Maryland

Women’s Health Center Opening In The Abortion Desert Of Western Maryland

Published

1 year ago

June 8, 2023

Press Room

Women’s Health Center Opening In The Abortion Desert Of Western Maryland

Handouts with the Women’s Health Center’s theme at the opening ceremony.

Judy Stone

Cumberland, in Allegany County, is beautiful—rural and relatively isolated, set in the foothills of the Appalachians. I practiced here for 25 years and still live here. Allegany is also one of the least healthy counties in Maryland, ranking 21 of 24. We are relatively poor and there is almost no public transportation. It’s been difficult to access any specialized care.

The new Women’s Health Center of Maryland held its ribbon-cutting this week. It promises to bring a greatly needed range of services to the region, including abortion. The clinic is being launched by the Women’s Health Center of West Virginia staff, which was forced to stop doing abortions in West Virginia after a near-total abortion ban there. The decision to relocate abortion services to western Maryland was very strategic—the clinic is south of Cumberland, a few miles from Keyser, West Virginia. It will fill an abortion desert, serving women from our state, southwestern Pennsylvania, and Ohio, which also now is restricting women’s access to care. The clinic notes it will provide a phased approach to gradually increase services, beginning with medical and surgical abortions, contraception, and STI testing and treatment. They will add breast and cervical cancer screening and gender-affirming hormone therapy soon.

In the first 100 days after the June 24, 2022, Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision overturning Roe v. Wade, the Guttmacher Institute found that at least 66 clinics across 15 states stopped performing abortions. Now, “22 million women and girls of reproductive age in the US now live in states where abortion access is heavily restricted, and often totally inaccessible,” according to Human Rights Watch.

Even with MD Governor Moore declaring Maryland as a “safe haven” for those seeking an abortion, it’s not been easy for women here. While Maryland will have a constitutional amendment vote next year enshrining the right to abortion, our local representatives oppose this — even standing in opposition to allowing their constituents to vote. (McKay is also known, however, for wanting a vote in the western counties to secede from Maryland and join West Virginia). State Senator Mike McKay is ardently anti-choice; he and local commissioners have made their opposition to the clinic known. There were about a dozen all male protesters standing along the edge of the road holding signs and yelling at times. The clinic was well-prepared for this and there was no disruption.

On the other hand, Rep. David Trone spoke passionately at the ribbon cutting about our need to vote in light of the rightward shift of the Supreme Court. He emphasized that “Abortion rights are human rights.”

Celebrating the new Women’s Health Clinic of Maryland—Cresta Kowalski, Rep. Trone, Kaylen Barker, … [+] Ramsie Monk, and Katie Quiñonez

Sasha Galbreath, Rep. Trone’s office

The president of Mountain Maryland Alliance for Reproductive Freedom, a nonpartisan, grassroots group of people from Allegany and Garrett counties. Cresta Kowalski, said, “This day is a day of celebration. The Women’s Health Center of Maryland will be a beacon of hope and light to people who’ve been in darkness for way too long.

She became teary as she noted that the LGBTQIA+ community, including her child, will now have “opportunities to receive gender-affirming health care by professionals in a non-judgemental and compassionate manner. They will no longer be wanting for care, in the darkness, but will have a place of hope and dignity in our rural community.”

Physician’s perspective

As a practicing physician, because of aggressive protesters in Hagerstown, I preferred referring women to clinics in Baltimore for safe abortions. But that is a several-hour drive, and Hagerstown’s clinic, with its more limited services, is almost 70 miles away and is very difficult for poor women without a car.

As a physician, I have cared for women who have had serious infections from a botched abortion. I am also aware of women forced to carry and deliver fetuses with fatal abnormalities (e.g., anencephaly, where part of the skull and brain are missing) because local hospitals refused to allow a late-term termination.

Some years ago, I strongly opposed the merger of the two local hospitals—Sacred Heart and Memorial Hospitals— because that would have put all health care in western Maryland under the restrictions of the Catholic church, with no accessible options. The proposed merger would have prohibited not only abortions, but vital contraceptives, tubal ligations, administration of Depot Provera (a long-acting contraceptive), and distribution of condoms, as well as affecting end-of-life care. (The prohibition on tubals would have forced women to go out of town and have a 2^nd anesthesia and operation after their delivery). Counseling about HIV and STD prevention would have been prohibited. Due to the need for women study participants to be on effective contraception, many clinical trials for new medications would not have been allowed, severely limiting patients’ access to state-of-the- art care.

