Bainbridge Elementary School is on the hunt for valuable team members to join their ranks as instructional assistants for the upcoming school year.

The position of Instructional Assistant requires candidates to hold a high school diploma or GED and possess strong communication and organizational skills. As an essential member of the school's faculty, the chosen individuals will support instructional personnel and facilitating the learning process.

Roles and Responsibilities

The selected candidates will undertake a variety of responsibilities to ensure a smooth and effective learning environment within the classrooms. Their roles include:

• Assisting with Learning Materials: Instructional Assistants will collaborate with teachers to develop and present learning materials and instructional exercises.
• Classroom Setup and Preparation: The role involves assisting in setting up the classroom and preparing necessary materials.
• Student Support: Instructional Assistants will work closely with students, helping them with their assignments and providing individual or small group support to reinforce and follow up on the instruction.
• Supervision and Equipment Handling: The chosen candidates will supervise students and operate standard school equipment, ensuring safety and smooth functioning.
• Professionalism and Attendance: Maintaining a professional demeanor, being punctual, and adhering to regular attendance are vital aspects of the role.
• Public Relations and Confidentiality: Instructional Assistants will represent the school district and community positively, promoting good public relations. They will also uphold a high level of confidentiality to ensure student and school information remains protected.

How to Apply

Interested individuals can contact Bainbridge Elementary School Principal Brandon Wagler. Applicants can reach out via phone at 765-522-6233 or through email at bwagler@nputnam.k12.in.us.

For more information about Bainbridge Elementary School and their initiatives, please visit https://www.nputnam.k12.in.us/o/bainbridge.

A teenage driver was killed in a US 40 accident Monday.

Hendricks County Sheriff’s Office crash reconstructionists in addition to the Hendricks County Coroner’s Office are investigating the single vehicle fatal motor vehicle crash that occurred on US 40 near the intersection of Co Rd 300W near Stilesville.  This crash has left the driver of the vehicle, a 17-year-old male, dead.    

Deputies were called to the scene about 6:20 a.m. when the crash was reported to the Hendricks County Communications Center.  The preliminary investigation shows that a Saturn passenger car was traveling eastbound on US 40 when, for an unknown reason, the vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree. 

The driver, and sole occupant, of the vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene.  Drugs and alcohol are not suspected as a contributing factor at this time. 

The identity of the deceased is not yet being released, due to pending notification of the family. 

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Seven years ago, J.D. Grove opened Conspire: Contemporary Craft with a vision of building up the arts community and bringing art from other areas to a place that didn't have it at the time. 

"We started with a collection of 35 artisans and have grown to over 100," Grove told The Putnam County Post. 

And, through the years, Grove has succeeded in that mission and Conspire, 14 East Washington St., Greencastle, has established its footing in the Greencastle community as not only a place for art, but also a safe haven for LGBTQ+ youth in Greencastle and Putnam County.

"Conspire is both a community center and a business. We represent over 100 artists from around the Midwest and a few outliers with a focus on our local community and LGBTQ+ artists and makers here in Putnam County," Grove said. 

But, all that stands to come to a crashing halt due to construction woes that could endanger the future of Conspire. 

As a result, Grove formed a GoFundMe to help keep the doors open. 

"We've worked hard for seven years to keep this shop and vision afloat. We made it through Covid with support from our local community and from people around the country who love Conspire. Now we're hitting a rough patch again with prolonged construction keeping visitors away from Greencastle. We're hoping to build a small war chest to get us through until downtown stabilizes," Grove said. 

Those wishing to donate can do so at https://gofund.me/0e36e74a.

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Members of the Owen County Sheriff’s Department and Indiana State Police Bloomington Investigations Unit located a reported missing female from Freedom.

Zoe Neree, 18, of 7642 South US Highway 231, was found in Owen County south of Freedom on Saturday evening.

The Owen County Sheriff’s Department initiated an investigation into the missing female on Thursday, July 27. Neree was last seen at approximately 5:30 p.m.

No official status on Neree was given.The matter remains under investigation.

Meanwhile, another Silver Alert involving Owen County concluded when Shelby Melton, 26, and her 2014 Chevrolet Sonic were found off the roadway in a small ravine. Melton was pronounced deceased by responding emergency personnel.

Melton was last seen Saturday morning.

The circumstances surrounding the accident remain under investigation.

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An opportunity for residents to spend time with law enforcement and other community partners is slated for July 31, as the 17th annual Putnam County National Night Out will be held at the Putnam County Fairgrounds from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. 

"National Night Out originally began as a collaboration between law enforcement and communities as a way for communities to meet their law enforcement officers and create a bond or relationship that would encourage children and families to make wise decisions and stay away from dugs, alcohol and tobacco. Children hopefully would learn to trust their community in seeing officers in a different light and one of friendship and security," Putnam County National Night Out co-chair Linda Merkel told The Putnam County Post. 

This year's event will feature food served, a push to get people involved in Teen Court and fun, and the best part is it is free. 

"National Night Out is held all over the United States and, now, beyond our borders. Many communities like ours have branched out to include other resourceful agencies and organizations that hold true to the mission that our purpose is to see our children and families have every opportunity to grow up in a safe and wonderful environment with hopes of a quality education, healthy and successful," Merkel said.

Merkel said for 17 years the event has served families from all over Putnam County and it usually draws in 1,300 to 1,400 community members. 

"We have over 30 local organizations that provide resources, games, raffle prizes, educational materials, food, school supplies, canned food items and coats for kids, just to name a few. We believe our children are better prepared and feel more confident about heading to school with this annual experience," she said. 

Serving as co-chair with Tom Sutherlin, of the Putnam County Sheriff's Department, and Renee Marsteller, chief juvenile probation officer, Merkel said she enjoys seeing the families and giving back.

"Personally, I can't think of a better way to serve my community and to give back to a place that has been so gracious to our family.  This is truly an honor to serve and to work alongside such great community individuals.  We have over 100 volunteers who deeply share the passion of meeting the needs of our community together, and together we can make a difference," Merkel said. 

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While Putnam County residents are in back to school mode, the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce is offering a helping hand Saturday with the Putnam County Boutique Crawl.

The event is slated for July 29 and chamber executive director Madison Hanna is excited about the event. 

"The Boutique Crawl is an exciting event that was created as a way to support our local businesses here in Putnam County. We are fortunate to have so many unique shops and stores, each with its own story to tell. This event aims to highlight these amazing boutiques and encourage people to do their back-to-school shopping right here, locally," Hanna told The Putnam County Post.

Participating boutiques include Burgde Boots, Britt's Blooming Boutique, Blushing Beaus Boutique, Conspire: Contemporary Craft, Cowpokes Work and Western, Creative Castle, Keith and Kane, and Shady Dale Chic Boutique. These businesses contribute significantly to the character and charm of our community.

Hanna said those participating in the Boutique Crawl will receive a passport that will be stamped at each of the participating shops visited. 

"It's a fun and interactive way to explore the diverse offerings of our local boutiques. Once you've collected all the stamps, you'll be entered to win a special Buy Local Bag that includes gifts from each of the boutiques, along with a complimentary skincare session with Hair Haven Beauty Company. It's our way of thanking you for supporting local businesses and being a part of this wonderful initiative," Hanna said.

The event is two-fold. 

First, it helps back to school shoppers and second, it helps support the Putnam County community and businesses. 

"Supporting our neighbors and community is more important than ever. By shopping locally, we can make a significant impact on the success and growth of our small businesses. Together, we can foster a thriving community that cherishes its unique local establishments. We're excited to see our community come together to celebrate the spirit of local entrepreneurship and to create lasting connections among our residents and businesses. Your participation will help us spread the word about the importance of supporting local, not just during the Boutique Crawl, but all year round," Hanna said. 

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The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has extended the Air Quality Action Day (AQAD) forecast  through Friday, July 28, for all of Indiana.

Air quality is expected to reach the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (Orange) level.

IDEM is forecasting high ozone levels due to a significant increase in temperatures across the state and a continued air mass from Canadian wildfires in the following regions:

• Central/East Central Indiana, including the cities of: Bloomington, Brookville, Columbus, Frankfort, Indianapolis, Greensburg, Kokomo, Lebanon, Martinsville, Muncie, Richmond and all other cities within the area.
• North Central Indiana, including the cities of: Elkhart, Goshen, Knox, Logansport, Plymouth, Peru, South Bend, Warsaw, Winamac and all other cities within the area.
• Northeast Indiana, including the cities of: Angola, Auburn, Decatur, Fort Wayne, Hartford, Huntington City, LaGrange, Marion, Portland, Wabash and all other cities within the area.
• Northwest Indiana, including the cities of: Crown Point, Gary, Hammond, Kentland, LaPorte, Michigan City, Portage, Rensselaer, Valparaiso and all other cities within the area.
• Southeast Indiana, including the cities of: Brownstown, Corydon, Jeffersonville, Madison, New Albany, Salem, Versailles and all other cities within the area.
• Southwest Indiana, including the cities of: Bedford, Bloomfield, Evansville, Huntingburg, Mount Vernon, Paoli, Princeton, Rockport, Tell City, Vincennes and all other cities within the area.
• Western/West Central Indiana, including the cities of: Crawfordsville, Covington, Delphi, Fowler, Greencastle, Lafayette, Newport, Monticello, Spencer, Sullivan, Terre Haute and all other cities within the area.

A state map including regions and affected counties is available at SmogWatch.IN.gov. 

Note: IDEM forecasts are based, solely or in part, on data from air quality monitors located throughout the state. IDEM encourages residents of counties within or bordering the affected region(s) to heed the forecast. Air quality information for all Indiana counties can be found at SmogWatch.IN.gov. 

Some municipalities have additional open burning restrictions on AQADs. For more information, see idem.IN.gov/openburning/laws-and-rules. 

Air Quality Action Days are in effect from midnight to 11:59 p.m. (24-hours) on the specified date.

IDEM encourages everyone to help improve air quality by making changes to daily habits on Air Quality Action Days. You can:

• Carpool or use public transportation.
• Avoid using the drive-through and combine errands into one trip.
• Turn off engines instead of idling for long periods of time.
• Avoid using gas-powered equipment.
• Conserve energy by turning off lights and setting the air conditioner to a higher setting;
• Use propane gas instead of charcoal when grilling outdoors;
• Reminder: Indiana’s open burning laws make it illegal to burn trash and generally prohibit open burning, visit IN.gov/openburning for more information.

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Putnam County Hospital has received a Five-Star overall hospital quality rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the highest rating a hospital can achieve.

483 of the 3,355 hospitals in the country and only fourteen in the state of Indiana have a Five-Star overall rating on the Care Compare website that was updated by CMS in July of 2023.

“This is an exciting time for Putnam County hospital to receive a Five-Star overall rating from CMS, and is a tremendous accomplishment for our team,” said Dennis Weatherford, CEO of Putnam County Hospital. “It has always been our goal to achieve a Five-Star rating. Thanks to our incredible team’s commitment to patient experience and our mission to provide exceptional healthcare close to home.”

CMS’s star rating system, which began in July 2016, is updated annually. For 2023, the overall rating is based on 48 quality measurements in five different categories and shows how well each hospital performs compared to other hospitals. Putnam County Hospital met or exceeded the requirements, which include: patient experience, timely and effective care, readmission, safety of care, and mortality.

According to CMS, the purpose of the Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating is to summarize quality measure information reported on the Care Compare website in a way that is accessible and easy to understand for patients and consumers.  Each hospital has a star rating that ranges from one to five stars, with five stars signifying highest quality. For more information visit medicare.gov/care-compare and search for a specific hospital by name, zip code or town/state and then compare quality and patient perception ratings of up to three hospitals at a time.

“We could not be more proud to be part of one of the nation’s elite five-star hospitals,” said Brooke Trissel, Director of Marketing and Community Relations for Putnam County Hospital.  “Our team has worked so hard to be an exceptional community partner and provide exceptional healthcare close to home.  It is a time to celebrate all of the hard work that each member of the PCH staff have contributed.”

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With record heat and near 100 degree temperatures slated for the rest of the week, first responders in Putnam County are urging citizens to exercise caution. 

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for Putnam County until midnight Saturday, and that has Greencastle assistant fire chief Rob Frank issuing a warning to residents. 

