VW independent sports/submitted information COLUMBUS — The 104th annual Ohio High School Athletic Association boys basketball state tournament tips off Thursday at the Nutter Center at Wright State University and the University of Dayton Arena. Northwest Ohio is well represented at the state tournament, with Lima Sr. (Division II), Lincolnview and Marion Local (both Division VI), […]
POSTED: 03/15/26 at 3:33 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
James A. Rhoades, of Van Wert, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 13, 2026, at the age of 69. Born on January 11, 1957, to Dusty and Betty Lou (Lininger) Rhoades, Jim lived a full life in Van Wert, where he made an indelible mark as a beloved insurance agent and community member. A proud […]
POSTED: 03/15/26 at 1:25 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports BOWLING GREEN — Quickness outdid strength. Those were words uttered by Colonel Crawford head coach Dave Sheldon after his defending Division VI regional champion Eagles lost to Lincolnview 58-45 in the regional finals at Bowling Green State University Saturday night. “Defensively their quickness really hurt us and the Evans kid (Gavin Evans) […]
POSTED: 03/14/26 at 10:29 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
Van Wert’s Breese Bollenbacher has River Valley’s Drew Goldberg (above) on the mat during Friday’s opening round of the state wrestling tournament, while below, Bollenbacher is locked up with Jackson’s Grant Kennedy. Unfortunately, Goldberg came back to pin Bollenbacher in 5:32 in the first round of their Division II 285 pound match, then Kennedy won […]
POSTED: 03/13/26 at 6:45 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
VW independent staff/submitted information A low pressure system was responsible for an unprecedented wind storm that wreaked havoc across the region on Friday. According to Van Wert County Emergency Management Director McCoy, the very strong pressure gradient associated with the low level jet assured in sustained winds of 35-45 mile per hour winds with gusts […]
POSTED: 03/13/26 at 6:13 pm. FILED UNDER: News
High winds rolled numerous semi trucks and trailers around Van Wert County on Friday. Photographer Bob Barnes responded to five truck incidents. One on U.S. 30 near Dixon Cavett Rd. two on Ohio 118 between Van Wert and Ohio City and two on U.S. 12. High winds also damaged several cattle barns at the Van […]
POSTED: 03/13/26 at 6:13 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information ROCKFORD — A special meeting discuss a possible change in athletic conferences is on tap this weekend in Rockford. The Parkway Local Schools Board of Education will host the special meeting at 6 p.m. Sunday, March 15, in the auditorium. The purpose of the meeting will be to have public discussion regarding athletic […]
POSTED: 03/13/26 at 6:12 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Submitted information Historic Main Street Van Wert has announced the launch of its Golf Cart Raffle, giving community members the opportunity to win a brand-new golf cart valued at $10,000, generously provided by Van Wert Carts. Tickets are now available for purchase online or in person at the Historic Main Street Van Wert office, located at 136 E. Main […]
POSTED: 03/13/26 at 6:12 pm. FILED UNDER: News
The Optimist Club of Van Wert recently held its annual essay contest for the 2025-2026 school year, based on the topic: “How My Acts of Service Help Me Understand What My Community Means to Me.” Three local winners from Van Wert High School presented their winning essays and were honored at the Club meeting on […]
POSTED: 03/13/26 at 6:11 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Submitted information PAULDING — The Paulding Area Chamber of Commerce 2026 Leadership in Action class is leading a community service project to help raise funds for a much-needed wheelchair-accessible van for the Paulding County Senior Center. Leadership in Action encourages participants to identify a meaningful local need and work together on a project that creates […]
POSTED: 03/13/26 at 6:10 pm. FILED UNDER: News