Message from Mayor Kapszukiewicz
Sustainability efforts are good for the planet, our future, and our children. That is why we are so supportive of the Toledo-Lucas County Sustainability Commission and its work. I spoke during the commission's Beyond Green Gala Thursday, during which several local companies were honored for their efforts to make our community sustainable for many years. I want to thank all of those firms and the commission.

We are doing our part. Just today, the city's Environmental Services employees worked with the Junction Avenue Coalition on a community service project at the Junction Bioswale near Pickett Academy on Blum Street. They joined Junction community members to clean out the bioswale and trim trees. Environmental Services will also be participating in the Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments Student Watershed Watch. The annual event helps young people appreciate our area streams.

We need to do more. We should have a materials recovery facility in our community to process recyclables. The City of Toledo spends $127,000 every month shipping our recyclables to other places in Ohio and Michigan. That is wasteful and it is something we need to remedy.

While I am on recycling, I would like to remind everyone to recycle and recycle properly. This video will give you tips on what you can and can't recycle.

Finally, I want to say congratulations to the seven officers inducted into the Law Enforcement Officer Hall of Fame this week. Toledo Police Sgt. Matthew Ayers received the Courage in Service Award and retired Toledo Police Sgt. Charles E. Humes, Jr., received the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Sergeant Ayers was honored for his actions after Detective Jason Picking was shot last year during the execution of a no-knock search warrant. Sergeant Ayers quickly administered aid to Detective Picking.
Police
The latest installment of the Toledo Police VLOG was released Friday. It documents the first day of the 65th Toledo Police Academy.

Those interested in applying for the next Toledo Police Academy class need to apply now. The deadline for the application and testing is Sept. 30 The 66th Toledo Police Academy Class is scheduled for May, 2019.

Members of the part-time Toledo Police Social Media Team create the department’s VLOGs to increase community engagement through social media. The Toledo Police Department VLOG concept follows what departments in Miami and East Lansing, Mich. have started.
SWAT Superheroes

The Toledo Police SWAT Rappel Team will be dressed as superheroes at 10 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 15 and put on a rappel show at the Toledo Zoo Amphitheater, 2700 Broadway for those at the NWO Apraxia Support Annual Family Fun Day Awareness event.
Healthy Lucas County Project
The Ohio Department of Health is investing $850,000 in a Healthy Lucas County project to combat infant mortality in Toledo’s central city area neighborhoods.

It includes working with residents to determine what they need to improve health and well-being.
The project includes recruiting 150 pregnant women who live in seven census tracts in the 43604, 43608, 43609, 43611, and 43620 ZIP codes into home-visiting programs to support women in delivering healthy babies.

These women also are eligible for rental assistance for up to 12 months and up to $500 for transportation, car care, and utilities.

The grant funding is part of a nearly $40 million investment in Ohio’s 2018-19 budget to address infant mortality statewide. The Healthy Lucas County project was one of three chosen for the Ohio Department of Health’s Infant Vitality Community Intensive Pilot Project.
“The most effective infant mortality reduction strategies are implemented at the local level,” said Sandra Oxley, Chief of Maternal, Child and Family Health at the Ohio Department of Health. “Working with local partners to identify evidence-based strategies provides the greatest opportunity to impact the community.”

The grant was awarded to the Hospital Council of Northwest Ohio, which coordinates the project and the Healthy Lucas County coalition of community health improvement organizations.

Key partners in the project include Mercy Health, Neighborhood Health Association, ProMedica, Toledo-Lucas County Health Department, their home-visiting programs and the Northwest Ohio Pathways HUB care coordination system.
Mark Your Calendars
Sacred Grounds Initiative

Volunteers are needed for the People’s MB Church Fall Community Day on Saturday, Sept. 15 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Prayer Park at Heston and Indiana, part of the Sacred Grounds Project. 

Sacred Grounds is an advanced wildlife habitat certification process for congregations, houses of worship, and faith communities, providing an opportunity to link faith and caring for the environment.
Jason Quick with Special Guest Rachel Richardson perform Jazz, Folk, & Show Tunes

Join us at the Toledo Farmer's Market, 525 Market Street, 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Sept. 15 for live music to celebrate the Fall Harvest. 
TEDxToledo 2018
9 a.m.- 3 p.m., Sept. 20 at Fleetwood's Tap Room, 28 N. St Clair St.

