Stories from Tuesday, July 5, 2011

By ERIC BERNSEE Editor NEW YORK -- The state of New York will pay tribute this Friday to a Putnam County soldier who died in combat in Afghanistan last Friday. Pfc. James A. Waters, 21-year-old son of Garry and Valerie Waters, Cloverdale, was fatally wounded when his unit was attacked by an insurgents detonating an improvised explosive device in Kandahar province...

The 2011 Haley Bain Memorial Open will take place July 15 and 16, with singles matches playing July 15 and doubles matches July 16. Last year the Haley Bain Memorial Open was able to donate $4,500 to the Haley Bain Scholarship Fund. Two scholarships were awarded this year to graduating South Putnam seniors, with two more being awarded next year. The balance of the fund will be distributed in 2013, which would have been Bain's graduation year...

PUTNAMVILLE -- Over the holiday weekend, the nation celebrated Independence Day and fans at Lincoln Park Speedway were treated to fireworks in the sky by Circle City Pyrotechnics and on the track by some of the top hotshoes in the country. Dave Darland came home the victor, holding off recent New York high school graduate, Coleman Gulick in the sprint car division and Brian Hayden narrowly defeated Randy Millburn for yet another UMP Modified win at his home track...

Charles K. Phillips, 78, of Rockville and formerly of Fillmore and Greencastle, passed away on Sunday, July 3, 2011. He was born on May 20, 1933 in Putnam County to Carl Phillips and Gladys Terry Phillips and they preceded him in death. Mr. Phillips was a 1951 graduate of Fillmore High School and served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was a 50-year member of Fillmore Christian Church, a member of Quail Unlimited and Odd Fellows McCarty Lodge No. 293...

A musician often faces challenges in learning a new program. But Indianapolis Baroque Orchestra lead violinist Allison Edberg has faced an unusual one as she prepares for the group's "Vehemently Vivaldi" concert as part of the Greencastle Summer Music Festival at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Gobin Memorial United Methodist Church...

MANSFIELD -- Historic Mansfield Roller Mill will host Mansfield's third annual Dog Days of Summer weekend on July 9-10. The mill will offer shopping, vendors and many dog-themed activities all weekend. Visitors can join in the fun by signing up for a pet contest or participating in a covered-bridge dog walk both Saturday and Sunday. Registration for both activities will be at Fox's Overlook...

FILLMORE -- The Fillmore Veterans Memorial Fund project was kicked off at the recent Fillmore Alumni Banquet. The purpose of the project is to enshrine, in a respectable manner, the names of Fillmore High School graduates and residents who served during World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam...

MT. MERIDIAN -- A Putnam County man allegedly fled Indiana State Police at speeds near 100 mph on a motorcycle Saturday before he gave himself up, Indiana State Police at the Putnamville Post report. While working the federal overtime project C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort) Saturday afternoon on U.S. 40 near Mt. Meridian, State Police Sgt. Cory Robinson clocked a speeding westbound motorcycle in excess of 70 mph...

Putnam County celebrated the Fourth of July on Monday, which marks the 235th year of America's birth, in many different ways throughout the day.

Although the non-competitive Walking Wednesday walk/run program is poised for week six of a 10-week schedule, it isn't too late for people to join in and participate. In fact, new walkers are joining the free program each week. The starting point this week (July 6) will be the West Walnut Street parking lot of the DePauw Nature Park, beginning at 5 p.m. ...

Roger D. Nees, 73, Cloverdale, passed away on Monday, July 4, 2011 at his home. He was born on July 7, 1937 in Clay County and was the son of the late Adam L. and Nancy E. (Routt) Nees. He was a graduate of Cloverdale High School. He was a member of the Indiana National Guard for 28 years. Roger was a brick mason and had been employed by the Cloverdale Community School Corporation...