SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
When school is in session, the food services department at Van Wert City Schools is a busy one. Just how busy? How about more than 250,000 meals served during a typical school year.
At Wednesday night’s school board meeting, Food Services Director John Marquez said during the 2024-2025 school year, 187,423 lunches were served across the district’s four schools, along with 69,232 breakfasts.
“These numbers reflect strong participation and highlights how essential our program is to families across the district,” Marquez said.
He added the average breaks down to about 1,400 meals per school day and he said the largest share of meals was served at the elementary school. Nearly 99,000 free lunches were served districtwide along with nearly 20,000 reduced price lunches. Free breakfasts made up the majority of that program.
Marquez also praised his entire staff and explained the strict federal nutritional guidelines that must be followed when planning and serving school lunches to students.
“Our work is far more than food,” he said. “Proper nutrition supports academic performance, attendance, emotional well being and overall health. For many families, school provides a reliable source of nutritious food and we take that responsibility seriously.”
“School meals can be the most nutritious lunch a lot of students receive during the day,” he continued. “We don’t know their home life, we don’t know what they go home to or what they come from but while they’re here they’re going to receive a nutritious lunch from us that meets all federal requirements that are handed down.”
Marquez also said the district’s policy is every child receives a meal regardless of their account balance or ability to pay.
(more…)POSTED: 01/14/26 at 9:51 pm
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
Van Wert’s newest school board member was sworn in Wednesday night, along with a pair of returning board members.
Thaison Leaser took the oath of office during the annual organizational meeting, then sat in on his first regular meeting. He replaces Scott Mull, who chose not to seek re-election after serving three terms. Anthony Adams and Greg Blackmore were also sworn in for new four-year terms.
Adams was re-elected by his fellow board members as president and Julie Burenga will again serve as vice-president this year. Debby Compton will continue as the board’s representative to the Vantage Career Center Board of Education and committee assignments were finalized during the meeting.
The board set meeting dates for this year, 5 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of each month, March-October. The February meeting will be held on Thursday, February 26, and the November and December meetings will be held on the third Wednesday of those months. Most meetings will be held in the First Federal Lecture Hall at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center.
Three personnel moves were approved during the regular portion of the meeting, including accepting the retirement resignation of Gregg Scheidt, Director of Maintenance, effective June 30; approval of Evan Okuly as a custodial-maintenance worker, and Bob Spatch as CEO Program Coordinator/instructor, effective with the 2026-2027 school year.
Other items on the agenda that were approved by a unanimous vote included:
- The purchase of an 84 passenger bus from Cardinal Bus Sales for $150,244, less the trade-in of another bus.
- An overnight trip for 26 students and two adults for the Advanced Placement Government class to travel to the Ohio Statehouse January 22-23.
- A Memorandum of Understanding with the Van Wert Federation of Teachers.
- A “then and now” certificate for $5,520 for a vendor, World’s Finest Chocolate.
POSTED: 01/14/26 at 9:51 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff
13 defendants charged with various felonies appeared for hearings in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court this week. Judge Martin D. Burchfield presided over each of the charges.
Plea changes
Jadyn Bullinger, 21, of Van Wert, changed her plea to guilty of two amended counts of aggravated vehicular assault, fourth degree felonies. Judge Burchfield ordered a pre-sentence investigation and set sentencing for 9 a.m. February 29.
Gavin McMichael, 21, of Van Wert, changed his plea to guilty to possession of heroin, possession of a fentanyl related compound, and possession of cocaine, all fifth degree felonies. He then requested and was granted intervention in lieu of conviction and his case was stayed pending completion of the treatment program. He was ordered to pay court costs.
Nicholas Greenlee, 30, of Montpelier, Indiana, changed his plea to guilty to theft, a fifth degree felony. He was then sentenced to 60 days in jail and was ordered to pay restitution and court costs.
Sara Hogan, 43, of Lima, changed her plea to an amended charge of OVI, a felony of the fourth degree. Judge Burchfield ordered a pre-sentence investigation and scheduled sentencing for 9 a.m. February 25.
Arraignments
Anthony Diaz, 23, of Defiance, entered a not guilty plea to domestic violence, a fifth degree felony. Bond was set at $50,000 cash or surety and Diaz was ordered to have no contact with the victim. A pre-trial conference was scheduled for 8:30 a.m. February 4.
Derek Eland, 33, of Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea to domestic violence and strangulation, both fourth degree felonies. He was released on a surety bond and a pre-trial conference was set for 8 a.m. February 4.
Crystal Robison, 38, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to domestic violence and strangulation, third degree felonies. She was released on a surety bond and was ordered to have no contact with victim. A pre-trial conference was scheduled for 8 a.m. February 4.
