Jennings County deputies set out to check on the welfare of residents at a home, but ended up with an arrest on drug-related charges.

According to authorities, when deputies arrived at the home in Geneva Township on Friday, they could see drug paraphernalia through an open window. After getting a search warrant, deputies found syringes, paraphernalia and what they believe to be methamphetamine.

50-year-old Gregory D. Loper of North Vernon was arrested on preliminary charges of maintaining a common nuisance along with charges for possessing the drugs, syringes and paraphernalia.

A Columbus woman was arrested on drug-dealing charges after a traffic stop early Monday morning.

Columbus police are reporting that an officer saw a vehicle make a traffic violation and pulled it over at shortly after 2 a.m. yesterday morning. The driver, 38-year-old Christy N. Walker appeared nervous and a police dog alerted to the smell of narcotics inside the vehicle. A search revealed two large plastic bags, containing smaller baggies packed with methamphetamine, according to police.

Walker was arrested on a preliminary charge of dealing in methamphetamine and for possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jackson County deputies arrested a Seymour man last week after an investigation uncovered drugs in storage units.

According to the sheriff’s department, deputies executed a search warrant after a several weeks long investigation into stolen property and narcotics. Police dogs from the department and the Seymour police alerted to the smell of narcotics inside the units. The search revealed methamphetamine, marijuana, cocaine, LSD, mushrooms and prescription medications along with drug paraphernalia.

Authorities also found more than $30,000 in stolen tools and electronics including cordless tools, air compressors, generators, and welders. Deputies suspect the items were taken as payment for drugs.

Police say 37-year-old Bobby D. Sexton of Seymour had been seen in and at the storage units and his name was on the lease. He was arrested Wednesday on charges of possession of stolen property and dealing in narcotics.

According to the sheriff’s department, the investigation is ongoing and more arrests are possible.

Indiana State Police arrested a Seymour man Friday on drug dealing charges after a traffic stop on State Road 11.

According to troopers, the driver of a car committed a traffic violation on Interstate 65 north of Seymour at about 1 p.m. Friday afternoon. The trooper followed the vehicle off of the State Road 11 exit and pulled the driver over. That’s when the trooper’s police dog alerted to the odor of narcotics inside the vehicle.

A search revealed more than 120 grams of what appeared to be crystal methamphetamine in the vehicle and being carried by the driver, 38-year-old Chad W. Bruce of Seymour. The trooper also found other paraphernalia used in the sale of drugs.

Bruce was arrested on charges of dealing methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine.

Evidence photo courtesy of Indiana State Police

Columbus police say three people were seriously injured in a crash last week on County Road 450S near 100W.

Police say that a pickup was being driven east on County Road 450S by 65-year-old Steven W. Beavers of Seymour at about 6:15 Thursday morning when he sideswiped a car and then crashed head-on into another car being driven by 39-year-old Maria Hernandez of Columbus. Beavers, Hernandez and a passenger in Hernandez’ vehicle, 36-year-old Mariela Ramos Gonzalez of Columbus were all seriously injured and were flown by separate medical helicopters to Indianapolis hospitals.

The driver of the sideswiped vehicle, 50-year-old Douglas W. Meek of Hope, was uninjured.

Crash reconstructionists from Columbus police department and the Indiana State Police continue to investigate the accident.

Columbus police were assisted at the scene by Columbus Regional Health paramedics, Columbus Fire Department, Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office, IU Medical Lifeline helicopter and Saint Vincent Statflight helicopter.

Photo of IU Lifeline helicopter crew courtesy of Columbus Police Department.

North Vernon police say an airplane made an emergency landing at St. Anne’s Golf Course Friday night.

After receiving reports of the landing, police found a single-engine prop-driven plane had landed just off the fairway of hole number one at about 8:52 p.m. Friday evening. The airplane appeared intact and the pilot was uninjured. The pilot told police that he had taken off, when he experienced engine problems and had to put the plane down.

The accident was reported to the FAA and the North Vernon airport was called in to remove the plane.

Photo courtesy of Jennings County Sheriff’s Department.

Today is the start of registration for volunteers for Bartholomew County United Way’s annual Day of Caring.

Day of Caring is a day-long event where community members and businesses help with projects to benefit local not for profit groups and to complete projects to help residents in need. This year’s event is being held on May 21st.

Last year’s event had to be canceled due to COVID-19. This year’s Day of Caring will include precautions to maintain volunteers’ health and safety during the pandemic. Indoor projects will be limited to a maximum of six to eight volunteers per shift, determined by facility size. Outdoor projects will be limited to a maximum of 20 volunteers per shift, based on the size of the outdoor space. Masks will be required and social distancing maintained.

Volunteers of all ages and skill levels are welcome to participate. Projects will include planting flowers, mulching and painting, along with organizing and sorting donations.

Volunteers can sign up for the Day of Caring through the link at uwbarthco.galaxydigital.com.

A driver died after a crash Friday night in North Vernon after striking a utility pole and lighted clock on Walnut Street.

The name of the driver has not been released by authorities.

North Vernon police say that they received a report at about 11:15 p.m. Friday night that a vehicle had drifted across the road striking the obstacles. Police say the driver was awake but in medical distress when they arrived. She was transported to St. Vincent Jennings Hospital where she later died.

Police say they believe a medical emergency led to the driver losing control, crashing and also later led to her death.

Columbus Regional Health (CRH) announced Wednesday the swearing-in of the Chief of Police and Assistant Chief of the newly formed Columbus Regional Hospital Police Department. Anthony “Tony” Pope, Certified Healthcare Protection Administrator (CHPA), serves as the hospital’s Chief of Police and James Webster is Assistant Chief.

Pope and Webster officially took the oath in late March. Wednesday’s official ceremony marked one milestone in the transitional process as the health system works to develop and implement its law enforcement status. The CRH Board of Trustees approved the formation of a Columbus Regional Hospital Police Department in December 2020.

“The safety and protection of our patients, workforce, and visitors are of the utmost importance, and this needed change provides a greater level of security for everyone as well as enhanced training and support for the department,” said Pope.

The newly formed police department will consist of a combination of CRH Protective Services employees who are sworn and non-sworn officers. Several will undergo training at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy to become sworn officers.