New graduates!

Shortly after receiving their diplomas, members of the Lincolnview High School Class of 2026 throw their caps in the air to celebrate. Sunday’s ceremony was the 66th in Lincolnview High School history. See the full story below. Scott Truxell/Van Wert independent

Lincolnview HS graduates 68 seniors

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor Memories that won’t soon be forgotten, but also an eye on the future. That was the theme during Sunday afternoon’s 66th annual Lincolnview High School commencement ceremony, which was held in front of a sizable crowd in the high school gymnasium. The Class of 2026 had 68 students who received diplomas and […]

VWACCB to perform Friday in Van Wert

Submitted information This Friday, May 22, the Van Wert Area Community Concert Band will present a concert in the bandshell at Fountain Park in downtown Van Wert. The concert will begin at 7:p.m. and is free to the public. Music performed at the concert will include several Patriotic selections celebrating the U.S.A.‘s 250th anniversary (semiquincentennial). […]

Group may not get enough signatures

By Nick Evans/Ohio Capital Journal The organizers leading an effort to abolish Ohio property taxes are coming to a crossroads. By July 1, the campaign needs to decide if it wants to roll the dice and attempt to get on this year’s ballot or keep its powder dry and wait for another election down the […]

Early morning crash…

This pickup truck was one of three vehicles involved in a crash that occurred shortly before 4 a.m. Saturday in the 400 block of S. Washington St. in Van Wert. A northbound car hit the truck, which was parked, then hit another parked vehicle, causing heavy damage to all three. Two people were transported by […]

Roundup: Stoller wins sectional title

VW independent sports Sectional tennis LIMA — Van Wert’s Zach Stoller is district-bound, after knocking off top-seeded Evan Brinkman of Lima Central Catholic 6-2, 6-2 in the Division II sectional championship match at Westwood on Saturday. On Thursday, Stoller defeated the No. 2 seed, Leyton Staley of Elida 6-1, 6-2 in the semifinals. “To beat […]

VW Cougars compete at WBL track meet

VW independent sports/submitted information KENTON — The Western Buckeye League Track and Field Championships, held in Kenton last Wednesday and Friday showcased some of the top talent in northwest Ohio, and the Van Wert Cougars responded with numerous standout performances, personal records, and finals appearances on both the boys and girls sides. Junior hurdler and sprinter Micah Cowan led the Cougar […]

Local runners shine at NWC meet

VW independent sports SPENCERVILLE — Columbus Grove swept the Northwest Conference Track and Field Championships, winning the boys’ and girls’ titles. Bluffton was the runner-up on both sides. Crestview finished fourth and Lincolnview sixth on the boys’ side, while the Lancers finished third and Lady Knights fifth on the girls side. Crestview’s Lincoln Smith and […]

Prep baseball: Cougars, Lancers fall

VW independent sports Wayne Trace 9 Van Wert 6 Van Wert scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning but it wasn’t enough as the Cougars fell to Wayne Trace 9-6 at Russell Fisher Field on Friday. Two of the seventh inning runs came on a double by Wyatt Scott. Griffin McCracken, Easton […]

Post 346 holding Memorial Day service

VW independent staff/submitted information OHIO CITY — The Ohio City American Legion Harvey Lewis Post 346 will be having a Memorial Day Service at Woodlawn Cemetery Veterans Memorial in Ohio City at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 25. The Van Wert Community Concert Band under the direction of Richard Sherrick will perform starting at 10 a.m. […]