(more…)POSTED: 01/14/26 at 9:50 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Submitted information
The Optimist Club of Van Wert will host its annual Oratorical contest on Wednesday, March 4, 6 p.m. at CHP Home Care & Hospice, 1159 Westwood Drive.
Students are asked to craft a four-to-five-minute speech addressing the topic, “The Moment I Knew I Belonged – My Definition of Community.”
Winners will receive cash awards of $300 for first-place, $200 for second-place, and $100 for third place. The top two local contestants will advance to zone, regional, district, and possibly international level competitions for the opportunity to win $2,500 up to $22,500 in scholarships.
The contest is open to all students in Van Wert County who are under the age of 19 as of October 1 and are not enrolled as a degree-seeking student at a post-secondary institution. There is no minimum age to enter.
Contest applications are available now at Crestview, Lincolnview, and Van Wert schools or may be downloaded at https://optimistvw.com/optimist-oratorical-contest. Entry deadline is February 27.
POSTED: 01/14/26 at 9:48 pm. FILED UNDER: News
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
CONVOY – Planned athletic upgrades at Crestview Local Schools are expected to get underway this spring.
During Monday night’s monthly school board meeting, Superintendent Matt Dube informed the board that outside work is scheduled to begin after spring sports are complete and renovations in the high school gymnasium are slated to begin very soon after graduation.
The project includes relocating the football stadium, installing new bleachers, new lights and artificial turf, relocating the varsity baseball diamond and making the existing diamond the new field for junior varsity baseball, upgrades to the varsity softball diamond, and improvements to the gymnasium, including new bleachers.
The board approved the resignation of seventh grade softball coach Dylan Hicks then approved him as junior varsity softball coach for the upcoming season. Aimee Bassett was then approved as seventh grade softball coach. Spencer Rolsten was approved as a volunteer middle school baseball coach and James Lautzenheiser as a volunteer high school baseball coach. Angela Plumley and Danica Hicks were approved as volunteer middle school and high school softball coaches, respectively, along with Breena Grace as a volunteer high school softball coach. The board accepted the resignation of cook Julia Germann after serving the district for four years.
January is School Board Appreciation Month and Dube, who took over as superintendent in August, had nothing but praise for members Brad Perrott, Nan Grace, John Auld, Andy Perrott at Lori Bittner.
(more…)POSTED: 01/13/26 at 9:43 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
The YWCA of Van Wert County’s 2026 Summer Food Program has received a substantial boost, thanks to a $10,000 grant from the Van Wert County Foundation.
This year’s Summer Food Program will run from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday through Friday, June 8-July 24 at Trinity Friends Church in Van Wert. It’s open to all children in Van Wert County who are five years old through sixth grade. Registration for the program will open in April.
In addition to the summer program, the YWCA will provide free meals to any community member ages 18 and under who may need a meal during the summer. Meals will be served on-site during designated meal times, breakfast from 8:15–9 a.m. and lunch from 11–11:45 a.m. No registration is required for the meals-only portion of the program, and all meals must be eaten on site in accordance with program guidelines.
The YWCA of Van Wert County is grateful for the continued support of the Van Wert County Foundation.
POSTED: 01/13/26 at 9:43 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
The Van Wert Area Economic Development Corporation is inviting aspiring entrepreneurs, new business owners, and existing small business owners to attend a free Business Boot Camp Introductory Workshop from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, February 7.
The workshop will take place at the Northwest State Community College Van Wert Campus, 520 E. Sycamore St.
The introductory workshop will serve as the kickoff to VWAEDC’s annual Business Boot Camp, a completely free, multi-week entrepreneurial education program designed to support individuals interested in starting a new business or expanding an existing one in Van Wert County.
The workshop is open to the public and provides participants with an overview of what it takes to successfully launch or grow a business. Attendees will hear from a panel of local professionals who will share insights on financing and banking considerations, legal steps involved in business formation, insurance needs and risk management, marketing essentials for small businesses, real estate and location considerations, and lessons learned from a successful local business owner. The session also includes networking opportunities and connections to local business resources.
(more…)POSTED: 01/13/26 at 9:42 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Submitted information
The Ohio Department of Development and Northwestern Ohio Community Action Commission want to help alleviate the burden of costly energy bills this winter and keep more families warm.
From now through March 31, income-eligible Ohioans can receive one-time assistance with their home energy bill through the Department of Development’s Home Energy Assistance Winter Crisis Program.
The Winter Crisis Program assists Ohioans facing service disconnection, those who have already been disconnected, individuals needing to establish new service, and those required to pay for a service transfer. It also supports households with 25 percent or less of bulk fuel in their tank to maintain service. Qualifying households must have a gross annual income at or below 175 percent of the federal poverty level. For a family of four, that is $56,262.50.
