Submitted information Van Wert Lodge No. 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is pleased to announce that Jack Clark from Delphos, representing Van Wert Lodge, the Northwest District and the Ohio Elks Association, placed second in his age group, 10-11 boys, at the Great Lakes Regional Hoop Shoot Contest held on March 15 in […]
POSTED: 03/21/25 at 8:56 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
Michael D. Darras, 74, of Van Wert, passed away Thursday afternoon, March 20, 2025, at the OSU Wexner Medical Center in Columbus. He was born January 18, 1951, in Van Wert, to Andrew L. Darras and Geneva “Jenny” (Decker) Ellis. On July 13, 1987, he married the former Helen Campbell. He retired in 2021 from Schneider National […]
POSTED: 03/21/25 at 3:13 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
Ned D. Krugh, age 96, of Ohio City, passed away on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at VanCrest of Van Wert. He was born in Ohio City. His mother was Maxine (Lockard) Krugh. Ned was the eldest of three children. His brother Rex Krugh and sister Patricia Keber are deceased. On September 15, 1947, Ned married his […]
POSTED: 03/21/25 at 2:41 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
Joyce Allyne (Ley) Owens, age 98, went to be with her Lord on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at her residence. She was born on August 28, 1926, in the Van Wert Hospital to Sebastian Alfonso Ley and Leah DeNeil (Gamble) Ley, who both preceded her in death. She spent 12 years at the Middle Point […]
POSTED: 03/21/25 at 2:32 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
Thursday March 20, 2025 1:07 a.m. – Deputies responded to an area of South Walnut Street in the City of Van Wert to assist the Van Wert Police Department. 4:08 a.m. – Deputies responded to an area of East Ervin Road in the City of Van Wert to assist the Van Wert Police Department. 4:35 […]
POSTED: 03/21/25 at 7:33 am. FILED UNDER: Law Enforcement
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor One of two Willshire residents involved in a short chase in Van Wert in December has changed his plea from not guilty to guilty. Jesse Stemen, 36, appeared in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court this week and pleaded guilty to amended charges of aggravated possession of drugs, and aggravated trafficking in […]
POSTED: 03/20/25 at 9:01 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff A reminder that the National Weather Service Northern Indiana will host a Skywarn training session at 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 24, at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center in Van Wert. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged as limited seating is available. To pre-register, click here. Those wishing to become Skywarn spotters (recommended age is 14 […]
POSTED: 03/20/25 at 9:00 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information COLUMBUS — The Ohio Chamber of Commerce has launched a new nonpartisan initiative, the Ohio Institute for Political Leadership, that will help to recruit and train pro-business candidates across the state who are interested in running for office at the local or state level. The Ohio Institute for Political Leadership aims to […]
POSTED: 03/20/25 at 9:00 pm. FILED UNDER: News
By Matt Goul, Cleveland.com, (Plain Dealer) Marcus Johnson knew at a young age that expectations would be high for him. His father won Mr. Basketball in 1998 at Garfield Heights and went on to a college career at Ohio University and Cleveland State. His older brother and cousin also earned Division I college scholarships, while he […]
POSTED: 03/20/25 at 12:39 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
Submitted information COLUMBUS — Junior Marcus Johnson of Garfield Heights High School was named 2025 Ohio Mr. Basketball on Thursday by the Ohio Prep Sports Media Association. Marcus Johnson gives his family the first father-son Mr. Basketball combination in Ohio history. His father, Sonny, now the head coach at Garfield Heights, won the award as a […]
POSTED: 03/20/25 at 12:38 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports