The Middle Point Fire Department was called on to extinguish this vehicle fire on Reidenbach Road late Thursday afternoon. The SUV had just been parked when the driver noticed smoke and fire coming out from under the hood. Firefighters quickly put out the blaze, which threatened a nearby parked travel trailer. The Van Wert Sheriff’s department […]
POSTED: 05/16/24 at 9:14 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff Van Wert County is slated to get a new electric vehicle (EV) fast charging station, as part of a second round of funding announced on Thursday. The new EV charging station will be at Arby’s, near the intersection of Washington St. (U.S. 127) and U.S. 30 in Van Wert. Overall, the second […]
POSTED: 05/16/24 at 9:13 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Established through House Bill 33 of the Ohio General Assembly and administered by the Ohio Department of Aging and the Van Wert County Commissioners, the Healthy Aging Grants Program provides support for local services that focus on helping Van Wert seniors aged 60 and older to stay healthy, live longer, and maintain their independence. Through this grant […]
POSTED: 05/16/24 at 9:13 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent sports Van Wert 5 Coldwater 4 At Russell Fisher Field, Van Wert rallied from a 4-0 deficit to defeat Division III No. 3 Coldwater 5-4 on Thursday. The Cougars scored all five of their runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Briston Wise opened the inning with a double then after a […]
POSTED: 05/16/24 at 9:12 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
Submitted information COLUMBUS — Ohio High School Athletic Association member schools passed all six proposed revisions to the OHSAA Constitution and Bylaws, Executive Director Doug Ute announced Thursday. The OHSAA’s annual referendum voting period ended at 4 p.m. Wednesday. Each member school has one vote on each referendum item, which is cast by the high […]
POSTED: 05/16/24 at 1:01 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
Submitted information Trinity Friends Church would like to congratulate Lucas Owen Bollenbacher, recipient of the 2024 Harold Murphy Memorial Scholarship, which awarded to a graduating senior in honor of the late Harold E. Murphy, prayer warrior and faithful follower of Jesus Christ. Bollenbacher, the son of Steve and Ryanne Bollenbacher, is graduating from Lincolnview High […]
POSTED: 05/16/24 at 12:45 pm. FILED UNDER: Church
Janet A. Looker, 85, of Pickerington, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, May 12, 2024. She was born November 10, 1938, in Van Wert, to George and Retta Beck, who both preceded her in death. Janet is survived by her daughters, Kimberly (Kirk) Semer, Jennifer (Matt) Merklin, and Sarah (Allison Dickey) Looker; grandchildren, […]
POSTED: 05/16/24 at 12:31 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
Wednesday May 15, 2024 5:59 a.m. – Deputies responded to an area of U.S. 127 in Pleasant Township for a motor vehicle crash involving a deer, no injuries were reported. 1:00 a.m. – Deputies responded to an area of John Brown Road in Union Township for a report of a subject walking the roadway possibly […]
POSTED: 05/16/24 at 7:45 am. FILED UNDER: Law Enforcement
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor Six defendants appeared for sentencing in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court on Wednesday. The hearings were among a number of proceedings held between May 10-15. Judge Martin Burchfield presided over each of the hearings. Joshua McGinnis, 42, of Van Wert, was sentenced to 60 days in jail, 30 more days in […]
POSTED: 05/15/24 at 9:03 pm. FILED UNDER: News
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor A former Spencerville Local Schools superintendent has been indicted on charges of gross sexual imposition and attempted sexual battery. According to notice issued by Superintendent Brian Woods, the charges against Dennis Fuge involve a student at Spencerville Local Schools. Fuge, 66, of Spencerville, served as superintendent for several years until retiring in […]
POSTED: 05/15/24 at 9:03 pm. FILED UNDER: News