The Van Wert County Courthouse

Thursday, Mar. 28, 2024

Superintendent Mark Bagley updates the board on the second phase of work at Eggerss Stadium, while Treasurer Troy Bowersock looks on. Scott Truxell/Van Wert independent

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

After five seasons, Van Wert boys varsity basketball coach Ben Laudick has resigned his position.

The Van Wert City Schools Board of Education accepted his resignation during Wednesday night’s monthly meeting. Laudick, who was at the meeting, read a brief statement and thanked the board, coaches, players, his family and others for their support.

“I’ve been blessed to be a part of the Van Wert basketball program for 25 years as a player and/or coach,” Laudick told the board. “Some of my best memories have been in the Cougar Den and many other gyms across northwest Ohio. Not many people can say they got to coach or lead their favorite basketball team…it’s truly been a dream come true.”

Laudick replaced now-Superintendent Mark Bagley as head coach after the 2018-2019 season and went 58-60 in five seasons, including a trip to the Division II regional finals in 2023. The Cougars finished 4-19 this past season. A full story on Laudick’s resignation can be found on the Sports page.

The board also accepted the resignations of Jalen McCracken as a volunteer baseball coach; custodial/maintenance worker Tom Lee; middle school music teacher/assistant band director Scott Turner, and fourth grade teacher Traci McCoy. McCoy was then hired as district media specialist. The board also hired Sydney Collins as a second grade teacher, Karlie Ulm as a third grade teacher, Ryann Morehous as a fourth grade teacher, and Aaron Ries as assistant to the director of technology.

During his report to the board, Bagley gave an update on work at Eggerss Stadium and said Alexander and Bebout has started the second phase of the renovation project, including the removal of asphalt and the outer shell of the men’s restroom on the home side. He said there will be new restrooms installed along with a new concession stand, along with a new press box.

(more…)

POSTED: 03/28/24 at 3:38 am

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

A Van Wert man who admitted to causing a woman’s death learned his fate on Wednesday.

Thomas Lampy, 31, was sentenced by Van Wert County Common Pleas Court Judge Martin Burchfield to 6-9 years in prison on a second degree felony charge of corrupting another with drugs. He was also ordered to pay court costs.

Lampy pleaded guilty last month and in exchange, a charge of involuntary manslaughter, a first degree felony, was dismissed. The charges were tied to the March, 2023, overdose death of a Van Wert woman. Lampy was arrested after a Van Wert County grand jury secretly indicted him last October.

Three other defendants were sentenced on unrelated charges on Wednesday.

Corbin Roberts, 23, of Van Wert, was sentenced to 30 days in jail for aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth degree felony, and 90 days in jail for possession of LSD, also a fifth degree felony. Judge Burchfield ordered the sentences be served concurrently, and Roberts was ordered to pay costs.

Michael Whisman, 33, of Van Wert, was sentenced to six days in jail, two years of community control, 30 days in jail at a later date and 10 hours of community service for domestic violence, a first degree misdemeanor. He was also ordered to undergo mental health and substance abuse assessment and treatment and was ordered to pay partial appointed counsel fees, monthly probation fees and court costs.

Charmin Justin, 56, of Van Wert, was sentenced to two years of community control, 30 days in jail at a later date and 50 hours of community services for attempted illegal use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or WIC program benefits, a first degree misdemeanor. Justin must also undergo mental health and substance abuse assessment and treatment, and must pay monthly probation fees and court costs.

Three defendants changed their pleas to various charges.

Tralisa Lane, 31, of Delphos, changed her plea to guilty of trespass in a habitation when a person is present or likely to be present, a fourth degree felony. She requested and was granted intervention in lieu of conviction and her case was stayed pending completion of the treatment program. She was ordered to pay court costs.

(more…)

POSTED: 03/28/24 at 3:38 am. FILED UNDER: News

VW independent staff/submitted information

Van Wert County Sheriff Thomas M. Riggenbach has announced that Van Wert County citizens are invited to become associate members of the Buckeye State Sheriffs’ Association.

Sheriff Riggenbach advised that membership appeals were mailed out around March 25. Individuals choosing to join the voluntary program can do so for as little as a $25 contribution. The funding provides critically important technical resources, training and legislative support on key criminal justice issues.

