Monthly Archives: March 2020

Three teens arrested after spree of vandalism, thefts from vehicles

Photo courtesy of Columbus Police Department.

Columbus police say that three juveniles are in custody, accused of spray painting vehicles, buildings and monuments around the city, as well as stealing from vehicles.

The incidents happened over Friday night and Saturday morning, according to Columbus police. More than 50 incidents of vandalism and theft were reported to officers. Those including defacing the Large Arch sculpture on the Bartholomew County Public Library plaza, funeral homes, schools and churches along with homes, fences, vehicles and sidewalks.

Some of the graffiti used racial and sexual slurs and drawings of genitalia.

The damage was primarily in the downtown area and on the northwest side of the city.

The public provided tips that identified the juveniles and two 16-year-olds were arrested Saturday afternoon. The third teen was arrested Sunday. They were taken to the Bartholomew County Youth Services Center.

Coronavirus roundup for March 29th: State figures updated; Decatur County highest in state per capita

State figures top 1,500 cases of COVID-19

As of 10 a.m., Sunday, the Indiana State Department of Health is reporting 1,514 positive COVID-19 test results this morning and 32 deaths from the disease across the state. So far there have been 9,830 tests completed for the disease by the health department.

Bartholomew County has 10 reported cases.

Decatur County has 40 confirmed cases. 13 cases are reported in Jennings County, 12 in Shelby County, 7 in Jackson County and 3 in Brown County. Johnson County has 71 confirmed cases.

Marion County leads the state with 676 confirmed cases.

Nationwide, there are more than 103,000 cases of COVID-19.

Health Department: Decatur County seeing highest per capita

The Decatur County Department of Health noted on Saturday, that Decatur County has the highest per capita of confirmed cases in the state of Indiana. As of Sunday’s 10 a.m. totals from the state, Decatur County had 40 confirmed cases.

The county had its first death from COVID-19 on Friday.

“This simply means Decatur County has more cases than some of the larger cities based on cases per population. Decatur County residents have requested to know where the places of exposure are. Unfortunately, this information would not be relevant within a few hours of reporting. It is important that people assume that EVERYWHERE is a place of potential exposure and follow the Stay at Home order.”

The Stay at Home order means that:

  • There should be a designated shopper for each household. Families should not go shopping as a group. Children should stay at home whenever possible.
  • Neighborhoods should not allow socializing and children should not play together. This means no playdates, overnight visits with friends, etc.
  • Everyone should remain at least 6 feet away from anyone they do not live with to avoid exposure in necessary public places.

The CDC asks that you continue to disinfect surfaces and wash your hands frequently.

Coronavirus roundup for March 28th: State updates numbers

The Indiana State Department of Health is reporting 1,232 positive COVID-19 test results this morning and 31 deaths from the disease across the state. So far there have been 8,407 tests completed for the disease by the health department.

Bartholomew County has seven reported cases.

Decatur County has 30 confirmed cases. Ten cases are reported in Jennings County and Shelby County, seven in Jackson County and two in Brown County. Johnson County has 52 confirmed cases.

Marion County leads the state with 584 confirmed cases.

Nationwide, there are more than 102,000 cases of COVID-19.

Kestler chosen as new Arc of Bartholomew County director

Grace Kestler has been appointed the executive director of The Arc of Bartholomew County.

The Arc, organized in 1955, is the largest membership based disability advocacy organization in Bartholomew County. The Arc promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Kestler, a native of Columbus, comes to The Arc from Advocates for Children where she was involved with community outreach, volunteer recruitment and fundraising. Previously, she was with Cummins Inc. for three years.

Kestler owns Grace Kestler Consulting, serves on the Columbus City Council and is a member of the Columbus Young Professionals.

State legislator praises baby boxes for saving infant lives

A local state representative is praising the installation of baby boxes at some fire stations and hospitals in Indiana.

Rep. Jim Lucas, a Seymour Republican whose district includes southern Bartholomew County. explains that he was co-sponsor of a 2015 law that allows newborn infants to be left in the baby boxes. Since then, there has not been a single baby die after being abandoned in Indiana, Lucas says.

