The Brumback Library serves as a living history museum

Turner retiring as Vantage superintendent

VW independent staff

The search is expected to begin soon for a new Vantage Career Center superintendent.

When the Vantage school board meets on Thursday, board members are expected to accept the retirement-resignation of current Superintendent Rick Turner. His resignation is listed on the agenda, and will take effect at the end of his current contract, July 31, 2027. The board is also expected to approve a contract with Grand Lake Regional Educational Service Center to aid in the search for Turner’s replacement.

“My history with Vantage dates back 50 years, when I first walked through the doors as a high school junior in the Machine Tool Technology program,” Turner wrote in a letter to the board. “At the time, I never dreamed I would one day have the opportunity to serve as Superintendent. You made that possible, and I will be forever grateful for the chance to lead alongside you and our extraordinary staff.”

Turner was hired as Vantage superintendent in 2017. Prior to that, he spent a number of years at Apollo Career Center and worked as director of adult programs for more than 11 years at the Lima area vocational school before his appointment at Vantage Career Center.

VWCT offering holiday production

Submitted information

Forget the traditional holiday plays — Van Wert Civic Theatre is bringing a fresh twist to the holiday season with its upcoming production of Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!), directed by Joelle May.

What happens when three actors decide they’ve had enough of performing A Christmas Carol? They take on just about every other holiday story instead. This fast-paced, 90-minute comedy takes audiences on a hilarious journey through the season’s most beloved traditions, from The Grinch and Frosty the Snowman to Rudolph and other pop culture favorites. With outrageous costumes, hilarious antics, and plenty of unexpected surprises, it’s a festive theatrical adventure guaranteed to keep audiences laughing.

The cast features Adam Shanaman as Adam, Travis Nihiser as Travis, and John Havill as John, with Stephanie Wagner appearing as the Yuletide Presenter.

Performances are scheduled for December 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, and 19 at 7:30 p.m., with Sunday matinees on December 13 and 20 at 2 p.m. All performances will take place at Van Wert Civic Theatre, 118 S. Race St. in Van Wert.

Tickets are $18, with a special presale price of $16 for seniors. The holiday box office officially opens on Black Friday, November 27. Tickets can be purchased online at vwct.org or by calling 419.238.9689 and leaving a message.

MSVW trick-or-treat…

Goblins, ghosts, famous video game characters, superheroes, princesses and many others paid a visit to downtown Van Wert for Halloween. Hundreds of children and their family flocked to the downtown area for Saturday morning’s annual Main Street Van Wert Trick-or-Treat event. Businesses and others were on handy to pass out goodies to the costumed youngsters. Click more to see more photos from Saturday’s event. Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent

Line dancing lessons coming downtown

VW independent staff/submitted information

Dust off those boots and get ready for a night of dancing, music, food, and fun! Historic Main Street Van Wert is excited to announce Line Dancing at Walnut & Main, taking place Wednesday, November 18, 2026, at the Walnut & Main Event Space, located at 223 E. Main St. in Van Wert.

Whether you’re an experienced line dancer or have never stepped onto a dance floor, this event is designed for everyone to enjoy. The evening will feature beginner and senior friendly line dancing lessons led by instructor Kelly Kroeger, followed by an opportunity to show off those new moves during an open dance session.

The doors will open at 6 p.m., with lessons running between 6:30-8 p.m., followed by open dancing from 8-9 p.m.

In addition to dancing, guests will enjoy delicious small bites provided by two local businesses. R Place will provide charcuterie, while Collins Fine Foods will serve sliders. Beverages will be provided by Historic Main Street Van Wert, and specialty teas from The Well will be available for purchase.

“We’re always looking for new and exciting ways to bring people downtown and create experiences that everyone can enjoy,” said Main Street Van Wert Executive Director Mitch Price. “Line dancing is something a little different, and we think it’s going to be a great night. Whether you come with friends, bring your significant other, or just want to try something new, we want everyone to feel welcome and have a great time.”

The event is sponsored by Danfoss and QTS, whose continued support helps Historic Main Street Van Wert bring unique activities and entertainment to the downtown community.

Tickets are $10 per person and can be purchased by scanning the QR code.

For additional information and event updates, follow Historic Main Street Van Wert on Facebook.

Playoff football…

Van Wert returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2023 but unfortunately not much went right for the Cougars during Friday’s night’s game at Otsego. Van Wert fell behind early and went on to lose the game 63-27. A full game story can be found on the Sports page. Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent

Winter heating bill help is available

VW independent staff/submitted information

The Home Energy Assistance Winter Crisis Program will open on Sunday, November 1, offering one-time help with home heating bills to income-eligible Ohioans. The program runs through March 31, 2027.

“The Winter Crisis Program is available for families facing a shut-off or running low on fuel,” Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Director Matt Damschroder said. “If you are struggling with your energy bill, assistance may be available.”

The Winter Crisis Program helps Ohioans who are facing service disconnection, have already been disconnected, need to establish new service, or must pay to transfer service. It also supports households with 25 percent or less of bulk fuel in their tank so they can maintain service.

To qualify, a household must have a gross annual income at or below 175 percent of the federal poverty level. For a family of four, that is $57,750.

Last year, the program helped more than 73,000 Ohio households, providing $25.5 million in benefits.

