County officials sworn in

A number of Van Wert County officials were sworn in this week during a ceremony held in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court. Those sworn in include Eva Yarger (above), the new county prosecuting attorney, as well as Sheriff Thomas Riggenbach, County Common Pleas Judge Martin Burchfield, Commissioners Todd Wolfrum and Stan Owens, Recorder Kim […]

BMV releasing new title system Dec. 30

Submitted information During the upcoming New Year’s weekend, the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) will be releasing the new (ATPS) titling system to county clerks of courts title offices. In preparation for this upgrade, the current system will be unavailable to title offices on Friday, December 30.  All title processing services will be unavailable […]

A&B food donation

The employees of Alexander & Bebout Inc. and Kitchens, Inc. held their ninth annual food drive in conjunction with A & B’s annual Christmas party. The employees collected 117 food items during the drive. Games played at the Christmas party also netted a $550 contribution, along with a company match, allowing for a $1,100 donation […]

Cougars hang on to down Lima Perry

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports The Van Wert Cougars hit clutch free throws down the stretch, and held off the Perry Commodores 62-55 in the home opener at The Den. The Cougars (3-2) hit just one basket in the fourth quarter, a three-pointer by Nate Place with 4:45 left, but went 8 of 10 from the charity stripe, […]

Anna Carr

Anna Carr, 70, passed away at 10 p.m. Thursday, December 22, 2016, at her residence in Ohio City. She was born June 11, 1946, in Van Wert County, the daughter of Hugh V. and Martha Helen (Wiseman) Ainsworth, who both preceded her in death. On January 20, 1968, she married Bill Carr, who survives at […]

Rodney James Busch Sr.

Rodney James Busch Sr. of Delphos passed away Wednesday evening, December 21, 2016, surrounded by his family at home. He had fought a three-year battle with cancer. He was born April 2, 1950, in Lima, the son of Richard H. and Mary (Fair) Busch, who both preceded him to death. He is survived by two sons, Rodney […]

David L. Gibson

David L. Gibson, 59, of New Haven, Indiana, passed away Wednesday, December 21, 2016, at his home following a brief battle with cancer. He was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in New Haven and Sons of the American Legion Post 420. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Lisa […]

VWCS bd. looks at technology purchases

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent correspondent The Van Wert City Board of Education learned that a local school program has received recognition during its December meeting on Thursday, while school officials will soon explore ways to upgrade the district’s technology. Board members learned Van Wert Early Childhood Center scored very high in the “Step Up To Quality” program […]

Committee to look at stadium proposals

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor With the discussion on whether to renovate Eggerss Stadium or pursue construction of a new athletic complex at the current high school-middle school complex threatening to dominate Van Wert City Board of Education meetings, school officials have decided that the issue deserves a more balanced, unemotional approach. After some discussion on their […]

WBESC board hears state budget update

Van Wert independent The Western Buckeye Educational Service Center Governing Board heard a state biennial budget update from Superintendent Brian Gerber during its December meeting on Wednesday. Gerber noted that Governor John Kasich has been quoted in the media as being concerned about the perceived economic slowdown affecting Ohio and continues to warn that the […]