Good morning, Toledo!

We have a little bit of everything going on this weekend, from a huge Saturday at the Glass Bowl to festivals, fall celebrations and plenty happening around town. The Rockets host San Diego State in one of their biggest home games of the season (Toledo Dispatch will be there!), while Toledo Women’s Soccer gets the weekend started Friday night against Western Michigan. Away from the field, the Toledo Zoo is pouring the wine at Sip Sip Hooray!, and 419 Music Fest will bring a full day of live local music to Promenade Park.

The weekend also brings two more major celebrations, with the Toledo Museum of Art hosting its free TMA Block Party on Saturday and Maumee Bay Brewing keeping the festivities rolling with Oktoberfest on Sunday. And beyond the events, we’re catching you up on some of the biggest local stories from the week, from proposed new protections for Toledo renters and a concerning school-zone accident to a months-long mail dispute, a massive water bill and an allergy season that just won’t quit. Whatever your plans are this weekend, there’s plenty happening across the 419, and as always, The Toledo Dispatch has you covered.

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A Toledo man says he has gone more than three months without mail delivery following a dispute with his mail carrier. Kaleb Glass, who lives on 323rd Street, says the issue began after his dog escaped from his backyard and approached the carrier. The carrier reportedly stopped delivering mail over concerns about the dog, but Glass says he later surrendered the animal to a shelter and a USPS supervisor confirmed the dog was no longer at the home.

Despite that, Glass says his mail service still hasn’t resumed, with the placement of his mailbox now being cited as an issue. He says he has made dozens of trips to the USPS office since June and is missing important documents, including birth certificates, insurance paperwork, driver’s licenses and paperwork related to ownership of his home. USPS supervisors told Glass the matter is being investigated, while 13 Action News says it has contacted USPS and is awaiting a response.

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A Toledo couple is searching for answers after their water was shut off and they were left with a bill of roughly $3,100. Julia Townsend says her daughter’s home had been vacant from June 2025 until she and her husband moved in this August. After paying to have the water turned back on, they noticed water pooling near the meter. City crews visited multiple times before service was eventually shut off, forcing the couple to rely on jugs of water for everyday needs.

Townsend appealed the bill in August, but says weeks passed without a resolution. After 13 Action News contacted the city, another crew inspected the property and left a notice pointing to a slow leak on the city’s side. The city also confirmed the home's meter had previously been installed backward, though officials say that would not have affected the amount of water recorded. Questions remain about the $3,100 balance and what ultimately caused it, with the city and Townsend still working toward an answer.

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A Toledo-area breast cancer survivor is asking the community for help continuing a program that has provided comfort to local cancer patients for more than 15 years. Gail Cooper founded Baskets of Care in 2009 following her own breast cancer diagnosis. The organization provides care packages through local medical providers to men and women who have recently been diagnosed with cancer, offering educational resources, information and comfort items.

One of the signature items in each basket is a handmade healing shawl, but Cooper says finding both knitters and yarn has become increasingly difficult, especially following the closure of JoAnn Fabrics in Toledo. With demand for the baskets continuing, Baskets of Care is looking for volunteers who can knit shawls as well as donations to help purchase yarn and other supplies. Those interested in helping can find volunteer and donation information through the organization.

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A Toledo mother is calling for increased safety measures after her two daughters, ages 5 and 11, were struck by a car while crossing Bancroft Street near their little brother’s school. Their mother, Amy Schak, says a crossing guard had signaled the girls to cross when they were hit. The 11-year-old, Malayna, suffered serious injuries including a brain bleed, fractured skull and fractured leg. Police say the 80-year-old driver told officers she did not see the girls and did not slow down in the school zone.

Schak is now calling for a traffic light at the crossing and urging drivers to pay closer attention around schools. She says both daughters face a physical and emotional recovery, although Malayna has returned to school on a limited basis. No charges have been filed, and Toledo police say the investigation remains ongoing.

