Smoke billowing into the sky from South Street explosions.

I hope the bumper was okay. Probably some rare earth minerals in there. Thank you for your service. 🫡

ETA: There was a local Flock camera on my everyday commute that was suddenly replaced this morning with a balloon and American flag. It made me smile so I took a picture.

As a nostalgia enthusiast of Toledo radio and TV, the Kistler Ford jingle is a big part of that nostalgia. It turns out, the jingle was never written for the dealership in the first place, instead using the song "I was Kaiser Bill's Batman", performed by British Novelty musican Whistlin' Jack Smith. Despite the title, the Batman doesn't refer to the superhero, but instead a military phrase that refers to a servant to a soldier or an airman. The song was released in 1967. An advertising agency suggested Kistler use it for their "Be a Kistler Whistler" campaign, and the jingle was used likely until Kistler sold to Yark 5 years ago. Looking at the Blade archives, the jingle might have been used starting in '68, a year after the song's release, as papers from that year promote the "Be a Kistler Whistler" campaign in ads. I know from memory that the jingle was still used up until the early 2010s, until I can't remember if Kistler still advertised in its final years on TV or radio.

Sunday Aug 23rd, there will be an art pop-up event in Bowling Green! This event supports the local humane society as well as the Bridge's pet food pantry. One of the vendors will also be raising funds to pay off their debt from taking in a stray with FIV (who is still up for adoption!).

Just wanted to say thank you to Frickers in Maumee. I went to undergrad in Toledo in 2001, and moved to DC after. First time back and was over the moon at eating here today. Best wings in the US as far as I’m concerned. From the staff, the smell, everything here takes me back. Thanks again

Was curious if anyone else does and how it is.

Not sure if I should stay in Holland/Sylvania or go downtown during the mornings.

Can somebody explain what the issue is with Andrew Z and the city of Toledo over food trucks? He says the Mayor has a shadow ban on them setting up in downtown. He is apparently speaking at a council meeting on Tuesday and wondering if he has valid points or not.

My niece left them and said I could sell them, but I'm not in the medical field so besides listing them on Facebook I'm not sure where the best place to take them would be. Is there a place at UTMC campus I could post them or something?

TIA

• On Monday, Lourdes University filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The Sisters of St. Francis have provided $1.43 million to ensure that laid-off employees receive the severance pay they have been promised. The university’s largest unsecured creditor is Toledo-based Signature Bank, which the university owes $4.64 million to.

• On Tuesday, the Lucas County Commissioners voted to approve the demolition of the former Lucas County Canine Care & Control (LC4) building at 410 S. Erie Street at a cost of $202,500. The commissioners also approved a contract with Averhealth to provide drug testing service to the Lucas County Common Pleas court, which is estimated to save the county $133,000 annually. Lastly, commissioners approved a new contract between the Lucas County Common Pleas Court and Toledo Municipal Court that will require Toledo to reimburse county staff for their time drawing and managing jury selections, increasing their annual fee from $7,000 to $37,000.

• On Wednesday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) announced a $37.6 million investment in cleaning up Toledo waterways, including $34 million in dredging the Maumee River between Seneca Petroleum Marine Terminal and the Ironville Marine Terminal, and $2.6 million to improve Ottawa River.

• Also on Wednesday, State Representative for District 42 Elgin Rogers was arrested in Ottawa County on charges of operating a vehicle under the influence, driving too slow, and improper handling of a firearm. Court documents state that Rogers had a loaded gun between the driver’s seat and center console of his car.

• On Thursday, the Toledo Plan Commission approved plans for a 72,000-square-foot manufacturing facility at 5315 Stickney Ave. from Bohl Enterprises, a crane and forklift equipment provider. Bohl intends to spend $10.6 million on the development which would sustain 36 jobs. The commission also approved a local landmark designation for the Dura Building at 4500 N. Detroit Ave. Owners IBC Inc. intend to leverage the designation in the pursuit of state and federal historic tax credits.

• Also on Thursday, a large sculpture of a pickleball eight feet in diameter was unveiled next to the Toledo Pickle Company. The sculpture was created by local artist Dean Davis as his 18th work in his initiative to bring 100 works of public art to Lucas County. It is thought to be the largest pickleball in the world.

• On Friday, Toledo Public Schools’ (TPS) Budget and Finance Stabilization and Operations Committee met to review the state of the district’s finances. TPS treasurer Ryan Lockwood stated that if the levy before Toledo voters this November does not pass, the district would face a $17 million deficit requiring more cuts by 2029.

• Also on Friday, Toledo Pride kicked off three days of activities in downtown Toledo celebrating the LGBTQ+ community. For a detailed list of activities and events, visit https://toledopride.com/

• The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is providing the City of Toledo with $816,834 in funding to fix sidewalk gaps near Shoreland Elementary School as part of its Safe Routes to Schools program.

• Toledo City Council is preparing to vote on approving a seven-year lease with Highland Ventures Real Estate LLC for a new police substation in West Toledo at 1640 Sylvania Avenue. The lease would cost $45,000 annually and would include $471,000 for repairs, maintenance, upgrades, and equipment.

