Stories from Friday, February 14, 2014

Jordan W. Buskirk and Randal E. Crosley are now convicted murderers and both are scheduled to be sentenced in March. Both men have admitted they are guilty of the murder of Katelyn Wolfe in June of 2013. Judgments of Conviction were officially entered into the court records in both cases on Wednesday, Feb. 5...

Indiana State Police troopers were in route to a serious traffic accident at 8:05 a.m. near the Greene-Lawrence county line. Radio dispatch reports indicate there is entrapment. This story will be updated as information is made available.

Eastern Greene Schools: Early dismissal

Feb. 13 -- Derrick Lee Combs, 27, Worthington, was arrested on preliminary charges involving operating a vehicle while intoxicated and driving while suspended with a prior conviction. His bond was set at $5,000 surety with ten percent allowed. He was released later the same day after posting $500 cash. Indiana State Police Trooper Richard Klun was the arresting officer...

The Linton Police Department's activity log for Thursday, Feb. 14, included two assists to the utility department after hours, one drug investigation, two funeral escorts, two medical runs, one assist to another agency, one complaint of harassment, two disabled or stranded vehicles and one traffic stop...

Pauline Mae Peltier, 68, of Linton, passed away at 7:55 p.m. Thursday, February 13, 2014 at Sullivan Co. Community Hospital. She was born in Terre Haute, Indiana, June 16, 1945 the daughter, of Paul Miller and Tressie Bennett Miller. Pauline was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Gary Peltier in 1993, also two brothers, Robert Miller and Ronnie Miller, and a daughter, Melanie Rose Peltier...

Justin Lloyd Thomas, 71, of Linton passed away at the St. Vincent Heart Center in Indianapolis on February 13. He succumbed to congestive heart failure. Justin was born on October 16, 1942 in the Freeman-Greene Hospital in Linton. He was the son of Albert D and Nancy Jane Thomas, who preceded him in death. ...

James David Puchtel, age 60, passed away on Thursday, February 13, 2014, at his residence in Linton. He was born in Minneapolis, MN on Dec. 22, 1953, the son of Stanley & Bernice (Hayney) Puchtel. Jim was a veteran of the United States Army, serving as a Sargent during the Vietnam War. He enjoyed fishing and hunting during his younger years. He enjoyed the outdoors and spending time with his dogs...

A Mitchell man died in a single-vehicle wreck Friday morning near the Lawrence-Greene county line. Joseph H. Smith, 26, was pronounced dead at the scene of the 8 a.m. crash on State Road 58, east of Armstrong Station Road in Lawrence County. A report from Indiana State Police Trooper Daniel Cozier shows that Smith was driving a 2002 Pontiac east on State Road 58 when he traveled off the south side of the roadway and continued 300 feet before striking two trees and rolled into a ditch. ...

Clifford "Casey" Johnson, 84, of Bloomfield, passed away at 10:10 p.m. on Thursday, February 13, 2014 at the Residence at McCormick's Creek in Spencer. Born December 10, 1929 in Bloomfield, he was the son of Fremont and Alta (Huffman) Johnson. He was employed as a Butcher and a Carpenter, working for the Bloomfield Furniture Company, Southport Lumber Company and retiring from Carter Lee Lumber Company. He was a Red Man, Odd Fellows and a member of the Bloomfield First Christian Church...

Saturday, Feb. 15 The Linton Moose will have a barbecue chicken dinner on Saturday, Feb. 15 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. with karaoke at 8 p.m. Members and guests are welcome. Monday, Feb. 17 The Linton-Stockton Board of School Trustees will meet on Monday, Feb. ...

With several funds in a deficit and an outlook of loss for this year, the Northeast School Corporation school board approved a temporary loan. The corporation will take out a $2 million temporary loan from BMO Harris Bank as their transportation operating fund and school lunch funds are both in the red...

JASONVILLE ---- At Thursday night's Metropolitan School District of Shakamak Board of School Trustees meeting, Superintendent Mike Mogan updated board members on the school's finances. As of Dec. 31, 2013, Mogan said the corporation had approximately $297,000 remaining in its General Fund as opposed to $664,000 at the end of 2012...

Saturday, Feb. 15 Linton First Methodist Church Fundraiser will host a fundraiser. Order one or two pounds of chicken salad or BBQ pulled pork at $8.50 per pound. Order now through March 4, and pick up will be March 8. Call for details or to order: 847-7053, 847-9510 or 847-9618...

Linton Mayor John Wilkes is genuinely concerned what his city will do for fire and police protection if the proposed bills concerning the elimination of business personal property tax pass the Indiana General Assembly. Governor Mike Pence is shepherding the bills saying the elimination of this tax will be an economic development stimulus for the state...

Shakamak High School students had the opportunity to show the fruits of their labor on Thursday. Students in Dena Irwin's entrepreneurship and new ventures class showcased their work at a trade show during the school's lunch period. Irwin said the students were given $10 to start a business. She said the students could use the money for marketing and business cards or even inventory and resources, but had to stay within the limits of their start up amount...

At some point, you have to ask yourself, "Why is the liberal left working so hard to prevent Hoosiers from having a chance to vote on the Marriage Protection Amendment (HJR 3)? Why not let the citizens of Indiana decide? What are they afraid of?" The answer is simple -- they are afraid of common sense, Hoosier values. They are afraid of YOU!...

To the Editor: The family of Marjorie Kay (Childers) Hamlin would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to those who gave of themselves during her recent illness and passing. We thank you Dr. Frederick Ridge, Carol Miller, and his wonderful staff, the Greene County EMTs, Greene County General Hopsital ICU staff, respiratory staff, ER staff and any staff member that prayed or comforted Marjorie...

George Washington was a farmer, surveyor, and soldier. John Adams, a lawyer. Thomas Jefferson was a farmer and a lawyer; James Madison, the same. Benjamin Franklin was a businessman and inventor. My point, you ask? My point is that these men were ordinary citizens with ordinary occupations who were willing to make an extraordinary difference. ...

The Union at Turkey Run boys basketball game is still on for Saturday. But it will now be a varsity-only contest, starting at 4 p.m.

William Leroy "Willie" McKinley, 72, of Solsberry passed away Thursday, Feb. 13, 2014 at IU Health Bloomington Hospital. Born Nov. 26, 1941 in Greene County,IN, he was the son of Robert Leroy and Irene (Hoke) McKinley. Willie worked as a excavator for Reith-Riley, Rollison's and Hudsons excavating. ...

Mother Nature has swung her hammer once again. The impending bad weather that is being anticipated across the Wabash Valley has forced a change to the local sports schedule -- including the girls basketball sectionals. Both the Class 2A tourney at North Knox and the Class A battle at Clay City have been moved to Saturday...