POSTED: 09/06/26 at 9:21 pm
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
This Friday, September 11, will mark 25 years since the horrific attacks on the Twin Towers at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, the same day a jet crashed into a Pennsylvania field after a passenger revolt.
The VW independent is asking readers to share memories of that day. While the attacks occurred 25 years ago, the day remains vivid in the minds of many Americans.
- Where were you and what were you doing when you first heard about the attacks?
- How did you learn about them i.e. radio, TV, word of mouth, etc?
- What were your first thoughts?
- What do you remember most about that day and the days that followed?
- Please feel free to share any other memories you may have.
Please consider sharing your memories with us for a story that will be published this Friday. You may email your memories to editor@thevwindependent.com. Please include your name and where you live. Submissions will be accepted until 5 p.m. Friday, September 10.
POSTED: 09/06/26 at 9:23 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information
The Van Wert County Emergency Management Office is asking county residents and property owners to report damage resulting from the early morning storms that moved through on Saturday, September 5. There were two rounds, one at approximately 4 a.m., which was not a warned storm, then a stronger storm that began at approximately 6:20 a.m. and lasted until 7 a.m. Damage was found along some of Harrison Center Rd. and EMA director Matt Saunier said the west/southwest part of the county received nearly three inches of rain in three hours. He also said EMA is working to confirm a 72 mile per hour wind gust near Venedocia.
EMA is specifically looking for reports involving:
- Flooding/water damage
- Structural damage to homes, businesses, barns, garages, or other buildings
- Wind damage, including roofs, siding, trees, utility-related damage, and other storm impacts
Those affected by the storm should submit an individual report for each damaged property or location using the form below. Detailed information helps EMA develop an accurate picture of the extent of damage across Van Wert County.
Please submit a report even if you have already reported the damage to your insurance company, fire department, township, municipality, or another agency.
Submit storm damage here: https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLSfKol0fIktG8p…/viewform.
POSTED: 09/05/26 at 9:29 am. FILED UNDER: News
The Van Wert County Truck and Tractor Pull was Friday night’s grandstand attraction at the Van Wert County Fair…the might of trucks and tractors was on full display, along with the skills of those behind the wheel. Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent
POSTED: 09/05/26 at 9:29 am. FILED UNDER: News
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
The 170th annual Van Wert County Fair is in its final three days and a lot is on tap through Labor Day Monday. Thankfully, temperatures will be a bit cooler than the first four days of the fair, when temperatures were in the 90s, with heat index values at or exceeding 100 degrees.
Heavy rains, thunder and lightning moved in for a brief time Thursday evening, causing people to scurry for cover.
The demolition derby is the headliner today. The crowd favorite will begin at 6 p.m. Sunday’s grandstand attraction is the ATV Big Air Show, which will start at 7. Harness racing will begin at noon on Monday and the Rough E Rodeo will help close out the fair, starting at 7 p.m. Monday. It’s described as a family friendly experience. Tickets for all three events range from $10-$20 each.
A horseshoe tournament is on tap starting at 10 a.m. today, which is First Responders Day with free admission for first responders, followed by a 1 p.m. start on Sunday.
Free Christian entertainment and more will be offered at the Gospel Tent, including St. Mary’s Catholic Church Mass at 6 p.m. tonight, followed by music by contemporary Christian artist Cade Thompson.
Sunday morning, Zion Christian Union Church and Living Truth Ministries will join together for a worship service in the Gospel Tent at 10 a.m. Dove Award-nominated and Billboard-charting artist Austin French will perform at the Advanced Insurance Group Outdoor Stage at 6 p.m. The Mark Trammell Quartet will take the same stage at 3 p.m. on Monday.
The election of fair board directors will occurre between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday. To vote, you must be a resident of Van Wert County, have purchased a 2026 Van Wert County Agricultural Society membership ticket and present a valid ID.
Various livestock shows will be held through Monday and the annual livestock sale will begin at 9 a.m. on Tuesday.
Daily admission to the fair is $10, with children 12 and under admitted free of charge.
POSTED: 09/05/26 at 12:41 am. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff
PAULDING — Bond has been set at $10 million cash or surety with a 10 percent provision for a Paulding man charged with shooting and killing a man this week.
