School report card, personnel items covered at meeting

Van Wert man facing lengthy prison term

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

A Van Wert man named in a major drug indictment this past summer agreed to a plea deal.

During a recent hearing in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court, Devin Couch, 21, of Van Wert changed his plea to guilty four charges: possession of cocaine, a first degree felony; possession of drugs, a second degree felony; possession of hashish, a second degree felony, and possession of marijuana, a third degree felony. 

Judge Martin D. Burchfield ordered a pre-sentence investigation and scheduled sentencing for 2 p.m. October 20. According to Van Wert County Prosecutor Dillon Staas, IV, Couch could receive a prison sentence of between 12-20 years.  

Couch was indicted on eight charges in July — trafficking in cocaine, a first degree felony with a major drug offender specification; possession of cocaine, a first degree felony with a major drug offender specification; aggravated trafficking in drugs, a second degree felony; aggravated possession of drugs, a second degree felony; trafficking in hashish, a second degree felony; possession of hashish, a second degree felony; trafficking in marijuana, a third degree felony, and possession of marijuana, a third degree felony. Each of the eight charges carried a one-year firearm specification, along with eight specifications for forfeiture of guns.

All of the charges were tied to a police call on December 21, 2025. The Van Wert Police Department and Van Wert EMS were dispatched the possible overdose situation in the 700 block of N. Washington St. Police and paramedics arrived to find a younger male on the floor, unresponsive. He was treated by EMS and was transported to OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital.

Wednesday afternoon fire…

A fire broke out at home on Van Wert-Willshire Road at approximately 3 p.m. Wednesday. Ohio City Fire Department was paged to the active fire and mutual aid was immediately called for from Van Wert, Wren, Rockford, and Convoy for tankers and equipment. The blaze was quickly put down but caused heavy damage to the home with it being reported as unlivable. One person was transported to OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital and a cat was lost in the fire. The Van Wert County Sheriff’s Department and later Van Wert County CERT assisted with traffic control. CERT also helped keep first responders hydrated and assisted the victims of the fire with their immediate needs. Bob Barnes/VWFD photographer

Four defendants appear in local court

VW independent staff

Two people were arraigned and two others changed their respective pleas during hearings held in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court between Monday, September 14 and Wednesday, September 23. Judge Martin D. Burchfield presided over each of the hearings.

Ernie Teman, 51, of Delphos, entered a not guilty plea to receiving stolen property, a fourth degree felony. He was released on surety bond and a pre-trial conference was set for 8:30 a.m. October 7. 

Benjamin Seibert, 35, of Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea to aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth degree felony. He was released on surety bond, and a pre-trial conference was scheduled for 8:30 a.m. October 14.

Theresa Bakle, 40, of Van Wert, changed her guilty to two counts of aggravated possession of drugs, fifth degree felonies. She then requested and was granted intervention in lieu of conviction and her case was stayed pending completion of the treatment program. She was also ordered to pay court costs. 

Tyler Pessefall, 28, of Van Wert, changed his plea to guilty of assault, a misdemeanor. Judge Burchfield ordered a misdemeanor report and set sentencing for 9 a.m. October 28.

Local Democrats gather…

The Van Wert County Democratic Party held its fall banquet Tuesday night and former Governor Ted Strikland was the keynote speaker at the event. Shown above from left to right are Van Wert County Democratic Party Chair Kirsten Barnhart., Ted Strickland, Maddux McCray (running for Ohio House District 82 seat) and Joshua Kolasinski (running for Ohio’s Fourth District Congressional seat). Photo submitted

Man who set fire to mail sentenced

VW independent staff

TOLEDO — A former mail carrier from Van Wert was sentenced in federal court this week for setting fire to undelivered mail last fall.

Kyle Carver was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Toledo to three years of probation and fined $100 on a felony charge of delay or destruction of mail. He pleaded guilty to the charge in June.

During the early morning hours of October 22, 2025, the Van Wert Police Department received a call from a concerned citizen in reference to a fire that was unattended in the backyard of a residence in the 900 block of George St.

When an officer went to investigate, there was evidence of USPS mail being burned. It was confirmed that Carver lived at the residence and was allegedly burning undelivered mail there. The Van Wert Fire Department was called to extinguish the fire. The investigation was turned over to postmaster Greg McKeddie, who arrived on scene less than 45 minutes after the initial call.

In an interview with WANE 15 TV the day of the incident, Carver said “he’d forgotten to send out the mail to Central Ave, and said he noticed the pile in his truck this and, for fear of getting in trouble, put the 6-inch stack of envelopes in his fire pit and lit it on fire.” He also said he regretted his actions.

Report card discussed at BOE meeting

VW independent staff

Lincolnview’s latest school report card was explained during Tuesday night’s monthly meeting of the school board.

Curriculum Director Kelly Hoy was at the meeting to speak about the results of the 2025-2026 school report card, which was released last week by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.

