Goal posts have new padding thanks to local bank

Search warrant leads to drug arrest

VW independent staff

A Delphos man is incarerated at the Van Wert County Correctional Facility after his arrest on a drug charge.

The West Central Ohio Crime Task Force arrested Phillip Cross, 36, after executing a serach warrant at his S. Cass St. home on Tuesday. Law enforcement officers seized approximately 70 grams of suspected cocaine, mushrooms and $1,200 in cash. The investigation continues and additional charges are possible.

Cross is currently charged with drug possession a first degree felony.

Keirns joins Rotarians…

The Van Wert Rotary Club has welcomed Liz Keirns as its newest member. A Van Wert native, Keirns (shown with fellow Rotarian Shad Foster) brings a passion for giving back to the community that helped raise her. Keirns works at First Financial Bank and volunteers with Haven of Hope and Career Connections. Her commitment to serving others aligns with Rotary’s motto, “Service Above Self.” Outside of work and volunteering, Keirns enjoys hiking, pickleball, disc golf, reading, and spending time with friends and family. The club meets Tuesdays from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. at the Elks. Anyone interested in learning more about Rotary or becoming a member is encouraged to contact club President John Hatcher. Photo submitted

Hearing set in domestic violence case

VW independent staff

A pre-trial hearing has been scheduled for a former Delphos St. John’s coach and administrator charged with domestic violence.

Online court records show the hearing for Todd Schulte is set for 10 a.m. November 17 in Van Wert Municipal Court. Records also indicate Schulte wants a jury trial, should it come to that.

Shulte, 52, was arrested at his home and jailed in mid-September. According to a report from the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office, the alleged victim made the complaint in the lobby of the Sheriff’s Office. The victim claimed the incident occurred approximately one and a half weeks prior. Pictures were provided showing injuries.

Two days later, Schulte entered a not guilty plea to a charge of domestic violence, a first degree misdemeanor and was released on his own recognizance.

A statement issued by Nathan Stant, Head of School at Delphos St. John’s, said Schulte “stepped away” from his responsibilities as dean of students, athletic director and head football coach.

Sentencing, bond violation hearings held

VW independent staff

Four defendants appeared in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court for sentencing on Wednesday. Three of the defendants were previously convicted of drug charges. Judge Martin D. Burchfield presided over each of the hearings.

Christopher Runyon, 50, of Van Wert, was sentenced to three years of community control and 30 days in jail at a later date for aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth degree felony. He must seek and maintain employment, complete a mental health and substance abuse assessment and any treatment, consume no alcohol or drugs without a prescription, under random drug screens, and must pay court costs.

Joshua Burnett, 48, of Van Wert, was sentenced to up to six months at the WORTH Center, three years of community control and 30 days in jail at a later date for attempted trafficking in drugs, a third degree felony. He must perform 100 hours of community service, seek and maintain employment, complete a mental health and substance abuse assessment and any treatment, consume or possess no alcohol or drugs without a prescription, undergo random drug screens and pay court costs.

Raymond Bressler, 62, of Ohio City, was sentenced to three years of community control and 30 days in jail at a later date for possession of cocaine, a fifth degree felony. He must perform 50 hours of community service, complete a mental health and substance abuse assessment and any treatment, and was ordered to pay court costs.

Lorenzo Frye, 37, of Van Wert, was sentenced to three years of community control and 30 days in jail at a later date for violating a protection order, a third degree felony. He must complete a mental health and substance abuse assessment and any treatment, consume or possess no alcohol or drugs without a prescription and undergo random drug screens. He was also ordered to pay partial appointed counsel fees, monthly probation fees and court costs.

Two defendants were in court Wednesday for allegedly violating conditions of bond.

Fire Dept. to “push-in” new fire engine

VW independent staff

A longstanding fire service tradition – one that dates back to the days of horse-drawn apparatus – will be held in Van Wert later this month.

The Van Wert Fire Department will hold a push-in ceremony for the department’s new fire truck, Engine 3, at 11 a.m. Monday, October 26, at the fire department. The community is welcome to attend.

Back in the day, firefighters pushed their equipment back into the station by hand. Now, a push-in ceremony offers an opportunity to welcome our the department’s new fire engine and celebrate with the community.

LaRose releases early voting figures

VW independent staff/submitted information

COLUMBUS – Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose has released the latest early voting numbers for the November 3 General Election, as reported daily by Ohio’s 88 county boards of elections.

The latest statewide totals as of Tuesday, October 13, include:

• Early in-person ballots cast: 235,887
• Absentee ballots returned: 74,883
• Total early votes cast: 320,770

The Secretary of State’s Office also showed that as of midday Wednesday, 950 voters in Van Wert County had cast early in-person ballots at the Van Wert County Board of Elections Office. Another 893 mail-in ballots were requested by mail, and 98 were returned. A list of local issues and races can be found here.

“Ohioans are making their voting plans and casting their ballots, and our bipartisan election officials are ready to serve them,” LaRose said. “Whether voting early in person, by mail, or on Election Day, voters can have confidence that Ohio is prepared to deliver another secure and accessible election.”

