Stories from Friday, July 15, 2011

The Civic League Tennis Tournament took place this past weekend. Kendra Latham (left) and Kayla Chadd were runners-up in the 18-and-under doubles event.

To fence or not to fence, that is the question. After a firefighter fell and died going after a ball at a Rangers game a few weeks ago, a man died in May sliding down a railing at Coors Field and a man almost fell during the Home Run Derby, the question has been raised as to whether major league baseball should take measures to protect fans -- in some instances from themselves. It's a touchy subject, but I'm going to take a stab at it...

To the Editor: There is something absolutely wonderful about having breakfast with your community, gathering together, sharing laughter, good conversation all for the support and celebration of our city parks and People Pathways. On behalf of the Greencastle Friends of the Park Association, we would like to thank the many families that attended our Fourth of July, community breakfast, "Pancakes for Parks and Pathways...

Summer is officially here. As the mercury begins to rise, we need to be sure we are all taking the necessary precautions to keep ourselves and others safe and out of the Emergency Room. Too often, a disregard for simple, important provisions can lead to a summer vacation that is less than fun...

The driving public never ceases to amaze me. Personally I have witnessed people reading novels propped in front of them while driving ("The Lincoln Lawyer" perhaps), eating a Whopper at the wheel (remember, it takes two hands to handle one) and trying to steer with a greyhound (thankfully not a bus) in their lap...

BRAZIL -- The Brazil Concert Band, under the direction of Matthew S. Huber, will perform a double-header this weekend, July 16 and 17. On Saturday, the BCB will perform at 4 p.m. at the Banks of the Wabash Band Festival in Fairbanks Park, Terre Haute...

Indiana Senate President Pro Tem David Long (R-Fort Wayne) has appointed State Sen. Connie Lawson (R-Danville) as chairman of the Commission on Developmental Disabilities and the Commission on Mental Health and Addiction. Long appointed Lawson to serve as a member of the Census Data Advisory Committee and the Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities Interagency Coordinating Council...

The Fillmore Snappers 4-H Club recently had a contest with the Jolly Junior 4-H Club to collect goods for the Putnam County Emergency Food Pantry.

The Beta Psi Chapter of Tri Kappa sorority in Greencastle recently installed its new officers for 2011-12.

County Jail Wanda Faye Martin, 36, Greencastle: Theft, habitual felony offender, probation violation, July 13, 5:20 p.m. Rodney Wagle, 44, Reelsville: Child molestation (2 counts), July 12, 1:55 p.m. Ashley Wheeler, 25, Indianapolis: Theft, July 13, 1:30 a.m...

CLOVERDALE -- Utilities and finance were the main focus when the Cloverdale Town Council met Tuesday night. Tree issues took first billing at the meeting. The town, facing damage from storms and other issues to trees in the area, decided to stick to the money set aside for those issues rather than redistributing funds...

More questions than answers remain in the problems with Deer Meadow Primary School's leaking roof. The Greencastle School Board heard from Assistant Superintendent Dawn Puckett and Maintenance Director Dan Green on the issue at Wednesday's monthly meeting...

The Area 30 Career Center Education Interlocal Board of Directors began their monthly meeting Thursday morning by revealing a new mission statement for the school. Starting this fall, the cover of each student handbook will bear the words: "Explore opportunities. Experience excellence. Realize potential."...

BAINBRIDGE -- The Bainbridge Town Council received and considered three bids to complete various roadwork in the town Wednesday night. However, one road, which is partially owned by the county, has resulted in a temporary hang-up. The council received bids from Wabash Valley Asphalt, Baumgartner and Co. Asphalt Services and Grady Bros. Inc., with Wabash Valley being the lowest bid at $89,541...

As the third man to fill the same seat on the Greencastle School Board since December, Greencastle native Michael White had his first meeting as a board member Wednesday night. White, a chemist in Buzzi Unicem's alternative fuels facility, was chosen by the Greencastle Township Advisory Board as one of its two school board appointees. He took the oath of office from GCSC Director of Personnel Ruth Schroeder on Wednesday...

"Alligator Aaron" of Indiana Wild, talks with Connor Schmeckebier about the American alligator (named Louis Vouiton) at the presentation on Wednesday at the Putnam County Public Library.

Mary I. Johnson, 85, Hardyville, Ky., formerly of Poland, passed away on July 14, 2011 at Glasgow, Ky. She was born on Oct. 3, 1925 in Poland and was the daughter of the late Fred A. and Violet Marie (Whelchel) Jaynes. She was a homemaker, member of the American Legion Auxiliary Hurst-Collins Post No. 281, Cloverdale and a former Jackson Township, Owen County Democratic precinct committee woman...

Jimmy Ray Holt, 50, of Fillmore passed away on Friday, July 15, 2011 with his family by his side. He was born on May 26, 1961 in Clarksville, Tenn. to Claude Holt and Stella Evelyn Steeley Holt. Jimmy served his country in the U.S. Army. He was most recently employed at Dixie Chopper...