Charleston Daily Mail

Area Students Wonder What All the Fuss Was About in Obama Speech

As many of the country's conservatives fretted over President Obama's speech to schoolchildren Tuesday, some of Kanawha County's students weren't quite sure what all the fuss was about. Paula Potter, principal at Riverside High School, said only three students at her school opted out of watching the president's speech. Potter said she did have one student approach her and ask why there was so much controversy surrounding the address.

County Prepares Swine Flu Plans: ; Commissioner Says Big Issue Is Continuing Critical Operations

While at a symposium on swine flu preparedness, Kanawha County Commission President Kent Carper learned that a county employee's young child was diagnosed with the H1N1 virus. "It's sobering," Carper said after the meeting Tuesday. "We don't have flu breakouts like this, this early."

Wvu Tech Boasts Big Freshmen Increase: ; Enrollment This Fall Exceeded Officials' Goal of 500 New Students

After several years of struggle, West Virginia Institute of Technology in Montgomery has reported a 40 percent increase in new student enrollment for the fall semester. WVU Tech has 524 new freshmen this year, including students from about a dozen different states and 18 international students. About 30 were students who had left the university at some point and re- enrolled this year.

To Shoppers Relief, Food Prices Falling

Meet Your Next Sweater: ; Event Recognizes Alpaca Farms Growing Contribution to State Industry

In a crowd of spectators, guests of honor named JD, Chance and Cass stood calmly with bulging eyes and crooked teeth dangling over their bottom lips. They are alpacas, and they were being recognized for their role in the economy.

Putnam Commission Appoints Engineer to Planning Board

WINFIELD - Putnam County commissioners appointed a professional engineer to the county planning board, although he has appeared before that group on behalf of clients. Commissioners unanimously voted Tuesday for Jimmy Calhoun to fill a vacancy created in the wake of a controversial zoning change for one of his clients. The change was approved by the three county commissioners over the opposition of the 15-member planning board.

Official Says New Dunbar Playground Expected to Be Finished by End of Month

The new playground in the city of Dunbar is nearing completion. SoJuana Ellis, a project administrator with the Regional Intergovernmental Council, which secured the grant money for the playground, said the project is about 85 percent complete.

Fines Proposed for Those Without Health Insurance

WASHINGTON - Americans who don't get health insurance once the system is overhauled would be fined up to $3,800 under a proposal that circulated in Congress as Democratic leaders cast doubt on prospects for creating a government-run insurance plan. President Barack Obama prepared what he hoped would be a game- changing speech to a joint session of Congress on Wednesday, his top domestic priority in the balance.

Regional Weather

Hi Lo Otlk Akron 78 61 Cldy

National Weather

Hi Lo Otlk Anchorage 59 m Cldy

U.S. Loses Spot As Top Economy: ; Switzerland Unseats Country Still Battling Recession, Mounting Debt

GENEVA - The United States has lost its place as the world's most competitive economy, according to a survey released, falling behind Switzerland mainly because of the financial crisis and accumulated fiscal deficits. The survey, which combines opinions of over 13,000 business executives with economic statistics and government regulations, put Switzerland in first place and dropped the U.S. to second place.

Study Finds Students Don't Aim High Enough for Colleges: ; Researchers Say Qualified Students Shoot for 'Easier' Schools

Four years ago, two of the most influential researchers in higher education dove into a huge pool of data hoping to answer a bedeviling question: Why do so many students who start college fail to graduate? They report their findings in a book out Wednesday, and perhaps the biggest is this: Students aren't aiming high enough, settling for less selective schools they imagine will be easier, but where in fact they're more likely to drop out before earning a degree.

Nation & World

Couple marries at son's funeral

Former State Auditor Glen Gainer Jr. Dies at 82

CHARLESTON - The state Auditor's office says former West Virginia state Auditor Glen Gainer Jr. has died. Gainer was 82. The auditor's office said Gainer died Tuesday at his home in Parkersburg. No cause of death was given.

Police and Courts

Couple charged in kidnapping attempt Police arrested a Charleston pair accused of attempting to drag a woman from a West Side grocery store.

Nitro Prepares to Say Goodbye to Biggest Sports Fan: ; Man Kept Score for Little League Games, Helped Out

The sidelines of Nitro High School's Underwood Field will be a little quieter Friday night. The football team's No. 1 fan, Eugene Booth, a longtime resident of Nitro, died Monday after suffering a massive heart attack Saturday. He would have been 69 today, Nitro Mayor Rusty Casto said.

Firefighters Set to Compete at Capitol Friday: ; Competition Expected to Draw Crowd From Several Surrounding States

This weekend, dozens of firefighters will converge on the state Capitol and there's no use asking where the fire is, because there won't be one. On Friday, the Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge will make its first stop in Charleston. The competition is part of a 25-stop, nationwide tour.

Woman has High Hopes for County Fair: ; Manager of Camp Virgil Tate Says Location Perfect for Annual Event

Judy Bostian is opening her home starting Thursday for a long weekend of music, food, agricultural and 4-H demonstrations. She's hoping - yes, really hoping - that 10,000 people will show up over the course of three and a half days of the Kanawha County Fair, which happens to take place right where she lives.

Massey Appeal in Court for Third Time

In a case that led to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on judicial ethics, Massey Energy Co. asked West Virginia's top court on Tuesday to stick with earlier conclusions absolving it of a multimillion- dollar judgment. For the third time in nearly two years, state justices heard the Richmond, Va.-based coal producer appeal a verdict won in 2002 by competitor Harman Mining Co. and its president, Hugh Caperton. The verdict is now worth $85 million.

Putnam Schools Appeal to Grievance Board

The Putnam County school board has decided to appeal a decision by the state Public Employees Grievance Board that would give extra paid days off to several extracurricular bus operators. Earlier this summer, the grievance board sided with 13 extracurricular bus operators in the county who wanted to extend their number of paid days off because of extra runs they perform in addition to their regular routes.