Local law enforcement raids net large amount of guns, drugs and cash
During the searches, law enforcement officials seized several firearms, illegal drugs and over $200,000 in cash.
Sauder Elementary third-grader caught with loaded gun in backpack: police
Several high-end motor vehicles were also seized.
Officials say the investigation is ongoing, and more information is expected to be released soon.
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Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
'There are 2 sides to every story': Cincinnati grapples with image after brawl
The downtown Cincinnati brawl that went viral has unleashed a flood of passionate responses from readers across the region and beyond. From outrage over public safety and city leadership to calls for accountability and concern for the city's national image, these letters to the editor reflect a community wrestling with fear, frustration, and sharply divided views on what the incident means for Cincinnati's future. The downtown brawl was ugly, but so is the overreaction There are two sides to every story. The most recent incident was deplorable, but hurling racial slurs, kicking cars and slapping a person's face will never end well for the instigator. The Cincinnati Music Festival has a long, proud and peaceful history, with no record of violence. To insinuate that Reds and Bengals game attendance may suffer is fearmongering and an unnecessary negative. In a perfect world, this wouldn't happen. But as we are all well aware, nowhere is perfect. John McIntosh, Green Township Cincinnati can kiss its tourism and downtown businesses goodbye Dear Mayor Aftab Pureval: What has happened to my once beautiful Cincy? Prayers for this poor woman (in the viral photo), who was sucker punched and kicked. Cincy, you used to be the Queen City. You have now gained worldwide notoriety. You can kiss your tourism industry and downtown businesses goodbye. More: Workers 'freaking out' after violent brawl, says CEO moving business out of Cincinnati I know when I visit "home," I'll be sure to stay on the Northern Kentucky side. Florence, for instance, has a lot to offer and it is safe. Joy Shepard, Plymouth, North Carolina Our mayor's priorities are self-centered With comments from our mayor, city leaders, and the police chief indicating that the July 25 fight downtown had nothing to do with the Cincinnati Music Festival, it appears they are more focused on protecting their reputation than addressing the real issues. Further, our mayor did not bother to show up in the city for more than three days after the incident. The published Cincinnati crime statistics that our mayor cites in his press conferences are staggering. His pointing to slight percentage changes is a cover for the real truth. His statistics show the sheer volume of crime over the past five years, which is proof that there is a major crime problem in this city. The mayor also needs to change his priorities. He and city leaders are planning to do things like spend $5.5 million on a proposed day center for the homeless amid community concerns and comments by many nonprofit leaders who do not see the need to spend this money. Instead, the mayor and city leaders should be using this type of funding to hire badly needed and understaffed law enforcement. More: Mayor Aftab Pureval to address concerns over Downtown brawl on Friday. What we know We also need a significant change in accountability. Judges and juvenile magistrates need to be pushed to start strictly enforcing the law and fully enforce prescribed sentences. Our mayor and city leaders need to step up pressure on this group. Can change be achieved? Not with our current mayor, who is more focused on his future political career beyond Cincinnati. Tom Dorger, Oakley The mayor did the right thing by being a father first It's a mighty weak argument to complain about Mayor Aftab Pureval being out of the city in the aftermath of the Downtown disturbance. Whatever other responsibilities he has, being a father to his small boys should take precedence. With remote access being what it is, he did what he could to be involved with the city's problem. Not so with being a missing father to little boys. Good for him. Bob McElroy, Anderson Township Cincinnati must protect its image by ensuring people feel safe It is strange how one incident, no matter how serious, can change the image of downtown Cincinnati. My wife and I have attended Blink, Taste of Cincinnati, FC Cincinnati games, etc. We dine regularly in Over-the-Rhine, despite living in Montgomery. We frequently go to Washington Park for the Monday evening jazz events. We frequently go to Music Hall for concerts. I know of relatively few incidents, even at some very highly attended events. Downtown and OTR constitute a significant part of our city's commercial and cultural life. Our image is essential. More important is the success of the businesses in the area, which employ thousands of our citizens. We do need to continue a strong emphasis on making sure people feel safe and comfortable coming to these areas. Walter Frank, Montgomery Brawl participants should've asked: 'What would Jesus do?' I was not in Downtown during the brawl, so I really don't know what happened. However, I can't help but think why all involved didn't ask themselves: "What would Jesus do?" Margaret Albert, Groesbeck As an older woman, I don't feel safe even driving through Cincinnati I saw what happened in Cincinnati on July 25. My son and I drive through Cincinnati several times a year to visit my other son and his family. The last time we drove through there, we had a terrible experience. Traffic was backed up for an hour and a half. I had told my son that we should check out Cincinnati next time through. I thought it was a nice city to visit because my brother had gone to school there and loved it. I had visited my brother while he lived there, going to school. But after this fight that has gained national attention, I would not feel safe staying in Cincinnati. Being an older female, I saw what happened to that poor woman. That would have killed me. If the people who live in Cincinnati think it's OK to beat women, that city isn't safe for women. I will be taking another route from now on. Cynthia Brandt, Lexington, Illinois Instead of helping Cincinnati, Moreno threatens his constituents