Museum’s annual Festival of Trees just around the corner

Local court handles heavy docket

VW independent staff

Wednesday was a busy day in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court, with more than a dozen criminal defendants appearing before Judge Martin D. Burchfield. The hearings included several plea changes and a pair of requests for early release from prison.

Plea changes

Kameron Cooper, 47, of Grover Hill, changed her plea to guilty of misuse of credit cards, a first degree misdemeanor. She was then sentenced to one year of community control, 30 days in jail at a later date, must undergo a mental health and substance abuse assessment and any treatment, and was ordered to pay restitution and court costs.

Devan Hall, 21, of Delphos, changed his plea to an amended charge of attempted counterfeiting, a fourth degree felony. Judge Burchfield ordered a pre-sentence investigation and set sentencing set for 9 a.m. December 16.

Megan Lane, 22, of Van Wert, changed her plea to guilty to an amended charge of attempted tampering with evidence, a fourth degree felony. She then requested and was granted intervention in lieu of conviction and her case was stayed pending completion of the treatment program. She was ordered to pay court costs.

Ronnie Smith, 66, of Convoy, changed his plea to guilty to an amended charge of attempted possession of cocaine, a first degree misdemeanor. He was then sentenced to one year of community control, 30 days in jail at a later date, was ordered to undero mental health and substance abuse assessment and any treatment, and was ordered to pay court costs.

Cyle Black, 40, of Van Wert, changed his plea to guilty of tampering with evidence, a third degree felony. Judge Burchfield ordered a pre-sentence investigation and set sentencing for 9 a.m. December 9.

Estaban Rivera, 49, of Scott, changed his plea to guilty to an amended charge of attempted having weapons, a fourth degree felony. A pre-sentence investigation was ordered and sentencing was scheduled for 9 a.m. December 16.

Corbin Cornelius, 26, of Van Wert, changed his plea to guilty to an amended charge of domestic violence, a fourth degree felony. A pre-sentence investigation as ordered and sentencing was scheduled for 9 a.m. December 9.

Grant money to benefit Willshire

VW independent staff

State grant money is coming to the Village of Willshire.

Van Wert County will receive a $750,000 Neighborhood Revitalization grant to assist the village of Willshire in the replacement of aging waterlines, rehabilitation of sidewalks along Walcott Street, and the replacement of a tornado siren. The project will benefit all 345 residents of the village.

Arnott, Vemillion earn OHSP awards

Submitted information

Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper Thomas J. Arnott has been selected the 2026 Trooper of the Year at the Van Wert Post.

The selection of Trooper Arnott is in recognition of outstanding service during 2026. Fellow officers stationed at the Van Wert Post, chose Trooper Arnott based on his leadership abilities, professional ethics, courteous treatment of others, enthusiastic work attitude, and cooperation with supervisors, peers, and the public.

Originally from Clio, Michigan, Trooper Arnott joined the Highway Patrol in 2017 as a member of the 162nd Academy Class. Trooper Arnott is also a graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio where he earned a degree in diesel technology. Trooper Arnott serves as a Field Training Officer and has also been awarded the Patrol’s physical fitness and safe driving awards.

Trooper Arnott and his family reside in Mercer County.

Radio Dispatcher Melissa D. Vermillion has been selected the 2026 Dispatcher of the Year at the Van Wert Dispatch Center. Vermillion joined the Highway Patrol in 2016. She is a graduate of Bath High School. Dispatcher Vermillion serves as a Field Training Dispatcher. She was honored in recognition of her outstanding service over the past year. Supervision and dispatchers chose Dispatcher Vermillion based on her technical job knowledge and ability, her enthusiastic work attitude, teamwork, and prompt and courteous response to the public’s request for information and assistance.

Dispatcher Vermillion and her family reside in Darke County.

Both Arnott and Vermillion are in contention for District and State honors as Trooper of the Year and Dispatcher of the Year. Those honors will be announced at a later date.

