Van Wert man half of nat’l champion pickleball team

Park St. fire…

Members of the Van Wert Fire Department had their hands full with a structure fire in the 1100 block of Park St. Thursday night. The call came in shortly after 8 p.m. and firefighters were at the scene until approximately 12:20 this morning. One firefighter was injured and was taken for treatment. Check back for more details. Bob Barnes/VWFD photographer

Grants available for small fire depts.

Submitted information

COLUMBUS – Applications are now being accepted for the State Fire Marshal’s 2026 Small County Volunteer Fire Department (SCVFD) Grant. Established recently by the 136^th General Assembly via House Bill 96, the nonrenewable grant makes a total of $8 million in funding available for eligible fire departments across the state. Those departments can apply for up to $50,000 each to strengthen their operations, enhance safety, and better serve their communities.

Funding provided by the SCVFD Grant can be used for, but is not limited to, firefighter equipment and gear, rescue equipment and gear, and costs related to fire protection services. To learn more about the SCVFD Grant and to submit an application, fire departments can visit at com.ohio.gov/FireGrant. Applications will be accepted until January 10, 2026.

To be eligible to receive SCVFD Grant funding, applicants must meet both of the following eligibility requirements:

• County Population – Eligible departments must be located in a county that has a population of 70,000 or less per the 2020 U.S. Census. Those qualifying counties include Adams, Ashland, Athens, Auglaize, Belmont, Brown, Carroll, Champaign, Clinton, Coshocton, Crawford, Darke, Defiance, Fayette, Fulton, Gallia, Guernsey, Hardin, Harrison, Henry, Highland, Hocking, Holmes, Huron, Jackson, Jefferson, Knox, Lawrence, Logan, Madison, Marion, Meigs, Mercer, Monroe, Morgan, Morrow, Noble, Ottawa, Paulding, Perry, Pickaway, Pike, Preble, Putnam, Sandusky, Seneca, Shelby, Union, Van Wert, Vinton, Washington, Williams, and Wyandot counties.
• Volunteer Fire Department Status – Eligible departments must have a volunteer fire department status as defined under Ohio Administrative Code 1301:7-7-02, which states that at least half of the firefighters are volunteer or paid-on-call and not eligible to pay into the Ohio Police and Fire Pension Fund.

Departments serving multiple counties are eligible only if they are located in a qualifying small county. Non-volunteer departments, and departments in counties with over 70,000 residents are not eligible for this grant funding.

“This grant is more than just funding, it’s a lifeline for Ohio’s small county volunteer fire departments, which are the backbone of our state’s fire service,” said State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon. “These departments often operate with limited resources compared to their larger counterparts, yet they’re first on the scene when their communities need them most. With this support, we’re helping them continue their critical mission of protecting lives and property across Ohio.”

Each year, the Division of State Fire Marshal provides millions in grant funding to the state’s fire departments through other various programs like the MARCS Grant, Equipment Grants, and Training Reimbursement Grants.

Union Township Trustees move meeting

Submitted information

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Union Township Trustees at 7 p.m. Thursday, December 25, has been moved to 12 p.m. December 27, at the Union Township Building, 9977 Dixon Cavett Rd., Van Wert.

Ohio Turnpike tolls going up in 2026

VW independent staff/submitted information

BEREA — It you travel along the Ohio Turnpike, you’ll pay more next year. A 2.7 percent toll rate increase will go into effect January 1.

The toll rate for E-ZPass customers with passenger vehicles (Class 1) will increase to $0.073 (or 7.3 cents) per mile in 2026 from $0.071 (or 7.1 cents) per mile in 2025, and the cash/credit card toll rate will increase to $0.106 (or 10.6 cents) per mile in 2026 from $0.104 (or 10.4 cents) per mile in 2025.

The toll rate for E-ZPass customers with commercial vehicles (Class 5) will increase to $0.226 (or 22.6 cents) per mile in 2026 from $0.220 (or 22 cents) per mile in 2025, and the cash/credit card toll rate will increase to 0.284 (or 28.4 cents) per mile in 2026 from $0.276 (or 27.6 cents) per mile in 2025.

In 2026, the full trip toll fare traveling westbound across the 241-mile Ohio Turnpike (from Pennsylvania to Indiana) for:

• E-ZPass customers with passenger vehicles (Class 1) will cost $19, a $0.50 increase from 2025, and cash/credit card customers will pay $27.75, up $0.75.
• E-ZPass customers with commercial vehicles (Class 5) will pay $58.75, up $1.25, and cash/credit card customers will pay $74, up $1.75.

