http://www.toledoblade.com The Latest News from Toledoblade.com (v5) Thu, 30 Jul 2026 08:23:34 GMT en-us hourly 1 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/29/post-celebration-enthusiasm-for-the-riverwalk-pleases-metroparks/stories/20260729094 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/29/post-celebration-enthusiasm-for-the-riverwalk-pleases-metroparks/stories/20260729094#comments Wed, 29 Jul 2026 18:22:12 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/29/post-celebration-enthusiasm-for-the-riverwalk-pleases-metroparks/stories/20260729094 More than 250,000 visits have been made to the Glass City Riverwalk since Metroparks Toledo hosted its mega Watershed Weekend celebration. A woman runs along a trail at the Glass City Riverwalk in Toledo on July 29. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/28/tree-by-tree-toledo-teens-climb-prune-protect-citys-urban-forest/stories/20260728098 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/28/tree-by-tree-toledo-teens-climb-prune-protect-citys-urban-forest/stories/20260728098#comments Tue, 28 Jul 2026 20:57:02 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/28/tree-by-tree-toledo-teens-climb-prune-protect-citys-urban-forest/stories/20260728098 Tavio Mosqueda said he has learned a lot — no, everything — about trees this summer. Tavio Mosqueda, a Toledo Technology Academy of Engineering rising senior, demonstrates throwing a line on a tree during the Urban Forestry Teen Tree Student Presentations at Forest Cemetery in Toledo on July 28. Tavio Mosqueda, a Toledo Technology Academy of Engineering rising senior, demonstrates throwing a line on a tree during the Urban Forestry Teen Tree Student Presentations at Forest Cemetery in Toledo on July 28. Diego Mosqueda, a University of Toledo student and Tavio’s brother, tries throwing a line on a tree after being volunteered by Tavio Mosqueda, a Toledo Technology Academy of Engineering rising senior, during the Urban Forestry Teen Tree Student Presentations at Forest Cemetery in Toledo on July 28. Kaya Wright, an Aerospace and Natural Science Academy of Toledo rising junior, cuts a tree limb in a pruning demonstration during the Urban Forestry Teen Tree Student Presentations at Forest Cemetery in Toledo on July 28. U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur listens to the students give their presentations during the Urban Forestry Teen Tree Student Presentations at Forest Cemetery in Toledo on July 28. People move onto the next stop on the walking tour during the Urban Forestry Teen Tree Student Presentations at Forest Cemetery in Toledo on July 28. Shark Tillery, a Rogers High School rising senior, cuts a tree limb in a pruning demonstration during the Urban Forestry Teen Tree Student Presentations at Forest Cemetery in Toledo on July 28. Sophia Birkhimer, an Aerospace and Natural Science Academy of Toledo rising senior, shows a catalpa tree leaf during the Urban Forestry Teen Tree Student Presentations at Forest Cemetery in Toledo on July 28. Tavio Mosqueda, a Toledo Technology Academy of Engineering rising senior, demonstrates throwing a line on a tree during the Urban Forestry Teen Tree Student Presentations at Forest Cemetery in Toledo on July 28. From left, Megan Grundy, an Aerospace and Natural Science Academy of Toledo rising senior, Sophia Birkhimer, an Aerospace and Natural Science Academy of Toledo rising senior, and Elijah Tucker, a Scott High School rising senior, explain stem girdling roots during the Urban Forestry Teen Tree Student Presentations at Forest Cemetery in Toledo on July 28. Attendees go on a walking tour during the Urban Forestry Teen Tree Student Presentations at Forest Cemetery in Toledo on July 28. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/28/onion-bag-project-recruits-paddlers-to-collect-litter/stories/20260724084 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/28/onion-bag-project-recruits-paddlers-to-collect-litter/stories/20260724084#comments Tue, 28 Jul 2026 17:27:58 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/28/onion-bag-project-recruits-paddlers-to-collect-litter/stories/20260724084 When people kayak in Ohio’s waterways, they come upon fish, trees, and wildlife as they paddle. An Onion Bag Litter Prevention Project box at Mary Jane Thurston State Park near Grand Rapids, Ohio, on July 25. Men fish in the Maumee River at Mary Jane Thurston State Park near Grand Rapids, Ohio, on July 25. Water flows over the dam at Mary Jane Thurston State Park near Grand Rapids, Ohio, on July 25. An Onion Bag Litter Prevention Project box at Mary Jane Thurston State Park near Grand Rapids, Ohio, on July 25. A boat goes by in the Maumee River at Mary Jane Thurston State Park near Grand Rapids, Ohio, on July 25. