SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
To say some of Monday’s meeting Van Wert City Council was a little heated for a brief time may be an understatement.
The tension centered around several minutes of talk of a planned data center. A brief shouting match broke at one point. Prior to that, Councilman At-Large Hall Block delivered sharp criticism of how it’s been handled. In addition, Van Wert Law Director John Hatcher told council members and those in attendance that should council fail to pass a rezoning request on May 11, the city could be subject to a sizable lawsuit.
A little loud
Despite social media claims to the contrary, a planned public hearing scheduled for May 4 was not bumped up to Monday night. There was no mention of the data center or related legislation on the agenda. However, more than a dozen people were part of the audience, more than a normal council meeting. During one of two public participation portions of the agenda, some of those in attendance shared their concerns, with the most common one centering around water usage, a topic that has been previously addressed with news that the data center will use a closed loop system. Others questioned noise and emissions and another insisted the proposed $10 billion project should have been put to a community vote. On more than one occasion, multiple people, including some council members, were talking at the same time with raised voices. More than once, Council President Thad Eikenbary had to use his gavel to restore order.
Block speaks
Prior the frenzied conversation, Councilman At-Large Hall Block, who joined council in January, sharply criticized the process of rezoning and annexing the Mega Site, a portion of which will become home to the data center if it comes to fruition. While the latest effort for annexation and rezoning has been termed a minor procedural issue, he said he believes it’s more than that. He started by addressing zoning.
(more…)POSTED: 04/13/26 at 9:47 pm
Submitted information
The Van Wert County Commissioners have issued a proclamation for Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, which is this week, April 12-18.
Van Wert County telecommunicators:
Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office: Jessica McClellan, Janis Kessler, Mallory Mansfield, Calib Cunningham, Willow Von Stetina, Hannah Turpening, and Faith Clem.
Van Wert City Police Department: Deb Ebert, Gabriel Evans, Kaileigh Gentry, Kyhia Replogle, Rick Spoor, and Makayla Jackman.
Ohio State Highway Patrol Post 81: Pamela Dull, Brittany Free, Katie Klausing, Shannon Shepard, Sandra Steinbrunner, Cherie Fairburn, and Melissa Vermillion.
Shown in the photo (front row, left to right): Faith Clem, Jessica McClellan, Janis Kessler, Calib Cunningham, and Brittany Free. Back row: Van Wert County Commissioner Thad Lichtensteiger, Van Wert County Commissioner Todd Wolfrum, Van Wert Patrol Post Commander Lt. Joseph Sisco, and Van Wert County Commissioner Stan Owens.
POSTED: 04/14/26 at 2:46 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Submitted information
The Allen County RTA is partnering with First United Methodist Church in Van Wert to host an informative “Lunch & Learn” event this Thursday, April 16. Now that public transportation has been operating in Van Wert County for three months, the community is invited to come learn more about the service and get their specific questions answered. Come find out how to ride the bus, use micro-transit and on-demand services, and purchase tickets. Attendees will have the opportunity to speak directly with RTA representatives to learn how these transit options can work for them.
The event will be held in the church dining hall, with two distinct sessions tailored to the community’s needs. Local stakeholders who work with clients to find transportation options are invited to attend from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., while the general public is encouraged to join from 1-2 p.m. A free pizza lunch will be provided for all who attend. Those interested should enter through the glass doors at 113 W. Central Ave.
POSTED: 04/13/26 at 9:45 pm. FILED UNDER: News
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
While some of Monday’s meeting of Van Wert City Council was tense, city officials took care of some business outside of that.
Salary ordinances were approved for employees of the service department, auditor’s office, income tax and administration, along with safety department employees, including the police and fire departments.
Ordinances for 2026 street painting and for road salt contracts were approved, along with an ordinance allowing Safety-Service Director Jay Fleming to sell the city’s unused, unneeded, obsolete or unfit vehicles by internet auction.
During his report, Fleming informed council that in collaboration with the Van Wert County Engineer’s Office, a change to the speed limit along Van Wert Decatur Road should be considered. If ultimately approved by council, the speed limit would be 35 miles per hour from S. Shannon St. to Elks Drive, and 50 miles per hour from Elks Drive to U.S. 224.
