SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
A Crestview High School graduate is flying high these days and hopes to help others do the same while at the same time working toward his ultimate goal. Garrett Yinger, who graduated with the Crestview High School Class of 2024, is now a flight instructor and is offering lessons to locals at the Van Wert County Regional Aiport.
After graduating from high school, Yinger headed to Florida and King Sky Flight Academy for training to get his initial pilot’s license, which he obtained in Van Wert. While at the flight school, Yinger was involved with a structured flight program to get certified and has logged approximately 300 flight hours.
While offering flying lessons, Yinger is also building up hours to go to a regional airline or a corporate pilot position and he’s taking online college courses to help build his resume to be more competitive with airlines or a possible corporate position. To obtain a position with an airline, he’ll need to log at least 1,500 flight hours, along with commercial, multi-engine and ATP (Airline Transport Pilot) licenses.
“It takes a while but that’s the ultimate goal,” Yinger said.
Currently, Yinger is currently able to offer flight instruction on any propeller driven aircraft or any aircraft under 12,500 pounds that doesn’t have a type rating.
“Any kind of basic flying like learning how to fly and I can teach more complex single engine aircraft as well,” he explained. “The FAA requires a minimum of 40 hours total time. It breaks down into different hours like cross country time, instruction time and solo time…I can get you to those 40 hours and once you take the test and pass you get your private pilot’s license.”
Yinger said his interest in flying began during his junior year in high school and began taking discovery flights at the local airport.
(more…)POSTED: 03/30/26 at 8:43 pm
VW independent staff/submitted information
DELPHOS — Governor Mike DeWine announced on Monday that students in Delphos will soon have a brand-new middle school to call their own, after more than 12 decades in their existing building.
Jefferson Middle School was originally constructed in 1904. Governor DeWine visited the middle school for a celebratory event with students, educators, and community leaders, where he announced that Delphos City Schools has been awarded $20 million through a one-time grant opportunity administered by the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission to replace the current middle school with a modern facility.
“For 122 years now, this building has served the community well and has been a fixture of life growing up in Delphos,” Governor DeWine said. “But as important as it is to appreciate our history, it’s also important to look toward the future. For today’s students to reach their full potential, they need a school building that reflects the world they are growing up in. They need modern learning spaces that encourage creativity and innovation.
“This project would not have been possible without the support of the General Assembly, including Senate President Rob McColley, House Speaker Matt Huffman, State Representative Roy Klopfenstein, and State Senator Susan Manchester,” he added. “Their support for this project – as well as the additional support from the local school board – will help ensure students in Delphos have the same opportunities as students across the state.”
The award marks the beginning of a collaborative planning process with OFCC to design a future-ready middle school that may be standalone or attached to the existing high school. The district plans to contribute approximately $2.25 million in additional local funding, with the potential for more as the project progresses.
(more…)POSTED: 03/30/26 at 8:40 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Submitted information
OHIO CITY — The Ohio City Volunteer Fire Department is inviting the community to its annual Pancake & Sausage Day.
The event will be held from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. this Saturday, April 4, at the Ohio City Community Building. Attendees can enjoy a delicious menu featuring pancakes, sausage patties, sausage gravy and biscuits, and scrambled eggs – all served with a side of community spirit.
Admission is by free-will donation, and all proceeds will go directly toward helping the department purchase essential supplies and equipment. The funds support the volunteer firefighters who serve the Ohio City area with dedication and courage.
In addition, the fire department will be holding its annual Easter Egg hunt following the breakfast starting at 12 p.m. at the same location.
POSTED: 03/30/26 at 8:40 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
Average gasoline prices in Ohio have risen 11.4 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.82 per gallon on Monday, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 5,345 stations in Ohio. Prices in Ohio are nearly $1.05 per gallon higher than a month ago and stand 82.6 cents per gallon higher than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has increased 14.3 cents compared to a week ago and stands at $5.369 per gallon, the highest level since July 27, 2022.
According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Ohio was priced at $2.99 per gallon on Sunday while the most expensive was $5.59 per gallon, a difference of $2.60 per gallon.
As of early Monday afternoon, pump prices for self-serve regular in Van Wert ranged from $3.62 per gallon at Murphy USA at Walmart to $3.99 per gallon at Tyler’s Short Stop on E. Main St.
The national average price of gasoline has risen 2.4 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.95 per gallon on Monday. The national average is up 97.9 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 83.8 cents per gallon higher than a year ago, according to GasBuddy data compiled from more than 11 million weekly price reports covering over 150,000 gas stations across the country.
“Gasoline and diesel prices continue to climb to multi-year highs as the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz curtails the flow of millions of barrels of crude oil each day,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “The situation remains highly volatile and unpredictable, but upward pressure on fuel prices is likely to persist as long as global oil supplies are constrained by the continued disruption in the Strait. We’re likely to see the national average for gasoline push beyond the $4-per-gallon mark, while diesel could approach $6 per gallon and potentially set new records if conditions fail to improve.”
Historical gasoline prices in Ohio and the national average going back five years:
(more…)POSTED: 03/30/26 at 8:39 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
CONVOY — Starting April 11, the Village of Convoy Historical Society Museum will be open on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. through October 31. Admission is free, but memberships and donations are welcome.