Alfred B. Conner, 72, is current incarcerated at the Paulding County Jail on a single count of murder, an unclassified felony. He’s accused of shooting and killing Logan D. Moss of Mark Center late Monday night. The shooting occurred in Cooper’s driveway in the 19000 block of Road 72.
According to Paulding County Sheriff Jason K. Landers, deputies were dispatched to the home at 10:30 p.m. and rendered aid to Moss until Grover Hill EMS arrived on scene and took over medical care. Moss was transported to OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Landers said the case would be turned over the Paulding County Prosecutor’s Office for review and he said his office would release no other information due to the ongoing investigation.
However, court documents show Moss’s girlfriend called 911 after he had been shot, and she identified Conner as the shooter. She later told deputies she was inside the home when she heard a gunshot, then saw Moss exit his car and tried to defend himself, but Conner fired two more shots at him.
A Smith & Wesson .357 magnum 6-shot revolver was recovered from inside the home with six spent castings. Cooper later admitted to firing the gun at Moss.
A hearing has been scheduled for Thursday, September 10, in Paulding County Common Pleas Court.
POSTED: 09/05/26 at 12:41 am. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff
A special performance by Gladius, a flamenco guitarist from Atlanta has been planned for next Thursday, September 10, at the Brumback Library in Van Wert.
Gladius is a guitar virtuoso who was raised in Atlanta and pupiled by Andres Segovia’s protégé and driven to obsession by Van Halen. He’s an award winning composer and an accomplished classical/flamenco style guitarst who “soulfully shreds on the electric.”
Thursday’s performance is a free event that will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the main branch of the Brumback Library with a free dirty soda bar.
POSTED: 09/05/26 at 12:41 am. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff
The sale of a mobile home in Delphos apparently did not end well for the seller.
On Thursday, August 27, a man went to the Delphos Police Department to file a report for counterfeit money. The man told officers that he received payment of $8,000 from another man purchasing his mobile home. The victim then found that the money was counterfeit.
The Delphos Police Department has not yet responded to a request for more information.
POSTED: 09/05/26 at 12:40 am. FILED UNDER: News
It didn’t last long but a brief heavy rain soaked the Van Wert County Fairgounds Thursday evening. Thunder and lightning accompanied the rain, sending most people running for cover. Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent
POSTED: 09/05/26 at 12:40 am. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff
All local, state and federal government offices will be closed on Monday, September 7, in observance of the Labor Day holiday. There will be no mail delivery on Monday and trash and recycling pickup will be delayed due to the holiday.
POSTED: 09/05/26 at 12:36 am. FILED UNDER: News
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
A delay in the opening of the Vantage Academy of Medical Careers didn’t sit well with the Vantage Career Center Board of Education.
Last month, the board was informed that instead of August 1, which was the original target date for completion, the building housing the academy would be ready September 29. During Thursday night’s regular monthly meeting, Alexander and Bebout President Sara Zura gave a brief update and said the building remains on schedule for a September 29 opening.
However, Vantage Board President Tim Fitzpatrick (Fort Jennings) voiced the board’s displeasure with the near two month delay from the stated date of August 1.
“I’m glad that it’s moving along but there’s frustration from the board that it wasn’t done on time,” Fitzpatrick told Zura. “When you have that expectation that it’s going to be August 1, that gives the teachers and kids the chance to come into a clean environment without construction. How can we certify that September 29 we’re going to get those keys?”
Fitzpatrick also referred back to late June, when the board did a walk through of the building and was told work would be complete by August 1.
“That was really not the realistic aspect of it,” he said.
“We had some hurdles, kind of blind spots for us,” Zura responded. “We can’t go back and change it, all we can do is learn from it and give you guys the best product that we can give you.”
She added plans are in place and progress is continuing as expected toward the revised completion date.
Board member Karen Grothouse (Delphos) said she spoke with several teachers who were frustrated by the delay and will have to give up a weekend to come in and prepare their classrooms before the building opens.
(more…)POSTED: 09/03/26 at 9:00 pm. FILED UNDER: News
