SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
Van Wert City Council did an abrupt about-face on medical marijuana Monday night.
After a plea from Fourth Ward Councilman Bill Marshall, council members voted unanimously, 7-0, to prepare legislation to rescind the city’s ban on medical marijuana dispensaries. After medical marijuana became legal in Ohio in 2016, city council voted to ban dispensaries within the city limits.
The subject of medical marijuana dispensaries was discussed during a special council meeting last month, with the majority of people in attendance speaking in favor of allowing them within the city limits. Many spoke of having to drive to Wapakoneta or other nearby places, or to Michigan to purchase medical marijuana. During that meeting, Robert Wilson, who manages Vape and Smoke on Towne Center Blvd. said he represents two men who want to open a marijuana dispensary in the Van Wert area.
“They are established already in Michigan, Illinois and New York and they know the laws, they’re waiting for everything to roll out just like we all are to see what laws Ohio is going to put into place,” Wilson said at the previous meeting.
“We can’t kick the can down the road,” Marshall stated during Monday night’s meeting. “I think we have to listen to our constituents – we make our decision based on the feeling of our constituents.”
The discussion from last month’s meeting seemed to spur Marshall and other council members, who wasted no time voting to move in that direction. An ordinance is expected to be formally introduced at the next meeting. Marshall also said a decision would need to be made on where a dispensary or dispensaries would be allowed to set up shop in the city limits.
(more…)POSTED: 05/14/24 at 3:45 am
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Van Wert High School recently held its Senior Awards Convocation for the Class of 2024 in the Saltzgaber Music Hall of the Niswonger Performing Arts Center.
Seniors were honored and recognized for their academic and athletic achievements garnered over the past four years, and several students were acknowledged during the awards program. Van Wert High School announced some of the following awards that were presented during the convocation:
Jena Wierwille, representing Central Insurance, presented the L.G. Purmort Black, Inc. Scholastic Achievement Award to Johnathan Kramer.
The Van Wert Athletic Booster Club Award was presented to Brylen Parker and Sarah Verville by club president John White.
Van Wert County Veterans Office representative Ashley Showalter recognized Ashton Dawson for enlisting in the military after graduation.
The Margaret Shaffer Maney Memorial Music Scholarship recognizes a student who plans to major in the area of music. This year’s recipient is Gwyneth McComas, who was presented with the scholarship by Dondra Maney.
The John Fox Maney Memorial Business Scholarship recognizes a student who plans to major in business and has a desire to see the Van Wert community prosper. Kevin Maney presented this scholarship to Davison Rager.
The Van Wert Federation of Teachers Anita Zuber Future Teacher Scholarship is given to students entering the field of education. Tayler Carter, Zoe Coleman, Emma Kennedy, and Kaden Shaffer are this year’s recipients.
The Braun Industries Project Lead the Way Engineering Scholarship is awarded to a student completing the four-year engineering program. Demond Johnson, representing Braun Industries, presented the award to Johnathan Kramer.
The Van Wert Rotary Club provided two scholarships to Van Wert High School seniors Debbie Jones and Hope Keuneke.
Trevor Webster presented the CHURCH Scholarship to senior Emma Dolan.
The WTLW TV Broadcast Scholarship is awarded to a student in the pursuit of a career in journalism, public relations, sales marketing, graphic design, web design, photojournalism, or other forms of mass media. Jennifer Beck, representing WTLW TV, presented the award to Emma Spoor.
(more…)POSTED: 05/14/24 at 3:45 am. FILED UNDER: News
With the help of numerous individuals, the Girl Scouts of Van Wert County, Boy Scout Troop 35, Cub Scout Pack 35 and churches, American Legion Post 178 members and Legion PTSD group members were able to place over 2,200 American flags on the graves of deceased Veterans at Woodland Cemetery on Saturday. A Memorial Day service will be held at the cemetery on 11 a.m. Monday, May 27. More information will follow in the coming days. Photo submitted
POSTED: 05/14/24 at 3:44 am. FILED UNDER: News
The Van Wert Area Community Concert Band will present a special May 24 concert in the bandshell of Fountain Park in Van Wert, Ohio. The program will begin at 7 p.m. and is free to the public.
