Stories from Tuesday, January 2, 2007

CLOVERDALE -- With gasoline prices continuing to take a toll on consumers' wallets, the hope for relief in the form of alternative fuels is growing all the time. And before long, Putnam County could find itself on the cutting edge of the shift toward alternative fuel sources...

TAMPA, Fla. -- Hamilton managed to rally from a five-point deficit in the final two minutes of regulation Saturday to send the game into overtime. Hamilton then outscored the DePauw University men's basketball team, 18-10, in overtime to defeat the 22nd-ranked Tigers, 85-77, in the Tampa Bay Shootout...

"You can't commit 24 turnovers and hope to win," said a disappointed coach Brian Gardner after his South Putnam Eagles were defeated by the Cascade Cadets, 60-39 , in the championship game of the Eagle Holiday Classic Saturday night. From the tip, Cascade jumped out to the lead and held on tight. The Eagles seemed unable to collect themselves and get into a gameplan as Cascade built their lead on solid defense and good shooting...

Saturday, the South Putnam Eagles girls' varsity basketball team battled a very determined and talented Shakamak team in the championship game to win the Holiday Classic, 44-37. South Putnam defeated the North Vermillion Falcons in the opening game in the first round of the tournament Saturday morning, 43-29, then the Shakamak Lakers defeated the Clay City Eels on the second game of the first round, 57-44, to advance to the championship game against the Eagles...

March 13, 1917-Dec. 31, 2006 Virginia Ruth Sharpe, 89, Plainfield, formerly of Waveland, died Sunday night at Plainfield Health Care Center. Born at Linden, she was the daughter of Theron S. and Etta Marcrum Banta. She graduated from Waveland High School in 1935 and attended Washington Academy of Art. ...

Cecil Phillips, 81, Greencastle, died Monday morning at Mill Pond Health Campus. Funeral arrangements are pending at Hopkins Rector Funeral Home, Greencastle.

April 11, 1915-Dec. 21, 2006 Cecil Edward Modesitt, 91, Cape Coral, Fla., formerly a long-time resident of Reelsville, died Dec. 21 in Cape Coral. Born in Terre Haute, he spent his life as a farmer and in the construction business. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, E. Maxine Rollings Modesitt; his sons, Larry and Rick; and three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren...

Feb. 19, 1923-Dec. 29, 2006 Mary Jane Engle Lanie, 83, Attica, died Friday at The Waters of Greencaste. Born in Danville, Ill., she was the daughter of Frank and Mary (Shouse) Engle. A graduate of Danville (Ill.) High School, she resided with her husband in Warren County, and had lived in Attica since 1974. She was a member of St. Francis Xavier Church in Attica...

The Putnam County Community Foundation has awarded the A-Way Home Shelter with a $4,000 matching grant to build its endowment by $12,000. Contributions and gifts made to the A-Way Home Shelter endowment will be matched, $1 from the Community Foundation for every $2 given by the public, from now until Nov. 30, up to a cumulative dollar amount of $12,000...

CLOVERDALE -- Tensions flared over a bill at a Cloverdale Town Council special session. Following approving the first of three meeting agendas on Thursday, town clerk/treasurer Patti Truax read a claim for Dec. 27 in the amount of $179,117.63. Some of the claim, however, was disputed by council member Glenn Vickroy...

SAN DIEGO -- The fifth-ranked DPUwomen's basketball team knocked off Point Loma Nazarene, 67-57, to win the San Diego Surf N' Slam title. The Sea Lions dropped to 8-3 with the loss, while the Tigers picked up their 10th straight victory. DePauw extended its lead to as many as 10 early in the second half before the Sea Lions battled back to take a 50-49 lead with just over five minutes remaining...