Club working hard on planning local July 4 parade

Hatcher, Yarger seeking local judgeship

VW independent staff

Ahead of the February 4 filing deadline for partisan candidates, two local elected officials are seeking the position of Van Wert County Probate/Juvenile Court Judge.

Van Wert City Law Director John Hatcher and Van Wert County Prosecutor Eva Yarger have both filed petitions with the Van Wert County Board of Elections Office. Their petitions have already been ruled valid and both are running as Republicans, meaning they’ll square off in the May 5 primary election, with the winner moving on to the November 3 general election ballot.

Hatcher has served as Van Wert’s law director since 2012 and Yarger was first elected as county prosecutor in 2017.

The seat is currently open due to the recent retirement of Judge Kevin Taylor. It’s up to Governor Mike DeWine to appoint someone to fill the remainder of the term, which ends February 8, 2027. He’s said to be considering three names that were submitted to his office, but it’s not known when the appointment will be made.

Robotics teams compete…

Two dozen robotics teams gathered at Van Wert High School for Saturday’s 10th annual Van Wert FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) Robotics qualifier. The daylong competition was one of 12 qualifying tournaments held around Ohio, with 2-4 teams from each qualifier advancing to the state championship. Van Wert will return to competition next month in Cleveland. Photo provided

Health Dept. named HLA affiliate

VW independent staff/submitted information

The Van Wert County General Health District, which is a Healthy Families America affiliate, has been accredited as a provider of high-quality home visiting services to pregnant families and families with infants and young children. The announcement was made Friday by Prevent Child Abuse America.

Healthy Families America is the signature program of PCA America and has been providing home visiting services for nearly 30 years. Expectant and new parents are facing new stressors and have questions about their child’s development. HFA connects families through community partners like hospitals and pediatricians to support parents, meeting within the familiarity and convenience of the family’s own home. HFA is an accessible, voluntary and well received service.

“HFA sites utilize evidence-based best practices to provide individualized support to families when needed most, and linkages to community services,” said Melissa Merrick, President and CEO of PCA America. “We congratulate the Van Wert County General Health District, and we commend the staff for their leadership and commitment that has contributed to this most notable and highly regarded achievement.”

The accreditation process is based upon a stringent set of 12 critical elements grounded in more than 30 years of research. The process involves an in-depth examination of the site’s operation, as well as the quality of the visits made by HFA home visitors.

“We commend the Van Wert County General Health District for opening itself up to such an intensive review process,” said Kathleen Strader, National Director of HFA. “We believe that all families and all communities deserve access to quality home visiting services.”

“Van Wert County General Health District’s Healthy Families America/Help Me Grow program is a lifeline for families, offering early support, education, and resources that help every child reach their fullest potential,” said Van Wert County General Health District Health Commissioner Dr. Daryl Dowdy. “We are proud to serve the residents of Van Wert City & Van Wert County. Healthy Families America/Help Me Grow is one of the most powerful investments we make in the health and stability of Van Wert County families.”

Postal worker still employed by USPS

VW independent staff

A local mail carrier facing a federal charge for allegedly setting fire to mail last fall is still employed by the United States Postal Service.

Naddia Dhalai, USPS Strategic Communications Specialist, confirmed on Friday that Kyle Carver remains employed by the postal service. However, she did not confirm his actual status, active or suspended.

As first reported by the VW independent last Thursday, Carver is charged with delay or destruction of mail, a federal offense. During arraignment in United States District Court, Northern District of Ohio, he pleaded not guilty to the charge. The full story can be found here.

Union Township public hearing set

Submitted information

The Union Township Zone Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing regarding the approval of three conditional permits being issued within the township. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, January 29, at 7 at the Union Township building, 9977 Dixon Cavett Rd., Van Wert.

Cougars win!

Van Wert boys basketball coach Jeremy Best gives his team instructions during Friday’s WBL game against Defiance. The pep talk worked, as the Cougars won the game 47-35. Lincolnview and Crestview also posted wins on Friday. Game stories can be found on the Sports page. Bob Barnes/VW independent

VW Chamber plans a pair of events

VW independent staff/submitted information

The Van Wert Area Chamber of Commerce has released information about a pair of upcoming events, one in February, the other in March.

Galentine’s Day Event

The Van Wert Area Chamber of Commerce will present a “Galentine’s Day” event at Willow Bend Country Club on Thursday, February 12. The event will feature a panel of four women from the Van Wert Community speaking about navigating their personal and professional lives. Included in the panel are Rhonda Cunningham, principal at the Van Wert School at the Goedde; Jana Ringwald, retired insurance executive and current Van Wert City Council member; Tera Knebel, management level realtor with Schrader Realty, and Bailey Carder, Chief Advancement Officer with the Marsh Foundation.

EmpowHER Hour is a women’s networking event hosted by the Van Wert Area Chamber of Commerce, designed to connect, inspire, and empower women across the community. It will include meaningful conversation, shared experiences, and insights from local leaders in a welcoming, supportive environment.

Tickets are $25 per person for Chamber members, $35 per person for potential members, which includes breakfast. Enhanced registration options are available and offer the opportunity to attend with the ability to promote your business. Review those options when you register.

To register for the event, click here or contact the Chamber office at 419.238.4390 or at chamber@vanwertchamber.com.

