Submitted information Pitchers will now join catchers as the only players in high school softball permitted to receive one-way electronic communication from the dugout, effective with the 2027 season. This change was one of four recommendations by the NFHS Softball Rules Committee during its June 14-16 meeting in Indianapolis. All recommendations were later approved by […]
POSTED: 07/15/26 at 5:36 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
Submitted information Beginning next year, high school baseball teams will be given the option to use an 18-inch first base or the double first base. The larger base is presented as an alternative to the previously mandated double first base, which goes into effect in 2027. The larger first base option was one of seven […]
POSTED: 07/15/26 at 5:36 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor CONTINENTAL — Some called it a once in a lifetime experience and they wouldn’t necessarily be wrong. Union Pacific’s locomotive No. 4014, known as “Big Boy” sounded its distinct Hancock Long Bell three-chime whistle as it rolled into the Putnam County village of Continental at 11 a.m. Wednesday, much to the delight […]
POSTED: 07/15/26 at 5:22 pm. FILED UNDER: Top Story
Union Pacific’s giant steam locomotive, Boy Boy 4014, delighted thousands of people during a “whistle” stop in Continental on Thursday. After a 30-minute stop in the village, the train headed west through Paulding County into Allen County, Indiana. Video by Scott Truxell/Van Wert independent
POSTED: 07/15/26 at 5:22 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Union Pacific’s locomotive No. 4014, known as “Big Boy” sounded its distinct Hancock Long Bell three-chime whistle as it rolled into the village of Continental on Wednesday. Video by Scott Truxell/Van Wert independent
POSTED: 07/15/26 at 5:21 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Big Boy No. 4014 says goodbye to Continental on Wednesday. The final car is a restored Pullman car once used by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Video by Scott Truxell/Van Wert independent
POSTED: 07/15/26 at 5:21 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Submitted information The Van Wert Ag banquet has been scheduled for Tuesday, August 4, at Life House Church in Van Wert. The Van Wert Soil and Water Conservation District and Farm Bureau are co-hosting this event which replaces the separate annual meetings. The evening will begin at 5 p.m. with registration and election for one […]
VW independent staff/submitted information COLUMBUS — State Representatives Roy Klopfenstein (R-Haviland) and Mark Hiner (R-Howard) recently introduced House Bill 969 – legislation to revise the composition of some local boards of health, specifically in rural areas of Ohio. “Ohioans largely depend on their local Boards of Health to protect the public’s safety and respond to […]
POSTED: 07/15/26 at 5:19 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Submitted information MIDDLE POINT — The Van Wert County Outdoorsmen will be hosting a ladies trap shooting program at the club at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 25. Trap shooting is using a shotgun to shoot clay pigeons as they fly. This program is free for ladies aged 14 and up. Participants do not need to […]
POSTED: 07/15/26 at 5:19 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Tuesday, July 14, 2026 9:49 a.m. – Deputies responded to an area of Harrison Willshire Line Road in Harrison Township for a loose dog. 11:11 a.m. – Deputies spoke with a resident ref theft from a location on Hogan Street in the Village of Willshire. 1:58 p.m. – Dispatched Van Wert EMS to a residence […]
POSTED: 07/15/26 at 12:52 pm. FILED UNDER: Law Enforcement