Specialized local docket receives state certification

County, city offices closed on Friday

VW independent staff

All Van Wert County offices will be closed on Friday, July 3, in observance of the July 4 holiday. The Van Wert Municipal Building and Van Wert Municipal Court will also be closed on Friday.

Red Cross needs blood donations

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

The Northeast Chapter of the American Red Cross Indiana Region, which serves a handful of counties in northwest Ohio has put out the call – blood donations are desperately needed.

Isis Chaverri, Regional Communication Director Indiana Region, said the Red Cross typically sees a decrease in donations during the summer months, due to people spending time on vacation or engaging in other summertime activities.

“The blood need doesn’t take a break or vacation, so we are urging donors to come out and roll up a sleeve to help us ensure that we have a healthy blood supply during the summer,” Chaverri said. “We need donors of all blood types to donate and help those who may need transfusions.”

The guidelines for donating blood are fairly simple – donors must be at least 16 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds. There is no upper age limit. A donor must be in good health and feeling well on the day of donation. Donors can give blood every 56 days, up to six times per year.

Five blood drives are scheduled to take place in Van Wert during the month of July:

• Thursday, July 2, 12-5 p.m. at Lee Kinstle Sales and Service
• Friday, July 10, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Ohiohealth Van Wert Hospital North
• Friday, July 17, 12:30-5 p.m. at the Wassenberg Art Center
• Friday, July 24, 12-5:30 p.m. at Trinity Friends Church
• Tuesday, July 28, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. American Legion

To schedule an appointment to give at one of those blood drives, click here.

Anyone who gives through July 12 will receive a classic Red Cross/Looney Tunes T-shirt, while supplies last.

The Northeast Chapter of the American Red Cross Indiana Region serves over 1.3 million people in 17 counties in northeast Indiana including Adams, Allen, Blackford, DeKalb, Grant, Howard, Huntington, Jay, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Miami, Noble, Steuben, Tipton, Wabash, Wells and Whitley, and seven counties in northwest Ohio: Allen, Auglaize, Defiance, Mercer, Paulding, Van Wert and Williams.

SWCD offering well water test kits

Submitted information

The Van Wert Soil & Water Conservation District has partnered with Heidelberg University’s National Center for Water Quality Research to offer residents the opportunity to have their well water tested.

If your drinking water comes from a private well, you are responsible for your water’s safety. If you have never had your water supply tested, it is always a good idea to educate yourself on what is present in your drinking water and provide yourself with some baseline information in the event there are changes in the future that may impact the quality of your water supply.

Should you test your well water?

Your well has an increased likelihood of contamination if:

• Your well is more than 20 years old
• Your well was dug or driven rather than drilled
• Your well is shallow
• Your soil is sandy
• A chemical spill is known to have happened nearby
• Your well is near possible sources of contamination, such as: cropland, feedlots, landfills, industrial sites (active or abandoned).

Even if your well fits none of these categories, you cannot know the quality of your water without testing. Contaminants may have entered the ground without your knowledge or before you lived at the site.

Due to supply and testing equipment issues, the only test kit Heidelberg is offering at this time is the basic nitrate test, which includes testing for nitrates, nitrites, ammonia, chloride, sulfates, fluoride, soluble phosphorus, silica, and conductivity.

The cost of the kit is $30 (which includes shipping), made payable to Van Wert SWCD.

The test kits will be for sale Monday, July 20, through Friday, July 24. The samples must be returned to the Van Wert SWCD on Monday, July 27, between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Please take the sample right before dropping the kit back off so that it is as fresh as possible. Participants can expect their confidential results back in two to four weeks from Heidelberg University.

ATM Crypto refunds may be available

Submitted information

COLUMBUS — The Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Financial Institutions has issued a consumer alert to Ohioans who have used cryptocurrency ATM kiosks operated by Bitcoin Depot Inc. Consumers may be eligible to seek compensation for outstanding funds after the company, which operated kiosks nationwide, recently ceased operations after filing for bankruptcy.

Bitcoin Depot Operating LLC filed for bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas in May 2026 and has since shut down its network of bitcoin ATMs. The company previously operated in 33 states, including Ohio, and held money transmission license number OHMT 263 with the Division.

