Stories from December 2011

Rebecca Jo "Becky" Brothers, age 55, of Roachdale, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011 at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis. Born July 26, 1956 in Greencastle, she was the daughter of Joseph William and Marie (Mink) Brothers. She was a graduate of North Putnam High School, Class of 1974; Marian College, where she had been an athlete and active in three sports; and received her Master's Degree from DePauw University...

City Police Two recent arrests were reported by Greencastle City Police. -- At 12:39 a.m. Tuesday, Ryan Crist, 30, Greencastle, was arrested on five separate charges at the Greencastle Inn by Officer Eric Vaughan. The suspect reportedly started a fight with Matt Huffman, an off-duty city officer, who was on the scene...

This Sunday, Dec. 4, the Greencastle Middle School Student Council and the GMS dance team will be at the Plainfield Barnes and Noble store in the Metropolis Mall, sponsoring a book fair. The students have volunteered their time in efforts to raise money. The Student Council is raising money to donate to Riley Hospital for Children, while the dance team is raising money to help offset its uniform costs...

The Greencastle High School Future Broadcasters Initiative will be offering a free wrapping paper service for anyone in the community Saturday, Dec. 10 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Bring any unwrapped presents to the GHS multi-purpose room and enjoy refreshments while FBI members wrap your gifts...

Putnam County's Relay for Life is holding its first fundraiser since the last relay, a new annual event called "Wrap Up Cancer." The event will take place on Saturday, Dec. 10 from noon-3 p.m. at the Putnam County Museum. Community members may bring gifts to the museum to be wrapped by Relay members in return for a small donation. Community members can then relax, walk around town, enjoy the museum or perform other tasks while the presents are wrapped and pick them up later...

INDIANAPOLIS -- The holidays sparkle as Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre presents its 19th annual greeting of the season. Gather family and friends and join Santa himself for "A Beef & Boards Christmas 2011," live on stage through Dec. 23. Sure to make the season bright, "A Beef & Boards Christmas" is a true variety show with breathtaking songs, stories and dance, celebrating all that makes the holidays special. ...

Thomas McCarthy's "Win Win" is that typical wonderful film that flies under the radar for most of the year only to be resurrected come award season. While it only snagged one nomination at the Independent Spirit Awards, "Win Win" should be in the mix when nominations for the Golden Globes and Oscars are announced...

MONTEZUMA -- The North Putnam girls' basketball team lost to Riverton Parke Tuesday 59-25. The Cougar struggled from the field, only managing to score in double-figures in one quarter of play. LeeAnn Davis led North Putnam with seven points, with Maggie Pinney adding five. Kensy Asbell and Samantha Lucas scored four points each, with Morgan Robinson chipping in three points. Bethany Wiatt contributed two points in the loss...

On Monday, the Greencastle boys eighth grade basketball team made it seven in a row with a win over the visiting Cloverdale Clovers. The Tiger Cubs jumped out to a 15-4 lead in the first quarter and never looked back. Brandon Gierke scored six of his game high nine points and was helped out by Jacob Sanders with four, in the opening quarter...

Many times, high school athletes and coaches lose sight of how playing the sport they love can have a positive impact on the entire community. This is not the case for The Greencastle boys' basketball program. At the suggestion of JV/Assistant varsity coach Doug Hudson, the teams from GHS turned their annual intra-squad game into a way to give back to the Putnam County Community...

MARSHALL -- The Cloverdale girls' basketball team defeated Turkey Run in dominating fashion, 50-22, Tuesday. Cloverdale saw 10 players get in the scoring book on the night, led by Bailee Stevens and Paige Gruener with 10 points each. Katie Fulkerson added eight points, with Amillia Nally adding five points. Katie Walters chipped in four points...

After a successful 2011 football season that saw an upset in the sectional final, one program do a complete 180 and another rededicate itself, representatives from each school and the Banner Graphic have selected their All-Putnam County football team...

The Madison Township Fire Department will be hosting Cookies with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 3 from 1-4 p.m. Participants are invited to take a free picture with Santa and enjoy cookies and milk.

When Olivia McKenna was 2, she had her life planned out through college. She wanted to be a doctor. But then she attended an acting workshop in Crawfordsville at the age of 4. From that point on, she wanted to take a career path through Hollywood and Broadway, making her go from "doctor to waitress," as her parents Heather and Kevin Cook like to joke...

Twenty-six years ago this fall, Steve Hollar arrived at DePauw University a skinny freshman, looking forward to life in Greencastle and ultimately a path to dental school. A DPU basketball recruit under coach Mike Steele for the 1985-86 season, Hollar was already a Hoosier hero, having made the winning free throws for Warsaw High School in the 1984 state championship game...

The SAWs mission of the Greencastle Presbyterian Church, that builds ramps for the handicapped in Putnam County, finished its 2011 build season on Friday, Nov. 18. It was quite a year, with 20 people in Putnam County provided with needed improved access to their homes...

RUSSELLVILLE -- The Community Christmas Choir, under the direction of Jamie France, is preparing for the 10th annual Community Christmas Choir concert at the Russellville Community Center. This year's concert is titled, "The Gift of Christmas," created by Phil Barfoot and arranged and orchestrated by Dave Williamson. This highly anticipated annual event is open to the public...

CLOVERDALE-- During a relatively short meeting for the Cloverdale Utility Board on Tuesday, the main item that concerned the town was the potential discharge into the Cloverdale sewer system from POET. POET, which produces ethanol from corn, recently had an incident where nearly 20,000 gallons of corn mash was released into its storm water pond. ...

Rebecca Jo "Becky" Brothers, age 55, of Roachdale, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011 at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis. Born July 26, 1956 in Greencastle, she was the daughter of Joseph William and Marie (Mink) Brothers. She was a graduate of North Putnam High School, Class of 1974; Marian College, where she had been an athlete and active in three sports; and received her Master's Degree from DePauw University...

The Indiana High School Athletic Association has announced its selections for All-State. Seven area players were recognized for their efforts in the 2011 season. North Putnam's Nate Bryan and South Putnam's Ryan Chestnut were named to the IHSAA All-State First Team...

The West Central Conference has announced its 2011 selections. Putnam County was well represented across the board. Putnam County schools were WCC champions in four sports. Greencastle boys' cross country won the conference meet with a total of 24 points. ...

By TRENT SCOTT For the Banner Graphic The Greencastle wrestling squad found success in their its home match of the season, knocking off visiting West Vigo 45-32. Riley Boswell started off the meet with a first round pin of Brady Likens in the 138 pound weight class. Hunter Smith picked up a decision win over Harold Cooper two matches later at 152 pounds...

To the Editor: I've been watching the debates that surface every once in a while between industrial farming and those who think there might be a better way. Recently I read Marian Harvey's open letter to President Clinton about his switch to a plant based diet, and the replies from Farm Bureau and Cameron Mann. (Banner Graphic 11/16/11, 11/18/11)...

To the Editor: The staff and Board of Directors of Putnam County Family Support Services extend their sincere appreciation to the family of Fred Huber for hosting the 12th Annual Fred Huber Charitable Golf Outing. The success of the outing would not be possible without the help of A.A. Huber and Sons, Jamie Bottorff and Gayla Dearinger, who organize the event...

Like so many people in this community, I'm going to miss Becky Brothers. I suppose my reasons for missing her pale in comparison to those of her family members, her students and her colleagues, but I'll miss her just the same. As Becky has struggled with illness in recent years, I've missed her constant presence at the South Putnam scorer's table at sporting events...

County Jail Several people were booked into Putnam County Jail recently. At 1:05 a.m. Thomas Andrew Venable, 27, Greencastle, was held for possession of marijuana, possession of paraphernalia and probation violation. Sheriff's Department She lost control of the car and left the road, hitting a fence...

DePauw University is listed among the "Top Producers of Fulbright Awards for U.S. Students, 2011-12" in the Chronicle of Higher Education. The chart notes that four DePauw graduates received Fulbright Awards to study and live abroad for the current academic year, and that 21 students at the university applied for the prestigious grants...

A "24 Days of Buy Local Savings" Chamber of Commerce-sponsored flyer included earlier this week in the Banner Graphic is apparently causing some confusion among local shoppers and coupon-users. The "24 Days" program is meant to feature a different special at a different business each day until Christmas...

Tickets are now on sale for "It's a Wonderful Life, the Musical." The show will be produced Dec. 9 and 10 at 7:30 p.m. in the worship center at Greencastle Christian Church. Based on the beloved 1946 film, this musical faithfully follows George Bailey's life from his childhood dreams to his midlife disappointments and beyond, as we all take a journey to discover whether his life has mattered at all...

A newly released national study finds the academic challenges provided by DePauw University are within the top 10 percent of colleges in the nation and that a large number of DePauw seniors report their educational experiences have been enriching. The National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) study, "Fostering Student Engagement Campuswide -- Annual Results 2011," is the result of a survey of 416,000 first-year students and seniors attending 673 American colleges and universities...

The song "Gloria" is one of several songs to be performed by the Russellville Community Christmas Choir during the 10th annual Christmas concert at the Russellville Community Center. Under the direction of Jamie France, this year's "Gift of Christmas" concert will feature the 80-member adult choir, a 50-member children's choir, soloists and Visions of Praise, a sign language praise team. Shows begin today at 7 p.m. and will continue on Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 1:30 p.m. The public is encouraged to attend, and the event will feature a pre-concert dinner at 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and noon on Sunday. Admission to the concert is free.

The 2011 recipient of the Putnam County Friend of Extension Award, Bonnie Bryan (left), accepts the honor Tuesday night from Extension Board President Kate Skirvin. The Friend of Extension Award was presented during the Putnam County Extension annual meeting. Bryan is the ninth recipient of the local award. Previous winners have been: Dale Cantonwine, 2010; Geneva Dorris, 2009; Dale and Sandy Jessup, 2008; Rodger Winger, 2007; John Rosich, 2006; Shirley Ruark, 2005; Noble and Edith Fry, 2004; and Jim and Pat Sheldon, 2003.

Putnam County's Jerod Chew gave the keynote address at the annual meeting of members of Sycamore Trails RC&D, a conservative interest non-profit organization headquartered in Greencastle. Chew, a graduate of South Putnam High School, is currently the director of the Environmental Stewardship Team in the Indiana State Department of Agriculture...

The Putnam County Hospital will be offering a group class for diabetes self-management on Tuesday, Dec. 13. The material will be divided into two sessions, Diabetes 101: Diabetes Basics and Diabetes 201: Proper Nutrition which will include carbohydrate counting...

An early morning crowd Friday celebrated the Putnam County Community Foundation's 2011 fall grant awards in the Community Room of Area 30 Career Center, where it was announced that $82,380 was awarded from the Community Foundation's unrestricted endowments...

SPENCER -- The Cloverdale wrestling team handily defeated Owen Valley 54-24 Thursday. Picking up wins for the Clovers were Max Secrest (120), Jacob Waycott (126), Nick Schwomeyer (132), Eldin Hesselgrave (138), Chris Routh (152), Bill Petrosky (170), Jacob Gibson (182), Cody Stout (195) and Braxton Sinclair (285)...

Greencastle's boys' basketball squad passed their first test in the Putnam County Classic Friday night, dispatching North Putnam in a hotly contested 72-64 win. In the process, senior forward Nick Hutcheson passed the 1,000 point barrier, but it would take more than Hutcheson's 28 points on the evening to beat back a fierce Cougar resistance...

South Putnam found itself in foul trouble early, but was able to overcome it and deal Cloverdale a 42-29 loss to earn a spot in the Putnam County Classic final. "It was a good win. The kids played very hard," first-year Eagles head coach Troy Burgess said...

The Greencastle Farmers Market is back ... the Winter Market that is. Beginning today, Saturday, Dec. 3, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., the Winter Market will be located indoors at 2 E. Washington St., in part of the old Prevo building (corner of Indiana and Washington streets)...

The speculation is over. The spec building is no longer a shell. Greencastle/Putnam County Development Center Director Bill Dory announced Friday that an agreement has been reached for Magic Circle Corp. -- the corporate name of Dixie Chopper -- to lease the 50,000 square-foot spec building for three years with a two-year additional option...

