BUCYRUS — Bucyrus Police Chief David Koepke has been diagnosed with COVID-19, according to a post on the department Facebook page. At 10:30 p.m. on Saturday evening, Koepke shared that what he thought was seasonal allergies turned out to be COVID-19, a respiratory illness caused by a new coronavirus. Koepke said he stayed home as he […]
Covid-19
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Mansfield fire chief wary of potential for COVID-19 in two local state prisons
MANSFIELD — If the inmate populations at the Mansfield Correctional Institution and Richland Correctional Institutions were combined, they would form Richland County’s fourth-largest city. It’s that sizable 5,000-plus population — living in close quarters — that has Mansfield Fire Department Chief Steve Strickling concerned during the coronavirus pandemic. The two prisons also employ nearly 1,000 […]
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Man who sold N95 masks at huge markup forced to refund money, forfeit masks
COLUMBUS — A northeast Ohio man accused of bulk online sales of N95 masks at prices of nearly 1,800 percent more than they cost prior to the pandemic will refund in excess of $15,000 to those who purchased masks from him and reimburse the state for $1,500 of investigative costs, as part of a settlement […]
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Richland County Children Services Board postpones employee bonuses
MANSFIELD — The Richland County Children Services Board has postponed $1,700 bonus payments to its employees, according to a press release Thursday from the child welfare agency. On April 13, the board voted to “recognize the ongoing dedication and service of its staff during the current, unprecedented coronavirus pandemic,” the statement from agency Executive Director […]
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DeWine says announcement on start of re-opening now planned Monday
COLUMBUS — Gov. Mike DeWine said today his announcement regarding the initial steps of re-opening the state economy will be on Monday. Many had expected the announcement Thursday, but DeWine said the plan is not yet ready. When asked about the delay, the governor said he was unaware he had given the impression it could […]
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Recent Ohio unemployment claims near 1 million mark due to COVID-19
COLUMBUS — For the week ending April 18, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services reported 109,369 initial jobless claims to the U.S. Dept. of Labor. The number of initial jobless claims filed in Ohio over the last five weeks stands at nearly 1 million (964,566). The economy was jolted in March when Gov. […]
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COVID-19: DeWine scheduled to announce today plans to begin re-opening Ohio economy
COLUMBUS — Gov. Mike DeWine is expected to announce Thursday during his daily COVID-19 pandemic press briefing his plans to begin re-opening the state’s economy on May 1. The daily meeting with the media begins at 2 p.m. On Wednesday, DeWine announced an order directing healthcare providers in hospitals and outpatient surgery centers to reassess procedures […]
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University Hospitals temporarily reduces employee hours, pay due to COVID-19
MADISON TOWNSHIP — University Hospitals announced Wednesday it will temporarily reduce work hours and pay for employees not directly involved in patient care due to COVID-19. Hospitals across the nation have been impacted financially by the high costs associated with preparedness for a surge in COVID-19 patients and a sharp decline in revenues from the […]
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Exchange student gets socially distanced send-off
SHELBY — Maria José Roldan Centrón sprinted across the lawn on Monday, smartphone in hand, recording a video of the row of cars. Friends held colorful homemade signs or waved from their windows. Roldan Centrón, a 16-year-old from Asunción, Paraguay, has lived in Shelby for eight months as part of a student-exchange program. Her return date […]