"Try to stay out of the heat if you can. If you have to be outside, make sure you are drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated. Also, wear breathable/lightweight clothing and if working in the heat, make sure to take frequent breaks and try to find some shade," Frank told The Putnam County Post. 

Clinton Township Volunteer Fire Department Chief Tony Camp echoed those sentiments. 

"If you are going to be working in this heat, make sure you stay hydrated and take plenty of breaks in the shade. If at all possible, dip a towel into a cooler that has ice water and ring it out or put it across the back of your neck to help you cool down," Camp said. 

In addition, Camp said he knows families may turn to swimming pools or the lake to try and beat the heat and he urges adults to use caution with children around water. 

"My advice is to always make sure you have somebody with you that can call 911 if something happens. If you are swimming in the lake, I would personally say have a life jacket on. Also, just because you are swimming doesn't mean you necessarily are hydrated, so I would say make sure you are hydrated to prevent cramps," Camp added. 

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The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has forecast an Air Quality Action Day (AQAD) for Thursday, July 27, for all of Indiana.

Air quality is expected to reach the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (Orange) level.

IDEM is forecasting high ozone levels due to a significant increase in temperatures across the state and a continued air mass from Canadian wildfires in the following regions:

• Central/East Central Indiana, including the cities of: Bloomington, Brookville, Columbus, Frankfort, Indianapolis, Greensburg, Kokomo, Lebanon, Martinsville, Muncie, Richmond, Shelbyville and all other cities within the area.
• North Central Indiana, including the cities of: Elkhart, Goshen, Knox, Logansport, Plymouth, Peru, Rochester, South Bend, Warsaw, Winamac and all other cities within the area.
• Northeast Indiana, including the cities of: Angola, Auburn, Decatur, Fort Wayne, Hartford, Huntington City, LaGrange, Marion, Portland, Wabash and all other cities within the area.
• Northwest Indiana, including the cities of: Crown Point, Gary, Hammond, Kentland, LaPorte, Michigan City, Portage, Rensselaer, Valparaiso and all other cities within the area.
• Southeast Indiana, including the cities of: Brownstown, Corydon, Jeffersonville, Madison, New Albany, Salem, Versailles and all other cities within the area.
• Southwest Indiana, including the cities of: Bedford, Bloomfield, Evansville, Huntingburg, Mount Vernon, Paoli, Princeton, Rockport, Tell City, Vincennes and all other cities within the area.
• Western/West Central Indiana, including the cities of: Crawfordsville, Covington, Delphi, Fowler, Greencastle, Lafayette, Newport, Monticello, Spencer, Sullivan, Terre Haute and all other cities within the area.

A state map including regions and affected counties is available at SmogWatch.IN.gov. 

Some municipalities have additional open burning restrictions on AQADs. For more information, see idem.IN.gov/openburning/laws-and-rules. 

Air Quality Action Days are in effect from midnight to 11:59 p.m. (24-hours) on the specified date.

IDEM encourages everyone to help improve air quality by making changes to daily habits on Air Quality Action Days. You can:

• Carpool or use public transportation.
• Avoid using the drive-through and combine errands into one trip.
• Turn off engines instead of idling for long periods of time.
• Avoid using gas-powered equipment.
• Conserve energy by turning off lights and setting the air conditioner to a higher setting;
• Use propane gas instead of charcoal when grilling outdoors;
• Reminder: Indiana’s open burning laws make it illegal to burn trash and generally prohibit open burning, visit IN.gov/openburning for more information.

About Ozone:
Ground-level ozone is formed when sunlight and hot weather combine with vehicle exhaust, factory emissions, and gasoline vapors. Ozone in the upper atmosphere blocks ultraviolet radiation, but ozone near the ground is a lung irritant that can cause coughing and breathing difficulties for sensitive populations. 

Anyone sensitive to changes in air quality may be affected when ozone levels are high. Children, the elderly, and anyone with heart or lung conditions should reduce or avoid exertion and heavy work outdoors.
IDEM examines weather patterns and current ozone readings to make daily air quality forecasts. Air Quality Action Days generally occur when weather conditions such as light winds, hot and dry air, stagnant conditions, or lower atmospheric inversions trap pollutants close to the ground.
To learn more about PM_2.5 and ozone, or to sign up for air quality alerts, visit SmogWatch.IN.gov. 

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The Newton County (Indiana) Coroner’s Office and Identify Indiana Initiative with the assistance of members of the DNA Doe Project and the Indiana State Police Lab in Indianapolis have positively identified the remains of a young man found nearly 40 years ago.

Known for years as “Adam Doe”, the man has been positively identified as Keith Lavell Bibbs, of Chicago. Bibbs was 16 when he went missing.

Family has been contacted and advised of their son/brother’s fate.

Bibbs was one of four young men found on an abandoned farm in rural Lake Village on October 18-19, 1983. He, along with the others, had been drugged and murdered by now deceased serial killer Larry Eyler (the Highway Killer).

Eyler confessed to at least 20 killings before his death in an Illinois prison in 1994. A the time, he was on death row for the 1984 murder of Danny Bridges,15,  of Chicago.

Eyler was born in Crawfordsville.  He, at times, had worked and lived in Terre Haute and Greencastle.

Of the four victims found, all have now been identified. Michael Bauer and John Bartlett were identified early in the investigation leaving “Adam Doe” and “Brad Doe” unidentified for years.

Through collaboration with the DNA Doe Project, a 501(c) (3) volunteer group, and Rebecca Goddard, Chief Deputy Prosecutor for Newton County, a volunteer as well, and the use of genetic genealogy a potential match was found. After reaching out to potential family members and allowing the upload of their DNA into a program called GEDMatch, a match was developed. The family was quickly and quietly notified, and a Family Reference Sample (FRS) was obtained from a potential brother of “Adam”. This sample was sent to the Indiana State Police Lab in Indianapolis for “kinship” testing. This testing was conclusive that “Adam” was Keith Bibbs. 

The Newton County Coroner's office says at this time no further information will be released until the family has had time to grieve and they give permission to release more detailed information.

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Former North Putnam superintendent named superintendent at Covington Community School Corporation

Shortly after resigning her position as superintendent at North Putnam Schools, Dr. Nicole Allee introduced herself to parents and students at the Covington Community School Corporation as its new superintendent. 

Allee replaces Brady Scott, who recently was named the new assistant superintendent at Clay Community Schools. 

Her resignation from North Putnam Schools was accepted earlier this month and ended a tenure that began in June of 2018. The resignation came on the heels of a contentious May meeting where several parents and community members came out in support of boys basketball coach Vincent Brooks after news surfaced in the community of his contract possibly not being renewed. 

At the time, Allee told The Putnam County Post she was "tapped" by a couple of mentors to pursue school and district leadership. 

"This is my 26th year in education. I'll be entering my 26th year this year and my eighth year as a school superintendent with a different corporation," Allee said. 

In a letter on the Covington Community Schools website, Allee states she is "excited" to join the district.

"This is the time of year where I walk up and down the school supply aisle trying to decide if I need a new ink pen or mechanical pencil. And the student in me loves to smell Crayola crayons; something about that smell takes me back to my elementary years," Allee wrote. 

She mentioned her time as a superintendent, teacher and administrator at all levels and areas. 

"I love runny noses and sticky high fives as much as the teenage crazy of middle school and the deep conversations you can have with high school students," Allee wrote. 

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Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) joined House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Subcommittee on the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia Chairman Joe Wilson (R-TX) to lead the introduction of legislation that will block the Biden administration from extending or reissuing Syria General License 23, which authorized direct transactions with the Assad regime for 180 days after the February Turkey–Syria earthquake.

“For far too long, the Biden administration’s soft-on-crime foreign policies have had wide-reaching and devastating international effects that have weakened the United States’ standing on the global stage,” said Congressman Baird. “By extending General License 23, the administration is effectively refusing to hold Bashar Al Assad accountable for his unspeakable war crimes and sends a dangerous message to the world that the United States condones this humanitarian crisis. As the world’s leader, we have a responsibility to send a resounding message to all that this despicable conduct will not be tolerated, which is why I am introducing a bill to block this extension.”

“Bashar Al Assad is a war criminal who has faced no accountability for his crimes against the Syrian people. Yet he is increasingly being welcomed back into the international community, particularly by governments in the Middle East," said Chairman McCaul. "Extending General License 23 would undermine our Syria sanctions and send a message that the United States accepts normalization with Assad. That’s why we’re introducing this bill to block the extension of this over-broad license, especially since our Syria sanctions already contain humanitarian exemptions.” 

“The criminal Assad regime has directly benefitted from General License 23 while refusing aid to areas hit hardest by the earthquake,” said Chairman Wilson. “In fact, mass murderer Assad and war criminal Putin have relentlessly bombed northwest Syria since the earthquake. Humanitarian exemptions are built into U.S. sanctions, and the Biden administration should not renew this broad license which allows the Assad regime to profit as he continues his assault on the Syrian people.”

On February 9, 2023, in response to the February 6 Turkey-Syria earthquake, the Biden administration issued a Syria General License (GL23) that would authorize sanctions lifts for 180 days on all transactions related to the earthquake. Recently, the administration signaled that it plans to extend this general license despite what Baird termed as the devastating humanitarian crisis created and perpetuated by the Assad regime. The general license was set to expire August 8. The Safeguarding Syrian Sanction Act would:

• Prevent the administration from renewing or extending GL23 upon enactment of this bill.
• Require that the Secretary of Treasury and the Secretary of Commerce notify the appropriate committees if there are any changes to any Syria Sanctions Regulations no more than 15 prior of the change effective date
• Text of the bill can be found here.

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The Indiana State Fair announced its full and final artist lineup for its 2023 concerts as a part of the Hoosier Lottery Free Stage schedule, July 28 through August 20.

Legendary hip-hop artist Rob Base has also just been added on Thursday, August 10. All shows at the Hoosier Lottery Free Stage are free with paid fair admission and seating is first-come, first-served.

All shows start at 7:30 p.m., unless noted otherwise.

2023 Hoosier Lottery Free Stage at the Indiana State Fair concert schedule:

• Clint Black - Friday, July 28 (opening day)
• Samantha Fish ft. Jesse Dayton - Saturday, July 29
• Peppa Pig Live! Peppa Pig’s Adventure - Sunday, July 30 (11am & 2pm)
• Home Free - Sunday, July 30 (7:30pm)
• Keith Sweat - Wednesday, August 2
• Retro Rewind 90’s Night featuring DJ Kurt Streblow- Thursday, August 3
• STYX - Friday, August 4
• Quiet Riot - Saturday, August 5
• TobyMac - Sunday, August 6
• Three Dog Night - Wednesday, August 9
• Rob Base - Thursday, August 10
• Gin Blossoms - Friday, August 11
• THE TAYLOR PARTY: TAYLOR SWIFT NIGHT - Saturday, August 12
• Skillet - Sunday, August 13
• Happy Together Tour 2023 featuring The Turtles, Little Anthony, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap, The Vogues, The Classics IV, The Cowsills  - Wednesday, August 16
• Latino Fest en la Feria del Estado de Indiana presented by Radio Latino 107.1FM con Noel Torres - Thursday, August 17
• Buddy Guy: Damn Right Farewell - Friday, August 18
• Breland - Saturday, August 19
• Gospel Music Festival featuring CeCe Winans, presented by WTLC AM & FM - Sunday, August 20

Also, there are a limited number of reserved viewing area tickets available now for all concerts. This upgraded experience includes Fair admission, access to the reserved viewing area, private bar, private restrooms and concert laminate, details here. 

According to officials with the Indiana Department of Transportation, chip and seal operations are slated to begin on U.S. 231 on July 26. 

As a result, U.S. 231 will be closed for a little over a mile north of I-70 to about a quarter mile south of State Road 240 and the closure is slated to last for at least a week.

INDOT will post signage at each end of the project and asks motorists to use State Road 243 through Putnamville during the duration of the project. 

As part of the chip-and-seal process, existing pavement is coated with liquid asphalt, extending the service life of the road. Upon completion of the seal coat, loose aggregate is applied and removed from the road. Once cured, workers will fog seal the surface. 

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Indiana’s unemployment rate in June stands at 3.2%, according to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. By comparison, the national unemployment rate for June stands at 3.6%.

