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Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Emerson Colindres, detained soccer star, is scared for his future, fellow ICE inmates
CHEVIOT, Ohio ‒ About a week ago, Emerson Colindres was thinking about applying for college. Now he fears being deported to Honduras, a country he left when he was just 8 years old and barely remembers. "I'm scared because I don't know what's going to happen, not to me or anybody here," he told The Enquirer by phone from jail after calling his mom. Colindres, who is 19 years old, lived with his mom and 16-year-old sister in a duplex in Cheviot, a Cincinnati suburb. Now, he's sleeping in a bunk bed in a housing block with other ICE inmates at the Butler County Jail in Southwest Ohio, which has a contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. It's been eight days. He hasn't eaten much besides Cup Noodles soup. He's a picky eater, he said. And he's calling his mom a lot. It's the only thing that's helped him feel better. "At first I was struggling a lot. I've been calling my mom a lot. Calling her has helped," he said. "It's been hard. I can't see her. I've never not seen her – not even on FaceTime, nothing like that ‒ for so long. So, it's been hard, and the mental aspect of it has been pretty hard." Colindres, whose full name is Emerson Colindres Baquedano, was arrested by ICE on June 4, jail records show. His mom, Ada Bell Baquedano Amador, has been able to speak to him by phone, but she hasn't visited him. She's afraid to go to the jail because she and her daughter also lack legal immigration status. ICE officials told Baquedano Amador she and her daughter have 30 days to leave the country. In the days since Colindres' arrest, hundreds of people in Greater Cincinnati have protested the standout soccer player's detention. He's heard about the protests and said other ICE detainees at the jail have, too. "I'm really grateful," he said. "I know it's for me, but it's not just for me. A lot of people here are in the same situation. Some are in worse ones. "They're feeling sad because they've been separated from their babies, their wives, their families. So, they're feeling sad," he said. "That's what they tell me; that's what I see in people's faces." "It helps me mentally," Colindres said, "knowing there are people out there who care about me." Colindres was scheduled to meet with ICE agents at their suburban Cincinnati office in Blue Ash last week to get a GPS ankle monitor, an alternative to detention that ICE uses to track immigrants. "We showed up. They put my mom and me in a room," he recalled. "There were ICE officers there, and they said, 'We've got to take you right now.' Not 30 days to get out of the country or anything ‒ right now." In her living room, surrounded by photos and posters of her son, Baquedano Amador said she felt that ICE agents "deceived" him. "He told me, 'Mom, don't leave me here. I don't want to be locked up,'" she told The Enquirer tearfully in Spanish. "No one, especially as a mom, can imagine seeing your child go to a place where people that cause harm deserve to be," she said. Colindres has no criminal record. When he was arrested during his ICE check-in, he became part of a national trend that ramped up after the Trump Administration raised daily arrest quotas for ICE. "When people go for their check-ins, they're being arrested. When people go to their court hearings, they're being arrested," said Cincinnati immigration attorney Nazly Mamedova. "Sometimes ICE is waiting for you, even if your case has not been completed yet, they're waiting for you behind the court doors." Mamedova said there have been many arrests at the ICE office in Blue Ash. ICE did not respond to The Enquirer's emailed questions about arrests at the office. Colindres' mom said his cellmate was also arrested at the office that day. He was called there to have his ankle monitor removed. 'I ask for (Butler County) Sheriff Richard Jones to be a little more pious with immigrants," Baquedano Amador said. "Even for criminals, the treatment should be better, as well as the jail's conditions.' Fleeing persecution from gangs in Honduras, Colindres' mom applied for asylum when she arrived in the United States with her two small children in 2014. A judge denied her application. Asylum seekers must prove their government is persecuting them or that they're being persecuted by someone who the government is unable or unwilling to stop. If an application is denied, asylum seekers can appeal that decision, and those appeals can take several years. Baquedano Amador's appeals were unsuccessful. The family of three was given a final order of removal in August 2023, she said, which meant they were considered deportable by ICE. But before President Donald Trump entered office, Colindres would have been a low-priority case to ICE because he has no criminal record. That's changed since Trump promised to deport millions of people and his administration set a 3,000 daily arrest goal for ICE agents. "In the last administration, they (ICE) were more going after people with criminal records and people who posed a danger to the community," Mamedova said. "With this administration, they're no longer prioritizing. They're just going after everyone." While his mom and sister have been given 30 days to leave the United States, it's unclear when Colindres could be deported. Before his arrest, Bryan Williams, Colindres' coach on the Cincy Galaxy soccer club, was helping him get offers to play soccer at colleges. Since then, he said, "the focus has shifted." But even with Colindres in jail, Williams is still working to get him college soccer offers. "If he gets offers to go to school and play soccer, we hope that means he'll be able to live and remain here," he said. "He's got potential to do big things in soccer. We want to take advantage of that." The weekend after his arrest, some of Colindres' Cincy Galaxy teammates talked to him on the phone. Preston Robinson, his teammate since 2019, told Colindres about the NBA Finals, since he hadn't been able to watch it. "We would always goof around," Robinson, 18, said about his friend. "I'm not very outgoing myself, but he talks to everyone, and he talked to me." On June 8, after talking to Colindres on the phone, Robinson and other teammates joined a protest for him in front of the Butler County jail. "He was just expecting to go to a check-in," Robison said. "And then he was taken away." This story was updated to add a video. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohio man arrested at routine ICE check-in part of national trend
