Latest news with #JamesDouglasMeadows
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Ohio Department of Health sounds alarm as measles outbreak grows in Ashtabula County
ASHTABULA, Ohio (WJW) – Ten people in Ashtabula County are confirmed to have measles, a sharp increase from the single case reported last week. The Ohio Department of Health said the outbreak is linked to one man, the first case of measles in 2025. Manhunt suspended for James Douglas Meadows, suspect in Lorain County police officer assault who is still at-large The man recently traveled, and the area is not being shared by the Ashtabula County Health Department, to protect the anonymity of the man. The nine new cases are linked to that same man and all of the individuals are not vaccinated. ODH said measles is a growing concern as cases continue to spike in Western Texas and New Mexico. 'Given the measles activity in Texas, New Mexico, and other states around the country, we're disappointed but not surprised we now have several cases here in Ohio and known exposure in some counties,' ODH Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff said. 'This disease can be very serious, even deadly, but it is almost entirely avoidable by being properly vaccinated. Measles is especially dangerous for young children, so I strongly urge all parents across Ohio to make sure your children are vaccinated. It is a crucial layer of protection that can save lives.' There is an additional confirmed case in Knox County, Ohio, as well. Guardians reach TV Deal: Here's how to watch The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines a measles outbreak as three or more related cases. Measles can spread quickly, and each case can lead to an additional 12 to 18 cases if people aren't protected against the disease. The CDC reported 378 cases nationwide as of March 20. Ohio had 90 cases of measles in 2022, when an outbreak in central Ohio totaled 85 cases. The state had one measles case in 2023 and seven in 2024. Measles is extremely contagious and can spread to others through coughing and sneezing. It can be brought into Ohio by individuals who travel to places where measles is spreading. If people are not protected against the disease, nine out of 10 people who are exposed will become ill. The measles virus can live up to two hours in the air after an infected person leaves the room. Symptoms usually appear 7-14 days after a person comes in contact with the virus but it can take as long as 21 days in some cases. RECALL: Metal found in beef sticks sold nationwide, says USDA The measles vaccine (called MMR as it protects against measles, mumps and rubella) is safe and effective at preventing measles. Two doses of MMR are 97% effective against measles. If you are up to date on the measles vaccine, the risk of getting sick is extremely low. ACHD will take part in a Vaccination Clinic for Measles-Mumps-Rubella, Varicella, DTaP, Polio & Flu for Adults and Children on Thursday, March 27, from 3:30-5:30 pm at the Conneaut Human Resource Center, 327 Mill St., Conneaut, OH 44030. No appointment is required. Bring insurance cards and shot records if you have them. Some vaccines are available at no cost for those who qualify. A parent must accompany any minor. Call (440)576-6010, option #2, for more information. Dr. Vanderhoff held a news conference on March 18 to discuss Ohio's childhood immunization rates and to urge parents to get their children up to date on all recommended vaccines, including the MMR vaccine. You can find the video of that news conference on the ODH YouTube channel. More information about measles is available on the CDC website, including general information and the recommended immunization schedule. ODH also has a measles FAQ page. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Yahoo
Manhunt suspended for James Douglas Meadows, suspect in Lorain County police officer assault who remains at-large
AMHERST, Ohio (WJW) – Authorities' Thursday hunt for a man suspected of assaulting local police officers was suspended later that afternoon. The Lorain County Sheriff's Office reported law enforcement officers are still looking for James Douglas Meadows, 37. He stands 5-foot-7, weighs 170 pounds and has brown eyes and brown hair. He's believed to be wearing a brown shirt and a gray beanie. Frito-Lay chips sold in 13 states, including Ohio, recalled The sheriff's office issued an alert on Thursday morning urging residents to lock their doors and shelter in place amid an ongoing manhunt. That shelter-in-place alert for the areas of Annis and Russia roads and South Lake Street was lifted just before 2 p.m. Several law enforcement agencies on Thursday afternoon searched a wooded area on Russia Road near state Route 58, the sheriff reported. The sheriff warned residents to call 911 immediately if they see Meadows. The man's vehicle has reportedly been found, reports FOX 8 News reporter Rex Smith. Canada changes rules for traveling to United States Investigators said Meadows assaulted two Sheffield Village police officers who were following a tip on a parole violation over the weekend. According to Lorain County officials, the Sheffield Village officers were able to get one cuff on Meadows before he escaped. Marshals searched for him after that incident, according to the sheriff. Acting on a tip, the marshals spotted Meadows at about 8 a.m. on Thursday. The sheriff said Meadows put the marshals' lives in danger in his efforts to flee. Investigators said Meadows escaped after a short vehicle pursuit. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Yahoo
ODJFS employee wrongly released $565K in Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits, inspector general says
[Watch in the player above: How to tell if a company is planning layoffs] COLUMBUS, Ohio (WJW) — An Ohio Inspector General investigation has revealed a temporary worker for the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services improperly released more than $565,000 in pandemic-era relief funds in 2021, some of which went to her relatives and acquaintances. The case has been referred to a county prosecutor and the state auditor. Manhunt suspended for James Douglas Meadows, suspect in Lorain County police officer assault who is still at-large The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program was created by Congress in 2020 to address rising unemployment due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After the program expanded, ODJFS received 'an unprecedented number' of new unemployment claims, according to a Thursday news release from the IG's office. The agency hired several new intermittent and temporarily contracted workers to handle the influx of claims. The agency disbursed about $7.6 billion in pandemic unemployment benefits in the 2021 fiscal year. Millions of those dollars were later determined to be fraudulent, according to the release. Car stolen with toddler in it: Suspect enters plea ODJFS in August 2021 referred a claim of wrongdoing by one of those intermittent workers to the inspector general's office. Investigators learned the woman previously worked for a private organization as a customer service representative processing PUA claims. In both jobs, she acted outside her authority by releasing a total of $565,949 over 28 PUA claims, according to the release. Investigators found the woman improperly searched for PUA claimants and removed fraud and eligibility issues and fact-finding information from their claims, allowing them to move ahead. Five of the claims were for her relatives and acquaintances, according to the release. Read the full investigation on the Inspector General's website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
