Harter, Spradlin named R.K. Thompson Award winners

Civil War era to be discussed

Submitted information

The Brumback Library and the Van Wert County Historical Society Genealogy Club will meet from 5:30-7 p.m. on Tuesday May 12, on the second floor of the library. There will be a special America 250  presentation by Harrison Frech, “Van Wert County in the Civil War.” It will cover the raising of local units to fight, local news coverage, support for the war and dissent which was sometimes violent. How Van Wert County African American men served to end slavery and save the Union.  Harrison will then tie in how local resources from the library and museum were used in his research. 

Ramaswamy, Acton to square off

Nick Evans/Ohio Capital Journal

Ohio’s race for governor this November is set. Republican Vivek Ramaswamy will face Democrat Amy Acton in November, according to unofficial results.

Results will remain unofficial until they are certified by election officials later this month.

Both major party candidates are political newcomers who’ve distinguished themselves as communicators. They’ll have ample opportunity to make their case.

Acton is breaking Democratic fundraising records in Ohio; according to pre-primary reports her campaign has cleared $10 million. Ramaswamy has spent that much on campaign ads already, and with a $25 million personal loan, appears ready to spend more. And that doesn’t even account for the Super PAC supporting his bid.

Acton, who didn’t have a primary challenger, described herself as a “scrappy kid from Youngstown” in a speech to supporters Tuesday night. She drew comparisons between her own struggles as a child facing homelessness and the challenges Ohioans today face in making ends meet.

“I am running for governor because people in this state are struggling,” Acton said. “They are doing everything right. They’re working harder than they ever have, but there is no more breathing room. They’re struggling with the cost of everyday life, and I refuse to look the other way.”

And Acton needled her opponent for criss-crossing the state in a private jet.

“When you are looking at a state from 30,000 feet, my opponent cannot possibly see the struggles and the stories that I’m hearing on the road,” Acton said. “Vivek Ramaswamy isn’t just out of touch. He is out for himself. That is what is happening here.”

The AP called the Republican primary race for Ramaswamy less than 30 minutes after polls closed.

Election Day facts and figures

VW independent staff

The May 5 primary election is nearly in the books. It’s not 100 percent finished because provisional ballots need to be counted in counties around Ohio and results must be certified by each county board of elections.

As expected, voter turnout was relatively low, but some races did attract a good number of voters.

Local turnout

There are 19,869 registered voters in Van Wert County and 4,946 cast ballots (24.89 percent). While early voting is popular, the majority of voters cast their ballots on Election Day. Figures from the Van Wert County Board of Elections show 2,927 voters showed up at the polls on Election Day. 1,808 voted early in-person and 211 returned ballots by mail.

Statewide turnout

Ohio has 7,896,681 registered voters and 1,781,296 cast ballots (22.56 percent), perhaps a bit lower than expected.

High and low

Coshocton County had the highest voter turnout in the state, 29.10 percent. Lawrence County had the lowest turnout, 16.66 percent.

Judge race

In the race for Van Wert County Juvenile/Probate Court Judge, Eva Yarger and Todd Wolfrum both ran clean campaigns, which is fairly uncommon in this day and age. Both went door to door and both had a number of campaign signs around the county.

As expected, the race was close, with Yarger winning by 182 votes. What made the race especially interesting was the fact that Wolfrum was the choice of the Van Wert County Republican Central Committee to replace retired Judge Kevin H. Taylor, but Yarger was the choice of Governor Mike DeWine, who had the final say on her appointment following Judge Taylor’s retirement. Her appointment was for the remainder of the term, which ends next February. Tuesday’s win means she’ll begin a full six year term when she takes the oath of office early next year.

Wolfrum will continue as a county commissioner.

Yarger, Wermer, Riedel win primary races

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

Republican voters in Van Wert County have voted to retain Eva Yarger as Van Wert County Juvenile/Probate Court Judge.

Final unofficial results from the Van Wert County Board of Elections show Yarger, who previously served as Van Wert County prosecutor, defeated Van Wert County Commissioner Todd Wolfrum 2,177-1,995. Yarger will be unopposed in the fall and will begin a new six-year term early next year.

“I am grateful for the trust the people of Van Wert County place in me and I thank every voter,” Yarger said. I am especially grateful to everyone who helped me. I will work hard to keep the trust and be the best judge I can.”

In early February, Yarger was chosen by Governor Mike DeWine to fill the seat formerly held by Judge Kevin H. Taylor, who retired at the end of 2025. Wolfrum was recommended by the Van Wert County Republican Central Committee, but DeWine chose Yarger instead. Wolfrum, a local attorney, will continue on as a county commissioner.

