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How to vote in 2024

By
Paula Wethington
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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?

Oliver Odendahl
James Johnson
Nivant Dawson
Sydney Stanley
David Case III

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.

The Humorists

By
Steven J Athanas
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Cartoon caption: Fig. 12E: Subtlety (bad homophone). A lime in the bottom of a tea cup.

Bad homophone by Steven J Athanas for the Toledo Free Press.

 4U Diner opens in Downtown Toledo

By
Max Alfonso
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4U Diner in downtown Toledo. (TFP Photo/Lori King)

TOLEDO – A new Mediterranean restaurant has opened in downtown Toledo, so the Toledo Free Press team went to lunch at the 4U Diner – and left absolutely stuffed. 

4U Diner is a restaurant that specializes in American and Mediterranean cuisine. On the American side, it offers classic dishes, like scrambled eggs with turkey bacon, fried egg bacon cheeseburgers and fish and chicken. As for the Mediterranean fare, there’s everything from Baba Ganouj and falafel to Arayes Kafta and Lebanese burgers.

Because the restaurant is owned by a Lebanese family, expect a Mediterranean flavor to every meal.

Hassan El Khechen is the owner of the new family-owned establishment. His dad, Mohammad, his wife, Maryam, and brother, Ali, play a big role in the diner. 

Through the first few weeks they’ve been open, the cheese rolls made by Hassan’s wife, Maryam, have been one of the most popular items on the menu.

At 4U Diner in Toledo. (TFP Photo/Lori King)
Cheese rolls. (TFP Photo/Lori King)

Hassan says he does most of the cooking, with contributions from his wife, who makes the cheese rolls and rice, but eventually they would like to add to the staff. 

“Rice, salads, everything is homemade,” Hassan El Khechen said. 

When talking about the future of 4U diner, Hassan says he would love to grow the business as it gets more popular.

“I would open another location,” El Khechen said. “I’d keep this restaurant and open another with the same name.” 

I had never had Mediterranean food before this, so I tried my best to branch out of my comfort zone and not order American food. 

In our experience at the diner, a small and old-school eatery on N. Erie St., we tried to sample as much as we could. 

A mixed platter that includes from top right Cheese rolls; meat pie; grape leaf; hummus; special sauce and garlic sauce. (TFP Photo/Lori King)

The TFP team ordered an array of food. We got the mixed platter, which included grape leaves, falafels, kibble, cheese pie, spinach pie, hummus and tabbouleh – all for $16.99.

I ordered the gyro omelet with tomato, onion and feta cheese and it was fantastic. I’m from Cincinnati, and there are not many Mediterranean restaurants like there are in Toledo, so this was my first time trying gyro meat. When I looked at it, I thought it would be a hard texture, like steak or chicken, but it was surprisingly softer than it looked, and the flavor was … unique. It was good. Personally, it was a new experience for me because I hadn’t tried anything like it.

I also liked the tabbouleh (a salad made with bulgur wheat, tomatoes, parsley, mint, green onion, dressed with lemon juice and olive oil), and was surprised by the mint.  I also enjoyed the cheese pie and falafel.

Even though I was full, of course I found room for dessert. We ordered baklava, a Greek flaky, layered pastry dessert made of filo pastry, filled with chopped nuts, and sweetened with syrup or honey. As I was eating it, I described it as the greatest dessert ever.

“Everything is fresh, made in a professional way,” El Khechen said when asked what stands out about his restaurant compared to others. The meat is halal style (prepared in accordance with Islamic law); it is prayed over before they cut it and the meat is also considered ‘permissible or lawful.’ 

Chico Rodriguez, right, and a coworker stop in for lunch at the 4U Diner in Toledo. (TFP Photo/Lori King)

Sitting on a stool next to large windows that face an alley were two men on their lunch break.

“You never know it if you don’t try it,” said Chico Rodriguez, a new customer. “The prices are pretty good, food is definitely good … I’d come back again.”

4U Diner is located on N. Erie St in downtown Toledo.

Grape leaves and hummus. (TFP Photos/Lori King)

Hummus with olive oil and paprika spice.

The gyro omelet.

The gyro omelet.

Fried kibbe.

