SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
Students at the Van Wert School at the Goedde were able to showcase their food preparation abilities and teach a bit of history Wednesday evening.
The Van Wert City Schools Board of Education held its monthly meeting at the school and the students presented a chuckwagon spread that was second to none, plus a replica chuckwagon.
A Goedde student, Zeke, shared the history of the chuckwagon and explained it was invented in 1866 and was a “kitchen on wheels” used to store and transport food and cooking equipment for large cattle drives. Other students helped prepare the food that was on the chuckwagon, which was parked in the hallway outside of the conference room at the school. Meats included ribs and tomahawk steaks that were cooked to varying temperatures, cowboy beans, regular and jalepeno cornbread, rolls, potatoes, roasted vegatables consisting of carrots, green beans, mushrooms, red and orange peppers and broccoli. Dessert was offered as well – peach cobbler and cherry cobbler.
After the presentation, board members happily filled metal plates and conducted the remainder of the meeting while enjoying the food.
Five retirement-resignations were accepted by the board – custodial/maintenance Scott Pollock, effective December 31; assistant to the director of technology Richard Kreischer, effective January 31; social worker John Basinger, effective at the end of the school year, and school psychologist Doug Grooms, effective at the end of the school year.
(more…)POSTED: 12/17/25 at 9:48 pm
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
Wednesday evening’s meeting of the Van Wert City Schools Board of Education was the final one for one of its members.
After serving three four-year terms, Scott Mull chose not to seek re-election in November. While reflecting on his time as a board member, Mull said some of his fondest memories including watching the progession of the district and the focus on each and every student.
“I had a really small part in helping that come together and looking back and seeing what we’ve accomplished over the 12 years has been really amazing,” Mull said. “It’s been very rewarding for me.”
He also said leaving the board is bittersweet to him.
Superintendent Mark Bagley had nothing but praise for Mull and his contributions to the district.
“I was hired right during COVID and Scott and I had some very candid conversations that were really good,” Bagley said. “What I love about Scott is he’s challenged the board, he’s challenged me to get better, to keep working and make Van Wert City Schools the best. He’s not status quo, he’s not ‘we’ve always done it this way,’ and he really pushed our district hard for 12 years and I saw that as a middle school principal and as a superintendent.”
“Talk about exemplary board members and I think Scott fits that bill,” he added. “He takes it very seriously, he works at it, he’s been our board president and I just can’t say enough good things about Scott. We’re really going to miss him.”
Board President Anthony Adams echoed Bagley’s sentiments.
(more…)POSTED: 12/17/25 at 9:48 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Submitted information
LIMA — The Ohio State University at Lima will host the Northwest Conference Scholastic Bowl Tournament starting at 9:30 a.m. on Friday.
High school teams from around the Northwest Conference will go head-to-head in an exciting round-robin scholastic bowl tournament. Varsity and junior varsity teams are expected from Allen East, Bluffton, Columbus Grove, Crestview, Delphos Jefferson, Fort Loramie, Lima Central Catholic, Lincolnview and Spencerville. More than 95 students are scheduled to compete.
Registration will begin at 8:45 a.m. in the Perry Webb Student Life Building. Competition rooms are in Galvin Hall and lunch is in the Webb and Galvin Commons from 11:10-11:55 a.m. Trophy presentations will start around 1:30 p.m. in the Cloyd Student Commons in Galvin Hall lower level.
Awards will include Varsity Tournament Champion and Runner-up and First Place and Runner-up for JV.
POSTED: 12/17/25 at 9:47 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Submitted information
The Van Wert County Fairgrounds will host the popular Bang for Your Buck Raffle on Saturday, January 31 at the Jr. Fair Building. This exciting evening offers great food, games, and the chance to win big prizes — all for one ticket price.
Tickets are $100 each and include one person’s entry, a meal, and a chance to win throughout the night. The doors will open at 4:30 p.m., dinner will be served at 5 p.m., and the raffle will begin promptly at 6 p.m. Participants must be present to win or have a representative attending on their behalf. All winners must be able to pass a background check.
