From Friday
State audit angers county officials
Van Wert County officials feel they were blindsided by a state audit report criticizing county agencies for their handling of federal grant program funding. County Auditor Nancy Dixon said most of the criticism included in a news release from Auditor of State Mary Taylor’s office was not part of a post-audit report provided to county officials. “Most of the problems reported to us were procedural in nature, relating mostly to reporting issues and failure to meet the 15 Day Rule for disbursements,” Dixon said Thursday. Moreover, the county auditor said, most of the findings included in the audit – especially failure to meet the 15-Day Rule – are fairly common among Ohio political subdivisions and are not indications that grant monies were misspent. A news release from Taylor’s office cited several problems with the county’s handling of federal grant money, including commingling of funds (money from more than one program mixed together in one fund for accounting purposes), incomplete status reports detailing how money was spent, and missing or incomplete financial reports – including ledgers and cash journals – detailing how much grant money is received and spent. “It is critical that public entities properly and accurately document each and every dollar collected and spent,” Taylor said in the release. “The failure to do so increases the potential of fraud and misspending.” However, neither fraud nor misspending was found by Taylor’s office, said Dixon, who also denied funds were commingled. In fact, the only finding for recovery was for $188.50 improperly approved by County Engineer Kyle Wendel to purchase a watch for a retiring employee using Motor Vehicle Gasoline Tax Fund money. Wendel repaid the money two months ago when state auditors rejected the purchase during the audit as an improper use of public funds. Dixon said most of the findings were for reporting problems, and many of those were software-related. Some of the software problems involved software provided by the Ohio Department of Development, but for which technical support is no longer available. Other findings related to a failure to properly certify that funds were available and appropriated when disbursements were made. It is a common problem for governmental entities to have money disbursed without an auditor’s certification that funds were available at the time the disbursal was made. Taylor’s office noted that Dixon needs to either provide certification that money is available prior to its being spent or, when that is not possible, complete a “then and now” certificate stating that funds were available “now” at the time the contract or expenditure occurred and “then” when certification is made. County officials responded to audit findings with statements that problems were either rectified, that fixes were ongoing or completion dates were set for rectifying problems.
11/30

Elks name November student picks
Van Wert Elks Lodge 1197 has selected Laura Longstreth, a senior at Lincolnview High School, and Jacob York, a senior at Vantage Career Center (home school: Van Wert), as recipients of the “Students of the Month” award for November.  Laura plans to pursue a career as an registered nurse and to work in a pediatric unit; Jacob plans to attend Rhodes State College and receive his associate degree in mechatronics. Students are nominated by their high schools to receive this award.  Each Student of the Month receives a $50 savings bond from the Van Wert Elks Lodge with the possibility to be named the Student of the Year.  Students are judged on the basis of multiple achievements -- Character, Leadership, Service, Citizenship, and Scholastic. This program is designed to recognize outstanding young men and women for their achievements in school and community.  The object of the Elks program is to recognize and praise outstanding students for their accomplishments, activities, and contributions to society.
11/30

3 Rivers officially reopens
The Van Wert branch office of Three Rivers Federal Credit Union officially held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday for its grand reopening after completion of a renovation project to the office, located at 1166 S. Shannon St. Here, Skip Farmer, branch sales manager, cuts the ribbon while his father, Van Wert Mayor Don Farmer (left), and Van Wert Area Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Kate Gribble (right) hold it in place. Three Rivers officials watching include (from the left) Three Rivers Vice President of Branch Sales Ruste Pontenberg, Kerri Lauber (Van Wert Branch service manager) and Maureen Galligan. Dave Mosier/Van Wert independent
11/30

Gillmor honored by Ohio Farm Bureau
A crowded room of more than 800 people watched Thursday night as the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation (OFBF) honored the late Congressman Paul Gillmor (R-5^th District) for his commitment to agriculture in the state.  Gillmor was honored with four other agricultural leaders who received the OFBF’s Distinguished Service Award at the organization’s annual meeting in Columbus.  Accepting Gillmor’s award was his wife, Dr. Karen Gillmor, a former two-term state senator. Congressman Gillmor was serving in his 10th term as a member of the United States House of Representatives when he passed away in September.  During his long career in Congress, Gillmor held numerous leadership positions, including serving as the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit, chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials and as vice president of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.  He was also a member of the House Whip leadership team. Prior to his election to Congress, Gillmor served in the Ohio Senate for 22 years.  As a state senator, he was unanimously elected Republican leader five times, and served as president of the Senate for three General Assemblies. The Gillmor family has been a member of Seneca County Farm Bureau since 1973 and farms more than 800 acres in Seneca and Sandusky counties.  Among his initiatives, Congressman Gillmor was the only Ohioan named to the Energy Conference, which created the first comprehensive energy policy in more than 30 years. The Energy Bill Gillmor helped craft increased energy exploration and production, improved efficiency, and, most importantly, developed renewable fuels.  Prior to the 2005 bill Congressman Gillmor passed, there were no ethanol plants operating in Ohio.  There are now eight planned in the Fifth District alone, some of which have already broken ground. “Farming was always at the heart of Paul’s Congressional district, but it is more than just an important industry to so many of our family, friends, and neighbors; it is in fact a way of life,” said Karen Gillmor.  “Elections are about connecting with people and Paul would not have been as successful for four decades if he did not share in the hopes and dreams of his friends and neighbors.” Mrs. Gillmor noted that her husband “truly believed in the values of people of northwest Ohio and the people of northwest Ohio believed in Paul’s values,” adding that her husband would have been proud to accept the OFBF award. “Ohio Farm Bureau is pleased to recognize these five individuals for their passion and commitment,” said OFBF Executive Vice President John C. “Jack” Fisher of the honorees. “Their contributions to Ohio agriculture are admirable.”
11/30

WSU-LC offers trip through Greece
For those interested in an exciting, affordable trek through Greece, Wright State University-Lake Campus can take them there. Join Brent Campbell, associate professor of mechanical engineering technology, as he coordinates this expansive look at Grecian culture and history. The tour, scheduled for March 20-28, 2008, will stop in Athens, Delphi, Olympia, Epidaurus, and Cape Sounion. Tourists will also have the option to extend their trip for an additional three days to cruise the Greek Islands. Managed by EF Tours, the trip includes round trip airfare, rooms, two meals per day, tours and tour guide. The tour is open to faculty, staff, students and community members – anyone who would like to explore Greece. Highlights will be a guided tour of Athens, which includes Olympic Stadium, a cruise in the Saronic Gulf, a visit to the Delphi and Olympia Museums, and a visit to the Temple of Poseidon. An inexpensive venture, the 9-day trip will cost approximately $2036 for students and $2326 for adults. To extend the trip 3 days will cost additional $475 for students and $550 for adults. Open information sessions will be held on Tuesday, December 11 at 5:00 p.m. and Tuesday, January 15, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. in the Auditorium on the Lake Campus. The sessions will cover the specifics of the trip as well as how to get your passport. For more information, go to www.wright.edu/~brent.campbell/greece/index.html or contact Campbell at Brent.Campbell@wright.edu or 419.586.0319.
11/30

