Latest news with #Fairmont
Yahoo
38 minutes ago
- Business
- Yahoo
'Big beautiful bill' threatens family planning services in West Virginia
FAIRMONT — President Donald Trump's budget may defund women's health care in some areas should the bill passed by the House of Representatives move through the US Senate unchanged. The bill, H.R. 1, prohibits federal funds from reaching agencies that provide family planning services, reproductive health and related care. However, family planning encompasses more than just reproductive or abortion-related services. 'There's so much more involved than just planning for contraceptives,' Marion County Health Department Director David Whittaker said. 'There's many components. There is breast and cervical cancer screenings, there is sexually transmitted disease testing and pregnancy tests. They get to see a doctor, a physician they may not normally get.' The Marion County Health Department doesn't currently offer family planning, but is working on bringing it back. The service was discontinued during the pandemic. Whittaker said the Health Department is targeting July 1 as the return date for family planning services. Whittaker said broadly, family planning can be considered as women's health care. Family planning provides women with checkups for the underlining symptoms of breast and cervical cancer, which help reduce the risk of cancer. He said the teen pregnancy rate can also be lower in areas that provide a comprehensive family planning program. The rate of sexually transmitted diseases is also lower in communities where family planning programs are utilized. Brian Huggins, health officer at the Monongalia County Health Department, said abortion tends to get mixed into family planning because of Planned Parenthood. In states that haven't banned abortion, Planned Parenthood offers the service. However, abortion is banned in West Virginia, meaning health departments like Monongalia and Marion do not offer the service. Family planning, however, can prevent abortion in the first place by providing people with resources that prevent unintended pregnancies. Children born from unwanted conceptions face higher risks in life. 'A lot of the research has show that children that were unwanted conceptions are at greater risk of being born at low birth weight, of dying in the first year of life, of being abused and not receiving sufficient nutrition for healthy development,' Huggins said. Huggins said funding for family planning is handed down by the federal government to the states, and the state distributes the funds. Funding for family planning programs is paid through Title X grants, handled by the Office of Population of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. According to the office's website, Title X family planning clinics have ensured access to a broad range of services for more than 50 years. According to a locator tool on the website, Fairmont Statue University Student Health receives Title X funds, as does the Harrison-Clarksburg Health Department and Community Care of Clarksburg. Whittaker said the Marion County Health Department has received a notice of award for its family planning clinic from the state government. Huggins said family planning does not fall under basic public health services, meaning it can't use state funds which are reserved for things like immunization. Family planning is considered an enhanced service, so the program either has to make money on its own or the funding has to come from an outside source. The federal government covers the funding for a lot of these services, but few Title X programs exist in the state. If H.R. 1 cuts funding for family planning, Huggins said realistically, family planning wouldn't be available in the state. 'It's just another way that people that are already struggling are probably now potentially going to lose access to birth control they need and may end up with unwanted pregnancies, which comes with additional costs,' Huggins said. 'And I talked about the risks to the babies in those situations. 'And our foster care system in West Virginia is also overwhelmed. To lose family planning services could put more kids into that system.' The teen pregnancy rate in West Virginia is 22.5 births per 1,000 girls. Overall, the teen birth rate declined by 50% from 2007 through 2020. According to Mission WV, a community welfare organization, only 50% of teen mothers receive a high school diploma by 22 years of age. Ninety percent of women who do not give birth as teens graduate high school. With funding for family planning being cut, public health experts like Whittaker and Huggins worry the drop in teen pregnancy might reverse. 'A lot of the people that come in are between the ages of 16 into their late 20s, and that's when you're trying to get your life off the ground,' Huggins said. 'So really being able to give them their choice in this, is really critical and important.'
