Staff and submitted information
Central Insurance Companies has once again committed to making Van Wert an entertainment destination by partnering with Van Wert Live as a 2021 Annual Sponsor.
“Making things better for others is at the core of who Central is, and that’s why we’re excited to partner with Van Wert Live this year,” said Central President Evan Purmort. “Their efforts make our community a better place to live, work, and play. After a year of being apart, these opportunities to come together and reconnect are incredibly important to the culture of this fantastic town, and Central is very excited to be part of that.”
Central Insurance has been a valued supporter since the inception of the Niswonger Performing Arts Center dream. Artists have graced the stage that bears their naming right since 2007.
“Being a 2021 Annual Sponsor means their generous investment drastically reduces the ticket prices on every show,” said Van Wert Live Executive Director Tafi Stober. “They are not only central to our success but also central to economic accessibility for the families of our region to attend shows.”
The Van Wert Area Performing Arts Foundation, presenting Van Wert Live events, is a supporting organization powered by the Van Wert County Foundation. Van Wert Live headquarters and box office are located at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center, 10700 Ohio 118 on the south edge of Van Wert.
For more information, contact 419.238.6722 or visit vanwertlive.com.
POSTED: 05/15/21 at 12:39 am
Submitted information
COLUMBUS — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine issued the following statement directing the Ohio Department of Health to conform the remaining health orders to CDC guidance through June 2:
“Ohio will be amending our remaining health orders to comply with the new CDC guidance, which says that those who have been vaccinated no longer need to wear masks, while those who have not been vaccinated should still wear a mask and socially distance.
“The CDC still recommends everyone wear masks when they are in a healthcare setting, when they are travelling on public transportation, including airplanes, and when they are in a business or employer that chooses to require masks. Our order will be amended to reflect these recommendations as well.
“The most powerful tool we have to protect against the COVID-19 virus is the vaccine. Because of the vaccine, COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths are decreasing dramatically. The vaccine allows us to live our lives more normally and without fear.
“As I said in my address to Ohioans on Wednesday, the more individuals who get vaccinated, the more the entire state is protected from the virus. The vaccine is our path out of the pandemic, and it is our best protection against the virus. We are on the offense, and the science is unequivocal: Vaccines are our best weapon to fight COVID-19 and save lives!
“However, not all Ohioans have been vaccinated yet. The June 2nd date I announced for the removal of health orders provided time for those who had not yet gotten their vaccine to get it. While our order will be amended to reflect the new CDC guidance, it will remain in place until June 2nd.
(more…)POSTED: 05/15/21 at 12:35 am. FILED UNDER: News
Van Wert County Commissioners (standing, from the left) Thad Lichtensteiger, Stan Owens, and Toll Wolfrum designated May 15 Peace Officers Memorial Day, and the week of May 9-15 as National Police Day. Here, the commissioners pose with members of the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office. photo provided
POSTED: 05/15/21 at 12:33 am. FILED UNDER: News
Staff and submitted information
LIMA — The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) District 1 will hold an employment application workshop at Ohio Means Jobs in Allen County to assist applicants interested in the organization’s open positions.
The workshop will be held:
- Tuesday, May 18, from 1 to 3 p.m. at OhioMeans Jobs Allen County, 951 Commerce Parkway, Lima, in the computer lab
Applicants interested in applying for apprenticeships, seasonal highway technician positions, or any other openings in Allen, Defiance, Hancock, Hardin, Paulding, Putnam, Van Wert, and Wyandot counties will be guided through the process by ODOT human resource personnel.
Apprenticeships do not require any previous experience in heavy equipment operation or highway maintenance. The temporary full-time positions pay an hourly rate of $17.39. In addition to practical experience in highway maintenance activities, ODOT provides apprentices with the necessary training needed to obtain a Class B commercial driver’s license (CDL).
“If you are interested in working with heavy equipment and enjoy working outdoors, the apprenticeship program is a great opportunity for anyone looking to get started,” said Chris Hughes, deputy director of ODOT District 1. “We will teach you how to run a plow truck and help you earn your CDL.”
(more…)POSTED: 05/15/21 at 12:32 am. FILED UNDER: News
Staff and submitted information
COLUMBUS — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted provided the following updates Thursday on Ohio’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ohio Vax-A-Million
In Wednesday’s statewide evening address, Governor DeWine detailed a series of statewide drawings to provide incentives for Ohioans to get a COVID-19 vaccination. Ohioans aged 18 and older will be entered into “Ohio Vax-a-Million,” a weekly drawing with a prize of up to $1 million.
The pool of names for the “Ohio Vax-a-Million” drawing will be derived from the Ohio Secretary of State’s publicly available voter registration database. Additionally, a webpage will be available to register.
A total of five weekly drawings for each prize will take place, with the first winners being announced May 26. Winners must have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by the date of the respective drawing.
The drawings will be administered by the Ohio Department of Health, with technical assistance from the Ohio Lottery Commission, and will be funded through existing allocations to the Ohio Department of Health of unexpended coronavirus relief funds.
(more…)POSTED: 05/13/21 at 11:20 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Staff and submitted information
This coming Tuesday, May 18, the Western Ohio Chapter of the Lincoln Highway Association will meet in Van Wert.
