Vantage Career Center receives a notable donation

Diaster Declaration issued for 11 counties

VW independent staff/submitted information

COLUMBUS — Governor Mike DeWine announced today that a Presidential Disaster Declaration has been issued for the FEMA Individual Assistance Program as a result of tornadoes on March 14.  The Presidential Disaster Declaration was issued for Mercer, Auglaize, Logan, Crawford, Darke, Delaware, Hancock, Licking, Miami, Richland, and Union counties. The declaration includes the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program for all 88 Ohio counties.

The Indian Lake region was hardest hit, with a EF-3 tornado causing widespread damage. Auglaize County was also affected by the EF-3 twister, and two EF-1 tornadoes touched down in Mercer County.

Governor DeWine sent a letter to President Joe Biden on March 29, requesting a federal disaster declaration.

This FEMA assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, rental assistance, and replacement of personal property to help homeowners and renters recover from the effects of the disaster.  The Presidential Disaster Declaration also allows the Small Business Administration to offer low-interest loans to cover uninsured property losses for homeowners, renters, and business owners impacted by the disaster.

“This federal assistance will supplement the local and state recovery efforts, which are ongoing,” said Ohio Emergency Management Agency Executive Director Sima Merick. “It will provide assistance directly to homeowners, renters, and businesses affected by these storms.”

Governor DeWine also designated Merick as the State Coordinating Officer for this presidential disaster declaration.

Senior Stars!

The Van Wert County Council On Aging held its annual Senior Day Celebration to honor senior citizens of Van Wert County. Activities included a Senior Stars recognition along with a dance, and seniors who were nominated by community members for their volunteer work were recognized. The event featured music by Melvin Mullins and light refreshments courtesy of Hearth and Home. The 2024 Senior Stars are (left to right): Corinne Mowry, Phil Campbell, Barb Early, Ruth Ann Densel, Mary Fallis, Louise Watson, Marti Ilderton, Loren Pancake, and Brenda Watkins. Senior Stars not pictured are Greg Amstutz, Julie Zinn, and Ronald Kill. Visit coavw.org or follow the Van Wert County Council on Aging on Facebook to learn more about the many services and activities the Council on Aging has to offer. Photo submitted

Westwood honors longtime employees

VW independent staff/submitted information

In an era where career trajectories often resemble a revolving door, it’s rare to find individuals who stand the test of time with unwavering commitment. However, within the heart of the community lies an example of consistency and dedication – Westwood Behavioral Health Center. Westwood Behavioral Health recently celebrated a remarkable milestone: honoring employees who have dedicated two decades of their lives to the service of others.

10 employees were recognized as having been with the agency for twenty years or more. These employees represent many different departments within the company: Counseling, Case Management, Crisis Services, Prevention, School Based Services, Billing and Administration. With a sense of pride and gratitude, the agency gathered to recognize and celebrate the contributions of these longstanding members of their team. From clinicians and therapists to administrative staff and support personnel, each individual has played an integral role in shaping the agency’s legacy of excellence.

Mark Spieles, CEO, commented “Their unwavering dedication and passion for helping others have been the cornerstone of our success,” CEO Mark Spieles said. “They are not just employees, they are the embodiment of our mission and values.”

“In an industry where burnout and turnover are all too common, you have shown us what true resilience and commitment look like,” said Molly Shepherd Spieles, Director of Clinical Services,

Sandy Goodwin, Executive Director of the Tri-County ADAMHS Board, offered her congratulations as well.

“The Tri County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board serving Mercer, Van Wert and Paulding Counties, would like to recognize and personally thank each of the Westwood staff for their years of service to our system of care,” she said. “Retaining qualified and talented staff is the key to providing quality Behavioral Health Care Services and Recovery Supports for community members in need. The high quality of services delivered by these individuals are an integral part of our community in supporting people in their recovery.”

