Vantage BOE hears about students, ends fiscal year

BOE accepting applications for vacant seat

Submitted information

The Van Wert City Board of Education is seeking applicants to fill the unexpired term of board member Thaison Leaser, who resigned his position effective June 30, 2026.

The board will begin interviewing candidates soon and must name a replacement within 30 days of the resignation. The newly appointed member will serve until December 31, 2027. If the appointed member desires to continue serving, he or she must run in the November, 2027 general election for the remaining two years of the unexpired term ending December 31, 2029.

Leaser was elected to the Van Wert City Schools Board of Education to a four year term beginning January 1. He has submitted his resignation due to purchasing a home outside of the district.

Van Wert City Schools Board of Education President Anthony Adams thanked Leaser for his service to the Van Wert City School District.

Those interested in serving on the Van Wert City Schools Board of Education should contact Julie Anderson (j_anderson@vwcs.net) or click the link here to take you to the VWCS district website for an application. The deadline to submit an application is Friday, July 10.

According to Ohio law, people serving on Ohio school boards must be at least 18 years old, district residents, and registered voters.

Adams said the board will review all applications and decide on the replacement at its July 22 meeting.

City streets to be closed for July events

VW independent staff/submitted information

The month of July will be a busy one in terms of events that require street closures in the downtown Van Wert Here. Here is the list.

America250 Independence Day celebration – This event is Friday, July 3, Saturday, July 4, beginning at 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., each day. The street closure will be S. Jefferson St. from Main St. to Crawford St., Central Ave., to Washington St., and Central Ave., with adjoining parking lot. The closure will start at 7 a.m. July 3, until 10 p.m. July 4.

July 4 parade – The parade will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 4, with line up starting at 9:30 a.m. in the parking lot of Northwest State Community College.  The parade route will be Main St., and will start at the intersection of Main St. and Cherry St., to the intersection of Main & Shannon St. (YWCA to YMCA).

Van Wert County Historical Society – The July 4 Holiday at Home event will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 4, at the Van Wert County Historical Society. The street closure will be Third St. from Washington St., to the east side of the museum to the caboose.

Van Wert Freedom Cruise – The event is from 5-10 p.m. Saturday, July 11.  The street closure will be S. Jefferson St. from Main St. to Central Ave.

Haven of Hope – The Box City event will begin at 8 p.m. Friday, July 17, and run through 8 a.m. Saturday, July 18, at Fountain Park. The street closure will be Jefferson St. from Main St. to Central Ave., through the night with Central Avenue’s intersection to remain open to Crawford St.

Historic Main Street Van Wert – The annual Block Party at Fountain Park will go from 4-11 p.m. Friday, July 24. The street closure will be Jefferson St. from Jackson St. to Crawford St., W. Main St. from Shannon St. to Washington St., and W. Central Ave. from Jefferson to Washington St.

First United Methodist Church – The Operation Back to School event is at Fountain Park from 12-7 p.m. Sunday, July 26. The street closure will be Jefferson St. from Main St. to Central Ave., with Central Ave.’s intersection to remain open to Crawford St.

Thursday accident…

Two Van Wert EMS units were dispatched to a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of S. Shannon St. and W. Crawford St. at approximately 5:15 p.m. Thursday. A Chevy van was northbound on Shannon St. when a Chrysler minivan was making a left hand turn on Shannon and hit the northbound vehicle on the passenger side which deployed the airbags. Two people from the Chevy were transported to OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital. Bob Barnes/VWFD photographer

YWCA seeking support of Adopt-A-Room

VW independent staff/submitted information

The YWCA of Van Wert County is inviting community members, businesses, and organizations to support survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and sexual assault and their families through its Adopt-A-Room program.

Launched in 2023, the Adopt-A-Room program gives donors the opportunity to sponsor a living space within the YWCA’s Survivor Services residential facility for 12 months. Since its inception, the program has helped fund essential upgrades to resident spaces while also supporting utilities and operating expenses, ensuring a safe, secure, and comfortable environment where residents can focus on healing and rebuilding their lives.

