SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
CONVOY — The Crestview Local Schools Board of Education has taken another step toward a project designed to improve the district’s athletic facilities.
During Monday night’s monthly meeting, the board voted to hire Wapakoneta-based Peterson Construction Company as the Construction Manager at-Risk for the pending facilities renovation project.
“The goal by using the CMR model will allow us to better value engineer and utilize local contractors as much as possible,” Board President Brad Perrott explained.
The project includes relocating the football stadium, installing new bleachers, new lights and artificial turf, relocating the varsity baseball diamond and making the existing diamond the new field for junior varsity baseball, upgrades to the varsity softball diamond, and improvements to the gymnasium, including new bleachers.
“Moving them (the football stadium and baseball diamond) makes the most sense for the long term and the cost differential is low enough to justify it,” Perrott said. “Once moved, the fields will be properly aligned and will allow for improved safety and visibility for the fans.”
The price tag for the entire athletics renovation project is currently estimated at approximately $13 million, but Perrott noted the numbers will become more clear once the board gets into final drawings and the bidding process.
Superintendent Matt Dube said new bleachers will need to be ordered by the end of this month, exterior lights for the football stadium by the end of next month, and artificial turf by the end of the calendar year. The renovations, including the relocated football stadium, are expected to be complete in time for the 2026-2027 school year.
(more…)POSTED: 10/13/25 at 9:27 pm
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
Street paving is progressing well, according to Van Wert Safety-Service Director Jay Fleming.
Fleming updated Van Wert City Council Monday night and said paving work on Cherry St. should be complete today. Crews from The Shelley Company will then shift their attention to Second St., Biltmore Ave., Green St., Gay St., and Temple St. Fleming said all work should be wrapped up by the end of this week.
He also told members of council that the city flipped the lanes on Bonnewitz Ave. last Friday, so the thru-lane is now a thru-lane/left turn lane and he said the change is working well.
Mayor Ken Markward shared the final figures on the city’s trasher voucher program. Vouchers were made available to city residents, one per household, to take a large item to Young’s Waste for disposal during the month of September. He noted twice as many were used this time compared to the last time the city offered the vouchers (2021) and the tonnage was nearly three times more than before. 297 vouchers were used last month, compared to 153 four years ago, and the tonnage was 69.96, substantially higher than 2021, when 25.86 tons came in via the vouchers.
“We’ll continue to evaluate how that goes, whether we can continue to be able to do that next year and improve on it,” Markward said.
A bit later in the meeting, council approved a “then and now” invoice to Young’s Waste in the amount of $14,694.75 to cover the amount of trash taken via the vouchers.
(more…)POSTED: 10/13/25 at 9:24 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
42 outstanding Vantage Career Center seniors were recently inducted as members of the Vantage chapter of the National Technical Honor Society during a special candlelight ceremony held at the school.
Vantage students who achieved a 3.75 grade point average or better, while maintaining a 95 percent attendance rate, both their junior and senior year, were eligible to apply for membership. In addition to submitting a resume and writing an essay stating why they would like to be a part of the NTHS, the students were also required to obtain three teacher recommendations.
Here is the list of 2025 Vantage National Technical Honor Society inductees: Ryan Aldrich (Fort Jennings), Xander Bartley (Paulding), Zion Bertsch (Lincolnview), Jayci Blue (Van Wert), Lily Boyd (Wayne Trace), Abigail Bullinger (Ottoville), William Burgei (Wayne Trace), Landon Calvelage (Fort Jennings), Audrey Dougal (Wayne Trace), Cole English (Continental), Lydia Etzkorn (Delphos St. Johns), Bela Fiedler (Ottoville), Chase German (Fort Jennings), Alexander Groch (Delphos Jefferson), Haiven Harsh (Continental), Zaria Harter (Lincolnview), Jackson Hoersten (Delphos St. Johns), Zachary Hohlbein (Ottoville), Grady Holdgreve (Delphos St. Johns), Damien Iliff (Paulding), Jaelynn Karcher (Van Wert), Brooklyn King (Paulding), Griffin Kosch (Antwerp), Layla Kremer (Paulding), Jason Luersman (Kalida), Felicia Martz (Van Wert), Cora Meyer (Crestview), Lucas Morehead (Wayne Trace), Annelise Price (Kalida), Macie Pugh (Lincolnview), Eric Reinhart (Wayne Trace), Rileigh Sanders (Paulding), Colten Sargent (Antwerp), Dylan Schaefer (Fort Jennings), Cruse Schroeder (Ottoville), James Schroeder (Fort Jennings), Myleigh Sheets (Wayne Trace), Reilly Stegaman (Fort Jennings), Drew Ulm (Delphos St. Johns), Henry Walpole (Delphos St. Johns), Riley Wenzlick (Delphos St. Johns), and Caroline Winans (Wayne Trace).
