SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
Voters in much, but not quite all of Van Wert County, must decide on Vantage Career Center’s request for a continuing 0.7 mill property tax renewal for permanent improvements.
The issue is one of 14 issues on the local November 4 ballot.
Appearing at Wednesday night’s Van Wert Chamber of Commerce’s “Meet the Candidates” event, Superintendent Rick Turner said the PI levy for the Van Wert-based school has been on the ballot six times since 1996 and has been approved each time. He said the school is now asking voters to switch it to a continuous levy and he noted by law, the money cannot go to personnel or salaries, but is strictly earmarked for equipment and buildings and grounds.
“In a career center those needs are never going to go away, especially in this day and age where technology is changing and it’s very important for us to stay current,” Turner explained. “We’re going to have to continue to make sure that our equipment and our grounds are up to date and first class.”
He also lauded the low cost of the levy, roughly $8 per year for every $100,000 of property valuation and he said the demand for Vantage’s has never been higher.
“With baby boomers exiting the workforce and jobs growing more technical all the time, it’s more and more important every day that we have technical skills training,” Turner stated. “We are the fastest growing career center in the State of Ohio. Among 49 career centers, we’ve grown 44 percent from 2020-2025. We’ve had a huge influx of students and we’ve had waiting lists the last couple of years and that speaks to the quality of our staff, of our board of education and to our community.”
(more…)POSTED: 10/16/25 at 8:56 pm
VW independent staff/submitted information
Van Wert High School will honor the 25th anniversary of the 2000 Cougar Football Division III OHSAA state runner-up team during the regular season finale at home vs. Kenton next Friday, October 24. The celebration will recognize the outstanding accomplishments of the players, coaches and support staff who made that historic season possible.
Former players, cheerleaders, trainers, managers, and coaches from the 2000 team are invited to join the festivities. Following the game against the Wildcats, a social gathering will be held at the Moose Lodge to reconnect and celebrate the team’s legacy.
During that special season, Van Wert went 6-4 during the regular season, grabbed the eighth and final playoff spot in Division III Region 10, and defeated Big Walnut, Bellevue, Columbus Bishop Watterson and Portsmouth to earn a place in the title game. In the championship game, the Cougars fell to Canton Central Catholic in two overtimes, 27-26, but nonetheless completed a season to be remembered.
Those who were part of the 2000 season are asked to complete a short online form to help organizers plan for the event. The form is available here. Community members are encouraged to share this information to help reach as many former team members as possible. For questions or additional information, contact Coach Jeff Hood at jeff.hood033@gmail.com or call 419.605.2801.
The community is encouraged to come together to honor one of the most memorable seasons in Cougar football history.
Submitted information
The Van Wert Chamber of Commerce will host its 20th annual “Salute to Small Business” awards bruncheon from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday November 21, at Willow Bend Country Club. Join the Chamber as they recognize the best of the best within Van Wert County.
Chamber businesses will be recognized in the categories of: Small Business of the Year, Charitable Non-Profit, Immaculate Vibes Culture Award, Emerging Business of the Year, Downtown Champion, Women in Business, Palate Pleaser, The “Woo” Winning Others Over, Community Youth Champion, and Community Collaborator.
Click here to vote. Tickets are $30 each, click here to purchase.
The Chamber thanked the following sponsors for their investment in the Van Wert Chamber of Commerce and member businesses. Premier Sponsors: Shultz Huber & Associates, and Citizens National Bank; Community Influencer Level: Central Insurance, Danfoss Corporation, Tenneco, Inc., Greenway Bank, and Tekniplex; Community Collaborator Level: Vantage Career Center, OhioHealth, Superior Credit Union, Alexander & Bebout, A&B Home and Laudick’s Jewelry; Community Builder Level: Van Wert Manor, and Statewide Ford Lincoln.
POSTED: 10/16/25 at 8:55 pm. FILED UNDER: News
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
The Brumback Library, which was dedicated in 1901, is recognized as the first countywide public library in the United States and nearly 125 years later, it continues to serve residents through its main location and its various branches.
Now, the Brumback Library is seeking voter approval of a continuing .5 mill replacement levy. The vast majority of county residents will decide on the issue. The reason for a replacement levy is the fact that the current .5 mill levy has depreciated to .2251 mills, which means less revenue. If approved, the replacement levy will reset back to the original amount so funding keeps pace with today’s needs, which have grown and evolved.
