SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
If you travel along Fisher Ave. in Van Wert, especially during normal working hours – slow down.
During Monday night’s meeting of Van Wert City Council, Aaron Montgomery, EHS Manager at Tenneco shared his concerns about employee safety along the street, noting that vehicles sometimes come through well above the 25 mile per hour speed limit, which poses potential safety problems for workers crossing the street.
“We have a parking lot that houses probably half of employees throughout our three shifts – we operate 24 hours a day, five days a week – and so employees are constantly crossing the road non-stop throughout the day, 500 or 600 times a day and for whatever reason when people turn on that road they think it’s a drag strip,” Montgomery told council members. “People will go down that road at 50, 60 miles per hour and so we have concerns for our employees’ safety and well being just to come to work, leave work, go on break or to lunch.”
Montgomery there is a crosswalk that goes to Tenneco’s office, along with two other access points to the plant.
“We do have signage at that one singular crosswalk but nothing that really gives drivers a heads-up,” he noted. “What we’re hoping for is an elevated crosswalk in the middle, kind of like a glorified speed bump, that way drivers have to intentionally slow down. I don’t want to cause too much disruption but I just want people to slow down, that way our employees don’t feel like they need to dodge out of the way just to come to work.”
(more…)POSTED: 09/09/24 at 10:00 pm
Submitted information
COLUMBUS — In honor of those killed in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, Governor Mike DeWine has ordered the flags of the United States and the state of Ohio to be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout Ohio from sunrise to sunset on September 11.
Governor DeWine is also asking that all Ohioans observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 a.m. to honor the innocent lives lost as a result of the terrorist attacks.
POSTED: 09/10/24 at 10:19 am. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
Average gasoline prices in Ohio have fallen 18.4 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.05 per gallon on Monday, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 5,345 stations in Ohio. Prices in Ohio are 42.1 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand 45.2 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has declined 4.5 cents in the last week and stands at $3.62 per gallon- the lowest since early 2022.
According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Ohio was priced at $2.65 on Monday, while the most expensive was $3.89 per gallon, a difference of $1.24 per gallon. Over the weekend, gas could be found for as low as $2.68 per gallon Wapakoneta. Monday night, gas in Van Wert ranged from $2.95 per gallon at Murphy USA to $3.19 at Tyler’s Short Stop.
The national average price of gasoline has fallen 7.2 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.22 per gallon on Monday. The national average is down 22.5 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 58.8 cents per gallon lower than a year ago, according to GasBuddy data compiled from more than 11 million weekly price reports covering over 150,000 gas stations across the country.
“We fully expect gas prices will continue to drop as Americans drive less with the onset of fall,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “With oil prices falling below $70 per barrel, their lowest since 2021, there’s solid room for gas prices and diesel to continue falling for some time. We expect the national average could fall below $3 per gallon as early as October for the first time since 2021, which would be music to the ears of motorists and certainly to politicians who are angling to be elected this fall.”
(more…)POSTED: 09/09/24 at 10:00 pm. FILED UNDER: News
A two-vehicle accident occurred at the intersection of Mendon Rd. and State Rd. at approximately 1:45 p.m. Monday. The Middle Point Fire Department and rescue squads were called to the scene with one vehicle having the occupant trapped inside. The rescue squad used hydraulic cutters to cut the driver side door off allowing the occupant to get out. No injuries were reported. The Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol investigated the incident and the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office handled traffic control. Bob Barnes photos
POSTED: 09/09/24 at 10:00 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Submitted information
Women and teenage girls 13 and older are invited to mark their calendars for a one-night self-defense class from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, October 16, at the YWCA of Van Wert County. The class is free and is tailored for beginners to become equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to prevent, resist, and escape potentially violent situations.
Learning simple self-defense techniques can increase a person’s situational awareness, as well as boost self-confidence in their ability to handle themselves in a vulnerable situation. Multiple studies have shown that women completing a self-defense course can reduce the risk of assault by 50-60 percent.
“We offer this opportunity in the hopes it will increase vigilance and possibly prevent a violent situation from occurring,” said Jamie Evans, Director of Survivor Services for the YWCA of Van Wert County. “However, if a women finds herself in a vulnerable situation, the techniques learned will give her the assurance she can defend herself,”
The hands-on program will be led by the Van Wert Self Defense Team. Class instructors include Rick Busch and Ed Klausing. Busch is a black belt in Tae-Kwon-Do with many years of experience teaching martial arts, self-defense, and violence prevention classes and seminars. Klausing is a third degree black belt and also has experience in teaching various martial arts. Class participants will gain skills and knowledge needed to defend themselves or others.
“With their extensive martial arts backgrounds, participants will learn strategies take charge of their safety,” Evans said. “It is the perfect opportunity for women to safeguard themselves and possibly protect a loved one.”
The community is invited to stay updated on this event and other vital programs, including October’s Domestic Violence Awareness events by following the YWCA of Van Wert County on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram, or online at www.ywcavanwert.org.
To register for the self-defense class, interested individuals should contact Jamie Evans via email (jevans@ywcavanwertcounty.org) or call 419.238.6639 ext.105. Participants should wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing.
The YWCA is an agency of the United Way of Van Wert County.
