Stories from Thursday, December 22, 2011

County Jail Several people were booked into the Putnam County Jail on Tuesday, Dec. 20. City Police One property-damage accident was investigated Tuesday by Greencastle City Police. The mishap occurred at 11:18 a.m. on Indianapolis Road at its intersection with Percy Julian Drive...

The Indiana Tree Project website -- theindianatreeproject.org, which launched this week -- offers Hoosiers the opportunity to donate hardwood trees to Indiana's forests for $10 each. Each tax-deductible donation will allow for the planting and maintenance of one tree...

PUTNAMVILLE -- The Criminal Investigation Division at the Putnamville Post is seeking help from the public in the investigation of residential burglary at Danville. The victim is an Indiana State Police detective assigned to the Putnamville Post. Sometime between 1:30 p.m. and 2:40 p.m. Tuesday, unknown person or persons forced open the front door of the residence at 2417 S. County Road 125 West, Danville, and removed multiple weapons and televisions...

INDIANAPOLIS -- A 47-year-old Putnam County man has been sentenced to 24 months imprisonment following his guilty pleas to three counts of structuring monetary transactions, the Department of Justice has announced. Roachdale resident Stephen R. Smith was sentenced Wednesday by U.S. District Judge William T. Lawrence in the Southern District of Indiana...

For the second straight year the employees and customers of North Salem State Bank have banded together to make a difference in the community and help those in need during the holiday season. From Nov. 1 to Dec. 16 the branches of NSSB collected non-perishable food, hygiene products, paper products and monetary donations to help local food pantries...

Looking at the numbers, it's tough to tell whether the latest unemployment figures have been naughty or nice to Putnam County. While the local jobless figure is up just slightly, our November ranking is actually one spot better than last month. After being among the 10 worst county jobless rates as recently as August, the Putnam unemployment picture has improved enough to put the local ranking in a tie for 49th, close to the middle of the pack among Indiana's 92 counties...

The Greencastle Kiwanis Club recently presented two $300 donations to agencies that the organization believes make a positive difference in the community. Judy Miller received the donation for the Putnam County Emergency Food Pantry and Joe Ferguson received the donation on behalf of the Mary Allison Children's Trust Fund. Participating in the presentation are (from left) Kiwanis President P.T. Wilson, Ferguson, Miller and Kiwanis member Dean Gambill of the Putnam County Foundation.

Dreaming of a white Christmas? The Putnam County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) has its attention on winter weather, but not the merry and bright days. EMA Director Tom Helmer presented the Putnam County Commissioners with an amended version of the county's emergency travel ordinance at the Monday, Dec. 19 meeting...

Putnam County has a well-known ally in its efforts to procure federal grant money for the Dunbar Covered Bridge. U.S. Rep. Todd Rokita (R-Indiana) has written a letter of support to the Putnam County Commissioners, encouraging them to pursue the rehabilitation of the bridge through National Historic Covered Bridge Preservation (NHCBP) funding...

For the past 10 years the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 92 has delivered toys to needy children in Putnam County. This year is their biggest year yet, providing toys to more than 36 kids. Children will not only receive toys, they will get items they need such as coats, winter boots and hats and gloves, which could not have been accomplished without the help of the public...

By CAINE GARDNER Film Critic While most people look to Christmas as a time for presents under the tree, for film lovers, it's also the time when we get to talk about whose performances and films we loved throughout the year. Here are my picks for my favorite performances of the year in the major categories. So sit back, relax and let the arguments begin...

By CAINE GARDNER Film Critic Just when I thought 2011 would be a banner year for flicks, I was once again fooled. The year was filled with disappointing films (anyone see "Bridesmaids") but still there were enough winners to make it another worthwhile year at the theater...