McColley tabbed for state senate seat

VW independent/submitted information COLUMBUS — State Representative Robert McColley has been recommended to fill Cliff Hite’s seat in the 1st Ohio Senate District. Senate President Larry Obhof (R-Medina) announced the selection on Tuesday. The 1st Ohio Senate District includes all of Defiance, Hancock, Hardin, Henry, Paulding, Putnam, Van Wert, and Williams counties and portions of […]

Season Preview: Crestview Knights

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports editor CONVOY — Crestview’s 2016-2017 basketball season could be considered a frustrating, yet good one. On one hand, the Knights won 15 games during the regular season. On the other hand, Crestview lost six, including five by a combined total of 12 points. The Knights finished second in the Northwest Conference, won […]

Coldwater rallies past Lady Cougars

Van Wert independent sports COLDWATER — Four Lady Cougars scored in double figures but it wasn’t enough, as Van Wert fell to Coldwater 61-52 in non-conference girls’ basketball action on Tuesday. Abby Jackson, Cassidy Meyers and Alexis Metz each had 12, and Reagan Priest had 10. Van Wert led 17-8 at the end of the […]

OHSAA football fun facts and figures

VW independent sports/submitted information COLUMBUS — 719 Ohio high schools began the football season in August. 224 qualified for the playoffs in late October. Now 14 have advanced to this week’s state championship games. All seven state championship games will be played at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton. Championship Games Return to […]

EMT scholarship program said successful

VW independent/submitted information Spirit Medical Transport LLC, which serves Van Wert and other communities, was so pleased with the success of its first-ever EMT scholarship program this past fall, it’s going for another round just in time for the new year. Starting today, Spirit will begin accepting scholarship applications from individuals who have an interest […]

Latta co-sponsors anti-harassment bill

Submitted information WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) has co-sponsored a resolution to require anti-harassment and anti-discrimination training for all Congressional employees, including Members of Congress. The resolution will be voted on the House floor today. In addition to training, the resolution tasks the Committee on House Administration with issuing regulations to ensure compliance and transparency within 30 […]

Helen M. Wiechart

Helen M. Wiechart passed away Tuesday, November 28, 2017, at Vancrest Health Care Center in Delphos. She was born September 8, 1930, in Delphos, the daughter of Forest and Bessie Fought, who both preceded her in death. On February 2, 1952, she married Edmund J Wiechart, a U.S. Army veteran, and they were married for […]

Berdenia G. Utrup

Berdenia G. “Deenie” Utrup, 81, of Delphos, passed away Tuesday, November 28, 2017, at St. Rita’s Medical Center in Lima. She was born March 24, 1936, in Dekalb County, Indiana, the daughter of Harry B. and Velma (Grogg) Shipe, who both preceded her in death. On June 18, 1955, she married Arthur J. Utrup, who […]

Insurance group gives to local Red Cross

Submitted information Buckeye Insurance Professionals, a chapter of the International Association of Insurance Professionals (IAIP) recently joined forces with members from Purmort Brothers Insurance Agency. Together, they were able to raise a total of $600 for hurricane relief. The funds were donated to the American Red Cross during IAIP’s recent Ohio Council meeting held at […]

Law Enforcement 11/28/17

Van Wert Police November 26, 7:22 p.m. — Michael Andrews, 71, of 701 N. Washington St., was cited for domestic violence for an incident that took place at his residence. November 24, 11:14 p.m. — Clarence A. Webster III, 58, of 208 E. Sycamore St., was cited for operating a vehicle while impaired (OVI) and […]