Midwest
Springfield pastors speak out on Haitian refugee challenges: 'The suffering is real'
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — Two local pastors spoke to Fox News Digital about the ministry challenges facing their town that has been thrust into the national spotlight after viral videos of residents complaining of disturbing behavior from Haitian refugees who have settled in the area.
“I think the biggest change that we’ve seen happen has just been sort of a breakdown in the trust of the community and some basic civility has also broken down a little bit,” BJ Newman, a pastor in Springfield, Ohio, told Fox News Digital from Springfield’s Snyder Park on Thursday. “I think the reason for that is because there have been so many changes so quickly…. In the 2020 census, there was about 50,000, a little north of that, residents here, now we have, numbers I have been reading, between 15,000 and 20,000 additional immigrants have arrived.”
The comments come as the town where Newman works has been thrust into the national spotlight, attention that has only grown since Ohio Sen. JD Vance and former President Donald Trump highlighted the town in back-to-back days earlier this week.
On Monday, Vance took to social media to write about the town, claiming that “people have had their pets abducted and eaten by people who shouldn’t be in this country.”
HAITIAN REFUGEES ‘DON’T UNDERSTAND THE LAWS,’ LAWMAKER SAYS AMID FATAL WRECK, CULTURAL CLASHES
Local Springfield, Ohio, pastor BJ Newman. (Fox News – Michael Lee)
Trump doubled down on the claim during Tuesday’s debate, arguing that Haitian refugees in Springfield are “eating the dogs, the people that came in, they’re eating the cats.”
“They’re eating the pets of the people that live there, and this is what’s happening in our country, and it’s a shame,” Trump said in a response to a question about immigration.
Many local leaders rushed to the town’s defense, disputing what has become a widespread claim.
Newman also expressed frustration with the claim, arguing that it has distracted from real issues being faced by Springfield locals as they try to adjust to the boom in the town’s population.
“I think the suffering is real,” Newman said. “One of the reasons that I wanted to speak to this is because I am a pastor, and because I am seeing the local people that I’m ministering to are being affected by it.”
At the heart of the issue, Newman argued, is how quickly the makeup of the town changed, exacerbating cultural differences that have led to tensions between longtime locals and the growing population of refugees from Haiti.
RESIDENTS OF SPRINGFIELD, OHIO ATTEND CITY COUNCIL MEETING TO SHARE FRUSTRATION ABOUT MIGRANT CRISIS HITTING THEIR COMMUNITY
This is the lake where geese have allegedly been poached and slaughtered by Haitian refugees. (Michael Lee/ Fox News Digital)
“I think most people here in Springfield are good people, I think most people here are very kind and hospitable people. And I do think that the massive influx in such a short time has created real stress, real friction, and ultimately, I think that’s the source of all of the difficulty,” Newman said.
That friction has increasingly bubbled up among longtime residents, who have attended city council meetings to attempt to voice their concerns about the influx.
Locals have specifically pointed to road safety issues, arguing that many immigrant drivers have been found responsible for many recent crashes, including some of which have been fatal.
“The driving in town is horrendous,” former Ohio Republican State Rep. Kyle Koehler told Fox News Digital, adding that much of that can be chalked up to cultural differences and the fact that many immigrants have arrived in Springfield with no license and very little experience driving.
In one high profile incident last August, a school bus with dozens of children collided with a minivan, resulting in over 20 injuries to students on board and one fatality, Aiden Clark.
Hermanio Joseph, a Haitian immigrant, was found responsible for the accident and was later found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and vehicular homicide.
A Haitian community center in Springfield, Ohio. (Michael Lee/Fox News Digital)
FOCUS GROUP REACTS TO TRUMP CLAIM THAT MIGRANTS ARE ‘EATING THE DOGS’ IN OHIO TOWN
“That traumatized this community,” Newman said of the fatal crash. “We mobilized pretty quickly in my role as a minister, and we had to work really hard to do some counseling and to intervene. And I think what that did was that shown a bright flashing star, like ‘wait a second, what’s going on here.’”
However, as some residents mobilized to push back against the influx, others began mounting an effort to defend the Haitian refugees.
