In Around West Virginia today: an ordinance to protect LGBT residents of Lewisburg, a disrupted bank robbery, SNAP recipients lose assistance, and more.
n Lewisburg City Council has set a location for the second reading of an ordinance to extend protection from discrimination to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender residents. The Register-Herald reports the meeting will be held at the Roland P. Sharp alumni center on the campus of the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Police have also announced special safety procedures. The ordinance, which prohibits discrimination in housing, employment and public accomodations, drew numerous people from out of town to the first reading. Estimates ranged from 150-500 people. Opponents are saying the ordinance would allow men to put on dresses, sneak in women's restrooms and assault women and children.
n A bank robbery was thwarted when someone tackled the suspect, according to The Herald-Dispatch. The attempted robbery occurred at City National Bank on 5th Avenue in Huntington just before 2 p.m. Wednesday.
n Michael Ihle will resign as the mayor of Ravenswood to remain in the House of Delegates, The Jackson Herald reports. The newspaper reported that new legislation requires Ihle to pick one position.
n City officials are worried about the effect of the Department of Justice's decision to stop giving local police agencies money obtained through federal asset forfeiture cases. Clarksburg Mayor Cathy Goings and Bridgeport Mayor Bob Greer told The Exponent Telegram that the Greater Harrison County Drug Task Force is due $937,000 from the program.
n West Virginia's Department of Health and Human Resources' plan to require residents of nine counties to meet work or education requirements for SNAP benefits took effect on Jan. 1. Nancy Exline, commissioner of the West Virginia Bureau for Children and Familes, told West Virginia Public Broadcasting that DHHR hopes the change will encourage recipients to get back to work.
Reach Erin Beck at erin.beck@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-5163, Facebook.com/erinbeckwv, or follow @erinbeckwv on Twitter.