Friday night celebration planned at Eggerss Stadium

Review: ‘Catch Me If You Can’ great show!

By DAVE MOSIER

The Van Wert Civic Theatre has a new production opening Thursday and it’s a good one — a really good one!

VWCT’s latest production is Catch Me If You Can, a 2009 musical by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman based on the 2002 movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio, which is itself based on the1980 autobiography by con artist Frank Abagnale Jr., written with Stan Redding.

The musical opens with Abagnale’s arrest by FBI agents led by Special Agent Carl Hanratty, the part played by Tom Hanks in the movie, in Miami International Airport. It then continues with a flashback to Abagnale’s youth in the 1950s, where his father, Frank Sr., a struggling businessman who kites checks, cheats on his taxes and cons banks into giving him loans he can’t pay back, instills that same grifting philosophy in his son.

When his parents divorce after his mother, Paula, is caught cheating with another man, Abagnale Jr. leaves home and begins a series of amazing impersonations, using his charm to pass himself off as an airline pilot, a doctor, and a lawyer, all for the purpose of writing millions of dollars in bad checks during a globetrotting spree that stretches over several years. He’s also being doggedly pursued by Hanratty and his FBI agents, who aim to stop his scamming ways.

Director Jerry Zimmerman and Music Director Terri Spencer have put together an excellent cast for what could be the smash hit of this VWCT season.

Ashton Szabados, who was impressive last season as Clyde Barrow in Bonnie and Clyde, a musical that recently competed at the state level, is also great as Abagnale Jr., playing the con artist with charm and endearing panache.

Nick Long plays Hanratty, Frank Jr.’s FBI nemesis, and is also wonderful as a driven man whose one and only aim in life is to bring Abagnale to justice.

Szabados and Long are the soul of this production, making Abagnale’s story not only believable, but also extremely entertaining. Both do a great job with the big numbers, but also add poignancy to the soft, emotional tunes.

Streets to close for homecoming parade

Submitted information

Van Wert High School’s homecoming parade will be held between 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, September 30. 

N. Jefferson St., from W. Main St., to W. Third St., S. Jefferson St., from W. Main St., to Crawford St., the 100 block of W. Central Ave., the 100 and 200 block of W. Jackson St., the 100 block of W. Sycamore St. will be closed for the parade. East and westbound traffic on W. Main St., at Jefferson St., will be temporarily stopped by an officer while the parade units cross the intersection.

AG candidates address Flock cameras

By Nick Evans/Ohio Capital Journal

The Republican candidate for Ohio Attorney General wants Ohio lawmakers to make abuse of the Flock camera database a felony but keep the system’s use for legitimate law enforcement purposes. His Democratic opponent doesn’t think the plan goes far enough.

The automated license plate readers have spread rapidly through state and local law enforcement agencies as a powerful tool for finding suspects.

The public backlash has grown just as quickly.

In addition to Americans’ abiding unease with government surveillance, critics point to news investigations which uncovered eye-opening examples of police abuse of the Flock database.

A bipartisan group of Ohio lawmakers want the state’s transportation agency to rescind Flock permits. One of them is filing legislation to prohibit government agencies from deploying cameras or accessing the database without first getting a warrant.

Keith Faber, the GOP candidate for Ohio AG in November, wants to punish misuse without losing access to a critical investigatory tool.

“Flock cameras can help Ohio police recover stolen cars, find missing kids, and catch violent criminals,” Faber said in a press release. “But that data exists to solve crimes. If someone abuses it to violate the Constitutional rights of law-abiding Ohioans, that should be a crime, the same as misusing any other sensitive law enforcement database.”

If elected, Faber is promising to work with lawmakers to make abuse of the Flock database a felony. In a video on social media he explained it’s already a felony under Ohio law to misuse of state’s central law enforcement database, known as LEADS.

“As your attorney general, I’ll work with the legislature to pass legislation and get Flock and similar data that same protection,” Faber sad. “Use it to solve a crime or protect the public, and you’re doing your job. Abuse it or violate someone’s constitutional rights, and you’ve committed a felony. That goes for everyone, badge or no badge.”

