Stories from Thursday, October 11, 2012

The North Putnam volleyball team defeated South Vermillion in three sets, 25-17, 25-19 and 25-22. Madi Asbell scored 19 points for the Cougars, with Bethany Wiatt adding 15 points. Head coach Jill Schreiber said Wiatt played well in the back row and commented how Asbell was able to play out of a recent slump...

The 2012 IHSAA sectional pairings for volleyball were announced Monday with local teams occupying spots in three separate sectionals across central Indiana. In the Class 2A Covenant Christian Sectional, South Putnam will get things going against Speedway Oct. 18 at 6 p.m. The Eagles and Sparkplugs have not played this season...

By CAINE GARDNER Film Critic When the British comedy group Monty Python released its second feature film "Monty Python's Life of Brian" in 1979, the film was met with outcries that the film was blasphemous. This resulted in the flick received the dreaded X certificate (equal to an MPAA R rating), thus limiting the audience who could see it...

By JARED JERNAGAN Assistant Editor The steam rolling from the temporary stage at DePauw's Bowman Park Saturday night was from a smoke machine ... I think. With a hot band playing on a cold night, it was hard to tell. The well-oiled machine that is Fitz & the Tantrums owned the night, bringing their indie soul to Greencastle for the first time. We can only hope it's not the last...

TERRE HAUTE -- Jim Bowie, an expert strategic planner, performance improvement specialist and author of "Lean Acres: A Tale of Strategic Innovation and Improvement in a Farm-Iliar Setting," will present "Strategic Innovation and Improvement" as part of a free event on Thursday, Oct. 11...

Bainbridge Elementary School recently announced its August Students of the Month, which include kindergartners Braxton Woodall, Kaleb Danikow, Braxston Mitchell and Hunter Wingler; first graders Gabrielle Simonson, Grace Anne Vansickle, Josie Summers and Chloe Brooksby; second graders Kylie Rust, Michael Parsons and Isabelle Barker; third graders Kyle Spence, Sophia Lotzow, Zachary Huff and Matthew Parker; fouth graders Abigail Andrews, Dagan Everman and Ashton Shaw; fifth graders Josie Lyons, Sierra DeWees, Cauy Whaley and Dana Tennis. (Courtesy photo)

Fourth and fifth grade students Roachdale Elementary participated in Native American Day on Friday, Oct. 5. Activities included sand painting, games, story telling, food tasting, calendar sticks, story hide making, headband making, totem poles, archery presentation and, face painting. Fourth-grade student Drake Clore had symbols for war and hunt decorating his face, with fifth-grade teacher Heather Conner applying the art. 2012 marked the 20th year for Native American Day. The event occurs in the beginning of October each year so students can find costumes, and activities alternate so nothing gets repeated. (Banner Graphic/GRANT WIEMAN)

York Chrysler Dodge Jeep of Crawfordsville helped raise $,540 for Central Elementary with Chrysler brand's Drive for the Kids program. The fundraising event was held on Aug. 21 with the school's Meet the Teacher event, and sponsored by the Central Parent Teacher Organization...

On Wednesday, Nov. 7, Dr. John Stephens of Dermatology Inc. will be conducting free skin cancer screens at Putnam County Hospital. The screen is a bi-annual event that is sponsored by the Putnam County Hospital Cancer Center. "Early detection is the key to treating melanoma," LPN Lou Fordice of the PCH Cancer Center said...

The Putnam County Emergency Food Pantry received 578 items that were donated during Friendship Day 2012. Greencastle Chamber of Commerce members and Friendship Day sponsors present for the donation were (not pictured in order) Trei Barnett of Asbury Towers, Brittany Cruse and Amy Trusty of PNC Bank, Tammy Amor of the Greater Greencastle Chamber of Commerce, Brittany Johnson, Jeff Flint of Bittles and Hurt/Hopkins-Rector funeral homes, Melanie Boesen of Ivy Tech, Ashley Mattox of DePauw University and University Lending, Lesli Fordice and Jenny Sullivan of Eitel's Flowers. Accepting the donation were Food Pantry director Judy Miller and volunteer Betty McBride. (Banner Graphic/LAUREN BOUCHER)

Healthcare quality professionals at Putnam County Hospital join those around the nation in celebrating National Healthcare Quality Week, which takes place Oct. 14-20. The week highlights the influence of healthcare quality professionals in achieving improved patient care outcomes and healthcare delivery systems...

