Van Wert City Council votes down proposed smoking ban

Stormy night…

While heavy rain came down, frequent lightning lit up the sky Monday night. This video was taken outside the WKSD/WERT radio studios on Mendon Road in Van Wert. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch was issued until 2 a.m. and several Severe Thunderstorm Warnings were issued for Van Wert County and the surrounding area. Video by Scott Truxell/Van Wert independent

YWCA shares capital campaign progress

The YWCA of Van Wert County has announced significant progress in its capital campaign as the organization moves closer to breaking ground on its new facility next spring. With millions of dollars secured through federal, state, foundation, and private investments, the project has reached several major milestones that position it for the next phase of development.

The new facility, which will be constructed on Lincoln Highway across the street from the Marsh Foundation in Van Wert, will expand access to youth programming, survivor services, community partnerships, and health resources while ensuring the YWCA continues its 110-year legacy of serving Van Wert County for generations to come.

YWCA of Van Wert County President & CEO Kimberly Laudick said since launching the campaign, the community has demonstrated incredible confidence in the vision of a new YWCA. She also said thanks to the generosity of donors, grant partners, elected officials, and community advocates, the project continues to move forward with tremendous momentum.

Recent project milestones

Over the past several months, the YWCA has continued securing funding while architects finalize building plans and preparations begin for the construction bidding process.

Recent milestones include:

• $1 million approved through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, sponsored by Senator Jon Husted.
• $250,000 secured through the State of Ohio Capital Budget.
• Submission of a $1.3 million Affordable Housing Program (AHP) grant application through the Federal Home Loan Bank.
• Approval of grant funding and award of the asbestos abatement project for the current YWCA building. This important investment will prepare the historic facility for future ownership and redevelopment, ensuring it can continue serving the community in a new capacity.
• Approval for up to $2.5 million in New Market Tax Credit (NMTC) through a Community Development Entity.
• More than $3.2 million in private donor pledges secured to date.
• Construction bidding is anticipated to begin this fall, with groundbreaking planned for spring, 2027.

Open house to be held for playground

Submitted information

Lincolnview Local Schools will host an open house for the new Lincolnview Elementary playground at 6:30 p.m. this Thursday, August 13. The program will start at the Track & Field/Soccer Complex and then will proceed to the new playground for all students to play on. A snow cone truck will also be there to give out free snow cones to Lancer students, parents, and community members.

Wrenway Park ready for annual tournament

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

There are many sports venues around the country. Some are big, some are small, some are old, some are new, and some are unique and quite famous – Lambeau Field in Green Bay and Fenway Park in Boston are two that come to mind, but during the third weekend of August, a small venue in extreme southwest Van Wert County takes center stage.

That’s when Wren hosts the Wrenway Park Wiffleball Warehouse Tournament, which transforms the tiny village (estimated population 150) into “The Wiffleball Capital of Ohio.” Each year, 16 teams compete for the coveted and undisputed wiffleball championship.

Appearing on Sunday’s Mayor’s Conference/Commissioners Corner radio program on 99.7FM WKSD/WERT 1220AM/104.3FM, Jack Davis, who serves as commissioner of the annual event, shared some of the history of Wrenway Park and the tournament itself.

The tournament has been held at the same location since it debuted in 1992 but it wasn’t known as Wrenway Park for the first couple of years. However, the tournament quickly took off and the site became what it is today. It features elements from other famous ballparks, including the “Green Monster” from Boston’s Fenway Park, the tall stacks from Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati, and a clock modeled after Chicago’s Wrigley Field.

Davis noted the ballpark was designed by Mike Wortman, who decided how the field would be laid out in the available space.

“That’s how it became the shape that it is today,” Davis said. “As you know, a baseball field is a 90-degree angle for second and third (base), but this is more like a 70-degree angle. You just watch the games – everybody that rounds first, they’re going right to the pitcher’s mound – you need to made that wide turn as you round first base.”

Despite its small dimensions at the ballpark – 125 feet to straightaway center field and 122 feet down the left and right field lines – you won’t see a lot of home runs during the tournament.

