OhioHealth, Anthem still negotiating

VW independent staff OhioHealth, which operates 16 hospitals in Ohio, including OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital has announced an extension with insurer Anthem while the two sides continue to negotiate a new agreement. “OhioHealth and Anthem have signed a contract extension that will our extend our existing contract to August 15,” OhioHealth spokesperson Lindsey Gordon said […]

County included in multi-county survey

VW independent staff/submitted information Van Wert County residents have an opportunity to play an active role in shaping the region’s economic future by participating in the 2025 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Community Survey. The initiative is part of a collaboration between Allen, Hancock, Hardin, Putnam, and Van Wert counties aimed at identifying key priorities […]

Free public Wi-FI coming to Payne

VW independent staff/submitted information PAULDING — Paulding Putnam has partnered with the Village of Payne to bring free public Wi-Fi to community spaces and fiber internet access to Payne residents and businesses, including those who are not electric members of Paulding Putnam. Through this partnership, Paulding Putnam will provide public internet of 1gig upload/1 gig […]

Foster wins NIAAA scholarship

VW independent sports/submitted information Van Wert’s Keaton Foster has been chosen as a winner of the Section 2 NIAAA Student Athlete Scholarship. He was chosen in the spring at the annual Section 2 meeting. Foster, the son of Shad and Kelly Foster, is a 2025 graduate of Van Wert High School where the athletic director […]

Richard Dawson Fiedler Sr.

Richard Dawson Fiedler Sr., 75, of Delphos, passed away Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at Mercy Health-St. Rita’s. He was born February 20, 1950, to Melvin John and Elizabeth Jane (Bushong) Fiedler, who both preceded him in death. Richard married Janet Louise (Parsons) on February 14, 1976, and she passed away in April of this year. […]

VWCO Sheriff’s activity log 7/24/2025

Thursday, July 24, 2025 12:26 a.m. – Deputies responded to a location on South Shannon Street in the City of Van Wert to assist the Van Wert Police Department. 3:12 a.m. – Deputies responded to an area of Central Avenue in the City of Van Wert for an electric scooter left in the roadway. 5:41 […]

Fire training center in use at Vantage

VW independent staff/submitted information The newest addition to the Vantage Career Center campus will showcased during an upcoming grand opening celebration. Officials at the Van Wert-based vocational school are inviting local community partners, fire departments, regional training facilities, and state and local representatives to the official grand opening of the school’s state-approved fire training facility, […]

Trash, poker on Monday’s council agenda

VW independent staff Vouchers for bulky trash items and a presentation on a possible poker club in the city are two of the items on Monday’s Van Wert City Council agenda. Mayor Ken Markward will present information on city clean-up vouchers that will be available to residents. The city last offered vouchers in 2021 and […]

Auditions scheduled for new production

Submitted information Off Stage Productions, Inc will be holding auditions August 12-13 for “The Miss Magnolia Senior Citizens Beauty Pageant” by Leslie Kimbell. Auditions will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. both nights in the conference room at Vantage Career Center. Anyone wishing to audition should arrive by 7 p.m. and enter through door No. 6.  Show […]

PUCO authorizes AEP circuit upgrades

VW independent staff/submitted information COLUMBUS — The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) this week authorized AEP Ohio to implement a distribution automation circuit reconfiguration project throughout its service territory over the next seven years. The Commission approved a settlement agreement that requires AEP Ohio to update at least 300 circuits with automation equipment that […]