From Thursday
New balers expand VW recycle options
New equipment received Wednesday by the Van Wert Solid Waste Management District will allow the district to increase the types of recyclables it accepts, according to Coordinator George Brake. Ely Enterprises of Cleveland installed two PTR balers on Wednesday at the county recycling center. Brake said the two machines would be used to process shrink wrap, both metal and plastic computer cases, foil, vinyl siding and “whatever else we can pull out of the waste stream in the future.” Two-thirds of the machines’ cost will be paid with grant dollars from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Recycling and Litter Prevention. Brake said the balers would eliminate the need for pre-storage space, increasing the volume and types of recyclable items the SWMD can accept. “One of the major challenges facing the recycling processing industry is storage,” Brake noted. “In order for us to take more ‘stuff,’ we have to have the floor space to store it until an adequate volume is accumulated to bale it. We also need floor space for the baled material until a truckload quantity is accumulated,” Brake added, noting the new balers, “in a manner of speaking, will make our building a lot bigger” by allowing smaller quantities to be baled in a more timely manner. “This is especially true when dealing with items that do not accumulate quickly or take a huge quantity to make a single bale,” Brake noted. Some of the items now accepted include plastic shopping bags and all plastic containers (Nos. 1-7), although not Styrofoam containers; vinyl siding; plastic film and shrink wrap (click here for a printable list of accepted recycling items). In addition to additional plastic items, Brake said the recycling center was also taking all electronic items except televisions. Items now accepted include computers and accessories, stereo equipment, DVDs and VCRs, and copiers, to name a few. There is no cost for private individuals to bring electronics to the recycling center, while businesses are charged 15 cents a pound for computer monitors, power packs and copiers. Brake said electronic waste, “e-waste”, which totaled 56,563 pounds in 2006, should increase substantially in the future. Last year, the solid waste district recycled nearly 4 million pounds of material, including nearly 1.7 million pounds of newspapers. For more information, contact Brake by calling the recycling center at 419.238.7767 (fax: 419.238.7244) or by email at web@recyclevw.org. Informational items can also be found on the SWMD website at www.recyclevw.org.
Photo caption: Ryan Strohm of Ely Enterprises in Cleveland installs a new  baling machine at the Van Wert Solid Waste Management District's Recycling Center on North Washington Street. Dave Mosier/Van Wert independent
11/29

Ownership of firearm still unresolved

Forfeiture of a firearm used in a fatal hunting accident in Van Wert County early last year has been overturned on appeal. The Ohio 3^rd District Court of Appeals vacated a judgment by Judge Charles D. Steele ordering forfeiture of the firearm, and remanded the case to Van Wert County Common Pleas Court for rehearing. The unanimous decision was written by Judge Stephen Shaw to an appeal filed by Troy Clark, who asked that the firearm be returned to its owner, Clark’s father. Judge Steele had decided that the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Wildlife would retain the weapon until the expiration of Clark’s right to appeal or, if Clark did appeal, until a decision was rendered. Clark was sentenced to 180 days in jail and fined $1,000 related to his conviction on a charge of negligent homicide, a first-degree misdemeanor offense. Clark, who pleaded “no contest” to the charge, was convicted of causing the death of Trevor Ellerbrock in connection with a hunting accident that occurred January 15, 2006. In his ruling, Judge Shaw noted that the relevant Ohio law on forfeitures of items used in a criminal offense at the time of Judge Steele’s decision permitted denial of Clark’s motion for return of the firearm, although the law was expressly held by the Ohio Supreme Court to not be a “forfeiture law,” but instead deals with property that has been seized and is in the custody of a law enforcement agency. Moreover, a new law that supercedes the old one, while allowing forfeitures under certain conditions, includes more stringent procedural obligations for those seeking forfeiture. The new Ohio Revised Code section, which went into effect July 7 of this year, must be followed for any cases filed after that date, or those pending on that date, which applies to the Clark case. Shaw ruled that, on the basis only of the new procedural requirements, the case should be remanded to the trial court and that the proper procedural requirements be followed “to determine the disposition of this weapon, according to (state law).” Shaw did note that the new law also allows for forfeiture of property “used in the commission of certain offenses under certain conditions, which may or may not include the defendant in this case.”
11/29

Woman who stole $10,000 sentenced
A former employee of a local financial institution who stole nearly $10,000 from the business pleaded guilty to a theft charge during hearings held Wednesday in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court. Renee S. Watkins, 27, of Middle Point, entered a plea of guilty to a fifth-degree felony count of theft filed in the case. According to a Van Wert Police Department investigation, Watkins allegedly transferred money while employed at a local financial institution into her own personal account. She was later fired when the business discovered the transfers, which took place during a period of time from February to August of this year. Court records noted that Watkins has already made restitution in the amount of $7,350.50 and has agreed to make restitution for the balance of $2,000. Judge Charles D. Steele ordered a presentence investigation and scheduled sentencing for Tuesday, January 8, 2008, at 9 a.m. Also Wednesday, a Van Wert man entered guilty pleas to one count each of burglary, a fourth-degree felony, and complicity to obtain a dangerous drug, a felony of the fifth degree. According to city police, the incidents occurred in September of this year. Judge Steele ordered a presentence investigation and set sentencing for 9 a.m. January 8. Three people were also sentenced during hearings held Wednesday. They include:

• Paul Richey, 65, of Van Wert, was placed on one year’s probation on a charge of attempted improperly handling of a firearm, a first-degree misdemeanor offense.

• Amanda J. Trejo, 24, of Van Wert, was placed on three years community control on a charge of theft, a fifth-degree felony offense. According to city police, Trejo was denied a checking account at a local bank, but stole a book of blank checks from the financial institution. As part of her sentence, Trejo will spend up to six months at the Western Ohio Regional Treatment and Habilitation (WORTH) Center in Lima.

• Deidre E. Baer, 19, of Van Wert, was placed on three years of community control stemming from a charge of aggravated trafficking in drugs, a fourth-degree felony offense. According to Van Wert police, Baer and another woman sold, or offered to sell, Psilocybin to a confidential informant in December 2006 during an undercover operation. As part of her sentence, Baer was placed on electronically monitored house arrest for 30 days and will have to serve an additional 30 days in jail at a time to be determined by her supervising officer. Baer also had her driver’s license suspended for six months.

11/29

2 charged with Paulding man's death

Two Paulding County men – one of whom was arrested in Van Wert – faces charges in connection with the death of a Paulding man earlier this month. Brandon L. Berridge, 19, of Oakwood, was arrested on one count each of involuntary manslaughter and tampering with evidence, while James Graves, also 19, of Paulding, was charged with one count of involuntary manslaughter. The charges were filed by the Paulding Police Department. The charges were filed in connection with the death of 46-year-old William Reynolds on November 17. Reynolds’ body was discovered in Paulding alongside a village street early that morning after police received a call that someone was lying in the grass alongside the street. Graves was arrested by Van Wert police on November 21 and turned over to Paulding authorities. Berridge was taken into custody  two days later. Both are incarcerated in the Paulding County Jail.
11/29

From Wednesday

CHP breaks ground on hospice facility
A decade-long dream of Community Health Professionals’ Donna Grimm took a big step toward reality on Tuesday. Grimm, longtime CHP CEO; current CEO Brent Tow; CHP staff and board members; and local officials all joined together for a groundbreaking ceremony for CHP/Hospice-The Caring Way’s $3 million, 12-bed inpatient hospice facility (click here for more info and a floorplan). The Van Wert Area Inpatient Hospice Center is located behind Community Health Professionals’ offices at 1159 Westwood Drive in Van Wert. “We’ve been looking forward to this day for a long time,” Tow told those who attended the groundbreaking. “We’re really building for the future here, and there are going to be a lot of families that are going to take big-time advantage of this.” Grimm had the idea for an inpatient hospice facility after more than 15 years of seeing patients with issues that couldn’t be fully resolved by hands-on caregivers. The three reasons for building the facility, Tow said, was to provide pain and symptom management, symptom control for those who can then return home and a residential facility for terminal patients with nowhere else to go. Designed exclusively to provide hospice care to terminally ill patients, the facility will serve patients and families in Van Wert and four surrounding counties that face a life-limiting illness, but who lack a family caregiver or whose symptoms are no longer manageable at home. With staff that specializes in end-of-life care, the new facility, when completed, will provide acute symptom management, nursing and respite care 24 hours a day. The facility will also feature amenities designed to meet family members’ needs during their loved one’s stay. Those amenities include family gathering areas, lounges, kitchen and dining areas, bathroom and shower facilities; Internet/computer access, chair beds and unrestricted visiting hours. Grimm said the center has been in the planning stages for more than a decade. “The reason we bought the big plot of ground that we did was that we knew one day we were going to build this,” Grimm said, adding, though, that a downturn in the hospice care industry in 1997 put the facility on the back burner for several years. The new facility, only the 17^th such facility in Ohio, is the second one to be built by CHP. Another inpatient hospital facility was recently completed in Defiance. Architect for the facility is Jerry Overmier of Beilharz Architects Inc. of Defiance, while Miller Contracting of Ottoville is the contractor for the project. Financing was secured through US Bank, and Grimm said fundraising efforts would be conducted during the next year to a year and a half to raise the money needed to pay off the project.
Photo captions: Top -- Ground was broken Tuesday on Community Health Professionals' inpatient hospice  facility. Those wielding shovels include Steve Frey of US Bank, Patrick Miller of Miller Construction of Ottoville, CHP President/CEO Brent Tow, and Jerry Overmier of Beilhaz Architects Inc. of Defiance. Looking on are CHP board members, Van Wert Mayor Don Farmer and County Commissioners Clair Dudgeon, Harold Merkle and Gary Adams. Middle  -- CHP President/CEO Brent Tow speaks at the groundbreaking ceremony. Bottom -- Former CEO Donna Grimm also spoke during the organization's groundbreaking ceremony for a new inpatient hospice facility. Dave Mosier/Van Wert independent
11/28