Each year, Toledo’s leading thinkers and doers gather for an event many describe as the highlight of the year. More at this link.
Engage Toledo Drop Off Refuse and Recycling

The next (and final for 2018) Engage Toledo Drop Off Refuse and Recycling Event is 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 22 at Friendship Park, 2930 131st St.
Lucas County Coastal Residents Invited to Attend Flood Map Information Open House

Federal Emergency Management Agency representatives will host a flood map information open house for Lucas County residents, 5-7 p.m., Sept. 20 at the Train Station Grand Lobby, 300 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.

The open house will provide coastal residents with an opportunity to review a recently completed preliminary flood insurance study and its accompanying preliminary flood insurance rate maps. More info here .
15th International Human Trafficking and Social Justice Conference

Over the past 15 years, the International Human Trafficking & Social Justice Conference has welcomed thousands of attendees from 34 states and 25 countries to The University of Toledo to learn, connect, and collaborate about human trafficking and social justice issues.

Join us Sept. 20-21 to hear from more than 100 different presenters including researchers, advocates, direct service providers, healthcare professionals, law enforcement, and individuals with lived experience. Register and learn more about the conference at www.traffickingconference.com.
Clean Your Streams is Sept. 22

For those who want to take an active part in helping our watershed, on Saturday, Sept. 22 , people will be working together to clean up the banks of Swan Creek, Ottawa River, the Maumee River, and other local streams. Everyone is welcome, but registration is REQUIRED by Sept. 14 by calling 419-874-0727 this link .
Toledo Symphony

Alain Trudel’s Debut at the Toledo Museum of Art Peristyle, Sept. 21 and 22
Pre-concert Lecture: 7 p.m.
Concert Time: 8 p.m.

A new era begins as Alain Trudel launches his first season as music director of the Toledo Symphony. Dancers from Toledo Ballet join the symphony for great moments from Tchaikovsky's unforgettable Swan Lake. Beethoven's dramatic Fifth Symphony tops off the evening with one of the most famous themes in all music. More at www.toledosymphony.com.
Forfeited Motor Vehicle Auction
The police department will hold an abandoned and forfeited motor vehicle auction at 11 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 22 at the impound lot, 198 Dura Ave.
All vehicles will be sold AS IS (without any warranty) and all sales are final. There are no refunds for any reason. Most will have a salvage title. Visit the Toledo Police website at www.toledopolice.com to view a list of vehicles currently scheduled for auction. Terms of the sale will be cash or check. No third party checks will be accepted. Those paying cash will receive their title at the conclusion of the auction. Successful bidders paying by check will receive their titles by certified mail in about four weeks. The full purchase price for the vehicle must be paid upon completion of the auction.

Any one interested in bidding MUST REGISTER at the auctioneer’s trailer. The registration process will start at 9 a.m. A picture ID is required. There is no charge to register. Locksmiths will be on site.
By The Numbers
( year-to-date )
54,604 potholes filled
299 water main breaks repaired
1,022,203 feet of sanitary sewers cleaned
5.95 million pounds of debris removed with street sweepers
1,817 trees trimmed
1,609 illegal signs removed
6,457 vehicles towed
4,504 fire run
38,700 EMS runs
7,334  building inspections completed
2,898  contractor licenses issued
Honors This Week
Hispanic Heritage Month

National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated September 15 through October 15 to recognize the diverse culture and history of Americans of Hispanic and Latinx descent. National Hispanic Heritage Month emphasizes the importance of celebrating people of Spanish-speaking countries and people of Latin American origin. The Hispanic and Latinx community is deeply-rooted into the fabric of the United States, and the diverse cultures within it continue to shape the identity of our country and the Toledo community. The people of Toledo are thankful for the contributions of Hispanic and Latinx leaders and organizations who strengthen Toledo’s vibrant identity and diversity.
Toledo In The News

TFD offering to send small team to Carolinas for Hurricane Florence relief efforts The Toledo Fire Department is offering to send a team of 6 along with equipment to the Carolinas to help with Hurricane Florence recovery. 

Lucas County unveils health improvement plan Lucas County will focus on mental health; addiction; maternal and child health, and chronic disease during the next three years in its strategic plan to improve individual and community well-being.

UT schedules events to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month Several events at The University of Toledo are planned to honor Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. “Hispanic Heritage Month highlights the contributions of Hispanics/Latinx people in history and contemporary society by bringing awareness to emerging issues,” Aleiah Jones, program coordinator with the UT Office of Multicultural Student Success, said. “We are excited to bring more than a dozen events to campus this year.”

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