Choose how often you hear from us. Upgrade |
Hey Erie County, hope your week’s off to a good start! In today’s wallet-friendly edition: A new trail milestone, free Erie County fair admission, and touch-a-truck + lots of fun things to do for free.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's $150 off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
A major trail milestone: A new Sandusky Bay Pathway section was completed, linking Cedar Point Drive to Hemminger Ditch and moving the 100-mile Lake Erie shoreline route forward, supported by a RAISE grant -- read the full story.
Advanced packaging plans advance: Intel targets its 1,000-acre Ohio chip site for high-volume 14A production by 2031, while EMIB-T packaging could ramp in 2027, though substrate yields remain about 50 percent -- read the full story.
Safety enforcement ramps up: Ohio’s 811 complaints surged in 2025, regulators found violations in 90% of cases, mostly failures to call 811 or mark lines on time. Officials issued $203,950 in fines, ordered training -- read the full report.
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
Watch your credit card balance drop. Here's a rare one: this card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, and you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. On top of that, every purchase earns at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories as high as 5%. Spend a little early on and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting too -- take a look.*
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with Lemonade*. Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's $150 off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Local comfort cravings: If your week needs a no-fuss pick-me-up, Better Half Family Diner turns out classic dishes with locally sourced ingredients, from stacked sandwiches and wraps to homestyle comfort, plus easy online ordering for a quick take-home win. Sandusky staple energy, zero pretense.
Community-fueled sips: Family-owned since 2018, JaxBar keeps it low-key in Downtown Sandusky with cold beer, easy cocktails, and the occasional Sip and Paint with Curri. It’s the kind of spot that gives back to Erie County and gives you a chill place to catch up this week.
Brows, but better: If your arches are thin, uneven, or just stubborn, The Eyebrow Room LLC Microblading Specialist delivers natural-looking, face-mapped microblading by a twice-trained Sandusky pro who’s been at it for over 8 years. Treat yourself this week, wake up with believable brows, save yourself morning mirror time, feel a little more put together.
|
04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
Shop for new floors without ever needing to leave the house: No showroom, no second-guessing. All from the comfort of your own home. Empire Today® has flooring experts that will bring you samples and provide you with a free in-home estimate. Trusted and backed by over 3 million satisfied customers and over 65 years of quality service. *Check out their current offers today →
Stiff necks start on flat pillows: You've slept on both arms, both sides, stacked two pillows, thrown one on the floor, and the stiffness keeps finding you, because every position ends on the same pillow that can't hold your neck. This one can: shaped to keep your neck in line however you sleep, with gentle traction through the night. If it doesn't earn its spot in 30 nights, it goes back free. *Take the 30-night test, 50% off →
Home insurance premiums jumped 12% last year alone: That's on top of years of increases that have outpaced inflation. Before you blindly renew with your current insurer, a free comparison tool matches your home with top-rated insurers so you can see quotes side by side, in about two minutes. Some homeowners find hundreds in savings, and if you don't find a better policy, you stay put knowing you checked. *See your options →
The slower you walk, the more it works: Tai Chi walking is trending online. Turns out it's centuries old — slow deliberate steps, paced breath, attention on the body. Thirty minutes a day burns fat, lifts your mood, and builds balance. No gym, no treadmill, no pounding on the joints. Take the quick quiz to see if it fits, then use code BASELOCAL for a discount on the coaching plan. *See how it works →
The upgrades that make your home feel new again start here: You don't need a full remodel to fall back in love with your space. New fixtures, a fresh coat of paint, updated hardware, the small changes that make a room feel different. It's all in one place, so a weekend is all it takes to give a tired room a fresh start. *Shop the refresh → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
|
05 — The event calendar Free events worth checking outFree things to do in the coming days and weeks. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🚛 Sandusky's 11th Annual Touch-A-Truck @ Paper District Marina | Tuesday (8/4) at 4:00 PM – Bring the kids and your inner 8-year-old to Downtown Sandusky’s Touch-A-Truck at Paper District Marina, a free National Night Out showcase of utility, emergency, and sports vehicles. Climb, honk, and chat with the pros, then get the scoop on crime prevention, sirens without the scolding.
🎶 Gazebo Concert Series @ Washington Park Gazebo (Sandusky) | Tuesday (8/4) at 7:00 PM – Nothing says Sandusky like lawn chairs in Washington Park and free tunes from the gazebo. Tuesday nights bring favorites like Sleepless Knights, Firelands Chorus, North Coast Big Band, and the Erie County O.S.U. Alumni Band. Zion Lutheran backs it, so the community vibe stays strong.
🧘 Beach Yoga @ Main Street Beach (Vermilion) | Wednesday (8/5) at 8:30 AM – Beach yoga on Main Street Beach is the most Vermilion way to wake up, free, friendly, and on the sand. All-levels Hatha with Sarah or Katie, just east of the new comfort station, Lake Erie doing the soundscape, donations kicking back to Parks and Rec.
🚂 Train Rides! @ Erie Metro Live Steamers (Sandusky) | Wednesday (8/5) at 10:00 AM – Miniature steam trains are chugging through the park, courtesy of the Erie Metro Live Steamers, and yes, they actually pull you along. It’s a wholesome throwback that makes kids giddy, adults nostalgic, and lawn chores feel less urgent, weather permitting.
🏖 Vermilion Beach Market @ Sherod Park | Friday (8/7) at 3:00 PM – Vermilion’s beach turns into a treasure hunt for the 10th annual market, with 100-plus vendors slinging vintage finds, shabby-chic decor, architectural salvage, and handmade jewelry and art, because your shelves were feeling lonely. Refuel at beachside wine bar, and enjoy free admission, plus on-site parking.
🚗 Cars & Coffee @ Valley Ford (Huron) | Saturday (8/8) at 9:00 AM – Craving caffeine with your carburetors? Valley Ford’s Cars and Coffee returns with free entry, coffee, gleaming classics, and some parking lot lore. Bring your mint ’68 or your commuter, all makes and models welcome, then linger for the chat, the shine, and small-town bragging rights.
🎡 2026 Erie County Fair @ Erie County Fairgrounds (Sandusky) | Monday (8/10) at 10:00 AM – Free every day, the Erie County Fair is your annual excuse to eat fried things, browse vendors, and admire blue-ribbon cows, while the grandkids conquer bounce houses and laser tag. Grandstand shows cost a bit, the smiles are free, and they will sleep like rocks.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — Erie County report Weather forecastToday — High: 81°F — Low: 64°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 81. South wind around 5 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 64. Southeast wind around 3 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 85°F — Low: 68°F — Precip: 5%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. West wind around 3 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. This house is wildThis immaculate full-brick two-story in Plum Brook Hills offers 3,560 square feet on a half-acre lot across from Plum Brook Country Club. Dramatic 18-foot ceilings and two levels of windows flood the family room with light. A main-floor primary suite, black stainless appliances, a 52-foot stamped patio, and tandem 3-car garage add polish.
Take a peek inside → |
| |