Baklava.

NEWS SHORTS: Happenings & Announcements

By
Press Release
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Pexels photo by Markus Winkler

(Compiled from press releases and announcements.)

Editor’s Note: News Shorts is an ongoing list of happenings and announcement briefs that’s also located in the Main Menu bar for easy access. This list is updated daily.)

Creativity Comes Alive at TPS Fine Arts Festivals

Enjoy the creativity of Toledo Public Schools, as students put their artistic and musical talents on display during the upcoming Fine Arts Festival series.

The TPS Fine Arts Festival events are free and open to the public:

Thursday, Feb. 27 from 5-7 p.m. Scott High School
Thursday, March 13 from 5-8 p.m. Waite High School
Saturday, March 15 from 9:00 a.m.-Noon Bowsher High School
Wednesday, March 19 from 5-7 p.m. Jones Leadership Academy of Business
Wednesday, March 19 from 6-8 p.m. Start High School
Thursday, March 20 from 5-8 p.m. Woodward High School
Friday, March 21 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Rogers High School


Upcoming Red Cross blood drives
The American Red Cross Blood Donation Center is holding blood drives at the Toledo Blood Donation Center at 3510 Executive Parkway in Toledo on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m., and on Tuesdays and Thursdays: 10:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Community blood drives:

Holland
Feb. 27: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Springfield Twp Hall, 7617 Angola Rd.
Maumee
Feb. 22: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Heritage Church of God, 3520 Strayer Rd.
Feb. 28: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Maumee Indoor Theatre, 601 Conant
Feb. 28: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. | Maumee United Methodist Church, 405 Sackett
Toledo
Feb. 26: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. | Church of St. Andrew United Methodist, 3620 Heatherdowns
Feb. 26: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m. | American Legion Hall, 2020 West Alexis Road
Feb. 27: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. | Elks Lodge #53, 3520 North Holland Sylvania Rd.

TPS Kindergarten Open House

If you have a child who is five years old or will be five years old by Sept. 2025, TPS is offering a chance to meet the kindergarten teachers and principals at their elementary schools. No RSVP required. Call 419-671-9101 for more information.

Thursday, March 6: 5-7 p.m. at all TPS elementary schools.

The Mez hosts grand opening event

The new downtown venue will feature delicious food, handcrafted drinks and guided mini-tours of the space at the event. The Mez is now booking for 2025 and 2026 events, with 2027 reservations opening soon. For event inquiries or to RSVP for the Open House, contact General Manager Dani Bucher at 567-218-0575 or hello.themeztoledo@gmail.com.

Thursday, March 6: 6-9 p.m. at The Mez, 710 Monroe St., Toledo.

TLC Community Credit Union Hosts Fraud Awareness Seminars

TLC Community Credit Union is holding a series of Fraud
Awareness Seminars designed to educate and protect community members from
financial scams and fraudulent activities. These free events will provide valuable
insights into recognizing and preventing fraud, equipping attendees with the knowledge
to safeguard their personal and financial information.

Community members interested in attending can register at www.tlccu.org/seminar.
Space may be limited, so early registration is encouraged.

The Fraud Awareness Seminars will be held at various locations throughout the
community on the following dates:

Bedford Library
Wednesday, February 26th | 6:00 – 7:30 PM
8575 Jackman Road, Temperance, MI 
Tecumseh Library
Thursday, March 6th | 6:00 – 7:30 PM
215 N Ottawa Street, Tecumseh, MI 
Dundee Senior Center
Monday, March 10th | 1:00 – 3:00 PM
284 W Monroe Street, Dundee, MI 
Adrian Library
Wednesday, March 12th | 6:00 – 7:30 PM
143 E Maumee Street, Adrian, MI 
Tecumseh Senior Center
Thursday, April 3rd | 1:00 – 3:00 PM
703 E Chicago Boulevard, Tecumseh, MI 
Adrian Senior Center
Wednesday, April 16th | 9:00 – 10:30 AM
327 Erie Street, Adrian, MI

Well-Rounded Garden workshop

Join Black Swamp Conservancy and Vicki Gallagher at Way Public Library for a gardening workshop. Mixing native flowers and vegetables together in your garden is a win-win. By planting an array of flowers in or around your garden, you will bring in a host of assistance in caring for it. This class will show you how to bring your garden up a notch and your ability to sit back and enjoy nature in your backyard. Registration is limited to the first 30 participants. Learn more here.

