Find the local stories important to you, news stories occurring in your backyard that the mainstream media may not be covering
Local
GEAUGA COUNTY, Ohio — The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio is coming under increased scrutiny for what consumer advocates describe as a pattern of delays, technical glitches and procedural roadblocks that appear to shield FirstEnergy subsidiaries from accountability over disputed smart meter deployments. Residents who previously secured opt-out protections for
Findlay
BY CAREY MORGAN FINDLAY — Despite passionate opposition from residents citing traffic congestion, flooding risks, strained infrastructure and loss of a beloved local landmark, Findlay City Council voted 7-2 on Tuesday to annex the Shady Grove Golf Course property and rezone it for high-density multifamily housing. The decision on
Local
BY JEFF SKINNER SPRINGFIELD — Despite ongoing fiscal woes, chronic fire division understaffing and resident alarms over misplaced priorities, the Springfield City Commission on Tuesday approved a nearly $240,000 contract with Motorola Solutions to launch a Drone as First Responder pilot program critics fear will expand government surveillance while delivering
Perry Village
BY STAFF CONTRIBUTOR PERRY - Perry Village officials have declared they possess zero written economic impact studies, project descriptions, or internal digital communications regarding a controversial, multimillion-dollar data center project slated for development on local public land. The admission, delivered via a series of public records responses, has ignited sharp
Local
BY CAREY MORGAN FINDLAY - Findlay Auditor Jim Staschiak was recently recognized with the GOA’s Popular Annual Financial Reporting Award, adding another State of Ohio award to his portfolio. The Popular Annual Financial Reporting (PAFR) Award is a recognition given by the Government Finance Officers Association to governments that produce
Local
TOR Editor Jeff Skinner sits down with Melissa Rexroth and Nicole Bethel, two circulators for the Conserve Ohio data center amendment seeking to ban hyperscale data centers across the state. More information can be found about the amendment, including signing dates and locations at conserveohio.com
Springfield
BY JEFF SKINNER SPRINGFIELD - The Springfield commissioners heard a presentation by Finance Director Katie Eviston, Utility Income Tax Administrator Brandy Bubp, and Senior Billing Specialist Kevin Walters on the new utility billing software by SpryPoint, which will cost just over $1 million. The move comes amid public concerns over technology
Local
BY CAREY MORGAN FINDLAY — Findlay City Council members on Tuesday defended a proposed high-density multifamily apartment development amid strong resident opposition, stressing the city’s severe housing shortage while pledging further scrutiny of traffic, stormwater drainage and neighborhood compatibility. The council gave second readings to ordinances accepting the annexation
Perry Village
PERRY - On Thursday, May 14, the Perry village council met for regular session with a shift in leadership. Though no formal announcement was made on the transition, council member Elias Coss was noted as 'acting mayor' and President Pro Tempore on several agenda items and on the official
Geauga County Commissioners
CHARDON— Geauga County commissioners voted Tuesday to purchase the county library's administrative building for $3.2 million to house a new permanent senior center, advancing a long-delayed project amid questions about the price, taxpayer costs and timing. The 2-1 vote on resolution 26-066 authorizes the
Findlay
BY CAREY MORGAN FINDLAY - Annexation and rezoning of the Shady Grove property in Marion Township remained a primary focus at the May 6 Findlay city council meeting. The project involves annexing approximately 45.9 acres and rezoning it to M2 (multifamily high-density) zoning to facilitate large-scale apartment development.
Local
BY JEFF SKINNER SPRINGFIELD - On Monday, The Springfield commissioners met to hear an update from representatives from the newly minted ‘public-private’ partnership administration for Springfield 2051, a think-tank operation designed to guide city development, facilitated by contracted organization Future IQ. During the update, representatives Kevin Rose and Marta