Hoops, Riedel running for First District Ohio Senate seat

New full-time firefighter…

The Van Wert Fire Department’s newest full-time firefighter/EMT was officially sworn in on Tuesday. Reide G. Jackson recently completed his one-year probationary period. Jackson’s path to a full-time career in the fire service began through the Community Education Opportunities (CEO) program at Lincolnview High School, where he was first introduced to the fire service. His dedication and work ethic led him to become a reserve firefighter with the VWFD before earning a full-time position on the department. Chief Jon Jones noted Jackson brings dedication and a positive attitude every day and said he’ll serve the community well. Photo submitted

Delgado gets 15 to life for murder

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

PAULDING — A fatal stabbing in the Grover Hill area nearly a year ago has led to a lengthy prison term for a Paulding County man.

Corbin Delgado, 21, of Grover Hill, appeared for sentencing in Paulding County Common Pleas Court Tuesday morning. Judge Tiffany Beckman handed down the mandatory sentence for murder, 15 years to life. He was given credit for 322 days already served in the Paulding County Jail. 

The charge stems from the May, 2025 stabbing death of Derek Pontius, 40, also of Grover Hill. During the early morning hours of May 27, Paulding County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a disturbance in the 16000 block of Road 24, southwest of Grover Hill. A caller reported a male was being argumentative and had a knife. Deputies arrived at the scene within minutes and found Pontius suffering from stab wounds. Life saving measures were administered by deputies and members of the Grover Hill EMS and Pontius was transported to OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital, but was pronounced dead there.

Delgado was identified as the suspect but he had already fled the scene on foot. Within an hour, a deputy located him in the Grover Hill village limits and arrested him.

Delgado was later charged with murder, an unclassified felony; felonious assault, a second degree felony, and assault, a first degee misdemeanor. He was booked in the Paulding County Jail in lieu of $1 million bond. The assault charges were dismissed as part of the plea agreement.

Food drive to be held next Tuesday

Submitted information

OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital is teaming up with United Way of Van Wert County and the West Ohio Food Bank to host a community food drive on Tuesday, April 28. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Trinity Friends Church, 605 N. Franklin St., Van Wert.

The drive is designed to help ensure local residents have access to nutritious food. Volunteers from all three organizations will work together to distribute food and essential supplies to families in need.

The organizations host several drives throughout the year, with many events providing several tons of food to hundreds of families in just a few short hours.

“Supporting access to healthy food is an important part of improving health in our community,” said Paula Stabler, president of OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital. “It’s through collaboration like this that we can help put food on the table for local families who need it most.”

Wrentucky Derby event coming to Wren

Submitted information

WREN — Get ready to grab your biggest hat and boldest bowtie as the first-ever “Wrentucky Derby” takes off at 4 p.m. Saturday, May 2, at the Wren Eagles Nest.

The 21 and over community event will feature an afternoon of themed fun, food, and friendly competition. All food, activities, and participation throughout the event will be available by donation. Guests can enjoy food provided by the Wren Restaurant, along with a variety of interactive games and entertainment hosted by the Convoy Fox Hunters.

Making its debut, attendees can also experience a one-of-a-kind “human slot machine,” the first of its kind in the area.

Attendees are encouraged to dress the part, as prizes will be awarded for standout Derby attire.

Proceeds from the event will be split between two meaningful local efforts: the Wrenway Park Wiffleball Championship production and the Wren Fire & EMS Fund.

Community members are invited to join in the fun and help kick off what promises to become a new Wren tradition.

Lima man facing a bribery charge

VW independent staff/submitted information

COLUMBUS — A Lima man has been indicted by an Allen County grand jury on a bribery charge stemming from his recent illegal-dumping case, according to Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced today.

Brady Schroeder, who was convicted in December of a misdemeanor count of illegal disposal of construction and demolition debris, now faces one count of bribery, a third-degree felony that typically carries a prison sentence of nine to 36 months.

Schroeder’s case was prosecuted by the Ohio Attorney General’s Office in Lima Municipal Court. He was sentenced to 90 days in jail and 100 hours of community service, fined $750, and ordered to complete full remediation of the dump site subject to the approval of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. The court suspended 60 days of the jail sentence pending the site remediation.  

The recent indictment alleges that, after Schroeder’s conviction but before sentencing, the defendant was seen on a Ring doorbell camera offering a job to a state’s witness and to pay the witness’s outstanding driver’s license fees in exchange for favorable testimony. The offer was reiterated later via text message, the indictment says.

Following the incident, the witness contacted the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Ohio EPA.

Indictments are criminal allegations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless proved guilty in a court of law.

