Van Wert HS Class of 1978 donates to Eggerss Stadium

Three new members join Hall of Fame

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Crestview added three new members to its Educator Hall of Fame by honoring its 12th class of inductees during a ceremony at the boys’ basketball game on Friday, January 23. The ceremony was underwritten by the Convoy Community Foundation. which is continuously striving to enhance the quality of lives in our communities.

The inductees were Mike Biro, Jill Bowen and Diane Wilson.

Mike BIro served at Greenville, Sheridan and Sandusky high schools in addition to the Western Buckeye Educational Service Center before returning home to Crestview in 2001 as the junior/senior high school principal. After district restructuring, he remained as high school principal for a total of 18 years at Crestview and 35 years in education. Biro was known for his forward-thinking leadership and helped introduce many programs still serving students today.

Jill Bowen began teaching at Crestview South in 1980 where she taught third grade before transitioning to fourth grade. What set her apart was her passion for creating memorable experiences for her students through engaging, hands-on and unforgettable lessons. Bowen retired in 2005 after 25 years of service.

Diane Wilson served Crestview for 38 years before retiring in 2024. For nearly her entire career Wilson worked with students as a special education teacher in grades 7-12, and later in her career she transitioned to eighth grade inclusion and seventh grade physical education teacher. Wilson served as a coach for various teams at both Crestview and Delphos Jefferson over the years. She still gives her time to Crestview by substitute teaching in the middle school.

The Crestview Educator Hall of Fame inducts members on a yearly basis through a nomination process and committee evaluation. A complete list of hall of fame members can be found on the Crestview website along with a nomination form.

Riedel files petitions for Ohio Senate run

VW independent staff/submitted information

DEFIANCE — Republican State Senate candidate Craig Riedel has officially filed his petitions to run for senator in Ohio State Senate District 1. Riedel is running for the seat currently held by term-limited Ohio Senate President Rob McColley (R-Napoleon).

In a statement announcing the filing, Riedel said he is well positioned to succeed Senator McColley and serve as Northwest Ohio’s conservative voice in Columbus.

The statement also said since being the first candidate to enter the race in early April, Riedel has worked hard and has picked up several key endorsements. Along with local endorsements from within the district, Riedel has also received endorsements from statewide organizations like Ohio Value Voters, Associated Builders and Contractors of Ohio, and Americans for Prosperity-Ohio. Riedel’s pro-growth business background and staunch conservative principles have made him the clear choice for Republican voters in Senate District 1.

“Danette and I are incredibly grateful and encouraged by the outpouring of support from the people of northwest Ohio,” Reidel said. “Since the beginning of our campaign, we’ve had the opportunity to knock on more than 11,000 doors, attend events all across the senate district, and meet so many outstanding people who love Northwest Ohio. I look forward to continuing to work extremely hard everyday for the people of the 1st Senate District as their next senator.”

Riedel will run against State Representative Jim Hoops, who filed his petitions earlier this month. The two will square off in the May 5 primary election, with the winner advancing to the November ballot.

Storm led to many roadside help calls

VW indepenent staff/submitted information

AAA emergency roadside service has been very busy since last weekend’s powerful winter storm swept across the state, grinding travel to a halt and stranding motorists. It was followed by frigid conditions, including highs in the single digits and sub-zero lows and wind chills.

“Our roadside calls helped us track the different stages of this storm,” said Morgan Dean, public affairs manager for AAA Club Alliance in Ohio. “On Saturday, with the cold weather moving in ahead of the snow, battery calls surged with 43 percent of our calls that day being for battery issues. By Sunday, with the snow still coming down and blanketing the state, nearly half of our calls were requests to help pull stranded drivers out of the snow.”

On Monday, battery issues and tows made up two-thirds of all calls in the AAA Club Alliance territory in Ohio. By Tuesday, as many more drivers were starting to dig out, batteries and tows made up 75 percent of all roadside calls for the day. 1,857 battery calls were made that day, along with 1,817 calls for a tow.

Batteries are struggling to keep a charge in this week’s bone-chilling temperatures.

 “At 32 degrees, a battery loses about 35 percent of its power, while needing 1.5 times as much power to start a vehicle,” Dean said. “At zero degrees, it’s lost 60 percent of its power but needs two times as much power to get a car started.”

Problems Causing Vehicle Breakdowns

According to AAA, the most common reasons for emergency roadside service calls during this storm have been:

Man changes plea, another enters plea

VW independent staff

Two criminal hearings were held in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court Wednesday morning, with Judge Martin D. Burchfield presiding over both hearings.

