Margaretta Township
Margaretta Township, OH · Events
performanceracing.com
The Blade
Data center restrictions gain momentum across northwest Ohio
Successful citizen-led ballot initiatives limiting the size of data centers have led to a flurry of activity in other Toledo-area municipalities since the Nov. 3 election, including Whitehouse, Waterville, and Rossford. Volunteers turned over signed petitions for those three communities on Thursday, Friday, and Monday, respectively. They claim they gathered more than enough signatures for the Lucas County Board of Elections to certify them and require each of those municipalities to put similar ballot issues in front of voters in those communities. Next up are Perrysburg, Maumee, and Bowling Green. Toledo, which would need many more signatures because of its size, could eventually be targeted as well, said Lyn Cox, county lead for Conserve Ohio’s grassroots efforts in Lucas and Wood counties. Petitions have come back from printers for Perrysburg and Maumee, and are expected to be available in the next day or two for Bowling Green, she said. In the coming weeks, citizen-led ballot initiatives also will begin in Sylvania and Holland, Ms. Cox said. The activity comes in the aftermath of Oregon’s overwhelming vote in favor of a charter amendment that bans the construction of data centers that require 25 megawatts or more of electricity, which eliminates hyperscale
The Blade
Loss of data center causes Oregon to tighten its budget for next year
Now that the proposed data center has withdrawn plans to come to Oregon, city officials are preparing for budget hearings to find ways to raise revenue and cut expenses for next year. Officials for two years had expected that the data center, which was going to be located near Corduroy and Wynn roads, would bring in millions of dollars to city coffers. When voters on Nov. 3 passed a data center charter amendment that limited its size, the company withdrew its plans, causing some supporters to worry about its impact on the city’s budget. City Administrator Brody Walters is not currently too concerned about the financial condition of the city. In fact, there is a $3 million surplus this year. Expect cost cutting, though, for next year, when revenue is expected to be less than expenditures. Council will have to make the tough decisions at the budget hearings, the first expected this month. “Right now, we’ve reviewed the general fund budget, and found savings in the neighborhood of $1.3 million across all departments,” Mr. Walters said of the $32 million projected budget estimate for 2027. “These are not painful cuts. It’s trimming the fat.” In a Nov. 9 letter to
crawfordcountynow.com
sevenlakes.news
The Blade
High school football playoff preview: Familiar foes Clay, Central Catholic clash in Division II
A familiar rivalry will take the field in the Division II regional semifinals on Friday night when powerhouse Central Catholic hosts a rising Clay program. The Irish host the Eagles in a Round of 16 playoff matchup at 7 p.m. at Gallagher Stadium. Central Catholic (9-2) earned the No. 1 seed in Region 6, while the Eagles (9-2) are the No. 4 seed. The programs, which previously competed against each other in the Three Rivers Athletic Conference, are meeting for the first time since 2022. Central won its fourth straight game last Friday, a 35-7 home win over Avon Lake (6-6). Clay defeated Fremont Ross (8-4) at home 33-5 last week. The Irish have won 19 straight over the Eagles. “Clay is a very talented football team that attacks you offensively and defensively in a variety of ways,” Central Catholic head coach Greg Dempsey said. “They’re a physical football team.” Both teams feature big-play offenses with skilled playmakers. Central Catholic has outscored its opponents 375-182. “They are a very good team with a very explosive offense,” second-year Clay head coach Derek Pennington said. The Eagles have outscored their foes 419-213. “Clay is a very sound football team that plays with