Stories from Monday, August 10, 2020

Following a surge of 43 new cases when COVID-19 statistics were reported on Thursday, Putnam County has added 13 new cases in the days since. The sudden spike was largely attributed to a recent outbreak at Putnamville Correctional Facility. The prison, which over the course of several days had jumped from 35 cases to 87, added six new cases in its Friday reporting, bringing its total to 93. As of Monday, no new cases had been added at the prison since Friday...

Putnam County Hospital began offering curbside COVID-19 testing on Monday. Testing is available by scheduling an appointment at 301-7019, Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. PCH asks that patients register for an appointment in order to serve every patient at a scheduled time...

BELLE UNION — The annual pork chop dinner fundraiser for Jefferson Township Volunteer Fire Department has been canceled. Originally schedueld for Aug. 15, the dinner was canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Wanting to do its part in helping area students be successful in the new school year, the Greencastle Moose Lodge 1592 presented a $450 donation to Phil the Need for its Tools for School program last Friday evening...

The Fillmore Community Volunteer Fire Department will host the Putnam County Antique Tractor & Machinery Association during its next monthly breakfast on Saturday, Aug. 15. The breakfast will go from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. On the menu will be biscuits and gravy, pancakes with syrup, sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs, orange juice, coffee and water...

It is with profound sadness and heartbreak that the family of Wilma Colene Stattner Davis announces her passing on July 29, 2020. Wilma died of natural causes at the age of 84 in her beloved hometown Cloverdale. She was born April 13, 1936, the daughter of Alfred and Mary Stattner...

The Putnamville State Police Post is passing along some safety tips to help make sure that this new school year is safe for everyone. • Always watch for stopped school buses in the morning and afternoon hours. • Watch for children walking to and from school and waiting at bus stops...

No one enjoys dutifully tending to their garden all growing season and ultimately ending up with a poor tomato crop. Sadly, tomatoes can fall victim to a number of diseases and fungi that can impact the plant or the fruit itself. Additionally, there are a number of insects that can damage your tomato plants...

Charles L. Krominaker II, 83, Greencastle, passed away peacefully at Asbury Towers on Friday, Aug. 7, 2020. He was born Nov. 26, 1936 to Charles L and Viola Figel (Krominaker). In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years Charlene, daughter Carla and sister Barbara Sweet...

The following cases were filed in Putnam County courts recently. Ryan W. VanHaften, 22, Greencastle, Level 5 felony resulting in bodily injury to a pregnant woman Andrew B. Appleton, 52, Washington, D.C., Level 6 felony nonsupport of a dependent Eric L. Billings, 35, Greencastle, two counts of Level 6 felony counterfeiting...

Eight people were booked in the Putnam County Jail recently. Monday • At 12:32 a.m. Ross E. Mayer, 24, Valencia, Calif., was booked in for possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia. Sunday...

FILLMORE — During a meeting that took approximately 25 minutes, the Fillmore Town Council did first readings for two new ordinances last Thursday evening. The first ordinance read was Ordinance 2020-5, which would establish policies and procedures for ridding bad debt and handling uncollectable accounts receivable. One of the stipulations is that the clerk-treasurer would submit a list of uncollectable billing for municipal utilities, which the council could then waive...

Amid reports that revenue is better than expected, Putnam County is proceeding cautiously with road work. As governmental agencies began to take stock of the financial impacts of COVID-19 back in the spring, county officials were bracing for a 30-percent shortfall in tax draws through the end of 2020...

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas for the Greencastle Park Board. For a longstanding dream for a Christmas in the Park festival of lights just might find its way to Santa’s list for Park Board members this year. At the board’s August meeting, a letter from Kate Knaul of the Greencastle Civic League and director of services with the Putnam County Convention and Visitor Bureau was introduced, proposing a collaborative effort to make the holiday light festival a reality...

The reopening of the pickleball courts at Robe-Ann Park in Greencastle is celebrated with a Saturday evening special event. Pickleball regular Cindy Hennette (top) prepares for a backhand return to Anita Johnson (back, left) and pickleball newbie Karen Birt as Hennette’s teammate Tim Sprinkle looks on...

While current students of North Putnam High School are far too young to remember the Aerosmith hit “Walk This Way” — nor, for that matter, the Run-DMC version — they are nonetheless getting the message Monday as they return to in-person instruction with new signage on floors and elsewhere...

In the wake of a strong thunderstorm which swept through the area Monday evening, fencing in front of the construction site for the new Old National Bank hangs beside Washington Street in downtown Greencastle...

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — There was always going to be an Indianapolis 500 this year —with full attendance, limited attendance or, where Indianapolis Motor Speedway finally landed, with no fans at all. The race is simply too important to become yet another 2020 cancellation, even if it means closing the gates for the first time in 104 years...

Just last month I wrote the bittersweet end to the saga of Dixie Chopper in Putnam County. What was once a glorious homegrown story of national success has ended with a thud as the Dixie Chopper product is now produced in Gibson City, Ill., and the sprawling Fillmore facility is being repurposed into a tire distribution center...