Charleston Daily Mail

Adkins Says Track Will Keep Pact with Voters: ; Tri-State Official Plans to Use West Virginia Labor On Expansion Project

A top Tri-State Racetrack official guarantees that West Virginia labor will build the hotel, conference center and other facilities included in the casino's promised expansion. Critics and local officials had expressed concern that Tri-State was ignoring West Virginia companies as it pursued expanded its Nitro facility after Kanawha County voters approved table games last August.

Manchin Oks Angioplasty Rules: ; Governor Upholds Health Care Authority's Controversial Decision

Gov. Joe Manchin has approved, with one exception, the West Virginia Health Care Authority's decision to allow some smaller West Virginia hospitals to perform angioplasty and other catheterization services. In a prepared statement issued today, Manchin said he agreed with the authority but wanted it to clean up ambiguous language in one section of the revised rules.

Energy Crisis of 1973 Left a Lasting Impact: ; Gas Lines, Odd-Even Days, Lights Off and Reduced Speed Became Part of Culture

1973 was a big year. The World Trade Center was dedicated.

Barbour Mummy Exhibit Is Facing National Scrutiny

A museum exhibit in Barbour County featuring the mummified bodies of two 19th century women has drawn fire from a national mental health group. At the Barbour County Historical Museum, the bodies of two former patients of the Weston Hospital for the Insane have become a tourist attraction.

Ballet Sets Auditions for 'Nutcracker'

The Charleston Ballet has scheduled auditions for roles in the upcoming production of the "Nutcracker Ballet." The joint production with the West Virginia Symphony will be performed Dec. 19 and 20.

Ex-Teacher Admits to Bank Robberies: ; Melissa Brown Faces Up to 40 Years in Jail for String of Crimes in April

HUNTINGTON - A former middle school art teacher pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting two April bank robberies, including one in Barboursville. At her plea hearing Thursday, Melissa A. Brown, 28, admitted she drove her brother, Jeremy Mark Brown, from the scene of both robberies but that she never recalled being fully aware of his intentions.

Police and Courts

Man arrested after confrontation Police have arrested a Chesapeake man for obstruction and disorderly conduct after a strange confrontation with officers.

Live On the Levee!

The concert series is scheduled every Friday at 6:30 p.m. through the summer at Haddad Riverfront Park. 2008 schedule:

Burglars Hit Fairmont Dairy Mart Three Times

A Fairmont Dairy Mart has been burglarized three times in the past 10 days by thieves with a hankering for beer, cigarettes and lottery tickets. The 714 State St. store was burglarized Wednesday and July 7 and July 8, Fairmont Police said.

Vet Saves Shark That Swallowed Hook

SYDNEY, Australia - A veterinarian in Australia plunged his arm up to his shoulder into the throat of a rare shark to save the animal after it swallowed a grappling hook. David Blyde reached between the jaws of the 10-foot gray nurse shark to dislodge the hook, which was stuck in the animal's digestive tract, leaving a long metal handle sticking from its mouth.

Several Teens Injured When Bus Flips, Burns

PANGUITCH, Utah - A tour bus went off a state highway near Bryce Canyon National Park in southern Utah, landing upside down in a creek bed and catching fire. At least five people aboard the bus were taken to hospitals with minor injuries, and most were treated and released, said Utah Highway Patrol spokesman Cameron Roden said. The bus was carrying 47 teenagers and a half-dozen chaperones from the East Coast.

Regional Weather

Hi Lo Otlk Akron 90 67 PCldy

National Weather

Hi Lo Otlk Anchorage 61 51 Cldy

Nation & World

Bin Laden's former driver to go on trial

Bratz Jury Rules in Favor of Mattel

A federal jury decided Thursday that the designer of MGA Entertainment's Bratz dolls conceived the idea for the dolls while working for Mattel - a ruling that could mean millions of dollars for the Barbie maker. LOS ANGELES - Barbie and Bratz dolls are sisters, a jury has decided in a major victory to Mattel Inc., the world's largest toymaker, in its copyright infringement lawsuit against rival MGA Entertainment Inc.

'Oh, Expletive' and a Crash: ; Tuba Player Suffers Broken Jaw When Parachutist Lands On Military Band

FORT RILEY, Kan. - A parachutist went off course at the start of a military review and dropped feet-first into the 1st Infantry Division's band, injuring three players. Several thousand people watched Thursday as the man under the red, white and blue parachute landed on the 30-member band, about 50 yards off target. A gasp went up from the crowd, followed by silence as at least a dozen people rushed over to help.

Angry Bar Owners Threaten Suit Over Ban On Smoking: ; Fourth Person Gets Legionaire's Disease, but Cases Are Not Related

About 40 angry bar owners confronted members of the Kanawha- Charleston Board of Health about the county's expanded smoking ban. The bar and gambling parlor owners threatened to file a class- action lawsuit if the health board doesn't rescind the new regulations.

Car Convention Will Feature Unique Chevy Station Wagons

Part of Kanawha Boulevard will be shut down starting Sunday for a special kind of car show. About 100 Nomads - a unique station wagon made by Chevrolet in the 1950s - are coming to Charleston for the 20th annual Convention of the Chevrolet Nomad Association. The mayor is a member and invited the group here.

Man Uninjured As Car Crashes Into Home

FAIRMONT - James Meluzio, 69, said he was in his television room when he heard "this gosh-awful noise" at the front door of his home. He went to investigate and saw "the back end of this big vehicle sticking through the wall," Meluzio said.

State to Have Surplus Property Auction

The West Virginia State Agency for Surplus Property will conduct a public auction Saturday at 2700 Charles Ave. in Dunbar. Gates will open at 9 a.m. and the sale will begin promptly at 10 a.m.