The Van Wert County Courthouse

Sunday, Jun. 15, 2025

Three Oaks Christian School in Decatur, Indiana, will graduate four seniors at 3 p.m. this Sunday and three of them are from northwest Ohio. Moriah Schwartz (top left) is from Van Wert, and Karley Harrod (top right) is from Willshire. Kendan Baker (bottom left) is from Rockford and Daniel Kloepper (bottom right) is from Decatur. Three Oaks is described as a preK-12 classical Christian school. Photos submitted

POSTED: 05/16/25 at 7:29 am. FILED UNDER: Youth

VW independent/submitted information

ARCHBOLD — Northwest State Community College celebrates the spirit of entrepreneurship and the power of small businesses in hosting its 11th annual Entrepreneurship Forum from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, May 8, in the Voinovich Auditorium. This free event is open to all residents of Defiance, Fulton, Henry, Paulding and Williams counties who have a business idea and want help in moving it forward. 

The 2025 Entrepreneurship Forum provides budding entrepreneurs the opportunity to present their ideas to a panel of experts from the region, and to network with those experts — both very valuable experiences. Local economic development directors and lenders from the five-county area will make up the advisory panel. 

Thanks to grant funding by the Everyday Entrepreneurship Fund, and financial support from Premier Bank, every presenter will be able to receive (at minimum) funding for the registration fee to start a business in Ohio

“Northwest State, the Small Business Development Center, and economic development are joining forces to invigorate small business growth in Northwest Ohio,” said Lisa Becher, Northwest State business faculty member. “Small business is vital to our communities. We need entrepreneurs to keep our economy strong.”

Becher is also State of Ohio Small Business Development Center consultant for northwest Ohio and a local business owner. She has created a “semi-Shark Tank style” event that helps aspiring business owners by removing barriers to market. 

“The forum was created to break down barriers and move entrepreneurs forward, helping them with an idea,” Becher noted. “Many people just don’t know what to do next and how to get started. This is a great opportunity to discuss your idea, get a start on your project and work with economic development and area lenders. 

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POSTED: 04/15/25 at 8:12 pm. FILED UNDER: Youth

Submitted information

Here is the list of Crestview High School honor roll students for the third nine weeks of the 2024-2025 school year.

High School Honor Roll 3.75 – 4.00

12th grade:  Samuel Boroff, Javyn Craft, Michaela Debbe, Sydney Dowler, Adelyn Figley, Elliana Kline, Josie Kulwicki, Jacob Pawlick, Kane Roberts, Nevaeh Ross, Hannah Rupert, Wren Sheets, Kaylea Short, Saxton Short, and Derek Yinger.  11th grade:  Quintin Adam, Emily Adams, Lillie Best, Jyrzee Craft, Mathew Dealey, Anna Gardner, Owen Heckler, Rachel Hedden, Kenzie Heffner, Jacob Heth, Peyton Hoffman, Emily Lichtle, Caroline Marks, Emma Marquardt, Hayden Perrott, Liam Putman, Rain Risley, Brentyn Rodriguez, Lulu Ross, Logan Schlemmer, Jacob Schumm, Breanna Shellabarger, Madilynn Springer, Dakota Thornell, and Lauren Tracey.  10th grade:  Caia Cook, Sebastian Craig, Lainey Gardner, Kaden Gause, Lydia Grace, Cylee Grubb, Andrew Heth, Eleanor Lamb, Evelyn Lamb, Hailey Logan, Braelyn Marsee, Chloe Miller, Cole Miller, Ava Motycka, Alison Owens, Brooks Petrie, Tory Singer, Alli Thatcher, and Caleb Thomas.   9th grade:  Delanie Balliet, Alecta Baxter, Lana Buckner, Kinley Crider, Graylie Grose, Taylor Kittle, Logan Matson, Jetta Merkle, Noah Mosier, Ian Owens, Lucas Sawmiller, Kara Sheaffer, Harold Smazenko, Adalyn Tobias, Austin Yinger, and Derek Young.     

