovered 10 methamphetamine labs and arrested several people by checking purchase records at local pharmacies. As part of an effort to crack down on meth production, the state Legislature passed a bill in 2005 that requires pharmacies to limit access to certain non-prescription medicines used to make the drug.

Initial Talks for Leave Policy Sound Costly, Effort to Streamline County Worker Exit Pay Appears to Reduce Rather Than Increase Savings

Elected officials in Kanawha County say they want a consistent policy for paying exiting employees for unused vacation days, but they're worried some proposals might end up costing the county more. Commissioner Dave Hardy proposed a policy change after auditors discovered the county's potential liability is $1.5 million to compensate employees for unused days off.

Megan Williams Receives Scholarship

Alleged torture victim Megan Williams is getting some help with her education. While appearing on an episode of the Montel Williams show Thursday, the 20-year-old black woman from Charleston learned she would receive a two-year, $40,000 scholarship for ITT Technical Institute, a new computer and six months of tutoring to help her earn her GED.

Governor's Nephew Returns Tuition Assistance Funds

A relative and former employee of Gov. Joe Manchin has returned state-paid tuition he received while taking classes in the executive MBA program at West Virginia University because of concern over public perception, according to Manchin's spokeswoman. Nathanial Manchin returned $3,744 that he was entitled to under terms of the Governor's Education Assistance Program. He returned the money Jan. 30 after his participation in the tuition assistance program was brought to the governor's attention.

Dunbar Mayor Dismisses Attempted Ousting As Political

DUNBAR - Dunbar Mayor Roger Wolfe says the City Council's attempt to oust him is just politics. Council members Tom Bailey, Connie Boardman, Fred Chiles, Janet Nelson, Fred Slaymaker and Michelle Wilshere asked the Kanawha County Circuit Court on Thursday to remove Wolfe from office.

Weather, Almanac

Almanac Yesterday's high 45

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Hi Lo Otlk Akron 39 30 Snow

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Hi Lo Otlk Anchorage 9 -9 Clr

Mafia Arrests Thwart Return of Shunned Clan to Sicily

ROME - In the Mafia's slang they are scorned as the "scappati" - the "runaways" - a crime clan that sought refuge in the United States more than 20 years ago after being nearly wiped out in one of Sicily's bloodiest mob wars. Italian authorities say the biggest trans-Atlantic crackdown since the "Pizza Connection" case of the 1980s has now ruined the Inzerillo family's plans to return to Sicily, possibly averting a new wave of vendettas on the Mediterranean island.

School Teacher Feared Husband

PORTSMOUTH, Ohio - Christi Layne was terrified of her husband, court records and her attorney say. After she moved out, she got a restraining order against him and had an alarm system installed. But none of that mattered Thursday morning when he marched into a Catholic school, fired a gun and then stabbed her - right in front of her class of fifth-graders.

Baby Found Alive in Debris

CASTALIAN SPRINGS, Tenn. - At first, rescuers thought it was a doll. Then it moved. In a grassy pasture strewn with toys, splintered lumber and bricks tossed by the tornado's widespread wrath, 11-month old Kyson Stowell was lying face down in the mud, 150 yards from where his home once stood.

Nation & World

Gunman kills 6 at council meeting KIRKWOOD, Mo. -- Ten days after losing a free-speech lawsuit against this St. Louis suburb, a gunman stormed a council meeting, yelled "Shoot the mayor!" and opened fire, critically wounding the mayor, killing two police officers and three city officials.

Avalanches Kill 8,: ; Force People to Flee

Driver's Medical Condition Eyed , Police Charged Man with Dui After School Bus Crashed Down Ravine

Prosecutors say they are investigating a possible medical condition with a Monroe County school bus driver charged with DUI following a bus crash involving 11 children. A well known Charleston DUI defense lawyer also said the bus driver should never have been charged with DUI Tuesday because his preliminary breath test proved he was not intoxicated.

Seven People Injured When Amtrak Train Rear-Ends Commuter Line

WASHINGTON - An Amtrak locomotive hit a commuter train at Union Station, knocking the train's rear wheels off the track and injuring seven people, officials said. Cheron Wicker, a spokeswoman for Maryland's MARC service, says the train from Baltimore was hit from behind at about 10 a.m. Thursday, dislodging two rear wheels. The train remained upright.

Man Sues Diocese Over Alleged Abuse by Priest , Lawsuit Claims Church Leader Abused Plaintiff for Three Years, Starting in 2003 When He Was 15

WHEELING - A Clarksburg man who claims he was sexually abused by a priest as a teenager is suing the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston. The lawsuit filed Thursday in Ohio County Circuit Court accuses the diocese of negligence. It also claims church officials covered up the alleged sexual abuse by the late Rev. Charles E. McCallister.

Bobby Bowden to Speak at Union Mission Banquet

Coach Bobby Bowden will be the guest speaker at the Union Mission banquet on March 3. The event will be held at 6 p.m. in the north hall of the Charleston Civic Center. The menu features grilled marinated chicken, potatoes, green beans, salad, dessert and beverages.