Hospital to teach kids via stuffed animals

Submitted information

Children and their favorite stuffed animals can get a hands-on introduction to healthcare during OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital’s Teddy Bear Clinic from 3-6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22, from 4 to 6 p.m. This free event requires no registration. Families should enter through Door 2.

The Teddy Bear Clinic is designed to make healthcare feel friendly and fun while helping children become more comfortable with common medical experiences. Kids are encouraged to bring a favorite teddy bear or stuffed animal and guide their furry friend through interactive care stations.

Stations will include: vitals, lab, X-ray, vaccines, casting, exercise, hand hygiene and nutrition. At each station, children can participate in age-appropriate activities while learning more about how healthcare teams care for patients.

Save A Lot closing…

Van Wert is losing one of its grocery stores. Save A Lot, on S. Shannon St. will close for good on Saturday, September 26. Employees were informed of the pending closure on Tuesday. No reason was given for the closure, but Save A Lot has closed dozens of stores in 13 states this year. The Van Wert store was originally slated to close on April 1, 2025, but roughly two weeks before then, it was announced that Save A Lot corporate purchased the store and would keep it open. VW independent file photo

Schulte arraigned, freed from jail

VW independent staff

A Delphos St. John’s coach, athletic director and dean of students appeared in court for arraignment on a domestic violence charge.

During a brief hearing in Van Wert Municipal Court on Wednesday, Todd Schulte, 52, entered a not guilty plea to a charge of domestic violence, a first degree misdemeanor. A pre-trial conference was scheduled for October 13 and he was released on his own recognizance.

Schulte was arrested at his home and was jailed late Monday night. According to a report from the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office, the alleged victim made the complaint in the lobby of the Sheriff’s Office shortly before 10 p.m. Monday. The victim claimed the incident occurred approximately one and a half weeks prior. Pictures were provided showing injuries.

A statement issued on Tuesday by Nathan Stant, Head of School at Delphos St. John’s, said Schulte “stepped away” from his responsibilities as dean of students, athletic director and head football coach. However, it’s unclear if Schulte actually resigned or is on leave. The school did not elaborate on “stepped away.”

Students learn about future careers

VW independent staff

Several hundred high school freshmen and sophomores from Van Wert and Paulding counties had the opportunity to learn more about in-demand careers on Tuesday.

In all, more than 500 students gathered at the Van Wert County Fairgrounds for “Build Your Future Forward,” described as an interactive career exploration experience.

Students from Crestview, Lincolnview and Van Wert took part in a morning session, followed by students from Parkway, Paulding, Antwerp and Wayne Trace in the afternoon. They rotated through 7-minute hands-on career stations focused on healthcare, manufacturing, construction, skilled trades, and other high-demand industries. Current Vantage Career Center students and staff members helped lead interactive activities, demonstrate industry-related skills, and gave participating students a hands-on look at career-technical education and the skills needed in today’s workforce.

Participating partners were Danfoss, OhioHealth Van Wert, Paulding County Hospital, Alexander & Bebout Construction, Ayers Mechanical Group, ATR Contractors, InSource, OhioMeansJobs, Paulding Economic Development, the Van Wert County Foundation, and the Van Wert Area Economic Development Corporation. Insource, located in Paulding County, joined the event for the first time to showcase manufacturing careers.

By introducing students to high-demand career pathways early, the Build Your Future Forward event helped students make more informed decisions about their education and future while connecting them directly with local employers and industry professionals. It also gave employers the opportunity to engage with the next generation of talent.

State releases newest school report cards

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

Ohio’s latest school report cards are out and the results show Van Wert County school districts met or exceeded state standards during the 2025-2026 school year.

Districts are scored on individual components and each component is weighted and then combined to determine the overall rating from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. The six different components used on the latest report cards are achievement, progress, gap closing, early literacy, graduation, and post-graduation readiness.

