A Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Deputy helped Greenwood Police with a recent arrest.

Sheriff’s Department Spokesperson Judy Jackson says that on Friday,

at approximately 11:40 a.m., Reserve Deputy Matthew Miller was off duty when he exited Gander Mountain in Greenwood. As he pulled from a parking space, he observed a female running from the store pushing a shopping cart and a female employee running from the store asking for help. Miller then reportedly pulled his vehicle in front of the suspect’s car.

Deputy Miller reported that when he checked the suspect’s license plate, it was purposefully covered so that no one would be able to obtain the number. At this point, Jackson says that Deputy Miller believed that a robbery had taken place.

The Deputy reportedly exited his vehicle and identified himself as a law enforcement officer. The subject then allegedly got into her vehicle and, as Deputy Miller approached the driver’s side door, put her car in reverse. Deputy Miller reported that he believed this was done in an attempt to back over him.

Jackson says that as Miller reached in to pull the subject from her vehicle, she continued to drive, dragging Miller. That continued until she hit an obstacle in the parking lot. The suspect then reportedly pulled forward, which allowed Miller to free himself from her vehicle.

The suspect reportedly fled the Gander Mountain parking lot, driving west. Greenwood Police located the vehicle and was in pursuit on Main Street. Police say the suspect ultimately crashed her vehicle into two other vehicles, then fled on foot. She was apprehended by a Greenwood K-9 in the area of Valle Vista Golf Course.

The suspect has been identified as 23-year-old Stephanie N. Rogers, of Indianapolis. Authorities say that she had two outstanding warrants and was driving on a suspended license. Rogers was arrested by Greenwood Police and booked in the Johnson County Jail. She is reportedly facing preliminary charges of Theft, Criminal Recklessness, two counts of Resisting Law Enforcement and two counts of Leaving the Scene of an Accident.

Bartholomew County Sheriff Matt Myers announced Monday that the Indiana Sheriff’s Association (ISA) will again be awarding college scholarships to qualified high school seniors or college students who are pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies. The Sheriff says that there will be approximately forty $500 scholarships awarded to qualifying students throughout the state.

Sheriff Myers explains that applicants must be an Indiana resident, a current member of the ISA or a dependent child or grandchild of a current member, attend an Indiana college or university, major in a law enforcement field and enrolled as a full-time student. The full-time student qualification means that the students is enrolled in at least 12 credit hours each semester.

The scholarship application can be downloaded from the Indiana Sheriff’s Association website at www.indianasheriffs.org. Myers adds that  applications are available at the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office.

Applications must be completed and received by the Indiana Sheriff’s Association, 147 East Maryland Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204-3608, on or before April 1.

A Jennings County man was arrested Friday evening after he allegedly touched a nursing home patient inappropriately.

Columbus Police Department (CPD) Spokesman Sgt. Matt Harris says

that just before 9 p.m., officers responded to the nursing home on the city’s north side after receiving reports that an intoxicated man was causing problems. Nursing home staff reportedly told police that 34-year-old Benjamin R. Reinert, of North Vernon, was visiting a patient when he became disruptive. Harris says that staff allegedly witnessed Reinert urinating outside on the building and throwing glass clippings on one of the residents. According to the report, staff also alleged that Reinert touched a female resident inappropriately shortly before officers arrived.

Reinert was arrested and booked in the Bartholomew County Jail on preliminary charges of Sexual Battery (Level 6 Felony), Public Intoxication (Class B Misdemeanor), Disorderly Conduct (Class B Misdemeanor), and Resisting Law Enforcement (Class A Misdemeanor).

The city of Columbus will be paying off a million dollar loan tonight, originally made to help with downtown development.

In May and June of 2011, Cummins Foundation and the Heritage Fund loaned the city $500,000 each to aid with the construction and buildout of The Commons and for the Indiana University Center for Art and Design. The city has been paying $125,000 a year to each of the foundations since then.

At tonight’s Columbus Redevelopment Commission meeting, the city is going to consider the final payments to pay off the last of that debt. The commission meets at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at Columbus City Hall.

The 18th Annual Gala Benefit for Our Hospice of Jennings County is set for Feb. 6.

Suzie Singer, spokeswoman for Our Hospice of Jennings County, says this Mardi Gras-themed event is a fundraiser for the patients and families cared for by the facility. She says that the evening includes a buffet dinner, silent an live auctions, dancing, cash bar and the crowning of a Queen from contestants from Jennings County High School.

Singer says that the 2016 court includes Danielle Cosby, Heather Feiles, Adrianne Garris, Adrianna Gasper, Emilee Greathouse, Kaylin Klosterman, Megan Koons, Courtney Stoner, Brooke Williams and Stefani Williams. She explains that these 10 JCHS students are in the community raising awareness and funds.

Singer explains that Our Hospice of South Central Indiana of Jennings County is a not-for-profit community-based hospice that provides a family-centered team approach to support the needs of patients with life-limiting conditions. She adds that this is the signature event in the county to raise funds for the organization.

