AAA: Memorial Day travel could could set new records

July 3 concert being planned in Van Wert

VW independent staff

Navy Club Ship 726, which is organizing July 4 festivities in Van Wert, is now looking to add musical entertainment the night before at Fountain Park.

There’s no Feel Good Friday summer concert on Friday, July 3, so Navy Club Ship 726 is in the process of finding a band to perform that night. With Paulding native and country music singer Pete Schlegel performing Saturday night at Fountain Park, Commander Ken Myers said the group is looking for something different to add some variety between the two nights. The Pete Schlegel concert has been organized by Navy Club Ship 726 and will be free to the public, as will the concert being planning for July 3.

Navy Club Ship 726 is seeking donations to help fund the July 3 concert. Any donation can be sent to the Navy Club Ship 726, PO Box 223, Van Wert, or by reaching out to the club via its Facebook page.

In addition to a band on July 3, Myers said craft vendors are also being sought for that night and July 4. The club is continuing to organize an Independence Day parade in Van Wert to help celebrate the country’s 250th birthday.

Rotary Club scholarship winners named

VW independent staff/submitted information

The Van Wert Rotary Club recently named Brenna Kimmet and Katie Kramer as the 2026 recipients of the Rotary Foundation Scholarship at Van Wert High School. Each student will receive a $1,000 annual scholarship for four years, totaling $4,000 per recipient.

Founded with the goal of recognizing volunteerism and financially supporting students pursuing post-secondary education, the Van Wert Rotary Club Foundation has awarded scholarships to graduating seniors since 1993. The scholarship program encourages students to embrace Rotary’s motto of “Service Above Self” as they continue their education and future careers.

Throughout the school year, the Van Wert Rotary Club invites high school seniors to attend weekly Rotary meetings to provide mentorship opportunities and exposure to local business and community leaders. Scholarship applicants are evaluated through a blind-scoring process that focuses on service, leadership, character development, and future aspirations.

Van Wert Rotary President J. Andrew Czajkowski congratulated both recipients on their achievements and commitment to serving others.

“Brenna and Katie represent the very best of Van Wert City Schools,” Czajkowski said. “Their leadership, academic success, and dedication to community involvement made them outstanding candidates for this year’s scholarships. Rotary is proud to support them as they continue their education and pursue their future goals.”

The Van Wert Rotary Club and Rotary Foundation continue to invest in local students while encouraging future generations to remain engaged in community service and leadership throughout their lives.

Ohio cracking down on Medicaid fraud

VW independent staff/submitted information

COLUMBUS — Governor Mike DeWine said Wednesday that he is implementing several new fraud prevention initiatives to better fight fraud, waste, and abuse in Ohio’s Medicaid system.

“Ohio has long been a national leader in fighting Medicaid fraud,” he said. In 2018, Ohio became the first state to implement Electronic Visit Verification in home health care. Today, we are ready to begin several new initiatives long in development that will enhance this nation-leading work and further protect taxpayer funds from those trying to defraud the state.

Governor DeWine said he’s directing the Ohio Department of Medicaid to implement the following

Statewide New Provider Moratorium

The Ohio Department of Medicaid will today ask the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services so Ohio may implement a six-month moratorium on new home-healthcare and hospice businesses being able to become Medicaid providers. This will allow Ohio Medicaid to stop enrollment of new providers and assess existing providers to help remove those at high risk for having committed fraud.

Immediate Payment Suspension to High-Risk Providers 

Ohio Medicaid will begin a policy of immediately removing and suspending payment to providers whose billing practices show “red flags” that indicate a high probability of fraud.

Executive Order for Emergency Rules 

The Governor will be issuing an executive order that will allow the Ohio Department of Medicaid to implement emergency rules to require more frequent revalidation of providers being identified as higher-risk for committing fraud.

