ReportWire

Tag: Cassidy Wilson

  • Doctors walk to promote better health in their communities

    [ad_1]

    COLUMBUS — Doctors are stepping out of the office and into the community to promote better health.

    What You Need To Know

    • Walking is one of the simplest and effective forms of exercise 

    • Walk with a Doc is a group that meets up at a park and listens to a medical lesson from a doctor then walks together
    • The group started in Columbus but has spread all over the nation 

    Instead of a waiting room, the doctor visit starts on a walking path walk with a doctor to encourage people of all ages to get moving while learning about their health.

    Walking is one of the simplest things that people can do to improve their overall health, and this gives them the chance to connect outside of the clinic.

    The free program is open to the public and focuses on physical activity, conversation and prevention, helping participants feel comfortable asking questions along the way.

    “It’s called Walk with a Doc. It’s something that was started by a physician at St. Ann’s, Dr. David Sab here several years ago and he started a thing, he’s a cardiologist, he had some patients he met out at a park here, I believe it was High Banks, and the whole thing was just to encourage exercise in a fun way,” said Philip Berger, a medical doctor at St Ann’s. “So he would meet his patients out here and give a short talk about a medical topic and then after that go for a walk and be able to say ‘Hey folks, you are doing what I’ve asked you to do right now.’”

    He said Walk with a Doc has spread to 30 countries. The goal is to build healthier habits and stronger relationships one walk at a time.

    Walk with a Doc is held every Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m. at High Banks Metropark throughout the year, with no registration is required.

    [ad_2]

    Cassidy Wilson

    Source link

  • How to stick with your New Year’s goals

    [ad_1]

    COLUMBUS, Ohio — As the calendar flips to a new year, millions of people are setting fresh goals from getting healthier to saving more money, but studies show most resolutions don’t make it past the first few weeks.

    What You Need To Know

    • Many people are setting New Year’s goals 

    • Most people don’t stick to their goals after the first few weeks

    • Experts reccommend using the SMART goals anaology 

    So how do you actually stick with them this time around?

    Experts said it’s more about a lifestyle change, like changing your habits.

    Lauren Esposito is a manager at Ohio Health in the neuroscience wellness center and said the most common New Year’s goals they see are around health and fitness.

    “I think sticking to them, really, you have to focus on that consistency is going to beat intensity every single time,” Esposito said. “It’s really important that you’re realistic and you’re thinking about these small, incremental habits or behavior changes versus, ‘I didn’t workout at all last year and I’m going to workout starting five days a week on Jan. 1.’ You don’t overhaul your life on Jan. 1.”

    Her advice for people setting new goals is using the SMART goals analogy. That means the goals you set are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time bound.

    [ad_2]

    Cassidy Wilson

    Source link

  • Don’t let your live Christmas tree become a fire hazard

    [ad_1]

    COLUMBUS, Ohio — The holidays may be over, but fire officials say the danger from live Christmas trees is actually increasing.

    What You Need To Know

    • Real Christmas trees can become fire hazards 

    • Make sure if you’re leaving your tree up that it’s well watered 

    • The state fire marshal said that trees can ignite and burn quickly 

    The Ohio Department of Commerce’s Division of State Fire Marshal is urging families to remove dried-out trees from their homes before they become a serious fire hazard.

    According to the National Fire Protection Association, more than a third of Christmas tree fires happen in January. Once a tree dries out it, it can ignite quickly, burn intensely and allow flames to spread through a home in just minutes.

    Paul Martin, assistant chief to the State fire Marshal prevention bureau, said the longer a real tree stays inside, the more dangerous it becomes. He warns that dry trees burn hot and fast putting both property and lives at risk.

    “Every year in the nation we see about 200 fires related to Christmas trees and a lot of them due to under water of the trees drying out and when you think about that, you basically have a big tinder bundle in your living room that could go up very quickly. The thing that I was trying to tell people about Christmas tree fires in general is, when they burn, they burn really fast and they burn really hot so it gives you little time to escape the fire so they’re very dangerous fires as well,” said Martin.