In addition, Indiana’s labor force participation rate held at 63.6% for June, remaining above the national rate of 62.6%. Indiana’s total labor force, which includes both Hoosiers employed and those seeking employment, stands at 3,428,806 - an increase of 2,096 from the previous month.

Private sector employment in Indiana decreased by 3,100 jobs over the last month, but still resulted in a gain of 58,900 jobs from this time last year. Indiana's June private employment stands at 2,832,100.

Industries that experienced job increases in June included construction, which increased by 3,800 jobs over the month, and private educational and health services, which increased by 900 jobs during the month.

As of July 17, 2023, there were 115,930 open job postings throughout the state. In June, 15,287 unemployment insurance claims were filed in Indiana.

Individuals looking for work, training or career information are encouraged to visit in.gov/dwd/job-seekers.

As Hendricks County Sheriff’s detectives continue to investigate the homicide of Rebecca Maners, 62, of Clayton, they are asking for community assistance in the investigation. 

Just before 6:30 pm on July 14, Hendricks County sheriff’s deputies responded to the 100 block of East County Road 600 South near Belleville. Maners body was found inside the residence.

Specifically, detectives would like to speak to the person who drove a white full-sized pickup truck and gave a westbound ride to another person in Belleville on Friday, July 14.  Detectives say they are hoping that one, or both, of these people may have seen something to assist in the investigation. 

If you are the driver of the white pickup truck or you know who the driver of the white pickup truck is, you are urged to contact Detective Sergeant Sam Chandler directly at 317-745-4033.   

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With school right around the corner for Putnam County families with students, Bainbridge's Lifespring Church is doing its part in making sure students and families are prepared. 

Lifespring Church, 1700 W U.S. Highway 36 in Bainbridge, will hold a Back to School Fair on Aug. 5 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event features a bounce house, cotton candy, school supplies, food, prizes, crafts, obstacle courses, door prizes and Bible stories. 

According to Melissa Brewer, Lifespring Church's children's ministry leader and organizer, this is the first year the church has hosted the event and notes it is open to Putnam County families, as well as those in surrounding counties. 

"This is an event to welcome children. We are a small church and have less than 20 children. While trying to get the word out, I thought a fair would get the word out, offer some fun, school supplies and concessions. Everything will be free for the children, except the concessions," Brewer said. 

Students will receive pencils, a ruler, crayons and a pencil bag, as well as other items. 

For more information, contact Lifespring Church at 765-522-2222.

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At the age of 12, Emily Taylor was obsessed.

While other girls her age were obsessed about different things, Taylor found herself obsessed with the show Cupcake Wars, a show where four of the country's top bakers compete for $10,000 in a cupcake baking contest. 

"From a young age, I started developing my own recipes. I grew such a passion for baking and attended Ivy Tech Pastry and Baking program. In 2019, I started an Instagram page to document my journey through school," Taylor told The Putnam County Post. 

The documentation exploded for the Putnam County resident, ultimately helping launch the creation of Em's Sweet Dreams, a small home bakery business that specializes in custom ordering. 

Little did I know that page would grow big enough for me to start my own small business. We specialize in custom sugar cookies, cupcakes, cakes and more," Taylor said. 

Taylor said her greatest joy with her business is "making client's visions come to life."

"Custom ordering starts with a conversation about what the client envisions for their special occasion. My job is to turn that vision into a reality. I love seeing the client's faces when delivering the product to them. The feedback I get from my clients makes me feel so good about what I do and what the future might hold for Em's Sweet Dreams," Taylor said. 

Two popular creations Taylor serves up are the cake and cupcake testing boxes, which she created for customers to test out flavors before ordering. 

"My cake boxes come with 5 cake flavors, 4 filling options, and 4 buttercream options. They can mix and match the flavors they want or they can follow the guided tasting sheet. The cupcake boxes come with 6 different flavors to try. Every other month these cupcake and cake tastings switch off. My tasting boxes are perfect for wedding cake clients, because it gives them an opportunity to taste a variety of flavors before ordering," Taylor said.

She admits that as of now, she doesn't have plans for any more types of tasting boxes, but is developing new flavors for the existing boxes. 

"Stay tuned to see what new flavors I will come up with next," Taylor said. 

For those wishing to get in touch with Taylor and Em's Sweet Dreams, she can be reached by email at emssweetdreams@gmail.com, by calling 317-94696314 or on Facebook at Em's Sweet Dreams.

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It has been a whirlwind couple of months for Russell Harvey, but he admits, he has settled in nicely.

After being named the Executive Director of Main Street Greencastle earlier this year, Harvey has been busy promoting Greencastle and Putnam County, connecting members and businesses. 

For Harvey, the position allows him an ability to better experience all the reasons why he fell in love with Greencastle nearly 17 years ago. 

"I wasn't used to the small town vibe, but I fell in love with Greencastle right away. It was a pleasant community and while there wasn't a ton of things do, there has always been great effort to keep something happening. I worked in sales before coming to Greencastle and since have spent nearly two decades in production planning and purchasing for local manufacturers," Harvey told The Putnam County Post.

In addition, he was busy volunteering in a variety of ways and admits he has always loved planning events, as well as supporting local businesses and organizations. 

"When the opportunity came to work with Main Street, I couldn't pass up the chance. Main Street is focused on revitalizing downtown areas across the U.S. In Indiana, there are 17 nationally accredited organizations, 23 Indiana accredited or aspiring to be and 76 downtown affiliates, which operate under Main Street guidelines but are not ready for accreditation," he said. 

Main Street encourages community driven revitalization of downtown areas in Indiana cities and towns using a four point approach focused on Organization, Promotion, Design and Economic Vitality, according to Harvey. 

"Here locally, Main Street Greencastle might be best known for hosting First Friday's on the Courthouse Square, but there's much more to our organization," Harvey said. 

That includes connecting with community members and local business owners, two things Harvey said he "loves" about his job and the mission. 

"Seeing our downtown full of people during events is so great to see. I really like seeing people enjoying our local restaurants and shops. We have so many great places here to get signature desserts and ice cream, craft pizza, great burgers, amazing fried chicken, places with rotating menus, Shawarma, tacos, plus a bourbon lounge and a bakery all right downtown. And, of course, shopping for everything from appliances to art, handcrafted items, novelties and great clothing," Harvey said. 

First Friday's will continue on Aug. 4, Sept. 1 and Oct. 6, and Harvey acknowledged there are a few other events in the planning stage. 

"We're planning an acoustic music series, working on some cool Halloween events partnering with the Putnam County Chamber, Small Business Saturday in November, a Sadie Hawkins Dance, and, possibly, ice skating this winter," Harvey said.

And, he will continue doing what he "loves."

"The future plans for Main Street Greencastle are to continue to support local businesses, increase awareness of the great history we have in this community, keep bringing exciting and fun things to downtown to, hopefully, bring people together. I am also working on a series of workshops for local businesses and, possibly, community members that would like to start a business here in historic downtown Greencasle," Harvey said. 

Harvey said anyone wishing to obtain more information on Main Street Greencastle or volunteer, can do so by visiting mainstreetgc.org, following them on Facebook or sending an email to Hello@Mainstreetgc.org. 

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An Owen Valley High School student was killed in a Thursday vehicle crash.

Few details are available as of this report. The Owen County Sheriff’s Office reports that it investigated a single vehicle fatal crash involving a a 17-year-old.

Deputies along with Owen County EMS, Franklin Township Fire Department, and Owen County Coroners Office assisted in the investigation on US 231 and Lanes Road. The car involved was found inverted off the side of the road.

Owen Valley senior Tristan Calvin was pronounced dead at the scene. It's unknown what caused the accident.

Owen Valley High School posted the following on social media:

To the Patriot Community,

It is with a heavy heart that we share the loss of one of our own. Owen Valley Senior Tristan Calvin was in a single car accident last night. As a result of this accident, Tristan tragically lost his life.

Tristan was an active student at Owen Valley High School. He was a member of the Cross Country, Track, and Swimming Teams while also marching in the Patriot Band. Through these activities and daily interactions at school, Tristan positively impacted everyone around him. We plan to honor Tristan's legacy, and we will run, swim, march and play in his memory throughout the 2023-2024 school year.

This is an extremely sad time and we ask that you keep all of the Calvin family in your thoughts and prayers.

OVHS has counselors available for any student or staff member that needs support during this difficult time.

Funeral services will be conducted at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 25,  in the Owen Valley High School Auditorium.

Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until time of service Tuesday evening at the high school.

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The Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center has unveiled the new World-Class Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion and plans for its future use.

The century old swine barn and public safety center at the Indiana State Fairgrounds underwent a $50 million dollar renovation through the last 18-months and will host its first event at the 2023 Indiana State Fair.

Built first and foremost as a Best-in-Class Livestock facility, the new building will also be a modern, flexible multi-purpose and multi-use facility with the ability to host a wide variety of events throughout the year. Specifically, the Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion was designed to host indoor track and field events. A portable 200-meter, banked track will be installed annually to host local, regional, national and international events. The new building is already slated to host the 2025 NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field Championships.

State Fairgrounds leadership announced Friday a new partnership with the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center and the USA Track & Field organization to host track & field events throughout the year.

“The opening of this world-class facility in Indianapolis is a significant milestone which underlines the immense commitment by the state of Indiana to the sport of track and field,” said Max Siegel, CEO, USA Track & Field. “The pavilion will not only serve as a field for numerous national and prestigious events but, during the winter months, will transform into a national-standard indoor track. Moreover, it will serve as a hub for camps of all levels, coaching education clinics, and a center for athletes training at all levels to nurture talent and promote excellence in track and field. This multi-use facility will be an active part of our community here in Indianapolis, where we are proud to be based.”  

The Swine Barn at the Indiana State Fair has showcased the best Indiana has to offer for 100 years. Originally opening in 1923, this iconic building has hosted generations of Hoosiers making memories and building traditions. Champions have been selected, purple banners have been won, and countless 4-H members have learned the value of hard work. The new pavilion is a 196,000 square foot facility with 118,000 square feet of show floor, a 14,000 square foot north lobby, 80,000 square feet of clear-span space in the center of the building, with 25-foot ceiling height and complete restoration of the historic 1923 north façade.

“Agriculture is the only economy in the world that touches every person on this planet because it centers on food. Having a facility at the Indiana State Fairgrounds where we celebrate agriculture, not just a couple weeks in the summer, but year round creates tremendous opportunity for ushering in the next generation of innovation while paying deep respect to the traditions and legacies that made this facility and this place possible,” said Mitch Frazier, Indiana State Fair Commission Chairman.

Also announced Friday for future use of the Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion, the new facility has won the bid to host the nation’s largest swine show, The Exposition, produced by the National Swine Registry in 2024 and 2025.

“We are thrilled to bring our event to this new facility in Indianapolis. The Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion will be a great host for our exhibitors and guests, and will be truly one of the best livestock pavilions in the country,” said Matt Claeys, National Swine Registry CEO.

The Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion will play an important role in the State Fairgrounds economic impact and job creation. The State Fairgrounds currently has an annual direct economic impact of nearly $200 million dollars and employs over 1,100 hoosiers.

“The new facility pays homage to our important agriculture past while at the same time launching the Indiana state fair and Indiana into the future,” said Indiana Secretary of Commerce Brad Chambers.

The facility will be unveiled to the public during the 2023 Indiana State Fair, which returns for 18 days beginning Friday, July 28 through Sunday, August 20.

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F.C. Tucker Advantage, REALTORS® recently recognized agent Jonathan Blue with the George & Suzy Schnieder Service Award.

This inaugural honor is given to one agent who exemplifies the qualities of service and community commitment. It is modeled after a founding principle of one of F.C. Tucker’s iconic former leaders, F.C. “Bud’ Tucker, who encouraged real estate professionals to “pay their civic rent”. 

The award is named for George and Suzy Schnieder who were the previous owners of your local F.C. Tucker Advantage, Realtors office which began in 1996 as F.C. Tucker/Schneider Realty. 

Blue was presented the award in March 2023 by George and Suzy Schnieder, and owners Chris and Michelle Skillern. In addition to the award, the Schneiders and Skillerns made a monetary donation to the non-profit of Blue’s choosing, Greencastle Alumni Dollars for Scholars. 