Wayne Goldner, MD, a retired abortion provider I have known for decades, applauded the decision to open a full women’s reproductive health clinic in Cumberland. He reiterated that by “Making abortion illegal or hard to obtain, the number of abortions does not go down, but morbidity and mortality goes up.

Women will have abortions no matter what the law says.” These restrictions “hurt the poor, single and minorities the most.” And, Goldner stressed, we should remember that such clinics save women’s lives each day.

For decades, my stance has been that healthcare decisions should be a medical decision between a patient and their physician and not dictated by anyone else’s personal or religious beliefs. It is great to see that coming to fruition in Maryland—particularly in our relatively depressed and isolated rural area.

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Maryland

Crash involving MD police officer serves as drunken driving warning this holiday

Published

1 hour ago

November 22, 2024

Press Room

Crash involving MD police officer serves as drunken driving warning this holiday

A Maryland police officer was struck head on by a suspected drunken driver while on duty early Thursday morning.

The Laurel officer’s SUV was struck by a dark-colored Kia about 2:30 a.m. on Van Dusen Road near Laurel Oaks Lane while he was responding to a call, police said. The officer was taken to a hospital and is home recovering.

“As he was traveling towards 95, he saw a vehicle coming towards him,” Deputy Police Chief Mark Plazinski said. “That vehicle crossed the double yellow line. He tried to avoid the vehicle, but it struck him head on.”

Plazinski said it was an incredibly close call and the officer is lucky to be alive.

The suspect was not injured. He was cited for driving under the influence, police said.

“I implore everybody, you know, if you’re gonna be drinking, make sure you have a sober driver,” Plazinski said. “If you’re hosting a party, make sure your guests have a sober ride home. Take a taxi; take a ride share.”

In December 2015, Montgomery County police Officer Noah Leotta was struck and fatally injured by a drunken driver while working on a holiday DUI enforcement task force. His death led to Noah’s Law, passed in 2016, which requires ignition interlock devices to be installed in the cars of those convicted of drunken driving in Maryland. A loophole allowing thousands of drunken drivers to avoid the program every year was closed in the latest Maryland legislative session.

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Maryland

Iowa at Maryland Best Bet: Odds, Predictions, Recent Stats, and Trends for November 23rd

Published

11 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Press Room

Iowa at Maryland Best Bet: Odds, Predictions, Recent Stats, and Trends for November 23rd

Iowa Hawkeyes (6-4, 4-3 Big Ten) vs. Maryland Terrapins (4-6, 1-6 Big Ten) Preview:

The 6-4 Iowa Hawkeyes travel to College Park, Maryland, to take on the 4-6 Terrapins.

Some may think Iowa’s six wins at this point of the season is bad. However, the Hawkeyes should not be discouraged. This was a season in which they had to replace key members on the defense and implement an entirely new offensive system.

They have had some bright moments, including their road win in Minnesota and a thumping of Washington, Wisconsin, and Northwestern.

They will also be looking to bounce back from their road loss to UCLA prior to last week’s bye.

With their success, there must be some discussion about Kaleb Johnson. The junior running back has moved higher on draft boards with great play this season. The Ohio native has rushed for 1,328 yards and 20 touchdowns. His 1,328 yards lead the Big Ten, and the closest player to him is still nearly 300 yards away.

The season for Maryland was always going to be a challenge replacing the production of Taulia Tagovailoa. Billy Edwards Jr has been good in his stead. He’s thrown for 2,855 yards and 15 touchdowns.

The issue for Maryland this season has been on the defensive side of the ball. They will need to sure up their defense if they wish to pick up their second Big Ten win of the season.

Bet the Edge is your source for all things sports betting. Get all of Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick’s insights weekdays at 6 AM ET right here or wherever you get your favorite podcasts.

