SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
He’s seen it all — tornadoes, floods, wind storms, a powerful derecho and other types of emergencies and now, after 35 years and six months, Van Wert County Emergency Management Agency Director Rick McCoy is stepping away from the job. His last official day will be this Thursday as he heads off into retirement.
His long career was celebrated by a steady stream of people at the EMA office Tuesday afternoon. Friends, family, county officials, well-wishers and many others poured into the building to congratulate him on his retirement. Van Wert County Commissioner Todd Wolfrum, State Representative Roy Klopfenstein and other elected officials presented him with proclamations. The man who hired McCoy as EMA Director, George Ropp, shared a few kind words and wished him the best in retirement.
National Weather Service Northern Indiana Warning Coordination Meteorologist Dustin Norman was present and praised McCoy, noting he was instrumental in creating the Syracuse, Indiana office, which serves 37 counties, including eight in Ohio.
“Out of our 37 counties, I’d like to say you’re one of our more engaged ones,” Norman said. “We can always rely on you to send damage pictures and storm reports.”
(more…)POSTED: 04/28/26 at 9:42 pm
VW independent staff/submitted information
Five area boys have been selected as finalists for the 2026 R.K. Thompson Self Reliance Award, according to Anthony Adams and Keri McClure, co-chairpersons of the Van Wert Service Club’s selection committee. In its 56th year, the program provides cash awards to Van Wert County High School seniors who best exhibit the trait of self-reliance. These awards are designed to seek out and honor the student who does the best with what he has.
This year’s boy finalists include Evan Beining, son of Brad and Angie Beining; Trevor Dotson, son of James and Staci Dotson; Trey Dotson, son of James and Staci Dotson; Wyatt Polley, son of Ryan and Kristin Polley, and Gabriel Spradlin, son of Nick Roxo.
Evan Beining is a senior at Van Wert High School at the Goedde where he enjoys participating in many service projects including the 1,000 meal giveaway, veterans breakfast, leaf raking, the Boutique and the Probation Garden. In a desire to continue his love of service, Evan is a Marine Corp poolee and will join the Marine Corps following graduation.
Trevor Dotson is a senior at Van Wert High School where he is a member of National Honor Society and Service Pack. Trevor is also the student council vice-president, a team lead on the VW Robotics Team while also competing on the Cougar football team. Volunteer activities include work with the Council on Aging and Main Street Van Wert in addition to being an active member of St. Mary’s of the Assumption Catholic Church. Following graduation, he plans to attend the University of Toledo majoring in computer science and electrical engineering. Work history includes time with Subway and McDonalds as well as experience at Millwork Brands Inc as a part of the CEO program.
Trey Dotson is a senior at Van Wert High School where he is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Outside of school, Trey is the founder of Dotty’s Designs which creates custom items through the use of laser engraving and UV printing. He has leveraged his small business to not only generate revenue for himself but also provide items for various group to use in their fundraising efforts. Following graduation, Trey plans to attend Ohio University majoring in business and entrepreneurship while continuing to expand his small business. Work experience includes time with Millwork Brands Inc as a part of the CEO program.
(more…)POSTED: 04/28/26 at 9:41 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Submitted information
Lincolnview Local Schools will be conducting a safe school drill in conjunction with area law enforcement, on Wednesday, May 6, during the morning portion of the school day. Law enforcement vehicles and others will be present at the school and in the surrounding area as part of the school safety simulation.
The planned exercise will prepare students and staff with procedures for a proper evacuation in the event that there is a serious threat to the safety of students on campus. This drill functions as an opportunity to ensure that all people are prepared if an emergency situation arises and is required to be conducted by law.
The student body will leave campus to reconvene at established student reunification sites. All activities related to the safety drill will take place during the school day and students will return to the Lincolnview Local Schools campus following the drill. These prepared exercises are part of the district’s ongoing commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all students and staff.
POSTED: 04/28/26 at 9:40 pm. FILED UNDER: News
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
The only mention of a possible data center on Monday’s Van Wert City Council agenda was a reminder about a public hearing scheduled for next Monday. Nonetheless, discussion of a proposed data center dominated the the one hour and 15 minute meeting.
Public comments
Many of those in attendance at the meeting had comments, shared concerns or had questions about the proposed data center and related legislation.
One resident asked why there seems to be a rush to pass data center-related legislation, specifically emergency legislation.
“If a business wants to locate somewhere they want things to move quickly,” Fourth Ward Councilman Eric Hurless explained. “They’ve got their own deadlines – if they don’t meet those deadlines, they could be out tens of millions of dollars depending on the business, so when a business comes to a city wanting to locate in that town and they’re asking for an expedited process, we have a balacing act of protecting our constituents, doing our due diligence to research the changes that might come about with the zoning or code. Yet, we also want to make sure we do things in a timely manner.”
