How to vote in 2024

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October 3, 2024

Lucas Zielinksi, with Turning Point USA, hands Amelia Mathkour, a music, business and tech major at Owens Community College, a pamphlet about voting registration. Zielinksi said he was on campus for the day to help students register to vote. (TFP Photo/Lori King)

Lucas County Board of Elections explains voting details, process

Toledo – With Election Day a month away, preparations are in full swing at the Lucas County Board of Elections office.

“We’re up and running and getting everything ready,” said Timothy Monaco, deputy director of the elections office. “It’s a wonderful time. It’s important to exercise your right to vote.”

Logistics that the staff and officers have been handling for weeks on behalf of Lucas County’s 303 voting precincts include preparing ballots, training precinct election officials, and getting early voting dates and times posted on their website.

Monaco said the most commonly asked question from voters during the past couple of weeks has been when absentee ballots will arrive in the mail.

Here’s the answer: Ohio voters can look for the absentee ballots starting Oct. 8, which is one day after registration ends for the Nov. 5 election.

The Lucas County Board of Elections staff doesn’t give predictions on voter turnout, Monaco said. But, according to state election records, 67 percent of registered Lucas County voters participated in the 2020 presidential election, and 66 percent did so in the 2016 presidential election. This participation includes absentee voting, early in-person voting and traditional Election Day voting.

Those choices are meant to help all eligible voters participate, whether they prefer going in person to a local polling site or to cast a ballot before they travel out of town.

“It’s important to make your plan as to who you are going to vote for,” Monaco said. “Make sure you make a plan and know what is on your ballot.”

While the presidential campaign is the key race of the Nov. 5 election, there are also races in Lucas County for local judges and city officials. For those who want to see the list ahead of time, ballot proofs are available for review on the election board’s website.

“Ballots will be three pages for everyone and four pages for some,” Monaco said.

While some people remember how they wish to vote when going to the polls, others find it helpful to bring paper notes or refer to a list on their phone, Monaco said. “Some folks really come prepared,” he said.

“It’s also important to be respectful at the location,” he added, referring to an Ohio law that prohibits photos of marked ballots. “We do ask that you limit cell phone use at the ballot.”

Many other election details are explained at lucascountyohiovotes.gov.

Election calendar

Key dates for the November 5 election:

Military and overseas civilian voting: Started Sept. 20.
Voter registration deadline: 9 p.m. Oct. 7.
Early in-person voting season: Oct. 8.-Nov. 3.
Absentee ballot postmark deadline: Nov. 4.
Election Day: Nov. 5.

CAMPUS TALK

OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS SOUND OFF ABOUT VOTING

Question: How important is voting to you?

Voting is not my main concern, but it is pretty important because it is the future of America and I would like to have a say in what is gonna be my future. I usually try to vote on voting day, if I can’t I’ll do the absentee ballot.
Oliver Odendahl | EMT Major | Tontogany Resident

I am not a registered voter. If I was to lie to you I’d say yes. But honestly, I don’t have enough time … it’s not really a main priority, even though it should be. I do plan on voting at some point, maybe when I’m in my adult phase. Even though I’m not a registered voter I do think voting is important because it basically determines the society and the rules and regulations we live by.
James Johnson | Broadcast Media Technology Major | Toledo Resident

I’d say voting is very important. There’s certain aspects of it that do feel sort of depressing, when you think about it, because a lot of people would say people voting normally wouldn’t matter because of a small majority in the Electoral College – their votes matter 100 times more than your own. That’s what it feels like at least from what I know. It does feel a little degrading knowing that’s going to happen.
Nivant Dawson | Business Major | Toledo Resident

I think voting is important, but I’m not exactly sure why it’s important. I mean, there’s a lot of things that come from it. You’re voting for someone that you’re putting your trust and you’re faith into to guide us all in the right direction, but we just all don’t know what that direction is yet. So, we’re just kind of free-balling it, in a way. So, I don’t know … I’ve never voted before but this will be interesting. I really don’t know what all is involved. I just have a lot to learn about voting – like what I should be looking for in the leader I’m going to be voting for. So, yeah, it’s coming up soon. There’s a lot to learn.
Sydney Stanley | Chemistry Major | Millbury Resident

Voting is very important, especially in this day and age, when everything’s going on.
David Chase III | Literature Major | Toledo Resident

Registration details

Ohio voters must be registered by 9 p.m. Oct. 7 to be eligible to vote in the Nov. 5 election.

Residents can register to vote, look up voter registration, change their address, find an early voting location, look up Election Day polling location or track an absentee ballot at VoteOhio.gov.

Photo ID requirement

Bring your photo ID when voting. The options are:

- Current Ohio driver’s license or State of Ohio ID card.

- Interim ID form issued by Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

- U.S. passport or U.S. passport card.

- U.S. military ID card, Ohio National Guard ID card or U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ID card.

A registered voter who has changed his or her name since the photo ID was issued will need to show proof of legal name change and sign a form. A photo ID card can show a former address if a current address is on file with the voting records. If you forget a photo ID, you can request a provisional ballot.

How to vote absentee

An absentee ballot in Ohio needs to be requested, signed, dated and submitted for each election. Military personnel and civilian overseas voters can file one application for all elections happening in a given year.

The application asks for the number on your Ohio driver’s license or Ohio ID card, last four digits of your social security number, or a photocopy of other eligible ID such as a U.S. passport or military ID.

Mailed absentee ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 4 and can be hand delivered to the Board of Elections on Nov. 5.

Additional instructions are on the Ohio Secretary of State’s website.

In-person early voting

Ohio’s in-person early voting season begins Oct. 8 and ends Nov. 3.

The Lucas County Early Vote Center is at 3737 W. Sylvania Ave. Suite 121 Entrance C (at the rear of the Lucas County Board of Elections building) in west Toledo.

Voting times and dates can be found at LucasCountyOhioVotes.gov.

Election Day voting

Polling sites are open in Ohio from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Nov. 5. You can look up your polling location at VoteOhio.Gov.

What’s on the ballot?

A “ballot proof” is available for review on the Lucas County Board of Elections page. It lists candidates and ballot issues by precinct, so voters know what to expect.

For example: Six president/vice president candidate teams have declared in Ohio, with an additional write-in option available. Other candidate races include U.S. Senator, Lucas County Sheriff and openings on Toledo City Council.

Ohio Issue 1 is a proposed state constitutional amendment that has gained a lot of attention. This issue, if approved, would designate a redistricting commission to draw state legislative and congressional districts.

There are other issues locally, such as a proposed bond issue for the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library and a tax renewal request from the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority.

Are ballot “selfies” allowed?

Ohio does not permit photos to be taken of a marked ballot. It’s actually a fifth-degree felony should that take place, according to Ohio law.

The “I Voted” Sticker

A traditionally popular way to showcase voter participation is through an “I voted” sticker, picked up on Election Day at the polling site.

Ohio’s current “I Voted” sticker design was adopted in 2019 through a student art contest. A red squiggle depicts a map of Ohio, nestled in a blue circle outline, with the phrase “Ohio Voted.”

Voters are invited to download the image to share on social media at the Ohio Secretary of State website. That website also has also a “future voter” coloring page for children available for download.

Is campaigning allowed at election sites?

