News

Part of a $115,000 plan to repair the limestone exterior of the Putnam County Courthouse, a worker from Atlas Building Services pressure washes the northwest corner of the building Wednesday afternoon. The agreement with Atlas also includes tuckpointing, sealing seams and cracks and generally improving appearance and structure of the limestone on the 110-year-old structure.

With an admitted love of trivia, most Monday nights you can find Greencastle High School teacher Nicole (Kempf) Burkhalter joining her academic teammates in dominating trivia competition at Buffalo Wild Wings. But there's nothing trivial about the heights to which such competition has taken Burkhalter and her Indiana Academic Super Bowl teams...

It’s happened to most of us. You’re digging to plant flowers, when all of a sudden, “Thunk!” You’re tromping down another molehill, when you spy something shiny. The shovel brings up a piece of china, the hoe hits metal, the spade overturns a piece of crockery. How long has that been there? What’s it made of? How old is it? How do I find out? And just like that, archaeology happens...

Demonstrating touch-screen capabilities of new equipment in the Putnam County Hospital Third Floor Outpatient Specialty Clinic, Cardiology Department Manager Amy Stone explains some of the amenities of the cardiac exam room to open house visitors Thursday afternoon. Among those taking a tour of the new area are Greater Greencastle Chamber of Commerce President Amy Trusty (far right), Chamber Executive Director Brian Cox and Linda Hunter.

With classes under way, the Greencastle School District has received various donations in support of the ongoing school year. Largely benefiting the district’s alternative education program and its athletic department, donations totaling $13,116.22 were approved by the school board Monday at its monthly public session...

RUSSELLVILLE -- Residents of Russellville are being urged to attend a Tuesday, Oct. 4 at the Russellville Community Center to hear a free presentation by Rose Wernicke. The Town of Russellville hopes to be nominated as a Historic District. Wernicke will explain the criteria necessary for such a designation...

ISTEP isn’t the only thing that received an upgrade. Rather than the General Educational Development (GED), adults needing an alternative to earning a high school diploma will now take the High School Equivalency (HSE) test. Like the GED, the test demonstrates whether students’ knowledge in math, reading, writing, science and social studies is at the same levels as a high school senior’s. ...

An exhibit exploring Col. Eli Lilly’s life and legacy, including his ties to Greencastle and Putnam County, will be featured in the Indiana Historical Society’s (IHS) award-winning “You Are There” series. The exhibit, “You Are There: Eli Lilly at the Beginning,” launches Saturday, Oct. 1 at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center. The History Center is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and runs Tuesday through Saturday...

Students in the DePauw University Orchestra, led by music director Professor Orcenith Smith, are focused on preparing for their first concert of the season on Oct. 2 — which will take place at an earlier hour than usual this Sunday. The matinee in Kresge Auditorium has been scheduled for 2 p.m. ...

A historic campaign between a reality TV star/businessman and the first woman nominated for president by a major U.S. political party has sparked a national conversation about just who we are as a nation. Next Tuesday, Oct. 4, a panel of DePauw University faculty members who are experts on race, ethnicity, gender, social class and journalism will discuss the implications of the 2016 campaign in a session, “Deconstructing Donald and Hillary: Gender, Race, Class and the 2016 Presidential Election.”. ...

The Shifting Gears program, led by Brody Moss of Putnamville Correctional Facility, recently donated 25 bikes to Area 30 for local schools. The bikes come from Bike Garage Indy. “I met with these folks a few months ago, and it impressed me what they do to give back to the community,” PCF Superintendent Brian Smith said...

For the fall season, the Putnam County Public Library will be hosting a five-part series titled "Making and Baking with Bridgette." Activities will include making candles and bath bombs, baking various treats, and making homemade truffles. The series will be hosted by Bridgette Lang, a third-year student at DePauw University who has been a volunteer at the library for the last year...

The Bainbridge Improvement Society will host a barbecue dinner from 4:30-7:30 p.m. Friday. The pulled pork will be made on site by Brian Smith at the Bainbridge Community Building on U.S. 36. The barbecue meal includes two sides, dessert and drink for $9...

