All posts by John Clark

Forest Service warns of smoke from intentional fires

The Hoosier National Forest is warning that you could see signs of fire in the area as prescribed burns are taking place.

According to the U.S. Forest Service, the intentional fires reduces the amount of woody material on the forest floor, lowering the risk of catastrophic wildfire, as well as increasing plant diversity. Areas being considered for burning will have signs placed in advance. Burn areas are closed to public entry including hunting until the area is considered safe.

The agency says smoke plumes from a prescribed fire usually rise high into the air. If smoke is present on roadways, drivers should reduce their speed and turn on their headlights.

Deputies help replace man’s stolen tricycle

Deputies with the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department helped a local man with  Down Syndrome recover after his tricycle was stolen recently.

According to the Sheriffs’ department, members of the department came together, raiding funds to replace the missing trike. The incident started when deputies were notified of a theft on Alan Drive at about 4:30 p.m. in the afternoon of February 29th. Della Dowden told deputies that her adult son’s adult-sized tricycle had been stolen.

30-year-old Tylor Dowden has  Down Syndrome and was devastated by the loss of the tricycle, which could not be found.

Members of the sheriff’s department purchased a new tricycle along with a lock and delivered them on Tuesday.

Sheriff Chris Lane said that “deputies not only protect this community, but they truly care about those that they serve.” He also credited Detective Will Kinman for organizing a fundraiser to purchase the tricycle.

Photo: Deputy Tyler Cooper and Detective Will Kinman with Tylor Dowden and his new trike. Photo courtesy of Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department.

 

Four arrested after tip on wanted person at Columbus home

A tip from the public led to the arrest of four people at a home on the east side of Columbus Wednesday night.

According to the Columbus Police Department, officers were alerted that someone wanted on an outstanding warrant was at a home in the 400 block of South Brooks Street at about 9 p.m. Wednesday night. When officers arrives, they discovered two people wanted on outstanding warrants and took them into that custody.

Those initially arrested were 24-year-old Sierra M. Hollenbeck of Columbus and 28-year-old Derek R. Jordan of Hope.

But while making the arrests, police also discovered drug paraphernalia and evidence of narcotics at the home. The home’s owner, 37-year-old Dustin T. Cross as well as 24-year-old Jaydon M. Gilmore, both of Columbus were taken into custody.

Cross and Gilmore are both being accused of possessing methamphetamine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and a legend drug injection device. Additionally Cross is being charged with maintaining a common nuisance, and Gilmore for visiting a common nuisance.

In addition to the outstanding warrants, Hollenbeck and Jordan are facing new charges of visiting a common nuisance.

Sierra Hollenbeck
Derek R. Jordan
Dustin Cross
Jaydon Gilmore

Tornadoes touch down in Jefferson County

State officials say that tornadoes have touched down in multiple spots in Jefferson County this afternoon.

According to the Indiana State Police, multiple homes are damaged, trees are down and power is out in much of the area. Sgt. Stephen Wheeles with the state police said rescue workers are assessing the damage and trying to reach those who need help.

You should avoid the area if you can.

Photo courtesy of Indiana State Police.

Forecasters warn of severe weather threat today

We could be in for some nasty weather today.

The National Weather Service in Indianapolis says most of our area is under a slight risk of severe weather today. That could include damaging winds, large hail, tornadoes, or even flooding. Forecasters say the chances for the bad weather will be the worst starting at 6 p.m. tonight through 2 a.m. Friday morning.’

Jackson County man facing child pornography charges

A Medora man is facing nine child pornography charges after a search by Indiana State Police Tuesday.

Indiana State Police say that the investigation by the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force began in December after a cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. That investigation led to a search warrant being serfved at a home in the 9000 block of West U.S. 50 near Medora.

The search uncovered child pornography on electronic devices and on social media belonging to 19-year-old Paxston A. Allman. He was arrested and taken to the Jackson County Jail on nine charges of child pornography.

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department also assisted in the investigation.

The task force encourages you to report online exploitation, solicitation, and enticement crimes against children to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Eclipse expert to give tips at historical society talk

The Bartholomew County Historical Society will be hosting an expert on eclipses next week to talk about the upcoming April 8th phenomena.

Steve Haines of the Indiana Astronomical Society will be covering topics such as what is an eclipse, how to observe it and photograph it and what to expect the day of the event. Haines is a 10-year member of the Indiana Astronomical Society and chairman of the group’s eclipse committee.

The talk will be on Tuesday March 19th, starting at 5 p.m. in the afternoon at the historical society museum on Third Street in Columbus. It is free and you are invited to attend.

Locomotive being powered by Accelera hydrogen fuel cells

Cummins says its Accelera brand has achieved a significant milestone with its first first hydrogen fuel-cell powered locomotive for use in freight rail in Austria.

The Columbus based engine manufacturer combined its various zero-emissions solutions offerings last year under the new Accelera brand. According to the company the fuel cells are powering a vehicle designed for the HY2Rail project, in partnership with the Austrian railway authority. The project is meant to demonstrate how fuel cells can meet the power needs of heavy-duty locomotives.

An Austrian engineering consultancy, m.ZERO, integrated Accelera fuel cell power modules into a customized system that meets strict rail vehicle standards. The system has a hybrid propulsion system that includes cutting-edge electronics, on-board hydrogen storage, a vehicle control unit, and software.

The transformed locomotive was previously a construction and maintenance railcar, which relied on a diesel-electric propulsion system. With the new fuel cell electric system, it now runs emissions free.

Photo provided by Cummins Inc.

Suspect accused of battering deputy; Intern calls for backup

Bradley Bates

A Sheriff’s Department intern on a ride-along with a deputy was able to call for help when the officer was attacked by a suspect.

According to the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, the incident started at about 6:28 p.m. Tuesday evening when Hope Police and deputies were called to the 12000 block of County Road 425E about a domestic battery . According to witnesses, a suspect battered a male at the residence, injuring the victim’s face. The suspect then fled the scene in a car.

Deputy Tyler Cooper found the suspect’s vehicle near Poshard Drive and pulled it over. The suspect, identified as Bradley Bates refused to cooperate or to get out of the vehicle. As the deputy worked to remove Bates from the vehicle, a fight broke out with Bates striking the deputy repeated in the head. Cooper was able to get back from Bates and use his Taser.

Police say that during the fight Cooper was unable to use his radio, but an intern was in the vehicle who used the car radio to call for help. More deputies arrived and helped subdue Bates.

He was taken to Columbus Regional Health to be checked out and then to jail on preliminary charges including battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting law enforcement and domestic battery.

Cooper was also taken to Columbus Regional Health for treatment and was found to have suffered a concussion.

Sheriff Chris Lane praised Cooper for relying on his training and experience in the situation and the intern for calling for backup.

Mulch available from Bartholomew/Columbus Recycling Center

The Bartholomew County Solid Waste Management District is offering free mulch at its site at the Columbus and Bartholomew County Recycling Center on Mapleton Street. And there will be several opportunities for seniors and others to get help loading the mulch.

The mulch is available to load yourself for free at the center. There will also be free loading for seniors on the last two Wednesdays of the month. Those will be March 20th and March 27th from 8 a.m. to noon.

There is also loading assistance available on Fridays, April through October for $10 per pick up truck load. That will start on April 5th and will be from 2 to 4:30 p.m. except for Friday holidays.

You can get more information at bcswmd.com.