You are viewing the August 8, 2014 daily archives

New Wine Bar Will Help Athens Get Uncorked
By: Steve Robb - Athens Messenger staff reporter
Posted on:
A wine bar named Athens Uncorked is being developed in the city, and co-owner Kathryn Blake said the goal is to be open this fall, hopefully by late September. "We will be featuring Ohio wines, domestics and imports," Blake said. The new business will be located at the Athens Station commercial center, and will be… Read More

Athens County Chosen For Next Level Of Energy Conservation Competition
By: Steve Robb - Athens Messenger staff reporter
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Athens County has qualified for the next level of an energy conservation competition in which the winner will receive a $5 million prize. In December, the county commissioners decided — at the suggestion of Commissioner Chris Chmiel — to submit a letter of intent to compete for the Georgetown University Energy Prize. Since then, volunteers… Read More

Owners of Medical Clinics Plead Guilty To Conspiracy To Commit Health Care Fraud
Owners of the Advanced Family Medical Center and Watkins-Tsai Imaging pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud after admitting they improperly charged government insurance programs for medically unnecessary procedures. Peter Tsai, 45, owner of Advanced Family Medical Center, his father and mother, Tahsiung Tsai, 73, and Ruey Tsai, 68, owners of Watkins-Tsai Imaging,… Read More

Mace Ordered To Give Up Peace Officer Certificate
By: Susan Tebben | The Athens Messenger
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A former Glouster police chief was convicted and forced to give up his peace officer certificate Friday in Athens County Common Pleas Court. Lucas Mace, 38, of Glouster, pleaded guilty to six counts of dereliction of duty as part of a plea agreement with the Athens County Prosecutor's Office. For the charges he was sentenced… Read More

Task Force Offers Free ‘WVHelp’ App
By: Associated Press
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A West Virginia app is now available to help those who are being abused or maltreated, particularly children. The "WVHelp" app has been rolled out by the West Virginia Children's Justice Task Force. The app is free. The app is designed to quickly locate and contact resources throughout the state that deal with young victims… Read More

Chairman:West Virginia Highway Commission Report Forthcoming
By: Associated Press
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) – The chairman of the Governor's Blue Ribbon Commission on Highways says the group will release its final report soon. Jason Pizatella tells the Charleston Gazette that the report is undergoing proofreading and editing. Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin created the commission nearly two years ago. The commission issues recommendations for funding state… Read More

Columbus Crime Lab Mistake Could Affect 38 Cases
By: Associated Press
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Officials say that at least 38 closed cases at a central Ohio crime lab could be affected by a DNA-related mistake. The prosecutor in Franklin County said this week that his office likely will notify the attorneys for the 38 defendants in closed cases that the outcome could be affected. One convicted felon has already… Read More

Report: Children In Appalachia Worse Off
By: Associated Press
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A new report from a child welfare organization shows that children in Ohio's Appalachian counties are worse off than kids in inner-city neighborhoods. The report from the Children's Defense Fund-Ohio says children in Ohio's eastern and southern counties are increasingly at a disadvantage. They are more likely to suffer from hunger, obesity and a lack… Read More

GOP Expected To Formalize Cleveland Convention Bid
By: Associated Press
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The Republican National Committee is expected to officially name Cleveland host of the 2016 national convention during its annual conference in Chicago. The party's site selection committee picked Cleveland over Dallas and Denver last month. That decision must be ratified by the 168-member RNC on Friday. Convention planning continues in Cleveland, especially key fundraising efforts…. Read More

W.Va. Lottery Campaign Seeks Winning Dreams
By: Associated Press
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) – West Virginia lottery players can now share their dreams of a jackpot, and get some money to achieve them. The West Virginia lottery is rolling out the campaign on Friday. Called "Random Acts of Lottery," it invites players of any West Virginia Lottery online game to publicly share the good things… Read More

Open house planned for Beech Fork Lake
By: Associated Press
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The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to host an open house at Beech Fork Lake. The open house is scheduled for Aug. 16, from noon to 4 p.m. Events will include a tour of the dam and water safety information. The tours will be available from noon to 2 p.m. Pre-registration is not required…. Read More

Utility: Chemical Spill Has Cost $11M This Year
By: Associated Press
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A West Virginia water supplier has taken an $11 million hit to address a January chemical spill that tainted 300,000 people's tap water. Quarterly filings show that the spill cost American Water $10.9 million in income. The company says the second quarter impact was $5 million. State affiliate West Virginia American… Read More

WV Ethics Commission Rules On Legislator Mailings
By: Associated Press
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The West Virginia Ethics Commission says state lawmakers can't use targeted lists of likely voters when sending letters to constituents prior to elections. The Charleston Gazette reports the commission's ruling applies to mailings paid for by the Legislature. The commission ruling says targeted lists of likely voters can't be used in the state-funded mailings within… Read More

Leader: Ohio Prisons, Vendor Share Responsibility
By: Associated Press
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Ohio's prisons director says his department and the private vendor that feeds inmates share responsibility for conditions that led to maggots at the women's prison in Marysville. Director Gary Mohr tells The Columbus Dispatch an inaccessible floor drain containing food debris was probably a breeding ground for maggots found this week during a washing of… Read More

Ohio Casino Revenue Increases From June To July
By: Associated Press
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A monthly update shows Ohio's casino revenue increased nearly 7 percent in July compared with the previous month but fell short of the totals from a year earlier. The Ohio Casino Control Commission released the latest revenue figures yesterday Thursday. In July, the casinos in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus and Toledo totaled nearly $68 million in… Read More

Site Purchased For Proposed Dollar General Store
By: Steve Robb - Athens Messenger staff reporter
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Although a spokeswoman says Dollar General is still in the “due diligence” phase in deciding whether to open a new store in Glouster, a company associated with Dollar General has paid more than $1 million for a site in the village. Records in the Athens County Auditor’s Office show that Patton Development OH LLC purchased… Read More

Logan Teen Films Tolkien Adaptation, Plans Video Book Illustrations
By: Teresa Salizzoni | Logan Daily News
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Inspiration comes in a variety of ways. One Logan High School student found it in the famous movie and book series, The Lord of the Rings.
Hannah Barlow has filmed an adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s "In the House of Tom Bombadil," a chapter from The Fellowship of the Ring.

Athens Cyclists To Take Part In Pelotonia This Weekend
By: Sara Brumfield | Athens Messenger
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A group of 11 Athenians will be peddling in the sixth annual Pelotonia bicycle ride this weekend to raise funds for cancer research at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center. The annual ride will leave Columbus on Saturday with riders embarking on routes of varying lengths depending on their desire and experience level. For… Read More

Trial Underway for Clinic Owners Charged with Health Care Fraud
By: WOUB Contributing Writer
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Opening statements begin for the owners and operators of two medical clinics in Lawrence County, Ohio, charged with federal health fraud. In June 2011, 40 local, state and federal agencies raided Advance Family Medical Center and Watkins-Tsai Imaging Center in Coal Grove. In June 2013, Peter Tsai, 44, his father, Tahsiumg Tsai,72, and mother, Ruey… Read More

Fourth Drug Ring Player Pleads Guilty
By: Susan Tebben | The Athens Messenger
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Another player in a Glouster drug ring has pleaded guilty in an agreement with the prosecution and has also agreed to testify against the alleged local leader of the ring. Kendra Sharrer, 22, of Glouster, appeared in Athens County Common Pleas Court to change her plea Thursday to three counts of engaging in a pattern… Read More