Volunteer fire departments seek more recruits in McDowell County
Bluefield Virginia and small McDowell County departments struggle to recruit volunteers. Applicants face state training and a 90 day trial, with in house training weekly. Fire Chief Jim Hardy notes no criminal background checks are used, while Kimball department head Gianato cites widespread shortage and new automated manpower aid strategy enacted by emergency officials.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bluefield
Jim Hardy
Hardy
Fire Department
McDowell County
Jimmy Joe Gianato
Kimball Volunteer Fire Department
Gianato
UMWA faces rocky future amid industry shifts and layoffs
LAS VEGAS AP The United Mine Workers of America confronts a changing coal industry amid environmental and economic pressures. President Cecil Roberts says union delegates will weigh early contract talks with Bituminous Coal Operators Association and prioritize pension gains while fighting to protect jobs, as productivity climbs and prices fall since 1986.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Las Vegas
United Mine Workers of America
UMW
Cecil Roberts
West Virginia
Pennsylvania
Roberts
Employers’ Group
Peabody Group
Arch Coal Inc
Consol Energy
Zeigler Coal Holding
U.S. Energy Information Administration
Farmer and Sandefur win Miss Mercer and Miss Southern WV crowns
Concord College student Leigh A. Farmer won the 2000 Miss Mercer County title and Fairmont State College student Shelby Sandefur took the 2000 Miss Southern West Virginia crown in the 46th annual pageant held in Bluefield. Farmer, a 1997 Mercer Christian Academy graduate, earned top marks in interview, talent and swimwear with talent in voice and platform PH.A.T. Sandefur, a Bridgeport native majoring in speech and communications at FSC, expressed disbelief and gratitude. The pageant, sponsored by the Bluefield Jaycees, marked a long-running collaboration with the local organization and included WV Jaycees officials in attendance. Becky Click of Marshall is mentioned in closing.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Luefield
Clarksburg
Concord College
Leigh A. Farmer
Mercer County
Fairmont State College
Shelby Sandefur
Farmer
Mercer Christian Academy
Julius B
Janie Farmer
Sandefur
Bridgeport
Nancy Pulice
Steve Sandefur
FSC
Bluefield Jaycees
West Virginia
Leigh Farmer
Air Force Band of Flight to perform March 22 at Brushfork Armory
BLUEFIELD The Brushfork Armory will host the U S Air Force Band of Flight on March 22. The 60 member ensemble is one of 12 Air Force bands and has a long history at its original location. The program spans Broadway classical jazz and country with solos by Staff Sgt Amy Nagel and Master Sgt David Cousino.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
U.S. Air Force
Band of Flight Returns
Bluefield
Brushfork Armory
United States Air Force Band of Flight
Band of Flight
Air Force
Global Air Force
Rodgers and Hammerstein
Bach
Amy Nagel
David Cousino
Also Mentioned on This Page
Eric DiNovo
Bluefield Virginia
Umwa
Rocky Future
Waterworld
David Meeks
Greg Persinger
Falls Mills
Becky Click, A
Marshall
Allen Felts
Virginia
Jody Neal
The
Daily Telegraph
Donald E. Schofield
Princeton
Mercer Mall
Ercoline Oon
Nissan Princeton
Abby
Madonna
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