SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
Van Wert’s 2025 street repaving project will begin very soon. That was the word from Safety-Service Director Jay Fleming during Monday night’s Van Wert Council Meeting.
Fleming said milling and grinding of affected streets will begin on Wednesday. Actual paving is scheduled to begin on October 2 and should last about 10 days. 16 city streets are on the city’s repaving list this year:
- Spencer St. from Walnut St. to William St.
- All of Second St.
- Two blocks of Temple St.
- S. Chestnut St. – from Spencer St. to Main St.
- N. Chestnut St. – from Main to Trinity Friends Church
- S. Tyler St. – from Spencer St. to Main St.
- Greenewald St. – from Harrison St. to Wayne St.
- Maplewood Drive – from Ervin Rd. to Spencer
- S. Vine St. – from Spencer to Main
- E. Crawford St. – from Walnut St. to Wayne St.
- Cherry St. – from Greenewald St. to Gleason Ave.
- Biltmore Ave. – Woodland Ave. to the dead end
- Green St. – from Biltmore to Gay St.
- Gay St. – from Woodland Ave. to the dead end
- N. Franklin St. – approximately 420 feet north of Sycamore St.
- S. Walnut St. – from Hospital Drive to Ervin Rd. (chip and seal only)
Fleming said Spencer St., Second St., and a portion of Temple St. were added because bids for the work came in lower than expected, which freed up some money for additional work. He also addressed chip and seal plans on S. Walnut St.
(more…)POSTED: 09/22/25 at 8:58 pm
During the 2025 Van Wert County Fair, the Van Wert County Agricultural Society hosted the annual Wood Carver Auction on Labor Day. For the second year, the Society expanded its community outreach by partnering with four local non-profit organizations, designating specific wood-carved pieces to benefit each group. The organizations selected for this year’s charitable collaboration were the Van Wert County Humane Society, the Van Wert County Council on Aging, CHP Grief Camp and the Veterans Food Pantry Each of these non-profits received support through the proceeds raised from four specially designated wood carvings. The Agricultural Society thanked the generous bidders and supporters who made the initiative a success. Photos submitted
POSTED: 09/22/25 at 8:56 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
COLUMBUS — A new program to make child care more affordable was unveiled on Monday by Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY) Director Kara Wente.
The Child Care Cred Program is a $10 million program designed to make child care more affordable for working families while helping Ohio businesses strengthen their workforce.
The program was created through Ohio’s SFY26–SFY27 biennial budget and is designed to tackle one of the state’s biggest workforce challenges: access to affordable child care.
“The new Child Care Cred Program is designed to help Ohio’s families get access to childcare,” DeWine said. “When parents have quality childcare, Ohio’s employers have productive employees who are not worried about their kids during work. It is a win for Ohio’s working families and for businesses.”
“Child care isn’t just a family issue, it’s a workforce issue,” Wente said. “The Child Care Cred Program makes care more affordable for parents, while giving Ohio employers a smart, practical way to support their teams. It’s a win for families, businesses, and communities across our state.”
“I am proud to be one of the many partners who collaborated on advancing this important initiative through House Bill 2 and the Budget,” said Representative Mark Johnson (R-Chillicothe). “The rising cost of childcare has placed a heavy burden on Ohio families, and while much work remains, this is an opportunity to build stronger partnerships between families and businesses.”
“Having affordable and accessible childcare not only supports working parents and their children, but allows businesses to retain dedicated workers,” said Senator Michele Reynolds (R-Canal Winchester). “The Child Care Cred Program represents a significant step in solving Ohio’s childcare crisis. I’m proud to see this program go into effect and I look forward to seeing the benefits this will bring to Ohio’s working families.”
(more…)POSTED: 09/22/25 at 8:55 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
BOWLING GREEN — Congressman Bob Latta (OH-5) announced that his office will host an informational meeting for northwest Ohio students and families from Ohio’s Fifth Congressional District regarding the U.S. Military Service Academy nomination and appointment process.
It will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, October 2, at Owens Community College, Findlay-area campus, 3200 Bright Rd., Education Center, Conference Room 111.
The meeting will serve as an opportunity for potential student candidates to be advised of the congressional nomination process and meet with representatives of the:
- U.S. Military Academy at West Point
- U.S. Navy Academy at Annapolis
- U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs
- U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Points
- U.S. Coast Guard Academy at New London
Potential candidates may also obtain an application for a military service academy nomination by attending the informational meeting or on Congressman Latta’s website at latta.house.gov.
For questions, Congressman Latta’s office may be contacted at 419-422-7791.
The Fifth Congressional District stretches from Van Wert, Paulding and Mercer counties all the way into Lorain County in northeastern Ohio. In all, the district is comprised of all or parts of 12 counties.
