SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor Six of 11 criminal cases heard in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court between Thursday, February 18, and Wednesday, February 26, involved drug charges. Judge Martin D. Burchfield presided over each of the hearings. Plea changes Donald Lewis, 60, of Van Wert, changed his plea to guilty to breaking and entering, a fifth […]
POSTED: 02/26/25 at 3:35 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Editor’s note: the maximum license suspension in this case is two years. It was incorrectly stated as three years but has since been corrected. SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor An out-of-state man who caused a fatal accident that claimed the lives of two Van Wert County men last October was sentenced in Van Wert Municipal Court Wednesday […]
POSTED: 02/26/25 at 3:35 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Tuesday February 25, 2025 8:20 a.m. – Deputies responded to an area of Middle Point Road in Ridge Township for a deer in the roadway. 9:01 a.m. – Deputies responded to an area of West Maple Avenue in the City of Van Wert for a loose dog. 9:43 a.m. – Dispatched Convoy EMS to a […]
POSTED: 02/26/25 at 8:51 am. FILED UNDER: Law Enforcement
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor In an off-year election, the ballot is usually light. On May 6, which is Special/Primary Election Day throughout Ohio, the local ballot will be extremely light. The filing deadline for partisan races and local issues for the May 6 election was February 5. There are no local partisan races this year and […]
POSTED: 02/25/25 at 9:58 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff PAULDING — The Western Buckeye ESC governing board will meet in special session at 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 5, in the ESC Conference Room, 835 N. Williams St., Paulding, for the purpose of conducting superintendent interviews. The meeting will be held in executive session. Six people applied for the position and four of […]
POSTED: 02/25/25 at 9:57 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Van Wert FOP Lodge 62 held its 2025 community fundraiser banquet to a sold out crowd at Willow Bend Country Club on Saturday. The event was a huge success with the lodge far exceeding last year’s donations. One of the highlights of the evening was FOP Lodge 62 President Bruce Showalter (right) presenting the Lodge […]
POSTED: 02/25/25 at 9:57 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information LIMA — The Lima-Allen County Regional Planning Commission (LACRPC) has announced Rebecca Phillips as its new executive director. The vote was made official in a special board meeting with the organization’s executive committee on February 20. Phillips’ new role became effective immediately following the vote. Phillips has been employed at LACRPC […]
POSTED: 02/25/25 at 9:56 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent sports/submitted information CANTON — This past weekend members of the Van Wert High School boys swim team competed at the Division II OHSAA Swimming and Diving State Championships at C.T. Branin Natatorium in Canton. Things started off with Sam Houg and Robbie Gamble competing in the 50 yard freestyle. Houg swam a time […]
POSTED: 02/25/25 at 9:55 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
Stacie Angelene Jones, 52, of Bellefontaine, passed away Monday morning, February 24, 2025, at her home. Stacie was born May 24, 1972, in Van Wert to Gene and Drema (Welch) Arn. She married Bradley K. Jones on December 10, 1994, in St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Van Wert, and he preceded her in death on December […]
POSTED: 02/25/25 at 8:42 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
Ronald (Ron) John Shultz, 62, of New Palestine, Indiana, passed away at home on Sunday, February 23, 2025. He was born January 13,1963, in Van Wert, the son of Richard and Helen Shultz, who both proceeded him in death. Ron leaves behind two brothers, Randall (Vickie) Shultz, Rodney Shultz and one sister Rhonda (Ray) Thomas. […]
POSTED: 02/25/25 at 2:25 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries