VW Cougars can’t rally from early deficit

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports editor DEFIANCE — A nearly perfect first quarter by Defiance was enough to give the Bulldogs a 53-46 Western Buckeye League win over Van Wert on Tuesday night. Defiance hit 10-of-12 shots and closed the opening period on a 9-0 run, giving the hosts a 23-10 lead. 6-5 sophomore forward Cayden Zachrich […]

Girls hoops: Lancers win, Van Wert falls

Van Wert independent sports Lincolnview 45 Antwerp 38 A strong first half propelled Lincolnview to a 45-38 non-conference win over Antwerp on Tuesday. The Lancers led 14-9 after the first quarter, with Annie Renner and Kendall Bollenbacher each scoring five points in the period, then Lincolnview extended the lead to 29-16 at halftime. Zadria King […]

Gov. has detailed Phase 1B vaccine info

VW independent/submitted information COLUMBUS — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted provided the following updates Tuesday on Ohio’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Phase 1B timelineGovernor DeWine reemphasized the vaccine distribution timeline for Phase 1B of Ohio’s vaccination program which is set to begin next week with those ages 80 and older. […]

Cooper Farms donates to area food banks

VW independent/submitted information OAKWOOD — In 2020, Cooper Farms donated nearly 170,000 pounds of cooked or ready-to-cook turkey, ham and chicken, as well as more than 92,000 dozen eggs, helping to fulfill an especially high need for protein at area food banks. With so many Americans losing their jobs as a result of the COVID-19 […]

Yost joins other A-Gs in opioid initiative

Submitted information COLUMBUS — Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost joined a broad coalition of 48 attorneys general in pushing federal regulators to examine recent progress in their fight against opioid abuse. The bipartisan coalition, led by West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey and New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas, specifically seeks a progress report regarding […]

AEP office ends 2020 United Way campaign

VW independent/submitted information The Van Wert AEP office recently completed its 2020 United Way Campaign, including a 50 percent corporate match to the employee contribution.  AEP’s contribution helps support the 34 local United Way agencies. United Way is grateful to AEP for helping those who need it most and for its support of the Van […]

Gary Eugene Stoller

Gary Eugene Stoller, 83, went home to be with his Lord and Savior surrounded by his wife and children on Sunday evening, January 10, 2021, at his home in Van Wert. He was born in Paulding County on May 17, 1937, to Jesse H. and Lillian I. (Fiechter) Stoller. Both parents preceded him in death, […]

Law Enforcement 1/12/2021

Van Wert Police January 9, 4:23 p.m. — Zachary N. Martinez, 32, of 903 E. Sycamore St., was arrested on warrants issued in Paulding County Municipal Court. January 4, 4:55 p.m. — Jared A. Smith, 32, of 208 S. Wayne St., was arrested on a warrant issued in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court. January […]

Council hears year-end city finance report

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor Van Wert City Council heard about some economic development highlights from 2020 — several of which will continue into this year — while also receiving an end-of-year report on city finances during a brief meeting held to open the new year’s legislative activity. Van Wert Area Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Stacy […]

Mollenkopf: Hybrid learning to end Jan. 19

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent writer CONVOY — The first meeting of 2021 was a short, but busy one for the Crestview Local Board of Education. During the annual organizational portion of Monday night’s meeting, John Auld was re-elected as board president and Brad Perrott was chosen as vice president. Lori Bittner will continue as legislative liaison, while […]