Monthly Archives: January 2019

‘First Fridays for Families’ welcomes Lucky Diaz and Family Jam Band

This month’s First Fridays for Families event is tonight at the Commons. Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band will be performing at 6 p.m.

Katherine Armstrong with the Columbus Arts Arts Council says Mayor Jim Lienhoop will kick off the evening…

First Fridays for Families is a family entertainment series that introduces young audiences to a wide variety of performing arts in a fun, informal setting. This signature event series is free to attend thanks to the sponsorship of Old National Bank and the City of Columbus. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

For more information, visit artsincolumbus.org.

Local man arrested with meth, stolen property and fake cash

Aaron Christian; photo courtesy of Columbus Police Dept.

A local man was arrested after Columbus Police recovered methamphetamine along with several stolen items inside a garage on Wednesday night. Shortly after 11 p.m., officers responded to the 1700 block of Elm Street to determine if items stolen from a vehicle earlier in the day were inside a garage behind the home.

Officers later spoke with 24-year-old Aaron M.C. Christian, of Columbus who lives in the garage. He reportedly told police that a stolen computer was inside. Christian refused to allow officers inside the garage and a search warrant was eventually obtained. While searching the garage, officers reportedly found the meth, as well as a backpack and shoes that were stolen from a vehicle earlier in the day. Christian was taken into custody and officers reported finding counterfeit money in his clothing.

Christian is facing preliminary charges of Theft, Possession of Methamphetamine and Counterfeiting/Forgery.

Wanted Jennings County residents caught in Kentucky

Darrell Brazee; photo courtesy of Jennings County Sheriff’s Department
Pamela Brazee; photo courtesy of Jennings County Sheriff’s Department

Three Jennings County residents wanted by police were captured in Kentucky. Chief Deputy David Turner with the Jennings County Sheriff’s Department says that authorities received a tip about the whereabouts of the wanted trio. On Wednesday, the Jennings County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with the Kentucky State Police, found the three staying in an apartment in Milton, Kentucky.

Arrested were:

Darrell G. Brazee (age 55)
Possession of Methamphetamine- Level 6 Felony
Maintaining a Common Nuisance- Level 6 Felony
Possession of Paraphernalia- Class B Misdemeanor
Bond set at $62.000

Pamela J. Brazee (age 52)
Failure to appear for Possession of Methamphetamine- Level 6 Felony
Possession of Paraphernalia- Class C Misdemeanor
Bond set at $25,500

Tosha Brazee; photo courtesy of Jennings County Sheriff’s Department

Tosha B. Brazee (age 23)
Failure to appear for the original offense of Attempted Fraud- Level 6 Felony
Bond set at $738

The three were transported to the Carroll County, Kentucky jail and are awaiting extradition back to Jennings County.

Free help available to prepare income tax return

Local volunteers are stepping up to help residents with their tax filings.

Kyle Hendricks, spokesman for the United Way of Bartholomew County explains that signups for the tax assistance program are underway now with the first appointments next week.

Hendricks said the program is a combination of IRS and AARP programs to help taxpayers.

To qualify for free tax assistance, you must make less than $60k per year, be a senior, be disabled or be a taxpayer with limited English speaking skills.

He said the program continues to grow. Last year was the largest yet, with more than 1,000 residents assisted.

Hendricks praised the volunteers and their efforts to help those who need assistance.

To schedule an appointment you can call United Way 2-1-1. Appointments will available be on a first come, first serve basis. To get more information including an intake form that needs to be filled out, you can go to uwbarthco.org.

Extreme cold ending this morning; snow possible this evening

A wind chill warning remains in effect until 1 p.m. this afternoon.

Wind chills are expected to be down to minus 9 this morning. The polar vortex bringing this extreme cold to our area is being blamed for nine deaths across the Midwest.

And there is a Winter Weather Advisory that goes into effect this evening for some of the counties in our area with up to four inches of snow forecast. That starts at 7 p.m. tonight and goes through 10 a.m. Friday morning and the affected area includes Johnson, Shelby and Decatur counties.

The Indiana Department of Transportation is reporting that they plan to have a full roll out of their snowplows this evening. They will hit the roads starting at about 4 p.m. with the first snow expected at about 5 p.m.

INDOT asks that you give snow plow drivers plenty of room on roads and highways. Especially as they work to keep roads clear during peak driving hours.

If you need shelter today, you still have options. In Columbus, you can visit the Community Engagement Center, at 1951 McKinley Avenue. There is also a warming shelter at Donner Center open today until 5 p.m. That is at 22nd and Sycamore streets.

Due to the extreme weather, the U.S. Postal Service has temporarily suspended delivery service throughout most of the state today. All local post office retail operations will be open.

