Board of Elections meets to certify election night results

Full SNAP benefits being distributed

VW independent staff/submitted information

COLUMBUS – The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services is working to complete the distribution of full November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits by the middle of this week.

This comes after guidance provided late last week by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), directing ODJFS to ensure Ohio SNAP recipients receive their full November benefits now that the federal government shutdown has come to an end. Earlier in the week, Ohio processed partial payments for eligible households under previous FNS guidance issued during the shutdown.

The process of calculating the full benefit households should have received in November is well underway. Once complete, it will then deduct the partial amount already paid. Over the weekend, ODJFS began testing the accuracy of payments. Now, authorization for those amounts will be transmitted to Ohio’s Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) vendor to issue to recipients through their Ohio Direction (EBT) card.

The total amount each household receives will be their full November benefit minus any partial payments already received. Because of the number of recipients receiving benefits, it could take a couple of days to process and disburse those benefits. Recipients will receive their benefits this week, regardless of their usual issuance date, which normally runs through the 20th of each month.

Benefits are accessed through the recipient’s Ohio Direction (EBT) card and recipients are encouraged to check their balances through their Connect EBT app, or Ohio Benefits Self Service Portal.

The normal distribution of SNAP benefits is expected to resume in December.

Elks Lodge schedules memorial service

Submitted information

Van Wert Elks Lodge No. 1197’s annual memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, December 7, in the Lodge Room.

The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks mandates that the first Sunday in December of each year be set aside as the day in the Order when Elks pause and pay their respects to those members who have passed away.

This year, Lodge No. 1197 will remember the following deceased members: William Brent Stripe, Charles R. McGinnis Sr., Rodger D. Hoffman, D. Christopher Wilson, Stephen W. Conrad, Joseph M. Sheldon, W. Edward Hatcher, Charles R. Boroff, Johnny W. Smith and F. Donald Hangartner.

Randy Long will be featured as the main speaker at this year’s service. Lodge Secretary Michael C. Stanley is the officer in charge of the service.

The memorial service is open to the public and all are invited to attend.

Fatal plane crash is under investigation

VW independent staff

The investigation continues into a Friday single engine plane crash that took the lives of two men.

It occurred shortly after 5 p.m. Friday, November 14, near County Road Y and Township Road 14a in Henry County.

According to the Bowling Green Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the preliminary investigation revealed that a 2013 Jabiru J230-SP was in routine flight when the plane lost altitude and crashed into a plowed field.

The two occupants, Roger Henricks, 85, Napoleon, and Terry Henricks, 82, Archbold, were pronounced dead at the scene.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted at the scene by Henry County Sheriff’s Office, Henry County Emergency Medical Services, Henry County Fire and Rescue, Henry County Coroner’s Office, and the Ohio Department of Transportation.

RTA to expand into Van Wert County

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

It appears the Allen County Regional Transit Authority is a step closer to expanding its service into Van Wert County.

It was announced on Friday that more than $600,000 in grant funding is being awarded to the ACTRA to help the pilot program, which is being designed to provide transportation for individuals commuting to and from work in Van Wert County. The grant is coming from the Ohio Department of Transportation as part of the Ohio Workforce Mobility Partnership Program.

The money is coming via two separate grants. $337,463 is earmarked for route and transit expansion, into Van Wert County, launching Microtransit and (on) demand response options to connect residents to major employers and job centers in both Van and Allen counties. $275,552 will go toward the addition of two new vehicles to ACRTA’s fleet to support the expansion services to Van Wert County. The two new vehicles will ensure dependable transportation for commuters and minimize service disruptions due to breakdowns.

The expansion is expected to begin with smaller van services and grow into a fixed route that connects to the existing Delphos bus line. More specific details and a timeline are still in the planning stage. Allen County RTA Executive Director Brian Wildermuth was not available for comment late Friday afternoon.

The regional grant is a small part of $13.5 million awarded to 28 public transit projects statewide through the Ohio Workforce Mobility Partnership program.

Holiday shopping event in Paulding

VW independent staff/submitted information

PAULDING — The Paulding Area Chamber of Commerce invites the community to kick off the holiday season with “Shop the Village” from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, November 22, throughout downtown Paulding.

The community tradition will feature more than 70 vendors across 19 local locations, offering an mix of handcrafted goods, boutique apparel, baked treats, home décor, jewelry, beauty products, woodworking, ceramics, and more. There’s a bonus for early shoppers: the first 150 visitors to Grounded Coffee & Crumbs (112 N. Williams St.) will receive a free Shop the Village reusable tote bag courtesy of the Chamber and Manz Accounting, perfect for carrying treasures from stop to stop.

“Shop the Village is one of our favorite Chamber events of the year,” said Jill Strahley, Executive Director of the Paulding Area Chamber of Commerce. “It’s a celebration of small-town spirit and the people who make Paulding thrive. Every purchase supports a neighbor, a student, or a small business that keeps our community strong.”

Where to shop

Vendors and special activities will be hosted at: Branch Christian Fellowship, Grounded Coffee & Crumbs, Studio 38, Keepsake Beads & Boutique, Fuel Good Energy, Hollywood & Vine, Fessel Jewelers, Limitless, Salon 104 on the Square, Deja Brew by Cassy, Lindsey & Company Hair Studio, Fraternal Order of Eagles #2405, C & C Treasures, Hidn Treasures, E&R Ceramics, Manz Accounting, Paulding Ace Hardware, Fiesta Habaneros, Bargain Bin of Paulding, Nini’s Ice Cream, Paulding Recovery Clubhouse.

