Van Wert makes big jump in micropolitan rankings

Fire may have began over cats dispute

Editor’s note: this story has been updated with information provided by the Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office.

VW independent staff

DIXON — A few more details have been released about last week’s fatal fire on the Ohio side of Dixon.

Van Wert County Sheriff Thomas M. Riggenbach said shots were fired into a neighboring home in the 3500 block of Ohio Indiana State Line Road shortly before a 911 call that was placed at 10:27 a.m. last Tuesday, February 24. According to further information provided Thursday afternoon by Jarrod Clay, Public Information Officer for the State Marshal’s Office, the fire was discovered by the next door neighbor, an adult male, when several bullets were shot through his house. After hearing and seeing the gunfire, he looked out the window and saw his neighbor’s house on fire and called 911. The neighbor suffered minor injuries – it appeared he was injured from glass fragments from when bullets went through his window, Clay stated.

Riggenbach said a dispute over cats apparently led to the incident.

“We received information on scene there were issues between the residents over Mr. (Jeffrey) Gillespie’s cats,” Sheriff Riggenbach said. “We had not responded to a call for service between them since January, 2025.”

After firing the shots, Gillespie, 67, apparently set fire to his own home before taking his life.

Deputies and Convoy Fire & EMS were the first to arrive at the scene and Gillespie’s home was engulfed in flames, Payne Fire & EMS, the Monroeville, Indiana Fire Department and Van Wert Fire Department were summoned for tankers and manpower. Clay said when firefighters arrived at the scene, the fire was fully involved, extending from the doors, windows and roof. The fire department was unable to enter the house and the structure was a total loss.

A nearby vehicle also caught fire and was destroyed. Gillespie’s body was found in the remnants of the home. Riggenbach noted the Lucas County Coroner’s Office listed Gillespie’s manner of death as suicide, and Clay said the manner of death was determined to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. A firearm was found near the body during excavation of the home.

Clay said the fire was classified as incendiary (arson).

Ohio banning SNAP sugary soda purchases

VW independent staff/submitted information

COLUMBUS — Starting this fall, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients in Ohio won’t be able to use the food assistance benefits on sugary sodas.

Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) Director Matt Damschroder announced on Wednesday that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved Ohio’s request to prohibit the purchase of sugary carbonated drinks through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

The request was part of the state’s ongoing efforts to push Ohioans to make healthier choices and to prioritize good nutrition. The change will become effective on October 1.

“This waiver that we requested and received through the USDA is a meaningful step toward better health outcomes for Ohioans on food assistance,” said ODJFS Director Matt Damschroder. “Today’s news is a result of Governor DeWine asking us to work with experts in nutrition, public health, and food access to find practical solutions that help Ohioans make healthier choices.”

Specifically, the waiver restricts the use of SNAP benefits for purchasing beverages that list sugar, corn syrup, high-fructose corn syrup, or similar caloric sweeteners as the primary ingredient—or as the second ingredient if the first is carbonated water.

The proposal was based on recommendations from a working group convened by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine in June 2025.

Over three months, the group evaluated a wide range of data and expert input, including the impact of nutrition on children’s health, the history and purpose of SNAP, retail logistics, and implementation feasibility.

The working group noted that many health experts agree that many sugary drinks are widely recognized as having little to no nutritional value and are linked to chronic health conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension.

The group recommended a clear and simple definition of restricted beverages to support ease of implementation for retailers and to ensure that SNAP recipients can easily understand what is and is not eligible for purchase.

With the waiver now approved, ODJFS has begun the early stages of the work necessary to prohibit the sale of sugary carbonated drinks through SNAP. In the coming weeks and months, the agency will communicate changes related to the waiver—with both retailers and SNAP recipients.

Defendants appear for court hearings

VW independent staff

Eight criminal defendants appeared in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court between Friday, February 27 and Wednesday, March 4. Judge Martin D. Burchfield presided over each of the hearings.

Arraignments

Anthony Bandolini, 36, of Ohio City, entered a not guilty plea to a charge of failure to provide notice of change of address, a fourth degree felony. He was released on a surety bond and a pre-trial conference was scheduled for 8:30 a.m. March 18.

Terrance Landwehr, 27, of Cecil, entered a not guilty plea to domestic violence, a third degree felony. Judge Burchfield ordered a pre-sentence investigation and scheduled sentencing for 9 a.m. April 15.

Probation/bond violations

Kaden Ballard, 24, of Van Wert, admitted to violating his probation by failing to report to probation. He was released on electronic house arrest with a curfew and sentencing was set for 9 a.m. April 22.

Jeremy Cole, 35, of Celina, admitted to violating his probation by failing to report to probation and follow through with treatment. Sentencing was scheduled ofr 9 a.m. Wednesday, March 18.

Daniel Green, 50, of Van Wert, denied violating his bond by having police contact. A further hearing was scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 10.

Heating assistance to end March 31

VW independent staff/submitted information

The Ohio Department of Development and Northwestern Ohio Community Action Commission want to help alleviate the burden of costly energy bills this winter and keep more families warm.

From now through March 31, income-eligible Ohioans can receive one-time assistance with their home energy bill through the Department of Development’s Home Energy Assistance Winter Crisis Program.

The Winter Crisis Program assists Ohioans facing service disconnection, those who have already been disconnected, individuals needing to establish new service, and those required to pay for a service transfer. It also supports households with 25 percent or less of bulk fuel in their tank to maintain service. Qualifying households must have a gross annual income at or below 175 percent of the federal poverty level. For a family of four, that is $56,262.50.

If you need immediate assistance with your energy bills, contact Northwestern Ohio Community Action Commission’s 24-hour appointment hotline at 419.219.4641 or visit our website www.nocac.org to schedule an appointment.

Clients need to bring copies of the following documents to their appointment:

• Copies of their most recent energy bills, if available
• A list of all household members and proof of income for the last 30 days or 12 months for each member
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency for all household members
• Proof of disability, if applicable

For more information about the Winter Crisis Program, visit energyhelp.ohio.gov.

Brumback Library lands important grant

VW independent staff/submitted information

The Brumback Library has received grant funding from The Van Wert County Foundation to provide a one-year subscription to the Candid database, a premier resource for non-profit research and grant-seeking. Funding for the subscription was made possible through the Flickinger Memorial Trust and the Alspach Memorial Fund, administered by The Van Wert County Foundation.

Candid is a powerful database that helps nonprofits, community organizations, and individuals identify grant opportunities, research foundations, and strengthen fundraising efforts. Through this subscription, any patron can access Candid free of charge by visiting any of library’s six locations.

Patrons can access the resource while inside a library location by visiting the library’s website and navigating to the digital resources section, where Candid is listed alphabetically. Library staff are also available to assist patrons in getting started and making the most of the database.

“As someone who works daily to secure support for children and families, I know how essential strong, reliable research tools are,” said Bailey Carder, Chief Advancement Officer for The Marsh Foundation. “Having access to Candid through The Brumback Library will significantly strengthen my ability to identify mission-aligned funding opportunities and connect with funders and organizations I may not have otherwise discovered. Resources like this open doors to new partnerships and possibilities that can directly benefit our youth and families, as well as the broader community.”

“I am also excited about the training and educational tools available through Candid, which will provide valuable opportunities for continued professional growth and learning,” she added. “I am truly grateful The Brumback Library is investing in resources that support individuals and nonprofits as we work to better serve the communities we care about.”

Rolling roadblocks along U.S. 30

Submitted information

Utility work along U.S. 30, just west of Middle Point Wetzel Road has been rescheduled. Now, ODOT will have rolling roadblocks starting at 10 p.m. Monday, March 9, until 5 a.m. Tuesday, March 10. The work was originally scheudled for 10 p.m. Friday, March 6, until 5 a.m. Saturday, March 7. Motorists should expect delays of up to 15 minutes.

Students of the Month…

Van Wert Lodge No. 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks selected Van Wert High School seniors Brenna Kimmet and Grace Spieles as Students of the Month for February. Students are nominated by their high schools to receive this award. Each Student of the Month receives a monetary donation along with a certificate from the Van Wert Elks Lodge 1197 with the possibility to be named the Student of the Year. Students are judged on the basis of multiple achievements – volunteerism, character, leadership, service, citizenship and scholastic. Pictured left to right are Kimmet and Spieles with Michael C. Stanley, Lodge Secretary. Photo submitted

St. Mary’s doing kindergarten screening

St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic School is currently accepting kindergarten screening appointments for any child who will be five years of age by October 31, 2026 and lives in Van Wert County or the surrounding area.

Screening appointments can be set up for Monday, March 9, and Tuesday, March 10, between 3-5 p.m. by calling the St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic School Office at 419.238.5186 between 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Time slots are limited and are on a first come, first serve basis.

Children will be assessed using the Developmental Indicators for the Assessment of Learning, Fourth Edition (DIAL-4). The DIAL-4 program assesses children in the areas of speech and language, gross and fine motor skills, cognition, self-help, and social-emotional skills. The screening process usually takes about 45 minutes to an hour. The school administrator will be on site to review the results of the screening with you that day.

The assessment provides parents with an opportunity to see how your child(ren) is/are progressing in relationship to children of the same age in relation to skills necessary for kindergarten.

St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic School encourages the screening, even if you feel you may want to keep your child in pre-school another year due to their birth date or development.

St. Mary’s has been educating the students of greater Van Wert area since 1959. St. Mary’s is a fully accredited, non-public, charted school that meets all the Ohio Department of Education requirements. The school is an option for a Christ-centered education for children in grades kindergarten through sixth in Van Wert County. While adhering to the teachings of the Catholic Church, the school is open to children of all faiths.

Dixon fire update…

Van Wert County Sheriff Thomas M. Riggenbach has released an update on last week’s fatal house fire in Dixon (see story here). According to Riggenbach, the deceased individual in the house fire was identified as Jeffrey Gillespie, 67, of Dixon. Riggenbach said during the initial call about the fire, it was reported that it was believed someone fired multiple rounds into the caller’s home. Deputies located multiple bullet holes in the neighboring home. Sheriff Riggenbach stated that based on information and evidence collected at the scene, it is believed the shots came from the home that burned down and were fired by Gillespie. Bob Barnes photo

Meth bust…

An early morning traffic stop in Van Wert led to the discovery of suspected meth and one arrest. According to Van Wert Police Chief Doug Weigle, it happened just after 5:30 this morning on N. Washington St. near Third St. Suspicious activity was noticed by the officer and the Van Wert Police K-9 was called to the scene. K-9 Nico made a positive alert and Cainan David Burnett, 28, of Van Wert, was observed taking items from his pocket and sticking it down the backside of his pants to try to conceal the items. A search was completed and a quarter pound of suspected meth was located. It was packaged for sale. Burnett is currently charged with possession of methamphetamine and trafficking in methamphetamine, both second degree felonies. He was taken to the Van Wert County Jail. VWPD photo