Choose your location
The Blade
'We must comply': Maumee mayor tells crowd options are limited to deal with EPA issues
Maumee Mayor Jim MacDonald is caught between the state and his constituents. The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has issued several findings and mandates after the city dumped millions of gallons of illegal raw sewage into the Maumee River for 25 years, he said. One of the solutions is a recently enacted sewer inspection ordinance that has been hugely expensive for some Maumee residents selling their homes. “To be clear, the choices for us are limited. I have to be brutally honest,” Mayor MacDonald said at a Tuesday informational meeting. “We must comply with what's being asked of us, and try to fix what we can.” The mayor held the community meeting to discuss the ordinance, which requires a sanitary sewer inspection on private properties listed for sale. About 150 people filled the council chamber, with the overflow crowd watching the live stream at the adjacent police station.
Former political foes urge Trump election on Day 2 of Republican convention
MILWAUKEE — Trying to demonstrate a Republican Party united behind Donald Trump, former political rivals took to the convention stage Tuesday to urge Americans to support the man they once criticized. The entrance of Nikki Haley — former South Carolina governor, former United Nations ambassador, and the last standing GOP challenger to Trump — was met with both cheers and boos. “President Trump asked me to speak at this convention in the name of unity,” she said. “It was a gracious invitation, and I was happy to accept. I’ll start by making one thing perfectly clear. Donald Trump has my strong endorsement, period.” Ms. Haley walked into the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee with 97 delegates. All were cast for Trump on Monday.
Toledo council committee recommends approval for Gary's Automotive
A Toledo City Council committee has overruled an earlier decision and recommend that a Point Place auto repair shop damaged in a tornado can go ahead with reconstruction plans. Gary’s Automotive at 4505 N. Summit St. was severely damaged during the June 15, 2023, tornado that hit Point Place and other areas of Toledo. The owner, Dave Thomas, had submitted a site plan review to the Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commission to reconstruct the building, but the commission recommended last month that it not be approved because the materials were not in compliance with the zoning code. “We were turned down because of a material we wanted to use on our building,” Mr. Thomas said Tuesday during a meeting of council’s Zoning and Planning Committee. “It’s more of a cosmetic use rather than a strength issue.” Half of his brick shop is still standing, he said. The cost to rebuild is more than $600,000, using a “pole metal” type of material, which is not on the plan commission’s approved list of materials. The cost would balloon to $900,000 to use bricks — money he said he doesn’t have because the building is underinsured.
Trial starts for man charged with death of girlfriend's toddler son
Police and rescue officers who responded to a Sylvania Township home where a dying 3-year-old child was found after his mother’s boyfriend called 911 were immediately skeptical of the boyfriend’s explanation for the child’s condition, testimony Tuesday at the start of the boyfriend’s murder trial showed. But Kurt Bruderly, the lawyer for defendant Michael Kitto, said his client is unwavering in his assertion that the death of Declan Hill, 3, was indeed the result of the boy hitting his head on the floor after crashing into the end of a door while running through the house. Mr. Kitto could be heard giving that explanation several times to police in a distraught voice on body camera video recorded by Kevin Pelwecki, a Sylvania Township police officer who was the second officer to arrive at the Oct. 6, 2022 scene in the 3400 block of King Road. But Officer Pelwecki was then recorded as telling arriving detectives “it wasn’t a great explanation” because “kids are more resilient than that.”
Stone: Seeing spots
I would like to begin by thanking everyone who has taken an interest in learning more about the spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) and being one more set of eyes in the field looking for the invasive species. I have been inundated in recent days with emails, calls, text messages, photographs, and even an occasional specimen of what residents are finding — and yes many are seeing spots — the spotted lanternfly. I am grateful for everyone who has reached out or reported finds on the Great Lakes Early Detection Network (GLEDN) app or through the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s Plant...
Kaptur, Brown outpace opponents in fund-raising
U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D., Toledo) is trying to hold on to her congressional seat, and new filings show that Ms. Kaptur is outpacing her opponent, state Rep. Derek Merrin (R. Monclova Township), in fund-raising. In the District 9 race, Ms. Kaptur’s campaign Kaptur for Congress has raised more than $950,000 in the second quarter, bringing her total raised to nearly $3 million. She is ending quarter two with $2.6 million on hand, having spent a little more than $699,000. “Our campaign has seen a groundswell of support from Republicans, Democrats, and Independents across the district who know that Marcy Kaptur is on the frontlines fighting for seniors and working families,” Alexandra Wilcox, Ms. Kaptur’s campaign manager, said. Her opponent’s campaign, Merrin for Congress, has raised more than $412,000 in the second quarter, bringing his total raised to nearly $669,000. He is ending quarter two with just over $408,000, which is a significant jump for Mr. Merrin since he ended the first quarter with a little more than $88,000 on hand. Mr. Merrin has spent just over $260,000. The Blade reached out to Mr. Merrin’s campaign, who did not have any additional comments.
