Early in-person voting, absentee voting by mail begins

Elks hosting supper for local veterans

Submitted information

Van Wert Lodge No. 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will be hosting a free spaghetti supper for all veterans of the Van Wert County area.

It will be held from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, October 23, at the Elks Lodge, 1197 Elks Drive, Van Wert. The supper is free to all veterans. Spouses, children and parents of veterans are welcome to attend. Cost for adults (non-veterans) is $7 and $3 for chilren ages 4-10.

Public invited to library’s book discussion

Submitted information

The Brumback Library invites the community to join its book discussion at 6 p.m. Monday, November 3, at the main library. This month’s selection is The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness by social psychologist Jonathan Haidt.

In The Anxious Generation, Haidt explores how the rapid rise of smartphones, social media, and screen-based childhoods have fundamentally reshaped the way young people grow, connect, and think. Drawing on years of research, he argues that the shift from play-based, in-person childhoods to online, hyper-connected ones has contributed to the alarming increase in anxiety, depression, and loneliness among today’s youth. Haidt also offers insights into how families, schools, and communities can help restore balance and resilience in the next generation.

Copies of The Anxious Generation are available to borrow from the Brumback Library. Community members are encouraged to read the book prior to the discussion and come prepared to share thoughts, questions, and perspectives in a welcoming group setting.

Homecoming parade…

Van Wert High School’s annual homecoming parade will begin at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday and will proceed from Jefferson Street to Fountain Park, with the traditional Powder Puff game to follow at Eggerss Stadium. Admission to the Power Puff game is $1. VW independent file photo

VWFT hosting scholarship dinner

Submitted information

The Van Wert Federation of Teachers will host their annual fundraiser before the homecoming football game vs. Ottawa-Glandorf this Friday night. The scholarship dinner will be held from 4:30-6:30 p.m. in the Goedde Building gymnasium.

If you did not purchase a ticket, walk-ins are welcome. Meals cost $8 for adults and $5 for children and include a grilled burger, hot dog, or bratwurst, sides, desert, and drink. All proceeds benefit the Anita Zuber Future Teacher Scholarship, which is a fund that awards scholarships to Van Wert High School seniors entering the field of education.

VWCS announces full scale drill

Submitted information

Van Wert Elementary, Middle, and High Schools will conduct a full scale reverse evacuation drill this Thursday, October 9. The drill will simulate a severe weather emergency with a primary focus on achieving 100 percent student accountability during the response process.

In addition, the Van Wert Early Childhood Center and the Van Wert School at the Goedde will hold individualized safety drills tailored to their specific needs on the following dates:

• Early Childhood Center – Tuesday, October 14
• Van Wert School at the Goedde – Thursday, October 16

These preparedness exercises are part of the district’s ongoing commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all students and staff.

Downtown clock now in storage

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

The iconic Van Wert National Bank clock that stood at the intersection of Main St. and Washington St. in downtown Van Wert for many decades is now in storage.

In 2023, Main Street Van Wert initiated a project to rehabilitate the clock and approached the Van Wert County Foundation for grant funding. As part of the grant agreement, ownership of the clock was to be transferred from the City of Van Wert to The Van Wert County Foundation to ensure its long-term preservation.

A fundraising drive was then spearheaded by Main Street Van Wert to cover the cost of repairs and restoration. The community responded and approximately $60,000 was raised via private donations. No taxpayer funds were used for the restoration project.

Main Street Van Wert selected and contracted a vendor, Smith’s Bell and Clock Service of Camby, Indiana, to complete the restoration and installation. However, upon being re-installed in July of 2024, it quickly became apparent that the project had not been completed satisfactorily, as the clock became stuck at 5:06 shortly thereafter. When operating properly, the clock, which previously ran on a mechanism that was largely underground, was supposed to run via the internet and keep time with atomic time. Other planned enhancements included LED lighting with color changing capabilities for various holidays and other events.

In addition to not functioning properly, concerns were raised about the structural integrity of the clock. Shortly thereafter, Smith’s Bell and Clock Service closed for good.

To protect the historic piece, The Foundation intervened, withheld funds from Smith’s and had the clock transported to Verdin in Cincinnati – an established and reputable clock restoration company – for evaluation. What came next was sticker shock.

Sunday crash claims Spencerville woman

VW independent staff/submitted information

The Lima Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal UTV  crash which occurred on Defiance Trail near Bloomlock Road in Allen County’s Marion Township.

