Local Amateur Radio Club participates in Field Day

Man dead after farming accident

VW independent staff/submitted information

CRANE TOWNSHIP — A weekend farming accident in northern Paulding County claimed an Antwerp-area man.

Keith E. Derck, 59, was described as a well-known farmer in Carryall Township, just outside of Antwerp. He died late Sunday afternoon.

According to a press release from Paulding County Sheriff Jason K. Landers, the Sheriff’s Office received a call about a tractor pulling an anhydrous tank in a field that had become struck a ditch in Section 22 in Crane Township. Crane Township-Cecil Fire Department arrived on scene to find anhydrous leaking from the tank, attached to a John Deere 9220, in a large ditch. Derck was found unconscious in the cab.

Crane Township-Cecil Fire Department requested help from several surrounding fire departments to control the anhydrous leak. Once it was safe to remove Derck from the tractor, first responders found him deceased.

The Paulding County Coroner was called to the scene to assist law enforcement with the investigation. The coroner will work with the Lucas County Coroner’s Office to determine cause of death.

Several fire departments and EMS were on scene to assist, along with Paulding County EMA.

No further information is expected to be released.

Red Cross shares extreme heat advice

VW independent staff/submitted information

Experts are warning that dangerously high temperatures will impact the Indiana Region throughout next week. Heat watches and warnngs are expected to be issued by the National Weather Service for much of the workweek. Now, the Indiana Region of the American Red Cross urges everyone to take three critical actions to stay safe:

• Stay hydrated by drinking a cup of water every 20 minutes, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Avoid sugary, caffeinated and alcoholic drinks.
• Stay cool by spending time in air-conditioned places. If your home is too hot, go to a mall, library or cooling center.
• Stay connected by checking on others and asking for help if you need it. Make sure pets have access to fresh water and shade.

Knowing what to do to protect yourself and loved ones from extreme heat can save lives. The Red Cross urges everyone to check on friends and neighbors, especially older adults, people with chronic conditions, outdoor workers and athletes.

What you should do

Remind everyone to drink water, even if they don’t feel thirsty. Aim for a cup of water every hour and encourage people to avoid sugary, caffeinated or alcoholic drinks. Babies should be breast-fed or bottle-fed often. Fewer wet diapers or darker urine can be signs of dehydration.

Encourage athletes and outdoor workers to take breaks in the shade. They should drink a cup of water — or a sports drink — every 20 minutes.  

Help those without air conditioning find a safe place to go like a mall, library or cooling center. They can also take cool showers or baths to help cool off. Remind people to wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothes in light colors.

Never leave a child or pet alone inside a parked car, and make sure pets have access to fresh water and shade.

Heat illness signs 

Anyone can become ill during extreme heat if their body can’t cool down properly. It’s critical to act fast as some types of heat illness can be deadly.

Lambert Days grand marshal announced

VW independent staff/submitted information

OHIO CITY — Rather than honoring a single individual this year, the Ohio City Park Association has chosen to recognize an organization whose volunteers have quietly and faithfully served the Ohio City community for many years.

Accordingly, the Park Association has announced that the Ohio City Food Pantry will serve as the grand marshal of this year’s Lambert Days parade.

The Ohio City Food Pantry was founded by Linda Boroff and has continued its mission through the dedication of local volunteers. Today, the pantry is operated by Debbie Bigham, Diane Denman, Shawn Jones, and Shirley Adelblue, who generously donate their time to ensure local families have access to food when they need it most.

Serving residents of Liberty Township and Willshire Township, the Ohio City Food Pantry is entirely volunteer-operated. Every item distributed and every dollar received is donated by generous individuals, churches, businesses, and community supporters. The pantry receives no state or federal funding, making the continued generosity of the community essential to its success.

The pantry is open during the last full week of each month, providing support to those in need. Distribution hours are:

• Wednesday: 3-5 p.m.
• Thursday: 9-11 a.m.
• Friday: 9-11 a.m.

The schedule may be adjusted during months when Easter, Thanksgiving, or Christmas fall during the last full week of the month. Any schedule changes are announced in advance.

Lincolnview BOE holding special meeting

VW independent staff

The Lincolnview Local Schools Board of Education will close out fiscal year 2026 at a special meeting scheduled for 5 p.m. today (Monday) in the Neubrecht Lecture Hall.

In addition to a pair of FY 2026 matters, the board is expected to approve temporary fiscal year 2027 appropriations. The agenda also includes a retire-rehire hearing for Sandra Dowdy and Deborah Stetler and an executive session to discuss personnel. No other action or discussion is expected.

Massive car show…

Central Insurance in Van Wert hosted a sizable classic car and truck show on Saturday. Weather conditions were nice for the show, which boast nearly 100 cars and trucks from different decades. Bob Barnes photos

Extreme Heat Warning issued by NWS

VW independent staff

The National Weather Service Northern Indiana has issued a rather rare Extreme Heat Warning for its entire region, including Van Wert County, from 2 p.m. Monday, June 29, through 8 p.m. Thursday, July 2. Temperatures will be in the 90s each of those days, but heat index values will reach up to 105 degrees and will create dangerously hot conditions throughout the period.

