The vocal music department at Van Wert High School will present its Fall Choral Showcase at 7:30 p.m. Monday, October 26, at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center. The doors will open at 7 p.m. The Freshmen Choir, Sophomore Women’s Chorus, Select Acapella Choir, and Concert Choir will be featured. They will present an inspiring evening […]
POSTED: 10/22/26 at 9:01 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Alan Charles Witten, beloved husband, father, brother and friend, passed away on Thursday, October 15, 2026, surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife, Ewana (Cotgageorge) Witten; children, Andrew Witten (Heather) and Jessica (Witten) Johns, (Wallace); his cherished grandchildren Tyler and Sam Witten, Alexandra, Noah, and Charlotte Johns. Alan is also survived by […]
POSTED: 10/22/26 at 12:27 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor It’s not often that someone gets to meet a comic book creator, but members of the Lincolnview Local Schools Board of Education had that opportunity during Wednesday night’s monthly meeting. Mason Welch, a fifth grade student at Lincolnview Elementary, won the Brumback Library’s Summer Reading Program comic book contest with his original […]
POSTED: 10/21/26 at 8:24 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Talk about smart – these Lincolnview students earned perfect scores on math state assessment tests that were administered this past spring. Shown above (front row) are Raelynn Truman and Alexandria Roehm. Back row: Blake Morris, Hayden Garay and Reid Kill. Not pictured; Benjamin Muhlenkamp. They were honored during Wednesday’s Lincolnview school board meeting. Scott Truxell/Van […]
POSTED: 10/21/26 at 8:23 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital is one of nearly two dozen Ohio hospitals chosen to receive Rural Health Transformation Program awards totaling $92 million to manage chronic illnesses and expand access to preventive, primary, maternal, and behavioral healthcare in rural areas. The awards, administered by the Ohio Department of Health, include: “Our […]
POSTED: 10/21/26 at 8:23 pm. FILED UNDER: News
Van Wert Lodge 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, recently donated $943 to Convoy Fire & EMS. The department used the money to purchase two sets of Milwaukee battery powered shears for cutting windshields at accident scenes and a Milwaukee battery powered fan for smoke removal and ventilation at structure fires. The money was […]
POSTED: 10/21/26 at 8:22 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information Northwest State Community College is celebrating one year since the opening of the Van Wert Campus at 520 E. Sycamore St. Registration for the next semester is now open. The Van Wert Campus offers programs for an array of student groups, including traditional learners, college credit plus students, learners on path […]
POSTED: 10/21/26 at 8:22 pm. FILED UNDER: News
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports It’s here – Week No. 10, the regular season finale. For some teams, it’ll be the season finale period while others will move on to the OHSAA playoffs. Overall, it’s been an interesting year. It’s hard to believe anyone predicted the WBL race would turn out like it has, while for the […]
POSTED: 10/21/26 at 8:21 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
Judith Josephine Stabler, 86, passed away Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at Lima Memorial Hospital. She was born February 13, 1940, to Forrest and Helen (Bright) Knotts. Judith worked at Magnavox in Fort Wayne for 31 years and at Progressive Stamping in Ottoville for five years. She was a veteran of the United States Navy SeeBee […]
POSTED: 10/21/26 at 3:29 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries
Richard Anthony (Tony) Steinmetz, 79, of Punta Gorda, Florida, passed away on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at his home in Punta Gorda. Tony was born on November 24, 1946, to Richard and Sally Steinmetz of Van Wert, who both preceded him in death. In addition to his parents, Tony was preceded in death by his […]
POSTED: 10/21/26 at 3:13 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries