VW independent staff/submitted information
PAULDING — Members of Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative recently donated $13,820 to 15 local charities and community projects through the cooperative’s Operation Round Up program. The list includes a pair of Van Wert County organizations.
About 80 percent of PPEC members round up their electric bill and donate those pennies to this fund, making a huge impact in the co-op’s northwest Ohio and northeast Indiana communities.
Participating members round up their monthly electric bill to the next dollar, with the extra pennies being used to help fund charities and groups in their communities. Each quarter, the funds are dispensed to local causes that applied for funding.
Operation Round Up was started in 2010 as a way to give back to PPEC’s communities. Groups in both Ohio and Indiana can apply. The average member’s donation is about $6 per year.
The most recent donation recipients include:
- Antwerp Ball Association; $970 to purchase wire for a new court.
Antwerp Local Schools; $800 to purchase an AED.
Blessing in a Bag Paulding Exempted Village Schools; $800 to provide food bags for needy students.
- Challenged Champions Equestrian Center; $1,500 to fund boarding expenses for horses.
- Fort Jennings Fire Department; $2,100 to purchase emergency lighting for a rescue trailer.
POSTED: 05/17/24 at 9:14 pm
VW independent staff/submitted information
The Van Wert County Treasurer’s Office has completed and mailed out bills for the second half collection of 2023 real estate taxes. The due date is Wednesday, July 10. The treasurer’s office is open Mondays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Tuesday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The office accepts payments in the form of check, cashier’s check, money order and credit or debit cards. A 2.5 percent fee will be charged for all card payments by the credit card processor and an electronic check payment is available for a fee of $1.50. Taxpayers may pay up to ten parcels for a single fee with an account and routing number with the electronic check. Those wishing to pay with cash may take their bill in its entirety along with the payment to The First Bank of Berne, 102 Christopher Crossing, Van Wert, next to Walmart. The First Bank of Berne will take payments through July 10. Partial payments will not be accepted.
Credit card, debit card, and electronic check payments may be made online by visiting the county website at www.vanwertcountyohio.gov and clicking on treasurer’s office then clicking on payment options. Those who wish to pay by phone should call 844.419.0200 with the parcel number, which is located on all bills.
Anyone with questions about bill should call the office staff at 419.238.5177.
POSTED: 05/17/24 at 9:13 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Emily Lichtle/for the VW independent
CONVOY — Crestview FFA recently traveled to Columbus for the 96th Ohio FFA State Convention. Many students represented the Crestview FFA on stage Thursday, May 2, and Friday, May 3, at the convention.
To start the morning, Mrs. Erika Gibson, Mrs. Kathy Mollenkopf and Mr. Dave Bowen were recognized for former State Treasurer Emma Wells, who spent the last year building leadership and learning more about the FFA. The FFA Chapter at Crestview is very proud of Emma Wells and her desire to further her agriculture career.
Ohio FFA works program recognized Senior Dakota Parrish, employed by Mercer Landmark. Later in the day, the chapter was given recognition for charitable donations to Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
Sophomore Makinzee Williamson was awarded fourth place in Equine Placement. Friday morning, the Crestview FFA’s 2023-2024 secretary and treasurer officers were recognized. Secretary Makinzee Williamson and Treasurer Dru Gray walked across the stage in honor of their gold rating officer books.
To finish out the 96th annual Ohio FFA State Convention, the local FFA was honored to have nine students earn the next level of degrees: juniors Evan Hart, Tyler Hoblet, Rex Gerardot and Kaylea Short, and seniors Levi Grace, Hunter Jones, Dakota Parrish and Nolan Walls, along with 2023 graduate, Ashley Motycka. These students have completed the hours required in their Agricultural Experienced Program, have demonstrated leadership skills, and have done community service.
The chapter is honored to receive multiple awards, and have members recognized for their dedication to the FFA.
POSTED: 05/17/24 at 9:13 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff
CONVOY — The Crestview Local Schools monthly Board of Education meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, May 20 in the multi-purpose room. Prior to the meeting, at 5:30 p.m., a reception will be held to honor retiring employees.
