Streets to close for annual foot race

VW independent Several city streets will be closed to traffic on Saturday, July 15, for the Van Wert 4-Mile race. A portion of Main St., along with S. Walnut St., Greenwald St., S. Tyler St., Frothingham St., Madison Blvd., Garfield St. and Champaign St. will be closed from 7:15-9 p.m. for the race.

Templeton to perform at Opera House

VW independent staff CONVOY — Country music singer and songwriter Glen Templeton is bringing his act to Convoy. The accomplished recording artist who has graced the Opry stage is set to play the historic Opera House at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, August 4. Templeton’s legacy began to unfold when he shared the stage with his late […]

Donation from DAVA to help children

VW independent staff/submitted information A recent donation from Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary Unit 54 of Van Wert to the DAV’s “Just B Kids” scholarship program has enabled three children to attend the Golden Corral Restaurant’s Camp Corral. The Golden Corral Restaurant Chain has been sending children of permanently disabled veterans or fallen heroes to a […]

State leaders mark one year of 988

VW independent staff/submitted information COLUMBUS — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, joined by Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services Director Lori Criss, and Ohio 988 Administrator Doug Jackson, took some time on Friday to recognize the positive impact of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline has had on Ohioans following one year of state-and-nationwide […]

Bells to be restored…

It’s taken a little longer than expected but the bells are coming out at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Van Wert. 10 bells, originally installed in 1913, will be refurbished and reinstalled by the Smith Clock and Bell Company, the same firm hired to restore the Van Wert National Bank clock. Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent

Retired teachers to hold summer lunch

Submitted information The Van Wert Area Retired Teachers Association (VWARTA) will meet for their summer luncheon program at 12 p.m. Friday, July 14, at Willow Bend Country Club. Dr. Robin Rayfield, Executive Director of the Ohio Retirement for Teachers Association (ORTA), will be the featured speaker. He will share his candid perspective on some recent […]

Grant awarded…

The Midwest Electric Community Connection Fund recently awarded a $500 grant to the Van Wert Area Performing Arts Foundation presenting Van Wert Live events. These funds are specifically used to provide accessibility to the arts for low to moderate-income families through the VWLive Community Impact Program. The grant was made possible through Midwest’s “Round Up” […]

Lambert Days to offer full slate of activities

VW independent staff/submitted information OHIO CITY — The 2023 edition of Lambert Days will be held, as always, on the third full weekend’ in July, July 21-23 at the Ohio City Fireman’s Park and Community Building on Ohio 118 on the north side of the village. The annual celebration honors American automotive pioneer John Lambert, […]

ODOT lists weekly county road projects

Submitted information LIMA — The following ODOT District 1 construction projects are anticipated to affect highways in Van Wert County next week. All work is weather permitting. U.S. 224 between Hoaglin Center Road and State Route 637/Stemen Road will close on Monday, July 24, for approximately 75 days to replace three culverts. The project was […]

11 people die in crashes July 3-4

VW independent staff/submitted information COLUMBUS — The Ohio State Highway Patrol is reporting 11 people lost their lives in nine traffic crashes during the July Fourth reporting period, defined as July 3-4. Impairment was determined to be a factor in two of those crashes and a safety belt was not used in three of those […]