Crestview BOE hears various updates during meeting

Shed fire…

Firefighters from Ohio City and Van Wert were called to a working fire on Emerson Rd. shortly before 5:30 p.m. Monday. At the time, Ohio City Fire Department was working as mutual aid at a structure fire in Mercer County, which they then left to respond to the Emerson Rd. fire. The fire was quickly contained but the shed sustained heavy damage. The cause of the fire is unknown. Van Wert’s Engine 3 responded to the blaze, making it the first fire the new engine was working at since it was put into service in late October. Bob Barnes/VWFD photographer

Data centers go 0-for-21 on the ballot

By Nick Evans/Ohio Capital Journal

Ohio voters sharply rejected data centers in this year’s election. Around Ohio, 18 communities voted on whether to curb or ban data center developments. In all 18 communities, voters decided that, yes, that would be a good idea.

In most, the results were resounding — like Harlem Globetrotters vs. Washington Generals resounding. City leaders in Wilmington, the county seat of Clinton County, asked voters to rezone four parcels to allow data center development. Roughly 80 percent of voters rejected all four.

In the Lake County Village of Perry, more than 87 percent of voters backed an initiative requiring data centers that accept tax incentives to take out a bond, operating kind of like an insurance policy, to back up their promises of local tax revenue.

Voters in Piqua prohibited data centers within city limits by a 2-to-1 margin and didn’t stop there. They also recalled three city commissioners — including the mayor and vice-mayor — for approving a Meta data center in November last year.

From Conneaut in far northeastern Ashtabula County to Trenton in Southwestern Butler County, nine communities passed initiatives modeled on the statewide data center moratorium Conserve Ohio organizers are trying to put on the ballot in 2027. That initiative would amend the state constitution to prohibit any data center drawing more than 25 megawatts a month.

In a press release, Conserve Ohio congratulated communities who voted against data center development, and warned elected officials that “You cannot look away now.”

“The above election results demonstrate that when communities have a say regarding the construction of a hyperscale data center in their local area, they overwhelmingly say no,” the group wrote. “Your oath is invoked. Stop the self-dealing, corporate fealty, and greed. Represent and serve the people who elected you.”

Conserve Ohio urged Ohio citizens to push state lawmakers to pass a 12-month moratorium on any data center development in Ohio during the lame duck session between now and the end of the year.

Upper Sandusky

Angela Huffman is a sixth-generation farmer in northwest Ohio, and she heads up the national watchdog group Farm Action, which focuses on corporate consolidation in the food and agriculture sector. She explained data centers came onto their radar about a year ago, because of concerns about their impact on farmland.

“And then lo and behold,” Huffman said, “I read in the newspaper back in June of this year that a data center, a nearly $1 billion data center, was proposed here right outside Upper Sandusky, which is about 10 miles from my farm.”

Survey shows gas prices take sharp dive

VW independent staff/submitted information

The roller coaster ride continues.

Average gasoline prices in Ohio have fallen 32 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.80 per gallon on Monday, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 5,345 stations in Ohio. Prices in Ohio are 10.7 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand 76.8 cents per gallon higher than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has decreased 9.5 cents compared to a week ago and stands at $6.186 per gallon.

According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Ohio was priced at $3.15 per gallon on Sunday, while the most expensive was $5.99 per gallon, a difference of $2.84 per gallon.

The national average price of gasoline has fallen 15.9 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.96 per gallon on Monday. The national average is down 39.3 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 92.2 cents per gallon higher than a year ago, according to GasBuddy data compiled from more than 11 million weekly price reports covering over 150,000 gas stations across the country.

“Gasoline prices fell in every state over the last week, while diesel declined in nearly every state, and the national average dropped below $4 per gallon for the first time since early August,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “Many will assume the election had something to do with it, but that’s a myth. Gas prices have fallen in the 30 days leading up to the election every year since 2006 except 2010, and it’s typically seasonal: refiners finish maintenance and ramp up output just as demand fades with cooler weather. Those same forces, along with more oil moving through the Strait of Hormuz, are why prices could stay below $4 in the weeks ahead.