Music performed at the concert will include patriotic selections that are intended to reflect, revitalize and rekindle the pride that each of us have as citizens of the best country in the world, the United States of America. A few of these selections are, A Patrotic Salute, America United March, God Bless America, and God Bless the U.S.A.
A special selection titled “We Stick Together” written by Paul Baransy honors the Sullivan brothers. These were five brothers from Waterloo, Iowa, who served together on the light cruiser USS Juneau. They were all killed in action during and shortly after its sinking around November 13, 1942. Area military personnel and veterans will also be honored with a Salute To America’s Finest.
In the event of inclement weather the concert will be held in the Niswonger Performing Arts Center auditorium. Please listen to the WKSD 99.7FM or WERT 1220AM/104.3FM or visit the Van Wert Area Community Concert Band Facebook page for updates.
The band members and director are excited to present this live performance. Please join the band directed by Richard Sherrick and members from, Van Wert, Ohio City, Delphos, Convoy, Chat, Middle Point, Coldwater, Fort Wayne, Spencerville, Celina and Rockford for this special concert.
The band will also be providing music for the Ohio City American Legion Memorial Day ceremonies at 10 a.m. Monday, May 27.
POSTED: 05/14/24 at 3:41 am. FILED UNDER: News
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Motor carrier enforcement officers will be on Ohio’s roadways this week for a 72-hour transportation safety event known as “International Roadcheck.” The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio is participating in International Roadcheck, scheduled for today, tomorrow and Thursday throughout the United States, Mexico and Canada. The 72-hour high-visibility, high-volume event highlights the important role roadside enforcement plays in ensuring North America’s highways remain safe and secure.
“International Roadcheck is one of the best ways to remind motor carriers of the responsibility of driving safely,” said PUCO Chair Jenifer French. “Although PUCO inspectors are out working every day, this particular event shines a spotlight on their commitment to ensuring the safety of all Ohio’s motorists.”
During last year’s Roadcheck, the PUCO along with the Ohio State Highway Patrol, conducted 993 inspections. There were 1,793 violations found, of which 353 were severe enough to place either the driver or vehicle out of service.
This year’s International Roadcheck places special emphasis on two focus areas: alcohol and controlled substance possession and tractor protection systems, which prevent critical malfunctions in case of a trailer breakaway or severe air leak.
Controlled substance and alcohol use remains a significant concern for motor carriers, drivers and the general public. During an inspection, officers consult the U.S. Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, an online database that gives government agencies and employers access to information about driver drug and alcohol program violations. The number of prohibited drivers listed in the Clearinghouse has been increasing. This alarming trend poses a threat to all motorists who travel on roadways throughout North America.
PUCO inspectors conduct safety inspections of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) on roadways all across Ohio in an effort to enforce important state and federal safety regulations. Each safety inspection follows a thorough process, which includes checking the hours-of service-documentation, to make sure that the driver and CMV meet necessary state and federal safety requirements. Vehicles and drivers that fail to meet these requirements may be declared out-of-service and cannot continue operating until they comply.
(more…)POSTED: 05/14/24 at 3:40 am. FILED UNDER: News
Area residents gathered on Saturday to celebrate the finished Ohio 49 road project in Wren, which includes a newly re-surfaced road and the various other improvements. Village officials gave special thanks to Craig Knapke of Access Engineering, the Van Wert County Commissioners, Van Wert Area Economic Development Corporation, Tom‘s Construction and the Shelley Corporation. Photo submitted
POSTED: 05/14/24 at 3:39 am. FILED UNDER: News
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Van Wert Lodge No. 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks has selected Lincolnview High School senior Ethan Scaggs as the recipient of the Student of the Year for the Van Wert Lodge. Ethan was selected as the Student of the Month for December. He will graduate this spring from Lincolnview High School.
