Van Wert County fares well in latest jobless numbers

ONU poll addresses data center expansion

VW independent staff/submitted information

ADA — A statewide study released on Friday by the Ohio Northern University Institute for Civics and Public Policy (ICAPP), in partnership with SurveyUSA, indicates widespread public opposition to data center construction and public tax subsidies supporting data centers across Ohio. 

The survey of 1,650 Ohio adults, which has a +/- 2.9 percent margin of error, was conducted between October 8-13. The poll also highlights strong national pride coupled with significant frustration over the country’s current path.  

“Ohio is playing a defining role in shaping America’s future – both economically through the AI and data center boom, and civically as we honor our nation’s 250-year legacy, said Dr. Keith F. Durkin, ICAPP director and professor of sociology. “This poll bridges that gap, showing how regular Ohioans feel about where our country has been, where our state is headed, and what community progress should look like.” 

Broad opposition to data center construction and subsidies

A clear majority of Ohioans oppose the growth of data centers in the state. According to the poll:

• Overall construction: 55 percent of respondents oppose constructing data centers in Ohio (32 percent strongly, 23 percent somewhat), compared to just 22 percent who support it. Opposition holds across nearly every major demographic and regional subgroup.
• Tax incentives: 65 percent oppose tax breaks for data center developments (43 percent strongly), while only 15 percent support them. Even among self-identified strong Republicans – the group most receptive to the breaks – a majority (53 percent) remain opposed.
• Constitutional ban: 57 percent of adults indicate they would vote “Yes” on a proposed amendment to the Ohio Constitution banning new large-scale data centers with peak power demands exceeding 25 megawatts. Only 22 percent would vote “no,” with 21 percent undecided.

“Poll results reveal strong opposition from Ohioans to local data center expansion, driven by concerns over rising utility bills, environmental impact, and lower quality of life,” ICAPP Student Fellow Evan Kimmel said. 

NSCC Trustees to meet in Van Wert

The Board of Trustees of Northwest State Community College will hold their next regular meeting on at 10:30 a.m. Friday, October 30, in Room VW216 at the Van Wert Campus, 520 E. Sycamore St.

Manufactured homes could have a moment

By Robbie Sequeira/Stateline News

For decades, manufactured home builders have been working to shed the old image of boxy trailer homes reserved for the outskirts of cities and suburbia. Now, a small change in federal regulations could open the door for architecture welcomed in more neighborhoods.

This summer’s sweeping housing bill, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, removed a 1974 mandate that required every manufactured home to be built on a nonremovable steel frame, known as a chassis. Experts and home producers think the change could help unlock thousands more affordable housing options around the country.

But first, experts say, states have to examine outdated regulations that are blocking the manufactured home industry’s potential. The Pew Charitable Trusts’ housing initiative estimates that 30 states might need to change their regulations to align with the new federal law.

Unlocking manufactured homes from chassis will allow manufactured homes to become multi-family developments, said Stephanie Hawke, associate research director of land use and supply at the Terner Center for Housing Innovation at the University of California, Berkeley.

They’ll be cheaper for builders, she noted, and they’ll be easier to stack into two-story and multi-family homes.

“First of all, you were putting a very heavy, expensive thing on the bottom of these homes that is not needed and it is not used, and it’s made out of steel,” Hawke said. “If you’ve got this heavy piece of steel on the bottom of a home, stacking it becomes more difficult.”

Manufactured homes are built entirely in a factory, regulated by U.S. Housing and Urban Development codes, and then trucked to a home site. 

They cost 50 percent less per square foot than homes built on a site, according to the Manufactured Housing Institute, an industry group. And experts say dropping the chassis could drive down costs by $5,000 to $10,000 per home.

“There’s really the opportunity to stack these manufactured homes to make multi-family developments,” Hawke said. “So it’s unlocking this thing which was primarily used for single-family and it’s making it much more accessible for a multi-family developer, which is great because manufactured housing is far and away the least expensive non-subsidized housing supply in the United States.” 

