SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
CONVOY — Personnel matters made up the majority of the agenda during Monday night’s brief meeting of the Crestview Local Schools Board of Education.
The board honored four retiring employees – Mary Kay Barnes, Cheryl Hoover, David Springer and Lori Waltz – with a reception held before the meeting. All four are retiring at the end of the current school year and each was given a plaque.
The board accepted several resignations, all effective at the end of the school year, including Melissa Miller, athletic department secretary; Allyson Buzard, fiscal administrative assistant; Nicole Kirkpatrick, middle school/high school art teacher, and Sandra Grooms, school nurse.
Amanda Lichtle was hired as fiscal administrative assistant and was given a two year contract.
A number of supplemental fall and winter sports coaching contracts were approved by the board, including James Lautzenheiser, head football coach; Jeremy Best, head golf; John Dowler, head soccer; Tammy Gregory, head volleyball, Randy Grandstaff, head cross country; Doug Etzler, head boys basketball; Mark Gregory, head girls basketball, and Jake Sawmiller, head wrestling.
(more…)POSTED: 05/17/22 at 3:35 am
VW independent staff and submitted information
A local businessman with deep ties to the community has been named as the Grand Marshal of this year’s Peony Festival parade.
Eric McCracken, owner of Lee Kinstle GM Sales & Service, will lead the parade, which is scheduled to begin at at 5 p.m. Saturday, June 4 in downtown Van Wert.
McCracken is a past recipient of the Community Champion Award, designed to honor a person or entity that exhibits exemplary service to the community over time to strengthen Van Wert County and improve the lives of residents.
He has received the Ray Miller Award, presented by the Van Wert Chamber of Commerce and has served as president Van Wert Youth Baseball. McCracken has also served on several community boards, including as past president of the YMCA board, Youth for Christ Board, president of the First United Methodist Pre-School Board, First United Methodist Administrative Board and Salvation Army Board. Most recently, he served as co-chairman of the Eggerss Stadium Renovation Committee. His favorite effort is Toss-A-Toy.
McCracken and his wife Melody have four sons. Ryan works at One Resource Group in Fort Wayne, Jalen is a senior at the University of St. Francis Fort Wayne, Damon is a junior at Van Wert High School and Griffin is a freshman at Van Wert.
POSTED: 05/17/22 at 3:35 am. FILED UNDER: News
Van Wert Mayor Ken Markward (right) presents Chief Doug Weigle with a proclamation honoring the Van Wert Police Department for Law Enforcement Appreciation Week, which runs through May 21. Photo submitted
POSTED: 05/17/22 at 3:33 am. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff and submitted information
As a kickoff to Memorial Day weekend, the Van Wert Area Community Concert Band will present a free concert in the band shell of Fountain Park in Van Wert at 7 p.m. Friday, May 27.
The concert will include patriotic selections Let Freedom Ring, Echoes of the Civil War, Van Wert American Legion Band March, God Bless America, and God Bless the U.S.A. Other selections will include music of the Ukrainian Nation Anthem and Beautiful Savior.
Area military personnel and veterans will also be honored with a Salute To America’s Finest.
In the event of inclement weather the concert will be held at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center Auditorium. Please listen to 99.7 WKSD/WERT 1220AM/104.3FM or visit the Van Wert Area Community Concert Band Facebook page for updates.
The band is directed by Richard Sherrick and has members from Van Wert, Ohio City, Delphos, Convoy, Chat, Middle Point, Coldwater, Defiance, Spencerville, Celina and Rockford.
The band will also be providing music for the Ohio City American Legion Memorial Day Ceremonies at 10 a.m. Monday May 30.
POSTED: 05/17/22 at 3:32 am. FILED UNDER: News
Submitted information
Lincolnview High School Principal Brad Mendenhall has announced that the school will be hold its graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2022 at 2 p.m. this Sunday, May 22, in the high school gymnasium.
Parking is available in both the high school and elementary lots. Both main entrances will open to the public at 1 p.m.
POSTED: 05/17/22 at 3:32 am. FILED UNDER: News
The Van Wert High School Class of 1998 recently donated $2,000 to the Eggerss Stadium Renovation Committee. Pictured from left to right John White, Rich Spridgeon, Ben Laudick, Stacey Baer and Eric McCracken. Spridgeon and Laudick are members of the Class of ’98, while White, Baer and McCracken are part of the Stadium Renovation Committee. Photo submitted
POSTED: 05/17/22 at 3:31 am. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff
The Lincolnview Local Schools Board of Education will hold a special board meeting/work session at 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 18, in the Neubrecht Lecture Hall.
The meeting is for facilities planning and discussion. No board action is anticipated.
POSTED: 05/17/22 at 3:30 am. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent and submitted information
Van Wert High School Principal Bob Priest has announced that the school will be hold its graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2022 at 2 p.m. this Sunday, May 22, in the high school gymnasium.
Parking is available in both the west parking lots (high school and middle school). Open entrances at the school are the high school main and gym entrances, and the middle school gym entrance. Doors will open to the public at 1 p.m.
Tickets will be collected at the door for family members to attend graduation.
POSTED: 05/16/22 at 10:04 am. FILED UNDER: News
This semi-truck slammed into a home on Sunset Drive, just off U.S. 127 shortly before 4:30 a.m. Monday morning. Initial calls had it as a possible lightning strike but upon arrival it was discovered the truck and trailer had veered off the road, struck a power pole and a tree before hitting the house. The truck driver, not a Van Wert resident, was taken to Van Wert Health for treatment of minor injuries. The homeowner was uninjured. The Van Wert Police Deparment, Van Wert Fire and EMS, Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office, the Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, AEP and Hague Towing were at the scene. Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent
POSTED: 05/16/22 at 8:15 am. FILED UNDER: News
These ominous clouds suddenly blew into Van Wert County late Saturday afternoon. This picture was taken on Wren Landeck Road, about one mile east of Mendon Road, or about four miles south of Van Wert. High winds downed at least several trees around the county and created mini dust storms on area fields. There were no confirmed local reports of funnel clouds or tornado touchdowns. Parts of surrounding counties received heavy rainfall from the same storm system. Photo courtesy of Zach Profit
POSTED: 05/16/22 at 4:00 am. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff
CONVOY — Fall and winter sports coaches will be hired during Monday night’s meeting of the Crestview Local Schools Board of Education meeting.
Among the other items on the agenda: approval of the district’s new strategic plan, approval of new student handbooks and the purchase of four new buses.
The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. in the multipurpose room. A reception for retiring staff members will be held at 5:30 p.m.
POSTED: 05/16/22 at 3:37 am. FILED UNDER: News