One of the evening’s highlights will be the opportunity to win the “Mystery Safe,” along with games and prizes happening all night long.
Tickets are available for purchase at the Van Wert County Fair Office or through any Fair Board Director. The more tickets sold, the more prizes will be added.
POSTED: 12/17/25 at 9:46 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff
The Office of Criminal Justice Services has announced over $3.9 million in federal grants to reduce violence against women in Ohio.
One of the recipients of a Violence Against Women Act grants is the YWCA of Van Wert County, which has been awarded $51,765.
The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) grants assist local governments and non-profit community-based organizations in administering justice for and strengthening services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
“This funding will be used to support survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking through survivor services, preventing efforts, and advocate support,” YWCA President/CEO Kimberly Laudick said. “The funding will strengthen advocacy and access to safe housing to improve the safety and long-term stability for individuals and families impacted by violence.”
OCJS administered the competitive VAWA grant by soliciting proposals from victim service providers, law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and courts throughout Ohio. In total, OCJS awarded 81 grants to local agencies in 45 counties.
VAWA funds also enhance the capacity of local communities to develop and strengthen effective law enforcement and prosecution strategies to combat violent crimes against women and to develop and strengthen victim services in cases involving violent crimes against women.
POSTED: 12/17/25 at 9:45 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
ROCKFORD — The Rockford Police Department is asking for help in identifying three individuals getting into multiple vehicles in the village early Wednesday morning.
According to Police Chief Bryan W. Stryker, the three were dressed in all black and entering vehicles at around 2:20 a.m. Wednesday, mainly on the side of the village.
The Rockford Police Department is asking homeowners to check their surveillance cameras for any activity from 2 a.m. until approximately 3 a.m. Anyone who spots any activity that may be suspicious should contact the Rockford Police Department at 419.363.3032 option No. 2.
Chief Stryker said as a reminder, do not leave anything valuable inside your vehicle and always lock your doors. If you witness suspicious activity in progress, please contact the Mercer County Sheriff’s Dispatch at 419.586.7724.
POSTED: 12/17/25 at 2:48 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
If you’re planning on gassing up and heading out for the holidays, you may find a nice gift at the pump this Christmas.
GasBuddy expects the national average on Christmas Day to land near $2.79 per gallon, below last year’s price of $3, saving motorists over half a billion dollars during the Christmas week compared to last year. While 2024 previously represented the lowest Christmas Day price since 2020, this year continues that trend.
The softer holiday pricing comes as refinery maintenance winds down and gasoline supplies rise, easing some of the pressure that typically builds earlier in the year. In addition, OPEC has been increasing oil production for much of 2025, pushing crude prices to multi-year lows in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
Even with millions of Americans traveling for the holidays, winter gasoline demand remains far lower than in the summer. While unexpected refinery issues or international tensions could still introduce volatility, the overall backdrop is far more favorable for Christmas travelers than it was a few years ago when the re-opening economy surged prices.
“Christmas is often when gas prices settle near the lowest levels of the year, and 2025 is no exception,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “Refinery maintenance has wrapped up, supplies are rising, and winter demand is much lower than in summer — all of which help keep a lid on prices. For those traveling across state lines, keep in mind the extreme volatility in prices that can occur between states and save yourself 20-80 cents per gallon by filling up on the cheaper side.”
(more…)POSTED: 12/16/25 at 11:24 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
Congressman Bob Latta (OH-5) has announced his nominations of students from Ohio’s Fifth Congressional District for consideration to be accepted into the United States Air Force, Merchant Marine, Military, and Naval Academies in the Class of 2030.
The list includes Edward Kessen, a student at Delphos St. John’s High School. Kessen received nominations for two of the service academies – the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Air Force Academy.
