This Week in Toledo

This Week in Toledo A weekly news round-up in Toledo, Ohio. Updates posted every Saturday morning at 9AM. No AI is used in the production of this content.

• On Sunday, the Toledo Zoo sent an email to affected families indicating its intent to cease its Advocates for Disabili...
09/19/2026

• On Sunday, the Toledo Zoo sent an email to affected families indicating its intent to cease its Advocates for Disabilities and Partner Team (ADaPT) program for youth with disabilities on September 30, citing lack of staff and funding. The program, in place since 2013, serves 63 of the Zoo's approximately 400 ZOOTeen members.

• On Monday, Governor DeWine announced that a $2 million grant from the state's Residential Economic Development District program has been approved for water and sewer line repairs at the historic Spitzer building in downtown Toledo, part of the Lucas County Land Bank's "Four Corners" project.

• On Tuesday, Toledo City Council reviewed a proposal sponsored by Gadus, Martinez, and Morris to establish a local license requirement for hotels and motels. If approved, licenses would be granted to business that are up to date on their taxes, comply with the city's codes, are in good standing with the Health Department, hold necessary state permits and licenses, and pay an annual $400 license fee to cover the cost of inspections. Licenses would not transfer in the event of a sale.

• Also on Tuesday, the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce released its annual "report card" rating school districts across the state. Toledo Public Schools (TPS) received two stars and Washington Local Schools (WLS) received three stars in a five-star system. Two schools within the TPS system, Toledo Early College High School and the Toledo Technology Academy of Engineering received five stars, while Grove Patterson Academy, Toledo Aerospace and Natural Science Academy, and Toledo Pre-medical and Health Science Academy received four-and-a-half stars.

• On Wednesday, Toledo Prosecutor Rebecca Facey announced the launch of a dashboard providing data and statistics on over 90,000 criminal and traffic cases that have been prosecuted in Toledo Municipal Court since 2018. To view the dashboard, visit https://toledo.prosecutiondata.org/

• On Thursday, several residents spoke against the addition of more Flock cameras at a Toledo City Council Public Safety & Criminal Justice Reform committee. The committee ultimately decided to hold current Flock camera proposals in committee until an audit of how the cameras are being used is completed.

• Also on Thursday, Unison Health held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly renovated Whitney Manor, which will provide twenty one-bedroom apartments for the chronically homeless. Originally built in 1925, the Whitney Manor renovation took three years and approximately $5 million to complete.

• In further Thursday news, a Lucas County grand jury indicted two people for defrauding 19 investors out of a total of $1.7 million. 70-year-old licensed investment advisor George Flanner of Toledo is charged with 66 felonies while 69-year-old investment fund manager Kristin Holcomb of Chelsea, Michigan is charged with 49.

• Credit ratings agency S&P recently affirmed Lucas County as having an AA credit rating, while a competing agency, Moody's, affirmed an Aa2 credit rating. In both agency's rating systems, these ratings are the third highest and indicate that high grade investment opportunities.

• The Lucas County Conviction Integrity Unit has resulted in a new trial for Joel Terry, a man who was sentenced in 2019 to 75 years to life in prison for a case involving the r**e of a child under 10 years of age. Doubts about DNA evidence have resulted in a new trial scheduled for February 8, 2027.

• The Lucas County Board of Elections is hiring poll workers for the upcoming general election. Eligible candidates must be registered to vote in Lucas county, able to read and write English, and must not have been convicted of a felony. To learn more or to apply, visit https://www.lucascountyohiovotes.gov/poll_workers/index.php

• Fall enrollment at the University of Toledo stands at 14,029, down 1.8% from 14,290 in fall 2025. Bowling Green State University's enrollment stands at 20,799, up 2% from 20,383 in fall 2025. Owens Community College's enrollment stands at 7,652, a 3.1% increase from 7,423 in fall 2025 and its highest enrollment since 2020.

• Vice President of Research & Innovation at the University of Toledo Grace Bochenek is seeking to establish an Artificial Intelligence (AI) institute at the university that would incorporate AI into research and education across its departments.

