Van Wert County’s new roundabout is open to traffic

Most government offices closed Monday

VW independent staff

All federal and state government offices will be closed on Monday, October 12, in observance of the Columbus Day holiday. No mail will be delivered on Monday. Most local government offices will be closed for the day as well, including Van Wert County offices and the Van Wert County Courthouse and Annex. However, the Van Wert Municipal Building will be open.

Eagle Scout honored…

Van Wert Lodge No. 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, recently participated in the Eagle Scout Court of Honor for Brody A. Reigle, a member of Boy Scout Troop 98 in Rockford. He was presented an American Flag and an Eagle Scout Certificate from the Van Wert Elks Lodge. For Reigle’s Eagle Scout project, he raised more than $33,000 to cover the materials and coordinated more than 840 volunteer hours to construct a pavilion at Shanes’ Park in Rockford. Reigle is shown above with Michael C. Stanley, Lodge  No. 1197 Scouting Liaison. Photo submitted

Court appearance tied to standoff delayed

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

A court appearance for a Van Wert man involved in a Tuesday standoff on the city’s west side was put on hold on Thursday.

John D. Wise, 48, of Burt St. was scheduled to be arraigned in Van Wert Municipal Court via a video appearance Thursday morning, but it was taken off the schedule for the time being. Instead, Wise is expected to undergo a mental health evaluation to determine if he’s competent to understand the charges against him.

It’s unclear if or when the arraignment will be rescheduled.

Wise is currently charged with possessing weapons under disability, a third degree felony, and aggravated menacing of a police officer, a fifth degree felony. If Wise is found competent to stand trial, the case is expected to be bound over to Van Wert County Common Pleas Court.

Wise was arrested late Tuesday night after barricading himself in his home for nearly seven hours.

Accoring to Van Wert Police Chief Doug Weigle, at approximately 3:50 p.m. Tuesday, the Van Wert Police Department received several calls of an armed man walking along N. Burt St. One person claimed he was stumbling, while another said Wise stated he was looking for someone with a warrant.

Officers responded to the scene and found Wise walking in the 600 block of N. Burt St. with an AR-15 and a handgun. Officers ordered him to stop and he raised his gun and pointed it at an officer, then ran into his nearby residence.

A crisis negotiator from the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office was called in and tried to speak with him over the phone, but according to Weigle, Wise made several comments about “there was going to be a shootout.” At one point, Wise became upset  and shot his gun out the window, then texted the negotiator “I mean business.”

The Van Wert Police Department’s Special Response Team set up a perimeter and due to safety concerns, Burt St. and adjoining areas were blocked off to traffic and nearby residents were evacuated.

Burt St. to close most of next week

Submitted information

Starting next Tuesday, October 13, Burt St. in Van Wert will be closed for railroad work. This will be a hard road closure, meaning no traffic will be able to cross the tracks while the work is being done. The street should be back open for everyone on Saturday morning.

Students learn about cows and plows

By Alecta Baxter/Crestview FFA reporter

The Crestview FFA Chapter recently had the opportunity to participate in the annual Cows and Plows event held at the Van Wert County Fairgrounds. The event, which was organized by Van Wert Soil and Water Conservation District, welcomed local fourth-grade students for a day of hands-on agricultural education and learning experiences.

Van Wert Soil and Water invited numerous agricultural businesses, producers, and organizations from throughout the county to volunteer their time and share their knowledge with the next generation. Throughout the day, students rotated through educational stations where they learned about various aspects of agriculture, natural resources, livestock, crop production, and the many careers available within the agricultural industry.

Crestview FFA members assisted with the event by helping guide students between stations, interacting with participants, and supporting presenters throughout the day. The event provided an excellent opportunity for FFA members to promote agricultural literacy while encouraging young students to learn more about the industry that plays such an important role in their community.

The Cows and Plows event showcased the dedication of local agricultural businesses, producers, and volunteers who invested their time to educate future generations. Through engaging activities and hands-on demonstrations, students gained a better understanding of where their food comes from and the importance of agriculture in everyday life.

The Crestview FFA Chapter thanked Van Wert Soil and Water Conservation District for hosting the educational event and for providing local students with a memorable experience that helps foster an appreciation for agriculture and conservation.

Law enforcement officers work well together

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

Cooperation was the key to successfully and peacefully ending Tuesday night’s standoff in Van Wert.

After several tense hours, John Wise, 48, came out of his home in the 600 block of Burt St. and surrendered without incident. He was taken into custody and was transported to the Van Wert County Correctional Facility pending court proceedings.

There was a very heavy law enforcement presence along some of Burt St. and the surrounding area late Tuesday afternoon and evening, well into late night. The Van Wert Police Department was first at the scene, with additional assistance supplied a short time later by the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office and Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Those three agencies, along with others worked in unison for the best outcome.

“I think this situation shows how important those relationships are,” Van Wert Police Chief Doug Weigle said on Wednesday. “No one individual is as smart as the whole group. With several trained and experienced leaders at the command post to help make the best decision with the information at the time is a huge benefit. Each perspective is gathered and then a plan is put in place.”  

“I think it is rare to have as good a relationship we have with all agencies here in Van Wert,” Weigle added.

Drone units from the Van Wert Police Department and the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office worked in tandem to provide information from above. The Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Auglaize County Sheriff’s Office provided Lenco BearCats, which instrumental in ending the standoff.

In the midst of the situation, Weigle noted the most important thing for all involved was a peaceful ending, which was accomplished.

“At the end of the day the mission is always to get all persons involved out and unharmed,” Weigle said.

Roundabout scheduled to open on Friday

VW independent staff

Van Wert County’s second roundabout is set to open this Friday.

The new roundabout at U.S. 224 and Lincoln Highway, just west of the Van Wert city limits, is scheduled to open sometime around midday on Friday.

Residents asked to complete survey

LIMA — Area Agency on Aging 3 and the Hancock Hardin Wyandot Putnam Community Action Commission is inviting residents of Allen, Auglaize, Hancock, Hardin, Mercer, Putnam, Van Wert, and Wyandot counties to complete a transportation survey to support the Regional Coordinated Transit Plan.

Released by Area Agency on Aging 3 ‘s Mobility Department and HHWP CAC, the survey will gather information about transportation needs and gaps throughout the region. Residents’ honest feedback will help inform planning efforts and provide a clearer understanding of transportation challenges within local communities.

All residents of the eight counties are encouraged to participate. Family members, caregivers, case managers, community organizations, and service providers are also encouraged to share the survey with people who live in the region.

Residents can complete the survey online at www.aaa3.org. Printer-friendly paper surveys are available in both standard and large-print formats. Residents and organizations interested in printed copies or return postage assistance may contact Area Agency on Aging 3’s Mobility Department or HHWP CAC.

Community members can help broaden participation by sharing Area Agency on Aging 3’s social media posts or distributing survey information to friends, family members, clients, and neighbors throughout the eight-county region.

Area Agency on Aging 3 provides life-span resources that inspire, educate and empower older adults, people with disabilities and family caregivers. The agency serves Allen, Auglaize, Hancock, Hardin, Mercer, Putnam and Van Wert counties. To learn more, visit www.aaa3.org or call 419-222-7723.

Arraignments and other hearings held

VW independent staff

It’s been a busy week in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court, with no less than 20 criminal hearings held in the court. Judge Martin D. Burchfield presided over each of the hearings.

Arraignments

Nicholas Tarbet, 31, of Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea to failure to provide notice of change of address, a third degree felony. He was released on a surety bond and a pre-trial conference was scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday, October 28.

Corbin Cornelius, 25, of Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea to strangulation, a fourth degree felony, and domestic violence, a third degree felony. Bond was set at $50,000 cash or commercial surety with electronic house arrest if released. He was ordered to  have no contact with the victim and a pre-trial conference was scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, October 28.

Justin Rey, 19, of Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea to strangulation, a fourth degree felony. Bond was set at $50,000 cash or commercial surety and he was ordered to have no contact with victim. A pre-trial conference was set for 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, October 28.

Kaden Ballard, 25, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to strangulation, a fifth degree felony, and robbery, a felony of the second degree. Judge Burchfield set bond at $100,000 cash or commercial surety with electronic house arrest if released, with a curfew. He was also ordered to have no contact with the victim. A pre-trial conference was scheduled for 8 a.m. October 28.

Landon Pratt, 23, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to complicity in the commission of an offense, a second degree felony. Bond was set at $25,000 cash or commercial surety with electronic house arrest and a curfew if released. He was ordered to have no contact with the victim and a pre-trial conference was scheduled for 8 a.m. October 28.

Estaban Rivera, 49, of Scott, entered a not guilty plea to having weapons while under disability, a third degree felony. Judge Burchfield set bond at $50,000 cash or commercial surety with electronic house arrest if released. He is to have no contact with the victim. A pre-trial conference was set for 9 a.m. Wednesday, October 28.

Ryan Grime, 33, of Bryan, pleaded not guilty to receiving stolen property, a fourth degree felony. He was released on a surety bond and was ordered to have no contact with the victim. A pre-trial conference was scheduled for 8 a.m. Wednesday, October 28.

Voters cast ballots, ask for mail-in ballots

VW independent staff

The first day of early voting in Van Wert County was brisk.

Van Wert County Board of Elections Director Pam Henderson said 202 voters came to her office to cast ballots on Tuesday, and she noted 600 ballots were mailed out on Tuesday, the first day any could be sent out. Henderson said another batch of mail in ballots went out on Wednesday.

Early in-person voting will continue between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. this week at the Van Wert County Board of Elections Office, 1362 E. Ervin Rd., Van Wert. For more information on the local ballot, click here.