Van Wert Civic Theatre to present Hands on a Hardbody

Crestview HS earns high ranking

VW independent staff/submitted information

CONVOY — Crestview High School has been named as one of America’s Best High Schools by U.S. News & World Report, ranking 63rd among Ohio high schools, 1886th nationally, and first in Van Wert County.

“The recognition afforded to Crestview High School from U.S. News and World Report is a tribute to our students and community,” Crestview High School Principal Dave Bowen said. “Thank you to our staff members, both current and past, who work so diligently to provide a top-notch quality education for our students. The small-school educational environment provides the backbone to the body that is our educational system. I am proud of all that is accomplished at CHS.”

The publication uses criteria gathered from state tests compared to other schools within the same state, looks for above-average performance of economically disadvantaged students on state tests, and factors in graduation rates along with college-readiness performance. Other notable rankings for Crestview included a 49th in State Assessment Performance Rank and 64th in College Readiness Index Rank.

Milk tanker flips

It turned out to be a milky mess in Convoy Tuesday morning. A tanker hauling milk was was traveling along Lare Road when it went off the road and went about 100 yards on the soft berm before rolling onto its side. About half of the load of milk leaked onto the field and the rest was transferred to another tanker. Convoy Fire and EMS transported the driver to OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital. Heavy wreckers were brought in to bring the tanker upright. The Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating the accident. Bob Barnes photo

Delphos streets to close Wed. morning

VW independent staff

DELPHOS — Road closures will be in effect in Delphos from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday. Due to the funeral for Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Adam Clark, the following roads will be blocked off from normal travel:

• First St., from Main St. to Pierce St.
• Franklin St., from Second St. to First St.
• Pierce St., from Second St. to First St.

In addition, there will be increased traffic around St. John’s the Evangelist Church between 9-10 a.m. To ensure a smooth traffic flow, the Delphos Police Department is asking motorists to use alternate routes to the west to avoid unnecessary congestion.

Other agencies to assist Sheriff’s Office

VW independent staff 

The Van Wert Police Department, Mercer County Sheriff’s Office and Paulding County Sheriff’s Office will provide assistance in Van Wert County on Wednesday, while employees of the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office pay their final respects to Chief Deputy Adam Clark, who passed away Friday. 

A Funeral Mass for Clark will begin at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Delphos. Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery. 

Students to learn about local businesses

VW independent staff/submitted information

Career Connections of Van Wert County will hold its third annual Let’s Get Down to Business! event on Tuesday, May 7, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Van Wert County Fairgrounds. In this unique educational event, fifth grade students from Crestview, Lincolnview, Van Wert and St. Mary’s of the Assumption Catholic School will learn about local businesses and career opportunities within Van Wert County through interactive displays and a variety of learning stations.

In 2023, over 250 students, teachers and volunteers visited the Van Wert County Fairgrounds with the goal of furthering each student’s understanding of basic economic and financial education concepts.

“We are excited to again partner with Van Wert County Fairgrounds for this year’s event,” Career Connections Board President Cory Michaud said. “Students will rotate through four stations throughout the day and the location provides a great flow, as well as enhanced safety as students move through the activities”

Students will visit a jobs station where local professionals will discuss career building skills ranging from résumé tips and interview skills to specific job qualifications. At the consumer station, participants will have an opportunity to earn “income” and learn about money management.

“Students will be charged payments such as a utility bill, water bill, and taxes to simulate real-life experiences and learn the value of a budget,” Michaud stated.

Upon visiting the economics station, students will learn about the Van Wert economy, area businesses, and Van Wert Works resources that will showcase opportunities available locally.

A variety of businesses comprise the final station, “Exhibits,” where students will learn more about each organization through demonstrations and interactive displays. Businesses represented include local financial institutions, non-profit organizations, manufacturing and law enforcement and civil service among many others. Students can earn tickets at several stations throughout the day to use toward raffle prizes.

After a jump, gas prices decrease

VW independent staff/submitted information

The roller coaster ride continues at the pumps but at least for now, prices appear to be headed down.