PUTNAMVILLE -- The Indiana State Police Post at Putnamville conducted its annual inspection and audit of personnel and equipment Wednesday. Commanders inspected the uniform appearance and the commission and equipment of all troopers and detectives from the Putnamville Post, as well as some officers from outside the district. The inspection/audits are held annually at all 14 state police districts...

The Son's Helping Hands Clothing Ministry, located on State Road 240 east of Greencastle has now been in operation for five years and is celebrating its anniversary during its fifth annual chili supper fundraiser. This year the fundraiser is being held at Fillmore Christian Church, 102 N. Main Street, Fillmore, on Saturdays, Oct. 8, 15, 22 and 29 from 4-8 p.m. Free will donations will be accepted...

DePauw School of Music Events Oct. 3--9 Lunch Box Music: Live Music for Hungry Ears Randy Salman, tenor saxophone, and Steve Snyder, piano Friday, Oct. 7 Noon -- 1 p.m. Music on the Square, 21 N. Indiana St. Local jazz geniuses Randy Salman and Steve Snyder will give a free lunch hour concert for your listening pleasure on Friday at M2 in downtown Greencastle. ...

U-Haul Company of Indiana has announced that U-Haul rentals are now available at Greencastle Storage. The new location at 1221 Bloomington St. will offer U-Haul trucks, towing equipment, support rental items and in-store pickup for boxes. Jeff Everman is the owner of the U-Haul franchise, leasing the space from Greencastle Storage...

ROACHDALE -- This Saturday, Oct. 1, the northeastern Putnam community of Roachdale will be hosting its annual Ribs and Blues Festival, located on the town’s north side along Railroad Street. A stage with live music, a beer and wine garden and, last but certainly not least, a myriad of ribs smoked and grilled on-site by Smokehouse Barbecue will be available...

A 45-year-old Indianapolis man who last spring made threatening phone calls to a Putnam County judge and his staff was sentenced Monday to the maximum six years in the Indiana Department of Correction. Patrick S. Zaborski, who pleaded guilty to the Level 5 felony intimidation in a plea agreement with the Putnam County Prosecutor’s Office, will have two years of his sentence executed with the remaining four years suspended on probation according to Superior Court Judge Denny Bridges’ ruling...

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Department conducted a DUI and crash reduction patrol on three recent evenings and nights. From 8 p.m. through 4 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 22 through Saturday, Sept. 24, extra deputies were out with three focuses — apprehension of impaired drivers and suspended drivers and crash reduction through enforcement of crash-causing offenses...

The South Putnam School Board approved accepting a $198,846.25 bid from Energy Harness with 60-month financing to install new LED lighting in the annex, transportation barn, the entire inside of the high school and all of Fillmore Elementary. Patricio Daneri, managing director for the Midwest, estimated the project will run from Nov. 1 to Dec. 1 working weekends and after-hours...

Berry Street residents will be hosting their annual flea market this Saturday, Oct. 1, marking their 42nd year of welcoming bargain hunters, visitors and former residents to their Greencastle neighborhood. Along with the traditional flea-market treasures visitors will also find a variety of food and sweets, including the traditional bean soup and cornbread being cooked over an open fire on South College Avenue, just a few feet south of Berry Street...

Editor’s note: The following article is being rerun due to incorrect dates in the previous story. The Putnam County Youth Development Commission is seeking community support for its 17th annual Coats for Kids Campaign. New or gently used coats of all sizes from infants all the way through teen years are needed, as well as hats, and mittens or gloves to ensure youngsters are warm during the winter months ahead...

The Greencastle High School Class of 1961 will host its 55th reunion this Saturday. A class picture will be taken at 6 p.m. on the north side of the courthouse square, with dinner to follow at 6:30 p.m. at Wasser Brewing Company. Attendees can order their meals (either chicken breast or roast beef) by calling Bill Rader at 317-828-0233, or can simply order from the regular menu...

The Greencastle Parks and Recreation Department will stage its annual Glow Throw Saturday, Oct. 1 at Big Walnut Sports Park. Disc golf enthusiasts will play the city’s 19-hole disc golf course and will be throwing after dark. Registration starts at 4 p.m. at the shelter on the south side of the park with a rules meeting at 4:45...