Crestview gets big win, Lancers win too

VW independent sports Crestview 3 New Bremen 2 CONVOY — A rematch of last year’s Division IV state semifinal turned into a five-set thriller at Ray Etzler Gymnasium Thursday night, as Crestview rallied to defeat defending Division IV state champion New Bremen 20-25, 25-17, 23-25, 25-22, 15-10. When the two teams met in the state […]

VWCO Sheriff’s activity log 8/23/2023

Wednesday August 23, 2023 7:47 a.m. – Deputies along with Wren EMS and Van Wert EMS responded to a residence on Jackson Street in the Village of Wren for a report of a subject not breathing. 8:00 a.m. – Deputies served a warrant issued by Van Wert Common Pleas Court for a Bond Violation. Skylar […]

Board gets update on Eggerss Stadium

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor Phase I of a massive overhaul of Eggerss Stadium is nearly complete and Van Wert City Schools Treasurer Troy Bowersock gave a brief financial update on the project during Wednesday night’s school board meeting. “We’re pretty confident where we are as far as phase I is concerned,” Bowersock said. “As of August […]

Salvation Army in need of food donations

VW independent staff The Salvation Army in Van Wert has a pair of feeding programs that are in need of food. The Salvation Army’s food pantry is running low, as clients using the pantry has increased by 30 percent, with more people requesting food each week. Specific items are needed, including instant potatoes, Ramen noodles, […]

Northwest State ranked No. 1 on new list

VW independent staff/submitted information ARCHBOLD — Northwest State Community College was recently voted “Top Community College in Ohio” according to WalletHub’s “2023 Best & Worst Community Colleges” rankings. A total of 15 Ohio community colleges were included in the WalletHub rankings, which considered a total of 668 American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) member schools. […]

Leadership Class completes 2023 project

Submitted information The 2023 Van Wert Chamber of Commerce Leadership Class partnered with the Van Wert County Agricultural Society to raise funds for new fencing for the 4-H Horse Arena. “We always enjoy working with the Van Wert Agricultural Society and they are always a great partner,” Chamber President and CEO Mark Verville said. “They […]

Dangerous intersection to be discussed

Submitted information LIMA — The Ohio Department of Transportation District 1 is inviting the public to a meeting regarding a proposed project to improve the safety of the Ohio 81 and Thayer Road intersection in Lima. The meeting will be held in two sessions, 1-3 and 6-8 p.m. Thursday, September 21, at the Union Chapel […]

Pigskin Pick’Em: Week No. 2

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor Just like that, 10 percent of high school football’s regular season is in the books. Week No. 1 included a couple of notable upsets, a near upset, first wins for some new area head coaches and overall, some pretty competitive games. Last week I went 23-6 (79 percent), not too bad for […]

Golf; Ottoville, Crestview post wins

VW independent sports/submitted information Ottoville 160 Van Wert 161 On a hot, windy day the Ottoville Big Green came to Van Wert to take on the Cougars at Willow Bend on Wednesday. With the first four scores in it appeared Van Wert had Ottoville by two strokes, 161-163. When the last foursome posted their scores […]

Payne man sentenced for local break-in

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor A Payne man who confessed to his role in a May, 2022 burglary and assault at a Van Wert home received a lengthy prison sentence this week in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court. Seth Hitzeman, 21, was sentenced by Judge Martin Burchfield to six to nine years in prison for aggravated […]