[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6485603,"mediaKeyId","5610232-a6f39ac8d288d7b645d384318c4fec56","parentId",5610232,"title","Owners, staff and council members question equity after Agenda Sports Bar closure","audioSeconds",642,"startMs",9998000,"endMs",10640000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5610232-a6f39ac8d288d7b645d384318c4fec56&start=9998&end=10640","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5610232-a6f39ac8d288d7b645d384318c4fec56/thumbnail_9998000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6485603/Toledo/Lucas-County/Ohio/Owners-staff-and-council-members-question-equity-after-Agenda-Sports-Bar-closure","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6485603-ac8efaefbebc6d680c1151040801c41a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770399142&Signature=UwKyymJKo1ue1psL9jV6ZLEcByGfI6~M8GFQ9lWl5TpJKJwJ6hKlyh3nLQILOMp9upXIJ6A4eAXer-M9Lu87lIHVrQ9p1a4PYLBuEsoDA-pG5enL8rbtWFIXNUOu1EtBex3TE82DqZ1ANL61vs2qkJxfOM1O78VN7keemeUo2vHw~OJo4YYoblTwnKetdCigynWPoZSN1BKTwF66mttWEs9wBDuqOtAF5RwMWWGSd01f3HpDNL~nCpMRQaEJ6cg9bFonmKGUiJ~EIi6QHn4VRZv~8rpVeWY1EZxkyof9nh-Rbx3eOObZFNX4RLAGuz222erW8OCtIuoLCZWP70YL0Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Toledo","date","2025-08-20T00:00:00Z","article","Several speakers representing the Agenda Sports Bar and Grill and other downtown and neighborhood bar owners urged council to reconsider enforcement actions following a closure order tied to a violent incident that occurred off the premises.

Owner and employee testimony described compliance steps the business had taken — hiring security, installing cameras and coordinating with police — and said the business had relatively few incident reports over multiple years (the owner cited roughly 15 police reports in four years). They said earlier, larger establishments and corporate retail locations have had substantial incident counts without similar enforcement outcomes and asked the city to apply rules consistently across businesses.

Council members expressed support for reviewing the matter and for meeting with the bar owner. Councilwoman Teresa Morris and Councilwoman Williams both offered to participate in discussions. Council members suggested the city consider restoring an overnight-economy committee or a dedicated table to address late-night and nightlife safety, permitting and business supports so disparate enforcement is surfaced and addressed with consistent standards.

The bar’s owner said the closure and license-suspension timeline was compressed — he described a rapid sequence of events from incident to hearing to closure occurring over about 30 days — and asked for a fair, transparent appeal and meeting with city leadership. Several council members said they would meet with the owner and suggested convening staff from the police department, licensing and legal offices to seek consistent, equitable approaches for nightlife businesses across neighborhoods.

