Submitted information
Step inside a worn-down diner on the edge of town where the coffee is always hot, the floors are scuffed, and the jukebox plays tunes as varied as the people who pass through.
This is the world of Riding the Wind of Dreams, the latest production by Lincolnview High School Theatre Department, coming to the Van Wert Civic Theatre at 7:30 p.m. this Saturday, October 25, 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 26 and November 1-2 at 7:30 p.m. and 2 p.m.
At the heart of the story is Chris, a restless teen dreaming of a life beyond the horizon, and his sister Alicia, whose quiet loyalty keeps the family grounded. Their father, Maurice, runs the diner with steady determination—but everything changes when Joe, a young drifter with a troubled past, stumbles into their lives. Over one unforgettable summer, humor, heart, and explosive dramatic moments collide, shaping friendships, family ties, and futures in ways no one could predict. The student cast includes Carson Cowdrick, Aaron Sawyer, Hadley Goins, Gabby Thomas, Noah Peters, Owen Dannenfelser, Marcus Kerns, Finn Howard, Destiny Breese, Ridge Huffman, Hayden Garay, and Aiden Cowdrick.
Ensemble members include Abby Price, Kyleigh Cummings, Elex Dunn, Sawyer Lindeman, Katie Kundert, Zae Dee Lippi, Maliya Hershaberger, Lillie Lane, Jessica Faller, Izzie Bowers, and Dimitri Linser.
Behind the scenes, the show is brought to life by Stage Managers Amelia Magner and Gracen Hubble, Stage Crew Emory Dickson, Bella and Lillian Mosier, and Lights and Sound by Cyrai Hammons, Abby Dannenfelser, and Aiden Cowdrick.
(more…)POSTED: 10/19/25 at 8:56 pm
VW independent staff
A reminder that reservations are due no later than this Wednesday, October 22, for this year’s Veterans Day program at Lincolnview Local Schools.
The annual program will be held at 12 p.m. Sunday, November 9, in the Lincolnview Elementary School gymnasium. The doors will open at 11:30 a.m. that day and the program will include a catered meal by Burtch’s Barn to Table and music by the Lancer Steel Drum Band during lunch.
Veterans may order up to four total tickets to bring their current Lancer student or students to the meal and program at no cost to them. In order to receive tickets, program coordinator Stephanie Renner is asking Veterans of current Lincolnview/Lincolnview Vantage Career students to contact her with the following information:
- Veteran name(s)
- Student name(s) and current grade (that will be attending with their Veteran[s])
- Veteran’s home mailing address
- Veteran’s phone number (in case Renner needs to contact the Veteran)
- Number of tickets, up to four maximum. Anyone with more than four current Lancer student family members wanting to attend should contact Renner, who will her best to accommodate the request.
The information should be sent via email to Renner at srenner@lvlancers.com or by phone, 567.259.6583.
POSTED: 10/19/25 at 8:55 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff
Several trick-or-treat opportunities will be available to area children this Saturday, October 25.
Main Street Van Wert’s annual trick-or-treat event will be held in downtown Van Wert from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The City of Van Wert’s trick-or-treat will be held from 4-6 p.m. Saturday. Residents giving out candy should leave their porch light on.
Middle Point’s trick-or-treat will be held from 3-5 p.m. Saturday and Willshire will hold trick-or-treat from 4-6 p.m., with costume judging to follow.
In addition to those offerings, Several trunk-or-treat events will be offered, including one from 12-2 p.m. in the parking lot of OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital. Community members are invited to bring their children wearing costumes and enjoy decorated trunks, sweet treats and festive fun with OhioHealth associates and volunteers. It’s free and open to the public, and parking will be available on site.
The Van Wert Peony Festival Committee will hold a Halloween event that is free and open to the public. It’s a halloween costume contest called “Creep It Real in the Park.”
It will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Fountain Park in downtown Van Wert, with judging starting at 12 p.m. Categories will include most original, scariest costume, best face paint/makeup, best inflatable costume, best overall costume, most creative costume, funniest costume, best homemade costume, best group costume and cutest costume. There will be prizes for winners in each category. All ages are welcome.