Game Details & How to Watch Iowa vs. Maryland:

Date: Saturday, November 23, 2024
Time: 12:00 PM EST
Site: Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium (Byrd Stadium)
City: College Park, MD
TV/Streaming: Big Ten Network

Game Odds for Iowa at Maryland via BetMGM:

Moneyline: Iowa (-230), Maryland (+195)
Spread: Iowa -6.5
Total Over/Under: 45.5

BetMGM College Football Insights: Odds to make Playoffs

Line movement (Open to Now)

Indiana +15000 to -500
Tennessee +180 to -135
Colorado +2000 to -120

Betting Insights and Predictions
NBC Sports Bet’s Brad Thomas is leaning towards Over 45.5 points…

Thomas: “Auto betting the under on Iowa is a thing of the past. They are scoring more this season, and their defense is noticeably worse. It’s likely hard to believe, but Iowa is 8-2 to the over this season. Maryland is 7-3. These teams both give up too many points. The over will consistently be in play.

Names to Know for Iowa vs. Maryland:

Iowa Hawkeyes: RB Kaleb Johnson—Johnson, one of the top running backs in this upcoming NFL Draft, has been the offense for the Iowa Hawkeyes. He has a Big Ten-leading 1,328 yards. Johnson averages 7.1 yards per carry and has found the endzone 21 times.
Maryland Terrapins: QB Billy Edwards Jr. – Edwards Jr. has thrown for 2,885 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions.

Rotoworld has you covered with all the latest player news from the NFL and MLB. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Betting Trends & Insights Ahead of Iowa at Maryland:

Iowa is 8-2 to the OVER this season
Maryland is 7-3 to the OVER this season
Maryland has covered in its last 3 games as a home underdog
Iowa has lost 4 of its last 5 on the road

For more betting analysis and insights, follow our experts on social media:

– Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)

– Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

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Maryland

November 21 Colder Winds Bring Snow To Central Maryland And Winter Storm Warning In The Mountains – Just In Weather

Published

19 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Press Room

November 21 Colder Winds Bring Snow To Central Maryland And Winter Storm Warning In The Mountains – Just In Weather

November 21, 2024

Thursday Morning Report

The squall line last night validated and even overachieved expectations. Winds gusted over 50 mph in many areas AND much needed rainfall added up to 0.94” in Baltimore through midnight. More was added afterward.

Colder air and a large upper-level trough will settle in Pennsylvania on Friday. This will bring in a taste of winter. The expectations for snow have now expanded to Central Maryland, and yes, it might be cold enough for some stickage on grassy areas.

A Winter Storm Warning is in place for the high mountains of far Western Maryland and West Virginia. Snow is still expected to reach 1-foot accumulation along with 50 mph winds.

Let’s take a look……

Morning Surface Weather

Storm 1, which brought us rain and wind, is moving away and sending much-needed rain to the drought areas of Metro New York and New England.

Storm 2 is the main event that will pivot from the Great Lakes and nearly stall in Pennsylvania on Friday. This will include a strong upper-level source of cold air and instability. Snow will spread our way and enhance over the Appalachian mountains.

Weather Preview

Storm Animation Today through Saturday Night

Watch the main storm spin in PA and pivot the next wave of energy that will enhance the snow on Friday, then pull away this weekend.

November 21 weather snow rain storm

Jet Stream Friday Morning

The core of the cold air will be over our region. There is a trough swinging through the Southeast US with enough enhanced energy to develop snow.

November 21 weather jet stream cold Friday

Snow and Rain Mix Friday

Notice the blue shading (snow) into metro Baltimore. A closer look is below.

TODAY

Wind Forecast 7 AM to 7 PM

November 21 weather wind forecast Thursday

Wind Gusts at Noon

The stronger winds will be moving east, so it will be less windy this afternoon.

November 21 weather wind forecast Thursday noon

Radar Simulation: Noon to Midnight

There will be some showers with rain and maybe flakes after dark.

Heavy snow will get going in the mountains.

