Council to decide on health insurance premium change

YMCA hosting “Galsgiving Market”

VW independent staff/submitted information

It’s called a “Galsgiving Market” and just in time for the holiday season, it’ll feature handmade good, gifts and food items from 31 local vendors.

The YMCA of Van Wert County will host the Galsgiving Market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, November 21, at the YMCA, 241 W. Main St., Van Wert. The market is free and open to the public.

“It is inspiring to hear how each of these businesses came about, and the challenges the owners have worked through to get where they are today,” said YMCA Membership Director Jaz Sandu. “This market gives the community a chance to see that passion up close and to share in the gifts these owners bring. The YMCA is proud to host an event that supports stay-at-home moms, grandparents, parents, young people with an entrepreneur mindset, and many others building something of their own.”

Behind each table stands a home-based business with its own story — owners who bake, sew, pour, paint, and build their products locally, many while raising families and working other jobs. The market gives those businesses a room full of customers, and it gives shoppers a way to work through holiday lists while keeping their spending in Van Wert County.

All 31 vendors are local, home-based businesses. Shoppers will find baked goods, breads, cake pops, and mini cakes; handmade soaps and lotions; crochet work and beaded accessories; jewelry; floral arrangements; wood decor and glass art; custom tumblers and gifts; specialty drinks, and hand-painted ornaments and holiday décor.

No registration is needed. Community members are invited to attend, browse the vendor tables, and enter the donated gift basket raffle.

Shrek the Musical!

Crestview High School will present Shrek the Musical this Friday through Sunday. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Shown above are Hudson Perrott (as Shrek), Caleb Thomas (as Donkey) and Evvy Lamb (as Fiona) prepare for this weekend’s shows. Tickets are general admission and available in the high school office. They are $10 for students and seniors and $15 for adults. Tickets will also be available at the door. Photo submitted

Data center industry contributes billions

VW independent staff/submitted information

COLUMBUS — As previously reported, data centers weren’t exactly popular on last week’s ballot. Of the 21 Ohio data center initiatives on last Tuesday’s ballot, all 21 garnered more votes against than for.

While voters voiced their displeasure with data centers, a new study commissioned by the Ohio Department of Chamber of Commerce Research foundation shows the state’s data center industry contributed approximately $9.1 billion to the state’s gross domestic product in 2025, supporting nearly 69,600 jobs through ongoing operations, construction and related economic activity.

“Data centers represent a significant economic development opportunity for Ohio, bringing investment, jobs and new opportunities for businesses across the state,” said Ohio Chamber President and CEO Steve Stivers. “As this industry continues to grow, it’s important that policymakers and local communities have reliable information to help them make informed decisions and ensure this investment can best support Ohioans. This research provides a valuable foundation for understanding the opportunities, weighing the policy considerations and ensuring communities are positioned to benefit from responsible development.”

The State of Ohio Data Centers in 2026: Economic Contribution, Tax Policy, and Community Benefits was prepared by SRC EvalMetrics, an Ohio-based economic consulting firm. The report examines the industry’s economic contributions, the cost and effectiveness of Ohio’s sales and use tax exemption, local property tax implications and opportunities for communities to negotiate benefits from data center development.

Thanksgiving celebration planned

Submitted information

Thanksgiving is a time to count our blessings. But what about the seasons when life takes an unexpected turn? The Van Wert County Ministers invite the region to an evening of encouragement, worship and gratitude at “I’m Going to See a Victory: A Thanksgiving Celebration,” on Sunday, November 22, at 6:30 p.m. at Trinity Friends Church, 605 N. Franklin St., Van Wert. The event is free, and everyone is welcome, regardless of church affiliation.

Gary, Sierra and Parker Wynk of Celina will share their family’s journey of faith and gratitude following a life-changing football injury. Parker, the Celina High School quarterback, suffered a severe spinal injury this season. As he continues his recovery, the family has leaned on their faith, the prayers of their community and the hope that carries them forward.

