Smith honored as Van Wert’s Firefighter/EMT of the Year

Firefighters battle blaze near Ohio City

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP — A weekend blaze destroyed a residental garage in the Ohio City area.

After a 911 call, Ohio City Volunteer Fire and EMS was dispatched to the 7100 block of Wren Landeck Rd. at 6:36 p.m. Saturday. Van Wert, Willshire, Wren and Rockford fire departments were summoned for mutual aid and the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Department and Van Wert County CERT assisted at the scene as well.

A firefighter with the Ohio City Volunteer Fire and EMS who was in charge at the scene could not be reached for more information.

The Van Wert County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) was dispatched to assist the Ohio City Fire Department for a house fire. CERT is working to raise support for the families. After meeting with the family it was determined that only monetary donations are needed.

Monetary donations can be dropped off or sent to Van Wert County Foundation/CERT, 138 E. Main St., Van Wert. Please include Case No. 0221 in the memo to ensure it is distributed to the correct family.
 
Donations can also be made online at vanwertcountyfoundation.org by clicking ‘Donate’ and selecting the ‘Van Wert EMA/CERT Fund’ and include the Case No. 0221 in the Donation Note.
 
Anyone wtih questions should call the Van Wert County EMA office at 419.238.1300.

Despite the quick response of the various fire departments, the structure, a large three-car garage, was completely destroyed by the fire. Firefighters were able to contain to the garage but unfortunately, smoke entered the home and claimed two family pets.

Local DAR chapter meets…

Members of Isaac Van Wart Chapter of the NSDAR (National Society Daughters of the American Revolution) held a regular meeting this month and heard a wonderful presentation by Van Wert County Commissioner Thad Lichtensteiger. The topic was Isaac Van Wart and how he, John Paulding and David Williams became the first heroes of the Revolutionary War earning each the Silver Fidelity Medallion. The Fidelity Medallion is the oldest decoration of the United States military and was created by an act of the Continental Congress in 1780.

The members learned, amongst other interesting and exciting details, about the capture of the British spy Major John Andre who was colluding with the traitor Continental Army Major General Benedict Arnold at Fort West Point, New York. Photos were submitted by a chapter member and included the bust of Isaac Van Wart. Shown above are Lichtensteiger and Sheila Baltzell-Linn, who presented him with an Isaac Van Wart Chapter of the NSDAR America250 t-shirt. The logo on the shirt is chapter’s official America250 logo. In the middle picture, Lichtensteiger is with his aunt. Janet Mohr, a member of the chapter and Pamela Beamer, a member of the chapter, is shown below. Photos submitted

Bag Bingo event to be held in Convoy

Submitted information

CONVOY — The Village of Convoy Historical Society and Community Days Committee will host a Thirty-One Bag Bingo on Saturday, March 7, at the Edgewood Park Building in Convoy. The doors will open at 9 a.m. and bingo will start at 10 a.m. Those interested can play 20 games of bingo for $25. Due to the state’s bingo license rules, you must be 18 years old or older to play organized licensed bingo in Ohio.

31 bags filled will be goodies by the following sponsors: Blush & Arrow Boutique, Cheers & Gears, Convoy Community Days, Convoy Tastee Freeze, Daily Dose, Danny’s Food Mart, Dealey Accounting Firm LLC, Gibson’s Barnyard BBQ, Harting Homesteaders, Hearth & Home, Intensity Fitness/Recovery Massage, Kulwicki Hilton Insurance, Laudick’s Jewelry LLC, Own the Night Entertainment, Rebel Bean Coffee/Kelsey’s Coffee Sauce, Straley Realty by Jane Germann & Anne Brecht, Secret Garden Floral & Gifts, Schlemmer Farms, Sisters Styles & Gifts, and Unruth Trucking/Highway 30 truck Wash.

There will be two “memory bag” raffles in memory of Colleen Etzler and Marcia Goings, filled by their families. Tickets are $1 each or six for $5.

Sandwiches, taco bowl, popcorn, pie, and cinnamon rolls will also be available for sale at the event.

Saturday night crash…

One person was transported to OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital after this two-vehicle accident in Van Wert. It occurred shortly before 10 p.m. Saturday on S. Washington St., when a southbound SUV went left of center and truck the northbound pickup truck. The accident was investigated by the Van Wert Police Department, and the Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol was also at the scene, along with the Van Wert Fire Department. Both vehicles were towed from the scene by Hague Towing. Bob Barnes/VWFD photographer

OhioHealth named in antitrust complaint

VW independent staff/submitted information

COLUMBUS — An antitrust lawsuit alleging that OhioHealth limits competition and drives up health-care costs for patients and employers was filed today, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced on Friday.  

“When competition is blocked, consumers end up being the biggest losers,” Yost said. “My office stands with the Justice Department in our determination to eliminate these types of unfair practices and protect Ohioan’s wallets.” 

The federal lawsuit, filed by the Department of Justice in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, contends that OhioHealth uses its market strength to force insurers to include OhioHealth in all their commercial insurance networks. That practice prevents insurers from offering lower-priced health-plan options in central Ohio.

“Americans deserve low-cost, high-quality healthcare – not anticompetitive hospital system contracts that make healthcare less affordable,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Under President Trump’s leadership, this Department of Justice will continue taking legal action to protect consumers and drive down healthcare costs across America.”

The lawsuit seeks to stop OhioHealth’s restrictions so insurers can include more affordable, innovative plan options in their contracts with OhioHealth and in the commercial insurance products they sell to employers and families.

The complaint alleges these practices violate the federal Sherman Act and Ohio’s Valentine Act, both of which prohibit anticompetitive conduct that harms consumers. These restrictions limit competition and block the development of budget-conscious plans that would allow patients to choose high-quality, lower-cost providers. Without those options, employers and families face fewer choices and higher premiums.

Students can paint ODOT’s plows

Submitted information

LIMA — The Ohio Department of Transportation District 1’s Paint-the-Plow annual contest is now accepting applications for the program. Applications will be accepted until Friday, March 13.

The program is open to area schools and vocational school groups within the nine-county region of Allen, Auglaize, Hancock, Hardin, Mercer, Paulding, Putnam, Van Wert, and Wyandot counties. Applications have been sent to all eligible schools.

Plow blades will be delivered to participating schools during the week of March 16 and picked up by May 1. In mid-May, the designs will be shared on the ODOT District 1 Facebook page, and a social media competition will be held. Winners will be announced via the media and on ODOT District 1 social media in late May.

The Paint-the-Plow program allows students to paint an ODOT snowplow blade which is displayed at local community events before being used in regular winter operations, usually within the same school district that painted the plow. In recognition of America’s 250th anniversary, this year participants are encouraged to create designs that honor our nation or recognize Ohio’s national contributions.

Last year, 23 schools participated in the program. Carey High School, located in Wyandot County, won the People’s Choice award, which was determined based on Facebook votes. Fort Jennings High School, Putnam County, earned the ODOT Choice award, selected by ODOT District 1 employees. The same award categories will return this year.

Lincolnview announces open enrollment

VW independent staff/submitted information

Lincolnview Local Schools, in correlation with Ohio Revised Code and district policy, will again permit students from any Ohio school district to apply to the school district through open enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year.

Applications will be accepted beginning March 2 on a first-come, first-serve basis according to the time and date the application is received by the Superintendent of Lincolnview Local Schools.

Parents interested in open enrollment for kindergarten students must complete an application at kindergarten registration, which will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Lincolnview Elementary School. Applications will be considered in the order received and space may be limited.

All applications (except for kindergarten students) must be completed and returned no later than May 31. Applications are available by contacting the District Office at 419.968.2226 or at https://www.lincolnview.k12.oh.us/forms-links.

All approved open enrollment students attending Lincolnview Local Schools for the 2025-2026 school year need to complete a new open enrollment application for the 2026-2027 school year. These applications will be considered before new requests are acted upon.

Questions concerning open enrollment should be directed to the district office at 419.968.2226.

Crestview preschool screening information

VW independent staff/submitted information

CONVOY – Crestview Local Schools will hold preschool screening for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year on April 16-17 at the Crestview Early Childhood Center.

Parents/guardians with a child who will turn three years old by May 1, 2026, and are interested in having him/her attend Crestview’s Early Childhood Center may have their child screened for preschool for the 2026-2027 school year.

Parents/guardians requesting open enrollment for their preschool students into the Crestview school district should also register at this time.

Screening appointments can be made beginning March 9. Parents can call the Crestview Early Childhood Center at 419.749.9100, ext. 3000 to schedule a preschool screening appointment for their child.

Please bring the following documents to complete the enrollment process on the day of the child’s screening appointment.

• Child’s original birth certificate
• Child’s immunization records
• Custody papers (if applicable)
• One proof of residency documentation (bank statement, mortgage statement, lease agreement, voter registration card, utility statement, or rent receipt) A post office box can not validate residency requirements.

Anyone with questions should contact Casey Dowler, Early Childhood Center Principal, at dowler.casey@crestviewknights.com or 419.749.9100, x3001.

Klopfenstein named Legislator of the Year

Submitted information

COLUMBUS — State Representative Roy Klopfenstein (R-Haviland) was recently named 2025 Legislator of the Year by the County Engineers Association of Ohio (CEAO). The award recognizes his dedicated leadership and significant legislative achievements on behalf of Ohio’s county engineers and local infrastructure.

In a press release, CEAO highlighted Rep. Klopfenstein’s leadership on several key legislative initiatives in partnership with Ohio’s county engineers. Most notably, he was the primary sponsor of the bill to increase County FORCE Account limits, giving local governments greater flexibility to manage road and bridge projects efficiently and cost-effectively. The measure represented a major modernization of an important tool supporting local infrastructure.

In addition to championing the FORCE Account increase, Rep. Klopfenstein played a central role in protecting the Professional Surveyor (P.S.) qualification, a vital safeguard ensuring that Ohio’s surveying and mapping standards remain precise and professional.

“County engineers do essential work that keeps Ohio moving,” Rep. Klopfenstein said. “It’s been a privilege to work alongside them to ensure they have the tools, resources, and flexibility needed to serve our communities.”

“Representative Klopfenstein has been a tireless advocate for our counties,” said Doug Cade, P.E., P.S., President of the County Engineers Association of Ohio. “His understanding of what local governments need to maintain safe and reliable infrastructure has made a real difference in communities across the state.”

The County Engineers Association of Ohio represents Ohio’s 88 county engineers and works to advance sound, efficient transportation and infrastructure policies statewide.

Klopfenstein represents Ohio’s 82 House District, which includes all of Van Wert, Putnam and Paulding counties, along with the southern half of Defiance County.

W. Main St. crash…

One person was injured in a two vehicle accident tha occurred at the intersection of West Main St. and Lincoln St. shortly before 12 p.m. Friday. That person was transported by Van Wert EMS to St. Rita’s in Lima. A portion of W. Main St. was closed off to traffic while the scene was cleared. The Van Wert Police Department is investigating the accident. Bob Barnes/VWFD photographer