VWCO Sheriff’s activity log 11/19/2025

Wednesday, November 19, 2025 5:53 a.m. – Deputies responded to an area of U.S. 127 in Pleasant Township for a motor vehicle crash involving a deer. No injuries were reported. 6:40 a.m. – Dispatched Delphos EMS to a residence on Shenk Road in Washington Township for a subject who was ill. 9:29 a.m. – Deputies […]

Local Habitat receives $200K donation

VW independent staff/submitted information On Thursday, November 13, at the construction site of the newest Habitat for Humanity of Paulding–Van Wert home on George Street in Van Wert, representatives gathered to accept a major donation from the family of the Martha E. Poling Estate. The gift, totaling $220,000, was presented in memory of Martha E. […]

Staff praised for efforts during outage

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor Monday’s power outage affected 4,300 AEP customers, including the Van Wert Early Childhood Center, Van Wert Elementary, Van Wert Middle School and Van Wert High School. It occurred between 11:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. which for many students was lunch time. Despite no power, the schools were able to serve lunches that […]

NOCAC, PUCO offering assistance

Submitted information The Ohio Department of Development and Northwestern Ohio Community Action Commission are ready to help alleviate the burden of costly energy bills this winter and keep families warm. Income-eligible Ohioans can now receive one-time assistance with their home energy bill through the Department of Development’s Home Energy Assistance Winter Crisis Program. The Winter […]

Court to be closed during holiday period

VW independent staff Van Wert Municipal Court will be closed to the public on Wednesday, November 26 and will reopen at 8 a.m. Monday, December 1.

Pigskin Pick’Em: Week No. 14

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports This won’t take long, as just three games involving area teams are on this week’s Pigskin Pick’Em list. One of them is Putnam County vs. Putnam County, while the remaining two are MAC vs. MAC. The winners of those games will be crowned regional champions and will move on to next Friday’s […]

VWCO Sheriff’s activity log 11/18/2025

Tuesday, November 18, 2025 5:38 a.m. – Deputies responded to an area of Lincoln Highway in Ridge Township for a motor vehicle crash involving a deer. No injuries were reported. 6:40 a.m. – Deputies responded to an area of Van Wert Decatur Road in Pleasant Township for a motor vehicle crash involving a deer. No […]

Update on Tuesday’s school incident

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor More information has been released about Tuesday’s events that led to a brief lockdown at Lincolnview Local Schools and a chase from York Township to the Lima area. The update also clarifies rumors about weapons that were found during the incident. According to information supplied by Van Wert County Sheriff Tom Riggenbach, […]

Sentence imposed in fatal crash case

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor A Van Wert woman convicted of vehicular homicide in connection with a fatal accident in a grocery store parking has avoided jail time. Instead, Barbara Nickles, 66, will spend the next 90 days under electronic house arrest, serve one year of community control sanctions and have a daily curfew of 7 p.m. […]

Lancers bowlers start new season

VW independent sports LIMA — Lincolnview’s 2025-2026 bowling season got underway Monday against Bath at 20th Century Lanes in Lima. The Wildcat boys topped the Lancers 2388-2251. Grayden Clay led Lincolnview with a 192-160-352 series, followed by Pacey Early (163-183-346. Owen Dannenfelser chipped in with a 189-144-333 series. Logan Block (134), Aaron Garay (127) and […]