Gas tax pause to begin this weekend

VW independent staff

COLUMBUS — Ohio’s three month pause on taxes on gasoline and diesel fuel will start this Sunday.

Governor Mike DeWine signed House Bill 519 Thursday morning. The legislation, which was approved by state lawmakers earlier this week, stops the collection of Ohio’s tax of 38.5 cents per gallon of gasoline and 47 cents per gallon of diesel fuel through January 2, 2027.

According to estimates from the nonpartisan Legislative Service Commission, the pause should save the average driver up to $55 over the next three months.

State’s minimum wage to increase

VW independent staff/submitted information

COLUMBUS — Ohio’s minimum wage will go up on New Year’s Day.

The Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Industrial Compliance’s Bureau of Wage and Hour Administration has announced that Ohio’s minimum wage will officially increase to $11.40 per hour for non-tipped employees and $5.70 per hour for tipped employees, The increase represents a 3.5 percent increase from the current rates of $11 for non-tipped employees and $5.50 for tipped employees.

The change reflects the mandate of a constitutional amendment passed by Ohio voters in November 2006, which states Ohio’s minimum wage shall increase on January 1 each year by the rate of inflation.

In addition to the wage rate adjustment, the threshold for business applicability will also change. Effective January 1, 2027, the Ohio minimum wage will apply to businesses with annual gross receipts of more than $420,000, which is an increase from the current $405,000 threshold.

For employees at businesses with annual gross receipts of $420,000 or less per year after January 1, 2027, and for 14- and 15-year-old workers, the state minimum wage remains tied to the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. Any changes to this rate would require an act of the U.S. Congress and the President’s signature.

To ensure compliance, employers are required to display the official 2027 Minimum Wage poster, which is available on the Division of Industrial Compliance website.

Man claims he was hit, but no evidence

VW independent staff

Was he hit or wasn’t he?

Last Friday, dispatch notified Van Wert County Sheriff’s deputies of a person who had been hit by a car at the North Union Church on U.S. 127 in Union Township.

Deputies arrived at the scene shortly after 9 p.m. and spoke with the alleged victim and possible witnesses. Three of the witnesses said they were setting up a baby shower at the church. One of them had been had been in and out of the church and noticed a shadowy figure near the entrance, but thought it was just a mailbox and didn’t investigate it. 

The witnesses left the church and got into a vehicle when they noticed a man laying in the ditch near the entrance. One of them them spoke to him and he claimed he had been struck by a vehicle and requested a ride to Defiance. 

The witnesses said they didn’t hear a crash or any screaming and they noted the man didn’t want law enforcement involved, just a ride.  

The man told deputies he had been walking home to Defiance from Van Wert and explained that he’s a felon and was looking for a job in Van Wert, since he can only get certain jobs. He also said had a ride set up, but they canceled. The man said he left Van Wert around 6 p.m. and was walking home to Defiance when a dark colored vehicle with no lights on struck him. He thought it may have had a SRT badge, but had no other vehicle description.

He claimed he was northbound on U.S. 127 near Convoy Rd. when he got struck. He believed the vehicle was speeding and he claimed to have gone airborne, but didn’t have any visible injuries. In a report, a deputy checked his clothing and noted there were no visible tears or marking.

He said he then got up and limped to North Union Church (about 1.5 miles) before stopping and eventually being found. 

Homecoming parade…

Here are more images of Wednesday night’s Van Wert homecoming parade. The annual parade took place downtown, two days ahead of the homecoming football game against St. Marys Memorial. Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent

New Delphos mayor takes oath of office

VW independent staff

DELPHOS — A new mayor has been selected in Delphos.

According to a press release issued by the city, Doug Mullenhour will take over for Andre McConnahea, who stepped down September 4 to focus on his family’s small business.

Mullenhour, who was sworn in by acting Mayor Mark Clement Wednesday morning, was the city’s mayor from 2020-2024. He planned to seek re-election but his nominating petitions were ruled invalid by the Board of Elections Office.

Mullenhour’s term will expire at the end of 2027.

Help available after United Equity failure

Submitted information

REYNOLDSBURG — The Ohio Department of Agriculture has completed a grain audit of United Equity Inc., with locations in Delphos, Spencerville, and Neptune, and found the facility to be in failure as defined in Ohio’s grain law. This finding makes the Ohio Grain Indemnity Fund available to support farmers who may have eligible claims from grain they have previously delivered to these locations.

ODA grain program staff will be available between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. this Friday, October 2, at the United Equity Inc. facility, 104 S. Main St., Delphos, to review documentation, assist in claim filing, and answer questions from farmers who may be impacted.

The facility’s grain handlers license was suspended September 10, 2026, after an initial department inspection of records indicated a financial shortfall. If you have outstanding grain obligations with United Equity Inc. and have questions, call ODA at 614.728.6410.

Ohio’s Grain Indemnity Fund was created in 1983 to reimburse farmers when a licensed handler becomes insolvent. Claims to the indemnity fund are handled through ODA’s Grain Feed & Seed Section in conjunction with the recommendation of the Ohio Commodity Advisory Commission.

