Wetzelland 2026 is in the books. The four-day event ran from last Thursday through Sunday near Grover Hill and was billed as the premiere motorcycle party in Ohio. It was a celebration of motorcycle culture, camaraderie and adventure that drew bikers and enthusiasts from across the U.S., Canada, and beyond. Wetzelland featured bike shows and […]
POSTED: 07/28/26 at 8:42 pm. FILED UNDER: News
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor It’s a longstanding problem that hasn’t gone away but that’s about to change. For several years, the City of Van Wert has dealt with higher than accepted levels of THM (total trihalomethanes) in the city’s drinking water. The EPA’s standard is 0.080 mg/L but at times, Van Wert’s levels have come in […]
POSTED: 07/28/26 at 8:42 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information CELINA — The Isaac Van Wart Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution celebrated their patriotic heritage, with their beautiful DAR America 250 float at Saturday’s Celina Lake Festival parade. DAR members can prove their lineage back 250 years to a family member who fought or otherwise served in the […]
POSTED: 07/28/26 at 8:41 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Submitted information ROCKFORD — The membership of St. Paul’s Country Church of Rockford recently celebrated America 250 with a Christian dedication ceremony for an America 250 Liberty Tree which they planted on their church ground. Consistory president Susan Cully Etzcorn, in her dedication address thanked God, and said the tree honors the nation’s 250th birthday […]
Wauneta Alice Smith, 93, of Van Wert, passed away on Monday, July 27, 2026, at Van Wert Manor. She was born on March 21, 1933 in Decatur, Indiana, to Russell and Adah (Click) Weldy, who both preceded her in death. A 1951 graduate of Decatur High School, Wauneta married the love of her life, Donald […]
POSTED: 07/28/26 at 11:53 am. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
Gary Smith, 74, passed away on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, due to injuries sustained in a car/pedestrian accident on December 16, 2025. He was born on February 3, 1952, to Leonard and Angelene (Freund) Smith, who both preceded him in death. On July 27, 1974 he married Joanne (Hesseling) Smith who survives in Delphos. He […]
POSTED: 07/28/26 at 9:29 am. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
Monday, July 27, 2026 4:15 a.m. – Deputies responded to an area of Convoy Heller Road in Tully Township for a report of a disabled vehicle. 4:33 a.m. – Deputies responded to a residence on Lincoln Highway in Ridge Township to deliver a message to a resident. 7:26 a.m. – Deputies responded to an area […]
POSTED: 07/28/26 at 8:07 am. FILED UNDER: Law Enforcement
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor After many years of dormancy, Van Wert’s tree commission may come alive again. At Van Wert City Council’s meeting earlier this month, an ordinance was introduced by Fourth Ward Councilman Eric Hurless to strike the commission from the city’s code of ordinances, but Councilman At-Large Hall Block objected and said he knows […]
POSTED: 07/27/26 at 9:41 pm. FILED UNDER: News
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor As first reported early Monday afternoon, a data center zoning initiative will not appear on the ballot in Van Wert this fall. The proposed initiative would have given city residents the opportunity to repeal an ordinance passed by Van Wert City Council in May that permits data centers in I-2 zoned areas […]
POSTED: 07/27/26 at 9:39 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information A fun-filled evening of entertainment is in store, as Main Street Van Wert welcomes the community to Ohio Goes to the Movies, featuring Disney’s highly anticipated Zootopia 2 this Saturday, August 1, at Fountain Park. The evening’s festivities will begin at 6:30 p.m., giving families time to gather, enjoy the park, and spend time together before […]
POSTED: 07/27/26 at 9:35 pm. FILED UNDER: Arts & Entertainment, News