http://www.toledoblade.com The Latest News from Toledoblade.com (v5) Wed, 09 Sep 2026 04:12:20 GMT en-us hourly 1 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/courts/2026/09/09/plans-develop-sequestering-jury-kei-mani-latigue-murder-trial/stories/20260909135 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/courts/2026/09/09/plans-develop-sequestering-jury-kei-mani-latigue-murder-trial/stories/20260909135#comments Wed, 09 Sep 2026 23:16:19 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/courts/2026/09/09/plans-develop-sequestering-jury-kei-mani-latigue-murder-trial/stories/20260909135 Lucas County court officials are planning for possible sequestration of the jury for the capital murder trial of Darnell Jones, accused of killing his teenage daughter Kei’mani Latigue last year. Darnell Jones speaks during a pre-trial conference in 2025 at the Lucas County Courthouse in Toledo. Mr. Jones is accused of murdering his 13-year-old daughter Kei’mani Latigue. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/politics/2026/09/09/wood-county-democrats-criticize-republicans-data-center-support/stories/20260909117 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/politics/2026/09/09/wood-county-democrats-criticize-republicans-data-center-support/stories/20260909117#comments Wed, 09 Sep 2026 20:24:24 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/politics/2026/09/09/wood-county-democrats-criticize-republicans-data-center-support/stories/20260909117 BOWLING GREEN — For Middleton Township resident Beth Cole, this November election is a “true Ohio hold my beer, or coffee, kind of moment.” Mark Wongrowski, Democrat candidate for Wood County Auditor, speaks against data centers on Sept. 9 at Grounds for Thought in Bowling Green. Mark Wongrowski, Democrat candidate for Wood County Auditor, speaks against data centers on Sept. 9 at Grounds for Thought in Bowling Green. Middleton Township resident Beth Cole speaks against data centers on Sept. 9 at Grounds for Thought in Bowling Green. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/community-events/2026/09/09/connecting-kids-meals-host-kroger-sponsored-outdoor-packing-event/stories/20260909109 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/community-events/2026/09/09/connecting-kids-meals-host-kroger-sponsored-outdoor-packing-event/stories/20260909109#comments Wed, 09 Sep 2026 20:18:34 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/community-events/2026/09/09/connecting-kids-meals-host-kroger-sponsored-outdoor-packing-event/stories/20260909109 September is Hunger Action Month, and Connecting Kids to Meals is calling on “Hunger Action Heroes” to help fight child hunger in Lucas County. Sandy Swander helps pack 350 meals for Connecting Kids to Meals on Aug. 1 at the Church of St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Toledo. About 50 volunteers from various churches participated in day of service. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/politics/2026/09/09/lucas-county-board-elections-approves-12-issues-november-ballot/stories/20260909119 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/politics/2026/09/09/lucas-county-board-elections-approves-12-issues-november-ballot/stories/20260909119#comments Wed, 09 Sep 2026 19:54:48 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/politics/2026/09/09/lucas-county-board-elections-approves-12-issues-november-ballot/stories/20260909119 The Lucas County Board of Elections approved 13 issues at its Wednesday meeting that will be on the Nov. 3 general election ballot. They include a proposed Maumee charter amendment that would add a recall mechanism to allow citizens to remove elected officials from office.   Also on the The Lucas County Board of Elections on Wednesday approved additional issues that will be on the Nov. 3 ballot https://www.toledoblade.com/local/community-events/2026/09/09/ems-day-gives-residents-glimpse-first-responder-realities/stories/20260909106 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/community-events/2026/09/09/ems-day-gives-residents-glimpse-first-responder-realities/stories/20260909106#comments Wed, 09 Sep 2026 19:16:45 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/community-events/2026/09/09/ems-day-gives-residents-glimpse-first-responder-realities/stories/20260909106 Abdullah Shrourou, a second-year resident in emergency medicine, didn’t know how tough firefighters had to work — until he put on turnout