SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
A proposed ordinance that would prohibit marijuana consumption on city property in Van Wert will be addressed Monday night, including possible changes for more clarification.
Van Wert City Council has scheduled a “Council of the Whole” meeting to discuss the ordinance, along with a separate ordinance that would ban recreational marijuana dispensaries within the city limits. The special meeting will begin at 5:45 p.m., followed by council’s regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. Both meetings will be held in Council Chambers on the second floor of the Municipal Building, 515 E. Main St. The public is welcome to attend the meeting and give input.
The ordinance that would prohibit marijuana consumption on city property has already had the first of three readings, but it’s possible the legislation will be revised to be more specific to help clear up any confusion and/or misinformation about consumption and city property vs. public or private property. City property includes parks, and places such as the Municipal Building, Van Wert Municipal Court, and the water and street departments. It does not include public sidewalks.
“I certainly expect the ordinance will be revised to be more clear in terms of consumption and more specific to what property it pertains,” Council President Thad Eikenbary said. “Perhaps comments from the public will give (us) some direction on those revisions.”’
(more…)POSTED: 04/19/24 at 9:25 pm
VW independent staff/submitted information
Business Bootcamp 2024, formerly known as LAUNCH!, promised an exhilarating journey for both aspiring and established entrepreneurs. It unfolded a three-part series with opportunities to ignite business growth, share knowledge, and foster community development.
“Pitch Your Plan” marks the grand finale of Business Bootcamp’s transformative series.
“We have enjoyed engaging with community members to host this series and look forward to empowering local entrepreneurs.”, said Amanda Miller, Workforce Development Manager for Van Wert Area Economic Development.
During “Pitch Your Plan to Win,” which is slated for May, entrepreneurs can showcase their groundbreaking ideas to a distinguished panel of local judges and potential investors.
Entrepreneurs are invited to submit their business plans by 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 8, to the Van Wert Area Economic Development Office, 145 E. Main St., or via email to info@vanwerted.com. Entries will undergo a thorough review, and selected participants will receive an invitation to present their plans to the panel of local judges on the evening of Tuesday, May 21.
The rewards are substantial:
First place: $7,000 towards business start-up or expansion
Second place: $5,000 towards business start-up or expansion
Third place: $3,000 towards business start-up or expansion
Additionally, the top three winners will have the exclusive opportunity to secure a discounted downtown Van Wert space and receive a one-year Chamber membership, a one-year VWAEDC membership, and 250 business cards.
(more…)POSTED: 04/19/24 at 9:23 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Submitted information
COLUMBUS — Following his announcement in the 2024 State of the State Address, Governor Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Children and Youth provided additional details of Ohio’s new $85 million Child Care Access Grant program to increase the availability of licensed child care.
The Child Care Access Grants are designed to do the following:
- Increase capacity by creating new programs or expanding existing programs.
- Complete building repairs.
- Provide additional training to staff and families to support children with special needs.
“To better prepare our youngest Ohioans for school, and in order to ensure Ohio’s economy can continue to grow and thrive we need to ensure our working families have access to quality early care and education,” Governor DeWine said. “Quality child care helps prepare children for kindergarten and encourages them to develop the skills they will need to succeed.”
“This competitive grant opportunity will help us ensure parents have access and a choice to where they send their child when they are working or going to school,” said Department of Children and Youth Director Kara Wente. “Awards will be granted in five categories to ensure more providers have opportunities for funding. Applications will be reviewed based on the number of families that will be impacted by age group; the star-rating level of the provider; providing non-traditional care (including evenings and weekends); providing infant and toddler care; and programs with Inclusive Child Care Program designations.”
(more…)POSTED: 04/19/24 at 9:22 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
FINDLAY – Flag City Honor Flight is preparing for its 26th mission and the first of 2024. The flight will take 91 Veterans to Washington D.C. on Tuesday, April 23, to visit memorials built in their honor.
Departing from Toledo Express Airport in the morning, Veterans will embark on a one-day trip to the nation’s capital. The itinerary includes visits to the Iwo Jima Memorial, Korean Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, WWII Memorial, and Arlington National Cemetery. Veterans do not pay to fly.
Veterans will arrive at Grand Air Hangar at Toledo Express Airport at 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday. The flight is due back at 7:30 p.m. that night.
The Veteran breakdown includes one World War II Veteran, eight from the Korean War and 82 from the Vietnam War. A World War II nurse will be on the flight, along with two sets of siblings, eight Veterans with Bronze Stars, including one Veteran with two Bronze Stars, and four Purple Hearts.
“We are honored to announce our 2024 flight schedule,” Flag City Honor Flight President Steve Schult said earlier this year. “Our veterans have given so much to our nation and it is our duty to ensure they have the opportunity to visit the memorials that stand in their honor. Flight sponsorships, financial contributions, and dedicated guardians (volunteers) are increasingly crucial as we prepare for four flights this season.”
Tuesday’s Honor Flight is the first of four such flights this year. The remaining flights are scheduled for June 11, September 10 and November 12.
(more…)POSTED: 04/19/24 at 3:44 am. FILED UNDER: News
Submitted information
CONVOY — The Crestview Jr/Sr Prom, sponsored by the Class of 2025, will be held from 7:30-10:30 p.m. Saturday, April 27, in the Ray Etzler Gymnasium. This year’s theme is “May the Force Be with Us.”
