It’s National DD Awareness Month; inclusion matters

Dixon fire update…

Van Wert County Sheriff Thomas M. Riggenbach has released an update on last week’s fatal house fire in Dixon (see story here). According to Riggenbach, the deceased individual in the house fire was identified as Jeffrey Gillespie, 67, of Dixon. Riggenbach said during the initial call about the fire, it was reported that it was believed someone fired multiple rounds into the caller’s home. Deputies located multiple bullet holes in the neighboring home. Sheriff Riggenbach stated that based on information and evidence collected at the scene, it is believed the shots came from the home that burned down and were fired by Gillespie. Bob Barnes photo

Meth bust…

An early morning traffic stop in Van Wert led to the discovery of suspected meth and one arrest. According to Van Wert Police Chief Doug Weigle, it happened just after 5:30 this morning on N. Washington St. near Third St. Suspicious activity was noticed by the officer and the Van Wert Police K-9 was called to the scene. K-9 Nico made a positive alert and Cianan David Burnett, 28, of Van Wert, was observed taking items from his pocket and sticking it down the backside of his pants to try to conceal the items. A search was completed and a quarter pound of suspected meth was located. It was packaged for sale. Burnett is currently charged with possession of methamphetamine and trafficking in methamphetamine, both second degree felonies. He was taken to the Van Wert County Jail. VWPD photo

Trey’s Law legislation introduced

VW independent staff/submitted information

COLUMBUS — State Representatives Roy Klopfenstein (R-Haviland) and Melanie Miller (R-Ashland) recently introduced “Trey’s Law,” legislation designed to strengthen protections for victims of sexual abuse and ensure perpetrators are held accountable for their crime.

Trey’s Law works to ensure that child victims of sexual abuse in Ohio cannot be silenced through nondisclosure or confidentiality agreements by making it clear that any agreement such as an employment contract, settlement agreement, or other arrangement that prohibits a person from speaking about sexual abuse is void and unenforceable.

“One in eight children in our country will experience some form of sexual abuse,” Representative Klopfenstein said. “Under no circumstances should an abuser be allowed to retraumatize a survivor by using a nondisclosure agreement to silence them and keep their story hidden.”

“No contract should ever be used to cover up criminal behavior,” Representative Miller said. “Trey’s Law ensures that those who commit abuse cannot rely on legal loopholes to escape accountability. Our responsibility is to protect children, stand for transparency, and allow survivors to share their stories without fear of repercussions.”

Trey’s Law is named after Trey Carlock, from Texas, who was a victim of child sexual abuse for over a decade at Kamp Kanakuk in southwest Missouri. According to Treyslaw.org, after Kamp Kanakuk director and serial sex offender, Pete Newman, was sentenced to three life terms in 2010, Trey pursued justice to hold others involved accountable through civil litigation. That process ended with a restrictive settlement agreement, which included a nondisclosure agreement, barring Trey from ever speaking about his abuse and Kanakuk’s role in it. Trey tragically died by suicide at the age of 28.

Similar legislation has been passed in Texas, Alabama, Tennessee, California, Missouri and has been introduced in numerous other states.

The bill will receive a number in the coming days, along with a House committee assignment.

FOP Lodge 62 event…

Members of Van Wert FOP Lodge 62 are extending a heartfelt thank you to everyone that attended the Lodge’s third annual community dinner and fundraising event, which was held on February 21 at Willow Bend Country Club. Thanks to the generosity and support from the community, local business owners, members and their families, the Lodge was able to surpass both of the previous years’ gross donations and exceeded this year’s goal expectations. This success will help the Lodge continue serving the community and local law enforcement officers and their families. A highlight of the event was awarding Delphos Detective Dave Clark (pictured) with the Lodge Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award. Next year’s event has already been scheduled for February 20, 2027, at the new Walnut and Main Event Space. Photo submitted

Gas prices in flux, increase locally

VW independent staff/submitted information

Average gasoline prices in Ohio have fallen 7.8 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.76 per gallon on Monday, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 5,345 stations in Ohio. However, that trend doesn’t appear as though it will continue.

Monday afternoon, gas prices at many gas stations in Van Wert alone jumped from the $2.52 range to $3.18 or $3.19 per gallon for self-serve regular.

To start the week, prices in Ohio were 0.8 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and stand 0.5 cents per gallon higher than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has increased 5.4 cents compared to a week ago and stands at $3.740 per gallon.
 
According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Ohio was priced at $2.11 per gallon on Sunday while the most expensive was $3.49 per gallon, a difference of $1.38 per gallon.

The national average price of gasoline has risen 5.6 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.94 per gallon on Monday. The national average is up 7.8 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 10.1 cents per gallon lower 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.

“Looking ahead, markets will now begin reacting to this weekend’s U.S.–Iran attacks, which have elevated geopolitical risk premiums even in the absence of immediate supply disruption,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “Oil prices have firmed as traders assess the potential for further escalation, and while fundamentals such as inventories and refinery activity remain important anchors, the risk of broader instability, particularly involving key transit routes, has injected fresh uncertainty into energy markets. In the week ahead, gasoline prices are likely to face heightened upward pressure as seasonal trends continue and markets navigate this evolving geopolitical landscape, with the national average poised to reach the $3-per-gallon mark for the first time this year.”

RTA tickets can be purchased in-person

VW independent staff/submitted information

The Van Wert Area Economic Development Corporation (VWAEDC) is now offering in-person sales of Regional Transit Authority (RTA) public transportation tickets, providing residents with a convenient local option to purchase bus fare using cash.

