SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
CONVOY — Teachers and staff members employed by the Crestview Local Schools are getting raises.
Monday, members of the Crestview school board unanimously approved a three year contract with the Crestview Employees’ Association, which represents certified and classified staff members. The contract includes raises of 3.5 percent each of the three years.
Superintendent Matt Dube said negotiations with the union went smoothly. For Dube, it was his first contract negotiation.
“Both the CEA and our team worked really well together, it was just a matter of working through schedules – the spring was so hectic with rescheduling dates in terms of sports and things like that – but overall we worked really well together and we were able to come to common ground pretty quickly,” Dube said “It was a learning experience for me but I think the president of CEA, James Lautzenheiser, gave me a lot of grace and we worked together quite well and he was able to have patience with me. Of course our treasurer, Ashley Whetsel, helped out a lot as well.”
The new contract goes into effect July 1 and runs through June 30, 2029.
(more…)POSTED: 06/15/26 at 8:33 pm
VW independent staff/submitted information
Average gasoline prices fell in nearly all states over the last week, but Ohio wasn’t one of them.
Average gas prices in the Buckeye State have risen slightly, one cent per gallon in the last week, averaging $4.04 per gallon on Monday, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 5,345 stations in Ohio. Prices in Ohio are 51.5 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand 99.3 cents per gallon higher than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has decreased 11.7 cents compared to a week ago and stands at $5.182 per gallon.
According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Ohio was in Loveland, near Cincinnati, $3.22 per gallon on Sunday while the most expensive was $5.59/ per gallon at a station in Defiance, a difference of $2.37 per gallon.
In Van Wert on Monday, pump prices ranged from $3.83 to $3.99 per gallon for self-serve regular.
Meanwhile, neighboring Indiana continues to have the lowest average gas price in the country, $3.22 per gallon.
The national average price of gasoline has fallen 9.3 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.99 per gallon on Monday. The national average is down 52.4 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 91.1 cents per gallon higher than a year ago, according to GasBuddy data compiled from more than 11 million weekly price reports covering over 150,000 gas stations across the country.
“Average gasoline prices fell in 47 states over the last week, with the national average dropping below $4 per gallon late Sunday for the first time since mid-April,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “The decline came as oil prices moved sharply lower in reaction to news of a potential deal between the United States and Iran, though it remains to be seen whether the agreement will hold. A handful of price-cycling states saw averages jump before joining the broader downward trend. The real test now shifts to the Strait of Hormuz, where any reopening and resumption of normal oil flows would be the clearest signal that this relief is durable.”
“For now, the national average could continue falling, provided there isn’t a drastic reversal and the U.S. and Iran continue moving in a positive direction,” he added.
Historical gasoline prices in Ohio and the national average going back five years:
POSTED: 06/15/26 at 8:32 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff
The Van Wert Municipal Building, Van Wert Municipal Court and all Van Wert County offices will be closed this Friday, June 19, for Juneteeth, a federal holiday. All state and federal offices will be closed as well.
POSTED: 06/15/26 at 8:32 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Work continues on the fourth and final phase of improvements to Eggerss Stadium. It includes construction of a new main entrance, new ticket booth, a new concession stand/restrooms and band bleachers. Work is expected to be complete in time for the start of the 2026 football season. A dedication ceremony is scheduled for Friday, September 18, before the game vs. Defiance. Scott Truxell/Van Wert independent
POSTED: 06/15/26 at 8:31 pm. FILED UNDER: News
It was a picture perfect afternoon at Eggerss Stadium on Monday, as work continued on Phase IV of the downtown stadium’s massive renovation project. The Van Wert Cougars will kickoff their 2026 season there on August 21 against Bryan. Video by Scott Truxell
POSTED: 06/15/26 at 8:31 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
COLUMBUS — Ohio’s new capital budget bill, for fiscal years 2027 and 2028, was signed by Governor Mike DeWine on Monday. It includes funds for five projects in Van Wert County (listed below).
“The projects outlined in this budget will improve our parks, county fairgrounds, and historical sites; upgrade schools and classrooms to support the future workforce, promote safe and independent living for Ohioans with disabilities, continue building the mental healthcare system; and more,” said Governor DeWine of Senate Bill 450.
The capital budget includes a total of $3.7 billion in appropriations.
Capital budget highlights include investments to:
- Upgrade Ohio’s higher education classrooms, laboratories, and buildings to improve campus safety and efficiency and support the state’s future workforce.
- Support construction and renovation projects to strengthen Ohio’s behavioral health hospitals and for the development of a youth specialty care facility.
- Modernize and improve Ohio’s 76 state parks, which are nationally recognized as the best state park system in the country.
- Promote safer and more functional residential options for Ohioans with developmental disabilities.
- Renovate correctional institutions across the state to ensure inmate and staff safety.
- Support construction and renovation projects at more than 50 Ohio historical sites and museums, including the completion of the new Poindexter Village Museum and the reimagined Ohio River Museum.
- Enhance Ohio Fire Academy training facilities to provide a safer, more advanced, scenario-based training environment.
- Improve local community and regional areas, including parks, trails, historical sites, and county fairgrounds to support recreation and tourism across the state.
