Submitted information COLUMBUS — State Representative Roy Klopfenstein (R-Haviland) was recently named 2025 Legislator of the Year by the County Engineers Association of Ohio (CEAO). The award recognizes his dedicated leadership and significant legislative achievements on behalf of Ohio’s county engineers and local infrastructure. In a press release, CEAO highlighted Rep. Klopfenstein’s leadership on several […]
POSTED: 02/20/26 at 10:35 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Van Wert’s Griffin McCracken (above) scored 19 of his 21 points in the first half of Friday’s game against Kenton, while Cohen Bragg scored nine points against the Wildcats, including seven in the first quarter. The Cougars won the game handily, 63-21. See recap below for more details. Photos courtesy of Monica Campbell
POSTED: 02/20/26 at 10:33 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
VW independent sports Van Wert 63 Kenton 21 KENTON — In the old Kenton High School gym, Van Wert bolted out to a big lead early and had no trouble while defeating the Wildcats 63-21 in the regular season finale for both teams. The game was played in the old gymasium because a show choir […]
POSTED: 02/20/26 at 10:33 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
Liam Putman (1) of Crestview looks up at a sky high Xavier Pernell, while Will Sheets (23) powers his way to the basket against the Thunderbirds. The Knights came up short in the regular season finale, losing 71-56 on Friday. See the recap above for more details. Wyatt Richardson/Van Wert independent
POSTED: 02/20/26 at 10:32 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
VW independent sports Here are final scores of area high school basketball games played on Friday, February 20. MAC Delphos St. John’s 95 Parkway 53 Marion Local 60 Versailles 40 Minster 59 Coldwater 47 New Bremen 47 New Knoxville 34 St. Henry 74 Fort Recovery 69 (2OT) NWC Columbus Grove 54 Allen East 40 Lima […]
POSTED: 02/20/26 at 10:30 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
VW independent sports MINSTER — Van Wert had three bowlers in the top 10 and the Cougars finished second as a team at Division I sectionals at Community Lanes in Minster on Thursday. With a 255-152-193-600 series, Van Wert’s Aydreigh Hanicq finished as the runner-up to Celina’s Chloe Bruce (219-194-209-622). Cougar teammate Lindsey Say finished […]
POSTED: 02/20/26 at 10:29 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
One person was injured in a two vehicle accident tha occurred at the intersection of West Main St. and Lincoln St. shortly before 12 p.m. Friday. That person was transported by Van Wert EMS to St. Rita’s in Lima. A portion of W. Main St. was closed off to traffic while the scene was cleared. […]
POSTED: 02/20/26 at 1:43 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information PAYNE — Five people were transported to two different hospitals after a Thursday evening crash in Paulding County. According to the Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, which handles Van Wert and Paulding counties, the two-vehicle accident occurred shortly before 6:30 p.m. at the intersection of Ohio 114 […]
POSTED: 02/20/26 at 10:50 am. FILED UNDER: News
Thursday, February 19, 2026 4:20 a.m. – Dispatched Middle Point EMS to a residence on Lincoln Highway in Washington Township for a subject who fell. 4:47 a.m. – Dispatched Van Wert Fire to a commercial fire alarm on U.S. Route 127 in Hoaglin Township. 6:12 a.m. – Deputies responded to a location on Production Drive […]
POSTED: 02/20/26 at 9:43 am. FILED UNDER: Law Enforcement
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 6:58 a.m. – Deputies responded to a location on West Carmean Street in the Village of Ohio City to assist a motorist locked out of their vehicle. 8:40 a.m. – Dispatched Ohio City EMS to a residence on Walnut Street in the Village of Elgin for a subject with abdominal pain. […]
POSTED: 02/19/26 at 9:48 pm. FILED UNDER: Law Enforcement