Ohio Lottery implenting major upgrades

VW independent staff/submitted information

CLEVELAND — The Ohio Lottery is in the very early stages of a major upgrade to a new gaming system and all new state-of-the-art lottery equipment beginning in October with technology partner Scientific Games.
 
It’s the first  major upgrade to the gaming system in two decades.

“Technology has changed immensely since the Lottery’s last gaming conversion in 2008, so we are proud to be able to upgrade the experience of playing the Ohio Lottery for our players and our retailer network,” said Ohio Lottery Director Michelle Gillcrist.
 
The new gaming system will give players a more modern playing experience, streamlined purchasing, flexible payment options, ADA responsive touch screens and new KENO shows. 
 
Ohio Lottery retailers will receive new equipment and digital advertising displays.
 
Upgrading the gaming system and deploying all new terminals will take several months to complete, and it’s starting with the roll-out of new self-serve kiosks this month. When the upgrade is complete, the Ohio Lottery will have replaced more than 12,000 retailer terminals and more than 9,000 pieces of self-serve equipment and associated ticket checkers, cashless pin pads, digital advertising displays, and more. 
 
Lottery officials said it is a multifaceted process which requires tandem use of the old and new gaming systems as technicians begin to bring new equipment online while retailers can continue offering lottery sales. 
 
Most new self-serve kiosks placed in retail prior to spring 2027 will initially sell scratch-offs and accept cash only as old equipment is replaced with all new terminals. Customers can use all current payment options to purchase lottery games at the counter. 
 
Gillcrist added, “We expect there will be minor disruptions as this is a complicated technology-driven process, but we have prepared carefully for the transformation with Scientific Games,” Gillcrist said. “We are confident that once complete, our players will get the full experience of a system that is state-of-the-art and will continue to support our contribution to the education fund.” 
 
To help with this transition the Lottery is offering:
 
•    Dedicated sections of its website for players and retailers
•    Rapid response team for troubleshooting
•    Additional call center staff  
 
Those who play Ohio Lottery games can find helpful information about the new kiosks and frequently asked questions about the upgrade by the lottery’s website.  
 
Development of the new gaming system began in 2024 when Scientific Games was awarded the gaming system contract in a competitive bidding process. Scientific Games will take over operations as the Lottery’s gaming vendor beginning in spring 2027.

Metal detectors to talk…

“Railroads, Ghost Towns and the Civil War” will be the subjects of guest speakers Mike Iler (left) and Mike Speiser (right) at the Paulding County History Museum at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 20. The two Paulding County residents will share stories behind some of the interesting artifacts they have found in the county while metal detecting. The program and meeting are free and open to the public, and refreshments will be served after the program. Guests may tour the museum before and after the meeting. The museum is located at 600 Fairground Drive in Paulding, across from the fairgrounds. It is open every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. Photo submitted

New roundabout is open to traffic

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

Van Wert County’s second roundabout is now open.

As expected, the single-lane roundabout at U.S. 224 and Lincoln Highway, just west of the Van Wert city limits, opened to traffic midday on Friday. The project, which began in late July, ran a bit behind schedule due to heavy rains in September.

Before roundabout construction began, the intersection was identified as a high-crash volume/dangerous intersection.

Roundabouts may not be popular with some in the motoring public but statistics show while crashes do occur in them, they’re almost always minor in nature.

“The acceptance of roundabouts can lag in areas where roadways rarely change,” ODOT District 1 Deputy Director Chris Hughes said in a previous story. “You introduce a vastly different concept like a roundabout where stop signs and traffic signals rule, and it’s understandable why some motorists are hesitant. The goal is always to reduce the number of injury and fatal crashes.”

Crashes have gone down at the site of Van Wert County’s first roundabout, which opened in 2022 at U.S. 224/U.S. 127/Marsh Rd. Between 2019-2021, there were 10 crashes at the former intersection. Since the roundabout opened in August of 22 and through 2025, there were six crashes, a 40 percent reduction.

While the new roundabout is open, nearby U.S. 224, between U.S. 30 and Lincoln Highway remains closed for rehabilitation of the bridge over the railroad. That project also began in late July 30, with an estimated completion time of six months.

Two more roundabouts are scheduled to be built in the coming years, one at U.S. 224 and Van Wert Decatur Rd. in Van Wert, and the other at Ohio 118 and Wren Landeck Rd. north of Ohio City.

Most government offices closed Monday

VW independent staff

All federal and state government offices will be closed on Monday, October 12, in observance of the Columbus Day holiday. No mail will be delivered on Monday. Most local government offices will be closed for the day as well, including Van Wert County offices and the Van Wert County Courthouse and Annex. However, the Van Wert Municipal Building will be open.

Eagle Scout honored…

Van Wert Lodge No. 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, recently participated in the Eagle Scout Court of Honor for Brody A. Reigle, a member of Boy Scout Troop 98 in Rockford. He was presented an American Flag and an Eagle Scout Certificate from the Van Wert Elks Lodge. For Reigle’s Eagle Scout project, he raised more than $33,000 to cover the materials and coordinated more than 840 volunteer hours to construct a pavilion at Shanes’ Park in Rockford. Reigle is shown above with Michael C. Stanley, Lodge  No. 1197 Scouting Liaison. Photo submitted

Court appearance tied to standoff delayed

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

A court appearance for a Van Wert man involved in a Tuesday standoff on the city’s west side was put on hold on Thursday.