Saturday, March 8: 1 p.m. at Way Public Library, Lower Level, 101 E. Indiana Ave., Perrysburg.

CrossBow brings soaring Celtic melodies to Tecumseh Center for the Arts

Known for their hard-driving rhythms and instantly captivating performances, CrossBow blends pop, rock and folk with traditional Celtic melodies to create a distinctive sound that appeals to music lovers of all ages. Purchase Tickets: Online at www.TheTCA.org or by contacting the TCA Box Office at (517) 423-6617.

Saturday, March 8: 7:30 p.m. at Tecumseh Center for the Arts, 400 N. Maumee St., Tecumseh, Mich.
(Courtesy Photo)

Judy Collins plays at The Stranahan

Singer/songwriter, activist, author, poet and icon Judy Collins is celebrating her 85th birthday this year on tour nationwide. Tickets can be purchased here.

Wednesday, March 12: Doors open at 7:30 p.m. at The Stranahan Theatre, 4645 Heatherdowns Blvd., Toledo.

Rick Syroka sworn in as new Rossford fire chief

ROSSFORD — The Rossford Fire and Rescue Department has a new fire chief. Our media partner, WTOL, reported that Richard Syroka was unanimously appointed to the position by Rossford City Council at [a late January] meeting. The decision comes after city council postponed appointment of the mayor’s initial recommendation for the position, Zachary Bingham, at its previous meeting. Read the full story here.

Rick Syroka takes the Oath of Office for Rossford’s new full-time fire chief from Mayor Neil MacKinnon II, during a city council meeting on February 10, 2025 at the Municipal Building in Rossford, Ohio. (TFP Photo/Scott W. Grau)

Boys & Girls Clubs of Toledo announces Organizational Youth of the Year

TOLEDO – Tyreese Blue II, a Toledo Early College High School senior, is the 2025 Boys & Girls Clubs of Toledo Organizational Youth of the Year. Youth of the Year is Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s signature leadership award. The honor began in 1947 and includes local, state, regional and national competitions.

“It has been an honor to see Tyreese blossom into the young man he is today,” said Aleshia Furr, program director at Boys & Girls Clubs of Toledo. “He came to BGCT in February 2022 as a shy sophomore and grew into an incredible leader and mentor for our members over the past three years. Tyreese has shown and proven to be a go-getter and works hard for everything he has earned.”

Toledo Opera announces 2025-2026 season

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

Toledo Opera’s 67th season promises to be a thrilling exploration of passion, potion, and love’s pursuit, featuring two iconic productions: Carmen and The Elixir of Love. These timeless works offer audiences an unforgettable journey through desire, deception, and destiny, brought to life with breathtaking music and riveting storytelling.

Enhanced subscription packages, standard subscriptions, and single tickets are available for purchase now at toledoopera.org or by phone at 419-255-7464. To learn more about the season, visit toledoopera.org

Carmen by Georges Bizet
October 10 & 12, 2025
Valentine Theatre

The Elixir of Love by Gaetano Donizetti

February 13 & 15, 2026
Valentine Theatre

The Humorists

By
Jerry King
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Cartoon caption - "Nice try, dear. But I suggest sticking to upgrading computers, and not kitchens," says wife to husband. He's standing in kitchen with cabinets on the floor.

Cartoon by Jerry King.

BGSU gets revenge in Battle of I-75

By
Chas McNeil
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BGSU fans cheer after a buzzer beater in the first quarter. BGSU got their revenge when they upset UToledo 81-72.

Falcons beat Rockets for 1st time in 710 days

Story by Chas McNeil | Photos by Kyle Brown

BOWLING GREEN – Bowling Green vs. Toledo is a rivalry that flies under the radar in the sports world, but don’t be fooled; the teams get along as well as cats and dogs, Batman and the Joker and oil and vinegar.

What turns a rivalry into loathing is proximity and stakes, and the stakes could not have been higher at the Stroh Center in Bowling Green last night as the Falcons faced off against the Rockets.