The Greencastle boys' basketball team won its second straight Putnam County Classic by defeating South Putnam 63-39 in Saturday's championship game. The Tiger Cubs outscored the Eagles 38-18 in the second half to come away with the win. Nick Hutcheson led GHS in scoring with 21 points, followed by Hayden Stuckwisch with 17...

Shortly after Tony Stewart won the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship on Sunday, Nov. 19, racing fans got a small example of the champ's generosity. Stewart, who is also the co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing, had promised to take the team's 160 employees to Las Vegas, the site of Friday's Sprint Cup awards banquet...

Robert "Bob" Welch, 70, Greencastle, passed away Friday, Dec. 3, 2011 at his residence. He was born in Bloomington on March 25, 1941, the son of Art and Opal Johnson Welch. He was the owner of 91 Appliance Service for several years. Survivors include his wife Sandra "Sandy" Higgins Welch; seven children and several grandchildren; brothers Jim (Karen) Welch, Texas and Charlie (Rena) Welch, Stinesville; sisters Connie (Doug) Trueblood, Greencastle, and Ann Marie Haga, Reelsville; step-daughter Dolly Markle, Clayton; and several nieces and nephews.. ...

Greencastle Middle School took precautionary measures Monday morning based on a message left on the assistant principal's voicemail stating that a third party might do harm to the school, Greencastle Police Chief Tom Sutherlin reported. As soon as the discovery was made, Sutherlin said, authorities were notified and administrators took immediate steps. Those included ensuring the safety of the students by evacuating the building and authorities searching the grounds...

Fuzzy Bear Preschool Ministry of Ladoga recently held an event for 100 children, friends and grandparents to come together to make Christmas Trees for soldiers overseas. The preschoolers and their guests had to decorate a tree and each guest wrote a personal note from the child...

AVON -- On Tuesday, Dec. 6, in Avon Town Hall Park, area parents and friends will participate in an annual nationwide candlelight vigil to remember children who have died. The program will begin at 7 p.m. inside the Avon Municipal Building with a brief welcome ceremony. Attendees will then walk to the nearby Angel of Hope statue for the vigil. Parents, family members and friends are encouraged to bring white flowers the place at the angel site in memory of their loved ones...

BAINBRIDGE -- A Bainbridge Elementary School student is Indiana's cabbage patch kid. Abby Shinovich, a fourth-grader at Bainbridge, has been selected by the Indiana Agriculture Commission as the 2011 Hoosier winner in the National Bonnie Plants Cabbage Program...

Greencastle Mayor Susan Murray officially proclaimed November 2011 as National Home Care and Hospice Month. During the proclamation Murray encouraged the support and participation of the community in learning more about the home care and hospice concepts of care for the elderly, disabled and infirm. Pictured above are workers from various homecare companies, Lee Ann Brubeck, Tammy Keenan, Karen Britton, Lisa Greven, Pamela Dunlap, Courtney Brenam, Tiffani Hamlin, Cathy Price, Steve Blaycles, Stacey Baird, Shirley Jeffers, Sue Murray and Bryer Bruner.

After years of wearing more hats than Frank Sinatra or the cast of "Mad Men," Russ Evans is putting the lid on his public service career. Evans, who began his notable public service legacy as a member of the Bainbridge Volunteer Fire Department while just an 18-year-old in 1971, doused his flame of volunteerism at the December meeting of the Greencastle Park Board...

CLOVERDALE -- What does it take to be first in line to visit with Santa Claus? You just might have to skip part of the Christmas parade. Seven-year-old Austin Pennington of Cloverdale gave an unclear response when asked if he had watched the entirety of the Saturday's Cloverdale Christmas Parade on Main Street (U.S. 231)...

In the consolation game of the Putnam County Classic, Cloverdale used blistering shooting in the first half to eventually overwhelm North Putnam 73-47. Both teams came into Saturday's early contest looking for their first win of the season, but it became evident quickly which squad was going to get that first victory...

Sometimes a game comes down to the basics. That was the case in the championship game of the 2011 Putnam County Classic. South Putnam was able to record one more field goal than the Tiger Cubs, but allowed the hosts too many trips to the free throw line...

Robert Thomas Lowe, 44, Indianapolis and Lafayette, passed away Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011. He was born in Indianapolis on March 9, 1967 to Thomas F. and Mary Jo Davey Lowe. Bob, an Eagle Scout, graduated from Roncalli High School in 1985, received his bachelor's degree from Marian University in 1994 and earned his MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2003...

Harold Owen Seay, 92, Jackson Township, Parke County, died Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011 at Putnam County Hospital. He was born July 27, 1919 in Jackson Township near Rocky Fork Lake, the son of Thomas W. Seay and Ruth Hersey Seay. He married Julia Jean Marcum on Easter Sunday, Apri. 25, 1943 in Greencastle. She passed away in January 1986...

James O. Hetser, age 102, of Greencastle, passed away Monday, Dec. 5, 2011. Born Sept. 21, 1909 in Owen County, he was the son of Paul and Carrie Hetser. He graduated from Cloverdale High School. He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Helen, his second wife Virginia, his daughter Mindy and his brother Hugh Hetser...

Marilyn Ann Zimmerman, 79, Coatesville, passed away Monday, Dec. 5, 2011 in the St. Vincent Seton Specialty Hospital in Indianapolis. Born Aug. 28, 1932 in Newport, she was the daughter of Oscar I. Kersey and Pyna E. (Plumber) Kersey. She married Charles Frank Zimmerman on May 18, 1957 and he survives...

Bedford L. Mitchell, 79, Cloverdale, passed away on Dec. 4, 2011 at the Richard L. Roudebush Medical Center, Indianapolis. He was born on Jan. 5, 1932 in Indianapolis and was the son of the late William Andrew and Bertha Alice (McGuire) Mitchell. He was married to Zora Belle (Blonk) Mitchell on Dec. 11, 1954, and she survives...

The West Central Indiana Quail Unlimited Chapter 117 is raffling a Dixie Chopper Magnum 2750 zero-turn lawn mower. Proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit the chapter in its efforts to promote conservation and hunting education for youth. Tickets can be purchased at the Putnam Inn in Greencastle from 5-9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9...

County Jail Several people have been booked into the Putnam County Jail recently. At 1:35 p.m. Troy Ray Childers, 37, Roachdale, was arrested as a habitual traffic violator. At 4:08 a.m. Brandon Scott Logan, 29, Ladoga, was booked in for operating while intoxicated...

For Putnam County residents channeling their inner Clark Griswold this December, only two days remain to sign up for the Chamber of Commerce/Super Walmart Home for the Holidays Lawn Decorating Contest. The deadline to enter is Friday, Dec. 9 at 4 p.m...

Residents of Greencastle's Second Ward are invited to attend the annual ward meeting to be conducted at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8 at Deer Meadow Primary School. Mayor Sue Murray and Second Ward Councilman Mark Hammer invite constituents to share their suggestions and concerns about Greencastle's Second Ward as well as any general community issues...

A community cantata choir representing nine churches will be giving two free 45-minute performances of "Lead Me Back to Bethlehem" by Pepper Choplin. The first performance will take place on Sunday, Dec. 11 at 10:30 a.m. at the Greencastle Presbyterian Church on Round Barn Road...

With the wife out of town on business seemingly more than she's home lately, "What's for dinner?" has taken on new meaning at our house. Granted we've endured a couple of recent Thanksgiving feasts, so a lengthy run of leftover turkey and ham has kept me from going hungry...

LIZTON -- The North Putnam girls' basketball team lost to Tri-West Tuesday 59-32. The Cougars scored eight points in each of the four quarter, while allowing the Bruins to score in double-figures in each. North Putnam head coach Jim Brothers said the team committed too many turnovers on the night and never was able to get into the flow of the game...

Cloverdale's girls' basketball squad accomplished something it had only done once in the last four years. The Clovers compiled back-to-back wins for the first time since 2009 with a 54-33 win over Eminence Monday night. Cloverdale was dominant in the second half, outscoring the Eels 30-12 in periods three and four...

Area football players are receiving post-season recognition, with two members being selected to the Indiana All-Academic team and six named to the Indiana Football Coaches Association All-State team. South Putnam's Sam Gould and North Putnam's Hank Spencer were named to the 2011 Indiana All-Academic team. ...

THORNTOWN -- The Cloverdale wrestling team went 2-3 this past weekend at the WEBO Duals at Western Boone High School. They defeated Clinton Prairie 54-12 and nipped Crawfordsville 34-33. They lost matches against Western Boone (60-12), Frankfort (59-24) and Tri-West 36-33)...

ROACHDALE -- The North Putnam swim teams battled South Vermillion and Edgewood Saturday, with the boys finish second and the girls placing third. The boys' meet was decided by 15 points, with the Mustangs outlasting the Cougars 124-109. South Vermillion was third with a total of 78. North Putnam had two DQs during the meet, allowing Edgewood to get the win...

DANVILLE -- The Greencastle girls' basketball team held on to defeat the Danville Warriors Tuesday 39-38. Hannah Wainman led GHS with 18 points, with Jessi Covert adding 10 points. Taylor Pruitt chipped in nine points, while Erynn Beck and Alex Basile contributed one point each. The Tiger Cubs moved to 5-5 with the win and will next travel to Cloverdale Friday at 6 p.m. Photo courtesy of Ronnie Wilson...

Greencastle's boys' and girls' swim teams took a step up in competition Tuesday evening as they hosted Bloomington North. The girls' squad fell by a score of 131-49, while the boys' lost to the No. 14 ranked Cougars 130-50. Greencastle picked up three wins on the evening with Cheyenne Fauvergue winning the girls' diving with a score of 136.35 and Elijah Brattain winning the 100-yard fly with a time of 1:00.64...

To the Editor: The Greencastle Presbyterian Church SAWs Team would like to express our thanks to Headley Hardware for its generous donations of deck screws and hardware during our 2011 Ramp Build Season. We would also like to apologize for omitting Headley Hardware in our list of donors in the article that ran in the Banner Graphic on Dec. 1...

Presenting Santa Claus with his list, five-year-old Paul Lewis explains what he wants for Christmas, including four Slinkys, during the annual Tri-Kappa Breakfast with Santa event at Deer Meadow School. Lewis and his sister Mabel, 9, are the children of David and Lori Lewis, Greencastle.

No one wants to think about the blizzard conditions the coming months could bring. But if they do come, Putnam County has one more weapon in the fight. A big weapon. The Putnam County Highway Department has taken possession of a 1999 Oshkosh snowplow truck that came at no cost from the federal government...

JoAnne Schlegel, 73, of Greencastle, formerly of Clay City, passed away Dec. 6, 2011 at The Waters of Greencastle. She was born Feb. 27, 1938 in Bowling Green, the daughter of Harold Stwalley and Hazel Allee Stwalley. She graduated from Bowling Green High School...

An adapted version of the film classic will come to the stage when Greencastle Christian Church presents "It's a Wonderful Life, the Musical" at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 9 and Saturday, Dec. 10 in the church worship center. Community members, church members and Putnam County Playhouse veterans have teamed up to bring the classic Christmas tale to life. Among the players are, from left, Dustin Bond as George Bailey, Meghan Armitage as Mary Bailey, Brad Sandy as Uncle Billy, Jim Poor as Mr. Potter, Ric McFadden as Clarence, Shane Johnson as Harry Bailey and Sarah Bond as Ruth Bailey.

City Police Two recent arrests were reported by Greencastle City Police. -- At 7:05 p.m. Tuesday, Corey Reeves, 23, Fillmore, was arrested by Officer Darrel Bunten at Greencastle Police headquarters on a warrant for theft. -- At 6:30 p.m. Friday, Christopher Leathers, 28, Greencastle, was arrested at an Avenue B residence by Officer Bunten on an active warrant...

The Putnam County Sheriff's Department will be taking names for food baskets until Friday, Dec. 16 or until they reach 50 families. Interested parties may request a basket personally or nominate a family. Anyone nominating someone must have the following information: Name of the person nominated, complete correct address, contact phone number, number of people living in the home, children's ages and if they are boys or girls...

With nearly 38,000 residents in the county, the Putnam County Commissioners are calling upon the sense of civic duty in a few of them to serve the community. The commissioners have 20 appointments to make to nine different local boards during December and January. The appointments will likely be made at the Monday, Dec. 19 commissioners meeting...