Columbus Animal Care Services suggests you give the hood of your vehicle a good thump before you drive on cold mornings. Shelter director Nicohl Birdwell Goodin explains that wild animals and outdoor cats like to climb up inside your engine compartment for warmth.

State Police arrest two after traffic stop

David K. Darnell; photo courtesy of Indiana State Police
Ayla K. Granning; photo courtesy of Indiana State Police

Indiana State Police conducted a traffic stop on I-65 in Jackson County that led to the arrests of two people.

The investigation began at approximately 5:45 p.m. Tuesday when a Trooper stopped a car on I-65 Northbound near the 48 mile marker. During the course of the traffic stop, the Trooper believed the driver of the vehicle was providing false information about his identity. He eventually identified the driver as 25-year-old David K. Darnell, of Elkhart. Darnell was wanted on an outstanding warrant for Robbery out of Elkhart County.

Darnell was arrested on the warrant. He is also facing charges of Identity Theft, False Informing and Driving While Suspended/Prior. His passenger, 28-year-old Ayla K. Granning, also of Elkhart, was found to be wanted on a warrant for Robbery out of Elkhart County, Indiana.

Darnell and Granning are awaiting extradition to Elkhart County.

State Police arrest wanted Jackson County man after traffic stop

John J. Bates; photo courtesy of Indiana State Police

Indiana State Police conducted a traffic stop on I-65 in Jackson County that led to the arrest of a wanted Jackson County man.

The investigation began at approximately 9:30 a.m. Tuesday in the southbound lanes on the Interstate near the 40 mile marker. A Trooper initiated a traffic stop and spoke to the driver38-year-old John J. Bates, of Seymour. Authorities say that Bates initially gave false information about his identity. After his true identity was realized, Bates was found to be wanted on Jennings County on warrants for Battery and Criminal Mischief.

Bates was arrested on the warrants and is facing new charges of Identity Theft, False Informing and Driving While Suspended/Prior.

Postal Service cancels deliveries due to the cold

Due to the extreme weather conditions, the U.S. Postal Service has temporarily suspended delivery service throughout most of the state on Thursday, January 31st. Authorities first suspended deliveries on Wednesday due to the bitter cold. All local post office retail operations will be open.

“We apologize for any inconvenience this weather related service disruption has caused,” said District Manager Todd Hawkins, Greater Indiana District. “The safety and well-being of our employees is of paramount concern to the Postal Service.”

Customers can call 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777) to obtain information, including available, alternate Post Office retail locations, or check the Postal Service website at usps.com.

Columbus man held on 48-hour hold after arrest

Daniel Miller; photo courtesy of Columbus Police Dept.

A Columbus man is facing a number of felony charges after allegedly trying to elude police. At approximately 4:40 p.m. on Tuesday, officers from the Columbus Police Department’s Intelligence Led Policing Unit tried to stop a vehicle on Terrace Lake Road being driven by 27-year-old Daniel C. Miller. Police say Miller refused to pull over. The pursuit continued until Miller’s vehicle stopped in front of his home in the 4100 block of County Road 25 South a few minutes later. A high risk traffic stop was conducted and Miller was taken into custody without incident.

Miller was wanted on an outstanding Bartholomew County warrant for Dealing Methamphetamine, Neglect of a Dependent, Possession of a Narcotic Drug, Maintaining a Common Nuisance and Dealing Marijuana. When Miller was transported to the Bartholomew County Jail, officers reported finding methamphetamine and a controlled substance concealed in his clothing.

A search warrant for Miller’s home was later granted and officers located a large amount of drug paraphernalia inside the home. This includes digital scales, syringes and drug packaging materials.

Miller is facing new preliminary charges of Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of a Legend Drug and Trafficking with an Inmate

Miller remains behind bars on a 48-hour hold as the investigation continues.

Three injured in Cambridge Square fire

Three people were taken to the hospital after a Tuesday night fire at an apartment complex. Columbus Firefighters were called to 175 Cambridge Square at approximately 11:53 p.m. Firefighters arrived on the scene within five-minutes. As firefighters assessed the scene, Columbus Police reported that all occupants were out of the building and that three injured residents were being transported to Columbus Regional Health.

All three of those injured were adults who lived in different apartments within the complex. One of the injured, a 62-year-old woman, was transported with burn injuries to her lower body. Two other residents were transported for smoke inhalation. Their conditions are unknown.

Firefighters reported light smoke conditions as they entered the apartment. They found a small fire in the apartment’s bedroom, which was quickly extinguished with a small amount of water.

CFD investigators determined that the fire began in a bedroom and that the cause of the fire may have been attributed to smoking material and oxygen use.

No other apartment tenants were displaced.