A bitcoin ATM is a physical kiosk that allows people to buy or sometimes sell cryptocurrency, usually using cash or a debit card. Unlike a traditional bank ATM, it doesn’t connect to a bank account. Rather, it transfers cryptocurrency to a digital wallet or to an address the user provides.

In the past year, Bitcoin Depot processed 10,637 individual transactions in Ohio across at least 50 machines. Any Ohioan who believes they may have been impacted by a scam involving these machines is encouraged to file a claim. The Division is aware of a small number of 32 consumers who are owed a total of $90,907 in refunds – ranging from $18 to nearly $43,000. While those individuals will be contacted directly, the Division is calling attention to this matter for any other Ohioans who have used these services and may be entitled to a refund.

Ohio consumers who believe they are owed money or have an outstanding claim with Bitcoin Depot may file a claim through the bankruptcy case. Consumers can also contact the company’s restructuring hotline at 844.339.4117, or email BitcoinDepotInfo@ra.kroll.com for assistance.

Before filing a claim, the Division urges consumers to gather all receipts, transaction records, and supporting documentation.

Tax budget subject of public hearing

VW independent staff

Van Wert City Council’s next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 13, but immediately prior to the meeting, council will hold a 6:15 p.m. public hearing to discuss the tax budget. The public is encouraged to attend.

Over 100 school districts have armed staff

Megan Henry/Ohio Capital Journal

More than 70 Ohio school districts, including one in Paulding County, and 15 Christian schools have staff members who are authorized to carry weapons on school grounds, according to the Ohio School Safety Center. 

A mix of 116 school districts and independent schools have armed staff members, as of June 17. Many of the schools are rural, but there are some urban and suburban districts. 

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed a bill into law in 2022 that grants local boards of education authority to decide whether to allow their teachers and school workers to carry firearms.

It lowered the required training hours for armed personnel from 700 hours to at least 24, but school boards have the authority to mandate more hours. 

“It’s not a sufficient amount of training,” said Ohio Federation of Teachers President Melissa Cropper. “We’re talking about highly intense situations that require a lot of not only tactical training on how to use weapons. but how to deal with making split second decisions.” 

She testified against the bill when it was in the legislature in 2021. 

“I wish that (the lawmakers) would trust us with what we’re actually trained to do, which is to educate students,” Cropper said. “We are firm believers in local control around issues, but we still think it is bad policy for schools to allow teachers to carry guns.”

The law did grandfather in some school districts that had previous training, as long as the training met the requirements of the law. 

There have been more than 430 school shootings since Columbine in 1999, according to The Washington Post. 

Antwerp Local Schools has had a few armed staff members for years. The rural school district has about 700 students and about 100 staff members. 

Police response was the main factor in the decision to arm staff, said district superintendent Marty Miller.

Safety alert issued for high temperatures

VW independent staff/submitted information

COLUMBUS — Governor Mike DeWine and the Ohio Emergency Management Agency are issuing an urgent safety alert regarding the dangerously hot weather conditions impacting the state this week.

According to the National Weather Service, temperatures will reach the mid-90s but humidity will cause the temperature to feel like it is well above 100 degrees. In addition to hot and humid daytime conditions, overnight lows are expected to be in the 70s, providing little relief to the high temperatures. The heatwave is anticipated to last through Thursday. 

“No matter where you live in Ohio, you’ll be impacted by this week’s dangerously high temperatures,” said Governor DeWine. “I encourage everyone to be mindful of how dangerous prolonged periods of intense heat can be and take steps to protect themselves.” 

Extreme heat is responsible for more weather-related deaths than any other hazard. Those who face the highest risk are older adults, infants, and children; individuals with chronic health conditions; outdoor workers and athletes; and those without air conditioning or access to cooling centers.

The Ohio EMA offers the following information: 

During extreme heat:

• Know the signs of a heat-related illness: heavy sweating, cramps, exhaustion, headaches, dizziness, nausea, and/or a fast heart rate.
• Stay inside with air conditioning; avoid relying on fans alone.
• If you do not have air conditioning, call 2-1-1 for cooling center locations.
• Stay hydrated by regularly drinking water or electrolyte-enhanced fluids.
• Wear loose, light-colored clothing and wide-brimmed hats.
• If working outdoors, stay in the shade as long as possible and take breaks often.
• Avoid being outside during peak sun between 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
• Check on vulnerable neighbors.

