Huge steam locomotive to roll through the area again

Precautions urged to avoid cyclosporiasis

VW independent staff/submitted information

COLUMBUS — Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff is urging Ohioans to take extra precautions when handling fruits and vegetables to help prevent cyclosporiasis, a gastrointestinal disease that has sickened hundreds of people across multiple states recently, including Ohio.

As of July 2, ODH is reporting 177 cyclosporiasis cases in the state in 2026. Of those, 171 cases occurred in June, mostly since June 20.

28 Ohioans have been hospitalized. Cyclosporiasis is not typically life-threatening but can cause watery, and sometimes explosive, diarrhea.

“Fortunately, there have been no deaths in Ohio, as is consistent with our past experiences with this illness,” Dr. Vanderhoff said. “Nevertheless, this is a serious illness that can cause dehydration and require people to seek emergency medical care, and it should be taken seriously.”

ODH and local health departments are working with neighboring state partners and federal partners to investigate this outbreak. This includes conducting interviews and traceback investigations to help identify any potential common exposures.

The illness is caused by a microscopic parasite – Cyclospora cayetanensis, also known as Cyclospora. The disease generally is transmitted by eating contaminated produce.

At this point, no common source has been identified and the investigation is ongoing.

The most common symptom is watery diarrhea. Bloating or cramping or loss of appetite can also occur. If not treated, symptoms may seem to get better and then return one or more times. Ohioans who experience these symptoms should contact their healthcare provider.

Motorcycle vs. semi-truck…

A motorcyclist was flown for treatment after colliding with a semi-truck early Thursday afternoon. Van Wert County deputies, along with firefighters from Ohio City and Van Wert were dispatched to the intersection of Ohio 118 and Ohio 81 shortly at approximately 12:45 p.m. No other information is available yet. Bob Barnes/VWFD photographer

Training Academy offers VR courses

VW independent staff/submitted information

LONDON (OH) — The Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy has rolled out its third series of immersive virtual reality courses, expanding next-generation training for law enforcement agencies across the state.

“Virtual-reality training matters because we know, without a doubt, that the best training our law enforcement professionals can get is reality-based training,” said Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson, whose office oversees OPOTA. “VR allows officers to feel and see how they would react in different scenarios.”

The latest launch features seven new scenarios, growing OPOTA’s virtual reality catalog to 19 courses. As with previous rollouts, the third installment bridges the gap between classroom instruction and on-the-job challenges, preparing officers tactically and mentally for calls they are likely to encounter in the field.

For the first time, the curriculum includes a cross-disciplinary training scenario designed not only for law enforcement but also nursing, EMT and victim-advocacy professionals. Developed in partnership with the Forensic Nursing Network, the scenario explores the immediate response to a fictional sexual assault, emphasizing the importance of a collaborative approach to victim support.

The third series of trainings – which build on the skills, characters and storylines of the first two series – covers a diverse range of topics, including:

• Avoidable dangers
• Communication
• Community engagement
• Dangers of conflicting commands
• De-escalation
• Decision-making
• Ethical and legal considerations
• Officer safety and wellness
• Scene assessment
• Suspect interaction
• Tactical considerations
• Using time as a tool

The training is available on 160 sets of virtual-reality goggles that OPOTA has deployed throughout the state. This allows for low-cost, frequent and standardized statewide training that can be completed during a peace officer’s shift.

The scenarios, shot on 360-degree cameras, were produced in collaboration with Ohio University. 

The innovative program was featured in the July edition of Police Chief Magazine, the official publication of the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

Deadline near for BOE applications

VW independent staff

This Friday, July 10, is the deadline for anyone interested in filling a vacant seat on the Van Wert City Schools Board of Education. Several applications have been received so far.

The seat came open July 1, following the resignation of Thaison Leaser, who is moving just outside the school district. Leaser was elected to the board last fall and began serving his term January 1. Other members of the board are Julie Burenga (vice-president), Dr. Debby Compton, Anthony Adams (president) and Greg Blackmore.

