Crestview BOE gets update on athletic facilities upgrades

Survey: gas prices have fallen slightly

VW independent staff/submitted information

Average gasoline prices in Ohio have fallen 3.6 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.87 per gallon on Monday, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 5,345 stations in Ohio. Prices in Ohio are 30.2 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand $1.11 per gallon higher than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has decreased 5.9 cents compared to a week ago and stands at $6.248 per gallon.

According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Ohio was priced at $3.19 per gallon on Sunday while the most expensive was $5.89 per gallon, a difference of $2.70 per gallon.

The national average price of gasoline has fallen 0.4 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $4.29 per gallon on Monday. The national average is up 0.4 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands $1.28 per gallon higher than a year ago, according to GasBuddy data compiled from more than 11 million weekly price reports covering over 150,000 gas stations across the country.

“More states saw average gasoline prices decline than rise over the last week, with diesel falling approximately 5 cents per gallon nationally,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “On the policy front, the Trump administration’s proposed diesel deal raises more questions than it answers, and I remain skeptical that it will deliver significant relief to the trucking industry and consumers who depend on diesel. Meanwhile, Hurricane Isaias has passed, but we are awaiting updates on two refineries that were in its path, the outcome of which could impact the supply picture in the days ahead. For now, the trend is cautiously in the right direction for motorists, but between hurricane season and continued geopolitical uncertainty, it is far too early to declare the pressure on fuel prices resolved.”

Truck, motorcycle collide…

A late Monday afternoon accident sent a motorcyclist to a Fort Wayne hospital. It occurred at the intersection of Dull-Robinson Rd. and Feasby Wisener Rd. at around 4:45 p.m. The motorcycle was eastbound on Feasby Wisener Rd. when a pickup truck that was southbound on Dull-Robinson Rd. stopped at the stop sign and then pulled into the intersection into the path of the motorcycle. Scott Fire and EMS was at the scene, with mutual aid provided by Convoy Fire and EMS. The driver of the pickup truck was cited for failure to yield. Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent

Regulation sought for e-bikes, e-scooters

By Megan Henry/Ohio Capital Journal

COLUMBUS — Ohio Democratic lawmakers are introducing bills that would ban children 13 and younger from operating electric bikes and electric scooters, and require people wear helmets when riding e-bikes and e-scooters. 

Ohio Senator Bill DeMora (D-Columbus), recently introduced Ohio Senate Bill 477 and Ohio state Representative Eric Synenberg (D-Beachwood), is planning on introducing his own bill in the coming weeks. 

“We are not trying to prevent Ohioans from using e-bikes and e-scooters,” Synenberg said. 

“Our goal is to make sure that riders understand the rules and risks before they ride, and give motorists, pedestrians, local government, law enforcement, and businesses clear and consistent expectations.”

The bill would also ban riders younger than 18 from using high-powered e-bikes. Currently, Ohio law says a rider has to be at least 16 to rent a “low-speed micromobility device.” 

“These devices are not toys,” Synenberg said. 

“Unfortunately, not all of our kids are mature enough to have that kind of responsibility. We believe the state has an obligation to make sure all riders understand the risks before they get on these devices.”

Ohio organizes e-bikes by three classes. Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes can go about 20 miles per hour with a mild pedal assist. 

Class 3 e-bikes can go up to 28 miles per hour with light pedaling. Riders must be at least 16 to operate a Class 3 e-bike and wear a helmet in Ohio. 

“Current law has no (age) limit for the Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes,” Synenberg said. “A six-year-old could be riding one.” 

Last home game?

The Van Wert Cougars will spend this week preparing for what quite possibly be the final home football game of the 2026 season. The Cougars will host the Shawnee Indians in a Western Buckeye League game at 7 p.m. Friday. The regular season finale will be played at Kenton on Friday, October 23. There is a chance Van Wert could host a Division IV Region 14 opening round playoff game on October 30. Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent

Ohio Lottery implenting major upgrades

VW independent staff/submitted information

CLEVELAND — The Ohio Lottery is in the very early stages of a major upgrade to a new gaming system and all new state-of-the-art lottery equipment beginning in October with technology partner Scientific Games.
 
