Ray Cooney

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.


SCHOOLS

TIF expansion denied

FORT RECOVERY — The tax increment financing (TIF) related to the expansion of a poultry operation will remain at 75 percent. 

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Jay students get new menu

New year, new food. 

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Cook chosen as new chamber leader

Jay County Chamber of Commerce has a new executive director. 

NEWS

Unpaid food bills near $90,000

Food service bills are being left unpaid. 

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Getting started

The first steps toward construction of a second wind farm in Jay County are about to get underway.

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Shining finish

There were no dark clouds left hovering over the Marching Patriots. Instead, they again showed their true colors as one of the top track bands in the state.

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Housing development proposed

A company seeking to build a housing development has set its sights on property on the west side of Portland.

NEWS

Pinkerton is part of percussion youth movement

Beginning next summer, sixth graders will be preparing to make the jump to high school.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Redkey looks at 2020 budget

REDKEY — The town’s initial budget estimate for next year shows an increase of about 5 percent.

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Donning badge

For the Miskinis family, the career involved in community policing skipped a generation. 

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Prison piece

Be careful when walking along Abromson Drive at Jay County Fairgrounds.

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Director becomes full-time position

Overseeing Jay County Solid Waste Management District will now be a full-time job. 

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Tax abatements approved

Two poultry facilities will receive tax abatements on their expansions.

NEWS

I&M upgrading

A major upgrade is planned for electrical infrastructure in Jay County. 

SCHOOLS

Track project moving forward

FORT RECOVERY — A new track will be installed. There was just a bit more work required than expected to make it happen.

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Supreme experience

In the end, experience won out. 

NEWS

Dayton Progress facility to close

Portland will be losing an employer.

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Models of memories

The old farmhouse at 5690 E. 500 North is no longer standing.

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JCDC OKs funds for Hood Building

One-third of the funding necessary to purchase a building for a proposed housing project has been committed. 

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Historical expansion

Historically, it's time to grow again. 

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Deficit spending expected

Another year of significant deficit spending is likely on the horizon.

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Ag facilities seek abatements

A pair of agriculture operations are being considered for tax abatements.

SCHOOLS

FR board hires Brown

FORT RECOVERY — It's been a spring of significant school turnover. 

NEWS

Four properties sold

Four properties are heading back onto the tax rolls.

NEWS

A new ride

A new ride company is coming to the Jay County Fair. 

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Funds awarded for the Dunkirk depot

DUNKIRK — One of the city's historic buildings will be getting some upgrades. 

NEWS

‘We are Patriots’

It's been a long year.

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Jay advances to regional final

GARRETT — Two physical errors stung the Patriots. A mental error by the Hornets gave Noah Arbuckle the opportunity to return the

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Regional revenge

GARRETT — Noah Arbuckle strode to the plate, his team trailing by three.

NEWS

Waste district increases tipping fee

Tipping fees are going up. 

NEWS

Eternal history

"The sooner things start popping, the better I'll like it and I aim to be on it. The sooner we all get in there, the sooner we'll get to go home. If I ever get back to Portland, I'll never leave the old town again." 

SCHOOLS

Forecast shifts after fiscal 2020

FORT RECOVERY — School finances look strong in the short term but could take a turn down the road. 

SCHOOLS

School board picks Chartwells

Local schools are charting a new course for food service. 

NEWS

Huffman joins hospital board

Jay County's hospital board has a new member. 

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Farmers may get a break

Local farmers may finally get a chance to make some planting progress by the end of this week.

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Tax caps hit Jay County hard

The impact of circuit breakers hit Jay County hard in 2018. 

NEWS

Mayors survive challenges

Both mayors survived primary challenges. But the results of Tuesday’s election left one local party without its leader.

NEWS

Mayoral races highlight ballot

It's decision time. 

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Betts makes departure official

It's an off-year for school board elections, but Jay School Corporation's governing body will still be getting a new member. 

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A fresh take

The event has always been about connecting. This year, there is a greater focus on engaging as well. 

NEWS

Jay! named Stellar finalist

Four years after Dunkirk was a finalist for the Stellar Communities designation, all of Jay County now has the chance to reach for the stars.

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JJCL gets another partner

John Jay Center for Learning has another partner.

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Addressing ACE

Negative experiences endured as a child can have an impact throughout life.

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Firks leaving FR for Bethel

FORT RECOVERY — Add superintendent and elementary school principal to the list of open positions. 

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Security steps

Following Jay County Commissioners' lead, Jay County Council was quick to take steps to improve courthouse security. 

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Watch, schools launch effort

Watch Communications and Jay School Corporation are now officially working together on the dual track of providing high-speed internet service and improving school security. 

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Making progress

PENNVILLE — Efforts to make the town better are showing progress. 

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Decisive debut

PHILADELPHIA — When ring announcer Bruce Buffer revealed that one of the judges had scored the fight 30-27, Casey Kenney lifted his left arm in the air. 

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Virtual support

Taking the first step toward providing help with addiction recovery is now as simple as pushing a button. 

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Council amends salary statute

The county’s salary ordinance has been adjusted to acknowledge the different schedules worked by sheriff’s office employees.
PORTLAND WEATHER

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