http://www.toledoblade.com The Latest News from Toledoblade.com (v5) Fri, 31 Jul 2026 14:36:52 GMT en-us hourly 1 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/31/algal-bloom-remains-on-pace-to-be-moderate-in-size-noaa-says/stories/20260731075 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/31/algal-bloom-remains-on-pace-to-be-moderate-in-size-noaa-says/stories/20260731075#comments Fri, 31 Jul 2026 15:20:25 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/31/algal-bloom-remains-on-pace-to-be-moderate-in-size-noaa-says/stories/20260731075 The 2026 Lake Erie algal bloom remains on pace to be a moderate-sized bloom. Weeds and algae float in Lake Erie during a scientific informational boat ride at NOAA's 2026 Lake Erie algal bloom forecast around South Bass Island June 25. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/31/portions-of-northwest-ohio-are-abnormally-dry-again-or-in-a-moderate-drought/stories/20260731074 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/31/portions-of-northwest-ohio-are-abnormally-dry-again-or-in-a-moderate-drought/stories/20260731074#comments Fri, 31 Jul 2026 15:04:18 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/31/portions-of-northwest-ohio-are-abnormally-dry-again-or-in-a-moderate-drought/stories/20260731074 The southwest corner of Lucas County, as well as portions of Fulton, Williams, Henry, Defiance, and Paulding counties, are abnormally dry again, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor map published Thursday. Portions of northwest Ohio are abnormally dry or in a moderate drought. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/31/napoleon-fish-loss-worse-than-originally-thought/stories/20260731084 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/31/napoleon-fish-loss-worse-than-originally-thought/stories/20260731084#comments Fri, 31 Jul 2026 14:55:27 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/31/napoleon-fish-loss-worse-than-originally-thought/stories/20260731084 NAPOLEON — The calculated fish loss from the liquid fertilizer spill into the Maumee River earlier this month is worse than the state of Ohio’s original estimate. This overview illustrates the spill site and the location of two dams that were built to contain the spill. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/community-events/2026/07/31/photo-gallery-best-pictures-for-week-ending-july-30/stories/20260731082 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/community-events/2026/07/31/photo-gallery-best-pictures-for-week-ending-july-30/stories/20260731082#comments Fri, 31 Jul 2026 13:24:35 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/community-events/2026/07/31/photo-gallery-best-pictures-for-week-ending-july-30/stories/20260731082 Blade photographers head out every day to capture the triumphs, tragedies, and oddities of life in Lucas County and beyond. Victoria Watson, whose derby name is Torrnado, is helped by her son, Reese, 3, in untying her roller-skates after the Glass City Rollers season closer bout against South Bend at the St. Joseph 4-H County Fairgrounds in South Bend, Indiana on July 25. Children with Creating Eternal Bonds (C.E.B.), a youth behavioral health program, play on the merry-go-round at the Ottawa Park playground in Toledo on July 28. Bendel Flora, 11, shoots the puck into the goal during Toledo Walleye street hockey camp in the Miejer parking lot in Oregon on on July 25. Gillian Watson, whose derby name is Gigabyte, stretches before the Glass City Rollers season closer bout against South Bend at the St. Joseph 4-H County Fairgrounds in South Bend, Indiana, on July 25. Daryl Barnett Jr., winces as he squats during Toledo football's Lift for Life at the University of Toledo’s Larimer Athletic Complex in Toledo on July 24. People walk along the along the shoreline on July 28 at Maumee Bay State Park in Oregon. Steve Kiessling holds Chips at Toledo Animal Rescue in Toledo on July 27. Second baseman Max Anderson completes a double play by throwing to first base during an International League game between the Toledo Mud Hens and Louisville Bats at Fifth Third Field in downtown Toledo on July 24. A man carries sunflowers during the evening Perrysburg Farmers Market on July 30 in downtown. Deanna Taylor works on a painting as people shop a her booth during Art on the Mall at the University of Toledo’s Centennial Mall in Toledo on July 26. People run along the Maumee River during Fleet Feet Toledo and Grindhrs Coffee’s fun run through downtown Toledo on July 26. Ray Thomas, Toledo, fishes with his wife Tracey and their grandson in Ottawa Park on July 28 in central Toledo. 