Top ODOT District 1 “Roadeo” finishers announced

Lima man dies in early morning accident

VW independent staff/submitted information

LIMA — The Lima Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a two-vehicle crash that occurred shortly after 6:30 this morning (Wednesday), which resulted in one fatality that occurred on Ohio 15, near milepost 4 in Monroe Township in Putnam County.

Dannie Davis IV, 33, of Lima, was traveling west on Ohio 15 driving a 2005 Honda Accord, while Ethan Khandaker, 25, of Bryan, was traveling east on Ohio 15, driving a 2011 Infiniti G37. Davis traveled left of center and struck Khandaker’s vehicle. Davis was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported by the Putnam County Coroner’s Office to Lucas County Coroner’s Office. 

Khandaker was transported by Putnam County EMS to Mercy Health Defiance Hospital for treatment of serious injuries.

Both vehicles sustained heavy damage and were towed from the scene. The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Continental Police Department, Putnam County EMS, Continental Fire Department, Kalida Fire Department and the Putnam County Coroner’s Office.

Both drivers were wearing their safety belts at the time of crash. Drug impairment is suspected to be a factor in this crash. The Ohio State Highway Patrol reminds motorists to never operate a vehicle while under the influence.

Catfish tournament to be held Saturday

Submitted information

The Van Wert Parks Department’s annual catfish tournament will take place from 7-11 p.m. this Saturday, May 16, at Van Wert Reservoirs 1 and 2, with fishers competing for prizes based on the total weight of their top five fish. All state fishing rules and regulations will be followed and an active fishing license will be required.

There will be a pre-tournament meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the South Reservoir boat ramp. First place will receive $400 and a trophy, second place earns $200, third place takes home $100, and the biggest fish of the night wins $50. Entry fees are $50 per boat and $25 for bank fishermen. Bank fishermen can also now register as a team with a cost of $50. The registration deadline is Friday, May 15. Registration can be done online or in the Parks Office located at Jubilee Park.

Hammons places first in essay contest

VW independent staff/submitted information

Van Wert Elks Lodge 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks has announced that the Van Wert Lodge had a student place first in the state competition of the 2025-2026 Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Americanism essay contest.

This fraternal year, the theme for the contest was, “What Does Service to Your Country Mean To You?”. The students competed in divisions, by age group.

Placing first was Azalea Hammons, who attends Crestview Middle School.

Azalea placed first in the sixth grade division at the local competition. Her essay was then forwarded to the Northwest District where she competed against the winners from the other 13 lodges within the district. She placed first at district level and her essay was forwarded to the state completion where she again placed first. She will now compete at the national level.

Van Wert Lodge wishes Azalea Hammons the best of luck at the national level.

Career Connections…

Fifth graders from Van Wert, Crestview, Lincolnview and St. Mary’s of the Assumption School gathered at the Van Wert County Fairgrounds on Tuesday for Career Connections of Van Wert County’s “Let’s Get Down to Business” event. The interactive event allowed the students to explore businesses and careers through a series of hands-on learning stations and engaging displays. Scott Truxell/Van Wert independent

Goodlin newest Rotary Club member

VW independent staff/submitted information

The Van Wert Rotary Club has announced the induction of Kendra Goodlin as its newest member, continuing the club’s long-standing commitment to service above self and strengthening the impact of community leadership across Van Wert County.

A Van Wert native, Goodlin was formally introduced and inducted during a recent Rotary meeting at Willow Bend Country Club. She is sponsored by Gregg Bashore, partner at BRSW, a local accounting firm and active supporter of Rotary’s mission.

Goodlin serves the community as a financial advisor with Edward Jones, lon Van Wert Decatur Road. She has worked alongside Trevor Webster and continues to build on a strong foundation of client-focused financial planning. A graduate of Lincolnview High School and Ashland University, Goodlin holds the professional designations of Accredited Asset Management Specialist and Accredited Wealth Management Advisor.

Kendra resides in Van Wert with her husband, Doug, and their two daughters. Outside of her professional role, she is actively involved in the community, often volunteering and supporting local activities. She enjoys spending time outdoors and working on home improvement projects with her family.

“Kendra embodies the values of Rotary through her commitment to service, professional integrity, and community involvement,” Andy Czajkowski, Van Wert Rotary Club President Andy Czajkowski said. “We are excited to welcome her to our club and look forward to the contributions she will make in advancing our mission.”

The Van Wert Rotary Club brings together local leaders who are dedicated to making a difference through service projects, scholarships, and community initiatives. New members like Goodlin ensure the continued strength and relevance of Rotary’s impact in the community.

