Commissioners hire new JFS director

Van Wert independent The Van Wert County Board of Commissioners approved the hiring of candidates for two county positions on Thursday. The commissioners chose Mary Beth Holtsberry to head the Van Wert County Department of Job and Family Services, replacing current Director Jim Beard. Holtsberry, a deputy director who heads the employment and assistance sections […]

Woman’s neighbor charged with assault

DELPHOS — A man who was definitely not a good neighbor has been arrested in connection with the assault of an 88-year-old woman who lived next door. Delphos police charged Andrew M. Lucas, 26, of 619 Dewey St., with aggravated burglary, a first-degree felony, in connection with the assault of Margaret Ditto of 603 Dewey […]

VW has first 100-degree day in a decade

Van Wert independent/EMA information The temperature officially hit 100 degrees today at 4:15 p.m. with a heat index of 108, according to Van Wert County Emergency Management Director Rick McCoy. “This is the first time temperatures have risen over 100 degrees in Van Wert County since July 30, 1999, when a temperature of 102 was […]

Lenox to entertain in Fountain Park

The cool, smooth vocals of Dwight Lenox will be in Van Wert’s Fountain Park tonight at 7 as part of the Van Wert County Foundation’s Fountain Park Summer Music Series. Lenox and his band, the Lenox Express — comprised of piano, bass, drums, sax, trumpet and trombone — will perform jazz and pop classics, from […]

Wren Rib Cook-off coming in August

WREN — It’s Rib Cook-off time again in Wren! The eighth annual Wren Rib Roast Cook-off will be held on Saturday, August 20, during the Wren Homecoming festivities. Contestants will need to provide any equipment necessary.  All types of spices, marinades, and “secret recipes” are encouraged.  All types of cookers and any fuel sources will […]

Roy Souders Jr.

Roy Souders Jr., 81, of Van Wert, died at 9:35 a.m. Thursday, July 21, 2011, at the Van Wert Area Inpatient Hospice Center. He was born May 1, 1930, in Pocasset, Okla., the son of the late Roy A. and Fannie F. (Shipp) Souders. On May 28, 1955, he married Eleanor M. (Branch) Souders, who […]

Cougar scrimmage, parents meeting set

The 2011 edition of Van Wert fall sports teams will be introduced during a football scrimmage between the Cougars and Coldwater Cavaliers on Friday, August 19, at Eggerss Stadium in Van Wert. All fall Cougar high school sports teams will be introduced at 6:45 p.m. that day, with the scrimmage with Coldwater to begin at […]

Murder suspect retains insanity plea

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor Although he has been found competent to stand trial by two mental health professionals, accused murderer Shawn Jones maintained his request to maintain his plea of not guilty by reason of insantiy during his final pretrial conference Wednesday. Jones requested that Van Wert County Common Pleas Judge Charles D. Steele include the […]

Shelter provided during hot weather

Van Wert independent/submitted information With temperatures projected to be over 100 for the next few days, the Van Wert County Health Department, Van Wert Chapter of the American Red Cross and the Van Wert County Emergency Management Agency are opening a cooling center for people in need of an air-conditioned facility. Because of the extreme […]

Deadline set for MAC Grant applications

Area teachers have just two weeks left to apply for a McDonald’s MAC Grant, which offers financial support to help teachers Make Activities Count for their students. MAC Grant applications for grants of up to $400 for teachers in kindergarten through eighth grade must be submitted by July 31. Teachers can download or fill out […]