Local News
Fire marshal’s office: Wyoming County mine fire ruled arson
The Labor Day strip mine fire in Wyoming County that damaged more than $5 million in equipment has been ruled arson, state fire marshals say.
Kim O’Brien, secretary for the state fire marshal’s office investigative division, confirmed the fire at the Dynamic Energy strip mine at Coal Mountain had been ruled arson. No suspects have been arrested.
Wyoming County firefighters were dispatched to the strip mine at 9:32 p.m. Monday, according to the state fire marshal’s office. They found three end-loaders on fire upon arrival.
Two Caterpillar 992G end-loaders found on fire were worth an estimated $2.2 million each, the fire marshal’s office said. A Caterpillar 998G end-loader was worth $750,000. The total value of equipment damaged was $5,150,000.
Investigators from both the state fire marshal’s office and the Wyoming County Sheriff’s Department are looking for anyone who may have information about a man seen in the area just before the fires. He was described as an adult driving a black ATV with red stripes and chrome rims.
The state fire marshal’s office offers rewards up to $2,500 for any information leading to an arrest and conviction on any arson fire. Beckley-based Bluestone Coal, owner of Dynamic Energy, is offering up to $25,000 as an additional reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction of a person(s) responsible.
Anyone with information about this case, or any arson case, is encouraged to contact the toll-free, 24-hour Arson Hotline at 1-800-233-3473. Callers can remain anonymous.
— E-mail: apridemore
@register-herald.com
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Improvements under way to make Bluestone Dam safer
Improvements and repairs planned at Bluestone Dam over the next 10 years will make the structure safer, but new operating procedures could lead to increased flooding in some areas downstream from the dam, officials said Thursday at a public meeting in Hinton.
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DOH to relocate cemeteries for expressway
West Virginia Division of Highways officials will begin relocating cemeteries next week to make room for the next phase of the Coalfields Expressway.
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GVEDC board gets training
Jeff Finkle, president and CEO of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), spent several hours with local development officials Thursday, giving pointers and leading a discussion on economic strategies.
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Mix-up leads to W.Va. couple on wrong ballot
Stan and Janet Norman are running for office whether they like it or not.
- Calendar — Friday, March 19, 2010
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SCHOOL CLOSINGS and DELAYS
Click HERE to go to the West Virginia Department of Education with up-to-date school closings and delays by county.
- Tentative agreement reached between Appalachian Regional Healthcare and the United Steelworkers of America A tentative collective bargaining agreement between Appalachian Regional Healthcare and the United Steelworkers of America was reached Wednesday for more than 2,300 ARH employees represented by the USW in eastern Kentucky and southern West Virginia.
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Greenbrier to host Fun Fest and Egg Hunt
The Greenbrier will host its first Community Children’s Easter Fun Fest and Egg Hunt for children ages 3-12 March 28.
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Bluestone Wildlife Area cleaning up from flood
Very little flooding was reported along the New River near Bluestone Dam Saturday, but in other locations the river overflowed its banks and caused considerable damage, including in the Bluestone Wildlife Management Area, officials said.
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W.Va. gets $72 million in school construction bonds
West Virginia is getting more than $72 million in federal bonds for public schools.
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