SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
Monday night’s meeting of Van Wert City Council was the final one for three of its members.
At-Large Councilman Jeff Kallas, At-Large Councilwoman Judy Bowers and Fourth Ward Councilman Bill Marshall said their goodbyes during the meeting.
Kallas, who chose not to seek re-election, is finishing his third term. He said he’s enjoyed the opportunity to serve the community and be part of decisions that positively impact residents and local businesses.
“I value the collaboration with fellow council members, staff, and community members and the chance to listen to different perspectives while working toward common goals,” he said. “As I depart, I will miss the relationships built, the teamwork involved in problem-solving and the sense of responsibility that comes with helping shape the future of our community. It has been a pleasure and honor to have had the opportunity to serve on council for three terms.”
Bowers, who lost her bid for re-election last month, served two terms on council.
“It’s been an honor to be somebody to serve the city,” she said. “I wasn’t real sure what I was getting into but it was a learning experience and I really appreciate all the council members who I’ve worked with. I enjoyed doing the research I’ve done, I’ve learned a lot through different mayors and council members of different cities in Ohio and even Michigan.”
Marshall was appointed to a council seat in 2016 and ran successfully several times. Prior to filling the fourth ward seat, he served as at-large member. He decided it was time to step aside and he praised a number of city officials, council members, Council Clerk Stephanie Phillips and others.
(more…)POSTED: 12/22/25 at 10:48 pm
A two-vehicle accident occurred at about 11:40 a.m. Tuesday when an eastbound tractor trailer struck a Jeep Grand Cherokee near U.S. 224 and Van Wert Decatur Rd. The westbound Jeep was attempting to turn left onto 224 and was struck on the passenger side, causing heavy damage. The rig sustained moderate damage to the left front corner. One passenger was transported to OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital. On the scene was the Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Patrol, the Van Wert Fire Department’s EMS unit along with the Van Wert the County Sheriff’s Department, who assisted with traffic control. The jeep was removed from the site by 2AA’s Towing. Traffic was maintained on U.S. 224 during the accident investigation. Bob Barnes VWFD photographer
POSTED: 12/23/25 at 2:17 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Van Wert Elks Lodge 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks once again this year adopted children from the Angel Tree Project to help make their Christmas a little brighter. Tags are placed on the lodge Angel Tree which contains the items needed for the kids. Lodge members take the tags from the tree, buy and wrap the items and bring them back to the Lodge. The members of the Christmas Angel Tree Committee then deliver the packages to the location before Christmas. This has been a project of the Lodge for several years and the lodge members look forward to the Angel Tree being put up in the Lodge. By participating in this project, the Van Wert Elks are able to show the community that Elks Care – Elks Share. Photo submitted
POSTED: 12/22/25 at 10:45 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Submitted information
The American Red Cross Indiana Region needs blood transportation specialist volunteers to deliver blood products to hospitals in the Greater Fort Wayne area, including Van Wert County and the surrounding area. In 2026, you can give the gift of time and resolve to help people by providing a vital link between blood donors and patients who need blood products.
These crucial volunteers will be asked to fill two to four shifts in their region each month, and the assignment usually takes about four hours to complete. Volunteers may be scheduled during the day, in the evening and on weekends.
If you have a valid state driver’s license and at least 3 years of licensed driving experience, you can choose regular routes, stand-by emergency deliveries or both. This is a great volunteer opportunity for couples, friends or family members. Volunteers should be familiar with the area and be able to lift as much as 45 pounds. Training is provided by the Red Cross. Blood transportation specialists can schedule their own hours while helping patients in need.
\Volunteers make up 90 percent of the Red Cross workforce. Click here to get started.
POSTED: 12/22/25 at 10:43 pm. FILED UNDER: News
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
An emergency call of a possible overdose led to the discovery of drugs, weapons, cash, and precious metals at a home in Van Wert.
On Sunday, the Van Wert Police Department and Van Wert EMS were dispatched the possible overdose situation in the 700 block of N. Washington St.
Police and paramedics arrived to find a younger male on the floor, unresponsive. He was treated by EMS and was transported to OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital. While he was being treated at the scene, there were several drug items in plain view.
The Van Wert Police department applied for a search warrant and confiscated what Police Chief Doug Weigle called “an unbelievable amount of THC vape pens and cartridges.”
“These are believed to be marketed toward persons under 18,” he said. “We encourage all parents and grandparents to take a close look at the packaging. If you see these items/wrappers (shown in pictures) at your residence, you will want to investigate further.”
Other items that were consficated included:
- A very large amount of marijuana.
- A very large amount of hash oil or butter (Mason Jars)
- A significant amount of cocaine.
POSTED: 12/22/25 at 10:14 am. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff
A new contract with the firefighters union and passage of the city’s 2026 budget are among the items on tonight’s Van Wert City Council agenda.
Council members are expected to go into executive session to discuss the tentative agreement with Local #681 of the International Association of Firefighters, AFL-CIO, then vote on it later in the meeting. Terms will be disclosed after it becomes official.
The city’s proposed 2026 budget is up for its third and final reading. That too is expected to be approved, along with a pair of zoning changes – one from R-2 residential to B-3 general highway business at 10817 U.S. 127, and the other described as outlot 75-1 from R-2 residental to I-2 general industrial. The city’s planning commission has already approved both requests and council is expected to follow suit.
Tonight’s meeting will be the final one for three council members – At-Large Councilwoman Judy Bowers, who lost her bid for re-election, along with two who opted not to run again, At-Large Councilman Jeff Kallas, and Fourth Ward Councilman Bill Marshall.
Tonight’s meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers on the second floor of the Municipal Building, 515 E. Main St. All meetings are streamed live on the city’s website and archived for on-demand viewing.
