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
Cheryl L. Castle, of Convoy, passed away at home on Monday, July 13, 2026. She was born on April 19, 1959, the daughter of Lawrence and Ivalou (Mitch) Strunkenburg. Cheryl was united in marriage on March 24, 1974, to Joel K. Castle who survives. She is survived by a son, Joshua (Brenda) Castle of Convoy, […]
POSTED: 07/15/26 at 12:49 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
VW independent staff/submitted information The film rights to “The Sheriff’s Son” – the newly published memoir by Van Wert native Jim Clay, have been optioned by 2 East 8th Productions, the independent film company co-founded by writer-producer-director Drew Dull. The book, which reached Amazon’s Top 15 New Releases and remains among the top 150 U.S. […]
POSTED: 07/14/26 at 8:23 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information OHIO CITY — The Lambert Days Committee invites everyone to celebrate Lambert Days 2026, taking place this Thursday through Sunday, July 16–19 in Ohio City. Named in honor of John W. Lambert, one of Ohio City’s most notable residents, the festival celebrates the community’s rich history while bringing together residents and […]
POSTED: 07/14/26 at 8:22 pm. FILED UNDER: News