Monthly Archives: December 2016

Vehicle collides with house on Jonesville Road

The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a Tuesday morning hit-and-run involving a house. Caitlyn Gross, department spokeswoman, says that Deputy Dane Duke and Deputy Jarod Aspenson were dispatched to the 6100 block of South Jonesville Road at 9:31 a.m. on a report of an accident with possible injury.

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

While in route, Gross says the deputies were advised that the vehicle had struck a residence and the driver had left the scene on foot. Upon arrival, authorities learned that the vehicle caused extensive damage to the outside of the home. She says that the vehicle also struck a gas line, which required Vectren personnel to respond the scene.

Authorities say that no one was hurt at the scene, but added that the driver has not yet been found. If you have any information about this case, you are asked to contact the Sheriff’s Department.

Two girls injured in Christmas Day crash

Photo courtesy of Bartholomew County Sheriff's Department.
Photo courtesy of Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department.

Two girls were injured in a Christmas Day crash in Bartholomew County.

Deputies say the crash happened at almost 6:30 p.m. on Sunday evening on County Road 1000N near North Base Road. Deputies discovered that two girls had pulled themselves from the burning wreckage of an SUV. That’s despite burns and broken bones in their legs and with the vehicle stuck in a ditch.

One young woman, the driver, was taken to Eskenazi Hospital by ambulance. The passenger was taken to Columbus Regional Hospital.

No names have been released.

The sheriff’s department was assisted at the scene by German Townhip Volunteer firefighters and the Indiana State Police.

Three injured in southern Bartholomew crash

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

Three people were injured in a Friday evening crash in southern Bartholomew County.

Indiana State Police are reporting that 21-year-old Samuel J. Morris of Dupont was driving west on County Road 750S at about 6:30 p.m. that evening and failed to yield to a pickup being driven by 52-year-old Larry Abbot of Columbus. Abbot’s truck hit Morris in the driver’ side of his car.

Rescue workers had to cut Morris from his vehicle and he was flown to IU Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis and has since been released, according to the state police.. Abbot was taken to Schneck Medical Center for minor injuries.

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

22-year-old Taylor Finley of Scipio was a passenger in Morris’ vehicle and was flown to St. Vincent’s Hospital in Indianapolis. Finley’s injuries were not believed to be life-threatening.

The cause of the accident is still ongoing.

Two teachers receive Reams awards

Two local educators have been chosen for the 2017 Reams Family Awards for Teaching by Heritage Fund — The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County.

The two private school teachers, Bobbi K Owens and Jean Jack will each receive a $4,000 award.

The award was established by Fred and Karen Reams to recognize outstanding private school educators in Bartholomew County. This is the 11th year for the awards and more than $98,000 has been awarded to area teachers since it started. Nominations are made by school principals or directors based on the nominees skills and dedication to teaching, initiative and contributions to the school and its environment.

Owens, an artist, has been teaching at ABC-Stewart Montessori School for 18 years. He teachers art classes and mentors the after-school Art Club.

Jack has been teaching for four years at White Creek Lutheran. She’s been a teacher for 24 years and is an alumni of White Creek Lutheran.

Woman escapes from Christmas Eve fire

Photo courtesy of Columbus Fire Department.
Photo courtesy of Columbus Fire Department.

A Columbus woman and her dog escaped uninjured from a Christmas Eve fire on Imperial Drive after a cabinet near her stove burst into flames, firefighters report.

Capt. Mike Wilson, spokesman for the fire department, said firefighters were called to the scene at 12:33 in the afternoon. They fought through heavy smoke to extinguish the fire. Although the resident had been cooking shortly before the fire, the stove itself showed no signs of fire damage inside or out.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Damage was estimated at about $30,000

Cummins plans festivities for new Indy office building

Cummins is planning a grand opening and ribbon cutting for its new downtown Indianapolis office building next week.