No formal referral or vote was made; council members indicated they will follow up with the mayor’s office and city administration to arrange meetings and review enforcement practices.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Toledo - Public Safety & Criminal Justice Reform Committee on 2025-08-20 4:00 PM - Quarterly reports, changes or updates that pertain to the offices of Public Safety Banning the sale of Kratom in the City of Toledo","oneSentenceSummary","Owners and employees of Agenda Sports Bar and Grill and council members urged a review after the venue received a one-year suspension following violent incidents nearby; speakers argued the city treats Black-owned nightlife more harshly than other businesses and asked for meetings to resolve issues.","taxTitle","Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio","taxId",2665,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6485607,"Toledo hearing draws divided testimony on kratom; health officials cite synthetic concentrates and coroner reports",1023,2697000,3720000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5610232-a6f39ac8d288d7b645d384318c4fec56&start=2697&end=3720","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5610232-a6f39ac8d288d7b645d384318c4fec56/thumbnail_2697000.jpg","/articles/6485607/Toledo/Lucas-County/Ohio/Toledo-hearing-draws-divided-testimony-on-kratom-health-officials-cite-synthetic-concentrates-and-coroner-reports","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6485607-b3bcae7db68380a8b0cce6644b05b456/orig.mp4?Expires=1770399142&Signature=cQqxsrUyCybowtR1PZCb1mdfmmkWkh5ILA-pLObbCUmHBpVNEZlkPQKwoKV-MTnQhlRbUaiKCQAT3~srJNmsULU2idUPkUCo9RpINPyVsCHgyqT3AARqsFB42vQzamTXN8yfy63YbuXvRvzhgz~o9ofB8AvIhJAbUEz84fF6KzTFXfflCnWSyooL3FK7rHZcOecAL2WvVT5gbj8uVuMyVhXBlh2~kyQMRBbqoEhRa4nicTZupC7FgLqNqj6DEzwFhU~EENndK9b3-jyITiU1eLgEoGSC7oHQRaAdpw68rl55dn8hkRoop3RDs2Em2afwH2qnagWIhRlp0UZFoP7ccw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Toledo City Council Public Safety Committee devoted the second half of its meeting to a public hearing on kratom, drawing public-health officials, advocates, treatment providers and dozens of residents who presented conflicting views on whether the city should restrict or ban sales.

Lucas County Health Department representatives told the committee that commercially processed kratom concentrates — commonly referenced in the meeting as “7‑OH” or other synthetic concentrated derivatives — are significantly more potent than natural leaf kratom, can be marketed to resemble sweets or drinks, and may be adulterated. A health-department official said 7‑OH products are roughly 13 times more potent than the kratom alkaloid’s natural levels and have been linked to addiction, liver damage, seizures and overdose fatalities in reported cases. The health department cited Ohio Revised Code 3715.55 when describing enforcement options for adulterated food or drink products and said its food-safety inspectors have found kratom-type products at gas stations and smoke shops styled to appeal to youth.

Maj Berryman, supervisor of injury prevention for Lucas County, said mitragynine (the primary kratom alkaloid) appears in toxicology in the county’s coroner data and that the coroner’s office provided a figure of five deaths in 2024 that included mitragynine. Berryman and health staff emphasized that naloxone (Narcan) reverses opioid-induced respiratory depression and does not reverse effects from kratom or non-opioid stimulants.

Advocates and vendors offered opposing testimony. Walker Gollman (legislative director, Global Kratom Coalition) and Dr. Heidi Sikora (International Plant and Herbal Alliance) argued that whole‑leaf kratom is distinct from concentrated synthetic derivatives, that published analyses (including some university and FDA work cited by speakers) do not support scheduling whole-leaf kratom, and that regulation (age limits, behind-the-counter sales, testing and labeling) would better protect consumers than a blanket ban. Dr. Sikora described clinical and consumer surveys that she said show many users rely on whole-leaf kratom for pain, mood or withdrawal management and urged a local consumer-protection approach used in some states.

Treatment and recovery providers urged strict controls. Matt Bell, CEO of Team Recovery and a longtime addiction counselor, described kratom’s addictive potential from his experience treating people who relapsed on kratom and warned that rapid availability at vape shops and gas stations can create a pathway back to more harmful substances. Physician James Jones, who works in addiction and detox, described patients who required extended detox and said kratom’s unregulated retail availability poses risks, especially for youth and pregnant women.

A number of Toledo residents, including people who said they use whole-leaf kratom for chronic pain or recovery maintenance, described personal benefits and asked the council to avoid banning natural leaf kratom; several vendors described in‑person businesses (kava bars and smoke shops) selling powdered leaf and said they follow safety practices. Other residents recounted personal or family harms they associated with kratom or kratom-like products and supported restrictions or a ban.

Council members noted two separate measures that had been introduced at first reading at the full council: one ordinance to ban sales (which, as drafted, would not criminalize possession) and a resolution asking the board of health/board of control to consider scheduling a product; councilmembers debated whether local regulation can address sale of adulterated concentrates and how to avoid unintended harms such as driving problematic products underground. Several councilmembers asked the health department and coroner to follow up with toxicology-panel details and to supply the requested overdose and death numbers and any available lab confirmations of synthetic concentrates.

