The Logan Banner, Thursday, June 20, 2013 Obituaries
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A1 LOG ONTO WWW.LOGANBANNER.COM FOR ARCHIVE • GAMES • FeaTURES • E-EDITION • POLLS & MORE HE OGAN ANNER COMMENTARYT WEATHER L SPORTS B ONLINE Public opinion for Sunny. High mid 80s. Hooping it Busy? Find us statewide growth Low in the lower 60s up.... Page online, anytime at: .... Page A4 .... Page A3 B1 loganbanner.com Vol. 126, Number 75 THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2013 50 cents daily 2 lawsuits filed over runoff from reclaimed mines HUNTINGTON, W.Va. Pocahontas Land Corp. former Southeast Ridge new strategy from the en- myth that they no lon- for Hernshaw Partners, (AP) — Environmental- and Hernshaw Partners Mine and a former Chafin vironmental community, ger threaten the environ- based in Gilbert. ists are going after the LLC in U.S. District Court Branch Coal Co. site. The which has long sued coal ment when they’re done The complaints ask a owners of two more for- in Huntington Wednesday lawsuits say state and companies over pollution producing coal. judge to stop the unpermit- mer mountaintop remov- over alleged violations of federal regulators are do- but rarely sued after their Pocahontas Land Corp. ted discharges and to fine al mines in West Virginia, the Clean Water Act. ing nothing to end water operations are reclaimed of Bluefield is a subsidiary the defendants $37,500 hoping to hold them re- The groups filed simi- pollution from old surface per day for each violation. of Virginia-based Norfolk sponsible for water pollu- lar complaints over three mines after they’ve been and released from bonding They also demand moni- tion from the sites. other reclaimed mines cleaned up, graded and and permit requirements Southern Corp., which has toring and sampling pro- The Ohio Valley Envi- last month. replanted with vegeta- The groups say they’re said it won’t comment on grams to gauge the dam- ronmental Coalition, West The new complaints tion, so the landowners trying to focus attention pending litigation. age that’s been done, and Virginia Highlands Conser- focus on two Mingo must be held accountable. on the “full life cycle” Directory assistance restoration programs once vancy and Sierra Club sued County operations, the The litigation signals a of mines to dispel the had no listing Wednesday that’s been determined. Community assessment report released Debbie Rolen Staff Writer PRIDE Community Services conducted a community needs assessment in order to determine causes of poverty in Logan County and mobilize resources in a plan to meet community needs. The results of the community needs assessment are now being released. In November 2012, PRIDE enlisted the assistance of Kingery and Company, LLC, to determine causes of pov- erty in Logan County and mobilize resources in a plan to meet community needs. The results of the community needs assessment are now being released. The project included surveying residents, interview- ing community stakeholders, conducting secondary data research, facilitating an analysis retreat to prioritize the issues, and providing a summary report with key findings and recommendations. Photo courtesy of the Governor’s Office PRIDE engaged members of the community in the Banners hang at the State Capitol for West Virginia’s 150th Birthday Celebration. needs assessment process. This took place in the forma- tion of a Needs Assessment Steering Committee com- prised of internal PRIDE staff and external community stakeholders. External stakeholders included representa- West Virginia celebrates 150 years See REPORT | A5 Martha Sparks Society Editor Gares facing drug, CHARLESTON — West Virgin- ia reached its 150th year of state- hood today and marking the event will be celebrations all across the animal cruelty charges state. The largest celebration, span- Debbie Rolen ning four days, will be held in Staff Writer Charleston and will begin with a Sesquicentennial Ceremony on West Virginia State Police officers received an anon- the south steps of the State Capi- ymous tip about Ira Scott Gares, of Holden, growing tol. The Ceremony will include marijuana in his house and yard. the dedication of a new United Officers arrived on scene and one of the residents of States Postal Service stamp com- the house advised them marijuana plants were growing memorating West Virginia’s 150th in the back yard. Officers found three pots containing birthday. Sen. Jay Rockefeller, Sen. marijuana plants and another rectangular pot contain- ing additional plants. Joe Manchin, Thomas J. Marshall Photo Courtesy of www.laurenlovephotography.com After obtaining a search warrant, five additional of United States Postal Service, Sara Lane puts the finishing touches on the 150th birthday cake. plants were found inside the house. and members of the West Virginia According to the