Latest news with #Helton
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
State Senate discrimination ordinance bill threatens local control for W.Va. cities
FAIRMONT — A bill passed by the West Virginia Senate may invalidate the ability of Fairmont residents to protect vulnerable groups from discrimination through City ordinance and popular election. 'This bill addressing discrimination ordinances is one example of local control being targeted by legislation, whether that's the intention of the legislation or not,' City Manager Travis Blosser said. 'It's hard to justify passing a one-size-fits-all, statewide bill when municipalities and their residents have already spoken their minds through local processes.' Senate Bill 579 prohibits municipalities participating in the home rule program from establishing nondiscrimination ordinances that include additional protected class beyond what state law already covers. It also opens the door to LGBTQ+ conversion therapy in municipalities that have banned the practice. State Sen. Brian Helton, R-09, is lead sponsor on the bill, which now sits in the House of Representatives, where it waits for discussion. Helton argued during floor debate that a patchwork of varying local ordinances creates uncertainty for individuals and businesses. He said centralizing anti-discrimination laws in the state would allow for more efficient and consistent enforcement through dedicated agencies like the Human Rights Commission of West Virginia. He singled out Morgantown's ban on conversion therapy as well, arguing the ordinance threatens the licenses of mental health and medical professionals who offer the practice and framed the issue from the standpoint of parental rights. 'By moving forward and allowing these ordinances to continue, not only are we creating tons of overreach into lots of areas of our state government,' Helton said. 'We're conflicting with our business community. We're not providing a clear framework of legal issues when we deal with anti-discrimination laws.' Helton also said the bill would remove any local ordinances that contradict President Donald Trump's national agenda. Under Article 175 of Fairmont City Code, the city includes a declaration of Civil Rights for gender identity. The article also establishes the Human Rights Commission. City code tasks the commission with working to bring about mutual understanding and respect among all people, and safeguard the rights of all people to be free from all forms of discrimination. The Fairmont Human Rights Commission has no ability to pass ordinances of its own, but can only recommend policies to City Council, which not only can choose if it wants to bring them to a vote, but also if it will adopt a recommendation or not. The city also requires its contractors to execute a non-discrimination in the workplace affidavit, which includes protections for gender identity. The city also has rules protecting its employees from discrimination, gender identity included. A cursory review of city code related to discrimination reveals no ordinances intruding on decisions between parents and doctors, nor any penalties for practicing conversion therapy in Fairmont. The Human Rights Commission has no enforcement power, and City Ordinances regarding discrimination only apply to City Employees, not private business. The state Human Rights Commission has enforcement power, but does not list gender identity as a protected group. In Morgantown, the ordinance in question doesn't mention penalties such as losing a medical license for practicing conversion therapy. Within the professional mental health field, conversion therapy is discredited. The National Alliance on Mental Illness states no one should be subject to practices that can cause or worsen mental health symptoms and supports banning conversion therapy. The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry finds no evidence to support conversion therapy. Stanford Medicine found conversion practices are linked to depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and suicide. Both of Marion County's state senators voted against the bill. Sen. Mike Oliverio, R-Morgantown, argued the residents of Fairmont and Morgantown engaged in the public process to pass the ordinances SB 579 targets. 'I think about the actions of those city council members who conducted committee meetings of the whole, public hearings, readings, votes,' Oliverio said. 'Where they solicited the input from their constituents, who are my constituents as well, and reached the conclusion that the right thing to do was adopt these ordinances and resolutions.' Oliverio added he doesn't always agree with the actions of Morgantown, but that he respects their ability to take those actions. Sen. Joey Garcia, D-Fairmont, questioned Helton on his premises. Garcia pointed out local ordinances already can't supercede state law. He also said the legislature was trying to cast diversity, equity and inclusion as dirty words forbidden from the public tongue. He also pointed out the legislature has been in the habit of passing laws for situations that simply don't happen. 'When these ordinances are passed, people come and say, we want these protections,' Garcia said. 'That is legitimate.' Sen. Ryan Weld, R-Brooke County, was one of several Republicans who also spoke out against the bill. He had a singular word for it. 'This is dumb,' he said. He pointed out with all the problems the state has, with foster care, child protective services, educational outcomes and others, this is what the legislature is focusing on. 'Why is it dumb?' Weld said. 'Where is the problem that we're trying to address? I haven't heard of any.' Blosser said Fairmont has a robust process for petitioning against an ordinance and sending contentious matters to the ballot. The Human Rights Commission had to go through that process to be established. 'In the end, Fairmont voted, and the HRC was established,' Blosser said. 'We have to be wary of that kind of local control taking a back seat.'
