West Virginia Convictions Mount for Distracted Driving

In the first 10 months since a West Virginia law banned driving while texting or talking on a hand-held cell phone, 125 offenders have been convicted of doing just that.

The Legislature passed Governor Earl Ray Tomblin’s distracted-driving bill last year.

Drivers caught texting while behind the wheel face fines of $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second violation and $300 for subsequent offenses.

Using a handheld cellphone to talk becomes a primary offense July 01, 2013.

Lewis County: Motorcycle Accident Kills a Man on I-79

John Lewis Hutton Jr., age 61, of Bridgeport, WV, was Killed about 5:00 PM on Sunday, May 05, 2013.

The accident happened near the mile marker 93 on Interstate 79 in Lewis County, WV.

According to WV State Police he was traveling north with another motorcyclist when he traveled left off of the roadway edge, into the median, struck the cable barrier and flipped off of the motorcycle.

Hutton was pronounced dead at the scene.

Braxton County: Two Tractor trailers Accident

The state Division of Highways says traffic is going to be slow moving on Interstate 79 southbound in Braxton County, WV for most of Friday afternoon following an accident that involved two tractor trailers.

The crash occurred between the Flatwoods and Sutton exits in the Noon hour.

The DOH says motorists can expect delays.

One of the two large trucks caught on fire following the crash.

Lewis County: Fatal Traffic Wreck on I-79

A Harrison County man was killed in a rollover accident on Interstate 79.

Police say the man was driving north near the Weston exit Sunday morning when his vehicle rolled several times.

Officers say they could not find the man when they first arrived on scene because he had been thrown into the nearby woods.

Police believe speed may have been a factor.

The man’s name has not been released, although authorities say he was between 25 and 30 years old.

By Indictment or by Public Tip, Slain Mingo Sheriff Waited for Ways to Arrest Drug Suspects

The late Mingo County Sheriff Eugene Crum made it his mission to clean up the county’s pervasive drug problem.

He wanted residents to live without fear that illegal drugs were being sold in their neighborhoods.

He wanted to cut off the flow of drugs that he said often were coming from prescriptions from out-of-state doctors.

Many say he was largely successful in achieving those goals in his short time in office.

He was gunned down earlier this week in a downtown Williams parking

His funeral is Sunday, four days after the 59-year-old sheriff was shot to death in a downtown Williamson parking lot where he ate his lunch each day.

“BUCKWILD”: Carbon Monoxide Killed MTV Star

Authorities in West Virginia say a star of the MTV reality show “BUCKWILD” and two passengers all died of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Twenty-one-year-old Shain Gandee, his uncle and another passenger were found dead Monday.

Gandee’s 1984 Ford Bronco was stuck in a mud hole, its tail pipe submerged.

It is possible the gas could have filled the cabin because of the clogged exhaust pipe.

The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department says autopsies completed Tuesday confirmed the three men died from the gas.

Their deaths have been ruled accidental.

The victims’ bodies have been released to funeral homes, but no arrangements have yet been announced.

Shooting for the second season of the show set around Sissonville and Charleston has been suspended.

‘Mudding’ Was ‘BUCKWILD’ Reality Star’s Medication

The sport of tearing into trails in backwoods in trucks and all-terrain vehicles, known among enthusiasts as “muddin’,“ is a part of life for many amateur daredevils who love to get dirty in rural West Virginia, just as it was for “BUCKWILD” cast member Shain Gandee.

It was a fitting pastime for the 21-year-old, one of the stars on a show that warned viewers not to mimic the “wild and crazy behavior” they witnessed — swearing, fighting, four-wheeling, even swimming in the bed of a dump truck-turned-swimming-pool.

He and two others were found dead inside an SUV on Monday about a mile from Gandee’s Sissonville home. The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department said Tuesday that autopsies confirmed they died of accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. The vehicle was stuck so deep in a mud pit that its tail pipe was submerged; it is possible the gas flooded the cabin because of the clogged exhaust.

In one episode, he describes four-wheeling as a stress-reliever: “This is my medication right here,“ he says before getting stuck in a mud pit and blowing up his engine. And there was no place he enjoyed being more than behind the wheel in the woods, said Gandee’s cousin Ashley Gandee Lewis.

Just two days before he died, Gandee had gone mudding with people he met Saturday at the grand opening of her general store in Proctorville, Ohio.

“He said, ‘Let’s go!‘ And they went,“ Lewis said. “Mudding’s just taking your vehicle and finding the biggest mud holes you can get, and seeing how fast you can get through them. You can fish tail it sideways or get stuck.

