Weekend to feature three events in Van Wert County

Three people apply for vacant BOE seat

VW independent staff

The Van Wert City Schools Board of Education will hold a pair of special meetings this week – Tuesday and Wednesday, July 14 and 15, to interview candidates to fill a vacant seat on the board.

Three district residents applied for consideration – Cody Carroll, Wes Collins and Scott White.

Tuesday’s meeting will begin at 5 p.m. and Wednesday’s meeting will start at 4 p.m. Both meetings will take place in the S.F. Goedde Building Conference Room. The interviews will be conducted in executive session and no action will be taken at either meeting.

The board is expected to name a replacement for Thaison Leaser, who resigned June 30, during the next regular monthly meeting, which is scheduled for 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 22. 

City Council expected to have busy night

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

Monday night’s meeting of Van Wert City Council could be a rather lengthy one.

Council meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month but since June had five Mondays, three weeks have elapsed since the last meeting. The June 22 meeting had a somewhat short agenda, but the meeting still took nearly two hours. Discussion of several topics, including a potential new noise ordinance and possible changes to the city’s junk and rubbish laws, were discussed at length and will likely be revisited tonight.

 A handful of legislative items are on the agenda as drafts.

One would allow Mayor Ken Markward to sign a lease agreement with Butterfly Meadows Solar Project LLC for use of approximately 38 acres of city-owned farmland off of U.S. 127. If the project moves forward, the city’s property would be about one percent of it. Overall, the solar farm would occupy approximately 4,000 acres of land in Hoaglin, Union and Pleasant townships. If eventually approved at the state level, construction would likely begin in 2028.

Another ordinance would authorizing Markward to sign a petition for the annexation of approximately 50 acres of land owned by the Business Development Corporation or Ohio Power Company (AEP) into the city.

The drilling of private wells within the city limits is also listed on the agenda. If approved, no new private wells would be a permitted use, but instead would be conditional use in all zoning classifications.

Amendments and updates to the city’s laws regarding door-to-door salespeople is on the agenda and could be passed on first reading as an emergency.

Motorcycle crash…

The Willshire Fire Department,Wren EMS, Van Wert EMS and Lutheran Air-1 were paged out to a motorcycle accident on Ohio 49 at the Piqua Rd. intersection on Sunday. No details are available and the accident is under investigation by the Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.Traffic control was provided by the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Department. The motorcycle sustained light damage and was removed from the scene by friends. Bob Barnes/VWFD photographer

President installed, presentation heard

VW independent staff/submitted information

The Van Wert Rotary Club welcomed Rotary District 6600 Governor Katherine Eboch during last Tuesday’s meeting.

As part of her official visit, Governor Eboch administered the oath of office to Van Wert Rotary Club’s new president, John Hatcher.

Governor Eboch shared encouragement and insight with club members while highlighting the impact Rotary clubs make through service, leadership, and community engagement across District 6600.

“We are grateful to Governor Eboch for taking the time to visit our club and officially install President John Hatcher,” said the Van Wert Rotary Club. “We appreciate her leadership, support, and commitment to Rotary, and we look forward to a great year of service together.”

The Van Wert Rotary Club meets each Tuesday at noon and is dedicated to serving the Van Wert community through fellowship, service projects, scholarships, and partnerships that make a lasting difference.

In addition, representatives from Pregnancy Life Center recently shared an update with the Van Wert Rotary Club, highlighting the life-changing impact of Langdyn House, a ministry that provides safe housing, encouragement, and hope for women and families in the community.

During the presentation, attendees learned more about how Langdyn House offers women a supportive environment where they can grow, heal, and build a brighter future. One message resonated throughout the presentation: “Little is much when love shows up.”

Pregnancy Life Center also shared updates on its annual Walk for Life, the organization’s largest fundraising event. This year’s goal is $93,000, with every dollar raised remaining in the local community to support Pregnancy Life Center’s life-affirming ministries.

