Stories from Monday, September 14, 2020

Sometimes it pays to do a little digging. On Aug. 19, Gov. Eric Holcomb announced the list of Indiana schools that would benefit from the $61 million the state was allocating as part of the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund . Missing from the list were any of the four Putnam County Schools...

Wanting “to affirm how important” the relationship is between DePauw University and the City of Greencastle, new DPU President Lori White addressed the City Council during its September meeting. “Event in the midst of current challenges, I’m excited to be here,” President White assured the Council via Zoom...

“Video killed the radio star” as MTV so aptly noted by playing the song of that same name as the first video when the cable channel went on the air Aug. 1, 1981. And now, Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video and other streaming services in general have killed the video store...

A pilot brought a plane down safely following an engine failure near the Putnam County Regional Airport on Saturday. When the engine went out on the aircraft, the pilot was forced to bring it down in a beanfield just short of the runway. Airport representative Doug Miller told the Banner Graphic the pilot was not injured and there was no damage to the craft...

With 34 new cases over a three-day period, Putnam County has now had 507 cases of COVID-19 since March. According to the Indiana State Department of Health, the county reported 17 new cases on Friday, 12 more on Saturday and five on Sunday. Of these new cases, 12 apparently came from Putnamville Correctional Facility, as the prison increased its numbers from 185 to 197 over the same three-day period...

BROAD PARK — The Jefferson Township Volunteer Fire Department is investigating a pair of mobile home fires early Monday morning. At 3:42 a.m. , JTVFD was dispatched to a structure fire at 3422 S. CR 1000 East. On arrival, they found two mobile homes approximately 80 feet apart fully engulfed in flames...

In 2020, events have had to go on with a twist. The Putnam County Chamber’s Taste of Putnam County is no different. “Different isn’t a bad word,” Chamber Executive Director Brian Cox said. “It is a chance to try something new.” So, this year’s event will be Taste “To Go,” with lunch carry-out on Friday, Sept. 18 and dinner carry-out on Saturday, Sept. 19...

CLOVERDALE – Interstate 70 westbound in Putnam County will close at U.S. 231 (Exit 41) beginning on Tuesday, Sept. 22 and continuing Wednesday, Sept. 23. The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) said the closure will be from 11 p.m. through 5 a.m. daily...

DePauw University has maintained its position as one of the best national liberal arts institutions in the United States -- and No. 1 in Indiana -- according to U.S. News and World Report’s 2021 college rankings published Monday. DePauw ranked No. 47 on the list, tied with three other schools. DePauw’s overall score increased by a point but its spot on the list was down one from its 2020 ranking because of ties. In 2020, the university had moved up 10 spots over its 2019 ranking...

Myrtle “Marty” I. Cook, 76, of Greencastle, passed away on Sept., 13, 2020, at her residence surrounded by her family. Marty was born in Brightwood on Dec. 18, 1943, the daughter of Albert Frank and Kathryn (Lucky) VanSlyke. She was a graduate of Arsenal Tech High School in Indianapolis...

Lawrence “Andy” Dickey II, 53, of Greencastle, passed away Monday, September 7, 2020 at his residence. Andy was born on July 3, 1967 to loving parents, Larry (Randee) Dickey, and Betty (Rex) Eaton, in Greencastle.  After graduating from Greencastle High School, Andy attended DePauw University and Indiana State University. ...

Making a donation to help support a community hub, Chris and Walter Overstreet (third and fourth from left) present Russellville Community Center volunteers (from left) Christine Williams, Sue Kelly and Darrel Wiatt with a $2,500 grant from the America’s Farmers Grow Communities program, sponsored by the Bayer Fund...

Did you know that people who eat whole grains as part of a healthy diet have a reduced risk of some chronic diseases? Grains provide many nutrients vital for health, and it is recommended that at least half of all the grains eaten be whole grains. September is Whole Grains Month, and on average most Americans eat enough grains – but few are whole grains. Check out the following tips to help increase your intake of whole grains...

The Area 30 Interlocal Board of Directors approved addendums to local handbooks during its September meeting. The first ones pertained to two employees in terms of benefits. One was an approval that he or she will receive two personal days, five family illness days and five sick days -- all of which are non-accumulative...

In a move to help families in financially challenging times, Greencastle Community Schools announced recently that all students are eligible for free breakfast and lunches. The USDA and Indiana Department of Education approved the move, which will last through Dec. 31 or until funds are depleted...

Downed power and communication lines forced part of Manhattan Road to close down Monday morning after a pair of incidents. Repair workers and police were called to the 290 South area in Limedale after a vehicle collided with a utility pole. A semi then came through and clipped power lines that were hanging after the previous incident...

Recognizing Jimmy Proctor’s 57 years with the department and his and wife Barbara’s service to the community, the Reelsville/Washington Township Volunteer Fire Department presents him with a plaque during its monthly breakfast Saturday morning...

CLOVERDALE — After conservative commentator Rob Kendall recently shared his vision for how Cloverdale’s economy could go from “good to great,” town leaders are continuing to move its transition forward. The Cloverdale Town Council invited Indiana State Sen. John Ford and Jim Coffenberry of the West Central Indiana Economic Development District (WCIEDD) to speak during its September meeting. They mainly focused on how Cloverdale’s redevelopment commission could be more cohesive...

Fifteen people were booked in the Putnam County Jail recently. Monday • At 6:55 a.m. Jalen M. Spurling, 19, Cloverdale, was lodged at the jail for battery, public intoxication and being a minor in consumption of alcohol. Sunday • At 11:21 p.m. Patrick M. Kimes III, 22, Fillmore, was taken into custody for possession of a controlled substance, possession of a synthetic drug or lookalike substance, domestic battery and disorderly conduct...