Ray Cooney
Ray Cooney was elected president of The Graphic Printing Company in December 2023. He became publisher of The Commercial Review on July 1, 2020, while retaining the title of editor he has held since Dec. 1, 2014. He served managing editor from July 2013 through November 2014, assistant managing editor from November 2005 through July 2013 and sports editor from March 2001 through July 2013.
He earned the most awards of any journalist in Division III in the Hoosier State Press Association Better Newspaper Contest for four consecutive years from 2013 through 2016. His first-place honors this year were for in-depth feature, sports feature, general news photo and video.
In his career he has also won HSPA awards for sports commentary, editorial writing, use of graphics, community service, news writing under deadline pressure, sports action photo, sports feature photo, headline writing, editorial page, profile feature and multiple picture group. He had picked up nine Indiana Associated Press Media Editors awards earlier in the year, including first place for business writing, non-deadline sports story and headline writing.
Cooney was honored with the Indiana High School Athletic Association Distinguished Media Service Award in 2012, and also received the Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association Outstanding Baseball Media Award in 2009.
A native of Avon, Ohio, Cooney graduated from St. Edward High School (Lakewood, Ohio) in 1996 and Cleveland State University in 2000. He was the inaugural editor of The Cleveland Stater at CSU, and also worked for The Morning Journal (Lorain, Ohio) and The Chronicle-Telegram (Elyria, Ohio) before moving to Jay County.
Cooney lives in Portland with his dog, Scooter.
Students return
Students returned to the junior high and Instructional Media Center (library) wing of Jay County Junior-Senior High School on Monday for the first time since the September 2024 tornado.
Raises approved for all staff
Jay School Board approved an agreement with Jay Classroom Teachers Association as well as updates for other employees during its special meeting Monday.
Applying for grant
Dunkirk Mayor Jack Robbins told the city council during its brief meeting Monday that plans are to apply for grant funding to help pay for paving seven streets in 2026.
JC closes season at regional
Jay County High School junior Caleb Garringer improved his time by more than 35 seconds over the previous week and was the top Patriot finisher in Saturday’s regional meet hosted by New Haven at Huntington University.
Plans for The Venue fall through
Portland Redevelopment Commission learned Friday that Dave Smuts, one of the music promoters involved in the project, indicated that his group will not pursue development of The Venue at 105 W. Main St. and that they are open to selling the building.
Emergency planning
Portland firefighter Zach Hudson presented information to the city’s aviation board Wednesday regarding work toward creating a plan and providing training to familiarize emergency responders with the airport.
Grain cart goals
The goal was a lofty one.
Board reviews tentative agreement
Jay School Board reviewed the tentative agreement with Jay Classroom Teachers Association during its meeting Monday.
Senior pushes Jay to 2nd
Paityn Wendel pushed herself and her teammates on Saturday, placing third on the team and 16th overall to help power the Jay County High School girls cross country team to a second consecutive runner-up finish in the meet hosted by Delta at Taylor University.
Jay advances to final
The Jay County High School volleyball team took down the Connersville Spartans 25-13, 25-14, 23-25, 25-17 in Saturday’s IHSAA Class 3A Sectional 24 semifinal match hosted by New Castle.
Dominant district opener
The second-seeded Fort Recovery High School volleyball team blistered No. 15 seed Riverside 25-12, 25-7, 25-9 in Wednesday’s Division VI Southwest District quarterfinal at Newton.
Jury trial set
On Tuesday, Special Judge Douglass K. Mawhorr scheduled a two-day jury trial for Portland clerk-treasurer Lori Phillips’ lawsuit against the City of Portland, Police Chief Dustin Mock and investigator Jeff Hopkins was scheduled for Nov. 2 and 3, 2026.
Grant application delayed
Mayor Jack Robbins updated Dunkirk City Council on the status of the Green Building, noting Monday that despite efforts it is not possible for the city to make this month’s application deadline for state funding.
Jay draws Braves again
The Jay County High School football team came away with an opening-round game against the winless Bellmont Braves.
Hearing set
Special Judge Douglas Mawhorr issued a notice Friday scheduling a hearing for 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6, on a motion to dismiss Portland clerk-treasurer Lori Phillips’ lawsuit against Portland Police Chief Dustin Mock and investigator Jeff Hopkins.
City commits funding
Portland City Council on Monday approved committing $400,000 to the county’s proposed infrastructure project as the first step toward a housing and commercial development, contingent on the county’s redevelopment commission committing the remaining funding for the project.
Finances strong
Ross Hagen of financial consulting firm Baker Tilly provided a comprehensive financial plan report to Portland City Council on Monday recommending that the city look at increasing water rates over time and keeping an eye out for the financial impact of Senate Enrolled Act 1.
Third at Versailles
The Fort Recovery High School marching band earned an Excellent rating on Saturday in the Ohio Music Education Association contest at Versailles.
