(Announcements are compiled from press releases and in order received)
NEWS SHORTS BRIEFS ARE UPDATED DAILY
ANNOUNCEMENTS
TPS Celebration of Excellence honors students
TOLEDO – TPS CEO/Superintendent Dr. Romules Durant will host a dinner at The Premier on Heatherdowns on Tuesday, April 29 at 6 p.m. to celebrate this year’s high school valedictorians and salutatorians, and students receiving scholarships from the TPS Foundation. Below is the list of honorees:
ANSAT Aviation: Valedictorian-Cole Herzog Salutatorian-Connor Williams
ANSAT Natural Science: Valedictorian-Alisa Sauerwein Salutatorian-Reese Henneman
Bowsher: Valedictorian-Heaven Sweeney Salutatorian-Alexandria Moran
Jones: Valedictorian-Kiersten Mathis Salutatorian-Stephanie Williams
Rogers: Valedictorian-Marianna Colton Salutatorian-Allen Powers
Scott: Valedictorian-Mahsi Scott Salutatorian-Jamel Allison
Start: Valedictorian-Bailey Clark Salutatorian-Talyssa Atkins
Toledo Early College: Valedictorian-Hadley Case Salutatorian-Ainoor Garguri
TTA: Valedictorian-Sean Steedley Salutatorian-Katelyn Baringer
Virtual Academy: Valedictorian-Claire Wolff Salutatorian-Pearl Vallejo
Waite: Valedictorian-Emma Phillips Salutatorian-Nataly Diaz-Sanchez
Woodward: Valedictorian-Tony Haase Jr. Salutatorian-Naseemah Baksh
(4/28)
Lucas County Child Protection Task Force seeks applications
TOLEDO – The Lucas County Child Protection Task Force convened by the Board of Lucas County Commissioners is accepting applications from individuals who are interested in serving on the task force.
The purpose of the task force is to bring together essential representatives of our community to look at the necessary supports, partnerships, and services our families need to protect our children.
The task force is also engaging with Casey Family Programs, which works nationwide to influence long-lasting improvements to the safety and success of children, families, and the communities where they live.
Casey Family Programs offers strategic consultation, technical assistance, data analysis, and independent research for child welfare systems, policymakers, courts, and tribes across the country to enhance partnerships, improve practice and policy, and ensure that improvements will endure over time.
In partnership with Casey Family Programs, the task force will review systemic, procedural, and operational issues facing the child protection system in Lucas County. This review will be collaborative, transparent, and evidence-based and result in measurable action steps and goals to ensure our community is doing everything within its power to protect our most vulnerable children.
The task force is seeking individuals who fit into five categories:
- Individuals with lived experience in the system: examples include, but are not limited to, a foster parent, an individual who lost and/or regained custody of their children, or someone who aged out of the system.
- A professional in the system: examples include, but are not limited to, a group home operator, agency partner, or individual who has employment experience in the child welfare system.
- Safety and criminal justice professional: examples include, but are not limited to, a Toledo Police Officer, a juvenile court judge, or a guardian ad litem.
- Mandatory reporters: examples include, but are not limited to, a teacher, school nurse, counselor, pediatrician, emergency room doctor, social worker, or coach who, because of their profession, are required to report child abuse or neglect.
- Community leaders: examples include, but are not limited to, a faith leader, a community center leader, or a youth mentor. Interested individuals should send a letter of interest that explains which category they fit into and includes relevant credentials to Ron Wells, Jr. by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at RWells@co.lucas.oh.us. (04/27)
Interested individuals should send a letter of interest that explains which category they fit into and includes relevant credentials to Ron Wells, Jr. by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 30 at RWells@co.lucas.oh.us.
GEM promotes Nate Schroeder to vice president
WALBRIDGE – Nate Schroeder has been promoted to Vice President of GEM Inc.,
senior vice president Scott Kepp announced.
In his role, Schroeder, formerly GEM’s Mechanical Group Manager, will continue to
support the organization’s goals, including a focus on growth outside of Northwest Ohio
and promoting “one company” thinking among all Rudolph Libbe Group companies.
“Nate has been a key leader in the growth of our business and will continue to do so in
his new leadership assignment,” Kepp said. “His knowledge and expertise, combined
with his steadfast attention to the success of all Rudolph Libbe Group companies,
positions us well for the future.”
Schroeder served an internship with Rudolph Libbe Inc. and joined GEM in 2008 as a
project engineer. He subsequently was promoted to Project Manager and Mechanical
Group Manager. He is a member of the Mechanical Contractors Association of America and the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association. Active in the community, Schroeder serves as a youth baseball and football coach. He also serves as president of the Reserve Homeowners Association. (04/22)
Toledo Classic is looking for a few good men & women
This year, the Toledo Classic has a new format involving both the EPSON Tour, “On the
road to the LPGA” and former LPGA stars from the Legend’s Tour.
Every grouping will include two young women from the EPSON Tour and one
experienced professional from the Legend’s Tour. The Legend’s Tour was founded in 2001 and provides a series of professional golf tournaments for former LPGA professionals over the age of 45. The EPSON Tour features young women trying to earn status on the LPGA Tour.
This unique event will give the EPSON Tour ladies a chance to pick the brains of the
women that have gone before them and were successful in professional golf.
It is also a chance for golf fans in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan to meet future
LPGA stars, as well as former idols from the LPGA.
Various options for volunteering are available and can be reviewed at the website. Click
HERE to learn more, or to register. (04/22)
Toledo Museum of Art’s hosts new podcast
Episode 1 of the Toledo Museum of Art’s new podcast, Building on Brilliance: TMA’s Story, is now live on Spotify and Apple. New episodes drop every Thursday.
Hosted by Jennifer McCary, TMA’s chief culture and brand experience officer, the series explores the vision, process, and partnerships behind the museum’s transformational reinstallation project. This week’s episode features the museum’s president, CEO and director Adam Levine and deputy director Andrea Gardner. (04/22)
BGSU partners with Toledo on $2M grant to combat gun violence
ECHL Hockey Operations is Department of Year of the Award
(Toledo, OH) – The ECHL on Wednesday, April 16, announced that the Toledo Walleye are the 2024-25 recipient of the League’s Hockey Operations Department of the Year Award.
The award is presented annually to the team judged to have the best hockey operations department in the league and is determined by a vote of ECHL coaches.
The Jacksonville Icemen finished second in the voting, followed by the South Carolina Stingrays, Florida Everblades and Kansas City Mavericks.
Toledo finished the 2024-25 season with a record of 44-17-11 for 99 points, and captured the Central Division regular-season title for the second consecutive season and the seventh time in the last 10 seasons. Walleye head coach Pat Mikesch was selected as the Western Conference coach on the ECHL Midseason All-Star Team. (04/17)
BGSU remains a top choice for graduate education in 2025
BOWLING GREEN – Reflecting continued momentum at Bowling Green State University, several of the University’s graduate degree programs have once again been nationally recognized in U.S. News and World Report’s 2025 Best Graduate School rankings.
BGSU remains a top choice for graduate education, supporting students’ career advancement and leadership development, while positioning them for success in ever-evolving industries.
Topped-ranked programs include sociology, speech-language pathology, applied stats, RING Center for Experiential Learning in Art and Design, clinical psychology and public administration. (04/15)
