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The number of Americans receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) more-than doubled over the past two decades, from 5.2 million to 11.7 million by the end of 2011. The number of residents receiving disability insurance from the Social Security Administration (SSA) varies from state to state. In West Virginia, close to one in every 10 people aged 18 to 64 was receiving SSDI benefits from the federal government, more than three times the rate in states like Utah and Alaska.Click here to see the states with the most Americans on disabilityThe proportion of eligible workers applying for disability benefits also...

A bipartisan group of senators has struck a deal to expand gun background checks to all commercial sales — whether at gun shows, via the Internet or in any circumstance involving paid advertising, according to Senate aides familiar with the talks. The proposed agreement would be more stringent than current law, which requires checks only when purchases are made through a licensed dealer, but less than originally sought by President Obama and congressional Democrats, who were seeking to expand background checks to nearly every kind of sale. The agreement should secure enough bipartisan support for the Senate to proceed to...

West Virginia Democratic Sen. Jay Rockefeller, one of the towering architects of Obamacare, on Tuesday openly criticized program managers for not moving quickly enough to build the system, warning that if it gets off to a bumpy start it will just get worse. Decrying the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act as way too complex, he warned the acting Medicare director that Obamacare is "so complicated and if it isn't done right the first time, it will just simply get worse."The retiring senator also told Marilyn Tavenner at her Senate Finance Committee confirmation hearing to be administrator of the Centers...

CNN) -- A deputy shot and arrested the suspect who authorities believe killed a West Virginia sheriff known for his tough stance on drug dealers, authorities said Wednesday. Mingo County Sheriff Walter E. "Eugene" Crum was eating lunch inside his marked patrol vehicle just blocks away from a courthouse when he was killed, officials said. The suspect, who is known to police, parked his car close to the sheriff's SUV and shot through the window twice, hitting the sheriff twice in the head, according to a state official who was briefed on the investigation. After a brief chase, the suspect...

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Police say a man that robbed a Huntington pizza restaurant got away with the cash, but not before getting a good scare from an employee armed with a gun. Huntington Police say a man walked into the Gino’s Restaurant on Norway Avenue about 8 p.m. Thursday demanding money, and indicating he had a gun. As the suspect left the store with an unknown amount of money, he was followed by an armed Gino’s employee. Huntington Police say the employee pointed his gun at the suspect, who then let out a shrill scream, fell into a mud...

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A bill that would void Charleston's gun ordinances moved a step closer to passage in the West Virginia House of Delegates on Friday. House members approved a second reading of the legislation (HB2760) in the morning without amending the bill. A final House vote on the bill is expected next week. The measure would strike down county and municipal gun control ordinances, including those enacted by the city of Charleston in the 1990s, that are inconsistent with state law. ---------------------------cut------------------ Opponents of local gun control measures have tried to get the laws in Charleston and other cities...

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- Reports out of Capitol Hill reveal that just-reelected turncoat West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin is about to stick a big knife in the back of American gun owners. And to make matters worse, he’s lying about what he’s doing. Both Manchin and House anti-gun crazy Carolyn McCarthy are claiming to be “working with NRA” to enact gun bans and national gun registries. NRA says flatly that Manchin is lying, and we believe he is. (The Hill, 1/24/13) Ironically, Manchin was the “gun owner’s best friend” on November 5 2012 — the day before his reelection to a...

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- A gun toting homeowner took matters into his own hands when he found an alleged burglar in his house. The incident happened at home in 1000 block of 23rd Street in Huntington late Tuesday night. Huntington Police say they arrived at the house to find the homeowner holding John Allen Bryan, 37, of Huntington at gunpoint. According to the criminal complaint, the man came home to find the front door wide open, the back door kicked open, and Bryan going through his belongings inside the house.

We highlighted West Virginia Democrat Senator Joe “NRA A-Rated” Manchin’s post-Newtown come-to-Jesus epiphany on the need for common sense gun control laws earlier this week. But not long after basking in the approval of media outlets everywhere for his level-headedness on the issue, he tried to walk the whole thing back. As he backpeddled furiously, mediaite.com reports that he was heard shouting, “’I’m not supporting a ban on anything,’ Manchin said. He instead reinforced his praise of the gun lobby group, saying, ‘I’m so proud of the NRA, I’m so pleased they agreed to be part of this.’” But Mountain...