Walleye re-sign forward Kruse for 2024-25 season
Forward Brandon Kruse, who scored 18 goals and added 36 assists for the Toledo Walleye in 2023-24, will return to the team for the coming season, the Walleye announced Tuesday. Toledo re-signed the Saline, Mich., native and former Bowling Green State University player for a second season at the Huntington Center. Kruse joined the Walleye in 2023 after finishing his first full professional season with the ECHL’s Newfoundland Growlers. Kruse, 25, played more than 150 games for BGSU from 2017-21, scoring 38 goals with 104 assists. He was selected by the Vegas Golden Knights in the fifth round of the 2018 NHL draft. After a graduate transfer season with national power Boston College, he joined Vegas’ AHL affiliate for three games before moving on to the ECHL in 2022-23. Kruse tallied four goals and seven assists for the Walleye during this past spring’s playoff run, where the team fell in the Western Conference finals for the second straight season.
City council to act on settlement of brutality suit arising from traffic stop
Toledo City Council is poised to approve Wednesday a $50,000 settlement with one of two women who sued the city and two police officers alleging brutality and false arrest during a traffic stop on New Year’s Day, 2023. Kaylynn Smart was a passenger in a car that police pulled over at Central and Maplewood avenues after it passed close to a vehicle involved in the response to an accident several blocks west of there on Central Avenue. In the lawsuit she filed Dec. 22 in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio in Toledo, Ms. Smart claimed false arrest, unlawful imprisonment, unreasonable and excessive force, assault and battery, and related mistreatment by the two officers who performed the traffic stop, as well as seeking undisclosed punitive damages. Police officers Adam Hobbs and Ashlynn Pluff were disciplined for their conduct during the encounter, which was recorded on their cruiser’s dashboard camera.
2024 Dana Open: These 5 names could produce a surprise
Underdog stories are among the most compelling in sports, drawing in outside observers for the cinematic quality. The Dana Open has not been averse to underdogs, with several winners coming out of nowhere to capture their maiden LPGA Tour victory. It wouldn’t shock anyone if 2024 followed a similar script. Olympic years create constricted, circuitous schedules. And 2024 is no different, as the Paris Games loom. Thus, a less-accomplished field is in town this week, increasing the likelihood of an unexpected or first-time winner. Here are the candidates.
City to fund new mini-pitch soccer fields in Schneider Park
Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz believes soccer is a sport for everyone. His belief in the need for accessibility within the sport is the motivation behind a new ordinance being presented to city council on Wednesday. The ordinance will authorize the mayor to enter into a grant agreement with the Toledo Celtics Inc. so the city can contribute $70,000 toward the acquisition of two new mini-pitch soccer fields at Schneider Park. The fields are similar to a hockey rink, but you play soccer inside of them, according to Joe Fausnaugh, the director of Parks and Youth Services. They have boards surrounding them and are much smaller than a normal soccer field, enabling individuals with mobility issues or visual impairments to enjoy the game.
Nonprofit teaching life lessons with skateboarding
Friction between polyurethane wheels and concrete reported the locations of skaters as they whizzed around the Frederick Douglass Community Association during a recent practice session of the On Deck Alliance. Intermittent clacking of skateboard trucks told of the success or failure of each individual outfitted with helmets and kneepads. During these sessions, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 to 3 p.m. and again from 5:30 to 8 p.m., kids and coaches gather on the first floor of the community center, 1001 Indiana Ave. in central Toledo, and give their best attempt at balancing on top of a board in motion. “They’ve been looking forward to this for a while,” Jessica Lothery, 37, of South Toledo, said of her three children wanting to skateboard at a community event with On Deck Alliance. “It’s always good to experience positive things in the neighborhood. Sometimes I get excited and try to do a few tricks myself.”
Pop-up book creator elicits laughs at Mazza Museum conference
FINDLAY — How does one make a pop-up book? They throw a bunch of paper into a machine, and voila, Matthew Reinhart joked. “Done! Easy! Give me money,” Mr. Reinhart shouted as the audience broke into fits of laughter. Mr. Reinhart — a paper engineer and the creator of best-selling blockbuster pop-up guides for Star Wars, Game of Thrones, Transformers, Frozen, and more — presented at the Mazza Museum’s 30th annual Summer Conference on Tuesday. His presentation was a fascinating trapeze act that swung between humor and earnest passion as he walked the audience through how he produces pop-up books. The University of Findlay’s Mazza Museum, which holds the world’s largest collection of original picture book art, uses its annual summer conference as a means to unite educators and book lovers to learn the behind-the-scenes of authors and illustrators.
Pizza Palooza preview pleases palates
The showroom at Grogan’s Towne Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram featured some unusual models Tuesday. Instead of being packed with Pacificas, jammed with Rams, chock-full of Challengers, or crammed with Compasses, it was filled with tasty pizzas from a dozen local eateries, all of which will be competing in the upcoming 12th annual Pizza Palooza for the coveted Judge’s Choice and People’s Choice awards. The event will be held on Friday and Saturday at Centennial Terrace in Sylvania. Doors open at 5 p.m. “This is a great week for Sylvania,” Mayor Craig Stough declared. “We have the Dana Open at Highland Meadows and Pizza Palooza going on at the same time. It’s events like these that draw people to town and make Sylvania a great place to live.” The formidable list of culinary competitors this year includes Bambino’s, Half Time, Romeo’s, Mama Mary’s, Viking Pizzeria, Jet’s Pizza, J-Cups, Dandino’s, Bombay Kitchen, Hindsight Pizza, the V.I., and Mike’s Pizza.
