Police thanked for their efforts

To the editor:

On June 23 at 5:20 a.m., our daughter received a phone call from retired police officer Bart Darby asking if her parents were home and that he believed their garage had been robbed.

Sure enough, our golf cart and several items had been stolen.

One of our great neighbors and Portland office Kyle Denney has a surveillance system and filmed a person walking across his yard in the early morning hours. The video was put on the police department’s Facebook page and shared with many in the community.

After many tips, a person of interest was arrested two days later.

My family and I would like to thank the Portland Police Department, investigator Jeff Hopkins, Kyle Denney and Bart Darby. Their professionalism, dedication and terrific communication has been great.

Our community is blessed to have our heroes in blue, and don’t forget our dedicated sheriff’s department, fire department, EMTs and state police.

They are all heroes.

Mike Aker

Portland



Thank you

To the editor:

As event organizer and on behalf of The Journey Home, we would like to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to all who helped to make the Poker Run benefiting The Journey Home of Winchester, Indiana, a tremendous success on Saturday, June 20, 2020.

The poker run included nearly 50 bikes and almost 70 participants from throughout the region traveling a total 87 miles and encompassing three stops along the route. We want to thank all the riders and their passengers for their generosity and for participating in the event.

Major Sponsors for the event featured Trigger Outdoor Sports of Winchester and New Castle and Star 98.3.

Donations in support of the event were supplied by: Jokers Tattooz (Winchester); Meijer (Muncie); Pak-a-Sak stores (Winchester); Coca-Cola Bottling Company Consolidated (Portland); Green Screen Broadcasting Studio (Richmond); Lynn Saus Shoppe (Lynn), McDonald’s (Winchester): City of Winchester; Orschlen Farm & Home (Winchester); Fred’s #1 Package Store (Winchester); Progressive Office Products (Portland); and Arby’s (Winchester).

Event volunteers included: Kelle Blume, Ty Blume, Brooklyn Brown, Steve Cox, Eva Farmer, Jim Hufford, Mya LaFuze, Raeanne LaFuze and family, Thereasa Miller, Greg Neville, Michael Neville, Judy Pepples, Bill Richmond, Claudia Thornburg, Raymond Vereeke, Roy Wentz and veterans at The Journey Home.

And, special thanks to the following: The family of Randy Thorne; Pastor Mike Burk; VFW of Fort Recovery; VFW of Greenville; Main Street Pub (Winchester); The Journey Home Victory for Veterans Committee and staff.

We are so appreciative of your support, time, efforts and unwavering dedication to helping our Veterans. The success of the event could not have been possible without everyone’s participation and support. All net proceeds from the event will directly benefit at-risk veterans throughout the region with important programming, access to resources and/or securing/maintaining permanent housing.

If you missed the event this year, stay tuned for more information and make plans to attend or support the 2021 Ride to benefit The Journey Home.

If interested in sponsoring, donating items or volunteering next year, please contact Randy Thorne at (765) 546-1220.

Visit The Journey Home’s Facebook page at facebook.com/journeyhomevets for pictures and videos from the event.

Sincerely,

Randy Thorne and Eldon Solomon

The Journey Home