Governor DeWine to visit Delphos

VW independent staff

DELPHOS — Governor Mike DeWine’s staff has announced he’ll pay a visit to Delphos on Monday and will join Jefferson Middle School students, educators, and community leaders for a celebatory event and to discuss plans for a new school building in Delphos.

During the 1:30 p.m. visit, Gov. DeWine will also highlight the state’s investments to ensure Ohio students have access to modern school environments that support learning.

Hardin County tornado…

While no tornadoes touched down in Van Wert County or surrounding counties during last Thursday night’s storms, Hardin County wasn’t as fortunate. An EF-1 tornado with winds up to 90 miles per hour touched down at the Hardin County Fairgrounds in Kenton. It was on the ground for just a minute but did substantial damage to multiple buildings, along with poles and trees. Fortunately, no one was injured. Photo provided

Ohio House passes drag show bill

By Megan Henry/Ohio Capital Journal

COLUMBUS — The Ohio House has passed a bill that would ban drag shows in public.

The House voted 63-30 to pass Ohio House Bill 249 during last Wednesday’s session. Ohio State Rep. Jamie Callender, R-Concord, joined Ohio Democratic House members in voting no.

Such bans in other states have been repeatedly shot down by courts as unconstitutional government censorship of freedom of speech and expression.

The bill now goes to the Ohio Senate for consideration.  

Republican state Reps. Angie King and Josh Williams introduced the bill. 

“It closes a loophole that allows adult oriented sexual performances to fill into the public spaces where children are present,” King claimed. “The only purpose is to protect children and protect the innocence of Ohio’s children in both public and private spaces.”

The bill would prohibit an adult cabaret performance from taking place outside an adult cabaret.

It also broadens the definition of adult cabaret performances to include “performers or entertainers who exhibit a gender identity that is different from the performer’s or entertainer’s gender assigned at birth using clothing, makeup, prosthetic or imitation genitals or breasts, or other physical markers.” 

The bill lumps drag performers in with topless dancers, go-go dancers, strippers, and exotic dancers.

It has a specific carve-out to say that it wouldn’t “prohibit or restrict a bona fide film, theatrical, or other artistic endeavor or performance that is not obscene or harmful to juveniles.”  

The bill also exempts breastfeeding from indecent exposure statutes. 

Car/semi-truck crash leaves one dead

VW independent staff

RICHLAND TOWNSHIP — A weekend crash involving a semi-truck and car at the border of Allen and Hancock counties proved to be fatal.

It occurred at approximately 10:15 a.m. Saturday on U.S. 30 at the county line. According to a report from the Lima Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Lawrence Morris Sr., 62, of Toledo, was southbound on County Road 15 in a 2015 Lincoln MKS, when he failed to yield at a posted stop sign and was struck by a semi-truck driven by Andrew Skiles, 54, of Rochester, Indiana. 

Morris suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger in his car, Lawrence Morris III, 15, of Toledo suffered life-threatening injuries and was transported from the scene by Beaverdam-Richland EMS to Lima Memorial Hospital. Skiles suffered possible injuries and was also taken by ambulance to Lima Memorial. 

Troopers noted all occupants were wearing their safety belts at the time of the crash.

The semi sustained heavy damage and was towed from the scene by Minich Towing. The Lincoln sustained severe damage and was towed from the scene by T and H Towing and Recovery.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted at the scene by The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, Bluffton Police Department, Beaverdam-Richland Fire, Beaverdam-Richland EMS, Ada-Liberty EMS, Minich Towing, T and H Towing and Recovery, Miller Auto, The Allen County Coroner’s Office, Allen County EMA, and Allen County Mortuary Services.

The crash remains under investigation.

Lions Club offering BBQ chicken dinners

Submitted information

MIDDLE POINT — Tickets are being sold for the Middle Point Lions Club’s annual barbecue chicken dinner, which will be held on Sunday, April 26. The dinner is carryout only and tickets should be purchased in advance to guarantee a dinner. Tickets are $12 per dinner and dinners can be picked up from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Lincolnview Elementary School entrance.

The dinner includes a barbecued chicken half prepared by Fat Kid BBQ, potato salad, green beans, applesauce, dinner roll and cookies. Tickets can be purchased from any Middle Point Lion, or by calling 419.605.2706.

Proceeds will help the club provide scholarships for Lincolnview seniors.

Meah Johnson crowned Queen Jubilee 51

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

Peony pageants have become a regular thing for the Johnson family of Van Wert.

Michaella Johnson, now Michaella (Johnson) Owens won the title of Queen Jubilee in 2019. In 2024, younger sister Macy Johnson finished as the second runner-up in the annual pageant and Friday night at Lifehouse Church, Meah Johnson, a senior at Van Wert High School was crowned Queen Jubilee 51. All three are the daughters of Demond and Lisa Johnson.

