Stories from Monday, April 29, 2024

INDIANAPOLIS — North Putnam’s Nolan Hackleman was honored recently as a Regional Academic All-Star for 2024 by the Indiana Association of School Principals (IASP). Forty high school seniors were named Indiana Academic All-Stars, while Hackleman was among 50 Regional Academic All-Stars. The students were selected from 281 nominees from private and public accredited schools...

A Greencastle native has been selected to helm the Putnam County YMCA as it rolls toward its December 2024 opening. On Monday, the YMCA of the Wabash Valley announced the appointment of Nicole (Smiley) Fry as the Executive Branch Director for the Putnam County YMCA. In her new role, Smiley will spearhead the organization’s efforts in enhancing community engagement, promoting wellness and fostering youth development initiatives...

Putnam County Community Foundation (PCCF) has announced its most recent grant recipients from the Community Foundation’s largest unrestricted fund, the Community Grants Endowment, as well as from its 45 named unrestricted funds, created by generous organizations and community members...

The board of directors of Family Support Services of West Central Indiana will turn to a familiar face at the helm for the next chapter of serving families in the region. Executive Director Scott Monnett has transitioned from FSSWCI and is embarking on his next chapter after more than six years of service...

With approval of $57,780 in engineering services on a lighting project along North Jackson Street and more, work is being designed to coincide with the current U.S. 231 reconstruction effort. A proposal from DB Engineering, an Indianapolis lighting engineering firm, was approved by the Greencastle Redevelopment Commission (RDC) to, among other things, design the installation of street lighting along Jackson Street from Washington Street to Shadowlawn Avenue...

Construction on U.S. 231 may be the topic of the spring and summer in Greencastle, but organizers don’t plan to let it get in the way of the monthly First Friday celebrations in the city. The kickoff of 2024 First Friday celebrations is set Friday, May 3 at its usual spots, centered on Franklin and Indiana streets in downtown Greencastle...

For all of its success in recent seasons, one area Greencastle had not found a breakthrough in girls’ tennis was at the conference level as Sullivan had won the previous three WIC titles, sharing one of them with Brown County. The Tiger Cubs took a large step toward breaking that grip after a 4-1 win over the Golden Arrows Friday night at DePauw’s Indoor Tennis Center...

With rain expected to enter the area during the afternoon and evening hours, the following events have been postponed for Monday, April 29 Softball South Putnam at Eminence (Rescheduled for Tuesday, April 30 at 5:30 p.m.) Girls' Tennis South Putnam at Northview (Rescheduled for Thursday, May 2 at 5 p.m.)...

The Parkfest Committee of the Greencastle Civic League is still seeking sponsors for the 31st annual season, which will run every Tuesday during June and July at Robe-Ann Park from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Any business, organization or individual who would like to donate should email Alex Chamberlain at alex.chams@gmail.com by May 10. Sponsorships are available at various different levels...

The draws for the IHSAA Baseball and Softball State Tournaments took place Sunday evening, giving the four county schools their paths through sectional play beginning on May 20 for softball and May 22 for baseball. The Class 2A Sectional No. 44 baseball draw, which will be played at Greencastle will begin with several familiar matchups as North Putnam opens the sectional against Parke Heritage while South Putnam faces Cloverdale. ...

RUSSELLVILLE — The Russellville Community Center will host a spring showcase for local small businesses on Saturday, May 4 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. More than 60 vendors have signed up already for Mother’s Day, graduation and wedding gift shopping. There will be Mommy and Me photo sessions, and breakfast and lunch will be served along with kids’ crafts and bake sales...

PUTNAMVILLE -- The Putnamville Correctional Facility will be honoring its employees May 5-11 during Correctional Professionals Appreciation Week. Various events have been planned for each day. The employee recognition ceremony will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 8...

NEW WINCHESTER — The Indiana Department of Transportation announced recently that a new traffic signal is coming to the intersection of U.S. 36 and State Road 75 in New Winchester. Beginning on or after Monday, crews were to begin lane closures on U.S. 36, which will alternate between the eastbound and westbound travel lanes between CR 775 West and CR 600 West. This will allow crews to install the signal at this location...

The Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning (CELL) at the University of Indianapolis recently announced the endorsement of an Early College (EC) program at South Putnam High School. The Early College model creates small schools designed to give students a jump-start toward their education. Students can earn high school diplomas and up to two years of credit toward bachelor’s or associate degrees...

The following is part of a series of biographies of candidates for the upcoming election. The biographies were submitted by candidates. Editing by the Banner Graphic news staff is minimal for only style and clarity purposes. Hello, I’m Derrick Holder, and I’m running to represent Indiana’s 4th Congressional District...

Isaiah 117 House, a Tennessee-based organization that cares for children awaiting foster placement, will soon break ground on its Putnam County house. The nonprofit will host a public groundbreaking on Sunday, May 5 at 3 p.m. The event will officially begin the construction phase for the Isaiah 117 House in Putnam County and will feature several local speakers and Isaiah 117 House officials...

Remember that old saying, “You are what you eat,” which is the basis of good skin color and overall health. Our choice of food and beverages affects all major body systems including the heart, brain and skin. Going to the supermarket or a farmer’s market offers plenty of healthy foods that can boost your appearance, as well as offer some protection from the rays of the sun. ...

Auditions for the July production of “The Pink Panther Strikes Again” at Putnam County Playhouse will commence this weekend. Director Shelley McFadden will hold two sessions to find her cast. The first will be Sunday, May 5 at 3 p.m. followed by the second session on Monday, May 6 at 7 p.m. Both will take place at the Michael McClaine Rehearsal Center at the Playhouse property off Round Barn Road...

West Central Solid Waste District has announced that the Putnam County Tox-Away Day will take place Saturday, May 11 from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Open to residents of Putnam and Parke counties, the event will be held rain or shine at Area 30 Career Center (across from Greencastle Walmart.)...

Senate District 24 candidate Veronica Pejril (rhymes with EDGE-ril) has been a Hoosier-by-choice since 1996, and she resides in Putnam County. The daughter of a city water-treatment engineer and a public school math teacher, she is a parent of twin sons, both 2017 Purdue graduates...

Anne Engelhardt is a caring, courageous, Christian, conservative Republican, who is committed to her community. She is an advocate for reducing governmental overreach, parent choice in education, addressing student mental health issues and learning loss, cost-effective economic development and reducing taxes...

Brett Clark is a lifelong resident of Hendricks County. He grew up in North Salem and graduated from Tri-West High School. He attended Purdue University and served in the U.S. Navy. Brett worked at the Hendricks County Sheriff’s Office for more than 33 years, with the last eight of those as the elected sheriff. He retired from the county in 2023 and currently works in business development...

Kevin David Bitzer, 65, passed away on April 27, 2024 at home in Georgetown, Ky., with his wife and soulmate at his side. He was born on Aug. 24, 1958, the son of Wendell and Marlene (Twomey) Bitzer. Kevin was a 1976 graduate of Greencastle High School and a 1980 graduate of IU Kelley School of Business...