Good morning, Toledo!

There’s plenty happening around Toledo this week, from the Mud Hens’ final homestand of the season to live music, food events and unique local experiences. Baseball fans can catch six games against the Louisville Bats at Fifth Third Field, while Brooks & Dunn bring their Neon Moon Tour to the Huntington Center and college golf takes center stage at the Inverness Intercollegiate.

Elsewhere, the week includes everything from Haunted Waterville Tours and Twilight Evenings at the Toledo Zoo to Lunch at Levis, a cocktail workshop at Registry Bistro and an end-of-summer patio party. Whether you’re looking for sports, live entertainment, food and drinks or something a little different, there’s no shortage of ways to get out and enjoy the week across the Toledo area.

Also, don’t forget we are giving away four tickets to six of our subscribers to a Toledo football home game this season! Winner will be announced November 6th!

To participate, send your friends our subscription link and the referral form below. After they subscribe, they simply enter your email address in the referral form so we can give you credit.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram as well! @toledodispatch

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Phone: 419-279-8723

Website: JustinSpann.com

News

Sylvania Township Cat Owner Says Multiple Cats Have Been Shot With Pellet Guns

A Sylvania Township woman says several cats in her neighborhood have been shot with pellet guns over the past year, raising concerns about the safety of local pets. Shannon Koppert says the incidents began last September, when a kitten was found with injuries believed to have been caused by a pellet gun. Since then, she says additional cats have suffered similar injuries.

Koppert believes someone in the area may be intentionally targeting the animals and is urging neighbors to stay alert. The incidents have prompted concern among pet owners in the area, with residents encouraged to keep a closer eye on outdoor cats and report any suspicious activity involving animals to local authorities.

Toledo Man Says Tree Removal Crew Took $1,000 Deposit and Never Returned

A Toledo man says he believes he was scammed after paying a tree removal crew a $1,000 deposit for work that was never completed. Joseph Tarquinto Jr. says he found the company online and agreed to pay $2,000 to have a tree removed from his backyard. After receiving half of the payment upfront, the crew reportedly moved a few items near the tree before leaving to purchase supplies and never returned.

Tarquinto and his family say they repeatedly tried contacting the company afterward. One family member eventually received a response claiming the workers who came to the home did not actually work for the business. Toledo police were contacted and took information for a report, while Tarquinto says he is still looking for answers and hoping to recover the money he paid.

Community Spotlight

Northwest Ohio Walks Raise Awareness for Ovarian Cancer

The Ovarian Cancer Connection is bringing Northwest Ohio communities together this month through events aimed at raising awareness and supporting those impacted by ovarian cancer. The nonprofit, which has served Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan since 2005, provides education and financial assistance to patients while working to increase awareness of symptoms that can often be difficult to detect in the disease’s early stages.

The Ellen Jackson Walk will take place Sept. 19 from 8 a.m. to noon at Buckeye Broadband, 2700 Oregon Road in Northwood. Registration begins at 8 a.m., followed by ceremonies at 9 a.m. Organizers say the walks give survivors, families and community members an opportunity to support one another and remember those who have lost their lives to ovarian cancer. Teal ribbons are also being displayed throughout the region as part of the nationwide “Turn the Towns Teal” awareness campaign.

Community Support Helps Toledo Mother Move Into New Home

A Toledo mother who said mold forced her children out of their home has now received the keys to a new place after help from her employer. Patricia Bush had been sleeping on an air mattress and was unsure where she and her family would go before a coworker learned about her situation and brought it to the attention of management at Unison Health.

Unison quickly stepped in, first putting Bush in a hotel and then helping her secure a house. The organization covered her first month’s rent and security deposit and also helped furnish the home. Bush plans to return the keys to her previous residence and says she is excited to begin a new chapter, with the eventual goal of becoming a homeowner.

City Updates

Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Opening in Former Big Lots on Navarre Avenue

Ollie’s Bargain Outlet is set to open a new Oregon, Ohio location Thursday in the former Big Lots space on Navarre Avenue. The discount retailer specializes in closeout and excess merchandise, offering products such as food, housewares, toys, books, clothing, home goods and seasonal items at discounted prices. The new store continues Ollie’s expansion into former Big Lots locations following the retailer’s bankruptcy and widespread store closures.

The Navarre Avenue opening will bring another discount shopping option to one of Oregon’s main retail corridors. Ollie’s has been aggressively expanding its footprint, acquiring dozens of former Big Lots leases across the country as part of its growth strategy, including several locations throughout Ohio.

State Auditor Investigation Into City of Toledo Remains Ongoing

The Ohio Auditor of State is conducting an ongoing investigation involving the city of Toledo, though the reason and scope of the investigation remain unclear. The investigation was disclosed in the city’s financial audit for the year ending in 2024, with a letter dated November 21, 2025, noting that results could be released depending on the outcome. Similar language did not appear in Toledo’s 2022 or 2023 audits.

