Stories from Thursday, December 3, 2009

GREENCASTLE -- Boasting a roster with the smallest guy checking in a 5-foot, 11-inches, Troy Greenlee and the Greencastle Tiger Cubs hope to improve from a disappointing season last year. "This is the probably the tallest team we have ever had," Greenlee said. ...

ROACHDALE -- After graduating seven seniors from its team last year, North Putnam is looking to some of its younger players to help fill the voids that have been left. The Cougars have only two seniors on the squad this year -- Brock Jones and Kyle Adams -- but first year head coach Nathan Martindale isn't worried about having only two seniors this year because he knows he has the players that can do the job...

GREENCASTLE -- Sitting at 0-2 on the season, the South Putnam boys basketball team is still trying to find its footing. Before the season head coach Micah Elliott was optimistic for the season because of the work he saw from them in practice. "You can see the kids working hard," Elliott said. ...

CLOVERDALE -- The biggest asset any team can enter a season with is the right mindset. For Pat Rady and his Cloverdale Clovers, they stand at 1-1 on the season, and according to Rady, find themselves in a good position as the season begins. "The attitude is great," Rady revealed. ...

The Spike Lee documentary Kobe Doin' Work follows a day in the life of NBA superstar Kobe Bryant. What sounds like a boring premise turns out to be an in-depth look at the intricacies of the NBA game from one of its premiere athletes. The 83-minute film follows Bryant for the Lakers' contest with the Spurs on April 13, 2008. Lee was granted special access by the Lakers and their head coach Phil Jackson and brings a surreal experience to the screen...

PLAINFIELD -- As we ate our dinner Saturday night at Chateau Thomas Winery and waited for Jennie DeVoe's concert, one of my tablemates described her music perfectly. "Jennie and wine go hand in hand. It is wine-drinking music," she said. When DeVoe took the stage, I knew exactly what my neighbor was saying. DeVoe's voice has a touch of sweetness, a touch of tart. It pairs perfectly with a number of genres, which is why critics like myself have a hard time classifying her music...

Norma Jean Young, 85, of Greencastle, formerly of New Winchester, died Sunday, Nov. 29, 2009 at The Waters of Greencastle. She was born May 17, 1924 in Marion County to Sidney R. and Maude Estes Johnson. She was married to James W. Young, and he preceded her in death in 1981...

Mr. Earl Wood, 83, of Greencastle died Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2009 at Hendricks Regional Health in Danville. Born Oct. 12, 1926 in Putnam County, he was the son of Harry and Ellen Monday Wood. He married Barbara Rogers on July 25, 1953, and she survives...

Dorthea J. Mason, 80, of Greencastle, died Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2009 at the Mill Pond Health Campus. Born Nov. 29, 1929 in St. Louis, she was the daughter of Rudolph Francis and Ethel Emma Ney Windey. She was a graduate of Mehlville High School. She married Harold Eugene Mason on Jan. 26, 1952, and he preceded her in death in 2005...

Putnam County Jail Johnnie Chestnut, 48, Cloverdale, was booked into the Putnam County Jail at 3 p.m. Tuesday for domestic battery. Adrein Hilbert, 30, Cloverdale, was booked at 10:28 p.m. Tuesday for public intoxication, operating a vehicle while intoxicated, disorderly conduct, possession of marijuana and operating per se...

Winners of Greencastle Parks and Recreation's 2009 Gingerbread House Contest were selected at Wednesday's park board meeting. Present to receive their awards were, from left, Seth Lawrenz, Harrison and Ben McCarty, Haylee Romalia and Mika Mozawa. Not pictured were the winners from the organization competition from Mill Pond Health Care and Cub Scout Pack 99 Webelos Den 2. The program was up to 16 entries this year. Winners from the Brickmania Holiday competition will be available in Friday's Banner Graphic.

GREENCASTLE -- A Bargersville woman accused of forging prescriptions while employed by a Monrovia dentist is set to go to trial in March. Melissa Bennett, 31, is charged in Putnam County Circuit Court with three counts of Class D felony forgery of prescription for legend drugs and three counts of Class D felony obtaining or attempting to obtain legend drugs. ...

GREENCASTLE -- Gobin Memorial United Methodist Church has filed a civil suit against Melynda J. "Mindy" Fenwick, the former secretary who is currently serving a prison sentence for stealing more than $300,000 from the church. Fenwick, 37, was convicted of six counts of Class C felony forgery and six counts of Class D felony theft. On Nov. 23, Putnam County Circuit Court Judge Matthew Headley sentenced Fenwick to 10 years in prison, to be followed by five years on probation...

GREENCASTLE -- The Greencastle Civic League kicked off the holiday season Tuesday evening at Greencastle City Hall with its 26th annual "Lights of Love" ceremony. "We are excited to, once again, begin celebrating the holiday season with this time-honored community tradition," said Lights of Love chairperson Cathryn Ensley...

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CLOVERDALE -- The town may be cutting employee salaries or jobs next year to save itself from going in the red. During a joint town council/utility board meeting Wednesday, council members were told the town's health insurance premium could jump 17 to 22 percent in 2010. It is also considering a loss in property tax collections next year...