Stories from Wednesday, July 17, 2013

South Putnam Community Schools will open the 2013-14 school year on Monday, Aug. 12 for students in kindergarten through grade 12. All kindergarten students must be five years old on or before Aug. 1 to be eligible to enroll. Students will be in attendance on Aug. 12 and lunch will be served...

Several people have been booked into the Putnam County Jail recently. At 3:55 a.m. on Saturday, William Shane Pierce, 36, Greencastle, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and possess of paraphernalia. At 12:30 a.m. Sunday, James Howard Bell Jr., 45, Terre Haute, was held at the jail for operating while intoxicated...

By LAUREN BOUCHER Staff Writer The Area 30 Career Center Board met Tuesday morning for its annual meeting as it gears up for its students return. Among several issues discussed, the board addressed its cell phone policy, which is one of the only changes in the student handbooks this year...

Two of the suspects charged with lesser offenses in a recent methamphetamine bust were involved in a firearms incident on Saturday evening. Brian Steven Doane, 31, of Indianapolis, was arrested on charges of public intoxication, possession of a handgun without a permit, criminal recklessness with a firearm and pointing a loaded firearm...

Two of the subjects involved in a late June drug bust near Reelsville were involved in a weekend firearms incident, resulting in one of them returning to jail. Brain Steve Doane, 31, Greencastle, was arrested on charges of public intoxication, possession of a handgun without a permit, criminal recklessness with a firearm and pointing a loaded firearm...

A Putnam County Sheriff's deputy, responding to a call of a crime in progress, collided with another motorist who turned in front of him Tuesday afternoon. Shortly before 12:15 p.m., Col. Tom Helmer, 58, of Cloverdale, was southbound on U.S. 231, en route to a call of a theft in progress. Helmer was following another deputy with the lights and siren activated on the 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe...

Charles Allen "Al" Vibbert Sr., 67, went to be with the Lord on Monday, July 15, 2013. He was born Nov. 19, 1945 to Ellis Allen and Gladys Katherine Vibbert at Ft. Benning, Ga. He was preceded in death by his father, son Zachary Allen and his brother Wade Walter Vibbert...

Donald L. Swenson, 51, Harmony, passed away on Saturday, July 13, 2013 at St. Vincent Clay Hospital, Brazil. He was born on June 11, 1962 in Michigan, the son of the late Thomas E. Swenson and Joyce Swenson, who survives. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his children, Christopher D. ...

Gerald R. Hutcheson, age 72, passed away at home on July 16, 2013, with his family by his side. He was born June 22, 1941 in Brazil to Kenneth "Tom" and Thelma Wyndham Hutcheson. Gerald graduated from Reelsville High School, class of 1959, participating in basketball all four years of high school...