“I’ve done exhaustive research on data centers and AI (artificial intelligence) – I hear about it every day at my job,” he continued. “We’ve known about this coming for quite some time. I feel that we’ve done our due diligence and still continue to do it.”
Another audience member questioned why the data center wasn’t put on the ballot for residents to decide, but it was noted that residents don’t vote on incoming businesses.
Recent trip to central Ohio data center
Hurless, other council members and city officials recently toured a data center park in New Albany, which is home to 40 data centers with 28 more under construction. He said the group learned things good and bad.
(more…)POSTED: 04/27/26 at 9:26 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
If you need to gas up, you may want to do it sooner rather than later.
Average gasoline prices in Ohio have risen 22.1 cents per gallon in the last week and more pump price increases are expected this week.
According to GasBuddy’s weekly survey of 5,345 stations in Ohio, gas averaged $3.89 per gallon on Monday. Prices in Ohio are 3.6 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and stand 94 cents per gallon higher than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has decreased 9.2 cents compared to a week ago and stands at $5.408 per gallon.
According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Ohio was priced at $2.99 per gallon on Sunday, while the most expensive was $5.69 per gallon, a notable difference of $2.70 per gallon.
Meanwhile, the national average price of gasoline has risen 7.0 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $4.04 per gallon on Monday. The national average is up 5.7 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 94.3 cents 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.
“Average gasoline prices rose in 39 states over the last week, with the national average moving higher, while diesel prices declined in most states, offering a brief divergence at the pump,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “However, that divergence may prove short-lived. Oil prices have been climbing again as markets react to renewed geopolitical tensions and the cancellation of talks between the U.S. and Iran. As a result, gasoline prices are set to rise further this week, with diesel expected to follow. Many inland states, including those in the Great Lakes and Plains, could see average gas prices climb to their highest levels since 2022, while price-cycling markets may also experience another round of hikes in the next few days.”
Historical gasoline prices in Ohio and the national average going back five years:
April 27, 2025: $2.95/g (U.S. Average: $3.10/g)
April 27, 2024: $3.50/g (U.S. Average: $3.65/g)
April 27, 2023: $3.52/g (U.S. Average: $3.61/g)
April 27, 2022: $3.88/g (U.S. Average: $4.14/g)
April 27, 2021: $2.80/g (U.S. Average: $2.88/g)
POSTED: 04/27/26 at 9:26 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Strong winds rolled through Van Wert Monday evening and took down a couple of small trees and large branches. Traffic was stopped in both directions on S. Washington St. for several hours as a large tree limb came down and took down utility lines, and a medium size tree came down in the 200 block of N. Jefferson St. Van Wert County CERT assisted in managing Washington St. traffic around the blockage. Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent
POSTED: 04/27/26 at 9:25 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Submitted information
The Van Wert Soil & Water Conservation District encourages you to think about your personal responsibility to be a good steward of natural resources during its annual Stewardship Week celebration. The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) has proclaimed April 26-May 3, as Stewardship Week, marking the 71st year of the national event. The 2026 Stewardship Week is themed “Soil. Where It All Begins”, which celebrates the incredible power of soil to support life in all its forms.
The Van Wert SWCD was formed to assist people in Van Wert County to protect and conserve the natural resources for all residents by providing technical, educational, and financial assistance.
During Stewardship Week, the Van Wert SWCD provided a Red Maple tree seedling to each fourth grade student in the county along with a presentation regarding the importance of planting trees. Van Wert SWCD Education Coordinator Tammy Campbell visited schools to give presentations on the importance of being a good steward in their community. Through the generous grant received from the Van Wert County Foundation, the SWCD has been able to provide these tree seedlings and provide classes with the book “Jump Into Science: Dirt” along with other supplies for area students.
Van Wert SWCD is a member of the National Association of Conservation Districts which oversees the Stewardship Week program. Stewardship Week is one of the largest national annual programs to promote conservation. NACD represents the nation’s 3,000 conservation districts, which were established to encourage resource conservation across the country.
Additional information about Stewardship Week is available on the NACD website at www.nacdnet.org.
POSTED: 04/27/26 at 9:24 pm. FILED UNDER: News
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
Van Wert City Council has taken another step toward changing speed limits along Van Wert Decatur Rd.
Monday night, council members heard the first reading of an ordinance amending the speed limit to 35 miles per hour on Ervin Rd./Van Wert Decatur Rd. from S. Shannon St. to Elks Drive, and another ordinance amending the speed limit to 50 miles per hour from Elks Drive to U.S. 224. Two more readings will take place and if ultimately approved, the new speed limits would take effect early in the summer.
