Planning Commission makes zoning recommendation

Gustnado damage…

A barn under construction on Ohio 697 south of Middle Point was destroyed by a confirmed gustnado Thursday night. The National Weather Service defines a gustnado as a small whirlwind which forms as an eddy in thunderstorm outflows. They do not connect with any cloud-base rotation and are not tornadoes. Since their origin is associated with cumuliform clouds, gustnadoes are classified as thunderstorm wind events. Photo courtesy of Rick McCoy

Storms blow through Van Wert County

VW independent staff/submitted information

Thursday night’s storms brought a bit of havoc to the area, as severe storms began moving through Van Wert County at approximately 7:30 p.m.

According to Van Wert County Emergency Management Agency Director Rick McCoy, temperatures at the time had hit a record high of 81 degrees and then fell off to 32 degrees by Friday morning, which created the fuel in the atmosphere for severe weather. McCoy added the storms did bring some much needed rainfall of nearly 1.5 inches, but also some damaging winds in the county.

He also stated that the National Weather Service was conducting several surveys this morning where it appears from videos taken and damage reported that tornadoes may have struck in Mercer County and Huntington County, Indiana.

The National Weather Service had placed the Van Wert County under a tornado watch late in the afternoon and a number of storm chasers from around the country had converged on Indiana and Ohio to stream a possible tornado outbreak. The local EMA tracked storms across Indiana and projected the storms would hit between 7:30-8 p.m.

Shortly after the storms had moved into the western portion of the county and a few damage reports were being reported, the National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the southern half of the county. McCoy stated that some intense winds came with the storm and the highest gust of 65 miles per hour was recorded in Convoy. He said the Wetzel station measured 64 miles per hour with Delphos coming in at 54 miles per hour. He also said that several reports came in of possible gustnadoes, where the winds were intense enough and moving at a fast forward speed that it made dust storms with wind rotating from the ground up to the cloud base.

Local law enforcement and the EMA’s CERT teams were kept busy after the storm had passed, conducting traffic control at several locations in the county due to poles down including some telephone and power lines that were blocking roadways. A number of homeowners were also reporting shingles blown off of roofs and trees were reported down around the county.

Lincolnview BOE holds monthly meeting

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

Two new school buses will be joining Lincolnview’s fleet of buses.

Thursday night, the Lincolnview Local Schools Board of Education approved the purchase of a 72-passenger bus and an 84 passenger bus from Cardinal Bus Sales & Service Inc. The total cost is nearly $307,000, which does not include trade-in values for buses.

The board accepted the retirement-resignations of longtime Lincolnview Jr. High/High School secretary Kay Mohr effective at the end of the 2026-2027 school year, and elementary media aide Marcia Weldy, effective at the end of the current school year. Board members also accepted the resignation of boys bowling coach Neil Korte.

Raegan Boley was approved as an elementary intervention specialist cross categorical, while Jeff Castle was approved as a volunteer high school track coach and Drew Doner as a volunteer junior high track coach.

Various donations were accepted by the board, including $6,250 from the Lincolnview Athletic Boosters for a portion of the HUDL payment, and $3,280.90 from the United Way of Van Wert County via Rivals United to benefit the Lincolnview Latchkey program. Donations of $250 each were accepted from Firehouse Pizza, Carey Insurance and Lloyd Show Pigs, plus $190 from Huggy Bear RV Sales for rally towels.

In other business, Elementary Principal Nita Meyer was named the homeless liaison for the 2026-2027 school year and the board approved the upcoming school year calendar for the Marsh Foundation.

Glow in the Dark Easter Egg Hunt set

VW independent staff/submitted information

Promise Church is inviting the community to one of the area’s most unique and family-friendly Easter events – the Glow in the Dark Easter Egg Hunt, taking place at 9 p.m. Friday, April 3, at the Van Wert County Fairgrounds.

This free community event will feature 10,000 glow-in-the-dark eggs filled with candy, prizes, and gift certificates, creating a fun and unforgettable experience for children and families of all ages.

Participants will be divided into three age groups: ages 4 and under, 5-8 and 9–12. Families are encouraged to arrive early to line up in their designated age group areas before the official countdown begins at 9 p.m.

“We wanted to create something special for our community—an event that brings families together in a fun, safe, and memorable way,” said Pastor Mac of Promise Church. “This isn’t just an egg hunt—it’s a celebration of community, generosity, and hope.”

The event is made possible through the generous support of numerous anchor community sponsors and local businesses who have donated prizes and resources to make the night a success.

Some eggs will contain special numbered tickets redeemable for larger prizes at the designated prize table following the hunt.

There is an important safety note: Some eggs contain small balloon lights which are not edible and may pose a choking hazard. Parents are encouraged to supervise children and remove these items after the event.

Promise Church also extends a heartfelt thank you to Van Wert County for allowing the use of the fairgrounds to host this large-scale community event.

This event is completely free and open to the public.

Long prison term for contractor

VW independent staff/submitted information

DELAWARE — A pole barn contractor who defrauded consumers of more than $400,000 has been sentenced to at least 17 years in prison after being convicted of 47 felony counts, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced on Thursday.

This month, Marion resident Ryan C. Needels, owner of Clear View Construction, went to trial in Delaware County Common Pleas Court on 47 felony counts contained in an indictment dating from August 2023. Needels ran a long-term scheme in which he accepted large payments for pole barns or other construction projects but instead stole victim’s money.