criminal complaint filed in the Mag- Sesquicentennial Commission will istrate Court of Logan County, a total of 86 marijuana join Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin for this will join all of us together as we the Great Hall. commemorate the state’s birthday “This is a big birthday for the plants in the yard and house. tribute to West Virginia. Officers also contacted the county dog catcher Jerry A statewide bell ringing will and officially kick-off this historic State of West Virginia, so we’re celebration.” having a cake that fits the occa- Browning after finding 27 dogs living in poor condi- begin at 1:50 p.m., today to coin- tions. Browning removed 14 dogs from the residence Bells should be rung 35 times sion,” said Governor Tomblin. cide with a bell ringing at the State due to health conditions. Capitol during the Sesquicentenni- to signify West Virginia’s status as “Joanne and I are looking forward our nation’s 35th state. Gares was charged with 86 counts of cultivation of al Ceremony. Tomblin has invited to enjoying it with West Virginians marijuana and 14 counts of animal cruelty. Magistrate Following the bell-ringing, Tom- schools, churches, and individuals from all corners of the state. Come Jeff Lane noted probable cause for one count of cultiva- blin will cut a giant birthday cake across the state to participate in a hungry!” tion of marijuana and set bond for Gares at $75,000. bell ringing in honor of West Vir- in the Great Hall of the Culture The structure underlying the • The Logan County Sheriff’s Department answered ginia’s 150th birthday. Center. Capitol replica was built by a fa- a 911 call to the Stollings Speedway regarding a physi- “This bell ringing provides our The main cake, a detailed rep- ther-and-son team of Culture Cen- cal altercation. citizens with an opportunity to lica of the State Capitol building, ter employees, David and Darren The deputy responded and found Steven Daniels, collectively celebrate and reflect is 8 feet long, more than 3 feet Husband. The detailed icing and Laetitia Greenlee and Brittney Richardson met to ex- on West Virginia’s 150th birth- tall, and decorated with nearly baking was done by Sara Lane of change their children. day,” Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin said. 900 pounds of fondant icing. Over Cross Lanes. While the exchange was being made, the three adults “Although, we may be located in 15,000 pieces of birthday cake will got into a verbal argument that escalated into a physi- different regions of the state, this be served Thursday-Saturday in See BIRTHDAY | A5 cal altercation. See CHARGES | A5 Wolfe Law Offices sponsors Oz performance Staff Report The Wizard of Oz is spon- permanent part of Logan our sponsors so much. a family friendly environ- citizens of this communi- sored by Steven Wolfe of County. The first produc- Without them, we would ment,” Wolfe said. ty,” Wolfe said. CHIEF LOGAN STATE Wolfe Law Offices, PLLC. tion was actually put on not be able to what we do.” Wolfe grew up in the To contact Wolfe Law PARK — The summer sea- “I am proud to be able to in 1953, and then later Wolfe understands how hills of Logan County near Offices please visit www. son is underway for The underwrite tonight’s per- revived for the Centennial important The Aracoma Man. He graduated from wolfelawwv.com or call Aracoma Story, Inc. The formance, and love know- Celebration of 1976. From Story and its productions Man High School, earned 304-654-1382. Wizard of Oz opened up ing that my contribution that time, the people of are to the area. his bachelor’s degree from The Aracoma Story, Tuesday with Dorothy tak- helps continue the tradi- this company have worked “I think the Aracoma Marshall University, and Inc.’s production of the ing the crowd “Over the tion of bringing quality en- continually to improve our Story Inc. is a staple in our then went on to West Vir- Wizard of Oz will run June Rainbow” and on a gran- tertainment to our area,” productions. We now also community. The play, The ginia University to receive 18-22, then June 25-29, diose journey to meet the Steven Wolfe said. produce a musical every Aracoma Story, is such a his Doctorate of Jurispru- and July 2-7. Show time is Wizard with her friends, Bringing quality theatre summer, often bringing in huge part of our county’s dence. Wolfe Law Offices 8:30 p.m. at the Liz Spur- the Scarecrow, the Tin to the people of Southern talent from as far as New identity — it’s a wonderful PLLC provides legal rep- lock Amphitheater in Chief Man, and the loveable West Virginia has been the York City to direct the story and an annual event resentation in numerous Logan State Park. Tickets Cowardly Lion. A big part mission of The Aracoma show and build the sets,” that allows our commu- areas including, Personal can be purchased at the of the show’s successful Story Inc.