Mark Dellinger of Calvary Evangelical Church will also share his testimony. He served in the U.S. Air Force as a Russian language interpreter, worked with the Defense Intelligence Agency, and has served as an elder in a Messianic Jewish congregation and as a coordinator for Voice of the Martyrs. Several years ago, a stroke left him partially paralyzed. His message, “Thankful When Things Don’t Go Your Way,” offers a personal perspective on gratitude when life looks nothing like we imagined.

The evening will also feature special music and local pastors from churches throughout Van Wert County.
 
“Thanksgiving isn’t just about being grateful when everything is going right. Sometimes the most meaningful gratitude comes in the middle of life’s hardest moments,” said Paul Hoverman, Van Wert County Ministers representative.  Our hope is that everyone who joins us leaves encouraged, uplifted, and reminded that God is faithful through it all.”

Whether you’re walking through a difficult season, celebrating answered prayers or looking for a meaningful way to begin Thanksgiving week, there is a place for you. Come as you are, bring your family and invite a friend.

Jordan elected House Minority Leader

VW independent staff

WASHINGTON DC — U.S. Representative Jim Jordan (R-Urbana) has won the race to serve as House Minority Leader as Republicans prepares for a new role in the minority.

Jordan, who serves as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, defeated Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana 106-73 in a secret-ballot election of Republicans who will serve in the next Congress.

Jordan, 62, represents Ohio’s 4 Congressional District, which in 2027 will include Van Wert and Mercer counties.

Crestview BOE hears updates at meeting

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

CONVOY — Voter approval of Crestview’s permanent improvement levy drew praise and thanks from school officials Monday night.

During his report to the school board, superintendent Matt Dube thanked voters for renewing the five year, 2-mill levy, which passed by a 58-42 percent margin. 1,097 ballots were cast in favor, while 776 voters said no.

“That’s always important,” Dube said. “That way we can get our buses, our school furniture and things that we need around the building.”

He noted he and Treasurer Ashley Whetsel looked at previous renewals and found last week’s passage rate was a bit lower.

“I think that’s more of a statement of the climate we’re currently in, with taxes and levies and everything being on the tips of everyone’s tongues, particularly with our legislators,” he said.

Dube said statewide, more than half (54 percent) of school levies were approved. However, renewals fared far better than new issues.

“Anything new money and anything that was income tax did not go well,” he stated. “I think people around the state and frankly people around the country have made a statement that things need to change. We need to make sure we’re doing a good job of listening to our people, showing that we’re doing what they want with the resources they put us in charge of.”

Dube also gave a brief update on the ongoing athletic facilities improvement project and said the high school gym is 99 percent complete. The new artificial turf is down at the newly configured football stadium and he said he’s hopeful the track will be lined this week.

“They’ve showed up multiple times to line the track and they either got rained out or they’d clean the track and then they’d put the marks where they’d go and it would start to rain again,” he explained.

Shed fire…

Firefighters from Ohio City and Van Wert were called to a working fire on Emerson Rd. shortly before 5:30 p.m. Monday. At the time, Ohio City Fire Department was working as mutual aid at a structure fire in Mercer County, which they then left to respond to the Emerson Rd. fire. The fire was quickly contained but the shed sustained heavy damage. The cause of the fire is unknown. Van Wert’s Engine 3 responded to the blaze, making it the first fire the new engine was working at since it was put into service in late October. Bob Barnes/VWFD photographer

Data centers go 0-for-21 on the ballot

By Nick Evans/Ohio Capital Journal

Ohio voters sharply rejected data centers in this year’s election. Around Ohio, 18 communities voted on whether to curb or ban data center developments. In all 18 communities, voters decided that, yes, that would be a good idea.

In most, the results were resounding — like Harlem Globetrotters vs. Washington Generals resounding. City leaders in Wilmington, the county seat of Clinton County, asked voters to rezone four parcels to allow data center development. Roughly 80 percent of voters rejected all four.

In the Lake County Village of Perry, more than 87 percent of voters backed an initiative requiring data centers that accept tax incentives to take out a bond, operating kind of like an insurance policy, to back up their promises of local tax revenue.

Voters in Piqua prohibited data centers within city limits by a 2-to-1 margin and didn’t stop there. They also recalled three city commissioners — including the mayor and vice-mayor — for approving a Meta data center in November last year.

