The Putnam Standard, April 3, 2014

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Thursday, April 3, 2014

Hurricane beats Spring Valley, Page 9

Civil War comes to life in Putnam l

50 Cents Volume 145

Putnam County Sheriff Steve Deweese worked with area churches to organize an informational meeting about Putnam’s drug problem.

l Issue 13

Community joins together to fight drugs By Kelly Stadelman kelly@theputnamstandard.com

Putnam County Sheriff Steve Deweese didn’t waste any time in telling pastors and concerned community members about the county’s biggest issue. “Putnam County has a drug problem,” he said before sharing the following trends and statistics. More than 80 percent of the crime committed in Putnam County is drug-related. Half of the people arrested in Putnam County have drugs on them, Deweese said. Putnam County was third in the state in meth busts in 2013. There were 31 meth busts in 2013, compared to nine in 2012. Felony arrests increased 61 percent in 2013. Prosecuting Attorney Mark Sorsaia agreed, saying the drug problem is the worst he has ever seen. “We are in denial about our drug problem,” he said. “You need to have political courage to SEE DRUGS ON PAGE 4

HOW TO REACH US PHONE: (304) 743-6731 FAX: (304) 562-6214

Above: Some soldiers arrived at the weekend event on horseback. The soldiers used the horses during the reenactment battles. Photos by Jack Rose of One-Eyed Jack Photography. Left: Civil War reenactors for the North and South set up campsites at Valley Park over the weekend. They enjoyed talking to visitors about events that occurred during the Civil War period and demonstrating soldier’s life styles.

Bellaire at Devonshire aims to feel like home By Kelly Stadelman kelly@theputnamstandard.com

The developer of Devonshire is building a state-of-the-art assisted living and memory care community in Scott Depot. “Bellaire will feel like a community and a home,” said Gene Whitesell, development coordinator of senior living for the Cathcart Group. “It will be village-like with short hallways and communal spaces. We will have coffee bars, cafes and nice finishes throughout the facility.” Bellaire at Devonshire represents a $16 million investment. It will include 64 assisted living and 24 memory care units on 4.34 acres, for a total of 88 units. The new facility will create 50 to 60 full-time positions and a dozen part-time positions for the

Bellaire at Devonshire will include 64 assisted living and 24 memory care units on 4.34 acres, for a total of 88 units. It is expected to be completed in October. area. It is expected to be completed by October. “We are currently interviewing for all positions in the community,” said Brad Markby, chief operating officer for Beacon

Communities. “Right now our focus is on the management of the facility.” Beacon Communities will manage the property after The Cathcart Group builds the new

facility. It is located next to Devonshire’s luxury apartments and townhomes. Markby said the decision for the Cathcart Group to build this upscale assisted living and memory care facility came after multiple research studies. “This is an underserved area and everyone in the market is full,” he said. “We want to become a resource for people living here.” Upon arrival at Bellaire every resident in assisted living and memory care will receive a full assessment. “The assessment will help us determine how independent they are and how often we need to check in on them,” he said. “We know that no two people are alike SEE BELLAIRE ON PAGE 5

Inside This Week: MCHM PERMIT REVOKED - PAGE 3 WEEKLY SPORTS SCHEDULES - PAGE 9 AMBASSADORS FOR JUSTICE - PAGE 16

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