This month is Seatbelt Safety and Enforcement Month and multiple organizations in Allen County, such as the Regional Planning Commission, will be working together to ensure drivers stay safe as the holiday season inches closer and closer. Statistics from the national highway traffic safety administration show that the seatbelt usage rate in 2021 was at 90.4%, a number that many want to see improve and not decrease.

The Allen County Bike and Pedestrian Task Force is expanding the focus of their active transportation survey to include youth aged 11 years to 19 years old to take a short survey. The information they are looking for is how you get from place to place in your daily routine. It can be walking, biking, or even skateboarding. Anything that takes physical human power.

Allen County, OH (WLIO) - The Lima-Allen County Safe Community Coalition gave out awards to honor local heroes whose work makes their communit…

This Saturday, the "Arrive Alive Tour" will make its way to the fairgrounds. This drunk and distracted driving awareness simulator is ranked number one in the nation. It uses high-tech and state-of-the-art equipment that allows participants to drive while distracted, drunk, or drugged in a vehicle without moving or being intoxicated experiencing real-life dangers without the real-life consequences.

A mock crash demonstration was set up to show students the aftermath of a dangerous crash where students were not paying attention and were driving impaired. The demonstration included outcomes such as arrest and legal proceedings, life flight, jaws of life, severe injuries, and even death.

The annual Ottawa River cleanup is coming up. Saturday, April 23rd hundreds of volunteers will be combing the banks of the river picking up trash. Over the years they have collected tons of trash that would have ended up in the river causing issues with the watershed. The event has drawn people from all over the region and organizers say they can always use more hands.

Downtown Lima, Inc. has a busy rest of the summer planned with well-known events and a few new additions. First, Northwestern Ohio Security Systems is celebrating their 40th anniversary with a parking lot party this Wednesday, July 28th from 10 AM-3 PM. Then, the last 1st Friday is on August 6th from 11 AM-6 PM. On August 7th, the Legacy Arts Block Party will fill Main Street with live music. The annual Free Comic Book Day at Alter Ego Comics happens on August 14th. Also on that day is a new event called Celebrating You, which focuses on mental health outreach to black communities. The Executive Director of Downtown Lima Inc., Shaunna Basinger, says having an array of events allows the community to feel more comfortable showing up.

For the first time in two years, Downtown Lima, Inc. will hold their monthly First Fridays event this week, which coincides with the Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) opening. The day will begin at 11 AM with several family-friendly activities. Live music starts in the afternoon with six acts throughout the day. This Friday evening at 5 PM will also mark the opening of Lima's DORA. Customers will be allowed to carry alcohol from participating businesses in dedicated cups within assigned limits. Downtown Lima. Inc's Executive Director, Shaunna Basinger, says providi

Shaunna Basinger comes to the organization via the University of Northwestern Ohio and is a graduate of Ohio State University Lima. Members of the search committee say her energy and leadership skills will ensure the success and growth of D-T-L. Basinger says they are already working on events to get people back downtown in a safe manner due to COVID.

The community came together for a pre-Christmas celebration at the UNOH Racers Station. There were snacks and signature Christmas-themed drinks for people to enjoy at the first-ever 12 Nights of Christmas. For 12 days the pop-up bar will feature a number of different performances and activities. It's the first of many events to kick off the university’s centennial celebration next year. The university hopes the public will come out and enjoy it and what it has to offer over the next couple of weeks.