Wind storm left thousands of AEP customers in the dark

LHS Theatre Dept. presents comedy-drama

Submitted information

The Lincolnview High School Theatre Department will present the comedy-drama Sitting in a Tree beginning this week at the Van Wert Civic Theatre.

Sitting in a Tree is a heartfelt story that follows the lives of John and Sarah as they navigate the joys, challenges, humor, and heartache that come with growing up, falling in love, and building a life together. Blending comedy with touching moments of reflection, the play explores how love grows not through grand gestures, but through everyday choices, patience, forgiveness, and shared memories.

The production spans several decades in the lives of the characters, beginning with the awkward moments of young love and moving through marriage, family life, and the golden years. Along the way, audiences will encounter colorful characters, humorous situations, and heartfelt moments that remind us that love often grows stronger through life’s complications.

The student cast features Noah Peters as John and Hadley Goins as Sarah. Other cast members include Kale Kundert as Howard, Gabby Thomas as Alice, Graham Kill as Archie, Heath Turner as Grandpa, Abby Dannenfelser as Laura, Katie Kundert as Elizabeth, Yaddo Von Stetina and Maliya Hershberger as Aunt Gertrude, Elijah Martz as Rufus the sweeper salesman, Owen Dannenfelser as Cletus the Clown, Aiden Smith as the clown assistant, Logan Block as the Pastor, Kyleigh Cummings as Agnes, Marcus Kerns as Reverend Eli, Finn Howard as Carrie, Zae Dee Lippi as Kimberly, Theo Anderson as Kent, Eddy Hesseling as Jack, and Karson Kundert as Freddy.

Adult guest actors include Dan Bulau and Jean Bulau portraying the elderly John and Sarah, along with Ken Markward as the elderly Archie.

The production also features an elementary ensemble including Elijah Malone and Willow Snyder as the young John and Sarah along with Lydia Allison, Georgie Carey, Eden Early, Hunter Hitchcock, Molly Hughes, Logan Lape, and Connor Watkins.

Howell Scholarship seeking applications

Submitted information

Applications are now being accepted for the Howell Memorial Scholarship Program.

The Howell Memorial Scholarship Program will award two separate scholarships of $1,000 each to one boy in memory of James Howell and one girl in memory of Kathleen Davis.  

The purpose is to provide a one-time assistance to two students who have displayed excellence in the classroom and in extracurricular activities (sports, performing arts, community projects, etc.). Scholarship money may be applied to the cost of tuition, room/board or books.

To apply, a student must be a senior currently enrolled at a school in one of the following counties: Allen, Auglaize, Hancock, Mercer, Hardin, Putnam or Van Wert.

All applications submitted before the deadline will be considered upon review of grades, extracurricular activities and references. Completed forms need to be submitted by Friday, April 17. Winners will be announced by April 30.

Scan the QR Code and follow the link to fill out the Howell Memorial Scholarship Program Application.

Yost releases 2026 “Yellow Book”

VW independent staff/submitted information

COLUMBUS — Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost today released the 2026 edition of the Ohio Sunshine Laws manual, which clarifies that messaging applications and platforms that automatically delete records should not be used to conduct public business.

The Sunshine Laws manual, affectionately called the “Yellow Book,” is issued annually during the national observance of Sunshine Week (March 15-21 this year). The manual is a guide to Ohio’s Public Records and Open Meetings laws and aims to help citizens and public servants understand their rights and responsibilities under the law.

In the 2026 edition, the “practical pointers” for records management include this new directive: “Avoid using platforms or applications that automatically delete records.” Applications used to exchange digital communications – texts, images or videos – that automatically disappear from the recipient’s device and servers after a set time or upon being viewed should not be used for public business. Common examples of these applications include Signal, WhatsApp and Snapchat.

“Self-destructing messages are for movie characters, not public officials,” Yost said. “Using disappearing messages will only self-destruct your career and your credibility.”

Under Ohio law, whether something is public record depends on its content, not the platform used to send it. Automatically deleting communications before they can be reviewed or retained could violate the Public Records Act, the manual says, which is why such transient-messaging apps should not be used to conduct public business.

In the Yellow Book’s introduction, Yost invokes a recent Ohio case to underscore why transparency is essential. Ohio v. Wade Steen, et al involved two members of the State Teachers Retirement System who conspired about a $65 billion investment through secret communications outside of normal public board rules. In February, a judge ruled that the two had violated their fiduciary duties. Both were prohibited from serving on the STRS board in the future.  

Club seeking scholarship applications

Submitted information

The Optimist Club of Van Wert is seeking applications for its annual service award scholarship. Three $2,000 scholarships will be awarded to graduating seniors from Crestview, Lincolnview, and Van Wert high schools. Vantage students from these home schools are also eligible.

The criteria are hours of community service through a church, non-profit organization, or group, and a GPA of 2.0 or above. Two letters of recommendation and a copy of the student’s transcripts are also required. The deadline for applications is 5 p.m. Friday, April 3.

This year’s application is online and can be found here.

Storm brush pickup set in Van Wert

Submitted information

Due to strong winds over the weekend and today (Monday), the City of Van Wert has scheduled a special brush pick-up.

All brush must be placed by the curb by 7 a.m. Monday, March 23.  