The 2024 audit also identified financial statement misstatements that were not initially caught by the city’s internal financial controls. Toledo’s corrective action plan calls for strengthening those controls. The Auditor of State’s office says the investigation remains active and has not provided additional details, while city officials say they have no further information beyond what is included in the audit letter.

Events This Week

Top College Golf Programs Tee Off at Inverness Club

The Inverness Intercollegiate returns to Toledo from September 13–15, bringing 18 NCAA Division I men’s golf programs to the historic Inverness Club for three days of competition. The 54-hole tournament features teams including Auburn, Clemson, LSU, Michigan, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Toledo and Vanderbilt, with 18 holes played each day.

Inverness Club

Monday and Tuesday

Real Seafood Company Hosts End-of-Summer Patio Party

Real Seafood Company Toledo will host its final patio party of the summer on Tuesday, September 15 at 6 p.m., featuring a live paella demonstration by Chef Paul, a four-course dinner and beer, wine and sangria. Tickets are $75 per person, plus tax and gratuity, with the menu including quesadillas, arugula and blackened corn salad, paella and churros.

Real Seafood Company

Tuesday 6 PM

Mud Hens Wrap Up Home Schedule Against Louisville

The Toledo Mud Hens are back at Fifth Third Field this week for their final homestand of the season, hosting the Louisville Bats for six games. Tuesday’s 6:35 p.m. opener features the final Hens & Hounds night of the year, followed by another 6:35 p.m. game Wednesday and Thursday.

Friday’s game begins at 7:05 p.m. for Tigers Affiliate Night, while Saturday’s 5:05 p.m. matchup will celebrate Walleye Night. The homestand wraps up Sunday at 2:05 p.m. with the final home game of the season and a Cheer Bow Gate Giveaway.

Fifth Third Field

All Week

Haunted Waterville Tours Bring Ghost Stories to Life

Haunted Waterville Tours run select evenings through October 31, combining a 45-minute paranormal presentation at the Robbins House Museum with a 45-minute horse-drawn trolley ride through Waterville’s historic district. Tours are offered at 5:15, 6:00, 6:45, 7:30 and 8:15 p.m., with tickets priced at $30 and advance reservations recommended.

Downtown Waterville

Thursday 5:15-8:15 PM

Registry Bistro Puts Rye and Bourbon Head-to-Head

Registry Bistro will host a Rye vs. Bourbon cocktail workshop on Thursday, September 17 from 6 to 8 p.m., giving guests a side-by-side look at the differences in grain, spice, texture and finish between the two whiskeys. Tickets are $60 per person, plus tax and gratuity, and include light bites along with tastings and cocktail-making instruction.

Registry Bistro

Thursday 6-8 PM

Brooks & Dunn Bring the Neon Moon Tour to Toledo

Country music duo Brooks & Dunn will bring their Neon Moon Tour to the Huntington Center on Friday, September 18, with special guest David Lee Murphy. The show starts at 7 p.m., giving Toledo country fans a chance to hear hits from one of the genre’s most successful duos.

Huntington Center

Thursday 7-9:30 PM

Toledo Zoo Twilight Evenings

The Toledo Zoo’s Twilight Evenings give visitors a chance to explore the zoo after regular daytime hours, with select exhibits, food and drinks available into the evening. The event is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday offering a more relaxed nighttime zoo experience for guests.

Toledo Zoo

Wednesday and Thursday 4-8 PM

Lunch at Levis Brings Food Trucks and Live Music Downtown

Lunch at Levis returns to Levis Square on Thursday, September 17 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with DJ Super Nathan providing the entertainment. The weekly downtown event features 17 local food trucks, nearby restaurant options, lawn games and a lively lunchtime atmosphere that regularly draws thousands of attendees.

Levis Square

Thursday 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM

Toledo Choice Sponsors

Kora James & CO Is your clean, fragrance-free baby skincare and lifestyle brand based in Sylvania, Ohio. Ingredient transparency is at the core of the brands identity, giving parents products they can trust for their little ones. Kora James & Co, is projected to launch Spring of 2027. www.korajamesco.com 

Jack and Irene’s WISH House You don’t have to choose between living alone and a nursing home. That’s why we created Jack & Irene’s WISH House, a welcoming, inviting, safe haven where adults who need a little extra support can continue living with dignity, independence, purpose, and a true sense of belonging in a place they can call home. Schedule a personal tour today. jackirenewish.com

JLS Cosmetics is a Toledo-area automotive detailing and pressure washing business offering both mobile and stationary services. They specialize in interior and exterior vehicle care including ceramic coating. High standards with private product help customer clients keep their vehicles looking clean and refreshed. With the convenience of mobile detailing. JLS Cosmetics can bring professional vehicle care right to you! Check out their Facebook in the link below or reach out to 567-395-2676. JLS Cosmetics

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

Hope you have a great week!

Sincerely, Eli