For more information about the Van Wert Rotary Club or to learn how to get involved, contact Czajkowski.

YWCA announces summer programs

Submitted information

Summer is almost here, and the YWCA of Van Wert County is preparing for another season of serving youth throughout the community through its annual Summer Food Program and RunJumpThrow event.

The Summer Food Program will run from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. June 8 through July 24 at Trinity Friends Church, 605 N. Franklin St., Van Wert. There will be no program on June 19 or July 3. In addition to providing nutritious meals, the Summer Food Program offers a free recreational program for youth in Van Wert County. Children entering preschool (age 5 by the start of the program) through sixth grade are invited to participate. Families can register online here. 

In addition, the YWCA will also host RunJumpThrow, a free youth event open to students entering grades 3–6. The event will take place from 9-10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 23, at the Van Wert High School track. Families can register online here. 

“We’re looking forward to another great summer connecting with youth in our community,” said Betsy Hamman of the YWCA of Van Wert County.

Children who are already registered for the Summer Food Program and attending that day do not need to complete an additional registration for RunJumpThrow.

The YWCA is a United Way agency and partially funded by the Van Wert County Foundation. 

Donations given to area organizations

Submitted information

ST. MARYS — Midwest Electric recently donated $15,780 to 25 west-central Ohio charities and community projects, including four in Van Wert County, through the cooperative’s Community Connection Fund.

Thanks to the 90 percent of members who round up their electric bill and donate to this fund, Midwest Electric has donated more than $1.4 million to over 1,300 local charitable causes since 1998.

The latest CCF grant recipients include:

• St. Marys Club Soccer, Auglaize County; $800 to purchase jerseys, soccer balls, and training equipment
• New Knoxville Firefighters Association, Auglaize County; $1,000 to purchase headsets for portable radios
• New Knoxville Friends of the Library, Auglaize County; $665 to purchase a LED sign
• JTD Hospital Foundation, Auglaize County; $500 to support the Parkinson’s Support Group
•  St. Marys Art Center, Auglaize County; $1,000 for building improvements at the Art Center
• Otterbein Senior Life St. Marys, Auglaize County; $500 for the Oakwood Center building renovation
• Rehabilitation Center for Neurological Development; $500 for neurological training equipment
• Auglaize County Crisis Center, $1,200 for building repairs at the crisis center
• Auglaize County Public District Library, $1,000 for the library experience pass program
• Wapakoneta Police Department, Auglaize County; $500 for the National Night Out event
• Wapakoneta High School Post Prom, Auglaize County; $200 to provide a safe after-prom for high school students
• VentureLINX, Mercer County; $500 for the adult day program
• Shanes Crossing Historical Society, Mercer County; $665 for a new building
• Coldwater After Prom Committee, Mercer County; $100 to provide a safe after-prom for high school students

Data center legislation approved by council

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

Three ordinances tied to a proposed $10 billion data center at the Mega Site were approved by Van Wert City Council Monday night.

One of the ordinances listed on the agenda approved the annexation of approximately 962 acres of land purchased by Thor Equities from the Marsh Foundation. Another allows a data center to be located in an I-2 General Industrial zoned area, while the remaining ordinance approved a conditional zoning petition.

All three passed unanimously, 6-0, with an emergency provision attached to each one, which waived three readings. Second Ward Councilman Greg Roberts did not vote because he is employed by the Marsh Foundation. He was excused from the meeting before the vote.

Before voting on the legislation, council members heard approximately an hour’s worth of public comments from city and county residents. The majority of those who spoke shared repeated concerns about water, electricity and noise or were generally opposed to the data center. Others wanted a moratorium or three full readings. A handful of people voiced support for a data center and the legislation.

Two council members spoke before the vote to suspend council rules and waive three readings.

“I admit that the process has not been perfect but I’m much more comfortable with our public engagement effort following the public hearing held last week,” Councilman At-Large Hall Block said to those in attendance. “I think that’s a great example of being able to hear from our constituents. We don’t all have to agree but I think respectfully consider and listen to each other.”

Block also stated he’s deeply concerned about threatening remarks previously made against those promoting the project.

Council forced to do the ‘council shuffle’

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

There was some shuffling done ahead of Van Wert City Council meeting on Monday.

Mayor Ken Markward was absent from the meeting due to a previously planned vacation. That shifted Council President Thad Eikenbary into the role of acting mayor, and Fourth Ward Councilman Eric Hurless, who chairs the Judicary and Annexation Committee, into the role of council president pro-tem. In addition, Council Clerk Stephanie Phillips was absent from the meeting, which prompted City Auditor Erika Blackmore to handle those duties, which included reading ordinances and taking roll.

