Jay Skebba
The Toledo Blade
Toledo, OH, United States
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Past articles by Jay:
Mother of cleveland.com reporter: 'No one should have ever hurt her'
A Toledo mother said her daughter, a journalist for cleveland.com, did not deserve to be hurt after police discovered two bodies at a Perrysburg Township mobile home park. “She’s beautiful and no one should have ever hurt her. And that’s all I’m going to say,” Joanne Ullman told The Blade. Ms. Ullman identified herself as the mother of Nikki Delamotte, 30, who is listed as the arts and culture… → Read More
Letters from WWI vet describe first Armistice Day
After four years, three months, and two weeks, the gunfire ceased, the gas attacks ended, and the trenches emptied across Europe. Many Americans may not know why Veterans Day is celebrated on Nov. 11 each year, but Sgt. John J. Gallagher never had to be reminded. He lived it, and his children have the letters to prove it. Veterans Day was originally called Armistice Day to commemorate the end of… → Read More
Jail, water, school issues at stake in Tuesday's election
Voters across Lucas County will weigh in on a long list of ballot initiatives and decide a number of contested local races at the polls on Nov. 6. ■ Issue 10 — Jail Among the most contentious ballot questions is a countywide $185 million bond issue that would pay for the construction of a new jail and behavioral health center. Unions for Toledo police officers and Lucas County sheriff’s deputies… → Read More
Mother of Sandy Hook victim speaks in Sylvania
Emilie Parker was killed inside her Sandy Hook Elementary School classroom in 2012, which is why her mother is on a mission to put an end to gun violence in schools nationwide. Alissa Parker, co-founder of Safe and Sound Schools, visited Southview High School Thursday night to emphasize the need for improved safety and security in our nation’s classrooms. Her appearance comes just days before… → Read More
Stretch of State Rt. 65 re-named in honor of fallen vet from Rossford
A fallen U.S. Marine from Rossford hasn't been forgotten by his hometown, and his legacy will soon live forever. On Saturday, a 1.5-mile stretch of State Rt. 65 through downtown will be re-named the Marine Sgt. David R. Christoff Memorial Highway in honor of the man who died more than 12 years ago in Iraq. A dedication ceremony and walk will be part of the festivities. The event is the… → Read More
Rossford women spreading 'paw print' pride for good cause
No giant animals are on the loose in Rossford, although it is starting to look that way. Nicole Roe and Tara Launder have spent each Monday since August spray-painting large Rossford Bulldog paw prints on driveways and in front of businesses throughout the city. They estimate completing more than 150 in the past few months and plan to paint more next year. The cost is $20.19 in honor of the… → Read More
Rossford approves pay raises for city officials
Pay raises are on the way for several Rossford department heads. City Council voted 6-0 Monday night to approve salary bumps for eight administrative employees. A 3-percent raise retroactive to January, then another 3 percent in January, 2019, were awarded to the following: City administrator: current salary of $78,186.81 Superintendent, public works (Tyler Kolb): $63,867.70 Finance director… → Read More
Chipotle opening new restaurant in Oregon
Burrito bowls and crispy corn tacos will soon be easier to find in Oregon. The city recently approved a pair of building permits for a new Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurant at 2924 Navarre Avenue. One permit allows for remodeling of the building shell, and the other for interior finish and minor site work. The property is owned by Mercy St. Charles Hospital, according to city documents. Check… → Read More
Lawsuit alleges Motel 6 in Huron gave out personal information of guests
HURON, Ohio — A lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court alleges a Motel 6 in Huron illegally provided local police with personal information of guests and followed their movements. Dashay Jones, of Sandusky, and Deonia Green, of Lima, stayed at the Motel 6 at 601 Rye Beach Rd. The lawsuit states they had their Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment rights violated by Motel 6 and Sandusky police in… → Read More
Maumee, Toledo discuss what's next for Lucas County Rec Center
The Lucas County Recreation Center may be nearing the end of its lifespan, at least in its current form. Maumee Mayor Richard Carr and Commissioner Pete Gerken agree it’s best to hand over the property to the city of Maumee, which would then seek developers to overhaul a good portion of the 85-acre space. The agreement would need approval from the county commissioners and Maumee City Council.… → Read More
