Jessica M. Karmasek News
Judge orders DEP to appear at hearing over environmental board suit
CHARLESTON – A Kanawha County Court judge has ordered the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection to appear and explain why a writ of mandamus should not be ordered against it in a lawsuit filed by a Raleigh County laboratory last week.
Judge denies motion in teacher retirement plan class action
CHARLESTON – A Kanawha Circuit Court judge has denied a motion for summary judgment in a class action alleging fraud, misrepresentation and more on the part of The Variable Annuity Life Insurance Company, its agents and the West Virginia Consolidated Public Retirement Board.
Raleigh Co. lab sues, says DEP 'openly defying' order
CHARLESTON – In a lawsuit filed Monday, a Raleigh County laboratory alleges that the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection is “openly defying” an order by the state Environmental Quality Board allowing the lab to remain open.
Election results could mean change for state's, nation's energy future
WASHINGTON – Some argue that Tuesday’s midterm elections – with Republicans regaining control of the U.S. Senate – signals a turnaround for America’s energy future.
EPA has received 1.5 million comments about proposed carbon regulations
WASHINGTON – Federal Environmental Protection Agency officials say they have received nearly 1.5 million public comments on the agency’s proposed Clean Power Plan, which aims to regulate carbon dioxide emissions from existing fossil-fuel power plants.
Raleigh Co. lab can stay open; hearing set for December
CHARLESTON – A Raleigh County laboratory can continue to operate, despite allegations of employees falsifying coal industry water quality samples, the West Virginia Environmental Quality Board ruled Wednesday.
State environmental board to decide if Raleigh lab can stay open
CHARLESTON – Whether a Raleigh County laboratory can continue operating, despite allegations of employees falsifying coal industry water quality samples, is up to the West Virginia Environmental Quality Board.
New study confirms EPA’s proposed carbon regulations to hurt W.Va.
WASHINGTON – A new analysis by a global economic consulting firm is projecting “significant negative economic impacts” to West Virginia under a proposed plan by the federal Environmental Protection Agency to regulate carbon dioxide emissions from existing fossil-fuel power plants.
Appeal of EPA chicken farm ruling dead
RICHMOND, Va. – An appeal of a federal court’s ruling in a case over water pollution fines at a West Virginia chicken farm is dead.
Justices deny Weirton's request to keep former cop from taking deposition
CHARLESTON – The West Virginia Court of Appeals has denied a request by the City of Weirton to prevent one of its former police officers from taking the deposition of a lawyer he did not formally retain.
EPA dismisses appeal of W.Va. chicken farm ruling
WASHINGTON – The federal Environmental Protection Agency has dismissed its appeal of a ruling in a lawsuit filed against it over water pollution fines at a West Virginia chicken farm.
Mingo officials wrong to try to fill family judge vacancy, court rules
CHARLESTON – The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals has ruled that Mingo County officials exceeded their powers in trying to fill a judicial vacancy on the Eighth Family Court Circuit by placing a nominee on the upcoming November election.
Former Cabell Co. deputy claims she was fired because of her sex
HUNTINGTON – A former Cabell County deputy sheriff is claiming, in a federal lawsuit, that she was “unlawfully terminated” from her job.
Kwik Lube being sued over advertised use of Valvoline oil
HUNTINGTON – A Huntington-area Kwik Lube is being taken to court again for allegedly advertising the use of Valvoline brand oil at its store, despite not having a contract with the company.
Partner at Charleston law firm sued for nearly $2 million in back taxes
CHARLESTON -- The federal government is suing C. Michael Bee, a partner at Charleston law firm Hill Peterson Carper Bee & Deitzler PLLC, for nearly $2 million in back taxes.
High court rules against Putnam couple in retention pond case
CHARLESTON -- The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals last week ruled that a Putnam County couple didn’t have enough evidence in a lawsuit they filed over a retention pond they claim encroached their property.
Supreme Court upholds arbitration clause in home construction lawsuit
CHARLESTON -- The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals last week mostly upheld a Marion County court’s order compelling arbitration in a home construction case.
W.Va. SC issues mandate suspending former prosecuting attorney’s license
CHARLESTON -- The law license of a former Randolph County prosecuting attorney officially has been suspended.
Supreme Court suspends Ritchie Co. lawyer for a year
CHARLESTON -- The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals has suspended a Ritchie County attorney’s law license for one year for conduct that “did not conform to the expectations of the profession.”
