Restoration work to begin at The Brumback Library

VW independent seeking 9/11 submissions

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

This Friday, September 11, will mark 25 years since the horrific attacks on the Twin Towers at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, the same day a jet crashed into a Pennsylvania field after a passenger revolt.

The VW independent is asking readers to share memories of that day. While the attacks occurred 25 years ago, the day remains vivid in the minds of many Americans.

• Where were you and what were you doing when you first heard about the attacks?
• How did you learn about them i.e. radio, TV, word of mouth, etc?
• What were your first thoughts?
• What do you remember most about that day and the days that followed?
• Please feel free to share any other memories you may have.

Please consider sharing your memories with us for a story that will be published this Friday. You may email your memories to editor@thevwindependent.com. Please include your name and where you live. Submissions will be accepted until 5 p.m. Thursday, September 10.

DAR to celebrate Constitution Week

Submitted information

Communities throughout the nation, including Van Wert, will be celebrating the spirit and meaning of the country’s Constitution beginning September 17.  On that day in 1787 at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, 39 delegates at the Constitutional Convention signed the Constitution of the United States of America. Nearly 170 years later, in 1955, the Daughters of the American Revolution spearheaded an effort to set aside one week annually when Americans could celebrate this iconic signing.  After petitioning Congress to set aside the week of September 17-23, on August 2, 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed Constitution Week into law.

Local chapters of NSDAR celebrate with many events to honor this founding document. Celebrations begin with Bells Across America, on September 17, when bells across the country are rung simultaneously at 4 p.m. EDT. 

The Isaac Van Wart Chapter will gather and ring bells at 4 p.m. at the Van Wert County Courthouse. The Van Wert community is invited to join the DAR in celebrating Constitution Week.

Parkway homecoming court…

Parkway Student Government has announced this year’s Homecoming Court. Pictured in the front row are the senior queen candidates (left to right): Cami Langenkamp, Madelyn Stover, and Grace Winget. Shown in the back row from left to right are Kallee Bransteter, freshman attendant; McKenzie Snell, sophomore attendant; and Jaymin Peel, junior attendant. Coronation of the 2026 Homecoming Queen will take place on Friday, September 18, before the Parkway Panthers take on the St. Henry Redskins at Panther Stadium. Photo submitted

PLC’s Walk for Life set for this Sunday

Submitted information

The PLC Health Clinic will hold its 25th annual Walk for Life this Sunday, September 13, at Franklin Park in Van Wert. Registration will begin at 1:30 p.m. with the 2-mile walk around the park starting at 2 p.m.

The clinic needs to raise $60,000 to continue its free services which include pregnancy testing, limited obstetric ultrasound, educational classes and material support. Anyone who is pregnant or has a child under the age of two can use the listed services. The clinic also provides free STI/STD testing for both men and women and the newest addition is the Langdyn House which is a maternity home.

The walk is made possible by more than 70 businesses and churches in the Van Wert area that gave at the Gold Level Sponsorship.

This list includes: Advanced Grain Systems, LLC; Baker McClure Law & Title, LLC; Bee Clean; Black Swamp Lawncare; Blue Creek Farms, LLC; Bradley Knodel, CPA; Brickner Funeral Home; Callow Quality Meats, LLC; Calvary Evangelical Church; Carey Insurance; Century Trading Co., Inc.; Church on the Horizon; Convoy Methodist Church; Cowan & Son Funeral Home; Creative Edge Cabinets & Woodworking; Current Energy Solutions, LLC; Custom Assembly, Inc.; D&D Ingredients, LLC; Dave “Dent Man” Gardner; Edward Jones Investments; First Financial Bank; First United Methodist Church; Gibson’s Barnyard BBQ; Grace Bible Church; Grace Collaborative Salon; Harvest Field Pentecostal; Haviland Drainage Products, Co.; HomeFront Lawn Care; Hydro Window and Power Washing; Jennings Road Church of Christ; Kerns Chevrolet GMC, Inc.; Keysor Farms, LLC; Kingdom Renovations; Kingsley Church; Kleen Pro Carpet & Upholstery; Knights of Columbus; Laudick’s Jewelry; Lee Kinstle GM Sales & Service; Leland Smith Insurance Services, Inc.; LifeHouse Church; Living Truth Ministries; Microtronix ESolutions; New Horizons Community Church; Northwest Ohio Welch Trophy; Ohio City Community Church of God; Orchard Tree; Owens Farms; Pleasant Chapel United Methodist Church; Pleasant View Church; ProGuard Pest Control; Recovery Massage; Redeemer Lutheran Church; Sarah Rank Photography, LLC; Sealscott, CPA, Inc.; St. Mark’s Lutheran Church; St. Mary’s Catholic Church; St. Paul’s Church; Straley Realty & Auctioneers, Inc.; Strategence Capital; The Three-Thirteen Co.; Tisha Fast, State Farm Insurance; the CHURCH; Trinity Friends Church; Trinity Global Methodist Church; Triple R Farms; Van Wert Rotary; Wallace Plumbing; Water on Wheels; Wilkinson Printing; Williamson Insurance, and Wonder Event Co.

Weekend death ruled a drowning

VW independent staff

MIDDLE POINT — A Wapakoneta man died of accidental drowning in a pond in Middle Point on Sunday.

Van Wert County deputies, along with Middle Point Fire & EMS were dispatched to the 19000 block of Bellis Rd. at approximately 6:45 p.m. Sunday. It was initally believed that a drunk driver drove into the pond, but that turned out to be inaccurate.