In addition, a variety of games will be available and food and drinks will be available at the concession stand.
POSTED: 10/19/25 at 8:52 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
COLUMBUS — The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services is reminding Ohioans during National Disability Employment Awareness Month that free employment services are available through every OhioMeansJobs Center and OhioMeansJobs.com. These resources are designed to help individuals with disabilities find and succeed in meaningful careers.
“For 80 years, National Disability Employment Awareness Month has recognized the talents and potential of individuals with disabilities,” ODJFS Director Matt Damschroder said. “We are proud to continue supporting that effort and helping all Ohioans as they pursue meaningful careers and employers as they grow their teams.”
ODJFS also oversees OhioMeansAccessibility, an accessible online resource tailored to the needs of job seekers with disabilities. The site offers many of the same services as local centers, plus additional tools to support financial independence, workplace accommodations, and overcoming barriers to employment. Job seekers who post resumes on the site can also choose to be referred directly to employers committed to hiring individuals with disabilities.
Both OhioMeansJobs.com and OhioMeansAccessibility give Ohioans access to more than 100,000 job openings statewide, along with helpful tools such as:
- Resume builders and raters
- Budget calculators
- Skill and interest assessments
- Online tutorials and free GED/college entrance practice tests
- Special sections for veterans, students, unemployment claimants, and workers with disabilities
“At OOD, we are dedicated to creating sustainable employment opportunities for Ohioans with disabilities throughout the year,” Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) Director Kevin L. Miller said. “The theme ‘Celebrating Value and Talent’ inspires us to promote workplaces where everyone is empowered to contribute their best work.”
OOD will offer a free webinar for employers, “Disability-Inclusive Workplaces: Attracting Diverse Talent” at 10 a.m. Wednesday, October 22. This session will offer actionable steps for businesses to attract and include applicants with disabilities who are seeking employment. More information, including the link to join, can be found on OOD’s webinar webpage. OOD is the state agency responsible for empowering Ohioans with disabilities through employment, disability determinations, and independence. www.OOD.Ohio.gov.
POSTED: 10/19/25 at 8:51 pm. FILED UNDER: News
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
Just two of the 15 issues on the November 4 ballot in Van Wert County are countywide issues, and both are senior citizen levies.
The Council on Aging has placed a pair of replacement levies on the fall ballot – a .25 mill levy and a .20 mill levy, with Delphos Senior Citizens receiving 16 percent of the .20 mill levy.
Appearing at this week’s Meet the Candidates event, sponsored by the Van Wert Chamber of Commerce, COA Executive Director Kevin Matthews noted the private, non-profit agency is in its 50th year and he said it was originally funded through the Older Americans Act. However, those funds ceased within a couple of years, meaning a new source of revenue was needed to continue offering services to older adults.
He said the agency’s current annual budget is approximately $525,000 but this year the current levy brought in $303,000, all while the COA deals witn inflation and increased needs. Overall, about 60 percent of COA’s budget comes from levy dollars, with the remaining amount generated via fundraisers and contributions. The Council on Aging does not receive any funding from the county or the city and no direct funding from the state or federal government.
Van Wert County’s population totals approximately 28,000 and just under 8,000 are senior citizens.
“A lot of those people come to us, they need transportation services, we operate the senior center, we have chore services in the home, outside chore services and Medicare assistance,” Matthews explained. “We don’t charge for services and a lot of people ask why we don’t charge – if we put in place a fee for services, it really just excludes the primary group of people that we assist, which are just seniors that are struggling to get by.”
