Stories from Saturday, January 12, 2008

A new rash of the drug-resistant staph infection known as MRSA at area schools has been reported to the Putnam County Public Department of Health, and though the "super bug" sounds scary, local health workers say that education and a few simple precautions will help stave off the spread and alleviate public concern...

Parents of students and members of the public will have an opportunity next week to voice their opinions about the North Putnam School Corporation's policy regarding the health and fitness of students. A first of its kind public forum will be conducted at 6 p.m. ...

The reported hijacking of a passenger bus on Interstate 70, in Putnam County, Friday morning turned out to be a hoax, officers with the Indiana State Police said. Shortly before 8:30 a.m., dispatchers at the Putnamville Post received a cell phone call from an individual claiming to be following a westbound Greyhound bus from the 47-mile marker, which is near the Putnam-Morgan County line...

A cookie stacking contest was among the activities Putnam County Girl Scouts enjoyed during a cookie rally Friday to mark the start of the annual cookie sale season. This year marks the return of traditional names such as Tag-Alongs and Do-Si-Dos. Each box sells for $3.50. Also Brownie Mariah Jarboe samples Girl Scout Cookies during the cookie rally Friday at Ridpath Primary School...

Winter homecoming royalty announced Friday evening at South Putnam High School were (from right) sophomore prince Logan Kinney wih escort, senior king Adam Hammond with escort, junior prince Wes Albright with escort, freshman prince Seth Arnold with escort, and freshman prince Dylan Gilbert with escort...

CLOVERDALE -- The 6th grade basketball game between North Putnam and Cloverdale originally scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan.10 has been rescheduled until 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 21.

The North Putnam swim meet scheduled for 9:30 a.m. today at Indian Creek has been cancelled.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - DePauw raced to a 21-2 lead in the opening seven minutes of its Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference game at Rhodes and never looked back in taking an 82-56 win over the Lynx. DePauw improved to 10-3 overall and 2-2 in the SCAC, while Rhodes dropped to 6-7 overall and 1-2 in the conference...

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- The 11th-ranked Tigers improved to 11-2 overall and 4-0 in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference following a 76-39 victory at Rhodes. The Lynx dropped to 6-6 overall and 0-3 in the conference. DePauw never trailed as it jumped out to a 20-4 lead in the opening 11 minutes of the contest on the way to a 39-15 halftime lead. The Tigers then opened the second half with a 9-1 run which lifted the margin to 48-16...

MONROVIA -- The North Putnam Cougars boys' basketball team traveled to Monrovia Friday night, hoping to hand the Bulldogs their first West Central Conference loss of the season. However, the very athletic and talented Monrovia team handed North Putnam a loss, 74-45...

CLAYTON -- The Cloverdale girls' basketball squad couldn't overcome a sub par first half and fell to the Cascade Cadets 59-56 Friday on the road. "We didn't shoot the ball particularly good," CHS head coach Bruce Cook said. Cloverdale found itself trailing during the first quarter after falling behind early. ...

MONROVIA -- The North Putnam Cougars girls' basketball team traveled to Monrovia Friday night, hoping to continue to remain undefeated in the West Central Conference. The Cougars are currently alone atop the WCC standings at 2-0. After trailing early in the game, the Lady Cougars pulled ahead in the second period with outstanding scoring, and held on to win a very competitive ball game, 42-39...

About the only thing South Putnam basketball fans had to celebrate Friday evening were the homecoming festivities between the girls' and boys' basketball doubleheader against Greencastle. The Tigers came out hot, quickly put the game out of reach, and asserted themselves quickly as one of the teams to beat in the West Central Conference championship chase, prevailing 60-42 in, quite frankly, a contest that wasn't nearly as close as the final score indicated...

Three consecutive Grace Fisher three-pointers blew the lead wide-open for Greencastle in Friday night's game at South Putnam. The shots put the Tiger Cubs up 17 early in the third quarter, and they never looked back, defeating the Eagles 47-30. After trailing by 10 at halftime, the Eagles (8-7, 1-2 WCC) got a glimmer of hope when Oceaia Boetjer cut the lead to single digits with the opening points of the third quarter...

CLAYTON -- The Cloverdale boys' basketball team notched its fourth win of the season in dominating fashion, downing Cascade 62-40 Friday. The Clovers won the opening tip and scored seven seconds into the game as Brandon Moon took the tip in for a layup and never looked back. Cloverdale jumped out to a seven-point lead early and continued to pressure the Cadets on the evening. The Clovers led 15-9 and things continued to improve from there...