SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
A delay in the opening of the Vantage Academy of Medical Careers didn’t sit well with the Vantage Career Center Board of Education.
Last month, the board was informed that instead of August 1, which was the original target date for completion, the building housing the academy would be ready September 29. During Thursday night’s regular monthly meeting, Alexander and Bebout President Sara Zura gave a brief update and said the building remains on schedule for a September 29 opening.
However, Vantage Board President Tim Fitzpatrick (Fort Jennings) voiced the board’s displeasure with the near two month delay from the stated date of August 1.
“I’m glad that it’s moving along but there’s frustration from the board that it wasn’t done on time,” Fitzpatrick told Zura. “When you have that expectation that it’s going to be August 1, that gives the teachers and kids the chance to come into a clean environment without construction. How can we certify that September 29 we’re going to get those keys?”
Fitzpatrick also referred back to late June, when the board did a walk through of the building and was told work would be complete by August 1.
“That was really not the realistic aspect of it,” he said.
“We had some hurdles, kind of blind spots for us,” Zura responded. “We can’t go back and change it, all we can do is learn from it and give you guys the best product that we can give you.”
She added plans are in place and progress is continuing as expected toward the revised completion date.
Board member Karen Grothouse (Delphos) said she spoke with several teachers who were frustrated by the delay and will have to give up a weekend to come in and prepare their classrooms before the building opens.
“I don’t know if your company has given any thought to what you want to do…they’re giving some of their time that they typically wouldn’t have to do,” Grothouse said. “If that was my company I would want to do something for the teachers and apologizing to the teachers for missing the boat – here’s lunch or something.”
(more…)POSTED: 09/03/26 at 9:00 pm
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Van Wert City Schools will hold a re-dedication ceremony for Eggerss Stadium on Friday, September 18, prior to the 7 p.m. kickoff of the Van Wert Cougars’ game against the Defiance Bulldogs.
The ceremony will take place exactly 90 years after Eggerss Stadium was originally dedicated on September 18, 1936. The iconic downtown stadium has gone through four phases of renovations, inside and out.
For nine decades, Eggerss Stadium has been an important part of Van Wert and Cougar football. The recent renovation was made possible through passage of a 20-year, 1.15 mill bond issue in 2022, along with the generosity and support of individuals, families, businesses, and organizations throughout the community.
The re-dedication will honor the stadium’s history, recognize those who helped make the renovation possible, and celebrate its future. Fans are encouraged to arrive early and be part of this special night as Van Wert celebrates 90 years of Eggerss Stadium.
Additional details regarding the ceremony will be shared closer to the event.
POSTED: 09/03/26 at 8:56 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
COLUMBUS — The Ohio Traffic Safety Office will activate “Project Plan Ahead” in the state’s metro counties over Labor Day weekend, offering thousands of Ohioans access to free rideshare credits to prevent impaired driving during one of the highest risk holiday travel periods in the state.
Project Plan Ahead provides up to $15 in free Uber or Lyft ride share credits, giving drivers a reliable and convenient alternative to driving impaired by alcohol or drugs. Ride credits can be redeemed between 5 p.m. and 3 a.m. from September 4-8. Rides must originate in or have a destination within one of seven participating counties:
- Butler (Hamilton)
- Cuyahoga (Cleveland)
- Franklin (Columbus)
- Hamilton (Cincinnati)
- Lucas (Toledo)
- Montgomery (Dayton)
- Summit (Akron)
OTSO is committed to reducing preventable tragedies on Ohio roadways. Project Plan Ahead coincides with the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement campaign, which also runs through Labor Day. OTSO provides federal grant funding to eligible law enforcement agencies across the state to participate in this campaign which combines high-visibility enforcement with public education about impaired driving.
In 2025, the Labor Day reporting period saw 27 people killed in 23 crashes in Ohio – a 35 percent increase from the previous year. Among those fatal crashes, 15 were OVI-related – resulting in 17 deaths. Over the past five Labor Day holiday reporting periods, Franklin (96), Cuyahoga (79), and Lucas (77) counties recorded the highest numbers of OVI-related crashes. Together, these three counties accounted for 30 percent of OVI-related crashes during that time.
(more…)POSTED: 09/03/26 at 8:56 pm. FILED UNDER: News
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OHIO CITY — The next regular Liberty Township Trustees meeting will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday, September 9, instead of the usual time of Monday, September 7, This is due to the Labor Holiday. Meetings are held at the Township Office at Ohio City.
POSTED: 09/03/26 at 8:55 pm. FILED UNDER: News
\The annual cheerleading competition took over the grandstand area at the Van Wert County Fairgrounds Wednesday night. Cheer squads of various ages from Van Wert, Lincolnview, Crestview and other area schools took part in the competition. Tonight’s grandstand attraction is the high school band show, which will begin at 7 p.m. Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent
POSTED: 09/03/26 at 1:49 pm. FILED UNDER: News
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
A special state audit has revealed that the former director of the Brumback Library repaid more than $15,000, after it was discovered he used a library credit card for personal purchases.
Details of the investigation into John Carr are included in a report released on Tuesday by the Auditor of State’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU). Carr served as library director from July of 1992 through his retirement in August of 2023.
SIU launched its investigation based on concerns raised by the Van Wert County Prosecutor’s Office that Carr was making personal purchases using the library’s Amazon credit card. After the information obtained from interviews and preliminary examination of Amazon records was considered, a special audit was declared by the Auditor of State.
The report states that SIU reviewed nearly 15,000 credit card purchases made between November of 2017 and October of 2022 and determined that 481 items totaling $15,322.27 were made by Carr for personal use, including $9,668.92 in kitchenware and $1,932.45 worth of clothing.
“Based on the special audit procedures and investigation, the Auditor of State confirmed the allegation that John Carr purchased items for his personal benefit over a span of five years,” the audit report states.
The special audit report included a finding for recovery for that amount and noted that Carr had repaid the total under audit, including $6,683.78 paid directly to the credit card account and $8,638.49 paid to the county.
The Van Wert County Prosecutor’s Office appointed an SIU attorney as special prosecutor in the case. At the conclusion of the special audit, SIU declined to pursue criminal charges.
The special audit report is available online at ohioauditor.gov/auditsearch/search.aspx.
(more…)POSTED: 09/02/26 at 8:33 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff
Three defendants were sentenced for various crimes during hearings held in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court on Wednesday, while in a separate and unrelated case, a man was found competent to stand trial. Judge Martin D. Burchfield presided over each of the hearings.
Cainan Burnett, 28, Van Wert, was sentenced to 6-9 years prison with credit for 184 days already served for aggravated possession of drugs, a second degree felony. He also also ordered to pay court costs and $7,500 fine. Burnett was arrested in early March after he was caught with what a bulk amount of meth during an early morning traffic stop on N. Washington St. He entered a no contest plea in July.
Tristan Thompson, 20, of Celina, was sentenced to 36 months in prison for abduction, a third degree felony; 36 months for having weapons under disability, a third degree felony, and 180 days in jail for assault, a first degree misdemeanor. The sentences will be served concurrently and Thompson was given credit for 119 days already served. He was also ordered to pay court costs.
Dylan Slagle, 22, of Van Wert, was sentenced to up to six months at the WORTH Center, three years of community control, 30 days in the county jail at a later date and 100 hours of community service for disseminating matter harmful to juveniles, a fifth degree felony. He was ordered to seek and maintain employment, undergo a substance abuse assessment and treatment, and was ordered to pay partial appointed counsel fees, monthly probation fees and court costs.
Tyler Pessefall, 28, of Van Wert, was found competent to stand trial after an evaluation at Court Diagnostic in Toledo; A pre-trial conference was scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, September 23. Pessefall is charged with strangulation, a fifth degree felony, and assault, a first degree misdemeanor, stemming from an incident in early May.
POSTED: 09/02/26 at 8:30 pm. FILED UNDER: News
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
There’s a new development in a lawsuit filed by a Van Wert man against his neighbor, who is a convicted sex offender.
Attorney Steven L. Crossmack, who is representing the plaintiff, is asking Visiting Judge Stephen R. Bruns to dismiss the case. Because of the nature of the matter (child sex offense), the VW independent has chosen not to publish the plaintiff’s name, even though it’s public record.
A notice of dismissal without prejudice was filed with the court on Tuesday. If granted, a dismissal without prejudice means the case could be refiled in the future.
The motion came approximately three weeks after the attorney representing David Bradford filed a motion seeking a dismissal (see story here).
Crossmack did not respond to a request for comment on his dismissal motion.
POSTED: 09/02/26 at 8:28 pm. FILED UNDER: News
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The Van Wert Service Club is making its last call for ticket sales for its upcoming Reverse Drawing, set for Saturday, September 19, at Walnut & Main Event Space, 223 E. Main St. in downtown Van Wert. The event is also listed on the Visit Van Wert community calendar.
This year’s event is extra special as the Van Wert Service Club celebrates 40 years of supporting and serving the Van Wert community.
The evening will begin with a happy hour at 5 p.m., followed by dinner at 6 p.m. The reverse drawing will take place following dinner, with one lucky ticket holder having the opportunity to walk away with the $10,000 grand prize.
Tickets are $135 each, and anyone interested is encouraged to purchase soon before they are gone.
Proceeds from the event help the Van Wert Service Club continue its long tradition of giving back and supporting the local community.
For tickets or additional information, contact Mark Schumm at 419.203.0010, Jay Gamble at 419.203.2234, Keaton Brown at 419.516.7358, or Brian Greve at 419.203.1470.
Tickets can also be purchased through Venmo at @MARK-SCHUMM-1.
POSTED: 09/02/26 at 8:28 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
A local highway patrol trooper and one other person were inured in a three-vehicle crash on U.S. 30.
According to OSHP spokesman Sgt. Ryan Purpura, the accident occurred shortly before 12 p.m. Monday on westbound U.S. 30 near the Marsh Road overpass in Van Wert.
A marked OSHP Dodge Durango, operated by a trooper, was following a slow-moving construction vehicle in the right lane on U.S. 30 when it was struck in the rear by a GMC Terrain. After impact, the GMC then struck a Ford F-150 in the left lane.
The trooper and the driver of the GMC, both sustained minor injuries and were transported by ambulance to OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital. The occupants of the F-150 were not injured.
The emergency lights on the OSHP Dodge Durango were in operation at the time of the crash.
This accident remains under investigation.
POSTED: 09/02/26 at 11:09 am. FILED UNDER: News
The 170th annual Van Wert County Fair got underway on Tuesday and it was a day packed full of various events and all kinds of fun. The fair continues today and it’s Senior Citizens Day, with free admission for anyone 60 and over until 4 p.m. Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent
POSTED: 09/02/26 at 6:18 am. FILED UNDER: News
