A North Carolina woman was seriously injured in a two-vehicle crash Thursday just outside of North Vernon. Sgt. Stephen Wheeles, spokesman for the Indiana State Police, say that the crash happened at about 1:30 p.m. at the intersection of US 50 and State Road 750 in Jennings County.

The initial investigation by Trooper Matt Holley indicated that a car driven by 74-year-old Ann Cutter, of Greensboro, was traveling west on US 50, approaching the intersection at State Road 750 when it entered the intersection into the path of a semi tractor-trailer driven by 27-year-old Carlnell V. Barrett II, of Mullins, South Carolina. ISP says that Cutter’s car struck Barrett’s trailer before coming to rest partially under the trailer. Cutter was trapped in the vehicle until she was able to be freed by emergency personnel. She was then flown to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis for what are being called “critical injuries.” Barrett was not hurt.

Wheeles says that the investigation is ongoing. Neither alcohol nor drugs are not believed to be factors in the crash.

A former Indiana State Police Officer has been arrested on allegations of improper conduct with a minor. Capt. David Bursten, ISP spokesman, says that 54-year-old Jack R. Hewitt, of Greensburg, was arrested Thursday afternoon at the Decatur County Sheriff’s Department. Bursten says the arrest was the result of a state police investigation.

Bursten says that Indiana State Police personnel were notified of the allegations against Hewitt by another law enforcement officer on August 9th of this year. As a result of the allegations, a state police criminal investigation began on the same day and Hewitt was immediately placed on paid administrative leave. Specifics of the allegations have not been released.

Bursten says that Hewitt resigned from the force on the same day as his arrest. He is being held at the Decatur County Jail on preliminary charges of Sexual Battery, a Level 6 felony, and Sexual Misconduct with a Minor, a Level 5 felony. Hewitt was with ISP since December of 1998 and officials say that he did not have any prior disciplinary history with the department.

Columbus Regional Health has scheduled a public auction to coordinate the sale of the remaining contents of the former Clarion Hotel and Conference Center. Kelsey DeClue, hospital spokeswoman, says that a public auction will take place Sept. 16th at 9:30 a.m. at the former hotel. The auction will be conducted by Earl’s Auction Company.

Last month, Columbus Regional Health acquired the foreclosed facility and surrounding property from German American Capital Corporation following a Sherriff’s Sale. Since then, DeClue says that Columbus Regional Health has been working with the Bartholomew County Historical Society to secure new use for some of hotel contents with historical and architectural significance, as well as working with area non-profits to donate hundreds of items, ranging from furniture and appliances to office supplies.

CRH says that plans continue to evolve for the 22-acre property on , located on State Road 46 West near the Interstate 65 exchange. DeClue says the building is scheduled to be demolished before the end of the year. Prior to demolition, however, she says that the hospital will coordinate with local law enforcement and fire and rescue departments to loan the facility for training exercises.

CRH added that future plans for the property have yet to be finalized.

Eric Fish, M.D., MBA, has been named Vice President of Medical Affairs and Chief Medical Officer of Schneck Medical Center in Seymour. Hospital officials say that, in his new role, Dr. Fish will provide executive leadership, direction, and administration of the hospital medical staff.

Dr. Fish earned his medical degree at Indiana University School of Medicine and completed his residency in obstetrics and gynecology at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis. He joined the medical staff at Schneck in 2005 and founded Schneck Obstetrics & Gynecology in 2006. He is board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics & Gynecology. In 2013, he received his Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee.

Dr. Fish is also a past President of the Schneck Medical Staff, Chairman of the Physician Excellence Committee, and Medical Director of Schneck Obstetrics & Gynecology. He also serves as Chairman of the Board of Managers for Inspire Health Partners.

A Wednesday morning traffic stop led to the arrest of a Columbus man on drug charges. Judy Jackson, Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department spokeswoman, says that at 2:34 a.m., a deputy saw an SUV disregard the traffic light on northbound US 31 at County Road 650 North.

