Klopfenstein, Jordan win re-election; all local issues pass

Local voter turnout tops 50 percent

VW independent staff

Voter turnout in Van Wert County was high for Tuesday’s mid-term general election.

Figures supplied by the Van Wert County Board of Elections show 10,635 of 19,963 registered voters (53.2 percent) cast ballots. 5,098 ballots were cast on Tuesday, 4,585 were cast via early in-person voting and 952 came via absentee mail.

Donation goes toward new play area

VW independent staff/submitted information

Enbridge recently made a $4,000 donation toward a new play area at Camp Clay, helping provide a safer space for children to play and enjoy outdoor activities. The new play area replaces the previous structure, which was 28 years old and had become unsafe. The total project cost was $22,000.

Camp Clay welcomed more than 5,000 children in 2026, making the new play area an important investment in the safety and experience of the children who visit the camp.

“We are excited to have a new play area where children can play, explore and make memories at Camp Clay,” Camp Clay Director Amy Grime said. “The previous structure was well used, however it had become outdated and unsafe. This new space allows us to continue providing children with opportunities to enjoy the outdoors in a safer environment. We are grateful to Enbridge for helping make this improvement possible.”

Hugh Kocab, CEO of the YMCA of Van Wert County, emphasized the importance of community partnerships in supporting local children and families.

“Investments like this make a lasting difference in the experiences we provide for children in our community,” he said. “With more than 5,000 children visiting Camp Clay this year, having a safe and welcoming place to play is essential. We appreciate Enbridge’s generosity and commitment to helping make this project a reality. We look forward to many years of partnering with Enbridge on projects like this.

“The new play area represents a continued investment in Camp Clay and its ability to provide meaningful outdoor experiences for children throughout the community,” he added.

New NSCC trustees…

The Northwest State Community College Board of Trustees met in regular session on Friday, October 30, at the Van Wert Campus. At the meeting, two new board members were sworn in – Kevin Whitlock of West Unity (left) and   Brent Stevens of Ohio City. The two, who are pictured with NSCC President Dr. Todd Hernandez, were appointed to the NSCC Board of Trustees by Governor Mike DeWine. Their terms began September 4 and will run through June 9, 2032. Photo submitted

State rep. race, local issues on the ballot

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

Election Day is upon us and while the ballot is light in terms of local races and issues, interest appears to be higher than expected.

Statewide, nearly 1.1 milion voters cast ballots during Ohio’s early in-person voting period, while nearly 737,000 requested ballots by mail, with just over 632,000 returned as of noon on Monday. In Van Wert County, 4,585 registered voters took advantage of early in-person voting, while 879 of 1,057 mail-in ballots were returned by noon on Monday.

Just one local race is on the ballot. Incumbent State Representative Roy Klopfenstein (R-Haviland) is seeking another term in the 82nd District and has two challengers – Libertarian Christopher Elder of Paulding and Democrat Maddux McCray of Van Wert. The 82nd District is comprised of all of Van Wert, Paulding and Putnam counties, along with the southern half of Defiance County.

Incumbent Republican Van Wert County Commissioner Thad Lichtensteiger is running unopposed, as is Van Wert County Juvenile/Probate Court Judge Eva Yarger, who was appointed to the seat in February, then defeated fellow Republican Todd Wolfrum in the May primary election. Wolfrum is continuing on as a county commissioner.

After defeating incumbent Jami Bradford in the May primary election, Arica Wermer is running unopposed for Van Wert County Auditor.

After defeating Jim Hoops in the May primary, Craig Reidel (R-Defiance) is running unopposed for the 1st District Ohio Senate seat.

No mayoral, city or village council, school board or township trustee races are on the ballot.

Local volunteers needed to pack meals

VW independent staff/submitted information

First United Methodist Church in Van Wert is calling on families, local businesses and community members to help pack life-saving meals for people in Haiti. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, November 21, at Van Wert High School. This is a new location from previous years.

Haiti is facing extreme gang violence, leaving millions of people without food, medical care, or safe schools.

“The need is urgent,” said Teresa Shaffer, Director of Agape Outreach. “God has called us to help our neighbors who are facing starvation and danger.”

FUMC has hosted meal-packing events for 20 years. Volunteers will pack healthy meals filled with rice, vegetables, protein, and 21 essential vitamins. These meals will be shipped and delivered safely to over 500 schools and orphanages through Mission of Hope, an organization with 26 years of experience working in Haiti.

This hands-on volunteer event is open to all ages. Volunteers will learn how to quickly assemble and pack meal bags at simple work stations. FUMC will provide proof of participation to any students needed volunteer hours

“It’s amazing to see what happens when the gym fills up with helpers,” Shaffer said. “We invite you to bring your friends, family, and co-workers. Students can also earn community service hours for helping.”

VWHS to host Veteran’s Day assembly

Submitted information

Van Wert High School is inviting local veterans, their families, and community members to its annual Veterans Day assembly on Wednesday, November 11, at 10:25 a.m. in the Niswonger Performing Arts Center.

