Flames soared above the stores, as a three-alarm blaze destroyed several shops at Cricket West. Firefighters battled the fire in freezing weather, and Blade photographer Lee Merkle was at the scene, on Dec. 5, 1970. He took this photograph as firefighters pumped water into the burned-out roof on the southwest side of the building, above Haney Interiors and other shops along Markway Road, near Secor Road and West Central Avenue. Winds were gusting up to 40 mph, and temperatures in the low 20s turned water into ice as soon as it cascaded from windows of the blazing building. City crews were dispatched to the scene to spread salt in the parking lot, in an effort to provide firefighters with firm footing while they fought the fire.
THE BLADE/LEE MERKLE
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Paula, a sculpture by Barcelona artist Jaume Plensa, at the Toledo Museum of Art in Toledo, Ohio.
The Blade/Lori King
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Linda Shaw, of Sylvania, wears a Santa Costume while running in the 5K "Santa Run" in Levis Commons sponsored by Second Sole on December 18, 2016. during the 5K "Santa Run" in Levis Commons sponsored by Second Sole on December 18, 2016.
The Blade/Amy E. Voigt
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Brothers Jake Hadley, left, 22, and Luke Hadley, right, 19, run in Santa Claus costumes during the 5K "Santa Run."
THE BALDE/AMY E. VOIGT
"Santa Claus" greets runners as they head to the race.
The Blade/Amy E. Voigt
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Communication majors Halle Baker, Taylor Ginnis and Samantha Havlicek hug after graduation during the 287th Bowling Green State University fall commencement ceremony at the Stroh Center in Bowling Green, Ohio.
The Blade/Lori King
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Michael McCloskey, who was shot and paralyzed by former Ottawa Hills Police Officer Thomas White in 2009, addresses the court while holding the King James Bible after his hearing on December 15, 2016.
The Blade/Amy E. Voigt
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Jerry Newman, of Sylvania, and who served in Vietnam with the Navy, salutes a tomb of a veteran after placing a wreath during the national Wreaths Across America program to honor our country’s fallen heroes in Toledo Memorial Park on December 17, 2016.
The Blade/Amy E. Voigt
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Sylvania Southview High School students in the Future Farmers of America club work on their holiday fundraiser at the school in Sylvania, Ohio on December 15, 2016. The students grow poinsettias and assemble wreaths, blankets, pillows and centerpieces to sell in the community. Senior Emily McDonald placing a bow on grave blanket. At far right is Jessica Mermer, also a senior.
The Blade/Jetta Fraser
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Nick with Maumee Valley Save-A-Pet. Nick was a stray at LC4 and is having surgery today in Ann Arbor to correct a disc problem that prevented him from using his back legs and caused elimination issues. He should make a complete or near complete recovery.
Ryan Beagle of Tipp City, Oh., second from the right, cheers after winning an impromptu slot car race against fellow team members Cole Robertson, center left, Matt Westrick, right, and Genius Garage president Casey Putsch, left, at the Genius Garage Racing Team's garage located in the Sylvania Business Plaza on W. Central Avenue in Sylvania, Oh. on Monday, Dec. 12, 2016.
The Blade/Nick Thomas
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Members of the Genius Garage Racing Team from left to right, Taylor, and Genius Garage president Casey Putsch, Cameron McCaskey, Cole Robertson, Ryan Beagle, and Matt Westrick send model slot cars flying around the track set up.
The Blade/Nick Thomas
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A Christmas goose that was cooked by Mike McCroskey at his home on December 12, 2016. McCroskey shot the Canada goose while hunting in the Lake Erie marshes.
The Blade/Amy E. Voigt
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Josiah Landis, 8, of Toledo carries his sled up the sledding hill in Pearson Metropark after taking a run down the hill in Oregon, Oh. on Monday, Dec. 12, 2016.
The Blade/Nick Thomas
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Andrew Schively of Toledo plays his guitar outside of Mojo's on Erie Street in downtown Toledo, Oh. on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2016. Schively normally does what he calls a "walk and jam" because he likes to play his guitar outside of his apartment, but today he stopped at Mojo's to visit a friend who works at the bar.
The Blade/Nick Thomas
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Arlene Markwood, Toledo, and her two-year-old boxer/pit bull mix Lucy, are bundled up for their walk at Wildwood Metropark Preserve, Wednesday, December 14, 2016.
