Stories from Friday, May 22, 2009

A story published in the Thursday, May 21, 2009 edition of the Banner Graphic contained inaccurate information. Bridget Tucker and Emalie McClain of Greencastle defeated Kylie Brown and Kaitlyn Brown of South Putnam in the No. 2 doubles match. The Banner Graphic apologizes for any confusion or inconvenience the error caused...

CAYUGA -- All it took was five innings and the Greencastle High School baseball team was heading home Thursday. The Tiger Cubs pummeled North Vermillion 15-4 with Tanner Battin going the distance. He allowed four runs on five hits, while retiring six batters...

SPENCER -- The Greencastle boys' golf team downed Owen Valley by 19 strokes Thursday 165-184. Brad Haussin's 39 led the way for GHS, while Luke Crimmins and Jimmy Wheeler carded a pair of 41s. Wade Huber shot a 44, with Tyler Hopkins adding a 45 and Derik Thomas recording a 47...

The South Putnam Eagles capped a perfect 19-0 season by winning the Putnam County Championship Thursday. The Eagles beat Cloverdale 4-0 to get the win. Brooke Boetjer picked up the win, allowing three hits while logging 10 strikeouts. Boetjer, Sarah Burnham and Katelyn Sibbitt all went 2-for-3, with Boetjer scoring two runs. Sibbitt led the team in RBIs, collecting two on the night...

MARTINSVILLE -- The Cloverdale boys' golf team fell to Martinsville 157-192 Thursday on the road. Chris Arnold led the way with a 44, followed by Keith Hathorn with a 47 and Mike Wellington added a 49. Gary Williams shot a 52, Ryan Book a 57 and Sam Jordan carded a 59...

PLAINFIELD -- It all came down to this. Track stars from Putnam County descended upon the newly built Plainfield High School athletic complex in hopes of continuing there season next week in Lafayette. And for many those hopes were crushed by the Avon and Brownsburg powerhouses, but for a select few that hope became a reality...

BRAZIL -- The season for the Greencastle girls tennis team came to an end Thursday when they were defeated by Northview 5-0 in the Northview sectional. The Knights were able to get up early on the Tiger Cubs and were able to capitalize on their momentum to get the win...

To the Editor: What a pleasant surprise to see an article in recognition of one of Greencastle's finest people, Jerry Hecko. Those of us who are fortunate enough to have had Jerry work on our cars know that there are not enough complimentary words to praise this extra nice man...

To the Editor: I would like to thank out Putnam County Commissioners, Kristina Warren and Gene Beck, our Putnam County Prosecutor, Tim Bookwalter, and last but not least, our Putnam County Sheriff Steve Fenwick for taking the time to listen to solutions and preventing the euthanization of my friend's dog, Boy...

To the Editor: For the past three years, Putnam County Operation Life has hosted an event to raise awareness before prom at local high schools. On May 7, 2009, a simulated motor vehicle collision took place on the parking lot of Cloverdale High School. ...

Dear Editor: My name is Harry Graves. I am currently finishing a two-volume photo history of Indiana train wrecks. I am writing as I am looking for a few more photos so that as many communities as possible can be included. This has been a 10-year process, and I have already acquired over 3,000 photos...

Putnam County Jail One person was arrested and booked into the Putnam County Jail Thursday. Erin Caine, 25, Terre Haute, was booked at 4:26 a.m. for operating a vehicle while intoxicated and public intoxication. Putnam County Sheriff's Department...

Robert "Bob" Earl Schopmeyer, 72, of Poland died on May 20, 2009 at the St. Vincent Clay Hospital. He was born in Clay County on Aug. 24, 1935 and was the son of the late Clayburn Harry and Minnie F. Waldron Schopmeyer. Mr. Schopmeyer was a chemical engineer for Ulrich Chemical Company, Terre Haute, member of the Jordan Village Presbyterian Church, Brazil Elks and a veteran of the U.S. Army during Korea...

The development and training of a grassroots group of citizens committed to responsible preparation for community emergencies is underway in Putnam County. Following a major disaster, first responders who provide fire and medical services, will not be able to meet the demand for these services. ...

The Greencastle Aquatics Center is slated to begin its season this Saturday, according the Parks and Recreation Director Rod Weinschenk. The center will have the following hours this Saturday, Sunday and Monday: open swim from noon to 5 p.m. and 6:30 to 8 p.m. with family swim from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday and Monday will also have adult lap from 11 a.m. to noon...

