http://www.toledoblade.com The Latest News from Toledoblade.com (v5) Fri, 05 Jun 2026 15:06:20 GMT en-us hourly 1 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/community-events/2026/06/05/photo-gallery-best-pictures-for-week-ending-june-4/stories/20260605090 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/community-events/2026/06/05/photo-gallery-best-pictures-for-week-ending-june-4/stories/20260605090#comments Fri, 05 Jun 2026 14:43:32 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/community-events/2026/06/05/photo-gallery-best-pictures-for-week-ending-june-4/stories/20260605090 Blade photographers head out every day to capture the triumphs, tragedies, and oddities of life in Lucas County and beyond. A new sculpture by artist Blessing Hancock is installed on the Maumee River along the Glass City Riverwalk on June 2 across from downtown Toledo. Audrey Robinson of Swanton places 6th in the Division 4 Long Jump during the OHSAA State Track Meet June 4 at Jesse Owens Stadium in Columbus. Emmy Award-winning journalist Zuri Hall reacts to her introduction before speaking at Maumee Valley Country Day's graduation ceremony in Toledo on June 4. Jeanne Lesniewicz, left, gets her photo taken by Kate Philabaum with her ribbon for her functional tablescape entry during the Country Garden Club’s “Happy Birthday, America!” flower show at Way Public Library in Perrysburg on May 31. Former U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown greets supporters struggling with higher prices while campaigning for U.S. Senate on June 2 at Riverside Barbeque Company in Toledo. Tim Hammersmith and his grandson, Bentley Carter, 2, of Bowling Green carry foldable chairs while walking to attend the sixth annual PorchFest along Eberly Avenue in Bowling Green May 30. Bryan’s Thea Staten celebrates after her game-winning pitch during an OHSAA Division IV high school softball regional final between Bryan and Lake at Clyde High School in Clyde on May 29. Anthony Wayne players cheer on their team members during the OHSAA D-II regional softball final against Westerville Central at Shelby High School in Shelby on May 29. Kids play hockey in the atrium during a Mud Hens and Walleye takeover at the Main Library in Toledo on May 30. A deer stands in a wooded area where a disc golf course has been proposed in Maumee on May 31. Toledo’s Cal Stevenson slides into second base as Columbus’ Juan Brito attempts to out him during an International League baseball game between the Toledo Mud Hens and Columbus Clippers at Fifth Third Field in Toledo on May 31. Hunter Spangler of Liberty Center wins the Division 4 Shot Put with a throw of 64 ft 9 during the OHSAA State Track Meet June 4 at Jesse Owens Stadium in Columbus. Brenda Linzie, right, of Midwest Balloon Rides, takes a picture of Shannon Quigley pulling the blast valve while standing inside of the hot air balloon outside of Hollywood Casino in Toledo on May 30. The rides were cancelled due to high winds. Fourth grader Saniya Hodges competes in a Tough Mudder event May 29 at Greenwood Elementary School in Toledo. The entire school completed obstacle courses in MUD for a focus on physical fitness and fun. EZ Pickenz performs during Stroll the Street in downtown Rossford on June 2. Young Anthony Wayne’s supporters run around with pom poms during the OHSAA D-II regional softball final against Westerville Central at Shelby High School in Shelby on May 29. Attendees ride a spinning ride during the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Fun Fest at the church in South Toledo on May 31. Surrounded by pins, Damian Black, of Black Bazaar, works at his booth during Really Cool Comic Con at the Glass City Center in Toledo on May 30. Jake Carrizales, with The Spieker Company, gets lunch during a cookout for construction workers building Whitmer Middle School in Toledo on June 4. Theresa Gonzales and her younger sister Lisa Tucker talk about their experience running the Boston Marathon, once each separately and once together in April, while Lisa receives treatment at ProMedica Wildwood Orthopaedic and Spine Hospital on June 2 in West Toledo. Local artist Richard Maxfield works on his "en plein aire" watercolor in downtown Waterville on May 29. Project manager Tom Guyton, center, helps carry a saw horse as work continues for the Delaware Revitalization Project, an ongoing going labor of love and preservation at 624 Delaware May 30 in central Toledo. Lake’s Gavin Hrebic makes the out during a Division IV regional semifinal against Highland at BGSU's Stellar Field in Bowling Green on June 2. Highland defeated Lake, 5-1. The Illegal Smiles perform live music during the annual PorchFest along Eberly Avenue in Bowling Green May 30. https://www.toledoblade.com/a-e/movies/2026/06/05/movie-review-masters-of-the-universe-does-not-have-the-power/stories/20260605014 https://www.toledoblade.com/a-e/movies/2026/06/05/movie-review-masters-of-the-universe-does-not-have-the-power/stories/20260605014#comments Fri, 05 Jun 2026 14:23:41 