County dog owners: license deadline fast approaching

Komets hosting Van Wert night

The Fort Wayne Komets and the Van Wert Chamber of Commerce are teaming up for Van Wert Community Night with the Komets. The Komets will face off against the Iowa Heartlanders at 7:30 p.m. Friday, February 6, at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum.

Businesses, organizations, community members and everyone from the area are invited to take advantage of deeply discounted tickets and cheer on the Komets with their family and friends. For tickets click here.

In addition to discounted tickets the Komets are offering the opportunity to nominate Van Wert community members for the Community Impact Award (click here) and the Hometown Hero Award (click here). They also have opportunities to offer limited Zamboni rides and one person to ring their “Third Period Siren.”

Motorcycle safety course being offered

Submitted information

COLUMBUS — Ohioans who want to learn what it takes to ride a motorcycle safely and responsibly can sign up online for rider courses beginning  at 8 a.m. Monday, January 26. Last year, Motorcycle Ohio, the state’s motorcycle safety and education program, trained 12,237 students. Courses at 51 training sites in 36 counties begin as early as March and run through mid-November. Education for riders is one of the keys to making our roadways safer for all motorists.

• Since 2020, 1,263 motorcyclists have been killed in crashes on Ohio’s roadways.
• An average of 77 percent of motorcycle fatalities involved riders who were untrained.

Any person operating a motorcycle on public roadways in Ohio must hold a valid motorcycle permit, motorcycle-only license, or endorsement. The Motorcycle Ohio program, offered by the Ohio Department of Public Safety, makes it easy for riders to get their endorsement by issuing a 60-day BMV skill test waiver upon successful completion of any course.

Enrollment for Motorcycle Ohio courses is $75, and there are three different levels of safety courses for riders based on their skill levels and objectives. The types of courses include:

• Basic Rider Skills (BRS): recommended for novice riders. During this 16-hour course, students will participate in four hours of classroom training and 12 hours of on-cycle training covering topics such as cornering, braking, swerving, and traffic interaction. No experience is required, and Motorcycle Ohio provides the motorcycles and helmets.
• New this year, riders enrolled in the BRS course will now have the option to complete their four hours of classroom training online. Motorcycle Ohio has partnered with the eRider program for students at a limited number of training sites. This highly interactive online classroom is designed to prepare students before they begin on-cycle training. Full rollout of online eRider training is expected in May 2026.
• Returning Riders (BRS-RR): recommended for intermediate riders. This eight-hour course is designed for riders 18 and older who have been riding with a two-wheel temporary permit for more than one year or a two-wheeled experienced rider returning after an extended time away. Students will participate in two hours of classroom instruction, take an on-cycle evaluation to assess their skill level, and then complete six hours of on-cycle training.
• Basic Rider Skills 2 (BRS-2): recommended for riders looking for a refresher course or to bond with a new motorcycle. During this seven-hour course, students will participate in on-cycle training without a formal classroom setting while using their own street legal two-wheeled motorcycle.

Students must have a valid motorcycle temporary permit (TIPIC) before the first riding session, which can be obtained from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) by passing the motorcycle knowledge test. Those over 18 years old and already have an active Ohio Class D driver’s license or CDL can take the knowledge test online through the BMV’s online services.

To find out more about how to prepare for a Motorcycle Ohio course and enroll, visit motorcycle.ohio.gov.

Recycling collection to resume tomorrow

VW independent staff

Recycling collection in Van Wert County has been put on pause for today (Tuesday), due to trucks freezing and being unable to operate. The Van Wert County Solid Waste Management District will resume recycling collection tomorrow.

Parade and more to be held on July 4

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

There was no July 4 parade in Van Wert last year but that won’t be the case this year when the country celebrates 250 years. Since last summer, Van Wert-based Navy Club Ship 726 has been making plans for this year’s celebration, which includes a parade and more. 

Club Commander Ken Myers said the July 4 parade will return to downtown Van Wert, thanks to the volunteer efforts of approximately 10 members of the club. It’s truly a labor of love, due to the fact that planning such a parade isn’t necessarily easy and it doesn’t come without cost, especially with what’s planned for this year’s special celebration.

“You have advertising, you have awards that you have to get made up – the awards that you give to each participant and the night of July 4 we’re bringing in a band,” Myers stated. “Van Wert Live is doing one (a concert at Fountain Park) on Friday July 3, but we discussed it and figured we should do something locally since this is a hometown celebration and thought we should bring someone local that evening for a concert in the park on July 4.”

The music Myers alluded to will be provided by Paulding native and country music singer Pete Schlegel, who has released several albums and has had a pair of No. 1 hit songs – “Leavin’ Ain’t As Easy As It Sounds” and “My God.”

“Pete’s coming in and helping out so we have to offset some of the costs associated with bringing in a band,” Myers said. “We are doing some fundraisers to help offset that.”

