Toledo Free Press

Toledo Free Press A nonprofit, nonpartisan, local online newsroom serving Northwest Ohio. A Freedom of the Press defender. Toledo Free Press looks forward to the conversation.
(373)

COMMUNITY GUIDELINES
We support the Facebook Statement of Rights and Responsibilities and related Facebook policies, and we expect visitors to our page to do the same. We encourage open, lively conversation with a few simple rules:

• We reserve the right to address factual errors.
• We will reply to comments when appropriate.
• If we disagree with other opinions, we will do so respectfully.
• You

may not post anything that is spam or that is abusive, profane, or defamatory toward a person, entity, belief, or symbol.
• While we support lively, open discussion, we reserve the right to delete comments at our discretion.

08/28/2026

WATERVILLE – It was a busy meeting for the City of Waterville, Ohio City Council recently, with updates on significant construction projects and several other matters.

The Roche de Boeuf Bridge is undergoing selective demolition, with Kokosing operators carefully removing dirt and crumbling spandrel walls in order to save the arches and piers of the 118-year-old concrete structure as a base for a future pedestrian and bike bridge.

Meijer is moving forward with the installation of two right-turn lanes between the S. Pray Boulevard store and S.R. 64, beginning after Labor Day. Council approved a cost reimbursement agreement with Meijer for a traffic signal at the eastbound on/off ramp with U.S. 24.

The Waterville Monclova Road widening project is progressing, on track to be completed by Oct. 5. Beginning soon will be the replacement or mud-jacking of 275 sidewalk panels on Fourth and Fifth streets from Farnsworth to Elm, and on Second Street between the south and north dead ends. The project will also include the replacement of 16 ADA ramps.

Read more about these projects and other matters addressed at council, including a non-emergency notice from the City of Bowling Green on the water supply, in AWFP reporter Karen Gerhardinger's full story: https://toledofreepress.com/waterville-receives-construction-project-updates/

IMAGE: Rex Childers, of the Save the Bridge Association, took this photo of work being done on the Roche de Boeuf Interurban Bridge from the balcony of Heritage Village Waterville. He described the work by operators as similar to ballet as they gently remove the dirt on top of the arches. (Courtesy photo)

Clay McLeod Chapman’s ‘horrormance’: Devil InsideTOLEDO– For horror author Clay McLeod Chapman, there may be nothing mor...
08/28/2026

Clay McLeod Chapman’s ‘horrormance’: Devil Inside

TOLEDO– For horror author Clay McLeod Chapman, there may be nothing more frightening than falling in love.

That idea is at the center of his newest novel, Devil Inside, a horror-romance Chapman describes as a “horrormance”- a blend of two genres that, despite their differences, have more in common than readers might expect.

Chapman brought that story to Toledo on Thursday, Aug. 27, when he appeared at the Toledo Main Branch Library’s Authors! Series.

“I think there isn’t anything scarier than love,” Chapman said. “When we talk about falling in love, we’re talking about making ourselves vulnerable, kind of letting our defenses down, bringing somebody else in.”

Devil Inside, released Aug. 11, opens with Jordan, who – dying in a traumatic accident – spends about two-and-a-half minutes in hell before being resuscitated. When he returns to the living, he begins questioning what is real – and what may be happening inside his own mind.

Then he meets Lilith.

Read more: https://toledofreepress.com/clay-mcleod-chapmans-horrormance-devil-inside/

(Courtesy image)
By: Allyson Ritchey

Waterville receives construction project updatesWATERVILLE – Orange is a common color in Waterville these days – and tha...
08/28/2026

Waterville receives construction project updates

WATERVILLE – Orange is a common color in Waterville these days – and that’s a trend that will continue into next year, with construction on roadways, the Roche de Boeuf Interurban Bridge, Meijer, Circle K and other areas either planned or currently in the works.

During the Aug. 24 Waterville City Council meeting, Administrator Jon Gochenour, Mayor Tim Pedro and Save the Bridge Association’s Rex Childers shared updates on these projects.

