Banner Graphic, Volume 15, Number 259, Greencastle, Putnam County, 25 June 1985 — Page 1

Two or three counties away'

Minnick retrial sites revealed

By ERIC BERNSEE Banner-Graphic Managing Editor The retrial of William A. Minnick for the October 1981 murder of a Greencastle housewife will take place “two or three counties away,” the Banner-Graphic learned Tuesday. Minnick was convicted in May 1982 of the Oct. 26,1981 murder of 24-year-old Martha Payne. However, that conviction was overturned last September by the Indiana State Supreme Court. THE STATE ATTORNEY General’s Office appealed that decision to the U S. Supreme Court, hoping to have Minnick’s conviction and death-penalty sentence reinstated. The U.S. Supreme Court, however, announced Monday that it has refused to do so. Told that the Supreme Court made its ruling without comment, Putnam County

Main Street momentum nearing $1 million mark

By LARRY GIBBS Banner-Graphic Publisher Greencastle is nearing $1 million in restoration work either completed or » pledged in the downtown area, the Chamber of Commerce was told Monday. Bill Dory, project manager of Main Street Greencastle, Inc., made the announcement during the Chamber’s quarterly luncheon meeting at Windy Hill Country Club. CITING RESTORATION of the Wilson Hutchens & Reese law building at 16 S. Jackson St., as well as announced projects by First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. and

Search committee wins praise

Bess' appointment unanimous

By BARBARA CARHART Banner-Graphic Staff Writer CLOVERDALE-The Cloverdale School Corporation Board of Trustees have unanimously voted to employ Shelbyville High School assistant principal and athletic director William Blake Ress to succeed Gary Novak as principal of Cloverdale Junior-Senior High School. Board members made the appointment official during a Monday evening special meeting. Ress’ two-year contract, first made public in the June 18 edition of BannerGraphic, becomes effective July 1. The new principal, who was vacationing in Florida and unable to attend ‘he special meeting, has already purchased property within the corporation, it was reported Monday. RESS’ APPOINTMENT was lauded by board member Daryl Branneman who congratulated members of the search committee chaired by board president Dewey Garrett on their hard work. “I know you spent a lot of hours," Branneman said. “You did an excellent job.” Garrett added that all three finalists for

In the heat of the night Mostly clear and warm overnight with low around 70. Partly sunny, hot and humid on Wednesday with high around 90. Southeasterly winds at 5 mph during the period. Indiana Extended Weather Very warm with a chance for thundershowers late Thursday but more likely on Friday. A slight chance for showers on Saturday and not as warm. Highs in the 80s to low 90s Thursday and Friday with lows in the 60s to lower 70s. Highs in the upper 70s north to the mid 80s south Saturday with lows in the upper 50s and 60s. Index Abby A 4 Calendar A 4 Classifieds A 9 Comics A 5 Crossword A 8 Heloise A 4 Horoscope A 9 Obituaries AlO People A 5 Sports A’ *8 Ty A 5 Theaters AlO

Banner Graphic Greencastle, Putnam County, Tuesday, June 25,1985, Vol. 15 No. 259 25 Cents

Prosecutor Delbert Brewer told the Ban-ner-Graphic, “What that means, in effect, is that they’ve refused to hear it. That means the Indiana Supreme Court ruling stands.” And that means Minnick, now 21, will receive a new trial in coming weeks. The first step, according to Judge Ernest Yelton of Clay Circuit Court in Brazil, is to await official notification from the U.S. high court that the appeal for reinstated verdict has been rejected. “THE QUESTION,” Yelton told the Banner-Graphic Tuesday morning, “is how quickly this office will receive official notification that the writ has been denied. This is the first case in my court to be appealed to that level (U.S. Supreme Court), but I’d like to think we’ll receive notification from the justices by the end of the week.”

others, Dory said the $1 million expenditure translates into 40-50 construction jobs and money to suppliers that will “roll over” several times within the community. Dory also told the audience of business and civic leaders that a committee within Main Street Greencastle soon will make a public presentation to the City Council about financing techniques that could be used to implement portions of an urban design plan prepared by Downing-Leach & Associates of Boulder, Colo. The plan, developed over a nine-month period and unveiled publicly May 2, suggests details

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WILLIAM BLAKE RESS New Cloverdale principal the position were “really excellent people.” “The community would have been proud to have any one of them employed,” Garrett added.

Fair Board renews policy for fairgrounds facilities

By DAVID BARR Banner-Graphic Civc Affairs Editor Putnam County Fair Board directors voted Monday night to renew an expiring insurance policy with Farm Bureau Insurance, the present carrier. The policy provides protection from fire, extended coverages and liability connected with the 14 structures owned by the fair board Contents coverage, excluding theft, is also provided. THE INSURANCE PROPOSAL had been updated by the company with current evaluations placed on each fair-owned building and outside structures. It was pointed out that the current premium was approximately 20 per cent below that which existed when the policy was written three years ago. After some revisions by the board. Farm Bureau was authorized to rewrite the policy with the renewal date of July 1 for a three-year period. In other fair board action, the board voted SSOO for meals and interviews for the 21 young women who have been selected as candidates for the fair’s annual queen contest. PO»Dp tonnnirti uuc *- budget $450 to the livestock sale committee headed by Jack Hayman It is anticipated that this year’s sale will top all previous