If you need immediate assistance with your energy bills, contact Northwestern Ohio Community Action Commission’s 24-hour appointment hotline at 419.219.4641 or visit www.nocac.org to schedule an appointment.
Clients need to bring copies of the following documents to their appointment
- Copies of their most recent energy bills, if available
- A list of all household members and proof of income for the last 30 days or 12 months for each member
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency for all household members
- Proof of disability, if applicable
For more information about the Winter Crisis Program, visit energyhelp.ohio.gov.
POSTED: 01/13/26 at 9:41 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff
Rumors have been around for some time and now it’s been confirmed – Willow Bend Country Club in Van Wert is being sold.
In a letter to members, it was noted that after 30 years of ownership, Central Insurance has decided to sell the property to Defiance-based KCC Investment Properties, The Compound, sometime early this year.
The letter, which was signed by Craig Bracken, Willow Bend Director of Facilities and Property Management, and Gary Cooper, The Compound, states The Compound brings a wealth of experience in managing a portfolio of golf courses: Auglaize Golf Club, Harvest Moon Golf Course, and Eagle Rock Golf Club, along with several restaurants: Sweetwater Chophouse, Fired Stone Tavern, The Winery at Harvest Moon, Forked Crick Brewery and The Crick Entertainment Center.
“We are committed to working closely with one another to ensure a smooth transition,” the letter said. We both share a commitment to the property and the community and will continue to build on the foundation Central established. We believe this transition will serve the best interests of Willow Bend and the community, ensuring it remains a place of connection and enjoyment for years to come.”
The sale price and other information about the transaction was not readily available.
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
A somewhat new look Van Wert City Council was sworn in Monday night.
The city’s eight member governing board has three new members – Hall Block and Dewaine Johnson, who are at-large members, and Eric Hurless, who represents the city’s fourth ward. Block and Johnson are replacing Jeff Kallas, who chose not to seek re-election and Judy Bowers, who was unsuccessful in her bid for re-election. Hurless is replacing Bill Marshall, who opted not to run again.
Along with the three members, five returning members of council were given the oath of office by Van Wert Municipal Court Judge Jill T. Worthington – First Ward Councilman Jeff Agler, Second Ward Councilman Greg Roberts, Third Ward Councilman Julie Moore, At-Large Councilwoman Jana Ringwald, and Council President Thad Eikenbary. All council terms are two years.
The council has seven different committees, each chaired by a different member.
- Finance: Jana Ringwald
- Economic Development: Dewaine Johnson
- Streets and Alleys: Hall Block
- Properties and Equipment: Jeff Agler
- Parks and Recreation: Greg Roberts
- Health, Service and Safety: Julie Moore
- Judiciary and Annexation: Eric Hurless
Van Wert City Council meets at 6:30 p.m. the second and fourth Monday of each month.
City Auditor Erika Blackmore urged all members to complete mandatory Financial Disclosure Forms from the Ohio Ethics Commission and Sunshine Law training, which is required by law.
(more…)POSTED: 01/12/26 at 10:58 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
Allen County Regional Transit Authority has released details about another free opportunity for the public to learn how to ride that will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Thursday, January 15, in Van Wert County, with a majority of the rides happening in downtown Van Wert.
This is following a similar “learn to ride” day last week, which has been designed to help educate the community about the transportation services that will begin in Van Wert County on Monday, January 19.
“For Thursday, we’ll run a similar schedule as last week with one van, but we’re now going to add a second van that will meet up with our Delphos bus that goes to Lima,” ACRTA Executive Director of Operations Brian Wildermuth said.
Demand-Response practice rides: The demand-response van will have a continuous loop of practice stops on Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., which will be the same locations as the first week: 415 Main St. curbside across from the YWCA; 1103 S. Shannon St. curbside in front of Chief Supermarket; 160 Fox Rd. curbside in front of the Council on Aging, and 216 Towne Center Blvd curbside in front of Van Wert Health North.
Microtransit practice rides: On Thursday at 9:05 a.m. and 1:05 p.m., the microtransit van will leave the YWCA in Van Wert and stop at several places in Delphos. Those additional stops include 1000 Park Ave. in front of the Delphos Pool, 735 5th St. curbside at the corner of 5th and Fort Jennings, and also at Novus at 1600 Gressel Dr.
At the Novus stop, riders are welcome to get off and transfer to an Allen County fixed-route bus that will and take them to Lima while it runs its regular fixed route.
The returning trips to Van Wert will leave the ACRTA transfer center on High Street at 1:20 p.m. and 3:20 p.m. and will meet back up with the van in Delphos to bring people back to the YWCA in Van Wert.
(more…)POSTED: 01/12/26 at 10:56 pm. FILED UNDER: News
