Charleston Daily Mail

Freebie Bags From State a Reunion Hit: ; Kits Beckon Returnees to Stay in W.Va. For Good

Come Home The campaign reunion kits, filled with literature on the Mountain State, are intended to reach state natives who have moved away. There is out there, on a picnic table or near a sign-in sheet, a plastic bag with a goal.

Turnpike Toll Hike: ; Discount Plan Will Not Affect Revenue; E-Zpass Valid As Long As Motorists Have Funds in Account to Cover Charges

Despite an influx of West Virginia Turnpike travelers signing up for E-ZPass discounts to evade the pending 60 percent toll hike, officials say the system will not lose money from it. Turnpike officials estimate raising the tolls from $1.25 to $2 per toll booth plaza for passenger vehicles and from $4.25 to $6.75 for commercial trucks will bring in an additional $20 million in revenue annually.

Job Prospects Up in Prison Industry: ; Spokesman Says More Than Just Correctional Officers in Demand at Federal Facilities

With the economy in the tank, at least one industry continues seeking new hires. West Virginia will see a federal prison expansion in the coming year with new facilities in McDowell and Preston counties, opening up nearly 600 jobs, according to officials' estimates.

Nearly 150 Years Ago, Sketches Recorded Aftermath of John Browns Raid at Harpers Ferry: ; West Virginia University Marks Anniversary of Event by Putting D.H. Strothers Illustrations On Display

from state a reunion hit By COURTLIN HICKS

Calif. Legislators Gird for Deep Cuts

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - California's top lawmakers focused on cost- saving reforms to social welfare programs and how deeply to cut an array of state services as they dove into the complex task of closing the state's $26 billion deficit. Lawmakers on both sides warned Sunday that deep cuts to many state programs were unavoidable. But they also seemed more optimistic than they have been in weeks that they could find a way out of California's fiscal morass.

Weston Woman Wins $2 Million at Track

A Weston woman is $2 million richer after hitting the jackpot on a multistate progressive game at Tri-State Racetrack & Gaming Center. Shonda Hicks says she was getting ready to leave the Nitro track with a friend on Saturday, then decided to put $20 into a Ca$hola machine. Hicks says she was numb after claiming her winnings.

Putnam Projects Set to Begin: ; Expansions, Upgrades to County's Sewers Expected to Be Finished Within Six Months

With $4.52 million in federal funds, the Putnam Public Service District will start construction on several planned system expansions and improvements this week. The money comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Utility Service.

Man Claims He Shot Son in Self Defense, Police Say

State Police say a Mason County man is claiming self defense after fatally shooting his son during a dispute in his New Haven home. Troopers said Lyman Greenlee fired a single shot at his son Charles Scott Greenlee, 35, of Point Pleasant. The incident happened about 10 p.m. Friday, said Trooper A.D. Wooton, the investigating officer.

Police and Courts

Woman accused of online auction scam

Putnam Market to Offer Local Meat, Produce

The newly organized Putnam County Farmers' Market plans a grand opening July 23. The market, located at Valley Park off Teays Valley Road in Hurricane, will operate from 3:30 to 7 p.m. each Thursday.

Children Recant Sex Abuse Claims

VANCOUVER, Wash. - Former Vancouver police officer Clyde Ray Spencer spent nearly 20 years in prison after he was convicted of sexually molesting his son and daughter. Now, the children say it never happened. Matthew Spencer and Kathryn Tetz, who live in Sacramento, Calif., each took the stand Friday in Clark County Superior Court to clear their father's name, The Columbian newspaper reported.

Cross-Country Flight: ; Pilot, 15, Sets a Record; Calif. Teen Likely Youngest Black Female to Fly Solo

LOS ANGELES - A 15-year-old Los Angeles girl - who navigated a single-engine Cessna through thunderstorms in Texas and took in breathtaking aerial views of Arizona's sunsets - landed her plane to cheering crowds at Compton Woodley Airport Saturday and is believed to be the youngest black female pilot to fly solo across country. Kimberly Anyadike took off from the Compton airport south of downtown Los Angeles 13 days ago with an adult safety pilot and Levi Thornhill, an 87-year-old who served ...

Two Men Under Arrest in Slaying of Fla. Couple

PENSACOLA, Fla. - Two men were held late Sunday on open murder charges in the slaying of a wealthy Florida Panhandle couple known for adopting children with developmental disabilities. Day laborer Wayne Coldiron turned himself in to Escambia County authorities and Leonard P. Gonzalez Jr. was arrested in neighboring Santa Rosa County, Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan said.

Sotomayor Faces Friendly Jury for Trial: ; Democratic Majority has Enough Votes to Stop Filibuster

WASHINGTON - Sonia Sotomayor has decided advantages as she begins the most important trial of her long legal career, a nationally televised consideration of her nomination to be the first Hispanic and just the third woman on the Supreme Court. She will tell her compelling up-from-poverty personal story to a jury tilted strongly in her favor - Democrats hold a comfortable majority on the Senate Judiciary Committee and a filibuster- resistant 60 votes in the Senate.

Weather Almanac

Yesterday's high 82 Record high 101, 1936

Regional Weather

Hi Lo Otlk Akron 77 56 PCldy

National Weather

Hi Lo Otlk Anchorage 71 52 Clr

Nation & World

After robbery, man seeks ride from cop

Gop Unifies Against More Stimulus: ; Obama Administration Says the Plan has Not yet Run Its Course

WASHINGTON - Republicans lined up Sunday in opposition to a second economic stimulus package, a rare demonstration of unity from an out-of-power political party in search of a rallying cry against President Barack Obama. Republicans called Obama's $787 billion spending plan a "flop" and said it hasn't fulfilled its hype. They criticized the White House for increasing the federal deficit and doing little to combat an unemployment rate that hit 9.5 percent in June.

Young Workers Push Bosses for Wider Access to Internet: ; Many Employers Now Ban Popular Web Sites Such As Facebook, Gmail

CHICAGO - Ryan Tracy thought he'd entered the Dark Ages when he graduated college and arrived in the working world. His employer blocked access to Facebook, Gmail and other popular Internet sites. He had no wireless access for his laptop and often ran to a nearby cafe on work time so he could use its Wi-Fi connection to send large files.