SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
Vantage Career Center Superintendent Rick Turner shared good news at Thursday night’s monthly meeting – the new Vantage Academy of Medical Careers has occupancy.
He noted the Adult Education Business Offices have started moving into the building, and the medical programs will move in November 17-18. High school medical programs are scheduled to begin moving December 21-22.
Board members are expected to take part in a walkthrough before the board’s December 3 meeting. A ribbon cutting ceremony is planned for January 25, the same day as the Taste of Vantage and Open House.
The Vantage Academy of Medical Careers is in the former Thomas Edison building across the street from the main campus.
The focus now turns to renovation work at the main building on the Vantage campus and Turner said those renovations will begin sometime between October 15-20.
“Phase 1 will repurpose the current Adult Education offices to become the district office,” Turner explained. “Scheduled completion of this phase is the end of December. We hope to have the January or February board meeting in our newly renovated space. We will also plan a monthly Board of Education meeting to be held in our new Academy of Medical Careers once all of our programs are moved in.”
A transfer of $1.3 million from the general fund to the capital projects fund for the renovations was approved.
(more…)POSTED: 10/01/26 at 9:17 pm
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COLUMBUS — The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio has issued its Special Reconnect Order for the upcoming winter heating season. The Special Reconnect Order helps Ohioans served by PUCO-regulated utilities reconnect or maintain electric and natural gas service during the winter heating season between Monday, October 12, through April 16, 2027.
Any residential customer of a PUCO-regulated electric or natural gas utility may take advantage of the provisions contained in the order once per winter heating season. Last winter heating season, more than 227,637 Ohioans used the Special Reconnect Order.
“For more than three decades, the PUCO has issued its Special Reconnect Order, providing assistance to hundreds of thousands of households in Ohio each year. This order is one of the ways the PUCO is able to help families remain connected to their primary heating source during the winter months,” stated PUCO Chair Jenifer French.
Under the Special Reconnect Order, customers must pay the utility no more than $175 plus any applicable reconnection charge, which cannot exceed $36. If the utility’s reconnect charge is greater than $36, the balance above $36 may be charged to the customer on the customer’s next monthly bill.
The Special Reconnect Order also applies to customers seeking to establish new electric or natural gas service provided they are served by PUCO-regulated utilities. Rather than paying the full security deposit that may be required for new service, customers can pay up to $175 and the balance above $175 may be charged to the customer on the customer’s next monthly bill.
There is no income eligibility requirement to use the Special Reconnect Order; however, customers who are at or below 175 percent of the federal income guidelines may apply for assistance through the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) winter crisis program to pay the $175 amount.
Ohioans looking to use the Special Reconnect Order should contact their electric or natural gas utility between October 12 and April 16, 2027 to find out how to apply the assistance to their bill. Utility representatives will explain the order and set up a payment plan to address any remaining balance on your account after the $175 has been applied. A list of PUCO-regulated utilities is available on the PUCO website.
More information about energy assistance programs and ways to save on home heating bills this winter is available on the PUCO’s website here.
POSTED: 10/01/26 at 9:16 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff
COLUMBUS — Ohio’s three month pause on taxes on gasoline and diesel fuel will start this Sunday.
Governor Mike DeWine signed House Bill 519 Thursday morning. The legislation, which was approved by state lawmakers earlier this week, stops the collection of Ohio’s tax of 38.5 cents per gallon of gasoline and 47 cents per gallon of diesel fuel through January 2, 2027.
According to estimates from the nonpartisan Legislative Service Commission, the pause should save the average driver up to $55 over the next three months.
POSTED: 10/01/26 at 12:49 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Members of the Van Wert High School football team took part in Wednesday night’s homecoming parade in downtown Van Wert. Among others, the parade also featured the Cougar Pride Marching Band, cheerleaders and a number of retired Van Wert City Schools teachers who served as grand marshals. The annual Powder Puff flag football game took place Eggerss Stadium after the parade. Van Wert will host St. Marys Memorial Friday night. Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent
POSTED: 09/30/26 at 10:01 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
COLUMBUS — Ohio’s minimum wage will go up on New Year’s Day.
The Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Industrial Compliance’s Bureau of Wage and Hour Administration has announced that Ohio’s minimum wage will officially increase to $11.40 per hour for non-tipped employees and $5.70 per hour for tipped employees, The increase represents a 3.5 percent increase from the current rates of $11 for non-tipped employees and $5.50 for tipped employees.
The change reflects the mandate of a constitutional amendment passed by Ohio voters in November 2006, which states Ohio’s minimum wage shall increase on January 1 each year by the rate of inflation.
In addition to the wage rate adjustment, the threshold for business applicability will also change. Effective January 1, 2027, the Ohio minimum wage will apply to businesses with annual gross receipts of more than $420,000, which is an increase from the current $405,000 threshold.
For employees at businesses with annual gross receipts of $420,000 or less per year after January 1, 2027, and for 14- and 15-year-old workers, the state minimum wage remains tied to the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. Any changes to this rate would require an act of the U.S. Congress and the President’s signature.
To ensure compliance, employers are required to display the official 2027 Minimum Wage poster, which is available on the Division of Industrial Compliance website.
VW independent staff
Was he hit or wasn’t he?
Last Friday, dispatch notified Van Wert County Sheriff’s deputies of a person who had been hit by a car at the North Union Church on U.S. 127 in Union Township.
Deputies arrived at the scene shortly after 9 p.m. and spoke with the alleged victim and possible witnesses. Three of the witnesses said they were setting up a baby shower at the church. One of them had been had been in and out of the church and noticed a shadowy figure near the entrance, but thought it was just a mailbox and didn’t investigate it.
The witnesses left the church and got into a vehicle when they noticed a man laying in the ditch near the entrance. One of them them spoke to him and he claimed he had been struck by a vehicle and requested a ride to Defiance.
The witnesses said they didn’t hear a crash or any screaming and they noted the man didn’t want law enforcement involved, just a ride.
The man told deputies he had been walking home to Defiance from Van Wert and explained that he’s a felon and was looking for a job in Van Wert, since he can only get certain jobs. He also said had a ride set up, but they canceled. The man said he left Van Wert around 6 p.m. and was walking home to Defiance when a dark colored vehicle with no lights on struck him. He thought it may have had a SRT badge, but had no other vehicle description.
He claimed he was northbound on U.S. 127 near Convoy Rd. when he got struck. He believed the vehicle was speeding and he claimed to have gone airborne, but didn’t have any visible injuries. In a report, a deputy checked his clothing and noted there were no visible tears or marking.
He said he then got up and limped to North Union Church (about 1.5 miles) before stopping and eventually being found.
(more…)POSTED: 09/30/26 at 10:00 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Here are more images of Wednesday night’s Van Wert homecoming parade. The annual parade took place downtown, two days ahead of the homecoming football game against St. Marys Memorial. Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent
POSTED: 09/30/26 at 9:59 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff
DELPHOS — A new mayor has been selected in Delphos.
According to a press release issued by the city, Doug Mullenhour will take over for Andre McConnahea, who stepped down September 4 to focus on his family’s small business.
Mullenhour, who was sworn in by acting Mayor Mark Clement Wednesday morning, was the city’s mayor from 2020-2024. He planned to seek re-election but his nominating petitions were ruled invalid by the Board of Elections Office.
Mullenhour’s term will expire at the end of 2027.
POSTED: 09/30/26 at 9:57 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Submitted information
REYNOLDSBURG — The Ohio Department of Agriculture has completed a grain audit of United Equity Inc., with locations in Delphos, Spencerville, and Neptune, and found the facility to be in failure as defined in Ohio’s grain law. This finding makes the Ohio Grain Indemnity Fund available to support farmers who may have eligible claims from grain they have previously delivered to these locations.