Mandatory GPS Requirement for Electronic Visit Verification

Ohio Medicaid will file rules to require GPS for all providers using Electronic Visit Verification. Since March of last year, Ohio Medicaid has begun phasing in EVV as a mandatory requirement for home healthcare provider payment. In December, DeWine authorized Ohio Medicaid to begin the information technology investments needed to make GPS mandatory for EVV. Ohio Medicaid now ready to make this rule change to implement the requirement.

Lima man dies in early morning accident

VW independent staff/submitted information

LIMA — The Lima Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a two-vehicle crash that occurred shortly after 6:30 this morning (Wednesday), which resulted in one fatality that occurred on Ohio 15, near milepost 4 in Monroe Township in Putnam County.

Dannie Davis IV, 33, of Lima, was traveling west on Ohio 15 driving a 2005 Honda Accord, while Ethan Khandaker, 25, of Bryan, was traveling east on Ohio 15, driving a 2011 Infiniti G37. Davis traveled left of center and struck Khandaker’s vehicle. Davis was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported by the Putnam County Coroner’s Office to Lucas County Coroner’s Office. 

Khandaker was transported by Putnam County EMS to Mercy Health Defiance Hospital for treatment of serious injuries.

Both vehicles sustained heavy damage and were towed from the scene. The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Continental Police Department, Putnam County EMS, Continental Fire Department, Kalida Fire Department and the Putnam County Coroner’s Office.

Both drivers were wearing their safety belts at the time of crash. Drug impairment is suspected to be a factor in this crash. The Ohio State Highway Patrol reminds motorists to never operate a vehicle while under the influence.

Catfish tournament to be held Saturday

Submitted information

The Van Wert Parks Department’s annual catfish tournament will take place from 7-11 p.m. this Saturday, May 16, at Van Wert Reservoirs 1 and 2, with fishers competing for prizes based on the total weight of their top five fish. All state fishing rules and regulations will be followed and an active fishing license will be required.

There will be a pre-tournament meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the South Reservoir boat ramp. First place will receive $400 and a trophy, second place earns $200, third place takes home $100, and the biggest fish of the night wins $50. Entry fees are $50 per boat and $25 for bank fishermen. Bank fishermen can also now register as a team with a cost of $50. The registration deadline is Friday, May 15. Registration can be done online or in the Parks Office located at Jubilee Park.

Top District 1 “Roadeo” finishers announced

VW independent staff/submitted information

LIMA — The Ohio Department of Transportation District 1 hosted its annual truck and loader “roadeo” in Lima on Tuesday, putting their operator’s skill, precision, and knowledge to the test. 54 employees from across the nine-county district — Allen, Auglaize, Hancock, Hardin, Mercer, Paulding, Putnam, Van Wert, and Wyandot — took part in a variety of skill-based challenges that tested their expertise in heavy equipment operation and commercial driving.

“This friendly competition is a great opportunity for our teams to connect while demonstrating their abilities in heavy equipment operation, precision driving, pre-trip inspections, and CDL regulations,” said ODOT District 1 Highway Maintenance Administrator Rodney Nuveman. “We’re proud to highlight their achievements and commitment to teamwork and continuous improvement.”

Held annually since 1988, the roadeo is a statewide ODOT tradition. In August, the top performers from each of the 12 ODOT districts will go on to represent their district at the ODOT Director’s Cup in Columbus.

Roadeo results

Truck competition

• First place: Jan Ardner, facilities, with a score of 1,695 out of a possible 2,400.
• Second place: Chris Lobsiger, Van Wert County garage. 
• Third place: A tie between Kyleigh Krupp, Hancock County garage, and Michael Kroeger, Van Wert County garage. 

Loader competition

• First place: Bryce Hoffman, Putnam County garage, with a score of 1,900 out of a possible 2,300.
• Second place: Kolby Taylor, Wyandot County garage.
• Third place: Kevin LaBrun, Mercer County garage. 

The top two winners in each category will represent District 1 at the Director’s Cup Truck and Loader Roadeo. Ardner and Lobsiger will compete in the truck competition, while Hoffman and Taylor will participate in the loader competition. Krupp, Kroeger, and LaBrun earned spots as alternates.

