Charleston Daily Mail

Man Accused of Choking Poker Dealer: ; Police Say Man Became Angry When He Did Not Receive Winnings at Table

Nitro police said they planned to obtain a battery warrant for a 61-year-old Cross Lanes man accused of choking a card dealer at Tri- State Racetrack & Gaming Center. Lt. Joe Savilla said the man became enraged a little after midnight Wednesday when the dealer told him he couldn't give the man his winnings right there at the table.

Workers Mourn Drowned Brothers: ; One Man Died Trying to Save Another at State Park Near Fairmont

FAIRMONT - It was a sad day at Mi Pueblo Mexican Restaurant in Fairmont. Generally, smiling waiters greeted customers with forced cordiality. There were long, sad faces and red eyes. In the kitchen, men comforted each other and cried.

Palin Fires Up the Gop: ; Despite Controversy, Conservatives Embrace Mccain's Running Mate

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Sarah Palin has done in five days what John McCain has never been able to do - fire up the Republican Party's conservative base. The No. 2 on the GOP ticket clearly impressed the party faithful Wednesday as she smoothly moved from lavishing praise on McCain - "a true profile in courage" who has "determination, resolve, and sheer guts" - to throwing punches at Democratic rival Barack Obama.

W.Va. Contestant Reluctant to Tell Mom of Strong Feats: ; Clendenin Native Will Compete for Title of World's Strongest Man

Brian Siders stands about 6-feet-2-inches tall and weighs more than 330 pounds. He can pull a tractor-trailer. He can bench press more than any man in the world. He works in a prison, where inmates frequently tell him, "Man. You're big." But there are a few things that scare him.

Use Found for Bottle Caps in Cancer Hoax

PARKERSBURG - A use has been found for thousands of plastic bottle caps residents across West Virginia collected for cancer treatments before finding out the drive was a hoax. Hair and skin care company Aveda will use them to make new caps for its products, said West Virginia American Cancer Society spokeswoman Amy Berner.

South Charleston Woman Who Was Set On Fire Dies From Injuries

The woman who was set on fire after an argument with her ex- boyfriend has died. Family members said Starlena Lynnette "Star" Pratt died at 11:12 p.m. Tuesday. She was 28.

Report Released: ; Overall Illegal Drug Use Shows Little Change

WASHINGTON - Cocaine and methamphetamine use among young adults declined significantly last year as supplies dried up, leading to higher prices and reduced purity, the government reports. Overall use of illicit drugs showed little change. About one in five young adults last year acknowledged illicit drug use within the previous month, a rate similar to previous years. But cocaine use declined by one-quarter and methamphetamine use by one-third.

$350 Million School Opens

LOS ANGELES - A decade behind schedule, a $350 million downtown high school finally opened on Wednesday after years of environmental, seismic and legal troubles. "We've been waiting a long time to get this," said Uriel Rivera, an 18-year-old senior at the Edward R. Roybal Learning Center. "A lot of people in the community were supposed to graduate from here, but they didn't. I thought it was going to be the same for me."

Regional Weather

Hi Lo Otlk Akron 83 63 Rain

National Weather

Hi Lo Otlk Anchorage 60 46 Cldy

Nation & World

Temple burns down after bee attack

Palin has Roots in Pentecostalism

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Sarah Palin often identifies herself simply as Christian. Yet John McCain's running mate has deep roots in Pentecostalism, a spirit-filled Christian tradition that is one of the fastest growing in the world. It's often derided by outsiders and Bible- believers alike.

Police and Courts

Police nab man for speeding, DUI

Police Find Meth Lab in St. Albans Home

Police have arrested three St. Albans residents accused of operating a methamphetamine lab in a home. Kanawha County deputies were working in cooperation with members of the U.S. Marshal's "CUFFED" Task Force to track down an unidentified fugitive on an outstanding warrant, according to a complaint filed in Kanawha Magistrate Court.

Two Arrested After Fight at Littlepage Terrace

Police have arrested two Charleston residents after a brawl broke out in Littlepage Terrace. One of the two involved was identified as Latisha Martina Wright, 20, of Dawson Court. The other is Richard Kenyel Ruffin Jr., 21, of Renaissance Circle.

Lottery

Here are the winning numbers drawn Wednesday: WEST VIRGINIA Daily 3: 991 Daily 4: 9511

Temperatures Expected to Be Hottest of Year

After a summer of relatively mild heat, meteorologists were predicting today's temperatures could shape up to be the hottest of the year. Thermometers around Charleston were expected to hit at least 92 degrees today, according to meteorologists with the National Weather Service.

Contest May Be Last for Phil Pfister: ; Former Firefighter Says He Wants to Get Out While He's Still Healthy

If you want to see Charleston's gentle giant lift a massive boulder over his head or carry a car on his shoulders, now is the time. It's not just that the World's Strongest Man contest is close to home this year - in Charleston instead of far-flung venues like China or Brazil. It's also that Phil Pfister isn't sure how much longer he's going to be tugging on tractor-trailers and racing down runways pulling planes.

Sissonville Teen Surprised by Her Success at Girls State: ; High School Senior Attended As Alternate,; Later Elected Governor

As an alternate delegate to the Rhododendron Girls State program in June, 17-year-old Lindsay Holmes wasn't prepared to go. But when one of the girls chosen couldn't attend, Lindsay, a senior at Sissonville High School, took a week off her summer job as a receptionist at Salon 405 on Capitol Street and traveled to Wheeling Jesuit University.

Shop Gives Away Rosy Days