The city of Greencastle received a pair of honors at the recent 75th annual conference of the Indiana Water Environment Association (IWEA). The IWEA honored the Greencastle Wastewater Treatment Plant with the Municipal Safety Award, while Greencastle Utilities Superintendent Richard Hedge was awarded the L.L. Larson Safety Award during the Nov. 16-18 conference at Indianapolis...

Habitat for Humanity has a way with fixing up dilapidated homes and turning them into livable and affordable places to stay. For their 20th house, donated by First National Bank, Tim Matthews and Chris Scott are working with Jesse and Amber Rogers of Bainbridge to create a new house for the Rogers couple and their two kids. The plan is to finish the house in the next few months. One of the major rehabs of the house involve placing insulation in the second floor of the home (above) where there was no insulation previously. Jesse Rogers stands in what will be his new basement (left) looking at the recently finished electrical wiring.

The Putnam County Museum invites the public to participate in a new monthly contest held at the museum. Beginning this week, the museum will place an unfamiliar artifact on display and invite visitors to guess what the object is and what its purpose might be...

Margaret Alice Reid, 89, Warsaw, Mo., and formerly of Kansas City and Ava, Mo., passed away Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011 at Kindred Hospital in Sugarland, Texas. Funeral services were conducted Tuesday, Nov. 8 at White Chapel Funeral Home, Gladstone, Mo...

Geraldine C. Runion, age 95, of Terre Haute, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011 at Terre Haute Regional Hospital. She was born Nov. 9, 1916 near Greencastle in Putnam County as the daughter of Glen and Elizabeth Hurst Clark. She graduated from Fillmore High School...

Michael David Gilliam, age 40, of Greencastle, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011. Born April 15, 1971 in Indianapolis, he was the son of Gary Lee Gilliam and Kathleen E. Harris and was a graduate of the Cloverdale High School class of 1990. Michael was a United States Marine Corps veteran, having served for 13 years...

Paul W. Gibbs, 74, Monticello, died Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011 at the Indiana Veterans Home of West Lafayette. Born Feb. 13, 1937 in Sellersburg, Ind., he was the son of Paul G. and Alean (Bagshaw) Gibbs. Paul had lived in the Monticello community since 1996, coming from Delphi, Ind. He grew up in Roachdale...

Wanda Carol (Shutcs) Milliman, 70, of Jeffersonville, Ind., passed away Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011. Carol was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in New Albany. A devoted wife, mother and grandmother, she enjoyed traveling and jazz music and dearly loved spending time with her family and grandchildren...

The South Putnam hosted North Putnam, Monrovia and Rockville in a rare Wednesday four-way match. The Eagles came way with a perfect 3-0 record, with Monrovia going 1-1 and North Putnam 0-2. Eagles head coach Josh Hendrickson was pleased with is team's performance after the match...

The Greencastle wrestling team moved to 4-1 on the season after posting a 52-17 win over North Vermillion Wednesday. Cameron Hinton, Kaleb Flemming, Nick Pingleton, Riley Boswell, Nathan Tesmer, Hunter Smith, Carter Lewis, Blaine Fenwick, Ben Hesler, Will Mobley and Riley Jayne recorded wins for the Tiger Cubs...

The South Putnam seventh grade A ad B teams lost to Southmont Thursday. The A team lost 32-27 in overtime, while the B team lost 43-19. Kieffer Vittetow led the A team with 10 points, followed by RJ Speedy and Jadon Criss added six points each...

With the Christmas holiday rapidly approaching, two local schools will be hosting tournament to coincide with the season. First up will be the Greencastle Holiday Wrestling Tournament Dec. 17 at 9 a.m. Last year the Tiger Cubs went a perfect 4-0 to win the tournament. Other schools that competed were Sullivan, South Vermillion, Covington and Monrovia...

South Putnam's swim teams cruised to victory Thursday night over West Vigo. South's girls won 110-44 over the Vikings, with the boys winning by a tally of 115-43. The Eagles had multiple first place finishers on both sides. Kaelynn Cox won the 200 free and 100 back, Josalynn Farmer took the 50 and 100 free races, Lyndsie Beasley won the 200 IM, Mackenzie Trisler won the 100 fly, Morgan Deszi took first in the 500 free and Courtney Sullivan won the diving portion...

To the Editor: This Christmas, some people will be receiving puppies or kittens as gifts and by law they are considered property whereas they should be considered as part of our families, as is our children. We don't own our children, we are their caretakers. ...

Tyler James Adams's unexpected passing on June 12, 2010 changed the lives and world of his family and friends. In Tyler's memory, the T.A. Benefit Ride was started to help with funeral costs. Moving forward, the ride will benefit local organizations...

PUTNAMVILLE -- The Putnamville District of the Indiana State Police has been recognized by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute and the Governor's Council on Impaired and Dangerous Driving for recent traffic safety efforts. The recognition was earned as a result of the Putnamville District leading the state in passenger restraint activity during 2011 blitz periods, and leading all Indiana districts in nearly all traffic safety projects with their participation, meeting project objectives and submitting accurate reports.. ...

Clearly, George Bailey of "It's a Wonderful Life" movie fame has nothing on Amie Bailey, Greencastle chiropractor. While good, old George Bailey had on-screen help from a guardian angel in seeing how life in Bedford Falls might have been without him, Amie Bailey learned firsthand how much she is appreciated Wednesday night during the December meeting of the Greencastle Board of Zoning Appeals...

The Giving Tree of Putnam County has met with a larger need this year and continues to give families in Putnam County the opportunity to have a merry Christmas with presents under the tree. With 250 families, and each child getting at least two gifts each, the organization spent the week collecting their final presents and wrapping them up Thursday for pick-up on Saturday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. 5-year-old Grace Clodfelter takes a break from wrapping to play her Nintendo 3DS among the toys donated by the Walmart Distribution Center and Little Dude Ranch.

The Christmas celebration began early in Roachdale as the town celebrated its Christmas in Roachdale event Friday night. Sponsored by local businesses, the event featured carriage rides around the town by Country Lane Carriages, caroling from the North Putnam Middle School choir and free food, drinks and giveaways. ...

REELSVILLE -- The South Putnam School Corporation, in a joint meeting with the Reelsville PTO, will be holding a special work session on Monday, Dec. 12 for parties interested in discussing the proposed closing of Reelsville Elementary School. The meeting will be held in the elementary school cafeteria beginning at 6 p.m. with several of the school board members in attendance, along with South Putnam Superintendent Bruce Bernhardt...

With all the street and highway construction projects under way around town, it's not surprising to see volunteers from Putnamville Baptist Church at work on the road that goes "Back to Bethlehem," the church's annual live, outdoor Christmas nativity...

The Greencastle Presbyterian Church SAWs (Servants at Work) team will be helping out Santa this year by offering to assemble toys for the residents of Putnam County. The SAWs team, whose mission is to build handicapped ramps for the disabled in Putnam County, wants to go further and help out for Christmas by assembling toys...

St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Greencastle will mark the Christmas season with several services in the coming weeks. On Sunday, Dec. 11, the church will celebrate with lessons and carols at its 10:15 a.m. worship service. All are invited join to join the church for this festive time hearing our story told through scripture and song...

COAL CITY -- A 20-year-old Clay County man was injured Friday morning while deer hunting near Coal City. Darren Collenbaugh, Coal City, sustained serious injuries to his hand and stomach when his muzzleloader rifle misfired, Indiana Conservation Officer Max Winchell of Cloverdale reported to the Banner Graphic...

County Jail Several people have been booked into the Putnam County Jail recently. At 11:19 p.m. Freddie Eugene Spencer, 47, Greencastle, was arrested for operating while intoxicated. At 10:34 p.m. Jeremy Hylton Barker, 29, Roachdale, was housed at the jail for domestic battery...

Residents of Hickory Creek at Sunset participated in making crafts for Breakfast with Santa at the Roachdale Christian Church. Myrna Yost, who likes to be involved with the community, especially children's events, has been working on crafts and decorations of the breakfast for the past week. ...

In an effort to conserve costs and be environmentally friendly, a group of 10 area commuters who share a vanpool each morning to Indianapolis are being honored for their efforts in a canned food drive contest. Throughout the month of November riders from eight vanpools across the central Indiana area participated in a canned food drive contest. The event, which was sponsored by Central Indiana Commuter Services, awarded one point for donated item...

After falling behind 12-0 in the first quarter, the GHS JV boys' basketball squad came storming back and defeated Cloverdale Thursday at McAnally Center. Things didn't look good for the young Tiger Cubs as they fell behind early and didn't score their first points of the contest until 1:49 remained in the first quarter...

North Putnam's boys' basketball squad will still be searching for their first win of the season next week after falling to Class A No. 3 Rockville 55-32 Friday night. The Cougars took the lead early on the road with baskets by Jameson Brewer and Braydon Porter, as the host Rox missed several early shots...

CLAYTON -- The Cascade Cadets buried the South Putnam Eagles in the opening two quarters Friday night and rolled to a 68-44 West Central Conference victory in boys high school basketball. Showing signs of frost bite, South Putnam hit just 2-of-16 shots from the floor in the opening half, committed 15 turnovers and trailed 30-9 at halftime. And at the other end, Cascade capitalized on South Putnam's errors to shoot 50 percent (12-24) from the floor...

CLOVERDALE -- Greencastle's game plan revealed itself early and often when they traveled to Cloverdale Friday. The Tiger Cubs pressured the host Clovers and jumped out to a 38-12 en route to a 69-26 victory. "It was a good win," GHS head coach Bradley Key said. ...

CLAYTON -- The South Putnam Eagles may have a ceremonial burning of the tape of Friday night's girls basketball game at Cascade High School. Coach Lindsey Blackman really doesn't want to see it again, much less show the Eagles the Cascade Cadets' 66-28 West Central Conference victory...

CLOVERDALE -- Besides the dunk, there's perhaps nothing as uplifting to a crowd than a shot that falls from behind the three-point line in the game of basketball. It can swing momentum, it can break a game open and it can bring your crowd to its feet, while at the same time silencing your opponent...

PUTNAMVILLE -- A Thursday evening incident on U.S. 40 that could have ended in tragedy several times, resulted only in some property damage and a trip to the hospital for observation. What looked on the surface to be a drunk driver turned out to be a 58-year-old diabetic Brownsburg man experiencing an extremely low blood sugar level...

PUTNAMVILLE -- Traveling Interstate 70 late Thursday afternoon must have seemed like a dream to an Ohio woman. But it was nearly a nightmare for all those traveling around her westbound Chrysler Town and Country van. There are tired travelers. There are drowsy drivers. And then there's this woman, described by interstate witnesses as completely asleep at the wheel as she drove along I-70...

BRAZIL -- In boys' basketball action Thursday night, the GMS eighth graders traveled to North Clay and split a pair of games with the Knights. In a contest that came down to the wire, the A team jumped out to a 10-6 lead after one quarter. In the opening frame, Cole Edgar hit all four of his field goal attempts, en route to scoring eight of his game-high 17 points. The second quarter saw the home team battle back to within one, 17-16 at the end of the first half...

To be recognized by your peers on any level is wonderful. But when you're singled out as one of the 50 best football players in the state, well, that's something even more special. North Putnam's inside linebacker Nate Bryan was recently named to the Indiana Football Coaches Association's Top 50 team. Bryan was also named the Banner Graphic Defensive Player of the Year for the second year in a row and quickly gave credit to those around him on the Cougar squad...

ROACHDALE -- North Putnam's wrestling squad saw the highs and lows of wrestling Saturday afternoon at the newly renamed Kenny Kerns Invitational. Kerns, who had been the coach for the Cougars for the last 22 years, was honored in-between rounds for his service to the school's wrestling program...

CLOVERDALE -- The Greencastle girls' junior varsity basketball squad utilized a intense, pressuring defense to win the Putnam County title Saturday at Cloverdale. The Tiger Cubs won 43-25 with Sydney Stuckwisch powering the Tiger Cub offense with a game-high 12 points...

The South Putnam Community School Board will hold a special work session on Wednesday, Dec. 14. The meeting will be held in the music room at Central Elementary School beginning at 6 p.m. During the meeting, fifth-grade parents will be able to voice their concerns regarding next year's classes...

The Indiana Historical Society will be hosting the traveling exhibition, "Sound Effects" at the Putnam County Museum in Greencastle. The exhibition includes award-winning color and black-and-white photographs that express the sounds found in Indiana...