Lincoln Ridge to host a charitable evening

Submitted information

CONVOY — A century-old barn that captured widespread attention during its nearly mile-long move to Lincoln Ridge Farms, established in 1919, is preparing to make history again, this time as the setting for a new annual tradition of giving.

Lincoln Ridge Farms and Slusher’s Jewelry of Van Wert will host the inaugural Black Fog Affair on Saturday, October 24, from 7 p.m. to midnight, inside the historic Legacy Barn at Lincoln Ridge Farms. The celebration, open to guests ages 21 and older, will benefit the Van Wert County Humane Society’s Clear the Shelter initiative, along with the Jae’s Journey Playground Fund.

Planned as an annual charity event held in conjunction with Lincoln Ridge Farms’ 39th Annual Fall Mums & Pumpkin Festival, the Black Fog Affair builds on a season dedicated to bringing families together and creating lasting memories. Organizers Tim Slusher and Alison Thomas hope to carry that spirit into an evening that helps others with different charitable beneficiaries selected each year.

This year’s event will benefit two meaningful local causes. Through its “Clear the Shelter” effort, the Van Wert County Humane Society will offer free or reduced adoption fees, helping animals find the loving homes they deserve while creating space to rescue and care for more animals. Jae’s Journey Playground Fund is raising funds to purchase inclusive playground equipment, making play more accessible for local children. This equipment will help children with disabilities play alongside their friends and share in the joy, connection and experiences every child deserves.

The setting brings its own remarkable story. Measuring 100 feet long, 40 feet wide and 40 feet tall, the Legacy Barn was moved from a neighboring farm nearly a mile away three years ago. The move drew attention across Ohio and surrounding states, receiving television news coverage and approaching one million views on social media.

Once the barn reached its new home, it underwent complete renovation. Since then, it has welcomed wedding receptions, corporate events, celebrations of life, graduation parties and anniversary celebrations. The Black Fog Affair adds another purpose to its second life: helping create legacies of generosity and community. Lincoln Ridge Farms, Jeff and Cathy Thomas also extend their gratitude to the Poling family for the opportunity to preserve this piece of their family’s history and give it a future filled with new meaning and purpose in serving the community.

For the inaugural celebration, the barn will be transformed with elaborate Halloween décor, atmospheric lighting and unexpected details. The evening will feature music by Vourteque, sound and lighting by JSL Lighting Productions, dancing, light hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar provided by Cheers & Gears. Food trucks, Brent’s Rolling Kitchen and Chips & Dips will also be on-site.

Man arrested after Monday night incident

VW independent staff

An out-of-state man is facing criminal charges locally, in connection with an incident near the Van Wert city limits.

On Monday, October 19, Van Wert County deputies arrested Rodney Barnswell, 41, of Folcroft, Pennsylvania, for burglary, a felony of the second degree. The arrest was made at a residence in Ridge Township. 

According to information from the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office, Barnswell was suffering from what appeared to be a serious self-inflicted injury and was transported to a hospital in Lima, before being transferred to a hospital in Columbus for treatment.

No other information has been released by the Sheriff’s Office, but other sources said Barnswell had walked away from a drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility on Lincoln Highway. Scanner traffic indicated along with the burglary, there was at least one attempted break-in to a vehicle. Scanner traffic also indicated that Barnswell was the subject of a search that stretched all the way to Stripe Rd., and included a K-9 unit and drones. The Sheriff’s Office, the Van Wert Police Department and the Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol were at the site of his arrest.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, the incident remains under investigation and additional charges could be filed.

Choir concert Monday…

The vocal music department at Van Wert High School will present its Fall Choral Showcase at 7:30 p.m. Monday, October 26, at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center. The doors will open at 7 p.m. The Freshmen Choir, Sophomore Women’s Chorus, Select Acapella Choir, and Concert Choir will be featured. They will present an inspiring evening of music they celebrate the themes of joy, strength, and the power of music with songs such as “I Will Lift My Voice and Sing!,” “I Sing Because I’m Happy,” and “They Are Mother”. The evening will conclude with a combined performance of the Van Wert High School alma mater and Cougar fight song, including a celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. The concert is free and open to the public. Photo submitted

Lincolnview BOE hears from young student

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

It’s not often that someone gets to meet a comic book creator, but members of the Lincolnview Local Schools Board of Education had that opportunity during Wednesday night’s monthly meeting.