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City and state crews responded to Toledo’s Old West End after residents reported a strong gasoline-like odor in the area. Toledo Fire & Rescue blocked off the area surrounding the Cherry Oil gas station at Central and Cherry, where officials believe a vehicle struck a gas pump days earlier and may have caused a gasoline release. Officials said there was no immediate threat to the public.

Crews from the EPA joined Toledo Environmental Services, Sewers and Drainage, and Toledo Fire & Rescue to investigate the source and extent of the problem. Workers flushed the sewer system and placed dye into the storm sewer as part of the investigation. Residents first reported the odor Monday night, and officials continued working to determine exactly where the gasoline had traveled.

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Toledo City Council is considering a new ordinance aimed at protecting renters from retaliation by landlords. Under the proposal, landlords would be prohibited from raising rent, shutting off utilities, refusing to renew a lease or attempting to evict tenants because they reported unsafe living conditions, spoke to the media or organized with other renters. City leaders say the proposal follows rental forums and a citywide survey that found fear of landlord retaliation was one of tenants’ top concerns.

If approved, landlords found to have retaliated against tenants could face misdemeanor charges. Tenants could also have the ability to sue for triple damages along with attorney fees. Toledo City Council did not take action on the proposal during Monday’s agenda, meaning the ordinance remains under consideration.

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Toledo, this is the game to show up for. Coming off an unbelievable 49-48 overtime win over Temple, the Rockets welcome San Diego State for one of the biggest home matchups on the 2026 schedule, and Toledo has a chance to extend its home winning streak to nine straight games. The Rockets are 2-0 at the Glass Bowl this season, so if there’s one Saturday to fill the stands, get loud and show this team that the city is behind them, this is it.

Where: Glass Bowl Stadium

When: Saturday, September 26 | 12:00 PM

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Toledo Women’s Soccer is back home Friday night for a big MAC matchup against preseason conference favorite Western Michigan. The Rockets enter the match 5-2-2 and unbeaten through their first two MAC games, while fans are encouraged to wear gold for the Gold Out at Paul Hotmer Field.

Where: Paul Hotmer Field — University of Toledo

When: Friday, September 25 | 7:00 PM

Admission: FREE

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Kick off fall with an evening of wine, live entertainment and seasonal sights during the Toledo Zoo’s Sip Sip Hooray! Harvest Wine Tasting. Guests 21+ can stroll the Zoo while sampling 15 wines, enjoy a champagne toast, light snacks and get an early look at the Zoo’s Harvest Fest displays.

Where: Toledo Zoo & Aquarium

When: Friday, September 25 | 6:00–9:00 PM

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Downtown Toledo will be rocking all day Saturday as 419 Music Fest brings some of the best local bands in the 419 to Promenade Park. The free festival features live music from noon through the evening, plus food trucks and beverages, all while raising money for Toledo Firefighters Local 92 charities.

Where: Promenade Park — 400 Water St., Toledo

When: Saturday, September 26 | 12:00–11:00 PM

Cost: FREE

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Maumee Bay Brewing is bringing Oktoberfest to downtown Toledo with an afternoon of German-style brews, Oktoberfest food, live music and traditional entertainment. The celebration will feature performances from Screaming Heathens, The Polka Floyd Show and German dancers from the Bavarian Sports Club, making the historic Oliver House the place to be for a full day of Oktoberfest fun.

Where: Maumee Bay Brewing Company — 27 Broadway St., Toledo

When: Sunday, September 27 | 12:00–8:00 PM

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The Toledo Museum of Art is bringing the community together for its annual TMA Block Party, a free celebration of art and culture for all ages. Spend the afternoon enjoying live performances and music, hands-on artmaking, interactive experiences and local food trucks throughout the museum campus.

Where: Toledo Museum of Art — 2445 Monroe St., Toledo

When: Saturday, September 26 | 3:00–8:30 PM

Cost: FREE

Well that’s all for now, thanks for reading.

Hope you have a great week!

Sincerely, Eli