2024 Van Wert County road projects listed by ODOT

Car-truck crash

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

Court holds three criminal hearings

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.

Training donation

The Van Wert County Prosecutor’s Office has special funds available for use in the furtherance of justice. Prosecutor Eva Yarger’s office recently purchased Simunition pistols and rifle conversion kits for the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office using that fund. The items are used by the Sheriff’s Office for their realistic scenario training program. Shown above (front row, left to right) are: Detective Nathan Huebner, Prosecutor Eva Yarger, and Deputy Tyler Mox. Back row, left to right: Detective Seth Karl, Sheriff Thomas Riggenbach, Deputy Edward Klausing, and Deputy Chance Mosier. Photo submitted

Geranium ordering deadline is near

Submitted information

The deadline for ordering geraniums from the YWCA’s annual sale is quickly approaching. All orders with payment must be submitted by 12 p.m. Friday, April 26.

These hardy root geraniums are being sold in 4 ½ inch pots with 15 plants per flat. Hanging baskets are also available. Colors available for plants are: red, white, lavender, fuchsia, pink, light salmon and tangerine. Baskets are unavailable in white. Pots are $4 each or full flats of the same color (15 plants/flat, no mixing and matching) are $55, and hanging baskets are $25.

Interested buyers have several ordering and payment options available including cash, check, credit card and Venmo. For those preferring to pay with cash or check, order forms are available at the front desk of the YWCA between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. each day, or may be printed from the events page YWCA website. Buyers preferring credit card or Venmo may order online here. The YWCA events page also features all ordering information (www.ywcavanwert.org/events).

Geraniums will be available for parking lot pickup on Wednesday, May 8, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Buyers are encouraged to pre-order to receive the special pricing as well as to guarantee the colors and items they want are available. A limited amount of cash and carry items will be offered beginning at 11 a.m. May 8. Cash and carry plants are $5 each, baskets are $25 and no bulk pricing will be available on flats.

The annual geranium sale is a significant fundraiser for the ongoing work of the YWCA during the year including, but not limited to the Youth Development Department and the Survivor Services Department.

The YWCA is partially funded by United Way.

State agencies issue spring reminder

VW independent staff/submitted information

As we approach prom and graduation season, the Ohio Investigative Unit and the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Liquor Control are reminding high school students and their parents to make safe, responsible and legal choices as they plan celebrations.

First and foremost, it’s important that parents and teens both understand Ohio’s underage drinking laws.

Parents should not host or provide their house or elsewhere a “safe environment” for their child’s friends to drink. This prohibition applies even if the other parents provide permission. If convicted of selling or providing alcohol to an underage person, the seller can face a maximum sentence of six months in jail and/or a $1,000 fine for each offense.

In addition, if someone under 21 is caught driving with a blood alcohol concentration of at least .02, a level that can be reached after just one or two drinks, they can be arrested. Those individuals could face a 90-day to two-year suspension of their driver license as well as four points added to their driving record. All drivers should know it’s illegal to have an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle.

Carry-outs and drive-through establishments are urged to be on alert for underage individuals attempting to purchase alcohol. The DOLC reminds permit holders and liquor agency stores of their responsibility to ensure they aren’t selling to or serving anyone under the age of 21.

“The quick buck that can be made by selling to an underage individual is not worth it; liquor permit holders have a legal obligation to ensure those under the legal drinking age are not served alcohol,” said Paul Kulwinski, DOLC Interim Superintendent and Director of Licensing. “Not only does serving alcohol to underage persons jeopardize their liquor permit, it also could result in criminal charges brought against both the person who made the sale as well as the underage person who made the purchase. Aside from the legal consequences, it’s critically important that permit holders understand they are putting the underage person’s safety — and possibly life — at risk by engaging in this activity.”

Leeson Ave. work

New sewer line replacement has progressed into the 800 block of Leeson Ave in Van Wert. The main sewer line replacement includes new entrances from the line that will then connect to existing residential sewer lines. The trench box depths are around 17 feet deep. People who do not live in the construction zone should avoid the area, while those who do live in the construction zone should use extreme caution driving and walking in the area. Bob Barnes/VW independent

Tornado Watch canceled by NWS

VW independent staff

The tornado watch issued for Van Wert County and surrounding counties has been canceled by the National Weather Service Northern Indiana. It was scheduled to go until until 7 p.m. tonight (Wednesday).

