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Local Government

Preston Commission votes to change payroll system

KINGWOOD — Members of the Preston County Commission voted to change their current payroll system to Paycom, an online payroll management system. Set up for the system will cost the commission $4,259.75. Once it is set up it will cost $1,204.39 per month. This includes training personnel how to use the system. “I called every county in West Virginia that used Paycom and no one had anything bad to say about it,” Commissioner Hunter Thomas said. County Clerk Linda Huggins said she believes the system will be helpful to all county offices. However, she added, she couldn’t ...

Candidates for governor share their economic visions for W.Va.

West Virginia’s Republican candidates for governor, most of whom are meeting for a MetroNews debate this week, have been weighing in on their views of the state’s economy. Generally, indicators show that the state’s economy is all right. CNBC, the cable television business channel, ranked West Virginia’s economy 46th in the nation. Workforce, business friendliness and economic factors earned F ratings. Infrastructure got a D-minus. But cost of doing business and cost of living both got an A-plus. West Virginia’s most recent unemployment rate was 4.0 percent, which is ...

AG’s mobile office sets December stops in area

CHARLESTON — Attorney General Patrick Morrisey announced a representative from his office will meet with north-central West Virginia residents in December to discuss consumer-related issues and answer any potential questions. “These public events are a great way for consumers to talk one-on-one with our consumer representatives,” Morrisey said. “Residents can easily get questions answered, learn what is going on in their area and how to keep personal information safe and secure.” Pam Krushansky, a consumer outreach and compliance specialist with the office, will host the ...

City employee retires after 41 years of service

KINGWOOD — For 41 years Bob Chidester showed up for work for the City of Kingwood. He said Claude Waugerman was the city supervisor when he handed in his application for a job with the garbage pickup crew. “I got the job. Later I did a little bit of everything,” Chidester said. “I’ve worked on the storm drains, cindering, recycling and ran the transfer station for a while.” He said the work hasn’t changed much over the years, but it did become easier due to new equipment and equipment improvements. Chidester said he still helps with the recycling occasionally. ...

County clerk not happy with the mishandling of funds

KINGWOOD — Preston County Clerk Linda Huggins said she is not happy about a $500,000 miscalculation. During an interview, Huggins said she was told the commission had more money than they ever had and it was accumulating a lot of extra money in carryover. She said she wondered what they were talking about when the they hadn’t increased the tax rate. “We only know what we get from the sheriff’s office. We don’t see the money; we just see the receipts,” she said. The money is from an excess levy that was put into the wrong county fund. It is now being ...

U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree to be lit Tuesday

CHARLESTON — West Virginians can admire a product of the state being lit up on Tuesday as the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. The 63-foot Norway Spruce came from the Monongahela National Forest and was carried on a specially equipped tractor-trailer to be displayed in communities around West Virginia before reaching its ultimate destination at the U.S. Capitol. The lighting of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, a time-honored tradition of more than 50 years, will occur during a 5 p.m. Tuesday ceremony on the West Front Lawn. West Virginia’s congressional delegation will gather ...