POSTED: 09/09/24 at 9:59 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Van Wert County Sheriff’s deputies along with Middle Point Fire and EMS responded to this crash on Ohio 116 in Ridge Township shortly after 3 p.m. Sunday. There were two people inside the vehicle, which was being driven by a juvenile. According to the Sheriff’s Office, minor injuries were suspected but no one was transported to the hospital. Bob Barnes photo
POSTED: 09/09/24 at 9:04 am. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
COLUMBUS — Last week, Governor Mike DeWine joined members of the Ohio Juvenile Justice Working Group to announce the recommendations for significant changes to Ohio’s state and local juvenile justice system.
“These recommendations all have merit and deserve consideration,” DeWine said. “All kids deserve the opportunity to live up to their full, God-given potential, including youth who are incarcerated in state or local juvenile corrections facilities. We must send these youth home with the very best chance to succeed.”
Governor DeWine created the Ohio Juvenile Justice Working Group in November, asking group members to conduct a holistic review of juvenile justice operations at the Ohio Department of Youth Services and to examine the agency’s partnerships with local community corrections facilities and county juvenile detention facilities.
Led by Tom Stickrath, a former director of both DYS and the Ohio Department of Public Safety, the group issued a report listing 26 recommendations for improvement:
- The Department of Youth Services should engage in a “system transformation” with respect to the design and size of its correctional institutions by replacing its current three large facilities with numerous smaller facilities. Studies show that smaller juvenile corrections facilities are safer for both youth and staff. With funding support from the Ohio General Assembly in the current capital budget, DYS will close its 180-bed Cuyahoga Hills facility in Cuyahoga County and replace it with four 36-bed buildings with specialized housing units. DYS intends to work with the legislature to secure additional funding to carry out the same process with its other two campuses.
POSTED: 09/08/24 at 9:08 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff
The Mercer County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a pair of fatal motor vehicle crashes, both of which occurred on Saturday.
According to Sheriff Jeff Grey, the first accident occurred at the intersection of Ohio 49 and Ohio 707 in Black Creek Township. Deputies were dispatched to the scene via 911 at 10:40 a.m. While investigating, they learned that an SUV driven by Kenneth A. Edwards, 44, of Decatur, Indiana, was eastbound on Ohio 707, ran the stop sign and was struck by a southbound semi-truck driven by Christopher D. McKenzie, 61, of Jeaneretta, Louisiana. Edwards was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Chatt Fire Department, Rockford Fire Department and Rockford EMS assisted at the scene.
The second fatal crash occurred shortly after 7:30 p.m. at the intersection of Ohio 118 and Frahm Pike in Hopewell Township.
A 911 call was placed at 7:42 a.m. and deputies arrived at the scene and discovered that a pickup truck driven by Keith T. Huey, 74, of Geneva, failed to stop for the stop sign and was hit by an SUV driven by Julie A. Ninde, 57, of Ossian, Indiana. Both drivers were transported to Mercer Health ER for treatment. A front seat passenger in Huey’s truck, Regina K. Huey, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Rockford Fire Department, Rockford EMS and Celina Fire and EMS were among those assisting at the scene.
POSTED: 09/08/24 at 9:07 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff
DELPHOS — It’s billed as a premiere end-of-the-summer festival and it’ll be held this Thursday-Saturday, September 12-15, in downtown Delphos.
Delphos Canal Days will feature live music, rides, food, a 5K run/walk, a parade, a cruise-in and much more. For more information and a schedule of events and offerings, click here.
POSTED: 09/08/24 at 9:06 pm. FILED UNDER: News
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
Extreme heat and humidity and more took its toll on the 2024 Van Wert County Fair, which came to an end on Monday. Temperatures in the 90s, coupled with excessive humidity created uncomfortable conditions and affected attendance during the first four days of the fair.
“We were down 34 percent or just over $31,000 on paid general admissions through Saturday,” Van Wert County Fair Manager Mike Poling said. “While the extreme heat was definitely a driving factor, the economy also played a part in the drop in attendance.”
While temperatures eased up a bit on Saturday, then dropped on Sunday and on Labor Day Monday, which turned out to be very pleasant day to attend the fair, the die had been cast.
“Saturday started things going in the right direction but it was still down from a year ago but we had a nice crowd,” Poling said. “Sunday was up over Saturday and almost even with last year’s gate and finally on Monday we topped last year, so we did finish strong.”
“Paid outside gate attendance for the week was 12,862 compared to 15,544 a year ago,” Poling explained. “When we convert that to cash sales at the gate for the year we are at $128,624 paid general admission compared to $155,441 a year ago. Our season ticket sales were down slightly at 2,303 compared to 2,475 in 2023 and membership sales were down slightly this year, with 471 memberships sold, compared to 503 sold in 2023.”
Another decision made once the fair started likely had some effect on final gate receipts and vendors. Nonetheless, it seemed to be a welcome decision, especially by those who would attend and participate in the event – a change of venue for the annual cheer competition, which was held on Wednesday, August 28. Instead of being the grandstand attraction that night, the event was moved indoors to Lincolnview High School.
“There were several factors that went into that decision,” Poling stated. “We had fielded a few calls on Monday concerning the heat being an issue during the event. In past years we provided water and a shaded area for the contestants to get out of the sun. Then the forecast changed and added a chance of rain to move in just prior to the event.”
(more…)POSTED: 09/07/24 at 12:23 am. FILED UNDER: News
Crestview and Wayne Trace met on the field Friday night, with the Knights pulling away for a 37-16 victory. Meanwhile, Van Wert lost to Celina on the road, 42-14. Full game stories can be found on the Sports page. Photo courtesy of William Hawkins
POSTED: 09/07/24 at 12:22 am. FILED UNDER: News