Just a few of the facility improvements made possible since 2023 include elevator maintenance and repairs to improve accessibility for survivors with disabilities, radiator repairs in resident rooms, replacement of water heaters, painting bedrooms and updating shared living spaces, installation of coded keyless entry systems on all bedroom doors, enhanced exterior lighting for greater security, and the addition of HD security cameras.

“These and other improvements made possible through the Adopt-A-Room program have strengthened resident safety, increased accessibility for survivors with disabilities, and helped us maintain comfortable, dignified living spaces for individuals and families as they recover from trauma,” said Julie Schaufelberger, YWCA Director of Outreach and Communication.

Through the Adopt-A-Room program, donors commit to a tax-deductible contribution of $1,000, which may be paid one time annually or through recurring installments of $84 monthly or $250 quarterly. In recognition of their support, sponsors receive a plaque displayed on a Survivor Services residential room or shared space, acknowledgment on social media, and recognition in the YWCA’s annual report, monthly newsletter, and website. Donors may also choose to remain anonymous.

“Recurring payment options offer donors an affordable way to make a lasting impact in the lives of survivors and their families living in our facility,” Schaufelberger said. “Collectively, these contributions help provide safety, stability, and the support survivors need.”

Annual donations may be paid with either a credit card or check, however, recurring payments must be paid via credit, debit or PayPal. Individuals interested in paying by check or PayPal should contact julies@ywcavanwertcounty.org. Credit and debit card payees can visit https://ywcavanwertcounty.betterworld.org/ to choose their payment plan of choice.

The YWCA is an agency of the United Way of Van Wert County and is partially funded by the Van Wert County Foundation.

Allen County road damaged by crash

VW independent staff/submitted information

The Lima Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a single-vehicle crash that occurred at approximately 5:43 p.m. Thursday. The crash started on U.S. 30 West and ended on Napoleon Road in Richland Township, Allen County.

Rachel Young, 48, of Lima, was operating a 2013 Mack Dump Truck traveling west on U.S. 30, loaded with rocks. The truck reportedly suffered a tire blowout, causing Young to drive off the left side of the road and into the median. The Mack struck and drove through a guardrail, drove down an embankment, struck another guardrail prior to striking the pavement of Napoleon Road. Young appeared to have been partially ejected but was trapped and had to be extricated by mechanical means. She was transported to Lima Memorial Hospital for her serious injuries by Beaverdam-Richland EMS.

The truck sustained heavy damage and was towed from the scene.

Napoleon Road suffered heavy damage to the pavement and will be temporarily closed throughout the U.S. 30 underpass until repairs can be made. U.S. 30 was not affected.

Leaser stepping down from school board

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

A seat is coming open on the Van Wert City Schools Board of Education.

At Wednesday’s monthly meeting, the school board accepted the resignation of board member Thaison Leaser, effective June 30. Leaser joined the board in January, replacing Scott Mull, who chose not to seek re-election.

“It was just unfortunate timing,” Leaser said of his pending departure. “My family and I purchased a house outside the district so I have to resign due to the residency requirements. It’s not something I had planned on and I’m definitely grateful for the short time I was able to be on the board.”

Superintendent Mark Bagley lauded Leaser for his efforts and Board President Anthony Adams also offered praise.

“He’s made a huge impact,” Adams said.

Adams said the board will begin accepting applications soon and will then hold special meetings interview applicants, with more information expected soon. If all goes as planned, a new member will be appointed at the July 22 meeting. The person chosen will fill the unexpired term, but will need to participate in a special election in November of 2027 for the remaining two years of the term that ends on December 31, 2029.

The board accepted the resignation of elementary school principal Tracy Wehner, then immediately approved a three-year contract for her as elementary school principal. She’s replacing Justin Krogman, who’s leaving for an administrative role in the Shawnee school system. Ty Wannemacher’s resignation as a second grade teacher was accepted and he was then hired as elementary school administrative assistant.

