The Northwest Ohio Literacy Council is expanding its annual purse lottery to feature 30 designer purse giveaways during the month of September in recognition of National Literacy Awareness Month. Proceeds from the fundraiser support free tutoring services, books and educational resources for literacy programs throughout the region.
Given the national climate around law enforcement, the Lima Noon Optimists chose to give the Respect the Law Award to the Fraternal Order of Police.
The award typically goes to a community member that shows heroism. The president of the FOP says it means a lot in a time he feels police are more attacked than ever. Touching on the idea of defunding police, he says although possible, it wouldn't work reallocating city funds. He cited a 2016 Yale study that states there was no racial bias found in fatal shootings by police but there was bias in use of force. Despite that, he believes officers have no hidden agenda.
Lori McCollum originally organized a with her youth group at her church as an outreach by baking food and to show support for police officers after noticing the negativity cops were receiving over the past month. That turned into something greater, a Praytest, where people could come together and show their support for the police and pray for the city. She explained why they decided to come out and show support.
On Wednesday, police officers across Allen County came together for National Peace Officers Memorial Day. The annual event is held during National Police Week and just as they’ve done since 1962, the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #21 held a memorial to remember the 10 officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.