BGSU's Archer selected in 12th round by Chicago White Sox in MLB draft
BOWLING GREEN — Bowling Green State University baseball player Nathan Archer was selected in the 12th round by the Chicago White Sox in the 2024 MLB draft on Tuesday. Archer was the 349th pick overall. He became the first Falcon player drafted since Trey Keegan and Brian Bien were chosen in 2015, as well as the program’s earliest draft pick since 2005 when BGSU hall of famer Nolan Reimold was taken in the second round by Baltimore. The deadline for 2024 MLB draftees to sign with their teams is 5 p.m. Aug. 1. Archer, who couldn’t be reached for comment on Tuesday, could return to BGSU, as well; he has one season of college eligibility remaining. Archer, a 6-foot, 175-pound center fielder, had a historic three-years at BGSU, which included being named the 2024 Mid-American Conference player of the year. The left-hander helped the Falcons (33-20, 24-6 MAC) win their first regular-season league title since 2009.
2024 Dana Open: These 5 names could take home the trophy
The Dana Open’s 40th birthday party officially tees off Thursday morning at Highland Meadows Golf Club with the first shot of the four-day, 72-hole tournament. The best women’s golfers in the world will convene for their annual stop in northwest Ohio. The 144-person field features major champions, rising stars, and LPGA Tour stalwarts. Each wants to be added to the glowing list of winners the Dana Open has produced. With an ideal weather forecast, birdies, as usual, should be plentiful. Whoever finds a hot putter and avoids mistakes should be at or near the top of the leaderboard. Here are five favorites to hoist the Dana Open crystal and cash the winning $262,500 check.
Toledo man who robbed letter carrier facing 25 years in prison
A Toledo man is facing 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to mail theft, stealing mail collection box keys, and robbery of mail, money, or other property of the United States, authorities said. Michael Bush Jr., 22, pled guilty to the July 20, 2023, robbery of a U.S. Postal Service letter carrier, the U.S. Department of Justice said Monday. According to court documents, Bush approached a driver in a parked USPS truck in the 5600 block of Ryewyck Drive and robbed the letter carrier at gunpoint. After the robbery, the Toledo Police found surveillance video linking a vehicle involved in the robbery back to Bush, which they later found at a residence where Bush’s aunt lives.
2024 high school football: 4 Toledo-area sleeper teams to watch
Sometimes, a true sleeper team just comes out of nowhere to surprise everyone. A middle-of-the-road team from a year ago, perhaps benefitting from a weak strength of schedule or the return of some standout players, can just go on a run and turn some heads in a quest for a league title or a quality playoff berth. Where will that team come from this year? What will be the 4-6, 5-5, or 6-4 team from a year ago that will make its mark known in northwest Ohio high school football circles? Here’s a look at four candidates — three of which are playing for the same league title in a race where plenty of talent from a year ago is coming back.
UT to receive $3.85 million for hypertension research
The University of Toledo Health Science Campus is slated to receive a $3.85 million grant to research hypertension. The grant, from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, was announced Monday by Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D., Toledo). It will support research on the potential of conjugated bile acids as nutritionally re-programmable antihypertensive metabolites. This research aims to address the critical issue of hypertension, a condition affecting millions of Americans. The project will be led by Dr. Bina Joe, who will explore innovative ways to manage and treat high blood pressure through dietary interventions targeting bile acid pathways. “Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, and hypertension is a significant contributor,” Ms. Kaptur said. “I am thrilled that this substantial award will enable Dr. Joe and her team to pursue cutting-edge research that has the potential to transform how we approach hypertension treatment.”
Perrysburg native Dickinson rebounds from broken leg in productive first pro hockey season
After suffering a potential career-ending injury, Perrysburg’s Tanner Dickinson doubled down his dedication to becoming an elite hockey player. In January of 2022, Dickinson broke his femur — the largest bone in the body — while playing in a game for the Soo Greyhounds in the Ontario Hockey League. The Perrysburg native worked his way back to the ice and completed his first season of pro hockey last winter. Dickinson split the 2023-24 season between Orlando of the ECHL and Springfield of the American Hockey League. Here are highlights from both stops:
Toledo announces 3 city commissions accepting applications
The city of Toledo is now accepting applications for seats on three city commissions. The mayor will appoint individuals to serve on the Toledo Civilian Police Review Board, Charter Review Commission, and the Toledo Sister Cities International Board of Trustees. The Toledo Civilian Police Review Board's purpose is to provide residents with a fair and impartial appeal process for complaints of police misconduct or dissatisfaction with the findings of police internal investigations and to advise the chief of police on various issues, such as policies and procedures. The Charter Review Commission reviews the city charter in detail and recommends appropriate changes.
The Blade
31K+
Posts
134M+
Views
It is The Blade's ongoing mission to be the premier source of breaking news and information for northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. Whether on mobile, tablet, desktop or print; it's your news however you choose.
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.