“We had a fantastic group this year. All the kids were really wonderful. Our leaders were great this year. So overall, I think it was a very productive and amazing year for everybody,” Washington-Allen said.

“This is an opportunity at these different ages to get them interested in science and hopefully keep that,” said Mark Kleffner, associate dean at OSU Lima and professor of earth sciences. “They’ll see it’s fun, and that’s one of the things I really enjoy so much as a teacher—turning students on to a subject that many people think is not a fun subject when it actually is.”

“For the engineering division, what we would like to see is different strategies to know better what concerns residents have, and just have different approaches because one size doesn't fit all,” said Ian Kohli, City of Lima engineer.

The document includes a comprehensive list of transportation-related projects across Lima and Allen County. This year, a new interactive dashboard has been introduced to help residents learn more about the more than $10 million worth of projects scheduled in the region.

The initiative, part of the Mayor’s Innovation Project, is designed to help cities create safer, healthier, and more connected communities.

The PIPP program helps eligible individuals manage their energy bills. To qualify, your income must fall within 175% of the federal poverty level. For example, a family of four with a total yearly income of up to $54,600 could be eligible for assistance.

The program connects individuals ages 16 to 24 with paid summer internships in fields they are interested in pursuing. Participants must register for pre-employment training to take part in the program.