As part of the fundraising process, the club is partnering with Wild Willy’s to do a pair of Sunday night buffets – from 5-7 p.m. January 25 and February 22. The preferred method of payment those nights will be cash or check and proceeds will go to the Navy Club and the 250 parade celebration. A drive-thru chicken BBQ is planned for March 28 at Van Wert Memorials. For now, meals will be available through presale only at Van Wert Memorials or from any club member. The cost per ticket is $12. In addition, special t-shirts are being sold at Northwest Ohio Welch Trophy.

Rager misses Olympic bobsled cut

VW independent staff

It was quite a journey and there could be another opportunity in the future but for now, a local man’s quest to compete in the Winter Olympics is over.

The 2026 U.S. Olympic men’s bobsled team was announced on Monday and Ryan Rager name was not among the eight who made it. Rager is a Van Wert native who graduated from Lincolnview High School in 2017. He had been in training since last summer and has been competing on the World Cup Bobsled Circuit in Europe.

Into the Woods to come to life

Submitted information

A magical fairytale mash-up is headed to the stage as Into the Woods, sponsored by First Federal Bank of Van Wert and Laurie’s Naturescapes, is presented by the Van Wert Civic Theatre Youth Theatre. This enchanting musical weaves beloved storybook characters into one humorous and heartfelt journey, exploring what happens after “happily ever after.”

Audiences will recognize familiar characters such as Cinderella, Jack (of beanstalk fame), Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, and more as their paths hilariously — and sometimes unexpectedly — collide in the woods. At the center of the story is a Baker and his Wife, whose quest to lift a curse sets off a chain of wishes, consequences, and lessons that remind us life is rarely as simple as a fairytale ending.

The production features a large and talented cast led by Dante Lippi as the Narrator. Faith Stoller stars as Cinderella alongside Adrian Walker as Cinderella’s Prince. Caleb Thomas appears as the Baker with Ella Lamb as the Baker’s Wife. Other featured roles include Grayson Baker as Jack, Xadi Groves as Milky White, Grace Spieles as Little Red Riding Hood, Meah Johnson as the Witch, Evvy Lamb as Rapunzel, Wyatt Walker as Rapunzel’s Prince, and Jettie Rammel as the Wolf.

Additional cast members include Lily Schnipke as the Stepmother; Eden Stoller and Sophia Stoller as Florinda and Lucinda; Lydia Eichler as Jack’s Mother; Nathaniel Mitchner as Cinderella’s Father; Victoria Walpole as Cinderella’s Mother; Elijah Foudy as the Mysterious Man; Alison Owens as Granny, and Mox Sinn as the Steward. Supporting them is a large ensemble that brings the woods to life with energy and imagination.

Performances will take place at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center on 7:30 p.m. Saturday, January 24, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, January 25.

All tickets are being sold through the Van Wert Live Box Office. General admission tickets are $15, and reserved seating is $17. Prices include a $5 service fee, with an additional 3.5 percent fee applied to credit card purchases. The box office is located at 10700 Ohio 118 in Van Wert and is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Tickets may also be purchased 24/7 online at vanwertlive.com or by calling 419.238.6722.

With its clever storytelling, memorable music, and meaningful themes, Into the Woods promises an evening of laughter, reflection, and theatrical magic for audiences of all ages.

Local July 4 parade is in the works

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

With cold and snowy conditions outside, it may seem a bit early to talk about the July 4 holiday, but it’s really not.

This year’s Independence Day holiday will be a special one, as the United States celebrates 250 years. The July 4 U.S. Semiquincenntenial will mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and just like 1976 Bicennential, special celebrations are being planned throughout the country, Ohio and locally.

In Van Wert, planning has been underway since last summer, but organizers had to start from scratch because a key component of the local celebration didn’t take place in 2025 – the July 4 parade. In previous years it had been organized by Van Wert American Legion Post, 178 but last June, the Post announced in mid-June there would be no parade due to a lack of help.

Knowing that America’s 250th birthday celebration would take place this year, Navy Club Ship 726, which is based in Van Wert, announced very soon after that it would bring the parade back in 2026.

“Some of our guys were really upset there was no parade last year,” Club Commander Ken Myers said. “After it was announced I was bombarded with calls and texts asking ‘what do we have to do to make sure that this doesn’t happen for the 250th (celebration) and going forward.’”

Myers said about 10 people are working on this year’s parade. He said some entries have come in and he’d like to see as many entries as possible.

“It’s open to everyone,” he said. “Jokingly I have said I would like to see 250 entries because it’s the 250th birthday of America and the guys have looked at me like I’m crazy. It would be fantastic to have floats representing every part of Van Wert County in it, not just the city – it’s a countywide event, it’s a countywide celebration.”

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.”