Stories from Friday, March 9, 2012

To the Editor: Recently a local business in Greencastle for the past 17 years closed its doors. Bright Futures was filled with items that could not be found any place else in or near Greencastle, and if they didn't have what you needed, they were happy to order it for you...

To the Editor: The 24th annual Quail Unlimited Banquet was held Feb. 25 at the Dixie Chopper Business Center. It was a huge success and a very enjoyable evening. The Dixie Chopper Business Center was responsible for catering this event and we thank them for their hard work and delicious fare...

The second meeting of the Putnam County Church Softball League will be on March 19 at 7 p.m. in the Greencastle Church of the Nazarene. For more information call Wayne Tharp at 720-0204 if interested in playing this year, it is asked that someone from your church attend the meeting ...

The Putnam County Girls Softball League is holding signups March 17 and 31 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Signups will take place at McDonald's in Greencastle.

Sheriff's Department At 1:58 a.m. Ashley D. Hogan, 27, Brazil, was westbound on I-70 in a 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer. She was crossing the Mill Creek bridge near the 49-mile marker when she lost control on the ice-covered roadway. The vehicle slid off the north side of the road, where it struck several trees, causing extensive front-end damage. Total damages were estimated between $2,501 and $5,000...

The Putnamville Correctional Facility's "Read With Me" program will be featured on Air 1 WQRA, 90.5 FM radio, Greencastle, at 9:30 p.m. Sunday, March 11. News anchor-reporter Kenny Noble Cortes will host the segment about the facility-based program that provides a venue for incarcerated fathers to read books to their children...

Forest Hill Cemetery will be conducting clean up later this month. All ground decorations anyone wishes to save should be picked up by Thursday, March 15. Everyone's cooperation is appreciated.

The Putnam County Convention and Visitor Bureau is accepting monetary donations to help in the tornado relief efforts for southern Indiana. The bureau is located at 12 W. Washington St. (south side of the courthouse square) in Greencastle. Hours are 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday (closed 12-1 p.m. for lunch)...

Most of the time it's offensive stats that push a player over the top when it comes down to earning honors. But in the case of the 2012 Putnam County Player of the Year it's defense that made the difference. In a very tight race, Greencastle senior Hannah Wainman has been selected as the 2012 Banner Graphic Player of the Year. ...

In response to the devastation last Friday's tornadoes brought to communities in Southern Indiana, DePauw University students, faculty and staff are holding a day of reflection and collecting necessities for the victims of the horrific storms. "These are communities that some of our students and alumni call home," Rev. Kate Smanik, director of the Center for Spiritual Life at DePauw, said in announcing the events...

More than two hours of further discussion concerning local homeless issues seemed to raise more questions than it answered this week. While two dozen community members meeting at City Hall readily agreed about the need for an emergency homeless facility to replace the A-Way Shelter that closed last September, the long-term viability of such a project was brought into question...

The Greencastle National Honor Society and the Putnam County Library hosted the Camp Read-A-Lot event on Thursday evening in the Greencastle High School multipurpose room. Elementary students were invited to partake in many activities such as coloring, friendship bracelet making, as well as hearing books read from the events "Celebrity Readers", which included Alan Small, Dan TeGrotenhuis and Mayor Sue Murray. ...

With the theme of "American Agriculture: Feeding the Future, Filling the Gaps," Ag Day returns to Putnam County on Saturday, March 10 at the Putnam County Fairgrounds Community Building. This marks the second year of the single-day Saturday event in Putnam County, following many years as "Ag Week."...

Mike and Sandi Huffman made a unique donation to the Putnam County Emergency Food Pantry recently -- a full-sized van. But the donation became more of a community effort. York Automotive, Area 30 students and pantry volunteers are doing work on the vehicle. ...

Richard Eugene "Dick" Lawson, 79, of Bainbridge, passed away on Thursday, March 8, 2012. He was born on Jan. 13, 1933 in Danville to Robert Lawson and Clarel Myers Lawson. Dick served his country in the National Guard. He was a member of Hazelwood Christian Church...

A Cloverdale woman was charged Wednesday for the alleged theft of nearly $38,000 from two Cloverdale area organizations. Kimberly A. Wright, 46, faces two counts of Class D felony theft in Putnam Circuit Court for the alleged incidents. Investigators found that Wright allegedly took $33,000 for personal use while serving as office manager for Stardust Hills Owners Association. She is also alleged to have taken nearly $5,000 while serving as the treasurer for Cloverdale Main Street...