• North Toledo chemical manufacturing facility Perstorp Polyols announced plans to close by July 1, 2027, impacting an estimated 130 employees at the plant.

• Avestruz, a Mexican restaurant in the Vistula-based Ostrich Towne development, is reopening soon under chef Sly Robinson. The restaurant, first opened in 2024 under chef Aaron Lawson, closed in November 2025.

• Tenants at Saxon House apartments have formed a tenant union, the Saxon House Tenants’ Association, in response to ongoing building neglect that has included plumbing issues, water leaks, and the growth of black mold. An out-of-state building owner went into tax foreclosure in January, resulting in courts appointing Georgia-based receiver, GlassRatner, responsible for the property. The tenant association has obtained an attorney and is currently pursuing legal action.

• This Saturday (September 19) from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., the North Toledo Coalition will host a free pancake breakfast and discuss neighborhood issues at Jamie Farr Park (2140 N. Summit St.)

• Next Thursday (September 24) from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., At-Large Toledo City Council member Erin Kramer will host an open-ended public meeting for residents to bring up any relevant concerns to her at the Sanger Branch Library (3030 Central Ave.)

• You can receive This Week in Toledo via e-mail by subscribing at https://toledo.substack.com/subscribe. You can also receive updates on Facebook by liking the official page at https://www.facebook.com/thisweekintoledo.

News sources: The Blade, 13ABC, WTOL

• Last Saturday (September 5), a fire broke out at the former St. Agnes Church that led to its collapse; no one was inju...
09/12/2026

• Last Saturday (September 5), a fire broke out at the former St. Agnes Church that led to its collapse; no one was injured. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. The church, formerly owned by the Diocese of Toledo, has been closed since 2005.

• On Tuesday, Block Communications announced that it would shutter the Toledo Blade's print and digital operations December 31 unless a buyer for its assets can be secured, citing several years of ongoing financial losses. In operation since 1835, the Blade employs 119 people and is Toledo's oldest continually operating business.

• Also on Tuesday, the Toledo Free Press published a call to action for community members interested in ensuring the future of local news in Toledo. Potential donors, sponsors, and journalists are encouraged to complete a form found here: https://toledofreepress.com/block-communications-intends-to-sell-blades-assets/

• In further Tuesday news, Toledo City Council voted to approve a $62,000 settlement with a group home for people with disabilities. Warren Singletery, Kimberly Cunningham and Treasured Homes LLC filed a federal lawsuit against the city in 2023 after being denied a reasonable accommodation request to open a group home, citing Toledo's restrictive spacing rules. Council also unanimously passed a resolution affirming the city's intention to become more friends to people with disabilities.

• The Lucas County Commissioners passed a resolution Tuesday condemning the violence of Israeli settlers seizing the homes of Palestinian families in Qusra, following the experience of the family of local business owner Dan Ridi of S&G convenience stores. The commissioners also appointed award-winning poet and playwright Sandra Rivers-Grill the new Lucas County Poet Laureate. Established in 2007, the county's poet laureate serves a two-year term and receives a $5,000/year stipend in exchange for organizing workshops, performing public readings, and attending cultural events.

• Conserve Ohio, a grassroots group seeking to place a ban on the construction of large data centers before Ohio voters on the November 2027 ballot, announced Tuesday that it had collected 130,000 signatures, though over 400,000 will be needed to make the ballot. Lucas County currently has the most signatures gathered at 10,190.

• On Wednesday, the Lucas County Board of Elections approved ballot measures to appear on the November general election ballot, including a charter amendment allowing Toledo City Council to hire, discipline, and terminate its own employees; a 0.17 mill renewal levy for Imagination Station; a 6.9 mill levy for Toledo Public Schools; and a 3 mill levy for Toledo Lucas County Public Library.

• Also on Wednesday, Lucas County Auditor Katie Moline held a press event calling on seniors and people with disabilities who receive the homestead exemption to sign up and receive a one-time $450 bonus approved by the Ohio General Assembly. For more information, visit https://www.lucascountyohioauditor.gov/homestead

• In further Wednesday news, Saint Paul's Community Center downtown re-opened after five months of being shut down due to a fire that damaged the building April 27. The community center provides 35 beds for unhoused individuals to sleep in.

