Charleston Daily Mail

Manchin Surveys Damage

CHARLES TOWN - Gov. Joe Manchin toured the snowed-in northern half of the state on Monday as officials prepared for another serious pileup predicted to begin today. In West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle, where snow drifts were already up to 50 inches deep, officials were expecting up to another 20 inches over today and Wednesday.

Toyota Buffalo Plant Ramps Back Up

All three of the engine and transmission lines at Toyota's Buffalo plant are scheduled to work two eight-hour production shifts daily this week and next, said Mike Lutz, the plant's general manager of administration. Last week, the 6-cylinder engine line worked two eight-hour shifts but each shift produced engines for four hours and spent four hours on line-side training, like employees did during the economic downturn.

Retirees Unlikely to Get Tax Break: ; Bills Would Increase Exemptions On; Public Workers' Pensions, but Would Cost State Millions in Lost Collections

With $20 million and $26 million cost estimates in hand, the state is not likely to go further down the path of granting state income tax exemptions to retired public employees, the chairman of the House and Senate finance committees say. Two bills currently pending in the House and Senate would increase the exemptions retired state workers and teachers receive on their pensions.

Another Takeoff Aborted at Yeager: ; No Injuries Reported, Passengers Say Tires Were Shredded During Incident

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating another aborted takeoff on Yeager Airport's runway. The pilot of Delta Airlines Flight 6121 aborted takeoff about 7:15 a.m. Monday, coming to a stop about 450 feet from the end of the runway, officials said. During the incident, two tires on the right side of the main landing gear were blown out.

Federal Government Will Spend Millions to Block Asian Carp

WASHINGTON - The Obama administration says it will spend $78.5 million to halt the giant Asian carp, which officials fear could spread and possibly endanger the Great Lakes region's $7 billion fishing industry. Federal officials say they'll consider opening navigational locks on Chicago-area waterways less frequently to prevent the carp from overrunning the Great Lakes. Top officials of the Obama administration were meeting Monday with governors from several Great Lakes states.

Balloon Boy's Dad Leaves Jail to Serve Work Release

FORT COLLINS, Colo. - The man who pleaded guilty in the balloon boy hoax has been released from a Colorado jail to serve the rest of his sentence in a work-release program. Larimer County sheriff's office spokeswoman Eloise Campanella says Richard Heene was transferred Sunday and is expected to work during the day, then spend nights at a work-release dormitory. She didn't have information Monday on where he'll work.

Webster to Hear Pink Pony Case

Kanawha Circuit Court's newest judge, Carrie Webster, will decide whether the owners of the Pink Pony get another shot at persuading county officials to let them reopen. The Cross Lanes strip club lost its liquor license in 2003. It was not renewed when the club became eligible for renewal in 2008.

Canadian Official Charged with Killing Two Women

TORONTO - The commander of a major military base in Canada who once flew dignitaries around the country has been charged with first- degree murder in the deaths of two women and in the sexual assaults of two other women. Ontario Provincial Police Det. Insp. Chris Nicholas said Monday that Col. Russell Williams, 46, was arrested Sunday in Ottawa.

Officer to Accompany Ex-Aide to Retrieve Edwards Sex Tape

RALEIGH, N.C. - A North Carolina judge wants a security officer to accompany a former John Edwards aide as he goes to retrieve a sex tape of the two-time presidential candidate, increasing the court's control of the disputed video. Superior Court Judge Abraham Penn Jones said in an order released Monday that the Orange County sheriff has appointed a security firm to help recover the video and other items. Former Edwards loyalist Andrew Young has said he has the original tape and copies stored...

Criminal Probe Launched: ; Officials Say Explosion That Killed Five Might Have Been Caused by Negligence

MIDDLETOWN, Conn. - Authorities looking for the cause of an explosion that killed five people at a power plant under construction launched a criminal investigation Monday, saying they could not rule out criminal negligence as the cause. "If everything went right, we wouldn't all be here right now," Middletown Mayor Sebastian Guiliano said. "There's a point where negligence raises to the level of criminal conduct, and that's what we're investigating."

Longtime Congressman John Murtha Dies at 77: ; Lawmaker Was; Proponent of Military Spending, Known; for Earmarks

WASHINGTON - Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., a Vietnam veteran who staunchly supported military spending and became a master of pork- barrel politics, died Monday at Virginia Hospital Center. He was 77. The 19-term lawmaker died from complications of gallbladder surgery.

Official Pushes School Nutrition Plan: ; Agriculture Secretary Outlines Changes That Include Getting Rid of Junk Food in Vending Machines

WASHINGTON - The Obama administration will ask Congress to improve childhood nutrition by ridding school vending machines of sugary snacks and drinks and giving school lunch and breakfast to more kids. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said the administration will seek changes when Congress overhauls the Childhood Nutrition Act.

Regional Weather

Hi Lo Otlk Akron, Ohio 30 22 Snow

National Weather

Hi Lo Otlk Anchorage 24 22 Cldy

Nation & World

N.C. evacuees urged to stay away

Report Gives State Poor Rating On Teacher Policies

Attorney says group in Haiti had approval

Testing Leads to an Ethics Debate: ; Blood Spots Can Rule Out Genetic Diseases, but Are Also Saved for Later Use in Broader Research

WASHINGTON - A critical safety net for babies - that heelprick of blood taken from every newborn - is facing an ethics attack. After those tiny blood spots are tested for a list of devastating diseases, some states are storing them for years. Scientists consider the leftover samples a treasure, both to improve newborn screening and to study bigger questions, like which environmental toxins can harm a fetus' developing heart or which genes trigger childhood cancers.

Manchin Seeks More Stimulus Funds

Gov. Joe Manchin is appealing to Congress to keep federal stimulus dollars flowing into state Medicaid programs. The National Governors Association wants to extend a temporary funding boost set to expire in December.

Report Gives State Poor Rating On Teacher Policies

A new report gives West Virginia a D plus for its policies that impact teacher quality. "I'm not happy at all with a D plus," State Superintendent Steven Paine said.

Manchin Wouldn't Veto Tax Increase On Beer: ; Bill Is an Attempt by Lawmakers to Help Fund Rehabilitation Programs

The price of beer has a good chance of increasing this year if lawmakers can get a proposed tax hike to Gov. Joe Manchin's desk. Manchin won't veto a higher tax on suds, spokesman Matt Turner said Monday, but getting lawmakers to raise the price of such a popular product during an election year could be a challenge for the bill's supporters.