Entries being accepted for Independence Day parade

County’s Feb. jobless rate down slightly

VW independent staff/submitted information

Van Wert County’s unemployment rate of 4.1 percent in February was slightly under January’s rate (4.2 percent). According to estimates released by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services on Monday, 13,500 of the county’s total workforce of 14,100 were employed during the month, leaving approximately 600 people unemployed in February.

Among the state’s 88 counties, preliminary February 2026 unemployment rates ranged from a low of 3.2 percent in Holmes County to a high of 7.6 percent in Meigs County.

From January, unemployment rates increased in 20 counties, decreased in 42 counties, and did not change in 26 counties. The comparable February unemployment rate for Ohio was 4.7 percent. 

Eleven counties had unemployment rates at or below 4.0 percent in February. The counties with the lowest rates, other than Holmes were: Mercer, 3.4 percent; Union, 3.5 percent; Auglaize and Delaware, 3.6 percent; Wyandot, 3.9 percent; Franklin, Hancock, Medina, Paulding and Warren, 4.0 percent.

Nine counties had unemployment rates above 7.0 percent in February. The counties with the highest rates, other than Meigs were: Pike, 7.5 percent; Jackson and Vinton, 7.4 percent; Adams, Noble and Ottawa, 7.2 percent; Monroe and Morgan, 7.1 percent.

Other than Mercer, Auglaize and Paulding, jobless rates for other neighboring counties include Putnam County at 4.1 percent and Allen County at 4.9 percent.

Enrollment nears for nutrition program

VW independent/submitted information

LIMA — The Ohio Department of Aging (AGE) and Area Agency on Aging 3 is announcing a new season of the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP). Eligible Ohioans will once again have access to $50 in fresh locally grown fruits, vegetables, fresh-cut herbs, and unprocessed honey.

Enrollment is scheduled to begin at noon on Wednesday, April 22. That is when applications for the 2026 season of the SFMNP will be available online at aging.ohio.gov/SFMNP. The application deadline is 6 p.m. Friday, May 22.

“The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program is a fantastic way to bring fruits and vegetables into the homes of older Ohioans, while also supporting local farmers,” said AGE Director Ursel J. McElroy. “Providing additional ways for older adults to eat well and make healthy choices is another way we are making Ohio the best place to age in the nation.”

To be eligible for the program, Ohioans must be 60 or older and earn less than 185% of the federal poverty level. Ohioans must reapply every year to continue receiving benefits. 

If help is needed in applying, please contact the Nutrition Department at Area Agency on Aging 3 at 419.222.7723 or via email at nutrition@psa3.org. 

As was the case in 2024 and 2025, program recipients will have the opportunity to sign up for digital benefits this year, redeemable with a smartphone app. Ohioans who sign up for the program with an email address will receive a confirmation email of their approval and can begin using their $50 starting on May 15. 

Physical membership cards also remain available. Ohioans who chose to receive physical cards last year, and who remain eligible this year, will be able to reuse those cards in 2026, with the $50 loaded onto the cards on May 15. Physical cards will also be delivered to eligible Ohioans who misplaced their 2025 cards, did not obtain a physical card in 2025, or who are signing up for the first time in 2026. Physical cards may take 4-6 weeks for delivery.

The program supports Ohio’s food and agriculture industry. The initiative benefits Ohio’s farmers and farmers’ markets through greater agricultural revenue being brought to Ohio. The SFMNP also improves the local economy and strengthens Ohio’s food system.

Interested farmers or markets wanting more information about the program can contact the Ohio Farmers Market Network at Senior@ohiofarmersmarketnetwork.org.

You can find more information and answers to frequently asked questions about the SFMNP on AGE’s website.

VW County group tours data center park

VW independent staff/submitted information

NEW ALBANY — More than 50 elected officials, community stakeholders, business leaders and education partners from Van Wert County traveled to New Albany on Monday to tour one of Ohio’s most established data center and industrial park developments.

Van Wert Area Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Brent Stevens said the visit was an important step in ensuring the community is informed and prepared.

“As this project moves forward, we are committed to giving our community clear, factual information and opportunities to ask questions,” Stevens said. “We intentionally invited a range of voices, including residents who have expressed concerns, because transparency is critical. 

“Seeing a community like New Albany firsthand helps bring clarity to what this type of development can look like in practice,” he added.

