Ruth Eileen Gribler

Ruth Eileen Gribler, 95, of Van Wert, passed away at 4:05 p.m. Friday, November 20, 2020, at Vancrest Health Care Center in Van Wert. She was born August 14, 1925, in Mercer County, the daughter of Donald E. and Mabel I. (Lillick) Whitmore, who both preceded her in death. On February 5, 1949, she married […]

2020 VW Cougars: a magical season

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports editor Van Wert’s 2020 football season will forever be considered a magical one by Cougar players, coaches and fans. It ended with Sunday’s incredible 31-28 comeback victory over Mentor Lake Catholic in the Division IV state championship game at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium in Massillon, a win that gave Van Wert High […]

Celina bowlers defeat Lincolnview

Van Wert independent sports Celina swept Lincolnview in the home opener at Olympic Lanes on Monday. The Bulldogs defeated the Lancers 1918-1603, with Celina’s Britton Hole topping all bowlers with a 197-224-421 series. Alex Wyatt (180-180) and Justin Braun (186-174) each rolled a 360 series, followed by Preston Bugh (152-180-332), Jase Delgado (147-150-297), Evan Bowersock […]

Increase in cases linked to gatherings?

VW independent/submitted information COLUMBUS — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted aprovided the following updates Tuesday on Ohio’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Case data and upcoming holidayNew data compiled by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) shows that 98 more deaths were reported in the past 24 hours, which is the […]

County, state jobless figures again lower

VW independent/submitted information Unemployment in Van Wert County and the surrounding area continued to fall in October, according to the latest data from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Van Wert County unemployment now stands at 3.6 percent, down from 5 percent in September, but much lower than the 16.2 percent unemployment rate […]

4-H Holiday Light Show times announced

VW independent/submitted information The Van Wert 4-H Exchange Club would like to invite area residents to the 13th annual Holiday Lights at the Fair.  In 2007, the club started with only 13 displays and 500 vehicles drove through. This year’s show has over 120 displays and an estimated 4,500 vehicles are expected to drive through. […]

Gov. extends license, etc., expiration dates

VW independent/submitted information COLUMBUS — Due to the ongoing pandemic, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has signed Ohio House Bill 404, which extends the expiration date of driver licenses (DL), identification cards (ID), and vehicle registrations beyond December 1. Now, if a customer’s expiration date on their DL, ID, or vehicle registration is March 9 of […]

Pleasant Twp. meeting time changed

VW independent/submitted information The next Pleasant Township Board of Trustees meeting will be held at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, November 25, at the township house. This is a change from the normal meeting time.

OHSAA: only parents should attend games

Submitted information COLUMBUS – Following Governor Mike DeWine’s remarks during his news conference on Tuesday, the OHSAA, in conjunction with the Governor’s Office, recommends that schools restrict attendance to only the parents of the participants, or eliminate all spectators, for their winter sports competitions through December 31, 2020, due to the recent spike in COVID-19 […]

Mary Alice Louagie

Mary Alice Louagie, 89, of Van Wert, passed away at 5:59 p.m. Sunday, November 22, 2020, at Vancrest Health Care Center in Van Wert.   She was born February 21, 1931, a daughter of Emile and Julia (Deruytter) Louagie, who both preceded her in death.   She is survived by many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and […]