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Yahoo
Danville police face federal, state lawsuits over controversial arrest
DANVILLE, Ky. (FOX 56) — The Danville Police Department has been named in lawsuits at the federal and state level, alongside several of its officers, regarding the October arrest of a man with dementia. Body camera video obtained by FOX 56 shows 66-year-old John Hardwick, a man with dementia, pleading for help after a grocery store trip with his wife last October ended with him handcuffed and taken to jail on public intoxication and shoplifting charges. Attorney expects to file federal lawsuit after Danville police arrest and hit 66-year-old man with dementia New body cam footage reveals more about arrest of Danville dementia patient New bodycam footage discovery shows 2021 incident involving a Danville officer and man with dementia Danville community protests, calls for dismissal of Officer TJ Godbey 'You see T.J. Godbey pulled his cuffs out; rush him. One officer does what they call a leg whip to bring him down; the other officer tries to put him in a chokehold, which every law enforcement officer knows, and every police department in this country prohibits chokeholds after the tragedy that happened with George Floyd,' said Attorney Ephraim Helton. Hardwick was taken to an area hospital for treatment of injuries sustained in the arrest. There, body camera video shows officers exchanging text messages calling the 'severe dementia claim' a 'stretch.' Helton notified FOX 56 on Tuesday that now the police department, along with the arresting officers, has been named in lawsuits at the state and federal levels. 'In the months that have followed, Mr. Hardwick no longer leaves his residence to go toWalmart with his wife. His quality of life was already difficult due to his dementia but thetrauma inflicted by the Defendants on October 15, 2024, has since completely altered anddevastated his life,' court documents read. Kentucky's bourbon industry faces uncertainty amid new tariffs Danville police face federal, state lawsuits over controversial arrest How to apply for Disaster SNAP benefits in Kentucky The lawsuits also attest that Hardwick has experienced a 'drastic decline' with his dementia since the incident. In the federal lawsuit, Helton claims that the officers violated Hardwick's Fourth Amendment rights, the department and city failed to train and supervise its officers properly, violated the Americans with Disabilities Act, and violated the Rehabilitation Act. In a Boyle County Circuit Court filing, Helton cites: Battery False imprisonment, false arrest Malicious Prosecution False imprisonment, false arrest against Walmart Asset Protections Negligent hiring, training, and supervision Defamation Helton demanded the case to go before a state and federal jury. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Spring practice provides GSU key opportunity to replace seniors
STATESBORO, Ga. (WSAV) — Georgia Southern football will start spring practice next week. There are several key positions where the Eagles will look for players to step up after multiple starters graduate. On the offensive side, they lose Derwin Burgess. He amassed 2,500 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns in his four years. Then on the defensive side of the ball, there are two key pieces to replace. First is Marques Watson-Trent. The reigning Sun Belt conference player of the year leaves after a stellar career. In each of the past three seasons, he had over 100 tackles. He also had six sacks, six forced fumbles and two interceptions. The other key piece from the defense is Marc Stampley. The cornerback was second-team all-conference. He had three interceptions last season. 'Thirty-four newcomers that we've signed on this past class,' Helton said. 'Twently-one high school players and 13 transfers. Seventeen of those men walked in midterm. And have had the opportunity now to go through a winter workout program.' Georgia Southern brings back starting quarterback JC French. Head coach Clay Helton noted that this is the first time in his tenure they return a signal caller. Here are French's numbers from last season. He completed 66 percent of passes for over 2800 yards. He threw 17 touchdowns against 11 interceptions. Coach Helton said he has seen French grow as a leader this offseason. 'You've seen his confidence,' Helton said. 'You see his poise that he shows already and being more vocal. Last year it was about, 'Hey, I'm trying to do my job on a day-to-day basis.' He had blinders on doing his job. Now I've seen him even be vocal with the guys in the workouts, be vocal, when he's out there throwing with guys.' Here are the key dates for the Eagles in the spring: Practice starts: March 4 Georgia Southern Pro Day: March 10 Two scrimmages: March 14 and March 29 Spring game: April 5 Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Montgomery County police expands security camera incentive program countywide
