Monthly Archives: May 2024

Conservation officers urge water safety as summer heats up

As we head into the summer season, Indiana Conservation officers are urging Hoosiers to be safe on and in the water.

According to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, says you should make water safety a priority and discuss water safety and dangers with friends and family members before you head out for fun. Conservation officers offer several safety tips. Those include:

  • Make sure to tell someone where you are going and when you will return.
  • When you head out, go with a buddy.
  • Do not venture onto flooded or fast-moving waterways.
  • Keep an extra watchful eye out for children around water.
  • Avoid alcohol when you are on or in the water.

They are also stressing that it is illegal to operate a a motorboat or personal watercraft in Indiana while you are intoxicated whether from alcohol or drugs. In Indiana, intoxicated boating involves a blood alcohol level of 0.08% or greater.

To learn more you can go to on.IN.gov/boatered.

Columbus police warn of crackdown on construction zone violations

Columbus police have been cracking down on those making improper turns in the construction zone at 25th Street and National Road.

According to the Columbus Police Department, in the past two weeks officers have made 241 traffic stops to enforce the “no left turn” signs at the intersection. Police say that they received multiple complaints about drivers making the dangerous turns in the area, where traffic is restricted and sight lines are limited. Authorities say that trying to turn left backs up traffic driving through the narrowed intersection and obstructions make the turns dangerous.

The work in the area is expected to continue until August and police say that they will continue to make extra patrols in the vicinity. They encourage you to drive safely and obey traffic rules to help keep everyone safe.

Otter Creek to host LPGA qualifying tournament in June

Otter Creek Golf Course will soon be hosting its first professional event, part of the LPGA-affiliated Epson Tour with prizes of up to $300,000.

According to organizers, the Otter Creek Championship will be held June 10th through the 16th at the Bartholomew County course. Previously, the course has hosted more than 300 amateur events and championships over its 60-year history. The Otter Creek event is one of two events being added to the Epson Tour and is one of only five with prize purses of $300 thousand or more.

The tournament will feature the next generation of possible LPGA stars, with 144 competitors from across the world. Those will include Hoosier athletes such as Annabelle Pancake from Zionsville, Cailyn Henderson from Westfield and Greenwood’s Erica Shepherd. The Epson Tour is the Official Qualifying Tour of the LPGA growing to 20 tournaments over the past decade with more than $5 million in prizes awarded. .

Proceeds from the inaugural Otter Creek Championship will go to benefit Turning Point Domestic Violence Services.

Otter Creek is looking for volunteers to help with the event. Volunteers will be asked for a $60 registration fee that will go to support Turning Point. Volunteers will receive a tournament t-shirt, free parking, complimentary food and beverage, and behind-the-scenes access to the future stars.

There will also be two Pro-Am events that week where you can play with, meet and learn from the championship athletes.

You can also attend the championship as a spectator for free.

You can get more information and register to volunteer at www.ottercreekgolf.com/2024-otter-creek-championship.

Four arrested after downtown Columbus overdose

Four people have been arrested in a drug-dealing investigation following an overdose in downtown Columbus.

According to Columbus Police Department, officers with the Bartholomew County Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team and the Columbus Intelligence Led Policing Unit received tips about drug-dealing at a home in the 300 block of Cleveland Street. On May 16th, officers were called to the home after a man overdosed and was taken to the hospital for treatment.

A search warrant was served at the home and officers recovered more than 50 grams of methamphetamine, along with packaging materials, digital scales, syringes and other drug paraphernalia.

Police arrested 37-year-old Jessica Comstock of Columbus on charges including dealing in methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine, neglect of a dependent, maintaining a common nuisance and for possessing a syringe and drug paraphernalia.

Police say that 35-year-old Keith Cherry was not home at the time of the search but an arrested warrant was issued and he was picked up in the 5200 block of South Pine Street on Thursday. He is facing charges including dealing in methamphetamine and maintaining a common nuisance.

Police also arrested 29-year-old Dustin Harden on charges of maintaining a common nuisance and possession of a narcotic drug, and 20-year-old Chase Barnhart on a charge of visiting a common nuisance.

Photos courtesy of Columbus Police Department

Keith Cherry
Jessica Comstock
Dustin Harden
Chase Barnhart

Trump found guilty on all counts

Note: This story has been updated.

Former President Donald Trump has been found guilty in his New York criminal hush money case.

The New York jury just returned its verdict. He could face four years in prison depending on the judge’s sentence, which is set for July 11th. The judge has the discretion to reduce his sentence to a fine, probation or supervision. Trump’s attorney argued for a motion of acquittal, but the judge denied it. This was the first time an American president stood trial in a criminal case.

Trump is guilty of falsifying records before the 2016 election to hide payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels.

Trump is slamming his conviction. He walked out after the guilty verdict and again said the trial was rigged. He added “the whole country is going to hell.” Trump closed by saying everyone knows what happened here and the real verdict is November 5th, election day.

Trump will almost certainly appeal his conviction. The appeal process could take months or longer, likely delaying any punishment doled out by the judge in the case past Election Day.

Allies of Donald Trump are criticizing the guilty verdict. House Speaker Mike Johnson called it a “shameful day in American history,” arguing the case was a “purely political exercise.” He predicted Trump would win an appeal of his conviction. Ohio Congressman Jim Jordan called it a “travesty of justice” and said the justice system has been weaponized on behalf of President Biden.

The Biden campaign says Trump’s guilty verdict shows “no one is above the law.” The campaign issued a statement shortly after the verdict was handed down.

Biden campaign communications director Michael Tyler said Trump has “always mistakenly believed he would never face consequences for breaking the law for his own personal gain.” He added that the only way to keep Trump out of the White House is at the ballot box.

The Manhattan District Attorney who brought the hush money case against Donald Trump says he did his job and followed the law. After Trump was found guilty, Democrat Alvin Bragg added this type of white collar prosecution is important to his office.

Bragg says at the end of the day, the only thing that matters is the voice of the jury.

Donald Trump’s social-media company’s stock prices are tumbling following him being found guilty. The share price for Trump Media & Technology Corporation, which is the operator of Trump’s Truth Social platform, dropped almost 15-percent following the verdict.

Following after-hours trading, it was still down about ten percent.

Story courtesy of TTWN Media Networks Inc.

United Way launching new site for help with urgent needs

The United Way of Bartholomew County is launching a new website on Saturday to direct residents who need help with food, housing, clothes, utilities or other services.

According to the agency, Unitedwehelp.org will serve as a one-stop shop for help available in Bartholomew County. Organizers say it will serve as the most updated and comprehensive resource guide in the community. It will also help direct residents in need to United Way agencies that can help.

You will also be able to find the Bartholomew County housing guide online and view a printed brochure called Help is Here.

Yellow Trail hosting next First Family Talk on Saturday

The Yellow Trail Museum and Bartholomew County Genealogical Society are continuing their new program recognizing the first pioneer settlers of the town of Hope with the next session on Saturday.

The First Family Talks feature monthly sessions recognizing and researching the early settlers of northeastern Bartholomew County. Through August there is a focus on the families who attended the first services at Hope Moravian Church in June of 1830.

You are asked to bring any photos, genealogy, documents, stories, or anything else you might want to share. The Genealogical Society will scan copies during the sessions to make available to the public and to the museum.

The next discussion will feature the Clayton Family and will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday at the Yellow Trail Museum research center on the northwestern corner of the Hope Town Square.

Cummins VP Satterthwaite announces retirement

Tony Satterthwaite. Photo courtesy of Cummins Inc.

Cummins executive Tony Satterthwaite will be retiring after 36 years with the company.

The Columbus based engine manufacturer announced Thursday that Satterthwaite, the company’s senior vice president, will be retiring in September.

Jennifer Rumsey, Cummins’ Chair and CEO said Satterthwaite has been a leader “pushing Cummins to be an innovator in our industry, grow and expand our businesses, and evolve the way we work to better serve our customers.”

Satterthwaite joined the company in 1988, holding sales, regional and business leadership roles in the company. Among his positions, he has been president of the Power Generation Business, president of the Distribution Businesses, President and Chief Operating Officer and Vice Chairman

Red Cross seeing shortfall in blood donations

The Indiana Chapter of the American Red Cross says that blood donations are running far behind normal levels and it is having a hard time maintaining the supply of needed blood.

According to the group fewer donors have been making the life-saving donations in the past month and the Red Cross is running about 20,000 donations behind where it needs to be to maintain the blood supply. The lower than normal donations could be caused by several factors including severe weather and a spike in travel.

However, summer travel means more accidents and the Red Cross says it is critical to have blood products on hand for all trauma and accident victims who count on transfusions.

There are several upcoming blood donation events including today from noon to 5 p.m. at First United Methodist Church on 8th Street in Columbus, on Monday from 1 to 6 p.m. at Hope Moravian Church on Main Street in Hope, and Friday, June 7th from noon to 6 p.m. at Columbus East High School.

You can schedule an appointment to give blood by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS