VW independent staff
Unemployment in Van Wert County during the month of March was lower than the statewide average, according to figures released earlier this week by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.
The county’s jobless rate came in at 3.4 percent, while Ohio’s average was 4.0 percent. The local March employment rate dipped from February, when it was 4.1 percent and it’s notably lower than March, 2025, when it was 5.0 percent. ODJS said Van Wert County had an available workforce of 14,200 in March, with 13,700 employed.
Most other surrounding counties came in under the statewide average as well. Paulding County matched Van Wert County at 3.4 percent, Putnam County was at 3.5 percent and Auglaize County’s March unemployment rate was 3.0 percent. Mercer County’s jobless rate was 2.7 percent, second lowest in Ohio. Allen County was just above Ohio’s average, 4.1 percent.
Among the state’s 88 counties, March unemployment rates ranged from a low of 2.6 percent in Holmes County to a high of 6.1 percent in Noble and Ottawa counties. From February, unemployment rates decreased in all 88 counties.
22 counties had unemployment rates at or below 3.5 percent in March. Along with Holmes and Mercer counties, those counties were: Auglaize and Union, 3.0 percent; Delaware, 3.1 percent; Hancock, Warren, and Wyandot, 3.3 percent; Franklin, Paulding, Shelby, Van Wert and Wayne, 3.4 percent, and Champaign, Defiance, Fairfield, Greene, Licking, Madison, Medina, Preble, and Putnam, 3.5 percent.
Nine counties had jobless rates at or above 5.5 percent in March. The counties with the highest rates, other than Noble and Ottawa were: Pike, 6.0 percent; Meigs, 5.8 percent; Adams and Monroe, 5.7 percent; Huron and Trumbull, 5.6 percent, and Morgan, 5.5 percent.
POSTED: 05/08/26 at 8:11 pm
VW independent staff
The City of Van Wert’s first official brush pickup of the year is set for Monday, May 11. Brush must be placed by the curb by 7 a.m. that day. 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.
Additional brush pickup dates are scheduled for July 13 and September 14.
POSTED: 05/08/26 at 8:10 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Submitted information
The Knights of Columbus will have a celebration for the Knights of Columbus Mexican Martyrs at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 21, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Van Wert.
The event will celebrate the members of the Knights of Columbus who were martyred during the Cristeros War in Mexico in the late 1920s. When the government placed severe restrictions and penalties on religious worship, the people rose up against the government and fought for their religious freedom. The slogan for the fighters was Viva Cristo Rey – long live Christ the King.
On May 21, 2000, Pope John Paul II canonized 25 martyrs who died in that war, many of whom were members of the Knights of Columbus.
The celebration will include a Holy Hour lead by Rev. Steve Blum which will feature parts in Spanish, English and Latin. Following the Holy Hour, there will be a pot luck meal in the St. Mary’s gym. All are invited.
By Morgan Trau and Joe Donatelli/Ohio Capital Journal
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced Thursday he will resign and take a private-sector job with nonproft law firm Alliance Defending Freedom.
The “surprise move” was first reported by the Columbus Dispatch.
Earlier Thursday, Yost’s spokesperson did not confirm or deny the report when contacted, but half a dozen statehouse sources who wished to remain anonymous said Yost is expected to leave his job ahead of the November election.
WEWS attended an event today in hopes of speaking with Yost, but his spokesman, Steve Irwin, physically blocked reporter Morgan Trau several times when she attempted to speak with the attorney general in a public area.
Department of Public Safety Director Andy Wilson thanked Yost for his public service.
“Attorney General Yost has dedicated his entire professional career to keeping people safe … wish him the best in everything that he’s going to do,” Wilson said.
On Thursday afternoon, Yost tweeted that he is taking a job with Alliance Defending Freedom. He will be the firm’s new vice president of Strategic Research and Innovation.
Yost has served as attorney general since 2019.
Prior to that, he was the state auditor.
Yost’s political dreams of being governor were dealt a blow in 2025 when the Ohio Republican Party endorsed Vivek Ramaswamy. Yost suspended his governor campaign soon after, and has since kept a low profile. He is the only statewide Republican besides Governor Mike DeWine who is not currently running for office.
DeWine has the authority to appoint a new attorney general, with just six months until the general election.
(more…)POSTED: 05/08/26 at 8:06 pm. FILED UNDER: News
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LIMA — Defiance took home top honors in the Western Buckeye League Scholastic Bowl Tournament held on Friday at The Ohio State University at Lima. This is the third year in a row that Defiance’s varsity team has won the championship title and the fifth of the last seven.
