The Toledo Board of Honor voted 3-2 on Thursday to recommend the removal of an honorary downtown street sign dedicated to the late Monsignor Jerome Schmit, a priest who was once renowned in the Toledo diocese. 

Msgr. Schmit has been accused of obstructing the investigation into the April 5, 1980, murder of Sister Margaret Ann Pahl by priest Gerald Robinson. 

An honorary street sign recognizing Schmit was installed at North St. Clair and Washington streets on April 5, 2002, four years before Robinson’s conviction. It was also the anniversary of Sister Margaret Ann’s death. 

The honor board had initially discussed the removal last month but decided to defer the decision for 30 days.

Lee Pahl, nephew of Sister Margaret Ann, said he has been advocating for the sign’s removal since Robinson’s 2006 conviction brought renewed attention to the circumstances surrounding his aunt’s death.

“My aunt deserves better than this; we all do,” he said. “It’s never too late to do the right thing. Please remove the Monsignor Jerome Schmit Way sign. Honor my aunt, my family, and all violent crime victims over the years.”

Mr. Pahl cited testimony from Robinson’s trial that showed Schmit interrupting the investigation of Robinson.

“They stopped the interrogation of Father Gerald Robinson. They left the police station,” he said. “That was the end of the investigation into the murder of my aunt.”

While acknowledging Schmit’s contributions to the community, Mr. Pahl said the allegations surrounding the murder investigation outweigh those accomplishments.

“There is no doubt that Monsignor Schmit did lots of great things for Toledo,” he said. “But it only takes one incident to overshadow all the positives.”

Tom Antonini, the general counsel for the Diocese of Toledo, said the diocese maintains its view of Msgr. Schmit as an honored Toledo citizen. 

“No competent authority has ever suggested that Monsignor Schmit engaged in wrongdoing, anything illegal, or otherwise acted inappropriately,” he said in a statement. “Any accusation against him is based on supposition and hypothesis with no foundation in objective fact.” 

Two interrogators present when Msgr. Schmit walked out with Robinson testified in the 2006 trial. 

“What Monsignor Jerome Schmit is alleged to have done is no different than what a good person would do for a family member, friend, or neighbor accused of a crime,” Mr. Antonini said. 

City Council President Vanice Williams also cautioned against judging Msgr. Schmit.

“Guilty by association is what I think I’m hearing,” she said. “I hope that everyone understands our role and how hard it is to decide to take someone’s honor away.” 

Honor Board Chairman Barbara Floyd concurred and said the lack of firsthand witnesses from the original investigation of Robinson made it difficult to determine what occurred directly following the murder.

“What happened in that room, behind that door, we do not know,” she said. “Without anyone who was in that room still alive today who can tell us what happened, it would be inappropriate for us to remove Monsignor Schmit’s name from that street.” 

The three board members who voted in favor opted not to speak during the session. 

Mr. Pahl was relieved to see the board vote in favor of removing the sign.

“I’m very happy, and I’m happy to move on to the next step,” he said.

Claudia Vercellotti of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests helped Mr. Pahl bring the case to the board and said she remains vigilant. 

“The question remains whether the Toledo City Council will have the courage to take it down,” she said. “Not only on behalf of the family and Sister Margaret Ann, but also on behalf of all violent crime victims.” 

Toledo City Council will review the recommendation for a final decision.

Two brothers accused in the fatal shooting and robbery of a would-be teenage gun buyer were convicted Thursday of aggravated murder, aggravated robbery, and other charges by a Lucas County jury.

While defense lawyers for Diamani Lear, 23, now of Clarkston, Ga., but formerly of Toledo, and Delveon Lear, 24, of the 400 block of Kenilworth Avenue, argued that the robbery was unproven and Diamani Lear’s single gunshot was in self-defense, the jury of eight men and four women took just two hours to convict both of seven counts each plus attached specifications.

Joseph Johnson, 16, of the 800 block of Woodward Avenue, was shot in the lower left side of his back after a brief encounter outside a black Dodge Avenger several doors away from his home on the morning of March 4, 2025. His mother had testified Friday in Lucas County Common Pleas Court that she had given him money to buy a video game console, but he instead tried to use it to buy a Glock pistol for his own defense while living in a rough neighborhood.

Judge Lori Olender scheduled the Lears’ sentencing for 2 p.m. on July 16. Both face a maximum penalty of life in prison without parole.

Omarion Coleman, 23, of Columbus, and Shamur Hughes, 23, of the 200 block of Lake Street, previously accepted offers in which they pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and aggravated robbery. Coleman was sentenced in March to 15 years in prison while Hughes is scheduled for sentencing June 25.

LaRon Bankston, the lead defense lawyer for Diamani Lear, said that while the defense respects the jury’s decision, there “obviously” will be an appeal.

“I think it’s an uphill battle anytime you [the prosecutors] attach gang charges to an indictment,” Mr. Bankston said.

His reference was to the seventh count on each indictment, first-degree participating in a criminal gang. About a day of the four days of testimony was devoted to prosecutors’ assertion that various photos and videos posted to social media showed the Lears were members of the Body Up Bloods, a street gang operating out of the Moody Manor Apartments on Kent Street.

The Lears also were convicted of alternative counts of murder plus first-degree aggravated robbery, second-degree felonious assault, and first-degree discharging a firearm on or near prohibited premises. All except the gang charge had multiple specifications attached. Delveon Lear also was convicted of having weapons while under disability, a third-degree felony.

Surveillance video from several houses away showed a person identified as young Johnson walk to and then stand outside the car’s front passenger window. Shortly after the car’s brake lights blinked off and the car started moving slowly, that person fell, then got up and ran diagonally across the street. Doorbell camera video from young Johnson’s home then showed him running up a front stairway before collapsing on a porch.

But a doorbell camera from directly across the street omitted seven seconds of the encounter, which investigators said was because it was motion activated and thus shut down while young Johnson stood by the car window.

Defense lawyers said none of the surveillance showed that young Johnson ever gave anyone in the car money. But prosecutors argued that $545 later found in Coleman’s pocket must have come from the victim because Coleman’s reason for selling his gun was to get money.

Younger Lear admits to shooting boy

Diamani Lear admitted while testifying in his own defense Wednesday that he fired a shot toward young Johnson as the latter ran alongside the slowly moving car. He said he believed the boy was trying to reach into the car to snatch the gun from Coleman’s lap.

“I fired,” Mr. Lear said. “I didn’t have time to think or do nothing. The only thing I had time to do was shoot. ... I felt like I was defending the rest of the car.”

But he said he was unaware he had actually shot young Johnson until he and the others returned to an Airbnb on Kingsbury Avenue where they had made a rap video the night before and someone called to tell them so.

Ronnie Wingate, one of Delveon Lear’s defense lawyers, said his client’s only relevant communication before the group made the trip to Woodward Avenue was to ask Coleman why he was selling the gun, not to urge him to steal the boy’s money. No evidence was presented that young Johnson actually had money on him or gave it to the men in the car, the defense lawyer said.