In front of a screaming orange crowd that packed the stands, BGSU finally silenced UT 81-72, breaking their longtime losing streak, which they’ve been unable to do since March 4, 2023.

“When I first got here (Bowling Green), Toledo was the monster. I mean, they were just formidable,” said second-year head coach Fred Chmiel following the game.

BGSU guard Lexi Fleming is chased by UT defender Kendall Carruthers.
BGSU head coach Fred Chmiel directs a play.

“Tricia Cullop was just knocking it out year after year. They’re really good this year, but I told the players today it’s not about emotion but motion. You’ve gotta make feet move; you have to communicate; everything has to move forward. You can’t worry about the emotional piece.”

The game ultimately came down to “big-time” moments, and Bowling Green was able to answer the call early and often with the first evidence of that coming off a buzzer-beater three-point shot by fifth-year guard Lexi Fleming. The shot splashed through the net as time expired, giving BGSU a 25-14 lead.

Multiple Falcons showed up in one of the biggest games of their season, with fellow senior Amy Valasco scoring 30 points, which was just two points off her career high. Velasco became ninth all time on the BGSU scorers list with a layup that put BGSU up 20-12 in the first quarter.

Snapping their little winning streak is great! We went out there, we competed, but we’re focused on one game at a time and we’re trying to take our momentum with us and keep carrying it on.

BGSU senior Amy Valasco

Despite not coming out of enemy territory with a win, the Rockets have a lot to be excited about. The team produced 42 points from their bench, which towered against BGSU’s 10 bench points.

BGSU’s Amy Velasco calls a play while under pressure from UT’s Cadence Dykstra.

But where there is good there must also be bad, and there were plenty of negatives on both sides. The biggest, glaring flaw of the game was 18 UT turnovers compared to BGSU’s 12. UT opened the game with a turnover, and Bowling Green capitalized on many of the Rockets’ mistakes. The Falcons tallied 23 points from just turnovers.

“This was an incredible environment and everything I thought it would be,” Toledo’s first-year head coach Ginny Boggess said. “All the credit to BG and their staff. Porter and Velasco were playing like seniors that didn’t want to lose to Toledo at home the last time they got to play them.”

UT head coach Ginny Boggess draws up a play during a timeout against Bowling Green.

A big standout in the game for Toledo was graduate student guard Nan Garcia, who tallied a season high 18 points and eight field goals.

“I’ve only got five of these games left so I’m gonna give everything I have for this team, for this jersey and for Toledo. That’s what they deserve, and I’ve got to be better from the get go, not just the fourth quarter,” Garcia said.

Late in the game, Garcia did make her presence known, scoring a layup that led an eight-point run, setting BGSU fan’s hearts in their throats when UT got close at 69-66 with just over five minutes left in the game.

UT’s Nan Garcia takes a shot over a BGSU defender.

In the final moments of the game, it came back full circle to the rivalry and which team could be the loudest, so, with thousands of Falcons screeching at once, the Orange and Brown defense tightened, closing the contest with a nine-point gap.

Barring a MAC tournament matchup, both teams will have to wait nearly a full year to battle again, with BGSU holding the all-time lead since the series began in 1974 at 46-44.

“Man, what a game … Toledo’s a really good team. It was a dogfight back and forth,” Chmiel said.

“We took some big punches from them but we held tough, held the rope, and I think that’s the hardest we’ve ever played in terms of physical and mental toughness.”

RELATED CONTENT: UT continues to dominate BGSU

UT’s Sammi Mikonowicz gets the ball stripped from her as she drives to the net.

BGSU’s Amy Velasco weighs her options.

BGSU guard Lexi Fleming tries to get around UT’s Cadence Dykstra.

BG’s Erika Porter gets fouled by UT’s Jessica Cook.

BG’s Erika Porter takes a foul shot.

UT’s Destiny Robinson dribbles around BGSU’s Amy Velasco.

Faith Fedd-Robinson leaps above BGSU’s Taya Ellis (11) and Johnea Donahue to take a shot.

UT’s Khera Goss pushes off from BGSU’s Johnea Donahue.

