Blackmore: Heroin remains drug of choice

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor Heroin is still the drug of choice for most local drug users, and that’s a serious problem, says Van Wert DARE Officer Greg Blackmore, because of the drug’s potency and the difficulty of getting users off the drug. Blackmore said heroin has been Van Wert County’s biggest drug problem for 7-8 years, […]

Salvation Army campaign moves forward

Salvation Army information The Van Wert Salvation Army’s capital campaign continues to make progress, largely because the organization did not enter into a $500,000 capital campaign haphazardly. The Timothy Group conducted a feasibility study in 2010 on behalf of the Salvation Army that found that 94.6 percent of those interviewed rated the image of the […]

Gasoline prices rise in Ohio last week

Gasoline price information Average retail gasoline prices in Ohio have risen 5.2 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.49 per gallon on Sunday, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 5,345 gas outlets in Ohio. This compares with the national average that has increased 4.0 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.66 […]

Red Cross seeking summer blood donors

American Red Cross information The American Red Cross asks eligible donors to help ensure blood is available for patients in need by giving blood in May before the busy summer season kicks in. Blood and platelet donations often decrease when regular donors are vacationing and school is out of session, but the need for blood […]

Lake Campus to host Camp TALK event

Wright State University-Lake Campus information CELINA — Camp TALK by the Lake will be held at Wright State University-Lake Campus from August 3-7.  This is an extraordinary opportunity for children between the ages of 6 and 14 who struggle with speech, language and/or social communication challenges. Camp TALK offers a true “summer camp” experience, as […]

Local dancers perform in Dr. Oz’s gala

VW independent/submitted information Two dancers from Kim Hohman’s DanceWorks, Kelsea Allenbaugh and Kylie Hohman, were selected to perform at Dr. Mehmet and Lisa Oz’s HealthCorps Gala.  The dancers attended Dynamite National Talent Dance Competition last May in Columbus and auditioned at the competition. They were selected following an intense audition directed by Stepp Stewart, owner […]

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 […]