POSTED: 12/22/25 at 12:02 am. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
LIMA — More key information has been released about plans for transit service between Allen County (Ohio) to Van Wert County.
Officials with Allen County Regional Transit Authority (ACRTA) announced that it will begin transportation services on Monday, January 19, in Van Wert County. The announcement follows details released last month about the state’s investment in new transportation opportunities, called the New Ohio Workforce Mobility Partnership.
More than $13 million is being provided in grant allocations across the state of Ohio for expanding transit services. ACRTA has been awarded more than $600,000 for a one-year pilot program in Van Wert County, which has been used to purchase two vehicles and will also subsidize ride costs.
“People will now have more options to go to work, shop, get to school, socialize, or get to appointments,” said Allen County Regional Transit Authority Executive Director-Operations Brian Wildermuth.
In recent years, the need for more transportation options has increased not only within Van Wert County, but also in other surrounding counties.
While Van Wert County currently has transportation options available, they are mainly for medical trips, senior citizens, or those with disabilities. This new service will provide additional options for the general public for any transportation needs.
“We think we’ll have a good response from this, and we look forward to connecting our communities and helping bridge the transportation gap so many people face,” Wildermuth stated.
(more…)POSTED: 12/21/25 at 10:38 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff
On the heels of recent approvals by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), previously referred to as food stamps, will undergo significant changes in early 2026, and those changes will affect Ohioans.
The “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which signed into law in July, restructured SNAP work requirements and expands mandatory work or training to a broader age range, up to age 64, requiring 80 hours of work, volunteer work or training each month. It also tightens many exemptions that previously applied.
Once in effect, healthy adults age 18-64 will be required to work, volunteer or train for at least 80 per month to receive SNAP benefits beyond three months in a three-year period. Veterans, those who are homeless and former foster children are no longer exempt. In addition, parents with children 14 and older must meet the requirements.
Another big change – some states, including Ohio, want to ban SNAP benefits from being used on carbonated, sugary drinks.
The new work requirements will go into effect on February 1, 2026, with recipients having to demonstrate proof of meeting work requirements starting March 1, 2026.
SNAP recipients are encouraged to take advantage of the SNAP Employment and Training (SNAP E&T) program for additional workforce development support. SNAP E&T helps participants gain skills, training, or work experience that can lead to employment and greater self-sufficiency. Individuals can participate by contacting their County Department of Job and Family Services or visiting their local OhioMeansJobs Center.
OhioMeansJobs Centers across the state offer free, personalized assistance to all Ohio job seekers, including career counseling, resume help, job search workshops, and access to computers and internet. In addition, OhioMeansJobs.com is described as a one-stop online resource where job seekers can search tens of thousands of job openings, post their resumes, and access tools like a budget calculator, career interest assessments, and information about in-demand jobs.
POSTED: 12/21/25 at 10:37 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff
Van Wert FOP Lodge 62 recently made a pair of notable local donations.
Lodge 62 donated $500 to the Toss A Toy program, which is led by local businessman Eric McCracken. Lodge officials thanked everyone who has supported McCracken with the program and helped put smiles on the faces of local children during the holiday season.
Lodge 62 also donated $1,000 to the Van Wert County Historical Society, reflecting the lodge’s continued commitment to supporting the rich history of the Van Wert community.
POSTED: 12/21/25 at 10:36 pm. FILED UNDER: News
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
As 2025 draws to an end, the Van Wert independent will publish a series of articles recapping what it judges to be the top 10 local stories of 2025. The series will begin on Friday, December 26, with the No. 9-10 top stories, followed by the No. 7-8 top stories on Saturday, December 27. The series will continue on Monday, December 29, with the No. 5-6 stories, followed by the No. 3-4 stories on Tuesday, December 30, and the top two stories on Wednesday, December 31.
POSTED: 12/21/25 at 10:35 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
LIMA — Columbus Grove took home top honors at the 2025 Northwest Conference Scholastic Bowl Tournament held Friday, December 19, at The Ohio State University at Lima. Crestview was runner-up in varsity competition. Fort Loramie won the junior varsity division in their first appearance at the tournament and Bluffton was runner-up.
The winning varsity team from Columbus Grove included Laney Auchmuty, Avery Birnesser, Anastacia Gratz, Will Horstman, Nick Johnson, Alexis Kohli, Kellan McCluer, Lily Montgomery, Connor O’Sullivan, Autumn Stechschulte, Lylah Wilson and Simon Zimmerly. The team finished with a 7-0 record to win the tournament by one point in head-to-head competition with the runner-up Crestview Knights team.
Crestview finished with a 6-1 record and included Noah Mosier, Brentyn Rodriguez, Harold Smacenko and Caleb Thomas.
The winning JV team from Fort Loramie included Evan Meyer, Liza Poeppelman, Will Rethman, Addison Turner and Sophia Werner. The team finished with a 4-0 record.
The runner-up JV team from Bluffton included Calliope Buckell, Caleb Kantner, Aubrey Maag and Alexis Mummert. Their record was 3-1.
The Columbus Grove coach is John Vennekotter. Crestview is Felicia Kowalski, Fort Loramie is Julie Goldschmidt and Bluffton is Brigette Hoff.
The Northwest Conference Scholastic Bowl All Tournament Team was chosen by the coaches and made up of one member from each school. The 2025 All Tournament Team members are Cole Kruger from Allen East, Daphne Johnston from Bluffton, Simon Zimmerly from Columbus Grove, Noah Mosier from Crestview, Alex Groch from Delphos Jefferson, Sam Goubeaux from Fort Loramie, Dante Turney from Lima Central Catholic and Nathaniel Bontrager from Spencerville. Zimmerly repeated as a member of the All Tourney Team for the third time.
(more…)POSTED: 12/19/25 at 11:50 pm. FILED UNDER: News