United Way approves local allocations

Submitted information

The United Way of Van Wert County Board of Trustees approved allocations for 2026-27. Funding was awarded to 34 programs offered by 31 agencies locally that help to provide social services throughout the county. The process includes an extensive review of program results while also looking at the most pressing needs of the community.

A full listing of grants provided out of funds raised by the 2026-27 United Way campaign is as follows:

Angel Foundation was awarded funds for providing a lifelong wish for a terminal adult who would otherwise not be able to have the wish fulfilled. The wishes many times involve an entire family and participating in the wish provides some respite from the illness.

Autism Support Squad of Northwest Ohio was awarded funds for hosting sensory-friendly events and providing safe, comfortable environments for individuals with autism and their families.

Career Connections was awarded funds to help with their program that provides financial literacy education as well as encourage workforce readiness and entrepreneurial ideas in many grade levels at Van Wert, Lincolnview, Crestview, and Saint Mary’s Elementary Schools.

CERT (The Community Emergency Response Team) was awarded funds to assist victims with fire and local disaster relief for shelter, food, clothing and support. The funds will also be used to provide canteening for our local first responders, volunteers and victims.

CHP- Hospice & Adult Day Center was awarded funds for two of their programs. The Adult Day Care enables the adult client to be in good hands and provide peace of mind for the caregiver while they are away. Community Health Professionals provides comprehensive home health and hospice services. Our funding helps cover the cost of medication, staffing, and services not covered by insurance.

Convoy Sports Center was awarded funds for their summer youth programs. These funds are used to cover the entry fees of kids of all ages that wish to play on a summer ball team at the Convoy Sports Center whose parents may not be able to afford this opportunity.

Council on Aging was awarded funds for their homemaker, Zumba, and transportation services. These programs can provide seniors with routine light housework, grocery shopping, lawn mowing, outdoor chores, exercise in a social group setting, and transportation to essential appointments. These programs prolong independent living, provide relief for caregivers, and offer friendship and emotional support to clients.

Crestview Latchkey was awarded funds to provide a safe and nurturing environment for children in preschool through fifth grade, while parents are working. Afterschool snack, homework assistance, structured and free choice activities are available for all children during latchkey hours.

Crisis Care Line was awarded funds to assist victims and their children who were involved in a case of domestic violence, family violence or sexual assault. Their primary work is to provide safe, emergency housing, crisis intervention, food, clothing, transportation and support services to victims and their families to help them survive their immediate trauma and to secure a safer future.

Convoy Fire & EMS serving up pancakes

VW independent staff

CONVOY — On Saturday, July 11, Convoy Fire & EMS will host a pancake and sausage breakfast from 7-9 a.m. at the Edgewood Park Community Building on Ohio 49, on the north edge of Convoy.

It’s a free will donation and proceeds will go toward purchasing new fire and EMS equipment.

Anyone who would like to help with the pancake day meal can contact one of the chairmen. All help will be greatly appreciated.

Gas prices unchanged from last week

VW independent staff/submitted information

With the Independence Day holiday just days away, average gasoline prices in Ohio largely remain unchanged 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 59.8 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand 83.4 cents per gallon higher than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has decreased 11.4 cents compared to a week ago and stands at $4.876 per gallon.

According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Ohio was priced at $3.07 per gallon on Sunday while the most expensive was $4.99 per gallon, a difference of $1.92 per gallon.
 
The national average price of gasoline has fallen 6.9 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.78 per gallon on Monday. The national average is down 55.6 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 64.2 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.

“Average gasoline prices fell in 46 states over the last week, with diesel declining in 49, pushing the national average to its lowest level since mid-March,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “The declines came despite a turbulent week, as fresh attacks were traded between the U.S. and Iran before both sides agreed to halt hostilities just in time Sunday, preventing what could have been a significant spike in oil prices. For now, GasBuddy anticipates the national average will continue drifting lower this week, though the situation remains anything but predictable.”

“A handful of price-cycling states could see prices jump ahead of the July 4 holiday, while many states that already cycled higher last week should see prices fall back down,” he added. “Motorists in non-cycling states are likely to see continued relief, but the fragile nature of the U.S.-Iran situation means the outlook could shift quickly.”