From Conneaut in far northeastern Ashtabula County to Trenton in Southwestern Butler County, nine communities passed initiatives modeled on the statewide data center moratorium Conserve Ohio organizers are trying to put on the ballot in 2027. That initiative would amend the state constitution to prohibit any data center drawing more than 25 megawatts a month.

In a press release, Conserve Ohio congratulated communities who voted against data center development, and warned elected officials that “You cannot look away now.”

“The above election results demonstrate that when communities have a say regarding the construction of a hyperscale data center in their local area, they overwhelmingly say no,” the group wrote. “Your oath is invoked. Stop the self-dealing, corporate fealty, and greed. Represent and serve the people who elected you.”

Conserve Ohio urged Ohio citizens to push state lawmakers to pass a 12-month moratorium on any data center development in Ohio during the lame duck session between now and the end of the year.

Upper Sandusky

Angela Huffman is a sixth-generation farmer in northwest Ohio, and she heads up the national watchdog group Farm Action, which focuses on corporate consolidation in the food and agriculture sector. She explained data centers came onto their radar about a year ago, because of concerns about their impact on farmland.

“And then lo and behold,” Huffman said, “I read in the newspaper back in June of this year that a data center, a nearly $1 billion data center, was proposed here right outside Upper Sandusky, which is about 10 miles from my farm.”

Survey shows gas prices take sharp dive

VW independent staff/submitted information

The roller coaster ride continues.

Average gasoline prices in Ohio have fallen 32 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.80 per gallon on Monday, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 5,345 stations in Ohio. Prices in Ohio are 10.7 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand 76.8 cents per gallon higher than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has decreased 9.5 cents compared to a week ago and stands at $6.186 per gallon.

According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Ohio was priced at $3.15 per gallon on Sunday, while the most expensive was $5.99 per gallon, a difference of $2.84 per gallon.

The national average price of gasoline has fallen 15.9 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.96 per gallon on Monday. The national average is down 39.3 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 92.2 cents per gallon higher than a year ago, according to GasBuddy data compiled from more than 11 million weekly price reports covering over 150,000 gas stations across the country.

“Gasoline prices fell in every state over the last week, while diesel declined in nearly every state, and the national average dropped below $4 per gallon for the first time since early August,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “Many will assume the election had something to do with it, but that’s a myth. Gas prices have fallen in the 30 days leading up to the election every year since 2006 except 2010, and it’s typically seasonal: refiners finish maintenance and ramp up output just as demand fades with cooler weather. Those same forces, along with more oil moving through the Strait of Hormuz, are why prices could stay below $4 in the weeks ahead.

Area sees a high number of deer/car crashes

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

Deer vs. car crashes certainly aren’t uncommon in Van Wert County and the surrounding area, especially around this time of the year.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s OSTATS Dashboard shows between 2021 and 2025, 1,034 deer-related crash occurred in Van Wert County. While it’s a sizable number, it’s actually one of the lowest in northwest Ohio. Here are some notable numbers from the OSTATS Dashboard:

• Williams County: 2,795
• Hancock County: 2,785
• Allen County: 2,526
• Defiance County: 2,476
• Auglaize County: 1,690

In Paulding County, there were 1,324 deer vs. car crashes between 2021 and 2025, and 1,303 in Mercer County during the same period.

Stark County (3,542) and Richland County (2,998) rank as the top two counties for deer vs. car crashes.

According to the OSTATS Dashboard, there were 114,233 deer vs. car crashes statewide between 2021-2025. U.S. 30 produced the highest number, with 1,939, followed by Ohio 2 (1,826), Interstate 71 (1,672), Interstate 75 (1,652), Interstate 77 (1,625), U.S. 33 (1,576), U.S. 23 (1,433), Interstate 80 (1,383) and Interstate 70 (1,350). U.S. 224 statewide ranked No. 11, with 1,317 deer vs. car crashes.

47 percent of all deer vs. car crashes occur during the final three months of the year – October, November and December.

November marks the peak of deer breeding season, when deer become more active and are more likely to cross roadways.