Throughout the community, Blue is involved in serving in local food pantries, Indianapolis Gleaners, and you’ll always find him at Putnam County Board of Realtor events serving our community. He has been known to help change a tire for a young person that had a flat in the office parking lot. If Jon is around you can count on having someone in your corner with the attitude of service. 

“We felt Jon was the perfect first honoree of this award,” said Chris Skillern, co-owner of F.C. Tucker Advantage, REALTORS®. “He consistently lends a helping hand to all around him, always taking part in community service projects with an attitude of servant leadership. We are excited to honor an agent each year who makes a significant community impact.”

The Friends of Lieber Vendor Market is gearing up to celebrate its 70th anniversary this year.

The event on September 23, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. promises an enjoyable afternoon in the great outdoors, filled with nature, music, markets, and talented artisans. As a fundraising initiative organized by the Friends of Lieber State Recreation Area (SRA), the event is aimed at enhancing visitors' experiences at Lieber and Cataract Falls SRA.

The Friends of Lieber SRA, a dedicated team of volunteers, have been actively contributing to the preservation and enrichment of Lieber and Cataract Falls SRA for decades. Through their commitment to the cause, the organization has been able to host fund-raising events, educational programs, and community activities in these scenic areas.

The heart of the event lies in the vibrant marketplace, showcasing a plethora of exquisite handmade goods crafted by talented artisans. From unique handcrafted jewelry to intricate pottery and fine art pieces, there will be something to cater to every taste and preference. Moreover, food enthusiasts can savor an array of delectable local delicacies, adding a flavorful touch to the entire experience.

"As volunteers, our mission is to enrich the experience of every individual who visits Lieber and Cataract Falls SRA," said a representative of Friends of Lieber SRA. "Through this event, we aim to raise funds to support various initiatives that promote environmental conservation and provide engaging recreational opportunities for all."

For those interested in supporting this noble cause and becoming a member of Friends of Lieber SRA, the application process is simple and can be done online at friendsoflieber.org.

As the event takes place in a location with limited internet services, organizers request attendees to use cash for transactions.

Additionally, local vendors and artisans looking to showcase their goods and be part of this wonderful celebration can rent a booth by contacting Lauren at lmassing@dnr.in.gov and receive more information regarding space, availability and prices.

Note: The event details and timings are subject to change. Please visit friendsoflieber.org for the latest updates and announcements.

The Brazil Police are asking for the public's help in locating two 16 year old individuals who have been missing since Monday evening.

According to law enforcement, Haileigh Royse and Landon Skinner are missing. Royse was last seen at 9 p.m. at her home and her parents discovered a bedroom window screen removed and the window open the next morning. 

Skinner was reportedly staying with a friend Monday but left in the middle of the night and was reportedly talking about going to Indianapolis. 

The two are believed to be in Skinner's dark blue GMC Sierra with license plate TK48 OMA, which is also missing.

Royse is described as being 5-foot-2-inches and 140-150 pounds with green eyes and reddish brown hair.

Skinner is 5-foot-9-inches, weighing 210-250 pounds with brown hair and eyes. He was last seen wearing a black Adidas hoodie, shorts and slip on sandals. 

The two individuals have been entered into the Indiana Data and Communications System as well as the National Crime Information Center's database as runaways and a report has been sent to the Clay County Juvenile Probation. 

If you have any information, you are asked to call the Brazil Police Department at 812-446-2211.

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Hendricks Regional Health has announced that Dr. Ryan Van Donselaar, DO, has been selected as the healthcare system’s next Chief Medical Officer, effective July 24

He has the benefit of familiarity with our medical staff, was a physician champion for our collaboration with the Mayo Clinic Care Network and understands our organization’s strengths and opportunities."

Dr. Van Donselaar grew up in Muncie and earned his medical degree at Des Moines University. He joined the adult hospitalist team at Hendricks in July of 2013 and was named Hospitalist Director in 2020. In addition, he has held positions of increasing responsibility in medical affairs, including chair of the Ancillary Pharmacy & Therapeutics committee and serving as a key member of the Medical Executive Committee.

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When students return to the classroom at Tzouanakis Intermediate in a few weeks, they will be greeted by a new face that is familiar with the Greencastle community. 

Lisa Eldridge comes to Putnam County after serving as principal at Owen Valley Middle School. She has 25 years experience in education with the last six coming at the elementary and middle school administration level. 

Eldridge said when she was a student at the University of Evansville, she debated between a path in education or accounting and settled on business administration, while receiving an Associate's degree in psychology. 

"After a few years in human resources, I married and started my family. When I was home with my two young children, I began substitute teaching and fell in love with being in the classroom," Eldridge told The Putnam County Post.

She would use those opportunities, as well as the Transition to Teach program at Indiana University to help push her towards a Master's degree in Elementary Education. 

"My business skills and my teaching skills combined to lead me into teacher leadership positions and, ultimately, going back to IU to complete the coursework needed to obtain my administrative license. Before I secured an administrative position, I had the opportunity to transfer into a special education classroom support position," Eldridge said. 

The special education classroom support position required that Eldridge complete additional classes to qualify for a special education Mild Intervention license. 

"I have found serving my school community in administration rewarding because of the number of student lives that are affected in a positive manner. Having students' needs as the lens through which we make all other decisions, makes it easier to do what's right for the school and the families we serve," she said. 

While she will be new to Tzouanakis Intermediate, Eldridge is no stranger when it comes to Greencastle and Putnam County. 

"I was familiar with the Greencastle community from one of my earlier positions as the hiring manager at the Wal-Mart Distribution Center to be constructed. I knew the schools had a positive reputation with the families of Wal-Mart's employees. More recently, I have known a few teachers who have gone between Greencastle and Owen Valley schools. Each reported positively on the school environments. I was also familiar with Mr. Gibboney's positive leadership skills from his time at Bloomfield and also at Greencastle," Eldridge said. 

Eldridge said her goals are simple -- to continue to help each TZ student make progress in academic areas, as well as meet their social and emotional needs. 

"Parents can be assured that all students will be learning in a safe and caring environment that allows them to grow in all areas. Faculty and staff will have my full support as they work toward this goal. We are one school, one team, one family," Eldridge said. 

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While the parade and the queen contest have taken place, the Putnam County Fair will kick off Friday and fair board president Adam Hochstedler is excited for what is in store.

With a theme of Dancing through the Decades at the 2023 Putnam County Fair, livestock/animal shows begin Friday morning at 9 a.m. with the llama/alpaca show. 

On July 22, the goat show will be held at 8 a.m. inside the Farm Bureau Indoor Arena, while the 4-H Goat Show Grand Drive will take place at 7 p.m. 

On July 23, the dairy show will be held at 9 .m. inside the Farm Bureau Indoor Arena with the Truck and Tractor Pull taking place at 6 p.m. and the tractor parade at 7 p.m. Admission to the truck and tractor pull is $10 for adults and free for children five and under. 

Monday, July 24, features a loaded schedule with the 4-H swine show in the Farm Bureau Indoor Arena beginning at 8 a.m., the 4-H poultry show at 8:30 a.m. and the 4-H Horse and Pony Show at the outside arena. The 4-H swine show grand drive will take place at 7 p.m.

On Tuesday, July 25, the 4-H beef show kicks things off at 8 a.m. and the 4-H beef champion parade and selection will be held at 7 p.m. 

Wednesday, July 26 features the 4-H sheep show at 8 a.m., followed by the 4-H rabbit show at 8:30 a.m. in the rabbit barn and the 4-H horse and pony show. 

In addition, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m., the York Automotive Family Community Building - East will be the scene of the Family Fun Day "Let's Go To The Hop" event. 

A purse auction will be held at 2 p.m. in the York Automotive Family Community Building and the 4-H sheep show grand drive will take place at 7 p.m. 

On July 27, the 4-H dog agility show will be held at 10 a.m. and the supreme showmanship horse portion only will be held at 3 p.m. The Supreme Showmanship will be held at 7 p.m. and 4-H Scholarship and 10-Year members will be recognized during the event. 

The Color Me Green Run kicks off the festivities on July 29 at 9:30 a.m., followed by the Livestock Auction at 5:30 p.m. inside the indoor arena. The Ranch Rodeo will be held at 7 p.m. 

Jessup Amusement will run nightly from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. 

Admission to the fair is $2 if you walk-in and $5 parking per entrance. A weekly pass is available for $20 at the gate. 

Hochstedler said every night there will be a tractor parade around the grounds, along with wagon rides provided by the Putnam County Antique Tractor Club. 

"What I most enjoy about the fair is seeing all the memories made, from kids to adults. I grew up in a different county and looked forward to my fair every year. I had “Fair Friends” that I may not get to see much through the year, due to being in different school systems, but would pick right back up where we left off the year before once fair week started. Also the food, I look forward to the food we get at the fair one week a year," Hochstedler told The Putnam County Post. 

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J.D. Grove has always enjoyed creating products that are made from gardens and nourish people. 

"Things that are easy on the planet, reusable, refillable, unpackaged, and sustainable. We've got a natural earthy vibe that you'll love," Grove told The Putnam County Post. 

Out of that enjoyment has come Granola Girl Skincare, which is an all natural line of soaps, skincare and haircare made with the health of bodies and planet in mind, according to Grove. 

"The business has grown from a small soap making operation on our farm in Greencastle to an artisan handmade brand available in about 60 shops around the country," Grove said. 

Granola Girl is in the midst of a transition as it is moving back in to its sister store, Conspire: Contemporary Craft, 14 East Washington St., Greencastle. There will be a big re-opening store reset on Aug. 4, and Grove said it will feature many things. 

"The re-opening will feature a Boba tea pop up from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and first looks at our line of soaps, skincare, herbs, teas, and natural cleaning and household goods," Grove said.

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Franciscan Health Crawfordsville has been recognized as a Top Hospital for Nurse Communication by Becker's.

Franciscan Health Crawfordsville was named one of the top 10 hospitals in Indiana and one of the top 364 hospitals in the nation for their communication with patients.    

Becker's has compiled a list of the best hospitals for nurse communication in each state using Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems data from CMS.

CMS shares 10 HCAHPS star ratings based on publicly reported HCAHPS measures. The nurse communication star rating combines data from three HCAHPS survey questions and summarizes how well patients feel that their nurses explained things clearly, listened carefully to the patient, and treated the patient with courtesy and respect.

The star rating is based on survey data collected from hospital patients from July 2021 through June 2022. The figures are from CMS' Provider Data Catalog and were released April 26.

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While it has been over four years since the Greencastle Police Department has had a K9 presence, all that is ending now, according to police chief Christopher Jones. 

"Without the K9 here, we have had to rely solely on the assistance of outside agencies to utilize their K9 when needed. Oftentimes, this is an issue just because of schedules and communication issues with folks outside our department. This is pretty much eliminated with having a K9 at the department because everyone here knows the schedule and has multiple ways of communicating with the K9 officer," Jones told The Putnam County Post.

The newest member of the department will be 2-year-old German Shepherd, 

K9 officer Ziva, who is currently being trained in narcotics detection and tracking. 

Jones said Ziva will be assigned to K9 handler Officer Angela Taylor, who is a three year veteran of the department. 

Ziva was donated to the department by Blue Line Kennel LLC of Reelsville and the likes of the Putnam County Adult Probation Department, Taylor's Hometown Hardware, Mayor Bill Dory, JTN Services, Clerk Treasurer Lynda Dunbar, the Greencastle Board of Public Works and Safety and Tom Handy all helped make it possible for the program to come back to the police department. 

"Ziva will be a welcomed addition to our department as we continue to combat the illegal drugs in our community. The drug problem is not going away and hasn't really decreased considering we came through a pandemic just a couple years ago. Having K9 Ziva at the Greencastle Police Department will help us better serve and protect our community and not have to rely on outside assistance," Jones said.  

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As a self-described "crafty" person with a love of learning new things, Tammy Branham has turned her love of learning and ability to be crafty into a business endeavor that is taking off. 

Branham said the removal of cleaning chemicals in her home evolved into making homemade soaps and after some trial and error, she came to the point where she had the knowledge and experience to make a "great bar of soap."

It was at that moment that Walnut Creek Bath Boutique was a reality. 

