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Be wary of tick-borne illnesses

If you consider yourself to be a carnivore, the West Virginia Department of Health has given you yet another reason to be vigilant about avoiding ticks. Earlier this month, the agency reported multiple cases of the tick-borne Alpha-gal Syndrome, which can cause a variety of symptoms as a result of allergies to meat and meat products caused by the disease. This one is carried by lone star ticks — larger than deer ticks and with white spots on their backs. Worry over the disease is severe enough that the state health department issued an advisory Sept. 11, making AGS a reportable ...

Focus on needs, and do it fast

“The program tackles the root causes of rural health care failure. It gives states the tools to design solutions that last, not Band-Aids that fail.” That was Dr. Mehmet Oz, on the speedily unrolled Rural Health Transformation Program that will make available $50 billion — a possible $10 billion per year to states — each fiscal year from 2026 through 2030. Four years of potential federal funding, half of which is to be distributed evenly to all 50 states IF they apply for it; and half to be distributed based on health care metrics. Federal officials have given states until ...

The bedrock of our nation

Some 238 years ago, a contingent representing the states of the newly independent United States of America gathered in Philadelphia. There to reform the Articles of Confederation, they came up with this familiar grouping of words, “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic Tranquillity, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” That carefully worded ...

Bootcamp series to help grow businesses

Have you ever considered opening your own business, but not known where to start? The Weirton Area Chamber of Commerce has teamed up with the City of Weirton, the Business Development Corp. of the Northern Panhandle, and First Microloan of West Virginia to offer an educational series to help those new entrepreneurs, as well as long-time business owners who may be looking to grow their operations. The “Business Bootcamp” educational series kicks off this Thursday with “Where Do I Start? Licensing Requirements for Weirton and West Virginia.” As part of the session, ...

Celebrate homecoming safely

Homecoming celebrations for area high schools have begun. The festivities give students the opportunity to get out and enjoy themselves during this time of year, joining friends, family and alumni as they cheer on their team hopefully to victory, getting dressed up and dancing the night away. But they also should remember to do all of these things as safely as possible. There is certain to be lots of fanfare surrounding all of these events, but precautions must be taken. As during any time when students are out on their own, they must make certain to be careful if they are driving. ...

Living united

United Ways throughout the region have launched their annual campaigns. Each of our local United Way organizations provides an important service to the region by helping to gather funding and resources to programs and agencies which help to improve the lives of all of Tri-State Area residents. In a time when a growing number of residents are having to watch money more closely, the work of the women and men serving the United Ways becomes even more important, as does reaching the fundraising goals the organizations have established. All of that money raised goes to help numerous ...