Lincolnview Local Schools received a 4-star rating out of 5 stars, with 4 stars for achievement, 2 for progress, 4 for gap closing, 5 for graduation, 2 for early literacy and 4 for college, career, workforce and military readiness.

Among the personnel matters approved by the board during the meeting: Chad Kraner, play director; Adam Ries, assistant play director; MaryAnn Falk, play technology director; Josh England, play set coordinator; Ryleigh Hanicq, girls head bowling coach; Kyle Early, boys head bowling coach; LeeAnne Archinal, 5-12 volunteer band assistant; James Barnhart and Lucy Rice, special education shuttle route, and Maggie Knott, Vantage/Marsh/Goedde shuttle route.

The board accepted the resignation of junior varsity volleyball coach Sidney Tonuc effective August 27, and board members accepted the resignation of transportation secretary Kimberly Bats, effective August 25. Kristen Myers was then hired as bus transportation secretary.

In other business, the board approved a “then and now” purchase order of $20,250 for 2026-2027 school year licenses for the BusRight app. Junior high and high school workbook bills and class fees were approved

A $1,000 donation was accepted from the Middle Point Lions Club for the steel drum program, along with a $1,200 donation from the Van Wert Service Club for speech support.

The next meeting of the Lincolnview Local Schools Board of Education will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, October 21, in the Neubrecht Lecture Hall.

Fire dept. rescues man from garbage truck

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

The Van Wert Fire Department was dispatched to provide assistance at a rather unusual incident early Wednesday morning.

At approximately 5:20 a.m., firefighters and EMS were called to the Van Wert Early Childhood Center, 1120 Buckeye Drive, for a man who had been dumped from a dumpster into a garbage truck that was making its rounds.

A Van Wert Police Department report said the man was sleeping in the dumpster when it was lifted to dump its contents into the garbage truck. It’s believed the mishap happened at a previous stop and the man reportedly threw trash from the truck to get the driver’s attention along the route.

According to a report from the Van Wert Fire Department, the man was conscious and alert in the truck. Additional resources were requested to respond.

The fire department used its ladder truck and rigged a rope system to lower rescuers to the man. Shortly after 6:30 a.m., he was  secured in a basket and raised out of the truck, lowered to the ground and transferred to EMS. He was then transported to OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

State of emergency includes local counties

VW independent staff

COLUMBUS — Van Wert and Mercer counties are among the counties included in a state of emergency declared by Governor Mike DeWine on Tuesday. 

Governor DeWine signed the proclamation after meeting with local officials, first responders, and residents in Vinton County, which experienced significant flooding. Locally, the southwest portion of Van Wert County, including Wren and Willshire have been affected by flooding, along with much of neighboring Mercer County.

In addition to Van Wert, Mercer and Vinton counties, 16 other counties are included in the state of emergency – Athens, Clermont, Gallia, Greene, Highland, Jackson, Logan, Meigs, Montgomery, Morgan, Muskingum, Perry, Pickaway, Pike, Preble, and Ross.

The proclamation directs all relevant State of Ohio departments and agencies to lend their services, equipment, supplies, and personnel as necessary to assist in the cleanup effort.

“We’ve seen significant flooding and damage across several Ohio counties,” said Governor DeWine. “The state is working closely with local officials to provide the resources needed to help communities respond and recover.”

The Ohio Department of Transportation and the Ohio State Highway Patrol will continue to assist local authorities, and the Ohio Emergency Management Agency remains engaged with county and state partners to assist local communities. 

Man charged with murder to stand trial

VW independent staff

PAULDING — Trial dates have been established for Paulding County man accused of shooting and killing another man in his driveway.

Online records from Paulding County Common Pleas Court show Alfred Conner. 72, who’s address is now listed as the Paulding County Jail, is scheduled to stand trial November 17-20 for murder, an unclassified felony.

Conner was arraigned last week and entered a not guilty plea to the charge. His bond remains the same, $10 million with a 10 percent provision.

Late at night on August 31, Paulding County deputies were dispatched to Conner’s home in the 19000 block of Road 72 in the Grover Hill area for a man who had been shot. Deputies found Logan D. Moss, 34, of Mark Center, in the driveway suffering from a gunshot wound. They rendered aid to Moss until Grover Hill EMS arrived on scene and took over. Moss was transported to OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Conner was taken into custody. The motive remains unclear and no other information has been released yet.

YWCA seeks information for construction

Submitted information

The YWCA of Van Wert County (“Owner”), is seeking statements of qualifications from firms to provide construction manager-at-risk services for the construction of a new multi-purpose building (the “Project) consisting primarily of wood stick-framed construction with a small masonry load-bearing multipurpose gym. If your firm is interested in being considered, please respond by submitting your statement of qualifications as instructed in Part 5 of the RFQ.

Submission/Response Deadline. By no later than 4 p.m. on the Deadline for Submitting Statements of Qualifications as set forth in the Selection Schedule of 3.C, one electronic copy of the firm’s statement of qualifications must be submitted by e-mail to:Kimberly Laudick, YWCA of Van Wert County, klaudick@ywcavanwertcounty.org.