VWCS plans to build bus facility; SAM Act mentioned

Defendants appear in Common Pleas Court

VW independent staff

Seven defendants appeared in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court on a variety of matters on Wednesday. Judge Martin D. Burchfield presided over each of the hearings.

Arraignments

Ian Taylor, 32, of Van Wert, entered a not guilty plea to possession of a fentanyl related compound, a fifth degree felony. He was released on a surety bond and a pre-trial conference was set for8:15 a.m. September 23.

Theresa Bakle, 40, of Van Wert, pleaded not guilty to aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth degree felony, and illegal use or possession of drug paraphernalia, a fourth degree misdemeanor. Judge Burchfield set at bond at $5,000 cash or surety and scheduled a pre-trial conference for 8 a.m. September 23. While in court, Bakle admitted to violating her bond by failing to appear. A hearing will be held on September 23.

Plea changes

Lorenzo Frye, 37, of Van Wert, changed his plea to guilty to violating a protection order, a third degree felony. A pre-sentence investigation was ordered and sentencing was scheduled for 9 a.m. October 14.

Christopher Runyon, 50, of Van Wert, changed his plea to guilty to aggravated possession of drugs, a fiffth degree felony. Judge Burchfield ordered a pre-sentence investigation and set sentencing for 9 a.m. October 7.

Bond/intervention in lieu violation

Jered Couch, 38, of Van Wert, admitted to violating his bond and intervention in lieu by failing to engage in treatment and failure to appear to probation. A pre-sentence investigation was ordered and sentencing was scheduled for 9 a.m. October 7.

Sentencing

Jeffrey Kallas, 25, of Van Wert, was sentenced to 180 days in jail and was given credit for 51 days already served for possession of cocaine. He was ordered to pay court costs.

Competency hearing

Joshua Burnett, 48, of Van Wert, was found competent to stand trial after an evaluation at Court Diagnostic in Toledo. He then changed his plea to guilty to an amended count of attempted trafficking in drugs, a third degree felony. A pre-sentence investigation was waived and sentencing was scheduled for 9 a.m. October 14.

Grothouse appointed to state committee

Submitted information

Ohio Senate President Rob McColley has appointed Jeff Grothouse, chief operating officer of The Marsh Foundation, to serve on the Study Committee to Evaluate the Placement of Delinquent Children in Residential Facilities.

Created through House Bill 315, the statewide committee is evaluating Ohio’s current placement system, the resources and services available to support adjudicated youth and gaps that may prevent children from receiving appropriate care. The committee will develop recommendations aimed at strengthening the system and better meeting the needs of children across Ohio.

Grothouse was appointed to represent a residential facility serving more than six children. Through this role, he will bring The Marsh Foundation’s perspective as a residential service provider and his more than 20 years of experience supporting children and families to statewide discussions about placement, available services and opportunities for improvement.

“I am honored to serve on this committee and help contribute to this important work,” Grothouse said. “Children involved in the juvenile court system often have complex needs and it is critical that Ohio has appropriate placements, resources and services available to support them. I look forward to learning from others across the state, sharing what we have experienced at The Marsh and working together to identify meaningful solutions for children and families.”

As chief operating officer, Grothouse oversees the day-to-day operations of The Marsh Foundation. He previously served for many years as the organization’s executive secretary and treasurer.

The 20-member committee includes state legislators, state agency representatives, juvenile court judges, children services leaders, law enforcement officials, residential service providers and other stakeholders. Its work will focus on evaluating the placement process and existing support system, identifying service and resource gaps and recommending changes to better meet the needs of adjudicated youth.

The committee held its first meeting Aug. 24 at the Ohio Statehouse.

Co-ops host annual legislative dinner

VW independent staff/submitted information

Nearly 200 members of Paulding Putnam and Midwest Electric gathered Monday evening at the Wassenberg Art Center in Van Wert for a joint Legislative Dinner hosted by the cooperatives’ America’s Electric Cooperatives PAC.

The event brought cooperative members together with state and energy industry leaders for an evening focused on issues affecting electric reliability, affordability and the future of Ohio’s energy industry.

State Representative Roy Klopfenstein (R-Haviland) and State Senator Susan Manchester (R-Waynesfield) joined members for the evening, sharing their perspectives on current energy legislation and the role electric cooperatives play in helping legislators understand the issues facing the electric industry.

Klopfenstein emphasized the importance of cooperative participation in America’s Electric Cooperatives PAC and the role the cooperative industry plays in educating elected officials.

“The America’s Electric Cooperatives PAC plays an important role in helping legislators understand the issues facing electric cooperatives and members they serve.” Klopfenstein said. “That education is critical to making informed decisions about Ohio’s energy future.”

Klopfenstein described the work often associated with lobbying as legislative education, noting that virtually every business is affected by legislation in some way.

“When I think about who I would consider allies, this PAC is an ally,” Klopfenstein said. “The individual contributions may be small, but collectively, they are critically important to the future of not only electric cooperatives, but Ohio as a whole.”

Manchester focused on energy affordability and recent legislative efforts aimed at strengthening Ohio’s energy resources.

Delphos mayor stepping down

VW independent staff

DELPHOS — Delphos Mayor Andre McConnahea is leaving office.

This week, McConnahea issued a statement that said he’s resigning because his family started a small business, which led him to decide to put more time and attention into it.

