Stories from Friday, June 27, 2014

There's a scene in the Bruce Willis "Die Hard" sequel where our hero, John McClane, finds himself stuck in one of those "Groundhog Day" situations. Willis breaks the sacred fourth wall and stares into the camera to say, "Why does this stuff (expletive deleted) keep happening to me?"...

To the Editor: Last week one afternoon, as I was leaving Walmart by the lane directly in front of the store, a large number of people, one group a family with several small children on foot, were exiting the store in the pedestrian crossing area in front of the east door...

County Jail Two people were booked into the Putnam County Jail recently. At 9:45 a.m. on Tuesday, Willie Duncan Jr., 50, Indianapolis, was charged with nonsupport of a dependent and contempt of court. At 2:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Ashley Michelle Lynn Albers, 31, Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla., was arrested for operating while intoxicated and possession of marijuana...

RACES (Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service) Team Field Day activities are scheduled for this weekend at the Putnam County Emergency Operations Center (EOC). A general open house is scheduled from 2-6 p.m. Saturday during which tours will be given of the EOC, located south of Greencastle at the dispatch center on County Road 225 South...

While Indiana's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held steady at 5.7 percent for May -- precisely the same figure both the state and Putnam County posted for April -- the local report wasn't as good. The Putnam figure slipped back to 6.0 percent for May for 57th best among the 92 Hoosier counties, while landing smack dab in the middle amidst the seven west-central Indiana counties...

The Putnam County Master Gardener Association has initiated a scholarship program for students pursuing a career in a gardening-related field. The careers might be in botany, plant science, agriculture, horticulture, forestry or landscape architecture/design or another related field. ...

Indiana Landmarks singled out the owners of an 1887 house in Greencastle and a 1929 home in Terre Haute as winners of its Western Region preservation awards. Tim and Kim Shinn of Greencastle won recognition for their rehabilitation of the historic Dr. Clinton Zaring House at 9 E. Poplar St...

The route is the same, the obstacles dodged have been many, but now it's all systems go for the 2014 edition of the Putnam County Fair Parade. The fair parade is scheduled for Friday, July 18, leaving the point at Wood and Washington streets in Greencastle at 6:30 p.m. and making its way downtown before 7 p.m., new Fair Parade Committee Chairman Nancy Michael said...

Reparation Films has announced that the cast and crew of "Reparation" will be filming scenes at the Greencastle Farmers Market on the north side of the courthouse square Saturday, June 28. The producers ask residents interested in participating to wear clothing that does not contain trademarked or copyrighted emblems, logos or phrases during the 8 a.m. to noon filming period...

The 2014 edition of "Shakespeared" will have its show on Saturday, June 28 at 7 p.m. at the Hazel Day Longden Theatre off Round Barn Road in Greencastle. Tickets are $3 and are available only at the door. Children under 12 are admitted free. Two groups of Putnam County Playhouse Youth Theater Workshop participants will each present a production of William Shakespeare's "Macbeth."...

Harold Richard Acton, 75, Crawfordsville, died peacefully at 8:53 p.m. Thursday, June 26, 2014 in his residence, surrounded by family and friends. He was under the care of Season's Hospice, whose love and care the entire family is grateful for, especially from his special nurse, Sandy...

Charles "Vic" Berry, 83, formerly of Greencastle, passed into heaven on Thursday, June 19, 2014 in Fernandina Beach, Fla. Vic was born Feb. 11, 1931 in Findlay, Ohio, to Eva Shull Berry and Lewis Berry. He grew up with his family in Poland, Ind., and attended a small one-room schoolhouse near his home at the Gulf Oil Pumping Station where his father was employed. He was well liked and known for mischievous antics...

The Belle Union 1 10 and under girls' softball team recently won the West Central Girls Softball League regular season championship and then this past weekend won the WCGSL Tournament at Monrovia. The team finished the season with a record of 15-0. Team members are (from left, front row) Audrey Ellet, Macie Bumgardner, Bree Sutherland, Alex Steffy, Drew Steffy and Lilly Vittetow. (Back row ) coach Debbie Steffy, Kaley Hodge, Ava Maginity, Brooklyn King, Kelsey Custis and head coach Jamie Steffy.