Sheriff Riggenbach

“With government funding becoming increasingly difficult to secure, the membership drive has taken on greater importance than ever before,” Riggenbach said. “The funding is vital to helping us carry out our mission of making our communities safer places to live, work and play.”

According to Sheriff Riggenbach, anyone who doesn’t receive a membership appeal and would like more information can get it by contacting the Buckeye State Sheriffs’ Association, 1103 Schrock Road, Suite 401, Columbus, 43229, by calling 1.614.431.5500, or by contacting the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office at 419.238.3866.

The membership program was formed to provide citizens with an opportunity to lend their support to more effective law enforcement and to help local law enforcement officers protect the lives and property of citizens.

“As the need for building stronger public-private law enforcement partnerships in this country continues to escalate, programs such as this continue to grow in importance,” Riggenbach said.

He added he feels this is a valuable investment in the future and encourages everyone receiving a membership appeal to consider becoming an associate member of the Buckeye State Sheriffs’ Association.

Riggenbach also said the Buckeye State Sheriffs’ Association never solicits members over the phone. If anyone has questions or concerns, please contact the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office at 419.238.3866.

POSTED: 03/28/24 at 3:38 am. FILED UNDER: News

VW independent staff/submitted information

LAKEVIEW — Thanks to the unwavering dedication of Ohio Department of Natural Resources staff, local community members and volunteer groups from across Ohio Indian Lake State Park will re-open on Friday, March 29 following damage from the tornado and severe storms that struck Logan County on March 14.

“Our hearts ache for all those affected by the recent storm,” said ODNR Director Mary Mertz. “Throughout this ordeal, our top priority has been ensuring the safety and well-being of our visitors and the surrounding communities. Witnessing the incredible resilience and determination of this community to restore the park has been truly inspiring.”

Most of Indian Lake State Park will re-open on Friday. ODNR photo

The tornado, which was 1,000 yards wide and on the ground for 31 miles, inflicted widespread devastation not only to the state park but also the neighboring communities.

Despite the challenges posed by the recent disaster, Indian Lake State Park will reopen its grounds on Friday with the exception of Fox Island. The extensive damage to Fox Island, which includes downed trees and a destroyed shelter house, requires ongoing cleanup efforts.

As for boating, modifications to the no wake zone areas will be implemented for added safety due to possible debris in the lake with additional buoys being placed between Paradise Island east to Orchard Island and from Orchard Island east to Moundwood.

Additionally, the Indian Lake State Park campground will resume operations on Friday, honoring existing reservations, including those for the upcoming total solar eclipse.

“This has been an incredibly trying period for the Indian Lake community,” said Indian Lake State Park Manager Hiedie Whitman. “However, we have witnessed an outpouring of support from the community, local businesses and countless volunteers. While we are excited about the prospect of reopening the park, our thoughts are with this community, and we ask our visitors to respect our neighbors and friends during this terribly difficult time.”

For the latest updates and additional notices, visitors are encouraged to monitor the Indian Lake State Park Facebook page.

POSTED: 03/28/24 at 3:37 am. FILED UNDER: News

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

While the agenda itself was very light, a wide and varied number of topics were covered during Monday night’s lengthy meeting of Van Wert City Council.

One of the discussions centered around the future of council committees, a subject that has been broached at previous meetings. At the suggestion of Councilman At-Large Jeff Kallas, an ordinance will be prepared that, if approved, would eliminate council’s seven three-member committees (finance, streets and alleys, judiciary and annexation, properties and equipment, parks and recreation, health service and safety and economic development) and replace them with special committees on an as-needed basis. Those special committees would be dissolved once the task at hand was complete. The vote to prepare the legislation was 5-2. However, it will ultimately take six “yes” votes to change the current committee system.

Van Wert City Council committees could become a thing of the past. Council members will consider a change and other requests during the month of April. VW independent file photo

“How do we change it, what do we do to make it more effective for us?” Kallas said.

During his report to council, Mayor Ken Markward recommended council members prohibit recreational marijuana dispensaries within the city limits, just as the city previously did with medical marijuana dispensaries. The matter will be discussed during a future meeting. A full story on Markward’s recommendation and the ensuing discussion can be found here.

