Stories from Monday, March 23, 2020

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb on Monday ordered residents to remain in their homes except for essential errands in an effort to limit the spread of the coronavirus, mirroring similar orders in adjacent Illinois and Ohio. Holcomb said Monday that the order still allows the state’s 6.8 million residents to seek essentials including groceries and medicine and makes exemptions for employees of crucial industries...

I don’t remember exactly when I first met Steve Fields, but I’m sure it was in the late 1980s or early 1990s when I had moved back to Terre Haute from a three and-a-half-year stint as the sports editor at Greensburg. At that time, Steve was about halfway through a 19-year stint as sports editor of the Banner Graphic that spanned from 1978-1999, minus a two-year departure in the middle...

The Putnam County Playhouse (PCPH) Executive Board of Directors has been closely following updates from Gov. Eric Holcomb, the Indiana State Department of Health, the CDC and the federal government regarding the spread of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Indiana...

UPDATE: The Beech Grove United Methodist Church celebration set for March 29 has been canceled in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizers plan to reschedule the event.

Chalk it up to a little love and human kindness. Late Saturday morning, Asbury Towers resident Doris Smith got a surprise from granddaughter Rachel Smith. “She called me on my cell phone and said, ‘Grandma, look out your kitchen window,’” Doris recalled Monday morning. “And there they all were standing there.”...

Stephen “Steve” Michael Fields, 65, of Greencastle, passed away at his home on Saturday, March 21, 2020, after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was the son of Richard and Mary Catherine (Wilson) and Martha (Hughes) Fields and was born on June 16, 1954 in Washington, Ind...

Bonnie L. Callahan, 69 of Reelsville, passed away Sunday, March 22, 2020 at Cloverleaf Healthcare. She is resting in God’s Hands now. Bonnie had been battling liver disease for more than seven years and aggressively for the past 18 months. She was born Sept. 18, 1950 in Greencastle, the daughter of William Brown and Barbara Ann Sears Brown...

Editor Eric Bernsee wrote this column on longtime colleague Steve Fields in December, on the occasion of Fields' final meeting as a member of the Greencastle City Council. With Fields' death at age 65 on Saturday, we've revived the tribute...

County Jail Four people were booked in the Putnam County Jail recently Monday • At 12:02 a.m. Terry T. Maynard, 30, Greencastle, was lodged at the jail on two counts of theft. Sunday • At 10:05 p.m. Andrea L. Vickrey, 28, Indianapolis, was taken into custody for theft...

As the COVID-19 spread continues to impact local businesses and families in Putnam County, utility providers are trying to give their customers leeway with making payments. Many such organizations, including Duke Energy and Vectren, have agreed to hold payments for service while residents are being prompted to remain in their homes except for essential travel...

How quickly things change. The last 4-H youth Extension column focused on summer trips and opportunities. A common question now is whether will we have 4-H camp, 4-H Round-Up, 4-H Academy, the fair, Indiana State Fair, etc. At this point, it is too early to jump to conclusions or decide about summer events...

INDIANAPOLIS – Governor Eric J. Holcomb delivered a statewide address Monday to order that Hoosiers remain in their homes except when they are at work or for permitted activities, such as taking care of others, obtaining necessary supplies, and for health and safety. The related press release is attached. Below are frequently asked questions and their answers...

This is another in a series of articles on how local businesses are currently coping with the coronavirus and its related issues. Almost Home has built a business and a tradition on offering comfort food, and at a time in which everyone could use a little comforting, Almost Home is still managing to do just that...

ROACHDALE — Spring weather is just around the corner and Delta Theta Tau Sorority of Roachdale has announced that its annual spring geranium and flower sale has officially started. There will be no public sale, but orders will be taken and deliveries made to customers...