VW independent staff/submitted information
PAULDING — John Paulding Historical Museum will host a general meeting and special program at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 28. The guest speaker will be Jeanne Calvert, who will discuss her newest book, Paulding County Murders.
Calvert, of Oakwood, will hold a book signing after her talk. Copies of the book will be available for purchase. The program is free and open to the public. The museum is located at 600 Fairground Drive in Paulding, across from the county fairgrounds.
Calvert is amazed at how well the book has been selling since she published it late last fall. She believes there’s an interest in true crime stories, especially homicides.
“It’s the ultimate crime – there’s no going back,” Calvert said. “The Bible starts off with a murder. It’s fascinating and repelling. Nobody wins, even if it was a case of self defense.”
Paulding County Murders covers 64 cases dating back to 1881.
“Over the decades, there have been many murders and other unlawful deaths in Paulding County, Ohio,” a book synopsis said. “This volume summarizes these killings and their outcomes. Many are solved, but they all left their impact on the county and its residents.”
During her presentation May 28, she will discuss writing the book, some things she discovered while researching the cases and odd facts and details. Calvert said the book will be part of a series of four. She is working on similar volumes for Defiance, Van Wert and Putnam counties and will share some information about those homicides.
Calvert has written several other books, including Oakwood Memories, Oakwood Homecoming: The First One Hundred Years, and A Paulding Journal: 1870-1950. She taught biology and physics at Wayne Trace High School and retired from the University of St. Francis in Fort Wayne.
Her book can be purchased at the libraries in Paulding and Oakwood or online at Amazon.
(more…)POSTED: 05/13/24 at 3:44 am
Submitted information
The Van Wert County Emergency Management Agency and Teijin Automotive, Van Wert, in collaboration with Van Wert Fire and EMS, OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital, the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office and the Van Wert Police Department will conduct a joint emergency exercise at 9 a.m. Wednesday, May 15. The exercise is aimed at enhancing preparedness and coordination in response to potential emergencies.
Van Wert County EMA Director Rick McCoy said during the exercise, community members may notice increased emergency responder activity around the Teijin Automotive facility on Industrial Drive. Please be assured that this is only a simulation and there is no cause for alarm.
POSTED: 05/13/24 at 3:43 am. FILED UNDER: News
Crestview High School senior Cadence Cook was recently honored as the Franklin B. Walter All-Scholastic Scholarship winner for Van Wert County. The award is presented by the Ohio Educational Service Center to one student in each county based on academic achievement, personal accomplishments and community service. Cook submitted an application and transcript to the local Western Buckeye ESC and was nominated by Crestview in order to be considered for the award. The Franklin B. Walter All-Scholastic Award was established in 1989 and is named after Dr. Walter who served as State Superintendent from 1977-1991. Photo submitted
POSTED: 05/13/24 at 3:43 am. FILED UNDER: News
If you travel north on U.S. 127 into Defiance County, there’s good news – the reconstructed bridge over the Maumee River in the Sherwood area will officially be open to traffic this Friday. A public ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. Friday toward the south end of the bridge, near the Paulding County line. The U.S. 127 bridge will open to traffic later in the day. The bridge was closed May 8, 2023 and was completely reconstructed. ODOT photo
POSTED: 05/13/24 at 3:42 am. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff
The month of May brings with it high school graduation ceremonies. Here are dates and times for area commencement ceremonies.
Saturday, May 18
Delphos Jefferson High School, 9 a.m.
Sunday, May 19
Parkway High School, 1:30 p.m.
Lincolnview High School, 2 p.m.
Wayne Trace High School, 2:30 p.m.
Delphos St. John’s High School, 3 p.m.
Saturday, May 25
Crestview High School, 6 p.m.
Sunday, May 26
Van Wert High School, 2 p.m.
Spencerville High School, 2 p.m.
