Stories from Wednesday, December 22, 2021

After nearly 17 years with the department and the last eight as supervisor, Mike Ricketts is leaving the Putnam County Highway Department. Ricketts’ departure was announced Monday as the Putnam County Commissioners made their annual personnel appointments that would normally include the highway supervisor position...

It had been on to Plan B for Putnam County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Scott Ducker. Through frequent posts employing a combination of information and tongue-in-cheek humor, the PCSO corporal had built the department’s Facebook following to more than 20,000...

Christmas is a little merrier this year for Putnam County workers and employees across the state of Indiana. Posting its lowest unemployment rate in at least 20 years, Putnam County jobless numbers continue to decline. The latest jobless numbers came in at a remarkable 1.8 percent for November...

Just over a month ago, Greencastle thought it had found its first win of the 2021-22 girls’ basketball season against Cloverdale at the Putnam County Tournament. A late rally by the Clovers then scuppered the win but that was not the case Wednesday at Northview as the Tiger Cubs held their county counterparts to 10 points across the first three quarters en route to a 35-26 win in the opening round of the State Farm Holiday Classic...

James “Tex” Ritter, 92, formerly of Greencastle, passed away on Monday, Dec. 20, 2021. He was born on Feb. 4, 1929, at Dana to Ralph and Ruby Ritter. He graduated from Tangier High School in 1947. He served his country in the U.S. Army from 1951 until 1953...

Greencastle Presbyterian Church invites everyone to join its special Christmas Eve service featuring soloists, a piano and organ duet, as well as an arrangement with special guest Mattia Seaman. The Christmas Eve service starts at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 24...

Judie Dell Foster, 81, of Ladoga, passed away Monday, Dec. 20, 2021, at her home. She was born July 5, 1940 in Greencastle, to the late Herbert and Olas (Gardner) Hinkle. On Oct. 10, 1958, she married Larry Dean Foster. They were married more than 62 years until his passing on Feb. 4, 2021...

William “Bill” Larry Majors, 74, of Roachdale, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021. He was born on Oct. 12, 1947 in Elkin, N.C., to James McDonald Majors and Pauline Victoria Majors. Bill married Bonnie Smith Lacy on Dec. 10, 1977. They were married 44 years...

Linda Rita Seidl, 59, of Eminence, passed away Monday, Dec. 20, 2021. She was born July 23, 1962 in Chicago to the late Stanley and Esther (Lunell) Seidl. Linda is survived by her sisters, Georgene (James) Wiesneth and Darlene Weger. She is preceded in death by her parents and brother Ronald Seidl...

Marie M. Murphy “Grannbunny” Secrest, 81, was lifted home by angels to be with the Lord from her home on Friday, Dec. 10, 2021. She was born on Nov. 18, 1940 to Maurice and Florence “Dolly” Murphy of East Chicago. Marie was mother of nine, “Grannbunny” of 17 and “great-Grannbunny” of 17 and was the oldest sister of five with numerous nieces and nephews...

The following cases were filed in Putnam County courts recently. Dane A. Archer, 40, Greencastle, Level 3 felony aggravated battery posing substantial risk of death James L. Ellis, 31, Coatesville, Level 5 felony burglary, Class A misdemeanor theft Sarah E. ...

BLOOMINGTON – Pigasus Pictures, the Indiana-based film company co-founded by Greencastle High School graduate Zachary Spicer, is now accepting entries for short screenplays written by Indiana high school students. The firm has been behind such feature films “The Good Catholic,” “Ms. White Light”and several other movies...

Purdue Extension Master Gardener volunteers contribute significantly to the lives of Indiana residents and local communities each year. In 2021, the Putnam County Master Gardeners volunteered more than 1,110 hours in Putnam County by hosting horticulture-related events, working at the Putnam County Fair and raising funds for two horticulture/agricultural scholarships...

On Saturday, Dec. 4, Lt. Col. Paul W. Fagin was retired from the Indiana Guard Reserve after 25 years of military service. Lt. Col. Fagin has many accomplishments in his career including Outstanding Support award from the commanding general of the U.S. Army Forces Command at Fort McPherson, Ga., for Operation Iraqi Freedom Campaign and Outstanding Field Grade Officer for the State of Indiana in 2014...

We would like to wish our mom and dad, Warren and Betty Mishler, a happy 65th anniversary on Monday, Dec. 27. Love you always, Rita Jackson and Family and Kathy Jones and Family

Several people were booked in the Putnam County Jail recently. Sunday • At 3:32 a.m. Derrick J. Kay, 41, Indianapolis, was lodged at the jail for driving while intoxicated with a prior conviction, driving with a suspended license with a prior conviction and possession of marijuana...

Mary Looper of F. C. Tucker Advantage, as well as Abstract and Title of Putnam County, were recently announced as the 2021 Putnam County Realtor of the Year and Affiliate of the Year, respectively, during the Putnam County Board of Realtors’ annual meeting...

The Walmart Supercenter in Greencastle recently chose to sponsor EDGE 21 in support of its work with youth in Putnam County. As such, the store donated $1,000 toward the program through the Walmart Foundation. EDGE 21 is a multi-generational program to enroll eligible 21st Century Scholars, complete readiness requirements and provide weekly mentoring through “huddles” in each Putnam County high school. ...

The Putnam County Community Foundation recently congratulated Cyrus Gurnon as the grand prize winner of the 2021 Darrell Wiatt Family Philanthropy Essay Contest. Gurnon is a student in Melissa Knipp’s class at Greencastle Middle School. In recognition of Gurnon’s accomplishment, Social Promise, the charity of his choice, received a $150 grant. Additionally, Greencastle Middle School received a $500 grant...