Free Republic

RANSON, W.Va. — Concerned Residents against Rockwool organized a protest Tuesday at the Jefferson County Development Authority. This comes just days after another group, known as Jefferson County Vision, filed a lawsuit against the authority for allowing the insulation plant to locate in Ranson. A Tuesday afternoon Jefferson County Development Authority meeting would have included the final reading of a water bond for Rockwool. As opposition grew outside of their windows, the authority decided to table the motion. 35 people were on the list to speak with a few dozen more waiting outside. Those who oppose the facility cite a...

The State Department admitted Thursday that the US would not hand over $400 million in cash to Iran until it released four American hostages — two weeks after President Obama insisted the payment was not a “ransom.” State Department spokesman John Kirby was asked at Thursday’s press briefing: “In basic English, you’re saying you wouldn’t give them $400 million in cash until the prisoners were released, correct?” “That’s correct,” Kirby replied. In an Aug. 4 press conference, President Obama said the opposite.

RANSON, W.Va. — At least four people carried exposed handguns into a Ranson City Council meeting Tuesday night when a group of gun rights advocates showed up to thank council members for dropping a proposed law that would prohibit guns at city recreation areas. At least one other member of the group was carrying a concealed gun under a permit that allowed him to do so. Ranson Police Chief Bill Roper, who appeared obviously tense, stood up when several gun rights advocates - one of them armed - approached council members to speak. In an exchange with gun rights advocate...

A GROUP of 14 European tourists held hostage for up to six months were today freed by their captors, officials in the northern Malian town of Gao said, amid a report that a ransom had been paid. The officials said the nine Germans, four Swiss and a Dutchman, abducted by a suspected Islamic extremist group, were released in the town of Tessalit in the northeastern region of Kidal. Germany's public ZDF television reported that it followed a payment to the kidnappers yesterday of a ransom, although the station said the money did not come from the German government. According...