“It’s just about having a good time. It’s just about making memories.“

Authorities said Gandee, his 48-year-old uncle, David Gandee, and 27-year-old Donald Robert Myers were last seen around 3 a.m. Sunday at a bar and they told people they were going driving off-road. The SUV was found by one of Shain Gandee’s friends next to a trail used by four-wheel drive vehicles, about 15 miles outside of Charleston.

The network has not said whether it was filming Gandee at the bar Sunday morning or after he left.

A four-wheeling charity event was being planned, with donations going to Gandee’s family for funeral costs.

Jim Humphrey, a salesman at Morgantown Power Sports, said mudding is just a part of the Mountain State’s history. People who live near lakes and oceans buy speedboats and personal watercraft. People who live near mountains and mud buy four-wheelers, he said.

“People around here just like to get muddy and have fun,“ said Humphrey, whose dealership sells 40 to 50 all-terrain vehicles a month at an average price of about $6,500.

West Virginia has an abundance of designated riding trails, including the 600-mile Hatfield-McCoy Trails network, which lets tourists and local alike traverse seven West Virginia counties. Local officials say riders have come from as far as Alaska and Canada.

But Humphrey, who used to ride two or three times a week, said locals often prefer to forge their own paths.

“That’s part of it, just the adventure,“ he said. “Just getting away from work or whatever.“

That thrill-seeking isn’t without risk. Statistics on off-road fatalities weren’t immediately available, but there were 588 ATV-related deaths reported from 1982-2011, the most recent statistics available from the state Division of Motor Vehicles. Of those, 144 occurred from 2008-2011.

People more commonly use ATVs, not trucks, Humphrey said.

“BUCKWILD” boasted millions of viewers during its first season and had already begun shooting season two, though it was not without detractors, including U.S. Sen. and former West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin. He asked MTV to cancel the show in September, telling the network’s president in a letter that the show profits off of “poor decisions of our youth” and that it plays to ugly, inaccurate stereotypes about the people of West Virginia.

“MTV didn’t make those kids do anything that those kids didn’t already do,“ Lewis said. “It’s not like they forced anybody to do anything.“

Shooting for the second season of “BUCKWILD” has been suspended because of Gandee’s death, according to an MTV spokesman.

Manchin was asked about the show again Tuesday during an appearance in Charleston, but he held back any harsh words.

“It’s just awful for a young person, very bright and promising, to have this happen,“ he said. “The series, that’s immaterial, it really is. This is all about family, it’s about losing a loved one at such a young age.“

MTV’s ‘BUCKWILD’ Cast Member Found Dead

West Virginia authorities say a cast member of the MTV reality show “BUCKWILD” has been found dead, along with his uncle and a third, unidentified person.

Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department Cpl. B.D. Humphreys says 21-year-old Shain Gandee and 48-year-old David Gandee were found Monday in a vehicle near Sissonville.

Humphreys says relatives had been searching since early Sunday morning for both men. They were last seen around 3 a.m. Sunday at a bar in Sissonville.

Humphreys says no foul play is expected.

MTV said in a statement that Shain had a magnetic personality, with a passion for life that touched everyone he met.

Shain Gandee is now the third BUCKWILD cast member to make headlines.

Last week, 24-year-old Salwa Amin was sent back to Central Regional Jail for violating the terms of her previous release.

She was charged in February with two counts of drug possession with intent to deliver and initially jailed on $200,000 bond. That was later reduced to $100,000, but Amin remained behind bars without bond on Monday.

State Police say a multi-agency task force arrested Amin and two other people at a Summersville residence after receiving a tip from an informant. A search found oxycodone pills, heroin and $3,000 in cash.

Another cast mate, Michael Douglas Burford, was charged in February with driving under the influence.

The MTV reality show was filmed largely around Sissonville and Charleston last summer.

Yeager Airport: Plane Lands Wheels-Up

A private twin-engine Navajo aircraft made an emergency landing at Yeager Airport Thursday morning without landing gear.

“It just looked like a normal landing until he got on the pavement,”  said Assistant Airport Manager Brian Belcher who actually witnessed the landing. “You saw the smoke come up and the propellers are all bent up and it came to a dead stop right in the middle of the runway.”

Emergency crews from the airport and the 130th Airlift Wing of the West Virginia Air Guard were quickly on the scene.  Belcher said although emergency officials were there, it ddn’t appear anybody was injured.

Crews are now working to remove the aircraft without causing further damage.  The tower at Yeager had no advanced warning from the pilot of a problem with the landing gear.

