Ohio
Ohio Catholic bishops warn against ‘unfounded gossip’ and ‘scapegoating’ of Haitian immigrants
Watch Springfield city manager refute viral immigrants claims
Bryan Heck, Springfield city manager, addressed the media and called into question statements about the growing Haitian immigrant population.
The Catholic Conference of Ohio, which represents bishops from diocesan groups across the state, published a letter Thursday asking for the public to treat Haitian immigrants in Springfield with respect and dignity, warning against “unfounded gossip” and “scapegoating.”
“Today, our nation is divided by partisanship and ideology, which blind us to the image of God in our neighbor, especially the unborn, the poor, and the stranger, the letter reads. “These negative sentiments are only exacerbated by gossip, which can spread quickly across social media with no concern for the truth or those involved.”
Bishops from Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland, Toledo, Steubenville, Youngstown, Parma and Canton signed the letter, released in anticipation of the World Day of Migrants and Refugees on Sept. 29. The Catholic Conference is an umbrella organization representing “the Church’s position before the Ohio General Assembly, various state departments, bureaus, agencies and other organizations.”
Haitian immigrants living in Springfield were thrust into the national spotlight earlier in September when prominent conservative figures, including former president Donald Trump and his running mate Sen. JD Vance, began spreading unfounded rumors that the immigrants were eating pets and wildlife.
Schools, businesses, and public buildings in Springfield have faced evacuations after receiving a flood of threats since the community gained the national spotlight, The Dispatch previously reported.
Against this backdrop, Ohio’s Catholic bishops asked people to recognize the immigrants’ “infinite dignity” and integrate the newcomers into Springfield’s social fabric.
“Like all people, these Haitians should be afforded the respect and dignity that are theirs by right and allowed the ability to contribute to the common good,” the religious leaders wrote.
Vance, who converted to Catholicism in adulthood, said he does not regret spreading the baseless claims because they brought attention to the issue of immigration.
“If I have to create stories so that the American media actually pays attention to the suffering of the American people then that’s what I’m going to do,” Vance told CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday, USA TODAY previously reported.
The bishops, citing a passage in scripture, called for the Catholic faithful and “all people of goodwill” not to perpetuate ill will based on unfounded gossip in their Thursday letter.
“Instead, we ask for prayers and support for all the people of Springfield as they integrate their new Haitian neighbors and build a better future together,” the bishops wrote.
Catholicism is one of the more popular religions in Haiti, with an estimated 35 percent of residents identifying as Catholic, according to the U.S. Department of State.
Brian Hickey, the executive director of the Catholic Conference of Ohio, released a statement alongside the letter, praising Gov. Mike DeWine, local officials, local organizations and the state’s Catholics for providing resources to Springfield.
“We are proud of Catholics throughout Ohio who give their time, talent, and treasure for their immigrant neighbors, recognizing that the Gospel of Jesus Christ transcends countries, cultures, and languages,” Hickey said in the statement.
NHart@dispatch.com
@NathanRHart
Ohio
Sieh Bangura runs for 149 yards and a score, helps Ohio beat UNLV 17-10 in Frisco Bowl
FRISCO, Texas (AP) — Sieh Bangura rushed for 149 yards and a touchdown and Ohio beat UNLV 17-10 on Tuesday night to win the Frisco Bowl.
The Bobcats (9-4) have won their last seven bowl games — dating to 2017 — after losing eight of their first 10.
Defensive coordinator and interim head coach John Hauser led Ohio to this victory after head coach Brian Smith was fired earlier in the month for having an affair with an undergraduate student.
Ohio’s Parker Navarro had a 5-yard touchdown run on a quarterback keeper five minutes into the second quarter for the only score of the first half. The lead was 6-0 after David Dellenbach’s extra-point kick hit the right upright.
UNLV (10-4) had a first down on the Bobcats’ 33-yard line with 32 second left, but DJ Walker picked off an Anthony Colandrea pass in the end zone to keep it 6-0.
Bangura scored on a 23-yard run less than four minutes into the third quarter, and Navarro passed to Chase Hendricks for the two-point conversion and a 14-0 lead.
Hendricks muffed a punt at the end of UNLV’s first possession and Kayden McGee recovered at the Ohio 30. The Rebels settled for a career-long 50-yard field goal by Ramon Villela to cut it to 14-3.
Dellenbach kicked a 45-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter, but Colandrea scored on a fourth-and-goal run from the 2 to get the Rebels within 17-10 with 4:45 remaining. UNLV never got the ball back in falling to 4-4 all time in bowl games.
Navarro completed 11 of 15 passes for 143 yards with an interception. Bangura did his damage on 19 carries.
Colandrea totaled 184 yards on 19-for-30 passing.
UNLV had the nation’s longest run of scoring at least 20 points end at 35 games.
___
Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
Ohio
Ohio AG on human trafficking: It’s not rich and poor, it’s literally all around us
COLUMBUS, Ohio — For the second time in two years, the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force and the Steubenville Police Department have joined forces to combat human trafficking crimes.
In October, the operation led to the arrest of eight individuals for sex trafficking offenses, including men from Follansbee and St. Clairsville.
Earlier, in July 2024, 10 men from Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia were apprehended and charged with solicitation and possession of criminal tools.
“It just goes to show that human trafficking happens everywhere,” Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said. “This isn’t a big city thing, it happens in small towns, it happens out in the country. It’s not rich and poor, it’s literally all around us.
“I am hopeful that the message is going out around Ohio and Steubenville and the Mahoning Valley — Don’t Buy Sex in Ohio!”
He also highlighted the support provided to survivors during these operations.
“We always have social service providers that partner with us that are on site. So, whether it’s something simple like a meal or a shower or something as necessary as an addiction treatment bed — we’re there to try and help provide the resource,” Yost added.
BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT
For those affected by human trafficking, a victim services directory is available here.
Ohio
3 kids lead police on Ohio car chase after learning to steal vehicles on YouTube: officials
NEWBURGH HEIGHTS, Ohio — Three kids, ages 12, 11, and 8, led Ohio police on a chase in a stolen car on Saturday, according to police.
According to the Newburgh Heights Police Department, an 11-year-old was driving a car that was stolen from Parma, WEWS reported.
Officers chased the car on Harvard Avenue west over the Denison Bridge. Shortly after the chase began, the car crashed into a house on Denison Avenue, police said.
No injuries were reported.
Newburgh Heights PD said two brothers, an 8-year-old and an 11-year-old, along with a 12-year-old, began running from the police.
After police caught them, the kids told officers they watched YouTube videos to learn how to steal cars, police said.
According to the department, the boys were released to their parents, and police will file charges in juvenile court.
Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.
-
Iowa1 week agoAddy Brown motivated to step up in Audi Crooks’ absence vs. UNI
-
Maine1 week agoElementary-aged student killed in school bus crash in southern Maine
-
Maryland1 week agoFrigid temperatures to start the week in Maryland
-
New Mexico1 week agoFamily clarifies why they believe missing New Mexico man is dead
-
South Dakota1 week agoNature: Snow in South Dakota
-
Detroit, MI1 week ago‘Love being a pedo’: Metro Detroit doctor, attorney, therapist accused in web of child porn chats
-
Health1 week ago‘Aggressive’ new flu variant sweeps globe as doctors warn of severe symptoms
-
Massachusetts1 week agoMIT professor Nuno F.G. Loureiro, a 47-year-old physicist and fusion scientist, shot and killed in his home in Brookline, Mass. | Fortune