New program to reduce court backlogs

COLUMBUS — Governor Mike DeWine has announced the launch of a new program aimed at helping local courts throughout Ohio more efficiently process increasing numbers of court cases. The Office of Criminal Justice Services, which is a division of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, is now accepting applications for the new Ohio Court Backlog […]

VWCO Sheriff’s activity log 6/28/2022

Tuesday June 28, 2022 6:59 a.m. – Deputies responded to a location in Pleasant Township for a motor vehicle crash report involving a deer. No injuries reported. 7:09 a.m. – Dispatched Van Wert EMS to a residence in Harrison Township for a subject that was ill. 7:36 a.m. – Deputies responded to a location in […]

OSHP: Spencerville teen killed in crash

VW independent news   SPENCERVILLE — The Lima Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a single-vehicle rollover accident that claimed a Spencerville teen. The crash occurred at approximately 8:30 p.m. Tuesday on West Union Road, east of Kill Road in Spencer Township, near the Van Wert County line. According to investigating troopers, a 1973 Chevrolet […]

Holiday at Home activities set for July 4

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor There will be no shortage of ways to celebrate the upcoming Independence Day holiday weekend in Van Wert. The Van Wert County Historical Society will host its annual “Holiday at Home” activities from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Monday, July 4. Music will be provided by the Van Wert Area Community Concert […]

Reichert earns STEM-based scholarship

VW independent staff Van Wert High School’s Joshua Reichert was one of 214 students throughout Ohio who recently received a $1,000 Believe in Ohio STEM Innovation and Entrepreneurship scholarship to attend any Ohio college, university or post-secondary career center. Funded by the State of Ohio through the Department of Higher Education and operated as a […]

Rally 4 Recovery to be held July 9 in VW

VW independent staff/submitted information Families of Addicts Van Wert will present its second annual Rally 4 Recovery, from 1-5 p.m. Saturday, July 9, at Fountain Park. The family-friendly event is for the whole community including those in recovery, those seeking recovery and all those individuals that love and support them. The mission of Families of […]

Boat excursion being offered by COA

VW independent staff/submitted information The Van Wert County Council on Aging travel program will venture to Lake Wawasee, Indiana where travelers will experience a grand day on the S.S. Lillypad lake boat. The date of the tour is Thursday, August 4. Lake Wawasee is a large, natural, freshwater lake southeast of Syracuse, in Kosciusko County. […]

Van Wert police log 6/19-6/26/22

Van Wert Police  Sunday, June 19, 7:55 p.m. – received a report of a criminal trespass incident in the 600 block of Temple St. Sunday, June 19, 12:30 p.man. – received a report of domestic violence in the 200 block of S. Fulton St. on 6/15. Monday, June 20, 11:21 a.m. – received a report […]

Donations sought for local fire victims

VW independent staff/submitted information  Donations are being sought for the victims of a Monday night apartment house fire in the 1100 block of W. Main St. in Van Wert. Van Wert County CERT, along with the Salvation Army are teaming up to raise support for the families. After meeting with the two families, it was determined that clothing, […]

VWCO Sheriff’s activity log 6/26-6/27

Sunday June 26, 2022   12:08 a.m. – Deputies served a warrant issued by Van Wert County Common Pleas Court for a bond violation. Danal Parsons, 52, of Van Wert is being held at the Van Wert County Correctional Facility pending court.   12:11 a.m. – Deputies responded to investigate a commercial alarm in Ridge Township.   12:15 a.m. – Dispatched […]