Video: Fire destroys barn

An early Friday afternoon fire destroyed a barn at 10893 Greenville Road. The Middle Point Fire Department responded to the blaze and mutual aid was provided by Van Wert, Ohio City and Delphos firefighters. Smoke from the blaze could be seen for miles. A firefighter said the barn apparently was used for storage and housed […]

Vantage Board of Ed. approves finances

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent writer The Vantage Career Center Board of Education closed out fiscal year 2018 and approved temporary appropriations for the upcoming fiscal year during Thursday night’s meeting. Treasurer Laura Peters told board members that the district’s general fund took in approximately $8.2 million and spent about $7.5 million during the previous fiscal year. “The […]

Bowens open downtown coffee shop

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor Owners Frank and Cheryl Bowen cut the ribbon Thursday to officially open up their new Brewed Expressions coffee shop in downtown Van Wert. The downtown shop is in addition to Brewed Expressions’ drive-through kiosk on South Washington Street and replaces its location on West Ervin Road. Frankie Bowen, who manages the downtown […]

Holiday gas prices highest since 2014

VW independent/submitted information Motorists hitting the road to celebrate the July 4 holiday will be feeling more pinched than last year, shelling out an average of $2.90 per gallon, the highest Independence Day prices since 2014, when the national average hit $3.66 per gallon, according to GasBuddy. Locally, prices on Friday range from $2.56 a […]

Latta introduces HSA expansion measure

Submitted information WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) has introduced legislation to expand access to health savings accounts (HSAs) and fix a technicality that prohibits individuals that are receiving social security benefits from contributing to their HSA accounts. Latta authored the legislation after constituents who had been affected by the issue reached out to the […]

Main Street to close for holiday parade

VW independent/submitted information Main Street, from Cherry to Shannon streets will be closed on Wednesday, July 4, for the annual Holiday at Home Parade. The closure will be from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. The route of the parade will start at Cherry Street and go west on Main Street, then north on Shannon Street.

Twig groups have picnic meeting in June

VW independent/submitted information Twig I and II members met for a trip/picnic theme gathering on June 11 at the Community Health Professionals Building on Westwood Drive in Van Wert. Members were greeted by Kathy Keysor and her committee, Sandy Amundson, Corrine Mowry, Beverlee Profit, Sharon Witten, Janet Merkle, and Nancy Wolverton. Twig II Chairman Beverlee […]

Young Lady Cougars in camp

More than 50 future Van Wert Lady Cougar basketball players took part in this week’s camp held at Van Wert High School. Coaches, high school players and others spent four days teaching the girls many fundamentals, including dribbling, passing, shooting and defense. Photo submitted

Lincolniew routs Elida

Van Wert independent sports ELIDA — Sam Myers had four RBI, Collin Overholt knocked in three runs, and Creed Jessee and Clayton each had a pair of RBI, as Lincolnview picked up a 16-2 ACME baseball win at Elida on Thursday. Four of Lincolnview’s runs came in the fourth inning, and nine of the 16 […]

City police investigating death of infant

VW independent/submitted information The Van Wert Police Department is investigating the death of an infant that occurred in the 800 block of Leeson Avenue. No further details have been released.