Ceremony held for latest graduates of CAMO Court

Hit and run…

The Van Wert Department is looking for any information on a hit and run to a parked vehicle in the 800 block of Leeson Ave. It occurred around 7 a.m. this (Thursday) morning. Anyone with information is asked to call the Van Wert Police Department at 419.238.0308. Bob Barnes photo

Students vs. board members at meeting

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

Are you smarter than an elementary student? Members of the Lincolnview school board had to ponder that question during Wednesday night’s monthly meeting.

14 gifted students, along with Elementary Gifted Coordinator Marla Kemler presented the board with information about what they’re doing in the classroom in math and other subjects and they asked the board some questions designed to test their comprehension skills. After that, the students took on board members in a stack challenge, to see which team could stack several plastic cups the highest, using only rubber bands and plastic utensils. It was close and appeared to be a draw.

The board also heard from members of the high school steel drum band and director Mike Archinal. The band recently performed at the Ohio Music Education Association’s annual state convention, which was held in Columbus. Just 30 bands were selected statewide for the honor.

“It was just a wonderful experience and has really opened up some doors for us in the future,” Archinal said.

During his report, Jr. High/High School Principal Brad Mendenhall said scheduling for next school year is underway. He also said 33 sophomore have applied to attend Vantage Career Center next school year, and he said the 10th annual career fair will be held April 1 at the Jr. Fair Building at the Van Wert County Fairgrounds.

Superintendent Jeff Snyder said an evacuation drill is being planned for early May. During the drill, students will be bussed off of school property.

Treasurer Kaitlyn Edelbrock said the district received its bi-annual casino tax payment, which totaled $28.424, an increase of more than $1,000 from last year. She also talked briefly about the latest financial forecast and said the district is in a good financial position and will have a positive cash balance at the end of the projection. The board later approved the forecast.

Best, worst days to fill your tank

VW independent staff/submitted information

A new analysis has identifed the cheapest and most expensive days of the week to buy gasoline in all 50 states. Based on an analysis of daily statewide fuel prices over the past year, GasBuddy found that Sunday is the most consistently affordable day to fill up in most U.S. states, while midweek, particularly Wednesday through Friday, tends to be more expensive. It’s a little different in Ohio.

While price trends fluctuate with oil markets and seasonal demand, weekly patterns remain surprisingly consistent. In most states, prices gradually rise through the week before easing into the weekend, creating a reliable window for motorists to save simply by adjusting the timing of their fill-up. Buying on the lowest-priced weekday instead of the most expensive one can save drivers 4 to 9 cents per gallon with little effort.

“Gas prices don’t just move based on global oil markets — they also follow a weekly rhythm,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “For most drivers, Sunday is the safest bet for finding lower prices, while filling up mid-week can mean paying more.”

In several states — including Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Florida, Texas and parts of the West Coast — prices follow a more pronounced pattern known as price cycling. In these markets, prices often “reset” sharply higher on a specific day, then slowly decline over the next several days before the next spike.

In price-cycling states, the best savings often come five to seven days after a price jump, when competition drives prices back down. In these states, the gap between buying at the peak of a spike and near the bottom of the cycle can reach 15 to 45 cents per gallon or more, making timing especially important.

“These states experience sharper and more predictable weekly swings,” De Haan added. “If drivers notice a big jump, patience can pay off. Waiting several days after a spike often leads to better prices.”

The GasBuddy analysis shows that in Ohio, Monday is generally the best day to fill up, while the worst day is Thursday. It’s a bit different locally. In Van Wert County as of late, Tuesday seems to be the day each week that pump prices spike.

Two defendants in court for hearings

VW independent staff

A Van Wert man who failed the terms of intervention in lieu of conviction appeared in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court for sentencing this week.

Weston Mills, 42, was sentenced by Judge Martin D. Burchfield to up to six months at the WORTH Center, three years of community control, 30 days in jail at a later date and 100 hours of community service for aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth degree felony. In addition, he must seek and maintain employment, undergo substance abuse assessment and treatment, and pay partial appointed counsel fees, monthly probation fees and court costs.

In a separate and unrelated case, Joel Crawford, 37, of Van Wert, admitted to  violating his bond by failing to appear to the probation office. Judge Burchfield set bond at $25,000 cash or surety and ordered electronic house arrest and a curfew if released. A pre-trial conference was scheduled for 8:30 a.m. March 4. He’s facing two counts of burglary, second and third degree felonies, and grand theft when the property is a firearm or dangerous ordinance, a third degree felony.