Lincoln Highway “Buy Way” sale on tap

VW independent staff/submitted information

The month of August brings with it back-to-back sales that go right through Van Wert County.

The U.S. 127 Yard Sale wrapped up on Sunday and now, the 22 annual Lincoln Highway “Buy Way” Yard Sales will take place east to west across Ohio this Thursday through Sunday, August 13-15.

The historic Lincoln Highway was the first transcontinental road for automobile travel in the United States, dedicated in 1913 and extending from New York City’s Times Square to San Francisco’s Lincoln Park. Combined, various routes across Ohio comprise over 400 miles today.

Sales in previous years have seen families, neighbors, and groups of all kinds selling their wares from yards, porches, barns and garages; under tents and in open-air locations.

The idea began in 2005 and has spawned a variety of activities from Convoy to East Liverpool on the Ohio River across from West Virginia. A number of communities have group sales in public parks and other locations. Van Wert County communities on the Lincoln Highway from west to east include Convoy, Van Wert, Middle Point and Delphos. There will be a bit of disruption just west of the Van Wert city limits – Lincoln Highway, at its intersection with U.S. 224 is closed to all traffic for construction of a roundabout. A detour is posted.

Visit historicbyway.com for sale locations and activities along Lincoln Highway.

Scholarship awarded…

Harper Roop, a 2026 Van Wert High School graduate, has been named the inaugural recipient of the Jared Fleming Running Scholarship. It was created in memory of 2013 VWHS graduate Jared Fleming, a 2012 state track and field champion and former Ohio State University student-athlete. It will be awarded annually to a VWHS graduate who demonstrates excellence in running, leadership and perseverance. Roop will attend Miami University, where she plans to double major in kinesiology and nutrition/dietetics before pursuing chiropractic school. The scholarship has been established as a permanent fund through the Van Wert County Foundation. For more information or to contribute, contact the Van Wert County Foundation. Shown above (left to right) are: Van Wert High School Athletic Director Trent Temple, Austin Fleming, Harper Roop, Kim Fleming and Jay Fleming. Photo submitted

Saturday morning crash…

Ohio City Fire and EMS was called to the intersection at U.S.127 and Ohio 709 for a three-vehicle accident late Saturday morning. The Buick and Honda collided at the intersection, then the Buick struck a motorhome. Both cars were towed from the scene while the motorhome sustained light damage. No one was injured. Bob Barnes photos

3 intersections to become all-way stops

VW independent staff/submitted information

LIMA — The Ohio Department of Transportation District 1 will convert three intersections to all-way stops to improve safety. Two of them are in Mercer County, with one near Rockford, while remaining change will occur in Paulding County.

The changes are expected to begin in two weeks and are part of a statewide initiative that is implementing all-way stops at select intersections throughout Ohio.

The locations selected for conversion are where crash data found the most common type of crash was the result of a failure to stop or a failure to yield to cross-traffic that was not required to stop.

“Following the successful implementation of all-way stops at eight intersections in the spring, initial results are encouraging and well-received by local communities,” said Chris Hughes, ODOT District 1 deputy director. “As we evaluate other intersections with low crash rates, but concerning safety trends, we are pleased to have this low-cost tool available where it is needed most.” 

The work will take place over the next two months. The locations and expected timing of the closures are detailed below:

August 24: Mercer County – Ohio 119 (Defiance Avenue)/Ohio 716 (Harrison Street) in the village of Maria Stein.

August 31: Mercer County – Ohio 118/Ohio 707 near the village of Rockford.

September 7: Paulding County – Ohio 637/County Road 138 in Jackson Township.

Message boards to alert drivers of the changes will be placed approximately two weeks prior and remain on site for approximately two weeks after the change to remind motorists of the new traffic pattern. All approaches of the intersections will be equipped with flashing stop-ahead signs. 

ODOT will continue to monitor the intersections to ensure the all-way stop is operating as intended.

Throughout Ohio, ODOT is reviewing intersections to determine where all-way stops could make travel safer. The solution has been found to improve intersection safety in other states. Since 2018, the state of North Carolina converted over 500 intersections from a typical two-way to all-way stop control. Their analysis of 348 of these locations showed a 100 percent reduction in fatal crashes and 95 percent reduction in serious injury crashes. Similar results were also seen in the state of Delaware.