As Westwood Behavioral Health looks to the future, it does so with a deep sense of gratitude for the individuals who have shaped its past. In honoring these employees’ remarkable achievements, the agency not only celebrates their individual milestones but also reaffirms its collective commitment to serving the community with compassion, integrity, and unwavering dedication.

Lincoln Highway crash

The driver of this truck was taken to OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital after striking a tree on Lincoln Highway, near Baker Road. The accident occurred shortly after 11:30 a.m. this morning, when the driver tried to avoid a car turning into Ridge Cemetery. The car was hit and the driver was also taken to the hospital for observation. Both vehicles were towed from the scene. The Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office and Middle Point Fire Department were at the scene. Bob Barnes photo

Ohio City man, Van Wert men in court

VW independent staff

An Ohio City man is going to prison and has lost his driver’s license for life.

During a recent hearing in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court, Thomas Medford, 43, was sentenced by Judge Martin Burchfield to 30 months in prison with credit for 186 days already served. In addition to a lifetime license suspension, he was ordered to pay a $1,350 fine and court costs. Medford also admitted to violating terms of community control on a felony assault charge by having alcohol in his system. He was sentenced to 93 days in jail but was given credit for 93 days already served.

Two other criminal hearings were held this past week, both on Tuesday.

Todd Bruseau, 48, of Van Wert, was found competent to stand trial after an evaluation at Forensic Psychiatry in Dayton. A pre-trial conference was set for May 29. Bruseau is facing two counts of vandalism, both fifth degree felony charges, for allegedly using a flag pole to break two windows on the front of Brumback Library last November, and he’s accused of causing damage to several bubble lamps and glass to a flood light. Early damage estimates totaled several thousand dollars. He entered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity.

Emmett Waltz, III, 36, of Van Wert, changed his plea to guilty to domestic violence, a third degree felony. Judge Burchfield ordered a pre-sentence investigation and scheduled sentencing for 10 a.m. June 12.

Convoy crash

A two-vehicle accident on U.S. 30 at the Convoy Road crossing brought two Convoy EMS squads and the rescue truck to the scene at 7:49 a.m. this morning. The driver of the van and a passenger in car were transported to OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital for treatment. The driver of the van was northbound on Convoy Road and failed to yield the right of way to the car that was westbound on U.S. 30. Both vehicles sustained major damage and were towed from the scene. The accident was investigated by the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Department. Bob Barnes photos

Chavez, Dunlap win R.K. Thompson Award

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

It’s never an easy decision, but two Lincolnview High School seniors emerged as winners of the 54^th annual R.K. Thompson Self-Reliance Award.

Amy Chavez and Jackson Dunlap were named the winners during Wednesday night’s banquet at Vantage Career Center. They were chosen from 10 finalists, five girls and five boys.

Chavez, the daughter of Octavio Chavez and Martha Salinas, is a member of National Honor Society, Lincolnview Service Club and Spanish Club while also serving as a Junior Rotarian. Her work experience includes time with Vancrest of Van Wert through the C.E.O. program. Following graduation, she plans to attend Ohio State to pursue a degree in nursing.

In her application, Chavez wrote she’s always seen herself as extremely self-reliant.

“As the No. 1 daughter in an immigrant household, I grew up filling out most of my own documents whether for school or government purposes,” she wrote. “I also did the same for my siblings and my parents. Because of the language barrier, my parents rely on me heavily.”

She also noted that reliance has increased within the past year, as her father became disabled and his ability to have a job has diminished, forcing her to miss school to take him to medical appointments and help with communication, as his limited English became more difficult to understand. To help her family with expenses, Chavez began working as an STNA at Vancrest full time, often exceeding 40 hours per week. Despite that, she’s accumulated 29 college credits during her junior and senior years of high school.

Dunlap, the son of Matt Dunlap and Kristen Price, is a member of FFA and competes on the Lancer varsity baseball team. Other activities include participation in the D.A.R.E. demolition derby, membership at Salem United Presbyterian Church and Bo Jackson Elite Travel Baseball. His work experience includes time with Highpoint/Fireside Capital and Klosterman’s Pizza, while also operating his own power washing business.

Following graduation, Dunlap plans to attend the Ohio State University and will major in marketing.

“Often you don’t know someone is struggling by looking at them, especially if they demonstrate self-reliance,” he wrote in his application. “Throughout my life I have battled through multiple tough situations – family challenges, medical issues and a move from Columbus from Van Wert that turned my world upside down. I struggled to deal with all of the stress at first but I made a personal choice to take the cards I’d been dealt and play them the best way possible.”

Switzer trial delayed, new hearing set

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

PAULDING — The trial of a Paulding woman accused of hitting and killing a boy while he was riding his bike has been delayed, pending the results of a suppression hearing.

Cynthia Switzer,46, was scheduled to stand trial May 13-15 for aggravated vehicular homicide, a second degree felony. Instead, she’ll appear in Paulding County Common Pleas Court at 1 p.m. Monday, May 13, for a motion to suppress and a Daubert motion, which generally seeks to exclude the testimony of an expert witness.

According to court records, Switzer and her attorney, E. Charles Cates, are seeking to suppress tests of Switzer’s coordination and/or alcohol and/or drug levels.

“Before the results of an alcohol and/or drug test given a defendant are admissible in evidence, it is incumbent upon the State to show that the instrument was in proper working order, that its manipulator had the qualifcations to conduct the test,” the motion reads.

The motion also calls into question seven other factors to consider, including the chain of custody of a urine test, a possible link between alcohol test results and diabetes, which Switzer has, plus numerous body cam recordings.

The charge against is tied to the September 4, 2023 death of Ross Erwin Myers, 12, who was riding his bike on County Road 103, south of County Road 124 in Paulding Township when he was hit from behind and killed.

Clark honored

Ladder trucks from American Township and the Van Wert Fire Department were used to raise the flag in honor of Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Adam Clark, who passed away last Friday. A funeral mass was held Wednesday morning at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Delphos and he was laid to rest after the service. VWFD photo

State: no pot in bars, restaurants, etc.

VW independent staff/submitted information

COLUMBUS – As patio season gets in full swing, the Ohio Department of Commerce’s Division of Liquor Control and the Ohio Department of Public Safety’s Ohio Investigative Unit remind Ohioans that marijuana use remains strictly prohibited in liquor permit premises, including bars and restaurants.

After Ohioans voted to legalize the adult use of non-medical marijuana last November, the two Ohio agencies issued a memo to permit holders to emphasize that marijuana – in any form – cannot be used in their facilities or brought onto their properties. Since marijuana is still considered to be a controlled substance, the restrictions of Ohio Administrative Code 4301:1-1-52 remain in effect.

“Any liquor permit holders who knowingly or willfully permit the use of marijuana in, upon, or about their licensed permit premises are subject to administrative citation,” said Paul Kulwinski, DOLC Director of Licensing and Interim Superintendent. “By ignoring the law, bars, restaurants and any other liquor permit holders are putting their license in jeopardy. We urge liquor permit holders throughout the state to do everything possible to ensure their premises is a marijuana-free zone.”

Ohioans who suspect a liquor permit holder is allowing marijuana usage on its premises should contact their local OIU office.

In addition, the initiated statute passed by voters that took effect in December of last year states that a non-medical cannabis consumer who uses non-medical cannabis in a public area is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. Additionally, Ohio’s law prohibiting smoking or vaping in public indoor spaces applies to smoking marijuana as well.

Non-medical cannabis is not yet available to purchase in Ohio dispensaries, and the general public is not yet permitted in dispensaries unless an individual is a registered patient or caregiver in the Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program. There are currently no entities licensed to sell non-medical cannabis in the state of Ohio. In addition, individuals are not permitted to bring marijuana into Ohio that has been purchased in another state, as federal law prohibits traveling across state lines with marijuana.