Patrol cruiser hits cyclist on Celina street

VW independent/submitted information CELINA — A Celina man was hospitalized this morning after he was struck by an Ohio State Highway Patrol cruiser while riding his bicycle on Main Street in Celina. On Friday, Daniel T. Bruns, 62, of Celina, was riding his bicycle in the northbound lane on Main Street, south of Sugar Street, […]

Stanley E. Miller

Stanley E. Miller, 80, of Van Wert, died 7:45 p.m. Thursday, March 10, 2016, at Van Wert County Hospital in Van Wert. He was born January 29, 1936, in Payne, the son of Daniel E. and Mary (Arb) Miller, who both preceded him in death. He married Janell (Swygart) Miller, who died March 7, 2015. […]

David R. Chehi

David R. Chehi, 68, died Monday, March 7, 2016, at Van Wert Manor. He was born February 18, 1948, in Payne, to Lewis A. and Helen M. (Westfall) Chei, who both preceded him in death. Survivors include a brother, Kim (Linda) Chehi of Defiance; and two sisters, Betty (Lester) Sprow of Hicksville and Pamela (Ivan) […]

LSI merges with Hickey-Morris Insurance

VW independent/submitted information Leland Smith Insurance Services of Van Wert and Hickey Morris Agency of Delphos have completed a merger that will provide customers in the Delphos area with access to a wide variety of new insurance services and options. Leland Smith Insurance Services, serving the community for over 31 years from offices in Van […]

Former local attorney gets prison term

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor TOLEDO — A former Van Wert attorney was sentenced to just under two years in prison for stealing money from clients. C. Allan Runser, 72, an attorney who practiced law for nearly 50 years, was sentenced Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Jack Zouhary to 22 months in prison and also ordered him […]

NOAA radios distributed

The Van Wert County Emergency Management Agency is currently distributing free NOAA Weather Alert Radios to all county businesses and churches. According to EMA Director Rick McCoy, a $14,000 federal-state grant was awarded to purchase 570 radios for local distribution. McCoy will be programming and installing the radios in the area. NOAA Weather Radios are activated […]

YM kicks off 2016 fundraising campaign

VW independent/submitted information The YMCA of Van Wert County is kicking off its 2016 annual board fundraising campaign. The YMCA’s volunteer Board of Directors has set an annual board campaign goal of $35,000, with nine local businesses kicking off the campaign with contributions totaling $9,000. The YMCA’s financial aid program has not changed over the […]

Time to spring forward, change batteries

VW independent/submitted information REYNOLDSBURG — State Fire Marshal Larry L. Flowers is reminding Ohioans to make a potentially lifesaving change when they move their clocks forward one hour on Sunday, March 13: Change the batteries in smoke alarms. In conjunction with Ohio’s fire departments and the “Safe & Sound” campaign, the Division of State Fire […]

Reward offered for area murder suspect

VW independent/submitted information TOLEDO — United States Marshal Peter J. Elliott and Paulding County Sheriff Jason K. Landers announce a $5,000 reward for information leading to the location or arrest of Frank Tracy Jr. Tracy, 47, is wanted by Paulding County authorities in connection with the murder of Hannah Fischer. Fischer, 21, was found dead […]

Thomas E. Stocklin

Thomas E. Stocklin, 81, of Delphos, died Wednesday, March 9, 2016, at Vancrest Health Care Center in Delphos. He was born September 8, 1934, in Delphos, the son of Charles E. and Nellie (Martin) Stocklin, who both preceded him in death. On September 27, 1955, he married the former Carolyn L. Hile, who died January […]