Midwest
Haitian refugees ‘don’t understand the laws,’ former lawmaker says amid fatal wreck, cultural clashes
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio – An Ohio town that has seen its population swell with thousands of Haitian refugees has had to battle differences in culture and even driving practices as it adjusts to its new reality.
“We’ve got an influx of folks that have come in, and I think we were a little bit shocked that it was close to 20,000 people in a community of 60,000, and that’s caused some issues between the folks that live here and the folks that are coming in,” former Ohio State Rep. Kyle Koehler told Fox News Digital.
The comments come as Springfield, which is located roughly 50 miles west of Columbus, has entered the national spotlight in recent weeks, most recently when former President Donald Trump pointed to the town during one of his responses in Tuesday’s debate.
“They’re eating the dogs, the people that came in, they’re eating the cats,” Trump said during a response to a question about immigration. “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.”
RESIDENTS OF SPRINGFIELD, OHIO ATTEND CITY COUNCIL MEETING TO SHARE FRUSTRATION ABOUT MIGRANT CRISIS HITTING THEIR COMMUNITY
Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump, debates Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, for the first time during the presidential election campaign at The National Constitution Center on September 10, 2024, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After earning the Democratic Party nomination following President Joe Biden’s decision to leave the race, Harris faced off with Trump in what may be the only debate of the 2024 race for the White House. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) (Win McNamee)
The issue has also caught the attention of Ohio Republican senate candidate Bernie Moreno, who argued that the Biden administration’s “open border” policies “have flooded Springfield, Ohio, with thousands of illegal Haitians who are sucking up social services and destroying a small town here in Ohio.”
“We need to deport illegals, not invite them to wreak havoc on our communities like Sherrod Brown and Kamala Harris have done,” Moreno told Fox News Digital.
While local officials and multiple media outlets have disputed the point that Trump raised in the debate, there is still a new reality faced by longtime members of the Springfield community. Chief among them, according to Koehler, are cultural differences between locals and the Haitian refugees who are new to the town.
Haitian community center in Springfield, Ohio, is shown here. (Michael Lee/Fox News Digital)
The lake at Snyder Park in Springfield, Ohio, from which local residents have claimed Haitian refugees have taken geese to slaughter and eat. (Michael Lee/ Fox News Digital)
“They don’t understand the laws, they don’t understand some of our customs, we don’t understand some of their customs, and that clash and the overwhelming amount of people that have come at one point has really caused some issues,” Koehler, who is now running to represent the area in the state Senate, said.
One more extreme example of that, Koehler recalled hearing second hand, allegedly played out at a local Walmart, where he said there were stories of “people showing up at the Walmart on a Saturday morning, going into the bathroom, and stripping down and bathing themselves.”
State Rep. Kyle Koehler says he has heard secondhand of migrants stripping down to bathe in washrooms in the local Springfield Walmart. (Michael Lee/Fox News Digital)
FOCUS GROUP REACTS TO TRUMP CLAIM THAT MIGRANTS ARE ‘EATING THE DOGS’ IN OHIO TOWN
“Again, not something we do here, something someone might do in another culture, or something someone might do if they don’t understand the culture they’re in now,” Koehler said. “Whether that’s true or not, those stories get passed around, and it inflames the situation we have in our community.”
There have been no reports of people taking baths or showers in Walmart stores around Springfield, an individual familiar with the situation told Fox on background.
Another issue causing concern among the local population is road safety, Koehler noted.
“The driving in town is horrendous,” Koehler said, noting that a lot of that issue can also be chalked up to cultural differences.
One notable situation occurred last August, when a school bus carrying dozens of children in the area collided with a minivan, resulting in over 20 kids being hurt and one, Aiden Clark, being killed.
The driver of the minivan was later identified as Hermanio Joseph, a Haitian immigrant who was found guilty earlier this year of involuntary manslaughter and vehicular homicide for his role in the incident.
The tragic incident inflamed tensions in the community, with Koehler noting that road safety had been one of the more visible concerns for locals.
Ohio State Rep. Kyle Koehler (Fox News) (Courtesy Kyle Koehler)
“We do have a really abnormal number of car accidents that are happening,” Koehler said. “And it’s not only the number, but the severity of them. When you go on a street that is a 35-mile-an-hour speed limit and there’s a car sitting on its hood, and I’m not talking about one, I’m talking about five or six accidents a week like that, you begin to wonder.”
