By Rachel Ward/special to the VW independent CEDARVILLE — Three months ago, Van Wert native and Cedarville University alumnus, coach and athletic trainer Ryan Rager knew little about bobsledding. Now, he is competing to be a part of the 2026 USA Bobsledding team for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. About 15 men make the team and Rager is projected to be in the […]
POSTED: 09/08/25 at 1:13 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Sunday, September 7, 2025 12:04 a.m. – Deputies responded to a commercial alarm at a location on Middle Point Road in Ridge Township. 10:49 a.m. – Deputies responded to a residence on Lincoln Highway in Pleasant Township to assist a motorist locked out of their vehicle. 11:41 a.m. – Deputies responded to a residence on […]
POSTED: 09/08/25 at 12:09 pm. FILED UNDER: Law Enforcement
Saturday, September 6, 2025 2:22 a.m. – Deputies responded to an area of U.S. 127 in Hoaglin Township for a report of a motor vehicle crash involving a deer. No injuries were reported. 6:12 a.m. – Deputies responded to an area of Van Wert Decatur Road in Pleasant Township for a report of two juveniles […]
POSTED: 09/08/25 at 12:05 pm. FILED UNDER: Law Enforcement
By Quincy Thompson If you’ve felt the pull of a good chorus, the kind that makes strangers sing like shipmates – then you already know why The Longest Johns have become a global sensation. The Bristol, England trio helped spark the sea-shanty wave that swept the internet in recent years with their stirring rendition of […]
POSTED: 09/08/25 at 9:21 am. FILED UNDER: Arts & Entertainment
Friday, September 5, 2025 1:07 a.m. – Deputies responded to a commercial alarm on South Shane Street in the Village of Ohio City. 1:14 a.m. – Dispatched Van Wert EMS to a residence on Fife Road in Union Township for a subject having a possible stroke. 2:53 a.m. – Deputies responded to an area of […]
POSTED: 09/08/25 at 9:07 am. FILED UNDER: Law Enforcement
Dennis E. Ries, 74, of Venedocia, passed away Friday evening, September 5, 2025, at Stillwater Hospice in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He was born on February 9, 1951, in Van Wert, the son of Paul Edward and Rita Belle (Stahl) Ries, who both preceded her in death. On August 13, 1983, he married the former Marilyn […]
POSTED: 09/08/25 at 7:46 am. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
The following real estate transfer information has been provided by the Van Wert County Recorder’s Office. The transfers listed below took place from September 2-5, 2025. Timothy G. Walden, Amy Walden to Stateline Roofing Solutions LLC, Willshire inlots, lot 23. Handimanz Rehab LLC to Zachary M. Coats, Ohio City inlots, lot 196. Jack E. Adams […]
POSTED: 09/08/25 at 7:39 am. FILED UNDER: Real Estate Transfers
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor A major milestone made possible through a public-private partership was celebrated during a ceremony held at the Van Wert County Regional Airport on Saturday. The ceremony marking a coveted runway extension took place in two areas. It began inside the JL Rice Terminal with a short gathering of airport officials, political representatives, […]
POSTED: 09/07/25 at 8:48 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Don’t be surprised to see more corporate jets landing and taking off at the Van Wert County Regional Airport. The newly extended runway, 5,005 feet, allows such aircraft to come directly into Van Wert. See the full story elsewhere on the News page. Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent
POSTED: 09/07/25 at 8:47 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information COLUMBUS — September is National Workforce Development Month, and Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jim Tressel, and Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) Director Matt Damschroder are reminding Ohioans that many free employment services are available at OhioMeansJobs.com and at local OhioMeansJobs Centers statewide. “Over the past year, Ohio […]
POSTED: 09/07/25 at 8:47 pm. FILED UNDER: News