Nearly $800,000 raised so far in Ohio Senate seat race

Paulding man enters Ohio House race

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

A second person has entered the race for the 82nd District seat in the Ohio House of Representatives.

Christopher Elder of Paulding filed his petitions to run on Tuesday. The petitions were filed with the Putnam County Board of Elections, the most populous county in the 82nd District, which also includes all of Paulding and Van Wert counties, along with the southern half of Defiance County. Elder is running as a Libertarian.

“I am excited to offer constituents in the district a different option from the normal status quo,” Elder said while announcing his candicacy. “I believe your personal liberties are yours, and the government’s involvement needs to be limited and transparent.”

Elder also noted his key issues in the upcoming race:

• Ranked choice voting: Allowing greater freedom for voters to be satisfied with members elected to public office.
• Abolish property taxes: Why must Ohioans continue paying copious amounts on something they already own? Seeking alternative community ways to fund local services is the answer, not paying a subscription fee to live in your own home.
• Increased citizen control of government: There is currently no option in Ohio to recall elected officials like the Governor or members of the Ohio House. When your public officials fail you, you should be able to remove and replace them. Otherwise, it’s like buying an item from a store with a “no return” policy. 

Currently, just one other person has filed petitions to run for the Ohio House seat – incumbent Republican Roy Klopfenstein of Haviland, who is seeking his third term in office. The filing deadline is 4 p.m. today. If no one else files, there will be no primary run-off and both Elder and Klopfenstein will square off in November.

Crestview kindergarten registration info

Submitted information

CONVOY — Crestview Local Schools will hold kindergarten registration for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year from Monday, March 2 through Friday, March 6.

Parents or guardians residing in the Crestview School District with a child five years of age on or before August 19, 2026, may register their child for kindergarten for the 2026-2027 school year. Parents/guardians requesting open enrollment for their kindergarten student to the Crestview School District should also register at this time.

Parents/guardians with a preschool student currently enrolled in the Crestview Early Childhood Center and transitioning into kindergarten for the 2026-2027 school year can register their child for kindergarten by going to www.crestviewknights.com and filling out the Kindergarten Registration Form Survey.

Parents/guardians who are new to the district and would like to register their child for kindergarten can come to the Crestview Early Childhood Center the week of March 2-6 during the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Please enter through Door #1, which is the main entrance.

When registering your child for kindergarten, parents/guardians will need to bring with them the following documents: the child’s certified birth certificate, the child’s immunization record, custody papers (if applicable), and one proof of residency document (mortgage statement, lease agreement, voter registration card, utility statement, bank statement, or rent receipt). A post office box cannot validate residency requirements.

Delphos residents should conserve water

VW independent staff

DELPHOS — Delphos officials are asking residents to conserve water.

Safety-Service Director Adam Haunhorst said due to the extended drought throughout the region, the city’s water supply has been drawn down to 50 percent of usable capacity.

“We are asking that the citizens of Delphos help to conserve water during this period to help prolong the supply of available water until normal weather conditions return,” he said.

Examples of conservation include:

• Refrain from washing cars
• Shorten showers
• Refrain from running dishwashers or washing machines until full
• Do not run taps constantly while washing dishes or brushing teeth
• Fix any known water leaks and be vigilant for water leaks developing

Haunhorst also said if conditions don’t improve, the city may need to implement Phase II drought protocol.

Honor Flight releases 2026 schedule

VW independent staff/submitted information

FINDLAY — Flag City Honor Flight’s 2026 schedule features three trips to Washington, D.C. – April 14, June 9, and September 15. The flights will depart from the Eugene F. Kranz Toledo Express Airport

Priority will be given to terminally ill veterans, followed by others in the order their applications were received. Eligibility includes those who served from World War II through the Vietnam War. Flag City Honor Flight serves northwest Ohio, including Van Wert and Paulding counties.

In addition, Flag City Honor Flight has a new leader this year. Will Miller is now president, succeeding Steve Schult. Miller has been a board member since 2012 and has been a part of every flight Flag City Honor Flight has taken. His previous roles have included vice president and media director.

“I am excited to move into the leadership role of this great organization,” Miller stated. “Getting a chance to thank and honor these veterans has been the single greatest highlight of my life. I look forward to moving this organization into the future and to impact as many veterans’ lives as we can.” 

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Schult for his years of service to FCHF and its veterans,” he added. “His leadership has taken this organization to new levels and has guided us to unbelievable success.” 

Schult plans to continue to volunteer for Flag City Honor Flight at welcome home events.

Flag City Honor Flight, Inc. is a 100 percent volunteer-run organization dedicated to providing veterans in northwest Ohio and surrounding areas with the opportunity to visit their war memorials in Washington, D.C., at no cost. Supported by charitable donations, these annual flights honor America’s heroes and their sacrifices for our nation’s freedom. FCHF serves veterans from World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War eras.

