Stories from Friday, July 27, 2012

To the Editor: To the Putnam County community: On June 4, 2012, I had the opportunity to pay an unexpected visit to the Putnam County Hospital emergency room, which resulted in major emergency surgery and a seven-day stay at Putnam County Hospital. My family and I are so grateful that we live in a community that has a local hospital that offers fine professional services 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and we are so thankful for Dr. Palanca's surgical skills and those of his surgical team...

To the Editor: In reference to the Albin Pond Project: I am a concerned person in regard to the draining and replacement of the spillway and dam. Will this be open to the public now, due to taxpayer dollars being used to fix this? Also, about the odor and fish kill, it was terrible, who said there wasn't much must have had blinders on and earplugs up their nose all the time they were there...

On July 21, Nick Zimmerman of Cloverdale won the World Championship Soap Box Derby race in Akron, OH for Super Stock Rally Division. He also received the award for the fastest heat of the day in the Super Stock division. The World Championship Soap Box Derby is held once a year with 500-600 participants from all over the globe. Zimmerman won many first place trophies at rallies throughout the year to earn the points required to participate in this event...

The Greencastle Parks and Recreation Department will host the "Mr. Zucchini Head Contest" on Wednesday, Aug. 8 from 6-7:30 p.m. at shelterhouse No. 1 in Robe-Ann Park. The new program is designed to be fun for the whole family. Using parts and pieces from the department's Mr. Potato Head(s), participants can create his next-door neighbor Mr. Zucchini Head...

The Elks National Foundation's Community Investments Program invests $6.5 million in Elks communities through Lodge grants that help Elks meet local needs. These grants offer lodges an opportunity to serve their community. This year Greencastle Lodge 1077 is proud to announce they were granted one of the investments and one of our local investments was $500 to the Greencastle Band Endowment Fund. ...

The 2012 Putnam County 4-H Fair Cheerleading competition saw South Putnam, Greencastle and North Putnam each earn a top honor on the night. South Putnam placed second overall in the varsity division and in turn was named the Putnam County champions. North Putnam senior Caroline Byrd was honored as the 2012 Outstanding Senior Cheerleader, while the Greencastle section won the Spirit Award...

This month's Greater Greencastle Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours will take place at Mill Pond Health Campus on Tuesday, July 31 from 5-7 p.m. The tropical-themed event is free to the public and will include entertainment, food, beverages, giveaways, campus tours and networking...

Putnam County Soil and Water Conservation District, in conjunction with Sycamore Trails RC&D, will be sponsoring a forestry field day on Saturday, Aug.18 from 9 a.m. until noon. Allen Royer, IDNR district forester, will be the host. Participants will be meeting at Wagoner Christmas Tree Farm northwest of Greencastle with registration to begin at 8:30 a.m...

After a 31-year drought, the horse and pony barn has a winning streak going in Putnam County 4-H Supreme Showmanship. Following the lead of barnmate Logan Pell last year, Emily Gilley was named the 2012 Supreme Showman on Thursday in the indoor arena...

Returning to Putnam County for a visit this week, Suzanne Stern walked into the fairgrounds and right into 1940. Stern, who grew up in Russellville as Suzanne McGaughey had come home to visit her mother, Jacque McGaughey, and made a side trip Wednesday to the Putnam County Fair...

As the dust kicked up through the dry air on Wednesday, the residents of Russellville could taste a century's worth of history. The old hotel building (quizzically named as it was never much of a hotel) -- decaying, abandoned and filled with trash -- was torn to the ground by a backhoe...

A Putnam County man was arrested Wednesday evening for allegedly battering his four-year-old child. Rickie Allen Johnson Jr., 25, faces preliminary charges of battery on a child and neglect of a dependent. At 6:55 p.m. Putnam County Sheriff's Deputies Mike Downing, Matt Biggs and Josh Boller were dispatched to 3435 N. CR 100 West, Greencastle, to check on a suicidal person...

Lawrance J. "Larry" Myers Sr., 52, of Greencastle, passed away on Thursday, July 26, 2012. He was born on March 2, 1960 in El Paso, Texas, to Paul R. Myers and Theresa L. Campos Myers. Larry served his country in the U.S. Army, and had been employed at Heartland Automotive and Lear Corp...

The Greater Greencastle Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a half-day seminar on Thursday, Aug. 30 from 9-11:30 a.m. at the Putnam County Public Library. The seminar, presented by Paul Simacek of West Central SBDC, will focus on business negotiations and cost $10 per person...

The third annual Children's Miracle Network Car Show to benefit Riley Children's Hospital will take place on Saturday, Aug. 11 at the Putnam County Fairgrounds. Registration for the event will begin at 9 a.m. with judging at 11 and awards at 2 p.m. Pre-registration will be $10 and $15 on the day of show...

BRAZIL -- The Brazil Concert Band, under the direction of Matthew S. Huber, will present "London 2012" on Sunday, Aug. 5 at Forest Park. With the London 2012 Olympics in full swing, the BCB will present band music heard around the world at the free weekly concert in the pavilion...