SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor It didn’t take long for a Rockford man imprisoned for killing his girlfriend to file an appeal. Less than a week after he was sentenced to 15 years to life in a state prison, Ryan Houser, 39, filed an appeal and was granted new legal representation. Online court records show on Monday, […]
POSTED: 07/02/25 at 9:02 pm. FILED UNDER: News
By Chief Jon Jones/special to the VW independent The Van Wert Fire Department has officially placed a new response vehicle, CAR 2, into service. This upgraded vehicle is a major step forward in helping our department respond more effectively to the growing number of emergency calls we handle each day. Many in the community may […]
POSTED: 07/02/25 at 9:01 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information COLUMBUS — In recognition of his steadfast support of the engineering profession, State Representative Roy Klopfenstein (R-Haviland) was named Legislator of the Year by the Ohio Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE-Ohio) at the organization’s 147th Annual Meeting. Currently serving his second term in the Ohio House of Representatives, Rep. Klopfenstein represents […]
POSTED: 07/02/25 at 9:00 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information COLUMBUS — As 61.6 million Americans plan to drive to their destinations for the Independence Day holiday, including 3.1 million Ohioans, AAA expects to rescue more than 18,000 drivers across the state. “Dead batteries, flat tires, and lockouts will be the leading reasons AAA members will experience car trouble,” said Kevin […]
POSTED: 07/02/25 at 8:59 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff All local, state and federal government offices will be closed on Friday in observance of the Independence Day holiday. There will be no mail service and trash and recycling will not be picked up on Friday.
POSTED: 07/02/25 at 8:59 pm. FILED UNDER: News
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. Due to Friday’s Independence Day holiday, this week’s feature is running a day early. It goes back to October, 2016, and Week No. 9 of the high school […]
POSTED: 07/02/25 at 8:58 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
Johnny W. Smith, 77, of Van Wert passed away Monday morning, June 30, 2025 at Lima Memorial Hospital. He was born on January 30, 1948, in Illinois, the son of Charles and Arlene (Lang) Smith, who both preceded him in death. Family survivors include his four children, Kent (Kitty) Smith of Steubenville, Karen (Jeff) Lautzenheiser […]
POSTED: 07/02/25 at 12:57 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
VW independent staff 10 defendants appeared in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court on Tuesday and Wednesday. Judge Martin D. Burchfield presided over each of the hearings. Arraignments Ras Tafari, 46, of Haviland, entered a plea of not guilty to aggravated assault, a fourth degree felony. Tafari was released on a surety bond with a […]
POSTED: 07/02/25 at 12:50 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Tuesday, July 1, 2025 8:31 a.m. – Deputies responded to a residence on Lincoln Highway in Pleasant Township to assist a motorist locked out of their vehicle. 8:57 a.m. – Deputies responded to a residence on Van Horn Road in Tully Township to assist a motorist locked out of their vehicle. 10:53 a.m. – Deputies […]
POSTED: 07/02/25 at 7:55 am. FILED UNDER: Law Enforcement
VW independent staff/submitted information OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital has launched a new veterans program dedicated to honoring and supporting patients who have served in the United States military. The program officially began on Tuesday and provides meaningful recognition to veteran patients while also building bonds between them and OhioHealth associates who have also worn the […]
POSTED: 07/01/25 at 8:44 pm. FILED UNDER: News