Incumbent state representatives for Bartholomew County had a clean sweep last night with Rep. Jim Lucas of Seymour and Rep. Jennifer Meltzer of Shelbyville winning contested primary races and Ryan Lauer of Columbus having an uncontested primary.
According to tallies from the Indiana Secretary of State’s office as of this morning:
In District 69 which includes the far southern part of Bartholomew County, Lucas defeated challenger Brian Savilla 55 to 45 percent. The district also includes portions of Jackson, Scott and Washington Counties.
In District 73 which includes eastern Bartholomew County, freshman legislator Jennifer Meltzer defeated her challenger Edward Comstock II by almost 75 percent to 24 percent. The district also includes portions of Decatur, Jennings and Shelby counties.
In other contested legislative races in our area, Republican incumbent Rep. Alex Zimmerman defeated a challenge from Chad Meinders 65 to 35 percent in House District 67. That district includes portions of Decatur, Jefferson, Jennings and Ripley counties.
The wave of strong thunderstorms that swept the the area last night left power out for many area residents.
Bartholomew County REMC had 1451 customers without power at about midnight with the largest number in the German Township area in the northwest corner, but also significant outages in Columbus and Flatrock Townships. That is now down to about six customers still without power in the county. Officials said that the large outage was caused by a transmission line issue that feeds power to the German substation. Crews had to find a way to reroute power.
Duke Energy reported more than 3,000 customers without power in the Columbus area, 118 in Greensburg and 167 in the Shelbyville area as of midnight. That is down to about 27 customers still out in the Waldron area.
Jackson County REMC reported 1,469 customers without power northwest of Freetown at midnight. Those have all been restored.
With all votes results tallied, long-time incumbent Larry Kleinhenz has won his primary for Bartholomew County Commissioners in District 1.
Kleinhenz defeated political newcomer Rick Miller with just under 58 and a half percent of the vote to Miller’s just over 41 and a half percent. Kleinehnz will go on to face Democrat Josh Burbrink in November. Burbrink was unopposed in his primary today.
In the only other countywide contested race of the night on the Republican side in the Bartholomew County Council at-large race for the three nominations, Kim Bennett, Marcus Speer and Michael Bell have won the primary leading John Prohaska. They will face Democrats Michelle Carr, Nancy Merbitz and Zack Patchett in the fall.
Voting turnout appears to have been low this election with only 18 percent of registered voters casting ballots, or just over 9,300 voters.
Sam Simmermaker, the dean of Indiana sports broadcasters, has announced his plans to retire at the age of 92, after 64 years with White River Broadcasting in Columbus.
The veteran sports director will put down the microphone and recorder, with his last daily sports updates coming on Friday, May 24th. Simmermaker also plans to continue his play-by-play coverage of Columbus baseball teams until the end of the teams’ tournament runs.
“The community embraced us from day one and I just owe everybody a million thanks,” Simmermaker said. “It has been a joy to be able to chronicle the sports scene. Thanks to White River for devoting a tremendous amount of time to sports. I am sure that doesn’t happen very often in the radio business at any level. Thanks to Columbus.”
Bob Morrison, general manager of the White River Broadcasting stations, explained Simmermaker’s importance to Columbus.
“Sam is and will always be the dean of South Central Indiana Sports,” Morrison said. “Sam has been part of the fabric of Columbus for four generations and has touched the lives of everyone in our community and beyond.”
John Foster, morning show host for AM Columbus on News Talk 1010 WCSI and 98.1 FM, looked back on his time working with Simmermaker and their chats every weekday morning.
“It’s been an amazing and wonderful 30 plus year ride with Sam and I will always treasure his friendship and professionalism,” Foster said.
Simmermaker grew up in Pulaski County, graduating from Star City High School and Indiana University in 1954. He began his radio career in Goshen in 1958, after serving in the U.S. Army Signal Corps. From 1958 to 1963 he covered Indianapolis Indians games for WTTV.
He started his full-time career in Columbus at WCSI on Jan. 1st, 1960. His first role in Columbus was in news, but he soon began his sportscasting legacy on WCSI. Since then, he has covered generations of high school athletes here, with some of today’s athletes being the grandchildren or even great-grandchildren of those he covered in his early years.
Among the honors Simmermaker has received during his career include:
* Indiana Sportscaster of the Year in 1976 and in 1997 by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association.
* Indiana Sportscaster of the Year in 1971 by the Indiana Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association.
* Indiana Sportswriters and Sportscasters Hall of Fame inductee in 1998.
* Indiana Associated Press Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame inductee in 1991.
* Best Sports Play-by-Play award by Network Indiana in 2002 and 2004.
* Best Sports Play-by-Play award by Indiana Broadcasters Association in 2005.
* Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006.
White River Broadcasting Co. operates News Talk 1010 WCSI and 98.1 FM, Indiana Country 101.5 WKKG, WINN 104.9 Your Hit Music and WWWY 106.1 The River, in Columbus. It’s parent company is The Findlay Publishing Co., a small, family-owned, privately-held communications company in Findlay, Ohio.
