Thumbs up ... to the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration’s “Rules to Live By” campaign. Starting March 15, the program will crack down on the most common violations cited during fatal accident investigations. Data show the most common causes of deadly accidents include falls, roof and wall collapses, heavy equipment mishaps and poor maintenance.
Thumbs up ... to WVU Tech and Bridgemont Community and Technical College student groups that presented the Fayette-Nicholas chapter of the American Red Cross with donations totaling over $1,000 in support of Haitian earthquake relief efforts.
Thumbs down ... to the racial divide that persists in West Virginia. Despite substantial gains in education and civil rights over the years, blacks continue to earn less money, have higher rates of poverty and are less likely to own a home or have health insurance than whites across the state.
Thumbs up ... to Bessie Mae Dean, who recently celebrated her 100th birthday. She spent most of her adult life in Longacre and now resides at Hidden Valley Elderly Care in Oak Hill. Birthday cards can be addressed to Mrs. Bessie M. Dean, c/o Hidden Valley, 422 23rd St., Oak Hill, WV 25901.
Thumbs up ... the 50th birthday for Theatre West Virginia. The southern West Virginia cultural staple will kick off its celebrations in April with a Birthday Bash fundraiser at Black Knight Country Club.
Thumbs up ... to statistics that show violent crime at West Virginia University dropped slightly between 2008 and 2009, while property crimes fell dramatically. The statistics show 73 violent crimes were reported last year, compared with 78 the year before and 79 in 2007.
Thumbs up ... to USDA Rural Development approval of a Community Facilities Grant in the amount of $27,000 for the Raleigh County Public Library for a new bookmobile. The library currently has two bookmobiles, each over 20 years old and with over 60,000 miles on them. The bookmobiles serve nearly 100,000 children, seniors and disabled individuals each year.
