Sheriff’s Office, others practice crisis situation at school

Data center ban won’t be on fall ballot

Megan Henry/Ohio Capital Journal

Ohio voters will not have a chance to vote to ban data centers in the November election. 

Conserve Ohio, the grassroots organization behind the proposed constitutional amendment, said they are now hoping to make the 2027 ballot. The amendment would prohibit building data centers with a peak load of more than 25 megawatts per month, which would prevent most modern data centers. 

“We want to make it clear: we will not be stopping,” Conserve Ohio said in a statement. “Construction won’t be stopping, so signature gathering and community action will not be stopping.”

Conserve Ohio originally was trying to make this year’s ballot after the Ohio Ballot Board gave petitioners the green light to start collecting signatures in April, but they were up against a tight deadline. 

“The July 1 deadline was our best case scenario for the quickest possible action,” Conserve Ohio said in a statement. “Internally, we set that as our ideal target and it just didn’t pan out. We are not going to be submitting this year.”

The amendment would have needed more than 413,000 signatures from at least 44 of Ohio’s 88 counties by July 1 to get on this year’s ballot. The signatures they have collected so far remain valid since they did not submit them to the Ohio Secretary of State. 

Conserve Ohio has collected more than 70,000 signatures as of June 18, according to their campaign. The counties with the most signatures are Lucas County (6,482), Stark County (6,329), and Butler County (4,030).

“We can’t change when we began, but we can determine how it ends,” Conserve Ohio said. “All is not lost. The end goal has not changed. Our resolve has not changed.” 

Conserve Ohio is only using volunteers to collect signatures, and they have more than 1,000 volunteers. 

Ohio has more than 200 data centers, the sixth-highest state in the country, according to Pew Research Center. Most of the data centers are in central Ohio. Cincinnati has 26 and Cleveland has 22, according to the Data Center Map. 

Friday accidents under investigation

VW independent staff

A pair of Friday accidents in northwest Ohio remain under investigation by two different posts of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

The first involved a semi-truck and train and occurred shortly before 5:30 p.m. June 19 on County Road 11, just south of County Road F in Fulton County’s York Township.

According to a report from the Toledo Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, a 2024 Peterbilt driven b Steven E. Campbell, 45, of Fayetteville, North Carolina, was southbound on County Road 11 when he tried to cross the tracks and the rig became disabled. A westbound Norfolk Southern train struck the semi-truck. Campbell was transported to the Fulton County Health Center for treatment of minor injuries. No Norfolk Southern employees were injured.

The second accident was a head-on collision that occurred just before 7:30 p.m. Friday on U.S. 6 in Williams County, near Edgerton.

An OSHP report states that a 2002 Mercury Mariner driven by Kevin Eugene Mudrack, 36, of Bryan and a 2002 Victory Motorcycle driven by Charles Ivey, 62, of Defiance collided when Mudrack crossed the center line.

Ivey was pronounced dead at the scene. Mudrack was flown by Parkview Samaritan air ambulance to Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne. His current condition is unknown.

Ralph’s World!

A good time was had by all at Fountain Park Friday night, as kids’ themed Ralph’s World took over Van Wert Live’s Feel Good Friday concert series. It featured a summer snowstorm of bubbles, music, dancing and more. Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent

YWCA receives summer reading grant

VW independent staff/submitted information

A $2,500 Summer Reading Grant from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation is providing a boost to the YWCA of Van Wert County. The funding will be used to purchase books for children participating in the YWCA Summer Food Program.

YWCA officials said books serve as part of a positive behavior incentive program designed to encourage kindness, respect, responsibility, and helpfulness among participants. Throughout the summer, children can earn “Book Bucks” by demonstrating positive behaviors such as being thoughtful, respectful, and supportive of others.

Once a child earns five Book Bucks, they are rewarded with the opportunity to select and keep a book of their choice. The incentive continues throughout the seven-week program, allowing children multiple opportunities to build their own home libraries.

“We are grateful to the Dollar General Literacy Foundation for supporting literacy and helping us put books into the hands of local children,” said Betsy Hamman, Director of Youth Programs. “Many of our participants have been working hard to earn books this summer, and this grant helps us continue encouraging both positive behavior and a love of reading.”

The YWCA Summer Food Program provides free meals, educational activities, and enrichment opportunities for area youth during the summer months. The addition of books helps support literacy development while making reading fun and accessible for children and families.

The YWCA is an agency of United Way of Van Wert County and is partially funded by the Van Wert County Foundation.

High-speed internet service expanded

VW independent staff/submitted information

New high-speed fiber internet service is available in the rural Van Wert County area, including the Village of Scott and portions of Convoy, and additional expansion is slated for surrounding areas this summer.

Paulding-Putnam is offering the service and to celebrate, PP is inviting community members to attend a free community open house on Wednesday, June 24, at Walnut and Main Event Center, 223 E. Main St. in Van Wert. Attendees may stop by during either of two sessions: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. or 5-7 p.m.

The open house is a relaxed, no-pressure opportunity for residents and businesses to learn more about fiber internet technology, available service packages, pricing options, and Paulding Putnam’s Wi-Fi app. Staff will be available to answer questions. Electric members who attend the event will be entered to win one of four $25 electric bill credits. In addition, anyone who signs up for fiber service during the open house will receive $50 off their first month of service. RSVPs are requested, but not required. Anyone Interested can RSVP online here or by calling 800.686.2357.