No vote was taken; councilmembers said they would continue to gather information. Members of the public who testified were advised to provide written materials to the council and staff. The hearing demonstrated a split in the community between (a) public-health and treatment providers who emphasized risks posed by manufactured concentrates and (b) consumers and vendors who urged targeted regulation of whole-leaf kratom rather than a ban.","At a public hearing the Lucas County Health Department warned about potent synthetic kratom derivatives (so-called 7‑OH products) and reported five deaths in 2024 with mitragynine detected; advocates and consumers urged regulation not a ban, citing therapeutic uses of whole-leaf kratom and existing studies.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6485612,"Toledo Police report declines in most crime categories, discuss north‑west substation moves and drone pilot",878,1747000,2625000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5610232-a6f39ac8d288d7b645d384318c4fec56&start=1747&end=2625","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5610232-a6f39ac8d288d7b645d384318c4fec56/thumbnail_1747000.jpg","/articles/6485612/Toledo/Lucas-County/Ohio/Toledo-Police-report-declines-in-most-crime-categories-discuss-northwest-substation-moves-and-drone-pilot","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6485612-89ab4c821a0fbf5136c95466022437af/orig.mp4?Expires=1770399142&Signature=ZY3uRPDob4gM5LyUFGl46YdyA9uO8pd9JrFTvg81HL7GCPj5vBXLNG4TwSCmblg20HniGjKFdgbpzRcOa8gVB4IjAHYwB~FlHM2BH9DPIrEnZ5ri4XE8wGUVnbZwemWDlZauTVAmQVg9kbhUUXLxSrBUoO~g4LlWX1dprNbWzLEHYyNrTcnC6FnGOvTqqxNEvuMedaDfuUB9Qdp-noDOw3wE4-Jnw5oBeroL9A~p7PTK4xG5aVzgd8OJ3PQqQ7CbrdXQbYsA1f4zsEFg6v5MfJ0DjoVBCvTghWCTbAsvUAY3H3YUB7NLpvWOA9dx-OrTOiGFvy4XwvjHvGOkHx-Pwg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Toledo Police Department briefed the Public Safety Committee on crime trends, staffing and community-station plans.

Deputy chiefs reported that most crime categories are down year to date: shootings down about 19 percent, persons shot down 21 percent, robberies down 27 percent, burglaries down about 6 percent and auto thefts down about 4 percent. Homicides were up by one incident, a 4 percent increase compared with the prior year-to-date figure.

Staffing figures were discussed: sworn strength was reported at about 620 officers and 33 cadets were in the academy with a planned graduation in November. The department reported 39 retirements or departures so far this year with at least seven more confirmed departures expected. Recruiting metrics improved versus last year: slightly more applicants, more people taking the physical test and modest increases in pass rates, the department said.

The department said it expects to start a drone-as-first-responder pilot the week of Sept. 15, beginning with training and aiming to launch late that week if steps proceed as planned.

Council members raised substation and neighborhood-presence issues. Police said a Cherry Street facility is the earliest planned move-in spot, expected to begin early September; Northwest District Station officers are likely to remain at the current station for several weeks more because moves are a domino effect between facilities. The department said it is exploring smaller neighborhood-office models and possible mall space for recruiting and that any pilot could be expanded citywide if successful.

Council members also pressed on community service officers and vehicle availability for non-field units. The department acknowledged older vehicles in certain units and said some new vehicles were purchased this year; replacements are trickling down as new units arrive. On domestic-violence responses, police said a two-officer response is standard, call-takers attempt to gather weapons information and additional units are dispatched when callers report weapons; officers are trained to approach domestic calls cautiously.

