News, notes, figures and more from Tuesday’s election

OSBA: majority of school issues pass

VW independent staff/submitted information

COLUMBUS — Ohio voters approved a majority of school tax issues in Tuesday’s general election, with renewals receiving particularly strong support, according to unofficial results compiled by the Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA).

Of the 134 school tax issues on the ballot, 72 passed and 62 were rejected, for a 54 percent overall passage rate. Voters approved 51 of 63 renewal requests, including two that also reduced taxes, for an 81 percent passage rate. Three school levies that overlapped into Van Wert County – Crestview, Delphos and Spencerville, passed.

Statewide, among requests for additional funding, 20 of 69 issues passed, or 29 percent.

“We saw communities across Ohio step forward to support their schools, particularly when it came to renewing existing taxes,” OSBA CEO Tom Hosler said. “That’s encouraging. But behind every election result is a community, a school board and students who will be affected by the outcome. These aren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet.”

Additional property tax levies received support in 10 of 18 elections, a 56 percent passage rate. Voters also approved four of six bond issues, or 67%, compared with an average passage rate of 37 percent over the past five years.

Muni Court to conduct jury draw

VW independent staff/submitted information

The Van Wert Municipal Court’s annual jury draw will be held at 9 a.m. Tuesday, November 17, at the Municipal Court. This is open to the public.

According to Van Wert Municipal Court Clerk Megan Ryan, the court is required to have an annual jury draw. It is done with two jury commissioners, the clerk and the judge or the judge’s designee. A list of every registered voter in the county is provided to the court from the Board of Elections and a list of every person in the county over the age of 18 with a valid license or an ID card is provided from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. From the two lists the jury commissioners will randomly select 250 from each to create a list of 500 eligible persons from the county who will be part of the Van Wert Municipal Court jury list for the 2027 calendar year.

FFA members earn presigious honor

By Alecta Baxter/Crestview FFA reporter

CONVOY — Crestview FFA is proud to recognize eight members who have earned one of the highest honors in the National FFA Organization, the American FFA Degree. Hayden Buuck, Alivia Etzler, Rex Gerardot, Evan Hart, Tyler Hoblet, Kaylea Short, Adelyn Figley, and Abby Dietrich were recognized for this outstanding achievement during the 99th National FFA Convention.

The American FFA Degree is the highest degree awarded by the National FFA Organization. Earning this prestigious honor takes years of dedication, hard work, and commitment to agricultural education, leadership, and personal growth. Each recipient has put in countless hours working toward their goals and developing their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) projects. Their hard work did not stop after high school, as many continued building, growing, and improving their SAE projects beyond their high school years. This achievement represents years of responsibility, perseverance, and dedication to their agricultural experiences.

Throughout their FFA journeys, these members have demonstrated what it means to be committed to their projects, their communities, and the FFA organization. Earning the American FFA Degree is a reflection of the time and effort they have invested in developing their skills and pursuing their goals.

Crestview FFA greatly appreciates the hard work, dedication, and commitment each of these members has shown over the years. We are especially thankful for the way they have continued to represent the chapter with pride, even beyond their high school years. We are incredibly proud of Hayden, Alivia, Rex, Evan, Tyler, Kaylea, Adelyn, and Abby for reaching this remarkable milestone.

Haven of Hope hosting fundraising event

VW independent staff

The community is invited to take part in Haven of Hope’s third annual “Empty Bowls” fundraising event this Saturday, November 7, at Elks Lodge 1197 in Van Wert. The doors will open at 5:30 and the event will begin at 6 p.m.

The Empty Bowls event is designed to raise awareness about hunger and homelessness and it helps raise funds for the Haven of Hope men’s shelter in Van Wert. Attendees purchase a $35 ticket for a simple meal of soup and bread and choose a handcrafted bowl to take home as a reminder that food insecurity persists in the community.

There will be a DJ, silent auction, speakers and more. To purchase tickets or to make a donation, scan the QR code.

Incumbents win re-election; issues pass

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

State Representative Roy Klopfenstein (R-Haviland) has won a third two-year term in office.

Final unofficial results from Tuesday’s election show Klopfstein defeated challengers Maddux McCray (D-Van Wert) and Christopher Elder (L-Paulding). Klopfenstein received 33,656 votes (72 percent), McCray received 11,067 votes (23.7 percent) and Elder tallied 1,819 votes (3.9 percent). In Van Wert County alone, 7,735 votes were cast for Klopfenstein, 2,403 for McCray and 363 for Elder.

In the 4th District U.S. Congressional race, which now includes Van Wert County, Republican Jim Jordan won re-election and won Van Wert County by a hefty margin, collecting 7,664 votes, compared to 2,601 by Democrat Joshua D. Kolasinski and 256 by independent candidate Tracey L. Tackett.

In the governor’s race, Republican Vivek Ramaswamy was the runaway winner in Van Wert County with 7,266 votes. Democrat Amy Acton received 2,701 votes and Libertarian Don Kissick finished with 529 votes. However, Acton won the race with approximately 51 percent of the vote. She had a sizable lead when early voting totals came in, leaving many to wonder if it would be a runaway win. While Ramaswamy did well in rural counties such as Van Wert County, Acton fared better in the state’s metro areas.