There will be coffee and snacks in the NPAC lobby beginning at 10 a.m. before VWHS comes together to recognize and thank those who have served our country.

This year’s assembly will feature guest speaker Colleen Wiley and videos created by Van Wert High School students. The Freshmen Choir, Sophomore Women’s Chorus, and Concert Choir will perform the National Anthem together.

If weather affects the school schedule, please keep the following in mind:

• Two-hour delay: The assembly will still begin at 10:25 a.m. in the NPAC.
• Three-hour delay: The assembly will begin at 11:25 a.m. in the high school gym, with guest seating on the visitors’ side.
• School cancellation: The assembly will be canceled

Lincolnview hosting Veteran’s Day program

Submitted information

Lincolnview Local Schools will honor Lincolnview community veterans this Friday, November 6, with the annual school-wide “Veteran’s Day” event. It will begin at 10 a.m. in the high school gymnasium. If school is delayed by weather that day, then the program will start at 1:30 p.m. in the high school gym).

All K-12 students are strongly encouraged to turn in their Veteran Day form if they have a veteran coming to Friday’s program, on or by Wednesday, November 4.

New Rotary members…

The Van Wert Rotary Club recently welcomed Kevan Unverferth and Rob Welch as its newest members. Unverferth (above), who was sponsored by fellow Rotarian Kevin Matthews, serves as administrator at Van Wert Manor and is a licensed nursing home administrator. He holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Findlay. An active community volunteer, Unverferth is a Lions Club member, an athletic boosters member and an organizer of two charity golf outings. Outside of work and community activities, he enjoys spending time with his wife and their two children. Welch (below) owns Northwest Ohio Sports and Welch Trophy, a family-operated business supplying trophies, school spirit wear, and sporting goods throughout northwest Ohio and northeast Indiana. A strong supporter of youth athletics, Welch also runs an AAU basketball program. His business generously supports youth sporting organizations through donations, helping provide opportunities for young athletes throughout the area. Welch and his wife, Jackie, have seven children. Also pictured is Rotary Club President John Hatcher. Photos submitted

Area commission offers heating help

Submitted information

Northwestern Ohio Community Action Commission and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services want to help ease the burden of costly energy bills this winter and keep Ohio families warm. Now through March 31, 2027, income-eligible Ohioans can receive one-time help with their home heating bill through the Home Energy Assistance Winter Crisis Program.

The program assists Ohioans who are facing service disconnection, have already been disconnected, need to establish new service, or must pay to transfer service. It also supports households with 25 percent or less of bulk fuel in their tank so they can maintain service.

To qualify, a household must have a gross annual income at or below 175 percent of the federal poverty level. For a family of four, that is $57,750.

Last year, the Winter Crisis Program helped more than 73,000 Ohio households, providing $25.5 million in benefits.

To apply, households must schedule an appointment with their local Northwestern Ohio Community Action Agency. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 419.219.4641. Household can choose an in-person appointment or over the phone appointment. NOCAC serves Defiance, Fulton, Henry, Paulding, Van Wert and Williams counties.

Households can also start an application online and find their local energy assistance provider at energyhelp.ohio.gov.

Applicants should bring copies of the following to their appointment:

• Their most recent energy bills
• A list of all household members and proof of income for the last 30 days or the last 12 months for each member
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency for all household members
• Proof of disability, if applicable

For more information about WCP and what is needed to apply, visit www.nocac.org.

Ag Society schedules annual meeting

The Van Wert County Agricultural Society will hold its annual reorganizational meeting at 9 a.m. Saturday, November 14. The meeting will take place in the EMR Meeting Room located within the Administration Building on the Van Wert County Fairgrounds.

During the meeting, members will have the opportunity to vote on proposed constitutional changes and amendments, which are listed below. Voting will be conducted in the Buckeye Room of the Administration Building from 9-11:30 a.m. Any individual holding a Membership Certificate (ticket) is eligible to vote. Members must present either their Membership Certificate (ticket) or a valid driver’s license in order to cast their ballot.

Proposed Amendment #1 to Article XVIII of the Constitution. Article XVII currently states the following:

Each candidate for the office of director for The Van Wert County Agricultural Society must fulfill the following requirements to file a petition for such office:

A) Purchase a membership certificate for the membership year in which candidate is seeking election.

B) Complete 10 hours of voluntary service to the society, in the fiscal year in which candidate is seeking election.

C) Attend 1 regular monthly board meetings of the society, during the fiscal year in which candidate is seeking election.

D) State on petition the specific board position for which candidate is seeking election.

E) Collect ten (10) or more signatures from members of the society, from the area for which board position represents.

F)In the case that the ten required signatures from members of the Society from the area for which the board position represents, cannot be obtained due to circumstances such as a pandemic or other like causes, then the required number of signatures is changed to twenty of the membership as a whole. The requirement to limit it to the area being represented is waived for that election cycle only.

Any candidate not fulfilling the above listed requirements shall be ineligible for election as director. Items B and C, above, will become effective for candidates seeking election for the 2022 election and each election thereafter.