"I never considered myself to be artistic in any way but I was hooked on the artistry of soap making and loved making beautiful and fun soaps. As my need for learning new things is very much part of me, I was so happy to find there is so much more than just soap in this business. I am able to offer all natural deodorants and shampoo bars," Branham told The Putnam County Post. 

In addition to deodorants, shampoo bars and soaps, Branham has also made a range of body scrubs that have become popular. 

"One of my best selling products are my hand creams - thick and luscious and so lovely for those dry hands! I also offer bath bombs and all kinds of "fun in the tub" treats - one of my favorite things (other than soap) to make. I also offer home scents, wax melts and room sprays, and more recently a small line of candles. I am currently working on a Soap of the Month Club coming in September, followed by a Bath Bomb of the Month just in time for Christmas," Branham said. 

Branham admitted she enjoys making beautiful soaps, as well as trying new formulas. 

"Visiting my wall of colors and scents are two of my happy places. I think though a very big part of my enjoyment is meeting new people and sharing my passion with them. I am so appreciative of the friends I have met in the community that have supported me these last seven years," she said. 

Anyone looking to buy any products can find them in Britt's Blooming Boutique or at http://www.walnutcreekbathboutique.com, where Branham said shoppers can find all of her creations. 

"Local pickup is available to save on those shipping charges. Lastly, I do open my home for customers to come shop by appointment, this way they can look and smell before purchasing," Branham said. 

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Recent severe storms in West Central Indiana have resulted in destruction and widespread power outages. The utility crews have worked to clear lines and restore power as quickly as possible, but many in area communities were left in the dark and lost food and other perishable items.

To some, this creates a significant financial burden, especially at a time when children are out of school and household expenses are increased anyway.

After many requests for assistance from clients and inquiries from donors about ways to help families, Family Support Services of West Central Indiana created a temporary After Storm Family Support Fund to help ease the financial burden and provide financial support in the form of gift cards to purchase groceries.

Priority will be given to the clients of Family Support Services and referrals from partner agencies in Putnam, Owen, Clay, Parke, Montgomery, and Boone Counties. Assistance will be distributed as funds become available.

To donate, checks can be sent to FSSWCI at 605 Crown Street, Greencastle, IN 46135 or online by clicking the button below.

For questions or more information contact Scott Monnett, Executive Director at scott.monnett@pcfss.net or call 765-653-4820, extension 101.

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A Greencastle woman was injured in a Sunday motorcycle accident. 

Parke County deputies responded to the accident scene on US 41 north of SR 47.

Anjennetta Taylor, 52, of Greencastle, was traveling northbound on US 41 when she ran off the roadway and was thrown from the motorcycle. Taylor sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to Union Hospital of Terre Haute.

Parke County EMS, Bloomingdale, and Marshall First Responders assisted at the scene.

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Hendricks County Sheriff’s deputies were contacted about 6:30 pm Saturday to respond to a death investigation in the 2100 block of East County Road 600S in the Belleville area. 

Responding deputies discovered a deceased female inside the residence, who has since been identified as Rebecca Maners, 62, of Clayton, Indiana.

This is an ongoing homicide investigation that is being conducted by the Hendricks County Sheriff’s Office along with the Hendricks County Coroner.   

Anyone with information about the incident or who may have seen something unusual in the area prior to the time officers responded is urged to contact Sergeant Chandler at the Hendricks County Sheriff’s Investigations division at 317.745.9354.  Please reference case number 23-6272.  

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The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) is extending Sunday's statewide Air Quality Action Day (AQAD) through Monday.

IDEM is forecasting high levels of fine particles (PM_2.5) in the air for Sunday and Monday, July 16-17, in the following regions:

• Central/East Central Indiana, including the cities of: Bloomington, Brookville, Columbus, Frankfort, Indianapolis, Shelbyville, Greensburg, Kokomo, Lebanon, Martinsville, Muncie, Richmond and all other cities within the area.
• North Central Indiana, including the cities of: Elkhart, Goshen, Knox, Logansport, Plymouth, Peru, Rochester, South Bend, Warsaw, Winamac and all other cities within the area.
• Northeast Indiana, including the cities of: Angola, Auburn, Decatur, Fort Wayne, Hartford, Huntington City, LaGrange, Marion, Portland, Wabash and all other cities within the area.
• Northwest Indiana, including the cities of: Crown Point, Gary, Hammond, Kentland, LaPorte, Michigan City, Portage, Rensselaer, Valparaiso and all other cities within the area.
• Southeast Indiana, including the cities of: Brownstown, Corydon, Jeffersonville, Madison, New Albany, Salem, Versailles and all other cities within the area.
• Southwest Indiana, including the cities of: Bedford, Bloomfield, Evansville, Huntingburg, Mount Vernon, Paoli, Princeton, Rockport, Tell City, Vincennes and all other cities within the area.
• Western/West Central Indiana, including the cities of: Crawfordsville, Covington, Delphi, Fowler, Greencastle, Lafayette, Newport, Monticello, Spencer, Sullivan, Terre Haute and all other cities within the area.

Smoke and particulate matter will be moving into the state on Sunday raising particulate levels to unhealthy for sensitive groups (USG).

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With a mission to renew and cultivate Putnam County arts and craftsmanship for the beauty and sustainability of the community, Derek Chastain opened Creative Castle in Greencastle in 2022. 

Chastain said the Creative Castle, 16 S. Jackson St., Greencastle, is a store that sells anything that's crafted, designed or produced in Putnam County. 

"The idea came from a desire to renew and cultivate craftsmanship, both old and new, for the beauty and sustainability of the community," Chastain told The Putnam County Post. 

Chastain said as the idea of the business began to take root, he was reading a bunch of Wendell Berry, Nick Offerman, NT Wright and Andrew Peterson books and essays on why everyone should be participators and supports of good work in the places where they live. 

"Whether it's farming, crafting or simply caring for the land, participating in our communities can help restore relationships, unique skillsets, the land around us and our wellbeing," Chastain said. 

In Aug. 2022, Creative Castle opened its doors in a 300-square foot space just south of DePauw University and recently moved to a space that is more than 2,000-square feet in downtown Greencastle, just above The Whisk. 

"More than anything, I enjoy seeing strangers become friends. I've seen this often at the store and at the open mics and it never gets old," Chastain said. 

With the move has come some exciting times. 

"We have also begun to team up with studios around the county to host a wide variety of workshops and camps that help pass down knowledge from master crafters and artisans to students interested in learning a craft," Chastain said. 

For example, Creative Castle's main studio partner, Sassafrass Art Studio, hosts a variety of workshops in the store that reaches every age group.

"There's always something going on here at the store, and as we grow, we hope to begin hosting more regular events such as live music, poetry nights, film screenings, make and takes and tons more. We want to be a central hub for local artists and crafters to get their work out into the world or better yet, the local community," Chastain admitted. 

While the business moved, the desire of Chastian has remained the same -- to offer a place for shoppers to support their neighbor's good work and crafted products throughout the year. 

"We also offer a space where artisans, appreciators and students new to the crafts can get to know one another. For many artists, it can be hard to find like minded folks in the area. Creative Castle hopes to be a bridge for any gap that stands in the way," he said. 

In addition, he hopes Creative Castle will continue to find ways for the university and community to collaborate together. On Monday nights, Creative Castle has partnered with Gail Smith at Almost Home to host Open Mic and Pints at The Swizzle Stick. 

"The open mics have been another great avenue for people to meet and find support," Chastain said. 

He said there are "a number of ways for people to get involved" with Creative Castle. 

"One way to start is by signing up for our monthly newsletters on the website, following our social media pages and sharing this information with friends. Word of mouth always goes a long way," Chastain said.

Another way is to become a patron member. Chastain said for $25 a month, a patron member is helping Creative Castle with its core mission to renew and cultivate Putnam County arts and craftsmanship for the beauty and sustainability of Putnam County. 

He said people can become a member through Creative Castle's website or by visiting the store. 

"In return, we give out quarterly gifts such as mugs, t-shirts and store discounts for members only and members get to share a meal together quarterly with the artisan members, which I hope will grow into something really meaningful. The patron membership funds go towards making the space at Creative Castle more suitable for artisans," Chastain said. 

And, there is also the fact of just visiting Creative Castle, Chastain said. 

"The best way to support Creative Castle is by visiting us for all your gifts, decor, local art, books and custom needs. As we grow, we plan to have more essential items that are made locally, so definitely keep that in mind. And if you know anyone locally who produces or designs cool stuff, then please send them our way. Our goal is to be a store that fully supports our local economy and our artisan neighbor's good works for generations to come," Chastain said. 

If there are artists or crafters who want to get involved, Chastain asks that they reach out to him by phone, email or stopping in. 

"We are always looking for artisans who want to sell their work and/or teach their craft," he said. 

For more information on Creative Castle, visit www.creativecastlegc.com, call Chastai  at 765-525-2233 or email him at info@creativecastlegc.com. Creative Castle is open from noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. 

Smoke and particulate matter will be moving into the state on Sunday raising particulate levels to unhealthy for sensitive groups (USG). The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) is issuing an Air Quality Action Day (AQAD) and is forecasting high levels of fine particles (PM2.5) in the air for Sunday, July 16, in the following regions:

• Central/East Central Indiana, including the cities of: Bloomington, Brookville, Columbus, Frankfort, Indianapolis, Shelbyville, Greensburg, Kokomo, Lebanon, Martinsville, Muncie, Richmond and all other cities within the area.
• North Central Indiana, including the cities of: Elkhart, Goshen, Knox, Logansport, Plymouth, Peru, Rochester, South Bend, Warsaw, Winamac and all other cities within the area.
• Northeast Indiana, including the cities of: Angola, Auburn, Decatur, Fort Wayne, Hartford, Huntington City, LaGrange, Marion, Portland, Wabash and all other cities within the area.
• Northwest Indiana, including the cities of: Crown Point, Gary, Hammond, Kentland, LaPorte, Michigan City, Portage, Rensselaer, Valparaiso and all other cities within the area.
• Southeast Indiana, including the cities of: Brownstown, Corydon, Jeffersonville, Madison, New Albany, Salem, Versailles and all other cities within the area.
• Southwest Indiana, including the cities of: Bedford, Bloomfield, Evansville, Huntingburg, Mount Vernon, Paoli, Princeton, Rockport, Tell City, Vincennes and all other cities within the area.
• Western/West Central Indiana, including the cities of: Crawfordsville, Covington, Delphi, Fowler, Greencastle, Lafayette, Newport, Monticello, Spencer, Sullivan, Terre Haute and all other cities within the area.

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Have you spent all summer looking for something to do with your children?

Well, if that's the case (and even if it's not), there is plenty for children to do beginning this weekend at the Putnam County Fair.

The Putnam County Fair will run from July 21-28, but the fun starts Saturday, July 15, with the Putnam County Baby Contest "County Fair Cuties." The festivities will be held in the York Automotive Community Building. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the contest starts at 9 a.m. 

The event is open to boys and girls ages 0-5 months, 5-11 months, 1 year, 2 years and 3 years. 

Admission is $5 and kids age 5 and under are free. 

Children who are gardeners may be interested in entering the Lil' Sprouts division during the fair. 

The event is open to children ages 4 through second grade and entries can be dropped off at Harris Hall on July 23 from 2:30 p.m. until 4, with judging beginning at 4 p.m. 

Participants can enter any of the following: one cucumber, one squash, one tomato, one marigold stem, one petunia stem and one sunflower stem. 

It wouldn't be the Putnam County Fair without daily activities for kids and they will be held in Harris Hall from July 22-27. All the events will take place from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. and all the events are fun, free and provide an opportunity to take something home. All of the activities take less than 10 minutes and there will also be coloring pages and scavenger hunts every day. 

On July 22, kids can grow their own cactus. and a day later there will be watershed fun. On July 24, children can make Mr. Green Thumb and on July 25, they can be a greenhouse gardener. On July 26, they can participate in a painted flowers activity and the festivities end on July 27 with buzzing bees. 

The 6th Annual Best Baker Contest returns and is open to students in kindergarten through second grade and will be held July 22 in the York Automotive Community Building.

The category for this year is cookies and entries should be baked by the exhibitor and a parent and include a recipe. 

