RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Sept.

By Mannix Porterfield, The Register-Herald, Beckley, W.Va. Jul. 30--CHARLESTON -- West Virginia's coal inspectors are being lured away by higher pay in the industry, prompting Ron Wooten, director of the state Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training, to ask lawmakers for bigger salaries.

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS BOOMER - A contract mechanic became West Virginia's first mining death of the year when he was crushed by a metal plate while working on a bulldozer. John G. Workman, 47, was killed Wednesday while working at Appalachian Fuels LLC's Alloy Prep Plant No.

By Tim Huber As far as West Virginia is concerned, the investigation of how lightning sparked the methane gas explosion that killed 12 coal miners at the Sago Mine two years ago remains far from over.

By TIM HUBER West Virginia has begun approving wireless communications and tracking systems for its 250 or so underground coal mines.