QTS update is coming; council members hear request

Public comment sought on projects

Submitted information

The Ohio Department of Transportation District 1, in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act and Executive Order 11988, is seeking public comment regarding the following proposed projects:

U.S. 127 bridge replacement (PID: 121271)

ODOT is proposing to replace the bridge on U.S. 127 over Long Prairie Creek between Ohio 709 and Wren Landeck Road northeast of the village of Ohio City.

Construction activities will result in temporary roadway closures. Vehicular traffic will be detoured temporarily. Access for local traffic to all properties will be maintained throughout construction.

Construction is anticipated to begin in the summer of 2030.

Visit the project page to submit feedback: transportation.ohio.gov/travel/projects/121271.

Ohio 49 roadway reconstruction (PID: 122474)

ODOT is proposing to reduce roadway flooding by raising the pavement elevation along Ohio 49, between the Willshire Quarry and Piqua Road, just north of Willshire.

Construction activities will result in temporary roadway closures on Ohio 49. Vehicular traffic will be detoured temporarily. Access for local traffic to all properties will be maintained throughout construction.

Construction is anticipated to begin in the summer of 2028

A portion of this work on Ohio 49 will impact the Willshire Quarry, which is designated as a public recreational property that is owned by the village of Willshire. As a designated public recreational property, it is afforded protection under federal law. The use of federal funds requires measures to be developed to minimize harm and advance public notice be given of impacts to this recreational property.

New jobs coming to Antwerp

VW independent staff

A state approved tax break will help create a substantial number of new jobs in Antwerp.

During its monthly meeting, the Ohio Tax Credit Authority gave the green light to an eight-year, 1.437 percent Job Creation Tax Credit for Canadian-based Polyethics Industries Inc. The company expects to create 250 full-time-equivalent positions, generating $12 million in new annual payroll by Dec. 31, 2030, in the village of Antwerp.

Polyethics/EcoPoly is described as a leader in manufacturing plastics from 100 percent recycled materials that are compostable, degradable and/or recyclable. The company produces garbage bags, agricultural plastics, food packaging, and industrial packaging for mostly private label customers. The proposed project involves establishing the company’s first U.S. operations, siting a new manufacturing facility in the midwest as major private label customers have significantly increased demand.

It’s Homecoming Week in Van Wert

Submitted information

Van Wert High School Student Council has announced this year’s Homecoming Court and schedule of events.

The 2026 Homecoming Court includes freshmen attendants Carlie Harris and Kayden Calayo; sophomore attendants Ruby Dicke and Kazmyn Moynihan; junior attendants Ely Chery and David Rice; senior queen candidates Jazzlyn Florence, Leah Krites, and Lizzie Spath, and senior king candidates Owen Bates, Noah Hillery, and Ben Verville.

Homecoming festivities will begin with the annual parade at 6:30 p.m.  Wednesday, September 30. The parade will travel from the corner of Sycamore and Jefferson to Fountain Park. The traditional Powder Puff game will follow at Eggerss Stadium. Presale tickets are available at Van Wert High School for $1, or admission will be $2 at the gate.

The Homecoming Court will be presented at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, October 2, at Eggerss Stadium, with the 2026 Homecoming Queen and King announced prior to the football game against St. Marys Memorial. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Homecoming week will conclude with the homecoming dance for all Van Wert High School students at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 3, at the high school.

Grant allows YMCA to expand swim lessons

VW independent staff/submitted information

A generous grant will be put to good use, with the money going toward local swimming lessons.

The YMCA of Van Wert County has received additional funding from the Van Wert County Foundation to expand its water safety and swim instruction programs, building on the success of a previous $5,000 grant received through the Ohio Department of Health.

The additional funding will allow the YMCA to provide free water safety education and swim instruction to up to 30 additional community members who meet program eligibility requirements.

The original Ohio Department of Health grant was made available to YMCAs across Ohio, and the YMCA of Van Wert County was selected as one of the recipients. The funding is specifically intended to provide water safety and swim instruction opportunities to youth and adults who may face financial barriers to participating in these programs.

Eligibility may include individuals who meet the income requirements for financial assistance through the YMCA. In addition, an entire swim class or summer camp swim class may qualify when at least 90 percent of participants meet scholarship eligibility requirements or are enrolled in publicly funded child care.

“Water safety is an important life skill, and we are grateful for the opportunity to continue expanding access to swim instruction in our community,” said Hugh Kocab, CEO of the YMCA of Van Wert County. “This funding allows us to reach individuals and families who may otherwise have difficulty accessing swim lessons and water safety education.”

Vibrant autumn colors expected in Ohio

VW independent staff/submitted information

COLUMBUS — For many Ohioans, autumn represents pumpkin carving, the harvest season, Halloween campouts, and corn mazes. Spotting the first glimpse of fall color—seeing the leaves changing to strong reds, vivid yellows, and bold oranges—is also a favorite activity. Starting this Thursday, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources  will help people find the best places to view the changing colors throughout the season with weekly updates.

“Autumn provides Ohioans with a great chance to explore the outdoors and experience all of the unique activities that fall in Ohio has to offer,” ODNR Director Mary Mertz said. “Throughout Ohio, communities schedule events around the fall color season to encourage everyone to visit our beautiful state and enjoy the bright colors of the season.”