Yahoo
38 minutes ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Fairmont Farmer's Market perseveres through rain and rising prices during first week
FAIRMONT — Typically, April showers bring May flowers but in Fairmont, May just brought more rain. But despite the miserable weather, the Fairmont Farmer's Market held true to its promise on its Facebook page, and opened for the 2025 season, rain or shine. 'Generally we have more vendors than you're seeing today because of the weather,' Joni Costante, who oversees the Fairmont Farmer's Market, said. 'But this is just getting started. We have fresh locally grown produce and as the season progresses, we'll have fresh fruit brought in from Romney.' On Tuesday, Costante, Little Brickhouse Bakery, Richardson Farms and Herron's Farmers Market and Crafts set up tents and tables on which they did their best to proudly display their wares while keeping their products safe from the rain. Produce was not the only things for sale. There were baked goods and at least 44 different jellies for sale, as well as dried tea. Costante said the Fairmont Farmer's Market has been going on for at least 50 years, with the market taking root in one place or another, including under the Million Dollar Bridge. They've been based out of Palatine Park for the last four or five years, which Costante called a wonderful location. Despite its home-crafted nature, the farmer's market has also been susceptible to the same rising prices affecting consumer goods nationwide. Costante makes homemade jellies and said the price of sugar, jars and anything else required to produce her product has gone up significantly. She also pointed out that the price of seeds has gone up. 'A packet used to cost four bucks was now almost six this year,' she said. 'The dirt that some of us buy, like fertilizer, that sort of thing all of that's gone up.' The Herron's jam making business has also incurred higher costs. But despite that, they've done their best to not change prices. 'We've kept the prices of our jelly the same as last year, because if you raise it, then nobody can buy it,' Kathy Herron said. 'So we try not to cause a hardship on people.' Herron said the higher cost of business cuts into their profits, but where they are lucky is in that they raise their own blackberries, raspberries and other fruits, which helps keep costs down. Herron said she expects vendors to have less in the way of variety at farmers markets in general this year due to the higher prices. This is Little Brickhouse Bakery's first year at market. CJ Scott, owner, and her partner Jacob Kolodziej, own the business. They specialize in goods such as gluten-free brown butter cookies, snack mixes and peanut butter spreads they make at home. Cookies were also safely tucked into plastic containers to keep them safe from the rain on their display stand. Fairmont Farmer's Market was their second stop so far, after having started at the White Hall Farmer's and Artisans Market earlier in the month. Scott started her side business in January, when a lot of changes started happening at her job. She worked for the Department of Energy in Morgantown, where she functioned as a program and management analyst. However, she had experience working in a bakery, and after learning about West Virginia's cottage industries laws, decided to launch her own microbusiness. For Little Brickhouse, price came second to ingredients. 'Gluten-free shouldn't be gross,' Scott said. 'But also, we're a part of the community. This is an affordable price point.' The Fairmont Farmer's Market returns to Palatine Park every Tuesday throughout the summer. Costante said they even work with the senior nutrition program to help low-income seniors procure fresh produce. They also work with the Women, Infants and Children program to make sure they can get a fresh allotment of produce as well. She said one of the benefits of the farmers market is that residents are closer to their food and can get to know the farmers who grow it. Sudawan Richardson, from Richardson Farms, was Tuesday's rock. Camped underneath the trunk lid of her SUV, she held onto her produce and made the best of things. 'I love to garden, I love to see people happy,' she said. 'I see their smile, I'm happy. That's my toy. Money, that's good but I think I make good enough. I like everybody to have good food.'
