SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
During Van Wert City Council’s first meeting of October, members heard a request for funds by officials with the Business Development Corporation of Van Wert .
Capital Campaign Manager John White explained Monday night that the BDC has launched “Accelerate Van Wert” in an effort to raise $1.5 million over the next five years to help support various economic development efforts within Van Wert County.
He requested council consider donating $10,000 a year for the next five years. During a 15 minute presentation, he explained the campaign has three specific goals – an opportunity fund grow jobs and attract capital investment, attract, retain and align the local talent pool, and strengthen the quality of place. He also said a future goal is to make the BDC more self-sufficient.
He gave examples of what the BDC has done, including partnering with local government to sell the former Days Inn and Anthony Wayne School properties, and he said the BDC would like to continue blight relief efforts.
“The old hospital building (on Central Ave) – I don’t know our opportunity is to get our hands on that but we’d love to,” White said. “We would do just like we did with the Days Inn and Anthony Wayne School. We are a county organization so the Ohio City school building is a great example of where we could help that community. We’ve had talks, things were going well, then they kind stalled and we got ghosted a little bit but if we could get our hands on that, it would help that community out as well.”
Mayor Ken Markward told White that because of Ohio law, the city could only commit to one year at a time. Future councils could choose not to honor the funding request.
Council members are expected to discuss and consider the first year’s request of $10,000 during the budget process in the coming weeks.
(more…)POSTED: 10/14/24 at 9:39 pm
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
Early voting began throughout Ohio last Tuesday and locally, hundreds of people have already taken advantage of the opportunity.
According to figures supplied by Pam Henderson, Director of the Van Wert County Board of Elections, 358 registered voters in the county cast early In-person ballots at the Board of Elections Office. By the end of business on Friday, that number had grown to 1,172. In addition, 865 ballots were sent out by mail on Tuesday and by the end of the week, the total number of ballots mailed out was over 1,400.
“Numbers seem a little lower than expected but it was only four days of voting,” Henderson said. “Numbers should increase as the weeks move on and voting hours get longer. It should be a good turnout for this presidential election.”
Along with the race for U.S. President, the local ballot features a race for the District 82 seat in the Ohio House of Representatives. Incumbent State Representative Roy Klopfenstein (R-Haviland) is running against Democratic challenger Magdalene Markward (D-Van Wert). The 82nd District includes all of Van Wert, Paulding and Putnam counties, along with the southern portion of Defiance County.
Incumbent Republican Van Wert County Commissioner Todd Wolfrum is running unopposed and there are no city or village council, school board or township trustee races on the ballot. One statewide issue and 13 local issues are on the ballot. With the exception of State Issue 1, none of the issues are in the City of Van Wert.
Here are the remaining early in-person voting dates and times at the Van Wert County Board of Elections Office, 1362 E. Ervin Rd., Van Wert. A valid photo ID is required to vote.
(more…)POSTED: 10/14/24 at 9:38 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Members of the Foster family along with several Elks trustees and officers recently gathered at Van Wert Elks Lodge 1197 to dedicate the new fence donated by Vickie Foster in honor of her late husband Bobby. The plaques were donated by Laudick’s Jewelry. Pictured from left to right are Shad Foster, Rich Kline, Vickie Foster, Randy Agler, Lynne Etling, Rick Roop and Keaton Foster. Photos submitted
POSTED: 10/14/24 at 9:37 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff
The public is welcome take advantage of Drug Take Back Day and Shred-A-Thon event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. this Thursday, October 17, at Van Wert County Council on Aging, 220 Fox Rd., Van Wert. The event is free.
Over-the-counter pills, prescriptions and opioids will be accepted in a sealed bag. Needles and liquids will not be accepted. Items that can be shredded are personal documents, check stubs, credit card offers, receipts and paper items containing personal information.
In addition, a CarFit event will be offered. CarFit is a free educational program designed to provide a quick but comprehensive check of how well you and your vehicle work together. It is not an evaluation or test of driving ability, or a way to “take away the keys.”
POSTED: 10/14/24 at 9:36 pm. FILED UNDER: News
The Middle Point Fire Department and EMT squads were called to Ohio 116 just west of Poe Rd. Monday afternoon. An eastbound Ford vehicle was struck by a westbound KIA that appeared to go left of center. The driver of the Ford was transported to OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital. The Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office investigated the crash. Bob Barnes photos
POSTED: 10/14/24 at 9:36 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Submitted information
The Van Wert County General Health District Board of Health will hold its monthly meeting at 5:30 p.m. Monday, October 29, in the Van Wert County Health Department Conference Room, 1179 Westwood Dr., Suite 300, Van Wert.