Gang allegations ‘guilt by association’

And Mr. Wingate argued that prosecutors were promoting “guilt by association” for the Lears’ appearance in social-media posts involving members of the Moody Manor Bloods and Body Up Bloods street gangs. Mr. Wingate noted police testimony that neither Hughes, who agreed to drive Coleman to the gun-sale location, nor Coleman were gang members, and thus neither the gun sale, the alleged robbery, nor young Johnson’s death was of any benefit to those gangs.

Diamani Lear repeatedly denied that he or brother Delveon Lear, the black Dodge Avenger’s fourth occupant, were ever members of the Body Up Bloods or Moody Manor street gangs even though they were friends with members of those gangs and Delveon rapped in some of their online videos. Their tattoos and the shirts they sometimes wore in honor of Michael Patterson, a gang member killed in 2021, were just tributes to a friend, not statements of gang allegiance, he said.

In his closing argument, Mr. Bankston called the gang evidence “a smear campaign” while describing the language and gestures in the rap videos as “just the popular culture of their generation.”

Delveon Lear had declined to testify after prosecutors rested their case late Wednesday afternoon. Coleman was called to the witness stand Tuesday afternoon by the defense, but declined to testify on Fifth Amendment self-incrimination grounds.

The Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority is offering round-trip shuttles Friday for Juneteenth events.

The shuttle runs from the parking lot at the Docks, at 26 Main St., to the Glass City Metropark, TARTA officials said. 

At the park, visitors will be able to enjoy art displays, musical performances, family activities, and more.

The first shuttle leaves from the Docks at 3 p.m., and the final shuttle will leave the park at 9:30 p.m.

TARTA’s fixed routes 2, 10, and 12 also run near the Glass City Metropark.

The transit service also reaches other Juneteenth events.

Customers can take any downtown route to watch Friday’s parade, which starts at 1 p.m., or attend Motown Night at Party in the Park, which kicks off at 6 p.m.

Riders can take Route 2 to the Toledo Museum of Art’s Family Center, which is offering art opportunities from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Paratransit customers can schedule a ride with TARTA Move by calling 419-382-9901.

The June Friends of the Library book sale takes place June 25-27.

Shoppers will find more than 30,000 gently used books, along with other materials, for sale.

Hours for the event at the group’s 1301 N. Reynolds Rd. facility are 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Books cost $1 or less, with CDs, DVDs, audiobooks on CD and cassette, records, and board games also available. On Saturday, all materials are $8 per bagful.

The Friends of the Library, a nonprofit organization, promotes the ongoing development and use of the Toledo Lucas County Public Library, supports the Summer Concert Series, Authors! events, Summer Read, branch activities, and levy campaigns.

The next Friends book sale is set for Aug. 6-8.

Fourth-grade students in Ohio can get free admission to historic museums and sites through Aug. 31.

The 4th Grade History Pass is an America 250-Ohio program offering free admission when accompanied by a paid adult.

Open to public, private, and homeschool students, the program “aligns with the critical age when students learn about Ohio history in school,” said Todd Kleismit, executive director of the America 250-Ohio Commission.

“Involving Ohio’s youngest citizens in the 250th anniversary is a priority for the commission, and we hope students come away inspired and excited about the history of Ohio and eager to learn more,” he said.

More than 50 sites across the state are participating, and the pass can be used more than once, officials said.

The pass can be downloaded at america250-ohio.org where parents can also find free resources including posters, bookmarks and more information.

Multiple streets will be closed in Toledo Saturday, transportation officials said.

Huron Street between Monroe and Washington streets will be closed from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. in conjunction with the Chris Wormley celebrity softball game at Fifth Third Field.

Later on in the day, Market Street between Superior Street and the alley west of Superior Street will be closed from 2:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. for the Toledo Farmers’ Market’s monthly night market.

No detour routes will be established.

Testimony during a bond hearing Thursday offered new details about the June 6 shooting at the Old West End Festival in which 12 people, including one believed to be a gunman, were sent to area hospitals with gunshot wounds.

While attorneys for alleged shooter Eljay Crisp-Carr were arguing for a reduction of his bond, which stood at a combined $1.1 million — $100,000 for each of the 11 felonious assault charges filed against him — the other suspected shooter, Ka Nye Taylor, appeared in Franklin County Municipal Court in Columbus.

Taylor, 20, of the 2100 block of Horton Street, was arrested Wednesday morning in Columbus by officers from the Toledo Police Department, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. 

His bond was subsequently set at $500,085, but he has the option of posting 10 percent of the total bond to be released from jail. He was extradited back to Toledo Thursday and booked into the Lucas County Corrections center on 11 felonious assault weapon charges and a charge of exceeding the speed limit.

In Toledo, Judge Jeffrey Keller heard arguments from prosecutors and Crisp-Carr’s defense attorneys.

Police said just after 5:30 p.m. on June 6 both men fired “indiscriminately into the crowd” at the Old West End Festival, sending panicked festivalgoers running for safety.

Attorneys for Crisp-Carr, 20, of the 400 block of East Streicher Street, said they understood the severity of the crime but described the bond as “a little excessive.” They argued that Crisp-Carr is a lifelong Toledoan with a history of showing up for his court appearances. 

Jennifer Liptack-Wilson, chief of criminal prosecution for the Lucas County Prosecutor’s Office, said Crisp-Carr “poses a substantial risk” to the victims and witnesses of the alleged shooting and the community as a whole and argued he should be held with no bond.

Shooter may have shot himself

Detective Danielle Mooney with the Toledo Police Department’s homicide unit is the lead investigator for the festival shooting case. During her testimony, she said while 12 people were struck by gunfire, there are only 11 counts of felonious assault against Crisp-Carr because “one of the victims shot is one of the shooters, and [he] may have shot himself.” 

Police recovered 13 shell casings: six 9 mm casings and seven .45-caliber casings. They also recovered a 9 mm pistol at the scene. Subsequent forensic testing matched it to the 9 mm casings found at the scene, Detective Mooney said.

The shooting happened in front of the Agnes Reynolds Jackson Arboretum at Delaware and Robinwood avenues, “a very busy part of the festival.”

“There were food trucks up and down Delaware and Robinwood,” Detective Mooney said.

She estimated there were at least 75 to 100 other people in the proximity of the gunfire, and at this point in their investigation, police believe there were only two shooters — Taylor and Crisp-Carr.

The shooting also happened within 10 to 15 feet of a TPD mobile camera trailer, she said. Video of the incident was captured by the mobile camera unit, and prosecutors produced several still images from the video as part of their argument that Crisp-Carr be held with no bond. 

According to the detective, one photo shows a man she identified as Crisp-Carr in a “shooting stance” and firing into the crowd.

Police started looking at Crisp-Carr as a suspect following a series of witness interviews in which they were told one of the guns was his and he was involved in the shooting.

One witness, Jayden Autman, 18, of the 600 block of Marmion Avenue, knows Crisp-Carr, the detective said. Autman told police he himself was at the scene, and after the shooting he found a .45-caliber Glock pistol with a short extended magazine and a red grip and took it home. 

According to police, that gun belonged to Crisp-Carr.