Young artist…

Lincolnview fifth grade student Tye Barns has been selected to have his artwork displayed in Columbus at the 2026 Ohio Statehouse and Riffe Center Gallery Exhibit. Tye and his family attended the reception at the Riffe Center Gallery this past Saturday, where he was recognized for his achievement and had the exciting opportunity to see his work on display. The Ohio Alliance for Arts Education and the Ohio Art Education Association host this annual exhibition, which showcases student artwork from across the state. Tye’s artwork will be on display at the Ohio Statehouse through May 20. Tye is under the instruction of Melissa Stork. Photo submitted

Commissioners honor telecommunicators

Submitted information

The Van Wert County Commissioners have issued a proclamation for Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, which is this week, April 12-18.

Van Wert County telecommunicators:

Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office: Jessica McClellan, Janis Kessler, Mallory Mansfield, Calib Cunningham, Willow Von Stetina, Hannah Turpening, and Faith Clem.

Van Wert City Police Department: Deb Ebert, Gabriel Evans, Kaileigh Gentry, Kyhia Replogle, Rick Spoor, and Makayla Jackman.

Ohio State Highway Patrol Post 81: Pamela Dull, Brittany Free, Katie Klausing, Shannon Shepard, Sandra Steinbrunner, Cherie Fairburn, and Melissa Vermillion.

Shown in the photo (front row, left to right): Faith Clem, Jessica McClellan, Janis Kessler, Calib Cunningham, and Brittany Free. Back row: Van Wert County Commissioner Thad Lichtensteiger, Van Wert County Commissioner Todd Wolfrum, Van Wert Patrol Post Commander Lt. Joseph Sisco, and Van Wert County Commissioner Stan Owens.

Tempers flare during data center talk

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

To say some of Monday’s meeting Van Wert City Council was a little heated for a brief time may be an understatement.

The tension centered around several minutes of talk of a planned data center. A brief shouting match broke at one point. Prior to that, Councilman At-Large Hall Block delivered sharp criticism of how it’s been handled. In addition, Van Wert Law Director John Hatcher told council members and those in attendance that should council fail to pass a rezoning request on May 11, the city could be subject to a sizable lawsuit.

A little loud

Despite social media claims to the contrary, a planned public hearing scheduled for May 4 was not bumped up to Monday night. There was no mention of the data center or related legislation on the agenda. However, more than a dozen people were part of the audience, more than a normal council meeting. During one of two public participation portions of the agenda, some of those in attendance shared their concerns, with the most common one centering around water usage, a topic that has been previously addressed with news that the data center will use a closed loop system. Others questioned noise and emissions and another insisted the proposed $10 billion project should have been put to a community vote. On more than one occasion, multiple people, including some council members, were talking at the same time with raised voices. More than once, Council President Thad Eikenbary had to use his gavel to restore order.

Block speaks

Prior the frenzied conversation, Councilman At-Large Hall Block, who joined council in January, sharply criticized the process of rezoning and annexing the Mega Site, a portion of which will become home to the data center if it comes to fruition. While the latest effort for annexation and rezoning has been termed a minor procedural issue, he said he believes it’s more than that. He started by addressing zoning.

Lunch & Learn event set for Thursday

Submitted information

The Allen County RTA is partnering with First United Methodist Church in Van Wert to host an informative “Lunch & Learn” event this Thursday, April 16. Now that public transportation has been operating in Van Wert County for three months, the community is invited to come learn more about the service and get their specific questions answered. Come find out how to ride the bus, use micro-transit and on-demand services, and purchase tickets. Attendees will have the opportunity to speak directly with RTA representatives to learn how these transit options can work for them.

The event will be held in the church dining hall, with two distinct sessions tailored to the community’s needs. Local stakeholders who work with clients to find transportation options are invited to attend from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., while the general public is encouraged to join from 1-2 p.m. A free pizza lunch will be provided for all who attend. Those interested should enter through the glass doors at 113 W. Central Ave.

Speed limit, reservoir, refunds addressed

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

While some of Monday’s meeting of Van Wert City Council was tense, city officials took care of some business outside of that.

Salary ordinances were approved for employees of the service department, auditor’s office, income tax and administration, along with safety department employees, including the police and fire departments.

Ordinances for 2026 street painting and for road salt contracts were approved, along with an ordinance allowing Safety-Service Director Jay Fleming to sell the city’s unused, unneeded, obsolete or unfit vehicles by internet auction.

During his report, Fleming informed council that in collaboration with the Van Wert County Engineer’s Office, a change to the speed limit along Van Wert Decatur Road should be considered. If ultimately approved by council, the speed limit would be 35 miles per hour from S. Shannon St. to Elks Drive, and 50 miles per hour from Elks Drive to U.S. 224.

He also reported thanks to recent heavy rains, the city’s reservoirs are now in excess of 75 percent of capacity.

“We’re in good shape going into the summer,” Fleming stated.

City Auditor Erika Blackmore shared some good news about the city’s finances.

“Revenues are exceeding expenditures, the cash balance is steadily increasing, investment income is consistent – we’re in a strong financial position,” she said. “We are trending in the right direction.”