Nicholas Fitzsimmons, 24, of Van Wert, changed his plea to guilty to failure to comply with an order or signal of a police officer, a fourth degree felony, and OVI, a first degree misdemeanor. He then requested and was granted intervention in lieu of conviction on the first charge. His case was stayed pending completion of the treatment program and he ordered to pay court costs. He was sentenced on the second count to 20 days in jail with credit for seven days already served, two years of community control, a two-year license suspension, a $750 fine, court costs, and partial appointed counsel fees.

In a separate and unrelated hearing, Eric Orndorff, 42, of Lima, entered a not guilty plea to non-support of dependents, a fifth degree felony. He was released on a surety bond and a pre-trial conference was scheduled for 8:30 a.m. February 28.

Kear Road fire…

The Van Wert Fire Department was dispatched to the 800 block of Kear Rd. shortly after 12:30 p.m. after smoke was noticed coming from under a mobile home. Firefighters removed part of the mobile home skirting and put out smoldering insulation. It’s believed an electrical malfunction was the cause. Bob Barnes/VWFD photographer

County dog tag deadline extended

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For the safety of dog owners and because of these “dog days” of winter, Van Wert County Auditor Jami Bradford has decided to extend the dog tag sales deadline. Instead of Saturday, January 31, the new deadline will be Friday, February 6, without a late fee penalty. After February 6, the penalty will be imposed.

Library and all branches to offer new hours

VW independent staff/submitted information

The Brumback Library and all of its branch locations around Van Wert County will begin new operating hours on Tuesday, February 17.

The updated hours are designed to provide the community with greater access and improved consistency across all library locations, making it easier for patrons to plan visits, attend programs, and use library services.

As part of the changes, the main library in downtown Van Wert will open at 9 a.m. each day, rather than 9:30 a.m., and will remain open until 7 p.m. three evenings each week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday) to better accommodate evening visitors. In addition, the main library will open two hours later on the fourth Friday of each month, opening at 11 a.m. on those days to allow staff to participate in professional development and training.  

Branch libraries will also move to more consistent hours across locations, helping community members more easily understand when branches are open and available.  Complete hours by location are listed below.

Community members who would like to share their thoughts about library services are encouraged to participate in the library’s community survey, which is open through February 9. The survey will help guide planning and decision-making for the next three to five years, and feedback is welcome from all residents—whether or not they currently use library services. The survey can be accessed through the library’s website.

Complete details about the new hours for each location, along with the community survey, are available at brumbacklib.org.

Race to be held for county auditor

VW independent staff

There will be a Republican primary run-off for Van Wert County Auditor.

Records from the Van Wert County Board of Elections show incumbent Jami Bradford has filed petitions to appear on the May 5 primary election. She’s being challenged by Arica Wermer, a deputy auditor with the City of Van Wert.

So far, just one other primary race is on the May ballot. As previously reported by the VW independent, Van Wert County Prosecutor Eva Yarger and Van Wert City Law Director John Hatcher have filed petitions to seek the GOP nod for Juvenile/Probate Court judge (see story here).

The filing deadline is next Wednesday, February 4.

VWCT ready to present new production

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The Van Wert Civic Theatre has announced the upcoming production of Neil Simon’s beloved romantic comedy, Barefoot in the Park, a witty and heartwarming look at marriage, compromise, and the chaos of first apartments.

Barefoot in the Park plunges audiences into the hilarious ups and downs of newlyweds Paul and Corie Bratter as they navigate life in their first walk-up apartment—six flights up, no heat, and plenty of opinions. This Neil Simon classic explores the clash of personalities at the early crossroads of marriage, revealing the comedic struggles that come with learning how to live, love, and grow together. Filled with laughter and touching moments, the play reminds us that strong connections can thrive even with big differences, and that love often depends on compromise.

The cast for Barefoot in the Park includes:

Paul Bratter — Adam Shanaman
Corie Bratter — Alea Rex
Mrs. Banks — Amber Evans
Victor Velasco — Travis Nihiser
Telephone Repairman — Ed Eichler
Delivery Person — Dizzy Lantz

Performances will be held February 6, 7, 8 and 13, 14, 15 at the Van Wert Civic Theatre. Evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m., with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. 

Tickets are $16 and may be purchased by visiting vwct.org or by calling the box office at 419.238.9689.

Convoy Fire & EMS to hold Pancake Day

VW independent staff

CONVOY — On Saturday, February 7, Convoy Fire & EMS will hold its 47th annual Pancake and Sausage Day.

Pancakes, sausages, coffee, milk and orange juice will be served from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. that day at the Community Building at Edgewood Park on Ohio 49. All meals are by donation.

Proceeds will be used to purchase new fire and EMS equipment.