Bartholomew County Sheriff Matt Myers says that the number of domestic violence reports the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) has received in 2021 points to an alarming tendency.

In 2019, there were 65 domestic violence cases recorded at SO and 53 more in 2020. But, during this year’s first quarter, there have been 18 domestic violence reports. If this trend continues, 2021 will have the highest number of cases in three years. BCSO deputies have been given a directive to make an arrest at the scene if there is probable cause. If not, a report will be forwarded to the Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office for review and, if warranted, an arrest will be made as soon as possible . Myers wants residents to know that just because an arrest isn’t made immediately, does not mean that one is not forthcoming.

If you are being abused, seek help from BCSO or call Turning Point at 812-379-9844.

The Indiana State Department of Health is proactively notifying all vaccination clinics using the single-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine to postpone its use following news reports that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has called for additional safety reviews. The state did not receive an official directive to pause but is doing so out of an abundance of caution.

In a joint statement released Tuesday morning, the CDC and FDA said that they were reviewing data of 6 rare cases where individuals developed a severe type of blood clot after they received the Johnson & Johnson Vaccine.

The Columbus Police Department (CPD) arrested an 18-year-old man after he reportedly crashed into several vehicles as he attempted to flee from law enforcement on Friday afternoon.

Officers were dispatched at around 3:00 p.m. to a report of a possible intoxicated driver in the area of Third and Lindsey Streets. The caller reported that the suspect, later identified as Edgar Veronico, of Columbus, nearly rear-ended her car and ran her off the road.

CPD spotted the suspect’s car a short time later and noted that the vehicle had front-end damage and had smoke coming from the hood. An officer tried to stop the vehicle but lost sight of it due to the high rate of speed it was traveling. Another officer located it a short time later after it crashed into the rear of another car on US 31, north of Herman Darlage Drive.

The driver exited his vehicle and fled on foot. Officers pursued him, caught up to him, and used a Taser to take him into custody near Shannon Drive and Dale Court.

Veronico was charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated, operating a vehicle while intoxicated-endangerment, resisting law enforcement, resisting law enforcement with a vehicle, leaving the scene of an accident, leaving the scene of an accident with injury, reckless driving, and illegal consumption.

On his Facebook page on Monday, Jay Phelps announced that he is leaving his position as Bartholomew County Clerk of Courts to take a job in Indianapolis with the Office of Indiana Secretary of State. He will work at the discretion of Secretary of State Holli Sullivan as the Director of Election Modernization, Administration, and Special Projects.

His last official day in Columbus is Friday, April 16th.

In an effort to reduce barriers and maximize vaccine availability for interested parents and guardians of 16-to-17-year-old students, the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation (BCSC) is exploring the provision of a mobile Pfizer vaccine site at Columbus East and Columbus North High Schools in the coming weeks.

BCSC wants to know how many parents are interested in such an event for their teens who are ages 16 and 17.

Whether you are for or against the opportunity, you can complete a survey about the topic on the BCSC website.

The vaccine is not required for BCSC staff or students.

Police arrested a Seymour Woman Friday after she kidnapped an Edinburgh woman for being a good Samaritan. A 24-year-old Edinburgh woman was giving a ride to the Seymour woman, but she ended up being held captive by that same female in her own vehicle.

The Seymour Police Department received a report that the missing Edinburgh woman could possibly be in the Seymour area. Officers eventually located the suspect, identified as Sylvia Terry, of Seymour, at the Circle K on Stevens Way and took her into custody.

The victim told police that Terry asked her for a ride to Seymour and while on the way, the suspect took her phone and threw it out the window. The alleged kidnapper then supposedly pulled a knife and first told the victim to drive to Muscatatuck Wildlife Refuge and then back to the Seymour Circle K on Stevens Way, where they sat in the parking lot for two hours.

The victim stated that she did not reach out for help because of fear and Terry’s erratic behavior. Finally, the victim’s family showed up at the store and was able to get the victim away from Terry. The suspect then apparently tried to commandeer another vehicle but Seymour PD arrived and arrested her.

Terry was taken to Jackson County Jail and preliminarily charged with kidnapping, criminal confinement, criminal recklessness, and theft.

The annual summer sewer allowance program offered by Columbus City Utilities is set to begin in June for most residential customers.  After reading the June water meter, the resident’s July bill will begin reflecting the allowance on their sewer charges.  The promotion runs from June through September.

Irrigation meters are available for purchase through the Columbus City Utilities office.  The meters enable customers to water flowers, irrigate lawns, and use water for other activities without paying sewer charges.

For more information on the summer sewer allowance program, call 812-372-8861.

The Bartholomew County Highway Department says that County Road 450N, between Marr Road and State Road 9, will be closed for maintenance for the remainder of  the week from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., on weekdays.  Milestone Contractors will be milling, wedging, and paving the entire road.

C.R. 450N will remain closed through Friday, April 16th.  Bartholomew County Highway Department officials advise drivers to avoid the area and take an alternate route.

The Indiana Department of Transportation promises the I-69 Finish Line Project will finish a year earlier than expected.

The project, which began in 2019, is the sixth and final section of the I-69 connection between Evansville and Indianapolis.

The entire project is now expected to finish a year earlier, in 2024, that speed comes at a price: a five mile stretch between State Road 39 and Morgan Street will be shut down in order to expedite construction efforts.

There will be no north-south accessibility on State Road 37 once the closure is in place. There will be however be some east-west connectivity that will cross State Road 37 to help people get to Martinsville.

That closure will begin this coming Saturday, Jan. 2, and will last until late 2021.

The official detour for the closure in Martinsville will follow State Road 39 to State Road 67 and to State Road 144.

For more information about the closure and to plan your route, head to i69finishline.com.