November 21 weather rain snow radar Thursday

Afternoon Temperatures

November 21 weather temperatures Thursday afternoon

Radar Simulation Tonight

7 PM Wed to 7 AM Thu

CLIMATE DATA: Baltimore

TODAY November 21

Sunrise at 6:57 AM

Sunset at 4:48 PM

Normal Low in Baltimore: 35ºF

Record 16ºF in 1951

Normal High in Baltimore: 55ºF

Record 79ºF 1900

Baltimore Drought Update

0.94” of rain fell Thursday… The updated deficit:
6.66 inches BELOW AVERAGE rainfall since September 1st
7.12 inches BELOW AVERAGE rainfall since January 1st
THE BURN BAN REMAINS IN PLACE

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 22

Turning colder with developing snow from the North, and it will reach the northern suburbs during the morning.

Snow will mix with rain near and south of Baltimore.

Heavy snow will be raging in the mountains.

Morning Temperatures

November 21 weather temperatures Friday morning

Morning Radar Simulation

November 21 weather snow radar Friday morning

Radar Forecast 7 AM to Midnight

November 21 weather snow radar Friday

Winds At Noon

November 21 weather wind forecast Friday noon

Afternoon Radar

November 21 weather snow radar Friday afternoon

Afternoon Temperatures

November 21 weather temperatures Friday afternoon

WINTER STORM WARNING

This includes Garrett County, MD, and the high mountains of PA and WV.

Snow 6 to 12+ inches with wind gusts to 50 mph.

Note this is over the extreme drought region and is much needed.

November 21 Winter Storm Warning Snow

Snow Roads Profile

November 21 snow forecast Maryland road profile

Snow Forecast Models

There is a lot of agreement between the GFS and ECMWF.

Yes, I see a dusting or more on the grassy areas north of Baltimore.

GFS

November 21 weather snow forecast GFS

ECMWF

November 21 weather snow forecast ECMWF

NAM 3Km

November 21 weather snow forecast NAM

In Case You Missed It

My Winter Outlook Report

Winter 2024 to 2025 Snow Forecast Maryland Pennsylvania Virginia West Virginia Delaware

7 Day Forecast

Colder air will continue to spill in through Saturday.
Some rain showers later today with a mix of flakes.
Heavy snow develops in the mountains.
Snow and mixed showers will expand into Central Maryland on Friday.
Briefly mild early next week. Then, rain on Wednesday may set up a colder Thanksgiving storm.

November 21 weather forecast 7 day Friday

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SCHEDULE A WEATHER BASED STEM ASSEMBLY

Severe Weather: Storm Smart October and next spring

Winter Weather FITF (Faith in the Flakes): November To March

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School Weather Assemblies Storm Smart FITF

THANK YOU:

Baltimore Magazine Readers Choice Best Of Baltimore

Maryland Trek 11 Day 7 Completed Sat August 10

We raised OVER $104,000 for Just In Power Kids – AND Still Collecting More

The annual event: Hiking and biking 329 miles in 7 days between The Summit of Wisp to Ocean City.

Each day, we honor a kid and their family’s cancer journey.

Fundraising is for Just In Power Kids: Funding Free Holistic Programs. I never have and never will take a penny. It is all for our nonprofit to operate.

Click here or the image to donate:

RESTATING MY MESSAGE ABOUT DYSLEXIA

I am aware there are some spelling and grammar typos and occasional other glitches. I take responsibility for my mistakes and even the computer glitches I may miss. I have made a few public statements over the years, but if you are new here, you may have missed it: I have dyslexia and found out during my second year at Cornell University. It didn’t stop me from getting my meteorology degree and being the first to get the AMS CBM in the Baltimore/Washington region.

One of my professors told me that I had made it that far without knowing and to not let it be a crutch going forward. That was Mark Wysocki, and he was absolutely correct! I do miss my mistakes in my own proofreading. The autocorrect spell check on my computer sometimes does an injustice to make it worse. I also can make mistakes in forecasting. No one is perfect at predicting the future. All of the maps and information are accurate. The ‘wordy’ stuff can get sticky.

There has been no editor who can check my work while writing and to have it ready to send out in a newsworthy timeline. Barbara Werner is a member of the web team that helps me maintain this site. She has taken it upon herself to edit typos when she is available. That could be AFTER you read this. I accept this and perhaps proves what you read is really from me… It’s part of my charm. #FITF

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