Janet K. Risley

Janet K. Risley, 72, of Van Wert, passed away at 7:45 a.m. Wednesday, July 19, 2017, at Hospice Home of Fort Wayne, Indiana. She was born November 14, 1944, in Van Wert, the daughter of Allen “Allie” and Thelma Opal (Leonard) Barnhart, who both preceded her in death. She married Donald L. Risley Sr., who […]

Frances Wienken

Frances “Fran” Wienken, 80, of Spencerville, passed away at 8:55 p.m. Tuesday, July 18, 2017, at the Van Wert Area Inpatient Hospice Care Center, surrounded by family members, where she was a patient since Thursday, July 13. She was born June 8, 1937, in Spencer Township, Allen County (near Landeck), the daughter of Othmer M. […]

Football fun in northwest Ohio

Van Wert independent sports Many of Ohio’s high school football records have ties to the area. For example, who can forget Ben and Maty Mauk? Both terrorized Western Buckeye League defenses while piloting Kenton’s high-flying, high-scoring offense, and set records that may stand for decades in Ohio. Playing in the always tough Midwest Athletic Conference, […]

MP Ballpark Festival to take place soon

Submitted information MIDDLE POINT — The Middle Point Ballpark is all set for its 8th Annual Festival, scheduled for July 28, 29 and 30. More than 40 baseball teams with players ages 8-12 will travel to Middle Point and Lincolnview to participate in the event. The ballpark will also be hosting a 5k run/walk on […]

C’view’s Dave Bowen wears many hats

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports editor CONVOY — He’s a man who fills multiple roles: Middle School principal, athletic administrator, assistant varsity boys’ basketball coach, P.A. announcer, and occasional bus driver. Crestview’s Dave Bowen does all of that and more, and enjoys every minute of it. “I truly enjoy watching our students and staff members work hard […]

County receives food/shelter grant money

Submitted information Van Wert County has been chosen to receive $4,566 to supplement food and shelter programs in Van Wert County. The selection was made by a national board chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and consisting of representatives from The Salvation Army, American Red Cross, United Jewish Communities, Catholic Charities, National Council of […]

Summer park concerts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hg0e1grbt4Q&feature=youtu.be Local resident Terry Dietsch created this video to highlight the Fountain Park Summer Music Series concerts sponsored by The Van Wert County Foundation. To see other videos by Dietsch, area residents can go to vanwert.biz.

State again sets Ohio Sales Tax Holiday

VW independent/submitted information COLUMBUS — Parents who are thinking about back-to-school shopping already may want to hold off until the beginning of August. The popular Ohio Sales Tax Holiday will return August 4-6, providing relief for families during the back-to-school shopping season. Senate Bill 264 allows Ohio’s families to save on back-to-school supplies by providing […]

Business Day donation

First Bank of Berne will be sponsoring a Business Day at the Camp Clay Aqua Park this summer. Local businesses purchase the day for the Van Wert community; access includes swimming, a floating playground, zipline, paddleboats, a half-acre beach, and the 3,600-square-foot splash pad. New features include water cannons at the splash pad and a log […]

Local business giving out free backpacks

Submitted information This coming Sunday, July 23, is Verizon distributor TCC’s fifth annual Backpack Giveaway. As part of a nationwide annual program TCC locations will be giving away backpacks filled with pencils, paper, a pencil box, folders, glue, and more. With nearly 20 percent of children in the United States living in poverty, TCC is working […]