Lucas County Children Services (LCCS) joins child welfare agencies nationwide in recognizing May 2011 as National Foster Care Month, and is appealing for more adults and families to become foster caregivers in Lucas County.

The good news is that death rates for many major diseases - HIV, stroke, heart disease, prostate cancer, and breast cancer - are declining. Sadly, we can't yet say the same about Alzheimer's. This year, the first of the Boomer Generation turns 65 and with increased age comes increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

 Toledo Mayor Bell held a press conference today to discuss Dahing's decision to put "The Docks" purchase on hold. Press release below:

In every aspect of my life—from parenting to small business ownership—I have continually sought ways to trim wasteful spending so I could save money for the future. I’m sure that your household or your business runs the same way, because this is the not-so-secret to financial success. However, it’s a well-known fact that government does not always follow this same principle, and as we face an $8 billion deficit, it is very important that we make our state spending more accountable.

First and foremost, I would like to take a moment to sincerely thank you for giving me the great honor and privilege of serving as your voice in the People’s House. To have the opportunity to serve in the Ohio House of Representatives is extremely humbling, and I look forward to working with members on both sides of the aisle to create jobs, boost economic development and bring Ohio back to life.

I believe in the resiliency of Ohio and the ability of our people to bounce back from what has been a very difficult recession. We have a history of overcoming obstacles and growing stronger than ever before, and I look forward to pursuing common-sense solutions to our economic crisis.

With the state economy languishing, many Ohioans will feel the strain of heating costs in the coming months. No matter what the economic situation, it is an inevitability that utility bills will increase in the wintertime. Thankfully, there is government assistance for those who would otherwise be unable to pay for the necessity of home heating.

There are currently more than 900,000 veterans living in Ohio, including more than 200,000 who served in Iraq, Afghanistan or the Persian Gulf. These veterans risked their lives to defend our country and establish freedom worldwide, and we must do all we can to give back to those individuals who put their lives on the line when they answered the call to duty.

 As a small business owner, it is disappointing to watch jobs and businesses flee from our state when there are so many ways we can improve the business climate. I know firsthand how a burdensome business climate hinders job creation and economic development, and throughout this General Assembly, I have fought to make Ohio’s business climate more competitive. Unfortunately, due to political gamesmanship, we are still at square one.

The Toledo-Lucas County Housing Trust Fund is locked in a battle for its existence with the Bell administration and city council.

This General Assembly, the people of Ohio have experienced a roller coaster of triumphs and struggles.

Lucas County Auditor Anita Lopez was visibly sweating in the evening heat Thursday night, as she furiously worked the patio outside El Camino Real, where she was celebrating a "40-something" birthday with more than 100 of her closest Democratic pals at a political fundraiser.

But she also was feeling the heat of a furious rumor: that the widow of the incumbent she beat four years ago plans to wage a Republican write-in campaign to unseat her.