SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
50 years is considered a milestone worthy of a celebration and that’s just what happened at Vantage Career Center on Monday.
The Van Wert-based career center opened in 1976 as “Vantage Joint Vocational School” has expanded in more ways than one over the years, with the size of the campus growing and the addition of adult education classes. The school was officially renamed Vantage Career Center in 1999.
Vantage officials and others gathered on Monday to mark the school’s golden anniversary. During remarks to those in attendance, Superintendent Rick Turner said the leaders of the community, Van Wert and other counties had a bold vision.
“They didn’t just see a school building, they saw an economic engine,” he said. “They envisioned a place where hands-on training met future demand, where a student could graduate not just with a diploma, but with a marketable skill and a direct path to a meaningful career. They didn’t just build a center for career technical education—they created an anchor for our region’s workforce development.”
For five decades, Vantage has been an essential pipeline feeding a skilled labor force into northwest Ohio’s economy,” he continued. “From electricians and welders who literally build our infrastructure, to nurses and healthcare aides who care for our loved ones, to the marketing specialists and IT experts driving innovation, to our service programs that feed us and care for our children – alumni are everywhere. They are the entrepreneurs who start businesses, the employees who drive efficiency, and the leaders who mentor the next generation.”
(more…)POSTED: 02/09/26 at 10:09 pm
VW independent staff
Assistant Van Wert County Prosecutor Dillon Staas, IV will be sworn in as acting prosecutor during a brief ceremony scheduled for this Thursday afternoon. He was appointed by the Van Wert County Commissioners and will remain in the role pending an appointment by the Van Wert County Republican Central Committee.
Staas is stepping in for Eva Yarger, who was appointed by Governor Mike DeWine to replace retired Van Wert County Juvenile/Probate Court Judge Kevin Taylor. Yarger will be sworn in Thursday afternoon and will officially begin her new duties on Tuesday, February 17.
POSTED: 02/10/26 at 4:51 pm. FILED UNDER: News
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
CONVOY – A pair of presentations highlighted Monday’s monthly meeting of the Crestview Local Schools Board of Education.
Treasurer/CFO Ashley Whetsel explained in detail the district’s current financial outlook for the next five years. She noted there is uncertainty due to property tax reform, along with an effort to abolish property taxes altogether. She also noted that decreases and cuts in state funding will have a financial affect on the district, but Whetsel added the district is projected to have a positive cash balance through fiscal year 2030.
Board members also heard a brief presentation from gifted intervention Alicia Perrott about Camp Invention, which had 83 campers, 15 leaders in training and nine high school helpers.
The board accepted the retirement-resignations of three employees – elementary intervention specialist Jennifer Bowen, who has served 18 years with the district; high school social studies teacher Michael Bowen, who has served 30 years with the district, and district administrative assistant Lori Orsbon, who has served the district for 28 years. Those resignations will take place June 30 and July 31. The board also accepted the resignations of custodian Marsha Mathew, effective at the end of the current school year, and food service worker Sue Duncan, also at the end of the school year.
Board members approved a 71-day contract to Krysten Stone and a 67-day contract to Kandi Ryan as food service workers, and Courtney Grote as a volunteer coach for the middle school program.
The board also approved membership in the Ohio High School Athletic Association for the 2026-2027 school year and accepted a handful of monetary donations.
Before adjourning for the evening, the board went into executive session to discuss the employment and/or compensation of employees, but no action was taken afterward.
The next meeting of the Crestview Local Schools Board of Education will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 25, in the multipurpose room.
POSTED: 02/09/26 at 10:06 pm. FILED UNDER: News
The Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office will be hosting Active Threat and Rescue Task Force training from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday of this week at Redeemer Lutheran Church on Ohio 49 in Convoy. The Ohio Division of Wildlife, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Van Wert Fire Department, and the Van Wert Police Department will also participate. Active Threat and Rescue Task Force (RTF) training is an integrated, multi-agency response model designed for law enforcement, fire, and EMS to enter “warm zones” of active shooter incidents. It focuses on rapidly treating and evacuating victims with tactical medical care under police protection, significantly reducing mortality. The Sheriff’s Office thanked Redeemer Lutheran Church for the use their facility for this event. Photos submitted
POSTED: 02/09/26 at 10:04 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
The Van Wert Area Economic Development Corporation reported a strong increase in participation following Saturday’s Business Boot Camp Introductory Workshop, with attendance growing from seven participants last year to more than 20 attendees this year.
