News from 2015
PERSONNEL FILE: Lucas receives NADOA speaker's award
WHEELING – Steptoe & Johnson attorney Jason Lucas has received the inaugural Russell Schetroma Memorial Speaker’s Award from the National Association of Division Order Analysts (NADOA).
PERSONNEL FILE: Robinson & McElwee honored for Government Affairs work
CHARLESTON – The Southern Political Report magazine, Summer 2015 edition, has ranked Robinson & McElwee as one of the most influential lobbying firms in the State of West Virginia for “The South’s Top Government Affairs Firms and Lobbyists.” Commenting on the process used to ensure the rankings are comprehensive and accurate, Phil Kent, the publisher of the magazine, notes that “Rating top governmental affairs firms and lobbyists in order of distinction is a thorny enterprise … That’s why we re
Putnam Co. woman blames broken wrist on Dollar General fall
WINFIELD – A Putnam County woman says she fractured her wrist when she tripped over boxes scattered on the floor at a Dollar General store. Diane Ruby Dotson filed her complaint Sept. 15 in Putnam Circuit Court against Dolgencorp LLC, doing business at Dollar General. Dotson says she was a guest at the Dollar General in Buffalo on Aug. 8, 2014, when the incident occurred.
McDowell Co. woman blames injuries on fall at Kroger
PRINCETON – A McDowell County woman blames Kroger for her injuries after she slipped and fell on a wet floor while shopping. Kimberly Lynn Charles filed her complaint against Kroger Limited Partnership I dba as The Kroger Co. on Sept. 11 in Mercer Circuit Court. Charles, who lives in Premier, says she was shopping at Kroger in Princeton on Sept. 20, 2013, when she saw an employee mopping down an aisle. “The employee told the plaintiff that it was OK for her to walk on the aisle where he had m
Officials dedicate new Monongalia County Justice Center
MORGANTOWN – The Monongalia County Justice Center will serve the needs of citizens for the next 50 years and conveys the magnificence and importance of the rule of law in American society, according to speakers at a grand opening and dedication ceremony. “This Justice Center will be place of refuge for the tides of conflict,” Monongalia Circuit Judge Phillip D.
PERSONNEL FILE: Cyrus, Negley receive Martindale-Hubbell award
?CHARLESTON – Shuman McCuskey & Slicer members Lou Ann S. Cyrus and Chris D. Negley have been selected to receive the 2015 Martindale-Hubbell Client Distinction Award.
PERSONNEL FILE: Robinson & McElwee welcomes two attorneys
CHARLESTON – Two attorneys recently have joined Robinson & McElwee PLLC and have been admitted to the West Virginia Bar.
When bad things happen to be good
When bad things happen, it's only natural to think they're bad. After all, if they weren't bad, they'd be good – and you'd think they were good, not bad, and you might be right. Or, you might be wrong. Because things aren't always what they seem. Even when they are, you can't count on them staying that way.
Cole's 'Chamber Agenda' lowers wages for West Virginians
WHEELING – With summer behind us, the “distraction” stories – such as Kim Davis in Kentucky, lost emails on servers, and Donald Trump on every screen – finally can take a backseat to the issues that really make a difference in people’s lives. The issue that should stand out the most is raising the wages working families earn. Two more issues well worth talking would be the condition of our roads and the compensation of our teachers.
State Supreme Court says nurse board didn't comply with state code
CHARLESTON – The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals said in a ruling last week that the state Board of Registered Professional Nurses failed “almost entirely” to comply with state code in resolving a complaint against a former Parkersburg-area nurse. Lisa Miles petitioned the court, seeking a writ prohibiting the board from proceeding on a complaint against her nursing license. Miles, who received her nursing degree in 2010, worked as a registered nurse in the emergency room at St. Joseph’
AG's office files petition against security system firm
CHARLESTON — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey's office has filed a petition to enforce a settlement agreement against Advanced Services Group LLC, a Wyoming County company that installs security systems. The petition, which was filed in Kanawha Circuit Court, alleges that Advanced and owner Stephen C.
AG's office to host National Drug Take-Back Day on Sept. 26
CHARLESTON – West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey's office will participate in the tenth National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day from 10 a.m.
'Despicable' IRS scam still plagues state, Attorney General says
CHARLESTON — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey again is warning residents to be on guard against scammers posing as Internal Revenue Service representatives. The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division continues to be contacted daily by residents who believe they’ve been contacted as part of this scam, which claims a person has an unpaid tax bill that must be paid off immediately.
AG's office sues Putnam Co. funeral home over preneed violations
CHARLESTON – West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey’s office has filed its own lawsuit against a Putnam County funeral home accused of violating the state’s Preneed Funeral Contracts Act. In the complaint, filed Sept. 18 in Kanawha Circuit Court, Morrisey’s office says Gatens-Harding Funeral Home of Poca and owners Chad and Billie Harding misappropriated money from consumers who were trying to prepay their funeral costs and did not register some preneed funeral contracts with the state
Local attorney still loves coloring at colleges
CHARLESTON – After one “crazy” year, a local attorney still is loving her other job that helps promote school spirit at colleges all over the country. Last year, Tonya Shuler and her husband started Color My College, which she says combines college loyalty and exercise into “the ultimate celebration of school spirit.” Shuler is an associate attorney at Moore & Biser in South Charleston. “The first year has been crazy, but it’s been a lot of fun,” Shuler said while in Dover, Del., preparing for
Webster Co. business accuses trucking firm of contract breach
WEBSTER SPRINGS – A Webster County equipment company is suing the owner of a Cowen trucking business, alleging he has not paid the prearranged price of their rental contract.
Kanawha judge speaks at U.S. naturalization ceremony
CHARLESTON – Kanawha Circuit Judge Tod Kaufman helped welcome 61 new American citizens at a naturalization ceremony Sept. 17. The ceremony was held in the Robert C.
Ohio man says energy firm has claimed his Doddridge property
WEST UNION – An Ohio man is claiming an energy company slandered him by claiming it owns property that rightfully belongs to him, and he seeks the profits the company allegedly has made from the property. Warren Dale Robinson filed his complaint Sept. 8 in Doddridge Circuit Court against Ancient Energy LTD, a West Virginia-based corporation.
Phone lineman sues for injuries after he fell from AEP pole
PINEVILLE – A telephone lineman blames AEP for injuries he sustained when a pole he was working on broke. James Galati and his wife Kristin Galati filed their complaint in Wyoming Circuit Court against Appalachian Power Company, American Electric Power Service Corporation, Frontier West Virginia Inc., Frontier Communications Online and Long Distance Inc. and Frontier Communication Services Inc. Galati says he was working on phone lines for Frontier on Sept. 3, 2014, near Iaeger on Defeat Branc
Mercer Co. pet shop owner says improper raid cost him his animals, business
PRINCETON – A Princeton pet store owner says animals seized from his shop by Mercer County officials never were returned to him. Donald Owens filed his complaint in Mercer Circuit Court against Mercer County Sheriff’s Department, Detective R.M.