Paulding Putnam has built more than 600 miles of mainline fiber infrastructure across northwest Ohio and northeast Indiana and plans to exceed 1,500 miles as expansion continues. Service is already available in portions of Paulding and Putnam counties, including areas of Paulding, Haviland, Payne, Grover Hill, Ottoville, Fort Jennings, Cloverdale, and Delphos.

Business internet packages are also available for farms, small businesses, and commercial operations requiring advanced connectivity and multi-gig speeds.

Those interested in fiber internet service (even those who are not electric members) are encouraged to complete the interest form online at www.PPEC.coop. This helps the co-op guide construction plans and notify customers when service is available.

Paulding Putnam is a local electric and internet cooperative serving nearly 14,000 members in Paulding, Putnam, Defiance, Van Wert, and Allen counties in Ohio, and Adams and Allen counties in Indiana.

Princess Tea Party to be offered

Submitted information

CHP Home Care & Hospice is hosting a Princess Tea Party for young girls on Saturday, June 27, at the CHP Adult Day Center, 1155 Westwood Drive, Van Wert (in the former inpatient hospice building, behind the main CHP office).

Little ones will have the opportunity to spend time with guest princesses, create their own crown, enjoy story time, entertainment, finger nail painting, and snacks. There will also be a photo booth. Two sessions are available, 1-2 p.m. and 2:15-3:15 p.m. Each session is limited to 16 children. Cost is $20 per child to benefit the CHP Hospice patient care fund. 

Register at comhealthpro.org/events or call 419.238.9223. Children are encouraged to wear their favorite princess costume or party dress and must be accompanied by an adult (at no charge).

Scholarship recipient…

AgCredit has announced the recipients of its 2026 Joe Leiser Memorial Scholarships. This year, AgCredit awarded $25,000 distributed between twelve recipients to support their educational goals during the 2026–2027 academic year. Among them is Lincolnview High School graduate Elyssa Renner, who will attend Wright State University and major in agriculture business. The scholarship program honors Joe Leiser, AgCredit’s first president and CEO. Each year, the program awards scholarships to dependent family members of AgCredit voting stockholders pursuing degrees in agriculture or related community-supported fields. Photo submitted

Chamber director stepping down

VW independent staff/submitted information

PAULDING – After roughly 13 months on the job, Paulding Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jill Strahley has announced she’s stepping down.  The Chamber’s Board of Directors has begun the search for the organization’s next leader.

According to a press release announcing her departure, the Chamber said Strahley focused on strengthening communication, building community partnerships, supporting local businesses, and creating new opportunities to connect people and organizations throughout Paulding County.

“Serving the Chamber and getting to know so many of the people who care deeply about this community has meant a great deal to me,” Strahley said. “I am incredibly thankful for the businesses, organizations, board members, volunteers, and community partners who have supported the Chamber’s work. There is so much good happening across Paulding County, and I am proud of the momentum we have built together.”

The Chamber’s Board of Directors expressed its appreciation for Strahley’s leadership, creativity, and commitment to the organization and the community.

The Chamber is now accepting applications for an organized, collaborative, and forward-thinking executive director. This person will oversee the Chamber’s day-to-day operations, member engagement, community partnerships, communications, events, financial management, fundraising, and program development.

The board is looking for someone who can continue building relationships, support local businesses, and help the Chamber move forward with energy and purpose. According to the press release, the ideal candidate will be a strong communicator who can provide leadership while also managing the hands-on responsibilities of a small nonprofit organization.

Applications are due by Friday, July 10.

The complete job description and online application are available here. Applications will be reviewed by the Chamber’s hiring committee and selected candidates will be contacted regarding the interview process.

Lincolnview BOE lauds state qualifiers

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

Thursday’s monthly meeting of the Lincolnview Local Schools took just 59 minutes but a lot was packed into that time.

During his monthly report, Superintendent Jeff Snyder said now that QTS has been revealed as the end user of $10 billion data center that will be built at the Mega Site, negotiations are the next step. He also said more financial information as it applies to the Lincolnview Local Schools could be available as soon as next week. While the data center will be in the city of Van Wert, it will be in the Lincolnview school district.

“We’ve been waiting very patiently and now we’re getting closer,” he said.

Snyder added that while a push to eliminate property taxes in Ohio has been delayed until November of next year, he said if it comes to fruition, he wants to plan for “what ifs” pertaining to the data center and its financial obligation to the district.

He also noted a large scale solar project remains a possibility in Van Wert County. If it happens, Butterfly Meadows would occupy approximately 4,000 acres of land in Hoaglin, Union and Pleasant townships. If ultimately approved at the state level, construction would likely begin in 2028. More information is expected this summer.

Snyder said work is progressing on the new elementary playground, and he said he anticipates action being taken by the board on upgrades to the baseball and softball diamonds at a special meeting later this month. Those improvements will include dugouts, backstops and fencing, at a cost of about $800,000.

Brief monthly reports were also delivered by Jr. High/High School Principal Brad Mendenhall, who noted class schedules will be available for pickup the week of August 10 and at the annual open house, which is scheduled for 6-7:30 p.m. August 17. He also said he and administrators from Crestview and Van Wert recently met with Van Wert County Juvenile/Probate Court Judge Eva Yarger and Prosecutor Dillon Staas to discuss attendance concerns and truancy.

Assailant training scheduled for Saturday

VW independent staff

If you see a large law enforcement/first responder presence at Lincolnview Local Schools this Saturday, there’s no cause for alarm.

The school is hosting the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office’s assailant training session, starting at 9 a.m. Deputies, fire and EMS and others are expected to be present for the drill.

While the Community Center won’t be part of the training, it will be off-limits to the general public during the session.