Monthly Archives: November 2020

Drug takeback, flu shots, COVID-19 tests offered Wednesday at community center

You will have a chance to get rid of unwanted medications, get tested for COVID-19 and get a free flu shot on Wednesday at the America and Robie Anderson Community Center on McClure Road in Columbus.

Health Communities, the Alliance for Substance Abuse Progress, the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department and the Indiana Attorney General’s office will be holding the drug-take back event from 11:30 to 2 Wednesday at the center.

The program is meant for medications in pill or patch forms that are expired, unused, and unwanted. They will be properly disposed of without threat to the environment. Liquids and needles, new or used, will not be accepted for disposal.

According to the State Police, studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.

This service is free and anonymous with no questions asked.

You can also pick up a home drug disposal kit, provided by ASAP. These kits can be used to collect and neutralize liquid medications that cannot be taken at the center.

Free flu shots will be available at the center from 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday, and free COVID-19 tests are available from 1 to 3 p.m.

Indiana BMV offices open for issuing IDs to vote

Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles offices are having extended hours today to issue ID cards and driver’s licenses to be used for voting. Branches will be open  from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Election Day.

The BMV provides free, state-issued ID cards for voting purposes to any unlicensed Hoosier who is a U.S. citizen, who can provide proper documentation, and who will be at least 18 years of age on or before the next general or municipal election.

You can find a complete list of documents you will need to bring at IN.gov/bmv.

Columbus man accused of spitting blood at police officer

Jesus G. Cruz Santiago. Photo courtesy of Columbus Police Department

Columbus police say that a suspect spit blood in an officer’s face while he was being arrested for being drunk and disorderly in a store.

Officers were called to the Circle K gas station on 25th Street at about 2:10 Sunday morning on a report of an intoxicated man causing problems in the store. 37-year-old Jesus G. Cruz Santiago of Columbus allegedly was uncooperative with police and as he was taken into custody he spit the blood on the officer.

Santiago was first checked out at Columbus Regional Hospital and the arrested on preliminary charges of battery by bodily fluid on a law enforcement officers and public intoxication.

State police investigating Seymour police shooting death

Seymour police shot and killed a man Sunday after he fled from a shoplifting incident.

According to the Indiana State Police, officers were called to the Walmart store on East Tipton Street at about 8:30 last night on a theft report. They found a man matching the suspect’s description and who was carrying stolen merchandise. He ran from police across Tipton Street and into a ditch.

State police say officers determined the man had a handgun and two Seymour officers fired at the man. Despite medical attention at the scene, he died after being taken to Schneck Medical Center.

Seymour Police Department requested the assistance of the state troopers to investigate the incident.

Neither the victim nor the officers have yet been identified. An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday.

Hunter injures back in Jennings County fall

A hunter seriously injured his back after falling from a tree stand in Jennings County Saturday.

Indiana DNR Conservation Officers are reporting that rescue workers were called to the 9000 block of North County Road 125 East at about 5:30 Saturday afternoon. 39-year-old John Conner of Bristol, Vermont was flown by medical helicopter to St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis after falling about 14 feet from a tree stand.

Conservation officers say that the ropes securing the saddle-style tree stand became loose, leading to the fall. They suggest that hunters who are using an elevated stand also use a safety harness and lifelines. You should also check all stands and straps prior to climbing.

Early voting wraps up; Polls open 6 to 6 on Tuesday

Record-setting early voting ended yesterday, and all that’s left is the Election Day in-person turnout today.

Polling locations across the state are going to be open from 6 to 6 Tuesday as voters across Indiana makes choices in races ranging from president and governor, down to local school boards.

A month of early voting wrapped up at noon Monday. Bartholomew County Clerk Jay Phelps reports that nearly 21,000 voters cast ballots at the Fair Oaks Mall early voting site with another 6,675 early votes through the mail. That total of 27,518 early votes means more than half of the county’s registered voters have already cast their ballots. The Secretary of State’s Office yesterday said 1.8 million people in the state voted before Election Day.

In Bartholomew County, voters will have several choices to make include three at-large seats on the County Council. Incumbent Republicans Bill Lentz, Matt Miller, and Evelyn Pence are running against Democrats Tiffany Bosley, Olisa Humes and Claudette Schroer.

There are also three contested school board races on the ballot with a three-way race for District 3, with incumbent James Persinger facing challengers Todd Grimes and Mike Jamerson. In District 5, incumbent Pat Bryant is running against challenger Jennifer Corsi, and in District 7, Lacretia Ulrey is running against Nicole Wheeldon. Incumbent Jeff Caldwell is not seeking re-election to that seat.

In statehouse races, Republican Rep. Ryan Lauer is being challenged by Democrat Dale Nowlin for District 59  covering most of Columbus and Bartholomew County. Republican Rep. Jim Lucas is facing independent Katrina “Kat” Hardwick and Democrat Jeffery Prewitt for District 69 which includes very southern Bartholomew County as well as parts of Jackson, Jennings and Jefferson counties.

Republican State Sen. Eric Koch is facing Columbus Democrat Cindie Wirth for the District 44 seat which includes western Bartholomew County. Republican State Rep. Sean Eberhart is running unopposed for his District 57 seat, which includes northeastern Bartholomew County.

In Hope, Democratic Town Council member Nellie Meek is running her first re-election campaign against Republican challenger John Walstead.

Several Bartholomew County races are going uncontested this election, including two seats on the County Commissioners, which will still be held by Republicans Larry Kleinhenz and Tony London. Former Columbus Police Chief Jon Rohde is running unopposed for Judge of Bartholomew Superior Court and Clayton Nolting will win re-election as County Coroner with no opponent.

On Tuesday, voting will be from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. at one of 12 vote centers around Bartholomew County. Those will be located at:

  1. Flintwood Wesleyan Church, 5300 25th St, Columbus
  2. St. John’s Masonic Lodge, 4131  Rocky Ford Road, Columbus
  3. Fair Oaks Mall, 2104 25th St., Columbus
  4. Donner Center, 739 22nd St., Columbus
  5. River of Living Water Christian Church, 51 N. Brooks St., Columbus
  6. Terrace Lake Church, 4260 W. County Road 200S, Columbus
  7. Westside Community Church, 124 Tipton Lakes Blvd, Columbus
  8. Elizabethtown Fire Station, 10203 E. Legal Tender Road, Elizabethtown
  9. Hope Moravian Church, 202 Main Street, Hope.
  10. Clifford Fire Station, 7850 N. Depot St., Clifford
  11. German Township Fire Station, 9428 Main St., Taylorsville.
  12. Ogilville United Methodist Church, 11910 S. East State Road 58, Ogilville.