Do you have someone on your list that is hard to find a gift for? I think most of us do. Gift cards seem to be one of the most popular ideas at Christmastime. Give someone something they do not need to pay for. May I suggest giving the gift of the performing arts? Based […]
POSTED: 12/23/12 at 10:09 am. FILED UNDER: News
DAVE MOSIER/independent editor The surprise was written all over Van Wert County Sheriff Stan Owens’ face as what he thought was a mission of mercy for a friend and former colleague turned into a surprise retirement party for the long-serving sheriff at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5803. Sheriff Owens talked about how blessed he […]
POSTED: 12/22/12 at 9:06 am. FILED UNDER: News
Staff/ODJFS reports The steady decline in statewide unemployment continued in November, according to data released Friday morning. Ohio’s unemployment rate was 6.8 percent in November, down slightly from 6.9 percent in October, according to data released by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS). Ohio’s nonfarm wage and salary employment increased 1,600 over […]
POSTED: 12/22/12 at 7:24 am. FILED UNDER: News
The YMCA again held its Rockin’ the Holidays event (above) in front of the Y on West Main Street. The event featured music by a disc jockey and Fortress Band, hot chocolate and other goodies and, of course, a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, as well as Van Wert Mayor Don Farmer and his […]
POSTED: 12/22/12 at 7:20 am. FILED UNDER: News
Information submitted The Van Wert Arts Factory (VWAF), an initiative of Main Street Van Wert, recently hosted the second annual Grateful Hearts Giving Tree. This project provides gifts for area elderly affiliated with the Van Wert County Council on Aging (COA) Senior Center. With the help of the community, over $2,000 worth of gifts and […]
POSTED: 12/22/12 at 7:16 am. FILED UNDER: News
Information submitted A local resident has organized a candlelight vigil for tonight to commemorate the children and adults who died at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. The vigil is scheduled for 6 tonight in Fountain Park, according to a release sent out by local resident Lucinda Berkebile. “This has hit close to home […]
POSTED: 12/22/12 at 7:11 am. FILED UNDER: News
Information submitted The Van Wert City Board of Education will be meeting in special session on Monday, December 31, at 9 a.m. in the S.F. Goedde Building. The purpose of the meeting will be to act on a number of staff retirements and resignations.
POSTED: 12/22/12 at 6:59 am. FILED UNDER: News
Mary E. Rauch, 92, a resident of Otterbein of Cridersville and formerly of Lima and Jonestown in Van Wert County, died at 10:30 p.m. Thursday, December 20, 2012, at St. Rita’s Medical Center in Lima with her family by her side. She was born February 17, 1920, in Putnam County, near Miller City, the daughter […]
POSTED: 12/21/12 at 11:40 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
Velone L. Bricker, 94, formerly of Rockford, died at 5:25 a.m. Thursday, December 20, 2012, at Elmwood Assisted Living in New Bremen. She was born March 9, 1918, in Liberty Township, Mercer County, the daughter of the late Ezra and Nellie (Gray) Laffin. On March 29, 1941, she married Lowell Stanley Bricker, who preceded her […]
POSTED: 12/21/12 at 11:39 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
DAVE MOSIER/independent editor With the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings still way too fresh in everybody’s minds, Van Wert City School District officials weren’t taking any chances when a report of a gun threat was received early Wednesday morning. Superintendent Ken Amstutz said Thursday that he learned from the Van Wert Police Department that police […]
POSTED: 12/21/12 at 8:37 am. FILED UNDER: News