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Evil neighbour invited me to a BBQ then drugged & raped me – he laughed as I tried to push him off, then attacked again
Evil neighbour invited me to a BBQ then drugged & raped me – he laughed as I tried to push him off, then attacked again

Scottish Sun

time12-07-2025

  • Scottish Sun

Evil neighbour invited me to a BBQ then drugged & raped me – he laughed as I tried to push him off, then attacked again

Juanita Greenhalph rarely left her house and when she did the gran was the victim of a sick attack SICK ABUSE Evil neighbour invited me to a BBQ then drugged & raped me – he laughed as I tried to push him off, then attacked again Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AS HER neighbour offered Juanita Greenhalph a cup of tea during a get together BBQ, she was touched by the friendly gesture. Taking her first sip the grandmother had no idea of the horrific ordeal that would follow just an hour later. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Juanita Greenhalph was thrilled to be invited to her neighbour Meynard Murambakanda's BBQ Credit: True Life Stories 5 But Murambakanda raped Juanita before robbing her of £650 Credit: GMP As she carried on drinking Juanita, 62, felt 'whoozy' and her vision blurred having been unknowingly spiked by her neighbour Meynard Murambakanda. When she next opened her eyes, Murambakanda raped her twice after spiking her tea and after the horrific attack, he stole money out of her bank account. Murambakanda, 34, was sentenced to eight years and now Juanita has waived her right to anonymity to share her story. Juanita, a retiree who used to work as a barmaid, says: 'When I was invited to Meynard's BBQ I was excited as I didn't usually socialise or leave the house. 'It was a beautiful sunny day with all the neighbours but it turned into the worst day of my life. 'I am now haunted by the memory of accepting that cup of tea, and how stupid I'd been. 'But I now know none of it was my fault. He's a monster who preyed on me.' In 2020, Juanita, from Manchester, was 58 and living at home alone. She was retired and struggling with type 2 diabetes and a bad back. Her four children, all in their 30s and 40s, had left the nest years before. She says: 'Their dad and I divorced in 2003 and I'd been alone for the past 17 years. Moment violent Scots rapist caught lurking on CCTV before horror sex attack 'I barely left the house. I only left to get food from the shops. 'Every morning, I had a carer visit to give me my medication and help me with breakfast. 'My life had become very lonely.' In May that year, she got chatting to one of her neighbours, Murambakanda. They'd seen each-other but had never spoken. She says: 'I was sprawled out on my deck chair in my front garden when Meynard walked past again. 'This time he stopped and introduced himself. He told me he lived with his mother, around the corner. 'The next day, he came back and chatted again. He seemed very sweet. 'Admittedly, I never thought I'd find love again. But Meynard's attention made me feel good inside. It had been so long. 5 Murambakanda spiked Juanita's tea while at the BBQ before leading her upstairs Credit: True Life Stories 5 Juanita says the attack left her too afraid to leave her home Credit: True Life Stories 'The next day he came for a walk down the canal with me, my daughter, her partner and my granddaughter. 'I was glad to have made a new friend. 'But as Meynard was so interested in my life, I wondered if there was more between us. 'It had been years since I'd been with a man, I felt special.' Later that week, Murambakanda hosted a neighbourhood BBQ in his back-garden. To Juanita's delight, he invited her to join. She says: 'I was excited as I never left the house. He took me into the back garden and I recognised lots of my neighbours and locals. 'I sat with them and we all had a nice catch up. Whilst Meynard did the BBQ and kept disappearing inside. I pleaded with him to stop, but he laughed and continue Juanita Greenhalph 'Due to my diabetes meds, I hadn't drank alcohol for nine years. So I stuck to water.' After a few hours, Murambakanda ran out of meat for the BBQ and Juanita kindly offered to walk to Lidl to get more. Murambakanda insisted on joining her, and as she paid for the extra steaks and sausages, he helped her with her bags. Juanita says: 'Back at the BBQ, Meynard offered me a cup of tea, my thought was, 'how sweet of him.' 'I thanked him, and he made me a nice brew.' But just an hour after drinking her tea, Juanita began to feel woozy. 'I told him I felt very tired and my eyes were heavy,' she recalls. 'He told me I should have a lay down, before helping me out of the garden to go inside. 'My vision went very blurry, then everything went black. 'When I next opened my eyes, I was on Meynard's bed. He was on top of me, raping me. 'I pleaded with him to stop, but he laughed and continued. My eyes were still droopy and I drifted off again. 'When I next woke, he flipped me over and raped me from behind. I tried to stop him, but I lost consciousness again.' Juanita woke up again to Murambakanda holding a wet towel on her head, telling her that she was sweating. She fell unconscious again, and woke up in a silent house the next morning, realising Murambakanda and the neighbours were gone. Juanita says: 'I broke down in tears and rang my daughter. I begged her to come pick me up. 'Half an hour later she came with her partner. I was sobbing uncontrollably. I had agonising pain below, my daughter was horrified.' Back at Juanita's home, her daughter realised that her mum's bank card was missing. 'She went onto my banking app and saw £650 had been withdrawn,' Juanita says. 'I realised Meynard must've seen my pin number when I bought the meats at Lidl. He stole my money. 'I pulled down my top and showed my daughter my bruises. I told her he drugged me with a cup of tea and raped me. 'I was hysterical. I also felt like it was all my fault. I felt stupid.' Juanita's daughter helped her ring the police and 20 minutes later, two police officers arrived. Whilst Juanita was taken to the rape clinic to have swabs taken, police couldn't find Murambakanda. Two weeks later, they tracked him down at his house, and was arrested. Whenever I thought I could no longer live with such pain, I looked at photos of my grandkids. They kept me alive Juanita Greenhalph Juanita says: 'He denied seeing me that day but police had CCTV footage of us together at the shops, and the bank confirmed he'd withdrawn the money. 'Although Meynard was charged, and remanded, I lived in fear every day after that. 'Every time I looked out my bedroom window, I thought I saw him in the bushes, watching me. 'I couldn't sleep. I ended up moving my bed from the window, and keeping my curtains shut. 'Months later my daughter gave birth to my second grandchild but I was so depressed I didn't meet her. 'Due to my PTSD, I missed the first year of my new granddaughter's life. I shut my family out. 'But, whenever I thought I could no longer live with such pain, I looked at photos of my grandkids. They kept me alive.' In March 2023, Meynard Murambakanda, now 34, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to two counts of rape against at Manchester Crown Court. Juanita says: 'I was too terrified to see him again, I stayed away from court. 'But my case officer visited me, to break the news of his eight year sentence. The court also ordered Meynard to be deported back to Africa after his sentence. 'I burst into tears. For such a long time, I lived in fear and shame. 'Meynard knew I was very vulnerable when we met and he targeted me, taking my kindness for weakness. 'Now, I'm trying to make it up to my kids and grandkids for lost time. And I'm getting my strength back, day by day. 'If you have been assaulted, please tell someone. There will be people there to help you. It's never your fault.'

