Moose Lodge donates $220K to various organizations

Lancers win thriller!

Max Hammons (2) puts up a shot during Friday’s game against Spencerville. Hammons scored 30 points and Lincolnview defeated the Bearcats 75-73. A game story can be found on the Sports page. Photo courtesy of Hanna Young

Rode addresses Van Wert Rotary Club

VW independent staff/submitted information

Members of the Van Wert Rotary Club recently welcomed local occupational therapist Nikki Rode, OTR/L, CLC, as a featured speaker at their weekly meeting at R Place Stone Grill.

Rode, founder of The Infant OT: Feeding and Development, presented on the holistic management of tongue tie in infants, an often-overlooked condition that can significantly impact breastfeeding, bottle feeding, sleep quality, airway development, and overall infant well-being. Her approach emphasizes evaluating tongue function within the context of the entire body, rather than treating it as an isolated issue.

With more than 14 years of experience as an occupational therapist, including work in neonatal intensive care units, Rode brings evidence-based, family-centered care to a service that has historically required families in the region to travel outside the area. Her practice supports infants and families through feeding assessments, oral-motor development, body tension management, and coordinated care with lactation consultants, pediatric providers, and other specialists.

“One of Rotary’s goals is to shine a light on services that truly strengthen our community,” said J. Andrew Czajkowski, President of the Van Wert Rotary Club. “Nikki’s work fills a critical gap in infant and family care locally, and we’re proud to help share her message and connect families with resources that can make a real difference.”

Rode’s services are now available locally and are expected to be a valuable resource for families, pediatric offices, and healthcare providers throughout Van Wert County and the surrounding region. Her work also supports preventative community health by addressing feeding challenges early, easing stress on families, and improving long-term developmental outcomes.

For more information about infant feeding services, Nikki Rode can be reached at 419.234.0988, by email at theinfantOT@gmail.com, or online at www.theinfantOT.com. Tongue Tie.

The Van Wert Rotary Club is part of Rotary International, a global service organization dedicated to community service, leadership, and fellowship. The club welcomes new members and guest speakers who are passionate about making a positive local impact.

For Rotary membership information or to schedule a presentation, contact Van Wert Rotary Club President J. Andrew Czajkowski.
 

New Marsh Foundation trustee named

VW independent staff/submitted information

The Marsh Foundation has announced a trustee transition approved by the Third District Court of Appeals, honoring the service of longtime Trustee Gary Corcoran and welcoming Dr. Shad Foster as The Marsh Foundation’s 19th trustee.

Gary Corcoran will conclude his service as a trustee of The Marsh Foundation effective February 2. Corcoran has faithfully served the Foundation for 16 years, offering steady, mission-driven leadership rooted in faith, integrity, and a deep commitment to the children and families served by The Marsh Foundation. Throughout his tenure, he consistently placed the needs of the organization first, guiding decisions with thoughtfulness, humility, and care.

“Gary’s leadership has left a lasting imprint on this organization,” said Jeff Grothouse, Chief Operating Officer of The Marsh Foundation. “His service was thoughtful, mission-focused, and grounded in faith. We are deeply grateful for the dedication, guidance, and heart he brought to The Marsh Foundation over the past 16 years.”

Effective February 3, Corcoran will be named an Honorary Trustee of The Marsh Foundation, recognizing his years of service and continued connection to the organization.

Also effective February 3, Dr. Shad Foster will begin serving as trustee of The Marsh Foundation. Dr. Foster is a lifelong resident of Van Wert and a 1989 graduate of Van Wert High School. He pursued undergraduate studies at Bowling Green State University and The Ohio State University, earning a bachelor of science degree in human biology. He later graduated from National College of Chiropractic in Lombard, Illinois, in December, 1996 with his doctor of chiropractic degree. Dr. Foster has practiced chiropractic since 1997. He began his career as an associate at Casebere Chiropractic. In 2001, the practice became Foster Family Chiropractic. Since 2023, he has continued to serve the community at Fuerst Family Chiropractic. Throughout his career, Dr. Foster has remained committed to continuing education to ensure patients receive comprehensive and advanced care.

In addition to his professional practice, Dr. Foster has been actively involved in the Van Wert community. Previously, he served as a team physician for Van Wert High School for 19 years. He is currently a member of Lifehouse Church, Van Wert Rotary, and the Van Wert County YMCA Board.

