Tuesday, July 2, 2024 - Capsule reports

Holdman to serve

State Sen. Travis Holdman (R-Markle), who represents Jay County, will serve as the vice chair for the Interim Study Committees on Fiscal Policy and State and Local Tax Review Task Force.

"I'm always eager to further study Indiana's tax system and fiscal standing," Holdman said in a press release. "The 2025 legislative session is a budget session, which means the Fiscal Policy and State and Local Tax Review Task Force committees will be even more important in understanding our tax system and finding more ways lawmakers can help keep money in the pockets of hardworking Hoosiers.”

Other committees he will serve on this summer include the Funding Indiana's Roads for a Stronger, Safer Tomorrow Task Force; Legislative Council; Legislative State of Emergency Advisory Group; Medicaid Oversight Committee; Northeast Indiana Strategic Development Commission; and Simplified State Sales Tax Administration Delegates.

Study committee agendas are available at iga.in.gov. Committee meetings can also be livestreamed.

Merging crash

A Portland man crashed the vehicle he was driving into a Portland woman’s truck near the intersection of Votaw Street and Industrial Park Drive about 3:57 p.m. Monday.

Mahkiah M. Hunt, 22, was driving a 2013 Kia Optima south on Industrial Park Drive approaching the intersection. He told police he didn’t check the turn lane prior to attempting to merge into it, causing him to crash into a 2011 Dodge Ram driven by 45-year-old Sarah D. Cook of Portland.

Damage estimated between $5,000 and $10,000.

Backing accident

A Portland resident’s car swiped a parked vehicle along Votaw Street about 9:13 a.m. Monday.

Jerry Coats, 62, was backing his 1994 Ford F-150 at 133 E. Votaw St., Portland, and attempting to avoid a truck behind him when he struck the side of a parked 2012 Honda Passport.

Damage is estimated between $2,500 and $5,000. The Honda Passport is registered to Elaine Smith of Portland.

Pole hit

Damage is estimated between $5,000 and $10,000 after a Portland man struck a telephone pole in the parking lot at Pak-a-Sak in Redkey about 7:10 p.m. Friday.

Bryan E. Cline, 62, was turning his 2002 Ford F-550 around in the lot at 9017 Indiana 67 when his vehicle hit the pole, which snapped and damaged his truck. Cline’s vehicle was towed.

Cow accident

A Portland man drove into a cow along Indiana 18 in Jay County about 6 a.m. Saturday.

Trenton J. Webster, 20, was driving his 2005 Chevrolet Silverado west on the highway when he noticed a cow in the road. He wasn’t able to avoid hitting the animal, which belongs to Larry Coleman of rural Bryant and Dustin Robinette of Montpelier.

Webster’s vehicle was towed, with damage estimated between $5,000 and $10,000.