    Fire officials also recommend keeping real trees well-watered while they’re still on display, checking water levels often and never letting the stand run dry. When it’s time to take the tree down, Ohioans are encouraged to use local recycling programs to pick up the trees safely.

    [ad_2]

    Cassidy Wilson

    Source link

  • Hidden camera found in a Hocking Hills Airbnb

    [ad_1]

    HOCKING HILLS, Ohio — Airbnb rentals have become a go-to option for travelers seeking something more personal than a hotel. Offering unique spaces, privacy and often a better price.

    But as their popularity continues to soar, there are growing concerns about what guests may not see when they check in. 

    What You Need To Know

    • A hidden camera was found in a Hocking Hills rental property 

    • The man who placed the camera there was sentenced to almost a decade in prison 

    • He was recording adults and children in the bathroom 

    Last month, an Akron man was sentenced to nearly a decade in prison after hiding a camera in the bathroom of his Hocking Hills rental cabin.

    The Hocking County Sheriff’s Office said the man was secretly recording over 50 guests, including children. 

    “Especially in the past year or so, Airbnb has really cracked down on privacy issues. And has been very clear with hosts on the platform that they have a zero-tolerance policy for any sort of cameras within the home or any private spaces,” said Sarah Karakaian, co-owner of Thanks for Visiting. 

    Karakaian is an expert in the short-term rental industry. 

    She said as an Airbnb host herself, she’s glad they make the hosts go through background checks but encourages guests to do their own research when booking a short-term rental. 

    “Is it monitored by any sort of municipality in terms of does that host have to have a permit? Do they have to operate under some sort of jurisdiction other than Airbnb?” Karakaian said. 

    The police department said cabin renters found the hidden camera in the ceiling of a bathroom and a residential search warrant was executed.

    The lead detective in the case said recorded videos from the camera date back to Sept. 2023 through Feb. 2024.

    Garrett Hendricks, a criminal defense attorney, said that under Ohio law, you’re right to record is based on whether an individual being recorded has a reasonable expectation of privacy. 

    “What that means is if the person believes they’re in private and they’re not likely to be recorded, then the law generally doesn’t allow recording,” said Hendricks, owner of Hendricks Law Office LLC. 

    Hendricks also said the charges can be much more severe when children are involved. 

    “If you are recording minors or adults illegally, meaning one of those places where they do have an expectation for privacy, certainly you can get into additional trouble or you have additional criminal exposure based on the fact that it is a minor as opposed to an adult because of the child pornography laws,” Hendricks said. 

    In the Hocking Hills case, the man will have to register as a Tier II sex offender for 25 years.

     

     

    [ad_2]

    Cassidy Wilson

    Source link

  • High school athletes could engage in NIL deals 

    [ad_1]

    COLUMBUS, Ohio — It could be a game changer for high school athletics in our state. 

    A judge’s ruling has prompted the OHSAA to schedule a vote that could allow student-athletes to make money off their name, image, and likeness. 

    What You Need To Know

    • A judge’s ruling has prompted the OHSAA to schedule a vote that could allow student-athletes to make money off their name, image, and likeness

    • This already exists in other states

    • Ohio high school athletes can now sign endorsement deals and earn money through social media

    It’s an opportunity that that most high school athletes in other states already have.

    Ohio high school athletes can now sign endorsement deals and earn money through social media.

    It became legal when a judge issued a temporary restraining order in October in response to a lawsuit by a star football player who’s committed to Ohio State.

    And regardless of how schools vote in a few weeks, many believe NIL is here to stay.

    For Tony Cornett, NIL is about more than just making money.

    “You’re basically getting paid to represent yourself, on how you carry yourself as a person rather than just basketball itself,” said Cornett, a junior at Westerville North High School.

