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.
JAY COUNTY
Patriots fall in 5
FORT WAYNE — The Patriots opened their season with a goal of winning their first sectional title in nearly a decade, and had aspirations of tournament success beyond that.
SPORTS
Homecoming shutout
Clark Snyder’s sprint down the right sideline sealed the game. And Lucas Wiemer’s churning touchdown run to the left pylon in the final minute was the exclamation point.
JAY COUNTY
Fuller, Inman advance
It took a marathon match to pull it off, but Chance Fuller and Landry Inman extended their season.
SPORTS
Boston infielder achieved the feat
I expected to have a lot of questions rolling in this month with college and pro football seasons just around the corner. But that was not the case.
SPORTS
Highly motivated
For a four-game stretch, the Patriots weren’t playing at the level to which they’re accustomed. That lull is over.
JAY COUNTY
Hemmelgarn, Garringer medal
INDIANAPOLIS — Kyle Garringer walked away as a state medalist, fulfilling a dream he had worked for his entire career. Eric Hemmelgarn picked up a medal for the second straight season and had an experience that only added to his fire to bring home a state championship next season.
JAY COUNTY
Keen, Jay relay earn state berths
James Keen was a sectional runner-up in two events last season. On Saturday, he made sure everyone else was chasing him.
JAY COUNTY
Record runner
MUNCIE — Katie Simmons had hoped to break the school record this season. Now it looks as if she’s trying to put it out of reach.
JAY COUNTY
JCHS falls to Tigers
With the sectional tournament just a week away, the Patriots are still looking for answers.
JAY COUNTY
FR 2nd, Patriots third
It was clear which girls teams were in contention for the titles as the top squads swarmed the finish line Saturday.
SPORTS
FR falls in three
FORT RECOVERY — A fast start had the Indians looking at a chance to earn their second league win.
SPORTS
JC sweeps past Archers
For stretches, the Patriots looked great. And then there were times when they struggled.
SPORTS
JCHS 8th in tourney
BLUFFTON — The 10th and 11th holes are probably the most difficult back-to-back that Timber Ridge Golf Club has to offer.
JAY COUNTY
Falcons defeat Jay
In their first home match, the Patriots did not play up to their capabilities. On Tuesday, they made sure that didn’t happen again.
SPORTS
Sweet win at Southside
MUNCIE — The Patriots and Rebels have authored their fair share of classic games over the last 10 years.
SPORTS
PATRIOT POWER
HARTFORD CITY — Zach Metcalf averaged better than 9 yards per carry. And he was the Patriots’ No. 3 rusher.
SPORTS
Show support for your rival
News of Delta High School’s use of an ineligible player in its football game against Jay County, and its subsequent requirement to forfeit, broke early Tuesday evening.
JAY COUNTY
Jay Co. has big goals
It’s said that anything is possible. That’s true. But realistic is a different story.
SPORTS
Devils defeat JC
The Patriots played their first home match of the season Thursday. But it was the visiting Red Devils who seemed more comfortable.
JAY COUNTY
Jay runs over Eagles
The nearly 200-mile drive back to Gary is probably going to feel a bit longer for the Eagles.
JAY COUNTY
Jay knocks off the Bruins
Alan Bailey said Thursday’s game against Blackford would be the test for his team. As far as he’s concerned, they passed with flying colors.
SPORTS
NFL picks are in
In the past week, the Indianapolis Colts have announced Peyton Manning will miss the season opener. And the Jacksonville Jaguars have released starting quarterback David Garrard.
NEWS
Rate lowest since 2008
After consistently falling during the second half of 2013, unemployment numbers increased slightly in January and February. But Jay County headed back in the right direction in March.
FORT RECOVERY
Strong at Celina
CELINA, Ohio — The Patriots and Indians enjoyed their day at the lake.
NEWS
Three in Jay earn honor
Praise from the state level for Jay County schools continues to roll in.
FORT RECOVERY
FR to tip off season Friday
The Indians don’t open their season until the final day of the month. But fans will have a chance to see them in action Friday.
SPORTS
Marion tops Patriots
The Patriots were unable to pick up their third straight victory. They did, however, again show they are moving in the right direction.
SPORTS
Anna tops Tribe
FORT RECOVERY — Kylie Huelsman wants her team to battle every opponent, and do the little things that make the difference between winning and losing close matches.
JAY COUNTY
Fresh legs
As the race begins, Abigail Johnson runs out to lead the Patriots. Megan Wellman and Emi Minnich flank her, running just a shade behind their most experienced teammate. They run there like it’s where they belong, and as if that should come as no surprise.
SPORTS
Kickoff rule not a big deal
Sometimes it feels like people act outraged just for the sake of being outraged.
JAY COUNTY
Border battle
FORT RECOVERY — A game that was a defensive slugfest throughout came down to the final couple of minutes. That’s when one of the Indians’ senior leaders came up with consecutive key plays to help lift them to victory.
CR TOP 10
Broncos climb into top 10
Peyton Manning's Denver Broncos are the only new team in this week's CR top 10 NFL rankings.
SPORTS
Jay streak hits 10
The times weren’t quite where the Patriots would like to see them. But the overall result was.
RAYS OF INSIGHT
Seeking more on Indiana
With Thanksgiving next week, I decided to move the question and answer column up a week this month.
SPORTS
Trojans thrash JC
The second home game of the season for the Patriots stood in stark contrast to the first.
SPORTS
Jay blanked
MUNCIE — On the third play of the game, the Patriots forced a fumble and recovered the ball.
SPORTS
Jay tops Southside
The highest nine-hole score of the young season was still good enough to earn the Patriots a win.
RAYS OF INSIGHT
Patriots primed for big winter
The winter season should be a lot of fun for Jay County.
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September 17, 2024 7:36 a.m.