Council members approved a Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) agreement wtih Cool Machines Holdings LLC of Van Wert and heard the first reading of a CRA agreement with True North Partners Holdings LLC (Hampton Inn).
During a brief report, Safety-Service Director Jay Fleming said the city’s reservoirs are now over 90 percent full due to the recent rains, and he said ODOT and city crews will work on improvements to the Franklin Street Bridge May 5-6, with limited traffic interruptions.
Mayor Ken Markward told council it may be time to update the city’s laws about door-to-door peddlers. He noted there have been no changes since 1992.
POSTED: 04/27/26 at 9:24 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff
WAPAKONETA – A recent traffic stop along Interstate 75 in Auglaize County led to the discovery and seizure of approximately 1.5 pounds of suspected methanphetamine and the arrest of a Willshire woman.
According to a press release from the Auglaize County Sheriff’s Office, Nicole Marcine Cooper, 43, was arrested last Thursday, April 23, after she was stopped at approximately 9:30 p.m. near mile marker 109 in the Wapakoneta area.
An Auglaize County Sheriff’s Office K-9 was requested to conduct a sniff of the vehicle and gave a positive indication. Deputies then searched the vehicle and found the suspected meth along with just over $800 in cash. Cooper was taken to the Auglaize County Corrections Center and was charged with drug possession. Her bond was set at $250,000, with a 10 percent provision.
The suspected meth has a estimated street value of more than $20,000.
No other information is being released at this time.
POSTED: 04/27/26 at 12:13 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
Van Wert Elks Lodge 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks has announced the winners of the 2025-2026 Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Americanism Essay Contest. This fraternal year, the theme for the contest was, “What Does Service to Your Country Mean To You?” The students competed in divisions by age group.
The local winners, which were forwarded to the district for further judging, were (front row, left to right):
5th grade: 1st place – Ellie Adam, Crestview Elementary School
5th grade: 2nd place – Kendrix Farris, Lincolnview Elementary School
5th grade: 3rd place – Maverick Tice, Crestview Elementary School
6th grade: 1st place – Azalea Hammons, Crestview Middle School
6th grade: 2nd place – Alirah Ricker, Grover Hill Middle School
6th grade: 3rd place – Eastin Brincefield, Crestview Middle School
(Pictured left to right, back row)
7th Grade: 1st place — Sawyer Schlatter, Wayne Trace Middle School
7th Grade: 2nd place – Isabel Merkle, Crestview Middle School
7th Grade: 3rd place – Addison Horstman, Lincolnview Middle School
8th Grade: 1st place – Hazel Smith, Lincolnview Middle School
8th Grade: 2nd place – Megan Parker, Wayne Trace Middle School
8th Grade: 3rd place – Gage Grubb, Crestview Middle School
Anita Carvajal – Lodge Americanism Committee Chair
Winners at the northwest district level were Azalea Hammons and Addison Horstman who placed first in their age group. Hazel Smith placed second in her age group and Kendrix Farris, Isable Merkle and Megan Parker placed third in their age group.
Van Wert Elks Lodge 1197 congratulated all of the winners and thanked all of the students, teachers and schools for their participation in this year’s essay contest.
POSTED: 04/26/26 at 8:52 pm. FILED UNDER: News
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
The number of calls handled by the Van Wert Fire Department in 2025 decreased by nearly 10 percent compared to the previous year.
According to the fire department’s annual report, compiled by Chief Jon Jones, the VWFD handled 2,057 calls last year, down from 2,216 in 2025, and the fewest since 2020, when the number was 2,017.
Chief Jones noted that emergency medical services (EMS) accounted for 88 percent of all calls.
“Our department is not only a firefighting force but also a frontline partner in community health and emergency care,” Chief Jones said in the report. “Whether answering a call for a structure fire, a highway accident or a critical medical emergency, our team approached every situation with skill, urgency and heart.”
Thoughout 2025, the Van Wert Fire Department had 51 fire calls, including 15 structure fires, 11 vehicle fires, six cooking or trash fires, and 13 miscellaneous fire types. There were 70 false alarms. There were 195 other types of calls, mutual aid was given by the fire department 48 times, and received from other area fire departments nine times.
He also said the VWFD maintained solid performances across all shifts, ensuring consistent turnout and fast on-scene response times, but the year also presented some challenges, including overlapping incidents, or multiple calls coming in at once that stretched the department’s resources thin. Jones noted that of the 2,057 calls, 348, or 17 percent were overlapping incidents.
“This trend highlights the ongoing need for strategic staffing, continued cross training and long-term investment in both personnel and equipment,” he stated.
(more…)POSTED: 04/26/26 at 8:50 pm. FILED UNDER: News
