Recorder change official

As expected, the Van Wert County Republican Central Committee echoed the county commissioners in choosing Kim Hughes (left) to replace Jan McIntosh (right) as county recorder during a meeting held Thursday evening. Hughes was named interim recorder by the commissioners August 1, but needed to be chosen by the Central Committee to continue in that position. Hughes, who has 11 years of service in the recorder’s office — and 16 years as a county employee — will finish out McIntosh’s current term, which expires in December 2012. (Dave Mosier/Van Wert independent)