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

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.

Powerful winds batter Van Wert County

VW independent staff/submitted information

A low pressure system was responsible for an unprecedented wind storm that wreaked havoc across the region on Friday.

According to Van Wert County Emergency Management Director McCoy, the very strong pressure gradient associated with the low level jet assured in sustained winds of 35-45 mile per hour winds with gusts over 60 miles per hour for a prolonged period of hours which is just unheard of for our area. McCoy said damage occurred across the county and beyond and luckily, only minor injuries were reported from several semi truck drivers that were in overturned trucks.

The first hint that a very windy day was in store was passed on by the National Weather Service on Thursday when they issued a special weather statement advising that a High Wind Warning would take effect beginning at 5 a.m. Friday and ending at 8 p.m.

Friday’s winds began to increase in the morning but started to really ramp up just before noon with the 911 system becoming bombarded with calls of overturned semis and numerous poles and power lines down throughout the county. McCoy stated that law enforcement plus Fire & EMS were being dispatched on many calls during the afternoon. The Van Wert County CERT Team was also dispatched to assist with numerous blocked roads from trees and poles down plus overturned semis.

As winds increased and calls kept coming in, McCoy made a decision that dangerous conditions warranted the cancellation of school bus routes in the county. He said he based the decision on several factors that included the strong winds creating a dust storm which was reducing visibility to zero in many locations and also the threat of a bus being blown over or even a semi being blown onto a bus.

McCoy was then involved with a coordinated conference call with the county school superintendents advising them he wanted no buses on the roads out in the county for the safety of students and that parents should come to the school to pick children up at dismissal time.

Wind damage…

High winds rolled numerous semi trucks and trailers around Van Wert County on Friday. Photographer Bob Barnes responded to five truck incidents. One on U.S. 30 near Dixon Cavett Rd. two on Ohio 118 between Van Wert and Ohio City and two on U.S. 12. High winds also damaged several cattle barns at the Van Wert County Fairgrounds, tearing off parts of the steel roofs. At times, visibility was down to zero on U.S. 127 North towards Scott. Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent

Meeting on possible conference switch

VW independent staff/submitted information

ROCKFORD — A special meeting discuss a possible change in athletic conferences is on tap this weekend in Rockford.

The Parkway Local Schools Board of Education will host the special meeting at 6 p.m. Sunday, March 15, in the auditorium. The purpose of the meeting will be to have public discussion regarding athletic affiliation. Parkway is currently a member of the Midwest Athletic Conference but recently received an inquiry to gauge interest in possibly joining the Northwest Conference. The NWC has reached out before but Parkway declined those invitations.

No action will be taken at the meeting.

Tickets available for Golf Cart Raffle

Submitted information

Historic Main Street Van Wert has announced the launch of its Golf Cart Raffle, giving community members the opportunity to win a brand-new golf cart valued at $10,000, generously provided by Van Wert Carts.

Tickets are now available for purchase online or in person at the Historic Main Street Van Wert office, located at 136 E. Main Street. Proceeds from the raffle will support Historic Main Street Van Wert’s ongoing efforts to strengthen and revitalize downtown through events, beautification projects, and community programming.

“This is a fun opportunity for the community to support downtown while having a chance to win an incredible prize,” said Executive Director Mitch Price. “We’re thankful to Van Wert Carts for partnering with us to make this exciting raffle possible.”

Community members are encouraged to secure their tickets soon for a chance to take home this impressive golf cart. Tickets can be purchased online at:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/main-street-van-wert-golf-cart-raffle.

For more information or to purchase tickets in person, visit the Historic Main Street Van Wert office at 136 E. Main St.

Essay winners…

The Optimist Club of Van Wert recently held its annual essay contest for the 2025-2026 school year, based on the topic: “How My Acts of Service Help Me Understand What My Community Means to Me.” Three local winners from Van Wert High School presented their winning essays and were honored at the Club meeting on March 12. Meah Johnson won first place and was awarded $300; Caroline Haggerty, second-place winner received $200, and third-place winner Savannah Johns was awarded $100. Johnson’s essay was advanced to the district level for further judging for a chance at college scholarships through Optimist International, the worldwide Optimist volunteer organization. The Optimist Club thanked Bitsi Clark, Kylee Moody, and Kate Kroeger for judging this year’s 46 essay entries from the local area schools. The Van Wert club, focused on youth, consists of area leaders and business representatives dedicated to improving the Van Wert community. Photo submitted