Vehicle hit by train in Van Wert

VW independent staff

No one was injured when a car was hit by a train in Van Wert early today.

According to Police Chief Doug Weigle, the accident occurred at 3:12 a.m. on Fox Rd., when a train that was backing up hit the vehicle. The incident remains under investigation.

BOE members take oath, hear updates

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

Four returning members were sworn in during Thursday night’s organizational meeting of the Vantage Career Center Board of Education.

Michelle Gorman (Lincolnview), Kim Wannemacher (Ottoville), Debby Compton (Van Wert) and Tim Fitzpatrick (Fort Jennings) took the oath of office for new three-year terms. However, the board was short four members. Deb Call (Parkway) was absent, and Antwerp, Delphos and Continental school boards have not yet chosen their representatives to the board for the new term. Those members are expected to be picked and sworn in next month.

Fitzpatrick will again serve as board president and Lonnie Nedderman (Crestview) will serve as vice-president. Pat Baumle (Wayne Trace) will serve as legislative liaison and Greg von der Embse (Kalida) will continue in the role of student achievement liaison.

Board members will make $125 per meeting. With just two exceptions, the board will meet on the first Thursday of each month, with times to be determined next month. The April meeting will held on April 9, and the July board meeting will be held a few days early, June 25, to close out the fiscal year. All meetings will take place in the district conference room.

After the organizational meeting, the board held its regular monthly meeting and Superintendent Rick Turner gave an update on renovations at the former Thomas Edison building across the street, which is slated to become the Vantage Academy of Medical Careers.

“The interior concrete has been partially poured in the areas where plumbing was installed,” Turner stated. “Once the floors are cured, work will begin on extending the second-floor loft and setting the interior walls. Weather permitting, the foundation for the north end expansion should also be poured soon.”

“Currently, the project remains on schedule,” he added. “Two Vantage students are participating in the build, and the interactive media program is documenting progress through photos and video. We anticipate more students will become involved this spring.”

Flu vaccine encouraged as rates rise

VW independent staff/submitted information

COLUMBUS — Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff reports Ohio’s influenza rates are high and still increasing and he’s encouraging Ohioans to get the flu vaccine as the best protection against serious illness, particularly those who are most vulnerable, including children under age 11 and adults age 65 and older.

During a press conference, Dr. Vanderhoff said ODH reported 1,911 hospitalizations statewide for the week ending January 3. That compares to 1,456 hospitalizations in the previous week and 1,305 at this same point last year.

He said a spike in hospitalizations is not unusual for this time of year, and that a new strain of flu circulating now – called H3N2 Clade K, referred to by some as the “super flu” – is behind some of the increase.

“Because this is a new strain that most Ohioans have not encountered before this flu season, we face it with little background immune protection, and this lack of immunity is allowing this strain to spread quickly,” Dr. Vanderhoff said.

However, he said even though this is a new strain and the flu vaccine may not prevent you from getting the flu, it can help protect you against severe illness, hospitalization or even death.

On December 31, Ohio reported its first pediatric flu death of the season, a teen from Greene County.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 37.5 percent of Ohio’s children have received the flu vaccine this year, and about 41.3 percent of adults.

“It’s not too late to get vaccinated,” Dr. Vanderhoff said. “Flu season continues through the spring, and although the shot becomes most effective about two weeks after getting it, the sooner you get it, the sooner you are protected.  It is easy to get the flu vaccine either at your doctor’s office or at pharmacies in retail stores or stand-alone pharmacy locations throughout Ohio.”

Dr. Vanderhoff also addressed recent changes the CDC made to its recommended vaccine schedule for children.

He said it was important to understand that key portions of the new schedule remain unchanged, and the CDC made little to no change for 12 important vaccines, a list that aligns well with vaccines required for school attendance in Ohio.

Dr. Vanderhoff emphasized that these vaccines remain available and encouraged parents to talk with their child’s doctor to help decide what vaccines they need and when they need them.

Man hit by SUV, suffers serious injuries

VW independent staff/submitted information

EMERALD TOWNSHIP — The Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a serious injury pedestrian crash that occurred shortly after 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, on Paulding County Road 115, near Ohio 111 in Emerald Township.

