SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
Judging by its collective resume, the Lincolnview High School Class of 2025 has already enjoyed many significant accomplishments, all while preparing for the future.
Of the 72 seniors who received diplomas at the school’s 65th annual commencement service on Sunday, 44 plan on pursuing higher education, 21 will go directly to the workforce, four are entering the military and four others are undecided.
Those who spoke at Sunday’s gathering described the Class of 2025 as one that has enjoyed many good memories and one that is ready to answer new challenges that lie ahead.
“Today we stand together, ready to toss our caps in the air and step into the future,” Class President Ella Davis said to graduates and to those in attedance. “This class is built differently – we’re a group of dreamers, doers and difference makers. Whether you’re headed to college, the workforce, the military or an entirely different adventure, carry with you the lessons you’ve learned, not just from tests, but from each other. This is the last time we will be together like this, as classmates, as teammates, as best friends…the halls we’ve walked, the classrooms we’ve sat in and the moments we’ve shared, it’s shaped us and made us who we are today and while we may be headed in different directions, the bonds we’ve built will always remain the same.”
Valedictorian Lindsey Hatcher and Salutatorian Trace Klausing reflected on the past and looked ahead and spoke of future opportunities, while sharing what has made the entire graduating class special.
“I am truly proud to stand here and call myself a Lincolnview alumni,” Klausing told his fellow graduates. “One thing I’ll remember about my classmates is their competitiveness. Our class has always been so competitive when it comes to academics and athletics.”
(more…)POSTED: 05/18/25 at 8:39 pm
Submitted information
The Tully Township Trustees regularly scheduled meeting for tonight (Monday, May 19) has been moved to 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 21 at the Tully Township Building.
POSTED: 05/19/25 at 10:23 am. FILED UNDER: News
The Van Wert County Sheriff’s Department and Convoy Fire & EMS Rescue, along with an EMS squad from Van Wert were dispatched to John Brown and Union Pleasant Rd shortly before 9:30 p.m. Sunday to an accident at the jog in the road. The vehicle was southbound on John Brown Rd. and failed to negotiate the curve and ran into a ditch. The driver was able to get out of the van but three minors were trapped inside. Upon arrival, Convoy firefighters quickly freed them. Convoy EMS transported the injured passengers to OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital. Bob Barnes/VWFD photographer
POSTED: 05/19/25 at 5:33 am. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff and submitted information
Van Wert High School Principal Chuck Rollins has announced that the school will be hold its graduation ceremony for the Class of 2025 at 2 p.m. this Sunday, May 25, in the high school gymnasium.
Parking will be available in both the west parking lots (high school and middle school). Open entrances at the school are the high school main and gym entrances, and the middle school gym entrance. The doors will open to the public at 1 p.m.
Tickets will be collected at the door for family members to attend graduation.
POSTED: 05/18/25 at 8:39 pm. FILED UNDER: News
The Convoy Fire Department responded to a barn fire on State Line Rd. at approximately 5:30 p.m. Saturday. An immediate request for mutual aid went out to area departments, with manpower and equipment requested from Van Wert, Payne, Wren and Monroeville (IN). The barn burned very quickly, but the blaze was contained to the structure with some damage vinyl sideing on a nearby garage. Firefighters were at the scene for about two hours. Bob Barnes/VWFD photographer
POSTED: 05/18/25 at 8:38 pm. FILED UNDER: News
By Greg Yinger/special to the VW independent
In honor of National Nurses Week, which was May 6-12, CHP Home Care & Hospice offered a “blessing of the hands” — a centuries-old tradition meant to honor the vital role nurses play in healing and compassion.
“Blessing of the Hands” ceremonies are now fairly commonplace during Nurse’s Week. Human touch is such a crucial part of health care. Blessing of the hands with oils or water is a way to acknowledge that importance, while also honoring the spiritual aspects found in physical care.
The idea came from Colleen Quickery, the administrator of Hearth & Home in Van Wert.
CHP chaplain Steve Haddix performed about 240 blessings for staff at various health care offices and facilities in Van Wert and surrounding counties as well as at CHP offices in Delphos, Lima, Paulding, and Van Wert. Haddix is also serves as senior pastor of Delphos Wesleyan Church.
This is the first year CHP has offered the ceremony, and it has had a powerful impact on many who received it.
“I think for me, the most special part is when you do that 30-second blessing, and I look up and the people have tears in their eyes, it just it means so much,” Haddix said. “We’ve been in situations where people said, this is exactly what they needed for that day. So, it’s been an amazing journey.”
A blessing of hands ceremony is a brief, interfaith ritual that includes prayer, with the application of oil or water to the hands. It is meant to recognize the work of healthcare providers and remind them that they are cared for and remembered in their daily routines.