In Van Wert County, incumbent Republican Jon Husted easily outdistanced his challengers. Husted garnered 7,213 votes locally, compred to 2,547 for Democrat Sherrod Brown, 473 by Libertarian William B. Redpath, and 278 by Greg Levy. Brown won the race and like Acton, did well in Ohio’s more populous areas.

Results will remain unofficial until certified by the Van Wert County Board of Elections.

All local issues on the ballot were approved in Van Wert County.

Local voter turnout tops 50 percent

VW independent staff

Voter turnout in Van Wert County was high for Tuesday’s mid-term general election.

Figures supplied by the Van Wert County Board of Elections show 10,635 of 19,963 registered voters (53.2 percent) cast ballots. 5,098 ballots were cast on Tuesday, 4,585 were cast via early in-person voting and 952 came via absentee mail.

Donation goes toward new play area

VW independent staff/submitted information

Enbridge recently made a $4,000 donation toward a new play area at Camp Clay, helping provide a safer space for children to play and enjoy outdoor activities. The new play area replaces the previous structure, which was 28 years old and had become unsafe. The total project cost was $22,000.

Camp Clay welcomed more than 5,000 children in 2026, making the new play area an important investment in the safety and experience of the children who visit the camp.

“We are excited to have a new play area where children can play, explore and make memories at Camp Clay,” Camp Clay Director Amy Grime said. “The previous structure was well used, however it had become outdated and unsafe. This new space allows us to continue providing children with opportunities to enjoy the outdoors in a safer environment. We are grateful to Enbridge for helping make this improvement possible.”

Hugh Kocab, CEO of the YMCA of Van Wert County, emphasized the importance of community partnerships in supporting local children and families.

“Investments like this make a lasting difference in the experiences we provide for children in our community,” he said. “With more than 5,000 children visiting Camp Clay this year, having a safe and welcoming place to play is essential. We appreciate Enbridge’s generosity and commitment to helping make this project a reality. We look forward to many years of partnering with Enbridge on projects like this.

“The new play area represents a continued investment in Camp Clay and its ability to provide meaningful outdoor experiences for children throughout the community,” he added.

New NSCC trustees…

The Northwest State Community College Board of Trustees met in regular session on Friday, October 30, at the Van Wert Campus. At the meeting, two new board members were sworn in – Kevin Whitlock of West Unity (left) and   Brent Stevens of Ohio City. The two, who are pictured with NSCC President Dr. Todd Hernandez, were appointed to the NSCC Board of Trustees by Governor Mike DeWine. Their terms began September 4 and will run through June 9, 2032. Photo submitted

State rep. race, local issues on the ballot

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

Election Day is upon us and while the ballot is light in terms of local races and issues, interest appears to be higher than expected.

Statewide, nearly 1.1 milion voters cast ballots during Ohio’s early in-person voting period, while nearly 737,000 requested ballots by mail, with just over 632,000 returned as of noon on Monday. In Van Wert County, 4,585 registered voters took advantage of early in-person voting, while 879 of 1,057 mail-in ballots were returned by noon on Monday.

Just one local race is on the ballot. Incumbent State Representative Roy Klopfenstein (R-Haviland) is seeking another term in the 82nd District and has two challengers – Libertarian Christopher Elder of Paulding and Democrat Maddux McCray of Van Wert. The 82nd District is comprised of all of Van Wert, Paulding and Putnam counties, along with the southern half of Defiance County.

Incumbent Republican Van Wert County Commissioner Thad Lichtensteiger is running unopposed, as is Van Wert County Juvenile/Probate Court Judge Eva Yarger, who was appointed to the seat in February, then defeated fellow Republican Todd Wolfrum in the May primary election. Wolfrum is continuing on as a county commissioner.

After defeating incumbent Jami Bradford in the May primary election, Arica Wermer is running unopposed for Van Wert County Auditor.

After defeating Jim Hoops in the May primary, Craig Reidel (R-Defiance) is running unopposed for the 1st District Ohio Senate seat.

No mayoral, city or village council, school board or township trustee races are on the ballot.

Local volunteers needed to pack meals

VW independent staff/submitted information

First United Methodist Church in Van Wert is calling on families, local businesses and community members to help pack life-saving meals for people in Haiti. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, November 21, at Van Wert High School. This is a new location from previous years.

Haiti is facing extreme gang violence, leaving millions of people without food, medical care, or safe schools.

“The need is urgent,” said Teresa Shaffer, Director of Agape Outreach. “God has called us to help our neighbors who are facing starvation and danger.”

FUMC has hosted meal-packing events for 20 years. Volunteers will pack healthy meals filled with rice, vegetables, protein, and 21 essential vitamins. These meals will be shipped and delivered safely to over 500 schools and orphanages through Mission of Hope, an organization with 26 years of experience working in Haiti.

This hands-on volunteer event is open to all ages. Volunteers will learn how to quickly assemble and pack meal bags at simple work stations. FUMC will provide proof of participation to any students needed volunteer hours

“It’s amazing to see what happens when the gym fills up with helpers,” Shaffer said. “We invite you to bring your friends, family, and co-workers. Students can also earn community service hours for helping.”