Postgame thoughts from UD Arena

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports editor Here are some thoughts from Dayton after Thursday’s Division IV state semifinal game between Crestview and Fort Loramie. Congratulations Obviously it wasn’t the result that Crestview wanted, but congratulations to the Lady Knights and the coaches for making it to the 46th annual Ohio High School Athletic Association State Girls Basketball […]

Health Dept. reports 4 new COVID deaths

VW independent/submitted information As of Thursday, the Van Wert County General Health District reports four additional deaths of county residents who tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of deaths for county residents to 53.  The health department waits to confirm a COVID-19 death until it is able to receive the death certificate. If the […]

Former mayor Don Farmer dies Tuesday

Van Wert independent Local businessman and former two-term Van Wert mayor Don Farmer died Tuesday at a Fort Wayne, Indiana, hospice center. He was 82. Farmer, a Pennsylvania native, later moved to California, where he graduated from Fresno High School and earned a business degree from Los Angeles State College. He later moved to Van […]

Donald M. Farmer

Donald M. Farmer, 82, of Van Wert, died at 4:11 p.m. Tuesday, March 9, 2021, at Home & Hospice Care in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He was born November 11, 1938, in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, the son of George Marshall and Laura Grace (Gibson) Farmer, who both preceded him in death. On November 15, 1958, he married […]

Riedel votes for repeal of nuclear subsidy

Submitted information COLUMBUS — State Rep. Craig S. Riedel (R-Defiance) on Wednesday supported legislation that repeals the nuclear subsidy created by House Bill 6 from the 133rd General Assembly and establishes legislative oversight over orders issued during a state of emergency. This legislation, known as Senate Bill 22, provides the legislature the ability to oversee […]

Treehouses part of Auction at the Wass

Have you ever wanted to stay in a treehouse? You can score up to a three-day stay at your choice of treehouses at Dwellbox, located near beautiful New Philadelphia, for up to a three-day stay! Choose from four different unique treehouse housing 2-4 people or check out its Dwellhouse options for larger groups.  Time is […]

8 people plead to grand jury indictments

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor Eight people were arraigned on grand jury indictments this week in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court. Karl Kahler Jr., 59, of Lima, pleaded not guilty to one count each of robbery and failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer (fleeing), each a felony of the third […]

Local plant project awarded ORDC grant

VW independent/submitted information On Tuesday, the Ohio Rail Development Commission (ORDC) approved a grant in the amount of $75,000 to Trucent Renewable Chemicals in order to establish rail service at a new facility to be constructed in Van Wert.   The approximately $10-million facility will result in 21 new jobs at the project site. Headquartered in […]

Chamber announces 2021 award winners

VW independent/submitted information The Van Wert Area Chamber of Commerce recently completed its 2021 Annual Chamber Awards to recognize businesses based on performance, events and milestones in 2020.  “We are extremely happy with the amount of people who followed, liked, and commented about our recipients on our social media platforms,” said Chamber President/CEO Mark Verville. […]

VWCS to accept open enrollment requests

VW independent/submitted information Van Wert City Schools, in correlation with Ohio Revised Code 3313.64 or 3313.65, will again permit students from other school districts in Ohio to apply and enroll in the district’s school system through “open enrollment” for the 2021-2022 school year.   Applications will be accepted beginning immediately on a first-come, first-served basis, according […]