• Season 2 of the NBC sitcom "The Paper" debuted on Wednesday. Made by the same creators as "The Office", the show follows an idealistic effort to revive a failing newspaper operation in Toledo called the Toledo Truth Teller.

• On Thursday, the Toledo Plan Commission voted 3-1 to recommend approval of historic landmark designation for two churches owned by the Diocese of Toledo, Sacred Heart and Good Shepherd, against the Diocese's wishes. The Diocese plans to demolish Sacred Heart, but would need approval by the Toledo Historic District Commission to do so if it is declared a historic landmark. Toledo City Council's Zoning and Planning Committee are scheduled to review the designations on October 21.

• Also on Thursday, more than 70 used tires were dumped in an alley on Starr Ave. between Thurston St. and Dearborn Ave. around 5:30 a.m. by a dark-colored pickup truck with a trailer, blocking residents vehicles.

• On Friday, an ordinance to audit the City of Toledo's Flock camera contract was made public. If passed by Toledo City Council, the city auditor would examine searches by both city officials and outside agencies against the city's cameras; configuration settings; user access controls; data retention policies; and compliance with city laws and contracts. The auditor would then share this report and recommendations to Toledo City Council upon completion.

• One SeaGate, the 32-story, 653,000-square-foot former Owens-Illinois headquarters, has been sold for $9.5 million to Estone Technology, a manufacturer of medical-grade, rugged, and industrial computing hardware with facilities in Los Angeles, Tokyo, China, Vietnam, and the Netherlands. Estone recently announced a new factory and headquarters in Springfield Township intended to advance work serving government, defense, aerospace, and industrial customers.

• The Renaissance Hotel in downtown Toledo was recently sold to 513 Excellence LLC for $11 million. The new owners intend to keep the hotel a Marriot Bonvoy and will take over ownership of The Heights restaurant. 513 Excellence also owns the Delta Hotel at the University of Toledo Medical Center (UTMC).

• Organizers with the Party in the Park concert series revealed that this year's concerts yielded over 100,000 attendees, 43,000 DORA cups, 75 food trucks, 55 live music acts, and 10 local breweries. An average of over 5,000 people attended each concert, and dock usage increased 32% over 2025's concert series.

• Local film industry nonprofit FilmToledo is seeking community support to pass a federal film and television incentive that would encourage more industry activity in the area. For more information, visit https://filmtoledo.com/blog/2026/09/01/we-need-your-help-to-pass-a-federal-film-tv-incentive/

• Owens Community College is reporting a 3.1% margin of student growth this semester compared to Fall 2025, marking eight consecutive semesters of growth in enrollment.

• Historic South Initiative has built two more modular homes in the Old South End at 326 and 318 Western Avenue with an asking price of $145,000 each. Two previous modular homes built by the neighborhood nonprofit last November sold for $160,000 in June and July. The nonprofit is working with LadderUp Housing to build four more new homes in the neighborhood in the coming months.

• Two people remain resident in Executive Towers, a 146-unit apartment complex at 1920 Collingwood Blvd. that fell into disrepair under current property managers Denizen Management. Denizen attempted to evict all tenants with four days notice in August 2025, though community pushback got the order rescinded.

• This Saturday (September 12) from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Hoffman Road Landfill (3962 Hoffman Rd.) will allow Lucas County residents (verified by state ID) to drop off solid waste, including trash, furniture, carpeting, mattresses, wood, and scrap metal, for free. Tires will also be accepted for a fee.

• This Sunday (September 13) from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Secular Humanists of Western Lake Erie will host an event featuring speaker Fish Stark, executive director of the American Humanist Association, at the Yager Center at Swan Creek Metropark (4349 Airport Hwy.) The event is free to attend, and refreshments are provided.

• Next Monday (September 14) from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., Metroparks Toledo will hold a Nature Walk at Middlegrounds Park celebrating the 10th anniversary of its founding. The cost is $5 and registration is required. For more information, visit https://metroparkstoledo.com/middlegroundsanniversary

• You can receive This Week in Toledo via e-mail by subscribing at https://toledo.substack.com/subscribe. You can also receive updates on Facebook by liking the official page at https://www.facebook.com/thisweekintoledo.