Ohio does not allow election campaigning, also known as electioneering, within 100 feet of a voting site. This means no campaigning messages on attire such as shirts or hats, Monaco said.

Two small United States flags are placed at each voting site to designate the “neutral” zone where this applies.

Where is the Board of Elections office?

If you need to visit the Lucas County Board of Elections regarding a voting matter, that office moved about two years ago from its former location at One Government Center to 3737 W. Sylvania Road in West Toledo.

When are election numbers official?

Ballots cast on Election Day will be delivered in person to the Lucas County Board of Elections for the counting procedures.

There will be numbers reported after that count is complete.

The Ohio Secretary of State does not consider voter counts to be official until two or three weeks later, after provisional ballots are accounted for and to give time for absentee ballots to arrive that met the postmark deadline.

Anthony Wayne ‘Theater Kids’ win 48 Hour Film Awards

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Karen Gerhardinger

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August 18, 2026

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Screenshot — "Two Way Street" is a five-minute film created by a team of Anthony Wayne High School graduates and students, including '26 graduate Amelia Cappel, left, and senior Evan Jones. (Courtesy image)

A team of Anthony Wayne High School “theater kids” took home two awards last weekend for a five-minute film shot in and around Monclova Township, Waterville and Whitehouse.

“Two Way Street” was put together for the 48 Hour Film Project between 7:30 p.m. on Friday, July 24 and 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 26, and debuted Aug. 2 in the Redford Theater in Detroit – where it was nominated for a Best of Screening on Aug. 16 at the Civic Theatre in Farmington, Mich. Elsa Walz, a 2026 graduate, was there to accept two prizes on behalf of her team: Best in Genre – Road Trip Movie, and Best Use of Prop.

“You’ve got to have a good team for this – a team of creative people who are willing to take the initiative,” Elsa said of the film challenge, which is held in cities around the world, including Detroit. “All of us have done theater, but none of us had any film experience. It was a fun thing to do before we all go our separate ways.”

The motivation for taking on the 48 Hour Film Project came from ’26 graduate Maya Geiger, whose father, Bill, offered to pay the entrance fee if Maya could assemble a team.

“I sent it to my friends and didn’t think anyone would take me up on it,” Maya said.

But she quickly had a chorus of “yeses” from fellow ’26 graduates Amelia Cappel, Raleigh DuShane, Griffin Greer, Jace Uresti, Victoria (Tori) Marshall and Elsa, along with seniors Elisa Liemann, Evan Jones and Layla Doyle, and sophomore Lily Greer.

Gathering at The 48 Hour Film Project during the August 2 debut at the Redford Theater in Detroit are (from left) Elsa Walz, Evan Jones, Maya Geiger, Griffin Greer and Amelia Cappel. (Courtesy photo)

In the six weeks prior to the weekend challenge, Maya read as much as she could, and sent out documents to everyone involved so they wouldn’t waste valuable time on filming days. On July 24, half the team remained at her house while Maya and four others drove to Detroit to pull a slip of paper from a jar. On it were two genres: Sports/Games or Road Film. Being a “bunch of theater kids” with no sports background, Maya said the team quickly chose Road Trip as the theme.

Soon, they were on the road headed back home, with Elsa driving and the rest throwing out ideas for a script that would incorporate three requirements: a character who is a meteorologist named Bart or Barbara Jones, the line “You have to be careful with that,” and an eraser as a prop.

“We were figuring out the plot and what locations we wanted to film in,” Maya said.

Release forms had to be signed for every person and location, so that night, the back-home team headed out to find a gas station that would give permission for the film crew to shoot the next morning. Thankfully, Ridi’s in Whitehouse was willing, and Layla’s father, homebuilder Josh Doyle, gave permission for filming in his Telluride subdivision off Dutch Road.

Still en route home, the team was brainstorming on who could realistically portray a meteorologist; after all, no one ever sees a teenager giving the weather report on TV. Elsa’s mom, Raegan Sawyer, suggested contacting her younger brother, 2010 graduate Keegan Sawyer, who was a communications major at Ohio University, where he worked on air for the college news station.

“He’s an awesome uncle who got dressed up in the middle of the night to read lines on a green screen for his niece and a gaggle of kids,” Raegan said of her brother.

In addition to Keegan playing Bart Jones – a rain-predicting TV weatherman – Elsa and Tori portray newscasters on a television show in the background during the opening scene.

Choosing the lead roles out of so many experienced actors was achieved through a democratic process – a 3 a.m. informal audition and a vote on whose performance was the best, said Evan, who was selected to play Sam.

“This was definitely different from theatrical acting,” said Amelia, who was selected to portray Wendy, the other lead. “I had to be convincing and realistic instead of over the top. I had to act like a real person.”

The opening scene shows Evan exiting a bedroom, shuffling past the TV with the doom-and-gloom forecast of rain and traffic backups, past a closed door where his parents – acted by Elisa and Griffin – are loudly arguing. Getting the shot of Evan walking involved Maya lying on a blanket holding the camera while two others pulled her backwards down the hall.

At Ridi’s two scenes were shot: of Evan coming in to purchase a pocket knife and being told by the unseen cashier that “You have to be careful with that,” and one in which Amelia drops an eraser with a smiley face as she pulls out her credit card. It took more than 90 minutes to film those brief scenes, stopping every time a customer came into the convenience store.

Other scenes are shot while both Evan and Amelia are driving, nearly colliding with one another on the road, past familiar cornfields and barns, and finally at Mary Jane Thurston State Park.

While the filming was underway, using a borrowed boom mic and camera, siblings Lily and Griffin were in the Cappel family home, recording original music. Because Amelia and Griffin are in the band Hit & Run, recording equipment was all set up.

“The coolest part of all is that the music was all original, composed and arranged by Lily and Griffin,” Maya said. “We’re not required to have original music – we could pay to have music from a library – but we have the talented, musically inclined people who were excited to make music for us.”

With filming done on Saturday, the team took turns editing, preparing the title art and last-minute details overnight and into Sunday, barely finishing in time. In the end, “Two Way Street” depicts two different outlooks on a day, and how small actions like a smile or uplifting music can turn that around.

“It shows that you don’t have to see the results of what you’re doing to positively affect people,” Elsa said.

She credits Maya for keeping everyone organized, incorporating everyone’s ideas, and moving forward in a positive way. For Maya, who has not only acted in plays and musicals throughout high school, but also managed junior high performances, doing a film was more of a stretch than she imagined. It’s a lot harder than the amateur videos students make with their phones for high school assignments, she noted.

“I learned that making a movie is less about filming and a lot of behind-the-scenes and overhead. And there’s so much paperwork,” Maya said. “This was only possible because we have a motley crew of talented, awesome and hard-working people.”

Scenes were filmed inside Ridi’s in Whitehouse. (Courtesy photo)

This week, the team is saying goodbye to Amelia and Maya, who are both headed to The Ohio State University, where they will room together. Maya plans to major in biology, while Amelia will focus on English and art history. She will also continue with Hit & Run in Columbus, teaming up with 2024 graduate and saxophonist Luke Willis to perform in local venues and parties. Tori will study mortuary science at Bowling Green State University, and Elsa is headed to Marquette University to major in biomedical sciences with a minor in theater.