(more…)POSTED: 05/18/25 at 8:37 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Submitted information
The Hoaglin Township Board of Trustees will hold their next regular meeting at 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 28, at the township house. The meeting was originally scheduled for Monday, May 26.
POSTED: 05/18/25 at 8:37 pm. FILED UNDER: News
A portion of Lincoln Highway was closed Friday night after a car/tractor collision. It occurred at approximately 6 p.m. at the intersection of Lincoln Highway and Hoagland Center Rd. The tractor was pulling a chopper mower eastbound on Lincoln Highway when a westbound car tried to to pass another vehicle and could not complete the pass. The tractor operator then attempted to avoid a head on collision, but the car hit the tractor on its right rear tire, causing the contents of the tire to come off over a large area of the road. No one was hurt but damage to both vehicles was extensive. The road was closed off to traffic for a couple of hours while the two vehicles were removed. Bob Barnes photos
POSTED: 05/17/25 at 8:47 am. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff
One person was flown to Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne for treatment of injuries suffered during an early morning stabbing in Van Wert.
According to a press release from the Van Wert Police Department, a 911 call was received at approximately 2:15 a.m. Saturday regarding the stabbing in the 300 block of S. Wayne St. Upon arrival, officers rendered aid to the victim until the Van Wert Fire Department was able to transport him to OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital. The victim, who’s name has not been released, was later transported by medical helicopter to Lutheran Hospital. His current condition is unknown.
Officers arrested Robert M. Burns, 24, of Van Wert and charged him with felonious assault, a second degree felony. He’s currently incarcerated at the Van Wert County Correctional facility and will have an initial appearance in court on Monday, May 19.
No information has been released yet about the events leading up to the stabbing.
POSTED: 05/17/25 at 8:34 am. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
If you have travel plans for the upcoming holiday weekend, you won’t be alone.
AAA predicts 45.1 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home over the Memorial Day holiday period. This year’s domestic travel forecast is an increase of 1.4 million travelers compared to last year. However, despite the increase in holiday travel volume projections, and outside of the dramatic impacts on travel during COVID-19 in 2020, 2025 is projected to have the lowest year-over-year growth rate since 2016 for the Memorial Day holiday.
Economic uncertainties and concerns over rising prices are on the minds of travelers, however, many Americans say they’re taking advantage of the long holiday weekend to spend time with loved ones, even if the trips are closer to home.
“Memorial Day weekend getaways don’t have to be extravagant and costly,” said Stacey Barber, Vice President of AAA Travel. “While some travelers embark on dream vacations and fly hundreds of miles across the country, many families just pack up the car and drive to the beach or take a road trip to visit friends. Long holiday weekends are ideal for travel because many people have an extra day off work and students are off from school.”
AAA is projecting the vast majority of travelers, 39.4 million will go by car over the long Memorial Day weekend. Driving is the preferred mode of transportation during holiday travel periods, with 87 percent of Memorial Day travelers choosing to take road trips.
This year, drivers have the benefit of cheaper gas prices. Last Memorial Day, the national average for a gallon of regular was $3.59. This spring – thanks to lower crude oil prices – gasoline prices haven’t seen typical seasonal spikes. With the unofficial start of summer kicking off the busy driving season, demand is expected to rise, and pump prices may creep up along with it. Gas prices typically peak in the summer and start coming down when schools go back in session in the fall.
(more…)POSTED: 05/16/25 at 9:02 pm. FILED UNDER: News
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OHIO CITY – Ohio City American Legion Harvey Lewis Post 346 will hold its annual Memorial Day service at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 26, at Woodlawn Cemetery Veterans Memorial.
The Van Wert Community Concert Band under the direction of Richard Sherrick will perform at 10 a.m. Those attending should bring lawn chairs.
The speaker will be Van Wert resident Jerry Hoffman. After his graduation from Ohio City-Liberty High School with the Class of 1959, Jerry served three years in the Army from June, 1959 until June, 1962. He spent the first year of service at Fort Benning, Georgia, Fort Belvoir, Virginia, and Fort Bliss, Texas. He was assigned to a Nike Missile Site in Alaska for the remainder of his service. Upon arrival home, Jerry was employed at Central Insurance for 20 years. In 1982 he went to Hastings Mutual as Marketing Manager in Ohio for 26 years. In retirement, Jerry was a classroom aide for the Van Wert City Schools. He worked closely with students who needed help and was with one student, who was fighting muscular dystrophy, from fourth grade until the young man graduated, accompanying him to classes..
Following the program, food will be served in the Ohio City Community Building/Legion Post at Fireman’s Park. Everyone is welcome.
In case of inclement weather, the service will be held at the Ohio City Community Building.
POSTED: 05/16/25 at 9:02 pm. FILED UNDER: News