Time change occurs early Sunday

VW independent staff

A reminder – it’s the weekend we gain an extra hour of sleep as we “fall back” one hour to Eastern Standard Time. The time change will occur at 2 a.m. Sunday.

Funding to help domestic violence programs

By Susan Tebben/Ohio Capital Journal

With data showing domestic violence as the “most prevalent violent crime in Ohio,” state officials recently announced boosts to domestic violence programs, including survivor services and law enforcement training.

The Ohio Department of Public Safety’s Office of Criminal Justice Services found that more than half of all violent crime arrests in Ohio had a domestic violence charge as part of the case, with 70 percent of the arrests conducted on repeat offenders.

The researchers studied half a century of criminal history data in the state, including about 2 million violent crime arrests from 1974 to 2023, according to a release about the research.

The study also found that from 2014 to 2023, 54 percent of violent crime arrests involved domestic violence. That statistic went up to 56 percent in the last five years.

“Anecdotally, we suspected that domestic violence was among the most frequent violent crimes in the state, and this data confirms it,” Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said in a statement.

“The data also reinforces the fact that Ohio must continue to be innovative in its work to protect both domestic violence survivors and the law enforcement officers who respond to calls for help.”

Ohio had its second highest amount of deaths from domestic violence-related incidents in 2025, according to data released this month from the Ohio Domestic Violence Network. The report showed 134 deaths in 101 cases.

The year before was the highest amount of deaths since the network began collecting fatality statistics 11 years ago. In 2024, Ohio had 157 deaths in 108 cases. Over the last two years of data, the network found that in 49 percent of cases, the victim was attempting to leave the situation.

“These homicides are not random,” said Maria York, the network’s director of policy and communications, when the report was announced. “They are the final act of control.”

As part of a recent announcement of funding set aside for “specific domestic-violence-related projects,” the governor’s office said an additional $1 million will be directed toward the state’s domestic violence shelters recognized by the Office of Criminal Justice Services.

The 55 shelters across the state will each receive a one-time grant of $18,000 for “immediate shelter and meeting the critical needs of family violence victims and their dependents,” according to the governor’s office.

The Office of Criminal Justice Services announced another $4 million in “federal emergency shelter and supportive services grants for domestic violence victims and their dependents,” in an October 27 press release.

MSVW trick-or-treat is on Saturday

VW independent staff/submitted information

Historic Main Street Van Wert inviting families and children of all ages to celebrate Halloween with downtown trick-or-treat from 10 a.m. until noon on Saturday, October 31.

The annual Halloween tradition is a great opportunity for families to enjoy a fun-filled morning in historic downtown Van Wert while visiting local businesses and celebrating the holiday together.

Children are encouraged to dress in their favorite Halloween costumes, bring their candy bags, and enjoy a morning of trick-or-treating throughout the downtown district.

Downtown trick-or-treat is more than just collecting candy. According to Mitch Price, Executive Director of Main Street Van Wert, it’s an opportunity to bring families into the heart of Van Wert, showcase downtown businesses, and create lasting memories for the community.

“We love seeing downtown filled with families and kids enjoying themselves,” Price said. “Events like downtown trick-or-treat are what makes our community special. It’s a great way to bring people downtown, support our local businesses, and have some fun along the way.”

Historic Main Street Van Wert encourages everyone to come downtown, enjoy the Halloween festivities, and support the businesses that help make our downtown a special place.

The City of Van Wert’s annual trick-or-treat will be held later in the day, from 4-6 p.m. on Saturday.

Plans explained for barn once moved

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

The news has been well received – QTS Data Centers has agreed to save a decades-old barn in Van Wert, which will allow it to be repurposed elsewhere locally.

The barn, which currently sits on Stripe Rd. property previously owned by The Marsh Foundation, will be disassembled, power washed, stored and reassembled at the Van Wert County Fairgrounds, with all of those costs covered by QTS.

It’s use at the fairgrounds is in the early planning stages, but Van Wert County Agricultural Society Secretary Mike Poling said the vision is to transform the 80×120 foot structure into a visitor and event center.

“It will also house some history of the Ag Society and agriculture of Van Wert County – it will serve as an ag educational facility well,” he stated.

Current plans call for the barn to be placed at the north end of the fairgrounds, north of the Commercial Building. Poling said the Agricultural Society has hired a contractor/architect to work on possible designs and changes to the barn. He also explained the timeline is being worked out.

“The contract with the company tearing it down (states) they will store it for a year and QTS has put a timeline of having it down and off the property by March 1, 2027,” Poling explained. “It would be at least back up, erected on the fairgounds by March 1, 2028, give or take. If things go well, we could possibly have concrete sometime by late summer or early fall in 2027, which would make it possible for them to start putting it back up by the fourth quarter of 2027.”

While QTS is covering the costs of disassembly, cleaning, storage and reassembly, it will be the Agricultural Society’s responsibility to cover the cost of the new concrete foundation and changes to transform it into a visitor and event center. With that in mind, fundraising ideas are being formulated.

“We are in early conversations with some folks about finding additional funding for that,” Poling said. “It’s exciting, it’s a great opportunity for the Ag Society to bring something to the grounds that will enhance the grounds and be here for a long time to come, but it’s going to cost some money to make it happen.”