All posts by Kevin Kelley

Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office Warns of Scams

The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office is warning of scam calls that have been reported where a caller pretends to be a BCSO deputy.
The callers use the names of real BCSO deputies to try to convince people there is a tax warrant or other legal holding against someone they know. The fraudulent callers allege the fake legal holding can only be released if an amount of money is paid to the caller via a variety of methods, per BCSO spokeswoman Judy Jackson.
The sheriff says at no time will a BCSO deputy attempt to collect money directly over the telephone for any reason.
If individuals receive these calls, they are asked to contact BCSO at 812-379-1650.

Columbus Man Arrested on Warrant

A Columbus man, who was just arrested last Thursday for Trespassing in an Apartment Complex, was taken into custody once again on a Bartholomew County warrant on Wednesday.
The Columbus Police Department, at 5:30 p.m., responded to the same apartment complex in the 400 block of South Gladstone Avenue where Michael Kent, was arrested last week, according to Lt. Matt Harris.
When officers arrived they say they again found the suspect hiding inside a residence at the apartment complex.
Kent was arrested on the warrant after it was confirmed that the trespass warning for the apartment complex was still in place.
The suspect was busted by the CPD-led Intelligence Led Policing Unit, which is comprised of officers from CPD and Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office focused on crimes involving repeat offenders.
Law enforcement received an arrest warrant for Kent based upon their investigation and his subsequent arrest on October 21st.
Kent was taken to Bartholomew County Jail and charged with the warrant for an illegal sex offender registry violation and two counts of trespassing.
He remains in jail with an $85,000 bond.

BCSC Receives Check From City

The Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation (BCSC) welcomed a group from CSA Fodrea Campus and Columbus Mayor Jim Lienhoop at this week’s BCSC School Board meeting.
Columbus Mayor Jim Lienhoop presented a check to BCSC in the amount of $1 million to support the corporation’s efforts in STEM, Transition programming for students with special needs, and iGRAD (a graduation program helping students in grades 8-12 who are at risk of not graduating).
BCSC officials said they appreciate the city’s partnership and assistance in helping reach these goals.

Cummins Announces Latest Backup Power Solution

Cummins has announced the launch of Onan Power Stations, the latest offering in its portfolio of backup power solutions.
Onan Power Stations supply a temporary, off-the-grid power source that users can take anywhere. Silent, fume-free, and low maintenance, their lithium-ion batteries can be recharged via a 110-volt wall current, automotive auxiliary outlet, or Onan solar panels.
This new line of sustainable, portable power resources is available in five models and sizes. The smallest, Onan PS160, can charge your smartphone up to 17 times without needing a charge. The largest model, Onan PS1000, can deliver hours of power to appliances like LED TVs and refrigerators.

Bartholomew County Unemployment Rate Goes Down

The Indiana Department of Workforce Development announced Monday that the unemployment rates for Bartholomew and it’s surrounding counties decreased for the month of September.
For Bartholomew County, the September rate was 1.8%, down from August’s 2.4%. The county reported 42,562 employed residents out of a 43,338-person labor force.
The Jennings County rate for September was 2.1%, compared to 2.9% the previous month. Johnson County’s September rate was 1.8%, down from August’s 2.3%.
Jackson County recorded a 1.9% September unemployment rate, compared to 2.6% for August.
Indiana state officials at the DWD announced on Friday that the overall Hoosier unemployment rate for the month of September was 2.8%, remaining the same as in August.

Johnson County Sheriff’s Office Looking for Wanted Man

The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance in finding a wanted man.
John Edmond Bragg, II, is wanted on several charges including fraud and theft.
If you have any information on John Edmond Bragg II or his whereabouts, you are asked to contact your local law enforcement department, call the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office Tip Line at 317-346-4654, or email [email protected].

Bartholomew County Commissioners Approve Amendments to Ordinance

The Bartholomew County Commissioners on Monday unanimously approved amendments to a proposed ordinance that will regulate utility-scale solar facilities in the county.
The proposed changes will now go back to the plan commission, and if approved, the ordinance will become law.
Prior to the vote, the commissioners heard two hours of public testimony.
Items discussed included setback distances of the facilities from adjoining properties, property values and rights, the aesthetics of solar facilities, and the potential benefit the solar fields could bring to the county.
The plan commission plans to meet again on November 9th.

Bartholomew County Man Arrested for Trespassing

A Bartholomew County man was arrested for trespassing on Friday.
An officer with the Indiana University Police Department was in the 400 block of S. Gladstone Avenue when he noticed a man supposedly acting suspiciously. The officer observed the suspect, Michael O. Kent, on the property of a nearby apartment complex.
CPD and the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office were summoned for assistance. A search warrant was filed for and granted after Kent refused to come out of an apartment, according to CPD spokesperson Lt. Matt Harris.
Kent was found hiding in a closet inside the apartment, arrested, and charged with criminal trespass. Initially, the suspect was placed on a 48-hour hold that was later extended to 72 hours because he was out on bond for a previous offense.
Kent was released Monday after posting a $505 bond.

School Evacuated Due to Gas Odor

Smith Elementary School students and staff  were evacuated on Monday due to a gas odor.
The evacuation occurred around 9:00 a.m. after the odor of gas was detected at the front of the school building, according to Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. communications coordinator Josh Burnett. Students and staff were cleared to re-enter the school a little before noon.
Smith Elementary families were notified of the evacuation and re-entry via ParentSquare.