Columbus police arrested a driver early Monday morning who was allegedly driving drunk with drugs in his car, and without ever receiving a driver’s license.

According to police reports, officers stopped a vehicle near Indiana and Gladstone avenues at about 12:03 a.m. Monday morning. The driver, 51-year-old Dana E. Jackson of Columbus was slurring his speech and his eyes appeared bloodshot, police say. He failed several field sobriety tests and a police dog alerted to the smell of narcotics in the vehicle.

He was arrested on preliminary charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, driving while suspended with a prior conviction and driving without receiving a license, along with possession of methamphetamine, marijuana, a controlled substance, a legend drug and drug paraphernalia.

As of today, masks are recommended but not required in most Columbus city facilities.

City officials say that most buildings are now fully open to the public. However city fire stations are still closed to the public, as is The Commons playground and Animal Care Services are open by appointment only.

Today is the start of summer office hours. Offices in Columbus City Hall are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., starting today through August 6th. The city transit offices will close at 4 p.m. but the phone will still be answered until 5. Columbus City Utilities is closing at 4 p.m. but the phones and drive through payment window will be open until 5 p.m.

All park and Park facilities are be open normal hours.

A Jackson County corrections officer received several injuries including being choked unconscious during an inmate’s escape attempt at Schneck Medical Center.

Seymour police say that the incident happened yesterday afternoon starting at about 12:24 when 27-year-old inmate Jackson Hatchett of Brownstown was being discharged from the hospital. That’s when he overpowered the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department corrections officer, before barricading himself in a bathroom and breaking out a third floor window, police say. After jumping to a second floor roof and entered a mechanical room, where he was cornered by a Seymour officer who was working security at the hospital.

More police arrived to take Hatchett back into custody. He suffered cuts on his arms during the leap from the window and was taken to the emergency room for treatment. The corrections officer was also taken to the ER for treatment.

Hatchett is facing new felony charges of escape, battery with serious bodily injury, strangulation and theft along with a misdemeanor charge of criminal mischief.

State Rep. Ryan Lauer of Columbus says that a new state law will break down barriers for young, low-income workers who want to obtain job skills that are in high-demand.

Younger workers will be able to earn up to 15 thousand dollars a year, without affecting the family’s ability to still receive help under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. The new law goes into effect in July and will affect those workers younger than 24.

Lauer said the idea is to give incentives to young people from low-income families to pursue their college degree, a workforce certificate, or take part in an apprenticeship program, without hurting their family’s finances.

Lauer said the law also increases the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit to 10% starting next year.

A Jonesville area motorcyclist is dead following a crash on South State Road 11 near County Road 850S Sunday afternoon.

30-year-old Sterling Albert Wessel was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash by the Bartholomew County Coroner’s office. The cause of death was massive trauma.

Wessel’s motorcycle collided with a delivery truck at about 4:37 p.m. Sunday afternoon near the intersection of State Road 11 and County Road 850S.

Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the accident.

Gov. Eric Holcomb is ordering all flags at state facilities be flown at half staff on Monday in honor or Memorial Day. The governor is also asking businesses and residents across the state to lower their flags

Flags should be flown at half-staff from sunrise to noon on Monday.

Photo: Circe Denyer has released this “Flag At Half Mast” image under Public Domain license.

Columbus police say that a wanted local man tried to run away from officers, but he was quickly taken into custody.

Officers noticed a man trying to hide behind a trash can to avoid police at around 7:15 p.m. Thursday night in the 1200 block of Eighth Street. When the officer got out of his car, the man took off running.

Police caught up to him at 8th and Reed Street and discovered that he was 51-year-old Craig A. Pike of Columbus, who was wanted on a Bartholomew County warrant. As he was taken into custody, officers searched his backpack and recovered drugs and paraphernalia.

In addition to the outstanding warrant, he is facing new charges of resisting law enforcement, plus possession of methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Seymour police are warning of a scam going on in the area, where scammers are pretending to be Duke Energy and demanding immediate payment over the phone of a fake past due bill.

According to the police department, the scammers are spoofing local numbers making it appear that they are automated call services threatening to turn off your power if you don’t pay over the phone by check or credit card.

The callers are likely calling from overseas, police say. You should never give out personal information, credit cards numbers or any other information to a caller. Instead, call Duke Energy directly if you have questions about your account.

Duke Energy says if you receive such a call, you should report it to the police. You can contact Duke Energy immediately at 800-521-2232.

Governor Eric Holcomb today extended the public health emergency declaration for the state of Indiana by another month, but he also loosened some restrictions around the state.

According to the governor’s office, continuing the public health emergency allows individuals who otherwise would not be eligible to administer COVID-19 vaccinations to continue doing so. And it allows the state to continue to receive pandemic emergency funds for programs such as the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

A second executive order relaxed some more restrictions including removing the mask mandate for state facilities. Masks will still be required in settings where people are closely packed together such as state prisons and the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy. Masks are also still required inside COVID testing and vaccination clinics.

Face masks will still be required inside Indiana schools through June 30th, but not outdoors on school property. Starting July 1st, school boards will be able to determine what restrictions are needed locally.

The governor’s office says Hoosiers should still follow CDC guidance for when fully vaccinated and unvaccinated people should wear masks and take other protective measures.

The Hope Post of the American Legion will be holding its traditional round of Memorial Day ceremonies Monday morning in northeastern Bartholomew County. The post will perform full military services at eight locations Monday morning.

The first service will be at 8:30 a.m. at Sharon Cemetery at the grave of Jonathan Moore. The Revolutionary War veteran was a bodyguard for General George Washington. The final service will be at 11 a.m. at Hope Moravian Cemetery’s Veterans Memorial. You can find a complete schedule below.

• 8:30 a.m. – Sharon Cemetery
• 8:50 a.m. – Newburn Cemetery
• 9:15 a.m. – Hartsville Town Square
• 9:40 a.m. – Hawcreek Church Cemetery
• 10:00 a.m. – Simmons Cemetery
• 10:15 a.m. – Old St Louis Cemetery
• 10:30 a.m. – Hawcreek Bridge
• 11 a.m. – Hope Moravian Cemetery Veteran Memorial