Judge Fortney seeking re-election

Judge Rex Fortney has filed petitions for re-election to his fifth term as judge of the Court of Common Pleas, Probate and Juvenile Division.  Judge Fortney, 57, has served in this position since 1985. The Probate Court is responsible for administration of estates, guardianships, adoptions, change of names, mental illness hospitalizations, and marriage licenses.  The Juvenile Court handles cases involving juveniles who are charges with delinquency, unruly, and traffic citations as well as handling neglect, dependency, and abuse case.  In addition, Juvenile Court establishes paternity in cases of unmarried parents and enforcement of child support related to paternity cases.  In 2006, the combined number of cases handled by both courts was approximately 1,500 different cases.  The Juvenile Court receives more than $150,000 in grant money from the Ohio Department of Youth Services to assist in providing a wide variety of programs to the young people of the Van Wert County. Judge Fortney has also overseen a conversation of the court from all paper- and hand-prepared dockets and records to a complete computerization of the office.  Further, all court offices were moved into more efficient and secure facilities located in the Court Annex building in 2003. Judge Fortney serves on several committees and has been invited to teach several courses for the Ohio Judicial College.  He has presented the annual juvenile case review for all juvenile judges for more than 20 years.  He also has been involved with new judges school, Department of Youth Services task force, and is on the supervisory board for the Northwest Ohio Residential Center at Bowling Green. Judge Fortney is a graduate of Crestview High School, Bluffton College (now Bluffton University), and Ohio Northern College of Law.  He has been a licensed attorney since 1975 and previously served as city law director for Van Wert and was in private practice prior to becoming judge.  He is a member of First Presbyterian Church of Van Wert and completed a lay ministry program conducted by the United Church of Christ. Judge Fortney and his wife, Beverly, a kindergarten teacher for Van Wert City Schools, have two children: Laura, an attorney for Squire, Sanders & Dempsey in West Palm Beach, Fla., and Ryan, an auditor for the Ohio Auditor of State’s office in Columbus.
11/28

TWIG III hosts Tree of Lights event
TWIG III volunteers from the Van Wert County Hospital hosted their 13th annual Tree of Lights ceremony on Tuesday evening.  Hospital President and CEO Mark J. Minick was pleased to accept a donation from TWIG III President Eileen Lucier in the amount of $3,000.  Since its inception, this annual event has raised more than $57,000 in contributions for the hospital.  More than 40 stars were placed on the tree honoring, or in memory of, loved ones. The evening started with a musical selection of Christmas songs from the Van Wert Community Concert Band while family members placed stars on the tree.  Following the check presentation, Lisa Dunn, TWIG III member, read the names on the stars.  As the event concluded, attendees sang “Silent Night” as the band played.  The evening finished with a reception in the hospital cafeteria. Van Wert County Hospital is an independent community health system proudly providing more than a “Century of Caring.”
Photo caption: Stars are placed on the Tree of Lights on Tuesday evening to remember or honor loved ones who have died. (VWCH photo)
11/28

Venedocia Lions donate to United Way
One thing is certain – the employees at Eaton Corporation sure like the sausage sandwiches made by the Venedocia Lions Club.  Each year as part of their United Way employee campaign fun week, there is always one request:  "We want Venedocia Lions Club sausage sandwiches," reports Ron Richards, Eaton employee and Venedocia Lions Club member. The Venedocia Lions Club sets up in the parking lot at Eaton and cooks several hundred pounds of sausage over a 24-hour period. People wait patiently in line for their turn to order a sandwich. “Sometimes the line gets pretty long and you wonder how we will get all these people served,” Richards said, “but we have some seasoned workers and volunteers from United Way that help us on this day.”  The Lions Club then donates the better portion of the day's proceeds to the United Way. "The Venedocia Lions Club has always been a supporter of the United Way,” said 2007 United Way Campaign Chair Sammi Joseph. “This is a great way to give the employees something that they want, and help the community at the same time.  I would like to say a huge ‘thank you’ to the Venedocia Lions Club for all their hard work and for their continued support of the United Way.”
Photo caption: Shown in the front row are Venedocia Lions Club President Tom Evans (left) and Ron Richards presenting a check to United Way Executive Director Deb Russell.  In the second row are members of the Eaton United Way Committee (from the left) Kathy Motycka, Mary Looser, Sonya Kelly, and Deb Poling. (United Way photo)
11/28

Deputies charge county teen with theft
Sheriff Stan D. Owens released information that deputies have charged a 17-year-old Harrison Township boy in Van Wert County Juvenile Court with theft. The charges stem from an investigation initiated on November 19 when the sheriff’s department received a telephone call from the owner of 2A’s Auto on Lincoln Highway, near Colwell Road, advising that he had just seen a pickup truck take an axle from the property of Van Wert Auto Salvage. When talking with the owners of Van Wert Auto Salvage, deputies found that an axle was in fact stolen from its lot. The caller had also provided a description and license number for the truck. Investigations into this led to the charges against the 17-year-old. The axle was returned to its owner.
11/28

Library decorated
Jackie Dearbaugh of Evergreen Garden Club secures decorations at the top of a Christmas tree in the Main Reading Room of Brumback Library on Tuesday morning. Garden club members traditionally decorate the library for Christmas each year. Dave Mosier/Van Wert independent
11/28

From Tuesday
City amends legal services measure
Van Wert City Council made some changes to legislation involving the contracting city legal services in Van Wert Municipal Court and also adopted measures that would allow enforcement of a number of city stop signs and an ordinance removing parallel parking on North Washington Street. Council amended Ordinance 07-11-114 to give incoming Law Director Gregory Unterbrink the ability to contract for legal services with whomever he chooses, not just Paulding attorney Timothy Pieper, who currently fulfills those duties in the absence of a law director. Such a contract would run for two years. The legislative changes are the result of a committee-of-the-whole meeting held prior to Monday’s City Council meeting that Unterbrink attended. That legislation is currently on second reading. Six Council members now support the measure, with Councilman At-Large Trevor Bebout opposed. Several measures were introduced during the meeting, including an ordinance to upgrade the Van Wert Fire Department’s Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus equipment. Cost of such an upgrade, which includes 34 SCBA units, would be about $180,000, Fire Chief Jim Steele said. The upgrade is part of the department’s long-term capital improvement plan. Council also introduced legislation allowing the city to donate unclaimed bicycles to charitable organizations and to sell unused city property online, providing state legal requirements are met. Another pending city ordinance, this one affecting pay raises for city employees not part of a bargaining unit was amended to change the time when the Consumers Price Index would be used to decide cost-of-living increases from November to September. The change was made to bring the legislation into line with state CPI guidelines related to the minimum wage increase in January. The city measure also deals with the state minimum wage increase. Third Ward Councilman Gary  Corcoran, who is also a member of the Van Wert County Regional Airport Authority, updated his colleagues on developments with the federal bill dealing with reauthorization of  the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA). The bill, as it came from the U.S. House of Representatives, no longer has a gasoline tax increase, but the Senate version still has a usage fee in it that would have an affect on all airports. However, Corcoran said it doesn’t  appear the measure will be passed this year, although failure to pass the reauthorization bill could put planned capital projects at the airport on hold until federal legislators can come up with a compromise plan. Corcoran also set a Finance Committee meeting on a new Community Reinvestment Area that would be created around the airport. The area would be bounded by South Shannon Street on the east, Leeson Avenue on the north, the city limits on the west and Van Wert-Decatur Road on the south. That meeting will be held Monday, December 17, starting at 6:30 p.m., in Council Chambers. The Finance Committee will also meet at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 26, to review year-end supplemental appropriations.
11/27

