A Columbus father and son have been arrested after an investigation by the Bartholomew County Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team.

According to Columbus Police Department, law enforcement received tips about drug dealing happening in the 4900 block of Indinapolis Road. A search warrant was served Monday evening and police uncovered a large amount of drug paraphernalia, packaging materials, and digital scales.

54-year-old Michael D. Sample and 32-year-old Michael A. Sample were both arrested. The father is being accused of dealing in methamphetamine, maintaining a common nuisance, possession of a legend drug and possession of paraphernalia. The younger Sample is facing charges of maintaining a common nuisance and possession of paraphernalia

Note: This story has been updated.

An arrest has been made in the fire this morning that destroyed Columbus Family Dental Center on Third Street.

According to the Columbus Police Department, the investigation into the fire revealed that it started after a blanket was lit on fire by 31-year-old Joshua J. Whitmore of Columbus. Whitmore was arrested on a preliminary felony charge of criminal mischief.

Capt. Mike Wilson with the Columbus Fire Department explains that the cause of the fire is being listed as accidental.

Wilson said there is a serious danger in using open fires in unsafe ways for heating or cooking.

He also cautioned that the current dry conditions have not been offset by recent rains, making for the danger of wind-blown wildfires.

According to the fire department, police and firefighters were called to the business in the 900 block of Third Street at about 3:48 a.m. this morning. They arrived to find fire coming through the roof. Aerial trucks from Columbus Fire Department and Columbus Township poured water from above for about an hour before the fire was declared under control.

Dr. Laura Bracken told investigators that the business has been at the location for about 20 years. Representatives of the clinic say that they will be looking for a temporary location to begin seeing patients as soon as possible.

The investigation is still ongoing.

A Bartholomew County farm is being recognized for its longevity with the Hoosier Homestead Award.

The David & Brenda Simmons farm in Bartholomew County have received the Centennial and Sesquicentennial Award. That’s according to the offices of State Sen. Greg Walker and State Rep. Jennifer Meltzer.

Hoosier Homestead farms must be owned by the same family for at least 100 consecutive years and consist of more than 20 acres or produce more than $1,000 of agricultural products per year. The Hoosier Homestead Awards program was started in 1976 and has recognized more than 6,000 family farms that have impacted Indiana’s economic, cultural and social advancement.

Photo courtesy of Indiana State Department of Agriculture.

Authorities are warning of a scam in our area where the scammer pretends to be with a local sheriff’s department while trying to get your personal information and money.

The Decatur County Sheriff’s Department says that someone has spoofed a call from their department, claiming to be a Sgt. Gary Miller and saying that there is a warrant out for the victim because they failed to appear for federal jury duty. The fake deputy is asking for personal information and demanding payment for the supposed arrest warrant.

The sheriff’s department warns that you should not provide your information or make a payment to the scammers. Instead, you should verify any caller’s information by contacting police directly from a number you find from a reputable source. The scammers can fake a Caller ID through the internet, making it appear that the call is coming from a legitimate source.

If you have any questions you should contact police in your community.

IU Columbus will be holding an open house in April for residents to meet their local Crimson Pride college athletes.

The event will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on April 4th at Circle K Fieldhouse at Nexus Park, the former Fair Oaks Mall on 25th Street.

IU Columbus is already fielding men’s and women’s soccer teams along with cross country, women’s volleyball, softball, and baseball. Later this year, the school is adding men’s and women’s basketball, track and field, and competitive cheer and dance teams.

There will be family friendly activities including trying to score a goal against a collegiate soccer goalie, shooting hoops with the school’s basketball teams, and watching performances by the school’s cheer and dance teams. You will also have a chance to talk with the coaches and athletic staff. And there will be free Crimson Pride T-shirts while they are available.

You can find more information here: go.iu.edu/6lHQ.

More medical practices and offices have moved into the Columbus Regional Health portion of Nexus Park.

According to the hospital, Columbus Regional Health Audiology, Speech and Driving Rehabilitation as well as Family and Internal Medicine have finished their moves to the former Fair Oaks Mall, as of Monday. Neurology and Sleep Sciences is in the process of moving and is set to open on April 9th.

Patients are receiving information on visiting the new office locations and will also receive reminders for any upcoming appointments that take place at the new location.

Nexus Park on 25th Street is a joint project between the city of Columbus and CRH as a center for health, wellness and recreation. Columbus Regional Health is putting more than $54 million dollars into its side of the project and moving more than 15 offices from around the city to the facility.

For more information, visit www.crh.org/nexuspark.

Photo: Casey Gibson with Columbus Regional Health explains the main promenade in the new Nexus Park space during a media tour last month.

A driver was killed in a weekend crash in Jennings County.

According to the Jennings County Sheriff’s Department, 23-year-old Issac Hopkins was ejected from his vehicle in the accident at about 5:30 p.m. Saturday on County Road 750N. Hopkins was pronounced dead at the scene.

