Klopfenstein for local, regional improvement projects

Local students receive Central scholarships

VW independent staff/submitted information

Central’s Educational & Charitable Foundation has announced its 2026 Scholarship Program recipients.

The program rewards graduates pursuing degrees that support careers in the property and casualty insurance industry. The scholarship—which increased this year— provides up to $7,500 annually to each student, is renewable for up to three years, and may be used toward educational expenses.  

Abigail Dannenfelser is a graduate of Lincolnview High School. She plans to attend Trine University in Angola, Indiana, this fall, majoring in actuarial science with minors in math and English. After earning her undergraduate degree, she aspires to pursue a career as an actuary, where she can apply her strong problem-solving and analytical skills to support organizations and contribute to her local community. Throughout high school, Dennenfelser was involved in varsity bowling, the Lincolnview Steel Drum Band, and the Lincolnview Theatre. She also served as an assistant counselor at Solid Rock Bible Camp. Outside of academics, she has worked as a cashier and food prep team member at Rocky Top Frozen Treats. She is the daughter of Cris and Rhonda Dannenfelser.

Caroline Marks is a graduate of Crestview High School. She plans to attend The Ohio State University in Columbus this fall, majoring in Marketing with a minor in Logistics. After earning her undergraduate degree, Marks aspires to pursue a career in the marketing field where she can apply her creativity, communication, and analytical skills to build meaningful connections. Throughout high school, Marks held several leadership roles, including student body president, Knight Vision Show Choir President, Crestview Honor Society Secretary, and FCCLA Treasurer. She also participated in Junior Rotary. Outside of academics, she works part-time at Sycamore of Van Wert. She is the daughter of Ashley Marks.

Maria Parrish is a graduate of Van Wert High School. She plans to attend The Ohio State University in Columbus this fall, majoring in business administration with a minor in pre-law. After earning her undergraduate degree, she aspires to pursue a career in business law, where she can work with companies to navigate legal complexities and support strategic decision-making and growth. Throughout high school, Parrish held several leadership roles in student council, including class representative, vice president, and president. She was also actively involved in her community as a small group leader at LifeHouse Church, a member of the Western Buckeye League Sportsmanship Committee, a participant in the Van Wert Service Pack, and a member of Van Wert County 4-H, where she held various leadership positions. Outside of academics, Parrish has held multiple jobs, working at the Van Wert YMCA, CJ’s Shaved Ice, and through her own commission-based art business. She is the daughter of Katie and Ryan Parrish.

Trevor Dotson is a graduate of Van Wert High School. He plans to attend the University of Toledo this fall, majoring in computer science and engineering. After earning his undergraduate degree, he aspires to pursue a career as a computer hardware engineer, designing and improving technology systems that support schools, businesses, and communities. Throughout high school, Dotson held several leadership roles, including robotics team captain, class vice president, and National Honor Society member, while also competing as a varsity football scholar athlete. Outside of academics, Dotson worked as an IT intern at Millwork Brands Inc. He is the son of Staci and Jamie Dotson.

Defendants appear for court hearings

VW independent staff

Eight criminal defendants appeared in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court for various hearings this week. Judge Martin D. Burchfield presided over each of the hearings.

Bond violation

Dylan Slagle, 22, of Van Wert, denied violating his bond by having contact with a victim. He was released on a surety bond along with electronic house arrest and curfew. A further hearing was set for 9 a.m. Tuesday, June 16.

Joshua Burnett, 48, of Van Wert, admitted to violating his bond by failing to report to court. Trial dates were set for July 27, 28 and 29 and his $250,000 cash bond was continued.

Arraignments

Megan Lane, 22, of Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea to tampering with evidence, a third degree felony, and possessing drug abuse instruments, a second degree misdemeanor. She was released on a surety bond and a pre-trial conference was scheduled for 8:30 a.m. July 1.

Kyle Jones, 38, of Delphos, entered a not guilty plea to two counts of aggravated trafficking in drugs, second degree felonies; aggravated possession of drugs, also a second degree degree, and possession of drugs, a fourth degree felony. He was released on a surety bond with electronic house arrest and a pre-trial conference was scheduled for 8 a.m. July 1.

Sentencing

Daniel Green, 50, of Van Wert, was sentenced to up to six months at the WORTH Center, three years of community control and 30 days in jail at a later date for aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth degree felony. In addition, he must perform 100 hours of community service, seek and maintain employment, complete a mental health and substance abuse assessment and any treatment and ordered to pay court costs.

