Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025
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Van Wert’s Keaten Welch (5) drives to the basket during Saturday’s game against Bryan. Welch finished with 20 points, including 10 consecutive points to end the first quarter and the beginning of the second quarter, and the Cougars wrapped up a weekend sweep with a 57-47 win over the Golden Bears. Teammates Zach Crummey (23) and Cohen Bragg (24) also contributed to the win. A game recap can be found on the Sports page. Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent
POSTED: 01/19/25 at 9:59 pm
VW independent staff
The National Weather Service Northern Indiana has issued a Cold Weather Advisory for the entire region, including Van Wert County, until 10 a.m. Wednesday.
Dangerously cold wind chills as low as 20 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes. Very cold temperatures can also lead to hypothermia with prolonged exposure. Dress in layers including a hat, face mask, and gloves if you must go outside. Keep pets indoors as much as possible.
POSTED: 01/19/25 at 9:59 pm. FILED UNDER: News
PAULDING – Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative is accepting applications for its 2025 Youth Programs. These programs include new scholarships, a trip to Washington, D.C., and a summer camp for middle school students.
$10,000 in Scholarships Available
This year, PPEC’s revamped scholarship program offers $10,000 in awards- almost double previous years. There are three scholarship opportunities available:
Applications for all scholarships are due by February 10.
Youth Tour 2025: Leadership and Travel Opportunity
High School sophomores and juniors can apply for the 2025 Youth Tour, a week-long leadership experience in Washington, D.C., from June 15-21.
POSTED: 01/19/25 at 9:58 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
The Lima Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol believes alcohol may have played a role in an early Saturday morning crash that claimed a Lima resident.
According to a report from the Lima Patrol Post, the accident occurred at approximately 12:40 a.m. Saturday on Slabtown Rd. just north of Searfoss Rd. in Monroe Township.
Keith A. Lackey, 56, of Lima, was operating a 1998 Ford Explorer northbound on Slabtown Rd. and drove partially off the right side of the roadway. The vehicle re-entered the roadway and began sliding sideways and drove partially off the left side of the roadway. The vehicle then re-entered the roadway and rolled over several times, ejecting Lackey before coming to final rest on the right side of the roadway in a ditch.
Lackey was transported to St. Rita’s Mercy Health Hospital by Columbus Grove EMS where he was pronounced deceased. Troopers noted Lackey was not wearing a seat belt.
Assisting troopers on scene were deputies with the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Columbus Grove EMS, Cairo and Monroe Township Fire and EMS and Miller Performance. The crash remains under investigation.
POSTED: 01/19/25 at 9:57 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
Bitter cold temperatures are on the way next week with the coldest temperatures that the area has seen in a few years, according to Van Wert County Emergency Management Director Rick McCoy. After a brief warmup going into the weekend, an Arctic blast is expected to affect the region Sunday night through Wednesday.
“Cold air from the North Pole has been invading the United States since the month of January began but this next wave is sending a deep freeze over most of the United States and will bring dangerous air temperatures and wind chill temperatures across Van Wert County,” McCoy said.
The cold surge will begin Sunday night as temperatures drop to 3-below zero with a wind chill of 20-below. On Monday, temperatures are expected to climb to 5-above with wind chills of 14-below, then plummet again overnight to 5-below with a wind chill of 21-below. Tuesday is expected to get even colder with a high temperature of only two degrees and wind chills of 15-below. Tuesday night’s low is expected to dip to 9-below with a wind chill reading of 25-below. Wednesday’s projected high is 14 with wind chill values around zero.
McCoy is reminding residents to take some precautions during the cold wave and future winter weather:
POSTED: 01/18/25 at 12:08 am. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
COLUMBUS — Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) Director Matt Damschroder is urging Ohioans receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to act now to protect those benefits and be aware of skimming devices.
“Criminals continue to prey on vulnerable Ohioans who rely on food assistance to supplement their monthly grocery costs,” Damschroder said. “SNAP recipients should be vigilant in protecting their benefits by looking for signs of skimming, protecting their EBT card number and PIN, and using tools such as the ConnectEBT app and its ‘Lock Everywhere’ feature to avoid becoming victims.”
Criminals use a process called “skimming” to steal EBT card numbers. This is when a fraudulent device is placed over a point-of-sale card reader to steal payment card information. When a recipient swipes their card over a compromised device, they are unsuspectingly sharing their card information with criminals.
