Avon Lake woman pleads guilty to human trafficking

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CLEVELAND -- An Avon Lake woman pleaded guilty Friday to human trafficking and drug trafficking crimes after forcing two women and two teens to have sex for money, law enforcement officials said.

Ashley Onysko, 23, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking and drug trafficking. She is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 14.

Onysko's co-defendant, Jeremy Mack, 37, of Elyria, is awaiting trial.

Between December 2012 and April 9, 2013, Mack and Onysko conspired together to provide heroin to four victims with drugs, including heroin and cocaine and then, after the victims incurred drug debts, used force, threats of force, fraud and coercion to compel them to engage in commercial sex acts.

They did this, in part, by posting photographs the victims on backpage.com on a user account that Mack and Onysko created on Dec. 25, 2012, according to the indictment.

At various times, Mack told and caused others to tell the victims that they needed to engage in commercial sex acts to repay the drug debts.

The victims did, after which she turned over all proceeds to Mack and/or Onysko, according to the indictment.

"This woman helped force teens to have sex for money," said Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio. "These activities happen all around us and it's the responsibility of the community and law enforcement to work together to end these crimes."

"The defendants in this case used narcotics to gain control over their victims and forced them to engage in sex acts while lining their own pockets with money," said Stephen D. Anthony, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Cleveland office.

"This is an example of local police and federal law enforcement working together to make our community safer," said Elyria Police Chief Duane Whitely.  

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Downtown Kent thriving thanks to city-university partnership

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There are a lot of good things happening at Kent State University.Enrollment is up -- and the school is expanding its campus into the downtown area.

It's a multi-year project that benefits a lot of people and the local economy.

The motto at Kent State University is "building the future," and that's being done in a very big way.

It's part of a unique $100 million dollar partnership with the city of Kent that seems to be working out quite well for everybody involved.

These are definitely the best of times for Kent State University.And the same goes for the city of Kent.

Who ever thought downtown Kent would become a destination location?

What had historically been a student hangout for beers and bars has been transformed into a thriving and inviting comfort zone for friends and families.

New retail, restaurants and coffee shops line Main and Erie streets next door to the KSU hotel and conference center.

The city and university partnership connects the campus with downtown at a time when enrollment has never been greater -- 28,000 students.

The university's construction has been no less dramatic.

Newer dormitories dot the landscape as well as the new Reissman Plaza next to the student center. 

Still to come -- a new school of architecture, technology and art -- a $200 million undertaking.

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Students with Down syndrome named homecoming queen and king

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WESTLAKE -- At Westlake High School's annual rose arch ceremony, Demon pride was in full effect as students geared up for homecoming.

This year the student body voted two very special students onto the homecoming court.

Holly Thomas and Jacob Cox are high school sweethearts.  They also each have Down syndrome.

This is the final year of high school for Holly and Jacob. They both are 22 years old and have aged out of their special education program.

So homecoming gave Westlake High School students a chance to show their love for the pair.

"The student body here is really involved with special kids," says Griffin Schiller, a student aide to Jacob. "Everyone knows them, so I think everyone wants to see them win."

And win they did. Just before Friday night's football game, Holly and Jacob were crowned king and queen.

WKYC-TV

17.05 | 0 komentar | Read More

Downtown Kent thriving thanks to city-university partnership

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE WKYC APPS

There are a lot of good things happening at Kent State University.Enrollment is up -- and the school is expanding its campus into the downtown area.

It's a multi-year project that benefits a lot of people and the local economy.

The motto at Kent State University is "building the future," and that's being done in a very big way.

It's part of a unique $100 million dollar partnership with the city of Kent that seems to be working out quite well for everybody involved.

These are definitely the best of times for Kent State University.And the same goes for the city of Kent.

Who ever thought downtown Kent would become a destination location?

What had historically been a student hangout for beers and bars has been transformed into a thriving and inviting comfort zone for friends and families.

New retail, restaurants and coffee shops line Main and Erie streets next door to the KSU hotel and conference center.

The city and university partnership connects the campus with downtown at a time when enrollment has never been greater -- 28,000 students.

The university's construction has been no less dramatic.

Newer dormitories dot the landscape as well as the new Reissman Plaza next to the student center. 

Still to come -- a new school of architecture, technology and art -- a $200 million undertaking.

WKYC-TV

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Avon Lake woman pleads guilty to human trafficking

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CLEVELAND -- An Avon Lake woman pleaded guilty Friday to human trafficking and drug trafficking crimes after forcing two women and two teens to have sex for money, law enforcement officials said.

Ashley Onysko, 23, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking and drug trafficking. She is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 14.

Onysko's co-defendant, Jeremy Mack, 37, of Elyria, is awaiting trial.

Between December 2012 and April 9, 2013, Mack and Onysko conspired together to provide heroin to four victims with drugs, including heroin and cocaine and then, after the victims incurred drug debts, used force, threats of force, fraud and coercion to compel them to engage in commercial sex acts.

They did this, in part, by posting photographs the victims on backpage.com on a user account that Mack and Onysko created on Dec. 25, 2012, according to the indictment.

At various times, Mack told and caused others to tell the victims that they needed to engage in commercial sex acts to repay the drug debts.

The victims did, after which she turned over all proceeds to Mack and/or Onysko, according to the indictment.