Involvement opportunities

• Flag City Honor Flight has created a sponsored package to promote corporate and personal flight sponsorships.
• Community members are invited to donate via the website (flagcityhonorflight.org) or by check.
• Individuals or groups interested in volunteering at welcome home celebrations or hosting third-party fundraisers can connect with the organization throughout the year.

YWCA to hold annual women’s dinner

VW independent staff/submitted information

YWCA of Van Wert County will host its annual Women of Achievement Scholarship Dinner at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 26, at Willow Bend Country Club in Van Wert.

This year’s honorees include:

• Professional Leadership: Terra Bonifas, Rachel Davis, and Jamie Evans
• Women’s Empowerment: Alex Giessler
• Volunteerism: Kendra Heffelfinger
• Youth Development: Christie Wendel
• Civic Dedication: Teresa Shaffer
• Overcoming Adversity: Rochelle Campbell, Destinee Hough, and Amberlin Somerton.

“The Women of Achievement Scholarship Dinner is our favorite event of the year,” said Julie Schaufelberger, YWCA Director of Outreach and Communications. “It is an honor to celebrate and recognize these ten women for their accomplishments, impact and commitment within our community,”

Three young women will also receive their YWCA scholarship awards at the dinner. Those finalists have yet to be decided and will be announced in mid- February.

Paula Stabler, MSN, RN and President of Ohio Health, has been named emcee for this year’s event. Stabler is a strategic, results-driven healthcare leader with extensive experience in clinical and operational management. She is proud of her journey from patient care technician to hospital president and her dedication to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care close to home. Stabler is committed to strengthening the Van Wert community and mentoring future professionals. She serves on the YWCA of Van Wert County board, supporting the organization’s mission to empower and uplift women and their families throughout the community.

Gas prices fall over last seven days

VW independent staff/submitted information

Average gasoline prices in Ohio have fallen 15.1 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.70 per gallon on Monday, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 5,345 stations in Ohio. Prices in Ohio are 12.6 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and stand 13.9 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has decreased 4.2 cents compared to a week ago and stands at $3.585 per gallon.
 
According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Ohio was priced at $2.15 per gallon on Sunday, while the most expensive was $3.45 per gallon, a difference of $1.30 per gallon.

In Van Wert, pump prices varied widely on Monday afternoon, ranging from $2.66 at Murphy USA (Wal-Mart) to $2.99 at Lassus Handy Dandy and Tyler’s Short Stop.

The national average price of gasoline has fallen 0.9 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.83 per gallon on Monday. The national average is up 3.9 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 21.3 cents per gallon lower than a year ago, according to GasBuddy data compiled from more than 11 million weekly price reports covering over 150,000 gas stations across the country.

“While oil prices jumped to their highest level in months amid geopolitical tensions, a weakening U.S. dollar, and supply concerns, the national average price of gasoline saw little change compared to a week ago,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “Just over half of states saw gas prices decline, led by Indiana, Ohio, and other price-cycling states that had previously seen prices jump but have since started to fall. Meanwhile, prices are rising across much of the West Coast as the transition to summer gasoline begins and attention turns to another refinery shutdown in California expected in April. Over the coming weeks, we’re likely to see more states experiencing increases than decreases.”

VWHS holding parent-teacher conferences

Submitted information

Van Wert High School Principal Chuck Rollins has announced that parent-teacher conferences for the second semester will be held from 4:30-7 p.m. Monday, February 16.

Parent-teacher conferences allow parents the opportunity to discuss their son/daughter’s progress in school with their child’s teachers. Members of the teaching staff welcome and encourage parents to visit the school during the scheduled hours.

Plan to park in the far west parking lots toward the back of the school and enter via the high school gymnasium entrance.

UNOH students headed to Super Bowl LX

VW independent staff/submitted information

LIMA — 11 University of Northwestern Ohio Sport Marketing and Management students, accompanied by two professors, are set to showcase their skills on a national stage at Super Bowl LX in San Francisco, California. The internship, hosted by the NFL and the Bay Area Host Committee, will have students actively participating in events leading up to the big game between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks this Sunday, February 8.

The list of students includes Chase Heitkamp of Rockford and Hayden Haman of Spencerville. The remaining nine students attending the internship experience are Tess Denning of Dalton; Marquette Derrick-Rowles of Fort Wayne; Veronica Valentine of Upper Sandusky; Kyle Drazil of Northfield; Lane Kerby of Lewisburg; Jacob Taylor of Kenton; Mallory Horvath of Bellbrook; Daniel Booker of West Milton, and Ethan Klepper of Fort Wayne.