High School Merit Roll 3.25 – 3.74

12th grade:  Aieden Adams, Natalie Burk, Hayden Buuck, Ryden Cereghin, Kennedy Crider, Anthony Heffner, Tyler Hoblet, Kaylee Mollenkopf, Marcel Romero, Elizabeth Rupert, Katherine Sawmiller, Ean Scarlett, Evan Spieth, Zaden Stemen, and Quinn Tomlinson.  11th grade:  Camren Castle, Violet Dirr, Marissa Gros, Huxley Grose, Braxton Leeth, Haley McCoy, Leah Sowers, Ellieanah Ward, Makinzee Williamson, and Madison Wilson.  10th grade:  Zaine Cereghin, Macie Dickman, Chloe Diller, Jailyn Flickinger, Kaci Gregory, Mackenzie Harting, Karley Hicks, Drayden Hoffman, Gwyneth Kahle, Kash Lichtensteiger, Denver McDougall, JJ McGarvey, Nathaniel Mitchener, Evan Myers, Karsyn Parrish, Hudson Perrott, Jaymie Quickstad, Kaydacen Rodriguez, William Rupert, Kenadi Short, Quentin Smart, Carl Speelman, Andrew Tracey, Robert Tyas, Kale Vining, Hayden Waltmire, Michael Whitson, Kylie Williams, and Gabriel Younker.   9th grade:  Lucas Bigham, Lily Bok, Evin Brincefield, Alexis Couchot, Elijah Foudy, Joseph Gerardot, Grant Grubb, Owen Hicks, Carter Perkins, Beckam Putman, Raygan Rockwood, Lillian Stefanek, and Marlee Temple.

High School Commendable Roll 3.00 – 3.24

12th grade:  Alexis Flagg, Rex Gerardot, Daevon Kline, Jackson Marks, Zaddick Sherburn, and Keenan Smith.  11th grade:  John Forwerck and Brayden Huffine.  10th grade:  Kaitlyn Antus, Cali Feasby, Kale Lichtensteiger, Nora Myers, Will Sheets, and Keilee West.  9th grade:  Alina Adams, Ashley Burk, Conner Hammons, Jacelynn Korte, Alivia Renner, Carter Roberts, and Aadison Whetsel.

POSTED: 04/04/25 at 7:59 am. FILED UNDER: Youth

Submitted information

Here is the list of Crestview High School honor roll students for the third nine weeks of the 2024-2025 school year.

Middle School Honor Roll 3.75 – 4.00

8th grade:  Emma Beougher, Lillian Crawford, Dylan Cress, Emily Foudy, Emily Frazier, Paylin Gray, Emily Heth, Lilyth Kahle, Violet Kahle, Ayla Kreischer, Kaylee Owens, Evelyn Petrie, Ariah Reichert, and Kenadie Schwartz.   7th grade:  Cira Averesch, Calin Balliet, Devin Berridge, Griffin Clouse, Adalee Gardner, William Gerardot, Gage Grubb, Addie Guyton, Aaliyah Herring, Mackenzie Kreischer, Mikeal Linton, Makala Miller, Mara Myers, Kourtney Noggle, Grayson Overholt, Harper Perrott, Bobby Ray Rodriguez, Sophia Skelton, August Smith, Cainon Smith, Kinah Wallace, Dalton Woodruff, and Dylan Young.  6th grade:  Emmalin Brincefield, Londyn Burley, Brynn Carr, Lucas Cress, Morgan Cress, Kherrington Fuller, Addison Germann, Truitt Grose, Mavis Hull, Josephine Kerns, Crew Kreischer, Mila Lichtensteiger, Isabel Merkle, Aubrey Osborn, Iva Owens, Mayla Owens, Stella Plumley, Kayden Pugh, Willow Sheets, Alexandria Short, Rawli Smith, Shooter Springer, Grayden Thornell, and Jackson Tracey.

