Monthly Archives: April 2016

Columbus resident hurt in motorcycle wreck

A Columbus man was flown to an Indianapolis hospital after a motorcycle crash Thursday evening in Jackson County.

A spokesperson for the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department says that emergency personnel were called to the one-vehicle crash at the intersection of State Road 58 and County Road 810 at approximately 6 p.m. A preliminary investigation indicated that a motorcycle, driven by 30-year-old Robert Fox, was traveling west on State Road 58 when he approached a curve too fast. Authorities say that Fox locked the motorcycle’s brakes, causing him to lose control. They say that the motorcycle fell onto it’s side, traveling some 50 yards in the grass along the road.

The Sheriff’s Department says that Fox was taken, via ambulance, to the Hamilton Fire Department. A medical helicopter met the ambulance there and flew Fox to St. Vincent Hospital. The spokesperson says that Fox suffered a compound fracture to his ankle, as well as other, undisclosed, injuries. His condition has not been updated.

Wafas named recipients of the Laws Human Rights Award

The Columbus Human Rights Commission has announced that the recipients of the 2016 William R. Laws Human Rights Award are Dr. Marwan Wafa and Ala’a Wafa. Aida Ramirez, director of the Columbus Human Rights Commission, says that the pair will be honored during the commission’s annual dinner meeting on May 19 at The Commons.

Ramirez says that the commission selected the pair for the honor for their, “joint contribution in making Columbus a more inclusive community through dialogue, education and strong advocacy.” The Laws Nominating Committee says that the Wafas have been active in raising cultural awareness and educating different groups about religions and cultures. Dr. Wafa is a former vice-chancellor and dean at IUPUC. He left the school last summer to take the position of chancellor of Pennsylvania State University’s Worthington Scranton campus. Ala’a Wafa is an Associate Counsel at Cummins. She is also the daughter of Dr. Wafa.

Ramirez says that the commission’s May 19th meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. and will include the honoring of the student winners of art and essay contests. The keynote address will be provided by the President and co-founder of the Muslim Public Affairs Council, Salam Al-Marayati.

High water closing parts of People Trail

The Columbus Parks Department is reporting that parts of the People Trail system are closed due to high water especially in the Northbrook area near the airport.

So far there have been no reports of water over the trails in usual locations such as Mill Race or Noblitt parks.

The trails will be reopened after the mud and debris is removed. For more information you can call (812) 376-2599.

Arts Council to hold annual meeting this afternoon

The Columbus Area Arts Council makes its annual report to the community this afternoon at YES Cinema in downtown Columbus Refreshments will be served at 4:30 p.m. with the formal program starting at 5:30 p.m.

Keynote speaker Richard McCoy will give a presentation about “Public Art and Why it Matters for Cities.”

In addition to the keynote talk, four retiring members of the Arts Council’s Board of Directors will be recognized for their service: Bryan Brunner, Erin Hawkins, Umar Farooq, and Ebony Williams. Replacing them on the board will be Quazi Fawad, Tricia Gilson, Roy Ice, and McCoy.

You can get more information online at www.artsincolumbus.org

Lightning sparks fire on north side of Columbus

IMG_8822 croppedColumbus firefighters were called to a chaotic scene this morning on the north side of the city when lightning hit a tree and ruptured a natural gas line, causing a fire at about 7:18 a.m.

Capt. Mike Wilson, with the fire department, explains that the fire hit a tree throwing debris into the street, passed under the road and then hit a gas line igniting a tree on the other side.

04-28 Mike Wilson-1

Wilson said that firefighters asked nearby residents to leave their homes so they could be check for gas fumes. Vectren arrived to cap the gas line and to begin repairs.

Coroner candidates consider Owsley case

The most controversial issue to affect the Bartholomew County coroner’s office in recent years was the handling of the April 2013 shooting death of Cary Owsley.

Owsley died from a gunshot wound but the handling of the crime scene by the sheriff’s department and the county coroner led to deputies being disciplined, Owsley’s body being exhumed for autopsies and a federal lawsuit.

Two Republicans, Clayton Nolting and Ron Shadley, are vying for the coroner’s office after long-time coroner Larry Fisher chose not to seek re-election. We asked the candidates about what lessons they took away from the Owsley case.

Nolting says he is not familiar with the case.

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Shadley said that he would review the department’s procedures if elected

04-28 ron shadley question 5-1

Democrat Paula Rothrock is also seeking the coroner’s office but she is unopposed in next week’s primary.

North Vernon shelter asks city for help with renovation

A shelter that provides emergency housing, food and clothing to those in need in, and around, North Vernon is reaching out to local government for help.

Representatives from Wayside Inn approached the North Vernon City Council Monday night to ask for a donation to help bring the building it operates out of up to code. The building, located at 304 Hoosier Street, needs renovations to bring it up to date with fire regulations, says Coleen Malone, who is the head of the shelter. She explained that the shelter has received estimates for work to install a sprinkler system, as well as update fire alarms. Documentation provided to the council put the cost of the sprinkler work at $16,194, while the updated alarm system would run $8,042.