What you’ll see: the Library Room, the Crestview/Military Room, and main room displays donated by area residents. The museum is open and a work in progress, with added items every week.
Display donations are welcome. If you have items from the Convoy area or local businesses that you would like to donate, the Convoy Historical Society Museum would love to have them.
For those with questions, a historical society board member or volunteer will be available on Saturdays to guide visitors, answer questions, and accept donations. All other questions or to visit by appointment contact Dave Thomas at 260.639.2083 or Rose Wherry at 419.513.1092.
POSTED: 03/30/26 at 8:38 pm. FILED UNDER: News
“No Kings” protesters gathered at Fountain Park, then made their way to the Washington St. bridge to protest on Saturday afternoon. Approximately 150 people gathered for the protest and similar protests against took place in other cities around Ohio and throughout the country. Protesters said they oppose the policies of President Donald Trump. Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent
POSTED: 03/29/26 at 8:47 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff
DELPHOS — Governor Mike DeWine’s staff has announced he’ll pay a visit to Delphos on Monday and will join Jefferson Middle School students, educators, and community leaders for a celebatory event and to discuss plans for a new school building in Delphos.
During the 1:30 p.m. visit, Gov. DeWine will also highlight the state’s investments to ensure Ohio students have access to modern school environments that support learning.
POSTED: 03/29/26 at 8:46 pm. FILED UNDER: News
While no tornadoes touched down in Van Wert County or surrounding counties during last Thursday night’s storms, Hardin County wasn’t as fortunate. An EF-1 tornado with winds up to 90 miles per hour touched down at the Hardin County Fairgrounds in Kenton. It was on the ground for just a minute but did substantial damage to multiple buildings, along with poles and trees. Fortunately, no one was injured. Photo provided
POSTED: 03/29/26 at 8:45 pm. FILED UNDER: News
By Megan Henry/Ohio Capital Journal
COLUMBUS — The Ohio House has passed a bill that would ban drag shows in public.
The House voted 63-30 to pass Ohio House Bill 249 during last Wednesday’s session. Ohio State Rep. Jamie Callender, R-Concord, joined Ohio Democratic House members in voting no.
Such bans in other states have been repeatedly shot down by courts as unconstitutional government censorship of freedom of speech and expression.
The bill now goes to the Ohio Senate for consideration.
Republican state Reps. Angie King and Josh Williams introduced the bill.
“It closes a loophole that allows adult oriented sexual performances to fill into the public spaces where children are present,” King claimed. “The only purpose is to protect children and protect the innocence of Ohio’s children in both public and private spaces.”
The bill would prohibit an adult cabaret performance from taking place outside an adult cabaret.
It also broadens the definition of adult cabaret performances to include “performers or entertainers who exhibit a gender identity that is different from the performer’s or entertainer’s gender assigned at birth using clothing, makeup, prosthetic or imitation genitals or breasts, or other physical markers.”
The bill lumps drag performers in with topless dancers, go-go dancers, strippers, and exotic dancers.
It has a specific carve-out to say that it wouldn’t “prohibit or restrict a bona fide film, theatrical, or other artistic endeavor or performance that is not obscene or harmful to juveniles.”
The bill also exempts breastfeeding from indecent exposure statutes.
(more…)POSTED: 03/29/26 at 8:45 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff
RICHLAND TOWNSHIP — A weekend crash involving a semi-truck and car at the border of Allen and Hancock counties proved to be fatal.
It occurred at approximately 10:15 a.m. Saturday on U.S. 30 at the county line. According to a report from the Lima Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Lawrence Morris Sr., 62, of Toledo, was southbound on County Road 15 in a 2015 Lincoln MKS, when he failed to yield at a posted stop sign and was struck by a semi-truck driven by Andrew Skiles, 54, of Rochester, Indiana.
Morris suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger in his car, Lawrence Morris III, 15, of Toledo suffered life-threatening injuries and was transported from the scene by Beaverdam-Richland EMS to Lima Memorial Hospital. Skiles suffered possible injuries and was also taken by ambulance to Lima Memorial.
Troopers noted all occupants were wearing their safety belts at the time of the crash.
The semi sustained heavy damage and was towed from the scene by Minich Towing. The Lincoln sustained severe damage and was towed from the scene by T and H Towing and Recovery.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted at the scene by The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, Bluffton Police Department, Beaverdam-Richland Fire, Beaverdam-Richland EMS, Ada-Liberty EMS, Minich Towing, T and H Towing and Recovery, Miller Auto, The Allen County Coroner’s Office, Allen County EMA, and Allen County Mortuary Services.
The crash remains under investigation.
POSTED: 03/29/26 at 8:42 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Submitted information
MIDDLE POINT — Tickets are being sold for the Middle Point Lions Club’s annual barbecue chicken dinner, which will be held on Sunday, April 26. The dinner is carryout only and tickets should be purchased in advance to guarantee a dinner. Tickets are $12 per dinner and dinners can be picked up from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Lincolnview Elementary School entrance.
The dinner includes a barbecued chicken half prepared by Fat Kid BBQ, potato salad, green beans, applesauce, dinner roll and cookies. Tickets can be purchased from any Middle Point Lion, or by calling 419.605.2706.
Proceeds will help the club provide scholarships for Lincolnview seniors.
POSTED: 03/29/26 at 8:41 pm. FILED UNDER: News