Lincolnview kindergarten registration info

Parents in the Lincolnview Local School District that has a child who will be five years of age on or before the first day of school, August 19, 2026, may register their child for the 2026-27 school year on Final Forms. During registration week, March 2-6, parents or guardians should:

• Go to Lincolnview’s website, lincolnview.k12.oh.us
• Click on the parent tab in the top right-hand corner
• Go down to Final Forms
• Click on Login or New Account and follow the directions and make sure you are in the 2026-2027 school year.

The first form will ask you to schedule an appointment to bring in your documents; you do not need to do this. You may come in the office anytime between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. the week of March 2-6 to bring documents in to be copied. You may also upload these documents to Final Forms as well. Parents should bring/upload their child’s social security card, official birth certificate, immunization records and one proof of residency (mortgage statement, lease agreement, voter registration card, utility statement, bank statement, or rent receipt) and if applicable, custody papers, to registration.

Open enrollment

If you want your child to attend kindergarten at Lincolnview but live outside the district, you should plan to register and attend Lincolnview’s screening. Open enrollment space can be limited. You can obtain open enrollment forms at registration for the kindergarten class when you bring in your documents. The open enrollment window is now open until May 31 for all other grade level students. Open Enrollment forms must be turned into the district office only.

Kindergarten screening sign up

• Go to the Lincolnview website and click on the parent tab again.
• Go to the Elementary Parent-Teacher Scheduler – Sign up for a screening time on March 30th or March 31st from 8-2:30. The PTC Scheduler will be live starting March 2nd

Screening will be held at the First Baptist Church, 13887 Jennings Rd., Van Wert (corner of Ohio 116 and Jennings Rd.).

Immunizations needed before starting school

• Polio – four doses (last dose on or after fourth birthday)
• DTaP – four or more doses–(last dose on or after fourth birthday)
• MMR – two doses
• Hepatitis B – three doses

Additional information may be obtained by contacting the Lincolnview Elementary Office at 419.968.2351 or email cwaltmire@lvlancers.com.

Students of the month…

Crestview Elementary recently named its Students of the Month sponsored by Van Wert Cinemas. Students who make the Knight Leader Board each month are put into a drawing for a free 30-day pass to the movie theater for their entire family. Van Wert Cinemas January Students of the Month were: Amiya Andrews and Logan Osborn, first grade;  Rylee Motycka and Crew Orsbon, second grade. Owen Motycka and Harper McCoy, third grade; Ruby Grant and Maverick Kerns, fourth grade; Ridge Burley and Lela Murphy, fifth grade. Photo submitted

YWCA receives $1M boost for new facility

VW independent staff/submitted information

The Health and Human Services appropriations bill signed by President Donald Trump earlier this month included a $1 million allocation to YWCA of Van Wert County to support construction of its new 30,000 square foot facility. The YWCA received these funds through Congressionally directed spending from U.S. Senator Jon Husted.

“We sincerely thank Senator Husted for securing $1 million for our capital campaign,” YWCA of Van Wert County President/CEO Kimberly Laudick said. “This vital funding accelerates our efforts to build a new facility that will enhance services, increase access, and ensure a stronger future for our community.”

In 2024, YWCA of Van Wert County launched a capital campaign to build a new facility that will meet the current and future needs of the greater Van Wert community. An emerging community need is health care, with Van Wert County designated a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA). YWCA of Van Wert County’s new community clinic, in partnership with Mercy Health, will provide family medicine and specialty and behavioral health services to the general public and YWCA of Van Wert County clients and employees.

In addition to the Community Clinic, YWCA of Van Wert County’s new facility, which will be built on Lincoln Highway, across the street from The Marsh Foundation, will include a youth wing to support underserved youth with the summer food program and a new after-school program, which is not currently offered in Van Wert. YWCA of Van Wert County will continue to provide emergency and long-term shelter and wraparound support services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence and human trafficking in its Survivor Services Wing.

YWCA of Van Wert County’s Capital Campaign for a new facility has raised over $3 million in private funds.

Total project cost is about $14 million, which is expected to include a combination of public, private, lending and tax credit dollars. YWCA of Van Wert County intends to break ground on its new facility in 2027.

If interested in supporting YWCA of Van Wert County’s Capital Campaign for a new facility, contact Kimberly Laudick at 419.238.6639.

