Editor’s note: this year the Brumback Library is celebrating 125 years of service to the community. Each month, the library will tell the story of the Brumback Library, chapter by chapter. This month’s article explores the directors of The Brumback Library and was written by Deb Gehres, Patron Service Specialist. Information was gathered from library files, The County Library by Saida Brumback Antrim and through Internet research.
By Deb Gehres
The Brumback Library has the distinction of being the first county library in the United States and has been led by a number of directors since 1901. The majority of the library’s directors have been female. Each has brought unique talents, education and abilities to the position and their achievements have been dependent on the needs of the library at the time. It has been the policy of the Board of Trustees to hire trained and educated individuals in the position of director. It should be noted the director does not work alone and the hiring of knowledgeable and dedicated staff is necessary to ensure the success of the library.
The Brumback Library’s first librarian was Miss Ella L. Smith. She spent most of her life in Van Wert and prior to becoming librarian in August of 1900 she had experience as a high school teacher. She continued her employment until July 1905 when she accepted a position in San Francisco at the Mercantile Library. In those five years she aided in the library’s pioneer work in the county and was responsible for maintaining literary excellence.
(more…)POSTED: 10/04/26 at 8:42 pm
VW independent staff
The VW independent is now your exclusive one-stop shop for local media.
In addition to offering local news, sports, obituaries and other important information, thevwindependent.com is now your exclusive home to online streaming of two local radio stations — 99.7FM WKSD and WERT 1220AM/104.3FM.
According to Chris Roberts, who owns both radio stations, stream aggregators such as Tune-In and Alexa no longer have the local stations’ permission to rebroadcast WERT and WKSD due to music rights licensing concerns. Those who access the stations through the Van Wert independent should note that the stream works on phones and tablets as well as desktop and laptop computers.
To stream either radio station through thevwindependent.com, simply click one of the tabs at the very top of the News page.
Another exclusive streaming option will become available in the future. Free apps are being developed and will be made available via Apple’s App Store and Google Play. An announcement will be made when they’re ready.
99.7FM WKSD offers a Classic Hits format, with music from the 60s-90s, the Chris Roberts Morning Show from 6-9 a.m. Monday through Friday with local news and sports, along with Fox Radio News and news from the Ohio News Network at the top of the hour, starting at 9 a.m. WKSD also offers area high school football coverage, along with boys and girls high school basketball coverage and Ohio State football and basketball games.
WERT 1220AM/104.3FM broadcasts an “Unforgettable” format, with music from the 1940s through the 1980s. WERT is the home of Van Wert Cougars football and boys basketball, along with Ohio State football and select Ohio State men’s and women’s basketball games.
POSTED: 10/04/26 at 8:41 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Members of the Van Wert High School Cougar Pride Marching Band took the field at Eggerss Stadium during pregame and halftime festivities Friday night. The band will be back on the field at halftime of this Friday night’s Van Wert at Ottawa-Glandorf football game. Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent
POSTED: 10/04/26 at 8:41 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
Many of the devices in our daily lives – phones, tablets, laptops, tools, toys, e-bikes, and scooters, to name a few – run on rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, which store high amounts of energy in a small space. If the batteries are damaged or charged incorrectly, they can overheat, start a fire, or even explode. With these concerns in mind, Van Wert and Convoy Fire Departments are teaming up with State Farm and the National Fire Protection Association to promote Fire Prevention Week, which is this week, and this year’s theme, “Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging is a Superpower.”
This year’s campaign works to better educate the public about how to safely use, store, and recharge lithium-ion powered devices, helping minimize risks at home and other locations. NFPA does not yet track data on the number of U.S. home fires involving lithium-ion batteries, but an increasing number of lithium-ion battery fires and explosions reported by fire departments, news outlets, and other sources underscores the potential hazards they present.
“Properly charging devices can significantly reduce the risk of fires and associated hazards,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of Outreach and Advocacy at NFPA. “Making informed choices and employing simple habits are critical to these efforts.”
In coordination with NFPA, Van Wert and Convoy Fire Departments and local State Farm agent Tisha Fast are encouraging all residents to actively support Fire Prevention Week by following these tips and guidelines:
(more…)POSTED: 10/04/26 at 8:40 pm. FILED UNDER: News
A three-vehicle accident occured at the intersection of Ervin Rd. and Walnut St. just before 1:30 p.m. Sunday. A grey Honda was southbound on Walnut St., stopped at the stop sign, then entered the intersection and was struck by a westbound red Ford that failed to stop. The impact of the Ford spun the Honda to the right and both vehicles came to rest side by side with another car that was stopped heading east on Ervin Rd. at the stop sign. No injuries were reported. All three cars sustained heavy damage and were towed from the scene. The accident was investigated by the Van Wert Police Department. Bob Barnes/VWFD photographer
POSTED: 10/04/26 at 8:37 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff
Two big trick-or-treat events will be held in Van Wert on Halloween.
