Stories from April 2012

Diana Marlene Buis, age 75, passed away Friday, March 30, 2012 at her residence. Marlene went to be with the Lord and her loved ones. She was born on Sept. 7, 1936 in Hazelwood. She married Lewis Leon Buis on Nov. 12, 1949, and he survives. She attended Stilesville High School and was a member of the Putnamville United Methodist Church and a member of the United Methodist Women...

Joseph Clayton Ban, 47, Roachdale, ended his courageous battle with cancer at his home on Thursday, March 29, 2012. Joe was born Aug. 4, 1964 in Indianapolis to Velta Sutton Ban, who survives, and Frank J. Ban, who preceded him in death in 2011. He graduated from Danville Community High School in 1982...

Spring Break....Oops I forgot to enroll in 4-H! Enrollment deadline assuring all projects being available is today. You can enroll and pay online by visiting www.extension.purdue.edu and clicking on 4-H Youth in the left hand menu. The enrollment site is the top item on the page...

Allstate Insurance has named Matthew Welker an Allstate Premier Service Agent for 2012. The honor is given to less than one-third of Allstate's agents and is presented to Welker for his commitment to putting the customer at the center of the agency's work. ...

The Banner Graphic was recently recognized with the 2011 Kohl's Distribution Excellence Awards because of its commitment to providing error-free preprint distribution in 2011. A statement from Kohl's marketing executives informed the Banner Graphic advertising and circulation departments of the distinction and congratulated them on the honor...

Greater Greencastle Chamber of Commerce board members and ambassadors help cut a ribbon to mark the official grand opening of agent Heather Taylor's State Farm Insurance office at 1285 S. Jackson St., Suite C, Greencastle.

The Easter Bunny weighs about five pounds, loves carrots and is available for photography on Saturday. The McCloud Nature Park is hosting Egg-Stravaganza from 2-4 p.m. on April 7 where families can meet a real-life bunny, engage in an educational program and work on arts and crafts projects...

CLOVERDALE -- The Cloverdale United Methodist Church, 364 W. Robert Weist Ave, will conduct its annual Eggstravaganza Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 7 at 11:30 a.m. The hunt will be separated into four age groups: 2 and under, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-11...

WAVELAND -- Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating the death of a bald eagle discovered Sunday at Shades State Park. A mushroom hunter, Shaun Jett, of New Ross, contacted the Indiana Conservation Officers South Regional Headquarters Sunday morning, reporting that he had found a dead eagle while mushroom hunting along Sugar Creek...

The Putnam County Airport Appreciation Group has announced that tickets are now on sale for the third annual Dixie Chopper 20th Century Radio Show. The show is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 8 at the Dixie Chopper Conference Center at the Putnam County Airport...

March 2012 will go down in history as the warmest March on record in central Indiana, averaging nearly a whopping 15 degrees above normal. The last time a record monthly average temperature was set occurred at the close of August 1936 during the historic heat wave of 1936...

March Madness is behind us. Daylight savings time is upon us. And the May 8 Indiana primary election is fast approaching. We at the Banner Graphic want our readers to be able to make informed decisions on their choices for who will lead Putnam County government for the next four years or more. But to do so, we will need the help of both the local candidates and their political parties...

Piranhas devouring a cow have nothing on the kids of Putnam County picking clean the lawn of Robe-Ann Park at the annual Easter Egg Hunt. From the sounding of the opening horn, the last egg is off the grass in less than two minutes.

In tough times, pawn shops can often represent the last vestige of economic solvency for those down on their luck. Those in need of cash and willing to trade their valuables for a few bucks to tide them over to the next paycheck often find a pawn shop a suitable option...

Fred J. Hasting Sr., 60, Van Bibber Lake Estates, ended his four-year battle with cancer at home on Monday, April 2, 2012. Fred was born on Aug. 22, 1951 in Hamlet, Ind., to Donald and Betty (Starkey) Hasting. He graduated from Oregon-Davis High School in 1969. He was a machinist for 32 years...

A South Putnam High School senior has been named the recipient of a four-year, full-tuition scholarship as the Putnam County Community Foundation 2012 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar. Samuel A. Gould, son of Timothy and Mary Gould of Greencastle, will receive full tuition to the Indiana college of his choice and a $900 yearly stipend for required books and equipment...

Never say never, wise men often advise, but the 30-year courtroom saga of convicted Greencastle murderer William A. Minnick may finally have come to an end. The Indiana Court of Appeals Tuesday affirmed much of the 160-year sentence Minnick received last August in an emotional resentencing hearing in Lawrence Circuit Court at Bedford, effectively reducing it to a total of 130 years...

To the Editor: A report of child abuse is made every 10 seconds in the United States. The Indiana Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline received over 151,000 reports of child abuse just last year. The agency responded to almost 95,000 of these reports to assess the allegations...

To the Editor: South Putnam schools hosted the third annual health fair on Thursday, March 22. It was a great day of fun and learning for our students. The Fillmore Elementary Drama Club got the fair started by performing a skit called "The Healthy, Human Helper Contest" that was informing as well as entertaining. Kudos to all of you...

I admit I'm not very good with gadgets. I can't even switch my leaf vacuum into a leaf blower, and my microwave is stuck on the popcorn setting. I'm also having a heck of a time with the new parking meters that require credit cards. I told a police officer in downtown Indy the other day that I couldn't figure out how to get the blasted machine to accept my VISA. "Join the club," he said. I'd like to. I hope they accept cash...

ROACHDALE -- North Putnam had three cracks at Greencastle last season on the baseball diamond and failed to pick up a win in any of the contests. The Cougars wouldn't be swept again after taking the conference opener for both squads 11-0 in five innings...

ROACHDALE -- Cloverdale ran away with the North Putnam track meet on Tuesday night, demolishing the hosts and fellow travelers Eminence 86 to 50 and 5 on the girl's side with the boy's also winning 89 to 60 and 7. The Clovers raced to 21 out of 22 first place finishes, as well as finishing in the top two positions seven times...

CLOVERDALE -- Tuesday's have been kind to the Cloverdale baseball team in the early part of the season. After smacking 12 runs past Southmont a week ago, the Clovers pushed 10 more across the plate as the hosts knocked off South Putnam 10-0 in six innings...

Picking up where they left off last season, the defending Class 2A South Putnam Eagles opened its season with a win over conference and county rival Cloverdale. South Putnam scored in bunches in the second and third inning en route to a 12-2 victory Monday...

A night after being embarrassed at North Putnam High School, the Tiger Cubs rallied for a 5-4 victory against the same rival team. Behind clutch pitching and hitting by senior Ryan Battin, Greencastle erased 2-0 and 4-2 deficits to earn the win. Battin struck out nine Cougars and had a key one-out single in bottom of the seventh. He then scored the game-winning run on a walk-off base hit to deep left field by his battery mate, senior Andy Bell...

The Greencastle softball team did something Tuesday it hasn't done is many years -- start the season 2-0. For the second straight night, the Tiger Cubs were able to get the best of North Putnam and come away with a 6-3 victory. The game started off a little rocky for the Tiger Cubs, but head coach Dave Keller made a change on the mound and bought his team enough time to find their bats...

Secretary of State Connie Lawson, Indiana's chief election officer, urges eligible Hoosiers to register to vote or to update a voter registration for the upcoming primary election. New Indiana voters or voters who have moved or changed their name since the last election must update their registration by April 9...

The third annual report ranking the health of Indiana counties, released Tuesday, lists Putnam County as the seventh healthiest county in the state. That surprisingly lofty ranking is up from 11th place among Indiana's 92 counties last spring. This latest ranking seems to adhere to the old adage -- the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. After all, Putnam County doesn't rank as high as seventh in any of the seven categories used to determine overall rating...

Signs, signs, everywhere signs? Well, they should not be everywhere. The primary election is 34 days away and the political signs are popping up all over Putnam County. Unfortunately, some are showing up where they should not be. The subject arose at the Putnam County Commissioners meeting Monday, with County Highway Co-Supervisor Jim Smith saying some signs have been placed on county right-of-way...

Doris J. Johnson of Fillmore passed away on Saturday, March 31. She was the daughter of Charles H. and Ora B. Lane, both deceased. She married Carl G. Johnson in 1962 and he survives. The had one daughter, Carla J. (Johnson) Arnold and one granddaughter, Shaye Jeane...

Area 30 Career Center has inducted 47 students as new members in National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) and honored 19 returning inductees from last year. Students who pledge to membership receive a membership card and certificate giving them access to the NTHS website for life and benefits such as scholarship opportunities. They also receive a graduation tassel, membership pin and decal. In addition, all seniors receive honor cords to be worn at graduation...

The Putnam County Museum along with the DePauw Lilly Scholars will be hosting an interactive educational experience, College Day, for middle school and early high school age Putnam County area students on April 14 from 1-2:30 p.m. The event is free and will be open to all students in grades six through 10...

First nine weeks High Honor Roll Grade 7: Alicia Haywood, Hannah Hutson, Jacob Maynard, Sabrina Phillips, Katlyn Rector, Jonah Sanders, Logan Vandermark and Kieffer Vittetow Grade 8: Megan Arnold, Samantha Batchelor, Emily Baugh, Katie Jo Beasley, Elizabeth Bunton, Kaleb Camacho, Chloe Carter, Kendall DeHaan, Daniel Grundlock, Katherine Hansel, Katie Hewitt, Morgan Johnson, Adam Maynard, Grady McHugh, Ashley Owens, Maddison Plunkett, Hayden Rector, Joshua Stewart and Lydia Zeiner...

Third nine weeks High Honor Roll Grade 12: Mackensy Asbell, Kyle Cunningham, Kolten Everts, Stephen Freund, Jared James, Bridget Johnston, Kierstan Kaufman, Heather Kemerly, Justin Montgomery, Mehgan Nordmeyer, Jaclyn Roush, Valerie Scott, Tari Starziscar and Lydia Volland...

Celebrated local gourd artists Stuart Fabe and Marla Helton will offer an evening artists' talk at the Putnam County Public Library on Wednesday, April 11. The 6:30 p.m. program is open to the public at PCPL, 103 E. Poplar St., Greencastle. Fabe and Helton not only make art from gourds but grow thousands of gourds on their 36-acre property...

Indiana Conservation officers are preparing for the 2012 spring turkey hunting season. The season opens on April 25 and runs through May 13. There is also a special youth turkey hunting season on April 21 and 22. Youth age 17 years or younger can hunt wild turkeys during the youth season...

County Jail On Wednesday, April 4 at 12:15 a.m. Warren K. Kelly, 44, Greencastle, was booked into the Putnam County Jail for operating while intoxicated with a prior conviction. City Police One theft arrest was reported Tuesday by Greencastle City Police officers...

Hickory Creek at Sunset in Greencastle conducted its annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 31 with more than 1,000 eggs hidden on the facility grounds. Hunters were divided into three age groups with each group having a special golden egg for the grand prize. ...

There is still no operating humane shelter in Putnam County, but a group will examine ways to get the Humane Society of Putnam County on its feet again. Putnam County Councilman Phil Gick spoke about the group at the county commissioners meeting on Monday. He said the ad hoc committee will look at the interests of the county and the interests of the humane society, looking for common ground and an operating plan...

For more than 50 years, the Greencastle NAPA store has existed a stone's throw from the courthouse, nestled between two banks. Sometime late this spring, that is going to change, however. NAPA will move out east, building a new store at 105 S. Warren Drive, where it will be a couple of miles from the square...

The fourth annual Dancing with the Putnam County Stars is set for Saturday, April 14 at the DePauw University Indoor Tennis and Track Center. Local celebrities will go toe to toe for dancing glory and to raise money for Putnam County Youth Development. These are the first three in a series of 11 biographies about this year's stars...

Lifespring Church will host special services in observation of Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Good Friday service is scheduled for 7 p.m. and will feature a worship and healing service. Easter Sunday will feature a pair of services. SonRise Service is slated for 8:30 a.m. with a fellowship breakfast to follow. The Resurrection Celebration Service is scheduled for 10:30 a.m...

Peace Lutheran Church, 1421 S. Bloomington St. Greencastle, will continue its celebration of Holy Week with services on Friday and Sunday. Good Friday worship will take place at Peace as worshippers prayerfully recall Christ's journey to the Cross. A Tenebrae service of candlelight gradually changing to darkness will begin at 7 p.m. on April 6th...

All Hoosiers should still be on the lookout for suspicious-looking trees. Information about these freaks of the forest is wanted by the DNR Division of Forestry in connection with the 2012 "Invasion of the Weird Trees." "Invasion of the Weird Trees" is an online publication that identifies the weirdest trees for each county based on submissions from the public. The publication is updated every four years...

WAYNETOWN -- A 28-year-old Putnam County man, accused of stealing at least three vehicles earlier Thursday, was seriously injured when he crashed the last of those stolen vehicles into a grain truck in western Montgomery County. Billy Ray Anderson of Cloverdale crashed a stolen 1998 Chevrolet pickup truck into the driver's side of a semi tractor-trailer loaded with corn at the intersection of State Road 25 and U.S. 136 in Waynetown about 12:45 p.m...

SPENCER -- The South Putnam boys' and girls' track teams traveled to Owen Valley to face the Patriots and Northview Thursday. Northview edged South Putnam 60-56 to claim first place. Owen Valley finished third with a tally of 37. The Eagles took first place in five events on the night...

SPENCER -- The Cloverdale softball team picked up its first win of the season in dominating fashion Thursday. The Clovers defeated Owen Valley 14-0 in five innings of work. Bradanne Toney was 3-for-3 with a double, with Paige Gutierrez going 2-for-3 with two doubles. Kara Knapp also wielded a big bat for CHS, going 3-for-3 with two doubles and four RBIs...

The Greencastle Middle School girls' track team defeated North Putnam 90-19 Thursday. The Tiger Cubs posted 10 individual wins as well as winning both relay races. Corrine Romer and Kat King both win multiple events on the night. Romer won the long jump with a distance of 12-4.5 and the 400 in a time of 1:12...

Thirty area athletes have been honored with the distinction of All West Central Conference in their respective sports. Of the five sports recognized, Greencastle won All-Conference team honors in three sports (boys' and girls' swimming and boys' basketball) and South Putnam claimed one sport (wrestling)...

The fourth annual Dancing with the Putnam County Stars is set for Saturday, April 14 at the DePauw University Indoor Tennis and Track Center. Local celebrities will go toe to toe and raise money for Putnam County Youth Development. This is the second set of three in a series of 11 biographies about this year's stars...

As anticipated, the North Putnam School Board voted on Thursday to hire Daniel Noel as the new superintendent of schools, effective July 1. Noel, 61, is currently the principal of Switzerland County High School. This will be his first time working as a superintendent. He addressed the crowd, made up primarily of school employees, following the meeting...

Ninety-one of 92 Indiana counties are gathering what the state spilled. Fortunately, Putnam is not the odd man out. An accounting error by the Indiana Department of Revenue cost Indiana counties a combined $206 million since the beginning of 2011. The mistake was discovered earlier this week, and the money will be repaid immediately, with interest...

Teaching life skills through application is the goal of Old National Trail Special Services. Students, who may be learning deficient, are able to apply what is being taught in the classroom to real-life projects in their community. Although not related, Old National Trail is located in the Area 30 building. ...

The North Putnam softball team defeated Eminence 13-3 in five innings Thursday. Madi Asbell led the way at the plate recording four RBIs, with Bailey Ault adding three RBIs. Sabrina Surber and Tari Straziscar had two RBIs each. Kayla Fish pitched three innings with three strikeouts. Surber closed the game, pitching two innings with four strikeouts...

In Friday's edition of the Banner Graphic, the story "Putnam County athletes honored as All-Conference" omitted an honored athlete. South Putnam diver Sam Gould was named the All-Conference diver after posting a diver total of 189.35. The Banner Graphic regets the oversight...

CLOVERDALE -- After posting its first win of the season in convincing fashion Thursday at Owen Valley, Cloverdale came back the next night and shut out visiting Clay City 6-0. The Clovers were able to use a big sixth inning to power past the Eels for their second win of the year. Paige Gutierrez pitched a gem, striking out 14 batters, while allowing just three hits for Cloverdale...

Vincennes University has named its dean's list for the fall 2011 semester. The dean's list includes students from the Vincennes campus, Jasper campus, Aviation Technology Center in Indianapolis, military bases and other extended sites. Students from Putnam County on the list were NIKKO L. HAYDEN of Fillmore, CAMERON B. MAYNARD of Greencastle and IZAAK R. ZARING of Fillmore...

During a recent business meeting, Gamma Phi chapter of Kappa Delta Phi sorority recognized and honored Donna Stanley for 50 years of charitable and community service. Stanley was presented a Kappa Delta Phi charm to acknowledge her years of community service and to remind her of the many contributions she has made to Putnam county...

Keko and Lori Briones of Cloverdale wish to announce the upcoming marriage of their daughter, Shantel Dinwiddie to Eric Anderson, son of Doug and Shannon Anderson of Avon. Shantel is a 2004 graduate of the Culver Academies and earned her BA in journalism at Indiana University. She is employed with Bradley and Montgomery Advertising in Indianapolis...

Brittany Marie Whitaker of North Salem and Daniel Lee Dews, also of North Salem, are planning a May 12, 2012 wedding at the Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds Community Center in Danville. Brittany is the daughter of Ralph and Christina Whitaker of North Salem and a 2010 graduate of Tri-West High School. She is attending Ivy Tech Community College for business administration. Brittany is employed by McDonald's in Danville as crew chief...

Jim and Karen (Cash) Christy recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with their family. Jim and Karen were married April 22, 1962 by Pastor Don Knoy at Bethel Baptist Church in Fillmore. They have four children, Mark (Debbi) Christy, Brian (Linda) Christy, Susan Wainman and Tad (Michelle) Christy...

Harold Lisby will celebrate his 100th birthday on Friday, April 20. He has been a lifelong resident of Putnam County, along with his wife of 77 years. They have two daughters, Doris and husband Wendell of Fillmore and Kitzie and husband George of Connecticut; six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren...

The grow groups of Bethel Baptist Church will sponsor free a pancake and sausage breakfast at the Fillmore Volunteer Fire Department from 8-10 a.m. Saturday, April 14. Donations will be accepted to help the fire department with various projects.

Gobin Memorial United Methodist Church in Greencastle, will host a pair of services on Easter Sunday, April 8. The first Easter service will be a community sunrise service at 7 a.m. at Airy Knob Farm, the home of Vic and Linda Hunter. The home is located at 3645 S. CR 200 West -- three miles south of the Putnam County Courthouse on Manhattan Road. The sunrise service will have an Easter puppet show with breakfast to follow...

TERRE HAUTE -- "Ahh, ... I'm here." And with that sigh of relief, Andrew Domini went to his knees and crawled the last 90-plus feet of his journey toward the sanctuary of the Church of the Immaculate Conception at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods near Terre Haute...

GriefShare recovery seminar and support group meets at Greencastle Christian Church each Wednesday at 6 p.m. from April 11 through June 13. GriefShare features nationally recognized experts on grief and recovery topics. Seminar sessions include "The Journey of Grief," "The Effects of Grief," "When Your Spouse Dies," "Your Family and Grief," "Why?" and "Stuck in Grief."...

Relay For Life will be holding a few events before the big day. On April 10 there will be a Thanksgiving themed special buffet dinner at the Fluttering Duck from 5-9 p.m. Partial proceeds will benefit Relay for Life. The final team captain's meeting will take place on Wednesday, April 11 at 7 p.m. in the DePauw Union Building Ballroom...

"Why Does the Turtle Cross the Road?" is the theme for the Wandering Wednesday's Children Program at the Putnam County Public Library on Wednesday, April 11 at 4 p.m. The group will read a story and learn about turtle behavior, how the turtle is featured in Native American creation stories, and will make a turtle shell mosaic...

The Cloverdale FFA Greenhouse will be opening Saturday, April 14 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. The greenhouse is a project put on by the Cloverdale FFA students who participate in both horticulture and landscape classes, where students learn to grow and take care of the plants...

Troy Turner of Brandenburg Construction paints the outside of the future home of Metro Net on Friday afternoon. The company is working on restoring 15 S. Indiana St. in Greencastle to what it originally was as well as renovating the entire inside of the building.

BELLEVILLE -- A Hendricks County branch of a Putnam County-based bank was robbed Friday afternoon. The Hendricks County Sheriff's Department is seeking a man who robbed the Belleville First National Bank around 1:45 p.m. Friday. Investigators are seeking a white male, approximately six feet tall and 180-200 pounds. The man showed a black, semi-automatic handgun to the teller and demanded money. He got away with more than $2,000...

An accident Wednesday on the DePauw University campus resulted in an estimated $10,000-$25,000 damage, Greencastle City Police reported. Officer Ed Wilson reported that Carrol Pingleton, 56, Greencastle, was southbound on South Locust Street, driving a 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue, when the vehicle veered to the right and struck two cars parked along the curb near Olive Street...

Two 1970 graduates of DePauw University -- Judith A. Edstrom and Mary C. Leonard -- will discuss " Leading with Excellence and Ethics in Times of Great Change" on Wednesday, April 11, as part of DePauw's 175th anniversary Distinguished Alumni Lecture Series...

Dancing with the Putnam County Stars is set for Saturday, April 14 at the DePauw University Indoor Tennis and Track Center. Local celebrities will go toe to toe and raise money for Putnam County Youth Development. This is the third set of biographies of this year's stars.

For a period of five hours Friday evening, Greencastle firefighters rarely saw the inside of the fire station. Half a dozen runs -- including a chimney fire and a series of electrical issues with Duke Energy -- kept the department busy from 5:15 p.m. until nearly 10:30...

David E. Berry is a Republican candidate for 1st District Putnam County commissioner in the May 8 primary. Born and raised in Putnam County, Berry has lived in the county for 56-1/2 of his 59 years and has been married to wife LaDonna for 37 years. They have three adult daughters and two grandchildren...

Ronald Harold McCammack, 77, of Terre Haute, formerly of Belle Union, passed away March 30, 2012. Born Oct. 21, 1934, he was the beloved son of Harold and Geraldine McCammack. He was a 1955 graduate of Belle Union High School. Ron is survived by sisters, Gloria Mayo of Greencastle, and Marjorie Zenor of Fairfax, Va.; brothers Glenn McCammack of Sun City, Ariz., and Marshall McCammack of Sebastion, Fla., and Delphi, Ind. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews...

Friday, April 13 at 7 p.m., Gobin Memorial United Methodist Church will host the Covered Bridge Country Chorus (CBCC) for a "Really Big Shew." The group, a women's barbershop chorus from Greencastle, has been singing in the area since 2003 at city functions, nursing homes, Airport Appreciation Days and just about any place that wants music added to their program...

Despite a rainy start to the day, last Wednesday, the spring series of Walking Wednesdays got off to a hopping good start. A number of the Putnam County Health Coalition members were on hand to greet and register walkers for the spring series of Walking Wednesdays at the People Pathways Gazebo at the start of the Greencastle Fillmore Trail...

Hickory Creek at Sunset will be hosting The Dunnemans Music Ministry on Friday, April 13. The gospel group will be singing in the facility dining room at 10:30 a.m. Everyone is welcome to attend. The facility is located at 1109 S. Indiana St., Greencastle...

County Jail Sheriff's Department Jennifer L. Dickey, 31, Greencastle, was behind Owens in a 2003 Ford Windstar and slowed too late, rear-ending Owens' SUV and then going into a fence on the west side of the road. Both vehicles were disabled and towed. Damage was listed at $5,001-$10,000...

FARMERSBURG -- The South Putnam baseball team fell to North Central 11-7 Saturday. Seth Hammond was 2-for-4 for the Eagles with four RBIs. Aaron Parker added a 2-for-4 performance with one RBI. Nick Scott and Rob Gibson added an RBI each. Sotuh Putnam will host Cascade today at 4:30 p.m...

TERRE HAUTE -- South Putnam utilized a big fifth inning to defeat Roncalli 6-3 Saturday in the Terre Haute Invite. Jenny Thompson led the Eagles at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a triple and an RBI. Brooke Cundiff and Emily Dabkowski added an RBI each...

BRAZIL -- The Greencastle boys' golf team travel to Forest Park to compete in the Northview Invite. The Tiger Cubs won the tournament with a score of 290 and Alec Davis won medalist honors for his round of 70. Davis and teammate Luke Brotherton both carded rounds of 70, but Davis was able to win on the third playoff hole. Brad Haussin shot a 71, with Tanner Dean adding a 79 and Raymond Stinson shot an 85 for GHS...

Brett Gierke's three first inning strikeouts and a constant barrage of Tiger Cub hits propelled Greencastle past Brown County 11-1 in 5 innings on Saturday afternoon. The junior threw 85 pitches in the win, allowing five hits and walking three batters...

ROACHDALE -- North Putnam's baseball team moved back to .500 Saturday afternoon after defeating Covington 5-2. After losing to Turkey Run the previous evening, along with senior Blake Knowling with a leg injury, the Cougars put Coy Flynn on the mound to face the Trojans...

Every kid walks away from an Easter Egg hunt a winner, but Jazlynn Campbell (right) and Catelyn Shoemaker did especially well at the March 30 egg hunt in Robe-Ann Park. Each girl rode away on a new bike donated by Headley Hardware.

Combining myth, music and dance with intricate costumes, the Lakota Sioux Dance Theatre will be performing at DePauw University on Wednesday, April 18. Incorporating members of the Lakota Sioux nation, the 7:30 p.m. performance will take place in Moore Theatre, located within DePauw's Judson and Joyce Green Center for the Performing Arts building...

PUTNAMVILLE -- Probationary Troopers Jonathan M. Cumbie, Yan J. Dravigne and Michael L. Featherling reported to the Indiana State Police Putnamville Post for their first official day on March 26. Cumbie and Dravigne will be assigned to Putnam County, while Featherling will be assigned to Clay County...

The Putnam County community is welcome to attend the Fourth Annual Dancing with the PC Stars Open Dress Rehearsal, scheduled for Thursday, April 12 at DePauw University Indoor Tennis and Track Facility. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the event will begin at 6 p.m. ...

Greencastle and Putnam County residents will have another opportunity to help deter prescription drug abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused or unwanted medications. On Saturday, April 28, the Greencastle Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will stage the third in a series of Drug Take Back Program efforts...

FILLMORE -- After more than a year of discussion, the Fillmore Town Council took action in a big way at its April meeting, passing four ordinance proposals into law. The council unanimously passed all four measures, including a nuisance ordinance that has been in discussion for well over a year...

Twenty young patients received exams, cleanings and other dental services from Dr. John Hennette and his Greencastle Pediatric Dentistry staff Friday during the annual "Give Kids a Smile Day" program. Dr. Hennette (right) checks Kori Skaggs' smile as assistant Heather Lewis logs info on the 10-year-old Cloverdale boy's chart. ...

DANVILLE -- Outlasting nine opponents and seven rounds of Republican caucus voting on Saturday, Pete Miller has been selected to succeed Connie Lawson as District 24 state senator. In a vote of 92 district GOP precinct committeemen from Hendricks and Putnam counties, Miller defeated Kelli Waggoner, president of the Indianapolis firm KWK Management Group, by a 51-41 vote on the seventh and final ballot...

BAINBRIDGE -- While waiting to be introduced at the North Putnam School Board meeting Thursday night, Dan Noel was not his normal self. Sure, he sat in the first row, the best-dressed man in the room, and squeezed his wife's hand. He smiled, surrounding by school employees and community members at a local event. All par for the course with Noel...

Marvin Lee Crafton, 76, of Greencastle, formerly of Brazil, passed away on Thursday, April 5, 2012 following a long illness. Marvin was born on July 23, 1935 in Clay County, the son of Glenn and Ferne (Stoelting) Crafton. He was reared by Ernest Mills...

Jerry H. Meece, 68, of Greencastle, formerly of Danville, went to be with the Lord on Monday, April 9, 2012. Jerry was born June 28, 1943 in Somerset, Ky., to Ellis and Geneva Meece. He was married to Sara "Angel" (Tracy) Meece for 26 years. Jerry was an auto mechanic for many years in the Danville area, living in Danville and Heritage Lake for more than 53 years...

A new shepherd will be guiding the flock at Greencastle High School. The Greencastle School Board voted unanimously Tuesday night to accept Superintendent Lori Richmond's recommendation that Jennifer Shepherd become the new Greencastle High School principal in the 2012-2013 school year...

To the Editor: I enjoyed reading the editorial "FDR remembered, forgotten" by Rheta Johnson (Banner Graphic, April 4). His disastrous, ill-conceived economic policies made the Great Depression drag on for years, causing untold hardship for millions of people, yet I agree that he was an interesting historical figure...

CLOVERDALE -- The Cloverdale's boys' track team continued its strong start to the season, defeating Eminence and White River Valley Monday. The Clovers won with a total of 96 points, followed by White River Valley with 29 and Eminence with 24. The Clovers posted 12 wins on the night...

Dear members of the Greencastle community: For the seventh time in the past eight years, DePauw University's Department of Political Science will host oral arguments before the Indiana Court of Appeals. Open to the public, the proceedings are scheduled to begin at 2:20 p.m., Tuesday, April 17 in the Social Center in the Inn at DePauw. Normal rules of courtroom decorum will apply...

To the Editor: The Greencastle Parks and Recreation Department would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to our friends, volunteers and sponsors for their help with our annual Easter Egg Hunt. On Saturday, March 31 at 10 a.m. GPD Officer Albert Epple blew the siren from his police car, and hundreds of youth from throughout the area ran, crawled, jumped, grabbed and scooped eggs from the ground at Robe-Ann Park...

The South Putnam boys' and girls' track teams battled Cascade Tuesday night, with the boys' coming away with a 79-45 win. The girls' place second to the Cadets, 77-52. In the boys' event, South Putnam recorded 10 wins on the night en route to its victory...

For the first time ever, DePauw University student organizations are joining together to bring a Cultures Festival to DePauw's Bowman Park on Saturday, April 14. Groups such as ISA (International Student Association), Wamidan, MECCA (Men of Excellence in Cross-Cultural Alliance), The ASIA Club (Association for Students Interested in Asia), CLC (Committee for Latino Concerns), United DePauw, DCC (DePauw China Connection) are joining together for the inaugural Cultures Festival...

CLOVERDALE -- In the first dual match of the season, Cloverdale's boy's golf squad picked up a win over visiting West Vigo 187-201. In windy conditions at Clover Meadows, the two squads finished at sunset with the Clovers' Brody Pfaff picking up medalist honors with a round of 43...

This Thursday through Sunday, the Pulitzer Prize-winning play "The Heidi Chronicles" will be staged in DePauw University's Moore Theatre, located within the Judson and Joyce Green Center for the Performing Arts. Written by Wendy Wasserstein, "The Heidi Chronicles" questions how women have benefited from the women's movement by tracing the life of a female art historian...

MONROVIA -- Cloverdale was limited to three hits by Monrovia pitcher Jeremy Gray and suffered its first West Central Conference loss of the season, 5-3, Monday on the Bulldogs' field. Gray, a crafty left-hander, struck out 13, walked two and didn't hit a batter in an seven-inning effort. The Clovers (6-2, 2-1 WCC) were held hitless over the final four and two-thirds innings...

This past weekend the South Putnam Eagles won the Terre Haute South Bash with a perfect 4-0 record. They opened the tournament on Friday with a 15-0 win over Bedford North Lawrence. Emily Dabkowski led the way with a home run, a double, two RBI and three runs scored. Mattie Varvel and Jenna Jones added home runs as well. Brooke Cundiff was 2-for-2 with three RBI and two runs scored...

