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Melinda Zemper, Oak Tree Communications LLC, West Chester, OH (source)

After I tagged press agent Melinda Zemper for publishing false claims in a March 5 article, the Cincinnati Enquirer has deleted it.

For background, see my item last week, Hype tripe: Cincinnati press agent claims "Heimlich Heroes" first aid training program "expanding nationwide" via partnerships with the YMCA and two other national nonprofits -- the program's manager says "NOT." 

Here's a screenshot from Zemper's article that was published by the Enquirer's Community News Share section:

If you click the link to her article now, here's what you'll see:

 
I asked Enquirer Media Communities Editor Nancy Daly what happened.

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A couple days ago she e-mailed me:

Once we learned there was some controversy we deleted it. Share is not a place for that.

Besides Zemper's false claim that three national nonprofits -- the YMCA, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and the American Heritage Girls -- were partnering with the "Heimlich Heroes" program being taught in local schools, via my February 26 item, here's the other concern I brought to the Enquirer's attention:

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Via a March 5 article bylined by "PR professional" Melinda Zemper published in the Cincinnati Enquirer's "Community News" (yellow highlighting added):


A few days ago I e-mailed media reps at the American Heritage Girls, the YMCA, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and asked for details about the partnerships.

I also e-mailed some questions to "Heimlich Heroes" program manager Terri Huntington.

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Via an e-mail I received yesterday from Ms. Huntington:

I want you to know that the nature of the relationship with the organizations you mention was overstated...Heimlich Heroes has NOT formed a formal partnership with any of the organizations listed.

Also see my February 26, item, "Heimlich Heroes" program teaches Ohio students a choking rescue treatment NOT recommended by Heart Association and Red Cross -- I've asked the OH and Hamilton County Health Departments to review the program.