SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
A fundraising campaign to add much needed space at the Van Wert County Historical Society received a boost on Wednesday.
Kevin Merkle, on behalf of the late Harold and Janet Merkle, presented a $5,000 donation to the ongoing capital campaign project. The funds were presented in a fitting place – on the steps of the log cabin on the campus, a structure that dates back to the mid-19th century and once belonged to the Merkle family.
“My parents donated this log cabin,” Merkle said. “It was out on our homestead and it was where my grandparents lived and their folks before that on Kreischer Rd. (in Harrison Township). Mom and dad have always supported the Van Wert County Historical Society. My dad was really into genealogy so he’d really like to see this new building, which is going to be centered around that.”
The donation was accepted by Van Wert County Historical Society Trustee Mark Hurless, who is leading fundraising and the project, and Brent Stevens, owner of the nationally recognized “Faces of Little Big Horn” collection, which will be housed in the expanded facility. The collection was created by Van Wert native David Humphreys Miller, who spent the 1930s and 1940s traveling across the Great Plains to interview and paint 72 survivors of the Battle of Little Big Horn.
Once built, the $1.5 million dollar, 4,900 square foot expansion will be home to a new research and genealogy center, four additional display rooms and a meeting room.
(more…)POSTED: 12/03/25 at 9:29 pm
By Emily Lichtle/Crestview FFA reporter
CONVOY — Crestview FFA is proud to announce that Dakota Thornell has advanced to the State Job Interview Contest, where she will compete in Division 5 on Friday, December 5, at the Ohio State Fairgrounds in Columbus.
Dakota has had an impressive season, earning second place at sub-districts, first place at districts, and first place in state prelims, securing her place among the top competitors in Ohio. Dakota explained that she was inspired to compete thanks to the encouragement of Mrs. Ericka Gibson, and she prepared through a practice interview with Principal, Ms. Mimi Myers. Thornell thaned Kerry Koontz for her CEO paper from the summer to help prepare her.
One of the most challenging obstacles Thornell faced during this journey was navigating the technology for state prelims. The most rewarding experience has been meeting other FFA members in the same CDE and learning from their advice and perspectives. She shared that she is both surprised and excited to advance to the state level and hopes to make Crestview proud. She also emphasized how valuable this competition is for building real-life job skills that will benefit her far beyond FFA.
Thornell thanked the community for their support, her FFA members for helping her prepare and celebrate her accomplishments, Mrs. Ericka Gibson for believing in her, and the FFA members she has met along the way who have helped her grow. Crestview FFA congratulates Dakota on her outstanding dedication and wishes her the best of luck as she competes at State.
VW independent staff/submitted information
COLUMBUS — Governor Mike DeWine has vetoed a bill that would have let 14- and 15-year-olds work later on school nights. The announcement was made late Wednesday night.
Senate Bill 50 would have allowed teens to work until 9 p.m. on school nights with permission from their parents or legal guardians. Current state law prohibits 14- and 15-year-olds from working beyond 7 p.m. during the school year. It also conflicted with the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, which prohibits 14- and 15-year-olds from working before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m. during the school year. Those standards apply to large businesses, while those with annual revenue of less than $500,000 are exempt.
“I believe it unwise to provide for 14- and 15-year-olds to work, on a school night, that late at night,” Governor Mike DeWene said while announcing the veto. “I see no compelling reason to deviate from current law. I believe the current law has served us well and has effectively balanced the importance of 14- and 15-year-old children learning to work, with the importance of them having time to study.”
POSTED: 12/04/25 at 7:17 am. FILED UNDER: News
Team members from Van Wert Manor volunteered their time this week as Salvation Army bell ringers, supporting the organization’s annual Red Kettle Campaign. Staff members Elaine Barnes, Director of Nursing; Sierra Rostetter, RN; Shante Norton, RN; Shenett Dewitt, Activity Director (all pictured above), along with Kim Ellis, Business Office Manager; Katie Mosier, LPN;and Amber Showalter, LSW, proudly represented the facility as they greeted shoppers and encouraged donations that support local families. Funds raised through the campaign remain in Van Wert County, providing assistance with food, housing, utilities, and emergency services for individuals and families in need. Bob Barnes photo
POSTED: 12/03/25 at 9:29 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
TOLEDO — The former director of a prison re-entry non-profit has been sentenced to 10-13 years behind bars for stealing more than $200,000 from the organization and its donors, including elderly Ohioans, Attorney General Dave Yost announced.
“He didn’t just steal money – he deprived the community of a helping hand for inmates seeking a fresh start as law-abiding citizens,” Yost said. “Now, it’s his turn to pay a debt to society.”
The sentencing of Thomas Ostrosky, 52, follows his November 12 guilty plea to felony charges of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, theft from a person in a protected class, solicitation fraud and telecommunications fraud.
Besides the prison sentence, Ostrosky must pay restitution of $207,650, which the Attorney General’s Office will distribute for charitable purposes. He also is barred from holding a position of trust or handling the financial affairs of others.
Ostrosky was indicted in April and arrested in Dade City, Florida, following an investigation by Yost’s Charitable Law Section.
The charges stemmed from Ostrosky’s management of the Lazarus Experience, a nonprofit he founded in 2017. The organization, no longer in operation, was described as a Christian ministry providing re-entry services to incarcerated men in northwest Ohio.
The Lucas County Prosecutor’s Office appointed Yost’s Charitable Law Section to prosecute the case.
POSTED: 12/03/25 at 9:28 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Submitted information
PAULDING — The next Western Buckeye ESC governing board meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 17, in the Educational Service Center conference room, 835 N. Williams St., Paulding.
POSTED: 12/03/25 at 9:28 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
2026 Van Wert County dog Licenses are now available and will be sold through January 31, 2026.
All dogs three months or older require a license. The one year dog license fee is $18 per tag. If purchased after January 31, an additional $18 penalty fee will be charged.
Dog tags can be purchased by mail, online or at one of the following locations:
- Van Wert County Auditor’s Office, Room 205, Van Wert County Courthouse
- Van Wert Co. Sheriff’s Dept. 113 N. Market St., Van Wert
- Animal Clinic of Van Wert, 13995 Lincoln Highway, Van Wert
- Ohio City Express, 511 W. Carmean St., Ohio City
- Secret Garden Floral & Gifts, 109 W. Tully St., Convoy
- Willshire RoadDog, 603 Rockford Rd., Willshire
- Trisha’s Ruff Grooming 309 Bonnewitz Ave., Van Wert
If purchasing a tag at one of the above locations, please take your application with you.
Licenses may also be purchased online at www.doglicenses.us/OH/VanWert/. A convenience fee will apply.
The following licenses are available only in the Auditor’s Office:
- A three year dog license is $54 per tag.
- A lifetime dog license is $180 per tag.
- A kennel license is $90 which includes 5 tags, extra tags are $1 each.
- A penalty fee will be applied if purchased after January 31.
Anyone with questions, should contact the Real Estate Department at the Van Wert County Auditor’s Office 419.238.0843, option 1.
POSTED: 12/02/25 at 10:04 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
Just in time for the holidays, Van Wert resident Joe Ginter has completed his new book, “The Christmas Couch: Surviving a Zany Christmas Eve in 1969” — a holiday tale about four siblings creating out-of-the-box Christmas memories.
Due to an extremely cold Christmas Eve in 1969, the four Gilbone siblings were forced to make efficient use of their living room couch to execute their Christmas traditions. But some Dickensian surprises made this Christmas Eve unforgettable.
In 1981, Ginter authored the book “I Wanted to Be Famous” in an attempt to make his mark in the comedy renaissance of the late 1970s. 39 years later, Ginter, enlisting the help of his fifth-grade language arts students, authored the four Ditchmen books. Now retired after 34 years of teaching, Ginter crafted a hilarious Christmas tale to help readers reminisce or learn about the year 1969 and to receive a message of hope for the future.
The latest book is described as a unique and memorable Christmas tale.
“It’s Christmas Eve, 1969,” Ginter begins. “It is important that you remember these two things: It’s Christmas Eve, and it’s 1969, or this is all for naught. If you were not alive yet in 1969, you must imagine a day without the internet, mobile devices, social media, Bluetooth, 911, video games, and so much more. If you wanted to talk to a friend, you most likely had to talk on a phone that was connected to a wall in a room where everyone could hear your conversation. If you happened to share the same circuit with neighbors, they could listen to your conversations. This was known as a party line, which could, at times be quite embarrassing and more of a party pooper.”
Readers can purchase “The Christmas Couch: Surviving a Zany Christmas Eve in 1969” at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes store, Amazon or Barnes and Noble.
Covenant Books is an international Christian owned and operated publishing house based in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina.
POSTED: 12/02/25 at 9:54 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff
COLUMBUS — The Ohio State Highway Patrol is reporting 11 people died in eight fatal crashes during the Thankgiving holiday travel period, November 26-30. It’s the same total as last year, but lower than Thanksgiving weekend 2023, when 13 people were killed in crashes throughout the state.
None of the fatal crashes occurred locally.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol said that of the eight fatal crashes that were reported, at least two of them involved operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and three of them involved people not wearing safety belts.
Overall, 766 crashes were reported during the five day span.
Troopers issued 462 safety belt citations during the reporting period and the Ohio State Highway Patrol said they arrested 281 people for impaired driving and another 38 on drug-related charges.
POSTED: 12/02/25 at 9:53 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff
Churches around Van Wert County are encouraged to submit information about their upcoming Christmas Eve services, including times and any other pertinent information, to editor@thevwindependent.com by Wednesday, December 17. The complete list will be compiled and published on both the News and Church pages on Friday, December 19. There is no charge for the listing.
VW independent staff
Due to snow and ice, Crestview Local Schools, Delphos City Schools and Delphos St. John’s, Lincolnview Local Schools, Van Wert City Schools and Vantage Career Center are closed today, Tuesday, December 2.
POSTED: 12/02/25 at 8:18 am. FILED UNDER: News