SNAP is a federal food assistance program of the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service that is overseen in Ohio by ODJFS and administered by county departments of Job and Family Services. ODJFS has a webpage on how Ohioans can protect their identity and benefits SNAP recipients are encouraged to take some simple steps to reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim: Manage your benefits by downloading the secure ConnectEBT app on your mobile phone or tablet. Through the App’s card lock features, users can enable a feature that requires the user to unlock their EBT prior to making any purchases, including in-state.
ODJFS uses a variety of methods to detect potential fraud, including suspicious activity and identifying point-of-sale terminals where skimming or criminal transactions may be taking place. ODJFS shares that information with the Ohio Investigative Unit, local law enforcement and FNS. EBT cardholders can reduce their risk by following these tips on avoiding skimmer devices:
POSTED: 01/18/25 at 12:08 am. FILED UNDER: News
Members of the Van Wert High School pep band perform during Friday night’s boys basketball game between the Cougars and Wapakoneta. The pep band helped deliver some energy and helped Van Wert to a 57-47 win over the Redskins. A full game story can be found on the Sports page. Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent
POSTED: 01/18/25 at 12:07 am. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff
Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday. Accordingly, all local, state and federal government offices will be closed for the day, along with banks and most schools. Post offices will be closed as well and there will be no mail delivery on Monday.
POSTED: 01/18/25 at 12:07 am. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff
PAULDING — The Western Buckeye Educational Service Center Governing Board has accepted the retirement-resignation of its superintendent.
Thomas Taylor’s resignation was accepted Wednesday night, after ESC board members went into executive session. His resignation will take effect effect July 31.
POSTED: 01/18/25 at 12:06 am. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
COLUMBUS — Governor Mike DeWine didn’t have to go far to find his pick for Ohio’s next United States senator.
Lt. Governor Jon Husted will replace JD Vance, who resigned from the Senate last week and will take office as the 50th vice president of the United States on Monday. DeWine announced his selection on Friday.
“There were many people who I considered very qualified to serve in the U.S. Senate to represent the State of Ohio, but I came to the conclusion that the best person to serve is a person who has been close to me for the last six years – a person who I work with almost daily – and that is Lt. Governor Jon Husted,” DeWine said. “I have worked with him, I know he is knowledgeable, I know his heart, I know what he cares about, and I know his skills. All of that tells me he is the right person for the job.”
“I know Ohio well, and I will fight for Ohio as a U.S. senator,” Husted said. “I look forward to working with President Trump, Vice President Vance, and the Republican majority who have an America First agenda to fight inflation, stop illegal immigration, and advance conservative values.”
Prior to serving in the DeWine Administration, Husted served as Ohio secretary of state, speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives, and a member of the Ohio Senate.
“My time here at the Statehouse has been a true joy, but representing Ohio in the U.S. Senate is an amazing opportunity,” Husted said. “It is something that an adopted kid who grew up on County Road J in Montpelier, Ohio, could have never imagined.”
POSTED: 01/17/25 at 3:44 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
COLUMBUS — Ahead of Monday’s College Football Playoff national championship game between The Ohio State Buckeyes and the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has placed a friendly wager with Indiana Governor Mike Braun.
“As two powerhouse collegiate football teams battle it out on the gridiron in the College Football Playoff national championship, I am confident that The Ohio State Buckeyes will defeat Notre Dame and claim the national title,” DeWine said. “I am excited to engage in this friendly wager with Governor Braun, showcasing some of the best homemade buckeyes.”
Governor DeWine has wagered Ohio’s famous buckeye candies from Marsha’s Homemade Buckeyes in Perrysburg. Governor Braun has wagered a bundle of Indiana-made sweet treats including items from South Bend Chocolate Company, headquartered in South Bend, Indiana.
“I’m excited to join Governor Mike DeWine of Ohio in this friendly wager,” Braun said. “The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have had an incredible run in this year’s College Football Playoffs, and I have no doubt they’re ready to take on the Ohio State Buckeyes and claim the national championship.”
On Monday, January 20, The Ohio State Buckeyes will take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the CFP National Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The game will be broadcast on ESPN with kickoff at 7:30 p.m. It will air locally on 99.7FM WKSD and WERT 1220AM/104.3FM.
POSTED: 01/17/25 at 11:20 am. FILED UNDER: News
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