Ohio Revised Code gives priority to the automatic lien established and held by the department for the benefit of farmers in the event of a grain handler’s failure or insolvency. The department’s liens will now have priority over all competing lien claims asserted against the handler, ensuring that the indemnity fund receives maximum reimbursement in the asset liquidation process.

Resident celebrates long term sobriety

VW independent staff/submitted information

Westwood Behavioral Health Center has announced that Jamie Fields recently achieved a highly regarded milestone in her journey toward long term sobriety.

After three years of living substance free, Jamie graduated from Recovery Court. “A New Day, the Right Way” is a program for adults who struggle with addiction and subsequent legal problems. A joint collaboration between Westwood Behavioral Health Center and the Van Wert Court of Common Pleas, the program is overseen by Judge Martin D. Burchfield.

County residents who are facing legal charges which are a byproduct of their substance use disorder may be referred to the program. Entry into the 18-24 month program is preceded by an eligibility interview with drug court coordinator Jane Schmid of Westwood Behavioral Health Center.

The four-phase program requires regular drug screening, appearances before the judge at least monthly, and participation in an intensive outpatient treatment program, followed by traditional outpatient therapy services.

Participants also attend weekly peer support meetings. The goal of the program is to provide intense support and accountability for adults who commit to living a substance-free life, maintaining employment and independent housing.

The program was created in 2014 under the Honorable Charles Steele, together with Chief Probation Officer Bruce Showalter. The program was certified in 2017 by the Ohio Supreme Court. Recertification is required every three years.

Treatment services for recovery court clients are provided by Westwood Behavioral Health Center which supports wellness through confidential and compassionate care. They offer mental health and addiction services, individual group and family therapy, IOP, psychiatric and psychiatric NP, on site pharmacy, case management and drug testing.

Beautiful night for Harvest Moon Festival

VW independent staff/submitted information

It was a perfect night, complete with an actual Harvest Moon no less, for Main Street Van Wert’s Harvest Moon Festival. Saturday’s annual event brought the community together for an evening filled with live music, family activities, market vendors, food and drink trucks, and fun in downtown Van Wert.

The festival featured a variety of activities and entertainment for attendees of all ages. Families enjoyed attractions including mechanical bull riding, face painting, and pumpkin painting, while the market vendors and food and drink trucks provided plenty of opportunities to shop local and enjoy a variety of food and drinks.

Music was also a highlight of the evening, with performances by Andi Jo Taylor and Chase’n Tyler, who helped create an exciting atmosphere throughout the festival.

Attendees also enjoyed a car show and the opportunity to gather with friends, family, and members of the community.

Main Street Van Wert officials extended a special thank you to all of the volunteers who helped make the event possible. Their time, effort, and dedication played an important role in creating a successful festival.

A sincere thank you also went out to all of the market vendors and food and drink truck vendors who participated and helped bring the event to life.

“Events like the Harvest Moon Festival are a wonderful way to bring our community together and showcase our downtown,” Main Street Van Wert Executive Director Mitch Price said. “We are grateful to everyone who came out and supported the event.”

NSCC Esports Lab to be showcased

VW independent staff

A reminder – Northwest State Community College will celebrate the opening of its new Esports Lab at the Van Wert Campus by hosting a Super Smash Bros. tournament from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday.

It’s free and open to anyone ages 12 and over. Food and drinks will be provided, along with prizes and NSCC swag. In addition to being able to play in the tournament, attendees can try out the new esports gaming stations, explore the lab, and learn more about the growing world of competitive gaming and associated college programs.

Community members, students, and gamers of all skill levels are welcome to attend, compete, or simply stop by to check out the new space. Those attending will also be able to see the new esports team mascot, the NSCC Van Wert Vortex.

The NSCC Van Wert Campus is at 520 E. Sycamore St.

Noise ordinances to be discussed further

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

After weeks of discussion and multiple revisions, a pair of noise ordinances may or may not be approved at the next meeting of Van Wert City Council.

One ordinance amends existing city laws regarding noise and traffic, while the other pertains to noise in general. Both were introduced by Councilman At-Large Hall Block, who chairs council’s Judiciary and Annexation Committee and both had their second reading during Monday night’s council meeting.

Here are the proposed amendments contained in the traffic noise ordinance, which had its second reading at Monday night’s meeting.

It adds powered scooter, truck, semi-trailer and recreational vehicles to the list of motorized vehicles.

It states no one shall intentionally excessively rev an engine, create excessive exhaust noise, engine brake or Jake brake unless use of the braking device is necessary to avoid a collision or keep the vehicle under control, cause tire squealing, accelarate or decelerate for the purpose of creating noise, cause repeated backfiring, or operate a vehicle in a manner intended or attract attention through excessive noise.

Noise plainly audible to an ordinary person at a distance greater than 200 feet from the vehicle shall be considered evidence of a violation.

No person shall operate a sound amplification device in a motor vehicle plainly audible beyond 100 feet between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m.

The proposed amendment also spells out what may be considered as evidence if a minor misdemeanor citation is issued.