SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor Leadership will remain the same for the Lincolnview Local Schools Board of Education this year. The board held its annual organizational meeting Wednesday night and re-elected Michelle Gorman as board president and Mark Zielke as vice-president. Zielke, Eric Germann and Lori Snyder were sworn in for new four year terms. Among other […]
POSTED: 01/15/26 at 9:42 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff If you enjoy the unique sound of a steel drum band, you’ll have a chance to hear a local one later this month. The Lincolnview High School steel drum band will perform during a free communitywide concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 27, at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center in Van Wert. […]
POSTED: 01/15/26 at 9:40 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff The Van Wert Municipal Building and Van Wert Municipal Court will be closed on Monday, January 19, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday. All Van Wert County offices will be closed as well, along with state and federal government offices. There will be no mail delivery on […]
POSTED: 01/15/26 at 9:39 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent sports/submitted information Van Wert hosted Defiance Bulldogs WBL wrestling action on Thursday and it was the Bulldogs that came away with a 54-26 victory. With the loss the Cougars dropped to 3-2 on the season. Individual results are as follows: 106 – Owen Bates (VW) 18-0 technical fall over Tristen Draper (D) […]
POSTED: 01/15/26 at 9:39 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
VW independent sports Allen East 55 Crestview 51 (overtime) CONVOY — Crestview and Allen East were tied 45-44 at the end of regulation, but the Mustangs outscored the Lady Knights 10-6 in overtime and won 55-51 on Thursday. The game was close throughout, with Allen East (7-9, 1-1 NWC) leading 14-13 after one quarter and […]
POSTED: 01/15/26 at 9:38 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
Gary Lee “Harry” Spridgeon, 71, of Middle Point, passed away on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at his residence. He was born on March 29, 1954, in Van Wert, to Gerald E. “Tuffy” and Esther E. (Byers) Spridgeon. Harry was a dedicated truck driver for most of his life, having recently retired from Nickles Bakery in […]
POSTED: 01/15/26 at 1:15 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
Robert D. “Danny” McPhail, 52, of Van Wert, passed away on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at the OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital emergency room. He was born on December 29, 1973, in Van Wert to Nancy (Brown) Riley and Robert F. McPhail. Danny attended Vantage Career Center and graduated from Van Wert High School in 1993. […]
POSTED: 01/15/26 at 9:50 am. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
VW independent staff Surprise! Snowfall totals around the area from Wednesday afternoon and evening turned out to be greater than expected. For this area, the National Weather Service Northern Indiana called for rain and snow, changing to all snow with an inch of snow possible. At approximately 1:30 p.m. yesterday, sleet moved into the area […]
POSTED: 01/15/26 at 9:39 am. FILED UNDER: News
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor When school is in session, the food services department at Van Wert City Schools is a busy one. Just how busy? How about more than 250,000 meals served during a typical school year. At Wednesday night’s school board meeting, Food Services Director John Marquez said during the 2024-2025 school year, 187,423 lunches […]
POSTED: 01/14/26 at 9:51 pm. FILED UNDER: News
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor Van Wert’s newest school board member was sworn in Wednesday night, along with a pair of returning board members. Thaison Leaser took the oath of office during the annual organizational meeting, then sat in on his first regular meeting. He replaces Scott Mull, who chose not to seek re-election after serving three […]
POSTED: 01/14/26 at 9:51 pm. FILED UNDER: News