Middle School Merit Roll 3.25 – 3.74

8th grade:  Kane Crider, Isabella Delgado, Cole DeWert, Maverik Hammons, Ivy Harris, Jakoby Heck, Evan Heckler, Brayden Hedington, Memphis Huffine, Taylor Jewell, Tate Lichtensteiger, Addysun McDougall, Cody Mishey, Nora Perkins, Kailyn Robinson, Zoe Ross, Corbett Roth, Bladin Scott, Haylee Shellabarger, Emma Tobias, Peyton Wallace, Hunter Waltmire, Evangelene Williman, Raidyn Young, and Molly Younker.   7th grade:  Eleanor Cologne, Jacqueline Dennie, Nickali Dorsett, Carter Dull, Elizabeth Eding, Maggie Gilkey, Payton Haley, Eliana Le, Emma Lirot, Aubree Mills, Reid Motycka, Remington Ortiz, Ella Ream, and Myles Williman.   6th grade:  Dana Bok, Annistyn Bultemeier, Evelyn Dennie, Zander Dowler, Nash Feasel, Emma Gibson, Aurora Gilbert, Evan Kittle, Joel Lichtensteiger, Kenzie McClure, Emberlee Miller, Ryder Roehm, Brinley Roger, Colten Tice, Brody Williams, and Liam Worden.

Middle School Commendable Roll 3.00 – 3.24

8th grade:  Chase Feasby, Lyza Sloan, Macy Wehner, and Rheis Young.   7th grade:   Connor Baxter, Claire Coleman, Drew Finkhousen, Amelia Foreman, Colton Gibson, Ella Harris, Logan Hoblet, Beau Lichtensteiger, Ethan McOmber, Quinn Mosier, Ella Wade, and Natalee Woodard.   6th grade:   Andrew Beougher, Finley Case, Braxton Lutz, Brennan McConahy, Logan Shaffer Smith, and Holden Waltmire.

POSTED: 04/04/25 at 7:59 am. FILED UNDER: Youth

Submitted information

Below is the list of second nine weeks honor roll for Crestview High School’s 2024-25 school year.

High School Honor Roll 3.75 – 4.00

12th grade: Samuel Boroff, Natalie Burk, Kennedy Crider, Sydney Dowler, Adelyn Figley, Elliana Kline, Josie Kulwicki, Jacob Pawlick, Kane Roberts, Nevaeh Ross, Elizabeth Rupert, Hannah Rupert, Wren Sheets, Kaylea Short, Saxton Short, Quinn Tomlinson, and Derek Yinger. 11th grade: Quintin Adam, Emily Adams, Lillie Best, Jyrzee Craft, Mathew Dealey, Anna Gardner, Owen Heckler, Rachel Hedden, Kenzie Heffner, Jacob Heth, Peyton Hoffman, Emily Lichtle, Caroline Marks, Emma Marquardt, Hayden Perrott, Rain Risley, Lulu Ross, Logan Schlemmer, Jacob Schumm, Leah Sowers, Madilynn Springer, Dakota Thornell, Lauren Tracey, and Makinzee Williamson. 10th grade: Caia Cook, Macie Dickman, Lainey Gardner, Kaden Gause, Lydia Grace, Kaci Gregory, Cylee Grubb, Andrew Heth, Gwyneth Kahle, Eleanor Lamb, Evelyn Lamb, Kash Lichtensteiger, Hailey Logan, Braelyn Marsee, Chloe Miller, Cole Miller, Ava Motycka, Alison Owens, Brooks Petrie, Jaymie Quickstad, Tory Singer, Alli Thatcher, Caleb Thomas, Andrew Tracey, and Kale Vining. 9th grade: Delanie Balliet, Alecta Baxter, Lily Bok, Evin Brincefield, Alexis Couchot, Kinley Crider, Elijah Foudy, Graylie Grose, Taylor Kittle, Logan Matson, Jetta Merkle, Noah Mosier, Ian Owens, Raygan Rockwood, Lucas Sawmiller, Kara Sheaffer, Harold Smazenko, Adalyn Tobias, Austin Yinger, and Derek Young.     