Safety-Service Director Jay Fleming asked council to increase water tap fees for new construction from $800 to $1,900 for a 3/4 inch line and from $1,200 to $2,350 for a 1-inch line. He noted the current rates have been in place for 20 years. Legislation is expected to be introduced at the next council meeting.

Fleming also said Police Chief Doug Weigle has requested reducing the minimum age for entry level police officers from 21 to 20, while increasing the upper age limit to 42.

“We’re putting some of these people through the Vantage program, they’re coming out and they’re not 21 yet so they’re not eligible for the test, so we want to reduce the minimum age,” Fleming explained.

(more…)

POSTED: 03/27/24 at 3:39 am. FILED UNDER: News

VW independent staff

A list of local activities for eclipse weekend and eclipse day, April 6-8, is available at visitvanwert.com, or on Visit Van Wert’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

In addition, here is a list of local parking and viewing spaces for the April 8 total solar eclipse:

  • Community Building parking lot, 300 Sycamore St., Middle Point
  • Willshire Ball Park, 103 Green St., Willshire
  • Edgewood Park, 643 N. Main St., Convoy
  • Smiley Park, 1451 Leeson Ave., Van Wert
  • Jubilee Park, 137 Gleason Ave., Van Wert
  • Van Wert County Fairgrounds, 1055 S. Washington St., Van Wert
  • Lincoln Ridge Farms, 6588 Pollock Rd., Convoy
  • Collins Fine Foods, 223 N. Washington St., Van Wert
  • Van Del Drive In, 19986 Lincoln Highway, Van Wert

School parking lots in Van Wert County are off-limits for eclipse parking and viewing.

The eclipse will travel across Ohio from southwest to northeast beginning around 1:54 p.m. in Van Wert County and ending around 4:27 p.m on Monday, April 8. Totality will begin throughout the county at 3:08 p.m. and will last approximately four minutes.

POSTED: 03/27/24 at 3:38 am. FILED UNDER: News

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

It the prediction is current, it could be a very turbulent spring and early summer in this part of Ohio.

According to Van Wert County EMA Director Rick McCoy, the National Weather Service is extremely concerned there could be a super outbreak of tornadoes across the region between now and June.

“We had a bunch in February that hit Dayton and Columbus and now this latest outbreak (March 14),” McCoy said during Monday’s eclipse planning meeting and again at Monday night’s meeting of Van Wert City Council. “A very strong El Nino that gave us a mild winter is going to die off here soon. La Nina will develop and when that happens, that means lots of severe storms and many tornadoes.”

Van Wert County EMA Director Rick McCoy says it could be a stormy spring. Scott Truxell/Van Wert independent

“We want to make sure our community is ready,” he continued. “People are good here, they pay attention, they take heed.”

McCoy added that Van Wert County has a title it probably doesn’t want – the “tornado capital of Ohio.”

“We need to be very weather oriented in this county because we rate No. 1 in the State of Ohio in the number of tornadoes,” McCoy said. “In the 34 years I’ve been director we’ve had 34 tornadoes, so we average about one per year. No other county in our state has that many so this is mega-capital of tornadoes.”

McCoy also outlined the procedure used to sound tornado sirens, five of which are in the Van Wert city limits. All of Van Wert’s tornado sirens are on battery backup.

“They are on three minute timers so the sirens will go off and then after three minutes they will shut off,” McCoy stated. “I will reactivate them if the tornado is still coming. If you remember in 2002 when the tornado hit, I activated tornadoes for 26 minutes before it got to the city – it was still in Indiana, coming this way, so I had to keep reactivating them every three minutes for that event.”

“I want the public to understand that the sirens are not for people in their businesses or in their homes, even though we would like it to be,” he added. “The sirens are made for people who are outside to get them in.”

(more…)

POSTED: 03/27/24 at 3:37 am. FILED UNDER: News

VW independent staff/submitted information

Ben Marsee has been named a consultant at the Marsh Foundation. Since 2008, Marsee has been employed at the Marsh as a group home family teacher, lead family teacher and then program manager.

