Top 10

There are ties that bind small communities together:

•Longtime businesses that are passed on from generation to generation.

•Events that residents look forward to every year.

•Individuals who forge progress by their lifetime of commitment.

It can be argued, though, that small communities are centered around their schools. They are not only the places entrusted with educating our youth, but they serve as hubs for activities in athletics, the arts and a wide variety of other areas.

So when something big happens with schools, its impact is wide-ranging.

For that reason, The Commercial Review has chosen the Sept. 22 tornado that hit Jay County Junior-Senior High School as its top local news story of 2024.

This marks the second year in a row that a storm or storms have topped the list, as in 2023 our top story was the combination of multiple wind storms — two confirmed tornadoes in April and a damaging derecho in July.

The remainder of our top 10 stories — it’s important to note that we compile the list not so much for the purpose of ranking importance, but of providing a look back at the year that was — for 2024 are as follows:

2. Opening of two early learning facilities

3. Ongoing U.S. 27 project in Portland

4. Commissioners controversy and conflict with JCDC

5. Jail officers and former deputy charged

6. Solar eclipse passes over Jay County

7. Lawsuits filed against dean, teacher arrested

8. Redkey Town Council infighting

9. Portland City Council, mayor turmoil

10. Driving, dealing result in prison sentences

1. School struck

A tornado that hit just before 8 p.m. on a Sunday evening caused major damage to the junior high/IMC (library) wing of the junior-senior high school. (Its other most significant damage was to a house across Indiana 67 from the school and to the second floor of the American Legion post in Portland.)

The school was closed for a week. Students were then moved to other areas of the school and are now utilizing mobile classrooms. The damage has already resulted in $2 million in costs before the expected multi-million dollar reconstruction project has begun.

2. Capacity expanded

Jay County saw a huge increase in its early learning capacity this year with the openings of Westminster Preschool Portland at the Jay County Early Learning Center and Toddlertown Early Learning Center. The Westminster facility opening late in 2024 in the former Judge Haynes Elementary School marked the culmination of a years-long effort led by The Portland Foundation to expand early learning opportunities in Jay County. It followed the February launch of Toddlertown Early Learning Center, an initiative from Pioneer Packaging owners Susan and Wade Kohler. Combined, the facilities can serve about 225 children.

    Westminster Preschool at Jay County Early Learning Center was open to the public for the first time during an open house Sept. 26. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held for the new facility that opened in the former Judge Haynes Elementary School on the west side of Portland. (The Commercial Review/Ray Cooney)
  

3. Ongoing project

An Indiana Department of Transportation construction project on U.S. 27 (Meridian Street) in Portland that started in April will continue into 2025. The project involves paving from county road 200 South to county road 100 North, the installation of new Americans with Disabilities Act sidewalk ramps, sidewalk bump-outs at some downtown intersections and new traffic signals. As 2024 comes to an end, traffic signals still need to be replaced at the Meridian Street intersections with Main, Walnut, High and Lafayette streets. The work was initially expected to be complete in November.

    Construction crews work on the east side of Meridian Street (U.S. 27) at its intersection with Washington Street in Portland on Oct. 17. The work is part of an ongoing Indiana Department of Transportation project that involves paving U.S. 27 through the city, upgrading sidewalk ramps and installing new traffic signals. (The Commercial Review/Ray Cooney)
  

4. Meetings, conflicts

Jay County Commissioners’ ongoing contract dispute with Jay County Development Corporation stretched through another year and sparked other issues. In May, The Commercial Review questioned the legality of commissioners’ discussion about the contract during an administrative meeting and later filed a formal complaint with the state’s public access counselor. (A July 31 opinion from the public access counselor agreed that commissioners’ discussion of the contract in that meeting was inappropriate.) There was also controversy in July when commissioners made derogatory comments about Jay County Fair Board and Jay County Chamber of Commerce executive director Tabby Sprunger during another administrative meeting.