During Wednesday night’s Meet the Candidates event at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center, Brumback Library Trustee Dr. Bob Laing and Director Nellie Schmidt shared information about the library, its services and the need for funding.
Approximately 200 people visit the main branch each day and Laing said Brumback Library loans an average of 8,000 books per month between the main location in Van Wert and thriving branches in Convoy, Middle Point, Ohio City, Willshire and Wren. He added the library is part of the Libby program, an Ohio-based program for e-books, along with the SEO (Serving Every Ohioan) consortium, a state-based program that allows patrons to request and receive a physical copy of books within days, and interactive books geared toward children. Free public computers and wi-fi are available and he also noted the library has other digital resources, historic microfilm and a microfilm reader available for use, along with geneological resources.
“If someone is trying to research a family member, we’ve had people donate their own research that they’ve done as part of their estate, so our geneological resourcs are really vast,” he said.
Laing said the library’s summer reading program did something every day during the summer and offered 70 unique events this past summer.
Schmidt was chosen in January of 2024 to lead the Brumback Library and Laing had nothing but praise for the job she’s done since she came aboard.
(more…)POSTED: 10/16/25 at 8:54 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Submitted information
PAULDING — Learn more about the Paulding Downtown Historic District by touring three business buildings at a free Progressive After-Hours on Wednesday, October 22.
Community Revitalizing Paulding (CoRP) is organizing the event, set to begin at 4:30 p.m. at the Paulding County Area Foundation building on the south side of the square. The foundation will host the visit. The public is welcome to attend.
Following a brief presentation and refreshments, the After-Hours will proceed next door to the Small Business Innovation Center for a similar program. Paulding County Economic Development office will be the host.The event will conclude at the retail store Limitless on the northwest the corner of the square. The Limitless staff will welcome guests.
Each stop will offer the opportunity to hear about the building’s fascinating history and past businesses, how CoRP secured historic district designation and about the building’s present occupants.
The first two After-Hours, in February and June, were big successes, each drawing more than 50 people to renovated buildings.
Members of CoRP’s Wednesday History Group, which researched all the district’s buildings as part of the historic district application process, is helping to coordinate this series of After-Hours. They are developing brochures for each of the three locations, containing vintage and new photographs with interesting information.
CoRP is raising funds to install two unique signs marking the Downtown Historic District, in spring 2024 by the National Register of Historic Places. The signs will make passersby aware they are entering the Historic District as they approach the downtown on U.S. 127 from the north and south.
(more…)POSTED: 10/16/25 at 8:52 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff
Two out of town men entered guilty pleas at their respective arraignments in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court. The two arraigments were among eight total hearings recently held before Judge Martin D. Burchfield.
Arraignments
Cody Fugate, 38, of Wolcottsville, Indiana, entered a not guilty plea to passing bad checks, a fifth degree felony, and grand theft of a motor vehicle, a fourth degree felony. Bond was set at $50,000 cash or surety and a pre-trial conference was scheduled for 8:30 a.m. November 19.
Michael Melvin, 35, of Mansfield, pleaded guilty to theft, a fifth degree felony. He was then sentenced to 180 days jail to run concurrent with his current prison term from Mercer County. He was ordered to pay restitution to Walmart in the amount of $4,828.70 and court costs.
Melvin Moore, 41, of Lima, pleaded guilty to theft, a fifth degree felony. He was sentenced to 180 days jail to run concurrent with his current prison term from Mercer County. He too was ordered to pay restitution to Walmart in the amount of $4,828.70 and court costs.
Bond violation
Mason Imler, 19, of Van Wert, admitted to violating his bond by consuming alcohol and having police contact. He was released on a surety bond to go to sober living treatment, and he signed a time waiver. A pre-trial conference was scheduled for 9 a.m. November 19.
Plea changes
Larry Wilson, 56, of Convoy, changed his plea to guilty to driving under suspension, a first degree misdemeanor. He was then sentenced to 60 days electronic house arrest to begin October 22. His driver’s license was suspended for one year retroactive to June 19, and he was ordered to pay court costs.
(more…)POSTED: 10/16/25 at 8:00 am. FILED UNDER: News
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
Voters throughout the City of Van Wert have decisions to make at the polls.
That’s because five people are running for three Van Wert City Council at-large seats, including two incumbents and three challengers. The names on the ballot are current council members Judy Bowers and Jana Ringwald and the challengers are Hall Block, Dewaine Johnson and Kirby Kelly. Incumbent At-Large Councilman Jeff Kallas chose not to seek re-election to council.