Nutcracker production holiday present
Van Wert residents got an early Christmas present with a performance of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Ballet on Monday evening. The Moscow Ballet performed its “Great Russian Nutcracker” before a nearly packed house in Saltzgaber Music Hall and received an enthusiastic standing ovation for its rendition of the holiday favorite. The opulence of the production, with stunning costumes, elegant hand-painted backdrops and Tchaikovsky’s lush music, could have lulled those attending into imagining they were in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Chicago or some other large city. An added attraction was the large number of young local dancers who had a unique opportunity to perform with a professional ballet company in one of the most popular ballets of all time (click here for a list of young dancers who performed and more ballet photos). The Russian dancers performed with grace and beauty in the work that has epitomized Christmas to most ballet (and even non-ballet) fans. The production also drew a number of out-of-town residents, including a couple who made the drive from Columbus to see what was to be their third performance in the Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio (they said they love the variety of NPAC concerts, as well as the excellent facility) and a woman from Cincinnati who drove up alone to see the ballet. It was the first exposure to professional ballet for many of the approximately 1,100 people in the audience, but, if the reception for The Nutcracker was any indication, probably not the last. The ballet is based on German writer E.T.A. Hoffman’s story of a young girl’s dream about a soldier-garbed nutcracker doll, a Christmas present from her godfather, toymaker Drosselmeyer, that battles a Mouse King. Through the girl, Masha’s, help, the Nutcracker and his army slays the fierce Mouse King and drives off his minions and then the doll turns into a prince himself. He and young Masha then travel to the Land of Snow where they are welcomed first by dancing snowflakes and then by the Sugar Plum Fairy, as well as dancers from other countries that perform for them. The sumptuous production showed off the Russian composer’s music and dancing to perfection, while also providing wonderful dreams for local dancers who were part of it. The performance’s climax – a beautiful pas de deux (French for “dance for two”) near the end of the ballet – had the audience enthralled. Although Masha awakes from her dream at the end of The Nutcracker, many area residents are sure to have pleasant dreams of the Moscow Ballet’s inspiring performance for some time.
Photo captions: Top -- The Sugar Plum Fairy soars above the NPAC stage during the Moscow Ballet's production of its "Great Russian Nutcracker" on Monday night.  Middle --  A male dancer shows off his artistry during The Nutcracker Ballet on Monday. Bottom -- Young local dancers mingle with professionals from the Moscow  Ballet during Monday's performance of The Nutcracker. Jan Dunlap/Van Wert independent (reprints available; email snapshotjan@embarqmail.com)
11/27

Sheriff Stan Owens files for re-election
Van Wert County Sheriff Stan D. Owens has filed his petitions as a Republican candidate for re-election in the upcoming March primary.  Owens first began serving as county sheriff in January 1989. Owens, 54, is a native of Van Wert County and a 1972 graduate of Crestview High School, where he received the FFA State Farmers Award.  He is the son of Ervin and Iva Lou (Laukhuf) Owens. He has been in law enforcement since 1975 when he first received his Basic Law Enforcement Certification.  During Owens’ career he has served as Convoy village marshal, sheriff’s communications officer, deputy sheriff/patrol, shift sergeant supervisor, detective sergeant-investigations and for the last 19 years, serving as sheriff of Van Wert County. Owens has received and completed 16 credit hours of continuing education required each year.  Some of the most recent training consisted of dealing with change and adversity, handgun concealed carry licensing, cultural diversity, crime victim’s services, school violence prevention, crisis intervention, police dynamics and character training along with National Incident Management System training. Sheriff Owens said prompt, professional service to residents’ needs is the department’s No. 1 priority, along with a positive attitude of service. An open door policy to Van Wert County residents, responsible management of taxpayers’ dollars, and interaction with the county’s young people are some of the main focal points of the department. Owens is a member of the Buckeye State Sheriff’s Association, National Sheriff’s Association, American Corrections Association, Farm Bureau, Van Wert County Trustee Association and Van Wert County Junior Fair Boosters Club.  He serves on the Crime Victim Services Board and Finance Committee, Homeland Security Board and is an advisor to the Crime Stoppers Board. He and his wife, Susan, reside in Harrison Township with son Nathan, where they are involved in a family farming operation.  They have four other grown children, Shawn, Krista, Ashley, Laura Beth, and two grandchildren, McKenzie and Gavin.  The family attends Countryside Chapel United Methodist Church.
11/27

From Monday
Council to debate legal services plan

Members of Van Wert City Council will be meeting as a committee of the whole to discuss a plan to continue the current division of duties within the city law director’s office. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers, located on the second floor of the Municipal Building, 515 E. Main St. The law director’s duties are currently divided between Paulding attorney Timothy Pieper, who acts as city prosecutor in Van Wert Municipal Court and Shaun Putman, who provides legal advice to city officials and also prepares ordinances for City Council. The current situation came about when no one stepped forward to be law director when Jill Leatherman resigned the position to take a job with Central Insurance Companies. Legislation that would continue Pieper’s services as city prosecutor, while law director-elect Gregory Unterbrink would perform Putman’s duties and also provide supervision for Pieper, is up for its second reading tonight. The legislation has at least one opponent on Council, while others appear to have some concerns about the proposal. Councilman At-Large Trevor Bebout has spoken out in opposition of the measure, which would mean a change from the traditional role of the law director as both city prosecutor and the city’s legal counsel. Other city officials support the change, since the duties of the law director have, in the past, often proved too much for a single person to handle. There is also the cost factor. The current contracts with Putman and Pieper are costing the city an additional $26,000 over having just a law director, while the proposed plan would cost $52,000 more than it would cost to have a law director only – and an additional $26,000 over the current contracted division of duties. Following the committee-of-the-whole meeting, City Council will meet for its second regular meeting of the month. That meeting will include administrative reports and reports from Council’s committee chairs, as will as a review of pending legislation, which includes seven measures up for their second reading on Monday.
11/26

ID needs relaxed for license renewals
Effective this past week, individuals who are renewing a current Ohio driver’s license, Ohio commercial driver’s license or state identification card will no longer be required to present a Social Security card at an Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles license agency for verification at the time of renewal. Ann Ohio driver’s license, Ohio CDL or Ohio ID card that is current or has been expired for less than six months is acceptable without further proof of the applicant’s Social Security number, if it has been previously verified in the BMV’s records. This change impacts only current holders of Ohio driver’s licenses, CDL or ID cards. Requirements have not changed for customers who are not current holders of an Ohio driver’s license, Ohio CDL or state ID card. New Ohio BMV customers will still be required to provide a primary document (proves date of birth) and secondary document (proves Social Security number, if not provided on the primary document). “This is a policy change that allows the Ohio BMV to improve the level of service to our customers by reducing wait times, while not compromising security and the verification process essential for individuals seeking license renewals,” said Ohio Department of Public Safety Director Henry Guzman. To co-sign for drivers under age 18, a person also only needs to present a valid Ohio driver’s license, CDL or state ID card, or one that has been expired for less than six months. Customers and co-signers who have not obtained an Ohio driver’s license, CDL or state ID card, or those who do not have in their possession one of those three cards at the time of transaction, must provide a primary and secondary document from the acceptable document list. A complete list of acceptable primary and secondary documents can be found  on the Ohio BMV website at http://bmv.ohio.gov/driver_license/aid.htm.
11/26

Bankers give Gillmor service award
The Ohio Bankers League, a non-profit association representing Ohio’s FDIC-insured banks, has awarded its Lifetime Public Service Award to Congressman Paul Gillmor who died earlier this year. The honor, renamed The Paul E. Gillmor Lifetime Public Service Award in memory of the Ohio legislator, recognizes exemplary achievement in public service and an individual’s service to community, state, and country. “Ohio and the nation lost a very special man this year,” said OBL Chairman Robert F. Smith, president and CEO of Advantage Bank in Portsmouth. “Paul Gillmor was very effective but worked quietly, never playing to the camera or microphone. Not only did his constituents love him, so did his colleagues in Congress – Republican and Democrat alike.” Smith added that Gillmor was a banker’s son and a community banker himself. “He brought the insights of a banker into the economic and social needs of the communities he served to Congress,” Smith said. “He was interested in progress, not credit, thus he was very effective in bridging partnership in Congress.” The award was presented to Gillmor’s widow, Karen, at the recent OBL annual meeting. “There are workhorses – those that handle 90 percent of the work; and show horses – those that spend 90 percent of their time trying to take credit for the work that was done; Paul Gillmor was a workhorse,” said former Ohio Senate president Doug White in presenting the award. “He was a great spokesman for the Ohio banking industry both in Columbus and Washington, D.C.”
11/26