The focus of the regular meeting will be the approval of fall and winter sports head coaches, along with a long list of assistant coaches and volunteer coaches.
POSTED: 05/17/24 at 9:12 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Submitted information
LIMA — The Future of Accessible-Coordinated Transportation Services (FACTS) Coalition will be holding a public meeting at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 29, at the Allen County Regional Transit Authority, 200 E. High St., Suite 1C, Lima. All public, private non-profit, and private for-profit transportation providers, as well as the general public are invited to attend, participate and provide comment on the West Central Ohio Coordinated Transportation Plan.
For a copy of the plan prior to the meeting or to request an accommodation for a person with a disability please contact Stefanie Motter, Mobility Manager at 419.222.7723.
POSTED: 05/17/24 at 9:12 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
AAA is predicting 43.8 million travelers will head 50 miles or more from home over the four day Memorial Day holiday travel period.
This year’s total number of projected travelers is a four percent increase over last year and comes close to matching 2005’s record of 44 million Memorial Day travelers.
“We haven’t seen Memorial Day weekend travel numbers like these in almost 20 years,” said Paula Twidale, Senior Vice President of AAA Travel. “We’re projecting an additional one million travelers this holiday weekend compared to 2019, which not only means we’re exceeding pre-pandemic levels but it also signals a very busy summer travel season ahead.”
The number of projected travelers includes 1.65 million Ohio travelers.
“I think we can safely say that things have returned to normal as we see numbers climb year after year,” said Kara Hitchens, public affairs manager, AAA Club Alliance.
AAA also believes Memorial Day holiday weekend road/car trips are expected to set a record.
The travel giant is projecting 38.4 million people will travel by car over Memorial Day weekend, the highest number for that holiday since AAA began tracking in 2000. The number of drivers this year is up four percent compared to last year and 1.9 percent higher than in 2019. Traveling by car is appealing for many people because of the convenience and flexibility it provides.
During the holiday weekend, defined as Thursday, May 23, to Memorial Day Monday, May 27, drivers can expect similar gas prices as last year when the national average was roughly $3.57. Pump prices rose this spring but have held somewhat steady in recent weeks. Prices may creep higher as the summer driving season gets underway. The wild card remains the cost of oil, and unlike last year, there are now two wars – in the Middle East and Ukraine – that could roil the oil market.
(more…)POSTED: 05/16/24 at 9:20 pm. FILED UNDER: News
The Middle Point Fire Department was called on to extinguish this vehicle fire on Reidenbach Road late Thursday afternoon. The SUV had just been parked when the driver noticed smoke and fire coming out from under the hood. Firefighters quickly put out the blaze, which threatened a nearby parked travel trailer. The Van Wert Sheriff’s department provided traffic control to the scene. Bob Barnes photos
POSTED: 05/16/24 at 9:14 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff
Van Wert County is slated to get a new electric vehicle (EV) fast charging station, as part of a second round of funding announced on Thursday.
The new EV charging station will be at Arby’s, near the intersection of Washington St. (U.S. 127) and U.S. 30 in Van Wert.
Overall, the second round of NEVI (National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure) funding will go toward EV chargers along I-270, I-275, I-675, I-680, I-71, I-76, I-77, SR 15, U.S. 23, U.S. 30, and U.S. 33. The NEVI award for the new Van Wert charger is $753,656, with a private match of $188,414.
“As more electric cars and trucks make their way to Ohio roadways, we’re continuing to build the infrastructure needed to enable easy and convenient travel,” Governor Mike DeWine said.
Construction is expected to begin later this year or in 2025.
Van Wert currently has three EV charging stations – one at Vantage Career Center, one at Central Insurance and the other at Lee Kinstle Sales and Service.