The National Weather Service Indiana’s territory includes 24 counties in northern Indiana, eight in Ohio, including Van Wert, Paulding, Putnam and Allen counties, plus five counties in southwest Michigan.

Rotary Club welcomes in MESA bike tour

VW independent staff/submitted information

The Van Wert Rotary Club recently welcomed more than 30 cyclists participating in the annual Rotary Tour for MESA (Medical Equipment and Supplies Abroad), a five-day bicycle tour that raises funds and awareness for one of Rotary District 6600’s premier international service projects.

MESA collects surplus medical equipment, supplies, educational materials, and computers and ships them to hospitals, clinics, schools, and communities in developing countries around the world. The annual bike tour provides nearly half of the organization’s operating budget while bringing Rotarians together in support of this life-changing mission.

The cyclists arrived in Van Wert on Monday evening, where the club hosted a dinner and fellowship event at R Place. During the evening, Kurt Anderson of the Elyria Sunrise Rotary Club, one of the tour participants, presented Van Wert Rotary President Andy Czajkowski with a commemorative MESA flag in appreciation of the club’s hospitality and support of the tour.

The following morning, Rotary members served breakfast at Willow Bend Country Club before the riders continued their journey to Delphos.

“Hosting the MESA riders was a wonderful opportunity to showcase our community while supporting a mission that truly changes lives around the world,” Czajkowski said. “Every mile these riders pedal helps provide desperately needed medical equipment and educational resources to communities that otherwise would go without.”

The Van Wert Rotary Club extended its appreciation to Gary Taylor for sponsoring the evening meal, Statewide Ford Lincoln for sponsoring beverages, and to R Place, Willow Bend Country Club, and the many Rotary volunteers whose hospitality made the visit a success.

Those wishing to support MESA’s humanitarian mission can make a secure online donation at www.rotarymesa.org/donate. Every contribution helps provide life-saving medical equipment and educational resources to underserved communities around the world.

The Van Wert Rotary Club meets at 12 p.m. each Tuesday and welcomes guests interested in learning more about Rotary and its commitment to Service Above Self. For more information about MESA or to make a donation, visit www.rotarymesa.org.

Navy Club Ship 726 lists July 3-4 events

VW independent staff/submitted information

Here is the list of events that Van Wert-based Navy Club Ship 726 has planned for July 3-4 in the downtown Van Wert area, including the Independence Day parade, which will step off at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 4.

Friday July 3

8 a.m. – Vendors to set up and food trucks

11 a.m. – Food trucks and concession stand and craft vendors open

4 p.m. – Bounce house open (free to public)

7 p.m. – Super Hawk to perform live on stage at band shelter at Fountain Park (free to public)

Karaoke/DJ immediately after the live show

Fountain Park will close at midnight

Saturday July 4

8 a.m. – Vendors to set up and food trucks

11 a.m. – Independence Day parade down Main St. (YWCA to YMCA)

12 p.m. – Food trucks and concession stand and craft vendors open, bounce house open (free to public)

1 p.m. – Car Cruise-In at corner of Jefferson St. and Central Ave.

7:30 p.m. – Pete Schlegel will perform live on stage at band shelter at the Fountain Park (free to public)

Karaoke/DJ immediately after the live show

In addition to all of those offerings, Van Wert’s fireworks show will begin at 10 p.m. Saturday, July 4, at Van Wert High School.

Retired teachers group to meet

Submitted information

The Van Wert Area Retired Teachers Association (VWARTA) will meet on at noon on Friday, July 10, for a summer luncheon program and learning experience at the Van Wert campus of Northwest State Community College, 520 E. Sycamore St. The main entrance is on the west side of the building and parking is available in the lot across the street from that main entrance.

The guest speaker will be Dr. Jon Tomlinson, Dean of the NSCC Van Wert  Campus, who will share information about its programs in the Van Wert area. He will also show attendees a STEM Camp that is being conducted on the campus site and the activities being taught relating to coding.

A boxed lunch meal is being catered by Legacy Catering for this field trip. The menu includes a turkey/cheese or ham/cheese sandwich, bag of chips, fresh fruit cup, cookie and a drink. The meal price is $12 and a reservation is needed by noon on Wednesday, July 8. Reservations can be made by contacting Jean Minnig at 419.203.0642, or by email (jaminnig@hotmail.com).

A brief business meeting will follow the meal and presentation which will include STRS news, ORTA updates, and community/educational volunteering opportunities available. VWARTA members are invited a friend to join the field experience and tour.

For more information about the local VW Retired Teachers group, Ohio Retirement for Teachers Association (ORTA), or this meeting at Northwest State Community College, contact Deb Kleinhenz at 419.203.2283.

Video…it’s working!

The Fountain at Fountain Park is once again operational. Earlier this week, Parks Department employees worked to replace a bad pump/motor. Van Wert Parks Department Director Kyle Klinker said the crews received the parts needed to finish the repairs of the fountain on Wednesday morning. A few hours later, they were able to get the fountain back up and running as normal. Scott Truxell/Van Wert independent