“There was definitely some metal to pavement smoke or debris coming up,” said Belcher. “Looks like the runway is okay and as soon as they get it removed, we’ll do a runway check and get it back open to commercial traffic.”

Belcher said it’s unknown if Charleston was the destination of the small plane or if the pilot diverted to make an emergency landing.  The Federal Aviation Administration and the NTSB are on the scene and will be conducting a full investigation.

~~  Chris Lawrence ~~

Braxton County: Crash Claims One Life

One person is dead and another injured after a car crash in Braxton County, WV.

Police Officials say the men were traveling down WV Highway 4 Sunday morning, March 24, 2013, when the driver lost control and crashed.

The vehicle crashed into several trees and a telephone pole, resulting in one of the men being ejected from the car.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The other man was transported to the hospital where he remains in critical condition.

The victim’s names have not been released as the investigation continues.

Calhoun County: Four Dead after a Trailer Fire

Update:

Woman and Three Children Believed Dead in Calhoun Blaze

A fire in Calhoun County leaves four people, three of them children dead.

The blaze broke out at the mobile home off Route 16 on Mud Fork in the Stinson-Chloe community of the county.

Investigators from the state fire marshal’s office confirm the four fatalities and two survivors.

Sources at the scene indicate the victims are believed to be an elderly grandmother and three of her grand children.

All three of the children are reportedly under the age of eight.

The two survivors are adult males in their 30′s believed to be sons of the woman who died.

They managed to make it to a neighbor’s house to call for help.

Both were reportedly injured, one of them with severe burns.

They are recovering at CAMC in Charleston.

A cause for the fire is under investigation.

======================

The state Fire Marshal’s Office says four people are dead after a trailer fire early Thursday morning in Calhoun County.

The blaze occurred at about 5:00 AM along Mud Fork Road near the Chloe area.

Reports say other people were injured in the blaze.

An investigation is underway.

WV State Police: Victims In I-79 Accident Were Children Ages 12 and 14

According to West Virginia Department of Transportation Two people died Friday, March 08, 2013 after a single car accident along Interstate 79 in Braxton County, WV.

The accident was happened about 2:00 PM in the southbound fast lane, near Frametown, WV.

West Virginia State Police says the two victims who died in a crash in were two children, ages 12 and 14.

State Police says the driver of a sport utility vehicle lost control, slid down a hill, hit several trees and landed in a ditch.

The kids were thrown from the vehicle and died at the scene.

Two other children and two adults were taken to the hospital, but are expected to be OK.

None of the children was wearing a seat belt.

West Virginia State Police said charges are pending.

Ritchie County: Federal Officials Cite WV Gas Driller Following ’12 Fire

A West Virginia gas drilling operator is facing fines following a 2012 well fire that injured three workers.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced Monday it had cited Ellenboro-based Hall Drilling LLC with two serious safety violations found at a Wolf Summit drill site following the August 2012 fire.

The agency proposed $12,600 in penalties.

The violations included failing to ensure the use of flame-retardant clothing and to ensure workers were not exposed to fire and gas explosions from uncontrolled gas flow at the well bore.

The violations were categorized as serious, which means there is “substantial probability” that they could cause death or serious injury.

Hall Drilling has 15 business days to comply, request a conference with the agency or contest the citations.

Normantown: GCVFD Responded to a Fire at a Gas Well

The Gilmer County Volunteer Fire Department responded to a gas well fire Barbeque Run Road area in Normantown, WV Monday morning, February 11, 2013.

The gas well belonging to Rubin Resources with an oil tank and gas tank underground caught on fire after well oil got onto a pump.

Crews shut off the lines that led into the tank and then put out the fire,

According to Gilmer County Volunteer Fire Department, the flames at a certain point were approximately 100 feet in the air when it hit pockets of gas.

They fire fighters contained the fire to where the storage tanks were located and in the pit area of the well site and under control within one hour.

There were no injuries in the accident.

The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection was also at the scene Monday morning.

Court of Claims Orders WVDOH to Pay More than $22,000 to Motorists for Vehicle Damage

Claims for vehicle damage caused by road conditions cost the West Virginia Division of Highways more than $22,000 in 2012.

The state Court of Claims awarded a total $22,416 to motorists who filed claims against the DOH.

The court also ordered the DOH to pay $12,601 to two people for claims related to maintenance failure.

The road-related claims included tires and wheels damaged by potholes.

Rachel Rinehart of Preston County filed a claim for damage after her car slid on a patch of ice and into an embankment in January 2011. She was awarded $375.

Rinehart says the accident wouldn’t have occurred if the DOH had treated the road with cinders.