The winning varsity team from Defiance included George English, Chris Brinkman, Zack Wieland, Matthew Walter and Katherine McDonald. The team finished with a perfect 8-0 record, beating the reserve champion team from Shawnee by one point in head-to-head competition. The runner-up varsity team from Shawnee included Jonah Briggs, Georgianna Damschroder, Ezra George, Angie Karapondo and Abigail Zabonik. Shawnee varsity finished with a 6-2 record.
The winning JV team was Shawnee and it included Smith Collins, Jonny George, Tommy Hedges, Duleeka Kularatne, Yanni Southibounnorath, Jake Thompson and Jackson Wenningand. They finished with a 7-1 record. The runner-up JV team from Celina finished with a 6-2 record and included Katherine Goldsberry, Leon Melendrez, Austin Muether and Liam Stewart.
The Defiance coach is James Kerr and the Shawnee coach is John Young.
The WBL Scholastic Bowl All Tournament Team was chosen by the coaches and made up of one member from each school. The 2026 All Tournament Team members are Lacey Carpenter from Bath, Mischa Snow from Celina, George English from Defiance, Railee Ronshausen from Elida, Presley Wilson from Kenton, Noah Brinkman from Ottawa-Glandorf, Jeremy Bary from St. Marys, Ezra George from Shawnee and Graham Shively from Wapakoneta. English, Brinkman and Shively have earned all-tournament honors in 2024, 2025 and 2026.
Van Wert did not compete in this year’s tournament.
POSTED: 05/08/26 at 8:05 pm. FILED UNDER: News
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The Lincolnview Local Schools Board of Education will hold a special meeting/work session for district planning. The meeting will begin at 5 p.m. Monday, May 11, in the Neubrecht Lecture Hall. No action will be taken.
POSTED: 05/08/26 at 8:04 pm. FILED UNDER: News
By Dave Mosier
Van Wert Civic Theatre’s final production of the 2025-26 season is Songs for a New World, an interesting hybrid of theatrical song cycle and musical that presents situations and decisions related to the human experience. The title has a double meaning, since it refers to historical discovery as well as personal change.
The songs, written and composed by Tony-winning songsmith Jason Robert Brown, encompass a wide range of styles and subject matter, from wry humor to emotional loss, and usually involve some pivotal moment in a character’s life.
The play, which premiered off-Broadway three decades ago, is usually produced with a small cast — often just two men and two women who play a variety of roles — but The VWCT production doubles that number to eight — two men and six women — to give more actors an opportunity to participate.
The two-act show begins, as usual, with a big production number, while the remaining 15 songs are an eclectic mix that includes the darkly humorous “Just One Step” about a woman on a ledge trying to get her husband’s attention, “I’m Not Afraid of Anything” about being brave, “Stars and the Moon” about the consequences of choosing security over love, the rocking “Steam Train” about a man’s ambition that leads to tragedy and, my personal favorite, “Hear My Song”, which features a lovely duet between two
mothers as they talk to their daughters about . Another darkly comedic tune is “Surobaya-Santa”, which features a bitter Mrs. Claus complaining to a slobby, beer-drinking Santa about her disappointing life.
Two historical figures are also included in the play: Christopher Columbus in “On the Deck of a Spanish Sailing Ship, 1492” and Betsy Ross in “The Flagmaker, 1775.”
Director Amy Boley has brought together a talented eight-person cast that includes longtime VWCT veterans, several actors seen in more recent Civic Theatre productions and some talented newcomers. The production is challenging for the actors, since each cast member must take on several roles.
(more…)POSTED: 05/08/26 at 6:59 am. FILED UNDER: News
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
It’s been a big week for students at Vantage Career Career.
Superintendent Rick Turner announced during Thursday night’s monthly school board meeting that Cruse Schroeder (Ottoville) placed first in the Heavy Equipment category at the SkillsUSA Ohio State Championships, qualifying him for the SkillsUSA National Championships in Atlanta next month. Hayden Schimmoller (Delphos Jefferson) secured third place in Precision Machining.
“All of our contestants worked hard and represented Vantage exceptionally well,” he said. “Congratulations to our students and instructors for the exemplary effort put into these events.”
On the subject of SkillsUSA, Treasurer Denise Mooney announced that Turner had been named as the first SkillsUSA Ohio Superintendent of the Year. He was presented with an award by Board President Dr. Tim Fitzpatrick.
Turner noted to the board that Vantage students Zaria Harter (Lincolnview) and Gabriel Spradlin Van Wert) were named winners of the R.K. Thompson Self-Reliance Award Wednesday evening (see story here).
