SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
Van Wert residents wanting more answers about the planned data center can find that information at a new website.
Van Wert Area Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Brent Stevens addressed Van Wert City Council Monday night and said the website was recently launched at vanwertohiodatacenter.com.
“That really goes into the details,” Stevens said. “I know city council had put together some questions that they asked economic development to address and a good portion of those questions are addressed on that data center site.”
A recent announcement was made that Google plans to build a $600 million data center in Lima but Stevens said the investment in Van Wert is a much larger $10 billion project. The name of the company building Van Wert’s data center has not yet been revealed.
He also reminded council that the data center, which will be built at the Mega Site, will use a closed loop system, with some of the components made at Van Wert’s Danfoss plant. Stevens said Danfoss has leased the former Braun finishing building on Grill Rd. for storage use.
“I was able to work with JobsOhio on a $150,000 grant to help them with some of the sprinkler systems that they needed,” he stated.
He also noted that a Danfoss plant in Tennesee closed, but 40 jobs are being transferred to Van Wert, separate from the 50 new jobs created locally to keep up with the demand for data center components.
(more…)POSTED: 03/23/26 at 8:58 pm
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Registration is now open for the YWCA of Van Wert County’s 31st annual summer food program. This year’s program will take place from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. June 8 through July 24 at Trinity Friends Church, 605 N. Franklin St., Van Wert. The initiative continues to serve the local community by providing nutritious meals and engaging activities for children during the summer months.
The Summer Food Program offers two key components for youth in Van Wert County
- Recreation program: In addition to the meal program, children entering preschool through sixth grade are invited to participate in a free recreational program from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. All children wishing to join the recreation program must be five years old by the start date of the program. Students wishing to attend the recreation program must complete a registration form which can be found at Summer Food Program Registration 2026 – Google Forms
- Free meals for children: All children aged 18 and under are invited to enjoy free breakfast and lunch at Trinity Friends Church. Breakfast will be served from 8:15-9 a.m., with lunch served from 11-11:45 a.m.
For more information about the YWCA of Van Wert County’s summer food program, visit www.ywcavanwert.org, or contact Betsy Hamman at bhamman@ywcavanwertcounty.org or call 419.238.6639 ext. 106.
The YWCA is partially funded by the Van Wert County Foundation and is a United Way Agency.
POSTED: 03/24/26 at 8:36 am. FILED UNDER: News
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Van Wert Live is now accepting applications for local non-profits to use the Fountain Park Rotary concessions stand during the 2026 Feel Good Friday Concert Series. This summer there will be four dates available starting with the June 12 concert.
In previous years, non-profit groups have sold concessions and drinks during the concert series to earn revenue that would be used for their non-profit groups. The determination of groups has yet to be decided and will depend greatly upon the number of organizations that pre-register.
Organizations who were awarded in last year’s concert series (2025) are not permitted to apply in 2026, but can re-apply in 2027.
To get registered, please contact the Box Office by phone at 419.238.6722 or by emailing: quincy@npacvw.org. The deadline to register will be April 10. Once registration is closed, organizations who have registered will be notified on April 17 if they are drawn in the lottery. If any open dates are remaining after the lottery selection process, those dates will then be offered to last year’s non-profits to apply.
POSTED: 03/23/26 at 8:57 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital has been named one of the nation’s Top 20 Rural and Community Hospitals by the National Rural Health Association.
Van Wert Hospital is the only hospital in Ohio to receive this distinction.
The designation is based on an evaluation conducted by The Chartis Center for Rural Health using the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX, a comprehensive and objective assessment of rural prospective payment system (PPS) hospital performance across the United States.
The Top 20 Rural and Community Hospitals represent the highest performers among the hospitals named to the Top 100 Rural and Community Hospitals list. Hospitals were assessed across eight pillars of performance:
- Inpatient Market Share
- Outpatient Market Share
- Quality
- Outcomes
- Patient Perspective
- Cost
- Charge
- Finance
“This recognition reflects the incredible work of our entire team,” said Paula Stabler, president of OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital. “Our focus has always been on serving our patients and community with compassion and excellence, and I’m proud that our efforts are being acknowledged on a national level.”
An official recognition by the National Rural Healthcare Association will take place at its annual rural health conference in May.
POSTED: 03/23/26 at 8:56 pm. FILED UNDER: News
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The YMCA’s Good Friday Prayer Breakfast will be held on Friday, April 3, 2026, bringing community members together for breakfast, worship, and a morning program centered on prayer and encouragement. The doors will open at 6:30 a.m. for an open buffet breakfast served by Black Angus. The program will run from 7-8 a.m.
