SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
It’s safe to say the Van Wert Police Department receives a wide range of calls on any given day. Some are your “run of the mill” calls, the usual types of incidents that need a police presence and/or investigating and yes, sometimes enforcement action.
However, a call came in late Sunday morning that was hardly run of the mill. Just before 10:50 a.m., the police department received a call from a youth pastor at theCHURCH, in the 10000 block of U.S. 127 South, of loose goat outside the church. Dispatch was told the goat was quite possibly from the fairgrounds, which made perfect sense since setup was beginning for the Van Wert County Fair. Dispatch was also told the goat was friendly.
Officer Tyler Myers was dispatched to the church and the goat was located. The Van Wert PD doesn’t have vehicles in its fleet to transport farm animals, so the suspected escapee was treated like anyone who was taken into custody – the goat was placed in the back of the cruiser for transport.
Officer Myers and the pygmy goat arrived at the fairgrounds within minutes and custody was transferred to two people with the knowledge to handle a goat. Body camera footage shows when the back door to the cruiser was opened, the goat, now on a leash, jumped out with the assistance of the two people. After a short stroll, perhaps a stroll of shame, the goat was placed inside a pen for safekeeping.
(more…)POSTED: 09/01/26 at 8:50 pm
Submitted information
Here is a list of Van Wert street closures that are planned for the month of September.
Sycamore St. from Jefferson St. to Washington St. will be closed from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. September 8-10 for their bell tower project.
S. Jefferson St. from Main St. to Central Ave. will be closed from 5-10 p.m. Saturday, September 12, for a Van Wert Freedom Cruise.
Main Street Van Wert’s Harvest Moon Festival event will be held from 4-11 p.m. Saturday, September 26. The street closure will be Main St., from 101 E. Main St., to 301 E. Main St.; East and West Court St.; 200 E. Main St., from S. Market St., to E. Crawford St., including the parking lot and 113 N. Market St., to Main St.
POSTED: 09/01/26 at 8:47 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
The chase is officially on.
Van Wert Civic Theatre has revealed the cast for the upcoming musical production of Catch Me If You Can, directed by Jerry Zimmerman with music direction by Terri Spencer and choreography by Noelle Warnement.
Fly high with Frank Abagnale, Jr. in this high-energy musical comedy based on the hit 2002 film and incredible true story. From pilot to doctor to lawyer, follow the world’s most charming con artist as he out runs the FBI in a globe-trotting chase filled with glamorous sets, spectacular dance numbers, and a swinging 60’s score. Can the law catch him, or will Frank fly away with it all?
The cast features Ashton Szabados as Frank Abagnale, Jr., Nick Long as Agent Carl Hanratty, Drew Kantonen as Frank Abagnale, Sr., and Mary Ann Falk as Paula Abagnale. Cheyenne Weber stars as Brenda Strong alongside Kristin Lee as Carol Strong, Roger Rex as Roger Strong, and Nicole Merkel as Cheryl Ann, with Grant Boecker, Brian Hill, and Marcus Kerns appearing as FBI agents.
The ensemble who play a variety of roles includes Amy Boley, Renae Boecker, Sean Carpenter, Anna Cassidy, Leah Garmatter, Dianna Hicks, Katelyn Knepper, Doug Long, Jr., Brianna Luginbihl, Nicole Merkel, Alea Rex, Kimmy Warnecke, Noelle Warnement, Joe Warnement, and Jerry Zimmerman.
Get ready for an evening of big dance numbers, flashy sets, and an unforgettable cat-and-mouse game between Frank Jr. and the FBI. The box office will open to the public on Thursday, September 3. Admission is 18 with a senior discount ticket available for $16.
Show dates and times September 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, and 26, 2026 at 7:30 p.m., with Sunday matinees on September 20 and 27, 2026 at 2 p.m. at the Van Wert Civic Theatre, 118 S. Race Street. Reserve your tickets online at vwct.org or by calling 419.238.9689.
POSTED: 09/01/26 at 8:46 pm. FILED UNDER: Arts & Entertainment, News
VW independent staff/submitted information
The YWCA of Van Wert County is offering the community a free opportunity to better understand the complexities of domestic violence and the tactics abusers use to maintain control over their partners.
The online video series, Take the Wheel: A Crash Course in the Power and Control Wheel, features short, easy-to-digest videos that explain each section of the power and control wheel. Each video highlights specific behaviors commonly exhibited by perpetrators of intimate partner violence.