South Putnam welcomed conference foe Cascade Monday and added another win to its season, defeating the Cadets 4-1. After Cascade opened the game with a first inning run, South Putnam answered the challenge. Emily Dabkowski took Kellie Mink's fifth pitch of the game and sent a high shot rocketing to right field. Cascade's Morgan Burch wasn't able to haul in the ball and Dabkowski found her way to third base to start the game...

BRAZIL -- South Putnam's boy's golf squad picked up a win Tuesday evening after downing Danville 182-194 at Oak Ridge Golf Club. With wind and falling temperatures impacting the round. The Eagles picked up their first win of the season behind Alex Kelly's medalist-winning round of 41...

The Area 30 Career Center Board of Directors was taking care of business quickly Tuesday morning, in a meeting which lasted a mere 10 minutes. Three new classes will be taught in the upcoming 2012-13 school year. The board approved the two new courses to be taught at South Putnam High School, Anatomy and Physiology and Advanced Life Science Animals. Engineering Design and Development will be taught at Area 30...

Sabrina Surber threw five scoreless innings and allowed only one hit as North Putnam defended their home field on Tuesday night, defeating Turkey Run 10-0 in a mercy-rule shortened affair. The freshman hurler struck out three batters to gain the victory...

CLOVERDALE -- Paige Gutierrez had pitched Cloverdale to three straight victories, all shutouts, entering Tuesday's West Central Conference softball game with Monrovia. From the first batter, it was clear she didn't have her good stuff. The Bulldogs (3-1, 1-1 WCC) roughed up Gutierrez for three runs in the first inning and went on to a 6-0 victory on the Clovers' field...

South Putnam hosted Greencastle Tuesday in the opener for the girls' tennis season, with Greencastle coming away with a 3-2 victory. The teams faced off in blustery conditions, with wind whipping the scorecards around as if Mother Nature was playing a game all her own...

The Russellville Community Center is sponsoring a chicken and noodle dinner on Sunday, April 15, around noon at the Community Center. Chicken and noodles, mashed potatoes, green beans and deserts will be provided, along with tea, lemonade and water...

A benefit for the Putnam County Relay for Life team known as "Team Debbie" is scheduled for Thursday at Chief's, 5 E. Franklin St., Greencastle. The restaurant will donate 10 percent of all proceeds from its Thursday lunch and dinner sales to the Relay for Life effort undertaken by Team Debbie...

Katherine Asbell, Greencastle Middle School guidance director, won a 65-pound chocolate bunny from the South Bend Chocolate Co. this past weekend. She has donated the chocolate bunny to the Relay for Life fundraiser, which will take place this Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Winnrer of the Eggfest 2012 Golden Egg is Brody Watson, a Greencastle Middle School student who found the egg containing the winning ticket for a Kindle Fire. Nearly 400 teens registered to participate last Friday night in the eighth annual egg scramble, Eggfest 2012.

The North Putnam High School Music Department will be presenting "Once Upon a Mattress" on Friday, April 13 and Saturday, April 14. The performances will begin at 7:30 each night in the gymnasium of North Putnam High School. Tickets are $5 and will be available at the door...

County Jail Several people have been booked into the Putnam County Jail recently. At 10 p.m. Nathan Crowder, 22, Pittsboro, was booked in for public intoxication and disorderly conduct disturbing the peace. At 1:31 a.m. Wesley Eugene Freeland, 27, North Salem, was arrested for operating while intoxicated...

Dancing with the Putnam County Stars is set for Saturday, April 14 at the DePauw University Indoor Tennis and Track Center. Local celebrities will go toe to toe and raise money for Putnam County Youth Development. This is the final set of biographies of this year's stars...

CLOVERDALE -- The time has come for the Cloverdale School Corporation to have its Advanced Education visit. The board heard Monday from elementary and middle school principal Stacey Baugh who has spearheaded this process from the beginning. Although the process has undergone several name changes, every four to five years school corporations undergo an assessment to see how well the corporation is working as a whole...

Donald K. Walton is a Republican candidate for Putnam County Commissioner, Third District, in the May 8 primary election. The Third District includes the townships of Cloverdale, Jefferson, Warren and Washington. Although the representative must live in this district, voters throughout the county elect the position...

Not content to sit on the sidelines while others suffered, a local couple has become part of the relief efforts in southern Indiana. Wendell and Sandy Barger will make their fourth trip to the Henryville area this weekend as the area continues to cope with the aftermath of a March 2 tornado outbreak...

Gale M. Williams, age 58, of Greencastle, passed away on Saturday, April 7, 2012. Born Feb. 22, 1954 in Hamilton, Bermuda, she was the daughter of James Howell and Bertha Marshall. Gale previously worked as a stockroom attendant. Survivors include her father; son Kevin Steele (Melissa); brother Larry Branham; grandson Nathen Romandine; niece Jaime Branham; nephew Nick Branham; and her beloved dog Choo Choo...

Bonita Hadley, 93, Eminence, passed away on April 10, 2012, at the Mill Pond Health Campus, Greencastle. She was born on Nov. 12, 1918 at Centerton, Ind., and was the daughter of the late William and Rachel (Culver) Lehr. She married S. G. "Sam" Hadley on Dec. 12, 1935, and he preceded her in death on Sept. 9, 1979...

CLAYTON -- The South Putnam baseball team lost to Cascade on the road Tuesday 12-2 in six innings. Trey Moore was 1-for-2 with an RBI, with Justin Bumgardner adding an RBI. Sawyer Arnold and Rob Gibson were 2-for-3 on the day. Gibson added two stolen bases...

The Cloverdale Middle School boys' track team defeated South Putnam 64-53 Tuesday to open its season. Tyler Kaeff won the 110-meter hurdles, with Kolton Knapp winning the 100-meter dash. Nick Blundell won the 400-meter hurdle and Joey Bright won the long jump...

The North Putnam Middle School golf squad began their season by defeating Monrovia 360-422. Austin Judy recorded the lowest round for the Cougars with a score of 44. Also contributing to the win were Preston Porter, Austin Wright, Jake Holtze, Lyndi Parent and Nick Stranger...

Free tennis lessons will be offered this Sunday at DePauw University from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event will take place at the DePauw tennis courts. Donations will benefit Team Riggle Foundation to help with research of Parkinson's disease. It is asked that people bring their own racket. Players of all ages and skill level are welcome to participate...

MARSHALL -- The South Putnam girls' tennis team rebounded from its season opening loss to Greencastle with a 3-2 win over Turkey Run Wednesday. On the singles side, Ericka Minor won in straight sets 6-4, 7-5 (7-5) to give the Eagles their only singles victory...

STATESVILLE -- When David Ragan was at Texas Motor Speedway one year ago, the rest of the NASCAR Sprint Cup field was lining up behind him. The big, fast oval in Fort Worth was the scene of the first of Ragan's two poles on the 2011 season. Ragan returns to the 1.5-mile track for Saturday night's Samsung Mobile 500 in the No. 34 Ford of Front Row Motorsports...

All A: Mikayla Ann Allee, Gaven Mckinley Bingman, Kiersten Analene Boller, Charles Dallas Bridges, Neva Ann Brown, Jacie Lee Bumgardner, Caleb Matthew Coy, Sydney Cathryn Doan, Bentley Rhyce Downing, Zander Kole Evans, Allison Rebekah Fajt, Morgan Grace Ford, Noa Fukuda, Faith Marie Hartman, Paige Elizabeth Kaiser, Ryan David Kempf, Zhan Bo Lin, Ethan Webb Maier, Caleb Jonathon Martin, Lilly Marie Meyer, Jason Alexander Purdue, Molly Nicole Ramey, Lily Rebecca Richardson, Makayla Elaine Rogers, Sydney Peden Srnka, Mackenzie Ann Starr, Nicholas Alan Sutherlin, Emma Grace Tobin, Alexa Grace Travelstead, Olivia Grace Varvel, Zoe Madeleine Weltz, Brody Lane Whitaker, Nina Katherine White, Vincent Isaiah Williamson, Bailey Jean Williams, Madison Renee Williams, Anastasia Wood, Dannis Zheng.. ...

Several members of the Bainbridge Elementary School staff and students went to Gleaners Food Bank in Indianapolis recently to help with packing food boxes. They packed 800 boxes. This is in conjuction with the Gleaners Back Sack program that is currently running in the North Putnam Schools.

The Area 30 Career Center Culinary Arts students participated in the ProStart Student Invitational at the Wyndam in Indianapolis on March 1, in which several students were awarded for their work. Students were selected to participate in Career Display, where four groups prepared a five-minute presentation on a career in the culinary or hospitality field. To prepare for their presentations students had to research, interview and then create a display depicting what they had learned...

To any readers of my reviews, it's no real secret that I have a few favorite bands. When certain artists release just about anything, I'm going to listen and I'm probably going to like it. I've never claimed I'm impartial as a listener. But none of this is to say the praise I heap on certain artists is not merited...

INDIANAPOLIS -- TechPoint Foundation for Youth has announced that Indiana educator and technology education entrepreneur Todd Whitlock has been selected by the Foundation's board of directors as the 2012 Bridge Builder Award Recipient. Whitlock, a resident of Cloverdale, is a former teacher and board member in Cloverdale Schools...

Saturday, April 14 from 8-11:30 a.m., the Greencastle High School Environmental Science Class will be giving away tree seedlings. Anyone who shows up may receive five trees. The location will be the lower parking lot at GHS. Trees will be given out until all are gone or until 11:30 a.m...

The Putnam County Public Library will host "A Celebration of Authors" at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 17. The program will feature children's author Claudia Mills and selected student authors from the first and second grade classes at Ridpath and Deer Meadow primary schools...

Putnam County Treasurer Sharon Owens has announced her campaign for re-election as county treasurer on the Republican ticket in the 2012 election. Owens has been a resident of Putnam County for the past 26 years. She and her husband Mike have five children and two granddaughters...

ROACHDALE --Explosions, firearms and farm animals dominated the discussion at the Roachdale town council meeting on Tuesday. None were present. Members of the community came to the meeting hoping to have ordinances changed or added, but in both cases these requests were turned down...

CLOVERDALE-- The Cloverdale Town Council is making progress on many of the key issues that have been looming over the town for months. The council started off its meeting a few minutes early to ensure that at 7 p.m. the sealed bids they received for the Doe Creek Lift Station were opened on time...

Absentee voting will be available for the May 8 primary election from now until noon on Monday, May 7. Any Putnam County resident registered to vote in this election may do so in advance on the second floor of the Putnam County Courthouse from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday through Friday...

Home may be where the heart is. A man's home may be his castle. And home may truly be sweet ... We've all heard such sayings forever, and we continue to hold them near and dear to our hearts as absolute truisms. Even fictional characters have longed for home -- from Dorothy Gale of Kansas to E.T. of extraterrestrial fame. Going home, after all, is the goal of our national pastime, baseball...

BELLE UNION -- Firefighters from 10 departments spent the majority of Wednesday afternoon battling a fire that engulfed an entire home. Putnam County 911 dispatch received a call at 11:44 a.m. at the home of Sherri Terry located at 5646 S. 800 East...

Mary Isabelle Frame Luzar, 91, passed away peacefully Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at her home on the family farm near Cloverdale. Born in Ladoga on Sept. 24, 1920, Isabelle was the daughter of the late Bertie Frantz and Mary Rebecca (Davis) Frame. Mary Isabelle graduated from Roachdale High School in 1937 and with her mother, managed Frame Nursing Home in Indianapolis...

CLOVERDALE -- The CHS boys' golf team lost Thursday to Linton-Stockton, 161-188. The Clovers were led by Aaron Whitlock's 44. He was followed by Zach Hall's 45, with Colte Tomlinson adding a 49 and Freddy Fisher a 50. Rylan Mattocks shot a 53 and Brody Pfaff shot a round of 53...

WEST TERRE HAUTE -- The Greencastle boys' golf team defeated West Vigo 162-202 Thursday at Rea Park. Luke Brotherton paced the Tiger Cubs with a round of 37. Brad Haussin followed with a score of 40 and Tanner Dean added a 42. Raymond Stinson shot a 43 to round of the scoring for GHS...

The South Putnam girls' track team swept all events in Thursday meet to defeat Eminence at home. Ariel Higgins won three individual events on the night and was part of the winning 400-meter relay team. Higgins won the 100-and 300-meter hurdles as well as the long jump. Alex McHugh collected two wins on the night, winning the shot put and the discus. Deborah Cheatham also won two event, taking the top spot in the high jump and the 400-meter run...

ELLETSVILLE -- The South Putnam softball team took care of Edgewood 12-2 in six innings Thursday to cruise to its ninth win of the season. Big hits and strong pitching was the perfect formula for the Eagles on the night. Jenna Jones led the Eagles, going 3-for-3 at the plate with three RBI, three runs scored, two doubles and a home run. Mattie Varvel added a home run and two RBI. Janet Craft connected for two hits, with three RBI and a double...

Greencastle's boys' and girls' track teams started the 2012 season by picking up a pair of wins Thursday evening. The boys' squad won 73.5-54-37.5 over Monrovia and Owen Valley, while the girls' squad blasted past the same two squads 95.5-44.5-25. The girls' squad won 11 events on the evening. Kayla Cash collected wins in the 800 and 1,600 meter races, with Kara Birt adding two wins in the 100 and 200 meter dashes...

South Putnam utilized some hot bats in the late innings Thursday to snap a three-game skid and defeat Eminence 4-3. "It was (a good win). Eminence came in and played really well. They made a lot of plays in the field. We put the ball in play. We've been struggling with strikeouts lately and only had six tonight, which is an improvement from 13 that we had at Cascade," head coach Ryan Gilman said...

Temple Lodge 47 F&AM recently made a donation to the Putnam County Emergency Food Pantry, collecting a number of non-perishable food items as well as donating $100.

Several people have been booked into the Putnam County Jail recently. At 11:08 p.m. James Dale Haltom, 76, Cloverdale, was booked in for operating while intoxicated with a prior conviction and public intoxication. The care drove across the northbound lane, entering the ditch on the east side of U.S. 231, hitting a fence just north of County Road 900 North. She then ramped over 900 North, going airborne and hitting a concrete corner post...

Eggstock, the annual adult egg hunt in Robe-Ann Park, is set for 8:30 p.m. Saturday, April 14. Cost is $10 and the hunt is on, even in the rain or mud. The real hunt of the night is for a cure. All proceeds from the event will be donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation...

Gilbert "Gib" Hassler, 83, of Brazil, passed away on Thursday, April 12, 2012, following a long neurological illness, Multiple Systems Atrophy (MSA). Gib was born Nov. 15, 1928, in Reelsville, the son of Glenn and Pearl (Schroer) Hassler. Gib graduated from Reelsville High School with the class of 1946. During high school, he was a part of the basketball team that was later inducted into the Indiana High School Basketball Hall of Fame...

On the Greencastle Courthouse square, near the large Buzz Bomb monument, hidden within the base of a lamppost, there sits a small tin box. The box is labeled, and inside contains a series of numbers -- a code. For whoever finds this code, a new world of mystery, excitement and intrigue can be unlocked. Just don't take the box with you...

Stephanie Summitt-Campbell has announced her bid for Putnam County Council on the Republican ballot in the May 8 primary. Summitt-Campbell says she would bring 16 years of experience and knowledge to the County Council. She has been the current county auditor for 7½ years, and prior to being elected auditor she held the following positions in the office: plat, tax, payroll and claims deputy...

BAINBRIDGE -- The Bainbridge town council unanimously agreed on Wednesday to accept a proposal to build a $33,600 storage facility. They all hope the new site will be worth its salt. When discussions first began about building a new salt storage facility in October, the council had a strong case...