News sources: The Blade, 13ABC, WTOL, Toledo Free Press

• On Monday, the Toledo Zoo announced the launch of The Watering Hole Creamery, an ice cream parlor it will operate loca...
09/05/2026

• On Monday, the Toledo Zoo announced the launch of The Watering Hole Creamery, an ice cream parlor it will operate located inside Doc Martin’s Remedy Shoppe and Apothecary at 12 N. St. Clair Street in downtown Toledo. The shop is open 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

• On Tuesday, the City of Toledo's new five-year contract for waste disposal with Republic Services went into effect. Under the new contract, Republic incurs financial penalties for failing to meet performance standards, including a 99.5% monthly service completion rate, the delivery of new carts within three days, cleanup of any spilled materials within eight hours, answering customer service calls within three minutes, and responses to service complaints within 24 hours.

• Also on Tuesday, Toledo Police charged 23-year-old Jahiem D. Wright with two counts of aggravated vehicular assault (second-degree felonies) and one count of failure to stop after an accident (fourth-degree felony) in connection with the August 2 hit-and-run accident that injured U.S. Representative Marcy Kaptur and her campaign manager. A warrant has been issued for Wright's arrest, with police seeking information about his whereabouts.

• On Wednesday, Assistant Toledo Fire Department Chief John Kaminski stated at a Toledo City Council committee meeting that Brent Industries has not yet provided a roster of employees who were inside the building when an explosion that killed two took place on August 18. An investigation into the cause is ongoing.

• Also on Wednesday, feminist icon and Toledo native Gloria Steinem passed away aged 92.

• In further Wednesday news, the University of Toledo Federal Credit Union held a ribbon-cutting ceremony unveiling its new location at 4280 Heatherdowns Boulevard. The location is the fourth branch of the credit union, which serves over 5,200 members.

• On Friday, the Ohio Department of Education announced that it had found anomalies in self-reported testing data from three area community schools (aka charter schools); Rise & Shine Academy on Warsaw Street, SunBridge Schools on 124th Street, and Toledo Preparatory & Fitness Academy on Hill Avenue.

• Also on Friday, the City of Toledo launched a pop-up produce market at the Swayne Field Shopping Center in partnership with Al Peake & Sons and Daughter Too Food Service. The city is providing $15,000/week for a 10-week pilot, during which Al Peake will operate a produce stand at the shopping center on select days.

• The City of Toledo issued a formal apology after residents criticized the city for inadequate outreach to local urban farmers, who subsequently were unable to bid to be the vendor for the Swayne Field pop-up produce market project. Al Peake, who was approached by the city, was the only vendor to submit a bid for the project.

• Toledo City Council is considering a resolution asking the city administration to conduct an audit of the controversial Flock cameras used by Toledo Police. Council is also considering a resolution seeking to create a program that would endeavor to make the city more friendly to people with disabilities.

• Toledo City Council is seeking to designate 136 properties in Toledo as historic landmarks, making them eligible for state and federal redevelopment grants but also requiring approval from an 11-person commission for exterior changes on the building.

• The Diocese of Toledo is planning to challenge historic landmark designation on two properties it owns, the former Good Shepherd and Sacred Heart churches. Though it has plans to demolish Sacred Heart, it is currently unable to due to a moratorium on demolitions enacted by Toledo City Council in 2024 which expires at year's end.

• The Toledo Police Athletic League is now accepting applications to register for its fall youth sports programs. For more information, visit https://toledopal.org/sports-1

• The Arts Commission is accepting applications through September 27 for its Merit Award program, which celebrates artists in the literary, performing, and visual art fields with $4,000 toward their future artistic endeavors. For more information, visit https://theartscommission.org/artists/merit-awards

• This Saturday (September 5) from 2 p.m. to midnight, the 11th annual Adams Street Block Party will take place along Adams Street in downtown Toledo. The event will feature a variety of food, drink, activities, and entertainment, with nominal entrance fees benefiting beautification initiatives collected at bars and restaurants.