Next summer, these graduates plan to return home to team up with their fellow theater friends for another 48 Hour Film Project.

“I think it will be even better because we’ll know what we’re getting into,” Maya said.

Anthony Wayne adds six to Hall Of Fame

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Press Release

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August 18, 2026

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Hall photo by rebecca sanford — The Anthony Wayne Alumni Association Hall of Fame is located in the Roy Williamson Performing Arts Center hallway at the high school. This year, six new plaques will be added. (Courtesy of Anthony Wayne Local Schools)

The Anthony Wayne Alumni Association’s Hall of Fame – located in the hallway near the high school’s Roy Williamson Performing Arts Center – is about to gain six new plaques.

On Saturday, Aug. 22, five alumni and one retired teacher will be inducted into the Hall of Fame, and added to the existing 177 members.

The Hall of Fame is designed to recognize individuals, who through their academics, athletics, activities, art and music, have made an impact on Anthony Wayne Local Schools in their communities or in their professions.

Alumni Kevin Click, Matthew Mauro, Lisa Schaller, Debra Thompson and Charles Wiedie, along with retired teacher Steve Mossing, will be recognized during the first home football game, on Friday, Aug. 21, and during the Aug. 22 luncheon.

Kevin Click

Kevin Click, Class of 1979, attended The University of Georgia where he received a BBA in international business and Spanish. He spent 28 years based around the world with Altria/Philip Morris International, retiring in 2014 as senior vice president of human resources.

He has served in board positions for the Rotary; the International School of Lausanne, Switzerland; the Asheville Art Museum; and Boy Scouts of America International. Today he remains on the Board for MANNA Food Bank in Asheville, N.C. and volunteers with Habitat for Humanity.

“AWHS gave me role models, a spirit of service and examples of leadership grounded in humility,” Click said. “Those experiences helped to shape the person I became and inspired a lifelong commitment to giving back.”

Click resides in Asheville and continues his dedication to helping friends, family and neighbors.

Matthew Mauro

Matthew Mauro, a 2007 graduate, participated in many musical pursuits during high school, including symphonic band, marching band, jazz band, various honor ensembles, Toledo Youth Orchestra and music composition contests.

Since graduating, Mauro has earned a bachelor of music education from The Ohio State University and both a master of music and doctorate in horn performance (with a cognate in music theory) from the University of Cincinnati College – Conservatory of Music.

Mauro is currently principal horn with the Lima Symphony Orchestra, a private horn and piano instructor, and music and choir director with the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection. Continuing his passion through performance and education, Mauro also works as a freelance hornist in orchestras throughout Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana.

Steve Mossing

Steve Mossing spent his entire 35-year teaching career, from 1976 to 2011, with Anthony Wayne Schools, serving as a physical education instructor, coach and athletic administrator.

Mossing’s coaching duties included football, basketball, tennis and 30 years as the boys varsity golf coach. He served 15 years as an assistant athletic director, and one year as athletic director.

After his retirement, Mossing continues to serve Anthony Wayne as he works to organize the boys and girls Northern Lakes League golf tournaments and supports the Ohio High School Athletic Association basketball tournament and other events.

“Teaching gave me satisfaction, watching students and athletes mature and grow into fine young adults. AW Schools provided me with the necessary tools to continue to evolve into a dedicated and compassionate educator,” he said.

Mossing’s dedication to students, pride in the community, and a genuine passion for helping others succeed set him apart. Mossing cared deeply about his students, not just as athletes or pupils, but as individuals with potential, purpose and heart.

During his career, Mossing began a signature “Happy Friday” message each week to his email list. Now, 15 years after retirement, many still receive this small, yet powerful reminder of his positivity, humor and care.

Lisa Schaller

Lisa Schaller, a 1981 graduate, was raised in a family deep rooted in the community, providing a path of education and community service.

After graduation, Schaller served in the U.S. Army, received a B.S. in construction management from ITT Technical Institute and a master’s degree of technology-construction management from Bowling Green State University.

Schaller continues to teach and mentor students as assistant teaching professor at BGSU. Mentoring college-age students is just a part of her passion, as there is a focus on technology and STEM education with students from elementary to high school. Schaller is passionate about providing experiences for the students who will become future leaders.

Schaller serves her community through leadership positions with many community support organizations, including Anthony Wayne Alumni Association, Anthony Wayne Education Foundation, Anthony Wayne Community Chamber of Commerce, Habitat for Humanity, Special Olympics, Wood County Parks and the high school career fair. She resides on her family farm in the Anthony Wayne area. Her daughter, Kierstin, is a 2026 AWHS graduate.

Debra Thompson

Debra Thompson, Class of 1980, was active in the FFA, the Pep Rally Team, and Lucas County 4-H while in high school. After graduation, she started a career in floral design with Ken’s Flower Shop, and began a successful balloon and floral decorating business. In her first year as a business owner, she decorated for seven high school proms, including AWHS, which sought her out for design and decorations for many years.

Thompson became a Tupperware manager at age 20, and she advanced within other companies to sales supervisor, until a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis forced her retirement at age 55.

However, this only proved to move Debra into her next phase of life, which encompasses community leadership and advocacy. Today she serves as team leader of the Transportation and Mobility Action Team for the City of Bowling Green, chair of the BG Sidewalk Commission, and member of the Transportation Advisory Committee.

“AWHS taught me to be involved, to work with others, to lead when needed, and to persevere when faced with challenges,” Debra said.

Charles Wiedie

Charles Wiedie, a 1986 graduate, earned a B.A. in political science from The Ohio State University in 1992. He attended the University of Toledo Law School, graduating magna cum laude in 1995. Commissioned to the United States Air Force, Wiedie launched a 30-year career that took him around the world as a military judge and judge advocate, with numerous service awards, decorations and achievements.

At AW, Wiedie served as class president and captain of the baseball team his senior year. He credits coaches, teachers and administrators for teaching him about leadership.

“Through hindsight and maturity, I am able to look back at my time at AW and better appreciate how my experiences there shaped my future decisions,” he said.

Wiedie now lives in Kailua, Hawaii where he has served as an attorney advisor to the U.S. Marine Corps Defense Services Organization since 2024.

The AWAA Hall of Fame luncheon is open to the public. Tickets are $23 and may be purchased at awalumni.org under the Donate tab. Guests may also pay at the door, but should send reservation information to [email protected].

Toledo Area Announcements

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Press Release

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August 18, 2026

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SOTC Somerville Toledo — Owens Community College President Dr. Diane D. Somerville. (Photo courtesy of Owens Community College)

(All announcements are 100% compiled from press releases, or otherwise shared by our media partners as credited)

Education news

Owens Community College – President Dr. Dione D. Somerville highlighted Owens Community College’s continued focus on student success, workforce development and institutional improvement, while introducing the Owens Has Heart initiative during her annual State of the College address on Monday, Aug. 17. Students will return to campus for the first day of the fall semester on Monday, August 24.

Bowling Green State University – Bowling Green State University was recently recognized by two leading technology entities as a statewide leader for its relevant application and implementation of artificial intelligence to prepare students for the workforce while advancing innovation across Ohio.

Ohio Tech News and OhioX, a statewide nonprofit technology association, named Bowling Green to their inaugural AI25 Companies and Organizations list, which recognizes leaders turning AI into real-world impact across the state.