At an event across town later Thursday, other religious leaders in town gathered at Springfield’s Covenant Presbyterian Church to highlight their efforts to welcome and assist the growing number of Haitian refugees.
One of those attending the event was First Baptist Church Reverend Adam Banks, who told Fox News Digital that tension in Springfield is expected but can be overcome.
“There’s tension in the community, much like the ways that tension has arisen in the past when there have been new members to move into an established area,” Banks said.
Banks chalked up the current tension in Springfield to a “lack of understanding” and “familiarity” between two cultures not used to each other, but argued that also means there are “more people who are available to share their gifts” and assist with “services in the community.”
A sign welcoming motorists to the city of Springfield, Ohio. (Michael Lee/Fox News Digital)
Banks, who said some members of the Haitian community have attended his services, argued that refugees should be welcomed by the community instead of shunned.
“They have joined right in helping with the sound system, sharing special music, sharing their lovely voices, reading scripture, providing leadership in various capacities in the congregation,” Banks said, adding that he will continue to “welcome” people who “want to celebrate the gift that each person brings and magnify God.”
First Baptist Church Reverend Adam Banks. (Fox News – Michael Lee)
“We do not need any more false information being shared, that really display a fear we have for those that we don’t understand,” Banks said.
Meanwhile, Newman argued that those who have been members of the community for a long time should be able to be part of the conversation, though they are typically dismissed for voicing any concerns.
“I think there’s a larger narrative… that says the only compassionate response in a situation like this is you accept all of these immigrants and shut up. Any sense of raising our hand and saying ‘wait a second, we weren’t considered, we’re suffering her too.’ And the response is something like… you’re racist or you’re a bigot, why are you so anti-immigrant,” Newman said.
Read the full article from Here
Article Summary
- In an annual May ceremony, friends, family and supporters of law enforcement honored two Illinois police officers who died in the line of duty in 2025.
- The event included a squad car processional and interfaith church service, ending in a ceremony at the Illinois Police Officers Memorial outside the state capitol.
- Seven historic honorees and one K-9 historic honoree were also included.
This summary was written by the reporters and editors who worked on this story.
In a ceremony at the state Capitol, family, friends and supporters honored the lives of two law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty in 2025.
The ceremony honored Officer Krystal Rivera of the Chicago Police Department and Detective Tim Jones of the Park Forest Police Department. Held annually on the first Thursday in May, the event is a tradition to honor law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty the previous calendar year.
“Today, as we remember your brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, coworkers and friends who lost their lives in the line of duty, let us not remember them as indestructible superheroes that we may envision as children,” state Attorney General Kwame Raoul said. “Let’s remember them as human beings, in all their vulnerabilities and susceptibilities, who chose to take on the risk of the ultimate sacrifice to make others’ lives safer.”
This year’s memorial also included seven historic honorees who died from 1852 to 1936 and one K-9 honoree, Bear, who died in 1987.
“These officers represent the very best of what it means to be a public servant,” said Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias. “They came from different communities, different departments and different backgrounds, but they were united by a common goal: to protect people they may never meet, to run toward danger while others run away and to always put service above themselves.”
In an emotional address, Giannoulias also spoke of “fellow Greek American” CPD Officer John Bartholomew, who was shot and killed while on duty in April. Bartholomew’s visitation and funeral services are set to take place this weekend.
State Treasurer Michael Frerichs also gave a short speech, speaking on his family history with law enforcement and loss: “I’m invited here today because it’s my title. I come here today because of family.”
Frerichs encouraged families of fallen officers to apply to the Fallen Heroes Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarships to children who lost a parent in the line of duty.
The event included a squad car procession at the state fairgrounds and an interfaith church service at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception, ending in the ceremony at the Illinois Police Officers Memorial on the grounds of the state Capitol.
The mayor of Springfield, Misty Buscher, and the families of two 2025 honorees — Illinois State Police trooper Corey Thompsen and Chicago Police officer James Crowley — also spoke. Gov. JB Pritzker, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton and Comptroller Susana Mendoza were unable to attend.
Crowley’s sister Beth Carter gave a critical address, calling for reforms to the beneficiary system that she said left her with legal issues when her brother, a former police officer who was permanently injured while on duty, and her mother died within a month of each other.
