The Bartholomew County Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team arrested two people after serving an arrest warrant for an area man wanted on federal weapon charges.

On Wednesday, JNET and agents from the Drug Enforcement Agency and Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms were conducting surveillance on the Jonesville Road home of 40-year-old Shawn Miller. Agents reported seeing Miller and two other men leave in a vehicle. Columbus Police Department’s ILP (Intelligence Led Policing) officers and Indiana State Police all Crimes Policing Unit (ACP) conducted a traffic stop and Miller was taken into custody without incident.

JNET and ISP units remained at Miller’s residence and made contact with a woman, 31-year-old Amie Chapman, of Lake Wales, Florida. Officers reported seeing a white powdery substance, a green plant-like substance and pills in plain view.

Once the residence was secured, officers reported finding approximately six ounces of methamphetamine, approximately two grams of heroin, multiple pills, marijuana and paraphernalia.

Miller was transported to the Bartholomew County Jail on preliminary charges of:

Shawn Miller was taken into custody on preliminary charges of:

Dealing in Methamphetamine
Possession Methamphetamine
Possession of Heroin
Possession Paraphernalia
Possession of a Controlled Substance
Possession of a Legend Drug
Possession of Marijuana
Maintaining a Common Nuisance
Federal Warrant on Weapons Charges

Miller has since been transported him to Marion County.

Chapman remains behind bars on preliminary charges of:

Possession of Methamphetamine
Possession of Marijuana
Possession of Paraphernalia
Maintain a Common Nuisance

“This is a perfect example of multiple agencies working well together and conducting a complete and thorough case. ISP’s ACP unit and JNET have been working closely on multiple cases. Information sharing, among ACP, JNET and CPD’s COPS unit, has been a huge asset in these investigation,” said Bartholomew County Sheriff Matt Myers.

JNET, the Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team, is a combined unit of the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office, the Columbus Police Department and the Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office. JNET proactively targets the manufacturing and abuse of dangerous drugs in Columbus and Bartholomew County.

A search continues on the Big Blue River in Edinburgh this afternoon for a missing man.

Witnesses saw a man standing on the low-head dam and disappear into the river at about 5 p.m. Thursday afternoon.

Lt. Angela Goldman with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources conservation officers explains that rescue crews are searching by foot, by boat and have had drones up in the area.

Goldman said that the search is being hampered by the cold temperatures, flood waters and lack of information on who the victim might be.

Goldman said that the search will continue at least through today and tomorrow.

She said rescuers still have no information on who the victim might be. There is no missing person reported in the Edinburgh area, she said. If you know anyone who is a white man, with a thin build, and blonde hair, who was wearing a red shirt and blue jeans and lives in the area, you should check in on them, Goldman said. Especially if they live alone or might otherwise be unaccounted for.

Goldman said that there is no chance that this is a hoax and the witnesses were very clear on what they saw yesterday.

If you have any information you should contact Johnson County Sheriff Department at 317-736-5155.

Some minor flooding is continuing along area rivers and flood warnings are in effect. And windy, brisk conditions are causing a wind chill advisory for our area.

A Wind Chill Advisory is in effect for our area until 1 p.m. as wind chills dip below zero. The National Weather Service warns frostbite can occur in as little as thirty minutes in these conditions.

The Driftwood River is expected to crest at about 1 p.m. this afternoon about a foot above the minor flood stage. East Fork White River in Columbus crested yesterday below the minor flood stage and appears to have crested in Seymour last night at only a few inches below moderate flood level. It is expected to fall back below flood level by Monday morning.

The Columbus Parks and Recreation Department says that portions of the People Trail in Mill Race Park and Noblitt Park are closed due to the high waters. The trail will be reopened after the water has receded and crews have cleaned up the mud and debris left behind.

Bartholomew County Emergency Management is reporting high water this morning on some area roads. Those include:

• County Road 750S east of State Road 58.
• County Road 650S east of State Road 58.
• North Dellasburg Road, east of Base Road.
• County Road 400N east of U.S. 31.
• County Road 800S between State Road 11 and U.S. 31
• County Road 930S.

County officials warn that you should avoid these areas and never drive into water over the roadway.

Sheriff Matt Myers reports that deputies issued 16 citations yesterday to drivers bypassing warning signs mostly in the area of Gladstone Avenue. He said that you are putting your own life at risk but also those of rescue workers who will have to rescue you, if you get stuck.

Myers said that he is happy to issue citations in those situations.

You can keep up to date with weather conditions here.

Rescue workers will be returning to the Big Blue River this morning, looking for a possible victim who disappeared into the river yesterday afternoon. That’s after calling off the search last night due to deteriorating conditions on the river and the weather.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources conservation officers are reporting that the search began at about 5 yesterday afternoon, when a caller to 911 reported a man who entered the water and was swept downstream. He had reportedly been standing on top of the dam near State Road 252 and River Road at Edinburgh.

The victim is reportedly a white man, with a thin build, and blonde hair, who was wearing a red shirt and blue jeans.

