Submitted information
The Van Wert County General Health District is investigating three lab confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis among Van Wert County residents. Public health officials are working closely with the Ohio Department of Health, healthcare providers, and other public health partners to investigate reported illnesses and monitor the situation.
Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclosporacayetanensis. People become infected by consuming food or water contaminated with the parasite. While fresh produce, including berries, leafy greens, cilantro, basil, and other herbs, has often been associated with Cyclospora infections, the source of the current infections being investigated have been connected to shredded iceberg lettuce across five states.
The Van Wert County General Health District is advising the public to avoid consuming shredded iceberg lettuce from Taco Bell and the voluntarily recalled shredded lettuce products from Taylor Farms. As a reminder, the investigation related to this outbreak is still ongoing.
Symptoms typically begin 2-14 days after exposure and may include:
(more…)POSTED: 07/21/26 at 3:39 pm
The investigation continues into an early Sunday afternoon crash on Lincoln Highway along Van Wert’s east side. According to a report released by the Van Wert Police Department late Tuesday morning, the accident occurred at approximately 1:30 p.m. Sunday when an westbound car driven by Doris D. Jones, 74, of Lima went off Lincoln Highway and hit a tree near the intersection of Stripe Road. Emergency responders found Jones unconscious and non-responsive and lifesaving measures were performed by Van Wert EMS. She was transported to OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. Bob Barnes/VWFD photographer
POSTED: 07/21/26 at 10:45 am. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
Ridi Stores has completed the purchase of three gas stations from Lassus Brothers Oil, including the Van Wert Lassus Handy Dandy location. That gas station, along with Lassus gas stations in Delta and Napoleon, are now part of the Ridi Stores family.
The stores will continue serving customers throughout the transition, which begins today. The store and pumps were shut down this morning but a company spokesperson said will re-open later today. Over the next several weeks, they’ll be updated with Ridi Stores branding, and customers will also see improvements, including a new loyalty program and other store enhancements.
“We’re happy to welcome these locations to Ridi Stores,” said Loui Ridi, President of Ridi Stores. “Lassus has been serving these communities for many years, and we appreciate the foundation they’ve built. Our goal is simple: take care of our customers, keep our stores clean, offer quality fuel, and continue earning the trust of the communities we serve.”
Founded in 1999, Ridi Stores is a locally owned company headquartered in Toledo. With these acquisitions the company now operates 27 locations, including gas stations and Express Car Washes across Ohio, Indiana, and southern Michigan.
According to a press release, Ridi Stores offers quality fuel, fresh food, beverages, and everyday convenience items, and is committed to providing friendly service, clean, well-maintained locations, and supporting the communities it serves.
VW independent staff/submitted information
It’s a popular event that draws a large crowd to downtown Van Wert and it’s back this Friday night.
Historic Main Street Van Wert’s annual Block Party is set for 4-10 p.m. The free event promises an evening packed with live entertainment, delicious food, family activities, shopping, and community fun for all ages.
This year’s Block Party features eight local food vendors, a variety of market vendors, a Freedom Cruise Car Show, and live entertainment throughout the evening.
Music lovers won’t want to miss Dave Matthews Tribute Band (DMTB), performing as part of Van Wert Live’s Feel Good Fridays concert series. The nationally recognized tribute band will bring the music of Dave Matthews Band to downtown Van Wert for an unforgettable night of live music. It’s the final installment of the summer concert series.
Families are encouraged to visit the Kids Zone, sponsored by the YMCA, where children can enjoy bounce houses and face painting throughout the evening.
Guests 21 and over can stop by the Beer Tent, sponsored by GreenWay Bank, offering a selection of beverages including Coors Light, Miller Lite,
Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy,
Garage Beer Lime,
and Simply Spiked Lemonades.
Food will be available from a variety of local favorites, including:
- Pull Up & Grill
- Robsagna
- Tom’s Hot Dogs
- What the Taco
- CJ’s Shaved Ice
- Banks & Mia Lemon Shake Ups
- Pork’s Great Lakes Catch & Grill
- Glo & Go
POSTED: 07/20/26 at 8:30 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Submitted information
Notice is hereby given that the Van Wert County Auditor Jami Bradford in accordance with Ohio Revised Code 5713.03 and all applicable laws of the State of Ohio, has completed the 2026 triennial update of real property values for all parcels within Van Wert County. These are tentative values.