In the race for Van Wert County Auditor, Republican challenger Arica Wermer defeated incumbent Jami Bradford 2,437-1,582. Bradford was seeking a second term in office. It was Wermer’s first run at public office. She will not be challenged in the fall election and will take office in January, 2027.

“I am very honored to be the next Van Wert County Auditor,” Wermer said. “I want to say thank you to the community for their support and I couldn’t have done this without my friends and family. I am excited and ready to bring integrity and a strong work ethic to the Auditor’s Office with the current staff. I will be a leader that shows up and learns all functions of the job.”

Crestview honors high school seniors

Submitted information

CONVOY — Crestview High School recently held its Senior Convocation to recognize its seniors for their academic and athletic accomplishments with awards from the teaching staff, along with scholarships and recognition from various community and school organizations.

High School Principal Mimi Myers began and closed the evening with remarks about the successes of the Class of 2026 and the mark they have left on Crestview High School.

The faculty-presented awards of Academic Achievement and Awards of Merit were distributed first, along with honors plaques presented to the top student of each department. The second portion of the evening was reserved for scholarship and athletic award presentations by administrators and various community members. The evening concluded with the Tom Nelson Citizen of Distinction Award given to a community member who has gone above and beyond in their dedication and service to Crestview Schools. This award was presented to 2013 Crestview graduate Dr. Cody Klinker.

Academic Achievement Awards, Awards of Merit and Department Awards:

Perfect Attendance – Emily Lichtle, Rain Risley

Senior Algebra 2 Achievement – Quintin Adam

Senior Algebra 2 Merit – Emily Adams

Business Math Achievement – Logan Schlemmer, Kenzie Heffner

Business Math Merit – Leah Sowers, Madilynn Springer, Anna Gardner

Personal Finance Achievement – Kenzie Heffner, Lulu Ross

Financial Accounting Merit – Caroline Marks, Madilynn Springer

Polls to be open until 7:30 tonight

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

Primary Election Day has arrived in Ohio. The polls will be open statewide until 7:30 tonight.

In Van Wert County, there are three local Republican races on the ballot, along with some statewide primary races.

Van Wert County Juvenile/Probate Court Judge Eva Yarger, who was appointed to the seat earlier this year by Governor Mike DeWine, is seeking to retain the seat. She’s running against County Commissioner Todd Wolfrum. The winner will be unopposed in November.

Incumbent Van Wert County Auditor Jami Bradford is seeking her second term in office and is being challenged by Arica Wermer, deputy auditor for the City of Van Wert. The winner will be unopposed in November. 

The third race features current State Representative Jim Hoops and former State Representative Craig Riedel in the race for the First District Ohio Senate seat. The winner will be unopposed in November. 10 counties comprise the district – Defiance, Fulton, Hancock, Hardin, Henry, Paulding, Putnam, Van Wert and Williams counties, and the northern portion of Logan County.

Statewide races on the primary ballot include one for the GOP nod for Governor and Lt. Governor. Heather Mill and Stuart Moats, Casey Putsch and Kimberly C. Georgeton, and Vivek Ramaswamy and Robert A. McColley are the names on the ballot.

In the GOP state treasurer’s primary race, Jay Edwards and Kristina D. Roegner are on the ballot and four people are seeking the Republican nomination for Ohio Supreme Court Justice: Andrew King, Jill Lanzinger, Ronald Lewis and Colleen O’Donnell. Marcell Strbich and Robert Sprague are running in the Republican primary for Ohio Secretary of State.

Hearing draws a large crowd to the NPAC

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

The First Federal Lecture Hall at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center has a seating capacity of 175. It was standing room only Monday night, with an estimated 200-plus people in attendance for a public hearing scheduled by Van Wert City Council concerning re-zoning for a proposed $10 billion data center in Van Wert.

Most of the audience didn’t speak. Of the more than 200 people there, just 40 of them addressed council members. Speakers were divided into one of four groups: city residents, residents adjacent to the property where the proposed data center is slated to be built, county residents, and those living outside the county. Each person was given two minutes to address council.

12 city residents spoke in favor of re-zoning the property at the Mega Site and the data center itself, while eight were opposed. One of those who spoke in favor was Randy Agler, a lifelong city resident.

“I’ve done a lot of research on this project,” he stated. “I trust the experts that talked about the water and the power and I’m confident that’s not an issue. I’m also extremely excited to see what Van Wert can do with the additional revenue.”

City resident Faith Wallace, who has been vocal about her opposition to the project during recent meetings, reiterated her stance and claimed a data center is not a business and therefore shouldn’t be zoned I-2 General Industrial.

“It brings no production, it brings no jobs to our town, our people,” she said. “I want to know what it will do the property values of my house and my electric bill. I also state it should have been put on the ballot…12 people, 10 people, 15 people don’t get to make the decision. I don’t know about you, but you best better go back and read the Book of Revelations because this is what you are bringing into this town.”