Nevertheless, Koehler stressed the positive attributes of Springfield, arguing that the town was once in decline but is now on the way back.
“We have a wonderful town,” Koehler said.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Kyle Koehler is a former state representative. He was initially referred to as a current lawmaker.
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Milwaukee, WI
Check out these Milwaukee-area places to celebrate Pi Day on March 14
For Pi Day, grocery shoppers get quizzed on what pi means
From the video archive, Columnist Jim Stingl quizzes Whole Foods Market customers on the mathematical pi. Video originally published March 14, 2010.
For math enthusiasts and foodies, Pi Day on March 14 is upon us once again.
We all know what pie is, but what the heck is pi? Pi ― 3.14 ― is the ratio of the circumference of a circle (the distance around the outside of it) to the diameter of that circle (the distance edge-to-edge). As we may have learned in math class, no matter the size of the circle, pi is always 3.14.
Hence on March 14, many bakeries and eateries in and around Milwaukee are offering pie sales and diverse pie selections. A selection of them are listed below.
Note that pie availability is typically while supplies last and preordering or calling beforehand is recommended. If there is a bakery or restaurant that is recognizing Pi Day and is not included in this list, let us know so we can add it.
Gather Bakehouse in Bay View
At Gather Bakehouse, the bakery will have mini 3-inch pies as well as 9-inch pies. Flavors include Dutch apple, strawberry rhubarb, cherry, French silk, honey custard and key lime. There will also be preorder options.
Location: 1100 E. Oklahoma Ave., Milwaukee
Hours: 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. It’s closed on Monday.
For more information: Visit gatherbakehouse.com
National Bakery & Deli in Brookfield, Greendale and Milwaukee
National Bakery & Deli will have multiple pies available for National Pi Day: banana cream, cherry, apple, chocolate cream, Dutch apple and strawberry cream.
Location: 13820 W. Greenfield Ave., Brookfield; 5637 Broad St., Greendale; and 3200 S. 16th St., Milwaukee.
Hours for all locations: 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday; and 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.
For more information or to order online: Visit nationalbakery.com
Kelly’s Pot Pies & More in Greenfield and East Troy
Kelly’s Pot Pies & More will have $3.14 off any large Reuben pot pie or shepherd’s pie beginning Pi Day and running through St. Patrick’s Day. These specials will be at both the East Troy and Greenfield stores.
Kelly’s Pot Pies & More also has other pot pies, including beef, turkey, veggie, taco and pizza. They also offer quiche, cheesecake, lemon torte and key lime pie.
To help guarantee a pie, order online two hours or more in advance.
Locations: 3785 S. 108th St. in Greenfield; and 3268 Main St. in East Troy
Hours: 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday
To order online or for more information: Visit kellyspotpies.com.
Mr. Dye’s Pies at 3rd Street Market Hall in Milwaukee
At Mr. Dye’s Pies at 3rd Street Market Hall, there are a plethora of pies sold by the slice or as a whole pie including peanut butter, sweet potato, pecan, key lime and blueberry.Location: 5504 W. State St. (First Floor, South Hall located in the row of stalls to the right of Dairyland)
Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday
For more information: Visit 3rdstmarkethall.com/locations/all-vendors/mrdyespies
The Elegant Farmer in Mukwonago
The Elegant Farmer will participate on National Pi Day from March 9 to 15 and will offer $3.14 off 5-inch apple pies baked in a paper bag (original price is $9.99). The pies baked in a bag feature a flaky crust with a sugar cookie-like top.
Location: 1545 Main St. (at Highways ES & J) in Mukwonago
Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily
For more information or to order: Order online at elegantfarmer.com or call 262-363-6770
Periwinkle’s Bakery in Waukesha
Periwinkle’s Bakery on Broadway in Waukesha will have its full pie menu for special order on March 14 and a variety of 9-inch-deep dish pies for sale that same day at its retail location at neighboring Rochester Deli. These include French Silk, caramel apple, Key West lime, wild blueberry and peanut butter French silk.
Online orders need to be placed the week prior.
Location: 143 W. Broadway, Waukesha (Bakery for purchase inside of Rochester Deli)
Hours: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday; and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday
For more information: Visit periwinklesbakery.com
All in Favor, Say Pie in Waukesha
At All in Favor, Say Pie, you can order your pie online to pick up in Waukesha. Flavors include Door County cherry pie, apple blueberry, Dutch apple pie, cranberry apple, mixed berry and blueberry. Pies should be ordered two to five days in advance.
