RSVPs requested for CHP dinner and charity auction

Flood waters pose danger…

Flooding continues to be a problem in southwest Van Wert County, especially in the Willshire and Wren areas. Shown above is Ohio 49 looking north from the intersection of Ohio 81 and U.S. 33. Shown below is the bridge over the St. Marys River looking west, along with photos of more flooding in the affected area. At least one person needed assistance after driving by barricades and getting stuck in high water this morning. Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent

Flood water danger…

After moving “road closed” barricades and driving around them, this car became stuck in flood water on Harner Rd. between Ohio 81 and U.S. 33 Saturday morning. Wren Fire and EMS was dispatched just before 10:30 a.m. and Willshire Fire also responded. According to Wren Fire Chief Chris High, the Decatur (IN) Fire Department was initially called for mutual aid for a boat, but the request was canceled after the occupants of the car got out and walked to dry land. According to High, the depth of the water was believed to be 3-4 feet. He strongly encouraged people to obey road closures until the water recedes. Wren Fire Department photo

Retired teachers group sets fall meeting

Submitted information

The Van Wert Area Retired Teachers Association will meet for their fall luncheon program at 12 p.m. Friday, October 9, in the recently-opened Marsh Foundation Equine Center on Lincoln Highway. The Equine Center paved parking lot is located off of Stripe Road.

The luncheon meal will be prepared by Collins Fine Foods and includes a hot BBQ pork sandwich, pasta salad, fruit cup, and a cookie. The meal cost is $11 with a meal reservation needed by Wednesday, October 7. Meal reservations may be made by contacting Jean Minnig at 419.203.0642 or via email, jaminnig@hotmail.com.

The guest speaker will be Marsh Foundation Facilities Marketing Director Bailey Carder. She will share the vision for The Marsh Foundation Equine Center and conduct a facility tour for attendees.

A brief business meeting will be held following the tour.

OSHP releases results of OVI checkpoint

VW independent staff/submitted information

Troopers with the Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol made contact with 200 drivers during an OVI checkpoint that was conducted  between 6-8 p.m. this past Friday on W. 5th St. in Delphos

No vehicles were diverted, but during and after the checkpoint, saturation patrols were conducted to combat impaired driver-related injury and fatal crashes. During the saturation patrols, 15 vehicles were stopped for traffic violations, with one driver found to be impaired and arrested for OVI.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol reminds you to call #677 if you suspect an impaired driver.

NatureFest event planned for October

VW independent staff/submitted information

PAULDING — Ohio State University Extension, the Paulding County Master Gardener Volunteers, Paulding County 4-H, Girl Scouts, and Boy Scouts invite community members of all ages to attend NatureFest from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, October 10, at the Paulding County Extension Building and Youth Leadership Building, 503 Fairground Drive, Paulding.

NatureFest is a free community event celebrating nature, environmental stewardship, gardening, and youth development. Attendees can learn from local experts through presentations on winterizing lawn equipment, composting, tree care, and disease management, while enjoying hands-on nature activities for youth and families.

As a first-of-its-kind event in Paulding County, NatureFest brings together environmental education, gardening, youth development, and family fun in one location. The event is designed to connect residents of all ages with nature while showcasing local opportunities to learn new skills, become engaged in the community, and support environmental stewardship.

A highlight of the event will be the Paulding County Master Gardener Volunteer Native Plant Sale, featuring a variety of native perennials and other plants well suited for Northwest Ohio landscapes.

The Paulding County Master Gardener Volunteers will offer a selection of native plants that provide beauty and environmental benefits to local landscapes. Native plants are naturally adapted to Ohio’s growing conditions, making them an excellent choice for homeowners seeking sustainable landscaping options.

Native plants generally require less maintenance once established because they are accustomed to local rainfall, soils, and climate conditions. They also play an important role in supporting pollinators such as bees and butterflies while providing food and habitat for birds and other wildlife. Many of the plants available for purchase will be perennials, which return each year from established root systems and provide years of enjoyment and ecological benefits.

Whether visitors are seasoned gardeners or planting their first flower bed, the Native Plant Sale will offer an opportunity to enhance their landscape while supporting local educational and conservation efforts.

NatureFest will also showcase opportunities for young people and families to become involved in 4-H, Boy Scouts, and Girl Scouts, with local volunteers and leaders available to answer questions and help new members get connected.

4-H members gain experience through projects ranging from agriculture and livestock to science, technology, healthy living, and leadership. Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts encourage character development, citizenship, outdoor skills, goal setting, and service to others. These experiences help youth discover their interests, develop a sense of belonging, and build lifelong friendships.

Rain affecting work on roundabout

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

Mother Nature might have put a bit of a damper on an ongoing road construction project, as recent rains could delay the opening of Van Wert’s second roundabout by a handful of days.

It’s being built at the intersection of U.S. 224 and Lincoln Highway, just west of the Van Wert city limits. The intersection closed in late July and was scheduled to reopen with the new roundabout in late September, but rainy weather has slowed progress.

“At this point, the project has had eight rain days, which could add up to eight additional days before reopening,” ODOT District 1 Public Information Officer Cheri Newton said. “The original schedule had the roundabout opening late next week, but the weather has pushed the timeline. One concern is the planned closure of John Brown Road beginning on Monday, September 21.”

