Stories from Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Communication, coordination, and collaboration were words frequently used last week at the West Central Indiana Regional Development Forum sponsored by the Putnam County Community Foundation. The Jan. 16 forum at the Walden Inn in Greencastle built upon the work begun at a previous meeting hosted by Indiana Humanities Council and the Parke County Community Foundation on Dec. ...

Putnam County Jail Six people were booked into the Putnam County Jail recently. Sheriff's Dept. Two people were injured in a two-vehicle accident on U.S. 36 at CR 300 East. Deputy Mike Downing reported that David W. money, 35, Danville, was driving east in a 2000 Ford Explorer when he met an oncoming vehicle in his lane. Money said he drove to the right to avoid the other vehicle, but his vehicle was hit by a 1999 Chevrolet Blazer driven by Samuel J. Brewer, 65, 5527 E. CR 650 North, Bainbridge...

STATEHOUSE -- Even in January, the importance of severe weather warning sirens could not be overstated. As funnel clouds swirled around the Indianapolis area, Sen. Connie Lawson's bill aimed at improving severe weather sirens coverage areas unanimously passed the Indiana Senate...

Floyd C. Bettis, 81, Avon, died Monday at his residence. The son of Cay and Ruth (Street) Bettis, he was a pipe fitter and plumber at Detroit Diesel Allison Division. He was a member of Moose Lodge No. 500 and Danville Conservation Club. Survivors include sons, David C., Randy L., Ricky D., Stephen W., Timothy A. ...

Putnam County Hospital Staff will sell the scrubs off their backs Friday to help fund a program that they believe in -- the Putnam County Chaplaincy Association. Chaplain Steve Williams has been providing spiritual support to patients and employees of Putnam County Hospital for three years, and according to the event's organizer, many staff felt it was time to give back...

The Greencastle High School Student Council has joined forces with their colleagues across the state to assist Riley Hospital for Children and to recognize the courage of individuals battling life-threatening diseases. The student group has joined forces with "Medals 4 Mettle," a nonprofit organization with a mission to, "celebrate and reward the individual and collective courage of all human beings."...

An investigation into the office of Putnam County Sheriff Mark Frisbie is expected to take months, according to the lead investigator. Sgt. Tom McKee of the Lafayette post of the Indiana State Police told the BannerGraphic on Tuesday that he is just getting started on the case, but he has been in Putnam County to work on the case...

SPEEDWAY -- When J.T. Francies hit the opening shot of the second quarter Tuesday night, it looked like the Cougars could get back into their contest with Speedway. The bucket brought the Cougars to within seven at 19-12, after having trailed by as many as 12 points in the first...

With Monday's first round games in the book, the finals are set for the 2008 Putnam County Middle School Boys' Basketball Tournament. Greencastle will play North Putnam in the seventh grade game at 6 p.m. The host Clovers will take on the Tiger Cubs in the eighth grade game, which will follow the first contest...

SPEEDWAY -- After trailing by just two points at the half, the South Putnam girls' basketball team saw Speedway open the third quarter with a 15-2 run that essentially put the game out of reach. The Sparkplugs outscored the Cougars 30-16 in the second half and won the contest 52-36...

GREENCASTLE -- Injuries and illness have slowed the South Putnam Eagles over the last month and helped add to a four-game losing streak recently. But on Tuesday night the Eagles got overcame a six-point deficit midway through the fourth quarter to defeat visiting Clay City, 50-46...

CLOVERDALE -- Cloverdale (15-5, 4-1 WCC) continued its current five-game winning streak by downing Shakamak, 63-43 on what was an emotional night for three Clovers in particular. Seniors Ashley Koosman, Chelsie Haltom and Kristen Schroer took the home court for the final time in their high school career, a moment Schroer worked hard to realize...

Flooding, flying debris, downed trees and power lines accompanied the rain, snow and nearly 80-mph winds Tuesday night, leaving severe property damage and sporadic power outages but no reported injuries. Severe thunderstorms, accompanied by a tornado warning, struck Putnam County at 7 p.m., and by 8:30 the temperature had plummeted nearly 30 degrees as emergency responders fanned out across the county clearing roadways and surveying damage...