Cougar boys lose to Delphos St. John’s

Van Wert boys’ basketball information The Van Wert Cougar boys ended strong, but a slow start doomed them to remain winless after a 53-44 loss to Delphos St. John’s on Tuesday. The Blue Jays outscored Van Wert 14-4 for a 10-point first-quarter lead and were up by 11 points, 26-15, at the half. A 19-8 […]

County unemployment rate higher in Nov.

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor Unemployment was mostly up in Ohio, with 81 of the state’s 88 counties reporting increases in unemployment, according to estimates released Tuesday by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. In Van Wert County, the jobless rate increased four-tenths of a percent, from 3.5 percent in October to 3.9 percent last […]

Mazur takes oath

Van Wert mayor-elect Jerry Mazur (center) is sworn in by Van Wert County Common Pleas Judge Martin Burchfield on Tuesday evening during a gala celebration held at Willow Bend Country Club. Mazur is flanked by his sons, while his sister holds the Bible. Van Wert Municipal Court Judge Jill Leatherman administered the oath of office […]

ODOT, Patrol partner to cut traffic deaths

VW independent/submitted information COLUMBUS — As of Monday, 1,070 people have been killed on Ohio roadways this year. That’s a 9 percent increase over the same time last year. As Ohioans prepare for holiday festivities, the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) and Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) want to urge safety while driving on the […]

Optimists toss toys

Van Wert Optimist Club recently donated toys to the Toss a Toy program. Here, several members are “tossing toys” into the back of the truck donated by Lee Kinstle’s GM Sales & Service in Van Wert in front of Willow Bend Country Club. The Optimist Club meets Thursdays at noon at Willow Bend. (photo submitted)

Consumers to save $1.6 billion on gas?

Gasoline price information GAITHERSBURG, Md. — A survey of motorists across the country projects that consumers will save $1.6 billion on gas over their year-end travels compared to last year. According to the annual GasBuddy holiday travel survey, 88 percent of those heading out of town will be doing so by car, with a majority […]

Denean Branstrator

Denean Branstrator, 97, of Convoy died Wednesday, December 16, 2015, in Maitland, Florida. He was born April 30, 1918, in Roanoke, Indiana, the son of Willis and Dessie (Chaney) Branstrator, who both preceded him in death. On November 14, 1941, in Van Wert, he married the former Evalyn Fugate, who also preceded him in death. […]

Robert C. Winters

Robert C. Winters, 76, of Grover Hill, and formerly of Hackettstown, New Jersey, died Monday, December 21, 2015, at his residence. He was born August 17, 1939, in Clifton, New Jersey, the son of Albert Andrew and Pauline (Laux) Winters, who both preceded him in death. On May 21, 1966, he married KarenAnn (Murray) Winters, […]

Blue Jays get victory over Van Wert girls

Van Wert independent sports The Van Wert Lady Cougars remain winless after a 48-30 non-conference loss to Delphos St. John’s Monday in the Cougars’ Den. The Lady Blue Jays had two players in double figures: Madilynn Schulte with 11 points and Sydney Fischbach with 10 points. Van Wert, which had no one in double figures, […]

SUVs collide

Injuries were reported in an accident between two sports utility vehicles that occurred at the intersection of John Brown and Grill roads on Monday afternoon (above). More information will be provided as it becomes available from the Van Wert Police Department, which handled the accident. (Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent)