Plans explained for barn once moved to the fairgrounds

Unique bench in place outside library

Submitted information

The Brumback Library has announced the addition of a large butterfly bench to its historic grounds in downtown Van Wert, creating a beautiful new space for visitors to enjoy, take photos, and make memories.

The bench was made possible through a generous donation from Sue Sakers in memory of the Farlow Family, honoring her immediate family and the many memories they made at the library when they were younger. Additional funding was provided through the estate of Dennis Williams, who generously bequeathed his estate to the library upon his passing.

Earlier this month, stamped concrete was poured to create a dedicated space for the bench near the peony bed in the library’s front yard. Now, the butterfly bench is officially in place and ready to welcome visitors. Students from Goedde School were on hand to help move the bench into position, with equipment provided by NAPA Auto Parts assisting with the installation.

The Brumback Library is grateful to everyone who helped bring this project to life. This beautiful new addition enhances the library’s historic grounds while providing a welcoming spot for families and visitors to gather, take photos, and create new memories at a place that has been part of the community for generations.

Thank you to Sue Sakers and the Farlow Family, the estate of Dennis Williams, Goedde School, and NAPA Auto Parts for their generosity and support in making this project possible.

Early in-person voting numbers are up

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

It’s accurate to say that Ohio’s early voting period has been brisk locally and throughout the state.

Van Wert County Board of Elections Director Pam Henderson said as of mid-afternoon Thursday, 3,662 registered voters had cast early in-person ballots at the Board of Elections Office.

“Early voting for this election is already above numbers from 2022, which was 3,220,” Henderson said.

She also noted absentee mail voting is down compared to four years ago. According to Henderson, in 2022 there were 1,467 mail-in ballots sent out and this election, only 950 were sent out. 

Statewide, as of mid-day Thursday, nearly 840,000 voters had cast early in-person ballots, while more than 550,000 of nearly 738,000 ballots requested by mail had been turned in.

She reminded registered voters that there are still three more days of early voting left: 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, and from 1-5 p.m. Sunday.

“Voters like the convenience of early voting,” Henderson noted. “In 2022, there was a 50 percent voter turnout. It would be great to see the numbers increase for this election to 55-60 percent voter turnout.”

Polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3 and regardless if you’re voting early or on Tuesday, a valid photo ID is required to cast a ballot.

Elks honor Eagle Scout…

Van Wert Lodge No. 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks recently participated in the Eagle Scout Court of Honor for William Vaughn, a member of Boy Scout Troop 31 in Van Wert. Vaughn was presented an American flag and an Eagle Scout certificate from the Van Wert Elks Lodge. For his Eagle Scout project, Vaughn worked at the Council on Aging to repair some low areas in their parking lot. These were dug out with a heavy stone base installed, tamped down and repaired. Pictured with Vaughn is Michael C. Stanley, Lodge Scouting Liaison. Photo submitted

Rockford Lions holding Bag Bingo event

Submitted information

ROCKFORD — The Rockford Lions Club’s annual Bag Bingo fundraiser event is set for Saturday, November 7, at the Rockford Community Building. Doors will open at 12 p.m. that way, with bingo play beginning at 1 p.m.. Packets are available for $25 each.

Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase. Vendor partners will be announced later.

All proceeds benefit the Rockford Lions Club and its community service programs. The Lions Club is dedicated to serving the Rockford area and supporting local initiatives that make a difference in the lives of residents.

For more information or to purchase tickets in advance, contact Lee Ann Frank at 419.953.2634.

The Rockford Lions Club meets from September through June on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Rockford Village Offices on E. Columbia St.

BOE takes care of business at meeting

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

A number of routine business and personnel matters were tended to during Wednesday’s monthly meeting of the Van Wert City Schools Board of Education.

The board approved the recommendation of the Van Wert Area School Insurance Group for the 2027 plan year premiums, which include an eight percent increase for health insurance premiums and a two percent increase for dental premiums.

“The staff has been informed and they’ve held meetings to inform them what that means,” Board President Anthony Adams said. “Rate increases are not always fun but we all understand that healthcare costs have crept up.”

Assistant Superintendent Bob Priest updated transportation numbers and noted on average, the district transports approximately 850 students every morning and afternoon and he added buses travel an average of 612 miles per day. Priest also said the BusRite school bus tracking app has been rolled out and has garnered nothing but positive reviews from parents.

“It just helps people plan and be prepared,” he said. “We’re very pleased with how BusRite is working for us.”

During his report to the board, Treasurer Troy Bowersock said the final cost of the massive Eggerss Stadium renovation project will be $8.4 million and he gave a breakdown of how the cost was covered:

• $5 million from a bond issue approved by school district residents
• $1.9 million from private donations
• $1.3 million largely from the district’s capital projects fund

In personnel matters the board:

• Approved a supplemental contract for Evan Sroufe, high school marching band support staff.
• Accepted the resignation of head nurse Natasha Kline, effective October 31.
• Rescinded approval of Matthew Warnecke, Angie Myers and Marty Hohman as coordinators of student rewards, then approved Warnecke was sixth grade RTI manager, Hohman as seventh grade RTI manager and Myers as eighth grade data manager.

Court news: sentencing hearings, more

VW independent staff

14 criminal defendants appeared for an array of hearings in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court between Thursday, October 15, and Wednesday, October 28. Judge Martin D. Burchfield presided over each of the hearings.

Arraignment

Frank Alexander, Jr., 33, of Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea to two counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, both third degree felonies. Bond was set at $50,000 cash or surety and he was ordered to have no contact with the victims. A pre-trial conference was scheduled for 8 a.m. November 4.

Sentencing hearings

Devin Couch, 21, of Van Wert, was sentenced as follows:

• 11-16 1/2 years in prison with credit for 71 days already served for possession of cocaine, a first degree felony
• 8-12 years in prison with credit for 71 days already served for aggravated possession of drugs, a second degree felony.
• 8-12 years prison with credit for 71 days already served for possession of hashish, a second degree felony.
• 36 months in prison for possession of marijuana, a third degree felony.
• Ordered to pay court costs.

In all, Couch will serve between 15 1/2 and 20 years behind bars. A full story on the sentencing hearing can be found here.

Dominique Barrows, 34, of Delphos, was sentenced to two years of community control, 30 days in jail at a later date and 50 hours of community service for attempted having weapons under disability, a fourth degree felony. He must maintain employment, undergo mental health and substance abuse assessment and any treatment, consume or possess no alcohol or drugs without a prescription, undergo random drug screens, and pay partial appointed counsel fees, monthly probation fees and court costs.

After a probation violation on a charge of failure to provide notice of change of address, a fourth degree felony, and a separate but identical third degree felony charge, Nicholas Tarbet, 31, of Van Wert, was sentenced to 180 days in jail with credit for 144 days already served. He was ordered to pay court costs.

Crestview Honor Society…

The Crestview Honor Society inducted 12 new members at a recent ceremony held at the school. The current membership, along with inductees and parents, heard from guest speaker and Crestview alumna Savannah (Smith) Wynn. New members include (left to right): Harold Smazenko, Noah Mosier, Luke Sawmiller, Ian Owens, Delanie Balliet, Alecta Baxter, Kinley Crider, Graylie Grose, Marlee Temple, Jetta Merkle, Xehrya Esparza, Raygan Rockwood. Photo submitted

McCray calls for fully funded schools

VW independent staff/submitted information

Ohio House District 82 candidate Maddux McCray, a Democrat from Van Wert, is calling for full funding of Ohio’s public schools, action to address educator and school employee shortages, and protection of the local schools that anchor rural communities.

Through conversations with superintendents across the district and his experience as a substitute teacher, McCray noted he has heard and seen the pressures facing schools. In a press release, he said his priorities include fully funding the Fair School Funding Plan using updated costs, addressing staffing shortages, maintaining school buildings and confronting the expansion of private school vouchers.

Funding schools and protecting cocal communities

McCray believes Ohio must provide dependable funding that reflects the actual costs of educating students. Schools should have the resources to support classroom instruction, retain employees and maintain safe buildings.

“Schools should not have to choose whether to repair existing infrastructure or buy new textbooks and resources for learning,” he said.

He is concerned that inadequate funding, staffing shortages and uncertainty surrounding property tax proposals could increase pressure on rural districts to consolidate. In Putnam County and throughout the district, preserving local schools means protecting institutions closely tied to community life and identity.

McCray said he supports meaningful property tax relief but opposes eliminating that revenue without a suitable, dependable replacement.

“Eliminating property taxes without a suitable replacement threatens local schools, the communities, small businesses and cultural identities built around them,” he said.

His infrastructure priorities include helping schools address aging HVAC systems, boilers, roofs and other essential repairs before deferred maintenance becomes a larger and more expensive problem.

Recruiting and retaining school employees

McCray said supports recruitment incentives, competitive wages and benefits to attract new educators and retain experienced teachers and school employees. He added that particular attention is needed for intervention specialists, special education teachers, foreign language teachers and other hard-to-fill positions.

He also supports making the transition to Ohio licensure easier for qualified graduates of colleges in neighboring states. His approach would reduce unnecessary testing barriers and give greater weight to demonstrated classroom preparedness and supervised field experience.

Stripe Rd. to close for repaving project

Submitted information

Stripe Rd. in Van Wert will be closed for repaving work beginning this Saturday, October 31, until further notice. The closure will be from U.S. 224 to Lincoln Highway.

One time additional homestead benefit

Submitted information

Ohio House Bill 479 provides additional property tax relief for homeowners receiving the Homestead Exemption. Eligible homeowners will receive a one-year, state-funded property tax reduction for tax year 2026 (payable in 2027). New homestead exemption applicants must apply by this Friday, October 30, to be eligible for this one-time benefit. Current homestead recipients do not need to apply, the benefit will be applied automatically. That date matters because the ordinary state application form still lists December 31 as the deadline for a current year real property application.

In other words, an eligible homeowner may still have time after October 30 to seek the regular exemption, but waiting could mean missing the one-time addition.

Who The Program Covers

The homestead exemption reduces property taxes on a qualifying owner’s principal residence. The ordinary means-tested exemption is available to an Ohio homeowner who owns and occupies the property as a principal residence and meets at least one of the following conditions:

• At least 65 years of age
• Certified as permanently and totally disabled
• Surviving spouse of a previous participant and at least 59 years old
• Disabled Veterans with a 100 percent service-related disability.
• Their surviving spouses.
• Surviving spouses of public service officers killed in the line of duty.

If you have any questions, contact the Van Wert County Auditor Real Estate office at 419.238.0843, Option 1.