Cajun style!

Ton Rigney (on fiddle) and Flambeau had a bit of their fire doused during a brief rainstorm that soaked Fountain Park on Friday, but persevered to provide a unique Cajun-flavored experience to those who braved the rain and stayed to hear the whole concert. (Dave Mosier/Van Wert independent)

FEMA promotes lightning safety week

FEMA information The week of June 22-28 marks the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s promotion of Lightning Safety Awareness Week – an awareness campaign to learn about the lightning hazards of summer and the preparedness actions people should take when storms threaten. During the week, FEMA’s Region V office in Chicago will be distributing lightning safety […]

Marlins do well in first summer meets

ROCKY McVAIGH/for the Van Wert independent The YMCA Marlins opened their summer swim season by traveling to Lima Westside Swim Club and Wapakoneta Community Swim Club. At Westside, swimmers with first place finishes for the Marlins were (number of wins in parentheses):  Ian Rex (1); Jayden Welker (3); Katie McVaigh (3); Emma (2); Noelle Heffner […]

VW Dons win tourney

The Van Wert Dons 8 and under team won the Bank of Berne Bash June 13-14. Team members include (front row, from the left) Collin Haggerty, Griffin McCracken, Drew Laudick, Camden Werts, Briston Wise; (back row) Jacob Kitson, Rylan Miller, Ashton Baer, Devin Figley, Kaden Schaffer, and Connor Campbell. (photo submitted)

Architect family designed VW Courthouse

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor With restoration work planned for the historic Van Wert County Courthouse, it’s perhaps appropriate to look back at the family of architects that built what is arguably the county’s most recognized landmark. Following a story on restoration/maintenance efforts for the courthouse, The Van Wert independent received an email from John C. Tolan, […]

MPFD gets $219,000 for vehicle purchase

VW independent/submitted information WASHINGTON, D.C. – New federal resources have been awarded to a fire department in Van Wert County. U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) announced that Middle Point Fire Department has been awarded $219,118 for vehicle acquisition by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grants […]

On the Road

Customers were lined up out to the street for a whole hour for half-price drinks and a chance to enter to win an all-expenses paid trip to Nashville, Tennessee. The campaign pairs the Niswonger Performing Arts Center with Clear Channel Media and T-102 WIMT for the “On the Road!” summer promotion, an outreach project designed […]

Red Cross bloodmobile set at St. Mark’s

American Red Cross information The American Red Cross encourages blood donors to help prevent a summer shortage by rolling up a sleeve to give. Donors of all blood types are urged to schedule an appointment now, especially those with types O negative, B negative and A negative. Type O negative is universal and can likely […]

‘Starting Right’ class planned in Willshire

Information submitted WILLSHIRE — In collaboration with the Wright State University Business Enterprise Center, the “Starting Right” Pre-Business Planning Seminar designed to help individuals start a new business will be offered at no charge on Tuesday, June 24, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Village Office, located at 315 State St. in Willshire. The […]

Summer Food Program donation

First Federal Savings & Loan recently donated $250 to the YWCA Summer Food Program.  Shown are Tina Miller (left) and Diane Moots (right) of First Federal and Hannah Phlipot of the YWCA Summer Food Program. (photo submitted)