Invitational pass
Railinn Sommers of Jay County High School makes a pass during Saturday's Patriot Invitational.
Craft choice
Ten-year-old Mackenna Cramer grins while showing her mom Kylie a bead she selected to add to a necklace during Jay County Public Library's “Get Crafty, Swifties!” event Thursday evening.
Who has camera access?
Already the subject of a lawsuit and an active tort claim, cameras came up during the closing minutes of Thursday’s Portland Board of Works meeting.
Not joining
Jay County High School will not be part of a new athletic conference first reported Thursday.
Snow steps in
Nick Snow smoothly slid into the open No. 1 doubles spot and the Jay County High School boys tennis team didn’t need much advice Wednesday as it swiftly secured the three points it needed to advance on the way to a 4-1 sectional semifinal victory over the Union City Indians.
Dunkirk woman involved in shooting incident
Amanda Adams, 37, was arrested on five felony drug charges in the incident, during which Glen Wilburn, 42, Hartford City, was shot and injured. He was arrested on eight felony charges.
A few strokes short
Erin Aker played a steady round Saturday at Crestview Golf Club, recording seven pars en route to a career-best score of 94 in the sectional tournament that left her just three strokes shy of a regional berth.
Long shots lift Jay
Emmitt Reynolds and Jaxson DeHoff each found the net on long shots Thursday night as the Jay County High School boys soccer team broke through for a 3-1 victory over the visiting Bellmont Braves.
Project underway
Portland Board of Aviation was updated on the facility’s apron expansion project Wednesday and discussed plans for federal funding moving forward.
Another tort filed
Another tort claim involving the City of Portland came to light during Monday’s Portland City Council meeting.
Heated again
Council members, the clerk-treasurer and the mayor were at odds again Monday night, with the 2026 budget as the first subject of contention. The second was another new tort claim, this one filed by Portland Police Chief Dustin Mock and investigator Jeff Hopkins against six defendants.
Enrollment is up
Superintendent Jeremy Gulley reported to Jay School Board on Monday that enrollment in Jay School Corporation has increased for the 2025-26 school year.
Fortunes reversed
The Oak Hill Golden Eagles got on the board in the first four minutes on a shot from more than 30 yards out, hit another long shot to start the second half and closed the scoring with a deflection off a cross as they handed the Jay County High School girls soccer team a 5-0 loss.
Patriots strike quickly
Scoring twice in the first 37 seconds and seven times in the first half, the Jay County High School girls soccer team cruised to an 8-0 victory Tuesday over the host Wapahani Raiders.
Seeking support
DUNKIRK — The city hopes to receive grant funding to demolish a downtown building. It needs community support to help secure those dollars. Dunkirk City Council heard an update on plans for the former Green Building at 303 S. Main St. during its meeting Monday. Ceann Bales, executive director of Jay County Development Corporation, explained that grant applications through Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs open Sept. 18. An initial deadline is set for Oct. 24. She noted that a public hearing is required before that deadline and suggested it be held in conjunction with the council’s regular meeting on Oct. 13. She said it is important for the grant application that members of the public voice support for the proposal to tear down the building. “We need people here,” Bales said. A second public meeting will be required in November or December, with the final application deadline in mid-December. The city plans to seek $275,000 to tear down the blighted building. If it receives the grant, the city will provide a 10% match. (The council gave Mayor Jack Robbins permission to move forward with the grant process at its last meeting.) Robbins noted that he talked to Ron Morton, who owns the adjacent H&R Block building that shares a wall with the Green Building. Robbins said Morton wants to keep H&R Block in place. The city will send Morton a letter notifying him of plans to move forward with demolition of the Green Building. Officials discussed negotiating with Morton to reach an agreement to secure the H&R Block building if the Green Building is taken down. Bales also told council members Christy Curts, Dan Watson, Donna Revolt and Randy Murphy, with president Jesse Bivens absent, that JCDC is also working to help identify potential grant funding to help with the renovation of the former Stewart Brothers Building through the United States Department of Agriculture or Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs. Rock Joak LLC is renovating the building with plans to have commercial space on the first floor with apartments above. Robbins reported that a flow test to determine if there is sufficient water pressure to support a fire suppression system in the Stewart Brothers building will be held Wednesday. Council also held its public hearing on the city’s 2026 budget, with no comments from members of the public or the council. The budget is proposed at $2.64 million, which is down from $2.7 million in 2025. (The budgets in 2024 and 2025 both involved spending of federal coronavirus relief funds from the American Rescue Plan Act.) The bulk of the budget — $1.76 million — is in the general fund, which went up by about $50,000 from the previous year. Other major funds include $362,400 in motor vehicle highway, $168,000 in trash and garbage pick-up and $150,000 in economic development income tax. Council also approved an amendment to the 2026 salary