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Northwood plans for new safety services building
Northwood officials are continuing to explore the idea of constructing a safety services building, with council approving spending $57,300 on a design study. The new building would house police and fire services. “It’s fairly obvious that due to the age of our building, the condition of the facilities and the growth of our departments that we need to start planning for something,” Fire Chief Joel Whitmore said at Thursday’s safety committee meeting. He and Police Chief Jeffery Zahradnik initially approached council’s safety committee in the spring and did a public request for proposals. Five were received.
BCSN announces 'Gameday Tailgate' sites for 2024 season
BCSN has announced its Gameday Tailgate/Game of the Week sites for the 2024 high school football season. GameDay Tailgate airs live at 6:30 p.m. from the BCSN Game of the Week each Friday on BCSN, the NLL Network powered by BCSN, and the BCSN+ app. Weeks 1 to 4 are solidified with a Sylvania rivalry matchup of Southview at Northview on Aug. 23, followed by Whitmer at Central Catholic on Aug. 30, Springfield at Start on Sept. 6, and Findlay at Clay on Sept. 13. GameDay Tailgate will make its first-ever appearances at Start in Week 3 and Clay in Week 4.
Family of murdered couple speaks at defendants' sentencing
Eighteen months after the murders of Malinda Moore, 28, and Brent Roscoe, 36, their families had a chance to address two women involved in their deaths. Fourteen family members filled the spectators’ seats in the Lucas County Common Pleas courtroom of Judge Ian English for the sentencings Monday of Riley Franke and Camryn Chase. In April, Franke pleaded guilty to burglary and robbery and Chase pleaded guilty to two counts of murder. Judge English sentenced Franke, 20, of the 2300 block of Starr Avenue in Oregon, to 13 to 16 years in prison and Chase, 24, of the 500 block of Leach Avenue in Toledo, to two consecutive life terms with parole eligibility after 30 years. Chase faced more severe charges for her role as a planner and for actually entering the house to carry out the Nov. 10, 2022, robbery and murders. She did not, however, pull the trigger that killed the young couple. Their shooter, Prince Jones, 24, died in a shootout with police in East Toledo several hours after the crime.
Physicians praise the Watchman device for reducing the risk of stroke from blood clots
A simple device that reduces strokes associated with atrial fibrillation is “the talk of the town,” reports a cardiovascular surgeon at Mercy Health. The conversation in northwest Ohio is being echoed throughout the country and the world, according to Dr. Daniel DiBardino. As awareness of atrial fibrillation has continued to grow, the 2020 FDA approval of the latest evolution of the Watchman device is garnering unprecedented attention. Manufacturer Boston Scientific Corp. reports the implant has been upgraded with a polymer coating to further promote growth of tissue over the device once it is in the heart, and an additional size. “With the recognition of how common atrial fibrillation has become, the Watchman has created quite a stir because it is rather a unique device for what it does,” Dr. DiBardino, cardiothoracic medical director, Mercy Health, said.
J.D. Vance named as Trump's running mate
MILWAUKEE - From a “never Trumper” to within grasp of the vice presidency of the United States, J.D. Vance's rapid ascent within Ohio and national politics reached new heights with his selection as former President Trump's running mate. “After lengthy deliberation and thought, and considering the tremendous talents of many others, I have decided that the person best suited to assume the position of Vice President of the United States is Senator J.D. Vance of the Great State of Ohio,” Trump wrote on the social media platform, Truth Social. The announcement comes on the first day of the Republican National Convention being held this week in Milwaukee. Talk of the senator becoming Trump’s vice president pick started circulating earlier this year, and the decision came down between Mr. Vance, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R., Fla.), and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum.
