The Bartholomew County Sheriff is urging those with addictions to get help before they overdose and possibly die.
The sheriff’s department reports that deputies found an unconscious man in the back of a vehicle Sunday and both methamphetamine and a syringe were in plain view. But after being revived, the man seemed more concerned about the drugs than the fact that he was actually alive, according to police.
Sheriff Matt Myers says that the community has spent a lot of money to help people get off drugs, including an in-jail treatment program at the Bartholomew County Jail. But he said the bottom line is that it is an individual’s decision to get the help that they need.
He also suggested that family members and friends talk to those who are addicted and need help.
You can get information about treatment options by calling the ASAP Hub at 812-418-8705.
Downtown Columbus parking rules will be back in effect on Monday.
The city’s Board of Public Works and Safety unanimously approved the reinstatement of the rules Tuesday morning.
The rules have been suspended during the pandemic, but the city’s recently formed parking commission last week voted to put the rules back into place. The commission’s recommendation went to the board of works for final approval.
Councilman and parking commission president Tom Dell says this would include the enforcement and ticketing for violations of the three-hour parking limit in prime downtown parking spots. Every vehicle will have a once-a-year freebie ticket as a warning, but fines would begin to accumulate after that, Dell said.
The city will also be working to educate drivers that the rules are back in effect.
The deadline is coming up next week to make nominations for this year’s Jack Cramer Ideals of Athletic Competition Award, according to the Columbus Parks and Recreation Department.
The award is presented annually to a local male and a female athlete, coach or sports organizer. All nominees must live or work in Bartholomew County and be a senior in high school or adult.
The award is in honor of Cramer, a former local athlete who died in 1978 at the age of 33.
You can find information and nomination forms at Donner Center or at www.columbusparksandrec.com The deadline to enter is June 18th.
Columbus parking rules in the downtown area would be returning to the pre-pandemic normal under a proposal from the city’s recently formed parking commission.
The commission recommended last week that the rules go back into effect for downtown parking. Councilman Tom Dell said that would include the enforcement and ticketing for violations of the three-hour parking limit in prime downtown parking spots.
Commission members said that in the absence of enforcement, employees and business owners, rather than customers, have been taking up much of the available downtown parking.
The commission’s recommendation is set to be heard by the Board of Public Works and Safety when it meets this morning.
Bartholomew County Commissioners are recommending that county employees who continued work in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic be eligible for bonus pay from the American Rescue Plan.
The county is slated to get just over $16.2 million dollars under the plan adopted earlier this year by the federal government. Among the strings required by the feds is that a plan be developed locally on how the money will be spent. Commissioner Tony London explains:
On Monday, county commissioners, working with county auditor Pia O’Connor came up with their plan that will go to the County Council for consideration.
The largest allocation under the plan is $4 million dollars for rural broadband improvements. O’Connor pointed out that those improvements are one of a few areas specifically suggested under the law and is meant to patch the weaknesses in the broadband network found during the pandemic, when residents resorted to working and attending school remotely. Other large commitments include $1.5 million to rural fire departments, $1.2 million to the jail heating and cooling system and $1.2 million to township assistance.
But the commissioners also opted to set aside $307 thousand dollars for employees who worked in front line roles through the pandemic. London explained that the employee bonus funds, called “premium pay,” are one of a handful of items laid out specifically in the federal legislation.
The exact parameters of who is qualified to receive the money are still to be worked out. Commissioner President Larry Kleinhenz said that decision should be made by the County Council.
County Councilman Jorge Morales said who would qualify for the pay has been contentious in discussions so far.
County Council meets at 6 p.m. tonight at the Governmental Office Building on Third Street.
Indiana State Police detectives are investigating the death of an inmate at the Bartholomew County Jail on Sunday.
The inmate has been identified as 47-year-old Gregory A. Leonard of Columbus.
Troopers say that Leonard was found unconscious in his cell around 6 p.m. Sunday evening. He was provided medical care at the jail and then taken to Columbus Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
State police detectives were asked to lead the investigation which is the normal practice when a death happens inside a correctional facility.
His family has been notified and the investigation is ongoing.
INDOT says that a bridge project in Jackson County is being delayed. Contractors were originally going to close a State Road 135 bridge over Half Mile Creek near Vallonia in Jackson County starting today through mid August.
A new start date has not been set yet. INDOT will make an announcement when a new schedule is available.
Legal Aid is holding a Free Legal Aid Phone Clinic from 3 to 5:30 p.m. tomorrow afternoon.
Legal Aid offers the clinics for low-income residents of its eight-county district.
If you take part you will have a brief consultation with a volunteer attorney to answer general questions, to offer legal information or to receive other advice over the phone.
To take part, you must first register between noon and 2 p.m. Tuesday afternoon by calling 812-378-0358.
Columbus Police Department and the local FOP will be hosting its annual Hook a Kid on Fishing Day at Ceraland on Friday.
The event will allow children ages 9 to 14 to learn to fish with a Columbus Police officer.
The Hook a Kid on Fishing event will be from 9 to 1 at Ceraland on June 11th. Children will have to pre-register to attend. You can contact Officer Greg Ross at [email protected] or call 812-350-4015.