Entries can be brought to the York Automotive Community Building on July 22 from 5 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. Awards will take place at 7 p.m. and will be awarded for first, second and third. 

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The Parke County Sheriff's Department is asking for the public's help in locating Betty 'Jane" Capps as they investigate her disappearance. 

Capps was last seen on June 29 at approximately 4 p.m. in Mecca, Indiana, and her vehicle, a 2007 gray Ford Focus, is also missing. The vehicle has a license plate of 190TPH. 

Capps is 68 years old and described as 5-foot-3-inches and 180 pounds and has a butterfly tattoo on her right leg. 

The Parke County Sheriff's Department has conducted multiple searches using drones, wing aircraft and off road vehicles and bodies of water have been searched by Indiana Conservation Officers using sonar. 

Officers are unsure of her direction of travel or planned destinations and are asking anyone with knowledge or sightings of Capps to contact the sheriff's office at 765-569-5413 or 911. 

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This summer, the Indiana State Police is teaming up with other Indiana law enforcement agencies to keep drivers and passengers safe by raising awareness about the dangers of speeding and urging drivers to obey speed limits.

Through the end of the month, law enforcement officers in your community will be on high alert for speeding vehicles while participating in the Speeding Slows You Down campaign, funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) through the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI).

Not only is speeding illegal, it's also deadly. In 2021, speeding killed 252 people in Indiana, accounting for more than one-quarter of all crash fatalities. Tragically, there was a dramatic increase (15%) in speeding-related crash fatalities from 2021-2022.

Preliminary data shows that in 2022, speeding killed 290 people in Indiana, with nearly 300 fatalities projected in 2023. The Indiana State Police wants to remind drivers that, no matter how seasoned you are as a driver, ultimately, Speeding Slows You Down.

Like impaired driving, speeding can have deadly consequences for drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. Speeding reduces a driver's ability to steer safely around another vehicle, a hazardous object, or an unexpected curve. Even the safest cars with the newest technologies are limited in how much they can help reduce the odds of a crash. "Speed limit signs are not suggestions; they are the law," said Indiana State Police Lieutenant TJ Zeiser.

According to data from ICJI, more people crash while speeding on local roads than on highways. In 2022, 77% of all speeding-related traffic crashes on Indiana roads occurred on non-interstate roadways.

Drivers in neighborhoods, school zones, or secondary roads should be especially aware of this campaign and their speed. For more information, please visit www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/speeding.

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The annual Greencastle High School (GHS) Outdoor Triathlon is just around the corner, and organizers are appealing for donations to help make the event a success and support the GHS girl soccer players. Now in its fourth year, the triathlon promises to be an exhilarating test of endurance and athleticism for participants and a great opportunity to rally community support.

Scheduled for July 29, the triathlon will kick off at 8 am at the picturesque Greencastle Aquatic Center, located in Robe-Ann Park. Athletes from the local community and beyond will gather to swim, bike, and run their way to the finish line, showcasing their physical prowess and determination.

Participants can choose between two different sprint categories: the Purple Sprint and the Silver Sprint. The Purple Sprint challenges athletes to complete a 200-meter swim, a 4-mile bike ride, and a 1-mile run or walk. For those seeking a greater challenge, the Silver Sprint awaits, with a 400-meter swim, an 8-mile bike ride, and a 2-mile run or walk.

To ensure the success of the event and provide the participants with an unforgettable experience, organizers are seeking donations to cover various expenses. These contributions will go toward insurance fees, participation shirts, medals, and nutrition at the end of the triathlon. Additionally, the funds raised will directly benefit the GHS girl soccer players, helping to fulfill their needs such as providing meals for away games, purchasing socks, creating senior banners, and more.

For those interested in supporting the cause, donations can be made conveniently online by visiting the official triathlon website at https://runsignup.com/Race/Donate/Greencastle/GMSTriforSoccer. Every contribution, no matter the amount, will make a meaningful impact on the lives of the young athletes.

Furthermore, individuals who are eager to take part in this exciting event can register online at https://runsignup.com/Race/IN/Greencastle/GMSTriforSoccer. Participants of all fitness levels are encouraged to join, and each registration helps to further the mission of supporting the GHS girl soccer players.

Should you have any questions or require additional information, please reach out to Becky Hunsinger at 317-358-5939.

The Indiana Department of Education released ILEARN scores for 2023 this week and the data features mixed results for Putnam County schools. 

Across the state, 30.6 percent of students in grades 3-8 met proficient or better in both the English and math sections of the state. When broken down into subjects, 40.7 percent of students were proficient in English and 40.9 percent were in math. 

Overall the percentage dropped a half a percentage point in English and rose 1.5 points in math from last year. 

Across the state, education officials have developed several reading initiatives, as well as invested dollars in hopes of raising test scores. However, reading proficiency rates fell back to 2021 levels after gains the following year. 

When it comes to Putnam County schools, the results were mixed. 

For Greencastle Schools, Greencastle Middle School saw 36.5 percent of students test proficient or higher in English, 36.3 percent in math and 27.9 were proficient in both math and English. At Tzouanakis Intermediate, 34.8 percent tested proficient or higher in English, 51.1 percent in math and 32.2 percent in both. 

For South Putnam Middle School students, 49.4 percent tested proficient in English, 37.5 percent tested proficient or higher in math and 27.9 percent tested proficient in both. At Fillmore Elementary, 40.4 percent tested proficient or higher in English, 76.9 percent hit the mark or better in math and 36.5 percent hit it in both subjects. 

North Putnam Middle School saw 43.1 percent hit the mark or better in English, while 33.3 percent did in math and 26.8 percent in both subjects. At Bainbridge Elementary, 46.4 percent tested proficient or higher in English, 56.7 percent in math and 37.6 percent in both. 

Cloverdale Elementary saw just over half of its students test proficient in English at 50.7 percent, while 55 percent hit the mark in math and 38.6 percent did so in both subjects. Cloverdale Middle School saw 34.9 percent score proficient or higher in English, 33.2 percent do so in math and 24.1 percent in both subjects. 

Beginning with the 2025-26 school year, students will take a new statewide test, which is aimed at making results simpler and arming teachers with frequent data, as well as shortening the final assessment.

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New state laws supporting Hoosiers and backed by State Rep. Beau Baird (R-Greencastle) during the 2023 legislative session are now in effect.

"This session we focused on Hoosiers' priorities and that included making sure they keep more of their hard-earned money through additional tax relief," said Baird, a member of the House Ways and Means Committee. "We also built on our efforts to expand mental health access and affordability, because there's growing demand for these services across our state."

Most legislation passed during the recent session took effect at the beginning of the state's new fiscal year on July 1.

Under the state's newly passed state budget, taxpayers are expected to save an estimated $430 million over the next two years via tax relief passed during the legislative session. Baird said thanks to the acceleration of individual state income tax cuts, hardworking Hoosiers will have one of the lowest rates in the nation by 2027. Indiana's K-12 spending makes up about half of the state's $44.6 billion budget, and lawmakers supported increasing student funding by 10% over the next two years. In addition, parents will no longer pay textbook and curricular fees.

Baird also highlighted the following new laws:

Providing Tax Relief for Homeowners
Property tax dollars are collected and spent locally, and help pay for schools, police and fire protection, and other local government services. To help counter the rise in local property tax bills, the state took action to provide about $100 million in property tax relief for homeowners beginning next year. Hoosiers can expect a temporary increase to the supplemental homestead tax deduction and additional limits on property tax levy growth.

Improving Mental Health Services
To increase access and availability of quality care, Indiana will launch a new statewide infrastructure for mental health services through House Enrolled Act 1001, including expanding the number of behavioral health clinics. The 988 Suicide Crisis Lifeline will expand through Senate Enrolled Act 1, which Baird co-sponsored, to ensure Hoosiers in crisis have someone to call, somewhere to go and someone to respond during an emergency.

Protecting Children from Harmful Material

Hoosier children would not be able to access obscene and harmful content at K-12 public school libraries. Parents and local community members can request content be reviewed for reshelving or removal, and school boards will review requests during their next public meeting. Parents could also appeal a decision.

Visit iga.in.gov to learn more about these and other new state laws now in effect.

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A law enforcement pursuit Wednesday  landed a  Coatesville woman in jail.

About 10:30 a.m., Indiana State Trooper Andrew Mattern was patrolling in eastern Clay County on US 40 and heard the Clay County Dispatch Center put out a dispatch in reference to a gray 2005 Ford truck that had just been stolen in Brazil. Trooper Mattern immediately observed a truck matching the description traveling eastbound on US 40 near Harmony Road. He attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the truck, however the female driver refused to stop and a pursuit ensued.

The truck continued traveling eastbound on US 40, reaching speeds as high as 110 mph, continuing for approximately eight miles. As the pursuit approached the Putnamville State Police Post, several troopers were waiting in the median in order to de-escalate the pursuit. Seeing the waiting troopers, the truck came to an abrupt stop and the pursuit ended without further incident. The female driver was immediately taken into custody.

The driver was then identified as Brandi L. DePew, 36, of Coatesville. Further investigation determined that DePew displayed signs of impairment. She was offered the opportunity to submit to a chemical test but refused. Depew was arrested and transported to the Clay County Justice Center by the Brazil City Police Department.

DePew is charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated (refusal), Class A Misdemeanor; Reckless Driving, Class A Misdemeanor; Resisting Law Enforcement, Class A Misdemeanor; and Auto Theft, Class 6 Felony.

Several troopers of the Putnamville State Police Post and the Brazil City Police Department assisted.

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One driver was taken for further medial treatment from a two-car accident in Greencastle Tuesday.

About 12:00 p.m., a two-vehicle accident occurred at the intersection of Washington/Indianapolis Rd and Wood Street. The Greencastle Police Department swiftly responded to the scene to assess the situation and provide necessary assistance.

Upon arrival, officers discovered two vehicles involved in the collision, with one of them pushed into a nearby utility pole. Officer Jared McDaniel and Sgt. Nick Eastham conducted a thorough investigation to determine the sequence of events leading up to the incident.

Based on their findings, a Buick Lacerne, driven by Johnathan Benton of Greencastle, was traveling eastbound on Washington, approaching Wood Street. Simultaneously, a Chevy Cruze, driven by Preston Caccamise of Terre Haute, was heading west on Indianapolis Road and attempting to make a left turn onto Wood Street, intersecting the path of the Buick Lacerne. As a result, the Buick Lacerne collided with the Chevy Cruze, and pushed it into the utility pole.

Both drivers sustained minor injuries in the accident, and medical assistance was provided at the scene. Only one driver required further treatment and was transported to Putnam County Hospital for observation and care. The Greencastle Fire Department was called to the scene to provide additional support and assist with the cleanup process.

To ensure the safe removal of the vehicles involved, Jerry's Wrecker was dispatched to the location. 

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A SWAT situation involving Indiana State Police and Greencastle Police occurred today, July 11, 2023 about 12 pm, near the Woods Edge Subdivision.

Sources informed WREB that the situation came to an end when the individual took his/her own life.

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For as long as she can remember, Putnam County resident Kimberly Wells has wanted to make people feel good. 

After marrying her husband, Greg, in 2018, she decided to ramp up helping people feel good by starting Shakin it to the Moon and Back Crafts and Boutique. 

"We started in the living room doing lives on Facebook, then moved to the barn and opened a section of that where you could actually come in and shop," Wells told The Putnam County Post.

And, then Covid hit, forcing Wells and her husband to sell their farmhouse and move to a lake house, where they moved an Amish built garage and put the boutique in there. 

"We offered private shopping trips for individuals or groups if they wanted to shop privately during Covid. It was a big hit. I have always had a passion for fashion and love helping women feel good about themselves no matter their size," Wells said. 

In order to do that, Wells said she wanted to carry sizes for all women and make her boutique a "one stop shop."
"We carry sizes small to 3xl, Judy Blue Jeans, shoes, Myra bags and a small selection of jewelry," Wells said. 

And, Wells continues to do what she set out to do in her living room -- make a positive impact in the lives of women. 

"I enjoy meeting people and turning visits into wonderful friendships, and let me tell you, I have met some amazing women in the last five years. If I can help any woman feel good about the way they look when they leave our Boutique, then I have accomplished my reason," she said. 