BGSU head coach Fred Chmiel complains about a call to referee.

UT’s Kendall Carruthers goes up for a shot.

UT’s Nan Garcia takes a three-point shot.

The Humorists

By
Don Lee
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Cartoon with two men talking about Trump: "Oh, c'mon ... there's no way he would ... tere's no way he could ..." "Have you been paying attention?" By Don Lee.

Editorial cartoon by Don Lee.

BGSU stuns UT in last-second

By
Max Alfonso
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Surrounded by University of Toledo defenders, BGSU's Javontae Campbell goes for what would be the game winning shot.

Story by Max Alfonso | TFP Photos by Kyle Brown

TOLEDO – In a season loaded with injuries, Bowling Green pulled off an upset against Toledo behind a Javontae Campbell put-back layup in the final seconds to win 69-68 Friday night.

Bowling Green walked into Savage Arena 3-7 in their last 10 games not having won in Toledo since February 2021.

Javontae Campbell attempts a two-point shot in the key as University of Toledo guard Sonny Wilson goes for a block.

Before the game, Jon Rothstein, of CBS sports, announced Bowling Green starting guard Trey Thomas would miss the rest of the season with a broken leg, adding to a lengthy Bowling Green injury report with Sam Towns and Yousef Kahayat already out for the year.

“We practiced 3 on 3, with managers, coaches playing; it’s just a hard situation. Some guys are just games only,” he said.

Derrick Butler had 20 points for Bowling Green and played all 40 minutes. He moved into the starting lineup for Javontae Campbell, who is playing with a hand injury that has kept him out of practice since Jan. 6. They combined for 43 of Bowling Green’s 69 points.

“Derrick has been doing a great job for us, he’s given us a scoring punch off the bench,” BGSU head coach Todd Simon said. “We want to stagger some of these lineups, especially when you’re shorthanded, to make sure you have some scoring.”

Sam Lewis gave Toledo the lead with 15 seconds left when he went 1-2 from the free throw line to make it a 68-67 lead. Toledo only led for 5:02.

Simon called timeout with 15 seconds left and down 1. He drew up a play getting Campbell to the basket. He missed the layup; Wilguens Exacte missed a putback; Marcus Johnson missed a put-back; it was deflected to Exacte who passed to Campbell who made the layup to give Bowling Green the lead.

BGSU head coach Todd Simon reacts to a penalty call.
UT head coach Tod Kowalczyk yells out onto the court.

“I wanted to get a quick shot just so if I did miss, we could get the rebound,” Campbell said.

Simon wins his second game in the battle of I-75 and his first at Savage Arena in front of a crowd of 6,837.

“With the transfer portal and all the changes that happened, rivalries still matter,” Simon said. “At least it does in our community, and it does to our guys.”

Toledo has now lost 3 of 4 and falls to 9-5 in the MAC. This is the first time Toledo has lost at least five conference games since the 2019-20 season.

“Disappointing loss. I never thought we got our typical Toledo run. We never got that 10 nothing run,” Toledo Head Coach Tod Kowalcyk lamented.

Sonny Wilson had 13 points for Toledo, his third straight game under 15 points. Before that he had eight straight games with at least 15 points.

Toledo is back in action on Tuesday at Kent State. Last time they played each other, the Rockets lost 83-64. It was their largest defeat in conference play this season.

Bowling Green travels to Eastern Michigan on Tuesday for another must-win game. The Falcons currently sit 9th in the MAC. The top eight teams make the MAC tournament in Cleveland. Eastern Michigan is currently 8th.

BGSU’s Javontae Campbell signals a play. Campbell ended up making the game-winning shot.

Toledo forward Javan Simmons takes a shot while being defended by BGSU’s Marcus Johnson.

BGSU Forward DaJion Humphrey is blocked by Toledo guard Trey Thomas.

University of Toledo guard Isaiah Adams watches as a BGSU player attempts a layup.

University of Toledo fans come out for the matchup with I-75 rivals Bowling Green.

University of Toledo cheer team peps up the crowd during a game against BGSU.

Toledo guard Isaiah Adams takes a tumble while trying avoiding pressure from BGSU.

