Ohio
How driving lessons are helping Ohio’s Haitians: ‘Things are getting better’
Slowly and carefully, Betina, who came from Haiti to Ohio in 2021, navigates a Toyota SUV between five traffic cones in a parking lot north-west of Springfield.
Betina, who works for a produce processing company, has never driven before. But now, four years into life in Springfield, she has grasped the challenge of learning to drive.
“I live close to my job, so driving is not that big a deal,” she says.
“But I’m taking these classes because when I want to go to Columbus or Dayton, I can drive myself there.”
Sitting in the passenger seat is driving instructor Josue Pierre, who came to Springfield two years ago, calmly delivering guidance in Haitian Creole.
“Many Haitians had been complaining that when they took the driving test and failed, they were then sent to take the abbreviated adult driver training online, but most of them don’t speak English,” Pierre says later.
“By doing the in-person course with the help of a Creole speaker, that helped them a lot.”
For years, longtime Springfield residents have shown up at city council meetings to complain to authorities about how Haitian drivers were allegedly driving dangerously around the town. Stories emerged of people, allegedly Haitians, accidentally driving into church buildings. Others were blamed for accidents causing deaths and at one point last year, as many as 2,300 Haitians were thought to be driving without licenses in Springfield’s Clark county.
The tragic death of an 11-year-old student whose school bus was hit by a Haitian man driving without a valid license in August 2023, played a major role in Haitians becoming a target for a national debate on immigration during last year’s presidential election campaign.
But recent months have seen significant efforts under way to solve an issue that has been used to shape the Trump administration’s drastic immigration policies.
“The motivation came from getting a lot of calls from Haitian folks asking if we offered our classes in languages they understand,” says John Whitacre, the owner of Champion City Drivers Ed, the company that employs Pierre.
“Once we started looking into this, we found that there was nowhere in Ohio doing this. Almost 100% of the Haitian people [who have taken the driving lessons] come back and show us appreciation.”
The Ohio state highway patrol’s crash dashboard shows that crashes in Springfield so far this year are set to fall compared with 2024. In the first four months of 2024, 598 crashes were reported. Over the same period this year, the number fell to 542.
Ten driving simulators were made available in six locations across Springfield, including at two churches that members of the Haitian community attend, with the goal of helping Haitians and others improve their driving skills.
“Last year, we added a Haitian Creole translation of the Ohio Driver Manual Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws. An interactive Haitian Creole version is available on our website and is provided in a printable PDF format,” says Bret Crow, a spokesperson for the Ohio department of public safety.
“The Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) also provided newly translated Haitian Creole versions of several of the most common BMV forms to deputy registrar offices.”
With a population of just 60,000 people and an abundance of manufacturing and other labor-intensive jobs coming out of the pandemic, Springfield found itself a desirable location for immigrants such as Haitians. But with an estimated 15,000 people arriving in the city over the past seven years, strain on already limited social services was heightened.
Communities such as Springfield have been losing residents – a vital source of tax dollars that pay for essential public resources – for decades. Springfield leaders have welcomed the revitalization and tax dollars Haitian immigrants have fueled.
But sharing the road has presented challenges.
Many of the Haitians who have come to Springfield are from rural Haiti, says Pierre, a part of the country where driving and car ownership isn’t a common practice.
“Now, when they come here and have a car, they don’t have a background in driving so that makes it challenging,” says Pierre, who became involved and qualified with driver training certifications after encountering Whitacre through a local church.
Since the in-person Haitian Creole classes started in December, more than 100 Haitian clients have signed up, securing a success rate of over 90%, say the company owners.
The eight-hour course includes four hours of class instruction and four hours behind the wheel. “We do an hour of maneuverability, driving in a commercial zone, a residential zone and on the highway,” says Pierre, who also gives classes in English and Spanish.
“Things are getting better in driving; there are less accidents, crashes and injuries.”
Last year, Springfield police received a $50,000 grant to promote traffic safety enforcement.
But just as many Haitians in Springfield are securing tools such as driving skills to better integrate in the Springfield community, the Trump administration is ending legal visa programs for Haitians such as humanitarian parole and temporary protected status. Those on the latter program now find themselves being forced to leave the US by 3 August.
The Guardian previously reported that many Haitians began leaving Springfield within days of Trump’s election win in November.
Crow of the Ohio department of public safety says there are up to five trainers who speak English and Haitian Creole available to help during driver simulation sessions.
Although the new driver training opportunities are welcomed, challenges remain.
When the Guardian visited recently, driving simulators located at the Clark county department of job and family services in Springfield were not easily accessible to the public.
“[Driving] simulators are a tool – they don’t replace the real thing. The challenge with the simulators [located around the city] is that sometimes they are not staffed by someone who speaks the language the user understands,” says Whitacre.
“And the simulator systems are not available in Haitian Creole, so people who don’t speak English are not going to be able to navigate them. That’s the biggest challenge with that.”
