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Lessenberry: Will to tackle education lacking in Michigan
LANSING — Gretchen Whitmer ran for governor six years ago, vowing to do more for education than anyone had in eons. She won, but Republicans kept control of the Legislature, which put limits on what she could do. Then two years ago, she was re-elected by a landslide, and Democrats also won control of the Legislature for the first time in decades. Educators were excited about the future. The governor’s goals included free community college and universal, free pre-kindergarten education for the state’s 4-year-olds. Last year’s education budget was seen positively by school officials, and if they didn’t get everything they wanted, they knew the Democrats were frantically busy trying to overturn and replace years of Republican policies, such as Right to Work. This year, the schools hoped, would be better. But when the state’s proposed education budget for the year, beginning Oct. 1, was revealed last month, educators were horrified. “The school lobby is furious,” said longtime Lansing pundit Bill Ballenger.
To the editor: Middle East is headed to full-scale war
It was recently reported that Israel has approved the largest seizure of Palestinian land for Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank in over three decades. As Israel claims to be winding down its war in Gaza it leaves over half a million Palestinians starving and homeless and most of the buildings and infrastructure destroyed or unusable. The United Nations says the unprecedented destruction of housing in Gaza hasn’t been seen since World War II. Now Israel is fighting against Hezbollah in Lebanon and turning southern Lebanon to dust. Submit a letter to the editor This is not simply a war against Hamas anymore, if it ever was. It is a targeted effort to kill as many Palestinians as possible and drive them off their land so that Israel can take it for settlements. There is no serious talk of peace.
Dr. John Francis “Jack” Brunner: Pioneering Toledo endocrinologist was a caring mentor
Dr. John Francis “Jack” Brunner, a pioneering Toledo endocrinologist and clinical professor, died July 8 in his Toledo home. He was 97. Dr. Brunner died after a brief illness, his son Rick Brunner said. He had several health conditions common for his age, Mr. Brunner said. As one of the first board-certified endocrinologists in Toledo, Dr. Brunner “took care of a lot of people with rare and complex health problems,” said his other son Dr. Jack Brunner, who followed in his father’s steps to become an endocrinologist. Dr. S. Amjad Hussain, a retired Toledo surgeon, said the elder Dr. Brunner was also “a very kind and caring physician and teacher,” noting that he was a former intern of Dr. Brunner at what is now Mercy Health St. Charles Hospital.
From 'never Trump guy' to champion, Vance takes national stage
MILWAUKEE — J.D. Vance strode onto the national stage Wednesday night to chants of “J.D.! J.D.!” to introduce himself to America, completing his 180-degree turn from a self-professed “Never Trump guy” to potential heir apparent to the Make America Great Again movement. “Tonight is a night of hope, a celebration of what America once was and, with God's grace, what it will soon be again,” Mr. Vance said. He praised Trump, noting how close he came to death at Saturday's rally in Butler, Pa. “They said he was a tyrant,” he said. “They said he had to be stopped at all cost, but how did he respond? He called for national unity.”
Toledo City Council delays vote on armored vehicle
Toledo City Council on Wednesday put off a vote on the police department’s request to acquire a second armored vehicle, sending the topic to a committee for further discussion. The Mine Resistant Ambush Protected armored personnel carrier would assist in the transport of personnel, injured people, and supplies in high-risk situations. The primary function of the MRAP would be for tactical medics who are not protected in high-risk situations. The city would not have to pay for the vehicle, which would be a loan from the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency. Toledo has a limited time to get the vehicle before it would go to another community that wants it.
Toledo council approves moratoriums on new car washes, storage units
Council approved a moratorium until Jan. 31 on accepting plans for new storage unit and car wash facilities. Councilman Adam Martinez said before the meeting that a moratorium was sought so that the Toledo Plan Commission can do a study on their impact on the neighborhoods. “The concern is that there is a proliferation of car washes and storage facilities,” Mr. Martinez said. “They seem to be popping up all over the place. They’re probably not the highest and best use of land. We want to make sure we’re creating density.” The moratorium means that anyone who is interested in putting in a new car wash or storage facility will not be able to until the study is completed.