Yahoo
38 minutes ago
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
Community input needed on new playgrounds in Marion County
FAIRMONT — Marion County Commissioner Bobby DeVaul asked his fellow commissioners Wednesday to earmark money for three or four new playgrounds around the county and present that information at a future commission meeting. 'I like to earmark the money so the community knows, it's not just us blowing smoke,' DeVaul said. 'The money's earmarked, and that's where hopefully you guys can help us get a story out there, get some responses and see if anybody actually wants it. And if it's earmarked on the next agenda, then we can go from there.' The county recently installed a new playground at the Marion County Soccer Complex so far on US 250 North. DeVaul said the community response to the addition has been great. The playground was added to give kids who accompany soccer players something to do while they wait for the player to finish their game. Although there was initial skepticism the playground would interfere with the games, it is a welcomed addition to the complex. Now, DeVaul wants to replicate that success at other locations throughout the county. He hopes earmarking the money will show the community he's serious about building the playgrounds, and generate community engagement for the project. Another source of inspiration was the recent work the City of Fairmont has done to improve the city's playgrounds and parks. DeVaul isn't prepared to receive responses from the community just yet. More information will be released after commissioners successfully earmark an amount. Commissioners will finalize the details before placing the item on the next meeting's agenda. DeVaul said sometimes the county forgets the outlying areas and he thought it'd be nice to be able to give something back. 'I hope to keep kids active out in the playgrounds,' he said. 'Give something for families to go do when it's nice out. I was at Merrickville Baseball Field. There's nothing for kids to do while games are going on. It'd be great if they had a playground there for the same kind of thing.' Jon Dodds, board member of the West Virginia Three Rivers Festival gave commissioners a report about this year's festival. He said, although the weather was a challenge and some groups didn't show up, the festival was still a success. Dodds, who shoots video using a drone, said his video of the festival has received 10,000 views on Facebook. Commissioner Linda Longstreth complimented him for making the festival available virtually. Wesley Dobbs, interim president of the Dunbar School Foundation, attended the meeting in an attempt to rebuild trust with the Marion County Commission. Foundation Board Secretary Howard Brooks attended last month to let the commission know the foundation was working to get Dunbar School back on track. He also requested funds for a refurbishment project. The Foundation has been navigating the fallout from an alleged misuse of COVID-19 pandemic funds, which led to the federal government seeking answers from a former employee. Dobbs told the commission the foundation wants to turn the annex building of the Dunbar School into a place that can provide technical education classes. Dobbs said Fairmont's Black community wants to do its part, and to do that requires providing new graduates out of high school a place to learn trade skills and keep them out of problems. Dobbs said refurbishing the building will require a new roof. He also said the foundation will continue to be a nonprofit. Brooks also attended to follow up on the the funding request. After figuring out there was a breakdown in communication over some necessary paperwork, Commission President Ernie VanGilder said the commission would get the paperwork over to the foundation. There's still work to be done to repair the damage done to the foundation's reputation. 'We're just trying to come out from that stigma and do something good for the community,' Dobbs said.
Yahoo
38 minutes ago
- General
- Yahoo
Construction to get underway on long awaited Wilfong Wellness Center in Fairmont
FAIRMONT — The new Wilfong Wellness Center will be more about than a recreational center for people with disabilities. It's also making a statement. 'The majestic feel that we sit atop this Gateway Connector, that we are to be seen, that people with disabilities are to be seen and that we are the envy of our community, and we are the pride of our community,' Disability Action Center Executive Director Julie Sole said. 'That's what's so meaningful about this location.' The Disability Action Center broke ground on its $2 million, 5,500 square-foot wellness center Thursday morning. City and state officials celebrated the project, which has been four years in the making. Sole said the location of the new Wilfong Wellness Center is in stark contrast to the DAC's former location, where a center dedicated to serving people with disabilities wasn't as easily seen. Last October, when the Marion County Commission allocated funds to the project from its American Rescue Plan Act funds, County Commission President Ernie VanGilder expressed concern that the cost of construction materials would rise due to the damage wrought by several powerful storms during hurricane season. And rise they did. 'Price is always a factor,' Mark Eli, construction manager for the Huffman Corporation, said. 'Everything went up after COVID. Once it goes up, it never goes down. But that's why they brought us in to try and get within the budget that they're looking at. And that's what we're striving to do.' Sole also acknowledged the possibility of cost overruns due to rising construction costs, but said that's why it was important to build as much as possible as fast as possible to keep costs low. Wayne Huffman, owner of Huffman Corporation, said he was glad to be helping out by building the structure. He said his own company has been blessed in multiple ways, which is what allows his company to give back to the community. 'We're transparent with our numbers, and I know a lot of these people,' Huffman said. 'They know that they don't have to worry about us. We're going to try to do it as much as we can with as much money as they've got.' Kevin Wilfong, who's family is the namesake of the center, has a personal connection to the center. His younger brother was born with hydrocephaly in 1952, which causes an abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles of the brain. His brother died at age seven. After the diagnosis, his family spent their lives working to better the conditions of people living with disabilities in Fairmont. The DAC actually traces its genesis to the Wilfong family, who started the original organization before it evolved and transformed into the DAC over the years. Kevin Wilfong donated toward the cost of the building. Wilfong said the building is being built specifically for the clients of the Disability Action Center in mind, as it features wheelchair access and other accessibility features. The wellness center's floor plan is split into two sections. The first section has a gym that will come with pickleball courts, a basketball court and spectator seating, while the second half of the building has lockers and a fitness center with exercise equipment and recreation space. There will also be office space for therapy and counseling. Wilfong said physical exercise is important to a productive life, and the center will ensure people with disabilities will have their physical needs met. 'The clients have all they need in the main DAC building,' Wilfong said. 'But what this will do is provide much needed physical exercise they can all enjoy and participate in. It's a big need and we hope to get that fulfilled.'