Area sees a high number of deer/car crashes

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

Deer vs. car crashes certainly aren’t uncommon in Van Wert County and the surrounding area, especially around this time of the year.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s OSTATS Dashboard shows between 2021 and 2025, 1,034 deer-related crash occurred in Van Wert County. While it’s a sizable number, it’s actually one of the lowest in northwest Ohio. Here are some notable numbers from the OSTATS Dashboard:

• Williams County: 2,795
• Hancock County: 2,785
• Allen County: 2,526
• Defiance County: 2,476
• Auglaize County: 1,690

In Paulding County, there were 1,324 deer vs. car crashes between 2021 and 2025, and 1,303 in Mercer County during the same period.

Stark County (3,542) and Richland County (2,998) rank as the top two counties for deer vs. car crashes.

According to the OSTATS Dashboard, there were 114,233 deer vs. car crashes statewide between 2021-2025. U.S. 30 produced the highest number, with 1,939, followed by Ohio 2 (1,826), Interstate 71 (1,672), Interstate 75 (1,652), Interstate 77 (1,625), U.S. 33 (1,576), U.S. 23 (1,433), Interstate 80 (1,383) and Interstate 70 (1,350). U.S. 224 statewide ranked No. 11, with 1,317 deer vs. car crashes.

47 percent of all deer vs. car crashes occur during the final three months of the year – October, November and December.

November marks the peak of deer breeding season, when deer become more active and are more likely to cross roadways.

Meet the Authors Night in Paulding

Submitted information

PAULDING – Meet 20 authors from Paulding County at a special “Meet the Authors Night” on Tuesday, November 17, hosted by the Paulding Writers’ Group. Admission is free. The evening begins at 6:30 p.m. at Paulding County History Museum, 600 Fairground Drive, Paulding.

Each local author will be introduced and asked to briefly speak about their work. Tables will be set up for the authors to sell and sign their works and meet readers. Paulding Writers’ Group members believe this will be an inspiring opportunity to celebrate local talent and hear about a large variety of genres, from children’s books to science fiction to memoirs.

Authors currently scheduled to attend include Caroline Arend, Kylee Baumle, Beth Ann Baus, Duane Bailey, Mark Holtsberry, Tonia Shinaberry King, Eva Sharron Kobee, Melinda Krick, Amber Krynock, Jane Nice, Paulding County Genealogical Society, Susan Paulus, Rich Phelan, Carol Razo, Adam Snyder, Joel Steiner, Kim Sutton, Nichole J. Suvar, Janet Wagner and Elecia Wobler.

Light refreshments will be served. Before and after the program, tour the museum’s annual Festival of Trees, which is November 13-21.

Gov’t offices closed on Veteran’s Day

VW independent staff

Most state, federal and local government offices will be closed on Wednesday, November 11, in observance of Veteran’s Day. All Van Wert County offices and the Van Wert Municipal Building will be closed that day. No mail will be delivered on Wednesday.

Van Wert standoff situation ends peacefully

VW independent staff/submitted information

A standoff situation at an apartment on Sunrise Court in Van Wert led to a large law enforcement presence Saturday night.

The Van Wert Police Department was dispatched the 1200 block of Sunrise Court shortly before 9:30 p.m., after receiving a call of a man threatening people with a firearm.

According to a press release from the Van Wert Police Department, officers arrived on scene and after speaking with the victim and witnesses, identified the suspect as Terry Dean Decamp, 85. Officers learned Decamp was inside of the apartment and had the firearm. They briefly spoke with him but he refused to cooperate and come out of the apartment.

Officers then requested assistance from the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office, the Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Van Wert County EMA’s CERT Team and the Van Wert Fire Department. CERT and the fire department blocked off access to Sunrise Court.

Officers re-established communication with Decamp, who continued refusing to exit the apartment. After extended negotiations, Decamp was subsequently taken into custody without further incident.