    The junior guard on the Westerville North basketball team started gaining recognition when he helped lead the Warriors to a state title last season.

    Now he’s is hoping to take advantage of this new opportunity being given to Ohio high school athletes.

    “I’m very close with my family, mom, dad, grandmas, grandpas, uncles, aunts, I feel like my parents would be extremely proud of me if I ended up getting a deal,” Cornett said.

    Westerville North Athletic Director, Wes Elfrritz, said the Ohio High School Athletic Association is doing the right thing by scheduling a vote that could bring Ohio in line with 44 other states. 

    “The OHSAA has gotten ahead of this vote, and they’ve kind of put some parameters in place so if its passed we’re looking at making sure our student athletes keep their potential deals separate from their school, so we don’t have any conflicts of interest,” said Elifritz.

    For example, if a student athlete is promoting a business, Elifritz said they wouldn’t be allowed to do so while they’re representing their school during a practice or a game. 

    “And also, if they’re at the business, or promoting in a commercial, they cannot be displaying or verbalizing the school that they’re a part of so the goal is to kind of keep those two things separate,” Elifritz said.

    Some high school athletes get thrown into the spotlight quickly. Favour Akih is a senior running back at Delaware Hayes high school. He never touched a football until his freshman season.

    Three years later, he’s become a top-10 recruit in Ohio and has committed to play for the Buckeyes. 

    But he’s excited that he won’t have to wait for college to profit from his talent.

    “It would be a major opportunity because I know a lot of single parent households families that are really talented football players that could capitalize on this opportunity here,” said Akih.

    [ad_2]

    Cassidy Wilson

    Source link

  • Female kicker leads Springfield into playoffs

    [ad_1]

    SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — It’s not every day you see a female athlete trading her soccer cleats for football pads, but one Ohio high schooler is kicking her way to the playoffs.

    She’s proving that talent knows no boundaries, no matter the sport.

    What You Need To Know

    • Natalie Erdman is a junior soccer and football player 

    • The football team saw her kick and recruited her to join the team

    • She’s proving that determination, not gender, defines a true competitor

    For more than a decade, Natalie Erdman has excelled using her feet.

    “Soccer always; it’s been that way since I was two,” said Natalie Erdman, a junior at Springfield High School.

    The Springfield High School junior plays defense on the varsity soccer team.  

    But a conversation she had with one of the school’s football players changed her life.

    “He was like, ‘You’re a kicker,’ and I was like, ‘I mean I’m a person that can kick,’ and he was like ‘You gotta go meet the coaches.’ Next thing I know, they were meeting my parents, and next thing I know they were having me kick,” Erdman said.

    That chance encounter landed Erdman a spot on the Wildcats football roster.

    During the regular season, she made 32 of her 34 extra points and also converted the only field goal she attempted.

    “Nat’s a good girl all-around — good student, good athlete and a good teammate, really good attitude. That’s Natalie,” said Larry Ham, defensive line coach at Springfield High School.

    Her success goes beyond the football and soccer fields. Erdman also powerlifts for the school as well.

    All of her activities force her to excel in time management.

    “It’s definitely a lot to balance. A lot of late night, student practices, soccer games, things like that. I honestly wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s nice to be on both teams,” Erdman said.

    After school, it’s back-to-back soccer and football practices.

    Erdman starts her day at 6 a.m. and sometimes doesn’t get home until 9 p.m. 

    “The support from the team and everything like that, just to know, it makes it worth it of waking up early knowing that I’m appreciated at the team, and I’m respected like that,” Erdman said.

    With her focus set on Friday night, she’s proving that determination, not gender, defines a true competitor.

    [ad_2]

    Cassidy Wilson

    Source link

  • Home births are becoming more common

    [ad_1]

    COLUMBUS — More parents are choosing to welcome their babies into the world outside of a hospital setting, opting instead for the comfort of being at home.

