Monthly Archives: November 2019

Columbus Chamber adds new membership director

Bob Schafstall. Photo courtesy of Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce

The Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce has appointed a new membership director. The chamber announced yesterday that Bob Schafstall is replacing Tim Cooney, when he retires at the end of this year.

Schafstall most recently served as the lead salesperson for Columbus-based Burt’s Pest Control. He was recognized as the 2019 Chamber Ambassador of the Year. Schafstall is originally from Columbus. He attended Columbus North High School and Purdue University.

Body found at scene of Brown County house fire

Brown County authorities are working to identify the body of a man found at the scene of an unrelated house fire last week. The Brown County Democrat is reporting that the body was found inside an old GMC van on Leaf Hawk Lane.

Officials told the newspaper that the man appears to have been in his mid-50s to mid-60s, and had been dead for at least six months. The body had gone through extensive decomposition but he appears to have died of natural causes.

The paper reports that the home was destroyed in the blaze.

For more information, go to bcdemocrat.com

Jail drug scanner leads to confession of hidden narcotics

Rebecca L. Roberts. Photo courtesy of Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department

A woman about to go through the body scanner at the Bartholomew County Jail is now facing new charges, after she admitted to staff that she had drugs hidden in a body cavity.

At about 7:52 p.m. Monday night, deputies stopped a vehicle at 11th and Franklin streets. A passenger, 50-year-old Rebecca Roberts of Columbus, was found to have an outstanding warrant and was arrested. Sheriff’s Department police dog Diesel alerted to the odor of narcotics but none were found. Roberts allegedly would not respond when asked by deputies if she was carrying drugs.

But when confronted with the body scanner, she admitted to hiding methamphetamine and marijuana. She was checked out at Columbus Regional Hospital and then arrested on the warrant and on drug possession charges.

Cummins to cut 2,000 jobs

Cummins plans to cut its workforce by 2,000.

Jon Mills, company spokesman, says that demand has deteriorated even faster than expected, resulting in needed adjustments to reduce costs. He explains that the company has already taken several actions in response to declining revenues.

Because the downturn is happening at a sharper pace than was experienced in the previous two cycles, Cummins will reduce global workforce by approximately 2,000 by the first quarter of 2020. Where these cuts will be made is yet to be announced.

Mills says these actions are necessary, but added that this is “incredibly tough and disappointing.” Company officials stress that, by taking actions now, Cummins can navigate this downturn and emerge stronger when markets return.

Lowell Road Bridge down to a single lane Tuesday morning

Lowell Road Bridge, just east of CR 325 West, will be down to a single lane Tuesday. Bartholomew County Emergency Management says that restrictions are in place from 9 a.m. until noon.

You are asked to avoid the area, as long delays are anticipated.

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.

Columbus Christmas Tree to light up Friday evening

The city’s Christmas tree has been installed in front of Columbus City Hall. Jamie Brinegar is the city’s director of finance.

Brinegar, in a recent appearance on “A.M. Columbus” with John Foster enourages you and your family to drive by city hall and see the tree lit up in all of its glory Friday evening.

Brinegar adds that tree-wrap lights have also been extended down Fourth Street.

City officials say the lights on the tree will be turned on by 5 p.m. Friday. There will not be a tree-lighting ceremony this year, but you’re encouraged to visit downtown and take in the sites.

You can get a link to a video of the city’s Christmas tree being here: columbus.in.gov/see-the-2019-city-christmas-tree-installation/#.

CRH cardiovascular program makes top 50 in national list

Columbus Regional Health has been named as one of the 50 best hospitals for your heart.

IBM Watson Health picked CRH as one of the nation’s 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals. They looked at nearly a thousand hospitals and CRH is one of only two Indiana health systems to make their list.

IBM Watson Health studied the hospitals’ clinical, operational, and patient satisfaction metrics and data. The listing means that CRH had better clinical care and has delivered that care more efficiently than most other cardiovascular programs.

The hospital announced the honor last week.

Wanted woman arrested on warrants after running from police

Shelby Yates. Photo courtesy of Columbus Police Department

Columbus police arrested a woman who was wanted on two warrants after she ran from officers on Friday.

Officers were originally called to 11th and Pearl streets at about 10:40 p.m. Friday evening to check on the welfare of a person walking in the street. Police found 22-year-old Shelby B. Yates and soon realized she was wanted on outstanding warrants. But when police tried to arrest her, she ran away and was caught a short distance later.

In addition to the outstanding Bartholomew County warrants, she is now facing a new charge of resisting law enforcement.

Deadline today for Thanksgiving meal home deliveries

Today is the deadline to register for home deliveries of the annual Thanksgiving dinners for both Columbus Baptist Church and First Christian Church.

First Christian’s Thanksgiving dinner will be on Thanksgiving Day from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall at the church on Fifth Street in Columbus. Meals will be delivered between 10:30 and noon on Thursday. You can sign up for meal delivery from First Christian Church by calling 812-379-4491 today before 4:30.

Columbus Baptist Church will be serving from 11 a.m. to 1 on Thursday. You can order a meal delivered from Columbus Baptist Church at 812-371-1400., 812-314-9767 or 812-418-8213.