John Norberg, a Lafayette journalist, humorist and author of books on Purdue University history and achievements, will be the featured speaker at a dinner sponsored by the Purdue Club of Putnam County on Thursday, Oct. 25. The 6:30 p.m. dinner, to be held at Autumn Glen in Greencastle, is open to the public...

CLOVERDALE -- The Cloverdale Town Council conducted two public hearings as well as its regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday night. After two lengthy public hearings, the regularly scheduled meeting got off to a quick start. Town Marshal Jon Chadd again came before the board to discuss the issue of police vehicles as well as the possibility of buying several essential items...

Indiana Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman (center) presents a $150,000 Community Focus Fund (CFF) grant to Putnam County, on behalf of Clinton Township, for a new fire truck during a recent statehouse ceremony. Representing Clinton Township are (from left) grant administrator Kristy Jerrell, Aaron Littrell, (Skillman), Travis Lambermont and Robert Hensley. Not pictured but attending the ceremony was District 44 State Rep. Jim Baird. The grant will be used to purchase a pumper fire truck with rescue capabilities to serve Clinton Township. The new truck will include a 1,250-gallon-per-minute pump, 1,000-gallon booster water tank, five-person cab and seven full-height storage compartments. CFF grants, which are administered by the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affair, are awarded annually through a competitive application process. (Indiana Statehouse photo)

ROACHDALE -- With the gas project nearing completion, many local residents are experiencing unexpected costs, in addition to the raise in gas prices. Due to regulation changes, the company installing natural gas lines, Miller Pipeline, has had to move many of the meters, at a cost to the consumer...

The Area 30 Board of Directors met Tuesday for its monthly meeting, which consisted of several routine issues along with a plan to increase interest in local industry. Executive Director of the Greencastle/Putnam County Economic Development Center Bill Dory came before the board to provide information regarding an economic development program titled, Career Opportunities in Putnam County...

While downtown facades and grand openings have been getting all the attention, the Night Stockers have again crept in under the cover of darkness to add a little more joy and whimsy to our lives in Greencastle. Their latest knitted creation, in DePauw University black and gold, adorns a small tree in front of Eli's Books, the new DPU bookstore on East Washington Street. The Night Stocking group, who prefer that moniker to the term "Yarnbombing," say the effort is believed to have originated in Texas with knitters seeking a creative way to use their leftover yarn or knitting projects. Locally about a dozen anonymous but dedicated souls have been leaving conspicuously placed handmade fiber objects to help decorate public places like City Hall, the fairgrounds and the square. (Banner Graphic/ERIC BERNSEE)

CLOVERDALE -- The Cloverdale Town Council got down to business on Tuesday evening, making the final decision regarding a rate increase for water and wastewater utilities. During the first public hearing of the night, Cloverdale residents were able to voice their concern regarding the upcoming rate increases on water and sewer bills...

James B. Sedberry, age 83, of Greencastle, formerly of Indianapolis, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012 at Putnam County Hospital. Born July 30, 1929 in Indianapolis, he was the son of Sidney Washington and Edith (Scott) Sedberry. He was a 1948 graduate of Arsenal Tech High School...

Wanda J. Patterson, age 83, of Greencastle, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012 at Putnam County Hospital. Born July 14, 1929 in Putnam County, she was the daughter of Alton and Elizabeth (Walton) Hurst. She was a 1947 graduate of Belle Union High School...

Charles D. Ottinger, 86, Cloverdale, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012 at The Waters of Greencastle. He was born on April 16, 1926 at Zionsville, and was the son of the late Charles Clifford and Emma Florence (Barckdall) Ottinger. He was married to Peggy Ann (Williams) Ottinger on Jan. 19, 1947, and she preceded him in death...