ESC board schedules June meeting

Submitted information

PAULDING – The next Western Buckeye ESC governing board meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 24, in the ESC conference room at 835 N Williams St., Paulding.

Local summer projects underway

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

The month of June brings with it warmer weather, plenty of summertime activities and of course, road and other types of construction.

Work is already underway in the Van Wert area, with crews just this week starting to construct a new shared-use path and sidewalk, including curb ramps and crosswalks along Fox Rd. between Shannon St. and Washington St., and on U.S. 127 (Washington Street) between OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital and the city’s water plant. Cones are currently up along some of Fox Rd., and work is expected to run into August. According to the ODOT District 1 Office, the estimated cost of that project is $343,000.

Another project that was scheduled to begin early this month has been delayed a bit. Instead of June 4, construction of a single lane roundabout at the intersection of Lincoln Highway and U.S. 224, not far from the Van Wert city limits, is now tentatively scheduled to begin on July 6. However, that date is not set in stone. According to ODOT District 1 Public Information Officer Cheri Newton, more information is expected at a June 23 pre-construction meeting. Once work begins, it’s expected that Lincoln Highway traffic will be detoured for approximately 60 days.

That project will also include:

• Bridge rehabilitation on U.S. 224 over the railroad between U.S. 30 and Lincoln Highway, causing traffic to be detoured.
• Construction of a Restricted Crossing U-turn (RCUT) at U.S. 30/John Brown. The median will be closed and traffic on John Brown Rd. will closed for 45 days once work begins. U.S. will always maintain at least one lane of traffic in each direction.

“The contractor may not construct the RCUT at the same time as the work on U.S. 224,” Newton explained. “We currently do not know which part they will start first.”

Due date changing for tax bills

Submitted information

In Van Wert County, the second half real estate and manufactured home tax due dates will be moved from their original dates due to the passing of the House Bill 186 inflation cap. The new due dates will be August 5, for real estate bills and August 31 for manufactured homes. At this time the Van Wert County Treasurer’s Office is still waiting to receive the final taxes due on the parcels from the auditor’s office.

The HB 186 inflation cap may cause adjustments to be reflected on property and manufactured home bills if the parcel(s) meet the applicable criteria, but not all parcels will do so. Should you have questions regarding if your parcel meets the criteria, the Auditor’s office will be available to assist with this.

If you paid your taxes in full with the first half payment and the adjustment caused an overpayment on your parcel, the overpayment will be issued as a credit to the parcel. Should you have any questions regarding bills or payments, the Treasurer’s Office will be available to assist with this.

DAR wins award at Peony Parade

VW independent staff/submitted information

The Isaac Van Wart Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (IVW DAR) celebrated their heritage with a beautiful DAR America250 float at Saturday’s Peony Festival parade in downtown Van Wert. Fortunately for all involved – parade participants and parade watchers – storms held off until later, which allowed the parade to go on as planned.

DAR members can prove their lineage back 250 years to a family member who fought or otherwise served in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War.

Their float featured the National DAR official logo for the 250th celebration. The members dressed in “Continental” costumes or official chapter 250th shirts. A DAR husband (HODAR) who built the float and a DAR husband (HODAR) who portrayed Isaac Van Wart were in the parade. The flot also featured a DAR member who portrayed Betsy Ross sewing the first flag of the United States of America, an antique yarn spinner with a member rolling yar, and the three recently acquired busts of American Revolutionary War Heroes John Paulding, David Williams and county/city namesake Isaac Van Wart. The busts are 3-D printed by permission of the John Henri Isaac Browere Collection, where the original bronze busts are housed in the Fenimore Museum in Cooperstown, New York.

The members enjoyed the parade, handed out flags, candy and patriotic items and were pleased to hear they won the Grand Marshal Choice Award.

Dates, times set for legal fireworks

VW independent staff

For city and county residents planning to discharge fireworks on and around this year’s July 4 holiday, keep in mind that Ohio law only allows their use on specific dates and times.

During the Independence Day holiday period, consumer fireworks may be discharged on July 3, 4, and 5, as well as on the first Friday, Saturday, and Sunday immediately before and after July 4. In addition, fireworks may only be set off between 4 p.m. and 11 p.m. Improperly using or discharging fireworks outside these designated dates constitutes a first‑degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Anyone discharging fireworks should try to be considerate of neighboring or nearby pet owners and those with PTSD.

