Eric Taunton

Birmingham

Journalist at The Toledo Blade

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Articles

Boys & Girls Club of Toledo announces plans for 24th annual Barefoot at the Beach

1 week ago | toledoblade.com | Eric Taunton

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Toledo announced its 24th annual Barefoot at the Beach event will be Aug. 16 at Maumee Bay State Park,The event will feature live entertainment, as well as food from more than 40 restaurants. It’s the local nonprofit’s biggest fundraiser of the year, and is coming at a time in which funding sources are uncertain.
Springfield High School STEM students tour TekniPlex Global Innovation Center

1 week ago | toledoblade.com | Eric Taunton

More than a dozen STEM-minded students from Springfield High School toured the innovation hub of “probably the biggest $2 billion company” they’ve never heard of. Students including junior Jonah Sheppard, 16, were guided through the TekniPlex Global Innovation Center to learn about the potential career avenues they could pursue in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and learn about the materials-science solutions company.
Attorney who invoiced Monroe County $600K still working after having payments, cases paused

1 week ago | toledoblade.com | Eric Taunton

MONROE — An indigent defense attorney who had payments and cases frozen after charging the county $600,000 is still at work. The Monroe County Board of Commissioners paused the payments and cases of Ronald Bruce, owner of Bruce Law Firm in Monroe, after commissioners, including Henry Lievens, raised concerns about Mr. Bruce’s billing practices, which included charging the county for 23.8 hour days.
Local restaurants find new ownership, visions for the future

2 weeks ago | toledoblade.com | Eric Taunton

Three popular downtown Toledo restaurants have found new owners in the past few weeks. The recent buyers of Hamburger Mary’s, Grumpy’s, and Ottawa Tavern have all teased their excitement and visions for the popular eateries on social media. “For me, personally, this is a janitor to CEO moment,” said Thea Grabiec, co-owner of Hamburger Mary’s.
CNN presidential historian returns to Perrysburg roots to address garden club

2 weeks ago | toledoblade.com | Eric Taunton

His fascination with American history started when he was growing up in Perrysburg. Douglas Brinkley, a CNN presidential historian and professor at Rice University in Houston, distinctly remembers watching President Gerald Ford’s speech at Tulane University in New Orleans when he was in grade school. The former president informed Americans in April, 1975, that the country’s involvement in the Vietnam War would be coming to an end.
Thomas Gearhart, 1942-2025: Blade journalist was known for quick wit

2 weeks ago | toledoblade.com | Eric Taunton

Thomas Gearhart, a former Blade features editor known for his infectious laugh, quick wit, and passion for news, died at the Grove at Oakleaf Village in Sylvania Township on March 28. He was 82. Daughter Elizabeth Grimm said her father died due to complications with dementia, which he was diagnosed with eight years prior. “He was hilarious,” Mrs. Grimm said. “He was very, very funny, quick-witted, [and] just always had a joke.
Local libraries fear for state public library fund, ask residents for support

2 weeks ago | toledoblade.com | Eric Taunton

Libraries in Lucas and Wood counties are fearing the worst for the future. The Ohio House of Representative’s Finance Committee submitted a budget proposal that, if passed, would eliminate the state’s public library fund, significantly reducing the monies libraries statewide rely on to operate. The Wood County District Public Library receives 60 percent of its budget from the public library fund, said Michael Penrod, library director for the Wood County District Public Library.
Residents, law enforcement urge residents to drive sober

3 weeks ago | toledoblade.com | Eric Taunton

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John Drowatzky (1936-2025): University of Toledo professor who was soft-spoken, compassionate

3 weeks ago | toledoblade.com | Eric Taunton

John Drowatzky, a longtime University of Toledo professor known for his compassion and soft-spoken nature, died March 18 at Franciscan Care Center in Toledo. He was 88. Daughters Kara Mancini and Katrina DuBose said their father died from complications with colon cancer, which spread to his liver. Mr. Drowatzky was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2024. “For me, he was just my dad,” Mrs. DuBose said. “He was a great dad. I know a lot of people that interacted with him.
Mud Hens fans celebrate the start of the season at teams Opening Day

3 weeks ago | toledoblade.com | Eric Taunton

A little rain didn’t stop hundreds of Toledo Mud Hens fans from celebrating the team’s first game of the season on Friday. “We’re here for the love of the game,” said Mud Hens fan Jen Barosci. Ms. Barosci was among the hundreds of baseball fans that slowly started to spill out from inside restaurants and bars like Fleetwood’s Tap Room, Fricker’s, and the Blarney in celebration of opening day for the Mud Hens.