Category: Health & Fitness - Page 16

Sunday, October 18, 2026

House Gives Final Approval to Pilot Hemp Program

By Keith M. Phaneuf and Jenna Carlesso

www.ctmirror.org

The House of Representatives gave unanimous approval late today to a bill authorizing a pilot program for the production and sale of hemp.

Gov. Ned Lamont announced tonight that he would sign the measure in the next few days. The Senate approved the bill last month.

“This legislation will strengthen our efforts to grow our agricultural economy and create jobs, and do so in a responsible manner by opening a competitive market to thousands of Connecticut’s farmers,” Lamont said.

“With this program, farmers will have the opportunity to bolster their profits with hemp, and veteran and first-time farmers alike will be attracted to a new and growing market that will offer crop diversification, increased revenue, and expertise in an expanding field.”

Comings & Goings: Row House Opens at Compo Acres

The Row House, a rowing-based fitness studio, has opened at 380 Post Road East in the Compo Acres Shopping Center. According to Rachel Keyes, general manager, Row House is open every day, offers 25 “ERGs” (indoor rowing units,) classes, memberships and welcomes walk-ins. Keyes said a grand opening celebration is planned for early June. The Row House is the first in the state and the nearest ones to Westport are in New York City. Pictured: Keyes (l) and Elana Goldblatt, coach. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Friday, May 3rd, 2019

State: Greens Farms Tops, Saugatuck Lowest in Measles Vaccination Rate

State health data released today showed that among Westport’s five elementary schools in 2017-18, Greens Farms had the highest kindergarten vaccination rate against measles while Saugatuck had the lowest.

The rate for Greens Farms was 98.1% while Saugatuck was 88.6%. Other schools: Long Lots 95.3%, Coleytown 93.8%, and Kings Highway 93.4%. (Greens Farms Academy was 98.1%.)

Seventh grade data showed Coleytown at 98.8% and Bedford at 96 .2%.

Data was also released on immunizations against polio, varicella, and hepatitis and showed relatively high numbers of students receiving religious or medical exemptions from vaccines.

Monday, April 22nd, 2019

Health District Keeping Eye on Measles Case

The Westport Weston Health District (WWHD) is keeping a close eye on the latest Connecticut measles case, Mark Cooper, director, said today.

He said a visitor to Brooklyn, New York has been linked to a Connecticut Department of Health (DPH) confirmed case of measles in Connecticut, specifically in New Haven County — the third in the state this year.

“With our close proximity to New York, the Westport Weston Health District has been keeping a close watch on all outbreak news and has been advising vaccinations for prevention,” Cooper said.

“It is likely the number of measles cases will increase in Connecticut before the outbreak is brought under control.”

Friday, April 12th, 2019

Third Case of Measles This Year Confirmed in Connecticut

By Jenna Carlesso

www.ctmirror.org

Health officials have confirmed a third case of the measles in Connecticut this year.

An adult from New Haven County was exposed to the disease last month during a visit to Brooklyn, N.Y., the state Department of Public Health said today. It is not linked to the two previously verified cases that were reported in January.

The person has been isolated, health officials said. Measles cases are considered infectious from four days before the onset of a rash to four days after. In the latest case, the rash onset occurred on Thursday.

“We are monitoring and investigating this case very closely, including working with our local health departments to follow up with any individuals that may have been exposed to measles,” State Health Commissioner Renée D. Coleman-Mitchell said.

Monday, April 8th, 2019

Judiciary Committee Green Lights Marijuana Legislation

By Jenna Casrlesso and Keith M. Phaneuf

www.ctmirror.org

A bill that would legalize recreational marijuana and erase the criminal records of people who have committed low-level drug offenses — the second piece in a package of cannabis-related legislation — today cleared a key committee over the objections of lawmakers who fear the change will make it easier for children to get the drug.

Although the measure would ban the sale of marijuana to people younger than 21, several members of the legislature’s Judiciary Committee argued that legalizing it would make it more enticing and available to children.

