BOE accepting applications for vacant seat

Submitted information The Van Wert City Board of Education is seeking applicants to fill the unexpired term of board member Thaison Leaser, who resigned his position effective June 30, 2026. The board will begin interviewing candidates soon and must name a replacement within 30 days of the resignation. The newly appointed member will serve until […]

City streets to be closed for July events

VW independent staff/submitted information The month of July will be a busy one in terms of events that require street closures in the downtown Van Wert Here. Here is the list. America250 Independence Day celebration – This event is Friday, July 3, Saturday, July 4, beginning at 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., each day. The street […]

Thursday accident…

Two Van Wert EMS units were dispatched to a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of S. Shannon St. and W. Crawford St. at approximately 5:15 p.m. Thursday. A Chevy van was northbound on Shannon St. when a Chrysler minivan was making a left hand turn on Shannon and hit the northbound vehicle on the passenger […]

YWCA seeking support of Adopt-A-Room

VW independent staff/submitted information The YWCA of Van Wert County is inviting community members, businesses, and organizations to support survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and sexual assault and their families through its Adopt-A-Room program. Launched in 2023, the Adopt-A-Room program gives donors the opportunity to sponsor a living space within the YWCA’s Survivor Services […]

Allen County road damaged by crash

VW independent staff/submitted information The Lima Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a single-vehicle crash that occurred at approximately 5:43 p.m. Thursday. The crash started on U.S. 30 West and ended on Napoleon Road in Richland Township, Allen County. Rachel Young, 48, of Lima, was operating a 2013 Mack Dump Truck traveling […]

Merritt E. Beech

Merritt E. Beech, 68, of Scott, passed away on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at Stillwater Hospice Center of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Merritt was born January 21, 1958, in Van Wert to Harold and Betty (Myers) Beech, who both preceded him in death. Surviving Merritt are his brother Mark (Tracy) Beech of Scott; his niece and […]

VWCO Sheriff’s activity log 6/24/2026

Wednesday, June 24, 2026 2:02 a.m. – Deputies responded to a residence on West Koch Street in the Village of Ohio City for a report of unauthorized use of a vehicle. 4:01 a.m. – Deputies responded to an area of Willshire Eastern Road in Willshire Township for a report of an assault. It was reported […]

Marie Ann Runyon

Marie Ann Runyon, 78, of Van Wert, peacefully went home to be with Jesus on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, while surrounded by her family. Marie was born on March 23, 1948, in Van Wert County to Charles Kenneth Mongold, Sr. and Helen E. (Girod) Mongold, who both preceded her in death. On January 28, 1969, […]

Leaser stepping down from school board

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor A seat is coming open on the Van Wert City Schools Board of Education. At Wednesday’s monthly meeting, the school board accepted the resignation of board member Thaison Leaser, effective June 30. Leaser joined the board in January, replacing Scott Mull, who chose not to seek re-election. “It was just unfortunate timing,” […]

NSCC offering fun day camps in July

VW independent staff/submitted information Northwest State Community College will be hosting three day camps this July at the newly renovated Van Wert campus. The camps will give young minds a chance to engage in STEM coding and online gaming in a safe environment. Kicking off with “Swing into STEM” day on Friday, July 10, campers […]