Council, school board, trustee races, issues on the ballot

Child struck…

Van Wert police and firefighters were dispatched to the intersection of S. Washington St. and Crawford St. at 7:10 this morning, after a child was struck by an SUV. According to Police Chief Doug Weigle, the boy, 12, who attends the Van Wert School at the Goedde, was originally was at the school but needed go home. He was walking eastbound on Crawford St and entered the intersection of Washington St. and was struck by the SUV, which was turning south onto Washington St. The boy was was taken to the OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. As of late morning, no charges had been filed. Bob Barnes/VWFD photographer

L’view hosting two Veterans Day programs

VW indepependent staff/submitted information

The Lincolnview Local Schools will be honoring Lincolnview community veterans on two upcoming days. On Friday, November 7, Llincolnview will host a school-wide Veterans Day event starting at 10 a.m. in the high school gymnasium. If there is a school weather delay, then the program will start at 1:30 p.m. K-12 Lincolnview students are strongly encouraged to turn in their Veterans Day form if they have a veteran coming to Friday’s program by Wednesday.

Lincolnview will also be honoring veterans with a separate program and meal at 12 p.m. Sunday, November 9, in the Lincolnview Elementary gymnasium. The deadline has passed for tickets for Sunday’s program.

Ceremony held for former Post commander

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

High level state officials, including Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio State Highway Patrol Superintendent Col. Charles A. Jones gathered in Van Wert Monday afternoon for a dedication ceremony honoring a former commander of the Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

On October 28, 1970, Van Wert Patrol Post Commander Lt. James A. Kirkendall died in a crash involving two trucks on U.S. 33, just west of Saint Johns in Auglaize County. Lt. Kirkendall was traveling west on the rain-slicked road and clipped the left rear of a truck while changing lanes. His patrol vehicle spun into the eastbound lane and was struck by another truck. He was just 45 and was survived by his wife and two children, Mike and Lori.

Governor DeWine and Col. Jones joined members of Lt. Kirkendall’s family to unveil a memorial sign, dedicating the eastbound and westbound lanes of U.S. 33, between County Road 191 and Boundry Road in Auglaize County as the Lieutenant James A. Kirkendall Memorial Highway.

“Dedicating this highway in the name of Lieutenant Kirkendall is making a promise that we will never forget his sacrifice,” Governor DeWine said to those in attendance. “A promise that his story will not fade with time and a promise that the values he lived by, service and courage, will continue to guide us as a state.”

Lt. Kirkendall was well known in the community and among fellow law enforcement officers. He had served at a number of patrol posts around Ohio, including Georgetown, Troy, Sidney, Dayton, Urbana, Findlay, Massillon, and Springfield before coming to Van Wert. His career spanned 21 years and prior to that, he was a veteran of World War II.

“That gives us some indication of his sacrifice and also the sacrifice of his family,” Governor DeWine said.

“55 years after Lieutenant Kirkendall’s passing, his example continues to reflect the highest ideals of service,” said Colonel Jones said. “This highway dedication stands as a permanent reminder of his leadership and the enduring legacy he left within the division.”

CERT seeking donations for fire victim

Submitted information

On Sunday, November 2, the Van Wert County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) was dispatched to assist the Willshire Fire Department for a house fire on Green St. CERT is working to raise support for the resident. It has been determined that clothing and monetary donations are needed.
 
Adult male: Pants 38/32, Shirts 2XL, Footwear 11, Coats 2XL.

Please include Case No.1478 with your donation to ensure it is distributed to the correct person. Donations should be taken to Trinity Global Methodist Church, 220 S. Walnut St., Van Wert between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday-Thursday. Donations will be collected until Sunday, November 9.

Monetary donations can be dropped off or sent to Van Wert County Foundation/CERT located at 138 E. Main St. in Van Wert. Please include the Case No. 1478 in the memo. Donations may also be made online at vanwertcountyfoundation.org by clicking ‘Donate’ and selecting the ‘Van Wert EMA/CERT Fund’ and include the case number in the donation note.

Welcome home state champs!