Councilman Jack Kelley asked Malone if the request for funds was time-sensitive. She explained that the building was already technically in violation, but state officials granted a waiver to allow the charity to continue operation. Malone says that waiver runs out in August. She said that the charity is hopeful to at least have the work underway by the time the waiver runs out.

Malone told council members that the shelter does much good for the community. She said that the help provided to those in need has increased dramatically over the past few years. Malone says that in 2014, Wayside Inn helped 25 people, providing 494 nights of stay in area hotels. In 2015, she says that increased to 201 people helped, with 2,584 nights of stay. So far in 2016, Malone says that the shelter has helped 86 people with 1,099 nights of stay. In addition to the shelter assistance, Malone says that Wayside Inn has distributed 887 food boxes, along with clothes shoes, hot showers and toiletries for those in need.

Councilwoman Connie Rayburn expressed gratitude for the work done by the shelter. She also asked Malone if they have considered approaching the county for help. Malone replied that she will be talking to them in the near-future.

The council voted unanimously to table the request for assistance. Council members say that this will allow city officials to determine if there is money available to help. It will also allow Wayside officials the opportunity to talk to Jennings County officials and determine if any funding is available on that end. Council members will reconsider the request at their next meeting on May 9th.

Bartholomew County, Columbus and townships to share LOIT cash

State Rep. Milo Smith delivered good news to Bartholomew County and Columbus Wednesday afternoon via an over-sized check for more that $6.7 million. Smith co-sponsored a bill that lowered the percentage of

Columbus Clerk-Treasurer Luann Welmer, State Rep. Milo Smith and Bartholomew County Auditor Barb Hackman; Photo: Chris Lowe
Columbus Clerk-Treasurer Luann Welmer, State Rep. Milo Smith and Bartholomew County Auditor Barb Hackman; Photo: Chris Lowe

Local Option Income Taxes (LOIT) held in reserve by the state from 50-percent, to 15-percent. When the bill was passed, Smith says that meant that local communities throughout Indiana would see a windfall totaling approximately $434 million. Along with the infusion of cash, Smith said that the distributions represent good-paying jobs rebuilding the state’s infrastructure.

Smith delivered the check to the Bartholomew County Auditor’s Office, where County Auditor Barb Hackman and Columbus Clerk-Treasurer Luann Welmer were waiting. Hackman said that the county’s portion of the distribution totals nearly $2.5 million. She went on to say that the city of Columbus will get nearly $3.4 million, while the various townships across the county will be sharing just over $900 thousand.

We asked Welmer what the city will use the money for. While she expressed a preference for putting some cash in the city’s “rainy-day” fund, Welmer says that members of the city’s government will meet Thursday to discuss specifics. Welmer says that group includes her, along with her chief deputy, Kim Sweet. Also expected to take part in the discussion is Director of Administration Mary Ferdon, Executive Director of Public Works Dave Hayward and Director of Operations, Finance and Risk Jamie Brinegar.

We asked Hackman what the money will be used for on the county’s end. She said that state lawmakers have given counties guidelines in how they are to use the LOIT disbursement. Hackman says that 75-percent of the money received must be spent on roads, bridges and other infrastructure work. The remaining 25-percent, she said, could be spent however county officials see fit. Hackman says that both the County Commissioners, and County Council, will need to work together to move forward on any additional spending. She added that she expects that both groups will be meeting in the coming weeks to discuss the issue.

Mother arrested after sons allegedly bring drug paraphernalia to school

A Columbus mother is facing charges after her three sons allegedly took a plate with methamphetamine residue and drug paraphernalia to school. The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department says that the boys found the items in their mother’s bathroom.

Sheriff’s Department Spokesperson Judy Jackson says that at approximately 8:36 a.m. on Tuesday, Detective Will Kinman was

Christine Maxey; Photo courtesy of the Bartholomew County Sheriff's Dept.
Christine Maxey; Photo courtesy of the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Dept.

contacted after the brothers, ages 12, 11 and 9, brought the items to school. The boys’ mother, 31-year-old of Teresa Christine Maxey, was arrested on preliminary charges of Neglect of a Dependent. She was booked in the Bartholomew County Jail, where the Sheriff’s Department says she remains in lieu of $7,500.00 bond. Jackson adds that the Department of Child Services was contacted by school officials.

Deputies warn of sweepstakes scam

Deputies are warning of a sweepstakes scam that took a Johnson County couple for about $10,000.

Sheriff Doug Cox says that deputies talked yesterday to the couple about the ongoing scam which started last year. They said that they were contacted by a man representing a sweepstakes that told them they had won $3.5 million and a Mercedes, but first they had to pay $1,500 in fees and $270 to the IRS.

After sending that money, they received word that they needed to send another $3,500 for IRS issues. And then they were sent a check for $4,500 and told to deposit it, but to send $3,500 back to the scammer. That check bounced after they had already sent the cash. A second check for $4,500 was also found to be fake.

Authorities warn that you will never be asked to pay fees to claim a legitimate prize and you should never send money to someone you don’t know.