Local briefs

I-64 at Hurricane to close for work

Interstate 64 will be shut down at the Hurricane exit tonight ascrews place structural steel for a new overpass.

From 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., all traffic will be routed off and thenimmediately back onto the interstate via the exit and entrance rampsat the existing overpass.

On Wednesday night and Thursday morning, the westbound lanes ofthe highway will be closed during the same period, with trafficsimilarly rerouted. On Thursday night and Friday morning, theeastbound lanes will be closed.

The state Division of Highways said the project and detours couldbe postponed by inclement weather conditions.

Group to demand

'gray machine' ban

The West Virginia chapter of Concerned Women for America planneda news conference today at the state Capitol, where Delegate LisaSmith, R-Putnam, would sign the group's "pledge no" card calling fora ban on video poker machines, also known as gray machines, in areasaccessible to children.

Concerned Women is calling on all legislators and Gov. CecilUnderwood to sign the pledge. The group is seeking legislation thatwould impose the ban and subject violators to fines, imprisonmentand the loss of their business licenses.

The group's director in West Virginia, Alice Click, contends thegambling industry has been trying to attract minors with graymachines that feature familiar cartoon themes.

Center opens

for new patients

A new Center for Alternative Medicine in Hurricane now isaccepting new patients.

Staff members include Dr. John MacCallum, formerly of Camcare'sCenter for Alternative Health, and Joan Carroll, a registered nurseand licensed massage therapist.

The new center provides complementary and alternative therapiesfor chronic medical conditions such as high blood pressure,cardiovascular disease, stomach and bowel disorders, arthritis,cancer, allergies, menopause and other medical conditions.

MacCallum, a psychiatrist, also offers outpatient psychiatricservices.

For more information, call 757-3368.

In South Charleston, Dr. Jonathan Murphy and Maggie McKivergin, aregistered nurse and holistic practitioner, direct Camcare's Centerfor Alternative Health, located at Riverwalk. It can be reached bycalling 744-1318.

Program offers

dental, optical care

West Virginians in search of work will soon be able to smileduring their job interviews.

The state Department of Health and Human Resources is working tostart a federally funded program for adult dental and optical care.

Before, only children were offered free dental care. Adults wereusually restricted to having bad teeth pulled.

The $8 million dental program has a lifetime limit of $1,800.There's a $300 annual benefit for eye care.

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STAFF, WIRE REPORTS

The $8 million program is called a pre-employment servicesproject. It is being paid for through the Temporary Assistance forNeedy Families Program and is available through the Bureau forChildren and Families.

The program's goal is to get people off welfare and into the workforce.

The Bureau of Employment Programs said it has so far collectednearly $11 million using the amnesty program. The 339 companiesaccused of defaulting owe a total $7.2 million, including premiums,interest and penalties, state officials say.

Under previous guidelines, defaulting employers were charged 18percent interest and a 10 percent penalty for late filing over threeyears.