Stories from Thursday, June 19, 2008

The Putnam County Human Society Board discussed its dire financial standing and subsequent closing during its monthly meeting on Wednesday night. As a result of current funding not meeting expenditure requirements, the shelter will be forced to close its doors this summer. The board established a tentative closing date of August 1 if fund-raising efforts are not successful...

Putnam County Jail Several people were booked into the Putnam County Jail recently. Sheriff's Department The Putnam County Sheriff's Department responded to one accident recently. Damage was estimated between $1,000 - $2,500...

The Putnam County Community Foundation held its annual meeting Wednesday evening at the DePauw University Ballroom. Keynote speakers Drs. Bob and Carol Steele asked attendees what legacy they would leave behind. The Steeles are recent transplants to Putnam County, moving here in June from St. Petersburg. They are very involved in non-profit organizations. Sharing the podium, the two philanthropists spoke about using time, talents and treasures to leave a legacy behind...

The Greencastle Fire Department recently received a $2,000 fire prevention grant from FM Global, a leading property insurer of the world's largest businesses based in Johnston, R.I. The award will be used to assist with fire prevention activities in the community and help educate the community and reduce the number of fires...

Russellville's water utility's future is still in doubt following this month's town council meeting Wednesday evening. The water tower is still in disrepair. The inside of the tower is rusty and the board members are in negotiations with companies to get bids for repainting it. However, President Don Reddish also mentioned after speaking with communities who have sold off their water utilities to larger companies like American Water, that he is considering that avenue...

Dollars and sense were on the minds of the North Putnam Community School Corp. at their Thursday night board meeting as they considered the cost of interest in having to borrow money because the June draw from property taxes is delayed. Since the school corporation began borrowing money because of late tax draws from the state in 2005, they have paid $198,208.32 just in interest on loans...

Drivers who are not wearing their seat belts, coming to full stops or are eating, drinking or talking on cell phones are being observed by Greencastle High School student drivers. As part of their safety program, driver's education students spend about an hour at different intersections around town surveying passing cars...

A man who has allegedly been impersonating a police officer in the Heritage Lake area was apprehended Wednesday. Sheriff Mark Frisbie said Thomas Peyton, 65, Coatesville, was employed by Marion County at one time as a special deputy, as well as being a deputy constable, both of which gave him full enforcement rights. He was also employed by Marion County as a security guard at the City-County Building...

Those who work at election polls put in long hours for not much money or glory. But two poll workers from Putnam County, Helen Knauer and Bonnie Helton, were recognized in a big way Thursday when Secretary of State Todd Rokita presented them with Honorary Secretary of State awards -- the highest honor he is able to bestow...

Frank Bert Wright Jr., 59, of Columbia, Mo. died Wednesday, June 18, 2008. Mr. Wright was born Sept. 13, 1948, in Zarah, Kan. To Frank Bert Sr. and Mary Eileen (Baldwin) Wright. He married Georganna Kaye Wells on May 4, 1974, and she survives. He graduated from Desoto High School in 1968 and attended Kansas State University for a year before being drafted in 1969. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force...

Putnam County Jail Several people were booked into the Putnam County Jail recently. Sheriff's Department On June 18 at 5:50 p.m., Robyn Roarks, 31, Reelsville, was traveling south on C.R. 325 West near C.R. 550 South when her car left the west side of the roadway...

Six teachers from Northern Indiana descended upon Cook Lumber in Reelsville Thursday morning. The teachers are part of the Department of Natural Resources' (DNR) Indiana Project Learning Tree (PLT), an environmental education program. ...