Since WV ranks low on Acedemic achievement, and since the USA lags behind other nations in the same we need school all year long. Drop out rates increase partly because there is not adequate time spent in learning necessary skills.

I would like to explain the "all year" term. It does not mean all year it means approximately 9 weeks in school and 3 off and keeping Christmass, Thanksagiving and other holidays. So the children do not go extra days the year is just divided differently.

I am for all year school. I see each year the first month(s) are wasted on review. If the children went all year there would shorter breaks and less time to lose concrete learned skills. I see a lot of parents that do not work with their children and you cannot take off a whole summer with no focus on education (retaining and learning new skills with parental influences and experiences). I noticed this year with the December snow storm and the miss of all the days and Christmas break some of my strugglers lost many skills which put them back to the beginingn of the year skill level versus where the other children were and this was only about three weeks off so short periods of time hurts our high-risk children the most. I also would like to appauld the post that mentioned our children being feed. It is very hard to know that when our children leave the school they might not eat until they come back and as teachers we can no longer use food during Math or special events....Johnny Appleseed Days so we can no longer add fun ways to teach meaningfully and feed our children who would benefit from the extra snack. If people had the true facts about all year school I think that they would see it is better of our children, keeps teachers refreshed and as all child care issues are concerned you have the schedules in advance so arrangements can be made prior.

No, i don' think they should go to school all year round because school dropout rates are going to increase and students are going to get bored, and people go on vacations duirng summertime. Don't you think 9 months is enough. Kids need a break sometime.

*As a recently retired elementary teacher, I have supported the year-round concept most of my career. Students, even the best ones, regress more than the two months' time they are off for summer break; further, the majority of the first grading period is spent in review of last year's skills; the break between grading periods could be utilized to address remediation issues thereby eliminating the need for retentions; also, a year-round schedule is a more realistic schedule to prepare students for future employment. *The archaic agriculturally-based schedule leaves today's students, and most personnel, with a roller-coaster-like emotional adjustment to the beginning/end of school. Elimination of this current schedule would serve to 'weed out' those who seek a teaching position for the summer break, and give those professionals who are serious and dedicated to their career a schedule more conducive to on-going training and follow-up.

I believe in year around school. Children will not only learn more now but it will benefit them in the future when they go to find a job or go to college. Not only that it will help the parents out so that they don't have to find a person to watch their children.

I believe that year-round school is a great idea. Not only do students retain more knowledge, some of our lower socio-economic students would have more consistent meals year-round! Some people don't see this as such a huge issue unless you're a teacher and see the first hand effects. If students don't have that number one need met, then learning goes out the door!

Yes, year-round school calendar is the best idea not only for snow days that are missed, but also the several weeks each summer that children forget what they have learned. This wastes time at the beginning of each school year refreshing their memory. West Virginia’s children can really benefit from a continual education cycle and excel above other states. We do want what is best for our children; don't we?

My husband nor I will NOT vote for Joe. He is for himself and that is all to it. He Used the UBB miners getting killed for publicity. As for Justice, ask the 15 coal miners he cheated out of their hospital cards that worked hard for him on Burke Mt. near Keystone, WV. The media is trying to make him look good, but he's not nothing in my book and Manchin either.

Joe Manchin has not been and will never be a Governor for the working people of our great state. He was instrumental in the loss of 400+ mining jobs in Marion County WV in the 1990’s. He even got the UMWA (another corrupt group ..all for themselves at the top) to change their view of the occurrence before he ran for Governor to say it ain’t so Joe. Anyone in this state that thinks Joe Manchin will work for the common people over his rich friends and all his corporate cronies is wrong. He might even show his true colors if he wins a Senate seat and switch to his true party …Republican. But there is small pickings in the election Republican Joe Manchin or Republican John Raese. Bray Carey likes Manchin a lot that should say mouthfuls to anyone who listens to Carey’s “comments” on TV they are all anti-union, anti working people lets help the rich and famous.

its about this man was found out about his cheating ways and self greed can wait to see him fall flat on his face

every teacher i know hopes he loses every office he runs for. if you disagree tell me why?

HERE WE GO HERD!

Imagine Uncle Joe is being investigated. Maybe people are done with his actions of collecting a paycheck and running for another office. As a state worker I would have to resign from my job to be able to run for an office. Conflict of interest. Do that include him? When I read that the state is in the black that is great until we pay for a 3 million dollar election for him and then again for the gov job later. And a state worker can not get a raise. It is sad to think a person dealing with criminals as a parole office starts out making less than 25 thousand a yr. You have to have a 4 yr degree for most state jobs and you only make 25 thousand. Come on who can live on that. He needs to stop and look at the little people and stop looking ahead for only himself spreading millions of taxpayers money for a better paying job for himself. Remember all this when you vote in a few weeks on a Sat. He hopes that only a small group of his followers will go out on a Sat and vote......He has caused a big mess with election seeing how places have other functions scheduled for the place that you vote at.

Dan: RFID is radio-frequency identification. It's spychips and privacy invasion.

what does RFID stand for? SORRY

Attention: Starting in August, wal-mart stores are going to use RFID smart tags! I am not shopping there any longer and hope you all follow suit.

I moved here 12 years ago from Columbus, Ohio. Golf, I grew up with. Call me a snob, but I love what it's done to West Virginia. We had the Pete Dye Classic, now we have the Greenbrier Classic. As a State, WE SHOULD BE PROUD!!! In this State, It seems that if you're not going around in a mile wide circle, wasting fossill fuels, you don't get it...NASCAR!!!

will someone do something about the smell between meadowbrooke mall exit and the clarksburg exit. someone is not mixing the chemicals right or something. not a good impression of the area.

I have nothing against promoting this neglected state however this Golf thing is being blown all out of proportion in the media as a save all for the state. If you are naïve enough to believe that it will change perception so be it but as a loyal Mountaineer born and raised follow the Mountaineer to an away game see the hate the ignorance and a golf game will change that…I hope you are right but I am a doubter. Full Support must be a pseudonym for Bray Cary because it sounds like another free advertisement but you keep trying to change my mind as I am open to change when it is positive for our state but this thing is not the way.

I hope everything works out for those folks working to make the Greenbrier rise from the dead. They are the ones who deserve the credit, but sleep with one eye open my friends. Ask all the folks who have dealt with the Justice family over the years.

Burl: This is not free advertising! The Greenbrier Classic is a great event for West Virginia. Not only is it bringing in huge tourism dollars, it also is promoting and portraying our great state in a positive light to the rest of the nation. Yes, West Virginia has its issues, but I commend the local media for bringing us this news everyday. Often times you hear people complain that the news is too negative... And now people complain that it is too positive? Geez... "damned if you do and damned if you don't", I think that's how that goes? Anywho, keep up the great coverage WOWK!

Most of the people in West Virginia are trying to keep or find a decent job they could like me care less about a bunch of rich guys playing golf. The unprecedented coverage of this event by the local media is truly unforgivable you should label the coverage what it is..free advertising. Put a disclaimer on the free ads that run as “news”. You all will say it will bring people in and bring them back yeah once a year to play a silly game.

I wouldn't vote for anyone else Besides Manchin!!!

No Republican has the .....to do so!!!

This is a Democrat State....I guess the Reps know this by now!!

There will never be another Underwood..the only decent Republican WV has had recently!!

First of all, most to all who are in politics, Governors, senators, number one the so called president and of course our lovely congress that holds most of them are all dang crooks. The Constitution says WE THE PEOPLE...... NOT WE CONGRESS or WE THE POLITICIANS!!! It ticks me off to no end if they commit a crime they get a slap on the wrist and stay in politics but if the American public ever commit any crimes they throw the book at us. Ya'll are pathetic!! Non of them belong in Politics. I didn't get on here to comment on the dang CROOKS... I'd like to know why the gas prices are still $2.85 and climbing in Glenville when Ripley, Spencer, Burnsville, Etc... is $2.72. THAT'S A LOAD OF CRAP!!!

I will not vote for Manchin in the upcoming election.He stood by as many jobs were lost over the last two yearsand did nothing to keep them.Precision Coil in Clarksburg , Fourco in Grafton and Century in Ravenwood are a few.

gov. manchin is a CROOK plain and simple!!!

It seems that he has waited a long time for the BIG JOB. He didn't like Secretary of State and now doesn't want Governor. I just love it when he states he loves serving the people of West Virgina. Does serving the taxpayers of West Virginia mean spending more money on a special election so he can get there sooner. Why not wait until the term is up and then run for the bigger paycheck and kick backs. He likes to brag about saving taxpayers money and having money in a rainy day fund, guess that is so we can pay for his things instead of taking care of state workers and creating jobs for the unemployed and he can't seem to find the job he really wants. Now he can maybe help Mr Blankenship and it will not look so bad. I agree I will be voting and it will be for anyone besides him. Maybe he should go back to Farmington and live with the little people. I can only hope if they go to Washington that the First Lady gets rid of some of the "pretty clothes" the gold suit jacket she likes to wear.

Yes, I will vote at the special election. No, I will not vote for Manchin!!!

It is a real shame when power and greed drive your decision, not the ok of some 18 members of your family as you stated on your interview tonight. You have wasted tax payer money on a special session and now you appoint a man whom you know will not run as competition to you and you are having a special vote Aug 28th another cost to the tax payer. You are right when you say you can not fill Robert C. Byrds shoes. He was a man of integrity. You are not. You were voted in as the govenor of West Virginia and you should fulfill your term as promised to West Virginians. It sounds as though you have been waiting for something better to come along. Why not just appoint yourself and be done with it! To ask for a special election at the tax payers cost is totally wrong. You should be ashamed! Greed and power will be your downfall!

I hope everyone is not shocked that he is going to run. Why do you think he appointed someone that is not going to run. I am sure that the next Governor will be someone in the same family. Only hope the next Governor will consider that the state workers serve the people of West Virginia like he states all the time and made sure he got more money on his pay for his serving but he forgets about the state workers.

Thank you WVNS for broadcasting the service for Sen. Robert Byrd. I sat in awe listening to all the tributes to him. He was truely a magnificent man of love of state, country and the people. The entire service from beginning to end not only honored Sen. Byrd but was an honor to our state. I am proud to be a West Virginian and the professionalism and gracefulness of how the tribute was conducted just increased that. Surely Sen. Byrd will be missed by all who knew him personally and by the people of WV. Again, thank you for covering the entire service.

This station and others who broadcast important news about sex offenders to the public should noe be allowed to broadcast into prisons and jails. These broadcasts are causing injuries and even death to inmates who are there. Soemthing needs to be done about this befoer someone else gets hurt.