Lewis County: Accident Closed I-79 N

The accident happened about 8:30 AM, Thursday morning, September 24, 2013.

A tractor-trailer slid sideways causing the closure of I-79 N near Roanoke, south of Weston, about mile marker 92.

Both lanes reopened about 11:30 AM.

There were two people in the tractor-trailer and no one was injured in the accident.

No other vehicle was involved in the accident.

The Lewis County Sheriff Department cited poor road conditions causing the accident.

Lewis County:  House Fire in Pricetown

The house fire happened on WV Highway 33/119 west of Weston in Pricetown.

Fire started about 4:30 PM, Wednesday, January 23, 2013.

According to fire fighter there was no one at the home alongside the road at the time of fire.

Fire started in basement and was put out before damaging the rest of the house.

Fire departments from Pricetown, Weston, and Jackson’s Mill responded to the fire.

The State Fire Marshal will investigate the fire on Thursday.

Lewis County: Fatal Fire under Investigation

The State Fire Marshal’s Office has been called in to investigate a fatal fire in Weston, WV.

The blaze occurred early Friday morning, January 18, 2013 (around Mid-Night) at a residence on Lynn Ave.

Firefighters say a man and three of his dogs died in the blaze.

Flames were showing when crews arrived on the scene.

Neighbors say the man lived alone.

Investigators discovered the victim’s body in the living room of the home.

Investigators said the fire appears to be accidental, but the official cause remains undetermined.

Ambulance Worker Killed in Collision with Tractor-Trailer on I-79 in Lewis County

An ambulance company worker is dead following a collision with a tractor-trailer on Interstate 79 in Lewis County.

Lewis County sheriff’s deputy F.J. Turansky says Mark Anthony Kinder was a passenger in the ambulance.

Kinder died from his injuries at Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital.

The accident occurred around 4:45 AM Tuesday, January 15, 2013 near Weston, WV.

Turansky says the ambulance’s driver was treated and released.

The tractor-trailer driver and a passenger were not injured.

Kinder was an employee of Jan Care Ambulance.

New Lewis County Sheriff Reviews Missing Girl Case

Lewis County’s new sheriff is planning an aggressive investigation of a 3-year-old girl’s disappearance in 2011.

Sheriff Adam Gissy says he and Chief Deputy Randy Hyre are reviewing the case files. Gissy says he hopes they will notice something that others may have missed.

Gissy says he wants to bring some closure to the case, if possible.

The FBI also is investigating Aliayah (uh LEE’ uh) Lunsford’s disappearance.

The child vanished from her Bendale home on Saturday, September 24, 2011.

Authorities have classified her disappearance as a crime.

But they have made no arrests and named no suspects.

G-otcha™: If They Let You Out of Jail, Don’t Steal Car on Your Way Out

A man and a woman did just that on Wednesday night, December 12, 2012 immediately upon being released from jail in Greenwood, authorities said.

To make matters worse, they then ran a red light and T-boned a sheriff’s car as they fled pursuing state and county officers in Pennsboro, WV; the Ritchie County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

That brought their escape - if you can call it that, considering they had just been released from North Central Regional Jail in neighboring Doddridge County - to a crashing halt.

The suspects, identified as Michael Lee Sharp and Amanda Clendenning, were checked out and released from hospitals with no major injuries, as was Ritchie County Deputy Jim Asbury.

As for the condition of Benji, the K-9 dog who was in the car with Asbury: In a posting on the department’s Facebook page, the deputy wrote that he was “little bit sore this morning and am getting ready to take Benji to the vet to get him checked out but he seems to be doing OK”.

The No. 1 thing not to do when you are released from jail, steal a jail worker’s car on your way out of the pokey.

Alum Bridge: Police Say Woman Shot Kids, Herself before Lewis County Barn Fire

Lewis County authorities say a woman found dead in a barn more than a month ago shot and killed her two children before committing suicide.

Sheriff’s Deputy Robert Ryan tells media outlets that is the conclusion of his investigation into the deaths of 32-year-old Beth Ann Kraus and her children, 3-year-old Kiera and 5-year-old Kaden.

Doug Kraus found the bodies of his wife and children November 12, 2012 in a burned-out barn near Alum Bridge, WV after returning from a night shift at his job.

Investigators were suspicious because the barn had no utilities.

Autopsies by the state medical examiner’s office later showed all three had died of gunshot wounds.

Alum Bridge: Investigators Say Lewis County Kids Were Shot

       

The investigation reports indicate the two Lewis County children who were found dead after a barn fire near their home earlier this month were shot.

