Meah Johnson crowned Queen Jubilee 51 Friday night

New name added to Queen Jubilee list

W independent staff

51 years of the Peony Queen Pagaent was celebrated Friday night at LifeHouse Church. Four Van Wert County high school seniors competed for the coveted title, with Meah Johnson of Van Wert High School winning the crown. Her sister, Michaella Johnson Owens won the title in 2019 while another sister, Macy Johnson, was the second runner-up two years ago.

The first Peony Queen was crowned in 1932 and a new one was crowned each year until 1941. After a hiatus, the pageant returned in 1955 and continued for five more years, then came to a halt until it was renewed in 1992. Since then, a new peony queen has been crowned each year. Here is a complete least of queens, year by year.

1932: Rheba Dougal Campbell

1933: Mary Elizabeth “Betty” Sampsell

1934: Thelmas Scheidt Vincent

1935: Leona Mae Moser Hunt

1936: Grayce Reed

1937: Jill Clare King-Smith

1938: Betty Althoen Tavis

1939: Betty Joan Jones Shellhaas

1940: Jeanne Lewis Wise

1941: Genevieve Wendel Cecka

1955: Janice Lynne Gardner Nott

1956: Janies Beatty Gehres

1957: Janice Prior Dugan

1959: Sara Drury Empry-Cantrell

YWCA holds annual celebration

VW independent staff/submitted information

Despite the threat of severe weather, a sold-out crowd gathered Thursday evening at Willow Bend Country Club for the YWCA of Van Wert County’s Annual Women of Achievement Scholarship Dinner. The event celebrated 10 outstanding nominees recognized as Women of Achievement across six categories: overcoming adversity, professional leadership, women’s empowerment, youth development, volunteerism, and civic dedication.

Paula Stabler, President of Ohio Health Van Wert and YWCA board member, served as the master of ceremonies for the event.

The evening opened with an address from YWCA board member and guest speaker, Jaeda Sanchez. In an emotional speech, Sanchez reflected on her own challenging upbringing, her journey to success, and the important role of the YWCA in supporting survivors.

“When children don’t feel or aren’t protected, they learn to protect themselves. That survival mode mentality stays with you into adulthood and I often accepted less than I deserved,” Sanchez said. “Today, I’m a business owner, a wife, a leader, a college student, and a mentor. I also serve on the YWCA board – a role that has deepened my understanding of what’s possible for survivors. Spaces like the YWCA matter. When survivors have a safe place that offers advocacy, education, and support, healing and growth become possible.”

Honorees were introduced by the individual who submitted their nomination and they had the opportunity to read their submission, highlighting their nominee’s accomplishments and impact. This year’s honorees included:

• Teresa Shaffer (Sierra Poulson) for Civic Dedication
• Kendra Heffelfinger (Marla Kemler) for Volunteerism
• Christie Wendel (Marla Kemler) for Youth Development
• Alex Giessler (Delaney Aquaviva) for Women’s Empowerment
• Terra Bonifas (Brian Renner) for Professional Leadership
• Jamie Evans (Chelli Gamble) for Professional Leadership
• Rachel Galloway (Janet and Bob Galloway) for Professional Leadership
• Rochelle Campbell (Kate Syphrit) for Overcoming Adversity
• Destinee Hough (Anne Dunn and Keith Hough) for Overcoming Adversity
• Amberlin Somerton (Krista Somerton) for Overcoming Adversity

Friday afternoon crash…

This car got the worst of it in a two-vehicle accident that occurred shortly before 1 p.m. Friday on S. Shannon St., just past Burger King. The southbound Honda was struck by a Buick that was attempting to cross from the parking lot on the east side of Shannon St. into into the west parking lot. The Van Wert Police Department and Van Wert Fire Department were both on the scene. No injuries were reported and the car was towed from the scene. Bob Barnes VWFD photographer

Gustnado damage…

A barn under construction on Ohio 697 south of Middle Point was destroyed by a confirmed gustnado Thursday night. The National Weather Service defines a gustnado as a small whirlwind which forms as an eddy in thunderstorm outflows. They do not connect with any cloud-base rotation and are not tornadoes. Since their origin is associated with cumuliform clouds, gustnadoes are classified as thunderstorm wind events. Photo courtesy of Rick McCoy

Storms blow through Van Wert County

VW independent staff/submitted information

Thursday night’s storms brought a bit of havoc to the area, as severe storms began moving through Van Wert County at approximately 7:30 p.m.

According to Van Wert County Emergency Management Agency Director Rick McCoy, temperatures at the time had hit a record high of 81 degrees and then fell off to 32 degrees by Friday morning, which created the fuel in the atmosphere for severe weather. McCoy added the storms did bring some much needed rainfall of nearly 1.5 inches, but also some damaging winds in the county.

He also stated that the National Weather Service was conducting several surveys this morning where it appears from videos taken and damage reported that tornadoes may have struck in Mercer County and Huntington County, Indiana.

The National Weather Service had placed the Van Wert County under a tornado watch late in the afternoon and a number of storm chasers from around the country had converged on Indiana and Ohio to stream a possible tornado outbreak. The local EMA tracked storms across Indiana and projected the storms would hit between 7:30-8 p.m.

Shortly after the storms had moved into the western portion of the county and a few damage reports were being reported, the National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the southern half of the county. McCoy stated that some intense winds came with the storm and the highest gust of 65 miles per hour was recorded in Convoy. He said the Wetzel station measured 64 miles per hour with Delphos coming in at 54 miles per hour. He also said that several reports came in of possible gustnadoes, where the winds were intense enough and moving at a fast forward speed that it made dust storms with wind rotating from the ground up to the cloud base.