Pot o’ Gold Annual Dinner

The Van Wert Area Chamber of Commerce will present its annual dinner and awards on Wednesday March 18, at Willow Bend Country Club. Enjoy a St. Patrick’s Day themed event that will celebrate all things Irish. Entertainment will be provided by locally based and internationally renowned Illusionist Krendl, who has appeared in over 20 countries performing at some of the world’s most iconic venues such as Sydney Opera house in Australia, The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and the Folies Bergere in Paris.

The evening will begin with a social hour from 5:30-6:30 p.m. with appetizers, event themed cocktails, followed by dinner and the awards program recognizing area businesses and individuals for their accomplishments and contributions to the Van Wert area.

Tickets are $50 per person for Chamber members and $65 per person for future members. A corporate table for Chamber members for eight are $400 and $500 for future members. A corporate sponsor table for eight (includes a complimentary bottle of wine) is available for $500 and $600 for future members.

To register for the event, click here or contact the Chamber office at 419. 238.4390 or at mark@vanwertchamber.com.

Yost rejects marijuana ballot issue

VW independent staff

This week, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office rejected the summary language for a proposed referendum aimed at repealing Senate Bill 56, which authorizes changes to the state’s medical and adult-use marijuana laws.

The Attorney General’s Office received a written petition for the referendum on December 29. Under Ohio law, the Attorney General determines whether a petition’s title and summary are fair and truthful representations of the proposed referendum. According to Attorney General Dave Yost, the summary did not meet the standard.

“Upon review of the summary, we identified omissions and misstatements that, as a whole, would mislead a potential signer as to the scope and effect of S.B. 56,” Yost wrote in a response letter to the petitioners.

Among other things, Senate Bill 56 established a cap of 400 total dispensaries statewide, reduces maximum THC levels in recreational marijuana extracts from 90 to 70 percent, and caps THC levels in recreational flower at 35 percent. It also ended the sale of unregulated, untested intoxicating hemp products outside of licensed dispensaries, and it criminalized the possession and transport of marijuana legally purchased in another state back to Ohio. Senate Bill 56 was signed into law by Governor Mike DeWine in mid-December.

Not long after news of the rejection by Yost’s office, a group called Ohioans for Cannabis Choice issued a statement.

“We’re disappointed, but not surprised or deterred, said Dennis Willard, spokesperson for Ohioans for Cannabis Choice. “Ohio Attorney General David Yost is just a speed bump in the process. We are going to fix the language, collect an additional 1,000 signatures, and not slow down. Voters this November will have the opportunity to say no to SB 56, no to government overreach, no to closing 6,000 businesses and abandoning thousands of Ohio workers, and no to defying the will of Ohioans who overwhelmingly supported legalizing cannabis in 2023,”

The statement also said Ohioans for Cannabis Choice supports proper regulation, testing protocols, age-gating products for those only over 21, proper licensing, and a framework that keeps access while allowing for proper regulation for a successful state model that others will look to follow. 

Yarger warns residents about scam calls

VW independent staff/submitted information

Law enforcement officers in Van Wert County have recently had several cases of scammers calling local residents to trick them out of money, in some cases, sizable amounts of money. 

Accoring to Van Wert County Prosecutor Eva Yarger, the scam artist calls and asks the victim to withdraw cash from his or her bank account to give to the scammer for safekeeping.

Yarger said unfortunately, the elderly are often the most at risk.

“Their generation still has basic trust in humanity and often they have financial resources,” she explained. “The elderly are also more accessible and more likely to be available for contact during the day while scammers are working. Lastly, the elderly are often embarrassed by being scammed and often do not report it for fear of being thought incapable of handling their own affairs.”

Yarger offered these tips to help avoid a scam:

• Be tight lipped. Never give out your social security number, bank account information or Medicare number.
• Always report to the police or sheriff if you think you’ve been scammed; tell a family member or close friend – don’t be embarrassed; confirm so you don’t get burned.
• Confirm with a friend or family member the identification of the caller; if the agency or business is legitimate; the details of the call.
• Remember, forewarned is forearmed.
• Signs of a scam: you are asked to wire money to a stranger; you are asked to take cash out of the bank and give it to someone; you are pressured to act immediately; you have won a sweepstakes you’ve never entered or heard of; you have to pay to receive your winnings.
• If in doubt, hang up and then call law enforcement.

Man killed in crash in Van Wert

VW independent staff/submitted information

A one car accident on Marsh Rd. in Van Wert claimed a Scott man late Friday morning.

According to the Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, it occurred at approximately 10:30 a.m. near U.S. 224. The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2007 Ford Focus driven by Jarett Catlin, 33, was northbound on Marsh Rd. when his car went off the left side of the roadway, causing him to lose control, slide across the center line and off the right side of the roadway before hitting a utility pole.

Catlin was pronounced dead at the scene. He was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash and alcohol impairment is believed to be a factor in the crash. The accident remains under investigation.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the Van Wert Police Department, Van Wert County Coroner’s Office, Van Wert EMS and Fire Department, Van Wert County EMA, CERT, Gideon’s Towing and AEP Power.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol reminds motorists to always wear their seatbelt, never drive impaired and to consider slowing their driving speeds on snow covered roadways.