Local man celebrates milestone on road to recovery

New Lincolnview playground unveiled

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

If you’re of a certain age, you may remember what playgrounds used to be like. Questionable swings, death trap merry-go-rounds, wooden cinders and metal slides that could cause second degree burns are just some of the things that come to mind.

That was then, this is now and at Lincolnview Elementary, students and the community are now able to enjoy a brand new state-of-the-art playground.

Swings, slides, and plenty of climbing attractions, including one that looks like a giant spider web, an “Areo-Glider” and more were on full display during a Thursday evening open house at the playground. Judging by the reactions of dozens of children and their families, it’s a big hit. Prior to the open house, there was a brief ceremony and school officials cut the ribbon on the new $1.5 million facility.

“We’re so proud of what we have,” Superintendent Jeff Snyder said. “I can’t thank our board enough for the vision of wanting to do this for our kids. I know that $1.5 million is a lot of money but this is going to be used all day, probably day, not in the winter so much but maybe a little bit.”

“It fits all needs of all kids and it’s comprehensive,” he continued. “Any challenged kids that have physical needs, growth needs, we’ve hit it. We’ve tried to hit every part of it and we tried to get the neatest things for kids, things that are safe but fun.”

“We added so many more fun things. We took out all the mulch that for 26 years was in this area and we put in poured rubber, so now there’s no mulch going into the building, it’s not on shoes, kids don’t have it in their hands, it’s more safe and more condusive for the kids.”

Adopt-A-Room…

Leland Smith Insurance recently presented a check to the YWCA of Van Wert County as a recurring sponsor of the Adopt-A-Room program. Pictured from left to right are Leland Smith staff members Hanna Rose, Faith Coleman, Amy Amstutz (presenting check), YMCA Director of Outreach and Communication Julie Schaufelberger, April Korte, and Topanga Brumett. Businesses, organizations and individuals interested in adopting a resident space should contact Schaufelberger at julies@ywcavanwertcounty.org for details. Photo submitted

Elder appointed to central committee

VW independent staff/submitted information

Christopher Elder, a Paulding resident and 2026 candidate for the 82nd District Ohio House, has been appointed to fill the District 9 seat vacated by Tom Pruss for the Libertarian State Central Committee.

Pruss was elected in the May primary, along with Zach Hall, both of whom are from Toledo. After the first meeting of 2026, Pruss was elected vice-chair of the Executive Committee and resigned his seat on the Central Committee. At the August meeting, Elder was nominated and then appointed to fill the seat.

“I look forward to serving Libertarian voters and candidates across the 9th District,” Elder posted to his social media accounts. “I think it’s cool that we have a rural voice and an urban voice representing Libertarians in the District.” The Libertarian Party of Ohio divides its Central Committee districts by U.S. Congressional District. Elder and Hall represent all the counties in Ohio’s 9th Congressional District.

More information about the State Central Committee and the Libertarian Party of Ohio can be found on their website at lpo.org. As more local Libertarian Clubs begin popping up across northwest Ohio, interested parties are encouraged to reach out to their nearest county club to contact their central committee members.

It should be noted that, while Van Wert is included in the district for which Elder is running, it is located in Ohio Congressional District 4. Both seats for District 4 are vacant. Anyone interested in being appointed should contact Michelle MacCutcheon at director@lpo.org.

Butterfly Meadows, AEP hold open houses

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

A pair of energy-related open houses were held in Van Wert on Tuesday – one dealing with a proposed solar farm, and the other regarding AEP power grid upgrades.

Butterfly Meadows

Two representatives of Butterfly Meadows declined to speak with the VW independent or the Times Bulletin during Thursday’s open house at American Legion Post 178. The first representative referred two reporters to a different person, who would not agree to an interview, saying only that the evening was meant to share information the public about the proposed project. When informed the media could share the information with residents who were unable to attend the open house, she again declined to speak or offer further comment.

There were eight different tables at the open house and representatives did indeed speak with a steady stream of residents who were able to attend.

The solar project is a proposed 300 MW solar facility and 100 MW battery energy storage project, spanning approximately 4,000 acres of land primarily in Hoaglin, Union and Pleasant townships, along with 38 acres in Van Wert.

However, the proposed project has strong opposition from the public and from the highest level of county government.

“The commissioners had encouraged the townships to take straw polls before we banned these projects under Senate Bill 52,” Commission Chairman Todd Wolfrum said via email prior to the open house. “On the aggregate, those came in over 80 percent against. We all feel it is our obligation to be representatives of our county’s people. They know the upside and downside of these projects by this point and overwhelmingly do not want them.”

“We were told a few years ago by the Ohio Power Siting Board that the Wild Grains project in Hoaglin Township was the last one that would qualify in our county before we began taking these polls and banning them on the request of the township trustees,” he continued. “Years later we are finding out that this project was somehow ‘partially grandfathered in.’ It is not our intention to take anyone’s word for it so we are currently investigating how this happened. It is our intention to stop the project if possible.”

