Capsule Reports - Friday, Sept. 5, 2025

Update proposed

In addition to discussion about the 2026 budget, radios and police dispatch consolidation, and proposed housing projects at Tuesday’s meeting, Portland City Council also:

•Heard from Randy Stephen of Ohio Valley Gas regarding proposed changes to the city’s right-of-way ordinance, which requires a permit fee. Council members discussed the possibility of offering the option for a bond to ensure that any damage to streets is properly repaired. City attorney Wes Schemenaur plans to put together updated language reflecting the proposed change.

•Approved closing Main Street between Meridian and Harrison streets from noon to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27 for the Main Street Fall Festival.

•Heard council member Ron May ask if security cameras have been installed at Jay County Solid Waste Management District recycling trailers, whether a payment plan could be put in place for the city’s sidewalk program and what the status is of extending the multi-use path along Blaine Pike. Cameras have not yet been installed, a payment plan would need to be added to the city ordinance for the sidewalk program and discussions are continuing regarding the Blaine Pike path.

•Discussed the status of police and code enforcement before approving payment of claims. Council member Ashley Hilfiker questioned the status of an officer who has not passed a portion of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy on his first two attempts. (The limit is three attempts.)

•Heard Hilfiker note that there continues to be an issue with vehicles being parked on sidewalks. She also asked about lights at the pickleball courts at Milton Miller Park.

Intersection crash

An Ohio man drove into oncoming traffic at the intersection of county road 100 North and Morton Street in Portland about 12:38 p.m. Wednesday.

Larry E. Cox, 81, Bellefontaine, was driving his 2015 Ford Fusion north on Morton Street. He stopped at the street’s intersection with county road 100 North. Cox told police he looked both ways before entering the intersection. (Traffic on Morton Street yields to traffic on county road 100 North at the intersection.) He didn’t notice the westbound 2012 concrete mixer driven by 62-year-old Donald R. Mullins of Celina, Ohio, and crashed into it. Damage is estimated between $2,500 and $5,000.

The concrete mixer is registered to Berne Ready Mix of Berne.

Garage fire

A garage in rural Portland was destroyed in a fire Wednesday.

Portland Fire Department responded at 11:48 a.m. to a call for a garage fire at Eric and Ashley McLaughlin’s property at 2815 W. 600 South. Approximately five firetrucks and 22 firefighters from Portland and Redkey fire departments arrived on scene to fight the flames, getting the fire under control by 12:13 p.m. Fire fighters disconnected the garage from the house to avoid the flames from spreading.

The garage was deemed a total loss, and the house sustained smoke and water damage.