Dan, thank you for your concern. I am going to do just that. This station cannot seem to look into the injustice in this state. Nobody seems to care about all of this and now we are in an even worse situation. The attorney who did very little and now he wants to continue to represent him..for free because he says that the judge is angry with him for another case. The attorney who is going to be appointed for him also "hates" the other atoorney. It is like a b!#ch fight between 2 attorneys and the judge who dislikes one of them. He is a pawn in a dangerous game. I am scared for him like I have never been scared before.

PLEASE, PLEASE!! Remind all people that plan to attend the funeral procession of Sen. Robert C. Byrd of proper etiquette, such as removing their hats when the hearse passes by, and when they enter the capitol building. Good manners shows respect for the person that has passed, and is noticed and appreciated by grieving family and friends.

It seems as if all the citizens that attended the Shadyside School Board meeting Tuesday evening may have wasted their time expressing their interests in becoming a board member, when the thought process was so short in making a decision on who the lucky candiate would be. It was announced after the the media left, Mr. DeFelice was chosen for this position. After taking time reading about all interested parties it seems they chose someone who did not even attend or graduate from the Shadyside Schools.

The citizens of shadyside voted on passing our school levy and what are the children getting out of it, nothing except fewer employees to help them. It seems as if all the jobs that are being cut are the ones to help and assist our children. What ever happened to administration cuts? Our district seems to have done the same thing as last time a levy passed, do away with jobs that help the children and give the adminstration a raise. For instance, why do we have three principals in such a small town school district, and how come our treasurer needs an assistant, it would seem as if these are the jobs that should be cut, instead of the lowest paying jobs. Thanks to the Superintendent of Shadyside Local School District.

In response to local workers complaining of hiring out of state workers, in their out of state vehicles, Corky DeMarco, Executive Director of the West Virginia Oil and Natural Gas Association, says (license) plates don't mean much. “I even suggested to a couple of companies, put a couple of flying WV's on the …cars, because people see that and it doesn't make any difference where they're from,” he said candidly. Well I'll be candid as well, it does matter Mr DeMarco and it matters a lot that you would make such a statement and have such little respect for the proud people of this state. Do you also support illegals escorted in from the border to work?, cause heck "it don't matter where they are from".

My biggest concern about the death of Senator Byrd is that a pseudo Democrat like Joe Manchin could appoint himself or one of his cronies to the seat of the great Robert Byrd and the people are helpless to counteract the transgression until the 2012 election and by that time Manchin will have the pull and the financial backing of all his Republican cohorts to stay in the US Senate. It makes me nauseous. He is no Democrat look at his record of combating the working people of this great state for the further profit of his rich friends and their companies.

It truly is a sad day for West Virginia with the passing of Senate Byrd. He truly was a rags to riches man but you would not know it by the way he worked hard for the working class and created jobs for this great State. It is surprising to hear that Gov Manchin is not going to appoint himself. Maybe one of his nephews or cousins will be the one.

What a sad day this is with the passing of Senator Byrd and yet the first person they ask to talk about him was a criminal like Arch Moore

Death of a West Virginia champion Sen. Robert Byrd of West Virginia passed overnight He thought of the people of West Virginia first the workers, the housewife, the teacher the kids not the rich and famous. There will be none like him in our lifetimes. His replacement will be a self serving politician out for personal glory and profit. High officials in the state have been salivating waiting for our friend to pass so they can make their jump from West Virginia state to national politics to further help the rich and powerful not the working class. Don’t let them fool you they are not for the working people look around they run down the workers cutting off help for the sick and injured while trying to get the big guys breaks and additional riches. I am off my soapbox now.

You personal info about your mineral rights and real estate is not personal. Its public. All the information is at the courthouse.

They are in business to make money, so by them buying your interest, they will resell it at a higher price or just wait for the royalty checks.

They probably sent the same letter to all the other fractional owners as well.

April-I was inquiring about a letter I received in the mail this week. It was a group called Appalachian Royality Co.sending me a letter with my personal info on my wells and wanting to offer a one time cash pay out for my share. Iam curious about the company and about the info thay have about my personal info. If anyone else has received one please post an answer or tell me what you think. Thanks

Dear April, It seems as though the debate over whether a premium tax on tobacco products is fair will never end, but it should, and with a significant raise in the tobacco tax. Smokers, and other tobacco users, just don't get the overall picture. Their habits, especially smoking, escalate the costs of healthcare exponentially. Smokers are at a much higher risk of lung disease, heart disease, and lung cancer. Second-hand smoke affects other people and puts their health at risk for the same diseases. Unborn children who are in the womb of a smoking mother are at a higher risk for childhood asthma. And the list can go on, including children, the disabled, and others who can't necessarily get out of the way of the second hand smoke. People who use smokeless tobacco are at risk for mouth, esophageal, and other forms of cancer. Their teeth, gums, and tongue are also affected, leading to higher dental care costs. So, why should there not be a tax that generates the necessary revenue to cover all of the health care costs? Even smokers who quit are likely to need health care related to their smoking years down the line. It is time for this debate to end, on the right side.

Sincerely, Jeffry Parisian-Hays Moundsville, WV

amanda t. contact a major news network like cnn you might be able to talk them into investigating his case.

I need to tell a story about a great man who was taken from me...and from his life because of a lie. I have known this man for 24 years. This is a story about backwoods justice and the fact that justice has a price and innocence doesn not guarantee you your freedom. Tim has spent his life helping people. He only went to the beginning of ninth grade before he quit to help his family by working. He worked at Fenton Art Glass for many years. He helped new people and became friends with those he worked with. Tim DJ'd Fenton parties and the American Legion. He spent his time working and taking care of his family. He adores his grandparents and his aunts and uncles above all others and took care of all the things that needed to be done around their house. He loves animals and has taken in several dogs and cats who need love. He would give his last bite of food to any animal or any person, for that matter. Tim was married for 2 years to a woman. They did not work out...for reasons that are not relevant to this note. They had many problems and it was a bitter divorce. She told the police that she found child pornography on the computer that they shared. She told this to the police months after the divorce. She admitted in court that many people had access to the computer which had no passwords for anything, including her nephew who has a prior child molestation charge. There were temporary internet files linking to child pornography on the computer. His ex stated that when she found the pictures, she deleted them and told Tim about them. remember....8th grade education....He did not know that they were there. The states expert stated that only FBI software can see something that was deleted.The jury saw the terrible pictures, heard her testimony as well as that of the state expert. At the end of the states case, his attorney stated that because they had such a weak case and no proof of his knowledge, Tim should be acquitted. The judge stated that he had reservations about sending it to the jury, but sent it anyway. The jury found him guilty...I guess they wanted to punish someone for the dreadful photos that they saw...and they charged him with 55 counts of possession of child pornography. There was not a single thing to point to Tim having any access or knowledge of this trash, with the exception of her testimony. He could be sentenced to 110 years in prison for something that he did not do, there was not a single connection to him for the pictures...just the testimony of an ex wife who admitted to me one night that she did this because he would not have her back. Since that is heresay, I was not allowed to state it in court. This is a travesty and has to be remedied. The attorney did the best that he know how to do, but not being an expert at this type of case, he failed to prove the innocence that we are supposed to have until proven guilty. There was not a single bit of proof, how can they believe an ex who is angry? They did and I am all that he has to save him and get him home. He has been threatened and treated like an animal in NCRJ. There are predators being released every day to hurt people again and Tim is there because the jury believed that she told him the trash was there. If you have any questions, please contact me at fourtimesmom@yahoo.com

Uncle Joe would just hire more of his friends and relatives to take the jobs of the workers he would hire after a walk out.

Wonder what Uncle Joe would do if all state workers went on strike all the same day?

bj We are behind you guys 100%. Don't back down, show them you mean business!

back in the day that would have worked but today you cant get people to stand up and fight.

Bet that would get Uncle Joe's attention.

Think a state-wide walk-out will work?

I am not a correctional officer but I work for the state so best of luck getting a pay raise from Uncle Joe. Unless you work for him directly you will not see any extra money. Our insurance is going to increase in July and he keeps saying the state does not have any extra money so I do not see any pay raise coming to the state workers. Maybe we should complain like the teacher's do that they are over worked and unpaid and that they do not want to pay more for their insurance so why should state workers. It is sad that most workers could get chip insurance if state workers were allowed to get it. Since the salary is so low our children should be allowed to get the same insurance coverage (CHIP) that someone who makes alot more than a state worker can get for their child. Best of luck with getting the pay raise I hope you get it.

Sam.

In fact Uncle Sam did. And your point is? Join the program and you too can apply for benefits if you qualify. FYI...I paying for life in the form of a service-connected disability. So what exactly is your point?

To stay focused on the discussion. Stop pointing fingers and whining about what others have and you don't. Do something about it!

Right to Work: Talk about handouts, bet Uncle Sam paid for your college education!

It is nice to know that the good ole boys system is still working within the BOE. Maybe I should have said trying to work. Mr Reider should have known that he should not have voted for this pay raise for his wife. Did he not read the by laws for the members that they are not to benefit themselves from the position. I have questioned how Mr Reider and Mr Howe can be on the board since both of them have wives that work for the BOE. So when they vote for the calendar Mr Howe is sure to vote what would be bested for his family. I do not know of any other job that the workers tell when they will work and what days they want off. I would like to say I do not always agree with Mr Queen but I do feel that he does try and look out for all student in Harrison County not just a certain area or group. I also would like to say that the board made the wrong choice for Liberty High with Mrs Knight returning. It is amazing that Mr Gibson and Mrs Hagi could do the job from the time that Mr Z retired until the end of school, but Mr Gibson was not good enough for the job. I hope she does more than she did the first time she was there and that she has the interest of the students this time instead of a certain group like the last.

Actually, I served in the military for well over 10 years, finished 3 college degrees, traveled and worked around the world. Been there done that...and earned my 100k plus salary. I earned my position by not repeating mistakes or listening to the"man."

Instead of waiting to another handout, do something about it. Form a union, organize a walk-out, etc.

There are three types of employees in the world:

1. Employees that make things happen. 2. Employees that watch things happen. 3. Employees that say, "what happened."

What type of employee are you? Life is not fair, get used to it.

Calling all Correctional Officers stand-up and demand a pay increase! They don't hesitate to raise our insurance premiums do they? Let's band together to stand-up for what is fair.

