The Association and Friends of Coal are participating in the dedication ceremonies for New River Community and Technical College at Ghent, WV on Friday and Saturday.  New River has a new, expansive training facility adjacent to the Turnpike at the Ghent exit (#28). *** Presentation of State Championship trophies to the winners and runners-up in the cross-country state meet at Cabell Midland High School in Milton.  Trophies will be presented in each of the three classes. ***

The Kanawha Valley Mining Institute will hold its monthly meeting on Thursday, November 4, at 6:30 p.m. in the Ramada Inn, South Charleston.  This monthly meeting is being sponsored by Victaulic and will have Bill Raney (WVCA) discussing “Post Election Evaluation & Outlook”.  Scholarship applications are available on the website and must be submitted to the KVMI by Thursday, December 2 – go to:  http://www.kvmi.org/user/scholarship%20application.pdf

I grew up in Wolfe County, Ky., and I am writing in regards to the New Power promises to keep Ky. proud.

As a resident of a small eastern Kentucky community, I thought it was important for the public to see the real story of coal.

I have lived in Wolfe County my entire life, and until this past year, we have never had a park. Because of coal severance money (the money Big Coal companies give back to communities), we were able to build a park. Those big coal companies help many eastern Kentucky counties by improving hospitals and roads, funding volunteer fire departments or upgrading schools, among many other improvements.

Recently there has been a lot of discussion about the “alternative and renewable portfolio” bill that was passed by the West Virginia Legislature in 2009.  Many people refer to it as HB 103.  HB 103 was initially passed in the June, 2009 Special Legislative Session, but it was subsequently amended and passed as HB 408 in the November, 2009 Special Legislative Session.  HB 408 is actually the bill that establishes the standards.

The Boy Scouts of America has awarded more than $20 million in contracts -- mostly to West Virginia companies -- for the construction of a National Jamboree Center in Fayette County, a scout executive said last week.

Bob Mazzuca, the Boy Scouts' top leader, said contractors have cleared timber and graded roads on the 10,600-acre property atop Garden Ground Mountain near Glen Jean. The site will be the future home of the Jamboree Center, a high-adventure base, summer camp, museum and leadership center.