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. () – When the Police-Private Security Camera Incentive Program launched in November 2023, it was only offered in select areas in Montgomery County. However, the Montgomery County Department of Police (MCPD) announced Wednesday that it is now being offered countywide. Artists display artwork at Black History Month exhibit in Montgomery County The program is incentivizing businesses, nonprofits, homeowners and places of worship to install cameras on their property. 'They would go out and purchase the camera and then they can be reimbursed for that camera,' MCPD Lt. Dan Helton said. 'Residential is one, and businesses and places of worship, they are up to five.' Property owners can be reimbursed up to $250 per camera. Helton said the program's goal is to ensure properties are protected from crime. 'To work with the police department if they have video evidence that can help solve crimes,' he said, 'But also, the cameras can help deter crime.' John Harrison, lead estimator at LG Auto Body in Silver Spring, said he is pleased to hear the program is expanding because of the things he's witnessed on the shop's cameras in the past. 'There was a tow truck going around stealing cars,' he said. 'We actually captured it stealing the car. It didn't have a plate number or name, but it does help the police in some ways just to see who or what happened.' Crews clean up snow, ice in Montgomery County following winter storm Harrison plans to add more cameras and hopes the incentive program will help foot the bill. More information about the Police-Private Security Camera Incentive Program and the rebate application form can be found here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Squeal on the Eel bows out, will divide remaining funds among local nonprofits
The Squeal on the Eel Festival announced on Tuesday that it would not be holding its summer 2025 event and was proceeding to close down as a nonprofit. The Squeal on the Eel began in 2022 with backing from Tyson Foods as its main sponsor. However, Tyson had hoped the community would take an increased ownership of the festival and it could taper down its financial support. 'We kind of knew this was coming,' said Stephanie Helton, community liaison at Tyson and one of three co-organizers for the festival. 'We were hoping to get through this year and not continue on to year five.' Helton said the event had lost some sponsors and other sponsors wanted to participate but could not commit at the financial levels they had in the past. '[We] risked running the festival and going into the red and not being able to pay people or not running the festival, take the money that has carried over and make one more impact for not-for-profits,' she said. Once the Squeal on the Eel is officially dissolved as a nonprofit, it will take the remaining funds and divide the money up between various community nonprofits. Helton said she had reached out to other communities such as Kokomo and Lafayette in hopes to find new sponsors. 'This festival was intended to be a regional festival to showcase diversity in Logansport and showcase it's leading industries and serve as a tourist destination,' she said. 'While doing that we were bringing awareness to nonprofits and raising money to donate back to local charities.' Helton said she was proud of the fact it was a three-person team that organized the festival each year. Joining Helton was Tyson security chief Jason Snyder and production manager Eric Goodwin. They also received plenty of support from their families. 'I'm most proud that we were able to work really great as a team and pull off a festival that brought in some major headlining acts to Logansport and brought in around 10 thousand people from all surrounding states,' Helton said. The first two Squeal on the Eel festivals in 2022 and 2023 drew approximately 10 thousand people to Riverside Park. However, attendance dropped dramatically for the 2024 edition with roughly 5,000 people coming out for the event. Headlining acts included LOCASH in 2022, Black Stone Cherry in 2023 and Saliva in 2024. The event also included a BBQ competition, arts and food vendors and the 2024 festival included a car show and pickleball tournament. The first edition of Squeal on the Eel raised $60,000, which was divided between Emmaus Mission Center, 4th Dimension Recovery Home, Cass County Domestic Violence Task Force and The Father's House. In 2023, $64,000 in funding was raised and used to support AMVETS, Cass County Special Olympics, Immigrant Connection and food and backpack programs at the four county schools. Finally, the Squeal raised $40,000 last year and awarded funding to Area Five Agency, The Shrine Club, the Young America Fire Department and the United Way of Cass County's Reading Railroad. 'We helped a lot of people in town,' said Jason Snyder. The support wasn't one sided. Each year, AMVETS turned out to provide manpower in terms of setting up and providing help and security during the event. The festival also received volunteer help from Cass County Special Olympics, Lewis Cass Band Boosters, Cass County Roosters and many more. The 2025 edition of the Squeal on the Eel was scheduled for June 14. 'Thank you to all the businesses that supported us throughout the years and believed in the Squeal on the Eel and thank you for everyone who came out the day of the event to support us,' Helton said.