"This woman helped force teens to have sex for money," said Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio. "These activities happen all around us and it's the responsibility of the community and law enforcement to work together to end these crimes."

"The defendants in this case used narcotics to gain control over their victims and forced them to engage in sex acts while lining their own pockets with money," said Stephen D. Anthony, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Cleveland office.

"This is an example of local police and federal law enforcement working together to make our community safer," said Elyria Police Chief Duane Whitely.  

WKYC-TV

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Students with Down syndrome named homecoming queen and king

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WESTLAKE -- At Westlake High School's annual rose arch ceremony, Demon pride was in full effect as students geared up for homecoming.

This year the student body voted two very special students onto the homecoming court.

Holly Thomas and Jacob Cox are high school sweethearts.  They also each have Down syndrome.

This is the final year of high school for Holly and Jacob. They both are 22 years old and have aged out of their special education program.

So homecoming gave Westlake High School students a chance to show their love for the pair.

"The student body here is really involved with special kids," says Griffin Schiller, a student aide to Jacob. "Everyone knows them, so I think everyone wants to see them win."

And win they did. Just before Friday night's football game, Holly and Jacob were crowned king and queen.

WKYC-TV

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Boy, 3, among 12 injured in Chicago park shooting

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CHICAGO -- Twelve people are injured after being shot at a park on Chicago's southwest side, including a 3-year-old boy who is in critical condition.

Officer Amina Greer says the shooting occurred shortly after 10 p.m. Thursday.

A witness, Julian Harris, tells the Chicago Sun-Times (http://bit.ly/1buUXze) dreadlocked men fired at him from a gray sedan before turning toward Cornell Square Park and firing at people in the area. He said his 3-year-old nephew was wounded in the cheek.

Chicago Fire Department officials said the child was in critical condition. Two other victims were also in critical condition. The others were reported in serious to fair condition.

By HERBERT G. MCCANN
Associated Press

The Associated Press

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Indians beat Astros 2-1, close within half-game

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CLEVELAND -- Matt Carson hit a winning single with two outs in the 11th inning, and the Cleveland Indians beat the Houston Astros 2-1 Thursday night to close within a half-game in the AL wild-card race.

Yan Gomes singled with one out off Rhiner Cruz (0-2), and Asdrubal Cabrera reached on an infield single, beating the throw after third baseman Marwin Gonzalez charged and barehanded his slow roller.

Trevor Crowe caught Michael Brantey's liner to center and nearly doubled Gomes off second, and Mike Aviles loaded the bases with a walk.

Carson hit a grounder under the glove of second baseman Jose Altuve for Cleveland's 10th walkoff win this season.

Tampa Bay and Texas (83-69) are tied for the two wild-card berths.

Cleveland (83-70), trying to make the playoffs for the first time since 2007, has three more games against the major league-worst Astros (51-102), who have had seven losing streaks of six games or more.

The Indians then host the Chicago White Sox for two games and finish with four at Minnesota. Bryan Shaw (5-3) pitched the 11th.

Associated Press

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Doctors say the time to get a flu shot is now

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CLEVELAND -- We're only in September, but doctors are already encouraging you to get your flu shot.

"Now. Now would be the best time to get a flu shot," says Molly White, a Nurse Practitioner wit the CVS Minute Clinic.

It's a simple recommendation, but one that may surprise you.

So why is NOW the best time to get protected?

Here's why- the flu season should really be called the flu year, because you can get the flu anytime!

White adds, "We are seeing episodes of the flu already here."

We may tend to link the flu with winter, but it's actually not cold weather that triggers the flu.

The cold weather just helps.

When it gets cold outside, more people stay inside, more bacteria stays inside, meaning more chances to get sick!

This is especially true during the holidays, since you tend to spend more time with strangers or traveling outside your daily route.

Of course a lot of us wonder can you get the flu shot too early?

Will its protection weaken over time?

The answer is no.

The shot protects you equally year round.

White says, "Life is fast, everybody is busy, traveling, working, school, kids, it takes 15 minutes to come in and get a flu shot and go on your way and then your immunized and protected."

Getting a flu shot won't guarentee that you'll avoid the flu, but it does minimizes your chances and your symptoms.

Full protection also takes two weeks to kick in, so it's best not to wait until right before a big occasion.

And if that's not enough?

Getting the flu is expensive!

You miss work, you may have to cancel a trip, take a trip 9or several) to the doctor.

Most insurance companies cover flu shots, but even if they don't, they cost about $31.

Even with that, you'll still save a lot of money.

So even though there are still leaves on the trees, no clouds in the sky, and no snow on the ground?

Your best bet to be healthy this winter is to already be vaccinated.

WKYC-TV

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Solon police ask help to ID suspects in ATM theft

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SOLON -- Solon police would like help in identifying the two people pictured.

They were driving a gray Chevrolet Malibu 4-door sedan. Just before 3 p.m. Aug. 28, a Maple Heights resident, 39, reported that he withdrew money from the ATM machine at Huntington Bank at 33175 Aurora Road and drove away without retrieving his debit card.

When he returned, he learned that someone had made two withdrawals on his card, totaling $600.

If you know the identity of either person, please call 440-337-1475.

WKYC-TV

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