FR man injured in fall from tree stand

A Fort Recovery man was seriously injured Saturday afternoon after falling from a tree stand in Jay County.

Shawn Thobe, 44, suffered injuries to his back and ribs, as well as internal injuries, a press release from Indiana Department of Natural Resources said.

At 4:21 p.m., Indiana Conservation Officers and Jay County first responders were called to the scene at 3400 S. 850 East, Portland,

The DNR said Thobe fell approximately 12 feet after his right hand slipped while climbing the ladder on his two-man stand. An investigation found he was attempting to carry his seat in his left hand while climbing.

Thobe was wearing a safety harness, but it was not attached to the tree at the time of his fall.

He was taken by Jay County EMS to IU Ball Health Memorial Hospital.



Home burned

Portland Fire Department responded to a fire at 10:56 a.m. Saturday at the home of Lorry and Tony Brower, 1584 E. Division Road, Portland.

The fire was caused by a fireplace in the home, and most of the damage was in the garage. Three trucks and 11 firefighters responded and the fire was extinguished by 11:10 a.m.

Damage in the incident was estimated at $5,000 to $25,000.



Deadline approaching

The fall deadline for paying property taxes is Nov. 13.

The Jay County treasurer’s office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday this week. It will be open until 5 p.m. on weekdays from Nov. 6 through 13.

The office will also be open from 8 a.m. to noon Nov. 11.

Payments that are mailed must be postmarked by Nov. 13.



Deer hit

There were several accidents involving deer this weekend.

On Friday night, Sarah Briggs, 80, Pennville, was traveling east on Indiana 18 near county road 550 West when a deer ran onto the road. She was unable to avoid hitting the deer with her 1989 Buick Electra.

Damage in the 10:55 p.m. accident was estimated at $1,000 to $2,500.

Two vehicles were involved in a deer accident Saturday evening.

Nicholas N. Nuckols, 24, Salamonia, was traveling south on county road 400 East when deer ran on the road and struck the driver’s side of his 2004 Chevrolet Trax registered to Kimberly Nuckols, Portland.

The deer was hit by another vehicle driven by Ryan M. Rogers, 28, Portland. He was traveling north in a 2010 GMC Acadia registered to Zachariah H. White, Ridgeville, when the deer bounced off of Nuckols’ car and hit Rogers’ windshield.

Damage in the 5:26 p.m. accident was estimated at $2,500 to $5,000.

Later that evening, Anthony Esparza, 32, Portland was driving east on Indiana 26 near county road 600 East when a deer entered the roadway. She was unable to avoid hitting the deer with her 2014 Chrysler TWC.

Damage in that accident was estimated at $1,000 to $2,500.

Early Sunday morning, David Pearcy, 68, Portland, was involved in another accident with a deer.

Pearcy was driving north on Indiana 67 at the intersection with county road 300 West when a deer ran into the road. He was unable to avoid a collision with his 2005 Chevrolet Silverado.

Damage in the 1 a.m. accident was estimated at $1,000 to $2,500.