The visit, organized by the local economic development office and funded by Thor Equities, provided attendees with a close-up look at New Albany’s International Business Park, now home to more than 40 operational data centers, with an additional 28 currently under construction. 

Crestview OKs contracts, resignations

DAVE MOSIER/for the independent

CONVOY – The Crestview Local Board of Education approved a number of housekeeping personnel items — including a position trade by two administrators — during its April meeting on Monday.

First, though, board members were treated to a Focus on Education presentation by six elementary Technology Class students who showed off computer skills they learned this school year.

Crestview Elementary Technology Intervention Specialist Ellen Jones explained that Technology Class students learn computational skills such as coding and debugging, sequencing and algorithms, while also collaborating with other students on computer projects.

The students, who were in grades 3-6, then demonstrated their coding projects by making their devices complete a number of tasks, with one of the most impressive being devices that could pick up a small ball and toss it into a plastic basket (at least most of the time).

Following the presentation, board members quickly dealt with a number of housekeeping items that included personnel resignations and a number of administrative, teaching and non-teaching contract approvals (see in other news for more details).

Among actions approved by the board was the resignation of Middle School Principal Trent Kreischer, who was then given a three-year administrative contract as district director of curriculum/instruction. His replacement as Middle School principal is current Curriculum/Instruction Director Brent Latman, who was also given a three-year administrative contract as principal on Monday.

Several other district administrative staff were given three-year contracts, including Athletic Administrator Austin Fleming, Sara Miller (administrative assistant/EMIS), Crestview High School Principal Mimi Myers, and Latchkey Director Hailey Waltmire.

The new contracts are in effect August 1 and run through July 31, 2029.

Gas prices fall, but may rise again soon

Independent staff/submitted information

Average gasoline prices in Ohio have fallen 17.7 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.67 per gallon on Sunday, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 5,345 stations in Ohio. Prices in Ohio are 4.1 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand 60.2 cents per gallon higher than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has decreased 11.7 cents compared to a week ago and stands at $5.50 per gallon. Local gasoline prices ranged from $3.44 to $3.99 on Monday.

According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Ohio was priced at $3.18 a gallon on Sunday while the most expensive was $5.59 per gallon, a difference of $2.41 a gallon. The lowest price in the state on Sunday was $3.18 per gallon, while the highest was $5.59 a gallon, a difference of $2.41 per gallon.

The national average price of gasoline has fallen 9.4 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.97 per gallon on Monday. The national average is up 3.9 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 87.4 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 declined in 48 states over the last week, while diesel prices fell in 46 states, offering a welcome break at pumps, with the national average price of gasoline dipping below the $4 per gallon mark over the weekend,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “However, that relief may prove fleeting. Oil prices surged in Sunday night trading after Iran re-closed the Strait of Hormuz and President Trump signaled further escalation if Tehran does not come to an agreement. 

“With global oil flows remaining at risk, renewed volatility is taking hold, and the continued back-and-forth is making any lasting resolution increasingly fragile,” DeHaan added. “As a result, gasoline prices are likely to rise again in the days ahead, with diesel expected to follow if disruptions persist, and many of the states that exhibit price cycling could see increases in the next 24-48 hours.”
GasBuddy®, a PDI Technologies company, is North America’s trusted fuel savings platform, helping consumers fuel up for less for over 25 years.

Van Wert YMCA hosting Healthy Kids Day

The YMCA of Van Wert County will host Healthy Kids Day Saturday, April 25 — a free community event designed to help children and families explore fun, practical ways to support physical health, mental well-being, and overall wellness.

Healthy Kids Day is built to show kids that healthy habits can be enjoyable and approachable. The event will include activities and education that introduce families to simple ways to move more, eat well, and practice positive coping skills that support both physical and emotional health.

The YMCA has invited community partners to join the day and connect families to local resources. Healthy Kids Day also highlights opportunities available year-round through the YMCA, including programs such as summer camps, swim lessons, youth sports, and wellness offerings in our community.

The event is designed for families to participate together. By creating shared experiences for parents and children, Healthy Kids Day supports healthy routines that can continue at home.