Another tax increase on cigarettes. Seriously??? Businesses can't run their establishments and some smaller ones will be going out of business because of the smoking ban. Now to make up for the profits the state gets from those, they want the same people they are banning to make up the difference. Boy oh boy does that sound fair. Punish us for smoking by not letting us out in public but make sure we get to pay more taxes. 60% of voters, bullcrap! Nobody ever asked me. It sure wasn't on any ballot I've seen in the last 32 years I've been voting.

The correctional employees need and deserve a pay raise. Right to Work bet you get paid for being a brown noser.

Hey right to work don’t be telling people to shut up you can spout your blinded by the right the company has the right do what your told or else rhetoric but the worker has rights also in spite of your misguided views. If you are so secure in finding work lets give it up and find something far away. I will bet you are a salaried company employee who tries their best to run down the working person to send things back to the 19th century where the company paid little no health programs and killing workers was a daily occurrence you work for Don Blankenship???

Just as you have a right to ask for higher wages, companies have a right not to pay them. The only person that will look out for you is you. Do not depend on a handout. Make it happen. That includes finding a job that pays more. Most people in West Virgina are afraid to leave the state to search for the better paying jobs. If you don't like it, change it, or sit down and shut up.

Right to Work must live in that Republican Mrs. Cleaver cleaning house/cooking in high heels and pearls world. Quit your job and find another here in West Virginia how easy does that sound lets have Right to Work try it. EVERYONE in a FREE country has the right to ask for and expect decent wages and some like the high CEO’s get millions in bonuses while people like Right to Work shill for them that everything is beautiful. Look around RW the companies have you under their thumb and they are loving it. With people like you campaigning against the working class they have half of their battle won to keep people down.

I would like to know where all the talk of a pay raise for correctional officers came from? As a officer with 15 years in service with the state I called to check and about this story and noone has heard of a payraise.

They couldn't pay me enough to do that job. You guys have my support. Did you guys ever consider a state-wide walkout, like the teachers do? It might be something to think about.

they need a new union or the one they have needs to grow a backbone and do their job that they are being paid to do!

BJ:

Work is a priveledge and a choice, not a "you owe me" mandate. I agree that people should be paid a fair wage, but no employer should be forced to pay a higher wage. If you don't like your pay, find another job. Pretty simple concept.

Isn't it time to give all correctional officers a pay raise that is equal to neighboring states? These men and women put their lives on the line everyday and are being paid pennies! They need and deserve it!

Isn't it time to give all correctional officers a pay raise that is equal to neighboring states? These men and women put their lives on the line everyday and are being paid pennies! They need and deserve it!

We've told smokers that they have no right to smoke. Business owners have been told that they have no control over their own business. Smoking decisions should be left to the business owners. They should be allowed to post a "smoking" sign if they wish and then let the patrons decide!

Concerned Try Easter Seals

can anyone tell me where to get help for kids with special needs that need walkers and medicaid won't pay for them.

can anyone tell me where to get help for kids with special needs that need walkers and medicaid won't pay for them.

Does anyone know how to get repairs on rural roads in Preston Co? It doesn't seem right that our roads are falling apart and we cannot get anything done. It doesn't seem right that an old tar and chip roaad is giong back to gravel again. Any suggestions? Thanks.

You enjoy a cigarette. I get it. Your smoke is a by-product of your cigarette. You enjoy your cigarette and your by-product gets on me and makes my clothes and hair smell really bad, not to mention that it compromises my health.

I enjoy a beer. My urine is a by-product of my beer. Would it be okay for me to urinate on your clothes and hair?

I didn't think so. Let's keep the by-products of our enjoyments to ourselves. Way to go, Harrison County!

To WV being realistic - Byrd brought the FBI Center to Clarksburg, and defense contractors followed. NOT because of Mollohan but because the rent and labor is cheap here, the close proximity to DC, and the WVU biometrics program. Aside from the indulgent Mollohan building at the I-79 Technology Park in Fairmont, which houses a few small companies Mollohan has (had) in his back pocket, what has he really done for West Virginia? Take a look at the ginormous ISR building that sits empty. Mollohan cannot take credit for the high-tech jobs in North Central WV,

Satisfied Parent: Charter schools may not be the answer everywhere. We have an excellent school system here in Mineral County.Many students go on to complete higher ed.and excel in their chosen professions.Parent and community involvement is our key. It may be that charter schools would be a proper fit in certain select areas. That may be the key to obtaining the available Fed. funds.However,legislation mandating all areas to establish charter schools would be foolish.

Dang Gas prices have not come down here in Glenville. The Exxon's Mountaineer Mart is still at $2.99 and the Rich's Gas station right next door is still at $2.95.

It's way past time for the political signs to be picked up. On Rt 2 North, Ohio county there are still signs for Levenson, Warner and Santorine. There is also a pile of signs on Lumber Ave someone moved so they could cut grass. News flash the primary is over time to rid the streets of ths clutter. Maybe there should be a fine in order to stimulate those memery cells.

We are reaching out to many local families here in West Virginia and surrounding states who do not have insurance. To this day we have helped them same over 23,000.00 since march of last year this is great. Through our free program many people are saving up to 75% on their prescriptions with this free prescription discount card.This program is free for everyone. For your free card please visit,www.nulegacyrxcard.com/clb1977

So what has Mr. Mollahan done in the past 28 years that is worth over 3 million dollars we have paid him except do very well for himself. I still see our young people leaving to find work after we have worked so hard to educate them. I dont see were we need much money concidering there are fewer people in WV than most large cities in boardering states. What a shame this is such a great place to live and raise our young even if they have to leave. I think we're past due for new blood.

Recently Alan M. was beat by Mike O. I think the state is going to suffer from this. Senior representatives who have been in office for years have earned rank and bring money to this poor state we live in. All politicians are crooked, it is the nature of the job....I am sure Mike O. will be of the same moral caliber as Alan M. and the rest of those crooked @#*(@# in washington, but Mike O. or David won't be able to bring the same amount of funding to the state that Alan M has in the past. Bird won't be around for long and then we will be stuck with a bunch of rookies who struggle to bring money to this poor state we live in.

The state legislature is now in special session to discuss education concerns including merit pay and charter schools. Could you do a series to explain to the public exactly what a real charter school is and how the legislature plans to implement them in the state? I've done a little research on my own and what I have found is very interesting. I found that a charter school is a privately run, publicly funded school. It is run by parents, educators and businesses. It is my understanding that the governor would like to turn every public school into a charter school. I would like to know how this will affect hiring and firing, curriculum standards, and classrooms. Being a private school, charter schools can deny access to children if they want to so if there will no longer be public schools in WV after this law passes then where will children go when they are denied access to the charter schools? I'm just wondering.

Also, please explain merit pay. It has to be based on something. It seems, right now, that the only thing legislators understand is test scores. So does that mean that teachers with the highest scoring students will get the merit pay? And if that's the case then will teachers get the opportunity to choose who is in their classrooms to guarantee higher test scores? Just wondering.

I saw one of the Tea Gaggers on the evening news bragging about defeating the incumbent congressman by their election tactics then he mentioned all the people he was opposed to they where all democrats if these people are nonpartisan in their views to change American politics why not see the bad in all politicians they never existed until we elected an intelligent president not one who was fueled by his cronies to start wars for profit of the already rich. Obama is left to clean up the mess that right wing republicans made over 8 years and not given a chance by the Tea Gaggers they want 1950’s back no blacks no liberals Mrs. Cleaver on TV cleaning house in high heels and a dress with a pearl necklace. The people need to rise up and realize that the Tea Gaggers are misguided by people who feed them BS and they think that those high politicians care about them … if you are by partisan see the bad in all political parties not just the ones in power now or get off the soapbox.

Within the past month WBOY has been contact twice about events that were taking place within Monongalia County. Both of these events involved Monongalia County Girls Softball. A few weeks ago there was a clinic that took place at our fields in Granville. The WVU softball team come to our fields and worked with the girls from ages 7 - 13 on various skills of the game. It was a great chance for our girls to learn more about the game and for the WVU girls to work with the Mon. Co girls.

This past Saturday we held an Opening Day festivites. There were members of several teams and coaches present as the flag was raised by the Granvile Police. The Star Spangled Banner was sung by the winner of the MoHawk Idol contest.

Where was WBOY during either of these events? Nowhere to be seen. It is little wonder that WVU will not recognize softball as anything more that a club sport. You can get no media coverage to support the sport that not only gets young girls up and moving but also offers them a chance to shine. In the past we have all seen the "Good News" segment talk about everything from a new buisness opening to Opening Day of baseball. Is there a reason that these softball players can not get any coverage at all? It is a sad that if these girls want to continue to play softball they can't even get any kind of scholarship through WVU and I am really wondering if it has anything at all to do with the fact that softball doesnt get the coverage that baseball does.

Even in high school and middle school sports... softball gets not attention. Shame on WBOY and shame on all other types of media. These girls deserve just as much positive attention as their counterparts on the baseball field.

We now get to bail out Greece were they get to retire at the ripe old age of 53,while we get to work till we drop. Sure is wonderfull knowing that the wise men in Washington got our backs, until they break that is. Headlines : U.S. Tax payers bail outs go global. WE have to stop these guys.

A large political ad appears today in the Clarksburg newspaper stating that one political candidate running for office voted against the wishes of the people on a Property Maintenence Ordinance in Harrison County.. Maybe an overwhelming opposition was voiced by those that came out to the public hearings, but prior to adoption of this Harrison County ordinance many homeowners/landowners relayed our support for the ordinance to the county officials. Homeowners throughout the county believe one does not have the Constitutional right to keep an abandoned/uninhabitable structure and bring slum and blight onto the entire neighborhood. There are many of the people that had their wishes filled with the passage of this ordinance but cannot afford a half-page ad in the newspaper to say so.

Well, It seems that Moundsville Police look forward to their hard jobs on the weekends!! Not busting drunks coming out from the bars, not shop lifters, or reckless driving while Texting or gabbing on cell phones...NO..they're after people who are holding yard sales without Permits!! Please!!! Is this ALL they have to do...bust the people trying to make some extra cash on their used items??? Unbelievable!!! This is what you hear coming across the scanners all weekend... Moundsville Police are out and about..watch out folks!!

Countryfella, I agree but I believe it goes further back than the economic development leaders, I think it needs to begin with the state legislature making changes in the business climate in West Virginia so the economic leaders can attract that type of industry.It is a shame to loose so much of our young talent to other states.

In tonight’s news, Governor Manchin held a meeting with the young professionals of the state in an attempt to retain and promote young professionals. The biggest issue I have is not in retaining our young professionals, but instead having the employment opportunities available for those professionals. I am 41 with an Engineering Degree and an MBA living in Greenbrier County. There are very limited options in and around Greenbrier County: drive no less than 50 miles to Roanoak or Beckley, work at Goodrich Corp in Monroe County or MeadWestvaco in Virginia. Even in those areas there are very limited opportunities. My wife and I have made commitments to our children to raise them as we were, out in the country, away from the crime and violence of the large cities, near our extended families. We need more manufacturing companies moving into our rural counties. We have great engineering and business schools in WV turning out numerous well qualified professionals every year, but our economic development leaders are falling behind.

If one more person pulls out in front of me while Texting and gabbing on their phone....I am taking your License plate number and reporting you!!! This is getting ridiculous!!!

Moundsville police...where are you???

Another day another death in the West Virginia coal mines total for April so far 30 workers. This fellow also died as far as I know in a non union mostly unregulated coal mine. Was he working a forced 9-10 hour day? This is the way most mine fatalities happen one at a time no national outrage just one more family without a member. When is the profits before people going to stop….don’t’ ask me I am just dumb ol’ coal miner wishing the shareholders and the companies really cared about people.

in jan. 2006 there was a explosion at the sago mine now a explosion at the upper branch mine. one these 2 mines have in common is they are both non union. i have friends tjat work in non union mines . they say safety is almost non existant. if they complain about safety they will be fired. it is a sad day in america when these millionaire c e o's put the almighty dollar ahead of human life.

We have politicians we are going to have an investigation but we will have little or no action. The deaths in the coal disaster this week in West Virginia has happened before will happen again it is simple profits over people. Recently we here at Patriots’ coal Federal #2 mine had excess levels of gas not just the well publicized levels in February but just last week (March) so it might have easily been local people in the headlines as having been lost in an “accident”.

Yeah right. After our last bout with the methane problem our new big guy mine foreman had informal meetings with each shift to let us know what was going on. What that was is easy to share he said “we have to get production up we are falling behind in production we need more coal in the unit trains leaving here” oh yeah he mentioned safety in about the last 30 seconds of a 20 minute propaganda session. The shareholders don’t want 70 million profits they want 100 million profits for the year so they can have another Mercedes or visit the south of France. Anyone who thinks that coal companies are concerned about the safety of the miner over the profits going down the line to the owners are very naive and need help.

The coal barons are STILL getting away with MURDER in West Virginia!

well I think we all need to be figuring out something about th mines because it is driving me crazy not knowing about my uncle I really miss him so you all need tol let us know something his name is Kenney Chapman

I believe its time someone wave the caution flag on this Race to the Top. Dr Payne needs to utilize his full staff and the Office of Educational Perormance Audits to assess any tangible benefits and report on the many legal challenges of Charter Schools across the country. We were sold a pig in a poke to get state SBA money with closure and consolidation of many good schools and now we are about to fall for more false promises just to get federal money.

I've been a life long resident of Wheeling, and have lived in Warwood for 13 years, and I have had enough! Stop bullying hard working families and trying to squeeze every darn little penny out of our pockets for every little reason you city leaders can think of!

The latest parking ticket stunt has Warwood residents enraged! I mean seriously, parking in the wrong direction has seriously caused a problem since when?? Everyone has parked in this manner in this neighborhood for umteen years and NOW our police department wants to slap us with $20 tickets!? We already have $10 sweeper day fines slapped on us when the street sweeper doesn't even SHOW UP!

We have speeders flying up and down Richland Ave at 45/50mph and running every stop sign, and never is there a cop car watching to keep our children safe from getting hit.

Now, we have an auto arsonist running amok in Warwood, and THIS is the city's and the police department's solution to this?

We are HARD working families struggling in this economy, and this is how the city repays its citizens? They told us from the very beginning that once buisness thrived in the Highlands, we wouldn't see our taxes raised, etc.

Lies. Every time. Property taxes have gone up. Utility rates have gone up. The water department even tried nabbing me for an EIGHT year old repair bill that I paid eight years ago. And NOW these additional rediculous tickets? This is plain out "bullying" Leave me and family's pocket book alone, already.

This is NOT the "Friendly city" you leaders are claiming this to be. This unfairness to hard working families with these petty tickets is the last straw. No wonder all my friends are striving to move out of Wheeling, or have already done so. And the first chance I get and can possibly afford it, I'm shipping my family to Ohio.

Congressman Alan B. Mollohan's TV ads are a real slap in the face. The term 'lying rhetorician' comes to mind when I watch them. The insurance lobbies helped write the ObamaCare bill, yet Mollohan is 'standing up to them' by voting for their bill! I guess the bill really hurt the health insurance companies...that is why their stock shot up after the bill passed. I have not voted in years due to the lack of quality in our candidates. But I plan to register this year and vote to remove Mollahan if nothing else.

With the new health care being signed into law, there are many who are pushing to have this overturned by lawsuit being filed by the Attorney Generals. My question is why aren't all 50 states doing this?! I am 21 years old and I am very concerned about my country. President Obama and his administration have continued to be completely dishonest with the American people. All of these backroom deals and special exceptions to this health care plan when this administration has constantly said that it would be the most transparent administration to date. I find it amazing that we as Americans can continue to put up with the lies and theft of our freedom. President Obama and the rest of those in office swore to uphold and defend our constitution. Discrimination between different religions by exempting certain religious groups, certain states, and those who hold office from being under this law is NOT what I call upholding the Constitution of the United States. We need to wake up to the lies and deceit and put people in office who honestly are going to do the will of the people without worrying about how long they will be in office.

I worked for 46 yrs. I still don't understand how someone who works could be a "NO" republican in this state. No Social Security, no civil rights, no medicare, and no health care. Could it be preachers preaching politics, not the gospel from the Fox News pulpit?

With the passage of the health care reform, President Oboma said this is what change looks like! Sorry but I disagree, looked like the same old back room closed door deal making and political favors ect that has gone on way to long. You might really see change come election time.

For or against [Obama Care]?

Has anyone read the front page of today's Exponent-Telegram; specifically the article about the recent school bus accident?

W.I. Middle School is perfect example of a school out of control. Administrators don't call parents and cover-up issues. The parent in the article has a good cause to sue the Harrison County Board of Education. W.I. is a dangerous school, physically and structurally, and lacks administrators that support education rather than suppression and punishment.

What is the point of see-through back backs or girls not being able to carry purses? Who cares what color someone's hair is or what clothes their wearing? Focus on education and respecting the student.

I think the BOE should bench mark Central Valley High School in Rhode Island and fire all the teachers and administrators at W.I.

The Bray Cary interview with Bob Huggins tonight was PATHETIC. The inane questions were embarassing. If anyone else was asking these junior high questions, Huggs would have cut them off at the very least. I had to turn it off, I was wincing at each and every question. I felt bad Coach Huggins had to endure that. Next time get a professional to ask something of relevance or at least someone who has at least a slight degree of basketball or sports knowledge.

Mountain Man, that sounds like something Bray Cary would say when he is reporting "news". That guy should keep his one-sided opinions to himself. He really does a great disservice to the station and news reporting. I agree with his opinions the majority of the time, but his monologues and interviews are so one sided and self serving that it is hard to watch, let alone call "news".

Joe H: West Virginia's future is tourism?

Hah! Tell that to Manchin and his PSC yes-men that are putting windmills on every ridge in WV so we can send any power they make out of state. Of course, I mean only the ridges that are left after Blankenship's mountaintop removal.

Tourism, my foot! Who wants to come see windmills and piles of rocks?

That's our real future.

It is sad to hear this news. I was hoping when the young man became City Manager he would bring life back to the small city. I can remember when it was a nice little town. It sounds like only the people who do not get paid is keeping the city going. Thanks Susie and Joe Davis, Dr Audia, and the garden club members. The council members need to keep a better eye on the finances in the future.

So now that the Salem City manager has been arrested and charged, why he is still an employee? An employer does not need a reason to fire someone in WV. They terminated the other individual week ago, what are the waiting for?

Let's see if they do any jail time in Harrison County or just walk away. I think the City of Salem needs to freeze their retirement accounts until this is litigated, and then levy the account to pay back the taxpayers.

I am truly sorry that Joe H had a problem with reading my response. I have read his about the "Teabaggers" and I have no clue what he is trying to say. i think hew left a few words out of his statements or he just did not make any sense.

Federal #2 back to work for a couple of days then back off work company preaches safety but it is just a word they have heard somewhere the lives of the miners are not important profits to the HUGE shareholders are upmost importance “oh it’s the atmosphere” say the bosses yes that hurts the situation but get it right we don’t want to be the next Sago or the No.9 of this century. Inspectors need more power more on the job Media needs to quit taking the Patriot word as honest final word on subject and do their job of investigation not regurgitating Patriots news releases. I really fear for our lives the supervisors had propaganda meeting with us upon return to work “safest mine around we want you to be safe” while they take short cuts hurry up to get that production up screw the worker as usual.

Hey "Burl" and "stateworker": How about taking a remedial course in puncuation, spelling, and grammar. Your posts are very difficult read. There's this new thing, called a "period". It'll change your life!

I'd like to see the "Teabaggers" quit acting like they speak for everyone, when they most obviously don't! As far as I can tell, they only speak for their minority and the extreme right. Those folks need to be a lot more accurate in their statements, but it seems that's not a word or concept they've been able to master. Inaccurate statements, exagerations, being large-scale hypocrites, and sometimes using downright lies, are all their pronoucements are based upon. I definitely DON'T want any congressperson to vote against health reformand I DO want my representatives to vote against mountaintop removal.

West Virginia needs to help lead the country out of the dependence on coal as a fuel - and by-the-way - there is NO SUCH THING AS CLEAN COAL! West Virginia's future is in tourism - we're a beautiful state right in the middle of the East Coast, but no one will want to come here when we've knocked the tops off all our moutains to line the pockets of raving buttholes like Don Blankenship.

The Teabaggers are about as representative of the general population as Bray Carey is (read ... not even close!).

i am FURIOUS over the story you showed a couple of days ago over harrison county's educators deciding WE THE TAXPAYERS now not only have to support the kids in schools and pay teachers more and more now i have to worry about feeding and taking care of the kids when it's a snow day too? what's next? the state of wv hiring babysitters and family counselors to go door to door now and comfort and coddle each child?? why is this MY PROBLEM?? big brother already takes almost everything i have for EVERYONE ELSE'S KIDS now they want the crumbs and scraps that's left to take care of a child whose parents are just too lazy to feed it?? NO WAY will i stand for this!!! I WILL FIGHT if they start this crap in my county! this never happened when i was in school and i'm not going along wth it now!!! we are forced to pay for education whether we want to or not. i have NO CHILDREN and i think if u r a parent YOU YOU should be made to pay for it!!! leave the rest of us poor working stiffs ALONE!!! why should i pay for YOUR kids??? it's not my problem you decided to have a kid!! TAKE CARE OF YOUR OWN PROBLEMS (KIDS) WEST VIRGINIA!!!!! stop leaning and mooching off your neighbors because you don't want to make little johnny a sandwich!!!!!

I'm very dissappointed in you, April, and I have been a fan. Follansbee is not in Marshall County - we are in BROOKE County and we are very proud of it!

Do City Council's need term limits?

Other than the City Manager and Clerk positions, city councils need to have term limits to revitilize and introduce new thought processes. Stagnet mentalities, closed door deal-making, and no return on investment has hindered the progress of NCWV cities. Term limits will keep the ideas fresh and lethargic attitudes at bay. Otherwise your city will continue down the path of apathy.

Tonight's(3/2/10) telecast featuring children who lack enough food when school is not in session revealed the development of a disturbing mentality; schools (read: taxpayers) are responsible for feeding families. A reminder, government is not supposed to be anyone's daddy.

The problem is not the drug test its the hand outs. I just don't get it why hard working honest folks continually support folks who are not willing to work for a living. Granted there are a few exceptions and some folks really do need some help, but the majority of people I know and see who are using food stamps, getting medical care w/ no insurance, collecting unemployment,etc are cheating the system and could work if they wanted to..a lot of people I know brag about it. I volunteer my time in the community and often lend a helping hand, but this state is ridiculous when it comes to fraud and abuse of the system. Why don't we just let people use food stamps to buy booze and cigs...unbelievable. This entire country is becoming a socialist system and the hard working honest folks are getting screwed!

I work in an industry that has random drug/alcohol testing I don’t like it but I live with it because I don’t want to work with anyone who could cause me or themselves harm by coming to work under the influence however my company has a zero tolerance so a beer or glass of wine with dinner ( I work midnight shift) can result in dismissal which I believe is excessive the company has moved into controlling workers sorta like a communist country but there is little that I can do so if I have to submit to drug testing the people who I help support thru my taxes should take it and get used to it.

they are getting the food stamps on the ebt card they can only get cash back if they are involved in the works program and the key word there is work. they will not do that program to get cash as they dont need it they already have cash they just dont want to use it for food, they need it for something else, dont forget they are usually getting free medical care for themselves and their chidren in which they can go to all and any drs they want for "back pain" and get some type of pain killer and then go to another place and they do not have to spend of their money to the dr or the pharmacy. as far as testing state workers that is fine with me believe me we cant afford the drugs or the copays to go to the dr to get the pain killers.

One solution would be to stop issueing check or cash!

Use only rechargeable debit cards with no cash advance option. Most stores take debit cards. Require a valid photo ID as well. That would eliminate fraud and the ability to buy drugs.

HUD Section 8 rent is already paid directly to the landlord.

test all government,state and city workers also!

i do not see anything wrong with testing for drugs.. i know for a fact that several local people that have been arrested for drugs have received several thousands of dollars in food stamps. why should be pay for their food and ours too. they have nice cars, best cell phones that they do not want to turn off during the interview so they dont miss a sell and they are rude to all workers from the clerical at the front desk to the worker doing the interview and they do not like to provide any information that is required from them.. they have a house payment or rent of 500.00 and pay utilities but state they have no income something is not right but they always have a story that their mother or father or a friend pays everything for them. if you want the government to take care of you then you should do what is required from them. if you dont pay your taxes you get in trouble and i dont have a say as to how much the governement takes out of my legal paycheck so why not make they do something for the frree hand and if they do not have a problem then they should not care. how many jobs require a drug test. what is the different it is a form of income for them they are just not working for it. i totally agree with it and maybe the ddhr office would not be busting at the walls everyday giving out more of our hard earned tax dollars to able working bodies that are making more a day than the worker that is waiting on them... as far as the children they should have thought about them before they started selling drugs people would be surprised and not feel sorry for all these people if they saw that the ddhr workers see and hear. you think twice about helping people after you work there.

Life is not politically correct.

equal say....It would be very degrading!! It's bad enough that a responsible adult loses their job and has to ask for help in the first place.....don't degrade them anymore than they already feel....helplessness is not a very good feeling!!

MountTower;

You're missing the point. If a person is clean they shouldn't worry about taking a test prior to getting a check. If they're not clean, they're abusing society by accepting a check to be spent on more drugs, and their not benefiting their families through such behavior either.

So what's worse? Give a man a fish or teach a man to fish?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY APRIL!!!! WISHING YOU A GREAT DAY AND LOTS OF FUN!!!

As to Equal say.....Have you ever been in a situation where YOU Needed the Governments help??? Would you like for them to tell you, "You have to be drug tested before we can give you benefits for your family to eat and live...While you're out of work" It can be degrading enough to have to go to the Human resource office and ask for help, when indeed you have never been forced to do such a thing before in your life....because of layoffs, Downsizing etc!!! Sure hope you don't need help there buddy!! They may ask you to take a Pee test before you can feed your family!!

This forum is yet another example of biased media.

Several posts discussing drug testing of social benefit recipients were removed.

April, I would wish you a happy birthday, but I wouldn't want my post to be considered age discrimination and removed.

Hey everyone Sunday is April Kaull's Birthday - she is on Facebook - wish her happy birthday

In defense to APRIL....I would think it would be the Camera Man to cue her in which way they were filming her....Not Aprils fault. Channel 7 does this a lot even during the weekends..lots of mishaps, like the wrong clips shown...newscasters looking at the wrong camera...not only April.

Blame the Camera Man..

ALL teachers...Report to school to EARN your Snow day pay!!!!

Underpaid??? I think not!!!!

Show me what you do to deserve of a pay raise!!

I am a retired coal miner,but before that I was a Safety Inspector for the U,M,W.A. Local 1570 at the Federal # 2 mine. I am pleased to see that the Mine Foreman that falsified the report will be held accountable. It was his responsibility to make sure the mine was safe for it's employees. There are no acceptable short cuts for safety.

I have several questions regarding the quality of the news broadcast with April Kaul. Not always but a large percentage of the time she is looking at the wrong camera, the wrong video clip is cued, etc. If WV Media is supposed to be the best media in the state we are all in trouble. Cant WV Media get their act together??

David Santee

I have been trying to figure out why gas prices are so differant. I just returned from Va and gas was 35 cents less than in North central WV Can some one explain this for me

I am glad I am not the only that wonders why they get to stay home and the rest of the working world must go out on the road. It is very upsetting when you wait on them and they are out bragging that they had another day off today and hopefully will have the next day too. It is also upsetting when you child come homes and says Mrs ____ says hopefully we will not have school tomorrow lets do the snow day today so we can have a day off.. I thought they wanted to teach my child.

please tell me why teachers do not have to report to school on snowdays. they could be doing all the extra jobs they complain about having to get done with the students in school or taking home to complete. they could go and get lesson plans done, copies ran off and tests made up along with making new bulletin boards made, etc. that is the reason that we oly have one parent teacher conference per semster because they will tell you when you attend they are not getting paid for being there that night. excuse they have gotten paid for how many free days as far as the service personel maybe the could clean the school, and kitchen and lunch room with disfection to kill the germs from being spread. I am sure they can find something that needs done or have the the service meeting they have on the day off or on the two hr early dismissals. so the next time they complain about how much work they have to do with out getting paid, sorry don't feel sorry for them. also it is not the kids fault they missed so many days so why some much homework now has not been that much all yr long. and how much will really be graded after hours of course.

I work at Federal #2 mine we have heard about the gas problems in the “old works” for at least 3 years the company keeps hiding the problem in the name of profits….as usual.. it does not surprise any of us miners when this came to light. I don’t want to lose my job but I really don’t want to lose my life for some big shot investors who only want more cars big houses more stuff and the hell with the worker. The media should pursue this story to the max the company has been stonewalling for almost a week now with very little bad publicity they want to keep the truth suppressed to keep them looking like the cooperative guys which they are not. They are Stonewally totally.

I worked at the Sago mine before it blew up. It makes me sick to see this type of legislation being pushed. SB4525's sponsor is Upshur County's Bill Hamiliton. He knew some of the victims. How could he sponsor such a bill to weaken the state department.

This bill don't make any sense. I know the state inspector here don't take any crap from the company. They even issued the superintendent a personal fine. Why would the state government want to lay off inspectors. I know those boards don't do anything but use up tax payer money. I went to a Diesel Commission meeting and it was a JOKE. Chris Hamiliton thinks he runs all of coal operators. They need to get rid of the boards and keep the inspectors.

It was a state inspector that found the problem with the company not properly inspecting the seals. I can trust the state to do their jobs. Why would Caupto want to sponsor such a bill? He works here"""

on February 17, 2010, two bills were introduced into the Legislature and into the Senate to tie the hands of the Director of the Office of Miners Health, Safety and Training. HB 4525 and SB 591 were proposed to establish an Administrator to oversee the functions of these boards. The Director is now performing these duties. This new position of Administrator would oversee a budget of an estimated 7 million dollars. This money will be subtracted from the present 17 million dollars operating budget of the Office of Miners Health, Safety and Training. This equals a reduction of 41% in the present budget. This is no savings to the taxpayer because the money is only redirected to the new position. In fact we will be getting a lot less safety for our tax dollar. This can only result in the layoff of 17 mine inspectors and staff. Mine rescue team coverage will also be reduced since many of the team members are the newly hired inspectors. Money necessary to cover the maintenance of equipment and vehicles will not be available. The 7 million dollar budget of the Administrator will be utilized by a staff of two persons and the five ineffective boards. Everything presented in the bills already exists and provides no greater safety or security for the miners. The major changes are that the Director is denied authority over the boards, and is robbed of 41% of his operating budget. These boards have operated since their inception under the Director.

The "sin" tax on beer and cigerettes and liquor are meant to treat abuse of these products, but what about those of us that are social drinkers and smokers? You're making us pay for those that have addiction problems. Shouldn't each person have to pay for their own addiction problems? I think it's unfair to make normal, unaddicted people pay for those that have an addiction problem. What about the drug addiction problems? Pot, herion, cocaine, prescription drugs addictions are not taxed. Where is the justice here? Unaddicted people are paying for others that have a problem. It's unfair and unjust and unconstitutional. The government needs to drug test disabled, unemployed people to make sure where that money is going. Those of use who work hard for our money want to spend it the way we want without paying for someone that has a problem. Its unfair to tax alcohol and tobacco because those that have a problem with it can't pay to fix that problem. Millions for charity, but not a penny for tribute.