The workshop served as the kickoff to 2026 Business Boot Camp, a free six-week program designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs and existing business owners develop a strong, actionable business plan.
Saturday’s workshop featured a panel of local professionals and business owners who shared practical guidance and real-world experience with attendees. Panelists included Rob Slusser of GreenWay Bank, Alex Brown of Truitt Law Offices, Amber Davis of Red Oak Realty, Kyle Strawn of Leland Smith Insurance Services, Stacey Baer of Shultz Huber + Associates, Inc., and local business owners Mike Lichtle of Laudick’s Jewelry and Shana Mosier of TAG Clothing.
“The turnout we saw this year is a clear sign that interest in entrepreneurship is growing in Van Wert County,” said Brent Stevens, executive director of VWAEDC. “Business Boot Camp is about giving people the tools, guidance, and confidence they need to turn ideas into viable businesses, and we’re excited to build on this momentum as the full program begins.”
The 2026 Business Boot Camp courses will be held at Northwest State Community College’s Van Wert campus on E. Sycamore St. from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays from March 3 through April 7. Each session will go in-depth on key considerations needed to craft a strong, competitive business plan.
Participants will have the opportunity to submit completed business plans to the Van Wert Area Economic Development Corporation by April 17, with final presentations scheduled for April 21. During the final presentations, participants will compete for a range of prizes designed to support new or expanding businesses.
Prizes for the 2026 Business Boot Camp from generous sponsors and community partners include cash awards, a free Van Wert Area Chamber of Commerce membership, free booth space at a Main Street Van Wert event, and one month of free rent in a downtown Van Wert space provided by the Van Wert County Foundation.
Anyone with an interest in starting or growing a business in Van Wert County is encouraged to register for the free, six-week Business Boot Camp by calling the Van Wert Area Economic Development Corporation at 419.238.2999.
Van Wert boys basketball coach Jeremy Best (center) gives the Cougars instructions during a timeout. Van Wert hosted St. Henry Saturday night and the Cougars got off to a fast start but lost 57-48, which snapped a six-game winning streak. A game recap can be found on the Sports page. Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent
POSTED: 02/08/26 at 10:08 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Submitted information
A reminder that the due date for property taxes in Van Wert County is this Wednesday, February 11. The Treasurer’s Office in the Van Wert County Courthouse is open on Mondays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Tuesday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The office accepts payments in the form of check, cashier’s check, money order and credit or debit cards. A 2.5 percent fee will be charged for all card payments by the credit card processor and an electronic check payment is available for a fee of $1.50. You can pay up to ten parcels for a single fee with your account and routing number with the electronic check. If you prefer to pay in cash, you may take your bill in its entirety, along with payment, to The First Bank of Berne, at 102 Christopher Crossing, Van Wert, next to Walmart. The First Bank of Berne will accept payments through the due date of February 11. Partial payments will not be accepted.
Credit card, debit card, and electronic check payments may be made online by visiting the county website at www.vanwertcountyohio.gov and clicking on Treasurer’s Office, then clicking on Payment Options. If you would like to make a payment over the phone, call 844.419.0200. You will need your parcel number, which is located on your bill, for all phone payments.
Anyone with questions about their property tax bill should call the office staff between the above business hours at 419.238.5177.
POSTED: 02/08/26 at 10:07 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff
AMERICAN TOWNSHIP — A teen from Wapakoneta suffered life-threatening injuires when his car was hit by a semi-truck then struck a tree near Elida on Saturday.
