[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6283684,"mediaKeyId","2586308-b3e86de7791c99c821db42790cc06c54","parentId",2586308,"title","Residents press city on school threats and youth gun violence; state safety director outlines driver-safety and outreach efforts","audioSeconds",1624,"startMs",2428000,"endMs",4052000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2586308-b3e86de7791c99c821db42790cc06c54&start=2428&end=4052","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2586308-b3e86de7791c99c821db42790cc06c54/thumbnail_2428000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6283684/Ohio/Residents-press-city-on-school-threats-and-youth-gun-violence-state-safety-director-outlines-driver-safety-and-outreach-efforts","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6283684-3e52242be56c2b5f3224e37eed713b4e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770731358&Signature=cI7Vb7mv7prQlG7mC6Qi2TCHxedjuktHN4pEX8B5j5WlSSgePNKl2DRL9A6R2w3A0WSwGF998eZABxxx-YA-tNYNH9csXPXCaLbDJTHocLfY4-bmdjwxwtOvkQKktmmjcrrDmr6sjB4feDKhgJYfroX1t4CgJtv5dYSlvQWBbOXL44CHpTj61NikJCBRlfWG0NvaARKg1JENiIBSTpbHAI0LjmOaQ4u2WcJ93mBpkhmwZ1eBhF0OinIoMFY44lv4JcybQgj1WwxjI7wnnzraSbyh1yFp0O1nswLGuC7wcKM9dM-rTbH97wtWppEkY9-Yqa-2TWY2CPn6aLT8K-acTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Springfield OH","date","2025-03-12T12:38:37Z","article","Several residents used the public-comment period to describe threats, bullying and suspected violent intentions involving students at Kenton Ridge High School and urged city and county leaders to intervene.

Dion Green said families reported a student had threatened gun violence at the school and that parents had received inadequate follow-up from the Northeastern school superintendent. \"So we can't take any threat lightly,\" Green said, urging the commission to push for a response.

Retired deputy Moses Young described an incident he says occurred on January 11, 2024, when his daughter was threatened at Kenton Ridge. He told the commission the classroom teacher did not notify the school resource officer or principal at the time, and that the student who made the threat remained in class for the rest of the year. \"They took and notified me at 06:30 that night via ParentSquare text message. Now I don't know how y'all feel about that, but for me that's inappropriate,\" Young said.

Several other speakers called for increased investment in youth programs and community supports; Taylor Bowser described mentoring and employment pathways he said could benefit young people at risk of violence and criminal behavior.

In response, Ohio’s safety director Andy Wilson addressed the commission and outlined state-level actions taken since the fall to address traffic safety and community outreach related to arrivals in the Haitian community. Wilson said the state deployed targeted patrols and data-driven enforcement that officials associate with a decline in crashes after the surge period; he reported 2,067 enforcement actions between Sept. 11 and March 10 and a reduction in monthly crash counts in some months compared with the fall peak.

Wilson also described driver-education interventions aimed at Haitian community members, including Haitian Creole curriculum, animated instructional videos, and 12 driving simulators placed in community locations such as churches, Clark State and Job and Family Services. He said the state had developed a short, anonymous community survey (with Wright State University assisting on analysis) to gather demographic, health and vocational information from Haitian residents and to guide service provision.

Commissioners and staff directed speakers to the appropriate education and law-enforcement authorities when jurisdictional limits applied. Commissioner Estrop noted that the city commission has no authority over district superintendents and suggested relying first on the school board and the sheriff’s office for matters involving school resource officers. Staff also said they would follow up with county partners when appropriate.

Why it matters: Residents described concrete allegations of threats and delayed reporting at a public school, raising concerns about student safety and school-district responsiveness. The state’s outreach and driver-education programs are intended to reduce traffic incidents and improve access to services for a specific community group, but residents pressed for more local coordination on bullying and violence prevention.

