Stories from Sunday, May 22, 2016

Larry Joe Loveall, 68, Brazil, started a poker game in heaven Saturday, May 21, 2016 at Putnam County Hospital in Greencastle. He was born in Brazil on March 25, 1948 to the late James and Mary Jane (Crabb) Loveall. Larry attended Van Buren High School, and went on to marry Rebecca Wright on March 1, 1967...

The Putnam County Public Library will be offering five free computer classes in June at the Knoy Resource Center in Cloverdale. Friday, June 3 will begin a three-part, hands-on computer basics course. -- Friday, June 3, from 1-3 p.m., Introduction to Computers Part One will help you understand how the computer works will give you the confidence to tackle future tasks on your own. Topics covered, History of Computers, How a Computer Works, Basic Computer Operation, and Mouse Exercises...

In 2004, Indiana artist Gwen Gutwein started a painting project, "Heritage Barns of Indiana." The goal -- now completed -- was to select at least two old and/or historic barns from each of Indiana's 92 counties and paint them, completing most of the works on location...

-- Imagination Portal Unplugged, 9 a.m.-noon Enjoy the Imagination Portal without monitors, video games or music in the background. -- Community Help Desk, 3-5 p.m. Tech Help Desk computer technician available to give one-on-one assistance using software and electronic devices, and can help diagnose and repair computers and devices...

The Greencastle Fire Department recently responded to three dispatches and three medical assists. At 1:16 a.m. on Saturday, GFD responded to a fire alarm at 2 W. Seminary St. The alarm was determined to have been set off unnecessarily. GFD subsequently reset the pull-station alarm and returned to station at 1:50 a.m...

The following cases were filed in Putnam County courts recently. Emma-Lee Whitman, 24, Greencastle, Class B misdemeanor battery Shannon R. Barger, 38, Greencastle, Class A misdemeanor criminal trespass, Class B misdemeanor criminal mischief Jonathan M. Steele, 40, Coatesville, Class A misdemeanor driving with a suspended license...

The Putnam County Non-food Pantry, hosted by St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, will be distributing items from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, May 28 in the parish hall at 520 Seminary St., Greencastle. In order to be eligible for items, persons must bring proof of Putnam County residence...

Greencastle VFW Post 1550 will be honoring Memorial Day's sesquicentennial year (150th anniversary) by offering free drinks to all members of the United States military (proof of service required) in separate stages throughout the week of May 23. Monday, May 23: Marines; Wednesday, May 25: Navy; Friday, May 27: Army; Saturday, May 28: Air Force...

Putnam County Tox-Away Day, sponsored May 14 by West Central Solid Waste District (WCSWD), saw high volumes and chilly low temperatures. Residents took advantage of the opportunity to safely dispose of household hazardous waste (HHW), appliances, tires, electronics and unwanted medicines at the Area 30 Career Center in Greencastle...

For the second year residents at Heritage Lake are encouraged to attend a day in which homeowners and businesses alike can learn what to do when emergency strikes. Beverly Warner, of Heritage Lake, has announced Safety Day on Saturday, June 25 as part of a collaborative effort to upskill the northeastern Putnam County lake community...

Mother Nature has not been too kind to Indiana given all the rain and low temperatures we have incurred. These gloomy conditions have left the ground saturated with water, froze plants, and caused many farmers to hold off on their spring planting tasks...

North Putnam Community Schools recently announced plans to participate in the state's Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). Through SFSP, free meals will be made available to all children under the age of 18 and to persons over the age of 18 who are enrolled in a state-approved educational program for the mentally ill or physically disabled...

A recent local case involving alleged insurance fraud brings into focus the damage that such claims can cause for all insurance customers. Over the past two months, Det. Sgt. Pat McFadden of the Putnam County Sheriff's Office investigated the suspicious nature of a report in which Jeremiah Hubbell, 38, Greencastle, had reported the theft of a Dixie Chopper mower along with other items from his residence...

One major do-over and eight other repaving makeovers are targeted for resurfacing work this year, city officials have announced. For the second straight year, Washington Street -- from basically Wood Street to Percy Julian Drive -- will be resurfaced as part of a $373,445 project awarded to Grady Brothers Asphalt Contractors, Indianapolis...

PUTNAMVILLE -- A deep orange, full moon rose over Lincoln Park Speedway on Saturday night and with it came several first-time winners. After a two-week hiatus due to rain, the Putnamville oval roared back to life Saturday night with Jeff Bland Jr. capturing the sprint car A-main from the pole. Derek Groomer was able to do the same in the UMP Modified feature as Steve Peeden picked up the UMP Super Stock win with Ryan Freeland adding his first bomber win of the year...

This week is universally regarded by newspaper sports editors in Indiana as the toughest week of the year, with many sectional competitions -- plus overlapping regional events -- taking place simultaneously in order to coincide with the end of the school year...

Action begins today in Indiana high school softball sectionals around the state. Among Putnam County teams, Greencastle will not begin play until Tuesday in the Class 3A Indian Creek sectional. The remaining county teams will all be playing in the Class 2A sectional at South Vermillion, with Cloverdale opening the tourney today...

A large contingent of Putnam County athletes will descend upon Bloomington High School North on Tuesday evening with hopes of qualifying for the girls' track state finals. Greencastle coach Garry Anderson is pleased with the number of athletes who earned the regional trip, either through placing in the top three in the sectional or being added after other qualifiers scratched their names in some events to focus on their specialties...

"Ideal" certainly seemed the proper description for the weather Sunday, but "ideal" is far from the adjective DePauw University commencement speaker Tavis Smiley would ever enlist to describe the country's current political climate. "America needs your leadership," broadcaster and author Smiley told 533 bachelor's degree recipients, parents and friends as DePauw's 177th annual commencement unfolded Sunday morning and early afternoon at Holton Memorial Quadrangle under brilliant sunshine and blue skies.. ...