SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
Two people were able to safely escape from an early Sunday morning fire in downtown Van Wert, but the structure itself sustained significant damage.
The Van Wert Fire Department was dispatched to 113 W. Main St. at 6:23 a.m. Sunday. Firefighters arrived on the scene and saw smoke coming from the building, but no visible flames.
According to Captain Craig King, one person inside escaped through a back door, while the other jumped from a second floor window and was caught by a Van Wert police officer.
It took approximately 30 minutes to bring the blaze under control, but King said the first floor sustained heavy fire and water damage, while the second floor incurred heavy smoke damage. He also said two neighboring structures sustained some smoke damage. Those buildings were unoccupied.
Multiple aid was provided by Convoy and Ohio City and King said Middle Point and Scott fire departments were paged to the scene but were told to stand down before they arrived at the scene. In addition to the Van Wert Police Department and the two village fire departments, Van Wert County CERT assisted at the scene. A portion of W. Main St. was closed until approximately 11:45 a.m., when the Van Wert Fire Department cleared the scene.
King said it appeared the fire began in a back room, but the cause is being investigated by the State Fire Marshal’s Office. An investigator arrived at the scene late this morning, but information was not immediately available.
POSTED: 09/14/25 at 8:57 pm
VW independent staff/submitted information
Students at Lincolnview Elementary were recently treated to a creative and inspiring visit from children’s book author and illustrator Jonathan Miller, whose imaginative stories and unique artistic techniques captivated students from kindergarten through sixth grade.
Miller, best known for his playful books featuring an adventurous wiener dog named Sammy, shared his storytelling journey and signature paper layering technique, which gives his artwork a vibrant, three-dimensional look. His visit was coordinated by art teacher Melissa Stork, who saw the event as a way to connect literacy and visual arts.
Throughout the day, Miller presented to each grade level, read from his books and answered questions from students and teachers. Students learned how a simple idea can grow into a full story and how everyday materials can be transformed into expressive artwork.
“Students were interested by how he builds illustrations layer by layer,” Stork said. “Several classes used the same technique to create artwork spelling out their names. They learned that it takes a lot of time and attention to make the details in his work.”
“I loved how Sammy could talk and that he went to space,” said Ayelyn, a third grader at the school. “It was amazing to see how he made pictures with paper. I want to make a book about a dog now!”
The visit was part of Lincolnview’s ongoing effort to promote literacy, creativity, and career exploration in the arts. To learn more about Jonathan Miller and his books, visit www.sammydog.com.
POSTED: 09/14/25 at 8:55 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Submitted information
COLUMBUS — Ohio Homeland Security (OHS) has announced the launch of a new suspicious activity reporting system that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to gather actionable information on potential threats of violence.
Developed by OHS and its private partner Vigiliti, the Safeguard Ohio app uses AI to encourage users to provide as much information as possible to help law enforcement investigate suspicious activity. The new app allows users to upload video, audio, and photos of an incident while giving individuals the option to remain anonymous.
The submitted information is reported in real-time to the Statewide Terrorism Analysis and Crime Center, which is staffed 24/7. Analysts immediately review information and notify the proper local, state, or federal law enforcement agencies accordingly.
The new Safeguard Ohio replaces OHS’s current online reporting method that requires individuals to fill out a form.
“Events that threaten the safety of Ohioans can be hard to predict, but they can be prevented with help from timely, detailed tips from the public,” Governor Mike DeWine said. “This new app simplifies the process to get information to law enforcement quickly and conveniently.”
Users can select from eight categories to report a tip, including drug-related activity, human trafficking, terrorism, school threats, and crimes against children.
(more…)POSTED: 09/14/25 at 8:55 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff
Due to low interest, a kickball tournament scheduled for September 26-28 has been canceled. The tournament was an attempt to raise funds for Van Wert’s 2026 July 4, 2026, celebration. Navy Club Ship 726 will continue to look for ways to fund the celebration.
POSTED: 09/14/25 at 8:54 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Submitted information
Off Stage Productions Inc. has announced the cast and crew for “The Miss Magnolia Senior Citizen Beauty Pageant” by Leslie Kimbell. Director Mary Blanche Hengstler has put together a cast of nine actors, eight of whom have been in previous Off Stage shows, and one making her first appearance on a community theatre stage. The cast is as follows:
- Beatrice Shelton: Stephanie Wagner
- Eaddy Mae Clayton: Karen Stoker
- Imogene Smith: Michelle Foster
- Maude Jenkins: Jennifer Rigdon
- Sam Smith: Ed Eichler
- Lurleen Dupree: Amy McConn
- Clovis Crown: Matt Krol
- Martha Parcell: Joelle May
- Hazel Dillard: Lisa Eichler
- Director: Mary Blanche Hengstler
- Costumer: Julie Lang
Synopsis: The show is a sequel to “Four Old Broads” featuring the same characters with some wacky new friends. Against her better judgement, Lurleen Dupree is throwing the seventh annual Miss Magnolia Senior Citizen Beauty Pageant. Martha Parcell is certain that it is finally her year to win. But Beatrice, Imogene and Eaddy have other plans. Throw in a tambourine-playing squirrel, dueling Elvises, and an unfortunate spray-tanning incident… and you’re in for a knee-slapping, side-splitting night of light theatre.
Location: All shows will be in the Commons at Vantage Career Center, 818 N. Franklin Street in Van Wert. Enter Door 14 off the back parking lot where plenty of parking spaces are available.