The students’ primary assignment involves volunteering at the Super Bowl Experience, a dynamic, interactive pro football theme park at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. The Super Bowl Experience features interactive games, youth football clinics, merchandise shops, autograph sessions with NFL players, photo opportunities with the Vince Lombardi trophy, and unique fan experiences such as the 40-yard dash and vertical jump games, where fans compete against NFL players on an LED screen. As ambassadors for the event, the students will play a crucial role in assisting visitors, answering questions, and ensuring a friendly and enjoyable atmosphere for the expected one million visitors.

Working closely with the Bay Area Host Committee, the centralized planning group for Super Bowl LX, the students will gain hands-on experience in planning, organizing, and supporting activities that enhance the overall Super Bowl experience for the city, state, and region.

Yarger receives judge appointment

VW independent staff/submitted information

COLUMBUS — Governor Mike DeWine today announced the appointment of Van Wert County Prosecutor Eva J. Yarger to fill the vacancy in the Van Wert Court of Common Pleas, Probate and Juvenile Division.

Yarger, of Van Wert, will assume office on February 17, 2026, and will take the seat formerly held by Judge Kevin H. Taylor, who retired December 31, 2025. She will serve the remainder of the unfinished term and must run for election in November, 2026 to retain the seat. Before that, she has an opponent in the May 5 Republican primary election — Van Wert County Commissioner and local attorney Todd Wolfrum. A third candidate, Van Wert Law Director John Hatcher, withdrew from the race.

“I appreciate the confidence the Governor has shown in me,” Yarger said.

Yarger has served as the prosecutor for Van Wert County since 2017. She began her law career in 1989, when she served as an associate for local law office Johnson & Burchfield. In 1993, Yarger served as an associate at Hatcher, Diller, Rice & Beebe. In 1997, Yarger joined Young, Taylor, Steele, and Yarger as a partner, which later became Young & Yarger, while also serving as an assistant prosecutor for the Van Wert County Prosecutor’s Office from 1996 to 2017. In 2017, Yarger left Young & Yarger to serve as a full-time assistant prosecutor in Allen County for several months.  

In 1986, Yarger received a bachelor’s degree in political science and minors in English and economics from The Ohio State University. She received her juris doctorate from Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, formerly the Arizona State University College of Law in 1989.

Turning a gift into a library system

Editor’s note: Last month, Dave Brumback, great-great-grandson of J.S. Brumback, shared the story of his family and his ancestor’s dream of a library that belonged to the entire county. But a dream alone does not build a public institution (see story here). This month’s article looks at what happened next: the laws, levies, negotiations, and shared commitments that turned a family gift into a living, countywide library system.

By Dave Brumback

Laws, Levies, & Learning: From Heirs’ Proposal to County Library

Turning J.S.’s gift into a county institution required more than architecture. It required argument, compromise and yes, the slow work of politics. His heirs wanted the library to serve every township, a county resource rather than only a town memorial.

That idea raised practical questions that could have sunk the project: Who would own the building? Who would pay the bills? How could remote farmhouses receive books as easily as a downtown storefront?

What followed was neighborhood politics at its best, citizens rolling up their sleeves and figuring things out. Township trustees, school boards, church groups, and farmers’ associations all had a seat at the table. Some argued for modest levies; others feared burdening farmers. They negotiated small levies and inter-town lending arrangements that spread cost and benefit. A county library also needed trained staff, standardized circulation records, and procedures for branch rooms, traveling collections, or rotating stock to serve rural borrowers.

I remember my older relatives describing those meetings like a relay race: one group proposed a compromise, the next took it further, and a legal scholar shaped it into text that would hold under changing governments.

The result wasn’t the triumph of a single mind but was an institutional compromise: private seed money planted into public soil and bound with public commitments so the work could continue long after one family or board had moved on.

Covenant in Stone: The Contract That Built a Community Anchor

J.S. Brumback died on December 14, 1897.  While he never saw his dream come to fruition, he had laid the groundwork. His final wish, surrounded by family, was that his heirs complete the agreement and build the library from his estate. Through their love for their father and a shared vision of his dream, they agreed to use their inheritance to make his dream a reality.

When they finally wrote the agreement, they were determined the gift would be a living thing. The City of Van Wert donated the land, a quiet parcel in a wooded park, making the location public before a single stone was set. I still imagine city elders walking the plot with J.S.’s Heirs, the soft sound of leaves as if the maples endorsing the choice. That land donation turned a private memorial into a shared place and asked the county to become partner in care.

The contract reads like a checklist for a generous machine. J.S.’s heirs provided the building and an endowment, the Ladies’ Library Association offered books and furnishings, and the county agreed to accept and maintain the whole. On paper it looks like legal choreography; in life it is a covenant that divided responsibility so no one hand could take the library hostage.