POSTED: 10/14/24 at 9:35 pm. FILED UNDER: News
The American Red Cross of the Indiana Region unveiled its new bloodmobile Friday. It features an innovative generator powered by a battery pack and solar panels. These will provide energy for lighting and essential equipment used to safely collect blood donations, once the vehicle is parked. It’s part of the organization’s commitment to reducing its environmental footprint by cutting diesel fuel consumption and minimizing waste and water usage. The American Red Cross of Indiana Region serves 6.9 million people in 104 counties in Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Ohio through its six chapters, including Northeast Indiana, which also serves seven northwest Ohio counties, including Van Wert, Paulding and Mercer. Photo submitted
POSTED: 10/14/24 at 9:34 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
The American Red Cross Indiana Region is issuing an urgent appeal for volunteers to join the disaster team to help locally and/or deploy for major national disaster relief efforts.
Interested community members are urged to sign up today at redcross.org/volunteer. All candidates must complete the necessary training. Applicants who don’t have disaster experience, but have supervision, management or organization skills; a strong desire to help others; and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, are encouraged to apply.
When disasters upend lives, Red Cross volunteers are on the frontlines providing refuge and comfort to people in their darkest hours.
Some 2,100 Red Crossers, including more than 70 from the Indiana Region continue to work tirelessly in the Carolinas, Florida, Georgia and Tennessee to provide shelter, food, water, relief supplies and comfort to those affected by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton.
Hurricane season is far from over and the threat of more storms looms in the Gulf and Atlantic oceans. Along with those threats, the southwest and California are forecast to have above-normal wildfire risk this fall. As the climate crisis worsens, disasters are becoming more intense and frequent, leading the Red Cross to respond on a nearly continuous basis.
Beyond becoming a Red Cross volunteer, people can help in other ways too following Hurricanes Helene and Milton:
(more…)POSTED: 10/14/24 at 7:48 am. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
PAULDING — It may seem early to talk about Christmas, but a popular holiday event will take place in less than a month in Paulding.
Paulding County History Museum,, formerly known as John Paulding Historical Society (see a story about the name change here) will host a Christmas Tea and Preview night on Thursday, November 7, to open the museum’s annual Festival of Trees.
The menu for the tea, which will begin at 6:30 p.m., includes orange scones with clotted cream and Christmas jam, dainty sandwiches, desserts and hot tea. Before and after the tea, guests will enjoy a special sneak preview of all three museum buildings filled with trees and holiday spirit reflecting this year’s theme, “Let’s Trim the Tree!”
Event tickets are now on sale. Presale tickets are $20 each and may be purchased at the museum on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. by calling 419.399.8218 (leave message) or by emailing jphs45879@yahoo.com.
The actual nine-day Festival of Trees will open to the public the following day, Friday, November 8, and will continue daily through Saturday, November 16. Admission is free. The schedule will include musical entertainment, meals, a visit from Santa and other activities.
The museum is located at 600 Fairground Drive in Paulding, across from the fairgrounds. Watch for more details and updates on the museum’s Facebook page.
POSTED: 10/13/24 at 10:04 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
It’s called the Senior Snowflake program and its designed to make the Christmas season bright for in-need senior citizens. It’s already underway and it’s sponsored by the Van Wert County Council on Aging and made successful through the generosity of many individuals and businesses.
Donation ideas include: toilet paper, paper towels, napkins, tissues, batteries, shampoo, condition, body wash, lotion, hand soap, hand sanitizer, toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwash, denture cleaner, denture adhesive, manicure kits, stamps, envelopes, pens, notepads, large print crosswords, large print word searches, Chapstick, gloves, hats, socks, dish clothes, dish towels, all-purpose cleaners, laundry detergent, dish soap and trash bags. No food items please.
In addition, the Van Wert County Council on Aging has an Amazon wish list that can be accessed via the QR code.
Donations may be dropped off or delivered to the Van Wert County Council on Aging, 220 Fox Road, Van Wert, 45891.
POSTED: 10/13/24 at 10:04 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Fall colors seem to be taking their time this year, but patches of vibrant reds, oranges and yellows are becoming more common, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. ODNR Fall Color Forester David Parrott said cooler temperatures will help the color transformation continue and he said residents should see the best fall color in the next few weeks. Current changers include dogwoods, sycamores and pin oaks.
POSTED: 10/13/24 at 10:03 pm. FILED UNDER: News
