Tontogany
Politics
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...
TPS is hoping voters pass a levy and a bond issue this November
Toledo Public Schools officials say they have kept their promise to voters and have not asked for new money since 2014. The district is now asking voters for additional money as well as approval to issue bonds. Issue 19 is a proposed additional tax levy and a bond issue. The new 3.8-mill, five-year levy is meant to cover the district’s operating expenses. The cost to a homeowner is $133 for each $100,000 in property value. The $99 million in improvement bonds would be used for constructing, adding to, renovating, rehabilitating, remodeling, furnishing, equipping and improving school district buildings and facilities, and clearing, equipping, and otherwise improving sites for those School District buildings and facilities. The bond would be repaid annually over a maximum 30 years. The cost to a homeowner would be $71 for each $100,000 in property value.
Toledo Library says 1,700 new cards were issued this month
TOLEDO, Ohio — September is almost over, but the Toledo Lucas County Public Library (TLCPL) is still celebrating Library Card Sign-up Month. Representatives with the Toledo Lucas County Public Libraries said there have been 1,700 new sign ups this month alone, bringing the total number to 325,000 holders. Jason...
School districts have used the majority of ARPA monies prior to deadlines
Local school districts report they have largely spent all of their American Rescue Plan Act funds prior to both September and January deadlines. ARPA funds were approved by President Biden and Congress in 2021. Districts face a Monday deadline for committing to use the one-time funds and a Jan. 28 deadline to spend the money if they don’t have a spending extension. Funds that are left over would have to be returned to the U.S. Treasury. ARPA funds, separated into grants such as ARP-ESSER, ARP IDEA, ARP Homeless, ARP Targeted Homeless, and ARP-ESSER III, were distributed to school districts to cover costs incurred because of the pandemic. The funds were meant to provide financial relief to districts so they could help students recover the loss of learning time when classrooms were closed.
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.
Area journalists, community figures honored at Touchstones
The Press Club of Toledo celebrated local journalism Thursday by honoring several writers from The Blade and other organizations during the club’s 2024 Touchstone Awards ceremony in downtown Toledo. “We’re here tonight to recognize excellence in our community and we’re also encouraging the next generation,” said Shaun Hegarty of WTVG-13, the event’s master of ceremonies. “Tonight, we add a distinguished set of honorees to our already terrific list of those who have demonstrated excellence.” About 150 people attended the annual event at the Valentine Theater. More than two dozen awards were presented, encompassing print, radio, and visual media from The Blade, the Toledo City Paper, WTOL-11, WGTE Public Media, BCSN Sports, BCAN Arts, MLiving News, and student outlets at the University of Toledo.
Toledo, Lucas County race to the finish line to use remaining ARPA funds
Toledo officials say they’re working to dole out the remaining federal funds provided by the American Rescue Plan Act before a deadline to use the money or lose it. The city was awarded a one-time payment of $180.9 million in 2021. Communities across the country also received ARPA funds to aid in public health and economic recovery from the pandemic. Toledo has a balance of approximately $5.5 million of the original allocation. Projects that could possibly receive funds will go before city council at Wednesday’s meeting. Communities across the country are under the gun to spend any balance in ARPA funds by the end of this year or forfeit the money. “Everything is programmed at this point in time,” said Abby Arnold, deputy mayor.
Councilman explains the future of ShotSpotter Program in Toledo
TOLEDO, Ohio — Reports of the ShotSpotter program being removed from the Junction neighborhood is causing concern, as residents believe it's still needed. WTOL 11 reached out to City Councilman John Hobbs, who's the Chair of the Public Safety & Criminal Justice Reform Committee, to learn what's next for the technology used to pinpoint where gun incidents happen.
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