Retirees honored, BOE gets athletic upgrades update

Kimmet wins Paul W. Zurcher Scholarship

VW independent staff/submitted information

In 2014, Best-One Tire & Service established a scholarship fund in memory of Paul Zurcher, founder of the Best-One Tire & Service group. Paul encouraged and inspired others to reach for their dreams.

At 21 years old, Paul opened a one-bay service station in Monroe, Indiana, that has now grown to over 100 employees. Today, there are more than 320 independently owned and operated Best-One locations across 29 states.

Paul, who was a lifelong learner, often said “You are the same today as you’ll be in five years except for the people you meet and the books you read.” (Quoted from Charlie “Tremendous” Jones.) 

Students applying for the Paul W. Zurcher Memorial Scholarship were required to compose an essay on how Paul’s nine commitments relate to them and provide examples of how they practice one or more of these commitments.

Van Wert High School senior Brenna Kimmet, who will graduate from Van Wert High School this Sunday, plans to pursue a degree from Miami University to become an optometrist.  

“By seeking God’s friendship, fellowship, and guidance, I hope to align my life with His purpose and to make a positive impact on the world around me,” she said.

Kimmet plans to pursue a degree from Miami University to become an optometrist.

U.S. 224/Lincoln Highway crash…

One person was transported by ambulance to OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital after a two-vehicle accident at U.S. 224 and Lincoln Highway Monday afternoon. The accident occurred at approximately 3:45 p.m. when a pickup truck apparently ran a stop sign and struck a car that was traveling along U.S. 224. The Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol investigated the accident and the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office provided traffic control at the scene. Bob Barnes/VWFD photographer

Car vs. pole…

This single vehicle accident occurred shortly after 4 p.m. Monday at the intersection of Crawford and Harrison streets, when a car collided with a utility pole at the intersection. The Van Wert Fire Department’s EMS unit responded to the scene but no assistance was required. City police investigated the accident. Bob Barnes/VWFD photographer

Prices at the pump drop, for now

VW independent staff/submitted information

Average gasoline prices in Ohio have fallen 16.1 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $4.53 per gallon on Monday, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 5,345 stations in Ohio, but it’s a trend that’s not expected to continue.

Prices in Ohio are 84.5 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and stand $1.50 per gallon higher than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has decreased 0.5 cents compared to a week ago and stands at $5.618 per gallon.
 
According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Ohio was priced at $3.59 per gallon on Sunday, while the most expensive was $5.89 per gallon, a difference of $2.30 per gallon.

The national average price of gasoline has fallen one cent per gallon in the last week, averaging $4.47 per gallon on Monday. The national average is up 45.2 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands $1.33 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.

“The national average price of gasoline spent much of last week drifting lower after jumping early in the week as oil prices softened on hopes that diplomatic progress between the U.S. and Iran could help ease supply concerns,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “However, that optimism faded after President Trump’s meeting with China’s Xi Jinping failed to produce a breakthrough on Iran, while renewed warnings toward Tehran have helped push oil prices higher again. With global oil inventories continuing to trend toward historically tight levels, markets remain extremely sensitive to geopolitical developments and potential supply disruptions.”

“As a result, gasoline and diesel prices are likely to remain volatile, and with Memorial Day approaching, any sustained increase in oil prices could begin pushing retail fuel prices higher again in the weeks ahead,” he continued.

Historical gasoline prices in Ohio and the national average going back five years:

May 18, 2025: $3.03/g (U.S. Average: $3.14/g)
May 18, 2024: $3.59/g (U.S. Average: $3.58/g)
May 18, 2023: $3.52/g (U.S. Average: $3.52/g)
May 18, 2022: $4.47/g (U.S. Average: $4.58/g)
May 18, 2021: $2.88/g (U.S. Average: $3.04/g) 

OHSP shares results from OVI crackdown

VW independent staff/submitted information

COLUMBUS — Troopers with the Ohio State Highway Patrol, in partnership with over 100 local and state law enforcement partners, removed 158 impaired drivers from Ohio’s roadways during statewide OVI checkpoints and saturation patrols last week.

The goal of the statewide checkpoints was to deter and intercept impaired drivers, to make roadways safer for everyone traveling in Ohio. Through the three-day operation, May 14-16, troopers checked over 18,500 vehicles, removed 158 impaired drivers from Ohio’s roadways and made four felony arrests. Of those impaired drivers, 51 were arrested while traveling through a checkpoint location.

One of the checkpoints was on Ohio 81 in Allen County. A total of 305 vehicles were checkd between 6-8 p.m. No vehicles were diverted.

In addition to enforcement efforts, troopers and partnering agencies focused on educating the public and raising awareness about the dangers of driving impaired. Both troopers and Mothers Against Drunk Driving victim advocates reminded motorists that driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs is completely preventable and that designating a sober driver, or using a rideshare service, is always the safest choice.

If you see an impaired or reckless driver on the road, call #677 to be connected directly to the nearest Ohio State Highway Patrol post.

New graduates!