Shoppers can stroll between these sites to enjoy local retail favorites, pop-up artisans, sweet treats, and festive decorations throughout downtown.

NextGen Youth Artisan Market

New this year, the NextGen Youth Artisan Market will be located next to Grounded Coffee & Crumbs under the outdoor tent from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This market will showcase talented young artists and makers from Paulding County who will sell their own handcrafted creations from art and baked goods to gifts and décor.

Students of the Month…

Crestview Elementary recently named its Students of the Month sponsored by Van Wert Cinemas. Students who make the Knight Leader Board each month are put into a drawing for a free 30-day pass to the movie theater for their entire family. Van Wert Cinemas October Students of the Month were Copper Springer, Ava Brown (first grade); Avyriella Barajas, Jordan Berning (second grade); Matthew Mullenhour, Novalee Mies (third grade); Davis Mendoza, Jade Burkhart (fourth grade), and Noah Haley, Drew Lichtensteiger (fifth grade). Photo submitted

Klopfenstein votes for Joshua Alert

VW independent staff/submitted information

COLUMBUS — This week, State Representative Roy Klopfenstein (R-Haviland) voted in support of House Bill 359, legislation to establish the Joshua Alert — a statewide emergency alert system designed to protect children with autism and other developmental disabilities who go missing.

House Bill 359 honors the memory of 6-year-old Joshua Al-Lateef Jr., a young boy with autism from West Chester who tragically lost his life in November 2024 after going missing near his home.

“This legislation will be an invaluable resource for our law enforcement community,” Rep. Klopfenstein said. “It will enable quicker response times, saving the lives of some of our most vulnerable populations.”

The Joshua Alert will activate a coordinated, statewide response utilizing Ohio’s existing alert systems. Once a child with a diagnosed developmental disability is reported missing, law enforcement can issue an alert through broadcast, digital, and community channels, ensuring the public is quickly informed and engaged in search efforts.

The bill was sent to the Ohio Senate for consideration.

VWCT hosting auditions for next play

Auditions will be held early next month for the Van Wert Civic Theatre’s production of Barefoot in the Park, directed by Joelle May. This beloved romantic comedy, written by Neil Simon, brings humor and heart to the stage as newlyweds learn that love sometimes means finding balance between spontaneity and stability.

Auditions will be held at 7 p.m. December 7-8, at the Van Wert Civic Theatre. Performances are scheduled for February 6-8 and 13-15, with Friday and Saturday shows at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.

Set in a small New York apartment, the story follows Paul and Corie Bratter, a pair of newlyweds discovering the ups and downs of married life. Paul is a straight-laced lawyer who prefers order and routine, while Corie is a free-spirited optimist who thrives on adventure. When Corie’s mother pays a surprise visit and they invite their eccentric upstairs neighbor, Victor Velasco, to dinner, hilarity ensues. What begins as a simple evening turns into a test of love, patience, and understanding — culminating in the classic moment when Corie insists Paul should learn to run “barefoot in the park.”

Character Descriptions:

• Corie Bratter: Playful, energetic, and impulsive — always chasing life’s next adventure.
• Paul Bratter: Practical, responsible, and slightly uptight — grounded in structure and logic.
• Victor Velasco: Eccentric, charming, and witty — an unconventional neighbor who embraces life.
• Mrs. Banks: Traditional, caring, and a bit judgmental — a mother who means well but often meddles.

Those interested in auditioning can sign up using the QR code and on all social media pages. For more information, visit vwct.org or follow the Van Wert Civic Theatre on Facebook and Instagram for updates and audition details.

ODOT fleet inspection…

It’s been a busy couple of weeks for ODOT, as crews have been making the rounds around District 1 and 2 last week and this week, inspecting equipment ahead of the upcoming winter season. One of those stops was at the Van Wert County ODOT garage late last week. Some of the trucks wound up on the roads last weekend, after snow fell around the county. ODOT photos

Laux, Shepard lauded with OHSP honors

Submitted information

Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper Tucker L. Laux has been selected the 2025 Trooper of the Year at the Van Wert Post.

The selection of Trooper Laux, 30, is in recognition of outstanding service during 2025. Fellow officers stationed at the Van Wert Post, chose Trooper Laux based on his leadership abilities, professional ethics, courteous treatment of others, enthusiastic work attitude, and cooperation with supervisors, peers, and the public.

Trooper Laux joined the Highway Patrol in 2018 as a member of the 165th Academy Class. He is a graduate of Celina High School, attended Wright State University – Lake Campus, and is a veteran of the United States Coast Guard. Trooper Laux serves as a field training officer and has also been awarded the Patrol’s physical fitness, criminal patrol, safe driving and firearms proficiency awards.

Trooper Laux and his family reside in Mercer County.

Radio dispatcher Shannon M. Shepard has been selected the 2025 Dispatcher of the Year at the Van Wert dispatch center. Shepard joined the Highway Patrol in 2017 and was honored in recognition of her outstanding service over the past year. Supervision and dispatchers chose Shepard based on her technical job knowledge and ability, enthusiastic work attitude, teamwork, and prompt and courteous response to the public’s request for information and assistance.

Shepard and her family reside in Allen County.

Both Laux and Shepard are in contention for District and State honors as Trooper of the Year and Dispatcher of the Year. Those honors will be announced at a later date.