VW independent staff/submitted information
Heritage Ohio and the Ohio Main Street Program have announced the national accreditation of Main Street Van Wert.
This recognition is awarded through the Ohio Main Street Program, which serves as the coordinating agency in Ohio for Main Street America. Van Wert became a member of the Ohio Main Street Program in 2004.
“This accreditation affirms that Main Street Van Wert is operating at the highest level of the Main Street America framework,” Main Street Van Wert Executive Director Mitch Price said. “It reflects the hard work of our board, committees, volunteers, and community partners who are committed to strengthening our downtown as an economic and cultural hub. More importantly, it signals to investors, businesses, and residents that Van Wert is serious about long-term, sustainable revitalization.”
As executive director, this designation is incredibly meaningful,” Price added. “It validates the systems, strategies, and accountability we’ve put in place, while also reminding us that this work is never finished.”
During a full-day evaluation visit, Main Street Van Wert demonstrated clear evidence of a strong, effective program focused on achieving measurable outcomes in downtown revitalization. To qualify for accreditation status, the program must meet rigorous national standards that include building grassroots-driven revitalization efforts, fostering strong public–private partnerships, supporting economic opportunity for small businesses and entrepreneurs, and actively preserving historic places, spaces, and cultural assets.
Price noted that Main Street Van Wert has earned accreditation in previous years, including multiple consecutive years.
Maintaining accreditation over time demonstrates organizational consistency, strong leadership, financial responsibility, and adherence to the nationally recognized Main Street Approach.
POSTED: 02/11/26 at 9:40 pm
VW independent staff
A Van Wert man accused of assaulting another man and threatening to kill a retired Van Wert Police officer and his family was arraigned in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court this week.
Devin Couch, 21, entered a not guilty plea to a single count of felonious assualt, a second degree felony. He was ordered held without bond until a bond hearing at 10:30 a.m. Thursday. A pre-trial conference was scheduled for 8:30 a.m. March 4.
Couch was arrested last week after a traffic stop in Van Wert. The felonious assault charge is tied to a January 19 incident, when he allegedly assaulted a male victim in the 200 block of N. Wall St. When the male retreated to his home, Couch ran after him and entered his home without being invited in. Van Wert Police arrested Couch at the scene. His cell phone was seized and a search warrant was obtained to extract evidence from it. It then was discovered Couch was talking about killing a retired police officer and a family member. He also discussed “shooting it out” with law enforcement.
In a separate and unrelated case, a Van Wert man entered a not guilty plea to charges of rape, a first degree felony, and sexual battery, a third degree felony. Colby Black, 42, was released on a surety bond with electronic house arrest and was ordered to have no contact with the alleged victim. A pre-trial conference was scheduled for 8 a.m. March 4. The alleged crime occurred in March, 2025, and involved another adult.
10 other defendants appeared before Judge Martin D. Burchfield for arraignment this week. Four are charged with domestic violence.
Terrance Landwehr, 27, of Cecil, entered a not guilty plea to domestic violence, a third degree felony. He was released on a surety bond and a pre-trial set for 8:30 a.m. March 4.
Derek Eland, 33, of Van Wert, pleade not guilty to domestic violence, a fourth degree felony, and endangering children, a first degree misdemeanor. Bond set at $100,000 cash or surety and a pre-trial conference was scheuled for 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, February 25.
Jeffrey Kallas, 25, of Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea to possession of cocaine, a fifth degree felony. He was released on a surety bond and a pre-trial conference was set for 8:30 a.m. March 4.
(more…)POSTED: 02/11/26 at 9:39 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
After weeks of snow, ice, and a prolonged blast of bitter cold, Ohio has finally started to thaw out.
With the mercury finally rising, now is the time to wash winter off your car or possibly face costly repair bills down the road. AAA is reminding drivers to get their cars washed after every significant storm – especially the undercarriage – in order to reduce the potential for rust damage and the corrosion of brake and fuel lines caused by winter pavement clearing chemicals and treatments.
Previous AAA research indicates Americans spend $3 billion a year on repairs from rust damage caused by de-icers. It’s not just the treatment on the roads, but also the chemicals used to keep parking lots ice free.
“Taking the time for a quick car wash now could save both time and money down the road,” said Morgan Dean, Manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Club Alliance. “Corroded brake lines, often the result of road salts and de-icers, can cost hundreds of dollars to replace, or more, depending on the vehicle.”
AAA recommends taking full advantage of car washes that offer undercarriage rinses to remove buildup on critical components. Drivers who wash their vehicles by hand or at wand‑wash stations should pay extra attention to the wheels, wheel wells, and the underbody.
“With the average price of a new vehicle hovering around $50,000, drivers are now keeping their cars longer so it is critical that they understand that keeping them clean is not just a matter of vanity, it’s about longevity,” Dean said.
