Jack Ronald

Jack Ronald

Jack Ronald (1948-2002) served as president and chairman of the Graphic Printing Company from 1985 until the time of his death April 23, 2022. He was publisher of The Commercial Review for 38 years and editor for 32 years.

He is a member of the Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame.

Ronald earned a litany of journalism awards from Hoosier State Press Association, Indiana Associated Press Media Editors and Inland Press. He received the Charlie Biggs Community Commitment Award from the Hoosier State Press Association in 2014.

A 1970 graduate of Earlham College, he became a Fulbright Scholar in 1998 and a Fulbright Senior Specialist in 2012. He won the Indiana Journalism Award from Ball State University in 2004.

The Portland High School graduate is a strong supporter of community journalism and has also used his skills to teach journalists around the world. He has served as a trainer in Moldova, Kyrgyzstan and most-recently Myanmar.


BACK IN THE SADDLE

Mess has expanded to four desks

How is it possible for one man to have so many messy desks? 

NEWS

Additional consolidation?

Enrollment decline in Jay Schools has accelerated dramatically, and further consolidation may be inevitable. 

BACK IN THE SADDLE

Hiking bug left couple feeling itchy

Pardon me if I'm fidgety. 

NEWS

Army Corps will visit Jay Co.

Representatives of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will be in Jay County next week to get a first-hand look at the Salamonie River and potential solutions to perennial flooding issues. 

OPINION

Weekend was for (editing) the birds

I take a lot of pictures of birds. 

BACK IN THE SADDLE

Redbud trees seem to live forever

Is it possible that redbud trees live forever? 

NEWS

County to partner on project

Jay County Commissioners agreed Monday to partner with the City of Portland, Jay County Fair Board and Tri-State Gas Engine and Tractor Association on a project that could solve a longstanding problem on the engine association’s grounds and open up new camping sites on the north section of the fairgrounds.

HOMEPAGE ROTATING ARTICLES

Awestruck anonymously

She found it on her doorstep, an anonymous gift. And it still brings tears to her eyes today.

BACK IN THE SADDLE

Definition of old is a moving target

Okay, class, here’s a problem for you: Define “old.”

NEWS

Jay will ask for $500,000

Jay Schools plans to borrow another $500,000 in its ongoing effort to beef up building security.

HOMEPAGE ROTATING ARTICLES

Last ride?

It's time to get rolling. Maybe it's for the last time.

BACK IN THE SADDLE

Friendship stays alive in memories

The email was just one word: “Sadly.”

NEWS

County rates will be going up

Health insurance rates for Jay County government are going up in 2019. 

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Commissioners seek sewer solution

County commissioners are trying to craft an equitable way of bringing rate relief to Dunkirk area households served by Jay County Regional Sewer District. 

OPINION

Email from politician was welcome

I have never been so thrilled about hearing from Mike Braun. 

NEWS

Budget system is changing

The 2019 Jay Schools budget will have an entirely new look, thanks to changes made by the Indiana General Assembly. 

OPINION

Open eyes on a hike saved noses

The barking didn't stop.

OPINION

Banking career just didn’t balance

You always remember your summer jobs. 

HOMEPAGE ROTATING ARTICLES

County looks at possible purchase

What you don’t know can hurt you.

BACK IN THE SADDLE

Bottles, cups belong in the trash

There I was, walking down Main Street on the west side of Portland with a Bud Light bottle in each hand. 

OPINION

Former homes conjure memories

“Let’s go this way,” I said.

HOMEPAGE ROTATING ARTICLES

Randolph restoration

Greg Sommer wants today’s young students to have a taste of school life a century ago.

BACK IN THE SADDLE

Next time, make sure you’re there

I can't be accused of trying to help sell tickets. 

HOMEPAGE ROTATING ARTICLES

Commissioners plan moratorium

A wind farm moratorium is on the horizon.

OPINION

Unfortunately, mistakes do happen

It is inherent in the nature of journalism and the newspaper business that we make mistakes.

BACK IN THE SADDLE

Time for tents is in the past

This is the tale of seven tents.

NEWS

Commissioners seek public input

Raising livestock at Jay County Retirement Center may not make financial sense. 

NEWS

Plan set for NextEra funds

A draft plan earmarking economic development dollars from Bluff Point Wind Energy Center won unanimous approval Monday from Jay County Commissioners. 

NEWS

Succession plan

Coldren and Frantz is now Coldren, Frantz and Sprunger.

NEWS

Lava destroyed Clears’ home

They had 15 minutes.

BACK IN THE SADDLE

Air encounter crossed generations

We were homeward bound.

INSTRUCTION, SCHOOLS

Plans get tweaked

Remodeling plans for East Elementary School were tweaked Monday to make the building safer when it opens its doors to students from kindergarten through grade three this fall.

BACK IN THE SADDLE

Photos are a conversation piece

There's something about old photographs. 

NEWS

Three agreements approved

If Scout Clean Energy's proposed wind farm is built, an agreement will be in place spelling out how it will be decommissioned at the end of its useful life. 

OPINION

Easier process isn't always better

"You should write a book," someone says.

NEWS

Endowment grows

Thanks to 15 new endowments and a healthy investment return, the assets of The Portland Foundation have reached $37 million, foundation executive director Doug Inman said Wednesday at the foundation’s annual meeting.

BACK IN THE SADDLE

Simple bulbs can transform a town

Seed are nice. But bulbs are better.

NEWS

Bitter Ridge moving forward

Scout Clean Energy is going forward with its plan to establish Jay County’s second wind farm.

HOMEPAGE ROTATING ARTICLES

Focused on safety

Ninety days.

HOMEPAGE ROTATING ARTICLES

Process is changing

You can blame Congress. Or you can blame terrorism. Or you can simply chalk it up to life in the 21st century.

NEWS

Abatement rejected

Council said, “No.”

NEWS

Mixed results

Jay County Republicans opted to back an incumbent sheriff over a former sheriff, set the stage for an all-in-the-family contest for county commissioner and backed their party chairman in an unsuccessful bid for the GOP nomination for state representative.

BACK IN THE SADDLE

Window choice came back to bite him

None of the guidebooks warned us about the mosquitos.

SCHOOLS

Board OKs work on lots

Parking lots and drives at East and General Shanks elementary schools will get an overhaul this summer in advance of consolidation this fall.

HOMEPAGE ROTATING ARTICLES

Scout files wind farm papers

Scout Clean Energy filed its application Friday seeking approval of a development plan for a 52-turbine wind farm in Jefferson and Richland townships.

HOMEPAGE ROTATING ARTICLES

Wind talkers

It's safe to say a few minds were changed.

BACK IN THE SADDLE

Dopey photos should go up in smoke

Somewhere, if you look hard enough, you'll find it.

HOMEPAGE ROTATING ARTICLES

Finally, relief

It was as if a shadow had suddenly vanished.

OPINION

A little skepticism goes a long way

Sometimes I think the smartest answer I can give is, “I don’t think so.”

NEWS

Changes requested

Opponents of a proposed new wind farm will urge the Jay County Planning Commission to change its rules in order to prevent the project from going forward.
PORTLAND WEATHER

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