Friday afternoon crash…

This two-vehicle accident occurred at approximately 2 p.m. Friday at the Lincoln Highway and Middle Point Wetzel Rd. intersection. Middle Point Fire and EMS responded to the call and the Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol investigated the accident. Deputies were at the scene as well. Bob Barnes photo

Area schools receive bus grant money

VW independent staff Van Wert City Schools and Crestview Local Schools have been named as recipients of Ohio School Bus Safety Grants. Van Wert was awarded $2,181, while Crestview was awarded $11,020. In addition, Delphos City Schools was awarded $17,872, while the Wayne Trace Local School District was awarded a grant of $44,358, and $35,444 […]

Cougars hold on against Wapak

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports WAPAKONETA — It was a nerve wracking finish, but Van Wert was able to fend off Wapakoneta for a 47-42 victory on Friday night. The win kept the Cougars (12-3, 5-0 WBL) in a first place tie with Shawnee, while the Redskins (12-2, 4-1 WBL) suffered their first league defeat. Van Wert […]

Lancers outscore Bluffton 80-66

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports The Lancer Express continues to roll along. Friday night, Lincolnview roared out to a 28-15 first quarter lead and from there the Lancers went on to beat visiting Bluffton 80-66. With the win, Lincolnview remains undefeated in Northwest Conference play (13-2, 4-0 NWC). Bluffton (4-9, 0-4 NWC) was able to trim the […]

Crestview rolls by Jefferson 69-52

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports CONVOY — Crestview parlayed a fast start into a 69-62 Northwest Conference win over Delphos Jefferson at Ray Etzler Gymnasium Friday night. Crestview has now scored 65 or more points in three straight games and was the eighth win in nine games for the Knights (10-6, 3-2 NWC), while the Wildcats fell […]

Friday night basketball scoreboard

VW independent sports Here are final scores of area boys high school basketball games played on Friday, January 23. GMC Ayersville 58 Hicksville 48 Fairview 54 Antwerp 45 Paulding 62 Edgerton 51 Wayne Trace 53 Tinora 38 MAC Delphos St. John’s 73 St. Henry 50 Fort Recovery 43 Coldwater 36 Marion Local 58 New Bremen […]

Churches encouraged to send info

VW independent staff Should the approaching winter storm lead to the cancellation of church services on Sunday, churches in Van Wert County and the surrounding area are encouraged to send the cancellation information to the VW independent by emailing editor@thevwindependent.com. The information will be published on the News and Church pages. Please include the church […]

Taste of Vantage event postponed

VW independent staff Due to the weather forecast, Vantage Career Center’s Open House and Taste of Vantage event, scheduled for 5-7:30 p.m. Monday, January 26, has been postponed until February 9, from 5-7:30 p.m. Vantage’s 50th anniversary celebration scheduled for earlier in the day has been postponed until February 9 as well. 

VWCO Sheriff’s activity log 1/22/2026

Thursday, January 22, 2026 7:26 a.m. – Dispatched Van Wert EMS to a residence on Oak Lane in the City of Van Wert for a subject having difficulty with a medical device. 9:15 a.m. – Dispatched Middle Point EMS to a location on Lincoln Highway in Ridge Township for a subject with an altered mental […]

Winter Storm Warning issued by NWS

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor As expected, the Winter Storm Watch issued by the National Weather Service on Thursday has been upgraded to a Winter Storm Warning for Van Wert County and the surrounding area. The times remain the same, 7 p.m. Saturday to 7 p.m. Sunday. Earlier this week, most models predicted heavy snow would affect […]