The power and control wheel, first developed in 1984, is a widely recognized tool that illustrates how abuse is a pattern of behaviors rather than isolated incidents. Its “spokes” represent various tactics used by abusers, including intimidation, emotional abuse, isolation, coercion and threats, economic abuse, minimizing, denying, blaming, and the use of privilege.
“The power and control wheel has long been the gold standard for identifying stereotypical behaviors abusers use to manipulate and control their victims,” said Julie Schaufelberger,YWCA Director of Outreach and Communication. “Most people are familiar with the physical aspects of domestic violence. The power and control wheel shows the full range of intimate partner violence and helps recognize red flags that might be overlooked.”
Beginning October 1, subscribers will receive links by email to view a 3-5 minute video highlighting a different segment of the wheel. Videos will be released twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout October – Domestic Violence Awareness Month. In total, participants will receive seven videos..
A discussion board will also be available, offering thought-provoking questions for participants to reflect on and discuss. Engagement in the forum is optional.
“The time investment is very small. In less than one hour total over the entire month of October, subscribers will gain valuable insight into the warning signs of abuse and learn practical ways to support survivors,” Schaufelberger said.
Community members may register by September 30 at: https://forms.gle/g9Yg4vd8nF3pqHsJ6. Additional details about the discussion board will be provided in a welcome email to all registrants.
The YWCA of Van Wert County is an agency of the United Way of Van Wert County and is partially funded by the VAn Wert County Foundation.
POSTED: 09/01/26 at 8:45 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Submitted information
The next regular Tully Township Trustee meeting will be held a a week later than usual, 7 p.m. Monday, September 14, at the Township Hall, 6278 Mentzer Road, Convoy. The change is due to the Labor Day holiday.
POSTED: 09/01/26 at 8:44 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
GROVER HILL — A shooting death in Paulding County is under investigation.
According to a press release from Paulding County Sheriff Jason K. Landers, deputies were dispatched to a home in the 19000 block of Road 72 in the Grover Hill area for a man who had been shot. The call came in at 10:30 p.m. Monday.
Deputies found Logan D. Moss, 34, of Mark Center, in the driveway suffering from a gunshot wound. Deputies rendered aid to Moss until Grover Hill EMS arrived on scene and took over medical care. Moss was transported to OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The homeowner, Alfred B. Conner, 72, was taken into custody for shooting Moss. He was transported to a local hospital to be medically assessed before incarceration. He is currently charged with one count of murder, an unclassified felony, and the case will soon be handed over to the Paulding County Prosecutor’s Office for further review.
Assisting the Sheriff’s Office at the scene was the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Grover Hill EMS, Scott EMS and Paulding County Prosecutor Matthew A. Miller.
Landers said no further information is expected to be released due to the ongoing investigation.
POSTED: 09/01/26 at 5:45 am. FILED UNDER: News
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
The 170th annual Van Wert County Fair is here. If you’re planning on attending, here is a handy list of highlights, planned events and other information.
Days and hours
The Van Wert County Fair begins on Tuesday and will run through Labor Day. The gates at the Van Wert County Faigrounds will open at 8 a.m. each day and the fair will close at midnight each night. The Junior Fair livestock sale will begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday, September 8, in the Farm Focus Arena.
Admission and rides
Children 12 and under are admitted free of charge. Otherwise, single day admission is $10, while individual season tickets are $28 but must be purchased before 5 p.m. Saturday.
Ride hours are 6-10 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 1-5 p.m. and 6-10 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday. On-site wristbands will be available at the fair for $27 per session, with a three percent surcharge if paying by card. Ride credits may also be purchased at ticket boxes for 50 cents each. Keep in mind that most rides require multiple credits. Credits are loaded onto a FunTagg card or wristband. More information can be found here.
Special days
Wednesday is Senior Citizens Day, with free admission until 4 p.m. for anyone 60 and over. Just for seniors, there will be several offerings, including one from 9-11 a.m. – free coffee and donuts until they run out, plus a program centered on senior topics, free blood pressure checks and special prizes. Between 12:30-2 p.m., there will be karaoke with “Old Geezer” and free bingo from 2-4 p.m., sponsored by Van Wert Council on Aging. All of those special offerings will take place in the Gospel Tent.
Thursday is Veterans Day, with free admission for all veterans. Starting at 11 a.m. in the Van Wert County Veterans Service Commission Entertainment Tent, there will be a Gibson’s Barnyard BBQ Veterans Day lunch. Ham and beans will be served by the Veterans Service Commission at 5 p.m. and a free veterans program will begin at 6 p.m. The program is open to anyone.
Saturday is First Responders Day, with free admission all day for first responders.
Food
It wouldn’t be a fair without food and once again, there will be plenty of options available around the fairgrounds.