Is Bernie Moreno deliberately trying to be America's worst senator? Instead of lending a hand to Cincinnati in the wake of an overhyped brawl between drunkards, he threatens to cut off federal funding to his constituents. And for what? To throw some red meat to the MAGA crowd? More: Moreno on Fox News threatens to seek halt to federal funds to Cincinnati in wake of brawl Heads-up, Senator: You're elected to represent all of us. So start taking the job seriously and stop playing politics. Joe Rosemeyer, Westwood Myth vs. fact on crime rates and 'dangerous cities' The July 31 opinion page highlights competing views on the recent viral video of a vicious brawl. Enquirer sports columnist Jason Williams repeats the "dangerous cities" myth that has stoked fear for decades − but relies on misguided theories (the super-predators that never appeared) and misinformation. Opinion: Ohio politicians use Cincinnati fight for their agenda. Tougher issues ignored Thankfully, Columbus Dispatch opinion editor Amelia Robinson provides the facts that crime, overall, is dropping. In fact, two of the cities that Williams name checks, Chicago and New York, have significantly reduced youth crime rates with the kind of programs Cincinnati is beginning to implement. Martha Viehmann, Anderson Township Brawl is being used to make a Democrat-run city look bad So there was a brawl the other night, possibly involving drunken participants, that has captured the news. What has not been highlighted is the 84,000 peaceful participants of the Cincinnati Music Festival. Why is Cincinnati getting blamed for the behavior of these brawling individuals, instead of blaming them for their behavior? Why isn't the success of the music festival getting the same attention? Are U.S. Senator Bernie Moreno, gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, and Vice President JD Vance just stirring the pot? Will they next be advocating for the National Guard to invade Cincinnati? Is this another excuse to make a city run by Democrats look bad? Diane Shuler, East Price Hill This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Readers sound off after Cincinnati fight goes viral | Letters
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
What started fight in Cincinnati? City is focus after brawl videos go viral. What we know
∎This story is no longer being updated. Visit or click or tap here for the latest updates.∎ Viral videos of a fight in downtown Cincinnati have thrust the city into the national spotlight. Now, local officials are working to pick up the pieces, mitigate crime and address the public's safety concerns. Gov. Mike DeWine said on July 30 that the Ohio State Highway Patrol is "working and in-touch" with the Cincinnati Police Department after Mayor Aftab Pureval accepted his offer for some law enforcement assistance. Pureval, who's been away from Cincinnati on a long-planned family vacation, expressed "deep appreciation" for the governor and his assistance to local law enforcement. How Ohio will help Cincinnati fight crime In an interview with WLW radio host Bill Cunningham, DeWine said the support will include "a real data analysis" of where crime happens in Cincinnati, in addition to using a helicopter for "criminal suspect searches, and vehicle pursuit mitigation," according to a news release. State highway patrol troopers will also focus on traffic enforcement to "free up" local officers to investigate other crimes. "Combatting violence is our most urgent challenge, and this coordination and support from the State of Ohio will assist our local law enforcement in ensuring the safety of all our residents," he said. Pureval added that he will cut his vacation four days short and arrive back in Cincinnati on the evening of July 31. He plans to make an announcement Aug. 1 about how the city will combat crime and address public safety concerns. Council member Victoria Parks' post sparks backlash A Cincinnati council member sparked an online backlash with her response to one of several videos of the viral fight. "They begged for that beat down!" Councilwoman Victoria Parks posted to Facebook on Sunday, July 27 at 4:50 a.m. in response to a video showing some of the brawl. "I am grateful for the whole story." Parks, on July 31, responded to the controversy by invoking free speech. "In this country, we have freedom of speech, however, you may not run into a crowded theater and scream fire," Parks told The Enquirer. Fellow Democratic Councilwoman Meeka Owens condemned Parks' comments on July 31. "Making comments that inflame a violent incident is never acceptable," Owens said in her statement. She said members of council should not speculate on the motives of the fight. She said Parks' comment doesn't reflect those of council .... The Councilmember is entitled to her opinion; however, it is not beneficial to the city nor the region when she advocates for violence as a means of retribution," Owens said. Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney also issued a statement on July 31, saying the council condemns the violent actions of the instigators of the fight, as well as the violent actions of those who retaliated. "Opportunists are trying to use this incident as a way to divide us – racially and politically – and cast our great city in a false and negative light," Kearney said. "Every city has challenges, and we confront our challenges head on. We must stand together and work for justice, knowing that a united Cincinnati is strong and victorious." More: 'They begged for that beat down!' Council member Victoria Parks' post sparks backlash Vivek Ramaswamy to host Cincinnati town hall Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy posted on X on July 30 that he plans to host a town hall on Monday, August 4, with former Cincinnati Vice Mayor Chris Smitherman. A time and place for the town hall have not yet been set. "We plan to invite city officials, community leaders, and any of the victims from Friday's assault who wish to participate. When people feel afraid to speak their minds, that's when frustration festers & we can't let that happen," Ramaswamy said in the post. Who has been arrested in connection with the Cincinnati brawl? Montianez Merriweather, 34; Dekyra Vernon, 24; and Jermaine Matthews, 39, face charges including felonious assault and aggravated riot. Merriweather was