Check for ice dams after storm, current frigid conditions

Klopfenstein seeking third term in office

VW independent staff/submitted information

HAVILAND — State Representative Roy Klopfenstein announced on Friday that he is running for re-election in Ohio’s 82 House District, which includes Paulding, Putnam, Van Wert and the southern half of Defiance County.

“Serving the people of northwest Ohio has been the honor of my life,” said Representative Klopfenstein said in a press release. “I’m running for re-election because there’s much more work to do. Strengthening our communities, keeping government spending and regulation in check, protecting taxpayers, growing good-paying jobs, and ensuring our part of Ohio remains a great place to live, work, and raise a family is an on-going duty and responsibility.”

According to the news release, his 2026 re-election campaign will prioritize:

• Fiscal responsibility, keeping taxes low, and ensuring accountability in state government.
• Supporting agriculture and protecting Ohio’s great farming heritage.
• Backing businesses and job creation across the region.
• Public safety and support for law enforcement and first responders.
• Investing in future generations, workforce development, and career opportunities.

“When I first took office, I pledged to preserve and protect the shared core values of faith, family, and freedom the people of my district hold so dear,” Representative Klopfenstein said. “There is not a day that goes by that I do not see the importance of that pledge and what it means to our children and grandchildren.”

Representative Klopfenstein serves as chairman of the House Agriculture Committee where he has been leading productive, common-sense initiatives that support and advance Ohio’s top industry of agriculture and encouraging future generations of Ohio farmers. He has also been serving on the House Energy, Local Government, and Transportation committees.

DeWine stays three more executions

VW independent staff/submitted information

COLUMBUS — Governor Mike DeWine issued the following reprieves of execution on Friday:

• Gerald Hand, who was scheduled to be executed on June 17, 2026.  The new date of execution has been moved to April 18, 2029. Hand has been on death row since 2003.
• Danny Lee Hill, who was scheduled to be executed on July 22, 2026.  The new date of execution has been moved to July 18, 2029. Hill has been on death row since 1986.
• Cleveland R. Jackson, who was scheduled to be executed on July 15, 2026.  The new date of execution has been moved to June 13, 2029. Jackson has been on death row since 2002.

As he has done with a number of previous reprieves, DeWine blamed ongoing problems involving the willingness of pharmaceutical suppliers to provide drugs to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (DRC), pursuant to DRC protocol, without endangering other Ohioans. Other states have continued carrying out death sentences via lethel injection, while others have changed methods, including the use of a firing squad or nitrogen gas.

Since DeWine took office in 2019, there have been no executions in Ohio.

Thomas Payne lecture set for Sunday

VW independent staff/submitted information

CONVOY — A lecture and discussion titled “Thomas Payne and the Power of Words” will be hosted by James Lautzenheiser at 2 p.m. Sunday, at the Convoy Opera House, a perfect setting for exploring Paine’s fiery rheotic and its impact on the American Revolution.

The presentation was originally scheduled for Sunday, January 25, but it was postponed for one week due to severe winter weather.

The lecture and discussion will be the first in a series of America 250 events and Lautzenheiser will be helping lead throughout the year. He will have packets of primary and secondary sources ready for everyone for a lively and thoughtful conversation, so bring your highlighters, pens, and plenty of questions.

Central accepting scholarship applications

VW independent staff/submitted information

Central’s Educational and Charitable Foundation will be accepting applications for its scholarship program until March 27. This program rewards and supports graduates seeking careers in the property and casualty insurance industry. 

“Our scholarship program is an investment in the next generation of insurance professionals who will drive innovation, demonstrate excellence, and uphold the strong relationships and integrity that define our industry,” said Jena Wierwille, Vice President of Human Resources at Central. 

The scholarship provides up to $5,000 per student, renewable for up to three years while enrolled. Additionally, recipients can connect with seasoned professionals in their field of interest at Central Insurance. 

