Stories from Monday, December 7, 2020

Trying to erase any gray areas in previous policy, the Putnam County Commissioners on Monday enacted a mask requirement for county employees. The county had either urged or required masks be worn in the Putnam County Courthouse for much of the COVID-19 pandemic, but Monday’s move was an attempt to keep county business running even as the state and nation continue to see spikes in coronavirus cases...

Robe-Ann Park became aglow with a colorful array of holiday spirit Saturday evening as the first Winter Wonderland Lights Festival got under way. With support from the Putnam County Convention & Visitors Bureau and Greencastle Parks and Recreation, the Greencastle Civic League and local partners decked out the center area with at least 42,000 lights...

COVID-19 and 2020 have struck again for the Greencastle Parks and Recreation Department. In a year in which the aquatic center never opened and the Fourth of July celebration didn’t go off with a bang, it will be a season without youth basketball as well...

Keeping up a 29-year tradition with the addition of masks and plexiglass positioned in front of the guest of honor, Beta Psi chapter of Tri-Kappa, Greencastle, welcomes youngsters to Breakfast with Santa Saturday morning at Deer Meadow Primary School. Server Tessa Cox (above) attends to diners (from left) Bristol Marshall, 5, Gunner Marshall, 6, and grandma Lisa Torrence...

The Christmas shopping season is in full swing and with Christmas just around the corner the Greencastle Police Department wants to share some safety tips for this Christmas season. The Greencastle Police Department is issuing the following holiday safety tips to be shared with the members of the Greencastle Community. The Greencastle Police Department wants everyone to have a safe holiday shopping season, Chief Tom Sutherlin said...

INDIANAPOLIS -- Walmart Monday announced an additional $700 million in cash bonuses to its U.S.-based associates, bringing its total 2020 quarterly and special cash bonuses for its U.S.-based associates to more than $2.8 billion. The company’s latest bonus announcement includes $10.3 million in quarterly bonuses paid to Indiana associates in their Nov. ...

John “Jack” Edward Reeves, 82, went to be with Jesus on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020 at his home in Parke County. He was born in Clay County on Jan. 29, 1938 to the late Harry and Reba (Ewing) Reeves. Jack graduated from Van Buren High School in 1955, and served his country in the United States Army...

CLOVERDALE -- After having three students recently test positive for COVID-19, the fifth-grade class and staff at Cloverdale Middle School will now be quarantined. Superintendent Greg Linton made the announcement on the Cloverdale Schools website Monday afternoon...

A beloved 19th-century holiday tradition is going virtual. Separated this season by the pandemic and unable to present the community “Lessons and Carols” concert live, a group of DePauw music alumni have come together to help us carry on this Christmas tradition as this week’s Greencastle Virtual Music Festival event...

With sell-out events to his credit the past three years, The Grinch is not only ready for Christmas but all set for his annual visit for the Greencastle Parks and Recreation Department’s Breakfast with the Grinch. While previous breakfasts have been limited to 40 participants, with this year’s venue change to the Owl Ridge Wedding and Event Center, 3333 S. U.S. 231, up to 100 people can be accommodated and safely distanced for the Saturday, Dec. 12 breakfast, Park Director Rod Weinschenk said...

For the fourth year in a row the Greencastle Civic League is hosting its holiday gift wrapping fundraiser on Saturday, Dec. 12. Year after year, the Civic League hopes to help community members by taking something off their to-do list during the holiday season...

Three people were booked in the Putnam County Jail recently. Monday • At 2:10 a.m. Kayla N. Bowling, 26, Greencastle, was lodged at the jail for nonsupport of a dependent child. Friday • At 2:10 p.m. Allycia J.C. Patton, 33, Cloverdale, was taken into custody for criminal trespass...

FILLMORE -- Looking to create more revenue to better support the town’s water systems, leaders in Fillmore will soon move to establish new rate schedules for both metered water and wastewater over the next three years. The Fillmore Town Council conducted the first readings for Ordinances 2020-7 and 2020-8 during its regular meeting held Thursday evening. They focused on the actual rate increases, as well as expectations for late payments...

Thanks to the generosity of donors and a Lilly Endowment grant, United Way of Putnam County has reported that its total community investment for 2020 has topped $157,658. Executive Director Chris Flegal made the announcement in a recent press release and in the organization’s newsletter for this month. He emphasized how this kind of commitment impacts Putnam County families most in need...

North Putnam’s swim teams split with Speedway last Thursday as the boys won 95-67 and the girls fell to the Sparkplugs 91-56. Individual event winners for the Cougars include Jacob Farrington in the 200 and 500 free, Carter Thomas in the 200 IM and 100 fly, Justin Thomas in diving, Seth Thompson in the 100 back, Ethan Harrison in the 100 breaststroke and Alaina Chew in the 500 free...