Lincolnview HS student wins State Optimist Contest

Second tornado occurred in Paulding Co.

VW independent staff

ARTHUR — The National Weather Service has confirmed a second tornado touched down in Paulding County Tuesday night.

The weak tornado – an EF-0 twister – with winds up to 70 miles per hour touched down three miles south-southwest of Arthur at 8:16 p.m. Its maximum width was 25 yards and the tornado was on the ground for a minute or less and caused damage to a large metal outbuilding. No injuries were reported.

The other tornado, an EF-1 tornado was confirmed two miles west-southwest of Melose. It touched down five minutes prior to the Arthur twister and was on the ground for three minutes, traveling 3.2 miles with a maximum path width of 300 yards and maximum wind speeds of 105 miles per hour. It lifted one mile west-southwest of Oakwood. There were no reports of injuries.

Eagle Scout award

Van Wert Lodge No. 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks participated in the Eagle Scout Court of Honor for Evan Elling on Sunday, May 5. Elling is a member of Boy Scout Troop 32, sponsored by the Middle Point United Methodist Church. Evan was presented an American Flag and an Eagle Scout Certificate from the Van Wert Elks Lodge. He also received a letter of commendation and a special citation from Randy P. Shook, Grand Exalted Ruler/National President. For his Eagle Scout project he installed a Veterans Memorial Stone at the Ridge Cemetery. Pictured are Michael C. Stanley, Lodge Scouting Liaison and Eagle Scout Evan Elling. Photo submitted

Settlement reched with phone giants

Submitted information

COLUMBUS — Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has announced $10.25 million in three multistate settlements with the largest wireless carriers in the United States to resolve the 50 attorneys general investigations into deceptive and misleading advertising practices.

Ohio is due to receive more than $478,000 under the agreements with AT&T Mobility together with Cricket Wireless, T-Mobile USA, and Verizon Wireless together with TracFone Wireless.

“In a time when we rely heavily on our phones to stay connected, it’s unacceptable to make false promises about what consumers might expect from their wireless carriers.” Yost said. “Ohioans deserve transparency and honesty from telecommunications companies, and this agreement ensures that they will receive just that.”

Key components of the settlements involve assurances that the wireless carriers will change their advertising and business practices going forward to avoid vague “unlimited” data claims, unclear “free” phone offers and undisclosed conditions for monetary incentives for switching carriers.

Under the agreements, the carriers must:

• Make sure that all future ads are truthful, accurate and not misleading.
•    Clearly disclose restrictions on “unlimited” data plans.
•    Transparently disclose incentives for switching carriers.
•    Clearly disclose all material terms and conditions for consumers to receive “free” devices or services.
•    Explicitly state when an offer involves a lease agreement.
•    Justify claims of cost savings with clear comparisons.
•    Appoint a dedicated employee to handle consumer complaints from Attorneys General offices.
•    Train customer service to comply with the terms of these agreements.

Overpasses closed due to bridge strikes

Submitted information

Two U.S. 30 overpasses in Van Wert County are now closed due to bridge strikes: Stripe Road and Converse Roselm Road. The overpasses will remain closed until further notice. 

Crime Stoppers seeking break-in info

VW independent staff/submitted information

Crime Stoppers will pay you cash for information if it will help the Van Wert City Police Department solve this investigation.

On April 23, in the 600 block of N, Market St., Van Wert, an unknown person or persons broke into a detached garage, stealing the items of a Milwaukee tool bag containing Dewalt tools, multiple battery packs, drivers, drills and a circular saw.

The Van Wert City Police Department is investigating this crime, anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers of Van Wert County at 419.238.STOP (7867) or the Van Wert Police Department at 419.238.2462.

You will not have to give your name or reveal your identity. If your information helps to solve this case, Crime Stoppers will pay a cash reward of up to $1,000.

Crime Stoppers also pays cash rewards for information about other felony crimes or wanted fugitives not reported on the Crime of the Week.

Remember, crime doesn’t pay, but Crime Stoppers does.

Truck crash

The occupants of this pickup truck were taken to OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital this morning, after a crash near the intersection of Van Wert Decatur Rd. and the US 224. According to the Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the accident occurred at approximately 6:15 this morning, when the truck failed to negotiate the curve, crossed over the left hand lane and left the road. Along with the highway patrol, the Van Wert Police Department and Van Wert Fire and EMS were at the scene. Bob Barnes VWFD photographer

Tornado confirmed in Melrose area

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

PAULDING COUNTY — The National Weather Service has confirmed that a tornado touched down in Paulding County Tuesday evening. Evidence came through a survey of damage, along with photos and videos.

The EF-1 tornado was confirmed two miles west-southwest of Melose. It touched down at 8:11 p.m. and was on the ground for three minutes, traveling 3.2 miles with a maximum path width of 300 yards and maximum wind speeds of 105 miles per hour. It lifted one mile west-southwest of Oakwood. There were no fatalities and no reports of injuries.

NWS noted several reports of funnel clouds and a touchdown were received from near Latty east to south of Melrose and west of Oakwood. The most extensive damage occurred north of Township Road 82, along Township Road 151 where over a dozen structures were impacted. An unanchored home was moved 18 feet off its foundation into the west side of a barn.