Thompsen’s parents and brother also called for legislative reform. Thompsen was hit and killed by a driver who was later issued two tickets for an expired license and failure to yield. His family asked lawmakers to enact stricter consequences for crashes resulting in death and to communicate with other states about such events.
“If someone causes a crash that kills another person, there needs to be more of a consequence than two paid tickets for $500 each. We feel that the state of Illinois should notify the other state where the original license was issued, reporting that a fatality is caused by this person with an expired driver’s license,” Thompsen’s brother Ryan said. “As the state’s attorney told us, you won’t find any satisfaction here in the courthouse. How true that was.”
The Illinois Police Officers Memorial Committee, formed in 1987, organizes and maintains the monument located on the grounds of the Capitol. The memorial is self-funded and underwent a renovation and re-dedication in 2021.
Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service that distributes state government coverage to hundreds of news outlets statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.
ROCHESTER, Ind. (WISH) — An Indiana Silver Alert was issued Wednesday afternoon for a 16-year-old boy who has been missing for hours.
Kipton Harris was last seen about 1 p.m. Wednesday in Rochester, the alert said. The Fulton County city of 6,100 residents located about a 110-minute drive north of downtown Indianapolis.
Authorities believe Kipton may be in or traveling to the downtown Indianapolis area.
Kipton was believed to be in extreme danger and may require medical assistance. He was described as 5 feet 5 inches tall and 145 pounds, with red hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing a light-colored shirt, camouflage pants, and black and white shoes.
The public was urged to contact the Rochester Police Department at 574-223-2819 or call 911 with any information regarding his whereabouts.
CONESVILLE, Iowa (KCRG) – A former Conesville city clerk has pleaded guilty to theft and financial crimes after a state audit found nearly $66,000 in improper payments she allegedly made to herself and her family.
Yamira Martinez, of Columbus Junction, pleaded guilty to ongoing criminal conduct, unauthorized use of a credit card over $10,000, and first-degree theft. A forgery charge will be dismissed under the plea agreement.
Martinez served as Conesville’s city clerk from June 2022 through March 2024. Officials in Conesville requested an audit from State Auditor Rob Sand, which covered the period of July 1, 2022, through April 30, 2024.
Sand’s audit found nearly $66,000 in improper payments, more than $53,000 in uncollected and undeposited utility billings, and more than $7,500 in unsupported payments.
“Miss Martinez was interviewed about this. She stated that the 24 checks that were unauthorized payroll and were made to appear like payroll checks, she admitted, were unauthorized. She also stated that the checks were for her kids. When she was asked about personal Amazon purchases, she stated that that was her fault,” Sand said.
The nearly $66,000 in improper payments includes more than $45,000 in payroll and reimbursements paid to Martinez, as well as nearly $12,500 in purchases made using the city’s debit card.
According to Sand’s office, it is unknown whether additional utility transactions were improperly recorded or if there were additional improper payments, as city records were not well-maintained.
Martinez was originally charged with two counts of ongoing criminal conduct, two counts of theft, and two counts related to forgery and fraud.
Martinez is scheduled to be sentenced July 10 at the Muscatine County Courthouse.
Copyright 2026 KCRG. All rights reserved.
-
Alaska6 minutes agoOpinion: Alaskans pay global prices and get little in return. Here’s how to fix it.
-
Arizona12 minutes agoNew Arizona State coach Randy Bennett ‘catching my stride’ after health issue arose in March
-
Arkansas18 minutes agoArkansas Nat’l Guard recognizes Soldiers life preserving actions after mishap
-
California24 minutes agoCDFW News | California Red-Legged Frog Recovery Reaches 10-Year Milestone in Yosemite
-
Colorado30 minutes agoMan who killed demonstrator in Colorado firebombing sentenced to life in prison
-
Connecticut36 minutes agoHow Connecticut malls are reinventing themselves to compete in the retail world
-
Delaware42 minutes ago3rd victim dies following quadruple shooting in Wilmington, Delaware
-
Florida48 minutes agoFlorida man arrested for tossing away newborn kittens accused of threatening family member: ‘Dead man walking’