out on bond when police said he was involved in the early morning brawl on July 26 in downtown Cincinnati. He received a $500,000 bond during a July 30 arraignment in Hamilton County Municipal Court. Matthews was given a $100,000 bond, although a judge is expected to set an additional bond on July 31. Vernon's bond was set at $200,000. Police say they have identified two other suspects as well, but they have not been reported to be in custody as of the evening of July 30. What happened in the Cincinnati brawl? Some of the videos posted on social media showed that the fight began as two men circled each other and a crowd gathered. A few people step between them, in an apparent attempt to calm them down. One man appears to slap the other. At that point, more people join in, attacking the man who delivered the slap and kicking and punching him after he falls to the ground. Later on in the videos, a man is also seen punching a woman in the face, causing her to fall to the ground, where she remained motionless, possibly unconscious, until a person helped pick her back up. Cincinnati police Detective Barney Blank said video of the incident shows Merriweather walking up to Matthews, whispering something to him and approaching one of the victims from behind before striking him in the face. Merriweather and Matthews then chased the victim, who was trying to retreat, to the ground before punching and kicking him, Blank said. The detective added that Merriweather went after another man. "We believe that he coordinated this with Mr. Matthews," Blank said. Blank added that Matthews was seen on video knocking the victim to the ground and kicking him several times in the face and chest, before going after another victim. Blank said that Vernon was a bystander watching the brawl when she approached and punched a Russian woman trying to protect someone on the ground. The detective said Vernon was not involved in any of the arguments that preceded the fight. "She just interjected herself into a brawl on the street," Blank said. Who was injured in the Cincinnati fight? Jonathan Cunningham, a spokesperson for the Cincinnati police, told USA Today on Tuesday, July 29, in an email that "two victims did go to the hospital the following day with at that time non-life-threatening injuries, treated and (were) released." He added that he does not know what the status is of their follow-up care. A Russian woman whom Vernon is accused of punching has since returned to her home country. Is the FBI investigating the Cincinnati brawl? Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich previously said in a statement to The Enquirer that she will prosecute the attackers in the fight "to the fullest extent of the law." U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno said the FBI is in the midst of an investigation on orders from the U.S. attorney general, but The Enquirer was not able to confirm an official investigation. The Enquirer will update this developing news report. Enquirer reporters Quinlan Bentley, David Ferrara, Scott Wartman and Erin Glynn contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: What started fight in Cincinnati, arrests, victims, response: Updates
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Man accused of burning Pride flags yells 'Fighting for the children!' in courtroom
The man accused of setting fire to Pride flags in a string of arsons had an outburst in court during a hearing on Friday, Aug. 1. As 52-year-old Thomas Niehaus was being escorted out of the courtroom at the end of an arraignment in Hamilton County Municipal Court, he shouted, "Fighting for the children!" Niehaus is charged with four felony counts of aggravated arson. Officials said he could face more charges after the investigation is complete, Cincinnati Fire Department officials announced July 31. Judge Mike Peck set bonds totalling $400,000 and ordered Niehaus to stay away from the victims should he be released on bond. After the outburst, Niehaus was brought back before the judge and began speaking before being interrupted by his attorney. Niehaus then apologized to the court. Several Clifton and Northside residents had their properties set ablaze on July 30 in a specific targeting of flags, including flags known to be a symbol of pride for the LGBTQ+ community. In the early hours of Wednesday, July 30, a home security camera recorded someone walking up to a home and setting a flag on fire. It's not clear what flag was set on fire in the video, but it resembles the progress Pride flag, which includes the rainbow colors from the original Pride flag, as well as blue and pink arrows, representing the transgender community, and black and brown colors representing Black people and other people of color. The man in the video can be seen wearing a necklace with a pendant that resembles a Russian Orthodox cross. While being questioned by fire investigators, Niehaus admitted "to participating in an arson spree" and setting fire to flags attached to several homes, according to an arrest document. Hamilton County Assistant Prosecutor David Hickenlooper said the fires were set at four different homes and that the residents were "presented with a risk of serious physical harm by (Niehaus) setting their property on fire." According to the FBI, a hate crime is a violent or property crime – murder, arson, assault, or vandalism – that is motivated at least in part by an offender's bias against a race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender or gender identity. 46 states and the District of Columbia have hate crime laws, including Ohio. However, hate crime laws in Ohio do not include sexual orientation or gender identity as a protected class. During the Aug. 1 hearing, prosecutors did not address whether prejudice was Niehaus' motivation. "Mr. Niehaus recognizes the serious nature of the allegations," said Robert Jones, Niehaus' public defender. He said Niehaus is a lifelong Cincinnati resident with no prior criminal cases in Hamilton County. The case is expected to be presented to a grand jury by Aug. 11. The grand jury will decide whether Niehaus is prosecuted in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court, where felonies are tried. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Pride flag burnings: Man accused of arsons has outburst Solve the daily Crossword
