VW independent staff/submitted information COLUMBUS — Van Wert County is among 13 Ohio counties declared eligible for the State Disaster Relief Program, which will provide support to areas that were significantly impacted by a severe wind storm that occurred in mid-March. The State Disaster Relief Program is a reimbursement program that can be used in […]
POSTED: 08/05/26 at 8:31 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information COLUMBUS — On Wednesday, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio issued an order directing AEP Ohio to implement measures to protect other customers from potentially being impacted from data center customers’ effects on energy prices. Data center customers will be required to provide AEP Ohio with 180-day notice of their intent […]
POSTED: 08/05/26 at 8:30 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff Three separate and unrelated sentencing hearings were held in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court on Wednesday. Judge Martin D. Burchfield presided over each of the hearings. After failing intervention in lieu of conviction, Storm McGinnis, 35, of Van Wert, was sentenced to 60 days in jail and was ordered to pay […]
POSTED: 08/05/26 at 8:30 pm. FILED UNDER: News
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports Wapakoneta has won at least a share of the WBL championship every year since 2018. That doesn’t count the 2020 season, when no league champion was crowned due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During the stretch, the Redskins are 59-4 in league play. That makes them the favorites again in 2026, right? Yes […]
POSTED: 08/05/26 at 8:28 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports There’s really no other way to say it – the 2026 NWC title race appears to be a three-team race. Columbus Grove has won three straight conference titles and four of the last five. The Bulldogs haven’t lost a NWC game since September 16, 2022, a 7-0 loss at Allen East. Conventional […]
POSTED: 08/05/26 at 8:27 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
VW independent sports/submitted information OTTAWA — The Cougar Golf Team traveled to the always tough Ken Schnipke Kalida Invitational at Moose Landing Golf Course in Ottawa on Wednesday. Many of the area’s best teams in Division II and Division III participated. Division III teams dominated the three of the top four spots as Pettisville held […]
POSTED: 08/05/26 at 8:26 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
Cougar golfers Noah Krites (above) and Joseph Keysor (below) were in action at the Ken Schnipke Invitational at Moose Landing on Wednesday. Keysor. Krites shot a 90, while Keysor carded a 97 on the day. Photos courtesy of Mike Hernandez
POSTED: 08/05/26 at 8:26 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
Tuesday, August 4, 2026 12:13 a.m. – Deputies responded to an area of Jefferson Street in the Village of Ohio City for a report of suspicious activity. 12:25 a.m. – Deputies responded to an area of West Ervin Road in the City of Van Wert to assist the Van Wert Police Department. 12:51 a.m. – […]
POSTED: 08/05/26 at 9:40 am. FILED UNDER: Law Enforcement
Donald F. Kinzie, 94, of Van Wert, passed away peacefully on Monday evening, August 4, 2026 at VanCrest of Van Wert. He was born on September 8, 1931 in Mexico, Indiana, the son of Clayson J. Kinzie and Wilma (Mort) Kinzie, who both preceded him in death. On December 22, 1951, he married Carolyn A. […]
POSTED: 08/05/26 at 9:36 am. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
A memorial service for Dorcas G. Merkle will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, August 8, at Calvary Evangelical Church, Van Wert, with Pastor Clark Williman officiating. The family family will available for visitation one hour prior to the service. Dorcas passed away June 8 at her home.
POSTED: 08/05/26 at 5:44 am. FILED UNDER: Obituaries