    What You Need To Know

    • Home births are becoming more common 

    • Marina Zahran is a wellness expert specializing in home births 

    • She said giving birth is supposed to be in a calm, comfortable environment 

    Holistic birth specialist Marina Zahran said she did a four-year program studying at the California College of Ayurveda medicine. She said she’s hearing from families that have their first birth in hospitals because they’re told that’s the safest place to have a baby.

    But she said women are supposed to feel like they’re in a safe, calm environment during that experience.

    “Home birth, you’re watching the birth happen, a lot of the times you’re not having people yell in your face, ‘push,’ you’re experiencing the physiology of birth move through you, and you get to just be a part of it instead of feeling like you’re not doing things right, your body’s not doing things right, and that’s why home births have really positive maternal outcomes for not just the baby but also the mom,” Zahran said.

    Zahran said, to have a home birth, working with a doula or midwife is best.

    “Home birth isn’t for everybody. A lot of times, there isn’t as much pain medication as there is at a hospital, so if you know you want an epidural, a home birth isn’t for you and that’s why hospitals are there,” Zahran said.

    She said that she was meeting more and more families that has their first baby in the hospital and just wanted to go the natural route and do it at home.

    She said this fascinated her, and she wanted to learn more about it and be able to help other women. She took her training program three times in one year to make sure she was knowledgeable about it.

    [ad_2]

    Cassidy Wilson

    Source link

  • Beyond the Pink: High school senior raising breast cancer research awareness

    [ad_1]

    OHIO — For many, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a time to wear pink and raise money toward breast cancer research.

    But for others, it provides a chance to take it a step further.

    What You Need To Know

    • Addison Frazier’s mom died from metastatic breast cancer when she was 6-years-old

    • Frazier is a scholar athlete, cheering football, basketball and competition and interns at  Pink Ribbon Good

    • Frazier said she’s raised $8,000 toward research to end the deadly disease

    Addison Frazier’s mom died from metastatic breast cancer when she was just 6-years-old.

    “She had fought since she found out she was pregnant with me, so breast cancer awareness not only means raising awareness for the people but also raising awareness for the families who are also in the fight,” said Frazier, a senior at Olentangy High School.

    Frazier is a cheerleader who is working to raise awareness and money for breast cancer research. 

    “When I was little, I was just kind of thrown into therapies, and there wasn’t really a support group for the children affected. So that’s what I’m trying to create. It will be called ‘Linked by Hope,’” Frazier said.

    (Photo Courtesy Addison Frazier)

    Frazier is a scholar athlete, cheering football, basketball and competition. On top of that, every week she drives to Dayton to intern at an organization that’s closer to her heart, Pink Ribbon Good.

    “It’s a wonderful nonprofit organization that provides services for people going through breast and gynecological cancer,” Frazier said.

    Rachel Parrill, director of grants and foundations at Pink Ribbon Good, said Frazier brings something special to the group.

    “To have Addi, who has lived through this unfortunately, really wanting now to help others in that same situation means so much. The perspective she brings is invaluable,” said Parrill.

    All month long, players, fans and officials wear pink to show their support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. But Frazier wants people to know there’s more that needs to be done than just wearing the color. 

    “Something that’s often missed with pink games, is sometimes people just wear pink and nothing else is done with it, but something special we’re doing here at Olentangy is we are working with a breast and gynecological cancer organization, to raise money and to continue to support the fight, not just by wearing pink, we’re actually doing something for the cause,” Frazier said.

    Frazier said she’s raised $8,000 toward research to end the deadly disease, hoping that little by little, she can help others so they won’t have to grow up without a mom like she did. 

    “Something that I’ve done that’s a little bit different is I don’t just email, I go into the place and I actually talk with the people and continue to show them my story, so they get more of an idea of why I need to raise this money,” Frazier said.

    [ad_2]

    Cassidy Wilson

    Source link

  • Plumber shares tips to prepare for colder weather

    [ad_1]

    OHIO — As temperatures start to dip, it’s not just cars or wardrobes that need some cold weather prep; plumbing does too.

    What You Need To Know

    • Colder months are approaching 

    • Prepare your home’s plumbing for winter now by leaving the water dripping 

    • Open cabinets to allow heat to get inside so your pipes don’t freeze 

    Frozen or burst pipes can lead to costly damage, but there are simple steps you can take now to avoid a headache later.

    Simple things like insulating pipes, disconnecting outdoor hoses and keeping a slow drip on cold nights can make a big difference.

    Monica Stewart is a plumbing instructor at the Ohio Construction Academy. She said the biggest thing is getting ahead of the cold weather and making sure you’re prepared.

    “The main thing that people don’t do is disconnect their water hose from the water spigot. It’ll be okay during the winter, but when spring comes and you get ready to turn on your water, you’ll have a busted water line,” said Monica Stewart, plumbing instructor at Ohio Construction Academy.

    Stewart also said if you have water on the outside walls of your home, to open the cabinets to allow heat to get inside so the pipes don’t freeze. She said, slowly running the water prevents the pipes from freezing too, and wrapping or insulating your water heaters.

    [ad_2]

    Cassidy Wilson

    Source link

  • More students getting involved with clubs like Turning Point USA

    [ad_1]

    COLUMBUS, Ohio — Political commentator Charlie Kirk would have turned 32-years-old on Tuesday. 

    Nearly five weeks after he was shot and killed at a rally in Utah, many young people are continuing to keep his memory alive through his organization.

    What You Need To Know

    • Oct. 14 is Charlie Kirk’s birthday

    • Many young people are continuing to keep his memory alive through his organization

    • Kirk founded Turning Point USA

    Kirk founded Turning Point USA in 2012. It’s an organization with a mission to promote conservative ideas among young people.

    Several colleges and high schools around Ohio have chapters, including in central Ohio, where students testified before a school board earlier this year.

    That group at Hilliard Davidson High School said its mission is to “educate students on essential American values, such as freedom, limited government and a free market.”

    Back in January, a Turning Point USA staffer joined students to push the district to recognize them claiming they were being oppressed and not being allowed to host events.

    The club is currently listed on the district’s website.

    A political science professor said clubs like this one can promote discussion of important issues.

    “I think we need a healthier balance of discourse at all educational institutions, and one of the problems that we have seen is that discourse has been dominated by a very loud aggressive faction of the left, and there are certainly people that do not want chapters of Turning Point USA because it’s a very different ideological voice, and there are reasons that one might not like that but its not healthy to have discourse dominated by one ideological faction,” said Justin Buchler, associate professor of political science at Case Western Reserve University.

    Buchler said creating these clubs is a way for students to express their freedom of speech.

    He said in the past, the more liberal groups were more organized on school campuses.

    Buchler said since Kirk’s murder, people are getting a clearer idea that there may be more ideological diversity among students and younger people.

    There is at least one candlelight vigil scheduled for Oct. 14 for Kirk’s birthday. It’s taking place in the Sunbury Square at 6 p.m. They’re billing it as an evening of unity and a way to come together and reflect on Kirk’s words of faith.

    [ad_2]

    Cassidy Wilson

    Source link

  • Measles outbreak causes New Albany school to close

    [ad_1]

    NEW ALBANY, Ohio — Cases of measles are on the rise and health officials are sounding the alarm.

    What You Need To Know

    • There was a measles case reported in New Albany

    • The New Albany learning center is closing on Monday, Oct. 6 
    • Ohio has seen an increase in measles cases, recording 34 this year compared to seven last year

    The highly contagious virus, once thought to be nearly eliminated in the U.S., is making a comeback.

    An early learning center in New Albany is closing down on Oct. 6 because of a measles outbreak.

