first responders

Demand for police reform has led to more cities and police departments exploring the concept of sending social workers to respond to mental health crisis calls. While data remains scarce, supporters have been vocal on the issue.

President Biden is expected to make his first visit to East Palestine Friday. Some residents are critical that it's taken more than a year since the Norfolk Southern derailment for him to visit.

The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services has received $879,509 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to support the mental health needs of East Palestine.

The county hopes to update its 911 systems to allow texting as Ohio works to pass a bill forcing 911 dispatch centers to do the same.

A religious group based in Holmes County has announced that a violent gang in Haiti has released three more hostages; two Northeast Ohio hospital systems are restricting visitations as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations rise; a Republican lawmaker is proposing legislation to attract and retain Ohio college students through a series of grants, scholarships and tax breaks; and more stories.

Federal funding will work to address COVID-19-related health disparities in Ohio; a lawyer says a Malaysian court has ruled in favor of 65 migrant workers who sued Akron-based Goodyear for underpaying them; the Ohio State Medical Board has approved three new conditions eligible for patients to receive medical marijuana; and more stories.

The Ohio FOP is hoping the state allows officers to move up on the vaccination distribution list.

Vaccinations for EMTs and paramedics began on Christmas Eve. Now, the city will move forward in vaccinating people in congregate living facilities including nursing homes.

Despite the global pandemic, the Akron Police Academy has continued training its first class of recruits since 2008. Akron’s academy became a casualty of…

The Summit County Emergency Management Agency and its counterparts in all Ohio counties are asking for donations.They need personal protective medical…