Deputies with the Lewis County Sheriff’s Department are not talking publicly about the case surrounding the deaths of Beth Kraus, age 32, from Alum Bridge, WV; and her two kids, Kaden, age 5, and Keira, age 3.

However, Deputy State Fire Marshal Reed Cook confirmed the shootings of the children to The Charleston Daily Mail this week.

The bodies of the three were found back on Monday, November 12, 2012 following the barn fire.

Beth Kraus’ husband, Doug, says he got home from work that morning and made the discovery.

A gun was reportedly found at the scene.

A funeral service was held this past Saturday in Lewis County for Kaden, a student at Alum Bridge Elementary, and Keira.

No funeral arrangements have yet been finalized for Beth Kraus.

OddlyEnough™: Florida Man Choked to Death in Roach-Eating Contest

A Florida man choked to death after downing dozens of live roaches to win a contest earlier this year in which the grand prize was a python, according to an autopsy released Monday.

Edward Archbold, age 32, of West Palm Beach died as a result of “asphyxia due to choking and aspiration of gastric contents,” according to the report released by the Broward County medical examiner’s office. It said his airway was obstructed by the roach body parts, which caused him to not be able to breathe.

“There is a flap called the epiglottis that is supposed to stop objects from going into the lungs,” medical examiner Craig T. Mallak wrote in an email to the AP. “Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work. In the video you could see him trying to swallow and breathe at the same time. We can’t do both simultaneously.”

Lab tests for drugs came back negative. The death has been ruled an accident.

Archbold died after downing the bugs as well as worms in the October 06, 2012 contest at Ben Siegel Reptile Store in Deerfield Beach, about 40 miles north of Miami.

Messages left with the store’s owner and his attorney were not immediately returned.

Archbold became ill shortly after winning the contest and collapsed in front of the store. He was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

About 30 people ate the insects, but authorities said none of the other contestants became ill.

WV Man Who Uses Oxygen Tank Suffers Severe Burns When Lit Tobacco Pipe Ignites Beard

A Wetzel County man who uses an oxygen tank to help him breathe suffered severe burns when his beard caught on fire as he tried to light a tobacco pipe.

New Martinsville Fire Chief Larry Couch said Saturday that the 76-year-old man remains in critical condition at the West Penn Burn Center in Pittsburgh.

Couch says firefighters responded to a home in New Martinsville on Wednesday. He says the man’s thick hair and heavy beard helped trap oxygen that then ignited when the pipe was lit.

The man was taken to Wetzel County Hospital, and then transferred to the hospital in Pittsburgh.

Couch tells The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register that the man was hurt in a similar manner less than a year ago. He declined to release the man’s name.

Ritchie County: Hunting-Related Death - Victim Suffered Heart Attack

West Virginia Division of Natural Resources says a deer hunter in Ritchie County, WV suffered a heart attack and died on the first day of deer gun season Monday.

Investigators say Joe Clayton, age 73, of Smithville, WV, was hunting near Hazelgreen Road Monday evening, November 19, 2012 at around 6:30 PM when he collapsed and died.

The death is the first reported in the two-week season that runs through December 01, 2012.

Alum Bridge: Three People Dead in a Barn Fire

Update: 11.13.12 - 10:02 aM

The West Virginia medical examiner has identified the woman and two children found dead this week after a barn fire in Lewis County.

First Deputy Chief Medical Examiner Nabila Haikal identified the victims as: 32-year-old Beth Ann Kraus; her 5-year-old son, Kaden Edward Kraus; and her 3-year-old daughter, Keira Marie Kraus.

Haikal performed the autopsies Tuesday. But the medical examiner’s office does not release causes of death.

Authorities have refused to say whether they believe the victims died before or during the blaze in Alum Bridge.

According to Mark Lambert Assistant State Fire Marshal a pistol was recovered in the fire scene.

The fire occurred sometime between Sunday night and Monday morning, when the woman’s husband phoned authorities.

Sheriff’s Deputy Robert Ryan said the husband had been working a midnight shift at his job. He declined to release any further details about the investigation Wednesday.

====================================

Update: 11.12.12 - 7:20 PM

The West Virginia fire marshal’s office says a woman and two children are dead after an overnight barn fire in Lewis County.

Deputy State Fire Marshal Reed Cook says the fire happened in Alum Bridge sometime between 7:30 PM Sunday and 7:30 AM Monday.

Cook wouldn’t immediately identify the victims, or provide any details about their deaths.

It’s unclear if they died in or before the blaze.

The Lewis County Sheriff’s Department said the children were both toddlers.

