CHARLESTON —
Veteran Fayette County Delegate Margaret Staggers has been singled out for an honor by the Mountain State Trauma and Injury Prevention Coalition for her work in passing legislation that outlaws texting while driving.
In another development, House Speaker Rick Thompson, D-Wayne, has appointed Staggers to the West Virginia Comprehensive Behavioral Health Commission.
Staggers, a Democrat who chairs the House Roads and Transportation Committee, was chosen as “Legislator of the Year” by the nonprofit Trauma and Injury Prevention Coalition.
“We promote safe practices and legislation that is geared to safety in West Virginia,” explained Bruce Trent, president of the group.
“We were very happy to see that the 2012 Legislature successfully endorsed legislation to improve safety on West Virginia highways by passing the bills related to safe use of smart phone devices.”
Specifically, lawmakers barred texting while driving and required motorists to use hands-free telephones to engage in conversation.
“We feel this is a step in the right direction that will result in lives saved,” Trent said.
Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin called for such legislation in his State of the State address last year and lawmakers responded with the anti-texting and hands-free telephone law.
Trent’s organization also plans to honor a state senator for promoting safety.
His organization represents a number of trauma centers across the state as well as professionals who provide trauma care.
On the other matter, Thompson advised Dr. Ahmed Faheem of Beckley, chairman of the West Virginia Comprehensive Behavioral Health Commission, that he had selected Staggers for appointment, noting she is a member of the House Committee on Health and Human Resources. Staggers is a longtime emergency room physician at Beckley Appalachian Regional Hospital.
“She is an excellent choice for this appointment,” the speaker added.
— E-mail: mannix@register-herald.com
Today's Front Page
Fayette delegate honored for work on texting legislation
- Today's Front Page
-
-
Red Riders
-
Murder in a rural county
High on a hill, in woods overlooking a multi-family cemetery, a hunter set about readying a tree stand for the fall season when he spied a human skull.
-
An eye toward the future
Woodrow Wilson High School senior Adelina M. Lancianese is well known in Raleigh County and West Virginia for her writing.
-
Importance of cardiac unit at RGH, concern over temporary closure expressed
Dorothy Wright-Reynolds will remember Nov. 13, 2009, for the rest of her life.
-
Fayette County Office of Emergency Services takes planning seriously
Improving the county’s communications during a disaster is a top priority of the Fayette County Office of Emergency Services, says the agency’s new director.
-
New trail in works for Hatfield-McCoy system
Another addition to the Hatfield-McCoy Trail system in southern West Virginia is in the works.
-
Students suspected in vandalism at Wayne High
Wayne County’s Board of Education will meet to consider disciplining students suspected of vandalizing a high school.
-
Drawing tonight
With an estimated Powerball Jackpot of $600 million, the largest prize in the game’s history and the world’s second largest lottery prize, many local residents are dreaming of how they would spend their fortune if they were to strike it rich.
-
Details still ‘sketchy’ concerning shutdown of cardiac stent procedures at RGH
The four-day suspension of heart stent procedures at Raleigh General Hospital due to an “unexpected availability of physician coverage” and without further explanation has left more questions than answers, answers that, according to hospital spokesman and Director of Marketing Kevin McGraw, will not be available until at least Monday.
-
2013 Click-it Or Ticket campaign starts today
Beckley Police Lt. Paul Blume wants to let motorists know that if they get pulled over in the Beckley area today, they’re getting a ticket.
- More Today's Front Page Headlines
-
Probe Begins After Conn. Commuter Trains Crash
NTSB Begins Investigation Into Conn. Train Crash
Lotto Fever Sweeps the Country
Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital
Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest
Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting
CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools
$1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest
NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor
Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool
Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids
Raw: Bear Falls From Tampa Tree
Ousted IRS Chief: Errors Not Caused by Politics
Terror Suspect Due in Court in Idaho Friday
Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge
Could Tobacco Be the Next Biofuel?
Wash. State Releases Draft Rules for Legal Pot
Dying Man's Blinks Lead to Murder Conviction
Officials: Texas Tornado Likely Had 200 Mph Wind
Brothers Arrested in NOLA Parade Shooting