The final two young people implicated in a December theft at the Greencastle Subway restaurant have reached plea agreements in the case, receiving suspended sentences. The third and final defendant to go to court was Hayley R. Ellis, 21, Coatesville, who appeared in Putnam Circuit Court on Thursday. Ellis is the lone member of the trio who was employed by Subway at the time of the inside theft that was falsely reported as a robbery...

With the support of alumni gifts, DePauw University has formally launched a major effort to develop a comprehensive facilities master plan for athletics and recreational sports, President Brian W. Casey announced Thursday in a message to students, faculty and staff...

Glenn Sanders takes his turn operating the excavator while Brad Johnson provides water to keep the dust settled as Area 30 Career Center students demolish a house next to Hopkins-Rector Funeral Home on Percy Julian Drive in Greencastle Wednesday.

Gary Leon Haltom, 63, of Cloverdale, passed away on Monday, April 9, 2012. Gary was an accomplished auto body repairman. He enjoyed mushroom hunting, being outdoors and music. He is survived by one son, Greg Haltom of Lafayette; one daughter, LeEtta Haltom of Martinsville; two stepchildren, Truman Vinson IV and Lisa Vinson-Hughes; four grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; three sisters, Patricia Paris, Lyndell Bixler and Mardenna Boler; and one brother. Glenn Haltom...

Willie Belle Williams, age 93, of Spencer, formerly of Greencastle, passed away on Friday, April 13, 2012 at the Owen Valley Health Campus. Born Feb. 9, 1919 in New Castle, Ky., she was the daughter of Arthur and Nancy Carter and was a graduate of Greencastle High School...

The Gospel Servants will perform in concert at the Quincy Baptist Church at 9 a.m. Sunday, April 15.

The community is welcome to celebrate family, friends and forgiveness days at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 802 Crown St., Greencastle, on Saturday, April 28 and Sunday, April 29. Anyone who has been hurt by family, friends or anyone can join the congregation for a fun time...

Nick York (left) of York Chevrolet Buick GMC Inc., Greencastle, presents a check for $500 to Josh, Josh and Alyssa Morris, representing the Greencastle Youth Baseball program. York has joined forces with the national Chevrolet Youth Baseball program to provide new equipment, instructional clinics, a monetary donation and an opportunity to raise an additional $10,000 through a vehicle sweepstakes program that runs through July 15. ...

County Jail Several people have been booked into the Putnam County Jail on Thursday, April 12. City Police Two property-damage accidents were investigated Thursday by Greencastle City Police. -- At 11:38 a.m., a two-vehicle mishap occurred on the east side of the courthouse square as Larry Wood, 56, Greencastle, attempted to back his 1994 GMC Sonoma from a parking space in front of the Goodwill store when it struck a trailer being pulled by a 1991 Ford F-250 truck, driven by Ryan Smith, 24, Reelsville.. ...

The South Putnam boys' track team recorded an impressive win over Eminence Thursday on its home track. Hunter Barr and Klayton Vittetow posted two wins each for the Eagles to lead the way. Barr won the 1,600-meter run in 4:59 and the 800-meter run in 2:14. Vittetow won the 300-meter hurdles in 47.50 and the high jump with a height of 5-8...

The Greencastle girls' tennis team defeated Rockville 4-1 Thursday, including a sweep in singles matches. At No. 1 singles, Haylie Romer defeated Brooke Tilley 6-1, 3-6, 6-3. Harriet Watson won at No. 2 single over Rockville's Nyela Fritz 7-6, 6-7, 6-1. Kayla Chadd completed the GHS sweep defeating Abby Milner 6-4, 6-4...

The Cloverdale boys' track team defeated Shakamak 99-23 Thursday. CHS head boys' track coach Andrew Tyler said it was another good showing for his team, with many athletes posting personal best times. A few of those posting PRs were Chris Worthington in the 800-meter run, Wade Warren in the 110-meter hurdles and Bret Brumfield in the 100-meter dash and the 400-meter run. Cloverdale also swept all three relays...

ROCKVILLE -- The North Putnam baseball team defeated Rockville 13-7 Thursday on the road. Kaleb Belcher was 2-for-4 with three RBI, while Kyler Badten went 2-for-4. Coy Flynn was 2-for-3, including a first-pitch home run to open the game. Jake Haste and Shane Beaman had two hits each, with Jordan Nauert and Beau Green adding a hit each...

CRAWFORDSVILLE -- The South Putnam softball team rolled out a new pitcher, but the results were familiar. The Eagles traveled to North Montgomery and came away with a 17-2 win in five innings Friday. South Putnam called on the arm of freshman Ashlee Gibson and she didn't disappoint. Gibson pitched five innings striking out six and allowing just four hits for her first win of her high school career...

The Greencastle Summer Swim Program is ready to start back up again. On Monday, April 16, tryouts for new swimmers will be conducted, beginning at 3:30 p.m. at the McAnally Center pool at Greencastle High School. Tryouts will last approximately 10 minutes from the time the swimmer is in the water...

BRAZIL -- South Putnam shot a season-low 155 team score to defeat Tri-West at Oak Ridge Monday. Derek Chestnut claimed medalist honors with a 37, followed by a pair of 38's from Alex Kelly and Alex Eickhoff and rounded out by a 42 from Justin Berry...

Martinsville broke open a close game with four runs in the fourth and five runs in the fifth to defeat South Putnam, 15-3, in a non-conference baseball game Friday on the Eagles' field. The Eagles (2-6) bounced back from a 4-0 deficit to score one in the first inning and two in the second to get within one...

Two business professionals with extensive education and experience have joined the Regional Board of Trustees for Ivy Tech Community College Wabash Valley. Carrie B. Milner and Lori A. Danielson joined the board in February and will serve two-year terms...

The Putnam County Museum will open its second annual Through the Lens Exhibit on Saturday, April 21 at 10:30 a.m. The exhibit features the photographs taken by eight members of the community, who were given digital cameras and asked to photograph their lives and homes for the Through the Lens project...

The City of Greencastle is offering residents the opportunity to participate in a street tree-planting program. The goal is to cost-share with residents on the planting or replacement of street trees, City Planner Shannon Norman noted. The program guidelines are as follows:...

Retiring multi-term president of the Heritage Preservation Society (HPS) of Putnam County, Phil Gick (left), receives a framed certificate of appreciation from fellow board member Ken Eitel during the recent annual meeting of the organization at the Putnam County Museum. Under Gick's leadership during 2011, three Greencastle residential districts were placed on the National Register of Historic Places and several other preservation-related issues received attention...

Not many students can say that while in high school they were able to study in a foreign country for seven weeks of their summer. However, two Greencastle High School students recently were accepted to the IU Honors Program, which will allow them to travel to France and Spain this summer...

A bright, sunny day certainly helped, but organizers of a Friday storage unit auction on Greencastle's south side gave a nod to reality television as another reason for an impressive turnout. A crowd of approximately 200 gathered at All-Stor Self-Storage Center to get a peek inside delinquent rental units, just hoping to find a treasure or two...

Lorie Hallett has announced her bid for the Republican nomination for Putnam County auditor in the May 8 primary. Hallett has served as deputy in the Putnam County Assessor's Office since July 2008. Prior to serving as deputy in the Assessor's Office, Hallett was elected to two terms as Greencastle Township assessor from January 2003 to July 2008 (when legislation went into effect that did away with township assessors)...

The judges handed out three perfect scores, but at night's end it was Greencastle Middle School Guidance Counselor Kathy Asbell and partner Logan Kuhne claiming victory in the fourth annual Dancing With The Putnam County Stars. Asbell and Kuhne, a math teacher at Greencastle High School himself, danced an energecti cha-cha to better the jive of Chet Clodfelter and Colleen Muir and a waltz by Sherry Cash and David Boswell, who also received perfect 10s from all three judges...

Stanley R. Fite, 68, of Cloverdale, Ind., passed away April 11, 2012. He worked in plumbing management for Fite Plumbing, previously an owner/operator for Century Oil. He was a member of the Plainfield Masonic Lodge and Scottish Rite. Surviving are daughters Dawn Smallwood, Judith Zerface and Cherie Lee; son Bill Fite; brothers Carl, Dale and Tim Fite; seven grandchildren, Erike, Zach, Logan, Audra, Abbey, Dexter and Allie; and a great-grandchild, Easton...

Julia Jean Morlan, 71, of Carbon, Ind., passed away Friday, April 13, 2012 at Union Hospital, Terre Haute, after a brief illness. She was born in Greencastle on May 28, 1940, the daughter of Dallas and Leaettia (McMurray) King. She graduated from Brazil High School...

Lorraine H. Pronckus, 88, of Bainbridge, passed away Sunday evening, April 15, 2012. Funeral services are pending at Hopkins-Rector Funeral Home, Greencastle.

ROACHDALE -- The North Putnam boys' golf team began its season in impressive fashion last week. They began their year with a second-place finish in a three-way match with Rockville and Turkey Run on April 9. The Rox won with a total of 184, followed by North Putnam with 195 and Turkey Run with 195. Danny Smith led the Cougar charge by shooting a 45. Jake Smith carded a 49 and the Cougars' lone senior Quade Snyder shot a 51 with little practice time...

FRANKLIN -- Some might think of Friday the 13th as unlucky, but for one Greencastle runner it was anything but. Last Friday, GHS junior Colleen Weatherford ran in the "Miracle Mile" at Franklin Central and finished third. She was one of 55 runners entered in the event...

BAINBRIDGE -- C.F. Jones Group, a Lebanon contracting, consulting and construction firm, recently served as the general contractor of the new Bainbridge Hub of Co-Alliance LLC. The innovative terminal is located at 7600 N. CR 200 East Bainbridge, and will supply plants in Putnam, Hendricks, Boone and other surrounding counties...

To celebrate the opening of GEM Energy Services Inc. the Chamber of Commerce members held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday afternoon. GEM is open by appointment only and offers consults in the industrial, commercial, institutional, health care and higher education fields.

University Lending Group recently opened its Greencastle office and celebrated with a Greater Greencastle Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting. Cynthia Mattox, a veteran loan specialist in the Putnam County market, has been with the company since September. Her team has more recently set up shop at 416 S. Bloomington St., Greencastle.

NEW WINCHESTER -- The Whitestone Food Pantry will conduct a food distribution effort from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, April 2 at the food pantry. Distribution is geared to needy residents of Floyd Township in eastern Putnam County and Marion Township in western Hendricks County...

Tickets are on sale now for the fourth annual Greencastle Middle School talent show. More than 20 acts are signed up to perform on Thursday, April 19 starting at 7:30 p.m. Individual tickets are $3 and a family pass, which is good for up to five family members, is on sale for $10. Tickets may be purchased at the GMS office or at Parker Auditorium the night of the performance...

Just in time for the NHL Stanley Cup Finals, young hockey fans may visit the Putnam County Museum on Wednesday, April 18 and construct their very own "block head" hockey player from Lego Building Blocks. Slated from 6-7:30 p.m., the program is open to the first 12 participants. It will feature cookies, drink and the opportunity to free-build with a large collection of building blocks included. Pre-registration is required by 4:30 p.m. Tuesday. The cost is $10...

Author James E. Rady will be at the Putnam County Public Library in Greencastle from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 21 to sign his current book, "A Time to Forgive." Born on a farm in Indiana, Rady was raised in Roachdale, where at one time he owned a grocery store. He retired from a career in Indiana schools and as a major after a 25-year military career of active and reserve duty...

Freezing temperatures were experienced around the state two nights last week. Generally, Tuesday night was colder than Wednesday. At the Meigs farm, in Tippecanoe County near Purdue, the low temperature recorded was 24.9 degrees Fahrenheit on both nights. This seems to be typical for many areas of the state, including Putnam County...

The April 23 edition of Dine with a Doc will feature psychologist Dr. Thomas E. Rea. The event will occur from 10 a.m.-noon at the First National Bank located at 1128 Indianapolis Road. Dine with a Doc is a free program that allows the local senior community to hear the doctor of the month discuss an educational topic over lunch...

North Putnam Community School Corporation has announced Kindergarten Round-Up dates as follows: Wednesday, April 25 -- Roachdale Elementary, 6 p.m. Thursday, April 26 -- Bainbridge Elementary, 6 p.m. Parents should enroll their children at Bainbridge Elementary or Roachdale Elementary depending on where they reside...

Putnam County Treasurer Sharon Owens said Friday property tax bills have been mailed and taxpayers should expect to receive their bills this week. The first installment for property tax is due on Thursday, May 10. The county is again offering taxpayers four different options for paying 2012 property taxes...

A 30-day effort focusing on keeping Greencastle clean will officially begin on Friday. The Greencastle Civic League and its partners recently announced Clean City Month 2012. The series of events, which run from April 20 through May 19, is a community-wide effort aimed to clean up the city of Greencastle...

Having considered the possibility of raising the county motor vehicle excise surtax and wheel tax at its March meeting, the Putnam County Council will have the opportunity to act on the issue at its April meeting on Tuesday. At issue for the council, as is so often the case for county fiscal and legislative officials, is finding a way to fund more road repairs. ...

Greencastle's boys' basketball team posted a 13-9 record and was the only team in the county with a winning record during the 2011-12 season. GHS might have had the only winning record, but Cloverdale, North Putnam and South Putnam all achieved some big time wins this season and continued to grow their programs...

Everybody loves to cha-cha-cha. It's been 53 years since Sam Cooke gave us that bit of wisdom, but it rang true on Saturday night as Greencastle Middle School counselor Kathy Asbell and partner Logan Kuhne cha-cha'd their way to the 2012 Dancing with the Putnam County Stars title...

More people walking downtown. More customers spending money with courthouse square retailers. New shops and restaurants opening their doors for business. The next great college town. That's what local officials hope to see as a result of a major downtown renovation, made possible by the State of Indiana's Stellar Communities initiative, that will bring a new bookstore, programmable community meeting space and Putnam County's first full-service Starbucks to the southeast corner of East Washington and Indiana streets. ...

Wayne Cowan, 74, of LeRoy, Ill., passed away at 4:41 a.m. Sunday, April 15, 2012 at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, Bloomington, Ill. Wayne was born May 14, 1937 in Clay, Ky., to Chester and Mary Kathryn Hopper Cowan. He married Linda D. Miller on Aug. 1,1976 in Heyworth, Ill., and she survives in LeRoy...

A husband and wife were airlifted following a Sunday evening accident on West Walnut Street. At approximately 5 p.m., Walter Nash was exiting his driveway at 3081 W. County Road 100 South (West Walnut). He noticed a car approaching on the road, but did not notice the scooter behind the car...

A South Putnam junior was airlifted to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis after the truck he was driving struck a tree Sunday evening. At approximately 9 p.m. Logan R. Pell, 17, Greencastle, was southbound on County Road 525 West in Madison Township approaching County Road 50 North...

Lorraine H. Pronckus, 88, of Bainbridge, passed away on Sunday, April 15, 2012. She was born on Dec. 18, 1923 in St. Paul, Minn., to John and Anna Brunner. Mrs. Pronckus was a member of Bainbridge United Methodist Church, founding member of the Bainbridge Improvement Society, a member of the Ladies Shrine Auxiliary of Putnam County, past president VFW Post 1550 Ladies Auxiliary, and past president of the St. Paul American Legion...

Anna Mae Swearingen, 90, of Brazil passed away April 15, 2012 following a brief illness. She was born Feb. 24, 1922 in Clay County, the daughter of Ross O. Swearingen and Clara Hamm Swearingen. She graduated from Staunton High School, Class of 1940. As a young lady, Anna Mae worked for both Modern Cleaners and Schepplers Cleaners. She later went on to work for IBM Corp. in a clerical position for 31 years, retiring in 1987...

To the Editor: The Celebrate 4 Committee, under the direction of the Friends of the Park Association, is once again creating a patriotic day for our community filled with Independence Day activities; music, food and fireworks show that will blow your mind. All, of course, taking place on the Fourth of July at Robe Ann Park, Greencastle...

