Page 4 - The Buzz 06/12/2026

A4 | LOCAL NEWS The JUNE 12 - 25, 2026
African American Community Fund Tick Talk

announces 2026 grant recipients BY ALEXUS MASTERSON, MPH,
FAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCES EDUCATOR
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION,
$65,000 awarded to support 30 projects and programs MUSKINGUM COUNTY

SUBMITTED
The African American Community vironmental stewardship, and health integrates arts, culture, story
Fund (AACF), with support from its and human services. Emphasis is telling and trauma-informed
donors and in partnership with the on supporting individuals of all ages healing practices within Black
Foundation for Appalachian Ohio who are spearheading projects and communities in Trumbull County
(FAO), has awarded $65,000 during programs that create opportunities,
its 2026 grant round to advance 30 meet pressing needs and unleash • Black By God – The West
projects and programs in communi- the potential within the region’s Afri- Virginian, whose programs and
ties across Appalachian Ohio. can American communities. activities extend into
“From preserving history and cele- Appalachian Ohio, to support
brating culture to expanding access The 2026 grant recipients are: its Folk Reporters Program,
to healthcare, education, mentor- which equips community
members with the tools and
ship and basic needs, these projects • African American Male Wellness training to be citizen journalists
reflect the creativity, resilience and Agency to support the 2026 and produce community-
commitment of people working to Black Men’s Wellness Day in the centered news stories
build stronger communities across Mahoning Valley
our region,” said Ernie Bynum, AACF • Blues For A Cure to support
committee member. “We are deeply • The Birth Circle to expand the a Black artist for the 2026 Sean Deposit Photos
grateful to the donors whose gener- services it provides to under Carney’s Blues For A Cure
osity makes this funding possible.” served families in Athens concert, benefiting WVU As I was scrolling through social
Black-led and Black-serving non- County and surrounding areas Medicine Harrison Community
profit and public organizations serv- to include a blessing pantry, Hospital, Harrison County Cancer media the other day, I saw a post
ing Appalachian Ohio’s 32 counties offering essential items like Crusaders and the cancer from a young mom talking about
were invited to apply for grants – diapers, wipes and infant patients they serve finding a tick on their child and pro-
made possible by gifts to AACF’s en- formula vided pictures. At first, I did not no-
dowment fund – to advance opportu- • Braceville Community tice anything out of the ordinary until
nities across five funding areas: arts • Black Appalachian Coalition to Foundation to help the Braceville I zoomed in and noticed a tiny black
and culture, community and eco- support the Living Memory African American Heritage speck that could have been mistak-
nomic development, education, en- Circles Project, a Museum in Trumbull County en for dirt. That little black spot was
community-based initiative that
CONTINUED ON C2 very much a tick but almost went un-
noticed had it not been for that mom
Debrief and Lessons Learned: seeing it. This season it seems like
ticks are smaller and appearing in
Muskingum County Prosecutor Ron more numbers than previous years,
why is this important? Ticks can be
carriers of disease, specifically Lyme
Welch Hosts First Responders from 2018 Disease.
Lyme Disease is most common
Parkland School Shooting in the Northeast, mid-Atlantic, and
upper-Midwest region of the United
States (CDC, 2024). The bacteria
SUBMITTED | MUSKINGUM COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE causing human infection are spread
through blacklegged ticks and has a
large range of signs and symptoms
such as fever, headache, fatigue,
and a characteristic skin rash called
erythema migrans. This rash is com-
mon with over 70 percent of people
with Lyme disease. Most notable
rashes look like a “Bulls-eye” or tar-
get lesion. It is a circular, expanding
rash with target-like appearance. For
more information on rashes caused
by Lyme disease check out https://
www.cdc.gov/lyme/signs-symp-
toms/lyme-disease-rashes.html.
Lyme disease untreated can cause
many health issues, so prevention is
key!
Using proper insect repellent that
specifically states it will work for
ticks is important, as not all bug
Submitted sprays repel ticks. Repellent that