(more…)POSTED: 02/11/26 at 9:37 pm. FILED UNDER: News
As part of the ongoing effort to combat crime in Van Wert County and to show support for local law enforcement officers, outgoing Van Wert County Prosecutor Eva J. Yarger recently used the Furtherance of Justice Fund to assist local agencies. A Team Awareness Kit was purchased for the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office to aid in real-time situational awareness and communication. Thermal/night vision binoculars were purchased for the Van Wert City Police Department for use in investigations. Show above are Yarger and Van Wert Police Lt. Rob Black. Shown below are Det. Seth Karl, Det. Sgt. Nathan Huebner, Yarger, Deputy Jill Gemmer, and Sheriff Thomas Riggenbach. Photos submitted
POSTED: 02/11/26 at 9:35 pm. FILED UNDER: News
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
Can a council approved zoning designation be changed for a data center that is coming to Van Wert? Should the matter of the data center coming to Van Wert have been put before voters? Those were two of the questions posed during Monday night’s meeting of Van Wert City Council.
The Mega Site, where the data center will be built, was annexed into the city last summer and was zoned I-2 with a permitted use designation for it. However, Councilman At-Large Hall Block requested it be changed to conditional use I-2, a request that later died on the vine.
“Permitted use, as long as they meet typical development requirements then they are allowed to proceed with that development without any further input from the city,” Block explained. “Conditional use allows us to set certain specific barriers and say ‘you need to meet these metrics and if you don’t meet these metrics then you’re not being a good neighbor, you’re not being part of our community’ and we’re going to say ‘no, you can’t put that there. They could always come back with a different, revised development for a different, revised data center that’s less obtrusive then that would be approved by the BZA (Board of Zoning Appeals).”
Law Director John Hatcher said changing the zoning designation this far into the project would be equal to moving the goalposts for the developer.
“We’re a little late for this project,” he stated.
“I don’t think you can change the rules because they followed all the rules in place and did all their due dilegence about coming to Van Wert,” Safety-Service Director Jay Fleming added.
Fleming also said the heart of economic development is to remove barriers so businesses are encouraged to come to the city.
“I’m torn between both sides of it,” Fourth Ward Councilman Eric Hurless said in response. “I agree with you, we want to make doing business in Van Wert as easy as possible but yet, we also have a duty to protect our community from the bad players if we give them free reign.”
Council members also expressed frustration with limited information about the project, not yet knowing who will own and run it. Thor Equities is the developer and Councilman At-Large DeWaine Johnson, who chairs council’s economic development committee, shared information from Van Wert Area Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Brent Stevens that the end user will be announced in late March. He also said a community event is being planned at Vantage Career Center to share information. The date of the gathering will be announced in advance.
(more…)POSTED: 02/10/26 at 9:32 pm. FILED UNDER: News
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
While discussion of the data center took up much of Monday night’s meeting of Van Wert City Council, there was other business and discussion.
A reminder was given to residents and businesses to clear sidewalks after snow comes down and Councilman At-Large Hall Block asked Safety-Service Director Jay Fleming about snow emergencies for downtown parking. Currently, no legislation exists that requires cars be removed from downtown streets after a snow emergency, but Fleming said the city is in need of it. He said parking by downtown tenants during the recent snow made it difficult for the city to clear the streets in that area.
“I tried to make a request to see if we could get them to move,” he said.
“I’m very (much) in favor of towing people who just sit there in the street and especially if they’re tenants of specific buildings, they can’t be parking on Main and Washington anyway,” Block said. “That’s in our code so I hope the people in charge know that.”
Fleming also said in half-jest that he wishes the city could pass an ordinance asking everybody to put their cars in their yard or the driveway when 2-4 inches of snow falls.
“The number of cars that we bury and are still buried today and the aggravation is causes us to try to weave around them – it’s quite frankly kind of ridiculous,” he said. “It happens that way all over town.”
Fleming acknowledged legislation requiring the removal of cars downtown because of snow won’t be ready in time for the remainer of this winter.
On a different topic, Van Wert’s Reservoirs are at 10 and 11 feet respectively, putting both above 50 percent, according to Fleming. He said those levels should rise with snow melt and perhaps a February rain.
(more…)POSTED: 02/10/26 at 9:31 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Submitted information
The Van Wert Chamber of Commerce Leadership Class is seeking proposals for community-focused projects to make a real difference in Van Wert. This group of local professionals is dedicated to improving our city and invites community members and organizations to submit project ideas. Projects should address key needs, offer measurable outcomes, and be achievable within a six-month timeframe. Proposals must be submitted by Friday February 20, using this link. Anyone with questions should contact Sara Mesing at sara.mesing@thrivent.com
Northwest State Community College is the exclusive sponsor of the Leadership Van Wert County program. The regional community college based in Archbold, Ohio recently opened a Van Wert campus and is a public two-year college that is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. This accreditation allows the College to offer degree and certificate programs in the fields of arts & sciences; business & public services, nursing & allied health, and STEM and industrial technologies. They serve over 77,000 northwest Ohio families across a six-county service area, including Van Wert County.
