Charleston Daily Mail

Much of Clay County Is Still Dark and Cold

Inside Thousands still without power in southern W.Va./ 7A CLAY - With four days left until Christmas, most families in Clay County on Monday didn't have enough power to light their trees.

Luxury Weekend Spent at Firehouse: ; Woman Headed to Greenbrier Forced to Knock On Door of Fire Department; When Snowstorm Hit

Bridgeport resident Ann Booth, looking forward to a weekend away from her busy schedule as a stay-at-home mom, was more than eager to spend it at The Greenbrier. But her trip to the state's luxury hotel and resort turned into quite the adventure after a severe winter storm dumped a blizzard of snow on most parts of West Virginia.

Turnpike Tie-Up Troubles Lawmakers: ; Governor Says Agencies Must Figure Out How to Better Respond

State officials are scrambling to explain why some drivers were stuck on the West Virginia Turnpike for almost 24 hours and to figure out a way to ensure that such a snarl never happens again. Leaders met Monday morning to hash out how this weekend's traffic tie-up evolved, and Gov. Joe Manchin is planning a press conference for today in Charleston to go over "the good, the bad and the ugly" regarding the developments on the Turnpike.

Prayer Remarks Aimed at Byrd: ; Speculation Swirls After Republican Senator Asks for Prayer That Someone Miss Vote On Health Care

Inside: Washington Post commentary by Dana Milbank/7A When U.S. senators gathered to vote on whether to advance President Obama's health care overhaul in the wee hours of Monday morning, 92-year-old Sen. Robert C. Byrd was not only present, but the subject of more mud-slinging and speculation between Republicans and Democrats.

Charleston Daily Mail Neediest Cases Appeal: ; Family Trying to Recover After House Fire, Car Accident; Case No. 19

This extended family is doing the best it can through crisis. The home includes parents in their 40s, a 19-year-old daughter and her 1-year-old baby.

Forecasts

Playful Boy Rescued by Firefighters: ; Fire Department Called to Aid 6-Year-Old, Who Slipped Over Snowy Edge of Short Embankment

It wasn't the first time the Charleston Fire Department rescued Beau Darnall. This time, he slipped over a hill while playing in the snow, dangling from a tree branch over the short but scary dropoff. His babysitter, Dara Ray, said the mischievous 6-year-old "is always getting into something."

Storm Affects Collection Efforts by Area Charities: ; Salvation Army Lost an Estimated $15,000

This weekend's snowstorms didn't just leave thousands without electricity and heat. The weather kept some local organizations from collecting for those who need help most. Tom Richmond, Kanawha County's area commander for the Salvation Army, said his organization had to cancel its red kettle fundraising drive on Saturday because of the weather. He said road conditions were too bad for bell-ringers to run the area's 32 kettle stations.

Officials Say Four Died in Fire at Bar

MADISON, Wis. - Authorities say four people have died when a fire broke out at a Wisconsin building that housed a bar and apartments. Lafayette County Sheriff's Chief Deputy John Reichling says the blaze started at the Silver Dollar Saloon in Blanchardville around 3:20 a.m. Monday. The bar was destroyed.

D.C. Chief Slams Officer Over Gun at Snowball Fight: ; Detective On Desk Duty Until Probe Is Complete

WASHINGTON - The city's police chief slammed a veteran detective Monday for pulling a gun during a mass snowball fight that had been advertised on Twitter. Metropolitan Police Chief Cathy Lanier said she watched video clips from the confrontation and has no doubt the off-duty detective pulled his gun after snowballs hit his personal car during Saturday's record snowfall.

Israeli Officials Consider Terms of Prisoner Exchange with Hamas

JERUSALEM - Negotiations for an Israel-Hamas prisoner exchange entered a crucial stage Monday, with Israeli Cabinet ministers huddling to decide whether to accept Islamic militants' demand to swap 1,000 Palestinian prisoners for a lone Israeli serviceman. A decision to pay that lopsided price for 23-year-old Sgt. Gilad Schalit could reshuffle Mideast politics in unpredictable ways and possibly ease a punishing blockade of the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.

Storm-Struck Residents Return to Work: ; Officials Worry That Delayed Flights Will Cause More to Travel This Week

NEW YORK - Millions of East Coast commuters returned to work Monday over slick roads and icy sidewalks and after a weekend winter storm dropped record snowfall and interrupted holiday shopping and travel. Airport delays eased and travelers stranded by canceled flights were finally getting off the ground, but there were worries that weekend problems could cause ripples that would be felt during the Christmas rush.

Airlines Told to Limit Time On Tarmac

WASHINGTON - Stinky toilets, crying babies, airless cabins - the Obama administration said Monday passengers don't have to take it any more. It ordered airlines to let people get off planes delayed on the ground after three hours. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said the three-hour limit and other new regulations are meant to send an unequivocal message to airlines not to hold passengers hostage on stuck planes. Coming on the eve of the busy holiday travel season, the announcement was hai...

Senate Pushes for Vote by Christmas

WASHINGTON - A crucial, middle-of-the-night test vote behind them, Senate Democrats on Monday remained on track to pass historic health care legislation by Christmas, preparing for more votes at odd hours to overcome unanimous Republican opposition. All 58 Democrats and the Senate's two independents held together early Monday to advance President Barack Obama's health care overhaul, which would extend coverage to 30 million people now uninsured and try to slow ruinous increases in medical cos...

Regional Weather

Hi Lo Otlk Akron, Ohio 31 19 Snow

National Weather

Hi Lo Otlk Anchorage 32 24 Cldy

Nation & World

Vigil interrupted by more violence

Mcnamara Named Greenbrier Cfo

Brian McNamara, a 25-year veteran of hospitality and real estate finance, has been named chief financial officer of The Greenbrier Resort. Formerly of Colorado, McNamara is a financial planner with extensive experience in many arenas including strategic planning, company integration, cash-flow optimization and acquisition analysis. He is a certified public accountant.

Seminar Helps Businesses Cope with H1n1 Outbreak

A Jan. 11 seminar in Charleston will focus on helping businesses understand what is being done about the current H1N1 influenza outbreak and what they should be doing to be prepared for a wider outbreak. The topics and speakers:

Funding Begins for Some Broadband Projects: ; No Money has Been Made Available to W.Va. Yet, Though the State has Applied for Programs

No West Virginia projects were funded in the initial announcement of federal broadband grants and loans, but more announcements will be made over the next 75 days. On Thursday Vice President Joe Biden and Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue kicked off $7.2 billion in federal stimulus grants and loans for broadband deployment in rural areas. At an event in Dawsonville, Ga., Biden announced an initial $183 million investment in 18 broadband projects benefiting 17 states.