Rescue workers at the scene last night included conservation officers, deputies from Johnson and Shelby counties, Edinburgh Police and Fire Departments, and firefighters from Columbus and Franklin.

Crews will return this morning to search the area with boats, drones and by foot.
Conservation officers say that the man remains unidentified and no one has been reported missing from the Edinburgh area.

If anyone knows of a missing person that fits the description of the victim, you should contact Johnson County Sheriff Department at 317-736-5155.

The Columbus Indiana Philharmonic is welcoming Hannah Nieman as Marketing & Communications Specialist for the organization. Officials say she will manage all facets of marketing for the Philharmonic.

Nieman, who grew up in Brownstown, comes to Columbus following two years in Muncie working as a digital media specialist at the Academy of Model Aeronautics.

“The Columbus Philharmonic is delighted to welcome Hannah to our organization. She brings a wealth of expertise, energy, and passion for the arts to her new position,” Music Director David Bowden said.

Nieman holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Indianapolis where she majored in communication with an emphasis in electronic media and a minor in political science.

Schneck Medical Center announced its Guild volunteers have given over 20,000 hours of service to the hospital in 2018. That’s the highest in Guild history.

“For more than 60 years, the Schneck Guild volunteers have given of themselves helping our staff provide excellent service and care to our patients,” stated Warren Forgey, President/CEO of Schneck Medical Center. “They have played a significant role in our accomplishments and their service is valued and appreciated by the Schneck staff and more importantly by the patients that we serve.”

Volunteers serve in many areas of the hospital including the gift shop, admitting and information desks, driving the parking lot shuttles, the emergency department, chaplaincy, hospice, and various other hospital departments.

The Guild is also active in fundraising. Hospital officials say the group has donated $153,779.19 in 2018 and sustains many projects and programs including:

• Two parking lot shuttles, which have been in high demand during our recent construction phase
• Junior Volunteer program
• Kim Quilleon Varnell Junior Volunteer Memorial Scholarship
• Pediatric toy totes for all pediatric admissions
• Cancer baskets for newly diagnosed cancer patients
• Prayer shawls for Hospice patients
• Patient charity fund which benefits a variety of patients’ needs
• And, much more.

“Our volunteers are simply priceless,” said Amy Cockerham, Volunteer Manager. “We are inspired by the sacrifices they make and by the gift of their time and talents. It’s nothing less than impressive.”

Volunteer positions are currently available days, evenings, and on weekends. For more information about volunteer opportunities at Schneck Medical Center, call Cockerham at (812) 522-0439.

Bartholomew County Sheriff Matt Myers has announced the retirement of Sergeant Kris Weisner and K9 Bolt.

Myers says that Weisner has served BCSO and the citizens of Bartholomew County for 36 years working his way through the ranks from jailer, to process server to currently serving as a merit deputy sheriff and K9 handler in BCSO’s Road Patrol Division.

“I want to personally thank Deputy Weisner for his outstanding achievements while serving the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office”, said Sheriff Myers. “Kris’s professionalism and expertise greatly enhanced the readiness of those who worked with and around him. Kris is a true public servant”.

Sergeant Weisner and K9 Bolt will be presented with retirement badges during a special ceremony on January 31st.

Some minor flooding is expected along area rivers and a flood warning is in effect. Continuing rain and melting snow are contributing to the rising water levels.

The National Weather Service is estimating that in Columbus, the East Fork White River will peak at a few inches above the minor flood stage by this afternoon. In Seymour the river will be peaking at about 9 inches below the moderate flood level by Friday morning.

Flat Rock River is expected to rise to just over a foot above the minor flood stage by this evening and Driftwood River is expected to peak tomorrow morning in the minor flood stage.

The high water is affecting some area roads. The Bartholomew County Emergency Management Agency is reporting that the following roads have high water as of 1:30 p.m. Friday:

• County Road 750S east of State Road 58.
• County Road 650S east of State Road 58.
• North Dellasburg Road at East Base Road.
• South Gladstone (south of the bridge).
• County Road 175E, just north of Southern Crossing.
• County Road 400N east of U.S. 31
• County Road 800S between State Road 11 and U.S. 31.

Sheriff Matt Myers is warning that the cold temperatures and wet roadways are causing some icy slick spots out there this morning.

If you are looking for more traffic information, download the WAZE app for your smartphone and join the WCSI Traffic team powered by Crew Car Wash. You can find updated traffic information on our website, on-air and on the app.

Another candidate has thrown her hat in the ring for local political office.

Grace Kestler is a Democrat running for one of the two At-Large seats on Columbus City Council. She joins Republican Josh Burnett as the only candidates who have filed to run for council At-Large. The seats are currently held by Democrat Tom Dell and Republican Laurie Booher. Neither Dell or Booher have filed to run for re-election yet.

Kestler owns Grace Kestler Consulting. She also works part-time with Advocates for Children as the Community Outreach Coordinator.

Candidates have until noon on Feb. 8th to file. You can keep up to date on candidate filings at bartholomew.in.gov.