Dave Glass, president of The Findlay Publishing Co., said Simmermaker isn’t one to seek praise.
“Everyone who has listened to Sam over the many decades has their own story and memories to cherish for a lifetime,” Glass said. “Thank you, enjoy the next chapter – you’ve earned it and then some. Bravo, Holy Cow Sam Simmermaker!”
Our Hospice of South Central Indiana has received a grant toward its pediatric care program.
The non profit hospice announced recently that it received the $2,500 grant from the Million Dollar Round Table Foundation for the Pediatric Hospice Care services.
Steph Cain, president of Our Hospice, said the funds will to care for the youngest patients. She said that the agency receives a fixed reimbursement rate for those patients which often leaves a gap between the coverage and the actual cost of care.
Cain credited the grant to the hospice’s partnership with the Greater Horizon Financial Group which is a Million Dollar Round Table member and recommended Our Hospice for the grant.
The Million Dollar Round Table gives to charitable organizations worldwide, demonstrating the generosity, service, and impact of MDRT members. This year, it is awarding over $1.8 million in grants to 350 plus member-endorsed organizations.
Columbus City Utilities is scoring high marks on a recent safety audit.
According to the city, the utility recently passed its first safety audit from the Indiana Wastewater Environment Association with a grade of 99 percent. City officials said that the audit found only one recommendation to improve safety at the facility.
The association is an agency of professionals serving the wastewater and storm water industries in Indiana and beyond. Members perform safety audits at other facilities to get exposed to how other plants accomplish safety programs.
The deadline is today if you would like to have a black or bi-racial student of Bartholomew County recognized for their achievements at an upcoming non-traditional celebration called Education Matters.
Parents and caregivers can submit names to Felicia Garr with the Community Education Coalition by calling 812-371-5255 or by email at [email protected]
The celebration will be Thursday, May 23rd at the Columbus Learning Center starting at 7 p.m. in the evening.
It is being hosted by the Bartholomew County NAACP, Paths to Success, Columbus Enrichment Program and the Community Education Coalition.
It is is primary election day in Indiana and polls will be open from 6 to 6.
In Bartholomew County, you can vote at one of 14 vote centers around the community. Those include:
Flintwood Wesleyan Church
St Johns Masonic Lodge
Nexus Park
Donner Center
River of Living Water Christian Church
Bartholomew County Governmental Office Building
Terrace Lake Church
Westside Community Church
Elizabethtown Fire Station
Hope Moravian Church
Clifford Fire Station
German Township Fire Station
Ogilville United Methodist Church
Bartholomew County REMC
In local contested races, Republican voters will be choosing their candidate for County Commissioner District 1 between incumbent Larry Kleinhenz and his challenger Rick Miller. Republicans here will also be choosing three candidates for the County Council at-large race, from four primary challengers, Michael Bell, Kim Bennett, John Prohaska and Marcus Speer.
In addition to local candidates, you will be choosing candidates for president, Indiana governor, state lawmakers, U.S. Senator and U.S. Representative.
Local government offices will be closed today due to Election Day. In Columbus, trash and recycling routes will be running on their normal schedule.
You will need to have a government-issued photo ID if you want to vote in today’s Primary Election. Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicle offices in Indiana will be offering free non-driver ID cards for those with proper documentation. They’re open until 6 tonight only to help those that need IDs.
If you have any questions about voting in Bartholomew County, you can call the county clerk’s voter registration office at 812-379-1604 or by going to indianavoters.in.gov.
Edinburgh Police say an arrest has been made after a man was stabbed to death early Monday morning.
According to the department, at about 12:22 a.m. Monday morning, Edinburgh officers responded to a report of a stabbing in the 6400 block of East State Road 252. They found the victim, 48-year-old Michael G. Adair of Edinburgh suffering from a stab wound to his torso. Despite life-saving efforts by rescue workers, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Edinburgh police have arrested 34-year-old Steven Garvin of Taylorsville as a suspect in the homicide and he is in custody. Police are working with the Johnson County Prosecutor’s office to determine any charges in the investigation.
The Johnson County Coroner’s office said an autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday.
We could be looking at some bad weather over the next few days, according to emergency officials.
The National Weather Service in Indianapolis says our area is now under an enhanced risk of severe weather today and Wednesday. Forecasters says that strong but not severe thunderstorms are possible this morning, with the threat increasing this afternoon and evening. A second, and possibly more damaging, system could come through on Wednesday afternoon and evening.
The main dangers from the storms are large hail, strong winds and possible tornadoes. The wind gusts could reach 70mph today and 80 mph Wednesday.
Emergency officials urge you to be aware of the weather, to have multiple ways to receive weather warnings, to have a safety plan in place and be ready to act when severe weather is imminent.