Border Patrol checks on Greyhound buses raise eyebrows
SANDUSKY — U.S. Border Patrol agents conducted multiple security checks aboard Greyhound buses in Sandusky on a weekend this month, a practice the agency says is nothing new. Border Patrol spokesman Kris Grogan said the searches are part of their “everyday duties.” Multiple buses were stopped at a Sunoco gas station in the city. Three U.S. Border Patrol agents speak with passengers pulled off a… → Read More
More than half of Michigan students receive low marks on M-STEP
More than half of Michigan’s elementary and middle-school students are not proficient in multiple areas of study, according to recently released data from the Michigan Department of Education. The Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress was introduced three years ago to improve literacy at the elementary level. However, most school districts are seeing only minor improvement, and in some… → Read More
Montpelier spurns aquifer plan
MONTPELIER, Ohio — Add Montpelier to the list of communities telling Artesian of Pioneer to abort its mission to sell local water. Montpelier village council voted Monday night to approve a resolution expressing concern over AOP’s plan to sell water from the Michindoh Aquifer to several suburbs and entities in northwest Ohio. Language was changed from “oppose” to “express concern.” CEO Ed… → Read More
City of Oregon latest to look into marijuana decriminalization
Decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana is a growing trend across Ohio, and Oregon could be the next municipality to join the movement. The Lucas County Board of Elections recently approved a citizen-led ballot initiative to eliminate criminal penalties for carrying less than 200 grams of cannabis. Voters will see the “Sensible Marihuana Law” on the ballot in November. Similar efforts were… → Read More
As school year looms, teachers struggle to pay for classroom supplies
Editor’s note: first in an occasional series. Among the items first-grade teacher Alison Reardon unpacked inside her Arlington Elementary School classroom were boxes of crowdsourced materials she will distribute to students throughout the school year. A childhood friend fully funded Ms. Reardon's $335 DonorsChoose.org campaign, which purchased everything from pencils and crayons to construction… → Read More
Dispute with city inspectors, contractor leaves Maumee couple in limbo
The white house at 321 W. Broadway St. in Maumee's historic district stands out from its neighbors, but not for the best reasons. More than a century ago, the home's timbers were milled at the Maumee River and rolled up the hill to West Broadway for construction. Today, the words "public nuisance" are painted in red on the front of the two-story residence. It's Tim Ide's latest attempt to get… → Read More
Maumee City Council may consider social media policy
Social media are here to stay, and at least a few city councilmen in Maumee are seeking to make it work better for the people in their city. Councilman John Boellner recently suggested the city adopt a social media policy for all city employees and elected officials. He is also pushing to start an official city Facebook page, similar to those run by Perrysburg, Rossford, and Sylvania. Mr.… → Read More
Monclova man to meet family of solider who died in his arms in Vietnam
Fifty years after a decision he still ponders, Doug Towslee will finally meet the family of a soldier who died in his arms on a Vietnam War battlefield. Mr. Towslee made the 530-mile journey from Monclova to Clifton Heights, Pa., about 10 minutes west of Philadelphia. On Saturday, he will tell the story of 1st Lt. John C. Martin, who never got the chance to tell his own. "It's going to be… → Read More
Rossford Police Chief Glenn Goss resigns
Rossford Police Chief Glenn Goss, Sr. has announced his resignation, effective Friday. Rossford Police Chief Glenn Goss, Sr., announced Wednesday he will resign after almost seven years on the job. In a post on the Rossford Police Department's Facebook page, Chief Goss said his decision is "directly related to affording his son, Glenn Goss, Jr., career opportunities that would potentially be… → Read More
Maumee, Sylvania OK aquifer study
A pair of Toledo suburbs took the next step Monday night in exploring using an underground aquifer for future water needs. Maumee and Sylvania city councils voted 6-0 and 5-0, respectively, to approve a study to investigate tapping into the Michindoh Aquifer, named for the three states in which it lies: Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. The study involves testing water for quantity and quality.… → Read More