Crestview permitting open enrollment

Submitted information

CONVOY — In compliance with Ohio Revised Code and district policy, the Board of Education of Crestview Local Schools will permit open enrollment of students from any Ohio district through open enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year.

Applications will be accepted beginning April 1, on a first-come, first-serve basis, according to the time and date the application is received by the Superintendent of Crestview Local Schools. Requests will be acted upon no later than July 1.

Applications will be considered in the order received and class size may be limited. All applications must be completed and returned no later than May 31. Applications are available by contacting the Superintendent’s Office at 419.749.9100, ext. 4 or on the school website at www.crestviewknights.com under Parent Resources.

Parents of students currently enrolled this school year under open enrollment need to complete a new open enrollment application for the 2026-2027 school year. These students will be considered before new applications are approved.

Questions concerning open enrollment should be directed to the Superintendent’s Office.

Lanternfly quarantine now statewide

REYNOLDSBURG — The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) issued a statewide quarantine in Ohio for the invasive Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) effective February 17. Previously, 18 Ohio counties were under quarantine.

Under the quarantine, products such as trees and nursery stock may not be moved out of Ohio without a compliance agreement, permit, or inspection certificate. Producers who ship these products to non-regulated areas must have their stock inspected and each load must be accompanied by a certificate which confirms their product is free of SLF.

Businesses that need assistance with certifying shipments of products at risk of spreading SLF, should reach out to ODA’s Plant Pest Control Section for assistance.

ODA is no longer encouraging community members to report sightings of the spotted lanternfly in the state of Ohio. Recommendations on treatment methods for SLF on your property can be found in ODA’s Spotted Lanternfly Management Guide.

“The spotted lanternfly is an invasive pest that is known to cause harm to Ohio’s agricultural industry,” ODA Director Brian Baldridge said. “ODA is committed to protecting and preserving our plant life, and plant health experts are working with nurseries and wineries to reduce the negative impact of SLF.”

The spotted lanternfly is an insect native to Asia that is a pest of grapes, hops, and apples, along with many other species of plants. This pest is specifically a concern for Ohio’s grape and wine industry, which contributes more than $6 billion dollars in economic activity to the state yearly. An invasive tree known as tree of heaven is the primary host for spotted lanternfly.

The spotted lanternfly was first detected in the U.S. in Pennsylvania in 2014. It was likely brought to the U.S. by imported goods. The first confirmation in Ohio was in Mingo Junction in 2020. Video of SLF can be found here.

Vision program touted in Spencerville

VW independent staff/submitted information

SPENCERVILLE — Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff continued their statewide tour on Tuesday at Spencerville Elementary School to discuss OhioSEE, a new children’s eyesight program.

While visiting the school, Governor DeWine met with several students who have benefited from comprehensive vision services offered through OhioSEE. Eighteen students in kindergarten through third grade received a pair of eyeglasses, at no cost to the child or family, from Health Partners of Western Ohio, an OhioSEE vendor. 

“As Fran and I have traveled around the state, we have seen firsthand how OhioSEE is changing lives,” he said. “The joy and excitement on the faces of these students when they put their new glasses on really says it all. OhioSEE is answering a real need for vision care in this pilot program area, and I encourage superintendents to take look at this program and reach out to us to get signed up.”

“Many children can struggle with vision problems that affect their ability to learn and participate in the classroom,” Dr. Vanderhoff said. “We’re encouraged by the reaction from students as they receive their glasses and may be seeing clearly for the first time. We’re hopeful as time goes on, more school districts will sign up for this crucial service bringing eye exams and glasses into schools for kids who need them.”

ODH identified 15 high-need counties where 80 percent of children who are identified through a vision screening as needing additional vision care do not receive it. OhioSEE addresses barriers families may face by bringing comprehensive vision services directly to the school. School districts in the pilot program area can select one of two service models that work best for their district:

• A fully equipped mobile vision van that travels to schools on a set schedule, offering convenient on-site vision exams. It also returns to dispense eyeglasses directly to students.
• A “roll-on, roll-off” model involves a team setting up an exam space within school areas, such as classrooms or libraries, providing eye exams and dispensing glasses on-site.

Counties included in the pilot project include: Allen, Butler, Clark, Clermont, Cuyahoga, Erie, Franklin, Guernsey, Huron, Jackson, Lorain, Mahoning, Marion, Montgomery, and Ross.