Ohio Primary Election rescheduled for June

Staff/submitted reports

It was a confusing few hours, but Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Director of Health Dr. Amy Acton finally made the decision around 10 p.m. Monday to suspend Tuesday’s in-person primary election to protect people from any further spreading of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

The decision was made after a judge rejected Dr. Acton’s lawsuit seeking to suspend the election because of the possibility of further spreading of the coronavirus.

The primary has now been postponed until Tuesday, June 2, when boards of election will conduct in-person voting at the regular polling locations in Van Wert County, according to County Elections Director Linda Stutz.     

“The Van Wert Board of Elections understands that there has been great confusion as to whether the election would proceed or be cancelled and hope that it has not caused anyone any hardships,” Stutz said in a statement on the decision to suspend the election. “We greatly appreciate all the patience and support and offers of help that have been received from our poll workers and the general public in trying to give our voters an opportunity to vote.”

Meanwhile, other local organizations are also making some changes in an attempt to keep the coronavirus from spreading:  

To reduce any potential spread of the COVID-19 virus, Van Wert County Department Job and Family Services will remain open, but will be temporarily closing its first floor front desk, Child Support front desk, and Ohio Means Jobs Resource Room, effective Tuesday.  

Customers will be asked to submit all applications and verifications to the agency via the agency drop box located in the first floor front desk lobby. The box will be monitored and cleared often. All documents will be processed as normal and staff will mail a receipt to verify the agency has received the submitted documentation or will contact customers via phone if a phone interview is being scheduled, or if there are any questions. 

The local Job and Family Services offices urges its customers to submit documentation to it, either by mail or email, whenever possible.

Business Information is as follows: 
Children and Protective Services:
Phone: 419.238.5430
Emergency calls outside of agency hours should be directed to the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office at 419.238.3866 or Van Wert Police Department at 419.238.2462. 

Food Assistance/Cash Assistance/Medicaid: 
Phone: 419.238.5430
To apply for assistance:  https://benefits.ohio.gov/
Email verifications to: VANWERT_FS@odjfs.state.oh.us

Child Support Enforcement Agency:
Phone: 419.238.9566
Register with the web-portal to complete most transactions at: https://jfs.ohio.gov/ocs
Payments can be made by phone with a debit/credit/pre-paid card, mail or by accessing: https://oh.smartchildsupport.com

Ohio Means Jobs:
Phone: 419.623.4437
Email: vanwertomj@gmail.com

In addition, Director Melissa Bloomfield announced Monday that the Van Wert High School Theatre Department has canceled its spring musical, Disney’s Tarzan, The Stage Musical, scheduled for April 2-4 at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center, due to the state-mandated closure and concerning development of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). 

Bloomfield said more information will be released in the near future regarding already purchased tickets, and all business sponsors will be contacted individually. Updates will be posted on the Van Wert Theatre website (www.VWHSTheatre.weebly.com), Facebook, and Twitter pages as more information becomes available. 

First Federal of Van Wert is making some changes in its business practices due to the coronavirus pandemic. Due to recent recommendations from state and federal government, First Federal will be handling all possible transactions through the drive-thru area during normal business hours. Lobby access is limited to loan appointments and other critical bank appointments only.

The changes go into effect on Tuesday, with First Federal to update customers on when the lobby will reopen.

“Please be assured that all bank productions are working as normal,” bank officials noted in an emailed statement. “The health and safety of our employees, our customers, and our community remains our highest priority.”

The bank recommends that people do as much online as possible using First Federal’s online banking services, including bill Billpay/PopMoney, eStatements, Mobile Banking, TransferNow, eAlerts, Mobile App, and Card Valet.

Those who need to make a lobby appointment for loans, safe deposit boxes, or other reasons should call 419.238.1463.

“We thank you for your patience during this temporary adjustment,” the statement read. “We know this is an adjustment, and we know this is an inconvenience, but together we can get through this with an understanding of the crisis at hand.”