The Mercer County maintenance garage was named team champion, taking home the traveling trophy (top two truck scores and top two loader scores) with a total score of 6,740.

Hammons places first in essay contest

VW independent staff/submitted information

Van Wert Elks Lodge 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks has announced that the Van Wert Lodge had a student place first in the state competition of the 2025-2026 Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Americanism essay contest.

This fraternal year, the theme for the contest was, “What Does Service to Your Country Mean To You?”. The students competed in divisions, by age group.

Placing first was Azalea Hammons, who attends Crestview Middle School.

Azalea placed first in the sixth grade division at the local competition. Her essay was then forwarded to the Northwest District where she competed against the winners from the other 13 lodges within the district. She placed first at district level and her essay was forwarded to the state completion where she again placed first. She will now compete at the national level.

Van Wert Lodge wishes Azalea Hammons the best of luck at the national level.

Career Connections…

Fifth graders from Van Wert, Crestview, Lincolnview and St. Mary’s of the Assumption School gathered at the Van Wert County Fairgrounds on Tuesday for Career Connections of Van Wert County’s “Let’s Get Down to Business” event. The interactive event allowed the students to explore businesses and careers through a series of hands-on learning stations and engaging displays. Scott Truxell/Van Wert independent

Goodlin newest Rotary Club member

VW independent staff/submitted information

The Van Wert Rotary Club has announced the induction of Kendra Goodlin as its newest member, continuing the club’s long-standing commitment to service above self and strengthening the impact of community leadership across Van Wert County.

A Van Wert native, Goodlin was formally introduced and inducted during a recent Rotary meeting at Willow Bend Country Club. She is sponsored by Gregg Bashore, partner at BRSW, a local accounting firm and active supporter of Rotary’s mission.

Goodlin serves the community as a financial advisor with Edward Jones, lon Van Wert Decatur Road. She has worked alongside Trevor Webster and continues to build on a strong foundation of client-focused financial planning. A graduate of Lincolnview High School and Ashland University, Goodlin holds the professional designations of Accredited Asset Management Specialist and Accredited Wealth Management Advisor.

Kendra resides in Van Wert with her husband, Doug, and their two daughters. Outside of her professional role, she is actively involved in the community, often volunteering and supporting local activities. She enjoys spending time outdoors and working on home improvement projects with her family.

“Kendra embodies the values of Rotary through her commitment to service, professional integrity, and community involvement,” Andy Czajkowski, Van Wert Rotary Club President Andy Czajkowski said. “We are excited to welcome her to our club and look forward to the contributions she will make in advancing our mission.”

The Van Wert Rotary Club brings together local leaders who are dedicated to making a difference through service projects, scholarships, and community initiatives. New members like Goodlin ensure the continued strength and relevance of Rotary’s impact in the community.

For more information about the Van Wert Rotary Club or to learn how to get involved, contact Czajkowski.

YWCA announces summer programs

Submitted information

Summer is almost here, and the YWCA of Van Wert County is preparing for another season of serving youth throughout the community through its annual Summer Food Program and RunJumpThrow event.

The Summer Food Program will run from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. June 8 through July 24 at Trinity Friends Church, 605 N. Franklin St., Van Wert. There will be no program on June 19 or July 3. In addition to providing nutritious meals, the Summer Food Program offers a free recreational program for youth in Van Wert County. Children entering preschool (age 5 by the start of the program) through sixth grade are invited to participate. Families can register online here. 

In addition, the YWCA will also host RunJumpThrow, a free youth event open to students entering grades 3–6. The event will take place from 9-10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 23, at the Van Wert High School track. Families can register online here. 

“We’re looking forward to another great summer connecting with youth in our community,” said Betsy Hamman of the YWCA of Van Wert County.

Children who are already registered for the Summer Food Program and attending that day do not need to complete an additional registration for RunJumpThrow.

The YWCA is a United Way agency and partially funded by the Van Wert County Foundation.