The presenters also introduced Tessa Cochran, who recently joined the Pregnancy Life Center team after relocating to Van Wert following her marriage to her husband, Caden. She brings previous experience serving at another pregnancy center and looks forward to helping advance Pregnancy Life Center’s mission of serving women and families with compassion and hope.

The Van Wert Rotary Club appreciated Pregnancy Life Center for sharing its mission and the many ways the community can support local families through donations, volunteerism, and participation in the upcoming Walk for Life.

Wiffleball sign-up set for August 1

Submitted information

WREN — Wrenway Park wiffleball tournament officials will be accepting the first 15 teams with their $100 entry fee at sign-up, scheduled for 5 p.m.  Saturday, August 1. The sign-up event will be held at Wren Restaurant.
 
The 15 teams will play the 34th Wrenway Park Wiffleball tournament August 21-22 at Wrenway Park in downtown Wren.
 
Anyone with questions should call Jeff Davis at 419.203.6745.

Feel Good Friday…

The Fort Wayne-based New Millenium Jazz Orchestra took the stage at Fountain Park as part of Friday night’s Feel Good Friday summer concert series. The 18-piece big band brought the timeless magic of jazz those who attended the weekly free concert. Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent

Unsolicited mailings come under scrutiny

VW independent staff/submitted information

COLUMBUS — Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose has issued another warning to Ohio voters about confusing and misleading election information stemming from unsolicited mailings by the groups Ready to Register Inc. and Center for Voter Information.

The Secretary of State’s office has been made aware of recent voter registration mailers that may cause confusion among Ohio voters, including individuals who are already registered at their current address. Secretary LaRose agrees with the stated concerns about similar mailings in North Carolina, which have reportedly included outdated voter registration materials, inaccurate voter data, mail sent to deceased individuals, incorrect return information, and QR codes raising privacy concerns.

“These groups claim they’re helping voters, but careless mass mailings often do the opposite,” LaRose said. “They confuse already-registered voters, create unnecessary work for county boards of elections, and undermine confidence in the process.”

LaRose has previously warned Ohio voters about misleading mail campaigns from outside organizations, including the Center for Voter Information, which has sent unsolicited mailers that mimic official government documents, contain partially filled-out voter registration forms, and rely on inaccurate or outdated data that is often purchased commercially and not sourced through the official statewide voter rolls.

Ohio voters who receive unsolicited election mail should remember:

• These mailers are not affiliated with the Ohio Secretary of State’s Office or Ohio’s county boards of elections.
• Voters who are already registered at their current address do not need to take action because of an outside mailing.
• Voters should verify their registration status through Ohio’s official voter tools at VoteOhio.gov.

 “Ohio makes it easy to register to vote, update your address, and confirm your information through secure, official channels,” said Aaron Ockerman, Executive Director of the Ohio Association of Election Officials. “Before responding to any unsolicited mailing, voters should go directly to VoteOhio.gov or check their county board of elections website to confirm their registration status.”
 
For trusted information about registering to vote, updating your address, finding your polling location, or reviewing election deadlines, visit the Van Wert County Board of Elections website (click here), or  VoteOhio.gov.

No cyclosporiasis cases reported locally

VW independent staff

It appears that a gastrointestinal disease that has sickened hundreds of people across multiple states recently, including Ohio, has not hit home – at least not yet.

Nearly 200 cyclosporiasis cases have been confirmed in in the state this year and the majority have occurred since mid-June. 28 Ohioans have been hospitalized.

Van Wert County does not have any known cases at this time.

Cyclosporiasis is not typically life-threatening but can cause watery and sometimes explosive diarrhea. The illness is caused by a microscopic parasite – Cyclospora cayetanensis, also known as Cyclospora. The disease generally is transmitted by eating contaminated produce.

