A film that examines the environmental impacts of strip mining and burning coal has won the best picture title at the 2008 West Virginia Filmmakers Film Festival.

"Burning the Future: Coal in America" was directed by David Novack. It features West Virginia coal industry representatives, as well as miners, environmentalists and residents.

A film called "Johnny Boy," directed by Seth Martin, won the Audience Choice award.

Parkersburg native Shawn Bennett was named Filmmaker of the Year. He produced an award-winning documentary about a labor dispute, "The Battle of Local 5668."

Lincoln man admits filming child porn

A Lincoln County man pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday to producing child pornography, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced.

Clinton Combs, 45, of Harts, admitted that he videotaped a minor in sexually explicit conduct, the news release states.

West Virginia State Police found the tape, in which Combs' voice can be heard and his reflection seen in a mirror, when they executed a search warrant, according to the release.

Chief U.S. District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin scheduled Combs' sentencing for Jan. 8. Combs faces up to 30 years in prison.

Search for osteopathic school president narrows

LEWISBURG - The number of candidates for president of the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine has been narrowed to about 10.

Officials say interviews are scheduled to begin later this month.

The new president will replace Olen Jones, who announced in January that he planned to resign after 21 years.

The president of the school's board, Sharon Rowe, says officials hope to announce their selection by late November or early December.

Propane safety video based on deadly blast

A new video promoting propane safety is based on a deadly explosion at a West Virginia convenience store.

The U.S. Chemical Safety Board released the 23-minute video, called "Half an Hour to Tragedy," Thursday on two Internet sites, safetyvideos.gov and youtube.com/uscsb. Free DVDs copies will be made available soon. The board said the title refers to the time that elapsed between the beginning of a leak from a 500-gallon propane tank and the explosion at the Flat Top Little General Store in Ghent. Four people were killed and six injured in the blast.

Eco-friendly fishery welcomes 28,000 trout

MAN - West Virginia's first inland salmon fishery has welcomed 28,000 rainbow trout to its production facility in Man.

West Virginia Salmon and Trout President William R. Martin says thousands more trout and salmon fingerlings from a nearby hatchery in Mingo County will join this week's arrivals in Man in the coming weeks.

The aquaculture company raises sustainable and environmentally friendly salmon and trout using water-recirculating technology and mountain water. The company says there are no hormones, antibiotics and other chemicals.

- FROM STAFF, WIRE REPORTS

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