DeWine: Hospitalizations at critical level

VW independent/submitted information COLUMBUS — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted provided the following updates Thursday on Ohio’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Critical hospitalization levelsAs of today, there are 3,829 hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Ohio, with 943 of those individuals in the ICU. These are the highest patient counts Ohio has had […]

County: 6 new Covid deaths, 242 cases

VW independent/submitted information As of Thursday, the Van Wert County General Health District reports six additional deaths of county residents who tested positive for COVID-19, for a total of 12 deaths. The health department staff expressed its sympathy to the family and friends of the deceased.   The Health District also reported an increase of 242 confirmed […]

Football title games moved to Massillon

VW independent sports/submitted information COLUMBUS — In a decision announced early Thursday afternoon, all Division II through VII football state championship games will be played at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium in Massillon. This includes Sunday’s Division IV state title game between Van Wert and Mentor Lake Catholic. The games were to be played at Fortress […]

VWCS Board hears financial information

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent writer Future finances and COVID-19 were the two main topics of discussion during Wednesday night’s Van Wert City Schools Board of Education. The meeting was held in-person, but Treasurer Michelle Mawer and Assistant Superintendent Bill Clifton participated via Zoom. Mawer shared details of the latest five-year financial forecast, which was later approved by […]

VWCF provides method to help non-profits

VW independent/submitted information #GivingTuesday is a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities, and organizations to encourage philanthropy and to celebrate generosity worldwide. Following Thanksgiving and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday, this year’s #GivingTuesday will take place on December 1 and will kick off the […]

Lincolnview holds NHS induction ceremony

VW independent/submitted information Seventeen students were inducted into the Lincolnview Honor Society Wednesday evening. In addition to maintaining a minimum of a 3.5 cumulative grade point average, students must demonstrate leadership, positive character, and complete at least 12 hours of volunteer service annually. The evening’s keynote speaker was girls’ varsity basketball coach Kyle Williams, who […]

Treece, Recker earn high OPSWA honors

Van Wert independent sports Van Wert quarterback Owen Treece has been named the Northwest District Offensive Player of the Year by the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association, while Cougar head coach Keith Recker has been named co-coach of year. Treece, a 5-11, 190 pound senior, has completed 208-of-204 passes for 2,825 yards, 34 touchdowns and 10 […]

Pigskin Pick’Em: 2020 state title games

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports editor The 2020 Ohio high school football season will officially end with this weekend’s Divisions II-VII championship games at Fortress Obetz. The Division I championship game was played last Friday and Cincinnati St. Xavier posted a stunning 44-3 victory over defending state champion Pickerington Central. The remaining championship games will be played […]

Della Louise Kiehl

Della Louise Kiehl passed away Saturday, November 14, 2020, at her home in Sarasota, Florida. She was born December 11, 1942, in Van Wert, and was a graduate of Van Wert High School in 1960.  Della married her husband, David L. Kiehl, on May 8, 1976.  The couple moved to Sarasota, Florida in 1986. Her […]

Weldon Howard Adkins

Weldon Howard Adkins, 79, of Haviland, went home to be with his Lord on Tuesday, November 17, 2020, at Parkview Hospital Randallia in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Born on May 4, 1941, in Oak Hill, Weldon was the son of Ernest and Iva (Leonard) Adkins, who both preceded him in death. On February 6, 1959, he married […]