Stories from Wednesday, August 27, 2014

The more that facts and details emerge, the more horrific the death of Mary Whitaker becomes. Authorities in New York State now believe Whitaker, a 61-year-old world-class violinist who was born and raised in Greencastle, was the victim of a random, brutal home-invasion robbery when she was killed last Wednesday morning, Aug. 20, at her secluded summer home near Lake Erie...

Cloverdale's volleyball squad was hoping to carry over momentum from Monday night's five-set win over South Vermillion when the Clovers hosted Clay City Tuesday night. Instead, the Eels flew out of the traps and despite a gallant effort to tie the first set, dropped the set and eventually the match 19-25, 16-25 and 14-25...

VEEDERSBURG¬ -- The Tiger Cub cross country team continued its fine running as the girls paced the Fountain Central Grand Prix with a win on Saturday. The boys also ran well, claiming second place. "Due to scheduling events at the old course, the meet was moved to a new course surrounding the Fountain Central High School," cross country coach Garry Anderson said. ...

CLOVERDALE--It was more than hot Monday and much to the surprise of some golfers and coaches, Clover Meadows Golf Course hosted a three-way match with Cloverdale, North Putnam and Owen Valley. The coaches kept the players supplied with water and juice throughout the match and though the temperatures were high, some of the individual scores were at an all-time low...

The Greencastle Middle School security camera footage may be grainy, but according to Principal Shawn Wooden there was no mistaking the moment that the weather took a turn for the worse to cause flooding and temporary closure of four classrooms on the north side of the school Saturday...

I was sitting at home on Saturday, happily enjoying a day without work responsibilities, when suddenly, news showed up on my doorstep. More accurately, news fell from the sky and slowly began creeping up in my yard. News pooled in the low spots I've been trying to get rid of for these five years of home ownership...

TERRE HAUTE -- At the request of the Vigo County Prosecutor's Office and Vigo County Sheriff Greg Ewing, ISP Detectives from the Putnamville Post are currently investigating allegations against as many as four Vigo County Sheriff's Office special deputies...

Norma Jean Bruner, 81, of Greencastle, passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2014. Born March 27, 1933 in Greencastle, she was the daughter of Louis Elwood and Mary Eunice (Sutherlin) Nelson. She was a 1952 graduate of Greencastle High School. She married Robert L. Bruner on July 14, 1952, and he preceded her in death on Nov. 29, 2012...

To the best of my knowledge, I never met Mary Elizabeth Whitaker. Never heard her play the violin. Never shook her hand. Never laid eyes on her during her 61 years on this earth -- unless it was in passing years ago when her parents ran Whitaker Funeral Home where Bittles and Hurt stands today...