High School Merit Roll 3.25 – 3.74

12th grade: Aieden Adams, Hayden Buuck, Ryden Cereghin, Javyn Craft, Michaela Debbe, Alivia Etzler, Alexis Flagg, Rex Gerardot, Evan Hart, Anthony Heffner, Tyler Hoblet, Jackson Marks, Zayden Martin, Kaylee Mollenkopf, Dakotah Nihiser, Katherine Sawmiller, Ean Scarlett, Zaddick Sherburn, and Evan Spieth. 11th grade: Camren Castle, Violet Dirr, John Forwerck, Marissa Gros, Huxley Grose, Brayden Huffine, Braxton Leeth, Haley McCoy, Liam Putman, Brentyn Rodriguez, Breanna Shellabarger, Ellieanah Ward, and Madison Wilson. 10th grade: Zaine Cereghin, Sebastian Craig, Chloe Diller, Jailyn Flickinger, Mackenzie Harting, Karley Hicks, Drayden Hoffman, JJ McGarvey, Nathaniel Mitchener, Evan Myers, Karsyn Parrish, Hudson Perrott, William Rupert, Kenadi Short, Carl Speelman, Robert Tyas, Bladyn Vibbert, Keilee West, Michael Whitson, and Kylie Williams. 9th grade: Alina Adams, Lucas Bigham, Ashley Burk, Xehrya Esparza, Draven Frost, Joseph Gerardot, Grant Grubb, Conner Hammons, Abbygayle Hedden, Kailey McClure, Emiley Paseka, Carter Perkins, Beckam Putman, Alivia Renner, Carter Roberts, Aaron Sherman, Lillian Stefanek, and Marlee Temple.

High School Commendable Roll 3.00 – 3.24

12th grade: Ayden Hyitt, Bryson Penix, and Marcel Romero. 11th grade: Gavin Burkhalter, Braxtyn Couts, and Jace Wehner. 10th grade: Keegan Ashford, Kortny Berridge, Sydney Bible, Denver McDougall, Nora Myers, and Gabriel Younker. 9th grade: Aleigha Brown, Gabriella Contreras, Jacelynn Korte, Leah Plotts, Emma Ward, and Xavier Williamson.

POSTED: 02/04/25 at 8:14 am. FILED UNDER: Youth

Submitted information

Below is the list of second nine weeks honor roll students for Crestview Middle School’s 2024-25 school year.

Middle School Honor Roll 3.75 – 4.00

8th grade: Emma Beougher, Lillian Crawford, Dylan Cress, Kane Crider, Cole DeWert, Emily Foudy, Emily Frazier, Paylin Gray, Jakoby Heck, Evan Heckler, Emily Heth, Memphis Huffine, Lilyth Kahle, Violet Kahle, Ayla Kreischer, Tate Lichtensteiger, Kaylee Owens, Nora Perkins, Evelyn Petrie, Ariah Reichert, Kailyn Robinson, Kenadie Schwartz, Emma Tobias, and Raidyn Young. 7th grade: Cira Averesch, Calin Balliet, Devin Berridge, Griffin Clouse, Adalee Gardner, William Gerardot, Gage Grubb, Aaliyah Herring, Mackenzie Kreischer, Makala Miller, Mara Myers, Sophia Skelton, August Smith, Cainon Smith, and Kinah Wallace.   6th grade: Brynn Carr, Morgan Cress, Kherrington Fuller, Josephine Kerns, Crew Kreischer, Mila Lichtensteiger, Isabel Merkle, Aubrey Osborn, Iva Owens, Mayla Owens, Stella Plumley, Kayden Pugh, Willow Sheets, Alexandria Short, Rawli Smith, and Jackson Tracey.

Middle School Merit Roll 3.25 – 3.74

8th grade: Isabella Delgado, Maverik Hammons, Ivy Harris, Brayden Hedington, Taylor Jewell, Addysun McDougall, Cody Mishey, Zoe Ross, Corbett Roth, Bladin Scott, Haylee Shellabarger, Lyza Sloan, Peyton Wallace, Macy Wehner, Evangelene Williman, Rylan Young, and Molly Younker. 7th grade: Connor Baxter, Claire Coleman, Jacqueline Dennie, Nickali Dorsett, Elizabeth Eding, Maggie Gilkey, Payton Haley, Logan Hoblet, Eliana Le, Mikeal Linton, Emma Lirot, Cadence Martin, Aubree Mills, Reid Motycka, Kourtney Noggle, Grayson Overholt, Harper Perrott, Bobby Ray Rodriguez, Myles Williman, Natalee Woodard, Dalton Woodruff, and Dylan Young. 6th grade: Andrew Beougher, Dana Bok, Emmalin Brincefield, Annistyn Bultemeier, Londyn Burley, Lucas Cress, Abigail Davis, Evelyn Dennie, Zander Dowler, Nash Feasel, Aurora Gilbert, Truitt Gross, Evan Kittle, Joel Lichtensteiger, Kenzie McClure, Ryder Roehm, Shooter Springer, Grayden Thornell, Colten Tice, and Liam Worden.