Fight hours earlier led to shooting

When police went to question Crisp-Carr in the days following the shooting, he said he was in the Old West End at the time but at a home on Glenwood Avenue, several blocks away from the scene of the shooting. He told police a friend had called him and told him he had been jumped at the festival and needed him to come help. 

According to Detective Mooney, police did find evidence of Crisp-Carr’s friend being jumped at the festival sometime between noon and 1 p.m. in front of some of the food trucks. What initially started as a one-on-one fight quickly turned into six versus one, she said.

Detective Mooney said that fight was the motivation behind the shooting later that evening.

Crisp-Carr initially told police the .45-caliber pistol was not his but later said it was his but that it had been stolen and he had not seen it since April. Detective Mooney went on to testify that video found on Autman’s phone showed both Autman and Crisp-Carr with the .45-caliber pistol with the distinctive red grip in May. 

During a subsequent search of the home where Crisp-Carr was staying, police found .45-caliber ammunition, she said.

As part of their argument for a bond reduction, Crisp-Carr’s attorneys said electronic monitoring would ensure his compliance with court restrictions and the safety of the public.

During her testimony, Detective Mooney said Toledo police do not get notified if defendants cut off their ankle monitors or if they violate their exclusion zone. She recounted that she has investigated crimes such as homicide, felonious assault, and aggravated assault that were all committed by people who were on electronic monitoring at the time.

Under cross-examination one of Crisp-Carr’s attorneys, Alex Bodiford, Detective Mooney said Taylor shot first. Mr. Bodiford then asked the detective about Ohio’s self-defense laws, to which she said it appears that Crisp-Carr was shooting in a different direction than one that would hit Taylor.

In ruling that Crisp-Carr be held with no bond, Judge Keller noted the issue could be reviewed when the case is transferred to the Lucas County Common Pleas Court.

After serving their last tennis ball or sinking their final putt on the disc golf course, Ottawa Park visitors no longer need to trek across the park to find a restroom.

Thursday morning, city officials announced new public access to bathrooms located at the Ottawa Park roller and ice-skating rink and new sidewalks that replace old, uneven paths. The project gives park visitors easy access to restrooms inside the park, even when the rink itself is closed. 

Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz said the project fits into the city’s continued focus on neighborhood investments, noting that Ottawa Park is Toledo’s largest city park and a major gathering place for residents.

“This is the sort of thing that’s going to add to the quality of life and experience for everyone,” Mr. Kapszukiewicz said.

The project is being funded with $90,000 from Councilman John Hobbs III’s District Improvement Program allocation and $20,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funding, for a total investment of about $110,000. 

Mr. Hobbs said the issue had been on his mind for several years, especially after hearing from people who use the park regularly but had limited access to reliable restrooms. During the hotter months, he said, the portable restrooms at the park could become unpleasant.

“I always had a hope for improved restrooms,” Mr. Hobbs said. “This project is for all our citizens.”

The new access is not just for those using the nearby courts. Mr. Hobbs said the improvements are part of a larger effort to invest in the park’s facilities while making the park a safer place for young people to gather. A building with four permanent unisex restrooms opened on the park’s Kenwood Boulevard side in 2025.

Joe Fausnaugh, the city’s director of public service, said he also heard the requests for better restroom access on the skating rink side of the park. Building an entirely new restroom facility, he said, was financially out of reach, so the city looked for a way to use existing infrastructure.

“We got creative,” Mr. Fausnaugh said. “This is a demonstration that the city listens to its citizens.”

He said the project also complements the city’s effort to activate the rink year-round. During the summer, the rink is used for roller skating and inline hockey. Public roller skating is offered Mondays and Wednesdays, and adult drop-in hockey is held on Monday and Wednesday evenings.

For younger players, the rink also offers equipment loans, allowing children to try hockey without the upfront cost of buying gear.

Councilman Nick Komives said the restroom project may seem simple, but access to amenities like bathrooms can determine whether residents feel comfortable spending time in public parks.

“These are quality-of-life issues,” Mr. Komives said.

More improvements are planned for the rink, including a shelter over the ice to help shield it from the sun and prevent melting.

City officials said the work is part of continued investment in Ottawa Park, which has also seen improvements to its amphitheater, trails, and drainage.

Mr. Kapszukiewicz said the park, designed more than a century ago, remains one of Toledo’s most important public spaces.

“We are the ones that inherited work from over 100 years ago,” he said. “It is incumbent upon us to keep that investment up.”

The chance to say good-bye to an old South Toledo friend drew a crowd on Wednesday night.

Harvard Elementary School had former students, their spouses, and even some retired teachers walking its hallways and catching a whiff of nostalgia one last time. The iconic 99-year-old structure known by many as the Castle on the Hill is closing soon, a victim of Toledo Public Schools budget cuts.

Also slated for closure are Martin Luther King, Jr., Academy for Boys, Navarre Elementary School, Pickett Elementary School, Spring Elementary School, Walbridge Elementary School, Westfield Achievement Academy, and the Heatherdowns Building.

None match the history of Harvard, though, and for two hours its supporters got to grab a hot dog and reconnect with it. They revisited everything from its wood floors and architecture to its library, performing arts stage, gymnasium, and classrooms.

Angie Fitzpatrick, president of the Harvard Parent Teacher Organization, said she was “completely blown away” by the turnout.

“It was amazing,” she said. “I would say it was close to 500 people.”

She and other supporters said the school holds a special place in their hearts — and in South Toledo’s history.

“As sad as it is that we’re saying good-bye to this beautiful school, my heart is so full right now,” Ms. Fitzpatrick said. “I feel lucky to have been part of such an amazing history and such an amazing story here in South Toledo.”

Many others had the same sentiment.

Annie Norwood said that being a Harvard Elementary sixth-grade teacher for 27 years didn’t feel like work to her.

“I tell people it was like eating ice cream cones,” said Ms. Norwood, who retired in 2002. “It was pleasure.”

Ms. Norwood had her own admirers striking up a chat with her inside the school, such as former student Kate Hoover of Monclova Township.

“This is one of the ladies who really shaped our formative years,” Ms. Hoover said. “She taught us a lot of things and shaped us as people.”

Ms. Norwood’s daughter, Joy Norwood, never had her mother as a teacher. But she could tell that she and other Harvard teachers strove to help children thrive.

“Harvard was a gift for the community,” Joy Norwood said.

Many people remarked about the comfortable neighborhood setting.

Kathy Harrison, who taught at Harvard Elementary for five years before retiring in 2019, was one of those who appreciated how safe it felt there.

She said she enjoyed taking kids on field trips to the Toledo Zoo.

“With the zoo being so close, we could just walk,” said Ms. Harrison, who ended up teaching first grade after transferring over from Sherman Elementary School as a fourth-grade teacher.

Ian Gagnon, a South Toledo resident who attended Harvard Elementary in the 1990s, was one of many people who met lifelong friends there.

“It’s a shame we won’t have kids going here any longer,” he said.

One of his friends, Rachel Najarian, attended the walk-through with her younger sister, Leah Najarian, and their mother, Ellen Najarian.

