Stories from Monday, January 31, 2022

Darwyn Nelson is more than a “friend of Extension” in Putnam County. In some ways, his volunteer efforts at the Putnam County Fair and other Purdue Extension events over the years mean Nelson is Extension in Putnam County. Either way, the veteran volunteer was honored Thursday evening as the annual Friend of Extension winner, along with other honors bestowed at the joint annual meeting of Putnam County Extension Service and Putnam County Soil and Water Conservation District...

BAINBRIDGE — Four North Putnam Middle School students and their project might just represent the next “October Sky.” Christian Kramer, William Smith, Gavin Simonson and Kaleb Walton were recently selected by NASA as the winners of the TECHRISE program. Rising to the challenge with sponsorship of NPMS science teacher Randy Funk, the students were selected as one of the 57 entries in the nation...

While Putnam County has totaled less than three inches of snow for the entire winter to date, that appears about to change. As the calendar flips over to February, it appears that winter will visit the Putnam County area and west-central Indiana in earnest or at least enough for a Winter Storm Watch to be issued...

Aside from an exciting boys’ basketball win over Northview on Friday night, Cloverdale High School is also abuzz with the crowning of the 2022 winter homecoming king and queen. Dee Laynee Lauer was crowned queen, while Xavier Evans was crowned king.

CLINTON – While not in practice, it was effectively a 3-v-3 ballgame Saturday night when it came to the offensive end between North Putnam and hosts South Vermillion. The Cougar trio of Aaron Pickel, Ellis Lyons and Zach Huff combined to score 57 points, beating out the Wildcat combo of Lucas Uselman, Anthony Garzolini and Peyton Hawkins, who combined for 45 points, as the visitors won 67-51...

AVON – Nine Putnam County wrestlers ensured their spot at the Mooresville Regional after competing in the IHSAA Wrestling Avon Sectional and Mooresville Sectional Saturday. North Putnam leads the charge with five total wrestlers while Greencastle will send two wrestlers and both South Putnam and Cloverdale will have representation at the second stage of the state tournament series...

With the filing deadline for the May primary just days away, candidate filings continue to come in at the Putnam County Voter Registration Office. The filing deadline for Republicans and Democrats wishing to take part in the May 3 primary election is noon this Friday, Feb. 4...

Timothy John Hreha, 70, of Greencastle, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022. Timothy was born May 11, 1951. A full obituary will be in the paper at a later date. Bittles and Hurt Funeral Home will be handling the arrangements.

Robert Lynn Rumley, 57, of Reelsville, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022 at Indiana University Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. Robert was born in Greencastle on Dec. 24, 1964, the son of Robert Lynn and Audeen (King) Rumley. He was a graduate of Greencastle High School...

Bruce Rex Borden, 68, of Greencastle, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022 in the home he shared with his daughter and son-in-law. Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, Esther and George Borden. He is survived by his children, Amy Borden (Tim Pearson), Stacey (Jon) Zawadzki, brother, David (Angela) Borden, grandchildren, Zeplynn and Christian Zawadzki and nephews Jake (Briana) and Chris (Erin) Borden. ...

Joby T. Spencer, 27, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. He was born in Putnam County on March 10, 1994. He attended Greencastle Schools. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Lois (White) Spencer and James Spencer, along with uncles James “Jimbob” Spencer and Michael Spencer...

James Allen Cooper, 79, of Lakeland, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022. He was born in Greencastle on July 6, 1942, to the late Leonard and Marilene Cooper. James graduated from Greencastle High School on May 24, 1961, and served in the United States Army during Vietnam...

Margaret L. Smith, age 90, of Spencer, passed away Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022. She was born Nov. 25, 1931 to the late Loren and Agnes (Cooksey) Stwalley. Margaret married Harry G. Smith on July 1, 1967, and he preceded her in death in November 1995. She is survived by her daughter, Kathy Gray (Thomas) of Spencer; son Jerry D. Smith (Hilda) of Owensboro, Ky.; sister B. Joann Orr; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren...

Elmer Eugene “Gene” Cook was born Feb. 10, 1934 to Homer and Lucille Cook in their Putnam County home. Gene lived the majority of his life in Putnam and Hendricks counties, graduating from Reelsville High School, until his recent move to Texas in the last few years...

Eight people were booked in the Putnam County Jail recently. Monday • At 6:04 a.m. Justin L. Jett, 43, Greencastle, was lodged at the jail for intimidation. Sunday • At 10:15 a.m. John D. Patrick, 27, Brazil, was taken into custody for possession of methamphetamine...

The Tiger Cub Pawcast, the monthly podcast of Greencastle Schools, is created to keep parents and the community informed about what is happening in the district. Each episode is approximately 15 minutes long and focuses on events currently happening at GCSC. The Pawcast also features original music by GCSC alum and current DePauw University student, Parker Black...

Develop a winning Big Bowl “food game plan” by thinking like a football player on the playing field. Only, instead of the opposing team, your field is filled with food and refreshments. Here are eight winning strategies: Plan a successful defense against food that is excessive in fat and calories:...

Indiana Conservation Officer Max Winchell has been selected the 2021 District 5 Officer of the Year. District 5 includes Putnam, Clay, Greene, Owen, Parke, Sullivan, Vermillion and Vigo counties in west-central Indiana. Winchell is assigned to Vigo County and has been a conservation officer since 1995...

There wasn’t a Legionburger in sight or a philanthropic project in the works, yet Greencastle American Legion Post 58 was quite the busy place Sunday morning. Including National Vice Commander Jerry Wilson of Harrison, Ohio, 16 members of the Legion’s Membership Caravan were making their 10th stop in five days when the tour bus pulled into the Indianapolis Road post for its first of three visits to Hoosier posts on Sunday. Crawfordsville and Carmel were to follow...

CHICAGO - The DePauw women’s swim team lost to both the #7 University of Chicago and the 24th-ranked Calvin University, 231- 59 and 160-120, respectively, in its final double dual before the North Coast Athletic Conference Championships in February...

HIRAM, Ohio - Host Hiram used a 12-3 run to break a 50-50 deadlock and pull away from DePauw for a 66-61 North Coast Athletic Conference win. The Tigers dropped to 7-10 overall and 4-7 in the NCAC, while the Terriers improved to 8-10 overall and 5-7 in conference play...

MEADVILLE, PA - DePauw, ranked 13th by D3hoops.com and 14th in the coaches’ poll, moved to 16-2 overall and 9-0 in the North Coast Athletic Conference with a 76-41 win at Allegheny Sunday. The Gators dropped to 4-15 overall and 1-10 in conference play...