Stories from Monday, October 16, 2023

Already behind the wheel of the Fillmore Fire Department brush truck, Lyra Bright gets the full experience when she dons a fire helmet on Thursday during the Touch-A-Truck event at First Baptist Preschool. More than 10 area organizations took part in providing the vehicles that got students in direct contact with trucks, cars, tractors, other heavy equipment and even an airplane...

ROACHDALE — Having served its purpose for the last seven years, how the solar field near North Putnam High School will be managed moving forward now has the attention of North Putnam administration. In his report to the North Putnam School Board at its regular meeting Thursday evening, Asst. Supt. Rodney Simpson informed the board that a company transfer will change dynamics as such...

CLOVERDALE — Anticipating one part of a wider water project meant to bring in more revenue, town leaders in Cloverdale have set a plan to rein in its related finances beforehand. For the Cloverdale Town Council last Tuesday, getting rid of existing water bonds meant being able to take on a new mortgage of sorts...

An initiative of the Putnam County Adult Probation Department will keep area sex offenders from interacting with kids again on Oct. 31 of this year. Operation Halloween requires all convicted and registered sex offenders under probationary supervision who have no-contact orders with children to participate in the program...

A dozen candidates for seven Greencastle City Council seats faced questioning in the recent Greencastle League of Women Voters-WGRE Candidates’ Forum at the DePauw University Center for Contemporary Media. Five of those were on hand in a quest for the three at-large seats on the Council -- Republicans Mark Hammer and Katherine Asbell, Democrats Kim Fidler and Gary Lemon and independent Derek Jorgensen. ...

The Greencastle Department of Public Works will begin its annual leaf pick-up on Monday, Oct. 23 and run through Nov. 30. The department asks that residents in the city limits rake their leaves only -- no limbs or other debris -- to the curb or between the sidewalk and the street. Those who do not have a curb or sidewalk are asked to put their leaves out near the street, but not in the street. Do not rake leaves into the street...

Recognizing a need to simplify how delays are called for Area 30 Career Center, its interlocal board approved recently to amend its related policy. The discussion revolved around three of Area 30’s sending schools issuing two-hour delays on Sept. 29, due to heavy fog that settled in the area. Area 30 followed suit and canceled morning classes, while Greencastle Schools and Cloverdale Schools continued...

The Reelsville Diamonds and Diamond Time hitting and fielding lessons will host the Haunted Nights on Friday, Oct. 20 and Saturday, Oct. 21. The event will featured a 10-and-under softball tournament, followed by a haunted trail with face painting and pumpkin decorating...

ROACHDALE — Even with rises across the board compared to this year’s budget, North Putnam’s adopted budget for 2024 will actually be marginally smaller. The Education Fund is set at $11,088,800, a difference of a little under $682,000 from this year’s budget. The Operations Fund is set at $6,866,200 for this year, an approximate $571,000 difference from 2023...

If the success of his business over the last 10 years hasn’t been a surprise to Mitch Myers, then at least the celebration of that decade was. Believing he was attending a private bourbon tasting he had set up with friends, Myers instead arrived at The Whisk in downtown Greencastle on a recent Saturday evening to discover the basement venue packed with family and current and former employees of Myers’ Market...

Wassell David Crosby, 79, of Roachdale, surrounded by his family, passed away peacefully early Saturday morning, Oct. 14, 2023. He was born on April 29, 1944, in Crawfordsville to the late Samuel David and Anna Pearl (Bishop) Crosby. On Aug. 26, 1963, he married Rosalie “Roberta” (Harvey) Crosby. She survives...

Jennifer Kay Goss, 50, of Russellville, passed away on the morning of Friday, Oct. 13, 2023, at Cumberland Pointe Health Campus in Lafayette. She was born in Paragon on June 20, 1973, to the late Norman and Janet (Montgomery) Goss. Jennifer was a 1991 graduate of Southmont High School. She worked for St. Clair Group Metal Forming Industries in Russellville for nearly 30 years. She also owned and operated the Harrison Street Tavern in Russellville...

Marilyn J. Clahan 65, of Roachdale, passed away Friday evening, Oct. 13, 2023, at her residence. She was born Aug. 1, 1958, in Culver to Russell J. and Edna M. (Rady) Osburn. Marilyn was a 1976 graduate of North Putnam High School. She worked for many years at the Sur La Table Distribution Center as a supervisor...

The source of Roachdale’s drinking water is groundwater produced from wells located in our community. To help protect the underground aquifer and the water supply wells from potential contamination, the Town of Roachdale has developed a Wellhead Protection Plan, which has been approved by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management...

To the Editor: I want to express my gratitude for the many people who worked to make the third-annual Putnam County Community Connect a success. Sponsors include CenterPoint Energy, the City of Greencastle, the Putnam County Community Foundation and Getting Ahead from Gobin Church...

Eagles 4388 at 207 Elizabeth St., Greencastle, will have an adult Halloween party on Saturday, Oct. 21. The lodge will be open to the public. The event will feature a contest for best costume, a baked potato bar hosted by the Eagles Auxiliary for $8 each, a performance by Frequency band, a silent baked auction and raffles...

Fred Jacob Cooper Jr., a beacon of strength and determination, departed from this life at his home in Greencastle on Sept. 20, 2023. Born on Nov. 9, 1949, in Lebanon, Fred’s 73 years were a canvas of adventure and perseverance. Fred lived an adventurous and full life marked by an enduring passion for mechanics and adventure. ...

POLAND -- A temporary closure of around two miles of State Road 42 in Clay County has been announced by the Indiana Department of Transportation. Starting on or after Monday, Oct. 23, SR 42 will be closed from County Road 300 West to State Road 59. During the closure, crews will be working on replacing culvert pipes...

The Mary Allison Children’s Trust welcomes a pair of new Trust Partners. Bobbie Lancaster (left) is welcomed by children’s trust treasurer Ginger Scott at a recent Trades of Hope event. Trades of Hope previously held a fundraiser in which $350 was donated to Mary Allison...

A fuzzy bunny, a majestic tree, a stream full of fish or a soaring eagle might come to mind for many, if asked what the first thought is when thinking of Putnam County natural resources. While we are blessed to see many of these when driving the Putnam County landscape, there is so much more to know and understand...