Witnesses were able to pull Robert Hunsicker, 70, from the water and lifesaving measures were administered by a person with medical training, followed by aid by first responders. He was transported to OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital but was later pronounced dead.

A report from the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office noted that Hunsinker was at a nearby cookout and was intoxicated when he told others he wanted to go for a swim. He was gone for about 15 minutes when someone went to check on him and spotted him unresponsive.

Multiple witness statements were taken at the scene. The report stated the case is closed.

Gospel concert…

One of the bigger draws at the Van Wert County Fair was free Christian entertainment at the Gospel Tent and the Advanced Insurance Group Outdoor Stage. Trinity, Greater Vision, Cade Thompson, Austin French and the Mark Tramell Quartet performed at different shows Friday though Sunday. Shown above is the large crowd that gathered Sunday evening to see French perform. Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent

YWCA shares capital campaign update

VW independent staff/submitted information

The YWCA of Van Wert County has announced significant progress in its capital campaign as the organization moves closer to its goal to break ground on a new facility next spring. With millions of dollars secured through federal, state, foundation, and private investments, the project has reached several major milestones that position it for the next phase of development.

The new facility will expand access to youth programming, survivor services, community partnerships, and health resources while ensuring the YWCA continues its 110-year legacy of serving Van Wert County for generations to come.

Since launching the campaign, the community has demonstrated incredible confidence in the vision of a new YWCA. Thanks to the generosity of donors, grant partners, elected officials, and community advocates, the project continues to move forward with tremendous momentum.

Over the past several months, the YWCA has continued securing funding while architects finalize building plans and preparations begin for the construction bidding process.

Recent milestones include:

• $1 million approved through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, sponsored by Senator Jon Husted.
• $250,000 secured through the State of Ohio Capital Budget.
• Submission of a $1.3 million Affordable Housing Program (AHP) grant application through the Federal Home Loan Bank.
• Approval of grant funding and award of the asbestos abatement project for the current YWCA building. This investment will prepare the historic facility for future ownership and redevelopment, ensuring it can continue serving the community in a new capacity.
• Approval for up to $2.5 million in New Market Tax Credit (NMTC) through a Community Development Entity.
• More than $3.2 million in private donor pledges secured to date.
• Construction bidding is anticipated to begin this fall, with groundbreaking planned for next spring.

While these milestones represent tremendous progress, they also demonstrate the complexity of bringing a project of this size to life. Every funding source secured strengthens the project’s foundation and moves the YWCA one step closer to opening its doors.

Fair fun…

The cooler weather was nice and the final three days of the Van Wert County Fair were a flurry of activity, with the demolition derby, livestock and horse shows, woodcarving, the Big Air ATV show and much more. Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent

SNAP ban being put on hold

VW independent staff/submitted information

COLUMBUS — A ban on the purchase of certain surgary drinks with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits is being delayed in Ohio. The ban, originally slated to begin October 1, is being put on hold at the request of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Administration.

Earlier this year, FNA approved a waiver allowing Ohio to restrict the use of SNAP benefits to purchase certain beverages, including fountain drinks and carbonated sugary beverages. Specifically, the waiver restricts the use of SNAP benefits for purchasing beverages that list sugar, corn syrup, high-fructose corn syrup, or similar caloric sweeteners as the primary ingredient – or as the second ingredient if the first is carbonated water.

The FNA recently requested Ohio to delay implementation so that FNA can issue a notice in the Federal Register and assess public comments prior to project implementation. In response, Ohio is pausing the start of the sugary beverage ban until it receives further guidance.

The proposal was based on recommendations from a work group convened by Governor Mike DeWine in June of last year. Over three months, the group evaluated a wide range of data and expert input, including the impact of nutrition on children’s health, the history and purpose of SNAP, retail logistics, and implementation feasibility.

The workgroup noted that many health experts agree these drinks are widely recognized as having little to no nutritional value and are linked to chronic health conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension. The group recommended a clear definition of restricted beverages to support ease of implementation for retailers and to ensure that SNAP recipients can easily understand what is and isn’t eligible for purchase.

Local hospital earns designation

Submitted information

OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital has earned Critical Access Hospital designation, strengthening its ability to provide high-quality, patient-centered care while supporting the hospital’s long-term sustainability and access to services close to home. 

The Critical Access Hospital program was established to help rural hospitals maintain local access to care by providing additional flexibility through a cost-based Medicare reimbursement model. 

“This designation helps ensure we can continue providing the care our community depends on, now and into the future,” said Paula Stabler, president, OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital. “It strengthens our hospital, supports our caregivers and positions us to meet the healthcare needs of our community for years to come.” 

With this designation, Van Wert Hospital joins other OhioHealth rural hospitals operating under the Critical Access Hospital model, including OhioHealth Hardin Memorial Hospital, OhioHealth Shelby Hospital and OhioHealth Morrow County Hospital. 

Critical Access Hospitals are designated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and must meet specific operational and regulatory requirements. As part of the designation process, Van Wert Hospital successfully completed a comprehensive Joint Commission survey assessing its compliance with nationally recognized standards for quality and patient safety through on-site observations and reviews of clinical and operational processes. 

“Our priority is always making sure our patients receive safe, compassionate care,” said Leslie Beining, chief nursing officer, OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital. “Critical Access Hospital designation gives our teams the flexibility and resources needed to provide that care and support the needs of our community.” 

Van Wert Hospital leaders said they remain focused on providing trusted, patient-focused care throughout the transition.