• This Saturday (September 5) from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday (September 6) from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., the annual Warren Sherman Festival will take place at Inez Nash Park (100 E. Bancroft St.). The family-friendly event will feature live performances, games, vendors, bounce houses, and music by the Skip Turner Band.

• Next Wednesday (September 9) from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Produce Perks Midwest will allow eligible families to receive a $140 coupon for fruits and vegetables by completing a 15-minute sign-up at in-person at the Phoenix Earth Food Co-op (1447 W. Sylvania Ave.). For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1998707144177291/

• You can receive This Week in Toledo via e-mail by subscribing at https://toledo.substack.com/subscribe. You can also receive updates on Facebook by liking the official page at https://www.facebook.com/thisweekintoledo.

News sources: The Blade, 13ABC

• On Monday, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a bulletin stating that the algal bloom i...
08/29/2026

• On Monday, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a bulletin stating that the algal bloom in Western Lake Erie had reached 480 square miles in size, the largest it has been this summer. People are advised to keep pets away from water where scum has formed.

• On Tuesday, Toledo City Council voted 11-0 to approve $16 million to complete phase two of sewer repairs on Arlington Avenue; voted 10-1 to approve a seven-year lease at 1640 Sylvania Ave. for a new police substation in West Toledo, with Martinez dissenting and Driscoll absent; and deferred a vote on expanding Flock camera usage in and around schools in District 2 to the council's public safety committee for a future hearing.

• Also on Tuesday, the Lucas County Commissioners voted to reissue $25.85 million in bonds for the downtown Hilton Garden Inn hotel, as well as to pay off $12.4 million in principal on the hotel's debt using a $10.1 million transfer from the general fund to the Capital Project Fund, which already had $2.3 million. Lucas County's economic development corporation owns 20% of the hotel, while Continental Development Ventures and First Hospitality Group owns the remaining 80%.

• On Wednesday, Mayor Kapszukiewicz announced that the City of Toledo would receive $20 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) fund for infrastructure improvements as part of its "Connecting Toledo Neighborhoods to Opportunity" project.

• Also on Wednesday, Republican candidate for Ohio House District 43 David Karmol filed a taxpayer lawsuit alleging that Lucas County Probate Judge Jack Puffenberger, a Democrat, spent $60,000 in public funds on television ads promoting his family name while his son, Tom Puffenberger, is on the ballot to replace his father as Probate Judge. The ads, officially described as an educational campaign explaining the functions of the probate court, repeatedly reference "Judge Puffenberger".

• On Thursday, Toledo City Council members held a press event calling for residents impacted by last week's explosion at Brent Industries in South Toledo to share their concerns at council's Sustainability and Beautification Committee meeting next Wednesday, September 2 at 5 p.m. in council chambers at One Government Center.

• Also on Thursday, Reichle Klein Group announced that One SeaGate, the 32-story, 653,000-square-foot former Owens-Illinois headquarters that makes up a key part of the Toledo skyline, has been sold to local investors. Operations in the building will not change, and details about the investors will be announced in coming weeks.

• In further Thursday news, the Cherry Street Mission held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new thrift store, "Cherry Street Thrift", at 2559 S. Reynolds Road. Donations can take place at the store or at the mission itself (1501 Monroe St.), and sales at the store benefit the homeless population served by the mission.

• Following an investigation by WTOL, the City of Toledo is now altering its policies regarding reimbursement to property owners whose homes have been damaged by city-funded demolitions on adjacent properties. Though state law prevents the city from being legally required to compensate property owners in these circumstances, funds from the city's $2.9 million Nuisance Abatement Trust Fund will now be used to settle such claims more often. Of 27 claims filed in fifteen months, only one had seen reimbursement prior to the investigation; the city has since approved another two, with a pledge to review and approve more.

• The City of Toledo is now five years in to "Vision Zero", a ten-year project to eliminate all preventable traffic fatalities in Toledo using road design, crosswalk improvements, and dedicated bike lanes. When the project began in 2021, the city saw 177 serious traffic injuries and 44 fatalities; in 2025, the city saw 140 serious traffic injuries and 23 fatalities. As of August 1 of this year, the city has seen 97 serious injuries and 12 fatalities.