It did not provide any further information about them or say who found the victims Monday.

The barn was behind a home off Crooked Run Road.

Deputy Robert Ryan said the bodies will be sent to the state medical examiner’s office in Charleston.

The cause of the fire is also under investigation.

====================================

Three people (one adult and two toddlers) are dead after a barn fire in Lewis County.

The blaze took place sometime between Sunday night and Monday morning on Coopers Run Road near the community of Alum Bridge, WV.

The state Fire Marshal’s Office arrived on the scene at just before Noon Monday to begin its investigation.

The victims have not been identified.

Firefighters from the Midway Volunteer Fire Department and Alum Bridge were on the scene along with State Police Troopers and deputies from the Lewis County Sheriff’s Department.

The fire was first reported at 7:50 AM Monday morning.

Ritchie County: Natural Gas Wellhead Explosion Causing Gas Release

According to Ritchie County Office of Emergency Services there was an issue with a natural gas well Tuesday evening, November 06, 2012 on Spring Run Road in Pennsboro.

Residents in the area smelled a strong odor of natural gas and alerted the officials.

Ritchie County office of emergency services said a conventional wellhead blew off, causing the gas release.

No injuries or health issues have been reported.

Officials said pressure from ice and possibly nearby Marcellus wells caused the incident.

Lewis County Man Sues WVDOC Over Car Accident

A Lewis County man is suing the West Virginia Division of Corrections after he was injured in a car accident.

Hailey Mayfield, in her individual capacity and as administratrix for the Estate of John David Mayfield, was also named as a defendant in the suit.

On November 01, 2010, Edgar L. Bleigh Sr. was operating a 1996 Mack Tri-Axel Dump Truck loaded with gravel on U.S. 50 near West Union when John Mayfield, who was driving a 2007 Dodge Caravan passenger van owned by WVDOC, ignored a stop sign and flashing caution traffic signal and caused his vehicle to collide with Bleigh’s, according to a complaint filed Oct. 31 in Kanawha Circuit Court.

Bleigh claims John Mayfield was acting in the scope of his employment as a correctional officer for WVDOC at the time of the collision.

As a result of the collision between the two vehicles, Bleigh’s truck overturned and spilled gravel over U.S. 50 and a fire ensued, according to the suit.

Bleigh claims he was trapped in his truck and tried to kick out a window to escape, but was unsuccessful. However, a bystander broke the window with a rock and Bleigh was able to escape the fire.

Due to the collision, Bleigh suffered serious personal and emotional injuries which are permanent in nature and he incurred medical expenses and loss of income, according to the suit.

Bleigh is seeking compensatory damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. He is being represented by David C. Glover.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Louis H. Bloom.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 12-C-2185

~~  Kyla Asbury - The WV Record  ~~

West Virginia Tops State Farm’s Deer-Vehicle Crash List

State Farm says West Virginia continues to be the state where a vehicle is most likely to hit a deer.

West Virginia tops State Farm’s annual list for the sixth consecutive year.

The Bloomington, IL - based insurer released the latest list Tuesday.

State Farm says the odds of a deer-vehicle collision over the next year are 1 in 40 in West Virginia.

Virginia is ranked 10th with odds of 1 in 103.

Hawaii motorists are least likely to hit a deer with their vehicles. Hawaii’s odds are 1 in 6,801.

Nationwide, State Farm says client data show 1.23 million collisions between deer and vehicles between July 01, 2011, and June 30, 2012.

That is up 7.7% from the previous one-year period.

Glenville: Another Accident at Dangerous Intersection

The Gilmer Free Press has learned about a three truck accident at the intersection of U.S. Highways 33/119 and WV Highway 5 in the Hays City area of Glenville WV.

The accident happened Friday morning, October 19, 2012.

Reports indicate a female passenger was taken to the hospital.

This the area where vehicles on U.S. Highway 33/119 coming from Linn, WV, turning left on to WV Highway 5 E have more right of way than vehicles going toward Linn, turning right to WV Highway 5 E.

OddlyEnought™: Florida Man Dies after Eating Roaches and Worms in Contest

Authorities are investigating what caused a Florida man to collapse and die after consuming dozens of roaches and worms to win a roach-eating contest that featured a python as the grand prize.

Edward Archbold, age 32, beat out several other contestants who competed for the exotic reptile at the Ben Siegel Reptile Store in Deerfield Beach, Florida on Friday night, the Broward County Sheriff’s Office said.

But Archbold fell ill soon after the contest ended, according to the sheriff’s office.

He collapsed in front of the store and was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Law enforcement said no other contestants reported medical problems after the contest.