To the Editor: Putnam County Head Start will be joining early childhood educators around the country in celebrating Week of the Young Child -- April 22-28. The annual celebration, sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, focuses on the needs of young children and their families and recognizes the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs...

To the Editor: This last Saturday evening the Putnam County Youth Development Commission (PCYDC) hosted the fourth annual Dancing with the Stars. I have been fortunate to participate as one of the three judges for the competition. Trust me, it is not because I have any knowledge regarding the art of dance...

Designating April as Child Abuse Prevention Month and the week of April 22-28 as the Week of the Young Child, Greencastle Mayor Sue Murray signs a proclamation to that effect at City Hall.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- An Indiana man charged with coercing two teenage boys into making sexually explicit online videos now faces similar federal charges in Michigan. The U.S. attorney's office in Detroit has filed charges of production of child pornography against 39-year-old Richard Finkbiner of Brazil. He could face from 15 years to life in prison if convicted...

An American war hero and two highly successful and accomplished professional engineers comprise the inaugural class of the South Putnam Alumni Hall of Fame, announced earlier this month. Randy Cline, Kyle Hassler and Troy Thompson are the charter members of the Alumni Hall of Fame...

On Sunday, April 15, a group of 30 DePauw University students from Alpha Phi Sorority and Beta Theta Pi Fraternity volunteered their time with four hours of Service to the Community Hours with the Greencastle Parks and Recreation Department.

The Putnam County Library, which will be participating in World Book Night, will be hosting a pre-World Book Night reception in preparation for book givers going out into the community on April 23. The reception will take place on Thursday, April 19 from 5-6:30 p.m. Volunteers will be able to pick up their books, talk about their choice of location and review the WBN principals of book giving...

GROVELAND -- Verizon Wireless customers in the Groveland area of Putnam County can take advantage of the Verizon Wireless 4G Long Term Evolution network, the nation's largest 4G LTE network, starting Thursday, April 19. On Thursday, Verizon Wireless is introducing the network in 27 new markets and expanding across 44 existing markets across the United States, including Groveland...

The National Honor Society of South Putnam High School will host its third annual Talent Show on Friday, April 20. Each year the talent show is a benefit for a family in the South Putnam High School Community. This year the talent show will benefit a South Putnam senior's mother, Melissa Chadd...

Relay for Life will be hosting its final event before the big day. On Wednesday, April 18 there will hold a Bank Night from 5-7 p.m. at the DePauw Union Building Ballroom. Relay for Life will take place Saturday and Sunday April 21-22 from noon-noon at Blackstock Stadium...

Bauers lost control and his truck left the road on the east side. The truck went into a deep ditch and came to rest on its side. Bauers was able to get out of the vehicle and began walking up the road, where he was later found by a deputy. Bauers tested at .18 percent blood-alcohol content on the portable breath test and later tested a .19 on the certified test at the Putnam County Jail...

Putnam County native Phillip Gick is a candidate for re-election to the Putnam County Council on the Republican ballot in the May 8 primary. Gick returned to Greencastle in 2006 after serving in the U.S. Army for 30 years. While in the Army, he led and directed organizations from small teams to units with thousands of personnel. ...

ROACHDALE -- The Cougar boys' track team picked up two wins at home Monday night. The Cougars out distanced Tri-West 69-55, and cruised past Metropolitan 69-17. Individual winners on the night were Dalton Spear in the 1,600-meter run and 3,200-meter run. Jacob Reed won the 110-meter hurdles, with Tyler Shorter winning the 100-meter dash, Hunter Logan the discus and Eric Davis in the shot put...

SPEEDWAY -- The Greencastle boys' golf team posted a score of 149 to win a three-way match with Speedway and Lapel. Finishing second behind the Tiger Cubs was Lapel with 157 and the host Sparkplugs were third with a 180. GHS golf Alec Davis fired a two-under 34 to lead the Tiger Cubs on the day. Brad Haussin shot a 37 and Luke Brotherton added a 38. Tanner Dean and Raymond Stinson scored a pair of 40s and Derik Thomas shot a 45...

The South Putnam softball remained perfect after winning a double-header against Monrovia Tuesday. South Putnam won the first game 12-0 and took the second by a score of 5-0. In game one, Emily Dabkowski was 2-for-3 with two RBI and three runs scored for the Eagles, while Jenny Thompson was 3-for-4 with a double, two RBI and three runs scored. Kelsey Whitaker and Mattie Varvel had two RBI each and Whitaker, Varvel and Jenna Jones scored one run each...

The North Putnam baseball team will be at the opening day of Little League Baseball in Roachdale Saturday at noon. Members of the North Putnam varsity baseball team will be in uniform signing baseballs and passing them out to young players from noon to 1 p.m...

The South Putnam boys' track and field team cruised to victory on Tuesday, hosting a three-team Shakamak and Clay City. South Putnam finished with 87 points, well ahead of Clay City (58) and Shakamak (22). South Putnam had first-place finishes in nine events. Tyler Neumann won the 110-meter hurdles and 400. Ryan Chestnut won the shot put and discus...

The South Putnam School Board mainly attended to routine matters Monday, finishing its meeting in just 25 short minutes after discussing a memorandum from the Putnam County Emergency Management Agency. The board agreed, as it has in previous years, to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Putnam County Emergency Management Agency...

The Cloverdale softball team cruised to a 10-0 victory against North Putnam on Tuesday, ending the game after only five innings. Paige Gutierrez started the game and lasted 4 innings, allowing one hit and striking out five. Kara Knapp led the offense, going 2-for-3 with a double and home run. She had three RBI...

INDIANAPOLIS -- Standing in the Indiana Senate chamber surrounded by fellow legislators and his family, Senator-elect Pete Miller took the oath of office Tuesday, officially becoming the state senator of District 24. The 42-year-old Miller was sworn in by Indiana Supreme Court Justice Robert Rucker...

The South Putnam girls' track team hosted Shakamak and Clay City on Tuesday, winning the meet with 72 points. The Eagles won five total events, including two individually, the 100-meter hurdles and 300-hurdles, by Ariel Higgins. She was also a member of the 4x100 relay that took first place, along with Steffany Baker, Jessica Jones and Josalynn Farmer...

CLOVERDALE -- The Cloverdale boys' golf team placed second behind Northview Monday 187-173. Shakamak fielded an incomplete team. Zach Hall, Brody Pfaff and Freddy Fislar paced the Clovers with each scoring 46 each. Aaron Whitlock shot a 49, Rylan Mattocks shot a 51 and Colte Tomlinson finished with a 56...

ROACHDALE -- North Putnam scored early and often on Monday night in knocking off WCC and county foe Cloverdale 8-4 at North Putnam High School. The Clovers started off with the lead behind the legs of Jordan Brinkman, who reached on an error and eventually scored on an Austin Mannan single...

MONROVIA -- South Putnam pitcher Seth Hammond didn't get many breaks Tuesday against Monrovia. The Bulldogs broke open a close game with a bloop double to short right field in the fifth inning that scored three runs in an 8-4 victory over the Eagles in a West Central Conference contest at Monrovia...

After years of vacancy and neglect, the historic hotel building in Russellville has become a hazardous eyesore. On Monday the town council agreed to approve a purchase agreement that, when signed by the current owner, will give the town control. They plan to immediately tear it down...

After a shaky start, GHS starting pitcher Ryan Battin settled down to hold the visiting Cadets scoreless and only allow three hits on the night. The Tiger Cubs rebounded from a tough loss Monday to defeat the Cadets 2-0 behind Battin's strong outing...

Members of the North Putnam High School science team ponder a first-round question Tuesday evening during competition in the senior division of the Indiana Academic Super Bowl. District competition in the Greencastle High School multipurpose room featured 20 teams competing in four divisions.

The Putnam County Council took a step toward raising some much-needed road funds for the county at Tuesday's monthly meeting. While the wheel tax and county motor vehicle excise tax cannot be changed until the May council meeting, the council approved the rates to be advertised, which reflect what they will be considering at the next meeting...

Carl G. Johnson, 75, Fillmore, passed away on Monday, April 16, 2012. He was born Nov. 23, 1936 to Harry E. Johnson and Katherine Borkjman, both of whom are deceased. Carl had three siblings, the late Charles E. Johnson and LaReata B. Berard and LaNora B. Miller, both of whom survive...

South Putnam will host a free Aquafina Major League Baseball Pitch, Hit and Run competition for area youth. The event will occur this Saturday at 10 a.m. at the South Putnam softball field. Boys and girls ages 7-14 can compete with a chance to advance to further competitions...

Bainbridge Elementary Students of the Month for February recently attended a celebration breakfast. Students honored were Samantha Hoops, Harlie England, Kylee Thorson, Shelby Merrill, Korbyn Cox, Jordan Hanger, Owen Fairburn, Destinie England, Sophie Gates, Hannah Judd, Ashley Lawless, Alissah Sturges, David Caveness, Jasmine Weddle, Clara Alford, Sean Davis, Ella Timm, Kaden Clouse, Victoria Louie, Peyton Myers and Hunter Duncan...

By LAUREN BOUCHER Staff Writer A pair of Tzouanakis Intermediate School students have recently been awarded for their efforts in the 2012 Max Ehrmann Poetry Competition. Students Amanda Allee and Vivian Savage of Karen Hirt's fourth and fifth grade split high ability class were among the 503 entries received from 386 individuals in six counties...

Third Nine Weeks Grade 12 High Honor Roll: Mackensy Asbell, Kyle Cunningham, Kolten Everts, Stephen Freund, Jared James, Bridget Johnston, Kierstan Kaufman, Heather Kemerly, Justin Montgomery, Mehgan Nordmeyer, Jaclyn Roush, Valerie Scott, Tari Starziscar, Lydia Volland...

Third Nine Weeks Grade Four High Honor Roll: Sarah Baker, Gayle Baugh, Madison Burton, Natasha Carter, Devin Cashion, Gabrielle Hamilton, Joeli Hamilton, Olivia Johnson, Blake Meek, Shelby Nees, Kacey Shedron, MacKenzie Stolz and Jonathan Wagoner Honor Roll: DaShanta Allen, Ray Bates, Ronnie Bilbrey, Lauren Branneman, Macie Couch, Christian Davis, Nola Dean, Morgan Goss, Jacob Hamilton, Maci Jones, Grace Long, Megan Miller, Kamrie Monnett, Harley Pellam, Natalie Rivera, Joseph Rutenberg, Tiarra Sheperd, Haley Smith, Adam Stattner, Caydhan Stevens, Morgan Trivett, Kassie Wade, Joshua Whitt and Sabrina Workman. ...

On Saturday, March 17, the North Putnam Middle School seventh and eighth grade choir participated in the Indiana State School Music Association Vocal Organizational Contest at Cloverdale High School. The choir participated in Group III with the songs "Madrigal of the Bells" by Linda Spevacek, "Gloria Deo" by Mary Lynn Lightfoot and "Sing with Jubilation" by Jerry Estes. ...

The Dance Workshop will be celebrating National Dance Week and fitness April 20-29 with special Zumba classes ending with a flash mob. During the week the focus will be dance, fun and fitness while helping A-Way Home Shelter. A hip-hop fitness routine will be taught Monday through Thursday, April 23-26 at the Dance Workshop. The classes will be one hour and the cost $5 per class. All proceeds will go to the A-Way Home Shelter. Times will be poster on Facebook and www.danceworkshop.co...

Following a cancellation due to storms last weekend, Eggstock, the annual adult egg hunt in Robe-Ann Park, has been rescheduled for 8:30 p.m. Saturday, April 21. Cost is $10 and the hunt is on, even in the rain or mud. The real hunt of the night is for a cure. All proceeds from the event will be donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation...

SPENCER -- McCormick's Creek State Park and Friends of McCormick's Creek will host a series of wildflower events, April 21-22. Weekend highlights include guided hikes with park naturalists, a regional ecologist and guest leaders. There also will be an off-site visit to Owen-Putnam State Forest to hike with the district forester and observe blooming trees and flowers...

MONROVIA -- The South Putnam baseball team lost a high-scoring affair with Monrovia Tuesday on game two of a double-header. The Eagles fell 17-11 to move to 2-8 on the season. The Eagles logged 16 hits on the night. Aaron Parker recorded three hits, with Nick Scott, Rob Gibson, Cody Heller, Seth Hammond and Joe Waters tallying two hits each. Parker had a double, with Scott and Waters adding two RBI each...

Republican Jake Zaring is vying for Putnam County Commissioner District 1. Zaring was born and raised in Putnam County, first in Marion Township, then living in Floyd Township for the past 37 years. He and his wife of 24 years, Debby, raised their children Aaron, Jordan and Izaak within the North Putnam Community School Corporation and actively served within the community...

The Greencastle girls' softball team fell to Cascade Tuesday 6-2 at home. The Tiger Cubs took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning, but the Cadets quickly responded to knot the game at two-all. Cascade ran off two runs in the sixth and seventh innings to outdistanced GHS 6-2...

The Greencastle Community School Corporation will be holding kindergarten orientation later this month for all incoming kindergarten students. Ridpath Primary School will be holding orientation on Wednesday, April 25 at 6 p.m. Orientation for students attending Deer Meadow Primary School will be on Thursday, April 26...

CLOVERDALE -- The Cloverdale baseball team defeated North Putnam 2-1 Tuesday at home. Brian Dale recorded the win for the Clovers, allowing just one hit on the night. Cloverdale scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to get the win. Cloverdale will travel to West Vigo today at 5 p.m., while North Putnam will travel to Covenant Christian today at 5:30 p.m...

BRAZIL -- South Putnam's boys' golf squad continued their blistering shooting Wednesday night, knocking off county foe North Putnam 161-178 at Oak Ridge. The Eagles were paced by Derek Chestnut, who took medalist honors with a round of 39, followed by a pair of 40's from Alex Kelly and Justin Berry. Tanner Robinson rounded out the scoring with a 42 for the hosts...

ROACHDALE -- Freshman Sabrina Surber pitched a six-hitter and blasted a two-run home run to lead North Putnam to a 9-1 victory over North Montgomery in a nonconference softball game Tuesday on the Cougars' field. Surber didn't allow an earned run. She struck out six and walked three in seven-inning effort...

At the end of Saturday's Dancing with the Putnam County Stars event, Kathy Asbell and Logan Kuhne were declared the winners of the dance competition. However, the real winners were the young people of Putnam County, as the event raised $45,000 for the Putnam County Youth Development Commission (PCYDC)...

CLOVERDALE -- Indiana SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) officials visited Cloverdale High School earlier this month, presenting teen traffic safety activities focused on promoting seatbelt usage, discouraging distracted and impaired driving and encouraging responsible driving habits...

An ex-drama teacher's next role will be as the Greencastle High School principal. Jennifer Shepherd will bring more than two decades of teaching and administrative experience to GHS when school opens in August. "I'm looking forward to the challenge," Shepherd said. "I think there are some exciting things that can happen at Greencastle High School. I'm looking to inspire staff and students to create school spirit, sense of pride, and carry that momentum through to our academics."...

CLAYTON -- The Cloverdale boys' golf team traveled to Deer Creek Golf Course to face the Monrovia Bulldogs and came away with a 222-177 victory. Zach Hall paced the Clovers with a medalist round of 43. Colte Tomlinson and Freddy Fislar followed with a pair of 44s. Aaron Whitlock shot a 46, while Rylan Mattocks fired a 49 and Brody Pfaff shot a 59...

The South Putnam girls' tennis team fell to Edgewood 4-1 Thursday at home. The No. 1 doubles team of Madison Cash and Caitlyn Boyce defeated Brandi Wilcoxen and Beka Douglas 3-6, 6-0, 6-3 for the Eagles' only win on the night. "(It was) just one of those night where the ball just didn't bounce our way," Eagles head coach Johnnie Briones said. "The girls could not get a good feel for the ball."...

