Major drug indictment filed against a Van Wert man

Deadline near for BOE applications

VW independent staff

This Friday, July 10, is the deadline for anyone interested in filling a vacant seat on the Van Wert City Schools Board of Education. Several applications have been received so far.

The seat came open July 1, following the resignation of Thaison Leaser, who is moving just outside the school district. Leaser was elected to the board last fall and began serving his term January 1. Other members of the board are Julie Burenga (vice-president), Dr. Debby Compton, Anthony Adams (president) and Greg Blackmore.

Anyone interested in serving on the Van Wert City Schools Board of Education should contact Julie Anderson (j_anderson@vwcs.net) or click the link here to take you to the VWCS district website for an application. According to Ohio law, people serving on Ohio school boards must be at least 18 years old, district residents, and registered voters.

The board is expected to interview applicants next week and choose Leaser’s replacement at the July 22 regular monthly meeting. The newly appointed member will serve until December 31, 2027. If that person wants to continue serving, he or she must run in the November, 2027 general election for the remaining two years of the unexpired term ending December 31, 2029.

Softball, baseball facilities getting facelift

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

Lincolnview’s softball and baseball programs have played at a high level in recent years, earning NWC championships and competing at regionals and for state titles. Now, the facilities where they play will be getting some upgrades to match the high level of play.

At a special meeting held on Wednesday, the Lincolnview Local Schools Board of Education approved a pair of resolutions related to sprucing up those facilities at a cost not to exceed $900,000, with a $90,000 contingency fund if needed. The money will come from the district’s capital projects fund.

Prior to approving the resolutions, the board heard a brief presentation from Prodigy Solutions Development Director Eric Gros. The firm has offices in the Cincinnati area, Columbus and Cleveland and handles K-12 projects throughout the state.

He explained that both softball dugouts will be demolished and replaced with new ones. Given that the current dugouts have been prone to flooding, the new ones will be constructed about two inches higher than field level. The current home baseball dugout will be renovated and improved and both the softball and baseball facilities will have new backstops and extended safety netting. 

While the 2027 spring sports season is months away, Gros also said work will begin sooner rather than later.

“We’ll get everything moving because we want to get all this work done – I want all the concrete work done long before we get into cold weather,” he explained. “You want to be ready for the season and we know the weather is fickle enough in the spring that we cannot rely on doing any flat work of any size in the spring when we have deadlines for softball and baseball.”

The vote to approve the upgrades was 4-0. Board member Ashley Breese was absent from the meeting.

Arraignments, sentencing hearings held

VW independent staff

Seven defendents were arraigned and three others sentenced on various charges during hearings held in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court on Wednesday. Judge Martin D. Burchfield presided over each of the hearings.

Arraignments

Shawna Clark, 49, of Delphos, entered a not guilty plea to assault, a fourth degree felony. She was released on a surety bond and a pre-trial conference set for 8:30 a.m. August 5.

Lorenzo Frye, 37, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to domestic violence and violating a protection order, both third degree felonies. He was released on a surety bond with electronic house arrest and a curfew, and was ordered to have no contact with the victim. A pre-trial conference was scheduled for 8 a.m. August 5.

Kaden Ballard, 25, of Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea to possession of a fentanyl-related compound, a fifth degree felony. He was released on a surety bond and a pre-trial conference wsa scheduled for 8 a.m. August 5.

Karen Hemker, 58, of Delphos, pleaded not guilty to theft from a person in a protected class, a third degree felony. He was released on a surety bond with a pre-trial conference set for 8 a.m. August 5.

Ronnie Smith, 66, of Convoy, entered a not guilty plea to possession of a cocaine, a fifth degree felony. He was released on a surety bond and a pre-trial conference was scheduled for 8:30 a.m. August 5.

Jorel Longardner, of Churubusco, Indiana, entered a not guilty plea to possession of a fentanyl-related compound, a fifth degree felony. He was released on a surety bond and a pre-trial conference was scheduled for 8 a.m. August 12.

Dominique Barrows, 33, of Delphos, entered a not guilty plea to having weapons while under disability, a third degree felony. Burrows was released on a surety bond and a pre-trial conference was scheduled for 8 a.m. August 12.

Flock cameras under the microscope

By Morgan Trau/Ohio Capital Journal

The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision restricting law enforcement’s ability to use sprawling cell phone location data is bringing to light questions about the legitimacy of Flock Safety cameras used by police in Ohio and elsewhere. Several such cameras are in use in the city of Van Wert.

Police use “geofence warrants” to get location data of suspects’ electronic devices.

“We just hope that it is not a tool that is removed from our tool belt,” Ohio Fraternal Order of Police President Jay McDonald said.

These can help solve crimes when police run out of options, he added.

A new U.S. Supreme Court decision is shining a spotlight on police technology.

“We need to make apprehensions in those (cases) as quickly as possible to prevent other violent crimes from occurring,” he said.

But these search every device in an area, starting from casting a wide net to more in-depth data, Case Western Reserve University criminal law professor Mike Benza said.

“Law enforcement will go to Google with this administrative warrant, saying, ‘Give us all of the IP addresses of any connected device in this area around this time when a crime or some other instance of interest has occurred,’” Benza said.

From there, police are able to expand the warrant and look deeper into specific accounts and addresses to get identity information.

The Supreme Court is making it harder or even impossible to get them.

The justices ruled that these warrants could constitute an unreasonable search and seizure, because oftentimes citizens’ data is scooped up and investigated even if they have no connection to the crime.

“I don’t believe my cell number being found in a particular location is particularly troublesome to me if I haven’t committed any crimes,” McDonald said.

But just because someone else committed a crime, it doesn’t mean that there is no longer a right to privacy, Benza said.

Wrenway Park addition…

Ground has officially been broken for Wrenway Park’s permanent press box, with Commissioner Jack Davis, committee member Mark Slusher and Wren Mayor Monica Davis helping kick off the project. They said the addition is another exciting investment in the future of the park. Wren will come alive as the “Wiffleball Capital of Ohio” with the Wrenway Park Wiffleball Warehouse Tournament August 21-22. Photo submitted

OSHP reports deadly holiday weekend

VW independent staff

18 people died in 18 traffic crashes over the Independence Day holiday weekend, according statistics provided by the Ohio State Highway Patrol. The reporting period began at midnight Thursday, July 2 and ended at 11:59 p.m. Sunday, July 5.

It was a significant increase from last year’s July 4 holiday weekend, when seven fatal crashes claimed the lives of 10 people.

Preliminary statistics from this past weekend showed in eight fatal crashes where seat belts were available, three people were not wearing them. In addition, there were five fatal crashes involving a motorcycle where three riders were not wearing helmets. 

OSHP troopers also investigated 575 crashes, issued 1,722 distracted driving citations, cited 2,195 drivers for safety belt violations and removed 387 impaired drivers from roadways across Ohio during the four day period.

The Brumback Library continues to evolve

This year the Brumback Library is celebrating 125 years of service to the community. Each month, the library will tell the story of the Brumback Library chapter by chapter. This month’s installment looks back at the circulation department. The story is told by Circulation Supervisor Lauren Leatherman.

By Lauren Leatherman

For the last 125 years, the Brumback Library has connected Van Wert County residents with information, entertainment, and community. While the methods have changed dramatically since the library first opened its doors in 1901, its mission remains remarkably similar to the vision established by its founders. As one early library publication stated: “The object of the public library is twofold. To place within reach of all the best literature of the centuries. To bring from every department of thought all the best and most useful books of the day.” That mission has guided the library from a collection of a few thousand books to a system that now provides access to millions of items.

Before the Brumback Library could open its doors in 1901, staff spent six months cataloging approximately 1,800 books donated by the Ladies Library Association and an additional 3,000 volumes purchased through the tax levy funds. On opening day, patrons checked out about 40 books during the library’s first three hours of service. By the end of the first month, circulation had grown to more than 280 books.

