A burn ban is in effect in Jackson County.

County Commissioners say that Jackson County has been impacted by moderate drought condition and is at an elevated risk of fire danger. A County Wide Burn Ban has been issued, including but not limited to the following:

1. Campfires and other recreational fires, unless enclosed in a fire ring with dimensions of 23 inches in diameter X 6 inches high or larger;
2. Open burning of any kind using conventional fuel such as wood, or other combustible matter, with the exception of grills fueled by charcoal briquettes or propane;
3. The burning of debris, such as timber for vegetation, including such debris that results from building construction activities and other open-air fires.
4. The use of burn barrels for any open burning at residential structures.

County officials say this declaration will remain in effect until further notice.

A two-vehicle crash closed a section of State Road 9 Monday night.

The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department says that deputies were dispatched to the scene at State Road 9 and E CR 225 N at about 8:40 p.m. Investigators say that a vehicle driven by 51-year-old Victoria Hiatt, of Hope, had been traveling southbound on State Road 9 when she rear-ended a truck driven by 30-year-old Jared Rutan, of Columbus. Police say Rutan was stopped while attempting to turn eastbound onto E 225 N when his truck was hit from the rear.

Hiatt was transported by Lifeline to an Indianapolis hospital. Her condition is unknown.

A four-year-old child, who was in Rutan’s truck, was later transported to Columbus Regional Hospital where his condition is also unknown.

The crash remains under investigation.

Columbus Police arrested a local man on multiple charges including four warrants after he was spotted riding a bicycle on Saturday afternoon. At approximately 4:30 p.m., CPD officers saw 32-year-old Charles A. Reed, of Columbus, near 13th Street and Sycamore Drive. The officers confirmed several arrest warrants for Reed and he was taken into custody a short time later.

While searching a small bag that belonged to Reed, officers reported finding methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. In addition to the four outstanding warrants, Reed is facing preliminary charges of Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Cummins Inc. on Monday announced a four-month pilot project in Indiana to evaluate an on-demand transit solution, in partnership with Purdue University and Energy Systems Network (ESN). The pilot begins September 30.

The collaborative experiment, called Leaper X, includes a web-based mobile application powered by Cummins, and a small trial fleet of designated campus shuttles in addition to Purdue’s traditional campus buses. Using the app, individuals can self-select how, when, and where they use Purdue’s campus transportation services.

The pilot initiative will allow Cummins to test connected technologies and gather data.

Select destinations on Purdue’s West Lafayette campus will allow commuters to initiate and manage transportation preferences using the Leaper X app. Once a ride is requested through the app and routed to a free Leaper X shuttle, users will be picked and dropped off within minutes. In addition to on-demand ride requests, users can view traditional campus bus routes, enabling riders to compare options and make informed, real-time decisions on the best way to travel.

A 16-year-old boy was arrested after a weekend car chase in Bartholomew County.

The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department says that at about 7:11 p.m. Saturday, a deputy tried to make a traffic stop north of West Lowell Road on US 31. Police say the vehicle was being driven by the juvenile, who was weaving in and out of traffic and nearly striking multiple other vehicles in his attempt to evade capture at speeds over 80 mph.

Authorities say that passengers inside the vehicle called 911 during the pursuit, stating that the driver would not pullover to let them out.

The vehicle turned west onto West County Road 500 N at a high rate of speed, causing it to go airborne. The driver then lost control and the vehicle landed in a nearby field.

While the passengers remained inside the vehicle, the driver fled on foot. He was located a short time later and taken into custody without incident.

Police say that multiple bags of marijuana were inside the vehicle.

The juvenile driver was remanded to the Youth Detention Center on preliminary charges of:

– Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle
– Criminal Confinement
– Possession
– Reckless Driving

The two passengers were later released without charges.

An Indianapolis man was arrested after Bartholomew County dispatchers were alerted to a possible impaired driver.

At about 10:19 p.m. on Thursday, deputies were dispatched to a possible intoxicated driver traveling southbound on I-65 near the 90-mile marker. Deputies located the vehicle near the Taylorsville exit and initiated a traffic stop.

