Lola A. Stechschulte

Lola A. Stechschulte, 82, of Fort Jennings, died Tuesday, June 23, 2015, at Vancrest Health Care Center in Delphos. She was born January 8, 1933, in Cleveland, the daughter of Francisco Riolli and Minnie Riolli Prunzo, who both preceded her in death. On August 1, 1953, she married Paul Stechschulte, who died March 1, 2009. […]

Man walks to let people know about camp

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor While some people put their money where their mouth is, Steve Young uses his feet. Young has been walking across the country the past eight years to help bring awareness to a North Carolina camp created for children with a variety of medical disorders. Young was in Van Wert on Monday as […]

Wilder gets prison on rape, DV charges

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor A Van Wert man who fired two attorneys and delayed a jury trial for months was sentenced to prison in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court. County Probate-Juvenile Judge Kevin Taylor sentenced Moses Wilder, 32, to nine years in prison on a rape charge, a first-degree felony, and 18 months on one […]

VW fireworks donors

Several sponsors for this year’s Holiday at Home fireworks display gathered at Jubilee Park on Monday. Shown are (front row, from the left) City Parks Director Sue Heppeard, Jessi Hardesty and Suzie Grimes of First Federal Savings & Loan, Cyndi Brown of American Car Rental/Lee Kinstle GM Sales & Service, Becky Stepleton of First Bank […]

Depleted City Council holds brief meeting

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor Van Wert City Council held a brief meeting on Monday with few members attending. Joi Mergy and Jon Tomlinson had given notice they wouldn’t be at the meeting, while Kirby Kelly made a late announcement that he couldn’t attend. All three were excused, as was City Law Director John Hatcher. A special […]

Bee Gee $1 day sponsor

Bee Gee Realty will be sponsoring a $1 day at Camp Clay Aqua Park this summer. Local businesses purchase the day for the Van Wert community, access includes swimming, floating playground, zip-line, paddleboats, a half-acre beach and the 3,600-square-foot splash pad, which is new in 2015. To learn more, visit www.vwymca.org. Shown with Camp Clay Director […]

United Way sets Day of Caring date

United Way of VW County information The date has been set for the 2015 United Way Day of Caring. This annual event, in its 17th year, will be held Friday, September 25. The Day of Caring will once again consist of the Salvation Army Food Pantry Food Drive, the American Red Cross Blood Drive and […]

Delores M. Ward

Delores M. Ward, 91, of Decatur, Indiana, died Saturday, June 20, 2015, at Adams Woodcrest. Delores was born in Adams County, Indiana, to Homer C. and Aldine (Klopfenstein) Ginter, who both preceded her in death. On May 20, 1951, she married Norman P. Ward, who died June 8, 2011. Delores was a member of Decatur […]

GOBA going

A group of bicyclists prepares to leave the Van Wert County Fairgrounds Sunday as part of this year’s Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure (GOBA) tour that began, and will end, here in Van Wert. The city hosted approximately 2,000 cyclists over the weekend with a number of events that included the Blue Moon Swamp concert on […]

2015 Holiday at Home events announced

Holiday at Home Committee information The Holiday at Home Committee is preparing for the Fourth of July weekend with its accompanying festivities. The weekend will start at 7 p.m. Friday, July 3, with the Lima Symphony “Pops” Orchestra in Fountain Park.  Food will be served at the Rotary concession stand. Maestro Crafton Beck will lead […]