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Look: Cicadas swarm Kings Island visitors in viral TikTok videos
Greater Cincinnati residents began feeling the emergence of cicadas when Brood XIV (as in 14) started appearing in the area around early May. Now, the presence of those insects is maybe being felt a little too much. The loud-screaming, pesky bugs (which are emerging in numbers around the lower billions in 13 states, including Ohio) have infiltrated one of the area's summer hotspots: Kings Island. And thrill-seekers aren't sure how to deal with them. Some Kings Island visitors expressed their dismay at the cicadas on TikTok. In every video, you can hear the bugs' piercing screams as they swarm and latch onto parkgoers' clothing (don't worry, they don't bite). Below are just some of our favorite Kings Island cicada videos. Enjoy! The Enquirer reached out to Kings Island regarding the insect infiltration and is awaiting a response. Gene Kritsky, professor emeritus of biology with Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati, said cicadas are still approaching their peak in many areas. Kritsky, founder of Cicada Safari, an app that crowdsources and reviews data on cicadas, attributed it to the cooler, rainy days in May. "People should notice the loud singing declining over the next two weeks, and the singing should be over in early July," he said in an email June 10. Brood XIV is one of 15 recognized broods of periodical cicadas that emerge every 13 or 17 years, and one of four that appear in the Buckeye State, according to ODNR. They emerge when the soil temperature reaches 64 degrees, which typically happens in the second half of May. They are active for three to four weeks as they focus on mating and reproduction, per ODNR. Male periodical cicadas produce a deafening chorus of calls to attract females. Once mated, female cicadas deposit their eggs into the branches of trees and shrubs. This 2025 brood was set to emerge in greater numbers along the I-71 corridor and eastward, Kritsky previously told The Enquirer. Scattered light emergences are also likely be seen in parts of western Cincinnati. However, the area will not see the numbers experienced in 2021. Here are the counties likely to be hit the hardest: Adams. Brown. Parts of Butler. Clermont. Most of Clinton. Most of Gallia. Parts of Hamilton. Highland. Parts of Ross. Most of Warren. Ohio Connect Team reporter Chad Murphy contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Look: Cicadas are swarming Kings Island visitors in Cincinnati
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Coming to Club World Cup? Here's how to stay cool in crowds
With Club World Cup, music festivals and other outdoor events around the corner, it's important to stay cool in crowded areas. The Enquirer spoke with Dr. Stephen Feagins, Hamilton County Public Health's medical director, who'll be overseeing more than 20 medical staff as the venue medical officer for Cincinnati's four Club World Cup matches starting this weekend. More: What is the FIFA Club World Cup? How does it work? Everything to know about the tourney It's the responsibility of event organizers and health experts like him to minimize health risks for the thousands of fans who are gathering in hot outdoor spaces, but there are still things you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones. Temperatures this weekend and next week are expected to range between 81 and 86 degrees, and large crowds and urban landscapes with lots of concrete can trap heat, driving the ambient temperature higher. Heat illness can be dangerous, but it's treatable and reversible, said Feagins. Here are some things to keep in mind as you have fun. If you're sweating heavily, feeling faint or weak or having trouble thinking, you might be experiencing heat illness and need to take action right away to avoid extreme effects like heat stroke. "If you feel overheated, you need to get to air conditioning," said Feagins. "You can't treat heat illness in the heat." Heading to an air-conditioned space and drinking water is key. If your heat illness is severe, according to Feagins, a medical team may douse you in cold water or have you take an ice bath to quickly lower your body's temperature. When you arrive at a stadium or another large outdoor venue, knowing where you can go to cool down or seek first-aid can help in the event of an emergency. Everyone is susceptible to heat-related illness, but certain people are at a higher risk than others. "Individuals taking a lot of medication for various chronic illnesses won't be able to tolerate the heat as much," said Feagins. Patients on diuretics, or medications that remove excess fluid from the body, to manage their high blood pressure or prevent heart failure, should know that their threshold for heat is lower than those aren't. Those with a higher body mass index are also more vulnerable to heat-related illness, Feagins said. Finally, parents of infants should remember that babies' bodies are not as good at regulating temperature as adults are. "Make sure your kids are getting hydrated and into the cool when needed," said Feagins. Make sure you're urinating regularly – and check the color. "The way you know you're getting enough fluid is that you're urinating and your urine is not concentrated," said Feagins. Hydrate with lots of cold liquids throughout the day, especially water. If you're enjoying an alcoholic drink or two, try to drink in moderation. Remember that alcohol can quickly dehydrate your body when temperatures are high and alternate your alcoholic drinks with bottles of water. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Going to Club World Cup? How to stay cool in crowds
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hamilton County prosecutor to announce whether charges will be filed on Feb. 7 neo-Nazis
Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich is releasing her office's review of whether there were any prosecutable offenses during a neo-Nazi demonstration on the border of Evendale and Lincoln Heights Feb. 7. Pillich will release the report today, June 12, at 3 p.m. The report comes just weeks after Evendale, whose officers largely responded to the demonstration on an Interstate 75 overpass, released a report from an independent firm that reviewed its department's actions. Evendale's report largely backed the police's response to the demonstration, much to the ire of the neighboring historically-Black community of Lincoln Heights. It also generally supported what Evendale police and Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey have said since the demonstration: The demonstrators were exercising their free speech and acting within the bounds of the law. Still, the firm recommended Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich review the actions of the demonstrators for possible charges. Pillich said in February that an internal task force of attorneys was reviewing the incident. Now, Pillich is releasing the report from that internal task force at 3 p.m. The Enquirer will update this story with more information after its release. This story will be updated. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Prosecutor Connie Pillich releasing Lincoln Heights neo-Nazi report
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Yahoo
Police chief blames state, doesn't address rise of violent crime in clip after OTR killing
Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge placed the blame for the fatal stabbing of an Over-the-Rhine man on the state for not telling them the accused killer, on probation, had broken off his ankle monitor months earlier. Theetge said in a video released the evening of June 10 that her officers must be able to trust the people they arrest will be prosecuted and held accountable after they are released. It's the first public comment by the chief since the killing of 46-year-old Patrick Heringer on June 4. Through her spokesman, Theetge has declined multiple requests for an interview with The Enquirer this past week. The killing shocked the city and raised fears about crime and public safety, particularly in Heringer's Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. Police say Heringer was fatally stabbed inside his East McMicken Avenue home by 38-year-old Mordecia Black, a recently released convicted felon who is now facing charges of murder and aggravated burglary. Black, prosecutors said at his arraignment, was released from prison on probation with an ankle monitor in January. He cut off his ankle monitor a month later and has been on the run since. Theetge and Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval said city police were never notified when Black cut off his ankle monitor. More: Mayor meets with wife of slain OTR man, says suspect 'should not have been walking free' "Law enforcement is only one part of the public safety puzzle," Theetge said in the video statement. "When we arrest and charge violent offenders, there must be clear policies and procedures in place to manage their reintegration into society, and to ensure they are held accountable to the conditions of their post-release supervision." JoEllen Smith, a spokeswoman for the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections, said the state lost track of Black after he was released, Enquirer media partner Fox 19 reports. The Enquirer has reached out to the agency for more information about how that could happen. The mayor echoed much of what the chief said earlier, telling The Enquirer in a statement he is ready to help "champion needed reforms at the state level." In the video, Theetge also read the names of five homicide victims who have been killed within the past two weeks: Treasure Thomas, Laura Schueler, Jayshaun Cornelius, Jevon Kirk and Heringer. "The truth is painful. We do not have a crystal ball. We cannot always predict when or where violence will strike," Theetge said. "What we can do and will do is continue to serve as a barrier between good and evil." The second-year chief called for more officers, referencing a rising number of retirements to the roughly 1,000-person force. She touched on an uptick in certain property crimes, but did not address the state of violent crime in the city. More: Cincinnati sees uptick in violent crime in 2025; all crime up in Over-the-Rhine A review of city data by The Enquirer shows there have been more violent crimes citywide so far this year than in most recent years, according to year-to-date data since 2021. Only 2024 was higher. City data shows there have been 778 violent crime incidents so far this year. On average, over the past four years, there were 732 violent crimes year-to-date. Homicides and shootings are both down citywide. Fatal and nonfatal shootings are down by about 25% compared to the same time last year and are lower than they've been since at least 2022. Homicides, including stabbings, are down about 15% and are at the lowest levels they've been at since at least 2021. Ahead of their respective public statements on June 10, Theetge and Pureval both met privately with Heringer's wife, Sarah Heringer. In a letter she read to a Local12 reporter, Sarah said she watched her husband bleed out in front of her. More: Mayor meets with wife of slain OTR man, says suspect 'should not have been walking free' Pureval wouldn't discuss details of the meeting with Sarah Heringer but, in a statement, said the man accused of the crime "should not have been walking free." In a Facebook post after the meeting, Sarah Heringer said she wants to know why there was "no system connecting the parole board with local law enforcement." 'I told him directly: that is something I hold him accountable for,' Sarah Heringer wrote on Facebook. 'I also told him he needs to find out what other holes exist in his system before another family pays the price. He agreed to do that.' She vowed that she will work with the city on reforming the system and sharing the results with the public "every step of the way." Sarah Heringer said she wants to make sure this doesn't happen again to someone else. Enquirer reporter Scott Wartman contributed to this story. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Police Chief blames state for Over-the-Rhine man's killing
