Johnson County Sheriff’s Department press release

Franklin, IN – The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with multiple law enforcement partners, led a countywide roundup today targeting individuals with felony-level arrest warrants for dealing dangerous narcotics. This proactive operation reflects an ongoing commitment to keeping our communities safe from those who threaten public health and safety through drug trafficking and the violence that often accompanies it.

Officers from the Greenwood Police Department, Franklin Police Department, Edinburgh Police Department, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department participated in the operation, along with support from the Johnson County Prosecutor’s Office.

The arrests stem from investigations into the distribution of highly dangerous drugs linked to numerous overdoses, violent crimes, and long-term community harm. Sheriff Duane Burgess emphasized that these efforts are far from over.

“The people that sell, traffic, and provide these extremely dangerous drugs will continue to be put behind bars in Johnson County,” said Sheriff Burgess. “They cause countless deaths through the drugs and the violent crimes that support them. They have shattered thousands of lives, and we will not rest until we have made them answer for these crimes.”

Sheriff Burgess reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to pursuing drug traffickers and those responsible for flooding neighborhoods with illicit substances. This ongoing mission is fully supported by Johnson County Prosecutor Lance Hamner, who continues to partner with law enforcement in the prosecution of these cases.

Sheriff Burgess added, “We will continue to take decisive action against anyone who endangers our citizens through drugs and violence. With the full backing of Prosecutor Hamner, we are standing firm in our responsibility to protect Johnson County families.”

Arrests included:

Mercedes Anderson — Dealing Methamphetamine, Dealing Schedule I Controlled Substance
Katelynn Anderson — Dealing Methamphetaminem, Dealing Narcotic Drug
Jessica Arnold — Conversion
Christopher Bailey — Dealing Methamphetamine, Dealing Narcotic Drug
Crystal Baker — Dealing Methamphetamine
Nataija Carter — Dealing Cocaine, Dealing Marijuana
Tyson Chandler — Dealing Methamphetamine, Dealing Marijuana
Heidi Crawford — Dealing Methamphetamine
Jordan Dillehay — Dealing Methamphetamine
Yolana Fox — Dealing Methamphetamine, Dealing Schedule I Controlled Substance, Dealing Hashish Oil
Michele Gadberry — Dealing Methamphetamine
Nathan Garrett — Dealing Methamphetamine
James ‘Jamey’ Gentry — Dealing Methamphetamine, Dealing Paraphernalia
David Holzhausen — Dealing Methamphetamine
Stephen “S Dot” Jacobs — Dealing Methamphetamine, Dealing Narcotic Drug
Austin Johnson — Dealing Methamphetamine
Michael Kelly — Dealing Methamphetamine
Brianna McCown — Dealing Methamphetamine
Tara McGinley Dealing — Methamphetamine
Christian McKinney — Dealing Methamphetamine
Robert McNeal — Dealing Cocaine, Dealing Marijuana
Rhonda Merchant — Dealing Methamphetamine
Tzon Miller — Dealing Narcotic Drug
Ivan Morales — Dealing Methamphetamine, Dealing Schedule I Controlled Substance
Dajuan Morris — Dealing Cocaine
Samuel Murray — Dealing Methamphetamine, Dealing Schedule I Controlled Substance
Victoria Muse — Dealing Schedule III Controlled Substance
Brian Nelson — Dealing Methamphetamine
Krista Parmer — Dealing Narcotic Drug
Ernest Payne — Dealing Cocaine
Derek Pickerell — Dealing Methamphetamine, Dealing Narcotic Drug
Melinda Quimby — Dealing Methamphetamine
Dennis Raquet — Unlawful Carrying of a Handgun, Dissemination of Harmful Material
Evan Sears — Dealing Methamphetamine
William “Gage” Shellhouse — Dealing Cocaine
Colby Smith — Dealing Narcotic Drug
Jessica Sprankle — Dealing Methamphetamine
Justin Sweet — Dealing Methamphetamine
Joshua Terzui — Dealing Schedule III Controlled Substance
Justin Thompson — Dealing Methamphetamine
Da Mondre Vaughn — Dealing Narcotic Drug, Dealing Marijuana
Amanda Vaughn — Dealing Methamphetamine, Dealing Paraphernalia, Theft
Amanda Villegas — Dealing Schedule I Controlled Substance, Dealing Marijuana
Ricky Wheatbrook — Dealing Methamphetamine, Dealing Schedule I Controlled Substance, Dealing Hashish Oil
Jenny Wrightsman — Dealing Schedule II Controlled Substance

INDOT will be looking for your thoughts next week on a proposed project in Jennings County.

