U.S. 127 blocked…

Strong winds forced a semi-truck on its side Wednesday afternoon. It happened shortly after 2 p.m. on U.S. 127 just south of Ohio 709 and the mishap blocked both lanes for nearly 90 minutes. The Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol responded, along with Ohio City Fire and EMS, ODOT and Van Wert County CERT. Bob Barnes photo

Ceremony at Fountain Park canceled

VW independent staff

Mother Nature has had the final say. Due to high winds, the Christmas at Fountain Park opening night ceremony, scheduled for 6 p.m. tonight has been canceled.

“The safety of our community, volunteers and equipment comes first,” a statement said. “While we were excited to kick off the holiday season with you, the weather simply isn’t cooperating.”

Because of the ongoing weather conditions, it’s not known when the park will be lit up. The Christmas at Fountain Park Facebook page will have updates, along with the VW independent.

The live reindeer that was scheduled to be at Fountain Park tonight has been rescheduled for 6:30-8:30 p.m. Sunday, December 7.

Long list of hearings held in local court

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

Two substantial prison sentences were handed down by Van Wert County Common Pleas Court Judge Martin D. Burchfield this week. The sentences were connected to two separate and unrelated cases.

Guy D’Andrea, 31, Van Wert, was sentenced to 4-6 years in prison for endangering children, a felony of the second degree. He was also ordered to pay court costs. In October, after a four-day jury trial, D’Andrea was convicted of the charge, which was tied to the abuse of a child, 11, causing serious physical harm.

Julian Pettis, 31, Cincinnati, was sentenced to 4-6 years for attempted rape, a second degree felony; 36 months for stragulation, a third degree felony, and 11 months for assault, a fourth degree felony. The sentences for attempted rape and strangulation will run concurrently, while the assault charge will run consecutively to the other two charges. He was given credit for 411 days already served and was ordered to pay court costs.

A number of other hearings took place between November 19-26.

Sentencings

Adam Partin, 32, of Van Wert, was sentenced to 15 months prison with credit for 90 days already served for domestic violence, a fourth degree felony. He was ordered to pay court costs.

Barbara Nickles, 67, of Van Wert, was sentenced to one year of community control, 90 days electronic house arrest, a five year license suspension with no driving privileges for vehicular homicide, a first degree misdemeanor. She must undergo mental health and substance abuse assessment and treatment, and was ordered to pay partial appointed counsel fees, monthly probation fees and court costs (click here for the full story).

Brandon Zuppardo, 38, of Van Wert, was sentenced to 80 days in jail with credit for 73 days already served, two years of community control, 30 days in jail at a later date, and 26 hours of community service for domestic violence, a first degree misdemeanor. In addition, he must undergo mental health and substance abuse assessment and treatment, and he was ordered to pay partial appointed counsel fees, monthly probation fees and court costs.

OIU targets illegal activities during holiday

VW independent staff/submitted information

COLUMBUS — The Ohio Investigative Unit is reminding citizens and liquor permit holders to prioritize safety and celebrate responsibly during the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday period. This high-risk period runs from today (Wednesday, November 26), through Sunday, November 30, and includes “Blackout Wednesday,” one of the year’s heaviest drinking days and when vigilance is most critical.

During the 2024 Thanksgiving holiday period, which spanned seven days from Monday, November 25, through Sunday, December 1, OIU made 26 total arrests, issued 11 administrative citations against liquor permit holders, and recovered eight guns.

“The Thanksgiving holiday period sees a sharp increase in social activity, creating an inherent rise in the risk for alcohol-related tragedies and criminal activity,” said OIU Executive Director Jamie Patton. “Permit holders and retailers are our essential partners in public safety. Their staff must be vigilant, trained, and ready to comply with all state laws to protect lives and our communities.”

OIU agents will be conducting high-visibility enforcement and compliance checks, specifically targeting increased risks associated with holiday gatherings and activities. Agents may charge individuals and businesses criminally, as well as issue administrative citations against liquor permits for violating Ohio’s Liquor Laws. Agents also investigate weapons, violence, and other criminal activity related to liquor establishments.

Illegal Sales and Over-Serving: Liquor permit premises must be highly vigilant on busy nights. It is illegal to sell or furnish alcohol to a minor or to an intoxicated person. OIU agents actively check establishments for compliance with laws regarding illegal intoxication and underage sales, as these are common violations during the holiday season. OIU offers a free, online alcohol server knowledge (ASK) program for those involved in the sale and handling of alcohol to learn the rules, responsibilities, and risks involved with liquor permits in Ohio.

Tobacco Compliance: Retailers have a duty to ensure strict compliance with laws governing tobacco sales to minors. Ohio law requires retailers to post a sign indicating that it is illegal to sell tobacco and alternative nicotine products to anyone under the age of 21. Both a clerk who sells tobacco and alternative nicotine products to a person under 21 and the owner of the retail establishment may face criminal penalties that increase after the first violation under Ohio’s Tobacco 21 law.

