Tuesday, July 27, 2021 The Commercial Review Portland, Indiana 47371 www.thecr.com $1 Building discussed property’s too valuable to be a parking lot.” Aker again noted the need for more parking at Mayor and the courthouse and jail. commissioners McGalliard agreed. “The project is to get the consider building torn down and future of (then) figure out what to do with it in the future, Main Street because it needs to come down,” McGalliard said. structure “It’s a safety hazard right now, I mean, we’ve got glass falling everywhere.” “Bricks falling every - By BAILEY CLINE where,” interjected Aker. The Commercial Review No action was taken on Demolition of a dilapi - the matter. dated Portland building Commissioners also could lead to a new Main heard a request to pursue Street parking lot and an assessment grant for relocation of a local busi - Jay County from Bill Wal - ness. ters, executive director of Portland Mayor John East Central Indiana Boggs discussed possible Regional Planning Dis - plans for the building at trict. 201 W. Main St. –– also The process for obtain - known as the Bailey ing grant dollars to Building –– with Jay remove environmental County Commissioners hazards is split into two on Monday. parts — identification and “I just think it’s time we remediation. (One issue have a long-term plan for Walters mentioned could the city,” Boggs said. be addressed are the gas The eastern part of the tanks at the former Swifty structure has fallen into gas station lot at 803 N. disrepair over the years, Meridian St., Portland.) resulting in a safety haz - Grants for identification ard, noted commissioner studies are easier to Brian McGalliard. receive than those for A portion of the build - remediation, he added. ing has gone through tax “We just want to help in sales a number of times, any way we can,” Walters but it has never sold. The said. “This assessment western storefront also grant clears a lot away.” belongs to the Greazy Reasons for remediating Pickle bar and restau - land in the county may rant. include removing “eye - Owners of the Greazy sores” or to clear the way Pickle are willing to relo - for future expansions, cate the restaurant, Boggs noted commissioner Rex Special to The Commercial Review/Jason Hart said. (This would likely Journay. include contributing Aker asked Walters how funds to make up for the much it would cost to Third in third business’ investments remove tanks from a for - into the building, Boggs mer gas station. Walters The Jay County High School Marching Patriots placed third Saturday at Muncie Central’s and McGalliard noted. Spirit of Sound, their third contest of the season. JCHS scored 68.638 points to trail winner estimated, depending on a Boggs mentioned one number of factors, any - Muncie Central (72.225) and runner-up Anderson (70.5). Pictured, color guard member Ellie potential location for the where from $20,000 to Wendel strikes a pose during the Marching Patriots’ show. relocation could be the $80,000. former Bandidos building East Central Indiana at 1604 N. Meridian St.) Regional Planning Dis - Commissioner Chad trict also plans to pursue Aker explained to Boggs these dollars specifically that commissioners have for Jay and Blackford Dunkirk applying for more paving discussed demolishing counties. Its board would By RAY COONEY for funding to help pay to pave the fol - project is estimated at $229,300, which the building and turning be responsible for decid - The Commercial Review lowing: would make Dunkirk’s match $57,325. it into a parking lot for ing how much of the grant DUNKIRK — While one round of •The entirety of Broad, Johnson Council members Jesse Bivens, Jay County Courthouse goes to each, he explained. Community Crossings paving is and 5th streets Tom Johnson, Bryan Jessup and and/or Jay County Sher - (Previously, Jay County being completed this week, the city •Ohio Street between Main and 5th Christy Curts, absent Kevin Hamil - iff’s Office. The property handled its grants locally, will be applying for another. streets ton, approved the grant application. could then someday be according to Walters.) He Dunkirk City Council and Dunkirk •Shatto Street between High and Meanwhile, during the board of used for future jail expan - requested commissioners Board of Works on Monday approved North streets works meeting, street department sion, if needed. review a memorandum of moving forward with an application •High Street between Indiana and superintendent Mike Kreps said “I know parking’s a big understanding with the for an Indiana Department of Trans - Hoover streets. paving streets approved for Commu - key for the jail, but I think planning district and sign portation Community Crossings to Choice One Engineering will be nity Crossings grant funding in Main Street is a bad