Fort Gay officer first to graduate from Police Academy
By BRIAN SIZEMORE
Staff Writer
IN HIS FOOTSTEPS – Patrolman Chris Cole, of the Fort Gay Police Department, became the first officer from the department to graduate from the West Virginia State Police Academy in Institute. Cole is pictured with his father, FGPD Chief Dewayne Cole. WCN photo by Brian Sizemore
FORT GAY – Fort Gay Police Chief Dewayne Cole was a proud father last week.
The elder Cole watched with pride as his son become the first officer from the Fort Gay Police Department to complete and graduate from the West Virginia State Police Academy to become the town’s first certified officer.
Fort Gay Police Department Patrolman Chris Cole graduated from the most recent cadet class of the West Virginia State Police Academy in Institute. Cole became the first officer from the department to complete all 16 weeks at the State Police Academy.
“It was very tough,” Chris Cole said of the Academy. “It’s more mentally tough than it is physical. If you want something bad enough, you can get it.”
During his 16 weeks at the State Police Academy, Cole said the cadets touched on and studied several different aspects on law enforcement, including criminal law, motor vehicle law and a long list of a wide variety of other courses designed to instruct academy cadets in different areas of law enforcement. More on the front page. For more on this story and many others, subscribe to the WCN or the WCN e-paper today!
________________________________________________________________
Ceredo officer arrests fugitive from Michigan
By BRIAN SIZEMORE
Staff Writer
CEREDO – A man wanted in Michigan was arrested last week in Ceredo and faces a number of charges.
Patrolman S.D. Brody, of the Ceredo Police Department, arrested Billy Ray Collins, 44, of Vendarville, Ind. on charges that he was a fugitive from justice wanted out of Michigan for escaping a jail sentence and is also facing several charges in Indiana and in West Virginia.
On Aug. 21 a 1990 Dodge Durango was found broken down on I-64 near Ceredo, Brody said. No driver or occupants were found in the vehicle, but an Indiana license plate was found nearby in a wooded area where the car was found. Brody also said an ID card was located in the vehicle that belonged to a man from Indiana.
Brody said Officer B. Willis, of the Kenova Police Department, impounded the Durango and the two officers went on their way. A few moments later Brody was dispatched to answer a complaint about two people creating a disturbance at Mitch Stadium in Ceredo. More on the front page. For more on this story and many others, subscribe to the WCN or the WCN e-paper today!
________________________________________________________________
Sanitary Board to make two payments
By DIANE POTTORFF
Staff Writer
KENOVA – Although plagued with financial problems, the Kenova Sanitary Board has agreed to get at least two of its bills paid.
On Tuesday, the members of the board met at the Charles M. Oshel Band room where they discussed the sanitary system’s finances and what bills they were taking care of, according to Mayor Ric Griffith.
It was decided to authorize a $20,000 payment to Rover Construction, Griffith said. Rover Construction is the contractor who worked on the sewer project.
Apparently, the board had been holding off on making the last payment due to a difference of opinion, Griffith said.
“There was a disagreement in closing costs,” he said. “We wanted what was most fair.” More on the front page. For more on this story and many others, subscribe to the WCN or the WCN e-paper today!
________________________________________________________________
Lighting of memorial Christmas tree is set
By DIANE POTTORFF
Staff Writer
KENOVA – The holidays may be two months away, but residents who want to memorialize their loved ones on the City of Kenova’s Memorial Christmas tree can do so now.
Forms will be available at city hall and, for a $5 fee, residents can have their loved ones who have died memorialized on the tree. The names will also be printed in a program.
The fees will go toward the Kenova Beautification projects.
During a ceremony at the Kenova United Methodist Church on Nov. 29, the names will be read aloud by council members, then the crowd will walk to the tree, which is located in the Towne Square Park. More on the front page. For more on this story and many others, subscribe to the WCN or the WCN e-paper today!
Wal-Mart is still king of W.Va. private employers
By DIANE POTTORFF
Staff Writer
CHARLESTON (AP) — Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is still the king of West Virginia’s employers.
Wal-Mart remains in the top spot on WorkForce West Virginia’s annual list of the state’s largest private employers. The retail giant has held that position since 1998.
West Virginia United Health System remains the second largest private employer, followed by Charleston Area Medical Center, Kroger and American Electric Power. The companies held the same spots in 2009. More on the front page. For more on this story and many others, subscribe to the WCN or the WCN e-paper today!