Property owners are encouraged to review their property values online at https://auditor.vanwertcountyohio.gov. You can also call the office to schedule an informal hearing, 419.238.0843.
POSTED: 07/20/26 at 8:30 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
For the third consecutive year, Women in Real Estate of Van Wert County have joined together to sponsor a room through the YWCA’s Adopt-A-Room program.
Recently, several of the realtors met for lunch and invited Julie Burenga, YWCA Capital Campaign Chairperson and board member, to update them on progress of the capital campaign and how the Adopt-A-Room a room program will continue once the YWCA has moved to their new building.
“The YWCA of Van Wert Adopt-A-Room program is an incredible opportunity to make an impact and have your donation work toward a specific purpose” said Amber Davis, Management Level Realtor and co-owner of Red Oak Realty and coordinator of the Women in Realty sponsorship.
Realtors donating included Amber Davis, Tammy Reynolds, Jessica Bear and Becky Dowler from Red Oak Realty; Nikki Horstman, Stephanie Teman, Lauren Girardot, and Lynn Miller from At Home Realty; Diana Hobbs, Nautica Rader, Stephanie Will, and Kathy Wurst from Dick Clark Real Estate; Anne Brecht and Jane German from Straley Realty, and Michelle Gunter from Bee Gee Realty.
Business, organizations and individuals are invited to sponsor a room at the YWCA for a tax- deductible donation of $1,000. A variety of payment plans are available and donors receive recognition on social media, the YWCA website and in the annual report along with a donor plaque to be placed on the door of their adopted room. Donors may also remain anonymous if they choose.
Information regarding the Adopt-A-Room program and the Capital Campaign may be found on the YWCA website (www.ywcavanwert.org) or by contacting Julie Schaufelberger at julies@ywcavanwertcounty.org.
POSTED: 07/20/26 at 8:29 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff
The newest member of the Van Wert City Schools Board of Education will be named and sworn in at Wednesday’s monthly meeting. A seat came open at the end of June, when Thaison Leaser announced his resignation, due to a move just outside the school district.
Three people applied for the seat – Cody Carroll, Wes Collins and Scott White. All three were interviewed by the board last week and a decision was made after a great deal of discussion.
“All interviews went well and we were extremely impressed with all three applicants,” Van Wert City Schools Board of Education President Anthony Adams said.
The person chosen will fill the unexpired term, but will need to participate in a special election in November of 2027 for the remaining two years of the term that ends on December 31, 2029.
Wednesday’s board meeting will begin at 5 p.m. in the First Federal Lecture Hall at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center.
POSTED: 07/20/26 at 8:28 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
Average gasoline prices in Ohio have risen 5.8 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.87 per gallon on Monday, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 5,345 stations in Ohio. Prices in Ohio are 4.3 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and stand 96 cents per gallon higher than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has decreased 22.3 cents compared to a week ago and stands at $5.077 per gallon.
According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Ohio was priced at $3.19 per gallon on Sunday while the most expensive was $5.19 per gallon.
On Monday, gas prices in Van Wert came in below and above the statewide average, ranging from $3.69 to $3.99 per gallon.
The national average price of gasoline has risen 13 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.95 per gallon on Monday. The national average is up 6.5 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 85.7 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 and diesel prices rose in nearly every state for the second straight week, with the national average price of gasoline likely to reach $4 per gallon within the next 48 hours and diesel already back above $5 per gallon nationally,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “While the ongoing U.S.-Iran situation continues to weigh on markets, the story is increasingly less about crude oil and more about global refining capacity — the Strait of Hormuz remains closed while continued Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries further squeeze an already strained supply picture. With WTI crude approaching $85 per barrel in Sunday night trading, price-cycling markets are likely to see another jolt higher in the coming days, and motorists should brace for a rougher stretch ahead.”
Historical gasoline prices in Ohio and the national average going back five years:
POSTED: 07/20/26 at 8:28 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
The Van Wert Area Chamber of Commerce held its 2026 Chamber Golf Classic at Willow Bend County Club last Wednesday, July 15. 23 teams enjoyed a great day on the golf course that included some fun games as well as an excellent meal provided by Willow Bend.