The three of them had fun reminiscing how Rachel, as a sixth grader, had the job of walking Leah to school when Leah was a tearful, awkward kindergartner and nervous about what she was getting into.

“It’s such a unique building. Everyone here was so welcoming and friendly,” said their mother, who ended up working in the Harvard Elementary library after a stint as a volunteer.

Kathie Heltzel, who entered Harvard as a third-grader in 1962, was up from Tennessee for a family reunion, then made a point of joining others for the Harvard reunion after reading about it on Facebook.

South Toledoans Dianna and Dennis Schroder, who entered Harvard in the late 1950s, recalled attending its 75th anniversary.

“I loved this school,” Mrs. Schroder said. “It’s so pretty on the outside and down by the creek. I hope they do not tear it down.”

Toledo Municipal Court Judge Nicole Khoury recalled what it was like there, too.

“How lucky were we?” she asked.

Judge Khoury attended the event with several of her friends who were classmates.

Two of them, Beth and Max Walter, traveled from Cleveland. The two met as kindergartners, then dated in college, and got married.

“As soon as I walked in, everything just felt so familiar,” said South Toledoan Meggan Desmond, another of Judge Khoury’s former classmates.

Another member of that group agreed.

“It’s so beautiful and iconic,” Shannon Haupricht said.

COLUMBUS — The Ohio General Assembly could realistically vote to abolish the death penalty after the November election, Ohioans to Stop Executions Executive Director Kevin Werner said Thursday. 

“I’ve not written off the possibility of repeal getting done this year. ... Lame duck would be the time to do it,” Mr. Werner said, referring to the legislative voting sessions that occur in the weeks after the November election in even-numbered years. 

“Guess what — almost every state that has repealed its death penalty has done it in lame duck,” he said.

Capital punishment has been abolished in 23 states and the District of Columbia. Gov. Mike DeWine, an architect of the state’s death penalty law, recently urged lawmakers to make Ohio the next state to eliminate the practice. 

If abolition doesn’t occur in 2026, it will likely occur in 2027 or 2028, Mr. Werner said. 

“I honestly believe that. I think we are a small number of years away from ending the death penalty for good,” he said. 

“The legislature has been vetting the issue every General Assembly since 2011. ... It’s not a new issue,” he continued. “One never knows what’s going to be the thing that breaks the logjam. At this point we know  — and the speaker has been clear — if the majority of his caucus if for it, he’s not going to stand in the way.”

Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman (R., Lima) is strongly opposed to eliminating capital punishment, and Ohio Senate President Rob McColley (R., Napoleon) has said it’s unlikely his caucus would support abolishing the death penalty. 

However, Mr. Werner said it’s clear that support for abolition has grown significantly among Republican lawmakers over the last 15 years. 

“It’s really been conservatives who have been leading the charge,” he said, noting that some lawmakers point to moral concerns while others cite fiscal concerns, procedural problems, and wrongful convictions.

“Everybody is in favor of not killing innocent people, right?” Mr. Werner said. “How does that square with Ohio’s death row? It just doesn’t make sense because we’ve had 12 exonerations.”

There have been 12 additional cases in Ohio where prosecutors sought the death penalty for offenders who were eventually exonerated, but the judge or jury decided on a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole, he said. 

“I do think that wrongful convictions have been a bright line for conservatives and for why people have changed their mind,” Mr. Werner said. 

Potential commutations

While Mr. DeWine would not discuss the possibility during his recent news conference on the death penalty, the governor has the power to commute the sentences of all 113 inmates on death row — reducing their punishment to life in prison without parole. 

If he ultimately takes that action, he wouldn’t be the first Republican governor to do so. Former Illinois Gov. George Ryan, who voted in favor of reinstating that state’s death penalty in 1977, commuted the sentences of all 167 Illinois death row inmates days before he left office in January, 2003. Illinois eventually abolished the death penalty in 2011.

Renee Heberle, a University of Toledo political science professor and director of the law and social thought program, said Mr. DeWine’s announcement immediately reminded her of Mr. Ryan’s decision to empty death row.

“I have all respect for politicians who, after long reflection and experience, change their minds about something. It’s clear that [Mr. DeWine] put a lot of thought and personal capital into this decision,” she said. She noted her appreciation that he is attempting to persuade others on the basis of data.

However, Ms. Eberle said the governor can use his power to make an even larger impact on the issue.

“He has the power to commute sentences, and that is a far greater statement of commitment than a claim about one’s own opinion,” she said.

“He certainly has the power of the bully pulpit, so to speak, and he can say, ‘We should abolish the death penalty,’” Ms. Eberle continued.

“But I think that George Ryan’s speech is an interesting point of comparison,” she said, “because the commutation was what really brought what is at stake in abolition or acceptance of the death penalty, and that is ... one’s sensibilities about justice and morality, and what is right in the larger context of whether or not the state should kill.”

Groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio are urging the governor to grant clemency to death row inmates before he leaves office. Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson has made it clear that he opposes death row commutations.

The Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association did not respond to a message seeking comment. 

DeWine spokesman Dan Tierney said the governor’s office didn’t have a comment on the issue of commutation at this time.

Lawmakers respond

State Rep. Haraz Ghanbari (R., Perrysburg) said Mr. DeWine’s comments have sparked an important discussion about the future of the death penalty.

“This is a complex issue that deserves thoughtful consideration and input from victims’ families, law enforcement, prosecutors, and the public,” Mr. Ghanbari said, noting he is approaching the issue with an open mind. 

“I have long supported policies that are tough on crime and prioritize public safety, and I believe violent offenders must be held accountable for their actions,” he said. “Should legislation come before the General Assembly, I will review it carefully with a focus on justice, public safety, and the interests of Ohio’s citizens.” 

State Rep. Elgin Rogers (D., Toledo) said Ohio’s death penalty system has become costly, inefficient, and increasingly difficult to administer.

“Abolishing the death penalty will help restore confidence in our judicial system while ensuring that dangerous offenders remain accountable through severe and permanent punishments,” Mr. Rogers said.

“More importantly,” he said, “it will provide a path toward swifter resolution for families suffering from unimaginable loss. When history looks back on this moment, I want it to be clear that Ohio stood firmly on the side of victims and their families, and on the side of justice, healing, and humanity.”

Births

Mercy Health

St. Vincent Medical Center

Shelbi Sauber, of Tiffin, boy, June 10.

Haley and Adam Bialecki, of Maumee, girl, June 11.

Richelle January, of Toledo, boy, June 11.

Hannah and Joe Meier, of Toledo, girl, June 12.

Seanita Dunlap, of Toledo, girl, June 13.

Madison Fann, of Toledo, boy, June 13.

Emma and Vincent Szabo, of Genoa, Ohio, girl, June 14.

Catherine and Geoffrey Meyers, Jr., of Ottawa Hills, boy, June 14.

Jerrica Fletcher, of Perrysburg, Ohio, boy, June 15.

ProMedica Bay Park Hospital

Mariah Bradshaw, of Toledo, boy, June 11.

Lisa and Christopher Howard, of Northwood, boy, June 16.

ProMedica Toledo Hospital

Janelle Petro, of Toledo, twins girl and boy, May 22.

