Monthly Archives: September 2020

Pack-a-Patrol-Car drive canceled for this year

The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department is announcing that it will not be holding its annual pack-a-patrol car drive to help local food banks.

The event usually begins with the Ethnic Expo parade and continues until almost Thanksgiving as a way to provide non-perishable food to those in need. However, with COVID-19 restrictions in place, the department could not find a way to operate the annual drive.

Chief Deputy Maj. Chris Lane said that the department has struggled with the decision since having to cancel this year’s summer youth academy.

Instead, the department is suggesting that you donate directly to local food banks. Those include Love Chapel, the Salvation Army, and the Community Center of Hope.

Last Hope Cruise-in of year set for Friday on Town Square

The Town of Hope will be hosting its First Fridays Cruise-In on the Town Square from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday. This will be the last cruise-in of the year.

The Good Time Review band will be performing from 6 to 8 p.m. Food will be available from local restaurants and not-for-profit groups on the square.

There will be prizes for oldest vehicle, people’s choice and most unique vehicle. There will also be a 50/50 raffle and donations will be accepted to support the ongoing Cruise-in costs.

The monthly event is organized by the town of Hope and Main Street of Hope.

Date changes for House District 69 debate in Seymour

The Seymour Chamber of Commerce is announcing a new date for a debate between candidates for Indiana House District 69. The new debate will be Tuesday, Oct. 13th instead of the original date on the next Thursday.

Indiana House District 69 includes parts of Bartholomew, Jackson, Jennings and Jefferson counties.

According to the chamber, Incumbent Republican Jim Lucas of Seymour has agreed to debate, as has Katrina “Kat” Hardwick, an independent running for the statehouse seat. Democratic candidate Jeffery Prewitt has yet to confirm his participation.

The debate will be moderated by Dan Robison, president of the Seymour Chamber of Commerce and Arann Banks, executive director of the Jackson County Visitor Center. The questions for the debate will be submitted by various community leaders throughout Jackson County.

The debate will begin at 6 the evening of Oct. 13th at the Knights of Columbus hall on 2nd Street in Seymour. COVID-19 precautions will be in place. Those could include seating arrangements, face coverings and limits on attendance.

Deputies arrest two drunk drivers in Drive Sober holiday blitz

The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department is reporting that its Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over blitz led to the arrest of two drunk drivers around the Labor Day holiday.

The campaign began in mid-August and ran through the Labor Day. During that period deputies conducted overtime patrols and stopped 311 vehicles. In addition, to the intoxicated driving arrests, police made several misdemeanor and felony drug arrests and several driving while suspended arrests.

More than 200 state and local law enforcement agencies participated in this year’s national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, which was funded by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration through the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute.

The sheriff wants to remind drivers that it is illegal to drive with a blood-alcohol concentration of .08 or higher. Additionally, drivers under the age of 21 with a BAC of .02 or higher are subject to fines and having their license suspended for up to one year.

Design work underway for new Bartholomew Court Services building

Early work is getting underway on a new Bartholomew County court services building. The City of Columbus and Bartholomew County agreed to swap properties in downtown Columbus last week, with the county giving up the parking lot and court services building on the lot across from the jail on 2nd and 3rd streets, and the county getting lots around the jail including the former Eynon law offices, the site for the new court services building.

County Commissioners at their meeting this week said design work on the new building is already underway by Steve Risting, with atelierRISTING architects in Indianapolis.

Commissioners agreed this week to a contract with Taylor Brothers to act as construction manager for the county on the project. Commissioner Larry Kleinhenz said that the company would be active on the county’s behalf not just during construction but during pre-construction working with the architect to find ways to cut costs.

The contract is for $78,000 with $18,000 for preconstruction, $60,000 covering construction and reimbursable expenses that could total $20,000 Commissioners President Carl Lienhoop said.

The city redevelopment commission has agreed to put up $1.5 million for design and construction costs. Anything above that would be paid by the county through a rental agreement at 3 percent interest over 15 years.

Teen suspect arrested in Waynesville murder

Sheriff Matt Myers and murder suspect Bobby N. Truitt II Tuesday night.

A 19-year-old man is in custody in the beating and strangulation death of a woman found dead in Waynesville Monday.

Sheriff Matt Myers said Tuesday night that 19-year-old old Bobby N. Truitt II was taken into custody Tuesday evening in Indianapolis by deputies, Columbus Police and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. He is being hold on a 48-hour hold on preliminary charges of murder, rape, and auto theft.