(more…)POSTED: 08/31/26 at 8:55 pm. FILED UNDER: News
No one was injured when a car and a Van County Sheriff’s cruiser collided at the intersection of Franklin and Sycamore streets in Van Wert at approximately 5:45 p.m. Monday. The white car was northbound on Franklin St., failed to stop and hit the cruiser. On the scene was the Van Wert Police Department, Van Wert County Sheriff’s Department and the Van Wert Fire Department. Hague Towing removed the white car from the scene. Bob Barnes/VWFD photographer
POSTED: 08/31/26 at 8:55 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
Average gasoline prices in Ohio have fallen 17.9 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.84 per gallon on Monday, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 5,345 stations in Ohio. Prices in Ohio are 25.1 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand 66.7 cents per gallon higher than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has decreased 1.4 cents compared to a week ago and stands at $5.570 per gallon.
According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Ohio was priced at $2.99 per gallon on Sunday, while the most expensive was $5.25 per gallon, a difference of $2.26 per gallon.
The national average price of gasoline has fallen 3.2 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $4.01 per gallon on Monday. The national average is down 7.3 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 86.2 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 slightly more than half of states over the last week while diesel declined in roughly half, as oil prices moved lower and offered some modest relief at the pump,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “Over the weekend, the Trump administration struck a major deal with Venezuela, a signal that the White House remains concerned about elevated fuel prices — though in reality, any benefits from increased Venezuelan output will take years to fully materialize and are unlikely to move the needle in the near term. The factors with the most immediate impact on where prices go from here remain the ongoing developments between the U.S. and Iran and continued Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries, both of which continue to exert outsized influence on global fuel markets. Motorists should expect continued volatility in the weeks ahead.”
Historical gasoline prices in Ohio and the national average going back five years:
August 31, 2025: $3.17/g (U.S. Average: $3.15/g)
August 31, 2024: $3.25/g (U.S. Average: $3.31/g)
August 31, 2023: $3.61/g (U.S. Average: $3.79/g)
August 31, 2022: $3.65/g (U.S. Average: $3.81/g)
August 31, 2021: $2.98/g (U.S. Average: $3.17/g)
POSTED: 08/31/26 at 8:54 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
COLUMBUS — The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles has announced that Ohio Mobile ID is now available in Google Wallet. Ohio residents with an Android device can add their Ohio driver license or state ID to Google Wallet, offering a convenient digital companion to the physical card. Individuals who choose to use Ohio Mobile ID should continue to carry their physical credential.
Ohio Mobile ID in Google Wallet allows users to securely store and present their identity information. When an ID is displayed, the user can review exactly what data is shared. Digital IDs are encrypted on the device and protected by personal authentication. If a device is lost or stolen, digital IDs can be deleted through remote data erase features.
“Ohio is excited to roll out the next phase of our Mobile ID program, expanding it to all Ohioans,” said Charlie Norman, Registrar of the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles. “Ohioans have been asking for an Android solution, and we are pleased to deliver it. Secure identity is foundational to our mission at the Ohio BMV, and we have spent the last several years designing this program to safeguard Ohioans’ privacy while providing cutting‑edge convenience.”
Ohioans can present their Mobile ID to verify age or identity at select businesses and venues across the state, in many state buildings, at all TSA checkpoints nationwide, and at Ohio’s casinos. Mobile IDs can only be presented and validated through readers designed to decrypt the credential, similar to tap‑to‑pay technology.
To add an Ohio driver license or State ID to Google Wallet, users can open the Google Wallet app or download it from Google Play, select “Add to Wallet,” choose “ID Card,” select “Ohio,” and follow the verification prompts.
Participation in Ohio Mobile ID is entirely voluntary and offered at no cost. The program adheres to national and international privacy, security, and interoperability standards, enabling Ohio Mobile ID to be used in other states where mobile IDs are supported.
POSTED: 08/31/26 at 8:51 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Students and staff at Van Wert Elementary School had to evacuate the building this morning after a fire alarm was automatically activated by a sensor detecting smoke. It happened just before 8 a.m. and according to a statement by Van Wert City Schools, students and staff exited quickly and safely. The Van Wert Fire Department responded, checked the building, and gave the all clear to re-enter. The maintenance department identified the issue and will make the necessary repair. The fire department returned to the school at approximately 11 a.m. to investigate the smell of smoke coming out of the air ducts. It appeared that a roof mounted air handler had malfunctioned causing the smoke and odor of smoke. Bob Barnes/VWFD photographer
POSTED: 08/31/26 at 8:17 am. FILED UNDER: News
