Yeager Airport's new two-story, $5 million rental car parking garage officially opened for business on Tuesday, following a dedication ceremony at the Charleston airport.

The new concrete structure, built by BBL Carlton of Charleston, is adjacent to the airport's baggage claim area and has space for 240 rental cars. It replaces a rental car pickup and drop-off system that made use of several clusters of numbered outdoor parking spaces in lots along the perimeter of the terminal.

The new building gives rental car customers easy, weather- sheltered access to vehicles supplied by the airport's concessionaires: Avis, Hertz, National and Enterprise.

Funding for the new building comes from a $3-per-day user fee on each rental car picked up from the airport's concessionaires.

Man sentenced in death of 4-year-old girl

WHEELING - An Ohio County man who admitted killing his girlfriend's 4-year-old daughter has been sentenced to 43 to 55 years in prison.

Jedediah Velas, 21, of Dallas Pike pleaded guilty earlier this month to three counts: murder of a child by a parent, guardian or custodian; child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury; and child abuse creating risk of injury.

Ohio Circuit Judge James Mazzone sentenced Velas on Monday. Mazzone said the terms were the maximum he could impose under state law.

Prosecutors said the child suffered fatal head injuries when her head was banged against a kitchen floor in May 2007.

Patriot Coal idles mine in Boone County

Patriot Coal is idling a Boone County mine because of high costs. St. Louis-based Patriot said Monday the closure of a companion surface mine slashed productivity and forced up costs at the remaining underground mine in its Jupiter Complex in Boone County. Patriot's also blaming a shortage of skilled miners, increased federal safety inspections and difficult geology. The underground mine produced steam coal for sale to electric utilities.

Patriot says it plans to offer Jupiter miners jobs at mines it owns nearby. CEO Rick Whiting says that should help ease recent labor shortages.

Patriot operates mines in West Virginia and Kentucky. It was spun off by St. Louis-based Peabody Energy last November.

Group appeals, seeks stay in election ad challenge

A federal judge has been asked to suspend his ruling that would allow West Virginia to enforce a new political advertising disclosure law.

The Virginia-based Center for Individual Freedom is seeking that stay as it appeals Monday's decision by U.S. District Judge David Faber.

Faber had earlier ruled in the center's favor, in its challenge of state regulations on independent political ads.

That April order blocked the state from requiring spending reports for third-party nonbroadcast ads that run around election time.

But Faber withdrew that earlier ruling on Monday. He found it could not apply to recent legislation that creates a new set of reporting requirements.

The new law takes effect today, and state election officials say they plan to enforce it.

United Bank names coal executive to board

The parent company of United Bank has named a coal industry veteran to its board of directors.

Gary White was added to the board of Charleston-based United Bankshares Inc. Monday. He is chief executive of International Resource Partners, parent company of Southern West Virginia mine operator International Resources LLC.

White served as president of the West Virginia Coal Association from 1985 to 1992. He also is a member of Marshall University's board of governors and a member of Gov. Joe Manchin's 21st Century Jobs Cabinet, among other things.

United has $8 billion in assets and 114 offices in West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Ohio and Washington, D.C.

W.Va. American Water buys Fayetteville systems

FAYETTEVILLE - Fayetteville's water and sewer systems are joining West Virginia American Water's operations.

West Virginia American Water announced Tuesday that it has completed acquisition of the systems for $3.85 million. The utility said it plans $4.2 million worth of improvements.

Fayetteville voters approved the sale in August. The town's systems serve 1,861 water customers and 1,082 sewer customers.

West Virginia American Water President Wayne Morgan said the deal marks the company's first acquisition of a sewer system in the state.

Fayetteville Mayor Jim Akers said the sale will allow the town to focus on other municipal issues.

Ballpark restaurant open for catering only

The Power Alley Grill at Appalachian Power Park is closing to the public during the West Virginia Power's off-season, but will remain open for catering functions, said West Virginia Power general manager Andy Milovich.

"It just makes sense," he said Tuesday. "After two years of struggling in the off-season, we want to focus on the something [else]. We have had success in the catering business."

The restaurant will reopen to the public next baseball season, Milovich said.

In prior seasons, the Power Alley Grill was open during lunch hours, but the business just wasn't there, he said.

When the team committed to building a restaurant in the city- owned building at 601 Morris St., the city said it would work to lease the rest of the building, Milovich said. That didn't happen and consequently, the business lunch foot traffic never picked up, he said.

As in years past, most of the Power Alley Grill's employees have already found employment after the end of the baseball season, he said.

- From staff, wire reports

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