Piano recital held

Hoverman Piano Studio students recently performed a spring recital at First United Methodist Church. Recognition was given following the performances for successful events throughout the year, including the Duettist Competition at Ohio Northern University, the Ribbon Festival at Bluffton University, OMEA Solo and Ensemble Contests for high school and junior high students, master classes with composer […]

Clever Clovers hold two April meetings

ALI GEMMER/Clever Clovers reporter In the month of April, two Clever Clovers 4-H Meetings took place on April 13 and 27 at Grace Bible Church. On April 13, the club had recreation and the members then split off into groups according to their project(s). After Erin Richardson called the meeting to order, Rachel Spath led […]

Panning’s conviction upheld on appeal

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor A man convicted of sexual battery and sentenced to 60 months in prison learned recently that having a “change of heart” is not a valid reason to withdraw a guilty plea. Bobby L. Panning, who has been serving a prison term since 2004 on a rape conviction, appealed a prison sentence handed […]

Local Elks name ‘Student of the Year’

Van Wert Elks information Van Wert Lodge 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, held its Youth Recognition Breakfast on May 7 in conjunction with the Elks National Youth Week.  Approximately 95 people, including students, parents, teachers, guidance counselors and principals, were in attendance. During the breakfast, Keith Rydell, Lodge scholarship chairman, recognized local scholarship […]

FFB gives to MSVW

First Financial Bank recently renewed its financial support of Main Street Van Wert through a contribution to the downtown development non-profit. Shown is Mark Verville (right) of First Financial Bank presenting a check for $500 to MSVW Program Manager Adam Ries and County Commissioner Thad Lichtensteiger, who is also a MSVW Board member. As a […]

Tinnel receives honors from LPL Financial

Submitted information Jan Tinnel, an LPL Financial-affiliated advisor at Citizens National Bank, has announced that she was recognized as a top financial advisor and named to LPL’s Patriot’s Club. This premier honor is awarded to less than 10 percent of the firm’s approximately 14,000 advisors nationwide, and is based on an annual production of all […]

Jimmy Miller

Jimmy Miller, 68, of Van Wert, died at 8:06 a.m. Thursday, May 7, 2015, at the Van Wert Area Inpatient Hospice Center. He was born July 4, 1946, in Van Wert, the son of Earl W. and Margaret (Stutz) Miller, who both preceded him in death. He married Cindy (Long) Miller, who survives in Van […]

VWHS seniors give teachers pat on back

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor For the past 20 years, the Van Wert Teachers’ Appreciation Banquet has allowed students to talk about their favorite teachers and school staff. The evenings include both poignancy and humor as 10 Van Wert High School seniors read essays telling their favorite teachers about the impact they had on their lives. The […]

Delphos teen hurt in semi-moped crash

Ohio State Highway Patrol information DELPHOS — The Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a serious injury crash that occurred at approximately 5:15 Thursday evening. The crash occurred on Ohio 66 north of Delphos near the intersection of Pohlman Road. According to investigating troopers, Buck A. Fordney, 44, of Wapakoneta, […]

Vantage has positive financial forecast

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor Vantage Board of Education members heard a positive five-year forecast and also approved a Community Reinvestment Act tax abatement request in the Paulding County village of Antwerp during their May meeting on Thursday. Superintendent Staci Kaufman said the five-year forecast was positive, mostly because of increased tax revenues, some of those coming […]