Free day for kids at Camp Clay

VW independent staff Van Wert Lodge No. 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is inviting all children to come out to the YMCA of Van Wert County’s Camp Clay for Elks Day at Camp Clay from 12-4 p.m. Tuesday, July 15. The Elks will be having a special day for all kids and the […]

Yost, DeWine address property tax reform

VW independent staff/submitted information COLUMBUS — With a possible ballot issue looming, property tax reform has become a hot topic in Columbus. Attorney General Dave Yost and Governor Mike DeWine chimed in on the potential 2026 issue and both are talking about reform. Yost is urging elected county officials to form a coalition to reform […]

Venue change at Convoy Community Days

VW independent staff CONVOY — Due to the potential of storms passing through, Saturday’s Convoy Community Days Market on Tully St. (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.) has been moved from Tully St. to the Convoy Opera House.

VWCO Sheriff’s activity log 7/10/2025

Thursday, July 10, 2025 12:05 a.m. – Dispatched Ohio City EMS to a residence on Ohio 709 in Liberty Township for a subject having a diabetic emergency. 1:02 a.m. – Deputies responded to an area of U.S. 30 in Tully Township to check the welfare of a subject walking. 6:20 a.m. – Deputies responded to […]

Man of Steel has roots in Ohio

VW independent staff/submitted information Fans of Superman know his roots aren’t just from the planet Krypton – they’re in Ohio as well. Before he became known around the world as the ‘Man of Steel,’ Superman was created by two Cleveland teenagers, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, who dreamed up the superhero while attending high school […]

ODOT lists weekly road work projects

Submitted information The following ODOT construction projects are anticipated to affect roadways in Van Wert County during the week of July 14. Weather conditions may effect work. U.S. 30, both eastbound and westbound near Convoy Road, may be restricted at times through the work zone for work along the shoulder.  In addition, Ohio 49 at […]

Cheer competition entries sought

VW independent staff/submitted information All area cheerleading squads are invited to participate in the 37th annual Van Wert County Fair Cheerleading Invitational, which is scheduled to take place at 6 p.m. Wednesday, August 27, at the Van Wert County Fairgrounds. The entry fee is $35 per team and the entry deadline is August 18. No […]

Friday Flashback: VW wins in double OT

Editor’s note: The Friday Flashback has returned to the VW independent Sports page and will run each Friday until the start of the 2025 fall sports season. This installment takes us back to January 31, 2012, a day after the Van Wert Lady Cougars defeated Lima Central Catholic in exciting fashion. This is the story as […]

Stevens: data center is coming to Van Wert

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor Van Wert Area Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Brent Stevens has confirmed that a data center is “100 percent” coming to approximately 220 acres at the Mega Site in Van Wert. Stevens made the comment Thursday morning while recording a segement of the next Commissioners Corner/Mayor’s Conference program that will air at […]

Van Wert Police blotter 6/29-7/5/25

Van Wert Police Sunday, June 29 –  a criminal trespass report was taken in the 1000 block of E. Main St. Sunday, June 29 – domestic violence was reported in the 600 block of N. Franklin St. Sunday, June 29 – a missing person report was taken in the 500 block of N. Race St. […]