UT to accent its gold and blue with teal and magenta for marketing
For more than a century, the University of Toledo’s school colors have been blue and gold. Now, in a decision that is raising eyebrows, the historic tradition is getting a makeover: Teal and magenta accents are being added as part of a new marketing strategy, the university announced Tuesday. The change is part of an effort to merge the branding of UT’s academic and health care operations. Magenta accents will apply to academic materials, while teal accenting will be used for healthcare marketing.
Briggs: LPGA superstar Lexi Thompson is not who you might think
It would have made the perfect photo-op, but for one key missing ingredient — the news cameras. Lexi Thompson must not have noticed. The LPGA Tour superstar was playing in the Dana Open pro-am Wednesday at Highland Meadows when she spotted a father and son in the gallery on the second tee. She invited the boy to join her inside the ropes and began to ask all about his golf game, including how far he could bomb it off the tee himself.
Lane closings planned as part of new MLK bridge work
With the Craig Memorial Bridge still closed awaiting repairs to damaged safety gates as well as electrical work, work on a city of Toledo project at the neighboring Martin Luther King, Jr. Bridge officially began Wednesday and is slated to run for several months. While no lanes were closed on the King on the project’s first day, construction barrels were lined up on its downstream sidewalk all the way across the Maumee River. It is on that side that the Toledo Department of Transportation plans to create a dedicated and protected lane for pedestrians and bicyclists while shifting the current westbound lanes toward the bridge’s center. A city notice said the project’s initial two-month phase would involve lane closings across the bridge during “construction of [a] multi-use path and additional bridge improvements,” and that additional traffic advisories will be issued as work progresses. Information about the project’s total cost was not available Wednesday, but a Federal Highway Administration grant announced June 14 provided $500,000 in federal money, with a $125,000 nonfederal match, to do work including establishing a barrier between traffic lanes, milling and repaving the bridge’s approach spans, and adjusting its drawspans’ balance.
Walleye add 2 more pieces to 2024-25 roster
The Toledo Walleye added more help to their roster on Wednesday as they look to build a playoff team yet again for the 2024-25 season. Coming to Toledo is forward Casey Dornbach by way of the Iowa Heartlanders, and additionally, the Walleye likely will benefit from their AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins, signing defenseman Chaz Reddekopp to a one-year, two-way contract. PLAYER ANNOUNCEMENT‼️Welcome to T-Town! ???? We've signed forward Casey Dornbach for next season.???? https://t.co/3c3ePtjMTh pic.twitter.com/joTvpVjKYI Last season, Dornbach appeared in 55 games with the Heartlanders and also 11 games for the AHL’s Iowa Wild. The 27-year-old netted 42 points — 13 goals and 29 assists — during his time with the Heartlanders. Dornbach tallied a goal and an assist in his brief stint with the Wild in 2023-24.
Event at Providence Metropark to mark Maumee River designation
A free family-oriented event is scheduled for 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Providence Metropark in commemoration of the Maumee River’s 50th anniversary as a state-recognized scenic and recreational river. Unspecified in and out-of-water activities are planned for a celebration that is “perfect for families and river enthusiasts to explore the wonders of this northwest Ohio natural gem,” the Ohio Department of Natural Resources said. Two speakers from the Ohio DNR and one from Metroparks Toledo are scheduled to give comments. Providence Metropark is located at 13200 S. River Rd. in Grand Rapids, Ohio.
Guardrail repairs to close part of Eastgate Road for 2 days
The north end of Eastgate Road will be closed during work hours Thursday and Friday for guardrail repairs, the Toledo Department of Transportation announced. Eastgate will be closed between Airport Highway and Creekwood Lane from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. each day, with traffic detoured via Airport, Reynolds Road, and Glendale Avenue, officials said.