5. Misconduct, deception

Two Jay County Jail correctional officers and a former Jay County Sheriff’s Office deputy were charged in court this year for criminal acts. 

John R. Norris, 33, Dunkirk, pleaded guilty in August to sexual misconduct, a Level 5 felony. William B. Bentz, 35, Portland, was charged in May with one Level 5 felony and three Level 6 felonies for sexual misconduct. Both men were accused of engaging in sexual acts with inmates. 

Also, former sheriff’s office deputy Derek J. Bogenschutz, 36, Peru, was charged in September with identity deception, a Level 6 felony.

6. There goes the sun

Indiana communities planned for and experienced a total eclipse April 8. 

The phenomenon occurs when the moon blocks out the sun as it passes between the sun and earth allows viewers to see the sun’s corona, its outer atmosphere.

Totality — the amount of time the sun was obscured by the moon — ranged between three and four minutes in Jay County, depending on the location. Some out-of-state visitors stopped in local communities to catch a glimpse of the eclipse and participate in various activities planned in celebration of the rare event.

7. Lawsuits, arrest

In January, the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana filed two separate lawsuits against Jay County Junior-Senior High School assistant principal/dean of students Brad Milleman alleging that searches he conducted violated students’ rights against unreasonable searches and seizures by the government. Milleman was placed on leave for about two months before returning to work following an independent legal review. In April, junior-senior high teacher Joel Bowers was placed on administrative leave following allegations of misconduct. Accused of masturbating in a classroom with students, he was arrested in October and formally charged with two Level 6 felonies.

8. Chaotic council

Redkey Town Council’s meetings became contentious, with the council now facing a formal complaint to a state office.

An April meeting devolved into chaos after discussion about the location of a sewer clean out on a Redkey resident’s property. Some council members accused others of illegally hiring police officer Chris Boggs without a council vote. Council later voted to re-assign leadership roles. 

Council member and former president Dave Dudelston filed a complaint with the Indiana Public Access Counselor’s Office against the council, alleging the town board illegally fired Boggs during an executive session and questioned other actions.

9. City sparring

Portland City Council meetings had their fair share of bickering as well in 2024, including a nearly three-hour March meeting that included discussion of a sewer rate increase and updates to the city’s trash and recreational vehicle ordinances. Council members and Mayor Jeff Westlake sparred again over the RV and trash ordinances in April. There were also heated conversations regarding police pay and take-home vehicles, an order from the mayor that police officers not visit The Greazy Pickle restaurant/bar during their shifts (he has since lifted that order) and the mayor’s handling of personnel issues.

10. Two sentenced

Two Jay County men were sentenced to prison for crimes resulting in death.

Cody A. Brenner, 34, Dunkirk, was sentenced in September to 20 years in prison for dealing narcotics, a Level 2 felony, in connection with the death of 26-year-old Zachary Long of Dunkirk.

Michael L. Brown, 29, Portland, was sentenced in April to eight years in prison for causing death while operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol content equivalent to 0.08% or more, a Level 4 felony. His actions resulted in the death of 18-year-old Bryant resident Devon Drumm.

No. 1s from the last 10

The top 10 stories have been the year-end fixture in The Commercial Review for decades. Below is a look at the No. 1 stories from each of the last 10 years.

2023 — July derecho damaged Portland after April tornados hit rural Jay County

2022 — Jay County Fair celebrates 150 years

2021 — Coronavirus pandemic continues impact, vaccines introduced

2020 — Coronavirus pandemic results in 20 deaths, 1,500 cases

2019 — The murders of twin brothers Zayne and Wayne Burroughs

2018 — Jay School Board approves reconfiguration of schools 

2017 — Jay County Hospital integration with IU Health approved 

2016 — Portland Water Park opens, draws more than 33,000 visitors 

2015 — Residents arrested for four murders in three separate incidents 

2014 — The debate about funding and design for Portland Water Park