What’s next: Commissioners encouraged residents to pursue concerns with the Northeastern school board and the sheriff’s office and asked city staff to coordinate with county partners and school officials; the state said it would disseminate a community survey and continue driver-education and outreach work.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Commission Meeting, Mar. 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Multiple residents told the City Commission about threatening behavior and bullying at Kenton Ridge High School and called for better responses. The state safety director said the governor's office has contributed enforcement, driver education and community outreach focused on the Haitian community and school safety resources.","taxTitle","Springfield City Commission, Springfield City, Clark County, Ohio","taxId",68986,"location","Ohio","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6283689,"Springfield commission approves contracts, grants and development agreements in unanimous votes",887,5684000,6571000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2586308-b3e86de7791c99c821db42790cc06c54&start=5684&end=6571","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2586308-b3e86de7791c99c821db42790cc06c54/thumbnail_5684000.jpg","/articles/6283689/Ohio/Springfield-commission-approves-contracts-grants-and-development-agreements-in-unanimous-votes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6283689-59d5197e9f6198446b7de9af7934de58/orig.mp4?Expires=1770731358&Signature=ncoBGo8BwpHzhDOzGiZZ4aVJEq6BR9RRRMFy-E5xIyagEtW1QK~~wuIo-ITUmaN2DVdqvEPJNYNSmVeeuBkGsZj1dJnQtR243GHqjPFz006L~qF~6h21QngCYx-GD~aaFmU5ijDSYJ75jwVyZBWvR~rIm9ZFvv~W02YUgs-R2zTvlESlCFLqAemR8u2IuIQcCsU~a8h0jVugM5PAYwhPHa0~JQ1YKoF~DLwZrHcfneSVXs4aBwcbwINLrROvbPBLmOTQHS~965eABGKVxSFqpAuiZGGetEfyVZKOQR959GCJnqVL2NSt4-NWojFn5P0jfF3ooctKJdW2LR6LcNWb0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Springfield City Commission voted on multiple routine and substantive items at its formal meeting, approving renewals of municipal service contracts, several HUD- and locally funded homelessness grants, a tax-increment financing agreement, and a downtown redevelopment incentive.

Items approved on second reading or by roll call included a one-year renewal for utility-billing printing and mailing services with Smart Bill Corp (authorization not to exceed $440,000), a renewal of medical billing services with AccuMed ($140,000), and a five-year amendment for the county-wide shared geographic information system (increase of $25,781.80 to a total not to exceed $270,219.80). Commissioners voted \"yes\" on the roll calls recorded for these items.

The commission also confirmed and authorized use of federal Continuum of Care grant funding and related subrecipient agreements. The council approved a HUD Continuum of Care grant agreement in an amount not to exceed $219,935 and a subrecipient agreement with the Springfield Metropolitan Housing Authority to administer a permanent supportive housing tenant-based rental assistance program in the same amount.

On homelessness services, the commission authorized subrecipient agreements with Sheltered Inc. for $302,784 and Project Woman of Ohio for $50,980 to support comprehensive homelessness solutions. During public comment, Sheltered Inc. representatives and supporters urged commission approval and described plans to reopen a 24/7 men’s shelter and expand case management.

The commission also approved an economic development agreement for downtown redevelopment (the historically known Fairbanks/Hall Building) with AP Development LLC and AP Fairbank LLC and passed a tax-increment financing and cooperative agreement for Melody Park New Community Authority and 40 Partners LLC.

Other actions approved included renewal of professional engineering services, amendments related to vacant-property administration, and authorizing appointment of a representative to the Regional Income Tax Agency Board. All roll-call votes recorded in the transcript for these items show unanimous approval by the commissioners present.

Votes at a glance (selected items recorded in the meeting):
- Smart Bill Corp — utility bill printing/mailing renewal, not to exceed $440,000 — approved (roll call: Yes).
- AccuMed Billing — medical billing services renewal, not to exceed $140,000 — approved (roll call: Yes).
- GIS consortium amendment — increase $25,781.80 for a five-year term, total not to exceed $270,219.80 — approved (roll call: Yes).
- HUD Continuum of Care grant — $219,935 — approved (roll call: Yes).
- Subrecipient agreement: Springfield Metropolitan Housing Authority — $219,935 — approved (roll call: Yes).
- Subrecipient agreement: Sheltered Inc. — $302,784 — approved (roll call: Yes).
- Subrecipient agreement: Project Woman of Ohio — $50,980 — approved (roll call: Yes).
- Economic development agreement: AP Development LLC / AP Fairbank LLC — approved (roll call: Yes).

The meeting record shows motions were moved and seconded for each ordinance and the clerk called the roll; recorded votes for the items cited above were \"Yes\" from the commissioners present (Doctor Estrop, Mrs. Tackett, and Mayor Rue). No votes recorded in the transcript were opposed or abstentions for the items listed.

Why it matters: The approved grants and subrecipient contracts direct federal and local funds toward homelessness services, rental assistance and housing administration; the downtown development agreement aims to restore a long-vacant historic building and spur downtown investment.

