Lincolnview Valedictorian Samantha Karalunas (left) receives her diploma from Board of Education member Cindy Miller during commencement ceremonies held Sunday afternoon in the high school gymnasium. A special publication that includes a story and more photos will be included in Tuesday’s independent. (Dave Mosier/Van Wert independent)

Longtime court employees ‘pull the pin’

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Van Wert County Common Pleas Judge Charles Steele (center) is flanked by retiring court reporter Dennis Kimmet (left) and Chief Probation Officer Frank Bowen on Friday afternoon. (Dave Mosier/Van Wert independent)

More than six decades of law enforcement/court experience walked out the double doors of the Van Wert County Courthouse on Friday as Van Wert County Common Pleas Court reporter/bailiff Dennis Kimmet and Adult Probation Officer Frank Bowen officially retired.

Both Kimmet and Bowen have embodied the “law” and “order” portions of law enforcement, as each reached the top rungs of local law enforcement agencies before taking their court-related positions.

Kimmet was a member of the Delphos Police Department for 27 years, serving as police chief for 21 of those years, while Bowen served a total of 16 years in the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Department, rising to chief deputy under Sheriff Jerry Brittsan.

Bowen joined the probation office in 1991 under then-Judge Sumner E. Walters and served as chief probation officer for much of that time.

Kimmet became court reporter in 1998, also under Judge Walters.

Judge Charles D. Steele was very appreciative of the service provided by both Kimmet and Bowen.

“I’ve been blessed from the time I got here with having these two guys to make my job here so much easier to do,” Judge Steele said. “These two guys are going to be missed.”

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Local Memorial Day services announced

Veterans group information

Van Wert and Ohio City veterans organizations have announced plans for Memorial Day services on Monday.

The Van Wert Memorial Day service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at Woodland Cemetery. The ceremony will begin with patriotic music by the Van Wert Brass Band, followed by a welcome by Willie Eddins.

Pastor Steve Savage of Trinity Friends Church in Van Wert will be this year’s speaker, while the ceremony will also feature placing of wreaths in honor of those who died in service of their country, as well as a Salute to the Dead by an honors unit comprised of members of American Legion Post 178 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5803, followed by the playing of “Taps.”

A wreath-placing ceremony will also be held in Memorial Park, next to the American Legion post home on West Main Street, following the Woodland Cemetery service.

A lunch will then be served at approximately 11:45 a.m. at VFW Post 5803, 111 N. Shannon St. The service and lunch are open to the public.

In Ohio City, Harvey Lewis Post 346 of the American Legion will conduct a Memorial Day service, beginning at 10:30 a.m. at Woodlawn Cemetery in Ohio City. Music will be provided by the Van Wert Community Concert Band, while Van Wert County Commissioner Clair Dudgeon will be the guest speaker.

Soup and sandwiches will be served after the service at the Legion Post Community Park Building.

In case of inclement weather, the service will be held in the Legion Post home, 306 Lambert St. in Ohio City.

Several hurt in local 2-vehicle accident

Van Wert independent

The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Van Wert Post is investigating an injury crash that occurred today at 11 a.m. at the intersection of Dutch John and Dixon Cavett roads in Union Township.

According to investigating troopers, a Ford F-150 pickup truck driven by James Moorman of Van Wert, was southbound on Dutch John Road, while a Ford Freestyle sports utility vehicle (SUV) driven by Penny Buehrer of Van Wert was headed east on Dixon-Cavett Road.

Troopers said Moorman failed to yield to the Buehrer vehicle and her vehicle was struck in the passenger side. Both vehicles traveled off the southeast corner of the intersection and into a cornfield.  The Moorman vehicle overturned and came to rest on its wheels.  Moorman was transported by EMS to Van Wert County Hospital, while Buehrer was transported to Parkview Regional Hospital by Samaritan Life-flight.

Additional passengers in the Buehrer vehicle were Katie Allison, 22, of Van Wert and rear passengers Caleb Buehrer, 3, and Elisha Buehrer, 8 months old. All were transported by Scott EMS to Van Wert County Hospital where they were treated and released.

All occupants involved in the crash were wearing their safety belts or in a child safety seat and minimized the amount of injury in this crash.  Alcohol was not a factor.

The Van Wert Sheriff’s Office, Scott Fire/EMS, Van Wert Fire/EMS, Samaritan Life Flight and the Van Wert County Highway Department assisted the Patrol at the scene.

Vehicles were towed from the scene by Countryside and Superior.

Good (Friday) deed

Donations from this year’s Good Friday Breakfast, sponsored by the YMCA of Van Wert County and held at Willow Bend Country Club, allowed Stuart Wyatt, who spoke about his son, Noah’s, health problems, to purchase a hand-operated bicycle for Noah (shown here with YMCA Executive Director Hugh Kocab and his siblings). The Wyatt family thanks all those who donated toward the purchase of the bike. (photo submitted)

Motorcyclist dies in Mercer County crash

Mercer County information

CELINA — Mercer County Sheriff Jeff Grey reported Friday that his office is investigating its sixth fatal traffic crash resulting in the 10th traffic fatality for 2012.  Mercer County 9-1-1 received a call, transferred from Auglaize County 9-1-1, at 12:48 p.m. Friday about the crash, which occurred on Clover Four Road at the intersection of Harrison Road in Franklin Township.