West Virginians plan to rally in front of the Charleston, W.V. offices of Sen. Joseph Manchin III (D-W.Va.) Dec. 22 in protest of his abandonment of the pro-gun rights positions he campaigned on in 2010 and 2012. “We are expecting 300 to 1,000 people to attend — it will be bigger than any of the events we held during the campaign,” said Keith T. Morgan, the president of the Charleston-based West Virginia Citizens Defense League. “We have received hundreds of RSVP’s through our Facebook page and tons of emails,” he said. “It is front page news here and we’ve gotten...

When you hear a bump in the middle of the night, the first thing that comes to mind is a guy in a ski mask nabbing your flatscreen TV. The last thing you think of is some dude in his underwear raiding your fridge. According to reports, 76-year-old Jack Boggess in Charleston, West Virgina awoke at around 3:30 a.m. to a sound in his house. He immediately phoned 911, and then went to investigate with his gun in tow. That’s where the homeowner found Darin Lanning in nothing more than a T-shirt and his underwear eating food out of the...

PUTNAM COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- A man is facing charges after he tried to break in a home and then led police on a chase. A detective with the Putnam County Sheriff's Department tells WSAZ.com James Galloway, 34, of Lima, Ohio, broke into a house on Teays Farms in Teays Valley. Once Galloway was in the house he was confronted by the homeowner who fired some rounds at him, according to Detective Shawn Johnson. Galloway took off and jumped into a vehicle and dumped it at the 7-eleven along Scary Creek. That's when he stole another vehicle and headed east,...

For several weeks, indeed months, President Obama's numbers in West Virginia polls have shown that this is one state that is not expected to reward Obama/Biden with our five electoral votes this year. This administration's double hit to West Virginia's economy--in the form of the war on coal and coal-fired power plants and Obamacare's sapping of our small businesses--make another term less than appetizing for most West Virginians, regardless of political party. But since we've known this dynamic in our electorate for some time, how might those voters who really want to make a statement do that in early voting...

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Undeterred by a punch to the face, a 70-year-old Fayette County woman greeted a late night intruder in her home with several rounds from her .38-caliber revolver, authorities said. Deputies were dispatched to a potential burglary just before 2 a.m. Thursday at a home in Dothan. While driving to the scene, deputies were told the homeowner called 911 and reported someone breaking into her home. She told dispatchers the intruder fled after she shot at him, according to a statement by the sheriff's office. She told deputies her burglar alarm woke her just after 2 a.m., and...

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The federal government has denied Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin's request for individual assistance to help homeowners hit by a June 29 windstorm, Tomblin said Thursday night.

New emails and testimony from Department of Homeland Security FOIA officer Catherine Papoi reveal that a former Obama campaign staffer repeatedly asked Papoi and her team to redact portions of “politically sensitive” documents, as well as portions of documents that were already publicly available.Papoi, who came under fire at DHS for complaining that “sensitive” FOIA requests were being vetted by political employees, testified on March 3 that Willard “Clint” Carte, a DHS attorney with the title of “confidential assistant,” attempted to block a FOIA request for DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano’s calendar in which Napolitano’s secretary had referred to Secretary of...

The West Virginia Record explains what happened during the May 23 hearing, which was called to settle a discrepancy over Hage and his wife selling their house: Shortly after the hearing started, Watkins, calmly, said, “Mr. Hage, if you say one word out of turn, you’re going to jail. Do you understand me?” To which Hage replied, “Yes.” Then, Watkins berated Hage for speaking to a reporter following the previous day’s hearing. On May 22, Watkins heard a motion made by [his wife] Lillian’s attorney, Christine Wallace with Legal Aid of West Virginia, that Arthur be held in contempt for...