In 2026, the full trip toll fare traveling eastbound across the Ohio Turnpike (from Indiana to Pennsylvania) for:

• E-ZPass customers with passenger vehicles (Class 1) will cost $16, a $0.50 increase from 2025, and cash/credit card customers will pay $23.50, up $0.50.
• E-ZPass customers with commercial vehicles (Class 5) will pay $49.75, up $1.25, and cash/credit card customers will pay $62.75, up $1.75.

All customers traveling westbound through Eastgate Toll Plaza (near the Ohio-Pennsylvania border) will pay a roundtrip, flat-rate toll. All customers traveling eastbound through Eastgate Toll Plaza do not pay a toll.

Turnpike officials said increases, the Ohio Turnpike’s toll rates still rank among of the lowest in the country. The Commission relies primarily on toll revenue, no tax dollars, to operate and maintain the Ohio Turnpike’s infrastructure, which includes the roadway, bridge, and other projects.
 
The Commission held three public hearings to discuss the toll rate adjustment process from January to February 2023. The Schedule of Tolls for 2024-2028 was approved by the Commission in April, 2023. 

4.5 million Ohioans about to hit the road

VW independent staff/submitted information

AAA projects 122.4 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home over the 13-day year-end holiday period beginning Saturday, December 20 and ending Thursday, January 1. This year’s forecast is a 2.2 percent increase over 2024, surpassing last year’s record of 119.7 million travelers. More than 5 million Ohioans are predicted to travel during the holiday season, up 2.5 percent from the same time period last year.

AAA projects 109.5 million Americans will travel by car for their year-end trips, an increase of two percent compared to last year. Driving is the overwhelming favorite among all modes of transportation because of its convenience and low cost. This year, 89 percent of holiday travelers will take road trips. In Ohio, more than 4.5 million are expected to hit the roads.

Gas prices are lower compared to last holiday season when the national average was $3.04 to end 2024. For the first time in four years, the national average dropped below $3 a gallon this month, and prices could continue dropping as 2025 comes to a close. Ohio’s gas price average of $2.67 is 16 cents cheaper than a year ago.

AAA projects a record 8.03 million travelers taking domestic flights this holiday season, a 2.3 percent increase compared to last year. This will be the first time on record that the number of domestic air travelers over the year-end holiday period exceeds 8 million. More than 283,000 Ohioans are expected to take to the skies for year-end trips this year; a two percent increase over last year.

According to AAA data, which is based on what travelers paid when they booked their holiday trips, a roundtrip domestic flight is seven percent more expensive this year, averaging nearly $900 a ticket. The days leading up to Christmas Day are the most expensive, while flying on the holiday itself is cheaper. New Year’s flights are also pricey with many people returning home on New Year’s Day or even squeezing one extra weekend out of the holiday season and coming back on Sunday, January 4.

Travel by other modes is expected to go up by nine percent with 4.9 million people traveling by bus, train, or cruise. This category has seen a 25 percent increase since 2019, mainly due to the record-setting demand for cruises post-pandemic. More than 204,000 Ohioans are expected to travel by other modes. That’s 10 percent higher than 2024 and 55 percent above the year-end travel numbers in the pre-pandemic days of 2019.

ODA releases 2026 fair schedule

VW independent staff/submitted information

REYNOLDSBURG — The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) has released the official dates for the 2026 fair season, which includes Ohio’s 94 county and independent fairs and the Ohio State Fair.

As has been the case for many years, the Paulding County Fair will kick off the fair season on June 6, and the season will wrap up on October 17 with the Fairfield County Fair. In between, the Putnam County Fair will be held June 22-27, the Ohio State Fair July 29-August 9, the Auglaize County Fair August 2-8, the Mercer County Fair August 13-19, the Allen County Fair August 21-29, and the Van Wert County Fair September 1-7. For a complete schedule, click here.

“Ohio’s county and independent fairs are an important part of Ohio’s agricultural heritage and play a critical role in supporting youth leadership programs, like 4H and FFA,” said Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Brian Baldridge. “When people attend the fair, they are supporting their local community, the agriculture industry, and our next generation of responsible food producers.” 

In addition to setting and approving the dates for the independent and county fairs, ODA is responsible for helping to assure the safety of fair amusement rides, monitoring livestock shows to help assure honest competition, and coordinating animal health efforts with local veterinarians.