He also reported thanks to recent heavy rains, the city’s reservoirs are now in excess of 75 percent of capacity.
“We’re in good shape going into the summer,” Fleming stated.
City Auditor Erika Blackmore shared some good news about the city’s finances.
“Revenues are exceeding expenditures, the cash balance is steadily increasing, investment income is consistent – we’re in a strong financial position,” she said. “We are trending in the right direction.”
(more…)POSTED: 04/13/26 at 9:44 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Submitted information
The Van Wert County Health Department will host a Free Family Resource Fair from 4:30-7 p.m. Monday, April 27, at Vantage Career Center. The event is open to the public and is designed to connect families with valuable community resources and health-related services available throughout Van Wert County.
Attendees will have the opportunity to visit a variety of community resource and health care vendor booths offering information on local programs, services, and family support opportunities. Organizers aim to provide residents with convenient access to agencies and organizations that promote health, safety, and overall well-being.
The evening will also feature several family-friendly activities. Children can participate in games and enjoy a Touch-A-Truck experience, allowing them to explore emergency and service vehicles up close. Door prizes will be awarded during the event, and free popcorn will be available for attendees. Food vendors will also be on site with items available for purchase. The Free Family Resource Fair is free to attend, and no registration is required. Community members of all ages are encouraged to attend.
The Health Department thanked Van Wert County CERT, Vantage Career Center and Staff, NOCAC, Legacy Catering and Banks & Mia Lemon Shake-Ups, and the volunteers for helping to make this event possible.
POSTED: 04/13/26 at 9:43 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Submitted information
The City of Van Wert has set its 2026 brush pickup schedule.
Brush must be placed by the curb by 7 a.m. on the following Monday dates:
- May 11
- July 13
- September 14
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 10 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 be picking up leaves during brush pick up.
- Do not place brush by trees, poles, manholes, catch basins, water meters, fire hydrants or parked vehicles, must be visible from street.
POSTED: 04/13/26 at 9:42 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Submitted information
The deadline for ordering geraniums from the YWCA’s annual sale is quickly approaching. All orders with payment must be submitted by 12 p.m. Friday, April 24.
These hardy geraniums are available in individual 4.5inch pots or in flats containing 15 plants of the same color (no mixing and matching). Hanging baskets are also available. Pots are $4 each or flats are $55, and hanging baskets are $25.
Interested buyers should check the YWCA events page (https://ywcavanwert.org/events) to view colors and order items based on preferred payment option. Several ordering and payment options are available, including cash, check, credit/debit card and Venmo.
Orders will be available for parking lot pick-up from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 6. Buyers are encouraged to pre-order to receive the special pricing, as well as to guarantee the colors and items they want are available. A limited number of cash-and-carry items will be offered, beginning at 11 a.m. May 6. Cash-and-carry plants will be $5 each, baskets $28 and flats of 15 plants (all the same color) will be $60.
The annual geranium sale is a significant fundraiser for the ongoing work of the YWCA during the year, including the Youth Development and Survivor Services departments.
The YWCA is an agency of the United Way of Van Wert County and is partially funded by the Van Wert County Foundation.
POSTED: 04/13/26 at 9:41 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff
VENEDOCIA — Alcohol is believed to have played a role in a single vehicle accident in York Township.
According to the Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred at approximately 10:40 p.m. Friday on Jones Hughes Rd. The driver, Dan Neiferd, 48, of Venedocia, went left of center and drove off the road, then struck a fence and a tree. First responders noted Nieferd had left the scene on foot, but the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office deplyed a drone to find him lying in a nearby wooded area. He had sustained serious injuries and was airlifted to a Fort Wayne hospital. His current condition is unknown.
The crash remains under investigation.
POSTED: 04/13/26 at 10:16 am. FILED UNDER: News
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
Republican voters in Van Wert County have decisions to make on the May 5 primary ballot.
One of those decisions is the race for Van Wert County Auditor, where incumbent Jami Bradford has a challenger, Arica Wermer. The winner will be unopposed in the November general election.
Bradford is completing her first term in office. After working in the Auditor’s Office for more than 30 years, she challenged then-incumbent Phillip Baxter in the May, 2022 primary and won, then was unopposed in the fall.
