More than 100 Ohio school districts have armed staff

Safety alert issued for high temperatures

VW independent staff/submitted information

COLUMBUS — Governor Mike DeWine and the Ohio Emergency Management Agency are issuing an urgent safety alert regarding the dangerously hot weather conditions impacting the state this week.

According to the National Weather Service, temperatures will reach the mid-90s but humidity will cause the temperature to feel like it is well above 100 degrees. In addition to hot and humid daytime conditions, overnight lows are expected to be in the 70s, providing little relief to the high temperatures. The heatwave is anticipated to last through Thursday. 

“No matter where you live in Ohio, you’ll be impacted by this week’s dangerously high temperatures,” said Governor DeWine. “I encourage everyone to be mindful of how dangerous prolonged periods of intense heat can be and take steps to protect themselves.” 

Extreme heat is responsible for more weather-related deaths than any other hazard. Those who face the highest risk are older adults, infants, and children; individuals with chronic health conditions; outdoor workers and athletes; and those without air conditioning or access to cooling centers.

The Ohio EMA offers the following information: 

During extreme heat:

• Know the signs of a heat-related illness: heavy sweating, cramps, exhaustion, headaches, dizziness, nausea, and/or a fast heart rate.
• Stay inside with air conditioning; avoid relying on fans alone.
• If you do not have air conditioning, call 2-1-1 for cooling center locations.
• Stay hydrated by regularly drinking water or electrolyte-enhanced fluids.
• Wear loose, light-colored clothing and wide-brimmed hats.
• If working outdoors, stay in the shade as long as possible and take breaks often.
• Avoid being outside during peak sun between 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
• Check on vulnerable neighbors.

United Way approves local allocations

Submitted information

The United Way of Van Wert County Board of Trustees approved allocations for 2026-27. Funding was awarded to 34 programs offered by 31 agencies locally that help to provide social services throughout the county. The process includes an extensive review of program results while also looking at the most pressing needs of the community.

A full listing of grants provided out of funds raised by the 2026-27 United Way campaign is as follows:

Angel Foundation was awarded funds for providing a lifelong wish for a terminal adult who would otherwise not be able to have the wish fulfilled. The wishes many times involve an entire family and participating in the wish provides some respite from the illness.

Autism Support Squad of Northwest Ohio was awarded funds for hosting sensory-friendly events and providing safe, comfortable environments for individuals with autism and their families.

Career Connections was awarded funds to help with their program that provides financial literacy education as well as encourage workforce readiness and entrepreneurial ideas in many grade levels at Van Wert, Lincolnview, Crestview, and Saint Mary’s Elementary Schools.

CERT (The Community Emergency Response Team) was awarded funds to assist victims with fire and local disaster relief for shelter, food, clothing and support. The funds will also be used to provide canteening for our local first responders, volunteers and victims.

CHP- Hospice & Adult Day Center was awarded funds for two of their programs. The Adult Day Care enables the adult client to be in good hands and provide peace of mind for the caregiver while they are away. Community Health Professionals provides comprehensive home health and hospice services. Our funding helps cover the cost of medication, staffing, and services not covered by insurance.

Convoy Sports Center was awarded funds for their summer youth programs. These funds are used to cover the entry fees of kids of all ages that wish to play on a summer ball team at the Convoy Sports Center whose parents may not be able to afford this opportunity.

Council on Aging was awarded funds for their homemaker, Zumba, and transportation services. These programs can provide seniors with routine light housework, grocery shopping, lawn mowing, outdoor chores, exercise in a social group setting, and transportation to essential appointments. These programs prolong independent living, provide relief for caregivers, and offer friendship and emotional support to clients.

Crestview Latchkey was awarded funds to provide a safe and nurturing environment for children in preschool through fifth grade, while parents are working. Afterschool snack, homework assistance, structured and free choice activities are available for all children during latchkey hours.

Crisis Care Line was awarded funds to assist victims and their children who were involved in a case of domestic violence, family violence or sexual assault. Their primary work is to provide safe, emergency housing, crisis intervention, food, clothing, transportation and support services to victims and their families to help them survive their immediate trauma and to secure a safer future.