Detectives are waiting for autopsy results to determine Archbold’s cause of death.

Kandace Renee Skinner Brown

Kandace Renee Skinner Brown

Age 22, of 240 Riverside Drive, Weston, died at 1:30 AM Saturday, September 15, 2012 in the CAMC in Charleston as a result of an auto accident of I-79.

She was born March 09, 1990 in Weston, WV a daughter of Michael Skinner and Melinda Brown Cowgar both who survive in Weston.

Also surviving are her step-father, Gene Cowgar of Weston. Maternal grandparents, Keith and Betty Lowther Brown of Jane Lew, and paternal grandparents, Roy Skinner of Weston and Johnny and Thelma Settles, both of Weston; one brother, Shawn Michael Skinner of VA; two cousins, Neysa and Mickel Brown; step-aunt, Keithia Helmick and several other aunts and uncles; two best friends, Kristy Lynn and Summer King. She was preceded in death by one brother, Joshua Lee Skinner.

Kandace was a cashier at Kroger Fuel Center in Weston.

She was Methodist by faith.

She loved spending time with family and friends.

Friends called at the Pat Boyle Funeral Home and Cremation Service at 144 Hackers Creek Road in Jane Lew, Monday from 4:00 to 8:00 PM.

Funeral services were held at 1:30 PM Tuesday, September 18, from the Pat Boyle Funeral Home and Cremation Service with the Reverend Dewayne Brown assisted by the Reverend Clifford West officiating.

Interment followed in the Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens.

Pat Boyle Funeral Home and Cremation Service is honored and privileged to serve the Brown family.

Neighbor Says Doddridge Man Was Weak

A neighbor of the Doddridge County man, who died during a search from West Virginia State Police of his West Union, WV home last week, says she thinks troopers may have used too much force against him.

WV State Police officials say members of the State Police Special Response Team went to the home of Elton Wine,  age 71, last Thursday looking for John Bowman from Doddridge County who was wanted on marijuana growing charges.

They say Wine had an “extensive and violent” criminal history and was initially uncooperative.

At one point, officials claim Wine tried to take a trooper’s gun.

On Tuesday’s The Morning Edition, heard on MetroNews Affiliate WAJR-FM in Clarksburg, Judy Nicholson, who lived near Wine and helped take care of him, said his health would not have allowed for much resistance.

“His health was bad,“ she said.  “He had COPD.  He was very short of wind at the time.  He’d been sick the last couple of days.“

Wine eventually consented to the search.

He died after complaining of shortness of breath and becoming unresponsive while the law enforcement officers were in his home.

WV State Police say EMS workers were called in to help.

Nicholson, though, says she saw evidence of violence in Wine’s home which, she speculates, may have contributed to his death.

“They took him down in the living room.  There was glass off the coffee table busted everywhere,“ she said.

“The coffee table was pushed against the couch and there was blood on the pillow on the couch and you could go on into the kitchen and there was a big puddle of blood in one of Mr. Wine’s chairs.“

Bowman was arrested on Friday night.

Doddridge County: Man Dies During WV State Police Special Response Team Visit

The West Virginia State Police say a Doddridge County man died after trying to interfere with a search for a wanted fugitive.

The body of Elton Wine, age 71, from West Union, WV was taken to the state Medical Examiner’s Office for a cause of death determination.

State Police Troopers say members of the State Police Special Response Team went to Wine’s home with a search warrant Thursday looking for John Bowman from Doddridge County who is wanted on marijuana delivery charges.

State Police say both Wine and Bowman have “extensive and violent” criminal histories.

At first, troopers say Wine was uncooperative.

He later relented, though, but then started complaining of difficulty breathing.

Reports indicate E.M.S. was called to help, but Wine became unresponsive and died.

Spencer Officials Raising Money to Buy More Ballistic Vests after 1 Saves Deputy’s Life

City of Spencer officials are collecting money to buy up to 10 ballistic vests after a vest apparently saved a deputy sheriff’s life last week.

Roane County Deputy John Westfall was wounded Aug. 28 by 22-year-old Luke Baber of Oak Hill, who shot and killed two state troopers.

Baber also shot and wounded Westfall and a tow truck driver before he was shot and killed by sheriff’s deputies.

Westfall was shot in the arm and abdomen.

Roane County Sheriff Mike Harper said Westfall’s body armor saved his life.

But not every officer in Roane County has a ballistic vest, so Spencer marketing director Jacob Fetty started a fund-raising drive to buy more.

He says nearly $2,000 has been raised.

The vests cost $650 each.

