Cougars ‘win’ scrimmage against Knights

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports CONVOY — It was the final preseason tune-up for both teams, and the Van Wert Cougars found the end zone five times in a 32-13 win over the Crestview Knights during Friday night’s Jamboree in Convoy. Cougar Jacoby Kelly scored on a 1-yard touchdown run in the first quarter and Eric Workman’s […]

John Walker

John “Johnny” Walker passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, July 12, 2016. Beloved husband of Martha; ex-husband of Evelyn; father of Ken (Judy), Douglas, Lisa (Chuck), and Wayne (Anna); stepfather of Connie Huffman and Douglas (Karen) Droll; 13 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Johnny and Martha were married on March 7, 1993. A member of the Canadian […]

Short Stop store open; gas pumps down

Van Wert independent/submitted information Tyler’s Short Stop convenience store is now open, while workers have taken a number of steps to ensure no further gasoline leaks into sanitary and storm sewers. Van Wert County Emergency Management Director Rick McCoy said environmental workers have dug wells on Main Street in front of Short Stop to allow […]

C’view hires 5 teachers, enrollment rises

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor CONVOY — Personnel items dominated the final Crestview Local Board of Education meeting before the start of school next Tuesday. During its August meeting on Thursday, the board accepted the resignation of high school social studies teacher Aaron George, after a year with the district, and custodian Linda Clay, after eight years […]

United Way sets date for Day of Caring

VW independent/submitted information The date has been set for the 2016 United Way Day of Caring. This annual event, in its 18th year, will be held Friday, September 30. The Day of Caring will once again consist of the Salvation Army Food Pantry Food Drive, the American Red Cross Blood Drive, and local business service […]

A-G warns of charitable giving scams

Submitted information COLUMBUS — Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine offers advice to help Ohioans make wise charitable contributions and avoid scams following the devastating flooding in Louisiana. “We encourage people to be generous in helping the people of Louisiana,” Attorney General DeWine said. “We also encourage people to make sure their donations go to legitimate […]

BBBS plans 2nd ‘Dancing with BIG Stars’

VW independent/submitted information There is no other place to be on Saturday, November 12, than at the Overdrive, 3769 U.S. 127 in Celina, for the third annual Big Brothers Big Sisters “Dancing with the BIG Stars” event. This event, based on the popular TV show “Dancing with the Stars, features a group of prominent community […]

Gail Marie Packer

Gail Marie Packer, 54, of rural Van Wert, passed away at 6:20 p.m. Wednesday, August 17, 2016, at St. Rita’s Medical Center in Lima. She was born March 4, 1962, in Van Wert, to Marilyn Jenelle (Mihm) and Richard Lee Leiter, who both survive in Van Wert. On October 12, 2002, she married David Eugene […]

VWCS board OKs bond refunding issue

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor Van Wert City Board of Education approved a number of personnel items and a new district insurance contract, and also adopted a resolution authorizing an amended bond-refunding proposal during its August meeting on Wednesday. Board members on Wednesday accepted resignations from Doug Adams, LifeLinks Community School intervention specialist; Lynnet Braun, Early Childhood Center paraprofessional; […]

Jury finds city man guilty of drug counts

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor Eight people appeared for criminal hearings Wednesday in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court, while a Van Wert man was convicted earlier in the week of drug-related charges following a jury trial. A jury found Jeremy Workman, 35, guilty of one count each of possession of heroin, and aggravated possession of drugs, […]