Wilguens Jr. Exacte takes a three-point shot over defendeder Andre Lorentsson.

BGSU men’s basketball coach Todd Simon watches his team on defense.

DaJion Humphrey takes a shot as UT attempts to block it.

BGSU forward DaJion Humphrey scans his options while Toledo defender Sam Lewis applies pressure.

Toledo’s Sonny Wilson directs his teammates to move while under pressure from BGSU defenders Derrick Butler (10) and Braelon Green (5).

A crowd of 6,837 packed Savage Arena for the Battle of I-75 game.

RELATED CONTENT: BGSU gets revenge in 2nd Battle game

The Flyby: Battle of I-75 roundup

By
Lori King
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On this episode of The Flyby, co-hosts and school rivals Chas McNeil and Max Alfonso dive deep into the longtime rivalry between the Falcons and Rockets in all sports, including stats, scores and predictions. They also recap last week’s sports news and update you on the play schedule for this upcoming week.

Both students are spring journalism interns at the Toledo Free Press.

New episodes of the The Flyby Sports Podcast drop every Saturday.

Max Alfonso, left, and Chas McNeil host The Flyby Podcast in the Toledo Free Press podcast room. (TFP Photo/Lori King)

WHAT’S UP? Restaurant Week

By
Ian Hubbard
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Maddie & Bella Coffee Roasters employees Aleeya Ciacelli, left, and Dani Cotter work the counter on Thursday. The downtown coffee shop is participating in Restaurant Week. (TFP Photo/Erin Holden)

Leadership Toledo’s Anna Toney touts 15th annual charity event

TOLEDO – It’s time for the 15th Annual Restaurant Week! As Toledo eateries prepare their specialty menus for a deluge of curious, thrifty and adventurous palates, customers are busy figuring out which of the 40 restaurants they want to sample.

Organized by Leadership Toledo, the week-long event, which begins Monday and ends March 2, benefits the program’s fundraising efforts for youth involvement in our city. To get a grasp of the growth of the event and its financial contribution to charity, the Toledo Free Press caught up with Anna Toney, executive director of Leadership Toledo, who gave us insight in the event’s overall contribution. 

Leadership Toledo’s Danielle Johnson , from left, KeyBank’s Dan Dower and Anna Toney. (Courtesy Photo/Doug Hinebaugh)

Ian Hubbard: What has been the impact of Restaurant Week since its inception? 

For us, it’s one of our largest fundraisers to support our tuition-free youth programming. Since 2010, this fundraiser has raised over $1 million. Many restaurants tell us it’s one of their busiest weeks of the year. What began with a dozen restaurants has grown to over 40! I’ve been with the organization since 2012 and it’s been incredible to see how it has evolved. We’re excited for another fantastic week! 

Is there a metric you use to trace the event’s impact? Is it feedback from the community?

We measure the impact primarily by the dollars raised. The feedback we receive from community members and local restaurants is incredibly heartwarming. It reinforces how much our community values coming together to support locally owned businesses. 

Is Leadership Toledo primarily a youth program?

Youth Leadership Toledo is a nine-month experiential program that brings together nearly 60 high school sophomores from over 30 area high schools. The program is designed to inspire community involvement and help students recognize their vital role in shaping the future of our communities.

Do you have any personal favorite participating restaurants or dishes?

Hard to choose! Local Roots offers really fun and tropical dishes during the event. I’m excited to try some new partners this year, like Regalo and Bluewater Grille. I do a lot of coffee meetings, so all of the coffee shops will be high on my list!

What is a misconception locals should get over when dining at these establishments?

The colder months are often the slowest for the restaurant industry, so supporting them makes a big impact. We always say it’s a win-win-win – for the restaurants, for customers enjoying great deals and creative menus, and for Leadership Toledo. Additionally, it’s important to know that you can order off the Restaurant Week menu or the regular menu, and it still benefits the fundraiser.

Locally owned recommendations

If you want to spend a day during Restaurant Week playing the role of “townie,” here are a few selections to get you from breakfast to dinner:

Maddie & Bella: Start the day off right with a slice of in-house coffee cake and a Cup of Joe (or tea, if you prefer less of a jolt). I’m fairly basic when it comes to caffeine – a hot coffee with a touch of cream always does the trick. If you want to be fancy, try their homemade scone, smeared in jam, and a hot matcha latte.