Madison and Gabriel Burress, of Swanton, girl, June 12.

Nikolina Docheva and Tom Snavely, of Toledo, girl, June 12.

Marissa Sutton, of Toledo, girl, June 12.

Jennifer Kendrick Adams and Craig Dixon, of Toledo, boy, June 13.

Kayla May and Lavanta Erving, of Toledo, boy, June 13.

Marriage licenses

June 10, 2026

Martin and Jannet Earnest, both of Michigan.

Nicholas Arbogast and Selesa Alkathiri, both of Ohio.

Jacob Radabaugh and Breanna Ruiz, both of Ohio.

Wade Fallon and Jessica Saki, both of Ohio.

Alex Schwartz and Madison Orechia, both of Ohio.

Ta’Von Mack and Abigail Tandoh, both of Ohio.

Uryan Frymire and Valerie Sandoval, both of Ohio.

Jason Arnold, of Michigan, and Lisa Kuenzel, of Ohio.

John Pickle and Carol Rife, both of Ohio.

June 11, 2026

Brian Goulet and Jodi Cherry, both of Ohio.

Benjamin Jones, of Ohio, and Keli Haynes, of Virginia.

Ralph Coleman II and Tamikia Davis, both of Michigan.

Jacob Capilla and Julie Gruber, both of Ohio.

Matthew Czech and Stephanie Lautz, both of Ohio.

Andrew Helgren and Karason Gladney, both of Ohio.

Waseem Abed and Malena Coleman, both of Ohio.

David Caul and Jolene Ryntz, both of Michigan.

Ethon Pawlaczyk and Breanna Davis, both of Ohio.

John Graham II and Kelly Meinka, both of Ohio.

Jason Horton and Rebecca Boyer, both of Michigan.

Evan Dangelo and Lisa Crutchfield, both of Ohio.

Rennard Gipson and Hope Gaines, both of Michigan.

Christopher North and Amber Price, both of Ohio.

Antonio Lopez and Skyler Serrano, both of Ohio.

Scott Perry II and Amyah Cooper, both of Ohio.

June 12, 2026

Nicholas DiModica and Jennifer Greco, both of Ohio.

Robert Rank and Stephanie Jeffries, both of Ohio.

Matthew Eiser and Briana Smith, both of Ohio.

Arthur Buckley II, of Tennessee, and Suad Sagman, of Ohio.

Colby Rios and Melissa Dye, both of Michigan.

Jason Young and Kenyonna Mitchell, both of Ohio.

Andrew Puschel and Hannah Zaborski, both of Ohio.

Jay Grzechowiak and Caroline Hinde, both of Ohio.

John Pandi III and Tammy Winkler, both of Ohio.

Christopher Clark and Susan Cheney, both of Ohio.

Phillip Warner and Erica Wells, both of Ohio.

Austin Adams and Stephanie Villella, both of Ohio.

Destiny Holt and McKenna Shoemaker, both of Ohio.

Corey Deas and Nicole Harris, both of Michigan.

June 15, 2026

Isaac Merkel, of North Dakota, and Alexa Glancy, of Michigan.

Robert Smotherman, Jr., and Ashley Teneyck, both of Ohio.

Dylon Eckman and Matthew Hutcherson, both of Ohio.

Gregory Terry and Jennifer Wuilfe, both of Ohio.

Norman Jackson, Jr., and Alexa Curl, both of Ohio.

Gregory McClain and Jakiria McGee, both of Michigan.

Alexander Heaney, of Ohio, and Lauren Migliazzo, of Michigan.

Tyler Miller and Nilufer Isler, both of Michigan.

Woodrow Dawson III and Angela Kyser, both of Michigan.

Zachary Smythe and Breasha Kibler, both of Ohio.

Jamal El-Amin and Shakyra Hightower, both of Michigan.

Christopher Wietecki and Brittany Coulter, both of Ohio.

Tyler Larson and Abigail VanVleet, both of Ohio.

Robert Nicely and Skyann Stram, both of Ohio.

Elijah Brown and Bethany Nabors, both of Ohio.

Yaman Kanaan and Sarah Alekhtiar, both of Ohio.

June 16, 2026

Brandon Webb and Taylor Hoover, both of Michigan.

Billy Jeffers, of Ohio, and Leah Gregersen, of Texas.

Robert Isaac and China McKenzie, both of Michigan.

Nicholas Golday and Nistasha Kaminski, both of Ohio.

Norman Reithmeier and Noreen Sehnert, both of Ohio.

Kevin Booth and Desoray Rapp, both of Ohio.

Brenden Behan and Ashley Aston, both of Ohio.

Divorces granted

Lucas County

Anna Morrissey from Michael Borst.

Michael Borst from Anna Morrissey.

David Borkowski from Jill Borkowski.

Jill Borkowski from David Borkowski.

Zosia Artz from Cory Artz.

Mishone Covington from Bobby Covington, Jr.

Robin Ensley from Matyia Moore.

Leah Parker from Joel Parker.

Brandi Prather from Jonathon McCrum.

Jonathon McCrum from Brandi Prather.

Kelly Jo Stone-Kline from Joseph Kline.

Sean Curtis from Angelique Curtis.

Angelique Curtis from Sean Curtis.

Caitlin Fitzgerald from Ronald Zacharias.

Kaley Moskal from Cody Moskal.

Kendra Robison from Aaron Davis.

Melanie Housh from Douglas Housh.

Candice Ensley from Thomas Coley.

Deanna Brown from Kevin Brown.

David Parent from Shay Raisberg.

Naima Zakaria from Mehdi El Oizoiz.

Asia Bolds-Hanns from Donte Hanns.

Jenna Naseef from Grant Mangas.

Madeline Johnson from Scott Johnson.

Micah Turner from Makayla Rice.

Demarko Graig from Selina Craig.

Catherine Lee from Connor Lee.

Jacob Osten from Allyson Falkenberg.

Tammy Wodarski from Todd Wodarski.

Kristin Honisko from Christopher Honisko.

Christopher Honisko from Kristin Honisko.

James Foster from Emily Diamond.

Crystal Hensley from Kevin Hensley.

Crystal Lammon from Matthew Lammon.

Matthew Lammon from Crystal Lammon.

Roy-Grant Carter from Carrie Carter.

Carrie Carter form Roy-Grant Carter.

Michael Bonnough, Jr., from Katherine Bonnough.

Kathering Bonnough from Michael Bonnough, Jr.

Faith Cheatham from Kyle Cheatham.

Amy Dean from Nathan Dean.

Antonio Boone from Bria Boone.

September Everage from Adam Townsend.

Jennifer Cox from Ryan Cox.

Octavia Jones from Omar Jones.

Aisha Mohammad from Keith Moore, Sr.

Dissolutions granted

Lucas County

Bianca Barley and Dainel Liber.

Daniel Liber and Bianca Barley.

Jessica Lightle and Johnathon Lightle.

Johnathon Lightle and Jessica Lightle.

Michael Ward and Brittney Ward.

Robert Karrick, Jr., and Antoinette Karrick.

Antoinette Karrick and Robert Karrick, Jr.