PARKERSBURG - Sundowner Gun Range owner Kendall Richards said his private members-only Gihon Road range is safe, that it presents no danger to nearby residential neighborhoods. During a meeting last week, representatives of the Wildwood Homeowner's Association and other neighbors lodged complaints about what they contend are bullet holes in their homes, bullets found in various locations and noise of constant gunfire with the range open seven days a week. "We've had shooting on this property for nearly 20 years and we've had no injuries that I'm aware of, and no confirmed reports of bullets from the range going anywhere,"...

A prominent West Virginia attorney faces serious charges for shooting an apparent homeless veteran he says was staying on his property. Ex-West Virginia attorney general candidate Hiram Lewis is wielding the state's so-called "Castle Doctrine" defense for shooting the man who claimed he was the lawyer's roommate, the ABA Journal reported Thursday. That law – like the controversial "Stand Your Ground" laws – justifies the use of violent force against home invaders. Lewis claims that the man, Stephen Bogart, wasn't really his roommate but was a homeless veteran he allowed to stay on his property for a week. But then...

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - A former candidate for state attorney general and U.S. Senate was arrested Wednesday for shooting a man in Clay County. He claims the man broke into his home. State Police arrested Hiram Carson Lewis, 41, who nearly defeated state Attorney General Darrell McGraw in 2004 and vied for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in 2006, at his Elk River Road home in Procious, near Clay. Troopers responded to the home about 1 p.m. Wednesday after receiving a shots-fired call from the home. Lewis told troopers he shot Stephen Bogart in the leg after Bogart barged into...

WHEELING - A man is dead after attempting to rob an Elm Grove pharmacy at about 5 p.m. Friday. According to authorities an unknown white man entered the Elm Grove Pharmacy located at 101 E. Bethlehem Blvd. carrying a gun tried to hold up the store. A pharmacy employee then shot the man, killing him. The investigation was turned over from the Wheeling Police Department to the West Virginia State Police. State Police Sgt. D.L. Robinson said no information would be released as the incident is under investigation. Wheeling officers, State Police, representatives from the Brooke County Medical Examiner and...

A Raleigh County shooting is under investigation after a homeowner allegedly takes the law into their own hands. At 6 a.m. Monday morning Raleigh County Sheriff's Captain Mitch Barley said a male in his early 20's attempted to break into a home on Haley Hill Drive in Fairdale. Captain Barley said when the homeowner opened the door the intruder attempted to hit the person with a club and then the homeowner shot the intruder in the chest. The alleged intruder is currently receiving treatment at Raleigh General Hospital. Barley said he believes he will recover. No names have been released...

For those that haven't heard, and inmate in a Texas prison (Keith Judd) somehow got his name on the West Virginia Democrat primary ballot alongside President Obama's. Yesterday, he got 41% of the vote in the Democrat primary. The MSM, for some reason, seems to be ignoring this strong showing by Democrat candidate Judd. Twitter isn't ignoring it though. Two hashtags have popped up to celebrate his victory: #JuddMentum and VoteInmate11593051. We all know how thin skinned President Obama is, and this has got to be getting under it. Here are a few tweets: @ezradulis Keith Judd is serving time...

UPDATE 3/16/12 @ 6:00 p.m. CABELL COUNTY, W. Va. (WSAZ) -- Two people have been arrested and one person is on the run after a robbery and shooting at the Milton Flea Market. Cabell County Sheriff's deputies say they are searching for Brett Newman, 31, of Huntington. He is accused of shooting Edward Perry, a longtime vendor at the market in a robbery that went very wrong very quickly. “It was scary, it could be me the next time,” Boyd Meadows said. Meadows is the owner at the flea market. He heard the gunshots and saw one of the suspects...

This past Saturday saw the adjournment of the 2012 legislative session and with it came good news for NRA members across the Mountaineer State, as three NRA-backed bills are now headed to the Governor for his approval. Senate Bill 149, introduced by state Senate Majority Leader John Unger (D-16), would mandate police authorities return all seized firearms, not currently being held as evidence in a criminal investigation, to the lawful owner if able. If the lawful owner is not found or unable to take possession of the firearm, SB 149 would require these agencies to sell these firearms at a...