According to the Lima Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the accident occurred at approximately 1:50 p.m. at Ohio 309 and Kemp Rd. Cooper Greer, 18, was northbound on Kemp Rd. in a 2012 Cadillac CT4 and failed to observe a stop sign and was hit by a semi that was southbound on Ohio 309. Greer’s car went off the road and struck a tree. Greer was not wearing his seat belt at the time of the crash. He was transported from the scene by American Township EMS to Mercy Health St. Rita’s. The trucker, Greg Gates, 37, of Grovetown, Georgia, was not injured.
The semi sustained moderate damage and was towed from the scene by Beaverdam Fleet Service. The Cadillac sustained severe damage and was towed from the scene by Big Daddy’s Towing.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted at the scene by American Township Fire, American Township EMS, Big Daddy’s Towing, Beaverdam Fleet Service, and the Elida Police Department.
The crash remains under investigation.
POSTED: 02/08/26 at 10:06 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Submitted information
Van Wert Elks Lodge 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, recently donated $1,750 to the YWCA of Van Wert County for their women’s shelter program.
The money, provided thru the Elks National Foundation in the form of a Gratitude Grant were made possible thru the generous donations to the foundation by the members of Van Wert Elks Lodge 1197 and all Elks throughout the United States.
The Elks National Foundation is a perpetual trust fund established in 1928 by the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Contributions to the Foundation are made each year by over 800,000 Elks and their families and friends from more than 1800 Elks Lodges across the United States, Puerto Rico and the Philippines.
With this money, Van Wert Lodge is assisting the YWCA to provide emergency shelter to women in the community.
“The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks have always been known for their charitable works and this is Van Wert Lodge’s way of helping our community and those who are in need,” stated Michael C. Stanley, Lodge Chairman for the Elks National Foundation.
POSTED: 02/08/26 at 10:04 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
PAULDING — The John Paulding Historical Society, now known as the Paulding County History Museum, is undergoing extensive renovations in the kitchen area. Because of this, the meseum’s annual membership meeting, which was scheduled for Sunday, February 22, has been postponed to a later date.
The museum has needed the kitchen update for many years and because of the generous donation from Sandra Weidenhamer and other memorials received, the board of directors voted to get the work done. Electricity and carpentry students at Vantage Career Center have been a key part of the project.
Watch the Paulding County History Museum’s Facebook page and for press releases for the date of the annual membership meeting once the kitchen work is complete.
POSTED: 02/08/26 at 10:03 pm. FILED UNDER: News
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
LIMA – An appeal hearing is scheduled for next week for an area man in prison for murder.
Ryan Houser, 40, of Rockford is currently serving a mandatory 15 years to life sentence. He was sentenced last June by Van Wert County Common Pleas Court Judge Martin D. Burchfield. The murder charge was tied to the September, 2023 shooting death of Houser’s girlfriend, Barbara Ganger of Van Wert (see story here).
Court documents show he’s appealing his conviction and sentence. Oral arguments are scheduled to be heard Tuesday before the Third District Court of Appeals in Lima. The Third Appellate District covers 17 counties – Allen, Auglaize, Crawford, Defiance, Hancock, Hardin, Henry, Logan, Marion, Mercer, Paulding, Putnam, Seneca, Shelby, Union, Van Wert and Wyandot counties.
On March 6, 2025, after many delays in the case, Houser changed his plea from not guilty to no contest to a single count of murder, an unclassified felony. In exchange, three other charges – aggravated murder, an unclassified felony, possessing a weapon under disability, and tampering with evidence, both third degree felonies, were dismissed.
Two months after pleading no contest and being found guilty by Judge Burchfield, Houser was in court for sentencing but as the hearing started, he claimed he was innocent and requested that his no contest plea be withdrawn. On May 29, Judge Burchfield issued a written ruling denying the request. A new sentencing date of June 24 was scheduled and at that hearing, he received the mandatory sentence, which has no early release provision. He was given credit for 491 days already served at the Van Wert County Correctional Facility and barring a successful appeal, his expected release date is February, 2039.
Six days after the sentence was imposed, Houser filed an appeal in the case. His court appointed attorney is Rafeal Villegas. It’s unclear if Houser, who is serving his sentence at the Madison Correctional Institution in London, Ohio, will be at the appeal hearing.
POSTED: 02/06/26 at 11:13 pm. FILED UNDER: News
