Before I delve into this week’s blog post, I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge what took place in yesterday’s midterm elections...

Ghosts have been interwoven into popular culture across societies for centuries. The Ancient Roman magistrate Pliny the Younger detailed the story of Athenodorus, a Greek philosopher who was haunted by the spirit of a restless man whose body was unceremoniously buried. They have also been featured in some of the greatest English literature, especially the works of Shakespeare and Charles Dickens. In an older example, King Saul summons the ghost of the prophet Samuel in the Hebrew Bible...

As I was writing another story for the paper Monday afternoon, I was surprised to find out that Tuesday was the 85th anniversary of John Dillinger's locally famous downtown heist. I was also a little bit disappointed that I was not able to write the story commemorating Greencastle's place in Dillinger's escapades. That's a story that I would've wanted to be all over as a history buff in the pursuit of #smalltownpr...

I have found that, sometimes, one of the most rigorous aspects of being a reporter is trying to find "that" story to write about. To me, "that" story would one that is just different than objectively reporting on what is done and said at the town councils and school boards I regularly attend...

Here and beyond, a lot is going on at the moment. We have been particularly busy here at the Banner Graphic so far this week. Along with two photo-ops, I will be covering my third evening meeting in a row, with a little bit of stress trying to keep up with the timeline and still write a decent story...

Last Thursday, the newspaper had a rather exciting day. For me personally, it was one of the busiest I've had yet as far as time goes. For starters, our Internet and phone service was out throughout the morning and into the early afternoon...

On this bluish-gray Wednesday, I am in the middle of what is a busy week for all of here at the Banner. I have just finished covering an interesting story about the deconstruction of the old "Jones Property" near the Prindle Institute. As a reporter and local resident first and a Wabash graduate second in my everyday work, I am extremely impressed with the collaborative work that has been going on there. ...

Sometimes, my job allows me to get to know some important people in our community. A lot of the time, I come away from talking with them with more appreciation for what they do on a daily basis. That's really one of the great perks of being a local reporter...

The fall season is coming ever closer as I continue to find the next interesting story to write. The leaves are starting to turn from their summer green to their autumn hues of yellow and brown. The weather still retains a summer warmth during the day, but it has gotten chillier at night. It will not be long before we will have to start wearing jackets...

After what has been a rather hectic week, I am happy that I have finally been able to sit down and write this week's blog post. It's always better late than never, especially with the Labor Day holiday and just having more stuff to do in general. In this job, you are always behind in some fashion...

This week's blog post is different in that I don't have a set thought or event to talk about. Some noteworthy things have happened up to today. Last Saturday, The United States Senate lost its "maverick" senator with the death of John McCain. Here in town, Tzouanakis Intermediate School has been closed because a festering mold problem, prompting school administrators to relocate classes to other Greencastle school buildings...

That isn't just a typo that slipped into the title. It was intentional on my part. Actually, it was a test to see if you would read "beware," or if a quick brush over it led you to read it as "be aware." There is a point to to this. It has to do with being able to critically think about what we read, and how we respond to what we read in turn...

I have had a fairly hectic week already, and it is only Wednesday. I somehow made it through a two-hour town council meeting in Cloverdale yesterday evening. I attended the Cloverdale school board's monthly meeting on Monday as well, and have written up at least three big stories since that morning...

I have tried to stick to the good-natured intent of this blog by not becoming overtly political or critical. However, I feel that it is only appropriate that I at least express some of my thoughts on an issue that has divided Greencastle residents. These are my views alone, and not those of the Banner Graphic as a whole...

Last Saturday, I got to do something that was just downright cool. During what was a beautiful afternoon, I got to drive around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. There's an almost-humorous catch to this: I went three laps around this hallowed track in my air-cooled Volkswagen Beetle...

Today is Hump Day: the middle of the week where we go downhill towards the weekend, and the day when we have no deadline at the Banner. Except on the second Wednesday of the month, or whenever something cool or dramatic happens here or there, today is normally a day of rest, with some of that time to devote to this blog...

This past Monday afternoon, I did what I consider to be a very adult thing to do. It was, by its very nature, a somber and sad occasion. Going to a funeral visitation can be a very humbling experience, because it highlights death as a part of life...

When I first began as a reporter for the Banner Graphic, I really had little idea about how important it would be to get to know the lay of the land. Coming into my fourth week following school board meetings and town councils, I have visited places I never thought I would have any reason to see...

I have been thinking about the idea of protest in context of the 4th of July. It began to mull in my head when I was listening to the Guess Who’s classic “American Woman” on the way to cover a school board meeting. Its lyrics about not needing our “war machines,” and telling a personified America to keep its distance, speak plainly enough...

A week has now passed since I started working for the Banner Graphic. Up to now, I have had to get acquainted with a camera, writer's block and my shyness. With every photograph I've taken, every caption and story I've tried to get creative with, and with the people I've met thus far, I have had to learn bit by bit how to adapt with those three things...