Marshall in line for $25M for complex

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) -Marshall University is in line for $25 million in funding for a new Applied Engineering Complex.

The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission approved the funding on Friday.

Officials say the facility is expected to house the university’s College of Information Technology and Engineering. It also will house the mathematics and computational sciences departments, a modeling and digital imaging resource facility.

The new West Virginia High School S.T.E.M. Academy for grades 9-12 and engineering and bioengineering research laboratories also will be part of the complex.

The school says Gov. Joe Manchin must still approve the funding.

Bulldozing for new veterans cemetery

GREENUP, Ky. (AP) — Grading work is under way for Kentucky’s newest military cemetery.

Kentucky Veterans Cemetery East is in Greenup County, on the Ohio River in eastern Kentucky.

The formal groundbreaking is scheduled for Sept. 18.

The Independent of Ashland reported the cemetery will serve military veterans and their families within a 75-mile radius that takes in northeastern Kentucky, southeastern Ohio and western West Virginia.

Church set to host back-to-school fest

CHESAPEAKE – The Greasy Ridge Church of Christ will host a Back to School Party and School Supply Give-a-Way for Saturday, Aug. 15 beginning at 6 p.m. Activities will be held in the church’s Fellowship Building, adjacent to the church at 5964 County Road 2, Chesapeake.

Hot dogs, potato chips and drinks will be served to children and their parents. Backpacks stocked with age appropriate school supplies, will be given out to area children at approximately 7 p.m.

Tom Miller, new minister for the congregation, commented. “We want people in this area to know that we care about them in these times that are financially difficult for many. Every child deserves to arrive in school on the first day with a nice backpack and the supplies he or she needs.”

Miller, who attended grade school in Proctorville and graduated from Ceredo-Kenova High School, added. “As someone who is returning to the area after being away for more than 45 years, I personally look forward to meeting and talking with parents and children from this area. I want them to know that the Greasy Ridge Church is striving to serve Jesus by serving others and that they are always welcome on the ridge.”

Applebutter Festival seeks participants

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Members of the second annual Huntington Homecoming and Applebutter Festival are seeking crafters, vendors and applebutter makers for September 25-27.

The festival is being held at Harris Riverfront Park.

For more info, contact Linda Goldenberg at 304-525-7333, ext. 17.

Premier Financial says Q2 profit drops 30 percent

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) — Premier Financial Bancorp says its second-quarter profit fell 30 percent in part because of higher deposit insurance costs.

Huntington-based Premier said Monday it earned $1.36 million, or 21 cents per share, in the period, compared with $1.93 million, or 32 cents per share, in second-quarter 2008. Premier’s 2008 results included $150,000 in one-time non-interest income and a $93,000 gain on the sale of securities.

Premier says its Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. premium jumped $432,000 in the quarter, contributing to the lower profit.

Premier operates branches in West Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio.

Building closes Huntington street

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) — Huntington officials plan to demolish a vacant building that partially collapsed and forced the closure of a section of Hal Greer Boulevard.

City officials shut down the boulevard between 7th and 8th avenues Monday night after part of the two-story brick structure’s facade toppled onto the sidewalk.

No injuries were reported.

Huntington administration and finance Director Brandi Jacobs-Jones says city officials were concerned that the building would fall onto traffic.

Jacobs-Jones says the city hasn’t determined what caused the collapse but likely factors are heavy rain and the building’s age.

Michael Thomas, the city’s technical housing inspector, estimates the structure was built in the late 1920s.