Convoy Fire & EMS serving up pancakes

VW independent staff

CONVOY — On Saturday, July 11, Convoy Fire & EMS will host a pancake and sausage breakfast from 7-9 a.m. at the Edgewood Park Community Building on Ohio 49, on the north edge of Convoy.

It’s a free will donation and proceeds will go toward purchasing new fire and EMS equipment.

Anyone who would like to help with the pancake day meal can contact one of the chairmen. All help will be greatly appreciated.

Gas prices unchanged from last week

VW independent staff/submitted information

With the Independence Day holiday just days away, average gasoline prices in Ohio largely remain unchanged in the last week, averaging $3.80 per gallon on Monday, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 5,345 stations in Ohio.

Prices in Ohio are 59.8 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand 83.4 cents per gallon higher than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has decreased 11.4 cents compared to a week ago and stands at $4.876 per gallon.

According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Ohio was priced at $3.07 per gallon on Sunday while the most expensive was $4.99 per gallon, a difference of $1.92 per gallon.
 
The national average price of gasoline has fallen 6.9 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.78 per gallon on Monday. The national average is down 55.6 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 64.2 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 fell in 46 states over the last week, with diesel declining in 49, pushing the national average to its lowest level since mid-March,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “The declines came despite a turbulent week, as fresh attacks were traded between the U.S. and Iran before both sides agreed to halt hostilities just in time Sunday, preventing what could have been a significant spike in oil prices. For now, GasBuddy anticipates the national average will continue drifting lower this week, though the situation remains anything but predictable.”

“A handful of price-cycling states could see prices jump ahead of the July 4 holiday, while many states that already cycled higher last week should see prices fall back down,” he added. “Motorists in non-cycling states are likely to see continued relief, but the fragile nature of the U.S.-Iran situation means the outlook could shift quickly.”

Man dead after farming accident

VW independent staff/submitted information

CRANE TOWNSHIP — A weekend farming accident in northern Paulding County claimed an Antwerp-area man.

Keith E. Derck, 59, was described as a well-known farmer in Carryall Township, just outside of Antwerp. He died late Sunday afternoon.

According to a press release from Paulding County Sheriff Jason K. Landers, the Sheriff’s Office received a call about a tractor pulling an anhydrous tank in a field that had become stuck in a ditch in Section 22 in Crane Township. Crane Township-Cecil Fire Department arrived on scene to find anhydrous leaking from the tank, attached to a John Deere 9220, in a large ditch. Derck was found unconscious in the cab.

Crane Township-Cecil Fire Department requested help from several surrounding fire departments to control the anhydrous leak. Once it was safe to remove Derck from the tractor, first responders found him deceased.

The Paulding County Coroner was called to the scene to assist law enforcement with the investigation. The coroner will work with the Lucas County Coroner’s Office to determine cause of death.

Several fire departments and EMS were on scene to assist, along with Paulding County EMA.

No further information is expected to be released.

VWARC participates in annual Field Day

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

If you have plans for Jack Snyder for the final weekend of June, don’t expect him to be there – he’s been busy that weekend for nearly 50 years, and that was the case again this past weekend.

Snyder and other members of the Van Wert Amateur Radio Club took part in the annual emergency preparedness exercise known as Field Day. As has been the case for a number of years, it was held on the grounds of the Van Wert County Emergency Management Agency on Lincoln Highway. It ran for 24 straight hours, from 2 p.m. Saturday to 2 p.m. Sunday.

Snyder described Field Day as a simulated emergency, but it’s not only a local event. According to the American Radio Relay League’s (ARRL) website, the “Radio Connects” Field Day is the most popular on-the-air event held annually in the U.S. and Canada. On the fourth weekend of June, more than 30,000 radio amateurs gather with their clubs and groups to operate from remote locations. Each year, a competition is held and points are earned and awarded for the number of contacts that are established.

“We come out to the field and erect temporary antennas and try to make as many contacts as we can – we say it’s not a contest, but yeah it is – why keep score if it’s not a contest?” he quipped. “It tests our ability and ourselves with stamina. We’re not young anymore – we used to go all night but we have to get some sleep nowadays, but the idea is to get on the air in less than ideal conditions, make contact with another station and exchange information accurately.”