How it Happened
125 – (1) Vincent Robinson (NCST) def. Brendan McCrone (OSU), MD, 12-3
Robinson opened the scoring with a takedown followed by a McCrone escape to send the bout to the second with NC State up 3-1. McCrone chose top to open the second after Robinson deferred choice. Robinson got the reversal to lead 5-2 after a McCrone escape. Robinson added a takedown to lead 8-2 after five minutes. Starting neutral, Robinson made it 11-2 with a takedown. McCrone escaped but with a point for riding time, Robinson won by major decision, 12-3.
133 – (2) Ben Davino (OSU) def. Zach Redding (NCST), D, 7-1
After two minutes, Davino scored the opening takedown for a 3-0 lead to go to the second. Davino chose bottom to start the second and quickly escaped for a 4-0 lead. Davino added a late takedown to lead 7-0 after two periods. Redding escaped to start the third to make it 7-1 Buckeyes. That’s the way if ended for a Davino win by decision, 7-1.
141 – (1) Jesse Mendez (OSU) def. (6) Ryan Jack (NCST), TF, 21-6
Mendez went on top 3-1 with a takedown and Jack escape. Mendez added another takedown on the edge of the mat to finish the period up 6-1. Mendez added three takedowns quickly to jump to a 15-4 advantage. Another pair of takedowns ended the match for a Mendez win by technical fall, 21-6.
149 – (6) Ethan Stiles (OSU) def. (7) Koy Buesgens (NCST), D, 4-3
There was no scoring in the opening the period. Stiles chose bottom to open the second and took the 1-0 lead with an escape for the only points of the middle period. Buesgens evened the bout at 1-all with an escape to open the third. Stiles was awarded a takedown that was challenged by NC State but upheld after video review for a 4-1 lead for the Buckeyes. Buesgens scored a late reversal but Stiles held on for a 4-3 win by decision.
157 – (4) Brandon Cannon (OSU) def. (11) Jackson Arrington (NCST), MD, 9-1
Cannon struck first with a late takedown for a 3-0 lead. Cannon chose bottom to start the second after Arrington deferred. Cannon scored a reversal for a 5-0 advantage after five minutes. The third period started neutral before a Cannon takedown made it 8-0. Arrington earned an escape but with a point for riding time, Cannon got the win by major decision, 9-1.
165 – (19) Will Denny (NCST) def. (11) Paddy Gallagher (OSU), SV-1, 6-5
Denny got on the board first with a takedown at the edge of the mat. Gallagher escaped to make it 3-1 Wolfpack at the end of the opening period. Gallagher closed the gap with an escape early in the second before taking the lead with a takedown to make it 5-4 after a Denny escape. The third started with Denny choosing bottom. He tied it at 5-all with an escape. The match then went to sudden victory. Denny got the win by decision, 6-5 when Gallagher was called for stalling.
174 – (5) Carson Kharchla (OSU) def. (3) Matthew Singleton (NCST), D, 8-4
Neither wrestler scored in the opening three minutes. Kharchla got the reversal for the first points of the match. Singleton then escaped to make it 2-1 Buckeyes. Kharchla scored a takedown to make it 5-2 after a Singleton escape. Singleton chose bottom to start the third and escaped to cut it to 5-3. Kharchla quickly added a takedown for an 8-4 advantage and a win by decision.
At 174, No. 5 Carson Kharchla (Ohio State) earns an 8–4 decision over No. 3 Matthew Singleton (North Carolina State). pic.twitter.com/Zz1SBQeaIT
— Saturday Night Lights (@WrestlingSNL) December 13, 2025
184 – (6) Dylan Fishback (OSU) def. Don Cates (NCST), MD, 12-1
Fishback opened the scoring with a takedown at the edge of the circle. Cates escaped before another Fishback takedown made it 6-1 before the end of the first. Fishback upped the lead with an early escape before adding another takedown for a 10-1 lead. Fishback finished off the match to win by major decision, 12-1.
197 – (14) Luke Geog (OSU) def. Cason Howle (NCST), MD, 17-4
Just a minute into the bout Geog scored the opening points with a takedown. Howle escaped before Geog added a takedown and a four-point nearfall to lead 10-1 after three minutes. Howle added an escape point to open the second. Geog, leading 10-2, escaped to open the third before adding a takedown for a 14-3 advantage. Another takedown got the win by major decision, 17-4.
HWT – (2) Isaac Trumble (NCST) def. (3) Nick Feldman (OSU), D, 5-1
Trumble jumped to a 3-0 lead with a takedown and built nearly 90 seconds of riding time before a Feldman escape make it 3-1. Trumble escaped to open the second to take a 4-1 lead into the third. Trumble finished off the match with a 5-1 win by decision with a point for riding time.
