Serving Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wood Counties
Mayor-elect Steven Salander will be sworn in on Dec. 1 just prior to the regular council meeting slated for that night.
New council members are slated to take their positions on Jan. 1, which also means Salander will need to vacate his current council seat once he’s sworn in as mayor. The remaining members of council will then have 60 days to decide who will replace Salander for his remaining term, which is two years.
City administrator Joel Mazur said that council has options due to a recent charter change within the past few years. They could open it up to people who want to submit resumes, or they could go to the next highest unelected vote getter in the recent election. If council doesn’t make a decision within those 60 days, the mayor decides who takes the seat.
At this time, the city of Oregon doesn’t have term limits for mayor or city council members.
Town Center development progresses
Mazur said construction at the Town Center development on Navarre Avenue is ongoing, and city officials hope to see underground work start on the corner of Navarre and Isaac Streets Drive, and the area next to Culver’s, in the next couple weeks.
“A lot of it is weather dependent and up to the developer’s schedule, but we’re hoping to see that come soon,” Mazur said.
He also said that city officials are expecting to see more houses built where the single-family residential development is located.
“We’re expecting ground to break on six more houses,” Mazur said. “I don't have a schedule on that, but the lots have sold. We've been made aware that all 12 of the houses that have been built have already sold, and the construction for the apartment buildings is ongoing.”
Oregon police to partner with pediatric charity for holiday drives
The Oregon Police Division will host its annual Holiday Blood Drive on Thursday, Dec. 12 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
This year, the police department is also intensifying its community impact by partnering with the local charity, Colton Strong Kids, to run a concurrent gift card drive, which will aim to provide essential and immediate support to parents of children undergoing cancer treatments.
"The holidays are a time for community and giving, and this drive allows us to give the most precious gift of all — life," Oregon police chief Brandon Begin said. "By partnering with Colton Strong Kids, we're not just collecting blood; we're also offering direct, practical support to local families battling pediatric cancer. We invite everyone to join us on December 12th and double their impact."
The community is invited to support both critical causes at the Oregon Community Room, located at 5330 Seaman Road.
Blood transfusions are a vital part of many cancer treatments. Donors are encouraged to schedule an appointment in advance by visiting RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Those interested in participating in the gift card drive can bring small denomination gift cards to assist parents with miscellaneous needs while caring for their hospitalized children. Suggested cards include coffee houses and sandwich shops for quick meals and breaks and Amazon for general supplies and miscellaneous needs.
The partnership with Colton Strong Kids highlights the urgent need for blood products, as children undergoing cancer treatment often require regular transfusions to maintain strength and avoid life-threatening complications.
Colton Strong Kids is dedicated to being a beacon of hope and strength for families facing childhood cancer. The organization aims to alleviate financial burdens so parents can focus entirely on caring for their children. In addition to the gift card drive, community members can also support their mission by contributing to their Amazon Wishlist (available via their website) to help pack Pediatric Cancer Care Kits delivered to newly diagnosed families at Russell J. Ebeid Children’s Hospital. More info can be found at ColtonStrongKids.org.
