Latest news with #McManis
Hamilton Spectator
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Veteran linebacker McManis will anchor new-look Toronto Argonauts defence in 2025
GUELPH - Wynton McManis finds himself in somewhat unfamiliar surroundings as he returns for a fourth season with the Toronto Argonauts. The veteran middle linebacker will anchor a new-look Argos defence this season. Toronto will open its schedule June 6 in Montreal minus seven starters from the unit that forced five turnovers — resulting in 27 points — in its 41-24 Grey Cup win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. 'Yeah, there will be quite a few changes,' said McManis sporting an ever-present toothpick in his mouth. 'It's early, but once a lot of these guys start making plays you'll start learning the names a little bit more.' All four defensive linemen who started against Winnipeg are gone. Defensive end Folarin Orimolade was dealt to Calgary for Canadian linebacker Cam Judge while tackle Jake Ceresna and Canadian end Robbie Smith signed with Edmonton as free agents. Tackle Ralph Holley is now with the NFL's Cleveland Browns. Jared Brinkman, who opened '24 as a starting defensive lineman, also joined the Elks in free agency. Canadian linebacker Fraser Sopik, who made 12 starts last year with Toronto, signed with Calgary in free agency before retiring. Toronto did re-sign McManis — a two-time CFL all-star and three-time Grey Cup champion — in the off-season. Judge, entering his eighth CFL season, returns to the team he played for in 2021 but Canadian Tunde Adeleke, who started at linebacker versus Winnipeg. signed with Ottawa this off-season before retiring. Canadian safety Royce Metchie (free agent, Edmonton) and veteran halfback DaShaun Amos (free agent, Hamilton) also departed. 'No question, it's a brand new team,' said Toronto head coach Ryan Dinwiddie. 'There's more roster turnover this year than what we had last year and everybody thought we had a ton last year. 'There's going to be guys who've got to get familiar with the scheme and some of those things. I'm going to be hard on some of these incoming players to kind of let them understand what our expectations are in this building.' Toronto posted a CFL-high 48 sacks last season with Ceresna and Holley both recording eight to finish in a five-way tie for the CFL lead. Orimolade, Smith and Derek Parrish, who remains with the Argos, all had six. But while sacks certainly garner attention, of more importance to a defence is forcing turnovers because they can immediately change the complexion of a game. Nowhere was that more evident than in the Grey Cup as Toronto had a record-tying four interceptions but set a new standard with 164 return yards. Robert Priester had a 61-yard interception return TD as Toronto outscored Winnipeg 24-11 in the fourth quarter to cement its second championship win over the Bombers in three seasons. But Toronto's defensive changes aren't limited to its roster. Jason Shivers begins his first season as co-defensive co-ordinator with linebackers coach Kevin Eiben. He replaces William Fields, who's now the Ottawa Redblacks' defensive co-ordinator. Shivers is a former Argos defensive back who began his CFL coaching career with the club in 2013 as a defensive assistant. He'll also serve as Toronto's secondary coach. 'Jason brings a lot of confidence and the ability to relate to players,' Dinwiddie said. 'He's been a co-ordinator for a long time (2019, 21-23 with Saskatchewan, 2024 with Edmonton). 'I've told Jason and Kevin, 'You guys be aggressive. I'll take care of the other end on offence, we'll score enough points.' But I want those guys to go after teams, we're not going to to sit back.' All with the goal of getting the ball back for Toronto's offence as often as possible. 'We've got to create turnovers where last year we created turnovers just being really good football players,' Dinwiddie said. 'We've got to make sure we can confuse the offence a little bit, get a few interceptions thrown to us.' McManis said it will take time for Toronto's defensive players to get acclimated to the schemes and develop a chemistry together. 'There's going to be some growing pains but everyone is willing and able and just excited to be here to learn,' he said. 'I think the sky is the limit for this group. 'I know everyone says that every year but honestly, it's the truth. We have a lot of great guys.' The last celebrations of Toronto's '24 season will be the players receiving their Grey Cup rings and raising of the championship banner. But for McManis, last year's Grey Cup is a distant — albeit pleasant — memory. 'You know, 2024 is gone,' he said. 'I'm going to get the ring, smile at it, close the box and let's go win in 2025.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 11, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Veteran linebacker McManis will anchor new-look Toronto Argonauts defence in 2025
GUELPH – Wynton McManis finds himself in somewhat unfamiliar surroundings as he returns for a fourth season with the Toronto Argonauts. The veteran middle linebacker will anchor a new-look Argos defence this season. Toronto will open its schedule June 6 in Montreal minus seven starters from the unit that forced five turnovers — resulting in 27 points — in its 41-24 Grey Cup win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. 'Yeah, there will be quite a few changes,' said McManis sporting an ever-present toothpick in his mouth. 'It's early, but once a lot of these guys start making plays you'll start learning the names a little bit more.' All four defensive linemen who started against Winnipeg are gone. Defensive end Folarin Orimolade was dealt to Calgary for Canadian linebacker Cam Judge while tackle Jake Ceresna and Canadian end Robbie Smith signed with Edmonton as free agents. Tackle Ralph Holley is now with the NFL's Cleveland Browns. Jared Brinkman, who opened '24 as a starting defensive lineman, also joined the Elks in free agency. Canadian linebacker Fraser Sopik, who made 12 starts last year with Toronto, signed with Calgary in free agency before retiring. Toronto did re-sign McManis — a two-time CFL all-star and three-time Grey Cup champion — in the off-season. Judge, entering his eighth CFL season, returns to the team he played for in 2021 but Canadian Tunde Adeleke, who started at linebacker versus Winnipeg. signed with Ottawa this off-season before retiring. Canadian safety Royce Metchie (free agent, Edmonton) and veteran halfback DaShaun Amos (free agent, Hamilton) also departed. 