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Editorial: Ohio population decline accelerating
To cities, counties, states, and nations demographics is destiny. This is why The Blade Editorial Board has written often on the dire outlook for Toledo and Ohio without a strategy to reverse the population decline everywhere but the Columbus metro. (“Admitting Ohio decline,” July 15, 2023) So it’s good to see the Columbus Dispatch put the issue front and center for Ohio government officials with a report asking why so many counties are left behind. The Ohio Department of Development projects falling population in 74 of the state’s 88 counties over the next 25 years. It begs an even better question; what is the plan to prevent this decline? Read more Blade editorials Thirteen counties — six in central Ohio including Columbus, three in southwest Ohio including Cincinnati, two in suburban Cleveland, one near Dayton, and Wood County next door to Toledo — are the only Ohio locations expected to avoid serious decline.
2 former juvenile court magistrates vie to complete retired judge's term
Two former Lucas County Juvenile Court magistrates, both veteran lawyers experienced in child-related matters, are pitted in a campaign to fill a vacancy for juvenile-court judge created by a retirement on the bench last year. Robert Jones, Jr., 54, is running to retain his judgeship just over a year after Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine appointed him to succeed Denise Navarre Cubbon, while Amy Stoner, 53, is seeking the public’s choice to fill out the remaining two years of Judge Cubbon’s term. Both candidates are graduates of the University of Toledo college of law — Judge Jones in 1997, Ms. Stoner in 1999 — after their respective completions of undergraduate studies at Ohio State University and the University of Dayton. Each cites more than two decades of experience in juvenile legal matters — Judge Jones mostly as a prosecutor and magistrate, while much of Ms. Stoner’s career has been in legal defense.
Toledo City Council considering CRA for proposed affordable housing complex
Toledo City Council next Wednesday will consider a Community Reinvestment Area tax exemption that would pave the way for the construction of a new multifamily, affordable housing complex at 3300 Glendale Ave. If approved, the ordinance would provide a 100-percent real property tax exemption for 15 years for taxes that would be generated because of the increased valuation of the property once the project is completed. The Toledo Public School board has approved the terms of the CRA agreement, contingent on council’s passage of the ordinance. Construction of the 50-unit, one and two-bedroom affordable housing complex called The Glen would start soon after the CRA is approved. “They plan to construct it immediately,” Carmen Watkins, administrative specialist with Toledo’s department of economic development, said of the three-story complex. The project is expected to be completed in 2026.
Meet the nominees and vote now for Lenawee County Athlete of the Week
It was a busy week of sports in Lenawee County as the football season hit Week 8, volleyball held the annual county tournament, girls golf held the state championships and the boys soccer season concluded. Here's a look at who stepped up around Lenawee this week: ...
Spooky season: Wolcott Heritage Center rekindles popular paranormal tours
This month, history and horror come together during the Wolcott Heritage Center’s paranormal tours. Docents at the two-story, 14-room Federal-style mansion home to the Maumee Valley Historical Society are transporting visitors into a world of spine-chilling mystery with ghost stories based on the Wolcott family, the house’s onetime residents. From doors opening on their own to mannequins shifting when no one’s around, those who’ve explored the nearly 200-year-old building have reported inexplicable happenings over the years. “We invite people to come through the house, and we tell stories that have been collected over the years of unexplainable things that have happened to people there,” said Darlene Limmer.
Toledo teacher joins superintendent with a top national honor
Thursday evening Romules Durant, superintendent of Toledo Public Schools, received recognition as the 2024 Urban Educator of the Year at the Council of the Great City Schools’ 68th annual fall conference. And on Friday morning Mona Al-Hayani, a history teacher at Toledo Early College, received the 2024 Queen Smith Award for commitment to urban public education. The award was from the Council of the Great City Schools and McGraw Hill Education. Tonya Harris, communications director for the council, said this was the first time that the recipients for both awards came from the same district. “The council was founded in 1956,” Ms. Harris said. “The Green-Garner Award was first presented in 1990.”
Some for Issue 29 while others are against it
TOLEDO, Ohio — The Lucas County Senior Citizens Committee is pushing for Issue 29 on the November ballot, a renewal of 0.75 mills and an increase of 0.25 mills to continue providing services for senior citizens. Justin Moor is with the committee and says if voters reject the levy,...
Songs for Our Sister fund-raiser concert features seven students
The annual Songs for Our Sister concert is Oct. 27 inside the Toledo School for the Arts Black Box Theater. The concert is a fund-raiser for the Mary Ann Russo jazz scholarship provided by the school. Ms. Russo was a beloved jazz singer from Sylvania who died of lung cancer in 2008. This year’s event features seven students who have been working with another notable jazz singer from the Toledo area, Lori LeFevre. They are to be joined on stage with Ramona Collins, Kim Buehler, Jeff Halsey, Scott Kretzer, Cliff Monear, and Ms. Russo’s daughter, Lisa Young. The 3 p.m. event will have a Halloween theme, with a costume contest and a 50/50 raffle. Tickets are $25. They can be purchased online at www.ts4arts.org. Admission includes a preshow reception beginning at 2 p.m.
4 area teams claim girls high school district cross country crowns
St. Ursula, Perrysburg, Genoa and Ottawa Hills were among the teams securing girls district high school cross country championships Saturday. Division I Findlay district FINDLAY — St. Ursula claimed the team crown, winning the tiebreaker against Tiffin Columbian with the higher finishing sixth runner after each posted 44 points.
Lucas County Engineer's Office to hold roundabout training in Holland
HOLLAND, Ohio — As roundabouts continue to be constructed on roadways throughout the area, the Lucas County Engineer's Office is holding its third training for those who want to learn how to navigate them. The engineer's office, in partnership with the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department and Toledo Driving Schools,...
Kenneth D. Levin: retired appraiser published pictorial book about Toledo
Kenneth Levin, a Toledo appraiser, historian, and author, died Oct. 6 in Kingston Residence of Sylvania. He was 80. He had health problems, but the family did not have the exact cause of death, said Richard Eppstein, a cousin. “He was a very gentle, thoughtful man. And he believed in a better world,” said James Anderson, his attorney. Mr. Levin, a retired Toledo-area commercial and industrial real estate appraiser and manager of at least 30 years, was a former vice president of Webstrand Appraisal Co., the job he had in the 1980s after serving as a field appraisal supervisor for the Ohio office of tax equalization.
Emails between BGSU, UToledo athletic directors paint timeline of band halftime performance controversy
TOLEDO, Ohio — WTOL 11 has obtained emails between the athletic directors of Bowling Green State University and the University of Toledo regarding the Rockets' controversial decision to not have the Falcon Marching Band perform at the halftime of the Battle of I-75 football game, a tradition of the storied rivalry.
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