On June 4, 2026, nearly 700 in- Significant attention was given to challenges and has experienced its contains 20 percent DEET, picari-
dividuals from Zanesville and sur- warning signs exhibited by the shoot- own school threats and acts of vio- din, or IR3535 on exposed skin for
rounding communities gathered at er, interagency response efforts, and lence. long-lasting protection. Staying away
Secrest Auditorium to hear a first- the lasting mental health impacts Attendees included educators, law from tall grass and shrubs reduce
hand debrief of the 2018 school experienced by survivors, first re- enforcement officers, mental health the risk for ticks including wearing
shooting at Marjory Stoneman Doug- sponders, and community members. professionals, and legal profession- long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and
las High School in Parkland, Florida. Through video footage from the als from across Ohio. high boots. Wearing light colored
The event, Debrief and Lessons shooter’s phone, responding offi- The event was prompted by Felo- clothes help ticks be more visible if
Learned – Marjory Stoneman Doug- cers, and school security cameras, ny Investigator Bethany Hayes, who crawling ticks are on you. Once you
las Active Shooter, hosted by the the speakers reinforced a recurring attended a shortened version of the are ready to change clothes, put the
Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Of- message: the tragedy was prevent- presentation at a 2025 training con- ones worn outdoors in the dryer for
fice, featured Coral Springs Police able. Rather than assigning blame, ference. Having personally respond- 10 minutes on high heat to kill ticks
Chief Brad Mock and Bradley McK- they focused on identifying opportu- ed to similar incidents in Muskingum on dry clothing. Conduct a full-body
eone, Deputy City Manager of Coral nities where systems, communica- County, Hayes recognized the value tick check by using a handheld or
Springs, Florida. Both speakers re- tion, and resources could have been of bringing this training to our area. full-length mirror to view all parts of
sponded to the tragedy firsthand and strengthened, highlighting lessons “The overwhelming attendance the body when coming from tick-in-
facilitated an interdisciplinary dis- learned and changes implemented demonstrated our community’s fested areas, and for parents make
cussion examining what went right, in response to the event. commitment to learning, collabora- sure to help younger children check
what mistakes were made, and how The Muskingum County Prose- tion, and prevention,” said Prosecu- themselves (USDA Forest Service,
agencies have adapted their proce- cutor’s Office intentionally brought tor Welch. “I want to thank members 2024).
dures and response strategies in the together professionals from across of my office for their help in present- These tips for staying safe outdoors
years since the shooting. disciplines in hopes of fostering ing such an important event.” this season are super important for
The nearly five-hour presentation meaningful conversations about pre- Thank you to Chief Comstock those outdoors no matter what age!
explored the events leading up to paredness, prevention, and response and the Zanesville Police Depart- Understanding ways to stay safe
the shooting, the response as it un- within our own community. Musking- ment and Sheriff Matt Lutz and the while enjoying the outdoors can re-
folded, and the long-term aftermath. um County is not immune to these Muskingum County Sheriff’s Office duce the risk of bites and infection.
TWO FLOORS TO SHOP! the Muskingum Valley Educational Sources:
TWO FLOORS TO SHOP!
for their contributions to the train-
ing. Further thanks are owed to
Service Center for partnering to pro-
Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024,
vide contact hours for educators and
June 11). CDC Ticks: Preventing Tick Bites. CDC.
https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/prevention/index.html
Donald’s Donuts for generously dis-
Over
counting donuts for the event.
60,000
Checking for Ticks. Forest Service USDA. https://
The success of this event reflects Forest Service U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Books! www.fs.usda.gov/visit/know-before-you-go/ticks
what can be accomplished when a
community comes together with a
shared commitment to protecting its
schools, supporting its first respond-
ers, and learning from the experienc-
Where all our books come from our customers es of others. Made with
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“Members of the community can
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REDUCTION SALE! well by reporting any threats,” added local news.
Welch. “Local law enforcement, the
Prosecutor’s Office, and the courts
take any threat very seriously and do
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our children are safe.”
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