ordinance to add a pay rate of $14.42 per hour for firefighters working to cover shifts during vacations or paid time off. A vote on adoption of the budget is planned for the council’s next meeting on Sept. 22. In other business, the council: •Approved a $25,000 downtown revitalization loan for Zach Crouch, who plans to renovate the former Plymouth church at 326 S. Main St. as commercial space. The location, which will be known as Glass Capital Commons, already has a daycare in operation in part of the space. The no-interest loan will have a payback period of five years. •Learned from Murphy that new signs are in place for the four-way stop at Broad and Washington streets. The council voted in June to make it a four-way stop. It was previously a two-way stop with through traffic on Washington Street. •Heard from Robbins that a new pump has been installed in well No. 2, which the city’s water department plans to put back into service. He said the last step before starting the pump is to have Peerless Midwest test the water. The added pump will increase the city’s capacity. •Discussed modifying an alley on the north side of MJS Mortuaries, 221 S. Main St., to make it one way going west and to vacate an alley at property owned by Michael Bubp at 215 E. Commerce St. Votes on those changes are expected at the next two council meetings. •Heard from Revolt that painting and other updates for the shelter house at Dunkirk City Park have been completed. Trees were also removed along the walking trail at the park as well as at Webster Depot Park. •Thanked The Portland Foundation for its $2,500 grant for the city’s annual Independence Day fireworks display. •OK’d water bill adjustments of $593.10 for 124 W. Center St., $187.49 for 403 E. High St., and $54.74 for 222 E. High St. •Approved payment of claims totaling $163,532.75. •Received a thank you from Dunkirk Moose Lodge Kids Committee for sponsoring its back-to-school event.
Closing with win
Bouncing back for a 26-24, 25-20 victory over the Fairfield Falcons, the Jay County High School volleyball team finished fifth in the Shondell Family Invitational at BSU’s Ball Gymnasium. It dropped its two matches in pool play, falling first to the host Class 2A No. 10 Burris Owls 25-21, 25-15 and then to the Class 1A No. 1 Trinity Lutheran Cougars 25-15, 25-20.
No to moratorium
Portland Plan Commission recommended not to put a moratorium in place on carbon sequestration projects during its meeting Thursday.
Equipment purchase approved
Portland Board of Works approved the purchase of a new E55 Bobcat Compact Excavator for the street department during its meeting Thursday.
Patriots fight off FR
Jay County High School’s volleyball team ran off the final four points to save the opening set and closed the match on a 7-1 run to fight off the visiting Fort Recovery Indians 25-23, 12-25, 25-15, 25-19.
Explosive opposition
Jay County High School moved the ball well on its first drive before getting stopped on fourth-and-inches, and New Castle responded with a first-play touchdown en route to handing the Patriots a 35-0 defeat Saturday.
Seeking grant
Dunkirk City Council gave Mayor Jack Robbins permission Monday to move forward with seeking a grant to take down the former Green Building at 303 S. Main St.
Win slips away
Jay County High School’s volleyball team was up two sets to one, having controlled the third throughout. It had an 8-2 lead in the fourth. It just could not hold in a 22-25, 25-15, 18-25, 25-22, 15-10 loss to the visiting Delta Eagles.
Development agreement released
Portland Board of Works and Chad Fifer agreed to a mutual release from their five-year development agreement and waived its option to buy the property back from Fifer.
Gulley provides school update
Jay School Corporation superintendent Jeremy Gulley reported to Jay School Board about the first week-plus of school during its meeting Monday, noting positive feedback along with internet and HVAC difficulties.
Council discusses blight, procedure
Portland City Council discussed blighted properties and department head attendance during their meeting Monday, with some council members also questioning agenda policies.
Projects reviewed for 2026
Portland Park Board discussed possible projects for next year in preparation for presenting its proposed budget to the city council.
Sewer, water increases OK'd
Dunkirk City Council approved ordinances increasing sewer and water rates by 3%, as they had discussed at meetings over the last two months.
Board gets primer on SEA1
Jay School Board heard a presentation from Brent Habegger of financial consulting firm Baker Tilly on Monday about the expected impact of Senate Enrolled Act 1, with superintendent Jeremy Gulley saying he expects difficult decisions are ahead.
Bids opened
Both offers came in at more than $13.5 million as Portland Board of Works on Thursday opened bids for a portion of the city’s work that is required as part of its agreed order Indiana Department of Environmental Management.
Getting physical
Jay County High School’s boys basketball team survived a tumultuous third quarter and came out strong in the fourth to put away the Woodlan Warriors 55-42 in the Allen County Athletic Conference opener Friday night.
Contract, increase approved
Jay School Board on Monday approved its contract with Jay Classroom Teachers Association, memorandums of understanding with administrators and support staff, and pay increases for substitutes.
WJCC to celebrate
Pam Robbins, West Jay Community Center’s administrator, visited Dunkirk City Council on Monday to report that the facility will host an open house beginning at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8.
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