So holds United States v. Weaver (S.D. W. Va. Mar. 6, 2012). The judge expressly endorsed Judge Niemeyer’s separate opinion in United States v. Masciandaro (4th Cir. 2011) that concluded that the Second Amendment applies outside the home and not just in the home, and that restrictions on gun carrying must be tested under so-called “intermediate scrutiny.” (For more on the dispute among courts about the right to keep and bear arms outside the home, see this post about yesterday’s district court decision striking down Maryland’s broad gun carry restrictions.) But the court held that 18 U.S.C. § 922(h), which...

Charlotte, NC --(Ammoland.com)- After passing in the state Senate Judiciary Committee last week and in the state Senate Finance Committee on Monday, Senate Bill 149 was passed in the West Virginia Senate unanimously today. We expect SB 149 to soon be assigned to the state House Judiciary Committee for its consideration. Introduced by state Senate Majority Leader John Unger (D-16), SB 149 would mandate police authorities return all seized firearms, not currently being held as evidence in a criminal investigation, to the lawful owner if able. If the lawful owner is not found or unable to take possession of the...

UPDATE: 1/31/2012 6:36 PM A proud Parkersburg South Patriot mascot is ready to fight for his school spirit and the for the right to carry his musket. "Anywhere you see the symbol of the patriot, he's carrying his gun. It's painted on the walls of the school. He has his gun with him. I feel that it's part of his uniform," Alex Burdette, the mascot wearing senior says. This muzzle loading mascot is ready to go to war for a Parkersburg South tradition. "I first realized there was a problem when at certain away games the security guards would come...

Parkersburg Police tell us the homeowner fired a shot at the man. But there's much more to this story, and more than one robber. Bobby Oliver told police a white male broke into his home through a side door and went up to the third floor. On his way back down, Oliver was waiting. He fired one shot at the burglar with his pistol, but missed. As the suspect ran away Oliver saw another man on his back porch. Both ran through the back yard. There are no leads right now, but police are hoping the community will help. "I...

MORGANTOWN, W.Va — Republican Bill Maloney said Thursday he’s ready to finish what he started last year, win the Republican primary in May and then defeat incumbent Democrat Earl Ray Tomblin in the race for West Virginia governor.

TEAYS VALLEY - Neighbors who saw a Husson's Pizza delivery driver shoot a would be assailant are praising him as a hero. Delivery driver Morgan Vandergriff pulled a concealed handgun and shot DeSean Saunders in the arm and chest after an alleged robbery attempt. "I may order from this place more often," said Sable Point Apartment resident Vinny Masi. "I like this guy. I like what he did. Vandergriff reportedly has had his conceal and carry permit for nearly 10 years, but this is the first time he's ever had to use it. That weapon is the first Husson Pizza...

The Charleston Police Department is asking for help in identifying two suspects that used a stolen credit card throughout the city. Two black female suspects had used the card back on Nov. 7 and were captured on video surveillance but cannot identify them. Some pictures from police have been attached to this story and if you have any information you can contact them at 304-348-6480.

RAND, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Neighbors in one community are being extra cautious after an alarming wake-up call early Friday morning. It was the sound of gun shots. The man who pulled the trigger damaged someone else’s property, but told deputies it happened while he was protecting his own. Click here to find out more! “I just thought it was firecrackers, but it was pretty loud for firecrackers,” Ronald Richardson, a neighbor, said. It wasn't until a deputy showed up at Richardson's door that he realized what that noise actually was. “Then I knew what had happened. Someone shot something back...

West Virginia again listed as a 'judicial hellhole'State ranked No. 3 by Cheryl Caswell - Daily Mail staff Charleston Daily Mail Thursday December 15, 2011 CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The American Tort Reform Association has again placed West Virginia at the number three spot in its annual list of "judicial hellholes." The group lists Philadelphia in the top (worst) spot, and California as number two. Other states/regions that made the list are Southern Florida, Madison and St. Clair Counties in Illinois, New York City and Albany, Clark County in Nevada and McLean County in Illinois. The list is put out by...