Adrian pastor accused of child molestation
ADRIAN — A Lenawee County minister was arraigned Monday afternoon in Lenawee district court on two criminal sexual conduct charges following his arrest Saturday. The second-degree felony charges against Michael Ronald Goble filed in 2A District Court specify victims younger than age 13 and that the specific offenses occurred in November, 2021, court records show. But a statement from Adrian police said more charges are likely forthcoming, with potential locations of significance including the Maurice Spears Juvenile Campus, Church of the Good Shepherd, and Mr. Goble’s home. “Based on the totality of investigation thus far, more victims are believed to exist that have not yet been identified,” the police statement said.
With 33 years of service, Police Chief Angel Cortes has left a lasting mark on Lima
LIMA, Ohio — After 33 years of service, Lima Police Chief Angel Cortes — the first Hispanic officer employed by the police department and subsequently its first Hispanic chief — will be retiring July 26. “The most important thing that I'm going to do Day One after I retire — Day Two, Day Three, Day Four, Year One, Year Five — is I'm gonna pray every day for the officers of this police department. Across the state they are heroes. They put their life on the line every day,” Chief Cortes said. “I know what it's like to miss birthdays,...
Trump's post-attack fist in the air sets tone for GOP convention
LAKE GENEVA, Wis. — The attempted assassination of former President Trump on Saturday has already been incorporated into the message at the Republican National Convention. The now well-known image of the former president and now presidential candidate raising his right fist in the air, blood streaked on his face, surrounded by Secret Service officers and the American flag in the frame was displayed prominently in the background Monday as the Ohio delegation held its first breakfast meeting of the convention. The message: “Ohio Stands With Trump.” “It probably in a sense reset the presidential race,” said Putnam County Republican Party Chairman Tony Schroeder, a voting delegate. “Before we were talking about Joe Biden’s failing. That’s still there. I think people understand that. I think this adds momentum, honestly, to the Trump campaign.”
Man shot in North Toledo over the weekend
A 38-year-old man was taken to Mercy Health St. Vincent Medical Center for treatment of a gunshot wound. Police responding about 2:15 a.m. Saturday to the 200 block of East Lake Street on a person-shot report found the victim on the sidewalk. No further details, including the victim’s name, were released.
Ohio delegation ready for Republican convention despite losing VIP status
MILWAUKEE — When the last full-scale Republican National Convention was held eight years ago, Ohio was still a toss-up state. The state's delegation, used to being the center of the political universe, had VIP seating on its home turf inside Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, on the floor just to the right of the stage as Donald Trump was formally nominated for the first time. The host delegation was based in a downtown hotel not far from the convention center. Four years earlier, Ohio was seated dead center in front of the arena stage in Tampa, behind only Michigan, when Mitt Romney became the nominee.
Developer seeks zoning change to build low-income apartments on Dorr Street
A developer is seeking a zoning change at Dorr Street and Smead Avenue to construct a multiuse building that would include low-income apartments and small commercial shops. The 1.74-acre property at 1457 Dorr St. was once home to the St. Teresa parish and school. Two vacant buildings and a parking lot remain on the site. The applicant, Jim Jackson of JJ Holdings of Ohio LLC, is requesting the zoning change from CO office commercial to CM mixed commercial residential to redevelop the site for a mixed-use project that will include affordable multifamily housing and a health clinic, pharmacy, and other appropriate services on the ground floor for residents, the senior population, and the broader community. Preliminary development plans call for a 48,000-square-foot building with a ground floor of approximately 12,000 square feet for commercial uses and three floors above with apartments consisting of one and two-bedroom units.
Dreams come true in Wood County Fair ring for those with developmental disabilities
BOWLING GREEN — Rabbit, sheep, or goat? That was Sammy Sisco’s dilemma as she entered the practice area of the 2024 Ring of Dreams at the Wood County fairgrounds on West Poe Road. This was the first time she would show an animal, and the 18-year-old who has Down syndrome selected the goat. The sheep was too loud and the rabbit needed a lot of hands-on work, said mom Emily Sisco of Bowling Green. The Ring of Dreams is an opportunity for individuals with developmental disabilities to show an animal at the Wood County Fair. Last Tuesday was a practice run for the 53 participants and 45 mentors. The main show is set for 5:30 p.m. Aug. 1 in the Pratt Pavilion.
Submissions for new Toledo flag now due Aug. 28
For the third time in the city of Toledo’s history, a new flag will be adopted. The city, founded Jan. 7, 1837, and nearing its 188th birthday, got its first flag in 1909. The flag was then redesigned in 1993. In recent years, local resident Jacob Parr designed a flag that he submitted to city council, but it was not adopted. The city has joined with the Arts Commission of Greater Toledo to jury a flag design contest that invites Toledoans to submit their best design ideas.
BGSU research finds reduced levels of harmful algae toxins in Sandusky Bay
SANDUSKY — After years of detecting harmful algae in Lake Erie’s Sandusky Bay, Bowling Green State University researchers recently discovered that a toxic cyanobacterium called Planktothrix has essentially disappeared. While other algae still are present, BGSU scientists have determined a likely cause behind the drop in toxins, signaling a major improvement for a body of water that millions rely upon for life, work and play. “The water looked pretty bad in 2019, but we didn’t know that it was actually slowly improving,” said George Bullerjahn, BGSU emeritus professor of biology. “In 2020, we started to go out to the bay every week but there was nothing. Since then, we’ve found benign algae, but no toxins.” With no major adjustments to nutrient loads and not enough time passing for significant changes, BGSU researchers turned their attention to the Sandusky River, which feeds into the bay and experienced a dam removal near the city of Fremont in 2018 to improve fish habitats.
Monday Memories: Sinking a putt at the first Jamie Farr Toledo Classic
Forty years ago, second-year LPGA Tour golfer Lauri Merten, then Lauri Peterson, waged a duel with veteran Nancy Lopez, winning the inaugural Jamie Farr Toledo Classic by a two-stroke margin. She earned a first-place check of $26,250. In this 1984 Blade archive photo, Merten waves her left hand to the crowd after sinking her putt. She told The Blade that day, ‘When Nancy tied me, I started thinking I can still finish second in the tournament. But then I said to myself I’m GOING to win. I wasn’t going to finish second.’ That first tournament played at the Glengarry Country Club went on to become an important stop on the LPGA Tour, and now is the Dana Open, played at Highland Meadows Golf Club in Sylvania. This year’s Dana Open starts July 15 with the Kickoff Pro-Am. The first round tees off on Thursday, and the final round will be played Sunday. In four decades the purse has grown from $175,000 to $1.75 million. This year’s winner will earn $262,500. Go to thebladevault.com/memories to purchase more historical photos taken by our award-winning staff of photographers, past and present, or to purchase combinations of stories and photos
To the editor: Using wise mosquito control in Great Black Swamp
As the weather continues to increase in warmth and humidity, our former Great Black Swamp experiences the buzz of mosquitoes. Recent academic research into mosquito control led me to investigate the chemicals we use here in Lucas County and what we know about their safety. Do the benefits outweigh the risks? Turns out, the answer isn’t very clear. I researched what was in each of the chemicals used in mosquito sprays in Lucas County. The two main active ingredients are various forms of what are known as Pyrethroids and Piperonyl Butoxide, or BPO. While pyrethroids seem fairly safe for humans,...
Editorial: Integrity a needed asset
Lucas County’s creation of a Conviction Integrity Unit inside Prosecutor Julia Bates’ office is a step toward an important cultural change. (“County unveils Conviction Integrity Unit,” Wednesday.) A review board consisting of Ms. Bates and the chiefs of the appellate, civil, criminal, and special unit divisions will screen submissions from inside the legal system of police, prosecutors, and defense attorneys for cases that have a credible claim of wrongful conviction. Read more Blade editorials The precision of forensic science is much improved from decades past and has exonerated defendants convicted and sentenced. That’s understandable, and the county’s commitment to using improved technology to confirm past conclusions is commendable.
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