The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2014 Nissan Murano, driven by Jacob Andrews, 24. of Paulding was southbound on County Road 115 at the same time a pedestrian, Larry Dix, 54, of Paulding was crossing the road, walking east to west. Dix was struck by Andrews as he crossed the center yellow line. Troopers said Dix was wearing dark clothing with no reflective material at the time of crash.

He was transported from the scene by Paulding EMS to Paulding County Hospital and was later lifeflighted to Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne with life-threatening injuries. Andrews did not suffer any injuries as a result of the crash and was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the incident.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office, Paulding Fire and EMS and Gideon’s Towing.

The Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol investigates accidents in Van Wert and Paulding counties.

Recreational pot sales top $800M

Megan Henry/Ohio Capital Journal

Ohio’s recreational marijuana sales surpassed more than $836 million in 2025, the first full year recreational sales were legal. 

Recreational sales started in August 2024 and the state’s total recreational marijuana sales were $1,091,250,807, as of Jan. 3, according to the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Cannabis Control. 

Ohioans voted to legalize marijuana in 2023 and recreational sales totaled more than $242 million in 2024.

Ohio’s medical marijuana sales started January 14, 2019, and the state’s total medical marijuana sales were $2,293,970,758, as of Jan. 3, according to the Division of Cannabis Control. Medical marijuana sales brought in more than $233 million in 2025. 

Ohio’s average marijuana prices are a bit lower now than they were compared to last year at this time.  

The manufactured sales average was $23.83 for the week ending in January 3 compared to $26.66 for the week ending of Jan. 4, 2025, according to the Division of Cannabis Control. 

There are 190 dual-use marijuana dispensaries in Ohio, meaning they can sell medical and non-medical marijuana, according to the Division of Cannabis Control. More than 130 Ohio municipalities and townships, including Van Wert, have moratoriums in place banning the sale of adult-use cannabis as of December 2, according to Ohio State University’s Moritz College of Law. 

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed a bill into law last month that made various changes to the state’s voter-passed marijuana law, including adding crimes such as making it illegal to bring legally purchased marijuana from another state back to Ohio. 

DeWine signed Ohio Senate Bill 56, which is set to take effect in March. The bill also bans intoxicating hemp products. 

McColley chosen as running mate

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

The man chosen as Republican Vivek Ramaswamy’s running mate in his bid for Ohio governor has a name that is well known to this area.

Ohio Senate President Rob McColley (R-Napoleon) was formally named by Ramaswamy on Wednesday.

“I’m excited to announce Rob McColley as my running mate to be the next lieutenant governor of Ohio,” Ramaswamy said in a statement. “I’m an entrepreneur, not a politician, and selected Rob to be a governing partner who can help advance our ambitious legislative agenda. Rob is a proven conservative leader, and he is committed to my vision to make the American Dream a reality for every Ohioan.”

“Ohio needs a businessman, not a bureaucrat; a creator, not a quitter; a visionary, not a victim. That leader is Vivek Ramaswamy,” McColley said in a statement. “He will be one of the boldest leaders in the history of our state, and I’m honored to help execute his vision.”

McColley currently represents Ohio’s 1st Senate District, which includes Defiance, Hancock, Hardin, Henry, Fulton, Paulding, Putnam, Van Wert, and Williams counties, as well as part of Logan county. McColley was first elected to the Ohio House of Representatives in 2014, then was appointed to the Senate to fill a vacancy in December of 2017. However, due to term limits, he is unable to seek re-election to the senate.

Governor Mike DeWine, who will leave office at the end of the year due to term limits, issued a statement endorsing Ramaswamy and he lauded the selection of McColley as his running mate.

“The first important decision any Governor makes is who will be his or her choice for Lieutenant Governor,” Governor DeWine said. “Vivek Ramaswamy has made a great pick in Senate President Rob McColley to be his running mate. Senate President McColley is a strong leader who is well respected by the members of the General Assembly.”

VWHS to host robotics competition

VW independent staff

26 teams from around Ohio will be competing in the 10th annual Van Wert FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) Robotics qualifier on Saturday, January 17. Competition matches will start at approximately 10 a.m. and run through the day. The competition is free and open to the public. There are 12 qualifying tournaments in Ohio. 2-4 teams from each qualifier will advance to the state championship.