Springfield
BY JEFF SKINNER SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (AP) — Despite years of promises that a massive influx of Haitian immigrants would revitalize the local economy, Springfield city officials on Tuesday confronted a sobering financial reality: income tax revenue, the backbone of the general fund, has flattened and is now projected to decline, forcing
Findlay
BY CAREY MORGAN FINDLAY, Ohio (AP) — Tensions flared at the Findlay City Council meeting Tuesday night as members clashed over a proposed $1 million city purchase of 21 acres of partially wetland land from interests linked to a major developer, with critics warning the deal risks subsidizing private growth that
smart meters
STATEWIDE - As wireless smart meters continue expanding across Ohio, a growing coalition of grassroots advocates and consumer protection groups is launching a coordinated pushback, urging residents to demand utility meter choice legislation from state and federal lawmakers. Advocates argue that the automated metering infrastructure (AMI) has been deployed without adequate
Findlay
BY CAREY MORGAN FINDLAY, Ohio — Resolute local housing advocates have launched a rapid-response petition drive to fight a controversial city annexation plan, battling a massive signature hurdle triggered by an undemocratic change in state law. The grassroots group, Put It on The Ballot Findlay, filed referendum paperwork on June
smart meters
BY NICK ROGERS GEAUGA - Over two weeks ago, this author received a pamphlet in his mailbox from FirstEnergy (you know, the electric utility company at the heart of the HB 6 scandal?). The pamphlet features a wireless “Smart” meter on the cover with the title, “Your power is about to
Local
GEAUGA COUNTY, Ohio — The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio is coming under increased scrutiny for what consumer advocates describe as a pattern of delays, technical glitches and procedural roadblocks that appear to shield FirstEnergy subsidiaries from accountability over disputed smart meter deployments. Residents who previously secured opt-out protections for
AxOHtax
COLUMBUS — In a boost to Ohio homeowners frustrated with rising property taxes, the grassroots Ax Ohio Tax initiative announced Friday it will carry forward its petition drive and target the November 2027 ballot for a constitutional amendment to permanently abolish taxes on real property. Brian Massie, president of the Committee
Findlay
BY CAREY MORGAN FINDLAY — Despite passionate opposition from residents citing traffic congestion, flooding risks, strained infrastructure and loss of a beloved local landmark, Findlay City Council voted 7-2 on Tuesday to annex the Shady Grove Golf Course property and rezone it for high-density multifamily housing. The decision on
Local
BY JEFF SKINNER SPRINGFIELD — Despite ongoing fiscal woes, chronic fire division understaffing and resident alarms over misplaced priorities, the Springfield City Commission on Tuesday approved a nearly $240,000 contract with Motorola Solutions to launch a Drone as First Responder pilot program critics fear will expand government surveillance while delivering
Ohio's Leading Citizen Journalism Outlet
BY STAFF CONTRIBUTOR PERRY - Perry Village officials have declared they possess zero written economic impact studies, project descriptions, or internal digital communications regarding a controversial, multimillion-dollar data center project slated for development on local public land. The admission, delivered via a series of public records responses, has ignited sharp
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A little-noticed provision in the House version of the 2027 National Defense Authorization Act could dramatically expand and institutionalize military cooperation between the United States and Israel, prompting concern among some Ohio lawmakers, residents and national security observers about long-term costs, sovereignty and foreign policy
BY ROBERTA BALSER I am contacting you one more time and asking that you vote NAY on the two above Ordinances. My understanding of what the responsibilities of those elect to represent the citizens of Findlay and Hancock County is to do no harm, but instead do what is best
BY NICK ROGERS STATEWIDE - Senate bill 294, the “Declare the state’s energy siting policy,” is setting the bar high for energy output requirements from Ohio’s existing power plants while, at the same time, setting up further roadblocks for “renewable” energy developments such as wind and solar farms. Advocates
This Article was originally published on The Heartland Beat There is plenty to be concerned about in the news today, but if you are a conservative in the spring season you are most likely following the explosion of ticks containing the Alpha-Gal illness turning up all over the country
BY CAREY MORGAN FINDLAY - Findlay Auditor Jim Staschiak was recently recognized with the GOA’s Popular Annual Financial Reporting Award, adding another State of Ohio award to his portfolio. The Popular Annual Financial Reporting (PAFR) Award is a recognition given by the Government Finance Officers Association to governments that produce
TOR Editor Jeff Skinner sits down with Melissa Rexroth and Nicole Bethel, two circulators for the Conserve Ohio data center amendment seeking to ban hyperscale data centers across the state. More information can be found about the amendment, including signing dates and locations at conserveohio.com
STATEWIDE - Children’s Health Defense filed a petition in federal court Monday seeking to compel the Federal Communications Commission to comply with a 2021 court order on radiofrequency radiation exposure limits. The nonprofit group asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to issue a
BY JEFF SKINNER SPRINGFIELD - The Springfield commissioners heard a presentation by Finance Director Katie Eviston, Utility Income Tax Administrator Brandy Bubp, and Senior Billing Specialist Kevin Walters on the new utility billing software by SpryPoint, which will cost just over $1 million. The move comes amid public concerns over technology
BY CAREY MORGAN FINDLAY — Findlay City Council members on Tuesday defended a proposed high-density multifamily apartment development amid strong resident opposition, stressing the city’s severe housing shortage while pledging further scrutiny of traffic, stormwater drainage and neighborhood compatibility. The council gave second readings to ordinances accepting the annexation
BY JEFF SKINNER STATEWIDE - The Ohio Legislature has pushed forward House Bill 126, a bill designed to restrict local officials from bringing lawsuits against data center companies that could cause unstated damage to local areas, such as draining aquifers or polluting water supplies with contaminants while claiming to ‘investigate’ validity
By Nick Rogers STATEWIDE - The National Call for Safe Technology (NCST), a citizen advocacy group who describes themselves as “…a rallying cry for better wireless device safety testing, up-to-date WiFi exposure guidelines, homeowner rights to refuse "smart" meters, ADA accommodations for individuals impacted by electromagnetic sensitivity,
