Drought hits farms in panhandle

 KEYSER (AP) — Agriculture officials and farmers say hot, dry weather is killing pastures, stunting hay crops and drying up water for livestock in parts of the Eastern Panhandle.

Alfred Lewis with the federal Farm Service Agency says some farmers have been feeding winter hay to livestock already.

Mineral County farmer Donnie Alt says he’s bringing water to livestock that normally drink from creeks that have gone dry. He adds that dry weather has hurt corn crops and expects smaller yields as a result.

Despite dry weather, none of West Virginia’s 55 counties has been declared a disaster area. Federal law requires severe drought for eight straight weeks for a county to be eligible for assistance.

Fire danger high in some counties

CHARLESTON  (AP) — Gusty breezes and dry conditions are making conditions ripe for forest fires in parts of West Virginia.

The National Weather Service issued an advisory Tuesday for 10 counties.

The weather service says 15 to 20 mph winds combined with low humidity should create favorable conditions for the spread of fires on Wednesday.

The counties in the watch area are Berkeley, Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Jefferson, Mineral, Morgan, Pendleton, Pocahontas and Randolph.

First euthanization under Wheeling dog ordinance set

WHEELING (AP) — A pit bull is scheduled to be the first canine euthanized under Wheeling’s 4-year-old vicious dog ordinance.

The Intelligencer reports that the female pit bull bit a Wheeling Island man and woman in July.

The dog is scheduled to be euthanized Thursday by Ohio County Dog Warden Doug McCroskey, who’s licensed to perform euthanizations.

McCroskey told the newspaper that the city and county don’t have an agreement requiring him to enforce Wheeling’s ordinance.

He says county officials asked the city to issue a court order for the euthanization.

Nineteen dogs have been registered with the city as vicious since City Council adopted the ordinance in 2006.

Number of horses killed in Charles Town fire rises

CHARLES TOWN (AP) — Fire investigators have raised the number of horses killed in a fire in Charles Town to 29.

Investigators initially said 27 horses died in Monday’s fire. Independent Volunteer Fire Co. Chief Ed Smith told The Herald-Mail of Hagerstown, Md., on Tuesday that the number has since increased to 29.

The newspaper also reported that a criminal act hasn’t been ruled out as a possible cause.

Assistant State Fire Marshal Patrick Barker said some evidence taken from the scene might indicate a criminal act.

But Barker says investigators still need to talk to “a mound of people.”

The fire destroyed four stables next to Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races.

Twenty-six horses were rescued.

W.Va. company struggles to find workers

SPENCER (AP) — Despite high unemployment and the tough economy, Mustang Survival says it’s having a hard time finding enough workers for its West Virginia operations.

Manager Greg Stover says Mustang hasn’t been able to get the 100 employees it needs for its expanded plant in Spencer. Mustang, which makes survival suits for marine use, also has openings at its plant in Elizabeth.

Combined, Stover tells the Parkersburg News and Sentinel that Mustang needs between 25 and 40 people. He says the company is left to wonder why it can’t get enough people during tough economic times. Unemployment rates in Roane, Clay, Calhoun, Jackson and Wirt counties are among West Virginia’s highest.