Injuries in Lewis County Crash - Power Line Causes Accident On I-79

Traffic was slowed on Interstate 79 in Lewis County this afternoon (Friday, September 07, 2012) after a power line fell across the highway striking a motorcyclist.

Police officials say a motorist struck a utility pole near the 101 mile marker in Lewis County.
The pole went down and so did the power line.

HealthNet Helicopter took one person to the hospital.

The accident happened just a couple of miles north of the Weston/Buckhannon exit.

All lanes were reopened by 3:30 PM.

Teacher among 3 Shot in Doddridge County; Juvenile in Custody

Three people are dead after a shooting in Doddridge County, and authorities said Tuesday that a juvenile suspect who is in custody will be charged with first-degree murder.

Doddridge County Sheriff W.C. Underwood said the incident is under investigation and he would not immediately release any further details, but a press release issued late Tuesday afternoon said the suspect is related to the victims.

“We have to be careful about what we say,“ Underwood said.

The chief investigator, Deputy C.W. Modesitt, was at the scene Tuesday and issued a statement saying more details “will be released as they become available.“

School board President Carolyn Bowie said that veteran Ritchie Middle School 7th grade science teacher Dixie Spencer is among those killed Monday evening at the home near West Union.

Bowie said the other victims are the teacher’s husband, Frederick Spencer, a UPS pilot, and their daughter, a Doddridge County elementary student.

Doddridge County Commissioner Ralph Sandora said he knows the family and confirmed that the daughter attended Doddridge County Middle School, while the suspect is a junior at Doddridge County High School.

“It’s been a very hard day for staff and students,“ Bowie said. “It’s a small county so everyone is mourning together. I’m just speechless something like that would happen.“

Grief counselors were at the middle school and adjacent high school Tuesday, and Bowie said they would remain there all week.

Deputy C.W. Modesitt, of the Doddridge County Sheriff’s Department, released the following statement Wednesday:

“Due to the serious nature of this incident and the fact that juveniles are involved, the Doddridge County Sheriff’s Department will not be releasing any additional information on its investigation. Be advised that the Doddridge County Sheriff’s Department, with assistance from the West Virginia State Police, are thoroughly and exhaustively collecting and analyzing every piece of information and evidence linked to this crime. We feel that the privacy and peace of the surviving family members is of chief importance through this ordeal.“

Clay County: A Goodbye Tribute to Trooper

The parking lot was full Tuesday evening at the Clay County High School as visitation was held for fallen West Virginia State Trooper Eric Workman.

Family and friends lined up to pay tribute to Workman.

Workman and fellow State Trooper Corporal Marshall Bailey were shot last week following a traffic stop just off from Interstate 79 at the Wallback Exit.

Bailey died at the scene and Workman died Friday in the hospital.

Visitation began at 2:00 PM and concluded at 9:00 PM.

The crowd that gathered included family, friends, community members and fellow State Troopers.

People came out of the high school with mix reactions.

Some had tears as they thought of life without him and some had a smile as they remembered the good times they had with Workman.

One thing was evident though; Workman will be missed by a lot of people.

A public funeral is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon at 2:00 PM at the Charleston Civic Center.

Harrison County Student Takes Her Own Life as Result of Bullying

Harrison County school district in North Central West Virginia is dealing with untimely death.

Grief counselors were at Liberty Harrison High School Tuesday where students and staff are dealing with a student death that’s being blamed on bullying.

Ashley McIntyre took her own life Friday, August 31, 2012, and her family says bullying was the reason.

Harrison County School Board President Mike Queen is encouraging people to wear pink as a show of support for Ashley’s family.

Doddridge County: Shooting Near West Union

Update (4:01 PM):

Although the reports available are very sketchy, the juvenile suspect is related to the victims.

The juvenile will be charged with three counts of first degree murder, according to a news release from the Doddridge County Sheriff’s Department.

Also according to Ritchie County Schools one of their teachers was the victim in this multi-shooting incident.

The teacher reported to be Dixie Spencer.

She taught 7th grade science at Ritchie County Middle School.

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Update (11:52 AM):

According to Doddridge County Sheriff Department the suspect is a juvenile and in custody.

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The Doddridge County 911 received calls about a shooting about 6:00 PM, Monday night, September 03, 2012.

Doddridge County Sheriff and the WV State Police responded to the scene in West Union.

According to reports the shooting happened on Matson Road near WV Hwy 18 N.

Reports indicate multiple people were shot and the shooter is custody.

However, neither Doddridge County 911 nor the police officials confirm any of the reports on the number of victims and whether the shooter is in custody.