In Around West Virginia: Cabell County elected officials file suit against the commission, a sheriff's candidate says he took opiates for flu symptoms, a potential smoking ban in Fayette County is on hold, and more.
n Five Cabell County elected officials have filed a lawsuit against county commissioners, The Herald-Dispatch reports. The officials, including Clerk Karen Cole, Prosecuting Attorney Sean "Corky" Hammers, Circuit Clerk Jeffrey Hood, Assessor Irv Johnson, and Sheriff Tom McComas, say their offices won't be able to perform their duties after commissioners approved a 10 percent cut to every department. Commissioners blame the cuts on a decline in revenue and increases in the jail bill and health insurance costs.
n A Berkeley County sheriff's candidate who police say overdosed on Monday says he was taking opiate medication for flu-like symptoms, The Journal reports. Police say they found a plastic baggie in the toilet and a spoon containing a white substance. John Orem, a Republican, says he plans to continue his campaign.
n Fayette County is one of numerous counties in West Virginia that don't have a smoking ban in bars, hotels and clubs. The Register-Herald reports that potential amendments to the county's Clean Indoor Air Regulation act have been met with fierce opposition. The board of health tabled the item in May and has yet to consider it.
The Gazette-Mail's Eric Eyre reported in February, when the Legislature was considering a bill that would allow county commissions to revoke smoking bans, that 31 of West Virginia's 55 counties have smoking bans that cover bars, restaurants and gambling sites. The bill ultimately failed.
n A Mercer County jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict in the trial of 40-year-old Clifford Randall Robinson, who was indicted in June of 2015 on more than 100 counts of incest, sexual assault and sexual abuse. The Bluefield Daily Telegraph reports that the judge said a new trial date will be set on Aug. 12. Robinson is accused of sexually assaulting two stepdaughters multiple times. U.S. marshals captured him in Baton Rouge, Louisiana after his indictment.
Reach Erin Beck at erin.beck@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-5163, Facebook.com/erinbeckwv, or follow @erinbeckwv on Twitter.