SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor Vantage Career Center High School Director Ben Winans has a new contract. The three-year contract was unanimously approved during Thursday night’s Vantage school board meeting. Winans was hired by the board in May of 2022. Prior to that, he served in the same role until 2016, when he left to serve as […]
POSTED: 03/07/25 at 6:41 am. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information PAULDING – The Western Buckeye ESC hosted the Franklin B. Walter Scholarship program on March 3rd at the Vantage Career Center. The Van Wert County winners are Samuel Boroff, Crestview; Trace Klausing, Lincolnview, and Amanda Burenga, Van Wert (county winner). As the county winner, Burenga received a $500 scholarship from the […]
POSTED: 03/06/25 at 10:15 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Submitted information The Board of Directors of First Federal of Van Wert has announced the promotion of Stephanie Phillips to branch manager. Phillips began her career at First Federal in June, 2021 as a loan processor and she was promoted to commercial relationship manager in 2023. Phillips is a graduate of Lincolnview High School and […]
POSTED: 03/06/25 at 10:13 pm. FILED UNDER: Business
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor There was a surprise development in the murder case of Ryan Houser this morning. In a hastily called hearing in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court, Houser, 39, of Rockford, changed his plea from not guilty to no contest to a single count of murder, an unclassified felony in this case. In […]
POSTED: 03/06/25 at 11:14 am. FILED UNDER: News
Wednesday March 5, 2025 12:43 a.m. – Deputies responded to an area of Ohio 49 in the Village of Wren to assist a disabled motorist. 1:28 a.m. – Deputies responded to a residence on U.S. 224 in Harrison Township to check the welfare of a resident. 2:51 a.m. – Deputies along with Ohio City Fire […]
POSTED: 03/06/25 at 8:41 am. FILED UNDER: Law Enforcement
Marilyn L. Donley, 96, of Van Wert, Ohio, passed away Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital. She was born on September 29, 1928, in Nappanee, Indiana, to Donald and Edith Mae (Reed) Tobias. In 1974, Marilyn married Donald Donley. She retired from Aeroquip Corporation, in 1989, after 32+ years of service. Marilyn […]
POSTED: 03/05/25 at 9:36 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor Nine criminal hearings, including a bench trial, took place in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court between Thursday, February 27, and Wednesday, March 5. Judge Martin D. Burchfield presided over each of the hearings. Trial After a bench trial, Gary Yates, 41, of Van Wert, was found guilty of failure to provide […]
POSTED: 03/05/25 at 9:10 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose has put out the call to duty asking Ohioans to consider becoming a poll worker in the upcoming May 6 statewide election. “Our elections depend on thousands of people from across the 88 counties of our state who show up at the polls to help […]
POSTED: 03/05/25 at 9:10 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Read Across America Week is an annual nationwide celebration of reading and literacy that takes place each year from March 2-8. Several activities have been planned, including extra reading time, coloring contests, and literacy initiatives. Junior high and high school students visited elementary classrooms, partnering with younger students for one-on-one reading sessions and participating in […]
POSTED: 03/05/25 at 9:10 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information GREENVILLE — In response to the growing demand for emergency medical services professionals nationwide, Spirit EMS has announced the launch of a paid EMT class. This initiative is designed to equip aspiring EMTs with the skills necessary to succeed in a critical field currently experiencing a workforce shortage, particularly in Ohio. […]
POSTED: 03/05/25 at 9:09 pm. FILED UNDER: News