VW independent staff A third person has entered the race in Ohio’s 82nd District seat in the Ohio House of Representatives. According to Putnam County Board of Elections Director Karen Warnecke, David Plant of Defiance filed before Wednesay’s 4 p.m. deadline as a write-in candidate on the Democratic Party ticket. On Tuesday, Christopher Elder of […]
POSTED: 02/04/26 at 9:44 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Submitted information COLUMBUS — Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose has released a list of partisan candidates who submitted petitions to run for statewide office in the May 5 primary election. “Public service is a patriotic calling, and I want to recognize these candidates for having the courage to get in the arena, as Teddy […]
POSTED: 02/04/26 at 9:43 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff Four defendants changed their respective pleas during hearings held in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court this week. Judge Martin D. Burchfield presided over each of the hearings. Zachary Craig, 46, of Van Wert, changed his plea to guilty of aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth degree felony. He was then sentenced […]
POSTED: 02/04/26 at 9:42 pm. FILED UNDER: News
By DAVE MOSIER Van Wert Civic Theatre is bringing one of playwright Neil Simon’s biggest hits to the local stage, starting this Friday, with its upcoming production of Barefoot in the Park. The play, which ran 1,530 performances on Broadway and is Simon’s longest-running hit, was also a movie starring Robert Redford and Jane Fonda. […]
POSTED: 02/04/26 at 9:40 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Bob Latta (OH-5) has announced his office is now accepting submissions for the 2026 Congressional Art Competition. The Congressional Art Competition is open to all high school students, grades 9-12, who live or attend school in Ohio’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes Van Wert, Mercer and Paulding counties. The competition began […]
POSTED: 02/04/26 at 9:40 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Crestview High School senior Lincoln Smith has signed a letter of intent to run cross country at the University of North Alabama, a Division I program in Florence, Alabama. The Lions are members of the Atlantic Sun Conference. Last fall, Smith led the Knights to the Division IV cross country state championship. Photo submitted
POSTED: 02/04/26 at 9:29 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
Kathleen “Kathy” Claire Bolenbaugh 70, of Van Wert, passed away Saturday afternoon, January 31, 2026, at the Van Wert Manor Nursing Home in Van Wert. She was born on February 14, 1955, in Van Wert, the daughter of Maynard R. Jacks and Dorothy M. (DeMoss) Jacks, who both preceded her in death. On July 12, […]
POSTED: 02/04/26 at 12:58 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
Tuesday, February 3, 2026 2:13 a.m. – Deputies responded to an area of East Carmean Street in the Village of Ohio City for a report of a motor vehicle crash. Two parked vehicles were damaged by a vehicle with an unknown driver. 9:45 a.m. – Deputies responded to an area of Franklin Street in the […]
POSTED: 02/04/26 at 8:04 am. FILED UNDER: Law Enforcement
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor A second person has entered the race for the 82nd District seat in the Ohio House of Representatives. Christopher Elder of Paulding filed his petitions to run on Tuesday. The petitions were filed with the Putnam County Board of Elections, the most populous county in the 82nd District, which also includes all […]
POSTED: 02/04/26 at 7:39 am. FILED UNDER: News
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor With approximately three months to go until the May 5 primary election and nine months until the November general election, it appears the race for Ohio’s First District Senate seat will be an expensive one. On Tuesday, Republican State Senate candidate Craig Riedel’s camp announced that, as of the most recent campaign […]
POSTED: 02/03/26 at 9:41 pm. FILED UNDER: News