From Saturday
Shoppers out in force on Black Friday
The Friday after Thanksgiving, also known as Black Friday, is traditionally the biggest retail-shopping day of the year, and local residents seemed intent on making that prediction come true again this year. Shoppers came early for the Black Friday sales promoted by a number of local businesses, but most notably Wal-Mart. Some shoppers were camped out in the local Wal-Mart for 12 hours – from 5 p.m. Thursday – waiting for the sales to begin Friday morning at 5. In addition, while most shoppers were courteous during the wait, some Wal-Mart employees said jockeying for position in the sales areas was, at times, “brutal.” Many local stores said crowds were about the same, or a little better, than last year, although some also said store traffic was down from 2006. Shoppers were mostly interested in computers and consumer electronics items, with flat-screen televisions, video games and related items, mp3 players and other electronics items going quickly. Another Black Friday tradition – the first appearance of Santa Claus – also took place at The Hotel Marsh late Friday morning. Santa rode down Main Street on a city fire truck and then greeted Van Wert Mayor Don Farmer and his wife, Nancy, who welcomed Santa to Van Wert on behalf of the city. Santa then spent about an hour inside The Hotel Marsh listening to Christmas wishes from the large number of children who showed up for that very reason. The event is sponsored by the Van Wert Lions Club and Van Wert Fire Department. Christmas decorations were also up in downtown Van Wert, thanks to the efforts of the city engineering department.
Photo captions: Top -- Shoppers crowd the aisles of the Van Wert Wal-Mart early yesterday morning hunting for Black Friday bargains. Middle -- Santa Claus waves to a crowd of children and adults after his trip downtown in a Van Wert Fire Department fire truck. Bottom -- Van Wert Mayor Don Farmer and his wife, Nancy, wait with Holden Thornell and Richey Dunno for Santa to appear. Dave Mosier/Van Wert independent
11/24

Teens, adult face criminal charges
Van Wert County Sheriff Stan Owens reported that charges have been filed against two county teenage boys and an adult male in connection with an attempted break-in of a vacant house in Dixon. Joseph C. Moore, 22, of Convoy was charged with complicity to attempted breaking and entering, a first-degree misdemeanor offense. He will be arraigned in Van Wert Municipal Court on Monday. Also charged was a 16-year-old Tully Township boy, who faces one count each of attempted breaking and entering and possession of criminal tools --  both first-degree misdemeanors if the defendant was an adult – and one count of criminal damaging or  endangering, a second-degree misdemeanor; and a 17-year-old Convoy boy, who was charged with complicity to attempted breaking and entering, a first-degree misdemeanor if he was an adult. The charges are a result of an investigation of a report filed October 27 when Kent L. Castleman called 9-1-1 to say he had just seen three males try to gain entry through the front door into a house he owns in Dixon. The juveniles, whose names were not released, will appear on the charges in Van Wert County Juvenile Court at a later date.
11/24

Snow fun
Carissa and Elissa Miglin Friday with a 7-foot tall snowman they and their father, Eric, made with the snow that fell overnight Thursday. Eric Miglin said the snowman lasted only “about a half-hour” before there was nothing left but melting snow and water. Others also had the same idea, but none of the works of snow art lasted very long. Photo by Eric Miglin for the Van Wert independent
11/24

From Friday
Wehage files for Clerk of Courts post
Susan K. Wehage of Pleasant Township is announcing her candidacy for Clerk of Courts of Van Wert County and will be running in the March 2008 primary election on the Republican ticket. Wehage, who recently submitted her signed petitions to the Van Wert County Board of Elections, has served as a deputy under Carol Speelman in the Clerk of Courts Office since June 1991. Speelman has announced her retirement, following the end of her term in 2008. Wehage is the daughter of Kenneth and Arlene Keysor and public service has figured heavily during past decades on both sides of her family. Her mother, Arlene, retired clerk of courts after three terms (31 years total), having begun immediately following her high school graduation.  Wehage’s father, Kenneth, was a Lincolnview Local Board of Education member in the 1970s and her grandfather, J. Artie Keysor, was a Van Wert County commissioner in the 1950s. Wehage’s maternal grandfather, Wilbur Hyman, served as a Ridge Township trustee and was a member of the Van Wert County Fair Board for many years.  More recently, her uncle, DeWayne Hyman, served as a Ridge Township trustee for 24 years (1982-2005). Wehage and her husband, John, have been married since 1979 and are the parents of three children: Dawn (Matt) Freeman, Amber (E.J.) Genato and Adam (Jamie Massillo) Wehage.  They have two grandchildren, Meagan and Garrett Freeman. Wehage is a Lincolnview High School graduate and attended Bowling Green State University before working at Bob Dunn Ford (two years) and Farm Credit Services (11 years). In June 1991, she joined the staff at the Van Wert County Clerk of Courts office. Prior to this, she worked for Clark Kolp at the Republican headquarters during the general election of 1990 and fondly remembers being approached by Kolp for that position.  Kolp was then chairman of the local Republican Central Committee. Extremely active in all aspects of community life, Wehage lists as examples of her priorities:  The Van Wert County YWCA (Board of Directors, past president and member of many committees), First United Methodist Church (member, camp coordinator, Sunday School teacher, Administrative Board), Convoy Historical Society, Van Wert Optimist Club (oratorical contest and bicycle contest), Township Trustees Association, and Van Wert Republican Women’s Club (since 1977 and has been secretary, treasurer and vice president). In addition, she was a past chairwoman for March of Dimes and has been a member of the Van Wert County Central and Executive Committee since 1991.  She is also an active volunteer for Main Street Van Wert Inc. (Design & Look Nominating Committee). Politically, Wehage co-chaired campaigns for President George W. Bush (2004) and Attorney General Jim Petro (re-election 2006).  She attended the Ohio Republican Leadership Summit in September 2007. In addition, Wehage has completed many training classes, meetings and seminars, beginning in 1992, up to 2007, which include – four Automated Titling Processing System (ATPS I & II).  She also has attended the Ohio Clerk of Courts Association meetings (1999-2007). Finally, Wehage brings knowledge, experience and leadership qualities to the Clerk of Courts position and is dedicated to furthering growth and continuing the existing reputation of excellence Van Wert County already enjoys.

11/23

Black Friday's here
The day after Thanksgiving, often called Black Friday, is traditionally one of the biggest shopping days of the year and retailers are hoping this year is no different. A number of stores, including Wal-Mart and Lee’s Ace Hardware, will be having specials designed to bring customers in early. Wal-Mart’s specials will be unveiled at 5 this morning, while other stores open a bit later today. At Wal-Mart’s former location on Fox Road, customers would line up far into the parking lot to be first into the store for the specials, but now they line up inside the store to buy special items, such as computers, televisions, toys and other items. Shoppers, above, line up for specials at Wal-Mart last year. (file photo)
11/23

Pair get prison terms in Common Pleas
Two men were given prison terms during sentencing hearings held this week in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court. Brian W. Ross, 22, of Latty, was sentenced to 12 months in prison on a charge of tampering with a coin machine, a fifth-degree felony offense. The sentence will run concurrently with a prison sentence handed down in Paulding County for another theft-related offense. Ross was indicted after a Van Wert Police Department investigation revealed he had attempted to gain entry to a coin machine at Van Wert Super Wash back in June. A Springfield man, Charles W. Potter, 41, was sentenced to nine months in prison on a charge of breaking and entering, also a fifth-degree felony offense. According to the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Department, Potter allegedly broke into a Willshire car shop in April, and took cash and handguns. Potter was given credit for 107 days served in jail while awaiting sentencing. Several people also changed their pleas from not guilty to guilty this week. They include:

• Janera Knuckles, 28, of Lima, pleaded guilty to a charge of attempted identity fraud, a first-degree misdemeanor offense. A presentence investigation was ordered and sentencing set for 9 a.m. January 2, 2008.

