Ohio
Midwestern cities fear fallout of Trump revoking Haitian residents’ status
Like so many midwestern manufacturing-centric communities, Lima, Ohio, has dealt with slow-motion decline for decades. Famed for producing oil in the late 1800s and the Abrams army tank, its population has been on the wane since the 1970s.
But in recent years, the city has experienced a small turnaround.
A Procter & Gamble chemical plant east of the city has recently undergone a $500m expansion, adding more than 100 new jobs. Part of the chemical giant’s expansion has seen it donate tens of thousands of dollars in college scholarships to local students and millions of dollars to local road projects.
One 2024 real estate report suggested Lima was one of the hottest property markets in the country for young people.
That’s despite states such as Ohio, Michigan and Indiana, once the heart of industrial America, finding themselves fighting a shrinking homegrown population.
Immigrants from Haiti such as Amos Mercelin, who is one of several thousand people from the devastated Caribbean country now living in the Lima area, have stepped in to fill the labor shortage.
“I worked first at a plastics factory, then I did 12-hour shifts at a Fedex [warehouse]. Now I work with a healthcare organization,” he says.
“It was hard, but I knew these were just first steps.” Many Haitians, he says, work at food production plants scattered around the area, where cold temperatures and harsh physical conditions are a part of the job.
But come August, when temporary protected status (TPS) for more than half a million Haitians is set to end following an announcement by the Department of Homeland Security on 20 February, that growth could be jeopardized. For Mercelin, thousands of other Haitians and the businesses that depend on them, that could be catastrophic.
Cities such as Lima and Haitians such as Mercelin aren’t alone.
In a part of the country hit hard in the aftermath of the Great Recession, about 1,000 Haitians are believed to live in the Findlay area, a city 30 miles north-east of Lima, where one automotive company reportedly relies on immigrants for half its workforce.
Ninety miles to the south, in Springfield, about 15,000 Haitians have contributed to the city’s housing and financial revival. While the city’s property tax revenue was less than $800m in 2018, in 2023, it reached $1bn for the first time. Last year, it grew again, by 40%. While the property tax revenue increase has in part been fueled by rising property valuations, it also coincides with the growth in the number of tax-paying Haitians.
The Trump administration’s move to end TPS has led to worry among city officials in Springfield.
“They have strengthened our local economy by filling key roles in manufacturing and healthcare, even as their rapid arrival has strained public services and housing,” Springfield’s mayor, Rob Rue, a Republican, said in a statement.
“I firmly believe in protecting our borders and reforming our immigration policies. Hasty changes and swift deportation will cause hardworking immigrants to be lost, negatively impacting our economy.”
In Lima, where Haitians have been blamed by some for rising rents and housing shortages, some are expressing similar concerns.
“I’m worried for our workforces if there should be a mass exodus [of Haitian immigrants] because some of our plants and factories need them,” says Carla Thompson, a city council representative.
“People are making money from renting to them, providing services, employing them. All of that is going to go away and those were jobs that our plants and factories needed filled. If we go back to the same population that we had, how do those jobs get filled in the future?”
Voicemails and emails sent to several businesses in Lima, Springfield and Dayton – areas with broadly high levels of support for Donald Trump – known to employ Haitian immigrants were not responded to or comment was declined on whether they would be affected by the end of TPS for Haitians.
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A representative of a Springfield-based company that employed Haitian workers and whose owner faced death threats last fall at the height of the Trump-induced anti-immigrant controversy said its leadership had stopped taking media requests.
For Thompson in Lima, it’s not only businesses that could lose out if Haitians are forced to leave the country in August.
“I know the landlords have been loving it because I haven’t heard any complaints about [Haitians] not paying rent,” she says.
While larger midwestern cities such as Columbus, Indianapolis and Pittsburgh have mostly weathered the long-term regional population decline and the 2008 Great Recession that followed, smaller cities such as Lima, Springfield and Dayton have struggled.
Residents say that’s why the influx of immigrant communities in recent years seeking a low cost of living and plentiful job opportunities have played such an important economic role.
Thompson says she got word from the mayor of Findlay that crime in areas that Haitians had moved to had fallen. But she believes there is a racist undertone to the plan to end the TPS program for Haitians, which the Department for Homeland Security claims “has been exploited and abused” for decades.
“The backlash against this group has been ridiculous and there’s no way in my mind that it’s not connected to the fact that they are brown-skinned,” she says.
“Racism has been an issue. Some people are probably excited that TPS is being stopped.”
For Mercelin, who has been in Lima for a year, the prospect of the end of TPS is disastrous.
“Some Haitians are talking about applying for asylum to help them stay here, but I can’t,” he says. “I have a daughter in Haiti and if I apply for asylum, it means I can’t go back there for something like seven years.
“That’s something I just cannot do.”
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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