(All announcements are compiled from press releases and in order received. The briefs will be deleted after approximately 5-7 days, depending on content)
NEWS SHORTS BRIEFS ARE UPDATED DAILY
Highway Patrol investigating single vehicle serious injury crash
BOWLING GREEN – The Bowling Green Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is
investigating a single-vehicle serious injury crash in Perrysburg Township, Wood County,
Ohio.
The crash occurred on Township Road 297 (Bayer Road) near Township Road 9
(Lime City Road) at approximately 1:05 a.m. this morning. The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2024 Toyota Sienna was traveling westbound on Township Road 297 when it failed to stop at a stop sign. The vehicle then traveled over the railroad tracks, went airborne, traveled off the left side of the roadway, struck a tree, and overturned twice.
The Toyota Sienna was operated by Nusrattilo Artikov, 38, of Toledo. Artikov was
transported by EMS to Mercy Saint Vincent Medical Center for serious life-threatening
injuries. Artikov remains in critical condition.
The vehicle was occupied by Firdus Eotihmobofeo, 20, of Toledo and a juvenile of Toledo. Both occupants were transported by EMS to Mercy Saint Vincent Medical Center for minor injuries. None of the occupants were wearing their safety belt at the time of the crash.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted at the scene by Perrysburg Township Police
Department, Perrysburg Township Fire Department and EMS, and Wright’s Towing. The Ohio State Highway Patrol reminds motorist to always wear their safety belt.
The crash remains under investigation at this time.
Rep. Rogers announces more than $2M in funding for NW Ohio
COLUMBUS – State Rep. Rogers (D-Toledo) today announced that the Controlling Board has approved two major funding allocations that will benefit outdoor recreation and economic development across Northwest Ohio. The Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority will receive $1.2M to support critical infrastructure improvements and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNT) will receive $820K for cabin renovations at 5 state parks, including Maumee Bay.
“I’m proud to have worked with local and state partners to help secure these important investments for our region. These funds will strengthen our economy, enhance our public spaces, and improve quality of life for families across Northwest Ohio,” said Rogers.
The $1.2M investment in the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority will support critical infrastructure improvements that enhance the port’s capacity and efficiency. Strengthening port operations is essential to attracting new business, supporting regional supply chains, and creating good-paying jobs. This funding represents a strategic boost to Northwest Ohio’s economy, helping position the region as a hub for commerce and transportation.
Additionally, the $820K renovation of state park cabins will improve comfort, accessibility, and overall guest experience, making Ohio’s parks more inviting to families and tourists. These improvements are key to attracting more visitors, extending stays, and increasing tourism-related revenue for nearby communities. By investing in these updates, the state is not only preserving its natural resources but also strengthening local economies and promoting outdoor recreation. (06/06)
Fatherhood Coalition celebrates Fatherhood Awareness Month
TOLEDO – This June, the Lucas County Fatherhood Coalition celebrates Fatherhood Awareness Month and honors the powerful impact of fathers and father figures in our community. With over 1,100 participants in the past five years, the Zepf Center Fatherhood program has helped transform lives through access to employment, training and family support.
Key Highlights:
- 1,133 fathers and father figures enrolled since program launch
- 570 jobs secured—71.6 percent of participants entered the program unemployed
- 168 participants completed short-term training programs
- 90.1 percent average completion of target workshop hours
- 58.7 percent of referrals came from friends, family, and community
Since 2015, Pathways Inc.’s Brothers United program has supported more than 3,100 fathers and positively impacted over 8,600 children in Lucas County. When combined with data from the Zepf Center’s Fatherhood Program, over 4,200 fathers in the county have been served—resulting in thousands of families being strengthened through dedicated fatherhood initiatives.
In June, the Coalition will host its annual FATHERhood Week leading up to Father’s Day, featuring community events, resources and celebrations designed to uplift and empower fathers.
The Lucas County Fatherhood Coalition is a partnership of over a dozen organizations committed to giving fathers a voice, promoting family stability, and building a stronger future for our community.
For more information, contact David Kontur at 419-725-7190 | dkontur@lucasfcfc.org.
(06/06)
New dean to lead John B. and Lillian E. Neff College of Business
An expert in organizational behavior and management with administrative experience in higher education has been named dean of the University of Toledo’s John B. and Lillian E. Neff College of Business and Innovation.
Dr. Barbara Ritter, currently serving as dean of the Davis College of Business and Technology at Jacksonville University in Florida, will join UToledo on Monday, July 14.
Ritter is an expert in organizational behavior and management, with extensive experience in consulting, researching and teaching on topics including emergent leadership, implicit leadership theory and human resource policies. She is credited with more than 100 presentations and publications in outlets, such as the Journal of Applied Psychology, Human Relations and the Journal of Business Ethics.