• Erik M. Placke, 18, of Middle Point, entered guilty pleas to five counts of theft and one count of burglary. A presentence investigation was ordered and sentencing scheduled for 9 a.m. January 2.

• Tara Beougher pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony offense. Beougher was granted a request for treatment in lieu of conviction and will have to successfully complete an approved drug treatment and rehabilitation program, at which time the possession charge will be dropped. Failure to successfully complete the program could result in a prison sentence being handed down.

• Rebecca (Pinson) Decker, 27, of Ohio City, entered a guilty plea to a charge of possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony offense. Decker was also granted a request for treatment in lieu of conviction and will have to complete a treatment program similar to that of Beougher.

In addition to the above cases, Timothy A. Hittle, 26, of Alden, Mich., pleaded not guilty to a charge of theft, a felony of the fifth degree, during an arraignment hearing this week. Hittle was indicted on the charge by a grand jury back in November 2005. The indictment stems from a city police investigation of a theft-related incident that occurred in July 2005. Hittle was released on a $5,000 unsecured personal surety bond and a pretrial hearing scheduled for 8 a.m. Tuesday, November 26.
11/23

Corn Performance Test results online
Results of the 2007 Ohio Corn Performance Test results are now available online at www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/corntrials/. In 2007, 237 corn hybrids representing 35 commercial brands were evaluated in the Ohio Corn Performance Test. Testing was conducted in three regions of Ohio -- southwestern/west central, northwestern, and north central/northeastern, with three test sites established within each region. Testing was also conducted at Coshocton, an area with high gray leaf spot incidence. Entries in the regional tests were planted in either an early or full season maturity trial. These test sites provided a range of growing conditions and production environments. Grain yields of hybrid entries were outstanding, despite what appeared to be a less than ideal growing season. Test sites averaged more than 200 bushels per acre except for Hoytville, which averaged 180 and 182 for the early and full season trials, respectively. Environmental conditions varied greatly across trial locations during the 2007 growing season, especially with regard to the amount and distribution of precipitation. Temperatures were above normal and rainfall below normal at planting. These warm, dry conditions promoted crop establishment and probably deeper root development. Warm, dry weather persisted through maturity at the test locations near South Charleston and Washington Court House in southwest Ohio. However, drought stress damage was averted by timely rains. Rainfall deficits at the other test sites were alleviated by above average rainfall in August. Rainfall accumulation was 7 to 8 inches above normal at northwest Ohio test sites and 1 to 2 above normal at northeast Ohio sites. These above normal August rains coincided with grain fill and contributed to high grain yields. Hot, dry conditions in September and October resulted in rapid grain dry down and unusually low grain moisture at harvest at several locations. Despite periods of drought stress, stalk quality was excellent and stalk lodging negligible across locations. Disease and insect pests were not a significant factor at test sites. “Traited” hybrids (that is, hybrids with Bt insect resistance and herbicide resistance) now dominate the Ohio Corn Performance Test and close to half the entries are triple or quad stacks. In 2002, less than 15 percent of the hybrid entries were traited. In 2006, 59 percent were traited, and this year, 84 percent of the 237 entries are traited. Of these, 114 hybrids are triple or quad stacks, 46 are double stacks, 44 contain a single trait. Overall, triple stack hybrids generated the highest yields. In the trials regional summary (see the table showing performance of hybrids entered in the three regions, i.e. 9 test sites), eight of the top ten yielding hybrids are triple stacks, one is a double stack, and one contains a single trait. However, stacked traits did not necessarily ensure the highest yields. Of the bottom ten hybrids, nine are triple stacks and one is a double stack. Those wanting more information about the Ohio Corn Performance Trials, or who have trouble accessing the data, can contact the Van Wert County Extension Office at 419.238.1214.
11/23

Global economics
Mike Myers and John Johnson’s sixth grade social study students at Van Wert Middle School are learning all about how to do business around the world.  Junior Achievement volunteers Thad Eikenbary of Central Companies and Jeff Shytle of Eaton Corporation are teaching JA’s Global Marketplace fall program, which is one period a week for five weeks. The group activities cover in detail why businesses want to import and export products, how the World Trade Organization works, why people emigrate or immigrate for jobs around the world, what role technology has played in increasing business productivity, how understanding and respecting cultural differences can be important in business and why it is important to understand different currency and exchange rates around the world. (JA photo)
11/23

From Wednesday
C'view renovation project goes ahead
The Crestview Local Board of Education and Superintendent Steve Puchta thanked the community for passing two tax issues earlier this month that will fund a $14-million Ohio School Facilities Commission renovation project for the district’s K-12 school building. District voters approved a 4.6-mill bond issue that provides the local match for the project, and a half-mill maintenance levy 61 percent to 39 percent, which Puchta said was the highest levy passage rate in the state. In related moves, board members approved the transfer of $952,395.71 to pay off the indebtedness from December 1, 1988, which funded construction of the existing building. The board also heard from Edward Cavezza of Peck, Shaffer & Williams LLP in Columbus, bond counsel for the district, who answered questions about financial arrangements to pay for the building renovations. Approval was then given for a resolution to issue $5.33 million in bond anticipation notes. Also related to the facilities project, Puchta said a project agreement has to be executed, along with a contract for Garmann/Miller architects and United Research Systems,  the district’s construction manager on the project. A meeting was also set for December 6 for project team members. Those include Puchta, Crestview Treasurer Laura Metzger, board members Lonnie Nedderman and John Auld, Brad Garmann of Garmann/Miller, school custodian Geoff Wattles, OSFC project director Madison Dowlen, Crestview building principals Mike Biro and Kathy Mollenkopf, and Larry Parks, a representative of URS. The board also honored food service worker and bus driver Marcia Etzler, who retired after 14 years with the district, and approved a one-year contract to John Amundsen, who replaced the late Ned Young as a bus driver after Young became ill. As part of the state’s new public records legislation, Metzger was appointed the district’s records control officer and will have to take mandatory public records training. Board members also approved the district’s five-year financial forecast, with Puchta noting the importance of renewing the district’s 1-percent income tax issue, which expires at the end of 2009. However, with the recent passage of the bond issue and maintenance levy, the board was adamant that the issue not be put on the ballot until 2009. A supplemental contract also was issued to Mark Gregory as boys’ varsity assistant basketball coach, while Terry Crowle, Randy Myers, Amy Nidiffer, Tom Riggenbach and Kim Lautzenheiser were approved as volunteers for the girls’ Mini-Knights basketball program. Sandy Etzler, president of the Crestview Parents Club, also spoke to the board about that organization, which provides financial support to the district for a number of projects. Among those projects, Etzler noted, was the donation of $25,000 to purchase six “smart boards” for grades 4-6. The first reading of a resolution approving NEOLA district policy changes was also approved, while board members also voted to prepared specifications and seek bids for an 84-passenger school bus. The next board meeting will be held Monday, December 10, starting at 5:30 p.m., while the January meeting was scheduled for 7 p.m. January 15, 2008. Both meetings will be held in the district boardroom.
11/21

County cleans up at snowplow rodeo
The annual snowplow rodeo was held in Auglaize County on Thursday, pitting local employees against their counterparts in Auglaize, Allen, and Mercer counties.  Van Wert County employees all but swept the competition by winning the best team score in snowplow maneuvering, best overall score in backhoe proficiency, and best overall score in skid loader operation. Winning truck drivers included Randy Thornell, DD Strickler, Josh Evans, and Rick Ashbaugh. The individual award for backhoe proficiency was won by Evans, with Chris Webb second and Ashbaugh third. The individual award for skid loader operation went to Webb.
Photo captions: Left -- Shown in the picture with Van Wert County Engineer Kyle Wendel (left) are winning truck drivers (from the left) Randy Thornell, DD Strickler, Josh Evans, and Rick Ashbaugh. Right -- The individual award for backhoe proficiency was won by Josh Evans (right), with Chris Webb (left) taking second place. Not pictured was Rick Ashbaugh, who took third place. Webb also took first place in the individual skid loader operation competition. (County Engineer's photos)
11/21