Main Street Van Wert’s annual trick-or-treat will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, October 31. Children are encouraged to dress up and visit participating stores and offices downtown.
The city’s annual trick-or-treat event will be held from 4-6 p.m. that day. Children should go only to homes with a porch light on.
POSTED: 10/04/26 at 8:36 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
OAKWOOD — U.S. Senator Jon Husted (R-Ohio) and U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Chairman John Boozman (R-Arkansas) were in Paulding County on Friday, visiting Cooper Farms Hatchery in Oakwood to spend time with farmers and hear about the issues facing the agricultural industry.
“It was great to host Chaiman Boozman in Ohio and spend time listening to hardworking Ohio farmers who are keeping our state fed and fueled,” Husted said. “The Working Families Tax Cuts Act modernized the farm safety net, helping producers have more certainty when planning for their business and farm operations. The Farm Bill includes five bills that I am championing to support Ohio farmers through agricultural loans, community college agriculture programs, fertilizer research and assistance for rural seniors.”
“Senator Husted has been a strong champion for Ohio agriculture, delivering historic investments for farmers through the Working Families Tax Cuts. Farm families will start to see those benefits this month, with Buckeye State producers expected to receive $544 million in ARC and PLC payments––76% more than they would have received without the Republican-supported bill. He listens directly to producers about what they need, and that input helped shape Farm Bill 2.0. I look forward to working together to strengthen the future of agriculture and get a new farm bill signed into law this year that reflects the priorities of Ohio producers,” said Boozman.
Cooper Farms is a family-owned and operated company in northwest Ohio known for its egg, chicken, turkey and pork operations.
Husted and Boozman held a roundtable with farmers to hear their concerns.
Husted highlighted several key provisions in the Working Families Tax Cuts Act that strengthen Ohio’s agricultural industry, including eliminating the death tax for family-run farms, making permanent the 20 percent Qualified Business Income deduction for farmers and increasing Section 179 expensing limits to help farmers invest in new machinery, equipment and expanded operations.
Ohio is set to receive $544 million in ARC/PLC payments beginning this month. According to a press release, this is nearly double the amount farmers would have received without the improvements made by the Working Families Tax Cuts Act.
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The Van Wert Cougars run onto Alumni Field at Eggerss Stadium before Friday night’s homecoming game against St. Marys Memorial. Unfortunately, the Cougars were stunned by the Roughriders on the final play of the game and lost 43-42. A full game story can be found on the Sports page. Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent
POSTED: 10/03/26 at 12:47 am. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
June, 2027 will mark the 33rd annual national Lincoln Highway conference, which will be held June 21-25 in Lima.
The national Lincoln Highway Association has more than 800 members nationwide and gathers somewhere along the 3,389 mile-long path of America’s first coast-to-coast paved road from New York City to San Francisco each year. The four-day event will feature motor coach tours, history lectures, banquets, a vendors’ and book room open to the public, and other events.
“We see more than 120 people attending every year,” said Scott Little, Bluffton, Ohio national Lincoln Highway board member. “Last year 150 attended near Philadelphia and now western Ohio has the chance to showcase our area from the Indiana state line to about Mansfield.”
These conferences have created a group of friends who share the passion for the preservation and history of America’s first paved road. The highway was created by industrialists and dedicated to President Abraham Lincoln in 1913. It pre-dated numbered roads and state highway departments, and opened the U.S. to begin automobile travel becoming the norm for transportation in America.
The last time Ohio hosted this event was in 2012 in Canton.
Anyone interested in the road or the conference is encouraged to visit www.lincolnhighwayassoc.org. and follow Ohio Lincoln Highway Chapters on Facebook.
POSTED: 10/03/26 at 12:46 am. FILED UNDER: News
Ben Verville was crowned as Van Wert High School’s 2026 Homecoming King, while Leah Krites was crowned Homecoming Queen during a ceremony held before Friday night’s football game against St. Marys Memorial. Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent
POSTED: 10/03/26 at 12:46 am. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff
A public information meeting regarding the proposed Butterfly Meadows solar farm in Van Wert County will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 20, at Vantage Career Center in Van Wert.
POSTED: 10/03/26 at 12:46 am. FILED UNDER: News