The scholarship is available to graduating high school students from Van Wert, Mercer, Putnam, or Paulding counties, Delphos City Schools, and Vantage Career Center with a home association to one of the eligible schools. Dependent children of current Central Insurance employees or retirees planning to graduate high school in 2026 are also eligible. Students must plan to attend an accredited two or four-year post-secondary educational institution on a full-time basis by the end of 2026, majoring in a degree with specific use towards a career position within the insurance industry. 

Applications and additional information are available on the Central Insurance Companies Educational and Charitable Foundation website at cicecf.org or through their high school guidance counselor. Completed applications and required materials should be submitted through the applicant’s high school guidance office.  

This scholarship will be awarded on an objective and nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic testing results, marital status, religious beliefs, age, or disability. 

The public may contribute to Central’s Educational and Charitable Foundation, understanding that these contributions will be used to support the scholarship program or specific charities. 

The Central Mutual Insurance Company was founded in Van Wert in 1876 and has since evolved into Central Insurance, a property and casualty insurance carrier providing coverage for hundreds of thousands of individuals and businesses across the country. Central remains based in Van Wert and operates regional offices in Boston and Atlanta, with a satellite office in Columbus.

Car-train accident…

Incredibly, the driver and a passenger in this car suffered only minor injuries when the vehicle collided with a train along Bonnewitz Ave. in Van Wert early Friday morning. It happened at approximately 4:45 a.m. According to Van Wert Police Lt. Rob Black, the train was stopped and the person behind the wheel didn’t see it and drove into it. There are no flashing lights at the crossing. The scene was cleared roughly two hours after the accident. It’s the second car-train accident in Van Wert this month. The other one occurred on January 9, when a car was hit by a train that was backing up on Fox Rd. VWPD photos

Class of 1978 donates to Eggerss Stadium

VW independent staff/submitted information

The Van Wert High School Class of 1978 has donated $5,000 supporting the Eggerss Stadium renovation project. Through the legacy program, the class chose to be a yard line sponsor.

“Yard lines are an opportunity for groups, individuals, or businesses to have their name permanently displayed on a newly redesigned ten-foot rendering of Alumni Field at Eggerss”, stated John White, Eggerss Stadium Capital Campaign Chair.

The display started with just 13 spaces available and nine have already been reserved. The display will be part of donor recognition at the stadium in perpetuity.

“This donation represents inclusion of 1978 class members from all over the United States showing our continued support of VWHS, Eggerss Stadium, and Cougar Pride” class member Jim Bloomfield said.

“Once the remaining four spots are filled, there will be no more added, White said. “Also, leaving a legacy through the paver program is still available but that window is closing soon. The final phase (Phase IV) is in the design stage, and we are seeking additional community funding support to finish what will be a remarkable landmark in the downtown area.”

According to Superintendent Mark Bagley, the Phase IV will be focused in the south end zone area of the stadium and the main components of the project will include band bleachers and storage, the main entrance and ticket booth and concession stands and restrooms.

Three new members join Hall of Fame

Submitted information

Crestview added three new members to its Educator Hall of Fame by honoring its 12th class of inductees during a ceremony at the boys’ basketball game on Friday, January 23. The ceremony was underwritten by the Convoy Community Foundation. which is continuously striving to enhance the quality of lives in our communities.

The inductees were Mike Biro, Jill Bowen and Diane Wilson.

Mike BIro served at Greenville, Sheridan and Sandusky high schools in addition to the Western Buckeye Educational Service Center before returning home to Crestview in 2001 as the junior/senior high school principal. After district restructuring, he remained as high school principal for a total of 18 years at Crestview and 35 years in education. Biro was known for his forward-thinking leadership and helped introduce many programs still serving students today.

Jill Bowen began teaching at Crestview South in 1980 where she taught third grade before transitioning to fourth grade. What set her apart was her passion for creating memorable experiences for her students through engaging, hands-on and unforgettable lessons. Bowen retired in 2005 after 25 years of service.

Diane Wilson served Crestview for 38 years before retiring in 2024. For nearly her entire career Wilson worked with students as a special education teacher in grades 7-12, and later in her career she transitioned to eighth grade inclusion and seventh grade physical education teacher. Wilson served as a coach for various teams at both Crestview and Delphos Jefferson over the years. She still gives her time to Crestview by substitute teaching in the middle school.