Students are nominated by their high schools to receive the Student of the Month award. Each Student of the Month receives a monetary donation along with a certificate from the Van Wert Elks Lodge 1197 with the possibility to be named the Student of the Year. Students are judged on the basis of multiple achievements – volunteerism, character, leadership, service, citizenship and scholastic.
All of the Student of the Month winners are then judged for their performance and achievements for selection as the Student of the Year. Ethan received a monetary donation as well as a certificate. He will now be competing for District Student of the Year against students from 12 other lodges within the district.
This program is designed to recognize outstanding young men and women for their achievements in school and community. The Elks wish to recognize and praise those students for their accomplishments, their activities, and their contributions to society through this program.
POSTED: 05/14/24 at 3:39 am. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff
Local and area veterans organizations and other groups planning Memorial Day ceremonies and/or services are encouraged to submit information for publication. Please include the date, time, location and any pertinent information, including speakers, luncheon, etc.
The information should be emailed to editor@thevwindependent.com no later than Friday, May 17.
POSTED: 05/14/24 at 3:38 am. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
PAULDING — John Paulding Historical Museum will host a general meeting and special program at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 28. The guest speaker will be Jeanne Calvert, who will discuss her newest book, Paulding County Murders.
Calvert, of Oakwood, will hold a book signing after her talk. Copies of the book will be available for purchase. The program is free and open to the public. The museum is located at 600 Fairground Drive in Paulding, across from the county fairgrounds.
Calvert is amazed at how well the book has been selling since she published it late last fall. She believes there’s an interest in true crime stories, especially homicides.
“It’s the ultimate crime – there’s no going back,” Calvert said. “The Bible starts off with a murder. It’s fascinating and repelling. Nobody wins, even if it was a case of self defense.”
Paulding County Murders covers 64 cases dating back to 1881.
“Over the decades, there have been many murders and other unlawful deaths in Paulding County, Ohio,” a book synopsis said. “This volume summarizes these killings and their outcomes. Many are solved, but they all left their impact on the county and its residents.”
During her presentation May 28, she will discuss writing the book, some things she discovered while researching the cases and odd facts and details. Calvert said the book will be part of a series of four. She is working on similar volumes for Defiance, Van Wert and Putnam counties and will share some information about those homicides.
Calvert has written several other books, including Oakwood Memories, Oakwood Homecoming: The First One Hundred Years, and A Paulding Journal: 1870-1950. She taught biology and physics at Wayne Trace High School and retired from the University of St. Francis in Fort Wayne.
Her book can be purchased at the libraries in Paulding and Oakwood or online at Amazon.
(more…)POSTED: 05/13/24 at 3:44 am. FILED UNDER: News
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The Van Wert County Emergency Management Agency and Teijin Automotive, Van Wert, in collaboration with Van Wert Fire and EMS, OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital, the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office and the Van Wert Police Department will conduct a joint emergency exercise at 9 a.m. Wednesday, May 15. The exercise is aimed at enhancing preparedness and coordination in response to potential emergencies.
Van Wert County EMA Director Rick McCoy said during the exercise, community members may notice increased emergency responder activity around the Teijin Automotive facility on Industrial Drive. Please be assured that this is only a simulation and there is no cause for alarm.
POSTED: 05/13/24 at 3:43 am. FILED UNDER: News
Crestview High School senior Cadence Cook was recently honored as the Franklin B. Walter All-Scholastic Scholarship winner for Van Wert County. The award is presented by the Ohio Educational Service Center to one student in each county based on academic achievement, personal accomplishments and community service. Cook submitted an application and transcript to the local Western Buckeye ESC and was nominated by Crestview in order to be considered for the award. The Franklin B. Walter All-Scholastic Award was established in 1989 and is named after Dr. Walter who served as State Superintendent from 1977-1991. Photo submitted
POSTED: 05/13/24 at 3:43 am. FILED UNDER: News
