The Jackson County prosecutor has concluded that Seymour police have no criminal liability after shooting and killing a man in November.

The incident happened on Nov. 1st, starting at about 8:27 in the evening, when officers were contacted by Seymour Wal-Mart employees about a man pushing a shopping cart out of the store without paying for about $700 in goods.

Police found 43-year-old Jason S. Cline with the stolen merchandise near a gas station on Tipton Street and he ran away when police approached, fleeing into a ditch in front of a fast food restaurant. Officer Cody Teltow struggled with Cline, according to the report, and when Officer Blake McCrary arrived to assist Teltow, Cline allegedly pulled out a pistol and threatened Officer Teltow.

Both officers opened fire, striking Cline. He was given medical aid at the scene, then taken to Schneck Medical Center where he died.

According to the prosecutor’s report, the handgun pulled by Cline had recently been stolen. Cline faced a lengthy prison term because he was a serious violent felon in possession of a firearm.

Prosecutor Jeffrey Chalfant concluded that McCrary and Teltow were justified in using deadly force to defend themselves given the threat posed by  Cline.

Two North Vernon residents were arrested on drug-related charges after a traffic stop Tuesday.

Jennings County deputies stopped a vehicle in the CVS parking lot at about 3 p.m. Tuesday afternoon for a driving violation.

An investigation led to the arrest of the driver, 25-year-old Tosha Brazee and a passenger, 28-year-old Brian Loos on preliminary charges for possessing methamphetamine, narcotic drugs, a syringe and drug paraphernalia. The driver is also being accused of operating a vehicle without ever receiving a license.

The newest Columbus police officer, Matthew Anderson, was sworn in this week.

Anderson is originally from Lexington, Kentucky and he graduated from Georgetown College with bachelors degree in Communications and Media Studies. He has been working as an officer in Colorado Springs, Colorado for the past six years. Among other awards, he was twice honored with the department’s Medal of Valor.

Anderson will begin his orientation and in service training at the police department in preparation of starting the department’s field training program later this spring.

Bartholomew County is back in the blue. According to the state’s color coded map of COVID-19 spread, Bartholomew County’s advisory level has now been improved to the blue level, showing minor spread of the disease.

Bartholomew County has an infection rate of 51 cases per 100,000 population and has a 7-day positivity rating of 3.81 percent. In yesterday’s report, Bartholomew County had eight new cases of COVID-19 and one new death from the disease.

It was the only area county to have a death from COVID-19 reported yesterday.

Statewide there were 919 new cases of the disease and 16 new deaths. The statewide 7-day positivity rate is 2.2 percent.

The only area county not showing a blue advisory level, is Jennings County which remains yellow, showing moderate spread of the disease.

Bartholomew County Emergency Management is warning about the possibility of heavy rains and winds today

Shannan Cooke, head of the agency, says forecasts are calling for 1 to 2 inches of rain today that could cause localized flooding. You should be careful if driving near creeks, streams, low-lying areas or areas with poor drainage. Wind gusts of 35 to 40 mph are possible and you could see lightning with storms tonight.

The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for East Fork White River at Seymour starting tonight. Minor flooding is forecast.

Columbus City Council gave its first approval this week to an ordinance change that bans the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits at stores in the city, but that came over concerns brought up by two council members.

The change was requested by Columbus Animal Care Services.

Head of the city’s animal shelter, Nicohl Birdwell- Goodin explains that the city wants to discourage puppy mills or other commercial breeding operations:

The change would mean that pet stores could not sell, barter, auction, or give away dogs, cats, and rabbits. However, those stores can work with Animal Care Services or other rescue groups to assist with those groups’ adoption efforts, provided the store has no ownership in the animals up for adoption, and is not charging the city agency or groups a fee.

Violating the ordinance would mean a fine of up to $500 for each animal involved.

Republicans Frank Miller and Tim Shuffett said that they agreed with the concept that local pet stores should not be selling those animals, but they had concerns about the proposed changes. Shuffett said he was concerned that because of the COVID-19 restrictions causing a virtual meeting, that the meeting was not as open as it could be so they could gather the full public opinion on the proposal.

Miller said that he thought the change was unnecessary because businesses were already choosing not to sell animals. Instead, pet stores make money selling supplies, he said, citing a recent article.

The council passed the first reading of the ordinance 4-2, with Councilman Dave Bush absent. It should return before the council at the next meeting for a second and final consideration.

A Cummins executive testified before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources committee yesterday as part of a hearing on innovation in transportation technology.

Tony Satterthwaite, vice chairman of Cummins testified remotely, outlining Cummins plans for a zero emissions future for its engines.

From his testimony:

Satterthwaite urged the lawmakers to support innovation in the transportation field.

You can listen to all of the committee meeting here.

Schneck Medical Center, Jackson County Health Department, and Brownstown School Corporation are partnering to offer 300 doses of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine on Saturday in Vallonia.

It will be available from 9 to noon at the Vallonia Elementary Gymnasium, on West Commerce Street. The single dose vaccine will be provided to those who make an appointment and meet eligibility requirements provided by the Indiana State Department of Health.

Hoosiers age 45 and up, healthcare workers, first responders and educators can schedule an appointment to receive the vaccine.

To schedule an appointment, call 211 or visit ourshot.in.gov.

Republicans in Indiana’s Sixth Congressional District have chosen Bartholomew County’s Dewayne Hines as vice chairman of the party organization.

According to the Bartholomew County GOP, Hines was elected unanimously in an reorganization meeting held over the weekend in Shelbyville. He is a lifelong resident of Bartholomew County and has been involved in local Republican politics as a volunteer for 30 years.

He has served most recently as treasurer of the Sixth Congressional District.

Photo: Bartholomew County’s Dewayne Hines, at right, with Josh Burnett at Saturday’s Shelbyville reorganization meeting for 6th Congressional District Republicans. Photo courtesy of Bartholomew County Republicans.

Columbus police say a woman acting suspiciously in a westside store was arrested after she was found to have four outstanding warrants.

The incident started at about 10 a.m. Monday morning when police were called to the Walmart store on Merchant’s Mile in Columbus to check on the woman.

But she allegedly gave police a fake name. She turned out to be 29-year-old Alexa Hicks of Columbus, who was wanted. She was taken into custody on the warrants and on a new charge of false informing.