Stories from Monday, August 9, 2021

The trial of a man accused of murdering a Greencastle woman last year opened Monday with 12 witnesses and nearly 80 exhibits entered into evidence. Most pointedly, a video taken from defendant John Gonzalez’s pawned cell phone appeared to place him at the scene of Melissa “Lisa” Attkisson’s death after she had been fatally wounded but before she ultimately succumbed to her injuries...

“Buy local,” they say. The reasons are many … support the local economy … keep your neighbors employed … take better care of the planet. The list goes on, and I’m sure Putnam County Chamber Executive Director Brian Cox would be thrilled to enumerate the reasons for you...

In a summer that’s seen the reopening of the city pool, the revival of the Fair Parade and the resumption of First Friday, perhaps the best example of our return to normalcy will come Aug. 27-28. That’s when the annual Greencastle Music Festival -- forced into hiatus last summer by the pandemic -- takes its rightful place as the signature event of the summer...

FILLMORE — Envisioned as turning a battleship around in a small pond, water improvements in Fillmore recently took a major step. There is more of a sense of optimism with the waiting game. The culmination of more than two years of planning and considering the most pressing needs, the Fillmore Town Council held its final public hearing on a comprehensive master utility plan at its regular meeting Thursday evening...

The Putnam County Playhouse has announced that its August production of the musical “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” has been canceled. A member of the “Joseph” company tested positive for COVID-19 and the production was halted last week. Refunds are available for those who have pre-purchased tickets for the show. ...

The Greencastle Summer Music Festival continues its series of free 7:30 p.m. Wednesday concerts in Gobin Church this week with “Night Into Dawn.” Pianist and composer Cathie Malach will lead her Greencastle audience on a journey from reflection to gratitude -- from isolation to community to joy...

Hoping the whole thing won’t come crashing down, (from left) Alexis Bunten, Charlee Lowry, Jackson Lowry and Jeff Bunten of Bainbridge put together a giant Jenga set during First Friday in downtown Greencastle...

INDIANAPOLIS — To support United Way of Central Indiana’s Basic Needs Fund, three Putnam County residents will join others across Central Indiana in rappelling 300 feet over the 23-story high Keystone Group building this Friday in downtown Indianapolis...

A young Greencastle boys’ soccer team came close to sweeping through the WIC and retaining its conference crown in 2020. Only an experienced West Vigo team denied the Tiger Cubs a clean run and in turn took the WIC title for themselves while two close rounds with Crawfordsville only ended with defeat, the latter knocking Greencastle out of sectional play...

After a season in which it won the Putnam County title and saw an individual make the Shelbyville Semi-State, the boys’ cross country team at Greencastle will look to make further advancement as a team after finishing sixth at the Brownsburg Sectional in 2020...

Charlene Rita Johnson was born a poor white Serbian on a dirt floor in Baltimore, Md., on Aug. 10, 1953. She was loving wife to a much younger man, Cory Johnson. Adored mother to three unstable children, Big Bro, Sissy and Lil Bro; 16 grandchildren, six great-granchildren and many more random children...

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources announced Monday that Hoosiers in 76 counties -- including Putnam -- can resume feeding birds but asks that residents of the remaining counties keep their feeders down while the investigation into what is killing songbirds continues...

ROACHDALE – A public information meeting will be conducted Thursday, Aug. 12 on the State Road 236 project in Putnam County, the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) has announced. The meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at Roachdale Christian Church, 1 N. Walnut St., Roachdale...

David “Mack” Kennedy, 78, passed peacefully into eternity on Friday, Aug. 6, 2021. He was a resident of Concord, N.C., at the time of his passing. He was born in Clendenin, W.Va., to Gordon (Toots) Kennedy and Cleo Boatwright Kennedy. He was the second of six children...

MONROVIA – Nightly ramp closures will begin on or after Tuesday, Aug. 10 at the Interstate 70 and State Road 39 interchange (Exit 59), the Indiana Department of Transportation has announced. The project involves placing the top layer of asphalt on the ramps. The times below are estimates due to the fact the asphalt will need time to cool until it can hold traffic...

In a message Monday to DePauw University students, faculty and staff, President Lori S. White outlined updates and revisions to the university’s masking policy. “As the fall term quickly approaches, I am looking forward to welcoming our community back to campus or to campus for the first time,” White said. ...

In recognition of Jim Maxwell’s contributions to Kiwanis, the bicycle rodeo hosted by the club during National Night Out has been renamed for him. A longtime member and past president of Kiwanis, Maxwell always looked forward to the bicycle rodeo. The course offers an opportunity for members to connect with Putnam County students and discuss the importance of bicycle safety...

A Gleaners senior drive-through food giveaway will be held at the Putnam County Fairgrounds on Thursday, Aug. 12 from 10 a.m.-noon. The mobile distribution is set for the second Thursday of each month at the fairgrounds. Participants must be Putnam County residents and aged 55 and over...

The Madison Township Volunteer Fire Department will hold a cornhole tournament fundraiser Saturday, Aug. 14 at the Goat Barn on the Putnam County Fairgrounds. The double-elimination tournament will begin at 11 a.m. In-person registration will be available from 9-10:30 a.m...

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Congressman Baird will host an Aug. 18 listening session with key agriculture stakeholders from across the state to provide key testimony on behalf of their respective commodity or segment of the industry. Congressman Baird has remained an active member on the House Agriculture Committee and looks forward to sharing his insights from this listening session with his colleagues as they prepare the next Farm Bill...

Nine people were booked in the Putnam County Jail recently. Sunday • At 8:48 p.m. Tiffany D. Pitz, 23, Indianapolis, was lodged at the jail for possession of marijuana. • At 8:09 p.m. Jacob D. Pitz, 24, Indianapolis, was taken into custody on a warrant for possession of marijuana...