Deputies say that two vehicles collided head-on at the crest of a hill near the 7300 block of West County Road 600 W. Deputies, firefighters and medics provided emergency medical care, but Hopkins succumbed to his injuries. A passenger in his vehicle was wearing their seat belt and was taken to St. Vincent Jennings Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The second vehicle was carrying three adults and a small child in a car seat. They were taken to the hospital by family members, also for non life-threatening injuries.

A portion of County Road 750N was closed for about two hours during the crash cleanup and investigation. Police say speed is believed to have been a factor in the crash.

Note: This story has been updated

Columbus firefighters have been battling a major blaze this morning at the Columbus Family Dental Center on Third Street.

According to the fire department, police and firefighters were called to the business in the 900 block of Third Street at about 3:48 this morning. They arrived to find fire coming through the roof. Firefighters entered the building but deteriorating fire conditions and fluctuations in water pressure from hydrants, meant they had to move back outside. The fire continued to spread in the attic space. Aerial trucks from Columbus Fire Department and Columbus Township poured water from above for about an hour before the fire was declared under control.

Dr. Laura Bracken told investigators that the business has been at the location for about 20 years.

Firefighters say that the damage to the building is extensive. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Damage estimates are not yet available.

Authorities say that Third Street has been closed between Central Avenue, State Street to Lafayette Street while they continue working in the area.

You should find an alternative route if you you would be normally traveling in that area.

Photos courtesy of Columbus Fire Department.

Columbus Fire Department Press Release

Columbus Family Dental Center
901 3rd Street
At approximately 3:48 AM Columbus Firefighters were called to 901 3rd St., Columbus Family Dental Center, for a report of fire. When Columbus Firefighters and Columbus Police officers arrived at the scene, the found fire coming through the roof.
Firefighters entered the business to attack the flames but conditions on the interior deteriorated. Also experiencing fire hydrant pressure fluctuations, crews were forced to pull out of the building where a defensive fire attack was initiated. With heavy fire gaining ground in the attic space of the building, firefighters set up two master streams from the Columbus Fire and Columbus Township Fire Department aerial trucks. The elevated water streams operated for approximately 1 hour before the fire was marked under control. Much of the roof structure was destroyed during the fire fight. With the fire under control, firefighters on the exterior of the building continue to apply water to visible hot spots.
As firefighting efforts were underway, the business owners arrived on scene and spoke to investigators. Dr. Laura Bracken- DDS told investigators that the business has operated for approximately 20 years in the current location. The cause of the fire in currently under investigation. Damages to the building were extensive. No damage estimate provided at this time.
Due to the presence of emergency apparatus near the incident. Traffic restrictions may be in place for morning commuters while firefighters and investigators continue to operate at the scene. No injuries were reported.
Agencies that assisted at the scene include Columbus Township Fire and Rescue, Columbus Police Department, Center Point Energy, Duke Energy and Columbus City Utilities.

Earlier:

Columbus firefighters have been on the scene of a major fire at a business on Third Street this morning.

Authorities say that Third Street is closed between Central Avenue, State Street to Lafayette Street while they fight the fire. The structure appears to be the Columbus Family Dental offices.

You should find an alternative route if you you would be normally traveling in that area.

Centra Credit Union is announcing a new line of business aimed at helping those who might be without a bank or who don’t have access to full services of a bank.

According to the Columbus based credit union, the new Onward with Centra division will provide financial education and deliver banking products to those who are “unbanked” or “underbanked.”

Onward with Centra will focus on providing financial education in group workshops, personal training to individuals, coaching and accountability support. The goal is allow those customers to work toward financial empowerment.

Centra President and CEO Rick Silvers said the team of financial experts “are passionate about working side-by-side with individuals to truly help them achieve their financial goals.”

Onward with Centra will also advocate for fair lending practices to advance upward mobility.

To learn more about how you can have Onward provide financial education to your group or organization, reach out to Marco Dominguez, AVP Financial Inclusion, at [email protected] or 812-314-0688

Brown County firefighters say a home fire Thursday was caused by hot coals discarded in a nearby wood line. The coals sparked a fire in the woods that that then spread to the structure.

According to Brown County Volunteer Fire Department, firefighters were called to the structure fire Thursday afternoon at about 3:43 p.m. and found heavy fire at the fully-involved home when they arrived. Using water from a nearby lake, crews from several departments put out the home fire and a fire in the woods. They were on scene for more than four hours and the home was destroyed.

Assisting at the scene were the Fruitdale, Hamblen Township, Southern Brown, Morgantown, and Harrison Township volunteer fire departments, along with Jackson Township Fire Department and IU Health Lifeline.

Brown County is currently under a burn ban due to the danger of wildfires in these extremely dry conditions. Brown County Emergency Management says that the ban will remain in effect through April 12th, as predicted rainfall is not expected to offset the drought conditions. Recent rains have not been enough to saturate the soil and dead fall remains as a significant source of fire fuel.

The department also warned that campfires must be attended and completely extinguished before being left.

Photo courtesy of Brown County Volunteer Fire Department