The Feb. 6 event is being held at St. Mary’s Church in North Vernon. The Gala begins at 6 p.m. with a social hour, silent auction and cash bar. Tickets are $35 per person. You can get them by calling Chris Hall at Our Hospice of Jennings County, (812) 346-5944 or Julie Davis, (800) 841-4938, ext. 8085.

For information on how to support Our Hospice as a Gala Event Sponsor (individual or corporate), or as a Gala table sponsor or auction donor, call Julie Davis at 800-841-4938, ext. 8085.

NWA Supreme will present a pro wrestling event to benefit a Seymour food pantry Friday night. The show will be at The Point, at 311 Myers Street, in Seymour. Doors open at 6 p.m. with a 7:30 p.m. bell time.

Proceeds from the event will benefit Anchor House Family Assistance Center and Food Pantry.

Tickets are $8 in advance or $10 at the door and are available at Brooklyn Pizza Company, B2 Bikes and Boards or from any Anchor House board members.

For more information, call 812-522-9308.

A Thursday afternoon traffic stop on I-65 near Seymour led to the discovery of methamphetamine and the arrests of three people.

Indiana State Police (ISP) Spokesman Sgt. Stephen Wheeles says that at

approximately 12:47 p.m., Trp. Randel Miller conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle headed south on the interstate near the 51 mile marker. While speaking with the driver, 55-year-old Carl Eugene Rice, of Texas, the Trooper became suspicious of possible criminal activity. Trp. Miller’s K-9 “Jinx” allegedly alerted to the odor of an illegal drug coming from Rice’s car. A search of the vehicle allegedly resulted in the discovery of over 40 grams of crystal methamphetamine. Rice was then placed under arrest.

Sgt. Wheeles says that information obtained during the traffic stop led to officers searching an apartment in Seymour. He says that ISP

Troopers, along with officers from the Seymour Police Department, executed a search warrant at Jackson Park Place Apartments. Additional items related to the possessing and dealing of illegal drugs were allegedly found inside one of an apartments. Two people who were inside the apartment, 35-year-old Kristin Campbell and 21-year-old John Wiltermood, both of Seymour, were arrested at the scene.

Authorities say that all three suspects were booked in the Jackson County Jail. Rice is facing a preliminary charge of Possession of

Methamphetamine. Campbell and Wiltermood are each facing charges of Conspiracy to Deal Methamphetamine, Maintaining a Common Nuisance, Possession of Synthetic Marijuana, Possession of a Syringe and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Police say that Wiltermood is also facing a preliminary charge of Resisting Law Enforcement.

The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department wants you to know that a fund-raising effort going on for the department is legitimate.

Judy Jackson, spokeswoman for the department, said that the fund drive for the annual Child Safety and Drug Education program is underway and representatives from L.A.W. Publications are contacting area businesses requesting their support for the program.

Jackson said the representatives will have proper identification and will have a letter over the sheriff’s signature. If you have any questions, you can call the sheriff’s department at 812-379-1740.

Columbus firefighters are warning about the danger of thin ice.

Capt. Mike Wilson, spokesman for the Columbus Fire Department, said that especially in light of the death earlier this week of a Greenwood man, people should be wary before venturing out onto ice for recreation or to rescue a pet or person.

Authorities say that 43-year-old Brian Persinger died in a pond on his Greenwood property Tuesday night, likely after trying to rescue his family’s dogs from the water.

Wilson said you should never try to go out on the ice to make a rescue yourself. Instead call 911 for help and reach from shore with a rope, pole, ladder, tree branch, jumper cables or similar object. You can also throw something to keep them afloat such as a life preserver or boat seat cushion.

Wilson that the Columbus Fire Department is equipped with ice water rescue equipment and can safely carry out a rescue.

Among other ice safety tips, Wilson suggested:

Take Precautions

• Never leave a child or pet dog unattended around icy bodies of water.
• Always keep your pets on a leash.
• If a pet dog falls through the ice do not attempt to rescue your dog. Call 911 for help.
• Slush is a danger sign, indicating that ice is no longer freezing from the bottom and can be weak or deteriorating.
• Ice seldom freezes or thaws at a uniform rate.  It can be one foot thick in one spot and be only a few inches thick 10 feet away.

If You Fall In

• Do not panic.
• Turn toward the direction you came from.
• Place your hands and arms onto the ice and place your body against the edge of the ice.
• Kick with your legs to push yourself forward out of the water, onto the ice, and keep trying until you are on solid ice.
• Remain lying down to keep your weight distributed evenly.
• Roll away from the hole and crawl back towards the shore.
• Reach for rope, a pole, or any other item that has been extended you to from someone on dry land.

The Landmark Columbus organization will be presenting a talk called “Columbus is Not a Museum.”

The free event will be Tuesday, February 2nd and will feature Professor Michelangelo Sabatino. Sabatino is director of the PhD program in Architecture at Illinois Institute of Technology.

The talk will focus on the city’s contributions to modern architecture and how that architecture is actually meant to be used as part of everyday life here, not as standalone objects just to be admired. The session will be at 5:30 pm February 2nd at the Columbus Area Visitors Center on 5th Street.