Since 2022, the Ohio Fire Code has permitted the use of 1.4G consumer-grade fireworks on certain dates. 1.4G fireworks are considered fireworks that are legal for the general public to purchase and use. These are generally smaller, less powerful fireworks than those used in professional displays. Examples include firecrackers, bottle rockets, roman candles, and fountains.

Council discusses noise ordinance, more

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

Compared to recent meetings, Monday night’s meeting of Van Wert City Council was a quiet one, but it was also a lengthy one.

The only real mention of the planned data center, which was the main topic of often times heated discussion at previous meetings, came when Mayor Ken Markward and Councilman At-Large Dewaine Johnson, who chairs council’s Economic Development Committee reminded residents of Thursday night’s QTS data center meeting. It will be held from 5-6:30 p.m. in the school’s Commons Area and will feature a “science fair” style type of setup, where those attending can go from table to table and speak with representatives from different aspects of the project.

Councilman At-Large Hall Block said he sent a draft of a noise ordinance to fellow council members and requested they review it.

“I think this is really important not only as an issue that people in town feel is needed but also while we’re discussing the data center,” Block said. “I feel like we could build people’s confidence if we have a noise ordinance in place. QTS has essentially given us the equivalent of a ‘pinky promise’ that they won’t be too loud and I believe that, but I think we can do things to get some affirmative enforcement and positive enforcement to ensure that noise is not going to be an issue.”

More discussion is expected at the next meeting. Block also expressed interest of passing legislation that would prohibit any wells from being drilled within the city limits. Such legislation will be prepared for the next meeting.

Amending laws regarding door-to-door solicitors was one of the topics of discussion. Among the proposed changes listed by Judiciary and Annexation Chairman and Fourth Ward Councilman Eric Hurless: an increase in price for a solicitor permit from $50 to $100, with the permit remaining valid for one year from the date of issuance instead of by calendar year; city issued ID badges for solicitors; a $100 estimated income tax payment for non-resident solicitors, and an increase fines for violators from $200 to $500. Non-profit and school solicitations would be exempt from all of the amendments.

Mayor Ken Markward said while he had no recommendation on the matter, he said it appears as though council could vote to ban commercial door-to-door solicitors altogether, but Hurless said he’s opposed to that idea.

“Personally I don’t like it but as far as them knocking on my own door, I don’t think we should ban it,” he stated. “As long as they’re following these guidelines of being professional and not harassing or anything like that, I think they should be allowed to do it.”

Gas prices fall, but still not cheap

VW independent staff/submitted information

There’s more good news and a bit of bad news at the pumps.

The good news – average gasoline prices in Ohio have fallen 29 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $4.03 per gallon on Monday, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 5,345 stations in Ohio. More good news – prices in Ohio are 69.3 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and in Van Wert, gas prices on Monday were below the statewide average, ranging from $3.71 to $3.99 per gallon. 

Here’s the bad news – even with the recent drop, pump prices on average are still $1.03 per gallon higher than a year ago.
 
According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Ohio was priced at $3.18 per gallon on Sunday, while the most expensive was $5.79 per gallon, a difference of $2.61 per gallon.

At $3.42 per gallon, neighboring Indiana continues to boast the lowest average gas price in the country. Sunday morning, one gas station in Warsaw had gas for $2.99 per gallon when paying cash.

The national average price of gasoline has fallen 17.9 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $4.09 per gallon on Monday. The national average is down 45.2 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands $1.02 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.

“Average gasoline prices declined in virtually every state over the last week as oil prices continued to fall, with crude approaching $90 per barrel and refiners ramping up output following seasonal maintenance,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “The combination of lower oil costs and improving refinery runs has kept downward pressure on pump prices, giving motorists a welcome reprieve. However, the future of prices remains murky. With the Strait of Hormuz remaining effectively closed, global oil supplies continue to tighten, and any further deterioration in the situation could send prices sharply higher.”

Event receives a boost…

United Way of Van Wert County recently granted Operation Back to School a check for $3,000. The money was given on behalf of the Community Impact Funds, which allows organizations that are tax exempt to apply in order to help with a one-time need or project in Van Wert County. The funds received will aid the program’s 11th annual event on Sunday, July 26, which provides school supplies for Van Wert County students. Shown above are United Way Executive Director Ashley Bultemeier and Teresa Shaffer with Operation Back to School. To register for Operation Back to School, visit vanwertfirst.net or call 419.238.0631. If you are a tax-exempt organization in Van Wert County and would like to learn more about or apply for Community Impact funds, contact the United Way office at 419.238.6689 or email administration@uwvwco.org. Photo submitted