He was transported to the Van Wert County Correctional Facility and is currently charged with one count of aggravated menacing a misdemeanor of the first degree.

Festival of Trees just around the corner

VW independent staff/submitted information

PAULDING — It’s time for The Festival of Trees, Paulding County History Museum’s largest event and fundraiser of the year. The dates are Friday, November 13 through Saturday, November 21. Explore nearly 30,000 square feet of holiday trees, displays and decorations in three buildings with the theme, “A Few of My Favorite Things.”

Admission and parking are free, but donations are greatly appreciated.

The museum is located at 600 Fairground Drive in Paulding, across from the fairgrounds. The buildings are handicap accessible.

The Festival Committee, led by chairman Julie Anna Densmore, has been busy preparing for this nine-day gala event. Lights and garland have been hung and museum buildings decorated by dedicated volunteers. The committee is grateful for the generous community support, contributions and donations that make the Festival possible.

More than 80 spectacular holiday trees have been decorated by organizations, groups and clubs, businesses and individuals from around the county. Look for the decorating award winners. The Festival is welcoming many first-time participants this year.

The committee has planned the daily schedule to include meals, musical entertainment and even a few surprises for Festival-goers.

The Festival opens Friday, November 13 from 4-8 p.m. Museum volunteers will serve a spaghetti dinner with salad and garlic bread from 5-6:30 p.m.

Saturday, November 14, is Kids Day. The museum will be open 10 a.m.-8 p.m. From 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Santa will visit with children and hear their Christmas wish lists and Chris Bercaw will be creating balloon animals for the kids. Enjoy lunch from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. with a menu featuring hot dogs, burgers and baked beans, served by the museum volunteers. The Festival will be open the rest of the day with light refreshments served.

Local court handles heavy docket

VW independent staff

Wednesday was a busy day in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court, with more than a dozen criminal defendants appearing before Judge Martin D. Burchfield. The hearings included several plea changes and a pair of requests for early release from prison.

Plea changes

Kameron Cooper, 47, of Grover Hill, changed her plea to guilty of misuse of credit cards, a first degree misdemeanor. She was then sentenced to one year of community control, 30 days in jail at a later date, must undergo a mental health and substance abuse assessment and any treatment, and was ordered to pay restitution and court costs.

Devan Hall, 21, of Delphos, changed his plea to an amended charge of attempted counterfeiting, a fourth degree felony. Judge Burchfield ordered a pre-sentence investigation and set sentencing set for 9 a.m. December 16.

Megan Lane, 22, of Van Wert, changed her plea to guilty to an amended charge of attempted tampering with evidence, a fourth degree felony. She then requested and was granted intervention in lieu of conviction and her case was stayed pending completion of the treatment program. She was ordered to pay court costs.

Ronnie Smith, 66, of Convoy, changed his plea to guilty to an amended charge of attempted possession of cocaine, a first degree misdemeanor. He was then sentenced to one year of community control, 30 days in jail at a later date, was ordered to undero mental health and substance abuse assessment and any treatment, and was ordered to pay court costs.

Cyle Black, 40, of Van Wert, changed his plea to guilty of tampering with evidence, a third degree felony. Judge Burchfield ordered a pre-sentence investigation and set sentencing for 9 a.m. December 9.

Estaban Rivera, 49, of Scott, changed his plea to guilty to an amended charge of attempted having weapons, a fourth degree felony. A pre-sentence investigation was ordered and sentencing was scheduled for 9 a.m. December 16.

Corbin Cornelius, 26, of Van Wert, changed his plea to guilty to an amended charge of domestic violence, a fourth degree felony. A pre-sentence investigation as ordered and sentencing was scheduled for 9 a.m. December 9.

Grant money to benefit Willshire

VW independent staff

State grant money is coming to the Village of Willshire.

Van Wert County will receive a $750,000 Neighborhood Revitalization grant to assist the village of Willshire in the replacement of aging waterlines, rehabilitation of sidewalks along Walcott Street, and the replacement of a tornado siren. The project will benefit all 345 residents of the village.