Fed. magistrate recommends
dismissing gun advocates suit
By MATT GOURAS
Associated Press Writer
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — A group of states seeking freedom from federal gun laws were dealt a blow Wednesday when a federal magistrate recommended dismissal of a lawsuit launched by gun rights advocates who argue Congress has overstepped its bounds with gun control.
The magistrate sided with the U.S. Department of Justice, which says courts have already decided that Congress can set standards on such items as guns through its power to regulate interstate commerce. The recommendation now goes to the federal judge in Missoula hearing the case — and even gun rights advocates recognized it is likely he will side with the magistrate.
The issue was launched last year with “firearm freedoms act” laws backed by gun advocates in Montana and led to a lawsuit filed by gun advocates with the backing of Montana, Utah, Alabama, Idaho, South Carolina, South Dakota, Wyoming and West Virginia. More on page 2A. For more on this story and many others, subscribe to the WCN or the WCN e-paper today!
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Premier Financial to merge 5 banks
HUNTINGTON (AP) — Premier Financial Bancorp Inc. plans to merge five community banks into one bank that would be chartered in West Virginia.
The plan announced Wednesday would merge Boone County Bank, First Central Bank, and Traders Bank in West Virginia with Washington, D.C.-based Adams National Bank and Richmond, Va.-based Consolidated Bank.
If state and federal regulators approve the plan, the combined bank would be headquartered in Huntington.
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Swing sets eliminated at some West Virginia schools
CHARLESTON (AP) — Playground swings, a source of comfort and joy for schoolchildren for generations, are getting the heave-ho at elementary schools in Cabell County.
The swing sets are being removed starting this fall due to recent lawsuits and cost concerns over properly maintaining the protective barriers around them, Cabell County schools safety manager Tim Stewart said Wednesday.
“I get a lot of mad parents basically accusing me of being un-American and saying this is as bad as taking away apple pie,” Stewart said.
Two lawsuits were filed in the past year against Cabell County schools over swing set injuries, one involving a broken arm when a youngster on a swing “jumped out like Superman with arms extended,” Stewart said. That lawsuit was settled for $20,000. More on page 2A. For more on this story and many others, subscribe to the WCN or the WCN e-paper today!
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Stock market kicks off September with strong gains
STEPHEN BERNARD
AP Business Writer
Shaky Economy – Traders and specialists work the trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange after the start of trading, Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2010, in New York. AP Photo
NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks jumped Wednesday after surprisingly strong growth in U.S. and Chinese manufacturing allayed some of the worries that had been building over the global economy in recent weeks.
The new reports snapped a string of disappointing economic data that sent stocks slumping in August. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index, the benchmark most widely used by professional investors, lost 4.7 percent in the month, its worst August performance since 2001.
The Dow Jones industrial average jumped nearly 230 points on the first day of September.
Broader indexes also rose more than 2 percent. With investors pouring into stocks, Treasury prices fell and interest rates rose.
The Institute for Supply Management said manufacturing activity in the U.S. rose in August, in contrast to regional reports from recent weeks that pointed to a slowdown in growth. Economists had expected a decline.
“It gives up hope that things may not be as bad as they seem,” said Zahid Siddique, an associate portfolio manager at Gabelli Equity Trust Inc. More on page 6A. For more on this story and many others, subscribe to the WCN or the WCN e-paper today!
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