Blind runner inspires Van Wert students

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor High School cross country runner Sami Stoner was at Van Wert Elementary School on Thursday to tell her inspiring story to fourth- and fifth-graders there. The fact that Sami is a runner is not all that inspiring in itself. In fact, the Lexington High School senior doesn’t even compete on the varsity […]

Vantage has facilities project update

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor With a holiday dinner awaiting, the Vantage Board of Education took little time dispensing with a brief agenda during its December meeting Thursday. Highlight of the agenda was Superintendent Staci Kaufman’s report on Vantage’s ongoing facilities project. Kaufman had good news on that front, noting that a date of December 10 as […]

‘Messiah’ performance this Sunday

Information submitted Just a reminder that a biennial Van Wert Christmas tradition is returning to First United Methodist Church this Sunday at 7 p.m. when Handel’s Messiah will be performed. A chorus of 65 singers will be joined by a chamber orchestra and four soloists for this mainly Christmas portion of Messiah. Soprano Charlotte Detrick, […]

Latta lists subcommittee assignments

Information submitted WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, announced his subcommittee assignments for the 113th Congress. Latta will serve on the Subcommittee on Energy and Power, the Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy, and the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, where he will […]

Carolers to sing on museum grounds

Information submitted A number of local churches are providing carolers to entertain at the Van Wert County Historical Society’s newly opened Gift Shoppe at Seven Oaks, located on the grounds of the county historical museum. The public is invited to come and enjoy the sounds of the season with the choirs at the shop, which […]

Law Enforcement 12/7/12

Van Wert Police No new reports. Delphos Police December 6, 7:32 p.m. — Dianna Backus, 30, of Delphos was charged with disorderly conduct-persisting after an incident that occurred at a residence in the 500 block of South Washington Street. December 6, 11:35 a.m. — Ronnie Black, 53, of Delphos, was arrested at a residence in […]

State cuts major headache for agencies

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor Although the economy is slowly recovering from the devastating recession that began in 2008, local government entities — and schools in particular — are reeling from the loss of state funding from the current biennial budget and other factors. Ohio’s budget for 2012 and 2013 cut local government funding by a billion […]

Attempted robbery in village probed

MIDDLE POINT — The Van Wert County Sheriff’s Department is investigating what appears to be a robbery attempt in the Middle Point area. Deputies received a complaint from a pizza delivery driver stating that someone had accosted him in the village on Tuesday evening. The complainant, who works as a delivery driver and manager for […]

Law Enforcement 12/6/12

Van Wert Police December 3, 10:25 p.m. — Tristan S. Boaz, 22, of 544 S. Shannon St., was charged with theft for allegedly shoplifting items at Pak A Sak, 1052 S. Shannon St. December 3, 7:27 a.m. — A break-in was reported at the old Sears Optical store in the Towne Center shopping center. December […]

Latta opposes stricter air standards

Information submitted WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Bob Latta (R-Ohio) and John Barrow (D-Ga.) have sent a bipartisan letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson citing concerns for the stringent new air quality standards for fine particulate matter (PM2.5). States and local communities are in the process of implementing the current PM2.5 standards, […]