Cooler temperatures expected for final days of fair

Bond set for man charged with murder

VW independent staff

PAULDING — Bond has been set at $10 million cash or surety with a 10 percent provision for a Paulding man charged with shooting and killing a man this week.

Alfred B. Conner, 72, is current incarcerated at the Paulding County Jail on a single count of murder, an unclassified felony. He’s accused of shooting and killing Logan D. Moss of Mark Center late Monday night. The shooting occurred in Cooper’s driveway in the 19000 block of Road 72.

According to Paulding County Sheriff Jason K. Landers, deputies were dispatched to the home at 10:30 p.m. and rendered aid to Moss until Grover Hill EMS arrived on scene and took over medical care. Moss was transported to OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Landers said the case would be turned over the Paulding County Prosecutor’s Office for review and he said his office would release no other information due to the ongoing investigation.

However, court documents show Moss’s girlfriend called 911 after he had been shot, and she identified Conner as the shooter. She later told deputies she was inside the home when she heard a gunshot, then saw Moss exit his car and tried to defend himself, but Conner fired two more shots at him.

A Smith & Wesson .357 magnum 6-shot revolver was recovered from inside the home with six spent castings. Cooper later admitted to firing the gun at Moss.

A hearing has been scheduled for Thursday, September 10, in Paulding County Common Pleas Court.

Performance planned at Brumback Library

VW independent staff

A special performance by Gladius, a flamenco guitarist from Atlanta has been planned for next Thursday, September 10, at the Brumback Library in Van Wert.

Gladius is a guitar virtuoso who was raised in Atlanta and pupiled by Andres Segovia’s protégé and driven to obsession by Van Halen. He’s an award winning composer and an accomplished classical/flamenco style guitarst who “soulfully shreds on the electric.”

Thursday’s performance is a free event that will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the main branch of the Brumback Library with a free dirty soda bar.

Phony money used in mobile home sale

VW independent staff

The sale of a mobile home in Delphos apparently did not end well for the seller.

On Thursday, August 27, a man went to the Delphos Police Department to file a report for counterfeit money. The man told officers that he received payment of $8,000 from another man purchasing his mobile home. The victim then found that the money was counterfeit.

The Delphos Police Department has not yet responded to a request for more information.

Rain at the fair…

It didn’t last long but a brief heavy rain soaked the Van Wert County Fairgounds Thursday evening. Thunder and lightning accompanied the rain, sending most people running for cover. Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent

Gov’t offices to close for Labor Day

VW independent staff

All local, state and federal government offices will be closed on Monday, September 7, in observance of the Labor Day holiday. There will be no mail delivery on Monday and trash and recycling pickup will be delayed due to the holiday.

Vantage project delay addressed by BOE

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

A delay in the opening of the Vantage Academy of Medical Careers didn’t sit well with the Vantage Career Center Board of Education.

Last month, the board was informed that instead of August 1, which was the original target date for completion, the building housing the academy would be ready September 29. During Thursday night’s regular monthly meeting, Alexander and Bebout President Sara Zura gave a brief update and said the building remains on schedule for a September 29 opening.

However, Vantage Board President Tim Fitzpatrick (Fort Jennings) voiced the board’s displeasure with the near two month delay from the stated date of August 1.

“I’m glad that it’s moving along but there’s frustration from the board that it wasn’t done on time,” Fitzpatrick told Zura. “When you have that expectation that it’s going to be August 1, that gives the teachers and kids the chance to come into a clean environment without construction. How can we certify that September 29 we’re going to get those keys?”

Fitzpatrick also referred back to late June, when the board did a walk through of the building and was told work would be complete by August 1.

“That was really not the realistic aspect of it,” he said.

“We had some hurdles, kind of blind spots for us,” Zura responded. “We can’t go back and change it, all we can do is learn from it and give you guys the best product that we can give you.”

She added plans are in place and progress is continuing as expected toward the revised completion date.

Board member Karen Grothouse (Delphos) said she spoke with several teachers who were frustrated by the delay and will have to give up a weekend to come in and prepare their classrooms before the building opens.

Ceremony planned at Eggerss Stadium

Submitted information

Van Wert City Schools will hold a re-dedication ceremony for Eggerss Stadium on Friday, September 18, prior to the 7 p.m. kickoff of the Van Wert Cougars’ game against the Defiance Bulldogs.

The ceremony will take place exactly 90 years after Eggerss Stadium was originally dedicated on September 18, 1936. The iconic downtown stadium has gone through four phases of renovations, inside and out.

For nine decades, Eggerss Stadium has been an important part of Van Wert and Cougar football. The recent renovation was made possible through passage of a 20-year, 1.15 mill bond issue in 2022, along with the generosity and support of individuals, families, businesses, and organizations throughout the community.

The re-dedication will honor the stadium’s history, recognize those who helped make the renovation possible, and celebrate its future. Fans are encouraged to arrive early and be part of this special night as Van Wert celebrates 90 years of Eggerss Stadium.

Additional details regarding the ceremony will be shared closer to the event.

Project Plan Ahead activated by state

VW independent staff/submitted information

COLUMBUS — The Ohio Traffic Safety Office will activate “Project Plan Ahead” in the state’s metro counties over Labor Day weekend, offering thousands of Ohioans access to free rideshare credits to prevent impaired driving during one of the highest risk holiday travel periods in the state.

Project Plan Ahead provides up to $15 in free Uber or Lyft ride share credits, giving drivers a reliable and convenient alternative to driving impaired by alcohol or drugs. Ride credits can be redeemed between 5 p.m. and 3 a.m. from September 4-8. Rides must originate in or have a destination within one of seven participating counties:

• Butler (Hamilton)
• Cuyahoga (Cleveland)
• Franklin (Columbus)
• Hamilton (Cincinnati)
• Lucas (Toledo)
• Montgomery (Dayton)
• Summit (Akron)

OTSO is committed to reducing preventable tragedies on Ohio roadways. Project Plan Ahead coincides with the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement campaign, which also runs through Labor Day. OTSO provides federal grant funding to eligible law enforcement agencies across the state to participate in this campaign which combines high-visibility enforcement with public education about impaired driving.

In 2025, the Labor Day reporting period saw 27 people killed in 23 crashes in Ohio – a 35 percent increase from the previous year. Among those fatal crashes, 15 were OVI-related – resulting in 17 deaths. Over the past five Labor Day holiday reporting periods, Franklin (96), Cuyahoga (79), and Lucas (77) counties recorded the highest numbers of OVI-related crashes. Together, these three counties accounted for 30 percent of OVI-related crashes during that time.

Liberty Township Trustees move meeting

Submitted information

OHIO CITY — The next regular Liberty Township Trustees meeting will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday, September 9, instead of the usual time of Monday, September 7,  This is due to the Labor Holiday.  Meetings are held at the Township Office at Ohio City.

Cheerleading competition…

\The annual cheerleading competition took over the grandstand area at the Van Wert County Fairgrounds Wednesday night. Cheer squads of various ages from Van Wert, Lincolnview, Crestview and other area schools took part in the competition. Tonight’s grandstand attraction is the high school band show, which will begin at 7 p.m. Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent