Stories from Monday, December 10, 2012

A Greencastle teenager reported an attempted abduction while on her way to school Monday, City Police said. The 15-year-old, who attends just half-days at the high school, was reportedly walking south along Meadow Drive, just east of the Greencastle Armory, when she reported being grabbed by an older white male with long, gray hair...

Despite all of the discussion around the impending financial cliff, there is a way to lessen state income tax burden that is not often discussed. Up to $200 per individual and $400 for couples filing jointly, given to an Indiana-funded university will receive a direct deduction of 50 percent of the amount given off the state income tax bill...

The Greencastle Friends of the Park suggest that for that last-minute gift or hard-to-be-buy-for individual, residents consider sponsoring a decorative picket around the Emerald Palace Playground at Robe-Ann Park. Pickets around the Emerald Palace are still available for purchase at $20 each...

The Putnam County Community Foundation Board of Directors will be getting two new members on Jan. 1. Jeffrey Rich and Vivian Whitaker of Cloverdale were elected to the board in June, and will serve a three-year term. "We are lucky to have them on the board," Dean Gambill, director of community development for the Foundation, said. "They have been active members of both the community and the Foundation already, and will bring that experience to their new roles."...

The DePauw School of Music has announced the creation of a new preparatory music program for the Greencastle community. This new initiative will allow public school-aged students and all interested residents of any age to take private instruction on any instrument or voice part offered in the School of Music. Fulltime and adjunct faculty, as well as selected students, will serve as instructors for these applied lessons...

An enthusiastic crowd was greeted by Putnam County Community Foundation Executive Director Elaine Peck Friday in celebration of the Community Foundation's 2012 Fall Grant Awards. The breakfast, provided by Putnam Inn, was held in the Community Room of Area 30, where it was announced that $44,334 was being awarded from the Community Foundation's unrestricted and field of interest endowments...

Local music fans can get their Christmas present early on Friday when The Inn at DePauw presents "Hoosier Holidays: Songs and Stories of the Season." The 7:30 p.m. show in the Inn's ballroom will feature seven acts: Tim Grimm and Jan Lucas, Bobbie Lancaster, Him & Her, Anthony Mullis, Cara Jean Marcy, The Banisters and The Arrests...

The Greater Greencastle Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors is now accepting nominations for the 2012 Citizen of the Year Award The winner will be announced during the annual membership dinner of the Chamber of Commerce on Saturday, Jan. 26. The Citizen of the Year award has been presented by the Chamber of Commerce to some of Putnam County's finest residents since 1982...

The Banner Graphic sports department is looking for some part-time help in covering local high school events. Stringers will be paid on a per-game basis. In addition to base pay, writers covering an event will be admitted to games for free while they're working and have a unique opportunity to speak with some of the county's head coaches after games...

Children in Roachdale welcome Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus to town on Friday, Dec. 7. Roachdale merchants and organizations opened their doors to community members to celebrate the holiday season.

CLOVERDALE -- Two motorists died Sunday following a head-on crash on Interstate 70, approximately one mile east of Cloverdale. Michael J. Sullivan, 42, Franklin, was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other driver, 82-year-old Willie T. Simmons, of Sullivan, died later at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis...

The South Putnam boys' and girls' swimming and diving teams split a meet with Fountain Central on Satuday. The boys' squad came away with a 103-68 victory, while the girls lost 117-68. "I think they swam really well," SPHS swim coach Matthew Edwards said. "Even some of the swimmers that aren't getting the first places are getting personal bests."...

Roger Howard Cook, 73, of Roachdale, died peacefully on Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012. He was born in Batesville, Ind, on March 31, 1939 to the late Howard John and Sarah Franke Cook. He graduated from Sunman High School and then he graduated from Hanover College where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. He received his master's from Indiana University...

Sara J. Gentry, 66, Bainbridge, passed away Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012 in her residence Born May 15, 1946 in Indianapolis, she was the daughter of George and Mary Winings Terry. She graduated from Decatur Central High School in 1964 and was a hairstylist for more than 30 years...

Max Lee Watts Sr., 78 of Mattoon, Ill., passed away Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012 at 8:11 a.m. at the Odd Fellow Rebekah Home. Born June 1, 1934 in Montezuma, Ind., he was one of 11 children born to Virgil and Mable (Myers) Watts. He is survived by his children, Max L. ...

ROACHDALE -- A chili supper and appreciation event on behalf of the emergency services personnel and town employees who serve the Town of Roachdale is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 15 at the Roachdale Fire Department. The event is designed to offer thanks and appreciation to the members of the community who make up the Roachdale Volunteer Fire Department, Roachdale Ambulance Service (PMH) and Roachdale Police Department as well as Roachdale town employees and the Town Board...