He also said, as of Sunday morning, he and his partner, Jerry Ryan, had established approximately 800 contacts with other amateur radio operators, along with more than 100 others via a digital station.

Combined with a couple of other stations inside EMA headquarters, the VWARC had established well over 1,000 contacts since 2 p.m. on Saturday. One of contacts was from Hawaii.

“Snyder noted that he’s been a “ham” since 1977 and has participated in each one, except for one, since then.

Red Cross shares extreme heat advice

VW independent staff/submitted information

Experts are warning that dangerously high temperatures will impact the Indiana Region throughout next week. Heat watches and warnngs are expected to be issued by the National Weather Service for much of the workweek. Now, the Indiana Region of the American Red Cross urges everyone to take three critical actions to stay safe:

• Stay hydrated by drinking a cup of water every 20 minutes, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Avoid sugary, caffeinated and alcoholic drinks.
• Stay cool by spending time in air-conditioned places. If your home is too hot, go to a mall, library or cooling center.
• Stay connected by checking on others and asking for help if you need it. Make sure pets have access to fresh water and shade.

Knowing what to do to protect yourself and loved ones from extreme heat can save lives. The Red Cross urges everyone to check on friends and neighbors, especially older adults, people with chronic conditions, outdoor workers and athletes.

What you should do

Remind everyone to drink water, even if they don’t feel thirsty. Aim for a cup of water every hour and encourage people to avoid sugary, caffeinated or alcoholic drinks. Babies should be breast-fed or bottle-fed often. Fewer wet diapers or darker urine can be signs of dehydration.

Encourage athletes and outdoor workers to take breaks in the shade. They should drink a cup of water — or a sports drink — every 20 minutes.  

Help those without air conditioning find a safe place to go like a mall, library or cooling center. They can also take cool showers or baths to help cool off. Remind people to wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothes in light colors.

Never leave a child or pet alone inside a parked car, and make sure pets have access to fresh water and shade.

Heat illness signs 

Anyone can become ill during extreme heat if their body can’t cool down properly. It’s critical to act fast as some types of heat illness can be deadly.

Lambert Days grand marshal announced

VW independent staff/submitted information

OHIO CITY — Rather than honoring a single individual this year, the Ohio City Park Association has chosen to recognize an organization whose volunteers have quietly and faithfully served the Ohio City community for many years.

Accordingly, the Park Association has announced that the Ohio City Food Pantry will serve as the grand marshal of this year’s Lambert Days parade.

The Ohio City Food Pantry was founded by Linda Boroff and has continued its mission through the dedication of local volunteers. Today, the pantry is operated by Debbie Bigham, Diane Denman, Shawn Jones, and Shirley Adelblue, who generously donate their time to ensure local families have access to food when they need it most.

Serving residents of Liberty Township and Willshire Township, the Ohio City Food Pantry is entirely volunteer-operated. Every item distributed and every dollar received is donated by generous individuals, churches, businesses, and community supporters. The pantry receives no state or federal funding, making the continued generosity of the community essential to its success.

The pantry is open during the last full week of each month, providing support to those in need. Distribution hours are:

• Wednesday: 3-5 p.m.
• Thursday: 9-11 a.m.
• Friday: 9-11 a.m.

The schedule may be adjusted during months when Easter, Thanksgiving, or Christmas fall during the last full week of the month. Any schedule changes are announced in advance.

Lincolnview BOE holding special meeting

VW independent staff

The Lincolnview Local Schools Board of Education will close out fiscal year 2026 at a special meeting scheduled for 5 p.m. today (Monday) in the Neubrecht Lecture Hall.

In addition to a pair of FY 2026 matters, the board is expected to approve temporary fiscal year 2027 appropriations. The agenda also includes a retire-rehire hearing for Sandra Dowdy and Deborah Stetler and an executive session to discuss personnel. No other action or discussion is expected.

Massive car show…

Central Insurance in Van Wert hosted a sizable classic car and truck show on Saturday. Weather conditions were nice for the show, which boast nearly 100 cars and trucks from different decades. Bob Barnes photos