Slow progress halted by roof issue at former Great Eastern shopping center
Northwood city officials continue to try to stop work on a shopping center from going south. At the July 11 council meeting, Administrator Kevin Laughlin said there seems to be crisis after crisis at the former Great Eastern shopping center on Woodville Road, which has been in disrepair for years. On July 5, Zoning Inspector Amy Stribny called him and told him the roofs were missing on some of the suites in the shopping center, now called Northwood Commons, Mr. Laughlin said. “She was worried about the structural soundness of the units,” he said, adding that they contacted county building inspection. “They didn’t have building permits, they didn’t have zoning permits, anything to do the the work. And it’s not just the roofs, on several of the units, they’ve actually built walls — they’ve created office spaces and things like that without the proper authorization.”
Man indicted for fatal 2023 crash at West Toledo intersection
A Toledo man has been charged with two counts each of aggravated vehicular homicide and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs for another man’s death last year in a collision at Laskey and Bennett roads. Steven Dukett, 63, who lives along the 600 block of Custer Drive a short distance from the crash scene, is scheduled for arraignment in Lucas County Common Pleas Court on July 31 before Judge Michael Goulding. Mr. Dukett is charged for the death of David Heath, 56, of the 1600 block of Champlain Street, who police said was the other driver in a collision of two pickup trucks reported at 6:18 p.m. on Sept. 1, 2023. Mr. Heath died six days later in Mercy Health St. Vincent Medical Center. According to a witness statement included in the Toledo Police Department’s crash report, Mr. Dukett’s pickup was northbound on Bennett and, while running a red light at Laskey, collided “full force” with Mr. Heath’s westbound vehicle. After the collision, the witness said, the northbound vehicle continued “speeding and swerving down Bennett Road” and its driver appeared to be “highly intoxicated.”
BGSU football: 3 storylines for 2024 season ahead of MAC media day
BOWLING GREEN — A senior-laden and experienced group comprises Bowling Green State University’s football program. Is 2024 the year the Falcons bring the Mid-American Conference title back to Bowling Green? After posting a 7-6 record, securing its first winning season since 2015, and earning its second consecutive bowl berth during the 2023 campaign, BGSU will have high hopes and expectations in what could be a memorable year. Sixth-year coach Scot Loeffler (20-35 record) and his staff did an admirable job of bringing back a vast majority of its starters and key reserves from last season, and they added a solid number of talented players in the transfer portal that should step right in, as well. A BGSU team that includes 32 seniors will be looking to win the program’s first MAC championship since 2015 when the Falcons went 10-4, topped Northern Illinois in the title game and had a pair of wins over Big Ten Conference teams.
Linn Grant back at Highland Meadows ready to defend Dana Open title
A masterful third-round 62 during last year’s Dana Open put Linn Grant in position to win her first LPGA Tour title. It also created a situation golfers covet and loathe: a sizable lead. Grant was six shots clear of second place, a seemingly insurmountable advantage. But ask Greg Norman, Rory McIlroy, and Jordan Speith about lapping the field. Mentally, the finish is taxing. “I had played very well all week and had a great feeling about the course,” Grant said. “My thoughts were just to go out on Sunday with the same feeling and enjoy my round, not try to force any results and just try to tell myself that if I play the way I have played things should go my way.”
Coroner's office seeking family of recently deceased man
The Lucas County Coroner’s Office is asking for the public’s help in finding relatives of a West Toledo man who died July 8. Thomas Brown, 74, was found dead in his home. Anyone who can connect officials with his relatives is asked to call the coroner’s office at 419-213-3900.
5K walk to kick off city's annual Let's Get Moving wellness campaign
The city of Toledo will kick off its annual Let’s Get Moving wellness campaign with a 5K walk at 11 a.m. Saturday starting at the Liz Pierson Shelter House in Ottawa Park. The event, organized by the city’s Department of Parks and Youth Services, and presented in partnership with Mercy Health System and the Area Office on Aging, will also include a variety of activities and free health screenings. The Neighborhood Health Association and Community of Hope Free Clinic will also be on hand to share information on resources that available for residents. The city of Toledo Parks and Youth Services will provide water and light refreshments throughout the event. There will also be giveaways and a raffle.
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