Van Wert resident Mark Davis disagreed with the notion that a data center isn’t a business. While others voiced support and touted the economic benefits, some expressed concerns about power, water usage and noise.

Gas prices rise nearly $1 per gallon

VW independent staff/submitted information

Average gasoline prices in Ohio have risen a staggering 97.8 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $4.87 per gallon Monday, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 5,345 stations in Ohio. Prices in Ohio are $1.12 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and stand $1.74 per gallon higher than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has increased 21.3 cents compared to a week ago and stands at $5.621 per gallon.
 
According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Ohio was priced at $3.59 per gallon yesterday while the most expensive was $5.99 per gallon, a difference of $2.40 per gallon.

The national average price of gasoline has risen 38.2 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $4.42 per gallon Monday. The national average is up 32.6 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands $1.31 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.

“Gasoline prices rose in every state over the last week, with some of the most significant and fastest increases concentrated in the Great Lakes, where states like Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and Illinois saw sharp spikes, while Wisconsin experienced more modest gains,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “At the same time, diesel prices surged to new records in parts of the region, with some areas touching the $6-per-gallon mark. While refinery outages were a key driver behind those outsized increases, early signs of improvement could help ease some of the most extreme price pressures in the Great Lakes in the days ahead.

“Beyond the region, markets are also digesting a wave of new developments— including OPEC+ raising production for June and President Trump outlining a plan to free stranded ships— which could help restore some supply,” he added. “However, with so many moving pieces, the outlook remains highly fluid, and while some localized relief may emerge, broader price volatility is likely to persist in the near term.”

Meeting scheduled to gather input

Submitted information

The Lincolnview Local School District will hold a meeting from 5-6 p.m. Tuesday, May 12, in the Neubrecht Lecture Hall to gain input from any community members regarding educational services for children with disabilities. This meeting is intended to gather information, allow people to ask questions, and improve on our services to children with disabilities.

If you are unable to attend this meeting, but would like to share your comments or have questions answered, send an e-mail to mclawson@lvlancers.com or call the Lincolnview District Office at 419.96.-2226.

Children’s dept. goes back many years

Editor’s note: This year the Brumback Library is celebrating 125 years of service to the community. Each month, the library will tell the story of the Brumback Library, chapter by chapter. This month’s installment looks back at the children’s department. The story is told by Roxanne Roessner, Brumback Library Youth Services Coordinator. 

By Roxanne Roessner/special to the VW independent

Over the past 125 years, the Brumback Library has been a cornerstone of the community, helping generations of children discover the joy of reading and learning. While the library itself has grown and changed over the years, one thing has remained constant: its commitment to young readers. From the very beginning, the children’s department has been a place of imagination, exploration, and connection.

The formal beginnings of children’s services at the Brumback Library can be traced to April, 1917, when the juvenile department opened in the basement of the library. Under the leadership of Ella Bergert Conn, this modest space quickly became a hub of activity. Children gathered regularly for programs and events, laying the foundation for what would become a long-standing tradition of youth engagement.

One of the earliest and most enduring programs was Story Hour, which began on May 3, 1917. Held weekly from October through April, Story Hour quickly grew in popularity. Attendance at special programs sometimes reached 250-300 children. This remarkable turnout shows both the community’s enthusiasm and the library’s importance as a gathering place. These early story programs were more than entertainment, as they gave children access to literature, language, and shared cultural experiences.

Seasonal celebrations also shaped the department’s identity. A Christmas celebration held in 1917 is among the earliest recorded special events, showing that the library was more than a place for books. Over time, additional programming such as Children’s Book Week exhibits enriched the experience of young patrons and highlighted the importance of literature in children’s lives.

In the 1920s, Vacation Reading Clubs were introduced to encourage reading during the summer months when school was not in session. The program gained momentum in 1925 with 599 children enrolled. These early clubs show a long-standing recognition of the need to support literacy year-round and can be seen as predecessors to modern summer reading initiatives.

The lasting impact of these programs can still be seen in the materials preserved by the library. Summer reading pamphlets dating from 1928 through 1973, along with later examples such as one from 2010, reflect both the creativity and consistency of these efforts over time. Program themes ranged widely, including titles such as Tom Sawyer Reading Club, Baseball Reading Club, Totem Pole Reading Club, Johnny Appleseed Reading Club, and Soaring Eagle Reading Club, along with imaginative concepts like Summer Excursion to Bookland and Sail into the Sea of Reading Pleasure. Over the years, the Brumback Library Reading Club also appeared in many forms, featuring themes tied to local trivia, patriotism, and simple encouragements to read.