Evil neighbour invited me to a BBQ then drugged & raped me – he laughed as I tried to push him off, then attacked again
Evil neighbour invited me to a BBQ then drugged & raped me – he laughed as I tried to push him off, then attacked again

The Irish Sun

time12-07-2025

  • The Irish Sun

Evil neighbour invited me to a BBQ then drugged & raped me – he laughed as I tried to push him off, then attacked again

AS HER neighbour offered Juanita Greenhalph a cup of tea during a get together BBQ, she was touched by the friendly gesture. Taking her first sip the grandmother had no idea of the horrific ordeal that would follow just an hour later. Advertisement 5 Juanita Greenhalph was thrilled to be invited to her neighbour Meynard Murambakanda's BBQ Credit: True Life Stories 5 But Murambakanda raped Juanita before robbing her of £650 Credit: GMP As she carried on drinking Juanita, 62, felt 'whoozy' and her vision blurred having been unknowingly spiked by her neighbour Meynard Murambakanda. When she next opened her eyes, Murambakanda raped her twice after Murambakanda, 34, was sentenced to eight years and now Juanita has waived her right to anonymity to share her story. Juanita, a retiree who used to work as a barmaid, says: 'When I was invited to Meynard's Advertisement Read More on Real Lives 'It was a beautiful sunny day with all the 'I am now haunted by the memory of accepting that cup of tea, and how stupid I'd been. 'But I now know none of it was my fault. He's a monster who preyed on me.' In 2020, Juanita, from Manchester, was 58 and living at home alone. She was retired and struggling with Advertisement Most read in Fabulous Exclusive Her four children, all in their 30s and 40s, had left the nest years before. She says: 'Their dad and I divorced in 2003 and I'd been alone for the past 17 years. Moment violent Scots rapist caught lurking on CCTV before horror sex attack 'I barely left the house. I only left to get food from the shops. 'Every morning, I had a carer visit to give me my medication and help me with breakfast. Advertisement 'My life had become very lonely.' In May that year, she got chatting to one of her neighbours, Murambakanda. They'd seen each-other but had never spoken. She says: 'I was sprawled out on my deck chair in my front garden when Meynard walked past again. 'This time he stopped and introduced himself. He told me he lived with his mother, around the corner. Advertisement 'The next day, he came back and chatted again. He seemed very sweet. 'Admittedly, I never thought I'd find love again. But Meynard's attention made me feel good inside. It had been so long. 5 Murambakanda spiked Juanita's tea while at the BBQ before leading her upstairs Credit: True Life Stories 5 Juanita says the attack left her too afraid to leave her home Credit: True Life Stories Advertisement 'The next day he came for a walk down the canal with me, my daughter, her partner and my granddaughter. 'I was glad to have made a new friend. 'But as Meynard was so interested in my life, I wondered if there was more between us. 'It had been years since I'd been with a man, I felt special.' Advertisement Later that week, Murambakanda hosted a neighbourhood BBQ in his back-garden. To Juanita's delight, he invited her to join. She says: 'I was excited as I never left the house. He took me into the back garden and I recognised lots of my neighbours and locals. 'I sat with them and we all had a nice catch up. Whilst Meynard did the BBQ and kept disappearing inside. I pleaded with him to stop, but he laughed and continue Juanita Greenhalph 'Due to my diabetes meds, I hadn't drank alcohol for nine years. So I stuck to water.' Advertisement After a few hours, Murambakanda ran out of meat for the BBQ and Juanita kindly offered to walk to Lidl to get more. Murambakanda insisted on joining her, and as she paid for the extra steaks and sausages, he helped her with her bags. Juanita says: 'Back at the BBQ, Meynard offered me a cup of tea, my thought was, 'how sweet of him.' 