With screen time increasing and childhood inactivity on the rise, Healthy Kids Day provides an opportunity for kids to get moving through games, sports, and hands-on activities. The day also emphasizes confidence, teamwork, and social connection—supporting the YMCA’s focus on helping youth grow strong in body, mind, and spirit. For more information about this event please feel free to contact Membership Director Jaz Sandhu at jaz@vwymca.org.

YWCA planning Community Poker Run

VW independent/submitted information

The YWCA of Van Wert County, in partnership with Wetzel Motorcycle Club, invites car, truck, Jeep, and motorcycle enthusiasts to get their motors running and hit the road for a Community Poker Run on Saturday, May 23. Proceeds from the event will support the YWCA Summer Food Program, now in its 31st year of serving local children.

The Summer Food program provides free meals for all Van Wert County children ages 18 and under regardless of income level, and free activities are also available for children entering pre-school through sixth grade. The dates for this year’s program are June 8 through July 24, 2026.

The Community Poker Run will begin and end at the Van Wert Moose Lodge with stops along the route including 1820 BrewWerks in Kalida, Landeck Tavern in Delphos, Loaded Barrel Bar and Grill in Celina, and Second Crossing Brewery in Rockford. Participants will receive a stamp at each location. Upon returning to the Moose Lodge and verifying all stops, players will draw a poker hand, with the best hand winning half of the event’s registration fees.

“We are excited to partner on this event with Wetzel Motorcycle Club,” said Candy Lammers, YWCA Board member and Poker Run organizer. “They are a very generous organization within our community — especially when it comes to helping local youth.”

VWCT sets youth production auditions

VW independent/submitted information

Van Wert Civic Theatre announces audition dates for the upcoming youth production of Murder on the Monkey Express.

This comedy-mystery recounts the misfortunes and monkey murders Herbie Hampton experiences while vacationing, which lands him in an interrogation room! From the train to the cruise ship to the plane to the interrogation room, Herbie meets a wide variety of outrageous people and monkeys, experiences chaos and fun, and might just discover secrets about his forgotten past. This is a fun show for all ages that’ll make you go bananas!

Auditions will be held April 26-27 by appointment at Van Wert Civic Theatre, 118 S. Race St. in Van Wert.

Director Grace Doctor, Assistant Director Emily Gehle, and Rehearsal Assistant Abbie Mengerink are looking for auditioners ages 7-18 with reading skills to fill the show with over 20 roles. Auditioners can expect to read lines from a script and do mini acting exercises. Nothing needs to be prepared in advance. 

Each auditioner is expected to have signed up prior to auditioning, so make sure to fill out the audition form online. The form can be accessed by scanning the QR code found on the Van Wert Civic Theatre Facebook page. 

Performances will be held June 4-6 at 7:30 p.m. and June 7 at 2 p.m.

Crestview announces prom date, times

VW independent/submitted information

CONVOY — The Crestview Junior-Senior Prom, sponsored by the Class of 2027, will be held Saturday, April 25, from 7:30-10:30 p.m., in the Ray Etzler Gymnasium. This year’s theme is “Mama Mia.” 

A community open house will be held from 6-7 p.m. April 25 and promenade will follow immediately in the high school auditeria from 7-8 p.m. 

The community is invited to attend the open house and promenade events.

Hundreds of local voters cast early ballots

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

Nearly two weeks into Ohio’s early voting period, more than 600 registered voters in Van Wert County have taken advantage of the option ahead of the May 5 primary election.

According to Pam Henderson, Director of the Van Wert County Board of Elections, 565 voters cast ballots in-person as of 5 p.m. Friday. In addition, 94 ballots were mailed out and 39 have been returned so far.

Henderson said that, during the last governor’s election in 2022, there was a local voter turnout of 28 percent, adding she’s expecting a similar turnout for this election.

“A reminder to voters that this is a primary election and the voter will need to choose which party ballot they wish to vote,” she said. “Their choices are Democratic, Republican, and Libertarian.  Voters can view their sample ballots on our website.”

Remaining early voting hours are listed below. A valid photo ID is required to vote.

There are three local Republican races, along with some other statewide races on the ballot.

Van Wert County Juvenile/Probate Court Judge Eva Yarger, who was appointed to the seat earlier this year by Governor Mike DeWine, is seeking to retain the seat. She’s running against County Commissioner Todd Wolfrum. The winner will be unopposed in November. Profiles of Yarger and Wolfrum can be found here.