Stories from Tuesday, April 7, 2020

While it was welcome news Tuesday that there had been no new positive cases of COVID-19 in Putnam County since the county report from Monday afternoon, cases statewide continued an upward trend. The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) reported 568 new cases of as of the end of Monday, the largest single-day increase since the first case was reported in the state on March 6...

Putnam County officials reported no new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday afternoon. The daily report from the Putnam County Health Departemnt, Putnam County Hospital, Putnam County government and City of Greenastle showed the same number of cases, 25, as on Monday afternoon...

The Masked Mommas have filled almost 2,000 orders for N95-style and protective masks since they began making them in their basements more than two weeks ago — and they are still accepting requests. They have provided masks for the entire Putnam County Hospital staff, including dietitians and pharmacists. ...

Indiana State Parks remain open for day use only with entrance fees temporarily suspended. When visiting, bring and use hand sanitizer, bring your own drinking water, practice social distancing and if you or someone in your household doesn’t feel well, stay home...

The Indiana Department of Transportation has announced that an intersection improvement project begins this week on U.S. 40 at the intersection with U.S. 231, south of Greencastle. The contractor will add a dedicated right turn lane for northbound U.S. 231 to eastbound U.S. 40. The existing right and left turn lanes on U.S. 40 in both directions will be lengthened...

The Indiana Department of Transportation has announced 12 upcoming bridge projects in Putnam and Montgomery counties. The five Putnam County projects involved in the INDOT projects announced this week are: Work begins this week with lane restrictions begin on the U.S. 136 bridge over Black Creek, 3.1 miles west of U.S. 231. Next week, the contractor plans to move to the U.S. 231 bridge over Black Creek, located just south of Montgomery CR 550 North, 2.35 miles north of Interstate 74...

INDIANAPOLIS -- Hoosiers are facing challenging times to keep their families safe and avoid the spread of COVID-19, and unfortunately scammers are adding additional risk by taking advantage of the current health crisis. Newly-surfaced reports show scammers creating text messages, emails, websites and social media posts to pose as government entities and organizations to obtain financial information from individuals for personal gain...

Evelyn Downs (Elam) Kuhlmann, 81, of Avon, formerly of Greencastle, and St. Louis, Mo., passed away with her family around her on March 29, 2020. She was born May 1, 1938 in Amarillo, Texas, to Earl and Mildred Downs. She was the dear wife of Robert O. Kuhlmann...

With the state announcing $126.5 million in Community Crossings grant funding Tuesday afternoon, Putnam County will share some of the wealth, as nearly $1.13 million was awarded to a pair of county entities. Putnam County will receive a $1,000,0000 Community Crossings Grant, while Russellville will receive $128,367...