Hunters' help sought for ash borer
As the hunting season kicks off, the Ohio Department of Agriculture is asking hunters to help slow the spread of the emerald ash borer, an ash tree-killing insect easily spread through firewood movement. Outdoor enthusiasts can help protect Ohio's natural resources by buying and burning local sources of firewood. The ash borer, which is harbored and spread via firewood, has been found in 34 of Ohio's 88 counties. The department has quarantined these counties, making it illegal to take ash trees, parts of ash trees, and all hardwood firewood out of quarantined counties into un-quarantined counties. Violators face fines of up to $4,000. It is also illegal to take hardwood firewood out of the state of Ohio without federal certification. Currently, the insect has been found in Allen, Auglaize, Butler, Cuyahoga, Defiance, Delaware, Erie, Fairfield, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Hancock, Hardin, Henry, Huron, Logan, Lorain, Lucas, Mahoning, Mercer, Montgomery, Marion, Medina, Mercer, Miami, Ottawa, Portage, Sandusky, Seneca, Union, Warren, Williams, Wood, and Wyandot counties. The emerald ash borer, a serious threat to the ash species, kills ash trees within three to five years of infestation. The adult beetles are dark metallic green, a half inch in length and one-eighth inch wide, and fly only from early May until September. Larvae spend the rest of the year beneath the bark of ash trees and, when they emerge as adults, leave behind small, D-shaped exit holes. Adults can emerge out of ash tree firewood infested before the tree was cut. For more information or for a map of Ohio's quarantined areas, call 1.888.OHIO.EAB or go to www.ohioagriculture.gov/eab. For information on surrounding states and the federal quarantine go to, www.emeraldashborer.info.
11/21

Ag Society to host cornhole tourney
The Van Wert County Agricultural Society is sponsoring a cornhole tournament on Saturday, January 26, starting at 10 a.m. in the Junior Fair Building of the Van Wert County Fairgrounds.  The double-elimination tournament is open to the first 64 teams. Entry fee is $40 per team and a minimum of $500 will be awarded for first place. For more information, contact Mike at 419.203.1418 or Ed at 419.203.6313.
11/21

VW school board discusses tax issue
The Van Wert City Board of Education discussed what to do about an income tax issue that expires next year, and also approved purchase of two school buses. Board members, with the addition of board members-elect Ken Mengerink and Mike Morrow and the absence of board member John Gamble, discussed the current 1-percent income tax issue, with discussion centering on whether it would be best to attempt to renew the issue or replace it with an “earned income” tax issue. The board is basically looking at two options: 1. Renewing the 1-percent tax issue, or 2., replacing it with a 1.25-percent “earned income” tax issue that would provide tax relief for senior citizens who are on pensions or have 401(k) and other tax-deferred pension plans. Morrow said he felt going to the 1.25-percent take would be perceived as an increase by district residents, so he recommended attempting to renew the current income tax issue. Board member Brent Crone disagreed, noting that, with large number of retired persons in town, it would be better to go with the 1.25-percent replacement levy. District resident Walt Goudy, himself retired, agreed with Crone, noting that many local retirees are on minimum required distributions related to their pensions and said there would be organized opposition to an attempt to renew the current income tax issue. No decision was made at the November meeting, but Amstutz said a final decision would be needed in December if an issue was to be placed on the March primary ballot. The board approved the purchase of two 2009 “stock” 84-passenger buses from Cardinal Bus Sales & Service at a total cost of $148,444. Superintendent Ken Amstutz said his administration felt it was necessary to go forward with the purchase of two buses, rather than the one bus planned, for two reasons: 1. Increasing emissions standards and other requirements will make 2010 buses significantly more expensive, and 2. The Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is pushing the district to replace buses its inspectors feel have significant mechanical problems. Also Monday, board members approved the sale of the former Horace Mann school and a small amount of personal property at an auction to be held Saturday, December 29, at the school. No time was announced at the meeting. Amstutz also gave a brief report on the second meeting of the district’s school advisory committee, noting that the meetings have provided an open dialogue between committee members and his administration. He also noted that a survey would be conducted this coming Monday in an attempt to discover what district residents think of the schools and where improvements could be made. In addition, approximately 200 parents of students who left the district through open enrollment will be contacted by phone to see what the reasons were for the students leaving the district. Amstutz said the district saw a net loss of 151 students due to open enrollment (click here for other board action).
Photo caption: Van Wert Middle School Principal  Mary Riepenhoff (right) and three eighth-grade students talk about the recent class trip to Washington, D.C., during Monday's Van Wert City Board of Education. Dave Mosier/Van Wert independent
11/20

Adams files petitions for re-election
Gary D. Adams has filed for re-election for the January 2, 2009, term for Van Wert County commissioner. Adams is a native of Van Wert County and the son of the late Wendell B. and Nellie (Miller) Adams. Prior to becoming a commissioner, Adams was a Jackson Township trustee for three terms, director of Van Wert County Agricultural Society for 17 years, and a 1954 graduate of Hoaglin-Jackson High School. Adams presently serves as chairman of the Van Wert County commissioners, current treasurer of MEBC, a five-county insurance consortium, a member of Council on Aging Board, Van Wert Regional Planning, chairman of the Microfilm Board, Solid Waste District Board, Data Processing Board, secretary of the Family and Children First Council, Tax Revision Board, State County Commissioners Association, member of Chamber of Commerce, Van Wert County Republican Century Club, Van Wert County Farm Bureau, County Trustees and Clerks Association, Van Wert Lions, Trinity Friends Church, and a member of the Trinity Music Ministry. Adams is a retired farmer and past member of the Jackson Township Board of Trustees, a Fair board member for 17 years, the Midwest Buckeye Officials Association, the State Officials Assoc. and a past member of the WTLW-TV board. Adams and his wife, Barbara (Dougal), reside in Van Wert and have three children, Kim (Terry) Owens, Chris (Mary) Adams, and Jason (Amy) Adams; nine grandchildren, Ryanne (Steve) Bollenbacher, Adam (Morgan) Owens, Seth Owens, Emily Adams, Nathan Adams, Reagan Adams, Chandler Adams, Hunter Adams, Sierra Adams; and two great-grandchildren, Kendall and Luke Bollenbacher. Adams said he would like to continue serving the people of Van Wert County and enjoys working with the county and city elected officials. He also feels his many years of experience are an invaluable asset to his continuance as a member of the Board of Commissioners.
11/20

YWCA 'stars' dance for a second year
Last year, the Van Wert YWCA added a new “twist” to the annual Festival of Trees by holding “Dancing with the Van Wert Stars.” The event was a great success and the YWCA is holding the second annual dance competition on Friday, November 30, from 7:30-10:30 p.m. This year’s competing Van Wert stars include Vicki and Dan Bidlack, Kimberly and Ben Laudick, Jane and Jeff Maus, and Kathy and Bob Ulm.  The dancers have been working hard to provide some great holiday entertainment that everyone will enjoy.  Last year’s winning couple, Cindy and Randy Gardner, will entertain the crowd with an exhibition dance. Wally Grimm will keep things lively as master of ceremonies, Dave Couture will be the disc jockey, and JEHMMS Banquet Center is catering the hors d’oeuvres.  The audience will have a chance to vote for their favorite dance couple and enjoy dance music throughout the evening.  Door prizes are being provided by DeShia, Touch of Grace, El Mexicano, Golden Heritage Foods, Balyeat’s Coffee Shop, Laurent’s Landscaping & Nursery, Studio A, and McCoy’s Flowers. Gibby’s Photo Express donated dancers’ photos. The YWCA will also have an open house on Friday, November 30, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, December 1, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Area residents will be able to see the lovely decorations and view the trees that are for sale through a silent auction.  Trees are being donated and decorated by Essential Solutions, JEHMMS Banquet Center, Community Health Professionals, Straley Real Estate, Laudick’s Jewelry, Ace Hardware/Nancy Sink/Emily Brower, Laurent’s Landscaping and Nursery and the YWCA Board of Directors.  The silent auction will end at 3 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets for “Dancing with the Van Wert Stars” can be purchased at the YWCA for $15 or by contacting Nancy Sink at 419.238.5952.  Last year the event was an early sellout so it would be wise to purchase your ticket soon!  This is an important fundraising event for the YWCA and proceeds will be used to support the YWCA’s mission of providing positive opportunities for families in the Van Wert County area. On Saturday, December 1, the YWCA is also planning a dance for students in the fourth and fifth grades.  More information on this event will be shared with students at school. The YWCA is a United Way agency.
Photo captions: Top left -- Vicki and Dan Bidlack. Top right -- Kimberly and Ben Laudick. Bottom left -- Jane and Jeff Maus. Bottom  right -- Kathy and Bob Ulm.
11/20