Bob, I applaud you. As a homeowner, you are becoming one of the minority....at least in my area. The last five estimates I have done the customers have looked at the quote and asked how much I would reduce the price if they where to pay in cash, "under the table". Most of these customers then went on to explain that they would like for me to do the work but they had estimates from other builders that were less and based on a cash deal. It is becoming impossible to work legally and own a small construction business.

As far as the consumer end of the equation goes that is an entire different story....the lack of building code enforcement all over this state puts consumers in a horrible situation. A homeowner might be looking at two different estimates and choose an estimate that is 500 dollars cheaper; however, little do they know that the builder they choose is skipping standard code practices on purpose or unknowingly and the result could be a product that is sub-par or dangerous. I see this everyday and it could all be avoided if the state started taking responsibility. This is a huge industry in WV and someone needs to make this problem public so it can be addressed...it is only going to get worse!

As a homeowner, I agree with WV Builder. "You get what you pay for..." However, I would like to challenge ligitimate builders to go one step further.

I ask contractors to provide a copy of their license and liability insurance up front. And no upfront payments until the work is completed. Why? To ensure the job get done according to spec and clears all inspections.

Compare your work to mechanics or doctors. Do clients pay upfront? Nope. When the service is complete the bill is paid. This will prevent the customary grab and split often seen with contractors in Northern WV.

I am a licensed and insured builder who pays workers compensation. I have continually found it impossible to compete in northern WV. It seems that the majority of contractors and builders in northern WV who are doing business are unlicensed, uninsured, and paying employees fully or partially under the table. There is no code or license enforcement outside of Charleston. In order to compete the majority of the builders I know are following suit and starting to operate illegally. WV lawmakers need to address this problem by budgeting for more inspectors and enforcement agents...so honest builders can make a living.

It is getting more and more difficult to be a business owner and to employ honest folks in WV. I recently renewed my workers comp policy and noticed that about 17% of the amount I paid went to the state. I thought the state privatized workers comp? If WV wants small businesses to stay in this state then they sure don't act like it.

I noticed that Gov. Manchin thanked everyone EXCEPT the Allegheny Linemen and company for their recent help during the snow strom!!!!!!!!!!!

SHAME ON YOU GOVERNOR MANCHIN!!!

Have some respect for these men working 16 hours a day in a blizzard with waist high snow drifts carring 100 pounds of tools, wires,etc. In the dark!!!!!! They work life and death jobs every single day!!!!

I bet you were warm!!!

They weren't and neither were the people with out power,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, that's why they risk their own lives,,,,,,,,,,,,, for the people!!!!!!

Give them the respect they deserve Gov.

I don't know who makes the decisions for Marshall County Schools for Snow Days, But I have to commend you on all the Right choices!! I know some parents are ready to pull their hair out, but I wish we had such a wise person making this decision when my Daughter was going to school. I cringed each and every time she got on that school bus with snow, lot's of snow on the roads, but today, we have this person, making very wise decisions, to cancel when needed..and I really appreciate receiving the phone calls when school is canceled or delayed. Thank you!!! There are precious Gems on those buses..."Our Children" Thank you!!

I should have mentioned the excellent job, that AEP has been doing with all this snow and ice...Some of us are going without, but most of us still have our electric...I thank you!!!!! You have been is some of the harshest weather conditions, not to mention the danger you must face when repairing those electrical lines. Stay Safe and Be Careful!!!!

Plus, I must add, as a Wife of a Coal Miner....They work in the Dark, so we don't have to!!!

Safety of the Children, is that why Shadyside Local Schools were in session today? Level 1 road condition and schools from 6 counties cancelled today as well as a few colleges, as a parent I attempted to contact the Superintendent to try to figure this one out and of course he was not available. Why would the Superintendent have his staff, parents, and even babysitters transport children on bad road conditons when its not an emergency situation? Maybe its because Shadyside was the only city that had clean roads, although I could not find one, or maybe its because the safety of our children is not an important issue, good luck getting an answer, because he will not speak to parents regarding this issue. Thank goodness all made it without any accidents, hopefully we will not have to deal with this situation again, and if we do I hope someone else will make the decision for the children/parents of the district.

Mary...The answer is money.

Not only will it costs Allegheny Power a boatload of money for labor and materials, they must obtain new right of way easements from property owners. That will costs a boatload of money as well.

Allegheny Power already has "aerial" easement easements, but not subsurface easements.

That project would take decades to complete. However, as new developments are built, power transmission lines are buried.

Regarding the electrical power outages.....why isn't Allegheny Power working towards burying all lines underground to prevent overhead lines from coming down due to wind, ice, weight of ice and snow? Time for a new idea Allegheny Power!!!!!

If Moundsville has been so good at snow removal as was reported on the WV Tonight Live April's Blog section 11 February 2010, I would like to invite them to come to Fairmont and Morgantown to help out. At least send a representative to train the folks in there futile attempts to keep up. (Bring Coffee and Doughnuts.)

just an idea for a story that is on going right now,,,, the winter storms and the Allegheny power linemen!!!!! What a thankless job!!!!!!!!! Not a bonus, not a public letter from the citizens,,,, NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They have been working mandatory 16 hours days since the before the snow started falling on Feburary5th !!!!! What people do not realize, these guys are out side in 2-3 feet of snow and ice, walking with rolls of 100 pound of wires, never mind heaving those poles!!!! They also have boots that weigh around 10 pounds. They too have tool belts that can weigh up to 20 pounds!!! Working along side the live wires and falling trees!!! All this in zero weather and wind!!!!! IN THE DARK!!!! Why do they do it???? Because someone is without power!!!!!!!! They all have hearts as big as the sky!!!!! They have to. To do the life and death job they do, for the little pay they get, compared to the fat cat, CEO of Allegheny Energy in the nice warm office making millions (more like 50 million!!) . As you can see, if will make one heck of a story!!!! Wish the CEO can do that new show where they work within the company disguised!!! Please consider this story,,,, they deserve a big "THANK YOU!!!"

What's up with the Mon county DOH route 218 from the Marion county line to Daybrook and then over Breezy Heights and Blue Goose is like an old washboard ruts with 2 to 3" of ice it looks like they scraped the road Saturday then said who cares. Yes I travel this road to work and feel that my vehicle is being bounced to pieces and my own life at risk because my company has found an arbitrator that says even in "State of Emergency" we are required to be at work no matter what happens on the way to work. What about the people who have to take someone to the doctors or hospital what is better stay home an be sick or travel and be in an accident??

What is going on with Mag. Marple lowering the bond for a raptist? He blongs his jail and throw away the key. Some people on Facebook and else where are outraged about this. Alot of us will remember this at election time.

The Gov. has declared a state of emergency.. When the state emergency is affect the state police will fine you double if you are in a wreck and your insurance will not pay for any damage done to your vehicle...... If the company you work for requires you to be there at work, Does your employer have more power or does the state road and state police over run them....For example my employer requires us to be at work regardless of state of emergency. Who is responsible for any damage that may be done to the vehicle on the way to work.... How would you go about over riding what the employer states is mandatory vs. what the state police say that they can do?

I must commend the City of Moundsville!!! With these past two snow storms, Our Streets have been cleared!! Thank you so much City workers for doing an excellent job!! I applaud you for getting out there in the worst snow we've had in the past Winters!! Thank you again!!!

The actions of a few once again affect the majority. All student sections of all universities chant. The f-bomb should not be a part of those chants; however, the student section at the Villanova game was obviously deflated due to the publicity that would not let up. The entire coliseum seemed to be deflated and without spirit for fear of encountering the wrath of the powers that be . I think this was reflected in the demeanor and lack of enthusiam of the team. I missed seeing Ryan holding up the traditional signs when the opposing team was introduced. What in the world is wrong about saying "SUCKS EGGS"? We've been saying for years!

I think the legalization of testing for drugs for citizens of West Virginia who use services such as Welfare, Job Service, etc. should happen. I know for instance a couple that are receiving benefits and take the monies that are given to them and trade off for drugs. One actually did some type of drugs before going in for an appointment. To me, we are paying state taxes, we need to know that people who really need these services are really receiving them. It is time to put the stop to fraud and mistreating of the system that we struggle to keep alive.

I just want to know why 279 is never cleared ? 79 is clear or treated but 279 NEVER !! And why we are talking about snow covered roads what is the story on Emily Drive ?

WV employees are the laughing stock of the country. They are one of the worst paid in the nation and basically are on fixed incomes. I am so tired of our legislators moaning about how bad the economy is when they secretly give themselves pay raises and extra benefits. The Governor wants to attract bright young people to our state. HA. It isn't going to happen until someone wakes up from their self induced sleep.

Salem City Council announced that nearly $200,000 was missing from accounts. When, not if, the two involved at found guilty, the Harrison County Prosecutor needs to send a strong message to the rest of the state. If you do the crime, you are going to do time; jail time that is...

No slap on the wrist. I suggest at least a year in prison, restitution; including the forfeiture of their pension plans and 401k accounts.

I noticed the WBOY van didn't come to a complete stop at the stop sign in Raleigh Co Weather this pm just kept going and made his left and kept going.Why is that you ask? Us how our driveing is. Mine is excelent i never run stop signs period that alone when it slick.Thanks for reading April

I was flabbergasted by the fact that, due to the snowstorm and bad road conditions, WVU cancelled classes on Monday "for the safety of the students" and "because students could not get to class." Amazingly, those same students somehow managed to get to the Coliseum Monday night for the basketball game. My TV screen showed a jam-packed, standing-room-only, arena full of WVU students, many of whom were most likely already inebriated from a day off, and who took to the icey roads and sidewalks afterward to get home (or to another bar)... in the dark. And they couldn't manage to get up and get to class in broad daylight - sober? What is wrong with this picture?

That is a great idea, Donna, about making the ugly ties into a quilt for charity. If anyone has the time and what charity would someone make a quilt for - so many ugle ties needed. Food banks are always in great need for our local area.

The obcenity-laced cheers at WVU home games aren't going to stop until we lose a game because of it. If it gets badly out of control, officials may call a forfeit before the end of a game, or, technical foul penalties (on the crowd) may add up to enough points to sway a close-scoring game. That alone may put a stop to this.

Realistically however, the student sections in the stands should be video-taped, with the worst offenders permanently banned from all sporting events, and/or suspended from school. I'd love to hear the student's explanation to Mom and Dad for that one.