As dean of Jacksonville University’s Davis College of Business and Technology since 2020, she has overseen substantial growth as the college expanded into three schools of Aviation and Military Sciences, Business and Communication, and Engineering and Technology. Over the same period, the college saw freshman enrollment increases of more than 200 percent in some programs, double-digit growth in graduate programs and noteworthy increases in undergraduate and graduate rankings in U.S. News & World Report.
She holds a doctoral and master’s degree in industrial and organizational psychology from the University of Akron and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Grand Valley State University in Michigan.
Ritter will succeed Dr. Anne Balazs, who previously announced her intention to step down at the end of the academic year. Balazs has served as dean since 2018. (06/06)
Mike Ferner earns annual Joe A. Callaway Award
The 2025 Callaway Award recipient is Mike Ferner. He is receiving this award in recognition of his commitment to peace advocacy and peace education. Ferner was a Navy Corpsman (1969-1973), is a former Toledo city council member, Vietnam-era veteran, author, peace activist and leader in the national group Veterans for Peace.
A practitioner of open non-violent civil disobedience, Ferner has often risked arrest and
incarceration. Ferner is currently leading a group of Veterans for Peace and other peace
advocates in demanding full humanitarian aid to Gaza and no more weapons to Israel.
Ferner said, “Watching hundreds of people maimed, burned and killed every day just tears at my insides — too much like when I nursed hundreds of wounded from our war in Vietnam,” Ferner said. “I’m fasting to demand humanitarian aid resumption under UN authority and to stop U.S. weapons from fueling the genocide…. This madness will only stop when enough Americans demand it stops.”
The Shafeek Nader Trust for the Community Interest administers the Joe A. Callaway Award, established by Callaway to recognize individuals in any area of endeavor who, with integrity and at some personal risk, take a public stand to advance truth and justice, and who challenge unsatisfactory conditions in pursuit of the common good. Toward this end, Callaway endowed the Trust with a special fund for an annual award honoring citizens for their civic courage.
The Shafeek Nader Trust for the Community Interest was created to extend the civic values of the late Shafeek Nader, community advocate and founder of the Northwestern Connecticut Community College. A tax-exempt organization, the Trust has the task of advancing the ability of citizens to participate and shape the quality of democracy in their community. (06/06)
Notre Dame HS student receives $40,000 scholarship
TOLEDO – Imanga Lufungulo, a senior at Notre Dame High School, has been named an Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship recipient and will receive up to $40,000 over four years to pursue a degree in computer science or engineering at a college of her choice. She is one of 400 students across the country to receive the award along with a paid internship offer at Amazon after her freshman year of college to gain hands-on, practical work experience with mentorship from Amazon leaders.
Recipients were chosen based on a variety of criteria, including their academic achievement, demonstrated leadership, participation in school and community activities, work experience, future goals and financial need. Amazon partnered with Scholarship America to review the applications and select the 400 scholars.
Computer science is the fastest-growing profession within the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projected the market for computer science occupations will grow 15 percent between 2021 and 2031, yet only 11 percent of STEM graduates earn a computer science degree, and only a small percentage of those come from underserved communities.
Amazon Future Engineer, Amazon’s global philanthropic computer science education initiative, aims to increase student access to computer science education. The program funds high-quality computer science curriculum and educator professional learning to help school districts implement sustainable K–12 computer science initiatives. In addition to its Scholarship program, Amazon Future Engineer offers Career Tours and project-based learning modules that bring role models to classrooms to help students explore computer science through real-world experiences.
Amazon launched the Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship program in 2019, awarding hundreds of students annually with up to $40,000 over four years to pursue an undergraduate degree in computer science and paid internship offers at Amazon. This year, Amazon committed up to $16 million in paid college tuition. Since the program’s inception, Amazon has awarded $66 million in scholarships to 1,650 students from historically underserved communities across the U.S. (06/03)
UToledo HostS CampMed for high schoolers June 5-6
TOLEDO – The University of Toledo will welcome more than two dozen area high school students to Health Science Campus later this week for an annual camp that provides them a chance to experience some of what it’s like to be a practicing physician.
CampMed, now in its 26th year, is geared toward students who excel in science and mathematics and may be considering a future career in medicine, medical research, pharmacy and related fields.
Under the guidance of UToledo faculty members, UToledo Health clinicians and current medical students, campers will receive a behind-the-scenes tour of the university’s high-tech medical education facilities and clinical spaces including the University of Toledo Medical Center emergency department.
They also will learn more about the tools healthcare providers rely on, try their hand at clinical skills like suturing, learn proper CPR technique and conduct mock interviews with individuals playing the role of patients.
This year 26 students from across Northwest Ohio will participate. CampMed is organized by the UToledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences and the UToledo Ohio Area Health Education Center program, which works to improve the well-being of individuals and communities by recruiting, training, and retaining healthcare professionals in underserved communities. (06/3)
Patrol investigating fatal crash involving bicyclist
TOLEDO – The Toledo Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal
crash involving a passenger car and two bicyclists in Providence Township, Lucas County.