The deputy stopped the vehicle and spoke with the driver, 27-year-old Aaron J. Starkey. Authorities say that they could smell marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. K9 Bolt then alerted to the odor of drugs inside of Starkey’s vehicle, leading to a search. Inside, deputies reported finding a black zipper pouch that contained a glass smoking pipe, a set of digital scales, a grinder and a bag containing a green leafy substance. They also reported finding a backpack, containing a plastic container with six plastic baggies, each containing a green leafy substance.

Starkey was arrested on preliminary charges of Dealing in Marijuana, Possess of Marijuana and Possession of Paraphernalia. Jackson says that he has since been released.

Republican State Rep. Jim Lucas, who represents southern Bartholomew County as part of his statehouse district, is expected at a town hall at noon Saturday at the State Library to talk about his support for medical marijuana.

Marijuana advocates believe Lucas’ support will be a game changer for their movement. Our news-gathering partners at Network Indiana talked with David Phipps, leader of the Indiana Cannabis Revolution.

“Rep. Jim Lucas, the assistant majority whip in the state house, has come out and voiced his support,” Phipps told the network.

“That is hopefully making other Republican legislators a little more comfortable with leaning more on the topic and we plan on having quite a few of them at our upcoming town hall.”

Lucas, of Seymour, said he’s heard from people in his district who say they have been helped.

“People telling me their personal stories, how they’ve been helped by this product and how far behind Indiana is on this issue,” said Lucas, talking with RTV6 earlier this month. “We have a responsibility to at least investigate it and determine the facts.”

Traditionally it has been Democrat lawmakers who have attended the town halls on the subject. Phipps said he believes more Republicans will be bolder about possible support for medical cannabis.

“This is a non-partisan issue. It doesn’t belong to any individual party. More than a partisan issue, it’s a moral issue.”

Phipps said he believes medical marijuana will help Hoosiers in pain.

“We’re talking about a bill that will be able to help our veterans with PTSD, pain management. We’re talking about just your average Hoosier with pain management issues that are stuck taking opioids. They’re going to have another safer alternative in the future, thanks to people like Rep. Lucas coming out and supporting this,” said Phipps.

Phipps said he believes Lucas is all in.

“Rep. Lucas has made it very clear that he is in full support of full medical and he will be submitting a medical cannabis bill that will help all Hoosiers this coming general assembly.”

Phipps said he believes Hoosiers who either support medical cannabis or who want to learn more about it should come to the town hall.

Exhibit Columbus gets underway full speed this weekend but the first event is this afternoon. Local high school students will unveil their installation at the historic post office at 7th and Washington streets in downtown Columbus at 5 p.m. today.

Richard McCoy, director of Landmark Columbus, explains the students’ work.

The high school installation is one of 18 around the community that will be unveiled over the next few days.

On Friday morning, the six installations from university architectural students from around the region will be unveiled at a ceremony at Central Middle School. That starts at 11 a.m. and you will have the chance to talk with the student architects and their professors.

Other Exhibit Columbus events that are free and open to the public include:

• Architect’s Newspaper opening conversations, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in the Red Room of the Bartholomew County Public Library.
•  Exhibit Columbus Opening Celebration 2 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday on Fifth Street from First Christian Church to Mill Race Park
• Mill Race Park 25th Anniversary Celebration, 4:30 to 7 p.m. at Mill Race Park.

For more information on the Exhibit Columbus schedule go to exhibitcolumbus.org

In advance of Exhibit Columbus events, the Columbus Area Arts Council is hosting a self-guided walking tour of downtown Columbus art, design and architecture tonight. Kathryn Armstrong is executive director of the Arts Council:

The Art Walk runs from 5:30 to 9 p.m. and includes nine locations where you can pick up a map, see new art exhibits and get a stamp. A reception will be held afterwards at Hotel Indigo, starting at 8:15 p.m.