POSTED: 09/22/25 at 8:53 pm. FILED UNDER: News
The musical version of Bonnie & Clyde was a big hit at the Van Wert Civic Theatre this past week. The Tony-nominated musical tells the story of Texas-born bandits Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, from their days as youngsters — Bonnie a waitress who longs for stardom and farm boy Clyde a juvenile delinquent who likes guns and fast cars — through the murderous crime spree that made them front-page news in Depression-era America. Four more shows will be presented this Thursday-Sunday, September 25-28. Evening performances will begin at 7:30 p.m., with the Sunday matinee starting at 2 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at vwct.org. Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent
POSTED: 09/22/25 at 8:52 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
CEDARVILLE — Van Wert County native and Cedarville University alumnus Ryan Rager, a former track athlete and strength and conditioning coach, has officially been named to the U.S.A. World Cup Bobsled Team. Rager is now training at the Olympic facilities in Lake Placid, New York, as he prepares to represent Team USA in the World Cup and hopefully in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, Italy.
Rager has been chosen to serve as a brakeman, described as the last passenger in the bobsled and the last person to enter the sled at the start. The brakeman is responsible for pulling the brake to stop the sled at the end of the run.
Rager graduated from Lincolnview High School in 2017 and from Cedarville University in 2021 with a degree in athletic training. As a member of the Cedarville Yellow Jackets track and field team, he specialized in the 400-meter dash. He recently served his alma mater as both the strength and conditioning coach and an athletic trainer for the men’s basketball program before resigning this past Friday (September 19) to devote his time to bobsled training in Lake Placid, New York.
“Training and competing have always been part of who I am,” Rager shared. “My experiences at Cedarville as both an athlete and a coach prepared me for this new challenge in bobsledding.”
Rager’s bobsled journey began in May of this year, when he attended a U.S.A. Bobsled combine. The event tested raw athletic ability through drills such as the 40-yard dash, 10-yard dash, vertical jump, and broad jump. His standout performance earned him an invitation to the rookie bobsled camp, where athletes learn the fundamentals of pushing and loading into the sled.
From there, Rager, originally from Van Wert, advanced through training camps and competitions, rising quickly among the top national competitors. Only about 15 men typically make the U.S.A. National Bobsled Team roster, with many athletes coming from elite track and football backgrounds.
(more…)POSTED: 09/22/25 at 7:29 am. FILED UNDER: News
Saturday’s Main Street Van Wert Harvest Moon Festival was a big success. It drews hundreds of people to the downtown area and those attending enjoyed food, market vendors, kids games, live music and more. Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent
POSTED: 09/21/25 at 8:57 pm. FILED UNDER: News
There was something for everybody at Saturday’s Main Street Van Wert Harvest Moon Festival. The six hour festival was a big hit and pleasant weather conditions helped make it a success. Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent
POSTED: 09/21/25 at 8:56 pm. FILED UNDER: News
By Megan Henry/Ohio Capital Journal
COLUMBUS — Nearly 10 percent of Ohio school districts need support to meet state standards, according to the new state report cards the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce released last Monday.
The department uses 1 to 5 star ratings in half increments based on six categories: achievement, progress, early literacy, gap closing, graduation and college, career, workforce, and military readiness.
The state stopped using the A-F letter grade system three years ago.
- 13 districts earned 2 stars — meaning those districts need support to meet state standards.
- 44 districts earned 2.5 stars — Needs support to meet state standards.
- 102 districts earned 3 stars — Meets state standards.
- 159 districts earned 3.5 stars — Meets state standards.
- 147 districts earned 4 stars — Exceeds state standards.
- 95 districts earned 4.5 stars — meaning the district exceeds state standards.
- 47 districts earned 5 stars — significantly exceeds state standards.
Columbus City Schools, the state’s largest district, earned 2 stars. Toledo Public Schools also received 2 stars. Cincinnati Public Schools and Cleveland Municipal School District received 2.5 stars.
Click here to find out how local school district performed on the state report cards.
“We must act with urgency to ensure every student is equipped with the knowledge and life skills they need for the future,” said Department Director Stephen D. Dackin. “The Ohio School Report Cards are never an end point, but a building block for data-driven decisions that guide where to focus state and local resources, and, most importantly, how best to support Ohio students.”
(more…)POSTED: 09/21/25 at 8:55 pm. FILED UNDER: News
It was a trip back in time Saturday morning – back to the very early part of the 20th century. The Midwest Brass and Gas Club, which is based in southern Michigan, toured Van Wert and the area. About 15 cars from 1912 and earlier were in and out of town, with some stopping at the Van Wert County Historical Society. It provided local residents with a chance to meet and chat with the car owners. Photos provided
POSTED: 09/21/25 at 8:55 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff
DELPHOS — A shooting that left two people dead in Delphos last Monday has officially been ruled a murder-suicide.
According to a press release issued by the Delphos Police Department, autopsies conducted by the Lucas County Coroner’s Office confirmed what had taken place at a home in the 300 block of S. Bredeick St. Police were called to the residence after gunshots were heard inside the home.
The deceased were identified as Carol M. Short, 68, who died as a result of multiple gunshot wounds, and Timothy Short, who died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Their bodies were both released to the funeral home upon completion of the autopsies.
Investigators are awaiting toxicology test results.
POSTED: 09/21/25 at 8:53 pm. FILED UNDER: News