Greencastle and North Putnam's boys' and girls' track teams squared off Thursday night, along with Crawfordsville, at North Putnam High School Greencastle claimed first in both meets, with North Putnam placing second in both. The Tiger Cub boys won 88-37-31 with the girls taking an 85-27-26 decision...

CLOVERDALE -- Paige Gutierrez struck out six for the home side as Cloverdale took down Class 3A No.4 Edgewood 5-1 Thursday night in Cloverdale. The senior went the distance, scattering five hits throughout her seven innings pitched, three to leadoff hitter Rachel Delay, walking none...

The South Putnam Eagles cruised to a 10-0 win over the visiting Eminence Thursday, but didn't come out unscathed. Senior shortstop Emily Dabkowski tweaked an ankle in the third inning, but head coach Chris Jones expects her to be ready when his team takes the field again...

Beginning April 20, troopers from the Putnamville State Police Post will increase seatbelt patrols throughout Putnam, Clay, Parke and Sullivan counties as part of the state's Rural Demonstration Project. On Thursday state police officials announced their participation in the annual effort, which aims to increase seat belt use by motorists in rural counties with the highest percentage of unrestrained fatalities...

The Parke County REMC Multi-County Community Trust (Operation Roundup) recently awarded $500 to the Russellville Community Center for the purchase of athletic equipment. Accepting the ceremonial check are Darrell Wiatt (left), Russellville Community Center president, and Gale Williams, former treasurer. Board members not present are Chris Williams, Cathy Jones, Barbara Bowman, Debbie Bartelt, Jean Gross and Joan Everman...

The United Way of Putnam County has welcomed Jennifer Edwards to the organization as the new executive director. Edwards will succeed David English, who served in the position for the last four years. Edwards is a lifelong resident of Putnam County. ...

Jeff Blaydes is seeking the Democratic nomination for Putnam County Commissioner in District 1. Blaydes said he would like to thank the many people who contacted him offering support after reading of his candidacy in the Banner Graphic. Blaydes is a fourth generation Putnam County native. Along with two brothers, Blaydes was raised in Roachdale. He attended Roachdale Schools from kindergarten through his sophomore year and graduated from North Putnam in 1971...

At age 99, Vera May Kierstead-Farber, a longtime Greencastle resident and 1936 graduate of DePauw University, has taken to giving gifts on her birthday. On Wednesday, April 4, she was on hand for a celebration to recognize her $100,000 gift to her alma mater, which made possible renovations to Thompson Recital Hall, a performance space located within DePauw's Green Center for the Performing Arts...

With many schools in the state scratching their heads at implementing a new, state-mandated model for teacher evaluations and compensation, Greencastle Community Schools forged ahead, creating its own model. The Indiana Department of Education noticed, announcing Thursday that Greencastle is among the 28 districts receiving Excellence in Performance for Teachers grants for 2012...

An experienced excavating company that demolished the old Greencastle City Hall building in 2003 will be back in town this spring to raze more ruckus. Denney Excavating Inc. (DEI), a Plainfield-based company that has 40-50 Indianapolis demolition projects on its agenda for this spring and summer, has been awarded the bid to tear down the old Mason Jewelers building at 18 W. Washington St...

Sandra L. Langston, 66, of Cloverdale, passed away April 19, 2012. Born January 10, 1946 in Danville, Ill., she was the daughter of Paul T. and Doris Doran Aarrestad. She married Jack Langston on Jan. 7, 1966 and was a homemaker. Survivors include her husband Jack, daughter Shannon Robinson and husband Shannon and grandchildren Megan S. and Damon M. Robinson...

Jessie H. Perdue, 82, of Greencastle, passed away on Thursday, April 19, 2012. He was born on Dec. 19, 1929 in Lafayette, Tenn. to Ezra Perdue and Gertha Cliburn Perdue. Jessie was one of 17 children. Jessie married Virginia Sanders on July 16, 1948, and she preceded him in death on May 16, 1991...

Billy R. Wilson, 77, of Coal City, passed away Thursday, April 19, 2012 at the home of his daughter. He was born Oct. 10, 1934 in Quebec, Tennessee, the son of Thomas E. Wilson and Eula Mae Steele. Billy retired from Rexnord Link-Belt, Bearing Division as a department foreman with 36 years of experience...

Marylee Aker McCammack, age 87, Greencastle, passed away Friday morning. She was born in Reelsville on March 20, 1925 the daughter of Forest and Lucille Mace Aker. She married Myron McCammack and he preceded her on September 9, 2009. She had taught school for 19 years at Fillmore and Northwest High School and had co-owned Fineline Fabrics in Indianapolis with her husband. She was a member of Gobin Memorial United Methodist Church, Greencastle...

ASHBORO -- A Clay County grandmother recently had an unforgettable experience when her great-granddaughter was born. Kathy Swearingen, Clay City, usually wakes up at 4 a.m., for her shift as a Clay County dispatcher; however, she was awakened earlier Thursday morning when her granddaughter Ashley Swearingen, of Clay City, went into labor.

CLOVERDALE -- The GMS boys' track team competed in a quad track meet Thursday against Cloverdale, Cascade and Eminence at Cloverdale. Greencastle won with a score of 98, Cascade was second with 40, Cloverdale was third with 33 and Eminence had 32. "We had several PR's on the night, the boys competed as a full team tonight, from our best runners to our new runners," GMS head coach Art Dwigans said...

CRAWFORDSVILLE -- The Greencastle boys' golf team posted a 156-170 win over Southmont Thursday on the road. Greencastle's Alec Davis tied Southmont's Taylor Monts with a score of 37 for low round of the match. Brad Haussin also posted a sub-40 round, shooting 38...

PRINCETON, N.J. -- Indiana sent four runners to Princeton's Larry Ellis Memorial on Friday to run the 3,000m steeplechase. Those four runners finished 1-2-3-4, with four of the 10 fastest times in the nation this season, including the top two times nationally from Andrew Poore and De'Sean Turner...

ROACHDALE -- In a weather-shortened game Friday night, the Eminence Eels were frozen solid by the North Putnam Cougars as the hosts poured on run after run, eventually winning 13-0 in just four and one half innings. After nearly an hour of waiting, Cougar fans finally had the offensive outburst they have been waiting for. A quick 12-pitch top half of the first inning for Jake Haste gave way to a three-run outpour for the Cougars offense...

The breast imaging staff at Putnam County Hospital recently announced Betty Allee of Reelsville and Mary Rominger of Greencastle as the winners of the second quarter gift basket drawings. Allee and Rominger won baskets of BCA goodies including breast cancer awareness umbrella, bath and body work products, a special breast cancer ornament, travel kits, candles, candy, stuffed pink lion and included in Allee's basket (a breast cancer survivor) was a $50 gift card to Walmart donated by Janice Dazey from PCH dietary and Dazey Trucking to help in the fight against breast cancer.. ...

On March 11 and 12, Cloverdale High School student CHELSEA LEACH was one of a select group of students who attended the 13th annual Molecular Medicine In Action (MMIA) program at Indiana University School of Medicine. This year, 50 of Indiana's best high school science students were selected -- from more than 240 applicants -- for the two-day program, during which they worked alongside top research scientists learning hands-on laboratory techniques used in modern biomedical research...

Kevin and Donetta Mayes of Terre Haute and Maurice and Carolyn Butler of Greencastle proudly announce the engagement and upcoming wedding of their children, Ashton Renee and Matthew Clark. Ashton is currently studying at Indiana State University and is employed at First National Bank. Matt is a graduate of Vincennes University and is employed at Butler's LP Gas and Fertilizer...

The DePauw University Band will present a concert on Sunday, April 22 with a program that will feature a variety musical of styles. The performance begins at 3 p.m. in Kresge Auditorium of the Green Center for the Performing Arts. It can also be heard live on DePauw's student radio station, WGRE 91.5 FM and on their web site at www.wgre.org/listen.asp...

Dancing can be a form of expression. It can help you stay young, improve memory, burn calories, improve aerobics and simply be fun. On Tuesday it can also be for a good cause. DePauw senior Hannah Clingan will put on a Latin-inspired dance fitness event benefiting the Riley Hospital for Children on Tuesday, April 24 at the DePauw Lilly Fitness Center...

Putnam County native Gene Beck is seeking a Republican nomination to an at-large seat on the Putnam County Council in the May 8 primary election. Beck has been active in county government, serving as a deputy sheriff under Bobby Albright, Putnam County Councilman, Putnam County Highway Supervisor and currently as County Commissioner, First District...

The City of Greencastle will be honoring firefighter Brian Moore for his 23 years of service on Monday, April 23. The reception will take place at Greencastle City Hall from 4-5:30 p.m. on Monday. The public is invited to help celebrate Moore's 23 years of public service.

ROACHDALE -- At its monthly meeting on Thursday, the North Putnam School Board celebrated the accomplishments of students with cake and the careers of retiring faculty members with kind words. However, they did not celebrate over the school's finances...

REELSVILLE -- A suspected drunk driver who is believed to have caused an estimated $40,000 worth of property damage in the Apple Blossom subdivision was arrested early Friday morning by Indiana State Police Troopers from the Putnamville Post. The wild ride landed suspect Christopher M. Barrow, 26, of Brazil, in the Putnam County Jail...

ROACHDALE -- On Sunday, April 15, the Roachdale Fire Department contacted the Indiana Department of Environmental Management to report a white substance running out of a drainage tile in northern Roachdale. The tile flows from a city storm sewer, underneath the Crop Production Services property and out the other side. It leads to a creek, which flows into a small private lake...

The Putnam County Fairgrounds is playing host to the Fiber Event, which began Friday and continues today from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. This is the third year the event has called the fairgrounds home and plans on returning next year. Although most vendors are from Indiana, many travel from Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky and Illinois to sell their fiber.

On this day, we lovingly send our husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather to meet with his heavenly father. Richard Harold Ward, 92, left this earth on Saturday, April 22, 2012 in Lafayette. Richard (or as everyone called him, Dick) was born on March 7, 1920 in Montgomery County to Homer Bratton and Myrtle Everson Ward. He farmed for more than 70 years in Montgomery County...

Effie J. Malicoat, 88, of Bainbridge, passed away on Saturday, April 21, 2012. She was born on March 27, 1924 in Somerset, Ky. to Herbert W. McGraw and Damie L. Abbott McGraw. She married Pleasant C. Malicoat on Feb. 11, 1939 and he preceded her in death on September 8, 1994...

CLOVERDALE -- The Cloverdale softball team defeated Union Dugger 9-5 Saturday. Jess Winders was 3-for-3 for the Clovers, with a double and three RBI. Bradanne Toney went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI. Adri Patterson was 2-for-2 at the plate, with Kara Knapp, Heather Goss and Justina Wellington contributing hits...

DANVILLE -- The Greencastle softball team fell to Danville 6-4 Saturday. The Tiger Cubs fell behind early 3-0, but roared back to take the lead 4-3 after a four-run fourth inning. However, the Warriors scored three runs in two innings to gain the win...

TERRE HAUTE -- The Greencastle boys' golf team placed second at the Terre Haute South Brave Invite Saturday. Terre Haute North won with a score of 307, with the Tiger Cubs following with a score of 313. Alec Davis earned medalist honors after firing a round of 75. Brad Haussin followed closely with a 77, with Luke Brotherton shooting an 80. Tanner Dean carded an 81 and Raymond Stinson shot an 84...

PUTNAMVILLE -- The weather might have been a bit on the chilly side on Saturday night at Lincoln Park Speedway, but it wasn't enough to cool off Kyle Cummins. Cummins was practically untouchable all evening as he dominated his sprint car heat and then led wire-to-wire to top a hard-charging Dakota Jackson to claim the winner's share of the A-main money in the Vincennes University, Tim Mason Re/Max, Greenwell Auto Body-sponsored No. 3c...

A Tuesday, April 17 accident spilled more than 35 tons of lime along the side of State Road 243 and sent an Illinois semi driver to the hospital with minor injuries. At 12:25 p.m., James R. Phillips, 37, Benton, Ill., was traveling southwest State Road 243 in a 2006 Freightliner Classic semi tractor...

In an effort to encourage residential customers to upgrade their natural gas appliances to even greater efficiency, Vectren has modified its natural gas appliance rebate program, known as Conservation Connection. The tiered rebate structure for residential natural gas appliances is based on the level of efficiency and the initial cost to the consumer; as the efficiency rate increases, so does the rebate amount...

Local communications service provider Metronet will move to a new location in downtown Greencastle on Monday, April 30. Metronet, a local, cutting edge company, purchased the building at 15 S. Indiana St. in March and has been working to restore and renovate it since then...

Parke County REMC is sponsoring the April Greater Greencastle Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours session from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, April 24. The event will take place at the Putnam Inn. It is open to Chamber members and their guests.

Local playwright Steve Timm will present a noon brown bag talk titled "Alligators, Bobcat and a Broken Canoe: Writing my Way through the Everglades" on Thursday, April 26 at the Putnam County Public Library. The event is part of the library's Passport Travel program. Participants are encouraged to bring their passports to be stamped -- or pick one up at the library -- and be entered for prizes to be given in the fall...

We will be taking 4-H camp applications on a first come first served basis as there is still room on the bus. Registration will absolutely be cut off by Tuesday, May 15 if we are not full by that time. Go to extension.purdue.edu/putnam for current information about camp, which can be found by going to the 4-H left menu link and then click on the camp link...

In honor of National Dance Week, there will be free Zumba classes Tuesday and Thursday at Heritage Lake Clubhouse from 7-8 p.m. Lita Sandy of Dance Workshop will be the instructor. The classes are open to the public. Dance Workshop will also open a permanent Zumba location at 11 E. Washington St. in Roachdale today. Penny Long will have a class starting at 6 p.m...

The annual Greencastle High School Alumni Association fundraising spaghetti dinner will be served Wednesday, April 25 in the Greencastle High School cafeteria from 5-7 p.m. Alumni Association president Steve McMains promises all the spaghetti one cares to eat for just $5. There will also be salad, beverages and homemade desserts...

Police Sgt. Jennifer Pyatt Barrett will conduct a workshop at the North Putnam High School auditorium to discuss topics ranging from child exploitation, soliciting and pornography, social networking sites, sexting and cyberbulling on Wednesday. Barrett will conduct a program from 6-7 p.m. followed by an hour-long question an answer session with the parents in attendence...

The Putnam County Community Foundation has announced a new way to win in the 2012 Share the Dream Contest. In addition to the three awards that have been offered in the past, the Community Foundation will now award an endowment administered by the Foundation an additional $200 for each new person who names that endowment as a partial or full beneficiary of a life insurance policy, an individual retirement account, a trust, or another type of planned gift...

A state title will be within reach for two Putnam County Academic Super Bowl teams on Saturday, May 5. Not only did the South Putnam fine arts and Greencastle social studies teams win the local Class 3 competitions at Greencastle High School last Tuesday, the teams' scores put them just one point behind the state's top finishers in class...

No speed limit is needed as the wheels of government cross Baker's Camp Covered Bridge. As always, they turn slowly. The county learned of a pair of federal grant disbursements totaling $980,000 last summer that will fund 80 percent of a $1.225 million rehabilitation project for the 111-year-old structure. However, work on the bridge will not start until spring 2014...

It was a cold start to this year's Relay for Life, but hundreds showed up to pledge their support to ending cancer. The day started off with co-chairs Danielle Boyd and Katherine Butler not only thanking everyone for their support but let them know that more than $104,000 had been raised as of noon Saturday.

While students of Greencastle Community Schools were off Friday, class was in session for the Greencastle School Board. The five members, along with Superintendent Dr. Lori Richmond and Assistant Superintendent Dawn Puckett, spent the day in a board retreat at the DePauw Nature Park Ian and Mimi Roland Welcome Center...

As state officials continue to struggle with questions of how the Indiana Department of Revenue shortchanged Indiana Counties by $206 million in a year and a half, county officials have the more palatable task of figuring out what to do with the money...