As long as there are no signs of child abuse, information is not required of those leaving infants who are less than 30 days of age with emergency service providers or in a Safe Haven Baby Box.

There are 21 baby box locations in Indiana, including one at the North Vernon Fire Department, and one at Seymour Fire Department, Station #3.

Lucas said the baby boxes have been used anonymously five times since their installation, including a case in Seymour earlier this year.

If you need more information you can call 1-866-99BABY1.

Early morning incident leads to battery arrest

Katrina Wade. Photo courtesy of Columbus Police

A Columbus woman is facing charges after allegedly breaking into a home and battering the resident.

Columbus police say the incident happened at about 3:30 a.m. this morning, when 27-year-old Katrina M. Wade allegedly broke into a home through its garage on Cottage Avenue. She is accused of then punching the homeowner in the face.

Police found Wade in the home and she refused to cooperate with officers. After a short struggle she was taken into custody on preliminary charges including residential entry, battery resulting in bodily injury, resisting law enforcement and disorderly conduct.

Coronavirus update for March 27th: State numbers; Home care guidelines

Statewide cases closes in on 1,000

The Indiana State Department of Health is reporting 981 positive COVID-19 test results this morning and 24 deaths from the disease across the state. So far there have been 6,936 tests completed for the disease by the health department.

Bartholomew County has six reported cases. The county health department reports 350 total tests done here, with 113 negative results and 225 pending.

Decatur County has 26 confirmed cases. Five are reported in Jennings County, six in Shelby County, four in Jackson County and two in Brown County. Johnson County has 42 confirmed cases.

Marion County leads the state with 484 confirmed cases.

State offers guidelines for home care of COVID-19

The Indiana State Department of Health is offering home care instructions for those with COVID-19. Home Care Instructions for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The following instructions are for people who have or are being evaluated for novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and their families and caregivers. If you have or are being evaluated for COVID-19, you should follow the prevention steps below until a healthcare provider, the Indiana State Department of Health, or your local health department determines that you can return to your normal activities.

If you are not sure if you have COVID-19, contact your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider, in consultation with the health department, will determine whether you meet criteria for COVID-19 testing and will determine the most appropriate care plan for you.

INFORMATION FOR COVID-19 PATIENTS WHO ARE NOT HOSPITALIZED

1. Stay home except to get medical care. Do not go to work, school, or public areas, and do not use public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis.

2. Separate yourself from other people and animals in your home. As much as possible, stay in a specific room away from other people in your home. If possible, use a separate bathroom. If you must be in the same room as other people, wear a facemask to prevent spreading germs to others. Although there have not been reports of pets becoming sick with COVID-19, you should also avoid contact with animals or pets while you are sick.

3. Call ahead before visiting your doctor and tell them that you have or may have COVID-19 so they can prepare for your visit and take steps to keep other people from being exposed or infected.

4. Wear a facemask. You should wear a facemask when you are around other people (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) or pets and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office. If you are not able to wear a facemask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), then people who live with you should not stay in the same room with you, or they should wear a facemask if they enter your room.

5. Cover coughs and sneezes. To prevent spreading germs to others, when coughing or sneezing cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve. Throw used tissues in a lined trash can, and immediately wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available. You should use soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty.

6. Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available and if hands are not visibly dirty. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

7. Avoid sharing household items. Do not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, bedding, or other items with other people or pets in your home. These items should be washed thoroughly after use with soap and warm water.

8. Monitor your symptoms. If illness gets worse (e.g., trouble breathing, pain in chest), get medical care right away. Before you visit a clinic or hospital, call your healthcare provider and tell them that you have, or might have, COVID-19. This will help your provider take steps to keep other people from getting infected. If you have a medical emergency and need to call 911, notify the dispatch personnel that you have, or are being evaluated
for, COVID-19. If possible, put on a facemask before emergency medical services arrive.
These recommendations should be followed until your healthcare provider and/or the health department confirm that you do not have COVID-19 or determine that you are no longer contagious.