Trained spotters first reported a rotating wall cloud near the Van Wert/Paulding County line. It was visible from the Convoy area and just outside the village of Scott and it eventually spawned a funnel cloud that touched down. At the time, the area was under a tornado watch.

Outside of the wall cloud near Convoy and Scott, Van Wert County was spared severe storms, with most of the county remaining dry throughout the evening event.

To the south, the National Weather Service Wilmington confirmed a tornado that touched down in Mercer County and traveled into Auglaize County. Fort Recovery and New Knoxville were among the areas hit, but the NWS is working to finalize details. Another Mercer County tornado, west of Coldwater, was confirmed as well, along with another tornado in Darke County, near/in Greenville.

Police report details alleged van attack

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

More information has been provided in the case of a former Van Wert woman facing seven charges, including attempted murder.

According to a report released by the Van Wert Police Department, Summer Raye Jones, 34, who’s address is now listed as Defiance, was arrested after an officer was dispatched to the 300 block of N. Race St. shortly after 1 a.m. April 4. The caller said his ex-girlfriend, later identified as Jones, intentionally hit his new girlfriend with a van in an alley near the home.

The lengthy report noted it had been a wet/rainy night and morning and the van apparently left the alley and was stuck in the backyard of the N. Race St. home. The officer and a deputy with the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office saw a “female with blue hair and a pink robe” standing in front of the van while on the phone. She was identified as Jones and she confirmed she was the driver.

The current girlfriend suffered a leg injury when she was hit by the van and during a police interview at the scene, it was learned the ex-boyfriend was struck as well. The current girlfriend was taken by EMS to OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital, but Jones’ ex-boyfriend declined treatment. The VW independent does not identify victims by name.

After speaking with the officer, Jones was also taken to the hospital, then was later transported to the Van Wert County Correctional Facility.

It was later learned that Jones, who was inside the house in the 300 block of N. Race St., became incensed when the new girlfriend came into the home to use the bathroom. The alleged attack occurred just after the victims had left the house.

While speaking with the officer, the ex-boyfriend said Jones had threatened to stab him in his sleep the day before and he accused her of cutting cords to cameras at the house. The man’s girlfriend later said she believed Jones was trying to hit her a second time when the van became stuck in mud in the yard and she claimed Jones had previously made threatening statements to her.

Jones was initially arrested for domestic violence, but a Van Wert County grand jury recently returned an indictment with six additional charges – two counts of attempted murder, first degree felonies; two counts of felonious assault, second degree felonies, and two counts of aggravated assault, fourth degree felonies.

She was arraigned in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court on Tuesday and entered a not guilty plea to each of the charges. Judge Martin Burchfield set bond at $100,000 cash or commercial surety and scheduled a pretrial conference for 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 22. If Jones posts bond, she’ll be subject to electronic house arrest and must have no contact with the victims.

Nearly two dozen court hearings held

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

It was a busy two days in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court, as 23 people made appearances on Tuesday and Wednedsay of this week. Judge Martin Burchfield presided over each of the hearings.

12 defendants were arraigned on various criminal charges. All of the defendants entered pleas of not guilty.

Seth Waggamon, 42, of Delphos, two counts of rape, first degree felonies, and four counts of gross sexual imposition, third degree felonies. Bond was set at $100,000 cash or commercial surety and Waggamon was ordered to no contact with victim. A pre-trial conference was scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 29.

Summer Jones, 34, of Defiance, two counts of attempted murder, first degree felonies; two counts of felonious assault, second degree felonies; two counts of aggravated assault, fourth degree felonies, and one count of domestic violence, a first degree misdemeanor. Bond was set at $100,000 cash or commercial surety, with electronically monitored house arrest if released. She was ordered to have no contact with victims, and a pre-trial conference was set for 8:30 a.m. May 22. (see full story above)

Abbey Eutsler, 37, of Van Wert, three counts of violating a protection order, a fifth degree felony. Bond was set at $25,000 cash or commercial surety, along with a no contact order. A pre-trial conference was scheduled for 8 a.m. Wednesday, May 15.

Kayla Gladieux, 33, of Ft. Wayne, breaking and entering, a fifth degree felony, and unauthorized use of a vehicle, a first degree misdemeanor. Bond was set at $10,000 cash or commercial surety and a pre-trial conference was set for 8 a.m. Wednesday, May 29.

Lachrica Patrick, 49, of Rockford, aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth degree felony, and possession of cocaine, a fifth degree felony. She was  released on a surety bond and a pre-trial conference was set for 8 a.m. Wednesday, May 22.

Jeffrey Welker, 57, of Ohio City, OVI, an unclassified misdemeanor, and improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle, a fifth degree felony.He was  released on a surety bond and a pre-trial conference was set for 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 29.

Joshua Williams, 29, of Van Wert, aggravated possession of drugs, a third degree felony, and theft, a first degree misdemeanor. He was released on a surety bond and was ordered not to be at Walmart. A pre-trial hearing was scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 29.

Shawn Thomas, 39, of Van Wert, trespass in a habitation when a person is present or likely to be present, a fourth degree felony. He was released on a surety bond and was ordered to have no contact with the victim. A pre-trial conference was scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 29.

City street to close for Freedom Cruise

VW independent staff

The first Van Wert Freedom Cruise of the season will be held from 6-10 p.m. Saturday, May 11. Jefferson St., from Main St. to Central Ave. will be closed.