A local man was arrested Sunday afternoon on drug possession charges after officers noted that he had two active warrants for his arrest. Lt. Matt Harris, spokesman for the Columbus Police Department, says that at approximately 3:20 p.m., Officer Wesley Dodge saw 29-year-old Jacob A. Perry, of Columbus, near 12th Street and Union Street. Dodge confirmed two local warrants for Perry’s arrest and took him into custody a short time later. While searching Perry, Dodge allegedly found drug paraphernalia containing methamphetamine, as well as two syringes. Officers also reportedly found several debit cards in Perry’s wallet that did not belong to him.

Perry was arrested on new preliminary charges of Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of a Legend Drug Injection Device and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

A local man was arrested on a drug dealing charge after Columbus Police responded to a report of suspicious people. Lt. Matt Harris, department spokesman, says that officers were called to the 2200 block of Union Street at 7:20 p.m. on Friday. He says that officers found two people, one of whom allegedly gave a fake name. The suspect, who later identified as 33-year-old Martin E. Porche, of Columbus, was taken into custody. While searching Porche, Harris says the officers found marijuana, methamphetamine, a scale and several clear plastic bags. He adds that Porche also had three Bartholomew County warrants for his arrest.

Porche is facing preliminary charges of Dealing in Methamphetamine, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana and False Informing.

Flood warnings continue for rivers in our area.

East Fork White River at Columbus is expected to crest soon at 12.1 feet, that’s about three feet above the minor flood stage. East Fork White River at Seymour crested yesterday at just above 18 feet, that is in the moderate flood stage. It is expected to drop back into minor flooding by Wednesday morning, but will not completely return to normal levels until Friday.

Driftwood River at Edinburgh is still rising and is expected to crest in the moderate flood stage at about 14.8 feet later today. Flat Rock River in Columbus has crested in the minor flood stage and it is on its way down now. It should be back to normal levels tomorrow morning.

The Bartholomew County emergency operations center is reporting several area road closings as of 10 a.m. Those include:

• State Road 11 near Garden City
• State Road 11 at County 550S.
• West County Road 400N at Tinkey Bridge.
• County Road 800S, between South Jonesville Rod and U.S. 31
• County Road 900N between County Roads 300E and 200E
• Tellman Road off of Indianapolis Road
• Southern Crossing
• Rocky Ford Road, west of Marr Road
• South County Road 150E just north of Southern Crossing
• County Road 330W around Ohio Ridge road

Bartholomew County deputies and Indiana State Police troopers broke up an underage drinking party on Friday night, sending more than 30 party going teens and 20 year olds to jail.

Dispatchers received a tip about the party at shortly after 11:30 p.m. Friday night and when deputies arrived, they found 75 to 100 people at the event. 35 people were arrested, most on preliminary charges of illegal consumption.

However two people, 24-year old Mark Phillips and 26-year old Phillip Gaskins, both of Columbus,  were arrested for battery and disorderly conduct after allegedly getting into a fight at the party.

20-year-old Donovan Stainbrook of Fort Campbell, Kentucky, is facing charges of illegal consumption and resisting law enforcement after he climbed out a window and ran away, only to be caught by a state trooper.

Deputies also report that a substantial amount of marijuana was recovered from the scene.

Nine of those arrested were juveniles, police report.

A banking merger will affect two banks with local branches. First Financial Bancorp and MainSource Financial Group, Inc. announced that they have received regulatory approval from the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to move forward with the proposed merger. This will result in MainSource branches being renamed as First Financial branches.

Officials with First Financial say that the official closing of the merger is scheduled for April 1st. On that day, the two banks will legally become one company. While MainSource will officially be First Financial Bank at that time, company officials say it will be “business as usual” for associates and clients of each bank until the transition weekend targeted for late in the second quarter of 2018. During that weekend, MainSource Bank’s operating systems will convert and its branches will be branded as First Financial Bank branches.

“We are extremely pleased that the final step of merging our two banks is now a reality. The integration process is underway and we are excited to continue the First Financial brand as a combined financial institution to better serve our clients and communities,” said Claude E. Davis, President and Chief Executive Officer of First Financial.

Main Street of HOPE has announced a “St. Patrick’s Day Pooch Parade” for Saturday, March 17th. Susan Thayer Fye, executive director of the organization, says that sign-ups will be on the north side of Hope Town Square starting at 11 a.m. Pets will parade, in costume, beginning at noon. Thayer Fye says there will be two divisions:

Junior division (12 years old and under parent/owner plus pooch)
Senior division (over 12 years old parent/owner plus pooch)

Ribbons/awards given in each category:

1) Pooch only in costume (the most Irish)
2) Pooch plus parent/owner in costume (the most Irish)
3) Peoples’ Choice Award

Thayer Fye says that the five-dollar registration fee benefits the Paula A. Pollitt Animal Shelter in Hope. In addition, she says that animals will be available for adoption and pet-friendly items will also be auctioned to benefit the animal shelter.

Registration forms available at: Hope Town Hall, Hope Police Station, Yellow Trail Visitor Center, and other area businesses. Registration can be done in advance or on the day of the parade. For more information, call (812) 343-3798.

A Jennings County man has been arrested on a number of sexual related charges. Sgt. Jerry D. Goodin with the Indiana State Police Post in Sellersburg, says the case began on February 7th when Detective Brian Busick was contacted by the Scott County Department of Child Services and informed of an alleged encounter and sexual misconduct between a 15 year old girl and 19-year-old Jon Wesley Anthony, of North Vernon.

State Police say the alleged misconduct occurred at the Scott County home of the victim when Anthony agreed to meet the girl to do beautician work on her hair. The two had originally met and became friends on a social media website. When Anthony arrived, he allegedly forced himself onto the girl.

Anthony is facing preliminary charges of Rape when Compelled by Force or Imminent Threat of Force, Sexual Misconduct with a Minor, Defendant has Intercourse or Engages in other Sexual Conduct; Sexual Misconduct with a Minor Preform or Submit to Fondling or Touching by an 18 Year Old and Sexual Battery Victim Compelled to Submit by Force or Imminent Threat of Force.

Anthony is being held without bond.

Bartholomew County deputies are looking for whoever is spray painting road signs.

They first were reported at about 12:30 a.m. this morning on County Road 550W. Other affected areas include 525W, Carr Hill Road and Youth Camp Road.

The signs were painted with graffiti, profanity, nudity and swastikas.

Sheriff Matt Myers said this is about more than just property damage.

“This is also a public safety issue and I urge anyone with any information, no matter how seemingly insignificant, to please call us,” Myers said. “This is very concerning because when motorists can’t read these signs, it definitely creates opportunities for very serious accidents.”

If you have any information you can call the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office at 812-379-1650 of the sheriff’s tip line at
812-379-1712

An SUV driver who failed to use a turn signal was arrested on drug related charges Thursday according to Columbus police.

46-year-old Calvin Watkins of Columbus was arrested after the traffic stop at State and Center streets at about 11:30 p.m. last night. Police say they smelled marijuana in the vehicle and discovered a bag with marijuana, meth and drug paraphernalia hidden in Watkins’ pants.

He is facing preliminary charges of possession of marijuana, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, along with maintaining a common nuisance.