gear, hefted equipment, and had to haul a fire hose across a field to put out an imaginary fire. Tahir Shahzad, St. Vincent Medical Center resident physician, rescues a dummy in a bank robbery simulation during Emergency Medical Services Day at Owens Community College in Walbridge on Sept. 9. Kirby Countinho, St. Vincent Medical Center resident physician, drags a dummy during a fire drill exercise on Emergency Medical Services Day at Owens Community College in Walbridge on Sept. 9. Katherine Kluesner, a St. Vincent Medical Center resident physician, takes off a hazmat suit during Emergency Medical Services Day at Owens Community College in Walbridge on Sept. 9. St. Vincent Medical Center resident physicians Kelin Bleazard, Alam Sohail, JP Kinson, and Kirby Countinho suit up to practice fire drills during Emergency Medical Services Day at Owens Community College in Walbridge on Sept. 9. Nile Jones, a junior at Toledo School for the Arts, practiced with moulage makeup before Wednesday's EMS Day. Kirby Countinho, St. Vincent Medical Center resident physician, hits a log with a hammer during a fire drill exercise on Emergency Medical Services Day at Owens Community College in Walbridge on Sept. 9. An example of the moulage makeup Toledo School for the Arts students practiced with before Wednesday's EMS Day was displayed.. Penelope Shaw, a junior at Toledo School for the Arts, practiced with moulage makeup before Wednesday's EMS Day. Nile Jones, a junior at Toledo School for the Arts, practiced with moulage makeup before Wednesday's EMS Day. St. Vincent Medical Center resident physicians compete in different types of drills during Emergency Medical Services Day at Owens Community College in Walbridge on Sept. 9. JP Kinson, St. Vincent Medical Center resident physician, sprays a fire hose during Emergency Medical Services Day at Owens Community College in Walbridge on Sept. 9. Katherine Kluesner, a St. Vincent Medical Center resident physician, takes off a hazmat suit during Emergency Medical Services Day at Owens Community College in Walbridge on Sept. 9. St. Vincent Medical Center resident physicians rescues dummies in a bank robbery simulation during Emergency Medical Services Day at Owens Community College in Walbridge on Sept. 9. St. Vincent Medical Center resident physicians rescues dummies in a bank robbery simulation during Emergency Medical Services Day at Owens Community College in Walbridge on Sept. 9. Olivia Bauer and Tahir Shahzad, St. Vincent Medical Center resident physicians, rescue a dummy in a bank robbery simulation during Emergency Medical Services Day at Owens Community College in Walbridge on Sept. 9. Forest Mosssing, Toledo School of the Arts student, paints applies wound makeup for a hostage simulation for St. Vincent Medical Center resident physicians during Emergency Medical Services Day at Owens Community College in Walbridge on Sept. 9. Toledo School of the Arts student Katan Vasser smiles as Penelope Snow paints a fake scar onto his leg for a hostage simulation for St. Vincent Medical Center resident physicians during Emergency Medical Services Day at Owens Community College in Walbridge on Sept. 9. Forest Mosssing, Toledo School of the Arts student, paints applies wound makeup for a hostage simulation for St. Vincent Medical Center resident physicians during Emergency Medical Services Day at Owens Community College in Walbridge on Sept. 9. Kirby Countinho, St. Vincent Medical Center resident physician, climbs stairs while holding a firehose during Emergency Medical Services Day at Owens Community College in Walbridge on Sept. 9. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/transportation/2026/09/09/two-streets-to-close-for-2-days/stories/20260909114 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/transportation/2026/09/09/two-streets-to-close-for-2-days/stories/20260909114#comments Wed, 09 Sep 2026 18:48:49 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/transportation/2026/09/09/two-streets-to-close-for-2-days/stories/20260909114 Two Toledo streets will be closed Thursday and Friday for different reasons, the Toledo Department of Transportation announced. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/city/2026/09/09/senior-homeowners-can-get-a-450-bonus-credit-on-property-taxes/stories/20260909093 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/city/2026/09/09/senior-homeowners-can-get-a-450-bonus-credit-on-property-taxes/stories/20260909093#comments Wed, 09 Sep 2026 17:30:43 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/city/2026/09/09/senior-homeowners-can-get-a-450-bonus-credit-on-property-taxes/stories/20260909093 Lucas County’s auditor is urging adults older than 65 to apply for next year’s homestead property tax exemption, which comes with an extra $450 this year thanks to the state legislature. Flanked by Ohio Senator Paula Hicks-Hudson, left, and Ohio Representative Erika White, right, Lucas County Auditor Katie Moline kicks off her annual “Helping with Homestead” tour to assist senior citizens and other property owners eligible for the Homestead Exemption on Sept. 9 at the Margaret Hunt Senior Center in Toledo. Justin Moor, President/CEO of the Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio, Inc. speaks during a kick off event for the annual “Helping with Homestead” tour to assist senior citizens and other property owners eligible for the Homestead Exemption on Sept. 9 at the Margaret Hunt Senior Center in Toledo. From left, Ohio Senator Paula Hicks-Hudson, Ohio Representative Erika White, and Lucas County Auditor Katie Moline kick off the annual “Helping with Homestead” tour to assist senior citizens and other property owners eligible for the Homestead Exemption on Sept. 9 at the Margaret Hunt Senior Center in Toledo. David G. Oravecz, Executive Director of the Veterans Service Commission, speaks during a kick off event for the annual “Helping with Homestead” tour to assist senior citizens and other property owners eligible for the Homestead Exemption on Sept. 9 at the Margaret Hunt Senior Center in Toledo. From left, Ohio Senator Paula Hicks-Hudson talks with David G. Oravecz, Executive Director of the Veterans Service Commission, and Ash Lemons, Executive Director of the Ability Center, during a kick off event for the annual “Helping with Homestead” tour to assist senior citizens and other property owners eligible for the Homestead Exemption on Sept. 9 at the Margaret Hunt Senior Center in Toledo. Ash Lemons, Executive Director of the Ability Center, speaks during a kick off event for the annual “Helping with Homestead” tour to assist senior citizens and other property owners eligible for the Homestead Exemption on Sept. 9 at the Margaret Hunt Senior Center in Toledo. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/police-fire/2026/09/09/teenager-jaden-jones-vehicle-crash-whitmer-high-school/stories/20260909108 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/police-fire/2026/09/09/teenager-jaden-jones-vehicle-crash-whitmer-high-school/stories/20260909108#comments Wed, 09 Sep 2026 16:44:36 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/police-fire/2026/09/09/teenager-jaden-jones-vehicle-crash-whitmer-high-school/stories/20260909108 "An 18-year-old died Tuesday night following a Friday morning crash in West Toledo, police reported. Running back Jaden Jones works on ball security in a high school football training camp drill at Whitmer Memorial Stadium in the Trilby neighborhood on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, in West Toledo. Running back Jaden Jones rounds the edge with an envoy during an offensive drill in high school football training camp at Whitmer Memorial Stadium in the Trilby neighborhood on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025, in West Toledo. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/education/2026/09/09/ohio-awarded-50m-grant-to-help-students-prepare-for-college/stories/20260909104 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/education/2026/09/09/ohio-awarded-50m-grant-to-help-students-prepare-for-college/stories/20260909104#comments Wed, 09 Sep 2026 16:52:06 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/education/2026/09/09/ohio-awarded-50m-grant-to-help-students-prepare-for-college/stories/20260909104 COLUMBUS — The state of Ohio was awarded a $50 million federal Talent Search Grant to support low-income and aspiring first-generation college students, Gov. Mike DeWine announced Wednesday. Gov. Mike DeWine speaks with reporters after delivering remarks at the Ohio Department of Higher Education's Trustees Conference in Columbus on Sept. 9. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/09/09/h2ohio-wetlands-project-ottawa-hills/stories/20260909102 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/09/09/h2ohio-wetlands-project-ottawa-hills/stories/20260909102#comments Wed, 09 Sep 2026 16:46:55 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/09/09/h2ohio-wetlands-project-ottawa-hills/stories/20260909102 The latest H2Ohio wetlands project was dedicated this week, this time at a 23-acre site inside Ottawa Hills. From left, Bill Stanley, Nature Conservancy Ohio chapter director; Ohio Sen. Paula Hicks-Hudson (D., Toledo), Ohio Rep. Erika White (D., Springfield Township), and Ohio Department of Natural Resources Director Mary Mertz. A portion of the 23-acre wetland project dedicated this week by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the village of Ottawa Hills. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/community-events/2026/09/09/9-11-responder-to-talk-lessons-of-hope-heart-at-oregon-library/stories/20260903064 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/community-events/2026/09/09/9-11-responder-to-talk-lessons-of-hope-heart-at-oregon-library/stories/20260903064#comments Wed, 09 Sep 2026 14:52:44 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/community-events/2026/09/09/9-11-responder-to-talk-lessons-of-hope-heart-at-oregon-library/stories/20260903064 Clarence Singleton, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and retired firefighter, carries the physical and emotional scars of responding to both the 1993 and 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York. The Oregon Branch Library in Oregon on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/transportation/2026/09/09/orange-street-to-close-thursday-for-event/stories/20260909012 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/transportation/2026/09/09/orange-street-to-close-thursday-for-event/stories/20260909012#comments Wed, 09 Sep 2026 13:30:34 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/transportation/2026/09/09/orange-street-to-close-thursday-for-event/stories/20260909012 A block of Orange Street will be closed Thursday for the Salvation Army’s Takin’ it to the Streets fund-raising event, the Toledo Department of Transportation announced. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/09/09/with-no-time-to-spare-michigan-hatches-a-great-lakes-whitefish-rescue-plan-1/stories/20260909081 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/09/09/with-no-time-to-spare-michigan-hatches-a-great-lakes-whitefish-rescue-plan-1/stories/20260909081#comments Wed, 09 Sep 2026 12:18:38 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/09/09/with-no-time-to-spare-michigan-hatches-a-great-lakes-whitefish-rescue-plan-1/stories/20260909081 With time running out to save the Great Lakes’ whitefish from a deadly mussel invasion, Michigan officials have a moonshot plan to pluck fish from Lake Michigan and breed them in captivity. Joel Petersen carries a net of whitefish aboard a boat near Leland, Mich., 2025. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/education/2026/09/09/michigan-reading-scores-drop-again-state-superintendent-we-need-to-improve-1/stories/20260909080 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/education/2026/09/09/michigan-reading-scores-drop-again-state-superintendent-we-need-to-improve-1/stories/20260909080#comments Wed, 09 Sep 2026 12:17:54 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/education/2026/09/09/michigan-reading-scores-drop-again-state-superintendent-we-need-to-improve-1/stories/20260909080 Michigan third grade reading scores continued to slide in the state’s most recent standardized tests this year, even as schools begin to implement reading reforms. Just 38.2 percent of third grade students in Michigan are proficient in English Language Arts, down from 38.9 percent the previous year, according to results released Friday from the Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress, commonly known as the M-STEP. Students took the tests in spring 2026. It’s the lowest third graders have scored in the 12-year history of the exam. The news comes after leaders have tried for a decade to improve reading scores with literacy coaches, optional teacher training and a short-lived law to retain struggling third graders. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/suburbs/2026/09/09/maumee-moves-to-allow-offices-on-first-floors-uptown/stories/20260908101 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/suburbs/2026/09/09/maumee-moves-to-allow-offices-on-first-floors-uptown/stories/20260908101#comments Wed, 09 Sep 2026 11:28:43 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/suburbs/2026/09/09/maumee-moves-to-allow-offices-on-first-floors-uptown/stories/20260908101 Maumee residents might soon see more offices uptown. Maumee City Council meeting Sept. 8. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/city/2026/09/08/possible-final-edition-of-blade-announced-company-explores-possibility-of-sale/stories/20260908076 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/city/2026/09/08/possible-final-edition-of-blade-announced-company-explores-possibility-of-sale/stories/20260908076#comments Tue, 08 Sep 2026 13:21:05 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/city/2026/09/08/possible-final-edition-of-blade-announced-company-explores-possibility-of-sale/stories/20260908076 Block Communications has announced its intention to explore a sale of The Blade’s assets, which, if unsuccessful, will result in the final edition of the newspaper being published Dec. 31. The Blade's former offices in downtown Toledo. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/09/08/construction-of-invasive-carp-barrier-resumes/stories/20260908083 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/09/08/construction-of-invasive-carp-barrier-resumes/stories/20260908083#comments Tue, 08 Sep 2026 21:22:33 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2026/09/08/construction-of-invasive-carp-barrier-resumes/stories/20260908083 JOLIET, Ill. — Construction of the invasive carp barrier near Chicago is back on. Invasive carp shown leaping near Memphis in this 2011 file photo. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/city/2026/09/08/toledo-city-council-debates-pausing-flock-cameras/stories/20260908100 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/city/2026/09/08/toledo-city-council-debates-pausing-flock-cameras/stories/20260908100#comments Wed, 09 Sep 2026 01:26:30 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/city/2026/09/08/toledo-city-council-debates-pausing-flock-cameras/stories/20260908100 Toledo City Council is debating whether to pause the use of its Flock Safety cameras amid privacy concerns from residents. A Flock Safety camera sits at the corner of West Central Avenue and Auburn Avenue in Toledo on Aug. 20. Councilman John Hobbs listens during a Toledo City Council agenda review at the One Government Center in downtown Toledo on Sept. 1. Councilman Mac Driscoll listens during a Toledo City Council agenda review at the One Government Center in downtown Toledo on Sept. 1. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/police-fire/2026/09/08/fire-department-searching-2-people-frequented-st-agnes-church/stories/20260908099 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/police-fire/2026/09/08/fire-department-searching-2-people-frequented-st-agnes-church/stories/20260908099#comments Wed, 09 Sep 2026 00:28:32 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/police-fire/2026/09/08/fire-department-searching-2-people-frequented-st-agnes-church/stories/20260908099 Toledo fire officials are searching for two people who were known to stay in St. Agnes Church. A worker in an excavator (out of view) demolishes the former St. Agnes Church after a fire in Toledo on Sept. 5. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/community-events/2026/09/08/photo-gallery-2977-flags-911-victims/stories/20260908097 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/community-events/2026/09/08/photo-gallery-2977-flags-911-victims/stories/20260908097#comments Tue, 08 Sep 2026 22:38:41 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/community-events/2026/09/08/photo-gallery-2977-flags-911-victims/stories/20260908097 Imagination Station placed 2,977 flags in Festival Park to honor the victims of 9/11 in downtown Toledo on Tuesday, Sept. 8. Percy Mitharia and Megan Russ help place 2,977 flags in Festival Park to honor the victims of 9/11 at Imagination Station in downtown Toledo. Abby Malik hits a flag into the ground as Kathy Poddany places another. Sloan Eberly and Mia Velasquez help place 2,977 flags. Imagination Station employees place 2,977 flags in Festival Park to honor the victims of 9/11. Imagination Station employees place 2,977 flags in Festival Park to honor the victims of 9/11. Imagination Station employees place 2,977 flags in Festival Park to honor the victims of 9/11. Andy Roman Tye helps place 2,977 flags in Festival Park. Carl Nelson walks past the 2,977 flags in Festival Park. Percy Mitharia and Megan Russ help place 2,977 flags in Festival Park.