Vicky Forrest

Local hospital and public health officials say data shows concerns about an increase in contagious diseases caused by the influx of Haitian immigrants

Springfield Mayor Rob Rue expresses support for kids scared after school threats, says callers threatened attacks on his family. City meeting comments were a mix of anger about Haitian immigration and calls for unity.

After a couple of weeks at the center of national attention amid divisive rhetoric about immigration, the Springfield City Commission convened its regular meeting Tuesday with increased security and renewed efforts to tamp down anger that has dominated discussions over the past year.

In the first two weeks that Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers assisted with traffic enforcement in Springfield, troopers made 337 traffic stops, issued 136 “enforcement actions” and 101 warnings, according to Andy Wilson, director of public safety for the state of Ohio.

Power failures, road washouts and gas shortages put Erik and Lindsay Augustin in a tough spot as the aftermath of Hurricane Helene hit the Asheville, N.C. area, but a series of “what ifs” fell their way.

Those attending the Springfield City Commission meeting this week were greeted with protestors on the corner again, but this time it was a group promoting the message of Revolutionary Communist Party USA leader Bob Avakian.

Although he served as the Superintendent of Springfield City Schools before his retirement, Assistant Mayor David Estrop just learned recently that driver’s education was once included as an elective in Ohio public schools.

In the 2024 election race for Ohio's 15th Congressional District, Republican incumbent Mike Carey is being challenged by Democrat Adam Miller, a current Ohio state representative.

Affordable housing has been one of the major concerns Springfield residents have voiced during recent tense City Commission meetings. The city now has announced a new effort to address that need, in conjunction with the Clark County Land Reutilization Corporation, also known as the Land Bank.

Springfield City Commissioners authorized a purchase agreement for the sale of a former city fire station to the Haitian Community Help and Support Center to house the group’s operations.