Humane Society wants to Clear the Shelter

VW independent staff/submitted information

The Van Wert County Humane Society is holding a special “Clear the Shelter” adoption event made possible by a generous $3,000 donation from Deaf Dog Coffee + Co. Effective immediately, all adoption fees for cats and dogs are waived for adopters with an approved application.

“This donation represents who we are at Deaf Dog Coffee + Co.; a small business with a big heart and a belief that kindness creates change,” said Laura Bowen, owner of the Deaf Dog Coffee. “By contributing $3,000 to waive adoption fees at the Van Wert County Humane Society, we hope to spark a wave of holiday adoptions and truly ‘Empty the Shelter for Christmas. ’Every animal deserves a chance, and every family deserves the joy of unconditional love. We’re proud to play a small part in that magic.”

Those who have already been notified of an approved application within the last year may stop in during shelter hours and adopt a dog or cat right away. Prospective adopters who do not yet have an approved application can complete one at vwchs.orgapplications within three days, including a veterinary reference check and landlord approval for renters, to ensure that every animal is placed in a responsible, loving, and permanent home.

“We want every adoption to be a perfect match,” said Board Secretary Kirsten Barnhart. “Our team is committed to making sure each pet finds a safe, stable, forever home, because that’s what every animal deserves.”

VWCHS is a certified no-kill shelter, meaning animals are never euthanized for space. Currently, the Humane Society is at maximum capacity for both cats and dogs, making this adoption event especially significant.

“Adopting a pet right now doesn’t just change one life, it opens a spot for us to rescue the next animal in need,” Barnhart said. “This event has the potential to help dozens of pets find homes before the holidays.”

The shelter currently houses dogs of all ages, breeds, and personalities, as well as cats of every age and color. With adoption fees waived, the shelter hopes more families than ever will consider adding a new companion to their home.

VWCHS is grateful for the ongoing support of Deaf Dog Coffee + Co., a business that remains a dedicated partner in helping local animals.

Turnpike issues high wind travel ban

VW independent staff/submitted information

With high winds in the forecast, including gusts up to 50 miles per hour, the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission has issued a travel ban across the entire 241-mile toll road for all high-profile vehicles from 8 a.m. EST, Wednesday to 11:59 p.m. Thanksgiving Day.

High-profile vehicles are defined as height exceeding 7 feet and 6 inches.

The following types of vehicles will be banned from traveling on the Ohio Turnpike until the travel restriction expires or is canceled:

• All high-profile tow-behind trailers, campers, boats, and enclosed trailers. (Fifth wheel trailers are excluded.)
• Commercial trucks towing an empty single 53-foot trailer
• All mobile homes, office trailers and livestock trailers
• All long combination vehicles (LCV) that include long double-trailer combinations exceeding 90-feet in length. (Enclosed trailers only, including Conestoga type trailers)
• All LCV triple-trailer combinations
• 2-axle buses longer than forty (40) feet
• Buses with 3 or more axles greater than forty-five (45) feet

Santa’s coming to town!

Tell the kids to get those Christmas lists ready – Santa Claus will be at American Legion Post 178 on W. Main St. in Van Wert from 5:30-7 p.m. this Saturday, November 29. He’ll be back from 5:30-7 p.m. every Friday and Saturday in December until December 20. The public is welcome any of those days and times. Photo submitted

Council learns of long tax credit error

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

A mistake that goes back eight years could be beneficial to hundreds of Van Wert city residents but will be costly to the city itself.

Monday night, Mayor Ken Markward told members of city council that a transfer of funds will be needed for city residents who were overcharged on their city income taxes, if they worked outside of Van Wert and had to pay city income taxes elsewhere.

In September of 2017, council doubled the tax credit from 25 to 50 percent for city residents who paid elsewhere. It was done with the thought it would be rescinded if an income tax increase that was on the ballot failed. It did indeed fail, but the council at the time never formally passed legislation to drop the credit back down to 25 percent, meaning several hundred people who live in the city but work elsewhere overpaid.

“If you are looking for a silver lining there isn’t much except it’s good that we found out now and not five or seven or 10 years from now,” Markward told council members. “It’s good that we have a cash balance that’s able to cover this so we don’t have lay somebody off.”

Markward said while he doesn’t have a final number yet, he did say it would be substantial. More information is expected at the next meeting of city council, and council is expected to vote on legislation that would reduce the credit to 25 percent. 

Busts unveiled…

Local officials, the Isaac Van Wart Chapter of the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) and others gathered in downtown Monday afternoon for the unveiling of three busts of three men who were very prominent in the early history of the U.S. – Isaac Van Wart, for whom Van Wert County and Van Wert city are named (even though the spelling is different), along with John Paulding and David Williams. The busts were created via 3D printing. They’ll be displayed in various places during America’s upcoming 250th anniversary celebration. Photos courtesy of Thad Lichtensteiger

Offices to close Thursday, Friday

VW independent staff

City of Van Wert and Van Wert County offices will be closed this Thursday and Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday. That includes the Van Wert Municipal Building, Van Wert Municipal Court, the Van Wert County Courthouse and the Annex.