The Putnam County Non-Food Pantry, hosted by St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, will be distributing items from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 17, instead of the last Saturday of the month. The date has been changed so it won't conflict with the Christmas Eve festivities...

The Putnam County Community Foundation announces a new endowment that will support suicide prevention programs in Putnam County. The endowment is a field of interest fund, but asks that the Community Foundation involve an approved student organization at DePauw University in deciding the best use of grants from the endowment. Preference will be given to projects that train leaders to identify symptoms of suicide and to prevent suicide...

Bill Hutson of Table Talk Ministries has been chosen by the Indianapolis Colts to receive another in a growing list of community service awards. On Thursday, Dec. 22, during the Indianapolis Colts home game against the Houston Texans, Hutson will be honored as an "Indianapolis Colts Anthem Angel."...

When the women of the Greencastle Civic League envision a project, they don't push the envelope, they rip it to shreds. When they took up the cause for the Emerald Palace playground in 2001, all they needed was an army of volunteers and $125,000 in monetary and in-kind donations...

The Indiana Film Journalists Association, an organization of journalists dedicated to promoting quality film criticism in the Hoosier State, is pleased to announce its annual film awards for 2011. "The Artist" took top honors, winning Best Film as well as Best Director (Michel Hazanavicius) and Best Musical Score (Ludovic Bource)...

Delores Mae Stewart Proctor 81, of Crawfordsville, formerly of Russellville, died at 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011 at Millpond Health Campus. She was born Feb. 8, 1930 at Roachdale to Floyd and Lola M. Clark Stewart. She was married to Donald W. Proctor Oct. 27, 1950 at Russellville. He died in 2000...

Daisy Lee Buttery, 92, Russellville, passed away Monday, Dec. 12, 2011 at her residence. Born Nov. 14, 1919 in Laurel County, London, Ky., she was the oldest of six children and the daughter of Denver Lee and Emma Victoria (Swanner) Creech. She married Silas Woodson Buttery on Dec. 26, 1938 in London, Ky. They enjoyed 40 years of marriage until his passing in 1978...

Winners in the Greencastle Parks and Recreation Department's Gingerbread House Decorating Contest are Hunter Miller (left) with his second-place family entry "Christmas on the Farm," Seth Lawrenz (center), displaying his first-place family entry, "Elf Village," and Haylee Romalia with her first-place individual entry, "Fishing at the North Pole." Not pictured are the first-place organization entry from ETA, titled "Renewable Energy Gingerbread House," and second-place organization entry by Mill Pond Health Campus Legacy Lane members, titled "Santa's Legacy Express."

Dorothy Alice Dozier, age 83, of Greencastle, died Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 at Millpond Health Campus in Greencastle. She was born Sept. 18, 1928 in Indianapolis, as the daughter of John and Ester Branham. She married Ewell J.E. Dozier April 26, 1947 in Indianapolis...

County Jail Several people were booked into the Putnam County Jail recently. At 3:45 p.m. Richard Lee Brown, 19, Indianapolis, was held at the jail for probation violation. At 1:42 a.m. Charles Ryan Byrd, 30, Fillmore, was housed at the jail for public intoxication...

A number of routine, end-of-year matters highlighted a brief meeting of the Putnam County Council on Thursday, Dec. 8. The council approved several transfers and additional appropriations to ensure positive balances on various county funds by Dec. 31...

Washburn Chapter, National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution, presented its 2011 Heritage Preservation Award to Dr. James L. Cooper at a ceremony Monday afternoon at the Putnam County Library. Dr. Cooper, 629 E. Seminary St., Greencastle, was recognized as a Distinguished Hoosier Historian for his work with the historic bridges of Putnam County and the state of Indiana...

CLOVERDALE -- The end of a quick first semester in sight, the Cloverdale School Board heard updates on the school year and prepared for the end of 2011 at its December meeting. "This has been a very fast semester," Superintendent Carrie Milner said. "I'm very grateful we've gotten this far without ice and snow."...

A springtime trial date has been set in the case of a 57-year-old Roachdale physician accused of unlawfully dispensing narcotics, often reportedly in exchange for sex. Dr. Ray D. Howell, whose medical license has been suspended indefinitely by the Indiana Medical Licensing Board, will face a jury trial before Judge Matthew Headley on May 23 in Putnam Circuit Court...

Linda Merkel (left) of the Putnam County Youth Development Commission receives a check for $450 from Dorothy Wells, president of Putnam County Extension Homemakers. The donation to support Putnam County Coats for Kids is half of what was taken in at the second annual Halloween Festival which was planned and sponsored by Putnam County Extension Homemakers. The remaining half of the proceeds will go to the Putnam County Fair Board for programming to support local youth through 4-H.

The Cloverdale Wrestling Club will host its second annual Friendship Meet Saturday at 9 a.m. Cost for the event is free for wrestling and $1 for general admission. For wrestlers interested in competing, they should send their name, age, weight and year's of expereience to Brian Asbury at asbury4040@yahoo.com. Info must be received by Thursday...

EVANSVILLE -- The Greencastle wrestling team went 1-4 at the Mater Dei Invitational last Saturday. The Tiger Cubs defeated Jasper 37-36, but lost to No. 3 Evansville Mater Dei, No. 15 Jeffersonville, No. 16 Bloomington South and Castle. Ben Hesler was a perfect 4-0 on the day, with Carter Lewis posting a record of 2-1. Aaron Langdon and 3-2, with Nick Pingleton, Blaine Fenwick and Will Mobley posted records of 2-3...

LIZTON -- The South Putnam wrestling team went 3-1 at Tri-West this past Saturday. They opened the day with a loss to Clinton Central, then went on to defeat Tri-West 41-22, Scecina 45-24 and Speedway 51-27. Posting records of 4-0 on the day were Andy Waters, Tanner Thompson, Rudy Harris and Jacob Williams...

DONALDSON -- Greencastle senior Brandon Query has signed with the Ancilla College men's soccer team for the 2012 season. The midfielder is the first official signing of the year for Ancilla head coach James Drzewiecki. "Brandon is a great player to start our class off with," said Drzewiecki. "He's floated under the radar a bit but the kid can flat out play. We've really been taken with his work rate, vision, and technical ability. He's our kind of player and he's a great fit for our system."...

ROACHDALE -- North Putnam's girls' basketball team found a hot shooting North Vermillion squad too much to contend with Tuesday night, falling 55-33. The Falcons started off by grabbing a quick 7-0 lead before scoreboard issues gave the Cougars a chance to regroup...

REELSVILLE--It was time to face the public for the South Putnam Community School Board on Monday night. As rumors of the Reelsville Elementary School closing have escalated, the Reelsville PTO brought the board into a two-hour long special work session to clear up any misconceptions...

Don E. Compton, age 65, of Greencastle, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011. Born Oct. 12, 1946 in Moreland, Ky., he was the son of William Clyde and Flossetta Pauline (Smith) Compton. He married Sandra (Pritchett) Compton on April 2, 1994, and she survives...

For fans sentimental for a simpler time in music, there's been no better source in recent years than the duo of Zooey Deschanel and Matt Ward. As the indie combo She & Him, the pair has produced a pair of albums that would have been right at home in the music world 50 years ago...

Could this actually be the year? The year the Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences, aka the Oscars, recognizes an actor who physically never spent a moment on screen? I thought so when I first caught "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" in theaters, and after watching the Blu-ray release, those convictions are only strengthened...

County Jail Several people were booked into the Putnam County Jail recently. At 11:09 p.m. Amber Sue Day, 30, Bloomington, was arrested for operating while intoxicated and possession of a schedule drug. Sheriff's Department Mayhew said he did not see the semi and pulled out, hitting the rear tires of the tractor and then the trailer tires...

The long-standing music ministry of Jack Boswell Country Gospel band has been noticed in Nashville, Tenn. The group has been invited to appear on an upcoming episode of the "Shotgun Red Variety Show," aired weekly on the RFD Network. The band was chosen as one of the 78 acts among 2,500 applicants. ...

A familiar face will be smiling from the third-base coaching box on the Greencastle softball diamond this spring. Dave Keller, who served as GHS coach in 2007 and 2008, was re-hired at Wednesday's meeting of the Greencastle School Board. "I want the program to get back to where we left it and I'm very excited to have this challenge," Keller said. "It's a marathon, not a sprint, and I'm looking forward to it."...

The Area 30 Career Center Education Interlocal Board of Directors held its monthly meeting Tuesday with updates given on the progress of the balanced calendar as well as title changes for courses for the upcoming school year. As previously discussed at last month's meeting, the board of directors is working toward creating a balanced calendar for all schools in Putnam County. Progress continued Tuesday morning as superintendents began creating their calendars for the 2012-2013 school year...

While the futures of such noble endeavors as the Humane Society of Putnam County, the A-Way Home shelter and the Rural Transit system hang in the balance, the Greencastle City Council sees all of them as important to the community's future. So vital, in fact, that when the Council passed a resolution establishing a three-year Capital Improvement Plan for using its future County Economic Development Income Tax (EDIT) funds, all three programs were optimistically listed...

ROACHDALE -- William Long has been on the Roachdale Town Council for 16 years. And the board members honored him Tuesday with a surprise: a small plaque. Police chief Mike Mahoy brought out the plaque and thanked Long for his years of service. Long said he appreciated the gesture and felt his time was done on the council. He said he would be around if the board needed him and he believes he leaves the board in good hands...

City of Greencastle employees will find a little something extra in their proverbial Christmas stockings this year. Coming to the end of a year marked by frugal spending, the City Council made like Santa Claus Tuesday night, voting to share some unspent 2011 salary allocations with city workers...

The Sons of the American Legion Squadron 58, American Legion Post 58, Greencastle, recently presented American flags to Greencastle elementary schools in honor of National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Pictured are Doreen Workman, Dillon Eversole, Tzouanakis Intermediate School Principal Jon Strube, Adjutant Richard Coffin, Sergeant-at-Arms Dick Overshiner, Deer Meadow Principal Gwen Morris, Alice Beaman and school liaison of Ridpath Primary Dan TeGrotenhuis.

In education, the goal is never to do less with less. Yet some school administrators feel this is the outcome in a political climate that sees more demands placed on schools coupled with less help from the state. Several local administrators shared these concerns with state legislators at Tuesday's education roundtable hosted by the Putnam County Farm Bureau. ...

The Greencastle Community School Board accepted the resignation of the Greencastle High School principal at Wednesday's meeting. Randy Corn, who has been with the corporation since the fall of 2009, submitted his resignation but will serve until the end of the year...

Charles E. Elmore, age 92, of Greencastle, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2011 at Hickory Creek at Sunset. Born July 14, 1919 in Greencastle, he was the son of Carl and Lilly (Siddons) Elmore. He was a graduate of Stilesville High School. He married Margaret (Brown) Elmore in 1945, and she preceded him in death...

Doyle Bunten, age 80, of Apison, Tenn., passed away Dec. 14, 2011 at a local hospital in Tennessee. He was a member of Christ United Methodist Church and was a retired regional sales representative for IBM Corp. for more than 39 years. He was active member of the Lions Club for many years...

The Subway restaurant in the Shoppes of Greencastle shopping center on the city's East Side was robbed Thursday night, Greencastle City Police reported. The incident occurred shortly after 10 p.m. at the 1360 E. Indianapolis Rd. Subway as a female employee went outside to take out the trash, GPD Officer Eric Vaughan reported...

MUNCIE -- The Bowen Center for Public Affairs at Ball State University has unveiled the results of its 2011 Hoosier Survey. The fourth annual survey identified Indiana residents' top priorities for state government action during the coming year. Most notably, the survey found that while Republican leadership in next year's General Assembly support Right-to-Work, they have yet to convince all adult Hoosiers. ...

To The Editor: I want to take this time to thank Eagles Lodge 4388 for having a Thanksgiving dinner on Thanksgiving Day. Sixty people came to the lodge and had dinner with 30 meals taken out to local people and the Greencastle Fire Department, employees at the Shell and Marathon stations and at 911 dispatch also...

The failure of the congressional Supercommittee to reach an agreement on reducing the deficit was not just bad fiscal news. It was a significant failure of political leadership. Not only did the committee move us one step closer to a genuine fiscal crisis, but also it put the dysfunction of Congress on full display. ...

