VW independent staff
A pair of arraignments, a sentencing hearing and plea change hearings were among the hearings held in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court this week. Judge Martin D. Burchfield presided over each of the hearings.
Arraignments
Jeffrey Kallas, 25, of Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea to harassment with a bodily substance, a fifth degree felony. He was released on a surety bond and a pre-trial conference was scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, September 30.
Cyle Black, 40, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth degree felony, and tampering with evidence, a third degree felony. He was released on a surety bond; pre-trial set for 9 a.m. September 30.
Sentencing
Eric Orndorff, 43, of Van Wert, sentenced to two years of community control and 30 days in jail at a later date for non-support of dependents, a fifth degree felony. He is to seek and maintain employment, undergo substance abuse assessment and treatment, consume no alcohol or drugs without a prescription, undergo random drug screens. Judge Burchfield also ordered Orndorff to pay partial appointed counsel fees and court costs.
Change of pleas
Dominique Barrows, 32, changed his plea to guilty to an amended charged of attempted having weapons while under disability, a fourth degree felony. Judge Burchfield ordered a pre-sentence investigation and set sentencing for 9 a.m. October 21.
(more…)POSTED: 09/09/26 at 8:50 pm
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
This Friday, September 11, will mark 25 years since the horrific attacks on the Twin Towers at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, the same day a jet crashed into a Pennsylvania field after a passenger revolt.
The VW independent is asking readers to share memories of that day. While the attacks occurred 25 years ago, the day remains vivid in the minds of many Americans.
- Where were you and what were you doing when you first heard about the attacks?
- How did you learn about them i.e. radio, TV, word of mouth, etc?
- What were your first thoughts?
- What do you remember most about that day and the days that followed?
- Please feel free to share any other memories you may have.
Please consider sharing your memories with us for a story that will be published this Friday. You may email your memories to editor@thevwindependent.com. Please include your name and where you live. Submissions will be accepted until 5 p.m. Thursday, September 10.
POSTED: 09/09/26 at 8:50 pm. FILED UNDER: News
The Van Wert County Agricultural Society held its annual director election on on Monday and the following people were elected to director seats that were open for this election cycle:
- Jackson Township: Roger Wilkin
- Jennings Township: Kathy McColllow
- Pleasant Township: Jennifer Balliet
- York Township: Justin Owens
- Southern Region: Brian Etzler
The Liberty Township position did not have a petition submitted and will be filled by appointment at the Agricultural Society’s Annual Meeting on November 14.
The Van Wert County Agricultural Society thanked everyone who participated in this year’s election and congratulated the newly elected directors. The Agricultural Society looks forward to their continued service and involvement in supporting the Van Wert County Fairgrounds and the agricultural community.
The Van Wert County Agricultural Society is responsible for the operation and management of the Van Wert County Fairgrounds and the annual Van Wert County Fair. The Agricultural Society is committed to providing a place that promotes agriculture, education, community activities, and opportunities for residents and visitors throughout the year.
POSTED: 09/09/26 at 8:48 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Submitted information
Van Wert Elks Lodge 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks has announced that applications for the Elks National Foundation Most Valuable Student Scholarships are now available to any high school senior.
Applications for the Elks National Foundation’s 2027 Most Valuable Student contest are available online at enf.elks.org/mvs. The MVS scholarships are only available to graduating seniors who will be attending a four year college or university. Applicants don’t have to be related to a member of the Elks. The deadline for filing the application is November 12.
The Most Valuable Student information has been distributed to the guidance offices at the local schools.
In addition, Legacy Awards scholarships applications for children and grandchildren of Elks are now available. This contest is open to any high school senior who is the child or grandchild, including stepchildren or legal ward of an Elk member in good standing for at least two years. The applicant must apply online only at enf.elks.org/leg. The deadline for Legacy Awards is February 1, 2027.
Anyone who needs more information on any of the scholarship programs should contact the lodge scholarship chairperson, Linda Stanley at 419.238.4827.
On Wednesday, Mrs. Germann’s eighth grade American History class raised the American and Ohio flags donated by the Van Wert VFW Post 5803 Auxiliary. Pictured from left to right are Finley Case, Tula Cologne, VFW Auxiliary representative Suzi McClure, Mavis Hull, and Jesse Elston. Photo submitted
POSTED: 09/09/26 at 8:47 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff
The Ohio State Highway Patrol reported 12 traffic deaths over the four-day Labor Day weekend reporting period, which began at midnight on Friday, September 4, and ran until 11:59 p.m. Monday, September 12. None of the fatal crashes occurred locally.
The Highway Patrol said the 12 deaths were the result of 12 crashes. At least one of the crashes involved alcohol. In the fatal crashes, at least one person was not wearing a seat belt.
During the extended holiday weekend, troopers made 426 arrests for impaired driving and 70 arrests and drug-related charges and they issued 2,136 citations for seat belts. Throughout the state, troopers responded to 502 crashes, issued 1,525 citations for distracted driving and helped more than 1,500 drivers.
This year had a decrease in deaths compared to last year in Ohio. In 2025, 23 people died in 20 crashes on the state’s roadways over the Labor Day holiday weekend. This year’s total was also lower than 2024’s total, when 15 deaths were reported.
POSTED: 09/09/26 at 8:46 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff
A reminder – the City of Van Wert’s final scheduled brush pickup of 2026 will begin on Monday, September 14. Brush must be placed by the curb by 7 a.m. that day.
- The city will not pick up limbs larger than four inches in diameter or more than 10 feet long.
- The city will not pick up brush that has been left behind by a professional tree trimmer or private contractor. If a homeowner utilized a trimming service, they are responsible for disposing of the tree.