New electric aggragation rate announced

Submitted information

Van Wert County recently executed a new electric aggregation agreement with Dynegy at a program rate of 11.74¢ per kilowatt-hour (kWh), or $0.1174/ kWh. The new rate will provide long-term price stability for residential and small business participants from December ,2026 through the June, 2029 billing period.

In a time when electric prices remain unpredictable, continuing the electric aggregation program offers participants several key benefits:

• Protection from market volatility – Electricity pricing has increased dramatically across Ohio over the last several years and remains volatile. This trend is expected to continue with growing electric demand and higher costs to maintain infrastructure. This will impact electric generation costs across Ohio, including rates directly from your local utility or other third-party suppliers.
• Budget stability – The program provides a fixed price for a known term. While one of the goals of the aggregation program has historically been to provide savings when compared to the utility’s Standard Service Offer (also known as the price-to-compare or PTC), ongoing market volatility means savings cannot be guaranteed over the contract term. However, the program’s fixed energy rate will offer budget certainty and price protection in an uncertain energy market.
• Buying power – Our community partnered with other local communities to negotiate on behalf of all eligible residents and small businesses in the areas included. A competitive bidding process was used where offers were received from various suppliers to secure the best price and contracting opportunity possible at this time.
• Contract flexibility – The program allows participants the opportunity to opt out without penalty or leave with no cancellation or termination fees at any time during the contract term. If you relocate in the area, move out of the area, or find a better offer, you can do so without financial penalty.
• Green pricing option – A 100 precent green price is available as an alternative for interested participants. Customers may enroll in this product for a price backed by renewable energy.

Eligible participants will begin to receive opt-out notices from Dynegy in the mail over the coming weeks. The opt-out letters will provide new program details, including budget billing information, and no action is needed to participate. You will continue to receive one invoice from your utility each month with the new rate reflected approximately 45-60 days after receiving the opt-out letter. As always, there is no change or interruption to your electric service. All outages and emergencies should continue to be reported to your local utility and emergency services.

Those looking to opt out of the program will find details on how to do so by mail, phone, or website in the opt-out notice they receive.

City’s leaf pickup to begin November 16

VW independent staff

A reminder – the City of Van Wert’s annual leaf pickup is approaching.

Make sure that leaves are in paper biodegradable bags and placed by the curb. If your leaves are not placed in paper biodegradable bags and by the curb, they will not be picked up. Brush will not be picked up.

There is not a break down from ward to ward so make sure you place them out by 7 a.m. each of the following Mondays:

• Monday, November 16
• Monday, November 30
• Monday, December 7
• Monday, December 14

Turner retiring; Medical Academy discussed

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

The search is about to begin for a new Vantage Career Center superintendent.

Thursday night, the Vantage Board of Education accepted the resignation of Superintendent Rick Turner, who plans to retire at the end of his current contract, July 31, 2027. The board also voted to approve a contract with Celina-based Grand Lake Regional Educational Service Center to aid in the search for Turner’s replacement. The contract calls for a flat fee payment of $5,000 at the conclusion of the search process.

Turner’s ties to Vantage go back to the late 1970s. He graduated in 1979 from the school’s machine tool technology program. He was hired as Vantage superintendent in 2017. Prior to that, he spent a number of years at Apollo Career Center and worked as director of adult programs for more than 11 years at the Lima area vocational school before his appointment at Vantage.

Shortly after calling Thursday’s meeting to order, the board went into executive session with Grand Lake Regional ESC Superintendent Shelly Vaughn and Western Buckeye ESC Superintendent Missy McClurg to discuss the pending superintendent vacancy. The closed door session lasted over an hour.

The Vantage Academy of Medical Careers was a topic of discussion and the tone turned to dissatisfaction with the pace of work and general contractor Alexander & Bebout as the project winds down. The academy is in the former Thomas Edison building across the street from the main campus.

“Contractors need to complete final punch-list items for the academy,” Turner told the board. “Exterior landscaping is still pending and given the time of year, some final work may be deferred until spring.”