“I am proud to nominate 18 outstanding students from Ohio’s Fifth Congressional District to attend one of our U.S. Military Service Academies,” he said. “Each student brings unique talents and has already demonstrated remarkable readiness at this early stage in their careers. It is an honor to nominate them for consideration. I wish them the very best as they continue through the interview process, and I thank them for pursuing this path of service to our country.”
Here is the complete list of nominees from the Fifth District, which spans from Van Wert and Paulding counties to Lorain County in northeast Ohio.
U.S. Military Academy
- Adam Buell, Pandora, Pandora Gilboa High School
- Jack Buell, Pandora, Pandora Gilboa High School
- Gavin Minich, Bloomdale, Elmwood High School
- Trever Blackburn, Lagrange, Military Academy Preparatory School
- Grant Swain, Norwalk, Sandusky Central Catholic High School
- Tyler Denn, Amherst, Marion L. Steele High School
- Benjamin Beard, Findlay, Liberty Benton High School
- Trevor Grzelak, Avon, Avon High School
- Eli Chevalier, Sycamore, Mohawk High School
POSTED: 12/16/25 at 11:24 pm. FILED UNDER: News
United Way of Van Wert County recently granted $400 to the Crestview High School Scholastic Bowl Team. The money was given on behalf of the Community Impact Funds, which allows organizations that are tax exempt to apply in order to help with a one-time need or project in Van Wert County. The funds received are to aid in the purchase of new books and study material so students can be more prepared with updated information and help them to grow their knowledge. If you are a tax-exempt organization located in Van Wert County and would like to learn more about or apply for Community Impact funds, contact the United Way office at 419.238.6689 or email administration@uwvwco.org. Photo submitted
POSTED: 12/16/25 at 11:23 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Crestview Elementary recently named its Students of the Month, sponsored by Van Wert Cinemas. Students who make the Knight Leader Board each month are put into a drawing for a free 30-day pass to the movie theater for their entire family. Van Wert Cinemas November/December Students of the Month are Lillian Harmon and Waylon Mies (first grade); Tahlia Burkhalter and Jayden Morgan (second grade); Elliana Cox and Baylor Price, (third grade); Addilyn Fair and Branson Oakley (fourth grade), and Beau Knipp and Nolan Perkins (fifth grade). Photo submitted
POSTED: 12/16/25 at 11:23 pm. FILED UNDER: News
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
CONVOY — Crestview High School athletes who competed at the state level in fall sports were honored during Monday night’s meeting of the Crestview school board.
The board recognized golf state qualifier Matthew Dealey, coach Jeremy Best and coach Mitchell Rickard, cross country state qualifiers Anna Gardner and Emily Heth, and Division IV cross country state champions Jacob Heth, Drayden Hoffman, Ian Owens, Hudson Perrott, Luke Sawmiller, Lincoln Smith, Caleb Thomas, Kale Vining, Derek Young, coach Randy Grandstaff and coach Ragen Harting.
“It makes things very nice as a superintendent walking into such success – I had nothing to do with any of this but I’ll take lots of credit,” Superintendent Matt Dube quipped. “I appreciate all of your efforts. This has been an amazing run for our fall athletes and hopefully we keep it rolling.”
The agenda itself was rather light. A January 17-18 trip by FFA for a leadership conference in Dublin, Ohio, was approved. Approval was given to a memorandum of understanding with the Crestview Employees Association regarding paraprofessionals.
Along with approving routine financial matters, the board graciously accepted three donations, including $13,180 from Life House Church for Crestview student support activities, $1,425 from Kory and Mandi Lichtensteiger for seventh grade boys basketball uniforms, and a $5,000 grant from the Battelle Foundation for Crestview Elementary STEM.
During his monthly report, Dube said there’s a proposed new athletic facilities upgrade layout that could cut down on site work and possibly help reduce costs. Board members will study the proposal and discuss it at a future meeting.
(more…)POSTED: 12/15/25 at 9:52 pm. FILED UNDER: News