    “It’s actually deeply concerning that in 2025 we’re still able to see outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. As a family that follows the guidance of our qualified pediatrician and vaccinate accordingly, it’s really frustrating to know that our schools remain vulnerable due to gaps in immunity,” said Molly Williams, a mother. “This week’s school closure is especially difficult for preschool parents, and it’s not just about an inconvenience; it’s about a child that contracted a disease that’s preventable.”

    Williams said she hopes this serves as a wake-up call that some diseases like measles have become rare, but are still around. She said everyone has a role in protecting our communities.

    Ohio has seen an increase in measles cases, recording 34 this year compared to seven last year.

    In 2022, Ohio had 90 cases of measles, when an outbreak in Central Ohio totaled 85 cases.

    This year’s spike was also related to an outbreak in Ashtabula County in March.

    Nine cases were linked to just one man, who was the state’s first reported case in 2025 and none of those infected were vaccinated.

    As for nationwide vaccinations, those experienced a sharp decrease from 95% in the 2019-2020 school year to 92% in 2023 and 2024.

    According to the CDC, when more than 95% of people in a community are vaccinated, most are protected through herd immunity. Ohio is sitting at 89%.

    [ad_2]

    Cassidy Wilson

    Source link

  • Spanish opera brings sounds of Spain to Ohio during Hispanic Heritage Month

    [ad_1]

    COLUMBUS, Ohio — Hispanic Heritage Month is underway, and the celebration is hitting a high note right here in the heart of Ohio.

    What You Need To Know

    • Hispanic Heritage Month is underway through Oct. 15
    • A Spanish opera company is bringing its talents to Columbus

    • The opera is ‘La Hija De Rappaccini’

    • It’s produced by a Mexican-American composer. 

    This Hispanic Heritage Month, the sounds of Spain are filling Columbus. A Spanish opera company is bringing its talents to the city, offering a performance that highlights the rich culture and traditions of Spain.

    Southern Theater is bringing a traditional Spanish opera to the stage, “Rappaccini’s Daughter.”

    “The opera ‘La Hija De Rappaccini,’ first of all, it’s an opera in Espanol, and it’s essentially think a fairytale,” said Cecilia Violetta López.

    López is singing the role of Beatriz, aka Rappaccini’s Daughter.

    “If I were to go back in time and tell little me that I would be an opera singer in the future, I wouldn’t believe it,” López said.

    It’s giving central Ohio audiences a taste of rich culture, dramatic storytelling and powerful music.

    “This opera was the first Spanish opera composed by a Mexican composer,” López said.

    The production highlights classic Spanish composers and features authentic costumes and composers. All designed to celebrate Hispanic heritage through the art of opera. 

    “This specifically because it’s composed by a Mexican composer and me being Mexican American, it all hits, pulls at a lot of personal heartstrings for me so it’s really a privilege and an honor,” López said.

    Organizers said it’s more than entertainment; it’s about sharing tradition and connecting the community. 

    “These rehearsals and seeing what the culture and how much is thriving here and there’s so much richness in the city and its truly a treasure and I invite anyone whether you’re from Columbus, Ohio or not, it’s a truly magical place and you should come to the show,” López said.

    [ad_2]

    Cassidy Wilson

    Source link

  • Conference recognizing sports officials with banquet each season

    [ad_1]

    COLUMBUS, Ohio — In high school sports, the spotlight usually shines on the athletes and coaches. 

    But one conference in the state is pushing to recognize another group that makes every game possible.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Ohio Capital Conference is made up of 33 schools

    • They are recognizing the officials at a banquet each season 

    • Steve Petros is the commisioner 

    Being a sports official isn’t easy — they’re charged with making the tough calls.

    “Officials put in so much time and effort, and always have to make the tough decisions, and upset either the AD, or a coach or player,” said Bart Andrews, an official for the Ohio Capital Conference.

    Andrews officiates football, basketball and baseball, and he said sometimes, parents can get out of control. 

    “There was an incident this past weekend where a parent followed the officiating crew from the stadium to their car complaining how the game ended or some calls,” Andrews said.