It occurred shortly before 11 a.m. Sunday, when a 2021 Polaris Ranger, operated by Rachel A. Berelsman, 28, of Spencerville, was traveling northwest on Defiance Trail and traveled left of the center line, then went off the left side of the roadway and struck a utility pole. She was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.

Berelsman was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported by H&H Funeral Services to the Lucas County Coroner’s Office.  The Lima Post was assisted on scene by the Allen County Sheriff’s Office, Delphos Fire and EMS, Able Towing, H&H Funeral Services, and the Allen County Coroner’s Office.

Lithium-ion battery the focus this week

VW independent staff/submitted information

The Van Wert and Convoy Fire Departments are teaming up with State Farm and the National Fire Protection Association to promote Fire Prevention Week October 5-11, and this year’s theme, “Charge Into Safety: Lithium-ion Batteries in Your Home.” This year’s focus on lithium-ion batteries works to better educate the public about how to buy, charge, and dispose of/recycle them safely.

Most of the electronics in our homes – smartphones, tablets, power and lawn tools, laptops, e-cigarettes, headphones, and toys, to name just a few – are powered by lithium-ion batteries. If not used correctly or damaged, they can overheat and start a fire or explode. “Charge into Fire Safety™: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home” provides the information, guidance, and resources needed to use lithium-ion batteries with caution and care.

“Lithium-ion batteries are powerful, convenient, and they’re just about everywhere,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of Outreach and Advocacy at NFPA. “Making sure the public knows how to handle them safely is critical to minimizing the potential risks they present.”

In coordination with NFPA, Van Wert and Convoy Fire Departments and local State Farm agent Tisha Fast are encouraging all residents to actively support this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign by following these tips and guidelines:

Buy only listed products

• When buying a product that uses a lithium-ion battery, take time to research it. Look for a stamp from a nationally recognized testing lab on the packaging and product, which means that it meets established safety standards.

• Many products sold online and in stores may not meet safety standards and could increase the risk of fire.

Charge devices safely

• Always use the cables that come with the product to charge it. Also, charge the device in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
• If you need a new charger, buy one from the manufacturer or one that the manufacturer has approved.
• Charge your device on a hard surface. Don’t charge it under a pillow, on a bed, or on a couch. This could cause a fire.
• Don’t overcharge your device. Unplug it or remove the battery when it’s fully charged.

AEP customers affected by outages

VW independent staff

A pair of power outage affected AEP customers in the Van Wert area on Saturday.

The first outage occurred at 9:37 a.m. affecting 749 customers. Power was restored at 11:11 a.m. and the cause of the outage remains under investigation.

The second outage was on a much smaller scale – it affected just one customer and happened after a squirrel made contact with AEP equipment. It occurred at 10:36 a.m.  and power was restored at 1:53 p.m. 

SWCD offering water testing kits

Submitted information

The Van Wert Soil & Water Conservation District has partnered with Heidelberg University’s National Center for Water Quality Research to offer residents the opportunity to have their well water tested.

If your drinking water comes from a private well, you are responsible for your water’s safety. If you have never had your water supply tested, it is always a good idea to educate yourself on what is present in your drinking water and provide yourself with some baseline information in the event there are changes in the future that may impact the quality of your water supply.

Should you test your well water? Your well has an increased likelihood of contamination if:

• Your well is more than 20 years old
• Your well was dug or driven rather than drilled
• Your well is shallow
• Your soil is sandy
• A chemical spill is known to have happened nearby
• Your well is near possible sources of contamination, such as: cropland, feedlots, landfills, industrial sites (active or abandoned).

Even if your well fits none of these categories, you cannot know the quality of your water without testing. Contaminants may have entered the ground without your knowledge or before you lived at the site.

Due to supply and testing equipment issues, the only test kit Heidelberg is offering at this time is the basic nitrate test, which includes testing for nitrates, nitrites, ammonia, chloride, sulfates, fluoride, soluble phosphorus, silica, and conductivity. The cost of the kit is $30, which includes shipping, made payable to Van Wert SWCD.

The test kits will be for sale Monday, October 20 through Friday, October 24. The samples must be returned to the Van Wert SWCD between 7:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday, October 27. Please take the sample right before dropping the kit back off so that it is as fresh as possible. Participants can expect their confidential results back in two to four weeks from Heidelberg University.