In addition to approving three pieces of legislation that pave the way for a $10 billion data center (see story above), council members heard the second reading of two ordinances setting speed limits along Ervin Road/Van Wert Decatur Road. One sets the speed limit at 35 miles per hour from South Shannon Street to Elks Drive, while the other sets it at 50 miles per hour from Elks Drive to U.S. 224. Both measures will have their third and final reading at the next council meeting.

Another ordinance on second reading was passed as an emergency – it’s a Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) agreement with True North Partners Holdings LLC, for a new Hampton Inn.

Safety-Service Director Jay Fleming informed council that 25 mile per hour speed limit signs have been placed at Dickinson’s Landing.

Due to the Memorial Day holiday, the next meeting of Van Wert City Council will be delayed by two days, to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 27, in Council Chambers on the second floor of the Municipal Building, 515 E. Main St.

VWHS holds 2026 Senior Convocation

Submitted information

Van Wert High School recently held its Senior Awards Convocation for the Class of 2026 in the Saltzgaber Music Hall of the Niswonger Performing Arts Center.

Seniors were honored and recognized for their academic and co-curricular achievements earned over the past four years, and more than $2.1 million in scholarship opportunities were acknowledged during the awards program.

Van Wert High School announced the following students and award recipients:

• Central Insurance Companies Educational and Charitable Foundation Scholarship: Trevor Dotson and Maria Parrish
• L.G. Purmort Black Inc. Scholastic Achievement Award: Trevor Dotson
• Military Enlistment Recognition: Evan Beining and Felicia Martz
• Wally Grimm Education Scholarship Award: Bella Behm and Jillian Sempkowski
• Cooper Farms Scholarship: Jasmine Brown, Allison Geib, and Nova McName
• Career Connections of Van Wert County Scholarship: Johan Gemmer and Katie Kramer
• Mercy Health St. Rita’s Medical Center Scholarship: Brenna Kimmet
• Melissa and Gary Clay Scholarship: Maria Parrish
• Makerspace Maker of the Year Award: Trey Dotson
• WTLW Scholarship: Katie Kramer
• PFC Christian Gurtner Memorial Scholarship: Johan Gemmer
• Margaret Shaffer Maney Memorial Music Scholarship: Delani Knoch
• John Fox Maney Memorial Business Scholarship: Trey Dotson
• The CHURCH Scholarship: Maria Parrish
• Rotary Scholarship: Brenna Kimmet and Katie Kramer
• Grand Lodge of Ohio Free Mason Scholarship: Johan Gemmer
• Van Wert Band Parents Scholarship: Delani Knoch, Grace Spieles, and Emma West
• Schrader Realty Scholarship: Bella Wise

• YWCA Scholarship for Young Women: Maria Parrish and Katie Kramer
• Gaylord Leslie Golf Scholarship: Carter Wright
• This Is Me Scholarship: Grace Spieles
• Van Wert Cougar Athletic Booster Club Award: Johan Gemmer and Katie Kramer
• Outstanding Achievement in Art Award: Natalie Rayman and Allison Saam
• 4-H Endowment Scholarship: Maria Parrish
• John and Leander Wentz Scholarship: Grace Spieles
• Chuck Thompson Scholar-Athlete Award: Trevor Dotson and Katie Kramer
• Braun Industries Project Lead the Way Engineering Scholarship: Johan Gemmer
• FCCLA Award: Cole Story
• Brandon Burlsworth Character Award: Briggs Wallace
• Van Wert Service Pack Scholarship: Maria Parrish and Katie Kramer
• Finalists for the R.K. Thompson Self-Reliance Award were Evan Beining, Trevor Dotson, Trey Dotson, and Grace Spieles. The award winner was Gabriel Malachi Spradlin.
• The Van Wert Federation of Teachers Anita Zuber Future Teacher Scholarship is given to students entering the field of education. This year’s recipients were Bella Behm, Allison Geib and Jillian Sempkowski.
• American Red Cross Award: Kylee Ball, Nick Edwards and Bella Wise
• The Shirley Johns Hart Memorial Scholarship was established in memory of Shirley Anne Johns Hart by her family. Mrs. Hart was a graduate of Van Wert High School, Class of 1953. The scholarship is based on academic achievement and financial need and is chosen by the Faculty Committee on Awards. Allison Krugh and Alexis Ruposky were selected to receive this award.
• The Adolph & Letitia Weck Memorial Scholarship is awarded to two students who rank scholastically in the top third of their class. Students complete an application and are selected by the Van Wert High School Faculty Committee on Awards. This year’s recipients were Maria Parrish and Grace Spieles.