The Brumback Library, all branches to offer new hours

Race to be held for county auditor

VW independent staff

There will be a Republican primary run-off for Van Wert County Auditor.

Records from the Van Wert County Board of Elections show incumbent Jami Bradford has filed petitions to appear on the May 5 primary election. She’s being challenged by Arica Wermer, a deputy auditor with the City of Van Wert.

So far, just one other primary race is on the May ballot. As previously reported by the VW independent, Van Wert County Prosecutor Eva Yarger and Van Wert City Law Director John Hatcher have filed petitions to seek the GOP nod for Juvenile/Probate Court judge (see story here).

The filing deadline is next Wednesday, February 4.

VWCT ready to present new production

Submitted information

The Van Wert Civic Theatre has announced the upcoming production of Neil Simon’s beloved romantic comedy, Barefoot in the Park, a witty and heartwarming look at marriage, compromise, and the chaos of first apartments.

Barefoot in the Park plunges audiences into the hilarious ups and downs of newlyweds Paul and Corie Bratter as they navigate life in their first walk-up apartment—six flights up, no heat, and plenty of opinions. This Neil Simon classic explores the clash of personalities at the early crossroads of marriage, revealing the comedic struggles that come with learning how to live, love, and grow together. Filled with laughter and touching moments, the play reminds us that strong connections can thrive even with big differences, and that love often depends on compromise.

The cast for Barefoot in the Park includes:

Paul Bratter — Adam Shanaman
Corie Bratter — Alea Rex
Mrs. Banks — Amber Evans
Victor Velasco — Travis Nihiser
Telephone Repairman — Ed Eichler
Delivery Person — Dizzy Lantz

Performances will be held February 6, 7, 8 and 13, 14, 15 at the Van Wert Civic Theatre. Evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m., with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. 

Tickets are $16 and may be purchased by visiting vwct.org or by calling the box office at 419.238.9689.

Convoy Fire & EMS to hold Pancake Day

VW independent staff

CONVOY — On Saturday, February 7, Convoy Fire & EMS will hold its 47th annual Pancake and Sausage Day.

Pancakes, sausages, coffee, milk and orange juice will be served from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. that day at the Community Building at Edgewood Park on Ohio 49. All meals are by donation.

Proceeds will be used to purchase new fire and EMS equipment.

County’s jobless rate under state average

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

Van Wert County’s December jobless rate was nearly a full percentage point below the statewide average, according to figures released on Tuesday by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

The county’s unemployment rate last month was 3.6 percent, compared to the Ohio average of 4.5 percent. It was the same as the November, 2025 rate, and was also slightly lower than December, 2024, when the county’s jobless rate was 3.7 percent.

Mercer County was tied with Holmes County for Ohio’s lowest jobless rate, 2.8 percent. Auglaize County has the state’s sixth lowest unemployment rate in December, 3.2 percent, while Putnam County tied with Cuyahoga and Lake counties for the eighth lowest rate, 3.4 percent.

December unemployment rates in Paulding County (3.8 percent) and Defiance County (3.9 percent) came in under the state average, while Allen County (4.5 percent) matched Ohio’s statewide average.

From November, jobless rates increased in 64 counties, decreased in 11 counties, and did not change in 13 counties.

12 counties had unemployment rates at or below 3.5 percent in December. The counties with the lowest rates, other than Mercer and Homes, were Medina, 2.9 percent; Geauga and Union, 3.1 percent; Auglaize, 3.2 percent; Delaware, 3.3 percent; Cuyahoga, Lake, and Putnam, 3.4 percent, and Warren and Wayne, 3.5 percent.

Seven counties had unemployment rates above six percent in December. The counties with the highest rates, other than Pike were: Ottawa, 6.5 percent; Meigs, 6.4 percent; Huron, 6.3 percent; Noble and Vinton, 6.2 percent, and Adams, 6.1 percent.

Van Wert County passports available

VW independent staff/submitted information

The office of Visit Van Wert has announced Van Wert County Passport 250, a new community-wide adventure encouraging residents and visitors to explore destinations across the county while celebrating local history, businesses, and attractions as part of Ohio’s upcoming 250th anniversary.

Passport 250 features monthly themes that guide participants to visit different places throughout Van Wert County, making it easy and fun to discover new locations and revisit local favorites. Participants can collect stamps in their passports throughout the year, with quarterly prizes awarded to those who take part.

Passports are available at the Visit Van Wert office at 140 E. Main Street in downtown Van Wert.

To kick off the program, a February flash sale is happening now – the first passport is $5, and the second passport is free making it the perfect opportunity for families, couples, or friends to participate together.

“Passport 250 is designed to get residents and visitors to explore Van Wert County in a fun, interactive way,” said Kim Fleming, Director of Visit Van Wert. “With monthly themes and quarterly prizes, there’s something new to look forward to all year long.”

The program is open to residents and visitors of all ages, and additional details about monthly themes, participating locations, and prizes will be shared throughout the year.

For more information, visit www.visitvanwert.com, follow Visit Van Wert on Facebook for daily updates on community events.

Event details

What: Van Wert County Passport 250

Where: locations throughout Van Wert County

Passports available: Visit Van Wert Office, 140 E. Main St., downtown Van Wert

Features: monthly themes, quarterly prizes

Special offer: February flash sale – first passport $5, second passport free

Lock up your data, personal information

VW independent staff/submitted information

COLUMBUS — In recognition of Data Privacy Week this week, the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Financial Institutions (DFI) reminds Ohioans of steps they can take to protect their personal information, which is vital to keeping their identity and finances secure. Data Privacy Week also coincides with Identity Theft Awareness Week, which highlights various ways to stay safe online.