Follow home quarantine recommendations until:

  • Fever free for at least 72 hours (that is three full days of no fever without the use medicine that reduces fevers).
  • Other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved).
  • At least 7 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared.

For additional information, visit https://www.in.gov/isdh/28470.htm

Coronavirus roundup 2 for March 26th: Johnson County cases jump

The Johnson County Joint Incident Management team is reporting that as of this morning at 11 a.m., Johnson County has 40 confirmed laboratory tested cases of Covid-19.

Three people have died from the disease.  All 3 deaths are from the Greenwood area.

Wednesday evening, emergency medical crews from the City of Franklin Fire, Bargersville Fire and Seals Ambulance assisted Otterbein Senior Life Campus in Franklin with a coordinated effort to transfer 7 laboratory-confirmed cases of Covid-19 to Johnson Memorial Hospital, Community South Hospital, and Franciscan St. Francis Health. Patients presented with no symptoms to mild symptoms.

The County Incident Management Team, City of Franklin Officials, and the Johnson County Health Department continue to monitor the current situation with Otterbein management. Questions concerning Otterbein Senior Life can call 317-736-7285.

Information request concerning the emergency response agencies can be submitted to [email protected]

Columbus North senior project blood drive still set for Sunday with new venue

A Columbus North senior project blood drive will still be going on, despite the closing of its original venue.

The American Red Cross is reporting critical shortages caused by numerous donation events canceled due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

As recently as last week, Savannah Norfrey was looking forward to holding her senior project blood drive, in the face of the coronavirus threat.

She said procedures are in place to protect your safety including screening donors before entering the area, and checking temperatures.

Then the original site announced earlier this week it was closing due to the coronavirus stay-at-home order. But the American Red Cross has announced that Norfrey’s event will now be held at Holiday Inn in Columbus from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

There is also a blood drive from 2 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Church of Latter Day Saints on Goeller Boulevard in Columbus.

There will also be donation opportunities locally at First Christian Church in Columbus 11 to 4 on April 2nd, at Tea Creek Baptist Church in North Vernon from 2 to 7 on April 2nd, and on April 15th and April 22nd at Tipton Lakes Athletic Club from 11 to 4.

Giving blood is considered an essential service under the governor’s stay-at-home order.

You can make an appointment to donate online at red cross blood dot org or by calling 1 800 RED CROSS

Scammers taking advantage of COVID-19 chaos

Authorities are warning you to beware of scams related to the coronavirus epidemic.

Agencies and organizations ranging from the Indiana State Police and the Indiana Attorney General, to the Indiana Department of Insurance and Columbus Mayor Jim Lienhoop are urging you to be on the alert for those trying to take advantage of the coronavirus upheaval to take your money.

Tim Maniscalo from the Greater Indianapolis Better Business Bureau explains a common scam going around where scammers are offering a cure for COVID-19. Maniscalo stressed that there is no cure for the coronavirus despite the celebrities they may line up for endorsements.

During a video update to the community earlier this week, Mayor Lienhoop explained one scam that is being reported in Columbus. People are going door to door and selling fake test kits for coronavirus. The mayor said that there is no home test and if you think you need testing you need to go through the process set up by Columbus Regional Health.

Indiana State Police are warning that many common phone scams are being reworked with a coronavirus angle, pretending to be a hospital warning you that a loved one is in their care and needs payment for treatment, or claiming to be with a health organization seeking to get you to give out personal information.

The Indiana Department of Insurance is warning of a scam targeting Medicare beneficiaries, offering COVID-19 tests in exchange for personal details including Medicare information.

The personal information collected can be used to fraudulently bill Federal health care programs and commit medical identity theft. If Medicare or Medicaid denies the claim for an unapproved test, the beneficiary could be responsible for the cost.

The fraudsters are targeting beneficiaries in a number of ways, including telemarketing calls, social media platforms, and door-to-door visits.