What’s next: Some grants and projects are contingent on federal funding streams that speakers noted may be subject to federal budget changes; city staff said they will continue to monitor funding availability and work with subrecipients and developers on implementation schedules.","At the formal session following the work session, the Springfield City Commission approved a range of first- and second-reading ordinances including contract renewals, HUD-funded homelessness grants, subrecipient agreements, and a downtown redevelopment incentive; votes were recorded as unanimous where roll calls were taken.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6283694,"Health officials urge tougher tobacco retailer license penalties, proximity limits to curb youth vaping",1526,390000,1916000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2586308-b3e86de7791c99c821db42790cc06c54&start=390&end=1916","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2586308-b3e86de7791c99c821db42790cc06c54/thumbnail_390000.jpg","/articles/6283694/Ohio/Health-officials-urge-tougher-tobacco-retailer-license-penalties-proximity-limits-to-curb-youth-vaping","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6283694-3b03ff4574acf657573379e7525815fe/orig.mp4?Expires=1770731358&Signature=iNeBt-fKvPYt2rS0CjY6VzD1nuNbDi0xU8IoqFCNHteGL~vUsQf4xBFbXSf4PoJYHBash33f~f-m8vJJFK976AJz4W~zWynxbR3DQusFbX~zS1tIZHKCUD~oaDMAphyCOP~2RZx6S~io5WEwQAsJQTBQlBPVIZWt89O45xeX5N2nrJt1-ZEDHiJ79ytVFEjPsJO1woCCRbkFBAuRdxBbp3Y2POfhSmC5qcxaotaGyfWbYGsIUKEWZrXhkM9CmRkXD278zDqeuc8yeKr3sSnhWKPUxNa38ktSIALLxNr-vDqevSks-5~5C0O~kD5MbYcNjV-rebD5HvDOg~d5hApiAw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Leah Baylor, a health planner with the Clark County Combined Health District, told the Springfield City Commission that the district recommends tightening the city’s tobacco retailer license to reduce youth access to nicotine products.

Baylor summarized local survey and enforcement data and asked commissioners to back enhancements to Springfield’s Tobacco Retailer License (TRL) ordinance. She said the TRL, adopted in October 2021 and implemented in January 2022, already requires retailers to buy a $150 annual license and covers e-cigarettes. \"This tobacco retailer license is really important. It can protect youth from early exposure to addictive nicotine,\" she said.

The health planner said the district’s 2023 youth risk behavioral survey of nearly 4,000 Clark County middle- and high-school students found that 16 percent had tried a cigarette and 28 percent had tried an electronic vapor product; 13 percent used an electronic vapor product in the past 30 days and 5.9 percent had used one 20 or more times in the past 30 days. Baylor also presented compliance-check results showing store failure rates dropped from 35 percent in an initial year of checks (84 stores checked, 29 failed) to 8 percent (86 stores checked, 7 failed) after fines were enforced.

Proposed enhancements Baylor outlined include increasing a specified penalty to $1,000 for a second violation within two years, adding third- and fourth-tier penalties, and adding density and proximity restrictions that would limit licenses near youth-serving organizations. She said policy changes and stiffer fines are intended to act as a deterrent and that the health district pairs enforcement with retailer education.

Commissioners and the mayor asked clarifying questions about the fines, signage, enforcement patterns and the composition of confiscated products. Commissioner John Estrop asked whether the seven stores that failed in 2023 had also failed in 2022; Baylor said she did not have that exact breakdown on hand but offered to provide it later. Mayor Rue and other commissioners noted concerns about storefront signage and how product design and flavors make devices appealing to children.

Baylor showed a bin of confiscated vaping devices seized from a single high school over six to eight months and described evolving product designs, including devices with LED displays and gamified features. \"These are really addictive, easily concealable products that are very colorful. They have really fun flavors, and our youth are just kind of like moth to the flame with these products right now,\" she said.

Chris Cook, the district health commissioner, introduced Baylor and framed the presentation as a call to action. At the end of the presentation he summarized the request: \"The call to action is please support the tobacco retailer license enhancements.\"

No formal ordinance amendment or vote on specific TRL changes occurred at the meeting; the presentation concluded as the commission moved toward the formal agenda. Health department staff offered to return with more detailed enforcement data and recommended language for potential ordinance updates.

Why it matters: City policy changes to licensing, penalties and zoning/proximity could change retailer behavior and, according to district data, appear linked to reduced unlawful underage sales in compliance checks. The health district asked the commission for support to pursue stronger local controls to limit youth access to nicotine products.

Looking ahead: The health district said it will provide follow-up data (including whether repeat offenders failed in multiple years) and recommended draft language for penalties and proximity rules for the commission and city staff to consider in coming weeks.","Clark County Combined Health District officials presented data to the Springfield City Commission showing high youth access to nicotine products and urged the commission to support enhancements to the city's 2021 tobacco retailer license, including higher penalties and proximity limits near youth-serving sites.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents press city on school threats and youth gun violence; state safety director outlines driver-safety and outreach efforts

Springfield commission approves contracts, grants and development agreements in unanimous votes

Health officials urge tougher tobacco retailer license penalties, proximity limits to curb youth vaping