Turner provided an update on renovations to the former Thomas Edison Building, which will become home to the Vantage Academy of Medical Careers. He told the board that work is progressing steadily.
“The new mezzanine has passed steel inspection, and interior framing rough-ins continue,” he stated. “Metal roof panels are now on-site. Once installed the building will be watertight, allowing drywall and finishing work to begin within approximately two weeks. The team is currently reviewing revised schedules, as the timeline for the start of classes depends on the completion of the roof and subsequent interior finishes.”
The board approved the purchase of furniture for the Vantage Academy of Medical Careers, along with design plans for the main campus, once medical programs move across the street.
(more…)POSTED: 05/07/26 at 8:26 pm. FILED UNDER: News
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The Van Wert community is invited to take part in the Van Wert Parks Department’s summer walking program, which is designed to keep everyone active while also enjoying local parks. The series will begin on Monday, May 18 at the Park District Trail East, with participants meeting at the Rotary Athletic Complex for a 1.5-mile walk.
Each week features a new location with gradually increasing distances. On June 1, walkers will meet at the Van Wert High School track (1.7 miles), followed by Jubilee Park on June 8, meeting at the stone lot off Brooks Avenue (1.8 miles). The group will gather at Fountain Park Pavilion on June 15 for a 2-mile walk, and at the Van Wert County Fairgrounds front gate off U.S. 127 on June 22 (1.9 miles).
The program will continue on June 29 at the South Reservoir boat ramp (2.25 miles). Next will be Smiley Park Pavilion No. 4 on July 6 (2.5 miles). On July 13, participants will meet at Franklin Park off Greenwald Street for a 2.7-mile route. The Park District Trail West walk follows on July 20, meeting at the trailhead on Richey Road (2.8 miles). The final walk on July 27 will be at the North Reservoir dog park off U.S. 127 with a 3.2-mile walk.
All walks will begin at 7 p.m. and will offer a great way to stay active, explore the community, and connect with others throughout the summer. Everyone is invited.
To keep up to date with this program, please follow the Van Wert Parks Department on Facebook and Instagram or if you have more questions, call the park office 419.238.9121.
POSTED: 05/07/26 at 8:25 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Dietrich Rinehart was officially sworn in Thursday as a full-time Firefighter/EMT at the Van Wert Fire Department. having successfully completed his one-year probationary period. Chief Jon Jones said Rinehart joined the department one year ago, completed his probationary period. and has demonstrated the dedication, skill, and professionalism expected of Van Wert’s firefighters. Jones said the completion of his probationary period marks an important milestone in his career and reflects his commitment to serving the community. The Van Wert Fire Department remains committed to providing the highest level of fire protection and emergency medical services to the community. Photo submitted
POSTED: 05/07/26 at 8:25 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
COLUMBUS — Earlier this week, State Representative Roy Klopfenstein (R-Haviland) joined a roundtable with Alex Fitzsimmons, Acting Undersecretary of Energy for the U.S. Department of Energy; State Representative Adam Holmes (R-Nashport), State Representative Adam Mathews (R-Lebanon), Chair of the House Energy Committee; State Representative David Thomas (R-Jefferson), and representatives from the America First Policy Institute (AFPI) to discuss the Ratepayer Protection Pledge and Ohio’s leadership on data center accountability, which includes Ohio House Bill 706.
The roundtable held at the Statehouse brought together Ohio policymakers, industry leaders, community advocates, and utility representatives for a productive discussion on House Bill 706 and ensuring AI data center growth does not burden Ohio ratepayers.
“We will keep working to find a solution that both protects Ohio ratepayers and demonstrates that Ohio is open for business,” Klopfenstein said.
House Bill 706, introduced by Representatives David Thomas and Tristan Rader, builds on consumer protections already being implemented in AEP Ohio’s service territory through a PUCO-approved tariff. AEP has reported that early results from this tariff structure are “working as designed.” This legislation would apply those same safeguards statewide, ensuring consistent safeguards for ratepayers across Ohio.
House Bill 706 requires data center customers to enter into long-term service agreements with electric utilities before utilities construct dedicated infrastructure. It also directs the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio to establish standards for interconnection queue practices, load study deposits, and milestone requirements.
The roundtable also included discussion of House Bill 15, a market-driven, comprehensive initiative sponsored by Rep. Klopfenstein and passed by the Legislature last year that aims to boost power generation in Ohio, improve affordability for ratepayers, and increase reliability within the state’s electrical grid.
POSTED: 05/07/26 at 8:24 pm. FILED UNDER: News
