Monthly Archives: April 2019

Buckley named Motor Carrier Inspector of the Year

Michael Buckley; Photo courtesy of Indiana State Police

Indiana State Police say that the 2018 Indiana State Police Motor Carrier Inspector of the Year Award is Michael Buckley, of Decatur County. Buckley works in the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division at the Seymour and West Harrison Weigh Stations. In 2018, Buckley accounted for:

• 793 Commercial Vehicle Inspections
• 87 Out-of-Service Violations
• Made five public appearances at events such as job fairs, carrier safety meetings, and recruit testing events
• Recovered two missing children/runaways in two separate events while working the Seymour station

Buckley, a 2016 graduate of the Indiana State Police Motor Carrier Inspector Recruit Academy, is a native of Rushville. He went to the Indiana State Police after retiring from the Rushville Fire Department where he served 32 years and retired as a Captain.

ColumBIKE offering free summer-time rides

The ColumBIKE bicycle rental program is going free for the next three months, thanks to the sponsorship of SIHO Insurance Services

The not-for-profit program will be offering two-hour bike shares for free in May, June and July. Organizers say you can rent a bike at any of the eight stations around the city. You will have to enter your debit or credit card and a promo code of 417 to take advantage of the free two hours. After that you will be charged the regular $3 an hour, or you can check your bike back in and start the two hour clock again.

The bikes include a front basket for storage, automatic lights and fenders, skirt guards and chain-guards to keep clothes clean. ColumBike bicycles are specially designed to fit people of all sizes, thanks to an adjustable seat post.

For more information on ColumBIKE, click here.

Neighbor alerts deputies to ongoing burglary

William A. McClintock. Photo courtesy of Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department.

An alert neighbor led to the arrest of a suspect in a residential burglary on Jonesville Road.

Bartholomew County deputies were called to the home in the 1200 block of Jonesville Road at about 11:22 Sunday evening after the neighbor warned the homeowner that the property appeared to be getting burglarized.

Deputies saw a flashlight moving inside a garage and arrested 48-year-old William McClintock of Franklin as soon as he emerged. As he was being searched, deputies allegedly discovered he was carrying methamphetamine, a syringe and a large number of vehicle keys.

McClintock was arrested on preliminary charges of burglary and possession of the methamphetamine and of a syringe.

Trooper recognized for Jennings County standoff actions

Trooper Nicholas Albrecht. Photo courtesy of Indiana State Police.

Two Indiana State Police troopers were honored recently with Combat Action Awards for their role in an April 2017 standoff in Jennings County.

Troopers James Herbert and Nicholas Albrecht were called to a domestic disturbance in Jennings County and found an armed man outside of the home. The suspect fired a shot towards the troopers, who returned fire. After barricading himself in the home, the suspect ultimately surrendered to authorities.

Herbert also received the Versailles District’s DUI Award for arresting 62 impaired drivers last year.

 

Trooper James Herbert. Photo courtesy of Indiana State Police.

Other troopers honored include Versailles District Trooper of the Year Joe May and Trooper David Owsley who received a Life Saving Award for his efforts in saving the life of Jefferson County gunshot victim in December.

Cummins reports first quarter revenue growth of 8 percent

Cummins Inc. is reporting a strong first quarter this morning.

In its quarterly filing with the SEC,  the Columbus-based diesel engine manufacturer is reporting first quarter revenues of $6 billion dollars, up 8 percent from the 2018 first quarter. Cummins officials say the revenue growth comes from increased truck production in North America, plus stronger growth in global construction markets and North American power generation markets.

First quarter sales in North America improved by 13 percent while international revenues increased by 1 percent.

Chairman and CEO Tom Linebarger said in the report that Cummins shipped a record number of truck engines in North America during the first quarter.

The company set a record for earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of $1 billion for the first quarter. That compares to $700 million for the 2018 first quarter.

The company says it is is maintaining its year-end guidance on revenues staying flat to being up 4 percent.

You can read the entire earnings report here.

City Council candidates on Fair Oaks Mall purchase

Columbus Republican voters will be choosing candidates in three City Council races in the May 7th primary election – District 1, District 3 and the at-large races.

We asked the candidates for their thoughts on the city’s decision to purchase the Fair Oaks Mall property and what they would like to see done with it.

In District 1, incumbent Dascal Bunch is running against Chris Rutan.

In District 3, incumbent Dave Bush is running against Russell Poling.

In the At-Large race, incumbent Laurie Booher is facing a challenge from John D. Counceller and Josh Burnett.

About the candidates:

Dascal Bunch, 64, is currently in his second term representing District 1 on the Columbus City Council. He also works part-time. Bunch has two adult children, six grandchildren and a seventh on the way. He attended Ball State University. Bunch is involved with St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, specifically the church’s “Angels of Love” program.

Chris Rutan, 41, is a local property manager. He has previously run for city council, district 1, Columbus Township Trustee and the Columbus Township Advisory Board. Rutan is heavily involved with the Salvation Army.