“We certainly want to avoid having John Brown Road and Lincoln Highway closed at the same time as much as possible, however, with more rain in the forecast next week, the exact reopening date is difficult to predict,” she added. “The good news is that, despite the weather, we’re happy with the progress being made and are hopeful the roundabout will open relatively close to the original schedule.”

Motorists should be aware that John Brown Rd. is slated to close on Monday and is to remain closed until early November for the next phase of work on a new restricted crossing U-turn (RCUT). The first phase of RCUT construction, an extended right-turn late from U.S. 30 onto John Brown Rd., was completed several weeks ago.

Annual NSCC golf outing a big success

VW independent staff/submitted information

Northwest State Community College hosted its sixth annual Van Wert Campus Golf Outing on Friday, September 11, at Hickory Sticks Golf Club in Van Wert. 124 participants enjoyed a fun day of golf, games and prizes, all in an effort to raise NSCC scholarship dollars for Paulding and Van Wert learners. Nearly $20,000 was raised as a result of the fundraiser. In total, over $86,000 has been raised by the six golf outings.

The money raised will go towards scholarships specifically for Paulding and Van Wert learners. NSCC has awarded nearly $2 million in total Foundation scholarships the past two years.

“Paulding and Van Wert County students will benefit from these scholarships, and from the generosity shown by the local communities at this golf outing,” said Robbin Wilcox, Executive Director of the NSCC Foundation.

NSCC President Dr. Todd Hernandez provided remarks about the Van Wert Campus,and its ongoing service to the community’s workforce development. Hernandez also offered his gratitude for the first responders in attendance, as well as Danfoss for their ongoing support to Northwest State and in the community.

Danfoss was the presenting sponsor and Senior Director Jantzen Hinton, also provided brief remarks thanking the attendees and the sponsors and talking about the growing impact of Danfoss in the community.

“Danfoss is fully invested into the families and the community here, and you will see and hear more from us in the next 12 to 18 months,” he said.

Northwest State serves a six-county service area of Williams, Fulton, Defiance, Henry, Paulding and Van Wert counties. Nearly 25 percent of the six-county population resides in Paulding and Van Wert counties. The new NSCC Van Wert Campus is open, and currently hosting fall classes.

The NSCC Foundation was established in 1978 to provide support for the students, people and programs of NSCC. The Foundation works diligently to raise funds for educational opportunities that directly and indirectly impact students. More information is available online at NorthwestState.edu/foundation.

Crestview homecoming court…

The 2026 Crestview Homecoming Court will be presented at 6:30 p.m. Friday, September 25, prior to the football game against Allen East. 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 Buff Puff volleyball game in the elementary gym. The homecoming dance for all high school students will take place Saturday evening at the school. Members of the court (row 1): sophomore Evie Williman, junior Alecta Baxter, senior queen candidates Hailey Logan, Alison Owens and Macie Dickman, and freshman Drew Finkhousen. Row 2: sophomore Corbett Roth, junior Cooper Miller, senior king candidates CJ Speelman and Kale Vining, and freshman Calin Balliet. Absent: senior Nate Mitchener. Photo submitted

AG Wilson addresses Flock cameras

VW independent staff

COLUMBUS — Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson has let his feeling be known about the use of Flock license plate reader technology by law enforcement agencies around the state and what the consequences should be for those who misuse it.

In a statement issued this week, Wilson said law enforcement relies on technology, and Ohioans rely on law enforcement to leverage technology to society’s benefit and he said there is no question that technological advances have changed the landscape for law enforcement.

“Body-worn cameras, acoustic gunshot detection systems, and other devices allow peace officers to more effectively – and safely – carry out their duties in today’s world,” Wilson said. “Technology expands peace officers’ reach and helps protect communities, even when an officer is not present. Law enforcement has an obligation to use technology that enhances public safety.”

He then referred specificially to Flock, an automatic license plate reader, and said license plate recognition systems are tools of identification designed to assist in criminal investigations.

“They are not tools of surveillance,” he stated. “When used properly, Flock is one of the most valuable tools I have seen in my career. In Ohio alone, it has helped solve thousands of cases, often by helping law enforcement track down violent criminals and locate missing children.”

“By and large, Flock is used appropriately and effectively to accomplish a great deal of good,” he continued. “But, like any other high-tech tool that law enforcement depends on, it is only as effective as the person operating it and interpreting the data. There are some officers with bad intentions who have misused Flock.”

Old electric railway to be discussed

Submitted information

CONVOY — The history of a once-busy electric railway that connected communities across northwest Ohio and northeast Indiana will be the focus of a public program hosted by the Convoy Historical Society.

The presentation, scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday, October 4, at the Convoy Opera House, will feature Bill Van Doren of Miamisburg. He’ll speak about the Fort Wayne, Van Wert and Lima Traction Company, commonly known as the interurban rail line.

Beginning in 1905, the interurban offered area residents a clean, comfortable and efficient way to travel at a time when transportation options were more limited. The electric cars could reach speeds of 60 miles per hour and served 71 marked stops between Lima and Fort Wayne.

On busy special-event days, a single car could carry as many as 150 passengers. The program also will revisit a dramatic Easter Sunday accident in 1910, when residents of Convoy heard the grinding crash of a rail accident followed by the ringing of the fire bell.

Attendees will hear the rest of that story, along with a broader look at the traction line’s history and its role in shaping regional travel before operations ended in 1933.

The public is invited to attend. The event is free, and donations will be accepted. The Convoy Opera House is located at 111 S. Main St.