Ashley Echols and Daniel Echols.

Daniel Echols and Ashley Echols.

In small Washington Township, Police Chief Christopher Kaiser is part of the glue that holds the community together.

Mr. Kaiser retires Thursday after 42 years with the Washington Township Police Department, where he has dedicated his entire career to the small waterfront community of 3,500 people, located just outside of Toledo.

Mr. Kaiser is the town’s first full-time police chief, and his colleague Deputy Chief Eric Hart said he was responsible for ensuring the department was better equipped, more professional, and a better resource for the community.  

“I could tell you things about Chief Kaiser until the sun went down,” Mr. Hart said. 

This is not the first time Mr. Kaiser has retired.

In 2015, he chose to leave his position as chief after 30 years of service. The very next day, however, he returned to the police department — he missed the people.

Now, retiring for real this time, Mr. Kaiser said he will still miss the community he was able to interact with during his time as police chief. Mr. Kaiser was renowned in the police department for exactly that: his ability to talk to people and to de-escalate situations. 

“He’s just such an asset to the community,” Mr. Hart said. “It’s fantastic the way he handles people, talks to people, calms situations.”

De-escalation, Mr. Kaiser said, is an art that he learned to master over the course of his career. Whenever he arrives at a tense scene, he said he always starts by introducing himself and asking those involved, “What’s going on? What can I do to help today?”

“I just talk to people. I treat them like I’d want to be treated, or like I’d want another officer to treat my own father,” Mr. Kaiser said. “You don’t always have to be the tough guy or the hard-nosed cop to get the same results.” 

The biggest accomplishment of Mr. Kaiser’s career is the relationship he has built with Shoreland Elementary School, he said.

The chief used to walk the halls of Shoreland Elementary with Principal Charlie Bott, making sure he saw every wing of the building, every classroom, and every student. Mr. Bott recalled the way Mr. Kaiser would tell students, “Look how much you’ve grown,” or, “Hey, you’re having a great day today,” and hand out stickers.

“We have 650 students here and he would stop and talk to all of them and go into rooms like it was nothing,” Mr. Bott said.

While some students may have had negative experiences with police, Mr. Kaiser said it was important to him that students saw police in a positive light.

Sometimes when students saw Mr. Kaiser at school, they would jokingly tell their friends, “He’s going to arrest you,” to which Mr. Kaiser always replied, “No, I’m the good police,” he said. 

“I just wanted to be a role model for them,” Mr. Kaiser said. 

Just as much as Mr. Kaiser was a source of inspiration and comfort for the children in his community, he was for the adults around him as well. While Mr. Kaiser was older and more experienced, Mr. Bott said the chief always listened to and treated him like an equal. 

“He used to say, ‘I’m here for you,’” Mr. Bott said. “He would always pick up the phone for me at any time of day, even if he was off duty.”

In his nearly half-century of service to the Washington Township community, Mr. Kaiser has watched as both the community and his job have shifted over the years. The presence of guns has increased dramatically, as has mental illness, he said. Not a week goes by where he doesn’t have to respond to a mental breakdown case. 

“It’s a little more violent than it was when I first started,” he said. “People don’t want to talk anymore. They just jump to throwing fists or pulling out a gun.”

In an ever-changing community, and where Mr. Kaiser has built so many robust connections with its members, it will be difficult to fill the shoes he’s leaving behind.

“After this many years, people get very used to it. They’re accustomed to seeing him and having him help,” Mr. Hart said. “He’s such an asset. I can’t name anybody that’s done more for the community than Chief Kaiser.” 

Mr. Kaiser plans to spend his retirement traveling, fishing, and hunting. He also will be spending as much time with his 96 year-old father as he can.

“He deserves to do all the hunting and fishing that he wants to do,” Mr. Bott said.

Click on icons in the map to find details of reported crimes. For a full list of all reported crimes in Toledo this week, consult the table below.

Charlotte Dvorscak, a rising senior at Fraser High School in Fraser, Mich., already knows she wants to be a neurologist.

But on Tuesday, she donned a 25-pound “empathy belly” in order to simulate pregnancy at the University of Toledo’s new Nursing and Respiratory Care Camp. 

The one-day program brought together 25 high schoolers with varied medical interests — including midwifery and dental hygiene — to participate in hands-on activities pertaining to nursing and respiratory therapy. Students received instruction on proper hand-washing and sterile glove procedure before heading to the university’s Interprofessional Immersive Simulation Center.

Rotating through stations, they performed CPR on a manikin, practiced lying down while wearing pregnant bellies, and learned how to check the blood pressure of a robotic arm.

Because the camp combined its traditional focus on nursing with an emphasis on respiratory therapy this year, attendees also learned how to intubate and extubate, as well as draw blood from an arterial vein.

Jim Oberlander, the director of UT’s pre-licensure bachelor of science in nursing program, said the camp was expanded to cover both fields in order to “broaden” campers’ horizons.  

“A lot of high school students have the normal perception of, well, there’s nursing, there’s medicine,” Mr. Oberlander said. “This just opens up their eyes to other opportunities in health care.”

Kylie Hicks, a rising sophomore who said that caring for children has drawn her to midwifery, is interested in attending UT in the future. She said she found the camp’s environment “welcoming.” 

According to simulation associate Erich Piland, the Interprofessional Immersive Simulation Center hosted 19,500 learners over the last academic year, and is one of the largest of its kind in the country. The facility, which is entirely dedicated to simulation practice, opened in 2014 and underwent an infrastructural upgrade last fall.

Over the course of Tuesday’s activities, campers wielded tools such as stethoscopes and stylets, which are used to guide breathing tubes through the trachea. Mr. Oberlander, who led the CPR simulation, instructed every participant to perform chest compressions on an asystolic — or flatlining — manikin named Hal, before he programmed Hal’s vitals back to healthy.

Participation in simulations is vital for developing the soft skills needed to care for patients, said Holly Myers, an assistant professor at UT’s college of health and human services. She added that she was motivated to bring pregnancy simulation to the classroom after hearing her nursing students ask why pregnant women were “so grumpy.”

Mr. Piland said that recent nursing shortages heighten the importance of exposing youth to medical careers — such as through the programs hosted at UT.

“The market is dry,” he said. “It needs fresh, new, excited, young professionals to fill the gap and also to help the profession grow.”

Lisa Gast, who works at the simulation center and teaches nursing at Owens Community College, said the shortage has been particularly acute in the field of bedside nursing, which has drawn fewer students over the years.

“They don’t envision themselves for the next 40 years, running the halls and passing meds and running codes,” she said, adding that nursing degrees are often used as stepping stones to careers in fields like anesthesiology.

“Bedside nursing is very gratifying ... if you have that within you, that you just are called to care for people,” she said.

Area credit unions, Toledo police, the FBI, and the IRS are working to combat financial fraud and to prevent the public from falling victim to scams.

A roundtable discussion Tuesday brought together leaders from each sector to discuss the increase in fraud across Ohio and the country.

“As we traveled the state, we have heard from almost every single credit union about what an issue fraud and financial scams have become, and the strain it is putting on communities,” said Matt Keyes, director of marketing and communications for the Ohio Credit Union League, which organized the event.  