Bartholomew County Coroner Clayton Nolting told The Republic newspaper that the victim, 64-year-old Sharon K. Lovins died from blunt force trauma to the head and asphyxia by strangulation. He said the manner of death is a homicide.

Deputies were called to the scene of the reported death in the 2700 block of South East Street in Waynesville at about 6:30 a.m. Monday morning. After finding Lovins dead, deputies secured the scene and called in the city-county-state joint death investigation team.

The victim’s vehicle was missing from the scene and was recovered in Indianapolis Monday.

Duke Energy grants Columbus $5k for riverfront lighting

Duke Energy is giving a $5,000 grant to the city of Columbus for lighting along the river as part of the downtown riverfront project.

The power company announced the grant to the Columbus Redevelopment Commission on Monday, saying that the lighting planned for under the Second and Third Street bridges and along the riverfront will meet environmental protection standards. Those standards match up with Indiana Department of Natural Resources guidelines to support wildlife in the area.

Chip Orben with the Duke Energy Foundation said that knowing the funds would go toward energy conservation efforts made the project appealing to the Foundation.

The downtown riverfront project is due to start next year and will take about 18 months to complete, according to city officials. You can get more information online at columbusriverfront.org.

Authorities seeking person of interest in Waynesville death

Bartholomew County deputies are looking for a person of interest in the death of a woman found yesterday morning in Waynesville.

Investigators believe 19-year-old Bobby Neil Truitt II was the last person to see the woman alive.

Deputies were called to the scene of the suspected death in the 2700 block of South East Street in Waynesville at about 6:30 a.m. Monday morning. They found a dead woman with suspicious injuries. Deputies secured the scene and called in the city-county-state joint death investigation team.

The incident remains under investigation and the victim’s name has not yet been released.

The Republic newspaper is reporting this morning that the victim’s vehicle was missing from the scene and has since been recovered in Indianapolis.

Authorities are seeking any information on Truitt, no matter how seemingly insignificant.  Anyone with information regarding Truitt’s whereabouts is asked to contact: Detective Will Kinman at 812-565-5926.

The Bartholomew County Death Investigation team includes Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office, Columbus Police Department, Indiana State Police, Bartholomew County Coroner’s Office and the Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office.

North Vernon police cite self-defense in man’s death

Correction: Due to a source error, Chance Goodwin’s name was incorrect in a previous version of this story.

North Vernon police say a man stabbed another to death in self defense after an altercation at a gas station Monday morning.

Investigators say that 25 year old Chance Goodwin of North Vernon pulled into a gas station on North State Street at about 12:45 yesterday morning. A passenger in his vehicle, 23 year old Luis Silva from Florida demanded money from Goodwin and when Goodwin refused, Silva allegedly confronted Goodwin. Both men got out of the vehicle, where Silva again confronted Goodwin. Goodwin told police that he feared for his safety and stabbed Silva one time with a knife.

Both men then separated, with Silva running across State Street before collapsing near the City Park. Goodwin then left the gas station, police say.

Detectives spent nearly 20 hours collecting evidence related at the scene and pieced together the details from witness statements and video from a nearby business that recorded the event. Goodwin came to the police station of his own accord to talk to investigators.

Jennings County Prosecutor Brian Belding found there was insufficient evidence, at this time, to contradict Goodwin’s claim of self-defense. He said that should new information develop the case may be reevaluated.

Waynesville death under investigation

The Bartholomew County Death Investigation Team has been called in after a dead woman was found in Waynesville this morning.

Deputies were called to the scene of the suspected death at South East Street in Waynesville at about 6:30 a.m. this morning. They found a woman with suspicious injuries. Deputies secured the scene and called in the joint team.

Sheriff Matt Myers says that Indiana State Police and Bartholomew County Coroner Clayton Nolting have been working at the scene.

The incident remains under investigation and further information will be released at a later time.

“The death investigation team is working aggressively to pursue further information and once that information is gathered, we will share it with the public,” Myers said.

The Bartholomew County Death Investigation team includes Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office, Columbus Police Department, Indiana State Police, Bartholomew County Coroner’s Office and the Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office.

Capt. Dave Steinkoenig updates Bartholomew County Sheriff Matthew A. Myers at the scene this morning