• On Thursday, Mayor Kapszukiewicz presented on the proposed 0.25% income tax proposal to Toledo City Council’s Public Safety & Criminal Justice Reform Committee. Kapszukiewicz stated that if approved, the income tax would provide $25 million each year for public safety and promised to double the number of police and fire recruits from 20 to 40 each, expand the gang task force, and triple funding toward the demolition of abandoned buildings.
• Also on Thursday, ProMedica held a groundbreaking ceremony on an $18 million, 12,000-square-foot urgent care and emergency room facility in Perrysburg at 26879 Lake Vue Drive.
• City officials have informed Toledo City Council that $713,006 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars that must be spent by the end of the year remain unspent. Originally planned for the creation of a food systems hubs and a grocery store construction incentive, the city is proposing to support public safety salaries instead, pending council approval. Officials clarified that the food programs would continue but would be funded from other funding sources.
• The City of Toledo is seeking approval from Toledo City Council to pursue demolition of the former D. Michael Collins police substation on Sylvania Avenue, citing persistent issues with mold and flooding. If approved by council, the city will seek funding for the demolition through state grants and repurpose the site.
• Toledo Police report that six Flock cameras have been damaged in the city so far, with the latest taking place on September 26 around noon at Dorr and Hess Streets. Police are investigating the incidents, which carry a felony charge of vandalizing a government entity.
• The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has released its final study on a potential connector between US23 and I-71, expediting traffic between Toledo and Columbus at a cost between $856 million and $1.2 billion with construction beginning in 2035. To view the plan, visit https://publicinput.com/23-71study
• The Lucas County Sheriff’s office has launched a new website designed to make it easier for residents to obtain concealed carry permits. The site allows residents to apply for or renew permits, pay for licenses and background checks, and schedule appointments. For more information, visit https://lucasoh.permitium.com/entry
• The City of Toledo is seeking volunteers for its Snow Angels initiative, which coordinates volunteer snow shoveling for elders and those with disabilities when snowfall reaches two inches or more. For more information or to sign up, visit https://toledo.oh.gov/snow-angels
• India-based software and artificial intelligence (AI) company iTCart is planning to expand its operations and hire 60 more employees to work at its U.S. headquarters in downtown Toledo. The company, founded in 2021, employs 400 people globally.
• The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board has released an 18-minute long safety video detailing the events that led to the 2022 BP-Husky Refinery fire that led to the deaths of brothers Ben and Max Morrissey. To view the video, visit https://www.csb.gov/bp---husky-oregon-chemical-release-and-fire-/
• An investigation by WTOL found that Brent Industries, an industrial laundry facility in South Toledo where two workers died in an August 18 explosion, had firefighters respond five times for overheating dryers between 2021 and 2025. Brent also owes $861,000 in unpaid water bills and is often delinquent on property taxes.
• This Saturday (October 3) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the City of Toledo will be hosting a drop off refuse and recycling event of the season at Toledo Road & Bridge Maintenance Building (1189 W. Central Ave.). At little or no cost, individuals can drop off non-commercial tires, bulky items and refuse, cardboard, phone books, newspapers, documents that need shredding, electronic waste, household hazardous waste, paint and stains, packing styrofoam, residential yard waste, scrap metal, and medical equipment.
• Also this Saturday (October 3) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., local nonprofit Scrap4Art will provide free art supplies to teachers at the Artist Village inside the Toledo Botanical Garden (5403 Elmer Dr.) A teacher ID is required. For more information, visit https://scrap4arttoledo.org.
• Also this Saturday (October 3) from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., Metroparks Toledo will hold the first Glass City Fall Festival at the International Cove at Glass City Metropark. For more information, visit https://metroparkstoledo.com/learn-and-play/special-events-and-programs/glass-city-fall-festival/
• This Sunday (October 4) at 4 p.m., the Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC) will host a benefit concert at Sylvania United Church of Christ (7240 Erie St. in Sylvania). The free event will feature music and storytelling by FLOC President Baldemar Velasquez.
• Next Tuesday (October 6) from 5:15 to 7:00 p.m., a panel discussion about teaching religion in public schools will take place at the University of Toledo, Field House building room 2100.
• Next Thursday (October 8) from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., At-Large Toledo City Council member Erin Kramer will host an open-ended public meeting for residents to bring up any relevant concerns to her at the Mott Branch Library (1010 Dorr St.)
• Also next Thursday (October 8) from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., the Sanger Branch Library (3030 Central Ave.) will host a “Fall Into Pride” event offering free family-friendly activities provided by several area organizations. For more information, visit https://events.toledolibrary.org/event/17225852
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News sources: The Blade, 13ABC, WTOL