POSTED: 05/13/24 at 3:42 am. FILED UNDER: News
It was a rare treat, especially in this area. The northern lights were visible around the area and well beyond Friday night due to G5 or extreme geomagnetic solar storm. This picture was taken shortly after 10 p.m. looking north among Gilliland Road in Van Wert. Scott Truxell/VW independent
POSTED: 05/10/24 at 10:41 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Due to a severe solar storm, the northern lights were quite visible in open spaces around the area Friday night. These are two more pictures taken along Gilliland Road in Van Wert. Scott Truxell/VW independent
POSTED: 05/10/24 at 10:40 pm. FILED UNDER: News
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
The third and final vote on proposed legislation dealing with cannabis consumption is scheduled to be heard during Monday night’s meeting of Van Wert City Council.
During its second reading on April 23, council members agreed to revise the ordinance to be more specific about city owned properties where marijuana consumption will be prohibited.
The proposed legislation was renamed “an ordinance banning the consumption of cannabis on all designated city properties.” A list of designated properties was added to the legislation, including Smiley Park, Jubilee Park, Franklin Park, Fountain Park, Rotary Park and the reservoir, along with city-owned parking lots on Central Ave. and Market Street. The list also notes city-owned buildings, including the Municipal Building and Van Wert Municipal Court. The list does not include public sidewalks.
However, Law Director John Hatcher pointed out the state legislature could still set a law that would limit all marijuana consumption to homes or private property, which would override any local law. For example, in Michigan, the legislature has ruled it is illegal to use cannabis in a public space, and it’s illegal to carry cannabis in areas frequented by children.
“Unfortunately, most of the state’s marijuana legislation is still pending,” Hatcher said at the meeting. “They’ve not come out with all of their guidelines on everything.”
Exactly when the Ohio Legislature will approve the state’s marijuana laws, and licensing and revenue guidelines remains to be seen. Hatcher said it could come by the end of June or could stretch into the fall.
Monday night’s meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers on the second floor of the Municipal Building, 515 E. Main St.
POSTED: 05/10/24 at 10:39 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Submitted information
CONVOY — Convoy village wide garage sales are scheduled for Friday and Saturday, May 17-18, throughout the community and surrounding area.
Any household or business wishing to recycle, reclaim or reuse items, may participate in this community event. A listing of sales will be provided at Secret Garden, Tastee Freeze, Convoy Quik Mart, Convoy Municipal Building and on Facebook.
In addition, the Convoy Methodist Ladies on a Mission will hold a homemade pie sale and Church Café at the Convoy United Methodist Church at the corner of N. Main St. and Sycamore St. during the Convoy Community Garage Sales. The sale will be held in the church fellowship hall from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, May 17, and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 18.
Flavors of whole pies will include pecan, fruit, rhubarb, grape and many more. The Church Café will be dine-in or take-out and will be serving cinnamon rolls and coffee, shredded chicken, sloppy joes, hot dogs, coney dog sandwiches, taco salad and strawberry shortcake as well as pop and water.
Proceeds will support the Ladies on a Mission local mission projects.
POSTED: 05/10/24 at 10:39 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Third graders at Crestview Elementary spent some of Friday learning about the world of firefighting. Students and teachers took a field trip to the Van Wert Fire Department and learned about fire trucks and more and went through some hose drills. Scott Truxell/Van Wert independent
POSTED: 05/10/24 at 10:38 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff
Two more tornadoes, both in southern Mercer County, have been confirmed by the National Weather Service, bringing the total number of twisters on Tuesday to 13, including two in Paulding County.
An EF-2 tornado touched down four miles north-northwest of Fort Recovery at 7:50 p.m. Tuesday and lifted one mile northwest of Coldwater at 8:08 p.m., a path of 8.3 miles. Estimated wind speeds reached 120 miles per hour and the maximum width was 400 yards. The tornado brought down a number of trees, damaged the roofs of several homes and heavily damaged or demolished several large outbuildings at farm properties.
A second strong EF-2 tornado with winds up to 130 miles per hour touched down at 8:20 p.m., two miles east-southeast of Montezuma, crossed into Auglaize County and dissipated near Ohio 66, three miles north-northwest of New Bremen, at 8:33 p.m. It was on the ground for 6.4 miles and had a maximum width of 300 yards. It caused significant damage to trees, outbuildings and several homes.
There were no injuries or fatalities reported after the two tornadoes.
POSTED: 05/10/24 at 10:38 pm. FILED UNDER: News