Guest speakers Derrin and Colby Kuhn will share a message focused on faith and hope, including reflections on how support from others can carry families through seasons that feel overwhelming. Their remarks will highlight the role community can play when life is uncertain.
Pastor David of the Church of Christ will participate as part of the annual Good Friday gathering. In past years, Pastor David has shared messages of faith, purpose, and hope, along with stories from his journeys that encourage listeners to keep moving forward.
Worship will be led by Jeremy Laukhuf, worship leader at First United Methodist Church.
The Good Friday Prayer Breakfast is open to the public. All are welcome to attend and join in prayer and encouragement.
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
Even if you’re not a basketball fan, it wasn’t hard to see and hear the support for local and area teams at the OHSAA boys basketball state tournament, which was held Thursday-Sunday at Wright State University and the University of Dayton.
Five teams from the area – Lincolnview, Marion Local, Delphos St. John’s, Kalida and Lima Sr. qualified for the tournament, the first time that’s happened. It is fair to note that the OHSAA’s decision to expand from four to seven divisions played a role.
Lincolnview and Marion Local squared off in a Division VI state semifinal game in front of more than 3,900 people Friday night and while things didn’t go as the Lancers and their fans had hoped, there was nothing but applause for a team that won just five games last season, but captured the hearts of fans with 22 wins this season, along with NWC, sectional, district and regional championships.
After defeating Lincolnview 46-30, Marion Local faced perennial power Berlin Hiland in Saturday night’s Division VI final but came up short in double overtime, losing 54-51 in front of nearly 4,500 fans.
Earlier in the day on Friday, thousands of fans descended upon Wright State’s Nutter Center for a Division VII doubleheader. Delphos St. John’s, ranked No. 1 all season, routed Malvern 61-32 in the first semifinal game, then Kalida rallied from a 6-point halftime deficit to top Hillsdale 58-46. What made Kalida’s story so remarkable was the fact the Wildcats started the season just 4-9, then put together 11 consecutive wins to earn a spot in the title game.
Anyone who thought Saturday’s Division VII championship game would be a runaway was mistaken. While Delphos St. John’s had a double digit lead on more than one occasion, Kalida hung in there before falling 56-47 to the 29-0 Blue Jays. More than 7,400 people were at the game, which is noteworthy because the two communities have a combined population of roughly 8,500 and are just 13 miles apart. In fact, the opened the regular season against each other back in December and ended their seasons again in the state title game.
(more…)POSTED: 03/22/26 at 8:44 pm. FILED UNDER: News
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Local pastors, leaders, and musicians will be hosting a community-wide Good Friday service at 12 p.m. Friday, April 3, in the Bagley Auditorium of the Marsh Foundation in Van Wert. Enter either the front doors facing Lincoln Highway or the back doors on the north side of the building. Parking is in front off Lincoln Highway or the back.
Participating in the service are pastors Gerld Baker (retired); Brad Custis, Church on the Horizon, Rick Eberle, Trinity Global Methodist; Gary Ginter, (retired); Vanlal Hruaia, First Presbyterian; Matt McGovern, Trinity Friends; Aaron McGranahan, Promise Church; David To. Trinity Global Methodist, and Bill Watson, Pentecostal Way. Musicians will include Greg and Kathy Pysh, Annette Hoverman, and Mark Tschantz and friends.
The service will include music, prayer, the story of Good Friday in a scriptural dramatization, and much more. A procession of the cross will begin at the Greenhouse on the Marsh campus beginning at 11:30 am.
The entire community of Van Wert is invited to attend and share in the unity of serving one Lord, Jesus – the Christ.
VFW Post 5803 of Van Wert has named this year’s scholarship essay winners. Voice of Democracy winners are (above, left to right): Caroline Haggerty (first place), Carley Chiles (second place), and Allison Geib (third place). Chiles was also the second place winner at the District 2 level. Pictured below are Karen Germann (Crestview sixth grade social studies teacher) and Patriots Penn winners Gatlin Ortiz (third place), Maxx Linton (first place), and Avery Owens (second place). Photos submitted
POSTED: 03/22/26 at 8:43 pm. FILED UNDER: News
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MIDDLE POINT — The Van Wert County Outdoorsmen Association will host a modern military match this Saturday, March 28, at the Van Wert County Outdoorsmen Club at 9093 Ringwald Road, Middle Point. The safety briefing will be held at 9:30 a.m. and the match will start at 9:45 a.m.