The Crestview community showed up in full force to celebrate the Division IV state cross country champion Knights on Saturday. Hours after winning the title, the first cross country state championship in school history and in Van Wert County history, the team returned from Fortress Obetz and Memorial Park and went through Wren before returning to Convoy. The Knights also celebrated the accomplishments of two girls who qualified as individuals. Check the Sports page for details and more pictures. Wyatt Richardson/Van Wert independent

Travis Howze addresses first responders

VW independent staff

Internationally recognized speaker, author and former first responder Travis Howze was in Van Wert Saturday to address approximately 800 firefighters, law enforcement officers, EMS professionals, dispatchers, military veterans and mental health advocates on topics such as trauma, burnout and resilience in public safety professions. The event was held at Lifehouse Church.

Howze’s appearance had been in the works for well over a year. Howze’s appearance was secured by funds from Van Wert Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 681 and a number of local businesses and organizations.

Howze, a former firefighter, police officer and U.S. Marine brought his unique perspective to the issue of post-traumatic stress. After surviving career-ending injuries and the loss of several colleagues, Howze turned to comedy and public speaking as a way to cope and to help others heal. Now, he shares his journey across the country, encouraging those in uniform to speak up, seek help and reclaim their mental well being.

“We spend our entire careers saving others,” Howze said. It’s time we start saving ourselves. Mental health should be a priority, not a stigma.”

Howze’s mental health issues started in his childhood and culminated in June, 2007, while a member of the Charleston, South Carolina Fire Deparment. Nine firefighters perished during the Sofa Super Store fire and he was on the body recovery team. That event was what ultimately led him to develop his “Create Your Own Light” book and podcast.

Howze spoke for nearly three hours, then engaged in a meet and greet with photos with those in attendance, and signed copies of his book.

Over 1,500 people cast ballots early

VW independent staff

Ohio’s early in-person voting period began on October 7 and ended at 5 p.m. Sunday, November 2.

Figures supplied by Van Wert County Board of Elections Director Pam Henderson show 1,558 registered voters in the county cast ballots ahead of the deadline. In addition, 97 ballots were sent out and 80 have been returned so far.

The polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

Willshire house fire…

Firefighters from Willshire, Ohio City and Rockford were dispatched to a house fire on Green St. in Willshire early Sunday morning. The initial call came in shortly after 7:30 a.m., after the resident awoke to smoke in the home. He was able to escape but unfortunately, a dog perished in the fire. The blaze was brought under control within an hour and firefighters worked on hot spots in various locations of the house. The home sustained heavy damage. Van Wert County CERT was at the scene to help with traffic control and to provide firefighters with water and coffee. Willshire Fire Chief Jeff Henderson said the caues of the fire is under investigation. Bob Barnes photos

Operation Christmas Child approaching

VW independent staff/submitted information

Volunteers are preparing to collect Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts during National Collection Week, November 17-24. Nearly 5,000 drop-off locations will open across the country in November, including one in Van Wert.

Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has been collecting and delivering gift-filled shoeboxes to children including many who are suffering from war, poverty, disease and disaster. Operation Christmas Child hopes to reach another 12 million children in 2025 with the hope of Jesus.

Shoebox packing is fun for individuals, families and groups. Find a step-by-step guide on the How to Pack a Shoebox webpage. The project partners with local churches across the globe to deliver these tangible expressions of God’s love to children in need. Participants can donate $10 per shoebox gift online through “Follow Your Box” and receive a tracking label to discover its destination.

“Samaritan’s Purse works around the world to help people in need, but it’s not about good works— it’s about the Gospel,” said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse. “Please prayerfully consider packing a shoebox this year with Operation Christmas Child. These simple gifts open the door for us to share the true meaning of Christmas.”

Participants can find the nearest drop-off location and hours of operation as they make plans to drop off their shoebox gifts. The online lookup tool is searchable by city or ZIP code. Signs at each location will identify the drop-off. Local drop-off locations and hours in Van Wert are listed below:

Calvary Evangelical Church, 10686 Van Wert Decatur Road:

Crestview to host Veterans Day program

Submitted information

CONVOY — Crestview Middle and High School will hold a Veterans Day program from 8:30-10 a.m. Tuesday, November 11, in the school auditeria for all veterans in the community. Guests will first enjoy donuts, coffee/juice, and entertainment from the music department. To conclude the program, a “reverse walk through” will be held for students to stop by and thank the veterans in person.

Middle and high school students are strongly encouraged to RSVP any guests with their grade-level social studies teacher by Friday, November 7. Veterans should park in the lot outside of the auditeria and elementary gym and enter through doors 5, 6 or 7.