Local Elks Lodge announces Americanism essay winners

VWFD responded to fewer calls in 2025

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

The number of calls handled by the Van Wert Fire Department in 2025 decreased by nearly 10 percent compared to the previous year.

According to the fire department’s annual report, compiled by Chief Jon Jones, the VWFD handled 2,057 calls last year, down from 2,216 in 2025, and the fewest since 2020, when the number was 2,017.

Chief Jones noted that emergency medical services (EMS) accounted for 88 percent of all calls.

“Our department is not only a firefighting force but also a frontline partner in community health and emergency care,” Chief Jones said in the report. “Whether answering a call for a structure fire, a highway accident or a critical medical emergency, our team approached every situation with skill, urgency and heart.”

Thoughout 2025, the Van Wert Fire Department had 51 fire calls, including 15 structure fires, 11 vehicle fires, six cooking or trash fires, and 13 miscellaneous fire types. There were 70 false alarms. There were 195 other types of calls, mutual aid was given by the fire department 48 times, and received from other area fire departments nine times.

He also said the VWFD maintained solid performances across all shifts, ensuring consistent turnout and fast on-scene response times, but the year also presented some challenges, including overlapping incidents, or multiple calls coming in at once that stretched the department’s resources thin. Jones noted that of the 2,057 calls, 348, or 17 percent were overlapping incidents.

“This trend highlights the ongoing need for strategic staffing, continued cross training and long-term investment in both personnel and equipment,” he stated.

Winning $60M lottery ticket claimed

VW independent staff

A winning $60 million Mega Millions lottery ticket sold in Van Wert last month has been claimed, but the winner or winners will remain anonymous.

According to a press release from the Ohio Lottery, the prize was claimed by The Happy Trails Trust, represented by local attorney Shaun A. Putman. The winner opted for the cash option of $30 million before taxes.

The winning ticket was sold on St. Patrick’s Day at Tyler’s Short Stop on E. Main St. For selling the winner, the store will receive a $60,000 bonus.

Time capsule buried…

The year 2051 – that’s when a time capsule buried at Vantage Career Center on Friday will be opened. Students and staff gathered Friday to bury the capsule filled with an item from each of Vantage’s programs, along with a few additional pieces. The burial was completed by the school’s Construction Equipment Technology program. Superintendent Rick Turner shared a few words during a brief ceremony, highlighting the importance of preserving memories and celebrating career and technical education. Wyatt Richardson photos

VW independent news briefs

VW independent staff/submitted information

Extended early voting hours

Registered voters in Van Wert County can take advantage of extended early in-person voting hours this week.

The Van Wert County Board of Elections Office will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, April 27, 29, 30, and May 1; 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 28; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 2, and from 1-5 p.m. Sunday, May 3. The Board of Elections Office is at 1362 E. Ervin Rd., Van Wert.

The polls will be open on Election Day, May 5, from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. A valid photo ID is required to vote.

Rain nearly erases drought

Recent heavy rains have pulled most of Van Wert County out of drought conditions. A small part of northeast Van Wert County along with parts of Paulding and Putnam counties are now classified as “abnormally dry.”

According to the National Weather Service, precipitation over the past 30 days has been well above normal throughout the area. Many locations have had between 4-8 inches of rain since late March. Between an inch and 1.25 inches is forecast this week, mainly Monday and Wednesday.

School hosting event

Kingdom Connection Academy is hosting its first annual all you can eat fish and chicken tender fry and live auction this Friday, May 1, in the school auditorium in the Trinity Friends Church Family Life Center, 605 N. Franklin St., Van Wert. The doors will open at 5 p.m. and the live auction will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets for the dinner may be obtained in advance for $14 for adults and $10 for children 10 and under at the church or school offices. Tickets at the door will be $15 for adults and $11 for children 10 and under.

Kingdom Connection Academy is currently enrolling students, kindergarten through seventh grade. Visit kingdomconnectionacademy.com for information on enrollment and Christ-centered education.

Distracted driving crackdown

COLUMBUS — Earlier this month, the Ohio State Highway Patrol and other members of the 6-State Trooper Project joined together to focus on distracted driving enforcement. During the enforcement, Ohio State Troopers identified and addressed 3,794 distracted driving violations.

