Capsule Reports - Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025

Annexation accepted

Fort Recovery Village Council accepted plans Monday to annex Nathan and Alison Ruhenkamp’s 15.89-acre parcel along Ohio 119 on the east edge of the village. The annexation, which was approved by Mercer County Commissioners, will become effective in 30 days.

Council also approved next year’s wage ordinance on a first reading. Approximately 3.5% raises are factored into the ordinance, which will be up for a second reading and adoption at the next meeting.

Also Monday, council heard Fort Recovery Police Department purchased two shields for $1,691.96. Approximately $1,000 of the cost was donated by Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office.

Council was also reminded about the upcoming Fort Recovery Radio Christmas Gala set for 7 to 10 p.m. Dec. 10 at Cooper Pavilion.

Plowing accident

Three Portland residents were injured after a vehicle drove into the path of a snow plow along Indiana 67, causing a crash about 9:30 p.m. Monday.

Donald C. Muhlenkamp, 80, was driving a 2015 Chevrolet Equinox north on the highway near county road 200 West. At the same time, Christopher F. Figert, 32, Muncie, was driving a 2025 Freightliner 108SD snow plow south on the highway. Figert told police he watched as Muhlenkamp’s vehicle entered his lane of travel and crashed into him. Muhlekamp told police he couldn’t remember much from the accident, explaining the snow made it difficult to see.

Muhlenkamp complained of chest pain. Passenger Anita L. Isch, 79, sustained a minor head injury, and passenger Judith B. McIntire, 83, complained of chest pain.

Muhlenkamp’s vehicle was towed. Damage is estimated between $25,000 and $50,000. The plow truck is registered to Indiana Department of Administration in Indianapolis.

Left of center

A Muncie man lost control of his vehicle and crossed the center line on Indiana 67, causing him to crash into oncoming traffic about 1:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Drake A. Imel, 23, was driving a 2011 Ford Fiesta south on the highway near its intersection with Indiana 26 when his vehicle crossed the center line. His vehicle crashed into a northbound 2004 GMC Savana driven by 64-year-old James Threewits of Columbia, Tennessee. 

Both vehicles were towed, with damage estimated between $25,000 and $50,000.

Church sign hit

A Dunkirk man lost control of his vehicle at the intersection of Indiana 26 and Indiana 1, causing an accident about 4:55 a.m. Monday.

Brandon G. Wilburn, 40, was driving a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu east on Indiana 26. He told police he couldn’t see because of dense fog in the area, and his vehicle slid through the highway’s intersection with Indiana 1. His car struck Hickory Grove Church’s sign.

Damage is estimated between $25,000 and $50,000. Wilburn’s vehicle was towed.

Backing crash

A Portland man backed a plow truck into a Dunkirk man’s truck along county road 200 South and Indiana 67 about 7 a.m. Tuesday.

Sean A. Kunkle, 46, was driving a 2013 Western Star 4700 east and plowing snow along county road 200 South. He began turning around to plow the westbound portion of the road, backing into a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado driven by 24-year-old Ludy R. Bailey.

The plow truck is registered to Jay County Highway Department. Damage is estimated between $2,500 and $5,000.

Down in ditch

Damage is estimated between $25,000 and $50,000 after a Pennville man’s vehicle slid off county road 500 North and into a ditch about 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

Dustin R. Sapp, 41, was driving his 2024 Dodge Durango west on the road and approaching the intersection with county road 650 West. His vehicle slid through the intersection, diving into a ditch and hitting a road sign registered to Jay County Highway Department. Sapp’s vehicle was towed.

Missed deer

A Portland teen swerved off Indiana 67 to avoid hitting a deer, causing her to crash into a tree about 9:48 a.m. Saturday.

Kaileigh P. Compton, 17, was driving a 2006 Pontiac G6 west on the highway near Indiana 26 when a deer ran into her path. She drove off the west side of the road and overcorrected, causing her to lose control of the vehicle. The car continued into a ditch on the east side of the road, across a driveway at 1891 W. Indiana 67 and into a tree.

Damage is estimated between $5,000 and $10,000. The vehicle was towed.

Pole hit

A Dunkirk woman lost control of the vehicle she was driving along county road 400 South, causing her to hit a utility pole about 11:35 a.m. Saturday.

Shelby L. Sullivan, 24, was driving a 2010 Chevrolet Traverse east on the road and approaching its intersection with Indiana 67. She told police her car began to slide on the snowy road surface, and she wasn’t able to regain control. Her vehicle slid into a utility pole owned by Indiana Michigan Power.

Her passenger, 25-year-old Logan J. Clough of Elwood, sustained a minor face injury.

The vehicle was towed, with damage estimated between $5,000 and $10,000.

Rolled vehicle

An Indianapolis man lost control of the van he was driving along Indiana 67, causing him to lose control and roll the vehicle about 11:30 a.m. Monday.

Thony Larousse, 46, was driving a 2004 Honda Odyssey south on the highway near county road 500 South when he attempted to pass a vehicle in front of him. He told police he wasn’t able to maintain control of the van, and it left the road. The vehicle collided with an embankment along county road 500 South, causing the van to begin rolling. It came to a rest on its roof.

The vehicle was towed, with damage estimated between $5,000 and $10,000.

Tree hit

A Portland man lost control of his truck and hit a tree along county road 400 South about 8 p.m. Saturday.

Juan D. Serna Mendez, 28, was driving his 2002 Ford Ranger west on the road near Indiana 67 when he lost control. His vehicle went off the north side of the road and into a tree.

Damage is estimated between $2,500 and $5,000. His vehicle was towed.

Into ditch

A Portland man was cited for driving without a license after crashing the vehicle he was driving along county road 400 South about 7:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Gilbert Lopez, 30, was driving a 2002 Dodge Caravan west on the road near county road 700 West when he lost control of the vehicle. He told police he wasn’t able to regain control, and the car went across the center line and off the south side of the road at its intersection with county road 700 West.

His passenger, 49-year-old Raul Robles of Portland, sustained a minor head injury.

Damage is estimated between $2,500 and $5,000. The vehicle — it’s registered to Michael Flores of Portland — was towed.