VW independent staff This week, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office rejected the summary language for a proposed referendum aimed at repealing Senate Bill 56, which authorizes changes to the state’s medical and adult-use marijuana laws. The Attorney General’s Office received a written petition for the referendum on December 29. Under Ohio law, the Attorney General […]
POSTED: 01/17/26 at 12:16 am. FILED UNDER: News
Editor’s note: this story has been updated to correct the time of today’s junior varsity game at Bryan, which tips off at 5 p.m., not 4 p.m. as previously stated. The VW independent apologizes for the error. SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports Back-to-back scores by Van Wert early in the fourth quarter quickly swung Friday night’s Western […]
POSTED: 01/17/26 at 12:00 am. FILED UNDER: Sports
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports COLUMBUS GROVE — It wasn’t easy but Lincolnview remained perfect in NWC play with a 61-56 road win over Columbus Grove on Friday night. The victory, coupled with Allen East’s loss to Crestview put Lincolnview (11-2, 3-0 NWC) in sole possession of first place in the conference. The Lancers are the only […]
POSTED: 01/17/26 at 12:00 am. FILED UNDER: Sports
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports HARROD — Crestview’s season got off to a rough start with just one win in five games against a loaded schedule. As of late though, the Knights have won six of their last seven games, including a 68-57 victory at Allen East Friday night. Meanwhile, the Mustangs, who started the season 7-0, […]
POSTED: 01/16/26 at 11:58 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
VW independent sports Here are final scores of area boys high school basketball games played on Friday, January 16. GMC Edgerton 66 Antwerp 56 Fairview 54 Tinora 44 Paulding 54 Ayersville 37 Wayne Trace 71 Hicksville 41 MAC Coldwater 57 Versailles 50 Delphos St. John’s 66 Marion Local 36 Fort Recovery 63 Minster 51 New […]
POSTED: 01/16/26 at 9:46 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
VW independent staff/submitted information Law enforcement officers in Van Wert County have recently had several cases of scammers calling local residents to trick them out of money, in some cases, sizable amounts of money. Accoring to Van Wert County Prosecutor Eva Yarger, the scam artist calls and asks the victim to withdraw cash from his […]
POSTED: 01/16/26 at 3:39 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information A one car accident on Marsh Rd. in Van Wert claimed a Scott man late Friday morning. According to the Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, it occurred at approximately 10:30 a.m. near U.S. 224. The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2007 Ford Focus driven by Jarett Catlin, […]
POSTED: 01/16/26 at 3:25 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Thursday, January 15, 2026 6:18 a.m. – Deputies, along with Scott Fire, responded to an area of Fife Road in Hoaglin Township for a report of a motor vehicle that struck a utility pole, with the pole being down on the vehicle. The accident was investigated by the Ohio State Highway Patrol. 7:59 a.m. – […]
POSTED: 01/16/26 at 10:54 am. FILED UNDER: Law Enforcement
Wednesday, January 14, 2026 5:40 a.m. – Deputies responded to a residence on Lincoln Highway in Pleasant Township for a report of suspicious activity. 9:26 a.m. – Deputies responded to a residence on Van Wert Decatur Road in Pleasant Township for a report of theft. 10:01 a.m. – Deputies responded to a residence on West […]
POSTED: 01/16/26 at 9:44 am. FILED UNDER: Law Enforcement
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor A federal charge has been filed against a Van Wert mail carrier accused of burning mail last fall and he made his initial court appearance on Thursday. According to Charlene Cerra, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, USPS Office of the Inspector General, the mail carrier, Kyle Carver of Van Wert, appeared in […]
POSTED: 01/15/26 at 9:45 pm. FILED UNDER: News