VWHS Christmas concert…

The Vocal Music Department of Van Wert High School will present its Christmas Choral Concert on Monday, December 15, starting at 7:30 p.m. in the Niswonger Performing Arts Center. Doors will open at 7 p.m. The Freshmen Choir, Sophomore Women’s Chorus, Select Acapella Choir, and Concert Choir will be featured. Students will perform songs such as “Heleluyan,” “We Need a Little Christmas,” “The Bells of Christmas Medley,” and “O Magnum Mysterium.” The Van Wert High School choirs are under the direction of Miss Melissa Bloomfield. The concert is free and open to the public. Photo submitted

DAR to hold brief ceremony Saturday

Submitted information

This Saturday, December 13, is National Wreaths Across America Day. The Isaac Van Wart Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) will hold a brief ceremony at 12 p.m. Saturday at Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert.

The public is invited to attend and to take part in placing wreaths on veterans graves following the ceremony. The public is invited to join DAR in honoring and remembering local deceased veterans. Thanks to numerous individuals and businesses, DAR will be laying 180 wreaths this year. DAR encourages all youth who are interested in assisting to help lay the wreaths.

Four people arraigned, two change pleas

VW independent staff

Four people were arraigned and two other defendants changed their pleas during hearings held in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court this morning. Judge Martin D. Burchfield presided over each of the hearings.

Arraignments

Gavin McMichael, 21, of Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea to possession of heroin, possession of a fentanyl related compound, and possession of cocaine, all fifth degree felonies. He was released on a surety bond and a pre-trial conference was scheduled for 8 a.m. January 14.

Zymarion Wilhite, 19, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, pleaded not guilty to aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth degree felony, and OVI, a first degree misdemeanor. Wilhite was released on a surety bond with a vaiver of extradition. A pre-trial conference was set for 8 a.m. January 14.

Justin Wright, 28, of Delphos, entered a not guilty plea to failure to comply with an order or signal of a police officer, a fourth degree felony. He was released on a surety bond and a pre-trial conference was scheduled for 8:30 a.m. January 14.

Seth Marbaugh, 34, of Ohio City, pleaded not guilty to tampering with evidence, a third degree felony. He was released on a surety bond with a waiver of extradition, if arrested outside the state. In addition, Marbaugh signed a time waiver and requested additional time to prepare his case. A pre-trial conference was scheduled for 8:30 a.m. January 7.

Plea changes

Anthony Oliver, 30,  of Van Wert, changed his plea to guilty to an amended charge of domestic violence, a first degree misdemeanor. He was then sentenced to 136 days in jail and was given credit for 136 days already served. He was ordered to pay court costs.

Logan Linton, 33, of Van Wert, changed his plea to guilty to aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth degree felony. He then requested and was granted intervention in lieu of conviction and his case was stayed pending completion of the treatment program. He was ordered to pay court costs.

Man arrested for OVI at drive-thru

VW independent staff

Sometimes the wait at a fast food drive-thru can take longer than expected, due to large or separate orders from one person, special requests or a shortage of staff. There was a different reason for a recent delay at a local fast food joint – an alleged drunk driver.

A report from the Van Wert Police Department indicates an officer was dispatched to Taco Bell on S. Shannon St. at 12:48 a.m. Saturday, December 6, after a call of an unresponsive male in the drive-thru. The responding officer arrived to find several people standing next to a white Jeep and the officer noticed the driver breathing but passed out in the driver’s seat. The Jeep was still in drive and the man’s foot was on the brake.

In the report, the officer stated he noticed a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from the vehicle and he said he was able to wake the driver up and have him put the Jeep in park. The man was then asked to exit the vehicle, which he did, and the officer noted his speech was slurred, his eyes were bloodshot and watery and an odor of alcoholic beverage was coming from him.

The man, identified as Chad Thatcher, 38, of Van Wert, told the officer he had four beers and a shot and admitted he shouldn’t be driving. He willingly took standard field sobriety tests, which he did not pass. After the final test, the officer asked Thatcher again how much he had to drink and he said “probably 5 beers with a shot.” He also said he felt fine and “had a buzz.”

Thatcher was placed under arrest and was transported to the Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, where he initially agreed to take a breath test, then refused once the machine was ready. He was formally cited for OVI and was released to a sober adult.

It was noted in the report that Thatcher had prior OVIs in 2008 and 2020. His Jeep was towed to impound, due to the most recent OVI.

Since his arrest, Thatcher appeared in Van Wert Municipal Court and pleaded not guilty to the charge. A pre-trial hearing is scheduled for December 23 and a request to release the vehicle from impound was granted.