The next step would then be to act favorably on a pending motion by the defendant’s attorney, Woodrow Nasser of Terre Haute, for a change of venue. < “Brewer was over here (Brazil) on another case yesterday,” Yelton said, “and he indicated at that time that the state would not oppose it (motion for change of venue).” With that in mind, Yelton said he does not anticipate calling a status conference to confer with Brewer and Nasser. “SINCE THE STATE agrees, I’ll give them a list of counties and let them start striking so we can get things going as soon as possible.” Yelton revealed five alternatives for the retrial site, with a sixth location a possibility-Boone Circuit Court, Jennings Circuit Court, Knox Superior Court, Lawrence Circuit Court and Monroe

of landscaping, improved sidewalks, new streetlights and other physical improvements in the downtown area. Some segments of the urban design plan may be completed as special projects by community groups. The Greencastle Civic Club, for example, recently donated $2,100 for the purchase of specially designed trash containers, while the privatelyfinanced Greencastle Development Corp. has created a $7,000 interest-free revolving loan fund to provide for bulk purchase of decorative sidewalk paving block and sidewalk tree grates. BUT LARGER ASPECTS OF the design

RESS’ SELECTION WAS confirmed by Supt. Robert Leturgez last week. Leturgez told the Banner-Graphic that Ress was expected to sign his contract on the afternoon of June 18. The 1984-85 state athletic director of the year, Ress has been in education for the past 21 years. He began his career in the Columbus school system and left after four years. His next stop-Shelbyville High School-saw him invest 17 years as biology teacher, head swim coach and assistant football coach. He also held the position of assistant principal and athletic director for 11 years before deciding it was time to move on. Ress told the Banner-Graphic last week he looks forward to new challenges at Cloverdale and hopes to build a stronger academic background at the high school. ON THE OTHER SIDE of the ledger, board members Monday night saw two employees moving on. Mirs Linda Bicksler, English and journalism teacher and David C. Archer, director, Putnam County Area Vocational School, submitted their resignations, which were accepted by Col. 3, back page, this section

records for the event. A proposal by the Horse and Pony Club to pay for extension of water lines and awnings for the barn were accepted by the board which will be responsible for the work. Representatives of the cheerleader event asked the board to consider possible different locations for the contest this year. The board approved SIOO for a radio disc jockey to MC the event. Most of the concrete has been poured for the new livestock wash rack, according to Terry Clifford, who has spearheaded this project. A LIMITED NUMBER OF spaces are still available in the Industrial tents, Noble Fry, chairman, reported. Edith Fry reported that activities have been scheduled for each day and each night during the fair in Harris Hall. Other routine matters Monday night related to parking, barn use and grounds and building maintenance. The wrap-up meeting of the board will be held Monday evening, July 22 in the Community Building. President DeWayne Costin urged directors to bring their final THE 1985 FAIR IS scheduled to begin Sunday, July 28, with a parade through downtown and continue through Aug. 3.

Superior Court, Division 111. “In a case of this sort,” the judge said, “you always call the presiding judge in that county to see if they’ll accept the case. You’re required to accept a venued case, but it’s a courtesy to call first. ” THE ORIGINAL TRIAL took more than two weeks before a jury found Minnick guilty of murdering Mrs. Payne in her 9 S. Locust St., Greencastle, home. The jury recommended, and Judge Yelton subsequently ordered Minnick to be put to death in the electric chair. The Greencastle man, 18 when convicted, spent several months on Death Row at the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City as his case was being appealed. The state court, relying heavily on a 1981 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court, overturned Minnick’s conviction last Sept. Col. 1, back page, this section

plan will require financing achieved through a cooperative effort of the private sector and city government. Methods of achieving those goals will be the subject of Main Street-City Council discussions in coming months. Also addressing Monday’s Chamber luncheon was Ken Eitel Jr., Main Street president, who said the two-year downtown revitalization effort has gained statewide publicity for Greencastle. “One of the benefits of our effort has been the sense of community pride that it has created, even among those who have no direct economic interest in its results,”

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JggH JUDGE ERNESTYELTON Offers five sites

Eitel said. “And Greencastle is recognized statewide for what is happening here. Ten or 15 towns have come to see what we’re doing or we’ve gone there to describe our program. ” Recalling the formation of Main Street Greencastle as a non-profit organization in the spring of 1983, Eitel said much discussion and planning had led to the completed urban design plan and a companion set of building restoration guidelines prepared by Downing-Leach. “NOW WE ARE AT WHAT I call the implementation phase,” Eitel emphasized. “We must see that all the input and work

12-year-old said raped at Putnamville PUTNAMVILLE - State Police at Putnamville are investigating the alleged rape of a 12-year-old girl who was in her home near Putnamville when the Monday morning incident occurred, Trooper Investigator Dick Rice told the Banner-Graphic Tuesday morning. The attacker, described by the victim as six-feet tall, 190 pounds with a red-brown beard and mustache, allegedly entered the heme at 8:30 a m. Monday. Police said he went into the bedroom where the girl was lying in her bed, raped her and left in a red pick-up truck. Det. Sgt. Jack Hanlon was expected to continue his investigation of the incident Tuesday.

don’t go for naught. It is very important that those now in business and in leadership positions do all we can to preserve our local heritage.” Two of Main Street’s goals already have been realized, Eitel added, pointing to the Ashley Square Twin Cinemas and the start of construction of a 55-room country inn opposite the theaters three blocks south of the courthouse square. The remaining goal, he said, is completion of the downtown revitalization effort. Several of those projects, announced at Main Street’s May 2 meeting at East Col. 3. back page, this section

Forty high school football players from five states gather around DePauw University coach Nick Mourouzis Tuesday morning at Blackstock Stadium as the final day of his kicking camp begins. The kickers received instruction in the art of place kicking and punting from DePauw coaches, while Joel Horton of Illinois gets some private tutoring from a professional, DePauw University grad David Finzer, now the punter for the Chirann Poor* loespne his T-shirt) of the National Football League. (Banner-Graphic photos by Bob Frazier).