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Judge in Lagrange shooting asks lawyers to cite case law for evidence motion
Prosecutors rested Thursday in the case of a Toledo man accused of calling or texting a killer to tell him where his intended victim would be, but the judge then delayed until Monday a ruling on whether the evidence was sufficient for any reasonable trier of fact to find the defendant guilty. The situation in the Lucas County Common Pleas Court trial of Andre Jackson, 32, is made particularly unusual because Judge Dean Mandros, who will decide on defense lawyer Kurt Bruderly’s motion for a directed verdict in his client’s favor, is trying the case from the bench. Most of the evidence presented in the trial — that began Monday afternoon after Mr. Jackson, of the 900 block of Mason Street, waived his right to a jury trial — described the actions of a shooter, not Mr. Jackson’s alleged role in assisting the shooter. Judge Mandros sentenced Jaron Phillips, 24, of the 1100 block of Gordon Street, Monday morning to 34 years in prison after he pleaded guilty Sept. 5 to involuntary manslaughter and other charges in two October, 2022, shootings that hit six people, including the fatal shooting of Johnathan Coleman, 26, on Oct. 6.
UT hosts first Constitution Day address
An exploration of religious freedom took place during the University of Toledo’s first Constitution Day Address. The lecture offered a visiting scholar’s perspective on the Founding Fathers’ understanding of religious liberty as an inalienable natural right. “Natural, in this context, means that the foundation of our rights lies in human nature — human nature we're endowed by the creator,” said Vincent Phillip Munoz, founding director of the Center for Citizenship and Constitutional Government at the University of Notre Dame. “Natural right to religious liberty is not granted by the government, it's part of the moral fabric of the created moral order in which rights and duties are reciprocal. Mr. Munoz’s Thursday address “Freedom from or for religion?” took place in the University of Toledo’s McQuade Law Auditorium.
Walk for Warmth keeps the heat on during winter
MONROE COUNTY — On Saturday, Nov. 2, the Monroe County Opportunity Program will hold the 34th annual Walk for Warmth, which looks to raise money to provide households in danger of having their heat shut off during winter. "It is hard to know how many homes need extra money to keep their heat on, however we do know that the poverty rate in Monroe County hovers around 10%, equating to approximately 15,000 low-income households," said Stephanie Kasprzak,...
Banned books event on UT campus draws the curious
A steady influx of people roamed the first floor of the Carlson Library as the University of Toledo’s 27th Banned Book Vigil took place Thursday. Warren Woodberry, 87, was one of 14 speakers at the event organized in coordination with the American Library Association. “My book was banned,” Mr. Woodberry said. “My book was on the rights of women. I put it in my church and they banned it.” For We Are Strangers, his self-published book, dealt with discrimination toward women within different religious contexts, and he said that was why the assistant pastor of his church in New Orleans, banned it. Women being able to preach from the pulpit was controversial for his particular denomination of Christianity at the time. He declined to identify which denomination.
Free early literacy program looking for volunteers and to help more children learn to read
TOLEDO, Ohio — At the downtown Toledo Library, the Read for Literacy and Clair's Day programs offer free assistance to any person, young or older, looking to learn how to read. Read for Literacy Executive Director Diana Bush said there are about 40,000 adults in Northwest Ohio who read...
UT focuses on providing safe space for students impacted by situation in Lebanon
Members of Toledo’s Lebanese community are witnessing attacks on their homeland from across the globe, with University of Toledo students feeling the impact through social media posts and texts with family. On campus, providing a place where students can feel safe amid the international tensions is a priority. “It is our duty. I mean, that’s our duty as professors, as an educational institution, despite where the students are coming from, despite where their political views are, despite where they stand on issues,” said Gaby Semaan, University of Toledo director of Middle East studies and coordinator of Arabic program. “Our duty is to make them feel safe that they can express their feelings, their emotions, even if we don't agree with it.” Ty Musa, a 22-year-old political science and history major, said he’s having restless nights.
Lenawee County residents can join in the Walk to End Alzheimer's scheduled for Sept. 29
ADRIAN — Lenawee County-area residents are encouraged to join the fight to end Alzheimer’s by participating in this weekend’s annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s as presented by the Alzheimer’s Association. The event is taking place Sunday, Sept. 29, at ProMedica Charles and Virginia Hickman Hospital in Adrian Township, 5640 N. Adrian Highway. Registration...
Toledo council approves amended plan to use remaining ARPA funds
TOLEDO, Ohio — Toledo City Council voted on Wednesday to reappropriate remaining American Rescue Plan Act funds. This act moves closer to spending the pandemic-era federal funds it must use or lose by 2026. Council members Vanice Williams and Theresa Morris were the sole no votes against the amended...
Religious Offerings: Sylvania church celebrates opening of new facility
■ Five Lakes Church is celebrating the grand opening of its new Sylvania facility in two worship services Sunday. Services will be held at both 9 and 11 a.m. at the new location, 4255 Mitchaw Rd. The nondenominational church was founded in 1965, originally known as the McCord Road Christian Church until 2020. As the congregation continued to grow, a larger space became needed to accommodate, welcome, and inspire the more than 1,100 people the church reaches each week, according to a press release. Groundbreaking on the new facility was made in spring of 2022. The new space will enhance Five Lakes’ worship experience and outreach opportunities.
Local woodworking business announces nonprofit for veterans
Anna Kolin, co-owner of Inspired Lumber Workshop, views her cousin, who was a parajumper in the Air Force, as a “true American hero.” Her desire to help others just like him led Anna and her husband Brian to start the Salute to Carpentry program. The free six-week woodworking program is designed to provide veterans with opportunities for fellowship with other veterans and empowerment through woodworking. “The intent was pure,” Mrs. Kolin said. “Before we knew it, we were developing a program that would use woodworking as the vehicle to provide real-world skills to veterans while encouraging relationships and a sense of community.” The workshop has taken that mission a step further by creating the Inspired Lumber Project, a nonprofit organization that creates programs designed to “educate, build camaraderie, and deepen a sense of purpose” for veterans, first responders, and specialized groups like individuals with developmental disabilities.
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