Flags to be Lowered in Memory of Logan County Miners

Tuesday 24 January 2006
I received the following press release from the Governor's Office this morning. Please lower your flags and take a moment to remember the loss of two more lives in West Virginia.

On a seperate note I was curious to see the lack of national press coverage of the second mine disaster in less than a month. I had CNN and some of the other news media giants on over the weekend when the story was unfolding and there was more press coverage for a whale. Actually the lack of media coverage was probably a blessing for the families and community involved.

Last night the Legislature passed SB247 a mine safety bill that requires rapid reporting of accidents, tracking devices and portable air supplies in mines. The bill was introduction and passed in the same day. It shows how quickly the Legislature can work on a bill.

Governor Orders State Flags To Be Lowered In Memory of Logan County Miners
January 23, 2006

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Gov. Joe Manchin has ordered all state flags displayed at state facilities lowered to half-staff in memory of the two miners who lost their lives this past weekend at the Aracoma Coal Company’s Alma #1 Mine in Melville, W.Va. State flags are to remain at half-staff until sunset on the day of burial of the last victim of this accident.