Brooke Wohlrabe

FAIRMONT-- Easier parking? Outdoor dining? Greenspace? The city of Fairmont is in the midst of seeking public input on potential downtown improvements via a survey. The survey, which can be taken online from a desktop or cell phone, went live late this week and will stay up until Sept. 11.

FAIRMONT-- Hailing from Bacup, Lancashire, England, James Butterworth has visited Fairmont several times in recent years and has no plans to stop returning.

FAIRMONT-- Pickleball courts in Fairmont were the focus of the city council meeting on Monday as the council made several decisions regarding the project, including location and size.

FAIRMONT--The Fairmont City Council held a second workshop on Tuesday to discuss the 2027 budget. The meeting really served as a continuation of the review of Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) projects that are either scheduled or proposed to be done in 2027 and included in that budget.

FAIRMONT-- Aug. 31 marks the last day at the Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce for Kandi Menne. She's been with the chamber for 11 years, the last four as president.

FAIRMONT-- The Fairmont City Council held its third budget workshop on Tuesday morning and the focus of this one was on the general fund and proposed 2027 tax levy. Right now, the city is looking at a proposed levy increase of 11.9 percent with the estimated property tax rate impact being a 5.8 percent increase.

TRUMAN-- The Truman City Council heard a number of updates on Tuesday dealing with economic development and public works. It also looked at the 2027 budget and levy.

FAIRMONT-- In another effort to seek input from the public and share potential plans, the city of Fairmont held a community open house on Thursday regarding the downtown improvement project.

FAIRMONT-- The Martin County Board of Commissioners held a budget workshop on Friday and they spent the majority of it talking about the cost of health insurance renewals and the impact it will have on the 2027 budget. Currently, the 2027 preliminary budget has the county taking on 18 percent of the rate increase.

FAIRMONT-- A tour of various county roads was taken on Friday afternoon by the Martin County Board of Commissioners. The tour, which made a few stops at county bridges, was led by County Engineer, Kevin Peyman.