After increasing 24.2 cents per gallon the previous week, average gasoline prices in Ohio have fallen 15.2 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.48 per gallon on Monday, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 5,345 stations in Ohio. Prices in Ohio are 14.7 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and stand  unchanged compared to a year ago. The national average price of diesel has fallen 2.9 cents in the last week and stands at $3.98 per gallon.
 
According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Ohio was priced at $2.89 a gallon, while the most expensive was $3.99 a gallon.
 
The national average price of gasoline has fallen 1.9 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.63 per gallon on Monday. The national average is up 8.4 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 4.3 cents per gallon higher than a year ago, according to GasBuddy data compiled from more than 11 million weekly price reports covering over 150,000 gas stations across the country.

“With more confidence every day, it appears the spring top is in: average gas prices have started to cool off in many areas, said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “For now, few Americans need to worry that gas prices are going to skyrocket; the risk appears to be behind us, with relief coming in the weeks ahead,” While the latter half of the summer could potentially see hurricane-related issues, I do sense we’ve hit the top for now, and Americans should be optimistic that this summer will be very similar to last year, in line with our early 2024 expectations and likely not featuring record gasoline prices. I’m quite excited the seasonal rise in gas prices appears to be over.”

Weekly winners

Congratulations to this week’s Van Wert Elementary Word of the Week Winners.  This week, the following students were chosen as representatives of the word, community:  Grade 1, Brecken; Grade 2, Killian; Grade 3, Hannah; Grade 4, Emerson;  Grade 5, Henry.  Each child received a free Mighty Kids Meal from our local McDonalds and a certificate from WERT 1220AM/104.3FM. Photo submitted

Authorities involved in multi-county chase

VW independent staff/submitted information

A chase that began in northeast Indiana ended in Paulding County early Monday morning.

At 2:12 a.m. the Ohio State Highway Patrol was notified by Indiana law enforcement of a vehicle pursuit that began in Angola, Indiana, and continued into Williams County. Troopers with the Defiance Post successfully deployed tire deflation devices on the 2021 Jeep Compass in Williams County. However, the vehicle continued through Williams County into Defiance County before finally stopping in Paulding County.

The driver, Nelson Eddy, 78, of Angola, was taken into custody without further incident. According to a highway patrol report, Eddy appeared to be having a medical emergency and was transported by Paulding County EMS to Paulding County Hospital. His current condition is unknown.

The highway patrol was assisted by the Angola Police Department, Williams County Sheriff’s Office, Bryan Police Department, Defiance County Sheriff’s Office, Paulding County Sheriff’s Office, Paulding County EMS, and Gideon’s Towing.

The incident remains under investigation.

Truck-tractor crash

This crash involving a truck and tractor injured at least one person this morning. It occurred on Ohio 116 north of Ohio 81 in Jennings Township. The Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Spencerville Fire Department were summoned to the scene. OSHP continues to investigate the accident. Photo courtesy of Rick McCoy

Sheriff’s Office mourns loss of Clark

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

The Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office continues to mourn the loss of Chief Deputy Adam Clark.

Clark, 37, passed away Friday evening and the Sheriff’s Office made the announcement on Facebook early Saturday afternoon, prompting hundreds of responses from the public.

“Adam was a positive influence on everyone he met,” Sheriff Tom Riggenbach wrote in the post. “We will miss Adam dearly. Please keep Adam’s family and members of the Sheriff’s Office in your thoughts and prayers as we mourn his loss.”

The Delphos native graduated from the Apollo Police Academy and spent over 17 years with the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office, including the last four as Chief Deputy. He earned many accolades along the way, including local, state and national “VFW Officer of the Year.” He was well known and well respected throughout the community.

“A huge loss for the Van Wert community and law enforcement in general,” Michael Ulrich wrote on Facebook. “I always enjoyed seeing him on calls around town.”

“Such a great guy who always seemed to take the extra time if there was any more he could do for people no matter who they were or what they needed – he was there to help,” Chelsea Rue wrote.

“Adam was one of my favorites,” Bonnie Wells stated. “Whether I was working in the ER or at the jail he always had a smile on his face and could stay so calm in some very difficult circumstances.”

“Adam was always a bright spot in my day any time I saw him,” Lori Allen wrote. “Always so caring, always trying to make others laugh.”