Roadways’ (not so new) enemy

Can anyone tell me what falling asleep, applying makeup, eating a sandwich, swatting at a mosquito, and admiring landscaping have in common?  They are all something that you should not be doing…when operating a vehicle. The Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol has handled serious injury and/or fatal crashes just this year […]

Wabash Comm. upgrades area network

Information submitted CELINA — Wabash Communications recently invested $500,000 in upgrades to its wireless network, and new equipment has been installed throughout the serving area. The new radios will provide better coverage in areas that before were unreachable, and allow for faster bandwidth options. This investment is part of an overall network-wide upgrade. Wabash is […]

Earl John Gerdeman

Earl John Gerdeman, 85, of Delphos, died at 3:55 p.m. Friday, July 17, 2015, at St. Rita’s Medical Center in Lima, surrounded by his loving family. He was born January 3, 1930, on a farm near Middle Point, the son of Edward and Helen (Renner) Gerdeman, who both preceded him in death. On June 23, […]

Fifth Tenn. shooting victim from Paulding

VW independent CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee —  A fifth shooting victim has died in Chattanooga, this time a person with ties to the area. U.S. Navy  Petty Officer Randall Smith of Paulding died about 1:30 a.m. Saturday from wounds received in the attack. Smith had been in critical condition following the shooting in a Tennessee hospital, according […]

Rib Fest entertainment, vendors named

VW independent/Van Wert Rib Fest information There will lots to do, lots to hear and, most importantly, lots of good food to eat during the ninth annual Van Wert Rib Fest. This year’s event will take place Friday, August 7, and Saturday, August 8, on the Van Wert County Fairgrounds. Gates will open at 5 […]

Ohio unemployment unchanged in June

VW independent/ODJFS information Ohio’s unemployment rate was 5.2 percent in June 2015, unchanged from May. Ohio’s nonfarm wage and salary employment decreased 1,900 over the month, from a revised 5,398,600 in May to 5,396,700 in June 2015. The number of workers unemployed in Ohio in June was 296,000, down 6,000 from 302,000 in May. The […]

Camp Clay $1 day sponsor

Van Wert County Farm Bureau 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 the […]

Community Days truck pull info released

Convoy Community Days information CONVOY — The Convoy Community Days MICHINDOH Truck Pull has been schedule for 7 p.m. Friday, August 7, at the Edgewood Park Truck Pull Arena. Edgewood Park is located at 643 N. Main St. in Convoy, one mile south of U.S. 30 on Ohio 49. Adult admission for the event will […]

Marilyn Joan ‘Joann’ Adams

Marilyn Joan “Joann” Adams, 84, of Van Wert, died at 12:08 p.m. Thursday, July 16, 2015, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She was born November 12, 1930, in Van Wert, the daughter of Paul and Wanda (Wiseman) Goodwin, who both preceded her in death. She married Elmer D. Adams, who survives […]

Darrell Lee Brodbeck

Darrell Lee Brodbeck, 73, of Rockford, and formerly of Willshire, died at 4:15 p.m. Tuesday, July 14, 2015, at Lima Memorial Hospital, where he had been a patient. He was born June 22, 1942, in Willshire, the son of Roy and Rosie (Garwood) Brodbeck, who both preceded him in death. On October 9, 1970, he […]