NTHS membership is the highest recognition for excellence in career-technical education and serves as a respected indicator of achievement, skill, and leadership in the workplace. Students are selected for membership as a reward for exceptional performance in workforce education, to help develop self-esteem and pride in work, and to encourage them to reach for superior levels of academic and technical success.
The National Technical Honor Society also promotes business and industry’s core workplace values; knowledge, skill, honesty, service, responsibility, scholarship, citizenship, and leadership.
During the ceremony, each of these workplace values was represented by a candle lit by an inductee, symbolizing their commitment to uphold these guiding principles:
- Knowledge – Mr. Ben Winans
- Skill – Brooklyn King
- Honesty – Riley Wenzlick
- Service – Annelise Price
- Responsibility – Dylan Schaefer
- Scholarship – Abigail Bullinger
- Citizenship – Eric Reinhart
- Leadership – Zaria Harter
POSTED: 10/13/25 at 9:20 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
Average gasoline prices in Ohio have fallen 21.3 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.76/ per gallon on Monday, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 5,345 stations in Ohio. Prices in Ohio are 11.2 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand 38.4 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has decreased 3.5 cents compared to a week ago and stands at $3.628 per gallon.
According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Ohio was priced at $2.22 per gallon on Monday, while the most expensive was $3.49 per gallon, a difference of $1.27 per gallon.
As of Monday night in Van Wert, prices ranged from $2.59 at Sunoco on N. Washington St, Casey’s and Murphy USA, to $2.99 at Tyler’s Short Stop. In recent weeks, prices have seemingly jumped by a substantial margin on Tuesdays.
The national average price of gasoline has fallen 6.4 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.02 per gallon on Monday. The national average is down 13.7 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 14.4 cents per gallon lower than a year ago, according to GasBuddy data compiled from more than 11 million weekly price reports covering over 150,000 gas stations across the country.
“Americans appear to be on the cusp of seeing the national average drop below $3 per gallon for the first time in years, as prices have fallen across the vast majority of the country,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “With well over 40 states seeing gas prices decline and oil plunging below $60 per barrel to end the week, the good news may not end if — and when — the national average hits that magical $2.99 mark. We could even see a handful of stations in places like Oklahoma, Texas, or even Wisconsin drop below $2 per gallon in the weeks ahead — something not seen since the pandemic.”
“In addition, with wages up and gas prices down, Americans are spending the smallest share of their paycheck on gasoline in many years,” he added.
(more…)POSTED: 10/13/25 at 9:19 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
COLUMBUS — Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost believes it’s time to switch to a different form of execution in the Buckeye State.
Yost recently addressed members of the House Judiciary Committee and said Ohio’s capital punishment system is long-broken and costly, and added it reflects “a dishonorable abdication of responsibility” that could be resolved with legislative approval of nitrogen hypoxia for executions.
“An additional method of execution is necessary,” Yost said, testifying in support of House Bill 36, which would permit the use of nitrogen hypoxia for executions.
Currently, lethal injection is the only form of execution authorized under Ohio law, but Yost claimed in his testimony, “private drug companies are defying Ohio’s laws and vetoing public policy by refusing to provide execution drugs.”
Yost reminded committee members that the families of victims as well as Ohioans who served as jurors and made the difficult decision to sentence a defendant to death are counting on Ohio leaders to carry out the state’s capital-punishment laws.
Nine states currently allow lethal gas as a means of execution. Five of those – Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Oklahoma – specify nitrogen hypoxia, which is inert gas asphyxiation.
Capital punishment in Ohio
Yost’s office issues an annual report on Ohio’s capital-punishment system. The 2024 edition notes that:
- Ohio’s last execution was carried out in July 2018.
- On average, a condemned inmate in Ohio spends more than 22 years on Death Row.
- From 1981 to 2024, 337 people received a combined 342 death sentences in Ohio. Only 56 of those sentences – one in six – have been carried out.
POSTED: 10/13/25 at 9:19 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
The Van Wert School at the Goedde is honored to invite all veterans in the community to its second annual “Breakfast with a Vet” at 9 a.m. this Wednesday, October 15.
Held in the Goedde gymnasium, the event will offer a warm, complimentary breakfast for the nation’s heroes, served alongside students eager to connect, learn, and express their gratitude.
“Our goal is to create a space where students can learn firsthand from the experiences of veterans,” said Rhonda Cunningham, Director of Van Wert School at the Goedde. “It’s a unique opportunity to build intergenerational connections, promote respect, and foster a deeper understanding of the sacrifices made for our country.”
Now in its second year, “Breakfast with a Vet” continues to serve as both a celebration of service and a learning experience for students, who gain insight into history, patriotism, and the value of community.
No RSVP is required. All veterans are welcome, just bring your appetite and your stories.
Van Wert City Schools thanked event sponsors, United Way of Van Wert County and Walmart for helping make this meaningful event possible.
POSTED: 10/13/25 at 8:23 am. FILED UNDER: News
Traffic in downtown Van Wert was slowed by a two vehicle accident Saturday afternoon. It occurred shortly before 4 p.m. at the intersection of Main St. and Washington St. The vehicle shown above took the worst of it and was towed from the scene, and one person was taken by EMS to OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital. The Van Wert Police Department worked to get traffic through the intersection. Bob Barnes/VWFD photographer
POSTED: 10/12/25 at 10:05 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
COLUMBUS – Northeast Ohio is approaching peak fall colors near Lake Erie, but fall color in the rest of the state is slowly progressing, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
“Fall color is slowly popping through, especially on roadways and near water,” said ODNR Fall Color Forester David Parrott. “With the dry weather, the fall colors may change quickly statewide, so be on the lookout for the color change, as it may happen fast and not last long in some areas. Right now, you can find goldenrods, sycamores, and cottonwoods showcasing bright yellows.
“Our fall color reporters continue to see mostly ‘Changing’ conditions with a couple of ‘Near Peak’ and even ‘Peak’ reports across the state,” he added.
Those interested in finding the most eye-catching leaves throughout the season should check out ODNR’s fall color website, the official guide to the changing colors. The website includes:
- Weekly color updates and information to help plan a fall color adventure
- The new Fall Color Tracker Map
- Unique overnight accommodations at Ohio’s state parks
- Fun events happening around the state
- Information to participate in the Digital Ohio State Parks Passport Challenge on Ohio Trails+ powered by the OuterSpatial App.
ODNR encourages people to share fall color photos using #OhioFall25, #OhioTheHeartofitAll and #FallinOhio. Each week, ODNR will choose photos from those who use this hashtag to share on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. For more fall color photos, follow ODNR, Ohio State Parks and Ohio The Heart of It All. on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @OhioDNR, @OHStateParks, @odnrforestry and @OhioTheHeartofitAll.
POSTED: 10/12/25 at 10:04 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
COLUMBUS — The Ohio House of Representatives has passed legislation to encourage students in grades 1-12 to read the Declaration of Independence in the classroom during the 2025–2026 school year in recognition of its 250th anniversary.
According to State Representative Roy Klopfenstein (R-Haviland), House Concurrent Resolution 22 does not impose a mandate on schools. Rather, it encourages them to provide students with opportunities to read and study the document that remains foundational to the United States’ constitutional republic, ensuring the next generation of Ohioans understands the nation’s fundamental principles.
“Our nation is blessed with one of the most significant founding documents, one that affirms our God given right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” Rep. Klopfenstein said. “As we mark this monumental anniversary, it’s vital that our children read and understand its meaning, because the future of our country rests in their hands.”
The 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence takes places on July 4, 2026.
House Concurrent Resolution 22 awaits further consideration from the Ohio Senate.
Klopfenstein represents Ohio’s 82nd District, which includes all of Van Wert, Paulding, and Putnam counties and the southern portion of Defiance County.
POSTED: 10/12/25 at 10:03 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
OHIO CITY — The “In Case Of Death” series will continue at 6:30 p.m. this Wednesday, October 15, at St. Paul’s Church in Ohio City. This is an informative session on how to prepare your estate for those who will be dealing with it after your death.
The previous two sessions have focused on the spiritual side of death, how to handle investments and trusts , the importance of wills and dealing with probate issues.
Session No. 3 will feature banking experts from the area who will explain how to make the transferring of accounts easier and how to guard against fraud to keep assets safe. Questions from those in attenance will be answered following the presentation.
The “In Case Of Death” series is free and open to the public. Previous sessions can be found on St. Paul’s Church’s Facebook page (click on videoroost). One more session will be held next week.
St. Paul’s Church is located at 6077 German Church Road, Ohio City.
VW independent staff/submitted information
COLUMBUS — Governor Mike DeWine has issued two more reprieves of execution:
- Antonio Franklin, who was scheduled to be executed on February 11, 2026. The new date of execution has been moved to February 15, 2029.
- James Trimble, who was scheduled to be executed on March 12, 2026. The new date of execution has been moved to March 14, 2029.
Franklin has been on death row since September of 1998 on charges of aggravated murder, aggravated arson, aggravated robbery, for killing his grandparents and an uncle with a baseball bat before setting fire to their Dayton home. This is his second reprieve.
Trimble has been on death row since November of 2005 on charges of aggravated murder, aggravated burglary, kidnapping and felonious assualt, for shooting and killing his girlfriend and her son.
As he has done with previous reprieves, DeWine blamed ongoing problems involving the willingness of pharmaceutical suppliers to provide drugs to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, pursuant to DRC protocol, without endangering other Ohioans. Other states have continued carrying out death sentences via lethel injection, while others have changed methods, including the use of a firing squad or nitrogen gas.
Since DeWine took office in 2019, there have been no executions in Ohio.
POSTED: 10/12/25 at 10:01 pm. FILED UNDER: News
