Stories from Wednesday, November 14, 2007

George Alexander, the former Putnam County Sheriff's Department ombudsman accused of mishandling funds, announced Tuesday his intention to plead guilty to federal theft charges. The plea came on the same day that he was formally charged in federal court with stealing $45,000 in federal grant money while he worked at the Sheriff's Department...

The South Putnam boys' eighth grade boys basketball team dropped its contest with Speedway Thursday, 62-27 at home. The Eagles were lead by Cole Stevens with eight points. The trio of Adam Smith, Alex Eickhoff and Alex Kelly with four points each followed Stevens...

The North Putnam girls' basketball team is still in search of its first win of the season after losing to the North Montgomery Tuesday night, 62-43. "We shot the ball very well from the floor. We shot 42 percent as a team which is our highest percentage of the year by far," North Putnam head coach Kevin Smith said...

Opening their season with a win, the Greencastle High School girls swim team defeated North Montgomery 97-88 at the Chargers' pool. "I was really happy with the way our girls swam tonight," coach Luke Beasley said. "I saw great effort from all our team. We were down at the halfway point after diving by three points, but they didn't give up."...

A week has passed since elections were held in Greencastle, but the race that was tied between two candidates for city council has yet to be settled. Democratic candidate Jinsie Bingham and Republican hopeful Eric Birt told the BannerGraphic they don't plan to request a recount of the votes that saw each of them with 190 votes...

Diners at Greencastle's Almost Home tea room probably don't realize it, but when they bite into a piece of the restaurant's famous strawberry pizza or sip a spoonful of broccoli cheese soup, they're tasting a bit of history. The hands behind many of the restaurant's well-known dishes belong to Thursa Evens, a 79-year-old Putnam County native who takes inspiration from her past...

A building ordinance dominated discussion at the Roachdale Town Council meeting Tuesday evening where a packed crowd weighed in: Trailers vs. No Trailers. Ordinance 2007-4, accepted by the council earlier this year, was designed to regulate the construction of mobile homes within the Roachdale corporate limits. ...

Robert W. Lady, 56, Greencastle, died Monday at Richard L. Roudebush VA Hospital, Indianapolis. Born in Greencastle, he was the son of Samuel and Maude Maxine (Lady) Dickey. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam era. He worked at Putnam County Highway Department as a driver and then for the Greencastle Fire Department for eight years...

Thelma E. Osborne Stattner, 83, Cloverdale, died Monday at Summerfield Health Care Center, Cloverdale. Born in Duffield, Va., she was the daughter of Patrick Bruce and Amanda Lavine (Hill) Jesse. She was a nurse's aid. She married William J. Osborne, who preceded her in death. She later married Alfred E. Stattner, who also preceded her in death...

Putnam County Jail Five people were booked into the Putnam County Jail recently. Sheriff's Dept. Several accidents were investigated by the Putnam County Sheriff's Department recently. Deputy Craig Sibbitt reported that Chrystal D. Cook, 36, 621 S. CR 725 West, Greencastle, was driving a 2003 Pontiac west when the large deer ran into the road and the car was unable to avoid the animal...

Breakfast with Santa The 16th annual Tri Kappa Breakfast with Santa is set for 8-11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 1 at Deer Meadow Primary School. Breakfast will be served from 8-10:30 a.m. The cost is $4 per child or adult. Children can make holiday crafts and have their photos taken with Santa...

The current online poll at www.bannergraphic .com asks readers "What do you think about Town-Gown relations?" Of the 196 votes posted as of 9 p.m. Tuesday, the majority feel the issu has been exaggerated. The results are: The comments received include the following:...

To the Editor: The property tax issues have not gone away. Unfortunately too many people are apathetic about the tax situation. What is it going to take to wake people up? Do you really think it is going to get better? Well unless you are in la la land you know it will not...

To the Editor: I would like to publicly thank Dr. Linda Colter, a dentist whose office is in Brazil. Dr. Colter recently finished a two-year process of orthodontia on behalf of a Reelsville student. Dr. Colter's work is high quality, and she is considerate of needs and circumstances. It is obvious she is a dedicated professional...

CLOVERDALE -- In a surprise move Tuesday evening, the Cloverdale Town Council voted 3-2 to remove Charlie Hallam as the town's police chief and install ally and former Town Marshal Don Pearson as his replacement. President Don Sublett, vice president Dennis Padgett and council member Glen Vickroy refused to give a reason for the demotion and instead referred questions to town attorney Allan Yackey...

Playing in the final game of a record-breaking career, DePauw running back Jeremiah Marks was named the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week for the second time this year and fifth in his career. The senior running back had a school record 45 carries for 181 yards in the Tigers' 24-21 come-from-behind win over ninth-ranked Wabash in the annual Monon Bell game...