ODOT information COLUMBUS — By reducing agency costs, commercializing non-interstate rest areas and seeking sponsorship and naming rights for certain infrastructure projects, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) could save nearly $200 million annually and billions more could be generated or saved by leveraging state-owned assets and exploring public, private partnerships. ODOT Director Jerry Wray […]
POSTED: 03/23/12 at 11:18 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Jeanne Carol Stuck, 81, of Eaton and formerly of Convoy, died Monday, March 19, 2012, at her residence. She was born January 24, 1931, in Fort Wayne, Ind., the daughter of the late William Ford and Rhea Louise (Kreischer) Clay. On May 6, 1950, in Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Convoy, she married Ronald Burton […]
POSTED: 03/23/12 at 6:06 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
DAVE MOSIER/independent editor With spring now officially sprung, Van Wert County can now look forward to the possibility of severe weather occurring at just about any time for the next several months. Moreover, as shown by the turnout at Thursday evening’s weather spotting training, interest in severe weather has never been greater. Approximately 120 people […]
POSTED: 03/23/12 at 5:32 am. FILED UNDER: News
CONVOY — The Crestview Knight Pride Club is hosting a Knight Out event Saturday, March 31, at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Van Wert. There will be duck races, a meal and a reverse raffle drawing that evening with a $1,000 grand prize. Adult meal tickets are $7 apiece, while children can eat for […]
POSTED: 03/23/12 at 4:59 am. FILED UNDER: Sports
BARB THOMPSON/for the Van Wert independent Wednesday evening, at the final curtain of the dress rehearsal for One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest, I found myself in such a state of theatrical euphoria, I had to take a few minutes to gather my wits before rising from my seat. To put it in today’s jargon, “It […]
POSTED: 03/23/12 at 4:48 am. FILED UNDER: News
Information submitted Planning for this summer’s annual Van Wert Rib Fest has moved into high gear with lots of great entertainment and plenty of fun activities being planned for the whole family. Details of this year’s events will be released in the near future. The Rib Fest Planning Committee had a surprise visitor at its […]
POSTED: 03/23/12 at 4:46 am. FILED UNDER: News
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On the eve of the two-year anniversary of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), U.S. Representative Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) voted to protect Medicare recipients by repealing the President’s Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB). The House of Representatives passed the Protecting Access to Healthcare Act (PATH), H.R. 5, which ends […]
POSTED: 03/23/12 at 4:44 am. FILED UNDER: News
REYNOLDSBURG — The Ohio Department of Agriculture is now accepting proposals for the 2012 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, which will provide funding for projects to enhance the competitiveness of crops such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and nursery crops. The USDA Agriculture Marketing Service will make approximately $642,019 of grant funding available to Ohio. The deadline […]
POSTED: 03/23/12 at 4:43 am. FILED UNDER: News
Howard Violet (right) was recently awarded an Honorary Chapter Farmer Degree from the Elida High School FFA. He received the award during the FFA’s spring awards banquet at the Old Barn Out Back earlier this month. The award was given because of Violet’s ongoing support of the Elida FFA and its programs. (photo submitted)
POSTED: 03/23/12 at 4:42 am. FILED UNDER: Business
Carl Etzler, FIC, of Van Wert, a financial associate with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, has qualified for Pinnacle Council for 2011. This is the organization’s highest recognition level for sales and service. Of Thrivent Financial’s nearly 2,300 financial representatives, 97 qualified for this honor. Etzler is with Thrivent Financial’s Mid-America Regional Financial Office, serving Lutherans […]
POSTED: 03/23/12 at 4:37 am. FILED UNDER: Business