• Place the brush by the curb and do not place it near poles, trees, etc.
• The city will not pick up limbs larger than four inches in diameter or more than ten feet long.
• The city will not pick up brush that has been left behind by a professional tree trimmer or private contractor. If a homeowner utilized a trimming service, they are responsible for disposing of the tree.
• Brush placed in bags or boxes will not be picked up.
• The city will not pick up leaves during brush pick up.

Mutual aid call…

Fire departments from from northeast Indiana and northwest Ohio battled multiple barn fires on the same property in Adams count, Indiana Sunday. Shortly before 4:30 p.m. Wren, Willshire, and Convoy fire departments were requested for mutual aid with a full response. A short time later, tankers from Van Wert and Ohio City fire departments were also requested. In all, 12 agencies from both Ohio and Indiana battled the both the high winds and fires. Fire crews remained on scene until around 930 p.m. Sunday. Wren Fire Department photo

Regional champions!

The Lincolnview Lancers punched their ticket to the Division VI state semifinals by defeating defending regional champion Colonel Crawford 58-45 in the BGSU regional championship game Saturday night. The Lancers will now face No. 1 Marion Local in the state semifinals at 8 p.m. Friday at Wright State University. Complete coverage can be found on the Sports page, with more features coming throughout the week. Photo courtesy of Hanna Young

DeWine orders flags to fly at half-staff

VW independent staff/submitted information

COLUMBUS — Governor Mike DeWine ordered the flags of the United States and the State of Ohio to be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds statewide in honor of the life and service of three members of the Ohio Air National Guard killed during Operation Epic Fury. The flags will remain lowered until sunset on the day of their funerals.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine issued the following statement on the deaths Capt. Seth Koval of Stoutsville, Capt. Curtis Angst of Columbus, and Tech. Sgt. Tyler Simmons of Columbus, who were killed last week during Operation Epic Fury.

“Fran and I join the rest of our state and nation in mourning the tragic deaths of three elite airmen from the Ohio Air National Guard’s 121^st Air Refueling Wing in Columbus,” DeWine said. “Capt. Seth Koval, Capt. Curtis Angst, and Tech. Sgt. Tyler Simmonswere trained to transfer fuel from one plane to another in midair, and their work was critical in long-distance missions in defense of our nation. Every mission they undertook involved risks that they were willing to take and the courage to put the lives of others above their own. They served with honor.”

“We offer our deepest condolences to their families, as well as to the families of Maj. John A. Klinner, Capt. Ariana G. Savino, and Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt from Alabama, who died alongside them, he added. “Their sacrifice will not be forgotten.”

Fire run…

At approxiimately 7:45 a.m. Sunday, the Van Wert Fire Department was dispatched to the Comfort Inn on N. Washington St. to investigate a report of smoke. It was determined the cause was from a malfunctioning heater unit. There was no fire and no evacuation necessary. No damage occurred to the structure. Firefighters were on the scene for about 30 minutes. Bob Barnes/VWFD photographer

Cast announced for new spring comedy

VW independent staff/submitted information

Off Stage Productions has announced the cast and crew for its spring comedy. “Insane with Power” by Scott Hahn. The cast is as follows:

• Lois Lancaster: Emily Smith
• Speed Freak: Spencer Wenninger
• Dim Bulb: Nick Long
• Mental: Aimey Lehman
• Kevin Bendis: SlimPickens419
• Dr Gail Eisner: Alea Rex
• Director: Daniel Sanderson
• Costumer: Julie Lang

Synopsis

 Lois Lancaster is a big-city journalist writing about the current state of mental health facilities. Her research takes her to a hospital populated with a unique group of quirky inmates who imagine they are crime-fighting superheroes. Speed Freak thinks he can run at incredible speeds, while Dim Bulb, the most enthusiastic person on the face of the earth, thinks he has the ability to turn off lights with his brain. Mental thinks she can read minds, despite being prone to sudden outbursts of bizarre non-sequiturs. Kevin, much less quirky and flamboyant than the other inmates, doesn’t embarrass himself with a ridiculous code name or costume…at least, not initially. Dr. Gail Eisner appears to be a kindly hospital administrator; a steady influence needed to effectively run a madhouse like this one. At first Lois finds their elaborate superhero fantasies to be an entertaining diversion, the wild delusions of unstable minds, until something unusual happens that makes her wonder.

Location

 All shows will be in the Commons at Vantage Career Center, 818 N. Franklin Street in Van Wert, Ohio. Enter Door 13 off the back parking lot where plenty of parking spaces are available.

Reservations

Reservations for Members open on Monday, March 30. Reservations for the general public will open on Wednesday, April 1. Call the box office number 419.605.6708 on or after these days to reserve your tables and seats. Box office hours are 12-6 p.m., no Sunday calls please. All shows require reservations so Off Stage Productions may be certain of the amount of food or popcorn needed for that evening.

Price

Friday shows are “Popcorn Nights” – $16 admission charge includes free popcorn with the show. Saturday evening and Sunday matinee shows are Dinner Theatre – $30 Admission includes a delicious three-course catered meal, coffee, and the show.

Show dates

April 17, 18, 19, 24, 25 and 26. Friday doors open at 7 p.m., show 7:30 p.m. Saturday doors open 6 p.m., dinner at 6:30 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m. Sunday doors open 12:30, dinner at 1 p.m., show at 2 p.m.