Corps seeks to delay mine permit

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) — The Obama administration wants the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to reconsider a permit issued for a West Virginia coal mine in 2007.

The request from the Environmental Protection Agency came in a federal lawsuit before U.S. District Judge Chuck Chambers in Huntington.

The EPA says in a document filed in the case that the corps should consider revoking or suspending the permit for Mingo Logan Coal’s Spruce No. 1 mine.

The permit would allow Mingo Logan to fill valleys at the site with material removed to expose coal, a practice widely opposed by environmentalists.

The EPA says the valley fills may violate the Clean Water Act.

The corps has asked Chambers to halt action involving the permit for 30 days while it considers the EPA request.

Garden to mark W.Va. fire deaths

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) — The mother of three siblings killed in a 2007 apartment fire in Huntington plans to memorialize them with a flower garden in the city.

Marcia Lucas bought property on Fifth Street and workers are clearing a space for a garden dedicated to her children Ben, Angel and Quentin. Along with flowers, Lucas plans to have pillars at the garden inscribed with their names.

The three were among nine people killed during a fire at the Emmons Junior apartment building in January 2007.

Built in 1924, the building had no sprinkler system, and wasn’t required to because of its age.

Highlands Museum anniversary Saturday

ASHLAND, Ky. — On Saturday, September 12, 2009, the Highlands Museum and Discovery Center will celebrate our 25th anniversary with free admission from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Refreshments will be served. We will be unveiling a special 25th Anniversary Retrospective Exhibit.