Members and guests will dine at 5:30 p.m. at Pizza Hut, 735 W. Ervin Road. Afterwards, they will reconvene at the Van Wert County Historic Society, 602 N. Washington Street, at 7 p.m.
The evening’s presentation, by Lima’s Michael Buettner, is entitled “Whatever Happened to the Free Gas Station Map?” Buettner will share some of his gas station map collection and encourages guests to bring in their old gas station maps, too — particularly the undated ones. Some older gas station maps have codes that can sometimes be deciphered to determine the date of the map. He will be glad to help with that.
The Lincoln Highway Association meets monthly in the western Ohio Lincoln Highway cities, typically the third Tuesday of each month. As always, the public is welcome to attend.
For further information, email moeberg2@roadrunner.com.
POSTED: 05/13/21 at 11:12 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Staff and submitted information
Liberty Baptist Church in Van Wert is hosting a free meal for those in need as part of its Love. Bread. Christ. outreach program on Tuesday, May 25, from 5:30-7 p.m.
The meal will be held at the church, 501 E. Third St., with indoor seating provided, as well as drive-thru carryout. The meal will include a pulled pork sandwich.
For more information, call the church office at 419.238.2273.
Staff and submitted information
As of Thursday, the Van Wert County General Health District reports an increase of 12 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since Thursday, May 13, for a total of 2,384 confirmed cases. There are two known hospitalizations at this time.
To date, the health department has given 10,540 COVID-19 vaccinations. The following clinic dates are scheduled at this time:
- Thursday, May 20, 2-6 p.m., at the County Health Department (Moderna and Pfizer, first and second doses)
- Thursday, May 27, 2-6 p.m., at the County Health Department (Moderna and Pfizer, first and second doses)
Pfizer vaccine has been approved for all those age 12 and up and Moderna is available to all those age 18 and up. Unless specified, the clinics dates are for all those who want to receive a first dose and anyone eligible to receive a second dose of that vaccine. Bring a photo ID and any insurance info. Those under age 18 must have a parent or guardian present, as well as proof of age, such as a shot record or birth certificate.
The health department is not making appointments at this time, as all clinics are walk-in only. The public can also contact Family Healthcare of Northwest Ohio at 419.238.6747 and Van Wert Family Physicians at 419.238.6251 to schedule an appointment.
POSTED: 05/13/21 at 6:11 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Staff and submitted information
COLUMBUS — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine on Wednesday announced a series of statewide drawings to provide incentives to Ohioans to get a COVID-19 vaccination. With wide access to the life-saving vaccine to help Ohioans safe, Governor DeWine also announced that most COVID-19 health orders would be removed on June 2. DeWine made the announcements during a statewide address to Ohioans Wednesday evening.
“For a year, Ohioans have made sacrifices to save lives and keep our state moving forward. What you have done has really worked! And now, we have a powerful weapon that is almost 100 percent effective in beating the virus,” Governor DeWine said in his remarks. “Simply put, the vaccine is stronger and better than medical experts ever imagined. And now, everyone 12 and over can use it to protect themselves — to put an invisible shield of protection around themselves. Everyone can now control their own health — their own destiny.”
Vaccine incentives/statewide drawings
In an effort to increase the number of Ohioans who currently have not taken a COVID-19 vaccine to get vaccinated, Governor DeWine announced a series of statewide drawings to help incentivize vaccinations.
POSTED: 05/12/21 at 11:01 pm. FILED UNDER: News
DAVE MOSIER/independent editor
Six people entered pleas to grand jury indictments this past week in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court.
Carl Nall, 20, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to two counts of endangering children, one count a felony of the second degree and the other a third-degree felony offense. Nall was ordered held on a $50,000 cash bond and a pretrial conference was scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 26.
Jason Saam, 50, of Van Wert, entered not guilty pleas to one count having weapons under disability, a felony of the third degree; five counts of receiving stolen property, each a felony of the fourth degree; and two counts of received stolen property, each a felony of the fifth degree. A $50,000 cash bond was set and Saam will appear for a pretrial conference at 9:30 a.m. May 26.
Jeremy Dunbar, 24, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to one count of aggravated possession of drugs, a felony of the third degree. He was released on an unsecured personal surety bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 9 a.m. Thursday, May 20.
Sara Boroff, 38, of Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea to one count each of aggravated possession of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree, and possession of drugs, a first-degree misdemeanor. She was released on a surety bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 2.
Nicholas Gardner, 35, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to one count each of aggravated possession of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree, and possession of drugs, a first-degree misdemeanor. He was released on a surety bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 8 a.m. June 2.
Zachary Dominique 33, of Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea to one count of possession of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree. He was released on a personal surety bond and will appear for a pretrial conference at 9 a.m. May 20.
(more…)POSTED: 05/12/21 at 10:58 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Staff and submitted information
OHIO CITY — Harvey Lewis American Legion Post 346 in Ohio City will be having a Memorial Day Service at Woodlawn Cemetery Veterans Memorial at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 31.
The Van Wert Community Concert Band will perform, starting at 10 that morning. Speaker will be Kent Long, adjutant for District 2 of the American Legion.
No food will be served due to Covid restrictions.
In case of inclement weather, the service will be held at the Legion Post/Ohio City Community Building.
POSTED: 05/12/21 at 10:56 pm. FILED UNDER: News
