Stories from Thursday, March 15, 2007

Coffee usually inspires students at DePauw University to stay awake to get their homework done. Starbucks U.S. President Jim Alling, a 1983 DePauw graduate, used his magnetic and compelling personality about coffee and people to inspire students in a different way this week as part of the spring Timothy and Sharon Ubben Lecture Series...

GREENCASTLE -- The NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Final Four begins Friday and DePauw University coach Kris Huffman knows the Tigers are in for a challenge. DePauw (29-3) will face Mary Washington (30-2) in the first round Friday while Washington-St. Louis (24-5) takes on New York University (27-2) in the other game...

GREENCASTLE -- DePauw University women's basketball players Liz Bondi and Suzy Doughty both have been critical components for the Tigers this season. Through their efforts and the efforts of the remaining members on the squad, the Tigers have managed to advance to their second Final Four NCAA Division III Tournament appearance in five seasons...

PUTNAMVILLE -- It's a new era for the South Putnam High School softball team. Gone is long-time coach Allen Rains as the Eagles will be coached by Yvonne Canary this year. "(Rains) was very successful with this program," Canary said. "We hope to continue that."...

Feb. 15, 1928-March 13, 2007 Robert Edward Creviston Sr., 79, Bainbridge, died Tuesday in Indianapolis. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, he was the son of William Purl and Opal M. (Wood) Creviston. He had been an electronics technician at Allison Gas Turbine Division of GMC for 30 years. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps, and was a member of Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Restoration Branch, Rolls Royce Heritage Trust and John Birch Society...

July 7, 1954-March 13, 2007 Sharon L. "Bird" Birtchman, 53, Fillmore, died Tuesday. She was the daughter of William and Elsie M. (White) Johnson. She was an administrative assistant for The Villages prior to her illness. She was a member of Whitestone Christian Church...

Youth Baseball Parade April 14 The Greencastle City Council approved the time and date for this year's Youth Baseball Parade. The parade is set for 11 a.m. Saturday, April 14. The parade route is Washington Street, from Greencastle High School to Indiana Street, then north to Shadowlawn Avenue where it will end at Deer Meadow Elementary. There will be approximately 20 team floats...

The Greencastle City Council voted Tuesday night to give auto parts supplier Heartland Automotive a 10-year tax abatement that promises new jobs and equipment at the local plant. Heartland officials announced last month that they were planning to invest $1.4 million in new cutting, bonding and folding equipment with the potential for 18 new, full-time jobs...

The whereabouts of the town's 2007 budget and the new tax increase were on the minds of the Russellville Town Council during its monthly meeting Wednesday. Council member James Rodgers asked if the town had its budget for 2007. Council president Sally McAfee said that nothing has been approved yet...

GREENCASTLE -- The DePauw University baseball squad trailed 7-0 heading into the bottom of the sixth against Wabash Wednesday but the Tigers still had some life left in them. DePauw scored one in the sixth, three in the seventh and two in each of the eighth and ninth to knock off the Little Giants, 8-7...