Crisis Care plans Lights of LOVE event

Crisis Care/HOT information Crisis Care Line/House of Transition has launched its “Lights of LOVE” campaign as part of its 35th anniversary celebration. Individuals, civic groups, and businesses are invited to honor or remember someone who has made a positive difference in their life by purchasing a light for that person. Purchased lights will be placed […]

Patrol: Don’t drive impaired on Labor Day

Ohio State Highway Patrol information COLUMBUS — Labor Day weekend tends to see a spike in traffic incidents, so the Ohio State Highway Patrol is reminding motorists to buckle up, keep focused on the road, and not drive impaired. During last year’s four-day holiday reporting period of August 30 through September 2, 16 people lost […]

IRS once again issues tax scam warnings

Internal Revenue Service information WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service has issued a consumer alert providing taxpayers with additional tips to protect themselves from telephone scam artists calling and pretending to be with the IRS. These callers may demand money or say taxpayers have a refund due and try to trick them into sharing private […]

Lady Cougars lost 1st match to O-G

Van Wert volleyball information The Van Wert Cougars were back in action last night to take on the Ottawa-Glandorf Titans in their opening Western Buckeye League game. Van Wert played hard in the match, but was just not able to put the Titans away. The Cougars came out strong and led the first game, but […]

VW girls’ tennis team loses to ‘Riders

Van Wert girls’ tennis information ST. MARYS — The Van Wert girls’ tennis team lost a 3-2 heartbreaker to St. Marys in Western Buckeye League action on Thursday. Winning for the Lady Cougars were No. 1 singles player Ali Moreland, who defeated Anna Ernest 6-0, 6-0, while No. 3 singles player Sydney Felger also won […]

Cougar golfers edged by St. Marys

Van Wert boys’ golf information Despite getting off to a good start with the Hernandez brothers, the Van Wert golf team was edged by St. Marys 174-178 during a Western Buckeye League match held Thursday at Willow Bend Country Club. Jared Hernandez had a four-over-par 39 to take match medalist honors for Van Wert, while […]

Iced down

Fair Board members and others participating in the Grand Opening ceremony for the 158th Van Wert County Fair are doused with buckets of ice water as part of the ALS Ice Water Challenge. The group was “called out” by Fair Board member Sarah Smith, who took the challenge on Tuesday evening on the fairgrounds. (Jan […]

Fair officially opened — with ice water?

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor The 158th edition of the Van Wert County Fair opened like most of the fairs in recent memory: with a ribboncutting by members of the Fair Board and local business and government leaders. This year’s opening then cooled off considerably, as those involved in the opening ceremony then underwent another ceremony: the […]

4 cases heard in Common Pleas Court

Van Wert independent The docket was light in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court on Wednesday, with two sentencings, a change of plea and a time waiver the only hearings held yesterday. Aaron Joseph, 26, of Van Wert, was sentenced to three years of community control, to include 180 days in jail, on a charge […]

Night at the fair

Local photo buff Mike Taylor shared this artistic night shot of the Ferris Wheel at the 2014 Van Wert County Fair.