A community open house will be held from 6-7 p.m. and the promenade will be immediately following in the high school auditeria from 7-8 p.m. The community is invited to attend the open house and promenade events.
POSTED: 04/19/24 at 3:44 am. FILED UNDER: News
One person was taken to the hospital after a rollover crash on John Brown Rd. Thursday evening. The crash cccurred at approximately 6:30 p.m. when the northbound vehicle went off the left side of the road before going airborne and eventually flipping on its top. Convoy Fire and Rescue units responded to the scene. The driver of the vehicle refused any treatment from the Convoy EMTs, but a minor was transported to OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital for observation. The Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol investigated the accident, and deputies from the Van Wert Sheriff’s Office assisted with traffic control. The vehicle was removed from the scene by Superior Towing. Bob Barnes photos
POSTED: 04/19/24 at 3:44 am. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff
It’s a rather dubious and unwanted distinction – Ohio is first in the nation in terms of number of tornadoes so far this year.
Data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows, Ohio has had 43 confirmed tornado touchdowns, including EF-1 twisters in Crawford, Portage and Clark counties, and EF-0 tornadoes in Trumbull and Champaign counties on Wednesday. That number tops Florida (34), Illinois (30), Kentucky (24) and Indiana (22).
In Ohio, tornado season peaks between April and June, although they can happen any month of the year.
POSTED: 04/19/24 at 3:44 am. FILED UNDER: News
Submitted information
The YWCA of Van Wert County will host “Drawn Together” at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday April 24, at Van Wert YWCA. This event is a night to let your creativity come to life through music, poetry, and painting.
The YWCA uses advocacy through the arts to promote their mission of eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. The YWCA hopes that through this night, attendees will be able to share and hear a collection of uplifting and motivational words that help push the Y’s mission forward. There will be an acknowledgment of “Denim Day” where everyone will learn the history as well as paint denim squares. This event is open to anyone who would like to participate or just come and enjoy.
A participation form can be found at www.ywcavanwert.org or by emailing ywcaceostudent@ywcavanwertcounty.org.
YWCA of Van Wert County is partially funded by the United Way of Van Wert County.
POSTED: 04/19/24 at 3:43 am. FILED UNDER: News
This car-pickup truck accident occurred shortly after 12:30 p.m. today (Thursday) on U.S. 127 at the westbound entrance ramp to U.S. 30 West. EMTs were called for a possible injury but treatment was declined at the scene and the EMT squad returned to the station. The crash was investigated by the Van Wert Police Department. Bob Barnes/VWFD photographer
POSTED: 04/18/24 at 1:30 pm. FILED UNDER: News
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
Ohio Department of Transportation Director Jack Marchbanks officially kicked off road and highway construction season earlier this week.
Marchbanks, ODOT District 1 Deputy Director Chris Hughes and ODOT District 2 Deputy Director Pat McColley held a media event in Findlay on Tuesday to outline what 2024 projects are on tap around the region.
“While the orange barrels that are synonymous with summer may be a source of frustration and inconvenience for some, they are a sign of progress and improvement for all who live in Ohio and who travel through it,” Marchbanks said.
Among the scheduled projects in Van Wert County, which is part of District 1:
Lincoln Highway resurfacing – crews will mill and resurface Lincoln Highway from Convoy Road to John Brown Road between May and July. Traffic will be detoured. The project cost is $2.25 million.
U.S. 224 resurfacing – U.S. 224 from U.S. 127 to the Putnam County line will be resurfaced, starting in May and ending in August. Daily lane closures will occur and the cost of the project is $2.38 million.
U.S. 33, Ohio 49 and Ohio 81 microsurfacing – crews are applying microsurface pavement preservation treatment on U.S. 33/Ohio 49/Ohio 81 within and near Willshire. Work began in March and will continue into Novmber, with daily lane closures. The project will cost $491,526.
(more…)POSTED: 04/18/24 at 3:56 am. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff
Just three criminal hearings were heard this week in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court. Judge Martin Burchfield presided over each of the hearings.
On Monday, Nicholas Muter, 23, Bowling Green, appeared for arraignment and entered a not guilty plea to unauthorized use of a vehicle, a fifth degree felony. He was released on a surety bond and a pre-trial conference was scheduled for 9 a.m. May 8.
Two hearings were held on Wednesday.
Zachary Smith, 25, Van Wert, was arraigned on a charge of domestic violence, a third degree felony. He entered a not guilty plea to domestic violence, a third degree felony. He was released on a surety bond along with an alcohol sensor. A pre-trial conference was scheduled of r9 a.m. May 8.m.
Zachary Brooks, 30, Convoy, appeared on his motion for judicial release from prison. Following the hearing, his motion was granted and he was released from prison and placed on three years community control, 30 days jail at later date, and 52 hours of community service. He is to possess no alcohol or drugs without a prescription, undergo substance abuse assessment and treatment, and was ordered to pay costs, monthly probation fee, and partial appointed counsel fees. He was sentenced last November to 12 months in prison for strangulation, a fourth degree felony, and domestic violence, a first degree misdemeanor.
POSTED: 04/18/24 at 3:55 am. FILED UNDER: News