    He said they often hear things from the stands, but try to ignore it and focus on their job. 

    “Unless it gets too belligerent or persistent or the foul language then you have to take care of it,” Andrews said.

    “They have a hard job, people show up to a game and its about as challenging for them as some of the athletes at times,” said Steve Petros, commissioner for the Ohio Capital Conference.

    For the last two years, Steve Petros has been the commissioner of the Ohio Capital Conference.

    The OCC is made up of 33 schools in central Ohio.

    But Petros said there’s been a shortage of officials, and he’s trying to do something about it. 

    “I thought maybe they don’t get recognized enough for some of those efforts,” Petros said.

    Petros took it into his own hands and decided to start recognizing the officials. They have a banquet three times a year by season. 

    “It’s kind of cool because each school votes on it so we like to consider ourselves a top conference in the state of Ohio so when you get recognized as official of the year, you’re pretty good,” Petros said.

    Andrews said he’s happy that the OCC commissioner is meeting with the ADs to make sure everyone is on the same page about treating the officials with respect. 

    “And recognizing that you have to enforce this stuff and we recognize the good job that you’re doing,” Andrews said.

    And he has spoken to other officials in the OCC that said they appreciate the recognition. 

    “It’s nice. It is a rather thankless job and only some people see it, so when you do have others from the outside see it and recognize it, it does mean something different,” Andrews said.

     

    [ad_2]

    Cassidy Wilson

    Source link

  • Columbus Blue Jackets player remembered for positive community impact

    Columbus Blue Jackets player remembered for positive community impact

    [ad_1]

    COLUMBUS, Ohio — The deaths of Columbus Blue Jackets forward, Johnny Gaudreau, and his brother, Matthew, have shaken the Central Ohio community.

    What You Need To Know

    • The community is grieving the loss of CBJ hockey forward Johnny Gaudreau

    • He was a husband, father, son and philanthropist 

    • Young hockey players said they looked up to him and fans hope they retire his number 

    On Thursday, Aug. 29, the brothers were killed while biking in their New Jersey hometown.

    “Johnny was a true grace,” said Ben Khan, a member of the CBJ Artillery. “His presence on the ice was graceful. Anybody who was lucky to play with him, they all spoke so highly of him so he’s a national treasure.”

    The CBJ Artillery is a group of fans that created the “we are the fifth line” slogan. 

    They said the community will grieve this tragedy for quite some time.

    “They’re wishing their best and giving their prayers to Johnny’s family and Matthew’s family. It’s a huge impact and we’re gonna hurt for a while,” Khan said.

    In 2022, Gaudreau signed a seven-year contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets for $68.25 million. 

    Fans respected Johnny so much because he wanted to be here as a free agent, and wanted to make Columbus where he settled down.

    “Everybody wanted to get out of Columbus, they didn’t want to play here because we weren’t that big market,” Khan said.

    He settled down with his wife and two kids. Meredith Gaudreau posted a statement on her social media saying, “Thank you for the best years of my life. Despite losing you, I am still the luckiest girl in the world to have been yours. I love you so, so much. You were perfect. Some days it felt too good to be true.”

    A memorial grew outside Nationwide Arena with fans coming by to pay their respect and remember him for the husband, father, son and philanthropist he was to the community. 

    “I really loved watching him play. He and Matthew were great hockey players, very, very good, and it’s so bad what happened,” said youth hockey player Alex Harrison.

    Young hockey players from around Columbus were grieving as well, and shared how much they looked up to the brothers. 

    Fans said they are going to continue to remember Johnny for not only the great hockey player he was, but person too. 

    “I’m hoping they’ll have a tribute to him on opening night and I hope that they retire his number,” said hockey fan Neil Allison.

    [ad_2]

    Cassidy Wilson

    Source link

  • CWRU students continue campus encampment

    CWRU students continue campus encampment

    [ad_1]

    CLEVELAND — As protests to the war in Gaza continue on college campuses across the country, some are getting more heated than others.

