Entering its third year, the Mayor Sharetta Smith's Walking-the-Wards is set to begin. She, with members of her administration, spends an hour walking neighborhoods all around the city. It's literally boots on the ground where they can see the good and the bad residents are facing.

Sharetta Smith received Berger's endorsement at her headquarters located at the Carpenters Local 372 Hall. The current mayor stated that Smith had the qualifications that a mayor should have. Smith, who has worked with Berger over the past few years, says that she is honored to get the endorsement from the current Mayor of Lima.

Before the primary election, Alice Donahue and Bart Mills filed a civil lawsuit against Hardesty and the Allen County Board of Elections saying the board abused their power when they voted to uphold her residency, in turn allowing her to run for mayor. Donahue and Mills contend that Hardesty was living in Texas until October of 2020. But Hardesty has always said that Lima was her home and just worked outside of Ohio.

Allen County residents can be seen traveling to their local voting locations in order to cast their vote. Tuesday, May 4th is Primary Election day. On the ballot in Allen County, residents will see a smaller list compared to years past. 

The Lima/Allen County Chamber of Commerce and The League of Women Voters presented the City of Lima Mayoral Candidate Forum at the convention center where voters were able to see where the candidates stand on certain issues. Rob Alexander, political science professor at Ohio Northern University was the moderator. The panel asked questions relating to infrastructure, the Schoonover Pool, jobs in the area, and why people should vote for them. We spoke to the candidates on why the people of Lima should vote for them in the primary election on May 4th.

A document obtained by Your Hometown Stations from the Ohio State Chiropractic Board shows that Hayes received a suspension on his license in Mid-Late February. According to the document, Hayes has received a one-year suspension with six months stayed for multiple violation counts, which include providing acupuncture without a license and failing to report arrests. Hayes has also received a $5,000 fine. The document further elaborates that Hayes performed dry needling on two patients without the education, training, and experience to perform the service, and without a valid certificate to practice acupuncture issued by the board.

Elizabeth Hardesty officially kicked off her campaign for Mayor of Lima this afternoon. She outlined her plan for office, which focuses on three key points. They include investing in the economy, essential services, and the people. She aims to utilize the parks and rec infrastructure already in place and improve on them. She would also make sure resources to learn trades and earn degrees would be available to young students. One of her biggest goals will focus on the economy.

The Allen County Board of Elections have voted to keep a Lima Mayoral Candidate on the upcoming ballot. Elizabeth Hardesty faced a challenge for her candidacy after submitting her petition to the board of elections on February 4th, 2021.

41-year-old Autumn Swanson, former Lima neighborhood specialist, was arrested early Sunday morning on charges of operating a vehicle impaired and reasonable control. She was booked into the Allen County Jail by the Sheriff’s Department and has since been released on bond. She is set to appear in court on Wednesday, February 24^th.

Elizabeth Hardesty added her name to the ballot Wednesday afternoon. She submitted a petition with 96 signatures to the Allen County Board of Elections, making her the fourth candidate for the seat. She says her campaign will concentrate on safety services, reviewing the parks and rec department, and connecting schools with trade programs to prepare students for the workforce.