• Toledo City Council is considering a proposal that would bill property owners in Toledo for costs incurred by the city while mowing their overgrown lawns. Between June 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026, the city has spent approximately $900,000 to clean up overgrown grass and weeds on more than 2,700 properties.

• Residents at Saxon House apartments are struggling to receive basic maintenance and repairs after the unknown out-of-state owner ceased paying taxes, resulting in foreclosure and placement under a Georgia-based receiver named GlassRatner. GlassRatner then hired Toledo Management Company, who subsequently exited the contract with GlassRatner after a series of troubling behaviors including not being provided with the leases and frequently changing points of contact.

• The Heather Downs Country Club at 3910 Heatherdowns Blvd. is up for sale at a cost of $2,650,000. Golfer Tony Garzony purchased the historic 144-acre golf course in 2023 for $750,000 and has since spent $350,000 in improvements. He is committed to ensuring that it remains a golf course regardless of who purchases the property.

• The City of Toledo and the Arts Commission are soliciting feedback about proposed artistic designs on two new water towers being built in the city. To view the designs and register your feedback, visit https://www.surveyhero.com/c/tf437b4z

• This Sunday (August 30) from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Women of the Old West End (WOWE) will hold a rededication ceremony celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Old West End Commons at Bancroft St. and Robinwood Ave. The park, the first of its kind in the Old West End, was created through community advocacy led by WOWE.

• Next Tuesday (September 2) from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., an outreach event for the City of Toledo's Fresh Start program, which provides financial assistance to residents who are past-due on their water bills, will be held at Sofia Quintero Art & Cultural Center (1225 Broadway St.). For more information, visit https://toledo.oh.gov/financial-assistance

• You can receive This Week in Toledo via e-mail by subscribing at https://toledo.substack.com/subscribe. You can also receive updates on Facebook by liking the official page at https://www.facebook.com/thisweekintoledo.

News sources: The Blade, 13ABC, WTOL

• On Tuesday, Lucas County Commissioner Pete Gerken held a press event calling for a pause on use and an independent aud...
08/22/2026

• On Tuesday, Lucas County Commissioner Pete Gerken held a press event calling for a pause on use and an independent audit of the county's Flock cameras after initial data received from the Lucas County Sheriff's office showed other law enforcement agencies accessing camera data over 900,000 times in one month. Approximately 90,000 of these searches came from Texas, with Houston police searching Lucas County cameras over 71,000 times, Texas DPS 13,000 times, and Harris County over 10,000 times.

• Also on Tuesday, an explosion at 4:49 a.m. at an industrial laundry facility in South Toledo, Brent Industries, killed two people. Heladio Garcia Perez, aged 46, and Mary Allen, aged 64 passed away from blunt force trauma. The source of the explosion is still under investigation.

• In further Tuesday news, a hazardous materials evacuation order was issued for a half-mile radius of the 300 block of George Hardy Drive after a 20-foot tank of molten sulfur caught fire at the Shelly Liquid facility in East Toledo. No injuries are reported.

• On Wednesday morning, a small fire broke out at the former St. Anthony's Church being redeveloped by the Lucas County Land Bank. No one was inside the building and no injuries are reported. The fire is not being investigated.

• Also on Wednesday, Lucas County Sheriff Mike Navarre enabled the optional "transparency portal" for Flock cameras operated by Lucas County in response to privacy concerns raised the previous day by Commissioner Gerken. The portal can be viewed here: https://transparency.flocksafety.com/lucas-county-oh-so

• In further Wednesday news, local and federal government officials announced that Toledo was one of four U.S. cities chosen to pilot the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ "Great Health for America" program to combat chronic disease. As a result, the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department will receive $4 million in funding for two years to study selected neighborhoods and schools for risks contributing to chronic disease in an attempt to identify what resources are needed.

