Ohio EMA sets Safe Room rebate program

VW independent/submitted information COLUMBUS — The Ohio Safe Room Rebate Program is once again accepting applications. The program provides a rebate for the purchase and construction/installation of tornado safe rooms for Ohio homeowners selected for the program. “The entire state of Ohio is at risk of an EF5 tornado, which produces 250-mph winds capable of destroying […]

OSU Alumni Club plans game watch event

VWindependent/submitted information The Ohio State University Alumni Club of Van Wert\Paulding Counties will be holding a game watch for the Ohio State-Indiana game on Sunday, February 10, at Fricker’s in Van Wert. Doors open at 12:45 p.m., while the game begins at 1 that afternoon. The Club will provide pizzas and non-alcoholic drinks for the […]

Coaches Corner: Van Wert’s Mark Bagley

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports editor Just five regular season games are left on Van Wert’s 2018-2019 schedule and the Cougars are eyeing a strong finish heading into the tournament. Before Monday’s loss to Bryan, Van Wert (9-8, 3-3 WBL) had won four straight and five of six, falling only to 15-2 Shawnee. A look back at […]

Area girls teams still ranked in poll

Van Wert independent sports Ottawa-Glandorf, Minster and Ottoville remain in the top 10 in their respective divisions in this week’s Associated Press Ohio high school girls basketball poll. The full poll by OHSAA divisions, won-lost record and total points (first-place votes in parentheses) is listed below. DIVISION I 1, Pickerington Cent. (15) 18-1 2062, Centerville […]

Crestview defeats Celina

Olivia Cunningham (23) drives to the basket during Tuesday night’s game against Celina. The Lady Knights enjoyed a big 16-2 second quarter then held off the visitors in the final period for a 42-34 win. Lexi Gregory was the leading scorer with 14 points. Crestview (12-5) will host Paulding on Thursday. Wyatt Richardson/Van Wert independent

Lady Cougars fall to Bryan 46-35

Van Wert independent sports Van Wert was unable to overcome a slow start and fell to Bryan 46-35 in the home finale for the Lady Cougars on Tuesday. Bryan led 14-8 after the first quarter then outscored Van Wert 14-4 in the second quarter for a 28-12 halftime lead. Behind nine points by Abby Jackson […]

Emmett E. Gehres

Emmett E. Gehres, 78, of Van Wert, died Monday afternoon, February 4, 2019, in Van Wert.   He was born April 13, 1940, in Mendon, the son of Paul Gehres and Mildred (Fox) Siders, who both preceded him in death.  Emmett and his sister, Carolyn Nimtz of Fort Wayne, Indiana, were raised by their late grandparents, […]

Cary Eugene Witherow

Cary Eugene “Gene” Witherow, age 82, a resident of Gainesville, Virginia, passed away at his home on Monday, February 4, 2019. A believer in Jesus Christ all his life, he died faithfully in his arms. Gene retired from IBM after working for the company for 29 years.  He is survived by his wife of 59 […]

Diltz works with Vantage OTC programs

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor Vantage Career Center and Delphos St. John’s graduate Maria Diltz knows the value of the training adults can receive at Vantage. Although she graduated from the administrative assistant program while in high school, Diltz also took medical and business office-related classes as an adult. After 12 years at Vancrest Health Care Center […]

VWHS 2nd in ‘We the People’ competition

VW independent/submitted information COLUMBUS — Van Wert High School competed in the state “We the People” competition at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus this past Friday and was named state runners-up.   There are six units in the program, each one focusing on a different aspect of the United States Constitution.  As a rule, each school can […]