I agree. The City does know about the sidewalk clearing issue. It has been mentioned to them more than once. Maybe WBOY should do a story on it and approach the City. They certainly did not plow very well this weekend, not to mention failing to enforce the sidewalk ordinance.

Why doesn't the city of Clarksburg enforce the snow sidewalk cleaning law. I have seen many walks snow covered and slippery. I have seen three people fall down in Clarksburg while driving through due to the covered sidewalks. The city could be sued over this if someone was to become injured.

We need to realize that many students who attend WVU are not from West Virginia so the bad manners may not be people from West Viginia. People who have to use obsenities to express their feelings only show their stupidity. I hope something will be done to stop this bad behavior that is giving WVU a bad reputation.

We as residents of this beautiful state must suffer the blackeye given to us by the behavior of just a few so called fans that choose to be anything but good sports. A true sports fan takes the bad with the good.

I would like to know why more is not being done about the behavior of WVU fans, particularly the students. Sure an email was sent out to students warning about bad behavior, including a certain three word phrase that instructs Pitt on what they should eat, being shouted at this past Tuesday's Basketball version of the Backyard Brawl. Yet, I heard this chant following the scuffle in which a referee was knocked to the ground. What's going to be done about it? Probably nothing. What's sad is, is security probably knew where a lot of it was coming from, and yet they did nothing. Why not throw these kids out of school if it's the students doing these things? I'm sure Mom and Dad would love it if they wasted money on sending Junior to school just to get thrown out for doing something dumb at a football or basketball game, If it's people that aren't students, then toss them from the arena/stadium, and permanently ban them . It's sad when adults have to be told not to throw things on to a basketball court, football field, etc. You don't see the students and other fans acting like this at Marshall. If WVU wants to be Marshall's big brother, like it claims it is, it needs to act like a big brother, and set a good example. I'm a Marshall alum, class of 2009, and we NEVER acted like this. I think this is one instance in which big brother needs to take a lesson from little brother. Go Herd!

FedUp:

I agree with you.

The state also needs to crack down on car dealers running dealer plates for cars/trucks used privately and not for immediate sale.

Every day I see dually pickups pulling 5th wheel campers, gooseneck trailers, and flat beds with car license plates that cost $32.50. This plates are for a gross weight of 8000lbs. yet these vehicles are over that just by pulling an empty trailer much less loaded. I run a f550 dump truck and sometimes pull a flat trailer with a gross of 14000 lbs. I pay $150.00 a year for plates on that truck (24000 lbs.) just so I'm legal. if you want to raise money for the state catch the cheaters and make them pay whats right or fine them for overload and make more.

Chevman: You must be living in a cave. West Virginia is one of the cheapest states to live in. My parents pay nearly $10K a year in property taxes on just one average house in another state. Maybe you should wake up and travel outside of Mingo County and you will find the true cost of living.

I would like to know what the governor is thinking now he wants to put tolls on roads . When is the goverment going to stop sucking the life out of the people of west virginia.Damn the taxes are killing people. The county taxes are bad enough. its time to stop this . You know that west virginia is the most talked about state . Here's one for you Welcome to wild and wondefull tax you to death state. where is all the tax money going the roads in this state are awful the bridges are unsafe but nothing is being done all you here is tax this tax that. The good people of west virginia has suffered enough at the hands of the goverment.

Give the great men and women who served this country a healthy smoke free environment so they can live to enjoy what they fought for and if they fought for a stinking unhealthy room to puff on their cigarettes in then have the private clubs provide that for them.

I feel that what students do outside of school on Facebook, Myspace, etc. is not the school's place to take action. They should be able to monitor the sites for any problems that could come about between students but should not be permitted to discipline the students....that's the parent's job.

Tell Albert to have someone make all of the ugly ties into a quilt which can then be raffled off to make money for a charity.

I agree that the smoking ban should be lifted for Fraternal Clubs. After all these people went to war to fight for our freedom, and now it is being taken away. These people are hero's and should have the right to smoke in a club that has been created just to recognize them.

Every bar in WV that has a liquor licence is considered a "Private Club". The Moose, Eagles, Elks, etc, are considered "Fraternal Clubs!" A private club can also be a chain like Applebees, or Outback. As long as they have a liquor licence!

where is alberts bow tie?

Maybe the Legislation ought to quit worrying about raising taxes on cigarettes, because of second hand smoke, and worry more about raising taxes on alcohol (sorry mr. shook), I worry more about getting killed while driving by a drunk driver or a texter and cell phone user than by second hand smoke........

when it comes to the Smoking Ban thay need to leave the private Club Like VFW, Eagels, Moose American Legen out of it. when peole join that know what there coming in too.

Tonight's story -- Alex Shook gets a DUI and the next commercial is Alex asking for donations for child car seats to PROTECT OUR CHILDREN . . . . see any irony here or is it just me? Come on Alex, the wrong way on a Charleston street? Really?

Today's Exponent-Telegram's article "Facilitator Suggested for Council Planning Meeting at Issue," is yet another example of why the City of Clarksburg is not moving forward. Council members are bickering over a allegedly qualified strategic planner.

However, the proposed facilitator is a friend and business partners of a Council member. Both authored a book together.

This is a simple fix. Where a perceived or actual conflict of interest exists, the City should find a third party facilitator.

The are plenty of locally qualified people that can be found at a lessor expense to the taxpayer.

Did the City advertise this in an open bid format?

Although I agree with the Government on the issue of banning drivers from texting and talking on cellphones while driving.I have to disagree that they seem to be at this time targeting professional drivers(ie commercial truckdrivers). I drove professionally for 10+yrs and logged over 500,000 miles and never had any accidents.What I have seen is the ones that should be banned from using any devices is the personal vehicles.I havent heard of any accidents involving a commercial vehicle that the driver was on the phone or texting,but I have heard of several accidents involving personal vehicles that the driver was either on the phone or texting. For them to target just the commercial drivers is absurd at best. If they are going to ban drivers from texting or talking on the cellphone,ban all,dont target just one group. I feel that theres alot of responsible people out there that uses good judgement while driving,then theres those that have no business having a drivers license.

Fast Freddy, My posting has nothing to do with race or a black man in the white house but everything to do with the way congress has thrown our tax dollars around like there is no tomorrow. As for change I think in my many years of life I have seen much change, some good and some bad.

Several heartfelt reactions to the debate on the future of coal held in Charleston on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010. First, my good friend, Ed Welsh sharing the debate, tried to keep some civility to the occasion. I thank him. Second, Robert Kennedy, Jr. proved himself to be no friend of West Virginia. His attitude was caustic and arrogant. His facts garbled, and many questionable. His heart is in solar panels and wind turbines, mostly located in the sourthwest, not in creating jobs in West Virginia. Third, Don Blankenship handled himself with great poise, even under broad and unfair criticisms. He is working and leading in a very tough industry, but still believes there is a rightful place for coal in the energy future of our county. I thank him and join in this sentiment also. Former President of AB College, Philippi, WV

rc@verizon.net “Take our country back” has become a veiled assuage from the right wing racists who can’t stand a black man in the presidency a smart outgoing open president. Take our country back it is time to participate in our country by helping rather than planning another “tea party” to protest what doesn’t exist or need to be changed. Take our country back by openly participate in the change we need from the previous regime that lead us don’t this pot holed road. Change ain’t easy for some people but get used to it…

Could there be a change coming in the way things are done in the nations capitol? I for one sure hope there is an echo from the Massachuesetts election , Maybe just maybe the people have had enough and want to take back their government.

I would like to know more about the increase in ALL Wetzel County taxes due to Paden City High School and Paden City Middle School remaining open. With so few students in those two schools and other schools in Wetzel County operating well below capacity it simply does not make sense to keep those schools open. Why should my taxes increase for a handful of students? If the parents of those students want to keep those schools open why not make them private schools and allow them to pay a tution? PLEASE look into this for all the residents of Wetzel County that don't realize why the taxes are rumored to be going up as much as 60% next year. I would like more facts. Thank You!

I agree with Maybe so....I think the citys should clear off town sidewalks after the roads are clear. Not just for us who exercise but for the school kids as well. I know I would'nt want my child to get hit by a car.

Treadmill: Thank you for your reply.

It is not about the individual property owners that may be in your suggested status. It is about public safety. Public safety outweighs individual safety -hopefully a balance of both. Property owners are already responsible for the repair of sidewalks within the City limits per an existing ordinance. The City has a program to help offset the cost. But the cost of clearing a sidewalk after a snowfall is certainly affordable by all if not free. The City Road Dept.'s Mission Statement includes maintaining public sidewalks.

A majority of property owners are not physically disabled...but lack a sense of accountability surrounded by excuses and laziness. "It's not my..." "Who cares..." "I'm a renter" and so on.

The City needs to enforce a snow removal ordinance for public safety. They have the means but not the intestinal fortitude to do so unless there is a "what's in it for me" prize and a camera.

Property owners, private and business, as well as the City of Clarksburg are inviting litigation for failing to correct a recurring safety hazard.

@Maybe So ~ WV is tied for the 5th poorest state and I don't believe our working families, our elderly or physically challenged folks really need another ordinance.

Why doesn't the City of Clarkburg enforce an ordinance for property owners to clear their sidewalks within 24 hours of a snowfall? Pedestrians are forced into the streets. I have been hit by a van while jogging because the sidewalks were impassable. property owners need to be more responsible to either clear the snow themselves or pay someone to do it. I asked the City Manager and Road Dept Manager, but was simply ignored.

MOUNDTOWNER IS RIGHT!!! THESE STREETS IN MOUNDSVILLE ARE TERRIBLE!!! SHIRLEY TERRACE ROAD IS TERRIBLE. NOTHING BUT ICE. I'VE SEEN SOME OF THE OTHER STREETS ALSO. PRETTY BAD SHAPE!!!! BUT THEY WANT TO RAISE THE PUBLIC SAFETY FEE AND MUNICIPAL FEE'S. WHERE'S THE MONEY GOING? THEY WANT US TO KEEP OUR SIDEWALKS CLEAN, BUT THEY CANNOT SEEM TO TAKE CARE OF THE STREETS!!!!

Why are Moundsville Streets still covered with snow???? Where are the Scrapers, or at least cinders?????

I think the reason why so many people have become obese , is because more people quitting smoking!! For kids, Parents are paying much attention anymore to what their kids are eating....they fill them up with frozen, junk food..Happy meals are cheaper than Healthy foods.....so sad!!