'I thanked him, and he made me a nice brew.' Advertisement But just an hour after drinking her tea, Juanita began to feel woozy. 'I told him I felt very tired and my eyes were heavy,' she recalls. 'He told me I should have a lay down, before helping me out of the garden to go inside. 'My vision went very blurry, then everything went black. Advertisement 'When I next opened my eyes, I was on Meynard's bed. He was on top of me, raping me. 'I pleaded with him to stop, but he laughed and continued. My eyes were still droopy and I drifted off again. 'When I next woke, he flipped me over and raped me from behind. I tried to stop him, but I lost consciousness again.' Juanita woke up again to Murambakanda holding a wet towel on her head, telling her that she was sweating. Advertisement She fell unconscious again, and woke up in a silent house the next morning, realising Murambakanda and the neighbours were gone. Juanita says: 'I broke down in tears and rang my daughter. I begged her to come pick me up. How to report a sexual assault Contact a doctor or practice nurse at your GP surgery. Contact a voluntary organisation, such as Call the 24-hour Speak to the 'Half an hour later she came with her partner. I was sobbing uncontrollably. I had agonising pain below, my daughter was horrified.' Back at Juanita's home, her daughter realised that her mum's bank card was missing. Advertisement 'She went onto my banking app and saw £650 had been withdrawn,' Juanita says. 'I realised Meynard must've seen my pin number when I bought the meats at Lidl. He stole my money. 'I pulled down my top and showed my daughter my bruises. I told her he drugged me with a cup of tea and raped me. 'I was hysterical. I also felt like it was all my fault. I felt stupid.' Advertisement Juanita's daughter helped her ring the police and 20 minutes later, two police officers arrived. Whilst Juanita was taken to the rape clinic to have swabs taken, police couldn't find Murambakanda. Two weeks later, they tracked him down at his house, and was arrested. Whenever I thought I could no longer live with such pain, I looked at photos of my grandkids. They kept me alive Juanita Greenhalph Juanita says: 'He denied seeing me that day but police had CCTV footage of us together at the shops, and the bank confirmed he'd withdrawn the money. Advertisement 'Although Meynard was charged, and remanded, I lived in fear every day after that. 'Every time I looked out my bedroom window, I thought I saw him in the bushes, watching me. 'I couldn't sleep. I ended up moving my bed from the window, and keeping my curtains shut. 'Months later my daughter gave birth to my second grandchild but I was so depressed I didn't meet her. Advertisement 'Due to my PTSD, I missed the first year of my new granddaughter's life. I shut my family out. 'But, whenever I thought I could no longer live with such pain, I looked at photos of my grandkids. They kept me alive.' In March 2023, Meynard Murambakanda, now 34, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to two counts of rape against at Manchester Crown Court. Juanita says: 'I was too terrified to see him again, I stayed away from court. Advertisement 'But my case officer visited me, to break the news of his eight year sentence. The court also ordered Meynard to be deported back to Africa after his sentence. 'I burst into tears. For such a long time, I lived in fear and shame. 'Meynard knew I was very vulnerable when we met and he targeted me, taking my kindness for weakness. 'Now, I'm trying to make it up to my kids and grandkids for lost time. And I'm getting my strength back, day by day. Advertisement 'If you have been assaulted, please tell someone. There will be people there to help you. It's never your fault.' 5 Juanita wants to encourage other survivors of sexual assault to come forward Credit: True Life Stories