Ordering coffee used to be one of the easiest things in the world. It was once such a simple pleasure: Black, two sugars, thank you very much. Oh, sure, you could have cream, too. But dump in a little too much, and pretty soon somebody asks, "Oh, you like Boston coffee, huh?" Like Boston cream pie, I suppose...

The Russellville Community Church will hold its third annual Christmas Carnival on Saturday, Dec. 17. This event is open to the public, and all are invited to share a fun, free family event that focuses on the meaning of the season. The Christmas Carnival begins at 5 p.m. with a light supper, followed by the telling of the Christmas story by Pastor Jim Elliott. This year the children will participate in acting out the story in costumes as it is told...

WEST LAFAYETTE -- The Putnam Ants 4-H Club Career Development event team from Greencastle competed in the State 4-H/FFA Entomology Contest on Dec. 10 at Purdue University. Team members are Luke Norris, Amanda Beals, Kelly Hansen and Beth Ann Hansen, all from Greencastle...

CLOVERDALE-- The Cloverdale Town Council met Tuesday in what was a routine meeting as it attempts to wrap up any loose ends before the new year. Council President Cathy Tipton announced that the town was the receipt of a $600,000 Community Focus Fund grant. This grant will be used for the Doe Creek lift station...

The South Putnam girls' basketball team lost to Covenant Christian 69-52 Thursday. Leanna Masters posted a career-high 28 points for the Eagles in the loss. Jenny Thompson scored nine, with Emily Dabkowski adding six points. Ericka Minor adding four points, while Mattie Varvel had three points and Mallory Cash chipped in two points...

ROCKVILLE -- The Greencastle girls' basketball team edged Rockville 57-56 Thursday. Hannah Wainman led the Tiger Cubs with 28 points, including five three-pointers. Head coach Bradley Key praised the senior on her performance following the game. "Tonight Hannah was definitely our leader, not only in scoring, but kind of led the team and made sure we didn't lose. (It was) one of the best individual efforts I've seen from a player in three years," Key said...

ROACHDALE -- December 15, 2011 is a date that will go down in the history books at North Putnam High School. For the first time in the 42-year history of the Cougars' boys' swim program, the school beat county power Greencastle in a dual meet with an 88-81 win Thursday evening...

CLOVERDALE -- Greencastle come into Thursday's Putnam County Wrestling Tournament hoping to improve on its second place finish at last year's county tournament. With six wrestling earning individual county championships, they did just that, winning the county title with a 3-0 record...

A much calmer meeting regarding the possible closure of Reelsville Elementary occurred Wednesday at Central Elementary. The primary reason for the meeting was to answer questions for parents with fifth-graders who would be affected by the possible closing...

BAINBRIDGE -- The town of Bainbridge announced some good news during its Wednesday night meeting. The town has received a state grant from the Indiana Department of Transportation worth up to $249,000. The grant will go toward sidewalks and sidewalk replacement, curb ramps, crosswalks and minor non-infrastructure activities as part of the Safe Routes to School Program...

In celebration of the holiday season, Mill Pond Health Campus gave back to those in need. The event, United We Give, lasted from 7 a.m.--7 p.m. and hosted activities such as a drive-thru breakfast, including biscuits and gravy as well as a drive-thru take and bake pizza dinner. All proceeds from the event will benefit local charities. Mill Pond Executive Director Jessica Crafton and Mill Pond Community Service Representative Brook Tissel are joined by Banner Graphic Advertising Manager Andrea Kennedy, Director of United Way David English and Tonya Sanders of WREB 94.3.

New courses. New clubs. Academic progress. In the third year of Principal Randy Corn's tenure at Greencastle High School, the school appears to be doing good things, heading in a positive direction. All this made the board's acceptance of Corn's resignation at Wednesday's meeting a bit unexpected...

Bobby Joe Witt, 60, of Rockville, passed away on Friday, Dec. 16, 2011. He was born on Aug. 5, 1951 in Crawfordsville to Harold Witt and Geraldine Webb Witt. Bobby honorably served his country in the U.S. Army in Vietnam. He was employed by Campbell Construction Inc., Indianapolis...

Few details were available Thursday evening on a possible breaking and entering south of Limedale. The Putnam County Sheriff's Department responded to a Thursday afternoon call at 3541 S. CR 200 West (Manhattan Road). Dispatch reported a resident had come home to an intruder still in the house...

Russellville Community Church hosts candlelight memorial service The holidays are not always a bright and cheery time for those who have experienced deaths and losses in their families. In an effort to provide a safe and quiet space to remember our loved ones who will be absent from our holiday celebrations, the Russellville Community Church will have a Christmas candlelight memorial service on Sunday, Dec. 18 at 7 p.m...

Jim and Madonna Hurst were married Nov. 23, 1961 in Bainbridge. The couple just celebrated their 50th anniversary with a 14-day cruise to Hawaii. They are the parents of Tony Hurst, Chuck Hurst and Missy Hurst Banks. They are also the grandparents of two granddaughters Ashton Banks and Natalie Hurst...

Wayne and Jean Weaver will celebrate their 59th wedding anniversary on Christmas Day. They marked the occasion earlier this year with a family cruise to The Bahamas and a family trip on Thanksgiving to Laughlin, Nev., where they had a winter home for many years...

Tri-County Bank would like to announce that on Dec. 31, Nancy Reed is retiring after 37 years of service. Throughout her years with Tri-County Bank, Reed has had many duties, including loan clerk, loan reviewer, internal auditor, compliance officer and assistant vice president...

Three Putnam County families welcomed new arrivals recently at Hendricks Regional Health in Danville: -- Emilee Hutcheson and Casey Cline of Roachdale had a son on Dec. 8. -- Brittany Adamson of Greencastle had a son on Dec. 9. -- Jennifer and Daris Vansickle of Cloverdale had a son on Dec. 15...

Sheriff's Department officials said Friday that few details are available in a possible breaking and entering south of Limedale Thursday afternoon. At 2:08 p.m. Thursday, a woman called 911 Dispatch reporting an intruder in her house when she came home. The Putnam County Sheriff's Department responded to the call at 3541 S. CR 200 West (Manhattan Road)...

Like clockwork, the roof of Deer Meadow Primary School has been a topic of discussion at each Greencastle School Board meeting since March. With bated breath and crossed fingers, school officials said at Wednesday meeting the roof problems may almost be over. Contractors recently completed work on the roof of the 10-year-old school...

CRAWFORDSVILLE -- Putnam County drivers are advised that rising waters have caused the closure of roads in the surrounding area. The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) Crawfordsville District has announced that State Road 42 in Morgan County, seven miles east of Cloverdale and U.S. 231, was closed by water at the 40-mile marker...

Union members serving more than 570,000 natural gas customers in central and southeast Indiana announced Thursday they have rejected a new three-year contract. "We have worked in good faith with union leadership for many months and provided employees more than two weeks to vote the contract," Vectren Vice President of Utility Operations Bill Doty said. ...

Winners in the Greencastle Parks and Recreation Department's Brickmania "It's a Lego Christmas" Contest are (from left) Dylan Barcus with his first-place entry in the 5-10 year-old group with "'Santa's Workshop #1," his brother, Connor Barcus, with second place in the same group with "Santa's Secret Workshop," with Wyatt Hamilton and Hunter Miller, followed by second-place winner in the 11-17 year-old group Keeghan McLain. ...

County Jail Three people were booked into the Putnam County Jail on Thursday, Dec. 15. City Fire The Greencastle Fire Department has responded to a number of recent dispatches. Information included in the Putnam Scanner is taken from reports provided to the Banner Graphic by the Greencastle Police, the Greencastle Fire and the Putnam County Sheriff's departments...

Bobby Joe Witt, 60, of Rockville, passed away on Friday, Dec. 16, 2011. He was born on Aug. 5, 1951 in Crawfordsville to Harold Witt and Geraldine Webb Witt. Bobby honorably served his country in the U.S. Army in Vietnam. He was employed by Campbell Construction Inc., Indianapolis...

CLAYTON -- From the opening whistle Cascade's Cadets hit the gas against North Putnam's girls squad and didn't let up, beating the Cougars 62-15. The girls had little chance to retaliate against a dominate combination of speed and accuracy. It didn't help that the North Putnam squad turned the ball over 33 times, with 17 of those turnovers during Cascade's explosive first half...

MONROVIA -- Cloverdale's girls' basketball squad started slow out of the traps and eventually found themselves unable to catch-up completely after losing 44-27 at Monrovia Friday night. The game was brought to the Clovers in a hurry as the Bulldogs knocked down their first three 3-pointers to take an early 9-0 lead...

Had the rest of the game carried on like the first four minutes of the first quarter, Cloverdale's boys' basketball squad might have won handily on their travel to Monrovia Friday night. A shooting power outage instead followed as the Clovers fell to the host Bulldogs 67-38...

CLAYTON -- A different North Putnam team came out in the second half from the first against the Cascade Cadets Friday night. Unfortunately, both those teams lost by the night's end, 74-41. The Cougars held a two-point lead in the second quarter and trailed by only five at the half, 28-23. But head coach Nathan Martindale said the team lost focus in the second half...

ROCKVILLE -- South Putnam tangled with Class A second-ranked Rockville Friday in a rough and tumble contest that saw its fair share of hard fouls and neglected calls. The Rox leaned heavily on 6'7" junior forward Lane Mahurin and came away with a 57-38 victory of the Eagles...

CORY -- Indiana Conservation Officers will turn in charges to the Clay County Prosecutors' Office on a deer that was taken by illegal methods. On Tuesday, Nov. 8, Indiana Conservation Officers responded to a poached deer complaint called in by a concerned citizen, Josh Stoelting of Cory...

The Subway restaurant in the Shoppes of Greencastle shopping center on the city's East Side was robbed Thursday night, Greencastle City Police reported. The incident occurred shortly after 10 p.m. at the Subway at 1360 E. Indianapolis Rd. as a female employee went outside to take out the trash, GPD Officer Eric Vaughan reported...

By their very nature, bridges do not move easily. Public confidence in civil engineers tends to plunge when bridges start moving. This made Friday morning's undertaking by Duncan Robertson contractors all the more daunting -- remove a 36-ton, 160-foot iron bridge from its abutments and place it on solid ground ... and keep it in one piece...

Charles Edward Lukenbill, age 85, of Greencastle, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011. Born Saturday, Feb. 6, 1926 in Madison Township, Putnam County, Ind., he was the eldest child of Fred Arret and Nellie Fern (Cox) Lukenbill. He graduated from Bainbridge High School in April 1944 and was drafted in military service one month later. He served two years in the Army Signal Corps in New Delhi, India, where he became a member of the All India Fine Arts Society at age 19...

Nancy Lee Baldwin, 74, of Greencastle, passed away on Friday, Dec. 16, 2011. She was born Oct. 1, 1937 in Putnam County to William Culley Price and Doris Mae Oakley Price. Mrs. Baldwin was a lifetime member of Somerset Christian Church, where she served as the song leader and a member of the Ladies' Aide until 2000. The Baldwins then joined Hanna Street Baptist Church...

A reported Thursday night theft at the Greencastle Subway was actually an inside job, Greencastle City Police said Sunday. "We had our thoughts about that from the beginning," GPD Assistant Chief Brian Hopkins told the Banner Graphic Sunday evening. "You see now why I said 'alleged robbery' (in his initial press release)?"...

INDIANAPOLIS -- Following the inaugural Crossroads Classic at Conseco Fieldhouse Saturday, Notre Dame coach Mike Brey sounded more like a fan than a coach who'd just suffered an 11-point defeat. "That was a great day of basketball. It was neat to be a part of it," Brey said. "I thank the athletic directors of the four schools for putting this thing together. I think it's something we need to think about continuing past next year. It was exciting for us to come down and play in this atmosphere."...

INDIANAPOLIS -- Maybe Butler just needs a big stage. The program that wowed America with its runs through the NCAA Tournament in the last two years looked sluggish through much of its contest with Purdue Saturday. But when Conseco Fieldhouse finally neared its 19,000-seat capacity -- many fans for the Indiana-Notre Dame nightcap arriving late -- the Bulldogs made their move...

INDIANAPOLIS -- You can call it ugly, you can call it workmanlike and you can call it uninspiring. But you also have to call it another win. Enduring one of their worst shooting games of the season (42 percent), the Hoosiers (10-0) won a physical, half-court kind of contest over Notre Dame (7-5) Saturday, 69-58...

