Nancy Ann Kelley, 92, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, passed away on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. Nancy was born in Xenia to Dwight and Ethel Bennett, who both preceded her in death. She studied at The Ohio State University and earned her master’s degree from St Francis University. Nancy taught in Fort Wayne area schools for […]
POSTED: 03/29/26 at 7:16 am. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor Peony pageants have become a regular thing for the Johnson family of Van Wert. Michaella Johnson, now Michaella (Johnson) Owens won the title of Queen Jubilee in 2019. In 2024, younger sister Macy Johnson finished as the second runner-up in the annual pageant and Friday night at Lifehouse Church, Meah Johnson, a […]
POSTED: 03/27/26 at 10:02 pm. FILED UNDER: News
W independent staff 51 years of the Peony Queen Pagaent was celebrated Friday night at LifeHouse Church. Four Van Wert County high school seniors competed for the coveted title, with Meah Johnson of Van Wert High School winning the crown. Her sister, Michaella Johnson Owens won the title in 2019 while another sister, Macy Johnson, […]
POSTED: 03/27/26 at 10:01 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information Despite the threat of severe weather, a sold-out crowd gathered Thursday evening at Willow Bend Country Club for the YWCA of Van Wert County’s Annual Women of Achievement Scholarship Dinner. The event celebrated 10 outstanding nominees recognized as Women of Achievement across six categories: overcoming adversity, professional leadership, women’s empowerment, youth […]
POSTED: 03/27/26 at 10:00 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent sports HICKSVILLE — Crestview had more hits but Hicksville had more runs as the Aces defeated the Lady Knights 10-8 on Friday. The game was tied 4-4 after the first inning, 5-5 after two and 6-6 after three. Crestview scored one run in the fourth and fifth innings, but Hicksville answered with two […]
POSTED: 03/27/26 at 9:57 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
VW independent staff Is a shot clock coming to high school basketball in Ohio? Maybe so. The Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association has formally submitted a proposal to the Ohio High School Athletic Association. It suggests a 35-second shot clock, starting with the 2028-2029 season. Check back next week for a full story.
POSTED: 03/27/26 at 9:57 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
This car got the worst of it in a two-vehicle accident that occurred shortly before 1 p.m. Friday on S. Shannon St., just past Burger King. The southbound Honda was struck by a Buick that was attempting to cross from the parking lot on the east side of Shannon St. into into the west parking […]
POSTED: 03/27/26 at 2:36 pm. FILED UNDER: News
A barn under construction on Ohio 697 south of Middle Point was destroyed by a confirmed gustnado Thursday night. The National Weather Service defines a gustnado as a small whirlwind which forms as an eddy in thunderstorm outflows. They do not connect with any cloud-base rotation and are not tornadoes. Since their origin is associated […]
POSTED: 03/27/26 at 11:45 am. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information Thursday night’s storms brought a bit of havoc to the area, as severe storms began moving through Van Wert County at approximately 7:30 p.m. According to Van Wert County Emergency Management Agency Director Rick McCoy, temperatures at the time had hit a record high of 81 degrees and then fell off […]
POSTED: 03/27/26 at 9:27 am. FILED UNDER: News
Thursday, March 26, 2026 2:32 a.m. – Dispatched Ohio City EMS to a residence on West Jefferson Street in the Village of Ohio City for a subject having a seizure. 6:07 a.m. – Deputies responded to an area of Ohio 49 in Tully Township to check the welfare of a subject walking along the roadway. […]
POSTED: 03/27/26 at 8:28 am. FILED UNDER: Law Enforcement