Wells will have her boutique in Atlanta at the Atlanta New Earth Festival Sept. 23-24 as this will be their fourth year attending. In addition, she will head to Mansfield on the hilltop Oct. 13-22 for the fifth year there and she admits she has added a booth in Bridgeton this year. 

"Starting in September, we will have our trailer turned into a traveling boutique and it will also have a hat bar too," Wells said. 

Currently, the boutique is open only on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.at 11494 Pocahontas Drive, Greencastle, and they offer private shopping. 

"If you want to set up a time just shoot me a message. Please feel free to join our page so you can see all that we do," Wells said. 

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The Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) has partnered once again with local health departments and other healthcare entities across the state to host summer back-to-school immunization clinics as part of a statewide effort to help families easily access required and recommended school immunizations prior to the start of the 2023-24 school year.

Now in its second year, the Start Smart campaign includes a map showing dates, times and locations of community immunization clinics. The map can be found at https://startsmart.health.in.gov/. The clinics are open to children ages 5 and older. Families will not be charged at the site of the clinic but should provide insurance information if available.

“Routine immunizations are the best way to protect children from highly contagious diseases like measles, mumps and chicken pox and can help ensure every student has a healthy start to the school year,” said State Health Commissioner Lindsay Weaver, M.D., FACEP. “During last year’s back-to-school outreach, nearly 50 percent of children who were behind on their immunizations got caught up on at least one vaccine, giving them protection that can last a lifetime. We hope to see even greater success this year.”

IDOH is also mailing letters to parents of children whose state immunization records show they are behind on a required immunization. A list of immunizations required for school can be found here. 

“Partners across the state are coming together to make it easier than ever to ensure that your child is protected from preventable illnesses before the start of school,” Dr. Weaver said. “I encourage every parent of a school-age child to check their child’s vaccine status today and to schedule an appointment with their healthcare provider or take advantage of these convenient opportunities in their communities.”

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Over the years, Amanda Huber has seen two things -- plenty of pets and various blessing boxes for people around Putnam County.

And, Huber, who owns Kuddles Kennels, recently decided to do a first in Putnam County -- create a blessing box for pets. 

Huber said she had seen a lot of talk on various chatter pages where people were asking for pet food, while she was waiting for her husband to build a box for her. 

"It hurt my heart to think of them not having much or maybe none. So I thought now is the time. As we all know, the price of pet food has gone up as has everything else. I saw a plastic box that held outside things and I thought oh my gosh yes, that's what I needed. I purchased one and told the idea on my Facebook page and my Kuddles family came through and filled the box," Huber said told The Putnam County Post. 

And the need was great, as the box was almost empty in a day. 

"We had several cars come in. It made my heart warm, and I was shocked. I had thought maybe someone took more than they should, but thinking back of the amount of cars that came in, I think people took what they needed. Knowing some pets were being fed well that night was the best feeling. I have had Kuddles 21 years now, and I love it at the same, maybe more than when I started," Huber said. 

This is not the first time Huber and her "Kuddles Family" have joined forces to help the community.

"At Christmas, I ask my Kuddles Kennels family if they will bring pet toys for my husband and I to take to the shelter on Christmas day and then we go help feed them their special Christmas meal. It has become a tradition and we go with Tammy and Terri Easham. And then we pass out to the toys to the dogs since they are there with no families that day," Huber said. 

Huber said this venture is important to her because she sees the pets that are treated great. 

"Their owners really take care of them and trust me to while they are away," she said.

But, she admits she knows there is another side to it, as well.

"I know not all pets are being treated the same and it's a shame. Doing this as long as I have, you have a special bond with these furry friends and want to be there for them and this is one way I feel I can help," Huber said. 

And, the word and boxes are spreading rapidly, according to Huber, who has her box set up right outside her business, which is located at 2227 E. County Road 1100 South, Cloverdale. 

"The Hendershots have offered to put a box at their business and Brittney Overshiner has a boutique in Greencastle and she has offered as well. People can get so involved and help my dream come true to have them all over like you see for people," Huber said. 

She said people or various civic groups can donate food and she will get it distributed out. 

"We have learned to divide the bigger bags of food into zip lock bags, but we can do that. My heart is racing thinking what Putnam County can accomplish together with this project. Anyone can come at any time and get what they need, there are no judgements here. I have heard some people say why do they have pets if they can't afford them. Many people have children and can't afford them, but they find a way and these babies are family to us," Huber said. 

Anyone wanting to get involved, make a donation or put up a box is asked to reach Huber at 765-506-2585, Kuddles Kennel at 765-795-5519 or reach out to Huber through Facebook. 

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The Indiana Department of Transportation announces continued chip sealing operations on U.S. 36, near Danville and on U.S. 231 near Greencastle.

U.S. 36 will be temporarily closed from approximately 0.18 miles east of State Road 75 to approximately 0.6 miles west of S.R. 39 starting on or after Monday, July 24, weather permitting. The closure is expected to last for at least a week, weather permitting.

U.S. 231 will be temporarily closed from approximately 1.05 miles north of I-70 to approximately 0.22 miles south of S.R. 240 starting on or after Wednesday, July 26, weather permitting. The closure is expected to last for last for at least a week, weather permitting.

Crews will place message boards at each end of the project to alert the traveling public. INDOT suggests finding alternative routes during the short duration of the chip sealing operation.

Work is completed under lane closures with flagging, or a full closure, to prevent damage to both vehicles and the roadway. During operations, existing pavement is coated with liquid asphalt, which seals cracks and provides waterproof protection. This extends the service life of the roadway and lowers maintenance costs. Once the seal coat is complete, loose aggregate is applied and swept from the road. After a curing period, crews will return to fog seal the new driving surface and apply pavement markings.

INDOT makes every effort to reduce vehicle damage during and immediately after chip seal projects. While these efforts may not prevent all damage to vehicles during the chip seal process, they have substantially reduced the likelihood of damage.

INDOT safety efforts include posting reduced speeds in work zones; closing roadways or lanes during chip seal projects; and sweeping the roadway during the chip seal process and after project completion to eliminate loose stones.

Chip seal is a cost-effective pavement preservation technique that is utilized across the state of Indiana, saving an estimated six to 14 dollars in taxpayer expenditures for every dollar invested in extending the life of a roadway.

Motorists should slow down, watch for stopped traffic and drive distraction-free through all work zones. All work is weather dependent and schedules are subject to change.

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The Parke County Sheriff's Office responded to reports of a woman crying for help from inside of a van at the Rockville Lake campground.

Deputies respoonded swiftly to the distress call from concerned campers at Rockville Lake campgrounds on Saturday. Upon arrival, the deputies located Jeffrey L. Gregory, 49, and his wife within a van at one of the campsites. The Parke County Sheriff's Office says evidence gathered during the investigation led to the arrest of Gregory, who was subsequently charged with strangulation and domestic battery.

Gregory is currently being held without bond in the Parke County Jail pending arraignment.

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Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating after the body of a 31-year-old man was recovered from Rockville Lake.

Just before 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Parke County 911 received a call that an adult male was missing in the water. 

Witnesses on the scene were able to assist in narrowing the search to an area just past a roped off swimming area near a concrete dock. 

Conservation Officer divers were able to recover the victim about 30 minutes later in 14 feet of water.

Lifesaving efforts were taken, and the victim was transported to Union Hospital in Clinton, where he was pronounced dead.

The identity of the victim is being withheld pending family notification.   

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With less than a month to go until the start of school, Purdue Extension-Putnam County is looking to help young readers get back in the swing of things while offering a fun twist on reading through its Book to Barn 2023 program.

Book to Barn is a free program sponsored by Farm Bureau and Purdue Extension in Putnam County for children ages 3-5. This year's program will be held July 24 during the Putnam County Fair and will feature story time, snack and a trip to the featured barn during the fair, along with a book they can take home, according to Abbi Smith, Health and Human Sciences Extension Educator. 

"This program helps promote early reading, as well as support our 4-H program and getting youth out to the fair," Smith told The Putnam County Post. 

The program also features a monthly newsletter that will be sent to each child's home. 

"I enjoy the feedback I get that children enjoy the monthly newsletter mailed to their home and look forward to their "Purdue Mail,"" Smith said. 

Registration must be done by July 14 and only spots remain in the afternoon sessions. Registration can be done by calling the Extension Office at 765-653-8411.

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The 2022 Indiana Youth Tobacco survey (IYTS) shows that youth commercial tobacco use among Hoosiers is the lowest measured in the past two decades, and e-cigarette usage is the lowest since 2012.

However, even though fewer youth are using tobacco products, the frequent use of e-cigarettes is higher than previous years, the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) reported.   

The IYTS is a biennial survey that is representative of Indiana public school students and collects data from students in grades 6 to 12 regarding all types of tobacco use, exposure to secondhand smoke, access to tobacco products, knowledge and attitudes, media and advertising, school curriculum and tobacco cessation. More than 2,900 high school students and more than 2,500 middle school students participated in the 2022 survey.

Over 1 in 10 high school students (10.5 percent) and 1 in 30 middle school students (3.3 percent) in Indiana reported current tobacco product use in the 2022 survey. Of those who currently used tobacco, about one-fourth of middle school students (24.6 percent) and one-third of high school students (30.6 percent) reported using more than one tobacco product.

The majority of youth who used tobacco in the past 30 days – 64.7 percent of middle school youth and 74.5 percent of high school youth – reported using flavored tobacco products.  

“We are pleased to see that overall tobacco use is lower among Indiana youth, which is the same pattern being observed nationally,” said State Health Commissioner Lindsay Weaver, M.D., FACEP. “But it is concerning that the majority of students who use tobacco reported using flavored tobacco, including menthol. We know that flavors increase the appeal of tobacco products to youth, promote youth initiation, and can contribute to lifelong tobacco use.”

E-cigarette rates were also lower than in previous years, with 9.2 percent of high schoolers and 2.2 percent of middle schoolers reporting current use. However, e-cigarettes were still the most commonly used tobacco product among Indiana youth in 2022. The rate of frequent e-cigarette use (20 or more of the past 30 days) was higher than previous years and was 44 percent among high school students who currently used e-cigarettes. Additionally, among youth who have never used e-cigarettes, approximately 20 percent of middle school and high school youth were deemed susceptible to future tobacco product experimentation or use based on responses to specific survey questions.
“Indiana has been vigilant about addressing youth tobacco use on many fronts, from schools and parents to local and state public health organizations,” said Miranda Spitznagle, director of Tobacco Prevention and Cessation at the Indiana Department of Health. “We hope these entities can continue working together to ensure all Hoosier youth have access to free services to help them quit and to all the same protections from commercial tobacco to make sure they never start.”

The IYTS found that Indiana youth who use tobacco and e-cigarette products are interested in quitting. Among youth who currently used tobacco, 74.6 percent of middle school students and 55.9 percent of high school students made at least one quit attempt in the past year. Similarly, among youth who currently used e-cigarettes, 66.7 percent of middle school students and 53.9 percent of high school students made a quit attempt.

Programs and free resources are available to Indiana parents and educators. Young Hoosiers who are interested in quitting e-cigarettes can text INDIANA to 873373. Parents, educators and healthcare providers can visit in.gov/vapefreeindiana for more information and resources to help young people quit or never start using tobacco products.

For more information and to view the full Indiana Youth Tobacco Survey findings, visit in.gov/health/tpc/surveys-and-reports.

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Indiana State Police have been notified of an online fundraising page claiming to benefit the family of Trooper Aaron Smith. This is a scam, there are no online social media fundraising pages to support or benefit the family of Trooper Smith.

The official memorial fund is established at Indiana Members Credit Union by the Indiana Fallen Heroes Foundation

Please do not contribute to any online fundraiser claiming to benefit Trooper Smith’s family or other organizations utilizing this tragedy to scam people out of money.

Please use the official link below if you would like to help Trooper Smith's Family or visit any IMCU bank to contribute.

https://www.paypal.com/donate/...

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Time is of the essence! Greencastle Parks and Recreation have embarked on an ambitious 5-year master plan to transform the city's recreational spaces and enhance accessibility. However, the deadline for participation is July 7.