area it in order to begin the pave six sections of streets. assisting the city with the application December will begin Wednesday. for parking (in general),” process. The city plans to apply to INDOT process for the 75/25 grant. The total See Paving page 2 Boggs said. “I think that See Commissioners page 2 Rokita asks to delay lawsuit WOW By TOM DAVIES is allowed under the state consti - on parade Associated Press tution. Win on the Wabash, a INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana’s The attorney general’s office’s attorney general asked the state petition to the Supreme Court raffle fundraiser organized Supreme Court on Monday to renews arguments that the law - by Fort Recovery Athletic stall Republican Gov. Eric Hol - suit shouldn’t proceed because Boosters, took part in comb’s lawsuit challenging the the Legislature technically is still Saturday’s Celina Lake increased power state legislators in session despite concluding its Festival parade in Celina, gave themselves to intervene dur - regular business for the year in Ohio. Pictured, Ryan ing public health emergencies fol - April. Marion County Judge Steinbrunner of the WOW lowing conservative objections to Patrick Dietrick rejected putting his COVID-19 actions. off the case for that reason, which committee waves to The court filings come three could prevent any court action paradegoers on Market weeks after a Marion County until spring. Street. The WOW event is judge ruled against arguments Holcomb’s lawsuit argues that scheduled for Aug. 27 and from Republican Attorney Gener - the law passed this year over his 28 at Ambassador Park. al Todd Rokita’s office that he veto by the Republican-dominat - alone has the legal authority to ed Legislature is unconstitution - represent the state in court and al. The Commercial Review/Ray Cooney can decide whether the new law See Lawsuit page 5 Deaths Weather In review Coming up Jay County’s high tempera - “Cruis’n the HoliJay Lights ture reached 86 degrees Mon - at the Fairground” will hold day. The low was 64. Wednesday — Jay County an informational open house Tonight’s low will be 68. Historical Society receives from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday Pamela McEwen , 65, Expect a high of 88 Wednesday grant for upgrades. in Floral Hall at Jay County Berne with mostly sunny skies most Fairgrounds. Anyone interest - Details on page 2. of the day and a 20% chance of Friday — Results from the ed in being involved can stop showers and thunderstorms Portland Rockets’ NABF by to get more information. in the afternoon. regional opener Rental spots and sponsorships See page 2 for an extended are available. outlook. The Commercial Review Page 2 Local Tuesday, July 27, 2021 Capsule Reports Off road swerved into a ditch on the north front of him about 3 p.m. Friday driving. Dousa’s vehicle is regis - road 800 South, according to a Jay A Ridgeville teen drove off the side of the road. in Pennville. tered to Cheyenne R. Dousa of County Sheriff’s Office report. side of county road 800 South Damage is estimated between Zachary T. Dousa, 28, Dunkirk, Dunkirk, and Wisler’s vehicle is Richard H. Gaerke, 65, Fort about 8:25 a.m. Saturday. $2,500 and $5,000. Walker’s vehicle was driving a 2018 Honda Civic registered to Jason A. Jones of Recovery, Ohio, was driving his Taylor M. Walker, 17, was driv - was towed. The corn field belongs north on Union Street behind a Rushville. 2014 Mazda east on 800 South ing west on county road 800 to Jeremy and Shellie Stump. 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan, driv - near county road 500 West about South. She told Jay County Sher - en by 32-year-old Natasha N. Dog hit the same time. When Gaerke’s iff’s Office she wasn’t paying Rear collision Wisler of Columbus. Wisler A pet ran into oncoming traffic vehicle passed Combs, the dog attention and drove off the south Damage is estimated between slowed for a car turning of front on county road 800 South about ran into the road and collided side of the road, damaging two $2,500 and $5,000 after a Dunkirk of her, and the vehicle Dousa was 8:50 p.m. Saturday. with the Mazda. rows of corn for about 30 yards. man crashed the vehicle he was driving then smashed into the Andrea Combs was walking Damage to the vehicle is esti - She then overcorrected and driving into the back of the car in back of the vehicle Wisler was her dog along the side of county mated to be less than $1,000. CR almanac Obituaries Pamela McEwen passed away on Aug. Visitation will be held Wednes - 13, 2000. day from 3 to 8 p.m. at Williamson- Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Feb. 28, 1956-July 24, 2021 7/28 7/29 7/30 7/31 8/1 Survivors include: Spencer and Penrod Funeral Home Pamela McEwen, age 65, a resi - Two sons — Shan - in Portland.