According to the agency, a public hearing will be held on Tuesday for the proposed Muscatatuck River bridge rehabilitation project located on Park Road in Crosley Fish and Wildlife Area in Jennings County. You will have a chance to talk with the project team, to receive the latest updates for the project, and to provide your official public comments.

The purpose of the project is to rehabilitate the bridge so that it can continue to be used by motorists. That will include rehabilitating the truss, bridge deck, gusset plates, low chord, and secondary truss members. Replacing concrete, pier caps, and handrail are also included in the project. The estimated construction cost is about $942 thousand dollars.

Construction is expected to begin next year and the bridge will remain closed while construction is in progress.

The hearing will be at the Jennings County Public Library on Indiana 3 in North Vernon with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday and a presentation beginning at 6 p.m.

The public comment period ends on May 7th. If you can’t make the meeting you can find links to other ways to leave your comments, on our website.

{By email: [email protected] or [email protected]
By phone: 317-806-4342 or 812-528-1868
By mail: Egis Atten: Kristin Wing, 8320 Craig Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46250
Ask questions via INDOT4U at indot4u.com or by calling 855-463-6848)
Project information, including the presentation will be available online at Seymour.indot.in.gov

Trash and recycling routes in Seymour will not be running on Good Friday due to the holiday. Normal Friday trash routes will be picked up today instead.

In Columbus. the Department of Public Works says there will be no change to the trash collection schedule on Good Friday April 18th. You should have your trash to the curb by the normal 7 a.m. tomorrow.

A two-day music festival in downtown Columbus is coming up next week to benefit several local not for profit groups.

The two-day long Hutchfest will feature bands performing on Friday April 25th at The Commons and in venues across the downtown area on Saturday.

Hutchfest, in its third year, is named in honor of local businessman Hutch Schumaker and celebrates his birthday with the fundraiser. According to Landmark Columbus Foundation, proceeds from the events will be split between the foundation, restoration efforts at The Crump and the Miller House and Garden.

The Friday performance at The Commons will be $10 with the Revelators playing from 6 to 8 p.m. and the Barnstormers from 8:30 to 10:30

There is no cover charge for Saturday night’s performances, but they are being held at 21 and older venues. Those performances will include

• 4th Street Bar & Grill: The Jackson Way,
• The Garage Pub & Grill: Downstairs Mix-up,
• The Eagles #741: Fabulous Hickbillys
• The Moose Lodge #398: Albino Catfish Band

There are also four sponsorship levels ranging from $100 to $2,500.

You can get more information or buy tickets at hutchfest.org.

Photo courtesy of Landmark Columbus Foundation

Signups are underway for this summer’s classes for young babysitters in the area of Schneck Medical Center in Seymour.

The free Safe Sitters classes keep the babysitters up to date on how to keep their charges safe with lessons with a medical basis taught by specially trained team members from Schneck Medical Center.

The sitters will learn life and safety skills to give them the tools to handle emergencies when caring for younger children.

The one-day class is for sitters entering sixth through eighth grades. Registration is required. Each class is limited to 12 students and will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at a variety of locations and they fill up quickly.

The first class is set for May 30th at the Boys and Girls Club of Jennings County and the second on May31st in the classroom at Schneck Professional Building. Other locations include Scottsburg and Salem.

You can find a complete class schedule and register online here: https://www.schneckmed.org/events?category=Safe+Sitter&service=

Duke Energy will be holding a fair later this month to help Bartholomew County residents who need assistance with food, health care navigation, mental health, child care, legal services and other services.

Organizers say that more than a dozen local nonprofit and social service organizations will be on hand to provide information, to answer questions, and to offer on-site assistance.

Cathy King, Director of Engagement for United Way of Bartholomew County said the fair will be a chance for those in need to talk to many social service agencies at once.

Kylie Foster, Duke Energy government and community relations manager said the fair sponsorship is meant to help the efforts of the United Way of Bartholomew County.

The resource fair will be from 9 to noon on April 30th at Memorial Baptist Church on Seventh Street in Columbus.

Registration is now open for a free weeklong civics summer camp for kids at IU Columbus, called iEngage

The camp takes place June 23rd through June 27th, for students currently in grades 4-8 to learn how to make a difference in their school, neighborhood and community.

There is no cost to those who participate in iEngage. In addition to the camp itself, students are provided a camp t-shirt, lunch and snacks each day, and if needed, wrap-around care and transportation to and from the Foundation for Youth.

The IU Columbus iEngage program is funded by Duke Energy, the Cummins Foundation, and IU’s Office of School and Community Partnerships through Lilly Endowment’s Indiana Youth Programs on Campus.

Registration is required and early sign-up is encouraged; space is limited to the first 100 campers.

You can find a link to register for the iEngage civics camp here: go.iu.edu/iengage

Last week’s Ivy Tech Day generated almost half a million dollars in donations across the state , with the Columbus campus seeing nearly $25 thousand dollars in donations.

According to the Ivy Tech Columbus campus, the Columbus service area for the college system saw $24,888 in donations in this, the third year for the annual giving day campaign. Money donated on Ivy Tech Day will be dedicated to student success, scholarships, and transformative programs.

Dr. Steven Combs, Chancellor of Ivy Tech Columbus said the money raised “will make a real difference for thousands of students who are working to build better lives for themselves while supporting Hoosier communities.”

He said the school is grateful for every donor.

According to the school, more than 10,000 students are enrolled in the Ivy Tech Columbus area which includes Bartholomew, Decatur, Jackson, Jennings, Johnson and Shelby counties.

Across the state, more than 2,800 alumni, friends and partners donated $483,813 on April 8th to support Ivy Tech Day

Heritage Fund – The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County is announcing a new initiative called Project Encore to bring the Crump Theatre back to life as a centerpiece of downtown entertainment.

Heritage Fund and building owner the Columbus Capital Foundation has commissioned project manager Steve Sanders of Stephen Sanders Consulting to lead Project Encore, turning the aging theatre into the Crump Center for the Performing Arts.

The goal is to finish revamping the theatre to make it viable for year-round live entertainment. Plans include a fully operational balcony, expanded lobby and outdoor areas, event space, state-of-the-art lighting and sound and programming for regional touring acts.

Sanders said the project is meant “to restore The Crump’s position back to the cultural community hub it was well over a century ago.”

Last year, the theater celebrated its 135th anniversary and is believed to be the oldest operational theater in the state. For years, the aging theater was closed because it didn’t meet current fire, building and safety standards. It has been brought back to life largely through volunteer efforts. Those culminated in August of 2023 when the building was found to be structurally sound and earned a renewed entertainment permit

Organizers say that renovations of historic venues can be more economical as well as more appealing to audiences.

Heritage Fund awarded a $50,000 grant, matched by private funders, to establish Project Encore. It will be established as a 501(c)3 nonprofit entity in advance of an upcoming capital campaign. Initial concept renderings will be released in the coming weeks. Those have been commissioned from two design firms and a team of graduate students.

You can get more information at www.thecrump.org.

An error with some Bartholomew County tax bills could be causing confusion about whether or not your property taxes are being paid through an escrow account.

According to County Treasurer Barb Hackman, because of a problem with a data file, thousands of property tax bills were issued with incorrect information about whether the taxpayer or their bank is responsible for the tax payments.

Normally, tax bills paid through escrow accounts will come with a watermark saying that the bill is for informational purposes only. Behind the scenes, the same code that produces the watermark also sends the tax bill to the escrow processing company for payment. Hackman said that the header code was left off of the data file for one of the nation’s largest escrow account processing companies. In Bartholomew County, that meant more than 8,000incorrect billings.

When tax bills started hitting mailboxes after they were mailed last week, the calls started coming in from residents who were being told they were responsible for the tax payments themselves.

Hackman said that the problem has been corrected, the incorrect file field has been updated and the bills should be paid correctly out of the escrow account. However, corrected tax bills will not be resent, she said.

If you have any questions, she says you can call the treasurer’s office for assistance.