News from February 2016
Woman accuses Logan Co. chief deputy of verbal attack
LOGAN – A woman is suing Logan County Chief Deputy Michael Mays after she claims he threatened and intimidated her. On Nov. 16, 2013, Mays caused Brenda L. Stanley mental stress with his “threats, intimidating and verbal assault with his abuse of power being chief of police,” according to a complaint filed in Logan Circuit Court.
Man sues P&S Transportation for 'pinballing' driver's property damages
CLARKSBURG – A man is suing P&S Transportation after he claims one of its drivers damaged his property. On April 10, 2014, a driver employed by P&S drove a tractor trailer on Beverlin Ford Road in Doddridge County and was acting within the scope of his employment when he pin-balled down the rural road, colliding with fences, gates and guardrails along the way, according to a complaint filed Dec. 21 in Doddridge Circuit Court and removed to federal court on Feb. 10.
Justice company held in contempt of court for unpaid debt
CHARLESTON – Justice Energy, which is owned by gubernatorial candidate Jim Justice, was held in contempt Monday by District Judge Irene C. Berger for not paying a nearly $150,000 debt. Berger fined the company $30,000 per day, beginning Jan. 5., until the company is in full compliance and has paid off the two-year-old debt.
Tomblin vetoes AG outside counsel hiring bill
CHARLESTON – Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin has vetoed a bill creating bidding and qualification procedures for the Attorney General’s office’s hiring of outside counsel. While Tomblin praised the goal of House Bill 4007, his veto message said his office believes it is too broad and gives the Attorney General too much power.
Tanning bed customer blames shop for alleged burns
WHEELING — A Wheeling woman says she was burned in a tanning bed in 2014, allegedly due to the operator’s negligence.
Tanning bed customer blames manufacturer, store for burns
WHEELING — A woman from Ohio is suing Heartland Tanning and Coffee & Tanning Hot Spot II over alleged burns she suffered in the store’s tanning beds.
Motorist accuses logging firm, driver of negligence
BECKLEY — A Raleigh County man is suing Mullins Logging and its owner in a dispute surrounding a traffic accident.
Advance Auto Parts sues Ramey Automotive Group over alleged unpaid bills
BECKLEY — A Raleigh County auto parts distributor is suing a customer to collect money allegedly owed under a credit agreement.
Woman accuses CAMC of wrongful discharge, age discrimination
CHARLESTON – A woman is suing Charleston Area Medical Center after she claims the hospital wrongfully discharged her and discriminated against her based on her age. Eva Tucker was employed by the defendant from Jan. 16, 2014, to March 19, 2015, according to a complaint filed Feb. 11 in Kanawha Circuit Court.
Woman files wage payment class action against TLK Group
HUNTINGTON – A woman is suing TLK Group in a class action lawsuit after she claims it violated the West Virginia Wage Payment and Collection Act. Terina M. Hamilton was employed by TLK until Feb. 22, 2014, according to a complaint filed Jan. 19 in Cabell Circuit Court.
Man sues HealthSouth of Huntington for father’s injuries
HUNTINGTON – A man is suing HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Huntington after he claims his father was injured while in the hospital’s care.
Man names Captain D's in wage payment class action
PRINCETON – A man is suing Captain D’s in a class action lawsuit after he claims it violated the West Virginia Wage Payment and Collection Act. Isaac Crabtree was employed by Captain D’s until his employment was involuntarily terminated in September, according to a complaint filed Feb. 9 in Mercer Circuit Court.
Kirk Trucking blames state DOH for car accident
WILLIAMSON – Kirk Trucking Co. Inc. is suing the West Virginia Department of Transportation-Division of Highways after the company claims the DOH is responsible for a car accident.
Teamsters file lawsuits over WVU study for right-to-work legislation
MORGANTOWN – The Teamsters have filed two FOIA lawsuits over a West Virginia University study about the state Legislature’s right-to-work bill.
Gas company seeks enforcement of arbitration ruling
BECKLEY — A Raleigh County energy firm is suing to enforce a Jan. 28 arbitration ruling in its favor against ARP Mountaineer Production.
Fuel company says trucking operation owes money
HINTON — A fuel company is suing a trucking operation, alleging breach of a credit agreement.
Pair accuse mining firm of causing house explosion, water contamination
PINEVILLE — A Wyoming County couple are suing a mining firm over a dispute involving property damage allegedly caused by the firm’s nearby mining activities.
Analyst says McGraw makes SC race 'more intriguing'
CHARLESTON – A former state legislator says Darrell McGraw’s entry into the state Supreme Court race makes that election even more intriguing than it was before.
Thank you, Justice Scalia
One of the last acts of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia before his death last week was to explain high court’s majority view in granting a stay of the implementation of the Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Power Plan, pending the outcome of a challenge now being considered by the U.S.
Workplace Freedom Act moves the state forward
CHARLESTON – By now I’m sure most West Virginians have heard the talking points: “Right-to-work is wrong,” and, “Right-to-work is the right to work for less.” But are these oft repeated phrases accurate?