🌱 Kaptur Talks Ohio Rail Safety + Conviction In Bowsher HS Gun Charge

Hey, friends. Brad King here with your fresh copy of the Toledo Patch newsletter. Keep reading to find out all the things you need to know about what's happening locally, including updates on:

• In the wake of the East Palestine train derailment, local leaders such as Ohio House Rep. Marcy Kaptur, Richard Brady with the Sandusky City Commission, and former Ohio Rep.
• Edward Levester Spikener pleaded guilty on charges related from a Bowsher High School dance photo-op with a "loaded AR-15 style rifle."
• 33-year-old Joseph Soto of Toledo pleaded guilty a first-degree felony rape charge in Henry County.

But first, today's weather:

Breezy in the morning. High: 43 Low: 26.

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Here are the top stories today in Toledo:

1. In the wake of the East Palestine train derailment, local leaders such as Ohio House Rep. Marcy Kaptur, Richard Brady with the Sandusky City Commission, and former Ohio Rep. Michael Sheehy are stressing the need for rail improvements. Kaptur pointed out that Norfolk Southern made $30 billion dollars over the last four years and said the company has "money to treat communities fairly, their workers fairly, and they have no right to defile the United States of America." (WNWO NBC 24)
2. Edward Levester Spikener pleaded guilty on charges related from a Bowsher High School dance photo-op with a "loaded AR-15 style rifle." Spikener was convicted of Attempted Tampering with Evidence while his accomplice Vanard Kamron Shelton was charged with eluding police officers, improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle, and illegal conveyance or possession of a deadly weapon on school property. (WTVG)
3. 33-year-old Joseph Soto of Toledo pleaded guilty to a first-degree felony rape charge in Henry County. Soto was also charged with a second rape count along with two counts of gross sexual imposition and is accused of having "sexual conduct and contact with children under the age of 13." (Defiance Crescent News)
4. Women of Toledo is celebrating Women's History Month this March and offers programs such as "Her Hub" which helps women learn about business from local entrepreneurs such as Rita Jassal, owner of the Bombay Kitchen on Monroe Street. (WTVG)
5. A pretrial is scheduled in the Lenawee County Probate Court to have Dee Warner, who went missing in April 2021, declared legally dead. The 52-year-old had reportedly dropped off her daughter with a friend before going to meet her husband, whom she planned to divorce according to a friend's affidavit. (WTOL)

Today in Toledo:

• TSA Rocks Table Forty4 (7:00 PM)
• Paw Patrol Live at the Huntington Center (6:00 PM)
• Yoga for Adults - Point Place Branch Library (6:00 PM)
• Yoga with Sakred Self-Care - Birmingham Branch Library (6:00 PM)
• Washington Book Group - Washington Branch Library (6:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• See the latest jobs in Toledo thanks to Patch and ZipRecruiter! (Toledo Patch)
• Check out this weekend's St. Patrick Day roundup, where local Irish taverns such as The Blarney, O'Shea's, Paddy Jack's, and Shawn's, and Slip Mahoney's are celebrating in full force. Other favorite spots like Manhattan's, Fairways, Durty Bird, MyWay Bistro, and OB's are offering special menus, music, or drink specials. (Toledo City Paper)

You're all caught up for today! See you tomorrow for another update.

— Brad King

About me: I have been a lifelong Northwest Ohio native and University of Toledo grad (Go Rockets!). I'm old enough to remember when the Mud Hens were still playing in Maumee. The Glass City has seen some amazing revitalization and I am so excited to share every update with you!

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Toledo Patch newsletter? Contact me at toledo@patch.com