POSTED: 05/16/24 at 9:13 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Established through House Bill 33 of the Ohio General Assembly and administered by the Ohio Department of Aging and the Van Wert County Commissioners, the Healthy Aging Grants Program provides support for local services that focus on helping Van Wert seniors aged 60 and older to stay healthy, live longer, and maintain their independence. Through this grant funding, the commissioner’s office provided funding for the COA to purchase a vehicle designated for non-emergency medical transportation. Shown in the picture are (left to right): Commissioners Todd Wolfrum and Thad Lichtensteiger, Van Wert County Economic Development Specialist Sue Gerker, Van Wert County Council on Aging Executive Director Kevin Matthews, Commissioner Stan Owens, and Clerk Ryanne Bollenbacher. Photo submitted
POSTED: 05/16/24 at 9:13 pm. FILED UNDER: News
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
Six defendants appeared for sentencing in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court on Wednesday. The hearings were among a number of proceedings held between May 10-15. Judge Martin Burchfield presided over each of the hearings.
Joshua McGinnis, 42, of Van Wert, was sentenced to 60 days in jail, 30 more days in jail at a later date, three years of community control and 100 hours of community service for failure to provide of change of address, a second degree felony. He is to have no alcohol or drugs without a prescription, undergo random screens, mental health and substance abuse assessment and treatment, and was ordered to pay partial appointed counsel fees, monthly probation fees and court costs.
Samantha Lacy, 32, of Van Wert, was sentenced to 18 months in prison with credit for 74 days already served for aggravated trafficking in drugs, a third degree felony. She was ordered to pay court costs.
Cody Gheen, 28, of Van Wert, was sentenced to three years of community control, up to six months at the WORTH Center, and 30 days in jail at a later date for aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth degree felony. He must undergo mental health and substance abuse assessment and treatment, and pay partial appointed counsel fees, monthly probation fees and court costs.
Brian Cutlip, 41, of Van Wert, was sentenced to three years of community control, up to six months at the WORTH Center, and 30 days in jail at a later date for two counts of theft, both fifth degree felonies. He must undergo mental health and substance abuse assessment and any treatment, and was ordered to pay restitution and court costs.
Amanda Trejo, 41, of Convoy, was sentenced to one year of community control, seven days in jail, 113 days of electronic house arrest with a curfew, and 30 days in jail at a later date, for attempted trespassing in a habitation is present or likely to be present, a fourth degree felony. She is to undergo mental health and substance abuse assessment and treatment, random screens, and have no contact with victims. She was also ordered to pay court costs.
(more…)POSTED: 05/15/24 at 9:03 pm. FILED UNDER: News
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
A former Spencerville Local Schools superintendent has been indicted on charges of gross sexual imposition and attempted sexual battery.
According to notice issued by Superintendent Brian Woods, the charges against Dennis Fuge involve a student at Spencerville Local Schools.
Fuge, 66, of Spencerville, served as superintendent for several years until retiring in 2019. He previously served in other roles in the district, including elementary principal, athletic director and various coaching jobs. Most recently, he served as a substitute teacher in the Spencerville Local Schools.
“The district was first notified about this matter in late March, shortly after the incident allegedly took place,” Woods wrote. “We have been fully cooperating with law enforcement since then and immediately took other actions to protect our students, including removing Mr. Fuge from our roster of substitute teachers.”
According to the Bellefontaine Examiner, the alleged incident occurred in mid-March in Fuge’s RV in Lakeview. He was indicted by a Logan County grand jury earlier this week. Both charges are fourth degree felonies.
“We want to do everything we can to protect the safety of our students – whether they are on school grounds, involved in a school activity or elsewhere in the community,” Woods said. “This is just a reminder that our school counselors, classroom teachers and other members of our staff are always available to speak privately and confidentially with any student who has concerns about his or her personal safety. Any information we receive will be acted upon promptly and appropriately.”
Woods also said the district is unaware of any other incidents involving Fuge that law enforcement may be investigating.
Fuge is scheduled to be arraigned on Thursday, May 23, in Logan County Common Pleas Court.
POSTED: 05/15/24 at 9:03 pm. FILED UNDER: News
