Trucking company breaks ground on new facility in VW 1r1f3a

Summer Concert Series begins on Friday b3d46

VW independent staff

The first of 10 free Friday night summer concerts will take place at Fountain Park tomorrow night.

Barracuda – America’s Heart Tribute, will kick off the series at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Barracuda is described as a brilliant salute to Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees, Heart. Hailing from Nashville, Tennessee, each extremely talented member is world-traveled with an impressive resumé. The band is known nationwide for its monster vocals, stellar musicianship, and dazzling live performances.

The Feel Good Fridays concert series, sponsored by Van Wert LIVE, will run each Friday night through August 8, at the W. Main St. venue.

Liquor division launches new portal r4933

VW independent staff/submitted information

COLUMBUS — The state’s Division of Liquor Control has launched a new fully digital portal to modernize the process for managing alcohol licenses and permits.

The launch of the Ohio Permit and Licensing System, which occurred on Wednesday, benefits approximately 28,000 private businesses that are permitted to manufacture, distribute or sell alcoholic beverages, as well as thousands of non-profit organizations who seek temporary permits to sell alcohol at special events.

“OPAL is a significant step forward in our mission to protect what matters most while ing businesses and consumers,” Division Superintendent Jackie DeGenova said. “This innovative system underscores our goal of providing a customer-friendly experience while ensuring robust oversight and the utilization of the latest compliance tools for Ohio’s alcohol industry.”

OPAL operates on a state-of-the-art platform that aligns with industry standards. The portal serves as a one-stop shop for Ohio’s alcohol permits and licensure, allowing s to submit, track and manage applications and payments safely and securely online.

This system streamlines the process of obtaining and maintaining liquor permits, offering a fully paperless experience and enabling businesses to apply for, renew and transfer permits effortlessly. It also provides easy access to relevant permit details, including those under Ohio’s quota system or wet and dry laws. In addition, s are now able to documents and pay fees directly through the platform, ensuring efficiency and avoiding potential delays.

“Switching to a fully paperless system allows staff to focus more on reviewing applications for compliance, rather than handling the istrative tasks involved with paper-based processes,” Division Deputy Superintendent and Director of Licensing Paul Kulwinski said. “By enabling better adherence to state laws, the system not only improves the overall integrity of our operations, but it also ultimately strengthens confidence in the regulatory process and helps protect Ohioans.”

For most permit holders, there is no immediate need to to OPAL. Any existing liquor permit holder whose permit is in good standing will remain valid until it expires. In addition, Division staff will communicate with pending applicants when their permit is issued or when additional items are needed so they understand how to access OPAL.

OPAL replaces outdated portals that had been previously used to electronically renew permits and apply for temporary liquor permits for events, but still required paper applications and mailed checks. Effective on Wednesday, June 4, paper applications and mailed checks are no longer an option. Instead, the system will facilitate only online processing and electronic payments.

Man pleads guilty to May stabbing 4j3yv

VW independent staff

A Van Wert man charged in connection with a mid-May stabbing in the city appeared in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court this week to plead guilty to a fourth degree felony charge.

Robert Burns, 24, Van Wert, entered the guilty to a prosecutor’s bill of information charging him with a single count of aggravated assault, a felony of the fourth degree. In Ohio, a bill of information is a court document filed by a prosecutor to formally accuse someone of a crime. It’s similar to an indictment but without the involvement of a grand jury. He now faces up to 18 months in prison and a maximum fine of $5,000.

Burns was released on a $5,000 personal surety bond with electronic house arrest. Judge Martin D. Burchfield ordered a pre-sentence investigation and scheduled  sentencing for 9 a.m. July 16.

Burns was arrested during the early morning hours of May 17, after the Van Wert Police Department received a call of a stabbing at a home in the 300 block of S. Wayne St. Upon arrival, officers rendered first aid to the victim until the Van Wert Fire Department was able to transport him to OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital. The victim, who’s name has not been released, was later transported by medical helicopter to Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne. Four days later, the man was listed in stable condition.

Burns was originally charged with felonious assault, a second degree felony.

