School board makes “Best” choice for hoops program

Merger translates to another ISP choice

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

A corporate merger means Van Wert residents will have another choice when choosing an internet service provider.

During Monday’s meeting of Van Wert City Council, Safety-Service Director Jay Fleming informed council members that CenturyLink and Brightspeed have merged.

“They have announced to me that they are going to re-wire the entire city in fiber (optics),” Fleming said. “It’s going to begin in June and July and they hope to have it complete in three months. What that’s going to mean is all the fiber is going to be on the poles if you make application for their service, like you might do with Spectrum now.”

“What I’m excited about is it’s competition, so you’ll be able to make that connection with Brightspeed if you apply for their service, then they’ll bring true fiber right to door,” he added. “Spectrum has pretty good speeds but they don’t necessarily have true fiber to the home.”

Brightspeed has set aside $2 billion to bring fiber optic internet to at least three million customers across 20 states over the next four years.

Two truck crash

One person was transported to OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital after this two-vehicle crash at Ohio 709 and Mendon Rd. late Wednesday afternoon. Ohio City Volunteer Fire and EMS was dispatched to the scene. Both trucks sustained heavy damage and were towed from the scene. The accident was investigated by the Van Wert Sheriff’s Department. Bob Barnes photos

McCoy promoted to clinical supervisor

VW independent staff/submitted information

For the past 12 years, Elspeth McCoy has dedicated her career to the mission of the Marsh Foundation. Hired as a group home family teacher, she pursued her master’s degree in social work and has since joined the clinical department.

During her studies, she was able to complete field hours at the Marsh where she learned specifically how to work with youth with sexual behavior problems. During her last semester of graduate school, she also completed a course specializing in juvenile sex offender counseling, expanding both her interest and expertise in the topic. McCoy holds a master’s degree in social work from the Ohio State University. In addition, she has achieved independent social work licensure and her supervision endorsement.

She said she is no stranger to overcoming challenges and plans to use that to her advantage as she continues to grow her career. McCoy acknowledged that working in the group homes as a family teacher was challenging. She also said it was very rewarding and is appreciative of the experience.

“I have persevered through many difficult times in the different positions I’ve held,” McCoy stated. “I strongly believe in the mission of the Marsh Foundation, which is to inspire hope, to teach, and to care for children and families.”

She went on to say that the most important part of the mission, to her, is hope.

“Hope has helped me to remain working in a difficult job and hope is what I try to inspire in the clients I work with,” she said. “Now, it is time to pass this on to the people I supervise.”

McCoy is excited to bring her growth ideas to the clinical department and has several goals for her new role.

“We have really great counselors and case managers already and I would like to add more clinical staff so we can focus even more on our existing and developing programs,” she said.

In addition to the department’s more traditional one-on-one and group counseling sessions, the department is also expanding to include Equine-Assisted Learning, Animal-Assisted Therapy, CrossFit, Horticulture and Independent Living.

Weekly word winners

Congratulations to the Van Wert Elementary Word of the Week Winners. This week, the following students were chosen as representatives of the word, humility: Grade 1, Josh; Grade 2, Yezlyn; Grade 3, Carter; Grade 4, Charlee; Grade 5, Brayden. Each child received a free Mighty Kids Meal from McDonald’s in Van Wert and a certificate from WERT 1220AM/104.3FM. Photo submitted

NSCC announces tuition increase

VW independent staff

ARCHBOLD — Tuition is going up at Northwest State Community College, but the increase won’t be passed along to students.

During the most recent NSCC Board of Trustees meeting, the board approved new tuition rates for the 2024-2025 academic year, which begins July 1. Spring, 2025 semester tuition will see a $5 per credit hour increase to $197.33 for in-state students, and $191.33 for out-of-state students, with a total fee for out-of-state students becoming $388.66.

Board members also approved a scholarship to nullify the $5 tuition increase per credit hour, to ensure the added costs are not passed on to students.

Numerous hearings held in local CP court

VW independent staff

A total of 14 defendants appeared for various criminal hearings in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court. The hearings took place between Thursday, April 18, and Wednesday, April 24. Judge Martin Burchfield presided over each of the hearings.

Sentencings

Jesse Hodgson, 36, of Delphos was sentenced in two cases: 180 days in jail with credit for 136 days already served for attempted trespass in a habitation when a person is present or likely to be present, a fifth degree felony, and 180 days in jail for attempted trespass in a habitation when a person is present or likely to be present, a fifth degree felony. The sentences will be served consecutively, and Hodgson was ordered to pay court costs.

Stacy Young, 47, of Van Wert, was sentenced to up to six months at the WORTH Center, three years of community control, and 30 days in jail at a later date for receiving stolen property, a fifth degree felony; theft, a first degree misdemeanor; illegal conveyance of drugs of abuse onto grounds of a specified governmental facility, a third degree felony, and illegal use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or WIC program benefits, a fifth degree felony. In addition, Young is to have no alcohol or drugs without a prescription, undergo random screens, mental health and substance abuse assessment and treatment, and was ordered to pay restitution, partial appointed counsel fees, monthly probation fees and court costs.