Local and area residents honored by OSHP

VW independent staff/submitted information

TOLEDO — A teen from Convoy, a Payne man and three Paulding residents were among 17 people honored during a “Saved by the Belt” event.

Olivia Hampton, 18, of Convoy, was wearing her seat belt during an early March accident on Waller Road at Ohio 49 in Tully Township. Maddox Treece, 20, of Payne was saved by the belt during a late March crash on Ohio 500 in Paulding Township. Irma Chapman, 36, Jaystin Champman, 16, and Effie Weible, 9, all of Paulding were saved by the belt July 1 during a crash on U.S. 24 at County Rd. 87 in Crane Township.

On Thursday of this week, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, along with the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department, AAA, Vision Zero and the Toledo Mud Hens, highlighted the life-saving impact of safety belts during the fourth-annual Buckle Up – Batter Up “Saved by the Belt” event at Fifth Third Field.

During the event, Lieutenant Colonel Joshua Swindell, Patrol assistant superintendent, Bob Kazmierczak, AAA, and State Representative Michele Grim delivered remarks, stressing the importance of safety belt usage. Two honorees, Treece and Jordan Grosjean spoke about their crashes and shared why buckling up matters.

The Buckle Up – Batter Up “Saved by the Belt” event is an annual initiative that recognizes Ohio crash survivors whose lives were saved because they were wearing a safety belt. The program brings traffic safety outreach into a community baseball setting, underscoring how one simple decision can prevent serious injury or death.

Each of the 17 survivors were presented with a “Saved by the Belt” certificate by Lieutenant Colonel Swindell, Captain William Bowers, Findlay District commander, Muddy the Mud Hen, mascot for the Toledo Mud Hens, and our event partners. The certificates are signed by Ohio Department of Public Safety Director Benjamin Suver and Colonel Charles A. Jones, Patrol superintendent. In addition to the certificate, they also received a special Buckle Up – Batter Up “Saved by the Belt” license plate.

County fairs competing to fight hunger

VW independent staff/submitted information

This month and in early September, the Allen and Van Wert County Fairs are joining a youth-led statewide effort to fight hunger and give back to local community food banks by participating in the Fight the Hunger, Stock the Trailer contest. It’s presented by Farm Credit Mid-America and sponsored by Rural 1st.

This friendly competition among Ohio county fairs encourages youth leaders to collaborate with their local community to collect food donations for local food banks throughout their county fair. Since launching in 2021, Ohio junior fair boards have used creative tactics and impressive fundraising efforts to increase food donations year after year.

“We’re glad to bring this initiative back to county fairs across Ohio and to see young people step up and get their communities involved,” said Scott Laguire, regional vice president of agricultural lending at Farm Credit Mid-America. “The Allen and Van Wert County Fairs bring people together, and this contest gives folks a simple way to come alongside a cause that supports neighbors right here at home. In the end, our communities are the ones who benefit most.”

The Allen County Fair will run from August 21-29. The Van Wert County Fair is scheduled for September 1-7.

Record-breaking 2025:

• 4H leaders across Ohio united to collect a record-breaking 448,827 pounds of food for more than 60 food banks statewide in 2025.
• This marked the fourth consecutive year of record donations– with a 57 percent increase over 2024’s total of 286,000 pounds.
• Ross County in south Ohio was the overall state winner, collecting an astounding 122,640 pounds of food for Brookside Church and Good Samaritan Food Pantry.
• Since its inception, the annual contest has collected and donated more than 1 million pounds of food in Indiana and Ohio.

In addition to the food collected, Farm Credit Mid-America donated $500 to each fair board who participated and additional money to the winners in each region, totaling $63,000 to junior fair boards across Ohio.

Fight the Hunger, Stock the Trailer is one way Farm Credit Mid-America and its consumer lending brand, Rural 1st, invest in rural communities and agriculture. In 2025, the association contributed more than $4 million to impactful programs, including $1.59 million for youth, college students and young and beginning farmers.