CHP celebrating Nat'l Hospice Month
November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month and agencies across the country are reaching out to let people know that they have options when confronted with a life-limiting illness. Last year, the nation’s 4,100 hospices cared for more than 1.5 million people. Locally, Community Health Professionals’ Hospice-The Caring Way cared for approximately 500 patients throughout northwest and west central Ohio. Yet, a recent report by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization states that 80 percent of people die in institutions, often in pain and connected to machines they do not want. Another recent study found that terminally ill hospice patients with certain diseases live a significantly longer period of time than do their non-hospice counterparts. Across all patient groups studied, those enrolled in hospice lived a mean of 29 days longer than those who did not choose hospice. “This study provides important information to dispel the myth that hospice hastens death and suggests that hospice is related with the longer length of survival by days or months in certain terminally ill patients,” write the authors of a report published in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. Researchers conducted a retrospective study of 4,493 terminally ill patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) or cancer of the lung, pancreas, colon, prostate, or breast. The statistically representative sample was drawn from Medicare records of patients who died within three years of entering the terminal stage of the disease. Hospice is more than traditional healthcare. It provides pain management, symptom control, psychosocial support, and spiritual care to patients and their families when a cure is not possible. Hospice combines medical care with the emotional and spiritual support that families need most when facing the end of life. “Everyone seems to know a family or friend who was helped by hospice when faced with the serious illness and death of a loved one,” said Jeanie Saum, RN, supervisor for Hospice-The Caring Way.  “However, many people may not know that hospice provides pain management, comfort, and support for the patient and the family.” One of the most common sentiments from families who have been helped by hospice care is, “We wish we had known about hospice sooner.” Community Health Professionals’ Hospice-The Caring Way offers a summer camp for grieving children each year called, “Rays of Hope,” at the Van Wert YMCA Camp Clay. The organization also operates an inpatient hospice center in Defiance and will be breaking ground for another facility in Van Wert on Tuesday, November 27. “Inpatient hospice centers enable patients who do not have an able caregiver or whose symptoms are no longer manageable at home to be cared for in a homelike setting dedicated exclusively to hospice care,” said Saum. For more information about any services provided by Community Health Professionals’ Hospice-The Caring Way, call 419.238.9223.

From Monday
Cabassi puts new piano through paces
Members of the Van Wert County Community Concert Association probably thought the money the group spent on a top-of-the-line 9-foot Baldwin grand piano was well worth it, after hearing Davide Cabassi put the instrument through its paces Saturday night. Cabassi, a 2005 Cliburn Piano Competition finalist, led off with two Schubert pieces and then played the composer’s Sonata in A minor to end the first half of the concert. However, it was the second half of the concert – part of the 2007-2008 Community Concert Series – that earned Cabassi a standing ovation. Instead of the two Debussy piano compositions and Brahms’ Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Haydn on the concert program, Cabassi instead played Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky’s piano suite, Pictures at an Exhibition – considered Mussorgsky’s finest piano composition and written in memory of artist and friend Victor Hartmann. The suite, which describes paintings by Hartmann and which ends with the majestic “Bogatyr Gates” – usually translated as “The Great Gate of Kiev” – had the audience on its feet in vocal appreciation. Cabassi did justice to the entire program, but especially to the Mussorgsky suite, which is often played by pianists to show off their virtuosity (a performance by Vladimir Horowitz in 1951 is considered one of the greatest piano performances of all time). Cabassi’s range and technique were excellent, as was his emotional coloration, and he brought out nearly every nuance of tone possible in the Baldwin grand piano, a gift of the concert association to the Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio. As an encore, Cabassi turned jazz stylist to play a simple, but effective, version of Harold Arlen’s “Over the Rainbow” from The Wizard of Oz. In addition to his concert artistry, Cabassi was charming, witty and informative while describing the pieces he would be playing during Saturday’s concert. He also graciously posed with members of the Community Concert Association following his performance.
Photo captions: Top -- Pianist Davide Cabassi performs on the NPAC's 9-foot Baldwin grand piano on Saturday (click here for more photos). Bottom -- Italian pianist Davide Cabassi poses with members of the Van Wert County Community Concert Association, which donated the 9-foot Baldwin grand piano he's sitting at to the Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio. Dave Mosier/Van Wert independent
11/19

City Council to look at safety projects
Van Wert City Council will hold two committee meetings tonight, while Van Wert City Board of Education will also meet. The school board will meet first, at 6 p.m., and consider a resolution authorizing the sale of the former Horace Mann School and related personal property through a public auction. Several personnel items are also on the agenda, as well as a Community Reinvestment Area tax abatement request. The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. today in the First Federal Lecture Hall of the Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio. Prior to the board meeting, a reception will be held for retired school treasurer Mike Owens from 3:30-5 p.m. in the NPAC’s Grand Lobby. At 6:30 tonight, City Council’s Property and Equipment Committee will meet to discuss two safety department projects: a planned upgrade to the Van Wert Fire Department’s Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus equipment and a request by Police Chief Joel Hammond to create an online auction site for confiscated and unclaimed property. At 7:15 today, an ad hoc committee of the Finance Committee consisting of Gary Corcoran, Finance Committee chair; Dick Shultz and mayor-elect Louis Ehmer, will discuss discretionary supplemental appropriations for the 2008 budget year. Both Council committee meetings will be held in Council Chambers on the second floor of the Municipal Building, 515 E. Main St.
11/19

VW native does film with Science Guy

Van Wert High School graduate Kyle Lane will be returning to the classroom soon, although not in a way his former teachers would likely expect. The 2002 VWHS alumnus and budding actor will be helping students learn about electrical safety as part of a Disney Educational Films production starring Bill Nye the Science Guy. The film is called Safety Science with Bill Nye the Science Guy and Lane, who has been honing his talents with the famed Second City comedy troupe in Chicago the past couple of years, has a role in a portion of the film dealing with the hazards of electrical fires. “I play a character named Justin that is a surfer dude guy,” Lane said in an email, adding that he really enjoyed working with Nye, one of his early heroes. “It was a lot of fun to work with Bill Nye, because I honestly watched him on TV all the time while growing up.” Lane said he was also proud to be doing an educational film. “It’s kind of cool because a heck of a lot of kids will get to see it through their science classes,” the VWHS grad said, “plus my generation really learned a lot of science from Bill Nye.” Lane called working with Nye – and Disney – an “outstanding experience” and noted that the safety film will be available from Disney’s educational catalog early next year. Meanwhile, the former Van Wert resident isn’t resting on his Bill Nye laurels. Lane said he’s currently busy with auditions for television pilots, while also working to produce a horror film that he hopes will be filmed sometime next year. Presumably, electrical safety won’t play a big part in that movie.
Photo caption: Van Wert native Kyle Lane is working on an acting career.
11/19

Lancer cagers play for a good cause
While the games were just for fun, the Lincolnview Lancer faithful showed they care – especially about Toys for Tots. The night had plenty of excitement and interest, but the biggest interest was in making sure children matter in Lancerland. Saturday’s basketball games were to showcase this year’s Lincolnview boys’ basketball teams, introduce all of the winter sports teams, and also help collect some toys and money for Toys for Tots.  “This was a lot of fun this year,” said Ken Myers, local Toys for Tots coordinator. “My boss (Allen County Correctional Institution Warden Jesse Williams) wanted to do something for the kids, so I asked ‘do you want to play some ball to help?’” The answer, to Myers’ relief, was “yes.”  Myers noted that, not only did Warden Williams commit to a charity basketball game, but also used an inmate bicycle repair community service project to provide bikes Toys for Tots can give away. The bicycles were given to the prison by the Lima Poli