Five buildings to be demolished

VW independent staff $500,000 is coming to Van Wert County through Ohio’s Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program to demolish vacant and/or dilapidated buildings. This are the sites listed by the Ohio Department of Development: 19404 Bellis Rd., Middle Point  122 S. Main St., Ohio City 12396 Blaine St., Scott 8218 Dutch John Rd., Van […]

Kirk Ellsworth Semer

With heavy hearts, we announce Kirk Ellsworth Semer, 67, passed away peacefully from diabetic complications, at The Kobacker Hospice House in Columbus, on Saturday morning, November 2, 2024. Kirk was born on October 18, 1957, in Van Wert, the second of four sons to the late H.Paul and Peggy (Agler) Semer. He grew up in […]

VWCO Sheriff’s activity log 11/6/2024

Wednesday November 6, 2024 2:20 a.m. – Deputies responded to an area of Liberty Union Road in Liberty Township to check the area of a subject reported to be in mental distress. 5:39 a.m. – Deputies responded to an area of Wren Landeck Road in Liberty Township for a motor vehicle crash involving a deer, […]

2024 Pigskin Pick’Em: Week No. 12

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports Upsets were few and far between during last Friday’s opening round of the OHSAA football playoffs. The most notable upset was No. 15 seed Delphos St. John’s defeating No. 2 seed Upper Scioto Valley, but many people considered the Blue Jays the favorite in that game. Overall, the results prompted a number […]

Capital campaign launched for building

VW independent staff/submitted information The YWCA of Van Wert County has announced the launch of a capital campaign aimed at funding a new facility that will provide essential living spaces for domestic violence, human trafficking, and sexual assault survivors and their families, as well as permanent supportive housing for homeless women and children. This new […]

No contest plea to fatal crash charge

VW independent staff PAULDING — A Paulding woman facing a second degree misdemeanor charge of vehicular manslaughter for hitting and killing a young bicyclist more than a year ago has entered a no contest plea and now awaits sentencing. Records from Paulding Municipal Court show Cynthia Switzer, 47, waived her right to a jury trial […]

Church to offer Thanksgiving dinner

Submitted information Trinity Friends Church will be holding its annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner from 12-4 p.m. Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 28. A full turkey dinner will offered free of charge for any in our community who is alone or in need of a helping hand this holiday season. You may eat in or carry out […]

Half of school issues pass statewide

VW independent staff/submitted information COLUMBUS — Voters across Ohio approved 51 percent of the school tax issues on the November 5 general election ballot, a notable decrease from the 2023 general election when 70 percent of such issues were approved. Renewal school tax proposals continue to enjoy majority support from the public, but that majority […]

Haven of Hope fundraiser almost here

VW independent staff Haven of Hope’s Empty Bowls fundraiser will be held at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, November 9, at Willow Bend Country Club in Van Wert. The event is designed to help raise awareness about hunger, homelessness, and serve as a fundraiser to support the Haven of Hope men’s homeless shelter in Van Wert. Tickets […]

Court roundup: various hearings held

VW independent staff An arraignment, plea changes, sentencings and a probation violation were among the criminal hearings held in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court between Thursday, October 31, and Wednesday, November 6. Judge Martin Burchfield presided over each of the hearings. Arraignment Jacob Johnson, 23, of Willshire, entered a not guilty plea to rape, […]