MOOREFIELD — A West Virginia man is recovering from a rare bear attack.
Richard Hines Sr., says he was bitten on the leg, leaving 12 puncture wounds. The 70-year-old Hardy County resident also needed stitches for head and ear injuries suffered when he fell trying to escape the 150-pound animal at his home May 14.
The state Division of Natural Resources tried unsuccessfully to trap the bear.
DNR biologist Chris Ryan says attacks are rare in West Virginia. But problems are increasing as the black bear population has grown from 500 in 1977 to 10,000 or more. The state paid a record $188,000 in damage claims last year, up 92 percent from 2006.
Hines says he saw a bear in his yard for the first time in 30 years last summer and even shot one outside his home in October.
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UPDATE — West Virginia man survives rare bear attack
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Funeral today for former WVU football coach Bill Stewart
Former West Virginia University football coach Bill Stewart is heading home to New Martinsville for the last time.
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Tears and memories: VIDEO
It was mid-Thursday afternoon at the Morgantown Event Center and the crowd stood mostly silently in line that wound out of the Events Hall and into the hallway toward the staircase.
A young lady was there holding a singular golden rose
“I wish,” Rebecca Durst said, “it could be gold and blue.” -
‘Dangerous fugitive’ is apprehended
Two more targets of “Operation Blue Haze” were apprehended by U.S. Marshals and local police Thursday.
Bryan Keith Egress, 28, described by United States Marshals as a “dangerous fugitive,” was arrested around midnight Thursday at 1410 Miller St., Fairmont, the residence of his girlfriend. -
Excitement marks Three Rivers Festival
It was 5:55 p.m. Thursday on Merchant Street. Kids ran up and down the sidewalks, as their older siblings strolled along the side of the street. Waiting.
There was a certain energy in the air. An expectation. -
Spring paving under way
Some folks in the Friendly City are seeing a fresh coat of asphalt go down on the street in front of their homes.
City Manager Jay Rogers said Fairmont’s spring paving project will resurface two blocks of Gaston, Virginia and Minor avenues, as well as Moore Place from 12th Street to 14th Street. -
Fairmont Catholic’s Arts Festival popular event
Students at Fairmont Catholic were not lined up in their respective rows or seats on Thursday morning.
Some were dancing in a classroom, attempting to follow the lead of Shawna Gerau-Santee, owner of the Fifth Street Dance Co. -
‘Nothing suspicious’
A Maple Avenue home sustained damage following a morning fire Wednesday.
The Fairmont Fire Department was called to the home at 601 1/2 Maple Ave. at 8:55 a.m. Wednesday. -
Day Report Center growing
It’s been more than two years since the Marion County Day Report Center took in its first participant.
Since then, the Day Report Center has continued to grow, as 161 additional people have walked through its doors. Of the 162 participants, 60 are active. Five counselors serve on the staff to accommodate the number of participants. -
Three Rivers Festival to start today
The smell of cotton candy, kids’ laughter on a carnival ride and excitement from the parade are familiar memories for people who look forward to a local event that attracts many every year.
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Arrests made in robbery, drug-selling cases
Fairmont police and the Marion County Sheriff’s Department have made arrests in robbery and drug-selling cases.
On Tuesday, deputies arrested Bethanie L. Carpenter, 23, for conspiracy to commit a felony in a robbery case from earlier in the month. - More Local News Headlines
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