Deputies investigating alleged shooting

VW County Sheriff’s Office information Van Wert County Sheriff Thomas M. Riggenbach said today that his department was investigating a reported shooting incident that took place Thursday evening on Lincoln Highway. Sheriff Riggenbach said his office received a 9-1-1 call at 11:20 p.m. Thursday from a person who was near the intersection of Lincoln Highway […]

County Fair band show gets new format

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor The traditional band show at the Van Wert County Fairgrounds was one of the most popular events at the fair 20-30 years ago, with standing-room-only crowds and many area high school bands participating. Unfortunately, fewer area high school bands now play to a half-empty grandstand, and County Economic Development Director Sarah Smith, […]

New store opens

PC+ER (personal computing plus electronic repair) cut the ribbon Thursday on its new retail space in the Walmart Supercenter at the Towne Center retail development. The company is dedicated to recruiting and training military veterans in computer repair and related skills and then selling franchises to the veterans to own and operate. Looking on are […]

Develop. director at mid-year briefing

VW independent/submitted information Van Wert County Economic Development Director Sarah Smith  attended the Ohio Economic Development Association’s mid-year briefing in Dublin on Thursday, and provided a report to the Van Wert County Board of Commissioners on what she learned. Smith said she heard presenters from both Jobs Ohio and the Ohio Development Services Agency (ODSA) […]

Rauch named Central’s VP of marketing

Central Insurance information The Central Insurance Companies has announced the promotion of Timothy L. Rauch, CPCU, AIM, ARM to vice president of marketing for both Central Mutual and All America Insurance Companies, effective July 14. Rauch will replace current Senior Vice President of Marketing Edd Buhl when he retires in December of this year. Rauch […]

Gary Lynn Tribolet

Gary Lynn Tribolet, 68, of Van Wert, died peacefully at 1:55 a.m. Thursday, July 17, 2014, at his home. Beside him was his loving wife of 43 years, Eunice (McKinney) Tribolet and children Travis Tribolet of Van Wert and Trena (David) Puckett of Antwerp, and grandchildren Kimberly, Kelsie and David Puckett. Gary was born May […]

VW parents discuss New Tech concerns

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor Wednesday’s meeting of the Van Wert City Board of Education was pretty typical – until it got near the end. That’s when approximately 10 parents of high-achieving Van Wert students asked to speak about their concerns related to the district’s project-based New Tech educational model. That request, in turn, led to a […]

Butler gives VWCS board last tech update

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor The Van Wert City Board of Education heard Technology Coordinator John Butler’s last quarterly tech update and also took a number of personnel actions prior to the start of the upcoming school year. Butler, who is retiring soon, talked about Channel 6, the city’s public access television channel that is administered through […]

9 more arraigned in Common Pleas Court

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor Nine more people were arraigned on grand jury indictments, two were sentenced and another appeared for a probation violation during hearings held Wednesday in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court. A Van Wert man pleaded not guilty to felony sex charges during his arraignment in Common Pleas Court on Wednesday. Lewis Buckner […]

Latta among those introducing Wi-Fi bill

VW independent/submitted information WASHINGTON, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Communications and Technology Subcommittee Vice Chairman Bob Latta (R-Ohio), House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell Issa (R-California), Communications and Technology Subcommittee Ranking Member Anna G. Eshoo (D-California) and Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-California) introduced the Wi-Fi Innovation Act, legislation that addresses growing spectrum demand […]