Five Things You Might Have Missed: 4-07

Top stories from this weekend's editions of The Blade

4/7/2014
BLADE STAFF
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    Despite many empty seats, the Mud Hens counted a sellout crowd of 12,787 on opening day.

    BLADE/ANDY MORRISON

    • Mike Bell, atop the Empire Building in Shenzhen, China, did much traveling during his four years as Toledo mayor, including multiple trips to China, one to Japan, and one to Germany. Mr. Bell traveled so much it was difficult for the new city administration to determine which credit card charges related to which trips.
    Mike Bell, atop the Empire Building in Shenzhen, China, did much traveling during his four years as Toledo mayor, including multiple trips to China, one to Japan, and one to Germany. Mr. Bell traveled so much it was difficult for the new city administration to determine which credit card charges related to which trips.

    1. Citing spending during Bell’s term, Collins says ‘no more credit cards’ for Toledo staffers

    Mayor D. Michael Collins took a long look at the credit card purchases made by his predecessor and two other top Toledo officials the past two years, and he came to a swift decision.

    “No more credit cards,” the mayor said, explaining why neither he nor any top Toledo officials would be allowed to have a city credit card under his administration.

    “It was like plastic on steroids,” Mayor Collins said about numerous purchases made by former Mayor Mike Bell and former Deputy Mayors Steve Herwat and Tom Crothers. READ MORE

     

    In Sylvania Township, a house at 5005 Highpoint Drive is listed for $1.295 million. It was built in 2004, according to the county auditor’s office. Taxes are $22,436 a year.
    In Sylvania Township, a house at 5005 Highpoint Drive is listed for $1.295 million. It was built in 2004, according to the county auditor’s office. Taxes are $22,436 a year.

    2. Real estate study finds $1 million will buy bigger house here than in rest of U.S.

    When it comes to buying a home, a million bucks goes further in Toledo’s real estate market than many other places in the United States.

    “I love showing houses in the Toledo area when I get somebody from the East or West Coast. Their eyes bulge,” said Tom Kabat, an agent with Welles Bowen Realtors in Toledo. “They just say, ‘I can’t believe this.’ You get a lot of house for the money.”

    Though the vision of a $1 million home may be that of ostentatious luxury, the reality is that what seven figures can buy varies widely.

    “Million-dollar homes are sometimes the benchmark for a luxury home, but it turns out that a million-dollar home has very different meaning depending on the local market,” said Jed Kolko, chief economist at California-based real estate data firm Trulia. READ MORE

     

    University of Michigan's Devin Gardner (98) throws during the annual spring game at Michigan Stadium, Saturday.
    University of Michigan's Devin Gardner (98) throws during the annual spring game at Michigan Stadium, Saturday.

    3. BGSU, UM wrap up spring practices with scrimmages

    In the spring game, the Bowling Green offense rolled up 544 yards in the contest, including 370 yards passing. Matt Johnson completed 20-of-29 passes for 221 yards and two touchdowns, while James Knapke connected on 16-of-25 for 100 yards.

    Meanwhile, the Wolverines spent the first 75 minutes of Saturday’s session working through drills inside of the stadium — their first practice outside since the start of spring ball on Feb. 25 — then had a controlled scrimmage for the final 45 minutes, in which no official stats were kept. READ MORE

     

    4. Blade files lawsuit over detention of journalists

    The Blade filed a lawsuit Friday in U.S. District Court against a variety of government officials over the detention last week of two journalists by military security outside the General Dynamics Lima tank plant.

    Blade reporter Tyrel Linkhorn and photographer Jetta Fraser were detained outside the plant March 28 by military security personnel, who confiscated Ms. Fraser’s cameras and deleted pictures.

    The lawsuit states that Ms. Fraser and Mr. Linkhorn were unlawfully detained, that Ms. Fraser was unlawfully restrained and received unlawful threats of bodily harm, that the cameras were unlawfully confiscated and pictures unlawfully destroyed, and that the pair’s Constitutional rights were unlawfully prevented from being exercised. READ MORE

     

    Despite many empty seats, the Mud Hens counted a sellout crowd of 12,787 on opening day.
    Despite many empty seats, the Mud Hens counted a sellout crowd of 12,787 on opening day.

    5. Mud Hens rule downtown roost as fans flock for opening day

    Stacy Bacome and her 10-year-old son Connor huddled under fleece blankets as the wind whipped through Fifth Third Field after the first pitch of the Toledo Mud Hens’ baseball season.

    Sure, it had rained before the game. And the chilly gusts were strong enough to ruffle the mascots’ yellow feathers and prompt some fans to opt for earmuffs instead of baseball caps.

    But the Bacomes still had innings of baseball to watch, plus plans to cheer on the Toledo Walleye later Friday during a special, downtown baseball-hockey doubleheader — the prospect of which delighted hardcore Toledo sports fans. READ MORE