The library began with approximately 4,500 volumes on its shelves and added another 2,250 books during its first year. Daily circulation averaged 107 items, demonstrating the community’s enthusiasm for the new institution.

As the collection expanded, so did public access. By January 1936, the Brumback Library’s collection had grown from 5,000 volumes to 43,000 while continuing to extend service throughout the county through branch locations and school libraries. One of the earliest branches opened on December 31, 1901, in C. L. Gordon’s general store in Hutchinson, a small trading center eight miles northwest of Van Wert. Reached only by wagon road, the branch represented the library’s commitment to serving rural residents. The branch system continued to evolve over time with later expansions including locations in Middle Point, Ohio City, and Wren.

Schools also played an important role in extending access. By 1901, 49 school libraries were operating throughout the county. By 1911, that number had increased to 89 school libraries, with more than 1,300 volumes added in a single year to meet the demand. Every township in Van Wert County had at least one school library, with some having as many as seven, helping bring books directly to students. The effectiveness of the library’s outreach efforts was recognized beyond county borders. Historical records note that the library received a letter of commendation from the superintendent of public schools in Alger, Ohio, praising the success of its school library system.

Lincolnview BOE schedules special meeting

VW independent staff

Upgrades to the baseball and softball complex will be the focus of Wednesday’s special meeting of the Lincolnview Local Schools Board of Education.

The meeting will begin at 5 p.m. in the Neubrecht Lecture Hall. It will include a brief presentation by representatives of Prodigy Building Solutions, followed by a vote on a resolution to proceed with the improvements, which are expected to include dugouts, backstops and fencing, at a cost of about $800,000.

No other action or discussion is expected at the meeting.

VWPD investigating shot fired at park

VW independent staff

A gun was fired at Franklin Park late Monday night and the Van Wert Police Department is asking anyone with information to come forward.

According to a news release, the Van Wert Police Department received a 911 call at approximately 10:10 p.m. with the caller reporting someone had fired a gun at the park. Upon arrival, officers learned there was a physical altercation that took place between a couple of individuals. During the incident, a different person fired a weapon.

No injuries were reported as a result of the weapon discharge and the suspects had fled prior to officers arriving at the scene.

The case remains under investigation by the Van Wert City Police Department. Anyone with information or camera footage in the area is encouraged to contact the police department to speak with an officer.

Haven of Hope launches capital campaign

VW independent staff/submitted information

The Haven of Hope Board of Directors has launched a $150,000 capital building campaign to renovate and open a brand-new community center. Located next to the current shelter at 227 N. Market Street, the multi-purpose facility will provide critical resources, warmth, and support to local residents.

According to a press release announcing the fundraising campaign, the journey began in October of 2025, when Haven of Hope purchased the building for $25,000, fully funded by a grant from Flagstar Bank. Since then, careful planning has been underway to design a space that meets the diverse needs of the Van Wert community.

“The possibilities for this space are truly endless,” the Haven of Hope Board of Directors said in a joint statement. “We are eager to get renovations started and turn this building into a beacon of support, safety, and dignity for our neighbors.”

Once completed, the modern community center will feature:

• A spacious open area equipped with comfortable tables and couches, alongside a dedicated food line area to host community meals. The will also be a functional kitchen area to support the meals. This area can double as an educational classroom to empower and support community members. 
• Comprehensive resources, dedicated office space and private areas where caseworkers can meet confidentially with clients.
• Adverse weather refuge – serving as a fully equipped warming and cooling station to protect vulnerable residents during extreme seasonal weather.
• 24/7 accessible amenities – A completely separate entrance will lead to secure, private bathrooms equipped with showers and laundry facilities.

According to the board, early momentum for the project has been strong. Haven of Hope has already secured a $12,500 Go Grant from the First United Methodist Church and a $5,000 grant from First Financial Bank.