Uncovering the Greene County whisky still raid of the 1920s
Uncovering the Greene County whisky still raid of the 1920s

Yahoo

time02-04-2025

  • Yahoo

Uncovering the Greene County whisky still raid of the 1920s

JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – At a recent 'History is Lunch' presentation at the Two Mississippi Museums, we heard the story about a Greene County whisky still raid in the 1920s, where two marshals making the raid were killed. On April 1, 1921, U.S. Marshal Jake Green and Richton Marshal Lawrence Dunnam were not fooling around when they raided the illegal whisky still along Piney Woods Creek. Mississippi Lottery launches new instant scratch-off games April 1 One of the marshals' descendants, Juanita Green Hollinghead compiled the accounts of the day, the killings and the capture and incarceration of four men, as well as the execution of two of them, into a book. The book isn't just a narrative of the events of the day, which took place in a flash, but of the subsequent months and years of court cases and intrigue and how that one flash of time on that April day changed so many lives and families forever. Marshal Green was Juanita's grandfather. She has spent the better part of 40 years tracking down the story about that day, from clippings of saved newspaper articles to word of mouth-down accounts to physical evidence preserved here and there. Her book, 'Beyond the Green Widow,' is a fascinating read in and of itself. But the fact that this book is even here tells a bigger story. And that is for us, all of us, to save our family histories. 'Everybody has a family history. Whether they agree with it or not, it's their history. It can be negative or positive. It's your history. And we learn from it. Today we can change it, so we won't repeat negative things in the future. But repeat positive things. I wanted to encourage everyone to write their story,' Juanita said. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Second annual ‘Keeper of the Dream' Dinner honors those who carry out Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. legacy
Second annual ‘Keeper of the Dream' Dinner honors those who carry out Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. legacy

Yahoo

time14-02-2025

  • General
  • Yahoo

Second annual ‘Keeper of the Dream' Dinner honors those who carry out Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. legacy

