SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports This week’s installment of Random Thoughts includes congratulations, spring sports, state softball, Richard Kortokrax, and the NBA Finals. Congratulations ...

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor Proposed renovation plans weren’t the only topic addressed during Thursday night’s meeting of the Vantage Career Center Board of Education. Superintendent Rick Turner ...

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports Van Wert High School’s Owen Scott is ready to take a few more laps around the track, but not just any track – the track at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium at Ohio State ...

Submitted information COLUMBUS — The Ohio High School Athletic Association has announced the pairings and schedule for this week’s baseball state tournament hosted at Canal Park in Akron and Thurman ...

By Jamie Crawford COLUMBUS — With nearly 82 percent of Americans planning to travel this summer, the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Financial Institutions is urging Ohioans to be on the ...

He was born September 12, 1969, in Van Wert, a son of Danny R. and Karla Kay (Johnson) Routt. His father survives in Van Wert and his mother is deceased. Surviving him are two brothers, Jeffery (Lori) ...

Jay Whitney Simson passed away on Monday, June 16, 2025. He was born in Oneida, New York to Edward Lee and Ina Mae (Teeman) Simson on November 8, 1953. Both parents predeceased him. He attended SUNY ...

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor While there won’t be an Independence Day parade in Van Wert this year, there is some good news – there will be a July 4 parade in the city in 2026. As reported on ...

By Quincy Thompson This fall, the Niswonger Performing Arts Center will resonate with a powerful blend of classical brilliance and youthful energy as The 5 Browns take the stage at 7:30 p.m. Friday, ...

Van Wert joined many other municipalities nationwide by holding a “No Kings Protest” on Saturday. It began at Fountain Park at 1 p.m. and within minutes had moved to the 200 block of S. Washington St.

Submitted information The following ODOT construction projects are anticipated to affect roadways in Van Wert County during the week of June 16. All work is weather permitting. U.S. 30 bridge repair: ...

VW independent staff/submitted information PAULDING — The Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a serious injury crash involving a passenger car and bicyclist in the Village ...