Concert band plays

The Van Wert Area Community Concert Band (shown above), under the direction of Richard Sherrick, and the St. Marys Concert Band, under the direction of Dane Newlove, performed in Fountain Park on Friday night. The bands performed a number of marches and other patriotic music, as well as a variety of other music. (Dave Mosier/Van […]

Latta votes to pass fed opioid legislation

Submitted information WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) joined his colleagues Friday in passing legislation aimed at addressing the opioid epidemic. The bill, the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act Conference Report, is a result of negotiations between the House and Senate to iron out differences between legislation each body previously passed to address the crisis. […]

Reminder: Town Creek Live! event today

VW independent/submitted information Just a reminder that the Town Creek Live! event (formerly Eats on the Street and Art from the Fort) will be held today from 3 p.m. until midnight on Central Avenue and at Wassenberg Art Center. The event will feature 11 food trucks, live entertainment from the Holbrook Bros. Band and Dan […]

Hospital Thrift Shop will be closed today

VW independent/submitted information The Hospital Thrift Shop, 131 E. Central Ave., will be closed all day today, organizers announced on Friday. The thrift shop will be having a “Christmas in July” sale from July 11-16, with Christmas only items 50 percent off.

Softball league champs

Shown are members of the Middle Point Blue girls’ 12 and under softball team, sponsored by Lee Kinstle GM Sales & Service, which finished the season as league and tournament champions of the Buckeye Girls Softball League. Members include (front row, from the left) Zada Walker, MaKayla Jackman, Elizabeth Phillips, and Kourtney Kohnen; (middle row) […]

VWHS football camp dates announced

VW independent/submitted information The Van Wert Cougar football team will be hosting a youth football camp for all boys entering grades K-8 this fall. The camp will be from Monday through Wednesday, July 25-27, from 9-11:30 a.m., on the high school football practice fields. The camp will consist of offensive, defensive, and special teams instruction, […]

Biker church: No dress code, no judging

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor After more than two decades of riding the nation’s highways on his Harley bringing the Gospel to motorcycle clubs, biker evangelist Steve “Slowride” Haskin is looking to establish a spiritual home here in Van Wert. His church, Whitehorse Biker Church, will begin services Sunday, July 17, to provide a place of refuge and […]

Pigs ready to fly

Area residents are invited to join the United Way of Van Wert County at the 10th annual Van Wert Rib Fest for its “When Pigs Fly” event. Small plastic numbered pigs will be dropped from a ladder van donated by Dan Brandt of Wilkinson Printing. The drop will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, August […]

Latta votes for government reform bill

Submitted information WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) has joined his colleagues in passing H.R. 4361, the Government Reform and Improvement Act, to make reforms that would ensure greater transparency and accountability at federal agencies. The legislation includes seven different provisions to protect federal agency IT data, implement standards for government employees, and prohibit midnight […]

MP house fire

Firefighters from Middle Point and Delphos were called out at approximately 2:30 his morning for a house fire in Middle Point. In addition to the two fire departments, AEP responded to shut off power to the house, while the American Red Cross’ Van Wert Disaster Team was also on the scene to provide refreshments to […]