Government & Politics news

Lucas County Prosecuting Attorney Julia R. Bates released a statement on Aug. 6 stating that Darnell Jones, the man accused of murdering his daughter, Kei’Mani Latigue, has been indicted on additional counts. These include seven counts of rape, four counts of kidnapping, one count of strangulation, and one count of gross sexual imposition.
In her statement, Bates noted that “these new indictments stem from offenses that occurred before 2025 and fall within Ohio’s statute of limitations,” adding that “We will continue to try these cases not in the court of public opinion, but in a courtroom, with a professional team defined by compassion, integrity and commitment to the rule of law. We remain determined to seek justice not only for Kei’Mani Latigue, but also for the additional victims affected by these indictments.”

Business & nonprofit news

Pickle 4 Purple – Ohio pickleball tournament aims to stop Alzheimer’s – Registration has opened for Pickle 4 Purple – Ohio (P4P-OH), a three-day pickleball tournament and fundraiser, which will take place Sept. 18-20, 2026, at Toledo Pickle Co. in downtown Toledo. Proceeds will support the Alzheimer’s Association. Players will be guaranteed five games in this round robin tournament. Registration fees are $70 for the first event and $35 for a second. Complete information, registration, and donation forms are available on the tournament website at stopalzheimersllc.com.

Economic development – After receiving its first Pentagon contract, Ukrainian Defense Drones (UDD) has chosen northwest Ohio for its first major U.S. assembly and manufacturing center. UDD, the U.S. company representing Ukraine’s F-Drones, is expected to make a multimillion-dollar investment for the new production project in the Village of Holland, creating at least 300 new jobs.

Health & Environment

University of Toledo – UToledo Health is the first health system in northwest Ohio to perform histotripsy, a groundbreaking, non-invasive procedure that destroys tumors using focused sound waves instead of a scalpel, heat or radiation.
The new technology, in clinical use at the University of Toledo Medical Center since July, provides an alternative method for treating solid tumors, including tumors in locations that can make surgery challenging or for patients who may not be able to safely undergo surgery. UToledo Health is using the HistoSonics Edison System, the only histotripsy platform authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Community

Northwest Ohio native Robert Bremer publishes new self-help book, Positivity Please – Bremer has spent decades working in wellness and personal development. His book share his insights into how anyone can reach their potential with the right tools. You can find the book on Amazon.

In other news, St. Luke’s Lutheran Church (ELCA) announced the installation of Pastor Michael Wentzel as the congregation’s new pastor. The installation service will be held on Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026, at 3 p.m. at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, 1690 W. Sterns Road, Temperance, Mich. Members of the community, neighboring congregations, family, friends, and clergy are warmly invited to attend.

Sports

Walleye News – The Toledo Walleye have agreed to terms with forwards Nolan Hutcheson and Johnny Waldron, and with defenseman Jack Duff for the 2026-27 ECHL season, their first full seasons as professionals.

They have also agreed to terms with forward Greg Smith for the season, his first in Toledo, and fourth as a professional.

Mud Hens News – Below are the results of last week’s games:

Tuesday, Aug. 11 at Louisville (7-2 W)

Thursday, Aug. 13 Game 1 at Louisville (5-3 W)

Thursday, Aug. 13 Game 2 at Louisville (4-3 L/8)

Friday, Aug. 14 at Louisville (9-1 L)

Saturday, Aug. 15 at Louisville (4-3 W)

Sunday, Aug. 16 at Louisville (5-1 L)

Whitehouse wants to recruit Council candidates

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Karen Gerhardinger

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August 17, 2026

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IMG_2272 (1) — Whitehouse Village Hall. (AWFP photo by Karen Gerhardinger)

WHITEHOUSE – When Whitehouse voters headed to the polls in November 2025, their choices were simple: three candidates running for three open positions. In Waterville that same year, only one candidate was on the ballot for three open positions.

To give voters options in the November 2027 election, Whitehouse Village Council spent part of their Aug. 11 Committee of the Whole meeting brainstorming on ways to recruit council candidates, including through a podcast, social media posts, informational sessions and a “council member for the day” program with high school students.

“This is trying to get people more involved,” said Carrie Tuohy, who is serving her first term in office. Some of the challenges for those new to local government include understanding ordinances and Sunshine rules, and even how to file petitions with the Lucas County Board of Elections, she added.

“Before we go into the details of how to be a council member, we should talk about what is the purpose of Council and why does the village need one,” said Larry Yunker. “When I was running [for office] and talking to people, a lot of people don’t know what happens in this building at all. That’s a good starting point: why it’s important that we have representatives of the community that meet three to four times a month on their behalf – and the kind of decisions that we make.”

Getting residents to come to Council meetings to see how local government works would be an ideal start, agreed Tuohy, joking that it would be nice to serve up hot dogs to lure people to attend.

“I wish people would come. To see that their voices matter,” she said. “We want people to feel welcome, and we want them to run. Even if it’s to replace us. That’s what democracy is all about. We want different voices.”

In 2024, voters approved a charter amendment imposing term limits for council members and the mayor, in order to open up the Council for new people, she added. Tuohy, Yunker and Dave Riggenbach, along with Mayor Rich Bingham, have terms ended Dec. 31, 2027 and will need to seek reelection if desired.

Council directed Administrator Jordan Daugherty to have staff work on ideas for podcasts or informational pieces to post online, and to draft a letter to the schools about partnering to get high school students involved.

Blue Creek Metropark. (AWFP photo by Karen Gerhardinger)

During the meeting, council also:

-Discussed a request from Metroparks Toledo for the village to participate in development plans for Blue Creek Metropark, which is within the village, and to help cover the cost of hiring a firm that specializes in engaging the community to get input on the plan.

Council members pointed out that the plan included with the Metroparks request, dated Feb. 13, 2026, includes the concept of a library and conservation center – a project that has since been removed. Daugherty surmised that this was a draft that would be a launching point for community and village to refer to while exploring ideas for the Metropark.

Water tower with quarry. (AWFP photo by Karen Gerhardinger)

The plan states a goal of turning Blue Creek into a “premiere year-round destination for outdoor adventure” including a possible swimming area in the quarry, an improved sledding hill with artificial snow, a cafe and dog park and a small amphitheater, as well as enhanced restoration of habitats.

“I think the concept plan is amazing and exciting. It would bring a lot of people to the area – who would stay and eat and spend money. I like the idea,” Bublick said.

“We absolutely have to participate, at least in the conversation on the vision of the park. It’s within the village. It is going to affect our residents. It will affect the economic development of the village going forward,” said Council Member Louann Artiaga.

Council agreed to move forward with investing in the plan update, and will vote on the amount during the next regular council meeting, which is Tuesday, Sept. 1 at 6:30 p.m.

–Heard Artiaga announce her resignation, effective immediately. Council has 30 days to name her replacement, or the mayor would make the appointment. An application and information on how to apply for the position are posted on the village’s website at whitehouseoh.gov.

Wild Side: The scratchy sound of summer

By

Art Weber

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August 16, 2026

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KatydidOnOak-KI-033 Weber 2500 px TFP — A katydid. (Photo by Art Weber, nature photographer for Metroparks Toledo)

Every summer night there’s a free concert performed by a chorus of insects. They’ve been joined by a new performer with a scratchy “voice.”