He is looking forward to the new role and is focused on using his years of experience to help others succeed.

“I hope to assist family teachers in performing their job duties at a high level resulting in them achieving certification in their respective model the first time, every time,” he said. “By preparing the family teachers to perform their duties at a high level, we will be able to assist more children and families and have a greater impact on those that we serve.”

Ben Marsee

Marsee credits his years of experience in the Teaching Family Model and consistent and effective supervision and guidance from administration as being critical to his career growth.

According to Director of Residential Services Elizabeth Truxell, Marsee has been a valuable asset to the Marsh Foundation, consistently exceeding expectations in his role as program manager.

“Due to his extensive knowledge, he has taken on additional responsibilities beyond his current role,” she said. “His dedication and contributions over the past 16 years have been instrumental in improving transporter efficiency, consistency of the on-call schedule of our family teachers and providing CPI training to our staff several times a year. These examples are just a mere smidgen of what Ben has accomplished.”

“Ben has many positive qualities mentioned by coworkers and consumers alike, such as being efficient, a good listener, and helpful to the needs of children and their families,” she added.

In his new role, Marsee will serve as consultant to Vance Hall.

“My role as a consultant will allow me to assist family teachers in developing the necessary skills to implement the Teaching Family Model with integrity and accuracy,” he stated.

(more…)

POSTED: 03/27/24 at 3:32 am. FILED UNDER: News

VW independent staff

COLUMBUS — Van Wert County’s February unemployment rate came in slightly under the statewide average, according to new figures provided by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

The county’s jobless rate was 3.5 percent last month, compared to Ohio’s average of 3.7 percent. Once again, Mercer County had the state’s lowest unemployment rate, 2.9 percent. Rates in other surrounding counties were 3.3 percent in Auglaize County, 3.5 percent in Putnam County, 3.7 percent in Paulding County, and 4.3 percent in Allen County.

POSTED: 03/27/24 at 3:31 am. FILED UNDER: News

VW independent staff/submitted information

COLUMBUS — Governor Mike DeWine has announced the state has distributed one million fentanyl test strips in an initiative to combat the opioid crisis. The strips serve as crucial tools in harm reduction efforts, allowing users to test substances for the presence of fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid that has been increasingly found laced in various street drugs, contributing significantly to overdose fatalities.

“By providing access to fentanyl test strips, we empower individuals to make informed decisions and potentially avert tragic consequences associated with opioid use,” DeWine said.

Unintentional drug overdose fatalities among Ohio residents decreased by five percent in 2022, totaling 4,915 deaths, while nationwide there was a marginal one percent rise in overdose deaths during the same period. Fentanyl was involved in 81 percent of those deaths, often in combination with other drugs.

Since April 2023, RecoveryOhio, the Ohio Department of Health, and the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services have been working in cooperation to distribute fentanyl test strips. Numerous channels are being utilized, including county health departments, harm reduction organizations, colleges, law enforcement, Project DAWN sites, and local outreach programs, ensuring broad accessibility across the state.

Project DAWN (Deaths Avoided With Naloxone) is a network of opioid overdose education and naloxone distribution programs coordinated by the Ohio Department of Health. By the end of 2023, Project DAWN sites had ordered 795,300 fentanyl test strips.

This landmark distribution of fentanyl test strips aligns with Ohio’s broader initiative that includes providing wide access to the life-saving drug Naloxone. Naloxone, when administered during an opioid overdose (from heroin, fentanyl, or prescription pain medications), blocks the effects of opioids on the brain and quickly restores breathing.

In 2023, Project DAWN distributed 292,419 naloxone units. In addition, the State of Ohio has installed cabinets containing free doses of Naloxone on 48 public and private college and university campuses, and more than 130 cabinets at 65 rest areas across the state.

Ohioans can order free naloxone and fentanyl test strips to be delivered to their homes through the website http://www.naloxone.ohio.gov.

POSTED: 03/27/24 at 3:31 am. FILED UNDER: News

VW independent staff

The Van Wert County Commissioners have approved closing county offices at noon on Good Friday, March 29. This includes offices in the Van Wert County Courthouse and Annex.

POSTED: 03/27/24 at 3:30 am. FILED UNDER: News