CLOVERDALE -- After a rough outing at Monrovia Friday night, Cloverdale's boys' basketball team lost in a competitive 56-43 loss to Tri-West. Without starter Brody Pfaff, who was out with a leg injury, the Clovers were down to a six-man rotation against a Bruin squad that regularly rotated in nine players...

The Greencastle wrestling squad continued its winning ways Saturday morning as the Tiger Cubs swept through the field at the Greencastle Holiday Tournament. The Tiger Cubs knocked off Covington 63-10, Monrovia 57-21, and South Vermillion 57-19 and finished the 4-0 day by beating Sullivan 54-24...

ROACHDALE -- Christmas came early for fans at North Putnam Saturday night as its boys' basketball team earned its first win of the season, defeating Riverton Parke 54-49. In its final game before the holiday break, the Cougars used a big second quarter to hold court over the Panthers for three and half quarters. But Riverton Parke made things interesting down the stretch...

Two of the area's best big men played each other to a virtual tie Saturday night at Greencastle High School's McAnally Center. Greencastle's Nick Hutcheson scored 26 points, grabbed nine rebounds, blocked three shots and made one steal while leading the Tiger Cubs to an 83-75 victory over the South Vermillion Wildcats...

Karl Gillette of Cloverdale (seated, center) was elected president of the Indiana Angus Association's 2012 board of directors during the group's annual meeting Dec. 10 in Greenfield. New officers are (seated, from left) John Finke, Columbus, secretary; John Dawson, Morocco, first vice president; Gillette; Leslie Carmichael, Bloomington, treasurer; and Jason Miller, Gaston, second vice president. Standing (from left) are Jay Davis, Michigantown, past president; Robert Dragani, Plymouth; Judson Kidwell, Gentryville; Mark Thompson, Columbus; Bruce Lamb, Milford; Philip Howell, Union City; Bradley Ferree, Jasonville; Jack Sweeney, Noblesville; and Andrew Howell, Milltown.

The Greater Greencastle Chamber of Commerce celebrated a new member on Wednesday, Hoosier Bail Bonds. The company, which opened in 1999, is open 24 hours a day and serves the entire state of Indiana. For more information, persons may call 720-3783 or call collect to 653-9644. Participating in the ribbon-cutting ceremony in front of their billboard on Bloomington Street are (from left) Tammy Amor, Bret Hurley, owners Mike and Sandi Huffman, Jennifer Bedwell, Jeanne Burris and Jinsie Bingham.

One of the best things about the holidays is all the great food. But one of the most annoying or worrisome things about the holiday can also be all of the leftovers. Some people don't like leftovers, others love them for their time and money saving potential. ...

The Beta Psi chapter of Tri-Kappa Sorority in Greencastle promises a rocking New Year's Eve in its inaugural fundraiser party. Tri-Kappa's New Year's Eve Party will ring in the New Year with music, dinner and dancing Saturday, Dec. 31 at Windy Hill Country Club...

Local patrons of the arts can count on just a few fingers the number of days left to shop for affordable, one-of-a-kind works by local artists. The GC Galleria will close at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 28 in order to move to a new location and assume a new name, according to artist and manager Sue Brucks...

ROACHDALE -- The North Putnam School Board honored two local celebrities at the beginning of its monthly meeting Thursday night. Paris Nolan and Abby Shinovich received certificate for their honors and a piece of cake from North Putnam Superintendent Mary Sugg Lovejoy...

BAINBRIDGE -- Seeing may be believing but Paul and Tina Dixon know when they have an eye-catching Christmas display by what they hear. A good indication the Dixons have another winning display at their home a mile west of Bainbridge (also a mile east of Shortcut Road) is the audible screeching of tires and brakes as drivers try to slow for a better look at the 810 E. U.S. 36 home on the south side of the highway...

Bradley E. Karn, 53, of Brazil, passed away unexpectedly Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011. He was born July 31, 1958 in Lafayette, Ind., the son of Larry and Joyce (Doud) Karn. Brad graduated from Brazil High School with the class of 1977. Following high school he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served for four years before joining the Army National Guard. He served his country for more than 21 years before retiring...

To the Editor: One would think that State Rep. Jim Baird and State Sen. Richard Bray would be so embarrassed by what they and their Republican policies have done to local schools that they would not want their pictures on the front page (Banner Graphic, Thursday, Dec. 15) with school administrators...

To The Editor: Please print this open letter to Cameron Mann, and the Farm Bureau concerning the "debate between industrial farming and those who think there might be a better way." (Jay Johnson 12/2/11) Thank you for facilitating this dialogue. Dear Cameron,...

It's "Bach and Barbecue" this Thursday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Chief's Restaurant in Greencastle. Violinist Allison Edberg, just back from concert tours that took her to Washington, D.C., North Carolina, Colorado and Pennsylvania, will join cellist Eric Edberg, a DePauw University School of Music professor, for an evening combining their passions for music and food...

Sometimes actions really do speak louder than words. Like at Monday evening's special Greencastle City Council meeting. The session was arranged as a more or less routine second reading/adoption of Ordinance 2011-4, amending the 2011 Salary Ordinance to provide one-time payouts for fulltime and part-time city employees...

City Police Three recent arrests were reported by Greencastle City Police. -- At 2:25 a.m. Sunday, Jared G. Hagen, 23, Greencastle, was arrested for drunk driving by Capt. Charles Inman. Capt. Inman initially stopped Hagen was speeding, after observing his vehicle reportedly "well in excess" of the 30-mph speed limit on Shadowlawn Avenue...

DePauw's men's basketball team came roaring out of the gates Monday night against Rose-Hulman, starting the game off an 11-0 run. But a barren spell in the middle of the second half gave the Engineers enough time to mount a comeback and win a 67-59 encounter with the Tigers...

CLOVERDALE -- The Cloverdale boys' basketball team is going through a time no team wants to find itself in. Injuries have caused the Clovers to field a short bench and it's more about making it through the rough patch than it is about winning at the moment...

Two state legislators hope a change to Indiana state law can benefit the county roads here in their home district. Sen. Connie Lawson (R-Danville) and Rep. Jim Baird (R-Greencastle) presented a draft of changes to the state's hazardous waste regulations at Monday's Putnam County Commissioners meeting. The changes would expand the uses of a county's hazardous waste disposal tax revenue...

One of the most puzzling details of a recent home invasion and attack south of Limedale has been the victim's inability to provide a description of her assailant. The recovering victim shed some light on this subject Tuesday afternoon, saying her attacker concealed his (or her) identity entirely by wearing an all-black bodysuit...

More than 400 people toured the annual Putnamville Baptist Church "Back to Bethlehem" live nativity scene at the church along U.S. 40 this past weekend. The 10th anniversary live nativity was coordinated by event chairman Debby Sutherlin. On Friday night 187 persons visited the elaborate outdoor setting, while another 248 came through on Saturday. More than 5,000 people have now experienced the live nativity during its 10-year run. Characters in the stable scene include shepherds (front, from left) Dameon Poulton, Josiah Watson and Daniel Watson, Brad Gosner as Joseph and Kristi Brown as Mary. Portraying angels (back, from left) are Katie Sutherlin, Summer Sutherlin and Brook Buchanan.

Leona Schimpf Robinson, 91, of Bloomington passed away on Wednesday morning, Dec. 21, 2011 at I.U. Health-Bloomington. She was born in Indianapolis on Sept. 26, 1920, the daughter of James and Sarah Trotter. She was a lifelong homemaker and a member of the Church of the Nazarene...

Susan Maude Loving Brentlinger, 65, of Terre Haute, passed away unexpectedly at Union Hospital on Dec. 20, 2011 at 9:38 a.m. She was born on April 28, 1946 to Wayne and Phyllis (Ashman) Loving. Susan moved to Terre Haute from Chicago in 1966. Susan is survived by her husband of 42 years, Tony Brentlinger; daughters Erin Brentlinger and Abby Livers (Tim) all of Terre Haute; Jared Brentlinger (Laura) of Greencastle; grandsons Kyle Brentlinger and Charlie Livers; sister Jan Loving of New Smyrna Beach, Fla., and many nieces and nephews.. ...

For the second year in a row, the Animal Medical Clinic held a holiday party on Monday for the public. During the party there was an elf named Candy Cane Chris who brought along his reindeer Fruitcake. Jeremiah Weir was one of many who enjoyed meeting the reindeer as well as letting Candy Cane Chris know what he was hoping Santa would bring him for Christmas.

In what seemed like an inevitable situation, the South Putnam School Board voted Monday to close Reelsville Elementary School at the end of the current school year. "We've had numerous suggestions about other things we can do," said Superintendent Bruce Bernhardt. "Unfortunately, they don't add up to the amount of savings needed."...

County Jail Several people were booked into the Putnam County Jail on Tuesday, Dec. 20. City Police One property-damage accident was investigated Tuesday by Greencastle City Police. The mishap occurred at 11:18 a.m. on Indianapolis Road at its intersection with Percy Julian Drive...

The Indiana Tree Project website -- theindianatreeproject.org, which launched this week -- offers Hoosiers the opportunity to donate hardwood trees to Indiana's forests for $10 each. Each tax-deductible donation will allow for the planting and maintenance of one tree...

PUTNAMVILLE -- The Criminal Investigation Division at the Putnamville Post is seeking help from the public in the investigation of residential burglary at Danville. The victim is an Indiana State Police detective assigned to the Putnamville Post. Sometime between 1:30 p.m. and 2:40 p.m. Tuesday, unknown person or persons forced open the front door of the residence at 2417 S. County Road 125 West, Danville, and removed multiple weapons and televisions...

INDIANAPOLIS -- A 47-year-old Putnam County man has been sentenced to 24 months imprisonment following his guilty pleas to three counts of structuring monetary transactions, the Department of Justice has announced. Roachdale resident Stephen R. Smith was sentenced Wednesday by U.S. District Judge William T. Lawrence in the Southern District of Indiana...

For the second straight year the employees and customers of North Salem State Bank have banded together to make a difference in the community and help those in need during the holiday season. From Nov. 1 to Dec. 16 the branches of NSSB collected non-perishable food, hygiene products, paper products and monetary donations to help local food pantries...

Looking at the numbers, it's tough to tell whether the latest unemployment figures have been naughty or nice to Putnam County. While the local jobless figure is up just slightly, our November ranking is actually one spot better than last month. After being among the 10 worst county jobless rates as recently as August, the Putnam unemployment picture has improved enough to put the local ranking in a tie for 49th, close to the middle of the pack among Indiana's 92 counties...

The Greencastle Kiwanis Club recently presented two $300 donations to agencies that the organization believes make a positive difference in the community. Judy Miller received the donation for the Putnam County Emergency Food Pantry and Joe Ferguson received the donation on behalf of the Mary Allison Children's Trust Fund. Participating in the presentation are (from left) Kiwanis President P.T. Wilson, Ferguson, Miller and Kiwanis member Dean Gambill of the Putnam County Foundation.

Dreaming of a white Christmas? The Putnam County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) has its attention on winter weather, but not the merry and bright days. EMA Director Tom Helmer presented the Putnam County Commissioners with an amended version of the county's emergency travel ordinance at the Monday, Dec. 19 meeting...

Putnam County has a well-known ally in its efforts to procure federal grant money for the Dunbar Covered Bridge. U.S. Rep. Todd Rokita (R-Indiana) has written a letter of support to the Putnam County Commissioners, encouraging them to pursue the rehabilitation of the bridge through National Historic Covered Bridge Preservation (NHCBP) funding...

For the past 10 years the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 92 has delivered toys to needy children in Putnam County. This year is their biggest year yet, providing toys to more than 36 kids. Children will not only receive toys, they will get items they need such as coats, winter boots and hats and gloves, which could not have been accomplished without the help of the public...

By CAINE GARDNER Film Critic While most people look to Christmas as a time for presents under the tree, for film lovers, it's also the time when we get to talk about whose performances and films we loved throughout the year. Here are my picks for my favorite performances of the year in the major categories. So sit back, relax and let the arguments begin...

By CAINE GARDNER Film Critic Just when I thought 2011 would be a banner year for flicks, I was once again fooled. The year was filled with disappointing films (anyone see "Bridesmaids") but still there were enough winners to make it another worthwhile year at the theater...