McConneahea won the mayor’s race as a write-in in November of 2023, and is in the third year of a four year term. His last day will be Friday, September 4. Delphos City Council Prseident Mark Clement will assume mayoral duties until an interim mayor is named.

Roundabouts, R-Cuts, bypass discussed

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

Ongoing and future road projects were a topic of dicussion during the most recent Mayor’s Conference/Commissioners Corner radio program that airs at 8:20 a.m. each Sunday on local radio stations 99.7FM WKSD/WERT 1220AM/104.3FM.

The guest on this past Sunday’s show was ODOT District 1 Deputy Director Chris Hughes, who covered a range of road and highway related topics, along with an explanation of funding challenges.

One of the things addressed during the program was roundabouts. A single-lane roundabout was built at U.S. 224/U.S. 127/Marsh Rd. in Van Wert four years ago and one is currently under construction at the intersection of U.S. 224 and Lincoln Highway, just west of the Van Wert City limits. Two more are scheduled to be built in the coming years, one at U.S. 224 and Van Wert Decatur Rd. in Van Wert, and the other at Ohio 118 and Wren Landeck Rd. north of Ohio City.

Roundabouts may not be popular with some in the motoring public but statistics show while crashes do occur in them, they’re almost always minor in nature.

“We’ve had some (roundabout) public perception issues to overcome in a county like Van Wert County,” Hughes said.

He added that roughly 90 percent of people he talks to say they were worried about navagating a roundabout but are now glad it’s in place, with more on the way, all with increased safety in mind. The do come with a sizable price tag.

Three local issues get SOS approval

VW independent staff

The wait is over — ballot language has been approved for three local issues that are now officially on the November 3 ballot.

Van Wert County Board of Elections Director Pam Henderson confirmed that the Ohio Secretary of State’s Office recently approved the language for each issue:

• A 1.2 mill renewal levy for fire protection in the village of Venedocia.
• A 1.8 mill renewal levy for fire and EMS services in Jackson Township.
• A 1-mill renewal levy for fire and EMS services in Washington Township.

Those issues will join several others, none of which are countywide.

• A pair of 2-mill renewal levies in the village of Convoy, both for operating expenses.
• A 1.4 mill levy in Liberty Township (excluding the village of Ohio City) for fire protection.
• A 1-mill renewal levy for current expenses in Union Township.
• A 1-mill levy for the Tully-Convoy Park District for current operating expenses and future improvements.
• A 2-mill renewal levy for permanent improvements in the Crestview Local Schools district.

The only issue that will be voted on countywide is State Issue 3, a statewide constitutional amendment dealing with voting and photo identification.

The deadline to register or update information in time for the November election is October 5. Early in-person voting will begin the following day.

Deadline approaching…

The deadline to purchase Eggerss Stadiuim tribute pavers for 2026 is Friday, September 4. Forms and payment must be in the Van Wert City Schools Treasurer’s Office by then to be included for the stadium dedication scheduled for September 18. Any submissions received after September 4. will be installed for the opening of the 2027 season. A link to the form can be found here. Text or call John White at 419.203.1217 with any questions. Van Wert independent file photo

Retirees group to meet in September

Submitted information

The Van Wert County Chapter of PERI (Public Employee Retirees Inc.) will hold a chapter meeting at 10 a.m. Wednesday, September 9, at the Van Wert County Board of Elections, 1362 E. Ervin Rd., Van Wert.  The speaker will be Van Wert Mayor Kenneth Markward.He’ll share the latest activities in Van Wert and will answer questions from members.

Retired employees and guests are welcome. Join PERI at 9:30 a.m. for coffee and donuts, followed by the business meeting. Enter at the east door. This will be the last meeting of the year.

Fast donates red nets to parks dept.

Submitted information

State Farm Agent Tisha Fast recently teamed up with the Van Wert Parks Department to bring a little more “swish” to local basketball courts by donating new State Farm Red Nets.

The donation is part of the State Farm Red Nets initiative, a nationwide effort designed to replace missing or damaged basketball nets and help turn public courts back into welcoming spaces where kids, families and neighbors can play and connect. State Farm provides the signature red basketball nets at no cost, with the goal of strengthening communities and creating a renewed sense of neighborhood pride.

Fast was excited for the opportunity to bring the initiative home to Van Wert and partner with the Parks Department.

“Being a good neighbor is about finding ways to give back right here in our own community,” said Fast. “We hope these red nets encourage kids and families to get outside, enjoy our parks and make some great memories together.”

The new nets will be used on basketball courts throughout the Van Wert parks system, giving local players a fresh reason to hit the court.

Man arrested on 24-count indictment

VW independent staff

A Van Wert County man facing two dozen charges for alleged sex crimes that occurred more than 10 years ago is now in custody.

Jesse E. Mullennix, 49, of Ridge Township, was arrested Monday morning. Van Wert County deputies served a warrant issued by Mercer County Common Pleas Court charging him with 12 counts of rape and 12 additional counts of sexual battery. The rape charges are all first degree felonies, while the sexual battery charges are third degree felonies. 

Mullennix was transported to the Mercer County line, where he was transferred to the Mercer County Sheriff. He remains in the Mercer County Jail.

Mercer County court records show Mullennix was indicted by a Mercer County grand jury last week. According to the indictment, the alleged crimes occurred between January of 2015 and July of 2016 and involved sexual conduct with a child less than 13 years old.

Mullennix is scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday. In the meantime, his bond is set at $500,000.