Stories from Tuesday, April 8, 2008

BAINBRIDGE -- The Cloverdale track squad split its matchup with North Putnam last Thursday as the girls won 78-45 and the boys were edged out 62-61. The CHS girls recorded 11 wins on the day, with Brynlea Mattocks and Ashley Koosman getting two individual wins in the meet...

The North Putnam middle school baseball team defeated Cloverdale 14-4 Friday night in the season opener for both teams. It was the season opener for both squads. Cougar eighth graders Jake Werth and Jerry Shepherd combined to throw six strong innings. Werth, who started the game, pitched three innings, gave up three runs, walked two and struck out five. Shepherd also pitched three innings, allowed one run, walked one and struck out seven...

The Greencastle girls' softball team defeated Class 4A opponent Terre?Haute South 7-3 on Monday. Full results will be available in Tuesday's edition of the BannerGraphic.

CLOVERDALE -- Freshman Chris Arnold's low-round of 40 led Cloverdale over visiting West Vigo and Eminence Monday night at Clover Meadows. The Clovers won with a low total of 169, with West Vigo second with 216 and Eminence in third with 264. Arnold is proving himself to be one of the Clovers big threats early in the season. In two outings this season, Arnold has led CHS in scoring...

Almost all high school teams in all sports tend to rely upon leadership from their seniors and other veteran players. However, for the Greencastle girls' tennis team, that reliance will be especially strong this year, as the uncommonly cold weather this spring has left them with little practice time on the court...

BAINBRIDGE -- North Putnam's strong start to the baseball season hit a speed bump as the Cougars fell to Speedway 9-6 Monday night. "I take my hat off to Speedway, they placed real well," Cougar head coach Norm Fish said. "They're a much improved team."...

BAINBRIDGE -- After two difficult one-run losses to WCC foe Greencastle last week, North Putnam found itself in an early-season "must win" situation against the Sparkplugs of Speedway Monday night. The Cougars responded to the challenge with a nearly flawless 4-0 shutout, highlighted by Taylor Judy's 12 strikeout performance on the mound...

A crowd of around 400 men gathered at Greencastle Christian Church Monday night for food, fellowship and the night's main attraction, Colts' punter Hunter Smith. Smith was there not only as a professional athlete, but as a contemporary Christian performer and a speaker sharing his personal testimony...

Putnam County Jail One person was booked into the Putnam County Jail recently. Sheriff's Dept. One accident was reported recently by the Putnam County Sheriff's Department. Damage estimates are under $1,000. City police Two accidents were investigated recently by Greencastle Police Department...

Forrest Lester "Skip" Wildman, 81, Martinsville died Sunday April 6 at Community South Hospital, Indianapolis. He was the son of Maurice R. Wildman and Madge B. (Smith) Wildman. He was employed with the MSD of Martinsville from 1964-88, retiring as Assistant Superintendent. ...

Robert D. Ritchie, 66, Lebanon formerly of Eminence died Sunday, April 6 at his residence. Born in Craigsville, W.V., he was the son of Daniel and Helen (Lantz) Ritchie. He was a truck driver for consolidated Freightways & Yellow Freight, Indianapolis...

Charles Eugene "Gene" Keller, 88, Indianapolis, died Sunday, April 5. He was the son of Charles R. and Mayme Masten Keller and was employed by Allison division of General Motors as a machinist for 31 years. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II...

Calita Job, Mitchell, formerly of Quincy, died Saturday, April 5 at her residence. Born in Owen County, she was the daughter of Victor Cleveland Black and Vlora Mae (Smith) Black who preceded her in death. She was a retired elementary teacher from Cloverdale Elementary and Ridpath Elementary schools and was the postmaster at Quincy...

Dixie Chopper will be showcased to a prime-time national television audience this spring. That's when the "World's Fastest Lawn Mower" teams up with "America's Favorite Game Show." That's right, Dixie Chopper will have a spot in the showcase portion of a rare prime-time episode of "The Price is Right" in late April or early May on CBS...

Putnam County Commissioners Kristina Warren, Gene Beck and Jim Baird spent some time discussing the condition of roads in the county during their meeting Monday morning. The commissioners agreed to table current bids and set a meeting dedicated to discussing what to do about the roads in the county...

A former Roachdale reserve police officer was arrested over the weekend for alleged sexual assault. Thomas Heath Wolf was arrested last Friday, April 4 on charges of trespassing, public intoxication and sexual battery for allegedly making sexual advances to several women in town...

"In 40 some years, this is one of the hottest fires I've seen" claimed Bainbridge Volunteer Fire Chief Mike Smith about a house fire at 2558 E. CR 500 North Monday night. The home, owned by Jodi and Brian Judy, apparently caught fire in the late evening in the basement...