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/27/algal-bloom-begun-though-toxins-still-low/stories/20260727069 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/27/algal-bloom-begun-though-toxins-still-low/stories/20260727069#comments Mon, 27 Jul 2026 20:31:37 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/27/algal-bloom-begun-though-toxins-still-low/stories/20260727069 After a long wait, the inevitable has occurred. Algae begins to bloom at Luna Pier, Mich., on July 27. The shoreline along western Lake Erie's Maumee Bay, across Bay Shore Road from the University of Toledo's Lake Erie Center, was thick with algae on the afternoon of Aug. 14, 2019. This year's bloom has now formed, and it presently covers about 100 square miles of the western Lake Erie shoreline from Monroe to Port Clinton. Kids play in Lake Erie as algae begins to bloom at Luna Pier, Mich., on July 27. Algae begins to bloom at Luna Pier, Mich., on July 27. Algae begins to bloom at Luna Pier, Mich., on July 27. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/24/toledo-great-lakes-could-benefit-from-major-water-bills-in-congress/stories/20260724075 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/24/toledo-great-lakes-could-benefit-from-major-water-bills-in-congress/stories/20260724075#comments Fri, 24 Jul 2026 18:26:27 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/24/toledo-great-lakes-could-benefit-from-major-water-bills-in-congress/stories/20260724075 A pair of bills vital to Great Lakes and human health, including those in the Toledo area, are advancing through Congress. View of a Lake Erie boulder near the Gibraltar Island shoreline on June 26, 2025. A scenic vista of Lake Erie. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/23/cdc-junction-coalition-unite-protect-children-lead/stories/20260723094 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/23/cdc-junction-coalition-unite-protect-children-lead/stories/20260723094#comments Thu, 23 Jul 2026 23:24:06 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/23/cdc-junction-coalition-unite-protect-children-lead/stories/20260723094 Every person in Toledo has “one small thing” they can do today to protect children from a brain‑damaging toxin. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/23/cyclosporiasis-cases-northwest-ohio/stories/20260723091 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/23/cyclosporiasis-cases-northwest-ohio/stories/20260723091#comments Thu, 23 Jul 2026 21:10:48 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/23/cyclosporiasis-cases-northwest-ohio/stories/20260723091 Lucas County has reported 1,074 cases of cyclosporiasis, while 2,380 cases have been confirmed across northwest Ohio, up from 2,268 regionally on Wednesday, according to figures from the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department. Brandon Palinski, director of innovation, quality and informatics at the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department, shows a photo of the cyclospora parasite at the health department in Toledo on July 6. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/23/perrysburg-residents-battle-invasive-bugs-1-squish-at-a-time/stories/20260722130 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/23/perrysburg-residents-battle-invasive-bugs-1-squish-at-a-time/stories/20260722130#comments Thu, 23 Jul 2026 12:14:23 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/23/perrysburg-residents-battle-invasive-bugs-1-squish-at-a-time/stories/20260722130 They shook trees, they swatted, they squished, they stomped, and then they kept the bodies for the count. Samuel Gifford, 10, of Maryland, looks for spotted lanternflies before squishing them during the Big Squish at Orleans Park in Perrysburg on July 22. Scott Kirby of Perrysburg Street Tree Commission takes a picture of a spotted lanternfly in a testing trap during the Big Squish at Orleans Park in Perrysburg on July 22. Audrey O’Rear, 7, runs holding a fly swatter to attack the invasive spotted lanternflies during the Big Squish at Orleans Park in Perrysburg on July 22. A modified street sign marks the Big Squish event at Orleans Park in Perrysburg on July 22. Early and late nymph spotted lanternflies sitting on a tree of heaven, which they are attracted to, during the Big Squish at Orleans Park in Perrysburg on July 22. Katie Tipton holds a handful of squished spotted lanternflies during the Big Squish at Orleans Park in Perrysburg on July 22. Kali Sawaya of the Perrysburg Street Tree Commission squishes early and late nymph spotted lanternflies sitting on a tree of heaven, which they are attracted to, during the Big Squish at Orleans Park in Perrysburg on July 22. Kali Sawaya of the Perrysburg Street Tree Commission squishes early and late nymph spotted lanternflies sitting