Stories from Thursday, May 4, 2017

A pair of Thursday-afternoon crashes closed portions of U.S. 231 as sheriff’s deputies and other emergency personnel worked to clear the roads and ensure the safety of those involved. The first incident occurred mid-afternoon when a dump truck slid off 231 in the curves between Raccoon in Putnam County and Parkersburg in Montgomery County...

As more rain fell on Thursday, adding to at least seven inches that have fallen since the middle of last week a number of low-lying roads in Putnam County have been closed due to flooding. The hardest hit areas are near major streams in the county, including Big Walnut Creek, Raccoon Creek, Mill Creek and Eel River...

In the fall of 2016, the Putnam County Museum sent out a call for veterans' keepsakes and stories for a possible Veterans Day exhibit. An overwhelming and generous response from past and present members of the Armed Forces meant that a proposed opening for the holiday came and went. The resulting exhibit, "A Salute to Veterans," grew from this collaboration between the museum and those veterans who shared their personal accounts and special artifacts...

For the third time in less than two months, police have visited an East Liberty Street residence in regard to alleged drug activity. This time, Greencastle Police Officers Elsiana Crosby and Matt Huffman, Capt. Charles Inman and Sgt. Eric Vaughan executed a search warrant at 9 E. Liberty St. to seize any property/paraphernalia, items and substances used in the manufacture of methamphetamine, notes and ledgers relating to the sale of the drug or items used for packaging the product...

Judith C. Jones, 77, of Plano, passed away Wednesday, May 3, 2017. Born March 31, 1940 in Morgan County, she was the daughter of William A. and Hazel V. (Rice) Parker. Judith married James E. Jones on Oct. 31, 1968, and he passed away in March 1987...

Alert local 911 dispatchers helped Greencastle City Police officers seize a marijuana-growing operation Wednesday morning. During the early morning hours Wednesday, Greencastle officers were dispatched to the 200 block of Wood Street regarding what appeared to be a misdial to 911...

With cold, wet weather almost certainly the order of the day, the organizers of Greencastle’s First Friday had to move all events inside. Some attractions have also been canceled or postponed in the face of the inclement weather. One of the main attractions of the evening will be the dedication of the two new clocks on the Putnam County Courthouse...

Representing one of the highest-paid elected offices in the state and commanding more than $9 billion in funds, Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) Jennifer McCormick has been traveling the state recently, visiting schools and town halls in efforts to hear citizens’ concerns directly from the source...

SPENCER — Cloverdale picked up five runs in the top of the ninth on Tuesday to pull out an 18-13 slug fest win over Owen Valley in Western Indiana Conference play. Lauren Meek improved her record to 10-2, pitching the first half of regulation before giving way to reliever Macie Couch for the next 4.2 innings...

Banner Graphic: What have you learned from sports, and what do you like about them? Jack Kendall: “I have learned how to grow as a team and play as a team. I like the energy and the competitiveness. It’s great to be out there with all those eyes looking at you in the heat of the moment. It’s a great feeling.”...

Many of the favorites won as expected on Tuesday evening in the Putnam County track and field meet. Greencastle’s Emma Wilson went to the state meet in the 1,600 and 3,200 last spring, Tiger Cub standout J.T. Matthews went in the high jump, Cloverdale’s Tyler Kaeff went in both hurdles events and Greencastle also advanced its 4x400 relay team and all of those athletes predictably came out on top against their county opponents in preparation for next week’s Western Indiana Conference meets...

The DePauw University gallery program was recently honored with a spotlight acknowledgement in the March/April issue of Museum magazine. Published by the American Alliance of Museums, the magazine features six galleries and museums each year. Upcoming events include:...

An ASAP (Associate Accelerated Program) End of Year Celebration event Tuesday evening on the Ivy Tech Greencastle campus marks completion of the first ASAP cohort at the local campus. Joining ASAP coordinator Amanda Ostoich (left) to celebrate are graduates in the inaugural ASAP program (from second left) Audrie Burton, Cloverdale High School; Alexis Hardey, Greencastle High School; William Cruse, South Putnam High School; Bryan Pham, Greencastle; Taylor VanSickle, South Putnam; Lewis Baker, South Putnam; Daniel Grundlock, South Putnam; Nolan Brewer, Eminence High School, and Logan Butler, Greencastle. ...

AVON -- The board of directors of Cummins Behavioral Health Systems has announced the selection of Amy Mace to succeed President and CEO Ann Borders, who will be retiring on July 31. Mace, who has served as Cummins’ chief financial officer for 25 years, is a certified public accountant and holds a master’s degree in business administration/health management...

The following cases were filed in Putnam County courts recently. Criminal Cases Gerald Ray McGuire II, 39, Cloverdale, Level 6 felony driving with a BAC of .15 or more, Class A misdemeanor driving with a BAC of .15 or more, Level 6 felony driving while intoxicated, Class A misdemeanor driving while intoxicated...

County Jail Seven people were booked in the Putnam County Jail recently. Wednesday • At 6:30 p.m. Carlos Cesareol-Victorio, 28, Indianapolis, was lodged at the jail for driving without ever receiving a license. • At 4:17 p.m. Zachariah Lee Lightfoot, 33, Greenwood, was taken into custody on an out-of-county warrant...

Celebrating the graduation of the seniors, DePauw University Orchestra, Chamber Singers and University Chorus will present “New Beginnings, Next Steps!” Sunday, May 7 at 3 p.m. The year-end concert, co-directed by the orchestra’s music director Orcenith Smith and director of choirs Kristina Boerger, will take place in the Green Center’s Kresge Auditorium on the DePauw campus...

Staff at the Putnam County Public Library came to work in style for May the Fourth. From left: Taylor O’Brien (youth services librarian), Ellen Harris (circulation assistant), Conni Wrightsman (circulation manager) and Mike Acsbok (technology director). Meanwhile, Kierra Albright, 11, of Greencastle, aims a ball into a trash can while mom Trena Miller, of Cloverdale, and brother Jaylen Albright, 8, of Greencastle, look on during the Putnam County Public Library’s May the Fourth event...