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Westover councilman Leonard Smith resigns

WESTOVER — Westover’s city council accepted the resignation of 3rd Ward councilman Leonard Smith in a 3-1 vote at its regular meeting on Monday night. “It is with a heavy heart that I will need to resign my post of 3rd Ward council person,” Smith’s resignation letter stated. “Due to personal reasons.” The letter goes on to praise Westover and thank people Smith interacted with over the years. Smith could not be reached for additional information in time for this report. Councilwoman Edie Viola voted against accepting Smith’s resignation but praised him for his service ...

More than 50 people arraigned on Monday

MORGANTOWN — A man who is accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old, a woman who allegedly collected money for years through a charity for her child’s medical condition then used the money for other things and a woman accused of sexually assaulting and abusing an 11-year-old boy are ...

Legislature passes revised medical cannabis vertical integration bill; goes to governor

MORGANTOWN – The medical cannabis vertical integration bill that fell to a veto after the 2109 regular session has been repaired and re-passed and will return to the governor. SB 1037 passed the Senate 23-7 and the House 81-17 on Monday, when the Legislature resumed its special session devoted to “education betterment.” Monday was devoted to handling bills the governor vetoed for various technical reasons and encouraged legislators to tweak. SB 1037 and its regular session predecessor HB 2079 amended the medical cannabis law — set to take effect July 1 — in various ways. ...

Legislature passes revised anti-hazing bill that fell to veto in March; for independent frats, sororities

MORGANTOWN — The Legislature once again passed a bill to extend anti-hazing law to independent fraternities and sororities. The Senate and House both suspended their three-day reading rules to pass SB 1004 on Monday, a one-day resumption of the special session on education bills that began when the regular session adjourned. The original version of the bill, SB 440, passed during the regular session but was vetoed by Gov. Jim Justice for being too broad. Current anti-hazing law applies to “any organization operating under the sanction of or recognized as an organization by ...

Accused murderer ask for new attorney

MORGANTOWN — Elizabeth Chinn, charged with first-degree murder for allegedly shooting 67-year-old Timothy Pahl to death during a burglary at his home on Old Stewartstown Road on April 22, 2018, will be appointed a new attorney. The Monday hearing before Judge Phillip Gaujot was scheduled as a motions hearing. Defense Attorney Kevin Tipton began the hearing by saying he wasn’t sure why but Chinn told him she wanted a new lawyer. “Frankly, I don’t think Ms. Chinn would be happy with any attorney,” Tipton said. He said Chinn asked why she was still in jail and he told her ...