That voice is the call of male katydids rubbing their wings together in hopes of attracting a mate. There’s a rhythm to the song, and if you use a little imagination, you’ll hear it repeatedly saying its name – “ka-ty-did.”

These tree-dwelling relatives of grasshoppers are easy to hear but rarely seen. They spend their days quietly hiding in trees and bushes, their green bodies and leaf-like wings helping them blend nicely into surrounding foliage.

Come nighttime, you know they’ve been hiding nearby all day. Their nighttime serenade is scratchy and repetitive, but at the same time welcome and soothing.

Crickets provide the background, a constant trill that’s also created by rubbing their wings together.

Enjoy the performance through these weeks of late summer. Have a seat outside and enjoy it while we can.

A Walk in the Park with a Historian

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Erin Holden

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August 15, 2026

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In this episode, Erin Holden heads to a park she has never visited before – Fallen Timbers Battlefield Metropark – to take a walk with historian David Westrick. David wrote a book about the battle, and he has much to say about the park’s history and the significance of the beautiful trails visitors will find there. After the interview, Erin talks with her friend Wendy DeBord about all the insight they gleaned from David’s tour.

This is the fifth episode of A Walk in the Park with, a WGTE Public Media and Metroparks Toledo collaboration hosted and produced by Erin. Join her as she explores everyday life in Toledo’s Metroparks. In each episode, Erin interviews different park visitors – runners, teachers, artists, parents and more – revealing the many ways people connect with nature. You’ll hear personal stories about people’s relationships with our parks and the activities they cherish. Erin also documents her journey along the way, reflecting on the insights she gains from each experience.

Anthony Wayne Local Schools hosts Back-to-School job fair

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Karen Gerhardinger

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August 14, 2026

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Buses — Anthony Wayne Local Schools, like many districts nationwide, is in need of substitute and contract bus drivers. An Aug. 25 Back-to-School Employment Fair will give community members to learn more about opportunities and apply for positions. (AWFP photo by Karen Gerhardinger)

Going back to school isn’t just for K-12 students: Anthony Wayne Local Schools has openings for substitutes in a variety of positions throughout the district, with flexible hours, competitive pay and opportunities for growth.

On Tuesday, Aug. 25 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the district will hold a Back-to-School Employment Fair at the Central Administrative Offices, 9565 Bucher Road. Candidates can fill out an application and learn more about teaching (certified) and non-teaching (classified) substitute opportunities. Anyone applying during the fair will have the background check fee waived.

The goal of the fair is primarily to recruit classified substitutes to fill positions in areas like operations, food service and transportation, as well as aides for the classroom, playground and lunchroom, said Superintendent Kevin Herman.

“These positions are every bit as important in our daily operations,” Herman said. “I consider every person in this district to be part of the educational process. Whether they’re working directly with a child’s education or not, they have an opportunity to make a difference to students.”

Bus drivers are the first school representatives to greet a child each morning and often set the tone for that child’s mood throughout the day, he noted. And the cafeteria workers make connections with the students as they go through the lunch line.

Joining the district as a substitute is often the first step to getting into a contract position, Herman said.

“A high percentage of our subs, if they do a great job and want to be full-time, are able to get into those contracted positions,” Herman said. “As we have positions open up, most of the time we hire someone who has subbed first.”

That was the case for bus driver Mike O’Shea and cashier Sharon Hill.

O’Shea, who is lead pastor at Waterville Community Church, first started subbing in the classroom, but decided to help fill a need for substitute bus drivers.

“I love kids and big cars, so it’s been a good fit,” said O’Shea, who now has a contract position as a bus driver with a regular route. “My initial plan was just to sub, but the district’s need was so high that I was getting called almost every day. I realized it would be easier and more helpful to pursue a contract route.”

Bus driver Mike O’Shea, with his son, Ryder. O’Shea started out as a substitute teacher, then a substitute bus driver before taking on a regular route for Anthony Wayne Local Schools. (AWFP photo by Karen Gerhardinger)

Initially, O’Shea thought that most bus drivers viewed the position as a hobby or second job to earn some extra cash – not necessarily pursuing the job as a way to care for the kids and the community.

“I was very wrong,” he said. “The drivers and staff in the Transportation Department are highly professional, work incredibly hard and care deeply about what they’re doing.”

Having a regular route fits well with O’Shea’s schedule and still allows him six or more hours a day in the office. But the best part, he said, is the people: the drivers, the office staff and, most of all, the kids.

Finding enough bus drivers is a nationwide problem, in part because of the time it takes to train and get a CDL to drive a bus, Herman said, but the district will pay for that training and the time it takes to earn the certification.

When Hill signed up to sub for the district in 2016, she didn’t know anyone other than a few teachers and coaches she’d met before her daughter, Abbey, graduated in 2007.

“I was in the banking industry for 24 years. They downsized my department, so I took a year off, but I was bored. I saw they were looking for subs and I decided to check all of them,” she said of a form she filled out indicating what areas she’d like to work in.

She served as a special education aide, playground aide and food service worker and decided she liked working in the cafeteria the most. So when a position opened up, she took it.

“I only work 4-1/2 hours a day, but it’s perfect,” she said, explaining that she arrives at 9 a.m. to help prep lunches and then works the register at the high school. “They train you – they don’t just throw you in there. We all help each other. If something needs to be done, we just do it. I work with a lot of good people.”

Unlike teaching positions, which are typically not open during the school year, classified positions tend to open up as employees retire or move on to another position. Subs are especially needed for special education aides, custodial staff and bus drivers. These positions do not require a degree, but teaching substitutes do.

While subbing is an ideal path to get into a contract position, many choose to stay as a substitute because of the flexibility. Often subs are parents who want to work while their children are in school, but need the flexibility to take off when a child is sick or to handle other responsibilities, Herman said.

Others do want to ease into a contract position, especially when realizing the benefits are excellent.

“If its someone who is looking at getting back into the workforce, subbing is a great way to start,” Herman said.

Candidates identified during the fair will be added to a list for approval by the Anthony Wayne Board of Education during its Sept. 14 meeting. For more information, visit anthonywaynelocalschools.org.

*Note: The high school is in need of a second shift building engineer. Learn more about the position and apply here.

Anthony Wayne Board of Education welcomes new staff members

By

Karen Gerhardinger

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August 13, 2026

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New Certified Staff — Anthony Wayne Local Schools is welcoming new staff members, including back row (from left) Tori Owen, Kama Wathier, Jack Hursh, Jason Biniker, Molly Rutkowski, Ellie Fleischer and Tracy Greene, and front row (from left) Amy Brinthaupt, Autumn Cornell, Kaylee Lu, Alyssa Fisher, Anthony Wayne Local Schools is welcoming new staff members, including back row (from left) Tori Owen, Kama Wathier, Jack Hursh, Jason Biniker, Molly Rutkowski, Ellie Fleischer and Tracy Greene, and front row (from left) Amy Brinthaupt, Autumn Cornell, Kaylee Lu, Alyssa Fisher, Maya Fleck, Clare Black and Drake Furey. (Photo courtesy of Rebecca Sanford of Anthony Wayne Local Schools)

The Anthony Wayne Board of Education welcomed 14 new staff members during its Aug. 10 meeting – including teachers and specialists who are AW graduates.

