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.
NEWS
Performance reflects country's colors
Kelly Smeltzer was inspired by the colors of America, just not the ones that might immediately jump to mind.
NEWS
Summer is spent on show
For most of his daughter Katy’s life and all of his son Tayler’s, Kelly Smeltzer has been a Jay County band leader.
SCHOOLS
Nearly complete
Renovations that have been in the construction phase for more than two years are in their final stages.
SPORTS
Kenney moving up the ranks
TUSCON, Ariz. — It didn’t take Casey Kenney long to make the move from opening his career as an unknown to becoming a main-event talent.
ENTERTAINMENT
Talent contest set for Sunday
Acts from all over the country have graced the Van Trees Park stage this year.
NEWS
District approved budget
Jay County Solid Waste Management District sailed through its budgeting process.
SPORTS
Nightmare ending
There was plenty of magic for the Patriots during the first half of their holiday-themed homecoming.
SPORTS
JC boys top 'Cats
With three events remaining, the Patriots were clinging to a three-point lead. Their effort in the backstroke and breaststroke put the meet away.
SPORTS
Patriots top Marion
MARION — Katie Snyder stood underneath the uneven bars Thursday, awaiting her turn.
SPORTS
Picking rematch for Indy
Philadelphia Eagles over Pittsburgh Steelers. That was my preseason Super Bowl prediction.
SPORTS
FR state finals run leads list
For the second straight year, a Tribe tournament run topped local sports news.
JAY COUNTY
Tenth at sectional
BLUFFTON — The 10th and 11th holes snagged the Patriots again. And the 12th didn’t help either.
FORT RECOVERY
Fort edges Cavs
FORT RECOVERY — Olivia Schwieterman has been at the foul line in pressure situations before. She came through again Thursday.
JAY COUNTY
Jay tramples Tigers
Although he made the pass that eventually led to the game-winning basket, Kegan Comer didn’t have much going on the offensive end Friday. On Saturday, he more than made up for it.
JAY COUNTY
JC tops Lincoln
The Patriots posted their lowest score since the season opener. But it was still enough for a victory.
JAY COUNTY
Schwieterman beats buzzer for win
CONNERSVILLE — Offensive rebounds had been plentiful all night long.
SPORTS
Indians ready to take flight
The last time the Indians visited Trent Arena, they were playing in their biggest game of the last decade. They hope Saturday’s trip will help lead them back to that level again this year.
SPORTS
Snyder back to lead JC
After getting a taste of the state finals on vault as a freshman, Katie Snyder set her sights on an all-around state berth.
SPORTS
Jay splits with Jets
MONROE — In the tournament, runs are at a premium. Games are decided by inches. The Patriots got some good preparation with a pair of tight games Saturday.
JAY COUNTY
Murphy lifts JC
Tuesday’s second half left plenty for the Patriot coaching staff to lament.
SPORTS
Ludy to play in Florida
Josh Ludy finished his college career in Waco, Texas. The Philadelphia Phillies drafted him, and then sent him to play in New Jersey. Now he’s headed to Florida.
JAY COUNTY
JC senior shines
The entirety of the Jay County High School wrestling team and its coaching staff stood, yelling instructions and cheers to Matt Shrack.
SPORTS
Jay rolls to 3-0
The Patriots have yet to hit their stride. Still, they are off to their third 3-0 start in the last four seasons.
SPORTS
Problems fall on the players
One and done?That’s what’s facing the Indiana Pacers.
SPORTS
Hoosiers have six Ws over No. 1
The holiday season has been a bit slow in terms of sports questions.
JAY COUNTY
Jay wins ECIC crown
James Myers has coached state qualifiers four times. He was one of two state medalists on the Patriots’ 1997 team. But Jay County had not won its own tournament for more than two decades.
RAYS OF INSIGHT
Wishing for inspiring moments
Each year my parents, sisters, brother and I make a Christmas list so everyone else has some idea of what to purchase and put under the tree.
SPORTS
Fort has rough 1st
FORT RECOVERY — In their first two games, the Indians got record rushing efforts from Mason Evers. In abbreviated action Friday night, it was the Rockets who dominated on the ground.
SPORTS
Kahlig leads Findlay
The University of Findlay men’s basketball team picked up its third straight win with a former Indian leading the way.
SPORTS
Out of control
FORT RECOVERY — Kyla Otting had her team in the game. When she was forced to the bench, the Cardinals did a nosedive.
JAY COUNTY
Jay earns road win
HUNTINGTON — Thirty-five years of history is a lot to overcome, regardless of the records.
SPORTS
JCHS pounds Bruins
The perfect game is probably an unattainable goal. But in the first half Tuesday, the Patriots made a pretty good run at it.
JAY COUNTY
Tricked out
Wapahani’s Brandon Williams has averaged a hat trick in his team’s wins this year. It looked as if he might be headed for another Tuesday, but Colton McCombs had other ideas.
SPORTS
BCS needs to end
Typing up the schedule of televised sporting events each week is one of the simplest tasks I have to do.
SPORTS
JC has great expectations
The Patriots have beaten the No. 1 team in the state — most notably on a last-second shot against Richmond in 1988.
JAY COUNTY
State berths are JC's goal
The Patriots opened the 2010-11 season hoping to earn their first sectional title.
SPORTS
Jay shuts out Golden Eagles
The Patriots suffered a shutout loss Tuesday to undefeated New Castle. Two days later, they paid it forward to Oak Hill.
SPORTS
Fort tops 'Cats
COLDWATER, Ohio — The recipe for success for the Indians was fairly simple. As long as they put the ball in play, they were in control.
NEWS
Truly thankful
On Thursday the Schwietermans will gather to celebrate Thanksgiving. Like many families, it’s tradition to go around the table taking turns saying what they are thankful for.
JAY COUNTY
Patriots blast MC
The Patriots made some mistakes in their opening game. Even so, it was over in a hurry. And they improved their play in the next two games.
SPORTS
FR rolls in opener
FORT RECOVERY — The Indians have set goals of winning their conference championship and competing for a state title.
JAY COUNTY
Falcons top Jay
The Patriots kept surging back. But they were never able to escape chase position.
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