Take me back, to Chicago

In the concert-scheduling business, people have their favorites, just as concert attenders do.  Although I enjoy most of the ones I help select, at the top of the list has to be the music of the band Chicago.  The music of this iconic rock/jazz fusion band has persevered over generations since the 1960s, when the […]

Richard G. Bridges

Richard G. “Rick” Bridges, 63, of Van Wert, died at 3:10 a.m. Sunday, June 22, 2014, at the Van Wert Area Inpatient Hospice Center. He was born August 22, 1950, in Lima, the son of the late Glenn and Hanna (Kozak) Bridges. On May 24, 1975, he married Angela Judith (Boyd) Bridges, who preceded him […]

City Council OKs tax budget, city auction

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor During a brief meeting held Monday, Van Wert City Council approved the annual tax budget for Fiscal Year 2015 and also gave the go-ahead for an auction to sell off surplus and unneeded items left in the former First Financial Bank building purchased by the city as a future home for Van […]

Fireworks sponsors

A number of area businesses and organizations have donated money for the annual Fourth of July fireworks display at the Van Wert County Regional Airport. Sponsors for this year’s fireworks display include The Van Wert County Foundation, First Bank of Berne, First Federal Savings & Loan, Van Wert Federal Savings Bank, Citizens National Bank, Wallace […]

Willshire Days festival this weekend

VW independent/submitted information WILLSHIRE — Plans are completed for the 49th annual Willshire Days festival sponsored by the Willshire Lions Club that will be held June 27-28. The festival will kick off this Friday evening. Following the flag raising ceremony, the entertainment stage will be filled with talent from the local area. Pat Briede will […]

Rays of Hope Camp

Community Health Professionals’ Hospice held its annual Rays of Hope Camp June 17-19 at Van Wert County YMCA’s Camp Clay and LifeHouse Church. Rocky Top Ice Cream provided refreshment for campers and staff. Crew members (above, from the left) Alexandria Bartley, Reed Wermer, Melissa Bona, Natalie Riethman, Megan Barnhart, Katie Trittschuh, Kelsey Dotson, and Morgan […]

Events planned for 2014 Holiday at Home

Holiday at Home Committee information Spend the Fourth of July “Holiday at Home”.  This year’s festival has events and activities for the whole family. The day begins with the 21st annual Isaac Van Wart Firecracker Bike Tour. The departure and ending point is Jubilee Park. Routes of 18-, 32-, and 64- miles have mapped out by bike tour […]

Ohio A-G applauds new state legislation

Attorney General’s information COLUMBUS — Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine applauded the signing of legislation strengthening background check and human trafficking laws, as well as legislation signed earlier this week updating aspects of Ohio’s foster care laws. “I thank Governor Kasich and the legislature for enacting these important laws,” said DeWine. “Because of these bills, […]

YMCA $1 day donations

Van Wert County Farm Bureau and the Venedocia Lions Club will be co-sponsoring a $1 day at Camp Clay Aqua Park on Friday July 4. Local businesses and organizations purchase the day for the Van Wert community, while access includes swimming with provided lifejackets, floating playground, zipline, paddleboats, and a half-acre beach. To learn more, visit www.vwymca.org. […]

Ohio jobless rate down slightly in May

Ohio DJFS information The state’s unemployment decreased again in May, but the number of new jobs created was minimal. Ohio’s unemployment rate was 5.5 percent in May 2014, down from 5.7 percent in April 2014. Ohio’s nonfarm wage and salary employment increased 2,900 over the month, from a revised 5,295,400 in April to 5,298,300 in […]