“I am seeking re-election simply because I truly love this work and the people I serve,” Bradford said. “I have never viewed the Auditor’s Office as a political stepping stone, rather, this is my life’s work. Over my last term as your auditor, and the 32 years I spent as a deputy auditor before that, I have developed a deep, sincere appreciation for the vital role this office plays in keeping our county running smoothly and transparently.”
“I wake up every day grateful for the trust the voters placed in me, and I want to continue using my experience to protect our taxpayers, support our local schools and townships and ensure our county’s financial house remains in perfect order,” she added.
Wermer, who is running for office for the first time, noted she has eyed a run for years and decided it was time to enter the race.
“I’m running for County Auditor because this has been my goal for a long time and I decided it was time to step forward instead of stepping aside due to convience for others,” she explained. “I’m ready to serve and earn the trust of our community.”
(more…)POSTED: 04/12/26 at 8:47 pm. FILED UNDER: News
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
PAULDING — Less than a week before he was scheduled to go on trial, an area man accused of fatally stabbing another man has changed his plea.
During a hearing held last Thursday in Paulding County Common Pleas Court, Corbin Delgado, 21, of Grover Hill, pleaded guilty to murder, an unclassified felony. In exchange, two other charges, felonious assault, a second degree felony, and assault, a first degree misdemeanor were dismissed, and sentencing was set for Tuesday, April 14. He’s expected to receive a sentence of 15 years to life.
Delgado’s trial was scheduled to begin on Tuesday and last up to four days. He was originally scheduled to stand trial in August of last year but it was delayed indefinitely after he requested to enter a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity. He underwent a mental health evaluation and was later found competent to stand trial.
The charges against Delgado are tied to the death of Derek Pontius, 40, of Grover Hill, last spring.
Paulding County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a disturbance in the 16000 block of Road 24, southwest of Grover Hill, shortly before 1 a.m. May 27, 2025. The initial caller reported a male was being argumentative and had a knife. Deputies arrived at the scene within minutes and found Pontius, suffering from stab wounds. Life saving measures were administered by deputies and members of the Grover Hill EMS and Pontius was transported to OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital, but was pronounced dead.
Delgado was identified as the suspect in the attack but he had fled the scene on foot. Within an hour, a deputy located him in the Village of Grover Hill and a trooper with the Ohio State Highway Patrol assisted the deputy in apprehending Delgado. He was booked in the Paulding County Jail in lieu of $1 million bond. Last September, Delgado requested a bond modification but it was denied by Judge Tiffany Beckman. He also requested a new attorney.
(more…)POSTED: 04/12/26 at 8:46 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
COLUMBUS — To ensure a safe prom and graduation season for high schools across the state, the Ohio Department of Commerce’s Division of Liquor Control and Division of Cannabis Control are reminding permit holders, families, schools, and communities to work together and take proactive steps to prevent cannabis- and alcohol-related incidents. Celebrations associated with these milestone events come with risks tied to underage drinking and cannabis use, and everyone has a part they can play to promote safe, responsible and legal choices.
Liquor permit holders have a legal obligation to make sure they are not selling or serving alcoholic beverages to underage individuals. The best way to prevent underage sales is to thoroughly verify the identification of all young people attempting to buy alcoholic beverages. To uphold liquor laws consistently, permit holders should provide employees with proper training. The Ohio Department of Public Safety’s Ohio Investigative Unit offers a free Alcohol Server Knowledge (ASK) course, which covers current rules and best practices, including those related to underage violations. The Division also urges permit holders to report any suspicious activities or attempted illegal purchases to local authorities should they occur.
“Permit holders play a critical role in preventing dangerous incidents that can result from underage alcohol consumption,” Division of Liquor Control Superintendent Jackie DeGenova said. “By verifying customers are 21 and over, they can eliminate opportunities for illegal purchases and reduce the risks facing young people, especially during upcoming prom and graduation celebrations as well as throughout the summer.”
While permit holders are on the front lines of ensuring alcohol sales comply with state law, both Divisions encourage the broader community to work together to reduce risks and support safe, meaningful celebrations.
(more…)POSTED: 04/12/26 at 8:44 pm. FILED UNDER: News