John D. Wise, 48, of Burt St. was scheduled to be arraigned in Van Wert Municipal Court via a video appearance Thursday morning, but it was taken off the schedule for the time being. Instead, Wise is expected to undergo a mental health evaluation to determine if he’s competent to understand the charges against him.

It’s unclear if or when the arraignment will be rescheduled.

Wise is currently charged with possessing weapons under disability, a third degree felony, and aggravated menacing of a police officer, a fifth degree felony. If Wise is found competent to stand trial, the case is expected to be bound over to Van Wert County Common Pleas Court.

Wise was arrested late Tuesday night after barricading himself in his home for nearly seven hours.

Accoring to Van Wert Police Chief Doug Weigle, at approximately 3:50 p.m. Tuesday, the Van Wert Police Department received several calls of an armed man walking along N. Burt St. One person claimed he was stumbling, while another said Wise stated he was looking for someone with a warrant.

Officers responded to the scene and found Wise walking in the 600 block of N. Burt St. with an AR-15 and a handgun. Officers ordered him to stop and he raised his gun and pointed it at an officer, then ran into his nearby residence.

A crisis negotiator from the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office was called in and tried to speak with him over the phone, but according to Weigle, Wise made several comments about “there was going to be a shootout.” At one point, Wise became upset  and shot his gun out the window, then texted the negotiator “I mean business.”

The Van Wert Police Department’s Special Response Team set up a perimeter and due to safety concerns, Burt St. and adjoining areas were blocked off to traffic and nearby residents were evacuated.

Burt St. to close most of next week

Submitted information

Starting next Tuesday, October 13, Burt St. in Van Wert will be closed for railroad work. This will be a hard road closure, meaning no traffic will be able to cross the tracks while the work is being done. The street should be back open for everyone on Saturday morning.

Students learn about cows and plows

By Alecta Baxter/Crestview FFA reporter

The Crestview FFA Chapter recently had the opportunity to participate in the annual Cows and Plows event held at the Van Wert County Fairgrounds. The event, which was organized by Van Wert Soil and Water Conservation District, welcomed local fourth-grade students for a day of hands-on agricultural education and learning experiences.

Van Wert Soil and Water invited numerous agricultural businesses, producers, and organizations from throughout the county to volunteer their time and share their knowledge with the next generation. Throughout the day, students rotated through educational stations where they learned about various aspects of agriculture, natural resources, livestock, crop production, and the many careers available within the agricultural industry.

Crestview FFA members assisted with the event by helping guide students between stations, interacting with participants, and supporting presenters throughout the day. The event provided an excellent opportunity for FFA members to promote agricultural literacy while encouraging young students to learn more about the industry that plays such an important role in their community.

The Cows and Plows event showcased the dedication of local agricultural businesses, producers, and volunteers who invested their time to educate future generations. Through engaging activities and hands-on demonstrations, students gained a better understanding of where their food comes from and the importance of agriculture in everyday life.

The Crestview FFA Chapter thanked Van Wert Soil and Water Conservation District for hosting the educational event and for providing local students with a memorable experience that helps foster an appreciation for agriculture and conservation.

Law enforcement officers work well together

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

Cooperation was the key to successfully and peacefully ending Tuesday night’s standoff in Van Wert.

After several tense hours, John Wise, 48, came out of his home in the 600 block of Burt St. and surrendered without incident. He was taken into custody and was transported to the Van Wert County Correctional Facility pending court proceedings.

There was a very heavy law enforcement presence along some of Burt St. and the surrounding area late Tuesday afternoon and evening, well into late night. The Van Wert Police Department was first at the scene, with additional assistance supplied a short time later by the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office and Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Those three agencies, along with others worked in unison for the best outcome.

“I think this situation shows how important those relationships are,” Van Wert Police Chief Doug Weigle said on Wednesday. “No one individual is as smart as the whole group. With several trained and experienced leaders at the command post to help make the best decision with the information at the time is a huge benefit. Each perspective is gathered and then a plan is put in place.”  

“I think it is rare to have as good a relationship we have with all agencies here in Van Wert,” Weigle added.

Drone units from the Van Wert Police Department and the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office worked in tandem to provide information from above. The Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Auglaize County Sheriff’s Office provided Lenco BearCats, which instrumental in ending the standoff.

In the midst of the situation, Weigle noted the most important thing for all involved was a peaceful ending, which was accomplished.

“At the end of the day the mission is always to get all persons involved out and unharmed,” Weigle said.

Roundabout scheduled to open on Friday

VW independent staff

Van Wert County’s second roundabout is set to open this Friday.

The new roundabout at U.S. 224 and Lincoln Highway, just west of the Van Wert city limits, is scheduled to open sometime around midday on Friday.