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – In honor of Black History Month, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was remembered in Springfield with a dinner, honoring those who carry out his vision. It was a night of reflection and inspiration, honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and those who carry on his legacy. Westfield State University recognized 6 honorees for promoting 'the Dream' at their 2nd annual 'Keeper of the Dream' dinner at the Sheraton Hotel in Springfield. 'We are proud to to recognize people who really care about humanity and the importance of cultures trying to come together,' said Westfield State University President, Linda Thompson. This year's honoreees are community members who've dedicated themselves to promoting social change and upholding the legacy of Dr. King. Among the honorees is lead custodian at West Springfield Public Schools for over 20 years, Onix Cruz who has become a mentor, listener and friend to students. 'It's just a simple conversation and letting them be themselves and in respecting the point of view, respecting where they come from, respecting that culture, that's just me showing them that it's okay to be yourself. We accept that,' said Cruz. The following is a complete list of the 2025 honorees: Jon-Randel 'Randy' Quarles: Firefighter, Westfield Fire Department – Jon-Randel 'Randy' Quarles is a dedicated emergency services professional with the Westfield Fire Department. He has extensive experience in EMS, fire response, and hazardous materials management. He earned a B.S. in Emergency Medical Services Management from Springfield College and began his career as an EMT in 1996, becoming a Paramedic in 1997. Having been assigned to the Westfield Fire Department in 1999, he has been involved in labor-management committees on grievances and negotiations during his eight years as the union president and Advanced Life Support (ALS) Coordinator. He became a member of the Massachusetts Regional HazMat Response Team, District 4, in 2007 and is currently the Team Coordinator. He was chosen to join the prestigious Joint Hazards Incident Response Team (JHIRT) in 2018, working alongside the Clan Lab Enforcement Team and the Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad. Quarles remains committed to service – enhancing public safety, leadership, and emergency response. Juanita Mejias: Sergeant, Westfield Police Department – Juanita Mejias is the Traffic Bureau Sergeant for the Westfield Police Department, proudly serving the community since 2001. Over the course of her career, she has worked in every departmental bureau before becoming the first Latina Superior Officer in the history of the Westfield Police Department. Before returning to her hometown of Westfield, where she spent more than 20 years dedicated to community service and public safety, Juanita, a veteran of the United States Army, served overseas in Korea. A lifelong resident of Westfield, Juanita raised her daughters here and cares for her aging parents. Juanita's dedication to leadership and professional development is evidenced by her three degrees in criminal justice – associate's, bachelor's, and master's. She continues to make a lasting impact in Westfield. Onix Cruz: Lead Custodian, West Springfield Public Schools – Onix Cruz was born in Puerto Rico and moved to the United States in 1989. After struggling in high school, he joined Holyoke's YouthBuild program where he obtained his GED and gained confidence and leadership skills. For the past 20 years, Onix has worked as a custodian in West Springfield schools. Onix is more than a custodian—he is a mentor, a listener, and a friend to students and staff alike. Inspired by his own experiences, he launched the 'Bee Yourself' movement, encouraging self-acceptance and perseverance. He works to identify the gaps in youth support and guidance and he makes a meaningful impact on those who may be feeling lost or unsupported. Onix is dedicated to being the mentor he once needed during high school, going out of his way to encourage students, sharing his own story of perseverance and hard work to inspire them to dream big. Matt Griffin: IHD Supervisor & Girls Track and Field Coach, West Springfield Public Schools – As the In-House Detention Supervisor since 2016, Matt Griffin, also known as Coach Griff on the West Springfield High School campus, is about to begin his 27th year as an interscholastic sports coach. He has served as a coach who creates an atmosphere that encourages students to be disciplined, grow, and take on leadership roles. In football, basketball, cross country, and track & field, Coach Griff has influenced hundreds of student-athletes since 1998, helping them succeed on and off the field. In addition to winning three MIAA Team Sportsmanship Awards with his team, he contributes to those in the local community. A two sport 1998 graduate of Bridgewater State University, he was inducted into the Chicopee Athletic Hall of Fame in 2017 and has won three MSTCA Coach of the Year awards. Along with his spouse, in West Springfield. Mirian, and their three children, Vanessa, Josiah, and Daesia, he lives in West Springfield. Marjorie Rodriguez: MSW Assistant Director for Student Access & Support for the Office of Belonging, Inclusion and Learning – Marjorie Rodríguez has worked at Westfield State University for nearly ten years and continues to serve, this learning community in multiple roles advocating for current and former foster youth and students experiencing housing insecurity to provide them with the unique tools and resources necessary to develop the skills needed to retain them and to guide them towards successful degree completion. She has been an Instructor in our Urban Education Program, an Advisor/Program Coordinator in our Trio Student Support Services Program; and an Assistant Director in the CARE Program. Currently she is Assistant Director of Student Access & Support for the Office of Belonging, Inclusion and Learning; is an Adjunct Professor in the Social Work Department; and most recently also serves as the coordinator of the campus food pantry, Common Goods. In May 2024, Marjorie received the prestigious Carlos Vega Community Champion Award for her exceptional dedication to social justice. Dr. Carlton Pickron, Staff Emeritus: Retired Vice President of Student Affairs – Dr. Carlton Pickron is a dedicated higher education leader with a distinguished career of over 35 years with Westfield State University. From 2012 until his retirement in 2019, he was the Vice President for Student Affairs, leading and supervising all aspects of Student Affairs, including Student Government, Athletics, Residential Life, Admissions, and Diversity and Inclusion. During his tenure as Dean of Diversity and Affirmative Action from 2008 to 2011, Dr. Pickron spearheaded university-wide efforts on Title IX, ADA compliance, and diversity. Additionally, he served as Associate Dean of Academic Affairs (1990-2005) and Dean of Academic Retention (2005-2008), where he focused on retention efforts, academic advising, and disability services. He has published and presented extensively on the experiences of Black scholars and students, especially student-athletes. Dr. Pickron has decades of experience advancing equity and justice and he continues to be dedicated to creating inclusive and life-changing learning environments. The great-great granddaughter of Federick Douglass and the great-granddaughter of Booker T. Washington and keynote speaker of the event, Nettie Washington Douglass being a prime example for these honorees as she continues her families legacy in creating racial equity. 'I think it's so important that people get involved with their community. And you can tell by what's going on here that it works, the giving back, said Washington Douglass. Those at Westfied State University also being rewarded for their contributions with scholarships. 'I put so much time, dedication and passion into social justice, fighting for people with disabilities, fighting for people with ethnic backgrounds, fighting for people that are first I'm just so honored that the work and the passion that I put into this is now showing ,' said Westfield State University student, Catrina Casting. In total, $4,000 were given out to students recieveing scholarships. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Lack of funds ends program sheltering the homeless
Lack of funds ends program sheltering the homeless

