Stories from Thursday, August 12, 2021

In the end, a mountain of evidence and more than 20 witnesses convinced a jury of a Greencastle man’s guilt in a 2020 murder. John H. Gonzalez, 30, was found guilty Wednesday evening of killing 44-year-old Melissa “Lisa” Attkisson of Greencastle at her home on Berry Street on Jan. 25, 2020.

Teamwork and community investment in lifesaving technology saved a Greencastle man’s life this spring. Recently, 13 Putnam County first responders received ROSC awards for their respective roles in bringing a pulse back to a 58-year-old man who had experienced cardiac arrest...

Putnam County Hospital and Greencastle Community School Corporation have partnered to provide telehealth services inside all five Greencastle schools. Putnam Pediatrics and Internal Medicine, led by Dr. Lisa Martin, will be the partner practice for GCSC...

With South Putnam Schools gearing up for an improvements project, the financial needs to see it through are slated not to incur a rate increase for taxpayers. The South Putnam School Board held a public hearing on the project and the minimal impact of bonds to cover it during its regular meeting Wednesday evening...

Indiana 4th District Congressman Jim Baird (R-Greencastle) and his son District 44 State Rep. Beau Baird (R-Greencastle) went birdwatching Thursday with Audubon Great Lakes on the Baird’s family farm in Putnam County to discuss the impact of climate change on birds, and the importance of bipartisan climate and conservation solutions for all Hoosiers...

CLOVERDALE — Though one of a few costly purchases recently made, a new GPS system for Cloverdale’s utilities is meant for more peace of mind. Town Manager Jason Hartman discussed having GPS work with the town’s existing geographic information system (GIS) during the Cloverdale Town Council’s regular meeting Tuesday evening...

Haley is a senior at and participates in one sport, volleyball. ——— Banner Graphic: How important are sports to you, and what have you learned from them? Haley Dickson: “Sports are basically my life. I’m always at a practice game, open gym etc. I’ve learned leadership and it’s importance, making sure everyone is held accountable and all that fun stuff.”...

When the 2021 seniors first stepped on to the soccer pitch at North Putnam, they went winless across 15 matches, only managing to draw one. By the end of the 2020 season, the group had turned the program around, amassing 11 wins and only a stout Cascade team prevented the Cougars from reaching a sectional final...

Robert Tyler Miles, 33, passed away on Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Tyler is survived by his wife, Monica Miles; his children, Connor, Drew, Lauren and their unborn child, all of Indianapolis; his parents, Robert “Kell” and Tammy Miles, of North Salem;  his brother Tanner M­­iles (Zoe McDaniel) of Lafayette; his father- and mother-in-law, Gary and Mary Owen of Indianapolis; sister-in-law Emily Owen (Brantley Heath) of Indianapolis;  his maternal grandparents, Charles Robert “Bob” and Nancy Curran of Bainbridge; paternal grandparents Robert “Bob” and Donna Mae Miles of Coatesville; and many aunts, uncles and cousins who all adored Tyler. . ...

Gary Wayne “Mr. B” Branagin, 74, of Greencastle, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021. Born May 11, 1947 in Lebanon, he was the son of Gearl and Virginia (Craig) Branagin. He was a 1965 graduate of Thorntown High School. He was a veteran having served in the United States Air Force and a member of the American Legion...

BRAZIL — The Brazil Concert Band will present “Jewell of the Wabash” on Sunday, Aug. 15 at 8 p.m. in Forest Park, rain or shine. The band and Director Matthew Huber will honor Fred Jewell, known as the Indiana March King, with a concert of compositions by him...

Huge, life-defining decisions are in play when one begins to plan and consider post-high school education. There are many options and choices that families have for consideration. Doing nothing or making no plans is a decision. Ideally, one would want to be the most informed as possible to make sound and wise decisions...

This Saturday is Second Saturday and in Greencastle there will be some strange weather on the menu — at least on the inflatable big screen downtown. Beginning at 6 p.m. on Indiana Street, families are invited to join in for bounce houses and carnival games and other free family fun...

Nine people were booked in the Putnam County Jail recently. Thursday • At 11:02 a.m. Matthew L. Krider, 40, Brazil, was lodged at the jail on a warrant. Wednesday • At 1:56 a.m. Cheryl L. Tomasik, 38, Cloverdale, was taken into custody on a warrant...

With “now hiring” signs continuing to dot the Greencastle landscape from the factories on the East Side to fast-food establishments all over town, it wouldn’t seem like finding a job would be that difficult locally. Yet an unemployment figure of 4.1 percent has dropped Putnam County’s ranking to below the halfway mark of Indiana’s 92 counties -- coming in for June at 51st-best among the 92 Hoosier counties...

Cloverdale High School graduate and current Oakland University guard Jalen Moore will be hosting a basketball camp at Cloverdale High School Aug. 28-29 from 12-4 p.m. both days for students in grades K-12 (ages 7-18). Cost of the camp is $50 per attendee. Attendees will receive a T-Shirt as part of the camp...

“What do you do for work, Brandon?” asked the stranger added to complete our foursome at the golf course. On the surface, this is an easy question to answer, even when you are trying to line up an eight-foot putt for what may be your only shot at par for the day...