- Brush placed in bags or boxes will not be picked up.
- Do not place brush by trees, poles, manholes, catch basins, water meters, fire hydrants or parked vehicles. It must be visible from street.
POSTED: 09/09/26 at 8:46 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
The Brumback Library will begin a series of floor restoration projects on Monday, September 21, as part of the library’s ongoing efforts to preserve and maintain its historic building for future generations.
The restoration work will require portions of the library to be temporarily closed or unavailable while crews complete the necessary work. The Main Reading Room floor is the first phase of a larger restoration project that will address additional flooring throughout the library. The library will provide updates to the community as each phase of the project approaches.
The first phase will focus on the Italian tile floor in the Main Reading Room and is expected to take approximately two weeks. During this first phase of work, the front entrance, Young Adult (YA) collection, and Magazines and Newspapers Room will be temporarily unavailable. Library staff will relocate those collections and services to other areas of the building so patrons can continue to access materials as much as possible while the restoration is underway.
While the front entrance is inaccessible, patrons may enter the library through the doors located off the parking lot. Appropriate signage will be posted to help direct patrons to the temporary entrance.
The week of September 14 will be dedicated to preparing the building for the work. During this time, patrons may notice that some areas of the library look different or less organized than usual as staff empty rooms and relocate materials and furnishings in preparation for the restoration.
“We know that having portions of the library temporarily unavailable may be an inconvenience, but this work is important to maintaining and preserving The Brumback Library,” Library Director Nellie Schmidt said. “Our building is such an important part of Van Wert County’s history, and we want to make sure we are taking care of it so that future generations can continue to enjoy it.”
(more…)POSTED: 09/08/26 at 8:49 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Submitted information
Communities throughout the nation, including Van Wert, will be celebrating the spirit and meaning of the country’s Constitution beginning September 17. On that day in 1787 at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, 39 delegates at the Constitutional Convention signed the Constitution of the United States of America. Nearly 170 years later, in 1955, the Daughters of the American Revolution spearheaded an effort to set aside one week annually when Americans could celebrate this iconic signing. After petitioning Congress to set aside the week of September 17-23, on August 2, 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed Constitution Week into law.
Local chapters of NSDAR celebrate with many events to honor this founding document. Celebrations begin with Bells Across America, on September 17, when bells across the country are rung simultaneously at 4 p.m. EDT.
The Isaac Van Wart Chapter will gather and ring bells at 4 p.m. at the Van Wert County Courthouse. The Van Wert community is invited to join the DAR in celebrating Constitution Week.
POSTED: 09/08/26 at 8:47 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Parkway Student Government has announced this year’s Homecoming Court. Pictured in the front row are the senior queen candidates (left to right): Cami Langenkamp, Madelyn Stover, and Grace Winget. Shown in the back row from left to right are Kallee Bransteter, freshman attendant; McKenzie Snell, sophomore attendant; and Jaymin Peel, junior attendant. Coronation of the 2026 Homecoming Queen will take place on Friday, September 18, before the Parkway Panthers take on the St. Henry Redskins at Panther Stadium. Photo submitted
POSTED: 09/08/26 at 8:46 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Submitted information
The PLC Health Clinic will hold its 25th annual Walk for Life this Sunday, September 13, 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 $60,000 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 the listed services. The clinic also provides free STI/STD testing for both men and women and the newest addition is the Langdyn House which is a maternity home.
The walk is made possible by more than 70 businesses and churches in the Van Wert area that gave at the Gold Level Sponsorship.
This list includes: Advanced Grain Systems, LLC; Baker McClure Law & Title, LLC; Bee Clean; Black Swamp Lawncare; Blue Creek Farms, LLC; Bradley Knodel, CPA; Brickner Funeral Home; Callow Quality Meats, LLC; Calvary Evangelical Church; Carey Insurance; Century Trading Co., Inc.; Church on the Horizon; Convoy Methodist Church; Cowan & Son Funeral Home; Creative Edge Cabinets & Woodworking; Current Energy Solutions, LLC; Custom Assembly, Inc.; D&D Ingredients, LLC; Dave “Dent Man” Gardner; Edward Jones Investments; First Financial Bank; First United Methodist Church; Gibson’s Barnyard BBQ; Grace Bible Church; Grace Collaborative Salon; Harvest Field Pentecostal; Haviland Drainage Products, Co.; HomeFront Lawn Care; Hydro Window and Power Washing; Jennings Road Church of Christ; Kerns Chevrolet GMC, Inc.; Keysor Farms, LLC; Kingdom Renovations; Kingsley Church; Kleen Pro Carpet & Upholstery; Knights of Columbus; Laudick’s Jewelry; Lee Kinstle GM Sales & Service; Leland Smith Insurance Services, Inc.; LifeHouse Church; Living Truth Ministries; Microtronix ESolutions; New Horizons Community Church; Northwest Ohio Welch Trophy; Ohio City Community Church of God; Orchard Tree; Owens Farms; Pleasant Chapel United Methodist Church; Pleasant View Church; ProGuard Pest Control; Recovery Massage; Redeemer Lutheran Church; Sarah Rank Photography, LLC; Sealscott, CPA, Inc.; St. Mark’s Lutheran Church; St. Mary’s Catholic Church; St. Paul’s Church; Straley Realty & Auctioneers, Inc.; Strategence Capital; The Three-Thirteen Co.; Tisha Fast, State Farm Insurance; the CHURCH; Trinity Friends Church; Trinity Global Methodist Church; Triple R Farms; Van Wert Rotary; Wallace Plumbing; Water on Wheels; Wilkinson Printing; Williamson Insurance, and Wonder Event Co.
POSTED: 09/08/26 at 8:45 pm. FILED UNDER: News