Maddie & Bella Coffee Roasters. (TFP Photo/Erin Holden)

Balance Pan-Asian Grille: If you’re looking to change it up, the Mongo and Korean BBQ tacos are light fare for your money. Ask for two of the red dipping sauces. The mix of savory between the proteins and spiral-cut vegetables and the heat of the sauce is a tip-top combination. Grab an order of their Eye of the Tiger butterfly tea. The sweetness of the passion fruit, pomegranate and lemonade mix will cleanse the palate. 

Home Slice Pizza: If you don’t want to venture away from downtown and crave a classic combination, there’s this St. Clair staple. I’ve had many pies there, and they’ve always hit the spot. Restaurant Week will see Home Slice offer two for $25 combos (large pizza and appetizer/dessert), as well as a Nashville Hot Chicken Pizza and a Spicy Meatball Pizza to benefit the event. 

Home Slice Pizza. (TFP Photo/Erin Holden)

Souk Mediterranean: You’ll have to stop home for a nap and change into your Saturday night attire before heading to Souk’s fine dining atmosphere. They’ll offer a three-course dinner (or a two-course lunch) in benefit of Leadership Toledo. In case that doesn’t fit your bill, I recommend the Roman Mussels to start, followed by either the Lamb Ragu or Garlic Roasted Duck Breast for your entrée. 

For a full list of the participating restaurants and their specialty menus, go to restaurantweektoledo.com. 

Toledo Golf Show opens in Sylvania Friday – Sunday

By
Fred Altvater
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(Courtesy Photo)

SYLVANIA – The Masters Tournament historically signals the start of the golf season, but for Toledo-area golfers, there is one more important sign that spring is not too far away — the Toledo Golf Show.  

Every year, the Toledo Golf Show provides area golf fans a chance to purchase new clubs, apparel, and book golf trips to their favorite resorts at discounted pricing. In addition, golf experts will be on hand to answer questions and give tips to improve your game.

This year the show will kick off at 3 p.m. on Friday at the Tam-O-Shanter Sports & Exhibition Center in Sylvania. 

Friday Events

To get the show started, John Ambrose, director of instruction at Hemlock Springs Golf Club, will speak about Pendulum Putting on the big stage at 4 p.m. At 5 p.m., Tony Walters, head teaching professional and Callaway professional club fitter, will talk about the benefits of proper club fitting.

(Courtesy Photo)

Local golf professional Dan Sutton will offer tips to lower everyone’s score. And to round out the evening, the Girl Scout Cookie Eating Contest, sponsored by The Legacy, will begin at 7 p.m., with the doors to close at 8 p.m. 

In addition, Tony Packo’s, Inside the Five and Treu House of Munch will be on hand with all their favorites, plus adult beverages can be purchased on the show floor. 

Saturday Events

The fun continues on Saturday as the doors open 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Zoom Broom’s Randy Kuckuck, professionals Janet Rychnovsky and Andrew Headman will give golf tips to help increase your enjoyment. At 2 p.m., former PGA Tour winner and Toledoan Pat Lindsey, the keynote speaker, and will regale golf fans with stories from the tour. Other local pros will take the stage to talk golf, and the day will close with the Nothing Bundt Cake Blindfolded Cake Tasting Contest.

Sunday Events

On Sunday, Rychnovsky, Dale Perne, Ambrose and Sutton will offer more golf tips from the stage. At 3 p.m., Tony Packo’s will host their popular Pickle Eating Contest.  

Every year, Andrew Brown, owner of the Toledo Golf Show, awards a check to a local charity from proceeds of the event. That will take place at 3:30 p.m. just before the doors close at 4 p.m. 

Word to the wise: get there early for the best prices and widest selection of equipment and apparel. Get a jump on your buddies this year. Look good and play better, but remember — the early bird gets the best deals.

Tickets are available at the entrance for $7, but patrons can save $1 by purchasing from one of eight area locations, or online at ToledoGolfShow.com. Children under the age of 12 and parking are free. 
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