Jarod Delgado, 40, of Van Wert, was sentenced to two years of community control, 30 days in jail at a later date, and 50 hours of community service for domestic violence, a first degree misdemeanor. He is to possess no alcohol or drugs without a prescription, undergo random screens, mental health and substance abuse assessment and treatment, and was ordered to pay partial appointed counsel fees, monthly probation fees and court costs.

Terrance Landwehr, 25, of Van Wert, was sentenced to two years of community control, two days in jail, 30 days in jail at a later date, and 26 hours of community service for domestic violence, a first degree misdemeanor. Landwehr is to have no alcohol or drugs without a prescription, undergo random screens, mental health and substance abuse assessment and treatment, and was ordered to pay partial appointed counsel fees, monthly probation fees and court costs.

Committee could study possible VW pool

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

While discussion about marijuana consumption and recreational marijuana dispensaries took up a big chunk of Monday’s meeting of Van Wert City Council, other matters were addressed during the lengthy meeting.

One of those matters was a possible community pool, but the message seemed to be “pump the brakes” on the potential project. Council members have discussed a possible pool at previous meetings and two special meetings, but during Monday’s meeting, Fourth Ward Councilman Bill Marshall said it’s time to form a committee to examine and possibly pursue the matter further.

“This has to come from the folks that pay the taxes,” Marshall said. “What I’m going to ask as we continue reviewing this that we create an ad hoc committee to review the who’s, what’s, when’s and where’s of what’s going to happen with the pool and its progress. I believe at this juncture, it’s too short to even think about trying to do anything this year – this is a project that will be more ensuing and I definitely think it will go into 2025.”

There been early talk of possibly placing an income tax issue on the November ballot.

“We don’t want to rush into this,” Marshall stated.

Councilwoman At-Large Judy Bowers said she knows of a group of 30 citizens who have looked at the project and would like to go in a different direction than one presented by Mayor Ken Markward.

“They have information on a nice pool that wouldn’t cost as much as what the mayor’s projection was,” she said. “They’re still researching and doing things like that.”

Councilman At-Large Jeff Kallas said things have to slow down and questioned how an ad hoc committee would be formed, and Third Ward Councilwoman Julie Moore said council needs to be open to a lot of different voices from the community, including those from different income levels.

Appeals Court coming to Van Wert

VW independent staff

The Ohio Third District Court of Appeals will travel to the Van Wert County Courthouse on Tuesday, May 14, to hold oral arguments. Seating will begin at 9:30 a.m. and the session will begin at 10 a.m. The session, the first in Van Wert in approximately a decade, is open to the public.

The Third District Court of Appeals, based in Lima, handles appellate cases filed in 17 northwest and west central Ohio counties. Current judges are John R. Willamowski, William R. Zimmerman, Juergen A. Waldick and Mark C. Miller.

Council hears update on Vision Park

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

There’s a buyer for the spec building at Vision Industrial Park in Van Wert, but a name has yet to be released.

Van Wert Area Executive Director Brent Stevens gave an update during Monday’s meeting of Van Wert City Council and said the deal has been in the works since last fall. For now, it’s being referred to as “Project Caravales,” much like “Project Hulk” was for Tekniplex. Stevens noted more information, including a name, will likely be revealed sometime in June.

Stevens also noted interest was high in the spec building, with four of five interested suitors interested in that particular building.

“It’s a 100,000 square foot spec building,” Stevens said. “It’ll bring 50 to 60 high tech jobs with really cool new technology that’s going to be taking place. I’m excited about what’s happening in regards to technology and Vision Park.”

He also updated council on various other projects at Vision Park, including a truck wash that is slated to go up on 3.3 acres of land near John Brown Road, along the northwest side of Vision Park.

“Highway 30 Truck Wash is going to be going in there,” he explained “A young couple from Convoy is in the process of purchasing that land and Mr. Hatcher (Law Director John Hatcher) and myself are working on a sales contract as we speak, but their intention is a truck wash where you actually bring the trucks in and you can wash them off.”

“They own a trucking company and they have to drive all the way to Beaverdam or to Fort Wayne,” Stevens added.

Van Wert FD receives $15K grant

Submitted information

The Van Wert City Fire Department has achieved a significant milestone with the approval of the FireFighter Exposure to Environment Elements Grants (FEEEG). This grant, totaling $15,000, marks a crucial advancement in fortifying firefighter safety protocols. The city is poised to acquire essential equipment to heighten protection against hazardous elements encountered in the line of duty.

A primary acquisition made possible by this grant is the Personnel Protection Decontamination Unit. This specialized equipment is instrumental in effectively cleansing firefighter gear, encompassing Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) masks, harnesses, and other firefighting equipment, post-exposure to hazardous materials.

According to Chief Jon Jones, this acquisition underscores Van Wert City Fire Department’s steadfast commitment to prioritizing the safety and well-being of its firefighters. Through strategic investments in vital equipment via the FEEEG program, the department showcases proactive measures aimed at providing a secure work environment for its dedicated personnel.

It is noteworthy that this grant is provided by The Ohio Bureau of Worker Compensation, further highlighting collaborative efforts to enhance firefighter safety initiatives.