• On Thursday, NAI Harmon announced that it is soliciting tenants for the Spitzer Building, one of the historic "Four Corners" buildings recently renovated through the Lucas County Land Bank. When completed in late 2027, the building will have 162 apartments and ground-floor commercial space for restaurants and shops.

• Also on Thursday, The Stranahan held a ribbon-cutting ceremony unveiling 2,269 new seats. The South Toledo theater is now Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant with 46 handicap-accessible seats. The last time seats were replaced in the theater was approximately 35-40 years ago.

• On Friday, a fire broke out at the former Mount Vernon Elementary School at 825 N. Byrne Road. No one was inside the building and no injuries are reported. The school has been closed since 2006. The source of the fire remains under investigation.

• Also on Friday, Geddis Paving & Excavation Inc. celebrated its 80th anniversary in business. Founded in 1946, the business is poised to be run by the same family for three consecutive generations.

• Seeger Metals & Plastics Inc., a North Toledo materials distributor, recently celebrated its 145th anniversary in business. Established in 1881, the business has been run the same family for six generations, generates $5 million in revenue annually, and employees nine people.

• The University of Toledo (UT) received grants totaling $1.8 million for scientific research, including $984,496 from the National Science Foundation and $795,000 from the National Institute of Standards and Technology for an analytical mass spectrometer to identify harmful algal blooms and $50,000 from the National Science Foundation for studying early osteoporosis risk prevention.

• The University of Toledo (UT) has received $2 million in scholarship funds for students seeking to become behavioral health professionals. The grants are through the Ohio Behavioral Health Scholarship Program, a fund developed by the Ohio Department of Higher Education and the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health.

• Laneda Jones of Southwyck Place Apartments recently saw their basement fill with raw sewage after the property managers, Denizen Management, failed to resolve plumbing issues in an adjacent unit. After initially refusing to clean the basement, Denizen cleared the standing water but left the sewage and suggested the tenant clean the remainder themselves. Following a news story by 13ABC, a disinfectant company was sent to the property.

• A WTOL investigation found that over a fifteen month period, the City of Toledo conducted 327 house demolitions, 62 of which involved reports of damage to nearby houses. Of those reports, 27 became resident complaints, and only one resulted in compensation - $11,452.38 to a homeowner on Fulton Street. Further, the payment came from the city's Nuisance Abatement Trust Fund, which had a balance of $2,393,450.80 by the end of 2025 - up from $1,763,508.40 in 2024 and $1,037,319.52 in 2023.

• Advocates for Basic Legal Equality (ABLE) is being sued by former employee Denise Ford Saxon for wrongful termination after Saxon took leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Representatives from the ABLE League of Justice connect the termination to others that have taken place since the union formed last year.

• This Saturday (August 22) from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., the North Toledo Coalition and Norf-End Neighbors are asking volunteers to assist with a neighborhood cleanup. Those interested should arrive at Salem Lutheran Church (1127 N. Huron St.)

• Also this Saturday (August 22) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Toledo Repair Café will host a free repair clinic at the Kent Branch Library (3101 Collingwood Blvd.). Anyone can bring in items for repair at no cost, including appliances, bicycles, clothing, computers, jewelry, and lamps.

• Next Tuesday (August 25), Toledo City Council is scheduled to vote on a measure to install several new Flock cameras pointed at schools in District 2, as well as cover the cost of schools linking their security cameras to the national Flock database. Council is also scheduled to vote on renewing gang-tracking software from Netlucent’s Ensemble Group used by police for three years at an annual cost of $35,000.

• Next Wednesday (August 26) from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (noon), Legal Aid of Western Ohio will host a free eviction sealing clinic at the Toledo Municipal Court (555 N. Erie St.). In many cases, renters can have past evictions removed from public view. To register, call 419-724-0460 or visit https://www.legalaidline.org/.

• You can receive This Week in Toledo via e-mail by subscribing at https://toledo.substack.com/subscribe. You can also receive updates on Facebook by liking the official page at https://www.facebook.com/thisweekintoledo.

News sources: The Blade, 13ABC, WTOL, Toledo Free Press

Address

Toledo, OH

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when This Week in Toledo posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to This Week in Toledo:

Shortcuts

Share

Category