Rescue Crews Work To Reach Trapped Miners

Rescuers Work 'Around The Clock' To Reach Trapped Miners

GEORGETOWN, LIA--Rescue crews are working tirelessly to reach three miners who became trapped Monday afternoon when the underground chamber they were working in caved in.

The three men were nearly done with their work shift at the Rainer Valley Mine when the chamber they were in collapsed, mine officials say. Rescuers immediately arrived on scene, but have so far been unable to reach the trapped miners.

"We are doing everything we can, at this point, to reach these men as soon as possible," Ken Gammath, Executive Vice President for the mine said at a press conference Tuesday. "We will do everything in our power, and we have a dedicated group of rescuers working on this. I assure you we're are doing everything possible."

The victims' names have not been released, as mine officials work to contact family members.

It's unclear exactly how the cavern collapsed. Officials believe blasting that happened earlier in the week near the site may have contributed to the collapse.

An air sample test was conducted Tuesday, showing that the air is safe to breathe. Mine officials also say the men should have at least three days' worth of food and water.

Rescuers are continuing to try to get in contact with the miners.

The small suburban town of Georgetown, in eastern Herman County in northeastern Lial, has been shaken by the collapse. The mayor of Georgetown, Ernie Lynn, asked community members to pray for a miracle.

"I'm personally asking every member of our community to pray for a safe recovery of these men."

Rainer Valley Mine is closed, and will be closed all week, company officials told GNN NEWS.

Almone To Pick Rep. Quince To Replace Jeffs

POG Governor Will Nominate Congressman Charlie Quince To Fill Jeff's Seat


LILLAC CITY--POG Governor Donna Almone will select Rep. Charlie Quince, a conservative from SE POG, to replace out-going delegate Newton Jeffs, according to sources close to the governor.

Almone had initially considered several potential replacements, including Reps. Linda Bosworth, Rick Newbunn, Bobby Hafen, Fran Habries, Connie Careum-Corchelli, Reuben Stykes, and Assembly Majority Leader Mark Rolen.

The governor ultimately decided on Mr. Quince because he has the best chance of confirmation and is not as divisive as other potential candidates, sources say.

Attempts to reach Representative Quince at his Mavocke office were unsuccessful.

An aid to Governor Almone told GNN NEWS affiliate WLIC-TV that the governor is "considering all possible replacements" for delegate Newton Jeffs.

Byelle Nominates Olhney For AG, Malvron For National Security Secretary

Opposition Calls Nominees 'Pitiful Choices'

MAVOCKE--President Byelle announced Monday that he has nominated Deputy Attorney General Beau Ohlney to replace current out-going Attorney General John Agnew, who won the governorship of Wilkonshire last week. Ohlney has served as the deputy for the last six years.

And Byelle has also nominated Eric Malvron, a security analyst and business owner of Malvron Securities Inc., to replace outgoing Secretary of National Security Bradley Davidson. Mr. Davidson had just been elevated to the position of secretary after his predecessor Robert Austin quit back in September. Davidson just won the lieutenant governorship in Veroche last week.

Analysts say Ohlney will be an easy confirmation for the administration, but Malvron's confirmation could be up in the air.

"We don't know anything about Mr. Malvron yet. I think the delegates will have to ask some tough questions before they can confirm him," GNN NEWS analyst James Madine said.

In response to Byelle's slections, House Majority Leader Dlg. Joan Fhonda (C-DES) said she is pleased with the nominations, and praised the president for nominating "well-qualified" men for the posts. Opposition leader, Dlg. Shay Robertson (N-DMG), said he opposes both nominees, calling them "inexperienced" and "pitiful choices."

Antonnage Defeated In WIK House Race; Houston Loses To Griffith In VER

NAT Wins Big In Wilkonshire, Conservatives Gain Majority In Veroche

LILLAC CITY--The POG Secretary of Elections Office has released the latest election results. And in a surprise upset, NAT Terry Branlin, the mayor of Provincetown, defeated two-term delegate Marie Antonnage by a narrow margin, 51.16% to 48.84%.

Also in Wilkonshire, NAT Sylvea Stone easily defeated CNS Tara Hadley by a margin of 59.76% to 40.24%. Stone announced intentions to run for the seat a year ago. Hadley is the conservative mayor of Christon.

NAT businessman Tom O'Hearn also fended off conservative Congressman Dennis Brock, defeating him by 51.14% to 48.86%.

In the Wilkonshire gubernatorial race, which was expected to be close, Federal Attorney General John Agnew handily passed NAT civic activist Caroline Jepsey; garnering 52.38% to Jepsey's 47.62%.

In neighboring Veroche, NAT Linda Van Auhn of Lake City beat conservative businessman Todd Argouth of Twin Lakes, as expected. Van Auhn received 53.19% while Argouth received 46.81%.

In Veroche's only House contest, NAT Aaron Tobias Griffith barely beat conservative Representative Brent Houston. As of last night, Griffith received 51.02% to Houston's 48.98%. Houston is the nephew of former president Dave Houston.

The rest of the House positions in both Wilkonshire and Veroche were uncontested. In Wilkonshire, current POG delegate Newton Jeffs (CON) won with 98%, and NAT John Warner-Patterson won with 91%. In Veroche, conservatives Evelynn Blankenship and Reps. Kit McHenry and Niles Gilcrest all sailed to victory with over 90%. NAT candidate Mark Peoninski also won with 90%.

Both states' lieutenant governor positions were only sought by one candidate each. NAT Mindy Orneisson won the position in Wilkonshire, and in Veroche, Federal Secretary of National Security Bradley Davidson (CON) ran unopposed.

President Byelle has not said who will replace both WIK Governor-Elect John Agnew and VER Lieutenant Governor-Elect Bradley Davidson in his administration. POG Governor Donna Almone will now also have to select a replacement for Newton Jeffs. According to POG law, Almone must select a conservative candidate, because Jeffs' seat was held by the conservatives. After the governor selects a replacement, the POG state legislature must approve by a vote.

The new delegates will begin serving on Monday, December 17th. The balance of the House of Delegates is still in Conservative favor, with the CNS holding 38 seats, the NAT with 24 seats, and the DR with 3.