The eight‐day initiative began on Monday, April 6, and continued through Monday, April 13. The campaign also included the Indiana State Police, Kentucky State Police, Michigan State Police, Pennsylvania State Police and West Virginia State Police.

Collectively, the six agencies involved in the collaborative enforcement identified and addressed 5,519 distracted driving violations.

The 6-State Trooper Project is a multi-state law enforcement partnership aimed at providing combined and coordinated law enforcement and security services in the areas of highway safety, criminal patrol and information sharing.

Hospital offering free skin screening

Submitted information

Community members are invited to attend a free skin lesion screening clinic from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, May 6, at OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital.

The clinic is open to the public and offered on a walk-in basis and no registration or appointment is required. During the event, a physician will evaluate any concerning skin lesions and discuss potential next steps if additional care is recommended. Each screening takes about 20 minutes.

Skin changes are common and can range from harmless growths to more serious concerns, making it important to have anything unusual evaluated by a medical professional.

“Skin changes are often easy to overlook, but early detection can make a significant difference,” said Thomas Conte, MD, Van Wert Hospital chief of surgery. “This screening clinic gives people an opportunity to have a concerning spot looked at in a comfortable setting and to better understand whether further evaluation is needed.”

The screening clinic will be held in the hospital’s surgery department. Guests should enter through the main entrance (Door No. 1) upon arrival. Staff will be available onsite to help schedule follow-up appointments, if recommended. While the screenings themselves are free, any additional office visits or procedures may involve standard costs.

Local RTA service seems to be catching on

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

It’s been approximately three months since a new transit service officially began operations in Van Wert County and, by all accounts, it appears to be going well.

Lima-based Allen County Regional Transit Authority (ACRTA) officially began transportation services in Van Wert County on January 19, a month after releasing information about the state’s investment in new transportation opportunities called the New Ohio Workforce Mobility Partnership. Late last year, ACRTA was awarded more than $600,000 for a one-year pilot program in Van Wert County, which was used to purchase two vehicles and help subsidize ride costs.

Speaking at a “Lunch and Learn” event held last week at First United Methodist Church in Van Wert, Allen County Regional Transit Authority Executive Director of Operations Brian Wildermuth spoke about the service and answered various questions from those in attendance.

“I would say it’s going a little better than we expected,” Wildermuth said. “It took off faster than we thought. We had 46 trips in our first month but, in fairness, we started mid-month and we had (inclement) weather, then we were up to 273 in February and 278 trips in March.”

“On average we have one bus here at all times then on an as-needed basis we’ll have a second driver come over when we’re getting logjammed,” he continued. “I think the way the numbers are going, I can see there being two buses here during all the ‘hot’ times.”

All rides are on small handicap-accessible buses that look similar to large vans, and are offered to the public with door-to-door service in two ways: microtransit and demand-response.

“Microtransit is a door-to-door service in certain areas,” Wildermuth explained. “Demand-response takes a person wherever they’re scheduling themselves to go.”

Microtransit rides start at $3 each way and are operating within two zones in Van Wert County. One zone is within the city limits of Van Wert, and the other is on the northeast side of the county. Demand response rides run between $6-$12 each way and provide door-to-door service anywhere in the county. Ride prices are slightly more when crossing service zones or traveling farther distances.

Northwest State schedules STEM camps

VW independent/submitted information

ARCHBOLD — Northwest State Community College will host a series of hands-on summer STEM camps for learners of all ages, beginning on June 15 with Moon Bot Adventure Camp: Robot Rescue. The camp season will wrap up July 8. Campers can expect fun, hands-on learning activities as part of their action-packed camps! 

For all grade ranges listed below, it is the grade students finished in 2026 unless the camp specifies otherwise.

JUNE CAMPS
Moon Bot Adventure Camp: Robot Rescue (Grades 1-2), LEGO Adventure Island: Build, Explore, Survive (Grades 1-2), Royal Magic Makers: A Princess STEAM Camp (Grades 1-2), RoboMania: Where Fun Meets Future Tech (Grades 3-4), Swing Into STEM – LEGO Mini Golf Challenge (Grades 3-4), Lights! Camera! STEM! Stop Motion Movie Camp (Grades 3-4), Cookies, Crafts & Confidence GIRLS Camp (Grades 5-8), Wild About Animal Art (Grades 5-8), First Aid Camp (Grades 5-8).

JULY CAMPS
Sole Lab: Vintage Sneaker Masterclass (June 29-July 1 – for Grades 5-8), SPIKE Robotics (June 29-July 1 – for Grades 5-8), Bot to the Future: Smart Delivery Robotics (Grades 5-8), Master Builder Lab: Motion & Mechanics (Grades 5-8).

For a complete listing of Northwest State summer camps, including  dates, ages, fees and registration information, visit https://NorthwestState.edu/Camps or contact Jani Tisovic at the college  by phone at 419.267.1381., or by email at SummerCamps@NorthwestState.edu.

Retirement open house set for Rick McCoy

VW independent/submitted information

An open house will be held Tuesday, April 28, from 1:30 to 5 p.m., to celebrate the retirement of Van Wert County Emergency Management Director Rick McCoy  

The public is invited to this event, which will take place at the EMA Office, 1230 Lincoln Highway on the Marsh Foundation property.  

All are welcome to recognize McCoy on his remarkable career and wish him the very best in retirement.

Self-Reliance Award girl finalists named

VW independent/submitted information

Five area girls have been selected for the 2026 R.K. Thompson Self Reliance Award, according to Anthony Adams and Keri McClure, co-chairs of the Van Wert Service Club’s selection committee. In its 56th year, the program provides cash awards to seniors of Van Wert County high schools who best exhibit the trait of self-reliance. These awards are designed to seek out and honor the student who does the best with what she has.

This year’s girl finalists include Zaria Harter; Caroline Marks, daughter of Ashley Marks; Elyssa Renner, daughter of Dennis and Maria Renner; Paige Smith, daughter of Victoria Setili, and Grace Spieles, daughter of Mark and Molly Spieles.

Harter is a senior at Vantage Career Center, where she participates in the Criminal Justice Program while serving as a student ambassador and president of the German Interact Club and Criminal Justice Leaders. Zaria is also a member of National Technical Honor Society and a state qualifier in the Skills USA Competition. 

At Lincolnview High School, she is a member of the Lancer Marching Band, Pep Band, track and field team and National Honor Society. Outside of school, Zaria is an active member of the Ohio City Church of God Youth Group. 

Following graduation, Zaria plans to enlist in the Marine Corps. Work experience includes time at Ohio City Express and Work-Based Learning with Vantage School Resource Officer Jill Gemmer.

Marks is a senior at Crestview High School, where she serves as Student Body president, treasurer of FCCLA and secretary of the National Honor Society chapter. Caroline also competes on the Crestview Knight football and basketball cheer squads and the Knight Vision show choir. 

Van Wert on Tap event labeled ‘success’

VW independent/submitted information

The Van Wert Area Chamber of Commerce held its fourth annual Van Wert on Tap Craft Beer Festival at the Junior Fair building at the Van Wert County Fairgrounds on Saturday April 18.

A complimentary drinking glass for the event, featuring First Federal of Van Wert as the event’s Premier Sponsor, was given to all attendees. The event was also supported by Central Insurance, Tekniplex, Tenneco Inc., Laudick’s Jewelry, Mid-State Industrial, Danfoss, Sisters Styles & Gifts and Bridgemill Private Wealth. 

Returning breweries for this year’s Van Wert on Tap event included Moeller Brew Barn, Buffalo Rock Brewing Co., 1820 BrewWerks, Second Crossing Brew Co., Findlay Brewing Co., Twenty One Barrels Hard Cider, False Chord Brewery, 4KD Crick Brewery, and Brewing Green. New breweries this year included Juniper Brewing Co., Oncore Brewing, Ottawa Brewing Co., and Old Route 69 Brewery. Wine was offered by Collins Fine Foods, featuring selections from the Winery at Versailles.

“We would like to thank First Federal Van Wert for their continued support as our Premier Sponsor,” said Van Wert Area Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Mark Verville. “They have been our Premier Sponsor since the event’s inception and we really value them. We would also like to thank our volunteers and the Van Wert County Fairgrounds for their partnership.”