Turner said he believes the project could be completed with five good days by the workers.

“The thing that saddens me about this it’s an absolutely beautiful place – it’s going to be a wonderful training facility, we’ve just got to get over the hump,” he said.

Renovations were scheduled to be complete by August 1, in time for the new school year. However, it was pushed back to September 29, but is still not complete. The board also voiced unhappiness at the September meeting (see story here).

College Credit Plus meeting planned

Submitted information

Principals and counselors from Lincolnview, Crestview, Vantage, and Van Wert City Schools, as well as local college representatives, will be hosting a College Credit Plus informational meeting for parents/guardians from 6-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 18, at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center in Van Wert.

The meeting will consist of a general session giving more information on College Credit Plus, as well as individual meetings with your respective school. There will be several colleges and universities in attendance. The meeting will be held on…

The Ohio Department of Education began the College Credit Plus program for all students enrolled in Ohio schools. College Credit Plus has two fundamental positions:

• Students (grades 7-12) must be an Ohio resident enrolled in a participating college of choice.
• Students can earn transcripted college and high school credit upon successful completion of the course.

Eligible students may need a qualifying college entrance exam score that places them in courses above a remediation level to participate.

If you have students who might be interested in earning college credit during their time in high school, plan on attending the meeting on November 18. Should you have questions prior to the meeting, contact the Student Services Office 419.238.2180 or Van Wert High School 419.238.3350.

Lincolnview FFA attends convention

By Janelle Priest/Lincolnview FFA chapter reporter

The Lincolnview FFA recently took its annual National Convention and Expo trip. The five day trip consisted of three tours in St. Louis, a tour of the Toyota plant in Princeton, Indiana, and the convention and expo to finish out the trip.

The chapter took their first tours on Tuesday. They toured ADM, Budweiser, and the Arch. At ADM they learned about the transportation and storage of grain. They also got a tour of the company’s operation. After the ADM tour, they went to tour Budweiser. There they learned about the company’s history, products, and production practices. The final tour of the day was to the St. Louis Gateway Arch. Visiting the museum, as well as riding to the top, was definitely a highlight of the chapter’s trip.

Wednesday included a tour of the Toyota plant in Princeton, Indiana. While at the plant the chapter learned about the history, and operations, of Toyota. The tour included a trolley ride through the plant and an educational video of the company’s culture. The trolley allowed for the chapter to see the automated production lines, the systematic assembly of the cars, and the organization of this specific plant.

Wreaths Across America ceremony planned

VW independent staff/submitted information

At noon on December 19, Isaac Van Wart Daughters of the American Revolution members, 4-H youth, and local Elks Lodge members will conduct a memorial ceremony inside Van Wert Elks Lodge  No. 1197 on Elks Drive, off of Van Wert-Decatur Road. 

After the ceremony, the group will proceed to Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert to pick up wreaths and place them on veteran’s graves. The public is invited to join in to remember veterans at the ceremony and at the cemetery.

Over 1,300 veterans are buried at Woodland Cemetery and many more throughout the county. If you would like to purchase wreaths to support this event, click on this link: OHWCVW – Woodland Cemetery – Van Wert

The Isaac Van Wart DAR members thank all the businesses and individuals who have purchased wreaths for 2026. Wreaths can be ordered up to December 2 for 2026 placement.

Hughes retires, RCC scheduled to meet

VW independent staff

The Van Wert County Republican Central Committee will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, November 12, at Truland, 103305 Liberty Union Rd., Van Wert, to consider an appointment to the recently vacated Van Wert County Recorder’s position.

Longtime Recorder Kim Hughes retired on October 31, and the Van Wert County Commisioners named Allison Byrne to fill the seat until the Republican Central Committee acts to officially fill it.

Interested applicants are invited to attend the meeting and to submit their resume and/or list of qualifications to Chairman James Bonifas at Jim.bonifas@trulandequip.com. The person chosen will serve for two years, then will have to seek re-election.