FILLMORE -- A Coatesville man died in a one-vehicle crash on Rangeline Road in eastern Putnam County Saturday night. The Putnam County Sheriff's Department investigation indicates that 35-year-old Timothy S. Horner of Coatesville was eastbound approaching County Road 750 East near Bethel Church. He appeared to have lost control of the vehicle while traveling at a high rate of speed...

MOUNT MERIDIAN -- A one-vehicle rollover accident Monday morning on U.S. 40 near the Putnam-Hendricks county line sent a Plainfield woman and her young son to the hospital. Indiana State Police troopers and Putnam County emergency agencies responded to U.S. 40 at County Road 825 East, approximately 2.5 miles east of Mount Meridian, at 8:16 a.m. Monday...

A minor electrical malfunction caused the evacuation of Greencastle Middle School Monday morning. At 8:48 a.m., the Greencastle Fire Department was dispatched to the middle school at 400 S. Percy Julian Dr. for a structure fire. Upon the fire department's arrival, the school had been evacuated, but the fire was already out. The problem had originated in a light ballast in the gymnasium...

An outage in the Metronet phone system is affecting some of the 10 digital phone lines at Putnam County Dispatch. While 911 emergency calls are not affected, the non-emergency number (653-5115) was not working as of early Tuesday afternoon. Dispatch has one line from a different service provider -- (765) 795-4791 -- that is currently working. The public may use this number to reach dispatch for non-emergency calls...

DANVILLE -- The North Putnam boys' golf team edged Cloverdale 194-197 Monday. Danny Smith shot a 41 to win medalist honors for the Cougars, with Jake Smith adding a 48. Lance Clodfelter shot a 50, while Jon Willard added a round of 55 and Emmett Holsapple added 58. Tyler Martin shot a 61...

Greencastle's boys' and girls' track squads split their three-way meet at West Vigo Tuesday night against the hosts and Terre Haute North. North won the boys' side over Greencastle and West Vigo 91-42-34 and claimed the girls' meet as well over Greencastle and West Vigo 92-59-16...

The Cloverdale coed track teams competed at the Mustang Invitational Saturday at Edgewood. The girls placed fifth overall with a score of 56, while the boys finished sixth with a total of 53 points. For the girls Mariah Oetken placed second in the 400-meter dash with a time of 1:01.88...

TERRE HAUTE -- Alec Davis shot a medalist round of 35 to lead Greencastle past Terre Haute South 156-172 Monday. In addition to Davis' 35, Brad Haussin shot a 39 and Luke Brotherton added a 40. Raymond Stinson shot a 42, Adam Jaynes a 43 and Derik Thomas a 45. Tanner Dean and Carl Basile shot a pair of 47s, with Justin Baxter carding a 51 and Joe Kaiser shooting 60...

The South Putnam tennis team defeated Turkey Run 3-2 on Senior Night. Senior Ericka Minor gave South Putnam its lone singles win on the night, defeating Hannah Delp 6-3, 6-1. The No. 1 doubles team of Caitlyn Boyce and Madision Cash picked up a win 6-2, 6-3, while the No. 2 doubles team of Kyndra Boyce and Emily Clark won 6-3, 6-2...

CLOVERDALE -- The Cloverdale softball team lost two tough contests to Cascade to start the week. On Monday the Clovers lost 5-1 and were nipped 5-4 on Tuesday. Paige Gutierrez pitched a complete game for Cloverdale Tuesday, allowing six hits and five runs, while striking out six...

ROACHDALE --North Putnam's Coy Flynn was superb on the mound and at the plate Tuesday against South Putnam. The sophomore right-hander limited the Eagles to four hits, struck out eight and didn't walk a batter and had a home run and three RBIs in a 12-0 victory in five innings in a West Central Conference game on the Cougars' field...

Class 2A No. 1 South Putnam kept its winning ways going after knocking off North Putnam 12-2 in six innings Monday night. The Eagles pounced early, plating the first four batters that came up in the bottom of the first. Brooke Boetjer and Mattie Varvel hit singles that knocked in two runs apiece...

CLOVERDALE -- Coming off an 8-7 win over Cascade on Monday, Cloverdale was looking to add another victory Tuesday. However, sluggish play resulted in a 7-3 loss, with head coach Bryan Archer noting his team needed to pick its effort up. "It all starts with our defense," Archer said. ...

To the Editor: Her tireless efforts and behind-the-scenes work -- as well as her gracious spirit -- are highly valued. She is a blessing and a true asset to our congregation and community. Thank you, Mrs. Staley! The FBC Congregation...

To the Editor: Bill Field in a recent letter to the editor declares that FDR's "... disastrous, ill-conceived economic policies made the Great Depression drag on for years ..." This statement is followed with no supporting evidence whatsoever. It is a throwaway line. That's what conservatives like to do -- throw out emotionally charged statements without actually backing them up...

To the Editor: This letter is twofold in nature to the Putnam County community, in order to say thank you, while conveying a message to the community. Initially, please allow me to convey a statement related to my leaving the executive director's position with the United Way of Putnam County, after having the wonderful opportunity of serving my community for the last four years...

Gardeners who raise their plants from seeds have the opportunity to sell the excess plants on Saturday, April 28 at the Cloverdale Farmers Market. From 9 a.m.-noon, those wishing to sell their garden plants may do so at the farmers market lot at Logan and Lafayette streets...

The Putnam County Public Library will offer the free computer class "Make Use of Your Library's Online Resources," on Monday, April 30, from 6-7:30 p.m. Class members will learn the use of the library's online catalog and other available databases in order to conduct efficient searches. This can be done over the Internet from home...

The Frank Portolese Trio will play DePauw Jazz at the Duck from 8:30-10:30 p.m. Thursday, April 26. The group features Frank Portolese (DePauw '75) on guitar and a rhythm section of brothers Fred and Sam Withrow on bass and drums, respectively. The performance, as always, is at The Inn at DePauw's Fluttering Duck and is free and open to the public...

Putnam County Hospital will again be offering a group class for diabetes self-management on Tuesday, May 8. The material will be divided into two sessions, Diabetes 101: Diabetes Basics and Diabetes 201: Proper Nutrition, which will include carbohydrate counting...

The McCloud Nature Park plans a weather discussion in the afternoon and, weather permitting, a star gazing event at night on Saturday, April 28. At 2 p.m. McCloud's naturalist will teach those in attendance how to read and interpret a weather map, causes of severe weather and why seasonal weather patterns occur...

A new exhibit honoring one of Putnam County's most enduring families, the Carringtons, opened Saturday, April 14 at the Putnam County Museum with a special reception at 10:30 a.m. Malcolm Romine, one of the family's current descendants, will speak on the family's history at the opening reception...

Fraternal Order of Eagles lodge #4388 made a donation to Putnam County Comprehensive Services Special Olympics athletes. Bowling team members (from left) Michael Armacost, Terry Chadwick, Gary Steele and Michael German came to receive the check. Also pictured are staff and lodge members. The area games will occur on May 19.

Several people have been booked into the Putnam County Jail recently. At 2:40 p.m. Christopher Ryan Dunn, 33, Tuckerman, Ariz., was booked in for operating while intoxicated. At 8:05 p.m. George Ronald Cross, 28, Indianapolis, was arrested for possession of paraphernalia and possession of methamphetamine...

Rodney Fenwick is a Republican candidate for Putnam County commissioner, District 1, in the May 8 primary. Fenwick was born and raised in Putnam County. Growing up, he said his grandfather and father instilled in him "the most important things in life -- God, country and family."...

Monday was World Book Night, an annual celebration in which volunteers go out to their communities and pass out free, specially labeled books. Peggy Lilly, a worker at Area 30, was one of a number of Greencastle community members to take part. Lilly said she heard about the event in January and is excited to be a part of it. "I love to read," Lilly said. "I'm in the library all the time." Lilly was given 20 copies of "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini to hand out. She surprised parents at Big Walnut Sports Park. Lilly, right, is seen here handing a copy to Cynthia Boswell.

The 17th annual fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, Putnam County Relay For Life 2012, has raised more than $129,300. That eclipsed last year's total by more than $3,000 when the 24-hour-long event concluded Sunday with more funds still expected to come in...

The public is invited to the "Farewell, Reelsville Elementary" open house from 1-5 p.m. Saturday, May 5. The event will give people one more chance to tour the school before it closes for good in June. It will also be a time to reminisce on the history of the school...

Jason Wayne Hayman, 34, Fillmore, passed away on April 24, 2012 at Wishard Hospital in Indianapolis. He was born Aug. 30, 1977 at Greencastle, and was the son of James S. and Judy A. (Zimmerman) Hayman. He was married to Lisa (Stremlow) Hayman on March 17, 2003 and she survives...

MARSHALL -- The South Putnam baseball team dropped a 10-5 contest to Turkey Run Wednesday. The Eagles took an early lead after scoring two runs in the top of the first inning. The Warriors responded with two runs in the bottom of the frame to tie the game at 2-all. Turkey Run added runs in the third, fifth and sixth inning to take a 10-2 lead into the seventh...

The Greencastle girls' tennis team welcomed Speedway Monday and halted the Sparkplugs for a 3-2 win. Kayla Chadd, Greencastle's No. 3 singles player, got things going with a win over Speedway's Haily Merrit 6-2, 6-1. No. 1 singles player Haylie Romer kept the Tiger Cubs going with 6-2, 6-2 win over the Sparkplugs' Lindsey Tucker...

ROACHDALE -- The North Putnam girls' track team competed against Rockville and Riverton Parke. In the meet, the Cougars posted five wins, including setting a record in the discus. Katie Welch won the discus with a toss of 109-6, breaking a record that was set in 1989. Sam Lucas won the shot put with a distance of 36-1/2, while Katie Douglas winning the 1,600-meter run in a time of 6:11. Douglas also won the 3,200-meter run...

LIZTON -- The South Putnam softball team defeated Tri-West 12-0 in five innings. Pitcher Brooke Boetjer pitched a perfect game, where the senior struck out nine batters. Jenna Jones led the South Putnam offense with a home run and four RBI. MaKenzie Trisler recorded a double and Janet Crafton added a double. Boejter and Jenny Thompson added an RBI each...

The No. 1 youth soccer company in the United States, Challenger Sports, will hold its fifth annual British Soccer Camp at Big Walnut Sports Park hosted by the Putnam County Youth Soccer. The camp will run June 25-29 and each child will be coached by a member of Challenger's British coaching staff flown to the United States exclusively to work on these programs. ...

ELLETTSVILLE -- The Cloverdale coed track teams competed at the Mustang Invitational Saturday at Edgewood. The girls placed fifth overall out of seven teams with a score of 56, while the boys finished sixth out of seven with a total of 53 points. For the girls Mariah Oetken placed second in the 400-meter dash with a time of 1:01.88. Oetken also won third in the high jump with a height of 5-3 and Brooke Gray was third in the 300-meter hurdles with a time of 17.45...

Greencastle's softball squad dropped its fifth consecutive game Wednesday night, falling to North Central (Farmersburg) 17-7 in five innings. The Thunderbirds struck in every inning, jumping out to a 10-0 lead in the third before the hosts could respond...

The Greg Nagy Band, a Michigan-based blues group, will play The Swizzle Stick in downtown Greencastle from 9 p.m.-midnight Friday, April 27. The band plays eclectic, modern blues that meld funk, rock, soul and many other elements into their own style. Nagy (vocals and guitar) is a two-time Blues Music Award nominee...

After going nine years without a new album, Eve 6 released "Speak in Code" on Tuesday. As fans hoped, the album maintains (lyrically) the same things the band has always been about. The themes: expectation, personal growth, friends, dating the wrong girl and friends who date the wrong girl, have been rehashed in different ways on each album...

Roachdale Citizens of the Month for March include (front from left) Emily Presslor, Malachi Fish, Jasmine Hunley, Archer Springmeyer, Jayden Tobin, (middle) Austin Tripp, Dylan Smith, Ron Smiley from Fox 59, Wyleigh Thomas, Matt McHargue, (back) Cheyenne Graham, Sophie Wishert, Dakota Lathrop and Jalen Berry.

Members of the North Putnam Middle School and High School show choir, Sonido Bonito, performed for the Prime Timers dinner at Roachdale Christian Church on recently. Both high school choirs performed, as well as many soloists including Corinne Callan, Alan Skillern, Christina Rice, and Logan Grim.

The Bainbridgre Math Bowl team won first place in its class competition. Bainbridge was also fourth in the state out of 124 teams. Members of the team are Emma Haste, Olivia Haste, Josie Lyons, Adam Ammons, Lucius Alexander, Elle Timm, Jake Suddarth, Peyton Meyers, Zachary Koll, Kolton Thorson, Alexis Benge, Mary Timm, Zachary Timm, Emma Blanford and Evan Davies. The Math Bowl Team is coached by Mrs. Becky Cook and Mrs. Staci Parent.

Katherine Voskoboynik (right) was recently named the 2012 DePauw Big Sister of the Year. Katherine is a caring, consistent, positive and patient Big Sister. She has been matched for three years with her Little Sister Hayleemarie (left) in the school program at Cloverdale Elementary. Katherine and Hayleemarie enjoy doing a variety of activities together like trying to catch frogs in the pond, playing in the gym, doing homework, reading or playing board games. Hayleemarie especially enjoys creative activities so Katherine brings craft projects to work on together. Hayleemarie is always excited to see her Big Sister and thinks that Katherine is "nice, kind, sweet and the best sister ever." The Big Brothers Big Sisters Mission is to help children reach their potential through one-to-one relationships with mentors that have a measurable impact on youth.

By SUE CRAFTON Putnam SWCD The Putnam County Soil and Water Conservation District is one of 92 agencies that are located in Indiana. In the beginning we helped farmers with soil erosion concerns on their land to help protect the top soil. The 1930s Great Depression was instrumental in starting this grassroots organization. Congress knew that something was needed to alleviate the huge dust storms that were created from the drought, wind, and farming practices of the time...

CLAYTON -- The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) has announced State Road 39 will close Tuesday, May 1 for a pavement replacement project in Clayton. The pavement replacement project will close the roadway north of U.S. 40 until December...

BRIDGETON -- The town of Bridgeton will host its 20th annual Mountain Man Rendezvous Saturday and Sunday, April 28-29, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Come out and enjoy a taste of authentic pre-1840s living in a beautiful historic setting. Walk through the Mountain Man encampment complete with trading posts and pioneer goods for sale...

PUTNAMVILLE -- The Putnamville Correctional Facility (PCF) has collected 1,121 bags of trash from Indiana roadsides this month during the Indiana Department of Transportation's (INDOT) annual "Trash Bash." Over a 10-day period April 10-19, Putnamville Sgt. Robert Evans, Officer Ryan Nicholson and four to six offenders assigned to the local facility's outside work crew walked 27.5 miles picking up trash and debris in Putnam County...

The Gamma Phi chapter of Kappa Delta Phi Sorority will host the 75th Central Region Convention of Kappa Delta Phi this Friday and Saturday at the Inn at DePauw in Greencastle. Delegates from the 10 Kappa Delta Phi chapters in the Central Region will convene on Friday afternoon for registration, hospitality and an evening program of entertainment...

The Greencastle City Council will make one of its two appointments to the Greencastle Community School Board of Trustees at the June meeting of the Council. The four-year term in question, the seat currently filled by school board president Bruce Stinebrickner, will commence on July 1, 2012 and continue until June 30, 2016...

Tina Fogle of Greencastle is seeking the Putnam County Council At-Large position on the Republican ballot in the May 8 primary. Fogle has been a Putnam County resident since 2001 when she and her husband moved to Greencastle after he retired from the United States Air Force...

The Friends of the Farmers' Market and 2012 Downtown Farmers' Market vendors will meet again concerning the upcoming 2012 market season at 6 p.m. Monday, April 30 at Greencastle City Hall. The meeting will feature Putnam County Health Department representative Darrell Brackney. He will be available to answer vendor questions regarding the upcoming market season...