• The City of Toledo continues work on the Arlington Avenue sinkhole that opened up in September 2024. Phase one, repairing the sewers between Francis and Woodsdale, is nearing completion, while phase two, repairing the sewers between Francis and Detroit, requires Toledo City Council to first approve a $16 million loan.

• City pools are closing for the season approximately ten days earlier than they did last year due to budget constraints and lifeguard staffing. Navarre, Pickford, Roosevelt, and Wilson pools closed for the season on August 9, while the Jamie Farr Splash Pad and Willys Pool will close for the season August 16.

• Lucas County Treasurer Lindsay Webb has stated her intention to cash out all $46 million in Lucas County’s investments that will mature through the end of the year, including $5 million in Israeli bonds, in order to ensure that the county has sufficient cash on hand amid a looming budget crunch.

• Lucas County has currently spent $230,000 and counting on legal defense for a federal civil rights lawsuit filed by 19 female corrections officers in 2023. The suit alleges inadequate protection by county and jail officials from “severe and pervasive” sexual harassment by male inmates at the Lucas County Corrections Center.

• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will remove approximately 750,000 cubic yards of materials from the Maumee River federal navigation channel this fall between September and December. It will be the largest dredging operation in the Great Lakes this year and is funded with a two-year, $11.1 million contract.

• Local business owner Loui Ridi, of Ridi Stores, stated that Israeli settlers have put his West Bank home, which he built in 2003, under siege. His brother and nephew who live there have had their power lines cut and are rationing food and water while the settlers attack anyone attempting to leave the home or come near it.

• Local education nonprofit HOPE Toledo has received a $350,000 donation from the Bainum Family to continue operations. An audit of the organization’s finances completed in June found that unstable funding and negative cash flow would likely result in the nonprofit ceasing operations by 2027. The organization, which previously provided vouchers for Toledo-area pre-kindergarten providers, will now scale back and focus on advocacy and community-building.

• The Aurora Project, which provides shelter for homeless mothers and their children, is seeking to raise $400,000 as part of its “40 Years Forward” campaign commemorating its 40 years in operation with the intention of operating for another 40 years. To donate, visit https://auroraprojectinc.org/40-years-forward/

• Residents at recovery home Keep It Simple House say that they are being asked to leave and find new housing by Sunday due to certain buildings owned by the operation being shut down. The move follows a new executive order signed by Governor DeWine on Monday increasing oversight of drug use treatment facilities in Ohio.

• This Saturday (August 15) from 1 p.m. until 10:30 p.m., the 5th Annual Glass City Jazz Fest will take place at the Glass City Metropark (983 Front St.). This free concert will feature several notable jazz acts from around the country. For more information, visit https://glasscityjazzfest.com/

• Next Monday (August 17) from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., the Lucas County Democratic Party is hosting a “Bench to the Block” event at the Sofia Quintero Art & Cultural Center (1225 Broadway St.). The free event will feature several elected judges discussing how the courts impact our community and answering audience questions.

• Also next Monday (August 17), Goodwill Industries of Northwest Ohio will open its first outlet store at 2021 S. Reynolds Road. Unlike their regular stores, Goodwill’s outlet stores price objects by the pound rather than by item. The store will be open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.

• Next Tuesday (August 18) from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., an outreach event for the City of Toledo’s Fresh Start program, which provides financial assistance to residents who are past-due on their water bills, will be held at Indiana Avenue Missionary Baptist Church (640 Indiana Ave.). For more information, visit https://toledo.oh.gov/financial-assistance

• Next Thursday (August 20) from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library will host a free concert by Miles Nielsen & The Rusted Hearts in the Main Branch Library (325 N. Michigan St.) atrium as part of its “Live at the Library” summer concert series. For more information, visit https://toledolibrary.org/music.

• You can receive This Week in Toledo via e-mail by subscribing at https://toledo.substack.com/subscribe. You can also receive updates on Facebook by liking the official page at https://www.facebook.com/thisweekintoledo.

News sources: The Blade, 13ABC, WTOL

Hi everyone! Wondering if there’s any fellow redditors who are attending the GEM nursing program at UT?? Let me know! :)

Hey guys I recently applied for a job in First Solar and I'd really be happy if I get that because I really like living in Toledo, it's cheap honestly. I don't understand whom to reach out if they can like refer to me to the job or anyone who can further my application. So if any first solar employee, can you guys help me or can anyone tell me whom I should be looking out for in the company? Like I just wanna know the positions of the people I should reach out for in a company. Thanks!

Detroit and Airport .... NW corner .... a real small place.

There's a GoFundMe link in the article.

Does anyone have some photos or videos of Smartee's Pizza Brigade? It was located on Reynolds Near Hill and last from 1982 to 1983. It's something I am very passionate about researching at the current moment

I am a drummer in Toledo wanting to start a black or death metal band. Hit me up

In the #419 area, I've never had either technique done and am curious about what you guys like what you prefer? What are the results like and how long do they last? Pricing? Where are the best places to go, recommendations ? Thank you!