Thursday, January 8, 2026 7:11 a.m. – Deputies responded to an area of South Sherman Street in the Village of Scott for a report of a motor vehicle crash. A 2018 Ford Escape driven by Cheryl Winberg of Scott was westbound in the 300 block of S. Sherman St. and left the left side of […]
POSTED: 01/09/26 at 10:22 am. FILED UNDER: Law Enforcement
VW independent staff/submitted information The Marsh Foundation has announced a trustee transition approved by the Third District Court of Appeals, honoring the service of longtime Trustee Gary Corcoran and welcoming Dr. Shad Foster as The Marsh Foundation’s 19th trustee. Gary Corcoran will conclude his service as a trustee of The Marsh Foundation effective February 2. […]
POSTED: 01/09/26 at 10:17 am. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff No one was injured when a car was hit by a train in Van Wert early today. According to Police Chief Doug Weigle, the accident occurred at 3:12 a.m. on Fox Rd., when a train that was backing up hit the vehicle. The incident remains under investigation.
POSTED: 01/09/26 at 7:21 am. FILED UNDER: News
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor Four returning members were sworn in during Thursday night’s organizational meeting of the Vantage Career Center Board of Education. Michelle Gorman (Lincolnview), Kim Wannemacher (Ottoville), Debby Compton (Van Wert) and Tim Fitzpatrick (Fort Jennings) took the oath of office for new three-year terms. However, the board was short four members. Deb Call […]
POSTED: 01/08/26 at 10:27 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information COLUMBUS — Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff reports Ohio’s influenza rates are high and still increasing and he’s encouraging Ohioans to get the flu vaccine as the best protection against serious illness, particularly those who are most vulnerable, including children under age 11 and adults age 65 […]
POSTED: 01/08/26 at 10:26 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information EMERALD TOWNSHIP — The Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a serious injury pedestrian crash that occurred shortly after 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, on Paulding County Road 115, near Ohio 111 in Emerald Township. The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2014 Nissan Murano, driven by Jacob Andrews, […]
POSTED: 01/08/26 at 10:26 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Megan Henry/Ohio Capital Journal Ohio’s recreational marijuana sales surpassed more than $836 million in 2025, the first full year recreational sales were legal. Recreational sales started in August 2024 and the state’s total recreational marijuana sales were $1,091,250,807, as of Jan. 3, according to the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Cannabis Control. Ohioans voted to legalize marijuana […]
POSTED: 01/08/26 at 10:23 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent sports/submitted information CELINA — Van Wert traveled to Celina but came up short against the Bulldogs, losing 47-23 on Thursday night. Individual results are listed below. The Cougars are back in action Saturday as they cross the state line to compete in the Bill Kerbel Invitational hosted by New Haven High School.
POSTED: 01/08/26 at 10:22 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
VW independent sports Celina 46 Van Wert 21 Van Wert trailed by just two after the opening quarter but Celina pulled away for a 46-21 win Thursday night. The Cougars were down 9-7 after the first quarter, with Jazz Florence supplying four of Van Wert’s points. Celina outscored the hosts 13-8 in the second quarter […]
POSTED: 01/08/26 at 10:21 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
Lori Ann Webster, 64, of Grover Hill, passed away on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital. Born April 28, 1961, in Van Wert to Franklin and Myrtle (Whittredge) Wyandt, who both preceded her in death, Lori grew up with a gentle spirit that carried through every chapter of her life. Her life […]
POSTED: 01/08/26 at 1:41 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries