Stories from Friday, December 21, 2012

PUTNAMVILLE -- The Putnamville Correctional Facility recently conducted a commencement ceremony in recognition of graduates from the first Indiana Department of Correction's Navigators prison ministry program. "We're always looking for ways to expand our re-entry program," Superintendent Stanley Knight said. "When this opportunity came along, we were very excited."...

When Bill Lynch begins his second stint as the head football coach of DePauw University on Jan. 2, it will be under much different circumstance than the last time. Lynch first coached the team in 2004, replacing legendary DPU head coach Nick Mourouzis...

I've never been coached by John Butler, and I've not sat in his classroom, but I have learned from him. He has of way of speaking, about football, and about his kids, that always teaches. When emotions are high after a game, he's deliberate with his words. He makes sure everyone understands -- always...

The Rockwell Foundation recently donated $10,000 to the Cloverdale Volunteer Fire Department. The money will be used by the fire department for some much needed equipment. Present for the donation were members of the fire department, Vice President of the Rockwell Foundation Phyllis Gaddis, President of the Rockwell Foundation Dennis Padgett, Chief Kerry Shephard and Secretary of the Rockwell Foundation Cathy Tipton...

The Putnam County Museum celebrated the holidays with its annual Membership Holiday Party last Wednesday with more than 70 people in attendance to enjoy the exhibits and festivities throughout the evening. Anyone who would like to visit the museum over the holidays with family or friends, the staff welcomes your visit...

Visiting the Hickory Creek at Sunset booth during the Holiday Bazaar at the Putnam County Senior Center, Toni Ridgway Woodall samples one of the gourmet dip mixes the health care facility is selling in an ongoing fundraising effort. Amy Gharbi (left) and Diana Baker man the booth. The packages of gourmet dip mix sell for $3 each or four for $10. Hickory Creek is attempting to raise funds to acquire a van for transporting its residents to appointments and activities...

NORTH SALEM -- On Saturday, Dec. 22, McCloud Nature Park will host its last hiking program of the year at 2 p.m. The program is designed for all ages and will last for 90 minutes. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy footwear. McCloud Nature Park is operated by Hendricks County Parks and Recreation and is located five minutes south of North Salem at 8518 N. Hughes Rd...

The Putnam County Library board met one last time before the end of the year on Wednesday evening. In an attempt to keep up with technology, the board agreed to purchase a Polaris label maker. Currently, the board has a Dot Matrix label maker, which is outdated...

With the Putnam County prosecutor asking the court to consider how it treats female sex offenders compared to their male counterparts, a Roachdale woman was given an eight-year sentence Wednesday for sexual misconduct with a minor. Putnam Circuit Court Judge Matthew Headley sentenced 35-year-old Emily J. Duncan to eight years with two years to be executed at the Department of Correction, two on home detention and four suspended...

The first of three former North Putnam High School staff members charged with child seduction in connection with the same 16-year-old male student was sentenced Thursday morning to 18 months in prison in the scandal that rocked the school and community earlier this year...

School and law enforcement officials are addressing a pair of undisclosed threats made at Greencastle High School this week. Interim Superintendent Dawn Puckett sent a message to parents Thursday afternoon regarding the threat and what officials are doing to address the issue...

DePauw University announced on Thursday it has hired Bill Lynch as the next head football coach. Lynch was previously the Tigers' head coach for the 2004 season and he will take over on Jan. 2, 2013. "I wasn't really looking, but when the DePauw situation came up, that really got me thinking about it because I had such a great experience while I was there in 2004," Lynch told the Banner Graphic. "They want to be successful, and they want to be successful in the right way."...

North Putnam High School announced this afternoon that the boys' JV and varsity basketball games, scheduled for tonight against North Montgomery, have been postponed. North Putnam schools cancelled classes today due to weather. A makeup date has not been set...

James P. "Pat" Terry, 49, of Greencastle, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012. Born March 17, 1963 in Greencastle, he was the son of Jewell Terry and Janet Johnson. Pat had worked construction for several years. He had also been a member of the Moose Lodge and was an avid bowler...