County Jail On Thursday, Dec. 22 at 1:04 a.m. Josh E. Hoffa, 34, Cloverdale, was booked into the Putnam County Jail for operating while intoxicated with prior and driving with a suspended license. City Police A wayward vehicle left a path of property damage in its wake late Wednesday or early Thursday on Greencastle's East Side, City Police reported...

This is a season of giving, good cheer, and forbearance. Too bad that, as the political season begins in earnest with the turn of the year, all those fine sentiments will become just a memory. So maybe, as we jot down our New Year's resolutions, we could add this one: "Every action done in company, ought to be with some sign of respect to those that are present." And then let's hope that our political leaders add it to their lists, too...

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- It is getting to be quite a habit for Wilson Cattle Co. of Cloverdale to capture Premier Breeder and Exhibitor honors at the American Chianina Association (ACA) National Show. At the conclusion of the recent National Chi Show in Louisville, Wilson Cattle Co., owned and operated by Bill and Priscilla Wilson of Cloverdale, was named the Premier Breeder and Premier Exhibitor for 2011...

Putnam County is one of four counties to receive special recognition for their efforts in public relations and education at the recent State Farm Bureau Convention at Indianapolis. Putnam Farm Bureau Vice President Steve Cash (right) is congratulated by Indiana FB President Don Villwock, along with representatives of Henry, Lake and Parke counties. While the goal was to send five news items and meet once with local media to share a list of farmer contacts, Putnam, Parke, Henry and Lake all went above and beyond by using a variety of media tactics, including letters to the editor, public service announcements, advisories and giving interviews, as well as making a consistent effort to create a strong relationship with their local media contacts. Fifty-four counties met all five Farm Bureau goals during the period, Oct. 1, 2010- Sept. 30, 2011.

The Putnam County Library Board received updates on library activities as well as Imagination Library during the board's monthly meeting on Wednesday evening. Library Director Alice Greenburg presented an update on the progress of Imagination Library, a program which began this past June...

Some lessons simply don't come in a book, so Central Elementary third-grade teachers Becky Phillips and Michael Fisher take a more hands-on approach at Christmas time. The teachers have their students learn about giving by replacing the gift exchange with a gift to the local Red Cross chapter. Rather than gifts for their classmates, the students bring gifts the Red Cross gives to children in the aftermath of a house fire...

CLOVERDALE -- After a 10-year process, the Town of Cloverdale was awarded a $600,000 grant from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, which is funded by the federal Community Development Block Grant program, to help repair the Doe Creek lift station...

Jesse Junior Wingler, 82, Coatesville, passed away Thursday, Dec. 22, 2011. He was born in Hendricks County on May 6, 1929, the son of Jesse V. and Leona Deem Wingler. He was a funeral director for more than 30 years and had been the owner of Wingler Funeral Home in Coatesville for 21 years. He was a member of the Coatesville Christian Church, a 50-year Mason and a member of the Lions Club...

In our oft-overhyped world, truly big moments suddenly necessitate their own countdowns. After all, how else can we be expected to remember when these otherwise monumental events are to occur? Why else have the Indianapolis media been reminding us daily for nearly a year now about how many hours and days and minutes are left until Super Bowl XLVI at Indianapolis?...

By ERIC BERNSEE Editor Tuesday might be a little too early to break out the champagne and confetti to celebrate the new year but the City of Greencastle will get a jump on 2012 nonetheless. Mayor Sue Murray will be sworn in for a second term in a ceremony beginning at 4 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall. The ceremony is open to the public...

Jim and Hope Birt were married Dec. 29, 1951. They have two sons, Eric (Judi) of Greencastle and Aaron (Julie) of Carmel, and five grandchildren, Michelle, Jennifer Brown, Andrew, Grayson and Samantha. A family dinner is planned.

Robert and Virginia Summerlot of Cloverdale wish to announce the recent marriage of their daughter Karen to Jared Miller, son of Lee and Kathy Miller of Gaston. The Dec. 3 wedding was held on the beach in Santa Barbara, Calif. After a honeymoon in Jamaica the couple will reside in Los Angeles...

Peace Lutheran hosts 3 Christmas weekend services Peace Lutheran Church, 1421 S. Bloomington, Greencastle invites the community to celebrate the birth of Christ with a variety of worship opportunities. On Christmas Eve, Peace will offer a 5 p.m. Family Christmas service as well as traditional candlelight worship at 7 p.m. A Christmas Day service will be offered at 10:15 a.m. as the church rejoices in the Good News of the coming of Jesus...

Through a matching grant from Rotary District 6560, the Rotary Club of Greencastle recently made a $5,000 donation to the Reading Improvement Center. Club members Nancy Michael, left, and President David English, right, made the check presentation to Ellen Ditmer of the Center. ...

PUTNAMVILLE -- The Indiana State Police Post at Putnamville have received a donation in the spirit of Christmas. To assist other children during emotionally distressing times, first-graders at South Putnam Central Elementary donated 46 new stuffed animals and bears to the local post...

REELSVILLE -- Students at Reelsville Elementary and their siblings may have a happier Christmas this year thanks to Putnamville Correctional Facility (PCF) staff members. Dozens of employees selected names of children from a Christmas tree located in the facility's administration building. ...

Vectren Corp.'s subsidiary, Vectren Energy Delivery of Indiana--North, has announced that its employee-members of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 1393 and United Steelworkers Locals 12213 and 7441 have ratified a new three-year labor agreement...

PUTNAMVILLE -- Christmas came early at the Putnamville Correctional Facility (PCF) as children recently spent a day with dad, in observance of the upcoming holidays. Eleven incarcerated fathers and 30 children and guests spent the day in the facility's recreation area amid mouthwatering aromas of holiday cookies, the sounds of shuffle board, basketball, book reading and children's laughter...

Indianapolis meteorologists are generally more than a little conservative in making bold forecasts before big events. But there's some history behind that. Their propensity for walking on eggshells around Race Days and holidays can probably be traced to the time a now-former Channel 13 weatherman predicted "a Powerball chance" of the Indianapolis 500 being run in 1998...

When you're 16 months old, your first visit to see Santa Claus can be a rollercoaster ride of emotions. That was definitely true for little Emma Evans, daughter of Russ and Shiloh Evans, Greencastle. She got all dressed up in her pretty Christmas dress and had her picture taken by daddy but changed her mind at the last minute when it came to sitting on that big bearded guy's lap...

PUTNAMVILLE -- A one-vehicle accident Monday afternoon claimed the life of a tanker truck driver and created a hazardous materials spill on Interstate 70 near the Putnam-Clay county line. However, further tragedy was averted in an incident that could easily have turned out much worse.

PUTNAMVILLE -- An Ohio truck driver was the lone victim of Monday's tanker truck crash that left Interstate 70 closed until early morning Tuesday. Putnam County Chief Deputy Coroner Dave Brown identified the victim as George F. Leggett, 65, Columbus, Ohio...

Greencastle grad and former state runner-up wrestler Charlie Pingleton is currently ranked No. 1 in the 157-weight division in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Pingleton has posted a record of 21-2, with his losses coming to No. 3 ranked wrestling in the NCAA Jordan Shields from Mercyhurst College 4-3 and to a wrestlter form Marysville College in overtime...

South Putnam will hold its annual two-day Eagle Holiday Sports Festival featuring a little something for everyone beginning Thursday. The Eagle Wrestling Invitational gets things going at 9 a.m. Thursday. In addition to the Eagles, teams from Attica, Sullivan, Turkey Run and Western Boone will be competing...

Mental Health America of Putnam County will hold its second annual New Year's 5K Fun Run and Walk on Saturday, Dec. 31 at 9 a.m. The event will take place at Tzouanakis Intermediate School and participants will have the choice to walk the Tzouanakis Nature Trail or they may select the 5K non-competitive run on the new section of People Pathways...

The Putnam County Health Coalition is partnering with DePauw University to offer a safe, clean, warm place to walk this winter with friends or by yourself. Walking Wednesdays' Winter Edition will meet each Wednesday between 8 and 10 a.m. to walk indoors at the DePauw Tennis and Track Center...

PUTNAMVILLE -- The Putnamville Correctional Facility (PCF) staff recently donated a barrel of food items to the Putnam County Food Pantry in Greencastle. Amid the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, thoughts of those less fortunate spurred the Putnamville staff to conduct a food drive. Coordinated by Tonya Morris, PCF staff donated items during the month of November and delivered them just in time for Christmas dinners...

If you would like to lessen state income tax burden, you can always make a donation to your local Extension Office. No, I am not joking and did not have too much eggnog. Seriously, up to $200 per individual and $400 for couples filing jointly given to an Indiana-funded university will receive a direct deduction of 50 percent of the amount given off the state income tax bill. Therefore a $100 contribution to the Purdue Extension-Putnam County program would only cost you $50...

The deadline to nominate a person who has made a difference in the community for the 2011 Citizen of the Year Award a little more than a week away. The Greater Greencastle Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors is accepting nominations for Citizen of the Year honor until 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6...

After exhausting all possibilities of making collections on some 250 delinquent accounts, the City of Greencastle regrettably has written off more than $13,000 in unpaid utility bills. The Board of Works took that action on more than three years worth of unpaid billing for water, trash and wastewater accounts...

PUTNAMVILLE -- A 71-year-old correctional officer was pronounced dead Saturday morning at the Putnamville Correctional Facility (PCF). Correctional Officer Ronald K. "Frenchie" French of Rosedale was reportedly found unresponsive at his PCF post assignment at approximately 6:30 a.m., authorities said...

SPENCER -- McCormick's Creek State Park will offer a healthy chance to ring in 2012 with a guided hike on Jan. 1. The state park's mile-long hike, part of the national program America's State Parks First Day Hikes, will be an "ice photo safari." Participants will hike along a trail looking for photo opportunities along the frozen creek and canyon. Afterward, everyone will meet at the Canyon Inn in the park for refreshments and warm drinks...

Dear Editor: We may never know how a simple act of kindness has a rippling effect. Surely one has seen the commercial where a lady smiles at a man on the street. He, in turn, opens a door for a young couple with a baby, they stop to help an older woman pick up her dropped groceries, and though, one may not remember what was advertised, the viewer sees how a smile caused a sequence of kind events...

To the Editor: This letter is in response to the closing of the Reelsville Elementary School on the front page of the Banner Graphic, Dec. 21, 2011. I have two more cost cutting/saving measures that need some consideration. 1. Close the Administration Building and have them work out of an office in one of the three remaining South Putnam Schools. (Imagine the utility savings!)...

To the Editor: I have been the principal of Reelsville Elementary since 2001. The recent decision to close our school (after the 2011/2012 school year) creates a time for reflection and a time to express appreciation. I'm grateful to our faculty and staff for their dedication to our Reelsville Scholars. ...

Putnam County Extension Homemakers Volunteer Community Support Committee members (from left) Megan Robertson, Jennifer Romalia and Jessie McFarland (right) present a check for $450 to Linda Merkel (third from left). The Volunteer Community Support Committee led the planning for the second annual Community Halloween Festival. ...

City Police Two Indianapolis men spent Christmas in jail after their arrests Thursday afternoon on Greencastle's East Side. Steve Redmon Jr., 44, and Marlan D. Wilson, 36, were arrested after allegedly attempting to use stolen credit card information or stolen credit cards at Walmart...

To the dismay of many drivers, Putnam County experienced its first significant snowfall of the winter season Tuesday morning. But while commuters cautiously slid their way to work, children could be found traversing the local slopes, enjoying the new-fallen snow. ...

PUTNAMVILLE -- As if the first significant snowfall of the season weren't enough, a driver on Interstate 70 suddenly found a fallen tree in his path Tuesday morning. The unidentified driver was eastbound, approaching the Putnamville exit (State Road 243) in a full-sized pickup truck, when the obstruction entered his path from a thicket in the median of the interstate...

The nice thing about inviting Judge Diana LaViolette to the party is you always get a dose of humor along with some very interesting perspective. She certainly didn't let the audience down Tuesday afternoon at the City of Greencastle swearing-in ceremony at City Hall...

