Probation violation earns prison sentence

Van Wert independent A city woman was sent to prison after admitting she violated her probation during a hearing held Wednesday in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court. Ruth Ann Caldwell, 25, was sentenced to serve two 36-month prison sentences, with both to run at the same time, after she admitted she violated her probation […]

United Way to kick off new campaign

Submitted information The United Way of Van Wert County will be celebrating the start of its 2017 fundraising campaign with a kick-off event at Wassenberg Art Center during its Farm and Arts Market, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. this Saturday, August 26. During the kick-off, the United Way will be revealing a new campaign video that brings […]

RLF loan awarded

Toolco Inc. recently obtained a loan from the Van Wert Revolving Loan Fund to purchase equipment, manufacturing supplies, and payroll to hire new employees, according to Krista Somerton, RLF coordinator. The business is required to hire at least two new employees as a condition of receiving the loan. The business started as a tool-and-die making […]

Optimists is offering flag display service

VW independent/submitted information The Optimist Club of Van Wert is bringing a patriotic community service to the area. The Avenue of Flags program is a wonderful way to honor servicemen and women and help Optimists support their youth programs and activities. For $50 a year, the club delivers and place flags prior to each holiday […]

New Vantage staff members welcomed

Vantage welcomes new staff for the 2017-2018 school year. Shown are (from the left) Zacharria Miller, Criminal Justice instructor; Heather Brickner, intervention specialist; Becky Markward, cafeteria; Jean Sullivan, OTC LPN instructor; Paula VanTilburg, Career Tech supervisor; Linda Arnold, OTC LPN administrator; Deb Richardson, educational aide; and Rick Turner, superintendent. (Vantage photo)

Entries sought for Fair photography show

What a great event we had last Friday as we hosted the Scrap Detroit group! Eleven metal artists from the Motor City brought their art down, joining Toledo artist Dani Herrera, to exhibit art made entirely out of scraps. Artist Dave Tonnegato made the trip to the Wassenberg Art Center and provided a hands-on welding […]

Fair photo exhibit entry times announced

In a phone call to the Fair Board Office this past Monday, it was learned that entrants for the Fair photo exhibit can pick up their entry tags from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Friday, August 25, and from 9 a.m. until noon on Saturday, August 26. It is important that the right tag be […]

John M. Thomas

John M. Thomas, 73, of Van Wert, passed away at 11:37 a.m. Tuesday, August 22, 2017, at Lima Memorial Hospital. He was born September 30, 1943, in East St. Louis, Illinois, the son of Ralph R. and Ora Jane (Woods) Thomas, who both preceded him in death. On November 22, 1967, he married the former […]

County jobless rate up 3rd straight month

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor Unemployment has increased for the third month in a row in Van Wert County, according to estimates provided Tuesday by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. The county followed a statewide trend that saw 50 of Ohio’s 88 counties experience an increase in joblessness, while 28 counties saw no change […]

Willshire FD awarded $32,000 fed grant

Submitted information WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) announced Tuesday that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded $32,143 to the Willshire Fire Department for operations and safety through the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program. “Ohio firefighters and first-responders work every day to protect our […]