Ohioans can follow voting trends throughout the election through the Secretary of State’s Absentee and Early Voting Dashboard, available at OhioSoS.gov/Data. The interactive dashboard allows voters, journalists, and researchers to explore statewide and county-level election data throughout the early voting period.

FOP donation…

FOP Lodge 62 Van Wert continued its support of local law enforcement agencies by recently donating new body armor to Niko, the Van Wert Police Department’s K-9.  Shown from left to right are Van Wert Police Lt. Steven Boroff (FOP Lodge 62 Vice-President) Officer Ian Cowan (K-9 Handler), Nico and Lt. Adam Wehage (FOP Lodge 62 Treasurer). Photo submitted

AG sues two home improvement firms

VW independent staff/submitted information

COLUMBUS – Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson has filed separate lawsuits against two Ohio home-improvement companies that allegedly took down payments from consumers but failed to provide the services promised or performed subpar work.

One lawsuit seeks to help nine consumers who reported paying a combined $140,000 to Journey Home Restoration in Lorain County. The other involves five consumers who reported more than $60,000 in combined losses to The Metal Roof Company in central Ohio.

“When Ohioans pay for contractors to repair their homes, they trust those contractors to follow through,” Wilson said. “Not doing the work is not acceptable.”

Journey Home Restoration

The state’s lawsuit against Journey Home Restoration and its owner, Jason Kaczur, alleges that the company accepted the $140,000 from the nine customers for roofing, siding and gutter projects that were not completed. It was filed in Lorain County Common Pleas Court.

Kaczur and Journey Home Restoration have maintained a high public profile in northeastern Ohio, including appearances on local TV programs promoting the company’s home-improvement work and community involvement.

The lawsuit, which seeks financial relief on behalf of the nine consumers, cites multiple violations of the Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act.

Noise ordinances rejected, do over planned

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

Members of Van Wert City Council are going to back to the drawing board with a pair of noise ordinances.

The legislation has been the subject of numerous revisions over the last several weeks, including discussion during a special Council of the Whole meeting that was held before Monday night’s regular meeting. One ordinance amends existing city laws regarding noise and traffic, while the other pertains to noise in general.

Both were introduced by Councilman At-Large Hall Block, who chairs council’s Judiciary and Annexation Committee. It was Block who suggested a “re-do” by voting down the two ordinances on their third and final reading and starting over.

“It’s kind of resetting the two noise ordinances so we don’t have to go through a very lengthy and difficult amendment on the third and final reading,” Block said.

His suggestion that ended with a 7-0 vote to reject both. New legislation is being prepared for first reading at the next meeting of council. However, the vote wasn’t unanimous on the ordinance dealing with noise in general.

Second Ward Councilman Greg Roberts and Third Ward Councilwoman Julie Moore each voted no. Both voted “yes” to prepare new legislation amending existing laws regarding noise and traffic.

“In my opinion we have a noise ordinance that’s been in place for a very long time,” Roberts said in response to his “no” vote. “Trying to change the language seems to be making it so much harder to enforce and making it harder on our citizens. Are we changing the language for the citizens of Van Wert  or are we changing it for industrial reasons?” 

YWCA launches Phase II of campaign

VW independent staff/submitted information

The YWCA of Van Wert County has announced the launch of the second phase of its yearlong YW 110 Anniversary celebration, with a goal of raising $50,000 toward its capital campaign to fund a new facility.

The first phase of the anniversary celebration recently concluded with a reverse raffle and celebration at R Place Stone Grill. Thanks to proceeds from the event and other recent capital campaign contributions, the YWCA has already raised 15 percent of its $50,000 goal in just six weeks.

The second phase of this special anniversary initiative invites 110 donors to contribute $11 per month for 12 months. If all 110 donor spots are filled, the initiative will generate over $14,000 bringing the YWCA significantly closer to its $50,000 fundraising goal for this sub-campaign by September, 2027.

“For about the cost of a specialty coffee or a drive-through lunch, an $11 monthly donation can make a meaningful impact when combined with contributions from others at the same level,” said Kimberly Laudick, President and CEO of the YWCA of Van Wert County. “If we can secure 110 donors at this level, it will propel us nearly halfway toward our $50,000 goal.”

Through this initiative, the YWCA hopes to demonstrate how small, recurring gifts can make a significant difference when a community comes together. Every monthly donation advances the organization’s Capital Campaign bringing one the YW one step closer to a new facility that will serve the needs of the organization and the community for years to come.

“We hope to show that every contribution to this campaign, no matter how large or small, becomes part of a lasting legacy and strengthens our entire community,” Laudick said.

Individuals interested in becoming one of the 110 monthly donors at the $11 level can establish recurring donations through the YWCA’s online donation platform at https://ywcavanwertcounty.betterworld.org/.

“Several additional giving levels are available on the site, including one-time contributions and donation options that provide recognition on the donor wall in our new facility,” Laudick said. “Each and every gift brings us closer to a facility where survivors can recover from trauma in a dignified living space and our youth programs can flourish and grow.”

The YWCA of Van Wert County is an agency of the United Way of Van Wert County and partially funded by the Van Wert County Foundation.