Locally, Senate Bill 450 includes funds for several projects, including:
- $250,000- Delphos Stadium Park shelter house
- $40,000- Convoy Opera House foof and annex
- $400,000- Van Wert County Research and Genealogy Center
- $100,000- Van Wert Civic Theatre project
- $250,000- YWCA of Van Wert County Facility and Clinic
POSTED: 06/15/26 at 8:30 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
Taking the next step forward, the Ohio Department of Transportation District 1 is seeking public comments on a project to construct a roundabout at the intersection of U.S. 224 and Van Wert-Decatur Road, just west of the city of Van Wert. The intersection is the site of frequent accidents.
In 2025, ODOT completed a safety study of the U.S. 224 and Van Wert-Decatur Road intersection to evaluate safety enhancement options such as a multi-way stop, traffic signal, or a roundabout. The study recommends transforming the three-legged T-intersection into a single-lane roundabout. Ohio’s Highway Safety Program is funding the project, with construction slated for 2029.
Following a comparison of roundabout design options, ODOT recommends an off-center circular roundabout. The design allows for phased construction to reduce traffic impacts, requires temporary right-of-way (only for construction), and has the lowest construction cost.
Construction cost is estimated at $3.58 million.
The public is encouraged to share their thoughts on the proposed design alternatives for the intersection by July 15. Comments regarding the project will be accepted at any time, but those received by the deadline will be included in the official public input summary report. Public input will help shape the final design.
- Use the comment form on the project website or contact the project manager directly (see below).
- Requests for interpretation service or reasonable accommodation may be submitted through the project website or by contacting the project manager.
- Visit the project webpage to view the design alternatives and to submit feedback:
Project website: click here.
Project manager: Morgan Gerdeman, 419.999.6869, or email Morgan.Gerdeman@dot.ohio.gov.
POSTED: 06/15/26 at 1:38 pm. FILED UNDER: News
No one was injured when a car and semi-truck collided late Monday morning on U.S. 127 near Peter Collins Rd. in Van Wert. It happened at approximately 10:45 a.m. when the driver of the car was leaving a private driveway and pulled into the path of the northbound semi. The car struck the semi in the rear axle, destroying the wheel and tire. The Van Wert County Sheriff’s Department, Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Van Wert Police Department and Ohio City Fire and EMS were at the scene, with OSHP taking the lead with the investigation. The car was towed from the scene. Bob Barnes photos
POSTED: 06/15/26 at 12:42 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
The Van Wert Civic Theatre’s 2026-2027 season is set to feature a dynamic lineup of musicals, comedies, youth theatre productions, and moving drama. From laugh-out-loud entertainment to heartfelt storytelling, the upcoming season offers something for audiences of all ages.
Season memberships are available now and continue to provide one of the best ways to experience all that VWCT has to offer. Members enjoy exclusive early access to ticket purchases before they are made available to the general public. For all productions, the box office will open two weeks prior to opening night. Individual tickets are $18, with senior tickets available for $16 through pre-sale purchases.
AYAT opens the season with The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals
The season begins with the Adolescent & Young Adult Theatre production of The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals, written by Nick and Matt Lang with music and lyrics by Jeff Blim. Directed by Alyssa Taylor, with music director Perri Webb and choreographer Emily Gehle, this cult-favorite musical comedy follows Paul, an ordinary man whose dislike of musicals becomes a major problem when a mysterious plague transforms his town into a singing and dancing nightmare.
Packed with humor, horror, and unforgettable songs, the production will run July 23-26 and July 30-August 2.
Catch Me If You Can takes flight this fall
This September, audiences can enjoy the Broadway hit Catch Me If You Can, directed by Jerry Zimmerman. Based on the true story of Frank Abagnale Jr. and the popular DreamWorks film, the musical follows one of history’s most famous con artists as he impersonates a pilot, doctor, and lawyer while staying one step ahead of the FBI.
(more…)POSTED: 06/14/26 at 8:33 pm. FILED UNDER: Arts & Entertainment, News
This single vehicle accident occurred shortly after 11:30 a.m. Sunday in the 600 block of N. Washington St. in Van Wert, when the car left the roadway and collided with a tree. Airbags were deployed and and Van Wert Police and Van Wert EMS responded to the scene. The driver declined any treatment. The car was removed from the scene by Hague Towing. The accident remains under investigation by the Van Wert Police Department. Bob Barnes/VWFD photographer
POSTED: 06/14/26 at 8:32 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Submitted information
MIDDLE POINT — The Van Wert County Outdoorsmen Association will host “Ladies Day at the Range” this Saturday, June 20. It will begin at 9 a.m. and will teach both firearm safety and usage as well as how much fun the shooting sports can be. The session will start with .22 rifles and then move to .22 pistols. There will be instruction for both types of firearms. After the basic instruction, there will be a defensive pistol training period to end the program.
Participants do not need to bring any equipment unless they have safety glasses or hearing protection as everything is provided. Even if you have attended before, you may still attend again.
If you have your own firearm and would like a little instruction on how to use it, instruction will take place after the session is over. If you bring your own equipment, please bring your own ammunition.
Pre-registration is currently taking place and space is limited. You may call 419.203.9105 to register or for any questions you may have. There is no cost for this class. It is brought to you by the Van Wert County Outdoorsmen Association and the Friends of the NRA.
The Van Wert County Outdoorsman Club is at 9093 Ringwald Rd., Middle Point.
POSTED: 06/14/26 at 8:31 pm. FILED UNDER: News
