YWCA shares capital campaign update

VW independent staff/submitted information

The YWCA of Van Wert County has announced significant progress in its capital campaign as the organization moves closer to its goal to break ground on a 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 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.

Since launching the campaign, the community has demonstrated incredible confidence in the vision of a new YWCA. Thanks to the generosity of donors, grant partners, elected officials, and community advocates, the project continues to move forward with tremendous momentum.

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 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 next spring.

While these milestones represent tremendous progress, they also demonstrate the complexity of bringing a project of this size to life. Every funding source secured strengthens the project’s foundation and moves the YWCA one step closer to opening its doors.

Fair fun…

The cooler weather was nice and the final three days of the Van Wert County Fair were a flurry of activity, with the demolition derby, livestock and horse shows, woodcarving, the Big Air ATV show and much more. Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent

SNAP ban being put on hold

VW independent staff/submitted information

COLUMBUS — A ban on the purchase of certain surgary drinks with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits is being delayed in Ohio. The ban, originally slated to begin October 1, is being put on hold at the request of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Administration.

Earlier this year, FNA approved a waiver allowing Ohio to restrict the use of SNAP benefits to purchase certain beverages, including fountain drinks and carbonated sugary beverages. Specifically, the waiver restricts the use of SNAP benefits for purchasing beverages that list sugar, corn syrup, high-fructose corn syrup, or similar caloric sweeteners as the primary ingredient – or as the second ingredient if the first is carbonated water.

The FNA recently requested Ohio to delay implementation so that FNA can issue a notice in the Federal Register and assess public comments prior to project implementation. In response, Ohio is pausing the start of the sugary beverage ban until it receives further guidance.

The proposal was based on recommendations from a work group convened by Governor Mike DeWine in June of last year. Over three months, the group evaluated a wide range of data and expert input, including the impact of nutrition on children’s health, the history and purpose of SNAP, retail logistics, and implementation feasibility.

The workgroup noted that many health experts agree these drinks are widely recognized as having little to no nutritional value and are linked to chronic health conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension. The group recommended a clear definition of restricted beverages to support ease of implementation for retailers and to ensure that SNAP recipients can easily understand what is and isn’t eligible for purchase.

Local hospital earns designation

Submitted information

OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital has earned Critical Access Hospital designation, strengthening its ability to provide high-quality, patient-centered care while supporting the hospital’s long-term sustainability and access to services close to home. 

The Critical Access Hospital program was established to help rural hospitals maintain local access to care by providing additional flexibility through a cost-based Medicare reimbursement model. 

“This designation helps ensure we can continue providing the care our community depends on, now and into the future,” said Paula Stabler, president, OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital. “It strengthens our hospital, supports our caregivers and positions us to meet the healthcare needs of our community for years to come.” 

With this designation, Van Wert Hospital joins other OhioHealth rural hospitals operating under the Critical Access Hospital model, including OhioHealth Hardin Memorial Hospital, OhioHealth Shelby Hospital and OhioHealth Morrow County Hospital. 

Critical Access Hospitals are designated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and must meet specific operational and regulatory requirements. As part of the designation process, Van Wert Hospital successfully completed a comprehensive Joint Commission survey assessing its compliance with nationally recognized standards for quality and patient safety through on-site observations and reviews of clinical and operational processes. 

“Our priority is always making sure our patients receive safe, compassionate care,” said Leslie Beining, chief nursing officer, OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital. “Critical Access Hospital designation gives our teams the flexibility and resources needed to provide that care and support the needs of our community.” 

Van Wert Hospital leaders said they remain focused on providing trusted, patient-focused care throughout the transition. 

VW independent seeking 9/11 submissions

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

This Friday, September 11, will mark 25 years since the horrific attacks on the Twin Towers at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, the same day a jet crashed into a Pennsylvania field after a passenger revolt.

The VW independent is asking readers to share memories of that day. While the attacks occurred 25 years ago, the day remains vivid in the minds of many Americans.

• Where were you and what were you doing when you first heard about the attacks?
• How did you learn about them i.e. radio, TV, word of mouth, etc?
• What were your first thoughts?
• What do you remember most about that day and the days that followed?
• Please feel free to share any other memories you may have.

Please consider sharing your memories with us for a story that will be published this Friday. You may email your memories to editor@thevwindependent.com. Please include your name and where you live. Submissions will be accepted until 5 p.m. Friday, September 10.

