SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor A man currently in jail for an October, 2024 crash that killed two Van Wert County men appeared in court Tuesday to answer to a whole new set of charges unrelated to the accident. Timothy Kiester, 61, of Berrien Springs, Michigan, was arraigned in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court on 15 […]
POSTED: 03/18/25 at 9:04 pm. FILED UNDER: Top Story
VW independent staff/submitted information LIMA — The Awakenings Victim Outreach Program at Area Agency on Aging 3 was awarded a multi-year grant through the Health Path Foundation of Ohio to support older adults 60 and over. The Awakenings Victim Outreach Program supports older adults across Allen, Auglaize, Hanock, Hardin, Mercer, Putnam, and Van Wert counties […]
POSTED: 03/18/25 at 9:01 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Van Wert is losing a grocery store. Save A Lot on Shannon St. will close its doors for good on April 1. Employees were notified of the pending closure on Monday. More than two dozen workers will be affected by the closure. Scott Truxell/Van Wert independent
POSTED: 03/18/25 at 9:01 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information Three out of state trips and a pair of in-state trips are on the list of this year’s Van Wert County Council on Aging travel trips. Creation Museum, Petersburg, Kentucky — Wednesday, April 30 This 75,000-square-foot facility allows you to experience earth’s history as God has revealed it in the Bible. […]
POSTED: 03/18/25 at 8:59 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff The Van Wert County Bar Association will conduct a memorial service in honor of W. Edward Hatcher at 12:30 p.m. Monday, April 7, in the Van Wert County Common Pleas Courtroom on the third floor of the Van Wert County Courthouse. Hatcher, 78, passed away February 27. He spent 50 years practicing […]
POSTED: 03/18/25 at 8:58 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information PAULDING — A Paulding County man who sexually abused a minor was sentenced to 34 months in prison on Tuesday, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Paulding County Sheriff Jason Landers announced. Daniel Froelich, 56, of Cecil, was sentenced in Paulding County Common Pleas Court after pleading guilty to two counts […]
POSTED: 03/18/25 at 8:57 pm. FILED UNDER: News
The Van Wert Fire Department’s ladder truck L2 underwent its annual inspection on Tuesday. The inspection was conducted by EVP Emergency Vehicles Products based in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Field engineer Brett Burger, assisted by Van Wert firefighter Brett Schumm, conducted the required annual testing procedures. Some of the tests performed were looking for structural defects in the vehicles, […]
POSTED: 03/18/25 at 8:57 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Van Wert recently concluded its boys basketball season with the team’s annual postseason awards. Special award winners (pictured above, left to right): Zach Crummey “Chairman of The Boards” and “Rookie of The Year”, Keaten Welch “Cougar Award”, Caden Collins “Claw Award”, Cohen Bragg “Grit Award”, and Nate Gearhart “Cougar Pride Award.” WBL honors (pictured below): […]
POSTED: 03/18/25 at 8:52 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
The Crestview girls basketball program concluded its season with head coach Mark Gregory and his coaching staff recognizing the team’s accomplishments throughout the season. Scholar Athletes (pictured above, left to right): Peyton Hoffman, Lillie Best, Josie Kulwicki, Ellie Kline, Kennedy Crider, Haley McCoy, Lydia Grace, and Kaci Gregory. Special Awards (below): Kaci Gregory (70 percent […]
POSTED: 03/18/25 at 8:51 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
Van Wert Police Sunday, March 9 – an incident of breaking and entering was reported in the 1100 block of Kear Rd. Sunday, March 9 – officers were dispatched to the 1200 block of Lincoln Highway for a report of a runaway juvenile. Monday, March 10 – took a report for criminal damaging in the […]
POSTED: 03/18/25 at 8:35 am. FILED UNDER: Law Enforcement