Stories from Wednesday, February 27, 2013

From AP and staff reports INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indiana House approved a $30 billion budget Monday night that includes $700 million more for roads and schools than was originally sought by the governor. The proposed $500 million boost to the state Motor Vehicle Highway Account (MVHA) would mean increased road money flowing to localities such as Putnam County, a move county officials would welcome...

INDIANAPOLIS -- Legislation authored by District 24 State Sen. Pete Miller (R-Avon) to help interested school corporations put resource officers in their buildings passed the State Senate Monday by a 43-7 vote. Senate Bill 1 provides funding for school resource officers (SROs). The officers would be charged with protecting schools from external dangers by conducting threat assessments and implementing emergency preparedness plans...

The repaving of the Edgelea Subdivision cleared its final financial hurdle recently with an ordinance giving final approval for the sale of bonds for the project. The Putnam County Council had previously passed a resolution giving preliminary approval, but the ordinance made the plan official...

With Brandy Whitehead (left) of Greencastle looking on, Mayor Sue Murray signs a proclamation recently declaring February as Turner Syndrome Awareness Month.

When something is contagious, it's usually good that it is confined to the hospital. But when that contagious element is infectious only of spirit and community, spreading it far and wide can be a commendable thing. And that is exactly what Michelle Collins, marketing director for the Asbury Towers Retirement Community in Greencastle, has been doing lately. ...

The Greencastle High School boys' golf team was honored last Friday night during the GHS Senior Night with a plaque to commemorate an outstanding 2012 season by the team. The golfers, coached by Steve Paquin (not pictured), were undefeated last year. Paige Tesmer (left) accepted the plaque for her father, along with golfers which included Alec Davis, Carl Basile, Tanner Dean and Luke Brotherton. (Banner Graphic/LAUREN BOUCHER)

North Putnam High School is inviting community members to its Winter Sports Awards Program on Tuesday, March 5 at 6:30 p.m at the high school gymnasium. The program is honoring the hard work and dedications of the school's 2012-13 athletes. Each of the Cougars' head coaches will give a brief statement and present the team's All-Conference honors...

The Putnam County Youth Soccer Association has opened registration for the 2013 Spring recreation league. There is a $60 fee and the league is open to boys and girls ages 3-14. Kids can be registered online at www.pcysa.com. Registration forms have also been distributed at appropriate county schools...

The North Putnam Middle School wrestling team had a strong performance at the Southmont Middle School Super 16 tournament on Saturday. Seventy-five pounder Jarrek Montgomery captured the championship in his weight class, and four others placed at the event...

Though neither local team that was in action on Tuesday came away with a win, the area sectionals are heating up. North Putnam (8-12), which received a first-round bye in Frankfort's sectional 25, will face Lebanon on Friday at 6 p.m. The Tigers (16-5) beat North Montgomery (5-16) 57-32 on Tuesday...

The Greencastle boys' basketball team closed the first-round sectional game against Edgewood to just a two-point gap when senior Nick Gilliam hit on a shot from the paint with 46 seconds left, but that was as close as the hosts got in the 49-43 loss...

Nothing came easily to the Cloverdale boys' basketball team Tuesday night in the opening game of the South Putnam Sectional. In a very physical game, Cascade clogged passing lanes and outjumped the Clovers for key rebounds on its way to a 56-47 win...

Several people have been booked into the Putnam County Jail recently. At 3:40 p.m. Friday, Christopher Michael Farrell, 19, Poland, was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and probation violation. At 7:37 p.m. Kara Dawn Brown, 36, Greencastle, was lodged at the jail for operating while intoxicated...

James Leroy Miller, 80, of Lutz, Fla., passed away on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013. James was born March 5, 1932 in Greencastle, to the late Floyd R. and Martha (Haverkamp) Miller. He served with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and moved to Hillsborough County, Fla., in 1958...

The Greencastle middle school wrestling team had a strong performance at the Southmont Middle School Super 16 tournament on Saturday. Keaton Boswell captured the championship in his weightclass and four others placed at the event. Brayden Lady, Cauy Thomas and Harry McCarty each finished in second place and Austin Cox was third...

Greencastle senior Brett Gierke has been a fast riser in his football career. He came out for his senior season, contributed to an undefeated team with 11 sacks and worked himself into an All-Star and collegiate talent. Gierke recently committed to play for the Wabash Little Giants. He'll stay at his defensive end spot and hopes to contribute on the field next year...

Alva "Ray" Brattain Jr., 77, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013. He was born Jan. 27, 1936 in Carbon, the son of Alva Ray and Dorothy Mae (Harney) Brattain. He was a 1954 graduate of Greencastle High School. He married Darlene (Cash) Brattain on Oct. 6, 1957 and she survives...

A Parke County man has been arrested late last week for alleged child molestion. Detectives from the Putnamville Indiana State Police Post have arrested 51-year-old Raymond H. Cooprider on four two counts of childe molesting, a Class C felony. Cooprider is alleged to have fondled the victims on Jan. 22, during a visit to his residence in rural southeastern Parke County...