ODA grain program staff will be available between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. this Friday, October 2, at the United Equity Inc. facility, 104 S. Main St., Delphos, to review documentation, assist in claim filing, and answer questions from farmers who may be impacted.
The facility’s grain handlers license was suspended September 10, 2026, after an initial department inspection of records indicated a financial shortfall. If you have outstanding grain obligations with United Equity Inc. and have questions, call ODA at 614.728.6410.
Ohio’s Grain Indemnity Fund was created in 1983 to reimburse farmers when a licensed handler becomes insolvent. Claims to the indemnity fund are handled through ODA’s Grain Feed & Seed Section in conjunction with the recommendation of the Ohio Commodity Advisory Commission.
Ohio Revised Code gives priority to the automatic lien established and held by the department for the benefit of farmers in the event of a grain handler’s failure or insolvency. The department’s liens will now have priority over all competing lien claims asserted against the handler, ensuring that the indemnity fund receives maximum reimbursement in the asset liquidation process.
VW independent staff/submitted information
Westwood Behavioral Health Center has announced that Jamie Fields recently achieved a highly regarded milestone in her journey toward long term sobriety.
After three years of living substance free, Jamie graduated from Recovery Court. “A New Day, the Right Way” is a program for adults who struggle with addiction and subsequent legal problems. A joint collaboration between Westwood Behavioral Health Center and the Van Wert Court of Common Pleas, the program is overseen by Judge Martin D. Burchfield.
County residents who are facing legal charges which are a byproduct of their substance use disorder may be referred to the program. Entry into the 18-24 month program is preceded by an eligibility interview with drug court coordinator Jane Schmid of Westwood Behavioral Health Center.
The four-phase program requires regular drug screening, appearances before the judge at least monthly, and participation in an intensive outpatient treatment program, followed by traditional outpatient therapy services.
Participants also attend weekly peer support meetings. The goal of the program is to provide intense support and accountability for adults who commit to living a substance-free life, maintaining employment and independent housing.
The program was created in 2014 under the Honorable Charles Steele, together with Chief Probation Officer Bruce Showalter. The program was certified in 2017 by the Ohio Supreme Court. Recertification is required every three years.
Treatment services for recovery court clients are provided by Westwood Behavioral Health Center which supports wellness through confidential and compassionate care. They offer mental health and addiction services, individual group and family therapy, IOP, psychiatric and psychiatric NP, on site pharmacy, case management and drug testing.
POSTED: 09/29/26 at 8:34 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
It was a perfect night, complete with an actual Harvest Moon no less, for Main Street Van Wert’s Harvest Moon Festival. Saturday’s annual event brought the community together for an evening filled with live music, family activities, market vendors, food and drink trucks, and fun in downtown Van Wert.
The festival featured a variety of activities and entertainment for attendees of all ages. Families enjoyed attractions including mechanical bull riding, face painting, and pumpkin painting, while the market vendors and food and drink trucks provided plenty of opportunities to shop local and enjoy a variety of food and drinks.
Music was also a highlight of the evening, with performances by Andi Jo Taylor and Chase’n Tyler, who helped create an exciting atmosphere throughout the festival.
Attendees also enjoyed a car show and the opportunity to gather with friends, family, and members of the community.
Main Street Van Wert officials extended a special thank you to all of the volunteers who helped make the event possible. Their time, effort, and dedication played an important role in creating a successful festival.
A sincere thank you also went out to all of the market vendors and food and drink truck vendors who participated and helped bring the event to life.
“Events like the Harvest Moon Festival are a wonderful way to bring our community together and showcase our downtown,” Main Street Van Wert Executive Director Mitch Price said. “We are grateful to everyone who came out and supported the event.”
(more…)POSTED: 09/29/26 at 8:31 pm. FILED UNDER: News
