Lights for Lives campaign a success

VW independent staff/submitted information

Participating agencies said the 12th annual “Lights for Lives” was a successful operation once again, showing what can be accomplished by law enforcement working cooperatively in a multi-agency, multi­ jurisdictional effort.

In the spirit of collaboration, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Findlay District, worked with law enforcement agencies in Williams, Fulton, Lucas, Defiance, Henry, Wood, Putnam, Paulding, Hancock, Van Wert, Allen, and Hardin counties participated.

Lights for Lives is a multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional, cooperative enforcement campaign focused on officers activating their overhead lights and stopping as many vehicles that have committed traffic violations to save as many lives as possible. It began at 6 a.m. November 24 and ran through 6 a.m. November 26, which kicked off the holiday driving season.

During the 48-hour operation, officers reported stopping nearly 700 vehicles and issued 230 citations. There were 18 Safety Belt citations issued, 13 Distracted Driving citations issued, while seven impaired drivers were removed from Ohio’s roadways.

Law enforcement officers remind motorists to always buckle up, slow down or move over for stopped traffic, plan ahead and never operate a vehicle when impaired by drugs and/or alcohol.

Crestview BOE to host work session

VW independent staff

CONVOY — The Crestview Local Schools Board of Education has scheduled a work session for 5:30 p.m. Monday, December 1, in the board office. The purpose of the meeting is facilities planning and no action will be taken.

Support shown for multifamily housing

VW independent staff/submitted information

The Institute for Civics and Public Policy (ICAPP) at Ohio Northern University recently completed the latest edition of the Northern Poll, a survey of Ohioans dedicated to providing cutting-edge insights on public opinion regarding political issues. The project, which was conducted in collaboration with Survey USA, surveyed 1,638 Ohio adults from October 7 through October 13. The margin of error ranged from 3.1 to 5.1 percent depending on the specific items.

Zoning issues were the focus of this poll, with items asking opinions about solar farms, multifamily housing, cannabis dispensaries, and computing AI/Data centers. The specific character and makeup of communities and neighborhoods are greatly influenced by how state and local governments regulate land development and use. ICAPP Scholars Paige House and Brandon Didion recently completed a detailed analysis regarding the attitudes of Ohioans on multifamily housing and its various impacts (economic, quality of life, and public safety).

General Support for Multifamily Housing

Overall, Ohioans are supportive of multifamily housing. Respondents were asked whether the construction of homes which can be occupied by multiple families should be allowed. On the one hand, 45 percent are in support (16 percent strong support; 29 percent somewhat support). On the other hand, 26 percent are in opposition (nine percent strongly oppose; 17 percent somewhat oppose). Subtracting the negative responses from the positive responses yields a net positivity rating of plus-19. This support cuts across demographic groups, except for senior citizens at plus-4, who are notably less supportive than younger respondents.

Positive Views of Economic Impact

Respondents were asked to rate the economic impact that multifamily housing would have on their community. Overall, 51 percent of the respondents indicated that it would be positive (15 percent very; 36 percent somewhat), while 19 percent indicated that the economic impact of multifamily housing would be negative (five percent very; 14 percent somewhat). This yields a net positivity rating of plus-32. These positive views extended across demographic and political groups.

“Overall Ohioans are optimistic about the economic impact of multifamily housing,” said Brandon Didion, ICAPP Scholar, Ohio Northern University.

Winter Storm Warning issued locally

VW independent staff

Adjustments have been made to Winter Storm Warning issued by the National Weather Service for Van Wert County and points north.

Instead of beginning at 7 a.m. Saturday and continuing until 7 p.m. Sunday, it will now begin at 10 a.m. today (Saturday), and last 24 hours. Along with Van Wert County, Paulding, Putnam, Defiance, Henry, Williams and Fulton counties are included in the warned area, along with all of northeast Indiana.

According to the National Weather Service, heavy snow is possible. Between 3-7 inches of snow is expected locally but to the north, snowfall totals could range between 7-11 inches. Blowing snow is in the forecast, which could made travel very difficult. Hazardous travel conditions are expected Saturday through Sunday morning.

Allen, Mercer and Auglaize counties are under a Winter Weather Advisory from 7 a.m. Saturday until 9 a.m. Sunday. Those areas could receive 1-4 inches of snow plus wind gusts of up to 35 miles per hour.

Top brass make friendly bets on game

VW independent staff/submitted information

COLUMBUS — Ahead of the Ohio State Buckeyes’ rivalry game against the Michigan Wolverines, Governor Mike DeWine and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer have placed a friendly wager. 

On Saturday, the Ohio State Buckeyes will play the Michigan Wolverines in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with a noon kickoff. 

“Every year, this rivalry brings out the best of Ohio — our pride, passion, and belief in the Buckeyes,” said Governor DeWine. “I’m confident that Coach Ryan Day and this Buckeyes team will bring home the win. Ohioans know what toughness looks like, and we will see that on full display this Saturday. Go Bucks!” 