MARTINSBURG, W.Va.— About a dozen gun enthusiasts picketed Friday afternoon in front of Blue Ridge Community and Technical College, but their real target was Berkeley County Prosecutor Pamela Games-Neely. Friday's picketers, all of whom wore guns, openly and concealed, belong to the West Virginia Citizens Defense League, a legislative lobbying group. They contend that the Second Amendment and West Virginia law gives them the right to carry guns on college and university campuses. The issue stemmed from the October arrest of Joshua Lee Beck, 26, a Blue Ridge Community and Technical College student and former Martinsburg correctional officer, who allegedly...

UPDATE 11/14/11 @ 5 p.m. ST. ALBANS, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- St. Albans Mayor Dick Callaway says he hopes to have the situation involving Police Chief Brent Coates resolved 'shortly', and a city leader says a decision could come as early as Tuesday. Mayor Callaway says, at this time, Chief Coates is still on administrative leave. As WSAZ.com has previously reported, someone close to the investigation says allegations of sexual harrassment have been made against Coates. Click here to find out more! Mayor Callaway says they are serious allegations, and he is not ready to release any information until "all the...

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A Charleston landlord held a suspect at gunpoint until police arrived Sunday after being surprised at a West Side rental unit. Kevin Comer, 35, of Charleston, was checking on an apartment he owns on West Washington Street at about 6:30 p.m. when he was surprised by a man coming in behind him, said Sgt. Eric Hodges of the Charleston Police Department. Hodges said the suspect, later identified as Gary Wayne Mullins, 50, of Charleston, was acting strangely and appeared to be reaching for a gun. At that point Comer, who has a license to carry a concealed...

West Virginia --(Ammoland.com)- As some of you are likely aware, Berkeley County Prosecutor Pamela Games-Neely sent a letter to the legislature ranting in true Sarah Brady fashion about the lack of a law preventing lawful carry of firearms on college and university campuses. Her rant requested a ban of carry on all such institutions. Thanks to Delegate Larry Kump (a true believer in your Second Amendment rights) for bringing this to our attention. Gun owners in the Panhandle had better be paying attention to this one. This truly matters to you. Law enforcement and prosecutors have, and constantly utilize a...

ORIGINAL STORY 11/2/11 @ 10:53 a.m. ST.ALBANS, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Police are on the scene of a shooting on Custer Street in St. Albans. Dispatchers say a man was breaking into a house, when the homeowner shot him twice in the leg. This all happened about 10:45 a.m. Wednesday. No other details are being released. We have a crew headed to the scene. Keep clicking on WSAZ.com for the latest information. UPDATE 11/2/2011 @ 11:30 a.m. ST. ALBANS, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Police are on the scene of a shooting on Custer Street in St. Albans. It happened about 10:45 a.m....

BERKELEY COUNTY, W. VA - On the same day felony charges against a student who allegedly carried a gun onto campus were dropped, new misdemeanor charges were filed. On Tuesday, Joshua Beck, who holds a permit to carry a concealed weapon, faced two felony charges and a maximum sentence of 20 years for allegedly carrying his handgun on the campus of Blue Ridge Community and Technical College. On Wednesday, prosecutors dropped those charges, but then filed two misdemeanor charges. "These new charges are just simply a stretch, and now the Prosecutor's office has resorted to dredging the bottom of the...

I am pleased to be able to report that yesterday, the Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney's office dismissed both charges of carrying a firearm on school property that were filed over the last couple of weeks against Joshua Beck. Mr. Beck, as you will recall, is a 26-year-old student at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College in Martinsburg who was arrested on October 13 and again on October 17 on two separate felony charges under W.Va. Code § 61-7-11a(b). Subsequent to Mr. Beck's arrest and WVCDL's initial report about his case, Mr. Beck contacted me and I agreed to represent him...

Blue Ridge Community and Technical College student disputes illegally taking gun onto campus MARTINSBURG - Individuals at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College have an anti-gun agenda, says a man arrested last week for toting a gun on campus. Joshua Lee Beck says BRCTC is trying to paint him as a bad guy. "They're only pressing this after they found out what I did for a living," Beck told The Journal Tuesday. "Their treatment of me is outrageous and unlawful. I find the allegations slanderous, outrageous and insulting." Beck, 26, of Martinsburg, has been arrested and charged twice for allegedly...

