Elks give to Scouts

Van Wert Lodge 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, recently donated $125 to the Black Swamp Area Council, Boys Scouts of America. The donation is part of the annual Friends of Scouting fund raising campaign. The Findlay-based Black Swamp Council covers 13 counties and provides two camps, Camp Berry near Findlay and Camp Lakota […]

Cooper Farms gives to Lake Campus

VW independent/submitted information CELINA — For more than 50 years, the Western Ohio Educational Foundation (WOEF) has responded to the educational needs of residents in Auglaize, Darke, Mercer, and Van Wert counties by providing the resources to allow residents access to college instruction. The foundation secured the funding to build and operate an institution of higher […]

GOP to host Supreme Court candidate

VW independent/submitted information Van Wert County Republicans will be hosting Judge Pat Fischer at their Friday luncheon on August 26 at Elks Lodge 1197 in Van Wert. Judge Fischer currently serves on the First District Court of Appeals and is a candidate this November for the Ohio Supreme Court. Also featured at the August Friday […]

Jerad D. Brotherhood

Jerad D. Brotherwood, 32, of Hernando Beach, Florida, passed away December 21, 2015. He was born June 9, 1983, in Van Wert, the son of Gary Brotherwood, who preceded him in death in May 2014, and Sue (Custer) Brotherwood Hargreaves, who survives in Clearwater, Florida. Other survivors include his stepfather, Mark Hargreaves of Clearwater; a […]

2016 Wren Homecoming info released

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor WREN — The 2016 Wren Homecoming celebration this coming weekend will include a number of events and activities, including the 25th edition of the popular Wiffleball Tournament at Wrenway Park. The celebration begins at 5 p.m. Friday, August 19, when the food and beverage garden opens in Wrenway Park. A Cruise-In will […]

Chamber Coffee to provide new law info

VW independent/submitted information The Van Wert Area Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a free event for members to provide information on two new laws that will impact Ohio businesses. The Chamber Coffee event is free and will be held from 7:45-9 a.m. Friday, August 26, at The Kenn-Feld Group training center, 10305 Liberty Union Road […]

Eagle scout candidate to host exercise

VW independent/submitted information MIDDLE POINT — Charles Sherer, an Eagle Scout candidate for Troop 32, will be conducting a mass casualty training exercise to benefit the Middle Point Volunteer Fire Department. The exercise will be held at the Middle Point Community Building, 300 W. Sycamore St.; rain or shine. The training will involve the simulated […]

Crime Stoppers 8/16/16

Crime Stoppers will pay you cash for information if it will help the Van Wert Sheriff’s Office solve thefts from vehicles and/or vehicle thefts in the village of Willshire. On August 3, into the early morning hours of August 4, several vehicles were entered and items were stolen. Two vehicles were also stolen around that […]

James S. Burkheimer

James S. “Jim” Burkheimer, 47, of Van Wert, was peacefully called home to be with Jesus on Sunday, August 14, 2016, while at Ohio State University’s Ross Heart Hospital in Columbus, surrounded by his family. Jim was born November 20, 1968, in Van Wert, to Cloyd M. “Stoney” Burkheimer Jr., who preceded him in death, […]

Gasoline spill clean-up could take months

SCOTT TRUXELL/for the VW independent Officials believe they have pinpointed the source of a sizable gas leak at Tyler’s Short Stop on East Main Street in Van Wert. “A hole in an underground gas line just beyond the pumps appears to be the cause,” Van Wert County Emergency Management Director Rick McCoy said. It was first […]