Stories from Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Matthew Welker with Allstate Insurance Company presented a $500 check to Linda Merkel, Executive Director of Putnam County Youth Development Commission and Patty Harmless, CASA Director with Youth Development. The money comes through Allstate's Agency Hands in the Community Grant. "There is no specific purpose for the money, the agency can spend it on whatever they need," explained Welker, Agency Owner of Allstate. The Youth Development Commission provides many services and projects for the community including Coats for Kids, coordinating National Night Out and other youth oriented programs. Anyone wishing to make a donation to the Putnam County Youth Development Commission can call Merkel at 653-9342.

Mike Tyler and Jason Foxx from Buzzi Unicem, along with United Way Board President Craig Chrispell and United Way Director David English, check over the United Way thermometer that went up on the courthouse lawn last week. Tyler and Foxx made the new thermometer that is sitting at a little over 30 percent for this year's campaign.

Gaylord H. Stewart, 74 of Knightsville died Monday, Nov. 9, 2009 at St. Vincent Clay Hospital. He was born May 24, 1935 in Illinois, the son of Jesse and Eva Vanningham Stewart. As a young man, he worked on the railroad and then later drove a dump truck for the zinc mill in Greencastle. He later worked for Greencastle Manufacturing and last worked as a prison guard for the Plainfield Correctional Facility, retiring in 1998...

Martha Ann Simon French, known to friends and family as Marty, died Oct. 28, 2009. Born Feb. 4, 1924 in Lima, Ohio, the fourth of six siblings, Marty earned a BA from Ohio State University and a masters of science in nutrition and education from Cornell University. She put her education to use as hospital dietitian at Miami Hospital in Dayton, Ohio, and as a professor of home economics at DePauw University in Greencastle...

The United Workers Union Local 2382 of Greencastle donates $450 worth of educational books to the local Head Start classes. Sandra Runner of Fillmore, center, an independent consultant with Usborne Educational Books, was able to get Head Start a matching grant program, which matches donations by 50 percent. Mike Birchman, right, is the president of the UAW Local 2382. Shawn Goldsberry, lead p.m. teacher with Head Start, accepts the book donation along with his class. For additional information on grant matching programs, contact Runner at 246-6900. The UAW Local 2382 attempts to make a difference in its community by sponsoring several youth teams, the Special Olympics and supporting Riley Children's Hospital and Make A Wish events.

GREENCASTLE -- A child safety seat clinic and giveaway will be conducted free of charge Wednesday by the Putnam County Sheriff's Department. From 1 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, the public can go to the sheriff's department at 13 Keightly Rd. to have the installation of their car seats examined by trained technicians. A limited number of car seats are also available for those who cannot afford a car safety seat that correctly protects their child from injuries possible in a collision...

CLOVERDALE -- The Cloverdale School Board received several updates during its meeting Monday night. The first update came from Dan Sulkoske, who has been working with the corporation on its greenhouse. The project has been completed and an open house has been scheduled from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday...

GREENCASTLE -- In 1864, Catholic Priest Father Joseph Maugin made his first visit to a mission the tiny town of Greencastle. On that day, he founded the St. Ann Ladies Altar Society, which later evolved into the Women's Guild of St. Paul Church. The society was given the directive to procure items for the altar for the celebration of mass. One hundred and forty-five years later, the Guild still provides all kinds of services to the church and local community...

CLOVERDALE -- Three structures have been passed for demolition by the town council. During its meeting Tuesday, the council approved the demolition procedures and decided to begin accepting demolition bids. The bids are for structures at 4 S. Lafayette St., 203 S. Lafayette St., and 270 Downboy Way. The two-story gray home at 4 S. Lafayette and dilapidated structure on Downboy Way were part of the most recent tax sale, but were not sold...

ROACHDALE -- Turnovers. The No.1 killer in a basketball team is turnovers and the Lady Cougars found that out the hard way Tuesday night as they lost their season opener to Crawfordsville 55-33. Thirty seven times North Putnam turned the ball over, with several of those turnovers resulting in transition points for the Lady Athenians...

Putnam County Jail Daniel Crowder, 29, Brazil, was booked into the Putnam County Jail at 10:34 a.m. Thursday for petition to revoke probation. Warren Davis, 41, Harmony, was booked at 5:49 p.m. Thursday for petition to revoke probation. Nicole Frasco, 25, Jasonville, was booked at 6:03 p.m. Thursday for petition to revoke probation...