The Greencastle High School bowling team entered the holiday break with a 9-0 record and a two-win lead over second place Lebanon after competing Dec. 17 and 18 in the Wabash Valley South High School Bowling League. On Saturday at Frankfort's Revolutions, Southmont defeated North Putnam 6-2 and on Sunday at Lebanon, Greencastle beat Frankfort 6-2. North Putnam is now 4-5. Greencastle and North Putnam each received a forfeit from South Putnam...

PUTNAMVILLE -- An Ohio truck driver was the lone victim of Monday's tanker truck crash that left Interstate 70 closed until early morning Tuesday. Putnam County Chief Deputy Coroner Dave Brown identified the victim as George F. Leggett, 65, Columbus, Ohio...

Visitors to McCloud Nature Park Saturday, Jan. 7 at 6:30 p.m. to learn about the owls that inhabit Indiana. After a short presentation in the Nature Center, participants will head out for an evening owl hike and attempt to call in and view these elusive creatures...

The Whitestone Food Pantry will have a food distribution on Saturday, Jan. 7, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the pantry's location, 8045 W. U.S. 36, Coatesville (west of New Winchester on U.S. 36). Distribution is geared toward needy residents in Floyd Township of eastern Putnam County and Marion Township of western Hendricks County...

Ryan Stevens (left) was chosen as the Greencastle High School Kiwanis Student of the Month for December. The presentation was made by GHS Principal Randy Corn (right). "Ryan is currently on track to share the distinction of valedictorian of the class of 2012," Corn said. ...

The approximately 250 Christmas cards sent out by Horizon Hospice this year were designed by a Tzouanakis Intermediate School student. The design by Cade Plew (center) was chosen from among the 12 to 15 finalists submitted by Tzouanakis art teacher Dessa Frank (left). ...

The case of a former Putnam County Sheriff's Department employee who stole nearly $90,000 in federal grant money is now making the county's coffers a bit lighter. At their Monday, Dec. 19 meeting, the Putnam County Commissioners agreed to pay $28,000 in refunds to the Department of Justice for grants the sheriff's department received years ago...

City Police One recent arrest was reported by Greencastle City Police officers. Garnie Wayne Trent Jr., 38, Greencastle, was arrested at 9:08 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of domestic battery. Arrested by Officer Matt Huffman, Trent was lodged in the Putnam County Jail...

DANVILLE -- The Greencastle boys' basketball team gave fans a late Christmas present, earning a hard-fought win over a tough Danville squad 56-53, Wednesday. The win moved the Tiger Cubs to an impressive 6-1 to close out the 2011 portion of their season and ready to move into the New Year on a roll. The win marked the first time since 1997 that the Tiger Cubs had beaten Danville in the regular season...

The Greencastle Department of Public Works will be conducting its annual Christmas tree pick-up starting Jan. 3 and continuing through Jan. 17. Residents within the city limits of Greencastle are advised to place only their live Christmas trees (no tree stands or decorations) between the curb and sidewalk...

STILESVILLE -- The new Dollar General Store in Stilesville, just 10 days removed from its grand opening, was the scene of an armed robbery Tuesday afternoon. The incident occurred about 4:30 p.m. at the new store at 5745 W. U.S. 40 in Stilesville, the small western Hendricks County community of 316 people...

With 2011 nearly over, the Putnam County Commissioners approved the year's Economic Development Income Tax (EDIT) plan at a recent meeting. The commissioners approved the plan unanimously at their Monday, Dec. 19 meeting, essentially making it official how the $881,833 was spent for the year...

Betty Louise (York) Jolliff, 51, of Greencastle, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2011, just days after making the courageous decision to give up her battle with complications due to a lifetime struggle with diabetes. Betty was born at home on Feb. 11, 1960 to Alberta Mae Brown York, who raised her along with the help of "daddy" David Arthur Thomas. Her parents preceded her in death...

While Ralphie Parker may annually take center stage in pining for that infamous Red Ryder BB gun with the compass in its stock for Christmas, he's far from alone in receiving a firearm for the holiday. The latest FBI figures indicate that guns were flying off store shelves as fast as the hottest electronics and toys this Christmas...

High schools Speedway, Cascade, West Vigo, Owen Valley and South Putnam met in the South Putnam pool Thursday for the annual Eagle Medley. The teams met together for a morning of fun competition, where scores weren't kept. Swimmers got to test their skills in events such as a 200 butterfly relay, a diving coed relay and a 100 underwater relay...

SPEEDWAY -- The North Putnam girls' basketball team placed third at the Speedway Classic by defeating Edinburgh 46-32 Thursday. Kensy Asbell and Maggie Pinney scored 10 points each to lead the Cougars. LeeAnn Davis scored six points, grabbed six rebounds and dished out five assists in the North Putnam win. Bethany Wiatt had five steals on the night...

The Greencastle girls' basketball team defeated Class 4A Evansville Harrison (6-3) 53-42 Thursday. The win moves GHS to 8-5 on the season. Taylor Pruitt led the Tiger Cubs with 16 points, with Alex Basile adding nine. Jessi Covert scored eight points, while Callan Taylor, Hannah Wainman and Erynn Beck all chipped in six points each. Rayleigh Amis added two points...

It took some clawing for the South Putnam Eagles to make it into the final of the Junior Varsity Holiday Basketball Classic at South Putnam Thursday. Once there, it was that fighting attitude, which allowed them to stay with a team that had previously beaten them by 11 earlier in the season...

The Cloverdale boys' basketball team got its first look at West Central Conference foe Cascade in the opening game of the South Putnam Holiday Classic Thursday. What they saw was a speedy team that capitalized on turnovers and had a prowess for hitting the outside shot...

South Putnam's wrestling squad was able to hold off a late Sullivan rally in order to claim their Eagle Holiday Wrestling Tournament title Thursday. The Eagles had previously knocked off Turkey Run, Attica and Western Boone before a back and forth affair with the Arrows was ended by back-to-back pins from Andy Waters and Tanner Thompson for a 39-36 win...

South Putnam's boys' basketball squad welcomed the Eagle Holiday Classic with some relish as it marked the first home game of the season for the Eagles. Facing North Vermillion, a solid start gave way to frustration before a late rally catapulted the home side into the final game against Cascade after a 53-48 win over the Falcons...

INDIANAPOLIS -- The hometown libraries of the three Indiana authors who were recently awarded the 2011 Eugene & Marilyn Glick Indiana Authors Award will each receive $2,500 grants. The Award, a program of The Indianapolis Public Library Foundation, and the subsequent grants seek to recognize the contributions of Indiana authors to the literary landscape in Indiana and across the nation...

Meeting dates in 2012 for all Putnam County boards and commissions were set recently. Recent changes of note are the movement of meetings of the Putnam County Commissioners and the Putnam County Council to the Putnam County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at 1600 W. CR 225 South, Greencastle...

More than seven months after he was last reportedly seen in Plainfield, 27-year-old Morgan Johnson remains a missing person. In recent days and weeks, friends and family have refocused their attention on the area between Plainfield and the Terre Haute home of his mother in hopes of finding new information that could help uncover Johnson's fate or whereabouts...

CLOVERDALE -- After being closed for just two short days, Cloverdale Drugs reopened at its new location on Monday, Dec. 19 and is reportedly doing great business. "We really like it here," owner Ben Laney said Thursday. "We've seen some new faces." The new location is north of town on the west side of U.S. 231 just south of the Interstate 70 interchange...

All three suspects in the bogus Dec. 15 robbery of the Greencastle Subway restaurant have now made initial court appearances. And suffice it to say, they won't be in line for $5 foot-longs any time soon. Subway employee Hayley R. Ellis, 21, Coatesville; former Subway worker Matthew R. Davidson, 19, Greencastle; and Joshewa D. Lizotte, 19, Greencastle, have all been charged in the case...

PUTNAMVILLE -- Four days after a fatal traffic accident claimed the life of an Ohio truck driver and closed Interstate 70 for more than 12 hours, authorities are still uncertain about the cause of the one-vehicle crash. Monday's 4:30 p.m. accident at the 30-mile marker in western Putnam County resulted in the death of George F. Leggett, 65, Columbus, Ohio...

Charles Carter Hedrick, 73, Greencastle, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011 in his home. He was born in Spotsylvania County, Va., on Jan. 5, 1938 to Elmer Clay Hedrick and Bessie Carter Hedrick. The last assignment of his 12 years in the Air Force found him stationed at Hulman Field in Terre Haute. He remained in Terre Haute for 30 years...

Jack L. Boswell, 76, of Reelsville, formerly of Avon, entered into the gates of Heaven on Dec. 30, 2011. He was born Feb. 19, 1935 in Pittsboro, Ind., to Walter and Hazel Moeller Boswell. He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Wanda, son Mark (Gina) Boswell, adopted daughter Annette Steedman, two granddaughters, Sarah (Matt) Buell and Zoe Elizabeth Boswell, and grandson Noah Boswell...

Several Putnam County families have welcomed new additions recently at Hendricks Regional Health...

Greencastle Christian Church will again be offering Financial Peace University (FPU) classes beginning Sunday, Jan. 15 at 6 p.m. Nearly one and a half million families have been able to positively change their financial situation through Financial Peace University (FPU), the 13-week course taught by Dave Ramsey on DVD...

City Police Three local men are facing alcohol-related charges after Greencastle City Police were called to the North Indiana Street apartment of Louie Boler early Friday because of a noise complaint. GPD Officers Eric Vaughan and Nick Eastham responded to the scene at 1 a.m...

The cast of DePauw Theatre's recent production of "Urinetown" (which was staged Oct. 6-9 at DPU) has been invited to perform a scene from the musical at the 2012 Kennedy Center American College Theater Region III Festival. The event, which will take place Jan. 3-7 at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, includes colleges and universities from Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois and Wisconsin...

The Putnam County Sheriff's Department and the Indiana State Police responded to a two-car accident on U.S. 231 at Waterworks Hill Friday afternoon. Nancy Mays, of Greencastle, driver of a 1990 Buick Lesabre, was traveling north in the right hand lane when she noticed she was passing her destination on the left side of the road. ...

Cloverdale United Methodist Church, located at 364 W. Robert Weist Ave., Cloverdale, is host church for a new ministry Smart Choice Food Ministry. This new ministry has replaced Angel Food. The main food is slightly lower than Angel Food. The main box of food, called The Smart Box is $35 and contains over 15 pounds of protein. ...

The New Year promises to be an interesting year at the Putnam County Public Library (PCPL) with a combination of existing programs and new events for 2012. Winter Story Time returns on Tuesday, Jan. 3, beginning at 7 p.m. with "Family Time." The multi-age, multi-generational story time is a chance for children and adults to enjoy stories, games, songs, dance --and time together...

The South Putnam boys' basketball squad met up with Cascade in the finals of the Holiday Classic Friday and gave the Cadets all they wanted and more. In their second meeting of the season, Cascade defeated the host Eagles 68-55, with the third quarter being the deciding moment in the ballgame...

The 2011 portion of the Cloverdale boys' basketball season came to an end Friday night, falling in the consolation game of the Eagle Holiday Classic to North Vermillion 50-35. Both sides started strong as the Clovers hung neck-and-neck with the Falcons, finding themselves down by three after the first period...

Believing in oneself can go a long way. South Putnam won the 2011 Eagle Holiday Classic 68-49 over Rockville and is in the midst of what could be its first winning season since the 2005-06 season. Head coach Lindsey Blackman has her team believing in their abilities and successes on the court are following...

On paper, a four-party mutual release and settlement might seem like a pretty routine matter. But on second glance, the five-step procedure, recently approved by the Greencastle Board of Works, appears as convoluted as a late-game Monopoly maneuver...

As everyone prepares to ring in the new year, the Greencastle community will be receiving a new pizza place opening on Sunday, Jan. 1. The Domino's pizza located on 200 S. Vine St. will soon be called Shonky's Pizza. The current owners of the Domino's purchased the rights to run the restaurant as a Domino's from a former franchisee. From the moment the Mosier and Shonk families purchased the rights, they had big plans for what they could turn the restaurant into...

After months of not feeling well and numerous doctor visits, nobody would haev expected the news, especially not Cloverdale native Tracy Nave that she would be diagnosed with a brain tumor. As Nave got her test results back, she found out that she has been diagnosed with a brain tumor which is located at the base of her skull. Now, the friends, family and coworkers are reaching out to the community to help a family who is very much in need of financial assistance at this time...