Superintendent Kevin Herman and Assistant Superintendent Kevin Pfefferle welcomed and introduced the new staff members.

Joining the high school are science teacher Ellie Fleischer and business technology teacher Tracy Greene.

Fleischer is a Bowling Green State University graduate who did student teaching at Genoa High School and is an experienced lacrosse player and coach.

Greene brings extensive teaching experience from North Carolina, Holgate, Rossford, Evergreen, Fostoria and Ottawa Hills. She graduated from BGSU and Anthony Wayne High School, where she was a member of the 2003 state title-winning softball team. In 2021 she was inducted into the Tiffin University Hall of Fame.

Penta Career Center employee Jason Biniker is taking over the position of marketing and DECA teacher at the high school, following the retirement of Becky Stutz. He has 22 years of experience in the position, including 11 years at Penta and 11 years at Start High School.

The junior high is gaining four new staff members, including:

-Intervention Specialist Amy Brinthaupt, a Cincinnati State and University of Toledo graduate who previously served as a paraprofessional and ran a cottage bakery.

-Social studies teacher Drake Furey, who previously was an in-game host for Toledo Mud Hens and Walleye, an OHSSA varsity football and basketball referee, and an Ottawa Hills basketball coach. He is a BGSU graduate.

-Physical education and health teacher Jack Hursh is a Bowling Green State University graduate.

-Intervention Specialist Tori Owen is an AW alumna with degrees from the University of Toledo and BGSU. She previously worked at Rogers High School.

Fallen Timbers Middle School is welcoming four new staff members, including:

–Kaylee (Prall) Lu, a sixth grade English Language Arts teacher, graduated from Capital University and previously taught English as a Second Language.

-Intervention Specialist Maya Fleck is a BGSU graduate with experience in Lakota Schools.

-Intervention Specialist Clare Black, is a Bowling Green graduate who previously worked in child care and in educational summer camps.

-Intervention Specialist Kama Wathier has experience in schools in Indiana and in gifted intervention at Springfield Local Schools.

Autumn Cornell is an intervention specialist at Waterville Primary School. She is a BGSU graduate with experience from Springfield Local Schools.

Molly Rutkowski is a BGSU graduate who will serve as an intervention specialist at Whitehouse Primary School – a role she filled as a long-term sub. She also has previous experience as a summer academy teacher for the district.

Alyssa Fisher is filling a new district-wide position as a behavior specialist. Fisher has degrees from Ball State University and Bowling Green State University and brings experience from several school districts, including Springfield Local Schools, Findlay City Schools and the Center for Autism and Dyslexia. She will help build and define the position as she works with all of the directors and the schools throughout the district, Pfefferle said.

Meagan Conroy, assistant treasurer, was hired earlier this year but was welcomed with the new staff during the meeting. A University of Findlay graduate, she previously worked for the Auditor of State and for Rossford City Schools as assistant treasurer.

Meagan Conroy. (AWFP photo by Karen Gerhardinger)

During the meeting, the board also:

-Approved the hiring of S. Christopher Goyer as a cafeteria/playground aide in Whitehouse; Megan Wright, a special education aide; Austin Bellmore, high school custodian; and Bethany Cotner, Whitehouse food service worker.

-Held a moment of silence in honor of Tiffany Prayter, who lost her battle with cancer on Aug. 8. She served as a third-grade teacher at Waterville Primary School for 17 years.

“She has had an impact on this staff, an impact on all the students she has served, and she has had an impact on this community,” Herman said.

He praised the staff members who have provided aid and comfort to the family during her illness.

“It makes me so proud to be a part of this district and and see the lengths that people go to to assist people when they are in need,” Herman said, noting that the district plans to continue working with the family and providing assistance with grief counseling.

-Learned that some staff members attended a training at the 180th Fighter Wing to learn how to support families and students in the event of a deployment.

-Congratulated the spring track athletes who competed at the state level and received All-Ohio honors last spring. This includes the 4×800 boys relay team of Joshua Bighouse, Benjamin Gasiorski, Ethan Rozick and Jacob Proctor, and the girls 4×200 team of Madeline Householder, Iliana Smith, Kamryn Smith and Madeline Zimmerman.

The Anthony Wayne Board of Education congratulated the state-winning relay teams during its August 11 meeting. Pictured are coach Craig Smith and the boys 4×800 team of Joshua Bighouse, Benjamin Gasiorski, Ethan Rozick and Jacob Proctor, and the girls 4×200 relay team of Madeline Householder, Kamryn Smith, Madeline Zimmerman and Ilana Smith with coach Kevin O’Connor, who is retiring from coaching. (Photo courtesy of Rebecca Sanford of Anthony Wayne Local Schools)

“We’ve never had one relay team in the history of the school on the All-Ohio wall. In one year, we got two teams. It’s been quite a spring,” said Athletic Director John Snyder, thanking coaches Craig Smith and Kevin O’Connor, who is stepping down after several years of coaching.

-Approved Piper Phillips as an early graduate of the Class of 2027, as she plans to continue her educational and athletic goals at Eastern Illinois University.

-Approved resignations and retirements, including those of bus drivers Mike Lutton and Walt Wilhoyte, both of whom Herman praised for always being wonderful employees who will be greatly missed.

-Listened to Herman say that while all positions are currently filled, the district is seeking substitutes for all areas – including playground, bus and cafeteria aides, groundskeepers, maintenance and bus drivers. When hiring full-time, the district often fills those positions from the list of people who have begun as substitutes. An employment fair to recruit substitutes is slated for Tuesday, Aug. 25 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Central Administrative Offices, 9565 Bucher Road.

-Heard that Anthony Wayne High School senior Curtis Vollmar, who has been serving as a bus mechanic this past summer, will continue to work full-time for the district while reporting to supervisors at Penta Career Center, where he has been taking classes. His father, Gary, has been employed by AWLS since 2004 – while still a student at Penta – and has served as head mechanic for 5 years.

-Approved the $16,280 agreement with Red Rover to replace the district’s Frontline software for absence, time tracking and employment service management. Staff will undergo training before it is launched on Jan. 1.

–Approved the donation of a 2025 Look trailer, valued at $6,899, from the AW Band Boosters, and $800 in donations from Whitehouse Parents Club for a gaga pit floor.

-Listened to Treasurer Ray Greene share the general fund financial forecast and assumptions for fiscal years 2027 through 2030. This year, Greene projects revenues of $55,314,934 from property taxes, income taxes, state and federal grants and reimbursement for property tax credits. Expenditures are projected at $54,290,267, with the largest being salaries and benefits, purchased services and supplies.

Ray Greene. (AWFP photo by Karen Gerhardinger)

When added to the carryover, that leaves a cash balance of $4,149,385 as of June 30, 2027. The cash balance for fiscal year 2028 is projected at $4.5 million, but – with expenditures for fiscal years 2029 and 2030 expected to be slightly more than revenues – that cash balance will be reduced to $4.4 million for 2029 and $3.7 million at the end of fiscal year 2030.