Fall colors occur due to trees slowing the production of chlorophyll, a green pigment, as they begin to go dormant for the winter. Without chlorophyllin the leaves, other yellow, orange, and red pigments can be seen. Sunny days and cool nights also promote the production of pigments that produce red and purple hues in the leaves. Several variables, such as length of days, sunlight, temperature, wind, and rainfall, affect the intensity and longevity of leaf color.

This fall, the ODNR Division of Forestry is expecting color to peak in the far north of Ohio in mid-October, in central and northern Ohio in mid-to-late October, and in southern Ohio at the end of October and beginning of November

“Conditions this year seem to be aligning for great fall colors,” ODNR Fall Color Forester David Parrott said. “Unlike previous years, we are entering autumn without near-drought or drought conditions, and the weather forecast is giving a 50 percent chance of average autumn weather. These are all good signs for producing vibrant fall colors.”

July 4 celebration organizer passes away

VW independent staff

The man who led the charge to ensure there would be an Independence Day parade and celebration in Van Wert this year has passed away.

Ken Myers, 59, died at his home in Middle Point on Friday. He was the current commander of Van Wert-based Navy Ship Club 726, the group that worked tirelessly to plan this year’s local July 4 celebration to help honor America’s 250 birthday.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, at Cowan & Son Funeral Home of Van Wert. A full obituary can be found on the Obituaries page.

Truck, ambulance collide in Allen County

VW independent staff/submitted information

AMANDA TOWNSHIP — A crash involving a pickup truck and an ambulance left three people with serious injuries.

It occorred just before 3 p.m. Friday at the intersection of Ohio 117 and Grubb Rd. in Amanda Township, Allen County.

According to the Lima Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Evan Fast, 17, of Spencerville, was operating a 1993 Ford F-150 northbound on Grubb Road. Troopers said he failed to stop and yield at the stop sign at the intersection of Ohio 117 and was struck by a 2024 Ford E-350 ambulance, owned by Lima-Allen County Paramedics, that was previously westbound on Ohio 117. Both vehicles were forced off the north side of the roadway. The ambulance drove through a utility pole and multiple small trees.

Fast was not wearing a seat belt at the time and was ejected from his vehicle, causing serious but non-life-threatening injuries. He was transported by a private vehicle to Mercy Health-St. Rita’s.

The ambulance was operated by Austin Sizemore, 26, of Lima. Sizemore was transported with minor injuries by LACP. Working in the back of the ambulance were William Huston, 22, of Pandora and Kaden Tobin, 21, of Lima. Tobin suffered minor injuries and was transported by Spencerville EMS. Huston sustained serious non- life threatening injuries and was transported by LACP. Patricia Kohli, 92, of Spencerville was being transported by the ambulance prior to the crash. She sustained serious injuries and was also transported by Spencerville EMS. All occupants of the ambulance were transported to Mercy Health-St. Rita’s.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Ohio Department of Transportation, Allen County Sheriff’s Office, Lima-Allen County Paramedics, Spencerville EMS, Invincible Fire Company, Shawnee Township EMS, United States Infrastructure Corporation, Able Wrecker Service, Gomer Auto, Midwest Electric and Spectrum.

The accident remains under investigation.

YWCA seeks construction information

Submitted information

The YWCA of Van Wert County (“Owner”), is seeking statements of qualifications from firms to provide construction manager-at-risk services for the construction of a new multi-purpose building (the “Project) consisting primarily of wood stick-framed construction with a small masonry load-bearing multipurpose gym. If your firm is interested in being considered, please respond by submitting your statement of qualifications as instructed in Part 5 of the RFQ.

Submission/Response Deadline. By no later than 4 p.m. on the Deadline for Submitting Statements of Qualifications as set forth in the Selection Schedule of 3.C, one electronic copy of the firm’s statement of qualifications must be submitted by e-mail to:Kimberly Laudick, YWCA of Van Wert County, klaudick@ywcavanwertcounty.org.

Van Wert FD navigates through busy time

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

It was a busy few days for the Van Wert Department. In fact, it was unusually busy.

Firefighters and EMTs were dispatched to 27 different incidents between 12:01 a.m. Tuesday through 11:59 p.m. Thursday alone, well above the normal amount of calls.

“Our department typically averages five to six calls per day, so this was a noticeably busier stretch than normal,” Fire Chief Jon Jones said.

While 24 of the calls were EMS responses, two others were referred to as “high angle” calls.

“High-angle rescues are not common in Van Wert, so seeing two in one week was unusual,” the chief said. “One came during a mutual aid response to a crash involving a semi truck on U.S. 30. At that scene, our crews provided an ambulance that transported one patient to a Mercy Health trauma center, and used our aerial apparatus to set up a high-angle rescue for the driver of the semi.”

The other high angle call came on Wednesday, when the Van Wert Fire Department was dispatched to rescue a man who was trapped in a garbage truck. The third non-EMS call was for mutual aid at a house fire on Van Wert Willshire Rd.

Chief Jones said on at least six occasions during the three-day period, crews were managing two incidents at the same time, including three instances where a second call came in less than 15 minutes after the first. Calls came in around the clock, with responses logged overnight on each of the three days.

“A full shift at our department is seven personnel and at minimum staffing we operate with five,” he explained. “That means a small crew is often handling back-to-back calls that range from medical emergencies to technical rescues.”

Homecoming royalty…

Alison Owens was crowned Crestview homecoming queen whlie Kale Vining was crowned homecoming king before Friday night’s football game against Allen East. The Knights lost the game 41-0. Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent