Monthly Archives: February 2016

Hope man arrested on drunk-driving charge

Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Deputies were responding to a report of a stolen vehicle Sunday morning when they ultimately arrested a local man for allegedly driving drunk.

Sheriff’s Department Spokesperson Judy Jackson says that at approximately 6:11 a.m., Deputies Leah Burton and Merrill Henderson

Kainen Joe Carr
Kainen Joe Carr

were en route to 1056 W CR 625 S, responding to a reported stolen vehicle. On arrival, the deputies saw a car in the driveway of the residence. The vehicle then turned into the yard of a neighbor.

Deputy Burton stopped the vehicle and spoke with the driver, 27-year-old Kainen Joe Carr, of Hope. During the discussion, the deputy reported noticing a strong odor of alcohol. After further investigation, authorities say that Carr was arrested on a preliminary charge of Operating a Motor Vehicle while Under the Influence. Jackson says that Carr was booked to the Bartholomew County Jail and later released on $2,500 bond.

Slow moving vehicle leads to drunk-driving arrest

A Columbus man was arrested early Monday morning on drunk driving charges.

Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department Spokesperson Judy Jackson says that Deputies Teancum Clark and Leah Burton approached a

RUBICEL CORDOVA GONZALEZ
RUBICEL CORDOVA GONZALEZ

vehicle that was traveling slowly, then abruptly stopped at 1404 W CR 400 N.

Jackson says that the driver, identified as 29-year-old Rubicel Cordova Gonzales, of 2248 Fremont Drive, was driving without a license and was visibly under the influence of alcohol.

Jackson says that Gonzales was arrested on charges of Operating a Motor Vehicle while Intoxicated and Operating without Ever Receiving a Driver’s License. He was booked in the Bartholomew County Jail, then later released on $7,500 bond.

Deputies responding to an overdose save life, make arrest

Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Deputies saved a life, then made an arrest shortly afterwards.

Department Spokesperson Judy Jackson says that on Sunday morning, at approximately 12:24 a.m., Deputy Leah Burton was dispatched to

Kimberly R. Kirk
Kimberly R. Kirk

5371 E 50 N after receiving a report of an unconscious woman. When Deputy Burton arrived, she was reportedly met by 42-year-old Kimberly R. Kirk, of Columbus. Kirk allegedly told the deputy that the woman “had taken something” and was unconscious in the bedroom of the home.

Jackson says that Deputy Burton found the woman, who was not breathing, moments later. She began CPR while Deputy Matt Bush administered Narcan, a drug that reverses the effect of an overdose. Jackson says that after three doses of Narcan and continued CPR, the unconscious woman began breathing. She was then transported to Columbus Regional Hospital.

Jackson says that in the aftermath, the deputies learned that Kirk had an outstanding warrant out of Johnson County. She adds that deputies also found that Kirk was in possession of heroin. Kirk was arrested and booked in the Bartholomew County Jail on the outstanding warrant, along with a preliminary charge of Possession of Heroin. Authorities say that she is being held without bond.

Crash near City Hall leads to arrest of Columbus resident

A Columbus man was arrested on a drunk driving charge after his vehicle struck a crosswalk signal near Columbus City Hall early Sunday morning.

Police Department Spokesman Lt. Matt Harris says that Officer Robert Mitchell responded to the reported crash at 4:15 a.m. Mitchell reported

Adam Goode
Adam Goode

that an SUV ran over the crosswalk signal at the southeast corner of Second and Washington Streets. Harris says that the driver, 29-year-old Adam L. Goode, was sitting in the vehicle when officers arrived. While paramedics were checking Goode, the officers noted the strong odor of alcohol on Goode’s breath. Police also allege that Goode’s speech was slurred and he had trouble maintaining his balance. A breath test allegedly indicated that Goode had a blood-alcohol content (BAC) of .246-percent, more than three-times the legal limit.

Harris says that Goode was arrested and booked in the Bartholomew County Jail on a preliminary charge of Operating a Vehicle with a B.A.C. Greater than .15-Percent.

Chamber of Commerce hosting annual luncheon Wednesday

The Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce is holding its annual meeting this week.

Cindy Frey says the meeting is set for 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center on Jonathan Moore Pike.

Frey says the keynote speaker for this event is Aaron Wren, Senior Fellow at the Manhattan Institute. She says that Wren’s mission is helping to make sities thrive in the 21st century.

Cindy Frey 1

Frey explains that along with guest speakers, area residents and business leaders will also be honored during the luncheon.

Cindy Frey 2

For more information, you can go to www.columbuschamber.com

Mayor to discuss economic spending plan Tuesday

Columbus Mayor Jim Lienhoop and the Columbus Economic Development Board will be presenting the community with more information Tuesday night about a program to try and recruit more businesses to Columbus.

Lienhoop said the board has done a good job recruiting automotive parts manufacturers over the past 40 years.

Jim Lienhoop 1

Two weeks ago, the mayor unveiled a plan to take about $136,000 in economic development income tax money and give it as a grant to the economic development board.

Jim Lienhoop 2

Leinhoop said that state law gives the mayor the authority on how to spend that money and while previous Mayor Kristen Brown’s plan concentrated on items the city does Lienhoop said they will find other ways to fund those purchases.

Jim Lienhoop 4

For example, Lienhoop said he expects a fire truck to cost less than expected and plans to pay for police and fire radios out of other funds.

More details will be discussed with the City Council at Tuesday night’s council meeting, Lienhoop said. The council meets at 6 p.m. at City Hall.

Columbus police arrest two after motorcycle stop

Columbus police arrested two people on drug charges after stopping a motorcycle Saturday afternoon.

Officer Troy Love pulled the motorcycle over at about 3:15 p.m. Saturday afternoon after watching the driver switch lanes without signalling near Lafayette and Third Streets, said Lt. Matt Harris, spokesman for the Columbus Police Department. The officer reported that a passenger, a 17-year-old juvenile, appeared to be trying to hide something in his coat and refused to show his hands when ordered to. When the officer searched the boy’s coat, police report that they found several syringes.

The motorcycle driver, 46-year-old Virl D. Murray of Columbus allegedly was carrying drug paraphernalia and methamphetamine in a bag under the seat of the motorcycle. Murray is facing preliminary charges of possession of a legend drug injection device, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The boy was take to the county youth services center on a preliminary charge of possession of a legend drug injection device.

Blood drive Tuesday at Bartholomew County Library

The American Red Cross will be hosting at blood drive at the Bartholomew County Public Library from 2 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday.

The agency says there is a critical need for O positive, O negative and B negative blood types. To schedule an appointment time you can call 1-800 RED CROSS or go to www.redcrossblood dot org and enter the sponsor code bartholomewcountylibrary.

Mary Clare Specker with the library says that donors will receive a “book buck” that can be used in the library’s ongoing used book sale.

Columbus police use Taser to subdue stun gun wielding suspect

Christopher May
Christopher May

Columbus police say they had to use a Taser to subdue a suspect who was carrying a stun gun on Saturday.

Police were called to Taylor Road at about 1:15 p.m. after a car crashed into the rear of another vehicle near 31st Street. The driver allegedly got out of the vehicle and began flailing his arms, threatening witnesses and setting off the stun gun, according to Lt. Matt Harris, spokesman for the police department. After police ordered the man to drop his weapon and he refused, he was shot with the Taser.

Sgt. Jay Frederick had to reload and fire the Taser again after the probes did not make a connection on the first attempt, Harris said.

25-year-old Christopher O. May of North Vernon was arrested on preliminary charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, operating a vehicle without ever receiving a license, battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting law enforcement, intimidation, intimidation of a police officer and criminal recklessness.

“Sgt. Frederick was able to utilize less lethal measures while faced with a lethal force situation” Harris said. “There is no doubt that his quick reactions and decision making brought this dangerous situation safely to an end.”

Columbus police display the stun gun they say was used to intimidate officers and witnesses Saturday.
Columbus police display the stun gun they say was used to intimidate officers and witnesses Saturday.

Pilot makes emergency landing on Interstate 65

Photo courtesy of Indiana State Police
Photo courtesy of Indiana State Police

A pilot made an emergency landing on Interstate 65 south of Seymour on Saturday morning.

According to the Indiana State Police, 44-year-old Aaron Wright of Carmel was flying a Beechcraft Bonanza with his wife and son as passengers from Carmel to Louisville when he had mechanical problems. He turned the plane around and at first tried to land at the Seymour airport but realized he wasn’t going to make it to the airfield.

Instead, Wright landed the plane on the southbound lanes of Interstate 65 at about 11:30 a.m. Trooper Stephen Wheeles, spokesman for the state police, says that traffic on the interstate was slowed down for about three hours.

The state police, FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.

Photo courtesy of Indiana State Police
Photo courtesy of Indiana State Police