School and law enforcement officials reacted quickly to a Wednesday night threat by a Greencastle Middle School student, preventing what could have been a dangerous situation. The unnamed student posted a threatening comment on Facebook Wednesday evening, prompting Greencastle Superintendent Dr. Lori Richmond to release a statement regarding the incident on Thursday...

Growing up, family dramas didn't have their desired affect on me. I've always watched all types of films, but when it came to family dramas, I found myself in the middle. There were a few that reached their mark though. I mean who hasn't watched "Kramer vs. Kramer" and not hated Meryl Streep? I still hold a grudge until this day...

The Cloverdale Middle School girls' track team placed third in a quad-meet recently. Greencastle won with a tally of 80.5, with Cascade placing second with 63, Cloverdale third with 43.5 and Eminence was fourth with four points. Naomi Williams won the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 18.75. Tori Foster won the shot put...

CLOVERDALE -- The Cloverdale softball team defeated Rockville 12-1 in five innings Thursday. Paige Gutierrez pitched a complete game, allowing two hits with 11 strikeouts. Kara Knapp was 3-for-4 at the plate for the Clovers, with a double and four RBI. Gutierrez was 2-for-2 with an RBI, with Brianna Hoff adding a 3-for-3 performance with a double...

The Greencastle Middle School boys' track team defeated Tuttle 94-15 Thursday. Greencastle won 12 of 13 events en route to the victory. Tanner Skarff won three events on the night. He won the long jump with a distance of 16-5, the 100-meter dash in a time of 12.1 and the 200-meter dash in a time of 25.6. Cole Edgar won the discus with a toss of 110:10 and the shot put with a distance of 37-1...

With less than two weeks before the Putnam County meet begins, South Putnam's boys' and girls' track squads hosted Monrovia and Danville Thursday evening. The Eagles found the competition tough as the girls fell 72-51-44 to the Bulldogs and Warriors, while boys lost to Danville and split with Monrovia 67-50-50...

CLOVERDALE -- As uncertain as the winds were during the match, the outcome of a tri-match between Cloverdale, Greencastle and Plainfield remained up in the air for many minutes following the round. Problems arose when the scores were tallied before the final golfers had reported their scores. ...

Fourth and fifth grade students who are part of the Bainbridge Elementary Green Team planted their annual Arbor Day tree at East Point Park in Bainbridge on Thursday. Clara Alford (above) and the rest of the kids helped to add fill dirt around the tree. Kristie Hankins, who teaches second grade and coordinates the group, said this was only part of what the Green Team does. "They're my ambassadors to the school," Hankins said. "They make sure we recycle and do all the other good things." There are about 35 members of the Green Team.

CLOVERDALE -- On Saturday, Rebuilding Together Owen Putnam will be assisting a local veteran who was permanently disabled in an accidental shooting. Rebuilding Together, the nation's leading nonprofit working to preserve affordable home ownership, has partner with Heroes at Home, a program created through a collaboration of Sears Holdings Corporation to assist veterans nationwide...

The Putnam County Public Library Board added some fun to its typical monthly meeting Wednesday evening. The board discussed key issues such as the strategic planning for the next three years and the upcoming summer reading program. The board is working on the strategic planning process, which requires them to hold community input days. Board members are required to attend some but not all of the meetings to hear suggestions from the community...

School and law enforcement officials reacted quickly to a Wednesday night threat by a Greencastle Middle School student, preventing what could have been a dangerous situation. The unnamed student posted a threatening comment on Facebook Wednesday evening, prompting Greencastle Superintendent Dr. Lori Richmond to release a statement regarding the incident on Thursday...

Move for Miracles, organized by Hannah Clingan, brought together more than 80 people on Tuesday. They danced Zumba and donated to the Riley Hospital for Children. Clingan, inset, is the reigning Miss Central Indiana. She said there was a great turnout, with donations still coming in. She is hoping to have more Move for Miracles events around the region in the future

Ty K. Hempe, who describes himself as a "Tea Party Conservative Reagan Republican" is an at-large candidate for a seat on the Putnam County Council in the May 8 GOP primary. A retired, disabled U.S. Army veteran, Hempe is proud of having served five deployments with the U.S. Army...

FILLMORE -- A routine probation visit by the Putnam County Probation Office and troopers from the Putnamville Post of the Indiana State Police has resulted in the discovery of a meth lab and the subsequent arrest of the homeowner. David W. Benassi, 48, Fillmore, has been preliminarily charged with one count of manufacturing methamphetamine, a Class B felony; one count of maintaining a common nuisance, Class D; one count of possession of precursors, Class D; and two counts of possession of a sawed-off shotgun, Class D.. ...

It's been a long 12 months for Roger Bailey. A crushed hip, broken ribs, a broken vertebra and a collapsed lung on May 6, 2011 were only the beginning. Since then, Bailey has been through two rounds of rehab, with a total hip reconstruction in between...

Calling Kristina D. Renner "perhaps the most addictive personality I've run across in terms of drug, alcohol and sexual addiction," Putnam County Prosecutor Timothy Bookwalter suggested Thursday that she needed "some significant time in jail." And Putnam Circuit Court Judge Matthew Headley complied, sentencing the 42-year-old Cloverdale woman to a total of five years in prison -- 2-1/2 years to be served with the Indiana Department of Correction with an additional six months on home detention and the remainder suspended.. ...

PUTNAMVILLE -- National Crime Victims' Rights Week, April 22-28, was observed Thursday during a Community Advisory Board meeting and tree planting ceremony at the Putnamville Correctional Facility (PCF). "We are excited to have the opportunity to further awareness of victims' rights and services," PCF Superintendent Stanley Knight said...

The 2012 Putnam County Extension Homemakers Spring Dessert will take place on Monday, April 30 in the Community Building at the Fairgrounds. All new members who have joined the local organization within the past 12 months will be recognized during this time. Viewing of Cultural Arts exhibits and refreshments start at 6:30 p.m. with the program scheduled to begin at 7 p.m...

Russell and Mary Alice Harcourt of Fillmore will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary with an open house on Sunday, May 6 from 1-4 p.m. at the Putnam County Fairgrounds at Harris Hall. Russell and the former Mary Alice Nichols were married May 3, 1952 at the Fillmore Christian Church. Both were graduates of Fillmore High School and have lived and worked in Putnam County all of their lives...

The Gospel Servants Quartet will perform at Abundant Life Baptist Church in Putnamville at 10 a.m. Sunday, May 6.

The friends and family members of Missy Chadd will be holding a benefit dinner on Sunday, May 6 at the Reelsville Fire House from 1-5:30 p.m. Chadd was recently diagnosed with breast and bone cancer. Chadd and her family are looking for support to help lighten the financial burden as she continues her fight...

The South Putnam and Cloverdale high school student councils have combined efforts to stage the 2012 Senior Citizens Prom. This year's prom will be held 6-9 p.m. Saturday, May 5 at Cloverdale High School. The prom theme is "Masquerade." All local senior citizens are invited to attend a night of food, music, dancing, door prizes and more. Admission is free...

What does Cinco de Mayo mean? What is the significance of May 5? The Putnam County Public Library and the Greencastle Parks and Recreation Department have planned a Cinco de Mayo event for 1-3 p.m. Saturday, May 5 at shelterhouse No. 1 in Robe-Ann Park...

The Mother Earth Bike Ride, sponsored by Covered Bridge Cyclery, Friends of the Park, People Pathways and the Greencastle Parks and Recreation Department, is set for 1 p.m. Sunday, May 6. Riders will have a choice between a 10-mile or 25-mile route...

CLOVERDALE -- The Cloverdale boys' track team defeated Cascade and Tri-West in a three-way meet Thursday. The Clovers won with a score of 67, followed by the Cadets with 54 and the Bruins with 37. Cloverdale posted four individual wins on the night as well as capturing two relays...

South Putnam's baseball squad broke a six game losing skid Friday night after an eight-run fifth inning catapulted the Eagles to an 11-1 win over Riverton Parke in five innings. The hosts started off the game with a run in the first inning. The Eagles notched three straight singles before Cody Heller's sac fly drove in Rob Gibson for the 1-0 lead...

ROACHDALE -- Sometimes it's as easy a making contact. North Putnam connected on 11 hits Friday against Tri-West and put together an eight run fourth inning en route to a 12-0 win over the Bruins in five innings. North Putnam head coach Norm Fish said the win gave his team a lot of confidence, which was nice to see...

David R. Brown is the Republican candidate for Putnam County coroner in the May 8 primary election. Brown has been the chief deputy the past eight years and has been with the Coroner's Office the past 14 years. He earned his Indiana Medio-Legal Death Investigator (MDI) certification in January 2000, and has been a paid investigator for the county since that time...

Cloverdale Clerk Treasurer Cheryl Galloway will soon have a new deputy. The town council passed a motion Thursday to hire a new utility clerk. This will allow the current utility clerk to become Galloway's deputy. Council president Don Sublett came to the council in support of hiring a new deputy clerk to help Galloway with all of her duties...

Greencastle's "Tree Lady" has never sought recognition, she has just done what she thought was right. For that reason, she was recognized anyway this Arbor Day. The Greencastle Civic League and the City of Greencastle dedicated the Joanne Haymaker Lights of Love Tree Grove on Friday, honoring the someone who has been planting trees in and around the city for decades...

Four vehicles, more than $10,000 in property damage and two hours of police investigation and accident clean-up comprised a whopper of an accident in front of Burger King on Greencastle's East Side Friday afternoon. "It was a mess," Greencastle City Police Officer Ed Wilson told the Banner Graphic. "It looked like one of those Talladega crashes."...

NEW WINCHESTER -- The Whitestone Food Pantry will conduct a food distribution effort from 9-10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 5 at the food pantry, located at 8045 W. U.S. 36, west of New Winchester. Distribution is geared to needy residents of Floyd Township in eastern Putnam County and Marion Township in western Hendricks County...

Norman "Scott" Frost, age 66, of Greencastle, passed away on Saturday, April 28, 2012 at the Putnam County Hospital. Born Aug. 16, 1945 in Sioux City, Iowa, he was the son of Norman A. and Thyra (Lucart) Frost, and was a 1963 graduate of Greencastle High School...

The Greencastle Parks and Recreation Department, in partnership with Greencastle Animal Medical Clinic, is sponsoring a Pet Care Workshop on Tuesday, May 8. The 5-7 p.m. program at Greencastle Animal Medical Clinic, 915 N. Jackson St., is designed for area youth, ages 10-18...

The West Central Chapter of Quail Unlimited is sponsoring the distribution of free food plot seed on Saturday, May 5. The seed giveaway will be set up from 9 a.m.-noon in the northeast corner of the parking lot in front of the Dollar General store on Indianapolis Road, Greencastle...

In honor of National Mental Health Month, Mental Health America of Putnam County is calling on the community to help the one in four American adults who live with diagnosable, treatable mental health conditions and to understand how important mental health is to overall health...

INDIANAPOLIS -- The GHS baseball team suffered a tough loss Saturday against Covenant Christian. The Tiger Cubs fell 6-5 with the Warriors scoring the winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning. The Tiger Cubs collected five hits on the night. Those recording a hit were Dylan Linton, Andy Bell, Alec Pettit, Ryan Pettit, Ryan Battin and Holden King...

Greencastle hosted the Tiger Cubs Invite Saturday at Windy Hill. The GHS A team won the event with a total of 318, beating out Rockville, who finished second with 364. The Greencastle B team played fourth with a total of 394. Greencastle posted the five lowest rounds of the day en route to its win. Luke Brotherton won medalist honors for his round of 78. Tanner Dean followed closely with a 79, while Raymond Stinson shot 80 and Alec Davis and Brad Haussin fired 81 each...

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Lindsey Wilson College's Charlie Pingleton and University of the Cumberlands' Anthonie Linares earned Mid-South Conference wrestling recognition recently, according to conference officials. Pingleton has been selected as the MSC Wrestler of the Year in a vote by the conference coaches following the NAIA National Championships in early March. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own wrestlers...

CLOVERDALE -- Cloverdale's baseball squad picked up a pair of wins Saturday by knocking off Union (Dugger) 12-2 and 5-2. Rain threatened to derail the day's games, but after an hour and a half, play began and the Clovers quickly dispatched the Bulldogs in the first game behind the arm of Justin Wilson...

EVANSVILLE -- Detailed in its recently released annual Foundation report, Vectren Corp. has announced that it awarded nearly $2.2 million in 2011 through the Vectren Foundation and corporate gifts. In addition, Vectren employees contributed more than 21,000 hours of community volunteer time...

Mill Pond Health Campus, a Trilogy Health Services community with a location in Greencastle, has been named 2012 Best Place to Work in Indiana. It marks the fourth year since 2009 that the campus and its employees have received this recognition. Seventy companies were named Best Places to Work list for 2012 with 39 on the small/medium size business list and 31 on the large-size business list. Trilogy Health Services and its Indiana locations were named to the large-size employer list...

Answer the following questions to see if your kitchen might be in need of a makeover. 1. I have enough food in my kitchen right now to make healthy meals for at least the next two days. 2. I have a large, clean cutting board that doesn't slip when used...

Commercial development is beginning to spring up all around Greencastle, with two notable local projects under way. The new 6,000-square-foot NAPA Auto Parts store is beginning to take shape at its 105 S. Warren Drive location, while the conversion of the old Blockbuster building into an office for Verizon Wireless continues to make progress with some cosmetic adjustments to the exterior of the facility at 857 Indianapolis Rd. on the city's East Side.

A traffic accident occurred Friday morning right in front of the Greencastle Police Department on North Jackson Street. Assistant Chief Brian Hopkins actually heard the impact, police officials reported, and ran outside to discover a two-car accident at the intersection of North Jackson and New York streets...

POET Biorefining of Cloverdale held it's Arbor Day event on Friday, April 27. The event included a tree planting and a general learning activity of the facility with the Central Elementary Environmental Club, FEET (Friendly Environmental Engineers of Tomorrow). Students got to learn about the importance of ethanol as well as received trees to plant at their own homes.

Approaching its 2012 annual meeting, the board of Mental Health America of Putnam County wanted to highlight something positive in the community. MHAPC Executive Director Eileen Johnson noted that the organization's programming is often centered on mental illness and substance abuse, and they wanted to take a different turn for the Tuesday, May 1 meeting...

It has now been more than six months since the Humane Society of Putnam County closed the county's only animal shelter. Because of that length of time, the organization's board members and volunteers have been receiving an increased number of inquiries as to when they plan to reopen...

REELSVILLE -- As the school year comes to a close, many are beginning to reflect on their years at Reelsville Elementary, which will soon close its doors for good. Like many schools across the nation today, times are tough and budget restraints are forcing them to close. The school, which has housed students and teachers for nearly 53 years, will soon close and leave many wondering what the future may hold...

M. Ruth Cunningham, 92, of Cloverdale, formerly of Indianapolis, passed away Sunday, April 29, 2012 at her residence. The daughter of Earl and Lula Bell (Snowden) Lashbrook, Ruth was born Oct. 6, 1919 in Indianapolis. A homemaker, she had worked as a secretary...

Devin Fellows, 57, Reelsville, passed away April 27, 2012 at Methodist Hospital. He was the son of the late Douglas and Bessie Fellows. He married Sharon Urton in 1973, she survives. Also surviving are his daughter, Felicia Tindal and husband Jonathan; two grandchildren, Riley and Payton; brother David Fellows (Brenda); sister Sandra Hansen; brother-in-law Raymond Urton (Lori); grandmother Kathryn White; nieces Michelle Fellows, Mindy Hyde, Annaleah and Jerilynn Urton and Leigh Hinnefeld (Jon); nephews Larry Hansen and Brent Urton (Kelly); aunts Loretta Wall (Herbert) and Mae Sanders; and several cousins.. ...