SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor It’s been a big week for students at Vantage Career Career. Superintendent Rick Turner announced during Thursday night’s monthly school board meeting that Cruse Schroeder (Ottoville) placed first in the Heavy Equipment category at the SkillsUSA Ohio State Championships, qualifying him for the SkillsUSA National Championships in Atlanta next month. Hayden Schimmoller […]
POSTED: 05/07/26 at 8:26 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Submitted information The Van Wert community is invited to take part in the Van Wert Parks Department’s summer walking program, which is designed to keep everyone active while also enjoying local parks. The series will begin on Monday, May 18 at the Park District Trail East, with participants meeting at the Rotary Athletic Complex for […]
POSTED: 05/07/26 at 8:25 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Dietrich Rinehart was officially sworn in Thursday as a full-time Firefighter/EMT at the Van Wert Fire Department. having successfully completed his one-year probationary period. Chief Jon Jones said Rinehart joined the department one year ago, completed his probationary period. and has demonstrated the dedication, skill, and professionalism expected of Van Wert’s firefighters. Jones said the […]
POSTED: 05/07/26 at 8:25 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information COLUMBUS — Earlier this week, State Representative Roy Klopfenstein (R-Haviland) joined a roundtable with Alex Fitzsimmons, Acting Undersecretary of Energy for the U.S. Department of Energy; State Representative Adam Holmes (R-Nashport), State Representative Adam Mathews (R-Lebanon), Chair of the House Energy Committee; State Representative David Thomas (R-Jefferson), and representatives from the […]
POSTED: 05/07/26 at 8:24 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information The YMCA of Van Wert County was the recipient of a $5,000 Ohio Department of Heath water safety and swim instruction grant. The CDC lists drowning as one of the leading causes of accidental death in children between the ages of 1-14 and adults over 65. Over 4,500 people die from […]
POSTED: 05/07/26 at 8:23 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Make it three straight NWC softball championships for Lincolnview. The Lancers put the wraps on an outright conference title with a 10-6 win over Delphos Jefferson on Thursday. Ila Hughes and Lainey Spear each homered in the game and both had doubles. Emme Stevens had a double and a triple and Quinlyn Walker had a […]
POSTED: 05/07/26 at 8:22 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
VW independent sports Lincolnview 22 Delphos Jefferson 2 (five innings) DELPHOS — The Lancers captured a share of their sixth straight NWC baseball championship with a five inning 22-2 win over Delphos Jefferson on Thursday. Lincolnview can win the conference title outright with a victory over Columbus Grove next Wednesday. The Lancers scored early and […]
POSTED: 05/07/26 at 8:22 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
Wednesday, May 6, 2026 1:37 a.m. – Deputies responded to an area of Burt Street in the City of Van Wert for a report of suspicious activity. 1:56 a.m. – Deputies responded to a commercial alarm on Spencerville Delphos Road in Washington Township. 2:09 a.m. – Deputies responded to an area of South Washington Street […]
POSTED: 05/07/26 at 8:56 am. FILED UNDER: Law Enforcement
By Franklin Freytag COLUMBUS — As the spring construction season kicks into high gear, the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Industrial Compliance is urging business owners and property managers to hire only licensed commercial contractors. Through the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB), the Division ensures that the more than 10,000 licensed professionals in electrical, HVAC, plumbing, hydronics, and refrigeration meet […]
POSTED: 05/07/26 at 8:04 am. FILED UNDER: Opinions
To the Editor, Monday night (May 4, 2026), the public had the opportunity to weigh in on the data center proposal before council. For months our community has been deliberating the potential development at the mega site, and the issue has been raised before council several times in my short tenure. I had stated throughout […]
POSTED: 05/07/26 at 7:15 am. FILED UNDER: Letters to the Editor