Anyone interested in serving on the Van Wert City Schools Board of Education should contact Julie Anderson (j_anderson@vwcs.net) or click the link here to take you to the VWCS district website for an application. According to Ohio law, people serving on Ohio school boards must be at least 18 years old, district residents, and registered voters.

The board is expected to interview applicants next week and choose Leaser’s replacement at the July 22 regular monthly meeting. The newly appointed member will serve until December 31, 2027. If that person wants to continue serving, he or she must run in the November, 2027 general election for the remaining two years of the unexpired term ending December 31, 2029.

Softball, baseball facilities getting facelift

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

Lincolnview’s softball and baseball programs have played at a high level in recent years, earning NWC championships and competing at regionals and for state titles. Now, the facilities where they play will be getting some upgrades to match the high level of play.

At a special meeting held on Wednesday, the Lincolnview Local Schools Board of Education approved a pair of resolutions related to sprucing up those facilities at a cost not to exceed $900,000, with a $90,000 contingency fund if needed. The money will come from the district’s capital projects fund.

Prior to approving the resolutions, the board heard a brief presentation from Prodigy Solutions Development Director Eric Gros. The firm has offices in the Cincinnati area, Columbus and Cleveland and handles K-12 projects throughout the state.

He explained that both softball dugouts will be demolished and replaced with new ones. Given that the current dugouts have been prone to flooding, the new ones will be constructed about two inches higher than field level. The current home baseball dugout will be renovated and improved and both the softball and baseball facilities will have new backstops and extended safety netting. 

While the 2027 spring sports season is months away, Gros also said work will begin sooner rather than later.

“We’ll get everything moving because we want to get all this work done – I want all the concrete work done long before we get into cold weather,” he explained. “You want to be ready for the season and we know the weather is fickle enough in the spring that we cannot rely on doing any flat work of any size in the spring when we have deadlines for softball and baseball.”

The vote to approve the upgrades was 4-0. Board member Ashley Breese was absent from the meeting.

Arraignments, sentencing hearings held

VW independent staff

Seven defendents were arraigned and three others sentenced on various charges during hearings held in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court on Wednesday. Judge Martin D. Burchfield presided over each of the hearings.

Arraignments

Shawna Clark, 49, of Delphos, entered a not guilty plea to assault, a fourth degree felony. She was released on a surety bond and a pre-trial conference set for 8:30 a.m. August 5.

Lorenzo Frye, 37, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to domestic violence and violating a protection order, both third degree felonies. He was released on a surety bond with electronic house arrest and a curfew, and was ordered to have no contact with the victim. A pre-trial conference was scheduled for 8 a.m. August 5.

Kaden Ballard, 25, of Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea to possession of a fentanyl-related compound, a fifth degree felony. He was released on a surety bond and a pre-trial conference wsa scheduled for 8 a.m. August 5.

Karen Hemker, 58, of Delphos, pleaded not guilty to theft from a person in a protected class, a third degree felony. He was released on a surety bond with a pre-trial conference set for 8 a.m. August 5.

Ronnie Smith, 66, of Convoy, entered a not guilty plea to possession of a cocaine, a fifth degree felony. He was released on a surety bond and a pre-trial conference was scheduled for 8:30 a.m. August 5.

Jorel Longardner, of Churubusco, Indiana, entered a not guilty plea to possession of a fentanyl-related compound, a fifth degree felony. He was released on a surety bond and a pre-trial conference was scheduled for 8 a.m. August 12.

Dominique Barrows, 33, of Delphos, entered a not guilty plea to having weapons while under disability, a third degree felony. Burrows was released on a surety bond and a pre-trial conference was scheduled for 8 a.m. August 12.

Flock cameras under the microscope

By Morgan Trau/Ohio Capital Journal

The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision restricting law enforcement’s ability to use sprawling cell phone location data is bringing to light questions about the legitimacy of Flock Safety cameras used by police in Ohio and elsewhere. Several such cameras are in use in the city of Van Wert.

Police use “geofence warrants” to get location data of suspects’ electronic devices.

“We just hope that it is not a tool that is removed from our tool belt,” Ohio Fraternal Order of Police President Jay McDonald said.

These can help solve crimes when police run out of options, he added.