David Bush, 34, currently serves District 3 on the Columbus City Council. He was selected by local Republican Party leaders to complete the term of former Councilman Frank Jerome, who moved out of the district. Bush is also a small business owner. He and his wife Katy are raising three children. Bush is a graduate of Columbus East and Purdue. He is involved with Turning Point and is a member of the operations board for St. Peter’s Lutheran Church.

Russell Poling, 56, is a quality manager at Cummins and a 20-year veteran of the Air Force. He and his wife Judy have two adult children and one grandchild. Poling has a degree in computer science from the the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He is a mentor with the Bartholomew County Veterans Treatment Court and serves on the Bartholomew County Plan Commission and as vice president of the Columbus City Plan Commission. Poling previously ran for this council seat in 2015.

Laurie Booher is currently serving on the Columbus City Council At-Large. She is a small business owner that employs youths and adults with special needs. Booher has three adult children and a master’s degree in physical therapy from the University of Indianapolis. Booher served as a member of the Columbus Service League, as well as on the boards of Turning Point and Riley Hospital Foundation.

John D. Counceller,72, is a local business owner. He and his wife have a blended family of seven adult children. He has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Trine University. Counceller ran unsuccessfully last year to represent Indiana House District 59.

Josh Burnett, 31, is a small business owner. He and his wife Katie are raising there young children. Burnett is a graduate of Columbus East and Cincinnati Christian University. His is a member of Columbus Young Professionals, the local Rotary Club and the board of the Bartholomew Consolidated School Foundation. This is his first run at elected office.

There are no contested primaries on the Democratic side.

CR 1000 East closed just north of Grammer

The Bartholomew County Highway Department says that County Road 1000 East, between 300 South & 400 South (north of Grammer), will be closed overnight for culvert replacement. It may be reopened Tuesday, April 30th after 3 p.m.

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

Columbus man faces charges after police chase, crash

Jason S Lazzell; photo courtesy of Columbus Police Dept.

A Columbus man was arrested after he allegedly fled from police after crashing his vehicle during a chase early Sunday morning. At approximately 12:20 a.m., Columbus Police tried to stop a minivan that appeared to be falsely registered. Authorities say the driver, 44-year-old Jason S. Lazell, refused to stop and tried to flee from officers. A short time later, Lazell lost control of his vehicle and struck a curb at 17th Street and National Road, flipping the minivan on its side.

As officers approached the minivan, Lazell allegedly exited the minivan and fled on foot. He was apprehended and arrested moments later. While searching Lazell, officers reported finding a small bag of methamphetamine in his clothing.

Lazell’s passenger, 47-year-old Timothy K. David, of Columbus, sustained a head injury in the crash and was transported to Columbus Regional Hospital. His condition is not known.

Lazell was also transported to Columbus Regional Hospital where officers obtained a search warrant for a blood test. Upon his discharge, Lazell was booked in the Bartholomew County Jail on a 48-hour hold on the following preliminary charges:

  • Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle (Level 5 Felony)
  • Resisting Law Enforcement (Class A Misdemeanor)
  • Possession of Methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony)
  • Criminal Recklessness (Level 6 Felony)
  • Leaving the Scene of an Accident (Level 6 Felony)
  • Driving While Suspended Prior (Level 6 Felony)

CPD says the investigation is ongoing.

Columbus man arrested for drunk driving

Kobrin Lopotosky; photo courtesy of Columbus Police Dept.

A local man was arrested early Saturday morning for driving while intoxicated after he reportedly struck a median and crashed into a road sign on 17th Street in Columbus.

At approximately 5:10 a.m., CPD officers responded to a report of a driver traveling the wrong way on 17th Street near Orinoco Avenue. A short time later, it was reported that the driver struck the median and roads sign in the middle of the street.

Officers located car a short time later near 21st Street and Newton Street where they spoke to the driver, 21-year-old Kobrin N. Lopotosky, of Columbus. After Lopotosky exited the vehicle, the officers noted that his speech was slurred and he had difficulty maintaining his balance. After failing several field sobriety tests, Lopotosky was transported to the Columbus Police Department where he provided a breath sample of .174, more than twice the legal limit. Lopotosky was arrested on preliminary charges of Operating a Vehicle while Intoxicated and Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Crash.

No injuries were reported.

Drugs and gun seized during North Vernon traffic stop

Photo courtesy of North Vernon Police Dept.

A traffic stop in North Vernon led to the arrest of an area man on drug and gun charges. On Thursday, an NVPD officer stopped a vehicle that had only one working headlight.

Upon making contact with the driver, 29-year-old John Jackson, of North Vernon, the officer detected the odor of Marijuana coming from inside of the vehicle. A search of the vehicle reportedly uncovered 20 grams of methamphetamine, five grams of marijuana, syringes, drug paraphernalia, digital scales, and individual plastic baggies.

Jackson is facing preliminary charges of:

Dealing in Methamphetamine: +10 grams and Involving a Firearm – Level 2 felony
Possession of Methamphetamine – Level 6 felony
Possession of Marijuana – Class A Misdemeanor
Possession of a Syringe – Level 6 Felony