Shortly after receiving their diplomas, members of the Lincolnview High School Class of 2026 throw their caps in the air to celebrate. Sunday’s ceremony was the 66th in Lincolnview High School history. See the full story below. Scott Truxell/Van Wert independent

Lincolnview HS graduates 68 seniors

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

Memories that won’t soon be forgotten, but also an eye on the future. That was the theme during Sunday afternoon’s 66th annual Lincolnview High School commencement ceremony, which was held in front of a sizable crowd in the high school gymnasium.

The Class of 2026 had 68 students who received diplomas and according to Principal Brad Mendenhall, those graduates pushed the total number of Lincolnview High School graduates to over 4,000 since the school opened its doors in 1961. He also said this year’s senior class earned over $200,000 in grants and scholarships. Of the 68 graduates, 38 plan to pursue higher education, while four will enter the military. 23 will enter the workforce and two are undecided.

Class president and salutatorian Kendall Hoffman and valedictorian Delana Rank were the student speakers during Sunday’s ceremony. While they reflected fondly on the past, both also looked ahead to the future.

“We are now gathered here together as a whole for probably the last time,” Hoffman told her classmates. “Some of our paths may bring us together again, while others will choose paths that lead them away. As we realize all of this, our school days and classmates mean a great deal more to us. We can now see how we really have enjoyed our friendships together as we have been in our various classes.”

“The events of these years will be remembered fondly and with pride as we pass down the aisle of life,” she added.

“Our time at Lincolnview may be coming to a close, but that means we are simply one step closer to making a major impact on our community,” Rank said. “As we step into this next chapter, I hope we all remember this – we didn’t get here alone and we won’t go forward alone either. We have each other, we have our experiences and we have the courage to begin again.”

Mendenhall and Superintendent Jeff Snyder also delivered brief remarks to the graduates and those in attendance.

VWACCB to perform Friday in Van Wert

Submitted information

This Friday, May 22, the Van Wert Area Community Concert Band will present a concert in the bandshell at Fountain Park in downtown Van Wert. The concert will begin at 7:p.m. and is free to the public.

Music performed at the concert will include several Patriotic selections celebrating the U.S.A.‘s 250th anniversary (semiquincentennial). These selections are intended to reflect, revitalize and rekindle the pride that each of us have as citizens of the best country in the world, the United States of America.

A few of these selections are An American Celebration, Voice of the Battlefield, Beautiful Savior and a Bob Dylan medley. Band member Warren Bowery will be the featured singer on Neil Diamond”s America. Area military personnel and veterans will also be honored with a Salute To America’s Finest.

Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy a concert in this beautiful park setting. In the event of inclement weather the concert will be held in the Niswonger Performing Arts Center auditorium. Please listen to local radio stations 99.7FM WKSD or WERT 1220AM/104.3FM, check thevwindependent.com, or visit the Van Wert Area Community Concert Band Facebook page for updates.

The band is directed by Richard Sherrick and features members from Van Wert, Ohio City, Delphos, Convoy, Chat, Middle Point, Spencerville, Celina and Rockford.

The band will also provide music for the Ohio City American Legion Memorial Day ceremony Monday, May 25, at 10 a.m.

Group may not get enough signatures

By Nick Evans/Ohio Capital Journal

The organizers leading an effort to abolish Ohio property taxes are coming to a crossroads. By July 1, the campaign needs to decide if it wants to roll the dice and attempt to get on this year’s ballot or keep its powder dry and wait for another election down the road.

Last month, Ax Ohio Tax President Brian Massie announced they’ve collected 305,000 signatures so far. That puts them on track to clear the statutory minimum for the ballot, but doesn’t account for rejections. To feel confident, the campaign really wants at least 620,000 signatures for their submission.

They’re not on track for that.

Organizers can keep gathering signatures for as long as they want. Once they submit them, though, that’s pretty much it. If the campaign falls short there’s a brief, 10-day window to make up the difference. If they can’t, any subsequent effort to make the ballot would have to start over from square one.

“I want the citizens of Ohio to hear this,” Massie said. “They can rest assured that we will not stop until we get this amendment on the ballot.”

He said the campaign will announce its plans sometime in the middle of June.

Common Cause Ohio Executive Director Catherine Turcer sees citizen-initiated ballot measures as a central part of our democracy, and she’s been personally involved in several initiative campaigns. While Turcer acknowledged it can be “challenging” to wish the anti-tax campaign well, she said the point of direct democracy is that’s it’s open to everybody.

And there are some factors working in the campaign’s favor.

“We are going into really good signature gathering weather,” Turcer said.

“We’re going into farmers markets and parades, Memorial Day weekend,” she rattled off. “I mean, you can start to think about the different festivals and different ways that people are out and about outside, which makes signature collection easier than, say, January.”

Their signature total puts them in “decent shape,” Turcer said. It also doesn’t hurt that the pitch is straightforward: do you want to keep your property taxes or get rid of them?

Early morning crash…

This pickup truck was one of three vehicles involved in a crash that occurred shortly before 4 a.m. Saturday in the 400 block of S. Washington St. in Van Wert. A northbound car hit the truck, which was parked, then hit another parked vehicle, causing heavy damage to all three. Two people were transported by EMS to OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital for treatment of possible injuries. The Van Wert Fire Department used absorbent material to contain a fuel leak, and all three vehicles were towed from the scene. The Van Wert Police Department investigated the accident. Bob Barnes/VWFD photographer