Stories from Monday, August 23, 2021

The Indiana Department of Health is providing free COVID-19 testing and vaccinations at Robe-Ann Park starting Monday and going until Wednesday. The team will be at the park from noon-8 p.m. each day. Both the testing and vaccines are available to walk-in clients. No appointment is required...

BAINBRIDGE – Looking to cap off a clean sweep of WIC boys’ soccer games to start the season, North Putnam hosted Brown County Saturday afternoon. The Cougars scored inside the opening five minutes and though the Eagles leveled the match 20 minutes later, the hosts grabbed two more goals before halftime and eventually claimed a third conference win with a 4-1 victory...

BAINBRIDGE – Following a split of WIC girls’ soccer games to start the season, North Putnam looked to move over .500 in conference play with Brown County visiting Saturday afternoon. The Cougars grabbed an early lead, kept it through halftime despite a late penalty for the visitors and waves of attack eventually told as the hosts claimed a 4-0 win over the Eagles...

ROACHDALE — The same as school leaders at Cloverdale and South Putnam recently, the North Putnam School Board now has a budget projection for next year. The board approved to advertise the school corporation’s proposed 2022 budget during its regular meeting last Thursday evening...

With three straight days of 90-degree or better temperatures already in the can, west-central Indiana will remain on a hot streak at least until Saturday, the National Weather Service office at Indianapolis reports. After hitting 90 on Saturday, 93 on Sunday and 92 on Monday, it looks like nothing but the 90s for the next five days, extending the longest stretch of 90-degree days this summer to at least eight days...

Albrecht von Gaudecker will present organ concerts featuring pieces by Johann Sebastian Bach on Aug. 29 and Sept. 12 at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Greencastle. Gaudecker is a native of Hanover, Germany, and studied sacred music at the Hochschule für Musik in Weimar, Hamburg and Lübeck...

Betty L. Chew, 94, of Reelsville, passed away in her home on Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 with her children at her side. She was a simple woman who loved her family — especially her grandchildren. Babies made her smile. She was a hard worker who could outwork most men, and she never backed down from a challenge. She had a heart of gold and would share her shirt off her back if you needed it...

James D. Hilburn Jr. “Jimmy,” 53, formerly of Bainbridge, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021 due to declining health conditions. Jimmy was born July 22, 1968, in Greencastle, to James “Jim” and Linda Hutcheson Hilburn. He is survived by his daughter, Chelsea (Nate) O’Hair; his son, Isaac Hilburn (Carmen Foster); grandson Bowen Allen O’Hair; granddaughter Baylor Rose O’Hair; and two bonus grandsons, Nolan and Briggs O’Hair...

James Louis Cooper Sr., a professor emeritus of history at DePauw University and a widely recognized expert on the study and preservation of Indiana’s historic bridges, died on Aug. 19, 2021. He was 86 years old. Son of James H. and Gladys Wambaugh Cooper, the Princeton, N.J., native moved to Greencastle in 1964 to join the faculty of DePauw University, where he served for more than three decades...

Lenora Alspaugh, 84, of Greencastle, passed away early Friday, Aug. 20, 2021. Born Oct. 31, 1936 in Indianapolis, she was the daughter of Emory Roe and Katie (Lively) Roe. She was a graduate of Bainbridge High School. Lenora had worked at many places such as PR Mallory, JC Penney, Prevo’s, McDonald’s as assistant manager, Bob Evans on Rockville Road, Indianapolis, and The Hub at DePauw University. ...

Randall L. Summers Jr., 43, of Danville, went to heaven on Aug. 17, 2021 of complications due to COVID-19. Randall was born in Danville on Dec. 23, 1977. He leaves behind his loving wife of 22 years, Janelle; four beautiful children, Maverick, Josie, Kassidy and Drake; a brother, Christopher (wife Haley); a sister, Danielle; and a sister-in-law, Angela Gorham (husband Troy); along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles...

Dennis and Vicky Weir recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a surprise dinner given by their children at Stables Steakhouse in Terre Haute. They have three children, Jonathan (Robin) Weir, Tonia (Bill) Dibble and Heidi (Curtis) Madsen, as well as grandchildren Jeremiah, Britney, Kaitlyn, Lauren, Seth, Ashlynn, Carter and Hudson and great-grandchild Jaxon...

Members of the Baker family and the Putnam County Humane Society celebrated the addition of new dog runs at Animal Care of Putnam County Saturday morning...

Throughout the year, many individuals ask what the “going rate” is for farmland rental prices. That is a difficult question to answer. The rate fluctuates and is highly dependent on the individual farm ground being discussed. That is why when asked, Purdue Extension provides a range of values based on the annual Purdue Farmland Value Survey and stresses the importance of not simply utilizing the values given. ...

CLAYTON — Freije & Freije Auctioneers of Clayton has announced a strategic partnership with Jeff Martin Auctioneers Inc. of Brooklyn, Miss. This partnership will see Jeff Martin Auctioneers providing logistic support and management for the rapidly-growing Indiana auction company. In return, Jeff Martin Auctioneers gains a permanent and established auction location in the heart of the Midwest and an established local team of salesmen and auction staff...

County Jail Thirteen people were booked in the Putnam County Jail recently. Sunday • At 7:02 p.m. Patrick J. Ford, 54, Avon, was lodged at the jail on a warrant for battery resulting in bodily injury. • At 6:31 p.m., Sandra R. Sanchez, 34, Greencastle, was taken into custody on an out-of-county warrant...

BAINBRIDGE — Gleaners food distribution will again be at the Bainbridge Elementary School on South Washington Street as a drive-through event on Saturday, Aug. 28. The event, which runs from 10-11:30 a.m., is open to all in need. Volunteers are needed by 9 a.m. to help with loading boxed food items and traffic control...

The Putnam County Non-Food Pantry will be distributing non-food items from noon-3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 28 at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 520 E. Seminary St., Greencastle. This will be a drive-through distribution of products only. Because of safety concerns, only pre-packaged bags will be distributed. Organizers will try to select items which have been popular in the past, but have been unable to purchase some cleaning products because of supply issues...

The annual Voices of Recovery kickoff event for National Recovery Month in September will be Saturday, Aug. 28 at Robe-Ann Park, Greencastle. Open to the public, the event will feature speakers, testimonies of those in active recovery, musical entertainment and children’s activities...

Flu season is just around the corner. Putnam County Hospital will again host drive-through flu clinics at Putnam Pediatrics and Internal Medicine, Family Medicine of Cloverdale and North Putnam Family Healthcare. Putnam Pediatrics and Internal Medicine, Family Medicine of Cloverdale and North Putnam Family Healthcare are offering the opportunity for community members to schedule their flu shot...

Six years ago, I had my first experience with the Putnam County Community Foundation. My Girl Scout troop was applying for grant funding through the Youth Philanthropy (YP) Committee. We were starting our Girl Scout Silver Award, and someone recommended seeking funding for our youth-led project...