EMA looking for storm damage info

VW independent staff/submitted information

The Van Wert County Emergency Management Office is asking county residents and property owners to report damage resulting from the early morning storms that moved through on Saturday, September 5. There were two rounds, one at approximately 4 a.m., which was not a warned storm, then a stronger storm that began at approximately 6:20 a.m. and lasted until 7 a.m. Damage was found along some of Harrison Center Rd. and EMA director Matt Saunier said the west/southwest part of the county received nearly three inches of rain in three hours. He also said EMA is working to confirm a 72 mile per hour wind gust near Venedocia.

EMA is specifically looking for reports involving:

• Flooding/water damage
• Structural damage to homes, businesses, barns, garages, or other buildings
• Wind damage, including roofs, siding, trees, utility-related damage, and other storm impacts

Those affected by the storm should submit an individual report for each damaged property or location using the form below. Detailed information helps EMA develop an accurate picture of the extent of damage across Van Wert County.

Please submit a report even if you have already reported the damage to your insurance company, fire department, township, municipality, or another agency.

Submit storm damage here: https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLSfKol0fIktG8p…/viewform.

Truck and Tractor pull…

The Van Wert County Truck and Tractor Pull was Friday night’s grandstand attraction at the Van Wert County Fair…the might of trucks and tractors was on full display, along with the skills of those behind the wheel. Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent

Cooler temps expected for final days of fair

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

The 170th annual Van Wert County Fair is in its final three days and a lot is on tap through Labor Day Monday. Thankfully, temperatures will be a bit cooler than the first four days of the fair, when temperatures were in the 90s, with heat index values at or exceeding 100 degrees.

Heavy rains, thunder and lightning moved in for a brief time Thursday evening, causing people to scurry for cover.

The demolition derby is the headliner today. The crowd favorite will begin at 6 p.m. Sunday’s grandstand attraction is the ATV Big Air Show, which will start at 7. Harness racing will begin at noon on Monday and the Rough E Rodeo will help close out the fair, starting at 7 p.m. Monday. It’s described as a family friendly experience. Tickets for all three events range from $10-$20 each.

A horseshoe tournament is on tap starting at 10 a.m. today, which is First Responders Day with free admission for first responders, followed by a 1 p.m. start on Sunday.

Free Christian entertainment and more will be offered at the Gospel Tent, including St. Mary’s Catholic Church Mass at 6 p.m. tonight, followed by music by contemporary Christian artist Cade Thompson.

Sunday morning, Zion Christian Union Church and Living Truth Ministries will join together for a worship service in the Gospel Tent at 10 a.m. Dove Award-nominated and Billboard-charting artist Austin French will perform at the Advanced Insurance Group Outdoor Stage at 6 p.m. The Mark Trammell Quartet will take the same stage at 3 p.m. on Monday.

The election of fair board directors will occurre between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday. To vote, you must be a resident of Van Wert County, have purchased a 2026 Van Wert County Agricultural Society membership ticket and present a valid ID.

Various livestock shows will be held through Monday and the annual livestock sale will begin at 9 a.m. on Tuesday.

Daily admission to the fair is $10, with children 12 and under admitted free of charge.

Bond set for man charged with murder

VW independent staff

PAULDING — Bond has been set at $10 million cash or surety with a 10 percent provision for a Paulding man charged with shooting and killing a man this week.

Alfred B. Conner, 72, is current incarcerated at the Paulding County Jail on a single count of murder, an unclassified felony. He’s accused of shooting and killing Logan D. Moss of Mark Center late Monday night. The shooting occurred in Cooper’s driveway in the 19000 block of Road 72.

According to Paulding County Sheriff Jason K. Landers, deputies were dispatched to the home at 10:30 p.m. and rendered aid to Moss until Grover Hill EMS arrived on scene and took over medical care. Moss was transported to OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Landers said the case would be turned over the Paulding County Prosecutor’s Office for review and he said his office would release no other information due to the ongoing investigation.

However, court documents show Moss’s girlfriend called 911 after he had been shot, and she identified Conner as the shooter. She later told deputies she was inside the home when she heard a gunshot, then saw Moss exit his car and tried to defend himself, but Conner fired two more shots at him.

A Smith & Wesson .357 magnum 6-shot revolver was recovered from inside the home with six spent castings. Cooper later admitted to firing the gun at Moss.

A hearing has been scheduled for Thursday, September 10, in Paulding County Common Pleas Court.

Performance planned at Brumback Library

VW independent staff

A special performance by Gladius, a flamenco guitarist from Atlanta has been planned for next Thursday, September 10, at the Brumback Library in Van Wert.

Gladius is a guitar virtuoso who was raised in Atlanta and pupiled by Andres Segovia’s protégé and driven to obsession by Van Halen. He’s an award winning composer and an accomplished classical/flamenco style guitarst who “soulfully shreds on the electric.”

Thursday’s performance is a free event that will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the main branch of the Brumback Library with a free dirty soda bar.