on a tree of heaven, which they are attracted to, during the Big Squish at Orleans Park in Perrysburg on July 22. Adam Mills, 6, of Blissfield, Mich., readies a tree branch to use as a bug swatter while his mother, Tracie Mills, looks the other way during Perrysburg's Big Squish at Orleans Park on July 22. Samuel Gifford, 10, of Maryland, looks for spotted lanternflies before squishing them during the Big Squish at Orleans Park in Perrysburg on July 22. Kali Sawaya of the Perrysburg Street Tree Commission squishes early and late nymph spotted lanternflies sitting on a tree of heaven, which they are attracted to, during the Big Squish at Orleans Park in Perrysburg on July 22. Cassandra Tipton, 8, and her brother, Jackson, 11, put on rubber gloves before participating in the Big Squish at Orleans Park in Perrysburg on July 22. Dozens of adult spotted lanternflies lie squished during the Big Squish at Orleans Park in Perrysburg on July 22. Fiona O’Rear, 8, looks to the trees to spot and attack the invasive spotted lanternflies during the Big Squish at Orleans Park in Perrysburg on July 22. Jackson Tipton, 11, uses a rod to knock down spotted lanternflies from a tree branch during the Big Squish at Orleans Park in Perrysburg on July 22. Brandon O’Rear holds a dead adult spotted lanternfly during the Big Squish at Orleans Park in Perrysburg on July 22. Sophie May, 6, reacts to seeing spotted lanternflies crawling on a branch during the Big Squish at Orleans Park in Perrysburg on July 22. Elizabeth Gifford, 15, of Maryland, eyes spotted lanternflies before squishing them during the Big Squish at Orleans Park in Perrysburg on July 22. Early and late nymph spotted lanternflies sitting on a tree of heaven, which they are attracted to, during the Big Squish at Orleans Park in Perrysburg on July 22. A participant puts her flashlight to a vacuum that was used to collect dozens of spotted lanternflies during the Big Squish at Orleans Park in Perrysburg on July 22. Kali Sawaya of the Perrysburg Street Tree Commission helps Samuel Gifford, 10, of Maryland, look for spotted lanternflies before squishing them during the Big Squish at Orleans Park in Perrysburg on July 22. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/21/cyclosporiasis-cases-continue-rise-northwest-ohio/stories/20260721084 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/21/cyclosporiasis-cases-continue-rise-northwest-ohio/stories/20260721084#comments Tue, 21 Jul 2026 19:55:41 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/21/cyclosporiasis-cases-continue-rise-northwest-ohio/stories/20260721084 Lucas County has reported 1,001 cases of cyclosporiasis, while 2,149 cases have been confirmed across northwest Ohio, up from 2,029 regionally on Monday, according to figures from the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department. Iceberg and romaine lettuce sit in produce section inside of Seaway Marketplace in Toledo on July 15. These vegetables are potentially linked to causing the spread of cyclosporiasis. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/21/feds-advance-plan-to-open-2-800-acres-of-ohio-s-wayne-national-forest-to-fracking/stories/20260721076 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/21/feds-advance-plan-to-open-2-800-acres-of-ohio-s-wayne-national-forest-to-fracking/stories/20260721076#comments Tue, 21 Jul 2026 14:25:26 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/21/feds-advance-plan-to-open-2-800-acres-of-ohio-s-wayne-national-forest-to-fracking/stories/20260721076 The federal government took a major step forward Friday toward opening more than 2,800 acres of Ohio’s only national forest to oil and gas development. A sign for the Wayne National Forest headquarters is seen in Nelsonville, Ohio, on Aug. 29, 2023. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/20/wildfire-smoke-makes-harder-scientists-track-algal-bloom/stories/20260720087 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/20/wildfire-smoke-makes-harder-scientists-track-algal-bloom/stories/20260720087#comments Mon, 20 Jul 2026 19:19:39 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/20/wildfire-smoke-makes-harder-scientists-track-algal-bloom/stories/20260720087 Scientists are now pretty sure that western Lake Erie’s 2026 algal bloom has formed in Maumee Bay, but are having trouble tracking it from outer space because dense wildfire smoke has obscured satellite imagery. The sun sets as smoke from the Canadian wildfires blankets Toledo on July 16. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/19/new-partnership-connects-rural-farmers-city-families/stories/20260718063 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/19/new-partnership-connects-rural-farmers-city-families/stories/20260718063#comments Sun, 19 Jul 2026 15:49:17 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/19/new-partnership-connects-rural-farmers-city-families/stories/20260718063 As shoppers grow increasingly cautious of leafy greens tied to the ongoing cyclosporiasis outbreak, a new program is offering a safer way to buy organic produce directly from local farmers. Local farmers partnered in Farmer’s Bag Toledo, a 14‑week Community Supported Agriculture program, to offer Toledo families a safer, budget‑friendly way to buy organic produce directly from area growers. Sonia Flunder-McNair now owns Tatum Park and the surrounding land, turning once-leased ground into a permanent home for urban farming on Feb. 6 in central Toledo. Tatum Park, a community garden run by non-profit organization Urban Wholistics, on City Park Avenue in Toledo in 2020. The group discovered over the weekend that someone had stolen some of their plants. Growing plants seen during the partner ribbon tying and fall harvest festival event in celebration of the urban farmer pilot project at Tatum Park by Urban Wholistics in Toledo in 2024. Cindy Bench is a recipient of the 2024 Serve Ohio Volunteer Award in recognition of contributions that have helped local communities in 2024, at Tatum Park in Toledo. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/18/kelleys-island-sees-hope-recovery-incredible-storm/stories/20260718056 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/18/kelleys-island-sees-hope-recovery-incredible-storm/stories/20260718056#comments Sat, 18 Jul 2026 13:51:05 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/18/kelleys-island-sees-hope-recovery-incredible-storm/stories/20260718056 KELLEYS ISLAND, Ohio — Like a lot of disaster-stricken Americans these days, Kelleys Island residents are leaning into each other to help their community gain more strength and resiliency. Zion United Methodist Church sustained major damage in its basement. Pat Hayes, Kelleys Island Audubon chapter president and co-owner of The Inn on Kelleys Island, had 3.5 feet of water in his basement from the storm. Pat Hayes, Kelleys Island Audubon chapter president and co-owner of The Inn on Kelleys Island, had 3.5 feet of water in his basement from the storm. Island Fest, one of the biggest summer events on Kelleys Island, began Friday amid lingering wildfire smoke. It continues through Sunday. A shoreline sign that welcomes visitors. A view of the Lake Erie shoreline from Kelleys Island. Like other parts of Ohio, wildfire smoke continued to linger on Friday. Mail delivery on Kelleys Island was suspended Friday because of lingering wildfire smoke. Chris Ashley, Kelleys State Park manager, talks about the "wet and soggy" conditions that campers endured. The sign at the entrance of Kelleys Island State Park. The church sign mentions the damage and location for outdoor services. A garbage bin outside of the church holds many of the damaged items. Sign at the center of the village's downtown, near Lake Erie. Ed Zeinert, 75, discusses what he knows about the storm damage while taking a break outside Captain's Table tavern. Kelleys Island EMS sustained a $45,000 loss from the storm. The village police department had some equipment damaged, as well. The Kelleys Island Police Department and Kelleys Island EMS had equipment damaged in the basement of the village's Town Hall. A plaque outside the village's town hall. Kelleys Island Town Hall. Lori Hayes, Kelleys co-owner of The Inn on Kelleys Island, had 3.5 feet of water in her basement from the storm. Lori Hayes, Kelleys co-owner of The Inn on Kelleys Island, discusses the heartbreak of what the storm did to the historic 1876 inn she and her husband, Pat Hayes, own along the Lake Erie shoreline. Brandy Kluding, Kelleys Island Wine Co. bar manager, discusses the storm's impact. Kelleys Island Wine Co. A sign near the entrance to Kelleys Island Wine Co. A walkway on the grounds of Kelleys Island Wine Co. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/17/second-day-of-hazardous-smoke-continues-to-impact-activities/stories/20260717088 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/17/second-day-of-hazardous-smoke-continues-to-impact-activities/stories/20260717088#comments Fri, 17 Jul 2026 14:47:47 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/17/second-day-of-hazardous-smoke-continues-to-impact-activities/stories/20260717088 The sculpture proudly proclaims “You Are Beautiful” and “You Are Doing Great,” but the smoke that continued to smother Toledo made Friday a not-so-great day for the artwork’s installation. A man stands by the Maumee River as smoke from the Canadian wildfires creates a haze on July 17 in downtown Toledo. Gloria Alvarado walks with Trooper, her 1-year-old dog, below the Veterans' Glass City Skyway Bridge amid smoke from