Food trucks, rodeo coming to Darke Co. 6w3h57

VW independent staff/submitted information

GREENVILLE — If you’re a fan of the rodeo and/or food trucks, you may want to plan a trip that’s just over an hour away.

Darke County will showcase the annual Darke County Summer Stampede Rodeo & Food Truck Rally from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, June 14, at the Darke County Fairgrounds in Greenville. The event will take place rain or shine.

The food truck rally will be a celebration of local, small businesses. The food trucks confirmed so far are (list subject to change): Badges BBQ, Bowman’s Concessions, CaliOH Eats, Chuck’s Foods, Creme de la Creme Cakery, Fiske Fries, Gypsy Kitchen, Kettle Colonel, Kona Ice, Martin’s Old Fashioned Lemonade, Mikesell’s Concessions, Nacho Pig, Paulines Filipino Corner, Sip Happens, Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee, Werling Street Eats & Wholly Smokes BBQ.

In addition to food trucks, a large selection of local craft vendors and specialty clothing boutique trucks and shops will be offered. The craft vendors will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and located outside under tents.

The award winning 3-J Rodeo from Union City, Indiana, will be the nighttime feature. Gates to the grandstand will open at 5 p.m. and the rodeo will start at 7 p.m.. The rodeo will be double sanctioned with the IPRA (International Professional Rodeo Association) and the MSRA (Mid-States Rodeo Association). Professional rodeo contestants from all over the USA, Canada and Australia will fight it out in eight fast-paced events including bareback, saddle bronc riding, team roping, tie-down roping, cowgirls barrel racing, steer wrestling, breakaway roping and bull riding.

• General ission family ticket deal: $40 for 4 tickets ($20 savings, discount ends June 10).
• Grandstand tickets and track seating: $15
• Red reserved seats: $18
• Box seats: $20

Tickets can be purchased at: darkecountysummerstampede.com or  at www.promotix.com, or by calling the fairgrounds at 937.548.5044.

Real estate taxes due by July 9 3k50f

VW independent staff/submitted information

Property owners in Van Wert County are reminded that the due date for the second half collection of 2024 real estate taxes is Wednesday, July 9. The Van Wert County 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 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 9. 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.

Klopfenstein to lead Ag Committee 2i5l6

VW independent staff/submitted information

COLUMBUS — State Representative Roy Klopfenstein (R-Haviland) has announced his appointment as Chairman of the Ohio House Agriculture Committee.

“I am honored to chair the House Agriculture Committee and lead legislation for Ohio’s No. 1 industry,” Klopfenstein said. “When I was six years old, I knew I wanted to be a farmer. I appreciate House Leadership’s trust in me and look forward to putting my 58 years of farming to work for the Buckeye State.”

The move comes as former State Representative Don Jones (R-Freeport) vacated his seat in the Ohio House. Jones resigned from the Ohio House, effective June 1, after accepting an appointment from President Donald Trump in order to serve as the State Executive Director of the Ohio Farm Service Agency within the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Committee hearings can be streamed at www.ohiochannel.org.

Klopfenstein represents Ohio’s 82^nd District, which includes all of Van Wert, Paulding, and Putnam counties and the southern portion of Defiance County.

Leadership Class donation… a6t5m

On Tuesday, the Van Wert County Leadership Class was able to accept a donation of $800 from the United Way of Van Wert County. The donation will provide five children with a mattress, bed frame, mattress pad, sheets, pillow and comforter. The leadership class is pleased to bring the Van Wert  School at the Goedde principal Rhonda Cunningham’s dream to life. Cunningham informed the class that students at the school are able to request a couple of items for Christmas. In a prior year, a student’s one wish was a bed to sleep on, nothing more. This brought the idea of “No Kid left without a Bed” to life. Cunningham brought the idea to the Leadership Class and they kick started the project. The group is looking to raise $5,000 which will cover a bed for 31 students. The class has raised $1,970 so far, but is looking to exceed the $5,000 dollar goal by far. Monetary donations may be dropped off the Chamber of Commerce Office N. Washington St. Photo submitted

BOE to receive update on medical academy 255k3i

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

of the Vantage Career Center Board of Education will soon get a look at a proposed floor plan and site plan for the Vantage Academy of Medical Careers, which is scheduled to open in the fall of 2026. 