Up Next:
Ohio State will travel to Nashville Dec. 21 for the 2025 Collegiate Duals where they will take on Little Rock and No. 3 Iowa State.
| Wt. | No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 9 NC State | OSU | NCST |
|---|---|---|---|
| 125 | (1) Vincent Robinson (NCST) def. Brendan McCrone (OSU), MD, 12-3 | 0 | 4 |
| 133 | (2) Ben Davino (OSU) def. Zach Redding (NCST), D, 7-1 | 3 | 4 |
| 141 | (1) Jesse Mendez (OSU) def. (6) Ryan Jack (NCST), TF, 21-6 | 8 | 4 |
| 149 | (6) Ethan Stiles (OSU) def. (7) Koy Buesgens (NCST), D, 4-3 | 11 | 4 |
| 157 | (4) Brandon Cannon (OSU) def. (11) Jackson Arrington (NCST), MD, 9-1 | 15 | 4 |
| 165 | (19) Will Denny (NCST) def. (11) Paddy Gallagher (OSU), SV-1, 6-5 | 15 | 7 |
| 174 | (5) Carson Kharchla (OSU) def. (3) Matthew Singleton (NCST), D, 8-4 | 18 | 7 |
| 184 | (6) Dylan Fishback (OSU) def. Don Cates (NCST), MD, 12-1 | 22 | 7 |
| 197 | (14) Luke Geog (OSU) def. Cason Howle (NCST), MD, 17-4 | 26 | 7 |
| HWT | (2) Isaac Trumble (NCST) def. (3) Nick Feldman (OSU), D, 5-1 | 26 | 10 |
| Attendance: 3,895 |
#GoBucks
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Ohio Goes to the Movies, the statewide film festival launching in February, is coming into focus. Organizers have released the initial schedule for the nearly yearlong event. Part of the state’s America 250 celebration, it will bring more than 280 screenings to all 88 counties. Each film is tied to the Buckeye State in some way, and all screenings are free.
“Ohio has played a significant role in the history of American film and continues to attract talent, productions and storytelling that resonate around the world,” Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said in a statement. “Ohio Goes to the Movies ensures that residents in every community can participate in the America 250 celebration and rediscover the films that connect us.”
From classic movies starring or made by Ohioans to Hollywood blockbusters shot in downtown Cleveland, the lineup highlights the depth of the state’s influence on the film industry. The festival is also meant to encourage movie fans to explore the state by attending screenings all over Ohio.
Here’s a list of events planned for Northeast Ohio’s seven-county region.
CUYAHOGA COUNTY
“Close Encounters of the Third Kind.” Feb. 12. Phoenix Theatres Great Northern Mall.
“Major League.” March 1. Cinemark Strongsville at SouthPark Mall.
“Draft Day.” March 1. Cinemark Valley View.
“Welcome to Collinwood.” March 12. Cleveland History Center.
“Major League.” April 5. Capitol Theatre.
“Cool Hand Luke.” April 12. Cedar Lee Theatre.
“Draft Day.” April 23. Atlas Cinemas at Shaker Square.
“Toy Story 2.” June 24. Chagrin Documentary Film Festival HQ.
“The Scarlet Letter.” July 11. Cleveland Silent Film Festival at Cleveland Public Library.
“Captain America: The Winter Soldier.” July 11. Great Lakes Science Center.
“More Than a Game.” Sept. 11. AMC Ridge Park Square.
“Superman.” Sept. 18. AMC Westwood Town Center.
“Passing Through.” Sept. 19. Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque.
“Kill the Irishman.” Oct. 6. Atlas Cinemas Lakeshore.
GEAUGA COUNTY
“A Christmas Story.” June 11. Mayfield Road Drive-In Theatre.
LAKE COUNTY
“White Boy Rick.” March 11. Regal Willoughby Commons.
“Superman.” April 8. Atlas Cinemas Great Lakes Stadium.
“Air Force One.” July 7. Atlas Cinemas Diamond Center.
LORAIN COUNTY
“The Princess Bride.” April 22. Apollo Theatre.
“The Hunger Games.” Sept. 18. Regal Cobblestone Square.
MEDINA COUNTY
“Major League.” March 7. Hickory Ridge Cinema.
“Draft Day.” Sept. 12. Regal Medina.
PORTAGE COUNTY
“Unstoppable.” Feb. 22. Atlas Cinemas Barrington.
“Dog Man.” March 8. The Kent Stage.
“The Philadelphia Story.” March 19. Kent State University Museum.
“A Christmas Story.” June 10. Midway Twin Drive-In Theatre.
SUMMIT COUNTY
“The Big Short.” Feb. 21. Regal Hudson.
“The Avengers.” April 12. Akron Civic Theatre.
“Howard the Duck.” May 21. The Nightlight Cinema.
“Down by Law.” June 13. Akron–Summit County Public Library Main.
For a complete guide, go to ohiogoestothemovies.org.
POMEROY, Ohio (WCHS) — A fire destroyed one home and damaged two others Wednesday evening, but then rekindled early Thursday morning and destroyed another home, police said.
The fire was first reported just after 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday night in the 300 block of Wetzgall Street in Pomeroy, according to a press release from the Pomeroy Police Department.
According to police, the fire spread to the two homes on either side of the original home on fire. Firefighters contained the fire and saved the two surrounding homes, but the home that first caught fire was deemed a total loss.
Then, just after 3 a.m. on Thursday morning, the fire rekindled and spread to one of the other homes, resulting in a total loss of that home as well, police said.
Pomeroy police said both homes were occupied at the time of the fires, but all occupants of each home were able to exit their homes safely. Police also said that there were no reported injuries, though both families lost everything they owned due to the total losses of the homes.
The cause of the fire has not been determined, and the incident is still under active investigation by the Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office, according to police.
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