State inmates are not allowed to use tobacco

BECKLEY - State prison inmates are no longer allowed to use tobacco.

State Corrections Commissioner Jim Rubenstein says the ban that began Saturday should save the state $400,000 in health care costs.

The ban does not apply to correctional officers. Rubenstein says correctional officers will be allowed to smoke in certain segregated areas.

Corrections officials imposed an indoor smoking ban in 2006. A plan to make the entire system tobacco free last July was put on hold to address concerns raised by employees and others.

Monongalia won't curb 1,531 percent tax hike

MORGANTOWN - The Monongalia County Commission says they've found nothing wrong with a property owner's 1,531 percent tax increase.

Morgantown property owner Jim Jones filed a complaint with the commission because his property taxes increased from $285.90 to $4,663.44 after he refused to sell his property to Chief Deputy Assessor Bill Perry.

County Assessor Rodney Pyles says the property was reclassified as part of a routine audit, resulting in a tax hike, but Jones says it was retaliation.

Jones says he may appeal to the Monongalia County Circuit Court.

State inmates are not allowed to use tobacco

BECKLEY - State prison inmates are no longer allowed to use tobacco.

State Corrections Commissioner Jim Rubenstein says the ban that began Saturday should save the state $400,000 in health care costs.

The ban does not apply to correctional officers. Rubenstein says correctional officers will be allowed to smoke in certain segregated areas.

Corrections officials imposed an indoor smoking ban in 2006. A plan to make the entire system tobacco free last July was put on hold to address concerns raised by employees and others.

Monongalia won't curb 1,531 percent tax hike

MORGANTOWN - The Monongalia County Commission says they've found nothing wrong with a property owner's 1,531 percent tax increase.

Morgantown property owner Jim Jones filed a complaint with the commission because his property taxes increased from $285.90 to $4,663.44 after he refused to sell his property to Chief Deputy Assessor Bill Perry.

County Assessor Rodney Pyles says the property was reclassified as part of a routine audit, resulting in a tax hike, but Jones says it was retaliation.

Jones says he may appeal to the Monongalia County Circuit Court.

W.Va. girl spells her way to national spelling bee

MARTINSBURG - You might call it the cherry on top.

Jessica Shakesprere, 11, is headed to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington in May after winning with "maraschino." She is a student at The Country Day School in Charles Town.

The Tri-County Spelling Bee took place in Martinsburg on Saturday with 34 competing.

Kanawha school calendar is modified

Kanawha County Schools has announced changes to the spring schedule after days were called off for snow and bad weather.

Students also are now required to attend school March 21 and April 18. March 24 is an instructional support and enhancement day where teachers and staff attend but not students.

June 4, June 5 and June 6 are now instructional days. Students will be dismissed two hours early on June 6. June 9 is another instructional support and enhancement day.

Compiled from wire reports