Sheriff’s office verifies sex offender info

VW Sheriff’s Office information Van Wert County Sheriff Thomas M. Riggenbach’s department recently conducted a random verification of sex offenders’ addresses, employment, school affiliation, telephone numbers, vehicles and Internet identities, as required by Ohio law. State statute requires all sex offenders to register in person at the sheriff’s office periodically to provide the above information […]

New county sign installed

The Van Wert County Board of Commissioners has added its new county logo to the sign on the County Annex building. Area residents who take a drive through downtown Van Wert can check out the sign, which will also be illuminated at night, thanks to electrical work done by Moorman Electric.  Greg Boley of Signs […]

YWCA sets pig races during VW Rib Fest

YWCA of Van Wert County information Interested in having some good, clean, family-friendly fun this summer? Those who are should come on down to the 2014 Van Wert Rib Fest and “wallow” around with the YWCA during its third annual Pig Races. During the Pig Races, held Saturday, August 9, at 4:30 p.m.. in the […]

Jo (Schaffner) Gold

Jo (Schaffner) Gold, 63, died peacefully on Saturday, June 28, 2014, at the Cookeville (Tennessee) Regional Medical Center. She was born July 5, 1950, in Van Wert County, the daughter of the late John and Glenda (Rauch) Schaffner. She married Jeff Gold, who survives in Cookeville, Tennessee. Other survivors include a daughter, Melissa (Arthur) Goldsipe […]

Willshire Days

There were lots of activities over the weekend at the 2014 edition of Willshire Days. Included were inflatables, entertainment, bingo and, of course, the annual Willshire Days Parade. (photos by Beth Marchek for the Van Wert independent)

July 4 gas prices to be highest in 6 years

Gasoline price information North American oil prices have advanced by just a few pennies since Iraqi violence put a question mark around the future stability of supply, but U.S. consumers will still see the most expensive July 4 gasoline prices in six years, GasBuddy predicted on Friday. “Fear about what could happen if Iraqi exports […]

Raymond A. ‘Bud’ Etgen

Raymond A. “Bud” Etgen died at 9:56 p.m. Friday, June 27, 2014, at the Van Wert Area Inpatient Hospice Center. He was born May 19, 1965, in Van Wert, the son of Raymond Etgen, who survives in rural Van Wert, and the late Phyllis “Sue” Etgen. Other survivors include his grandmother, Sara Kanable; three uncles […]

Paulding County 9-1-1 system back up

Submitted information Paulding County Sheriff Jason Landers  has announced that the issues that county was experiencing with its enhanced 9-1-1 telephone system have been resolved. “I apologize for any inconvenience this might have caused,” Sheriff Landers noted. “We strive to bring the best customer service possible to our citizens. “I praise the representatives from Windstream […]

Sounds of Chicago

Brass Transit again proved it was one of the best (if not THE best) Chicago tribute bands in the land as it belted out a number of the iconic band’s favorite hits, including “Saturday in the Park,” “Just You and Me,” “25 or 6 to 4” and “Only the Beginning” for a large and appreciative […]

Energy Expo to be held during 2014 fair

VW independent/submitted information Last winter sent energy costs soaring, but the Van Wert County Fair’s newest exhibition was created to give area residents options on ways to save money on energy in the future. The county’s first energy expo (NRG XPO), sponsored by Trillium CNG and Iberdrola Renewables, will feature vendors of alternative and sustainable […]