VW independent staff Van Wert County’s Republican Central Committee will be tasked with finding a new county prosecutor in the near future. Current Van Wert County Prosecutor Evan Yarger will officially resign that post on Thursday, February 12, the same day as she’s sworn in as Van Wert County Juvenile/Probate Court Judge. Her first official […]
POSTED: 02/06/26 at 11:13 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Submitted information COLUMBUS — As fans across the state prepare for Super Bowl LX on Sunday, the Ohio Investigative Unit is reminding liquor permit holders and the public to prioritize safety and responsible alcohol service during the weekend’s festivities. OIU agents will be working statewide through the weekend to monitor liquor permit premises and ensure […]
POSTED: 02/06/26 at 11:12 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information COLUMBUS — A northwest Ohio woman has become the fourth person to plead guilty in a massive Ponzi case. Nancy Rathbun of Fulton County pleaded guilty on Friday for her involvement in an alleged $72 million Ponzi scheme targeting Ohio investors. She entered her plea in Lucas County Common Pleas Court […]
POSTED: 02/06/26 at 11:11 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information INDIANAPOLIS (IN) – The United States Department of Agriculture has designated 28 Indiana counties as natural disaster areas due to drought and as a result, five Ohio counties – Darke, Defiance, Mercer, Paulding and Van Wert counties – are eligible as contiguous counties. The natural disaster designation allows the USDA Farm […]
VW independent staff Here are final scores of area boys high school basketball games played on Friday, February 6. GMC Ayersville 56 Antwerp 41 Paulding 58 Fairview 44 Tinora 71 Hicksville 47 Wayne Trace 68 Egerton 42 MAC Delphos St. John’s 74 New Bremen 51 Marion Local 43 Coldwater 28 Minster 55 New Knoxville 34 […]
POSTED: 02/06/26 at 10:31 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
VW independent sports LIMA – Van Wert’s Reagan Horine had a memorable day at the Western Buckeye League bowling championships at Westgate Lanes this week. Horine, a senior, was the girls’ runner-up medalist and earned first team All-WBL honors after recording a sparkling 209-206-182-597 series, the second highest score of the tournament behind Defiance’s Mabel […]
POSTED: 02/06/26 at 10:29 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
Barbara J. Tribolet, 89, of Van Wert, went to be with her Lord and Savior Tuesday, February 3, 2026. She was born July 28, 1936, in Van Wert, to William Kesler and Leah Grace (White) Kesler, who both preceded her in death. She married Jack J. Tribolet on May 18, 1958. She is survived by […]
POSTED: 02/06/26 at 1:13 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
Thursday, February 5, 2026 4:03 a.m. – Dispatched Middle Point EMS to a residence on Lincoln Highway in Washington Township for a subject having difficulty breathing. 5:45 a.m. – Deputies responded to a residence on Plum Street in the Village of Venedocia to check an abandoned 911 call. 6:11 a.m. – Deputies responded to a […]
POSTED: 02/06/26 at 9:06 am. FILED UNDER: Law Enforcement
While snow was in this morning’s forecast, it came down a little quicker and heavier than expected in downtown Van Wert and the surrounding area. Roughly two inches of light, fluffy snow fell in about 90 minutes, leaving vehicles covered and roads a bit on the slick side. Scott Truxell/Van Wert independent
POSTED: 02/06/26 at 8:25 am. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information A Van Wert man wanted on an active warrant for felonious assault and who allegedly made threatening remarks about a former law enforcement officer was taken into custody without incident last night. According to Van Wert Police Chief Doug Weigle, Devin Allen Couch, 21, was arrested after a traffic stop at […]
POSTED: 02/06/26 at 7:34 am. FILED UNDER: News