Rainfall totals vary around the county

VW independent staff

Van Wert County EMA Director Matt Saunier has provided 48-hour rainfall totals for various spots around Van Wert County from storms that moved through this week.

Here are the measurements between 4 p.m. Monday and 4 p.m. Wednesday at official designated EMA spots:

• Venedocia: 4.93 inches
• Wren: 4.80 inches
• Middle Point: 4.06 inches
• Van Wert: 3.81 inches
• Willshire: 3.27 inches
• Convoy: 2.42 inches
• Scott: 1.97 inches

Saunier said some areas around the county could see another .25 inches of rain Thursday evening.

Jackknived semi-trucks…

Two semi-trucks jackknived with 15 minutes and within 150 feet of each other on U.S. 30 Thursday afternoon. The first accident ocurred at approximately 3:15 p.m. along eastbound U.S. 30, near the Lincoln Highway exit ramp. The second accident occurred just before 3:30 p.m. in the same location but in the westbound lane. Both trucks sustained moderate damage and were towed away. Van Wert County Sheriff’s deputies, Middle Point Fire and EMS and ODOT were at the scene. Traffic was maintained along one lane in both directions. Bob Barnes photos

Grand marshals…

The grand marshal for the 100th Wren Homecoming parade has been announced. The committee has chosen Ashley Meyer (right) along with Elizabeth Shellabarger (left), the owners of the Wren Restaurant. Over the past four years since they took ownership of the restaurant they have been extremely community focused by routinely holding dine-and-donates for various causes. These causes are not just focused on the Wren community but the surrounding communities as well. Wren Fire Chief Chris High said the two and their entire staff have been a huge asset and supporters of anything to do with Wren. High also noted that anytime the fire department asks for their they jump to help and want nothing in return. The Wren Homecoming Parade will step off at 4 p.m. Saturday, August 22. Photo submitted  

County Common Pleas Court report

VW independent staff

Eight people were arraigned on various criminal charges in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court on Tuesday and Wednesday. In addition, one defendant appeared in court for violating his probation. Judge Martin D. Burchfield presided over each of the hearings.

Arraignments

Anthony Oliver, 31, of Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea to felonious assault, a second degree felony, and aggravated menacing, a first degree misdemeanor. He was released on a surety bond and was ordered to have no contact with the victim. A pre-trial conference was scheduled for 8 a.m. September 9.

Corey Salisbury, 45, of Rockford, pleaded not guilty to violating a protection order, a fifth degree felony; violating a protection order, a third degree felony, and menacing by stalking, a felony of the fourth degree. He was released on a surety bond and was ordered to have no contact with the victim. A pre-trial conference was set 10:30 a.m. September 9.

Brandon Blackmore, 47, of Ohio City, entered a not guilty plea to strangulation and domestic violence, both fourth degree felonies. He was released on a surety bond and a pre-trial conference was scheduled for 8 a.m. September 2. 

Sonny Metzger, 51, of Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea to aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth degree felony. He was released on a surety bond and a pre-trial conference was scheduled for 8:30 a.m. September 9.

Brandon Ganger, 26, of Middle Point, pleaded not guilty to trespass in a habitation when a person is present or likely to be present, a fourth degree felony. He was released on a surety bond and was ordered to have no contact with the victim. A pre-trial conference was scheduled for 8:30 a.m. September 9.

Building demolished…

Demolition work on the former Best Auto Sales building on N. Washington St. in Van Wert took place on Wednesday. A Brownfield Grant of nearly $370,000 went toward the cost of the demolition and cleanup. Once work is complete, the property will be redeveloped into much-needed public parking to support nearby businesses and residential units. Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent

Thunder, lightning and rain hit the county

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

Van Wert County dodged a bullet.

Severe storms that raced into Indiana from the Chicago area early Tuesday afternoon were expected to possibly hit Van Wert County with force began to diminish in strength as they approached northwest Ohio. While there was plenty of thunder and lightning, some gusty winds and a good amount of rainfall, there was no serious threat of severe weather after the system crossed into Ohio.

The same system produced some tense moments in parts of northeast and north central Indiana, including a tornado warning in Kosciusko County.

The line of storms that fizzled in strength was the second round of storms on Tuesday. The first round moved through during the morning hours. Heavy rain also fell Monday night and the National Weather Service issued multiple severe thunderstorm warnings for Van Wert County and the surrounding area. 

In terms of rainfall, Van Wert County EMA Director Matt Saunier said the southern half of Van Wert County took the brunt of it during a 24-hour period, 4 p.m. Monday until 4 p.m. Tursday. Wren received 3.48 inches of rain, while Venedocia received 2.68 inches. 2.53 inches of rain was recorded in Middle Point, 2.42 inches in Van Wert, 2.07 inches in Venedocia and 1.38 inches in Convoy. .98 inches fell in Scott.

Thunder and lightning were a big part of the storms and Saunier said over the last three days, the Van Wert County EMA office recorded 35,907 lightining strikes in Van Wert County and within 25 miles. 25,713 of those lightning strikes occurred yesterday.