The service supports the launch of public transportation in Van Wert County earlier this year, and provides an accessible solution for residents who prefer not to share credit card information over the phone or who do not have access to banking services.

Residents can purchase RTA tickets at the Van Wert Area Economic Development office located at 140 E. Main Street in Van Wert.

• Tickets cost $3 each, the starting fare for one-way rides within Van Wert.
• Fares may increase depending on travel distance throughout Van Wert County. 
• The VWAEDC office accepts cash only.

After purchasing tickets, riders will:

• Call the RTA at 419.222.2782 (press 0 for a dispatcher) or use the mobile app to schedule a ride.
• Create a personal rider profile using their name, address, and phone number.
• Provide the ticket(s) to the driver when picked up.

Once a profile is created, future rides can be scheduled more quickly.

History of the Brumback Library branches

Editor’s note: this year the Brumback Library is celebrating 125 years of service to the community. Each month, library officials will tell the story of The Brumback Library, chapter by chapter. This month’s installment looks back at the history of the library’s branches around Van Wert County. The story is told by Brumback Library Patron Service Specialist Susan K. Semer.

By Susan K. Semer

The successful opening of The Brumback Library in 1901 was the culmination of years of planning, building, purchasing and staffing. The location was conducive to allow city residents acquisition of books on a daily basis. However, the original goal of John S. Brumback was to give access to the entire county.

The board realized books must be sent to the people of the rural districts, but there wasn’t a forerunning formula to follow. It was important to keep support for this venture of a county library and to establish trust and service to every person in the 423 square miles of Van Wert County. The board proposed an experimental plan utilizing the railroads, the rural general stores, drug stores and hardwares, and finally the proprietors of each of these establishments. 

Willshire was chosen as the first recipient of branch services. Willshire had been the original county seat and was the furthest location from the main library. The Hurless/Brown Hardware received a shipment of 100 books via the Clover Leaf Railroad, from the Van Wert Brumback Library. The books were packed in a stenciled gray Brumback packing crate with hinged lid and lock. A bookcase was provided for display and so inaugural library service at this branch began with twenty-five young people checking out books the first day.

The same year Ohio City received a shipment of 50 books to be housed in the Swoveland Drug store and it was noted “Good books are the best companions…. and we would like to share in the benefit of this library as well as the expense.”

Convoy, Middle Point, the Van Wert County portion of Delphos, Hutchinson, Venedocia, Dasie (present day Middlebury), and Cavett also were recipients of books to establish mini-libraries in their places of business.

A new matter of discussion for the board to contemplate concerned the branch custodians of these books. Trained librarians in Van Wert were paid to circulate books, but how would rural business owners be compensated? It was decided these library stations brought in potential customers so the partnership was a mutual benefit for both the branch and The Brumback Library, but a yearly salary of $50 was paid to each branch for extra duties. Blue and white enamel signs were posted at each location:

Time change to take place this weekend

VW independent staff

This weekend is when we “Spring Forward” one hour to Daylight Saving Time. The time change will officially occur at 2 a.m. Sunday, March 8.

Van Wert sets kindergarten registration

Submitted information

Van Wert City Schools will hold kindergarten registration for the 2026–2027 school year from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday, March 23, through Thursday, April 2, at the Van Wert Early Childhood Center, 1120 Buckeye Drive.

To enroll in kindergarten, children must be five years old on or before August 19, 2026, the first day of the district’s school year. No child shall be admitted to first grade who has not successfully completed kindergarten.

There is no kindergarten screening prior to the start of the school year. Screenings will be conducted within the first six weeks of school while students are attending.

Kindergarten registration forms are available here. Parents are encouraged to download and complete forms prior to arrival to help expedite the registration process.

Parents who live outside the Van Wert City Schools district and wish for their child to attend the Van Wert Early Childhood Center must complete an Open Enrollment Request form in addition to the registration packet during this time. Open enrollment spaces are limited.

Required documents for registration

Parents/guardians must bring the following documents at the time of registration:

• Completed Registration Packet
• Child’s Official Birth Certificate
• Child’s Immunization Records
• Parent/Guardian Photo ID Copy
• Custody Decree (if applicable)
• Court Orders (if applicable)
• Grandparent POA or Caretaker Authorization (if applicable)
• Proof of Residency in the Van Wert City School District for parent/legal guardian (consisting of a deed, building permit, rental agreement, tax statement, voter registration, or completion of Form 5111 F2)

UNOH hosting ag power contest

VW independent staff/submitted information

LIMA — The University of Northwestern Ohio will host the Ohio Future Farmers of America Association’s State Finals in Agricultural Power Diagnostics Contest on Friday, March 6. The top 15 high school teams from Ohio will compete for more than $75,000 in scholarships in the 400 Building on UNOH’s campus in Lima. Teams qualify by placing first in the district contest, or second at the district contest and having one of the top 5 team scores on the online exam for Farm Power Diagnostics.

The state finals contest will from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a lunch break from 12:45-1:15 p.m.

Each team member of the winning teams will receive the following scholarships to the University of Northwestern Ohio: first place – $10,000; second place – $6,000; third place – $5,000; fourth place – $5,000; fifth place – $4,000; sixth place – $3,000; seventh place – $2,000; eighth place – $1,000; ninth place – $1,000, and tenth place – $1,000.

Schools qualifying for this year’s contest are: Allen East High School, Ansonia High School, Belmont Career Center, Buckeye Career Center, Delaware Area Career Center, Fairfield Union High School, Fairview High School, Fayetteville High School,  Four County Career Center, Harrison Career Center, Hillsdale High School, Mechanicsburg High School, National Trail-MVCTC, Warren County Career Center, and Wynford High School