All five of the candidates gathered Wednesday night for “Meet the Candidates Night” at the First Federal Lecture Hall at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center. The event was sponsored by the Van Wert Chamber of Commerce. Each of the candidates had five minutes to introduce themselves and explain why they chose to run for office.
Judy Bowers
Judy Bowers is seeking her third term on Van Wert City Council and she told those in attendance that when she first ran for council, she did so reluctantly.
“Through the coaxing of my family and friends and my church, I decided to run the first time and it’s been a real learning experience for me,” she stated.
Bowers described herself as “old school” and said she’d rather speak to people in person.
“I can learn more by personally talking to them, seeing their expression, their body langauge and knowing where they’re coming from rather than looking at something on Facebook or something like that, because you can misunderstand things that are said there,” Bowers said. “I do a lot of talking to people at the grocery store, at the bank or wherever I happen to be.”
Bowers also stated she does a lot of research and admitted it can be slow at times and she added she tries to vote for the people of Van Wert.
“If the people of Van Wert have voted no on an issue on the ballot, I vote with the majority of the citizens of Van Wert because that’s where I think my job is – to support what they want rather than what somebody else might want,” she stated.
Jana Ringwald
Jana Ringwald is seeking her second term as a member of Van Wert City Council.
“It’s been interesting and I’ve enjoyed it and chose to re-run,” she said.
She cited her 40 years at Central Insurance and leadership roles she held, along with other leadership roles within the community, including a church council role and serving a board member of a local non-profit organization. She also described herself as someone who wants to be part of the community and wants to better the community.
“In this role, we can certainly do that and as a city council member we have influence over the legislation that comes up, the discussions that come up, whether it’s economic development, parks and recreation, how the city budget will be formulated and spent,” Ringwald stated.
(more…)POSTED: 10/15/25 at 10:16 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff
Ohio’s early in-person voting period began last Tuesday and figures supplied by Pam Henderson, Director of the Van Wert County Board of Elections, 151 registered voters cast ballots between October 7-10. In addition, 26 ballots were mailed out.
Here are the remaining early in-person voting dates and hours:
- 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. October 16-17, 20-24
- 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. October 27, 29, 30, 31
- 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. October 28
- 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. November 1
- 1-5 p.m. November 2
Ballots may be cast at the Van Wert County Board of Elections Office, 1362 E. Ervin Rd., Van Wert. A valid ID is required to vote. For a complete list of races and issues in Van Wert County, click here.
POSTED: 10/15/25 at 10:16 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Repaving work is Van Wert is winding down. Workers with the Shelley Company spent some of Wednesday putting down new asphalt on Second St., between Walnut St. and N. Washington St. Work is expected to be complete by tomorrow. Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent
POSTED: 10/15/25 at 10:15 pm. FILED UNDER: News
This single vehicle accident occurred shortly before 11 a.m. at Shannon and Ervin Road sent the driver to OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital. A witness said it appeared the driver went unconscious and the vehicle went forward at a low speed and struck a utility pole. Van Wert EMS personnel removed the driver and transported the person to the hospital. Very little damage was visible to the vehicle. Bob Barnes/VWFD photographer
POSTED: 10/15/25 at 10:15 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
CONVOY — There are just two weeks left in the 2025 high school football regular season and after two straight road games, the Crestview Knights will return home Friday night to face Spencerville. It’s also this year’s homecoming game for the Knights and their fans.
The 2025 Crestview homecoming court will be presented at 6:30 p.m. Friday prior to the 7 p.m. and this year’s king and queen will be crowned before kickoff.
Members of the court include freshman attendant Kaylee Owens, sophomore attendant Delanie Balliet, and junior attendant Ava Motycka, along with senior queen candidates Caroline Marks, Ellie Ward and Peyton Hoffman. This year’s homecoming court also includes freshmen Tate Lichtensteiger, sophomore Evin Brincefield and junior Will Sheets, plus senior king candidates Brentyn Rodriguez, Hayden Perrott and Liam Putman.
Homecoming spirit week is being celebrated with dress up days for students throughout the week. The homecoming parade will begin at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday and will conclude at the school where the junior and senior boys will compete in the BuffPuff volleyball game in the gym. Admission is $1.
The annual homecoming dance for all high school students will take place from 8-11 p.m. Saturday evening at the school. Tickets are required for admission.
POSTED: 10/14/25 at 9:23 pm. FILED UNDER: News
