January 15, 2025, Press Release from the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Financial Institutions (DFI): COLUMBUS, Ohio – As crews continue to fight devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area, the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Financial Institutions (DFI) urges generous Ohioans who plan to support relief efforts to exercise caution to ensure their donations are directed to reputable and legitimate organizations. Recent warnings from the California Attorney General and local Los Angeles officials underscore the risks of fraud and scams during times of disaster. Fraudsters are known to exploit these situations, often by posing as charities or creating fake donation campaigns.

January 8, 2025, Press Release from the Ohio Department of Commerce: Ohio and 52 state financial regulatory agencies have taken coordinated action against mortgage company Bayview Asset Management LLC, and three of its affiliates, Lakeview Loan Servicing, Community Loan Servicing, and Pingora Holdings (collectively the Bayview Companies). The action follows the discovery of deficient cybersecurity practices and the companies’ failure to comply with the agencies’ examination authority following a data breach that impacted approximately 5.8 million customers, including 138,906 Ohioans.

The holidays are over, and now it is time for the "Santa Shock," when you get the bills for all of your purchases. According to a study conducted by Lending Tree, consumers, on average, incurred a holiday debt of nearly $1,200. The Ohio Division of Financial Institutions tips to reduce your large bill are negotiating a lower interest rate, creating a debt payoff plan, or reducing your spending for normal monthly expenses. Experts say you don't want this year's holiday debt to spread to next year.

An Ohio fanatical experts give tips about making a resolution to better manage your money in 2025. 

LIMA, OH (WLIO) - There are new resources out there available for all who are looking to become potential homeowners.

The Lima Fire Department is one small step closer to building a new fire station. Back in October, Lima Fire Chief, Jack McDermitt, told Your Hometown Stations that a study is being conducted by the Ohio Fire Chief's Association. That study will determine what the new fire station will look like. Also back in October, Lima City Council passed legislation to create a capital fund project for the fire station construction. On Monday night, councilors voted to transfer money to the project fund marking a little bit of progress of making the new fire station a reality.

We are officially past Thanksgiving, and that means Christmas is just right around the corner! Many people are now picking out that perfect Christmas tree, so we stopped by Blooms on Shawnee Road to see how things are going so far.

After a community forum held on October 29th, the Elida School Board of Education voted on whether they will move forward with a renewal tax levy. On Tuesday evening, the Elida School Board unanimously voted to move forward with the renewal levy for $2.7 million. Tuesday night's decision comes after the unofficial 5-year forecast presented at the community forum showing expenses outpacing revenues by an increasingly growing margin. Following Tuesday night's board meeting, we spoke with Elida Local Schools Superintendent, Joel Mengerink, about the next steps and the impact of Tuesday night's decision.

It was a busy night at Lima City Council with multiple pieces of legislation being passed. First, Council voted for the approval of purchasing the VFW Post 1275 building and the adjacent parking lot located within the 100 block of East Elm Street. Council also received an update that the construction of the $11.5 million Aquatics Center project is coming along, on time, and on budget. Council also gave Mayor Smith the green light to go after 2 grants from the U.S. Conference of Mayors.