Greene noted that mall revenue is not included in his report as the property was recently purchased and includes $2.5 million in back taxes owed to the district. Nexus Pipeline has confirmed that it will provide the district with $3.17 million over the next few years as its public utility tax. The forecast is shared in detail at anthonywayneschools.org under the Board of Education Aug. 11 meeting.

The next regular meeting of the Board of Education is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 14 at the Central Administrative Offices, 9565 Bucher Rd., Whitehouse.

Upcoming Toledo Area Events

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Press Release

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August 13, 2026

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pexels-am83-9331396 — Pexels photo by Andrew Patrick

(All events are compiled from press releases and other public announcements)

The Toledo area always has something going on, from live shows and family-friendly activities to protests and community meetings. Here are some of the events to check out. If you have something you’d like us to consider adding, please reach out!

Friday, Aug. 14 – Sunday, Aug. 16 – PRIDE WEEKEND! The celebrations begin downtown in Promenade Park with a kick-off party on Friday from 5 – 10 p.m. On Saturday, the parade begins at noon at 13th and Adams St., and on Sunday, festivities continue with a Big Rainbow Barhop from 1 – 5 p.m. Find more details here.

Friday, Aug. 14 – Glass City Jazz Fest – Doors open at 5 p.m. for the show at the Toledo Zoo Amphitheater (2700 Broadway St.). The festival features Mike Williams, Bob Baldwin, Lindsey Webster, and many others who are performing as a tribute to Toledo’s jazz legend, the late Art Tatum. $10 general admission. Learn more here.

Monday, Aug. 17 – Community members are invited to attend the free ProMedica Community Health Fair from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the ProMedica Health and Wellness Center, 5700 Monroe St., Sylvania. It will feature interactive booths, discussions with health professionals, local food trucks, and giveaways. FREE.

Tuesday, Aug. 18 – There’s No Place Like Home fundraiser by the Fair Housing Center – The happy hour-style fundraiser will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. at The Pinnacle, 1772 Indian Wood Circle, Maumee. The event brings together community members, supporters, and advocates for an evening inspired by the timeless themes of The Wizard of Oz. Guests are encouraged to wear red shoes.

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. The evening will feature appetizers, live music by Arctic Clam, a cash bar, a 50/50 raffle, The Wizard of Oz themed artwork by Brian Lowe, and the Best Red Shoes Contest. Proceeds from the event support The Fair Housing Center’s mission to prevent and eliminate housing discrimination while promoting equal housing opportunities throughout the region.

Friday, Aug. 21 – Party in the Park (Promenade Park) – From 6-9:30 p.m., enjoy R&B Weekend featuring Wall Music & DJ Lyt n Rod

Saturday, Aug. 22 – The Shelly Company (1301 Ford St., Maumee) is hosting their Maumee Open House from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Attendees can learn more about the company, meet the team and tour the facility. There will also be a free lunch, free t-shirts, kid-friendly entertainment and other activities.

Friday, August 28 – Party in the Park (Promenade Park) – From 6-9:30 p.m., enjoy the Thank You Toledo Finale in Promenade Park featuring Arctic Clam & Prince Tribute Band: Marshall Charloff & the Purple Xperience.

Thursday, Sept. 3 – As a featured guest in the Toledo Lucas County Library’s Authors! series, Ann Aguirre will discuss her cozy fae fantasy romance , The Hocus Pocus Handbook, at the Maine Library at 7 p.m. (details here). The book features a sunshine-shadow slow burn, a grumpy-but-secretly-tender love interest, an unforgettable found family, and a world lush with wildcraft magic.

Friday, September 18 – Party in the Park (Promenade Park) – From 6-9:30 p.m., enjoy Party in the Park on the Road at Maumee Bay Brewing featuring Pops Garage & Chris Shutters Fleetwood Gold

Saturday, Sept. 19 – PARK(ing) Day Kick-off Party on Huron Street in downtown Toledo – The creators of this event, Toledo Design Collective, explore how underused parking spaces can be repurposed. For one day, parking spaces are transformed into places for people of all ages to gather, play, and connect. Learn more about it here.

Friday, October 16 – Party in the Park (Promenade Park) – From 6-9:30 p.m., enjoy Party in the Park on the Road in Uptown District featuring Funk Factory & Not Fast Enuff

Toledo Opera’s 2026-2027 season

Beginning in October, the season will feature two main-stage productions.

Toledo Opera’s 68^th season delivers a thrilling journey through epic drama and boundless joy, featuring Aida and H.M.S. Pinafore.

Tickets can be purchased at toledoopera.org or by phone at 419-255-7464. To learn more about the season, visit toledoopera.org.

2026-27 Season Schedule

Aida by Giuseppe Verdi
October 16 & 18, 2026
Valentine Theatre

Torn between love and duty, Aida stands at the center of a tempest of passion, loyalty, and impossible choices. Captive in ancient Egypt, the Ethiopian Princess must navigate her love for the heroic Radamès, her devotion to her homeland, and the schemes of the jealous Princess Amneris. Toledo Opera’s original production brings Verdi’s unforgettable arias, soaring duets, and breathtaking choruses to life, immersing audiences in a story of desire, sacrifice, and destiny. Returning to Toledo Opera for the first time in over a decade, Aida is a monumental opera experience not to be missed.

Aida stars soprano Mary Elizabeth Williams (company debut) as Aida, tenor Brendan Boyle (Toledo Opera’s Carmen, Tosca, and Ragtime) as Radamès, contralto Lauren Decker (Toledo Opera’s Suor Angelica & Cavalleria Rusticana) as Princess Amneris, and baritone Nmon Ford as Amonasro (company debut).

Sung in Italian with English Captions

H.M.S. Pinafore by Arthur Sullivan & W.S. Gilbert

February 19 & 21, 2027

Valentine Theatre

After more than four decades, H.M.S. Pinafore returns to Toledo Opera, bringing Gilbert & Sullivan’s signature wit, music, and high-seas hijinks to life. Onboard, the captain’s daughter Josephine hopes for love with the humble sailor Ralph Rackstraw, despite her father’s plans to marry her to the pompous Sir Joseph Porter. Mischievous sailors, scheming relatives, and the bumbling Little Buttercup, whose long-held secret turns everything upside down, ensure laughter, surprises, and joyous music throughout. This original production combines rousing choruses, clever wordplay, and unforgettable characters for an evening of nautical fun the whole family will enjoy.

H.M.S. Pinafore stars tenor Mike Schwitter (Toledo Opera’s South Pacific) as Ralph Rackstraw, soprano Emily Casey (company debut) as Josephine, baritone Keith Phares (Toledo Opera’s South Pacific, Cinderella, and The Merry Widow)as Captain Corcoran, and Nicholas Wuehrman (company debut) as Sir Joseph Porter and stage director.

Louann Artiaga reflects on Whitehouse changes

By

Karen Gerhardinger

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August 13, 2026

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Louann Artiaga copy — Louann Artiaga, who has served for more than 16 years on Whitehouse Village Council, stepped down on August 11. Applications are being sought to fill her term. (AWFP photo by Karen Gerhardinger)

WHITEHOUSE – It takes just a drive down Providence Street to remind Louann Artiaga of the impact her decisions have had on the Village of Whitehouse. The downtown flowers and streetscaping, park shelterhouse and caboose improvements, and the addition of two new mini-parks are the results of council decisions that she’s been part of since taking the oath of office in April 2012.