Any modern military rifle may be used such as an M-1 Garand, AR 15, and other such rifles. You may use iron sights or scoped rifles. Once you shoot in the match, you will be eligible to purchase an M-1 Garand from the CMP. If you do not have a rifle, the club has M-1 rifles to loan out to the public to use in this match. The club also has a National Match AR 15 for participants who might wish to try it out. However, any military rifle may be used.
The cost to participate is $5, which is a target fee. If you need to purchase ammo, the club has 30.06 ammo at $30 for 35 rounds and for the AR-15, the ammo is $18 for 40 rounds, which includes the target fee.
POSTED: 03/22/26 at 8:42 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
On Friday, March 27, four young women will vie for the title of Queen Jubilee 51 during the Van Wert Peony Pageant. The annual event will once again be held at Lifehouse Church in Van Wert. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and the pageant will begin at 7 p.m. Every candidate will receive a minimum of $300 in scholarships, in addition to a variety of goods and services donated by local businesses and individuals. The lucky young woman crowned Queen Jubilee will receive a $1,500 scholarship, and over $5,000 in scholarships will be awarded that evening.
Candidates have already completed some areas of competition, and the remaining areas of competition to be scored during the pageant include: talent, evening gown, and on-stage questions. The evening will be hosted by Zach Shaffer as Master of Ceremonies, and the contestants will be escorted on stage by Gavin Burkhalter and Cole Story. Their flower girls are Haislea Speice, Lynnix Bragg, Lowen Maxey, and Vera Pohlman.
Presale tickets are available until close of business on March 27 at Laudick’s Jewelry in Van Wert, or will be available at the door. General admission is $10, and a raffle entry is included with admission.
A brief bio of each contestant is listed below. Contestants are in alphabetical order.
Jayden Bragg is representing Lincolnview High School and is the daughter of Heather Bragg. She is involved in choir, track, and cross country, and is active in the school’s music program singing with the select ensemble. Jayden is also a member of the National Honor Society and is a Junior Rotarian. She is currently enlisted in the Army National Guard where she will be training to become a combat medic. After her service, Jayden plans to attend college to pursue a degree in mortuary sciences.
Meah Johnson is the daughter of Lisa and Demond Johnson and is representing Van Wert High School. Meah has been involved in volleyball and softball for four years, and is active in the school’s fine arts programs, through band, choir, select choir and theater. She is very involved in Van Wert Civic Theatre and has participated in youth groups at Calvary Evangelical Church and First United Methodist. Meah also service through mission work and vacation bible school programs. After graduation, Meah plans on attending a college or university to pursue a degree in theater.
Emily Lichtle is representing Crestivew High School and is the daughter of Mike and Amanda Lichtle. She is an avid volleyball player, and a varsity cheerleader. Emily is in FCCLA, National Honor Society, student council, where she serves as secretary, and is the reporter for Crestview FFA. In May, she will be receiving her state degree at the Ohio FFA Convention. Emily also dances and cheers at Kim Hohman’s Danceworks. After graduation, Emily plans on attending Purdue-Fort Wayne to major in communications and speech disorders, to later pursue a master’s degree in speech language pathology.
(more…)POSTED: 03/21/26 at 12:43 am. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
The Van Wert Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual dinner and awards program at Willow Bend Country on Wednesday. Attendees enjoyed a St. Patrick’s Day themed event. Entertainment was provided by illusionist Krendl.
The Brumback Library received the 2026 Van Wert Area Chamber of Commerce Crystal Image Award given to the Chamber business of the year.
Local resident Gary Clay was recognized as the 2026 Van Wert Area Chamber of Commerce Ray Miller Award recipient given to the Chamber person of the year.
The Van Wert County Foundation received the Van Wert Area Chamber of Commerce Cornerstone Award in recognition of its transformational leadership projects and programs in Van Wert County. The Cornerstone Award was last given in 2018.
“We love bringing people together to celebrate businesses and individuals who prioritize making our community a wonderful place to live,” Chamber President/CEO Mark Verville said. “If you want to get something done, you should ask a busy person. The Brumback Library and Van Wert County Foundation have been busy for Van Wert County for over 100 years, and Gary Clay has made a meaningful impact in a much shorter timeframe.”
The Chamber thanked dinner sponsors Central Insurance, Tekniplex, Vantage Career Center, OhioHealth, Superior Credit Union, Alexander & Bebout, Danfoss, Citizen’s National Bank, Greenway Bank, and Cool Machines.
To learn about Chamber programs, events and membership click here or contact the Chamber office by phone at 419.238.4390 or by email at mark@vanwertchamber.com.
POSTED: 03/21/26 at 12:42 am. FILED UNDER: News