The discussion was held at the Glass City Credit Union in Maumee.

Consumers lost more than $12 billion to fraud in 2024, an increase of 25 percent from 2023, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Americans lost a combined total of more than $8.5 billion to investment and imposter scams alone. 

Among the more familiar scams seen by the FBI is foreign investment or romance schemes where fraudsters induce victims to purchase either gold, precious metals or physical currency, then have couriers pick up these hard assets from their homes.

“Some pose as investment firms and say they want to protect their investments by getting their money out of their institutions to a secure facility,” said Caleb Williams, a special agent with the FBI. “They are very convincing. Once that money is pulled out, it can’t be traced. Unless we intercept it mid-transfer, it’s gone. It’s devastating.”

Brad Nickerson, a special agent with the IRS, said some imposters pose as FBI or IRS agents to convince people their identification has been stolen. 

“People are told that in order to protect their assets, they will need to take their cash out and convert it into gold, then the agent will come to their door to pick it up and say they will hold it in a secure government account while they clean up their ID theft issue,” Mr. Nickerson said.

Todd DeBouver, compliance manager at Jeep Country Federal Credit Union in Toledo, gave another example.

Scammers will fake Caller ID to make it look like your bank is calling, he said. It starts with the victim receiving a text asking about whether they made a particular transaction, usually in another state. When the member responds they did not make the purchase, they receive a phone call within 30 seconds. 

“Next thing you know, they are giving out their banking credentials, and then they are out $2,500 or $5,000,” Mr. DeBouver said.

The elderly are more vulnerable because they are less likely to believe someone is taking advantage of them, Mr. Williams said.

“Having law enforcement representatives partner with a credit union sometimes adds a patina of authority, and we’re able to better convince them that we see this a lot,” Mr. Williams said. “It doesn’t always work. Ultimately, it is up to the member to stop giving their money away.” 

Educating credit union employees on how to spot fraud is important, said Jennifer Nelson from Educational Community Alliance Credit Union. 

“We have weekly staff meetings,” Ms. Nelson said. “We attend webinars as much as we can. We’re looking at things more closely. We’re looking at unusual transactional activities.”

Sariah Flynn, from the Toledo Metro Federal Credit Union, said scams affect people of all ages.

“We’ve hosted webinars. We’ve sent periodic emails to tell members that we will never ask you for this information over the phone or online,” Ms. Flynn said. “We’ve done some presentations at senior centers, which have been mildly successful. But fraud spans all demographics. Anybody can fall for it.”

Customers who have concerns should go to their financial institution, advised JoAnne Vollmar, of Fremont Federal Credit Union.

“That eliminates all the fraud right there,” Ms. Vollmar said of in-person visits.

Just using a little common sense can help people avoid being a victim of fraud, said Toledo Police Capt. Ron Frederick who is the investigations bureau commander. 

“Some of these things are very obvious, like getting a flight to Barbados for $5, but people just choose to ignore them,” he said. “Those are the things we can attack and knock out, and make it harder for the scammers.”

Toledo police are seeking information about the fatal shooting of a 31-year-old man in 2020.

Bryan Smith was shot Nov. 21, 2020. He died of multiple gunshot wounds, according to the Lucas County Coroner’s Office.

Police were dispatched to the 800 block of Blum Street at 6:10 p.m. that evening on a report of a person shot. Officers found Mr. Smith lying in the street near a vehicle. 

He was pronounced dead at the scene. His death was the city’s 55th homicide of 2020.

Anyone with information is asked to call or text the Crime Stoppers program at 419-255-1111. Callers may remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward.

Toledo City Council’s Zoning and Planning Committee has recommended denying a special-use permit for a gas station at 1322 Bernath Pkwy.

The proposed development would include a Speedway convenience store and fuel station on a vacant parcel on Bernath Parkway.

Residents and city officials debated whether a gas station is the best fit for the area, with concerns about traffic, pedestrian safety, and the proposed 24-hour operation.

Gene Abercrombie, legal counsel representing the applicant, argued during the committee’s meeting Wednesday that the development would bring productive use to a long-vacant property.

“The best use of this property would be a gas station or a car wash,” he said. “It is too far off of the highway to be interesting for restaurants.”

Much of public opposition has focused on Speedway’s request to operate around the clock.

“We got a significant amount of calls or emails,” city plan director Lisa Cottrell said.

Developer Rob Horton said the project team worked with neighbors to modify the site plan, including the addition of a privacy wall requested by the neighboring condominium association.

“We took a lot of public feedback and made design changes in order to be good neighbors,” Mr. Horton said.

Resident Lisa Cunningham expressed concerns about traffic entering and exiting the site.

“We need to take ownership of our city and not the gas stations,” she said.

Terri Veselka voiced concerns about preserving the character of her neighborhood.

“It’s a nice, quiet neighborhood,” she said. “I want it to remain a nice, quiet neighborhood.”

The committee voted to recommend that council deny the special use permit for gasoline and fuel sales. If council rejects the permit, Speedway would be unable to operate at the site.

The committee also recommended prohibiting 24-hour operations at the proposed development.

Despite his disapproval of the permit, Councilman Adam Martinez said council members must weigh residents’ concerns against the economic realities of development for the property.

“Is this the highest investment in this space? Probably not,” Mr. Martinez said. “But we have to be conscious of the sort of market.”

Separately, the committee recommended approval of a zoning change from residential to commercial for the property.

The change would make the site available for future commercial development, regardless of whether the gas station proposal moves forward.

The request will move to the full council for consideration on Tuesday.

The Toledo Zoning and Planning Committee voted to recommend approval of a special-use permit for a Sheetz gas station at Monroe Street and Nantuckett Drive.

The proposal would allow Sheetz to operate at at 5305 and 5321 Monroe St. and 4700 Nantuckett Dr.

During Wednesday’s committee meeting, residents voiced concerns about increased traffic, pedestrian safety, and the impact of a large convenience store on the neighborhood.

Jeff Mason argued that the project would not create employment opportunities and rather compete with existing businesses.

“They are trying to build as many as they can, and it’s not beneficial for the city of Toledo,” he said. “This does not create more jobs, it simply dilutes those who already exist.”

Alex Siwicki, a Sheetz representative, pointed to the potential economic benefits for the area.

“Every single store in northwest Ohio contributes $1.2 million in wages annually,” he said. “We will create 30 to 35 jobs in this location.”

Mr. Siwicki countered concerns about increased crime rates, saying, “Sheetz doesn’t attract crime. We often deter it.”

Another resident, Cheryl Bath, said drivers already use neighborhood streets when there is traffic.

“When there’s any sort of traffic down Sylvania Avenue, people find our street and use it for their daily commute,” she said.

Resident Amber Corder said the neighborhood streets were not designed for additional traffic.

“Our streets are not built for more traffic than they already have.”

Mrs. Bath expressed concerns about a gas station worsening traffic and affecting the community.

“We have a quiet neighborhood,” she said. “It’s a community with children, dogs, and people walking all the time.”

Mr. Siwicki addressed concerns about increased traffic.