'No question, it's a brand new team,' said Toronto head coach Ryan Dinwiddie. 'There's more roster turnover this year than what we had last year and everybody thought we had a ton last year. 'There's going to be guys who've got to get familiar with the scheme and some of those things. I'm going to be hard on some of these incoming players to kind of let them understand what our expectations are in this building.' Toronto posted a CFL-high 48 sacks last season with Ceresna and Holley both recording eight to finish in a five-way tie for the CFL lead. Orimolade, Smith and Derek Parrish, who remains with the Argos, all had six. But while sacks certainly garner attention, of more importance to a defence is forcing turnovers because they can immediately change the complexion of a game. Nowhere was that more evident than in the Grey Cup as Toronto had a record-tying four interceptions but set a new standard with 164 return yards. Robert Priester had a 61-yard interception return TD as Toronto outscored Winnipeg 24-11 in the fourth quarter to cement its second championship win over the Bombers in three seasons. But Toronto's defensive changes aren't limited to its roster. Jason Shivers begins his first season as co-defensive co-ordinator with linebackers coach Kevin Eiben. He replaces William Fields, who's now the Ottawa Redblacks' defensive co-ordinator. Shivers is a former Argos defensive back who began his CFL coaching career with the club in 2013 as a defensive assistant. He'll also serve as Toronto's secondary coach. 'Jason brings a lot of confidence and the ability to relate to players,' Dinwiddie said. 'He's been a co-ordinator for a long time (2019, 21-23 with Saskatchewan, 2024 with Edmonton). 'I've told Jason and Kevin, 'You guys be aggressive. I'll take care of the other end on offence, we'll score enough points.' But I want those guys to go after teams, we're not going to to sit back.' All with the goal of getting the ball back for Toronto's offence as often as possible. 'We've got to create turnovers where last year we created turnovers just being really good football players,' Dinwiddie said. 'We've got to make sure we can confuse the offence a little bit, get a few interceptions thrown to us.' McManis said it will take time for Toronto's defensive players to get acclimated to the schemes and develop a chemistry together. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. 'There's going to be some growing pains but everyone is willing and able and just excited to be here to learn,' he said. 'I think the sky is the limit for this group. 'I know everyone says that every year but honestly, it's the truth. We have a lot of great guys.' The last celebrations of Toronto's '24 season will be the players receiving their Grey Cup rings and raising of the championship banner. But for McManis, last year's Grey Cup is a distant — albeit pleasant — memory. 'You know, 2024 is gone,' he said. 'I'm going to get the ring, smile at it, close the box and let's go win in 2025.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 11, 2025.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Ross County's Operation Bridge 2025 tackles substance use disorder
Ross County community partners recently conducted a two-day outreach event to combat substance use disorder and related crimes while providing recovery resources and support to residents. According to an announcement, Operation Bridge 2025 took place April 23-24 and involved multiple organizations, including the Chillicothe Police and Fire Departments, Ross County Community Action, Ross County Health District (RCHD), Ross County Sheriff's Office, Recovery Ohio and the Ohio Department of Public Safety. The event focused on education, enforcement and treatment. The outreach fair, coordinated by RCHD Epidemiologist and Health Promotion Programs Lead Liberty Merriman, was held at the Armory Gym in Yoctangee Park, offering mental health and treatment services. Narcotic and K-9 units made proactive enforcement contacts, while social workers and peer supporters conducted home visits and were on call for officers during the event. In total, 417 successful contacts were made, with 65 naloxone kits and 131 fentanyl test strips distributed. Six individuals were connected to treatment, and another six were referred to treatment. Ross County Health Commissioner Janelle McManis highlighted the success of the event as a continuation of the county's recovery community partnerships. 'I'm proud to announce that Ross County saw a decrease in overdose deaths in 2024, with 36 lives lost,' McManis said. 'While the loss of any life is tragic, this represents a reduction in overdose fatalities from previous years, and it highlights the positive impact of the collective efforts being made by community organizations, including the Health District, to address substance use disorder.' In September 2024, there was a two-week period with no reported overdoses, partly due to community outreach efforts. Naloxone distribution is a key component of prevention work in Ross County. In 2024, there was a 52.5% increase in naloxone kits distributed, totaling 2,752 kits through various channels. Peer support programs also play a crucial role in supporting individuals struggling with substance use disorder. In 2024, there were 3,092 interactions with peer supporters, with 137 individuals referred to treatment through these interactions. Efforts to reach young people in the community include evidence-based school programming. RCHD's SUD Program Coordinator Paige Baxter educated 909 students during the 2023-2024 school year about the risks of substance use. Ross County recovery partnerships have been recognized for their hard work. In January 2025, the Ohio Deflection Association awarded Ross County's Post Overdose Response Team the Outstanding QRT Outreach and Engagement Initiatives Award for a Medium-Sized Community. 'We are proud of the progress we've made, but recognize that the work is far from over,' McManis said. 'Every day we continue to partner with local organizations, engage with individuals and families, and implement evidence-based strategies to reduce harm and support recovery in Ross County.' To order your naloxone kit through RCHD's Project DAWN program, call 740-779-9652 or email projectdawn@ This story was created by Jane Imbody, jimbody@ with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at or share your thoughts at with our News Automation and AI team. This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: 417 contacts made during Ross County Operation Bridge 2025