For more information and to order: Visit https://sites.google.com/view/allinfavorsaypie/home
Aggie’s Bakery and Cake Shop in West Allis
Aggie’s Bakery and Cake Shop will sell pies including cherry, apple, caramel apple, blueberry, peach and banana cream pie on National Pi Day.
Location: 7328 W. Greenfield Ave., West Allis
Hours: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday
For more information: Call 414-482-1288 or visit aggiesbakery.com
The Bake Sale in West Allis
The Bake Sale in West Allis has pie options that customers can order online days in advance which include key lime, French silk, apple, caramel apple, strawberry rhubarb, pecan, whiskey chocolate pecan and fruity pebble. Pies are available on National Pi Day while supplies last. Select pies are available in the store.
Location: 6923 W. Becher St., West Allis
Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Wednesday; 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday; and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday
For more information or to order: 414-543-4230 or bakesalewestallis.com
Bishop’s Sweets in West Allis
For National Pi Day, Bishop’s Sweets will have whole pies and slices available while supplies last. If you want a specialty pie or to ensure there is one ready, order the pie 72 hours before March 14.
The featured pie flavors include apple, cherry, banana cream, coconut cream and Bishop’s Sweets requested favorite, French silk pie. The bakery will also be introducing additional pies for people to try, including chess, buttermilk and Mississippi mud pie.
Location: 8005 W. Lincoln Ave., West Allis. Bishop’s Sweets also offers delivery through Uber Eats and DoorDash.
Hours: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on National Pi Day, March 14, or until the pies are sold out. Otherwise, hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday; and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday. (It is closed Monday through Thursday.)
For more information: Visit www.facebook.com/BishopsSweets or call 414-763-2436.
Cathy Kozlowicz can be reached at 262-361-9132 or cathy.kozlowicz@jrn.com. Follow her on X at @kozlowicz_cathy
Minneapolis, MN
City officials report less speeding at corners with traffic cameras in Minneapolis
Indianapolis, IN
We speak for ourselves in IPS-charter debate. Don’t dismiss us. | Letters
Indianapolis-area students speak on proposed ILEA changes
Students from both Shortridge High School and KIPP Indy Public Schools speak on the proposed models from the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance.
The signers of a recent statement by the African American Coalition of Indianapolis questioning who speaks for the Black community raise concerns about process while our students of color continue to be left behind in a public education system that offers too little opportunity and too few positive outcomes.
We agree that parents and students should be heard, which is why we’re troubled that our voices were overlooked during the public process led by the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance. We were present at nearly every ILEA meeting, sharing our personal experiences and asking leaders to take bold action, and we spent months discussing and researching ideas before offering a series of recommendations to improve schools in both IPS and the charter sector.
For many of us, speaking up to improve public education in our city goes back years. We have consistently focused on stronger accountability for all schools within IPS and on growing what works in communities that most need quality schools. So we have to ask: Did you not hear us? Or did you choose to ignore us because our opinions don’t align with yours? Are you now trying to diminish our voices by suggesting that our affiliation with certain organizations means we can’t think or speak for ourselves?
Let us be clear. Our advocacy is driven by our own experiences, and it is these perspectives that add value to the debate we’re having as a community. We live in neighborhoods that are directly impacted by the opportunity gap. It takes courage to advocate, and when voices like ours are attacked, it discourages others in our community from standing up and speaking out.
We strongly support IPS — many of us attended the district as children and have our own students there now. We also support a system of quality charter schools, and we will continue to advocate for both despite attempts to pit sectors against one another. While these recent words and claims are unfair and deeply hurtful, we remain dedicated to bringing voices together to solve problems.
It is time to stop the toxic politics of school type and focus on progress for children, especially Black and brown students who have been harmed by a tragic opportunity gap that has existed for generations. While House Bill 1423 is not perfect, we see it as the best opportunity in many years to hold all schools accountable for improved results, expand transportation and access across IPS, and move toward financial stability across the system.
You may disagree with us on the policy, and that is OK. But please do not dismiss our voices or discount our stories, which represent so many in IPS who simply want a high-quality, safe public school experience for their children.
LaToya Hale, Greg Henson, Dontia Dyson, Cristal Salgado and Swantella Nelson are Indianapolis parents.
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