“Sheetz is a traffic capturer, not generator,” he said. “Increases in traffic in the area are not expected to happen.”

Based on traffic studies, Gary Stookey, an engineer with the city’s Division of Traffic Management, said the proposed gas station would not negatively affect traffic operations at nearby intersections or along Nantuckett.

Andrew Grombache, cofounder of Riverhills Holdings Inc., which is leasing the site to Sheetz, said the proposal meets the city's development standards.

“In 2022, council passed an ordinance for convenience stores and gas stations to abide by certain rules and regulations,” he said. “We meet all of the prerequisites.”

Councilman Sam Melden expressed his concern for pedestrian safety but acknowledged the positive economic benefits of the development.

“The net benefit to the city of Toledo, in my opinion, is clear,” he said.

The committee voted to recommend approval of the special-use permit, amending and removing a condition that would have restricted overnight operating hours.

The proposal is scheduled for consideration by Toledo City Council on Tuesday.

Parts of two Toledo streets will close temporarily Friday for the Juneteenth Parade, the Toledo Department of Transportation announced.

Adams Street will close between 21st and 17th streets from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. for parade staging, after which that closing will extend east to Summit Street until 3 p.m. for the parade itself and post-parade cleanup.

Summit will close from 1 to 3 p.m. between Jackson Street and Jefferson Avenue for parade viewing and cleanup.

No detour routes will be posted. Intersecting streets may be blocked while the parade passes, but officials said local traffic will be allowed when it does not endanger parade participants or spectators.

Adams also will close between 18th and 20th streets from 5 p.m. Friday until 1 a.m. Sunday for Toledo Death Fest, the city said.

The grim statistics stacked up against young men from fatherless homes, as Tramain Rayford sees it, are as daunting as they are defiable.

Mr. Rayford can rattle off figures from memory: 85 percent of incarcerated youths come from fatherless households, 90 percent of homeless and runaway children don’t have fathers, and 63 percent of youth suicides occur in absent-father homes. 

“Youths growing up without fathers are 279 percent more likely to pick up a gun or drugs,” he added. “I can do data all day long.”

However, Mr. Rayford, the founder and CEO of the Program Inc., a nonprofit that supports boys in father-absent homes, thinks Toledo youths can defy these statistics — but they can’t do it alone. 

“When you add a mentor back in there, a positive role model back in there, I believe that number cannot stay that number,” Mr. Rayford said. “But we are not doing enough.”

After the Old West End Festival shooting, Mr. Rayford believes this summer is the time for neighbors, teachers, and volunteers to step in and guide young people who lack positive mentorship.

The two suspects arrested in the June 6 Old West End Festival shooting, which left 12 people wounded, are both 20 years old. Mr. Rayford said the community cannot simply react to violence after it happens but must work earlier to reach young people before they go down the wrong path.

“The police are crime responders. But it’s our jobs [to be] crime stoppers,” he said. “The community can be that agent of change for our kids.”

Becoming the mentor he needed

Born to a single mother, Mr. Rayford was no stranger to gangs and drugs as a teenager. It took his dad returning to his life at age 17, when Mr. Rayford went into a coma after falling off a balcony, to make him recognize the negative impact of an absent male mentor.

“I don’t want to blame him, because I am a product of the decisions that I made,” he said. “But I think having a role model that I can emulate would have given me the opportunity to make better decisions.” 

That realization later inspired the mission behind the Program, which teaches young men the kinds of lessons Mr. Rayford wishes he had received — from tying a tie to financial literacy.

Now in its ninth year, the program has expanded to include experiences designed to build confidence and character, such as kayaking excursions, camping trips, and even flights in small aircraft.

“It’s putting them in a situation where they develop courage, not necessarily preaching courage itself,” Mr. Rayford said.

What started as lessons in basic skills has grown into a mentorship organization that has served hundreds of youth and prepared them for higher education, the work force, and society at large.

Na’Kai Hayes, who has participated in the Program since he was 13, credits Mr. Rayford and other volunteers at the Program for helping him develop discipline and become unafraid of success.

“I felt like I had a community that wanted to help me grow,” Na’Kai said. “Things that your dad was supposed to teach you — I learned it in a nonprofit program.”

Mick Petersen, a longtime volunteer, said the Program strives to be a place of acceptance for its participants.

He noted that while it is ordinary for young people to seek belonging among others, peer pressure and negative influences can sometimes lead them toward violent or self-destructive actions.

“Too many kids are finding acceptance and being part of something in the wrong places — the streets, gangs, or whatever that it may be,” he said.

By leading activities — including a first-date event where young men take their mothers out for a nice dinner — that encourage chivalry, hard work, and kindness, the Program seeks to teach youth how to resist negative pressure and guide them toward paths to success. 

“Each boy is different. They’re very, very unique, but they all want the same thing: They want to be accepted,” Mr. Petersen said. 

Temporary emotion, lasting consequences

Beyond peer pressure, Mr. Rayford also identified anger as a central factor in youth violence.

“Anger is the number one component of crime,” he said. “What we see in the world today, the youth nowadays — they don’t have the proper tools to manage that anger.”

In April, Mr. Rayford responded to this concern by inviting two psychologists to lead a workshop on emotional management at the Program. Andrea Mata, a Bowling Green-based clinical psychologist who led a session with the participants’ mothers, said anger is not only one of the most difficult emotions to navigate without mentorship but also one that can lead to unthinkable consequences.

“I wish we could do more of these workshops,” Ms. Mata said. “I don’t want any young men to have their life completely changed in a negative way because they experience anger and didn’t know how to navigate it.”

Beyond workshops and clinical support, Ms. Mata said strong, caring communities — ones that offer belonging and safety — are essential to violence prevention for at-risk youth.

“We’ve lost this sense of community where we know our neighbors and our neighbors look out for us,” she said. “We need to start pouring into our community; that’s where the violence is going to start declining.”

Mentorship as light

For Na’Kai, conversations about his emotions, check-ins about school and life, workshops, activities, and consistent mentorship have all culminated in a clear sense of purpose for his future. 

“They’re honestly like my two fathers,” Na’Kai said of Mr. Rayford and Mr. Petersen. “They taught me a lot of things and are the purpose of the man I am today.”

Having just graduated from high school, he plans to join Junior Achievement before attending the University of Toledo to prepare for a career in health care. 

“Mentorship gives light. It gives a path to young people who are lost or don’t really have a goal,” he added. 

Mr. Petersen and Mr. Rayford said that mentorship need not occur within the bounds of an organization. It only takes an adult to consistently show up, ask open-ended questions, and care for a child — and anyone can do that for a youth they know.

“You don’t need an organization to pick up a kid, take him to the movies, and talk to them,” Mr. Rayford said. “Volunteer at a school if you have the time. If not, volunteer at a football game.” 

The Program itself has a waitlist of dozens of boys waiting for more volunteer mentors to join the team. More details on how to get involved or donate can be found at programinc.org. 

“It takes a community to raise a young man,” Mr. Petersen said. “The boys are such a blessing to me. They matter, and once they feel that, I mean, the sky’s the limit.”