By engaging in this master plan, Greencastle Parks and Recreation opens the doors to a plethora of funding opportunities. Moreover, it empowers you, the public, to have a direct say in the future of our parks. Whether it's the expansion of existing parks, the addition of new ones, program offerings, or improved accessibility through initiatives like the People Pathways, your voice matters.

Among the plan's various phases, the first phase is absolutely critical. It revolves around gathering information and insights from the community. It's your chance to express what you want to see in our parks, including suggestions like transforming the recently demolished old Jones school site into a new park—an opportunity to address a neglected area in terms of park access.

To make your voice heard, Greg Ruark, the director of Greencastle Parks and Recreation, urgently requests your participation in a short survey. Scan the QR code below or click the link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GreencastleParksandRecreationQRSurvey to access the survey. 

Your contribution is invaluable in creating a vibrant and inclusive park system that meets the needs and desires of our community. Seize the moment and help shape the future of Greencastle's parks and recreation. 

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Parke County deputies responded to a report of a reckless driver in the vicinity of Racoon Lake State Park.

Following swift action and a subsequent investigation, the Parke County Sheriff's Office apprehended the driver, Rusty Quigley, 41, of Brazil, on charges of Operating While Intoxicated Prior.

Upon arrival, deputies located the vehicle matching the description at the entrance to Racoon Lake State Park. Deputies engaged in a conversation with Quigley, during which they determined that he was under the influence of alcohol. 

Quigley is currently facing charges of Operating While Intoxicated Prior.

Quigley was taken into custody with bail set at $8,000.

The City of Greencastle is offering help as debris removal and clean-up continues from recent storm damage.

Greencastle, like many in the area, has trees, limbs, branches and other storm debris.  Residents are being asked to place small quantities of twigs, small limbs and leaves in their trash toters.  They should not place debris in recycling toters.

Starting today, Greencastle crews will begin picking up limbs that have been placed adjacent to the street.  Residents are asked to not place limbs or other vegetation debris in the street. After the pick-up of limbs there may be some residual leaves and twigs remaining. Residents are asked to rake those items and place them in the trash toter.

If a resident hires a tree service to remove a tree of large limbs, that contractor should remove all of the limbs, cuttings and other debris.  It should not be left for the city to remove.

The city pick-up is scheduled to run through July 21.

The city will not be picking up roofing materials, building materials, lawn furniture or other storm damaged items. And city pick-up could be delayed by weather, equipment breakdown or other work by city departments.

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A Statewide Silver Alert has been declared for a woman in Parke County.

The Parke County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the disappearance of Betty J. Capps, 68. Capps is a white female, 5 feet 3 inches tall, 180 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes. She has a tattoo of a butterfly on her right leg.

Capps was driving a gray 2007 Ford Focus with Indiana registration 190TPH.

Capps is missing from Mecca, Indiana, and was last seen on Thursday, June 29, 2023.  She is believed to be in extreme danger and may require medical assistance. 

If you have any information on Betty J. Capps, contact the Parke County Sheriff’s Department at 765-569-5413 or 911.

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Last year saw a roughly 40 percent increase in the number of reported cases involving agricultural confined spaces, according to the 2022 Summary of U.S. Agricultural Confined Space-Related Injuries and Fatalities recently released by the Purdue University Agricultural Safety and Health Program in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering.

The annual, widely used summary documents the previous year’s frequency and causes of confined space and grain entrapment incidents in the agricultural industry and provides a historical analysis of agricultural confined space hazards.

The authors of the summary are Yuan-Hsin Cheng, agricultural safety and health researcher; Mahmoud Nour, postdoctoral researcher in Agricultural and Biological Engineering; Bill Field and Kingsly Ambrose, professors of agricultural and biological engineering; and Edward Sheldon, research associate, Agricultural Safety and Health Program. 

In 2022, the summary reported no fewer than 83 cases – 24 fatal and 59 nonfatal cases – involving agricultural confined spaces. This represents a 40.7% increase over the 59 cases in 2021. The authors explain that there are limitations in data collection as not every case may be reported. As a result, these numbers are approximate. 

In addition, of the total number of confinement cases, 42 grain-related entrapments represented a 44.8% increase over 2021. This was the highest number of reported grain entrapments in over a decade. According to the authors, grain entrapments are the most common type of agricultural confined space incident.

“In the summary, an issue we try to point out is the role of out-of-condition grain in grain entrapments,” Sheldon says. “Many entrapments result from someone entering a bin or structure to break loose clumped, spoiled grain. Keep the grain in good condition to eliminate the need to enter the bin.”

Of 41 non-grain-related cases, incidents involved livestock waste handling facilities, entanglements inside confined spaces, falls from confined space structures and grain dust explosions or fires.

Iowa reported the most agricultural confinement cases, at 24, and grain entrapment cases at nine. One female case was documented, which occurred inside a cotton module builder.

Sheldon says, “As shown in the annual summary, incidents involving confined spaces in agriculture continue to result in a significant number of injuries and fatalities in agricultural workplaces throughout the country.”

He adds, “We strongly encourage farmers and agribusiness employers to recognize the hazards presented by confined spaces such as grain bins, silos and manure storage facilities, and use best management practices and effective training programs to keep their families and employees safe.” 

Sheldon urges farmers and agribusiness employers to utilize the educational resources outlined in the summary, pointing them to other programs like Gearing Up for Safety, also from Purdue’s Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering. This program offers a youth-oriented curriculum, also related to the hazards associated with agricultural confined spaces.

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Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating after the body of a 15-year-old juvenile was recovered early Monday morning from the Wabash River. 

A group of juveniles was wading and swimming in the Wabash River north of Montezuma on Sunday. Just after 7:30 p.m., Parke County 911 received a call that a juvenile male was missing in the water. 

Witness statements helped Indiana Conservation Officers narrow down a search area. Officers utilizing divers and sonar searched the area and recovered the victim at 12:30 a.m. Monday morning in seven feet of water. 

An autopsy has been performed and the preliminary results were consistent with drowning.

Indiana Conservation Officers were assisted by the Clinton Fire Department Water Rescue Team, Parke County Sheriff’s Department, Vermillion County Sheriff’s Department, and Parke County EMS.

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At the backdrop of the Indiana War Memorial, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Destination Development Corporation (IDDC) launched a new initiative: 'Military Monuments and Museums IN Indiana,' powered by Luke Family of Brands.

"The Military Monuments and Museums IN Indiana initiative is a comprehensive program that encompasses war memorials, historical markers, museums and other distinctive locations that showcase the rich military history of the great state of Indiana," said Lt. Gov. Crouch, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. "This initiative is creating a network of information and immersive opportunities that unites all regions of Indiana."                          

IDDC collaborated with various organizations across Indiana to promote the state's military history, including the Indiana National Guard, Indiana Historical Society, Indiana Historical Bureau, Indiana War Memorials and more. These partnerships demonstrate Indiana's collective dedication to preserving its military heritage.

The Military Monuments and Museums IN Indiana initiative has a dedicated microsite on VisitIndiana.com/military where people can learn about Indiana’s military history and numerous locations around the state that showcase it. The wide range of information on the microsite would not be possible without the statewide effort made by IDDC partners and Luke Family of Brands.

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A full day of activities will be capped by a fireworks show on Tuesday, July 4.

7:00 a.m., Registration opens for Rokicki 5K

8:00 a.m., Start of Rokicki 5K

8:00 a.m., Civic League Pancake Breakfast

9:15 a.m., Youth Firecracker Fun Run

10:00 a.m., Workout in the Park with The Warehouse

12:00 p.m., Free swimming opens

12:00 p.m., Food vendors open

12:00 p.m., Car show from 12-2 p.m.

5:00 p.m., Registration opens for Corn Hole contest

5:15 p.m., Reading of the Declaration of Independence

5:30 p.m., Live Music including the Danny Martin and Friends (through 9 p.m.)

6:00 p.m., Corn Hole contest starts

Dusk, Fireworks start

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Parke County REMC, serving rural portions of Parke, Putnam, Clay, Vigo, Fountain, and Montgomery counties, is actively responding to widespread power outages caused by the storm damage on June 29.

An additional storm on June 30 affected the southern portion of their service territory around the Reelsville area, resulting in further damage. Crews are working around the clock to restore power. Since the start of the storm, over 9,000 members have reported outages.As of 3:00 p.m., Monday, July 3, approximately 2,500 members are without power.

Parke County REMC is assisted by Jasper County REMC, Carroll White REMC, Kankakee Valley REMC, and BESCO contract crews. Additionally, Parke Professional Services (PPS) is aiding in tree removal. Crews will continue working until all power has been restored.

Due to the extent of the damage, some members may be without power for a few days. Members are encouraged to make necessary arrangements.Power is expected to be restored by late evening on Thursday, July 6.

Members may report outages by calling 800-537-3913 or using the online portal or the MyPCREMC app. Parke County REMC’s outage map may be viewed at pcremc.com.

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Residents of Clay, Johnson and Monroe counties are asked to contact Indiana 211 to report severe storm damage from June 25 - July 2.

To help establish a comprehensive assessment of damage, residents can call 211 or visit the Indiana 211 website. Collecting assessments via this process will help IDHS determine damage estimates and develop the next course of action in the disaster recovery process.

Currently, only residents in Clay, Johnson and Monroe counties should utilize Indiana 211 for damage reports. Other counties should reach out to their local emergency manager.

Agricultural damage should be reported to the Purdue Extension. 

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The Hendricks Regional Health Board of Trustees has named Dr. Michelle Fenoughty, MD, MBA, FACOG, as President & CEO, effective July 10.

"We are incredibly proud to announce Dr. Fenoughty as our next CEO," said Board Chair Erin Engels, JD. "This search process has confirmed what we already knew: Hendricks Regional Health is a patient-first, high-quality organization with a leadership bench that is deep, loyal and proven. I am thankful to my fellow trustees for their dedication and time to find the right leader for this new chapter in our unrelenting focus on remaining strong and independent."

Dr. Fenoughty was selected from over 40 candidates after an extensive search led by the Board of Trustees. As President & CEO, she will work with other members of the healthcare system's administration to define, monitor and achieve strategic goals, overseeing all functions of the organization, including community outreach, and serving as the liaison to the Board.

"I am honored and humbled by the opportunity to lead a place and a group of people that have meant so much to me for the last 21 years," said Dr. Fenoughty. "Hendricks is truly a second home to me. With a talented, compassionate medical staff and an experienced, focused leadership team in place, we will advance healthcare in west central Indiana and charter our path forward with courage, collaboration and innovation as our guiding principles."

Dr. Fenoughty is the fifth President & CEO to serve in this distinguished role, and the first woman and physician to lead the 61-year-old organization. She succeeds Kevin Speer, JD, who resigned in March to assume leadership of Ascension St. Vincent Indiana; Speer had led Hendricks since 2012. Chief Operating Officer and Chief Nursing Officer Yvonne Culpepper, DNP, MSN, RN, served in the interim. Dr. Fenoughty has a unique, 360-degree view of healthcare brought by her executive leadership experience and nearly three decades as a practicing women's health physician. She began her career with Hendricks in 2002 as an OB/GYN with Westside Physicians for Women. She has held positions of increasing responsibility in medical affairs, including chair of the OB/Pediatrics committee from 2004 to 2011 and serving as Chief of Staff from 2011 to 2015. That same year, she was named Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs and Chief Medical Officer. Her hallmark initiatives include the successful implementation of the Epic electronic medical record system, playing an integral part in the community's COVID-19 pandemic response, serving as the driving force behind the Hendricks collaboration with the Mayo Clinic Care Network and many notable quality and safety achievements.

“The Board believes that Dr. Fenoughty’s wealth of knowledge and experience will help Hendricks position itself for success in the coming years,” said Engels. “Her exceptional work with the medical staff and her capabilities in understanding the current and future challenges of the healthcare industry made her a highly desirable candidate. She has done an outstanding job as Chief Medical Officer and has developed strong relationships across our organization and in the community.”

Dr. Fenoughty graduated from the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine and completed OB/GYN residency training at Indiana University in Indianapolis. In addition, she earned a Business of Medicine Physician MBA through the Indiana University Kelley School of Business. Dr. Fenoughty and her husband, Dr. Shawn Fenoughty, live in Hendricks County and are proud parents to Cullen and Erin.

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