The Blade/Andy Morrison
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A black cat, who lives on the property of Notre Dame Academy in a shelter, peeks in the window of the school on a cold morning on December 12, 2016.
The Blade/Amy E. Voigt
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Larry Guth of Toledo walks along Summit Street in below freezing temperatures Wednesday, December 14, 2016, in Toledo, Ohio.
THE BLADE/JEREMY WADSWORTH
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Bill Healy, Oregon, doesn't mind the freezing weather as it gives him a chance to ice fish for crappie at Maumee Bay State Park in Oregon, Thursday, December 15, 2016. Mr. Healy said he only fishes "on days that end in "y"."
The Blade/Andy Morrison
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Sledders, snowboarders and snowball throwers at the hill at Sylvania Northview High School in Sylvania, Ohio on December 12, 2016. Beanie Tillman, 6, of Sylvania, goes airborne after hitting a jump on the hill.
The Blade/Jetta Fraser
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Isaiah Werts, 9, right, tries to nail his twin brother Cayden Werts, 9, left, with a snowball while his brother shields himself with a sled while paying on the corner of Starr and Euclid Avenues on December 15, 2016. Their younger brother Rizo Lee, center, 4, watches.
The Blade/Amy E. Voigt
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Marcus Tucker, 4, waves goodbye to friends after the end of Garden Sprouts. 'Sharing and giving' is the theme of December's Garden Sprouts, as youngsters create a gift of green bean seeds and a garden stake to give to someone else at the Toledo Botanical Garden (TBG) in Toledo, Ohio on December 13, 2016. Garden Sprouts is a monthly program of the TBG for children ages 2-5 that offers children an opportunity to sing a song, hear a story, and make a craft.
The Blade/Jetta Fraser
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Markayla Adams, 7, tells Santa what she wants for Christmas during the Boys and Girls Clubs Holiday party at the Imagination Station in Toledo.
The Blade/Lori King
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Rebeca Weingarten, 7, of Sylvania reaches for a balloon on the dance floor during the Temple Shomer Emunim's Hanukkah celebration at the temple in Sylvania, Oh. on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016.
The Blade/Nick Thomas
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Bowsher's Dalonte' Brown (3) dunks the ball against Rogers during a basketball game Wednesday, December 14, 2016, in Toledo, Ohio. Bowsher defeated Rogers 78-73.
THE BLADE/JEREMY WADSWORTH
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Bowsher's Darryl Robinson (23) shoots against Rogers.
THE BLADE/JEREMY WADSWORTH
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Springfield's Rachel Bucher (15) drives past Sylvania Northview's Bridgette Stirn (22) during a girls basketball game Tuesday, December 13, 2016, in Holland, Ohio.
THE BLADE/JEREMY WADSWORTH
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Whitmer High School player Nick Witcher (24) puts up a shot against St. Francis de Sales High School player Jackson Harris (34) during their basketball game at St. Francis, Friday, December 15, 2017.
The Blade/Andy Morrison
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Whitmer High School player Nick Witcher (24) drives past St. Francis de Sales High School player John Burnham (32).
The Blade/Andy Morrison
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St. Francis de Sales High School player Kenny Coleman-Graham (11) flexes his muscles after a shot against Whitmer.
The Blade/Andy Morrison
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University of Toledo player Luke Knapke (30) drives inside against Southeast Louisiana player Dominic Nelson (15) during their basketball game at Savage Arena at the University of Toledo, Thursday, December 17, 2017.
Blade/Andy Morrison
University of Toledo player Jaelan Sanford (13) cuts between Southeast Louisiana players players Dominic Nelson (15) and Moses Greenwood (13).
The Blade/Andy Morrison
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University of Toledo player Taylor Adway (2) puts up a shot against Southeast Louisiana player Dominic Nelson (15).
Blade/Andy Morrison
University of Toledo guard Jay-Ann Bravo-Harriott's (11) layup is blocked by Notre Dame forward Brianna Turner (11) during the women's basketball game at Savage Arena on the University of Toledo's campus on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016.
Blade/Nick Thomas
University of Toledo women's basketball head coach Tricia Cullop holds her head in her hands on the bench after a turn over to Notre Dame during the women's basketball game at Savage Arena on the University of Toledo's campus on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016. Notre Dame won the game 85-68.
Blade/Nick Thomas