The crash occurred on S. River Road near Yawberg Road at 9:44 a.m. this morning.
The preliminary investigation revealed that three bicyclists were riding east on S. River
Road on the edge line on the south side of the roadway. A 2011 Mercedes Benz E350 was
traveling west on S. River Road when it drove left of center, striking two of the bicyclists
and driving off the south side of the roadway. The Mercedes Benz re-entered the roadway,
where it came to rest.
One of the bicyclists, Roseann Marie Peiffer, 38, Maumee, was pronounced deceased at
the scene. Another bicyclist, Gustavo Caillaux Casalino, 20, Maumee, was transported by
EMS to the University of Toledo Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. The
third bicyclist was not struck.
The 2011 Mercedes Benz was operated by Kacey B. Hilton II, 18, Grand Rapids. He was
checked on scene by EMS personnel for non-life-threatening injuries. All the bicyclists
were wearing helmets at the time.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted by the Lucas County Sheriff’s Department,
the Lucas County Coroner’s Office, Providence Township Fire & EMS, Brett’s Towing.
The crash remains under investigation at this time. (5/30)
PTI Marks 40 years of innovation and packaging excellence
HOLLAND — PTI, a global leader in packaging innovation and material science, is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Founded in 1985 in Toledo, PTI has grown from a regional packaging engineering firm into a trusted partner for some of the world’s most recognized brands.
Over the past four decades, PTI has helped lead the evolution of packaging with a strong focus on sustainable materials, medical packaging, barrier technologies and functional design. Known for its technical depth and collaborative approach, the company continues to drive innovation across the packaging industry.
“Since day one, our focus has been on solving problems others shy away from,” said Craig Zezima, chief sales officer. “We’re proud to call Toledo home and even prouder of the team that continues to push boundaries every day.”
Headquartered in Holland, Ohio, just outside Toledo, PTI’s campus includes advanced laboratories, clean room environments and pre-production capabilities. Its Midwest roots have remained a strategic asset, allowing access to top engineering talent and a strong manufacturing base.
As it looks to the future, PTI is investing in next-generation technologies, including digital twin modeling, mono-material development and advanced medical packaging solutions.
“Our clients rely on us to help them move forward with confidence,” Zezima said. “This milestone is a testament to the trust they’ve placed in us and the forward-thinking mindset that drives our work.”
Visit the website for more information. (5/30)
Rep. White celebrates passage of HB 204
COLUMBUS – State Rep. Erika White (D-Springfield Township) announced the passage of House Bill (HB) 204, bipartisan legislation designating March 9 as 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion Day in Ohio. House Bill 204 passed the House with a unanimous vote on the House floor (91-0).
“Today we have not re-written history but restored the footsteps that the 855 women of the 6888th Battalion, led by Ohioan Lieutenant Colonel Charity Adams, have left as an indelible path for all women. Designating March 9th to honor these trailblazing women and their impact on American history in the state of Ohio is a victory for the state, and for women,” said White.
HB 204 passed the Ohio House of Representatives with strong bipartisan support and now heads to the Ohio Senate for further consideration. (5/30)
Toledo Post investigates minor injury crash involving school bus
TOLEDO – The Toledo Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a minor injury crash involving a school bus that occurred on May 29 at 11:09 a.m. The crash occurred on Wexford Hill Lane near Oxleigh Circle in Springfield Township, Lucas County.
The preliminary investigation revealed a 2017 Ford Transit Van, ope rated by Cory Wampler, 45, Toledo, attempted to back out of a private drive on the north side of Wexford Hill Lane. A Springfield Local School District bus, operated by Charles Stambaugh, 67, Holland, was traveling west on Wexford Hill Lane. Wampler failed to yield from the private drive and struck the right side of the school bus.
Six children in the school bus sustained minor injuries and were treated at the scene. There were 38 total children on the bus.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by Springfield Township Fire & EMS and the Lucas County Sheriff’s Office. (05/30)
Maumee Valley Habitat for Humanity celebrates 500th roof
TOLEDO – In 2013 Maumee Valley Habitat for Humanity (MVHFH) added roof
replacements to their affordable housing initiatives in Lucas County. Today, MVHFH
celebrated the completion of their 500th roof replacement.
“Today is a celebration of the efforts being made in housing preservation and what that
means for people living in Toledo neighborhoods.” said Erin McPartland, executive director of MVHFH.
While Habitat for Humanity is known for their new home builds, affiliates like MVHFH also pursue affordable housing through home preservation. “By completing crucial roof replacement projects, we can help homeowners stay in the neighborhoods they love, making our community stronger.”
These roof replacements are made possible through vital and generous partnerships
with Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur and the City of Toledo.
Roof replacements are also a product of partnerships with local organizations who
donate their product and financial resources to complete projects. One of MVHFH’s
longest partnerships is with Owens Corning. (05/29)
To view the full 500 th Roof Replacement Celebration Program visit here.
