Pep band

The Van Wert High School pep band entertained the crowd during Friday night’s boys basketball game between the Cougars and the St. Marys Memorial Roughriders. It was a tough night, as Van Wert lost the game 63-37. Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent

Accused killer requests new attorney

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor A murder suspect who asked for a new defense attorney had his request denied this week. Ryan Houser, 38, who address in court records is listed as Celina, made the request earlier this month. Records show it was received by the Van Wert County Clerk of Court’s Office on Monday, January 8. […]

Red Cross: blood donations needed

VW independent staff/submitted information COLUMBUS — The State Board of Emergency Medical, Fire, and Transportation Services has joined the American Red Cross to alert Ohioans about a critical need for blood donations. According to the Red Cross, the blood supply has fallen to dangerously low levels across the country, and the nation is seeing the […]

Agencies team up

The YMCA of Van Wert County and Youth for Christ joined forces and held a New Year’s Eve Lock-In for middle school students. 75 middle school students participated in a night filled with various activities, including swimming, dodge ball, watching the ball drop, and enjoying movies. Corey Clifton, Program Director at YMCA (left) is shown […]

Cougars vs. Roughriders

Van Wert and St. Marys Memorial met on the court Friday night and the Roughriders used their size to roll to a 63-37 win. St. Marys had a pair of 6-7 players, along with three other starters measured at 6-1 or taller. Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent

Hoops: Cougars, Lancers fall, Knights win

VW independent sports St. Marys Memorial 63 Van Wert 37 A much taller St. Marys Memorial team was too much for Van Wert on Friday, as the Roughriders rolled to a 63-37 victory on Friday. Behind four points each by Cobain Owen, 6’7 Jace Turner and 6’7 Evan Angstmann, St. Marys led 15-8 at the […]

Friday night basketball scoreboard

VW independent sports Here are final scores of area boys high school basketball games played on Friday, January 19. GMC Antwerp 59 Fairview 44Ayersville 63 Hicksville 49Paulding 72 Edgerton 42Wayne Trace 69 Tinora 43 MAC Coldwater 57 Fort Recovery 32Minster 48 Versailles 31New Bremen 59 Marion Local 42St. Henry 71 New Knoxville 33Delphos St. John’s […]

Marlene M. Fast

Marlene M. Fast, 86, of Ohio City, passed away on Thursday, January 18, 2024, at Adams Memorial Hospital. She was born on January 25, 1937, in Decatur, Indiana to Kenneth Ohler and Ruth (Holle) Ohler, who both preceded her in death. Marlene was united in marriage to Marvin W. Fast on August 13, 1966, at […]

Downtown view

This is what Main St. in downtown Van Wert looked like as of mid-Friday morning. Crews were out and about, trying to clear snow from roadways. However, slick conditions, especially along secondary streets and roads and the possibility of blowing snow later led all area schools to go on a two-hour delay before canceling classes […]

ODOT crew ready for appoaching snow

VW independent staff/submitted information Several inches of snow are forecast to blanket the entire state through the weekend, with the heaviest amounts in northern Ohio. Crews from the Ohio Department of Transportation have already been out ahead of the storm preparing equipment and roadways. Due to the snow and expected blowing snow, travel is expected […]