Eclipse watchers came early, stayed late

VW independent staff/submitted information

COLUMBUS — The message from state officials was clear: Come early, stay late for last week’s solar eclipse. New data shows that most people did just that, avoiding the post-eclipse gridlock other states experienced.

Travel data from the Ohio Department of Transportation shows traffic volumes were up 12.8 percent on Sunday, fell by 4.4 percent the day of the eclipse, and increased again by 15.8 percent on Tuesday.

The biggest increase in traffic on Monday came on Ohio 31 north of Marysville where traffic was up by 71.7 percent, U.S. 35 west of Chillicothe with a 67.4 percent increase in traffic, and Ohio 14 west of Ohio 165 to the Pennsylvania border saw a 42.8 percent increase.

According to ODOT, within the path of totality, traffic on U.S. 30 from Van Wert to Canton was up 13 percent, including a 53.4 percent increase west of U.S. 224 near Van Wert. Traffic on U.S. 23 between Chillicothe and Marion was up 11.5 percent with the biggest jump around Marion where traffic increased by 21.4 percent.

Other ODOT data shows the state’s interstates also saw increased traffic. I-71 north of U.S. 30 saw a 21.5 percent bump in traffic volume, I-75 in Perrysburg was up 22.6 percent, and I-70 saw a 15.7 percent increase between I-270 and U.S. 42. Traffic on I-74 between Cincinnati and Indiana saw traffic surge by 14.8 percent.

On Tuesday, the entire I-70 corridor saw an 11.8 percent increase in traffic, the biggest bump in the Cambridge area where traffic volumes were up by more than 20 percent. Traffic on I-77 was up 11.1 percent, including a 20 percent increase in traffic south of Canton.

For a relatively short amount time on Tuesday, after the eclipse, Van Wert County traffic was reported to be at a standstill on U.S. 30 from Richey Road all the way to Fort Wayne.

Main Street Van Wert re-certified

VW indepdendent staff/submitted information

Heritage Ohio has announced the 2023 certification of Van Wert as a National Main Street Community. Van Wert became a member of the Ohio Main Street program in 2004 and has earned the prestigious designation each year since then.

During a full-day evaluation visit, the board of Main Street Van Wert exhibited evidence of a robust program working toward measurable outcomes in downtown revitalization.

To quality for accreditation status, communities must meet a set of rigorous standards that include commitments to building grassroots revitalization programs, fostering strong public-private partnerships, nurturing economic opportunity for small businesses and entrepreneurs, and actively preserving historic places, spaces, and cultural assets.

“I am thrilled to announce that our Main Street Van Wert has been awarded the prestigious 2023 Heritage Ohio Accreditation as a National Main Street Community,” Main Street Board President Quincy Thompson said. “This achievement is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our staff, board, and volunteers, who have committed to help revitalizing, preserving, and creating a downtown where people want to be. Main Street has been able to receive the accreditation every year since 2004, and we will continue to make it our mission to accomplish for years to come.”

“We are immensely proud of our community and remain committed to fostering its growth and development for years to come,” she added.

Heritage Ohio helps people to save the places that matter, build community, and live better. As Ohio’s official historic preservation and Main Street Organization, Heritage Ohio fosters economic development and sustainability through preservation of historic buildings, revitalization of downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts, and promotion of cultural tourism.

Since 1998, Heritage Ohio has contracted with the National Main Street Center as Ohio’s state coordinating agency for the Main Street Program.

More information is available at HeritageOhio.org.

Wren FD donation

The Wren Fire Department recently held its annual bingo night and with a 50-50 drawing, with the proceeds going to Van Wert County CERT. Wren Assistant Fire Chief Chris High (left) is shown presenting 380 dollars to CERT member Kevin King. The Wren Fire Department thanked everyone who attended the bingo night and participated in the 50-50 drawing, which made the donation possible. Photo submitted