Capsule Reports - Friday, May 16, 2025

Contract OK’d

During a brief meeting Wednesday, Portland Board of Works awarded a contract to Miles Mowing and Lawn Care for leveling and seeding of the former site of the Bailey Building at the southwest corner of Main and Commerce streets. Board members Steve McIntosh, Jerry Leonhard and Mayor Jeff Westlake unanimously approved the contract, with McIntosh noting the need to make sure enough fill dirt and top soil are used.

The board also approved a sewer tap for 904 N. Wayne St.

It postponed discussion of an updated timeline for the city’s long-term control plan with Indiana Department of Environmental Management because Jeff Hersha of Jones & Henry Engineers was not in attendance.

Hit pole

A Portland man’s farm equipment took down a utility pole along county road 500 South about 8:30 p.m. Monday.

Kenneth Schoenlein, 44, was driving his 2012 New Holland T9390 west on the road near county road 200 West and pulling an implement behind him, according to a report from Jay County Sheriff’s Office. The right side of the farming implement fell from its folded position and struck a pole owned by Jay County REMC, causing the pole to snap and lean across the road.

Damage is estimated between $1,000 and $2,500.

Rabbit in road

Damage is estimated between $2,500 and $5,000 after an Ohio man swerved to avoid a rabbit in Pennville, causing him to crash into a Portland man’s vehicle about 6:33 a.m. Thursday.

Nathan D. Frederick, 34, Celina, told police he was driving a 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer south on the highway just south of Pleasant Street when a rabbit ran into the road. Frederick swerved into the northbound lane to avoid the animal, and he subsequently collided with a 2013 Ford Explorer driven by 54-year-old Macias J. Torres. Frederick’s driver’s side mirror and rear tire hit Torres’ driver’s side mirror and front tire.

A passenger in Torres’ vehicle, 50-year-old Vilma R. Guizar of Portland, complained of neck pain.

The vehicle Frederick was driving is registered to Tania L. Lewis of Ridgeville.