The new building, on the former site of Market Square Arena, will be the headquarters for global distribution for the Columbus-based diesel engine manufacturer.

According to company officials, up to 450 employees will work in the building. The building itself is designed by Deborah Berke Partners, a New York based architectural firm that also designed the First Financial Bank branch on Creekview Drive in Columbus.

The new building sits on four acres including a park and plaza designed by David Rubin Land Collective.

The grand opening will start at 10 a.m Thursday, Jan.. 5th with remarks.

Two injured in Jennings County crash

Photo courtesy of North Vernon Police Department.
Photo courtesy of North Vernon Police Department.

Two people were injured in a Christmas Eve crash on U.S. 50 in Jennings County.

The North Vernon Police Department reports that the crash happened at 11:51 p.m. on U.S. 50 and Showers Drive when 27-year-old William Lane of Seymour, crossed the centerline and collided head-on with 19-year-old Brittany Engelking of Scipio.

Lane was trapped inside his wrecked vehicle for about an hour as rescue workers tried to free him. He was taken first to St. Vincent Jennings Hospital and then to an Indianapolis area hospital, police report. Engelking was also taken to St. Vincent Jennings with non-life threatening injuries, police report.

The accident remains under investigation.

Photo courtesy of North Vernon Police Department.
Photo courtesy of North Vernon Police Department.
Photo courtesy of North Vernon Police Department.
Photo courtesy of North Vernon Police Department.

Southbound lane of I-65 to close near Seymour

Indiana Department of Transportation maintenance crews have been scheduled to make repairs on Interstate 65 near Seymour next week. Harry Maginity, INDOT spokesman, says that the southbound right lane, at the 50.9 mile marker, just north of U.S. Highway 50, will close for pavement replacement operations at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, December 28. That lane is scheduled to remain closed until mid-afternoon the next day.

INDOT says that workers will be cutting out a section of failed concrete pavement. Once it is removed, new concrete will be poured. This area of southbound I-65’s right lane will remain closed until the new concrete cures.

INDOT stresses that this work is dependent on the weather.

Ceremonies set to swear in elected officials

A new year brings new leadership, not only in Washington D.C., but locally as well.

Barb Hackman, chairwoman of the Bartholomew County Republican Party, says that newly elected and recently re-elected Republican county office holders will be sworn in at a ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 31st at Superior Court 1 at the Bartholomew County Courthouse.

Among the new officials taking the oath of office for the first time will be Judge Kelly Benjamin, Coroner Clayton Nolting and County Council member Matt Miller. Those re-elected include County Commissioners Rick Flohr and Larry Kleinhenz, County Council members Bill Lentz and Evelyn Pence and County Surveyor E.R. Gray III.

Hackman said most of the Republicans will be sworn in by Judge Jim Worton. But Judge Steve Heimann served as a mentor to Benjamin and she is hoping he will swear her in, if he his available.

Hope Town Council member, Republican Ohmer Miller, is also slated to take the oath during the New Year’s Eve ceremony. Hope-area Democrats will be swearing in two new Town Council members, Nellie Meek and Ed Johnson, at 1 the afternoon of Friday, Dec. 30th at the Town Hall.

Hope Clerk-Treasurer Diane Burton, an independent, was sworn in Wednesday by County Clerk Jay Phelps.

Officials from both parties are inviting and encouraging you to attend these ceremonies

Hackman says that if you do come to the courthouse ceremony, you should be aware that the standard security protocols will be in effect at the entrance of the courthouse.

Koa, retired Seymour police dog, dies at 14

Seymour police are reporting that former police dog Koa has died.

The dog served the department from 2004 to 2010. Since retiring Koa has been living with his partner, Ian McPherson and family.

The police department credits Koa with restarting the department’s K-9 program. Koa is credited with numerous arrests and seizures of illegal drugs and money associated with drug deals. He earned the honorary rank of sergeant in the U.S. Army for providing training and demonstrations to deploying military units.

Koa was 14 years old.