Van Wert Rib Fest seeks Wiffleball teams

Submitted information The 10th annual Van Wert Rib Fest is looking for youth teams to play in its yearly Wiffleball tournament. This year there will be two separate tournaments — one for eighth grade and under and one for ninth grade and older. Van Wert Youth Baseball will benefit from the tournament for younger players, […]

Payne golf outing date announced

Submitted information PAYNE — The Payne Ball Association will be hosting its first annual “Grip It and Rip It” golf outing on Saturday, August 27, at Pleasant Valley Golf Course southwest of Payne. Cost for the four-person scramble is $200 per team, which includes golf and lunch. The first- and second-place teams will receive prizes, […]

Fun at Wetzel

The 2016 edition of the Wetzel Swap Meet/Party was held this past weekend at Wetzelland in northeast Van Wert County. Here are some scenes from this year’s event (from the left) Jasmine Cain, bike show participant Soda Pop, and Jackyl lead singer Jessy James. (photos by Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent)

Railroad Weekend

A large crowd of railroad enthusiasts was on hand (above and below) at the Commercial Building on the Van Wert County Fairgrounds for this year’s Railroad Weekend, sponsored by the Van Wert County Historical Society. (Jan Dunlap/Van Wert independent)

Judges named for 2016 Van Wert Rib Fest

VW independent/submitted information Judges for this year’s 10th annual Van Wert Rib Fest have been announced. These eight judges will sample ribs from all vendors participating in this year’s event and will select the first-, second- and third- place trophies for best ribs and the first-, second- and third-place trophies for the best sauce among […]

VWPD find suspected meth at residence

VW independent/submitted information The Van Wert Police Department has been getting reports of crystal meth making a comeback in the area. After investigating these reports, the police department was able to gather enough probable cause to get a search warrant for apartment at 153 Thistlewood Court. At approximately 12:30 a.m. Saturday, the police department executed the […]

Ohio gasoline prices increased last week

VW independent/submitted information Average retail gasoline prices in Ohio have risen 4.2 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.08 per gallon on Sunday, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 5,345 gas outlets in Ohio. This compares with the national average that has fallen 2 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.13 […]

State Patrol to operate OVI checkpoint

Submitted information The Ohio State Highway Patrol announced that troopers would operate a drunk driving checkpoint to deter and intercept impaired drivers this week. The county where the checkpoint will take place will be announced the day prior to the checkpoint, and the location will be announced the morning of the checkpoint. Those who plan […]

L’view board schedules special meeting

Submitted information The Lincolnview Local Board of Education will meet in special session at 6 p.m. today, Monday, August 1, in the district conference room. On the agenda is an administrative contract for Deborah Miller, a personal service contract for Seth Wisener, and a number of athletic department items, including setting athletic ticket prices, hiring […]