STATE Briefs 949 words 24 April 2014 Charleston Gazette Unemployment rates fell in 46 of West Virginia's 55 counties in March.

WorkForce West Virginia said jobless rates were unchanged in two counties and rose in seven others last month.

Monongalia County has the state's lowest unemployment rate at 4.1 percent, followed by Jefferson at 4.9 percent. Wetzel County's rate of 12.7 percent was the state's highest, followed by Mingo County at 12.2 percent. The state's seasonally adjusted jobless rate in March rose two-tenths of a percentage point to 6.1 percent. Felman Production workers OK revisions NEW HAVEN - Felman Production CEO Mordechai Korf said the idled Mason County manufacturer is one step closer to resuming operations. Members of United Steelworkers Local 5171 approved modifications to their contract with the company last week. Korf told media outlets the modifications strengthen the New Haven plant's long-term viability. Details of the changes weren't released. The plant produces silicomanganese. It ceased operations in July 2013 and laid off more than 140 workers. Earlier this month, the West Virginia Public Service Commission authorized a special electricity rate plan for the company. The plan enables Felman to buy electricity from Appalachian Power at as much as $9 million a year off its full rate. Opponents of the special rate have asked the PSC to reconsider its decision. State flags lowered for former Rep. Staton Flags at state facilities are at half-staff in honor of former Rep. Mick Staton. Staton died April 14. He was 74.

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin ordered the flags to be lowered from dawn to dusk Wednesday in honor of Staton. The Republican served one term in Congress from 1981 to 1983. He lost a re-election bid to Democrat Bob Wise, who later became governor. Staton served as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's chief political adviser from 1984 to 1990. He served as the Berkeley County Republican chairman from 2007 to 2012. Concord board names Boggess as president ATHENS - Concord University's Board of Governors has named Kendra Boggess as president. The university says the board approved Boggess' appointment on Tuesday. Boggess had been serving as interim president since July 1, 2013. Her appointment as president is effective July 1, pending approval by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission. The commission is expected to act on the appointment on Friday. Boggess succeeds Gregory Aloia, who resigned last year after he was named president of the College of Coastal Georgia. Boggess came to Concord in 1984 as a faculty member and taught undergraduate business courses. She served as an associate dean from 2009 to 2011, and as interim vice president and academic dean from 2011 until she was named interim president. Reconnecting McDowell gets $300k AT&T grant AT&T is donating $300,000 to help McDowell County high school students participate in a mentoring and career training program. The initiative offers mentorships, college campus visits and job shadowing for 20 students a year over three years. The students are in Charleston this week visiting workplaces, from law firms to construction sites. They'll visit Washington, D.C., in June. The program is part of Reconnecting McDowell, which aims to improve educational, economic and social opportunities. With the American Federation of Teachers' help, the program began in December 2011 and has 125 public and private partners. McDowell consistently ranks at or near the bottom nationally in health, income and education. In March, the program distributed 875 laptops to middle school students and their guardians. Thirty new affordable apartments for teachers are planned. Randolph judge says affair didn't affect cases

ELKINS - A Randolph County judge says her past affair with a community corrections chief didn't affect any matters before her. Circuit Court Judge Jaymie Wilfong said Wednesday in a news release the Judicial Investigation Commission has filed charges against her related to the affair. Wilfong says she took full responsibility for her conduct in a response she filed Wednesday to the charges. She says she also denied that the affair affected any matter or litigant over which she presided. The judge said she voluntarily reported the relationship to the commission on Oct. 14, 2013. Others filed reports later that week, including her law clerk, the county prosecutor and several local attorneys. Wilfong apologized to Randolph County residents, other judges and justices, and her husband for her conduct. Bible verse removed from school gymnasium PARKERSBURG - Wood County school officials have removed a Bible verse from Parkersburg South High School's gymnasium and the school wrestling team's website. The team's use of Philippians 4:13 drew a complaint earlier this month from the Wisconsinbased Freedom from Religion Foundation. The verse states, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Wood County Superintendent Pat Law tells media outlets that the verse has been removed from the team's website, which linked to the school's website. The verse also was painted above the doors to the wrestling room in the gym and appeared on the team's T-shirts. Law says the verse in the gym was painted over Tuesday. The foundation's attorney, Patrick Elliott, says public schools can't endorse religion. Gas prices up 3 cents in state Average gasoline prices are up 3 cents per gallon in West Virginia this week. AAA East Central says the price for a gallon of regular gas rose to $3.70. That's the fifth increase in the past six weeks. Prices range from $3.66 in Bridgeport to $3.75 in Martinsburg. Nationally, gas prices average $3.67, up 2 cents from last week. - the associated press Charleston Newspapers, Inc.