Stories from Thursday, July 1, 2010

After more than 10 years as the darlings of both critics and a rabid fanbase (including the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Stephen King and Nick Hornby), Philadelphia roots rockers Marah faced some serious question marks after the release of 2008's "Angels of Destruction!"...

While "Eclipse", the latest film in The Twilight Saga, still has to overcome so many teen angst melodramatic moments, the film is a vast improvement over its two predecessors. It's hard to admit that a franchise I tore to pieces initially is beginning to grow on me. And no, it's not the tale of Bella (Kristen Stewart) and Edward (Robert Pattinson) that has sucked me in -- in a word it would be -- werewolves...

Frances Tuttle Asher, 82, of Roachdale passed away at her home surrounded by family on Tuesday, June 29, 2010. She was born on Oct. 20, 1927 in Greencastle to William Henry and Flora Marie Jent Tuttle. She was a member of the Roachdale Christian Church. She was a housewife and mother...

Jennifer S. Ford, 41, Indianapolis, was booked into the Putnam County Jail at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday for violation of probation. Shayne Frost, 35, Bainbridge, was booked at 12:26 p.m. Wednesday for violation of probation. Jacob A. Johnson, 28, Indianapolis, was booked at 11:40 a.m. Wednesday for possession of marijuana...

GREENCASTLE -- A Greencastle man who is facing felony battery charges and has been in jail for over a year has filed a second motion for dismissal of charges and release from incarceration. Seth Land, 22, has been charged with two counts of Class B felony aggravated battery in connection with a May 15, 2009 attack on his mother Sharon Land. If convicted on both counts, Land could be sentenced to 40 years in prison...

GREENCASTLE -- The Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons has approved accreditation to the Cancer Center of Putnam County Hospital. Established in 1922 by the American College of Surgeons, the CoC is a consortium of professional organizations dedicated to improving the survival and quality of life of cancer patients...

BAINBRIDGE -- The North Putnam Family Healthcare office, located on US 36, will offer $10 health screenings every Tuesday in July. Windy Watt, FNP and staff will conduct the screens. "This is a quick, affordable way for patients to get a check-up prior to the 'back to school' rush," stated Watt...

CLOVERDALE -- On the surface, home break-ins can seem like just nothing more than criminal mischief. But for the victims of such crimes, the aftermath can be harrowing. One such victim in Cloverdale -- who spoke on the condition of anonymity -- has been a target on several occasions...

At this year's Rotary District 6560 annual meeting, outgoing club presidents were given batons to pass to the new presidents when the time came. Greencastle Rotary Club's Murray Pride took the suggestion literally, as he passed the baton to 2010-11 president Bob Green as if they were running a 4X100.

CLOVERDALE -- On Wednesday, POET Biorefining announced it purchased the former Altra Biofuels plant north of Cloverdale. The company, which is among the largest producers of ethanol in the world, will invest more than $30 million to modify the Cloverdale facility to produce 90 million gallons annually. POET will also produce Dakota Gold dried distillers grains for livestock feed at the site...