The Roche de Boeuf Bridge is undergoing selective demolition, with Kokosing operators carefully removing dirt from on top of the arches of the 118-year-old concrete structure. The goal is to remove the dirt and take down the falling spandrel walls in order to save the arches and piers as a base for a future pedestrian and bike bridge, Childers said.

“It’s very impressive seeing the operators take care with the scrape,” he said of the work that’s been done to four arches to date. “They’re reaching in halfway and gently pulling…they’re taking their time. It’s like ballet, seeing these guys at work.”

Read more: https://toledofreepress.com/waterville-receives-construction-project-updates/

(Courtesy photo)
By: Karen Gerhardinger

Wild Side: Buckeyes appear in time for football seasonBuckeye trees are getting ready for football season as well. And b...
08/28/2026

Wild Side: Buckeyes appear in time for football season

Buckeye trees are getting ready for football season as well. And by the look of these thick bristled husks, it appears that they will open and our buckeye nuts will drop in plenty of time for Ohio State’s first coin flip on Sept. 5.

Commonly referred to as nuts, like the acorns of our oaks, botanically speaking, buckeyes are actually seeds. They are distinctive, large, shiny dark brown seeds with a cream-colored spot. That spot, it’s said, gives the seed the appearance of a buck’s eye.

Buckeyes aren’t edible. They’re toxic for humans, pets, and most wildlife.

Look for buckeye trees in bottomlands along our rivers and streams where they’re among the first to get their leaves in spring and to change color in fall. Those attractive buckeye seeds float, which means they can be carried downstream and take root in new locations.

Photo and story by Art Weber.

Medal Of Honor recipient to share ‘A Life Worth Fighting For’TOLEDO – As a kid, Kyle Carpenter wanted to be a superhero ...
08/26/2026

Medal Of Honor recipient to share ‘A Life Worth Fighting For’

TOLEDO – As a kid, Kyle Carpenter wanted to be a superhero – insisting that his dad draw the Superman logo on his chest, in permanent marker, as soon as the prior one faded.

“I was fearless, restless, reckless, relentless,” he says of his young self in his 2019 book, You Are Worth It, Building a Life Worth Fighting For.

When he was in high school, Carpenter heard Marine veteran Clebe McClary, who – despite losing an eye and part of his arm from a gr***de in Vietnam – ran a nonprofit to help military families. The teenager was impressed not by the battles McClary fought, but by the aging man’s spirit and how someone who had been through so much could create an incredible life “not only in spite of, but because of his experiences.”

“I had no idea what life was going to throw at me, but I knew that I wanted to meet whatever challenges came my way with the same grace, determination and passion as Clebe,” Carpenter shared in his book.

Read more: https://toledofreepress.com/medal-of-honor-recipient-to-share-a-life-worth-fighting-for/

(Courtesy photo)
By: Karen Gerhardinger

08/24/2026

The Board of Trustees for Monclova Township, Ohio during its recent meeting hired a firm to help create a new zoning classification for data centers and other large industry. It also received a booklet of data center research conducted by a local resident.

“You have a lot of important decisions to make. We need to protect public health and our quality of life,” Mike Tyson said while presenting his report, “Data Centers – The Impact on Public Health Zoning for a Safer Future & Smart Growth."

Learn more about this issue and other matters before the Monclova Township trustees, including progress on the Waterville Monclova/Monclova Road roundabout project and its impact on emergency service response time, here in AWFP reporter Karen Gerhardinger's full article: https://toledofreepress.com/township-trustees-discuss-zoning-and-data-center-research/

IMAGE: Mike Tyson with his data center research booklet in Monclova Township chambers. (AWFP photo)

County to consider airport-area rezoning requestSWANTON TOWNSHIP – Land-Air Commerce Park – a development between the tu...
08/24/2026

County to consider airport-area rezoning request

SWANTON TOWNSHIP – Land-Air Commerce Park – a development between the turnpike, airport and Berkey-Southern Road – is poised for rezoning to accommodate three large warehouses, a truck terminal and other facilities, Swanton Township Zoning Inspector Ben Mooney told township trustees during their Aug. 11 meeting.