It’s the first  major upgrade to the gaming system in two decades.

“Technology has changed immensely since the Lottery’s last gaming conversion in 2008, so we are proud to be able to upgrade the experience of playing the Ohio Lottery for our players and our retailer network,” said Ohio Lottery Director Michelle Gillcrist.
 
The new gaming system will give players a more modern playing experience, streamlined purchasing, flexible payment options, ADA responsive touch screens and new KENO shows. 
 
Ohio Lottery retailers will receive new equipment and digital advertising displays.
 
Upgrading the gaming system and deploying all new terminals will take several months to complete, and it’s starting with the roll-out of new self-serve kiosks this month. When the upgrade is complete, the Ohio Lottery will have replaced more than 12,000 retailer terminals and more than 9,000 pieces of self-serve equipment and associated ticket checkers, cashless pin pads, digital advertising displays, and more. 
 
Lottery officials said it is a multifaceted process which requires tandem use of the old and new gaming systems as technicians begin to bring new equipment online while retailers can continue offering lottery sales. 
 
Most new self-serve kiosks placed in retail prior to spring 2027 will initially sell scratch-offs and accept cash only as old equipment is replaced with all new terminals. Customers can use all current payment options to purchase lottery games at the counter. 
 
Gillcrist added, “We expect there will be minor disruptions as this is a complicated technology-driven process, but we have prepared carefully for the transformation with Scientific Games,” Gillcrist said. “We are confident that once complete, our players will get the full experience of a system that is state-of-the-art and will continue to support our contribution to the education fund.” 
 
To help with this transition the Lottery is offering:
 
•    Dedicated sections of its website for players and retailers
•    Rapid response team for troubleshooting
•    Additional call center staff  
 
Those who play Ohio Lottery games can find helpful information about the new kiosks and frequently asked questions about the upgrade by the lottery’s website.  
 
Development of the new gaming system began in 2024 when Scientific Games was awarded the gaming system contract in a competitive bidding process. Scientific Games will take over operations as the Lottery’s gaming vendor beginning in spring 2027.

Metal detectors to talk…

“Railroads, Ghost Towns and the Civil War” will be the subjects of guest speakers Mike Iler (left) and Mike Speiser (right) at the Paulding County History Museum at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 20. The two Paulding County residents will share stories behind some of the interesting artifacts they have found in the county while metal detecting. The program and meeting are free and open to the public, and refreshments will be served after the program. Guests may tour the museum before and after the meeting. The museum is located at 600 Fairground Drive in Paulding, across from the fairgrounds. It is open every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. Photo submitted

New roundabout is open to traffic

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

Van Wert County’s second roundabout is now open.

As expected, the single-lane roundabout at U.S. 224 and Lincoln Highway, just west of the Van Wert city limits, opened to traffic midday on Friday. The project, which began in late July, ran a bit behind schedule due to heavy rains in September.

Before roundabout construction began, the intersection was identified as a high-crash volume/dangerous intersection.

Roundabouts may not be popular with some in the motoring public but statistics show while crashes do occur in them, they’re almost always minor in nature.

“The acceptance of roundabouts can lag in areas where roadways rarely change,” ODOT District 1 Deputy Director Chris Hughes said in a previous story. “You introduce a vastly different concept like a roundabout where stop signs and traffic signals rule, and it’s understandable why some motorists are hesitant. The goal is always to reduce the number of injury and fatal crashes.”

Crashes have gone down at the site of Van Wert County’s first roundabout, which opened in 2022 at U.S. 224/U.S. 127/Marsh Rd. Between 2019-2021, there were 10 crashes at the former intersection. Since the roundabout opened in August of 22 and through 2025, there were six crashes, a 40 percent reduction.

While the new roundabout is open, nearby U.S. 224, between U.S. 30 and Lincoln Highway remains closed for rehabilitation of the bridge over the railroad. That project also began in late July 30, with an estimated completion time of six months.

Two more roundabouts are scheduled to be built in the coming years, one at U.S. 224 and Van Wert Decatur Rd. in Van Wert, and the other at Ohio 118 and Wren Landeck Rd. north of Ohio City.

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.