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. Ashley Tyson of Wayne, Ohio, comforts her son Liam Tyson, 5, while waiting to ride is modified :Big Wheel” July 24 at Olscamp Hall at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green. Bryson Fisher, 5, of Harrod, Ohio, races Doctor of Occupational Therapy students from left, Noah Zebrak, Katie Rubadue, and Rhegyn Blood in his modified “Big Wheel” July 24 at Olscamp Hall at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green. A woman runs along a trail at the Glass City Riverwalk in Toledo on July 29. A red-tailed hawk soars above the University Parks Trail in Toledo on July 28. A boater motors under the rotary of the full moon's light shining on the Maumee River where the South End becomes Maumee on July 29 in Toledo. Bob Midden of Toledo-based band Toraigh plays an Irish flute during a performance at the Toledo Celtic Festival in Oregon on July 25. Madelyn Moser, 5, eats a slice of pizza during Pizza Palooza at Centennial Terrace in Sylvania on July 24. Linda Erbland, a two-time cancer survivor who endured a life-threatening reaction to chemotherapy, sits inside the Victory Center in Toledo on July 27. Carole Malczewski tries on a necklace from Jenny Gorkowski Studio’s during Art on the Mall at the University of Toledo’s Centennial Mall in Toledo on July 26. Tom and Janet Titkemeier sort through items at Faith United Lutheran Church while preparing for a rummage sale on July 28. Volunteer Mary Kay Scott helps Micah Cook, 7, in his new shoes during the Helping Hands of St. Louis' 13th annual Shoe Fest in East Toledo on July 25. Toledoan Evan Gaynor leads Toledo runners and international runners from the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run at Toledo Spain Plaza in central Toledo on July 29. Teammates cheer on Cooper Rusk during Toledo football's Lift for Life at the University of Toledo’s Larimer Athletic Complex in Toledo on July 24. Sean McGee hoses a car down during a free car wash event at CedarCreek Church's Oregon campus on July 25. A worker walks by with materials in the foreground as construction work continues on the Monroe Street overpass over U.S. 23 in Sylvania on July 28. Detroit’s Javier Báez catches the ball in the outfield during an International League baseball game between the Toledo Mud Hens and Louisville Bats at Fifth Third Field in Toledo on July 26. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/community-events/2026/07/31/giveaways-community-resources-at-warren-ame-church/stories/20260729108 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/community-events/2026/07/31/giveaways-community-resources-at-warren-ame-church/stories/20260729108#comments Fri, 31 Jul 2026 13:12:50 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/community-events/2026/07/31/giveaways-community-resources-at-warren-ame-church/stories/20260729108 The Matthew Project Community Giveaway will be held Saturday, offering gift bags and food baskets for families. Warren A.M.E. Church of Toledo. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/community-events/2026/07/31/world-s-largest-rubber-duck-headed-back-to-northwest-ohio/stories/20260730096 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/community-events/2026/07/31/world-s-largest-rubber-duck-headed-back-to-northwest-ohio/stories/20260730096#comments Fri, 31 Jul 2026 12:51:31 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/community-events/2026/07/31/world-s-largest-rubber-duck-headed-back-to-northwest-ohio/stories/20260730096 The world’s largest rubber duck is waddling back to Toledo. The worlds largest rubber duck sits outside of the Detroit Auto Show at Huntington Place in Detroit on Wednesday September 13, 2022. THE BLADE/REBECCA BENSON https://www.toledoblade.com/local/police-fire/2026/07/31/sheriff-investigating-drowning-death-of-6-year-old/stories/20260731083 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/police-fire/2026/07/31/sheriff-investigating-drowning-death-of-6-year-old/stories/20260731083#comments Fri, 31 Jul 2026 12:31:44 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/police-fire/2026/07/31/sheriff-investigating-drowning-death-of-6-year-old/stories/20260731083 BOWLING GREEN — The Wood County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the drowning death of a 6-year-old boy. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/transportation/2026/07/31/safer-streets-for-bicyclists-pedestrians-focus-of-presentation/stories/20260730123 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/transportation/2026/07/31/safer-streets-for-bicyclists-pedestrians-focus-of-presentation/stories/20260730123#comments Fri, 31 Jul 2026 13:46:45 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/transportation/2026/07/31/safer-streets-for-bicyclists-pedestrians-focus-of-presentation/stories/20260730123 Health officials are calling on area residents to advocate for a Lucas County plan to make the streets safer for cyclists and pedestrians. Beth Deakins, a YMCA of Greater Toledo executive director of healthy living, delivers a presentation on July 30 at Maumee Branch Library. Amy Abodeely, grant nutritionist at the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department, speaks on July 30 at Maumee Branch Library. The informational meeting on the implementation of the Lucas County Active Transportation Plan has just begun at Maumee Branch Library. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/courts/2026/07/30/couple-indicted-manslaughter-newborn-death/stories/20260730102 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/courts/2026/07/30/couple-indicted-manslaughter-newborn-death/stories/20260730102#comments Thu, 30 Jul 2026 19:33:58 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/courts/2026/07/30/couple-indicted-manslaughter-newborn-death/stories/20260730102 An Oregon couple have both been indicted on involuntary manslaughter charges in their newborn daughter’s Feb. 25 death. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/courts/2026/07/30/man-admits-to-involuntary-manslaughter-for-girlfriend-s-shooting-death/stories/20260730092 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/courts/2026/07/30/man-admits-to-involuntary-manslaughter-for-girlfriend-s-shooting-death/stories/20260730092#comments Thu, 30 Jul 2026 17:01:53 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/courts/2026/07/30/man-admits-to-involuntary-manslaughter-for-girlfriend-s-shooting-death/stories/20260730092 A West Toledo man pleaded guilty Thursday morning to involuntary manslaughter and two other counts arising from his girlfriend’s shooting death nine months ago. Jeffrey Townsend, Jr. (right), goes over his plea documents with defense lawyer Jeff Crowther in Lucas County Common Pleas Court on July 30. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/police-fire/2026/07/30/officials-investigate-chemical-odor-oregon/stories/20260730103 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/police-fire/2026/07/30/officials-investigate-chemical-odor-oregon/stories/20260730103#comments Thu, 30 Jul 2026 19:38:41 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/police-fire/2026/07/30/officials-investigate-chemical-odor-oregon/stories/20260730103 City and state environmental officials investigated reports of a chemical odor Thursday after residents in part of Oregon reported the smell and several people sought medical evaluations. Oregon Fire and Rescue Department https://www.toledoblade.com/local/police-fire/2026/07/30/woman-seriously-injured-wood-county-crash/stories/20260730120 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/police-fire/2026/07/30/woman-seriously-injured-wood-county-crash/stories/20260730120#comments Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:44:33 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/police-fire/2026/07/30/woman-seriously-injured-wood-county-crash/stories/20260730120 STONY RIDGE, Ohio — Two people were injured, one seriously, in a crash Thursday in Wood County’s Lake Township, the Ohio State Highway Patrol said. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/community-events/2026/07/30/photo-gallery-perrysburg-farmers-market/stories/20260730115 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/community-events/2026/07/30/photo-gallery-perrysburg-farmers-market/stories/20260730115#comments Thu, 30 Jul 2026 23:29:59 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/community-events/2026/07/30/photo-gallery-perrysburg-farmers-market/stories/20260730115 Visitors to the Perrysburg Farmers Market browsed everything from eggplants to pup treats on Thursday. Sue Moenter of Bech Farms eyes potential eggplant customers during the evening Perrysburg Farmers Market on July 30 in downtown. Basset Hound Pickles stars at the pup-cup treat coming her way from owner Ashley during the evening Perrysburg Farmers Market on July 30 in downtown. Jaclyn Poll holds a bouquet of flowers as she shops wares during the evening Perrysburg Farmers Market on July 30 in downtown. Jack Wenz of Sylvestri Market makes sure the summer squash meets the measure of excllence during the evening Perrysburg Farmers Market on July 30 in downtown. Young Alex Bold enjoys any icy treat in the heat of evening Perrysburg Farmers Market on July 30 in downtown. Lindsay Williams gets the green while the bag is secured during the evening Perrysburg Farmers Market on July 30 in downtown. Steve Remustat samples the hot beets on the block with Casey Bower and son Caden, 12, and his new and yet unnamed puppy during the evening Perrysburg Farmers Market on July 30 in downtown. A man carries sunflowers during the evening Perrysburg Farmers Market on July 30 in downtown. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/30/corps-abruptly-halts-work-invasive-carp-barrier/stories/20260730094 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/30/corps-abruptly-halts-work-invasive-carp-barrier/stories/20260730094#comments Thu, 30 Jul 2026 19:30:23 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/30/corps-abruptly-halts-work-invasive-carp-barrier/stories/20260730094 JOLIET, Ill. — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has abruptly halted construction of the multibillion-dollar invasive carp barrier near Chicago that is designed to keep highly destructive invasive carp from getting into the Great Lakes. In this 2012, file photo, invasive carp are seen leaping from the Illinois River near Havana, Ill., after being jolted by an electric current from a research boat. Invasive carp are shown leaping near Memphis in this 2011 file photo. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/politics/2026/07/30/odot-preferred-plan-us-23-71-connector/stories/20260730098 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/politics/2026/07/30/odot-preferred-plan-us-23-71-connector/stories/20260730098#comments Thu, 30 Jul 2026 20:30:25 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/politics/2026/07/30/odot-preferred-plan-us-23-71-connector/stories/20260730098 COLUMBUS — The Ohio Department of Transportation on Thursday announced its preferred route for a freeway connecting U.S. 23 and I-71. The Ohio Department of Transportation announced its preferred alignment for a freeway connecting U.S. 23 and I-71 on July 30. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/community-events/2026/07/30/celebrate-romance-author-vendor-event-maumee/stories/20260730056 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/community-events/2026/07/30/celebrate-romance-author-vendor-event-maumee/stories/20260730056#comments Thu, 30 Jul 2026 20:28:28 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/community-events/2026/07/30/celebrate-romance-author-vendor-event-maumee/stories/20260730056 Romancing the Glass City, a bookish event featuring more than 120 vendors and authors, takes place Saturday at the Lucas County Recreation Center. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/community-events/2026/07/30/photo-gallery-lunchtime-by-the-maumee-river/stories/20260730101 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/community-events/2026/07/30/photo-gallery-lunchtime-by-the-maumee-river/stories/20260730101#comments Thu, 30 Jul 2026 18:26:26 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/community-events/2026/07/30/photo-gallery-lunchtime-by-the-maumee-river/stories/20260730101 People soak up summer along downtown Toledo's Maumee River waterfront Thursday, enjoying the scenic views while grabbing a bite from local food trucks during Lunch at Levis. Charles Shelton takes in the river view as Kelly Mondora enjoys her lunch along the Maumee River in Toledo on July 30. Gulls line the docks as a boat moves along in the Maumee River in Toledo on July 30. Charles Shelton takes in the river view along the Maumee River in Toledo on July 30. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/police-fire/2026/07/30/2-arrested-after-high-speed-chase-with-u-haul-truck/stories/20260730097 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/police-fire/2026/07/30/2-arrested-after-high-speed-chase-with-u-haul-truck/stories/20260730097#comments Thu, 30 Jul 2026 18:16:01 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/police-fire/2026/07/30/2-arrested-after-high-speed-chase-with-u-haul-truck/stories/20260730097 OAK HARBOR, Ohio — Two people in a U-Haul truck were arrested after a pursuit through multiple northwest Ohio counties. Deputies used a vehicle-containment tactic to stop a fleeing U-Haul truck on State Rt. 2 in Oregon. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/30/state-seeks-penalties-over-alleged-illegal-cattle-operation/stories/20260729054 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/30/state-seeks-penalties-over-alleged-illegal-cattle-operation/stories/20260729054#comments Thu, 30 Jul 2026 18:04:19 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/07/30/state-seeks-penalties-over-alleged-illegal-cattle-operation/stories/20260729054 MONTPELIER, Ohio — Ohio Attorney General D. Andrew Wilson’s office is seeking thousands of dollars in penalties from an Indiana couple it claims illegally built a concentrated animal feeding operation, or CAFO, for more than 1,000 cattle some 18 months ago. Sam Mullins is the Ohio Department of Agriculture's chief of livestock permitting. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/transportation/2026/07/30/odot-postpones-i-475-closing-because-of-rainy-forecast/stories/20260730095 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/transportation/2026/07/30/odot-postpones-i-475-closing-because-of-rainy-forecast/stories/20260730095#comments Thu, 30 Jul 2026 17:05:35 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/transportation/2026/07/30/odot-postpones-i-475-closing-because-of-rainy-forecast/stories/20260730095 Pavement repair and resurfacing that was to have closed part of northbound I-475/U.S. 23 this weekend has been postponed because wet weather is forecast.