“It’s a chance for the students to see what happens at a council meeting while they’re learning about government in class,” said Wapakoneta City Schools Superintendent Aaron Rex. “It’s good for them to see people doing community service. And hopefully one day, when these kids grow up, they’ll want to give back to their community as well. Cridersville is a great place to live, and these kids will hopefully come back and reside in this community in the future.”
LIMA, OH (WLIO) - The Lima Finance Committee gathered to discuss the Mayor's 2025 budget estimate.
The 4th ward council seat on Lima City Council has been filled Monday evening. Jeannine Jordan was sworn in as Lima's 4th ward councilwoman by Council President Jamie Dixon to fill the vacant 4th ward seat following Peggy Ehora's retirement. Jordan is a Lima native and taught for 35 years at Lima City Schools including high school English and technology instruction for staff. We asked Jordan what inspired her to pursue city government and what she would like to see for Lima.
Lima City Council recognizes Police Chief Angel Cortes as he gets ready to enter retirement. In a resolution passed Monday night, Lima City Council shared their appreciation for Chief Cortes' leadership and service to the Lima Police Department and his contributions to make Lima a safe community for all. Since taking the Police Chief's oath back in June of 2022, Chief Cortes focused on various projects including recruitment of new officers from area high schools and colleges, the increase of salaries, and making sure the community stays fed through the "Filling the Gap" program. After council, Your Hometown Stations talked with Chief Cortes about the meaning of Monday night's recognition.
Lima City Council gives Mayor Sharetta Smith the green light to launch the Lima Rapid Rental Repair Program on Tuesday, June 18th. The program aims to assist landlords with turnover and renovation costs for their rental properties to prepare for the next tenant to rent. The program is funded through "Better Together Funds" with $200,000 being allocated, and landlords can apply for a maximum grant award of up to $5,000 per unit, a way, Mayor Smith says, to help landlords with the rental registration program passed earlier this year and improve housing in Lima.
ST. MARYS, OH (WLIO) - Residents of St. Marys could see major increases in their utility bills, and the city is taking action to prevent that.
On Monday night at Lima City Council, Lima Mayor Sharetta Smith addressed councilors about the current situation regarding Haitian immigration. According to the mayor's presentation, several county and city agencies are reporting increased demands. The Allen County Job and Family Services have received applications from nearly 550 Haitian people for federal and State of Ohio assistance. The Lima Municipal Court recorded a large increase in the need for Haitian Creole interpreters while Mercy Health St. Rita's reported a 75% increase in the usage of language lines with Haitian Creole being the most requested. Additionally, both the Lima Police and Fire Departments report an increase in overcrowding of single-family occupancy homes and apartments. After council, Mayor Smith shared with Your Hometown Stations about the next steps for the city.
On Monday night, Lima City Council began discussion to potentially change certain election and hiring procedures within the City Charter. First, council tackled residency requirements for a city public official office to provide clearer criteria and avoid situations where residency could be questioned. Councilors also conversed about the election timing of council president to provide an equal and fair way for all individuals, regardless of being in an even or odd numbered ward, to run for the presidential seat. Lastly, council addressed the possibility of outside hiring of a police and fire chief. While the Lima Police Department was not in attendance Monday night, the Lima Fire Department provided suggestions on whether a new process is warranted. When asked about the importance of reviewing the charter, council said it's vital to make sure procedures are up-to-date.
Details of the Cable Road improvement project were shared Tuesday night at Lima City Council with strong opinions being expressed by councilors. According to information posted on the City of Lima's website, the proposed project for Cable Road would convert the 5-lane roadway to 3 lanes between Windsor Drive and College Park West, install a median between Latham Avenue and Windsor Drive, and construct sidewalks on both sides of the roadway extending from Latham Avenue to College Park West. At Tuesday night's city council meeting, city councilors expressed their stances both for and against the project.
With the placement of the last truss, the senior patrol leader of Scouts BSA Troop 304 James Hedrick and Scout Tyler Kogan were on hand to lash a pine sapling to the last truss for a topping out ceremony. A topping out ceremony is a construction tradition that has been occurring in some fashion for centuries as a celebration of a project milestone. Traditionally, this ceremony occurs when the final structural beam is raised into place, completing the building's frame.
