Stories from Friday, February 17, 2017

BAINBRIDGE -- Amongst rumors and much conjecture concerning the status of its superintendent position, the North Putnam school board received a short but impactful letter, made public Thursday at North Putnam’s monthly public session. The missive was written by current superintendent Dan Noel, who had until recently been at the center of an uneasy search for his replacement...

INDIANAPOLIS -- Kyle Shaffer has been through the IHSAA wrestling state finals before, but the wait to get to wrestle -- especially at the higher weight classes -- is still as long and nervewracking as it was two years ago when he placed sixth. Shaffer patiently bided his time until one of the final matches of the first round, then disposed of David Delph (39-5) of Frankton on a pin just 16 seconds into the third period at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in the 195-pound weight class...

DePauw School of Music Events Week of Feb. 20--26 Student Recital Hour Wednesday, Feb. 22 10:20 a.m. Green Center, Thompson Recital Hall DePauw's weekly recital hour features live music by talented School of Music students -- and occasional guests! Jazz at the Duck: Tad Robinson...

Area 30 Career Center in Greencastle will host an open house for the community on Wednesday, Feb. 22 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. The open house at 1 N. Calbert Way on Greencastle’s East Side will give individuals the opportunity to: • Explore the 18 career and technical education programs available to juniors and seniors who attend Cloverdale, Eminence, Greencastle, North Putnam and South Putnam schools...

Monday, Feb. 20 Library closed in honor of Presidents’ Day. Tuesday, Feb. 21 Learn to Play Mah Jongg, 1-3 p.m. Join in a five-week course led by local Mah Jongg expert, Janice White. Classes are free to the public. Space is limited, so register by visiting PCPL21.org or by contacting Barb Timm at btimm@PCPL21.org or at 653-2755 x104...

Covered Bridge Harmony recently shared the proceeds from its 2016 Christmas show with Beyond Homeless and the Bells of Gobin. More than 20 local women who belong to the chorus presented their show, Yuletide Harmony, and sold baked goods to raise funds to be donated...

The following cases were filed in Putnam County courts recently. Criminal Cases Shawn Michael Stanford, 32, Indianapolis, Level 6 felony auto theft, Level 6 felony resisting law enforcement, Class A misdemeanor resisting law enforcement Brandon R. Warren, 32, Greencastle, Class B misdemeanor possession of marijuana...

County Jail Four people were booked in the Putnam County Jail on Thursday. • At 3:38 p.m. Stephanie Amber Yoc Perez, 37, Bedford, was arrested on a local warrant. • At 9:04 a.m. Brandy Rene Pine, 34, Fillmore, was housed at the jail on a warrant for probation violation...

The Humane Society of Putnam County will conduct its annual meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 6 p.m. at the Kiwanis Room at the Putnam County Public Library. The meeting is open to all members of the HSPC and anyone interested in hearing more about the work of the Humane Society...

CLOVERDALE -- The Cloverdale School Board approved one grant, accepted one donation and heard a favorable report on Dollars for Scholars during its Monday regular meeting. President Vivian Whitaker announced that Dollars for Scholars has raised $13,585 so far with an estimated $2,000 more to come and $5,000 expected to come from a Putnam County Community Foundation endowment...

KODO, the world's foremost taiko performing arts ensemble, will be presenting its DADAN program in North America for the first time, visiting 22 U.S. cities between January and March 2017. Tour highlights includes stops at Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, Chicago's Symphony Center and the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York City...

MOUNT MERIDIAN -- Significant improvements are continuing at the 203-acre Putnam Park Road Course facility near Mount Meridian. Putnam Park retained Wabash Valley Asphalt to repave the 1.8-mile racing circuit and pits with a specialty mix of asphalt that provides an ultra-smooth surface with a good grip but also remains easy on the tires of cars and motorcycles...

SPENCER -- The South Putnam Eagles had a cold shooting stretch during the second and third quarters on a warm Friday night at Owen Valley, and that stretch proved to be the difference in a 51-41 loss to the Patriots. The Eagles were outscored 15-1 from midway through the second quarter to halfway through the third period. South had a 15-14 lead and when the scoring drought ended, the Eagles were down 29-16...

On the very day President Donald Trump called an impromptu press conference essentially to berate the press, an accomplished journalist and author shared his story and an opposing view with a DePauw University audience. Ruben Castaneda -- longtime Washington Post reporter and author of "S Street Rising," a tale of crack, corruption and violence in D.C. -- said it was "very clear" Trump's latest maneuver was "done for political reasons."...