VW independent staff/submitted information Westwood Behavioral Health Center is proud to announce that on August 4, Randal Michaelson Jr. achieved a highly regarded milestone in his journey toward long term sobriety. After three years of living substance-free, Michaelson graduated from Recovery Court. “A New Day, the Right Way” is a program for adults who struggled with […]
POSTED: 08/13/26 at 8:39 pm. FILED UNDER: News
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor If you’re of a certain age, you may remember what playgrounds used to be like. Questionable swings, death trap merry-go-rounds, wooden cinders and metal slides that could cause second degree burns are just some of the things that come to mind. That was then, this is now and at Lincolnview Elementary, students […]
POSTED: 08/13/26 at 8:38 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Leland Smith Insurance recently presented a check to the YWCA of Van Wert County as a recurring sponsor of the Adopt-A-Room program. Pictured from left to right are Leland Smith staff members Hanna Rose, Faith Coleman, Amy Amstutz (presenting check), YMCA Director of Outreach and Communication Julie Schaufelberger, April Korte, and Topanga Brumett. Businesses, organizations […]
POSTED: 08/13/26 at 8:36 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information Christopher Elder, a Paulding resident and 2026 candidate for the 82nd District Ohio House, has been appointed to fill the District 9 seat vacated by Tom Pruss for the Libertarian State Central Committee. Pruss was elected in the May primary, along with Zach Hall, both of whom are from Toledo. After […]
POSTED: 08/13/26 at 8:36 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Wednesday, August 12, 2026 5:41 a.m. – Dispatched Middle Point Fire to a residential alarm on Gamble Road in Ridge Township. 6:00 a.m. – Deputies responded to a report of a motor vehicle crash on U.S. Route 30 in Pleasant Township. A 2008 Chrysler Sebring driven by Cory James Grime of Convoy was eastbound on […]
POSTED: 08/13/26 at 1:07 pm. FILED UNDER: Law Enforcement
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor A pair of energy-related open houses were held in Van Wert on Tuesday – one dealing with a proposed solar farm, and the other regarding AEP power grid upgrades. Butterfly Meadows Two representatives of Butterfly Meadows declined to speak with the VW independent or the Times Bulletin during Thursday’s open house at […]
POSTED: 08/12/26 at 8:27 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff Van Wert County EMA Director Matt Saunier has provided 48-hour rainfall totals for various spots around Van Wert County from storms that moved through this week. Here are the measurements between 4 p.m. Monday and 4 p.m. Wednesday at official designated EMA spots: Saunier said some areas around the county could see […]
POSTED: 08/12/26 at 8:27 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Two semi-trucks jackknived with 15 minutes and within 150 feet of each other on U.S. 30 Thursday afternoon. The first accident ocurred at approximately 3:15 p.m. along eastbound U.S. 30, near the Lincoln Highway exit ramp. The second accident occurred just before 3:30 p.m. in the same location but in the westbound lane. Both trucks […]
POSTED: 08/12/26 at 8:26 pm. FILED UNDER: News
The grand marshal for the 100th Wren Homecoming parade has been announced. The committee has chosen Ashley Meyer (right) along with Elizabeth Shellabarger (left), the owners of the Wren Restaurant. Over the past four years since they took ownership of the restaurant they have been extremely community focused by routinely holding dine-and-donates for various causes. These causes are not […]
POSTED: 08/12/26 at 8:25 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff Eight people were arraigned on various criminal charges in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court on Tuesday and Wednesday. In addition, one defendant appeared in court for violating his probation. Judge Martin D. Burchfield presided over each of the hearings. Arraignments Anthony Oliver, 31, of Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea […]
POSTED: 08/12/26 at 8:25 pm. FILED UNDER: News