Reservations: Reservations for members will open on Monday, September 29, and Wednesday, October 1 for members of the general public. Call the box office number 419.605.6708 on or after these days to reserve your tables and seats. Box office hours are 12-6 p.m.Monday-Saturday, no Sunday calls, please. All shows require reservations.
(more…)POSTED: 09/14/25 at 8:53 pm. FILED UNDER: News
The Van Wert Fire Department was summoned to the 100 block of W. Main St. in downtown Van Wert early this morning after a blaze broke out in one of the buildings. Mutual aid was provided by Ohio City, Convoy and Middle Point. Check back later for more information. Bob Barnes/VWFD photographer
POSTED: 09/14/25 at 11:22 am. FILED UNDER: News
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
While the intruders who broke into three pharmacies early Thursday morning, including one in Van Wert, remain at-large, there is some new information, including the fact that only one of the three break-ins was successful.
The males, all dressed in black, apparantly targeted the Genoa walk-up pharmacy at Westwood Behavorial Center on Westwood Drive. They forced in the front door to the facility at approximately 6:30 a.m. Thursday, which triggered an alarm to the Van Wert Police Department. They entered the pharmacy area, however, they didn’t actually steal anything.
“Due to the little time spent in the establishment, nothing was taken from the pharmacy,” Lt. Rob Black stated.
Black also said during crime scene processing, investigators were able to recover tool marks, shoe impressions, and video evidence.
The local pharmacy was the third one entered by the intruders. A dispatcher for the Hicksville Police Department confirmed late Thursday morning that a break-in occurred at Hicksville Pharmacy and Home at 5:20 a.m. According to Hicksville Police Chief Mark Denning, the suspects were in the store for less than five minutes and were able to steal an unknown amount of narcotics from the pharmacy area, plus a small amount of cash from the register. They then made their way to Paulding.
Paulding Police Chief Regina Weidenhamer confirmed that a break-in occurred at Oukley’s Pharmacy-Paulding a short time after the Hicksville robbery, at 5:46 a.m., but the suspects left the store with nothing, before heading to Van Wert.
Investigators with all three law enforcement agencies believe it was the same trio in each break-in, and Black said the three agencies have compared notes.
(more…)POSTED: 09/13/25 at 12:26 am. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
For three OhioHealth providers, “home” is more than just where the heart is. It’s where they’ve chosen to practice, to build relationships, and to make a lasting difference.
From family farms to Friday night football games, from small-town classrooms to volunteer fire departments, these healthcare professionals grew up immersed in the rhythms of rural life. Now, as nurse practitioners and a physician, they’re using their skills to care for the people and places that shaped them.
Full-Circle Care: Cody J. Klinker, MD
Dr. Cody Klinker’s ties to Van Wert County run deep. As a Crestview High School graduate, he participated in everything from sports to show choir. But it was a family health crisis, his father’s stroke, that cemented his decision to go into medicine.
“I knew from the beginning I wanted to be a family physician,” Dr. Klinker said. “The patient-centered and family-oriented approach allows me to treat people across all ages and life stages, while also being a presence in the community.”
Klinker now practices at OhioHealth locations in both Van Wert and Rockford, with clinical interests ranging from pediatric care to sports medicine. He also serves as the team physician for Crestview Local Schools.
“Here in Van Wert, we definitely have the ‘treat you like a friend’ mentality,” Dr. Klinker said. “This is where I always wanted to practice.”
Lifelong Ties: Niki Hershey, APRN-CNP
Born at Van Wert Hospital, raised in Delphos, and now living in Fort Jennings, Niki Hershey’s first exposure to healthcare came through her father, a nursing home maintenance director. Spending time there after school inspired her to care for others, especially the elderly.
(more…)POSTED: 09/13/25 at 12:24 am. FILED UNDER: News
Van Wert’s Xavier Kelly (11) runs away from the Celina defense during Friday night’s WBL game at Cougar Alumni Field at Eggerss Stadium. Unfortunately, after falling behind early, the Cougars lost the game in overtime 38-37. Meanwhile, Crestview’s Braxton Leeth ran for over 300 yards and seven touchdowns and the Knights beat Fort Loramie 55-38. Complete game stories can be found on the Sports page. Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent
POSTED: 09/13/25 at 12:23 am. FILED UNDER: News
Submitted information
COLUMBUS — Governor Mike DeWine announced this week that he has agreed to a request made by the Secretary of the Army through National Guard Bureau that the Ohio National Guard continue supporting the District of Columbia National Guard until November 30.
While some of the Ohio National Guard members will be rotated, Ohio will continue to provide 150 military police to carry out presence patrols. None of these military police members are currently serving as law enforcement officers in the state of Ohio.
POSTED: 09/13/25 at 12:22 am. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff
A reminder that the PLC Health Clinic will hold its 25th annual Walk for Life this Sunday at Franklin Park in Van Wert. Registration will begin at 1:30 p.m. with the 2-mile walk around the park starting at 2 p.m.
The clinic needs to raise $56,000 to continue its free services which include pregnancy testing, limited obstetric ultrasound, educational classes and material support. Anyone who is pregnant or has a child under the age of two can use those services. The clinic also provides free STI/STD testing for both men and women. PLC’s newest addition is the Langdyn House, which is a maternity home.
POSTED: 09/13/25 at 12:22 am. FILED UNDER: News
