Monthly Archives: January 2017

Deputy’s car rear-ended in Johnson County

Johnson County Sheriff Doug Cox says a deputy was taken to the hospital after a crash this morning.

The deputy made a traffic stop on State Road 135 near County Road 200N at about 1:15 a.m. this morning and had his emergency lights activated. He had just gotten back into his cruiser to check the driver’s license, when another car rear-ended the patrol car. The deputy’s car was then pushed into the car he had stopped.

The deputy, Jason Wienhorst, said he was able to get out of the car and called for ambulances. He was taken to the hospital where he filed his report. The Bargersville police are taking over the crash investigation. There is no word yet on any other injuries.

Local food summit planned by Bartholomew County’s Purdue extension

The Purdue Cooperative Extension office in Bartholomew County and other local groups are organizing a local food summit for next month.

According to organizers, a well-developed local food economy helps to conserve agricultural land, keeps farmers farming, brings new farmers into an aging workforce, and creates jobs. The goals of this, the second local food summit, is to bring together networks of buyers and growers to help achieve those benefits.

Kris Medic, with the extension office, provided statistics showing that in Indiana, nearly 1,000 farms are selling locally to restaurants, grocers and institutional buyers.

The second local food summit is being held from 9 to 3 on Wednesday February 22nd. at Donner Center. Registration is free and a locally sourced lunch will be provided. You can register here.

Broken headlight leads to arrest for false ID

Micah D. Orr. Photo courtesy of Columbus Police Department.
Micah D. Orr. Photo courtesy of Columbus Police Department.

A broken headlight and a fake ID led to a Columbus driver’s arrest last night, police say.

Officers stopped a car with only one working headlight at about 2:40 this morning at State and Hinman Streets. The driver initially produced  a driver’s license that was not hers, says Lt. Matt Harris, spokesman for the Columbus police. Officers found that the driver was actually 26-year-old Micah D. Orr of Columbus and that she was wanted on a Shelby County warrant.

As officers searched Orr before her arrest and at the jail, they also allegedly found three syringes and drug paraphernalia. She is facing preliminary charges of driving while suspended, false informing, and possession of a legend drug injection device and drug paraphernalia, as well as the Shelby County warrant.

 

 

Columbus officials excited about ‘Columbus’ movie

Columbus tourism officials are excited about a new film featuring the city that premiered this week at the Sundance Film Festival.

The film, also called “Columbus,” was shot in and around the city last summer and prominently features the world-famous Columbus architecture.

Early reviews of the Columbus movie have been positive. Jordan Hoffman of Vanity Fair called the film “an architecture appreciation symposium grafted onto the skeleton of a fairly typical Sundance drama.”

The film stars John Cho of Star Trek fame and Haley Lu Richardson.

The Sundance Film Festival, held each year in Park City, Utah, is the country’s largest festival for independent films. Columbus premiered on Sunday and a delegation of local officials including Mayor Jim Lienhoop attended the festival and the screening.

Flat Rock-Hawcreek seeks outstanding alumni

Flat Rock Hawcreek school officials are looking for their next outstanding alumni.

The annual award is given to former students who graduated at least 10 years ago from a Flat Rock Hawcreek high school such as Hauser. Nomination forms are available at the superintendent’s office at the Hope Branch of the Bartholomew County Public Library and on the school district website at www.flatrock.k12.in.us/domain/33 under the Community and Outstanding Alumni section. The deadline to make a nomination is March 1st.

Trooper injured in Bartholomew County chase

An Indiana State Police trooper was injured in a chase through Bartholomew County Tuesday night. The chase started near Franklin and Third Streets Tuesday and ended with the crash at County Roads 325W and 200N says Sgt. Stephen Wheeles, spokesman for the State Police. Trooper Matt Powell suffered minor injuries and was taken to Columbus Regional Hospital to be checked out, but was soon released.

The driver, 20-year-old William D. Decker, is facing preliminary charges of resisting law enforcement, possession of a stolen handgun, driving while suspended and possession of a syringe.

Deputies name Bartholomew County’s most wanted fugitive

Roderic F. Jernigan. Photo courtesy of Bartholomew County Sheriff's Department.
Roderic F. Jernigan. Photo courtesy of Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department.

The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department is looking for Roderic F. Jernigan as their most wanted fugitive for the week.

Jernigan is a 58-year-old black man, five feet eight inches tall and 160 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. He is wanted for failing to appear in court on a felony charge.

If you have any information on Jernigan, you can contact Capt. Dave Steinkoenig at 812-565-59 40 or call the sheriff’s department tip line at 812-379-1712. Tips can be left anonymously and all information provided is confidential

Statehouse committee approves magistrate plan for Shelby County

The House Committee on Courts and Criminal Code voted Wednesday to support State Rep. Sean Eberhart’s (R-Shelbyville) legislative proposal that would allow for the appointment of a full-time magistrate in Shelby County.

A magistrate is a civil officer or lay judge who administers the law. Eberhart said most magistrates conduct court proceedings, handling minor offenses and preliminary hearings for more serious offenses.

“The last time Shelby County was granted another judicial officer was 40 years ago,” Eberhart said. “Since then, our community has experienced a boost in population, workforce and economic development, along with the casino attracting visitors from across the state and country to our area.”

Eberhart said House Bill 1053 would give the power of appointing the magistrate to the county judges.

“Right now the Shelby County court system is bogged down, and our three judges are doing the work of more than four judges,” Eberhart said. “By adding this magistrate position, it would help lift the burden currently placed on our courts, and ensure a more efficient administration of justice in Shelby County.”

House Bill 1053 is now headed to the House Committee on Ways and Means for further consideration.

Noise ordinance fight continues in North Vernon

The fight over North Vernon’s Noise Ordinance continues. Mike Barnes, with Phat Guys Sports Bar & Grill, approached the city council earlier this month after his business, located at 312 Hoosier Street, was cited multiple times by police on complaints of excessive noise. During this week’s council meeting, the neighbors responsible for the majority of the complaints gave their side of the argument. Flo and Arthur Dixon have lived in their home, near the bar, since the mid 80s…

The Dixons say the noise from the business, patrons and their vehicles is too much…

The couple also told the council that individuals working at and visiting the bar have targeted them for harassment due to the many complaints they have lodged with police. Barnes denies that allegation. The Dixons also complained about at least North Vernon Police Officer, claiming that the officer “lies” when he is dispatched to investigate a noise complaint, reporting back that the noise coming from the bar is not unreasonable. NVPD Chief James Webster took issue with that, quickly coming to the defense of his officer and calling the Dixon’s accusation “unfair” and “not true.”

Barnes again told council members says that he can’t follow an ordinance that doesn’t include measurables to let him know when his business is in violation…

While no official action was taken, members of the council urged both parties to try to work together. The body also agreed to consider altering the ordinance and purchasing meter to monitor decibel levels.

Seymour man to serve 28 years for producing child porn

A Seymour man has been sentenced to 28 years in prison after taking sexually explicit images of a 9-year-old girl.

U.S. Attorney Josh Minkler announced today that 50-year-old Robert D. Jenkins of Seymour was sentenced in the case which started in March of 2015. A woman discovered the photos of her daughter on Jenkins’ phone and turned the phone over to the Seymour Police Department. An investigation found more sexually explicit images that appeared to have been taken in Jenkins’ home. He was convicted in federal court of producing child pornography.

Jenkins had previously been convicted of sexual misconduct with a minor and child molestation in a 2001 Jackson County case and was sentenced then to three years in prison.