Stories from Thursday, June 21, 2012

By ERIC BERNSEE Editor Although he could barely utter the word guilty, a 57-year-old Roachdale physician pled that way Thursday in Putnam Circuit Court. Dr. Ray D. Howell, facing 15 felony charges of unlawfully dispensing narcotics -- sometimes in exchange for sexual favors -- pled guilty to five of those counts in a plea agreement recommended by Putnam County Prosecutor Tim Bookwalter and the defendant's attorney, Dennis E. Zahn of Indianapolis...

Semester 2 All A Grade 1: Megan Ann Arnold, Daniel M. Bunton, James Cameron Cafouras, Caidon J. Cash, Kennedy Page Clark, Andrew Jerry Davidson, Ryan Thomas Deaton, Ethan Michael Harcourt, Kayla Mackenzie Heagy, Lincoln A. Hochstetler, Jaden Rae O'Neal, Logan Starks, Hope AnnaJoy Taylor, Jenna Makenzie VanRensselaer and Keira Reece Burnett Wilkinson...

Fourth nine weeks All A Grade 5 - Jaden Day, Jarrek Montgomery, Shalyn Nelson, Andrew Pickel and Bryce Smith Grade 4 - Aaron Fritz A/B Grade 5 - Taegan Abney, Jordan Adam, Lilly Brown, Samantha Chaney, Olivia Denny, Emily Fink, Reese Gant, Konnor Harper, Garrett Kindle, Tanner Louk, Aidan Millican, Ashley O'Neal, Connor Payton, Jake Powell, Blake Reed, TJ Smith, Mackenzie Walls and Lainey Willis...

Indiana State University has announced a four-year graduation guarantee for students enrolling this fall and beyond. The guarantee assures eligible students they will be able to complete a bachelor's degree within four years. If not, they will be able to take remaining courses tuition free. University officials said the guarantee is part of Indiana State's ongoing commitment to keeping college affordable for students and will also help ensure a quicker launch for their careers...

PUTNAMVILLE -- A June 11 commencement program at the Putnamville Correctional Facility (PCF) recognized 269 offender graduates of Ivy Tech Community College and Indiana State University. The commencement opened with remarks by PCF Assistant Superintendent Beckie Bennett...

The American Red Cross has launched its first official first aid app, putting free and simple lifesaving information in the hands of smart phone users. This app is the first in a series to be created by the American Red Cross, the nation's leader in first aid and emergency preparedness information. It's also the only first aid app created or endorsed by the American Red Cross for use on both the Android and iPhone platforms...

County Jail On Tuesday, June 19 at 11 p.m. Richard Dujaun Hughley, 24, Terre Haute, was booked into the Putnam County Jail on two counts of possession of marijuana and sale of marijuana. Sheriff's Department Barker said he believed he fell asleep at the wheel...

Covered Bridge Retreat, a new group-retreat facility located north of Annapolis in Parke County, will be available for rental reservation starting in mid-July. The 296-acre state forest property, formerly known as Country Haven and operated by the Gehlhausen family, was sold to The Nature Conservancy in 2008...

For the past six years a group of friends, DePauw alumni and Putnam County residents, Marc Holloway, Abby Tonsing, Melissa Britton and Indy New got together and decided to go to New Orleans to help with the Hurricane Katrina relief. "Each year we go back we see more new things and businesses moving in," said Holloway. "There are less and less devastating things."...

An Indianapolis woman was incarcerated Tuesday evening following a pair of alcohol-related automobile accidents in the Greencastle area. Kali Jane Rugenstein was lodged at the Putnam County Jail facing charges of operating while intoxicated, public intoxication and failure to stop following a motor vehicle accident...

The Greencastle Police Department recently held its third annual Police Boot Camp June 4-8. Students were introduced to a wide variety of training that included firearms, rescue diving, physical fitness, taser training and various demonstrations. There was also legal training with Prosecutor Tim Bookwalter, history of the Greencastle Police Department with former Chief of Police Sonny Wood, less lethal training and team building...

A Wednesday morning house fire on Greencastle's north side had firefighters battling extreme humidity and heavy smoke along with flames. Two Greencastle firefighters were taken to Putnam County Hospital during the incident at 709 E. Shadowlawn Ave. but both were home resting by Wednesday afternoon...

ROACHDALE -- When the new natural gas lines are installed in Roachdale the town will receive a number of benefits, but savings to residents will not be one. New technology and engineering in the lines will reduce the amount of gas that goes unaccounted...

Tonight Greencastle's musical treasure will be feted as a contributor to the jazz and blues scene of Indianapolis. Tad Robinson -- seven-time nominee at the national Blues Music Awards -- will receive a Ralph Adams Lifetime Achievement Award during a 7:30 p.m. event at Daddy Real's the Place, 3955 E. 96th St., Indianapolis...

In the 30-year tradition that is "Marvin's delivers anywhere," ubiquitous homemade banners and signs proclaiming the Greencastle eatery's propensity for publicity have popped up virtually everywhere. They've been photographed at Graceland, unfurled at every tropical isle this side of Gilligan's, and even proudly misinterpreted as a political statement in Moscow's Red Square...

DANVILLE -- State Sen. Pete Miller (R-Avon), already selected in April to serve the remainder of Connie Lawson's District 24 term, will now represent the Republican Party on the November ballot. A caucus of District 24 precinct committeemen selected Miller as the GOP nominee Wednesday evening. Miller was chosen over Adam Love and Brent Pittman...

Kenny T. Jackson, 33, of Mansfield, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis following a brief illness. Kenny was born July 10, 1978 the son of Thomas and Crystal (Gulley) Jackson. He attended Northview High School and was currently working at Exhibit A Plastics as a machine operator...