James R. Clark, 90, of Van Wert passed away in the late afternoon of Monday, May 19, 2025, at his residence with his family at his side. He was born November 3, 1934, in Van Wert a son of Edward and Naomi (Thatcher) Clark, who both preceded him in death. On August 5, 1956, he […]
POSTED: 05/21/25 at 6:37 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
VW independent staff This Friday’s Van Wert Area Community Concert Band Concert will now be held at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center in Van Wert. The program, which was originally scheduled to be held at Fountain Park, will begin at 7 p.m. and is free to the public. As a kickoff to the Memorial Day […]
POSTED: 05/21/25 at 3:01 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Submitted information CONVOY — Crestview Local Schools is requesting qualifications for architectural and engineering design services for their proposed district-wide improvements project. Submissions are due by 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 11, 2025. RFQ details can be found on the district website on www.crestviewknights.com on the News page.
POSTED: 05/21/25 at 3:00 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Larry Dean Dowler, 81, of Van Wert, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 19, 2025, after a short stay at Van Wert Manor. Born on December 18, 1943, in Van Wert to Dan and Freda Fay (Beeler) Dowler, Larry was known for his quiet strength and dedication to family. As a single dad, Larry raised […]
POSTED: 05/21/25 at 2:46 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
VW independent staff The following criminal hearings were held between Friday, May 16, and Wednesday, May 21 in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court. Judge Martin D. Burchfield presided over each of the hearings. Bond/treatment in lieu violation Brianna Saxton, 28, of Van Wert, admitted to violating her bond and treatment in lieu for being […]
POSTED: 05/21/25 at 10:18 am. FILED UNDER: News
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor An out-of-state man convicted of child pornography charges locally made a rather unusual request at his sentencing hearing Wednesday morning. Timothy Kiester, 61, of Berrien Springs, Michigan, asked Van Wert County Common Pleas Court Judge Martin D. Burchfield give him the death penalty rather than prison time. “People in jail (the Van […]
POSTED: 05/21/25 at 10:15 am. FILED UNDER: News
Margaret Ruth Lape, 88, of Van Wert, passed away at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, May 18, 2025, at Hearth and Home of Van Wert. She was born on July 15, 1936, in Van Wert, to Glenn and Margaret Jane Pruden, who both preceded her in death. On January 15, 1955, Ruth married Carl L. Lape, who […]
POSTED: 05/21/25 at 10:14 am. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
Tuesday May 20, 2025 10:23 a.m. – Deputies responded to a residence on Tumbleson Road in Pleasant Township to assist a motorist locked out of their vehicle. 10:37 a.m. – Deputies served a warrant issued by Van Wert County Common Pleas Court for a probation violation. Ashley Elizabeth Paige, 31, is being held at the […]
POSTED: 05/21/25 at 9:33 am. FILED UNDER: Law Enforcement
VW independent staff/submitted information COLUMBUS — Millions of drivers will hit the road for the Memorial Day holiday weekend, kicking off the unofficial start to summer. The American Automobile Association (AAA) estimates that a record 45.1 million Americans will travel more than 50 miles from home during the holiday, 1.4 million more than 2024. That figure includes […]
POSTED: 05/20/25 at 9:02 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff CONVOY — American Electric Power has scheduled a power outage that will affect 1,200 customers on the south Convoy substation between 6-6:30 a.m. Thursday May 22. In case of inclement weather, the planned outage will be moved to the same time on Friday, May 23.
POSTED: 05/20/25 at 9:00 pm. FILED UNDER: News