The West Ohio Food Bank says the need for food assistance in the region is rising quickly as federal SNAP benefits are reduced.
From
To
“The World Health Organization has indicated that there's been an increase of 23% in anxiety since the pandemic, and 28% in depression,” said John Foster of the Center for Peace and Reconciliation. “Mental health is an issue. It's an issue that we need to talk about. In the past, it’s been under the carpet—kind of hidden—but now it should be at the forefront.”
Top Story
Alter Ego Comics has been a staple in the Lima community for more than two decades, offering a wide variety of pop culture merchandise. Owner Marc Bowker said the latest round of tariffs is forcing him to raise prices — a move that could hurt his small business.
Doctors urging parents to get their children the recommended vaccination to prevent the possible spread of preventable diseases.
LIMA, OH (WLIO) - The Rally Point Youth Center was packed with kids from Lima and beyond coming to enjoy free live music.
Increased benefits that were implemented during the pandemic will soon be rolling back to the average monthly amount starting at the end of February. The change is coming not only to Allen County but nationwide. Some people were reportedly getting up to $400 in food stamp benefits, but that number will slowly be scaled back to the normal amount of less than $100.
Lima City Council held their final regular meeting of the year Monday Evening in Council Chambers. On Monday Night, councilors voted to pass the COVID-19 bonus pay ordinance, which would allow the city auditor to pay eligible city employees who worked during the pandemic in 2020 a bonus of $1,000. It passed by a 6-to-1 vote. Also at Lima City Council, Mayor Sharetta Smith announced her general fund expenditure budget for the 2023 calendar year.
Lima City Council held their second to last regular meeting of the year earlier Monday evening in Council Chambers. On Monday, councilors placed Ordinance 240-22 on second reading, which would authorize the city auditor to pay eligible city employees who worked during the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020 a one-time discretionary bonus of $1,000.
Lima City Council members and Mayor Sharetta Smith participated in a "Council of the Whole" meeting Monday evening. At the November 7th meeting, Lima City Council elected to table the legislation that proposed to give out a one-time bonus pay of $1,000 to city employees who worked during the COVID-19 Pandemic and who meet proposed criteria. At Monday's meeting, councilors and the mayor held a discussion on the exact logistics with the legislation and to answer some questions that Lima City Councilors had.
It's one of many positive changes to come out of the last couple of years. Psychologists say the pandemic also triggered more conversations about mental health, which helped reduce stigmas. In addition, many people had to find new ways to cope if they couldn't go to the gym or connect with family and friends. Research shows some still continue with these new habits even now that the restrictions have ended.