Canadian and Minnesotan wildfires in Toledo on July 17. Gloria Alvarado walks with Trooper, her 1-year-old dog, below the Veterans' Glass City Skyway Bridge amid smoke from Canadian and Minnesotan wildfires in Toledo on July 17. Gloria Alvarado walks with Trooper, her 1-year-old dog, below the Veterans' Glass City Skyway Bridge amid smoke from Canadian and Minnesotan wildfires in Toledo on July 17. A young man bikes his frined to work, each in masks protect breathing from the drifting Canadian wildfire smoke on July 17 in downtown Toledo. A cyclists bikes on the University Parks Trail as smoke from the Canadian wildfires continues to blanket Toledo on Friday, July 17, 2026. The University of Toledo sits blanketed by smoke from the Canadian wildfires in Toledo on July 17. A man uses a mask to protect his breathing from the drifting Canadian wildfire smoke on July 17 in downtown Toledo. A cyclist bikes across a bridge on the University of Toledo campus as smoke from the Canadian wildfires continues to blanket Toledo on July 17. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/17/woodlawn-cemetery-wetlands-urban-oasis/stories/20260714116 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/17/woodlawn-cemetery-wetlands-urban-oasis/stories/20260714116#comments Fri, 17 Jul 2026 11:30:00 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/17/woodlawn-cemetery-wetlands-urban-oasis/stories/20260714116 Thousands of motorists pass by Historic Woodlawn Cemetery and Arboretum daily without realizing how big it is. Mike Young, president of the Woodlawn Cemetery Board, right, and Patty Toneff, director of the Woodlawn Cemetery Foundation, show the lower pond from the new culvert at Woodlawn Cemetery and Arboretum in Toledo on July 14. The cemetery’s Stream Restoration Project is restoring Bowen Ditch. The lower pond at Woodlawn Cemetery and Arboretum in Toledo on July 14. The cemetery’s Stream Restoration Project is restoring Bowen Ditch. Canada geese forage along the lower pond at Woodlawn Cemetery and Arboretum in Toledo on July 14. The lower pond at Woodlawn Cemetery and Arboretumin Toledo on July 14. The lower pond at Woodlawn Cemetery and Arboretum in Toledo on July 14. The lower pond at Woodlawn Cemetery and Arboretum in Toledo on July 14. The middle pond viewed next to the new culvert at Woodlawn Cemetery and Arboretum in Toledo on July 14. The middle pond viewed from the new culvert at Woodlawn Cemetery and Arboretum in Toledo on July 14. Canada geese head into the lower pond at Woodlawn Cemetery and Arboretum in Toledo on July 14. Mike Young, president of the Woodlawn Cemetery Board, left, and Patty Toneff, director of the Woodlawn Cemetery Foundation, show the lower pond at Woodlawn Cemetery and Arboretum in Toledo on July 14. The middle pond at Woodlawn Cemetery and Arboretum in Toledo on July 14. Mike Young, president of the Woodlawn Cemetery Board, speaks about the project at Woodlawn Cemetery and Arboretum in Toledo on July 14. Patty Toneff, director of the Woodlawn Cemetery Foundation, speaks about the project at Woodlawn Cemetery and Arboretum in Toledo on July 14. Mike Young, president of the Woodlawn Cemetery Board, front, and Patty Toneff, director of the Woodlawn Cemetery Foundation, show the lower pond at Woodlawn Cemetery and Arboretum in Toledo on July 14. Mike Young, president of the Woodlawn Cemetery Board, left, and Patty Toneff, director of the Woodlawn Cemetery Foundation, show the lower pond from the new culvert at Woodlawn Cemetery and Arboretum in Toledo on July 14. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/16/smoke-from-canadian-wildfires-puts-ohio-under-air-quality-advisory/stories/20260716078 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/16/smoke-from-canadian-wildfires-puts-ohio-under-air-quality-advisory/stories/20260716078#comments Thu, 16 Jul 2026 12:47:12 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/16/smoke-from-canadian-wildfires-puts-ohio-under-air-quality-advisory/stories/20260716078 The Toledo metropolitan area experienced hazardous air quality at levels never before recorded locally Thursday as smoke from Canadian wildfires blanketed northwest Ohio. Pedestrians cover their noses and mouths as smoke from the Canadian wildfires blankets downtown Toledo on July 16. A pedestrian covers her mouth and nose while waiting at a bus stop as smoke from the Canadian wildfires blankets downtown Toledo on July 16. Thick smoke from the Canadian wildfires blankets the area in Oregon on July 16. Traffic passes through the haze of wildfire smoke from Canada along the Veterans' Glass City Skyway above the Maumee River on July 16 in downtown Toledo. Chrystal Sovia of Detroit explores the Glass City Riverwalk with her kids Winter, 7, and Ember, 10, as smoke from the Canadian