Police say the driver, 26-year-old Brandon Arnold, appeared to be under the influence of some type of drug. Following clearance from Columbus Regional Hospital, Arnold was arrested on preliminary charges of Operating a Vehicle while Intoxicated and Possession of Marijuana

He has since been released.

An Indiana State Police Captain and Bartholomew County resident has been promoted to Major.

The Superintendent of the Indiana State Police, Douglas G. Carter, announced the promotion of Capt. David P. Travis to the rank of Major. Major Travis will serve as the Special Operations Commander, and oversee the various components therein to include Special Weapons and Tactics (S.W.A.T.), Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Aviation, K-9 Teams, Motorcycle Units and Special Event Planning.

Travis, who is originally from Fort Wayne, is a 1984 graduate of the former Elmhurst High School. In 1988, he earned his Bachelor Degree in Aviation from Indiana State University. In December of 1990, Travis graduated from the 48th Indiana State Police Recruit Academy, and was appointed as a Trooper and assigned to the Indiana State Police Post in Seymour, where he served for 19 years. During that time, Travis had attained the ranks of Corporal and then First Sergeant.

In 2009, Travis transferred to the Indiana State Police Post in Sellersburg following the closing of the Seymour Post. In 2010, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and served as the Sellersburg District Commander until 2016, when he transferred into the Special Operations Planning Section.

In 2017, Travis was promoted to the rank of Captain, and he served as the Assistant Commander of Special Operations until this recent promotion. During his career, Travis has served the Indiana State Police in the following disciplines: Field Training Officer, Tactical Intervention Platoon, S.W.A.T, Clandestine Laboratory Team, and Lead Firearms Instructor for the Indiana State Police Recruit Academy.

A northern Columbus home was a complete loss after an early morning fire Saturday morning.

The home was in the process of being remodeled and no one was at home at the time of the blaze, says Capt. Mike Wilson, spokesman for the Columbus Fire Department.

A passerby noticed the blaze in the 800 block of Rocky Ford Road at about 3:31 a.m. in the morning, reporting that the home was fully engulfed in flames. Arriving firefighters could see the flames all the way from Central Avenue. When firefighters arrived, a large section of the roof and wall had already collapsed.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. No injuries were reported at the scene. Damages to the vacant home are estimated at $160,000.

Bartholomew County’s largest outdoor festival is expected to bring up to 30,000 people to Hope this weekend.

The 52nd annual Hope Heritage Days kicks off at 5 p.m. Friday afternoon with music, more than 125 vendors and an array of food booths in the Hope Town Square. The food vendors are all local not-for-profit groups, many who generate the largest part of their funding from the annual event.

Saturday night’s entertainment includes Five Lights starting at 5:30 p.m. at the main stage on Jackson Street, Hope native Danny Anderson on the bandstand at 7 p.m. and featured performers E5C4P3, a Journey tribute band, will take the main stage at 8 p.m Saturday. Fireworks are expected to start at 9:30 p.m.

Events wrap up Sunday at 5 p.m., with the annual parade kicking off at 2:30 p.m.

Hope Heritage Days schedule

Indiana State Police are investigating the theft of a large tractor and farm implements from southwest Decatur County. The stolen items were recovered, but the investigators are asking for your help in locating those responsible.

Troopers were called to County Road 600 South and County Road 1000 West in Decatur County at approximately 9 a.m. Tuesday after a Case 435 Quadtrac tractor was stolen from a field that morning. The tractor was connected to two farm implements at the time of the theft and they implements were also stolen.

The following day, Wednesday, Sept. 18, troopers found the tractor on County Road 420 West near Downeyville in rural Decatur County after receiving a tip. The two farm implements were located on Thursday, Sept. 19, near Zenas in rural Jennings County after they were spotted by an Indiana State Police helicopter.

The Indiana State Police continues to investigate the theft and is asking for your help in locating those responsible for the theft. Due to the size of the tractor, investigators believe the suspect may have had prior experience in operating similar equipment.

Anyone with information is urged to call Master Trooper Rob Ewing, Indiana State Police-Versailles Post at (812) 689-5000.