A new U.S. Supreme Court decision is shining a spotlight on police technology.

“We need to make apprehensions in those (cases) as quickly as possible to prevent other violent crimes from occurring,” he said.

But these search every device in an area, starting from casting a wide net to more in-depth data, Case Western Reserve University criminal law professor Mike Benza said.

“Law enforcement will go to Google with this administrative warrant, saying, ‘Give us all of the IP addresses of any connected device in this area around this time when a crime or some other instance of interest has occurred,’” Benza said.

From there, police are able to expand the warrant and look deeper into specific accounts and addresses to get identity information.

The Supreme Court is making it harder or even impossible to get them.

The justices ruled that these warrants could constitute an unreasonable search and seizure, because oftentimes citizens’ data is scooped up and investigated even if they have no connection to the crime.

“I don’t believe my cell number being found in a particular location is particularly troublesome to me if I haven’t committed any crimes,” McDonald said.

But just because someone else committed a crime, it doesn’t mean that there is no longer a right to privacy, Benza said.

Wrenway Park addition…

Ground has officially been broken for Wrenway Park’s permanent press box, with Commissioner Jack Davis, committee member Mark Slusher and Wren Mayor Monica Davis helping kick off the project. They said the addition is another exciting investment in the future of the park. Wren will come alive as the “Wiffleball Capital of Ohio” with the Wrenway Park Wiffleball Warehouse Tournament August 21-22. Photo submitted

OSHP reports deadly holiday weekend

VW independent staff

18 people died in 18 traffic crashes over the Independence Day holiday weekend, according statistics provided by the Ohio State Highway Patrol. The reporting period began at midnight Thursday, July 2 and ended at 11:59 p.m. Sunday, July 5.

It was a significant increase from last year’s July 4 holiday weekend, when seven fatal crashes claimed the lives of 10 people.

Preliminary statistics from this past weekend showed in eight fatal crashes where seat belts were available, three people were not wearing them. In addition, there were five fatal crashes involving a motorcycle where three riders were not wearing helmets. 

OSHP troopers also investigated 575 crashes, issued 1,722 distracted driving citations, cited 2,195 drivers for safety belt violations and removed 387 impaired drivers from roadways across Ohio during the four day period.

Major indictment filed against VW man

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

What began as a late December 2025 call for an overdose at a home in Van Wert led to the discovery of a massive amount of suspected drugs and now, a major drug indictment.

Earlier this month, a Van Wert County grand jury indicted Devin Couch, 21, of Van Wert on the following eight charges: trafficking in cocaine, a first degree felony with a major drug offender specification; possession of cocaine, a first degree felony with a major drug offender specification; aggravated trafficking in drugs, a second degree felony; aggravated possession of drugs, a second degree felony; trafficking in hashish, a second degree felony; possession of hashish, a second degree felony; trafficking in marijuana, a third degree felony, and possession of marijuana, a third degree felony. Each of the eight charges carries a one-year firearm specification, along with eight specifications for forfeiture of guns.

Due to a number of factors, if convicted on all counts, he would face a prison term of 11 to 90 years.

On Tuesday, Couch appeared for arraignment in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court and entered a not guilty plea to all of the charges. Judge Martin D. Burchfield ordered him held without bond and set a further hearing for 3 p.m. Monday, July 13.

On December 21, 2025, the Van Wert Police Department and Van Wert EMS were dispatched the possible overdose situation in the 700 block of N. Washington St. Police and paramedics arrived to find a younger male on the floor, unresponsive. He was treated by EMS and was transported to OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital.

While he was being treated at the scene, there were several drug items in plain view. The Van Wert Police department applied for a search warrant and confiscated what Police Chief Doug Weigle called at the time “an unbelievable amount of THC vape pens and cartridges.”

Other items that were consficated included:

• A very large amount of marijuana.
• A very large amount of hash oil or butter (Mason Jars)
• A significant amount of cocaine.
• A large amount of cash, gold, silver and copper bars (estimated worth of ($40,000)
• Other pills and drugs that yet to be tested.
• A large amount of rifles and ammunition, including a flame thrower.