Published 20 hours ago
Spirit of Christmas moves in mysterious ways
BY MARILOU JOHANEK BLADE COLUMNIST
My kids don’t believe anymore. They’re wise to the ruse that comes dressed in red and sporting a full white beard. They know the truth about the right jolly old elf. …

12/20/2013 12:00 AM
Collins wants to go back to strong mayor
BY KEITH C. BURRIS COLUMNIST FOR THE BLADE
Mayor-elect Mike Collins has hit a home run with with his appointment of William Moton as police chief, but how is he doing otherwise? I had a long talk with Mr. Collins at One Government Center this week, and three things emerge as characteristic of the Collins approach. …

12/20/2013 3:26 AM
Toledo’s new team raises eyebrows
BY KIRK BAIRD BLADE STAFF WRITER
Toledo is the birthplace of professional women’s football. …

12/20/2013 12:00 AM
3-year pursuit finally unites hunter, buck
BY MATT MARKEY BLADE OUTDOORS EDITOR
Shawn Evangelista had more than 100 pictures of a real ghost, a monster buck that he and his hunting friends had captured on trail cameras a multitude of times, but one that was keenly adept at making itself invisible when hunters were in the woods. …

12/20/2013 12:00 AM
A step back puts Babers on fast track
BY DAVE HACKENBERG BLADE SPORTS COLUMNIST
Being that time waits for no man, Dino Babers took a step back in order to take a step forward. …

12/20/2013 12:00 AM
Razing Detroit's vacant buildings
BY JACK LESSENBERRY BLADE OMBUDSMAN
Detroit is bankrupt and full of abandoned buildings. Many of those buildings need to be torn down. How many of them are there? No one knows. …

12/19/2013 12:00 AM
Founder of SNAP still seeks justice
BY KEITH C. BURRIS COLUMNIST FOR THE BLADE
This week, I met a courageous woman. She lives in Chicago now, but she comes from Toledo: Barbara Blaine. She is founder and president of SNAP — Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests. …

12/19/2013 1:16 AM
Slight Toledo? Cross the border and apologize, Rick Mercer
Dennis Bova
OK, Rick Mercer, I know you’re reading this. Someone in your office at the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. found this mention of you on the Internet. That person brought it to your attention, because you’re a stand-up guy and won’t let a challenge go unanswered. …

12/18/2013 7:16 PM
Around Town: 12-19
BY BARBARA HENDEL BLADE SOCIETY EDITOR
SALTY dogs and friends braved the snowstorm Dec. 14 to get a sneak peek at the new National Museum of the Great Lakes along the banks of the Maumee River, anchoring the Marina District. The museum could have been anywhere, but it is here in Toledo, thanks to many city folks who made it happen. …

12/18/2013 1:38 AM
From street cop to top job
BY KEITH C. BURRIS COLUMNIST FOR THE BLADE
Mayor-elect Mike Collins is fired up. His trips to Harvard and the White House have re-energized him. He likes his new cabinet — but especially William Moton, his new police chief. …