WVU professor: Murray bankruptcy heralds coal industry decline

October 31, 2019

Last month’s bankruptcy of coal giant Murray Energy Corp. is yet another sign that West Virginia’s coal industry will continue to shrink as power plants make the necessary transition to less costly fuel options such as natural gas, according to a WVU energy expert. “Electric utilities are accelerating the retirements of their existing coal plants, as their long-term plans show that it is cheaper for ratepayers to build new, efficient natural gas-fired generating plants or renewable facilities, either wind or solar, than to continue to run existing coal plants,” James Van ...

Man pleads guilty to strangulation

October 30, 2019

KINGWOOD — A man whose first criminal conviction was at the age of 15, when he was tried and sentenced as an adult, will not face recidivist sentencing on his latest conviction. Devin Sean Sullivan, 32, of Kingwood, pleaded guilty Wednesday in Preston Circuit Court to strangulation, a felony. As part of the plea agreement, Preston Assistant Prosecutor Savannah Wilkins said, the state will not seek to have Sullivan sentenced under the recidivist statute, which calls for life in prison. Under questioning from Circuit Judge Steve Shaffer, Sullivan said his first felony conviction was ...

UMWA releases statement on Murray Energy’s Chapter 11 filing

October 29, 2019

TRIANGLE, Va. — United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) International President Cecil E. Roberts has issued a statement regarding the recent announcement of Murray Emergy’s Chapter 11 filing. Murray Energy made the announcement alongside publicly naming Roger Moore as the new president and CEO of Murray NewCo., a newly formed entity. In the statement, Roberts says, “Today’s filing by Murray Energy for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization comes as no surprise. This day has been coming for some time. “Coal production in this country continues to decline, due to the glut of ...

Trick-or-treat times for Mon and Preston counties; some changed due to weather

October 29, 2019

Those bowls full of candy may have to sit by the door for a few more days, given Thursday's rainy forecast. Several areas have decided to delay trick or treat until Saturday, when the weather will be more cooperative. This list will be updated throughout the day, as changes come in. ...

OLLI seeking volunteers to teach

October 26, 2019

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at WVU is seeking volunteers to teach classes geared toward adults 50 and older in Morgantown and Charleston during the winter term, Jan. 21 through Feb. 15, 2020. One of 124 such programs across the country funded by the Osher Foundation, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at West Virginia University (OLLI at WVU) is a membership organization offering educational opportunities for older adults in an environment with no tests or grades. Non-credit courses, lectures, workshops and field trips are offered in such areas as the arts, economics, ...

YCF announces the Bonnie Bailey Dyslexia Advocacy Fund

October 26, 2019

Your Community Foundation of North Central West Virginia Inc. (YCF) announced the establishment of the Bonnie Bailey Dyslexia Advocacy Fund in conjunction with National Dyslexia Awareness month. Distributions from this fund will provide support for charitable causes to educate, advocate and increase general awareness of dyslexia. Todd and Rachel Wood established this fund in honor of their close friend, Bonnie Bailey, who was recently diagnosed with glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer. Both the Wood and Bailey families have children with dyslexia. “Students with dyslexia are ...