Tourney winners

A number of area baseball teams were involved in the First Bank of Berne Bash Acme League tournament held at Bank of Berne Field in Jubilee Park. Shown above is the tournament champion Van Wert Dons, while below is the runner-up Middle Point team (click here for more tournament photos). (photos by Bob Barnes/Van Wert […]

VWCH names Pope new president/CEO

VW independent/submitted information Van Wert County Hospital has a new leader, with the hiring of a new president/CEO for the local healthcare facility. The Van Wert County Hospital Association Board of Directors today announced James “Jim” Pope as the hospital’s new chief executive officer and president. Pope replaces Mark Minnick, who retired earlier this year after […]

Disaster exercise

The Van Wert American Red Cross chapter’s Disaster Team went to Payne in Paulding County this past weekend to assist that county with its annual disaster exercise. During the exercise, a vehicle reportedly collides with a semi containing hazardous materials. The hazardous materials then leaked into a nearby ditch and affected the local community. “It’s […]

Acme donation

Gary Reichert and Becky Stepleton of First Bank of Berne present a check for $500 to Van Wert Acme League representative Todd Wallace. The donation was made at this past weekend’s Bank of Berne Bash tournament at Jubilee Park (see more photos on the Sports Page). (Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent)

Ohio gasoline prices up; buck U.S. trend

VW independent/submitted information Average retail gasoline prices in Ohio have risen 9.4 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.69 per gallon on Sunday, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 5,345 gas outlets in Ohio. This compares with a national average that has increased 2.4 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.38 […]

Camp Clay day sponsor

Taylor Auto Sales will be sponsoring a Business Day at the Camp Clay Aqua Park again this summer. Local businesses purchase the day for the Van Wert community; access includes swimming, a floating playground, zip-line, paddleboats, a half-acre beach and the 3,600-square-foot splash pad, which was new last year. New in 2016 are water cannons at […]

Annual DARE Camp being held this week

VW independent/submitted information Just a reminder that the Van Wert DARE team will hold its annual DARE Camp for all fifth and sixth grade DARE graduates Tuesday through Thursday, June 14-16, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., in the S.F. Goedde Gymnasium. The camp cost is $10; this fee includes arts and crafts, swimming, bowling, […]

Payne sets baseball, softball tourneys

VW independent/submitted information PAYNE — The Payne Ball Association will host two all-star tournaments the weekend of July 8-10 at Payne Community Park. A boys 8 and under coach-pitch baseball tournament will be played, with teams guaranteed three games in the tournament. Also, a girls 8 and under coach-pitch softball tournament will take place on those three […]

C’view teacher earns national scholarship

CONVOY – James S. Lautzenheiser of Convoy, a teacher at Crestview High School, has been awarded a James Madison Fellowship by the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation of Alexandria, Va., in its 25th annual fellowship competition. The fellowship will fund up to $24,000 of Lautzenheiser’s course of study toward a master’s degree. That program must […]

Holiday at Home parade entries sought

VW independent/submitted information Just a reminder that the Holiday at Home Parade Committee is seeking area residents to participate in the annual Fourth of July Parade in Van Wert. The parade will be held Monday, July 4, beginning at 11 a.m., and all types of units are invited to attend. Awards will be given for “Best Marching”,” Best Commercial”, […]