VW independent staff 18 people died in 18 traffic crashes over the Independence Day holiday weekend, according statistics provided by the Ohio State Highway Patrol. The reporting period began at midnight Thursday, July 2 and ended at 11:59 p.m. Sunday, July 5. It was a significant increase from last year’s July 4 holiday weekend, when […]
POSTED: 07/08/26 at 8:42 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Tiffany Howard, 42, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, July 5, 2026, in Van Wert. She was born on August 12, 1983, in Lima, to Kenyon and Carolyn (Dickerson) Graham. Tiffany graduated from Bath High School and Apollo Career Center before earning her nursing degree from Rhodes State College. On June 2, 2010, she married her […]
POSTED: 07/08/26 at 5:26 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor What began as a late December 2025 call for an overdose at a home in Van Wert led to the discovery of a massive amount of suspected drugs and now, a major drug indictment. Earlier this month, a Van Wert County grand jury indicted Devin Couch, 21, of Van Wert on the […]
POSTED: 07/08/26 at 4:07 pm. FILED UNDER: News
This year the Brumback Library is celebrating 125 years of service to the community. Each month, the library will tell the story of the Brumback Library chapter by chapter. This month’s installment looks back at the circulation department. The story is told by Circulation Supervisor Lauren Leatherman. By Lauren Leatherman For the last 125 years, […]
POSTED: 07/07/26 at 8:21 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff Upgrades to the baseball and softball complex will be the focus of Wednesday’s special meeting of the Lincolnview Local Schools Board of Education. The meeting will begin at 5 p.m. in the Neubrecht Lecture Hall. It will include a brief presentation by representatives of Prodigy Building Solutions, followed by a vote on […]
POSTED: 07/07/26 at 8:42 am. FILED UNDER: News
Van Wert Police Sunday, June 28 – Jose Luis Villegas Salazar was arrested for OVI, no operator’s license, failing to obey traffic control devices, turn and stop signals, and open container after a stop at E. Main St. and N. Wayne St. Sunday, June 28 – a criminal trespassing report was taken in the 300 […]
POSTED: 07/07/26 at 8:30 am. FILED UNDER: Law Enforcement
VW independent staff A gun was fired at Franklin Park late Monday night and the Van Wert Police Department is asking anyone with information to come forward. According to a news release, the Van Wert Police Department received a 911 call at approximately 10:10 p.m. with the caller reporting someone had fired a gun at […]
POSTED: 07/07/26 at 8:14 am. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information The Haven of Hope Board of Directors has launched a $150,000 capital building campaign to renovate and open a brand-new community center. Located next to the current shelter at 227 N. Market Street, the multi-purpose facility will provide critical resources, warmth, and support to local residents. According to a press release […]
POSTED: 07/06/26 at 8:41 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff New dates and schedules have been set for three long-awaited road construction projects just west of Van Wert. Construction of the U.S. 30/John Brown Rd. restricted crossing U-turn (RCUT) will begin on Monday, July 13. U.S. 30 will be restricted to one lane in each direction, while John Brown Rd. will be […]
POSTED: 07/06/26 at 8:40 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information A remarkable handcrafted truck designed after a Model T will be on display at the Convoy Museum during Convoy Community Days, offering visitors a chance to see the creativity and craftsmanship of lifelong county resident Clair Dudgeon, who passed away in late May. Dudgeon built the truck, starting in October 2019. […]
POSTED: 07/06/26 at 8:39 pm. FILED UNDER: News