A long list of other personnel moves was approved, including the resignations of second grade teacher Kelsey Luthman, high school math teacher Emma Schmitmeyer and fifth grade teacher Tre Short. Christine Amstutz and Lindsay Bates were approved as Early Childhood Center paraprofessionals, along with Alysai Barnhart, third grade teacher; Faith Bruns, second grade teacher; Nicole Fry, elementary school secretary; Carson Shull, elementary counselor intern; Andrea Profit, high school paraprofessional, Dave Hohman, custodial/maintenance worker; Spencer Adams, high school intervention specialist and middle school football coach, and Hunter Cunningham, elementary school cross-categorical intervention specialist.

NSCC offering fun day camps in July

VW independent staff/submitted information

Northwest State Community College will be hosting three day camps this July at the newly renovated Van Wert campus. The camps will give young minds a chance to engage in STEM coding and online gaming in a safe environment.

Kicking off with “Swing into STEM” day on Friday, July 10, campers will create their own mini golf holes using LEGO SPIKE Essential, a program designed for introductory coding. This creates a hands-on design process full of creativity and competition.

SPIKE Robotics will follow the week after, taking place on Friday, July 17. Using FIRST LEGO League programming, campers will team up to program and build robots, competing to be the best bot. This day is great for an introduction to the world of robots.

The final one is Van Wert Vortex ESports Gamer Camp, taking place on Friday, July 31. Campers will spend the day engaged in age-appropriate games, like Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros, along with LEGO building competitions and more.

Each camp is designed for a specific age group. More information can be found here. Call 419.267.1399 with any additional questions.

All-Stars!

Recently graduated senior baseball players from Crestview, Delphos Jefferson, Lincolnview and Van Wert took the field for the Lincoln Highway Classic Wednesday night. It was the inuagural game and the Klosterman’s Pizza All-Stars held off the Lee Kinstle All-Stars 6-5. More pictures can be found on the Sports page. Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent

Safety Council accepting registrations

VW independent staff/submitted information

The Ohio West Safety Council, sponsored by the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation and Eastman & Smith, Ltd. Attorneys at Law, is a program of the Van Wert Area Chamber of Commerce open to all area businesses. The council helps increase safety awareness and may provide participating businesses cost savings related to Workers’ Compensation rates.

Held in collaboration with the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, the council provides a forum for safety and health education, professional development, and networking. Topics focus on occupational safety and health, risk management, workers’ compensation, BWC services, rehabilitation, and environmental issues.

The council meets from 8-9:30 a.m. the second Wednesday of each month at Vantage Career Center, with breakfast included. Each meeting includes a BWC update, a sponsor presentation from Eastman & Smith, Ltd., and a featured speaker. There are 12 monthly meetings and businesses who attend 10 meetings are eligible for a three percent rebate of their workers compensation insurance costs. For Van Wert Area Chamber business members the cost is $250. For non-Chamber members, the cost is $300.

For more information, click here or contact Amber Franklin at 419.238.4390 or chamber@vanwertchamber.com.

Various hearings held in local court

VW independent staff

Five separate and unrelated criminal hearings were held in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court on Wednesday. Judge Martin D. Burchfield presided over each of the hearings.

Arraignment

Shawn Clouatre, 33, of Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea to violating a protection order, a fifth degree felony. He was released on a surety bond and was ordered to have no contact with the victim. A pre-trial conference was set for 10:30 a.m. July 13.

Change of plea

Dylan Slagle, 22, of Van Wert, changed his plea to guilty to disseminating matter harmful to juveniles, a fifth degree felony. Judge Burchfield ordered a pre-sentence investigation and set sentencing for 9 a.m. September 2.

Sentencings

Daniel C.L. Vibbert, 35, of an Wert, was sentenced to 90 days in jail each on charges of aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth degree felony, and non-support of dependants, a fourth degree felony. The sentences will be served concurrently and Vibbert was ordered to pay court costs.

Joseph Klett, 49, of Van Wert, was sentenced to 120 days in jail and was ordered to pay court costs for aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth degree felony.

Probation violation

Zachary Craig, 46, of Van Wert, admitted to violating his probation by associating with a felon. Sentencing was scheduled for 11 a.m. July 29.