The Van Wert Police Department is investigating an early Thursday morning robbery at Winners Skilled Games on Fox Rd. Because of the ongoing investigation, few details have been released but Chief Doug Weigle said the suspect/suspects broke in and forced open a safe. The break-in and theft was reported late Thursday morning. As of Thursday […]
POSTED: 07/23/26 at 8:29 pm. FILED UNDER: News
By DAVE MOSIER/for the VW independent A music-hating nebbish who gets trapped in musical hell is “the guy” in The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals — the AYA (Adolescent-Young Adult) Theatre production that opened Thursday at Van Wert Civic Theatre. In this horror-comedy-musical written by Nick and Matt Lang, with music and lyrics by Jeff […]
POSTED: 07/23/26 at 8:27 pm. FILED UNDER: Arts & Entertainment, News
Submitted information A portion of Crawford St. in Van Wert will be closed Monday and Tuesday, July 27-28, for the Eggress Stadium renovation project. Leeson Ave. will be closed all day on Wednesday, July 29, and all day on Monday, August 3, for the Enbridge gas line replacement project.
POSTED: 07/23/26 at 8:27 pm. FILED UNDER: News
It’s become an annual tradition in Van Wert. Volunteers gathered at Trinity Global Church on Tuesday night to stuff backpacks full of school supplies. The volunteers formed an assembly line to fill the backpacks with essentials such as paper, notebooks, pencils and more. The backpacks and other supplies will be driven to the Navajo Nation […]
POSTED: 07/23/26 at 8:26 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information COLUMBUS — Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson has announced a multi-pronged initiative to help Ohioans identify romance scams, ward off financial losses, encourage people to report suspected cases to authorities, and support victims. Romance scammers, who often prey on older adults, establish a fake online relationship with their victims to gain […]
POSTED: 07/23/26 at 8:26 pm. FILED UNDER: News
POSTED: 07/23/26 at 8:24 pm. FILED UNDER: Kay-toons
Garry E. Hart, a beloved father, grandfather, brother, and friend, departed this life on July 18, 2026, at the age of 82. He was born on June 9, 1944, in Van Wert, to Byron and Pauline (Miller) Hart, who both preceded him in death. A proud graduate of Crestview High School, Garry completed his studies […]
POSTED: 07/23/26 at 11:23 am. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
Wednesday, July 22, 2026 2:51 a.m. – Dispatched Convoy EMS to a residence on Liberty Union Road in Pleasant Township for a subject who had fallen. 3:43 a.m. – Deputies responded to the area of U.S. 127 and U.S. 224 in Pleasant Township for a motor vehicle crash. A 2020 Chevrolet Bolt driven by Rachel […]
POSTED: 07/23/26 at 11:16 am. FILED UNDER: Law Enforcement
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor The newest member of the Van Wert City Schools Board of Education was sworn in on Wednesday. Lifelong Van Wert resident Scott White is taking the reins from Thaison Leaser, who resigned June 30 due to a move just outside the school district. White was one of three applicants for the vacant […]
POSTED: 07/22/26 at 8:23 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Van Wert Middle School teacher Noah Carter presented a plaque and a flag to Principal Darla Dunlap during Wednesday’s school board meeting. Carter serves as a member of the Indiana Air National Guard and the flag was flown during one of his unit’s missions. Carter missed the end of the 2025-2026 school year after being […]
POSTED: 07/22/26 at 8:22 pm. FILED UNDER: News