MARTINSBURG - A Martinsburg man arrested last week for allegedly carrying a concealed firearm onto the campus of Blue Ridge Community and Technical College was arrested again Monday without incident at the school on a second felony warrant in connection with a separate, firearm-related incident. The warrant issued Monday charges 26-year-old Joshua L. Beck, of Teal Road, with possession of a deadly weapon on the premises of an educational facility. Beck's arrest Monday stems from an incident on Oct. 10 when he allegedly brought a firearm into the college. According to school officials, Beck had been warned several times not...

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — Blue Ridge Community and Technical College canceled classes Thursday afternoon and remained closed Friday after a 26-year-old student was arrested for allegedly bringing a concealed firearm into the school's technical center, officials said. Joshua Lee Beck of 674 Teal Road, Martinsburg, was charged with one felony count of carrying a deadly weapon onto the grounds of a college campus, according to Berkeley County Magistrate Court documents. Blue Ridge CTC announced it would reopen Monday, attributing the closure on its website to "a safety concern." "At no time was there any active threat," the college said Friday evening...

MORGANTOWN, W.VA. - The No.3-ranked West Virginia rifle team defeated No. 12 Nebraska, 4667-4610, today at the NU Rifle Range, in Lincoln, Neb. The Mountaineers (2-0, 1-0 GARC) topped the Huskers (0-2, 0-1 GARC) in both guns, winning air rifle, 2354-2325, and smallbore, 2313-2285. Petra Zublasing Seniors Justin Pentz and Michael Kulbacki, junior Petra Zublasing, redshirt-freshman Thomas Kyanko and freshman Taylor Ciotola combined for the team’s scores. “Petra was the highlight, but there were a lot of good performances in there,” says coach Jon Hammond. “Overall it was a good, steady start to the season. Hopefully we will shoot higher...

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Prosecutors have agreed to drop the murder charges against a St. Albans man accused of gunning down two people in August, and will not seek any more charges in the case. Kanawha County Prosecuting Attorney Mark Plants said Wednesday that the evidence in Charlie Booker's case indicates that he shot and killed Joseph E. Miller and Billy Dodd in self-defense after the two men, carrying deadly weapons, confronted him in front of his wife and son. "He had a reasonable belief that his life was in danger," Plants said during a news conference. "Based on that, there's...

Live TV broadcast with results and comments Bad guy is leading, but they expect a long night

LOGAN, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- From victim to murder suspect to now a free man, it's a shooting investigation that's caused a lot of controversy. Jesus "Jesse" Canul was recently charged with murder after killing a person who robbed him in the Walmart parking lot in Logan. Click here to find out more! Logan County Prosecutor John Bennett tells WSAZ.com that he dismissed a murder charge without prejudice against Jesus Canul. That means the charges could be refiled at another time. Bennett says he dismissed the charges so he could spend more time investigating the case. Canul was scheduled to be...

CHARLESTON, W.Va.-- Murder charges have been dropped against a Logan County man arrested last month for killing his alleged robber, though county prosecutors appear to be keeping their options open for future litigation. In a motion filed Monday in Logan Magistrate Court, county prosecutor John Bennett and Chapmanville attorney Mark Hobbs requested the state of West Virginia dismiss charges against Jesus Canul. Bennett requested the dismissal because "some aspects of the investigation have not been completed," according to court documents. Magistrate Dwight Williamson approved the motion, including a note: "prosecutor to consider indictment." Bennett was not available for comment Monday...

It’s the story that just played out in New York’s 9th congressional district special election, but could it happen in the West Virginia governor’s race two and a half weeks from now? Voters in the Mountain State will head to the polls Oct. 4 to fill the final year of now-Sen. Joe Manchin’s (D) term as governor, with acting Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin (D) facing off against businessman Bill Maloney (R). Republicans and Democrats acknowledge that the race has narrowed in recent weeks, and while Democrats are still seen as the favorites, just about anything is possible in this sort...