Council members requested updates on substation timelines, CSO replacements and equipment distribution; police said background and PT testing for the recruiting pipeline continue and anticipated a March class next year depending on budget and other factors.","Police reported year-to-date drops in most crime types but an increase of one homicide; staffing sits at about 620 sworn with cadet classes underway; the department plans a drone-as-first-responder pilot and is working with council on substation relocation options.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6485616,"Toledo Fire & Rescue reports staffing shortfalls, rising transports and long apparatus lead times",628,956000,1584000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5610232-a6f39ac8d288d7b645d384318c4fec56&start=956&end=1584","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5610232-a6f39ac8d288d7b645d384318c4fec56/thumbnail_956000.jpg","/articles/6485616/Toledo/Lucas-County/Ohio/Toledo-Fire-Rescue-reports-staffing-shortfalls-rising-transports-and-long-apparatus-lead-times","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6485616-576dbc19456650b28347089252d92f04/orig.mp4?Expires=1770399142&Signature=Sivb2I0SMxKXbrEelMLgFoqFsM0SRKmjKmsIEe5bxYodB0auRT3AS0ZyVZTp11IswQwV5F9Q5sxmJArEY0qmJdeTXz9Im36yN~ROadzWN4KQ8MGAD5ViCsPEe5urBTcxwaB9q~nRuHe3BjTZS2qJFyhNHrCsbUJUdzkpc-rJKkKgle6lH4wfJz0dQHdTxLTdTQPD-XjzWiEyPGw-rvb3a6VF~x8SCHjkUE09JEt1eJWxk5iU7o9aXYZTtxH1jlPJDxi8pkY8lFGTJbFhTfqSOlkhV8GUjs~QlA~xQbZoy5nWwOFEg3ApxMwhEwS3BvzUa2N64wgqtE~kzePlVP9Xkg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chief of Fire and Rescue Lisonbee Armstrong presented quarterly operations data to the Public Safety Committee and described continuing station improvement projects and equipment needs.

Armstrong said uniform staffing stands at 591 and year-to-date separations total 21 with five more expected before year end. She said a recruit class of roughly 120 began the academy recently; about half of that class already hold EMT or paramedic certifications and will be released to stations after academy milestones.

Response-volume figures were provided: total incidents were 37,497, with about 31,495 EMS calls and just over 6,000 fire incidents; total responses (counting multiple rigs per call) were 65,670. The busiest medic unit, medic 3 downtown, logged about 2,375 responses; engine 23 in West Toledo had roughly 2,925 responses. Armstrong said ambulance transports (with ALS) were just over 14,000 this year, roughly double last year’s numbers when the city carried only BLS transports.

Armstrong reviewed capital and facilities work: two heavy rescues and one air unit were delivered this year, four engines are on order for first-quarter delivery next year, and three ambulances ordered will not arrive until 2027. She said delivery lead times are lengthening and an upcoming emissions standard change will increase vehicle costs. Armstrong said the department plans to restore a 24-hour EMS supervisor position by October to improve oversight and that station projects (roofs, windows, HVAC, kitchens, concrete) remain ongoing; she described building age as a complicating factor, with average station age near 50 years and some approaching 100.

Council members asked about contractor delays on station projects and Armstrong said weather and complex roof geometries contributed to work delays and leaks; contractors addressed damage and completed repairs where needed. Councilmembers also asked for an overdose-response count for 2025; Armstrong said the department would provide overdose totals by referral. Council members asked whether fire inspections and prevention staffing were fully filled; Armstrong said two fire-inspector vacancies remain and that the department would return that specific staffing and fee-history data by referral.