Interstate Capital recently purchased 14 parcels and is asking to rezone 13 properties totaling 112 acres. Current zoning is a mixture of C-4, M-1 and an overlay district. The owners are asking for a uniform M-1 zoning. The proposal will be heard by the Lucas County Planning Commission during its Wednesday, Sept. 23, 9 a.m. meeting at 1 Government Center.

Land-Air Commerce Park is currently home to Game One, a 131,800-square-foot light manufacturing facility, and Velocity, a managed technology solutions provider that recently began a a $1.5 million expansion with plans to add 40 employees.

Read more: https://toledofreepress.com/county-to-consider-airport-area-rezoning-request/

(Courtesy image)
By: Karen Gerhardinger

Township trustees discuss zoning and data center researchMONCLOVA TOWNSHIP – Exactly six months after approving a one-ye...
08/24/2026

Township trustees discuss zoning and data center research

MONCLOVA TOWNSHIP – Exactly six months after approving a one-year moratorium on data centers, Monclova Township trustees approved hiring Peter Griggs, principal with Brosius, Johnson & Griggs in Columbus.

During the Aug. 17 meeting, trustees spoke about the decision to hire Griggs to aid the township’s efforts to create a new zoning classification for data centers and other large industry. The firm is one of two hired by Waterville Township trustees earlier this year.

“The goal is to move at lightning speed,” Trustee Barbara Lang said, giving a recap of work that’s been done so far: including having Zoning Administrator Eric Wagner research and make suggestions on changes to the zoning resolution.

Resident Mike Tyson has also been researching data centers, and during the meeting he presented “Data Centers – The Impact on Public Health Zoning for a Safer Future & Smart Growth,” a booklet he compiled with his findings.

Read more: https://toledofreepress.com/township-trustees-discuss-zoning-and-data-center-research/

(AWFP photo and story by Karen Gerhardinger)

JEDD supports airport improvementsThe Toledo Express Airport may be known for its four Allegiant flights to Florida dest...
08/24/2026

JEDD supports airport improvements

The Toledo Express Airport may be known for its four Allegiant flights to Florida destinations, or the adjacent 180th Fighter Wing, whose daily F-16 flyovers always draw attention, but the airport, which opened for air traffic in 1955, is also becoming known for its growing number of businesses.

Earlier this month, Joe Cappel, vice president of business development for the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority, shared updates on these businesses, as well as planned capitol improvements to the airport, with members of the Toledo Express Airport Joint Economic Development District (TEA-JEDD) board.

The TEA-JEDD was founded in 2015 as an agreement between Monclova Township, Swanton Township and Toledo in an effort to spur business growth, infrastructure investment, job creation and other services in and around the airport, which spans both townships. Because townships cannot levy an income tax, Toledo is a partner and collects a 1.5 percent tax on employees, along with a percentage of net profits on businesses in the district.

Read more: https://toledofreepress.com/jedd-supports-airport-improvements/

(Courtesy photo)
By: Karen Gerhardinger

Longtime employee files suit against nonprofitTOLEDO – Advocates for Basic Legal Equality (ABLE) is dealing with a lawsu...
08/24/2026

Longtime employee files suit against nonprofit

TOLEDO – Advocates for Basic Legal Equality (ABLE) is dealing with a lawsuit from one of their former employees who alleges age discrimination and retaliation against using time off to care for her dying mother.

Between ABLE, Toledo Legal Aid Society (TLAS), a predecessor organization, and its sister organization, Legal Aid of Western Ohio (LAWO), Denise Ford Saxon, 67, has worked for the legal nonprofits for over 30 years, and was working as ABLE’s human resources director before her termination on March 20.

According to a United States District Court lawsuit filed mid-July, Saxon informed ABLE in early 2026 that she might need time off to care for her unwell mother, and in February she submitted paperwork in line with the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

Her leave was scheduled to start March 1, and Saxon was informed of her termination on the March 4, “without any warning whatsoever.”

Read more: https://toledofreepress.com/longtime-employee-files-suit-against-nonprofit/

(TFP photo and story by Stephen Zenner)

Address

601 Monroe Street
Waterville, OH
43604

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Toledo Free Press posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Toledo Free Press:

Shortcuts

Share

Category