AM flight results
- First Place: Van Wert Manor with a score of 53
- Second Place: Cooper Farms with a score of 54
- Closest to the Pin: Gregg Bashore
- Longest made putt: Zach Collins
- Longest Drive (men): Tyler Turnwald
- Longest Drive (ladies): Danielle Monfort
- Putting contest: Kevan Unverferth
PM flight results
- First Place: Advanced Insurance Group: 54
- Second Place: Alexander and Bebout: 58
- Closest to the Pin: Donovan Delong
- Longest made putt: Sloan Whitaker
- Longest Drive (men): Zach Army
- Longest Drive (ladies): Jennifer Klinker
The team from Van Wert Manor from the morning flight were overall champions with a score of 53.
“Michelle Sperry and the team at Willow Bend Country Club were great to work with,” Van Wert Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Mark Verville said. “We would like to thank our lunch sponsor QTS as well as the Advanced Insurance Group and First Federal Van Wert who sponsored our hole in one contest.”
To see a listing of all of the event sponsors and to learn more about the Van Wert Chamber of Commerce, go to www.vanwertchamber.com or check the Chamber’s Facebook page.
POSTED: 07/20/26 at 8:27 pm. FILED UNDER: News
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
The Van Wert County Board of Elections is checking signatures on petitions filed for a ballot initiative that could eventually repeal an ordinance permitting data centers in industrial zones in the City of Van Wert.
The petitions were submitted to the elections board last Friday by city resident Joe Jared in hopes of stopping QTS Data Centers from building a $10 billion data center at the Mega Site on Van Wert’s east side. If approved by city voters, it would ban data centers in industrial zoned districts in the city. In May of this year, Van Wert City Council approved legislation allowing such facilities to be constructed in I-2 zoned districts in the city.
Van Wert County Board of Elections Director Pam Henderson said Monday her office has 10 days to review and verify the signatures, which must come from registered voters living in the City of Van Wert. She also said she should be done long before the 10 days.
The ballot language also needs approved, but that process is not part of the current review. Here is the language submitted:
“An Ordinance Amending the Van Wert Zoning Code to Prohibit Data Centers in Industrial Zones.”
“Data centers, server farms, and all facilities whose primary purpose is the storage, management, processing, or transmission of digital data for third parties – including any associated cooling systems, power generators, or utility infrastructure – shall be prohibited in all industrial zoning districts within the City of Van Wert. This prohibition does not apply to data processing facilities that are accessory to and located on the same site as a corporate headquarters or principal place of business. Ordinance No. 26-05-029 is hereby repealed in its entirety.”
If enough signatures on the initiative petitions are ruled valid and if the ballot language is approved, it would appear on the November 3 ballot.
POSTED: 07/20/26 at 2:03 pm. FILED UNDER: News
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
A second property along E. Central Ave. in downtown Van Wert will come down, thanks to a new state grant that has been awarded to the Van Wert County Land Reutilization Corporation (Land Bank).
The grant, which was announced on Friday by will be used to demolish the building at 137 E. Central Ave., which previously housed the Century Bar. The building has been long vacant and is now dilapidated.
A neighboring building at 139 E. Central Ave. is also slated for demolition by way of a $279,520 grant announced in May. That building has also been vacant for some time. It’s not yet known when the two buildings will come down.
Other new grants announced for area demoltion projects include:
- 212 E. First St., Rockford
- 0 High St., Mendon
- 105 Jefferson St., Mendon
- 205 N. Main St., Grover Hill
- 12435 Blaine St., Scott
In all, $11.9 million in grants announced on Friday will help 73 counties prepare sites for redevelopment by demolishing existing unsafe, blighted buildings. The funding is coming from the latest round of the Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program. Ohio’s operating budget has allotted $21.5 million each fiscal year to help communities demolish dilapidated residential and commercial structures and prepare those properties for future economic development.
“In Ohio, every building has a story,” Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik said. “When those stories come to an end, those properties still have one final purpose: making way for something better. By helping our communities remove these long-neglected structures, we’re creating opportunities for new investment, new housing, new businesses, and a stronger future for the people who call these neighborhoods home.”
The newest grants are in addition to a round of grants announced in May, including:
(more…)POSTED: 07/19/26 at 8:45 pm. FILED UNDER: News