POSTED: 02/10/26 at 9:28 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Vantage Career Center’s Taste of Vantage/Open House event was held Monday night and it was a big success. Black Angus Catering Company, Moose Landing, Saisaki Van Wert, Vantage Culinary Arts, R Place Stone Grill and Millie’s Cafe served up tasty food and parents and potential students had the opportunity to see what Vantage programs of study are available. Photos submitted
POSTED: 02/10/26 at 9:27 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff
Assistant Van Wert County Prosecutor Dillon Staas, IV will be sworn in as acting prosecutor during a brief ceremony scheduled for this Thursday afternoon. He was appointed by the Van Wert County Commissioners and will remain in the role pending an appointment by the Van Wert County Republican Central Committee.
Staas is stepping in for Eva Yarger, who was appointed by Governor Mike DeWine to replace retired Van Wert County Juvenile/Probate Court Judge Kevin Taylor. Yarger will be sworn in Thursday afternoon and will officially begin her new duties on Tuesday, February 17.
POSTED: 02/10/26 at 4:51 pm. FILED UNDER: News
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
50 years is considered a milestone worthy of a celebration and that’s just what happened at Vantage Career Center on Monday.
The Van Wert-based career center opened in 1976 as “Vantage Joint Vocational School” has expanded in more ways than one over the years, with the size of the campus growing and the addition of adult education classes. The school was officially renamed Vantage Career Center in 1999.
Vantage officials and others gathered on Monday to mark the school’s golden anniversary. During remarks to those in attendance, Superintendent Rick Turner said the leaders of the community, Van Wert and other counties had a bold vision.
“They didn’t just see a school building, they saw an economic engine,” he said. “They envisioned a place where hands-on training met future demand, where a student could graduate not just with a diploma, but with a marketable skill and a direct path to a meaningful career. They didn’t just build a center for career technical education—they created an anchor for our region’s workforce development.”
For five decades, Vantage has been an essential pipeline feeding a skilled labor force into northwest Ohio’s economy,” he continued. “From electricians and welders who literally build our infrastructure, to nurses and healthcare aides who care for our loved ones, to the marketing specialists and IT experts driving innovation, to our service programs that feed us and care for our children – alumni are everywhere. They are the entrepreneurs who start businesses, the employees who drive efficiency, and the leaders who mentor the next generation.”
Turner noted while Vantage has been around for 50 years, the school hasn’t stood pat but instead, has adapted with the times and the needs of businesses and employers.
“Over the past 50 years, the world of work has changed dramatically,” Turner stated. “We have moved from typewriters to AI, and from simple tools to complex machinery. Vantage has never stood still. We have continually updated our programs, embraced new technologies, and ensured that our curriculum reflects the cutting edge of industry demand. That ability to pivot, to innovate, and to stay relevant is what guarantees the next 50 years will be even stronger than the last.”
(more…)POSTED: 02/09/26 at 10:09 pm. FILED UNDER: News
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
CONVOY – A pair of presentations highlighted Monday’s monthly meeting of the Crestview Local Schools Board of Education.
Treasurer/CFO Ashley Whetsel explained in detail the district’s current financial outlook for the next five years. She noted there is uncertainty due to property tax reform, along with an effort to abolish property taxes altogether. She also noted that decreases and cuts in state funding will have a financial affect on the district, but Whetsel added the district is projected to have a positive cash balance through fiscal year 2030.
Board members also heard a brief presentation from gifted intervention Alicia Perrott about Camp Invention, which had 83 campers, 15 leaders in training and nine high school helpers.
The board accepted the retirement-resignations of three employees – elementary intervention specialist Jennifer Bowen, who has served 18 years with the district; high school social studies teacher Michael Bowen, who has served 30 years with the district, and district administrative assistant Lori Orsbon, who has served the district for 28 years. Those resignations will take place June 30 and July 31. The board also accepted the resignations of custodian Marsha Mathew, effective at the end of the current school year, and food service worker Sue Duncan, also at the end of the school year.
Board members approved a 71-day contract to Krysten Stone and a 67-day contract to Kandi Ryan as food service workers, and Courtney Grote as a volunteer coach for the middle school program.
The board also approved membership in the Ohio High School Athletic Association for the 2026-2027 school year and accepted a handful of monetary donations.
Before adjourning for the evening, the board went into executive session to discuss the employment and/or compensation of employees, but no action was taken afterward.
The next meeting of the Crestview Local Schools Board of Education will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 25, in the multipurpose room.
POSTED: 02/09/26 at 10:06 pm. FILED UNDER: News