Mason Welch, a fifth grade student at Lincolnview Elementary, won the Brumback Library’s Summer Reading Program comic book contest with his original 12-page comic book featuring the superhero duo of Super Spaghetti and Mega Meatball and the evil villain, Dr. Garlic Bread. Welch wrote the story, drew the pictures and did the coloring.

He’s sold over 50 copies of the comic book so far and he recently took part at a signing event at Alter Ego Comics in Lima.

“My dad asked the owner if I was allowed to come and sign some comic books and he said yes,” Welch explained. “A bunch of my friends came, some teachers came and even some random people bought some.”

Welch told the board he’s working on a second comic book and hopes to develop additional adventures featuring his original characters.

The board also honored six students who earned perfect scores on math state assessment tests last spring. Three are now fourth grade students – Benjamin Muhlenkamp, Alexandria Roehm and Raelynn Truman. The other three are current eighth graders Hayden Garay, Reid Kill and Black Morris.

During his report to the board, Superintendent Jeff Snyder noted this week is National School Bus Safety Week and he urged drivers to stop when they see the flashing red lights go on.

“Don’t drive around the buses, look for kids, whatever you can do to make sure people are safe,” he said. “We try to be very efficient getting our kids to school, we try not to hold up a whole row of cars but it’s people’s patience that gets the best of them if they’re running behind.”

Treasurer Kaitlyn Edelbrock informed the board that two new buses purchased with permanent improvement money were delivered in early September.

Math whizzes!

Talk about smart – these Lincolnview students earned perfect scores on math state assessment tests that were administered this past spring. Shown above (front row) are Raelynn Truman and Alexandria Roehm. Back row: Blake Morris, Hayden Garay and Reid Kill. Not pictured; Benjamin Muhlenkamp. They were honored during Wednesday’s Lincolnview school board meeting. Scott Truxell/Van Wert independent

Van Wert Hospital chosen for ODH award

VW independent staff/submitted information

OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital is one of nearly two dozen Ohio hospitals chosen to receive Rural Health Transformation Program awards totaling $92 million to manage chronic illnesses and expand access to preventive, primary, maternal, and behavioral healthcare in rural areas. 

The awards, administered by the Ohio Department of Health, include:

• $31.4 million to establish or expand Clinically Integrated Networks (CIN) and Rural Health Innovation Hubs
• $30.3 million to improve maternal care
• $30.3 million in one-time investments to 22 rural hospitals

“Our goal is to provide the best and most timely patient care as close to home as possible, and to create networks that effectively coordinate quality preventive and follow-up care, all of which are essential for the best patient care,” said ODH Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff.

Rural Hospital Investments

22 rural hospitals are receiving a one-time investment of $1,377,479 for specific quality-improvement projects. For example, some projects include opening behavioral health units to support access to substance use disorder treatment and mental health services, adding on-site MRI services, and/or adding or expanding diagnostic services in areas where current capacity is limited or patients are placed on waitlists. These investments allow rural hospitals to improve the quality of patient care and bring services to patients in their own communities. 

Elks donation…

Van Wert Lodge 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, recently donated $943 to Convoy Fire & EMS. The department used the money to purchase two sets of Milwaukee battery powered shears for cutting windshields at accident scenes and a Milwaukee battery powered fan for smoke removal and ventilation at structure fires. The money was distributed by the Ohio Elks Association in the form of a Community Service Grant. To date, thru the Community Service Grants, Van Wert Elks Lodge 1197 has distributed $38,467.53 back into Van Wert County to assist the city, county and villages. Pictured above is Convoy Fire Chief Rob Miller and Lodge Community Service Grant Chairman Michael C. Stanley. Photo submitted