The Crestview Educator Hall of Fame inducts members on a yearly basis through a nomination process and committee evaluation. A complete list of hall of fame members can be found on the Crestview website along with a nomination form.

Riedel files petitions for Ohio Senate run

VW independent staff/submitted information

DEFIANCE — Republican State Senate candidate Craig Riedel has officially filed his petitions to run for senator in Ohio State Senate District 1. Riedel is running for the seat currently held by term-limited Ohio Senate President Rob McColley (R-Napoleon).

In a statement announcing the filing, Riedel said he is well positioned to succeed Senator McColley and serve as Northwest Ohio’s conservative voice in Columbus.

The statement also said since being the first candidate to enter the race in early April, Riedel has worked hard and has picked up several key endorsements. Along with local endorsements from within the district, Riedel has also received endorsements from statewide organizations like Ohio Value Voters, Associated Builders and Contractors of Ohio, and Americans for Prosperity-Ohio. Riedel’s pro-growth business background and staunch conservative principles have made him the clear choice for Republican voters in Senate District 1.

“Danette and I are incredibly grateful and encouraged by the outpouring of support from the people of northwest Ohio,” Reidel said. “Since the beginning of our campaign, we’ve had the opportunity to knock on more than 11,000 doors, attend events all across the senate district, and meet so many outstanding people who love Northwest Ohio. I look forward to continuing to work extremely hard everyday for the people of the 1st Senate District as their next senator.”

Riedel will run against State Representative Jim Hoops, who filed his petitions earlier this month. The two will square off in the May 5 primary election, with the winner advancing to the November ballot.

Storm led to many roadside help calls

VW indepenent staff/submitted information

AAA emergency roadside service has been very busy since last weekend’s powerful winter storm swept across the state, grinding travel to a halt and stranding motorists. It was followed by frigid conditions, including highs in the single digits and sub-zero lows and wind chills.

“Our roadside calls helped us track the different stages of this storm,” said Morgan Dean, public affairs manager for AAA Club Alliance in Ohio. “On Saturday, with the cold weather moving in ahead of the snow, battery calls surged with 43 percent of our calls that day being for battery issues. By Sunday, with the snow still coming down and blanketing the state, nearly half of our calls were requests to help pull stranded drivers out of the snow.”

On Monday, battery issues and tows made up two-thirds of all calls in the AAA Club Alliance territory in Ohio. By Tuesday, as many more drivers were starting to dig out, batteries and tows made up 75 percent of all roadside calls for the day. 1,857 battery calls were made that day, along with 1,817 calls for a tow.

Batteries are struggling to keep a charge in this week’s bone-chilling temperatures.

 “At 32 degrees, a battery loses about 35 percent of its power, while needing 1.5 times as much power to start a vehicle,” Dean said. “At zero degrees, it’s lost 60 percent of its power but needs two times as much power to get a car started.”

Problems Causing Vehicle Breakdowns

According to AAA, the most common reasons for emergency roadside service calls during this storm have been:

Man changes plea, another enters plea

VW independent staff

Two criminal hearings were held in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court Wednesday morning, with Judge Martin D. Burchfield presiding over both hearings.

Nicholas Fitzsimmons, 24, of Van Wert, changed his plea to guilty to failure to comply with an order or signal of a police officer, a fourth degree felony, and OVI, a first degree misdemeanor. He then requested and was granted intervention in lieu of conviction on the first charge. His case was stayed pending completion of the treatment program and he ordered to pay court costs. He was sentenced on the second count to 20 days in jail with credit for seven days already served, two years of community control, a two-year license suspension, a $750 fine, court costs, and partial appointed counsel fees.

In a separate and unrelated hearing, Eric Orndorff, 42, of Lima, entered a not guilty plea to non-support of dependents, a fifth degree felony. He was released on a surety bond and a pre-trial conference was scheduled for 8:30 a.m. February 28.