On Aug. 11, Artiaga surprised her fellow council members by announcing that she was stepping down immediately. Council now has 30 days to select a candidate to fill her position until candidates can run in the November 2027 general election, said Council President Steve Fine.

“Between the 1990s and today, I have served over 16 years. And I’ve learned a lot and enjoyed all the people I’ve gotten to know,” Artiaga said during the meeting. “This will be my last night as a council member. I’ve loved working with everybody, but it’s time for me to concentrate on my business and my family.”

Shortly after moving to Whitehouse in 1988 with her husband, Ricardo, and their four school-aged children, Artiaga got involved in the village by serving as council clerk. In that role, she took minutes during meetings and got to see behind the scenes how government is run.

At the time, Diane McGilvery had just been elected as the village’s first female mayor, and was fighting to prevent the county from building a new prison facility near where the old Toledo House of Corrections was still in operation on Schadel Road. Opening in 1918, the “workhouse” was a place where inmates grew vegetables, raised hogs and cattle, and quarried limestone while serving their sentences. The workhouse was later torn down and is now home for Blue Creek Metropark and a native seed nursery.

In 1990, Artiaga began serving as a council member, working alongside longtime members Dick Lehman and Bea Ludwig, among others. But after two years, she decided to step down, as the position demanded a lot more time than she expected – and prevented her from attending her children’s school activities. While she stepped away from council, Artiaga continued to be involved in other facets of Whitehouse, including the Whitehouse Library and the Pythian Sisters.

By 2012, her children were out of college, and when an opening on council came up, Artiaga said she realized she missed it, and she had time. She was appointed and has remained on council ever since, winning a spot in the three elections since.

Her goals from the start were to improve the parks and downtown and to bring in new business. Early on, she formed Destination Whitehouse, a nonprofit intended to support economic development. But when then-mayor Angie Kuhn formed a committee to look at transforming the tiny BLT Park into what is now Veterans Memorial Park, Destination Whitehouse became an integral part of the process, serving as a collection point for donations that were used along with village funds.

Veterans Memorial Park was dedicated in 2019, filling a space that was once known as BLT Park. (AWFP photo by Karen Gerhardinger)

Veterans Memorial Park was dedicated in 2019, and now serves as a space to honor and reflect on Anthony Wayne area military veterans and first responders, with a fountain holding plaques containing the names of those who died in service to their country. Whitehouse Primary students visit the park every Veterans Day, and Destination Whitehouse continues to handle the engraved bricks that are placed on the walkway twice a year.

“I’m very proud of that park. It’s one of my favorite projects,” Artiaga said.

Once Veterans Memorial Park was finished, council set its sights on another small park just across the alley: what is now Village Social. Public Works crews installed the outdoor fireplace, pergola and furniture for the pocket park a few years later.

Village Social is a small park on Providence Street that was completed in 2023. (AWFP photo by Karen Gerhardinger)

During her tenure, Artiaga has seen other downtown improvements, including the completion of streetscaping with new benches, waste receptacles and limestone features, updates to the park shelterhouse to make it rentable year-round, and the addition of flower pots and hanging baskets along the main streets.

“We still get complaints about how much those flowers cost,” she laughed. “But they don’t realize that those flowers affect more than the beauty of the downtown. They lure people here. If you’re a new business looking to move someplace, where do you want to locate? To someplace like Whitehouse with the planters and the roundabout all spruced up, or one of the other communities that doesn’t have the same aesthetics?”

She notes that the addition of Promed Pharmacy, Adventure Spirits Distilling, the AW Heating and Cooling building and several new tenants at the Shops at Blue Creek – plus regular phone calls to the village asking about available space – show that businesses want to locate in the village and will be welcomed and supported by residents.

“We’ve always wanted to attract more businesses, but I think there’s been more of a push to accomplish this,” Artiaga said.

Being a bedroom community can be a challenge, as the cost to provide services to residents has risen faster than the amount of property tax revenue coming in. Grants have helped pay for projects, but it’s business revenue that helps support ongoing services, she noted.

Whitehouse replaced the entryway sign to Whitehouse Park earlier this year. Plans call for the formation of a parks committee to look at other upgrades, including accessible playground equipment. (AWFP photo by Karen Gerhardinger)

During her time on council, Artiaga said she’s learned more than she ever imagined, from finances and policies to sanitary sewers, law enforcement and fire department regulations.

“I remember in 2014 when we had the algae bloom and couldn’t drink the water. We were handing out five gallons of water at the fire station to our residents. I don’t think people here know how much it takes to keep a village running and people happy,” she said.

She’s also gained an appreciation for the staff, many of whom innovate to improve services. Former fire chief Josh Hartbarger led efforts to form the W3 Fire Co-op with Waterville and Waterville Township, and that’s resulted in a system of providing fire and EMS coverage that is being emulated by other departments around the state.

“Communities all over are trying to copy that,” she said of the co-op.

One benefit of serving on council has been the opportunity to meet people throughout the community and in neighboring areas.

“I have made so many friends over the years because of the connections I’ve made through council,” she said.

Of course, having six council members and a mayor with varying backgrounds means each person arrives with their own set of ideas and knowledge base.

“Some people are more easy to agree with than others, but I’ve always respected every single person who has sat on council,” she said. “I respect them for taking the time and effort to bring things forward. I like people who think outside of the box. In order to grow, you constantly need to be looking for something new and a way to make things a little bit better. If that means throwing out ideas that don’t stick, that’s okay. If ideas are not floated, you’re never going to find something that’s going to work.”

While she’s no longer on council, Artiaga has plenty of work to do in the village. As the president of the Whitehouse Library board of directors, she is preparing to close the nonprofit library that was created over 20 years ago and has since been run by volunteers. With plans for the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library to build a new branch at the roundabout, the Whitehouse Library will be vacating its space sometime in 2028. The board will need to find a way to disperse 20,000 books and other materials, as well as the building and furniture, before clearing the property, which is owned by the Metroparks.

Artiaga also remains active with the Pythian Sisters, and during the national convention a few weeks ago was elected to serve as the treasurer for the United States and Canada, and to represent Ohio at all the meetings.

And she’ll continue running her Whitehouse-based business, which provides tax preparation, bookkeeping and payroll for clients.

“This past year, my business has bloomed. I’m struggling to have the time to keep up with it and concentrate on my family,” said the 71-year-old Artiaga. “And I’m starting to be a dinosaur up there. I’m the longest sitting council member up there. It’s an opportunity for someone else to step in and get a taste of it [to] be a good council member.”

The deadline for submission of applications to be considered for appointment to the current open council seat is Tuesday, Aug. 25 at noon. Forms are available at Whitehouse Village Hall, 6925 Providence St., and on the village website: whitehouseoh.gov.

According to a Village of Whitehouse, Ohio statement, applicants must be an elector of the Village of Whitehouse at least two uninterrupted years to be eligible for consideration. Application submissions also must include a resume and a letter of interest. Completed applications should be remitted to Administrator Jordan Daugherty at Village Hall or via email at [email protected] by the deadline. Call Daugherty at 419-877-5383 with any questions.