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 installment looks back at the children’s department. The story is told by Roxanne Roessner, Brumback Library Youth Services Coordinator.
By Roxanne Roessner/special to the VW independent
Over the past 125 years, the Brumback Library has been a cornerstone of the community, helping generations of children discover the joy of reading and learning. While the library itself has grown and changed over the years, one thing has remained constant: its commitment to young readers. From the very beginning, the children’s department has been a place of imagination, exploration, and connection.
The formal beginnings of children’s services at the Brumback Library can be traced to April, 1917, when the juvenile department opened in the basement of the library. Under the leadership of Ella Bergert Conn, this modest space quickly became a hub of activity. Children gathered regularly for programs and events, laying the foundation for what would become a long-standing tradition of youth engagement.
One of the earliest and most enduring programs was Story Hour, which began on May 3, 1917. Held weekly from October through April, Story Hour quickly grew in popularity. Attendance at special programs sometimes reached 250-300 children. This remarkable turnout shows both the community’s enthusiasm and the library’s importance as a gathering place. These early story programs were more than entertainment, as they gave children access to literature, language, and shared cultural experiences.
Seasonal celebrations also shaped the department’s identity. A Christmas celebration held in 1917 is among the earliest recorded special events, showing that the library was more than a place for books. Over time, additional programming such as Children’s Book Week exhibits enriched the experience of young patrons and highlighted the importance of literature in children’s lives.
(more…)POSTED: 05/03/26 at 9:17 pm
VW independent staff
Ohio’s early voting period officially closed at 5 p.m. Sunday and according to Van Wert County Board of Elections Director Pam Henderson, 1,808 registered voters cast early in-person ballots in the county, while 194 voted absentee by mail. 23 mail-in ballots have yet to be returned.
Henderson said the expected turnout on Election Day, May 5, will likely be around 3,500, with voter turnout expected to be approximately 28 percent.
Polling locations will be open from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. The VW independent will publish results Tuesday night.
POSTED: 05/03/26 at 9:16 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
COLUMBUS — On Friday, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) Director Matt Damschroder announced that additional anti-fraud measures are coming this month to help protect Ohioans receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The enhancements, which also apply to the Summer EBT/Sun Bucks program, include requiring individuals to unlock their card to complete out-of-state or online purchases.
“Criminals from other states and online continue to prey on vulnerable Ohioans who rely on food assistance to feed their families,” Damschroder said. “The new automatic card-lock feature will require customers to unlock their card when making an out-of-state or online purchase. It’s a simple step that still allows for out-of-state and online purchases while dramatically reducing the risk of theft.”
SNAP benefits can be used at authorized retailers using an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card known as the Ohio Direction Card. Beginning May 13, cards will default to a “block high-risk transaction” status, requiring cardholders to unlock their card before making an out-of-state or online purchase. While cardholders are encouraged to immediately relock their card, they will be prompted to set a time period, 30, 60, or 90 minutes, to automatically relock the card.
Through data analysis related to card usage, purchasing trends, and reports of skimming of benefits, the state has been able to determine that a large volume of skimming is taking place at out-of-state retailers or online providers. The state is able to see trends across multiple states and geographical locations, which led to the decision to change the default settings to block the highest risk transactions.
In the past six months alone, the ODJFS SNAP fraud analytics team identified nearly 56,000 suspicious out‑of‑state transactions affecting 12,900 Ohio EBT accounts, totaling more than $6.3 million.
The new anti-fraud enhancements will help protect SNAP beneficiaries, while also allowing them the opportunity to unlock their card for valid transactions.
(more…)POSTED: 05/03/26 at 9:16 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff
S. Jefferson St., from Main St. to Central Ave. will be closed from 5-10 p.m. this Saturday, May 9, for the Van Wert Freedom Cruise.
POSTED: 05/03/26 at 9:15 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
The CEO Program held its 10th annual banquet on Thursday, celebrating another successful year and honoring students from Van Wert High School, Lincolnview High School, and Crestview High School.
The banquet, which was held at Willow Bend Country Club, highlighted the growth and impact of the program, which began in 2016 with 16 students and 10 businesses and has since grown to more than 90 students and around 80 business partners this year. Over the past decade, nearly 700 students and more than 160 businesses have been a part of the program, reflecting on the strong support of the Van Wert community and surrounding areas.
This year’s keynote speaker, Steve Spray, Chief Executive Officer of Cincinnati Financial Corporation, returned to his hometown to share insights from his journey and encourage students as they prepare for the future.
“Think about those individuals who have made a difference in your life,” Spray said. “Write down the traits you admire and carry those with you moving forward.”
Spray emphasized the importance of attitude, reminding students that it is one of the few things they can always control. He also encouraged them to embrace opportunities, even when they feel uncertain.
“Take risks,” he said. “The best lessons in life come from failure. Growth comes from those moments, not from when everything goes right.”
CEO Program founder Kerry Koontz also addressed students, encouraging them to step outside their comfort zones, build connections, and take advantage of the opportunity to learn from the community leaders and mentors in the room.
Koontz thanked the Van Wert Business Development Corporation for sponsoring the banquet, as well as the Van Wert County Economic Development Office for sponsoring apparel and quarterly meetings.
To close the morning, Koontz introduced Bob Spath, who will take over as CEO Program Coordinator at the end of the year.
(more…)POSTED: 05/01/26 at 8:40 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff
A long awaited public hearing on a petition to re-zone Mega Site property I-2 General Industrial upon annexation into the City of Van Wert will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 4, in the First Federal Lecture Hall at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center.
The hearing is being held to gather public input from anyone for or against a proposed $10 billion data center at the site. It will not be a question and answer session.
There will be sign up sheets for anyone wishing to speak. One will be for city residents, one for residents adjacent to the property, one for county residents and one for people living outside the county. While signing up to speak won’t be mandatory, those who decline to do so will have to wait until those who did sign up have finished speaking. Each speaker will be heard once and will have two minutes to talk.
Previous discussions about the proposed data center at recent planning commission and Van Wert City Council meetings have been tense to say the least. Ground rules have been established for Monday’s meeting.
“We’re not going to tolerate disruption and we’re not going to tolerate incivility,” Van Wert City Council President Thad Eikenbary said. “If you speak, you’re going to speak at the mic. We’re not going to have sidebars and outbursts in the gallery. I was pretty displeased with the outbursts at the last several meetings and it’s not the way we should do business. Let’s be civil, let’s be respectful and we’ll have a productive meeting.”
No action will be taken at the hearing. A vote on re-zoning and annexation is expected to take place at the May 11 meeting of Van Wert City Council.
POSTED: 05/01/26 at 8:39 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
COLUMBUS — Ohio’s annual sales tax holiday will return in August but it’s going back to its roots – just three days. Last year it was 14 days and in 2024, it was 10 days.
A press release from Governor Mike DeWine’s said this year’s sales tax holiday will take place from 12 a.m. Friday, August 7, through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, August 9.
“Ohio’s Sales Tax Holiday comes at a time of year when families are getting ready for back-to-school,” said Governor DeWine. “The sales tax break is designed to provide meaningful savings for families as they purchase new school essentials for the upcoming year.”
No reason was given for the shorter holiday. When it introduced in 2015, it was three days. In addtion, it will be for clothes, school supplies and school instructional materials. Last year and in 2024, nearly all items up to $500 were not taxed during the sales tax holiday.
The following items qualify for the sales tax exemption during the three-day holiday:
- Clothing priced at $75 or less per item
- School supplies priced at $20 or less per item
- School instructional materials priced at $20 or less per item
“This annual holiday provides meaningful savings for Ohio families while supporting back-to-school preparation,” said Tax Commissioner Patricia Harris. “We encourage shoppers and retailers to plan ahead and take advantage of the exemption.”
Additional details, including commonly asked questions and guidance for consumers and retailers, are available on the Ohio Department of Taxation website.
POSTED: 05/01/26 at 8:38 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Submitted information
LIMA — Ohio State Lima’s WBL Scholastic Bowl Tournament returns to campus for round-robin competition from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday, May 8.
Varsity and junior varsity teams from Bath, Celina, Defiance, Elida, Kenton, Ottawa-Glandorf, Shawnee, St. Marys, Van Wert and Wapakoneta will compete in the tournament. Competition rounds will be held in Galvin Hall. Lunch will be in both the Perry Webb Student Life Building and the G. Gilbert Cloyd Student Commons on Galvin’s lower level.
The award ceremony is scheduled to start in the Martha W. Farmer Theatre for the Performing Arts in Reed Hall between 2-2:15 p.m., depending on when the last round finishes.
POSTED: 05/01/26 at 8:37 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
BRYAN — An Illinois man was indicted on a grand theft charge in the Williams County Court of Common Pleas, following an investigation by the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
A grand jury indicted Moath Musamih, 39, Orland Park, Illinois, on April 21 after he failed to pay $21,991 in Ohio Turnpike tolls over a two-year period. While working in partnership with the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission to deter toll evasion, Musamih was determined to have been using the Ohio Turnpike while evading tolls from April, 2024 to April, 2026.
If convicted, Musamih could face a maximum of 18 months in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. The vehicle used in connection with the theft offense, a Freightliner Cascadia semitractor, could be subject to criminal forfeiture through the Williams County Prosecutor’s Office.
Musamih is set to have his initial appearance in the Williams County Court of Common Pleas on Monday, May 11
According to a press release, the Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commssion will continue to work together to improve overall safety along the 241-mile Ohio Turnpike, which traverses through 13 counties across northern Ohio and to address toll evasion or related offenses, including the use of fictitious license plates and plates that are obscured, covered or removed.
An indictment is only a charge. The defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
POSTED: 05/01/26 at 8:36 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Submitted information
The Van Wert city income tax office will be close at 12 p.m. Monday, May 4, and will remain closed until noon on Wednesday, May 6, for software upgrade and training. During the closure, voicemails and e-mails will be checked daily. If you have paperwork or non-cash payments that you would like to drop off during the closure, you may slide them under the secure income tax office door.
POSTED: 05/01/26 at 8:35 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff
Starting Monday, May 4, U.S. 127 between Wren Landeck Rd. and Ohio 709 in Liberty Township will be restricted to alternating one-way traffic for survey work.
In addition, Marsh Rd. over U.S. 30 in Van Wert will be restricted to one-way alternating traffic Tuesday and Wednesday, May 5-6, to chip seal the bridge.
POSTED: 05/01/26 at 8:35 pm. FILED UNDER: News