BAINBRIDGE -- The North Putnam School Board accepted a number of personnel moves Thursday night and also discussed the school's cell phone policy and the 2009-10 school calendar. Chief among the personnel moves was the transfer of Jason Chew to High School Assistant Principal. Chew has served as dean of students for the last year...

For three years, members of the Stars 4-H Club have been placing flags at the gravesites of American veterans in cemeteries around the county. It began with 4-H leader Karen Goff's grandfather who was a World War II and Korean War Veteran. Ernest Rasner would take Goff out and place flags on the graves of veterans as Memorial Day approached...

The attorney representing a Roachdale woman accused of stealing more than $56,000 from a Putnam County special education cooperative has filed a motion to dismiss one of the two felony counts his client is facing. Tammy Y. Mitchener, 33, is charged with Class C felony corrupt business influence and Class D felony theft. ...

INDIANAPOLIS -- The North Putnam High School baseball team picked up a big win Friday night against Bethesda Christian, beating them 11-3. The Cougars collected 16 hits with Brock Jones leading the way going 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs. Shawn Diebold also went 3-for-4 on the night followed by Mitchell Crum and Tyler Watson who went 2-for-4 each. Kyle Alcorn went 2-for-4 with a home run while Scott Hunt went 2-for-5. Jerrett Ban and Mychael Buchanan both had singles...

DeAndre Marques McCombs was born Wednesday, May 20, 2009 and died shortly after delivery at the Putnam County Hospital. He was the son of Paul Michael McCombs and Amber Nicole Akins; brother to Reese Michael McCombs; second grandchild to James and Michelle Akins; eighth grandchild to Debra Stemely and grandson to Chauncy Manson. Surviving relatives also include four aunts; four uncles; six cousins; and great-grandparents, Mike and Marcia Simmerman and Wilber and Sandra McCombs...

Max I. Strahl, 83, Greencastle, died Thursday, May 21, 2009 at his residence. Born Jan. 28, 1926 in Hancock County, he was the son of Everett and Alta Mae Pyle Strahl. He married Madeline Hutcheson Strahl in 1964 and she preceded him in death in 1983...

CLOVERDALE -- The Cloverdale Town Council will be filling the vacant seat on its board caused by the recent death of Glen Vickroy. The Cloverdale GOP Precinct Chairs will be holding a caucus at 9 a.m. June 13 at the town hall. Anyone wishing to throw their hat in the ring must complete a CEB-5 and be a registered voter living in Vickroy's ward...

An Indianapolis woman will be sentenced May 28 for trafficking with an inmate at the Putnamville Correctional Facility. Under the terms of a plea agreement, Tonya Denise Corley Robinson, 35, will plead guilty to one count of Class C felony trafficking with an inmate and one count of Class D felony possession of marijuana, while a charges of Class B felony dealing in cocaine, Class D felonies dealing in marijuana and possession of cocaine and a charge of Class A misdemeanor trafficking with an inmate will be dropped.. ...

A Fillmore man facing seven sex crime charges will go to court June 11 for a change of plea hearing. Lee Alan Murphy, 35, has been charged with two counts of Class A felony child molesting, both punishable by up to 50 years in prison; two counts of Class B felony sexual misconduct with a minor, which carry a maximum sentence of 20 years each; Class C felonies child molesting and sexual misconduct with a minor, both punishable by up to eight years in prison; and a Class D felony count of dissemination of matter harmful to a minor, which could net him three years behind bars.. ...

Third-grade students from Tzouanakis Intermediate School recently visited Putnam County Hospital as part of their studies on the community. While at PCH, the children toured the emergency room, laboratory, radiology, the Family Life Center (also known as the OB/nursery ward), the surgery center and physical therapy...

For the last six years, North Putnam Community School Superintendent Murray Pride has spent his Friday mornings reading to elementary students at Bainbridge and Roachdale. As a surprise for the students he has been reading to all year, Pride along with Putnam County Foundation Director Elaine Peck arranged to have the author of the series of books he has been reading, come and meet the students...

The eighth annual Blast from the Past Festival opens at the Bainbridge Community Center June 6 at 9 a.m. The two-day festival is the main fundraiser for Friends of the Park in Roachdale, Bainbridge and Russellville and helps support the Summer Fun in the Sun program in local parks...