Report cards are released each year for public schools and charter schools, but not for private and/or parochial schools. Districts and schools receive overall ratings of 1-5 stars in half-star increments.

• 5 stars: significantly exceeds state standards
• 4.5 stars: exceeds state standards
• 4 stars: exceeds state standards
• 3.5 stars: meets state standards
• 3 stars: meets state standards
• 2.5 stars: needs support to meet state standards
• 2 stars: needs support to meet state standards
• 1.5 stars: needs significant support to meet state standards
• 1 star: needs significant support to meet state standards

Van Wert City Schools received an overall rating of 3.5 stars, the same as last year. Van Wert received a 3 in achievement and progress, 4 in gap closing, a 5 in graduation, 2 in early literacy and 4 in college, career, workforce and military readiness.

“Van Wert City Schools continues to make progress and that’s encouraging,” Superintendent Mark Bagley said. “The State Report Card gives us one way to look at how we’re doing but it doesn’t tell the full story. Our kids are working hard, our entire staff and administrators are putting a lot into this, and I think there’s a lot to be proud of beyond what shows up on the report card.”

Local hospital welcomes new surgeon

VW independent staff/submitted information

A new general surgeon has signed on at OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital.

According to a statement from the hospital, Roberto Bustos, MD, brings expertise in minimally invasive and robotic surgery to patients in the region.

Originally from Argentina, Dr. Bustos developed an interest in rural surgery through his early experiences providing care abroad, where he saw the impact accessible, high-quality surgical services can have on patients and families.

“Van Wert Hospital gives me the unique opportunity to continue that path in combination with advanced surgical technologies that aren’t widely available elsewhere,” Dr. Bustos said. “I am committed to providing patients with exceptional care while allowing them to remain close to their homes, their support systems and their communities.”

Inspired by his father and sister, who are both general surgeons, Dr. Bustos said he was drawn to a career that combines medicine, technology and hands-on skill.

“Watching their commitment and compassion shaped my own path, inspiring me to pursue surgery with the same sense of purpose,” Dr. Bustos said. “Serving patients has become the greatest source of fulfillment for me, and it’s a responsibility I carry with pride every day.”

Dr. Bustos earned his medical degree from Universidad Nacional de Cuyo in Argentina. He completed a research fellowship in minimally invasive and robotic surgery at the University of Illinois College of Medicine and general surgery residency at Saint Louis University.

“We’re pleased to welcome Dr. Bustos to our team and to Van Wert,” said Scott Jarvis, MD, associate vice president Clinical Affairs, OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital. “His expertise complements the strengths of our surgical team and will be a tremendous asset to the patients and communities we serve.”

Outside of medicine, Dr. Bustos enjoys soccer, tennis, computer science, traveling and spending time with his wife and two children.

DSJ coach, AD, adminstrator arrested

VW independent staff

The dean of students, head football coach and athletic director Delphos St. John’s High School has been arrested amid allegations of domestic violence.

Todd Schulte, 52, was arrested Monday night at his home in Delphos and was taken to the Van Wert County Correctional Facility on a single count of domestic violence, a first degree misdemeanor.

According to a report submitted to the VW independent by the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office, the alleged victim made the complaint in the lobby of the Sheriff’s Office shortly before 10 p.m. Monday. The victim claimed the incident occurred approximately one and a half weeks prior. Pictures were provided showing injuries.

Schulte was taken into custody without incident approximately 90 minutes after the complaint was made. The report states he was cooperative at the jail.

On Tuesday,Delphos St. John’s issued this statement.

“Effective Tuesday, September 15, Todd Schulte has stepped away fom his responsibilities as Athletic Director, Head Football Coach, and JH/HS Dean of Students at St. John’s. During this time, Mr. Aaron Dubow will serve as Interim Athletic Director, Mr. Dan Metzger will serve as Interim Football Coach, and Mr. Adam Lee will serve as the Dean of Students. We understand that this may raise questions within our school community. Out of respect for the privacy of those involved, we are not able to provide additional details at this time.”

As of late Tuesday afternoon, Schulte remained incarcerated.