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/a-e/movies/2026/06/05/movie-review-masters-of-the-universe-does-not-have-the-power/stories/20260605014 Masters of the Universe might not know who its audience is. Sure, yes, perhaps “everyone” is the goal. Modern blockbusters are usually aiming for those golden four quadrants that might justify spending hundreds of millions of dollars to make a movie about an old toy. But as far as beautiful, blond Mattel products go, He-Man is not and was never going to be Barbie. Nicholas Galitzine in a scene from 'Masters of the Universe.' Jared Leto in a scene from 'Masters of the Universe.' Idris Elba in a scene from 'Masters of the Universe.' Alison Brie in a scene from 'Masters of the Universe.' Nicholas Galitzine and Camila Mendes in a scene from 'Masters of the Universe.' https://www.toledoblade.com/local/courts/2026/06/05/ex-firstenergy-executives-reindicted-in-ohio-in-60-million-corruption-scheme-2-1/stories/20260605088 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/courts/2026/06/05/ex-firstenergy-executives-reindicted-in-ohio-in-60-million-corruption-scheme-2-1/stories/20260605088#comments Fri, 05 Jun 2026 10:55:43 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/courts/2026/06/05/ex-firstenergy-executives-reindicted-in-ohio-in-60-million-corruption-scheme-2-1/stories/20260605088 COLUMBUS — Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced Thursday that a grand jury has reindicted two fired FirstEnergy Corp. executives whose initial prosecutions in the state's long-running $60 million bribery scandal ended in mistrial earlier this year. Ex-FirstEnergy Senior Vice President Michael Dowling and former FirstEnergy CEO Chuck Jones listen as Summit County Common Pleas Judge Susan Baker Ross rereads a portion of the jury instructions to the jury during in their case in Akron, Ohio, March 26. https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/06/05/america-best-restaurants-films-bowling-green-pizzeria/stories/20260602103 https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/06/05/america-best-restaurants-films-bowling-green-pizzeria/stories/20260602103#comments Fri, 05 Jun 2026 10:59:06 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/06/05/america-best-restaurants-films-bowling-green-pizzeria/stories/20260602103 BOWLING GREEN — Jac & Do’s Pizza will soon step into the spotlight after America’s Best Restaurants stopped in Bowling Green to film an episode. https://www.toledoblade.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/2026/06/05/to-the-editor-president-s-birthday-bash-should-be-a-no-go/stories/20260605008 https://www.toledoblade.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/2026/06/05/to-the-editor-president-s-birthday-bash-should-be-a-no-go/stories/20260605008#comments Fri, 05 Jun 2026 10:32:29 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/2026/06/05/to-the-editor-president-s-birthday-bash-should-be-a-no-go/stories/20260605008 Our President has scheduled Ultimate Fighting Championship matches on the White House lawn to both honor himself on his 80th birthday and the 250th anniversary celebration of our nation. A 5,000-seat arena with a towering octagonal cage is being constructed at the White House for this spectacle. Workers continue building the stage for a future UFC fight on the South Lawn in front of the White House on June 4 in Washington, as work continues on the construction of the ballroom, right, as seen from the Washington Monument. https://www.toledoblade.com/opinion/editorials/2026/06/05/editorial-ramaswamy-s-citizenship-solid/stories/20260605003 https://www.toledoblade.com/opinion/editorials/2026/06/05/editorial-ramaswamy-s-citizenship-solid/stories/20260605003#comments Fri, 05 Jun 2026 10:28:24 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/opinion/editorials/2026/06/05/editorial-ramaswamy-s-citizenship-solid/stories/20260605003 Like the questions raised about the citizenship of Barack Obama, the lawsuit questioning the citizenship of Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy was not about that which it claimed. Vivek Ramaswamy, candidate for Governor in Ohio, unveils a policy proposal to combat Medicaid fraud during a news conference on mediciad fraud in Columbus on May 19. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/city/2026/06/05/cookie-bench-brit/stories/20260601072 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/city/2026/06/05/cookie-bench-brit/stories/20260601072#comments Fri, 05 Jun 2026 13:30:00 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/city/2026/06/05/cookie-bench-brit/stories/20260601072 Take a Saturday stroll north of Ottawa Park, and you might stumble upon an unexpected treat: bags of homemade cookies and banana bread waiting beneath a colorful sign reading “The Cookie Bench.” On Saturdays Brit Schadel runs a cookie bench and puts out baked goods for free at her home on June 2 in Toledo. Brit Schadel bakes batches of confections, including cookies and banana breads. Brit Schadel packs