By Judge Jill T. Worthington Every day, courtrooms across the United States are filled with individuals impacted by substance use and mental health disorders. Without treatment to address the underlying cause of criminal behavior, many will continue to cycle in and out of the justice system, burdening law enforcement and at tremendous expense to taxpayers. […]
POSTED: 04/24/25 at 9:33 pm. FILED UNDER: Opinions
VW independent sports Softball Lincolnview 14 Spencerville 0 (five innings) Lainey Spear smacked a grand slam home run, Ila Hughes pitched five innings of perfect ball and Lincolnview improved to 11-3 (3-0 NWC) with a 14-0 five inning win over Spencerville on Thursday. Already leading 2-0, Spear’s blast came in the second inning and scored […]
POSTED: 04/24/25 at 9:28 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
Wednesday April 23, 2025 1:47 a.m. – Deputies responded to a location on North Washington Street in the City of Van Wert to assist the Van Wert Police Department. 8:49 a.m. – Deputies responded to a residence on Sheets Road in Willshire Township for a complaint of two loose horses on the property. 9:08 a.m. […]
POSTED: 04/24/25 at 7:08 am. FILED UNDER: Law Enforcement
Denny J. Gibbons, 75, of Rockford, passed away at 10:11 p.m. Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at Divine Rehabilitation and Nursing at Shane Hill in Rockford. He was born February 9, 1950, in Chattanooga, Ohio, to Luther and Clara (Schaadt) Gibbons. On October 15, 1994, he married Gayle (Winhover) Gibbons. Denny was confirmed at St Paul’s […]
POSTED: 04/24/25 at 6:29 am. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
VW independent staff/submitted information Five area boys have been selected as finalists for the 2025 R.K. Thompson Self Reliance Award, according to Keri McClure, Breanne Sudduth and Anthony Adams, co-chairpersons of the Van Wert Service Club’s selection committee. In its 55th year, the program provides cash awards to Van Wert County High School seniors who […]
POSTED: 04/23/25 at 9:03 pm. FILED UNDER: News
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor A Van Wert High School teacher placed on paid administrative leave in late March is no longer employed with the Van Wert City Schools. During Wednesday’s monthly school board meeting, board members accepted the resignation of band director Robert Sloan, retroactive to April 1. The board also approved a release and separation […]
POSTED: 04/23/25 at 9:02 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Submitted information COLUMBUS — With prom and graduation season underway at high schools across the state, the Division of Liquor Control and the Ohio Department of Public Safety’s Ohio Investigative Unit remind liquor permit holders, families, schools and communities to work together to ensure these milestone events stay safe and enjoyable. While the upcoming celebrations mark significant achievements, they also […]
POSTED: 04/23/25 at 9:02 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent sports Baseball Van Wert 2 Crestview 1 CONVOY — Van Wert and Crestview were scoreless after four innings but in the fifth inning, Case Stegaman singled home Griffin McCracken and Nate Gearhart, enough runs for a 2-1 victory over the Knights. Bryson Penix singled in Huxley Grose in the bottom of the fifth, […]
POSTED: 04/23/25 at 9:01 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
A lot of great plays were made during Wednesday’s non-conference baseball game between Van Wert and Crestview. Nate Gearhart (above) came on in relief of Hayden Dowler and pitched more than two innings of no-hit ball. While shortstop Bryson Penix (below) makes a throw for the Knights. Van Wert won the game 2-1. Wyatt Richardson/Van […]
POSTED: 04/23/25 at 9:00 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
VW independent staff Six defendants appeared for hearings in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court Wednesday morning. The hearings were unrelated and Judge Martin D. Burchfield presided over each of the proceedings. Sentencing hearings Leslie Weisenberger, 41, of Mendon, was sentenced to one year of community control sanctions and 60 days in jail, with election […]
POSTED: 04/23/25 at 10:43 am. FILED UNDER: News