Middle School Commendable Roll 3.00 – 3.24

8th grade: Hudson Buuck, Cale Carr, Corbin Coil, Chase Feasby, Gavin Holaway, Evan Knueve, Bentley Scott, Hunter Waltmire, and Rheis Young.  7th grade: Eleanor Cologne, Carter Dull, Ethan McOmber, and Remington Ortiz.  6th grade: Addison Germann, Emma Gibson, Mavis Hull, Braxton Lutz, Ryder Marquardt, Emberlee Miller, Logan Shaffer Smith, Fisher Speelman, and Brody Williams.
 

POSTED: 02/04/25 at 8:10 am. FILED UNDER: Youth

Van Wert High School recently announced its Academic Award winners at a luncheon hosted by Central Insurance. Those honored include the following students:

2023–2024 Academic Award Recipients: Freshmen

Owen Bates, Sophia Berry, Cylee Boroff, Cohen Bragg, Valerie Byrum, Carley Chiles, Chandler Couch, Amaya Dowdy, Emory Ferckel, Jazzlyn Florence, Izabella Gonzalez, Lilian Greve, Kathryn Gross, Zeus Grunden, Caroline Haggerty, Michael Henninger, Gavin Hensley, Noah Hillery, Elizabeth Jones, Ella Kimmel, Leah Krites, Noah Krites, Natalie Kroeger, Charley Leaser, Lillian Mason, Aiden McClain, Brayden Miller, Andrea Owen, Quintin Parrish, Ashton Rager, Arkana Rodriguez, Jonas Rollins, Paxton Schlemmer, LilliAnne Schrader, Zachery Scott, Harrison Sloan, Sophie Smith, Quinn Spackey, Eliza Spath, Zachary Stoller, Madilynn Thompson, Mark Verville, Jude Vetter, Keaten Welch, and Elijah Wofford. 

2023–2024 Academic Award Recipients: Sophomores

Kylee Ball, Tristan Blackmore, Jayci Blue, Karly Bohyer, Breese Bollenbacher, Jaida Clay, Mackenzie Couch, Finley Dickinson, Trevor Dotson, Trey Dotson, Kallee Dunn, Clayton Fast, Johan Gemmer, Trevor Halker, Brissia Ickes, Lila Jensen, Savannah Johns, Meah Johnson, Jaelynn Karcher, Brenna Kimmet, Catherine Kramer, Dante Lippi, Blade Lowe, Jackson Martinez, Felicia Martz, Maria Parrish, Madalynn Pontius, Natalie Rayman, Colton Richardson, Harper Roop, Alexis Ruposky, Sidney Ryan,, Chelsea Sanderson, Lindsey Say, Harmony Schuerman, Lilly Serna, Lottie Shartzer, Grace Spieles, Gavin Springer, Brock Stoller, Hannah Vetter, Addison Wallace, Briggs Wallace, Emma West, Isabella Wise, Carter Wright

2023–2024 Academic Award Recipients: Juniors

Alivia Bates, Clair Benner, Amanda Burenga, Meredith Crummey, Hayden Davis, Lillian Davis, Kendra Deehring, Alexa Deitemeyer, Ashlynn Delzeith, Noah Doctor, Alexandria Doner, Hayden Dowler, Evan Falk, Keaton Foster, Robert Gamble, Nathan Gearhart, Sophia Gearhart, Isabelle Gomez, Leia Hoersten, Samuel Houg, Aaliayha Jordan, Carlee Kroeger, Andrew Laudick, Meagan Mason, Brendon Mendoza, Zoey Miller, Jaymison Moynihan, Lilie Mull, Ethan Noble, Heet Patel, Austin Pierce, Breonna Pontius, Haylee Prine, Raelyn Profitt, Mia Rager, Aaron Reichert, Kristine Rison, Abigail Rollins, Owen Scott, Ava Sealscott, Noah Spath, Case Stegaman, Addison Sturwold, Carmella Tomasi, Olivia Vaas, Aubrey Wollet, Brooke Young, and Carolina Zappa.

2023–2024 Academic Award Recipients: Seniors

Caleb Bledsoe, Kelby Blythe, Jordanne Blythe, Zoe Coleman, Kelta Cowan, Aaron Dowdy, Sydney Dowler, Lyndsey Heath, Tiera Hobbs, Deborah Jones, Hope Keuneke, Jacob Kitson, Andrew Klewer, Johnathan Kramer, Reese Krugh, Cayden Laukhuf, Annika Maples, Gwyneth McComas, Ellie Mooney, Kaden Shaffer, Emma Spoor, Gage Stemen, Ashlyn Stoller, Devin Story, Dennis Sudduth, Olivia Treece, Sarah Verville, Addison Waltmire, Caleb Wise, and Kierden Yoh.

POSTED: 11/20/24 at 9:30 pm. FILED UNDER: Youth

Shown are Van Wert County Junior Fair Rabbit Show winners (from the left) Grand Champion Ethan Lugabihl With his Californian, Judge Platt, Carson Lape with the Reserve Champion Dutch, Evelyn Lamb with her third place New Zealand, Judge Carr, and Peyton Evans with his fourth pace Mini Lop (all results can be found here). photo provided

POSTED: 09/12/21 at 10:42 pm. FILED UNDER: Youth

Independent staff and submitted information

Project Believe has once again stepped up to help students at The Marsh Foundation start school on a positive note. Last week, representatives visited campus with a delivery of backpacks and school supplies for all students. 

The organization, which originated in 2009, began by donating Christmas gifts to children in residential facilities. It now is also active on Easter, Valentine’s Day, and the start of the school year. Tammie Rafferty, the group’s founder, was initially inspired to help others by her own daughter’s circumstances.

Shown are (from the left) Marsh School teachers Kevin Longstreth and Mandy Looser, Lavoie, librarian Joy Caldwell, and Breese with this year’s donation.  Marsh photo

This year, Bob Lavoie visited the campus to present the backpacks and supplies to Marsh Foundation School Principal Robbie Breese and teachers.

“We feel very fortunate that Project Believe has chosen to continue to assist The Marsh Foundation in our mission of inspiring hope to our children,” said Breese. “Our students and teachers are very excited to accept the backpacks and supplies as we return to the classroom this school year.”

Learn more about Project Believe by visiting its website at http://project-believe.net or by contacting Rafferty directly at projectbelieve@live.com

POSTED: 09/01/21 at 11:55 pm. FILED UNDER: Youth

Independent staff and submitted information

MASON — Dancers from Kim Hohman’s DanceWorks attended Encore Talent Productions National Dance Competition in Mason at the end of June.  

Dancers in Rhythm Nation include (front row, from the left) Maisee Short, Paiten Fuerst, Janie Trejo, Rilee Conrad, and Ellie Vining; (middle row) Sayler Wise, Alanna Knebel, Chloe Nielsen, Olivia Treece, and Finley Foster; (back row) Annie Renner, Emily Lichtle, Kaden Hohman and Addyson Dowler. KHDW photo

The best dance groups from the surrounding states competed at this competition. Many of the groups also brought home top overall high scores and Special Judges Awards.  The jazz number performing to “Rhythm Nation” (at right) earned first overall in the teen large group division and was recognized in the “best of the best” and was then selected as the top winner of the entire competition, earning group members the title of National Champions 2021.  The dance was choreographed by Kim Hohman and is instructed each week by Mrs. Hohman and Kylie Hohman. 

Eight dance groups from KHDW earned a spot in the Best of the Best competition.  The studio also had individual dancers qualify for the Best of the Best from the solo competition.  Dancers in the mini division included Sydney Ross and Addy Young, with Young winning the title of Mini Miss Encore.  Teens qualifying were Chloe Nielsen, Olivia Treece, and Annie Renner.  The senior level dancers qualifying were Kaden Hohman and Ellie Vining, with Vining winning the title of Senior Miss Encore. 

The dance studio is located at 11199 Van Wert-Decatur Road. For more information, contact the studio at 419.232.6505 or come to its open house on Tuesday, August 10, from 5-8 p.m.

POSTED: 08/02/21 at 11:05 pm. FILED UNDER: Youth