Forbes
18 hours ago
- Health
- Forbes
Fairmont Orchid: A Lush 32-Acre Retreat on Hawaii's Kohala Coast
Fairmont Orchid resort on Hawaii's Kohala Coast With recently refreshed guest rooms, several oceanfront dining destinations, and countless watersports on gorgeous Pauoa Bay — plus 32 stunning acres of lush tropical gardens and lava-studded oceanfront on the Big Island's black-lava Kohala Coast — there's a lot to love about the Fairmont Orchid. Fairmont Orchid sits on 32 acres of oceanfront property Fairmont Orchid is located on the Big Island of Hawaii, on the majestic Kohala Coast. It's a short drive from many top beaches and Pololū Valley, and about 30 minutes by car from Kona International Airport (KOA). Outrigger canoeing Resort pool A recently refreshed guest room A renovation of the resort's 540 spacious rooms and suites was completed in 2024. The refreshed decor is quietly luxurious, with a fresh color palette of whites and tans layered with soft blues and pastels. All have seating areas, spa-inspired white marble bathrooms, and private lanais overlooking the lush gardens or shimmering ocean. Fairmont Gold lounge In addition to the standard guest rooms and suites, there are also 45 ultra-luxe Fairmont Gold accommodations. Fairmont calls this VIP level their 'oasis within an oasis.' Indeed, it comes with a whole host of services and amenities that start even before you get to your room with private check-in. The Gold level also includes personal concierge, and an exclusive lounge with complimentary breakfast, afternoon tea, evening craft cocktails, and canapes — plus a well-stocked honesty bar. Brown's Beach House The resort's signature restaurant, Brown's Beach House, showcases island-inspired cuisine and spectacular sweeping ocean views — especially at sunset. The seafood-centric menus include 3- and 4-course options, as well as a la carte dishes like Kona prawns, local mahi mahi, and ti leaf-wrapped kanpachi with sweet potato, tiger shrimp, and bok choy in a coconut-orchid honey sauce. Binchotan Bar & Grill celebrates the confluence of Hawaiian and Japanese cuisines with craft cocktails, plus seafood, wagyu beef, and seasonal vegetables kissed by the flames of traditional-style robatayaki grills. Oceanfront Kahakai Bar The resort also offers guests several more casual options located throughout the extensive property. Orchid Court is the spot for breakfast and Hale Kai serves up more casual eats and cocktails under its thatched-roof huts. Kahakai Bar specializes in handmade tropical cocktails and small plates, and the popular Brown's Deli is the perfect grab-and-go option for iced coffees and matcha, morning pastries, and gourmet snacks. A thatched roof garden haler at the resort's Spa Without Walls Get pampered by booking one of the resort's oceanfront cabanas, or dreamy private thatched hales that are nestled in between waterfalls, lush orchid-filled gardens, and streams with koi and waterlilies. The Spa Without Walls menu includes Hawaiian-inspired facials, scalp and foot massages, and the signature lomi-lomi massage, which uses rhythmic massage strokes to help restore one's mana (energy). For guests who may have spent too much time basking in the sun without enough SPF, there's also the After Sun Soother, which uses a soothing gel mask made with active marine ingredients to help soothe and rehydrate the skin. Snorkeling and other water sports are available on-site Fairmont Orchid champions sustainability by eliminating single-use plastics like water bottles, straws, and individual bathroom amenities. Each guest room comes with two reusable water bottles, and refill stations are located on every floor. Every week, guests can join the Botanical Bees & Chef's Garden Tour to learn about produce grown on-site and the 80,000 bees that produce a delicious monofloral kiawe honey that is featured on the resort's menus. Oceanfront pool For more information or to book a stay, visit Fairmont Orchid.