“We are encouraging residents to wash all produce well and wash your hands well,” Van Wert County Health Department Public Information Officer Britt Menchhofer said on Friday. “If a person is experiencing any symptoms of the disease, please see your primary care provider.”

Auditions to be held for new production

VW independent staff/submitted information

Off Stage Productions Inc. will be holding auditions on Monday and Tuesday, August 10-11 for “As Long as We Both Shall Live” by Sean Grennan. Auditions will be held at Vantage Career Center, 818 N. Franklin St., Van Wert in the commons area starting at 7 p.m. both nights. Enter Door No. 7 in the front of the building.

Show dates will be October 16-18 and 23-25. Directing this show will be Matt Krol. The minimum cast size is three men and two women.

Synopsis: Quirky genius Addison Ashe has finally met a man who can keep up with her — the wealthy and charming Jamie Wilcox. But marrying Jamie means wrangling with his disapproving mother, as well as her favorite over-the-top wedding planner, Raul. When Raul is poisoned at the rehearsal dinner, tensions between the clever bride and her mother-in-law to be go from heated to full-on inferno when Mrs. Wilcox points to Addison as the killer. Can Addison solve the case before sashaying down the aisle, or is she in for a honeymoon behind bars?

Characters

• Addison: 20’s-30’s, smart, offbeat, positive, very likeable
• Jamie: 30’s, Addison’s rich, attractive fiancé
• Mrs. Wilcox: 50’s, Jamie’s mother, rich, aloof, matriarch of family
• Raul: the wedding planner, any age, Spanish, flashy and flamboyant, doubles as Lieutenant Dobbs, Paul, Dennis
• Rev. Mountain: youngish and gawkish pastor presiding over the ceremony, possibly shy or retiring, afraid of the dark

Scripts are now available for perusal for those interested in auditioning. Message if interested in previewing a script or call or text 419.605.2634. No prior acting experience is required to audition.

The play is produced by special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc.

VW independent news briefs

VW independent staff

Road closure starts Monday

As first reported on Monday, John Brown Rd. will be closed to traffic for approximately 17 days starting on Monday, July 13, to allow crews to construct a restricted crossing U-turn (RCUT) at John Brown Rd. and U.S. 30. During construction, traffic along U.S. 30 will be restricted to one lane in each direction.

Two other nearby projects are scheduled to begin on August 1 – construction of a roundabout at U.S. 224 and Lincoln Highway, and the U.S. 224 bridge rehabilitation project. Once work starts, the intersection of U.S. 224 and Lincoln Highway will be closed for approximately 60 days. U.S. 224, between U.S. 30 and Lincoln Highway, will be closed for approximately 120 days while crews rehab the bridge over the railroad.

Annual sales to be held in August

Two popular sales that run through Van Wert County will be held next month.

The U.S. 127 Yard Sale, billed as the world’s longest yard sale, will be held August 6-9. The 690-mile yard sale runs through all or parts of six states – Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennesee, Georgia and Alabama.

The Lincoln Highway Buy-Way Yard Sale is scheduled for the following weekend, August 13-15.

Fireworks legal this weekend

Some people will enjoy it, others will not, but 1.4G consumer fireworks can be legally discharged between 4-11 p.m. tonight, tomorrow and Sunday. Ohio law permits the use of those fireworks the Friday, Saturday and Sunday immediately after the July 4 holiday.

Writer’s club to meet

CELINA — The next meeting of the Stateline Writer’s Club will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 18, at the Celina/Mercer County Library.

The members can choose from the writing prompts:

• “You get to make one wish to create your dream romantic partner. Who/what is it?”
• “Write a love story set in a zoo.” 
• A patriotic story to honor the 250th anniversary of the United States.

As always, a writer can choose an individual topic.

The Stateline Writer’s Club seeks to encourage local writers by support and fellowship. Any interested persons are invited and encouraged to attend.

For more information, contact Renee Shaw at 419.305.8768 or email rmshaw822@gmail.com.