I think the reason why so many people have become obese , is because more people quitting smoking!! For kids, Parents are paying much attention anymore to what their kids are eating....they fill them up with frozen, junk food..Happy meals are cheaper than Healthy foods.....so sad!!

I feel the Schools are doing the right thing when the weather is this bad and cold. Because growing up as a child in Randolph and Tucker county there was times when we went to School that we should have been home.

Where did the number "180" days originate? We used to go to school from the day after Labor Day until Memorial Day - PERIOD. The teachers taught what they needed to teach and we learned it in that span of time. - PERIOD What is so magical about the number 180?

I know that the State Road crews for Harman and Thomas are doing a great job for the Road conditions we are having in Canaan Valley on RT 32 and Rt 72. But they are short on workers and equipment to work with,so I would like for this people that are form Charleston WV making this quys work so hard when they could be hiring people that are out of work and put some people back to work. This would be a good question for the people in this area to vote on.

As a retired teacher, I can tell you that it is not the number of days that students are in the classroom that is the paramount consideration when dealing with inclement weather. Teachers are completely capable of structuring their lesson plans to cover the required material to meet state standards and objectives. The most important factor in deciding whether to cancel school is the SAFETY OF THE CHILDREN. I applaud the superintendents who make this their primary consideration when making their decisions.

Everyone has an oppinion about snow days... but I feel no days need to be taken or days added on to the end of the year. This could all be resolved by extending the school day to 4:00pm. Most elementary students are going to babysitters, after school care, day care, or worse yet...home alone. School was never out at 2:35 in earlier times....so why are we doing this now??? Think how much more instruction could be given and accomplished if the day was extended. Who does this affect the most???? "Athletics"!!! I feel we have lost our perspective on education when athletics comes before academics. They run "atheletic" buses to take home those who are in sports, but has there ever been an "academic" bus? Only schools that run specific programs and that are given "special funds" to do this get busing. What about all those "needy" students who could use the extra help for homework? Majority of students who do not complete their homework is due to lack of home support or the student just does not understand it. I really believe if they had the help they would do it. Also, there are so many more expectations and mandates that teachers must do now as opposed to earlier years. There is not enough time to get everything in. All the fun activities have been taken out of teaching due to all these new state mandates. Students need to have an enjoyable school experience without so much constant drilling. Students learn more when they enjoy it! This is my oppinion for what it is worth!

Snow: It’s the little flakes that mean business! That’s what my old mother used to say (she died at 99 so she saw some big storms). The big flakes are just for show. It’s the tiny little flakes that Snow uses for a blizzard.

Northwood sues the governor? Hmmm...Northwood needs a little counseling of its own. Can you spell P A R A N O I D ? The executives who run Northwood make big bucks, but the backbone of the organization, the case workers who deal with the clients/patients are only paid about $8.00 an hour. They were recently asked to take pay cuts as well. Now THOSE are the people who ought to sue someone, but NOT Gov. Joe.

April: Great idea when it comes to school closing. Go directly to Wal-Mart, see if the store is open. If open, schools in the county will be open for business.

Another argument for closing schools all of the winter months is a response to the person below who suggests that the schools be closed for a couple of months so everyone can get flu shots - If the schools were closed all winter that would overlap the prime part of flu season! Yet another benefit.

Cancel school just because it below 20 degrees - you've got to be kidding me. There would sometimes be entire winter months when there would be no school! Thos os us who are above a certain age will probably vote against cancelling, because we remember when kids weren't such "softies". We made it to school whatever the weather conditions. Nowadays kids catch the bus to school when they only live a fe blocks away.

Here's an idea that'll save a lot of money on the counties' utility bills: Lets not have school in the winter months and extend it through the entire summer - March to November! The school systems buildings could all be closed and winterized, thereby saving a lot of bucks on heating bills and things like salt and snow plowing for the parking lots, etc. Kids could graduate in November and have the holidays off completely! Parents could schedule their vacations to ski or to go south, without having to worry about school schedules; and as an added benefit their precious babies wouldn't have to go out in the cold weather (which you know, they'll do anyway).

BTW, as soon as they graduate, those kiddies are going to learn the hard way, that unless the weather is catastrophically bad, they have to go to work anyway! So, why not let them get prepared in advance (the way most of us did).

Please remember that all those power company workers out there have families too. And some of them have no power. They are doing the best they can . And they have been working , some of them, 24/7 since the storm first started.

I agree with the previous comments on snow removal in Raleigh county. It is abysmal and it needs to be investigated. I live in Daniels. My next door neighbor is a State Trooper and he can't even get the highway crews out to clear some snow off the road. Our road is also dangerous and I suppose it will take someone getting seriously injured before anything is done about it. What preparation?? I have seen exactly one snow plow since last Saturday.

I would like to comment on the DOH. This past weekend with the snow storm I would just like to know why they say they are prepared for the winter but for the last 4-5 years they are not. They say they have enough equipment and salt yet in two weeks they will be saying they are out of salt. They sure dont put it on the roads. They dont scrape either. I know for a fact that Raleigh county only has one operational truck. What have they done with all the money from our taxes. Buy the equipment, use the salt .There is no reason in this day and age that snow should be on the roads this long. I live in Shady Spring and they havent even touch the roads out here. Pluto Rd is still dangerous. People have to get to work. It doesnt make sense. Someone needs to do a investigation into this. More people need to complain. You never see a salt truck out anymore. When I was little I remember them out in full force no matter how bad it was. Well not anymore.

You did an interview with a great man yesterday that was shoveling snow for people and getting paid. He said something like - while kids are playing videos games he is out there earning their money. Good for him, wished there were more people like him. Alot of people have great neighbors to showel snow and help out and don't want any money at all, just would like to see more like him. Heck if 1 person got $20 for 1 hour of work and the way things are now a days plus holidays will be here. Only if more neighbors was willing to do work that is in good health. There is younger people that could offer,make money & feel good for a days work.

As a veteran I consider the invokesion of socialise medicine an act of treason. I am appaled with congress if they pass the current health care reform bill they will invoke socialism. The veterans of this country need to contact their members of congress demanding they not commit treason

I was under the impression bribery was illegal, guess not in the deal between Sen Ben Nelson of Nebraska and Sen. Harry Reid. The dealing on the hill goes on all the time but this one really smells.We just suffered a big snow storm from mother nature but it pales in comparison to the snowjob we are getting from congress.Can you say healthcare reform!

Here it is....HERE IT IS... You need a little perusal of US history our government outlawed alcohol at one time it was called prohibition and part of the outcome of that glorious right wing religious experiment help in taking a small segment of society called gangs and their minions to new heights as organized crime which provide society with drugs and other real good things. It always amazes me that someone thinks that you can legislate morality or desires. People the world over will find alcohol drugs illicit sex you can't stop them. The government regulations on alcohol have been in place for a long time they work better than letting the outlaws run rampant again providing booze along with drugs to a willing population.

It is said that the worst of times brings out the best in people but when I look at how far askew our political system has gone and how little attention the politicians pay to the people that put them where they are. I for one think its way past time for a big change.your thoughts please

It is no secret 2009 has been financially difficult for many in this area. This season, I would like to remind everyone to please look to they're downtowns for special gifts for loved ones. Some may think it more convenient or cheaper to shop at chain stores however, you cannot beat the unique gifts, friendliness of a hometown atmosphere, Holiday Open Houses and Specials. Supporting your hometowns benefits the economy, maintains jobs and makes your towns thrive. Shop Downtown this Holiday Season!

if there were a lot of jobs in the US would we have enough men and women willing to join the military?

The stimulus package was not designed to create permanate jobs, It was designed to get some projects in infrastructure rolling which in turn would cause a boost to manufacturing and retail sales thus putting some of those laid off back to work. I say this is what it was designed to do but so far it has not worked and we have a long road to travel for a meaningful recovery.

I have asked Byrd, Rockefeller, Rahall, Capito, Mollohan, Reid Pelosi,Obama, Biden and now you to please tell me one PERMANENT JOB the stimulus package has provided I have gotten no Amswer When the money is gone the jobs will be gone. Some roads and bridges will be repaire , china gets the money, and we get to welcome the delayed recession or depression.

Inside edition had a story on gentlemen renting out apartments in lieu of intimacy. What is the difference between women seeking sugar daddy's? In this attempt of renting said apartments no money was being exchanged.

When is the goverment going to wake up and outlaw alcohol this is a drug that kills more people every day I know they are making a killing of taxes but how many more people and children have to die. This state and others need to wake up.

I think we all agree that something needs to be done with the healthcare system in this country. In my view what congress has put together is confusing to read , hard to understand and way off the mark when it comes to lowering cost. With thier knowledge of the healthcare industry it seems to me its a case of the blind leading the blind.

While I was watching WTRFnews at 11:00, an ad of Dr. Charles Wylie poped up, I was offended. He robbed me of $1500.00 and messed up my teeth. Please take his ad off or I will be forced to change my channel to channel 9 news.

I understand the seriousness of the H1N1 flu and it's impact on the citizen of this country, What I do not understand is how our elected officals could miss the production schedule of the vaccine by such a large margine. We have had so much confusing or misleading information as to who is effected the most and when the shots will be available.Does it surprise anyone why the public is so skeptical about our government's ability to deal with health reform.

It blows my mind that the schools wouldn't even consider their options until there's 50% of the students at home sick, potentially dying! The vaccine is making it to some counties, but not others. We've been told it will be at least next Monday for Harrison County and my kids won't even be eligible because they're 11 and 12 years old! The vaccine takes 2 weeks before it is effective and they predict the flu will peak before that happens. The only reason I can think of that they'd endanger our children is because they don't want to give up some federal dollars because of absent children. DISGUSTING!

I would like to know if it is possible that all schools be closed in the state for the months of November &December to give our children a chance to get vaccinated for H1N1 and save lives and stay healthy? If they have to go thru June and July to end the school term why not do this during a National Emergency ?

Trying to evaluate what was on Scooter Berry's brain after dueling an apparent losing battle with alcohol is hard to say these players are young enthusiastic and basically in a curious place to live other than where they grew up and sometimes get mislead or overwhelmed by it all . I think that they will be OK just need to THINK before they go out and get involved in actives in what amounts to a very small town where everyone knows what you do and when you do it.

I am so proud of the WVU students trying to honor the memory of the fallen UConn player. They are showing such class and dignity in their actions. This is especially good to see after some of the negative behaviors witnessed at the WVU/Marshall game. When Jarrett Brown was hurt many Marshall fans were chanting for him to "get off the field" and their cheerleaders were dancing around. I am proud of our student body and players in their show of respect. This once again shows WVU as the great school that it is.