the treats in individual parchment paper bags Brit Schadel leaves a glass jar, as well as her Cash App and Venmo, for donations. People can find the cookie bench’s TikTok page at @TheCookieBench419, or The Cookie Bench - Toledo on Facebook. Brit Schadel’s cookie bench started in her own front yard, before her pride flag and giant skeleton model. Brit Schadel bakes batches of confections, including cookies and banana breads. Beyond traditional flavors, Brit Schadel experiments with novel takes like raspberry, banana split, and honeydoodle. You can often find classics like chocolate chip and sugar cookies on Brit Schadel's bench On Saturdays Brit Schadel runs a cookie bench and puts out baked goods for free at her home on June 2 in Toledo. You can often find classics like chocolate chip cookies on Brit Schadel's bench. You can often find classics like chocolate chip cookies on Brit Schadel's bench. https://www.toledoblade.com/opinion/columnists/2026/06/05/morici-threats-to-america-s-prosperity-begin-in-washington/stories/20260605009 https://www.toledoblade.com/opinion/columnists/2026/06/05/morici-threats-to-america-s-prosperity-begin-in-washington/stories/20260605009#comments Fri, 05 Jun 2026 10:26:18 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/opinion/columnists/2026/06/05/morici-threats-to-america-s-prosperity-begin-in-washington/stories/20260605009 THE ECONOMY remains solid. President Donald Trump attends a Cabinet meeting at the White House May 27 in Washington. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/city/2026/06/04/residents-voice-concerns-processes-leadership-profanity-police-stop/stories/20260604142 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/city/2026/06/04/residents-voice-concerns-processes-leadership-profanity-police-stop/stories/20260604142#comments Fri, 05 Jun 2026 01:53:59 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/city/2026/06/04/residents-voice-concerns-processes-leadership-profanity-police-stop/stories/20260604142 The community is once again calling for accountability and change within the Toledo Police Department after officers used profanity and hurled insults at a group of teenagers. Earl Mack, with the Toledo Buffalo Soldiers, defended the Toledo police chief after footage of a profanity-laced police stop raised concerns from the community. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/high-school/2026/06/04/charpie-pitching-stellar-defense-send-perrysburg-baseball-state/stories/20260604135 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/high-school/2026/06/04/charpie-pitching-stellar-defense-send-perrysburg-baseball-state/stories/20260604135#comments Fri, 05 Jun 2026 01:33:54 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/high-school/2026/06/04/charpie-pitching-stellar-defense-send-perrysburg-baseball-state/stories/20260604135 CANTON — Superb pitching and phenomenal defense propelled the Perrysburg baseball team back to the state final four Thursday. Perrysburg players raise the OHSAA Division I Regional Championship trophy in the air at Thurman Munson Memorial Stadium in Canton on June 4. Perrysburg celebrates after winning the Division I regional final at Thurman Munson Memorial Stadium in Canton on June 4. Perrysburg short stop Bayden Heitmeyer fields a ground ball off Jackson in the Division I regional final at Thurman Munson Memorial Stadium in Canton on June 4. Perrysburg second baseman Ryan Rettig celebrates after making the final out to win the Division I regional final at Thurman Munson Memorial Stadium in Canton on June 4. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/community-events/2026/06/04/community-leaders-support-literacy/stories/20260604138 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/community-events/2026/06/04/community-leaders-support-literacy/stories/20260604138#comments Fri, 05 Jun 2026 01:16:46 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/community-events/2026/06/04/community-leaders-support-literacy/stories/20260604138 Local elected officials, educators, and community leaders on Thursday called on area organizations and community members to support student literacy through donations, volunteerism, and advocacy. About 80 people attended a Partners in Education fundraiser on June 4 at Glass City Metropark Pavilion. Lisa Sobecki, president of the Lucas County commissioners, speaks during a Partners in Education fundraiser on June 4 at Glass City Metropark Pavilion. State Sen. Paula Hicks-Hudson (D., Toledo) speaks during a Partners in Education fundraiser on June 4 at Glass City Metropark Pavilion. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/mud-hens/2026/06/04/weather-postpones-mud-hens-game-iowa/stories/20260604141 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/mud-hens/2026/06/04/weather-postpones-mud-hens-game-iowa/stories/20260604141#comments Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:58:17 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/mud-hens/2026/06/04/weather-postpones-mud-hens-game-iowa/stories/20260604141 DES MOINES — A scheduled road contest between the Mud Hens and Iowa Cubs was postponed on Thursday because of inclement weather. A doubleheader between the teams is now set for Saturday with a 5:38 p.m. start time. Toledo’s Sawyer Gipson-Long throws a pitch during a Toledo Mud Hens Minor League Baseball game against the St. Paul Saints at Fifth Third Field in Toledo on April 8. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/high-school/2026/06/04/liberty-center-spangler-shot-put-title-state-track-field-meet/stories/20260604119 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/high-school/2026/06/04/liberty-center-spangler-shot-put-title-state-track-field-meet/stories/20260604119#comments Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:29:43 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/high-school/2026/06/04/liberty-center-spangler-shot-put-title-state-track-field-meet/stories/20260604119 COLUMBUS — A state title for Liberty Center’s Hunter Spangler highlighted the opening day of the OHSAA track and field state tournament on Thursday, as area athletes competed in Division IV and Division V finals and preliminaries at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. Hunter Spangler of Liberty Center wins the Division 4 Shot Put with a throw of 64 ft 9 during the OHSAA State Track Meet on June 4 at Jesse Owens Stadium in Columbus. Natalie Nixon of Ottawa Hills finishes second in the Division 5 3200meter run during the OHSAA State Track Meet on June 4 at Jesse Owens Stadium in Columbus. Grant Smith of Patrick Henry places third in the Division 5 Discus Throw during the OHSAA State Track Meet on June 4 at Jesse Owens Stadium in Columbus. Josie Hochstettler of Liberty Benton places fourth in the Division 4 Pole Vault during the OHSAA State Track Meet on June 4 at Jesse Owens Stadium in Columbus. Liberty Center’s Colbie Strayer, left, takes the baton from teammate Riley Miller during the Division 4 girls 4x800 meter relay during the OHSAA State Track Meeton June 4 at Jesse Owens Stadium in Columbus. Liberty Center placed fourth in the event. https://www.toledoblade.com/news/World/2026/06/04/house-passes-bill-aid-ukraine-impose-new-sanctions-russia/stories/20260604140 https://www.toledoblade.com/news/World/2026/06/04/house-passes-bill-aid-ukraine-impose-new-sanctions-russia/stories/20260604140#comments Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:26:09 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/news/World/2026/06/04/house-passes-bill-aid-ukraine-impose-new-sanctions-russia/stories/20260604140 WASHINGTON — The House passed legislation Thursday that would aid Ukraine and sanction key segments of the Russian economy, overriding objections from Republican leaders who warned the bill would undermine negotiations designed to achieve a comparable but stronger result. The U.S. Capitol is showcased on June 3 in Washington. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/golf/2026/06/04/fleetwood-4-way-tie-lead-memorial/stories/20260604139 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/golf/2026/06/04/fleetwood-4-way-tie-lead-memorial/stories/20260604139#comments Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:09:08 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/golf/2026/06/04/fleetwood-4-way-tie-lead-memorial/stories/20260604139 DUBLIN, Ohio — Scottie Scheffler never thought two straight victories in the Memorial would be of any value when he began his bid for three in a row. It sure felt that way Thursday in a tough start that left him exasperated by the wind and six shots behind a four-way share of the lead. Scottie Scheffler watches his tee shot from the fifth tee during the first round of the Memorial golf tournament in Dublin, Ohio, on June 4. Scottie Scheffler, left, and Aaron Rai, of England, right, walk across a bridge on the second fairway during the first round of the Memorial golf tournament in Dublin, Ohio, on June 4. J.J. Spaun, of the United States, hits from the eighth tee during the first round of the Memorial golf tournament in Dublin, Ohio, on June 4. Tommy Fleetwood, of England, hits from the eighth tee during the first round of the Memorial golf tournament in Dublin, Ohio, on June 4. Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, hits out of a bunker on the seventh hole during the first round of the Memorial golf tournament in Dublin, Ohio, on June 4. https://www.toledoblade.com/a-e/music-theater-dance/2026/06/04/rep-fiddler-bring-roof-down/stories/20260605076 https://www.toledoblade.com/a-e/music-theater-dance/2026/06/04/rep-fiddler-bring-roof-down/stories/20260605076#comments Thu, 04 Jun 2026 22:52:33 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/a-e/music-theater-dance/2026/06/04/rep-fiddler-bring-roof-down/stories/20260605076 During the Toledo Repertoire Theatre's production of 'Fiddler on the Roof,' the town rabbi (Russell Thaler) is shocked when Hodel (Ella Orr) upends Jewish custom by taking him by the hand for a dance at her sister's wedding. Hodel (Ella Orr), left, dances with her sisters Tzeitel (Elizabeth Renyolds), middle, and Chava (Yaffa Segal) in the Toledo Repertoire Theatre's production of 'Fiddler on the Roof.' Tevye (Micah Risher) center, debates between tradition and love when deliberating about accepting his daughter Tzeitel's marriage to a poor tailor during the Toledo Repertoire Theatre's production of 'Fiddler on the Roof.' Hodel (Ella Orr), left, dances with her sisters Tzeitel (Elizabeth Renyolds), middle, and Chava (Yaffa Segal) in the Toledo Repertoire Theatre's production of 'Fiddler on the Roof.' Andrea Schreiner, center right, commands attention as the ghost of Fruma-Sarah during the Tevye's Dream sequence in the Toledo Repertoire Theatre's production of 'Fiddler on the Roof.' https://www.toledoblade.com/local/city/2026/06/04/playhouse-project-blitz-build/stories/20260604122 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/city/2026/06/04/playhouse-project-blitz-build/stories/20260604122#comments Thu, 04 Jun 2026 22:33:24 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/city/2026/06/04/playhouse-project-blitz-build/stories/20260604122 The sound of drilling and hammering filled the air at Fifth Third Field on Thursday as the foundations of train stations, princess-themed castles, lodges, and Mickey and Minnie Mouse playhouses begin to take shape. Volunteers at the Blitz Build put together a playhouse inspired by a train station. Volunteers put together primed pieces of wood. Work on the playhouses first began in January. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/police-fire/2026/06/04/police-manhunt-underway-in-erie-township-near-i-75/stories/20260604103 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/police-fire/2026/06/04/police-manhunt-underway-in-erie-township-near-i-75/stories/20260604103#comments Thu, 04 Jun 2026 14:59:37 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/police-fire/2026/06/04/police-manhunt-underway-in-erie-township-near-i-75/stories/20260604103 ERIE, Mich. — A man who fled police at high speed after a companion was stopped and arrested in Rossford on Thursday morning was the target of an hours-long manhunt in Erie Township. Cruisers from the Michigan State Police, Toledo police, and Monroe County Sheriff line a side road off Erie Road in Erie Township, Michigan, where a reported manhunt was under way near I-75 on June 4, 2026. Michigan State Police helicopter above the manhunt off I-75 and Erie Road in Erie Township, Michigan on June 4, 2026. https://www.toledoblade.com/business/energy/2026/06/04/trump-announces-700-million-new-support-struggling-coal-industry/stories/20260604133 https://www.toledoblade.com/business/energy/2026/06/04/trump-announces-700-million-new-support-struggling-coal-industry/stories/20260604133#comments Thu, 04 Jun 2026 21:16:01 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/business/energy/2026/06/04/trump-announces-700-million-new-support-struggling-coal-industry/stories/20260604133 WASHINGTON  — President Donald Trump is again seeking to boost the struggling U.S. coal industry, announcing a plan Thursday to spend nearly $700 million to support ​coal-fired power plants and coal exports. The coal-burning TransAlta power plant is shown near Centralia, Wash., in 2011. The former Oakland Army Base pier at left and the Port of Oakland at lower right, are pictured in Oakland, Calif., in 2016. An aerial image of Consumer Energy's J.H. Campbell Generating Complex is seen in Ottawa County, Mich., in 2024. President Donald Trump speaks as Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon, from left, West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Environmental Protection Agency administrator Lee Zeldin and Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Wis., listen at an event about coal on June 4 in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum speaks as President Donald Trump, foreground, and from left, Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Environmental Protection Agency administrator Lee Zeldin, listen at an event about coal on June 4 in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/politics/2026/06/04/microsoft-ohio-lawmakers-halt-data-center-nondisclosure-agreements/stories/20260604105 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/politics/2026/06/04/microsoft-ohio-lawmakers-halt-data-center-nondisclosure-agreements/stories/20260604105#comments Thu, 04 Jun 2026 21:09:45 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/local/politics/2026/06/04/microsoft-ohio-lawmakers-halt-data-center-nondisclosure-agreements/stories/20260604105 COLUMBUS — Microsoft will no longer utilize nondisclosure agreements with local governments, the company’s senior director of state government affairs told the Joint Committee on Data Centers on Thursday. Thor Underdahl of Meta offers testimony before the Joint Data Center Committee at the Ohio Statehouse on June 4. He was joined by Daniel Brown of Microsoft, Liz Schwab of Google, and Craig Sundstrom of Amazon.