Yahoo

time13-02-2025

  • Climate
  • Yahoo

Lack of funds ends program sheltering the homeless

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A program that kept 200 central Ohioans from living out in the cold is suddenly shutting down. Funding is so tight that those 200 people will no longer have access to temporary shelter in hotels. 'Hey, we're just like everybody else, you know?' Rheta McConaha said. 'I come from Hilliard, you know, so it's anything can happen.' Columbus housing crisis: Surge in storage unit 'living' raises concerns and debate Rheta is from Hilliard; another we spoke with works two jobs. They're about to go back out in the cold, a situation they said is worse now than before they got help from this program. 'I have nowhere to go,' Mary Jo said. Mary Jo and Juanita lived in the Loyalty Inn for the last two months. It's part of a program the Community Shelter Board (CSB) expanded to get more people out of the cold. 'We made an internal decision to expand using our own resources,' CSB Chief Program Effectiveness Officer Steve Skovensky said. On Jan. 29, Mary Jo, Juanita and about 200 others received a letter posted to their doors, telling them the program was ending in one week. Former Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel confirmed as lieutenant governor 'They have brought a letter saying that since the weather's broke, you know, it's gotten warmer, that, you know, they were closing it down,' McConaha said. The letter reads, 'Because the severe weather and extreme temperatures have passed' the hotel program is ending. However, if you look at the forecast, next week's temperatures will be 15-20 degrees below normal. CSB said the hotel program is ending due to funding. The board has $2 million for the usual four warming shelters around the city. This year, CSB spent more than that so more people could get inside. 'We did really have to realize that this would be a short-term kind of gap for people because, you know, again, above and beyond the hoteling, we're already doing,' Skovensky said. Ten people in the hotel program said they don't feel safe in congregate shelters; it could mean splitting up from their partner or pet or because of a fear of violence. Ohio State debuts reusable coffee sleeves to encourage sustainability 'A lot of people have told me they would rather be on the streets in the cold weather,' Heer to Serve volunteer Lydia Robertson said. CSB and those taking advantage of the program both said it is working – people want to stay, but there just isn't enough money to continue. 'It is a great program. I mean it's a great idea. I think there should be more of this going around,' Blake Hughes said. He was living in a tent in west Columbus before coming to the hotel program. 'First and foremost, these are people's lives, right, and so having been able to provide the hoteling for six weeks, seven weeks, eight weeks has been really important,' Skovensky said. 'But I know folks would wish to continue into that if we had the resources.' 'Just, you know, that's all we're asking for is a chance,' Mary Jo said. 'Everybody deserves that.' New Albany church under investigation for sexual abuse For those going back to living outside, they won't have the tents and heaters they had before. The city cleared multiple camps in mid-December and most belongings had to be left behind, including what people gathered to stay warm. There are some expectations — some people with medical conditions are being allowed to stay in the hotels for the time being. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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