    What You Need To Know

    • The encampment at Case Western Reserve University has been up for two days 

    • Students said they have been communicating with the university to make sure things run smoothly 

    • Organizers said they will keep their encampment up until the university meets their demands 

    Last week dozens of people were arrested at The Ohio State University, charged with criminal trespassing.

    But in Cleveland, the two days of protests at Case Western Reserve University have remained relatively quiet.

    Case Western Reserve University students said that they have been communicating with the university to make sure things run smoothly. 

    On Monday protesters were told they could only be at their encampment from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. and that they could not have tents. However, after communicating with university officials, the protesters were able to camp out overnight by proving that they were students there. 

    “So what they did is they had all students have our IDs on us. They identified us with yellow wristbands so if you showed your ID to one of our administrators they would give you a wristband and that kind of allowed you access in and out of the encampment at night,” said Sabrina Wicker, a third-year student at Case Western Reserve University.

    “We had 40 plus students stay the night during finals week in physical solidarity with the cause of a free Palestine,” said Jad Kamhawi Oglesby, a senior at Case Western Reserve University.

    Wicker said it is hard to say right now if the university will meet their needs. But she said their biggest goal is to support Palestinians. 

    “We do want to show solidarity with other students across the nation because we have seen police brutality. We’ve seen violent arrests. We’ve seen evictions, extremely draconian policies being set in place by universities,” Wicker said.

    Wicker said they plan to stay at the encampment as long as they can physically until the semester ends next week.

    “Our biggest goal here it to make sure we are camped in one location,” Wicker said.

    Kamhwai Oglesby said they will continue to show their support for as long as it takes for the university to meet their demands. However, he said he realizes it may take a while. 

    “I would like to see strides be made from the university to show that this is an effort that is being made. Some of the things that could be addressed right now: a cease-fire resolution from the university, as well as an apology from the president,” said Oglesby for calling the student demands “antisemitic, naïve and hateful.”

    The university officials said they have not engaged with the students about these issues.

    [ad_2]

    Cassidy Wilson

    Source link

  • Akron Mayor delivers first State of the City address

    Akron Mayor delivers first State of the City address

    [ad_1]

    AKRON, Ohio — Akron Mayor Shammas Malik delivered his first State of the City address on Wednesday night. 

    Many Akronites were eager to hear the Mayor discuss the city’s search for its next police chief. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Malik said public safety is a top priority for him 

    • Some activists want Malik to pause the search for the city’s next police chief

    • Malik said they need a permanent police chief to undertake systemic change 

    “This has been the hardest thing I have dealt with in this job,” Malik said.

    Earlier this week, activists like Judi Hill with the Akron NAACP asked the mayor to pause the search.

    “We’re hopeful that he will at least put a pause right now on the police chief search. We were hopeful in the beginning that we would do National search or at least widen the search so that we could have a diverse pool of candidates,” Hill said.

    Activists are unhappy with the diversity of candidates after Malik said state law precludes the city from conducting a national search for its next Chief.

    Steve Mylett retired effectively Jan. 1, and Brian Harding has been serving as acting chief ever since.

    Only two current officers within the department are being considered, both of whom are white.

    “I really believe that in order to undertake that systemic change, we need a permanent police chief who can lead the department, who can implement a vision, who can make decisions in a way that an acting chief simply cannot,” Malik said.

    Malik said there will be community town halls for everyone to meet both candidates for chief and ask them questions that matter most. 

    “Real system-wide change takes much longer than 100 days, but I remain as committed as ever to the promises I’ve made about leading live change here in Akron,” Malik said.

    While addressing the police chief search was a topic which many were interested in, Malik also addressed the continued need to partner with Akron City Schools and asked that people sign up for mentorship programs. The mayor also got a big round of applause after announcing improved housing codes. He said it’s important to stay ahead of issues instead of being reactive.

    [ad_2]

    Cassidy Wilson

    Source link