The investigation revealed that Joshua S. Wendel, 16, of Fort Recovery, was driving a 2007 Ford truck owned by Shockman Lumber in St. Henry west on Clover Four Road, while Johnathon K. Geiger, 24, of Chickasaw, was riding a 1980 Kawasaki motorcycle east on Clover Four Road.

Wendel turned left in front of Geiger’s motorcycle and Geiger, who was not wearing a helmet, struck the right front corner of the lumber company truck.

Wendel was not injured in the crash, while Geiger was taken to Mercer Health by the Coldwater Branch of the Mercer County Emergency Ambulance Service, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Deputies were assisted at the scene by Montezuma Fire Department and Mercer County Emergency Response volunteers.

Beta Club donation

The Van Wert High School Beta Club chapter recently raised $1,375.01 during its mini-Relay for Life event held at the high school. Shown with Pati Jenkins of Relay for Life (second from left) are Beta Club officers (from the left) Bob Laing, Abbie Brincefield and Linzey Rice. (Dave Mosier/Van Wert independent)

Fire Marshal has grilling/BBQ safety tips

State Fire Marshal’s Office information

COLUMBUS — As Ohioans prepare for the start of summer this Memorial Day weekend, State Fire Marshal Larry Flowers encourages added safety precautions with outdoor grills and barbecues.

“Grills accounted for 82 fires and four injuries in Ohio last year,” said Fire Marshal Flowers. “Grilling out is a favorite pastime. With some simple precautions, Ohioans will be able to make happy memories with friends and family this summer.”

Over half of all outdoor grill fires occur between the months of May and August. In addition, outdoor grill fires are estimated to cause approximately 10 deaths, 100 injuries and $37 million in property damage, according to the United States Fire Administration.

Marshal Flowers provides these important safety tips:

Barbecue/Grill Safety

• All propane and charcoal barbecue grills must be used outdoors to avoid fire hazards and toxic gases such as carbon monoxide.
• Keep grills clear from overhanging branches, house siding and deck edges and railings. Also position the grill far from foot traffic.
• Before using a gas grill, check the connection between the propane tank and the fuel line.
• Wear well-fitted clothing when barbecuing. Loose articles and flammable material such as nylon should be avoided.
• Be careful when using lighter fluid. Do not add fluid to an already lit fire – the flame can flashback into the container and explode.
• Supervise children around outdoor grills. Announcing a three-foot ‘safety zone’ around the grill is an effective way to keep both children and pets at a distance.
• Keep all matches and lighters away from children. Teach your children to report any loose matches or lighters to an adult immediately.
• Dispose of hot coals properly – douse all of them, not just the red ones, with plenty of water and stir them to ensure that the fire is out. Never place them in plastic, paper or wooden containers.
• Take the time to make sure everyone knows to ‘Stop, Drop and Roll’ in case an article of clothing catches fire.  Outdoor activities such as grilling seem simple, but following the safety tips will ensure a safe and happy summer.

State Fire Marshal visits local fire depts.

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

State Fire Marshal Larry Flowers (left) and Middle Point Fire Chief Craig King hold a cardboard check representing $7,040 in state funding provided to King's department for training purposes. (Dave Mosier/Van Wert independent)

MIDDLE POINT – State Fire Marshal Larry Flowers was in Van Wert County on Thursday to perform one of his most enjoyable tasks: Give money to volunteer fire departments.

Flowers, who began his career as a volunteer firefighter in Licking County, presented checks of $7,040 and $8,100, respectively, to the Middle Point and Ohio City fire departments.

“I have a real passion for volunteer fire departments and volunteer firefighters,” Flowers said prior to presenting a cardboard check representing the state’s funding to Middle Point Fire Chief Craig King. “This is a great opportunity to meet volunteer and paid departments all over the state … with 70 percent of fire departments volunteers, this is one way the Department of Commerce and Division of State Fire Marshal can help them out.”

The money is a reimbursement for money spent by the departments on training firefighters. With such a large percentage of Ohio fire departments manned by volunteers, state training assistance is crucial in helping those departments maintain a high level of competence.

Chief King was grateful for the money, which he said was used to pay for training to increase the department’s certification levels.

“It’s especially important,” he said of the grant money provided by the state, noting that training dollars comprise 10 percent of his department’s annual budget. “It’s very greatly valued, trust me.”

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Business Expo

Stuart Jewett of Be Scene Media (above) promotes Internet marketing to a group of business people listen during Thursday’s Business to Business Expo hosted by the Van Wert Area Chamber of Commerce at the Van Wert County Fairgrounds while a Black Swamp Bistro employee (below) prepares food for hungry expo attendees. (Dave Mosier/Van Wert independent)