wildfires blankets the sky July 16 in at Middlegrounds Metropark Toledo. Jet-skiers sit on the Maumee River as thick smoke from the Canadian wildfires blankets downtown Toledo on July 16. A great blue heron sits along the Maumee River as smoke from the Canadian wildfires blankets the sky July 16 in at Middlegrounds Metropark Toledo. A man rides a Segway as smoke from the Canadian wildfires blankets the sky July 16 in at Middlegrounds Metropark Toledo. A woman runs along the Glass City Riverwalk as smoke from the Canadian wildfires blankets the sky July 16 in at Middlegrounds Metropark Toledo. The Anthony Wayne bridge is blanketed by smoke from the Canadian wildfires in downtown Toledo on July 16. Jet skiers idle in the Maumee River as smoke from the Canadian wildfires blankets downtown Toledo on July 16. A woman walks her dog through Glass City Metropark as smoke from the Canadian wildfires blankets downtown Toledo on July 16. A gaggle of geese float down the Maumee River as smoke from the Canadian wildfires blankets Toledo on July 16. Traffic passes through the haze of wildfire smoke from Canada along the Veterans' Glass City Skyway above the Maumee River on July 16 in downtown Toledo. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/16/shoppers-practice-caution-avoid-produce-prevent-cyclosporiasis/stories/20260722004 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/16/shoppers-practice-caution-avoid-produce-prevent-cyclosporiasis/stories/20260722004#comments Thu, 16 Jul 2026 20:23:02 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/16/shoppers-practice-caution-avoid-produce-prevent-cyclosporiasis/stories/20260722004 DeBorah Cunningham of Toledo and her daughter, Deanndra Napper, walked through the produce section of Seaway Marketplace, carefully assessing what they put in their carts. DeBorah Cunningham stands with a head of lettuce, cucumbers, and lemons inside of her cart while shopping at Seaway Marketplace in Toledo on July 15. Iceberg and romaine lettuce sit in produce section inside of Seaway Marketplace in Toledo on July 15. These vegetables are potentially linked to causing the spread of cyclosporiasis. An employee stocks the produce section inside of Seaway Marketplace in Toledo on July 15. Beverly Thompson shops for produce inside of Monnette's Market in Toledo on July 15. Beverly Thompson shops for produce inside of Monnette's Market in Toledo on July 15. Produce inside of Monnette's Market in Toledo on July 15. Beverly Thompson shops for produce inside of Monnette's Market in Toledo on July 15. A fresh produce sign is outside of Fresh Thyme Market in Toledo on July 15. Beverly Thompson shops for produce inside of Monnette's Market in Toledo on July 15. Produce inside of Monnette's Market in Toledo on July 15. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/13/large-fish-kill-in-maumee-river-traced-back-to-fertilizer-spill/stories/20260713083 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/13/large-fish-kill-in-maumee-river-traced-back-to-fertilizer-spill/stories/20260713083#comments Mon, 13 Jul 2026 20:33:02 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/13/large-fish-kill-in-maumee-river-traced-back-to-fertilizer-spill/stories/20260713083 NAPOLEON — A July 3 liquid fertilizer spill that apparently was not fully contained resulted in a large fish kill in the Maumee River during the weekend. This overview illustrates the spill site and the location of two dams that were built to contain the spill. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/13/algal-bloom-is-forming-now-but-slowly/stories/20260713082 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/13/algal-bloom-is-forming-now-but-slowly/stories/20260713082#comments Mon, 13 Jul 2026 17:43:02 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/13/algal-bloom-is-forming-now-but-slowly/stories/20260713082 Scientists are now able to confirm via satellite that western Lake Erie’s 2026 algal bloom has started to form. File photo of green Lake Erie water. This one was taken in 2019 near Gibraltar Island. The 2026 bloom is in the early stages of forming now in North Maumee Bay near Toledo, NOAA said Monday. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/10/dry-forecast-clear-lake-erie-beach-advisories/stories/20260710083 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/10/dry-forecast-clear-lake-erie-beach-advisories/stories/20260710083#comments Fri, 10 Jul 2026 19:15:39 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/10/dry-forecast-clear-lake-erie-beach-advisories/stories/20260710083 After Friday night’s thunderstorms have moved out, northwest Ohio is expected to see at least six days of dry, sunny weather, with temperatures climbing back into the 90s. Lake Erie swimmers spend time at Maumee Bay State Park.