Chapter by chapter: expanding the Brumback Library

Junk and rubbish laws to be discussed

VW independent staff

Discussion of possible amendments to the city’s junk and rubbish ordinances will be discussed during a Van Wert City Council “Council of the Whole” meeting at 5:30 p.m. Monday, June 8, in Council Chambers at the Municipal Building. No action will be taken during the Committee of the Whole meeting. The regular council meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m., also in Council Chambers.

Concert band to perform in Rockford

Submitted information

ROCKFORD – The Van Wert Area Community Concert Band is keeping busy these days. The band will present a concert in the large shelter house at Shanes Park in Rockford at 7 p.m. Friday, June 12. It’s free and open to the public.

Music performed at the concert will include several patriotic selections celebrating the county’s 250th birthday. The selections are intended to reflect, revitalize and rekindle the pride that each of us have as citizens of the best country in the world, the United States of America.

A few of these selections are: To Honor America, Voices of the Battlefield, Golden and a Bob Dylan medley. band member Warren Bowery will be the featured singer on Neil Diamond”s America. Area military personnel and veterans will also be honored with a Salute To America’s Finest. Bring your lawn chairs or take a seat at the picnic tables and enjoy a concert in a beautiful park setting.

The shelter house is protected from bad weather and an ice cream truck will be on site for those of you that have a sweet tooth. Join the band directed by former Parkway band director Richard Sherrick and members from Van Wert, Ohio City, Delphos, Convoy, Chat, Middle Point, Spencerville, Celina and Rockford for this special concert.

Friday afternoon crash claims one person

VW independent staff/submitted information

JACKSON TOWNSHIP — The Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash that claimed a Putnam County resident. It occurred shortly after 2 p.m. Friday at the intersection Ohio 637 and County Road 138 in Jackson Township, Paulding County.

Sara Woolbright, 20, of Continental was driving a 2002 Volkswagen Beetle westbound on County Road 138 and stopped at the intersection with Ohio 637. Brian Robinson, 40, of Defiance was driving a 2025 Ford F-750 northbound on Ohio 637. Woolbright failed to yield from a posted stop sign and pulled into the path of Robinson. After colliding the two vehicles ran off the west side of Ohio 637 and struck a guard rail. Woolbright was pronounced dead at the scene. Robinson and his passenger, Ronald Sanholtz, 64, of Liberty Center, were not injured.

The Patrol was assisted on scene by the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office, Paulding Fire and EMS, and Gideon’s Towing and Recovery. The crash remains under investigation and no charges have been filed. Drugs and alcohol are not suspected to be a factor in the crash.

The Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol serves Van Wert and Paulding counties.

New academy focus of Vantage meeting

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

The 2025-2026 school year is in the books and now, the Vantage Career Center Board of Education and administrators are preparing for the upcoming school year.

During Thursday night’s monthly meeting, the board approved a number of agenda items tied to the 2026-2027 school year, which will begin in August. Many of the items were on the adult education side, including the staff handbook, adult education catalog and student handbook, adult ed program cost sheets, pay rates, and the job description for the CDL instructor position.

Board members approved the price list for the Avantage Salon & Spa, the preschool parent handbook, fees and policy manual, plus a service agreement with Northwest Ohio Area Computer Services Cooperative. The board also approved a memorandum of understanding with the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office.

A number of items were tied to the new Vantage Academy of Medical Careers, which is slated to open in August. The board agreed to an agreement to purchase $225,371 worth of furniture from KI, along with a quote from Martin Public Seating for $12,450 for furniture installation. A list of $145,451 worth of permanent improvement equipment was also approved. Superintendent Rick Turner provided an update on renovations and said work is progressing quickly.

“Roof finishing work continues, and teams are preparing to install the exterior siding,” he said. “Additional exterior site work is scheduled to begin within the next couple of weeks. Inside, framing is nearly complete and drywall installation has begun. There are currently up to 40 workers onsite at any one time, with Saturday shifts being added to maintain momentum.”

He added the projected occupancy date remains August and said he’s arranged for the board to tour the building immediately prior to the next meeting.

Library seeking items for time capsule

VW independent staff/submitted information

As part of The Brumback Library’s 125th Anniversary celebration and Van Wert County’s America250 commemoration, community organizations are invited to help tell the story of Van Wert County in 2026 through participation in the newly announced Van Wert County time capsule.

The project originated through a partnership with local Navy Club Ship 726, whose members envisioned a community time capsule that would preserve a snapshot of life in Van Wert County for future generations. The time capsule itself was designed and built by students at Vantage Career Center, transforming the idea into a lasting community project.

While The Brumback Library will serve as the permanent home and caretaker of the capsule, the project is intended to represent the people, organizations, institutions, businesses, and community groups that make Van Wert County unique.

The capsule will be sealed during the downtown Van Wert Fourth of July celebration and will remain at The Brumback Library until it is opened during the library’s 150th Anniversary celebration in 2051.

“We want this capsule to capture the story of our community as it exists today,” Brumback Library Director Nellie Schmidt said. “This is an opportunity for organizations across Van Wert County to share something meaningful about who they are, what they do, and the role they play in our community.”

Organizations throughout Van Wert County are invited to submit one item for consideration for inclusion in the time capsule. Examples may include photographs, publications, programs, promotional materials, commemorative items, or other artifacts that help tell the story of the organization and the community in 2026.

To ensure the capsule reflects a broad and representative snapshot of Van Wert County, submissions will be reviewed based on available space, historical significance, and their ability to contribute to the overall story of the community. Submission forms can be picked up at The Brumback Library or emailed to those who request them.

Trade Days event returns to Willshire

Submitted information

WILLSHIRE — The Willshire Sportsman’s Club’s annual Trade Days event held dawn to dusk July 23-25 at 3385 Ohio 81, two miles east of Willshire. Bring the entire famiy – admission and parking are free.

There will be all types of flea market items, crafts, cement figures, tools, dog supplies, antiques, fishing, and hunting supplies. The vendor auction will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, July 25. Breakfast and concessions are available.

No three-wheelers or four-wheelers are allowed except for the handicapped, and you must be 16 to drive a golf cart. Vendor spaces are available for $50 each. Check out the latest details and updates on the Willshire Sportsman’s Club Facebook page..

Willshire Sportsman’s Club is a non-profit organization that offers membership for $10 per year. Club meetings are every third Monday at 7 p.m. Contact Ron Schumm at 419.495.2730 or Dan Strader at 419.203.4557 for details.

Vantage BOE to hold retire-rehire hearing

Submitted information

Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 3307.353, the Vantage Career Center School District Board of Education gives notice that Kevin Van Oss is retired under the State Teachers Retirement System, effective May 20, 2026 and is seeking employment with this board thereafter in the same position. The board will hold a public hearing on July 14, 2026, at 12:30 p.m. at Vantage Career Center, 818 N Franklin St. Van Wert, on the issue of the employee’s re-employment as career tech instructor.

Former mail carrier enters guilty plea

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor 

TOLEDO — A former postal carrier from Van Wert accused of burning undelivered mail last fall has pleaded guilty to a federal charge and now awaits sentencing. 

Kyle Carver entered the plea in U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio in Toledo on Tuesday. He was charged with delay or destruction of mail. He previously pleaded not guilty to the charge. He now faces up to a year in prison and/or fines. A pre-sentencing report was ordered and Carver is scheduled to be sentenced on September 22. 

During the early morning hours of October 22, 2025, the Van Wert Police Department received a call from a concerned citizen in reference to a fire that was unattended in the backyard of a residence in the 900 block of George St.

When an officer went to investigate, there was evidence of USPS mail being burned. It was confirmed that Carver lived at the residence and was allegedly burning undelivered mail there. The Van Wert Fire Department was called to extinguish the fire. The investigation was turned over to postmaster Greg McKeddie, who arrived on scene less than 45 minutes after the initial call.

In an interview with WANE 15 TV the day of the incident, Carver said “he’d forgotten to send out the mail to Central Ave, and said he noticed the pile in his truck this and, for fear of getting in trouble, put the 6-inch stack of envelopes in his fire pit and lit it on fire.” He also said he regretted his actions.

Renovation work…

Ray Etzler Gymnasium at Crestview High School looks pretty bare right now – no gym floor, bleachers, stage or anything else. It’s all part of a plan to upgrade the district’s athletic facilities, indoors and outdoors. Gym and concession stand renovations are expected to be complete by September 1. Photo provided

Marvin Jr. to lead Liberty Bell talk

VW independent staff/submitted information

The Van Wert County Historical Society will welcome Ron Marvin Jr. as a special America250 speaker on Flag Day, Sunday, June 14. The program will be held in the Annex Building starting at 2 p.m. The program is free and open to the public. Martin will be talking about the Liberty Bell’s last great trip, which included a stop in Van Wert. 

Marvin will share the story of the Liberty Bell’s last great trip, as it toured coast to coast on a specially designed train. Beginning its journey from Philadelphia in July, 1915, it wound its way through several northern states toward San Francisco for the Panama-Pacific Exposition. 

Along the route, thousands lined the rails for even a brief glimpse of the Liberty Bell. Several lucky towns such as Van Wert even had the Bell make a brief stop. In November, the Bell departed California along a southerly route as it headed toward Philadelphia. Upon its return in December, 1915, the Bell had traveled through parts of 24 states. Unfortunately, the damage from numerous train rides over the years had taken its toll and the City Fathers of Philadelphia decided that the Bell’s traveling days were over, and it would forever reside in the city. It is now prominently displayed in the Liberty Bell Center, completed in 2003.

This presentation will explore the routes the Liberty Bell train took as it traversed the state, including Van Wert County. Attendees will learn about the Bell’s visit to Van Wert, including those responsible for its visit. Utilizing period newspaper accounts, Marvin will share numerous stories and interesting facts connecting the state and the Liberty Bell. He will also mention several reproduction Liberty Bells that have traversed the state as well.