Statewide deer-archery hunting season is now underway

Two car accident…

The Van Wert Police Department and Van Wert Fire Department were dispatched to this two car accident at the intersection of Central Ave. and S. Tyler St. late Friday morning. No one was injured in the crash. Bob Barnes/VWFD photographer

Music of the Silver Screen to be featured

Submitted information

Presented by Van Wert’s own masterful musician and arranger, Scott Turner, the public is invited to a unique and free musical event, “A Cinematic Recital: The Music of the Silver Screen.” Join us for an afternoon of iconic film melodies, reimagined and restyled like you’ve never heard them before.

A familiar face in the community, Turner serves as the Director of Music at the United Methodist Church of Van Wert and is also a teacher at Lincolnview Local Schools. His work as a musician and arranger is highlighted in this concert, which features his unique interpretations of cinematic favorites.

The program will include selections from films like Titanic, Psycho, E.T., James Bond, Stand By Me, and Laura, showcasing his approach to restyling well-known themes. In addition to the film scores, audiences will also be treated to other musical experiences. The program will include a selection of well-known tunes and an original composition, offering a different dimension to the recital.

This special recital will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, October 12, in the stunning and acoustically rich sanctuary of the First United Methodist Church at 113 W Central Ave. in Van Wert.

The performance will feature the sanctuary’s recently renovated Noehren organ, the grand piano, woodwinds, bass, and percussion creating a truly immersive and vibrant soundscape. Turner will be joined by talented guest artists Michele Amstutz, Annette Hoverman, Jeremy Laukhuf, and Gloria Wendel, adding another layer of artistry to the evening. This collaboration promises an unforgettable afternoon that celebrates the enduring power of music from the silver screen.

Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind, free concert experience that transforms the familiar into something fresh and extraordinary. For elevator access, please enter through the double glass doors off Central Ave.

Not Just Cows and Plows

VW independent staff/submitted information

With the 2025-2026 school year fully underway, the Van Wert Soil and Water Conservation District is excited to be back in the schools again.

SWCD Education Coordinator Tammy Campbell has a wide variety of educational programs that she teaches to students throughout Van Wert County. The most recent event was “Not Just Cows and Plows” at the Van Wert County Fairgrounds for all area fourth graders. The SWCD, in cooperation with Crestview Local Schools, Lincolnview Local Schools, St. Mary’s Parochial, Van Wert City Schools and local home school students, presented a day-long session for students to acquaint them with the primary industry in the county – agriculture.

While some of the students do live on farms, most of them do not have an opportunity to experience what modern day farming is all about. More importantly, the field trip reinforced the social studies and science state standards and curriculum for this age group.

Local supporting agencies for the event included: Ag Credit, TruLand Equipment, Ohio State University Extension Office, Van Wert County Fair Board , Van Wert County Farm Bureau, Van Wert Soil & Water Conservation District, the Van Wert County Foundation, and Brookside Convenience Store, which donated ice cream for the kids.

The speakers covered a broad range of topics, including livestock, crops, marketing and production of agricultural products, soil basics, water, and equipment with an emphasis on how technology has changed the way we farm and how agriculture effects our daily lives.

SWCD thanked the presenters for taking time out of their busy schedules to teach students and the sponsors for supporting the event and understanding the importance of teaching local youth.

AAA: road rage a real problem

VW independent staff/submitted information

If it feels like everyone has road rage these days, that’s because they probably do. A staggering 96 percent of drivers admit to engaging in aggressive driving behaviors over the past year, according to a new study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. The study also found that more than one in 10 drivers admitted to engaging in violent actions in road rage incidents including striking another vehicle. From speeding and tailgating to cutting off other vehicles, aggressive driving has become a near universal experience – and it’s not just frustrating, it appears to be contagious.

The study found that the more drivers are exposed to aggressive behavior on the road, the more likely they are to drive aggressively themselves. This self-fulfilling cycle of aggressive driving and road rage is fueling a culture where impatience and hostility are becoming the norm behind the wheel.

“Driving can be a stressful experience due to behaviors of others on the road and how you respond to various situations. Our study finds that experiencing various forms of aggressive driving behaviors is common for almost all motorists and many drive aggressively,” said Dr. David Yang, president and executive director of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. “This work also concludes that road etiquette and manners can be a protective factor against aggressive driving. Let’s change our driving culture so we can achieve the safe mobility vision for all road users.”

Other key findings:

• 92 percent of drivers reported aggressive behaviors that put others at risk, like speeding or cutting off other vehicles. Their top motivators were to get to their destination faster and avoid perceived danger.
• 11 percent admitted to violent actions such as intentionally bumping another car or confronting another driver.
• Aggressive driving is contagious: Drivers who experienced higher levels of aggressive driving also had higher levels of engagement in aggressive driving.
• The vehicle plays a role: The kind of car you drive could predict how you act – and how others perceive you. Drivers in sports cars, big trucks, and motorcycles are often seen as more aggressive. Some drivers say they felt more powerful and dominant behind the wheel of these vehicles.

Local jobless rate lower than state average

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

Among the state’s 88 counties, preliminary August, 2025 unemployment rates ranged from a low of 3.2 percent in northeast Ohio’s Geauga and Medina counties to a high of 7.4 percent in Meigs County, in southern Ohio.

The latest figures supplied by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services show August unemployment rates increased in just two counties and decreased in the remaining 86 counties.

Mercer County, which traditionally has had the state’s lowest jobless rate, was at 3.6 percent last month, down from 3.9 percent in July. It also marked Ohio’s fifth lowest unemployment rate last month. Putnam County was right behind with the sixth lowest jobless rate, 3.7 percent.

Van Wert County’s August unemployment rate was 4.5 percent, down from 5.1 percent the previous month, ranking it No. 70 in the state. The county had a workforce of 14,500, with 13,800 employed.

Auglaize County was ranked No. 77 at 4.1 percent, while Paulding County was ranked No. 60, at 4.7 percent. Allen County had the region’s highest jobless rate in August, 5.4 percent, which was above the statewide average of 5.0 percent.

According to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, seven counties had unemployment rates below 4.0 percent last month: Geauga and Medina counties, 3.2 percent; Lake and Holmes counties, 3.5 percent,; Mercer County, 3.6 percent; Putnam County, 3.7 percent, and Ashtabula County, 3.9 percent.

Seven counties had unemployment rates at or above 6.5 percent in August: Meigs County, 7.4 percent; Pike and Scioto counties, 7.2 percent; Athens County, 6.8 percent, and Monroe, Noble and Ross counties, 6.5 percent.

Family has three generations of Rotarians

VW independent staff/submitted information

The Van Wert Rotary Club has inducted Michael Etter as its newest member, marking a historic milestone for the organization – three generations of Rotary service in one family.

Etter was welcomed into Rotary by his father, Brad Etter, and his grandfather, Wayne Kilton, who served as his sponsors. Both Brad and Wayne are past presidents of the Van Wert Rotary Club and have each played an important role in leading service projects and supporting the community.

“Having three generations of a family dedicated to Rotary’s motto of ‘Service Above Self’ is something truly special,” said Rotary Club President Andy Czajkowski. “It reflects not only the commitment of the Etter and Kilton families, but also the lasting impact Rotary has across generations.”

The induction ceremony was held during the club’s weekly Tuesday meeting, where members gathered to celebrate this unique moment in the club’s history.

The Van Wert Rotary Club meets at 12 p.m. every Tuesday at Willow Bend Country Club and welcomes community-minded individuals to join in fellowship and service. For more information about Rotary and membership opportunities, please contact Czajkowski at andy@statewideford.com.

New pizza place…

Van Wert is getting another pizza place. Papa Johns is setting up shop along Towne Center Blvd., between Great Clips and Hong Kong Buffett. Interior construction is ongoing. An exact opening date hasn’t been released but a sign near the front entrance reads “Coming Soon.” Scott Truxell/Van Wert independent

Area projects awarded state grant funds

VW independent staff/submitted information

COLUMBUS — A pair of area projects have been grant assistance from the Ohio Rail Development Commission. The grants were announced last week. The projects will help create and retain jobs, generate new rail traffic and upgrade the rail system to help keep trucks off the road.

The Rail Commission approved a $350,000 grant to First Quality Tissue Midwest, LLC for the installation of the rail infrastructure necessary to support the company’s new $985 million plant in Defiance. The company commits to creating 407 new jobs and shipping/receiving 1,500 new rail carloads annually over a five-year period.

“First Quality Tissue is very excited to be part of the Defiance and northwest Ohio region,” said Tim Fisher, Director of Major Projects and Expansions, First Quality Tissue Midwest. “Reliable transportation via rail was a crucial factor in the site selection. Establishing the new rail connection will ensure consistent, cost-effective transportation of raw materials to the facility.”

“We appreciate the Ohio Rail Development Commission’s commitment to projects like ours that support job creation and economic development in Ohio, he added.

The Rail Commission approved a $497,875 grant to RJ Corman Railroad Company to support a project to rehabilitate a portion of the St. Marys Subdivision located in Mercer and Auglaize Counties. The project is needed to ensure that customers on the western portions of the line continue to receive safe and efficient rail service. RJ Corman’s customers move a variety of commodities by rail including scrap metal, agriculture, plastics, and lumber. The Rail Commission grant will be matched by the railroad for a total project investment of nearly $1 million. 

Strike up the band!

The Van Wert High School “Cougar Pride Marching Band” will perform on Alumni Field at Eggerss Stadium tonight. The band will take the field for pregame festivities and will entertain fans at halftime of the Van Wert-Wapakoneta game. Bob Barnes photo

BOE hears info about school report card

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

A presentation on the latest Ohio Department of Education and Workforce school report cards took up the majority of Wednesday’s monthly meeting ot the Van Wert City Schools Board of Education. Superintendent Mark Bagley and Director of Curriculum and Instruction Chris Covey explained the district’s rating, how to address deficiencies, and spoke of challenges with the annual report cards.

Van Wert City Schools received 3.5 out of 5 stars, which means the school system meets state standards. Last year, VWCS was assigned a 3 star rating. Ratings are based on six different components: achievement, progress, gap closing, early literacy, graduation, and post-graduation readiness. As a whole, the district was given five stars for graduation, three stars for achievement, progress and gap closing, and two stars for early literacy and college, career, workforce and military readiness.

“We are certainly diving into different parts of those components to make sure we are reporting everything that we’re doing accurately,” Covey said. “It’s quite a challenge because there’s so much involved.”

“We don’t do things for a star, we do things for the kids,” Bagley said.

Covey also said it’s possible to gain ground then lose ground because from one year to the next, the state report card rules change, but he added he believes teachers in the district are doing a great job.

In addition, Covey noted the report card doesn’t take into account such things as the CEO program, which helps prepare students for post-graduation, and he said school officials are trying to decide how to use artificial intelligence in a safe way for students and teachers. Bagley said while a lot of people run from AI, the district needs to run toward it with safeguards in place. 

During his report to the board, Bagley said an update will be issued Friday morning on the status of the elevator to Tyler Landing at Eggerss Stadium. The elevator has to pass a final state inspection before it can be put into use. Treasurer Troy Bowersock said to this point, $7,067,000 has been spent on the massive stadium renovation project.

Bowersock also informed the board that health insurance costs for employees will go up next year. An exact figure should be ready in time for the October board meeting.