“As the mom of two Wolverines, I know Michigan will bring strength, grit, and championship swagger to The Game,” said Governor Whitmer. I am confident that the Wolverines can beat that school down south for the fifth year in a row. Go Blue!”

Governor DeWine and Governor Whitmer both wagered chips that highlight their states. Governor DeWine wagered potato chips made in Ohio: Conn’s Potato Chips from Zanesville, Grippo’s from Cincinnati, Jones’ Potato Chips from Mansfield, and Mikesell’s. Governor DeWine is also including Marsha’s Homemade Buckeyes to represent his team. Governor Whitmer wagered potato chips made in Michigan: Better Made from Detroit, Great Lakes Potato Chips from Traverse City, and Downey’s Potato Chips from Waterford.

The two governors aren’t the top state-level officials to make a friendly wager on the game.

Ohio Lt. Governor Jim Tressel and Michigan Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II have also agreed to a friendly bet ahead of tomorrow’s rivalry game.

“The Game is one of the greatest traditions in all of sports. I’ve never been shy of where I stand on this rivalry and that hasn’t changed,” said Lt. Governor Tressel. “The toughness, discipline, and focus of this year’s Ohio State team reminds me of the groups from the past. I like our chances heading into The Game and have great faith in our guys. Let’s go Bucks!”

Area man due in court on murder charge

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

Barring a plea of no contest or guilty, a open murder case in Paulding County won’t be resolved until sometime in 2026.

Corbin Delgado, 21, of Grover Hill, is awaiting trial on charges of murder, an unclassified felony; felonious assault, a second degree felony, and first degree misdemeanor assault. He’s accused of fatally stabbing of another Grover Hill man, Derek Pontius, 40, in May.

Delgado is scheduled to appear in Paulding County Common Pleas Court for a pre-trial hearing on Monday, December 22. It’s expected that trial dates will be established at the hearing. Delgado was originally scheduled to stand trial August 27-29, but it was delayed indefinitely after he requested to enter a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity. He also requested a new attorney. 

“I Corbin Delgado wish to request new legal council (sp) for ineffectiveness of council (sp),” he said in a handwritten letter to Judge Tiffany Beckman. “(Court appointed attorney) John Hopkins refuses to effectively represent my case based on both the facts of the case and my wishes as his client. He continues to cause undue delay and is misrepresenting before the court.”

He underwent a mental health evaluation and was later found competent to stand trial and withdrew his request for new legal counsel. However, paperwork filed with the court November 21 indicates Hopkins withdrew as Delgado’s lawyer, and attorney Zachary Maisch was appointed as his new attorney.

Paulding County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a disturbance in the 16000 block of Road 24, southwest of Grover Hill, shortly before 1 a.m. May 27. The initial caller reported a male was being argumentative and had a knife. Deputies arrived at the scene within minutes and found Pontius, suffering from stab wounds. Life saving measures were administered by deputies and members of the Grover Hill EMS and Pontius was transported to OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital, but was pronounced dead.

Delgado was identified as the suspect in the attack but he had fled the scene on foot. Within an hour, a deputy located him in the Village of Grover Hill and a trooper with the Ohio State Highway Patrol assisted the deputy in apprehending Delgado. He was booked in the Paulding County Jail, where he remains in lieu of $1 million bond with a 10 percent provision. In September, a motion made by Delgado to modify his bond was denied by Judge Beckman.

No lights again at Fountain Park

VW independent staff 

Due to weather conditions, the Christmas display at Fountain Park in downtown Van Wert will not be lit on Thanksgiving night. 

NWS issues Winter Storm Watch

VW independent staff 

It seems significant snow is headed to the area during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for Van Wert County, along with Mercer, Paulding, Defiance, Putnam, Williams, Fulton, Henry counties from 4 a.m. Saturday until 1 p.m. Sunday. 

Heavy snow is possible with total snow accumulations of 2-6 inches possible. An earlier forecast said between 5-12 inches. According to the National Weather Service, travel could be difficult to impossible. 

U.S. 127 blocked…

Strong winds forced a semi-truck on its side Wednesday afternoon. It happened shortly after 2 p.m. on U.S. 127 just south of Ohio 709 and the mishap blocked both lanes for nearly 90 minutes. The Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol responded, along with Ohio City Fire and EMS, ODOT and Van Wert County CERT. Bob Barnes photo

Ceremony at Fountain Park canceled

VW independent staff

Mother Nature has had the final say. Due to high winds, the Christmas at Fountain Park opening night ceremony, scheduled for 6 p.m. tonight has been canceled.

“The safety of our community, volunteers and equipment comes first,” a statement said. “While we were excited to kick off the holiday season with you, the weather simply isn’t cooperating.”

Because of the ongoing weather conditions, it’s not known when the park will be lit up. The Christmas at Fountain Park Facebook page will have updates, along with the VW independent.

The live reindeer that was scheduled to be at Fountain Park tonight has been rescheduled for 6:30-8:30 p.m. Sunday, December 7.