Good morning, Toledo.
This week brings a mix of civic planning, regional connection, and local heart. From infrastructure decisions shaping our streets to students raising funds through movement, today's edition keeps you grounded in what's happening close to home. Plus 8 Toledo events this week that you won’t want to miss.
In today's edition:
-City leaders reaffirm their focus on roads, water, and the basics that keep Toledo running
-A regional trade conversation and tornado recovery efforts just beyond our borders
-Southview students fundraise through dance, and a Bowling Green bakery marks 50 years
Let's get to it
P.S. If you want to get your business/organization in front of 7,000+ Toledoans, click below
Sponsored by Declare Church
You’re invited to join the free family fun
Declare’s Glow in the Dark Egg Hunt is back March 27-28! Enjoy thousands of glowing eggs, games, and face painting. Perfect family fun—don't miss out! Click below for more details.
News
Infrastructure Still Top Priority
City leaders are keeping the focus on Toledo's aging infrastructure, making it clear that repairs and upgrades remain at the top of the agenda. It's the kind of long-term work that doesn't always make headlines but shapes how the city functions day to day.
Expect continued attention on roads, water systems, and other foundational pieces that keep things moving smoothly across neighborhoods.
Cross-Border Trade Talks
Toledo and Canadian businesses met this week to strengthen trade relationships ahead of the new international crossing opening. The timing matters—recent tariffs have slowed cross-border commerce, and local companies are working to keep partnerships strong through the uncertainty.
The new crossing is expected to ease logistics and open fresh opportunities for regional trade once it's operational.
Community Spotlight
Southview Students Dance for Good
Southview High School's annual Dance for a Chance fundraiser brought students together Saturday for a cause that matters. The high-energy event raised funds for the Ohio Children's Trust Fund, turning a night of movement into meaningful support for kids across the state.
It's the kind of student-led effort that reminds us why Sylvania stays connected to what counts.
Bowling Green's Main Street Staple
For half a century, Ben's has been the kind of place where you can find housewares, hardware, toys, and a candy counter that still draws regulars. It's outlasted trends and big-box stores by staying rooted in what the community actually needs.
That kind of staying power doesn't happen by accident. It comes from showing up, year after year, for the people who call this area home.
City Updates
Tornado Cleanup Continues Nearby
Southwestern Michigan counties are still working through the aftermath of Friday's tornado, which hit St. Joseph, Branch, and Cass counties hard. Search and rescue teams are finishing up their work, while volunteers in yellow vests are going door-to-door to assess damage and figure out what help people need.
If you want to pitch in, the St. Joseph County United Way is coordinating donations and volunteers. The Red Cross also set up a shelter in Three Rivers for anyone displaced by the storm.
Featured event:
Declare’s Glow in the Dark Egg Hunt is back March 27-28! Enjoy thousands of glowing eggs, games, and face painting. Perfect family fun—don't miss out! Click below for more details.
📅 Coming Up This Week
Evening Hiking Group at Swan Creek Preserve
Mondays, February 2 - March 30 · 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Swan Creek Preserve Metropark, Yager Center parking lot, Toledo, OH
Join a weekly fitness-focused hiking group through winter scenery at Swan Creek Preserve—free, dog-friendly, and designed to help you reach your fitness goals while enjoying nature. Get details →
TLR Monthly Open Mic Night
Monday, March 10, 2026 · 5:30 PM - 9 PM
Handmade Toledo, 1717 Adams Street, Toledo, OH
Share your music, poetry, or spoken word in a supportive all-ages environment with sign-up at the door and donation-based food and drinks available.
Shamrock Wine Glass Painting Party
Wednesday, March 11, 2026 · 6 PM - 7:30 PM
CJs On Third, 139 West 3rd Street, Perrysburg, OH 43551
Get lucky with a glass of wine and a paintbrush at this festive St. Patrick's Day workshop where you'll paint four wine glasses. Get details →
Open Circuit Jazz Sessions with Brad Billmaier Trio
Wednesday, March 11, 2026 · 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM
Lucille's at TolHouse, 1447 N. Summit St., Toledo, OH
A bi-weekly jazz residency featuring a curated set from the Brad Billmaier Trio followed by an open jam session where local and traveling musicians can join in—free and open to the 21+ public.
Anishinaabe Art: From Tradition to Contemporary Expression
Friday, March 13, 2026 · 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Toledo Museum of Art Library, 2445 Monroe St, Toledo, OH 43620
Dr. David Guip explores traditional Anishinaabe materials and techniques alongside contemporary innovations, with insights from the Detroit Institute of Arts exhibition Contemporary Anishinaabe Art: A Continuation.
Stories Under the Stars: Ancient Egypt Workshop
March 14, 21, 28 · 2:00 - 5:00 PM
Think Tank, 1 Discovery Way, Toledo, OH
Journey through an inflatable planetarium to explore Ancient Egyptian astronomy and mythology, then craft your own miniature obelisk to learn how these structures told time using the sun. Get details →
The Dinner Detective: Interactive Murder Mystery Experience
Friday, March 14, 2026 · 6 PM - 9 PM
444 N Summit St, Toledo, OH 43604
Solve a real cold case while enjoying dinner in this interactive true crime experience where the killer hides among the guests. Get details →
Thanks for reading The Toledo Dispatch. Talk soon!