Armstrong highlighted public education and community outreach: the public education bureau reported participation at more than 116 events and distribution of more than 1,600 smoke alarms this year, with Red Cross assistance still available for installations.","Fire & Rescue told council its uniform staffing is 591, recent separations total 21 with five more expected, EMS transports doubled from last year after taking on ALS transports, and apparatus delivery timelines extend to 2027 for some vehicles.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6485620,"Toledo Municipal Court opens help center for self-represented litigants as filings rise",608,100000,708000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5610232-a6f39ac8d288d7b645d384318c4fec56&start=100&end=708","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5610232-a6f39ac8d288d7b645d384318c4fec56/thumbnail_100000.jpg","/articles/6485620/Toledo/Lucas-County/Ohio/Toledo-Municipal-Court-opens-help-center-for-self-represented-litigants-as-filings-rise","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6485620-a95dc48c564c2d468fb475dd689ad2d5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770399142&Signature=K4e5WSCBEjTO1stxo8WEcRapMRUs0IetUVno~BtLkfPBxSb-jLDTGJG75fLiNQq35bZ1MgiyQezFLt99gxiWcmOw5zg--s6vy6vNnixQ3W9pSfG8MApoVAa7sxKPJkZFI1EVQCgjsdpyUhSI12QCZeduu-V-9cbIXX-AaOjcLeitn64JemD~saShFDIHLANRZQcmBKPskve5x3Dhd0IwhkBi0H2bkBYw~MQteYwe67RwO7AdXTqhKUXIN4TpzWWqGuX3eYOJtAyJu0X1BsZLMV2hfu2f7aUbpUZS4JMmr5CaxhUuvYVgc53IJ48ayHqTS9tXvL2w3VzMVSfRWn8wrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Deputy Court Administrator Brian Latta told the Toledo City Council Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Committee that Toledo Municipal Court has created a help center on the courthouse's fourth floor to assist self-represented litigants in civil matters.

The center, formed by repurposing existing staff and positions rather than adding new ones, will offer two lines of service: professional assistance (including mediators and attorneys from legal aid) and self-help resources. Latta said the center will focus on housing cases, debt collection, license reinstatements and record sealing/expungement. He said court navigators — part-time student employees — will serve as wayfinders for people who need direction inside the courthouse.

The court clerk’s office provided midyear case-volume figures. Alex Jugellet, executive chief deputy clerk, reported that seven months into the year small-claims filings were up 32 percent and the civil division overall had increased about 9 percent compared with the same point in 2024. Jugellet said the clerk’s office plans a midyear budget adjustment to shift savings into contractual services to contract with a document-scanning-and-destruction vendor to scan and destroy more than 500 boxes of paper case files to free physical storage space.

On collections and traffic filings, Jugellet said the court can still place warrant holds for active warrants but cannot put vehicle-registration blocks (a separate restriction raised by council members). He said credit-card collections for criminal traffic-related collections are down about 1 percent; overall criminal traffic filings are down, which also affects collections totals.

Chief prosecutor Rebecca Facey said the prosecutor’s office handled roughly 8,000 cases in the last quarter, averaging “just under a thousand cases per prosecutor” for the period. Facey said domestic violence misdemeanors remain a priority, with 602 such cases in the quarter and the office now staffed with three domestic-violence prosecutors. She also noted nearly 4,400 moving-violation matters and said the court’s Safety and Justice Diversion program (a Harvard study) has enrolled 192 participants so far toward a 1,200-person study goal.

Council members asked about the help-center referral pathways (Latta said people can be directed from probation, scheduling or the courtroom or walk in directly), the planned ordinance for contracting to scan/destroy records (Jugellet said he will submit it after the midyear adjustment is approved), and whether domestic-violence cases were being bound over to common pleas (Facey clarified the 602 figure was misdemeanor domestic-violence cases handled by her office).","The Toledo Municipal Court reported creation of a budget-neutral help center to assist self-represented litigants and gave midyear filings and collections updates, including a plan to scan and destroy more than 500 boxes of paper case files.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Owners, staff and council members question equity after Agenda Sports Bar closure

Toledo hearing draws divided testimony on kratom; health officials cite synthetic concentrates and coroner reports

Toledo Police report declines in most crime categories, discuss north‑west substation moves and drone pilot

Toledo Fire & Rescue reports staffing shortfalls, rising transports and long apparatus lead times

Toledo Municipal Court opens help center for self-represented litigants as filings rise