(more…)POSTED: 10/18/25 at 12:31 am. FILED UNDER: News
2025 Crestview homecoming queen Ellie Ward is crowned by last year’s queen, Adalyn Figley during Friday night’s ceremony before the Crestview-Spencerville game. Brentyn Rodriguez was crowned king. Pictured below is the entire homecoming court. The Knights held off the stubborn Bearcats for a 33-27 homecoming win. A game story can be found on the Sports page. Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent
POSTED: 10/18/25 at 12:30 am. FILED UNDER: News
Submitted information
The U.S. 30 entrance and exit ramps in both directions between the cities of Van Wert and Delphos will have lanes narrow and/or short-term closures during the week of October 20 for pavement repairs. The ramps that will be impacted include:
- U.S. 30 at Lincoln Highway
- U.S. 30 at Middle Point Wetzel Road
- U.S. 30 at Ohio 66
POSTED: 10/18/25 at 12:29 am. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
The series, “In Case of Death” will end on Wednesday, October 22. The helpful study will begin at 6:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s Church, 6077 German Church Rd., Ohio City.
In Case of Death is aimed at preparing you and your family for the time when death occurs. It has dealt with handling estate ;investments, banking accounts, wills and trusts. Local experts in these fields answered questions and explained how to pass assets on as easily as possible. On the final night, a local funeral director will be on hand to give advice on prearrangements, offer information on what you need to do when a loved one dies and answer any questions you may have concerning death and burial.
The public is invited to this session, even if you have not attended any of the previous meetings. St. Paul’s Church has posted videos of the first three sessions on their Facebook page (St. Paul’s Church-Ohio City, click on Videoroost).
The Van Wert Rotary Club has announced the induction its two newest members, Sam Jordan (above left), Marketing Director at Homestead at Towne Center, and Crestview Local Schools Superintendent Matt Dube (below left). Jordan was officially welcomed into the club by Rotary Club Secretary Amanda Schulte (above right), and Dube was sponsored by Rotarian Niki Wrasman and inducted by District Governor Pamela Brumbaugh during her recent club visit. The Van Wert Rotary Club continues to welcome professionals and community leaders who are dedicated to making a positive impact locally and globally. Meeting are held weekly and membrs engage in a wide range of community service projects, including youth leadership development, educational scholarships, and partnerships with local nonprofits. Photos submitted
POSTED: 10/18/25 at 12:27 am. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
A new informative group called “All Together” for people interested in fighting addiction will be able to enjoy a light brunch and hear from two experts on the subject. The gathering will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Friday, November 7, at the Wassenberg Art Center, 214. S. Washington St. in Van Wert.
The goal is to have people from “helping agencies” and people from the community enter together in the battle against addiction and become more aware of places to get help.
There will be a a Youtube video featuring Dr. Nicole Labor of Walsh University speaking about the disease of addiction, and the featured speaker will be Dawn Knighton Adkins, author of Radical Restoration. She will talk about her battle with addiction and ministry for addicts seeking help.
Questions may be sent to Pamela Bockey-Smith at dksmith@metalink.net.
POSTED: 10/18/25 at 12:26 am. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
Van Wert High School will honor the 25th anniversary of the 2000 Cougar Football Division III OHSAA state runner-up team during the regular season finale at home vs. Kenton next Friday, October 24. The celebration will recognize the outstanding accomplishments of the players, coaches and support staff who made that historic season possible.
Former players, cheerleaders, trainers, managers, and coaches from the 2000 team are invited to join the festivities. Following the game against the Wildcats, a social gathering will be held at the Moose Lodge to reconnect and celebrate the team’s legacy.
During that special season, Van Wert went 6-4 during the regular season, grabbed the eighth and final playoff spot in Division III Region 10, and defeated Big Walnut, Bellevue, Columbus Bishop Watterson and Portsmouth to earn a place in the title game. In the championship game, the Cougars fell to Canton Central Catholic in two overtimes, 27-26, but nonetheless completed a season to be remembered.
Those who were part of the 2000 season are asked to complete a short online form to help organizers plan for the event. The form is available here. Community members are encouraged to share this information to help reach as many former team members as possible. For questions or additional information, contact Coach Jeff Hood at jeff.hood033@gmail.com or call 419.605.2801.
The community is encouraged to come together to honor one of the most memorable seasons in Cougar football history.
