Crestview, Antwerp set to clash

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports editor ELIDA — On paper, two teams eyeing a softball district championship share some similarities, including impressive postseason wins. Defending Division IV state champion Crestview (13-11) and Antwerp (13-6) will square off in Friday’s 5 p.m. district championship game at Elida Middle School. After enjoying an opening round bye, No. 3 seed […]

Niswonger scholars learn to love VW

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor Some people say the best way to see the true value of something is through another person’s eyes. If so, Van Wert residents should be pleased with the picture of Van Wert provided by Niswonger Foundation scholarship recipients who came here this week to visit local institutions and with community leaders, as […]

VWCS closes LifeLinks, OKs boiler project

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor The Van Wert City Board of Education officially closed LifeLinks Community School and also approved an agreement that would create a new alternate school through the Western Buckeye Educational Service (WBESC) during its May meeting on Wednesday. Superintendent Ken Amstutz noted Wednesday that requirements adopted by the Ohio General Assembly mandating that […]

Hospital to build Towne Center facility

VW independent/submitted information Van Wert County Hospital officials said Friday the hospital will soon begin construction of a sizable outpatient and ambulatory center on the north side of Van Wert. Construction is expected to begin in late summer of 2017 and be completed by early summer 2018. The new facility will allow the hospital to […]

DeWine joins call for return of fraud $$

Submitted information COLUMBUS — Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine was joined by 50 attorneys general in calling for congressional action to fix a quirk in federal law that prevents states from receiving equitable shares of health care fraud recoveries. The letter, co-written by DeWine and North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein, was sent to United […]

Faster opioid program funding sought

Submitted information WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) wrote to the Department of Justice (DOJ) urging the agency to speed up the distribution of federal funding for the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Grant Program, which provides funding to police departments to train first-responders as they deal with opioid related incidents. The program was created […]

Judge hears bond, probation violations

Van Wert independent news Bond and probation violations were the order of business during a light day Wednesday in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court. County Probate-Juvenile Court Judge Kevin Taylor presided over the three cases heard on Wednesday, including a bond violation hearing for Megan Gillette, 26, of Van Wert. Gillette admitted to violating […]

C’view, L’view baseball players honored

Van Wert independent sports Seven Crestview Knights, and four Lincolnview Lancers earned all-Northwest Conference honors, in balloting done by NWC baseball coaches for the 2017 baseball season. Crestview’s Spencer Rolsten was named to the first team, along with Caden Hurless and Tanner Crowle. Jacob Painter was named to the second team, and Zechariah Simerman, Dylan […]

NWC softball players honored

Van Wert independent sports Crestview and Lincolnview each had four players receive All Northwest Conference honors, in voting done this week by conference coaches for the 2017 softball season. Crestview’s Sydney Bowen was named to the all-NWC first team, while Kristen Etzler and Cora Millay earned second team honors. Codi Miller was named honorable mention. […]

Van Wert trio named all-WBL

Van Wert independent sports Three Van Wert Lady Cougar softball players have named to the all-Western Buckeye League team. Infielder Allison Kennedy and pitcher/infielder Kateri Steinecker earned third team all-WBL honors. Both are seniors. Freshman utility player Katie Coplin was named honorable mention all-WBL. The Lady Cougars finished the season 9-12 (4-5 WBL).