You are viewing the February 13, 2014 daily archives

Bad Weather Changes Ohio Softball’s Weekend Plans
Ohio was set to play in the Georgia Softball Classic before adverse weather forced the Bobcats to make a last minute change. Ohio now will travel to the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Fla., to participate in the fourth annual Osprey Invitational. Ohio will play four games over two days on Saturday and Sunday…. Read More

UPDATE: MCHM No Longer Dectectable In Kanawha County Water
By: WOUB Contributing Writer
Posted on:
Water sampling test results from a slurry spill in Kanawha County this week show non-detect levels of MCHM, according to the West Virginia Department of Enviornmental Protection. WSAZ reports the spill happened Tuesday at Patriot Coal’s Kanawha Eagle Prep Plant near Winifrede. The DEP says the spill impacted roughly six miles of Fields Creek, which… Read More

Ohio Baseball 2014 Season Preview
By: Eric Singer
Posted on:
When the 2013 season began, Ohio coach Rob Smith knew that his first season at the helm wouldn’t be easy, as he was about to begin the rebuild of the Ohio baseball program. Smith inherited a roster that featured several holes, including the middle of the infield, and a pitching staff about one-third the size… Read More

West Virginia Parents Arrested in Abuse Case
By: WOUB Contributing Writer
Posted on:
The parents of a pregnant 13-year-old girl with autism have been arrested by Putnam County Sheriff's Deputies. WSAZ reports that Wendell and Geneva Rose have both been charged with child neglect resulting in serious bodily injury. This comes after Justin Vance, 28, was arrested and charged last week. Deputies say he had sex with the… Read More

Ohio Attorney General Rejects Voter Access Proposal Petition
By: Associated Press
Posted on:
An effort in Ohio that aims to guarantee certain voter protections in the state constitution has hit a snag. The proposed amendment would expand early voting times on weekends and make other changes to election rules. It is supported by a coalition of black lawmakers, clergy and civil rights leaders. Attorney General Mike DeWine rejected… Read More

Bills Aimed At Tackling Ohio’s High Infant Mortality Rate
By: Statehouse News Bureau
Posted on:
Ohio has one of the worst infant mortality rates in the nation. Republican State Senator Shannon Jones of Springboro said a high infant death rate is a red flag. “A states infant mortality rate is much like the canary that goes down into the coal mine, and it’s an indicator of the overall health and… Read More

Ohio Seeks Revenge Saturday Against Toledo
By: Brad Friedman
Posted on:
After Ohio’s 68-55 loss to Eastern Michigan, head coach Bob Boldon insisted that not one loss stung above the other seven consecutive contests that his squad had dropped. However, Ohio’s 64-62 loss to Toledo deflated a young team that saw a win slip away from its grasp. Despite amassing a 21-point lead with 17 minutes… Read More

Ohio University Offers Active Shooter Training
In light of the "possible shooting" on Tuesday to which police responded, here's a look at what OUPD's active shooter training entails. From February: It could happen anywhere. That's what Ohio University police emphasized to members of the community last night as they held their latest A.L.I.C.E. training program. A.L.I.C.E., which stands for Alert, Lockdown,… Read More

Men’s Basketball Photos: Michigan Bests Ohio State In Columbus
By: WOUB Visuals
Posted on:
WOUB photo chief Logan Riely was credentialed for Michigan's men's basketball win over Ohio State on Feb. 11, 2014, at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Oh. Logan captured some great photos in the Wolverines' 70-60 win over their rivals. The full slideshow is above. Michigan improved to 18-6 for the season, while Ohio State dropped… Read More

Athens Man Pleads Guilty To Meth Manufacture
An Athens man was sentenced to three years in prison Thursday after pleading guilty to running a meth lab. Yancey Hunter, 31, pleaded guilty to three felony counts related to the manufacture of methamphetamine at his pretrial hearing Thursday. Athens County Prosecutor Keller Blackburn says that Hunter was caught on Jan. 9 actively manufacturing meth… Read More

County Adopts Dangerous Wild Animal Response Plan
By: Steve Robb - Athens Messenger staff reporter
Posted on:
A plan on how to respond to an emergency involving release of a dangerous animal or snake was adopted Tuesday by the Athens County Commissioners. The plan was presented by Fred Davis, director of the Athens County Emergency Management Agency. In response to a 2011 incident in Muskingum County in which several lions, tigers, bears… Read More

Walter Fieldhouse To Open A Month Behind Schedule
By: Sara Brumfield | Athens Messenger
Posted on:
A few minor setbacks are expected to delay the opening of Ohio University’s Walter Fieldhouse by about a month, but officials say that construction is moving steadily ahead. Harry Wyatt, OU associate vice president for architecture, design and construction, said Wednesday that an underground utility miscalculation, harsh winter weather and a delayed order for space-divider… Read More