Local law enforcement and the EMA’s CERT teams were kept busy after the storm had passed, conducting traffic control at several locations in the county due to poles down including some telephone and power lines that were blocking roadways. A number of homeowners were also reporting shingles blown off of roofs and trees were reported down around the county.

Lincolnview BOE holds monthly meeting

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

Two new school buses will be joining Lincolnview’s fleet of buses.

Thursday night, the Lincolnview Local Schools Board of Education approved the purchase of a 72-passenger bus and an 84 passenger bus from Cardinal Bus Sales & Service Inc. The total cost is nearly $307,000, which does not include trade-in values for buses.

The board accepted the retirement-resignations of longtime Lincolnview Jr. High/High School secretary Kay Mohr effective at the end of the 2026-2027 school year, and elementary media aide Marcia Weldy, effective at the end of the current school year. Board members also accepted the resignation of boys bowling coach Neil Korte.

Raegan Boley was approved as an elementary intervention specialist cross categorical, while Jeff Castle was approved as a volunteer high school track coach and Drew Doner as a volunteer junior high track coach.

Various donations were accepted by the board, including $6,250 from the Lincolnview Athletic Boosters for a portion of the HUDL payment, and $3,280.90 from the United Way of Van Wert County via Rivals United to benefit the Lincolnview Latchkey program. Donations of $250 each were accepted from Firehouse Pizza, Carey Insurance and Lloyd Show Pigs, plus $190 from Huggy Bear RV Sales for rally towels.

In other business, Elementary Principal Nita Meyer was named the homeless liaison for the 2026-2027 school year and the board approved the upcoming school year calendar for the Marsh Foundation.

City board makes recommendation

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

It was standing room only for Thursday afternoon’s meeting of the Van Wert Planning Commission. The topic – the possible rezoning a portion of the Mega Site that is expected to become home to a $10 billion data center.

More than 50 people squeezed into Council Chambers for the meeting and most of those who spoke voiced their displeasure with the prospect of a data center being built. However, at least two people in attendance spoke in favor. Not everyone at the meeting spoke during the time for public comment.

Toward the end of the hour and 20 minute meeting, the commission members present – Mayor Ken Markward, Safety-Service Director Jay Fleming and Trevor Bebout voted 3-0 to recommend city council rezone the property to I-2 general industrial zoning when the property is annexed into the city.

The meeting itself was mostly contenious from the start. At times, those in attendance, some city residents and some living outside the city, spoke over each other or while others were speaking, making it difficult to understand. Fleming, who acted as chair of the commission for the meeting, repeatedly had to call for order to the meeting and along with Markward, had to explain the sole purpose of the meeting was to determine weather or not to recommend rezoning and not to answer questions about the data center.

Van Wert attorney Chuck Koch spoke before the commission and those in attendance. He represents the Marsh Foundation Board of Trustees and Van Wert East Owners LLC, owners of the part of the site north and east of town.

Glow in the Dark Easter Egg Hunt set

VW independent staff/submitted information

Promise Church is inviting the community to one of the area’s most unique and family-friendly Easter events – the Glow in the Dark Easter Egg Hunt, taking place at 9 p.m. Friday, April 3, at the Van Wert County Fairgrounds.

This free community event will feature 10,000 glow-in-the-dark eggs filled with candy, prizes, and gift certificates, creating a fun and unforgettable experience for children and families of all ages.

Participants will be divided into three age groups: ages 4 and under, 5-8 and 9–12. Families are encouraged to arrive early to line up in their designated age group areas before the official countdown begins at 9 p.m.

“We wanted to create something special for our community—an event that brings families together in a fun, safe, and memorable way,” said Pastor Mac of Promise Church. “This isn’t just an egg hunt—it’s a celebration of community, generosity, and hope.”

The event is made possible through the generous support of numerous anchor community sponsors and local businesses who have donated prizes and resources to make the night a success.

Some eggs will contain special numbered tickets redeemable for larger prizes at the designated prize table following the hunt.

There is an important safety note: Some eggs contain small balloon lights which are not edible and may pose a choking hazard. Parents are encouraged to supervise children and remove these items after the event.

Promise Church also extends a heartfelt thank you to Van Wert County for allowing the use of the fairgrounds to host this large-scale community event.

This event is completely free and open to the public.

Long prison term for contractor

VW independent staff/submitted information

DELAWARE — A pole barn contractor who defrauded consumers of more than $400,000 has been sentenced to at least 17 years in prison after being convicted of 47 felony counts, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced on Thursday.

This month, Marion resident Ryan C. Needels, owner of Clear View Construction, went to trial in Delaware County Common Pleas Court on 47 felony counts contained in an indictment dating from August 2023. Needels ran a long-term scheme in which he accepted large payments for pole barns or other construction projects but instead stole victim’s money.

“47 convictions speak for themselves,” Yost said. “Victims were heard and justice was served.”

Judge Richard Frye, who heard the case on assignment, took testimony from 19 victims and considered victim-impact statements from many of them at sentencing. The judge ordered Needels to serve 17 to 22 years in prison and pay $448,000 in restitution, describing him as a “predator” who carried out a pervasive and prolonged scheme to defraud his victims.

The charges included engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, telecommunications fraud, seven counts of money laundering and 38 counts of theft. Needels previously entered a guilty plea to some of the counts in the indictment, that plea was appealed and the convictions were vacated.

Tornado Watch in effect until 11 p.m.

VW independent staff

The National Weather Service Northern Indiana has issued a Tornado Watch for Van Wert County and surrounding counties in northwest Ohio until 11 p.m. tonight.