COLUMBUS — The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services reported 272,117 initial jobless claims to the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the week ending March 28, which set a record for the second straight week. The number of initial jobless claims filed in Ohio over the last two week stands at 468,414. To put that […]
Covid-19
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COVID-19: Ohio AG cuts red tape to enable police cadets to graduate, retirees to return
COLUMBUS — Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has directed the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy to expedite final examinations of about 300 police cadets and allow them to quickly bolster the ranks of law enforcement. “We have to do everything legally, and safely, within our power to get officers and deputies on the streets of […]
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Portman, Brown urge USDA approval of Ohio COVID-19 disaster food distribution program
U.S. Senators Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) on Wednesday were joined by Ohio House members in a letter urging swift approval of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services request to operate the Disaster Household Distribution Program. The letter was to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue. USDA’s Disaster Household Distribution Program […]
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DeWine touts Ohio Manufacturing Alliance to Fight COVID-19
COLUMBUS — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced Wednesday the establishment of the Ohio Manufacturing Alliance to Fight COVID-19. The collaborative public-private partnership will coordinate efforts to provide healthcare workers and first responders with the personal protective equipment (PPE). “This new alliance will work to more quickly mobilize every manufacturer capable of helping us make PPE […]
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Mansfield police, firefighters adapting to dangers of COVID-19 environment
MANSFIELD — Firefighter/paramedic Pete Champer spoke in a calm, measured tone Tuesday when asked how COVID-19 has changed the way first responders do their jobs. But his words echoed among the more than 160 police officers and firefighters serving the city’s 46,000 residents today during the pandemic that has altered the world in which these […]
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Ohio hospitals remain mum on changes to local bed and ventilator counts; uncertainty affects local patients
The Ohio Department of Health gets daily updates on the total number of beds and ventilators that could be available for COVID-19 patients at hospitals throughout the state. But so far the agency hasn’t provided any hospital-by-hospital breakdown, and the agencies that collect capacity information on their behalf have also declined to release their assessments. […]
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Clearfork Marina & Campground closed; boat launch remains open
MANSFIELD – The City of Mansfield announced Wednesday afternoon the Clear Fork Reservoir campground is closed. “The city stated it prioritizes the health and safety of our community, the campers, and our employees,” the city stated in a press release. “Due to the coronavirus, we are heeding the orders of our national, state, and local […]
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Lexington sailor aboard U.S. aircraft carrier hit by COVID-19
LEXINGTON — A sailor who graduated from Lexington High School is a member of the crew of the U.S. aircraft carrier now anchored in Guam after some crew members tested positive for COVID-19. Machinist’s Mate (Nuclear) 2nd Class Jordan Dalton was the focus of a feature in Richland Source on March 14 as a member […]
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Ohio takes inventory of ventilators
COLUMBUS — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced Tuesday that Ohio is taking action to gather a statewide inventory of ventilators and other machines and devices that provide breathing assistance. Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton issued an order requiring weekly online reporting of these devices by any entity in the supply chain, from creation […]
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Richland County commissioners OK temporary paid sick leave, FMLA policies due to COVID-19
MANSFIELD — Richland County commissioners on Tuesday approved temporary policies regarding emergency sick leave and extended family medical leave act time for employees. Both of the new policies are in keeping with the recently enacted Families First Coronavirus Response Act, tenants of which take affect Wednesday, commissioners said. The policies cover departments under commissioners’ purview, […]