In Around West Virginia today: a billboard displaying pictures of men who solicit sex workers, another mine lay-off, potential new jobs for Raleigh County and more.
n Huntington Police are trying to discourage men who solicit sex workers by displaying a billboard with their photographs, The Herald-Dispatch reports. The electronic billboard, located near Joan C. Edwards Stadium and Fat Patty's, will show photos of offenders starting on Sunday or Monday, said Huntington Police Chief Joe Ciccarelli.
n Cliffs Natural Resources plans to lay off approximately 50 percent of the workers at the Pinnacle Mine in Pineville in Wyoming County, The Register-Herald reports. Demand has fallen for the metallurgical coal the mine produces because of the decline of the steel industry.
n The United Way of Harrison County will sponsor two new organizations, the West Virginia Coalition Against Homelessness and Gorilla Youth Inc., according to WDTV.
n Via Air plans to build a new 44,000 square foot hangar at Raleigh County Memorial Airport, WVVA reports. The project could bring 50 news jobs to Raleigh County, if legislative hurdles are cleared.
n The New York Times opines that stronger federal laws are needed to protect coal miners, an issue highlighted by the trial of former Massey Energy Co. CEO Don Blankenship.
Reach Erin Beck at erin.beck@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-5163, Facebook.com/erinbeckwv, or follow @erinbeckwv on Twitter.