“47 convictions speak for themselves,” Yost said. “Victims were heard and justice was served.”

Judge Richard Frye, who heard the case on assignment, took testimony from 19 victims and considered victim-impact statements from many of them at sentencing. The judge ordered Needels to serve 17 to 22 years in prison and pay $448,000 in restitution, describing him as a “predator” who carried out a pervasive and prolonged scheme to defraud his victims.

The charges included engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, telecommunications fraud, seven counts of money laundering and 38 counts of theft. Needels previously entered a guilty plea to some of the counts in the indictment, that plea was appealed and the convictions were vacated.

Tornado Watch in effect until 11 p.m.

VW independent staff

The National Weather Service Northern Indiana has issued a Tornado Watch for Van Wert County and surrounding counties in northwest Ohio until 11 p.m. tonight.

VWCS board approves union contract

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

Personnel matters and contracts were at the forefront of Wednesday’s monthly meeting of the Van Wert City Schools Board of Education.

A day after it was ratified by the union, the school board unanimously approved a three-year negotiated agreement with the Van Wert Federation of Teachers. The agreement with the teachers’ union begins August 1 and runs through July 31, 2029, and includes annual raises of 3 percent, 3.5 percent and 3.5 percent. There’s also a one percent difference in health insurance. After the meeting, Superintendent Mark Bagley said contract negotiations went smootly. 

The board accepted the retirement-resignations of Bagley and Director Curriculum and Instruction Chris Covey, effective June 30. Both are seeking re-employment under retire-rehire. The board will hold a public hearing for both at 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 22,

Several other resignations were accepted, including Julie Didion, middle school paraprofessional; Joshua Early, elementary school intervention specialist; and fourth grade teacher Natalie Ungruhn. The retirement-resignation of preschool teacher Rhonda Niemeyer was also accepted.

Sierra Poulson was approved as a social worker and Kyra Welch was hired as a fourth grade intervention specialist, both effective with 2026-2027 school year.

The list of sports for the upcoming school year was approved, including high school baseball, boys basketball, bowling, cross country, football, golf, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field and indoor track and field, along with girls basketball, bowling, cross country, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, volleyball and indoor track and field, plus co-ed cheerleading and wrestling. Middle school sports to be offered include boys basketball, cross country, football and track and field, girls basketball, cross country, track and field and volleyball, along with co-ed cheerleading and wrestling.

Board members approved a $1.1 million contract with Alexander & Bebout for Phase IV of the Eggerss Stadium renovation project (see previous story here). So far, $7.1 million has been spent on renovations at the downtown stadium.

Egg hunt scheduled for April 4

VW independent staff

The Van Wert Parks Department’s annual Easter Egg Hunt is just around the corner. It’ll be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 4, at the Smiley Park ballfields.

There will be four age groups: 2 and under, 3-4, 5-7, and 8-10. Children will need to bring their own basket or bag to gather eggs. The Easter Bunny will be on hand for pictures and to say “hi!”

Crestview board handles routine business

VW independent staff

CONVOY — The Crestview Local Schools Board of Education handled a rather light agenda during Wednesday’s monthly meeting.

Crestview Middle School Principal Trent Kreischer and middle school social studies teacher James Lautzenheiser gave a brief presentation on the upcoming eighth grade Washington, DC trip.

In other business, Superintendent Matt Dube said the board will provide public input for the 2027-2028 school calendar through May 15. The board will take action on the recommended school calendar at the May 18 meeting.

The board will honor retiring staff at the May meeting. Dube said staff appreciation week is scheduled for May 4-8. The board will provide food trucks on May 28 for employees. He also informed the board that prom will be held April 25, with after-prom at Villa Lanes in Decatur, Indiana.

The board approved a handful of trips for FFA, accepted several monetary donations and gave approval to an amended date, May 15, for the seventh grade field trip to Columbus.

Before adjourning, the board went into executive session to discuss compensation of employees, but no action was taken afterward.

The next meeting of the Crestview Local Schools Board of Education will be at 6 p.m. Monday, April 20, in the multi-purpose room.

Phase IV at Eggerss Stadium is underway

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

Work is underway on the fourth and final phase of improvements to historic Eggerss Stadium in downtown Van Wert.

Gone is the familiar ticket window at the main entrance and crews are working in and near that area to prepare for other improvements. The list of newest improvements should be complete in time for the 2026 football season, including:

• A new main entrance and ticket booth
• Band bleachers behind the south end zone with storage, which will create more space for fans on the home side of the stadium.
• A new concession stand and restroom.

Superintendent Mark Bagley said parking will be offered again at the south end of the stadium with grass or stone.

Once complete, it will mark the end of a long list of planned improvements to the stadium, which has been home to Van Wert High School football since 1936.

Work began in 2023 and Phase I of the project included concrete restoration to the home side stands and the Cougar Pride Wall, along fresh paint that made the stadium look brighter, plus sealing and waterproofing.

In addition, stairs and aisles on the home side were widened and hand rails were installed, new goal posts were installed in each end zone, the field itself was moved about six feet to the south. The reason – the field was never centered in the stadium. Once it was moved, artificial turf was put down.