According to the FBI’s most recent Internet Crime Report, Americans filed 859,532 complaints of suspected internet crime in 2024 with reported losses exceeding $16 billion, a 33% increase in losses from the previous year. In Ohio, the Federal Trade Commission found that identity theft was the most common online complaint in 2024, with residents filing 27,766 reports.

“Technology has transformed how we live, work, and manage our finances, but it also means criminals have more ways to target and engage us,” said Division Superintendent Kevin Allard. “Some of the most effective steps you can take are also the simplest, such as using strong, unique passwords. By taking just a few minutes to strengthen your digital defense, you can help avoid significant – and potentially costly – issues down the road.”

To stay safe, the Division encourages Ohioans to consider following the following best practices recommended by cybersecurity experts:

• Enable Multifactor Authentication (MFA): Add an extra layer of security to your accounts beyond just a password. Multifactor authentication is a security method that requires more than one form of identification, such as a password plus a code sent to your phone, to verify your identity and protect your accounts.
• Update Software Regularly: Ensure your devices and apps have the latest security patches. You can search for updates by clicking on the settings menu options within the software. By enabling automatic updates, you can help ensure you stay protected going forward.
• Strengthen Passwords: Avoid using a one-size-fits-all password. Instead, use complex, unique passwords for each account and don’t reuse them. Additional guidance is provided below.
• Be Alert for Phishing: Do not click on suspicious links in emails or texts, even if they may appear to be legitimate. Never share personal information with unknown sources.

Change Your Password Day is February 1

The Division invites Ohioans to recognize Change Your Password Day this upcoming Sunday, Feb. 1, by taking the time to update and strengthen passwords to their various platforms and accounts.

When creating or updating passwords, keep these tips in mind:

• Avoid using personal information such as names, birthdays, or addresses.
• Use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
• Do not reuse passwords across multiple accounts.
• Consider using a password manager to securely store and generate strong passwords.
• Enable multifactor authentication wherever possible for added protection.

Safeguarding personal and financial information is an ongoing responsibility. By taking proactive steps, Ohioans can significantly reduce the risk of authorized access to their sensitive or financial information.

Annual financial report available

Submitted information

The 2025 annual financial report for Union Township has been completed and is available for review by request of the office of the fiscal officer.

City pool, sidewalks come up at meeting

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

It’s been nearly two years since the topic was discussed at length and now it appears it will return to the forefront.

During Monday night’s meeting of Van Wert City Council, Fourth Ward Councilman Eric Hurless said he wants to revisit and continue conversations about a municipal pool that began in early 2024. He also said if there’s community support, he wants to see the project come to fruition.

“I’m hoping we can pick that ball back up,” Hurless said. “I know that’s a thing a lot of the people in this community would like to see happen.”

Hurless also volunteered to lead future discussions.

When the idea of a pool was first discussed nearly two years ago, an estimate of $7.5 million was shared with members of council. There was discussion of forming a committee to study a pool and at one point, former At-Large Councilwoman Judy Bowers said she had a group of approximately 30 citizens that had a vision for the pool. However, that information or the names of the people in the group was never shared by Bowers, who is no longer a member of council.

If council eventually decides to move ahead with the idea, it would likely wind up on the ballot, meaning city voters would likely have the final say.

“Council can’t raise anybody’s taxes,” Mayor Ken Markward said. “What council can do is put a question on the ballot and see whether or not people will support it.”

While very little was discussed during Monday night’s meeting, First Ward Councilman Jeff Agler voiced a concern about the idea.

Where does it go?

Ever wonder what happens to the snow that gets piled up in downtown Van Wert? According to Safety-Service Director Jay Fleming, after it’s loaded into dump trucks it’s taken to a dump site on Dutch John Rd., not far from U.S. 30. According to Fleming, due to a problem with equipment, crews will begin removing the snow piles Wednesday evening, instead of tonight. Scott Truxell/VW independent

Humane Society to be closed next week

VW independent staff/submitted information

The Van Wert County Humane Society will undergo a scheduled kennel improvement project beginning Monday, February 2, through Saturday, February 7, made possible through a generous legacy gift from the estate of Don Gerber and a grant from the Van Wert County Foundation.

During this one-week project, the Humane Society will be closed to the public to allow construction to be completed safely and efficiently. Dogs will be temporarily relocated within the facility to accommodate the upgrades, and while walk-in visits will be paused, appointments will still be available as needed. Daily care for all animals will continue without interruption.

“Dogs are hard on kennels,” said Humane Society Board Secretary Kirsten Barnhart. “These upgrades reflect our growth, learning, and our commitment to continually improving conditions for the animals and the people who care for them.”

The kennel upgrades will focus on improvements that enhance durability, safety, cleanliness, and workflow, creating a better environment for dogs while also supporting volunteers and staff who work hands-on with the animals every day.

The project was made entirely possible through Gerber’s generous estate gift following his passing, an act of compassion that will have a lasting impact on the shelter and the animals it serves.

“Legacy gifts like this allow us to invest in meaningful improvements that might not otherwise be possible,” Barnhart said. “Mr. Gerber’s wish was that we utilize the money to improve the lives of the animals we care for and his generosity will directly benefit dogs and cats for years to come, ensuring our shelter remains a safe, welcoming place for animals, staff, and volunteers alike.”

Barnhart noted that planned giving is a way to leave a lasting legacy that benefits the homeless pets in Van Wert County. Including the Humane Society in a will or estate plan is a meaningful way to continue helping animals beyond one’s lifetime and ensures future generations of pets receive the care they deserve.

“We appreciate the community’s patience and support during the brief closure and look forward to reopening with improved kennel spaces that better serve the dogs and the people who depend on them,” Barnhart said.

For appointment requests, questions, or information about legacy giving, please contact the Van Wert County Humane Society directly or visit VWCHS.org.