Along with the title, the youngest Johnson won a $1,500 scholarship and various gifts from local sponsors. She also won two other categories – a $500 scholarship as the talent winner and a $100 scholarship for most photogenic. She was crowned by Queen Jubilee 50, Avery Altenburger.

Johnson 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. Johnson also has given service through mission work and vacation bible school programs. After graduation, she plans on attending a college or university to pursue a degree in theater.

Emily Lichtle, the daughter of Mike and Amanda Lichtle and a senior at Crestview High School, was the runner-up and won a $1,000 scholarship, plus $300 scholarships for Miss Congeniality and community involvement, and a gift basket for winning the People’s Choice award.

Two other candidates – Jayden Bragg of Lincolnview High School and Chloe Nielsen of Vantage Career Center received scholarships of at least $300 and gift bags full of items from local businesses and individuals.

New name added to Queen Jubilee list

W independent staff

51 years of the Peony Queen Pagaent was celebrated Friday night at LifeHouse Church. Four Van Wert County high school seniors competed for the coveted title, with Meah Johnson of Van Wert High School winning the crown. Her sister, Michaella Johnson Owens won the title in 2019 while another sister, Macy Johnson, was the second runner-up two years ago.

The first Peony Queen was crowned in 1932 and a new one was crowned each year until 1941. After a hiatus, the pageant returned in 1955 and continued for five more years, then came to a halt until it was renewed in 1992. Since then, a new peony queen has been crowned each year. Here is a complete least of queens, year by year.

1932: Rheba Dougal Campbell

1933: Mary Elizabeth “Betty” Sampsell

1934: Thelmas Scheidt Vincent

1935: Leona Mae Moser Hunt

1936: Grayce Reed

1937: Jill Clare King-Smith

1938: Betty Althoen Tavis

1939: Betty Joan Jones Shellhaas

1940: Jeanne Lewis Wise

1941: Genevieve Wendel Cecka

1955: Janice Lynne Gardner Nott

1956: Janies Beatty Gehres

1957: Janice Prior Dugan

1959: Sara Drury Empry-Cantrell

YWCA holds annual celebration

VW independent staff/submitted information

Despite the threat of severe weather, a sold-out crowd gathered Thursday evening at Willow Bend Country Club for the YWCA of Van Wert County’s Annual Women of Achievement Scholarship Dinner. The event celebrated 10 outstanding nominees recognized as Women of Achievement across six categories: overcoming adversity, professional leadership, women’s empowerment, youth development, volunteerism, and civic dedication.

Paula Stabler, President of Ohio Health Van Wert and YWCA board member, served as the master of ceremonies for the event.

The evening opened with an address from YWCA board member and guest speaker, Jaeda Sanchez. In an emotional speech, Sanchez reflected on her own challenging upbringing, her journey to success, and the important role of the YWCA in supporting survivors.

“When children don’t feel or aren’t protected, they learn to protect themselves. That survival mode mentality stays with you into adulthood and I often accepted less than I deserved,” Sanchez said. “Today, I’m a business owner, a wife, a leader, a college student, and a mentor. I also serve on the YWCA board – a role that has deepened my understanding of what’s possible for survivors. Spaces like the YWCA matter. When survivors have a safe place that offers advocacy, education, and support, healing and growth become possible.”

Honorees were introduced by the individual who submitted their nomination and they had the opportunity to read their submission, highlighting their nominee’s accomplishments and impact. This year’s honorees included:

• Teresa Shaffer (Sierra Poulson) for Civic Dedication
• Kendra Heffelfinger (Marla Kemler) for Volunteerism
• Christie Wendel (Marla Kemler) for Youth Development
• Alex Giessler (Delaney Aquaviva) for Women’s Empowerment
• Terra Bonifas (Brian Renner) for Professional Leadership
• Jamie Evans (Chelli Gamble) for Professional Leadership
• Rachel Galloway (Janet and Bob Galloway) for Professional Leadership
• Rochelle Campbell (Kate Syphrit) for Overcoming Adversity
• Destinee Hough (Anne Dunn and Keith Hough) for Overcoming Adversity
• Amberlin Somerton (Krista Somerton) for Overcoming Adversity

Friday afternoon crash…

This car got the worst of it in a two-vehicle accident that occurred shortly before 1 p.m. Friday on S. Shannon St., just past Burger King. The southbound Honda was struck by a Buick that was attempting to cross from the parking lot on the east side of Shannon St. into into the west parking lot. The Van Wert Police Department and Van Wert Fire Department were both on the scene. No injuries were reported and the car was towed from the scene. Bob Barnes VWFD photographer

Gustnado damage…

A barn under construction on Ohio 697 south of Middle Point was destroyed by a confirmed gustnado Thursday night. The National Weather Service defines a gustnado as a small whirlwind which forms as an eddy in thunderstorm outflows. They do not connect with any cloud-base rotation and are not tornadoes. Since their origin is associated with cumuliform clouds, gustnadoes are classified as thunderstorm wind events. Photo courtesy of Rick McCoy