Akron Facing EMS Shortage as AMR Ends Services in August
Written by Steffany MurdockA private ambulance service that has been working in conjunction with Akron Fire for years, taking people to the hospital for non-critical, but still important medical needs; now wants millions of dollars from the city to do the same work they've been doing for no charge.
That, Akron Fire Chief, Joe Natko tells us, is a non-starter for the City, which simply can't afford to pay American Medical Response (AMR), which normally gets paid only through patients' insurance, or the patients themselves.
But now that there is a new federal law blocking so called "surprise" medical billing; AMR and other private ambulance companies say they can't afford to do it anymore without the city covering their costs.
So, what's next? Will 9-1-1 service be impacted?
Find out. Listen now, as Jeanne Destro talks to Akron Fire Chief, Joe Natko.
As the cleanup from February’s toxic train derailment in East Palestine continues, the Marine’s Toys for Tots Foundation is looking out for the town's kids.
News 5 reports that around $40,000 in toys were donated to East Palestine kids and distributed on Saturday. This after parents raised concerns about the potential contamination of their children’s toys following the controlled burn of hazardous chemicals at the derailment site.
Sandy Wales of East Palestine Social Concerns added that there were enough toys donated that every child was able to receive 3, with some toys still leftover.
This Week in Tech with Jeanne Destro-3-31-23: The Spy In Your Pocket Featured
Written by Jeanne Destro
The federal government's efforts to protect US citizens' sensitive data took on new urgency this week, as the Washington Post reported that the phones of more more than 50 top level government officials had been infected with sophisticated spyware.
Also this week, President Biden issued an executive order banning US government agencies from using spyware that is deemed a threat to US national security or is implicated in human rights abuses.
In addition, a bipartisan effort is underway in Congress that would give the federal government the power to ban foreign made hardware and software deemed to be a threat to national security, including (but not limited to) the popular Chinese-owned social media app, TikTok.
But, why is TikTok being singled out for such intense scrutiny? Don't all mobile apps do the same thing? Shouldn't we all be concerned about the spies we carry around in our pockets?
We talked about it with Computer Information Systems Professor, and Cybersecurity expert, Dr. John Nicholas, from the University of Akron.
Dr. John NIcholas, University of Akron
Jeanne Destro is in for Ray this week. Film Study Professor, Joe Fortunato, joins the show every Friday for Film School. Joe and Jeanne talked about the 1988 Fantasy Comedy, Beetlejuice.
Golf Pro, Dan Dauk, joins Ray every Friday with tips and info for golfers. Today, Nick, who's helping fill in for Ray, talked with Dan about putting and the speed of the greens.
Golf Course Review: Raintree Golf & Event Center
Written by Steffany MurdockFormer President Donald Trump has been indicted by the New York Grand Jury. Dr. David Beer, Professor of Political Science at Malone University, joined Jeanne Destro to talk about it.
The Mayor of Akron, Dan Horrigan, joined Jeanne Destro, who is in for Ray Horner this week. They talked about the pending decision of the Grand Jury on the Jayland Walker case, the police oversight board, new parking meters downtown, and more.
"Community Conversation" Taking Place Tonight with Community Leaders and the Akron Police Department
Written by Katie Lee
Akron Community leaders and representatives from the Akron police department will gather at New Hope Baptist Church tonight for a community conversation. This as the city prepares for a grand jury to begin its review of evidence in the police shooting death of Jayland Walker.
Topics of discussions tonight will include how the grand jury works, how the Akron Police Department conducts its use of force investigations and how citizens can safely assemble
The emphasis from multiple organizations participating, including 100 Black Men and Love Akron, is to allow citizens to assemble and express themselves in a peaceful manner.
Kemp Boyd the director of Love Akron tells News 5 that they encourage peaceful disobedience, saying, “There's a way to go about proving your point and remain peaceful at the same time.”
Tonight’s conversation will take place at 6:30 pm at the New Hope Baptist Church on S. Hawkins Ave. in Akron.
More...
New Housing in Akron & a New Fire Station
Written by Steffany MurdockJeanne Destro is in for Ray this week. She spoke with Jason Segedy, he is the Planning Director for the City of Akron. They discussed the latest on three housing developments in Akron. One in Northwest Akron, off Diagonal Road, one on the old Perkins Middle School Property near Good Park Golf Course, and the other, at the end of White Pond Drive where it intersects with Frank Boulevard. They also discussed a new Fire Station near Swenson's!
Cleveland Clinic Akron General Community Awareness Spotlight
Written by Steffany MurdockStudent Athletes of the Week: Olivia Elgin & Brady Rollyson
Written by Steffany Murdock
This week's athletes are from Green High School
University Hospitals to Conduct Study on Long COVID
Written by Katie Lee
Cleveland’s University Hospitals wants to learn more about long COVID and is looking for participants to help.
Long COVID can last for months after an initial COVID infection causing sufferers to experience a myriad of issues including breathing problems, brain fog, and fatigue, among others.
News 5 reports that the study being helmed by University Hospitals' Clinical Research Center will bring better understanding to the long term effects of COVID and who has the greatest risk of being affected. Participants would be followed for up to four years, giving blood samples and other specimens, as well as answering questionnaires every few months.
Researchers note that getting a wide variety of participants is important because the disease affects everyone differently.
To qualify as a participant you must be 18 years and older and meet the following criteria
- Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 28 days.
- Individuals who believe they were infected with COVID-19 in the past 28 days.
- Individuals who have never been infected with or tested positive for COVID-19.
For more information visit the Univeristy Hospitals website here.