Hal Munger and David Munger of Munger Munger + Associates Architects Inc. are scheduled to present the plans in open session during Thursday night’s monthly meeting. The Toledo-based firm was officially hired by the board in February and since then, its architects have met with high school and adult medical staff and have toured the labs of all of Vantage’s medical programs. The Academy of Medical Careers will be housed in the former Thomas Edison Building, across the street from the main campus on N. Franklin St.

According to Superintendent Rick Turner, three high school medical programs are currently housed in the building – medical assisting, health tech and sports fitness. He said several adult education medical will be housed there once the renovations are complete, including practical nursing, LPN-RN, phlebotomy, STNA (CNA) and customized medical training.

The building and surrounding 4.5 acres is owned by Vantage.

“This was gifted to Vantage by the Van Wert County Commissioners and the Board of Developmental Disabilities,” Turner said.

Last week, Turner appeared before Van Wert City Council to request a a lighted school zone/pedestrian crossing on N. Franklin St. Vantage and city officials will engage in future discussions about the request.

Thursday’s Vantage Career Center Board of Education agenda is a full one. It includes OSBA (Ohio School Boards Association) honor roll recognition for Great Clips and UNOH, routine financial matters, personnel matters, approval of student handbooks and fees and more. Board will hear various reports and the board is also slated to go into executive session to discuss personnel matters.

Thursday’s meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the district conference room.

Gas prices down to start the new month 2p15j

VW independent staff/submitted information

While things can change in the blink of an eye, there’s some good news about gas prices.

Average pump prices in Ohio have fallen 14.5 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.89 per gallon on Monday, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 5,345 stations in Ohio. Prices in Ohio are 26.9 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand 46.6 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has decreased 2.4 cents in the last week and stands at $3.465 per gallon.

According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Ohio was priced at just $2.33 per gallon while the most expensive was $3.67 per gallon, a difference of $1.34 per gallon.

As of Monday evening in Van Wert, gas prices ranged from $2.75 to $2.99 per gallon for self-serve regular.

The national average is down 6.9 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 41 cents per gallon lower than a year ago, according to GasBuddy data compiled from more than 11 million weekly price reports covering over 150,000 gas stations across the country.

“The national average price of gasoline has continued its gentle descent over the last week, with the most notable declines seen in the Great Lakes region, where a minor refinery issue was resolved, sending wholesale gas prices lower,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “We’re also beginning to see prices retreat in California, a trend that should soon extend across much of the West Coast as additional gasoline shipments from Asia help offset recent refinery disruptions. While gasoline inventories remain somewhat tight heading into the summer, I’m optimistic that increased refinery output could pave the way for further price declines. That said, any unexpected outages could still cause short-term price bumps.”

Historical gasoline prices in Ohio and the national average going back 10 years:

Foster named Elks Lodge MVS i4hf

Submitted information

Van Wert Lodge No. 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks has announced the awarding of a $4,000 Most Valuable Student scholarship by the Elks National Foundation to Keaton Foster.

The Most Valuable Student scholarships are awarded by the Elks National Foundation and are available to any graduating senior who will be attending a four year college. Foster recently graduated from Van Wert High School and will attend the University of Toledo and will major in finance and then go to law school.

During high school, Foster ranked first in his class and was a Graduate of Distinction. He participated in varsity golf, varsity tennis, was on the Sportsmanship Committee and was the student council treasurer. He also was involved in the Service Pack, Spanish Club, Beta Club and school choir. Keaton also was a Junior Rotarian and the Chamber of Commerce Leadership.

Outside of school, he attends Lifehouse Church and is a member of the Calvary Youth Group. He also caddies at Sycamore Hills Golf Club and Inverness Club and is a member of the Lima Junior Golf Association.

Foster is the son of Dr. Shad and Kelly Foster.

The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is only second to the United States Government in the number of scholarships awarded each year.