Karl D. Knodel, 90, of Ohio City, passed away at 5:55 p.m. Tuesday, December 23, 2025, with our Jesus after 43 days of inpatient care at Kindred Hospital in Lima. He was born July 3, 1935, in Van Wert, to Herb and Euthemia (Smith) Knodel. On September 25, 1960, he married the former Connie Lee […]
POSTED: 12/24/25 at 8:59 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
Members of the Van Wert student section – the Cat Pack – gaze at the U.S. flag during the Star Spangled Banner before Tuesday’s varsity boys basketball game against Columbus Grove. The Cougars fell behind by eight in the second quarter but roared back for a 68-50 victory. A full game story can be found […]
POSTED: 12/23/25 at 11:33 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff The Van Wert Municipal Building will close at 11:30 a.m. today (Wednesday) and remain closed on Christmas Day. Normal hours will resume on Friday, December 26. Van Wert Municipal Court will be closed Wednesday-Friday and will re-open on Monday, December 29. Van Wert County offices, including the Annex will be closed Wednesday-Friday […]
POSTED: 12/23/25 at 11:32 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Van Wert Lodge No. 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, has selected Lincolnview High School senior Keira Breese (shown above) and Van Wert High School senior Maria Parrish (shown below) as the Students of the Month for December. Students are nominated by their high schools to receive this award. Each Student of the Month […]
POSTED: 12/23/25 at 11:31 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information COLUMBUS — Hunters checked 15,835 white-tailed deer on Saturday and Sunday, December 20-21, during Ohio’s bonus gun hunting weekend, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife. Last year, hunters took 17,386 deer during the bonus gun weekend, and the three-year average is 16,010. The Division of Wildlife […]
POSTED: 12/23/25 at 11:31 pm. FILED UNDER: News
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports Van Wert’s Xavier Kelly put his athleticism on display against Columbus Grove Tuesday night. The 6-0 sophomore guard scored a career-high 28 points, including 19 in the second half to lead Van Wert by the Bulldogs 68-50. He accounted for nine baskets, one of which was a trey, and was 9-of-11 from […]
POSTED: 12/23/25 at 11:29 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
David Brent DuVall, 62, of Middle Point, passed away Monday morning, December 21, 2025, at his residence. He was born August 1, 1963, in Van Wert, to Otis W. and Betty Jo (Eversole) DuVall. He was a graduate of Lincolnview High School. He retired as a State of Ohio meat inspector and was a lifetime […]
POSTED: 12/23/25 at 10:20 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
Luke Keuneke, 40, of Rawson, passed away Sunday, December 21, 2025 due to a tragic accident. Luke was born on August 18, 1985 in Van Wert, to David and Debra (Feasby) Keuneke. He married the love of his life Lynsie Smith in 2020 and she survives in Rawson. Also surviving are his parents; children, Ellie […]
POSTED: 12/23/25 at 10:10 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
A two-vehicle accident occurred at about 11:40 a.m. Tuesday when an eastbound tractor trailer struck a Jeep Grand Cherokee near U.S. 224 and Van Wert Decatur Rd. The westbound Jeep was attempting to turn left onto 224 and was struck on the passenger side, causing heavy damage. The rig sustained moderate damage to the left […]
POSTED: 12/23/25 at 2:17 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Monday, December 22, 2025 3:18 a.m. – Dispatched Middle Point Fire to a commercial fire alarm on Jennings Delphos Road in Washington Township. 4:28 a.m. – Deputies responded to an area of U.S. 224 in Pleasant Township to assist the Ohio State Highway Patrol. 7:01 a.m. – Deputies responded to an area of State Route […]
POSTED: 12/23/25 at 7:54 am. FILED UNDER: Law Enforcement