If you get five stamps you will be entered into a drawing for tickets to the Columbus Movie. The nine starting locations are:

1. Bartholomew County Public Library Gallery, Cleo Rogers Memorial Library, 536 5th St.  — Avenue of the Architects by Columbus Indiana Architectural Archives
2. Columbus Area Visitors Center, 506 5th St.  — Charley Harper Exhibition
3. Hotel Indigo, 400 Brown St. — Graphic Design Celebration
4. kidscommons, 309 Washington St. Mural by Andy J. Miller also Live, Laugh, Love, Laugh Until You Cry by Tré Reising
5. Viewpoint Books,  548 Washington St. — Nomad Arts, art, spoken word and music by Dresden.
6. Former Brad’s Furniture,  538 Washington St. — Room Setting, a mid-century modern experience curated by Columbus Area Arts Council
7. IU Center for Art + Design, 301 Jackson St. — Redeveloping Downtown by Columbus Indiana Architectural Archives
8. IU Center for Art + Design,  301 Jackson St. — Shadow of an Unknown Bird, a large 3D printed sculpture by Cummins engineers and IU artists & designers.
9. Bartholomew County Historical Society, 524 3rd St. — The National Historic Landmarks of Columbus, Indiana by Columbus Indiana Architectural Archives and Ball State University

For more on the Art Walk, go to artsincolumbus.org

The Columbus Area Arts Council’s annual fundraiser is set for Saturday, October 21st. With a nod to the event’s tagline: “Designing the Future,” spokeswoman Kathryn Armstrong explains that this year’s event will be held at the Columbus Learning Center.

Armstrong says the Columbus Learning Center represents the future of arts and design in the community.

Tickets go on sale soon.

For more information on UnCommon Cause, visit artsincolumbus.org.

The Bartholomew County Public Library has received an $11,000 grant digitize historic materials related to the Irwin-Sweeney-Miller family and 301 Washington Street, the former site of Irwin’s Bank and of Irwin Management Company. The project, titled “301 Washington Street: Cornerstone of Columbus, Indiana,” is a partnership between Bartholomew County Public Library, Columbus Indiana Architectural Archives and Bartholomew County Historical Society.

Jason Hatton, director of the Bartholomew County Public Library, considers this project an important first step in making the County’s history available online. “Receiving this grant is an opportunity to bring together materials held by three different cultural institutions: the Library, Columbus Indiana Architectural Archives, and Bartholomew County Historical Society. Bartholomew County has such a rich history, and this digitization project will bring a small but significant collection of materials spanning a century to the public’s eye.” According to Tricia Gilson, CIAA archivist and curator, 301 Washington Street collection is of interest to researchers locally, nationally, and internationally. “Noted architect Alexander Girard designed the interiors at 301 Washington Street for J. Irwin Miller in 1962 and 1972. With the opening of the Miller House and the current exhibition devoted to Girard and organized by the Vitra Design Museum, CIAA’s 301 collection is the most frequently requested collection,” says Gilson.

When the project is completed, officials say that approximately 500 documents, 120 photographs and slides, 36 architectural drawings, and 70 material sample boards will be available on CIAA’s website, the Indiana State Library’s Indiana Memory portal, and the Digital Public Library of America. The project is slated to be finished by May 2018.

This project is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the Indiana State Library.

Work continues on State Road 135 in Johnson County. The Indiana Department of Transportation announced Wednesday that it will relocate milling and paving operations next week to the nearly 5.5 mile-long section between Bargersville and Stones Crossing. This work is part of an ongoing $6.1 million pavement preservation project in Johnson County that includes U.S. Highway 31, between County Line Road and Stop 18, and State Road 135 between County Line Road and Curry Road.

INDOT says that crews are scheduled to begin milling the asphalt pavement in State Road 135’s southbound lane near Smokey Row Road at 7 a.m. Monday. Next Wednesday, paving should begin along the same route. INDOT officials anticipate paving could continue for up to ten days. They add that all of this work is scheduled to take place during daylight hours. No work is scheduled over the Labor Day weekend, including Friday, Sept. 1. INDOT stresses that all of this work is dependent on the weather.

INDOT officials note that while paving operations on that section of State Road 135 are starting up, construction activities within the section between County Line Road and Curry Road are winding down.

In the north section, mainline paving resumes Wednesday night in State Road 135’s northbound left lane north of Meridian Parke Drive. The schedule is as follows:

• Wednesday & Thursday night—milling and paving
• Friday night—milling only
• Sunday & Monday nights—paving only