Wrong Election Date Not Expected To Kill Fracking Initiative In Athens County
By: Steve Robb - Athens Messenger staff reporter
Posted on:
Athens County election officials have asked for written legal opinions on whether an alteration made to an initiative petition would prevent the anti-fracking measure from being on the November ballot. Indications are, it would not. The Messenger reported earlier that the Athens Bill of Rights Committee wanted to put an anti-fracking measure on the May… Read More

Fired Athens County Sheriff’s Deputy Ordered To Be Reinstated
By: Susan Tebben | The Athens Messenger
Posted on:
A former deputy that was fired by Athens County Sheriff Patrick Kelly was ordered to be reinstated by the Ohio State Personnel Board of Review, according to a decision filed Thursday. The three-person board unanimously ruled to reinstate Shannon Sheridan but gave him no back pay from time he spent waiting for a court decision…. Read More

L.A. Theatre Works Brings “The Graduate” To OU
By: Emma Perrin
Posted on:
Four stationary microphones and a sound effects table: That's the extent of the stage set for L.A. Theatre Works' production of The Graduate. The touring theatre company will make a stop in Athens on Feb. 17 as part of Ohio University's Performing Arts Series.

Enrollment In Healthcare Marketplace In WV Jumps
By: Associated Press
Posted on:
Enrollment in West Virginia's health insurance marketplace has jumped to nearly 8,000 people. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says as of Feb. 1, 44 percent of those enrolled through the federal exchange in West Virginia were ages 55 to 64, 22 percent were ages 45 to 54 and 13 percent were ages… Read More

West Virginia House Passes Law Banning E-Cigarettes for Minors
A proposal to keep minors from using electronic cigarettes has passed the West Virginia House of Delegates. The legislation would outlaw the sale of vapor-based e-cigarettes and other alternative nicotine products to children under 18. The bill covers toothpicks, lozenges, and other non-tobacco products that are chewed, absorbed or otherwise ingested. The Ohio Senate passed… Read More

Judge Rules Kentucky Must Recognize Out-Of-State Same-Sex Marriages
By: Associated Press
Posted on:
A federal judge has ruled Kentucky must recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states, pointing not only to recent decisions that have struck down bans in other states but also to older rulings on a person's right to marry. While the case dealt with out-of-state marriages, it doesn't require the state to perform same-sex marriages…. Read More

Ohio Auditor Investigating 3 Sponsors Of Failed Charter Schools
The state auditor is investigating three sponsors of Ohio charter schools following a string of failed schools. Auditor Dave Yost tells The Columbus Dispatch that he also will audit the Ohio Department of Education and review its charter process. Yost is auditing St. Aloysius Orphanage in Cincinnati; the North Central Ohio Educational Service Center, based… Read More

West Virginia Chemical Spill Bill Now Requires Second Water Intake For Water Companies
By: Associated Press
Posted on:
A legislative committee has unanimously passed an amended bill that proposes new regulations for aboveground storage tanks following last month's chemical spill. The latest version of the bill passed by the House health committee late Wednesday would add new regulations for tanks like the one at Freedom Industries that leaked chemicals into the water supply… Read More

Former Athens Resident To Perform Classical Sitar Concert
ARTS/West will welcome classical sitarist J.J. Gregg for a concert on Sunday, Feb. 16 at 7 p.m., with a question-and-answer session to follow. Born in central Illinois, Gregg began his musical training with the piano at age eight, followed by French horn and piano in school jazz bands and orchestras, and years of writing and… Read More

West Virginia House Approves Minimum Wage Increase
By: Associated Press
Posted on:
The West Virginia House of Delegates has voted to raise the state's minimum wage $1.50 over the next two years. The standard would change from $7.25 to $8 an hour in January 2015 and to $8.75 the following January. The bill passed overwhelmingly Wednesday with a dozen delegates speaking in favor of the raise. The… Read More

Changes Proposed To Energy Efficient Building Standards
By: Statehouse News Bureau
Posted on:
Energy efficiency advocates are battling a resolution that could change the standards used when public buildings are designed. Some legislators believe the new standards are over-reaching their purpose. Right now public buildings, such as schools and government offices, are drawn up using what’s known as LEED requirements, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental… Read More

WV: Ice Buildup Caused Slurry Spill Into Creek
By: Associated Press
Posted on:
A West Virginia creek turned black with 108,000 gallons of coal slurry because of ice buildup on a pipeline. State officials said Wednesday the ice tore a gasket around a slurry line valve, causing the malfunction. The spill Tuesday at Patriot Coal's Kanawha Eagle Prep Plant near Winifrede affected six miles of Fields Creek and… Read More

Caller Claiming To Be Representative Of ‘Energy Assistance Program’ Is Attempting Phone Scams In Washington County
By: WOUB Contributing Writer
Posted on:
Reports are surfacing throughout the region and the state regarding a scam targeting recipients of Ohio's Home Energy Assistance Program. The Washington County Sheriff's office reported that in several cases, a caller phoning from a 1-800 number is claiming to be a representative of The Energy Assistance Program. The scammer informed the victim that they… Read More