The Crestview High School Class of 2026 gathered for the school’s 66th annual baccalaureate and commencement ceremony Saturday evening. Honor students Jacob Heth, Rain Risley and Lulu Ross spoke and the baccalaureate address was delivered by Dr. Kody Klinker. Outstanding senior awards were presented along with diplomas to each of the graduating seniors. Bob Barnes/Van […]
POSTED: 05/25/26 at 6:44 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information LIMA — Upper Scioto Vlley swept top honors in this year’s Ohio Department of Transportation District 1 Paint-the-Plow contest. USV’s art students’ plow featuring the Declaration of Independence earned the most votes in both the ODOT’s Choice award and the People’s Choice award. The artwork earned 1,515 votes on Facebook in […]
POSTED: 05/25/26 at 6:43 pm. FILED UNDER: News
By Quincy Thompson As the Niswonger Performing Arts Center prepares to celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2027, Van Wert LIVE is inviting the community to reflect on nearly two decades of unforgettable performances, shared memories, and magical moments that have helped define entertainment in Van Wert. Since opening its doors in 2007, the Niswonger has […]
POSTED: 05/25/26 at 6:43 pm. FILED UNDER: Arts & Entertainment
VW independent sports HAMLER — Crestview’s baseball season came to a heartbreaking end in the Division VI sectional title game on Monday, as the Knights fell to No. 2 seed Patrick Henry 6-5. The No. 7 seed Knights (7-11) gave the Patriots all they could handle. Crestview led 4-1 entering the bottom of the sixth, […]
POSTED: 05/25/26 at 6:42 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
The Lincolnview Lancers won their eighth straight sectional championship with Saturday’s five inning, 22-0 win over Northwood in the Division VI title game. The Lancers scored 10 runs in the first inning, five in the second and seven in the fourth. Max Hammons and Evan Rahrig each drove in four runs and Seth Brant and […]
POSTED: 05/25/26 at 6:41 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
Van Wert’s track and field team will have nice representation at the Piqua Division III regional this week. Haven Hunt will compete in the 100 meter dash, while district champion Micah Cowan will compete in the 300 meter hurdles. Evan Kneuke is a regional qualifier in the 800 meter dash, as is Flannery Foster in […]
POSTED: 05/25/26 at 6:41 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
VW independent sports DEFIANCE — Six first place finishers and a pair of runner-up finishers helped Crestview capture the Division V Ayersville district championship last week. Lincoln Smith captured the 1600 meter (4:27.28) and 3200 meter (9:58.05) championships, while Hayden Perrott was the 400 meter dash champion (51.36). The 4×100 relay team of Liam Putman, […]
POSTED: 05/25/26 at 6:40 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor If you drive northbound or southbound along N. Franklin St. near Vantage Career Center in Van Wert, you’ll notice some new signage. New 20 mile per hour speed limit signs with flashing lights were installed on Thursday, just north and south of the school, along with flashing crosswalk signs at entrance of […]
POSTED: 05/22/26 at 8:57 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Editor’s note: this story with ties to Van Wert orginally appeared April 23 in The Daily Record, a newspaper in Dunn, North Carolina. It is being republished by the VW independent with permission from The Daily Record. By Emily Weaver/managing editor, The Daily Record Janene Young Goins and her family searched for the remains of […]
POSTED: 05/22/26 at 8:55 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information COLUMBUS — State Representatives Roy Klopfenstein (R-Haviland) and Melanie Miller (R-Ashland) this week provided sponsor testimony on “Trey’s Law” in the Ohio House Judiciary Committee. House Bill 723 strengthens protections for victims of sexual abuse and ensures perpetrators are held accountable for their crimes. Trey’s Law works to ensure that child […]
POSTED: 05/22/26 at 8:54 pm. FILED UNDER: News