“We are telling our youth: ‘It’s not that bad, go ahead and try it,’” said Sen. Dan Champagne, R-Vernon, who voted against the bill. “Heroin users, cocaine users, you talk to a lot of them, there’s always some drug they used before that. … Marijuana is one of those drugs that jump-starts it.”

“We should be in the business of passing laws that keep people safe,” he said. “Marijuana is not going to keep anybody safe.”

Friday, April 5th, 2019

Town Hall Roundtable on Opioid Use Draws Crowd

By Jarret Liotta

A packed Westport Town Hall meeting today on opioid use heard experts say drug addiction must be addressed from the perspective of a disease — as opposed to merely criminal behavior.

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal makes a point about holding drug corporations, such as Purdue Pharma, responsible for their role in the opioid crisis. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Jarret Liotta for WestportNow.com

The is part of a more progressive philosophy officials hope will help curb and ideally conquer the opioid epidemic.

Politicians, healthcare workers and other interested parties assembled for a roundtable discussion centering on a multipronged approach to addressing the problem.

“The buzz word that you’re going to hear over and over again is ‘integration,’” said Westport’s state Rep. Jonathan Steinberg, explaining that the approach is “moving from a crisis model to a recovery model.”

Monday, March 25th, 2019

Recreational Marijuana Bill Clears First Major Hurdle

By Jenna Carlesso

www.ctmirror.org

Lawmakers voted today to advance the first of a package of bills that would legalize recreational marijuana, a step they lauded as necessary to begin upending decades of inequality in arrests and convictions against minority communities.

The bill approved by the legislature’s General Law Committee would lay the foundation for a marijuana industry in Connecticut. Among other things, it would establish a licensing process for growers, manufacturers and retailers of the drug.

But the flashpoint in today’s debate came over the issue of equity incentives for people in areas where high rates of pot-related arrests have occurred.

The measure would give minority entrepreneurs advantages that include a lower fee structure and priority in the application process.

Clinics Resume With New Health District Hire

UPDATE The Westport Weston Health District (WWHD) announced today with the appointment of Louis D’Onofrio as director of clinical care it will resume its travel and vaccination clinics next month.

Louis D’Onofrio: new nurse practitioner . Contributed photo

Mark A.R. Cooper, district director, said clients will be seen beginning April 10 with appointments made by calling (203)227-9571.

Cooper said the clinics were suspended at the end of December because the district decided to change its model of operation from using physicians, to an APRN—Advance Practice Registered Nurse to provide clinic services.

“To offer vaccinations the WWHD needs to have physician or an APRN on board to validate standing orders,” he said.

Monday, March 18th, 2019

CT Doctors, Insurers Concerned About Dropping Vaccination Rate

By Ana Radelat

www.ctmirror.org

Connecticut children are still vaccinated at a higher rate than the national average, but the number has dropped in recent years — with most of the state’s unvaccinated children avoiding immunizations for religious reasons.

The drop off in immunizations follows a national trend that concerns doctors, health insurers and school administrators and is prompting states like Connecticut to weigh taking action.

According to information from the Connecticut Department of Public Health, 98.8 percent of Connecticut’s kindergartners were immunized against measles, mumps and rubella in the 2013-2014 school year. That dropped to 96.5 percent last year.

Vaccinations of kindergartners for diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, dropped from 98.8 percent in the 2013-2014 school year to 96.5 percent in the last school year.

House Gives Final Approval to Pilot Hemp Program

Comings & Goings: Row House Opens at Compo Acres

State: Greens Farms Tops, Saugatuck Lowest in Measles Vaccination Rate

Health District Keeping Eye on Measles Case

Third Case of Measles This Year Confirmed in Connecticut

Judiciary Committee Green Lights Marijuana Legislation

Town Hall Roundtable on Opioid Use Draws Crowd

Recreational Marijuana Bill Clears First Major Hurdle

Clinics Resume With New Health District Hire

CT Doctors, Insurers Concerned About Dropping Vaccination Rate

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