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Good morning, Lima! In today’s edition: Doug Timmerman’s kidney donation chain, 2026 budget projects including Cook Tower renovations, a candlelight Purcell and Elgar concert, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Local students shine academically: Lima-area students were named to fall 2025 dean’s lists at colleges across the country, with honorees from communities like Bluffton and Columbus Grove, including Alexandria Renner and Kyle Slaght — see the full honoree list.
Final meeting reveals plans: Allen County Commissioners approved the 2026 budget using 2025 figures, with major projects expected in 2026, including a $17 million building and Cook Tower renovations for child support — see what’s planned next year.
Lifesaving ripple of generosity: Mercer County Sheriff Doug Timmerman donated a kidney to a stranger on Dec. 12, sparking a rare donation chain that helped multiple transplant patients, doctors at Ohio State University said — see how it unfolded.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Protect your nest egg: Savvy investors are turning to gold amidst today’s inflation, national debt, and market uncertainty for a reason. It holds its value when everything else feels shaky. Case in point: it’s up ~62% since this month last year. If you’re curious about adding it and other precious metals to your portfolio, American Hartford has a super helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free, and definitely worth a read — check it out here.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
Winter activities for all ages: Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District has January programs. Children ages 3 to 5 can celebrate Ohio’s native bobcat at the McElroy Environmental Education Center in Lima. An interpretive walk for adults and families will be held at Hermon Woodlands on Saturday, Jan. 10, with a weekly fitness walk that day. Get all the details.
Burrito fix, unlocked: When cravings hit, El Cazador Mexican Restaurant serves a lineup that makes choosing tough: Burrito Loco, a saucy wet burrito, and a build-you-up California classic. Friendly service keeps weeknights easy and the vibe relaxed… perfect for a quick win.
Small step, big wow: At Armstrong Air & Space Museum, see the Gemini VIII spacecraft, an Apollo 11 moon rock, and Neil Armstrong’s spacesuits. It’s a quick cosmic reset that makes everyday errands along I-75 feel a little more epic.
Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I discovered Keranique’s hair regrowth system. Everything with them is surprisingly easy: no quizzes, no pills, no choosing between dozens of products. Just grab the kit and follow the instructions. The best part? It’s $75 off right now, you’ll get three free gifts, AND you’ll get your money back if you don’t love the results.
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📆 Around town this weekend
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All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
🎸 Chris Canas Band @ Old City Prime | Friday (1/9) at 4:00 PM – Skip the endless scroll and let one of Michigan’s finest, the Chris Canas Band, loosen your shoulders with Blues, Funk, and Soul. Heartfelt vocals, tight grooves, and that electric, room-filling energy. Treat your soul to something hot, fresh, and loud.
🍷 Yoga & Wine @ Leahy Family Care & Wellness Center | Friday (1/9) at 6:00 PM – A gentle yoga flow with a glass in hand at Leahy Family Care, held and sipped for focus, not bravado. Expect relaxation, mindfulness, and a playful balance test for grown-ups, with mindful sips, good vibes, and wine included for $20, which feels like winning.
🛠 Friday Workshop @ Board & Brush Creative Studio | Friday (1/9) at 6:30 PM – Friday at Board & Brush means sawdust, sips, and a project you can actually finish. Their Condensed Collection keeps it simple with smaller wood designs for $50, perfect for ages 12 and up, your living room wall, and your patience, no Pinterest meltdown required.
🔫 First Shots: Intro to Handguns @ Hesseling & Sons Firearms and Gunsmithing | Saturday (1/10) at 10:30 AM – Curious about firearms but allergic to macho nonsense? Hesseling’s First Shots is a beginner-friendly handgun class with certified instructors, all gear provided, and a calm, safety-first vibe. Learn the rules, handle confidently, take supervised live-fire, and leave empowered, not rattled.
❄ Winter “Wander”land @ Hermon Woodlands Metro Park | Saturday (1/10) at 11:00 AM – Winter calls for unhurried trail time, not mall parking lot combat. Join a slow wander through the woods, soak up the hush, and move at raccoon-on-a-rest-day speed. Warm layers, sturdy boots, and your best inside voice, because the forest is doing its spa day.
🔪 Veterans Beginner Knife Making Class @ Warriors Way | Sunday (1/11) at 10:00 AM – Veterans, this free beginner knife making class is turning raw steel into your first custom blade, zero experience required. Get hands-on at the forge, talk shop, and leave with something sharp, useful, and brag-worthy. Beats doomscrolling, smells better than the gym.
🃏 Lorcana – Whispers In The Well Set Championship @ Deck Factory | Sunday (1/11) at 2:00 PM – Nothing beats a card-slinging showdown at the Deck Factory, especially when it’s the Whispers in the Well Set Championship. It’s free to enter, bring your best constructed deck, and play for exclusive promos, local bragging rights, and the satisfaction of outwitting teenagers with better reflexes.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Lima report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 54°F – Low: 51°F – Precip: 20%
A slight chance of rain after 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 54. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: Rain. Mostly cloudy. Low around 51, with temperatures rising to around 58 overnight. South wind 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
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Tomorrow – High: 63°F – Low: 41°F – Precip: 90%
Rain before 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 63. Southwest wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Later: A chance of rain after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
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